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When Renjun switched to his instagram live, he was enthusiastic to share their night walk tonight. It's been a while since they last spent time together, but his partner seemed to be in a gloomy mood as he had been ignoring Renjun. For instance, Mark would only give him a dry response ever since they went out tonight. Walks have been their routine as a date, usually by night time when it’s mostly bedtime for everyone else. It’s the only peace they’ll have given their career.
Renjun personally likes walking under the moonlight, Mark had taken note of this. Winter has set foot in the country, the cold air brushes their skin, bringing shivers to Renjun’s hands. Mark, despite his upset mood, took Renjun’s hand and brought it close in his own pocket.
Renjun is still live on instagram, sharing the astonishing view of the night sky reflecting on the river. By the time they reached the riverside, Renjun unclasped his hand from Mark’s grip and began to stare at him. His phone is now locked and tucked inside his pocket.
“Mark, come on.” Renjun tried his luck to convince Mark to at least look at him but it’s still no use. Instead, Mark took out his phone and began taking pictures as if Renjun is merely a bystander.
Renjun recalled if he’d done something wrong that might have made Mark upset. After several minutes, he concluded none. There’s none that he can remember. Renjun even tried to nudge Mark one more time but there’s still no response from him. It’s rare for Mark to pull this behavior, in the span of their relationship they have always found ways to resolve what needs to be resolved through talking. There may have been some time when Renjun avoided Mark for some reason, but as cheesy as it sounds, Renjun couldn’t ignore Mark—or more like he can’t resist him. He’s a tough one, when they took the love language test, Mark’s first love language is physical touch in which everyone can attest to.
Renjun sighed in frustration. Although they have been dating (in secret) for years now, he’s still not used to initiating the first move—unless he’s drunk (that’s a different narrative, anyways). Being in a relationship still feels overwhelming at some point, he’s gotten used to building up his walls until a particular person enters the equation. Showing affection is still alien to him.
Minutes of pondering deep in his thoughts, out of the blue, an idea came into his mind.
Annoying. (endearingly)
“Baby,”
“Yes, baby?” And just like that, Mark turned to face him with no hesitation and with a cheeky smile on his face. Renjun rolled his eyes, arms crossed then exhaled loudly.
One thing he noticed about Mark is he’s a big baby. How he acts on cam is the complete opposite of how he behaves around his boyfriend. Oftentimes, Renjun found himself babysitting a grown up man who always asks for good night kisses even when they’re rooms apart in a hotel. He has never complained about this though, it’s obvious that Mark has been overworking himself and Renjun thinks that if this is Mark’s way of resting then he’d willingly take care of him.
“Did you purposely ignore me for that?”
“For what? I didn't hear you calling.”
“Mark.”
Mark looked away as if he ignored Renjun again.
So annoying. (lovingly)
“Baby…”
“Hm?”
Renjun’s palms met his face. He heard Mark laugh from a distance as he felt him approaching. In a matter of time, Renjun is in Mark’s arms, completely surrendering in his warmth. Renjun breathes in and heavily exhales all the exhaustion he’s been keeping recently. If home is a place, it’s here; arms wrapped around him, drowning them both in each other’s scent. Compared to the hugs Mark gives him in front of many people (note: the number of people reached seventy thousand at some point), this one doesn’t come close. It’s intimate, it’s full of tranquility they’ve been longing to have, it’s cozy like home.
Although there are times when Renjun feels embarrassed for showing (this much) affection to his boyfriend, he must admit, “Be thankful you’re cute.” Renjun mumbled.
With his head resting on Mark’s shoulder, Renjun felt his boyfriend’s lips form a grin. He looked up to face Mark and indeed, Mark was grinning.
“What?” Renjun’s eyes reflected the night sky in which Mark found the most endearing about him. For Mark, it’s like a privilege to see Renjun this close, given that everyone adores him and this makes him the happiest man alive. No one can blame him for showering his boyfriend with so much affection.
“Can this cutie ask for a kiss, then?” Mark poked his cheek, his lips were pouting while doing so. He then earned a glare from Renjun. There’s the big baby.
Mark knows Renjun wouldn’t say no and Renjun is fully aware that Mark doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer.
Renjun tiptoed to reach Mark’s cheek. He only planned to give him a peck but he was taken aback when Mark turned his head, causing their lips to meet instead. Mark smiled victoriously as Renjun blushed like a tomato. Mark lets out a laugh Renjun adores the most. Being his boyfriend will definitely cost Renjun lots of patience, but he’ll surely never get tired of him.
“Aigoo, my baby.” With all his strength, Mark pulled Renjun into a tight hug. Renjun’s left with no choice but to wrap his hands around Mark’s waist in return. (Although his hands didn’t actually intertwine because he couldn’t fully wrap his arms around Mark.) Being showered with this much affection still kinda feels overwhelming. Little by little, Mark made him realize that he doesn’t have to ask for affection now that they’re together; Mark willingly gives and Renjun may not seem like it but he’s beyond grateful.
“Why were you calling me? Do you want to go somewhere?” Upon Mark’s question, Renjun sighed and pulled away.
As someone who wants everything to be organized, Renjun planned this date beforehand. This isn’t their usual walking date for he had prepared something for Mark, it’s just a simple gift, though. Apparently, giving gifts is one of his love languages. Oftentimes, when they go overseas, he’d visit shops and buy gifts for his members.
Renjun pulled out a white beanie from his bag. “I saw this one and I thought it would look nice on you. I didn’t have time to wrap it, though.”
Mark’s eyes glistened at the sight of it as if he’s a kid with a brand new toy. “Jun, you didn’t have to.”
“I… also have one… we could…”
“We’re matching beanies now?” Mark’s smile never left his lips as he put on the beanie. Renjun only looks at him with adoration, compared to any views he has seen, this sight in front of him is the one he’ll always choose to see.
Once again, he’s pulled into a hug with Mark gently placing a kiss on his head. “I love it. I love you so much.”
A menacing grin formed in Renjun’s lips. “How much?”
“Hmm, this much?” Mark gestured a certain amount using hands. “I think this much.” He widened the distance between his hands, earning a laugh from Renjun. “Kidding. It’s actually that much.”
Mark pointed at the moon.
“Really? We’re being cliché now?”
“Silly.” Mark pinched his cheek. “I know how much you love seeing the moon and I think that’s how I’d describe my love for you. You can’t always see it but it’s always there.”
No matter how cliché it sounds, Renjun would always choose to hear these. Mark has his ways with his words, his instagram captions for example. He makes the simplest phrase turn into a poem. What a mind he has, Renjun thinks.
Given tonight’s view of the moon, Renjun then thought of taking photos with Mark. As soon as he rummages through his pocket, upon getting his phone, Renjun instantly froze.
He forgot to pause his instagram live.