COMPLICATED

Description
"Mingyu and Wonwoo is a college students that had dated for a year. They hide it from their
other friend. Everything seems normal and fine but then a problem rise.
Wonwoo is a hundred percent sure he will leave Mingyu.
But then again when he is in the middle of trying, Mingyu come back to his life, and ruin it again.
But Wonwoo isn't sure, he hates him, or not."

It may be a boring story since it's my first ff and yeah. Sorry guys.
It contains rude words and ual thing.
And english isn't my first nor my second language, I'm sorry if there are many mistakes! Enjoy~

I make this sequel! here's the link http://www.asianfanfics.com/story/view/1041645/i-m-

waiting-mingyu-meanie-wonwoo-meaniecouple

Foreword
It has been a year since Mingyu dated his senior, Wonwoo. Their friends in college
didn’t know about their relationship. They still believed that both of them were just
friend, and who would know it, if everyday Mingyu could be all flirty and sweet towards
the girls. Both Mingyu and Wonwoo decided to keep it as a secret. Except for one
person, Doyoon. Wonwoo’s best friend.

It has been a year since Mingyu dated his senior, Wonwoo. Their friends in college didn’t know
about their relationship. They still believed that both of them were just friend, and who would
know it, if everyday Mingyu could be all flirty and sweet towards the girls. Both Mingyu and
Wonwoo decided to keep it as a secret. Except for one person, Doyoon. Wonwoo’s best friend.
A year passed without problem, they could manage their urge to touch each other even though
sometimes they forgot it. In purpose make their relationship not too obvious, Mingyu sometimes
be all clingy to other friends. He would hug them or eventoo close to them. Mingyu knew his
Wonwoo hyung would be all emo after he be a flirty or clingy to others. Wonwoo is the type who
can’t hide his jealousy well, while Mingyu is better. But other than that issue, their relationship
was so strong and like nothing could destroy it.
They were on a classroom this evening. Wonwoo was all focused on books, working on
assignment, while Mingyu who had nothing to do, just sit in front of his hyung desk. Mingyu
really likes to saw his hyung in focus mode like this. Mingyu didn’t want to disturb him because
he knew maybe Wonwoo’s head was going to explode.
“Hyung, you want a coffee?” asked Mingyu while still locked his eyes to his hyung’s figure.
“Ah, sounds good. I need it. Can you buy one for me?” Wonwoo answered while his eyes are still
focused on his assignment.
“Alright, I ask you because I want to buy it for you. Is it still long?”
“No, just a few more and I’ll finish it.” Wonwoo finally moved his eyes to the younger. “You want
to play with me huh? Bored?” he drew a little smile in his lips, tried to tease Mingyu.
“N—NO! I just, I just think you’d be very tired, and I want to lend my hand if it still long. I’ll go
buy a coffee!” Mingyu jumped from his desk and quickly went outside the classroom. “Why he’s
so stupid being all cute like that. We haven’t talked much or even meet each other often these
day because he is so busy!” he ranted all by himself along the corridor. “Play with him huh? Of
course I want, I miss him already. Sigh.”
Mingyu walked to a vending machine and bought two cans of coffee then he went back to the
classroom. Wonwoo had finished his assignment and putted it into his bag. He noticed the
younger presence and pull out his hand, asking for his coffee. Mingyu tossed it and Wonwoo
managed to catch it. “It really is a few more, I don’t even go for ten minutes and you finished it
already.”
Wonwoo drank his coffee before he respond to Mingyu’s words. “I told you.”
Mingyu still hadn’t opened his coffee; he stared at his lover and didn’t know what to do. He was
finally together with Wonwoo. Just both of them, after two weeks. Mingyu was left all alone
before because Wonwoo will went home early or stayed in the classroom until night with his
friends. Mingyu felt the urge to touch him but there still some people outside. He let out a sigh
and drank his coffee.
Wonwoo noticed the younger’s expression. He stood up from his chair and walk toward Mingyu.
The younger stopped himself from drink his coffee and look at his hyung instead. Wonwoo
suddenly spread his hand and hugged Mingyu out of nowhere, he rested his head to Mingyu’s
shoulder. Mingyu got shocked and happy in the same time, but he indeed scared if someone saw
them. “H..hyung what’s wrong?” Mingyu still didn’t hug his hyung back.
“Eung? Nothing. I just want to hug you because I miss you.”
“B—but we’re in college….”
“You scared?” Wonwoo tighten his hug.
“Honestly.. y-yeah-hh but I’m happy. I miss you too.” Mingyu finally respond to the older’s hug.
He finally could feel Wonwoo’s skinny body and squish him up to his hug.
“I’m sorry I was so busy for these two weeks. I’m lonely too.”
Mingyu knew, he really loves Wonwoo. Even he won’t talk much about his feeling but he treated
Mingyu as what Mingyu wants. He couldn’t hold his feeling anymore; these two weeks are the
cruelest week ever. He loosens up his hug and stared at Wonwoo’s eyes. His right hand touched
Wonwoo’s left cheek. He leaned his face and gave Wonwoo’s lips a kiss. Wonwoo got shocked
and tried to push Mingyu but his skinny hands won’t ever win from Mingyu’s strength.
The kiss went wilder and even didn’t give Wonwoo a break for breathing. It was ok for a hug but
kiss was a different matter. Wonwoo tried to stop it but Mingyu’s tongue won’t give up.
Wonwoo hated it yet loved it. Knew he won’t win against the taller he didn’t struggle more. They
ended up not let out a word and drowning deep to their kiss.
Without noticed that there were eyes watching them.

2
Another two weeks has passed from their last meeting. The difference now was Mingyu who
hadn’t approached Wonwoo. He first thought that Mingyu got a hard assignment that forced
him to finish it as soon as possible, but he asked Seungkwan, Seokmin and Minghao, they said
they didn’t have any assignment and even they got so many free times. Then he asked again
about Mingyu, they said Mingyu always presence but went home right after.
“What happened hyung?” asked Minghao.
“Nothing, just curious. He usually comes to me to play, so….”
“Maybe he has a girlfriend!” Seungkwan gave his mouth a bite of a hamburger from Seokmin’s
hand.
“Yes, whenever we asked him where he wants to go, he always said he going for a date.” Add
Seokmin after punching Seungkwan’s shoulder.
Wonwoo furrowed his eyebrows. He decided to leave them and tried to looking for Doyoon. He
found his best friend at their college cafeteria. He blurts out everything as soon as he took a
place beside Doyoon.
“What? He didn’t come to you for two weeks but he said to his friend he was going to a date?!”
Doyoon widened his eyes right after he chocked because heard Wonwoo’s story.
“YES! His friends told me that! He didn’t message me or call me too.”
“Do you perhaps make him angry?”
“I don’t think so….”
“Have you tried to call him first?”
“I tried but he didn’t answer it!”
A vibrate suddenly came from Wonwoo’s pocket. He got a call. From Mingyu.
“It’s him! Wait, I’ll talk to him first.” Wonwoo tapped the answer button. And went outside, so
he could hear well.
Doyoon waited for his bestfriend to finish his call. He just stared at Wonwoo’s figure, holding a
burden for himself only. If, just if, Wonwoo knew his feeling, maybe it’d better. But he knew,
Wonwoo’s happiness is only Mingyu.
“He asked me to not meet him for a while…”
Doyoon startled. He didn’t know Wonwoo was already beside him. He cleared his throat. “W—
why? Did he tell you the reason?”
“No- He didn’t.”
How Doyoon wanted to tell him ‘just forget Mingyu and look at me.’ but he knew it would only
make the situation worse than before. He didn’t know what to say because he himself didn’t
know what the hell happen between these two lovers.
“I am going to see him.” Said Wonwoo finally.
“Huh? How?”
“I’m going to his apartment, now!”
Wonwoo rushed outside and left Doyoon alone at cafeteria, he giggled to himself. How funny to
pretend as a counselor when he even couldn’t solve his problem. He grabbed his bag and left the
table.

3
370. The numbers on the door. It was Mingyu’s room. Wonwoo didn’t think that much to go to
Mingyu’s apartment but being all frozen when he reached here. What would he do? What would
he say? What would he answer if Mingyu ask him why he didn’t listen to Mingyu’s favor? What if
his friends said was a truth?
“No. I trust him. I trust him. Inhale. Exhale.”
Knock knock.
Wonwoo brave himself to knocks the door. He waited to a respond. There was a sound of a key
and the door knob move. A tall guy with blue hair appeared behind the door. Without shirt.
Jeans only. He greeted Wonwoo with a stiff expression. “Hyung, what did you do here?!”
Wonwoo knew something was wrong but he tried to control himself “Nothing, I just want to see
you, you know, two weeks had passed so…..”
His tongue was going numb. Behind this tall guy, there was another figure, a girl, came out from
Mingyu’s bathroom. With a piece of towel only. She suddenly realized that Mingyu let the door
wide opened and there was another guy who looking at her.
“YA! Babe! I told you not to open the door widely when I’m in bathroom! This is what will
happen when I come out!” She shouted, cutely, then ran to Mingyu’s bedroom, and slammed
the door.
Here it came. Full of silence moment. No one dare to talk. No one tried to open the
conversation. Wonwoo just stand still outside, he didn’t know what to do, he didn’t know what
to say. Same goes to Mingyu. He even looked stiffer from before.
“Babe, huh?” that was the first sentence that came out from Wonwoo’s lips after a 2 minutes of
silence.
“Hyung… I c—“
“What will you explain?”
Mingyu couldn’t look into his eyes. He knew when Wonwoo got angry, his eyes said everything.
His fierce eyes are his weapon to knocked Mingyu down.
“Sorry to disturb.” Wonwoo turned and took a step to the stairs. Mingyu had regained his
courage and chased him, he grabbed Wonwoo’s hand and tried to stop him.
“Hyung wait! I can explain! Please listen to me!”
“What again? I don’t have any fucking interest to know it more.”
“Hyung! Don’t be so rude to me. I try to explain.”
“Rude?! Who’s the rude one here? Oh yes, I’m sorry, that’s me. So just go back now and do your
fucking girlfriend!”
Wonwoo could release his hand from Mingyu’s. But Mingyu managed to grab it again. He pushed
Wonwoo to the wall and lock his move. Wonwoo struggled, but as usual he won’t win against
Mingyu.
“Hyung, hyung listen! I don’t want this either hyung! But you know right the lecturer, the science
lecturer? She is my aunt! She saw us that day we kissed in a classroom and took a picture of us!
She sent it to my mother and when I got home my mom suddenly said that I have a fiancée and
the day after she introduced her to me!” Mingyu explained desperately. His voice was shaking
and cracked often.
“I—I told my mom I don’t love her. I can’t love a girl. But she denied it, she forced me to loved
her and even arranged our marriage already. But, hyung, you know that I love you only right?”
Wonwoo don’t want to hear any words from the younger. Wonwoo tried to believe but his heart
hurt already. So what will happen after this? He believed that Mingyu loves him only but what’s
the point? He’ll marry soon.
“So? What’s the point? If I believe you love me only then what? Can we be together as usual?
You’ll going to marry anyway. If I believe you don’t love her, then what? Can you leave her? You
don’t love her but you did her. You are in one room with her, with both of you naked. Have you
been in her already?”
Mingyu froze. He closed his mouth and couldn’t look at the older eyes. He didn’t answer or even
tried to answer.
“I know it, you bastard. Let go of me.”
“No!” Mingyu’s voice sounds worse. He was shaking even more.
“I’M FUCKING SICK OF YOU!”
“Don’t! Don’t sick of me hyung, I’m sorry…”
Wonwoo wanted to cry, but his anger control him even more. Once for the first time he
succeeded to win against his taller lover. Mingyu tried to hold him again but Wonwoo was faster
to keep the distance.
“I won’t see you anymore. Don’t even try to find me. Marry your fucking fiancée, we’re done.”
“We aren’t!”
“Don’t fucking selfish! You didn’t come to see me for two weeks and had sex with a girl that I
DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW MANY TIMES HUH?! ONCE A DAY?! THANKS. Too late, because I don’t
even believe you anymore.”
Wonwoo turned back and go, before Mingyu said a word. Before Mingyu knew, Wonwoo was a
hundred percent serious to leave him.

4
3 years passed.
Wonwoo was now 24 years old and a successful owner of a café. He had his new partner, and of
course it’s Doyoon. It didn’t mean Wonwoo made Doyoon as his shelter; he won’t accept
Doyoon before he totally forgot about Mingyu. It was surely a hard time he had but
remembering that Mingyu was going to married was enough to make his move.
It was 07:00PM and Wonwoo haven’t gone home. He was still at his café, waiting for someone.
He planned to rearrange the layout of the café and create a new mood. His colleague and the
designer said he would be here at night. Wonwoo closed his café early for today so he could
focus on the meeting. He was cleaning the cups when suddenly the door opened. Then a long-
haired guy came in. He is Wonwoo’s colleague, Junghan.
“Junghan hyung! I’m glad you reach here safely!” Wonwoo approached Junghan and give him a
hug.
“Luckily there was no traffic or anything so I can make it in time, right?”
“Yes! Where’s the designer?” Wonwoo asked because he didn’t find any other presence beside
Junghan.
“He is receiving a call so he’s still outside. Now, how’s everything going?”
Junghan and Wonwoo were having a deep talk about Wonwoo’s business and his plan to
rearrange the café. And the door was opened by a tall guy wearing dark-blue suits with his blue
hair. Wonwoo turned around and look at that guy and suddenly became stiff.
It’s Mingyu.
Mingyu also got shocked and blank for a moment the guy in front of him turned and he saw the
face that he had missed for years. “HYUNG!” Mingyu called Wonwoo without any doubt.
“Oh, you guys, you already know each other? So it doesn’t matter if we skip the introduce part
right?” Wonwoo knew Junghan when he decided to have a café. So he didn’t know what had
happened to both of them.
“I know him, Junghan-ssi.” Mingyu answered.
“You both are friend? I won’t be worry to leave you guys alone then.”
Wonwoo didn’t give any interest. Why out of many people live in Seoul, the designer that came
to help him was Mingyu.
“We were.” Wonwoo answered coldly. “Let’s begin our meeting; I want to finish this as soon as
possible.”
“I can go then? I promise my girlfriend to pick her up?”
“Sure, thank you for your help hyung!”
Junghan left the café with a wave and angelic smile on his face. But here it came, the two of
them below the same roof and being awkward. Mingyu couldn’t move his feet, so did Wonwoo.
Perhaps deep inside his heart, Mingyu wanted to dash off and hug Wonwoo tightly. But he saw
Wonwoo’s face so he taken back himself.
“What coffee do you want?” asked Wonwoo, finally.
“A—Americano.”
“Sit there and wait, I’ll make one. You are the guest today.” Wonwoo pointed at the seats in the
corner of the café. A dark-brown leather sofas, just same as the coffee color. Mingyu walked to
the place that Wonwoo pointed. Sat there and quietly examined his past lover. His heart was
thumping and he felt his lungs are going to have a malfunction. Just as the time Wonwoo
finished making Americano, Mingyu finally averted his eyes and pretend to do other thing.
Wonwoo placed the cup on the table and sat in front of Mingyu. They still didn’t let out a word
from their mouth. Mingyu didn’t know what to say either. He just too shocked to finally meet
him again.
“So, what have you designed?”
Mingyu tried his best to took a look at Wonwoo’s face but lowered his gaze again right after. He
saw it again, Wonwoo’s not amused eyes. He knew Wonwoo was not happy to see him again.
Unlike him, who finally could feel the butterfly on his belly since long time ago. He closed his
eyes for the moment and tried to explain about his ideas to Wonwoo.
He spent half an hour to finish everything he had to explain. Wonwoo didn’t even say a word
when Mingyu still explaining. Mingyu waited the older to talk like he had to wait for a century
because the silence was killing him softly. Wonwoo started to move and thinking. He putted his
right hand on his chin and his eyes are closed. “I agree with the first concept but can you change
it a bit? I don’t want to make this café to dark but want the classy type. So can we keep the dark-
brown sofas and—“
Wonwoo’s phone rang. He took his phone from his pocket and look at the screen. “Excuse me,
wait a minute.”
It was too quiet because there are only both of them in the café. Even though Wonwoo went to
the other corner, Mingyu still could hear what Wonwoo said.
‘I’m still in the middle of meeting.”
‘If you want to pick me up, you can come here after I finish it’
‘No, don’t burden yourself, I don’t want to see you tired. You can go home already.’
‘Yeap, good night!’
Wonwoo inserted his phone back to his pocket and back to his seat. He then continued what he
talks before. But Mingyu seemed can’t understand what Wonwoo just said. His minds full of the
phone conversation before. Who was that? Why they want to pick Wonwoo up? Wonwoo had
no many close friends who even wanted to pick him up. And the ‘I don’t want to see you
tired.’ part was the one that made him so curious.
“You hear me or not?” Wonwoo’s voice made him back to reality.
“I hear you.”
“So what do you think? Can we just keep the sofas?”
“Urh yeah, I’ll change the colors a little bit for the wallpaper then.”
“Great then, I just have a little problem with the sofas but the whole concept you had explained
to me are excellent so I accept it. Hope we can do it as soon as possible.”
Wonwoo closed his notebook and stood up; he picked up the empty cups and went to the
kitchen sink. He washed the dishes and packed it neatly. Mingyu also stood up and went to the
kitchen. His head full of questions he wanted to ask to the older. ‘How’s your life? How’re you
doing? Is everything alright? What did you do after that day? Don’t you miss me?’ Just as he had
the courage to ask, Wonwoo’s phone rang, and he picked up the call.
‘Ey I told you to go home already. I’m ok I’ll take a cab.’
‘No, I’m ok, really, don’t you say you have a cold?’
‘I’ll call you later, babe. Rest well.’
Mingyu was numb. What did he just hear? Babe?

5
“Hyung who was that?
“Who what?”
“The person that just on the phone with you?”
Wonwoo moved. Stared at the younger’s eyes sharply and ask him to get lost.
Mingyu narrowed his eyes, he didn’t expect that kind of answer from Wonwoo. Since when was
this man been so aggressive and rude? He won’t ever talk mean toward him before. Even when
he was angry, he would keep his mouth off and locked himself in his room for hours then came
back to him and made up just as easy like that. He suddenly remembered the first time Wonwoo
said something harsh to him. It has been three years since that. Did Wonwoo change this much?
Or it was just to Mingyu, Wonwoo act like he was a big bug in his life.
“Even though it’s not my damn business but I intend to know everything happened to you these
years.”
Wonwoo averted and made himself busy to clean up the dishes, though it had been cleaned up
very well. That was just his reason to not look at Mingyu’s face or he would beat him up with no
mercy instead. Mingyu knew his hyung just pretending to be a busy bee, he knew his hyung just
didn’t want to see him face to face, and more, it was just both of them in this empty café.
Mingyu stopped Wonwoo’s hand from moving. It was too fast for Wonwoo to avoid. He gave up
and decided to look at Mingyu, eye to eye.
“Do you perhaps, been in that kind of relationship again?” Mingyu gulped right before he
launched his question, knew it would be a sensitive topic between them now.
Wonwoo stoned for a while. He offended with Mingyu’s question. So what if he still do ‘that
kind’ of relationship? So what if he didn’t try to bump to a girl, (he ever tried it but ended up
regretting it though)? So what if he didn’t act normally? So what if he was and still a gay? It was
this person in front of him fault that made him realized that he just has a different orientation
with others, and now he said it was ‘that kind’ of relationship? Oh yes, Wonwoo forgot that this
guy has already married and living his so called ‘normal’ life.
“Yes, I am.” He answered shortly.
He felt Mingyu’s grip tighten, and it was a little hurt. Mingyu’s face was just about to explode.
Wonwoo didn’t know what it means. Was it because he mad that Wonwoo didn’t change to that
‘normal’ way or other. Mingyu’s lips shivered as he asked the next question, “how long it been?
Who is he?”
“Why you stick your nose too far to my life?” Wonwoo refused to answer because he did think
that it doesn’t a thing that he should talk to Mingyu. He’s no one.
“I told you, I intended to know these past three years.”
“There’s nothing you should really know about me.”
“I force you.”
“I’m not going to tell you.”
Wonwoo’s phone rang again for the third times. He left it on a kitchen counter near the guys.
Without barrier or a hard try, Mingyu could now read the name on the screen easily.
Jang Doyoon.
Just as Wonwoo tried to take his phone, Mingyu’s hand was faster and he now had the other
guy’s phone.
“Give it back.” Wonwoo tiptoed to reach Mingyu’s arm, to take his phone back. He still saw
Doyoon’s name on the screen, he still calling.
“Jang Doyoon? That Doyoon? Your best of the best friend at college if I’m not wrong?

“That’s not your damn privilege to know my private life! I have to fucking answer!”
Mingyu’s bigger body pushed Wonwoo, his back was now patched to the floor. Wonwoo was too
shocked to try regained his senses. It was just like in a nano-second, Mingyu was now on top of
him and hold his hand beside his head. It was a strange scene to him since the last day they met.
Sure he dated Mingyu for a year but them both never done this before. Their relationship was as
white as a paper. Wonwoo was actually a scared-cat, that was why Mingyu had to manage his
desire to try Wonwoo’s body. And this was of course the other reason for Wonwoo to hate
Mingyu even more when he knew Mingyu and the girl had done it.
After his sense back, Wonwoo immediately tried to release himself from the bigger boy. He
pulled and pushed but Mingyu didn’t even move for inch. Felt desperate, Wonwoo kicked
Mingyu with his knee. It succeeded because Mingyu finally let one of Wonwoo’s hand go.
Wonwoo got up and crawled to the other side of this small kitchen. A kick from Wonwoo’s thin
leg sure was not a big problem to Mingyu. He could push Wonwoo to a refrigerator and once
again locked him up with his body. Wonwoo sat with his back leaned to a refrigerator and a big
guy locked his move by sitting on his laps. Wonwoo hated it. He scared. He sure didn’t know
what the other guy would do later. But he indeed scared that it’d lead them to a heat.

“What are you doing?!” Wonwoo’s voice cracked because his fear.
“What have you done with him?”
Mingyu’s eyes locked in Wonwoo’s. Wonwoo knew this younger didn’t even kidding or playing
around. His gaze had this serious aura. It was irritating. Mingyu already wrecked his life and why
now he came back and tried to wreck it even more.
“Everything.”
Mingyu clenched his teeth. He squeezed Wonwoo more and more.
“It fucking hurts you bastard!” Wonwoo’s groaned.
“What everything?”
“Do your ears work properly?! I said it hurts!”
“What everything?”
“EVERYTHING IS EVERYTHING! WE FLIRT, HUG, KISS, AND SEX—“
Mingyu held Wonwoo’s jaw and leaned his lips to meet Wonwoo’s. He shut Wonwoo up with his
lips. He ate it up like don’t want to missed its every inches. Wonwoo still closed his mouth and
forbid Mingyu to explore more. Mingyu didn’t give up and start to force his tongue and open up
Wonwoo’s lips. He bit the lower, from soft to hard. He did everything to make Wonwoo allowed
him again and it succeeded. Wonwoo desperately opened his mouth and made Mingyu even
wilder, he didn’t give Wonwoo a second for breath. He missed it. He missed Wonwoo’s lips. He
missed everything about him. He wanted Wonwoo to go back to him, only.
“WHAT THE FUCK ARE Y—“
No mercy, that was the right words to described Mingyu’s kiss to him. He never missed an inch,
he never missed a second. He tried every spots, he licked and bit those sweet lips. The saliva
even ran down a bit from Wonwoo’s. Mingyu’s hand started to move to lower part. He reached
Wonwoo’s belt and tried to loosen it.
“N—no! Stop! Ah—“
Wonwoo felt a great pleasure flew from his center. As soon as Mingyu pulled down Wonwoo’s
jeans, he already positioned his mouth on Wonwoo’s pelvis, and moved down to his member.
His lips brushed against Wonwoo’s pale skin in a slow motion, made Wonwoo moaned
unconsciously.
“Why it doesn’t get hard with me?”
If Mingyu knew, Wonwoo with his best effort tried not to get aroused by the younger’s game.
But it failed as he felt a wet and warm heat surrounding his center of pleasure. Mingyu insert
Wonwoo’s cock to his mouth already and started to suck it. His head moved up and down and
his mouth sucked it hard. He spit on the tip and lick it as it was the most delicious candy in the
world. It tensed Wonwoo’s muscle. He gripped Wonwoo’s length and wrapped it with his hand.
He started to pump it while it still in his mouth.
“Sorry but your try is failed. Yours is as hard as mine now.” Said Mingyu while licking Wonwoo’s
precum that stuck on his lips.
Wonwoo couldn’t say anything more. He just closed his eyes and mouth tightly. His right hand
cupped his own mouth and the other was on Mingyu’s head, tried to push it away. Well, at least
he would try not letting out a moan for now. He tried to dense his legs but it was only make
Mingyu’s suck even deep.
Suddenly Wonwoo jolted from his position, Mingyu gave a little bite on Wonwoo’s member and
shook it with his hand. He would lick the tip of it over and over, giving Wonwoo a hard time to
manage himself. Wonwoo even cried asking Mingyu to stop, but he just received a wilder action
from the younger one. Wonwoo jolted again, he couldn’t stay still, his lower body started to
move like a crazy. It was good, it was amazing, but he had to hold it. He would reach his climax if
Mingyu didn’t even try to stop.
Mingyu won’t let that happen. He stopped just in the time Wonwoo had to release his pleasure.
Mingyu stared at Wonwoo. He still was in between of Wonwoo’s thin legs. He evaluated
Wonwoo with his eyes. Wonwoo’s crying face yet full of pleasure, his reddened cheeks and with
his tiny hand covering his mouth. His pale jawline and well-structured neck. How Mingyu really
missed this scene.
Mingyu got up and leaned to Wonwoo’s face once again, he gave a kiss to Wonwoo’s ear, lick his
earlobe and bite it. He could hear Wonwoo little screaming and sobbing. If just Wonwoo knew
that it only makes Mingyu even hornier. He pulled off Wonwoo’s shirt with his hand, leaking his
bare naked torso fully exposed. Mingyu’s hand won’t rest. He aimed for Wonwoo’s right nipple
and slowly rubbed it. His lips down toward Wonwoo’s neck and collarbone, sucked it and leave a
red mark. He did it again and again after there are lot enough marks left. He still kissed
Wonwoo’s neck while rubbing and pinching the right nip. And sometimes came downward to
bite the nips. He sat on his hyung laps and rubbed their crotch.
It was too much for Wonwoo since his cock was free and the younger one are still beneath his
jeans. Wonwoo was going crazy, he even let his tears down while moaning.
“You can’t hide from me anymore.” Mingyu talked while licking Wonwoo’s jawline, gave it a
vibes that Wonwoo couldn’t describe.
“Aah!” Wonwoo jumped when he felt a strange thing get into his hole. Mingyu forced his finger
and thrust it to him. Wonwoo couldn’t bear to hold the pain since he honestly never done it with
anyone before. He did sex, with girls. So it was the first time he felt something got into him.
Wonwoo breathed heavily. He panted harder when he found Mingyu towered him and stripped.
His tanned skin and well-build muscles. His sweet abs and obviously his big-sized member. He
wanted to go, he wanted to run away. Mingyu was too scary, and it felt like the different side of
him. More, Mingyu was a husband already. He married already. He had a wife. It would even
worse if he did it with him now.
“Just stay still and let me explore you more. A year dating, we haven’t done this before right?
Don’t you want to know how it feels?” Wonwoo shook his head.
“No? I am just going to tell you then.”
“D—don’t—“
“What? You said don’t but your face said different things?”
“don’t do—hh—don’t do it!” Mingyu pushed Wonwoo’s legs, made the smaller boy curled up.
He placed Wonwoo’s hips on his laps.
“Why? You scared your lover will found out? Because of a different scent from yours?” Mingyu
leaned closer.
“no—Mingyu just stop this. I don’t want to do it with someone’s husba—AH!!”
It was just the tip of Mingyu’s but after that Mingyu forcefully inserted his cock to Wonwoo.
“AAAH! SHIT, IT HURTS!! AH TAKE IT OFF NOW! DON’T GO EVEN FURTHER! AH—“
“My, my, don’t cry. I will wait until you get used to mine and after that I’ll bang you while I tell
you a secret.” Mingyu stroke Wonwoo’s hair and gave his forehead a kiss. He shushed him, and
started to kiss Wonwoo’s neck again.
Wonwoo’s tears fell down. He cursed nonstop. Nothing was more painful than this for him. It
was his first time but he got done it roughly. He managed his breath as he could control the pain
from below. Just after he could breathe properly, Mingyu started to thrust. It felt as his downside
is burning. He didn’t know what this strange pains about. His muscles didn’t used to get stretch
like this, yet he should experience it forcefully. What else could he do besides biting his lips and
closed his eyes tightly? Both of his hand covered his face, he didn’t know whether it purposed to
hide his embarrassment or his tears. Because, yes, Wonwoo was a scaredy-cat.
“I’ll tell you my secret.”
“….” He didn’t care. Anything he would say just say. It was fucking hurt. Wonwoo could only
concentrate to his pain.
“I haven’t married to anyone.”
Wonwoo silenced for seconds, “what do you mean?”
“I cancelled it as you go. I asked her to go to her mom and told that I won’t continue the
wedding. I told her anything, that I am a gay. I told her you are my boyfriend. I was having a hard
time to ensure my parent. And finally they accepted me as me. That’s why, hyung, come back to
me.”
He felt Mingyu’s breath was so close. He opened his eyes slightly and captured Mingyu’s naked
figure in front of him. Wet by sweat, and panting. His half lidded eyes and his sexy stares
hypnotized Wonwoo. This is the first time he saw Mingyu with this expression.
“Don’t hide your face,” Mingyu grabbed Wonwoo’s hand and pushed it over the floor. Damn it,
Wonwoo was careless again, he let Mingyu controlled him.
“Don’t close your eyes,” said Mingyu in husky voice while continue thrusting his member to
Wonwoo.
“Stop it…” begged Wonwoo. “Stop or I’ll hate you.”
“You hated me already.”
There’s vibrate on the floor beside Wonwoo. Wonwoo’s phone lit and Doyoon’s name were on
its screen again.
“Answer it.”
“No—hh –ah.” Mingyu thrust deeply.
“You said you want to?”
“No hh—for now.”
Mingyu picked up the phone and tap the answer button.
“Wait!! What—“ too late, Mingyu already answered the call.
“Hi, this is not Wonwoo, and can you please not calling again? What? You want to talk to him?
I’m scared he can’t speak to you now? Geez. Stone head. If you say so.” Mingyu gave the phone
to Wonwoo, but he restrained to receive it. Mingyu raised his eyebrows as like he
asked: Why? Wonwoo just shook his head. “He wants to talk to you.”
Wonwoo hesitantly took the phone. He placed it to his ear and about to talk.
“Do—AHH!! HH—Urgh. Shit, Min—stop!! Ahh!”
Wonwoo moaned uncontrollably since Mingyu suddenly raised his speed and thrust Wonwoo
deeply. It was just too fast as Wonwoo couldn’t stay, his body bounced up and down. He
dropped the phone since he suddenly out of energy. Mingyu hits Wonwoo’s prostate, causing
Wonwoo to moans louder. Mingyu’s hand was on Wonwoo’s cock, he shook it rapidly as he
thrust him without rest.
Mingyu hits Wonwoo’s prostate again. Once. Twice.
“MIN – I—“ he didn’t hold back his moan anymore. He shuddered and huffed. His cum are all on
his abdomen. Just that, Wonwoo had reached his climax. He ran out of energy, his body felt
numb and his sight blurred. Mingyu leaned lower and lick a little of Wonwoo’s seeds.
“I haven’t reach mine,”
Mingyu was still thrusting it hard. He pounded the older more. Sound of wet skin slapping was
humming in the café. Wonwoo couldn’t control himself anymore, he was still shuddering, he
moved wilder, his hips jolted like crazy, he couldn’t scream yet his mouth are wide open. It didn’t
because he likes it, more like he didn’t know what to do anymore, it won’t stop even though he
reached his orgasm, even though his hole was burning already, it felt like stroked by lightning.
Mingyu hit his spot again and again. Wonwoo felt like he cum more than once already.
“Hyung—I’m going to—“
“AH! TAKE IT OFF STUPID DON’T CUM INSIDE ME!”
Mingyu keep his member inside Wonwoo. He already let it out inside him. They were panting
hard by turns before Mingyu finally took it off. Made his creams leaked down from the hole.
Wonwoo’s eyes still wet and his face reddened. He felt gross because his hole was wet and
slippery.
“Why did you do this to me?” Wonwoo asked, half-cried.
“Because…” Mingyu restrained. “Because I love you.”
“Do love means sex?”
“No, I mean. I don’t know, after I heard you done everything—include sex—with someone
beside me, I just got angry and want to take you back. You are mine. I can’t imagine someone
had done you. I can’t imagine someone embraced you. I know that was my mistake. This was
what you feel when you found out I was with a girl and had sex.”
There was no answer from Wonwoo. He just didn’t want to talk about it again. Wonwoo
admitted that he never forget Mingyu in this past three years. He just decided to be with Doyoon
from two months ago. He actually couldn’t erase Mingyu from his head and his life. If Mingyu
knew he had a hard time too, to forget him.
“Hyung, comeback to me.” Mingyu’s voice was shaking. “I love you, so much. Do you still love
me?”
“I don’t know. I just can’t erase you. But I’m not sure I love you or not.”
“That means you still love me.”
Wonwoo sighed. Maybe it was right. He putted his arm over his eyes, then he felt a sound of
breathe came nearer. Mingyu peck his left cheek softly, just a hundred percent different with
before. “Your calls are still connected.”
Wonwoo’s eyes widened, remembered that Doyoon called him while he was getting attacked
hard by Mingyu. He reached his phone and checking if only Doyoon was still there, across this
phone.
“H—Hello?”
“……………Yes. I know.”
“ Yeah, I’m sorry. I truly am.”
The calls ended just like that. Mingyu obviously thought that Wonwoo and Doyoon would have a
big problem. He did it on purpose actually, to answered the call and banged Wonwoo hard.
Wonwoo still lying on the floor and Mingyu was still on his top. They both were kept silent.
Mingyu analyzed his hyung once again. A sexy pale figure with reddish cheek. A gloss of his sweat
on his neck. And his kiss mark all around his neck. What an amazing art.
“He mad at you?” Mingyu finally spoke.
“You think?”
“…yes? Since he heard us moaning and screaming. He would know it from the very start.”
“He didn’t.”
“Eh?” Mingyu confused by Wonwoo’s answer.
“He knows it’s you. And why would the husband of a woman angry to his sideline like me?”
Mingyu shocked even more.
“HE MARRIED? But you said you won’t do it with someone’s husband?!”
Wonwoo gave a death glare and displeasure face.
“It’s my first stupid.” Wonwoo answered while trying to get up, he hissed because of the pain of
his waist.
Mingyu’s jaw dropped. First?! But Wonwoo said he did everything even sex? “But you said—“
“Of course I would say that, what would you do when your shittiest ex ask that question?!”
Mingyu let out a loud laugh, his canines sneaked out. While the other giving him a judging eye.
How the hell he laughed like that?
“Bastard, why do you laugh?”
“Of course! HAHAHAHA hyung. Thank you for that I can finally taste you. ”
“Stupid.”
“That’s why it felt incredibly tight!”
“You shit!”
“Hyung…” Mingyu wiped the laugh tears from his eyes.
“Eung?”
“I love you.”
“Go away!”
“Let’s do the second round!”
“NO!”
“On the sofas!”
“HELL NO I WON’T MAKE THE SOFAS DIRTY, I STILL WANT TO USE IT AGAIN!”
“You love sofas more than me.”
“I hate you.”
Mingyu grinned. Let out a giggles.
“I know you missed me.”
“Stop.”
“I love you.”
Mingyu peck Wonwoo’s cheek and finally wear his clothes again.
Baby

„Baby, suck me off. I want to see you choking on my dick, see the excess spit streaming from the
corners of your pretty lips as you devour me. Tell me, have you practiced as daddy told you?“
Mingyu spoke and glanced into Wonwoo´s lustful eyes.
The latter looked down, his cheeks dusting pink.
„Tsk tsk, won´t you answer daddy? Should I punish you?“ The younger was getting into his sexy
role as minutes of the foreplay passed.
„N-no daddy.“ Wonwoo nearly whispered, afraid of what kind of punishment he could get
tonight.
„No what? No, you didn´t practice or no, you won´t answer daddy?“ Mingyu made his voice as
authoritative as possible, grabbing the latter´s chin and looking steadily into his teary eyes.
„Both no.“ Wonwoo spoke quietly as he tried to look somewhere else. Mingyu pulled the latter
onto his lap and roughly squeezed his ass cheeks.
„You know what it means, right, baby?“ The younger boy fakely purred, knowing well what kind
of affect had this fake side of him on the other boy.
„I´m so sorry daddy.“ Wonwoo tried for one last time. Maybe daddy could forgive him if he show
how good boy he is. Mingyu didn´t buy this, he just did as he wanted, not caring about the
latter´s opinion.
„Well, I have to teach you a lesson then.“ The younger´s voice was dangerously low. Wonwoo
hesitated but he ended up slowly lowering him mouth around the latter´s length, desperately
wanting to fit in everything just to please daddy.
He was doing as daddy taught him, tongue swirling around the tip, licking it and sucking it like a
pink lollipop, dipping the tip into the slit, licking on the majestic vein on the underside of
Mingyu´s hot cock.
Mingyu was close to cumming, hips bucking up by themselves, breath hitching.
„Stop.“ He said steadily, surprising himself with how collected it sounded. He grabbed Wonwoo´s
hair, pulling the latter´s head away from his hard throbbing cock.
Wonwoo was panting as patches of precum decorated his lips and chin, slowly dripping onto his
chest.
„Show me your cute little ass baby.“ Mingyu growled, sliding his slender finger across the tip of
Wonwoo´s leaking cock. The older one whined, positioning himself onto his pale knees and
elbows, pushing his ass up.
„Aw, your adorable hole is already twitching, how cute.“ Mingyu happily exclaimed. If Wonwoo
wasn´t squirming in pleasure and need, he would probably say something about how childish the
latter is. But he couldn´t. Not when Mingyu already inserted done finger into the unprepared
hole. Wonwoo grabbed onto sheets, heavy pants excaping his swollen lips.
„Such a cutie. Wet and pretty. The way it sucks my fingers in makes me want to eat you.“ The
younger boy growled and harshly licked the stretched slick flesh around his finger.
After a while of teasing kitten licks he stuck his tongue beside the finger that was already buried
in.
Wonwoo whimpered, thrashing from side to side
Mingyu was working his tongue in, pushing the surrounding walls, making Wonwoo whimper in
an overwhelming pleasure.
The younger boy put another finger in, working the latter´s hole open. When he hit his prostate,
Wonwoo helplessly cried out.
„Daddy, I can´t, umm, I can´t!“ Wonwoo was brought on the edge by the merciless teasing
already.
„Don´t you dare to cum baby.“ Mingyu said as he pulled his fingers and tongue out of the older´s
hole. He took a moment to wipe the excess saliva on his chin and admitted Wonwoo´s wrecked
state.
The older looked beautiful, all sweaty, tears prickling in the corners of his pretty eyes, cock
twitching and his hole seemed completely spent. Oh he could watch his friend all day.
„Don´t stop.“ Wonwoo whined and Mingyu chuckled at the older´s cuteness. Even though he
was just about to take his hyung, he was drowning in the way the older melted under his every
touch. He wouldn´t admit it but he really liked Wonwoo. More than a bandmate, more than an
older brother, more than a friend. Everytime he pushed Wonwoo away after sex, he spent the
whole night by thinking and regretting. But this wasn´t the right place and right time to regret
what he did. Not when he had his handsome and horny hyung under himself.
„Daddy.“ Wonwoo whined again and pushed his ass up. Mingyu´s eyes widened as he heard this
but his cock obviously didn´t protest as it twitched.
„Yes baby? Tell daddy what do you want.“ Mingyu turned the older boy around, helping him to
sit on his lap. Their fingers automatically intertwined and Mingyu pulled Wonwoo closer, kissing
the older passionately but gently. Their lips moved in sync, mapping the same areas. They pulled
away, the lack of oxygen starting to be uncomfortable, harshly panting and barely keeping eyes
open, a string of saliva connecting them.
„Fuck me daddy.“ Wonwoo said, voice low and hoarse. Instead of responsing Mingyu smacked
his ass cheek, leaving a red mark decorating the older´s pale skin.
„That´s not how good boys ask for something.“ Mingyu calmly said, satisfied with a moan that
escaped Wonwoo´s swollen lips.
„Daddy, please!“ The smaller boy was getting impatient, he fet hot and his neglected dick was
screaming for attention. However, Mingyu wasn´t happy with the way Wonwoo pleaded so he
smacked the other cheek forcefully, causing it to jiggle.
„Try again baby.“
„Daddy, please, fuck me.“ Wonwoo was almost crying, choking on his spit, ass hurting. He felt so
humiliated.
„Good boy.“ Mingyu caressed his cheek and kissed him. He pecked his nose, forehead, cheeks
and then lips, finishing with a rough pull of his bottom lip.
„Ride me baby. I want to watch you fucking yourself on my dick.“ Mingyu growled deeply.
Wonwoo was so needy, hot all over, he felt like he was going to die if he didn´t cum soon.
He then grabbed Mingyu´s length and pushed himself onto it, moaning, tears freely rolling down
his cheeks, hips not waiting to get used to the feeling of being well filled. Wonwoo started
bouncing on Mingyu´s cock immediately.
„Shit baby, how are you still tight after being slutty?“ The older´s warm insides felt so good
around Mingyu´s cock. He was almost losing it. Almost. The dominant side of him didn´t die yet.
„You know baby, I´d like to make a show for the others. Don´t you think it´s an amazing idea?
Imagine me fucking you against the fridge, everyone else just watching you as you whine needily
under my touch, trashing from side to side, moaning and whining, twitching and screamig. I think
they´d enjoy it.“ Mingyu said in a low voice calmly as if he didn´t have a pretty boy bouncing on
his dick.
„Daddy don´t.“ Wonwoo protested weakly as he continued fucking himself on the taller boy.
„Jeon Wonwoo, Seventeen´s slut. It sounds so pretty.“ Mingyu moaned when the older´s insides
tightly squeezed around his cock.
„I´m gonna cum, daddy, touch me, please!“ Wonwoo was sobbing, sobs sometimes getting
replaced with screams when Mingyu´s dick pushed against the sweet spot. He was seeing white
and black at the same time, his body squirming under so much pleasure.
„That´s right, cum for me baby, cum for daddy.“ Mingyu growled and tugged on the older´s
members. Wonwoo´s back arched as he cried out in pleasure, streaks of white liquid painting
everything him. Mingyu was still bucking his hips even though the older´s clenching ass was
making it harder, trying to find his release. When he finally reached his orgasm, he soundlessly
moaned the latter´s name, spurting his cum into the older.
They were slowly coming from their heights. Wonwoo tried to roll away when Mingyu left his
hole. The younger caught his hand in his and pulled him into a hug.¨
„Do you want to stay tonight?“

SEQUEL (Perfect and Ugly)

Description
"Why do you like me? I´m not as handsome as you. My voice is weird. You are perfect and I´m
ugly." Wonwoo was laying on Mingyu´s sweaty chest, tired and spent, the rest of the latter´s cum
still coming out of his puffy red hole.
"I don´t like you but you are a good fuck."

Wonwoo settled himself comfortably in the latter´s embrace and sighed in content. How he
loved to feel a burning hot body against his. He was painting rounded patterns onto Mingyu´s
sweaty chest as one question kept running through his mind. He wanted to ask him for a while
now. He felt like it was the most ideal time. He took a deep breath and asked.
"Why do you like me? I´m not as handsome as you. My voice is weird. You are perfect and I´m
ugly."
"I don´t like you but you are a good fuck." Mingyu said as he continued running his fingers
through the older´s hair. It was quite inappropriate after what he just said. Wonwoo froze. He
should´ve expect it but it was as if someone just kicked him straight in the face.
A few months ago Wonwoo agreed to help Mingyu with a stress relief. He was more than okay
with it but he thought he might´ve been at least a bit important for the latter.
Wonwoo lifted himself from the younger´s muscular chest with a quiet: „I gotta go.“ He started
quickly dressing himself.
„Aw hyung, don´t be butthurt.“ Mingyu laughed at his own lame pun.
„Sorry Mingyu-ah. I have to sleep. We have some schedule tomorrow. I mean today.“ Wonwoo´s
voice was quiet and tired. But most importantly he was hurt.
„Don´t you want to stay here with me?“ Mingyu pouted, he was suddenly feeling cold without a
presence of another human body.
„No. Goodnight Mingyu-ah.“ Wonwoo said as he left the room dressed.
He wasn´t crying. He was just cold and lonely.
He has been have until he asked the younger.
He felt nice in Mingyu´s warm comfortable embrace. He was a sucker for people´s attention
since he was born.
Wonwoo laid onto his bed, heaving a sigh.
He closed his eyes, hoping that he could´ve fallen asleep. However even hours later he was wide
awake, staring at the wall in front of him, wondering why he is so useless and ugly.
***
„Wonwoo hyung, what´s wrong?“ Hansol asked when he saw the pale boy lifelessly eating a bowl
of oatmeal.
„Nothing, don´t worry.“ Wonwoo put no effort in trying to sound happy and cheerful. He felt like
he was going to pass out. Or better, die.
When he finished his food, he excused himself and went to the WC. He was watching his
reflection in the mirror, feeling sick when he saw how ugly he was. His head was dizzy and he felt
like throwing up. And he did. Lack of sleep made him look like a zombie.
His throat was burning, his head was aching.
After threwing up, he felt like he was going to pass out. Heavily panting, sweating, he saw his
reflection in the mirror in front of his weak body. Pale face, ugly dark circles under his swollen
eyes. He tried to recover by splashing some ice cold water onto his face.
Wonwoo knew that he was supposed to go to practice in a few minutes and he didn´t want other
members to wait so he walked out of the bathroom. Before he could even notice that,
Seungcheol jumped onto his back, almost throwing them on the floor.
„Wonwoo-ah, guess what, guess what! We can go home the day after practice since Christmas is
almost here. 2 free weeks! Aren´t you happy?“ The older boy was happily yelling, tightly
clutching onto Wonwoo´s shirt for some support.
„That´s amazing. Let´s practice now.“ Wonwoo said. He somehow managed to sound happy. He
was glad that he won´t see Mingyu for the next 2 weeks, maybe he will calm down. He hoped he
will.
***
The practice went okay, the younger members were just giggling excitedly around and laughing.
Christmas mood was approaching and the idea of going home made them practice more.
After what seemed like a few minutes they should´ve say goodbyes and go meet their families.
They were hugging, pecking each other´s cheeks and generally being cute puppies.
And then Mingyu hugged Wonwoo. Tightly. Making the older boy hold his breath.
„I will miss your pretty ass baby.“ Mingyu whispered into Wonwoo´s ear, slightly bitting the
sensitive flesh and then kissing it.
„Goodbye.“ Wonwoo carefully pushed the latter away and left the guys since his parents arrived
already.
***
Christmas break was nice, Wonwoo was eating lots and lots of delicious food, ignoring
everyone´s phone calls and messages. Except those from Seungcheol. He was simply enjoying
spending time with his family, trolling around and just generally being his old self. The old self
before he became a trainee and before one certain boy began ruining his life.
But everything ended too fast. He had to say goodbye to his family for God knows how long.
But he was a strong boy. At least that was what he has told himself. He knew his knees will go
weak when he sees Mingyu again. He wasn´t ready at all.
***
„Hey my babies, how have you been?“ Seungcheol asked them as soon as everyone arrived. He
was the true dad of their group. The others were telling him how they spent their Christmas
break happily, laughing and hugging everyone.
Wonwoo honestly missed Seungcheol the most, he even called the older several times to make
sure Seungcheol spent some lovely time with his family.
Wonwoo couldn´t help himself and hugged Seungcheol tight.
„I missed you hyung.“ He breathed into the older´s neck and he pulled him even closer. He didn´t
know why he enjoyed Seungcheol´s presence so much. Maybe because the older had never hurt
him.
When everyone calmed down a bit from the bigget excitement, the dorm was much calmer.
Jisoo, Chan and Jeonghan went out to get a bubble tea, Seokmin with Seungkwan dissappeared
somewhere together and the rest was suspiciously quiet.
„Wonwoo-ya, do you want to watch a film with me?“ Seungcheol asked and Wonwoo
immediately said yes. He needed more skinship. His family was hugging him like 24/7 during
Christmas break but hugs from his friend were something completely different. Maybe even
better.
They ended up sitting on the sofa, cuddling and talking, drinking some hot chocolate Seuncheol
made before the others arrived and eating Christmas cookies from Soonyoung´s mom.
Then there was Mingyu. He wanted to find Wonwoo and finally spend some time alone with the
older, he missed his body during their Christmas break so much.
He entered one room but all he found was Seungkwan sitting on Seokmin´s lap, hugging him and
whispering something to him as Seokmin nuzzled his nose against the Jeju boy´s neck. Mingyu
left the room as soon as he saw them, he didn´t need to see his bandmates being disgustingly
lovey-dovey.
When he went to the living room, he finally found the person he was looking for but not how he
wanted to see him.
Wonwoo had his head on Seuncheol´s shoulder and he was tightly snuggled against the older´s
side. They were watching a film and talking. Seungcheol was tracing random patterns onto
Wonwoo´s tummy with his fingers.
Mingyu was able to hear their laughs. It made him upset. Wonwoo wasn´t supposed to be happy
with someone else. Not that Mingyu was ealous, of course no. Yes, he called the older the
´Seventeen´s slut´ but he couldn´t and didn´t want to imagine Wonwoo letting himself get fucked
by the others. Wonwoo was his. Nothing more, nothing less.
„Wonwoo hyung, I need to talk to you, let´s go to my room.“ Mingyu said as he approached
Wonwoo and Seuncheol.
„Sorry Mingyu-ah, I´m busy as you can see.“ Wonwoo responded and continued watching the
film.
„Hyung come with me.“ Mingyu was loosing his nerves, he grabbed the older´s should and pulled
him up. Seungcheol was watching in confusion. Wonwoo let out a very unmanly squeak but
followed the younger dragging him out of the room. When they entered the room, Mingyu
pushed Wonwoo onto his bed and immediately approached him. He started sucking a spot on
Wonwoo´s neck and caressing his sides with his long slim fingers.
„Stop it Mingyu.“ Wonwoo said as he tried to push the latter off of his body. Mingyu started
grinding onto his crotch and sliding hands under the sweater Wonwoo was wearing. He attacked
the older´s nipples, rubbing them and pinching them. The older almsot whined but he managed
to speak his mind up.
„I said stop it!“ Wonwoo almost yelled and harshly pushed Mingyu away, making the younger fall
on his butt.
„What the hell is wrong with you?!“ Mingyu screamed, he was confused and his butt hurt.
„What´s wrong with me? Are you really asking met his question? Wow, just wow.“ Wonwoo said,
rolling his eyes. He was slightly scared, Mingyu was definitely acting weird.
„I don´t know, I thought you´d miss my dick over the Christmas break and let me fuck you but no,
you are just clinging onto Seungcheol hyung like a panda. Tell me, are you letting him fuck you
now?“ Mingyu was angry from jealousy, spitting harsh words and furrowing brows and he
intensively watched the smaller boy.
„That´s the problem, you are just an asshole without feelings.“ Wonwoo was hurt by Mingyu´s
words but he decided to fight back.
„I´m what?“ Mingyu couldn´t believe his own ears.
„You heard me. I´m just your fucktoy. I know we agreed on this but you are just so freaking rude
and you don´t care about me and how I feel at all. All you can think about are your kinks and
your dick.“ Wonwoo´s eyes were getting watery, partly from anger and partly from his heart
being ripped in half by the latter´s behaviour.
„Of course I care for you!“ Mingyu felt attacked. He never thought he´d hurt the older.
„Obviously, I totally heard your love when you said you don´t like me but I´m a good fuck.“ A
single tear rolled down Wonwoo´s cheek when he recalled hat night. He was thinking about it
every day.
„I didn´t mean it like that.“
„Oh, and how did you mean it? Because as much as I try to find another meaning, it´s just rude.
And you still expect me to come back and let you fuck me. I can´t believe how selfish you are Kim
Mingyu.“ Wonwoo spoke quietly, burrying his eyes into Mingyu´s and ignoring the dull pain
eating his heart and big fat tears falling down and staining his sweater.
Memories of their together spent time were running through Mingyu´s mind, remembering
every single bad thing he told the latter.
„I wasn´t thinking. Oh my God, I´m sorry. I´m sorry for hurting you. I will understand if you don´t
want to sprnd time with me anymore. I´m sorry.“ Something broke in Mingyu as he hugged
Wonwoo tightly and realised how rude he acted towards the older. It was just a mask. Mingyu´ve
never liked feelings in general.
„I´m so sorry.“ Mingyu kept whispering these words again and again. He had his hands placed on
Wonwoo´s back, pulling him closer to his body. One small tear tickled his cheek but he wuickly
rubbed it off with his shoulder. Then he heard a slight chuckle from above.
„I´m sorry hyung.“ He whispered one last time, looking innocently into the older´s eyes.
„You are seriously just a dumb puppy that needs to be reminded that feelings aren´t bad.“
Wonwoo laughed slightly and ruffled Mingyu´s hair.
Mingyu wiped off the rest of tear traces on Wonwoo´s face gently.
„I actually like you very much hyung.“ He said quietly, hiding his blushing face.
„Are you saying this just because you are a thirsty teen?“ Wonwoo half joked.
„Hyung, don´t be mean.“ The younger whined and playfully hit the latter´s chest.
„You were mean as well. But a few tears and everything is better now.“ Wonwoo laughed and
rested his head on Mingyu´s shoulder.
„So that means you like me too?“ Mingyu asked curiously, hoping for yes. He would die from
embarrassment if he confesed to the older and he would say no.
„Just a little bit.“ Wonwoo said seriously. When Mingyu looked at him with sad eyes, he pecked
his lips and started laughing.
„Kim Mingyu, you are so freaking weird.“
Cheer up, Baby!

"Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the basketball game between Pledis High and BigHit High!
My name is-"
Mingyu bit his lip anxiously and played with the hem of his shirt. It was in a blue-ish grey colour
with Pledis written all over it. He wondered why he even agreed to all of this in the first place.
FLASHBACK
"Mingyu!"
Mingyu turned around to look at the tall girl approaching him. He greeted her with a smile.
"Hello, Nayoung. How are you doing?" He has only been in this school for a few months but
Nayoung was in one of his classes and nice enough to befriend him immediately. She wore her
cheerleader outfit and looked quite pretty in it, he had to admit.
"You said you are a dancer, right?" Mingyu let it slip that she hadn't answered to his question, it
honestly looked like she was a bit stressed out and out of time right now.
"Uh, well - you know, not like professional or stuff, I just did some girl group covers because my
friends forced me and somehow people liked it."
"Perfect! I need your help."
"Uhm, sorry, I don't know any girl group dan-"
"Not that, we already got the choreo covered."
"Wait, what - "we"?"
"You wouldn't do me that immense favour and join us in our cheerleader team, will you?" Her
usual emotionless face changed into a pleading and desperate expression.
Mingyu looked at her weirdly. Him and cheerleading? Where did she get that crazy idea from
suddenly?
"Please, it's urgent. The basketball game is coming soon but Yonghyun has injured himself
yesterday. I swear, if he wouldn't be so cute-Anyway, we now have one guy less and you are the
only person I can think of."
"I bet there are other guys that like to join you guys, though."
"Yonghyun is just out for a few weeks, he will be able to join us for the next game. We just need
someone for this upcoming game in a few weeks, not necessarily someone for the whole year. It's
too much of hazzle to find someone, anway. And since you have experience in dancing, you are
perfect. Besides you are tall and handsome, that's a bonus."
Mingyu bit his lip and thought about it. He didn't feel confident in his dancing but his new friend
asked him for a favour.
"Oh, and it's a great way to get to know more people, you know, our squad is really nice and
welcoming! We also hang out with the basketball team sometimes. They are also friendly and
cool."
In the few weeks he has been attending Pledis High, he made a few aquantainces and class
friends but not really close mates so far. He was never shy or anything, he just seemed not to click
well with his classmates. After all, they were already in their own little groups. Mingyu sighed.
What arguments did he have left to say no? He would do his friend, his school actually, a favour
and meet lots of new people. And a bit sport never hurts. 'Unless your name is Yonghyun
apparently' he thought.
"Okay..."
"Awesome, let's go to practice then."
"Wait, what now?"
"Yes, of course."
"But, but, but I didn't bring any sports clothes with me- Hey, where are you taking me to - wow, I
didn't know you were that strong - Ow, Nayoung, please stop dragging me that hard."
-
All the cheerleaders were nice, there was another guy named Inpyo who was very chill and he
liked the squad, he secretly enjoyed it to be on the team as well, he felt a bit sad when he
remembered that it was just temporary.
He was training with the cheerleader team when he suddenly heard lots of loud male voices from
the other place of the hall.
"Oh, the guys are joining the hall today." Nayoung side eyed the incoming males. Yebin, the co-
captain, groaned.
"I swear if they throw another ball near us again, I will break someone of their players. Poor
Yonghyun was so startled and hurt himself. Luckily, you could convince Mingyu."
Mingyu felt better when he heard Yebin's words. She was a bit cold at the beginning but turned
out to be a very warm person. He somehow felt appreciated.
"Hey, come on. Seungcheol apologized, he didn't mean to."
"Of course, you are protecting him although he hurt one of our members. From across the hall. In
hundreds of meters distance."
"It was an accident."
"You are so whipped for him." Nayoung shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, what can I say? He's hot."
"Too bad, his boyfriend would hunt you down with his guitar if you were to make a move on
him."
Nayoung laughed at Yebin's comment and nodded a bit. Mingyu wondered who Seungcheol was
and why his boyfriend seemed to like hurting people with his guitar.
"Oh, he's coming here."
"Hey, girls, guys. Oh, a newbie!" The guy, he guessed it was Seungcheol, was dressed in his
football gear and was currently smiling at him friendly. Mingyu felt attacked by Seungcheol's
warm and nice smile. It was too perfect.
"That's Mingyu. Mingyu, this is Seungcheol, the captain of the basketball team. Mingyu replaces
Yonghyun after you were the reason why he knocked himself out."
"Oh, yeah, I'm still so sorry about that." Mingyu heard how Yebin snorted at that. Seungcheol
turned towards her. "No, really, I am! So, as an apology, my team and I invite you guys later to
get something to eat. Sounds good? Peace?"
He was mainly adressing Yebin because he knew that she was mad at him. Well, everyone could
see the steam coming out of her ears.
The girl sighed and looked at Nayoung who agreed. Seungcheol blinded them with his smile again
and left with a short "See you later!".
Yebin's sour expression didn't change much and Mingyu noted in his head to never tick her off.
They went back to business soon after.
Training was hard and Nayoung merciless. That was probably the reason why their cheerleader
team was known in the city for their perfect choreography.
Mingyu wasn't doing as bad as he expected. He was able to remember the steps easily and the
girls trusted his "nicely sculptured arms" enough so that he wouldn't let them fall. Right now, they
were resting for a short break. Mingyu was sitting with some girls and listening to the latest
gossip ("I heard Jihoon went after some dude with his guitar after he found out that he tried
touching Seungcheol's butt!" "No way!") when he suddenly heard someone shout his name and
the next moment he felt how something flew against his head. Luckily, it didn't hurt much and he
turned around to find out that it was a basketball. He picked it up and intended to toss it to the
guys when he saw that one of them was approaching him. And damn, that guy sure was good-
looking. Mingyu stared at the guy with his mouth wide open. How hasn't he noticed him before in
the last few weeks?
"I'm so sorry, I was supposed to catch the ball but failed. Are you hurt?"
Mingyu nearly started sobbing, what breautiful voice was he allowed to listen to?
Soon after that he realized that the handsome guy waited for an answer and Mingyu coughed a
bit. Before he could answer Nayoung was standing next to him. From the corner of his eyes he
could see some members holding back an agitated Yebin who was promising to find Jihoon's
guitar.
"Guys, really? This is the second time already. Please, stop attacking our guys!"
"I'm sorry, Nayoung, really, you know we don't mean it!"
Nayoung sighed and turned towards Mingyu with a questioning and worried look.
"Oh-Oh. Ah yeah, no big deal. I'm okay. Barely felt anything." Mingyu laughed to ease the tension
and thankfully Nayoung grinned a bit and sighed in relief.
"Okay, tell Seungcheol you guys better treat us twice now."
"Sure, of course. I'm really sorry again."
Nayoung nodded and then turned around to Yebin to calm her down.
"By the way, I'm Wonwoo."
Mingyu knew he was supposed to say his name now but he was suddenly very starstruck again.
'His eyes are so captivating.'
Thank god, Nayoung saved him.
"Mingyu!" He turned towards the captain. "Break's over."
"Ah, yes. I'm coming!" He turned towards Wonwoo hastily and said bye.
Wonwoo glaze lingered a bit longer on the tall person. He chuckled a bit to himself. "Mingyu,
mhm? Cute."
-
"So, Mingyu. Tell us more about you. I heard you are new in this school. Where are you from?"
Mingyu looked at the basketball captain that smiled at him kindly. Right now, he seemed like a
warm big brother who genuinely seemed interested in him and it made him smile a bit. It wasn't
hard to open up to Seungcheol. So he told him, and everyone that was sitting with them in the
restaurant and was listening, about himself, where he was from, why he moved to Seoul, what he
wanted to do.
Sometimes, other basketball players asked him some questions and he answered them, feeling at
ease. Nayoung sure didn't just sweet talk everyone when she said that they were welcoming and
friendly.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
Mingyu nervously scratched his neck and turned away from one of the players, Jun, to look at the
table.
"I don't- uh, swing that way."
He never hid the fact that he was gay, he was never embarassed of it and fortunately found
support in his friends and family. There was no reason to hide his sexuality if it meant for him to
know who would take him seriously and who wouldn't.
He just found a nice bunch of people and didn't want to lose them immediately again but he also
didn't want to hide himself this way.
"Oh," Mingyu felt how Jun came near his face and smirked handsomely. "A boyfriend maybe?"
The tall boy blinked a few times out of shock but shook his head no.
"Interested then?" Jun winked at him and Mingyu blushed. Before he could think of a decent
answer, someone took Jun's shirt and pulled him back.
"Stop making him uncomfortable." Mingyu immediately knew that it was Wonwoo based on the
low velvety voice. He mentally thanked him for saving him from a very embarassing situation.
"Sorry, man. I'm just messing with you. I'm taken, anyway. But I know someone who would
be very ver very int-Ow, goddamnit, Wonwoo."
Thankfully one of the girls in his (Mingyu really liked to say his but he sadly reminded himself that
he wasnt a permanent part) squad asked him a question.
"You are pretty good at dancing, Nayoung just told us you have danced a bit before?"
"Me? Oh my god, you know that trend to cover girl group dances in an exaggerated and over the
top manner? One of my friends thought it would look hilarious if we would dress up badly as girls
and dance some girl group hits. He uploaded it on youtube and it was a hit somehow." He
chuckled at the memories.
"Wait, so you can still find it on youtube?"
The girl took out her phone and Mingyu screeched very unmanly while trying to prevent her from
looking him up. What if they saw how he once got his make-up done by his older sister and his
hairy legs in her high heels?
He tickled her a bit and grabbed her phone triumphantly.
"Wow, those are hairy legs."
Mingyu whipped his head towards Nayoung who held her phone in her hand and all the other
guys were surrounding her. An After School Song was blarring and he knew exactly what they
were talking about.
"N-Nayoung." He tried taking her phone but she was pretty fast.
"Nu-uh. You are one of us now and we share those little dirty..hairy secrets."
Mingyu hit his face on the table but still looked between his fingers at their expression. He caught
Wonwoo's eyes and the boy smiled at him. Mingyu turned away but couldn't help smiling
because of Wonwoo's pretty smile but also because of Nayoung's words. Because he felt like he
belonged there.
-
Mingyu felt a hand on his shoulder and came back from his thoughts.
"Hey, you did well while training, no need to stress too much."
Mingyu nervously looked at the cheerleader captain. He really admired how she immediately
knew how to calm down nervous members and made other people feel like they were welcome
no matter what. Her encouraging smile helped to ease his nerves a bit. In the last few days she
became one of his closest friends.
"I bet all the people will applaud us again for being such visuals." One girl on the team said.
"Visuals who can dance." Nayoung corrected while she put on some chapstick.
The announcer was talking about the arrival of the rival team, BigHit's Seagulls, and their team,
Pledis' Grizzly Bears. Mingyu laughed a bit at the introduction. "Usually sweet and cuddly but
loud, wild and ready to fight when provoked", he wondered who thought that this would make
them seem intimidating.
"But before the game begins, we cannot forget the obligatory lucky charm kiss from our dearest
cheerleaders to our players. Those lucky guys!"
"Lucky charm kiss - what?"
Mingyu looked confused at Nayoung who scratched her neck.
"Oops, I forgot to mention that before every game every cheerleader gives one player a kiss on
the cheek. Good luck charm for the game you know. It's tradition in our school."
"Wait, does that mean- I didn't sign up for this!"
"Mingyu, please, just a small harmless kiss on a guy's cheek, we all know of that tradition, it is not
seen as a big deal or something. You want your football team to win, right? And you know how
nice all of them are. No one here will judge you or make fun of you. Please."
Nayoung looked at him so pleadingly. She was good, he had to admit. He sighed in defeat. She
and her team has welcomed him so warmly after all and a tiny little kiss wouldn't hurt anyone,
right?
Wrong, he realized when he lined up next to the others. By some coincidence he was face to face
with Wonwoo. That goddamn good-looking guy who was the reason why his head was spinning a
few days ago (for multiple reasons). He was going to give Wonwoo a cheek kiss and the mere
thought made him blush already. He had developed a crush on the football player in the last few
days and now he was having the chance to kiss his cheek. On Wonwoo's face. On his probably as
soft as it looks like skin. Oh my god.
Nayoung put a chapstick into his hands. "Makes your lips especially soft." She winked at him and
went to the front of the line. Mingyu applied a bit of it on his lips. At least it smelled and tasted
good. Mingyu bit his lips and sucked on them out of nervousity, not knowing how he made a
certain player going crazy over him and his attractive lip bites.
Nayoung started first and kissed Seungcheol's cheek "because leaders!!". The line continued till it
was his turn and he leaned forward to kiss his crush's cheek fleetingly. After the soft touch of his
lips on Wonwoo's cheek he immediately bit his own lip to stop smiling. The people around them
smiled knowingly at the red faces of both.
"You are so red, Mingyu." Nayoung was suddenly standing next to him and grinned in a wicked
way while her eyebrows were dancing.
"Didn't you say no one would make fun of me?"
"Ah, touché. Anway, get into position, guys. Better show the other cheerleaders that we will kick
their scrawny untalented asses."
Mingyu quietly moved to his position but took one last glance at his favourite basket player only
to realize that he has been staring at him as well. Both of them turned their eyes down but
Mingyu couldn't help but smile a bit even though he already bit his lip.
Nayoung saw the exchange and congratulated herself. She reminded herself to talk to Mingyu
later and also to congratulate him on getting a permanent spot on the squad as well.
Just my luck

Description
Officer Jeon Wonwoo goes to the hospital because he was shot and the doctor treating him
looks a bit too good for his own sanity.

"Emo bear here. Attention! The guy has a gun and looks like he is about to use it. Attention! AH-
MOTHERFUCKER!"
The officer aimed at the shooter with one hand and shot the guy's leg, making him drop the gun
while he fell to the ground. He took a few steps forward and looked at the man in front of him,
crouching down.
"Now, place your hands behind your head, Sir. Game's over."

"Ah, fuck."
"Oooh, that doesn't look good at all. You should rush to the hospital."
Wonwoo looked up from his bleeding shoulder to his partner.
"A bit more concern, please, Junhui. I was just shot by some lunatic."
Junhui looked him dead in the eye, not showing any emotions. He raised one eyebrow in
question.
"Yeah, but did you die?"
Wonwoo's partner sighed and grinned a bit. "We have been working together for years, man. I
know that it needs a lot more than that to make you weak." His small grin turned one sided and
his eyes glinted in a different way. He let out a chuckle. Wonwoo knew what was coming.
"A lot more like...a cute doctor by the name of Kim Mingyu."
He really couldn't help it, the blush came automatically, just like everytime someone mentioned
the handsome doctor from the local hospital. And unfortunately for Wonwoo, every colleague
knew of his infatuation, making him blush all the time.
Wonwoo was crying internally, he was the tallest of them all, skilled like no other, extremely
handsome, well built and with good manners: He was the definition of perfection but whenever
the dark haired doctor was mentioned he felt like a 15 year old girl crushing on her bias. It was
tragic.
"Come on, let's meet the love of your pathetic life."
~
Wonwoo sat in the patient room, waiting for his the doctor to come. He was nervous and started
fidgeting, but stopped immediately when he realized that it hurt his shoulder pretty much.
"Owww..."
"Officer Jeon."
Wonwoo's cry of hurt turned into an attempt of covering it up with a cough. He turned to the
new voice and bit his lips.
How come he always got more handsome the more he saw him, seriously. From the very first
moment on he saw the doctor, which was months ago when some chick thought it would be fun
to slice him with a knife, he had looked breathtaking.
"I can't say it's nice to see you again. Twice in a month is rather worrying."
"I, well, I never ask for the people to hurt me."
Dr. Kim chuckled a bit at Wonwoo's solemn answer. He took a chair and sat in front of the
patient, looking at the wound. He stretched out his hands but realized soon enough that this
wouldnt do.
"Please undress."
Wonwoo swallowed. He daydreamed very often about undressing in the room with the doctor
but under different circumstances. Very very different crcumstances.
Luckily, he wasn't a self-conscious person. He knew he got a good body, he hoped for the doctor
to admire him just like everyone else would but he was dispappointed when the doctor only had
his eyes on the bullet wound.
The doctor stood up and got nearer to Wonwoo to inspect his shoulder. He knew it was all
professional but Wonwoo couldn't help but love the way Mingyu was so near to him. He could
smell the warm, musky smellof the other. His first instinct was to wrap his arms around the man
in front of him but he held back since that would have been very awkward. He also didn't want
to have a red imprint on his cheek on top of a bullet wound.
"Luckily, it's just a flesh wound, the bullet didn't even get stuck. That's good, it means a quick
recovery, and that you can go home today. Luck was on your side, Officer."
Wonwoo bit his lips desperately trying to get rid of the pictures of Mingyu saying "Officer" with
his deep and sexy voice in another content, in another scenario where both of them would be
undressed. A scenario that also involved a bed, handcuffs and a lot of sweet, sweet time.
"Indeed, just my luck." Wonwoo's voice sounded way too raspy for his usual self and Mingyu
noticed it. Wonwoo wasn't sure if he just imagined it but he swore he saw a little smirk on the
other's face.
While Mingyu was working his medical magic, Wonwoo kept silent, npt daring to open his
mouth. He was busy starring at the handsome and concentrated face of the doctor, anyway.
Occasionally, he let out a hiss of pain but his pride was on the line here, so he held back as much
as he could.
Mingyu had finished patching him up and looked contently at his work. He didn't take a step
back, though, still looking at the wound. His hands lingered on Wonwoo's arms for a few more
moments. It nearly felt like Mingyu's hands didn't even want to let go of his arms as well.
"Now, you are free to go. But I hope you will get your deserved rest. No strenuous work for at
least 6 weeks. And please, I don't want to see you in my office again, at least not under these
circumstances."
Mingyu took a step back and Wonwoo stood up, wearing his shirt again. They were still standing
way too close to consider it a normal doctor-patient-relationship but neither of them really
cared. While Wonwoo was buttoning up his blouse he took a look at the doctor who smiled at
the officer with a smile that made the officer's heart go way too fast for it to be normal.
God, it must be illegal to be so good looking. He only noticed how he said it out loud when the
expression on Mingyu's face changed. His eyes were hooded, he tilted his head to the side and
smirked a little suggestive. It also sounded like his voice dropped an octave, making Wonwoo's
inner 15 year old's panties drop. Mingyu leaned a bit foreword to whisper into Wonwoo's ear.
"Why don't you arrest me then, Officer?" Wonwoo was too shocked to react.
"Emo bear, I repeat, Emo bear-" The spell was broken and Wonwoo blushed when he heard his
co-worker's voice saying his code name. He cleared his throat and took the walkie-talkie from his
jacket he removed before Mingyu came. He quietly answered, not daring to say his code name
out loud.
"Uh. Yes, Emo bear here. You don't need to call me that, though. I am currently in hospital."
"Oh, sorry, are you okay? Oh! Are you meeting your doctor again, Wonwoo? Haha"
Wonwoo desperately wanted to hide.
"Just...just say what you want."
"I bet you are! Seungcheol's asking if you are okay. But I bet you are since you have seen your
crush's face."
Mingyu laughed at the shocked and panicked expression Wonwoo made and offered his hand
which Wonwoo shook.
"Well, then. I better be going, other patients are waiting for me. It was more or less nice seeing
you, Officer."
The doctor went to the door first and right before he grabbed the handle, Wonwoo couldn't hold
it in anymore. He had to make a move. Now. He felt sweat on his forehead forming.
"Do you -uh- maybe- want to-uhhh-"
"I get off at 7 p.m. Let's grab dinner afterwards. And then you better tell me why your colleagues
call you "Emo bear"."
The soft smile Mingyu gave him made him smile as well. The doctor went out and left Wonwoo
in the room celebrating with his 15 year old girl alter ego the upcoming first date with his long
term crush, wincing because of his injured shoulder and making him look like a complete
idiot. But only for that one cute doctor.
The Five Times Mingyu Crashed

Description
The five times Mingyu crashed with something or someone because he saw Wonwoo's beautiful
face.
(And that one time Senpai finally noticed him)

1.
Honestly, Mingyu hasn't expected to crash his new bike against a tree.
He was just minding his own business after school, riding home. His mother was waiting for him
with some awesome dinner, he was seriously anticipating. But fate had other plans with him. It
was just a low chuckle but it sounded like angels descending from heaven to grace Mingyu's ears
with the beautiful sound. He turned his head right to see what stunning creature must have such
a nice voice, only to realize that it was the most gorgeous person he ever laid his eyes on. He had
the pleasure to scan this exquisite face for only a few seconds when suddenly his bike hit a tree
and made him fall on his butt. Opening his eyes, he realized he was doomed for many reasons.
One, his butt hurt. Two, there was no way that cute guy hasn't noticed him embarassing himself.
Three, his new bike already had scratches. The only thing he could hope for was that his mother
wasn't angry.

Except that she was. And there was no yummy dinner for him that evening.

2.
After that embarassing incident when he crashed his bike against a tree in front of his newfound
crush, he wished that no one would know about it.
But luck has never been on his side, really. He was on his way to his first class the next day when
he felt someone wrapping an arm around his shoulders.
"Oh man, holy shit! The video of you crashing was fucking hilarious."
"What the fuck are you talking about, Jungkook?" He asked while panicking. His friend showed
him a video on his phone and it was the worst case scenario he could ever have imagined. He
could see how he - admittedly spectacularly - crashed against a tree and fell like a wet sack of
rice. He was fucked, though. His image in school for sure was done for. He was always
considered as "sexy and flawless" (not his words) and "too handsome to let his fans generate
properly" (usually, his friends would laugh their asses off now but they are useless garbage so
their opinion doesn't count). He feared for his social life now.
"But hey, what were you looking at? You seemed pretty bewitched. Was it a sexy girl? Oh, or
some handsome dude? Wait, Mingyu, please don't tell me you were distracted by a cat agai-"
"Sh, that was one time. And it was a pretty freaking cute kitty, okay? To answer your question, it
was a ridiculously handsome guy."
"No way, who was it? Do you know his name?"
"Nah, he wears the same uniform as we do but I have never seen him here before. Must be a
new student, I guess?"
"I'm really curious what he looks like to make the almighty Kim Mingyu fall for him like a -"
"You better not finish that sentence, man." Jungkook laughed and Mingyu couldn't help grinning.
His face changed immediately, though, because right there in front of him, only a few meters
away, was that good-looking guy again and oh. mY. GOD. OMG. he looked even better up close.
"Jungkook, that's him!"
"Mhm, where?"
"There, on your left."
"Oh-wait. What the fuck??"
"What?"
"Dude, that's my brother!"
"WHAT?"
Shocked, he jumped back a bit just to collide with a student who was carrying a lot of heavy
looking old history books which -of course, what else - crashed all on poor Mingyu and burried
him.
"Shit, that's the karma for not studying for your last history test, bro."
"Shut the fuck up, Jungkook."

