jaemark

“Let me get that for you.”

Jeno stepped back as Renjun dragged over their little step stool, climbing up to reach for the honey stored on one of their higher shelves. They were always offering to grab things for him, because Jeno still had another week before he could lift his arms over his head.

In fact, Renjun had been very helpful and supportive from the start. Before the surgery, they had helped Jeno make a workout and diet plan, focusing on his upper body. They had packed bags for the both of them when Jeno went in for his surgery, they helped him drain, and helped him bathe. They comforted him when he was in pain, and diligently prepared meals for him because he couldn’t do it on his own.

Now, three weeks had passed since Jeno’s surgery, and he was recovering well. He changed his dressings whenever Renjun felt it was necessary, he wasn’t in any more pain, and he was able to do very light exercise that mostly just involved going for walks. At four weeks, he’d theoretically be able to resume normal activity, but Renjun was insistent on waiting longer, just in case.

“Thank you,” Jeno said, giving Renjun his best smile as he drizzled honey on his shibuya toast. Renjun leaned over and topped it with whipped cream and strawberries, their tongue poking out in concentration as they made the perfect swirl. 

“You want yogurt too?” Renjun asked, taking one of the cups they prepared out of the fridge. Jeno shook his head, watching as Renjun popped open the lid and added granola and berries to the cup of yogurt, scooping a bite into their mouth with a spoon. They’ve been eating a lot of yogurt these days — and fresh fruit, chicken noodle soup, and every recovery dish that Renjun could think of. 

“I miss biking,” Jeno sighed around a mouthful of toast. 

“Only three more weeks, baby,” Renjun soothed him, abandoning their yogurt in favor of petting Jeno’s hair. They’ve been doing that a lot lately, petting his hair and neck, like they thought of him as a silly puppy. Jeno didn’t mind — he loved their casual affection and how they seemed to do it mindlessly, like it was just natural for them.

“Will you come with me when I can go again?” Jeno asked, peering up at his beloved with pleading eyes. 

Renjun sighed. “Only if you promise to take it easy. You know I can’t keep up with a fitness junkie like you.”

“I promise,” Jeno said brightly. Inside, he was practically vibrating with excitement. The only thing better than a relaxing bike ride was a bike ride with Renjun. They were so cute and they liked to stop to take pictures and buy snacks from the bakery, always hand-feeding Jeno whatever pastry they had thought to try that day. They bitched and moaned a lot, but they always made an effort, and Jeno appreciated it so much.

“There’s a new exhibit in the art gallery,” Renjun said idly, fidgeting with the hem of their shirt. “Wanna go?”

Jeno had to stifle a laugh, hiding his smile behind his fork. Renjun was so bad at acting indifferent when Jeno could tell they really wanted to go. But of course, he’d go anywhere with Renjun without question. “Yeah, I’d love to! I was thinking that it’d been a while since we’ve gone there.”

“Okay!” Renjun lit up, a soft and pretty smile spreading on their face. They tucked a lock of hair behind their ear as they grabbed their phone off the table. “I’ll book us some tickets right now. I heard they’re going pretty fast.”

“Better hurry then,” he finished the last of his toast, popping the final strawberry in his mouth. Renjun giggled, leaning over with a hand stretched out to Jeno’s face. Jeno’s eyes crossed as Renjun wiped his nose with their thumb — he hadn’t even realized he had whipped cream on the top of it. 

“Messy,” Renjun said fondly, licking their thumb before taking Jeno’s plate and fork away despite his protests. “Stop, I wanna do this for you. You should rest.”

“I can handle washing some dishes,” Jeno said with a pout. Renjun gave him a look as they turned on the tap.

“Go put your binders in the hamper if you want to be helpful.” Jeno sighed but backed away, heading upstairs to dig through his laundry basket for his compression binders. They were machine-washable, but Renjun insisted on hand washing them. The binders had been gifts from Jaemin and Mark, their best friends who have also been very supportive throughout the process of Jeno’s top surgery. 

He bumped into Renjun on the way out of the bathroom. “Hey there, come here often?”

Renjun rolled their eyes, but leaned up for a kiss. Jeno tilted his head down easy as ever, happily pressing their lips together. Kissing Renjun was probably his favorite pastime. It was as simple as breathing, as addicting as an adrenaline rush, and the most familiar sensation of home that he could think of. 

“What do you want to do today?” Jeno asked when they pulled apart. Renjun’s cheeks were flushed a pretty pink, and they were staring at Jeno with a half-dazed expression. It took only a moment for them to snap out of it, but Jeno secretly filed away the mental image in his mind for later. 

“You still need to take it easy,” Renjun reminded, as if Jeno could ever forget. “Maybe we could take a walk by the lake?”

“That sounds nice,” Jeno said. “We could pack some snacks and drinks. Have a little picnic.”

“Sounds lovely.” Renjun smiled up at him, leaning their head on his shoulder. “I’ll pack the snacks if you get the blanket and sunscreen?”

“Deal,” Jeno said, already turning on his heel to head back into the bedroom. Grabbing their picnic blanket was easy enough, so he tossed a couple essentials in his backpack and went downstairs. Renjun was packing snacks into the picnic basket as if they hadn’t just eaten breakfast, adding their favorite juices and some extra bottles of water.

“Think we should invite Mark and Jaemin? They complained about being bored earlier.” Jeno blinked and pulled his phone out of his pocket, blanching when he realized how many messages he had missed because he’d forgotten to take it off DND.

“Sure, I don’t care. The more the merrier.”

Renjun gave him a brilliant smile, taking out their phone to presumably text an invitation to their friends. While he was occupied, Jeno examined the contents of their picnic basket, rummaging around to see what Renjun had packed. He found mostly all of his favorite snacks, some that he didn’t even know they had. A lot of it was things Renjun didn’t like, but often bought anyway because Jeno liked them. 

Love and warmth bloomed in Jeno’s chest, unfurling like a flower as he closed up the basket, unable to keep the dopey grin on his face. God, he loved Renjun so much.

“What are you smiling at?” Renjun’s voice was fond as they tilted their head in inquiry, catching sight of Jeno’s ridiculous lovestruck expression.

“Nothing,” Jeno sighed happily. “I just love you.”

“Oh.” Renjun looked surprised, as if Jeno didn’t tell them how much he loved them every day. “I love you too.”