Work Text:
Their first meeting was anything but pleasant. That’s what Minho would say. It’s the lie he would tell.
Unfortunately, for the third year at the time, it wasn’t so bad.
However, if he could redo it, Minho would make it so he wasn’t whacked hard in the back by a baseball. That fucking hurt.
It had been loud and fast enough to scare off the stray cat he was feeding on campus, and he couldn’t keep his irritated expression off his face when he turned around.
Hurried footsteps scrambled towards where Minho was silently seething, fists clenched. He was already having a bad day and being able to see one of the few cats around usually helped.
Alas, his bad day only seemed to be getting worse.
“I’m so sorry-” The reason for his demise appeared, fluffy brown hair bouncing with every step he took. Minho groaned. He always hated those puppy types. The first year wearing thick black frames did a quick glance over, before bowing. At least he was polite. “Are you hurt, sunbaenim?”
I was feeling like shit and you just made it ten times worse.
Naturally, he couldn’t say all that.
“I’m fine.” He gritted out, not bothering to hide his tone. That would take too much energy he currently didn’t have.
“Oh.” The junior said, eyeing the cat treat in his hand. In his anger he’d squeezed it all out and now it laid wasted on the dirt. Minho wanted to scream. And before he could let his mouth run, because fuck appearances for once, the boy’s eyes lit up. “Is there a cat in school?!”
Minho’s always been a liar, so he easily replied, “No.”
“What?” He tilted his head in confusion, squatting down until he was right in front of him. He pointed to the contradiction on the ground, frowning.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Minho kept the act up, deciding he’d rather die than have anyone else find out about his therapy cats.
“Can I feed them too?”
Grabbing a wet tissue from his backpack, Minho wiped the sad mix of tuna and chicken up, before cleaning his hand with another tissue. He kept his face forward, away from the boy’s curious eyes. “No.”
“So there are cats?”
“Speak formally when talking to your senior.” Minho snapped, tired of the whole exchange and bothering with somebody he wouldn’t see again. He was graduating soon anyway. He grabbed the baseball that must’ve cracked his spine in half, twirling the worn and dirty thing in his hand.
“May I know your name, sunbaenim?” He smiled at Minho who could only scoff.
Hurling the ball back without warning to the first year, Minho repeated the same thing he’d already said twice.
“No.”
The slam of the ball hitting his baseball glove punctuated his cold sentence.
Infuriatingly, the first year kept grinning, not offended by his attitude at all. That only irritated him more. “You pack a pretty strong punch, sunbaenim. Would you like to play catch with me someday?”
“I’m not saying the same word four times.”
“No problem! But come look for Kim Seungmin in class 1-B when you change your mind.” He beamed at Minho, who could only pray that he would never run into this boy ever again.
When Minho finally escaped that suffocating situation, he realized his eyebrows weren’t scrunched together anymore, pissing him off even more.
Kim Seungmin.
He swore to forget that name as soon as he could.
“Kim Seungmin.” He greets, hands in his pockets, casually leaning against his bike.
“Hyung!” Seungmin practically skips over, leaving Jisung and Hyunjin to pout at the way he bounces towards Minho. It draws out a sense of pride, deep in his heart. He knows just how much he’s envied. He knows how Seungmin has at least three pairs of eyes on him at any given moment.
Minho isn’t possessive. Or rather - that possessive, but he really likes knowing his boyfriend’s suitors will never come close to what he has.
Poor Jisung, he smirks right up at him when Seungmin wraps his hand around his arm.
Dramatically, he falls to his knees the same way he constantly has in the last eight years they’ve known each other.
“My soulmate-!” He cries out, and Hyunjin immediately distances himself from the shorter man. Minho watches as Seungmin laughs freely at the display.
God, he’s adorable.
Not that Minho will ever say that to him without gritted teeth or when Seungmin isn’t pressed into the sheets.
His adoration is his best kept secret. Surely.
“Minho hyung,” Seungmin greets while Jisung collects himself and points an accusing finger in Minho’s direction. As usual. Something something you stole my soulmate away from me. He scoffs, booing him before turning to the soulmate in question. Seungmin beams, mimicking the sun. “Hi.”
He wants to pretend his smile doesn’t do things to his heart. He wants to pretend he’s gained some immunity to it, after all these years. He wants to pretend it doesn’t make his entire body feel like it’s on fire.
“Seungmo.” His nickname slips out, and Seungmin’s damn cheeky grin widens. Fuck, Minho is pathetic. He’s pathetic and his hand moves on its own accord, patting his chestnut brown hair down. It’s soft. It smells like Minho’s shampoo.
When Seungmin looks at him with stars in his eyes, Minho turns away, asking about his day instead. It’s clockwork, routine at this point. He finishes his classes earlier on Wednesdays, goes to the library to work on his assignments and gets distracted by the thought of Seungmin.
Then, time passes just like that and he’s getting ready to pick him up. They go to the same university, so it’s not like he has to wait in the carpark all the time. But it’s close to his lecture theatre, so here he is.
Seungmin fulfils his request, always happy to oblige. Happy to rattle Minho’s ear off. His nasally voice once grating has now turned into a source of comfort for him.
Nodding along, he waits for Seungmin to finish the coffee he brought him. Another part of their routine. Minho waits for him either outside his classrooms, or at the parking lot with two cups.
His friends have long left, and Seungmin finds no issue with it. They must have made eye contact or something earlier but Minho didn’t notice.
And just like routine, he finishes catching Minho up on the latest gossip circling within his class in his Media and Communications unit with, “So what’s for dinner?”
“You’re annoying.”
“Kimchi stew then.”
Seungmin’s favourite.
Minho flicks his forehead, smiling when he winces at the pain. He lies even though Seungmin can always tell, “Wrong.”
“Sure, hyung. I can’t wait.” They go back and forth like they haven’t changed at all since high school, and Minho spots Seungmin crossing his arms.
Even though it’s May, there are days where the temperatures dip with the sun. Seungmin was certain it would be so hot and toasty outside I’ll be shedding a jacket within seconds, refusing to seek Minho’s advice.
“Hah,” he laughs shortly at the way he clenches his teeth. It’ll only get colder once he begins driving them back home. Minho should save up for a car. “Told you so.”
Seungmin playfully rolls his eyes, a foul attempt at mimicking him as he repeats, “I told you so, my dear Seungmin-ie.”
“I didn’t say the last part.”
“You thought it.”
Instead of confirming or denying, he hums, taking off his leather jacket. Seungmin smiles at the garment, signalling to a recycling bin nearby. Minho holds onto his jacket as he watches Seungmin walk over to toss his rubbish, before dashing straight back to Minho with no warning.
His arms are already open, and Seungmin has the nerve to look surprised that he knew.
“How’d you guess?” His stupid, cute, adorable, endearing, annoying, lover mumbles into his thick shirt.
“It wasn’t a guess.” Minho simply smiles and shrugs, refusing to delve into his secrets. No way in hell is he going to tell Seungmin he has his every move recognized, registered in his brain. That would just make him look creepy.
The bounce in his last step before he turned around gave it away. It was so obvious. Seungmin’s honest like that.
Seungmin grins against his chest and Minho can feel it. He begs his heart to stop beating right there.
“Let’s go home.” He says, draping the jacket around Seungmin’s uncharacteristically broad shoulders. Cute face, cute legs, cute waist, and yet-
Annoying.
As expected with all the jackets he lends (gives) Seungmin, it stretches wide over his shoulders. But Minho smirks when he notices the way the sleeves don’t fill his arms the way it fills his own.
Chan had mentioned it one day, causing Minho to scowl.
“Your size difference is crazy.”
Minho was ready to dropkick him into next year, agitated by any sort of comment about his size. Sorry for being born to short parents, he for one, loves them.
“Woah, easy. That’s not what I meant.” Chan had put his hands up, ready to block his fists. His terribly small fists. Minho locked his jaw, daring him to elaborate. “Laterally. I meant from the side. You work out partially so you can carry him anyway. Haven’t you seen the difference?”
From the side.
“What?”
“You’ll notice soon.” Chan winked at him, before whistling as he turned around to work on a song for his assignment.
That’s how Minho ends up ruined. It’s hard not to think about it any chance he gets. It’s hard when Seungmin loves grabbing onto his arms. It’s hard when his lover enjoys getting manhandled, dragged around like he weighs nothing.
So shoulders be damned, what Seungmin wants, he will give.
“Hyung,” Minho puts a screeching halt to his brain trying to remember the last time Seungmin looked so- “You have your naughty expression on.”
“I-”
“It’s okay. I already know you like seeing me in your clothes.” Seungmin cackles, and Minho is going to murder this guy.
He’s so glad he has a beanie on, hiding the burn on the tips of his ears.
Minho grips onto those shoulders, the leather squeaking under his fingers. “I’m going to kill you when we’re back.”
“You promise?” Seungmin leans in close, and he can hear his scheming smile. He can hear how-
Greedy but quickly because they’re still in public and Minho needs them home now, he grabs Seungmin’s waist for one second. Just a second, and yet he looks like his knees are about to buckle any moment.
“Get on.” Minho commands, tired of wasting time. Unfortunately his boyfriend has always been a menace, because he throws one leg over his bike, and arches his back the moment he’s seated.
“Kim Seungmin,” Minho is about to burst a blood vessel, chuckling with no humour whatsoever. “I hate you.”
“I know.” Seungmin grins, all teeth, all bubbly, all endearing.
(He drives them back in record time, careful to ride just under the speed limits.
And then he gets to appreciate their size difference yet again. Suddenly his hand doesn’t look so small when it’s pressed against Seungmin’s soft belly.
The only words in his mind the entire time are: Kim Seungmin, Kim Seungmin, Kim Seungmin-)
“There’s a kid staring at us.” Moon Bin, his only friend in class (and school) noted, and Minho loathed how his head instinctively turned to look. “And now he’s waving.”
Minho turned away from the boy he was supposed to never see again. Before he did though, he noticed the baseball glove in his hand. Who would spend lunch playing catch?
“Do you know him?” Bin asked, and he could see him waving back before smiling at Minho. There was that look on his face.
“No. Never seen him in my life.” Minho lied, easy.
“Well he’s definitely not waving at me.” His friend said, leaning back against his chair. It creaked with the weight and Minho considered their conversation over. How the younger boy managed to see him three stories up was a mystery Minho didn’t care to solve.
Maybe it was the thick glasses. Maybe it was a coincidence. He nodded to himself, finishing up the lunch his mother made.
Just a coincidence. The school was too big for this.
There could only be so many chances.
To his devastation, that was not the case.
He sighed, crushing the can of coffee in his fist. Getting asked about his career path was the one thing that could consistently annoy him. So Minho bowed the full 90 degrees to his homeroom teacher - who yes, probably knew better than him, but was overbearing nonetheless.
If Minho wanted to hear about how his choice for a major was useless, he’d just go home and listen in on his parents’ arguments about it.
So there he was - at a secluded area in the school, looking for a cat or two to cheer himself up. If he was lucky he’d run into the siblings, and then his heart could be healed by two dark cats fighting for his lap.
His peaceful walk lasted five whole minutes before a loud sound echoed some distance away. Between a small alley formed by two unused buildings, Minho already knew it was not the sound of a cat playing around in rubbish.
“Yah! Kim Seungmin, don’t make me repeat myself!”
The moment he heard that name, Minho’s eyes twitched. The moment he heard that voice, his fists clenched.
He didn’t know how he ended up in that alley. He didn’t know how he ended up in front of Kim Seungmin, who was surprisingly, not afraid at all.
Minho didn’t get the chance to take a careful look though, too focused on stopping the punch coming their way.
“Choi Jooseok.” He spat the name out, fingers tightening around his wrist, nails digging into skin. “What do you think you’re doing.”
It was less of a question, more of a demand.
“Lee Minho. Didn’t peg you as the type to play hero.” The other boy roughly tugged his arm away, but Minho stood his ground, feet firmly planted.
“Didn’t peg you the type to beg for money either.” He replied bluntly, rolling his eyes. This was a waste of his time.
“Please,” the taller boy in the class next to his scoffed. “I’m teaching our Seungmin-ie a lesson.”
Minho’s eyes narrowed at the word our.
“Sorry, he doesn’t seem very interested.” He gave a cautionary glance back, unable to help the corner of his lips from tugging upwards. The younger boy looked bored. “So if you’ll excuse us, you can have fun giving the wall a lesson instead.”
Jooseok, the typical bully character you could spot within a mile away in cliche manhwa let out an irritating roar, trying his best to land a hit on Minho.
It was pathetic watching how he fumbled around as Minho dodged every single move.
“Kim Seungmin,” he grabbed onto the younger boy’s wrist, nearly startling at how cold he felt. Maybe Minho wasn’t the only liar around. “We’re leaving.”
It was a signal for Jooseok to give up, it was a reassurance for Seungmin.
It was why Minho clicked his tongue, sighing as he dug his sneakers into the dirt before kicking the back of Jooseok’s knees.
That would buy them some time and finally put an end to his grating screeches and horrible boxing techniques.
He dragged the first year with him until they were out of the alley and into one of the old buildings. If Jooseok tried hard enough he could probably find them easily. Minho didn’t really care though, knowing he would’ve been humiliated enough to stop. At least, for now.
They sat back against the wall in the unused library still filled with some books. Didn’t the staff know booklice would quickly infect all of these? Minho huffed, finding himself angry at something that wasn’t his problem again.
