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Being a psychic in an outrightly science-based world that has little for the … say, finer things in the world is a bit funny, to be honest.
It's funny to Renjun at least.
Seeing how Kun is gradually growing grey hair that one day because of repeated scam accusations, he might even dye it silver to make it less obvious, or how Sicheng lets out a very long sigh when the client on the other end of the phone starts sobbing again … Ten frantically looking for his tarot cards is less funny when he has to lock his own room to keep the other from entering, though.
But, he'd still say it's fun overall in the chaotic household, filled with life and predictions and small useful notions, like how Dejun throws in a word about bringing an umbrella for the day despite the weather forecast saying otherwise (they'd be right, though; weather in science and predictions is kind of their thing).
Chenle is a bit of an odd one, to be honest, with how he seems to be working day-in, day-out on things none of them are quite sure of, but … sure. Let the youngest work in the way he wants to?
Renjun pointedly ignores the small explosion coming from the basement as he exits the house. Yangyang promised to help him set up his tent at the county fair in the next-largest neighbourhood.
🔮
"I really don't know why you're doing this …" Yangyang huffs out as they somewhat manage to bring the tent to life. "It barely covers your part of the rent."
"Yeah … don't remind me," Renjun only sighs as he pats a wrinkle out of the fabric, "I'm still working on paying off this monster."
In truth, he is actually quite proud of the red-gold fabric monstrosity, as it's lovingly called by the whole household. It's soundproof, on top of being quite pretty, so he counts that as a win.
"But, it's fun, I guess? It's fun to get in touch with people, even if they might believe I'm just making things up," he elaborates further.
Yangyang doesn't seem quite as convinced, but it's a thing that came up multiple times now and Renjun isn't going to budge.
"So long you don't overwork yourself. I think Kunhang will check on you later again with lunch, so … good workings until then."
"Yeah, yeah, have fun with your pixels and stuff," Renjun waves him off with a grin as he hears the groan disappearing in the distance.
"It's not just pixels!"
🔮
Psychic powers sometimes feels like too generic of a term for everything that it encompasses, but Renjun figures it's the best they got in a world where such things have been in decline for centuries.
Take Kun, for example - his powers are way too convoluted of a something to describe, something about touching the very fabric of reality and following a singular thread alongside it as it spreads into various possibilities - to gauge potential outcomes or something. To be honest, when Kun tried to explain it to him in all detail before, it only ended in confusion. Fact is, he is the most powerful of them all, but it comes with the drawback of not being able to communicate his findings directly, having to rely on more … creative ways to make it known. It doesn't always work, but Kun doesn't stop trying, regardless.
Renjun thinks it's admirable and certainly not a life he could live.
Xiaojun's attunement to the weather and Ten's tarot cards are easier to understand. The latter even designed a couple of his own tarot decks, making waves online and earning him some money on the sideline next to the readings he does.
… Truth be told, the powers of the rest of the household - especially Chenle's - are more of an enigma to Renjun, not openly flaunted or in any way tangible, but the flow of destiny still pulsates clearly within each of them, too. It isn't like he's very open about his own, either.
So, what about him?
Well …
🔮
Renjun furrows his eyebrows as he carefully takes the girl's hands between his, focusing on what she's been rambling over for the past minute or so.
"Hm … I see, there is an important person in your life, but it's quite rocky right now," his voice is gentle as he speaks, if only not to further irritate the already unnerved girl as she nods slowly. She hasn't been the most trusting when she came in, but that's nothing that Renjun isn't used to by now. He just keeps going.
Gently, he turns her hand as he examines the lush green thread, wrapped around one finger and spanning somewhere outside the tent. It's a tense hold. "Are you perhaps having trouble with a family member? Your sibling?"
"Y-yes, how did you-"
But Renjun only smiles wistfully, eyes barely glancing around the whole set-up in the tent that should help settle the ambience for something more … otherworldly.
In this moment, it's his job, no?
"R-right, almost forgot," the girl mutters. "So - uhm, what do you think I should-?"
Renjun hums, nodding as he looks further at the thread. The colour itself is enough to determine the type of relationship, and with how beaten and thin it appears, it doesn't seem quite a promising one right now. But there are little knots, sometimes with other threads that wrap around the girl's fingers, seemingly stabilising the endangered thread.
"Maybe there is something that is kept from you, or you're keeping something from them … I can sense that there are people supporting you, your family and a few friends I'd assume, but relying on others to get along with your sibling will not work out in the long run. I think you should take the first step, clearly stating that you want to patch things up. As far as I can see it, it's not too late," he concludes with a soft smile as he lets go of her hand.
"And you read that in my hand alone-" she sounds sceptical after all, but he sees the familiar glimmer of hope.
Hope for a future that's already been playing out in her head - just one hesitant step away.
See, Yangyang, he thinks in his head, this is why I do it.
"Mh! You won't believe what curiosities you can reveal in the smallest things. Listen to what your heart is telling you, and I hope you'll get this sorted out."
She seems much happier by the time they exit the tent. They talk a bit more before she vanishes in the crowd of fair goers.
"Well, hope that'll work out …" he hums to himself, letting his gaze drift around to see if there won't be another client soon.
It's hard to exactly describe his powers, but it might be easiest to say that they are grounded in vague clairvoyance and empathy, with his main asset being that he's able to see the threads of fate that connect souls. They're fortunately not always visible, or he'd drown in an ocean of all the threads between people, but he can focus on one or a few people and specific types of relationships to read, gauge how the state of the relationship is like by the condition of the thread. Obviously, he will only know the other end of the thread if they're close enough, but it usually isn't necessary to know, anyway - his clients normally have an idea who he's referring to without him knowing.
