Chapter Text
Mingyu knows he’s a flirt.
He enjoys it, and he always keeps it fairly harmless.
Getting nervous giggles out of others is something of a pastime for him, and it’s not like he’s doing much damage anyway.
He’s sure his regular barista doesn’t find his flirting taxing, especially when it earns him the occasional free pastry, and the bank teller isn’t going to complain about how few shirt buttons he has done up when he leans on the counter to hear her better.
The flirting works well for him… most of the time.
The withering glare Minghao gives him barely registers as Mingyu watches him minimize his desktop folder, he jabs Mingyu’s back with a bony hand.
“Get your ass off my desk, I eat here.”
Mingyu pouts, making a show of folding his long legs into his chest as he sinks into the tiny stool Minghao points at.
“Hao I think he hates me.”
The stylist brushes a nonexistent piece of lint from his sweater vest. It’s horrific, frankly, the colors are all too bright, and there’s a giant roaring tiger head printed in the middle. Somehow, Minghao’s made it work, though.
He stares past Mingyu, through the glass walls of his office to the empty hallway,
“He doesn’t hate you.”
He looks back at Mingyu, giggling at his pout,
“Just because someone doesn’t get all hot and bothered when you talk to them doesn’t mean they hate you. Get used to it Gyu, it’s not that abnormal.”
Mingyu whines, scooting his stool closer to Minghao and doubling down on his pout,
“I know that Hao. But, I think he actually doesn’t like me, you should’ve seen him at the concept meeting, I swear I’ve never seen him not smile for so long.”
Minghao huffs, poking Mingyu’s shin with a loafered foot until he backs up, he turns back to his desktop,
“Seokmin doesn’t hate you… speak of the devil… Hi Minnie!”
"Minnie?"
Mingyu dodges Minghao’s glare, crossing his legs in an attempt to look suave as he tries not to fall off his stool. Seokmin smiles from the door, eye crinkles disappearing as he notices Mingyu,
“I’m doing a coffee run, the interns are looking a little grey. You two want anything?”
Minghao beams, Mingyu hides his scoff in his elbow, clearing his throat.
“Oh you’re so sweet! I’m not drinking coffee anymore, but I’d love a tea, Pu’er if they have it.”
Seokmin nods, tapping out Minghao’s order on his phone, he looks at Mingyu, perfect brows arching up a tick,
“Gyu?”
Mingyu’s brain buffers,
“Just uh… just a coffee’s fine. Thanks.”
Seokmin nods, locking his phone and shoving it back in his pocket, Minghao’s elbow connects solidly with two of Mingyu’s ribs,
“Are you going to need a hand with that?”
Seokmin hums,
“A hand would be nice, thanks.”
He holds the door open, waiting for Mingyu to unfold from his tiny seat.
Mingyu’s been at Going Magazine for four years, hired right out of college through a post-grad internship program. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the company feels like his adult family, the small team interacting more like friends than coworkers. That’s the way Seungcheol wants it to be, which is why he’s quick to hire people like Seokmin. The journalist is able to put anyone and everyone at ease, all it takes is a toothy smile or a bright laugh and he’s got people opening up to him as if they’ve known him their whole life.
Mingyu watches Seokmin wave to the security guards, eyes crinkling at the corners as he grins and shimmies through the employee exit.
It probably helps that Seokmin literally radiates kindness, and Mingyu’s sure his looks help a bit too.
He’s handsome in a way that makes parents and the elderly quick to coddle him, spending a bit of extra time to make sure his seat is comfortable, or to offer him a cup of tea so that his gentle voice doesn’t get tired over the course of their interview. People in their own age cohort will answer any question he asks if he smiles the right way and edges a bit closer, just as they’re about to divulge a secret, because his face is nothing if not trustworthy. One memorable story they did landed them at Lotte World, and Seokmin couldn’t get three feet without another child coming up and asking if he was a prince.
Mingyu would be lying if he said he wasn’t a bit envious of Seokmin’s social graces. Where Seokmin’s looks tend to help him, Mingyu’s can be a bit of a hindrance. He’s a bit too big and a bit too intimidating for some, his clumsy tendencies and rushed manner of speech making conversations short and direct rather than long and descriptive.