“Minho sunbaenim.”
His hand was still around the younger boy’s. He didn’t let go, how could he when he caught onto Seungmin’s facade slipping?
But in one blink, it was all gone. Replaced with something else.
There was no shake to his voice, no fear in his tone when he looked up at Minho.
There was gratitude, in the form of brown eyes illuminated brighter by the sun shining in. His heart clenched tight in his chest.
“I know your name now!” He beamed, and metal caught Minho’s eyes. “Thank you for helping me, hyung.”
Minho blinked, finally letting go of his wrist. It wasn’t cold to touch anymore.
“Hah?” He let out an incredulous huff, leaning back against the wall. Hiding from the sun rays.
“You were so cool!” Seungmin ignored his unspoken demand for an explanation and an apology for using an honorific he didn’t agree to.
His ears grew hot, and Minho cursed in his head. He had to get out of here.
So he moved to stand. Because he was all action. All action, no talk. “Don’t expect it to happen again. And don’t call me hyung.”
“Okay, Minho hyung!” His nasally voice penetrated his ears and Minho wished that pissed him off. Yet the only thing that made his blood boil was the stupid smile on Kim Seungmin’s face, and the sincerity in his shining eyes.
Shit.
Before he exited the door, Minho turned around. He really shouldn’t have. He shouldn’t have, because he was carefully walking back to where Seungmin continued sitting down - knees against his chest.
Clicking his tongue, he extended a hand out. “Come on, idiot first year. We’re heading back to the main campus.”
Seungmin refused to meet his eyes. He stayed staring at the dusty floor of the old library. His fingers remained in his uniform sleeve, pressed hard enough to cause a crinkle.
“Kim Seungmin.” He was honest, while Minho was a liar. “Stop sulking. It’s all over your face.”
“I’m not sulking.” Seungmin’s voice sounded funny, and he buried himself deeper into the space between his arms.
“Okay. I’ll leave you here then.”
Minho turned back on his heel, this time - he didn’t look back.
He didn’t have to.
Footsteps followed him the way the stray cats would after he waved their canned food at them.
Except there wasn’t a cat behind him, but a puppy.
A stupid kicked puppy. Minho was never and would never be a dog person.
“Hyung,” he said - whispered, really. It was the softest Minho had ever heard him. Although he didn’t really know Seungmin well enough for that. Maybe he was actually putting on the whole overexcited puppy act.
Minho didn’t slow down.
But Seungmin never stopped walking behind him either, so he counted it a win when he trudged all the way back to 1-B, a new shadow behind him.
Minho didn’t bid him farewell, instead, he flicked Kim Seungmin’s forehead. “Stay out of trouble.”
“But you’ll come save me, right?” Seungmin looked up at him, eyes round, a cheeky grin on his face. Minho briefly wondered which expression of his was real from the last hour.
He snorted, tucked his hands into his pants and stepped away. “No.”
“Thanks hyung!” He called out despite Minho’s back already turned, headed towards the staircase that separated his floor and Seungmin’s.
Refusing to bite into the brat’s bait, he simply ignored him, infuriated that he could easily imagine Seungmin smiling and waving at his retreating figure.
How stupid.
(It was stupid. Definitely. Absolutely.
Because after that day, Minho found himself stealing glances at chestnut brown hair, flopping around with every quirky step.
Every single time he ended up on the first year’s floor, walking past 1-B to the staff room, he’d have his head turned ever so slightly.
A meagre and pathetic attempt to catch a glimpse of someone out of the corner of his eye.
He needed the school break to hurry up and start.)
“Minho hyung,” Kim Seungmin’s whiny voice rings throughout their living room, and he sighs as he follows the direction of it. “‘m cold.”
“You’re already under a blanket.” Minho notes, deciding there’s nothing he needs to deal with and Seungmin isn’t on the verge of death by his own hands. Again.
“But I’m cold.”
Minho spared him one last glance, nodding. “Yeah.”
“Don’t just acknowledge me!” He whines noisier, burying himself deeper into the blanket, and fuck. He’s annoying. He’s so annoying, peeking out from Minho’s spare blanket like that.
“I’ll make you some hot chocolate then.” Minho needs to focus. His final is coming up. His finals - multiple, are coming up.
Seungmin frowns, even though he can’t see the way his lips tug downwards. His eyes tell Minho all he needs to know. “That’s not what I want.”
“I’m going back to studying.” Minho watches Seungmin’s deflated form once more, focusing on the way he tugs the sleeves of his (Minho’s) hoodie down. “Yah, you’re going to stretch it out.”
“But you like when I do this.”
“With your own clothes, your size.” Minho walks closer to the sofa, ready to chide him when he realizes he’s stepped right into Seungmin’s trap.
It’s too late to move back though, because he has his pretty thighs wrapped around Minho and suddenly he's accidentally groping Seungmin’s chest.
“Sorry.” Although he’s really not. Minho decides to follow up honestly in between laughter, “You’re insufferable.”
“You love me.” Seungmin grins, wrapping his arms around Minho’s neck, the blanket somehow already covering both of them.
Minho doesn’t need to reply to that, so he adjusts their positions instead, shifting them to lie on their sides. He lays his hands on Seungmin’s waist, immediately warming up.
Seungmin snuggles closer, as if there’s any room left, before planting his chin on Minho’s head so he’s pressed against his neck.
Well. Minho licks his lips, he’s not going to complain now.
Given he’s been forcibly interrupted from his precious studying time, he supposes it’s only right to deliver some form of punishment.
His hands make their way under the hoodie, and Minho is surprised to find there’s nothing but bare skin. Seungmin giggles at the feeling, laughing into Minho’s hair and his heart swells.
He may or may not be smiling the whole time he leaves trails of kisses (and something more) all over the column of his neck.
(What? Kim Seungmin asked for it.)
Minho groaned when the first year he had the displeasure of seeing every single day peered at him from the window in the hallway, beaming and waving.
“Are you sure he’s not waving at you, Minho?” Bin questioned, finishing up his Nesquik as he glanced at Kim Seungmin outside their classroom.
It was an ongoing occurrence, happening ever since Minho ‘saved’ the boy from Jooseok. Despite all the times he looked away, pretending not to notice and refusing to acknowledge his presence - he kept returning.
Persistent.
“I don’t know who that is.” Minho stubbornly repeated, loud enough for the entire classroom to hear, for the nth time.
“Alright then.” Bin shrugged, already bored from being shot down numerous times. At least somebody knew when to give up.
Except when Bin did a double take to check on Seungmin outside, Minho instantly knew from the concern in his voice that he had to look too. “Hey, isn’t that Jooseok? The kid knows him.”
Minho’s eyes narrowed, and sure enough - Jooseok was talking to Kim Seungmin. Whispers filled the classroom, the two of them visibly close to fighting. He’d never heard Seungmin’s voice go so low, even though it kept its nasally tone. And then-
Gasps echoed throughout when Jooseok grabbed onto the pristine collar of Seungmin’s uniform. Minho was on his feet before he could think, before he could feel, and suddenly Jooseok was on the hallway floor.
His knuckles stung when he came back to his senses.
Seungmin was behind Minho, clutching onto his shoulders but all he could see was red.
“Jooseok,” he warned, low - lower than he’s ever heard himself too. Maybe this guy was an expert at helping people find their vocal range. “What do you think you’re doing to a first year?”
“Here comes the hero!” Jooseok glared at him, wiping away blood leaking from his nose. Oh shit. He didn’t exactly feel bad about it, but his parents were going to give him hell if they found out.
Pushing that thought aside for a moment, Minho laughed and rolled his eyes, tilting his chin in the direction of his classroom next to them. “You’re causing a scene and I can hear it. What a nuisance.”
“So it’s okay if I talk to Seungmin-ie in a more remote area?”
Fingers dug into his shoulders, and Minho didn’t have to look back to know.
Again, Seungmin was not a very good liar.
“Oh? I’m so curious,” Minho dragged the word out, exaggerating just how much he wanted to hear about their conversation. “Why not tell everyone here what-”
Nails dug into his skin, and before he could actually turn around to check-
“If you want me to, sure.” Jooseok let out a soulless chuckle, a sinister grin on his face. “Kim Seungmin from the baseball club, class 1-B, has a crush on me.”
Students passing by, students in his classroom, students walking up the stairs all stop in their tracks. Minho never felt time physically come to a standstill like that before.
The nails hadn’t stopped digging into his shoulders. There was a slight tremor to them now. Minho knew the moment he glanced back, it would be game over.
So he didn’t.
Instead, before he could crack a joke, Bin was by the window and laughing.
He laughed that dumb obnoxious laugh of his, multiple snorts and all. With that - with the cue from their class clown, everybody inside was laughing at Jooseok.
At that moment, Minho was so eternally grateful to have a friend like Moon Bin.
“Wait-” Bin made a show of wheezing, doubled over. He was definitely not acting this out, shockingly.
“You think there’s anybody in this world that would have a crush on you?”
More laughter erupted around them and Jooseok’s face fell. His cheeks turned an incredible red and Minho wished he could properly revel in the satisfaction of Jooseok being publicly humiliated like this.
No one would dare go after Bin either. He was the most popular guy in their grade. Reassured that he could leave things with his friend, Minho quickly used the chance to tug Seungmin away from the hallway.
They went up two steps at a time, using the staircase at the other end of his level instead. Seungmin was forced into his rhythm, but barely spoke a word as he let himself be dragged up.
When Minho finally reached the rooftop, he picked the lock open with practiced movements, unable to hide his grin at the soft gasp coming from behind him.
And then there were more noises emitting from him so Minho quickly pushed the door open, pulling Seungmin onto the roof with him.
“Breathe, Kim Seungmin.” Minho reminded the younger boy, one hand rubbing up and down his back. He couldn’t just leave him here, alone. He couldn’t just-
How could he leave him crying like this-
Minho clicked his tongue, annoyed - so annoyed, and pulled Seungmin close. His jacket was so fucked. It was his favourite one too.
Carefully, he threaded his fingers through Seungmin’s hair. It was as soft as it looked.
And Seungmin, likely due to being from the baseball club (information he unwillingly found out just minutes ago, albeit not very shocking news), was stronger than he looked.
He grabbed onto Minho like his life depended on it, sobbing into his shoulder. Even though he usually never got sad because of others, he bit his lower lip just in case.
Shorter than him, Seungmin stood on his tip toes, pushing himself closer and closer until Minho was stumbling back and letting himself fall onto the floor. His arms wrapped around Seungmin’s waist, ensuring he took the brunt of it.
His poor butt.
Spreading his legs so Seungmin could sit between the space formed, Minho sighed when his glasses dug into him.
His legs were thrown over Minho’s own, and he wasn’t even certain Seungmin was aware of his actions.
Slowly, he peeled his tearful face away from his jacket, grimacing at Seungmin’s puffy eyes. Minho snorted a second later, the disgust disappearing quicker than he thought it would. “You’re going to break your glasses.”
“Mm.” He nodded, fumbling for his thick frames, folding them neatly to put aside. It was amusing how different he appeared now, mouth wobbling as he visibly tried to stop himself from bursting into tears again.
Cute.
Looking up at the sky, Minho guided Seungmin’s neck until he was back on his shoulder - even though it physically hurt to think about his favourite jacket being used like a tissue.
“You’re not very good at pretending, Kim Seungmin.” Minho played absentmindedly with the hair on his nape, akin to how he would stroke the cats that made a home on his lap.
“Neither are you, hyung,” came a muffled reply. Minho chose to ignore the accusation.
He didn’t really feel like going in circles today.
“It’s not true, by the way.” Seungmin spoke up again, forehead resting on his shoulder so his words could come out loud and clear. “I don’t like Jooseok.”
“Usually I’d tell you to speak formally, but he doesn’t warrant that kind of respect. Also, I know.” Minho chuckled, pulling Seungmin a tiny bit closer.
Seungmin nuzzled, nuzzled against him, and Minho tightened his grip around Seungmin’s waist. “Okay. As long as you do, hyung.”
He didn’t bother replying to that either.
The jacket ended up in Seungmin’s hands, and before Minho could tell him to wash it before returning the garment, he was shrugging it on.
“Was I not supposed to?” Seungmin did that head tilt again, clueless. He could tell when the younger was being a menace on purpose. This wasn’t it.
Minho sighed, loud and exasperated, not caring how Seungmin would react to it. “You ruined my jacket. I was asking you to wash it before returning it to me, not wear it.”
“So as long as I wash it after wearing it I’m safe?”
“Hardly.” Minho squeezed Seungmin’s cheeks, an act that surprised himself but he couldn’t just let go now. He couldn’t make it known to the first year that he acted on his own accord again. There were a lot of things he wanted to say to him, actually. But no threat could leave the confines of his throat, and he was left to pat Seungmin on the cheek instead.
When he moved away, Seungmin immediately broke out into a wide grin and Minho grit his teeth at the sight.
“I’m always safe with hyung though.”
He was either going to climb the fence to jump off the roof or run away from the situation.
If only it was socially acceptable to do so when you’re trapped in a tight spot, refusing to fall too deep. Minho thought to himself, genuinely considering it. He had nothing to lose. Seungmin was just someone that randomly appeared in his life.
People came and went.
It took more time than he’d like to admit to respond. He didn’t even need to. “Don’t kid yourself. I’m graduating in a few months.”
