welcome back, angels! it's so good to be able to publish these again guilt-free with no stress! i've missed you ❤️
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A week had passed the group by in a heartbeat, and nobody had mentioned on the first day that the premier would be so soon. Perhaps they'd forgotten the excitement and shock that came with dating an actor, because Renjun was tossed quite far out of his depth on the third day of Mark's return when they asked if he was ready.
"Ready?" He had mumbled with a wedge of apple in his squishy cheeks, "For what?"
"Um, the one night you'll be able to brag about for years?" Chenle blinked innocently, "The one night you get to be famous?"
"The...the premier?! When?!"
Well, the shopping sprees that had taken place at the mere mention of having a weak wardrobe were intense. Both Donghyuck and Chenle had run him around the city from dawn til' dusk, and the oldest had to wonder where they got all their money. Surely not all of them were rich and powerful.
Long story short, it had been hectic. But so very worth it now that the night had actually arrived. School had been tough, and YangYang was starting to talk about inviting the raven-blonde to his own apartment sometime soon; an exciting idea. However, now that the ringleader of the relationship in his own residence was home...would there be chances to just leave without explaining himself? Hell, would Mark even care? Did the others just make a big deal out of nothing?
"Ugh, look at you," Chenle cooed as the older started walk out of his bathroom and into the living room area where both Hyuck and the youngest were standing around. "You're stunning, Renjunnie. I shouldn't always be so surprised, but you clean up so well!"
Donghyuck hummed in agreement and pulled the boy in closer by his wrists. It was eight in the evening, and the sky was only starting to dust a faint lilac colour beyond the clear side windows. His eyes scanned each detail of the outfit they'd prepared together since it had been one of many options.
The Chinese adult had no end of trouble when sliding on the fake leather, black trousers, and he'd never in a million years imagined he would own a pair. They hugged him nicely though, and almost created a natural curve to his waist that wasn't really present. Above those was the deep, crimson-red button up that Hyuck had purposely revamped a little for him. The sleeves were full length, but his shoulders were exposed and he sneakily took away the first three buttons so that the older wouldn't try to step back into the priestly look he tended to rely on. There was stitched-in glitter on the red fabric that had always been there, and Chenle handed him his favorite necklace.
"This was a gift from Nana for my birthday," the youngest explained as he rested their cheeks together and clipped it around Renjun's neck. "I believe it was my first birthday in this relationship, actually. Pretty," he hummed before standing back to join Donghyuck as they eyed him up and down.
"Garnets look so good with black," the brunette by his side agreed. "Now, are you able to do your own makeup, or will we help you?"
"Well, I don't particularly mind," Renjun murmured as he wandered off to look into the reflective surface of the the windows. He really did look ethereal — a pretty picture. His toes curled slightly with anxiety in his ankle boots, and he just couldn't shake the fear of disappointing Mark, or embarrassing the boys in some way. He didn't think he was cut out for this, or ready at all...but they insisted.
"Stop pouting," Hyuck chuckled and went at the male's long hair with a brush while Chenle interrupted his view of the glass by standing in front of him and doing some light touchups to his face. "I'll kiss the frown away if it isn't gone in three seconds."
"Jeez, okay....Oh, is there etiquette I need to know?" The smallest asked curiously and fluttered his eyes shut as the taller applied some shadow. "Is it all common knowledge?"
"Just the typical, mostly. Mark will guide you through the whole thing, Lovely," Chenle uttered while focusing solely on his work. "There are weird and wonderful people that attend these things, y'know? Actors are artists, and artists express themselves in crazy ways. When I went a couple of years ago, I wasn't the only guy in a dress. But people thought I was a woman...this man actually looked like a man in a dress. You'll be fine."
"Will people try to talk to me?"
"Definitely," Donghyuck responded this time and finished with the male's hair. "You're the company of one of our leading actors right now, Renjun. They'll grill you for answers about Mark's personal life, about how you two ended up together, and quite possibly about where I am. I'm the 'official' partner, you know?"
"Oh...What do I say?"
"Say nothing and everything. It's up to you, really, but we try to keep the polyamorous thing under wraps since people won't take it lightly. If you don't like the question, turn it down."
"Oh, and don't eat too much if you don't have to," Lele added and stepped back to smile brilliantly at his perfect artwork. "People say some outrageous things, drink some crazy stuff, and sometimes weird shit happens. Eating upsets the stomach."