3.
"No way in hell that magnificent piece of art is related to Jungkook."
"Is that your way of saying thank you? Because I could have easily let you die under the history
books."
Both were sitting in the cafeteria right now and more or less enjoying their meals. Along with
them, Mingyu's friend Seokmin joined them who also had to give his input.
"Would have been better, at least he wouldn't have to face people that are laughing at him.
Twice."
"Am I only surrounded by fuckers?"
"Takes one to know one, my friend."
Mingyu only glared at Seokmin and angrily bit into his sandwich.
"How come we did't know you had a brother, though?"
Jungkook looked confused at Seokmin. Mingyu stopped munching on his sandwich to face
Jungkook as well.
"I did. Multiple times, actually. And I also told you that he used to attend another school but
would start this year here."
"Why haven't you introduced us?" He could have known him way before, dammit!
"He seemed just fine finding friends on his own."
"Wait, and how come we never saw him at yours?"
"You rarely come over!"
"Mhm, true. But I now found a reason to." Mingyu chuckled to himself. "Actually, I think I will
come with you after school."
"For what reason?"
"Mhmmm...Social Studies project...or Biology, your brother may choose- HEY, OW!"
Jungkook put down his heavy history book.
"You seem to like getting hit by history books."
"I wouldn't mind if your brother would hit m- OW! STOP IT!"
~~~
Mingyu was honestly surprised when Jungkook actually invited him over to his house. He
couldn't remember the last time he visited his friend at his house. For a short moment he
thought about whether he was a bad friend and felt a bit guilty but when they stopped in front
of the door so Jungkook could cuddle with his dog, he realized again why he rarely visited. He
didn't like dogs. At all. And they never liked him for god knows what reason. Must be because I'm
cuter.
Besides, his own home may not have a hot brother waiting for him (That would be incest
anyway, right?) but he had all kinds of game consoles and that was nearly just as good.
Suddenly, the door was opened and a tall person stormed out. Of course, it was Wonwoo. And of
course, Mingyu was starstruck again because who wouldn't and oh. my. god. was that
eyeliner?! And of course, what else, the damn dog had to belt this second, surprising Mingyu and
making him jump back and trip - right into the garbage bin with his head first.
He heard footsteps and hoped it wasn't Wonwoo because what kind of introduction would that
be? But he heard the low chuckle of Jungkook loud and clear, mocking him.
"See, see. The trash is finally where it belongs."

4.
Apparently, while Mingyu was busy falling into the bin, Wonwoo explained to his brother that he
was late for a meeting and had to run.
Mingyu pouted on his way back home, not really feeling like staying in the house with the dog
(and without Wonwoo), wondering what kind of meeting it was if the older was dressed that
nicely and even put on make up. It wouldn't have been a date, right?
Mingyu exited the train to walk the last 5 minutes to his home. His previously lowly held head
rose when he heard a familiar low voice. He stopped walking and looked ahead. Right in front of
him was Wonwoo who was also exiting the train - with a girl. And damn pretty one as well. Shit.
Even he would make a move on such a beauty if his mind wouldn't be so clouded by that damn
guy.
He bit his lip with newly found anxiety. Why did he just naturally assume Wonwoo would like
guys? He still could be bisexual but Jungkook probably stole all the gay genes or something, only
leaving the hetero genes for his brother.
Wait, that made absolutely no sense, Jungkook is younger. Oh god, I better go to sleep right
away.

Suddenly, he felt how very heavy luggage was dragged over his foot and some kid half his height
pushed him away with a rude "Move, old man!". Loosening his footing, he felt how crashed with
railing right next to him and ultimately falling over it because he was just too damn tall for
everything, landing in a bush. He immediately stood up, winced a bit at the scratches he got from
the bush and looked after the little rascal.
"Why the fuck does this demonic brat look like a little Jungkook?"

5.
"You are the most pathetic excuse of a guy, I swear." Jungkook looked so done with Mingyu. He
made a mental note to tell Jungkook later to stop hanging out around the weird small senior that
looked like he was done with the world 24/7.
"I can't help it! Your brother is too handsome! No wonder you are...like this."
"What the heck you wanna say with that?"
"He must have stolen all the good-looking genes before you were able to get any. Thank god, I
have wondered all the years why you were so ug- OW GODDAMMIT, JEON! NOT AGAIN!"
Jungkook quietly tugged his massive 2000 page history book back under his arm and looked at
his friend unamusedly.
Seokmin appeared behind them and put his arms over them.
"Ah, I see. Mingyu still likes to get hit by big history books. Dude, I am afraid it may start to
become a kink if this continues. Some kind of twisted Dom-Sub-play. Oh, hey, there is your
future Dom: Wonwoo!"
Jungkook and Mingyu turned their heads towards the guy Seokmin was pointing at. Mingyu felt
all kinds of weird feelings when he saw that Wonwoo was slowly coming their way.
"This is your chance to stop your patheticness, man. School is already over, use the opportunity!"
Mingyu was so amazed by Wonwoo's god created face, that looked way too good to be legal, he
didn't even try to deny that he was pathetic (although he kind of was).
"Dude, what are you doing? Move! Tell him you are Jungkook's friend, or something!" He felt
how Seokmin pushed him towards the male.
Yes, I can do it. I am smooth and handsome. I can totally go up to him, introduce myself as
Jungkook's friend and ask him how his start was at our school. I can maybe ask him if he wants to
know something. Yes, oh my god, Mingyu. That's a great idea!
You can totally-

While walking up to the handsome boy, he hasn't realized how shaky his long legs were, and
classic Mingyu just had to trip over his own feet making him drop like a pitiful and abandoned
sack of rice.
On no one else than Wonwoo of course.
He desperately tried to lessen the blow with his arms and not to collide with the male.
Thankfully, his face only slightly graced him. He reluctantly opened his eyes, just to come face to
face with Wonwoo.
Or actually with his crotch that he collided with slightly merely two seconds ago.
Mingyu gasped and looked up to face his crush, feeling like hiding and dying somewhere. That
was not the way he wanted to interact with Wonwoo for the first time. He could feel how his
cheeks burned intensely and averted his eyes down but quickly looked to the side. Facing his
crotch hardly seemed appropriate.
Mingyu would rather be buried under all the heavy history books again than this.
Suddenly, he heard a low honey-voiced chuckle that made Mingyu feel like he need to throw
away his pants immediately.
"Well, you could at least have bought me dinner first."
His eyes were wide open and he gawked at the guy under him, not processing what he just said.
"Hey, man, can you please stand up? The floor is a bit cold."
Without any words but with an apology on his lips, Mingyu jumped up and held out his hand
which was gladly taken by Wonwoo.
"I'm so so so sorry. Really, oh my god, this is so embarassing, I -uh you know. Oh, shit, I don't
know how I can- I'M SO SORRY-"
"Hey, it's okay, really. Nothing I can't handle. I like it a little bit rougher."
Mingyu could hear Seokmin coughing a bit at that comment but chose to ignore his friends
behind him.
"You can make it up to me, though. How about a coffee, or something? Your classes also have
ended already, right?"
Mingyu could only look at his crush and nod. He didn't dare to open his mouth, he has
embarassed himself enough for the rest of the day. Or the year. Or forever.
"Lead the way, then. I don't know where you can get good coffee here. By the way, what's is
your name?"
"K-Kim Min..Gyu?" Nailed it.
"Well, hello there, Mingyu. Do you often fall on the crotch of people you just met?"
"Only the ones that are heavenly stunning."
I KNEW I SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY STUPID MOUTH CLOSED.

Luckily Wonwoo just laughed his melodious laugh and touched him on his upper arm,
commenting how they feel strong under his hands.
Seokmin and Jungkook watched the scene with wide eyes and open mouths.
"Seokmin, what the fuck just happened?"
"Mingyu is a good-for-nothing-"
"Now, that's nothing new."
"-and somehow scored a date with your brother."
"Fuck."
"Yup. Hey, you should totally write him a card, saying 'Welcome to the family'. You know, I was
joking before but you can totally see that your brother is the domina- EY, OW, NOT THE HISTORY
BOOK, PLEASE!"
Bonus
The actual first time Wonwoo noticed Mingyu
"Hey, Jungkook."
"What is it, Hyung?"
"Do you by chance know that guy over there?"
"Who?"
"The one that is taking out his books right now. He is quite good-looking, pretty nice arms. You
think he is gay?"
"Wait, who do you mean-"
"The guy with the blue-ish hai-"
"Oh, hell no."
I'm Gonna Be Bad For You, Baby

Description
They played roles in two completely different movies, and mixing the romantic comedy of
Mingyu's life with his melancholic drama didn't seem like it'd make a very good cocktail in
Wonwoo’s opinion. (He also knew that it would be Mingyu who would get the short end of the
straw, as Wonwoo was sure to taint his life with the darkness he carried in his own heart.)
Mingyu was a slice of a life Wonwoo would never get to have, and while it was absolutely
enticing to get a glimpse of, staring in through a window at everything he would never have for a
longer time would only do Wonwoo more harm than good in the end, and he knew this very
well.

Wonwoo came to gradually, peeling his eyes open to squint at the bright, unfamiliar ceiling
above his head. He blinked sluggishly to rid his eyes of the final wisps of sleep and took in his
surroundings. He was lying on a couch (the muscles in his back were complaining after being
subjected to the firm underlay for the entire night and Wonwoo's left arm was asleep) in a
narrow living room. A flower-patterned blanket had been thrown over him to persumably serve
as a poor duvet to keep him warm, and now it lay halfway discarded on the floor beside the
couch.
Someone was moving about and messing with kitchenware, the occasional 'clang' of a pan
meeting another or simply being moved sounding through the otherwise still air. Feeling dizzy,
Wonwoo pulled a face.
He grabbed the backrest of the couch and hauled himself up, mapping the inside of the simple
apartment he was in with his eyes as he tried to recall the day before.
The living space was messy, traces of the crazy party that had been buzzing until late at night
eminent by the empty beer cans and randomly discarded items — clothes, glitter, packs of
cigarettes and lighters, the occasional missplaced shoe — thrown on the floor or strewn over the
other furnitures in the room.
Wonwoo remember tagging along with one of Seungcheol's friends that shared one class with
him to the party, and he can vaguely recall stumbling through a door into a sea of people and
music.
He remembers sharing his joint with some curious kids on the balcony at some point in the night,
and he thinks he might've landed some deals in a bedroom closet (that memory was a little hazy,
though.)
Other than that, Wonwoo didn't remember much and he stared at a mark in the wall across from
him, feeling disoriented and almost keen on just lying back down, pretend that the day hadn’t
started yet and continue to sleep off his hangover. He could do with some more rest. Preferably
one that lasted one hundred years, he mused.
He didn't know where he was or whom's apartment he happened to be in, but that was just as
well, because Wonwoo didn't really care. What he cared about was falling back asleep, but he
never got that far as someone joined him in the room and noticed that he was awake.
"Oh, hey. You're up. You feeling okay?"
Wonwoo turned his head to stare at the stranger standing in the doorway that he vaguely
recalled lead into a tiny kitchen with a slight crease between his brow and hazy vision. His lenses
must've fallen out sometime during the night. It wasn't bothersome, but he had to squint to see
the curve of the young, unfamiliar male's face. He assumed that this was the owner of the
apartment, and Wonwoo found it strange, but he hadn't met him yesterday.
"... yeah. Fine." Wonwoo grunted finally, accepting that he would have to get home before he
could nap some more and feeling grouchy and gross as he stood from the couch and the world
tilted slightly around him.
The younger male — who was tall, taller than him Wonwoo could tell now that he'd stood up —
eyed him like he knew Wonwoo was feeling like crap but didn't feel like it was his place to make
a remark or question his choice of response.
"Alright." He said, and Wonwoo thought the guy had a nice, smooth voice. Not as dark as his, but
with a nice clang, which probably made his friends and teachers enjoy listening to him speak. "I
made breakfast. Would you like some? It's just bacon and eggs, so nothing fancy, but..." The guy
trailed off and looked at the dark stranger standing in the middle of the living room with his
ripped jeans, slouched shoulders and sharp, slitted eyes, waiting for his answer.
Eggs and bacon sounded fancy to Wonwoo, who usually didn't eat breakfast at all. (His
roommate argued he barely ate anything, during anytime, of any day, but Wonwoo shut him up
by telling him that if that had been true, he wouldn't have been alive, so he does, in fact, eat.
Just not often, or a lot at a time.)
There was a dull throbbing in the back of his skull, not quite a headache but something similar to
it, and the thought of food had Wonwoo's uneasy stomach churn slightly like it did when it had
suffered breaking down alcohol and other substances the entire night and couldn’t handle any
preassure.
"... Okay." Wonwoo had no idea why he agreed, but the stranger gave him a weak tweak of the
lips (maybe a small smile?) and seemed happy to share with him.
"Great. Come on into the kitchen. Just follow me."
Wonwoo did and trailed after the bright haired guy at a slower pace into the room holding a
small table where everyone had shared shots the night before, a small kitchenette with a few
plates and a stove, a small refrigerator, an oven, a microwave as well as a coffee brewer which
was running and filling the small, green painted room with the distinct smell of coffee beans.
Wonwoo stared at the table and saw flashes of some blonde girl laughing after having tipped
back her third glass of tequila from the night before, but they were gone as soon as he blinked.
The table was already cleared, and while the glasses had been moved to the sink, although they
had yet to be washed, the kitchen was already a lot more tidy than Wonwoo would have
expected it to be.
"You can sit down if you'd like." The male had glanced at him over his shoulder while he busied
himself by the stove where he was frying bacon in one pan and whipping together scrambled
eggs in another.
Wonwoo did as he was told and watched the stranger season and scramble the eggs swiftly,
finding himself curious of the smile playing on the man's lips while he cooked.
"You like cooking?"
The other looked surprised by his baritone voice and cast him a quizzical glance over his
shoulder.
"You're able to tell from just watching me fry bacon and make scrambled eggs?" His laugh was
nice too, and he had a handsome smile well suited to his face, Wonwoo noted now that he could
observe him from more up-close.
He leant back in his chair and let his eyes travel along the edge of the window to his right
absentmindedly, looking over the odd trinkets and unimportant items balanced there.
"Kitchen's clean." He voiced what he’d noted and the other pulled a face, something that told
Wonwoo that he was impressed by his obsrvation and skill of deduction, having correctly figured
that he had a preference for cooking because of the state of the kitchen.
"I do like cooking." He confirmed and a silence settled between them while the stranger finished
up the breakfast.
Wonwoo was given a plate differing from the one the stranger had (glancing at the stack of
plates on a shelf, Wonwoo noted they were all odd and he found the detail kind of charming)
and soon the table was set with the two pans between them and utensils and glasses and juice
hastily retrieved from the shelves and cupboards and the refrigerator and scattered across the
table.
The stranger offered to serve Wonwoo first, which Wonwoo let him do with a shrug, watching
idly as the other hauled food onto his plate before he handed it back to him and scraped the rest
of the eggs and bacon onto his own plate before settling down in the chair across from Wonwoo.
"–’M Mingyu, by the way." The stranger introduced himself with bacon in his mouth. "This is my
apartment."
Wonwoo took the offered hand and shook it lazily, noting that the other had a strong and firm
grip — one that would be appreciated in meetings or on interviews where it was important to
leave an impression in the future — and also how warm his fingers were before they retreated
to the others side of the table again.
"I figured." He said and debated whether or not he should give the stranger across from him his
real name, if it would prove to be risky for him or not.
Mingyu arched an eyebrow, his mouth turning up into an amused smile as he chewed on
another fork of eggs behind his hand.
"You don't have one?" He asked after a while of watching the male across from him nudge
around the food on his plate, catching his eyes when he looked up after being addressed. "A
name? Something I can call you in my mind instead of 'dark stranger'?"
Mingyu's laugh was bright and beautiful and from an entirely different world than Wonwoo's, so
he thought 'fuck it. What harm will it do?' and threw his worries out the window.
He gave the other a listless tweak of his lips.
"Wonwoo." He said and Mingyu's smile widened as he saw the soft smile on Wonwoo's face.
"That's a nice name." He commented and Wonwoo shrugged and brought a fork of eggs to his
lips.
"I wouldn't have minded being ‘dark stranger’ though."
"And he has humour!" Mingyu exclaimed, and Wonwoo wondered how this human being could
be so bright and charming and if he could actually function in the real world on a daily basis.
"Sharp witted, huh. That's cool." Mingyu hummed.
Wonwoo could feel the other watch him keenly when he put the food into his mouth, and he
quickly understood why as his expression turned into one of mild surprise at the smooth flavours
enveloping his tastebuds.
Across from him Mingyu laughed when he caught him eyeing the food strangely and Wonwoo
found himself admiring the smooth skin of the other's neck as he'd thrown his head back in his
laughter.
"You have a nice face, did you know that?" Mingyu said and looked at him. His unexpected
compliment had Wonwoo startle and he must've made a weird face because the stranger
laughed again. "I meant like, expressions and reactions. They flash across your face very clearly
and makes it easy to read."
That was the first time anyone had said something like that to Wonwoo, and he knew for a fact
that it wasn't true. He was known to be very hard to read, what with his usually expressionless
and stoic face. He rarely smiled and was never exceptionally social with others, which in turn had
made people think he was cold and scary from just his distant persona and the sharp glare of his
eyes.
Wonwoo didn't mind being viewed like this, as it actually helped him in his small business of
dealing on the side of his studies, because people thought he looked frightening but cool and
tended to not mess with him. (Those who actually got to know him though knew that he was
kind at heart and looked out for his friends. But very few ever bothered to befriend him like
that.)
So Wonwoo didn't buy Mingyu's words at all and looked at the other strangely for a long time
before he stared down at the food in front of him again.
"You're good." He cleared his throat and changed the subject, but also being genuine with his
compliment and Mingyu was easily distracted by his approval, latching onto his words.
"Thanks." He grinned charmingly at Wonwoo. "I actually study business management to learn
everything about economy, supply and demand, and all that shit, so that I one day may be able
to open my own business."
So, people like this really existed, Wonwoo thought. Those who had their entire lives figured out
and a dream to chase. That certainty and determination was something Wonwoo lacked and
therefore envied in others.
"... Good luck, I guess." He said and took another bite, telling himself not to feel sullen or
affected by this seemingly perfect guy he’d woken up to this morning, as well as trying not to
compare them to each other since he knew it'd just make him bitter about his own lot in life.
"Thank you! Oh, and I'm also a freshman. Started just this autumn." Mingyu beamed again,
kindly watching him while he ate and Wonwoo was slightly struck by how young the male was.
Five years younger than him, but already with so much promise. It made him feel like sighing and
rolling his eyes. (He didn't though, because he didn't want the other to catch him and think he
was ungrateful for his kindness) "What about you?"
"What about me?" Wonwoo answered coolly and Mingyu chuckled at his evasive tone.
"Well, I just told you my age, my dream and my major, and I was hoping that maybe Mr. 'Dark
and handsome' would tell me about his dream, or life, or anything interesting about himself in
general to return the favour." Mingyu folded his arms on the edge of the table and leant over it
towards Wonwoo, and Wonwoo eyed his open expression and easy smile.
"So, it's 'dark and handsome' now?" He couldn't help but smugly repeat, one corner of his lips
turning upwards into a humoured smirk.
Mingyu didn't appear embarrassed, his smile simply widening as he tilted his head to the side
and continued to observe Wonwoo over their breakfast.
"It was 'dark and handsome' from the beginning, but I'm starting to think maybe 'mysterious
beauty' would suit you better."
It was actually amusing; this guy's lack of shame, and Wonwoo felt his lips tug into a genuine
smile as he took another bite of the bacon the other had cooked, his body more welcoming to
the nutrient than he had thought it would be.
"Then," he pretended to ponder as he chewed and pointed to Mingyu with his fork after he'd
swallowed. "You'll be 'brat'."
Mingyu laughed again, and yup, it was definitely an unfairly pleasant sound.
"What the heck. That's not fair. Mine were nice and poetic and shit. Not insulting." He said
through a grin and Wonwoo jerked his head dismissively, shrugging.
"'Kid', then."
"Why?" Mingyu wanted to know.
"Because you are one." Wonwoo looked at the youngster's face and saw the entertained glint in
the other's eyes.
"You're funny." Mingyu leant back and returned to his own plate, taking large and full forks of his
food into his mouth. "Since you’re calling me 'kid', that means you're older than me right?" He
spoke with food in his mouth again and Wonwoo felt a strange satisfaction from finding that the
other wasn't totally perfect after all. "How old are you? Or mustn’t I ask?"
"I'm immortal." Wonwoo replied impassively to Mingyu’s snicker, amused when the other’s
expression turned perplexed.
"Oh shit!" The other exclaimed and put down his knife. "Don't tell me you're like a, like a genie,
bound to walk the earth for all of time and fulfil the wishes of lone, ambitious souls for the rest
of eternity?"
Wonwoo was taken aback at first, but then he did picked up on the tiny hint of sarcasm in the
other’s tone — a type of humour that he could appriciate — and his lips turned upwards into a
small smile.
"... A genie named Wonwoo?" He asked and Mingyu nodded assertedly.
"Wonwoo is definitely a genie name."
Wonwoo couldn't help when he snorted, finally breaking out into soft chuckles at the other's
weird fantasies and Mingyu seemed happy to have made him laugh.
"So, since you've come to my humble abode, Mr. Genie Wonwoo sir, then that must mean you're
here to offer me and fulfil three wishes of mine."
"That's right." Mingyu was fascinating, Wonwoo decided as he agreed. He was very lively and
warm and not unfamiliar at all, even though they didn't know each other. But that feeling of
simplicity in their interactions is what made Wonwoo feel like it was maybe okay to indulge him
a little. Maybe even get to know him. (And that in itself was a dangerous thought.)
"Okay, wow.” Mingyu pretended to be greatly moved, making dramatic gestures and
exaggerating his voice as he went on. “I didn't expect to my life to turn out so fortunate, I — I
mean, I've always been a lucky kid, but... but this... I — I'm shook. I — I want to start off by
thanking the universe for favouring me, my — my parents for giving birth to me and raising me
into the fine person that I am today, my —"
A door opened somewhere in the apartment, and an annoyed voice startled Wonwoo from his
amused observation of Mingyu's dramatisation of his made-up circumstance as it reached them
through the doorway of the kitchen.
"Gyu! It's not even 8 AM, quiet the fuck down before I come out there and shut you up myself!"
Wonwoo gave Mingyu a quizzical look but the other appeared far from intimated by the threat,
raising his voice as he shouted back.
"And I'd like to thank my grumpy roommate for hosting a rowdy as heck party that had our
landlord give us a warning via text — !"
The door was slammed shut again and Mingyu looked satisfied by the turn of events, smirking to
himself before he turned back to Wonwoo.
"Roommate disputes. Sorry." He grinned and Wonwoo recalled one of the guys out on the
balcony last night, a scrawny redhead with fierce eyes and fluid movements that had seemed
very familiar in the apartment and a name popped into his head.
"Hao?" He questioned and Mingyu nodded.
"Minghao, actually. But yup, that was him."
Wonwoo recognised that he distantly knew the boy as a friend of a friend of his roommate and
he nodded his head absentmindedly.
"He was difficult to get along with at first, and since he was a sophomore I was really scared of
him when I moved in." Mingyu laughed as he reminisced in the scared and uncertain him of the
beginning of his first year. "But he turned out to just be a guy with harsh words — all bark no
bite, really — and actually a pretty sweet guy at heart. He only moved here four years ago, and
he's already so fluent at the language." Mingyu continued and Wonwoo noted that he spoke
kindly of his roommate.
Part of him was reminded of his own relationship to Seungcheol — his roommate — and how
they had struggled and grown close over the years, their friendship having blossomed into
something steady and something he found himself nowadays relying heavily on without really
thinking about it. He wondered if maybe Mingyu and Minghao would come to have a
relationship akin to theirs in the future.
Mingyu's roommate's interruption had reminded Wonwoo that he was indeed in someone else's
home and that he ought to return to his own place.
He'd actually almost finished all of the breakfast on his plate, which was a pretty good
accomplishment on his side and he nodded towards the plate while holding Mingyu's gaze.
"Thanks for the food."
The other eyed the remains on his plate and Wonwoo wondered if the other thought he hadn't
enjoyed it as much as he'd said since he wasn't familiar with Wonwoo's eating habits.
But when Mingyu looked up at him again, he was smiling, so at least he didn't seem to be
offended.
"It was no problem. Are you leaving?" His eyes followed Wonwoo when he stood and Wonwoo
lingered awkwardly by the table for a moment.
"Uh, yeah. I should get back to... my own place." He said, unsure if he should be feeling
apologetic towards Mingyu or sad that he had to go, neither of which he was feeling as he
looked back at the other and met his eyes. They were strangres, after all.
"Alright." Mingyu said easily and stood, following him out into the living room/hall like a
courteous host. "You got everything?" He asked while Wonwoo checked his pockets and looked
for his shoes in the hallway.
At the question, Wonwoo's eyes drifted to a pack of cigarettes he'd spotted when he woke up,
carelessly discarded in the dark bookcase along one of the walls and he went over and picked it
up, checking if it was empty and findign that it wasn't. He turned to Mingyu and held it up.
"These yours?"
Mingyu raised one of his eyebrows at him — as if the idea of Wonwoo smoking had miffed him
— before he shook his head and Wonwoo pocketed the cigarettes much to the other's apparent
amusement.
He trudged past Mingyu into the narrow hallway and stepped into his boots that had seen better
days, not bothering to tie them before he slipped into his oversized, dark denim jacket and
turned back to Mingyu who'd been watching him in the meanwhile.
"Thanks again. For the food." He said, feeling an awkward atmosphere between them since they
were unsure whether they should be saying goodbye like you did with a friend or just part
without any significant farewell, since they didn't actually know each other. (Did sharing a meal
with someone count as befriending them?)
Well, Wonwoo sort of knew about Mingyu now; the freshman with a clear dream and goal, who
was ambitious and funny and charming and would probably get where he wanted to go one day
without any major or unfortunate incidents to stain his life and the roommate he at the moment
considered kind of a jerk as his best friend supporting him on the most important occassions of
his life. That sounded about right when it came to Mingyu's future, Wonwoo thought.
It was Mingyu who still didn't know anything about Wonwoo, except for his name, and it seemed
as if this didn’t satisfy the younger male.
"You're welcome, Wonwoo. Before you leave," He halted Wonwoo who'd already laid his hand
on the door handle and was about to open it just to turn back to give Mingyu a questioning look
when he was kept back by the other’s inquiry. Mingyu looked into his eyes and offered him a
tilted, kind of dorky-but-still-infuriatingly-managing-to-be-handsome grin that showed off his
perfectly white teeth. "I'd like for Mr. 'Dark and mysterious genie' to grant one of my three
wishes, if it would be alright by him?"
Wonwoo almost wanted to laugh at how the nicknames the other made up for him never
seemed to stop, but his curiosity by the other's request drew his attention more and he turned
his body to face towards Mingyu more fully.
He wanted to tell Mingyu that he really was no genie and that he had to go, but of course
Wonwoo didn't.
"Alright. Let's hear it." He heard himself say instead and Mingyu's smile suddenly looked slightly
nervous, and his eyes glittered with a shy kind of anticipation as they looked into Wonwoo's dark
ones.
"You see, when I woke up this morning I found a random stranger on my couch, drooling in his
sleep," Wonwoo’s hand self consciously went up to see if he had any traces of drool on his face
and was relieved to find that Mingyu was just messing with him. "And I stared at him and
contemplated if I should throw him out, but then I realised that he was actually a pretty
handsome guy and I decided that I'd rather wait for him to wake up by himself and see what kind
of person he was and maybe hopefully get to know him a little.” Mingyu spoke calmly and slowly,
and Wonwoo was almost impressed by the other's persistence and determination as he flirted so
casually with him. “Well, my wish would be to get that guy's number." Mingyu finished, his smile
easy and playful, and Wonwoo had to admire the younger’s bravery.
He also might be a little flattered, but that wasn't relevant at all.
"After talking to him over breakfast, I thought he was pretty cute, and funny, and I was only a
little disappointed that I couldn't get to know him better, but if I had his number..." Mingyu
shrugged and crossed his arms over his chest. "I dunno, maybe I'd have a chance to see him
again."
Wonwoo rubbed his lips together while he contemplated his options.
Mingyu was a bright and attractive person — not only in the aspect of appearance, although he
was that too, but in the sense that he had a personality that drew people to him, and Wonwoo
was no different than anyone else in that regard. Egoistically, he wanted to get to know Mingyu,
but realistically — if he took a step back and looked at the big picture or thought about their
relationship as how it would turn out in the long run — it didn't seem like such a good idea.
There was a reason Wonwoo didn't want to open up to Mingyu, because he wasn't a bright or a
brilliant person. He was ugly, and selfish, and could a lot of times be nasty to the people he cared
about, and he did and had done a lot of dirty and illegal things in his life and in the past. He dealt
weed, for Christ's sake, and his and Mingyu's worlds were on entirely different planes of
existence. They played roles in two completely different movies, and mixing the romantic
comedy of Mingyu's life with his melancholic drama didn't seem like it'd make a very good
cocktail in Wonwoo’s opinion. (He also knew that it would be Mingyu who would get the short
end of the straw, as Wonwoo was sure to taint his life with the darkness he carried in his own
heart.)
So part of him wanted to indulge Mingyu, let him pull him along on a fantastic journey filled with
laughter and sweet kisses pressed against eager lips on early mornings and maybe even heartfelt
confession and genuine promises whispered against heated skin or exchanged between
trembling lips in the dark of night, but Wonwoo couldn't. In honesty, his heart was afraid,
because he knew that if he allowed himself such happiness, he wouldn't come out of the ashes
of their relationship after the flames had been extinguished alive. He knew that, but part of him
still really really wanted to make him suffer through it all anyway.
The other part of him — the one part that helped him keep his cool whenever he was in danger
or laying low as to not be exposed by the cops or caught in the claws of other dealers looking for
him — was bitter with the entire situation. He'd only come to the party to sell and find new
costumers, which he had, and while he was thankful that he'd been fed and had gotten to talk to
Mingyu over breakfast, this kind of scene wasn't one out of his movie. This morning was only an
odd second of a minute of all of the hours of his life, and he had no reason to befriend Mingyu. It
wasn't a relationship he could use to provide to costumers more efficiently or expand his
business, and Mingyu wasn't even someone dense enough for him to take advantage of, so
really, technically speaking, a relationship with Mingyu wouldn't show to be useful to him in any
way, and thus there really was no reason for him to go along with the innocent freshman's
request. This was the cold part of Wonwoo, the black tar that had tainted his heart many, many
years ago and would never come off.
Mingyu was a slice of a life Wonwoo would never get to have, and while it was absolutely
enticing to get a glimpse of, staring in through a window at everything he would never have for a
longer time would only do Wonwoo more harm than good in the end, and he knew this very
well.
Therefore he met the very kind and very charming guy's eyes and tried to convey his regret over
not being born into the same world as him through his gaze.
"Sorry. I can't grant you that wish." Wonwoo watched the Mingyu face fall, the glint in his gaze
dim and his smile drop from his face and Wonwoo felt a small twinge of guilt deep within his
chest at the sight of such a bright sun burning out.
"Oh. That's..." Mingyu never continued his sentence and Wonwoo told himself that it was better
like this. Being mean now just meant that he spared Mingyu the heartache he was sure to bring
him in the future, and maybe, that would be the one thing Wonwoo could look back on later in
life and think that he did right.
Awkwardly bowing his head slightly to finally excuse himself, Wonwoo turned to escape the
suffocating atmosphere that had settled over them in the hallway, but Mingyu's arm on his
shoulder stopped him and held him back and when Wonwoo turned around to look at him he
was surprised to find a determined expression on the younger's face again.
"Hey, wait. Can I at least give you my number?"
Wonwoo blinked. He opened his mouth, then closed it, licked his lips and opened it again, only
to close it again and suck on his bottom lip. He didn't know what was the correct thing for him to
reply, but luckily Mingyu hadn’t expected him to answer so quickly, letting go of Wonwoo and
suddenly appearing bashful as a light flush stained his cheeks and he began playing with his
fingers, averting his eyes and letting them dart anywhere in the hallway around them.
"Look, I — I'm not usually this insistent, I'm sorry if I'm making you uncomfortable or something,
b-but, I dunno — You might find me really weird for saying this, but I feel... really drawn to you
and, and I would really like to get to know you, even though we just met and everything, but I —"
Mingyu's face flushed darker when he realised he was rambling and Wonwoo watched keenly as
the other embarrassedly cleared his throat and collected his thoughts, his voice a lot calmer and
less rushed when he spoke again. "I think you're pretty cool. You seem like a cool person, and if I
would've let you go without at least making an effort, I'm sure I would've spent the next two
months regretting it. Probably longer to be honest. I'm kind of a wallower, someone who turns
things around and under and over again in my head until I can make sense of every angle of
them and — sorry. Some people find it annoying. Minghao often tells me to shut up because I
ramble when I get nervous."
By now Mingyu looked properly humiliated, like he wanted the floor to swallow-him-whole-
already type of humiliated, and Wonwoo still couldn't find any words for him, and they stared at
each other for a while, the freshman flustered and embarrassed and the senior perplexed and
out of his depth.
Finally, Mingyu sighed and dragged a hand over his dark cheeks and through his nicely cut hair,
messing it up quite adorably in the process.
"Just — Take my number? Okay? You don't have to write me, if you don't want to, but like I said,
I'd feel frustrated with myself if I just let this chance slip me by." He said and looked into
Wonwoo's eyes with a pleading expression that reminded Wonwoo of a puppy and gave him a
hard time to refuse.
Not believing himself, Wonwoo licked his lips and nodded slowly. "…Okay." He answered
hoarsely.
Mingyu released a breath of relief that Wonwoo hadn't known he'd been holding, and as he
accepted Wonwoo's phone with nervous, jittery fingers and punched in his digits, Wonwoo
watched his lips turn right back into a smile and Wonwoo decided that a smile definitely suited
the other's face better than a frown.
"There. It's under Kim. Kim Mingyu." Mingyu said as he handed the phone back and Wonwoo
played restlessly with the device in his hands, refusing to unlock the screen to check the newly
added contact for himself even as he was itching to do so. Instead he showed his phone into his
pocket and looked back up at Mingyu to give him a stiff nod.
"OK." He said and Mingyu returned the nod.
"Take care on your way home." He said softly and Wonwoo wanted to punch something (maybe
cry, although he refused to admit that he sometimes did that) because of the overwhelmingly
big heart of Kim Mingyu that he'd been fortunate enough to meet in his life.
"Thank you. Bye..."
"Bye." Mingyu replied.
Wonwoo wondered why he had lingered and waited for the others reply before he turned the
handle and went out the door.

When he finally stepped onto the asphalt outside the apartment complex and into the brisk air
of late spring, Wonwoo exhaled. He pulled the stolen pack of cigarettes from his pocket and put
one to his lips before he fickled with the half-broken lighter he always kept on his person until he
got a nice ember going on the tip of the stick. Inhaling the smoke into his lungs, Wonwoo felt the
tension in his shoulders ease and he tilted his head back to stare up at the bright, clouded, grey
sky.
His heart was still beating inside of his chest, and the feeling was extremely uncomfortable and
made Wonwoo feel uneasy and restless. He wondered what the heck had just happened.
Because of the way he lead his life, the things he did, and the people he hung around, Wonwoo
had experienced many weird and unusual situations or interactions with people, and this
morning definitely made it onto the list of 'weird shit' that he'd compiled in his head over the last
couple of years.
Shoving his hands into his pockets while keeping his cigarette secured to his lips with his teeth
Wonwoo set off over the shared courtyard of the surrounding apartment complexes.
Automatically, his right hand wrapped around the cool metal of his phone in his pocket and
Wonwoo found his steps slowing until he'd come to a complete halt only a couple of meters
away from the door he'd just come out of.
He removed the cigarette from his lips and held it in his left hand as he fished his phone out of
his pocket to hold it in his hands. He unlocked it and gazed down at the contact immediately
popping up on the screen, reading the letters first before reading the numbers in bold beneath
them.
Kim Mingyu.
The other's smile flashed behind his eyes and the bright laughter of the freshman echoed like a
distant summer memory in his mind, delightful and pleasantly warm.
Standing there, Wonwoo grew more and more upset with himself, because even as he'd decided
that he wouldn't have anything to do with Mingyu, wouldn't drag him down into his dirt and
wouldn't taint his promising life with the stain of his existence, he still wasn't a good enough
person to stick to what he knew was right. He should've known that he wouldn't be able to leave
Mingyu be and let the boy live the great life that was meant for him, because Wonwoo couldn't
stop his fingers from flying over the display, and soon he was pressing the phone to his ear and
listening to the tone of the signal reaching out for the device on the other end as he turned
around and looked up towards the eighth floor of the building towering behind him.
It rang four times before Mingyu picked up, sounding flustered and nervous on the other end.
"H-hello? Hi?"
"Go out onto the balcony." Wonwoo said and listened to the other while it sounded like he
stumbled his way through the apartment.
"Okay, I'm — I’m… here." Mingyu's head appeared over the reeling of the balcony far, far above
Wonwoo's head, and Wonwoo took his cigarette between his lips so that he could wave up at
the male peering down at him with his left hand. Mingyu waved back weakly after he'd spotted
him, his hand falling onto the reeling and clutching the metal bar once he was done. "... Hi."
Wonwoo chuckled quietly at how light and breathless Mingyu's voice sounded over the phone,
airy with a nervous excitement that made him wish he could've been able to make out the
other's expression from where he was stood.
"Hey." He removed the cigarette from his lips and exhaled the vicious smoke that was gradually
corrupting his lungs like he would soon be slowly and surely corrupting the freshman.
He wouldn't make any promises. The phone call was already enough to seal their fates, cross
their paths, and join their roads with one another and all that. Wonwoo wasn't sure yet where
they'd end up, but he figured he'd save his regret and guilt for the terrible destination of their
future when they reached it.
"Jeon Wonwoo." He said into the phone, and he could hear the wind blowing up at the height,
somewhere behind Mingyu's breathing through the phone against his ear. "My full name.
Although, if you decide to save my number under my name rather than 'handsome stranger', I
admit that I'd feel a little disappointed."
Even over the phone, Mingyu's laughter sounded beautiful.
"I'll save it under 'two wishes to go', so when I call you later this week to ask you out, I will
remember to remind you about them."
"Alright." Wonwoo said, agreeing easily to the idea of going out with Mingyu. His neck was
starting to hurt from being craned backwards in such a sharp angle, but he didn't want to look
away from the tiny shape of Mingyu’s face eighth floors above him.
"... Jeon Wonwoo."
"Hm?" Wonwoo hummed at the other's mumble as he took another drag of his cancer stick.
"Nothing." It sounded like Mingyu was smiling and a voice in Wonwoo's head wondered how
long it would be before he would be listening to Mingyu over the phone, just like this, but in
tears instead. He shoved that voice into a corner of his mind and hid it behind a shelf.
"So, this Jeon Wonwoo... How old is he? What more is there to know about him other than his
name?"
"Not convinced I'm a genie anymore?"
"Come on." Mingyu laughed and Wonwoo's lips turned upwards in a slight twist. "Alright, fine,
since I don't want to lose my remaining wishes, you still get to be a genie. But do you have genie
years where you're from? Or like, do all genies just not age, or do you have some semblance of
time measurement similar to us humans?" Mingyu talked easily into the line.
"We do." Wonwoo closed his eyes and just listened to the bright voice of the boy he would come
to break.
"... So, how long have you lived, Mr. ‘Handsome stranger’?"
"… Two million four hundred and thousand years."
"Okay." Mingyu chuckled, accepting the numbers easily, and Wonwoo could make out that he
was now leaning his head against his arm while peering down at him when he opened his eyes
again. "… Twenty-four isn't that much older than me. That’s what? Five years, right?"
Wonwoo inhaled the last part of his cigarette before he threw the remaining butt into the
ground and revelled in the feeling of the nicotine now coursing through his body and making him
feel relaxed and clear headed at the same time.
"Trust me. It's a whole different world, kid." He said softly and gave a bitter smile that the youth
on the balcony couldn't see.
Sensing that the other was getting ready to leave, Mingyu straightened up upstairs while still
looking down at him so far below.
"Can I text you?" Came the question through the phone, and Wonwoo pressed his lips together.
"... sure." He said after a while, and he could tell Mingyu was smart enough to understand that
his pause had meant that even if the younger did text him, Wonwoo might just chose to not
reply.
Calling Mingyu had been a whim, and Wonwoo was still unsure if he was really going to go
through with this, subject Mingyu to him and get involved and invested in the other’s life.
"Okay." Came the calm answer and Wonwoo wondered if Mingyu wished he could see his
expression too. "Talk to you later?" He sounded uncertain, but in Wonwoo's opinion that was a
good thing, because that meant that Mingyu might actually make the right choice and never
contact him again, but his small prayer was squashed again when the other cleared his throat
and spoke a lot more confidently through the line. "No. I'll call you. When my classes aren't so
busy in the week. I’ll call you, okay?"
"Yeah. Okay." Wonwoo agreed pathetically and whispered a good bye that Mingyu returned
before they both hung up.
They both remained in their spots a bit longer — Wonwoo down on the ground, looking up at
Mingyu and Mingyu on the balcony looking down at him — and then they both waved shyly to
one another before they actually turned back around to their own lives. Mingyu stepped back
inside to clean the apartment, wake his roommate up and get some schoolwork done, and
Wonwoo started on his journey back to his place where he planned to get high, fall asleep and
waste another day away.
As he put the apartment complexes behind him, Wonwoo's mind was spinning with Mingyu —
someone he hadn’t ever planned to meet, someone that was far too intact to be involved with
him, someone handsome and interesting and dangerous — and he clutched his phone inside of
his pocket until his knuckles turned white. His heart was light in his chest as he walked, but his
steps were heavy against the cold, hard asphalt, weighed down by the ominous burden of an ill
fate he felt like he had been suddenly cursed with.
he loves me (he loves me not)

Kim Mingyu first meets Jeon Wonwoo in high school. It was your typical scene of typical boy
saving typical nerd from typical bullies.
(And of course, the ever so typical sparks flying and falling in love and what not.)
“Oh, you must be Jeon Wonwoo. I’m Kim Mingyu.”
“Are you okay?” Wonwoo asks frantically, ignoring the rather irrelevant introduction.
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Mingyu assures him as the other helps him get up from the ground. There’s
bruises all over his fragile-looking legs and Wonwoo can’t help but grimace at the sight. He
opens his mouth to say something but Mingyu cuts him off. “And it’s okay, really. You don’t have
to get ‘even’ with them.”
“But they hurt you,” he says defensively.
The younger (Wonwoo knows he’s younger because when you have a crush on someone,
you might learn a thing or two) laughs softly and waves his hands. “Maybe, I don’t know, maybe
they’re hurting on the inside as well.”
“Hating yourself doesn’t mean it’s a reason to hate others.”
Mingyu grins. “True, but sometimes people do need distractions.”
Wonwoo furrows his eyebrows. Mingyu is a really nice person, he realizes. Perhaps, a little bit
too nice; always ready to forgive to anyone who did him dirty and smiles plastered on his face as
if the world isn’t that bad.
He guesses that’s probably the reason why he knew that his small crush on the younger will turn
into something bigger—and bigger it is, as he falls in love with him. Wonwoo tells him just that at
end of the year, when the first snow falls and everything feels beautiful and magical and perfect.
It’s been years and they’re still together and Mingyu is forever grateful for that.
But like all things, it doesn’t last.
(Happy endings never do.)

×××

Mingyu starts coughing up flower petals.

The first time he did, he thought it was nothing. Maybe a rare case of stomach flu, he tries to
reason. Something—anything that isn’t what he thought it was.
But after a few times, he slowly runs out of reasons to assure (or rather, fool) himself and
gradually becomes conscious of the horrible fact. His knees turn weak at the thought, his
breathing is uneven at the cruel realization and he feels like crying because it can’t be.
But it is.
Hanahaki disease.
“The Hanahaki Disease is an illness born from one-sided love,” he swallows the lump in his throat
as he reads what was stated on the screen of his phone, “where the patient throws up and
coughs up flower petals when they suffer from one-sided lov—”
He doesn’t even finish reading because he throws his phone to God knows where as he bolts
right up and dashes into the bathroom, disgorging the petals.
He feels pathetic as he watches the petals. His body is numb and his back hurts like hell. His
heart aching, mind racing and tears threatening to fall.
“Mingyu?”
He would stay there for a few more minutes—the whole night actually—but Wonwoo is home
and he probably heard the younger gagging in the bathroom.
“Just a sec,” he calls out, his voice hoarse and he cringes.
Mingyu opens the door and he jumps slightly when he is met with concern eyes. Wonwoo leans
in. “You okay?”
He tries for a smile.
No. I’m not okay. I’m throwing up flower petals because the guy I love doesn’t love me anymore
and everything feels like hell, you know? He wanted to say just that but he gulps the words down
instead. (The same way he tries to gulp down the flower petals.)
“Fine. Just probably ate something bad this morning.”
“Oh,” Wonwoo says and shakes the plastic bag in Mingyu’s face and smiles playfully. “So all these
ice cream is mine, then?”
Mingyu manages to let out a giggle but it sounds so bitter. “No, give me.”
A few minutes later, Wonwoo is in the bathroom and Mingyu is eating chocolate-flavoured ice
cream, waiting for him to watch a movie.
The white roses in the vase on top of the coffee table is mocking him (he made a mental note to
throw those out), reminding him of the fact that his feelings for Wonwoo is now unrequited—
unreciprocated.
The tears gathering in his eyes are threatening to fall but he quickly blinks them away as
Wonwoo walks in.
“So which part of the movie did I mi—”
Mingyu cuts him off, voice shaking. Unconfident and so, so unsure. “Hyung, you l-love me right?”
A stupid question, Mingyu. He doesn’t love you anymore. You can literally feel it inside of you.
There’s a fucking flower around your heart. Don’t be hopeful—please, please, please don’t be
hopeful.
Yet, he wants to be hopeful. Forces himself to. Because maybe, just maybe, this isn’t the
Hanahaki disease and Wonwoo isn’t falling out of love.
But there’s a hesitation. A short pause.
“Of course,” Wonwoo smiles but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”

×××

The lie on his mouth—nothing.

The flower petals he throws up at the devil’s hour says otherwise.
Everything’s wrong, he thinks as he trudges back to the bedroom.
Wonwoo is peacefully sleeping, his back towards Mingyu and he decides not to sleep. He
wouldn’t get any sleep, anyways.
So he sits at the table in the dining room with a glass of water in his hand. It’s raining outside and
he decides to calm himself by closing his eyes and listening to the sounds of rain droplets falling
from the sky—pitter patter pitter patter—as it kisses the Earth.

You do know it’s raining, right? Mingyu asks and Wonwoo laughs and it sounds like a laugh that
stars listen for.
That what makes it more fun!
The younger laughs. It’s impossible not to when Wonwoo is smiling from ear to ear. We’ll get
sick.
Then, at least, we’ll both get sick together.
Together?
Together.

Thunderstorms brings him back to reality and suddenly, the room feels cold, colder, colder and
the raindrops doesn’t sound relaxing anymore.
He opens his eyes and blinks, once, twice and realizes he’s crying. He’s not even surprised,
anymore. He’s been crying secretly—out of Wonwoo’s sight and earshot, late at night, in the late
wee hours of the morning.
It’s so pathetic that it’s almost hilarious.
He’s adding more pain to his heart, more sorrow to help the thorns grow because he’s obviously
aware that one day, Wonwoo will have to break up with him.
He just didn’t know it was going to be sooner.
And he surely wasn’t ready to hear those words that spills out of Wonwoo’s mouth like acid on
fresh wounds.

×××

“Mingyu,” Wonwoo takes a deep breath and Mingyu braces himself, sad eyes already filled with
tears, “I want to break up.”
He knew it would hurt, he just didn’t know it would this much.
“If that’s what you want,” Mingyu says as stands up from the kitchen table (they were having
lunch when Wonwoo blurted it out), smiling as the tears shed. “I’ll help you pack up if you w-
want me to.”
His voice cracks at the end of his words and Wonwoo looks at him in surprise (because how
could Mingyu just calmly react to that?), expression softening as he walks up to him and
proceeds to hug him tightly.
(Mingyu wished he could keep this warmth.)
“Thank you for all these years. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay as long as you wanted me to. Everything
just kinda burned out, you know? I hope you understand.”
(Mingyu doesn’t.)
The younger closes his eyes for a moment.

He’s standing out in the snow. It’s cold but Wonwoo’s hands are warm wrapped around
his. Mingyu, he says like he’s the best thing that ever happened to him and he looks up, I love
you.

He opens his eyes and Wonwoo has his hands wrapped around his but it doesn’t feel warm
anymore. It doesn’t feel like… home.
Mingyu opens his mouth to respond but instead of words, he throws up petals instead. Chest
tightening and it hurts. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts.
“Oh, God,” Wonwoo grabs him by the shoulders. “Mingyu! You okay?”
Mingyu’s breath hitches as he looks into the older’s eyes.

I love you, too.

“Y-Yeah,” he manages to croak out.

The younger falls to the floor, wrapping his arms around his legs and sighs because great, he just
couldn’t control himself, can he? He just had to show the all pain he’s been harbouring for
weeks in front of him. He mentally curses at the Fates, at any deity nameable.
“Is this—”
“Flower petals. Hanahaki disease. Tragic, huh?” There’s an ugly taste in his mouth as he said that
rather harshly.
Wonwoo drops his knees, cupping his face and stroking his cheeks gently. His hands are slightly
shaking, Mingyu realizes. “S-so you knew all along?”
Mingyu nods, not trusting his voice at the moment.
“If you knew,” a tear rolls down his cheeks, “why did you stay?”
Mingyu doesn’t hesitate. “Because even if I knew it was gonna end, I wanted to cherish every
moment with you.”
“I’m so sorry. I’m sorry. I’m s-sorry,” Wonwoo pulls him into another hug and Mingyu pats his
back.
“It’s not your fault,” It’s mine, he thought. It’s my fault that I had to continue loving someone
even if there were thorns growing in my lungs and my heart was crying for help and begging to
put it out of it’s misery.
Wonwoo is still shaking and Mingyu almost says I thought I was the only broken one here. I guess
that makes us broken pieces of each other, right? but he doesn’t. There’s no point, anymore.
Instead, he cups the older cheeks and wipes his tears. “Hey, hey. Please don’t cry. It’s nothing,
okay? I’ll fall out of this love, just like you. It’s normal.”
It’s not. Feelings are never normal. Mingyu knows that.
After a while, Wonwoo stands up. “Goodbye, Kim Mingyu. Thank you, once again,” With that, he
leaves.
Mingyu closes his eyes again and he cries.

If you can go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Wonwoo hums, thinking. Doesn’t matter. As long as you’re there with me.
You wouldn’t leave me? Mingyu asks and he leans in, eyes locked with eyes.
Wonwoo kisses him, closing the gap between them. Never.

×××

Mingyu gets into a fight with his parents four months later because they still couldn’t believe
that their perfect ‘son-in-law’ is gone.
Oh, right. He remembers.
He remembers that his parents adored Wonwoo. He remembers both of them always asking
how Wonwoo is doing. He remembers them giving their blessing (even if he didn’t ask for it, yet)
to him. He remembers them asking when he was going to ask for his hand in marriage. He
remembers. God, does he remembers.
“Wonwoo’s gone. He—” left me. No, he didn’t. He simply fell out of love. It burned out, the older
said. Just like a match—it lights up, bright and yellow but burns out quick, leaving only a black
remainder.
“Why would you let go of him just like that?” His mother snaps at him then gasps when the
flower petals he furiously throws up on the carpet answered her question.
“He doesn’t love me anymore,” he clears his throat, looking at his mother dead in the eye as she
scrambles to where he is seating to wipe his mouth. “Simple as that.”
“You should at least put up a fight,” his father commented from where he is standing by the
window. “At least that would have shown you’re actually worth it.”
Mingyu stays quiet because maybe his father is actually right for once.
After a few nights of constant visits from his parents (because they still expected Wonwoo to be
there and still expected their son to just be joking even though he fucking threw up petals in
front of their fucking eyes), he’s fed up and stays at Seungcheol’s, one of the people he could
trust and actually cares for his well-being.

×××

Seungcheol pours the hot chocolate in Mingyu’s mug. “That Star Wars movie was really good.
Really stirred me up real good.”
“I hope you stirred this hot choco real good, too,” Mingyu says and Seungcheol laughs. “So, what
are we watching next?”
“Uh, let’s see,” Seungcheol sets his cup down and rummages through his box of DVDs. Majority
of them are Disney and Mingyu snorts.
“Disney, are you serious?”
“Shut up.”
“Wait, let’s watch that one!” Mingyu points to the DVD in Seungcheol’s left hand.
“Lion King, really?”
Mingyu grins mischievously. “Gives a reason to sing the intro.”
Seungcheol mirrors his smile. “Good point.”
The movie starts and in sync, they sing the intro loudly and comically, laughter filling the up the
quiet apartment and it feels like old high school days where they would both often have
sleepovers, cuddled up in blankets with a pizza box on the table.
The would laugh until their sides hurt and they would talk shit about other people because that’s
what best friends do. Seungcheol would always tease the other about his feelings for—
Mingyu instinctively slaps a hand on his mouth.
Of course Fate would play him dirty. It would make him forget about the boy he loved for so
many years, give him some time—only hours and a few minutes—of happiness and then yank it
back and remind him that he still has feelings for Wonwoo.
He almost forgot that he still has feelings for Wonwoo.
Almost.
He stands up, feeling dizzy again and runs to the bathroom. Seungcheol follows him after and
frowns at the sight of Mingyu puking out familiar petals.
“Sad to know that you haven’t moved on.”
Sadder to know that I may never will, Mingyu thinks. Seungcheol walks to him and pats his back,
comforting him and helping him soon after.
Once they’re back on the couch, they both knew none of them were paying attention to the
movie.
“Do you want to know what kind of petals they were?” Seungcheol asks and Mingyu nods,
curious because of course, flowers have meanings too.
“Iris,” Seungcheol looks at him, ready for the younger’s reaction. “It means hope.”
The movie was long forgotten and instead, Mingyu’s cries and whimperings were the only
sounds heard that night.

Oh, an Iris flower. Wonwoo points to a plotted plant by the window.

Hm? Mingyu hums. Is it? My mom brought it last week.
They are one of my favourite flowers.
Why is that?
I love what Iris flowers mean.
 ×××

Mingyu used to love flowers. Used to be deeply in thoughts about the meanings of flowers
(because Seungcheol studies them and would always tell the younger about it) and used to think
they’re one of the prettiest things in the world.
But after roughly a year, Mingyu finally had enough of flowers and was so goddamn tired of
waking up to see flower petals scattered on his bed and around him, screaming at him: you, my
friend, is still in love!
As his best friend, Seungcheol tells him that he can actually cure it by removing it with surgery.
“Why didn’t you tell me this before?” Mingyu scoffs, angrily. He’s been suffering for a year and
only now, Seungcheol tells him?
“There’s a downside.”
Mingyu srunches his nose. “What is it?”
Seungcheol takes a deep breath. “You won’t have any feelings for him anymore. None. Poof, just
like that.”
He doesn’t know which God humans have offended to have something as cruel and wicked as
the Hanahaki disease to exist but if he was given the chance, he would apologize for the sake of
mankind and their fragile, paper thin hearts.

×××

It takes Mingyu a few days to decide to take the surgery.

His parents—even though they still love Wonwoo—sighs in defeat because even they know that
this is his life and supports him in this decision.
“We’ll meet with the doctor on Monday. Are you really sure about this?” his mother asks as she
strokes a few strands of his hair.
“Yeah,” he clutches his heart. “I’m sure.”
His lungs and ribcage are already twisted and tangled with the branches, poking his fragile heart
from time to time.
He knows what’s coming for him if this continues.
But there’s a part deep inside of him that he doesn’t want to remove the feelings he has for
Wonwoo from him. It’s selfish and cruel to his poor heart which has been abused since he was
little.
This dark part—this very, very dark part—actually prefers puking out flower petals and keeping
the butterflies he gets when he thinks of Wonwoo than to feel nothing at all.
Mingyu wonders if he has totally lost his mind.

×××

“Alright, Mr. Kim. This surgery wouldn’t be painful at all but there is a side-effect,” the doctor
takes of his reading glasses and puts it on his table. “The petals will be gone, along with the
feelings. Are you sure you want to take this surgery?”
Seungcheol said something of the same words. “That’s the reason why I want it gone. I don’t
want to continue loving this person, anymore.”
Lies. All lies.
“Just like the rest of my patients,” the doctor coughs. “Humans are sad, sad creatures to be
treated like this, huh?”
Mingyu notices there are flower petals in the waste basket and around it. There are bright yellow
petals on the doctor’s table, too.
He frowns and nods.
Very, very sad indeed.

×××

The surgery was a success. No more flower petals, no more waking up at 2 AM to throw up and
no more feelings for Wonwoo. The roots in his ribcage and around his lungs were removed, and
so was the pain. His chest feels free and light.
“We’re totally gonna celebrate,” Seungcheol says once he was brought home from the hospital.
“I literally just went through surgery.”
“Well, not now, dummy,” he rolls his eyes. “Next week, we’re going to this amusement park that
I’m dying to. Please?”
Mingyu laughs. “Of course.”
How could he say no? He doesn’t have to worry about the flower petals. He doesn’t have to
worry about getting looks of pity from people when he coughs out a few. It’s okay. I’m okay.

×××

Mingyu sees Wonwoo in a library two years later and invites him over to his apartment to catch
up with things.
He knows he shouldn’t have approached the familiar figure but he can’t stop himself. Wouldn’t,
even if he tried. There’s nothing to be afraid of, he assures himself.
What am I even afraid of? He asks, as he scans the man from head to toe. He looks different
now. He’s grown taller and he’s wearing glasses. Oh, that’s right. I’m afraid of falling—again.
“Wonwoo?”
The figure turns around and his heart no longer races. His mind is clear as the sky—no clouds,
just a bright, blue view. His hands don’t shake and he smiles.
“Mingyu.”
(And even though they used to be lovers, Mingyu is kind and patient and was never stingy with
love.)
“It’s been a while, huh?” Wonwoo asks before taking a sip of the coffee.
“Three years,” Mingyu pours himself a cup before promptly sitting down next to him. “So what
are you up to?”
“Just got a bachelor degree in History. The University of Seoul offered me a job. Kinda got my life
planned.”
“That’s good.”
Wonwoo sighs. “But there’s one part of my life that hasn’t been planned yet,” When Mingyu
doesn’t reply, Wonwoo looks at him. “Are those petals really gone?”
Suddenly, the coffee tastes even bitter. “Y-Yeah.”
“And that means your feelings for me is gone too, right?”
Mingyu tilts his head slightly. “Where are you going with th—”
“I fell in love, again,” Wonwoo cuts him off, “w-with you. And yeah, I was so stupid to leave you
just like that a few years ago. I’m even more stupid to ask for you to take me back right now. I’m
sorry, I really am but believe me when I say I love you.”
Everything feels familiar and so foreign at the same but Mingyu doesn’t know what to say.
Doesn’t know what to do.
He looks down at his hands, hugging the coffee mug a little too tight it might break. He’s thinking
of the right words to say and the correct actions to do because this was never supposed to
happen.
There’s a silence, then a choking sound and Mingyu looks up.
Wonwoo is coughing up flower petals.

The End || Wonwoo X Mingyu

Description
When you're dying alone, you wish for stupid things and a happy ending to your story.
When you find a quiet voice that shakes you and a smile that melts your heart, you stray from
where you thought you'd always be.
Ultimately, we all end up somewhere; our endings either happy, or leaving us broken hearted.

Foreword

The lamps in the court finally came to life, flickering around them like fireflies in the
spring. The stars were now dull from their spot in their own world.

Mingyu was normally rational, he normally told his patients that things weren't always
fluff and positivity, but maybe it was the silent night or the look in Wonwoo's eyes that
made him start a promise he couldn't guarantee he could keep. He felt the stars would
forgive him even if he betrayed his doctor's oath.

"Then I will. I won't let you go as a forgotten tragedy."

The court outside of the hospital was usually empty, void of any motion apart from the rustling
vegetation that was maintained by the gardener. Mingyu noticed this whenever he walked
through the skywalks, day after day, going from one hospital room to the other.
The grass was evenly cut and so bright it threatened to blind him. Around the edges of the court
were his favourite maple trees, tall and strong and a circle of fire in the fall. A stone path cut into
the middle of the plain of grass, leading to park benches and a fountain that had broken too long
ago for Mingyu to remember what it was like when it flowed with water.
He had memorized every rock and every flower, never failing to notice the smallest changes in
the court.
That's why, on the 25th of April, he singled out the small figure sitting on a beige rock in the late
evening, although it should have been barely visible in the dwindling light. He thought it a normal
occurrence, just another patient outside to get a breath of fresh air; it wasn't completely
unusual.
Then, on the 26th of April he saw them again. The wind ruffling the stranger's dark hair and
contrasting pajamas.
On the 27th, they were in the same place.
And the 28th.
And the 29th.
And the 30th.
The 1st of May, Mingyu decided to change his usual route and skipped the skywalk, making
immediately for the eerie stairway he usually avoided. It was made of grey stone, dark wood and
malfunctioning lights that seemed to flicker despite the amount of times the employees claimed
to have fixed it. He preferred not to use this particular stairwell, but it was the only way to reach
the court from this wing of the hospital.
When he broke through the warmth of the inside of the hospital he found himself standing
beside a bed of flowers that he usually only saw from above. Up close they were even more
vibrant than he had initially thought, although he had no clue what type of flowers they were. He
just knew they were planted in every corner.
Navigating his way through the dark court, Mingyu's eyes searched for the beige rock he had
been looking at more often the past five days. He passed his favourite tree, skipped over a bush
he had always thought was a bit unruly, and brushed past the new apple tree sapling they had
planted a couple of days ago. At the end of his path, he found the big rock and the person sitting
atop it, his long legs dangling off the edge and looking awfully cold.
It was a boy-or man, Mingyu wasn't actually sure. His face was young and his body seeming small
despite his height, but his eyes were tired, giving him an air of years of sad experience.
Mingyu was drawn in by those eyes.
"Hi." Mingyu said tentatively, taking off his white doctor's coat so that he could fold it over his
arms. He took a step forward, far enough that he could lean up on the rock, the stranger now a
mere foot away.
The stranger looked up, his eyes lighting up with surprise. His legs stilled and rested against the
rock, brushing once against Mingyu's side.
Mingyu was overly aware of that small contact, his side warming a little despite how cold the
stranger's foot was. He noticed for the first time that his feet were bare. They weren't even
donning the hospital's slippers.
"Hello." The stranger finally replied, his deep voice barely audible in the evening's silence.
"Aren't you cold?" Mingyu asked.
"Not really."
The reply didn't give Mingyu much to work with, but he was determined to have a conversation
with the lonely patient who definitely had a story that he wanted to hear.
"Really? Well, that's good then, we can stay out here for a while."
Mingyu hoisted himself up on the rock and settled next to the boy, making sure that he wasn't
touching him in any way. There was a small space next to them that was filled with the heat of
their two bodies. None of them leaned into it even though the cold air tempted them to.
"What's your name?"
Mingyu turned to look at the man who's attention was directed at the changing sky. He got a
good glance of his side profile, his sharp jaw, straight nose and thin lips.
He didn't divert his focus when he replied to Mingyu's question. "Wonwoo."
The name seemed all too fitting to Mingyu. It sounded a little mysterious, and also very
beautiful.
"Wonwoo." Mingyu tried, testing to see how the sounds rolled off his tongue and the one in
question turned his head towards his name.
Mingyu took advantage of the situation and caught Wonwoo's gaze with his own, locking their
eyes together for the first time. A grin lit up Mingyu's expression while he took in the sight of
Wonwoo's eyes. They were a dark brown, so dark he had nearly mistaken them to be black.
"I'm Kim Mingyu."
"Mingyu," Wonwoo repeated before he could stop himself. The way his voice wrapped around
Mingyu's name was unlike what Mingyu was used to. His voice made his name seem bright and
alive even though Wonwoo's voice was even and deep.
"It sounds nice when you say it," Mingyu said truthfully, not even thinking about it before he
threw it out into the wind.
Wonwoo's cheeks were already pink from the cold, and so the blush that crept onto his face
went unnoticed by Mingyu. Although, he did notice the way his lips parted in shock and the facial
expression pulled another smile from Mingyu.
"Why are you out here alone?" Mingyu continued, moving on from the topic that was clearly
causing Wonwoo to become flustered.
Wonwoo had to clear his throat before he spoke. "It's nice."
Mingyu noticed that all of Wonwoo's replies were curt and to the point so he would have to be
ready to follow up.
"I agree, I love the gardener's work. His name's Seokmin, did you know?"
A shake of his head.
"He comes early every morning and tends to all of the plants before the sun is yet to reach it's
highest. I don't know how he does it, but all of my favourites are right here in this garden."
Wonwoo found new interest in the plants surrounding them as Mingyu talked and focused on
the bush closest to them.
"Which one's your favourite?" Mingyu asked when he got only silence as a reply.
Another stretch of silence before Wonwoo shrugged. "I don't know..." He trailed off, turning his
eyes back to Mingyu who had never taken his focus off of him. "I don't know anything about
plants."
The fact that he had spoken more than one sentence caused Mingyu to become ridiculously
giddy. It felt like a victory, no matter how small the action had been.
"I'm no professional, but there are a few things I know." Mingyu stretched out his arm and
pointed at a plant that was near their feet. "That's a juniper bush, there are a few them here."
He turned his hand the slightest bit to point at the flowers resting near the rock. "And those are
Muscari flowers. Great for teas and medicinal pastes."
Wonwoo nodded, and a small smile made an appearance on his lips. Mingyu was taken aback for
just a second. The smile was soft and so different from what he had been expecting from the