As if to prove his point, a spring breeze warm enough to signal summer approaching blew across the roof and Seungmin frowned.
Heart on his stupid sleeve.
“Wash the jacket, Kim Seungmin.” Minho stepped forward to flick Seungmin’s forehead again, before walking away.
This time, footsteps didn’t follow suit and the shadow tailing him disappeared as if the sun began hiding behind the clouds.
(Minho was adamant on erasing the memory from the rooftop, unsure of what to do with the twinge in his heart whenever Seungmin’s tear stained cheek filled his mind.
He didn’t know what to do with the memory of Seungmin in his jacket, looking far too comfortable, immediately tugging the sleeves down to cover his hands.)
Sometimes, Seungmin does the waiting.
Minho steps out of the dance practice room, instantly smiling at his boyfriend holding two cups of fruit juice.
He must’ve bought them right before coming over, judging by the lack of intense condensation.
“Hyung.” Seungmin chirps, bright, and Minho squeezes his cheeks even before he can grab the drink - despite how thirsty he is.
“Seungmin-ah,” he greets back, openly flustering when Seungmin leans into his touch. Even though his jaw wants to stay clenched on instinct, he forces himself to relax. “Kim Seungmin.”
“You look irritated.”
“Because you’re here,” the reply comes out quickly, bickering is something he’s used to. It’s natural. It’s fun, since Seungmin never takes offense to it, eyes cutely scrunching up before he laughs even though it isn't that funny. When Felix, a member of his dance group exits and raises an eyebrow, Minho waves to him and takes Seungmin’s free hand. “Let’s go.”
Vultures, the whole lot of them. Just as they walk away, he hears the distinct screech of Hyunjin, “Seungmin-ie, no! Don’t go!”
His boyfriend only giggles at their antics, and Minho wonders if he truly doesn’t know how he’s the object of so many people’s affection.
“Your protein juice, hyung.” Seungmin passes it to him halfway out of the building. Minho nearly forgot about it. He lets go of Seungmin’s hand, pretending he doesn’t let his own linger for a second too long.
“Thanks, Seungmo.”
Instead of walking to the carpark first, Minho directs Seungmin to the sitting area on their campus. The weather’s nice after all.
Even though being together for so many years, almost everyday should’ve made him lose a spark - made him lose interest like how Minho lost interest in everything other than dance - it never feels bothersome.
Not anymore. Not since their first meeting.
“Summer’s coming.” Seungmin notes between sips. He stares up at the clear blue sky, void of any clouds. He looks pretty like that.
He always does.
“I’m sure you’re excited.” Minho teases, raising eyebrows at his shameless partner. Summer means more short sleeved shirts. Maybe even shirts without any sleeves at all. And he’s well aware of how much Seungmin likes seeing his exposed arms.
“Minho hyung,” Seungmin whines, but doesn’t even blush. Doesn’t even nibble his bottom lip between his teeth like he used to. He’s grown immune.
(Minho could never admit that between the two of them, Seungmin ended up getting less shy first. By the time he turned into a third year in high school, he no longer blushed red at anything Minho did. He lost his braces, and closed the gap and then some in their height difference.
So yeah, by the time Seungmin graduated, the only time Minho managed to affect him in any way was when he presented a bouquet of his favourite flowers to him.
And because Minho has always been mean, he finally asked Seungmin to be his boyfriend after constantly telling him to wait.
There were still tears in his eyes. Nothing Minho couldn’t wipe away though. The bone crushing hug he ended up in made his ears burn, burn hot like the summer sun and-
His walls were completely down. But Minho’s a liar, so it was more of a late admission than a new realization.)
The whine turns into a chuckle, and he leans forward in his seat, causing Minho to follow the movement. He’s wearing a loose shirt under his jacket, and the collar dips with the movement.
His hands trail to his ripped jeans, the hole so massive he can’t stand the sight of them. Seungmin always refuses to get them sewn a bit smaller. It exposes too much of his legs. “You’re the bigger pervert here.”
“I’m-” He snaps up, physically dragging his eyes away from Seungmin’s soft soft flesh. His voice doesn’t sound like his own so he clears his throat, scoffing. “Don’t be ridiculous, Kim Seungmin.”
But he briefly imagines Seungmin in those loose shorts he likes, or the tight ones that settle high above his knees.
Minho is fucked.
“Pervert.” Seungmin repeats, grinning and pointing at Minho’s cargo pants. There’s a water stain from the condensation of his drink dripping down.
He nearly crushes the cup in his hands, only stopping when his subconscious reminds him there’s still juice in it.
“Seungmin.”
The flat tone only causes his smile to widen. Minho is already thinking about all the places he’ll have his way with Seungmin.
He flutters his eyelashes at him, invading his personal space as he breathes out quietly, “Yes, hyung?”
Heart on his sleeve. Always so readable. Seungmin can never hide how he feels around Minho, and that causes the back of his neck to burn even though the sun is shining in their faces.
“Prepare yourself.” That’s all Minho says, finishing his drink and collecting Seungmin’s empty cup to toss it out for him.
“Anything for you!” Seungmin yells, all sweet and an absolute menace - from where he remains seated on the bench and Minho wants to strangle him then and there. The younger boy would probably enjoy that.
The smile on Seungmin’s face only widens when he must notice how his jaw has clenched, veins on his arms and hands popping.
His eyes drag all over to what he can see with Minho’s sleeves pulled back around his forearms. Shameless.
(The idea of his hands around Seungmin's gorgeous neck do come to life, and Minho was right.
He really does like it.)
Minho spent all summer with him.
Involuntarily.
He had come back on campus during the break to feed the stray cats, abiding to the yearly schedule with one of the cleaners. They took turns caring for the stray cats and today was his. He didn’t really mind, given his social circle was limited to a very small radius and he’d have spent the entire break either at dance practice or at home watching anime.
And studying. That’s right. Minho had nearly forgotten he was a third year, entrance examinations looming closer and closer.
Anyway. The point was that the moment he walked into school, a bag full of food to account for the six cats around, Kim Seungmin was suddenly in his face.
“Hyung!”
The moment he registered what he was seeing, Minho turned around. “Goodbye.”
“No, don’t leave!” Seungmin cried, whining in that grating voice of his eyes and Minho could only sigh because his feet were ready to shift back.
Traitorous.
Taking advantage of the way Minho hesitated, a rough palm was suddenly on his wrist. It didn’t make him pause. Not even in the slightest.
“Can you watch me play?”
It would be dangerous to turn around. Minho knew that. And yet - the way his plea was said, he couldn’t help but glance back.
His stupid puppy eyes, wide and sad and everything Minho detested but wanted to chuckle at all the same - made his skin crawl. “I’m busy.”
“The practice match only starts in an hour!” Seungmin informed, one hand still on Minho and the other in his baseball mitt. He opened his mouth to decline, wondering what would make his need for distance clear. And because Seungmin could somehow read his mind, he turned the begging up a notch, lower lip jutting out slightly. The grip on Minho’s wrist burned stronger. “Please, hyung?”
He clicked his tongue, carefully slipping away. Even though it was summer, it felt so cold.
“Depends on my mood.” Minho lied, although it sounded a little bit too sincere for his liking as Seungmin’s eyes lit up once more. He could probably power the entire school with the energy he exuded.
Seungmin cheered, finally looking like he was returning to his club activities. He waved at Minho, ensuring he was aware of where his match would be - because surely the only baseball field in school had competition elsewhere.
When he was gone at last, Minho pretended the interaction never happened, carrying out his duties.
As if the world was out to get him, he ended up chasing one of the stray cats all the way to the baseball bleachers.
Before it could jump onto the actual field, Minho grabbed it and clicked his tongue. “Where are you going?”
The orange and white cat meowed in response, and he could physically feel the irritation leaving his body. Fuck, Minho loved cats so much.
“Yeah, yeah,” he rolled his eyes, letting the smile stay on his face for once. Pulling a paper plate out, he emptied the contents onto it, not wanting to risk the cats cutting themselves on the metal. “Eat and be good.”
He placed a bowl of water next to the plate, before sitting down on the bench to watch it. It was impossible to tear his eyes away from the cat, and despite already having five thousand pictures of the school cats, he took his phone out to capture more.
It was his last year there, and it wasn’t as if he needed space in his camera roll for anything else.
“Minho hyung!”
The source of that voice came from below and Minho wished he didn’t have to leave his seat next to the cheese cat. Unfortunately, Kim Seungmin kept calling his name, and any longer he would’ve thrown his phone at the kid.
“What?” Minho glanced down at Seungmin in his uniform waving frantically. He had some sort of sports glasses on, different from his usual thick frames and was beaming. The summer sun couldn’t compare to the boy in front of him.
“You made it!” He walked closer, before turning his head slightly. His eyes widened in a way Minho hadn’t seen before, before smiling (different, softer, fonder). “Oh my god.”
“She’s eating. Don’t disturb her.”
“She’s so cute!” Seungmin practically squealed, and Minho was stumped. This was a version of the boy he’d never witnessed before. It was too endearing for his liking.
Sue him. It made him happy seeing others delighted by cats. Minho nearly let his guard down, telling Seungmin he had three cats of his own - wondering how he’d react.
But that would open a whole Pandora's box which he really didn’t need in his life right now. So he kept mum, absentmindedly stroking the cheese cat’s fur.
“Can you play catch with me? To warm up?” Seungmin dragged his eyes away from Minho’s hand - seemingly in a trance. Minho didn’t question it, and raised an eyebrow at the baseball player instead.
“Haven't you already done that?”
“No- Yes- But-” He started stuttering, almost causing Minho to laugh out loud and in the open. The only person who’s managed any positive expression from him was Moon Bin. And even then, it took him a whole year since their first meeting. Seungmin, though, was marvelous when he was nervous or embarrassed. It made Minho want to tease him more. He slumped forward, pouting. Like a spoiled brat, he whined, “Everybody’s getting ready and I wanna throw some pitches!”
“So you’re just slacking while they do all the preparations?” Minho said, deadpan. He managed to swallow down his laughter and bite away his growing smile.
Seungmin’s eyes were wide, and if he were any weaker, they might have worked on him. His mumbled, “It’s not like that…”
Usually, Minho was good at saying no. An expert, really.
Alas, when Seungmin squatted down, tilting his head up and practically pleading with his knees against his chest - Minho’s heart jumped straight to his throat.
This damn first year-
Sighing, making sure it was loud, clear and unhappy - Minho stood up, finger beckoning for the boy who stared up at him like an eager puppy to pass the baseball over.
In an instant he was jumping up, cheering. When did Lee Minho get so fucking soft?
“Thanks so much hyung!” Seungmin’s voice cracked as he said it, but he (surprisingly) paid no mind to that, already scrambling down to the area where he could practice his pitches. Minho was given an extra mitt to use, and he shrugged at the way it was worn out. He wouldn't be doing this again to care enough about the state of it.
They went back and forth a bit, and Minho could practically see Seungmin’s tail wagging whenever he caught his pitches and sent the ball back to him.
“Your throwing speed is so fast, I love it!” Seungmin beamed, doing one last wind up as someone came to inform the first year pitcher they’d be starting soon.
If Minho was a little slower, without his dancer instincts, he would’ve missed the ball flying back to him. Kim Seungmin was a menace, on purpose and unintentionally.
It would be unlike Minho to not react quick enough though, so he successfully caught his last pitch without breaking much of a sweat. Well, less sweat than an average person perhaps, under the summer weather.
When he turned around after Seungmin left with his team members to get ready, he realized the stands were filled with more people. The cat he’d fed didn’t stick around, and he went back to clean up the plate and bowl.
Only after overhearing two girls behind him did Minho realize Seungmin was the starting pitcher, only months after enrolling into the club.
Wow. If he were the previous starter, he would’ve been so mad.
But he supposed it was hard to get angry or hold grudges with Kim Seungmin.
Unless…
“It used to be Jooseok sunbae right?”
Minho’s fists clenched, and he let out a chuckle. Except Choi Jooseok then.
“Yeah! Apparently he was caught trying to pick a fight with the first year so now he’s not allowed to play for a few games. It’s not like he got his Ace position taken anyway!” One of the girls supplied Minho with information he wasn’t sure he cared about (because he was only listening in since they were talking so loud).
Rolling his eyes, he really should’ve given that bastard a better beating. He was picking fights with a kid when his title and actual position was still his? At this rate, Minho was certain Seungmin would likely end up as the Ace soon enough.
(That made him a little proud.)
Even though Minho wasn’t a fan, especially with his minimal baseball knowledge - the only thing he was certain of was how he couldn’t tear his eyes whenever Kim Seungmin was on the field.
Absolutely. Not. A. Fan.
Yet, a week later he was watching Seungmin play at Inter-High, the sweaty and stinky puppy in his arms when they won their first match.
And the one after that. And after that.
And suddenly Minho had memorized the rules of baseball, knowing when to click his tongue whenever Seungmin got shut down. He knew when to cheer with the crowd, hoping the audience would drown his voice out. That brat would never shut up about it if he heard.
Soon enough his club members would approach Minho, recruiting him. They would mention seeing him throw the ball back to Seungmin as they played catch as warm up.
“I’m in my third year.”
He was already semi-retired from the dance club and fully done with his taekwondo competitions in spring.