It's not the most powerful ability per se as he can't actually see much of the future, unless it's represented in a relationship and its significant changes, but … in a way, it's also pretty powerful. Human connections do be like that, hm?
He catches on the lemonade stand right across his tent, sharp eyes that seem to bore holes into his skull - he's startled by the glare, but he doesn't have too much time to think about it as he's approached by another, inquiring about his services. He patiently talks them through the 'procedure' before inviting the other in, 'closing the veil'.
Somehow, he feels like the glare is only intensifying.
Though, the one at the lemonade stand was kind of cute? Nothing to think about now, though.
🔮
Under the sweltering sun, the crowd has significantly lessened by the time he's opening the tent again, wishing his last client a prosperous future and hoping they'll actually listen to a little bit of what he just said.
Yet, before he can immerse himself in that worry, he feels the same glaring gaze in the back of his head, making him turn around to the lemonade stand. It's deserted sans for the person handling it - the person he saw earlier. They seem to be around his own age, a little boy-ish, but there is something downright hostile in their gaze, it's … almost amusing?
See, working at least part-time in the field he does - openly showing his face, too -, he's used to people being this way towards him. It's a pity when his haters are this cute, though, but what can he do? Seeing threads of fate doesn't mean he can manipulate them; not that he'd want to, to be honest. It sounds way too messy.
He still goes over to the lemonade stand, a friendly smile in place.
"Hello, can I get a cup of lemonade, please?" he remains polite, despite the apparent hatred he's getting from this stranger.
They deadpan him for a moment before sighing obnoxiously, preparing a cup and placing it in front of him on the table. "That'll be two bucks, then."
"And I thought you'd overcharge me or something, with how much you seem to hate me," he hums, bluntly, as he hands them the money.
The other - he can read the nametag now, Donghyuck (they/them), as it seems - only rolls their eyes. "Did the cards 'told' you, or what? Unlike some other people, I'm not sucking the money out of my customers."
Renjun takes the cup, the coldness an immediate relief in the summer madness, as he quips an eyebrow at the snide remark. "Quick to judge now, aren't we?"
It's almost funny how the emotions seem to transpire so easily on their face, it's hard not to read them as it is.
Donghyuck snorts. "I know the likes of you, I've been to a fair share of those fairs. It only gets worse with each."
"Well, only because you haven't met me," Renjun might be overplaying his confidence here, but he literally has fate on his side.
However, the other merely rolls their eyes as they frown. "Isn't that what a fraud would say? If there is nothing else, you can leave now."
Is it bad that he almost finds it too endearing how much they don't want to believe him? Hah … the heat must have gotten to his head.
"Suit yourself, have a nice day, Donghyuck!" Renjun only remarks brightly - amused by the mere moment of irritation that flashes across their face, probably before they remember that they wear a nametag, pronouns included.
It's almost time for Kunhang to show up, after all, and he really wants to enjoy a bit of a lunch break when most of the stalls are also closing for some time. Perhaps the afternoon will bring a few more cases to inspect.
🔮
Kunhang doesn't fail to entertain him as he brings over his lunch and his company. They spend the half hour under the shade of a tree near his tent, so Renjun can still keep an eye out if anyone might come by. However, the only thing he can sense is the glare that keeps coming from the lemonade stand. But even this disappears from his mind when their shift seems to end, replaced by a much friendlier face that reminds him of puppies.
Renjun doesn't buy a second cup when he passes by the stand another time, though, only bringing the old one back before he returns to work.
He saw some people who seemed curious, so … fate will show if they're brave enough to follow through with their curiosity.
🔮
Bidding farewell to yet another client, he's surprised when he finds himself face-to-face with the (previous) one handling the lemonade stand. The Donghyuck one. As he notices, in more casual gear - without the nametag, but with the same expression of cautious distrust.
"Oh, hello there. Changed your mind?" he smiles at them unfalteringly.
It's very much palpable that they have not changed their mind, making them scoff in disdain. "Of course not - I'm here to show everyone how much of a fraud you really are. Bet anything you have to say about me is false."
Renjun raises an eyebrow, a little bit amused because … even if he had no clairvoyance at all, the other seems a bit too readable. But they want to challenge him? Hah-
"Suit yourself - I'm always happy to prove you wrong," he remarks relaxedly as he points towards the tent, an inviting gesture that promptly gets huffed at.
He lowkey starts to hope whatever he can read will be a bit disastrous, just to feel an ounce of satisfaction that karma is indeed reality. Not that he's normally this spiteful, but Donghyuck has been nothing but kind (which is, really not), so why not return the same?
He points to the guest seat as he takes his own, snapping the curtains shut with the remote cord - he still feels a little silly while doing so, but it usually helps setting the ambience.
Which is to say, it doesn't here.
"Wow. What a lame trick," Donghyuck comments dryly, having the audacity to clap slowly as they look at him, deadpan.
Renjun only rolls his eyes. "Shush now, it wasn't my idea - if you are so kind to give me your hand now …"
Donghyuck's prolonged scepticism over everything would be cute if it's not annoying, too, but … Patience, Renjun. They're by far not the worst client he had so far.
"Please? I need it for this to work," he says gentler now, putting on his best customer smile.
Huh … is the other blushing now? It's hard to tell in the dimmed lights of the tent, but they eventually hand their hand over, begrudgingly. It doesn't seem like they like being touched or maybe they're too embarrassed, so Renjun tries to be careful.