mysterious boy who had been nothing but placid looks and short replies. Mingyu found himself
opening a small space in his mind for the memory of this smile.
It took an awkward second for him to go back to his task at hand.
He continued to rant on about the plants covering every inch of the court, looking back every
minute to watch Wonwoo's expression. He was silent the entire time, but Mingyu delighted in
the thought that he was actually enjoying what he was explaining.
Mingyu went over everything from the actual flowers to the weeds sneaking their way into the
beds of different vegetation. He left out only the things he didn't know, which was the variety of
flower which he had fallen upon when he entered the court. He explained for so long that the
sun had set completely and the stars were shining brilliantly over their heads like glitter spilled
over a sheet of dark, navy blue.
Somewhere down the line, he had casually draped his coat over Wonwoo, and was too
distracted to notice that he himself was shaking from the chill.
"And that-right there, is grass," Mingyu said with a chuckle and a small snort came from
Wonwoo.
"I know that much." He said, now more comfortable with the doctor who had spent the last
minutes ranting about flowers, trees, and leaves. "But which one are those?"
Wonwoo pointed to the bright red-rimmed, yellow flowers that Mingyu had purposefully
skipped.
"I like those ones," Wonwoo said.
"I... Don't actually know those ones."
Mingyu felt strangely disappointed in himself for not knowing, but he had always guessed they
were roses because they were somewhat similar. While he was always busy with the hyacinths
and Angelica flowers, he had never once stopped to see those ones.
"But you're such a plant nerd."
Mingyu's jaw dropped a little at the blunt comment that came from Wonwoo.
"Did you just call me a nerd?"
Wonwoo shrugged.
"You kind of are."
Mingyu shook his head in mock disbelief.
"I go out of my way to help teach a curious student and he insults me!" He placed his hand over
his chest, wincing. Mingyu felt his acting was even better today than it usually was.
Wonwoo laughed. His white teeth showing past his pink lips, and his deep voice going a bit
higher to let out bubbles of laughter.
It made Mingyu equally as happy and he began laughing as well.
Each laugh echoed in the empty court and mixed with the rustling of the trees. The sound was
like music and Mingyu believed he could live the rest of his life listening to it. Having only known
Wonwoo for less than two hours, he found it incredulous. But he was so comfortable with the
light air that they sat in together that he just wanted to stay.
While Wonwoo's laughter was even and controlled, Mingyu's was all over the place. He bent
over and swayed from side to side, moving constantly as the laughter shook it's way out of him.
After a while, Wonwoo was no longer laughing because of what was said, but because of the way
Mingyu laughed. It was ridiculous to him how someone could move so much while laughing.
They laughed so hard they couldn't breathe, and Mingyu leaned over onto Wonwoo by accident,
their bodies pressed up against each-other. They were both freezing and now their bodies
refused to stray too far from the warmth coming from each-other. They stayed liked that,
howling laughter flying around them in echoes and clear tones.
The night only ended once Wonwoo claimed to hate Mingyu's laugh.

Mingyu learned that the flower's name was Begonia, and that they sold them at the florists shop
a street down from them. When he had found out he had raced to the skywalk without thinking,
his eyes landing on the beige rock within a second. He was wrong to do so, of course, because
Wonwoo only sat on the rock in the evenings, something that Mingyu should have known.
He had to walk back to his office with his head hanging, avoiding the curious stares of the nurses
who adored gossip. They had eyes like hawks' and Mingyu had been the subject of their
whispering far too many times for his liking.
As he turned the last corner before his office, he saw a familiar pattern in his peripheral vision. It
could have been any patient's pyjamas, but he found the one he was looking for passing him in
the hallway with a nurse holding his arm.
"Wonwoo!" He exclaimed a little too excitedly.
The two paused and turned to the doctor who resembled a dog, wagging its tail in excitement.
"I figured out it's name. It's a Begonia," Mingyu said without a second for a breath, examining the
way Wonwoo's eyes lit up at the information given. "It's good for stomach diseases."
Wonwoo smiled, a genuine smile that was bright and just as excited. "It's a nice name."
Mingyu felt a little stupid, grinning so widely, but Wonwoo's love for the flower was a subject of
interest for Mingyu, and he enjoyed the expression on Wonwoo's face. He wanted to know more
about him, and everything that he saw, heard or felt was propelling him to satisfy his curiosity.
The moment was broken when he noticed the nurse motioning to him that he needed to go.
A knot of unease unfurled in the pit of Mingyu's stomach as he nodded, waving to Wonwoo. He
had forgotten that they were on their way to somewhere, and if it were somewhere in the
hospital it couldn't have been very good.
"It seems you have to go. I'll see you later?"
Wonwoo waved back just as a doctor rushed in between the two of them.
"Bye."
And Wonwoo was making his way down the hall again, leaving Mingyu with his unanswered
question.

"I met Seokmin the other day." Wonwoo said, his fingers twirling a bright begonia that had been
given to him by the said gardener.
It had been four days since Mingyu found out the flower's name, and it was the second day since
then that they actually met up. The first was in his hospital room. Mingyu had thought that he
had been discharged-or something worse had happened. Needless to say, he had raced down
the stairwell when he had seen Wonwoo sitting atop the rock.
"Yeah? What did you think? He's pretty funny, isn't he?"
Wonwoo nodded. "He made some really bad puns."
Mingyu knew very well the kind of jokes Seokmin liked to make, and the idea that he had shared
some with Wonwoo caused a chuckle to tumble through his lips.
"Did he tell you the joke about his fear of gardening?"
"I don't think so."
"Oh, you have to hear it."
Mingyu shifted and crossed his legs underneath him, his shoes catching in his coat. He had to
take a second to readjust himself, and in that time, Wonwoo turned to face him.
Mingyu opened his mouth to start but stopped short when a laugh came out involuntarily. He
attempted to suppress it with his hands and Wonwoo was rolling his eyes.
"I'm sorry -- sorry," Mingyu gasped as he straightened himself. "Okay." He cleared his throat and
squared himself so he could look Wonwoo in the eyes. Somewhere in the back of his mind,
Mingyu noticed that they seemed to be the same height.
"So, Seokmin was always afraid of gardening..." Mingyu brought up his hands for added dramatic
effect.
"And then he decided to grow a pear."
Mingyu tried his best to stay straight faced but his body gave in faster than he would have liked,
laughter throwing him around as it always did. He couldn't control himself as he attempted to
repeat the punchline between bursts of giggling.
It took Wonwoo a second to join in, his reason for chuckling very different from Mingyu's.
"That was so stupid," Wonwoo said cheerily, his entire face lit up by a smile that showcased his
teeth.
Mingyu pointed a finger right at him. "But you're laughing!"
Wonwoo quickly covered his mouth with his hand, turning away from Mingyu so he was looking
towards the windows of the hospital. The lights were beginning to turn off, as they always did at
that time of the day.
It took Mingyu a bit before he could calm down, and when he finally did, Wonwoo was still
smiling at him although the smile had softened.
"It's my favourite joke," Mingyu said honestly, never one to deny something that made him
happy. He had learned long ago that no matter how silly, sharing happiness in any form was
always the right thing.
"Is he actually afraid of gardening, though?" Wonwoo questioned, his lips turned down in
curiosity.
"Yes, actually."
"Really?" Wonwoo's head tilted in the slightest way, and Mingyu's heart stuttered so quick that
he nearly missed it happening at all. "How do you know?"
"I was his doctor."
Wonwoo nodded slowly, realization dawning on his face. "So you're some kind of psychologist?"
"Yeah. I'm a psychiatrist."
A pause. The lights in the rooms across from them turned off.
"Is that why you're talking to me? Is there something wrong with me?"
"I don't know." Mingyu's gaze was fixed on Wonwoo, while the latter's was towards the ground.
"You're at the hospital, you tell me."
The lights from the skywalk flickered off.
"... I don't think there's anything wrong with me--mentally."
His voice was barely above a whisper, filled with uncertainty and questioning.
"What's your reason for being at the hospital, then?" Mingyu asked, straight forward.
Wonwoo raised his head to meet Mingyu's gaze, his eyes gliding over all of his features,
searching for something. Mingyu felt a sad confession coming, and he began regretting asking
the question at all. At least his curiosity would be satisfied.
"I have stomach cancer."
The last lights from the lobby turned off, and they were immersed in darkness. The sky was clear,
but the moon was nowhere in sight. Only the stars were twinkling, though they didn't do much in
terms of illuminating.
Mingyu had the sudden urge to ask something else, although he was afraid it would seem like he
was avoiding the subject.
Maybe he was. He didn't think he should've felt so afraid, but maybe he didn't want to hear a
story that could hurt him.
He decided to ask. "Why are you always out here alone?"
Mingyu couldn't see Wonwoo in the darkness, but he could tell he was confused at the sudden
change in topic.
"I said before, it's nice-"
"But that's not all of it."
Silence. Mingyu wished he could see Wonwoo's face, wished he could decipher what was going
on inside of his mind. He leaned forward, fully aware that their faces were inches apart but from
that distance he could see those dark eyes that held so many mysteries. His head was tilted
down, eyelashes fluttering as he blinked fast.
"You're right."
Mingyu could feel Wonwoo's breath on his neck and he swore his heart was going to stop.
"I was sitting out here in the hopes that someone would find me." Something akin to a wry smile
was visible in the dark light. "That's childish, I know."
"Why do you want to be found?" Mingyu breathed, leaning back so that his heart would stop
attempting to make its way through his chest. He wondered why it was so frantic. He didn't have
anxiety and he never had panic attacks before. Mingyu made a mental note that he would have
to look into it later.
"Because I'm dying, because I never lived the way I wanted to live, because I don't want to leave
as a forgotten tragedy... There are lots of reasons."
Mingyu had heard these things before, too many times for him to count. He had sympathized for
all of them, tried to put himself where they were, but none of them made him feel as he did
then. He felt as if someone had dropped an entire country's stresses and worries on his shoulder,
crushing him to the point where he couldn't breathe. Just one glance at Wonwoo's eyes caused
the feeling to double.
"And so? You've been found, what now?" Mingyu continued, wondering what it was that
Wonwoo wanted from a stranger who had found him.
Wonwoo seemed hesitant, as if he were picking apart the words that he wanted to say. He
started, but stopped. And started again, and stopped again.
It took him a while to form a full sentence.
"I don't want my story to end as a one person tragedy..." Wonwoo trailed, thinking of a way to
continue.
"You want a happy ending?"
Wonwoo's head finally came back up, and from where Mingyu was sitting, it looked as if a crown
of stars had been placed above him. Mingyu knew then that he was the most beautiful person he
had ever had the luck of meeting.
"Yes." His voice was quiet, even more than it usually was. "I want you to give my story a happy
ending."
The lamps in the court finally came to life, flickering around them like fireflies in the spring. The
stars were now dull from their spot in their own world.
Mingyu was normally rational, he normally told his patients that things weren't always fluff and
positivity, but maybe it was the silent night, or the look in Wonwoo's eyes that made him start a
promise he couldn't guarantee he could keep. He felt the stars would forgive him even if he
betrayed his doctor's oath.
"Then I will. I won't let you go as a forgotten tragedy."

2
For the next couple of weeks, Mingyu began what he liked to call, OHEA. Operation
Happily Ever After. The name was silly, and a little to the childish side, but he felt that it
was fitting for what he had in mind. He wasn't going to name his project anything
depressing, and it had an abbreviation that was easy to pronounce. As long as that was
the case, Mingyu was fine with anything.

OHEA started with simple things.

Surprise visits to Wonwoo's room during the day.

Mingyu would pop in, a -eating grin on his face. He would spend just a minute -- or even
an hour rambling on about things that everyone else would otherwise brush off.
Although Wonwoo would mostly sit listening contentedly, sometimes he would have his
own stories to tell. Those moments were so domestic that they should have been
something that Mingyu would only keep in a corner of his mind. He found himself doing
the opposite. Every hour would be spent waiting for a break where he could sneak off to
Wonwoo, and every minute afterward would be spent thinking about what they would
talk about the next day. On days when he was denied a visit, Mingyu would just have to
wait.

Introducing Wonwoo to other people who were in the same boat as Seokmin.

There were plenty of other ex-patients who now worked in the immediate vicinity, and all
of them still frequented the hospital to drop off things or to give their greetings. Mingyu
took it upon himself to introduce Wonwoo to some of them. Minghao, the delivery boy.
Seungcheol, the single father of two. Chan, the adopted orphan, and Junhui, the injured
athlete. While some meetings had been awkward and others overly-exciting, Mingyu
could tell that Wonwoo already adored the people he had been introduced to. At times,
their hour of conversation would be filled with questions of when they would come
again, and it would never take them long to show up.

Teaching Wonwoo new things.

Wonwoo had mentioned in one of their conversations that he had wished he knew more
about the world, and Mingyu took it to heart. The very next day he came with books,
pencils and journals, ready to teach Wonwoo anything from a new language to
mundane facts. While at first Wonwoo denied the lessons, eventually he let into
Mingyu's sweeping expressions and explanations, writing -- stupid -- notes, and drawing
-- irrelevant -- graphics. Mingyu would about being a good student, and Wonwoo would,
in turn, poke fun at Mingyu's teaching. The lessons would only take place on
Wednesdays and Tuesdays, the days of the week where Mingyu was more free than
usual. By the time they had a couple of classes in, Mingyu noticed that Wonwoo had
only taken two lessons seriously. When he was taught what the word love was in latin,
and when Wonwoo insistently asked a red-faced Mingyu about what the young female
patients meant when they called Mingyu daddy.

Giving Wonwoo the little things.

There were moments where Mingyu thought Wonwoo's hospital room was too bare, and
so he would bring in his favourite lamp or a mural he had hanging in his house. The
doctors would instruct him to remove them immediately, of course, but he would bring in
something new every other day. The only things Wonwoo was allowed to keep was a
CD player and Mingyu's favourite album, Boys Be. Although most of the gifts Mingyu
would give to Wonwoo would be taken away within a day, Wonwoo would thank him,
and spend the whole day with it next to him.

OHEA became known to few, and the couple of people would always be following
Mingyu around, asking him why. One of them, being Seokmin, and another, Wonwoo's
nurse, Jeonghan.

He blamed it on his tendencies as a psychiatrist, finding a broken person, and wanting

to fix them.

It seemed right enough to him, but the two were never satisfied, insisting that there was
something else to it.

Mingyu never paid too much attention, instead, he focused on plans for a tomorrow with
Wonwoo.
On a particularly sunny day in late June, Mingyu heard that Wonwoo was being let out
of the hospital. He wasn't being discharged, but instead, it was like a couple of days for
him to take a breather from the hospital.

Wonwoo's Doctor, Hong Jisoo, came to visit Mingyu in his office, clipboard pressed to
his side.

It was unusual for someone to visit him if they weren't either a patient, his secretary, or
his patient's Doctor. In reality, Wonwoo wasn't a patient, and so Jisoo should have had
no reason to visit him. He just hoped that the news concerned another patient,
otherwise, it would mean something was wrong with Wonwoo.

Jisoo came in without knocking, sliding open the door and moving in quickly to stand
directly in front of Mingyu. There was a polite smile on his face -- as always, but he
seemed serious.

Mingyu sat a bit straighter in the tense atmosphere, worrying his bottom lip between his
teeth subconsciously.

"Sit down." Mingyu waved at the two chairs before him and Jisoo complied, folding
himself into one of the plush chairs. It was comical seeing a doctor in one of his white
seats.

Most of Mingyu's office was decorated with soft colours and carefully picked art,
everything having to put into consideration the patient's mental health. For a doctor to
be here seemed a little wrong.

"So? What's the problem?"

Jisoo didn't reply right away, instead tapping his pen against the clipboard he was
holding, his eyes scanning it over once.

"You know Wonwoo's being let out for a day, right?"

So the news is about him.

"Yes, I heard it from Jeonghan yesterday."

Jisoo nodded, dropping the clipboard in his lap. Mingyu gave it a quick glance, finding
Wonwoo's name and the words Health Report.

"I'm not sure if you know, but he's having a surgery soon. Probably in two weeks."

Mingyu's heart dropped into the pit of his stomach, and he suddenly felt disoriented.
Worry was clouding his mind and he couldn't figure out what was wrong with him.

"Please tell me Wonwoo knows this?" Mingyu asked, wondering if Jisoo was here to tell
him that he was the one that had to break it to him. There were times where the
patient's mental health was unstable, and so they recruited Mingyu's help to let them
down slowly, and in a manner that the patient could handle. He wasn't sure if he could
do it for Wonwoo, because the one who would need consoling would be him.

"Don't worry, he knows this. That's why we scheduled a couple of days to let him out of
the hospital."

Mingyu thought he should've felt relieved, but his concern only worsened.

"... So why are you here?"

"Everyone knows you've been visiting Wonwoo religiously."

Mingyu's skin turned a soft pink.

"And ever since, we've been seeing small changes, his condition has actually gotten
better." Mingyu lightened a little at the good news and Jisoo continued. "Lessening
stress is a great way to improve your health when you have cancer, but of course, it
doesn't fix the problem."

"Jisoo, you're not answering my question."

"Just wait, Mingyu. For a psychologist, you don't have a lot of patience." Jisoo rolled his
eyes, lifting up the clipboard again. He turned over a page and read something before
he continued. "And so, I'm here because I need you to spend the couple of days that
Wonwoo's out of the hospital with him."

Mingyu scooted to the edge of his seat, leaning against his desk. "What? Why?"

He was surprised. Not necessarily displeased, a little excited, but his emotions were
being thrown from one side to the other, confusing him with what he actually wanted to
do about the situation. He knew that he had a solution as to what was happening in his
mind, but he couldn't find it to apply it to himself.

"Because Wonwoo's condition has gotten better, we want to keep it there until he gets
his surgery. We'll also need you to do a mental checkup on him, so having you spend a
couple of days is like killing two birds with one stone."

Mingyu leaned back again. He had to process the explanation Jisoo had just given him
and ignored the inquiring stare of the Doctor sitting across from him.

It took Mingyu a while to reply with another question.

"Does Wonwoo know that I'll be doing this as part of my job, or is he still in the dark
about this?"

"He wouldn't know. Just approach him as you have been the past month."

Mingyu nodded slowly, turning his head to stare out of his window.

Mingyu's mind tried to plan out what he would do, tried to line up the pros and cons, but
instead, all he could do was stare. All he wanted to do was say yes. Say that, of course,
he wanted to spend entire days with Wonwoo, and he was already imagining things that
they could do together.

But he couldn't.
Because although something in him was bouncing in excitement, there was that small,
dark voice that told him he was going down a path he would soon regret. He knew that
there was a chance that he would be broken by the end, but he also knew there was a
chance that he could be somewhere he had never been before. Mingyu never liked
being hurt, the mere thought tempting him to back out.

An image of him showing Wonwoo the ocean crossed his mind and his positivity won
over. Mingyu gave in easily to any pleasures.

"So? Are you going to do it?"

He made his choice, he knew it might hurt, but he was going to be positive.

"I'll do it."

Mingyu had his secretary clear his afternoons for the next week and while he had
mountains of papers and files to go through, he finished everything before the end of
the day. He hadn't had the chance to visit Wonwoo, but he assumed that didn't matter
too much seeing how they would most likely be spending the upcoming days together.

The day went by fast, meeting patients, visiting homes, and filling out papers in
between. Mingyu didn't even have a break for lunch and by the time he was packing up
to leave, he was starving. Mingyu recalled needing more rice and beef for the dish he
had intended to make that night. He tucked the reminder into the side of his mind as he
left his office.

The sun was low on the horizon when he passed through the skywalk, pausing to
admire the scene for the first time that day. The pink sunlight settled against leaves and
petals, the light coming back in different shades of orange. The sight was so
breathtaking, but what caught him wasn't the way the branches swayed or the vibrant
flowers but the figure he saw sitting on a certain beige rock.

Mingyu smiled and began making his way down through the stairwell that used to scare
him.

When he broke into the court, he snuck around the edges, trying his best to stay out of
Wonwoo's line of sight. A mischievous grin was plastered to his face as he snuck up
behind the rock, climbing up as silently as his coat would allow him. It was a wonder
how Wonwoo didn't hear him coming.

"Found you!" Mingyu shouted, shoving Wonwoo a little harder than he had intended.

The shorter boy tumbled off the rock, barely capable of regaining his balance when he
hit the ground. When he turned, Mingyu was sitting on his knees on top of the rock, his
hands still placed before him.

Wonwoo looked quite annoyed.

"What if I had fallen off head first?" Wonwoo huffed as he stepped to lean over the rock.
"Stupid Doctor." He grumbled.

Mingyu giggled, bending over slightly. "But you didn't! And you were totally surprised
too."

A smile was beginning to tug at the edges of Wonwoo's lips.

"That's not the point, Mingyu." His voice was still slightly hostile, but it didn't bother
Mingyu. In fact, he found it quite adorable.

"Aw come on, why are you being so uptight?" Mingyu asked, the question masked as a
joke when in reality, he realized earlier that Wonwoo had been staring solemnly into
space and he wanted to know what was wrong.

"Because a certain someone is incredibly late," Wonwoo said pointedly, staring

purposefully into Mingyu's eyes.
"Who?"

Wonwoo chuckled. "Do you really not know or are you messing with me?"

Mingyu thought for a second, confused as to what Wonwoo was saying. He didn't know
anyone Wonwoo might have been waiting for; he didn't even know why Wonwoo was
waiting.

Mingyu gave him one more look before realization came to him.

He pointed a finger at himself. "Me? You were waiting for me?"

Wonwoo nodded without a word, his mouth bent upward in a smirk.

"Wait-why...?" Mingyu trailed off when he thought of his visit with Jisoo in the early
morning. He didn't think he would start that very day.

"You're giving me a ride back. That's what Jeonghan said."

Wonwoo climbed back on to the rock, their two shadows now melding together against
their rose-coloured surroundings. The sun was nearly gone, it's last rays inching deeper
and deeper into the dark horizon.

Mingyu paid no mind to it, instead his eyes tracing the edges of Wonwoo's profile. The
light emphasized every dark line in his eyes and every curve of his skin. Mingyu's hands
itched to reach out and catch Wonwoo between his fingers. All of this felt so natural that
he didn't realize the change stirring inside of him.

"Ah, is that so? Should we go then?" Mingyu asked, forcing his eyes away from his
beautiful friend.

He looked at the sky as clouds began to lose their colour.

Wonwoo shook his head. "I just got on the rock. Let's stay a while."

And so they stayed.

Mingyu forgot about his hunger, and Wonwoo forgot about his little time for freedom.

They stayed until the sky was as dark as Wonwoo's eyes, and the only thing on their
minds were each-other.

"Your place? Why?" Wonwoo asked from the passenger side, adjusting himself so he
could sit comfortably.

The streets were bright despite the stygian sky above Seoul due to the cars zipping past
them from left and right. Buildings were closing, but lights had not yet been turned off.

"Have you not heard my stomach for the past hours? I'M DYING."

"Not funny," Wonwoo said sharply, his head turning to look out of his window. He
pressed the little button next to him and the glass slid down, allowing the rushing air to
dip into the car.

Mingyu realized what he had said, and who he had said it to. He instantly felt guilty.

"I mean, I'm hungry. I'm dying of hunger-I haven't eaten all day. I need food. I-"

"Mingyu, I can't hear you over the wind, so stop."

Mingyu knew that he had been speaking loud enough for Wonwoo to hear, but he
assumed that the conversation was finished.

He felt terrible, he hated himself for slipping up. Mingyu simply felt so comfortable with
Wonwoo that he wasn't careful around him like he had been around other patients.
When he was with Wonwoo, he felt like he was discussing with a friend he had known
his entire life, and words escaped from his lips before he could ever stop them. It had
only been a month and already Wonwoo was one of Mingyu's favourite people.

"You don't have to say anything, anyway. It was just a joke." Wonwoo turned to smile at
Mingyu. It was comforting rather than teasing or snarky.

Mingyu let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding, he wanted to
hit Wowoo but held back. "I thought you were actually hurt."

Wonwoo shook his head. "I don't think you realize the amount of jokes you make when
you're around me. I'm used to them, and I'm glad you're used to them too." Wonwoo
turned back to the window and stuck his hand out. "It sounds cliché, but it's refreshing to
have someone be so natural around me."

Mingyu laughed. The comment made him strangely happy.

"Who would've known you're such a cliché person? Must be because of those romance
novels you're always crying about."

Wonwoo whipped around, cheeks tinting pink.

"That was one time! It was a really sad book okay?"

Mingyu grinned at the memory.

About a week after he had promised Wonwoo a happy ending, Mingyu had come in
after an appointment with a client and had found Wonwoo crying in his bed. At first,
Mingyu nearly felt sick from worry and he had rushed over to sit on the bed next to
Wonwoo. Of course, he thought something had gone wrong. Maybe bad news, or
something was hurting.

Mingyu had pressed the alert button to call for Jeonghan before Wonwoo could stop
him.
"Hey, what's the matter? Did something happen? Are you okay?" Mingyu had asked in a
rush of words, placing his hands over Wonwoo's shoulders, pushing him up slowly so
that he sat straight.

The book had fallen out of Wonwoo's hands then, tumbling into the space between
them. He sniffled and held back a sob as he had reached for it.

Once it was back in the safety of his hands, Wonwoo shook his head, giving himself
time to settle down his sobs before he spoke.

"I-It's the-" He hiccuped.

"The what?"

"The book."

Incredulity had come over Mingyu as he stared at the crying boy before him.

"Th-the book is so sad."

"The book?" Mingyu had asked, still not believing that someone had been crying so
hard over pieces of paper and ink.

"It's not even the ending-" A gasp of air. "And it's already so-" Another hiccup.
"Everything is already sad."

Mingyu nodded as if he understood, his lips pressed together tightly. In reality, he was
baffled and wasn't quite sure if he wanted to know. He patted Wonwoo's back as he
cried, and let him rant about whatever he wanted.

Jeonghan had run in not too long afterward and had left as soon as he saw the book in
Wonwoo's hands.

If that wasn't an indication that it was something Wonwoo did regularly, Mingyu wasn't
sure what was.
"Oh yes, one time," Mingyu said, returning to the present as he to his street.

"You know what? I hate you, Mingyu." Wonwoo grumbled.

The car filled with Mingyu's laughter as they ran down towards an underground parking
lot and soon they were both unbuckling themselves from the car. Mingyu carried their
things from the dark parking lot, through the elevators, all the way to his apartment.

His place belonged to a newer building, the design modern and the colours simple.
Mingyu's apartment was spacious and while it showed off a charm that the rest of the
building had portrayed, some random effects of his threw the image out the window.

Plants in spotted and striped pots were placed in any spot exposed to the windows,
educational books abandoned in empty spaces between furniture, papers strewn across
tables. Although it seemed like none of that should have fit, nothing seemed out of
place. It looked clean even if things were forgotten here and there.

"So? You like it?" Mingyu asked as he placed their bags together on the couch. He
shrugged out of his long jacket and draped it over their things.

Wonwoo unzipped his own jacket. "It's very you."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"That means it's weird."

"So I'm weird now?"

Mingyu rolled up his sleeves as he shuffled over to the kitchen. He opened cupboards
and pulled out ingredients. Mingyu could feel Wonwoo watching him.

"You've been weird from the start."

"But that's not a bad thing, right?"

"Not sure."
Wonwoo's voice was closer to him now and so he turned around. Wonwoo sat at the
island on a barstool, his jacket left on the couch over his own. Mingyu couldn't help but
feel like they had done this before. Wonwoo's ease in Mingyu's house seemed so
natural, it was like this was how they should have been living all along.

Mingyu smiled.

"Well, this weird guy is going to make you some food. What do you want?"

Wonwoo leaned onto the counter, shrugging. "I've been in the hospital for a while, I just
want something delicious."

Mingyu thought for a second before he nodded. "Something delicious. I'm on it."

In no time, his hands were busy with measuring and mixing, fully aware that someone
was watching his every move. He thought it would've been unnerving, but rather, he
enjoyed Wonwoo's presence in his kitchen.

Mingyu finished the mixture fairly quickly and turned the stove top on, greasing a pan
with a little bit of butter.

When Wonwoo realized what Mingyu was making, he shook his head lightly. "It's too
late to eat something like this."

Mingyu shrugged him off. "You said something delicious, and so I'm just delivering."

The plate he had set out eventually piled up, and he finished the last touches as he
sandwiched everything together. Mingyu finished it off by dusting icing sugar over the
top. The white dust floated in the air, a small cloud flying around them in the kitchen's
lights.

"One crepe cake, coming up!" Mingyu turned around and slid it dramatically over the
island towards where Wonwoo was sitting. Wonwoo barely managed to stop it from
slipping over the edge. The dust followed it, and Mingyu openly stared at Wonwoo's
face behind the thin cloud. Their eyes held each-other's, the dust tasting sweet on their
lips.
"You're fearless, you know that?"

"I think it's one of my charms."

Mingyu rummaged through one of his drawers and pulled out unused candles, placing a
bright green one directly in the middle.

He lit the candle in a swift and ran to turn off the lights, stumbling back to his place in
the shadows. Everything was dark save for the small flickering bulb of fire between
them. It illuminated Wonwoo's face from a different angle, and Mingyu was given
another opportunity to enjoy every accentuated trait on Wonwoo's face. He found that,
recently, he knew more about Wonwoo's features than his own.

"Make a wish." Mingyu leaned forward, his breath tickling the flame.

"Why?"

"You deserve one."

Wonwoo smiled. A genuine smile that was brighter than the orange light of fire.

Mingyu thought he felt his heart melting like candle wax beneath a heat that burned too
hot.

Wonwoo blew out the candle in a quick breath, the room becoming engulfed in
darkness. Mingyu couldn't see, and in that split second where he was blinded by the
change, he felt something push against his lips. His heart melted completely, a puddle
of coloured wax rendered useless by the heat that had come too close.

He didn't know what happened, and what to believe.

His hand shot up, meeting his mouth. Whipped cream was smeared against it.

Mingyu's eyes adjusted to his surroundings and he saw Wonwoo's form leaned closer
towards him.
Wonwoo lifted his finger, and in the darkness, Mingyu could just make out the shape of
whipped cream piled on it.

"Taste good?"

Mingyu couldn't explain why he felt disappointed.

"Of course. I made it."

Wonwoo shrugged.

"It's okay at best."

"Fine, none for you," Mingyu said with fake casualness.

He left to turn on the lights with careful steps and Wonwoo laughed from his spot.
Mingyu had to pause by the wall when the lights came back up, stopping to ask himself
what he should believe had just happened.

He might have had his answer if only he saw Wonwoo whipped cream off of his own
lips.

The next week was spent with just the two of them.

Mingyu learned that Wonwoo's family lived out in Gyeongsang-Do, and he had been
sent out to Seoul a little while after they learned that Wonwoo had a terminal illness.
Mingyu had asked if he wanted to be taken down to his parents, but Wonwoo refused,
saying that they were coming to him in a couple of days.

So they spent their days in Mingyu's house, or out in the city, doing anything and
everything for as long as the hours of the day allowed them to. From shopping to walks
in the park, Mingyu took Wonwoo wherever he wanted to go. He forgot all about his job
as a doctor, and instead he gained new feelings that he couldn't really understand.

They bought the weirdest things and ate the most obscure of street foods.

They even went as far as buying matching shoes.

There were times when Wonwoo would get sick when he was eating, and only then
would Mingyu go back to being a professional, bringing to mind his years of emergency
training. It wouldn't last long and didn't happen often so their days were spent with
blissful enjoyment.

Mingyu felt happier than ever when they had spent mornings in his living room brushing
past each other to tend to his inordinate amount of plants. Wonwoo would ask what
each one was called, and then he would give them their own names.

The cactus in the tin pot was named Daejung.

The aloe vera in the corner of the kitchen was named Eunji.

The red rose bush on his balcony was Hwanyun.

The English Ivy hanging above the window was called Iseul.

The new begonia that didn't have a place yet was given the name Minwoo.

There were too many for them to remember everything and so Mingyu had fetched old
name tags that he often used around children. The edges of the sticker-name-tags were
decorated with multiple animal mascots and they added a cute touch to the plants that
shrouded Mingyu's place.

They spent their day writing names and attaching the tags to the pots, collecting the
plants into one group on the floor so they could lean against each other to write the
names. In total, Mingyu had seventeen of them, some of them of the same variety, and
others were expensive, difficult to attain plants.
Mingyu would be especially careful with the rare ones, but Wonwoo was careful with
each one, picking it up as if it were a child, and placing it down as if it were top-class
china pottery. They chose the plants as they went, picking one up and scrawling its
label over a sticker before tagging it. Mingyu would always have to ask Wonwoo for the
names, unable to think of original ones himself.

They wrote the begonia's name last, splitting the word in two so they would have written
equal amounts.

Mingyu wrote the first block: 민.

Wonwoo wrote the last: 우.

Mingyu's messy handwriting especially stood out against Wonwoo's neat letters, and
even though it looked strange, they both felt it was the best-looking one there.

It took them a while to return every plant to its place and so they decided, afterward,
that they would stay in.

The day faded into a night with arbitrary conversations and relaxed bodies sprawled
across a floor covered in evidence of a lazy day.

They did what they did best: talk. Talking until it was too dark for Mingyu to differentiate
between his own hands and Wonwoo's, and until fingers were entwined innocently
between them. Conversations went on for hours, and words never ceased to leave lips.
They inched closer until the sides of their heads pressed against each other's and every
sound could be felt through their two bodies.

Every day passed by with the same feelings, hearts approaching, smiles shared, and
moments they wished would last forever.

As their week neared its end, hours became as fast as minutes, and minutes as fast as
seconds.
Mingyu wanted time to stop for them whenever they laid together on the floor of his
living room, but time had no mercy and soon it was the night before Wonwoo's return to
the hospital.

They were sitting cross-legged this time, two steaming mugs of tea between them. They
drank while Mingyu flipped through a photo book now filled with random photos they
had taken over the course of seven days. There were pictures of places they had been,
things they had seen, and pictures of each other. He flipped past photos of Wonwoo's
family, photos of Mingyu's old patients and Wonwoo's new friends.

It was a small book, but every space was filled and it held more memories than anything
Mingyu owned in his small place.

He stopped when he came upon the page with a photo of Seokmin and a pale-haired
man.

"Why are we keeping a photo of him in here?" Mingyu asked, setting down his tea.

"We have a photo of everyone we met this week," Wonwoo replied simply. He blew over
the top of his mug and held it closer to his body.

"We met Seokmin?"

Wonwoo rolled his eyes. "Yes. He was with his friend, Soonyoung. They were at the
florists near the hospital, remember?"

Mingyu snapped his fingers when the memory came back to him. "Oh yeah! He tried
getting us to buy crocuses, and he was pretty persistent about it too."

"He kept saying they were symbolic for cheerfulness." Wonwoo turned the page and it
landed on a page of photos of trees. "Speaking of, all plants have meanings, don't
they?"

Mingyu nodded. "They do, though I don't look into that stuff. I just enjoy the plants
themselves."
"I wonder what a begonia means." Wonwoo put down his tea and flipped a couple of
pages until he came to the photos of Minwoo.

Mingyu tried to think back, remembering he had read it when he had been searching it
up before. He couldn't recall what it had said, but he thought it must have meant
something cheerful if it had happened to give him so much happiness.

"I don't know, but all of those meanings can't be accurate anyway."

Wonwoo agreed. "Probably not." He closed the book and sighed, leaning back so he
sat against the couch which Mingyu had been sleeping in for the past week. He had
insisted that Wonwoo take the bed.

"Tomorrow's my last day of freedom," Wonwoo mumbled, barely loud enough for
Mingyu to catch.

Just the thought caused Mingyu's mood to sour and he let out a sigh himself, crawling
over so he could sit next to Wonwoo. Their cups of tea were left abandoned by the
book.

They watched the steam curl into the air and disappear in silence, the only sound
audible was their mingled breathing.

Mingyu wanted to say something, he wanted to talk endlessly like they had done so
many times before but he was afraid he would turn the conversation into something too
depressing for the last night of their one-week story. He could think of so many things to
say, so many things to tell this man who he had unknowingly grown fond of. Still, he
held back, wanting Wonwoo to be the one to steer the conversation this time so he
wouldn't be able to ruin anything.

They were silent for a long time, the steam eventually fading from the cups.

Once the last thin strands of faint mist left into the air, Mingyu heard Wonwoo speak up
next to him.
"I'm not scared anymore." Wonwoo turned his head at the same time as Mingyu and
they locked eyes, their noses a mere two inches apart. "Thanks to you... You've done
so much for me, and I'm so grateful. You know that, right?"

Mingyu's mouth lifted in the softest of motions, his lips forming a muted smile. "I need to
say thanks to you, too." Mingyu wasn't sure what he was saying, but the words came
out easily as if he had planned them beforehand.

"For what?"

"For showing me a life I never imagined I would have the chance of living."

The more time passed, the more he began to understand what he was trying to convey.
He was coming to comprehend what it was that his heart had been asking him for so
long.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Wonwoo asked with a laugh.

"It means that I have something very important to tell you."

Wonwoo sat up straight so that he was no longer slumping against the couch. He turned
so he faced Mingyu, and the latter could see the delighted look in Wonwoo's eyes.

"Tell me."

Mingyu knew exactly what he wanted, even though it had taken him a while to decipher
the patterns of his beating heart, and the strange thoughts that took over his mind
whenever it concerned Wonwoo.

He also knew that if he told Wonwoo now, he might be left alone and broken hearted by
the end of next week. If he didn't confirm these emotions with reality, then his heart
would be spared. He felt that if he never voiced his feelings, they wouldn't be real
enough to harm him.

Mingyu tried telling himself to be positive, just like he had done so many times before,
but, this time, his little spell didn't seem to be working.
For once, he wanted the chance to be horrifically selfish.

"When you come out of your surgery alive, I'll tell you."

Wonwoo's smile widened into a grin, much to Mingyu's surprise.

"Promise?"

Mingyu couldn't help but smile back despite the sinking feeling crowding every part of
him.

"Of course."

Wonwoo went under surgery on the 26th of July, a day following their return to the hospital. After
Jisoo checked Mingyu's report on Wonwoo's mental health, the surgery was given a green light and
followed as planned.

Wonwoo's family who had been staying at a hotel had spent the day at the hospital after sending him
in with hugs and wishes for a fast recovery. His mother and father had greeted Mingyu when he
walked by, but Wonwoo's younger brother refused to even look him in the eye. It was a short
meeting--shaking hands, exchanging greetings--and then Mingyu had to go.

His day was filled with visits he had pushed back, and meetings that had been delayed because of
him. He didn't have a single second to escape, and every moment that passed by without a word of
Wonwoo's wellbeing was slowly choking Mingyu with worry. Although he was clawing for even just a
glimpse of the operation room, he was swept away before even being able to turn down that hall.

By the end of the day, he was worn out in every way possible and his mind was only on the thought
of leaving as quickly as possible so he could see the one who had been flooding his mind all day.

Mingyu packed his things into his bag and shoved his coat in unhesitantly. He made fast for the
hospital wing that held the recovery rooms. He knew the room Wonwoo was in, having heard of it
from Jeonghan.
Room 526.

Most of the lights had been turned off, the occasional wall lamp lighting the path for Mingyu to follow.
He felt the hospital held an eerie feeling to it as if something he dreaded was waiting for him in the
shadows enveloping the halls.

When he reached the fifth floor, he found the room easily.

Mingyu wanted to enter immediately but he found himself frozen to the spot. His arms resting by his
sides, his feet rooted to the floor. There was that annoying little nudge in the back of his mind that
told him he was going to regret everything he had done, and everything he was about to do.

He didn't want to listen to it, he just wanted to move forward, to open the door and to finally lay eyes
on his beautiful friend. So he forced his feet to take a step forward, and his hands to reach out to
open the door. It slid to the side smoothly, not a sound coming from the wheels that carried it open.

Mingyu was thankful for the little lamp that had been next to his bed. Wonwoo looked as frail as
ever, but his face was peaceful and it almost seemed as if he was smiling in his sleep. Mingyu
wondered what he was dreaming for him to have looked so serene.

Mingyu pulled up the chair that was placed against the wall, setting it so he could sit next to
Wonwoo's bed.

Cradled under his arms were traces of his family. A cheesy card that was covered in too many
colours, a stuffed animal that Mingyu also used to own, and a book.

Unable to stop himself, Mingyu reached for the book, pulling it softly from under his arm. It was one
of those cliché romantic novels that Wonwoo was constantly reading. Mingyu had seen Wonwoo
reading them so many times before, but this particular hardcover was unfamiliar.

The title was Me Before You and Mingyu knew immediately what it was about. The book had been
all the rage a while back, and Mingyu himself would have been swept into it if only he read books.

He disliked fiction, because it always seemed too good to be true and he was afraid that if he ever
began to believe in those stories woven by creative minds, he would start looking for a story he knew
didn't exist in the real world. He liked dreaming, because he knew that when he woke up, the dream
would be over, and there was no evidence that it had ever really existed at all. While a book was
read by thousands, experienced by millions, and there would always be traces of it somewhere in
reality.

If he ever fell into a story that left him wanting more, he knew he'd never be able to escape it, and
ultimately he would be left wishing for nothing. To Mingyu, who had met so many people who were
waiting for something that would never come, it was the scariest thing that could happen to him.

Yet something made him flip open the book, the pages fluttering between his fingers as it fell onto a
random page. Words jumped out at him, and he felt the sudden urge to read. He was looking for
something more, something that would tell him that what he wanted was possible.

He knew what was causing him to crave more, and it wasn't a book or a movie, but the dark-haired
man laying before him. Mingyu was still afraid, of course, but Wonwoo was real. His existence in
Mingyu's life could no longer be denied, and to Mingyu, anything real was worth believing in.

His lips parted as he began to read the words aloud.

"'Hey Clark', he said.'Tell me something good'. I stared out of the window at the bright-blue Swiss
sky and I told him a story of two people."

Mingyu read to the rhythm of Wonwoo's breathing and the sounds of the machines mixed into his
voice and Wonwoo's rushes of air.

"Two people who shouldn't have met, and who didn't like each other much when they did, but who
found they were the only two people in the world who could possibly have understood each other.
And I told him of the adventures they had, the places they had gone, and the things I had seen that I
had never expected to."

Mingyu didn't see the small movement of Wonwoo's eyes as they opened, focusing on him as he
continued to read.

"I conjured for him electric skies and iridescent seas and evenings full of laughter and silly jokes. I
drew a world for him, a world far from a Swiss industrial estate, a world in which he was still
somehow the person he had wanted to be. I drew the world he had created for me, full of wonder
and possibility."
Mingyu sighed with content as he finished the passage, loving the way the words fit together, and
how they created in his mind a picture that he was now becoming used to. His eyes scanned it over
again, linking the description with his own experiences with Wonwoo. The only thing he completely
ignored was the fact that the two should have never met at all.

His only thought was that his story was a thousand times better.

Mingyu panned his focus downwards, finding the next words to read. He knew it was strange that he
was reading to no one, but he thought it was better than worrying over Wonwoo when he was
incapable of doing anything.

Just as the next words tumbled out of his lips, he heard a garbled chuckle bubble up from the bed in
front of him.

He nearly dropped the book when he saw Wonwoo, eyes open, a smile lighting up his tired face.
Another croak of laughter escaped as Mingyu slowly closed the book, setting it onto the bed.

"Are you crying over a book?" Wonwoo whispered, attempting to make his voice louder so that
Mingyu could hear.

At first, Mingyu was confused. He had no clue why Wonwoo thought he was crying until he noticed
himself that there were tears hanging dangerously at the edges of his eyes. Mingyu knew that the
tears weren't for the book, but it was out of happiness when he saw that Wonwoo was awake. He
went to wipe them away as fast as he could, scoffing while he did.

"No, I'm not a little crybaby like you."

"Then what were you crying about?" Wonwoo's voice was getting stronger as time passed, his
strength coming back to him as he woke up. "Not me, I hope?"

"I was crying at how ridiculous that stuffed animal is," Mingyu said flatly, donning his poker face so
Wonwoo wouldn't be able to tell he was lying.

"While you were looking at the book?"

"Do you want me to put you back to sleep?"

Wonwoo let out a burst of laughter before he groaned and clutched his stomach in pain. Mingyu sat
up straighter in worry but couldn't do much but sit and watch. Mingyu's face was contorted with worry
as he waited for Wonwoo to settle back down.

"I'm sorry I woke you, you should probably sleep more."

Wonwoo shook his head softly, his hair sticking out underneath him, reminding Mingyu vaguely of a
lion's mane.

"I wanted to see you as soon as I woke up, so it's okay."

He said it so faintly that Mingyu thought he was hearing things but when it came to him that what he
heard wasn't just a product of his imagination, a smile formed on his face. He tried desperately to
hold it back, and so it came off as a lop-sided smirk.

"Did you miss me that much?"

Mingyu meant it as a joke, and his smirk made it seem all the more arrogant.

Wonwoo snorted, keeping the moving to a minimum. "No. I just wanted to know what it was that you
promised to tell me."

Out of nowhere, Mingyu began choking violently on air when the topic came up, having completely
forgotten in his worried state. He hadn't prepared himself to answer, and so was unsure of what to
say.

In somewhat of a panic, Mingyu busied his hands by tucking Wonwoo into the bed, putting away the
edges that had slipped out while he had slept the entire day. Wonwoo watched with amused eyes,
slipping his arms out so he could rest it over the covers.

Mingyu regained his composure as he tucked in the last corner, turning his attention back to
Wonwoo's watchful stare.

"I said I'd tell you if you survive, and you're still recovering. Don't get too ahead of yourself." Mingyu
cleared his throat awkwardly. "So go to sleep and recover fast."
Wonwoo chuckled, barely moving from where Mingyu had secured him in with the blanket.

"Can I trust you to keep your promise?"

Mingyu fidgeted in his seat. "Do you have so little faith in me, Wonwoo?"

Wonwoo closed his eyes, a smile still resting on his features. "Yes, but it's there. My faith in you is as
minimal as the amount of flowers I have in my room."

Immediately, Mingyu perked up to scan the room, glancing at the window, corners, and side table
only to find three carnations in a vase next to him. Not believing that those were the only ones,
Mingyu got up from his seat and checked the other side of the bed, the closet, and even in the
drawers. Mingyu found nothing. He came back before Wonwoo, opening his mouth to talk.

"What? That's basically nothing. Do you really not-"

Mingyu paused when he saw that Wonwoo seemed to have fallen back asleep. His chest was rising
and falling at a steady pace, his lips parted slightly, letting out little whistles of air.

"He must've had a tiring day..." Mingyu whispered to himself, assuming that the reason for Wonwoo
falling asleep so fast was the drugs in the tubes leading into his veins.

He gathered his things from the ground and pushed the chair back against the wall.

He hovered where he stood for a while. Mingyu didn't want to leave, not yet. He wanted to talk about
things that he would never be able to stop rambling about, even if that meant to ramble on to a
sleeping friend and silent air. He wanted to sit in the comfort of Wonwoo's presence, and to actually
tell him what he had promised to say.

He knew he shouldn't, of course, because he had another day ahead of him and some patients of
his own to worry about. Not to mention, visiting hours had long since ended and he shouldn't have
been there in the first place.

Mingyu sighed as he stepped a little bit closer to Wonwoo's bed, just watching as Wonwoo began to
snore.
Mingyu laughed a little. All those nights that Wonwoo had spent sleeping at his house made Mingyu
realize how loud of a sleeper he was. Although they were in two separate rooms, there were times
when he would be kept up even later because of Wonwoo's heavy snoring. He didn't mind at the
time, and he still didn't think much of it now. The sounds were just evidence that Wonwoo was still
there. Mingyu actually liked the fact that Wonwoo snored so loudly.

Mingyu shook his head at how ridiculous he must've been for thinking that. He knew why he thought
it, of course, but it just wasn't something that you'd hear from a person every day.

He smiled to himself as he flicked the table lamp off, engulfing the room in darkness. Moonlight
filtered in through the thin curtains hanging over the window and Mingyu leaned over the bed ever so
slightly, just enough so that his head was over Wonwoo's. The light was clear and its colour was
nearly blue. Wonwoo seemed supernatural in that moment, and in Mingyu's eyes, he swore that the
light was the result of him glowing.

He had always thought fireflies were beautiful, but none of them could compare to the way Wonwoo
looked to Mingyu then. Although he was still, he was more dynamic than a disturbed field covered in
dormant fireflies.

"I think I might be in love with you."

And he didn't only think he was in love with Wonwoo, he believed with all of his being that this was
the man that he would be willing to give everything to.

He just didn't want to say the full truth yet, not until Wonwoo was safe from everything that could
take him away, and not until Mingyu could actually look into his dark eyes to tell him.

For now, uncertainty would have to be enough.

--
From there, things only went uphill. Wonwoo recovered fairly quickly and underwent multiple
procedures to ensure the safety of his health, but otherwise, was doing well.

Mingyu visited him whenever possible and they continued the routine that they had started before
the surgery. OHEA resumed, but at that point, it had become more of Mingyu just showing his
affection rather than attempting to ensure a happy ending for Wonwoo.

With the way things were going, an ending wasn't anywhere in sight.

Mingyu was aware that Wonwoo's birthday was nearly two weeks after his surgery, and so he had
set up a small gathering for his birthday. It wasn't much, just a room filled with friends and family and
a couple of too-bright balloons from the gift shop on the first floor. It didn't do much to lighten up the
bland hospital room, but the mood was no longer that of a funeral.

Everyone brought a little something as a gift.

Minghao had brought chicken from the delivery place he worked at while Jun gave Wonwoo a
baseball signed by some famous pitcher. Seungcheol and his children brought hand drawn portraits
of Wonwoo, and Soonyoung dropped by with Dokyeom to give a good luck charm. The gardener
had also prepared a bouquet, much to Mingyu's distaste. Chan had come in with a knitted sweater
that fit Wonwoo perfectly. Jeonghan and Jisoo came empty-handed, but considering all they had
done, it wasn't quite necessary. Even Mingyu's new patient, Jihoon had come in with a can of juice.

Mingyu didn't have much but tacky recipe cards that he had written up by hand. He assumed that
since Wonwoo's stomach was sensitive, he would need food that was more gentle on his digestive
system so he had spent a night scouring the internet for recipes that were both healthy and
delicious. The recipe cards were attached by a metal ring and were nearly illegible due to Mingyu's
chicken scratch.

Wonwoo had loved it despite how awful Mingyu thought it was, and he spent most of his time sitting
on his bed attempting to decipher the blocks that were scrawled against the white paper. The
teasing was incessant and Wonwoo was ruthless with his way of mocking the writing. They didn't
stop going back and forth with their shouting and the others watched with knowing eyes.

The night ended peacefully, and then they were back to normal days.
Time passed quickly, and every day was set around their time together. It had reduced considerably
compared to the way they were before, but it only made sense with the way their time was taken up
by other people. Mingyu's new patient, Jihoon, had anger issues and at first, he was quite the
handful. While Wonwoo still had quite a ways to go before he could be cleared.

Soon, the summer passed, and the leaves turned into colours of fire. Mingyu watched as flowers
wilted and empty branches came to replace them. An image of the sky seemed like an ocean of
sparks and it was clear that fall was in full force.

Once Wonwoo was back at his best, they would sit out on their rock and discuss the books that
Mingyu had grown a liking to. Wonwoo would give him suggestions and he would go to buy the book
or to borrow them from the library. Their topics for conversation widened, and it only made them
more excited about seeing each other every day, despite them being already delighted about each
other's presence.

When they sat outside for too long, they would have to brush fallen maple leaves from each other's
hair or lap and eventually Mingyu began collecting them. He didn't keep them in a particularly special
place, but he actually stuffed them into Wonwoo's jacket as a surprise for him when he would finally
don it to leave the hospital.

On days where the wind was too strong for them to go outside, they would sit on the floors next to
the windows in the skywalk. At this point, Mingyu no longer cared about the stares from the nurses
or other doctors and Wonwoo would feel embarrassed but would never leave. Mingyu realized at this
point that he was a psychiatrist who did weird things with his patients all the time, and he shouldn't
have been ashamed to do extravagant things with Wonwoo.

He also realized that there were rules as to which lines doctors should not cross, but seeing as he
hadn't crossed it yet, Mingyu didn't want to dwell on it.

September 25th, Mingyu had an appointment set up with Jihoon, and they sat outside for a change,
breathing in the crisp air of fall.

Jihoon was a patient that didn't have a serious case, but he had a history with abuse and anger
issues. Mingyu thought he had improved considerably since the first time they had met in July.

"So you're not using your guitar as a weapon anymore?"

Jihoon shook his head but kept his glance far away from the doctor's.

"It's only used for music now."

Mingyu nodded and leaned forward so he could prop himself up against the table that separated
them. In the past, Jihoon had a problem with abuse where he would attempt to hit others with his
guitar without a second thought. When Mingyu's talks about how precious human lives are failed to
ween him off his abusive behaviours, Mingyu began to tell Jihoon about how fragile and precious
musical instruments are. That route seemed to work a lot more than the first.

"Your guitar works wonders, you know that, right?"

Jihoon looked back at the guitar case behind him, smiling as he did. "Yeah, it's almost as if it were
magic."

When Jihoon turned to face Mingyu, he gave Jihoon a wide grin.

"So when are you composing me a song?"

Jihoon scoffed. "Why would I ever do that for you?"

"Well, composing songs seems to distract you from the world's evil." As Jihoon had put it before.

"Yes, but why would I make one for you? "

"Because you promised," Mingyu replied simply.

"And why would I keep a promise to you, when you can't even keep a promise to Wonwoo?"

Mingyu was shocked that someone else knew about the promise. So shocked, in fact, that he nearly
fell out of his chair.

"W-what promise?" Mingyu asked as he regained his balance as coolly as he could. He cleared his
throat and began tapping the table to busy his hands.
Not only was the promise a little embarrassing, but the true nature of it was forbidden. The fact that
doctor-patient relationships were unacceptable was obvious to everyone. If Jihoon knew, he could
only imagine the amount of other people who knew. He just hoped that the promise wasn't
transparent enough to hint others to his emotions.

"I don't know. Wonwoo wanted me to bug you about it."

Mingyu sighed quietly in relief, relaxing back into the curve of the plastic lawn chair he was sitting in.

Jihoon rolled his eyes as he leaned back and crossed his arms. He looked annoyed. "I don't
understand why he can't tell you himself, it's not like I'm his messenger or something."

"Because he's a brat."

Despite the statement being an insult, a slight smile was shown on Mingyu's face.

Jihoon sighed and shook his head at the wistful look Mingyu was making.

"Can you guys just get together? It's no secret that you two are obsessed with each other, and
Wonwoo's leaving today anyway, so what's the problem?"

It took a minute for Mingyu to understand what Jihoon was saying and when he did, Mingyu jumped
up at the sudden news, having only heard it for the first time. He knew that most of the serious things
were over and that his departure would be soon, but he had never been given an exact date.

"Today? As in today, today?"

Jihoon rolled his eyes for a second time in a span of two minutes and stood up himself. "Yes, today,
today." He bent over to grab his guitar, curling his fingers around the black straps. "I'll leave early,
you can go catch your boyfriend."

Mingyu gave a quick bow of appreciation, the tag that Jihoon had haphazardly named Wonwoo
flying over his oblivious mind. He didn't utter another word before he left, in too much of a hurry to
know what to say. He made immediately for the nearest door and wove his way through the busy
lobby. The hospital corridors were typically empty, but the first floor was always buzzing with people.
Mingyu ran through the halls leading to Wonwoo's room, the halls silent save for the occasional
nurse who greeted him on his way. As he sped through the skywalk, he spotted Jihoon pushing in
the chair he had left out when he had made for the hospital. He sent out a silent thanks to the shortie
and continued down until he found Wonwoo's room.

The door was closed, as always, and Mingyu couldn't hear a single sound coming from the other
side. For a second, he was afraid he had already missed him, before he reminded himself that
Wonwoo's room was typically silent seeing as he spent most of his time reading when he wasn't in
Mingyu's company.

Mingyu opened the way to the room, the door sliding aside without a sound. As it came to a stop, he
stepped in just in time to see Wonwoo shrug on his jacket unknowingly.

A hundred red and oranges leaves came spilling out through every opening on the dark jacket,
covering the pristine floor in hot colours. They glided, and twirled in different directions, some of
them reaching the edge of Mingyu's shoes.

The usually bare room was now painted with vibrant leaves.

Wonwoo stood in the middle of it all, his shoes barely visible under all of the foliage that had
appeared out of nowhere. He stood stock still and the expression on his face was unreadable.

"Mingyu, you're cleaning this up."

Mingyu was surprised that Wonwoo had figured it out so quickly.

Wonwoo pulled his feet from under the colourful pile and followed the path of leaves with his eyes
before they stopped on Mingyu. He turned his body completely so he could face the doctor who
stood innocently at the end of the trail. Wonwoo looked annoyed, and Mingyu couldn't help but give
him his biggest grin. He stayed where he was, a red floor between the two of them.

"It's to say congratulations."

"And you couldn't just say it like any other person would?"

"That would have been boring."

"That would have been less of a mess."

Mingyu chuckled as he bent over to pick up a leaf, twirling it over by its stem. It's image flickered like
a small flame's.

"But isn't it pretty?" Mingyu asked, holding up the leaf so that it lined up next to Wonwoo's face in his
vision.

"It could have been pretty outside..."

Mingyu sighed and stopped the leaf. He held it next to Wonwoo's face for a little while more before
he put his hand down, letting the leaf fall back to the floor. The smile on his face softened as
Wonwoo buttoned up his jacket.

Mingyu wanted to say something but Wonwoo was faster, opening his mouth to let quiet words
tumble past his lips.

"... But, thank you." Wonwoo said it quickly, avoiding Mingyu's gaze.

Mingyu had to stop himself from gushing over how cute he was and instead, he laughed a little,
taking light steps over to Wonwoo. The leaves crumbled beneath his feet, making a clamor of
crunching that was pleasing to the ears.

"So you do like it?" Mingyu asked as he stopped before Wonwoo, tilting his head so his hair would
flop over to one side of his forehead.

Wonwoo shrugged, returning the smile Mingyu had kept on for a while. "As long as I'm not the one
cleaning it, I guess it's okay."

Mingyu nodded. "That can be arranged."

"Sweet. Then you can stay and take care of this," Wonwoo motioned at the floor with sweeping
motions. "and I can go ahead and leave."

Mingyu's reflexes kicked in, and he grabbed Wonwoo's hand without thinking. "You can't leave
without me."
Wonwoo's eyes flicked to their hands for a quick second before he returned his attention to Mingyu.

"Why not?"

Mingyu was now fully aware of what he had done but he didn't let go, instead resting their hands
between them comfortably. It made him a little flustered, but if Wonwoo wasn't bothered by it, he saw
no reason to let go.

"Well, it's a little unfair to me."

Wonwoo raised an eyebrow to question Mingyu.

"I mean -- you didn't even tell me you were leaving today, so I couldn't get anything ready to clean it
up," Mingyu continued.

Wonwoo sighed dramatically in mock annoyance.

"Fine, I'll stay behind, but you better make it fast."

Mingyu nodded and let go of Wonwoo's hand reluctantly. He made fast for the door and gave a
single glance behind him before he left.

"Don't you dare leave me without warning, okay?"

Wonwoo rolled his eyes.

"I would never."

--

Mingyu had swept up the floor while Wonwoo sat on the bed, dangling his legs back and forth off the
edge. Once the floor was back to its original state, they left to go back to Mingyu's place.
Wonwoo didn't have a permanent space in Seoul so until he decided to go back to his family, he
opted to stay with Mingyu.

Their days were different to how they were the first time Wonwoo stayed over. Now, Mingyu still had
to go to work, and Wonwoo wanted to return to his own line of work.

Wonwoo was an editor for anything and everything, and while he was getting on his feet, he had
decided to stay with his parents. He worked on projects that ranged from News articles to full novels.
He had been required to take a break when he was diagnosed to reduce stress, and now that he
was free from his illness, he wanted to get right back to it. He also took advantage of the fact that
now he was in Seoul, giving him better options for work projects.

Mingyu gave Wonwoo full access to everything in his house, and Wonwoo spent most of the hours
that Mingyu was at work in front of the computer.

On top of his career as an editor, Wonwoo finally took the chance to take the classes he had longed
to take before. He took a class for French, telling Mingyu it was because French was the language of
romance. He also tried to get his First Aid certificate and having a boyfriend who was a doctor
helped him considerably. It was the simple procedures that even Mingyu knew about.

When Mingyu returned, they would make something together to eat and then spend the rest of their
evenings lazing around on the couch or walking along the busy streets of Seoul. As always, they
never ran out of things to discuss or things to do, and so nights seemed to fly by in seconds.

Mingyu liked to take Wonwoo to new cafés or bookstores so that they could talk about what Wonwoo
did in his job. Mingyu would help whenever Wonwoo was stuck and give him ideas whenever he had
a block. Wonwoo would return the favor by taking Mingyu on book runs so that he could suggest
new stories.

On Mingyu's free days, they would start the mornings by watering the many plants that were now
tagged and named. Then, they would go out the entire day to do whatever they wanted. Visiting
friends, working on their individual papers, sitting in cafés, shopping and anything they could come
up with.
October 11th, a day where Mingyu's schedule was completely open, Mingyu had bought tickets to
the amusement park. They dressed up in layers to fight off the bite of late fall and decided to wear
their matching shoes.

The park wasn't awfully busy, and most of the lines were empty compared to how crowded they
usually were.

The two started off with the simple rides like the tea cups and the merry-go-round. When they
stopped by the bumper cars, the two had the area to themselves and went all out in knocking the
other out. Rollercoasters and gyro drops were taken with screams and questionable crying from
Mingyu. Of course, he refused ever having cried at all, but Wonwoo knew. They decided to move on
and forget about it, going immediately to an interactive ride.

When the sun began to set, they bought carnival foods (mainly cotton candy) and played with claw
machines. They won each other prizes, but while Wonwoo had gotten Mingyu a cute fist-sized
bunny, Mingyu had looked for the ugliest bear and went after it relentlessly until he managed to get it
for Wonwoo. He had insisted that the uglier the stuffed animal, the cuter it would become over time.
Wonwoo looked at it grumpily before tucking it under his arm, refusing to give it another glance.

Once they had covered most things, Mingyu pointed out that it was the perfect time to ride the Ferris
wheel. The Ferris wheel actually had a line, albeit short, and they waited behind a family of four as
they inched towards the wheel. The little girl sitting in her father's arms would turn to give glances to
Wonwoo and Mingyu, and Mingyu would return her curiosity with a grin. She would hide her face in
her father's shoulder for a second before looking up again.

Wonwoo smiled at the exchange happening before him and stepped forward so he stood next to
Mingyu within the chains that closed in the line.

"You seem to be good with kids, surprisingly."

"Of course, I have to be. Adults aren't the only ones with mental problems, you know." Mingyu said
before he gave yet another smile to the girl. "But why are you surprised by this?"

"I thought you'd be too immature to handle them," Wonwoo said, a teasing glint in his eyes.

"Hey, I'll have you know I am very mature."

"Really? I don't see it."

The family ahead of them climbed into a cart and the little girl waved at Mingyu before the wheel was
moving again.

"Just because you're older than me doesn't mean you can abuse me like this."

"What's the point of me being older, then?"

The two of them stepped into the next cart and placed their stuffed animals next to themselves so
they could eat their cotton candy with their free hands. Wonwoo stuffed a piece of the blue sugar into
his mouth and continued with what he was saying before.

"I think the wise talks and taking care of should be left to the professional."

"I need taking care of sometimes, though."

"Then get yourself a boyfriend."

Mingyu's eyes widened in surprise as soon as the words left Wonwoo's mouth. It took him a second
to realize what he had said.

"Or girlfriend. Or just -- you know, don't date. Whatever works for you." Wonwoo added quickly,
trying to get rid of the awkward atmosphere he had just created.

Mingyu nodded silently and they sat without saying a word as the wheel took them around in a circle.
They ate their cotton candy while watching the dark horizon. From the ride, everything in the park
was visible, and all of the lights on the different attractions resembled the stars above them.

Eventually, the wheel stopped them at the top and Mingyu began talking again.

"In the books, this is when the two lovers would go on the Ferris wheel and confess to each other.
Then, the fireworks would go off behind them."

Wonwoo didn't say anything in reply, instead looking at Mingyu suspiciously.

"And in the dramas too. Doesn't this kind of remind you of that scene from My Love From Another