Seungmin pouted, despite knowing this. Minho wondered how many times he’d have to repeat himself for the boy to get it.
They’d part ways eventually.
There was no point in getting attached.
Kim Seungmin would be a name he would have no use remembering in less than twelve months.
“That’s too bad huh, Seungmin-ah?” The captain grinned, ruffling their star pitcher’s hair. The sun must’ve been strong today as his entire being warmed up at the sight. “Thanks for looking after our puppy so often, Minho-ssi.”
“So you already knew my age.” Minho didn’t bother with people who weren’t in his classes, but he was certain the taller boy was in his year.
The captain shrugged, “Seungmin-ie asked me to try my luck.”
“Ah, hyung,” He whined, covering his face with his hands. Oh, that was new. Seungmin peeked at Minho above his fists, and he felt like throwing up.
Heat stroke. He was getting a heat stroke.
“Minho hyung, don’t listen to him!”
Cutecutecutecutecute.
A reaction that only cats were able to elicit from him entered his mind, and Minho promptly decided it was time for him to leave.
At a loss, he nodded sharply, walking away. He waved without looking back when Seungmin called out, asking if he’d show up for their final match. It would determine if they were going to be the summer champions.
He’d decide based on his mood.
(But naturally, Lee Minho’s arms were there for a very muddy, sweaty, emotional Kim Seungmin to jump into on that day. He’d purposely worn an outfit he wouldn’t mind getting dirty, because he already knew their school’s baseball team had no reason to cinch anything but gold.
He carried a babbling Seungmin back to his team mates, grateful that the boy had his face buried in Minho’s shoulder. The fond smile on his face that he couldn’t bear to hide would remain a well kept secret between Minho and Seungmin’s equally fond team mates.)
“Are you ever going to tell me why you deliberately threw that baseball at me, Kim Seungmin?” Minho asks, returning the ball back to Seungmin. It makes a loud smack into his boyfriend’s well loved mitt.
Even though Seungmin injured himself to the point of being unable to go professional, Minho still picks up their gloves (yes, he has his own) and drags him outside to play catch.
It’s obviously not because Minho is dying to hurl balls back and forth, but because he can tell when Seungmin is antsy. When he’s nervous over a deadline, a group project - anxious about whether he can do well.
So Minho helps him. When he’s smiling so brightly as he throws one of his complicated pitches, it’s worth being outside and not cooped up in their room playing games.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Seungmin sticks his tongue out, exposing his own terrible lie, catching another fast ball from Minho. Someday he’ll learn those special pitches and surprise Seungmin. He loves catching him off guard.
Minho laughs at his inability to be anything but honest. “Liar!”
“I’ll never tell you!” Seungmin gives one last throw, and Minho jumps up to catch it.
He tsks, tapping on his glove. “That was a bad pitch, Seungmin-ie.”
His cheeks inflate and Minho huffs out chuckles in disbelief. Look at him trying to act cute.
“Why are you even bringing up something from eight years ago?”
Humming, he wonders if he should tell him the reason. It’s not like he swore secrecy anyway, and Seungmin is lenient with his best friend.
So he shrugs, smiling. “Han Jisung.”
“Are you stealing my soulmate from me, hyung?” Seungmin gasps and asks, head tilted. It’s not a serious question because Minho can see how he’s seconds away from bursting into giggles too.
“Jisung wants you more than he wants me.” Minho points out the obvious, and smiles. “But he wanted to brag about how we wouldn’t be together if not for him.”
That was all Jisung had told him, cackling evilly as Minho stared at him in confusion the other day. He hadn’t really cared enough to get more details, but now he was curious about something else.
“It was an accident.” Seungmin says, eyes avoiding Minho’s.
“Right. And the sky is green.”
Honestly, he didn’t really think it was on purpose for the longest time. Blame it on Jisung, because Minho suddenly remembered Seungmin running back to him after collecting his ball.
“I’m saying it’s not like that,” Seungmin frowns, voice turning higher. “I had my reasons!”
“And hyung wants to know what they are,” Minho steps closer, slinging his arm around Seungmin’s waist. Despite the time and good weather, no one else was around. He grins, “Come on.”
“Only if you buy me cake and matcha latte.”
That was easy.
“Did you think I wouldn’t be able to?” Minho laughs, grabbing his wrist and dragging them back to their apartment. They’re going to wash up and they’re going to go on a date and Minho is going to find out how he got attached to an obnoxious fifteen year old.
He never really questioned why Seungmin stuck to him like glue, constantly trying to squeeze his way into his life.
Although, maybe it would’ve been better to admit that after their first meeting, Minho started leaving cracks behind for Seungmin to enter from.
Here they are now, in a shared apartment. Seungmin fresh out of his shower, hair still damp with his towel draped over his head like he didn’t even try. He’s in Minho’s shirt again, and one has to wonder when the last time he wore his own clothes was.
Minho drags his eyes away from whatever’s exposed by Seungmin’s jean shorts, deciding it’s time for him to cool off too.
“Dry your hair properly, Seungmo.” He orders, rubbing it with the towel slightly as he walks past.
“Do it for me later or I won’t tell you.”
Pausing, he turns around and raises an eyebrow. “You really know how to blackmail people.”
He was going to do it anyway after he was done with his shower even if Seungmin didn’t ask.
The beam Minho gets in return because he essentially agreed is blinding, and he snorts, the corners of his own mouth twitching up. His smile is addictive after all.
When Minho sits back down at their table, he spins the buzzer around in between his fingers like it’s a pen. Tapping on the receipt, he grins at his beloved.
“It’s time, Seungmin-ah.”
“Ugh,” Seungmin groans, grabbing the piece of paper and inspecting it like Minho wouldn’t know his favourite cake by now. “Fine.”
“Love how eager you are, Seungmo.” Minho laughs at Seungmin’s pained look and pout. Acting cute won’t get him out of the situation he landed himself in.
“Cat hyung, you’re not allowed to make fun of me, okay?”
He laughs louder.
“Promise!” Seungmin whines, and he’s been really whiny a lot lately, not that he minds that much. He extends his hand out, dead serious when he says, “Pinky promise.”
Amused, he agrees and hooks their pinkies together. “Yes, Seungmo.”
When Seungmin furrows his eyebrows, determination all over his face, Minho gets ready. He has to hang onto every word that comes out of his mouth. He’s curious now. He never cared before, back in high school - and by the time he was in university he was too busy to think back to their first meeting and question everything.
Plus, by then, Minho was in too deep. There was no turning back for him, and finding out why Seungmin was suddenly in his dorm all the time after school or how he ended up kissing the top of his head every night when he stayed over - was pointless.
Most people would try to get past Minho’s high defenses and fail, so the only person who worked hard enough to keep going was Moon Bin. That was how he made it to his last year with a single friend, but he was all Minho needed.
However, by graduation there was someone else.
Kim Seungmin, who currently sits in front of him in the small quaint cafe that specializes in matcha drinks.
“I-” Seungmin starts, but the buzzer vibrates in Minho’s hands, and he cackles deviously at the way his face falls. He puts his hands up to cover his frustrated expression, and all Minho can feel is endearment.
He always loved when Seungmin did that.
Patting his soft hair (that Minho did in fact, dry for him), he goes to pick up their drinks and the cake Seungmin politely requested for.
“Okay. Now tell me Kim Seungmin, how long were you secretly in love with me before you purposely hit me with a baseball?”
His cheeks grow a pretty red, and Minho’s grin widens. It’s rare to catch Seungmin so shy outside of the bedroom nowadays.
He taps on the glass of his drink, a nervous tic. Minho doesn’t push any further than that, waiting for his response. His cheeks puff up as he obviously thinks of what to say, or how to explain himself.
He almost feels bad for teasing his boyfriend like this.
“It was during my entrance examination into our high school.”
When Seungmin does speak at last, Minho isn’t ready. So much for trying to listen attentively to every word. It’s not like he didn’t hear, he was mainly surprised which is why he squeaks out, “What?”
“Hyung,” he pouts, and Minho puts his hands up. “Pay attention! I’m bearing my soul to you right now.”
Giggling at how he remains silly after all these years, he nods, elbows on the table and chin in hand. “Yes, yes. Go on.”
“It was after the exam. You know how enrolled students still have classes during those?” He nods, of course he knows. He entered their high school the same way just like anybody else, and watched as nervous kids would take those papers in the quieter parts of the compound.
Minho sort of knows where this is going now. But that’s weird. He definitely doesn’t remember meeting Seungmin back then. Surely a few months wouldn’t have made such a big difference to his appearance.
Seungmin cuts straight into his thoughts, proving Minho wrong. “We’ve met before. Maybe my face was too swollen though.”
“You were crying?” Minho leans forward, suddenly interested.
His eyes dart away, breaking eye contact. “Only a bit.”
A lot then.
Racking his brain, Minho tries to think back to his second year. He doesn’t really remember what he was doing back then, probably dance practice?
“And what exactly did I do to change your life?” Minho eggs him on, trying to hide how badly he wants to hold Seungmin’s puffed up cheeks in his hands. He would die first before he stopped teasing him all the time.
“Shut it. It wasn’t that phenomenal.” He sips on his matcha latte, still looking adorable. “I just… Really appreciated what you did for me.”
“Seungmin-ah, you’re testing my patience, we’re walking in circles.”
He groans again, covering his face with his hands and leaning back against the chair. Minho has no clue what could be so embarrassing that warrants such dillydallying.
Seungmin peeks at him, reminding him, “You promised.”
To prove his point, he holds up his pinky.
“You… Hyung…” He mumbles something and Minho leans in, kind of wishing they’d gone for takeaway instead so he could trap Seungmin in his arms instead. That way he wouldn’t have to make a fool out of himself trying to listen in.
“You gave me a juice box and told me to cheer up and said I worked hard and even though we didn’t know each other it meant a lot to me because no one was acknowledging how much effort I put into things lately and-” Seungmin blurts out, and Minho barely manages to catch the entire thing despite how fast he’d rattled away.
He holds his hand, now on the table tapping a random rhythm on the wood. “Breathe, Seungmo.”
“And-” He laces their fingers together, “I thought: Wow he’s such a nice senior I want to see him again.”
At that, Minho hums in thought. He remembers now, vaguely. Honestly, it hadn’t been that significant of a moment to him, compared to how Seungmin saw it.
Minho ran into a kid near the dance classroom - a middle school uniform on him. He clearly wasn’t supposed to be there, but he had his knees tucked against his chest, visibly shaking.
Even though he didn’t know how to comfort people, having stayed away from any form of relationships aside from his weird friendship with Moon Bin, his mind told him to do something.
That was how he ended up passing a juice box to the sniveling boy, immediately retrieving tissues from his pocket too.
Seungmin must’ve forgotten his stupid comment of: “Are you crying because you’re lost?” though.
Perhaps that was for the better, Minho thinks, looking at the blushing boy in front of him. He's grown up well.
“Is that all?”
“Is that all?!” Seungmin parrots back, squawking in offense. Oops, that came out wrong. “What do you mean-!”
Minho quickly wrecked his brain, thinking about how to word his next sentence. Back then, he certainly didn’t know what kind of work Seungmin was putting in for the examinations. He simply looked at the boy, and thought of himself.
A younger Minho would have appreciated it. A younger Minho would’ve liked someone to tell him that he worked hard, and that it’d be all okay.
So it came naturally to him, telling Seungmin all that, even if they hadn’t known each other. He did look like a stereotypical nerd, which was why Minho didn’t hesitate.
And well, even if Minho regretted giving some kid unsolicited encouragement, he never would’ve thought it would leave this much of an impact on Seungmin.
“For the record, I didn’t choose our high school just because you’re in it.” Seungmin blurts out, clarifying. It makes Minho laugh, until he realizes he has no reason to be worried or overthink it.
Minho rubs his thumb over the back of his hand. “Sorry for making it sound like I didn’t care, Seungmin-ie.”
“Whatever! Now you have to carry this to your grave. No telling anyone.”
“Han Jisung knows though?” It comes out sounding a tad too bitter for his liking, but Seungmin’s eyes turn into crescents, so it’s fine.
“He doesn’t know we met before. I just told him to think of a way to get you to remember my name.”
“How many times has he brought up our successful relationship being his handiwork?” Minho snorts, Jisung’s bright eyes and smug grin life-like in his imagination. Of course he ended up growing close to Seungmin’s best friend, even if they had their differences.
Seungmin sighs, shaking his head and finally relaxing his shoulders. “Too many.”
“I’m not thanking him for anything.” Minho says, a little childish but it’s not as if Jisung was the one actually putting in the effort in Minho’s relationship with Seungmin.
Call him pathetic for sulking, but while Jisung may have been the catalyst, the only reason Seungmin is the one beaming up at him right now and cutely stuffing his face with the cake he bought - is all because of Minho.
(And honestly, very honestly, Seungmin. Definitely Seungmin who was bolder, and worked hard to get his attention.
By the time he left their high school, Minho had to put in more effort to do the chasing. Somehow, it didn’t feel so bad being the one to catch Kim Seungmin off guard instead.)
He finally accepted it in November. Minho had a few more months (three) before he was set to officially graduate.
It was almost winter. It was also cold as fuck. He waited impatiently for Kim Seungmin to show up at the front gates, growling deeper into his scarf.
If the first year didn’t show up in the next minute he was entering the building without him.