Though it isn’t his job to make people open up, his camera does that for him.
Mingyu’s morning barista is still behind the counter, he smiles as he takes their order, Seokmin reading off drinks at a slow enough pace that he can find each item easily. His round eyes dart between the two of them, as he takes Seokmin’s card,
“I didn’t know you two worked together.”
Seokmin laughs, bending to scribble his signature on the offered receipt,
“We have different coffee patterns, I’m sure Gyu’s only getting a refill cause I’m buying.”
Mingyu looks up from where Seokmin’s button up is being pulled taught by his shoulders,
“You know my coffee pattern?”
Seokmin laughs again, but the sound is a little clipped,
“You bring a cup to every meeting, all our meetings are in the morning… it’s not a difficult connection. Thanks Minhyuk-hyung.”
He takes his card back, turning before he can catch the wink Minhyuk shoots their way. Mingyu digs in his pocket for his wallet, pulling out a five and leaning in as he stuffs it in the tip jar, Minhyuk hums, eyes laughing,
“Office crush? Babe, I think you’ve been friendzoned.”
Mingyu glances over at Seokmin, who’s chewing on his lip, legs folded at the ankles as he leans on the pickup counter, staring at his phone. It brings attention to his thighs, and his mouth… and his hands. Minhyuk chuckles, patting Mingyu’s arm before walking off to the espresso machine.
“Can’t blame you for trying.”
Mingyu takes three of the four cardboard drink carriers, hooking one on a thumb and shimmying away when Seokmin grabs for it, he nods at his ID lanyard,
“It’ll be easier if one of us has a free hand. Honestly, how were you going to get all this on your own?”
Seokmin shrugs, cool fingers tickling Mingyu’s neck as he eases the cord over his head. He’s close enough that Mingyu can smell his cologne, it’s warm and spiced, with a subtle hit of bitter citrus, Mingyu vaguely wonders what it is.
They make it back with minimal spills, Seokmin grabs the third drink carrier as soon as they get through the security gates, both their IDs shoved in his shirt pocket.
Mingyu helps him pass out drinks, trailing behind as he winds through the office.
Jeonghan takes his latte with a grin, peering up at Mingyu in a way that has him wanting to hightail it back to his desk as fast as he can. Seokmin giggles behind him, and Mingyu head fizzes, he’s never heard him giggle before, it’s delicious.
Jeonghan’s eyes narrow, as if he just has to squint to be able to see straight through Mingyu’s skull,
“Thanks for the coffee Minnie,” his voice lilts jeeringly, “so nice of you to be a sherpa Gyu.”
Mingyu frowns, accepting the thanks with a shrug.
A tap on his desk makes Mingyu look up, he pulls his glasses off, stretching his neck as Minghao smiles at him,
“Want a lift home?”
Mingyu yawns, nodding and wiggling his feet. Minghao watches him shrug his coat on, head resting on the doorframe, it flattens his curly mullet, Mingyu coos at him,
“Junnie?”
Minghao nods, cheeks dusting pink. Mingyu cackles, tossing his bag over his shoulder and following Minghao down the hall.
“Did you tell him he’s your boyfriend yet?”
Minghao stares at the elevator floor display, refusing to make eye contact,
“We’re not dating.”
Mingyu hums, enjoying himself immensely,
“Right, sure. How many nights have you actually stayed in your own apartment this month?”
Minghao glares, Mingyu gloats. Minghao’s silence as they leave the building doesn’t bode well, he waves at a sleek black sedan, smiling when the driver honks, hand sticking over the roof of the car to wave back.
Minghao yanks the passenger door open, sliding in gracefully, Mingyu clambers into the back,
“I’m seeing Seokmin this weekend, Gyu. Watch yourself.”
Junhui chuckles, waiting for seatbelts to click before pulling off the curb,
“What’s this about?”
Minghao sighs, Mingyu doesn’t miss the way Jun’s hand immediately goes to his thigh, and stays,
“Gyu’s crush, you remember Seokmin?”