Star?" Mingyu continued, not realizing that Wonwoo was waiting for something from him.

Wonwoo thought for a second, putting away his suspicions. "Didn't the guy get rejected?"

Mingyu waved him off. "That's not important, what's important is that he confessed with his heartfelt
emotions."

Wonwoo leaned toward Mingyu, squinting his eyes at him. "Are you getting teary-eyed? You must
have cried during that scene."

"Why are you always accusing me of crying?" Mingyu asked defensively.

"Because you're always crying."

Their cart jerked a little as they began moving again.

"Says the one who sobs halfway through a book."

"Read it before you judge me!"

"There's no way anything that sad could happen in the middle of the book. It's the endings that
always get people."

"They could kill a character in the middle of the book," Wonwoo said as they went by the employee
who controlled the ride. He gave them a weird look as they passed.

"Did you just give me spoilers?"

Wonwoo sighed.

"I never said that's what happened."

"Yeah, but you implied i-"

Before Mingyu could continue, Wonwoo shoved a piece of cotton candy in his mouth, effectively
shutting him up.

Mingyu scrunched up his eyebrows in frustration but ate the cotton candy anyway.

"By the way, Mingyu, don't you have something to tell me?"

They passed by the top again, all of the lights of the park visible from where they sat. The wind
whistled through the caged cart, rustling Mingyu's hair so it stood on end. Wonwoo's shorter hair flew
only for a second before falling again.

Mingyu swallowed the sugar that had dissolved in his mouth.

"Yes, I do."

Wonwoo sat against the cushioned seat in anticipation. He had waited a while to hear what it was
Mingyu had wanted to tell him. Although Mingyu had promised Wonwoo to tell him his little secret, it
had already been a while since he was released from the hospital and he still had no idea what
Mingyu wanted to say.

Mingyu laced his hands together on his lap, leaning forward so he could rest on his knees.

"Well, it's nothing much, really..."

Wonwoo nodded, urging him to spill everything.

"But I just wanted to tell you," Mingyu took a dramatic pause. "You should really get some better
glasses. Whenever you sit in front of the computer with those round monstrosities, all I can think is:
'Wow, what a nerd.' I know you have the money for new ones, so are you just attached to those or
something? Oh, and don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with you being a nerd. Hell, you're
cute as a nerd but those glasses take up like half of your face. It reminds me of those fish with eyes
bigger than their mouth. Do those exist? I'm probably just making something up from my
imagination. Plus, I like when I can see your whole face instead of hiding half of it under rims. Can
you imagine the amount of times I've come home and nearly had a heart attack because of those
gaping glasses? I didn't think so -- Oh look, ride's over."
Wonwoo turned to see the boy looking at them, and a couple waiting expectantly to get on the ride.
The boy that worked as the conductor pressed something and the door unlocked, jumping a little as
it opened just a smidge.

Mingyu opened the cage door and stepped out with the stuffed bunny and his cotton candy. He
turned to Wonwoo who was frowning where he sat. It was clear that what he heard was not what he
had wanted.

"Are you coming?"

Wonwoo huffed and climbed out the door that was being held open.

"I hate you, did you know that, Mingyu?"

"You're going to hate me even more after this," Mingyu said cheerily as he grabbed Wonwoo's hand
without hesitation and began running towards the haunted house.

Wonwoo tried to stop them, but despite Mingyu being younger, he was taller and stronger. He pulled
them easily past people and the rope barrier surrounding where the line would normally be. Mingyu
gave two tickets to the employee in charge of the ride and soon they were standing in the middle of
a pitch black room.

"Why are we here of all places?" Wonwoo asked, irritation dripping off his voice.

"It'll be fun, I promise."

Mingyu took Wonwoo's hand one more time and opened the door that would lead them to the rest of
the house. The first hall was already enough to get them screaming. A white-clothed dark haired little
girl came charging at them from the side and they were left running as fast as they could while they
pushed out the loudest screams they had ever made. They couldn't get very far until something
came falling from the ceiling down on them. It was slightly damp, but otherwise, none of them
stopped long enough to check.

The hall lead to a fork in their path and they stuck to the right, running into a cart that sped across
their path. In it was a moving body. Probably another actor but the two of them jumped at the sight
anyway, avoiding contact with the cart as they ran down the corridor.
Mingyu lead them into another hall that was lit with strobing white lights. A voice began whispering
words they couldn't understand and they shuffled through as fast as they could without knocking
over the multiple cupboards that covered the floor.

Once through that hall, they found themselves once again in the darkness.

They were holding each other's hands so tight that they could hardly feel their fingers anymore.

"Once I'm out of here, you're dying Kim Mingyu."

"Please don't say that in a place like this, it makes it seem like it will actually happen."

A light flickered and Mingyu saw the girl from before again. He screamed at the top of his lungs and
pulled Wonwoo down a dark hall that branched out every few steps. He could hear the sound of the
haunted house actors following them.

Mingyu turned down a hall that was covered in glass cases that held fake body parts.

"Why did you choose this place when you're scared out of your mind?" Wonwoo asked as they
passed by the cases with careful steps.

They got through that hall without difficulties and stopped before a door.

"Because it's less cliché for what I want to do."

"Less cliché for what?"

Mingyu placed a hand on the door and pushed it open. He stepped passed the ornate threshold and
pulled Wonwoo in with him. The hall was dark like the others but a chandelier was visible above their
heads, and famous torn paintings hung along the walls. The style was victorian.

Mingyu pulled Wonwoo forward so that they faced each other; although they could barely see
anything. Mingyu didn't need the light anymore, he knew everything about they way Wonwoo's eyes
moved, and which way his mouth curved. He had memorized everything about Wonwoo's face and
he could imagine exactly what he looked like in that moment.
"Less cliché for me to tell you, that I'm in love with you."

The haunted house's silence suddenly felt warmer, and Mingyu could see Wonwoo shifting slightly
where he stood. He didn't say anything but instead, his grip loosened a little.

"I'm in love with you, Wonwoo. I don't really know how or when, but I just know that whenever I see
you, I know that my life has changed, and there's really no going back for me anymore." Mingyu
reached for Wonwoo's face, and placed his free hand against his cheek. "You've got something
about you that is annoyingly lovable."

Wonwoo was still silent, but Mingyu could tell that he was looking right at him through the shadows.
Mingyu's heart was beating hard from all the adrenaline and the ridiculously placed confession, and
he could only hope that Wonwoo was feeling the same thing.

"I've been afraid to tell you because I thought you'd be taken from me, and then I just wanted to wait
for the right time, and I guess this is the right time."

Wonwoo snickered a little, the first noise he made since Mingyu told him about his real emotions.

"I love you." Mingyu repeated.

Without warning, something shoved Mingyu from behind and he went toppling onto Wonwoo. He
squealed as his body hit into Wonwoo's. They didn't hit each other hard enough to fall over, but they
had to hold each other so they wouldn't lose balance. They held each other in an awkward embrace
for a short second, before Mingyu split them apart in a frightened haste.

"Oh , oh , oh ," Mingyu repeated as he pulled himself away from Wonwoo, tightening his grip on
Wonwoo's hand once more. They ran down the hall as fast as their legs could take them. Wonwoo
tried his best to keep up, and they turned down random halls until they came upon another door.
They had ignored everything for the past few corridors and so didn't notice the monsters they had
picked up along the way.

"We're going to die, we're going to die, oh I've screwed up. Oh ." Mingyu rambled as he fumbled with
the knob, attempting but failing at opening the door that kept them from the safety of the amusement
park outside.
"Mingyu, move."

And so Mingyu moved to the side, leaving an opening for Wonwoo to open the door for them. Within
a second, it swung open and Wonwoo was pulling them outside to the night sky.

Mingyu hardly had time to breathe before Wonwoo's arms wrapped around him, hugging him so
tightly that Mingyu couldn't see his face. His heart was beating wildly from all of the events that were
screwing with it, and he now knew that Wonwoo's was too. He could feel it through his chest.

Mingyu heard a small sniffle come from Wonwoo, and he immediately wrapped his arms around the
shorter of them.

"Are you crying?"

"Yes I am, you stupid psychiatrist, do you really have to ask? I thought you were good at figuring
these things out."

"... Are you scared-"

"No, it's because I love you too, you insufferable idiot."

Mingyu smiled stupidly and squeezed Wonwoo even tighter.

"You're so annoyingly lovable."

--

After their trip had ended with the actors running out and shooing them away, Mingyu and Wonwoo
went back to their shared place at Mingyu's apartment, hands woven together. They never let go of
each other until they arrived at Mingyu's place.

They left their stuffed animals on the couch and Mingyu went immediately to brew some tea. As
always, Wonwoo sat at the island counter and watched Mingyu as he prepared
everything; except this time, Wonwoo would bother Mingyu every other second to ask him a
question.
"Do you really love me?"

And Mingyu would repeatedly reply with the same thing.

"I really love you, Wonwoo."

It didn't take long for the tea to finish and they took their mugs out to the living room where they
curled up against the couch together. They had a completely new topic to talk about now and they
couldn't stop the questions that kept coming up.

"Why do you love me?" Wonwoo questioned as he scooted closer Mingyu.

"There's more than one reason... Your eyes, your obsession with books, the way you talk, your
childish tendencies..."

"My childish tendencies? Speak for yourself."

"I'm sure you love that about me too."

"Keep dreaming, Mingyu."

"And do you ever dream about me?"

"No comment."

Mingyu chuckled and watched as Wonwoo drank his tea.

"I dream about you sometimes," Mingyu confessed shamelessly.

Wonwoo began coughing on his drink at the sudden comment and had to take a second to regain
himself so that he could look Mingyu in the eyes.

"When? About what? Why?"

"I once dreamed that you were sitting in the tree outside of my apartment and hissed at me
whenever I tried to take you down."
Wonwoo let out a somewhat relieved laugh.

"Of course it was something completely out of the ordinary."

Mingyu smiled.

"This was before I fell in love with you."

"And when did you know you loved me?" Wonwoo asked.

"When I had to spend an entire day wondering whether or not I'd ever see you again."

"Oh, that's dark."

"And when did you know you loved me?" Mingyu wrapped an arm around Wonwoo's waist and
pulled him in so he sat propped against Mingyu's side.

"I don't know, one day I just kind of looked at you and thought: 'Oh, I'm in love with him'."

"Yeah, but what day was that?"

"Really, Mingyu? I have no clue about the exact date."

"Well, you should, because I remember my date."

"Not everyone's got schedules every day to help them remember that stuff."

Mingyu frowned and took a sip of his steaming tea, sighing as he pulled it away.

"I'm disappointed in you, Wonwoo."

"Fine, if you're going to be that way..." Wonwoo pried himself away from Mingyu's grasp and left his
tea on the ground. "I'm going to bed now."

He was clearly messing with Mingyu, but the taller sprung to his feet and wrapped a sure hand
around Wonwoo's wrist.
Wonwoo was turned back towards Mingyu and he nearly kicked over the cup of tea he had left
behind. He went crashing into Mingyu's chest and could feel Mingyu moving with laughter.

"Not yet, I'm sorry, don't go to bed yet."

Wonwoo took a step back so he could look up at Mingyu's smiling eyes.

"And why would I stay behind for you?"

"Hmm." Mingyu thought for a second, his eyes moving around the room to think of something. He
thought momentarily that he should say that it was because he loved him, but Mingyu came up with
a better idea.

Without hesitation, he reached up to cup Wonwoo's face in his hands and leaned down to land a kiss
on his lips. He lingered for a while, wondering if Wonwoo would reciprocate, but when he stood stock
still, Mingyu opened his eyes and tilted his head back to see Wonwoo's face.

His ears were insanely red and his eyes opened wide. He looked at Mingyu as if he were seeing him
for the first time, and within a second, his own hands were around Mingyu's neck, pulling him back in
for another kiss.

This time, the two of them moved together, indulging in every part of the kiss. They explored each
other to every extent and when they pulled away, their eyes were glowing and breaths were ragged.
The smiles on their faces didn't go unnoticed.

After that, Wonwoo stayed back happily and would surprise Mingyu with a peck or a full-on make-out
session between bursts of conversation. Three words were whispered repeatedly until they let into
their exhaustion.

"I love you."

They fell asleep on the couch, wrapped together in a small blanket, the taste of tea and each other
on their lips.
4

It didn't take long before Mingyu and Wonwoo became official. It wasn't like it
made any difference to them, seeing as they still shared kisses whenever
possible, and their dates were still the same leisurely days they had before.
They still slept separately most of the time, but on Mingyu's bad days, he'd
crawl into bed with Wonwoo and they'd sleep snuggled against each other.
The only change that occurred was that they could openly be together, and
the people around them now knew.

They hadn't announced it to the world, but, before long, the people around
them started to notice the little changes in the way they stood next to each
other and the way they caught each other's eyes. Soon, just about everybody
knew and wherever they went, they would always receive comments on what
they were like as a couple.

Most of their friends were unsurprised at the news. In fact, most of them had
the same reaction; saying that it was about time, that they were happy for
them and everything along those lines. Seokmin was especially ecstatic,
claiming that he had bet on them getting together since the beginning and that
Soonyoung owed him some money.

Even Jisoo, who Mingyu had thought would frown upon the relationship,
congratulated them. He explained by simply saying that Wonwoo was no
longer a patient and whoever wasn't a patient would be fine to have a
relationship with.

Everyone seemed to have been able to see it from the beginning, and so
Mingyu and Wonwoo were in for blissful days as soon as the word had gotten
out.

Their only concerns were their families. While being so kept up with each
other, Mingyu had completely forgotten to tell them about Wonwoo's
existence, and Wonwoo had forgotten to tell his family about his real feelings
for the doctor. Of course, either way, it would have come as a surprise, seeing
as none of them had ever bet on falling in love with someone of the same
gender before.

They put off meeting their families for a while, instead, deciding to take some
time to just live together.

Things became incredibly domestic; Wonwoo began cooking alongside

Mingyu, they went shopping for groceries together whenever needed, Mingyu
would always come home to a messy house and his nerdy boyfriend sitting
innocently before the computer.

They began to learn each other's little perks and pet peeves and day by day,
they got closer.

Of course, fights were a normal thing, but they always occurred as teasing
and bantering rather than actual manifestations of hatred. They mostly
occurred whenever Wonwoo left his socks randomly around the house,
causing Mingyu to rant on about laundry baskets.

They refrained from their teasing whenever they had people over, but
sometimes it came out anyway, and their friends began getting used to the
sight of them lost in their own world.

Seungcheol and his two kids, Seungkwan, and Hansol, were the ones who
came over the most, and eventually the kids became attached to the two.
Wonwoo was Seungkwan's favourite, and Mingyu was Hansol's favourite.
Mingyu's loveseat became the kid's spot in his place.

Their other friends were always coming over to do anything, and although
Mingyu would complain about his place becoming a hangout, he would always
open the door to them anyway.

Eventually, the group convinced them to finally go to their families, and so on

a cold week of early December, Wonwoo and Mingyu went on a road trip
together, their ultimate goal being revealing their relationship to their families.
They went south first to Anyang city and stayed at Mingyu's parents' house.

The two were greeted warmly by both his parents, and by his sister Minseo.
The town and house were exactly as Mingyu remembered, making it easier
for him to show Wonwoo around.

The family didn't really question Mingyu bringing someone home, they just
assumed he was a friend at first. To say the least, it was awkward when they
told his parents at the end of the day and Mingyu could hardly sleep when his
parents told him they'd take the night to think it through. His sister, meanwhile,
told him it would've been fine because everyone had already guessed he was
gay. Her words were strangely reassuring, and for the first time in a while, he
realized how much he had missed his little sister over the years.

The feeling didn't last long, though. She ruined the moment completely when
she mentioned that everyone had also guessed that he was a mindless idiot.
Wonwoo had agreed, and Mingyu had shut himself into his room for the rest
of the night, only agreeing to open up when they both apologized. He slept
easily despite the situation, thanks to the two who were nothing but teasing
and jokes.

In the morning, there was no shouting, denying, or shunning like Mingyu had
feared, instead his parents accepting it by treating Wonwoo like their own son.

They spent four days with them, learning how to make kimchi and reminiscing
about Mingyu's childhood years. They helped set up decorations for the
upcoming festivities, and Wonwoo pulled out some of Mingyu's old
belongings, handing them to him with a snarky comment.They went downtown
with his sister often to go shopping and Wonwoo became close to her,
enjoying the fact that he had someone else to bully Mingyu with. Dinners were
warm and delicious, conversation topics usually revolving around what life
was like after Mingyu moved away.

Wonwoo came to learn about Mingyu's family, and, by the end, he felt as if he
was a part of it.
When they left, Mingyu's mom filled the car with food for the road, and his dad
looked almost sad to see him go. Minseo, on the other hand, was crying quite
a bit. Mingyu felt touched at first until he learned that the tears were for her
new friend, Wonwoo, who was leaving her after having only known each other
for a couple of days.

Mingyu couldn't be too angry, he was too busy being happy that his family had
accepted them completely.

They left Anyang grinning, music playing softly through the packed car. Before
long, they were back on the road, this time going towards Changwon,
Gyeongsangnam. The drive from Anyang to Changwon would have been four
hours but they stopped at multiple cities along the way, getting something to
eat or going sightseeing at the popular resting spots. They stopped at
Chungju to walk along the lake, at Hamchang to eat traditional foods and
stayed at Daegu for a day to explore the city.

When they finally reached Changwon, it had been two days since they left
Anyang. Everything was covered by a thin layer of snow, and the sky was
hardly visible beyond the grey clouds covering it. Small snowflakes fell down
softly, their presences hardly noticed because of their tiny bodies.

Wonwoo commented that on a day as lovely as that, nothing could go wrong.

Mingyu called him crazy for thinking that a grey sky could be considered a
part of a nice day.

When they pulled up to Wonwoo's house, his parents were already standing
outside expectantly, his little brother, Bohyuk, standing awkwardly next to
them. As soon as Mingyu stopped the car, Wonwoo jumped out and ran
towards his family. His parents ran to meet him in the middle, Bohyuk trailing
behind them.

Mingyu got out but stood leaning against his car, leaving Wonwoo to see the
family he hadn't seen in a while. He saw Mingyu wrap Bohyuk in a hug and
although he looked unwilling at first, he let into it eventually, returning the hug
with happiness written all over his face. They had a huge group hug,
entrapping Wonwoo in the middle.

After a minute, his mother looked up and smiled at Mingyu. They broke apart
and waved him over.

He realized that at the mention of his name, Bohyuk became rigid and stiff all
over again.

Mingyu walked over uncertainly. He wasn't sure what it was that Bohyuk was
so wary about, but he didn't want to have any bad blood with Wonwoo's little
brother. He hesitated when Wonwoo's mother opened her arms for a hug, but
he let himself be wrapped in her embrace anyway. She was small and easy
for Mingyu to get around. He loved her hugs.

Afterwards, Mingyu greeted Wonwoo's dad with the utmost respect and
professionalism. He seemed happy enough and kept thanking Mingyu for
taking care of Wonwoo this entire time.

Wonwoo's father quickly ushered them all inside to escape the cold weather.

Bohyuk still hadn't spoken a word to Mingyu.

Mingyu couldn't fathom why, and whenever he attempted to start a

conversation, he wouldn't even receive a reply.

He figured out soon enough, though.

When the five of them were enjoying the lunch Wonwoo's mother had
prepared, she brought up the topic of them dating. Needless to say, both
Wonwoo and Mingyu were surprised the point had been brought up without
them even mentioning it.

It seemed as if the family had talked about it together before, and both parents
had come to terms that whatever made Wonwoo happy was good enough for
them.
Bohyuk, on the other hand, seemed to hate the idea of them being together.
He argued that their relationship wasn't even allowed; he insisted that a
relationship between a doctor would be too much for Wonwoo who was
always playing between life and death.

Wonwoo became furious, asking what right Bohyuk had to decide what was
and was not good for him. Mingyu had to calm him down, and the lunch ended
early on a bitter note. For the remainder of the day, Wonwoo wanted to
escape the house so they left to visit his old schools and favourite parks. They
tried not to mention his little brother but he came up from time to time; as an
idle thought or a voiced worry. They returned to the house with renewed
energy and Bokyuk was nowhere to be found.

They had dinner without him, and his parents were worried when he didn't
return even after they had finished cleaning up.

That night, they all went out to search for him, and even Wonwoo, despite
having been angry at him before, searched fervently with worry. They split and
searched different places, Wonwoo looking for him at the places he was most
likely to be, and Mingyu searching the places they had been to that morning.

Mingyu was the one to find him sitting alone at the park solemnly. He
remarked that the cliché trait must have run in the family.

He didn't say anything at first, instead standing next to where Bohyuk was
sitting on the bench. He wasn't actually sure what to say really, he didn't know
how to make Bohyuk understand what they had and what they wanted.
Mingyu had also had the same worries when they first started off together,
and so he understood why he was feeling that way.

It was clear that Bohyuk was just afraid for Wonwoo.

It took him a while before he was actually able to begin speaking, but when he
did, he couldn't stop.
The message he relayed were all words about his feelings for Wonwoo, his
days with Wonwoo, the promises he would keep for Wonwoo, the happiness
he shared with Wonwoo, the things he would give up for Wonwoo.

Mingyu could only hope that Bohyuk would understand his sincerity and see
that he would never let any harm come to his older brother.

Mingyu couldn't be sure what he was thinking, though, because with every
sentence that he spoke, was met with silence.

Eventually, Bohyuk stood and began walking away.

Mingyu wanted to tell him to come back but refrained from calling his name.
He followed behind silently, instead. At that point, Mingyu no longer had
anything to say to him, and trying desperately to look for reasons to back
himself up wouldn't make anything better.

While they made their trip back, Mingyu texted Wonwoo to tell him he was
safe and at that moment, Bohyuk spoke up.

Mingyu found what he said quite heartwarming.

He said he didn't want to be against something that made Wonwoo happier

than he had ever seen, and that Mingyu better take good care of him.

He ran off shortly after, not giving Mingyu a chance to reply. Either way, all he
would have said was 'thank you', and he thought that he would have plenty of
chances in the future to say it anyway.

That particularly long night ended with the moon showing up from behind the
clouds, and the sound of an older brother scolding his younger brother.

The next four days that they spent there went a lot more leisurely than the
first. This time, it was Mingyu's turn to poke fun at Wonwoo's outstanding
qualities with his brother, and Bohyuk became visibly closer to Mingyu
everyday. Wonwoo was worried that they would get each other in trouble.
Mingyu learned about their lifestyles and even got to take Bohyuk to school.
Wonwoo's parents trusted him with the cooking often and they went off with
him to buy ingredients from the market.

He was most excited when Wonwoo took him to Yeojwa stream and even if
the cherry blossoms weren't in bloom, the sight was just as breathtaking due
to the frost-ridden branches and the frozen water beneath them. Everything
was glistening under the sun, and not a single cloud blocked out the crisp blue
sky that day.

When they kissed under the arc of frozen branches, Mingyu etched the date in
his mind as the most beautiful day of his life.

December 18th, standing next to Yeojwa stream with the only person he'd
ever need for the remainder of his days.

The day they left, Wonwoo's mother was a mess and Bohyuk was back to
how he had been the first day. Stoic, quite, and adverting from everyone's
gaze. This time, Mingyu could tell he was sad to see them go. So he gave him
the biggest bear hug he could manage and said that 'thank you' he had been
unable to say before. The younger was making a fuss, clearly embarrassed by
the hug. Mingyu took advantage of the blush rising on his neck and repeatedly
told him how cute he was being.

Wonwoo pretended to wretch at the sight of the two of them, and everyone
burst out into laughter and despite the cold breeze, everything seemed a lot
warmer. Wonwoo's mother stopped crying and his father was grinning from
ear-to-ear.

The three members all reminded Wonwoo to take care of himself and to eat
well before they loaded themselves onto the car. They watched as the house
and three silhouettes faded into small dots behind them, and they were back
on the road.
Mingyu decided last minute that he didn't want the trip to be over yet, and
drove them a little further towards Busan. Wonwoo tried to protest, but Mingyu
insisted.

The drive wasn't long, lasting a little under two hours and Wonwoo managed
to sneak in a nap while Mingyu focused on the road. When he woke, Mingyu
was grinning in his face and the car was stopped in front of a modern hotel by
the beach.

Mingyu began saying Wonwoo's name over and over until he got out of the
car, bags in hand.

Mingyu was excited, and he was basically bouncing as he waited for the valet
to come around the car so Mingyu could give him the keys. Once given,
Mingyu grabbed Wonwoo's hand and was trying to run for the doors, but
Wonwoo held him back, laughing at the taller boy who was prancing on the
spot because he was being anchored.

Wonwoo let in a minute later, allowing himself to be dragged next to Mingyu's

suitcase.

Inside the lobby, the two of them looked around in wonder, admiring the
modern decor and the large windows that showed out to the sea. Everything
was crisp and clean, with cutting edges.

Mingyu could hardly wait to see the rooms, and so left Wonwoo with their
things so he could get them one. It only took him a couple of minutes and he
came back with two room keys in his hands.

They went up immediately, the elevator taking them to the 25th floor where
they found their room a couple of doors down. It was bigger than the two of
them expected, and an entire wall was windows pointing towards the moving
ocean.

Wonwoo didn't spend the time to enjoy the room, instead letting Mingyu do it
for the both of them.
Mingyu fooled around for a while, checking out every gadget and checking
every available cabinet. He revelled in the fresh sheets of the bed and couldn't
stop talking about the quality of the room.

Once Mingyu had his fill of sampling everything the hotel room had to offer,
they gathered their things together to prepare for a day downtown. They put
their bags in a corner and left immediately for the city. The streets were busy,
bustling with people dressed in multiple layers to fight off the biting wind.

They first went to eat, travelling from restaurant to restaurant in an attempt to

find something worthwhile.

Mingyu and Wonwoo found themselves standing parallel to the exit of a

noodle restaurant an hour later, facing towards the occupied streets of the
city. They had eaten their fill and were now in search of something that only
Busan would have.

Stomachs full, they went on to traipse the streets in search of a novelty store
that might still be open. Most places were closing; locked, chained, emptying
out. Only the occasional restaurant would be bustling with people, and the
amount of drunkards they ran into was unusually high because of the food
tents smattered around the streets.

Just as they were about to give up, Mingyu's eye caught a lit up gift shop on
the corner of the street and they immediately changed directions, going
straight for the lone store.

They just wanted something as a reminder of the city, just as they had done
for the other places they had gone to previously. All they needed was one
charm, stone, wind chime, or anything really.

The door swung open with the welcoming jingle of chimes above their heads.
Sitting at the front was an equally as welcoming lady, smiling sweetly at them
as they browsed for the perfect trinket.
They had to look around for a while, shuffling past the generic key chains and
not-so-enrapturing postcards. They pointed at bobble heads as jokes and
read inspirational quotes from old wall mounts.

The two finally decided on a wind chime made solely out of string and
seashells. It was small but brilliant, decorated with conch shells and clam
shells alike. The colours were arranged so that the shells that were tinted red
eventually faded into shells of pure white, a pretty pink sitting between the
two; a gradient of seashells.

They bought it without hesitation, watching as the store clerk packaged it

away into a decorated gift box, taking it soon after to bring it back to the hotel.

On their way, they stopped at Gukje market, enjoying the sounds of Busan's
dialect. It took them a while to find their way back, having gotten lost ever
since they decided to wander the market.

Finally, they got back to their hotel, illuminated now that the sun had begun to
set. They refused to be sidetracked as they returned to their room, hands full.

They put their bags in a corner and sat on the bed together for a long while,
just staring out at the ocean as they talked.

"You're an idiot for taking us out here when it's winter."

"I know, but I really wanted to show you the ocean and I didn't have the
chance to before." Mingyu leaned over so his head rested on Wonwoo's
shoulder and grinned. "At least it still looks nice."

"But it makes me want to swim." Wonwoo poked the edges of Mingyu's smile.
"The only problem is, I don't want to die of hypothermia."

Wonwoo watched as Mingyu's eyebrows knit together as he thought, and the

older moved his hand to poke them in turn.

"Let's go swimming," Mingyu said finally, sitting up straight.

"What?"

"Right now."

The taller jumped to his feet and grabbed their bags so he could go ruffling
through them.

"I didn't bring swim shorts, so I don't know how you're going to work that one
out," Wonwoo commented from where he still sat.

Mingyu didn't listen and continued to throw things around inside his suitcase.

"Unless you're going to do a magical act right here and pull my swimsuit out of
a hat, I don't know why you're still going through your things."

He continued to shuffle things around, and to Wonwoo's surprise, Mingyu took

out a beanie that looked stuffed, pulling from it his swim shorts.

"Abracadabra." The smile on his face was bigger than it had been before.

There was silence for a second as Wonwoo's eyes went back and forth from
his swimsuit to Mingyu's face.

"What the hell, Mingyu."

"I brought it just in case."

Wonwoo raised his eyebrow at the beanie. "And just happened to have it
shoved inside a hat?"

"Actually, what you said gave me an idea so I put it in there while my hands
were still in the suitcase. I thought it would have been funny."

"You think everything's funny, Mingyu," Wonwoo said as he placed his feet on
the carpeted ground to then stand up. He reached down to grab his shorts
from Mingyu and looked at them for a second before giving his attention back
to the man sitting on the ground. "Ether way, it's the middle of winter and the
ocean looks like it's nearly frozen over. How do you expect we swim in those
conditions?"

"Who said anything about the ocean?"

Half an hour later, Wonwoo and Mingyu stood before the indoor pool of the
hotel, swimsuits on and towels in hand. It was tiny, about as large as the
bedroom of their hotel room, so covering about 12 meters squared of the
space.

"They probably didn't put too much effort because the ocean's right over
there," Mingyu commented silently as they stared at the desolate pool. His
voice echoed in the small space, and it just added to the pathetic feeling they
both felt coming from the square of water.

"It's basically a puddle," Wonwoo muttered in return.

"A puddle you can swim in, though."

Mingyu peered over the edge they stood on, noting the colourful tiles
decorating the bottom. He panned upwards, looking towards the walls of the
pool to see if there was any indication as to how deep it really was. On the
sides,were the characters: 2.5 M.

Mingyu backed away, looking over to Wonwoo who stared curiously after the
taller.

"So? How deep is it?"

Mingyu shrugged with fake innocence. "No clue."

"For real? It doesn't say?"

Wonwoo stepped forward to confirm, his toes on the wet edges of the pool.
Water lapped at his feet, eventually returning to the pool in small waves and
leaving his feet shining under the bright round lights hanging above.

Mingyu began splashing his own feet noisily, attracting Wonwoo's attention
back to him. He gave a laugh for seemingly no reason before he pushed
Wonwoo into the pool singlehandedly.

The shorter tottered on his feet for a split second, but in Mingyu's eyes, his
back arching, his feet leaving the ground and his arms waving wildly to regain
his balance all seemed to move in slow-motion.

A terse shout resounded in the square space followed by a nearly deafening

splash as the water swallowed Wonwoo whole. Mingyu threw back his head in
laughter, already replaying the sight in his mind.

When he brought his eyes back to water, he was just in time to see Wonwoo's
head break through the surface. His black hair was matted against his
forehead, going far enough to just cover his eyes, and leaving droplets of
water to trickle down his face.

Wonwoo took in a huge breath as he swiped his hand upwards on his face,
sweeping his hair back at the same time. It stuck in that position, looking sleek
and, somehow, professional. His facial expression, meanwhile, was
unreadable.

"How deep is it, Wonwoo?" Mingyu asked in between his laughter. The words
came out shakily, being affected by the way his body quivered in different
directions.

"Deep enough."

"For what?"
When Wonwoo didn't reply, Mingyu calmed his laughing and turned all of his
attention to the pool. He noticed for the first time how close Wonwoo had
come back to the edge.

"To not worry if I'll hurt you."

"Wha-"

Mingyu was cut off as Wonwoo suddenly jumped out of the water, his body
flying up the shortest distance, but just enough for him to be able to reach
Mingyu's hands.

Wonwoo wrapped his fingers around Mingyu's wrists and pulled him down as
hard as he could. Mingyu let out a rather unseemly high-pitched squeak while
his body lurched forward, and his feet slipped off the edge.

He crashed into Wonwoo, and the two of them were engulfed by the
chlorinated water.

Mingyu could hear bubbles and moving water, while he could feel Wonwoo's
arms around him and nothing else. It was warm inside of his embrace, that's
all he knew he felt.

Mingyu didn't even have to move before his head was out of the water and he
found himself gulping down air.

Wonwoo let go while laughing, swimming away to the opposite side of the
pool, a mere four feet away.

"You're such a fox!" Mingyu shouted into the air, wiping away the water from
his eyes. He opened them, immediately searching to find the one who was
laughing boisterously.

"You pushed me first, you weasel!"

Wonwoo was swimming in circles, having nowhere else to go but the corner
that Mingyu wasn't in. It could hardly even be considered swimming, due to
lack of movement and the little space he was covering with each paddle. To
Mingyu, Wonwoo looked like a big fish trying to make the most of his small,
round fishbowl.

"It doesn't matter who did what first, Wonwoo, it's who's the last one to do it."

Mingyu paddled over, and while Wonwoo tried to escape, there really was no
way to slip past each other without having them having to touch.

Mingyu wasn't sure what he was going for, but he knew he wanted to get back
at Wonwoo somehow. The only thing he could think of was to jump on him,
and shove his head underneath the waving water. So that's exactly what he
did, and really hard, too.

Wonwoo didn't go down without a fight, though.

Wonwoo rose his hands above the two of them, shoving Mingyu down equally
as hard as he had been before.

Mingyu couldn't see anything, afraid to open his eyes in the fear that the
chlorine would sting too much. The only thing he could do was hold on, and
kick.

They began actually kicking each other, and at some point, what had begun
as a little game of revenge became an all-out wrestle under water. Mingyu's
arm was wrapped around Wonwoo's shoulders, and Wonwoo's arms were
around Mingyu's torso. They spun in torpedoes around the pool, different
heads popping out of the water at different times. In between splashes of
water, laughter, coughing, swearing, and two names could be heard over and
over again.

The wrestle went on for what seemed like ages and finally, Wonwoo broke
free of Mingyu's grasp, swimming over to the edge so he could pull himself out
of the chaotic water. He positioned himself so he sat on the edge, legs still
dipped in the water. His body was heaving up and down, a result of his heavy
panting.

He shook his head, his hair fanning out and sending drops of water in every
direction.

Mingyu imitated him from his spot in the pool, and afterward swam over so he
floated in front of Wonwoo's knees. He folded his arms over them and rested
his head on the pedestal he had made with their limbs. Mingyu tilted his head
up and stared at Wonwoo through his eyelashes, while Wonwoo tilted his
head down and looked at Mingyu with a sweet smile.

"This was a good idea," Wonwoo commented, his eyes following a water drop
that traced the outline of Mingyu's nose. It trickled past his lips and fell
soundlessly back into the pool.

"I know."

"We should go swimming in the ocean next time, though."

Mingyu gave a small chuckle, shaking both his floating body and Wonwoo's
dangling legs.

"In the summer."

Wonwoo watched as another drop of water came free from Mingyu's hair,
following the same path he had set his eyes on before. Wonwoo leaned in,
watching as it trailed past his forehead and down around his nose. He
stopped it at Mingyu's lips with a kiss, pulling back with a satisfied smile.

"Promise?"

Mingyu didn't really reply, but the way the edges of his eyes went up, and the
way he smiled with all of his teeth indicated that yes, he promised.
Wonwoo pressed his forehead against Mingyu's, eyes threatening to cross
because of their proximity.

"We should have an underwater kiss," Wonwoo muttered after a while, and
Mingyu laughed, detaching himself from the cocoon of warmth they had
created.

"You're such a cliché," Mingyu chortled. He grabbed Wonwoo's hands

nevertheless, pulling him back underneath the moving water. They sunk
together until they sat at the bottom of the shallow pool, lips pressed against
each other's in the most cliché kiss of both of their lifetimes.

---

An hour later, they found themselves back in their room, bodies still dripping
wet, towels hanging off of their shoulders. The two had left the pool
begrudgingly, having been forced out by an employee who informed them that
the pool closed at ten. They had been floating aimlessly in the water, flicking
each other from time to time until it became another water fight.

Mingyu was especially upset when he didn't even have the chance to sneak in
one more kiss before they left.

Now they were staring at each other, wondering what they should do now that
the day had ended and time had flown past them unknowingly. They agreed
on a movie and food that would be called up to their room once they were
ready.

They took turns taking a shower, Mingyu going in first. Wonwoo had insisted
because he took a while to bathe and he didn't want Mingyu waiting while he
was still soaking.

Mingyu showered quickly, an image of Wonwoo sitting outside in the cold

bothering him to hurry up. He went as fast as he could, wrapping a bath robe
around him before he went back to the room.
When Mingyu came out, Wonwoo was holding the wind chime up to the
dimmed lights, not even noticing that Mingyu had finished. He stood staring
mesmerized at the sight of him, his mind tricking him into thinking that
Wonwoo was actually glowing against his backdrop.

As surreptitiously as possible, the taller reached for his phone and took photos
of his gown-clad boyfriend, the view of the ocean glowing behind him. Each
photo was taken as the camera came into focus, the blurred outlines of
Wonwoo sharpening into the figure that Mingyu knew so deeply.

Mingyu took steps closer, snapping pictures with each step. When he was five
steps away, Wonwoo noticed the sneaking photographer and gave him a
smile. Mingyu took a picture right then and watched as that moment froze for
him, being put away into his phone for him to go back to whenever he needed.
Mingyu continued taking pictures as he inched closer, Wonwoo's giddy
expression becoming one of confusion. They were separated only by Mingyu's
phone now, the screen showing nothing but a dark close-up of Wonwoo's
skin.

He lowered it, his eyes flitting from Wonwoo's lips to his eyes, taking in his
entire face before he leaned in to kiss him. It started sweet and slow, but then
started to grow more intense as tongues pushed against lips and teeth grazed
against skin.

Soon, Mingyu's hands were ghosting under the fabric of Wonwoo's gown,
pushing it away, untying it, abandoning it on the floor. He couldn't see it, but
he felt the same happening to his own, and the robes were now both tangled
in a pile on the floor, crisp white against the contrasting carpet. The two hardly
paused to breathe, only stopping to admire each other before they sunk onto
the sheets, hands exploring and lips travelling to every high and low.

Mingyu's mind wasn't registering what he was doing or what was happening,
but he didn't need to. His body moved on its own, doing what he wanted and
needed, while Wonwoo did the rest for him.
Mingyu breathed in everything Wonwoo was, and Wonwoo breathed out
everything Mingyu gave him in passionate words and his whispered name.

In no time at all there was no space left between them for anything else in the
world, and the only thing that existed was their touches.

--

Mingyu woke to sunlight in his eyes and a body that still smelled like chlorine.
He was more content and warm than he had ever been in his life and he
gladly let a smile trace his lips as he pressed a kiss into Wonwoo's dark,
tangled hair. Wonwoo stirred against his side before he turned, eyelids
fluttering open to meet Mingyu's. The light filtering in from the window kissed
at the edges of his body, making him even more beautiful than he had been
before.

"Good morning," They both whispered to each other, letting the words float a
way into what was, indeed, a very good morning.

Christmas was spent at Mingyu's place as soon as they came back, and they celebrated it simply.
They strung lights over his sturdier plants rather than a Christmas tree, and it ended up being a quiet
night with no need for an exchange of gifts. They played old and new Christmas music throughout
the late hours that they stayed up and enjoyed the other's company before inevitably taking each
other to bed.

Wonwoo woke to a blue-wrapped present at the end of the bed and a smile that came from
someone who had been waiting an hour for him to wake up. It turned out to be matching scarves for
the two of them, and Mingyu made Wonwoo promise to wear it whenever he left the house.

New Year's was a lot more lively than their last laid-back holiday, the two of them leaving to attend a
party that Jisoo was hosting with blue scarves wrapped around each of their necks. All eleven of
their friends showed, and it surprised Mingyu that even Jihoon attended.
It was just about everything anyone could expect from a doctor hosting a party. It was organized and
posh and a little over the top.

Seungcheol's two children acted as the night's entertainment while Seokmin and Soonyoung tried
their hardest to get in on the infants' fun. The other's opted to either watch or to make conversation
among themselves and although everything was relatively calm, it was never, not even for a second,
silent.

The countdown towards midnight was focused on Mingyu and Wonwoo having their New Year's
kiss, seeing as they were the only couple that actually attended. The attention made Wonwoo
uncomfortable, but for Mingyu, he was delighted to be the center of events.

That is, until, Soonyoung planted one on his best friend and went running.

Most of them forgot about the numbers changing and leaving the year behind them, instead enjoying
Seokmin make a sock puppet out of Soonyoung. Most of them, save Mingyu who was too busy
making a wish for the New Year. Wonwoo's old wish rang in Mingyu's mind and he ended up altering
it a little to fit everything he wanted for the future of the people who he cherished so much.

I wish we can all have a happy ending, together.

He gave a kiss to Wonwoo to seal the wish, and the latter kissed him back without even knowing
what it was for.

They went into the New Year with subtle changes and talks of the future.

Mingyu wanted a bigger place with more windows so that he could fit more plants and an actual
closet for Wonwoo. Both of their things were starting to overfill and he didn't know how long he could
keep cleaning it before it finally all fell apart. He also mentioned a bigger bed, more food, more
toothpaste, more towels, more everything because his way of living had so far been for one, and he
wanted to adjust it to a life of two.
Meanwhile, Wonwoo wanted his own laptop so he could stop leeching off of Mingyu's, and his own
blanket because Mingyu had a tendency to roll himself up in it, leaving none of the fabric for
Wonwoo.

Mingyu promised a new blanket, and he delivered.

Wonwoo had to get his own laptop because he refused to have Mingyu give him something else
when he hadn't even given him a Christmas present. So he went out and got himself something
small and cheap that Mingyu ultimately teased him about.

Mingyu got into the habit of sticking a sticker on it whenever he had one on hand in order to scold
Wonwoo for always leaving it in the worst spots. It somehow flew around the apartment and ended
up on the floors, behind doors, and under pillows. The stickers weren't anything special, just price
stickers or clearance stickers that Mingyu got from items closest to him. Wonwoo never bothered to
take them off.

Sometimes when Mingyu came back from work, he would sit and watch Wonwoo do his work if he
wasn't busy with his own paperwork, and he would read the stickers absentmindedly until Wonwoo
told him to shut up.

He hardly ever got to see the work on Wonwoo's laptop, but from time to time Wonwoo would ask for
help with coming up with new ideas and Mingyu would feed him random words or scenarios until he
was back on his way.

When they weren't occupied with work they were out on dates or together in bed, the occasional
outing apart happening from time to time. Time alone helped them get closer -- if that was even
possible.

Mingyu forgot what life was like without Wonwoo, and it seemed as if they had been together all
along. From first words, first friends, first loves and first heartbreaks, he believed everything lead him
to the moment where he first laid eyes on the mysterious man in the garden.

Life without Wonwoo just didn't seem right anymore.

Wonwoo was always present in the next room, and the house felt empty without the sound of his
tapping keys or occasional humming. Wonwoo's socks were always getting tangled in Mingyu's feet
as he brushed by them, and his laptop was always somewhere in sight. Mingyu got uneasy
whenever he was sleeping alone, now and the sound of Wonwoo's snoring was just another part of
his nights. The pictures they took piled up, the plants they collected gathered in bunches, the clothes
that they shared overfilled, and the memories kept growing and growing.

Despite Mingyu living every day in bliss, there was always a part of him that still feared something
that might come.

Wonwoo still fell sick often, and he still couldn't handle food that well. The younger always tried to
assure Mingyu that everyone got sick and there really shouldn't be a reason for him to worry.
Wonwoo would tell him he was awfully negative for someone who was supposed to help others get
passed their own problems, but he couldn't help it. Something in him was always alert, sure that
something was going to break apart the only life he would ever want to live.

And then the waves of anxiety would wash over and they would be back to mornings that smelled
like coffee and homemade breakfast, someone singing, someone watering the plants, a new sticker
on the small laptop, and the sun would be shining to assure them that they were just fine.

Before Mingyu knew it, the months passed by and they were already half way through the year that
he swore had just begun.

They celebrated Mingyu's birthday on the 6th of April, something small and simple where Wonwoo
had promised him a gift he had yet to finish. They celebrated Easter on the 16th of April, where they
went easter egg hunting with Seungkwan and Hansol because Seungcheol was held up with a
meeting. They celebrated their meeting (which Mingyu had to remind Wonwoo of) on the 1st of May
where they sat on their rock to reminisce and watch the sunset. They celebrated mother's day on the
14th of May where they were apart at their own parents' places and came back with stories to share.
They went to Hoshi's birthday party on the 15th of June where Seokmin announced that they were
dating. On the 26th of July, Mingyu insisted they celebrate because it was the day he realized he
was madly in love with someone he shouldn't have been.

So, being the cliché couple that they were, Mingyu prepared a candlelit dinner that he hadn't had the
chance to have on the anniversary of their meeting, and Wonwoo pretended he didn't notice that
Mingyu had actually planned something.
Mingyu had basically begged the landowner for the roof that night, and he set up in secret while
Wonwoo worked on the newest novel he had to edit.

It was an effort to transfer his fold up table and chairs from his balcony to his roof without Wonwoo
noticing. While his boyfriend typed madly in the side-room, he moved as quietly as possible through
doors he kept open with potted plants. He then had to move all three courses upstairs via rolling tray
along with candles and a tablecloth.

When the sun was low on the horizon, Mingyu had finished arranging everything and ran back down
all of the flights of stairs instead of the elevator because he was feeling dramatic. He passed by one
of his long-time neighbours and waved excitedly at them before he disappeared into his apartment.

Mingyu walked in front of Wonwoo and snapped his laptop shut quite rudely. The younger was
clearly shocked initially, but in moments he just looked pissed.

"Mingyu," He said with a low voice, but the older wasn't intimidated, he was still smiling. "If I lost
everything, I swear to-"

Mingyu grabbed Wonwoo's hands before he could finish and pulled him up. "We all know your laptop
automatically saves, stop fussing so much."

"But Mingyu, you never know, some things mess up and I-"

Mingyu cut him off for a second time as he put up a finger to shush him. "Wonwoo, I'm sure it's fine.
Give me some of your time today, please."

Wonwoo sighed, but it was short-lived.

His lips twitched into a smile. "Fine. You didn't prepare anything too big, right?"

Mingyu swore that it wasn't too fancy and after Wonwoo had gotten his shoes and a jacket, they got
out to get on the elevator. When Wonwoo was too busy asking what floor they needed, Mingyu
wrapped a ribbon around his eyes and chuckled when Wonwoo jumped in surprise. At first, he had
attempted to take it off, but Mingyu kept it in place and he gave in.

He pressed the button for the highest floor.

When the elevator stopped at their floor, a little ding resounded in the metal space and Mingyu led
Wonwoo out carefully. There was one final flight of stairs to climb before they could get to the door
that he had left open.

Mingyu had to lead Wonwoo up the stairs, one step at a time so that there wouldn't be a risk of him
falling over.

When they finally managed to reach the door without any mishaps, Mingyu positioned Wonwoo so
he was facing the setup that had taken him over an hour to prepare. A gust of wind brushed by them
into the building as Mingyu undid the knot at the back of Wonwoo's head. The ribbon fell
soundlessly, revealing a scene that left Wonwoo speechless.

Before the retreating sun, with its tendrils in hues of pink, sat a clothed table set up for two. There
were two tall, thin candles that sat as the centrepiece and other smaller ones scattered across the
floor of the roof.

Flowers were covering everything that the eyes could lay on, from the table to the seats, to the
rolling tray of food. Some werepotted, but most of it were petals. Begonia petals ripped from the
stem to be spread and blown away by the wind.

Mingyu waited for a response, but when he got nothing, he tilted his head to try and see what
Wonwoo was thinking.

All of a sudden, the older let out a laugh as he shook his head, taking Mingyu by surprise.

"I love it, Mingyu," Wonwoo said in between bouts of laughter, and Mingyu found what he said hard
to believe.

"Did I just screw up really badly? Why are you laughing?"

He tried to think of something he could have possibly done wrong but came up blank.

Wonwoo's laughter died down, and now only a broad smile showed his mirth as he locked eyes with
Mingyu.
"It's so cheesy. This is the most cheesy thing I've ever had the chance of experiencing in real life."
He slid his eyes over to the table again and took steps towards it, making sure to not kick over any of
the cinnamon-scented candles littering the floor. "It's just-" He stopped at the table and felt the
tablecloth between his fingers. "It's so sweet, it's kind of funny, you know?"

Mingyu thought about it for a second.

"Sort of?"

Wonwoo let out another chuckle and Mingyu decided not to think too hard about it. He let his
features fall into an easy smile and gestured for Wonwoo to sit.

On his way to him, Mingyu wheeled the cart a little closer to the table and revealed the courses that
he had prepared for them. There was no seafood and plenty of Wonwoo's homemade favourites.
Mingyu had wondered briefly if he should have ordered friend chicken or black bean noodles, seeing
as it was their favourite food. In the end, he decided not to. Those options were basically junk food.
He wanted something fancy, something that he could plate and brag about.

Mingyu brought out the dishes one-by-one, going by course as they ate. He wanted comments on
how it tasted, but Wonwoo refused to tell him until they were all done. Mingyu sat impatiently as he
ate up his own portions and could only think that it couldn't have been that bad if Wonwoo managed
to finish plate after plate. Somewhere in the back of his mind, though, something kept trying to tell
him it was secretly awful.

Wonwoo laughed at Mingyu's constant worrying and covered it up with talks of the novel he was
editing and how the couple reminded him eerily of Seokmin and Soonyoung.

"Both of them are crazily driven to do whatever the hell they want and they both have unique senses
of humour."

Mingyu had to agree that it fit them to a T. The couple never minded what anyone else had to say as
long as there was peace in the world and they could pull their stupid pranks without being disturbed.
Despite them being nearly crazy, the two had hearts of gold that would never leave behind anyone
needing a helping hand.

Mingyu only had one thing to say about them: "They were made for each other."
"And what about us?" Wonwoo asked, only a second after Mingyu had made the comment.

"Us?" Mingyu had to pause to think. He couldn't really think of any one thing he had to say about his
relationship with Wonwoo. If he started he could continue on until the day where they would be grey
and withered. "There's nothing that can say enough about us," Mingyu made up on the spot to cover
up the minutes it was taking him to think, but it came out better than he thought.

Wonwoo smiled to himself as he turned back to his dessert plate. Mingyu loved the way he looked
down and smiled as if he were still hiding his emotions. It made it seem like he had fallen in love just
the day before -- and maybe that was the truth. Mingyu felt like he could fall in love all over again
every day if it was with Wonwoo.

Finally, Wonwoo ate the last bite of shortcake and Mingyu had completely forgotten about getting
critiqued by the former.

"It was delicious," Wonwoo said as he set down his fork. He smiled leisurely across the table and sat
back satisfied.

Mingyu sat on the edge of his seat, waiting for something else, but when nothing came he leaned
forward.

"Wait, that's it?"

Wonwoo nodded.

"Why? Why is that it?" Mingyu questioned, frustration settling in. After Wonwoo had taken his time
and let Mingyu sit in suspense, he only had one thing to say?

Wonwoo laughed and leaned onto the table, bringing himself closer to Mingyu.

"I'm not a food critic and if you wanted my opinion from the very beginning I would have just told you
over and over again that it's delicious," Wonwoo said, watching in amusement as Mingyu fidgeted
with his plate. "Because it was delicious, one of the best meals I've ever had."

Mingyu spun his plate subconsciously and raised an eyebrow at Wonwoo. "You're telling the truth,
right?"
"Obviously, what would I gain if I lied?"

Mingyu smiled. "A happy Mingyu, because that's exactly how I'm feeling right now."

Wonwoo leaned over and gave Mingyu a kiss, smiling through the whole thing. "That would actually
be totally worth lying," he confessed as he pulled away just an inch. "but I'm being geniune."

After a few more questions from Mingyu on more details about what Wonwoo thought, they cleaned
up the table and placed everything back into the cart. The setting sun had long since disappeared
under the horizon and the city was glowing from bulbs of light floating among the darkness.

Wonwoo and Mingyu still sat between dwindling candles, hands laced in the middle of the clothed
table.

Their features were highlighted by the centerpiece and Mingyu couldn't help but reach out to trace
his fingers along Wonwoo's skin where the shadows met with the light.

Wonwoo smiled at Mingyu's actions, tilting his head into his fingers. He closed his eyes, relishing in
the patterns that swirled across his cheek.

"Hey Mingyu," Wonwoo spoke, out of nowhere. "What did I do to become lucky enough to have met
you?"

Mingyu's hand paused for a millisecond before he opened his palm to hold Wonwoo's face.

"Especially when I thought I was about to reach the end," Wonwoo continued, a light laugh breaking
through his lips as his eyes fluttered open. "How did I become so lucky?"

Mingyu's lips curved into a soft smile, accentuated by the orange light of the flame.

"Because you're you," Mingyu brushed a strand of Wonwoo's hair aside so their eyes could be
connected, undisturbed. "You have me because I'm in love with you and honestly you deserve so
much more than just me."

Wonwoo shook his head in disbelief. "Just you?" Wonwoo blew air into Mingyu's face for some
reason completely unknown to the latter before he continued. "Shut up, Kim Mingyu. You're the best
thing that's ever happened to this world and if anyone else says otherwise they're probably jealous."
Wonwoo was looking at their hands now, his fingers playing with Mingyu's nails. He seemed a little
too embarrassed to make eye contact. "Who else would actually be kind-hearted enough to spend
time with a desperate stranger just because they asked?" Wonwoo's cheeks were tinted a light pink.
"Well-Maybe an idiot but you're both an idiot and a warm person."

Mingyu brought his hand back to feel his face because he was pretty sure he was actually blushing.

Wonwoo looked up, missing the contact when he saw Mingyu's wide eyes and coloured face.

"Actually-" Wonwoo started before Mingyu cut him off.

"Thank you Wonwoo, really, but like I said before, it's not because of me or because of some strange
force in the universe but I spent time with you because you're worth it. If I'm the best thing to happen
to this world, you're the best thing to happen to the best thing," Mingyu laughed a little at himself.
"That makes you a whole lot better than me."

Wonwoo opened his mouth before popping it back closed.

"But don't you..." Wonwoo trailed, unsure if he should speak his mind. He took a breath before he
spoke again. "Don't you ever regret being with me?"

"No!" Mingyu shot back immediately. "No, of course of not," he continued more calmly. "After
everything I just said, how could you even think I regret being with you?"

Wonwoo rocked awkwardly in his chair, his eyes directed to the sky above them.

"Well, I'm a weak person, do you think, maybe, that one day you'll tire of taking care of me?"

Mingyu shook his head resolutely. "No. At this point, you're the one keeping me sane so who's
taking care of who?" Mingyu smiled when Wonwoo brought his attention back to him. "We've got to
look after each other so let's not abandon each other, okay?"

Wonwoo smiled down at their hands again, nodding his head soundlessly.
"Hey, you have to promise me because I don't think I can live without you keeping my head on
straight," Mingyu urged, placing his head on the table so he was in Wonwoo's line of sight. His cheek
was squished against the table cloth and his eyes glittered in the light. He looked like child
amazement was captured into a person.

"What's up with you and the cliché lines today?" Wonwoo asked with a laugh, enjoying the sight of
Mingyu being Mingyu.

The younger gave him a bright smile from the table. "I'm trying to be super sweet today so that you'll
give me that gift you promised me."

Wonwoo cocked his head to the side, raising an accusing eyebrow. "Oh, so that's what this is all
about?" He poked at the cheek that was raised to the sky. "Well, it's taking me longer than I thought
anyway, so I can't give it to you yet." Wonwoo added as an afterthought: "And here I thought you
were actually being genuine."

Mingyu laughed, sitting straight again, placing a quick kiss on Wonwoo's lips as he came up. "You
know I love you, though."

Wonwoo hummed, letting a smile take over his face. "I love you too."

As the candles burned out and their words were taken away by relentless fatigue, Wonwoo and
Mingyu stayed on the rooftop until they were barely awake enough to put everything away.

When they crashed onto their bed that night, they slept tangled together and forgot all about the
work that awaited them the next day.

They also forgot that Wonwoo had never promised.

September 18th, Wonwoo relapsed.

It came slowly, like small steps leading to something a lot bigger. Wonwoo had first told Mingyu that
he thought he had cramps, but it went away and came back in small successions. Then he couldn't
hold his food down anymore, just like he used to, and on the night of the eighteenth, he said he felt
like everything was burning.

Mingyu had rushed him to the hospital, driving faster than he ever had in his life, while Wonwoo sat
silently moaning next to him in the car.

The hospital took him away from Mingyu, somewhere he couldn't follow and he was left to wait.

Mingyu thought back to the appointments they had in the past with Wonwoo's treatment team and
how they had both thought he was better. They visited the hospital less often, and the little pains
became less of a concern. More than a year had passed without problems, and Mingyu couldn't help
but feel that this was some sort of punishment for letting his guard down.

His mind kept attacking him with thoughts that this was somehow his fault and he knew he had to
stop, he really wanted to but not being able to do anything wasn't helping. Mingyu was just sitting
and waiting, nothing to do, nothing to say, nothing he could do would help.

Maybe it was something he cooked, maybe it was that cold Wonwoo got because Mingyu locked him
out on the balcony as a joke, maybe it was because Mingyu let Wonwoo work too hard, maybe it
was all his fault.

He wanted to cry. He also knew that wouldn't help, so he blinked them back, holding in a breath in
an attempt to hold back his tears. He had to do something if he wanted to stop his mind from
abusing his mentality anymore.

Mingyu took out his phone from his pocket with difficulty, and just the small resistance from it nearly
pulled tears from his eyes. He refused to allow himself to cry because his phone wouldn't come out.
When he turned it on, the time shone back at him. He had been there for only a couple of minutes
and it already felt like an eternity. He shook his head to shake himself out of the depressed state he
was in. He wanted to call Wonwoo's family, they had to know and he couldn't do that if he was
choked up by his own emotions.

With slow fingers, Mingyu unlocked his phone and tapped in the number for Wonwoo's family that he
had memorized.

He wasn't sure if they would be awake. It was hardly ten, so there was a chance they'd still be up.

He wasn't sure if he actually wanted them to pick up or not because he didn't know if he would be
able to handle Wonwoo's sweet mother crying, or his father attempting to be strong. Mingyu was
already having a hard enough time holding himself up, and if all three of them began asking him
questions, he didn't know what he would do.

Mingyu's call didn't go through and he was left listening to a pre-recorded voicemail machine that
was recored by the family of four. He picked out Wonwoo's voice easily and his vision swam at the
happy lilt in the familiar voice.

Mingyu wondered if he would ever hear it again.

The thought pushed him off the edge and he began crying. It wasn't a loud cry of sadness, or a
racking sobbing but silent tears that went unnoticed by the others in the same room. In his sorrow,
he was still too aware of the happiness of those around him.

He let himself be sad alone, and let the misery swallow him up as he curled into his chair in the
corner. He felt as if he was physically sinking into something dark, where nothing of himself would be
left. Mingyu tried to stop the feeling, coming up with images of his favourite things. Flowers, the four
seasons, his patients, polaroid pictures or carnivals but every image kept trailing back to Wonwoo.

He realized he couldn't do it alone, and before he knew it, he was pressing his phone up to his face
calling the only person he could think of that would be close enough to help him.

It rang twice before he listened to the click of the phone and bright voice fly through the small
speaker.
Seokmin sounded as excited as ever and his little "Hey, Mingyu!" was brighter than Mingyu
remembered it.

He regretted calling him. What if Seokmin was having a good time and he just ruined something?

Mingyu didn't know what to say for a while and let the line hang in silence. After a second, Seokmin
asked if he was still there.

Mingyu took a breath and spoke in the happiest voice he could manage. "What's up, Seokmin?"

"I'm in the garden at the hospital, another late night for me." He chuckled and Mingyu heard
something drop on the other end. "You need something, Mingyu? I'd be glad to help." Seokmin
asked, the sound of his voice faltering behind the wind.

Mingyu pretended to hum as if he were thinking, but at the moment, he would rather Seokmin just
blather on as he always did so Mingyu wouldn't have to ruin his night, and he wouldn't be left alone
with this crisis.

"No, just wanted to chat." He tried to sound casual and attempted to hide the sniff that came from
him before he even realized he had done it.

Seokmin laughed. "That's weird, you don't normally chat over the phone. What happened to mister 'I
prefer texting'?"

Mingyu heard Seokmin walking and the rustling of what must have been dirt.

"I can change my mind."

Mingyu saw a head of hair roll past him that looked like Wonwoo, and he stood up, alarmed. He took
a few steps to follow it, his heart lighting up with hope.

Upon closer inspection, he didn't recognize the person at all.

His heart constricted and he had to walk back to his lonely corner that looked a little darker. He sat
back down, his bodydrooping into the seat dejectedly. He felt more tears trail past his cheeks and he
wiped at them as he brought his cellphoneback to his ear.
He caught on to the end of Seokmin's sentence.

"-so self-assured."

Mingyu heard a door being opened, and Seokmin shuffling through it.

"Sorry, could you say that again?" He asked.

Seokmin sighed before the line went silent abruptly.

Mingyu wiped at another tear that escaped and listened intently for any sign that he might still be
there. There wasn't anything but Seokmin's breathing and the sounds of the hospital until the now-
quiet voice cut in.

"Holy hell... Mingyu, are you okay?"

Mingyu heard the voice from both sides and he finally noticed that the door Seokmin had walked
through had been the door across from him.

Seokmin looked disfigured behind his tear-stained vision, but Mingyu could still make out the look of
surprise on his friend's face.

He wiped at his eyes in vain, knowing that Seokmin had already seen his sorrowful face.

He saw Seokmin hang up and walk over as fast as he could, a garden shovel in his hand. The
people around them were all focused on the gardener. He knelt before the chair, dipping his head so
he could be level with Mingyu who was folded in on himself.

"Mingyu, what happened? Why didn't you tell me you were here like... this?" Seokmin examined him
from head to toe, trying to see if he could find the root of the problem. His concern made Mingyu feel
weaker, and as a result, felt the urge to sob out loud, to let everything out to one of his oldest friends.

But he held back, shaking his head as the only response.

"I would have come right away! You're not hurt are you?"
Mingyu shook his head again.

Seokmin sighed in relief and laid down the shovel as he sat in the empty seat next to the corner.

He sat in silence for a while, letting Mingyu regain his composure as his breathing evened out and
his vision slowly became clearer. It took Mingyu everything he had just to get himself out of condition
he was in before. He stopped himself from his near-sobbing and sat a little straighter. He knew his
eyes were bloodshot, and his nose was probably dripping but he tried his best to look somewhat
alright.

"... So? Why are you here? Does Wonwoo know you're here?"

Mingyu took a breath before he spoke. "Wonwoo knows."

As if something clicked in his mind, Seokmin's eyes widened and he placed his hands over his
mouth in concern. "Is he-Is Wonwoo... Okay?"

Mingyu could only shrug. He didn't have a clue what was happening behind those doors where
psychiatrists like him weren't allowed. He had no clue what the symptoms meant even if he had read
everything there was to know about stomach cancer after he met Wonwoo. Mingyu genuinely had no
idea how to answer.

"He was... He was in a lot of pain, Seokmin. I could tell. It looked awful and I just-" A hitch in his
voice cut him off and Mingyu's eyes were spilling tears again. "I was just so useless. I can't do
anything, and I know nothing even though I'm a doctor."

"Mingyu, no."

With his gloved, dirt-covered hands, Seokmin pulled Mingyu in for one his awkward hugs.

"Don't beat yourself up over it, Mingyu. There's not a lot anyone can do in this situation." Seokmin
changed positions so Mingyu was leaning on his shoulder, and Seokmin had a hand patting his
head. "You're a doctor that deals with feelings and stuff like that so you should just deal
with your feelings for now." Seokmin smoothed back Mingyu's hair, and Mingyu felt oddly like a child
in his mother's arms. "So just cry and make sure you know it's not your fault because if I know you, I
know you're stupid enough to make even this about you."
Mingyu chuckled, deep and low for a long while before he realized that the laughing was actually his