"This is so weird," Donghyuck mutters.
Renjun is rolling his eyes, but he starts to focus on making the threads of fate appear, slowly weaving them into visibility. "Is there any specific area you'd like advice on?"
"Well, aren't you here to tell me?" the other retorts, regaining that smugness that he'd rather wipe off their face. It only serves to intensify his own eye roll.
"Normally my clients just tell me, but - fine, if you want to be so special …"
He sighs. This is nothing. He's had it worse - so, he'll just go with whichever seems strongest. At least their hand is pretty to look at.
Different relationships are represented by different colours. While red for romantic ones is likely predominant and pretty much the only one that the public is aware of, there are many, many more that he sees on a regular, adding to the complex spectrum of people's connections to another. Of course, such things are constantly being added and renewed as humanity evolves, too, and he neatly keeps track of possible colours and colour combinations to ensure he can read them correctly.
Right now, he sees multiple threads of bright blue, all going in different directions. They all seem to be in excellent conditions, though some are thinner than others. But, still … it's nice to see. "You have quite a lot of friends you can rely on, and who you're supportive of, I presume? There may be a hierarchy, but I can sense you're caring a lot about all of them, regardless."
It almost pains him to say something nice about them, if only because they puff themself up with a self-satisfied grin before they seemingly remember that they're supposed to disagree.
Cute.
… He really should stop with that.
"-Damn, that's so generic of you to say," Donghyuck only comments. It makes him roll his eyes and he tries to look for something 'less generic'.
"It seems the relationship to your family is not as great, though there seems to be a pillar that makes it more bearable. Perhaps not defined by how close you are related to them, but you do have a circle of family members you're more comfortable with, no?"
It's a strange entanglement of various hues of green threads he sees, though he can't discern much more than that without some context. Besides, …
Donghyuck shifts almost unnoticeably yet uncomfortably in their seat, making Renjun squeeze their hand a little bit between his fingers in a reassuring manner. "Don't worry, whatever is said here will stay between us. I'm not in the business of selling secrets, or something. And if you want me to stop, just tell me."
Not that he really expects them to believe him, but … at least they seem more calm.
"Nah, I'm good. It's still pretty generic if you ask me," they shrug, in what Renjun assumes to be an attempt at nonchalance, but they seem to quiver. But, if they say so …
"Alright, then let's see what else there is …"
And … oh, there he has it - the famous red thread of fate.
"How about we move onto your love life-"
That seems to ease Donghyuck, actually, that irreparable smug grin back on their face, probably convinced that he doesn't have anything about it on them, but … well, actually, that singular thread is quite remarkable. It's rare that he sees a thread this strong, though it pulses in and out of his sight, indicating a future development rather than something that already exists.
Hah, I'll show you I'm the real deal alright!
"-there is a person you haven't quite so met yet, or maybe have, but aren't close to as of now. But someone will grow to be quite important and precious in your life, and I'd figure you're going to stick closely together for a longer time …" he speaks slowly.
Something like shock seems to run over their entire face in all but a flash of moment before they burst into a shallow fit of laughs.
"Seriously, that? If you're trying to buy my favour by buttering up my fate, then I'm definitely not going to. That is totally a scam! And the most generic thing you could tell me, I also could have just looked up my stupid horoscope or something!"
"It is what I'm seeing," Renjun rolls his eyes. "Trust me, I'd rather not have the signs be that obvious, but they seem to indicate that you're going to fall in love - happily, on top. Congratulations."
In fact, now that he's letting go of Donghyuck's hand, various threads and colours still visible with the red as pioneer, something unnerving falls into his peripheral. That's … uhm.
Maybe he is a scam? (He's definitely not.)
"Well, if you're so confident, I'm sure my hand will also just spell out the name of that lucky one? Oh, or do you need to call my ancestors or something to determine it-"
Renjun doesn't think he can roll his eyes any further than this, crossing his arms in defiance. The red thread is the only one visible on Donghyuck's hand now, tightly wrapped around their ring finger as it glows. He can almost watch the strings forming a more firm rope-like thread.
"You'd be in better luck calling Kunhang for such things-"
"Hah! If you can't even give me a pointer about that, what's the good of your predictions, anyway?" Donghyuck lets out triumphantly.
He doesn't normally do things like that. It's irresponsible and even if he knows the other end of a thread, it's best to leave people to their natural course, or manipulate it so subtly that they won't notice.
"Now, if you excuse me-" Donghyuck lets out triumphantly.
Renjun wants to reiterate, this is all Donghyuck's fault for being so painfully obnoxious.
(And maybe a bit adorable in their denial.)
He sighs - exhales.
"-if you really need to know, it's me."
Donghyuck stops in their track, squinting hard at him. "Yeah, I knew it, you're definitely a fraud-"
"No. I'm not," Renjun repeats, sighing. Why? Why this (cute but) stupid idiot? "You're going to fall in love with me."
What begins around Donghyuck's fingers is swiftly tightening around Renjun's also, a clear bond that's being drawn and woven as they speak.
🔮
Actually, the aftermath of this is a little bit funny.
"-What kind of weird flirting is this-" Donghyuck breathes into existence, leaning back as if Renjun would prance on them any time now.
It makes him roll his eyes. "It's not flirting, it's just what I saw, you-" he points towards the other, "and me," a point towards himself. "Even I wouldn't come up with something this ridiculous to mock you."
"Well, clearly you've had your hands in this - I want a refund of this fate thing!"
Renjun snorts, bemused. "You can't get a refund from fate."
