[JREN] Yearning [one-shot]

That's the first thought JR had when his eyes met with an unexpectedly bright pair complete with a cute smile, before his hand shook the soft palms that of Choi Minki's. "Name's Jonghyun," he started, lips quirking up into a bright smile, teeth showing and head poking further out of the blankets, "welcome to Pledis, Minki."


Jonghyun soon realized in the later days, when the younger flopped onto the floor, drenched in sweat, eyes closed. Minki then wasn't as pretty as he was now, with long blonde streaks and the beautiful cat-liner, but he was cute nonetheless. The brightness that amplifies whenever he's performing, the loud shouts of joy when he completes a choreography, the occasional clueless and flustered look when being teased. JR never understood why he's taken such a liking to teasing him whenever he could, poking his finger into the puffed cheeks, laughter echoing in the empty training studio after lessons.

He felt a weight on his shoulders, but didn't bothered opening his eyes, breath heaving from the choreo they've been doing over and over again. JR could hear the soft sigh of contentment, head tilting slightly with a chuckle when Ren's brown locks brushed against his neck. At such a close proximity, Ren smelled of sweat and a very, very faint whiff of deodorant he's sprayed earlier on. But he couldn't shake off that smell of lavender, even though he knew it only existed in his mind, at least at that moment. The boy didn't realise when the weight had left, his hand dropping onto the ground; eyes fluttering open, he couldn't help the grin at the shadow cast on his face, that familiar large eyes staring back at him, hands reaching out to grab Minki's outstretched hands. "Yes, let's go home."


Returning home after a series of filming at the company about the upcoming overseas audition, JR sighed as he tucked the shoes messily into the shoe rack. If he doesn't, a certain Busan boy will come by and nag non-stop, and to be honest, he was getting really tired of hearing that non-stopping nagging around the clock.

Stepping into the small living room, JR blink at the sight of three boys falling asleep on each other - Minhyun's legs over Ren's smaller frame, and Baekho's tummy being used as a pillow for Ren. The leader chuckled lowly, moving closer to clean up the mugs when someone stirred.

"...Jonghyun?"

"Sleep." Hands never stop moving.

A series of groans sounded and then silence, before he could feel the warmth of the younger beside him, arms reaching to grab the empty bag of chips. JR took in a deep breath, almost subconsciously, smelling a light stain of Chocolate on him.

And that familiar lavender.

"JR?"

"...hmm?"

"...Hands. Off. My. Waist."

Jonghyun laughed, before groaning at that quick elbow attack right in his stomach. As he straighten up, one hand on his stomach, JR couldn't help but stare at the lone frame in the kitchen, rolling his sleeves before flicking the tap on.

Since when?

Since when did he start looking at his back like this- longingly, aching for his warmth? He spared a quick look at his hand, the subconscious move to touch the younger, to claim him as his...it was dangerous.

"So what did you do today?"

" ...JR?"

Minki turned, but the boy wasn't there. Confused, he arched his brow and huffed, resuming his tasks and complaining under his breath.

Not knowing the longing look the other casted from the second floor, before averting his gaze.


As part of their anniversary concerts, they had to switch up their choreography. JR wasn't all too bothered by it, until he realized that he had a fanservice section with Ren. Their eyes met for a moment, and JR gave his usual beaming smile, eyes shining as he wriggled his brows on purpose, tone of voice a notch higher in all childishness. "Shall we do it then, Ren-ah~ Ah!"

He sighed softly, hands covering his face as the footsteps draw away, body curled on the ground. Ignoring the laughter from Baekho and Minhyun, he feign death, but couldn't resist a peek at the fellow brunette taking a seat, legs crossed one over the other in all elegance.

There's something incredibly sexy and manly about Ren, JR realized soon enough. Beneath the layers of make-up, lies a very attractive young man, face and body all angled in the right proportions. On stage, the attraction multiplies, but that was something he never manage to catch first hand - unless it was the younger's solo stage. Or the position they're in right then. Barely having any chance to wipe the beads of sweat plastering his locks of his face, he turned to his right, hands curled in a fist and stretched towards the younger.

Everything happened in a split moment - he could feel Ren's hand wrapped around his fists, before he came crashing into his embrace, and JR let out a soundless chuckle. The fans' screams were unheard, but he could feel his warmth, smell the sweat and sweetness of lavender mingled into one, hear his own heartbeat pounding in his chest; his other hand came up in response to curl them on the taught waist, lips curling into the handsome smile. The moment lasted only for a mere second or two - JR could see the sharp eyes, the agape mouth and he swallowed, the loud screams now resounding in his mind.

Then, he dropped the younger - gently, of course, lowering him till he was seated on the stage. And pretended to kick him, exaggeratedly. It was an awkward move - the leader didn't know if he was found out, but he tried. He just needed to get away, away from all these eyes.

Because that smile of satisfaction, that reaction to pull him closer? It's not fanservice, not anymore.

Throwing the last thoughts away as he prepared for his verse, Jonghyun forced himself to focus. Choi Ren, or Choi Minki, have to wait.


With their final stop in Tokyo, the boys celebrated their completion back in the hotel with a late night chicken supper, this time with Japanese beer. JR shook his head in amusement as Baekho opened the caps of beer with too much excitement sparkling in his eyes, and grabbed a couple of tissues for himself and the blonde beside him.

"Yah, why didn't you take some for me?" Aron asked, awkward Korean evident due to his accent as he chewed, brows furrowing when JR pretended to throw his tissue in his direction.

"Of course he has to service me," Ren cut in from the side, voice soft but just loud enough for Aron to hear, twisting the drumstick he got from JR in his hand, "he dropped me on the stage today."

JR merely gave an apologetic smile at the glare, hand reaching out to pat the blond's knee just as the other members took the chance to click their tongues at the leader, "Fine. I'm sorry, our Minki~ I'd be responsible for you!"

"Good. Now pass me the beer."

"Neh, Minki-nim!"

Retreating to their room a good hour or two later, JR flopped onto the bed after cleaning up, casting a glance at the sleeping boy beside him. Curled up beneath the blanket, his face was covered by the new plushies they've gotten from the fans, and JR took the chance to shift closer, quietly. He reached one hand to tuck the loose strand of blond hair behind his ears, and he could smell it again. The freshness of mint was overpowering the usual lavender, but he didn't mind it at all.

His lips curled up, and he remained in that position for a long while, merely watching. It was only when they head overseas, that JR had the legitimate reason to fall asleep and wake up next to the blond. The boy hummed, eyes fluttering lazily. Perhaps it was the beer, or perhaps it was the accumulation of stress of having to do four shows in Japan, but he could feel his mind tuning out to the surroundings. Slowly, carefully, he leaned in to land a soft kiss on the forehead, feeling the silky locks on his lips before pulling away, back turned.

And he knew when the morning comes, they're back to square one, where Ren would never know of his growing struggle to keep him close, to make him, his.

"Sleep well, our Minki."

A short pause, and then he added, softly, muttering.

"...I love you."