crying. He sobbed into Seokmin's shoulder, letting it slip pass his lips no louder than a whisper.

"Wh-what if this i-is something s-serious?" Mingyu asked Seokmin silently.

"Then it's something serious, and you guys will get over it just fine." Seokmin replied just as silently.
"He's going to be fine, Mingyu."

Mingyu was never as grateful for anyone as he was for Seokmin in that moment. Stupid, garden-
fearing, joke-making Seokmin was actually comforting him and he couldn't hope for anyone else.
Seokmin was simple-minded and the answers he gave Mingyu was exactly what he needed.

"You guys are going to be just fine."

Mingyu didn't get to see Wonwoo that night, but Seokmin kept promising that they were going to be
okay as the night slipped past them.

The morning after, Mingyu got in touch with Wonwoo's parents. They were a panicked mess when
they finally registered what the doctor was telling them. The words they spoke were nearly code;
stuttered questions, held out sighs and muttered cries. It was hard for him to understand them at all,
but he felt responsible enough to decode every word that was whispered through the line.

Mingyu was still coping with everything, but after spending a while with Seokmin he had brightened
considerably, making it easier for him to do what he did best. Dealing with people who were lost.

Bohyuk even spoke to him for a short while over the phone, and all Mingyu could hear in his voice
was broken accusation. The teen was trying his best to stay composed, but even if they were miles
away, the hostility was palpable. They both thought it was somehow Mingyu's fault, and the
conversation just further pushed Mingyu into that idea. His sense of responsibility grew to the point
where he updated them every ten minutes.
Seokmin tried his best to stay by his side, but when he couldn't, he made sure Jeonghan would
check up on him to make sure he wouldn't end up how he was the night before. Jeonghan would
hang around him casually, acting as if nothing was wrong. He was different from Seokmin, he didn't
dare touch the subject unless Mingyu openly asked him something; he was, after all, on Wonwoo's
treatment team. The problem was, Jeonghan wasn't in the room for most of Wonwoo's examination
and so could hardly answer any of Mingyu's questions.

Mingyu left in search of Jisoo to ask him about Wonwoo's condition and he was found in his office,
scribbling something in his illegible writing onto a piece of paper.

Mingyu didn't even bother to knock, something they had grown accustomed to after they had
become friends. He just slid through the door, dropping himself into the chair facing Jisoo's before he
began bombarding him with questions.

Jisoo answered as calmly as he could, despite looking as unsettled as Mingyu. He explained

whatever he could.

Wonwoo had relapsed, the tumor forming about a month prior to where they were now; maybe even
farther back than that. According to their past experiences, cancer reccurence could be more difficult
than the first case, and Wonwoo was not an exception. Jisoo told Mingyu the truth then, that this
time around, the treatment wouldn't go as smoothly as the ones they performed when they first met.
The cancer cells were more aggressive, and Jisoo was still in the process of deciding what treatment
would be best.

Mingyu processed all of this as he continued to ask questions, sometimes even repeating ones he
had already received answers for. He didn't want to stop, he wanted to make sure he knew and
understood everything before he even dared to think about leaving that room.

Somewhere down the line, Jisoo began to look as upset as Mingyu and he nearly snapped. Mingyu
had begun asking the 'Why?' questions.

"Why did it have to come back?"

"Why couldn't he just be left alone?"

"Why Wonwoo?"
Jisoo's eyes became tired and he sighed before he half-shouted, "I can't answer those, Mingyu!" He
was sad too, Mingyu finally noticed. "Wonwoo's my friend too, you know," Jisoo said quietly. "I want
to wonder about those things too, but you and I both know there's no answer to why someone so
awfully wonderful has to be hurt this way..."

Jisoo had to look away, diverting his gaze to the ceiling as he blinked rapidly.

"I'm sorry," Mingyu whispered.

Jisoo sighed and then they sat staring at nothing.

In those minutes, Mingyu didn't really think about anything, just repeating words about what was
happening. He wondered if he could make it through the day without seeing Wonwoo. He knew he
probably couldn't. Mingyu really wanted to look at him, even if Wonwoo couldn't look back just yet.

Then Jeonghan stepped in, light feet hardly making a sound against the hardwood floors. Wonwoo
was cleared for visitors.

He was awake, and he was asking for Mingyu.

--

After that first day, Mingyu was beginning to be okay again. As soon as he heard Wonwoo's voice
commenting on how awful he looked, he felt as if Seokmin's words held some truth. They were going
to be fine, and he could believe it now.

They went home, Mingyu babying him in every humanly possible way. He was relieved because
Wonwoo looked normal. He was talking, he was eating, he was laughing. As long as Wonwoo
looked happy, Mingyu was too.

Despite the relief, things weren't easily put back. They were careful about everything.
Where Mingyu would normally be the one to do exciting things, he now held back in fear that
something might happen. Without anyone to push Wonwoo out of his comfort zone, he was left to
stew in the dark cloud that surrounded the situation they had been put in.

Everything was to be done after consulting the doctors, and no one was to take risks.

They still did the normal things. A new sticker would appear, laughing would fill the pockets of
silence, pictures would fill the albums, but they hardly went out on adventures to new places like
Mingyu had suggested in the past. Wonwoo was confined to Mingyu's small apartment and his room
in the hospital.

Jeonghan, Seokmin and Jisoo were concerned but what could they do when the two of them still
seemed happy? The one who normally solved problems for them was Mingyu, but now he was in the
eye of the storm and none of them knew how to get through to him. Eventually, most of their friends
banded together in attempts to get them to back to the way they were before, but
even Jisoo's constant reassurances that they didn't have to be overly careful didn't work.

Mingyu looked like he was treading on thin ice while Wonwoo was looking more and more strained
as time went on.

Even Mingyu knew somewhere deep down that he was doing things wrong, but fear held a strong
power over his life and he could never get himself out of the comfort that 'playing-it-safe' provided. If
something else happened to Wonwoo, he couldn't bear knowing that he had failed to protect him.

On a strangely quiet day, Mingyu finally built up the courage to take them out to a petting zoo in the
countryside not too far from Seoul.

It started out with a nice atmosphere. The sky was as blue as ever, speckled and blurred by the
plump clouds spread across it. There was a cool breeze-- not too cool but it wasn't stuffy or humid--
and the air was filled with sounds of families laughing and the occasional grunt from an animal.

Wonwoo and Mingyu were already feeling better, seeing the world just as they had left it; happy,
bright and moving along as it should.

They saw cows, chickens, llamas and donkeys as soon as they had broken through the crowd at the
entrance. Somewhere in the distance, braying could be heard and Mingyu already began raving
about sheep. He was reverting back to normal, one animal at a time and Wonwoo's happy mood
only helped.

The llamas stood taller than Mingyu, casting a shadow over the both of them. It made strange
huffing noises and, true to rumours, spat at them. Wonwoo made a bet to see who the llama would
spit at more, him or Mingyu and the latter agreed readily. Wonwoo bet a written short story and
Mingyu bet a new bookshelf for their apartment. After dodging lobs of spit and flinching whenever
they heard a grunt, Wonwoo lost, the llama being awfully stubborn and spitting in Wonwoo's
direction a lot more often than he initially thought it would. Mingyu made him lock pinkies to promise
him he'd write the best short story he would ever read.

Animals nudged at their palms for food, their wet noses leaving streaks on Mingyu and Wonwoo's
hands. Mingyu laughed at the ones that were especially desperate and, as usual, Wonwoo caught
onto his contagious laughing and they were stuck in front of the pigs, laughing harder than they had
in weeks because one of the pigs had the audacity to fit half its body through the fence when they
were occupied with their laughter. The employees had to get him out themselves, and shooed the
still laughing couple away from the exhibit.

Wonwoo met a goat that had a bald spot on his head at the next stop, and he got attached quickly.
He named the small animal "Trouble". When Mingyu gave him a quizzical look, he explained that the
goat must have been a lot of trouble to care for if the naked spot was caused by stress. Plus, he
added, the animal had this killer look in its eyes.

Then someone ran into him. They didn't even bother with an apology, just walking along as if he
hadn't basically just football-tackled someone.

Mingyu couldn't catch him in time and he went stumbling into the fence. The bag of food that they
had purchased for the goats spilled into the enclosure and braying goats of all sizes came running
for the spilled feed. Meanwhile, Wonwoo was hunched over the fence, a pole digging into the side of
his stomach.

Mingyu helped him up, the calm that had built in him crumbling away to be replaced by anger and
the unease he had tried so desperately to erase. After ensuring that Wonwoo was okay, Mingyu
stood between him and the person who had knocked him over.
"Excuse me?" Mingyu asked, seeing the way the man was looking at them, clear disgust written over
his expression.

The man shrugged. "It was an accident," he said with icy casualness.

Mingyu had to raise his voice over the growing clamor of crazed animals behind him. "You could at
least apologize."

"Well, you guys have been here for half an hour, give other people a chance," The shorter man
sniffed, glancing over Mingyu's shoulder at Wonwoo.

"We've been here for ten minutes, and there's plenty of space," Mingyu shot back, shifting so that
the man was paying attention to him. "There's was no reason to be rude, you could have just asked,"
Mingyu said in an attempt to stay civil. He knew better than to start a fight in public.

"If I asked, your stupid friend wouldn't have heard me over his baby talk."

Mingyu wasn't sure if he heard right over the chaotic sounds of goats fighting for food behind him,
but what he did manage to register made his anger bubble over.

"If you asked-"

Mingyu was cut off before he continued when workers came to shout at the three of them. He
couldn't understand anything over the overlapping sounds of shouting and braying, and he really did
not want to take his eyes off of the man but he felt something tugging at his shirt.

Mingyu turned around and found Wonwoo looking paler than he did before, clutching his head and
stomach at the same time. Mingyu was overcome by fear then, dipping his head so he could hear
what Wonwoo needed.

"Can we just go?"

Mingyu nodded vigorously. "Of course."

He wrapped an arm around Wonwoo's shoulders and maneuvered through the crowd of chaos. He
ignored the man's taunts from behind him, his only focus on Wonwoo and how he must be feeling.
They left in silence, Wonwoo falling victim to exhaustion in the car.

Mingyu knew he never wanted that to happen again.

They couldn't go back to normal.

--

It was unintentional, but they became distanced.

They tried to be okay, they tried to just be as they were before, but the lack of things Mingyu was
willing to do, and the little that they ended up doing just wasn't enough.

Wonwoo was eventually moved back to the hospital when his health wasn't improving and that only
further deepened the ravine that had opened between them. Mingyu stopped by frequently the first
couple of weeks, dropping off Wonwoo's laptop, his phone and anything he would need.

Wonwoo became weaker and Mingyu became afraid to see him. He didn't know what he could do
and he began hiding from what was actually happening. He only stopped by when someone asked
him to, or if he felt it had been too long since they had seen each other. Visiting Wonwoo became a
task rather than a voluntary act.

He knew he was being awful because Wonwoo wasn't the type of person to accuse someone, or ask
for what he really wanted if he wasn't desperate enough, but Mingyu couldn't bear being by his side
when he knew his fear might just make things worse for Wonwoo. He had no idea to help, and his
cautious actions hadn't helped in the past two months, so why would they now?

Mingyu lived with the image of the Wonwoo that he used to know, leaving the Wonwoo of the
present to sit alone in a bed that they used to talk from.

On good days, Mingyu wouldn't think of him at all until he was alone in the apartment that had
Wonwoo written all over it, and even then, he would just lay down and close his eyes until these
parts of him disappeared too.
Mingyu made new friends, a beautiful man named Baekhyun, and a tall elf named Chanyeol. They
didn't know Wonwoo, and so they didn't remind him of the pain that he was escaping, further erasing
the dark eyes and the strangely bright smile that he hadn't wanted to leave.

He turned away visits from Wonwoo's family.

A month passed by.

Mingyu's visits became less frequent, and he even turned down some of the favours others asked
him to perform for Wonwoo. His heart hurt a little less whenever Wonwoo was mentioned and he
began believing that he could live.

He refused to look at Jeonghan and Seokmin when they passed in the halls because they only ever
came to him with sad, begging eyes. Something about Wonwoo would be said and Mingyu would
nod absentmindedly as if he were busy and he would move on. He felt guilty because he owed a lot
to Seokmin but he kept telling himself that as soon as he felt good enough to see Wonwoo, he
would.

His old friends hardly talked to him, only ever coming to him if needed to tell him something about
Wonwoo. Even Seungkwan had abandoned him, siding with the older of the two.

He spent his holidays alone. On New Year's, his wish from the preceding year came back to him and
he felt his heart breaking all over again. He cried again for the first time in forever, letting out
everything that remained of his broken relationship with the one he used to think he would sacrifice
everything for. The pictures lying around the house taunted him, the plants looked as if they were
wilting, and everything looked as if it had chosen Wonwoo.

Mingyu was completely alone that night, with dreams of a time where the only thing he knew was
happiness.

Another month flew by Mingyu and he didn't know what Wonwoo looked like in the present. He
debated for a couple of days whether or not he should go see him, and after another guilty
encounter with Seokmin, he decided it would be for the best if he at least gave him a greeting.
When Mingyu first stepped in, Wonwoo didn't notice him, too engrossed in a book that sat in his lap.

Mingyu's heart constricted at the sight of him, he looked like he did when Mingyu had first met him.
Wonwoo looked serene, eyes holding a sense of mystery behind them and his hair forever tousled
on top of his head. He flipped a page, adjusting his glasses in the same way Mingyu had
memorized.

He looked good, Mingyu admitted. Maybe he was getting better, he couldn't be sure.

Mingyu cleared his throat to alert Wonwoo that he was there, and the older looked up, glasses
slipping down the bridge of his nose.

He did look better than he did before, but something about the way Wonwoo looked at Mingyu made
him feel unsettled. Something was missing, this image wasn't right. He had seen this so many times
in the first months they had known each other. He would come in, but Wonwoo would have this glint
in his eyes that told Mingyu he was saying something. Now, he couldn't find that anywhere.

"Hi," Mingyu said in a casual tone, walking over to sit in the chair next to Wonwoo's bed.

"Hi to you too," Wonwoo replied. Mingyu realized that his voice was different too.

After a second of silence, Wonwoo turned his head back to his book, eyes skimming over words as
he flipped a page. Mingyu recalled times when he would sit, just like he was then, and watch as
Wonwoo would work. Then, Wonwoo would look up at him, kick him or punch him and tell him to
leave him alone before he would smile and go back to work.

Wonwoo didn't look up at him, or kick him or punch him or smile. He just read.

Mingyu looked out the window, seeing the scenery he knew by heart. He pinpointed plants and trees
and objects he had never seen before. He found their rock easily, snow piled around the bottom of it,
hiding whatever might bloom there in the spring.

Mingyu realized that he had stopped looking out for the garden ever since Wonwoo relapsed, and he
didn't even know if things still looked the same. In the snow, he could note no big changes, but he
did find that the apple tree had grown larger. Everything else was hidden, blanketed in a thin layer of
cold, white dust. A breeze flew by, disturbing the stillness of the scenery and Mingyu felt that he
missed the garden.

Maybe he could visit it once the snow melted; maybe he could visit it with Wonwoo if he was feeling
good enough. He wasn't sure, at that point, if Wonwoo would even agree to it anymore.

Mingyu thought about Wonwoo, and concluded that the latter seemed to be doing good. Mingyu was
afraid of how Wonwoo was holding up ever since Mingyu had basically left him, but the older
seemed to be just fine. Mingyu thought that they were both doing pretty good.

He turned back, thinking that he should make polite conversation but stopped short when he saw
that Wonwoo's glasses were stained with tears, and the pages of the book were wet. A shiver ran
down Mingyu's spine as he took in the scene before him.

Wonwoo looked tragically beautiful and Mingyu started longing for something.

Mingyu reached out for him but pulled his hand back before he could get there. "Hey, Wonwoo, are
you okay?"

He was becoming nervous, was he hurt? What was wrong with him, now? He had no clue about his
current situation.

Wonwoo nodded silently before he sniffed. "Sad scene... You know me."

Mingyu nodded and sighed in relief. "Oh, good."

If he had actually bothered to look closer, to let himself care, Mingyu might have noticed the telltale
signs that Wonwoo was lying. If Mingyu wasn't so afraid he would have realized that Wonwoo was
crying about an entirely different story.

Wonwoo swallowed and a small sob escaped his lips as he pushed his fingers behind his glasses to
wipe his tears. "Could you... Leave me alone for now?"

His voice was wavering, and it cracked a little. Mingyu wondered what could have happened for him
to be crying that much.
"Uh, sure."

He stood, almost a little too fast and made for the door.

Wonwoo muttered something right before Mingyu left, and all he could catch was "... a happy
ending."

Mingyu brushed it off, assuming he was probably muttering to himself about the book. He knew
Wonwoo, and he knew that Wonwoo did that often.

He also knew that Wonwoo was a fast reader, and he hadn't flipped the page in the ten minutes that
he was in there.

He also brushed that off.

--

No more than half an hour had passed since Mingyu came back from Wonwoo's room did Seokmin
break the silence of his office by slamming the door open, coming in unannounced.

The gardener looked livid, his hands clenched into fists and his footsteps heavy. He stood there for a
second looking at Mingyu as if he didn't even know him anymore.

"What did you do, this time, Mingyu?" He asked, his voice quiet but dripping with hostility. Mingyu
was taken aback by his tone of voice, having never heard Seokmin so angry.

Mingyu turned away from his computer, pushing his chair away from his desk so he could stand. The
sound of the wheels on the hardwood floor scratched in the uncomfortable air. Mingyu could feel that
the atmosphere was becoming tense and he stood cautiously, wondering what it was that Seokmin
was so worked up about.
"What do you mean, Seokmin?" Mingyu said, trying his best to sound sincere because he knew it
was probably about Wonwoo, but he was unsure of what he actually did.

"Mingyu, just stop." Seokmin was closing his eyes, and he pinched the bridge of his nose as if he
had a headache. "Why haven't you noticed a fucking thing about what you're doing to Wonwoo when
you supposedly know all there is to know about human nature?"

Mingyu was struck speechless. For one thing, it was the first time he had heard Seokmin swear, and
for another, what did Seokmin know about what Mingyu was doing?

"Seokmin I-"

"Before you start saying bullshit about not being able to help, or making things worse, listen to me.
Pretend I'm your patient or whatever and just listen to what I say, okay?"

Seokmin was staring him down from across the room, his eyes daring Mingyu to talk back. So
Mingyu gave a silent nod and waited for Seokmin to tell him what he wanted to say.

"I don't know when you started thinking it was okay to leave Wonwoo alone, because it's not,
Mingyu. He's got cancer, and he can die whenever and you decide to let him live with that by
himself?" Seokmin shook his head, sighing as he walked closer. "I don't know when you got so
stupid. You're always justifying what you do with 'I can't help', 'I'm useless' or 'I'm making things
worse', but when have any of these been true? I haven't seen a single time where you didn't help
Wonwoo by just being there. I thought you knew better than anyone that dying patients need
someone with them." Seokmin scoffed. "Hell, I'm just a gardener and I know this. I know that
Wonwoo was happy with you, and I know he looks awful without you. I wish he didn't have to depend
on an asshole like you, but he does and I get why. I used to depend on you, too Mingyu." Seokmin's
expression softened in the slightest, and Mingyu saw the sincerity in his friend's words. "You've
changed quite a bit in the past four months and I can't help but feel it was for the worse. You're not
only affecting Wonwoo, you look like you've been touched by death itself."

Mingyu found that statement strange. He hadn't found that he had been affected that much, in fact,
he thought he was looking better. He felt better than when he had spent sleepless nights worrying
over Wonwoo or when he would spend most of his time thinking about how Wonwoo must've been
feeling or when he would drop everything if Wonwoo needed him too. Seokmin was wrong, he
wasn't worse, he was definitely better. Mingyu wanted Seokmin to leave if all the gardener was trying
to do was pull him back into that state of depression he was in.

"No, Seokmin. I'm doing fine."

"Mingyu!" Seokmin shouted before he realized he had raised his voice. He took a breath and
continued more calmly. "If you're going to lie to yourself and say you're just dandy, go ahead but you
can't continue subjecting Wonwoo to this abuse. He's been crying ever since you got to his room,
Mingyu and he keeps telling me I can't tell you because he's worried he might bother you. Do you
see how screwed up that is? He's the one who's in pain and he's worried about you? That
selflessness was something that you used to have and now you've completely lost it by screwing
with someone who honestly deserves the world."

Mingyu sighed angrily. "Why don't you give him what he deserves then? You obviously care so much
about him, so why don't you do something about it? I don't want anything to do with this anymore!"

"But I can't, Mingyu."

"Exactly!" Mingyu shouted, his voice reverberating against the four-walled room. "That is exactly how
I feel, so why can't you just accept that I can't do anything and just help Wonwoo yourself? I don't
want him to be hurt either but what better will it be if I'm there? I know I'm being an asshole and if I
decide to push my negative feelings on him, how will that make him feel? Fucking awful, Seokmin."
Mingyu turned away, turning his attention to his window instead. "All I'll do is make Wonwoo blame
himself and I'll hurt us both in the process so you should do something for him instead."

"I said I can't because I'm not you."

Mingyu had to hold in a breath.

"I've really tried, but Wonwoo isn't the same around me. He's trying his hardest but he really does
need you, Mingyu."

Mingyu breathed out slowly, willing the onslaught of locked away emotions to stop.

"He doesn't need me, he's fine."

Seokmin made frustrated noises that really meant nothing and Mingyu could hear him shuffling
around the room.

"I'm done with you, Mingyu. I. Am. So done." Seokmin's voice was angry again and Mingyu heard his
footsteps retreat towards the door. There was a pause where nothing happened and the air stilled.
Seokmin disturbed it, trying for one last question.

"Mingyu, have you ever thought that you guys need each other?" Seokmin's voice was loud and
clear but it sounded unsure. "Because while he's literally dying without you, your heart has withered
away to nothing."

Mingyu didn't answer.

Seokmin sighed again.

"Fine. Goodbye, Mingyu. It was a nice talk."

The door opened silently, but slammed shut, shaking the picture frames on the walls.

Seokmin shook Mingyu, but it wasn't enough for him to budge. He only needed one more push and
he knew he would've given in.

Mingyu wasn't sure whether or not he was happy that he hadn't changed his mind.

--

When night fell over the busy city of Seoul, Mingyu felt like he was the only one who was still awake.
His office was deafly silent and his eyes could barely see through the thick blanket of darkness. He
had been working all day, but when everyone had packed up and left, he couldn't get himself to
leave his room.
He was disturbed by how quiet things were and for a fleeting moment he wondered if he had
somehow died. Surprisingly, he wasn't disturbed by the thought. If he was dying, everything would
have been simple and he would go immediately to see Wonwoo.

Mingyu looked at the faded stars, moving on from his morbid thoughts.

They used to shine so brightly when they sat as a crown on Wonwoo's dark hair, but now they were
just small dots on a backdrop of black. It might have been due to the fact that his window was
fogged, but Mingyu's mindset was too upset to make that connection.

Mingyu jumped out of his seat when a knock sounded at his door, and he stared out at it, seeing a
face peeking in from the window built in next to it.

The nighttime janitor was staring at him, saying something he couldn't hear.

Mingyu gathered his things, heaving a heavy sigh. He answered the door politely and asked what it
was that the man wanted.

"Aren't you going home?"

Mingyu nodded. "Yeah, just caught up with some stuff."

The janitor gave him a once-over, for some reason completely unknown to Mingyu before he swiped
his mop around the latter.

"Ah, okay see you tomorrow, sir," he said before moving along, back towards his packed cart.
Mingyu watched his retreating back, thinking vaguely that it looked lonely.

He left the janitor, finding his way around the halls to wherever. Mingyu didn't want to go back to his
place, for the reason that there was simply too much Wonwoo there. He didn't have any friends who
he could spend time with, either. Chanyeol and Baekhyun were out of the city while the rest of them
had left him -- for obvious reasons.

He roamed the floor that he was on for a long time, not particularly thinking of anything. Mingyu
focused on the empty sound of his footsteps instead, wondering where they would take him if he just
let them be. There was a specific place he wanted and did not want to be at the same time. He
wondered if his feet would take him there.

He stopped by a wide window that opened up the sight of the Emergency entrance. Doctors, nurses
and patients were pacing around busily, all of them caught up in their own crises. Mingyu suddenly
longed to be busy so he kept going, moving down into a darker part of the wing.

As he stepped on, the cold air from the empty halls settled into him and although he only had his
thin, white coat on, he didn't really notice it.

Mingyu watched his feet plod down on the dull, grey floors and before he knew it he had gotten on
the elevator, climbed through skywalks, passed through waiting rooms until he found himself in front
of Wonwoo's door. He felt half-surprised but some part of him knew that he had just wanted to get
there.

He didn't think, letting his hand open the door before he could hesitate. It slid open silently, opening
up to him a dark room. When the door had been closed he hadn't heard anything but now he heard
breathing that was too burdened to be normal and a voice that sounded like sobbing.

Mingyu knew it was Wonwoo and the fact that it was made him quicken his steps, old habits coming
back to him. Once he saw the bed coated in pale moonlight he did nothing.

Wonwoo was sat up, head tilted against the wall with his mouth being bitten closed. Tears skimmed
down his cheeks, barely noticeable until they caught light. The drops fell onto a familiar fleece scarf
that matched the one in Mingyu's hands.

Mingyu had stopped-- just for a second-- to properly look at Wonwoo. He hadn't done that in a while,
to just look at him without assessing for damage or possible outcomes. Mingyu didn't know why, but
he felt that he had to do it then; that he owed it to Wonwoo.

When a choked sob fell past his clamped lips, Mingyu was moving again.

Mingyu remembered what Seokmin had told him earlier that day. Wonwoo was crying because of
him, and maybe seeing it for himself was the last push he needed.
He dropped himself onto the bed, next to Wonwoo's waist and pulled in the latter for a hug. He did it
on impulse, he had already stopped thinking long before he had even entered the room and it made
it easier for him.

The older didn't seem to be thinking either because he held on to Mingyu as if he were his last
lifeline and let everything out. He cried, attempting to say things in between but they both knew that
none of it made sense.

Mingyu felt the cold that had settled in him from wandering empty halls dissipate the longer he sat
with Wonwoo in his arms. It was replaced by the warmth that could only be given by someone else.
The frozen view outside their window would melt away if it were between them, Mingyu thought.

Wonwoo's stuttered breathing slowed to a calm, steady tempo and eventually the crying had turned
into hiccups occurring at random times with a strange silence stretching in between each one.

When Wonwoo finally began to calm down, Mingyu began questioning what he was doing.

Mingyu had not wanted to be there for the past month and just within minutes he had taken himself
there without a second thought.

He looked down at Wonwoo who was still cradled into him, still a hiccuping mess, and wondered
why it was that Wonwoo always managed to control him. Wonwoo had had that power over him
since the first time they met and Mingyu was being pulled back into it after being away for so long.

Just as Mingyu was about to lean away, Wonwoo took in a huge breath and muttered two words,
"Thank you," he said before another breath and three more words. "and I'm sorry."

His voice was hoarse but still the deep tone Mingyu had nearly allowed himself to forget. Mingyu
didn't know how to reply because he thought he knew what Wonwoo was apologizing for, but he
couldn't be one hundred percent sure.

"I know I've put you through a lot... Giving you a false happiness and then replacing it with nothing
but worry and hurt," Wonwoo said as he leaned away by himself, settling himself so he would look
into Mingyu's eyes. He reached for the latter's hands and held them gently as if they were made of
delicate china.
Mingyu's heart was being crushed. A wave of guilt crashed onto him, followed by one of sadness,
and then regret, and then longing, and then good, old sadness. He was being barraged by emotions
that asked why Wonwoo was the one to be apologizing, why Mingyu was unable to say anything in
return, why he had left Wonwoo in the first place when Mingyu felt so warm when Wonwoo was just
looking at him. He was asking the 'why' questions that would have never been needed to be asked if
he had just stayed.

"You've been alone for a long time, right?" Wonwoo's voice sent shivers to trickle over Mingyu's skin
and tears were threatening to spill. He hadn't felt lonely but Wonwoo's words made him realize how
solitary he had been. People had tried to convince him, but in the end, it was only Wonwoo who was
able to make him see what he had really needed. "I'm sorry that I've done that to you. I didn't want
the rest of them to leave you, but they did it anyway and it's all my fault."

Wonwoo brushed at a tear Mingyu hadn't realized had left.

"I know why you left me, I don't blame you for it." Wonwoo choked on his words, his eyes glistening
again. "But I was lonely too."

Mingyu nodded, attempting to breathe but the sob he was holding in wouldn't let him. "I know," he
coughed out. "I know, I'm so sorry."

Wonwoo shushed him, closing his eyes as he leaned in to touch their foreheads. "So let's not do this
anymore, Mingyu," his voice was whispered and his breath tickled Mingyu's cheeks. "I didn't want to
hurt you, but my god it hurts not to be with you so let's stop avoiding each other, please?"

His last word was tiny, muttered as if it had come from a child. Mingyu had never seen Wonwoo
acting this way and it made him think how long Wonwoo must have been thinking for him to go this
far.

"Okay," Mingyu replied, his voice just above a whisper. "Let's do that. We'll just be together, no
worrying, no ignoring, let's just be happy. Okay?"

"Okay."

Mingyu said it one more time. "Okay."

Wonwoo muttered something Mingyu almost failed to catch.

"Maybe okay will be our always."

Mingyu couldn't help but laugh.

"So you're reading John Green, now?"

Wonwoo laughed back.

"Don't judge, it's a good book. I don't think you'd like it though."

"I won't read it then."

"Okay."

"Stop with the okays, it's making me anxious."

"Okay."

When they had finished joking around and Mingyu had tucked Wonwoo in and let him doze off, he
still sat by the side of his bed, watching him sleep. Mingyu remembered the first time he had voiced
his feelings, in a dark hospital room while Wonwoo was asleep.

There are times when a person is apart from something for so long that they forget what it was like
to be with it at all. Then, something comes along, a memory, a sound, a view, something that could
be incredibly small comes and triggers a feeling that reminds them that maybe their feelings haven't
changed that much.
Wonwoo's careless snoring, was, surprisingly, what brought back Mingyu's locked away feelings.

As he listened to the sporadic sounds, Mingyu leaned over, just until his face was right above
Wonwoo's.

"I think I might be in love with you, again."

And he didn't only think he was in love with Wonwoo, he had known it forever but had denied it out of
fear.

He was only saying it that way to mirror what he had said for the first time, over a year ago, in the
hopes that things would return to the happy days of the past.

Mingyu left a kiss on Wonwoo's forehead with a smile, and stood up, preparing himself to leave.

He gave him one last glance before he left.

I'll tell him properly, tomorrow.

When Jeonghan and Seokmin found Mingyu in Wonwoo's room the following day, they went bat-shit
crazy. Mingyu could tell they wanted to ask him questions, but no one dared. Instead, they sat
around while Jeonghan talked about patients that he should obviously not be sharing information
about and Seokmin talked about awful nurses who could never shut up. Jeonghan wouldn't stop
glaring at him.

When the two left, Mingyu told Wonwoo he loved him and things finally fell back into place. This
time, they were definitely going to be okay.

Days after became just as they had been when OHEA had been in effect. Mingyu went back to
being his cheery self as if Wonwoo had been the antidote to his broken, lonely self. Their friends
were all back together, coming in one big group. Mingyu could see that Wonwoo was happy again,
and he cursed himself for having ever changed that. Mingyu was seeing things in Wonwoo that he
missed when he was away, and things that he would have never seen had he not come back.

Mingyu was determined to make it up to Wonwoo, no matter what it would take. Every day, he would
love him, and every night he would stay by Wonwoo's side until he wasn't needed anymore. Their
feelings for each other came back stronger and even though it should have made Mingyu even more
afraid to lose him, he no longer gave those things a thought.

Wonwoo's family came for Mingyu's head but Wonwoo straightened everything out before his mother
could take his life, or before Bohyuk could give him a black eye. None of them really forgave Mingyu,
but he knew he deserved it so he did nothing to retaliate. It took them a while before they could hold
a civilized conversation. Wonwoo's family slowly began to forgive Mingyu as time went on but he
knew they wouldn't trust him as they did before.

Despite the positive changes, Wonwoo wasn't getting any better. Jisoo mentioned that the cancer
was progressing and it was hard to tell where they would go from there.

Jisoo was hesitant in telling Mingyu to be careful, fearing that he might go overboard like before but
Mingyu took it well. He was showing a different way of being careful. His touches were gentle, his
visits came often, his words were soft and everything he did was simply warm.

It was obvious that Mingyu wasn't going anywhere anymore. He planned to stay until the very end.

When the two were together, it seemed almost as if nothing could ever break them apart. In those
days, they were inseparable.

In the last weeks of March, the snow was disappearing and so was Wonwoo's ability to walk. He was
getting weaker by the day and his legs could no longer support him. He got a wheelchair that Mingyu
treated like his old laptop. Despite it being hospital property, Mingyu stuck random things on it that
he found or that he received from patients.

The wheelchair didn't change much, but Wonwoo had to often go 'exercising' with nurses to help
keep the strength in his body. Otherwise, Mingyu would wheel him around in his wheelchair and take
him to empty spaces where they would practice his steps in their spare time.

Their favourite spot to visit was the budding garden, on the stone paths that would be hard to
navigate with the wheelchair. They stopped by often, picking out the prettiest flowers so that
Wonwoo could bring them back to his room. Seokmin scolded them for killing his flowers, but in the
end, he never stopped them.

March 30th, Mingyu came in with a strange piece of fabric and the brightest grin that Wonwoo had to
voice that he was slightly afraid.

"What do you have, Mingyu? Should I be afraid because I kind of am."

"I have a life-changing piece of a costume," Mingyu explained as he pulled the wheelchair out of its
corner and unfolded it. Mingyu's eyes were fixed on a sticker of a star that read "You did it!" that he
received from a teacher that he was seeing for dissociative disorder as he pushed the chair closer to
the bed. "Hop on, and I'll show you what it is."

Wonwoo pushed the bedsheets aside, his arms taking a little longer than they used to. He stood up
with difficulty but Mingyu assisted him, holding him up by the arm and leading him into the chair.

"Look at you, you've turned into a sloth, Wonwoo," Mingyu commented with a lighthearted
laugh. "This is why you should eat more to get stronger!"

Wonwoo scoffed as he adjusted his seated position. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I can't."

"Then what are we going to do with this sloth?"

"Not like you've ever been that fast, either, Mingyu," Wonwoo shot back with a smile. His head was
tilted upwards so he could speak to the one standing above him. "I'm in the chair, show me what
you've got."
Mingyu's eyes lit up as he remembered the object in his hands. He unfurled it in one swift motion
and it fell between them, a curtain of red silk.

"Is that..." Wonwoo paused to examining the ends. "That's a cape, isn't it?" His voice fell into an
unamused tone but his eyes betrayed him. He found it funny.

"Spot on, my friend!" Mingyu brought his hands down to tie it around Wonwoo's neck but the latter's
own hands shot up to block him.

"No way."

"What?"

"There is no way I'm letting you put that on as you wheel me around the hospital."

Mingyu pouted, much like a little child. "Why not? Isn't it cool?"

"If it's so cool, you can wear it yourself."

Mingyu thought about it for a second before he nodded. "Sure, I will."

Wonwoo responded to his comment with a chuckle muffled by his hand. "Actually?"

The younger nodded and widened his eyes as if to say: 'Watch me'. Mingyu wrapped the strings
around his own neck and tucked in his chin so he could see enough to tie the strings together. Once
he finished the knot, he gave a twirl and watched as Wonwoo's eyes followed the swaying cape.

"So? Do I look like superman yet?"

Wonwoo snorted.

"That's a little short, isn't it?"

Mingyu tilted his head to the side before he caught the ends of the cape, seeing that it ended
halfway down his back. His eyes widened, having only realized its length then.
"Mingyu, you stole that from a kid, didn't you?" Wonwoo joked.

Mingyu's hands shot up in defense as he shook his head vigorously. "No, no, no! He gave it to me,
kids do that a lot."

Wonwoo clucked his tongue and shook his head. "Who knew? Mingyu, the kind-hearted physician
turning into a cape-stealing thug."

Mingyu tugged at the string and let it come undone. He huffed angrily before leaning down and tying
it around Wonwoo's neck. He did it so fast, Wonwoo couldn't even say a word.

"Well, you touched it last so now you're in on the theft."

Wonwoo forgot about untying it and instead tilted his head up again. "So you're acknowledging it
was a theft?"

Mingyu opened his mouth, but shut it again, realizing that he had said that it was theft, himself. He
had put himself into a corner and he wanted to smack himself upside the head.

"Let's go!" Mingyu shouted as a way to change the subject.

He took the handles and wheeled Wonwoo out the room at an unusually fast pace. They flew down
the halls, the cape billowing into Mingyu's chest.

Wonwoo wanted to shout, but he knew they were in the halls of a hospital where disturbances could
spark into something a lot bigger so he closed his eyes instead, letting the sound of Mingyu's
laughter wash over him and the wind to catch on his face.

Mingyu steered them into the elevator where they had to pause for a second. Wonwoo took the
advantage to scold Mingyu for running in hallways.

Mingyu apologized but as soon as they were on their floor he ran out again, watching Wonwoo to
find that he was actually enjoying it. He wanted to stare, but he had to look up again to swerve past
a column in the middle of the floor.
They finally reached the doors of the garden and Mingyu had to pause to open the door. From there,
he walked slowly, taking them out towards their rock. He dodged cracks in the ground and anything
that was sticking out.

When they stopped, Wonwoo gave Mingyu a smile. "Are you getting younger, or something? You
get more and more childish as time goes on."

Mingyu gave him a flawless wink. "You caught me. I have a secret that will make you younger,"
Mingyu made up on the spot, leaning on Wonwoo's wheelchair so their heads were a foot away. He
made it seem as if what he was about to say was a huge, unrevealed secret.

"Oh yeah?" Wonwoo's eyes were glittering with amusement. "And what is that?"

"Smiling," Mingyu said with simplicity.

Wonwoo's mouth broke out into a grin, and he was doing exactly as Mingyu had told him. He was
smiling, and the doctor was convinced that he was a couple of years younger and there was
absolutely nothing wrong with him. Mingyu told himself that someone who looked so alive couldn't
possibly be dying.

"At this rate, you're going to outlive me," Mingyu joked.

Wonwoo's laughter was a little short, but Mingyu didn't comment on it.

"And laughter," Mingyu added. "Laughter will make you live forever."

Wonwoo shook his head, another laugh escaping his lips as he tilted his head down, facing his
attention towards the folded hands in his lap.

Mingyu shifted himself so he stood next to Wonwoo so he could get a view of Wonwoo's shy smile.
Mingyu loved looking at it, even though it was fading by the day. It was all the more necessary for
him to see it whenever it appeared, so he could remember it for a long time, just in case he would
never be able to see it again.

After a moment of silence that Mingyu had taken to admire Wonwoo, the former clapped his hands
childishly. Wonwoo jumped out of his daze and looked up at Mingyu, tilting his head to the side.
"Okay, let's get walking," Mingyu said, moving so he stood in front of Wonwoo's chair. He put out a
hand for Wonwoo to take, and the latter took it while nodding. With his other hand, he pulled off the
cape and let it rest on the back of his chair.

"I'll do my best."

Wonwoo stood up unsteadily, leaning on Mingyu so that he could get away from his wheelchair.

"Not bad," Mingyu commented as they stepped forward towards the fountain in the middle of the
court. "We're off to a good start."

Wonwoo eventually relaxed the farther they walked. His steps were slow, but Mingyu adjusted so
they could be the same speed. Wonwoo's eyes alternated from the path ahead of him and his
slipper-clad feet. He stepped over cracks and crevices so he wouldn't trip.

Mingyu was watchful, careful of anything that could slip up and cause an accident but he let down
his guard after seeing how well Wonwoo was doing.

When they were only a couple feet away from the middle, Wonwoo's knees let out unexpectedly. He
fell over onto Mingyu and they lost their balance, the two of them falling to the ground. Mingyu
managed to control it so that Wonwoo fell over onto him and he sat up soon after, bringing Wonwoo
with him.

Mingyu asked him if he was okay but Wonwoo just kept apologizing.

"I'm so sorry, Mingyu."

"Hey," Mingyu caught off his slew of apologies and forced Wonwoo to look him in the eyes. "It's
okay. You fell once, everyone falls from time-to-time."

Wonwoo nodded slowly but diverted his gaze again to something behind Mingyu. "But..." He paused,
closing his eyes to the brightness of the sun. "I fall more than I walk, Mingyu. Maybe one day-"

Mingyu cut him off again, directing his head back to the center by cupping his hand on Wonwoo's
cheek.
"But I'll be here, and I'll help you. Wherever you go -- if you need me -- I'll follow you."

"You can't always be-"

Mingyu cut him off one last time.

"Everywhere. I'll follow you everywhere, as long as you let me."

Wonwoo eventually stopped eating. He couldn't stomach food anymore and despite the amount
of times everyone around him tried to persuade him to eat at least a bite of something, he could
never eat more than half a bowl of soup.

Wonwoo had sudden pain, trouble breathing, and his vomitting became more frequent. All of that
topped with Wonwoo's lack of an appetite made everyone around him worry more than they had
before.

Mingyu tried, every day, to remind him to eat but Wonwoo would only give him a silent shake of his
head and change the topic to something else. Mingyu would go along with it, but it never stopped
him from noticing how thin Wonwoo was getting or the pale colour his skin was taking. He still talked
as if everything was okay, but he was asleep more frequently than when he was awake and he
never stepped outside anymore.

Mingyu's time with Wonwoo was becoming shorter, restricted to the moments where Mingyu had
open hours in his schedule and when Wonwoo was actually awake. Even though there was hardly
time for them anymore, they still managed to hold on to each other through notes written in the
other's absence.

The papers would be left on the table beside his bed so it could be found the next time the receiver
would be able to read it. Sometimes it would be a simple question or a full note describing how their
day went, and each time, the reader could reply or start something completely new. The latter being
mostly Mingyu.
Mingyu was glad that they could pass letters. He had feared that Wonwoo would try to force himself
to stay awake for Mingyu's breaks as he had before, but now that they had a different way of talking,
Mingyu would almost always find Wonwoo fast asleep whenever he stopped by.

Even if Mingyu could no longer hear Wonwoo's voice when he was with him, he cared more for
Wonwoo's well-being and so cherished the letters as if they had been spoken to him directly.

It became a habit to look at the table first when he entered to look for a letter, so when he found
none on the 18th of May, it took Mingyu a while to realize it was because Wonwoo was awake.

He was laying in bed, looking as fragile as ever but still, awake.

"Let's go outside, Mingyu."

Mingyu didn't question anything, too overwhelmed with happiness to do anything but smile.

He agreed readily and took out the wheelchair, calling Jeonghan in to help him carry Wonwoo into it.
At this point of time, Wonwoo had become too weak to get himself there alone.

Once they were set to go, Mingyu took them out, taking every step slowly and carefully. He made
sure to take the long wayaround so Wonwoo could see all of his favourite places. Through the
skywalks, past the vending machines, and across the break room.

Wonwoo didn't talk the entire time, instead, his eyes trailing absentmindedly on people and places
as they kept on. Mingyu couldn't make out what he was thinking, or what exactly he was focused on
but Mingyu only wanted to keep the small smile ghosting on his pale lips. As long as Wonwoo was
happy.

When they finally made it to the garden, a little more than fifteen minutes had passed and Wonwoo
finally spoke again.

"Seokmin told me there was a surprise here."

"Really?" Mingyu tried to think if Seokmin had ever brought it up but came up blank. "Want to look
for it?"
Wonwoo nodded. "I'm not sure what it is, though."

Mingyu shrugged before he pushed the wheelchair forward, finding it to be harder than when they
were on even ground. "Maybe we'll know when we see it," he suggested.

The wheelchair caught on a cracked piece of stone and Mingyu had to put extra force into getting it
over. Wonwoo seemed mostly unfazed by it, but he turned to see if Mingyu was having too much of
a hard time. Mingyu cursed the stone underneath his breath and blew a stray strand of hair from his
face.

Wonwoo gave a short laugh but cut himself off to take a breath. He still managed to keep a smile.

Mingyu gave him a grin in return as they rode over the stone and continued down the path of rocks.

They followed Wonwoo's guesses and Mingyu's eyes making out something he thought he didn't
recognize. Most of the time, Wonwoo was proven wrong and Mingyu had been mistaken. Wonwoo
poked fun at Mingyu's awful memory and Mingyu laughed at Wonwoo's failed guesses. Mingyu was
having so much fun, he nearly forgot why they were there in the first place. Just being able to go out
and laugh with Wonwoo had become a rarity and he was filled with joy.

After a few more hits and misses, Mingyu wheeled him over to the corner where their rock sat and
they found a view that couldn't be overlooked.

Their huge beige rock was sitting in a bed of begonias, newly bloomed and vibrant shades of orange
to red. It looked as if a rock had been dropped into a bubble of calm fire.

Mingyu heard a sharp intake of breath come from Wonwoo and he found himself sighing in content.

"That's beautiful," Wonwoo breathed, turning over to see if Mingyu was seeing the same thing he
was seeing.

Mingyu nodded taking his eyes away from the new found view to return Wonwoo's glance.

"It is. It's so beautiful," Mingyu said, but he couldn't make himself turn back to the patch of flowers.
He wanted to, because the work Seokmin had done was incredible but Wonwoo's eyes were bright
again. It had been a long time since Wonwoo had looked at anything like that, and Mingyu, in that
moment, thought they were worth more than anything to stare at.

Wonwoo didn't look back either, and Mingyu knew the look he was giving Wonwoo was showing all
of the emotions that he felt.

Mingyu figured, since Wonwoo already knew how he felt, he may as well say something and he
ended up saying something he didn't think through yet.

"You haven't given up, right, Wonwoo?"

Wonwoo blinked before he shook his head slowly. "No," he said without breaking eye contact. "Not
when you're still with me."

Mingyu smiled, trying his best to mask how sad he was.

"You still love me, right, Wonwoo?"

Wonwoo grinned with his eyes and they seemed to glitter even more.

"Yes, and I'll never stop."

Mingyu nodded, swallowing a sob.

"You'll always remember me, right?"

Wonwoo's smile was becoming equally as sad as Mingyu was feeling but it was still going strong.
Mingyu ignored the solemn shadow it held, and instead focused on the way it crinkled the corner's of
his eyes and the way it made him look like he would stay forever.

"Of course," Wonwoo said with such certainty that Mingyu had to let out a whimper. "Will you
remember me?" He added after reaching up to stop a tear at the base of Mingyu's jaw.

Mingyu placed a hand over Wonwoo's hands and held it there.

He attempted a scoff but it came out garbled. "It's impossible to forget you, you nerd."
Wonwoo laughed, closing his eyes for a second while he cherished the feeling. When he opened
them, they were red but they were still swimming with life.

Mingyu stepped to his side and leaned down so Wonwoo's arm could rest on the armrest instead of
being held in the air.

Mingyu closed his eyes and tilted his head into Wonwoo's palm

"Don't die, okay Wonwoo?"

Mingyu couldn't see it but he could feel Wonwoo move around.

Wonwoo placed another hand on the other side of Mingyu's face, making him open his eyes again.
He was met with Wonwoo's sadness.

"I'll try, Mingyu," He said as solidly as he could. "but even if I do, you're going to keep living and
you're going to be fine. I'm telling you the truth when I say," Wonwoo had to take a breath. "I don't
think I can hold on much longer."

Mingyu opened his mouth, wanting to tell Wonwoo to stop but his words were taken away by
something invisible and was replaced with another sob.

"Don't be waiting for me, because you can't follow me everywhere, I won't let you. We're going to live
for as long as possible and be happy for as long as possible but," Wonwoo inhaled. "It will have to
end. Let's make it a happy ending, okay?"

Mingyu didn't reply. He fell to his knees soundlessly, holding onto Wonwoo and his wheelchair in
the most tight but awkward embrace.

Wonwoo took one of his hands away from Mingyu's face to run it through his hair.

"Come on, Mingyu, you promised me a happy ending," Wonwoo said through shaky laughter.

Mingyu thought back to the night where the world was asleep and the empty promise he had
borrowed from the stars. Wonwoo was introduced into his life in possibly the worst way, but he had
loved every moment of it. Mingyu had thought the promise had become void while he lived his
happiest days and he hated how it had to come back like this.

Mingyu would have to keep it. For Wonwoo.

"A happy ending," Mingyu whispered into Wonwoo's hand. "We'll have a happy ending."

Wonwoo brushed through Mingyu's hair another time and kissed the top of his head where his hand
came off.

"Thank you, Mingyu," he said into the brown strands.

They became quiet, letting them stay as they wanted for a little while longer. The smell of begonias
was strong from where they sat but Mingyu couldn't think the scent was sweet any longer.

A breeze flew by, plucking a few petals from the flowers and scattering them towards the two.

One landed by Mingyu's knees and Wonwoo's front wheels.

"Hey Mingyu, could you search up the meaning for begonias?" Wonwoo asked suddenly.

The truth was, Mingyu had searched it up long ago when he had been ignoring Wonwoo and now
the meaning behind them was coming back to haunt him.

It means future misfortunes or challenges will come to distract you from joy.

It had been a warning from the beginning.

"Later."
Mingyu began OHEA again after nearly a year since he had put it away.

Mingyu kept most of his schedule clear and visited Wonwoo every second he had a chance.
Wonwoo was still mostly sleeping but the amount of times Mingyu visited made it possible for them
to talk more.

The activities he had planned out weren't as exciting they had been before, but Mingyu would read
to Wonwoo before he slept since he was too tired to hold up a book. He would try his best to keep
from stuttering but his concentration caused him to stutter more. Wonwoo would always tell him to
relax while he laughed to himself and Mingyu would read fine for a while before he would start up
again.

Mingyu also quizzed Wonwoo on the classes he had taken before because Wonwoo said he didn't
want to forget. Most of the stuff Mingyu wasn't a hundred sure about, but he researched in advance
to help Wonwoo with it.

Mingyu took him out whenever he was feeling well enough, and once he even took him out to the
place his parents were staying at temporarily so they could spend an afternoon together. They sat in
the house's garden and ate slices of watermelon while Bohyuk told him about a new girl he met at
school.

Mingyu took pictures and brought them back for Wonwoo to see or he would stay and take pictures
with him. Whenever they went to look for things to snap, Mingyu gave the camera to Wonwoo and
wheeled him around until Wonwoo wanted to capture a moment. Luckily, the camera was just light
enough for him to carry it himself.

Eventually, Wonwoo would ask Mingyu if he was sure he was on the right chapter because he didn't
remember what happened in the last. Then, Wonwoo began briefly forgetting answers to questions
he knew for a while before it would come back to him. When his family would tell him old stories, he
would forget people who he was supposed to know. Even some of the more recent pictures that they
had taken were unfamiliar to Wonwoo.

Mingyu's heart broke when Wonwoo didn't recognize Chan when he stopped by.
Chan told him it wasn't a big deal and that maybe Wonwoo would remember eventually. Thankfully,
he did, but only little things that they had done together. The entire time he was telling Mingyu about
it, Wonwoo sounded so broken that Mingyu was threatening to cry again.

Despite Wonwoo's diminishing memories, they managed to create more of them. Memories caught
through pictures and letters that they could go back to and read together. Mingyu kept them in a
shoe box and left it underneath Wonwoo's bed. Sometimes, he would come in and find Wonwoo
reading it under the table lamp's light.

Mingyu prayed that he could at least keep these moments. If he wasn't allowed the days from
before, he would rather have what they were then then nothing at all.

That wish was stronger than ever when Mingyu found Wonwoo writing a letter under the table lamp's
light, glasses that were too big for his face sitting comfortably on his nose.

Mingyu sat next to him soundlessly before he began pestering him.

Wonwoo hit him and told him to shut up. He looked just as he did when he was working, so Mingyu
acted as he did and continued to bug him and watch him intently as he wrote. His hand was slow but
Wonwoo refused to let him see what he was writing.

Wonwoo didn't let him read the letter until he was tucked away and sleeping.

Mingyu read it as soon as he heard the snoring.

The letter made him so happy he didn't want to leave Wonwoo's side. Mingyu decided to be cheesy
and sleep by his side that night. He sat watch until he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore and he
knocked himself out with fatigue.

Mingyu was woken by the sounds of a radical monitor and ragged breathing. When he sat up from
his spot, he found the room hardly illuminated by dawn's light and Wonwoo drenched in sweat.
Alarmed, Mingyu stood up and pressed the emergency for the nurse and a stranger came running
in.

"What's happening?" She asked, her voice panicked.

"I-I don't know but he-" Mingyu pointed at Wonwoo and ran around the bed towards her. In his haste,
he kicked over the shoe box and the contents went spilling underneath the bed.

He couldn't continue, his tongue was tied and it wasn't like he knew what was happening anyways.

She gave a look at Wonwoo and nodded, motioning for another nurse that had come in unnoticed by
Mingyu. They talked about things he couldn't hear and they began running around.

The first nurse who had come in stopped in her tracks.

"Dr. Kim, you know Dr. Hong, right? Please call him right away."

Mingyu wondered for a second how she knew his name before he realized he was still wearing his
coat. Without another second to waste, Mingyu did what he had been assigned and called Jisoo.

Jisoo's voice was clear and awake when he picked up and Mingyu sighed in relief when he heard
that Jisoo was already on his way. It was early morning and he was lucky enough that it was just
around the time Jisoo would arrive at the hospital.

When he arrived, Jeonghan appeared at the same time and brought Mingyu out of the room.

Mingyu was forced to wait outside for what seemed to be too short of a time. Mingyu could barely fit
in a phone call with Wonwoo's parents before Jisoo came back out, bringing with him a solemn air.

"Mingyu, I'm sorry. I can't help anymore."

Mingyu moved on impulse, brushing past Jisoo to get into the room. The nurses were moving things
away now, and Jeonghan told him Wonwoo was on a mild sedative so he wouldn't feel the pain.

Mingyu was already beginning to cry and he had to force himself to move towards the bed. He
stepped on letters as he made to sit on the bed next to Wonwoo, his mind completely disregarding
how he was ruining the memories they had made. Wonwoo's breathing had calmed, and so had his
heart according to the monitor.

When the bed dipped underneath his weight, Wonwoo's eyes opened, glazed over and distant. Once
he focused on Mingyu, a smile was making its way onto his lips.

"Goodmorning," Wonwoo said, his voice whisper-like.

It was anything but a goodmorning but Mingyu replied anyway.

"Goodmorning."

"Why are you crying first thing in the morning?" Wonwoo asked, sounding almost as if he were
teasing.

"Because of you. Always because of you."

"Why?"

Mingyu looked up briefly, wiping away the tears that were spilling.

He didn't look back down, keeping his head up for a while.

"Please don't die, Wonwoo."

Wonwoo choked on a laugh and Mingyu turned his head back down, almost angry at how easily
Wonwoo was taking this. Contrary to what he had sounded like, Wonwoo was actually crying as well
and it took Mingyu by surprise.

"I'm sorry, Mingyu," Wonwoo spread out his fingers, reaching out for Mingyu's hand. "and thank you,
Mingyu."

Mingyu wrapped his hand around Wonwoo's, feeling how small it had become in just a year.

"Thank you for loving me when I was dying, thank you for letting me live in this one year and thank
you for making me a happy ending."
Mingyu shook his head.

"How is this a happy ending, Wonwoo?"

Wonwoo smiled again.

"Because when you're next to me, nothing has ever gone wrong. You're going to make sure nothing
goes wrong this time, too." With every word he spoke, his voice was becoming more and more
distant. "You make me happy. Isn't that all that's important in a happy ending?"

Mingyu nodded, "You make me happy too. So, so happy." Though, in that moment, his heart was
being torn apart. "I've always been a person who listens to other people and you're the first one
who's listened to me. You've shown me that the world isn't all about straight paths or perfectly
mapped out roads and sometimes it'll take you completely by surprise. You've shown me the things
that I've told other people but that I've never actually experienced." Mingyu realized he was talking a
lot, but he had a lot to say and he didn't want to be too late. "You've changed everything about the
world, Wonwoo."

Wonwoo's smile was fading but it still sat beaming up at Mingyu. "Mingyu, you're being very
cheesy."

Mingyu nearly laughed. "I don't care you idiot, I'm trying to tell you how much I love you."

Wonwoo nodded, closing his eyes. "I know." He snuggled a little closer to Mingyu's side. "I love you
too."

Mingyu leaned in suddenly, pressing his lips to Wonwoo's for a kiss. He held it there for a while,
hoping maybe he could give some of his warmth to Wonwoo to keep him alive. Mingyu only parted
their lips when he heard that his heartbeat was becoming a little frantic.

"I love you," Mingyu said again, now at a loss for words. He still wanted to say something but nothing
could fill the spaces more than: "I love you."

Wonwoo opened his eyes after Mingyu had repeated his words a couple of times over. He spoke up
again after a beat of silence.
"Hey, Mingyu?"

His voice was soft, like a bed of feathers.

"Yeah, Wonwoo?"

"Can I make one more wish?"

Mingyu nodded, squeezing Wonwoo's fingers. The entire time, he was trying to become lost in his
eyes.

Wonwoo cleared his throat and tugged at Mingyu's hand.

"I want you to make yourself a happy ending."

Mingyu let tears flow freely, falling onto the bedsheets. Wonwoo was closing his eyes again and
Mingyu was so afraid.

"I'll try."

"You have to promise."

Mingyu swallowed back a sob and pressed Wonwoo's hand to his lips.

"I promise," he whispered into the backside of it.

Wonwoo sighed happily and Mingyu knew he couldn't let the room fall into silence.

Mingyu's eyes fell onto the pair of glasses sitting by the bed and his mouth started running off on its
own.

"Wonwoo, you know, you never did change your glasses. Remember when I told you you had to
change them at the Amusement Park? In the haunted house with those ghosts chasing us? The day
I told you I love-"
Mingyu's words were drowned out by the flatlining of the monitor and suddenly memories started
flooding Mingyu's mind.

He saw the small figure sitting in the garden by itself, dark eyes that held so many mysteries that he
had never imagined he'd ever be able to decipher, and a world they had made underneath the stars.
He saw Wonwoo sitting in his bed as he would pop in to tell him dumb stories, he saw Wonwoo atop
their beige rock, legs swinging in the air while he waited and he saw Wonwoo sitting in a cloud of
powdered sugar. He saw Wonwoo laying on the floor with him in his apartement, a potted begonia
with their two names, and a dark room where he confessed. He saw Wonwoo sitting in a ferris wheel
cart, Wonwoo hugging him while he told him he loved him too, and he saw Wonwoo kissing him
under frost-ridden branches in the middle of December. He saw Wonwoo in a room with him against
the backdrop of Busan's cold sea, Wonwoo's ridiculous tiny computer, and Wonwoo on a rooftop
covered in candles. He saw everything that he ever knew about Wonwoo and he saw
Wonwoo laying as if he were asleep on his hospital bed.

Mingyu saw the story he had with Wonwoo and knew he was at the end but it couldn't be called the
happy ending they had wished for.

Because Wonwoo left happy, his wish granted and having lived a life he had never imagined he
could have had. Wonwoo was able to leave with the ramblings of someone he loved more than
anything in the world while being held onto by the same person. His only regret was that he hadn't
wished for forever with Mingyu.

While Mingyu was left alone, regretting having left Wonwoo for some of his last months, and unsure
of how he would continue on. Mingyu was surrounded by Wonwoo wherever he went and he would
never be able to forget. He was given his world, and had it taken away from him.

Their story couldn't have a happy ending. It was just - The End.
Forbidden Love

Description
Jeon Wonwoo has a bestfriend who lives next door, he loves to look out of
window every night just because want to see his-bestfriend-night-activity. They
live their life normally since they were kid until now, but there is a thing that
break their long-friendship. And also they break their rules.
Wonwoo loves him. And that is so troublesome for them, for their future. Will his
bestfriend find out about Wonwoo's secret?

Do you have a best friend? I mean, a true best friend. Who always there right beside you
everywhere every time. Do you? Because I do.
The story took place in Seoul, 2015. I am an ordinary boy. I study at Hyungsin High School,
3rd year.

“Shit, Wonwoo!”
“WHAT?!”
“We are late again because of you!”
“What?! Why me?! It must be you!”

We have a nickname called '07.01 o'clock'. It because we always late a minute after bell rings.

“Don't ever say it’s me again, Mingyu. Because I always wait you every damn early morning for
an hour! That’s your fault!”
“It’s my alarm! It won’t ring on time!”
“Yes, it’s your alarm. Whatever.”
We always end up fight in front of the gate. He always pisses me off.

“Wonwoo.”
No, he pissed me off. I won’t answer him.
“Damn it Wonwoo look at me!” he poked my cheek.
“You know that frowning face isn't suit you.” I look at him, and seeing him give me a smirk
is really really really annoying. I always regret it.
“We were late yesterday because of you, right? Do you have a problem with your father again?
You didn't tell me the story, and now you have to do it.”
“Why should I tell the story when you already know the reason.”

He widened his eyes.

“You still hide that magazine under your pillow?”

I nodded.

“Tsk, why? Go find a girlfriend and hang out with her so you won’t need that magazine.”
“I don't need girlfriend. Girls are so complicated.”
“Well, do you enjoy being single? Even though you have a friend but you need some love life.
Come on, I will find one for you.”

No, thanks. I don't need a girlfriend, because I have you. We were together since birth, I don’t
need anyone else but you.

Can I say it in front him? Of course not.

“No, thanks. I know that you are surrounding by pretty girls, but I don’t need one of them.
Thanks.” I walked away. I usually sit under the tree near our school.
“I wonder why? You are good looking, smart, you have a deep voice, and good personality. They
will find you attractive, why don’t you try at least once?”

I smiled. The reason is you, stupid.

“Go try find one for me and I will leave her.”

Mingyu is so popular around girls, he has 10 ex-girlfriends since high school.

He is my best friend. But the feel is strange every time I get close to him. Like, my heart will beat
so fast. It's abnormal. I like girl. Wonwoo, you like girl.

I have a lot of tasks to do, and I must turn in the assignments tonight. I have this habit, I will look
out of window and see what Mingyu does every night. And I find him busy with his laptop and
headphone in his ears. He is a diligent student, he is smart and neat. That’s why everybody loves
him. He is attractive but warm and friendly. I usually clap my hands and he will looks at me, he
smiles but I give him a middle finger. He giggles after that.

He always makes me smile, makes me happy, he is there whenever I need or don’t need him. He
is my protector. We made a promise and rules when we were kid,

1. Always beside me.

2. Something yours, is also mine.
3. Love me, whatever I am. (It means that you must love him, when he changed, or not.)

And I think.... I love him... In another way.....

“Wonwoo, come join us. We will go to the amusement park.” Mingyu and his friends (and also
some pretty girls) are ready to go.
“No, thanks.” I rejected with warm smile.
“Lol, he always rejects whenever Mingyu invites him to hang out with us.” One of his friend,
Woozi, gave me a smirk.
“Is it the reason why he never has a girlfriend, Mingyu-ya?” A bitch said.
“Such a loser.” Boy who called S.Coups said abruptly. They called him so because he always buys
a scoop of ice cream every day.

“Stop guys, maybe he has another plan, right Wonwoo?”

I just nodded and force to smile.
“Well, let’s go.” Another bitch spoke.
They are 12 in total, 6 boys and 6 girls. If I go with them, I am sure I will be alone.
Mingyu gave me a sorry smile and mumbled “I will meet you at home”
I just rolled my eyes and sighed. He always like this, leaving me alone for his friends.

Why does he so popular and I am not? We grow up together.

“Hey Wonwoo, what’s wrong man?” A swaggie boy patted my shoulder.

“Nothing's wrong.” I just smiled and blink for a couple times.
“Really? You can talk with me, come on I am free now.”
“Thanks Vernon but I am alright”
“Hmm okay then... Where's Mingyu anyway?”
“He is going to the amusement park with friends today.”
“You ain't go? Oh that’s why you look so sad right now.” He patted my shoulder again.

I am sad? Do I look sad? No way.

“What the hell on the earth I look sad because of him? Tsk.” I try to walk away and leave him
alone.
“Mingyu will meet you soon, don’t worry! ~” He shouted and laughed after that.

@ 8PM

“Wonwoo, Mingyu is here!” I heard my mom yelled and I jump off from the bed.

WHAT?!
It’s not the first time he comes to my house but... I don’t want to meet him right now, what to
do?

'I will pretend to sleep!'

Knock, Knock.

'Damn!'

“Wonwoo? Are you there? Can I come in?”

'No!'

“Uhm... I come in...”

What the hell?! Don’t you dare Mingyu! I won’t forgive yo-
“You sleep already? Ah I bought this for you... You usually sleep at midnight by the way.”

How can he knows?!

“I'm sorry about what happened today, I know you won’t hear me but I just want to say... Sorry. I
promise, I will go with you next time. Only us, like in the past okay? I'll leave, goodnight.”

He left... I see something besides my bed. What is that?

“Beanie hat....? Did he buy me this? For me?”

So, okay. I collect a lot of hats. He knows that.

“I promise, I will go with you next time. Only us, like in the past...”

You always say that. You say that for a million times to me, but... It never happens.... IT. NEVER.
HAPPENS. Do you realize something, Mingyu? You broke the #1 rules.

'Always beside me'

I saw a kid, maybe in the same age as me. He looks lonely, why does he stare on the sky like that?
Is he sad?

“Hello, my name is Mingyu. I have an ice cream, do you want some?”

He looked at me with his cold expression and seems like he doesn’t like me.
“Uhm... Don’t you like ice cream?”
He ignored me and staring on the sky again. I pouted and sit next to him.
“What are you doing here? It’s dangerous to be alone, my mom told me that we must be aware
of people.”

“I can protect myself.”

I can’t move. He answered with deep and confident voice.

“Really? But you look like 6 like me, aren’t you? Then, you are cool! My dad told me that a man
must protect himself and others, but I feel like I can’t do that... I'm afraid.”
He smiled.
“I can protect you if you want.”

I'm shocked!

“Can you?! How?!”