"Watch me-" Donghyuck huffs - and within a moment's notice, they're walking out like a storm, albeit politely enough to leave the tent in proper condition as they do so.
Renjun merely hums in amusement, staring at his own hand with the notorious red thread more visible than ever, pulsating idly into existence.
He shrugs. It's most certainly nothing he can do about it now, and if fate really means this, then they'll run into each other soon enough.
… He can't help the small smile that occurs at the thought of seeing the other again, curiosity and fascination getting the better of him.
Heavens. Just what has he gotten himself into?
🔮
"Honestly, I don't get why I was sent-" Ten huffs out in annoyance, fumbling with the tent's upper corners. "We're both about the same height, there is literally no advantage-"
Renjun looks at him from the other corner he is rummaging at, a deadpan look. "Do you want me to get a stool for you or something?"
"Ouch, you wound me," Ten only lets out dramatically. Renjun would not be surprised if the Death card were to conveniently sail out of one of his pockets, leading the older to theatrically proclaim how he should not be helping because destiny and stuff like this (in the end, Ten would still help, for which Renjun's always fairly grateful - be as it may, dismantling a huge tent on his own is nothing to make light work of).
"Talking won't get you out of this, you know-?" Renjun pretends to be annoyed when maybe, there is a light notion of amusement, too, turning around to store something away when he hears an alarming sound.
Hastily, he whips his head towards Ten again, expecting him to be buried under a wave of fabric. He's surprised to find a handsome stranger by his side instead, holding the fort of a fabric safely above Ten's head.
"Woah, so we meet again!" the stranger's voice is a joyous one, making Ten's surprised face morph into recognition and a smile.
They fall into easy chatter soon after. Renjun is glad that Ten doesn't forget about the tent and swiftly enlists the stranger's help in the matter, but … frankly, he's also stunned to silence, blinking owlishly.
For the record, it's not like he wanted to see the thread that connects those two, but some just pop into place easier …
He thought seeing one red thread is enough for a day. But while the one between him and Donghyuck has been a short, intricate cord, the thinner lines between Ten and the stranger are of a brilliant red, floating freely in the air in lengthy entanglements all around the two.
It makes him hesitant to approach them, quickly blending them out and scurrying about his own things.
That is, until a growingly familiar voice cuts through the air.
"Johnnyyyy, can we go home now? Pretty sure mom's waiting for us already."
It's maybe a little bit funny, how his head turns immediately to the owner of that voice, Donghyuck pulling at the stranger's - Johnny's - sleeves with annoyance. As far as Renjun can judge, there is still disdain in their face when they glance over the tent - catch him on the opposite corner -, but it appears more subdued than before.
Renjun isn't very delusional to think things have changed within a few hours, but there is curiosity however.
"You know each other, Ten?" he finally comes over to the newfound trio, earning a frown from Donghyuck that he can only reply to with an amused grin.
"Huh? Oh - yeah! We - uh - met before," Ten replies, lightly furrowing his eyebrows when he notices the near-devious, purely innocent smile on Renjun's face. He mouths, what do you know that I don't?
But Renjun doesn't bother to elaborate. At least he is getting along with his soulmate-of-some-sort just fine.
He just turns to the stranger indeed, nodding and wanting to introduce himself as-
"His name's Renjun, so this is Ten, and I'm Donghyuck - nice that we all know each other now, can we go?" the impatient voice of none other than Donghyuck is interrupting.
"What's gotten into you, Hyuckie?" Johnny laughs off the younger's antics, ruffing their hair. "Let's help those two with the dismantle? We finished over there quicker than I thought, I'm sure we have enough time left."
Donghyuck only rolls their eyes, but doesn't talk back. Instead, their gaze returns to find Renjun's, arms crossed as they gesture to the general vicinity of the half-dismantled tent.
"So? What do you need help with?"
Renjun blinks owlishly at the (albeit not-so-voluntary) offer before a smile places itself on his face.
"Thought you'd never ask - Hyuckie," he hums, laughing when Donghyuck lets out indignant noises of protest.
"You're not allowed to call me that-!" he can hear the fluster in their voice.
Maybe not now, but maybe one day.
🔮
Renjun doesn't think they'd see each other again so soon, but even after so long, he can't quite get used to the funny ways that fate can work in.
Looking at the menu of his favourite café to study at, the line before him is slowly disappearing one by one until he's face-to-face with a bright customer smile - that falls as quickly as the words "Welcome to- what are you doing here?!" leave Donghyuck's mouth.
"Why, hello there," Renjun replies dryly, with a hint of surprise. "I could ask you the same - never have I ever seen you while I was here." His voice isn't meant to sound accusatory, but merely … curious. Have they only started to work here recently?
Donghyuck rolls their eyes, shrugging. "I usually work the morning shifts, but Jisung fell sick, so …"
Renjun's eyes grow wide. "Oh, I hope he'll be fine … well, I'm here more around the afternoon," he remarks.
"I figured as much," they only sigh, gesturing to the menu right above their head. "So … what do you want?"
"Just my regul- I mean, a large latte and the cake of the day, please," Renjun replies with a curt nod.
"Sure, it'll be ready in a few," Donghyuck replies, grabbing one of the paper cups and a black marker.
"Ah - oh, I was planning to sit down right over there," he hastily thumbs towards his usual place, a corner by the counter. They give him a deadpan look, to which he only rolls his eyes.
"What? I usually sit there," Renjun huffs out.