Somehow, they’d settled into this routine of sorts. Seungmin would come to school with two tumblers, both containing piping hot coffee. And whenever he was feeling it, the younger boy would have hot chocolate instead.
At the sound of his footsteps, Minho looked up from his phone, a complaint on the tip of his tongue when-
Oh.
Oh no.
He was cute. Ever since summer, it would be a passing thought, and uncharacteristic enough that Minho would cease thinking completely. But as the months passed, he was no longer able to chalk Seungmin's cuteness to chances and one-off instances.
And as the temperature suddenly and rapidly dropped overnight, this was the first time he’d seen Seungmin so…
Decked out.
He was in a long coat, a seemingly even longer scarf around his neck. There was a hat on his head and Minho's fight or flight response was telling him: flight.
“Hyung!” Seungmin cried out, sniffling at the particularly cold day. Perhaps it was going to snow today. “Sorry I’m late.”
“It’s fine,” he mumbled, nearly jumping when their fingertips touched. “Thanks, Seungmo.”
He beamed at the newly attained nickname, and Minho dragged them into school. If he stood out there any longer he would’ve turned into an icicle.
“See you later, Minho hyung!” It came out muffled due to his scarf, and Minho resisted the urge to pet him like he would with his cats.
“Sure,” he replied, hands in his pockets, nonchalant. “See you.”
Things were peaceful until Bin showed up, already suffocating in his own snorts. He imitated Minho’s voice (poorly), trying to look distant. “Sure thing, Seungmo.”
“Yah, Moon Bin, what do you think you’re doing?” Minho threatened to throttle the man ten centimeters taller than him.
All he got was that keukeukeu laughter he did in response and it was hard to stay mad, as he shook his head and smiled at his friend.
Kim Seungmin - to his chagrin, was cute as hell.
When his graduation was soon approaching, he realized something different. It was equally horrifying.
Finding Kim Seungmin adorable had become second nature at this point, no matter how much he tried to fight it.
So one afternoon when most students had already left, Minho was in the staff room with a teacher who wanted to speak to him. It resulted in him walking back to his classroom irritated.
The teacher’s concerns were nothing to him. He didn’t need them.
Sighing, he opened the back door with more force than necessary, knowing none of his classmates were around anymore.
They were either frantically trying to look for last minute options as entrance examinations into universities were already over, or out playing around for those with secured spots somewhere.
Minho dragged his feet into the room, the sun already setting. What reason did he have, staying here until 5pm?
At least his classroom, which he wouldn’t be in for much longer, gave him a pretty decent view. It definitely didn’t do his teachers any favours placing him right by the windows.
He usually spent more time looking outside than looking in front of him.
(Sometimes, he’d find himself smiling into the palm of his hand, watching a small figure toss a baseball back and forth with someone else.)
The same baseball boy who happened to be at his desk, head buried in his arms. Minho immediately lightened his footsteps, wondering what he was doing here.
“Seungmo,” he whispered, carefully pulling the chair tucked in front of his desk out. He sat on it, watching Seungmin’s even breathing. Minho wanted to take a picture. “Are you pretending to be asleep?”
Frankly, he was asking a question he already knew the answer to. When all he got was silence, Minho brought his face closer to observe his junior as if he was an interesting insect on a leaf.
He was cute (Minho didn't shut this thought down anymore). Way cuter when silent, eyes fluttered shut, finally looking his age without that foul mouth.
“Kim Seungmin.”
Minho’s eyes traced every feature he could see; the soft cheeks, his even softer hair, his sharp nose, his rough hands that twitched like a cat’s.
His heart was beating so loud - it was as if he was up on stage, right before a dance performance. It felt like he was in his taekwondo uniform, bowing to his opponent at a competition.
He was nervous. He was rarely nervous, even with dance and the sport he’d been doing since middle school - Minho was usually calm.
Every attempt to ensure he wouldn’t rouse Seungmin from his sleep failed when he couldn’t control his heartbeat. If he were awake, he’d surely tease him about it, asking what his deal was.
Minho was two years older than Seungmin. Minho wouldn't be in this classroom anymore in a month. Less than that. He wouldn’t be in this school anymore.
Minho wouldn't be waiting for morning coffee from Seungmin in a few weeks. Minho was going to be alone again.
Minho grew attached.
Minho liked-
His breath caught in his throat.
Lee Minho liked Kim Seungmin.
And perhaps, even though it wasn’t his style, he could be the one chasing after him this time.
(Because Seungmin was not allowed to abruptly enter Minho’s life, thinking he could get away with being forgotten when he already left a puppy shaped hole in his heart.)
Minho walked Seungmin home after he shook him awake, knowing the security guards would be making their rounds soon.
He blearily mumbled his name out, natural aegyo seeping out in his sleepy state. It took everything in Minho (and clenched fists with nails digging into his palms) to not pull Seungmin into a hug.
To not speak the words floating around in his mind, bouncing around like the logo of a laptop’s screensaver on sleep.
“Cat hyung, thanks for walking me back!”
Blinking at the silly and new nickname, he huffed out a laugh - pushing Seungmin towards his front gate. “Don’t stay up too late, idiot. I expect you to be on time tomorrow morning!”
There were only so many more coffees he could steal from him.
“Only for you, hyung!” He blew kisses and he looked so stupid with his hair sticking up in impossible places and Minho’s jacket he continued to wear because he never returned it.
Rolling his eyes and dramatically grimacing away, he decided it was time to return home, even though it was half an hour away.
Chase, chase, chase.
His brain rang incessantly to him, and he clicked his tongue.
He would. Even if his university was also an hour from their high school, Minho would ensure he never let Seungmin out of his sight.
Perhaps this was what the younger boy was feeling - this desperation to never let go, when he kept pestering him during the previous year.
(Don’t go, Kim Seungmin.
I won’t let you.)
Minho is a weak man. He used to be stronger, maybe. But can you really blame him when he returns from a long day at his internship to find-
To find his stupid lover wrapped up in the sheets of their bed, his three cats surrounding him? Soonie is curled around Seungmin’s arm, and their breathing is so serene and Minho is going to kill himself.
He wants to scream. He can’t though, so he merely takes out his phone and ensures it’s still on silent mode.
Pathetically, he finds himself in a trance as he takes a bunch of pictures of the sight, trying his best to ingrain it into his memory.
Determined to join them before any of the living beings wake up and crawl out of the bed, Minho jumps into the shower, cleaning the exhaustion off.
To his delight, Minho finds them all accounted for, although Dori has moved closer to Seungmin. He goes to the furthest possible electrical outlet to dry his hair and with that settled, quietly steps back into the bedroom, smiling at how Seungmin’s nuzzled closer to Soonie too.
“Seungmo,” he whispers, crawling onto the bed - grimacing when it creaks under his additional weight. “Seungmin-ie.”
His boyfriend only curls further into himself, the prawn shape more evident. Minho swallows down a fond snort. His eyes are the softest he’s ever felt in all their years together, even though this isn’t that much of an uncommon occurrence.
He’s watched Seungmin interact with his cats before. He remembers feeling the same way he does now, his cuteness aggression activating, as Jisung taught him the phrase.
Heart in his throat, arms and hands on either side of Seungmin (and Soonie), Minho swallows down a happy sigh.
He thinks back to all the kisses overwhelmed by smiles. He thinks back to his smaller hands warming Seungmin’s colder self up. He thinks back to the amount of times he’s carried him around, from the baseball field in high school to inside their own apartment now.
Lee Minho is-
“Kim Seungmin…” He doesn’t dare touch him, but his arms are growing tired. “Kim Seungmin, I think I want to marry you.”
The silence is deafening. His ears are burning.
Minho wonders if something is wrong with him. And because he’s embarrassed and doesn’t care anymore, he places a kiss on his boyfriend’s forehead - smiling when Seungmin makes a small pleased noise.
He’ll surely wake up later, hair a fluffy mess and tell him about the dream he had.
“Cat hyung, when did you get home?” Seungmin babbles into the crook of his neck, and Minho hums into his hair.
“We should eat dinner.”
“Mm,” he makes a noise of acknowledgement but brings himself closer, and Minho laughs when Dori joins in - sitting on them. His words slur as he blindly pats the grey cat. “Dori’s hungry too.”
Minho chuckles, “Don’t you care about Soonie and Doongie?”
It was so obvious the youngest of the trio was Seungmin’s favourite - although it took a while for him to properly memorize them. Which had to have been a trick or something, Minho realizes now, because how on earth does one constantly mistake a grey cat for an orange one?
“I care about all of you equally.” Seungmin says, laughing into Minho’s side, unable to take his own lie seriously. Seungmin traces the way his Adam’s apple moves with his lips, “Anyway… I had a nice dream.”
His ears begin to prick at the feeling and his words. “Did you now, Seungmin-ie?”
“Yeah, Lee Minho…” Minho pinches his waist at the full name with no honorifics. “Lee Minho hyung, I was just thinking the same.”
Mouth incredibly dry, he begs Seungmin to stay hidden so he won’t see how hot his face has gotten. “Same as what?”
“The dream…” The (His) menace giggles, before peeling himself away from Minho. Quickly, he rolls around and slides out of the bed, nearly tripping on the way out of the bedroom.
I was just thinking the same.
Minho grumbles, dodging every and any attempt of Seungmin trying to look at his face.
“Go wash up! You napped too well.” Minho nags and glares, feeling his face cool down at the irritatingly endearing behaviour of his boyfriend. “Try not to burn our place down when you help me make dinner.”
Seungmin salutes, and Minho uses his hands to fan himself, preparing his cats’ meals too.
Kim Seungmin is so annoying. He’s so annoying but he’s so lovely and Minho wants to hurry up and surprise him into speechlessness.
He’ll be damned if he lets Seungmin bicker with him when he proposes.
When he started university, Minho’s determination faltered in the first week.
But then Kim Seungmin showed up in front of his dorm building gates, and his heart jumped straight into his mouth. He thought he was simply going to send letters, or something cheesy like that, when he asked for the address.
He hadn’t expected Seungmin to come here, clearly after club activities with a smile on his cheeky face. His eyes seemed to shine even though the sun had long disappeared when he noticed Minho, “Cat hyung!”
“Kim Seungmin, what the hell are you doing here at-” He checked his newly gifted smartwatch, a present from his parents for choosing the right path. “-8pm? You should be at home and resting.”
“Ah, hyung, don’t go into nagging mode when I nearly got lost trying to find this obscure building! It didn’t show up on Naver Maps properly.”
His eyes involuntarily soften, and Minho holds his wrist. “You got lost?”
“No I didn’t, weren’t you listening to me, hyung? I said nearly.”
This brat. Despite being a second year student now, he was still as brazen as ever. In fact it must have been because he was a second year that he grew two times more annoying.
“Okay. And have you told your mum you’d be home late?” Minho tapped his foot, suddenly exhausted. He was hoping to head back into his dorm room and rest, finding the abrupt change from high school to university hard to adjust to. Needing to be more social wore him out.
Seungmin grinned, and Minho groaned without even waiting for his next words. That sly smirk meant he was up to no good. “I told her I’d be staying over at your place!”
“Kim Seungmin.” His voice was low, and he was not having any of this.
At the change in tone, the younger boy’s face instantly fell and this time Minho was groaning at himself.
He made him sad.
Clicking his tongue and running through his hair with his free hand, he frowned at the younger boy. “I’m too hungry for this. Kim Seungmin, have you eaten? We’re getting dinner.”
Subtly, his expression changed, as if he was making sure he was allowed to be happy over it. Minho couldn’t stand him.
“Follow me, I’m going to take a quick shower and put my things down.” Minho took out his keycard, tugging Seungmin with him into the dorm building. Technically, they weren’t allowed to have other people sleeping over. Most rooms were for two people, which made that rule easy to follow.
However, Minho somehow landed himself a single room, and he wouldn’t say he’d been daydreaming about this - but seeing Seungmin curiously look all around the room he’d wasted no time in decorating was certainly a sight straight up from his imagination.
“Stay. Here. Do not open the door for anybody who knocks, and do not leave.” Minho sternly ordered, directing Seungmin to his desk’s chair. “Sit here and be good.”
Seungmin nodded, prying eyes immediately exploring whatever trinkets he’d put up. Taking his showering belongings, he slowly walked out, pointing at his own eyes and then to Seungmin’s figure in his room.
(It still felt surreal.)
I’m watching you, Minho mimed.
Albeit a little gross, he took an unusually quick shower and hurried back to his room once he turned the communal hair dryer off. While he didn’t think Seungmin would run off after painstakingly making his way here, Minho knew he could be easily enticed.
A conversation that sparked his interest happening in the hallway would probably be enough for Seungmin to pull the door open, eyes sparkling and trying to give his own inputs.
He was daring and bold like that. Too much of an extrovert.
Thankfully, he was still on his chair, legs crossed as he wrote on some scrap paper Minho remembered leaving behind.
“You better not be doodling on my notes, Kim Seungmin.” Minho closed his door shut, peering over the boy’s shoulder.
“I’m not, have some faith in me!” Seungmin whined, and he resisted the urge to say that was impossible. “Just some words of encouragement - no peeking!”
“How am I supposed to feel encouraged if you don’t let me read it?”
“Not when I’m still here, Cat hyung, have some decorum!” Seungmin playfully rolled his eyes and Minho was going to throttle this guy.