"Got it..." he nodded firmly and, with a hint of shyness, he played with the cuffs of his sleeves and waddled out from between them to take a look at himself again in the window.
Woah...
"You make it so hard to resist you," the second oldest whispered against his ear after trailing to perch behind him, and he looped his hands around the boy's waist to stare at that reflection as well. "Like it?"
"Mhm...it's almost a completely different version of me."
"Both 'Normal Renjun' and 'Fancy Renjun' are shining stars, so don't feel self-conscious," Chenle beamed. "I think you're ready."
"Oh God..."
"Let's wait downstairs for that troublesome boyfriend of ours," the brunette behind the oldest sighed before gently taking Renjun by the hand and leading him out of the apartment and downstairs. The trio had light footsteps, and the soft clicking of the boots against the tiles was quite pretty to the newest resident of the complex.
"Keep straight posture," Hyuck murmured once they reached the second descending flight of stairs. "Confidence is key in these situations."
"Don't make eye contact with other people," Chenle then added. "They'll expect conversation then, or perhaps assume you're inviting them in."
"Stay with Mark as much as you can, because that's the safest you'll be."
"And for God's sake, smile. Don't look like Mr. Misery, or else it'll dampen other people's moods. Okay?"
"Okay," Renjun breathed out airily, taking in one more inhale and slowly releasing it to relax his nerves. "I think I'm okay."
"Of course you are," they both chimed simultaneously before the older of the pair grinned angelically. "You're perfect."
Then, without any indication that they would, the cheeky duo leaned in and pressed kisses to either of his cheeks. The brunette giggled against his ear after and bit at it, but he was only teasing to ease him up. "Best of luck."
Before Renjun even had the chance to smack him over the head and scold the boy for making his face feel warm, three men at the top of the first staircase made their way down...and God did the oldest in the centre of them send a wave of butterflies to erupt inside his stomach.
Mark was in a suit; a navy one with a white shirt underneath and no tie. He had his sleeves rolled up to his mid-arms, and his slacks sat so gorgeously on his hips making it impossible not so see his perfect figure.
"Aaaw, Renjun you look like a star," he praised and wore a dazzling smile as he broke away from Jeno and Jisung. The younger two had probably enacted the role Hyuck and Chenle had, and seemed quite proud of the outcome. Stylists who weren't paid.
"You look even better," the Chinese male smiled and covered his cheeks to cool them down. "I suddenly feel like a co-star."
"I'd love if you were, but the world isn't quite ready for my real sexuality in movies, hm?" He pulled the other's hands down from his face and replaced them with his own, cupping Renjun's cheeks and admiring the beautiful makeup done. "Look at you. I've been missing out, haven't I?"
"There's always time to make up for it," Jaemin suddenly yelled from the kitchen and ran out with Taeyong to the group, "But like, not right now. The premier starts in an hour, so you two need to leave now."
"Renjunnie, take this," Taeyong offered a pretty, gold watch that matched his outfit incredibly well. "Pulling out your phone doesn't look classy, and one of these is the best accessory for one's attire."
"Oh my God, it looks expensive! What if I break it?" The younger panicked and watched carefully while the Korean latched it around his petite wrist.
"You won't, it'll be fine. We're all going to be watching the TV for you two, so best behaviour."
Mark smirked at this and made a peace sign to Jeno and Jisung before placing a gentle kiss to Donghyuck's forehead, Chenle's cheek and Jaemin's nose. "See you guys later tonight, or maybe tomorrow morning. Depends."
"Stay safe, guys," the remaining six waved cutely as the pair left through the doors. They looked like a real couple from a different era, and it melted the boyfriends' hearts to imagine that maybe, just maybe Renjun really would be theirs one of these days. He wouldn't feel so insecure anymore, because this would be real.
"I'll drive, Angel. There's a certain romance to showing up without a driver," Mark hummed happily and opened the passenger door for the younger. "You ready?"
"Honestly, no. But I think I can handle it since you'll be there with me."
"But of course," he winked and helped him in. "You're mine for the night, so don't hold back."
Wouldn't dream of it, Renjun thought to himself, lacing his hands over his lap. After all, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity for some that others would never have.
A chance to live in a dream.
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