To which Donghyuck rolls their eyes. He doesn't really hear it, but what he does hear is, "I'm not going to serve it to you, just to be clear - you'll fetch it yourself." Then, they list him the total amount to ring up.
"No worries, I usually do that - thanks!" Renjun gives them a smile and a thumbs-up no less, fetching the correct amount of money out of his pocket without really looking. There is something comforting about regularities, after all, though he'll have to see how this irregularity will fit into all of this.
With that, he's already sauntering off to the table. There is not much reason to linger.
As the business seems to slow in those hours, there is more serenity than hecticness filling this place, making Renjun glance around - eventually catching on the barista who's out to make his latte.
Their movements are clearly coordinated, a choreography on its own that makes him wonder what they do outside of this place. And yet, they still fit in so perfectly, rays of golden sunshine lurking in from the windows - falling onto their tanned skin, the soft locks of chocolate brown. Their eyebrows are slightly furrowed as they orchestrate the machines to do their bidding, walking over to the cake display to grab something he can't quite so recognise from this far.
It's mesmerising in its own ways, and Renjun suddenly begins to wonder how things would have played out if they hadn't met in the county fair for the first time, but maybe something more like this - where the time almost comes to a standstill.
Of course, it does not and it's sooner rather than later that his eyes catch theirs, making the other quip an eyebrow.
… huh?
"Have you been staring at me?" Donghyuck says in lieu of a your order is ready, pushing a plate with a chocolate cheesecake and the latte over the counter.
Renjun huffs out in indignation, feeling how heat is rushing to his cheeks.
"Staring might be a very strong word, I was just - uh - looking," he remarks in return, standing up to fetch his order.
"Mh-hm," only comes from them as they cross their arms, nodding towards the empty table, bags still unpacked. "Guess my good looks were that distracting, pff-"
"Shut up, you're too full of yourself," Renjun merely scoffs back, even as it comes out a bit weak. But he still grabs the plates, seating himself back as soon as possible.
And he would go about his own things, really, if it weren't for the fact that Donghyuck is looking at him now, a smirk on their face.
"Just already admit it! You totally made up this soulmate stuff to flirt with me," they almost sound triumphant, even though he doesn't think their disdain for fortunetellers is explained away this simply.
Besides, not the point.
He lets out a groan - why is he even feeling flustered now?!
"First of all - no, I'm telling you the full honest truth," he sighs, blinking once before the red thread that binds them together appears, slowly forming into something substantial beyond the mere promise of a strong bond.
"And second?" Donghyuck dares with a leisurely grin, more relaxed than the times he saw before.
He has to bite back a well, did it work?
Fortunately, the door bell chimes a new customer just in time, cutting their conversation short, much to Renjun's mis- and fortune.
At least now he can pay due time to his papers, slowly immersing himself in the process.
And if he catches Donghyuck looking over to him a few times … well, that's certainly not because he's been looking over to them, right?
Right …
🔮
It should have been an one-off occasion and Renjun's been counting on seeing the familiar face of Jisung again when …
"Oh. You're here again."
Donghyuck gives him a deadpan stare. "Sure am. Didn't 'fate' just tell you that?" Of course, they have to put air quotes around that, huh?
Am I really going to fall in love with this idiot?
(Jokes on him, he might already be in the process of it.)
Renjun rolls his eyes. "My powers don't work like that - there is more to fate than knowing who's gonna serve you, okay? Stupid."
"Ey, you take that back!"
But he only gives them a charmingly bright smile, switching the topic. "So, Jisung is still sick?"
"Sure is. The, uh, same as yesterday?"
"You're learning fast - yes, please!" Renjun grins, to which Donghyuck only rolls their eyes.
"It's not a very difficult order," they huff back, ringing up the amount and taking the money in turn.
"It still makes me happy," he hums, gesturing to the seat. "I'll fetch it in a few, then?"
"Yeah, yeah … just don't stare so much this time," Donghyuck may roll their eyes, but he can still sense a more playful tone in their voice.
That is, disregarding the way his own cheeks flush maybe just a little as he rolls his eyes in turn. "As if-"
If he ends up doing just that, then that's no one's business.
🔮
In the end, something like this becomes more like their familiar routine, with Donghyuck permanently switching their shifts with Jisung since it benefits both their schedules. And … well, Renjun can't really complain. As annoying as Donghyuck persists to be, distrust turns into something softer, playful jabs and teasing.
He has to admit, it's … nice. Where it used to be mere curiosity about a nuisance that fate prescribes with so much importance to him, he begins to see that they could maybe become something in the future. What or even when exactly, he isn't really sure - but, it's also not like he's the only one who'll have a say in this.
Guess sometimes, he does have to wait for fate to work its funny ways, too.
Renjun is writing away on a work sheet when he catches how Donghyuck talks with a newly arrived barista. He blinks, eyes glancing over to the window where the sky is darkening. Oh … is it this late already? He usually never stayed this long, but now …
When Donghyuck slings a bag over their shoulder, ready to leave, Renjun can't really help it.
"Hey, Hyuck- Donghyuck," he calls out, feeling stupid yet waving a little as he tries to gain the attention of the other - which doesn't seem to be quite a difficult task because they are already walking towards them.
"You should go home soon, Renjun - it's getting late," they only say, wanting to turn around and go immediately.
"Why don't you join me for a bit? I just wanted to finish this. I'd … uh, I'd like to talk with you more, if that's okay," he says quickly, hoping despite. It's a ridiculous offer to make when they have only exchanged so many words, even less friendlier ones, red threads binding them or not.