Sighing, he took one glance at Seungmin in the shirt he usually wore after his baseball practices and dug a hoodie out. “Dinner, before I suffocate you with my pillow."
“And wear this, the nights have gotten colder.” He tossed it to the boy to pull over his thin shirt, and Minho shrugged on his bomber jacket.
“Your treat?” Seungmin grinned, and Minho laughed.
“You need hyung to pay for convenience store food?”
His face fell again. This time he wasn’t upset, simply disappointed. “We’re going to the GS25 across the road?”
“I’ll treat you to real food someday, Kim Seungmin. But I’m tired and hungry and two bowls of ramyun sound really good right now.”
“Fine, you promise.” Seungmin grabbed onto his pinky without asking, linking them. Minho didn’t bother unhooking it as they walked side by side to their grand dinner location.
They only separated when they entered, and he was already beelining for the Shin Ramyun. Two eggs each, hell yeah. Maybe even some cheese and tteokbokki too. Every broke college student's dream meal.
“Isn’t that a lot but also nothing at all?” Seungmin eyed his bowls, and Minho clicked his tongue, standing to defend his dinner’s honour.
“Be quiet, Kim Seungmin. Unless you’re going to cook for me I want to hear no complaints.” He really wished he didn’t take that to heart though. Seungmin didn’t seem like someone who could even slice an onion right.
They sat outside once their food was ready, and Minho enjoyed the cool breeze, trees with cherry blossoms barely hanging on swayed with the wind - causing the petals to fall.
Minho was slurping his noodles like a mad man when Seungmin randomly looked up at him, frowning. “I miss you, hyung.”
Like a true cool senior, he promptly choked on his next mouthful and his throat stung at the burn of the broth.
Seungmin was immediately by his side, smacking his back and Minho truly needed to dropkick this boy into tomorrow.
“No, hyung!” He dramatically hit him with more force than necessary, giggling. “Don’t die!”
In the next second Minho was no longer dying, he grabbed Seungmin’s hand before it could land another hit that was not needed, and glared. “Don’t involve me in your defense mechanisms just because you said something embarrassing, Seungmo.”
His face flushed in shame, maybe, or humiliation. Either way, he looked down at his feet and let his arm go lax in Minho’s hand. Once again, he made Seungmin sad and Minho wanted to jump into the little pond near the store.
“I mean it though…”
Minho sighed, bringing an arm around Seungmin’s waist. It was a subconscious decision, a choice he hadn’t even cleared with his brain before the action was happening and the boy was pressed up against his side.
“Um- Hyung-” He stuttered and Minho’s fingers dug into the younger boy’s flesh. Despite his constant baseball practice, he was all soft where he hadn’t expected.
Sighing again, willing the burn on his ears to go away, he leaned into Seungmin and breathed him in. He (thankfully) took a shower before coming over, and despite being in Minho’s hoodie - still smelled like himself.
It was calming.
“I miss-” Minho started, before cutting himself short, digging his nails into Seungmin’s waist.
He could feel Seungmin still. “What was that?”
“Nothing.” He grumbled, extracting himself from the boy. They had to finish their noodles before it got cold. “Let’s finish eating and take a walk.”
He couldn’t bear to go straight to bed with a bloated stomach, and he certainly couldn’t afford to face Seungmin in the single fucking bed he had right now.
If Minho was more self-sacrificial, he would’ve offered to sleep on the floor instead. But he’s already done that once, after a deadline he just barely managed to keep and collapsed a mere metre away from his bed after the all-nighter.
The back pain the next day was not worth it. He’d rather sleep with Seungmin pressed up against him in that tiny bed instead, even if he might die in his sleep. That is, if he could actually go to sleep.
Whatever, Minho didn’t want to think about their sleeping arrangements now. He wanted to take a walk. And well-
He wanted to hear Seungmin talk.
It had been too long, almost a month without seeing him in person. Minho was supposed to chase, but he was too busy trying to blend in with his coursemates, even the idea of visiting their hometown wore him out.
If not for his three cats and Kim Seungmin, Minho would’ve stayed on campus and in the center of Seoul forever.
After tossing their trash, Minho watched as Seungmin tugged the hood up to cover his head and pulled the sleeves beyond his hands. He could tell he was growing taller (to his slight irritation) and that it was going to stretch out soon.
But for now, he let it be and pretended not to see, even though it made his heart clench tight.
“Minho hyung,” Seungmin was the one who broke the silence first, of course. “Do you have any plans tomorrow?”
“Study. Dance practice.” Minho recited his schedule, already ready for the next day.
“But it’s the weekend!”
“Don’t you have baseball practice?”
Seungmin smiled, and there was nothing sweet about it. “I took the day off.”
“You’re going to guilt trip me into spending my precious Saturday with you.” Minho deadpanned and saw right through his plan, considering it.
“I love when you can read my mind, Cat hyung!”
Dryly, Minho replied while pinching his cheeks, “You have the face of a schemer.”
He pretended to act cute as he did, and Minho rolled his eyes, already moving his studying and self-practice to Sunday.
“I can see the calendar in your head being adjusted!” Seungmin whisper-yelled as he muttered out the timings out loud.
Huffing, Minho tsked, “No, it’s because I’m being vocal about it. Now don’t distract me, Seungmin-ah.”
Okay. Fine. He could do without both activities (and gaming but that didn’t feel very cool or model student-like to mention) tomorrow.
“So where does the dog want hyung to take him?”
“Call me puppy, at least!” He frowned, pouting. “And anywhere that’s cool! Let’s explore!”
Minho didn’t know a single place that suited that criteria, having spent most of his days, if not all - on campus.
“Are you going to steal more of my clothes?” He narrowed his eyes at the younger boy, who cheekily grinned back. It was devastating how cute he looked.
He tapped the side of his head, “Who do you think I am, hyung? I came prepared!”
Of course he did. Minho hated how Seungmin decided to appear at his dorm, knowing he wouldn’t be chased out. He hated how confident he was that Minho wouldn’t say no to hanging out too.
Finally letting himself smile at the younger, he laughed. It’d been way too long since he wasn’t stressing out at night, homesick and worried about his cats. It’d been way too long since he last heard Kim Seungmin, all bright and lively and everything Minho ever wanted.
What Minho hated the most was how he was already going ahead and taking the lead when he swore to do the chasing.
He glanced at the younger boy suddenly taking pictures of the full moon high up in the sky, and tugged him closer by the waist again.
Kim Seungmin, Minho thought as he buried his face into Seungmin’s side. He was all frozen, and Minho laughed against his hair, amused.
They walked back closer than before, shoulders pressed against each other’s.
And when it was time for bed after washing up, Minho tried to stop his heart from beating so loud and his breath from hitching when Seungmin tucked himself right under his chin.
It was as if they were two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly against one another.
The next day, Minho did in fact, manage to get some sleep that night. Even though he didn’t wake up with a sore back. the crick in his arm from being used as a pillow wouldn’t leave the entire Saturday.
And he did in fact, show Seungmin a cool spot. Nothing like gambling one’s lunch money away at the numerous claw machine centers scattered around Hongdae.
When Seungmin saw cute dog keychains and walked in like he was in a trance and looking wistfully through the glass - what was Minho supposed to do? Say no? Tell Seungmin those machines were rigged and there was absolutely no way he’d be able to catch anything in one try?
Lee Minho wasn’t a quitter, and he wasn’t very smart either - because he inserted a loose 1,000 won bill he had in his jeans without a second thought. He pressed the start button on the machine, and prayed despite being atheist that he wouldn’t make a fool out of himself in front of Seungmin.
By some fucking miracle, the claw actually grabbed the plush for longer than a second and held it in its grip until it dropped into the hole.
What the fuck.
Minho was more impressed than Seungmin was at that point, too shocked to grab it from where it fell.
“Oh my god, hyung I can’t believe you did it in one try!” Seungmin’s voice cracked, smiling to himself like his cheeks were about to burst as he stared at the maltese dog in admiration.
Thank you, god. Minho could only hope this hadn’t used up his entire year’s supply of luck because he kind of needed that for his finals a few months later.
But you know what, for the giddy smile on Kim Seungmin’s face, he would-
No, he wouldn’t actually. He would absolutely die rather than fail any of the units he was enrolled in, but he wouldn’t mind having to work hard and not rely on luck - he supposed.
Seungmin brought him into a hug, squishing him so hard he could barely breathe. “You’re the best, Minho hyung!”
The happiness in his voice was enough for Minho, and would likely fuel him for the next week or two.
Minho was so glad Seungmin didn’t know when or how to give up on him.
“Minho hyung, do a peace sign!” Seungmin says, his phone camera pointing to the grill. He does as he’s told, signature watch on his wrist that couldn’t belong to anyone else practically shining in the picture.
A pretty fair indication as to who Seungmin was with.
Minho receives the notification in the form of a buzz coming from his phone a minute later, and he pauses his grilling to check out the story.
Cat hyung’s treat!!
Cute.
He cuts up the meat that’s ready, meticulously placing the pieces on Seungmin’s plate first. He loves being taken care of, evident by the way he preens in his seat, smiling.
Minho is deprived. Minho is deprived and wishes they weren’t in public because Kim Seungmin is adorable, and he wants to plant a million kisses on his face.
Not yet though. He brought this upon himself, so he must endure.
There’s a reason why he’s treating Seungmin to dinner. There’s a reason why Minho can’t find it himself to tease or bicker with him right now, even though there’s plenty of opportunities to do so.
Frankly, he’s nervous. He’s nervous and he’s about to throw up, but he perseveres. The small box in his pants encourage him to stay strong, and it’s-
It’s driving Minho crazy.
He has this all planned out. He’s always preparing things in advance like that. It is integral that Minho wraps their dinner up soon, so they can head to their next location.
It would be their last, and if Seungmin has caught on that this was no ordinary date, he hasn’t said a word.
Good, even though Minho already accounted for that. It helped him to have Seungmin be pliant and follow his lead anyway. Far too many times Minho was letting himself be the one sought after and catching up to the younger boy.
This time, just like how he finally confessed years ago, Minho will ensure it’s the rare occasion he steps forward.
His legs bounce under the table as he eyes Seungmin, wondering if he’s been exposed somehow. He made sure to keep today a surprise, top secret. The moment - and by that he means the very second, Han Jisung found out - his boyfriend would immediately be aware of his plans. It was why he purposely avoided all of his friends for a bit. He'll apologize afterwards.
Minho pays for their meal when it’s over, and he briefly considers opening the passenger door for him. That would give too much away though, too uncharacteristic of him.
Halfway through the ride, Seungmin realizes they’re not going home.
“Are you going to kill me in a secluded forest at last?” Seungmin jokes, skipping the song Minho put into the playlist so the next one by DAY6 starts playing. He rolls his eyes at his predictive MyDay behaviour and chuckles.
“That’s right, Seungmin-ie. You should listen to all of your favourite band’s songs while you can.”
“You like them too.”
“I’m not the one who’s going to die tonight.” Minho responds and shrugs, although he feels sick enough that he just might.
Seungmin hums, “Then Cat hyung can have the honour of hearing me sing for the last time.”
Minho perks up, always happy to hear his personal CD player go off. When Seungmin first sang in front of him, he genuinely considered telling him to sign with a music label instead of a baseball one.
Back then he could still play, and Minho was too shocked by how much the music club was missing out on a talented vocalist because he was too busy throwing and hitting baseballs.
“Seungmin-ah, I should pay you to sing in my apartment.” He said, dead serious. It was likely one of the rare times he was so honest with the boy. “No, really. You wouldn’t even need to pay the rent I should be collecting from you since you’re here so much. Just sing for me.”
His big ears had turned red, before seeping into his cheeks and that’s how Seungmin became his walking and breathing music app.
Minho taps along to the rhythm while Seungmin sings, looking out the car’s window. It was obvious he was trying to figure out where they were headed, but he eventually gave up and started enjoying the music instead.
As Minho’s certified passenger princess, given he practiced driving with Kim Seungmin in the front seat, he was in charge of the songs playing. And without fail, he’d always start singing.
It never failed to calm all the nerves in Minho’s body as he gradually grew more confident with driving.
The only bad thing about driving or riding his motorcycle is that he can’t spend too long staring at Seungmin.
(“Hyung-ie, eyes on the road,” Seungmin teased, smiling at him.
“I was just checking my blind spot.”)
When they reach their destination, Minho expertly shows off his parking skills, just because.
“Wow,” Seungmin purposely drags out the syllable, and if Minho didn’t have two hands on the wheel he would’ve smacked him. “So cool, hyung.”
There used to be a time where he said that earnestly.
But Minho doesn’t mind the way Seungmin bursts into a fit of giggles on his own after seeing his furrowed eyebrows and frown either.
“Come on, dog. Let’s go.”
“I said to call me puppy!”
It takes 0.1 seconds for Seungmin to realize where they are.
“You drove us all the way back to Gimpo?” Seungmin asks, and Minho snorts.
“Wanna stay at your parent’s for the night?”
“Depends on whether I’ll be alive later.”
True.
They walk together on a familiar path, and Seungmin gets more tense by the second. Minho smiles at his obvious reaction, grabbing his hand. There’s no one around on this street, and he’s making up for lost opportunities.
Seungmin interlaces their fingers, swinging their arms back and forth like they’re kids.
In front of a tall fence next to a gate, Minho grins.
