So, This is Love💫 (Chenji AU)

🎨7🎨

Jeno laughed at Jisung trying to sit up as straight as he could. Something caught Jeno's eye as he watched Jisung placing his hands in an awkward position. "What's that?" He asked, pointing at a very shiny ring on Jisung's pinky.

"Oh. Chenle had left it by accident. I was hoping to give it back." Jisung replied sadly.

"You're still wearing it since that night?" Jeno chuckled in disbelief and stared at it for a moment. It had been a week since that night when the boys had a romantic night under the stars. "It's awfully small. What finger did he have it on?"

"His ring finger." Jisung said, observing the ring on his long finger.

"Jisung, are you sure you didn't imagine this guy? No guy's ring finger should fit in that."

Jeno opened his palm, asking to see the ring. Jisung placed the ring on his open palm. The older boy played with it between his fingers, before trying it on. He tried it on each finger, but it fit none of them at all. It barely slid down his little finger.

"This ring could fit a child." Jeno laughed. "It barely almost goes all the way down my pinky."

"Prince Jisung, will you please let me finish your portrait?" Both boys turned to the painter, trying to paint Jisung on a horse. He sounded desperate, so Jisung got back to his position, feeling bad. The "prince" title barely ever came out of the short boy's mouth, not because he didn't respect Jisung, but because Jisung hated being called a prince by his friends, it made him cringe.

"Sorry, Renjun." Jisung mumbled, trying to stay still. 

"Renjun! Your little painter hands are smaller and daintier than ours, can you try this ring on? Please." Jeno said, poking Renjun's shoulder.

"I'm kinda busy right now. I'm not getting paid to entertain you, Jeno, let me finish this." Jeno pouted and decided that Renjun would finish quicker if he'd let him work. Jisung stayed quiet and still as Renjun's paintbrush danced across his canvas. Jeno waited, watching the painting come to life.

"Can you not breathe down my neck while I'm working?" Renjun said, not even turning to Jeno who was watching him paint.

"I'm not." Jeno muttered, then backed away a little to give the Chinese boy some space.

"Ok, I'm finished now." Renjun said, smiling gently at his work, after about half an hour. The other two boys let out a big sigh of relief.

"Oh come on, I tried to make it nice. Come see if you like it." Renjun motioned Jisung over. The boy got down from the seat and walked over to see the painting.

"Wow, that's amazing, Renjun. You made me look better than I actually look." Jisung exclaimed.

"Well, that's my job." Renjun shrugged, smiling gently. He was proud of how his work turned out.

"Ok." Jeno clapped his hands, getting their attention. "Now, let's try this on." Jeno held the ring between two fingers and faced Renjun. He held his hand out for Renjun to give him his hand.

"I can do it myself thank you." Renjun shook his head and held his hand out for Jeno to give him the ring. Jeno smirked before pulling Renjun's hand closer, making Renjun almost trip. He frowned but let Jeno try the ring on him. It fit down his pinky all the way, but was loose. Jisung gasped at that.

"Your hands are tiny." He said, in amazement. Renjun just gave him an odd look.

Jeno tried it on each finger, noting that although the ring fit better on Renjun's fingers, it still didn't fit right. Renjun's fingers were more skinny. They were probably smaller too. It looked odd on Renjun's ring finger. However, it barely went down his ring finger because Renjun's fingers were bonier.

Jisung stared at Renjun's hand, thoughtfully. Chenle's hands seemed smaller. Was it because they were chubbier? He laughed to himself at the thought of it. Chenle's hands were like a baby's, except a little more textured. Jisung suddenly felt a ticklish feeling in his gut and couldn't help but giggle. The other two boys ignored him.

"They're cute." Jeno cooed, looking at Renjun's smaller hands. Renjun rolled his eyes and took his hands away. "Save the flirting for smiley face." Renjun called Jaemin that because that's what Jeno called Jaemin before he knew his name.

"Here you go, Jisung. I still think you should tell your dad about Chenle." Renjun said, handing Jisung the ring, which was honestly a little hard to take off.

"Jeno, have you found anything when you've gone out to town?" Jisung asked. He had asked Jeno to look around the next time he was out doing errands. Jeno has a job here at the palace as Jisung's right hand. He was a very loyal partner, but more like friend to Jisung.

"Jisung, I looked everywhere I could without a warrant. If you want me to really search, you have to tell your father so he'll let you officially start search for him by law. I've done the most I can, but there's no sign of him. I haven't even seen Jaemin or Donghyuk in town." Jeno sighed.

"I'm scared. My dad has it set in mind that I'll marry nobility. I don't want to let him down. He's passing away soon and I would like him to believe his kingdom is in good hands before he passes." Jisung said, suddenly changing the mood.

"But his kingdom is in good hands. You're going to be a great king, Jisung. Would you rather lie to your father before he dies or tell him the truth and possibly have him give you his blessing?" Renjun said. Renjun was always good at giving advice. He was the most motherly of his friends with his gentle nagging and advices. Still, Jisung was scared.

"I'll...I'll think about it, but honestly, if I can't find Chenle, then maybe I should give up and give in. It might be sign to do what's right for the kingdom and marry nobility. I mean, I did only meet him once." Jisung sadly said.

"Don't give up now. You sounded so in love that day. Are you not interested in him anymore?" Jeno said.

"Of course I am, but maybe Chenle doesn't even want to be found." Jisung shrugged.

"Jisung, remember when we talked about his step-mom? There's something odd happening, and I think you should figure out if he's okay at least. You just need to talk to him about it. You can't give up. I've known your dad for a long time, and I think he'd rather see you happy before he goes. I know you've still got determination in you. Use it. If you really want Chenle instead of someone you've never met, then you need to tell your father. Renjun is right." Jeno spoke gently.

"You guys are right, but it's not just about my father. What if Chenle doesn't want to marry royalty? He never found out I was the prince. I'm scared of his rejection too, not just my father's." Jisung sighed.

"Jisung, shut up." Renjun said with a frown. "Literally just ask him, maybe he does want, or even need, to be found. You yourself said that something odd seemed to be happening. Why do you think nobody's ever even heard of him? Jeno even told you that he's never seen him or heard about him from Jaemin. He literally ran home. Even if you don't marry Chenle, I think you should make sure he's safe. He could be getting abused right now, Jisung! If you don't tell your dad about wanting to marry Chenle, at least tell him that he might be in danger! This is a serious matter, and you, as future king, should take action for the sake of a member of your kingdom, or moreover the sake of a friend."

Jisung and Jeno stared at Renjun with wide eyes. Jeno almost wanted to clap or say amen because he agreed with every word, but being the more passive friend, he wouldn't have snapped like Renjun. Jisung felt bad. He felt bad because he was worried about other things and not what he should really be worried about, Chenle's safety. Jisung immediately started nodding.

"Okay. I...I'll tell my dad."