He wouldn't be surprised if Donghyuck declined the offer, maybe in a more outrageous manner - but when they don't, sit down across of him, he ends up blinking owlishly yet.
There is definitely something akin to a blush on their cheeks, even as they try to hide it with laying their face into the palm of one hand, elbow on the table.
"… Alright, what do you want to talk about?"
And, honestly, it's strange - there is nothing really funny about it, yet he still can't help but to fall into a quick outburst of a crinkling laugh.
In the end, Renjun manages to finish quickly, prolonging their ongoing conversation only because they have to walk into the same direction for some time.
But it's … nice, though.
🔮
Renjun finds himself staying behind longer, if only to urge Donghyuck to keep him company - if only to pack things in their presence when they in turn urge him to hurry and finish. If only for them to walk home that small patch together before they have to part in different directions.
Those small moments cumulate to a bigger picture that he can paint of Donghyuck now - someone who is kind, maybe a bit too kind for their own good, but who is also selfish in their ideals. Someone who is unwilling to bend themself to someone else, unless there seems a suitable enough reason to do so. But as unwavering as Donghyuck seems to be, there is a meticulous care, too, to ensure that their cherished ones are alright.
Donghyuck isn't someone who has no reason to offer when asked; maybe a silent pause before they can think of the right words to wrap the truth in, but never nothing.
Perhaps this is why Renjun can't help the question one day.
"Why do you hate fortunetellers so much?"
Surprise colours Donghyuck's face when they glance over, mouth opening - closing again.
"What's with the sudden question?" they avert their gaze.
"I think there is more to it than just you thinking we're a scam and a fraud - which, some may be, but I'm not," Renjun reiterates - again, and again. "I want to know more about you because you intrigue me, genuinely. Whatever may or may not connect us."
It's strange for him to speak so clearly, but it seems that honesty is the only thing that reaches that thick skull of theirs - so, be it.
And it does seem to do something, in the very least, with how colour seems to travel up from what he can see from their neck while his face remains fairly hidden, covered by their hands.
"What is wrong with you …" they mutter, but he can feel resolve crumbling.
"Please?"
Donghyuck sighs - facing him, at last.
"Alright. If you really need to know … you met Johnny before, right?" they let out.
"The one who helped to disassemble the tent?" Renjun wants to clarify - he doesn't say, Ten's soulmate?
They nod. "Yup - he's my older brother, and I guess … looking back, he is kind of the pillar of our family. I'm - my mom and I don't really get along because of … differences, I guess, but it's alright," they let their eyes wander.
"Ah, I'm … sorry to hear," Renjun says quietly. Only because he may live to prove a point in this case, it doesn't mean he really likes the reality of what he saw. "I'm glad you're able to confide in Johnny, though, I assume?"
Donghyuck nods. "Mh! He's really great, and … uh, I guess you can say he's also why … that." They gesture into the general direction of him.
Ah, the fortuneteller thing.
"A couple of weeks - or is it months now? - ago, he looked into getting a reading with someone who seems to specialise in tarot cards and stuff, just because he thought it'd be funny. I think he felt like he's reaching a deadend with what he's doing right now, so I guess he'd wanted to inquire … fate or whatever. Get some hint? I don't know - seriously, he could've just read his horoscope-"
Renjun quips an eyebrow, just in time for Donghyuck to look back - and sigh.
"Yeah, yeah, not so simple … you mentioned," they mutter, scratching the back of their head.
"Go on," he gestures then gently, getting an idea of what could have happened - but, he wants to hear it with their words.
"Yeah, so … apparently, that fraud told him he'd have met his soulmate on that same day, so Johnny's been caught up in finding some random person he helped with groceries that day - and seriously, it's been wearing him down for ages now, and I just - I can't stand watching him throw his life away because of some random person that's supposedly his soulmate! If that would be the case, why is Johnny only suffering here?! Shouldn't someone be looking for him, too, if that's how it works?"
Oh.
Donghyuck lets out a groan, fidgeting with their fingers as they take a deep breath. "Sorry, it's - a lot- why do you look like that?"
Renjun blinks. "-look like what?"
"Like you've seen a ghost … or something," they reply slowly, shaking their head.
"Ah - ah, I'm … okay … you were saying?"
"If you say so … anyway, that's the story behind. That fortuneteller singlehandledly threw Johnny under the bus, so why should I trust any of you?"
"Ah, I'm … sorry to hear for you, for both of you," he finally says, smiling weakly, shallowly. It's rather generalising of them to say, but he can't find it in himself to fight back on that, not when confusion builds up so strongly.
It certainly explains the sliver of shock that he thought he saw on their face back then, when he spoke of something similar in Donghyuck's future.
And yet … it doesn't make any sense.
Conversation dies down like this, an uncomfortable silence settling. It's a first time in a while that they speak nothing as they walk.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" Renjun says nonetheless before they part, hope in his voice. It's silly, maybe, but he can't help the small smile that grows when Donghyuck nods however.
🔮
It's nothing that affects Renjun per se, of course, but he can't help but to feel like he's involved now, anyway.
Especially as he's seen the soulmate bond that Johnny shares, with someone he's seem to have seen at least twice now! Why chase when Ten is right here? He wants to scream, but that doesn't make any sense - Ten's right here! He's- when-
-it dawns on him.
Slowly, he unlocks the key to the shared living space.
It seems ridiculous now, doesn't it-?
"Oh - Ten, you're already here?" Renjun looks at the figure laying across the couch in the living room, bewildered.