“Hyung, we are not breaking into our high school.” Seungmin gasps, incredulous. When Minho doesn’t answer, he whines, “hyung!”
Five seconds. He’ll give it five seconds more.
Sighing, Seungmin escapes from the warmth of his hand, readying himself in front of the fence. He turns back one last time, and Minho simply smiles.
The moment he attaches himself to it, Minho bursts out into a fit of giggles, clutching his stomach in pain because of how hard he's laughing. He makes sure to take plenty of pictures before Seungmin jumps down, babbling and hitting him with his fists.
“You’re such a bully!”
“I sure am, but you know you’re worse.” Minho says blankly, even though he’s still wheezing. He holds his hand out, and Seungmin takes it. “Our actual stop isn’t far from here.”
They’re at a park that’s open throughout the night, and Minho walks them around in circles first, mainly to look for cats.
“Hyung, did you really drag me back to Gimpo to find your beloved cats?”
“Yes, now help me look out for them.” Minho shuts down any more complaints, although he doesn’t let Seungmin leave his side. Their hands remain intertwined while Minho spends half his time seriously searching, and the other half trying not to let his sweaty palms show.
After some walking, none of them are in sight or around and Minho sighs. He thought he could distract himself a little more, but at least he was still right on schedule.
“Seungmo.” Minho suddenly turns around, surprising him. Before he can slip and fall because apparently those long legs don’t help with stability, he grabs into his waist to catch him.
“Hyung,” he whispers into the tiny space between them, breath hitching. Usually Seungmin would throw in a joke, laugh at him for trying to act cool, but-
But he supposes he’s already figured Minho out.
The location might seem random, or unromantic to anybody else - a passing stranger on a late night walk, or their friends who will curiously ask where it happened.
They both know better though.
Minho clears his throat, subtly trying to wipe his palms on his pants. He makes sure the box is still inside his pocket too, before clearing his throat again for good measure.
“Kim Seungmin.” He repeats the name he was supposed to forget, yet never did - never will. Not after their first meeting, and not ever.
He puts some distance between them so it doesn’t look inappropriate, and slowly gets down on one knee.
“A few months ago, you were sleeping with my cats.” Minho wants to hit himself in the head. That’s not what he’s supposed to start with. Seungmin tilts his head adorably, confused but the smile on his face shows amusement. “I don’t know why, even though it wasn’t the first time- I-”
Minho laughs at his own inability to speak. Damn it.
“I don’t say it a lot, way less than you do, but I love you.”
Seungmin’s eyes widen, like he’s surprised and Minho lets out a toothy grin. “I love you and I know I want to marry you.”
“Lee Minho-” Minho glares, despite the smile remaining on his face. It’s not like he can school his expression when he’s around Seungmin. The younger boy playfully rolls his eyes, holding his hand out. “Lee Minho hyung, I know I wanna marry you too.”
“Oh.” That’s-
Minho already knew that, he wouldn’t have confidently proposed otherwise. But hearing it come out from Seungmin’s mouth, now in the shape of his brightest grin - his favourite, Minho feels his knee about to give way.
“You like me?” Minho blurts out, stupid and hilarious to his own ears.
“I love you, hyung. You’re so silly.” Seungmin chuckles, that hand larger than his on his cheek. “Did you forget to bring a ring?”
Startling, Minho digs around in his pocket, realizing he should’ve taken it out earlier. Seungmin smiles down at him the entire time, and it’s so Kim Seungmin it makes his heart hurt.
Even though his major hadn’t required him to take two internship units as part of his course map, he did so anyway in his final year. It was worth it though, because Minho received a full-time offer from one of the companies after he graduated, and it was how he managed to save enough money for an engagement ring.
It was nothing special. It really wasn’t, compared to what others may have been getting for their partners. But everyday since he came to that realisation has been brutal for Minho. And very quickly, his ‘I think’ became an ‘I know’.
Marrying Seungmin had grown from something uncertain to something he was going to make happen.
“You’re not allowed to say no.” Minho hurriedly adds a disclaimer, finally wrestling the damn velvet box out, flicking it open. He can hear his heartbeat drumming in his ears. With a deep breath he says what he actually had prepared:
“Kim Seungmin. You stole my heart when I was a grumpy third year student, and somehow stuck by my side for eight years. You’re an idiot and a menace, you’re a crybaby but the strongest person I know. You’re bold when I’m quick to leave. I’m glad you chased after me and never gave up.” Minho confesses, his hand shaking. He wishes he could drag his eyes away from Seungmin’s face, but there are tears glistening in the corner of his eyes and he’s so pretty.
“Will you marry me-?” He gets cut off by Seungmin pulling him up, and he has to adjust his grip on the box to prevent it from falling. “Yah, Kim Seungmin, wait for me to finish-”
His complaints get cut off by wailing and Seungmin’s face pressed into the fabric of his shirt so he lets him off this one time.
Fondly, he rubs his free hand up and down the broad expense of Seungmin’s back, cooing in his ear and pressing kisses to his head.
“Seungmin-ah, are you going to walk away without the ring on your finger?” He mutters into his boyfriend’s hair, smiling.
He only gets squeezed tighter in response, and Minho cackles into the quiet night.
Nudging himself out of the death grip Seungmin has on him, Minho wipes at his tears stained cheeks. “Hey, big baby. Let me put it on you properly.”
“It’s not fair you’ve made me cry twice in this place but you haven’t even shed a single tear.” Seungmin pouts, letting Minho use his sleeves to gently dab at his face.
“Well, you can try your luck at our wedding.” Minho laughs, choosing not to tell Seungmin he has cried because of him before. Just not in this park, and certainly not in front of him.
Seungmin huffs, back to his usual self. “I haven’t even said yes.”
“Oh?” With a raised eyebrow, he proceeds to step backwards, but is stopped by Seungmin’s hands on his waist. He’s still pouting. Minho grins, “Have I assumed wrong? Should I return the ring?”
“No!”
Minho chuckles insufferably, before going down on one knee again, just to get it done right. Just like how he envisioned it.
“Kim Seungmin, you'll marry me, right?”
“That’s so toxic, as Felix would say.” Seungmin giggles, trying to cover his entire face with one hand. “Yes, hyung. Since you gave me no other choice, and because I love you - I will.”
Before he can slide the ring onto his finger, he follows up, “No one else would be able to handle you anyway.”
Minho can’t stop laughing - he can’t stop smiling. His cheeks are going to burst. “You’re so rude.”
“But you love me.” Seungmin sing-songs, wiggling his fingers at Minho. “And no one else can handle me too. I don’t want anybody else to.”
His gaze softens, and he finally, finally puts the ring on his boyfriend. Leave it to Seungmin to thwart the perfect plan he had ready.
Not that he minds that much, because the proposal became more them than he initially envisioned it to be.
Seungmin pulls him up again, arms immediately around Minho’s shoulders. Their faces are inches apart, and they’re already smiling before their lips are on each other's.
Minho digs his hands into Seungmin’s waist, tugging him closer even though there’s already no distance between them. This kiss, more experienced, more definite is nothing like their first kiss that happened years ago, at the same place.
There’s nothing awkward about the way Seungmin plays with the back of his hair, and there’s something professional in the way Minho avoids bumping into Seungmin’s glasses.
He should’ve looked for a job in the Kissing Kim Seungmin Department instead. At least he would be doing something he enjoyed.
“I love you, Kim Seungmin.” Minho says breathlessly when they part for air, and the idiot boy, puppy, baseball freak - beams up at him. His cheeks are flushed and his lips are red, swollen. This is a sight reserved for him alone.
“I love you too, Cat hyung. You’re never getting rid of me now.”
Good, Minho thinks.
And because Seungmin is shit at keeping secrets, he’s already posting on his close friends’ story, his hand in the frame.
The caption is the same as the story from a few hours ago, and Minho snorts when he sees it.
‘Cat hyung’s treat pt.2!! 😁’
The week after Seungmin graduated from high school, he was lazing around in Minho’s apartment, sticking close to the heater. He’d started renting the new place sometime during his second year of university and Seungmin’s final year in high school.
It was why he spent more time studying at his place than his own or cram school despite the travel time. It was how Minho would end up cooking dinner for him and preparing hot chocolate on winter nights.
It was why Minho didn’t need to buy the electric blanket sitting in his cart for the past two years because Kim Seungmin stayed over so often and they’d relish in each other’s warmth.
The only things he let himself have, despite feeling so greedy, were little kisses to the top of Seungmin’s head and forehead when he was asleep.
Things were incredibly domestic. Too domestic for his liking, making him sick to the stomach but Minho couldn’t push Seungmin away.
Not when he wanted this as much as he did. Apart from the apartment, Minho’s part-time job sponsored him to get his motorcycle license (as one would need as a delivery boy) - and he eventually saved enough for a second-hand motorbike.
Life was good for him.
He wasn’t a scholar or anything in university, but Minho didn’t need to be. He had no ambition in academics, preferring to focus his time on dance competitions instead - pride overwhelming him whenever he cinched first for everything he entered.
As long as he wasn’t failing his classes, Minho would say he was the happiest he’d ever been. He had more friends, he had his cats which he managed to convince his parents to bring over permanently, he had a means of transport and a steady (yet small) income.
And lastly, he had Kim Seungmin.
“Dori-ah,” Seungmin called after one of the orange cats, and Minho felt his eye twitch. “Oh, oops. You’re not Dori.”
“Kim Seungmin, if you don’t memorize them soon I’m never opening the door for you again.”
“Aw hyung,” he whined, “I’m trying my best!”
“Try harder, how are you still unable to differentiate a grey cat from an orange one?!” Minho sighed, kicking Seungmin who was currently laying on the floor, spread out in his signature starfish pose.
“I will, I will. I just have to keep coming over to practice!”
“You’re a freeloader.”
“I’m paying you with my singing.” Seungmin pointed out their agreement Minho said as a joke when he first heard his voice.
“Pay for my gas when I send you home today.”
“I’m not staying over?” Seungmin pouted, and Minho looked at the bag he came over with. There were some clothes of his already in Minho’s wardrobe, and a set of Seungmin’s toiletries (even though he always stole his shampoo) already in the bathroom.
“You’re not, because I’m going back too.” Minho reminded him, wondering if he was being difficult for no reason again. He’d already told Seungmin he would be visiting his parents with a long weekend coming up.
“Oh right!” Seungmin’s eyes lit up, and yup - he clearly forgot. “That means we can see each other everyday for a while!”
Minho huffed out a laugh, “Only for three days in a row.”
He lied, by the way. He wasn’t going to drive all the way to Gimpo on his bike, so it was hilarious to see Seungmin’s startled face when they walked past the parking lot and straight to the train station instead.
Honestly, with all the additional train lines, the distance between them was getting smaller and smaller. Heading back would take fourty-five minutes now, and before he knew it - he was in front of his family home.
Seungmin and him had parted ways even though he wanted to go through the motions of walking him home again, but Minho was too unnerved.
He’d left his cats to be taken care of by his senior and gym buddy, Bang Chan. He was the only one out of his small friend group that had a pet, and Minho really wished Moon Bin went to the same university as him.
The state of his three cats wasn’t the reason for his anxiety though. Minho had a plan.
To chase. To chase because despite swearing to do better than Kim Seungmin, he would always be outdone.
At some point they started one-upping each other with flower bouquets, a trend that started because Seungmin showed up one day at his dance competition with one. Minho throttled Seungmin for it and pinched his cheeks until they were red.
The next time Seungmin had a baseball game, Minho showed up with an even grander array, smirking.
That was how they kept going back and forth, until Seungmin injured himself (but that was a story for another time).
Before he knew it, he was at Seungmin’s graduation, the biggest bouquet he managed to acquire. Minho made the mistake of carrying it from Seoul, but he managed to make it without damaging any of the delicate flowers.
And now here was, having learnt his lesson and checking with the local florist to ensure his order had been placed through the online portal.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow, they agreed to hang out, and Minho reviewed his brain to ensure everything was perfectly in place.
He would be the one to make Kim Seungmin say wow. Just like that song he adored so much.
They spent the whole day together. Minho subtlety (or not so) retracing their steps together.
When Minho told the security guard at their high school that they were visiting, the man raised an eyebrow.
No teachers were in the building due to the holidays and Minho spluttered out something about how he forgot his dance shoes three years ago and only remembered to collect them now instead.
“I’ve never seen you lie so badly before, hyung.” Seungmin snickered as they somehow made it inside. He pushed him lightly, and Minho wondered why he was being so obedient - not asking any questions.
Minho rolled his eyes, taking him to the back of the building, to the open field. “It’s been a while.”
“A while since you had to lie? I’m impressed!” Seungmin mocked, and Minho tickled him until he was squealing and apologizing.
“Hey this is…” Seungmin mumbled, and Minho kneeled down, delighted to see she was still here, in the same spot - napping.
“The cat you scared away when I was feeding it.”
“You told me there weren’t any.”
“Not like you believed that, Seungmo.” Minho laughed, gently stroking the cat’s back. Her fur was as soft as ever.
Seungmin sat next to him, quietly observing. “I’ve been able to see through you since the start.”
“Do you want a prize?”
“Maybe, I’ll tell you later.”
“Alright, secretive Seungmin-ie.” He stood up, smiling down at the boy who tore his eyes away from the calico cat. Who knew what was going on in his head. His reached his hand out, “Get up.”