Mingyu splutters, Jun hums thoughtfully, slowing to a stop at a red light,
“I don’t think I’m familiar.”
“I don’t have a crush on him. Why are you seeing him this weekend?”
Jun cackles and Mingyu groans, he’d forgotten that Jun could often be just as, if not more needling than Minghao.
“He has a wedding, I’m helping him get dressed.”
Mingyu freezes and Minghao’s eyes soften in the rearview mirror,
“It’s not his wedding, idiot. His sister is getting married.”
Jun whines as they hit another red,
“Why do you care if you don’t have a crush?”
Mingyu shrugs, then chokes, shrinking in his seat as he stares out the window, Minghao giggles,
“What’s with him today? He keeps popping up when we’re talking about him. That’s him.”
Jun hums, hands busy as he pulls over a lane and rolls Mingyu’s window down, turning on his blinkers and honking,
“He’s cute. Let’s give him a lift.”
Seokmin doesn’t notice them for a while, though he frowns and scans the street when Jun continues to honk. He finally spots Mingyu, eyes going wide with shock as he rushes over to the car, stepping back as Mingyu pushes the door open.
“Want a ride home?”
Seokmin peers in the front seat cautiously, smiling when Minghao turns and waves. He glances up at the traffic light, ducking in and shutting the door just as it turns green.
His pointy nose is a little pink from the cold, Mingyu moves his bag out of the middle seat, making space.
“Thanks, sorry, I was so confused, I didn’t expect this at all.”
Jun chuckles pulling his phone out of the dashboard holder and giving it to Minghao to pass back,
“That’s why it’s fun. Put your address in, you can add a stop on our trip.”
Seokmin takes the phone, pulling his own out of his pocket and pausing the song he’s listening to, leaving it on the leather seat as he types. Mingyu glances at it, Yang Da Il, he hadn’t pegged Seokmin as a ballad fan.
Seokmin glances up at Jun while he types,
“Sorry, I don’t mean to be rude, but who are you?”
Jun laughs, Mingyu watches Minghao’s ears go pink as he clears his throat,
“This is Junhui, Jun, he’s my boyfriend.”
The car goes quiet for a beat, Jun glances over at Minghao, quirking an eyebrow and grinning when Minghao swats him,
“That I am… And you’re Seokmin? Minghao’s talked about you before.”
Seokmin beams, pulling on his seat belt so he can lean forward and hand the phone back, Mingyu watches the tendons in his neck flare,
“I hope he says nice things.”
Minghao wiggles in his seat, turning so he can pout at Seokmin,
“Of course I say nice things!”
Seokmin coos and strokes his hair, eyes soft as Minghao preens, Mingyu shrinks in his seat. He jumps when Seokmin turns, trying not read into the caution that settles into the corners of his mouth as he blinks up at him.
“Looks like we’re neighbors Gyu.”
He smiles shyly and Mingyu can’t seem to get any sound to come out of his mouth. Minghao scrolls ahead on the map,
“Oh wow, you really are!”
Mingyu peers at the phone, Seokmin’s building is barely far away enough to be it’s own dot, he tries to visualize the area,
“Are you by the dog park? The tall building that looks like someone put a jello mold on the top of an eggplant, but, like, really long?”
Seokmin snorts, head thrown back as he laughs. Ok, maybe Mingyu does have a crush, a small one.
“I guess it does kind of look like that! I usually say it looks like it’s made of Duplo, those supersized little kid legos.”
Mingyu watches Jun and Minghao exchange a look, his cheeks heat up. Seokmin seems to have relaxed, he takes his airpods out, fitting them into a case in his bag’s outer pocket. He loosens his tie, making quick work of his top two buttons and mussing his hair; it’s a pale auburn that just toes the line between a very light, honey brown, and full on ginger. Mingyu thinks it’s his favorite of all the colors Seokmin’s had, except maybe black.
Seokmin’s eyes are bright when he looks back, Mingyu watches his tongue flit between his lips,
“Do you ever go to the dog park?”