“Aren't we have to be fearless as a man? And I am a man, I will protect myself and others, while
you can't I will protect you as well until you are being a true man later.”
“But we are stranger.”
“Not at all, seems like you aint know me... You just moved yesterday, I saw you. I know you. And
you don’t.”
“Oh, so you live around here too?!”
“I live right next to you, Mingyu-ssi.” he smiled again. That moon-eyes like..
“I can’t believe I have a new friend! I must tell dad and mom about this! We can be a good friend!
Yeay!” I hugged him and laughed together.

“Nice to meet you... Uhm, what is your name?”

“Jeon Wonwoo.”

I laughed when I was thinking about our first meeting. It sounds silly, how weak I am when I was
kid damn.
So, here it is. I sit and peeking out from window, staring at another window. And he isn’t there,
yes he already fell asleep. Pft, did I make him angry?

My phone suddenly rings and there is a message from... Vernon?

'From: VERNON

Yo, man! Did you have fun? ~ Honestly, S.Coups invited me too but yeah I'm afraid to do 'that'
things, you know right....’

Lmao, how can a swag boy like him afraid of riding carousel.

'...See you tomorrow!

P.S: Wonwoo looked sad.'

EH?!

I woke up earlier than I expect, so I have a plan to wait Wonwoo this time.

06.00
He is out!

“Good morning!!!”
He looks shocked kkkk

“What are you doing here.”

“Of course to picking you up and we will go to school together.”
“Oh.”

What a cold response.

“Wait!! Don’t walk too fast.”

“I'm not.”
“Yes, you are!”
“No.”
“Yes!”
“No.”
“Tsk, look at me!” I grab his hand.

“Don’t touch me.” He let go off my hand.

“Why? Aren’t we best friend?”
“That's not mean you can touch me.”
“What's wrong with you? It’s not like you, Wonwoo!”
“It’s me.”
“You won’t mind if I touch you, but you are different now. Are you angry at me?”
He kept silent. And walk again.

Shit!

“Eat this honey, open your mouth~”

“Stop it, Ahrin.”
“What's wrong Mingyu-ya? This is your fav food...”
“You make her sad, Kim. Don’t do that to your girlfriend.” Seungkwan said with his mouth full.
“You have a bad day eh?”
“I'm just not in mood, Woozi.”
“Mingyu is bad mood! It’s time for me to singing! Don’t worry, Kim. I will entertain you!”
“Someone please stop him.” Woozi tried to stop Seungkwan but failed.
“Wah, Seungkwannie lets have a duet!”
“Yes!!! Do rap for me, Vernonie!”

“Vernonie?” Woozi, S.Coups, Hoshi and Dino are saying exactly at the same time.
“I dont know why he called me like that.”
“But you just called me Seungkwannie for god sake.” Seungkwan rolled his eyes.
“Well, Vernon never called someone in the cute way like that. You have crush on him, man?”
“Boonon!!!” Dino shouted as loud as he can.
“Geez, I am a true gentlemen. I just want to, Coupsie.” Vernon said cutely.
“COUPSIE?” S.Coups stood up and ready to throw him away to galaxy.

“Guys, you are too loud.” Woozi started to wear his headphone like usual.
“But, Mingyu-ya what makes you bad mood like this?” Ahrin is way too close heh.
“Don’t tell me it’s because Wonwoo.” Hoshi words shocked everyone. Silence.

And suddenly Wonwoo walk passed us.

“Hey, man!”
“Oh, hi Vernon.”
“Mingyu seems not in a good mood today, what’s wrong with him? Did you guys have a fight?”
He stared at me and I just give him a hope-look.
“I don’t know. Uhm, I need to go to the toilet. Excuse me.”
“Wait, Jeon. You know that he is ours. So, as a friend we need to make him happy. And he is not
happy now, I guess the reason is you?”
“What do you mean, Seungkwan-ssi?”
“Ugh everyone know you guys are close, for god sake...” S.Coups sighed.
“So what?”
“Well, maybe something happened between you two? And it affects to us. Get a life, Jeon
Wonwoo.” Ahrin just rolled her eyes and smirked.
“It’s none of your business.”
“Of course it’s my business! Mingyu's mine and anything happened to him is my own too!”

Wonwoo just glare at her, and I can feel the anger of him... Or is it just me?

“Sorry for bringing you in this situation, Wonwoo. But guys it’s not him, trust me.” I smiled
weakly.
“See? It’s not me. And yes, you almost dragging me into the hell.” He walked away.
“Wait!” I chased him and grabbed his hand.
“Didn’t I say to do not touch me? What's your problem?”
“I don’t care and the problem is you! I don’t get why you act like this.”
“Nah, just let me tell that you were having fun yesterday with your friends, and bought me a hat,
and you woke up earlier, and picked me up, and saying I act different. You even embarrassed me
in front of your fucking friends! Aren’t those enough?”
“But you said that you don’t want to come with us! I invited you! What’s with my friends? You
always run away!” Everyone is looking at us right now...

“You are obviously the reason why Mingyu like this, Wonwoo.” My friends whispered behind me.
“Shout it loud! Yes I make his mood down! And what? What will you do? Mingyu, just tell them
that I am not your friend anymore, I am not in your circle, and don’t bother me again.”
“I don’t understand! You need to explain me why you act like this? What did I do? You sure are
my best friend and now you talked such hurting words to me!”

“Look at mirror first!”

And he walked away, my friends stay still. And I just don’t know what happened.
What sign is this? We are not best friend anymore?

3
It's always about love. Wonwoo has fallen in love before, and his thoughts about love
is 'heaven and hell there is no difference in between'. Since then, Wonwoo doesnt want to fall in
love until he graduates.

After the fight, Wonwoo ran towards library.

He held back his tears, his anger, his jealousy and everything. His thoughts full of Mingyu and his
feeling.
"Wonwoo you stupid, why did you say like that in front of him and his friends?!" Wonwoo said
inside his heart. Deep inside his heart. He regrets it. This is the first time in his life, he never has a
'real' problem with Mingyu.
And he doesn't know what to do, what should he does if they meet again?
"I feel dizzy..." He opened up the first page of novel. He read the first line, second line, third line,
but he actually didn't read it.

"Excuse me, are you okay?" A boy who never seen by him before suddenly appeared in front of
his face. That boy is pretty, with his longhair and angelic face. Wonwoo froze for a second and he
realized the boy is waiting him to answer.
"Oh, I'm okay."
"I'm worried because your face expression is weird... I mean, you seems not okay."

"Jeonghan! Where are you?" Someone shouted from a far.

"I'm here!"
And that someone came in hurry with worried looks.
"Gosh, please don't go anywhere without my permission- oh, hi Wonwoo."
Wonwoo smiled, he knows him. He is Joshua, the boy who really good in singing and playing
guitar. He took music class.
"Do you know him, Han?"
"Uhm no.. I just worried and asking him if he is okay. Hehe sorry Joshua..." A pretty boy named
Jeonghan grinned which is too cute for boy.

"Are you a new student?" Wonwoo asked.

"Yes, my name is Yoon Jeonghan. I just transferred here today." Jeonghan offered his hand and
Wonwoo shook it.
"So Joshua is your tour guide?"
Joshua nodded. "He is my childhood friend."

Childhood friend. He got a little heart attack.

"Welcome then, Jeonghan-ssi." Wonwoo smiled and Jeonghan also nodded.

"Nice to meet you, Wonwoo, isn't it?"
"Yes."
"Okay, we need to go, come on Han! See you later Wonwoo." Joshua and Jeonghan waved then
disappeared.

"What's wrong with him?" Seungkwan spoke.

"Did you guys really have a real fight?" S.Coups asked.
"This is just a misunderstanding... I believe it." Mingyu stared straight to the front.
"He is useless anyway." Mingyu glared at Ahrin, "w-why you glare at me?"
"Please don't do that to him guys."

S.Coups, Woozi, Seungkwan, Vernon, Hoshi, Dino and Ahrin are looking at each other.

"He is my best friend."

After saying that, Mingyu wanted to leave. But Ahrin grabbed his hand, "we are your best friend.
Especially me, I'm your girlfriend Mingyu."
"Let go off my hand. You guys are just too much."
"Wonwoo, Wonwoo and Wonwoo. We are together everyday but you never stop talking about
him." Hoshi said.
Mingyu stay still. He confused, he never thought that his friends are too possessive.
"What do you want guys? I tried to pull him into us, but he always runs away. I tried to pull you
guys into him, but you guys aren't welcome him. All of you and him are the important persons to
me. I am getting confuse." Mingyu groaned.
"I don't like him getting close to you, darl." Ahrin clang into Mingyu.
"What do you mean?"
"Ahrin is jealous, Kim. She thinks that your attention to her is not the same as Wonwoo."
Seungkwan said slowly.
Mingyu raised his right eyebrow.

"Are you kidding me?" Mingyu laughed.

"No, that's true. I am jealous. I dont like him because he catches away your attention from me."
Ahrin pouted.
"You are childish." Mingyu wanted to leave.
"Don't go!"
Mingyu ignored her.
"Stop! If you go that's mean you like him!" Ahrin shouted and Mingyu stopped. He turned away.

"What are you talking about? Stop talking shit and nonsense!"
"She is right, Mingyu. If you choose him more than us, that's mean you like him." Vernon said.
"Oh my god, can't you guys think like an adult and stop talking about that? Of course i like him as
brother, what's wrong with that?" Mingyu tired, he doesn't want to die young.
None of them answer him, "i'm done with you guys." Mingyu walked away.

"We just want to protect you!"

"Wonwoo is not a virus that makes me sick!" Mingyu answered from a far.

"We need to make a plan guys." Ahrin commanded.

Mingyu feels bad to Wonwoo, he needs to find him and asking explanation.

After school, Mingyu wanted to find Wonwoo in his class, but he is no where to be found. He
asked all students but they were clueless, Mingyu decided to go to Wonwoo's home tonight.

.
"It's already 6PM? Oh my god." Wonwoo fell asleep on the school's rooftop. That time after he
left from library, Wonwoo didnt comeback to the class and went to the rooftop.

"Fuck, the gate must be closed right now." Wonwoo ran as fast as he can. Luckily, the gate is still
open.

Wonwoo walked home alone, the sky is getting dark.

"Stupid... stupid... stupid...

why can't i stop thinking about him? Stupid..." He kept blame his self.

TIIIINNN. He shocked by the sound of car horns behind him.

He turned away his head to look at the car behind him.

Someone out of that car, a girl. Wearing sunglasses and hoodie. Wonwoo couldn't recognize her
because of minimum lighting.
And suddenly that girl is pulling up his body and she whispered something to his ears with low
voice.

"I. Am. Warning. You. To. Don't. Disturb. Kim. Mingyu. Anymore. Even. Though. You. Are. His.
Friend. But. You. Actually. Don't. Deserve. That."

Wonwoo froze. That girl went back in such fast speed into her car.

"....what?" Wonwoo couldn't move.

"Wonwoo." "Excuse me." "Wonwoo."
Mingyu called out his name outside his door. No one answer him. Nobody home?
"Wonwoo!"
"Oh, Mingyu-ssi..." Wonwoo's dad opened the door. Mingyu greeted him. "Good evening, sorry
for disturbing. Uhm, did Wonwoo already back?"
Wonwoo's dad silent for a while. He looks hesitate to answer.
"Sorry, Mingyu-ssi.. I have something to tell you about Wonwoo."
"What is it?"

Silence.

Mingyu felt his heart is beating so fast. He is curious. He is worried.

He couldn't think straight.
What would Wonwoo's dad tell him about Wonwoo? Is anything bad happened to him? Or
what?
What?

"I'm warning you... to... stay away from Wonwoo."

Mingyu barely hear what just he talked about.
"Pardon me...?"

Wonwoo's dad felt sorry to Mingyu. Mingyu doesn't believe it.

"I'm warning you to stay away from my son, i don't know if this is the right choice but I already
decided. You might don't know what happened, but I think Wonwoo needs to do something.
About you two. Sorry, I don't mean to break your friendship but he has strayed from the path."
Wonwoo's dad entered into his house. Leaving Mingyu alone with his confusion.

Warning?
Wonwoo got a warning from a mysterious girl,
and Mingyu got a warning from Wonwoo's dad.
They surely are can't be together anymore...?
The unspoken words inside their heart, the thoughts that make them confused even more, and
the pain.

"What actually happened to us?" They said inside their mind.

4
I got a message after the girl left.

'FROM: Kim Mingyu

Where are you?'

It's Mingyu. It's him. Should I reply? But the girl warned me to stay away from him, I even don't
know who is that girl.

1 message.

'FROM: Kim Mingyu

Reply me ASAP, it's urgent.'

I hesitate to reply but... I think he is in trouble now.

'TO: Kim Mingyu

I'm on my way to home.'

Less in a minute I got message again.

'FROM: Kim Mingyu

Go back quickly. I have a bunch of questions.'

What is he talking about?

'TO: Kim Mingyu

You are not detective, I won't answer you.'

'FROM: Kim Mingyu

JUST HURRY UP!'

He is weird...

It's already 8PM. When I almost reach my house, I saw Mingyu is standing in front of his house.
Is he waiting for me?
Mingyu then came closer, I avoided our eyes contact. I'm still mad at him you know...
He suddenly grabbed my wrist, it shocked me. Really.
"W-what?"
"Where have you been?"
"None of your business." I tried to let go off my hand, but his hold is really tight.
"You have something to tell me. Look at me."
No, I won't look at him.
"You can't do this forever. Today you acted so weird. Tell me what happened." I feel my face is
turning red because of anger. And tears... I hold my tears.
"Did I do something wrong to you?"

I'm still quiet.

"Did my friends tell you something about me?"

The air is getting cold, and it's only both of us in here. I... Don't know what to do.

"You hide something from me. Tell me all of them. I'm begging you, I hate this situation. You
made me confuse, you got mad at me but you didn't tell me the reason."

Oh lord, I'm tearing up!

"Why did you cry?" He raised up my chin, our eyes meet. Fuck, I'm crying.
"I'm ashamed of myself. I shouldn't cry, I'm such a little girl." I replied.
"Stop blaming yourself."
"Sorry I need to go back." I forced to push him away.
"No! Stop!" He chased me. I wiped my tears and start to running.

"Wonwoo! Something fell from your bag!" I turned away and I saw him holding a book... Gosh,
not that book! How could my bag zip opened before I noticed it?!
"Don't open it!" I took the book, no, it's too late. He opened it...

"Please don't read it!"

"What is it? Of course I may read it, right?" He opened the book, I walked closer to him.
"No you aren't allowed to read that!"
"Jeon Wonwoo, remember that something yours is also mine!"

Shit, that #2 rules. 'Something yours is also mine'.

He is start reading the book, I can't do anything.

"Can you tell me how can one miss what he's never had?
How could I reminisce when there is no past?
How could I have memories of being happy with you boy.." He read the first phrase, he stopped
at the 'boy' word and raised his eyebrow.

"..Could someone tell me how can this be?

How could my mind pull up incidents, recall dates and times that never happened.
How could we celebrate a love that's too late and how could I really mean the words I'm bout to
say...." He is staring at me, I lower my gaze..

"Stop Mingyu... Don't read it again."

He ignored me and continue reading.

"..I cannot believe I let you go or what I should say, I should've grabbed you up and never let you
go.
I should've went out with you, I should've made you my boo boy.
Yes that's one time I should've broke the rules...
I should've went on a date, should've found a way to escape, should've turned a almost into if it
happened, now its too late.
How could I celebrate a love that wasn't real? And if it didn't happen, why does my heart feel?"

His expression is so serious yet confuse. Yes, he may confuse what is he reading now.

"...I missed the times that we almost shared, I miss the love that was almost there, I miss the
times that we use to kiss. At least in my dreams, just let me take my time and reminisce.
I miss the times that we never had...
What happened to us, we were almost there.
Whoever said it's impossible to miss when you never had... Never almost had you..."

I'm start sobbing, he will know the truth. He will hate me. He is still reading that..

"Why should I have this feeling for you? We used to be a bestfriend, I know that. But, I'm at my
limit. I'm sorry, Mingyu."
After reading that, he closed the book. I closed my eyes, my face is red. I want to escape and
running to Antarctica right now, somebody help me.

"What does it mean, Wonwoo?" His voice is really cold, he will find me disgusting.
He came closer, he shook my shoulder.
"Explain this... I need you to explain this."
I look at him, my sight is blurry because of tears.

"First of all, I hate you Kim Mingyu." I glanced my teeth.

"Let me tell you the truth. I don't like your friends, I don't like your girlfriend, your exs. I hate
your past, I hate us when we started enter the high school. I hate myself."

"Why...? You looked fine with that."

"I'm not fine! So okay, I may look fine and I tried to be okay with that. I thought it won't hurt me,
I thought it's okay to let you go. To let you go with those assholes and those bitches. I'm not
jealous at first, and I shouldn't. But this feeling keep growing even bigger. This is forbidden love.
You are straight, of course. And what about me?"

His eyes got soften. He sighed.

"That's why your father is trying to make distance between us." I widened my eyes, "what do you
mean?"
He stepped back. "This is the 'magazine' under your pillow right? You always fight with your
father because of this right? This is not a porn magazine, this is your... Feeling. To me..."

He already found out. I'm dead.

"I'm sorry. I promise you to protect you as a man when we were kid, but I clearly not a 'man'. I
can't even protect myself, I'm the one who is afraid of this world. I'm disgusting...."
He kept silent.
"I... Promise to throw away this feeling, you might hate me now."

"Listen," Mingyu cupped my face "I can't believe you have that feeling to me. I never think that
you will love me in another meaning. Yes this is forbidden love. But why did you hide this?
Something yours is also mine, I should know your secret Wonwoo. You broke the rules."
"You are the one who broke the rules. Always beside me? I think you are not there anymore. Call
me an egoist, since kid I claimed you as mine. When we entered high school you have so many
friends. You are so loveable, I'm jealous of it. You could turn me into gay, how?! Ohmygod I like
girls...."

Silence. I bit my lips and sighed.

"And one thing, you think it's easy to say it loud that you love your best friend? You think it's easy
to tell 'I love you' to your best friend who has the same gender as you? Don't you think? Stupid."
He doesn't talk anything. I breath in and collect my strength.

"Now, you already know the truth. You found out my secret. Honestly, I miss the times when you
used to be my best friend. We always together, laughing together, sleeping, eating and anything
together. Yes, you are more mature than me. I'm disgusting, loving his own best friend. Loving
his male best friend." I laughed, "Haha... How stupid I am? You know that time when you offered
me to date a girl?"

He nodded.

"I rejected, because first: I don't want my time with you get lesser. Second: I don't have any
interest in relationship. And third: I love you."

He froze. I asked him, "do you know why I don't like and always reject when you invite me to join
with your friends? It's because they have bad attitude, especially your girlfriend. Beside I'm
jealous of her, she also doesn't suit you. She only want to get famous. How can I know? I'm quiet
because I always watch what people doing."

"Wonw-"
"Yeah yeah you hate me, I know you will beg me to diseappear from your life." I took my book on
his hand and walk to home.

I think we will be a stranger after this, dad already warned him, and that girl who- wait, is it
possible if the girl is Ahrin? Why just I realized it by now? While Mingyu is standing and staring at
me, I turned to him.
"Your girlfriend, she warned me to stay away from you. Should I obey her? Haha, I should.
Goodbye." I went back to my house until I heard someone step behind me, getting closer and
closer.

"I'm sorry..." Someone whispered in my ears, and I feel someone grabbed my whole body..

......KIM MINGYU BACK HUGGED ME!

5
"W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING" He shouted, I tightened up my embrace onto his back.
"I'm sorry... Sorry..." I kept whisper to his ear.
"Don't apologize. Please, let me go."
"No, I-- Stop moving, Wonwoo."
"What do you want...." He is start sobbing.
"Please stay like this for a while."
"No, you make my hope up. I don't want this.."
I didn't answer, I back hugged him while he is sobbing. And until he stopped, I turned his body.
His face is red, I know he is angry, I know he is sad, I know.
I didn't expect this, people fall in love in the mysterious way. What am I supposed to do?
Wonwoo is my best friend, he is important to me. We grow up together, I know his very little
secret. But this is different, this is the only secret I don't know about him.
"Since when... You fall for me?"
He didn't answer and lower his gaze, so I raised his head up. I look into his eyes, and I found so
much feeling in his eyes. Anger, jealousy, sadness, love...
"I don't know exactly..." He finally answered, "I actually... don't know when I fallen for you."
"I'm still surprised." I replied back.
"Of course, I know right." He bit his lower lip and I know he held back his tears.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked.
He is quiet for a while.
"I don't want anything."
"Be honest to me, Wonwoo."
"Why do you ask me such a thing? You want to toying me?"
I grabbed his shoulder.
"I already told you that I'm not in your circle anymore... Just don't bother me again." He said.
"How can I do that? We-" He cut my words, "Tell me, don't you see me as a disgusting trash?
Don't you hate me? So why don't you let me go?"
"That's because you're my other half." I replied. I'm surprised I could say that.
He gave me a hurt smile.
"I WAS your other half, and now I AM not."
"Don't say that."
"In your eyes, I'm just your best friend. But I can't see you as the same. Do you know what I
feel?"
"No, Wonw-"
"In your eyes, I'm your other half. But to me, you are my whole. Do you know what I feel?"
"Wonwoo sto-"
"You don't know what I feel. So now stop bothering me, we are done and-"
I locked his lips with mine.
His lips is so smooth... I couldn't think straight... Why did I kiss him? What is this feeling? My
brain tell me to kiss his lips. He didn't kiss me back because I know he shocked.
I move my lips, inviting him to 'play' and response my kiss. But still, his lips didn't react anything.
But I can feel salty water through our lips, he is crying. I know I'm wrong.....
I ended our kissing forcefuly.
"Give me a time to talk." I said.
"W-Why?" He is blushing.
"Why? You ask me why? You keep talking and do not give me a time for answer your question." I
cupped his face with my both hands.
"You kissed me, you stole my first kiss. You kissed me with your lips that already kissed by many
girls... You-" I cut his words,
"It is also my first kiss, Wonwoo."
He is blushing even more red than before.
He immediately stepped back, "don't mess with my feeling."
"Sorry, I don't mean to toying your feeling. Give me a chance...."
"What chance?"
"To... Return your feeling."
"...huh?"
"I will try to love you back."
He raised up his eyebrow.
"No, love is not easy. You can't say that. You are really stupid, huh?"
"If this is can make you happy, why not?"
"Fucj, you are so stupid." He groaned.
"Maybe I'm stupid, but I can become more stupid if I leave you after what happened between
us."
"You shouldn't love me back or anything, I know I'm wrong. This is not what you supposed to do.
You can't do that."
"I will try, Wonwoo."
"You can't be gay for me too, stupid!"
He slapped me, damn it's really hurt.
"You can make me feel guilty if I could turn you into gay too... It's not about what make you
happy or not, but it's about love." He said.
"It's about love, Wonwoo. If love can make you happy so what anything else remains?" I asked.
"But this is wrong..." His voice is getting low and low.
"If loving you is wrong, I don't want to be right." I replied.
He looked at me, finding an honesty inside my eyes. I'm not lying when I said that. Yeah, maybe
this is wrong but you still have a chance.
"You feel pity to me, so you say that to me, right?"
"I'm serious! Ohmygod Wonwoo stop asking me!" I sighed.
He wiped his tears and acting normal again.
"Okay, if you're serious then give me a reason. You can't just say 'I love you too' without any
reason." He curled up his hands onto his chest.
"Hm, I haven't say 'I love you too' yet." I said, his face is red because of shy. I giggle at him.
"Damn, don't laugh!"
"Kkkk, okay sorry... My reason is, I can't live without you."
I hug him again. Transferring comfort feel to him.
"Since kid, I claimed you as mine too Wonwoo. You are my first friend when I moved here, I can't
forget that. I remember when you peeking out from window and I got you, then you give me a
middle finger... You always act cold and don't express your feeling so often, you always act like
you don't care about your surrounding, you always yell at me and pretending like you mad at
me. It's hard to make you laugh, you always make that frowning face to everyone.
But, when you laugh, I feel so much happiness. I feel happy when I see you laugh, and I'm glad
that you laugh because of me... Right?" I smiled, he tightened up his embrace.
"Yes, we do love each other since kid. I have no sibling, and you came to my life as my bestfriend
and also my brother. I feel grateful to know you, I have no friends until I meet you... You changed
my life. You bring so much happiness to my life, I can't live without you. I can't, Wonwoo...."
We still hug, I think we spent so much time tonight. Don't we?
"Okay, is my reason enough to satisfy your curiosity?" I asked while he is holding my hands.
"Hm." I can see his small smile.
"Hm?"
"Yeah... I will give you a chance." He smiled shyly.
"Finally!" I hug him in excitement.
"Ugh... Don't you think it's weird?" For countless times, he asked me again.
"Why?"
"You found out my secret, and that's disgusting as hell. But you beg me to giving you a chance
for loving me back... It's weird."
"Hahahaha, that's what our story begin Wonwoo. You can't find someone else like me
anywhere." I smirked and he turned away his gaze.
"Okay, go back home. You will make your dad worry." I push him to walk to his house.
"Oh yeah... About my dad... Sorry to hide this 'magazine' and you should known that from my
dad.. I feel so ashamed."
I smiled, "It's okay. Now, go back."
He gave me a goodbye smile and when he stood in front of the door, he yelled to me.
"Mingyu! 520!"
After he said that, he giggled by himself.
"520?" I asked.
"That's the code." He answered.
"What's code? What does that mean?"
"I love you."
And he entered into his house. I found myself smiling after hearing that.

Birds are tweeting happily this morning, the sunlight appeared shyly into Wonwoo's window.
"Eungh..." He woke up and stretching his body with smile.
"Good morning world." He said and starting to take a bath then prepare to go to school. Today is
Friday which means tomorrow is the weekend that he waited for long.

When he goes downstairs, he saw his parents are ready to take breakfast. It is his daily activity
with his family in the morning, of course he never late and consistent about his plan.
"Good morning." Wonwoo took a seat.
"Morning honey." His mom said.
"Go breakfast together." His dad commanded with smile.
This morning went well, Wonwoo seems happy yet worry. He is still thinking about last night but
he hopes it doesn't ruin everything.
"I'm going now. Good bye."
Wonwoo walked to Mingyu's house, before he called his name he took a breath and hesitate.
But he is trying to act normal and trying to go back to their happy times again.
The watch showed its already 06.00, it is his daily routine to picking Mingyu up and go to school
together.
....
.......
...........
...............
And.... This is what happened.
"MINGYU HURRY UP OR I WILL KICK YOU IN THE ASS IT'S ALREADY 06.50 WE WILL LATE AGAIN
YOU ASSSSSSHOLE."
After 2 minutes Mingyu appeared from his house and grinning.
Without saying anything Wonwoo walked so fast and leaving Mingyu in the back. Mingyu busy to
catches Wonwoo and trying to reach him.
"Wait me!!" Mingyu shouted from the back.
It pisses Wonwoo off again, like in the past.
When they see the gate, like usual, they run and run. But, it's closed.
"Sir, please open the gate. Please." Wonwoo begged.
"Isn't this your usual habit? Late and locked outside the gate. All you do is only wait until first bell
rings."
They out off breath and Wonwoo is glaring to Mingyu.
"My alarm...." Mingyu said slowly.
"You can take a bath with only 2 minutes, that's great bUT YOU SHOULD WAKE UP EARLIER WE
LATE 1 MINUTE AGAIN"
"Sorry sorry." Mingyu ginned, again.
"Ck." Wonwoo is frowning.
Not too long, a boy who has long hair run to the gate. They are looking at each other and
Wonwoo realized something.
"Jeonghan?" Wonwoo asked.
"Wonwoo!"
"Oh are you late too?"
Jeonghan frowned, "yes... I forgot to set my alarm. It's bad since today is my second day here."
They still quiet for a while until Mingyu spoke.
"Are you a new student?"
Jeonghan looked at Mingyu.
"Yes I am."
"Oh I haven't seen you before." Mingyu said.
"Yeah I just moved here yesterday and I haven't explore this school more."
"Cool, welcome then. I'm Kim Mingyu." Mingyu offered his hand and Jeonghan shook it, "Yoon
Jeonghan."
"You are so pretty I thought you are a girl." Mingyu said and Wonwoo widened his eyes.
"Mingyu!"
"What? That's true."
"Ohmygod stop flirting." Wonwoo just rolled his eyes.
Jeonghan laughed too, "haha that's okay, people always say that to me."
"See? That's true, just look at his hair and his face. People would thought he is a girl though."
Jeonghan smiled, "you guys look so close."
Frozen.
Mingyu coughed and Wonwoo is blushing.
"Well yeah we are close since kid." Wonwoo said.
"Ohhhh, same as me and Joshua right?"
"Joshua! You are his friend?" Mingyu said with excitement.
"Yes, he is my childhood friend."
"Cool! I always ask him for teaching me playing guitar. He is a good boy. Really."
Jeonghan nodded. "He likes guitar and music so much. We always sing together with him playing
guitar."
"Wow that's romantic." Wonwoo said abruptly.
It made Mingyu coughed (again) and Jeonghan suddenly blushed. Wonwoo realized and correct
his words immediately, "I-I mean that's nice..."
.
The first bell is ringing, they who late and got locked outside now can enter the school and
starting to study.
Mingyu, Wonwoo and Jeonghan entered their own class.
When Wonwoo entered his class, the classmates don't give him a surprised look because he
always like that.
"Late again?" His teacher asked.
"Yes, sir. Sorry."
"With Mingyu again?"
Wonwoo nodded.
"Go sit."
"Thank you, sir." Wonwoo is walking to his seat.
"But Wonwoo you have to take the warning mail from the principal later."
"Damn I have received that for countless times I hope I don't get drop out mail. If yes, I will blame
Mingyu for the rest of my life."
"Yes, sir."
"Wow, you broke the record as the student who receive warning mail the most." Seokmin—his
tablemate whispered behind him.
"Yeah, me and Mingyu, actually." And he sighed.

It's rest time. Students mostly go to canteen or library. But not for Wonwoo, he wants to go to
school's rooftop. When he is on the way he accidentally meet Jeonghan.
"Where are you going?" Jeonghan asked, he brought a bread and milk. Wow he looks so cute.
"I want to go to school's rooftop."
"May I join? Joshua is busy with his music activity so I..."
"Of course." Wonwoo smiled and they go to school's rooftop together.
But suddenly Jeonghan got bumped with someone, it made his bread and milk fell to the floor.
"I'm sorry I'm in hurry!" That someone helped Jeonghan to take his bread and milk.
"S.Coups?" Wonwoo said.
S.Coups looked at Wonwoo and got nervous.
"Eu— sorry once again, I really in hurry right now. Bye!"
Jeonghan couldn't move and still shocked.
"Are you okay?" Wonwoo asked.
"Y-yeah.." Jeonghan blinked for couple times.
"Forgive him yea.."
"Who is that?"
"He is one of Mingyu's friend, S.Coups. Well let's go."
They continue their journey and..
"S.COUPS WHERE ARE YOU YAK WHERE-" And boom, someone bumped into Wonwoo.
"Oh shit who is-" and his eyes got wide, "MINGYU YA WATCH YOUR WAY IT HURTS"
"I'M SORRY BABY BUT I NEED TO CATCH S.COUPS THAT ASSHOLE WHERE IS HE OKAY SORRY
ONCE AGAIN. S.COUPS YAK!" And Mingyu is continue running.
"That stupid...." Wonwoo fixed his uniform.
"Eum did he just called you baby?" Jeonghan said.
Wonwoo is staring with blank look. Jeonghan too.
Blank.
Blank.
"BABY?!"

7
Did Jeonghan miss heard the words by Mingyu just now?
What the hell did he say and called me baby?!
"Anyway Jeonghan, did you already get friends here?" I asked him while ripping my snack.
"Well so far, Joshua, you, Mingyu and 2 chinese boys who I met yesterday evening, um Jun and
who is that? Monghai? Minghu? Minghi?"
"You mean Minghao??"
"Ah yes! Minghao."
He chewed his bread and bubblegum, we look at the view below where the students passing by
and busy because of lunch time.
"Can I ask about the boy who bumped me?" He suddenly spoke.
"Okay... What is it?"
"What is his name? S......Co....s...?" He spelled S.Coups's name wrongly.
"S.Coups. His real name is Seungcheol." I replied.
"You said that he is one of Mingyu's friend right? So you are his friend too? Do you close with
him?"
I quiet for a while.
"Not at all. We have a complicated relation. Why do you ask?" I turned to him, he avoided our
eye contact.
"N-no.. I just want to get closer with everyone here."
I nodded, "yeah I understand."
"Why did you move here? What happened with your past school?" I continued.
He looks hesitate to answer, I feel bad to him what if I hurt his feeling? You stupid Jeon Wonwoo.
"I... Have a problem with a student there." He smiled.
"What's problem?" I stopped, "...if you willing to answer me." I continued.
He sighed and looked at me.
"He insulted me because I like to cling around a bunch of boys there. Well I punched him and we
fight." I'm lil bit confused, what's the problem with that?
"What's the problem if you like to cling around them? I mean that's what friends do, right?"
"No... He thinks the opposite. He thought me as a... You know, like gay."
I choked on my saliva, I really surprised by that.
"Don't be surprise. Do you think I'm bad, Wonwoo?"
"NO! I didn't mean that..."
Oh my god that's really surprised me... What if he's gay too...?
Stupid Wonwoo, you are gay for Mingyu, what's in your head? Stupid.
"I think he is just too much... No wonder if you get angry and punched him."
He laughed a bit.
"I actually don't know why I punched him. I like to be called as a pretty boy with my long hair and
angelic face, I used that as my character and people will recognize me easily around the boys.
But... Well... I... I mean, my friends also used me as a... girl."
I raised my eyebrow and confused again, "..huh?"
"Yeah... They think and see me as 'their girl', so another bunch of boys think the opposite. Ugh,
you know what I mean right?" He groaned.
I'm thinking for a while and got a clue.
"But... That's not mean you are really gay right? That's only their joke right?"
He didn't answer me and his face suddenly become pink.
Oh my god don't tell me.....
"Well...." He started to reply. "I think.... I am---"
"Jeon wonwoo!" Our conversation got cut by a girl behind us. Fucj.
I turned away and saw Ahrin with S.Coups behind.
I widened my eyes.
HOW THE HELL SHE KNEW MY FAVORITE PLACE HERE? WHAT DOES SHE WANT?
I stood up and they walked closer to me.
"What is it?" I said.
"Don't play with me." She said.
"I don't play with you."
She rolled her eyes.
"Don't play with me means you are not allowed to use my toy, heh."
"Your toy? What? Mingyu?" I asked and my blood is boiled up now.
"You know right." She said.
"Hey, Mingyu is not a toy. And I don't play with you nor him."
She laughed.
Fucj this bitch.
I really hate her.
"Why are you laughing? And how did you get here?" I asked her and looking at S.Coups too.
"That doesn't matter, I already warned you to stay away from him. Please be a good boy and
obey my words." She turned and ready to leave. I chased her but S.Coups stopped me.
"What? Are you being her bodyguard right now?!" I spit out in front his face.
"Just obey her and don't get any closer again with Mingyu." He whispered and pushed me away.
"I know you are the girl who warned me last night! But you can't stop me!" I shouted behind her.
She gave me a middle finger, what the hell is that?
When Ahrin and S.Coups wanted to leave but they suddenly back and walked to me, with
another boy.
"Wonwoo, what did they do to you?" That boy spoke and........
"Mingyu?! H-how did you..??"
"Yeah I know you always go to here when lunch time. Now tell me, what did they do to you?" He
asked.
"H-Hey what actually happened here?" Jeonghan said and we just looked at him.
"It's nothing, just let us go. Good bye." I said and grabbing Jeonghan's hand to leave.
"You can't leave, I should know what did they do to my friend." He grabbed my another hand
and continued, "or should I call, my 'more' than friend."
Ahrin looks shocked, "what do you mean Mingyu-ya? More than friend?"
"Mingyu don't you dare!" I shouted at him.
"Why? I'm trying to be honest okay."
"Don't tell me that Wonwoo and you...?" Ahrin said.
"What the hell no! Don't think like that!" I rejected.
"S.Coups please take Jeonghan away from here, can you?" He commanded S.Coups.
S.Coups and Jeonghan are leaving the rooftop.
"Mingyu you can't be..." Ahrin step backward.
"Wonwoo and I have rules when we were kid, just for your information." He said to Ahrin and I
am looking at them with worry.
"W-what rules?" She said.
"First, always beside me. Second, something yours is also mine. And third," He stopped and
staring at me while grabbing Ahrin's hand tightly.
"...third, love me whatever I am."
There is silence between us.
"I-I don't get it..." Ahrin said.
"Mingyu no, just shout your mouth up. I don't want this." I said and take Mingyu away from
Ahrin.
"You said that you allow me to doing this. I'm trying Wonwoo, I'm trying."
"Stupid, do you want to reveal our secret that easily to everyone? She is your fucking girlfriend!
Stop fooling around."
He ignored me and continued to talk with Ahrin.
"I know that you warned him to stay away from me. Who are you to saying like that to him? I
thought you understand me, I thought you can be kind to all my friends, I thought you different.
But no, you just break my trust on you Ahrin."
My jaw dropped after hearing that. Ahrin is tearing up right now.
"I didn't mean that.... I just.... Hate him because he got all I want from you."
"Huh? What he got? Please be mature Ahrin. We can't be together again if you like this. You are
so childish."
Ahrin looked at Mingyu with sadness.
"No! I do love you Mingyu-ya! Please don't leave me!"
"I can't." He said.
I just watched them in silent, I feel like my surrounding is stopping. I can't say anything to them...
Ahrin is crying and running from us. She left us alone in here.
I'm back to reality and immediately hit Mingyu's head.
"Aw!" He groaned in pain.
"Ugh! Why did you act as you want?! Please mind other's feeling, you stupid!"
"Okay, okay calm down I have reason."
I'm pouting because he really is annoying.
"I'm trying to fulfill our rules and promises. The third is our last rules right? Do you want us to
break that again? Okay we already broke our 2 rules, I don't want that again."
I calmed down and hearing him carefully.
"I will love you whatever you are, when you change or not. No matter what you are, I have
promised to love you. So, please love me too whatever I am."
"I want to protect you when I become a true man. I need to protect you from this cruel world. Is
it wrong if I want to protect my beloved person?"
I can't say anything, my throat is really dry and I want to end this.
"Say, do you really love me? Are you gay for me? Are you being serious? No you can't be,
Mingyu." I said.
"So okay I can't say if I do love you as you want. But I can't deny if you are important to me. I'm
confusing with this feeling, just give me a chance. You have deal with me last night right?" He
replied.
I sighed.
"But please, not in public. You can drag me into trouble. Ahrin and your friends could make a
rumor and will spread to all students here. You can make your reputation down too!"
"That's okay, we only need to act normal in front of them. I can cover it."
"You really are unbelievable, Mingyu... You changed after last night, how can you be so brave like
this?" I asked.
He smiled at me and poking my nose.
"Just love me whatever I am, okay?"
I smiled too and blushing.
Yes, that's #3 rules. 'Love me, whatever I am'.

I live here as an ordinary boy, I live here to get a life, I live here to be... What I want.
I asked my mother how did she and my father meet. She said that my father is her bestfriend
since kid. My father is the typical of man who loves kids. He loves everything and my mother is
that kind of shy girl. They got along until they are married and I was born to this earth.
I grew up as a shy boy, not that talkative one. I usually being quiet when that aunt says hi to me, I
usually avoid the eyecontact when the kid who is the same age as me invites to play with him and
I will reply with no. Yes, I hate society. I don’t know why either. I don’t have any friends in this
place, that’s why my father always tells me to be a strong boy. I never go to the places like mall or
swimming pool or amusement park or anything that related to have fun at my age. Of course, my
parent love me so much. They care about me because I don’t have any sibling. But one time, my
father told me to find a friend, I really need to. I was 6 years old and I will go to school next year,
so it will be a disaster for me especially my future if I don’t have somebody to lean on.

Yes that one time my father told me to introduce myself and make a friend with a kid who just
moved next door. I got nervous and always delay it.
But there, I met you. Holding an ice cream.
I saw you as a bright kid. You talk too much. I kinda thought that I won’t get along with you.
But nope, you could make me to say a word. You could make me to promise you for protecting
you in the future.
“But we are stranger.” You said.
But why did I say we aren’t? Can you see that I turned to be a different Wonwoo since then?

We ended up playing together and going to the same school. Do you know if my father liked you
so much? Yes, both my parent told me if you can be my friend and protect me in the future, they
kinda surprised because I could make a frend with you. That’s mean you are amazing.
You taught me everything, I did so many things I’ve never done, I knew how to laugh, you brought
me to your circle. You really are amazing.

And....

Now.....

When we are in third year of our high school, this feeling has been changed...

Kim Mingyu, if I could back to the time when I can reborn as a bright kid and get along with
everyone, I would never have this kind of feeling for you.
Kim Mingyu, if I could know the meaning of love, I would never have this kind of feeling for you.
Kim Mingyu, if only... You are not my friend, I would never have this kind of feeling for you.
You are my sin and salvation. On the other hand, you save me from darkness and lonliness. But
however, you drag me to doing this sin.

I love you. I love you so much. I’m scared. Help me. If you know this, will you leave and hate me?
If you know this, will you forget me? If God knows this, will He punish me?
Really, I’m scared to admit this feeling. Help me. When I say I love you my head spins up and I feel
dizzy. I find myself being jealous to every girl you are close with. Seeing you through the window
every night, you always tease me. I am happy but what you did also destroyed me.
I mentioned your name every time I get scared, every time when I’m sad, everytime.

I love you Kim Mingyu, help me.

“Hey Kim, where have you been?” said Seungkwan. I see S.Coups behind him and is looking at
me. I took a seat beside Hoshi.
“S.Coups told us all about it.” said Vernon. I just staring at them and sighed. “What is it?” I said.
“About the new student.” Dino spoke with him reaching the snacks and chew it.

I dont get it. I thought they are talking about what happened in the rooftop just now...?

“Yeah, I told them about the new longhaired student where we met just now in the rooftop.”
replied S.Coups. He blinked at me and I know he pretends like nothing happened.
“Oh, Jeonghan?” I asked.
They nodded.
“Where is Ahrin? She was with you right Coups?” Seungkwan asked. I surprised and S.Coups just
saying nervously.
“She... Went to the toilet!” he said and grinning.

I dont know what happened after I asked S.Coups for taking Jeonghan away and Ahrin left, did I
miss something?

After I tried to catch S.Coups because he insult me endlessly back then when I was late, he
disappeared fastly. I gave up and tried to find Wonwoo for apologizing about the ‘baby’ lol I think
he is mad but I spontantly said that, so I go to the rooftop.
But, I heard people shouted and talked loudly. I peaked out and found them there... I heard all of
it. Wonwoo was right.
Ahrin is not good for me. And they hide this from me. Literally all of them, include Wonwoo.
When Ahrin and S.Coups left, I stopped them and brought them to back to Wonwoo.

Well yeah. I honestly tired, but I need to fix this.

I think S.Coups wants to hide this from them so he didnt tell them what actually happened.

“Guys, lets go to my house tomorrow night.” I said.

“WOW REALLY? WE GO TO PARTY??” Seungkwan jumped excitedly.
“Ugh, no party please?” I said. He just suddenly changed the expression into disappointed one.
Lol.

“Okay okay we will go to your house.” Woozi said.

“We can do boys’ talk there yeay!” Dino shouted happily.
“Isn’t that what girls do?” Vernon asked.
“Boys can do that too, please guys.” Hoshi rolled his eyes.

Everyone is laughing and S.Coups is looking at me with worry.

It’s Saturday morning, I woke up and immediately prepared for buying stuffs. I will buy so many
stuffs like food, snack, ice cream, etc. My friends are foodholic so I can imagine what will they do
tonight. Though it’s not a party but still.

I go to the market and picking some snacks.

“This one for Woozi. Hmm... Dino will like it. Got you! It’s for Hoshi. And another one for Vernon,
this one too for Seungkwan. S.Coups..... He will likes that ice cream.” I’m thinking for a while and
checking one by one the stuffs I picked.
“Shopping?” Someone poked my hand.
“Yeah, hi Josh.” I smiled at him, yes he is Joshua.
“Wow you buy so many things, party huh?” He looked at my trolley and amazed by how many
foods in it.
“Nope, my friends will come over, so..”
“Ohhh I see. Have fun!” He smiled to me.
“Ah, Josh wait!” I called him when he wanted to go to another section.
“Yeah?”
“I want to ask you something. Can we have some time to talk?”

We, me and Joshua, are sitting outside the market and have some talk there. Actually, I’ve never
been so close with him, we used to talk about music before. He is a good boy, maybe he can help
me with this situation.

“What’s wrong Mingyu?”

“Before that, is Jeonghan, that new student, your friend?”

He nodded, “yes yes yes. Wow you know him?”

“Yes, yesterday morning when we were late.”
“We?” He asked.
“Me, Wonwoo and Jeonghan.”
“What? Jeonghan was late?????” He surprised. I wonder why he got surprise???
“Yeah.... He was. Why?”
“He never late! That dumb...” He makes an expression like D: and then -_-
“You know him that close..” I whispered.
He looked at me, “of course. We know each other since kid, that’s why. Like you and Wonwoo.”

BATHUMP. BATHUMP.

Shit Mingyu what are you bathump-bathump-ing at?

“I want to ask you, if someone loves you but you can’t return the feeling because you think it’s
forbidden, what will you do?” I asked in serious tone.
“Forbidden? Liking your own sister you mean?????” He makes expression like :O

I don’t know why Joshua can be this expressive.

“Uhm, in this case, your bestfriend is loving you...” I lower my voice because I’m afraid he would
get the point and caught me.

“Oh....” He stopped and biting his lips, thinking I guess. “I’ve never been in relationship so I dont
exactly know what will I do.” He continued. I sighed.
“But if you think your bestfriend is loving you that much, you can try to see her in another way.
Like, maybe you may notice every single thing she does. Or you can take the start with saying ‘I
love you too’...?”
She. She. You guys know what I’m talking about right.

“Like I said, it’s forbidden. It’s hard to do that.” I said.

“Why do you ask about this? What happened with you and Ahrin? Or you have a thought to
cheat on her......?” He makes expression like :/

Stop, Hong Jisoo.

“I think we already broke up.” I finally spoke.

“WHA-“ Again, his expression is :O but triple, so :O :O :O
“Don’t tell anyone about this.” I whispered to him.
He nodded, “gosh I’m shocked.” He remains quiet. “I get it now, you broke up and just found out
that your bestfriend is loving you. And you think it’s forbidden and hard to do. So you don’t know
what to do and asking me this right now.” He continued.

I’m mumbling ‘yeah’ to him.

“Jeonghan ever asked me the same question, but the different is ‘what if I’m loving my
bestfriend and afraid to tell to’. But until now I still don’t know who is the person he likes.”
“Really? Wow it must be hard.” I replied.
“I know right. Well, honestly if I am ‘you’, I will return my feeling and treating her like the way
she treats me. If it’s hard I will keep trying to don’t hurt her feeling or making her sad. I will try
the best to protect her because I know she does the best for me too. I don’t want it being a
waste later, I will respect her.”

I’m looking at him and he smiles to me.

“So, go ahead Kim Mingyu. You are a man, don’t look weak in front of girl! Fighting!” He makes
expression like ^^9 with his fist.

‘Don’t look weak in front of girl’ he said, but... Omg, Jeon Wonwoo please take responsibility, it's
stressing me out.

“Okay I get it. Thank you so much Josh.” I stood up and he did too.
“My pleasure, don’t give up! I’m going now, good bye and have fun!” He waved his hand and
left.

Gotcha. Good to try. Thank you Hong. Now, go back home and prepared for tonight. Wait me
Wonwoo.
10
A bunch of boys are walking under the light of street lamp, they are going to the one of house
over here.

“Ahh I can’t wait until we arrive to Mingyu’s house... I always love the calm situation in there.”
Said Hoshi.
“My house is more calm than him, wanna try?” Replied Seungkwan, he smirked to Hoshi. Hoshi
just staring at him in disgust, “Don’t you mean your house is more noisy than him???”
“HAHAHAHAHA” Woozi burst into laughter.
“Fuck you guys.” Seungkwan pouted.
“It’s okay Seungkwannie, I always love your house.” Vernon patted Seungkwan’s shoulder.

“I hope there is candy in his house, and also seaweed. Yeah.” Dino walked happily like a kid. No
wonder he is the childish one among them.
“Of course, he should treating us delicious foods since we are the monster foodholics.” Said
Seungkwan.

After a few steps...

“Hey! We arrived! Let’s go!” Vernon ran towards the door and ready to knock it.
“Vernon, wait! That’s not-“ S.Coups shouted from a far.

Too late.

Knock, Knock.

The door already opened.

“Yeah?-“ A longhaired boy appeared.

All of them don’t move and staring at the boy in silent.

Vernon looked at his friends behind him, “guys- isn’t it Mingyu’s...?”

“Didn’t you remember if Wonwoo live right next to him?” Said S.Coups, he still looked at the boy
in amaze, “...I told you if this is Wonwoo’s house, but... Jeonghan? What are you doing here?” he
continued.

“Oh... I... Planned to sleep over here... Because Wonwoo is alone tonight. Do you want to meet
Wonwoo? He is in the kitchen, if you want I will-“ Jeonghan words got cut by Vernon, “No! No!
This is my bad, I wrongly passed by here, we will go to Mingyu’s house. Hehe.” He clumsyly
smiled to Jeonghan.
“Oh.. Okay then...”
“Okay! Guys let’s go. Ugh, we are sorry Jeonghan-ssi. Good night.” S.Coups brings the other
(who’s still in freeze) to walk over Mingyu’s house.

Jeonghan looks confused but he closed the door anyway.

The boys are already inside Mingyu’s house now.

“Guys? What happened? Why are you being quiet like unusual?” Mingyu stared at them in
confusion.

“I just know that new student is a girl.” Vernon said blankly.

“Ugh! I told you he is a boy!” S.Coups groaned and cover his face.
“What?” Mingyu asked.

“Jeonghan. He is in Wonwoo’s house.” Seungkwan replied.

“The hell? Are they already being that close?” – Mingyu’s thought.

“Oh, wow. How did you guys know he is in Wonwoo’s house? Did you come to his..?” Mingyu
asked.
“Well, that stupid wrongly knocked the door and annoyed another neighbour.” Woozi pointed
his finger to Vernon with judging look.
Vernon grinned to them and makes a peace sign with his fingers.

“I’m glad that was not Wonwoo who opened the door though,” Hoshi said and made Mingyu
glaring at him, “Ehem.. I mean yeah that would be embarassing if the owner of that house open
by himself.” Hoshi continued.

Mingyu took a deep sigh and looking at the boys shapely.

“May I invite Wonwoo and Jeonghan here?” Mingyu asked carefully.

The boys look surprised, “f-for what..?” S.Coups respond.
“That’s my plan for gather all of you tonight. I have some clarification.” Mingyu took his phone
and pressed the number, he called the number and activate the loudspeaker mode.

“Hello, Wonwoo. Come to my house please?”

“What? For what? Jeonghan is here, I can’t-“
“I know, that’s why you guys should come to my house tonight.”
“Uhm....” There is a long sigh from him.
“Okay, on the way.” Wonwoo ended the call.

“Seems like Wonwoo didn’t know what just happen.” Dino said.
“What the actual fuck Kim Mingyu.” That’s the first line from Wonwoo right after he and
Jeonghan entered Mingyu’s house.
“Hi.” Vernon waved his hand to them.
“Wow you guys really are here, so they are your friends Mingyu?” Jeonghan asked.
“Yes, you can be friend with them later. But now please take a sit. And also don’t hesitate to eat
that snacks.”

They took their comfort place to sit and already ate some snacks, chatting one another. Mingyu
grabbed Wonwoo hand to tell he should sit right beside him.
“What’s your plan stupid.” Wonwoo whispered to Mingyu and looks pissed.
“Can you see S.Coups’s face being all nervous just now?” Mingyu whispered back.

Wonwoo looked at S.Coups face is really pale now, he also doesn’t look comfort at all. Seems like
he hides something.

“Yeah, why?” Wonwoo asked.

“He knew something about us, and he hides it from other.” Mingyu drank the coke and looking
at Wonwoo.
“It so dangerous then.” Wonwoo looks scared.
“Ha! And I will make it more dangerous than you imagine.” Mingyu smirked.
“Wtf?” Wonwoo jaw dropped and Mingyu left him behind.

“Hey hey, let’s do boys’ talk!” Mingyu shouted.

“Yoohoo! Finally you grant my wish!” Dino came with excitement in his face.
“Right, we will spin up the bottle and see where it stops. When the bottle stops at you, you
should talk about your biggest secret to us.” Mingyu prepared the bottle and they already sit in a
round circle.

“He is crazy.” Wonwoo looks really really really pissed.

“S.Coups why you look so pale? Are you sick?” Woozi asked him, and S.Coups just shook his
head. Mingyu and Wonwoo are looking at S.Coups. And Mingyu smirked.
“Okay let’s begin now.” Mingyu spinned the bottle and all of them waiting nervously.

The bottle slowly stops....

“IT’S JEONGHAN!” Vernon shouted.

“Ugh....” Jeonghan bit his lips.
“Come on, tell us your biggest secret.” Mingyu commanded.
“Well... I have crush on a boy.” Jeonghan finally said.

Wonwoo looks surprised, “tHE HELL HE IS REALLY GAY? Oh. No wonder.” –Wonwoo’s thought.

“Wow...............................................” All of them except Mingyu and Wonwoo, are jaw dropping.
S.Coups choked when he heard it.
“Okay, no comment. That’s your secret and we don’t have right to judge on you. Go ahead,
fighting!” Vernon said. He obviously pretend to looks no-judge but the reality is he looks what-
the-hell.

“Lol, homophobic nowadays. Well okay, I know one of you has that feeling too towards each
other. Whatever we still can be friends;-)”

“Jeonghan has crush on a boy.. I remember something... what is it...

I know something but I couldn’t remember it....” –Mingyu’s thought.

“Of course we still can be friends, don’t worry.” Hoshi and Woozi winked at him.

“Bastards talk bullshit.” –Wonwoo’s thought.

“Let’s go to the next one.” Mingyu spinned the bottle once again.

And it stops at, “Yoo~ S.Coups~ tell us your secret man~” Seungkwan played with his voice.
“I.. I think Jeonghan should spins the bottle since he is the last.. Right?” S.Coups said nervously.
“Good idea, okay Jeonghan please spin it.” Woozi said.

S.Coups sighed and Mingyu secretly glared at him.

Jeonghan spinned the bottle, and unpredictly it stops at Wonwoo.

“Goddamn....” Wonwoo cursed under his breath.

“Guys guys, how about Wonwoo and S.Coups talk about their secret together? It’s still unfair if
S.Coups don’t do it, he got it too.” Dino said his briliant thought.
“Nice one!” Vernon shouted.

“Wait. I volunteer to talk my secret too, along with Wonwoo and S.Coups.” Mingyu said and
everyone was feeling something big will happen.

11
I didn’t even know why I folllow Mingyu to come to his house. All I know is Jeonghan is gonna
sleep over my house because my parents aren’t home tonight (which I greatful for) (lol).

And there, when I’m inside his house I saw a bunch oF HIS FUCKIN FRIENDS. wHY?!!??!

I whispered to Jeonghan who is looking at them in unbelieveable look, “I’m dead.” And he just
smiled.
Jeonghan spinned the bottle, and unpredictly it stops at ME!

“Goddamn....” I said.
“Guys guys, how about Wonwoo and S.Coups talk about their secret together? It’s still unfair if
S.Coups don’t do it, he got it too.” Dino said his briliant thought.
“Nice one!” Vernon shouted.

“Wait. I volunteer to talk my secret too, along with Wonwoo and S.Coups.” Mingyu said.

I glared at him and mumbled, “you piece of shit”.

What the hell will he does? What’s his plan? Why does he do this?

“Wow Kim, you look so confident~” Seungkwan said and took a sip of his milktea.
“Since S.Coups got it first, so what about he talks his secret first?” Hoshi suggested.

Oh, thanks to Hoshi, at least I don’t have to go first. Actually it terrifies me. What is my biggest
secret? What should I tell them about? What if this is so embarassing?

I don’t know...... I really don’t know.........

“Hurry up, I wonder what’s S.Coups’s biggest secret!” Dino shouted.

“Eung...” I looked at S.Coups and he’s fidgeting his fingers, “I can’t tell.....” he continued.
“Uhhhh come onnnnn!” Everyone started sighing in disapointment.
“Really, you guys won’t hear this... Well it’s not my secret, but I really-“
“What about you answer my questions honestly?” Mingyu cut his words. I widened my eyes.
It will get worse...

“So, it has relation between him, me, and Wonwoo.” Mingyu talked to all his friends, “oh
perhaps Jeonghan also included.” He continued.

“This is enough.” I said to Mingyu, everyone looked at me and I stood up from my seat, “I will go
home.”
“No, stay still.” Mingyu grabbed my hand.

No one say a word.

“Guys, did you make a plan or whatever with Ahrin?” Mingyu sounds really cold, I just sit and
stay still.

“Haha, what plan Mingyu? Are you kidding us?” Seungkwan laughed awkwardly. It makes
everything obvious...

“I already know everything guys. Don’t lie, answer me honestly Seungcheol.”

Shit, Mingyu called him by his real name. It’s really getting worse.

“We didn’t...” S.Coups replied. He looked at me.

“Oh, well Wonwoo please answer honestly too. Did they do anything to you?” Mingyu asked me.

“Ah? Haha, what are you talking about?” I laughed too, but Mingyu glared at me in serious look.
“So you guys want play a game behind me huh? If you don’t answer me honestly, I will tell you
something honestly.” Mingyu stood up and take my hand.

“Maybe you wonder why I always talk about Wonwoo everytime, right? Everybody know he was
my bestfriend,” He gulped, “and everybody know too if Ahrin was my girlfriend.”
Was? Why did he use past tense?!

“The thing is, something happened yesterday in the rooftop. And unfortunately, S.Coups was
there with Ahrin.” He stopped a while.

“They seems did something to Wonwoo. And I believe you guys were included too. I believe you
guys made something to him, trying to break our friendship.”

:( It makes me sad.

“Yeah, that’s true.” S.Coups finally said. He stood up too, “We made a plan to break your
friendship. We helped Ahrin to haunted Wonwoo. Because why?” He stopped, “we tired of you.
Because when your body were with us, your mind and soul always with him. Don’t you think
that’s a bit strange?” he continued. I swallowed my saliva, it really hurts to hear the truth.

I saw Mingyu’s eyes being a bit redder.

“Do you want to know my biggest secret? It was me who’s jealous of you and Ahrin! I helped her
because I love her! See?! You always make her sad, make her hurts. I accepted the reality that
you my bestfriend dated with my dream girl.” He let his anger up.

Everyone are jaw dropping, this is really a big secret. Mingyu seems endure his anger too.

“I regreted to let her go with a bastard like you.” S.Coups glenched his teeth, he is really angry...
“And guys,” S.Coups looked at his friends, “do you know what is Mingyu’s biggest secret would
be?” He smirked at me, “he is dating with that guy.” And he pointed at me.

Mingyu jumped to him and punched him really hard in the face.
“Hey!” Everyone tried to divide them. Mingyu face is red because of anger, S.Coups is laying on
the ground and I can see blood on the corner of his lips.

Mingyu fighted. He punched someone. This is the first time I see him being really angry. I can’t
believe it even I couldn’t move.

“Mingyu! What are you doing?!” Woozi shouted to him.

“The fuck that you are two-faced and betray me from behind! I thought you were being quiet
because you are the neutral one among them!” Mingyu shouted, “you should talk about it in the
first place! Why didn’t you chase her and picked to give her?!”

“IT BECAUSE SHE LOVES YOU!” S.Coups replied back.

Silence. All we can hear is their breath.

“S-shit!” Mingyu punched the wall.

“Guys stop...” Hoshi tried to calm them down.

“I heard it, Mingyu. I heard all of it when we were on the rooftop.” S.Coups continued.

I couldn’t move or say any one word. I feel numb.

“I also heard it... You guys are dating...” Jeonghan said and I already died.

12

“Hey~ guess who is in love right now?~” Seungkwan teased me in front of them.
“Who???” Vernon asked in curiosity.
“It’s him!” Seungkwan poked my chin.
“Aish.. Stop it Seungkwan.” I blushed and smiled a bit.
“Kim is dating with Ahrin guys!” Seungkwan stood up on the table, it made everyone in this
canteen looking at him.
“Really??? Ahrin? That famous girl?!” Hoshi shouted.
“Whoa~~~” I could hear everyone clapped and gave me thumbs up.

It was embarrassing.

They congratulated me, each of them. I was really happy.

But Wonwoo seems not happy with it, he just gave me an ‘Oh’ as response. When I asked him
why, he said “Nothing. Congrats.”

I thought he was the last one in this school who congratulate me, but S.Coups was.

S.Coups met me the next day and said, “Great. Hope you can make her happy.” And he smiled.

Well... I was really in love with her. It took 2 weeks for us knowing each other.
We date and my friends support. It feels great.
She is popular, so do I.
Everyone keep tell us that we suit each other, they are really noisy. That’s why I always tell my
love story nor problem with S.Coups because he is soooooo quite. I mean, he is really neutral. He
could keep my secret and I trust him.

Yeah eventhough none of them likes Wonwoo, but they are kind too. And also supportive.

And now everything is done. Messy. Wrecked. Broke. And it’s hurt.
It’s hurt to see them being broke. It messed up.

Friendship.

Love.

Forbidden.

Hurt.

I don’t know who to blame. I don’t know whose fault is this.

Now, I feel my head is spinning. I see their face are red. Their veins come up.
I see the blood on S.Coups’s corner lips and blood on my hand because I punched the wall way
too hard. I see Wonwoo’s face isn’t happy.
My chest hurts. I wrecked my everything. What to do?

“It’s my fault....” Wonwoo came to me, he grabbed my shoulder. “I know it would happen, I just
brought you to the hell. I know I shouldn’t let you accept me. I’m sorry...” Tears run down
through his cheeks.

Don’t. Don’t cry.

It’s hurt.

“I’m sorry to all of you. Don’t blame Mingyu. It’s all my fault. I know I’m disgusting, y’all hate me
and I even hate myself too. So please, end this.” Wonwoo said, he cried but smiled. That’s a
bitter smile.
“It’s true that I and Mingyu are dating. I already thought over the risks, but I never planned that
Mingyu would accept me... No, it’s clearly not Mingyu’s fault. I really love him... I kept this feeling
all by myself, but you know, it hurts and I can’t endure until it explodes.... I died... I don’t know
what to do..... All I want is happiness, and I think that Mingyu is my happiness.” He stopped a
while, “I’m sorry.”

I touched his face, I wiped his tears. He looks surprised but my eyes got soften.

“At first, I thought love is the thing I could feel happy with someone. Now, love is the thing that
hard to understand. Love could break everything I have. Hah....” I’m sighing. I face them and
smiled.

“Seungcheol-ah, I’m sorry.” I’m smiling at him, the rest are looking at me in confusion.

“I’m sorry for everything, I couldn’t make her happy. I disapointed you and broke your trust. You
are right, I am a bastard. I’m sorry for you guys too... I’m so grateful for having you guys as my
friends, thank you so much and I’m sorry if I can’t be the one you guys hope for.”

After saying that, my eyes got warm.

“It hurts guys... I can’t choose who’s the one I should pick. You know? I love Wonwoo too. Will
you guys accept me if I love Wonwoo more than as a friend?” I asked them.

“I’m so sorry...” I said and kissed Wonwoo.

I kissed him for the second time, I hug him. Pulling him more and more. This time, he let me kiss
him than the last one. He respond my kiss. Again, his tears run down through our lips. The more
he cried, the more I feel the pain. His lips are so smooth, his body is so tiny, he is so fragile... I
realized how important he is in my life, how much I want to protect him more than I could, I
want to hug him tight, I want to sweep all his sadness and lonliness. I don’t want anyone hurt
him and touch him. If only I could.....

“I notice something that I didn’t tell you back..” I whispered to Wonwoo.

“What is it...?”
“I love you too Jeon Wonwoo.” I buried my face into his neck and tightened my hug.

The next day.

I woke up in this Sunday morning alone in my room. I peaked at my window, all I see is
Wonwoo’s window that still closed.

It will be the new day I spend my life with another story, yeah my new story will begin. I promise
to myself, eventhough this is a forbidden love, I will never leave Wonwoo alone again. I will
always stay by his side. Even if I should sacrifice my past, my friends, the one I realized and I
never regret is that I love Wonwoo before I notice it...

I believe, the road that I and Wonwoo will ride is the thing I never regret. Although it’s hurt so
much, but I will gain the strength along with Wonwoo. Together.

Hurt...

Even if it’s hurt...

13

Do you have a best friend? I mean, a true best friend. Who always there right beside you
everywhere every time. Do you? Because I do.
Do you ever feel that you love your bestfriend more than it should be? Do you? Because I do.

I love him so much...

“Hey can I tell you something crazy?” He asked me when we spent this Sunday together in my
room.

My friend who slept over in my house has already gone back home and I’m still alone until
tonight, so, he came to my house.

“What?” I replied.
“I will tell your father about us.” He smiled at me, and I immediately jaw dropping.
Like he could read my mind, he continued “you know? Your father warned me to stay away from
you because he told me that you have strayed from the path. That time when I knew the truth, I
ever agreed with your father, you should do something about yourself and about us. He
hesitated to talk that he broke our friendship... Yeah, it’s hard right? Hahaha.” He laughed a bit.

After a while, I replied him back. “Hey can I answer you with something more crazy?”
“Hm? What?” He waited me to reply.

“I dare you to do that thing, whatever will my father responses, but I will help you to convince
him.” I smiled at him. He looks so blank and blinked for a couple time.
“Are you sure?” I nodded, “because if you are, then we are really crazy.” And we laughed
together.

“Kim Mingyu, thank you.” I said to him and look deeply into his eyes. I can’t help with it but every
time I look at his eyes, this feeling grow bigger and deeper.
“For what?”
“Everything. You are my protector and my guardian angel, since the beginning until the end.
Thanks.”

He didn’t response me. We kept staring at each other for a while.

“I like it when you smile and being honest with yourself.” He touched my cheeks. Smooth. My
cheeks became pink all of sudden.
“I never think that we will end up like this, Mingyu. It changed my whole life, I’m soooo grateful I
have you in my life since we were kid and now. You are the best present I ever have. Thank you
so much.” I rubbed his hand.
“Don’t thank me, I don’t deserve that. You can thank me later when your life become wonderful
with laughter and I’m being the reason behind that.”

You are already being the reason since the beginning, Kim Mingyu. Gosh help, I love him so bad.

♦ MINGYU ♦

“Don’t you want to say ‘I love you’ today?” I teased him and he looks cute with that shy face.
“What the heck. Go organize your wake-up-time so we won’t late again in the future. And then I
will say it.”
“Hmm??? Is that so? Don’t your tongue being ticklish now because you want to say that so
badly?” I poked his chin.

“Yah! Stop it, it’s embarrassing.” He is so cute, damn. Why did I just realize it?

“Where is your beanie hat?” I asked him.

“Why? I don’t like it anymore.” He pouted.
“Eh????” I furrowed my eyebrow.
“No reason needed.” He curled up his hands onto his chest.
“But I like it when you wear that one.”

“Shit, stop flirting.” He turned away his gaze to cover his blush on his cheeks. Stop being cute, oh
my poor heart.

“Hey what is your plan now Mingyu?”

I lower my gaze when he asked that. I’m thinking, what is my plan? What will we do in the
future? Will we be alright?

“I think we should do like where it flows, no one can expect the future right? I promise to myself
that I will always beside you from now on, something yours is also mine means there is no secret
between us and I will love you no matter what you are. Is it true?”

He made that small smile from his corner lips, “101% true. I’m so happy. Shall we make another
promises and rules?”
“Sure!”

So we took some papers and pen, we wrote our wish and new rules there. We eliminated them
and finally we got our 3 new promises and rules.

“Whoa it looks nice, right?” He said.

I nodded and patted his head, “Wonwoo, are you happy?”
“Of course! What about you? I’m so sorry for everything that happened lately...” He felt sorry
but I shook my head and rubbed his hair.
“I’m so happy, Wonwoo. Don’t worry, we will be alright. I don’t wanna see your frowning face
again, I want you to smile everytime! Because I guess when we first met years ago, you smiled
for the first time for me right? Do you know how happy I am that time? Being your happiness is
also my happiest thing ever, my sunshine.”

“No, no, no. Stop flirting. My heart can’t take it, please stop it Kim Mingyu.” He covered his face
and shook his body as rejection.
I laughed to see his action, teasing him is so fun.

“I didn’t flirt. That’s a fact.”

“Whatever.”
There is no thing in this world that can make me happy, except you, Jeon Wonwoo.

♦ MEANIE ♦

They spent the Sunday with all laughter, no more cry nor sadness. Let them be what they want
for a while.

Even if it’s hurt for them, broke the rules and promises for once in a lifetime is a must. Then, you
will find the truth behind the secrets. You can rebuild your trust and make another story with
new rules.
Being honest with yourself is such a greatness for Mingyu and Wonwoo. They feel more happy
together, it’s nice.

“Mingyu,” Wonwoo called him suddenly and made Mingyu turn his head to face him. In the
same time, Wonwoo kissed his lips in light speed. “I love you.” He said and hug Mingyu.
Mingyu giggled and rubbed Wonwoo’s hair gently, “You succeed to make me blush this time,
Wonwoo.”

Wonwoo buried his face into Mingyu’s neck, he smell Mingyu’s scent and being happy with that.
He already smell it and even remember the scent since they were kid, but this time he realized
how calm his scent is and it made Wonwoo want to smell it everytime. He wants all of Mingyu,
how deep his love is for Mingyu and he get drunk from him.

The paper with their new rules written on the floor being forgotten for a while, they enjoyed
their time hugging and squeezing.

1. Don’t leave me
2. No secret, no regret
3. Forever, together

It will be the last rules they will not break, and they made a quote to keep into their mind.
"Our love story is forbidden. Even so, we made a really good team. We will make the history about
our forbidden love to tell to our future.”

“I love you too, my Mr. Beanie.” Mingyu whispered to Wonwoo’s ear and he licked it.

THE END
Puppy Dog Tails

Description
Wonwoo hasn't been paying attention to Mingyu lately and the puppy is just a tad bit annoyed

Foreword
To put lightly, Mingyu is a very selfish puppy and wants his owner's attention all to himself but,
between school life and friends, Wonwoo has been a little negligent to Mingyu's needs. If there's one
thing Mingyu is, however; is cunning and comes up with an idea to get Wonwoo's attention. And it
involves a pair of panties and stockings.

1
“Mingyu,” Wonwoo huffs, struggling to tie his tie as his giant hybrid puppy (well, not so much of a
puppy anymore considering they're both teenagers now) grips onto his waist, face planted firmly into
his side as he nuzzles the fabric of Wonwoo's school jacket. “Seriously, you idiot, I'm going to miss
the buss if you keep this up.” All the rough grumbling doesn't deter Mingyu in the slightest however,
if anything it only spurs the beagle hybrid on. Lately, Wonwoo thinks with an annoyed, and slightly
endearing, glare, Mingyu's been really clingy.

Before Wonwoo got Mingyu at the age of eight, his parents had told him dog hybrids tend to be the
clingiest and very co-dependant on their owners. Wonwoo, in his stubborn childishness, didn't care
though because there was no way in hell he was getting a cat hybrid like Jihoon, his best-friend,
Soonyoung's, hybrid from Hell.

Mingyu was such a small thing, thinner than what Wonwoo was at the time, with large, floppy beagle
ears and large innocent eyes.

Who knew that tiny hybrid would become such a giant pain in his ass. Wonwoo glares at Mingyu in