Ten only blinks back. "Uh … yes? I have a short shift today, remember? It's all on our weekly schedule thing that Kun makes us do-" He gestures to the - admittedly, giant - paper memo pad behind where Renjun just stands in the corridor. "You look like you've seen a ghost."
Renjun can only let a shallow laugh at that. "Funny, you're not the first one to say that …" he sighs. "Anyway, I've been meaning to ask-"
He comes over to the other, arms laying on the back of the couch as he looks at the older with inquiring eyes.
"This can't be good-"
"Come on, I'm not Chenle-" he can only protest, to a faint "I heard that!" in the background. Renjun rolls his eyes. "So, what I've been meaning to say … remember Johnny?"
Ten flinches - or maybe that's just his imagination. It's too flimsy to catch - to be certain. "Hmm … yeah, sure - what about him?"
"Did you, uhm … give him a reading once?"
Slowly, Ten nods. "Yeah … what about that now?"
"Err, was it something about … soulmates?" Renjun slowly asks. He's probably way too direct for someone as perceptive as Ten, but he can't back out of it now. He has to be sure-
"Okay, for real - what do you know that I don't?" Ten crosses his arms.
"Answer my question, please?" Renjun glosses over the question, though, putting on his best pleading eyes - which, Ten stares back before he sighs, defeated.
"Alright, alright … if you must know, yeah. I told him he'd met his soulmate that day, for the first time, since that's what the cards told me. Seemed pretty excited - already had a person in mind, I figure? You know how it is," Ten only shrugs with a little defiance, turning away from the younger as he leans back into the couch.
Somehow, Renjun feels like there is hurt in the other's voice, as neutral as he tries to be. But how could it not be - to feel like it might be you, and then it might not be? Even if Ten isn't thinking it, Renjun wonders if he feels something.
"Mh … I see," his voice comes out as a whisper, and he decides to give Ten a brief backhug. "Thanks for answering. I'm sure it'll all work out just great!"
Ten only groans, but maybe Renjun can still spot a tiny smile in peripheral as he detaches himself from the other. "Seriously, what do you know that I don't-"
But before long, Renjun is already sprinting up the stairs.
Right now, he's cursing himself to never have asked for Donghyuck's number, or that Donghyuck never asked for his, but … it's fine. They'll see each other tomorrow again, right? It feels like such a strange thing to look forward to, and yet …
🔮
"Absolutely not."
Donghyuck's gaze is exasperated - deadpan, but … he thinks he can detect just the smidge of curiosity, too, so it's all he can bet on right now.
"But, pretty please? Just - one more reading," Renjun tries his pleading eyes, but even though Donghyuck looks slightly flustered, their expression remains stern.
"After all I just told you, you-" they groan. "I knew I shouldn't have trusted you."
Renjun crosses his arms. "Now you're being unfair! I'm - I really want to help, okay? Trust me. It doesn't even have to be a reading, but - a meeting, anything. They should just … talk things out," he says vaguely.
Donghyuck quips an eyebrow.
"What do you mean … talk what out? Renjun, you're- what are you hiding?"
"I'm- it's just," he groans. It's - they should not, and yet - "I think they're each other's soulmates, okay? Look, Johnny also met Ten for the first time that day, right-"
"Renjun," they sigh. "Do you think, or do you know?"
And it's not a pretty feeling, to feel like he's caught red-handed, so much that he has to avert his eyes. He has principles - he's followed them for ages. Not even the others know too much about his powers, except Kun who kind of knows everything, anyway.
Yet, he's here, breaking some of them at a whimsy.
He can't quite so forget how happy they looked talking to each other, or the hurt in Ten's voice, as much as he tried to hide it.
So, Renjun cowers once more. This time, not out of pettiness.
"I … know, their - let me start from the beginning, alright?"
The latte is little more than drops at the bottom of his cup at this point, but he focuses solely on the person in front of him, how they take in every word he says. About psychic powers, and how they each differ. About threads of fate - the various meanings, and colours, and states. About what is between them, to begin with.
"And … you want me to believe that? It's folklore at best," Donghyuck remarks dryly.
Renjun scoffs - can't help the exhaustion that creeps into his voice as he massages the bridge of his nose. "It's - yeah, I know it's a lot, but … please, do you really not feel anything between us?"
He knows he's growing desperate - and he's not even sure anymore who for -, but a soul laid bare is all he can offer now to convince them.
And, heavens, does he want to-
Donghyuck levels him with an unreadable stare.
Moments pass like that before - exhale - relief sags all through Renjun's body.
"… Alright, I believe you. For now," Donghyuck says. "But that doesn't mean the talk will happen, or how things will turn out, of course. I'm just … gonna give Johnny a nudge, I guess."
Renjun smiles softly however, shaking his head. "A nudge is sometimes all you need - thank you."
His smile only deepens when he sees how Donghyuck averts their gaze a little, flustered - huffing out something indistinguishable.
"And … to answer your other question, I - guess you're kinda cute."
It wipes the smile off his face in exchange for surprise - but that morphs within moments to a grin, lighter than before.
"Cute enough to get your number?" he finally dares to ask - and is replied to with a groan, and a newly saved contact.
Maybe fate does work in funny ways.
🔮
Renjun can't help but to feel restless as he lets his gaze wander over the park. It's the day of Johnny and Ten meeting again for a talk, or something, and it's conveniently also the first time for him and Donghyuck to meet outside of the café (or any county fairs).
He's been surprised by the invitation, but not unpleasantly so. It's not like he wouldn't have just stampeded back and forth through the shared living space on his own, hoping things will actually work out.
