𝘄𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗺; renjun x dream

𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙮 𝙨𝙞𝙭

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Two and a half years ago...

They had all gathered and perched inside an aesthetically pleasing cafe. Holographic-coloured chimes sat beautifully over the door, an avocado-green was painted across the walls, and with that sat similarly shaded utensils on each dark, grey table. The wood and all its knots seemed artificial with how perfectly smooth the surfaces were, so perhaps this was indeed fake elm with a dye through it.

Waitresses were abundant while it appeared the baristas were mostly males. They had black clothes on with green aprons, their chests sporting the badges they'd been given for names and the café's logo.

However, none of this was significant to the conversation at hand. Mark sat with Jaemin across from Chenle, and the feminine adult out of the trio was clearly a bit nervous.

"I knew you looked familiar," Chenle murmured as she played with her long, raven hair. "I...I guess the face mask works well."

"My job is hard in that sense," the actor sighed while lacing his hands together upon the tabletop. "I'm actually glad you couldn't tell initially. You made me feel more normal."

"I suppose there is always the option to give it up," Jaemin hummed almost inaudibly and pretended to yawn while stretching at the same time. It seemed he wasn't done with their prior conversation that the new arrival had interrupted.

"Nana," Mark narrowed his eyes. "Drop it."

With a harsh command like that, as well as a lovely guest in their company, the host had no choice. So he reluctantly sat back into his seat and rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

"I'm assuming this is an age-old fight, then," Chenle blinked softly. "There's no compromise in the world of work, huh?"

"None," the couple responded simultaneously. Their eyes shot to meet each other's, though the hostility immediately evaporated once they connected and, as usual, they seemed to fall in love all over again.

"I love what I do, Nana. I don't want to give it up."

"Well, I love you. I don't want to give you up either, alright? But even Donghyuck agrees that your disappearing acts for weeks, if not months at a time are tedious and annoying. We're being left behind."

"I always come home. You know that."

"But for how long?" Jaemin sighed and started to solemnly play with his fingers. "You come home...and then you're gone again. I can't even see this stopping in the near future. What if you turn out to be one of those actors who's at it up into old age? Will Donghyuck and I grow old together on our own? And whoever we find along the way? Will you even be there for that?"