Mingyu takes a moment too long to respond, eyes stuck on Seokmin’s little mole, he giggles and Mingyu’s stomach drops. Maybe his crush isn’t that small after all.
“I don’t have a dog, I go when my mom visits, she brings our dogs sometimes.”
Seokmin hums,
“Wow, I’m in a similar situation. Though usually my family drops the dogs off with me, I’m like a puppy hotel.”
He fiddles with his phone,
“Want to see?”
Mingyu nods, he’d never say no to dog photos.
He doesn’t need to hold Seokmin’s hand, keeping him from letting go as he brings the phone closer to his face, fingers brushing the soft skin of the back of his hand. Seokmin’s wrist feels nicely delicate under the heel of his palm, Mingyu notices that his nails are perfectly trimmed, so much so that he’d wonder if they were manicured if he didn’t already know that Seokmin keeps a set of nail clippers at his desk.
There are two small dogs, a white one, who looks a lot like Babpul, and a brown one. Seokmin smiles at the photo as he pulls his hand back,
“They’re Wooju and Coco. Coco’s actually my uncle’s dog, but we get along well, so she stays over when he goes on business trips.”
Mingyu hums, leaning over as he scrolls through his camera roll, pulling up the last photo his mom sent. Seokmin’s eyes nearly disappear as he smiles, reaching out and zooming in on each pup, he laughs at Aji’s expression, stroking the screen with his finger.
“That’s Aji, she’s a tiny demon, but I love her. The other one’s Babpul, she’s much calmer.”
Seokmin coos,
“Aji’s little sweater is so cute, she does have crazy eyes though.”
Mingyu laughs, humming as he puts his phone away,
“It’s pretty crazy that we’ve never run into each other, not even on the train.”
Seokmin nods,
“Yeah, it’s kind of amazing.”
They’re quiet the rest of the ride. Mingyu watches Seokmin’s leg bounce as he stares out the window, the city lights reflecting in his dark irises. He looks over just in time to catch Mingyu staring and smiles timidly, eyes loosing their open warmth. Just like that Mingyu’s back to square one, unable to manage the easy smirk that would usually save him from these situations.
Mingyu watches him disappear as they drive away, a shrinking dark silhouette until he’s obscured by street trees.
Jun hums, Minghao sighs, interrupting Mingyu before he can get a word out,
“He doesn’t hate you. You just don’t know how to flirt with someone who puts feelings before sex.”
Even Jun winces, Mingyu feels somewhat vindicated.
“Always so blunt, Hao.”
“I’m not wrong.”
Mingyu sighs,
“I didn’t say you were.”
Jun rolls to a stop gently, turning back to Mingyu with an apologetic smile,
“I think you have a shot, he’s sweet.”
Minghao groans, glaring at Jun before turning to Mingyu, reaching out to pat his shoulder gently,
“I think you have a shot too, Gyu. Just keep it to the cute dog photos and not…”
He gestures vaguely at his torso and Jun giggles,
“What, he’s just going to walk into work shirtless?”
Mingyu groans, Minghao’s glare doubles in intensity,
“Don’t tempt him, you haven’t seen what he’s like at clubs.”
Mingyu grabs for his bag,
“It works!”
“I know it does, it’s horrible.”
Mingyu’s face burns, but Jun’s laugh soothes him. His eyes are bright as he watches Mingyu leave the car, and his fingers in Minghao’s hair have made his friend’s frown all but disappear,
“Don’t let sourpuss get you down, the confidence is good. I’ll see you around Gyu!”
Mingyu nods, waving as he shuts the door. Minghao smiles through the window, long fingers tapping the glass as he waves.
Mingyu’s chest feels warm as he jogs the few feet to his building lobby, he thinks Jun might be exactly what Minghao needs, it feels good to see his friends so happy.
Mingyu’s apartment feels unusually empty when he steps inside, he turns on a movie, but it doesn’t help. He considers calling his mom, or his sister, but a glance at the clock tells him they’ll have already sat down to dinner, so he makes a note to catch up with them on the weekend. He falls asleep on his couch, just awake enough to turn the tv off before everything goes dark.