It does make him wonder … he looks over to his companion on this walk. Could Donghyuck sense his nervousness …?
"Hm, why are you looking at me like that?" they furrow their eyebrows when they catch his gaze.
Renjun hums, chuckling. Or, perhaps both of them are kind of nervous after all.
"Just wanted to look at you," he says in a half-truth of a kind.
"You're so weird," Donghyuck only shakes his head in turn.
"But, do you like me, still?"
It's a strange territory for sure, one that has always sort-of lingered between them ever since, but Renjun starts to feel a bit more confident. Not confident enough that he'd positively predict the answer, though, at the mercy of Donghyuck's impartial "hmmm …" It makes him roll his eyes.
"Just say you hate me and go, then," he retorts to the air, head turning away.
It's then that he hears their laugh - such a pretty one - and feels a light bump against his shoulders. "Hey, don't be like that … I didn't say that now, did I?"
"You also didn't really say no," Renjun points out.
The palms of their hands touch as they walk so closely through the greenery.
"Do I really have to spell it out for you to know?"
It's a curious inquiry, really, and it makes him look back to the other who seems genuinely wondering about it - holding one hand with their other now, as if it would make the red thread any less visible, even though they can't really know where it is, or how it actually looks like.
"Mh … no," he says truthfully. The red that pulsates from the thread is taking more and more shape, and it's almost like he can feel the warmth that traverses the invisible line between them. "I'd still like to hear it, though."
"Fair enough," Donghyuck nods at his reply. "Well, then … will you wait until I made up my mind?"
Renjun smiles at the tentativeness - security of it all. "You're not the only one who has to make up their mind about it, anyway," he hums. "I was just teasing you."
And the thing is yet, that something like this becomes easier.
He certainly hasn't been falling in love with the sour lemon boy from the very start, not at first sight - but there seems to be some truth to their honeyed skin, wrapped around a sweeter person that … yeah, maybe, one day, he'll fall in love with them.
Probably.
Most likely. If fate wants him to.
"Can I ask you a question, though?" Donghyuck shakes him from his drifting thoughts as he nods.
"Sure, fire away?"
And yet, Donghyuck fidgets, eyes glancing around before they take a deep breath.
"Why couldn't he just have told Johnny like you did in our case- or, why didn't you just tell them now like you told me?" Donghyuck asks, running a hand through their hair.
"I told you, our powers aren't the same and destiny works in … unreasonable ways sometimes," he can only try to placate, carefully weaving his fingers between theirs, the red thread laying idly between them. "And even then, I wasn't supposed to tell you. Things could go very wrong if I did."
They look startled. "And yet, you did."
"Yeah, you annoyed me," Renjun laughs out. "I'm not an omnipresent god or something. Just human, I'm bound to make mistakes - like Johnny and Ten did, I guess."
He sighs. "You know … when I was younger, I'd use my powers mainly to make sure that my precious bonds would be okay. You know, like, reaching out when I noticed the thread seems to break away, and stuff like that. At first, people were grateful that I'd reach out, but … well, not really knowing about it, it will be scary one day, right? That I seem to have a frighteningly accurate sense for such things - and maybe, some things are better hidden …"
Renjun feels his thoughts drifting, only anchored back by the light squeeze he feels, Donghyuck moving to press palm against palm. They don't say anything, but just nod, so he takes it as a sign to continue.
"So I stopped. I thought I'd never want to have anything to do with threads of fate and things like that ever again, but then I ran into Kun. Kun is the most powerful psychic that I know, and he's always trying his hardest to help people with his powers. You know, I didn't understand it when he first told me this, but … he said that fate isn't actually written in stone. You live, and you change it. And maybe bad things happen - maybe good things happen. It's all so interconnected that it'd be foolish to expect everything to turn out the way someone foretold, strictly, and to just wait for it to happen. But sometimes … perhaps someone strayed from a path that would have benefitted them - and perhaps, a little guidance is all that someone needs."
He smiles softly, looking back to the other. "You know, people who come to me usually have a clue already about what they should or shouldn't do. And maybe just a little more reassurance - a little more confidence is all the last push to take fate in their own hands, and go the path that's meant to be going well for them," Renjun hums. "Some don't have a clue about anything at all, of course, but that's alright, too."
Donghyuck averts their gaze. "Huh … didn't think there would be so much to it," they mutter.
"How could you know? I'm just telling you - it's fine, really," Renjun says gently, bumping their shoulders.
"Is this fate, then?" they almost whisper, but it's hard not to catch it - not when his senses are more or less out to catch whatever they do, a tiny bit attuning himself to the other.
"It could be - it couldn't. Why don't we find out?" Renjun hums, nudging them again and again until they finally look back at him.
"Together?" Donghyuck's voice is a little uncertain.
"Together," Renjun affirms. "You know … before that day, I haven't really looked at any one of my own bonds - I still think it's better if I just live life, trying to figure things out as they come and go, but …"
He looks at their intertwined hands.
"… I didn't think that there could be such a beautiful colour wrapped around my finger," he hums, lifting their intertwined hands - nuzzling his cheek where they touch.
The red thread is glowing, forming stronger and stronger.
"I guess I really have to take your word for this, huh?" Donghyuck mutters, averting their gaze - Renjun still can spot how the tips of their ears turn red. He grins. So cute.
"Sorry about that," he laughs, "but I promise, I wouldn't be lying to you."
Donghyuck huffs, but there is the outline of a smile forming on their face, turning back to him as they press their foreheads together.
"Alright … let's see if you're right after all."
"It'd be my pleasure."