𝗮𝗿𝗺'𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵; norenmin

~ten~

He tried to sit up, but only made it to the position of leaning on his elbows. "No. How long have I been out?"

"Since lunch, so......maybe four hours?"

He groaned, "You should've woken me up. I have work to go to."

Shaking his head, Renjun stood up and folded his arms. "I find it hard to believe that you're here ordering me around but haven't even said 'thank you' for what I've done."

He blushed slightly, "Sorry. I was rude, and thank you."

The older smiled, glad that he had common decency somewhere. Perhaps he hadn't exercised it in awhile.

"Anyway," Renjun continued, "I have some food for you, and some water. If we go downstairs, the canteen staff agreed to put some aside for you."

"But I-"

"Don't fight me on this, Jeno. I'm not going to force the truth out of you. But in order for me to leave you alone in that sense, I need you to accept my help. Please."

He looked down at his legs for a moment. He was starving, at the end of his limits even. He needed that food, even if he didn't want to accept help.

"Fine," he agreed, seeing no harm in it since the older had promised not to force his backstory out of him.

Getting up, Jeno followed Renjun down the hallways and towards the canteen. The older was on his phone, clearly talking to someone.

Is he telling someone about me? The younger wondered to himself, clenching his fists nervously. He didn't want to ask and risk being wrong. He'd seem vain and full of it. But if he was right.....then what?

"Over here," Renjun put his phone away upon entrance into the largest room in the school. There was a small pile of snacks on one of the tables.

"Is that all for me?" Jeno asked, getting a little excited at the sight of something to fill the painful gap in his stomach.

The older beamed, stepping over to the table and taking a seat, tapping the seat Jeno would sit in and looking pleased. "I requested stuff that I know all guys our age eat."

I'd literally eat a tree, but thanks anyway....Jeno wanted to laugh, but he withheld his thoughts. Honestly, there was no soul more beautiful than Renjun in that moment to him, though the food definitely held his undivided attention.

He collapsed down into the chair, quickly pulling a roll over to his mouth and digging in.

Renjun watched silently as the younger inhaled the meal. The nagging anger enveloping him didn't lessen as he continued to think 'this boy shouldn't be alone!' But he still felt helpless in the situation.

Only when Jeno revealed everything to him could he truly put his hand in and help. But how would he achieve that level of trust?

The snacks were depleting rapidly before him, and Renjun wondered whether he needed to grab more food or if this was enough. The younger was so skinny.....how could he fit it all in?

He pulled his phone out once more while the other was busy and saw another text from Jaemin;

I'll talk to you more at the opening day. Try to get Jeno to talk.

That was easier said than done. The dark haired male sighed and slid the phone into his pocket. The opening day was only two days away. The juniors had done a pretty good job of finishing everything. Tomorrow would've been the final checks and the day after was the event itself.

Once the younger had finished the food, he leaned back in his chair and finally took a breath. His eyes trailed over Renjun and he smiled slightly.

"Thank you," he murmured.

The older perked up, "Pardon?"

"I said thank you. For all your help, that is...."

Renjun covered most of his face with his hands, trying to hide his warm cheeks. He didn't expect such a sincere thanks from him so suddenly. "Y-you're welcome. I could tell there was something up."

He nodded slowly, "I'm not ready to talk about it. But if you ever need a favour, I'll try my best to help."

Bingo!

Renjun had unintentionally put them in a situation where Jeno would have to see him again. If he could just hold this situation in place until Jaemin met up with them in two days time, then his work wouldn't have been for naught.

He wanted Jeno to pay attention to him. He wanted to be friends with him. But Jaemin seemed to have better methods at achieving that than he did.

"I'm glad I could help," the Chinese grinned, leaning down on his palm.

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