“So demanding!” Seungmin giggled, taking it anyway, refusing to let go. Minho lets their hands stay together.
They trekked to the older buildings that were surprisingly still present. Minho thought they’d have been slated to be demolished by now.
His heart wasn’t helping his case, and he was so bloody nauseous. It was embarrassing to know only Kim Seungmin could make him feel this way.
“Hm…” Seungmin hummed as they walked past the small alley created by two buildings. “Let’s go in here.”
Minho hadn’t intended on actually going that far, but Seungmin didn’t leave him with any choice so he followed. As they walked into the gap for whatever reason, Minho tripped (which was saying something - he wasn’t known to be clumsy, not with his reflexes) and had Seungmin pressed against the wall.
His arms boxed Seungmin in, and if Minho’s face managed to stay controlled previously, it was definitely beet red now.
“Oh, Cat hyung,” Seungmin grinned, eyes glittering with mischief. “This is the first time you’ve been so bold!”
“Kim Seungmin.” Minho said through gritted teeth, despising how he was the only one affected as usual.
He smiled, “Yes, hyung?”
“Next stop.” Minho said, peeling himself away from the boy, walking out from the alley first. It would’ve ruined his plans if he stayed there any longer, little to no distance between their faces.
He just barely managed to avoid focusing on that damn mouth of his.
Seungmin skipped out, humming. Minho sighed to himself - at least one of them was having fun. Just before they walked back to the main campus, he cast one a sidelong glance at the old buildings.
Somewhere, in that dusty library, Minho was catching his breath next to Seungmin after running from Jooseok. It was the first time he’d seen Seungmin scared.
He was glad the school hadn’t demolished them yet.
“Where are we going now?” He cheerfully asked, trudging behind him like a puppy would with its owner.
They briefly paused in the courtyard, and Minho looked up. Three floors above was the window where his seat was next to. They were standing at the spot Seungmin always, somehow managed to catch his eye.
Pointing to the window, he mumbled, “Up there.”
The climb up the stairs was familiar, but instead of stopping on the third floor like he was used to years ago, Minho kept walking.
He burst out into laughter when he saw the lock on the roof door. He wouldn’t be able to pick this one for sure.
“Bummer.” Seungmin said, toying with the numbers, trying ‘000’ for fun. To their shared disappointment, it didn’t budge. “This is all your fault, Cat hyung.”
Minho put his hands up in defense. “I bet you stole my trick and did it all the time after I left.”
“Only until they changed it…”
“Why’d you try guessing if you already knew it wouldn’t work?” Minho snorted, taking in the new information. Leave it to Kim Seungmin to get himself caught so quickly.
“No harm in trying my luck!”
Walking past him, he started to descend down, hands in his pockets. “Okay, Mr. Ambitious.”
They were fine. He was fine. The main part of his plan would be his old classroom anyway.
On the third floor, it was on instinct that he turned the corner from the staircase landing to the hallway.
Minho didn’t need to see to know where the door handle would be.
Except.
He tugged it at, realizing something. Something he forgot to account for.
“It’s not open.” Seungmin observed by his side. “And there’s no teachers around.”
Minho wanted to slam his head on the door.
His plans. His precious and supposedly accurate plan that was supposed to be ready for anything.
This was the classroom where he realized his feelings for Kim Seungmin. And it should’ve been the place he finally spoke them out loud.
Groaning, Minho tried not to let his devastation show.
“Now what, hyung?”
“We’re done here.” Minho racked his brain as they exited the school bowing to the guard who, to his relief - didn’t ask where the aforementioned shoes were. He was on the verge of running home.
But no, Lee Minho was not a quitter. It worked out, he told himself. He was only going to grab the flowers from after this part - but since that wasn’t possible anymore, he’d just pick it up now.
And a park. There was a park nearby, wasn’t there?
He quickly opened Naver Maps, ensuring they were headed in the right direction. It was located closer to Seungmin’s house than his own.
The only reason he remembered its existence was because he saw a cat running inside on one of the evenings Minho walked Seungmin home.
Despite how much he wanted to check on it, the boy beside him was exhausted after a long day of practicing, so Minho decided he’d look for it another time.
As they closed in on the florist first, Minho told Seungmin sternly, “Don’t ask any questions.”
He nodded, smiling at all the plants outside. It was clear he already knew something was going on. Well, after all that, it would take a dense fool to not realize.
Since it was Seungmin, he probably figured it out the moment their day began.
While Minho spoke with the shop attendant, Seungmin waited outside. He thanked the employee for the flowers, remarking at how much work must’ve been put into arranging them.
If anything, even if his plan had been thwarted, at least he won their little bouquet competition.
“Kim Seungmo.”
“Cat hyung,” Seungmin replied, putting away his phone. From what Minho saw before he slid it into his pocket, he was frantically typing. That was none of his business though, and he thought of a hundred ways to pass the bouquet over. It wouldn’t be the first time, obviously, so he shouldn’t be this panicked. “Who’s this for?”
Minho was going to toss Seungmin over a bridge.
“You brat-!” He grit his teeth, before laughing with a hand covering his face. So forward. Kim Seungmin was forward in ways Minho couldn’t be.
Sighing, he let out a lazy smile. The one that formed easily whenever Seungmin was around.
“You, dummy.” Minho passed it over to him, and it was almost funny how he was genuinely surprised. He thought Seungmin knew. “Follow me.”
The park would be their last stop. The confused look when he received the flowers made Minho falter for a second.
Surely - surely, he hadn’t been reading Seungmin wrong?
Only time would tell if he was going to end the night with one less friend or a-
It would either result in the end of what they had, or the start of something more.
Seungmin clutched onto the bouquet like his life depended on it, and Minho chuckled at the endearing sight. He opted not to point out how it felt like he was going to crush the poor flowers.
At a pretty decent spot in the park, Minho walked ahead of Seungmin, before halting.
He took a deep breath out of his sight, before turning around. Their eyes immediately met.
Minho’s heart was thumping so loudly against his chest. The silent night, save for the cold winter breeze (that should've been getting warmer) wasn't enough to cover his heartbeat up.
Somehow, he didn’t mind anymore.
It was physically impossible for Minho to hide the smile that creeped onto his face whenever Seungmin did anything - at that point, he dropped his facade.
“Kim Seungmin.”
Hands tightened around the bouquet, causing the wrapping paper to rustle.
“Minho hyung.”
“I…” He clenched his fists, glad the flowers were out of his hands. “I want to spend more of my life together with you. I want to kiss you when I wake up, before I go to bed. I want to wait for the day you can finally tell my cats apart.”
Maybe he shouldn’t have talked about the kissing thing, but Minho had been dying. Each passing day and the more they hung out, all he wanted to do was pull Seungmin into his arms and smother that annoying face.
Seungmin’s mouth went slightly ajar. It normally took a lot of effort to get him to react like this.
“Seungmin-ah, I don’t want to dance around you anymore. I want to dance with you.” God, that was so cheesy, Minho wanted to explode. It wasn’t a line he’d initially prepared.
Of course - of course Kim Seungmin was a menace even with tears in his eyes because he snorted, choking on his cries. Minho was instantly in front of him, laughing at and with him.
“What is it, Seungmo?” Minho grinned, helping to wipe at his eyes.
It was cute how he was smiling through the tears. “You’re so embarrassing, hyung.”
He bit the bullet and asked, “Did you not like it?”
It was important to confirm, although numerous people around him already said: You have nothing to lose, just confess already.
“I liked it. I like you too, Cat hyung.” Seungmin leaned closer, until his forehead was against Minho’s. “I like the way your eyes smile first. I like your giggles. I like how you’re surprisingly strong. I like how you can carry me around. I like how you get with cats. I like how you get with me. I like that you didn’t push me away. I love spending time with you.”
Kim Seungmin always took his breath away. He watched every little movement, felt the heat radiating off the younger boy, memorized the weight of the arms around his shoulders.
He was still trying to take in Seungmin’s words when he said, “Can I kiss you?”
It caused Minho to huff, deciding he’d respond later. There were a lot of things about Seungmin he liked too.
“Jumping right into it?”
“Consider it a favour for you, hyung. Stare at my mouth any longer and I’ll end up thinking you want to eat it.” Seungmin winked, causing him to Minho at the stupid display happening in front of him.
“How considerate.”
He was still nervous. He was still in a state of disbelief and elation, knowing he hadn’t been reading the signs wrong. To Minho, there was a small chance he could’ve been rejected. To everybody else, there was no way that would’ve happened.
When he was nudged, Minho stared at the younger boy, eyebrow raised. “Didn’t you want to do it?”
“I changed my mind. You kiss me. Hyung never initiates.”
“Excuse me?” Minho tightened his grip on Seungmin’s waist, wondering if he was being riled up on purpose and playing right into his hands again. It was too late to take a step back and consider that option though, because he was already going into a long spiel, “How dare you say I never initiate! I can name five whole instances in this year alone - it’s March, by the way. First of all-”
Giggles erupt from the space between them and all Minho could do was blink before-
Of course kissing Seungmin would be nice. Of course it would be like how he imagined it, but better. Of course he’d end up smiling into it, because Lee Minho was incapable of feeling anything but pure joy with Kim Seungmin.
Of course Seungmin was the one who asked for more, and this time - Minho kissed him first.
“I am not throwing the baseball at him.”
“But it’s the best way for him to remember you! You want sunbaenim’s attention, don’t you?”
“Not that kind of attention, Jisung! What if he hates me?”
“He hates everyone, you’re not special.” Jisung rolled his eyes and nudged at the baseball in his mitt. “Just do it, and then mention your name. He’ll never forget it!”
Seungmin sighed in disbelief. This was the worst plan his seatmate has ever come up with, and that was saying something. He’s had to do damage control for all of them because he was too nice to say no to his first ever friend.
“Besides, no one could ever dislike you, Seungmin-ah!” His round friend reassured him, and Seungmin smiled. He wasn’t too sure about that, but Jisung seemed confident - so trusting him came naturally.
And so, in Jisung’s annoying words, he shot his shot.
(If you asked Han Jisung what his greatest achievement was, he wouldn’t bring up his numbers as a producer.
He wouldn’t bring up his ability to remain bitchless for years (although it was kind of sad). Neither would he bring up the fastest rap he’d ever recorded even though it was really cool to think back on.
Instead, Jisung would puff his chest out, grinning wildly with a crazy twinkle in his eyes.
“I helped my best friend, no - soulmate, get together with his first love.”
Because here he was, in a suffocating suit, trying to hold back tears while Seungmin walked down the aisle.
His best friend was very clearly getting ready to cry, and from where Jisung sat (front row), he could see his lips tremble.
The people at his table were already crying, although for different reasons as they conspired ways to scream, “I object!”
When Seungmin finally reaches the other end, where his husband is waiting, Jisung feels his throat close up.
His heart hammers loudly in chest like this is his wedding, and he can only sigh with extreme fondness when Minho laughs in Seungmin’s face.
Leave it to him to find pure joy at the way Seungmin’s trying to stop the floodgates from opening. Everybody knows that once he starts crying, he can’t stop, hiccuping and heaving until he’s calm again.
Their officiant clears his throat, and Jisung snorts as Minho composes himself.
The vows is a blur to Jisung who's really trying to stay strong as the only one not shedding tears at his table but then he hears-
“I promise to take Kim Seungmin as my husband…” Come out of Lee Minho's mouth-
Amongst other words that Jisung can’t register because okay, he’s fucking crying, and there’s no turning back for him or the floodgates.
Hyunjin tries to make fun of him, but he’s still in shambles at the fact that he couldn’t flirt his way in between Minho and Seungmin, so Jisung can’t be bothered to get riled up.
Jisung smiles despite all the tears and sniffling because he wants to stand up and shout: “I told you so!”
That would be disruptive though and their entire table has already been kind of annoying with their wailing, which is why Jisung keeps it in, merely buzzing with happiness in his seat.
Yeah, sue him. His greatest accomplishment is getting to watch Seungmin burst into tears and breaking the moment to pull Minho into a hug.
He remembered Seungmin’s name, just like Jisung said Minho would.
Don’t worry, fifteen year old Jisung, he tells himself. You made it in the World’s Guinness Records as Best Friend Ever for sure.
See! The baseball thing was a good idea after all, Kim Seungmin.
Oh, and turns out, Lee Minho didn’t hate everyone in the end. Evidently.)
When Minho snuggles closer to the source of warmth, he blinks at how there’s barely any more space to move into.
Doongie has him trapped on his left, while there's a giant dog on his right. He thinks about how they might have to get a bigger bed soon. Minho tries to lift his head up, but the arm across his body prevents that from happening so he lets his head drop back onto his pillow.
His smallest cat, Dori, is laying on Seungmin's chest - doing it's best to stay balanced because his husband is turned at an awkward angle. It was as if he was trying to give Dori space but also indulge in cuddles with Minho. He quietly laughs to himself at the display.
It's a shame his phone is charging on the other side of the bed though, but it's alright. His cats and Seungmin will wake up soon, their household is full of early risers after all.
Minho gently grabs Seungmin's arm so he can hold his hand - silver on his fourth finger glistening with the even earlier sun shining through the small space from their blinds.
When he mumbles a greeting to the person with a name he hasn't been able to forget for years while kissing the top of his head, Minho gets a sleepy noise in response that makes him smile into soft hair.
"Good morning, Kim Seungmin."