the full-length mirror, but the hybrid just stares back with a large grin that eclipses most of his
features. No matter how much Wonwoo wants to get angry at the puppy he can't bring himself to.
Maybe it would've been easier to get a cat, at least then he wouldn't fall for the dreaded 'puppy-dog
eyes' of doom.

“Yah,” Mingyu says with a pout, slapping his owner's shoulder playfully, “are you thinking about
trading me in for a cat again?”

Wonwoo grunts but just smirks at the mirror, finally straightening out his tie—perfect.
“Maybe.”

Mingyu huffs, folding his arms as he puffs out his cheeks, tail wagging low and slowly behind his
back, “Well, I forbid it! You only belong to me,” the beagle hybrid states with an air of bossiness fit for
a spoiled prince. Which, with the way Wonwoo treats him, isn't too far off.

Wonwoo tries not to smile at the pouty teen but fails miserably, as per usual, and says, “Okay, fine”
with feigned disappointment. Mingyu catches on though, plastering himself to Wonwoo's side once
again, trying to control the small simmer of something more than fondness in his heart as he
attempts to hug the life out of the non-hybrid brunette.

“Wonwoo, honey, you don't want to be late on the first day of your last year, right?” Wonwoo's
mother shouts from the kitchen.

Mingyu just watches in amusement as his owner curses (“Don't ever repeat those words, Mingyu.”)
and bolts out of his messy room. Humming, a delightful skip in his step, Mingyu slides into one of the
empty kitchen seats as he hears the front door slam.

Mrs. Jeon serves a few pieces of french toast with a side of brown sugar, “Mingyu,” the coal haired
woman says sternly, “you can't keep making Wonwoo late.” Frowning slightly, Mingyu ducks his
head as he takes a bite of the sweet bread, ears lowered as his tail sweeps the floor. One bad thing
about having extra appendages is people can easily see what you're feeling, it didn't help that
Mingyu had little to no control over his said extra appendages.

“I know, I'm sorry,” he mumbles.

Mrs. Jeon just sighs heavily, rubbing the boy's head affectionately. “It's okay, now hurry up so we
can open the bakery,” she says, fingers pinching the teen's cheek, one of the places Mingyu's baby
fat refused to leave.

Tail thumping the floor happily, Mingyu practically scarfs down his meal. Ah, life is good.

Being a hybrid isn't the greatest thing, Mingyu often finds himself envious of Wonwoo's normal life
not having weird things stick out of him like a tail or floppy ears, because while hybrids might look
ninety-eight percent human, they're not treated as such. It used to be bad to be a hybrid, originally
only owned as a status symbol and the undesirable ones were left at orphanages. That's where
Mingyu ended up, scared and alone and starving ninety percent of the time. It's hard being a hybrid,
but then the Jeon family came.

The couple were younger back then, with kind eyes and warm smiles that Mingyu was sure he didn't
deserve something so nice. He was gangly and the runt of the makeshift litter at the orphanage, ears
much too big for his head and always all over the place.

But they chose him, told him he'd be their son and not just some pet, and when Mingyu was brought
over to Wonwoo he was stricken with the love-bug. Even though the family didn't consider him a pet,
Mingyu saw Wonwoo as his owner, someone he wants to protect and give all of himself to. Lately
though, Mingyu feels a little neglected. Since school for hybrids is only mandatory til junior high,
Mingyu chose to not go to high-school and work at the family bakery. A stupid mistake on his part,
he realizes with a twitch of his eye as he sees Wonwoo lean too closely to a girl.

The bakery's packed like usual (Mrs. Jeon jokes it's because Mingyu is just too cute to resist) but all
Mingyu can focus on is how Wonwoo's surrounded by tons of girls. Sure, there were other boys too,
one of them Soonyoung, Wonwoo's best-friend since diapers, but that didn't ease the churning in
Mingyu's stomach.

“Mingyu-hyung,” an amused voice cracks from behind him. Whipping his head, Mingyu relaxes a bit
as he sees it's just his coworker, another fellow dog hybrid, Minghao. The ice-cream haired boy
leans against the counter, chin propped up with his hand, as he stares blatantly at Wonwoo's giant
group of friends (just friends, Mingyu has to remind himself.) “Are you okay, you look a little tense.”

“Tense? I don't know the meaning of that word,” Mingyu says with sheepish laughter, a blush
crawling it's way to his cheeks.

The dog hybrid just hums though, his puffy poodle ears twitching slightly. Mingyu honestly hates
Minghao sometimes because it feels like the Chinese male knows something he doesn't, which
happens a lot more than he likes to admit, but refuses to tell him because of either his a) lack of
korean fluency or b) he's just plain evil. Mingyu thinks it's the latter.

“You know, when Hansol-ah started spending less time with Channie, he ran away.”

Mingyu rings up a customer, trying very hard to ignore the sound of Wonwoo's laughter. The idiot
didn't even say hi to him when they came into the bakery, well, Mingyu was busy with handling
customers, but still! Doesn't he know it's rude to just ignore your friends? “Do you have a point here,
Hao?”
Minghao shrugs his shoulders, fluffy tail hitting Mingyu's leg as he gets the customer's order ready.
Why are people ordering so many sweets? It's lunch, this doesn't seem like a very good lunch.

“I'm just saying, if you wan't Wonwoo's attention you have to do something is all.”

Mingyu bids the customer goodbye, a happy smile on his face, but when he turns back to a blank-
faced Minghao his grin drops. “I know you mean well, Hao, but I'm fine.”

“Dogs are the neediest hybrids, second to only a bird.”

“D-do you just know random facts about hybrids?”

Minghao grins, fixing the display case so there were no huge empty spaces between the pastries,
“No, I learned them in school. You'd know too if you kept going,” Minghao finishes with a huff and
hardy thump to Mingyu's chest. The beagle just pouts, rubbing the spot.

“I like doing this better,” he complaines.

Minghao just rolls his eyes though, “Oh please, you just like eating for free.”

“That's true too,” Mingyu admits with a large smile, about to go into the back and help make more
strawberry short-cake, but before he does he turns to Wonwoo. The teen is still as smiles, and the
longer Mingyu stares he could swear he sees a hint of a blush on the brunette's pale cheeks. He
emits a faint growl.

Watching the tiny scene, Minghao just shakes his head, he honestly can't believe they're in the same
hybrid group sometimes.

Wonwoo and Mingyu are wrestling again, and Wonwoo would like to point out that it's totally
Mingyu's fault. He had planned a quiet Friday night, spent alone since he thought that his family was
going out to eat, but Mingyu changed his mind the last second. Wonwoo thinks it's because his
parents were going to a fancy restaurant and Wonwoo knew all the looks the hybrid would get.

“Mingyu, I was watching first,” Wonwoo growls, voice an octave lower as to try and intimidate the
giant puppy, but the hybrid just laughs at his attempts. What a punk.

Digging his blunt fingernails into Mingyu's waist, Wonwoo flips the boy onto his stomach, pining his
hands above his head, remote firmly clasped between his palms. Wonwoo pants, chest heaving
harshly, as he studies the squirming hybrid before him. It would make sense that hybrids are
naturally stronger than normal humans, but Mingyu is an exception. No one taught him how to fight
as a pup, use his strength, and really, there was no reason too. With no reason to learn how to fight,
Mingyu grew weaker over the years. It was a good think the boy had height on his side so he could
intimidate others, or else he would be quite fucked if he had to fight.

“Hyuuuung,” Mingyu whines, wiggling his body and tail. Blinking, Wonwoo watches in amusement as
the beagle hybrid wags his tail erratically, trying in vain to hit him. It's useless though, Wonwoo has
the upper hand and oh, he's going to enjoy it. Not even caring about the remote anymore, he lightly
glides his fingertips against Mingyu's bare side (Mingyu only wore boxers at home because clothes
felt too “restrictive” for his liking) before adding pressure.

The response is instenaneous, Mingyu releases the remote, curling in himself as he squirms against
the carpet, trying to get away from Wonwoo's fingers without success.

“H-Hyu-ung,” Mingyu giggles, hands placed on Wonwoo's firm chest, trying to push the brunette
away.

Something foreign stirs in Wonwoo's stomach, it can't be indigestion he hasn't eaten yet, as he looks
down at the bundle of laughs below him. Mingyu's whole body is flushed a pleasant red, face a
slightly darker shade of rose, as the hybrid looks up at him with mused hair and large eyes. The
brunette stares back, lips slightly parted as he tries to catch his breath.

“Hyung...?”

Wonwoo isn't sure, but something screams at him to kiss the boy. It bangs angrily against his heart
screaming to dominate him, bruise the beautiful tanned skin and leave the hybrid a whimpering
mess. Wonwoo gulps, jerking his hands away and stumbling backwards until he falls flat on his but.
“I-I just remembered I have homework to do,” he shouts hastily, scrambling up and locking himself in
his room.

The sudden loss of contact makes Mingyu feel cold. Sitting up, he tilts his head slightly, the phantom
sensation of Wonwoo's fingers on his skin leaving him aching for something he can't quite place his
finger on.

Ever since the wrestling incident Wonwoo has been avoiding Mingyu, the hybrid is almost sure it has
to do with the weird way his owner stared at him near the end, pupils enlarged and some
mysteriously sweet scent having been emitted from the older man. Mingyu's never smelled
something that sweet nor addicting before.

Huffing, Mingyu's about to storm into Wonwoo's room and demand an answer as to why he's been
avoiding him, but before he can Wonwoo emerges from his room. Obviously the older teen didn't
expect to see Mingyu, especially not a mad looking one, when he came out. Catching his bottom lip
between his teeth, Wonwoo just averts his gaze and brushes pass the hybrid.

Oh, this would not do.

Spinning, Mingyu snatches Wonwoo's hand. The way Wonwoo regards him with a smoldering gaze
catches the hybrid off guard, but Mingyu challenges it with an angry look of his own. What did he do
wrong? It was Wonwoo who was avoiding him, if anyone had a right to be angry it was him.

“Where are you going, hyung?”

Wonwoo's frown deepens, “I don't have to tell you.”

And, Mingyu doesn't have a response to that. He opens his mouth, ready to unleash Hell because
how dare Wonwoo act like such a brat, yet nothing comes out. “Fine, do what you want!” Mingyu
shouts, throwing Wonwoo's hand down as he rushes pass Wonwoo to go to his own room located
on the opposite side of the hallway.

Wonwoo groans, “Fuck.” Maybe Mingyu will understand one day when Wonwoo actually has the
courage to explain what's going on, whenever that may be.
 ♥

Mingyu's not really sure how to feel anymore because he might have just fucked up his and
Wonwoo's relationship and he doesn't even know how. Eight years of friendship will go down the
drain if he doesn't find a way to fix whatever it is that's broken, but just because he has super
hearing and can see in the dark doesn't make him Superman. He whines pitifully, curling up more in
his giant sweater two sizes too big, hoping the couch will just eat him alive. Glaring up from his
curled position, Mingyu points his eyes toward a happily eating Soonyoung.

“Your face will freeze like that ya' know,” the blonde offers with a shit-eating grin that he no doubt
adopted from his pesky feline friend, Jihoon. Mingyu's only met the cat hybrid once, when Wonwoo
took him over to Soonyoung's house, and they immediately got into a fight.

Since then Soonyoung has never let Wonwoo live down the fact his hybrid almost got murdered by a
cat much shorter than him.

“Why are you even here,” Mingyu demands with a huff, debating if he should sacrifice the pillow in
his arms to wipe the stupid smirk off of the blonde's face.

“Wonwoo said just to go to his house after school, said he had to get a few snacks before we got
studying,” Soonyoung offers casually. Just as Mingyu is about to ask another question like why the
blonde was eating their food if Wonwoo went to get food for him, the door opens revealing a pensive
looking Wonwoo. Mingyu straightens immediately, about to walk up to his owner and apologize for
what happened yesterday, but then he something strong assaults his sensitive nose. The scent isn't
Wonwoo's normal scent, which is usually more minty and smelling of coffee, but it's much more
fragrant and fruity.

Mingyu scrunches up his nose, every breath he takes dragging in more of the smell until it feels like
he's drowning in it. It's perfume. Wonwoo is covered in perfume that doesn't belong to him.

Something sparks in Mingyu's gut and he sneers, baring his teeth.

“Who have you been around!”

“M-Mingyu, what are you talking about?”

Mingyu disregards Wonwoo's confusion, taking a step back as the brunette takes a step forward. He
isn't really sure why he's shouting or acting so crazy but the idea of Wonwoo being with someone,
being completely consumed by that someone, drove him over the edge.

“I said,” the hybrid repeats lowly, the hairs on his tail standing on end, “what girl were you with. I
don't recognize the smell. Is it someone from the school?

Wonwoo frowns, dropping the bag he was holding onto the coffee table. Soonyoung looks between
the two, worry flooding his eyes but Mingyu, for the life of him, can't understand why it's directed
toward him instead of Wonwoo.

“Why should I tell you,” Wonwoo shouts back, obsidian eyes hard and cold.

“B-Because,” Mingyu starts, eyes glassing over but he can't finish the sentence for the life of
him. Because, you're supposed to be mine, Mingyu wants to shout, but he knows how that sounds.
'Dog hybrids are very territorial and possessive, like a crazy girlfriend' Minghao had once explained
to him. And Mingyu had never took it seriously, thinking that Junhui should cut the poodle off of
cable dramas, but maybe there was some truth. Mingyu wasn't sure if what he was feeling was
completely human.

Soonyoung stands up, eyes unreadable, as he places a firm hand on Wonwoo's shaking shoulders.
“Mingyu, I'm sure it's not like that,” he says wearily but there's not much conviction in his words.

Mingyu needs to escape, to leave, and he's learned to always trust his instincts, so he does. He
bolts out the door too fast for Wonwoo and Soonyoung to act.

“So,” Jeonghan, a dove hybrid starts off slowly, his pristine, white wings being combed through
carefully by the smallest of the hybrids, “you just...ran away?”

Mingyu nods embarrassingly, pulling his long legs against his chest. Not feeling particularly chatty,
he studies the plain white couch with mild interest. Minghao's friend, Junhui, had rather good taste in
décor. Everything was modern from the glass table to the wooden floors of the apartment. Even
though it was all beautiful, it felt cold and foreign. Minghao walks back into the living room, large shirt
practically swallowing him alive as his tail beats slowly behind him. Smoothing out the wrinkles in his
jeans, Mingyu reaches out to take his soda.

“So, do you guys meet often,” Mingyu questions as he watches Chan, a tiny ferret hybrid, brush a
few disorganized feathers into place.

Minghao shrugs, “Sometimes, when we all have nothing to do.”

“And aren't drowning in homework,” Chan adds with a grin.

“So,” Minghao starts once he takes a long sip of his tea, “what made you pull a Chan?”

The ferret hybrid whines, taking his fingers out of Jeonghan's wings, “Hey, don't name it after me! I
only ran away because ferrets can die from loneliness,” the chestnut haired boy rationalizes.
Jeonghan tries to hide his laugh, but it's done rather poorly since the trio can see the dove's wings
shake.

“Ah, it must be hard to be you guys,” the long-haired male sings, “I really have no feelings of
jealousy.”

Chan hisses and Minghao just shoots the bird an annoyed glance.

“Well, dog hybrids are still part dog. And dogs needs a lot of attention....Hyung, can you explain what
happened from the start?”

Mingyu worries his bottom lips but nods. He starts from the very beginning, from when Wonwoo's
parents adopted him (he doubts that's how far back Minghao meant but no one interrupts him) to the
first real fight him and Wonwoo had about a stupid toy. He's a little more reluctant to share what
happened during the tickle fight, along with the weird scent that came up, but Mingyu powers
through it albeit with a lot of stuttering and blushing, his tail curled up beside him. The beagle doesn't
expect the beautiful bird to understand, and he's not sure if a ferret's instinct is close to a dog's but
he knows Minghao will understand.

“Is that it,” Minghao utters with a raised brow.

Okay, maybe not.

“What do you mean is that it? Wonwoo is ignoring me and I don't know why I hate him around girls
so much!”

Jeonghan can't take it anymore, he bursts into laughter, wings fanning out as he flaps them slightly.
Watching as large, white feathers fall onto the floor, Minghao shakes his head and sighs.

“Hyung,” Minghao starts off with a small smile, “what you were feeling was jealousy. Listen, it's okay
to want to be more than friends with Wonwoo, if anything he seems to want you too.”

“W-Want...?”

Jeonghan just laughs even harder, “Oh my god kid, how do you not know your basic instincts?!”

Chan rolls his eyes, long tail flicking behind him, “Where's a cat when you need one,” the youngest
mumbles as more white feathers shake loose from Jeonghan's wings. Minghao nods in agreement,
a little annoyed that he has to clean up so many feathers.

“That scent you smelled when Wonwoo was looking at you, was due to a hormonal change,” Mingyu
cocks his head to the side in confusion and Minghao groans inwardly, 'and this is why you keep kids
in school' he thinks, “don't focus on that. What's important is that Wonwoo definitely wants you but
he's too scared to do anything, thus he's been avoiding you. He's probably been spending time with
girls to get his mind off of you.”

Chan snorts, taking a sip of his chocolate milk, “That doesn't really help if Mingyu lives with the guy.”

“He wants me? Well, what am I going to do?”

At this, Minghao's eyes brighten as a pearly-white grin overtakes his sharp features. People, hybrid
or otherwise, who don't think poodles aren't very intimidating obviously haven't met someone quite
like Minghao. The Chinese boy could easily take him down in five seconds flat, and that's if Mingyu
is fighting back.
“Have you ever wore anything lacy?”

To say that Wonwoo was scared when Mingyu ran away was a huge understatement, he was down
right terrified. Mingyu might not have been an exotic hybrid, but he was pretty and docile and
absolutely clueless on his own and oh my god why did Wonwoo let him go! After an hour of
searching the city, with Soonyoung and Jihoon's help of course because he'd be damned if he tells
his parents he let Mingyu go (his ass would definitely be grass), Wonwoo's about to call the police
until he sees Mingyu sitting innocently on the couch, flipping through channels on the television.

Wonwoo of course splutters, angry all over again, but Mingyu does something weird. The hybrid
apologizes. Now, Mingyu is a very stubborn kid and it's always Wonwoo who breaks down first and
says sorry, so he's more than slightly taken back when Mingyu hugs him, nuzzling his face against
the older male's side.

Despite that the whole ordeal was behind them, Mingyu wasn't acting normal per se. The hybrid
acted like he had something to hide: always glancing at his phone, spending more time with
Minghao, refusing to let Wonwoo play games on his phone. It was all suspicious, but what gave off
big ol' “ALERT” in red, neon letters, was that Mingyu didn't cling onto him like he used to.

Wonwoo shakes his head, explaining all the odd behaviour to his friends, but they dismiss it.

“Maybe that other dog is corrupting him,” a girl suggests with a frown.

Soonyoung rolls his eyes, “They're not just animals, they're still people.”

Of course his friends didn't help and Wonwoo has half a mind to walk up to that poodle hybrid and
demand what he did to Mingyu, but he's also acutely aware that said poodle hybrid is well versed in
martial arts and his best-friend, a non-hybrid oddly enough, is just as deadly.

So Wonwoo doesn't bring it up to anyone because all the ideas people give him are either really
stupid or just don't make sense (“Seungcheol-hyung, I don't think he's been replaced by an alien.”).

“I'm home!” Shrugging his backpack off, Wonwoo closes the door behind him as he steps inside the
much too quiet house. Usually he'd hear the radio blaring in the kitchen as his dad sang horrible trot
renditions of pop songs, his mother cooking in the background and telling him to go somewhere
else. And Mingyu, the loveable oaf, would be dancing along, tail wagging to the beat. There's
nothing though. Walking into the kitchen, he sees a pink note taped to the fridge. Cocking his head
to the side, he squints at the small print.

'Wonwoo, me and your father went out for a date night^^ There's money on the table for two pizzas,
we know how you and Mingyu love pizza. And make sure you fix whatever is going on! Don't think I
didn't notice :( Love you, eat well~!'

Placing the note down, Wonwoo ventures down the hallway to see if Mingyu was in his room.
Opening the door, he frowns slightly when he sees an empty bed, nothing but the large teddy-bear
he gifted the hybrid on his first year at the house staring back at him. Going down to his room,
Wonwoo stops as he hears the shower running.

Oh thank god, Wonwoo mumbles quietly, clutching his beating heart. He thought that Mingyu
might've ran away to Minghao's again. Laughing at his own stupidity, Wonwoo goes into the living
room, deciding to watch TV and wait for Mingyu to come out.

When Mingyu buttons the final button on Wonwoo's dress shirt, he stares at his reflection in
trepidation. Minghao better have been damn sure that Wonwoo had wanted him because he'll never
be able to live this down if the brunette's feelings weren't in the romantic nature. Letting his hands
travel down the long dress shirt, Mingyu gulps as his fingers hit the lacy panties and stockings. The
wine-red shirt is barely long enough to cover the panties, the lace peeking through every time his tail
lifted the hem just so.

The stockings were a delicate flower pattern, a second-skin against his thighs, but the foreign feeling
wasn't exactly unpleasant. Mingyu drags his fingernails against the pretty lingerie. He remembers
modeling them in front of a blank-looking Minghao because apparently he couldn't just find one he
liked and buy them, no, Minghao forced him to try it on.

Maybe it was a good thing because the black lace and panty combination fit him like a glove, a really
suggestive glove. Taking a deep breath, trying to settle his beating heart and tail, Mingyu slowly
opens the bathroom door releasing the cloud of steam.

The feeling of satin rubbing against his member makes him shiver, his tail wagging lightly as he
takes a deep breath before walking into the living room. He knew Wonwoo's parents would be out on
a date, and usually their date nights would last until midnight so he had two and a half hours to put
his plan into action.
“Hyung,” Mingyu sings, a dark blush no doubt colouring his cheeks.

When Wonwoo's eyes tear away from the TV the teen's gasps, eyes growing wide. Mingyu isn't sure
if that's a good or bad thing but edges closer, staring coyly, what did Minghao suggest to do? “Hyu-
ung,” he repeats softly, this time standing just a step away from the older teen, his hands gripping
the hem of the dress-shirt as he tries to pull it down more.

Maybe—no, scratch that—this is a huge mistake. Why did Mingyu listen to Minghao? This was
obviously a bad decision and-

“Fuck, Mingyu,” Wonwoo groans throatily, hands gripping his thighs tightly, “w-what are you
wearing?”

“D-Do you not like it...?”

Wonwoo breaths out through his nose, a million thoughts flying through his head but he can only
focus on the way the lace stockings wrap themselves around Mingyu's thick thighs. “No, I-” He
inhales sharply, “I like it. Come here,” he beckons, his voice coming out so rough and deep that it
surprises the both of them. Mingyu does as he's told though, the hybrid's hips swaying deliciously.

Mingyu smells it again, that distractingly sweet aroma, and the hybrid smiles in relief. Wonwoo wants
this, wants him. With that thought in his mind, Mingyu becomes a little bold and carefully crawls on
top of Wonwoo's lap, resting his clothed butt on the brunette's crotch.

“Do I look pretty, hyung,” Mingyu asks slyly, hips slowly rotating against Wonwoo's.

“Shit, Mingyu,” Wonwoo moans, fingers digging into Mingyu's side, “are you wearing panties?” He
questions in minor disbelief, his eyes growing twice their size as the hybrid nods shyly. A deep,
throaty growl ripping pass his lips, Wonwoo leans in and attacks Mingyu's neck. The hybrid keens,
baring his throat as he ruts desperately against Wonwoo's growing erection.

Wonwoo nips the tender skin, licking and sucking his way down his hybrid's neck until he hits a
tender area causing Mingyu to moan. Smirking against the soft skin, Wonwoo bites down hard,
wanting to leave a bruises on the untouched skin.
“God, you're so beautiful,” Wonwoo groans, licking at the bite mark he gave the pretty hybrid.

“Prettier than those girls you hang out with,” Mingyu questions, one hand slipping under Wonwoo's
shirt to touch his abs.

Wonwoo groans, leaning back until his back hits the sofa, “God Mingyu, don't stop,” he moans,
bucking his hips up needfully. Mingyu frowns though, lightly pinching one Wonwoo's already hard
nipples, rolling the bud between his fingers.

“Hyung,” he whispers, softly nibbling the older boy's earlobe, “you didn't answer my question.”

Wonwoo groans, god this puppy was going to be the death of him, “Yes, yes, fucking yes! You're
prettier than all of them!”

“You belong to me right?”

Wonwoo whines, nodding, “Christ Mingyu, it's always been you,” the teen admits with a small laugh.
At this Mingyu's hips still and Wonwoo can only laugh as he sees the beagle hybrid's tail wag
frantically behind him.

“Good,” the dog hybrid comments, carefully getting off Wonwoo's lap, “now order some pizza, I'm
starving.”

“W-Wait, yah, come back here you punk! Finish what you started,” Wonwoo shouts. Mingyu just
laughs though, venturing into the kitchen and ignoring Wonwoo's command. Staring down at his
straining arousal, he rubs the bridge of his nose. Fucking Mingyu. Maybe he should be more weary
about who he lets around his hybrid.

“Fine, you brat!”

“Love you too, hyung~!”

SEQUELLLL

Hey baby (play with me)

Description
Wonwoo has a tough time seeing Mingyu as more than the puppy he used to be and the hybrid is
starting to get very impatient. Or a story in which Wonwoo leads a difficult life and everyone offers
stupid advice.

Foreword
The sequel to Puppy Dog Tails! After 'the incident' Wonwoo is unsure where he stands with Mingyu
and what kind of relationship they have. While it's not unheard of for humans falling for hybrids,
Wonwoo isn't sure if he can take the next step and risk what they have. So Mingyu does the only
thing he can do, shove Wonwoo in the right direction with the help of their friends (and a mistress
called seduction). The results are varying.

1
A broken gasp punches its way out of Wonwoo’s mouth as Mingyu palms the growing bulge in his
pants. Despite the fact that it’s Wonwoo who’s getting pleasure, Mingyu’s face looks more bliss-
stricken than his. The hybrid’s ears are fluffier than usual and stand rigid against the brunette’s
mused hair. “Hyung,” Mingyu pants brokenly as he gently rocks his hips against Wonwoo’s leg.
Lately, Wonwoo’s been finding himself in this position a lot more frequently—against the wall, table,
couch. He just thanks god that Mingyu has the decency to hold himself back until they're alone in the
house. Mingyu’s lips shine with spit, plush and begging to be kissed, and whatever coherency
Wonwoo manages thus far slips his grasp when Mingyu dips his hand into the waistband of his
boxers.

“Fuck,” Wonwoo hisses as the Mingyu bites his neck, “Mingyu, slow down.” Mingyu’s always had a
history of disobedience though, a very playful streak much like the puppy he is, and Wonwoo can
feel the smirk against his skin.

It doesn’t mean anything good.

Fingers dig into Mingyu’s shoulder as the hybrid grasps the tip of Wonwoo’s leaking erection,
spreads the pre-cum with the pad of his thumb. For a moment Wonwoo gets some reprieve as
Mingyu takes his hand back, but it doesn’t last long. Wonwoo watches in clouded lust as Mingyu
pressed his thumb between his lips and licks the pre-cum off.
Wonwoo would like to point out for the record that he didn’t give into Mingyu’s sleazy tactics all the
time. A feral growl emits deep from Wonwoo’s chest which Mingyu responds to positively; the way
the hybrid coyly hides his face in Wonwoo’s neck a stark contrast to the lewd actions he was doing
moments before. No, Wonwoo just gives in eighty-percent of the time. “Dammit, Mingyu,” Wonwoo
rasps as he drags the giddy puppy into the bathroom. “You’re a real pain, I hope you know that.”

Mingyu immediately sinks onto his knees as he licks eagerly against the denim covering his real
target. Wonwoo tangles his fingers into Mingyu’s hair and tugs gently. Mingyu wastes no time in
pulling releasing Wonwoo’s strained erection, eyes widening as he finally stares at the stiff, red cock.
Small, pearlescent beads of come drip slowly from the slit. When Mingyu first started to do this he
would just stare at Wonwoo’s cock in a mixture of want and amazement. It was embarrassing at first
to say the least, border-line uncomfortable, but now Wonwoo can’t help but smirk whenever the
hybrid sees the size of him. It’s a little cute.

“Hyung, can I…?” Mingyu trails off as he looks up at Wonwoo with too wide eyes darkened with
want.

God, for someone eager to suck dick Wonwoo finds it a little ridiculous how Mingyu can still appear
so innocent.

Still, Wonwoo makes sure not to be too rough and gently guides Mingyu’s head forward as he
breathes, “Mingyu, suck.”

The command is all it takes for Mingyu to take Wonwoo into his mouth. The hybrid is endearingly
sloppy as he licks a long stripe on the underside of Wonwoo’s penis. Wonwoo leans against the sink
with a strained groan, watches under his eyelashes at the way Mingyu undoes his own pants.

“So good, hyung,” Mingyu whines as he fondles the older teenager’s balls, taking them into his
mouth and sucks like his life depends on it. The high and utter bliss Wonwoo feels is indescribable,
always is, and he fists Mingyu’s hair just to hold onto reality. He watches as Mingyu’s perfect lips
take him in until the hybrid’s nose hits the black, curled hair on his pelvic region.

Mingyu places sloppy, open mouthed kisses on the side of the twitching erection. “Hyung,” Mingyu
chants brokenly as he stares up at Wonwoo, eyes half-lidded and his own strokes on his erection
growing erratic. Suddenly, Mingyu’s sucks grow more aggressive as he bobs his head at an uneasy
pace, the fingers in his hair clenching tighter. Wonwoo feels the pressure building up and swirling in
his stomach. Mingyu must feel it as well because he puts all of his attention on the tip of Wonwoo’s
cock, his free hand grasping the rest of the length and slides against the heated skin. Its gross and
undignified the way Wonwoo pulls Mingyu away and comes on the hybrids face with a deep growl,
but Wonwoo’s starting to think (has noticed for a while actually) the hybrid might have a thing for
being used as he opens his mouth for the thick, milky release.
“Fuck,” Wonwoo groans as he jerks himself for all he’s worth, “look, now you’re a mess.” He gathers
the come across Mingyu’s cheek and presses his fingers into Mingyu’s swollen lips in one smooth
motion.

“Who’s fault is that,” Mingyu laughs as he releases the clean fingers.

Wonwoo scoffs as he pulls his pants up and grabs some toilet paper. “Gross, it’s in your hair,” he
grimaces as he tries his best to wipe the fluid off. It’s no use though, as the come just spreads and
sticks even more. “We really need to stop this, Mingyu,” Wonwoo sighs as he cleans up the hybrid’s
sticky thighs as well. “One of these days my parents are going to catch us. And it doesn’t help that
you keep trying to jump me every other day.” And that I can't deny you, Wonwoo adds in his head.

Mingyu whines, “But hyung, just tell them that we’re together.”

Really, perhaps it’s Wonwoo’s fault for being so easy, for never punishing Mingyu when the puppy
did something he wasn’t supposed to do. Or maybe it’s just that Wonwoo’s a hormonal teenage
boy—they both are—and Mingyu just doesn’t know how to control his desire. Mingyu doesn't know
what he wants, is just in a hormonal stage and dog hybrids are known to be even worse during those
stages than non-hybrids. Either way, he needs to stop enabling this type of behaviour.

That’s what he thought last time too. Wonwoo throws the used toilet paper into the trash. “Mingyu,
you know we’re not…” He’s unable to finish the sentence but Mingyu’s already knows the ending to
it. The hybrid huffs and brushes by the shorter male and turns on the shower.

“Yeah, you keep saying that hyung but I don’t believe you.”

Wonwoo groans as the hybrid immediately begins to strip. It doesn’t make sense for Wonwoo to look
away, he’s seen Mingyu naked hundreds of times, but ever since their activities have become more
‘R’ rated, he can’t help but to blush at the site of Mingyu’s perfect, tan skin. Wonwoo doesn’t exactly
believe his thoughts either but one of them has to try and be rational.

“Seriously hyung, if you’re going to have an identity crisis every time we do this I’ll find someone
else.”

It’s a blatant lie but Wonwoo falls for the bait every time. It was one thing to stop but it was another
thing imagining someone else, let alone another man, lay their hands on his hybrid. Wonwoo isn’t
good with feelings though so he just rolls his eyes in a nonchalant manner. “Whatever,” he grumbles
but they both knew Mingyu had won.

“Can you get me some clothes?”

***

“Ugh, I don’t get it Hao, it’s like he still sees me as, I don’t know, his hybrid?”

Without missing a beat Minghao replies, “Hyung, you are his hybrid.”

The beagle whines, high-pitched and needy, as he clings onto the waifish hybrid, ignoring the
concerned stares (and some judgmental) from the patrons of the café. Minghao grunts as he tries to
navigate the bakery display case as well as one could with a giant baby trying to mold themselves
onto you. Which is not very well. “Thank you, come again,” Minghao smiles brightly at a small family,
ears perked up although the happy demeanor was forced. The family is blissfully ignorant at the
slight venom in the words, thankfully, and happily depart.

Shoving the giant puppy aside, Minghao places his hands on his hips and huffs, “How are you older
than me again?”

“Why are you so mean,” Mingyu pouts which earns cooing from the female customers. The poodle
simply rolls his eyes as Mingyu changes from sad to happy as he serves the customers. It isn’t fully
happy though, which is what causes Minghao to believe that perhaps Mingyu isn’t overreacting to
whatever it is that transpired between him and Wonwoo.

“So, what exactly did Wonjerk do,” Minghao comments casually once their break rolls around.
Mingyu giggles at the blasé way the poodle holds himself, missing the way Minghao’s face breaks
into a small smile as well.

“He’s not a jerk,” a slice of cake disappears between Mingyu’s lips, “he’s just…confused, I think…”

Minghao holds in a snort. “Confused? I thought he liked you. What, he didn’t take you when he saw
you in you know,” Minghao’s voice drops to a hushed tone as he leans over the circular table, “the
lingerie?”

Ah, right, that. Mingyu’s face flushes at the memory of it, which shouldn’t really shouldn’t be
considering all the other thing’s they’ve done now, but it was just so intimate and—he shakes his
head. “We didn’t…I mean, we didn’t go all the way. I just sort of teased him. Ever since that though
we’ve been-”

Minghao holds his hand up, “Stop, I don’t need the details hyung. So, you guys just haven’t gone all
the way yet?”

“Yeah…”

“And you want too but he doesn’t want to? Maybe he just isn’t ready for that-“

“But that’s the thing,” Mingyu sighs into his soda, eyes looking over lazily at the customers and other
workers, “sometimes he acts like really caring, more than what we were before, but then whenever
we do anything, you know, he suddenly gets cold feet afterwards. Like he keeps regretting it. Ugh,
he’s so confusing sometimes, does he like me or not?”

Minghao’s tail thumps forcefully against the back of the black chair, eyes sparkling with something
unknown as a frown tugs at his lips. “Maybe he needs some sense knocked into him, if you want I
can get Jun-”

Upon hearing the poodle’s boyfriend;s name a groan escapes Mingyu’s mouth. Why does it seem
like Minghao already has this whole ‘life’ thing figured out and Mingyu’s just over here floundering?

“I don’t need you to beat him up. How are you and Jun-hyung so strong anyways?” If the inquiry
came from anyone but Mingyu, Minghao would have probably given them the cold shoulder, but he
knows the older hybrid doesn’t mean to sound invasive or insulting that a hybrid and a non-hybrid
can be so strong.

With the attention now on him, Minghao flushes a bit, his ears twitching every so often as he speaks,
“Well, it’s not a traditional relationship.”

“Obviously Hao, you’re both guys.”

“Yeah, but like, we’re in an open relationship.” Minghao rubs his temples as he sees Mingyu’s
confused face. “We date other people too.”
Immediate understanding dawns on the beagle’s face, “Ooooh. And you’re okay with that?”

Minghao shrugs as he takes a bit of his kimbap, an actual lunch food compared to Mingyu’s half-
eaten red-velvet cake. “Yeah. I mean, we still love each other but there are just some things I can’t
give him. We just understand each other, there's no pressure to do anything or be anything. He
mostly just has one night stands with people though so I don’t know if you can really call that a
relationship,” Minghao finishes with a faraway look. A loud silence falls between them as Mingyu
keeps munching on his cake. An open relationship might work for Minghao and Jun but Mingyu isn’t
too keen on the idea of sharing Wonwoo. He groans into his hands.

“Anyways, I think I have an idea,” Minghao begins as he fixes his hair, “you have to make him
jealous.”

Mingyu raises a rounded brow, “Are you sure? Wonwoo doesn’t really get jealous and when he does
he just gives people the silent treatment.”

“Hey, who’s the one in a relationship here,” Minghao points out, “I mean, you do love him, right?”

“W-well, of course! I mean, even if he didn’t love me back,” the hybrid trails off quietly and Minghao
shakes his head. Perhaps Minghao didn’t have the right to judge Wonwoo, having really only met the
guy because of the café and words through the grape vine (although Wonwoo’s mom and Mingyu
don’t exactly provide unbiased views), but hybrids stick together and if Wonwoo hurt Mingyu—

“It’ll be okay Mingyu, just trust me. The whole family is crazy about you.”

The hybrid momentarily stops nibbling on his bottom lip. Well, it’s not like he had any other ideas and
there was just a sort of calmness and finality in Minghao’s voice that already eased Mingyu’s frayed
nerves.

“Okay, I’m trusting you here.”

Minghao grins.

2
Wonwoo rakes a hand through his hair and groans. Class hasn't even started yet but he's already
done with the day, just wants to run back home and crawl under his covers and sleep for a thousand
years. Unfortunately, society dictates that in order to be someone you can't be a high-school
dropout—he'll just stay with his parents forever.

Wonwoo's far too engrossed in his thoughts to even notice Soonyoung sliding in front of him until the
blonde quips, “You look more dead than usual.”

A long groan escapes Wonwoo's lips as if he were carrying the weight of the world on his shoulder.
Soonyoung wants to say whatever it was the brunette was being too much of a drama queen, but he
would also like to live to see the weekend. “It's Mingyu,” he eventually says with exhaustion, “he's
gotten really...hormonal.” Once those words leave Wonwoo's lips he wonders if he should stop
beating around the bush and flat out tell Soonyoung Mingyu tries to jump his bones everyday.

“Hormonal?”

It doesn't matter because Wonwoo forgets that Soonyoung is as dense as a goddamn brick, “You
know, needy? X rated activities, stuff that you don't say in polite company—Do I have to paint you a
picture?”

A shit-eating grin—of course—spreads across Soonyoung's face as he leans across the table,
“Would you?”

Wonwoo's last good nerve snaps and concemtrates all his teen angst into the toe of his shoe as he
hits the younger's shin with everything he's got.

“Ow! Okay, okay, let me offer you some fatherly advice,” Wonwoo snorts but is also sort of
desperate so he doesn't interrupt, “you are what I like to call the text-book definition of fucked. But
dude, Mingyu is hot, I bet there's a ton of people at school who'd gladly like to jump him.”

'Fatherly advice' his ass. Wonwoo glares as he hits Soonyoung's other shin, gaining pleasure in the
shrill cry of the blonde. Everyone knows you aren't true friends unless you can abuse each other.
“Okay, first off, watch it. You're still talking about my hybrid, and second, I don't want this to be just
some fling.”

“Are you kidding me right now? That boy is head-over-heels in love with you!”
“But he's also a hormonal teenage boy! What if...what if this is just a phase?”

Soonyoung shakes his head, “Like you and that Pororo phase?”

Despite his previous sorrowful mood, Wonwoo can't help but laugh as he pinches the blonde's arm
lightly. “Hey, we promised to never talk about that. I held you and Mingyu to secrecy, remember?”

The bell rings a soft tune and Soonyoung stands up first, but not before he casts Wonwoo a
sympathetic (and slightly exasperated?) gaze, “Listen, hyung, maybe Mingyu's just insecure that you
want him anymore? I mean, he is still stuck in a puppy mindset. Dog hybrids are infamous for being
super needy.”

Well, this didn't help, Wonwoo sulks as he drags himself to his history class. Even if Wonwoo wanted
too—No! No, Mingyu is still a puppy. Maybe the kind that tries and humps its owner's leg as a
greeting, but a puppy nonetheless.

***

After school isn't much better on the account that four out of the seven teachers Wonwoo has decide
to pile him with homework. All he can think about is having a nice, long nap, but all thoughts of
relaxation fly out the window as he opens the door to see a stranger inside his home.

Not just any stranger though, another hybrid. Wonwoo's secure enough in the look's department to
say that the guy is good-looking, dashing, even, but his ruggedness is nothing compared to his own
model-esque proportions. Annoyed that Mingyu hasn't greeted him yet, Wonwoo throws his
backpack on the ground to gain the two hybrids' attention. Mingyu's ears twitch as the brunette
swivels his head and directs a brilliant smile over to him. For a moment Wonwoo's anger dissipates
into a gooey mush, but then he realizes that there's still a stranger in his living room.

“Mingyu, who is this?”

Venom drips from his words; perhaps a bit more than intended. Mingyu, always the chipper beagle,
easily smooths over it though. “This is Seungcheol-hyung! He's a wolf hybrid! How cool is that?”

Not very.
“Minghao introduced us.”

God, Wonwoo should have known that poodle had something to do with this. He eyes Seungcheol
wearily, crossing the room to sit behind Mingyu. The wolf is probably shorter, but with the way his
arms and chest fill out his black shirt, there's little doubt in Wonwoo's mind the hybrid is stronger. He
then tries to remember all he can about wolf hybrids. They're much like dogs, except they have a
larger sense of a pack and alpha dynamics. Also, dog hybrids tend to date them the most frequently.

How did Minghao even know people like this?

“He just moved to Seoul and is studying to become a teacher. Man, if I knew hybrid teachers were a
thing I would've kept going to school.”

Wonwoo shoots him an incredulous look, “Really?”

“Eh, maybe.”

Seungcheol laughs at this, all baritone and rough. It takes Wonwoo back. The hybrid's voice isn't as
deep as his, but it's more gravely compared to his smoother tone. He's not sure if it's good or bad,
but when he looks at Mingyu who regards his new “friend” with wide eyes, he immediately labels it
bad. He needs to get Seungcheol out of his house—pronto.

“Well,” he starts off with, “while it's great that Mingyu made a new friend, we have some chores to
do, so...” he tilts his head to the door and Seungcheol seems to get the message.

“Well, it was nice talking to you Mingyu.”

“Oh, let me show you to the door.” Mingyu hastily stands up, easily towering over the wolf hybrid, but
Wonwoo's unable to take anymore of the dog's cheeky grinning and moves into the kitchen.

“Thanks for the help, hyung,” Mingyu whispers as he glances over his shoulder every so often.
Honestly, when Minghao first told him of his plan to make Wonwoo jealous by inviting someone over
to the house, he was a little skeptical. With the way the older teen looked though, he can't help but
be over the moon at the reaction. “Sorry if this was uncomfortable for you.”
Seungcheol grins widely, his sharp canines poking his bottom lip. “No problem. A friend of Minghao's
is a friend of mine, although, if it doesn't work out I know a few people who would be interested,” the
wolf hybrid finishes with a sly wink.

Mingyu's face flushes and nods jerkily, not fully trusting his voice. Things I let Minghao talk me into,
Mingyu mulls over in his head. He isn't allowed to think about it too much though as Wonwoo comes
back into the room.

“So, what did you think of Seungcheol-hyung? We might be hanging out a lot more,” Mingyu says
slowly, casting the bait Minghao told him to verbatim.

Reading Wonwoo though might as well be reading braille; however, since the brunette has an
excellent poker face. What seemed to be a spike of jealousy just moments before simmered down to
indifference as the teen shrugs his shoulder. “He seems nice,” Wonwoo comments. Mingyu tries not
to show the disappointment on his face but he can't stop his smile from faltering. “Hey, help me with
my chores. And where's mom?”

“She went out to get some food, and you do your own chores!”

The slight annoyance in Mingyu's voice quietens as Wonwoo grows closer. The shorter male furrows
his brows and winds his arms around Mingyu as he nestles his neck against the hybrid's. The beagle
wonders if his owner can hear his fast heartbeat or feel the swish of his restless tail. “I can still smell
his cologne,” Wonwoo mutters softly against Mingyu's neck, his lips ghosting over the tan skin.
Wonwoo's never been good with handling his feelings, doesn't want to place names on things, but
when he saw Seungcheol laughing happily with his Mingyu he could easily identify the feeling;
jealousy. Not that he'd ever admit that though—not even on his death bed. Or if Mingyu begged him.

Mingyu immediately relaxes as he runs a blunt hand through the older male's hair. This is definitely
weird. Wonwoo isn't the type to initiate skinship first, usually Mingyu had to whine and push, but it
was nice.

“So...you're not jealous?”

A puff of hair hits Mingyu's neck, “Why would I be? Although you're still just a puppy, I don't want you
hanging out with big bad wolves, okay?”
Puppy? Mingyu splutters as Wonwoo pulls away and walks back to the kitchen. “Y-yah, hyung, I
literally had your dick in my mouth three days ago!”

***

“So, I'm gonna guess it didn't go well,” Minghao comments as Mingyu slams the door. The gigantic
hybrid is so caught up in his thoughts, half cursing Wonwoo and half his adorably fluffy tail and ears,
to notice two new additions to their hybrid group. One of which isn't a hybrid.

“Umm, Channie, who is this?”

Finally, Mingyu looks up to stare at a foreign face. Maybe half-foreign considering his impeccable
Korean pronunciation. He cocks his head to the side slightly, tail wagging low, as he looks away
from the non-hybrid to a curled in ball of fluff cramped in one of Minghao's recliners. “This is our new
friend, Mingyu-hyung,” Chan exuberantly replies. The ferret jumping out of the chair as he drags
Mingyu over to an unoccupied area. All of his attention; however, is focused on the red-headed
rabbit hybrid. The pale teens long, brown ears drooped over his head. Rabbit hybirds aren't exactly
rare, but they aren't seen as often.

Ferrets are apparently very impatient though, and Mingyu feels tiny hands shaking his shoulders
almost violently. Jeonghan looks up from his book with an equally bored and amused face.

“Hyuuuuung,” the ferret whines, completely forgetting its owner (who looks a little awkward and
definitely out of place), “how did it go with your man? Did you woo him?”

Mingyu replies without thinking, “Oh yeah he-” but then quickly remembers that it was only Minghao
he told, “Wait, what do you mean 'my man'? Minghao, did you tell everyone!”

The poodle, who has been staring at him this entire time, grins brightly.

“What? I thought that they would offer some good advice.”

“He's like, what, 10?!”

The non-hybrid in the room finally shouts, “Hey, leave him alone! He's sixteen.” The ferret suddenly
turns. “Ah, Chan, you're choking me,” the black-haired child chokes out as he awkwardly pats the
ferrets back.

“It's like you guys are in some kind of drama,” the bunny hybrid finally comments as he tears his
gaze away form his phone. He pins Mingyu down with a curious stare, “You should just give your
boyfriend the silent treatment.”

“Okay, are you telling strangers now!”

Minghao waves him off, “Relax. Yugyeom-hyung is just here because his boyfriend doesn't want him
to cause trouble while alone. Rabbit hybrids are actually rather delicate,” a long whine comes from
said hybrid, “they're easily affected from being left alone.”

The bunny, Yugyeom, puffs out his cheeks and wriggles his nose slightly as he sits up. He's tall,
perhaps slightly taller than Mingyu himself, but he looks as harmless as an actual baby bunny with
the way his pale, pink sweater engulfs him. “I'm an adult, I don't see why Mark doesn't trust me
alone.”

“Mark told Jun you got second-degree burns while making ramen,” Minghao deadpans.

Mingyu shakes his head. “Wonwoo isn't my boyfriend.”

“But you want him to be,” the other three hybrids chime. Chan's owner seems just as lost again, but
a little more content that the ferret is at least within arm's length.

Jeonghan goes on, “You know, Jisoo's girlfriend gave him the silent treatment once, drove him
crazy.”

“It works in dramas,” Yugyeom backs up as he turns his attention back to texting. Mingyu wants to
point out that dramas does not equate to real life because if it did people would be making more
abrupt U-turns while driving. It seems like no one but him understands this though.

“So, he wasn't jealous at all?”

Mingyu huffs as he hits his back against the sofa, “No. I think he still considers me a puppy. I don't
know what he's afraid of, I mean he wants me too but lately...I don't know. He's acting all weird.”

“Wait, are you guys not dating,” Yugyeom comments with a head tilt. Upon seeing Mingyu shake his
head no, he adds, “is this another hybrid?”

“No, he's normal.”

“Ah, see, this is why hybrids should just date other hybrids,” Yugyeom says matter-of-fact with an
arm cross. “Normal people don't understand us.”

Minghao rolls his eyes, “Mark is a wolf! What part of a bunny and a wolf being together make any
sense?”

“He's a wolfdog mix okay,” Yugyeom grumbles.

“And me and Jun do okay.”

Everyone else give each other a knowing glance. “That's because you and Jun are a totally different
case,” Jeonghan says what everyone is thinking. The poodle scrunches his face but doesn't offer a
rebuttal. “Anyways, I think you should give Yugyeom's idea a shot. What's the worst that could
happen?”

Mingyu runs the idea in his head.

“How long...?”

“I'd go for a week, but usually Mark breaks around the fourth day so who knows,” the rabbit
comments.

Right.

Mingyu hangs his head and wonders if listening to these people are the best idea.
3
If things went wrong Mingyu always liked to blame it on the fact that he's a hybrid. Oh, he can't bite
people with his super pointy fangs? Blame it on being a dog. You're not allowed to chase after tiny,
helpless squirrels? That's the dog part of him. It's not okay to lick people to show affection? Well,
sorry for being part dog. Although, Wonwoo's parents had put the licking part to rest quite early
because they were tired (and very grossed out) about being licked whenever Mingyu came up to
them. Minghao told him it was a crutch to blame his animal instincts but if he couldn't use that
excuse, what excuse could he use? Mingyu sighs and runs a hand down his face. He really, really
hopes Yugyeom's advice works and the bunny isn't just setting him up to fail. Bunnies and dogs
didn't have the best relationship but Mingyu is desperate.

Chan titled the plan “Operation: Cold Shoulder” and that was when Mingyu realized that maybe the
other hybrids were having too much fun at his expense. Back to the previous point; however, he was
very desperate for Wonwoo.

So when next Monday rolls around (Mingyu was given four blessed days of talking his friend's ear off
before having to stop completely) Mingyu wakes up in his own bed instead of the brunette's. He
looks through his instagram feed for a bit, trying not to think about how Wonwoo must be confused
to waking up alone, and instead focuses on his feed.

Minghao had posted a picture of Yugyeom, bunny ears limp and slightly folded, as the red-head was
curled around a large orange body-pillow. He shakes his head. “Oh, Mingyu, here you are,”
Wonwoo's deep, gravel voice echoes in the baby-blue room. Mingyu nibbles on his bottom lip, trying
desperately not to swoon at the teen's sleep-drenched voice. “Are you feeling okay? You're not sick
are you?” Worry laces the brunette's words and Mingyu can hear the small footsteps that inched
closer to his bed. Before Wonwoo is able to sit down though, Mingyu springs up with a disinterested
look. He's grateful for the other hybrids bullying him into training his poker face.

“I'm fine,” Mingyu replies in a bored tone, tail swishing ever so slightly as he walks out of the room.
He high-fives himself in his mind for a job well done. Hey, maybe he should be an actor?

Wonwoo catches up with Mingyu in the kitchen. He regards the hybrid with a concerned glance and
says, “Umm, o-kay...?”

“So, Mingyu, you wanted to check out the school today, right,” Wonwoo's mother inquires over the
sound of the pan sizzling.

Wonwoo does a spit-take, spraying a jet of water over the table and some dribbling down his chin.
Mingyu tries to control the urge to laugh and steels his nerves. “Yeah, it's the one Minghao goes to,”
he replies breezily, not even offering so much as a glance in Wonwoo's direction. He doesn't need to
look to know the brunette's eyes are probably the size of saucers, mouth slightly unhinged in
disbelief.

“Isn't that great Wonwoo!” The woman gushes as she serves her son fried rice. “And he isn't that far
behind, only a year, so the school wouldn't have any problem in accepting him.”

“I-I guess? Is this a hybrid school? Mingyu, why do you want to start school so late now?”

A lazy shrug of the shoulders is the only response as Mingyu kisses the mother's cheek, “I'm going
to go get ready,” he says as chipper as possible.

“Wait, Mingyu, aren't you going to eat!”

Mingyu shouts back a “I'll eat later!” before he closes and locks his door. God, he doesn't know how
Yugyeom can go a day with giving the silent treatment because not talking to Wonwoo is pure
torture. “Okay, Mingyu, you can do this. Just a week, just seven days. Seven, agonizing days,” he
bemoans as his fingers tangle and yank at his hair. By the time Mingyu comes out Wonwoo's
already gone. He's both happy and a little unnerved since he didn't a) get to say goodbye and b)
didn't have their usual banter about not trading him in for a cat. Dogs are also notorious creatures of
habit apparently.

Wonwoo's mom comes out of the kitchen, apron absent so Mingyu's able to see the pretty pinks and
purples of her sundress. “Are you and Wonnie okay? You were kind of quiet this morning,” she says
while diligently fixing the creases in the hybrid's shirt.

Mingyu pulls at the mis-matched blue and pink sleeves.

“We're okay Eunjung-eomma,” Mingyu raises his voice slightly and forces his eyes to form crescents
(“It's important that you smile with your eyes too, or else it will look fake.” “You do this a lot, don't you
Yugyeom-ssi?”); the woman hums slightly but doesn't question any further. While that might seem
like a victory to most, Mingyu knows better than to underestimate a woman's intuition.

Vast planes of blue fill in the sky with wisps of white. Another thing Mingyu used to do as a child was
stick his head out the window during rides, but again Wonwoo's parents snipped that behaviour in
the bud since driving in Seoul wasn't exactly the epitome of safe.
Minghao's school, for lack of better words, is an actual citadel. Okay, maybe not a citadel but it
reminds Mingyu of those fancy colleges with wide, open windows, looming structures, and open
green areas to laze around. “Wow, are...are you sure I can go here,” he whispers to Eunjung as they
diligently follow one of the representatives of the school. “This looks expensive.”

Eunjung shakes her head and squeezes Mingyu's hand, “Wonwoo's father has some connections.
We only have to pay a third of the cost as long as you keep up your GPA.”

Mingyu nods. Truthfully, it was Minghao's idea to visit the school, claiming that it would help take his
mind off of Wonwoo during 'Operation: Cold Shoulder' but also knowing the poodle, Minghao
probably hoped he'd like the school so much and want to go. He can't go a day working with
Minghao without the poodle bringing up school and how stupid he was for not wanting to continue
his education. It honestly felt like he had a second mother, but a more conniving one that didn't know
how to take no as an answer.

Well, not so surprisingly, Minghao knows everything and Mingyu loves the school. Not only is
everyone there a hybrid (why didn't Minghao tell him this first!) but there were ones of all kind! There
were deer hybirds, fox hybrids, owl hybrids, even the occasional tiger could be found.

Mingyu quickly texts Minghao once they're finally off school campus, Yah, why didn't you tell me how
amazing your school is? And how rich are you???

From: Hao-poodle
I tried to tell you, you just don't listen >.< and don't ask how much I make, that's rude hyung!
Besides, Jun pays for most of it hehehe

Why isn't Mingyu surprised?

“So, you want to go, right,” Eunjung asks as they stop by a hole-in-the-wall ramen shop, “I don't want
you whinning about wanting to drop out after a month or two,” she warns playfully with a small wink.
“Wonwoo will no doubt be a little sad though, you being surrounded by tons of other hybrids. He's
already kind of weary with Minghao...”

Wait, Wonwoo would be jealous? Mingyu's ears perk up at this as his tail wags solidly against the
cushioned chair. Oh, this just makes him want to go more.

“Of course I want to go!”

And that's how the first day of 'Operation: Cold Shoulder' goes. Mingyu spends time with Wonwoo's
mom working out the schedule and his work hours. He'll have to work part-time in order to attend
and while he's a little sad about that, she puts his hours the same as when Minghao works and it's a
little more bearable. When Wonwoo comes home; however, an uneasy tension settles in the house
as his mother informs him of what's going on. Mingyu watches from under his fringe as the brunette's
expression slides into one of quiet trepidation before an unusual (at least for Mingyu) blankness.
There's an odd look of confusion and maybe hurt but before Mingyu can read anymore into it,
Wonwoo excuses himself to study.

“Oh, I thought he would be happier,” Eunjung whispers to her husband who shakes his head.

“Must be some girl or boy trouble.”

***

Tuesday really tests Mingyu's patience, although, perhaps not as much as Wonwoo but he can
never read the teen. It was rare (once in a blue moon type of rare) for Wonwoo to invite his school
friends over to the house, but hell must be freezing over today because when Mingyu comes back
form working overtime he cringes at the shrill voice that reaches his beagle ears. He expects it to be
from a girl but it is in fact Soonyoung who is currently screaming. Mingyu cocks his head to the side
at the older man's new haircolour, a pale blue borderline grey tint.

“Oh, Mingyu,” Soonyoung unnecessarily shouts with a wave of his hand, “how have you been,
kiddo?”

The hybrid twitches his nose in annoyance. If he didn't know Soonyoung better he'd say the teen
was drunk. “Umm, hi.” Mingyu fidgets uncomfortably at the gazes and various coos and d'awws.

“Can I touch your tail,” a girl requests but Mingyu doesn't really understand why since she already
has her fingers wrapped around said appendage.

Mingyu lets out a very manly shout he doesn't care what Soonyoung says. The objective of the
operation was to not talk to Wonwoo, but they didn't say Mingyu couldn't touch him, so when the
familiar scent of cologne and fabric softner hits his nose, he scrambles away from the touch and
hides behind the shorter teen.

“God guys, I leave for the bathroom for like two minutes and you're already groping my hybrid.”
The girls put up complaints, “But he's so cute oppa!”

“Sharing is caring.”

“His tail is so fluffy!”

“He's a giant puppy,” Soonyoung adds unhelpfully. Mingyu glares from behind Wonwoo's shoulder.
His cheeks burn but he's unsure if it's because of the praise or Wonwoo's possessive rearing it's
endearingly ugly head up again. He blames it on the praise because he's not cute, he's 180cm of a
grown hybrid and definitely not a puppy. Mingyu flattens his ears to show his obvious disdain before
he walks into his own room, leaving Wonwoo to call his name followed by a smack and Soonyoung's
indignant cry right after. He flops onto his large bed and immediately calls Minghao.

“Mingyu,” the poodle's voice calls. In the background Mingyu hears the low murmur of some drama
and the sound of Jun shouting something in Mandarin, “I didn't expect you to call until the third day.”

Mingyu pouts, “Gee, thanks Hao.”

“To be fair, hyung, you called a day before I expected it so if anything you should be happy I
expected you to last longer than you did.”

The duvet tangles and bunches as Mingyu knocks it off with his feet, half of it hanging off of his bed
and half covering one leg, “I don't think I can do this.”

A shuffle emits from the speaker as quiet whispers are being exchanged. Mingyu lazily flips through
the school brochure he got yesterday and waits for whatever is happening to stop. “Junie, stop, I'm
trying to talk to Mingyu-hyung,” Minghao whines.

“Hey Mingyu,” Jun shouts loudly.

Despite the lack of finesse in his greeting (and taking Minghao away from him) Mingyu can't help but
let a smile grace his features as he chirps back, “Hey Junhui-hyung.”
There's a small scuffle as Minghao's voice comes back, “Okay, you said hi, now leave. I'm trying to
help him. So, what's wrong?”

“Not talking to Wonwoo is weird, I don't think I can do it.”

“You're too dependent on him Mingyu, it's unhealthy. This will teach you some distance, besides,
you want him to come to you, don't you?”

Mingyu whines and throws the brochure on the floor, letting his eyes rake over the cream coloured
roof. Minghao's right, no surprise there, but he's never gone this long avoiding Wonwoo. The longest
time they went without talking to each other only lasted ten hours which might as well have been an
eternity. “I know but I'm not Yugyeom-ssi, I've always had Wonwoo with me...”

A loud groan leaves Minghao's lips, “I swear, it's like you guys are meant for each other I swear to
god. Just try to fight it, throw yourself into work more, watch dramas,” and end up like you, Mingyu
thinks blandly, no thank you, “you have five more days to go. You can do it.”

“Thanks for having faith in me,” Mingyu sighs.

“Hey, if this doesn't work we'll move on to plan C.”

Mingyu doesn't like the way the poodle says plan c, ominous with a hint of glee, and is kind of afraid
to know what it is.

“Do I want to know?”

Minghao chuckles, “Best if you wait and see.” And yeah, Mingyu can already feel the dread knotting
up in his stomach. He has a feeling he might hate 'plan c' the most and he doesn't even know what it
entails. Probably nothing good, not that the others were of any use to him either.

“Get some sleep hyung, you have a long day tomorrow.”

“Ming, it's, like, only eight.”

“Like I said, goodnight hyung.”

“Ugh, fine, goodnight.”

***

Mingyu, surprisingly, manages to go through Wednesday without so much as uttering a single noise
in Wonwoo's general direction. And he almost goes all of Thursday too, but then a thunder storm
rolls in just when he's trying to sleep. In the orphanage thunder storms were always the worst. The
brick walls seemed to echo, amplifying the sound, and it already made the dreary interior even more
bleak. And all the hybrids would make fun of Mingyu too, locking him in a room all by himself and
mocking him through the door. Mingyu doesn't even realize that tears are streaming down his
cheeks until a loud roar breaks him from his fetal position and he sees the dampness on his pillow.
Plan B is thrown right out the window where it's raining cats and dogs. He thanks god that he has
excellent night vision or else he would've bumped into every piece of furniture and wall as he
scurried down the hall to Wonwoo's room. He gingerly opens the door and peaks his head in.

Wonwoo is still sound asleep, snoring slightly, and Mingyu hesitates on if he should enter or not, but
the next clap of thunder makes up his mind for him. He quietly pulls the covers away and can't help
but let his heart speed up as he sees Wonwoo still left space big enough for him even though he's
been a total ass through most of the week.

Climbing in, he immediately nestles up against the shorter male, entangling their legs as he
whimpers slightly at the continuous thunderclaps and lightning. Wonwoo finally stirs around the third
whimper and leans back a little to take in Mingyu's shaking form. Frowning, he gently swipes the
hybrid's tears away. “Mingyu,” he croaks out, winding his arm securely against the trembling hybrid,
“are you okay?”

Mingyu shakes his head and rubs up against Wonwoo even more. Just taking in the older male's
scent is enough to stifle most of Mingyu's shaking, that and the arm wrapped around his waist, but
he still can't seem to relax.

“Mingyu,” Wonwoo murmurs as he gently lifts Mingyu's chin up so he can get a better look at the
younger's face. Mingyu stills as every fiber of his being seems to tense as Wonwoo's lips descend
onto his own. It doesn't take long for Mingyu to start reciprocating; however, as he moves his lips
slowly along with Wonwoo's. It's different from all the other kisses they've shared, there's a clear lack
of lust and ground-breaking passion, but instead it's slow and sweet—comforting. Mingyu arches his
back slightly as Wonwoo's fingers drag against his scalp.

The sound of the thunder fades out as Mingyu focuses on nothing but the soft lips against his own.
Finally, the two pull back for some much needed air.
“I missed you,” Wonwoo whispers so quietly that if Mingyu wasn't a hybrid the words would have
been lost with the pouring rain.

Mingyu doesn't reply, instead just clutches onto Wonwoo tighter. It's safe to say that 'Operation: Cold
Shoulder' was unsuccessful but at the same time it feels like some sort of progress was made.
Mingyu doesn't think about it much as Wonwoo starts running his fingers through his hair; sleep calls
his name and he gladly answers.

***
“You literally had to do nothing but ignore him,” Jeonghan deadpans as he stares up at the sky
dusted with various oranges and pinks. Instead of hanging out at Minghao's house on Friday as per
usual, the Chinese boy thought it would be best to get some fresh air. Mingyu tosses on the grass in
frustration.

“I know, but I just...I missed him,” he admits with a huff, although whether it's directed to Jeonghan or
his own inability to last a week is anyone's guess. Chan, whose owner is absent this time, pats his
hair reassuringly. “But that kiss had to mean something though, right?” Mingyu sits up and looks at
everyone with wide eyes, “Right?”

Before Minghao has a chance to answer though high-pitched shouting catches their ears. Looking
across the greenery to a walking path, the group of hybrids watch as Yugyeom bounces over to
them, large ears held upright with a backpack swinging behind him. “Hey, guys,” the rabbit says with
a bright grin, “did the plan work?”

Everyone answers simultaneously, “No.”

“Oh, sorry.”

Mingyu shakes his head, “It's fine. I mean, I made some progress...I think?”

“You did, but we really need to break him,” Minghao mutters as he glares at the grass. Mingyu visibly
gulps as Yugyeom regards the poodle with cautious eyes. Just as a breeze picks up, Mingyu smells
another scent. He looks up to see a male with caramel coloured hair and walk up to them with a lazy
gait. Mingyu identifies the shorter male as a mutt, his hears distinctly wolf-like but there was
something else.
“Yugyeommie, it's not nice leaving your boyfriend,” the stranger whines as he wraps an air around
the bunnies waist. Yugyeom blushes violently. “Who are these, a club,” the mixed hybrid says with a
quirk of his lip. Despite lacking in size, Mingyu can't help but scoot away from the stranger, a strong
sense of power and dominance practically rolling off of him in droves. He looks at Minghao who
seems relatively unfazed, but the same couldn't be said for Chan and Jeonghan, the ferret hiding
behind the dove's exposed wings.

“Oh, everyone, this is Mark.”

Realization dawns on everyone's face as they remember the conversation last week. So this was the
mixed wolf/dog hybrid. They're an odd a pair as Mingyu thought.

“So,” Yugyeom says as Mark busies himself with his phone, “what's the next plan?”

Minghao shoots a grin at Jeonghan, “Care to explain?”

“Isn't it obvious,” Jeonghan supplies ominously.

“Well, don't leave us waiting,” Mingyu barks, “what do you have in mind?”

“Mingyu has to seduce him—every chance you get—until he can't stand it anymore. It's fool proof.”

A long silence comes over the group like a steady fog.

Mingyu shakes his head, “I'm so dead.”

Yugyeom and Chan both hum in agreement.

4
“Hyung, do we have any bananas?” Wonwoo sets down his phone and stares at Mingyu with a
cocked eyebrow. The hybrids tail wags gently, eyes seeming to stare at everything but him as a
small flush dusts the younger boy's tan cheeks. Mingyu is a very spoiled hybrid, as in dog hybrids
shouldn't eat sweets so much but yet Wonwoo (and his mother to a greater extent) has allowed the
dog hybrid to eat sweets on a regular basis. So, for Mingyu to willingly eat something healthy—hell
must be freezing over, at least getting a light dusting of snow.

“Oh, never mind, I found one,” the hybrid exclaims as he sees a bunch of ripened fruit on the
counter. How did he miss that? Mingyu shakes his head and takes a seat opposite of Wonwoo and
begins peeling the skin. His face flushes as he remembers the conversation he had with Jeonghan,
the devil bird, who Minghao has put his trust in although the same couldn't be said for Mingyu. 'Eat a
banana, suggestively' Jeonghan had suggested with raised brow and dark smirk. God, what did he
get himself into? And all for what, Wonwoo to fuck him? Mingyu cocks his head in thought. Actually,
the potential payoff for this plan definitely outweighs whatever cons. It's not like Mingyu has a lot of
dignity to begin with, not when he's lived with Wonwoo for so long.

Wonwoo nudges his foot from under the table, “Don't you hate bananas?”

Mingyu blinks and looks up. Well, time to put the plan into action.

“They're okay, I just felt like eating one,” he comments loftily. Licking his lips, he gently presses the
tip of the banana against his lips, tongue peeking out as to gently press against the underside. A low
hum emits from the back of his throat and Mingyu has to will himself not to blush so much. The
action of eating a banana suggestively is just as embarrassing as it sounds, and even though
Minghao suggested to just imagine it as Wonwoo's dick, Mingyu doesn't think he will be able to bite
through the soft fruit without flinching. So the hybrid settles for toying with the first inch of the fruit,
fingers idle as he toys with his phone.

He can practically hear Wonwoo's heartbeat fasten in pace but it's only when the elder coughs that
Mingyu looks up.

And what a sight it is. Wonwoo's breath catches in his throat as Mingyu's eyes, impossibly wide and
doe-like, stare at him with innocent confusion. The hybrids lips shine with spit as the mid-morning
sun pours through the open curtains of the kitchen. It's been a while since the hybrid's made any
moves on him, and while Wonwoo knows it was always him who would say that he should stop, he
didn't think that he'd miss the feel of Mingyu's lips wrapped around him.

Finally, after what seems like forever, Mingyu takes a bite and chews the sweet fruit soundlessly.
Wonwoo's eyes train on the hybrid's bobbing Adam's apple before looking away, hand gripping his
knee in a vice. “Uhh, is-is it good,” he asks carefully, trying to hold back the lust from seeping into his
voice. It doesn't work.

Mingyu cheers in his mind at the lower than usual tone.

“Oh, it's really good, do you want some?” Mingyu holds out the banana and as Wonwoo leans over
the table to take a small bite, the yellow fruit is quickly moved away as Mingyu places a chaste kiss
on his lips.

Despite the short moment, Wonwoo tastes the hint of banana and some other sweet on his lips.
Unconsciously, he chases the hybrids lips only to bring out a soft chuckle from Mingyu. He could get
used to Wonwoo being the one chasing him.

Wonwoo frowns as he sits back and tries to hold back his annoyance as he asks, “What was that
for.”

Another bit of the banana, “Just because it's cute when you're frustrated.” And in one fell swoop,
Mingyu takes the rest of the banana into his mouth before biting it off, leaving only the bit covered by
the skin behind. Wonwoo shifts as his pants become tighter, trying to hid the growing bulge as
Mingyu passes him by.

Making sure that Wonwoo isn't staring at him anymore, Mingyu makes it into the bathroom before he
coughs up the left over piece of banana into the toilet. “Ugh, hyung has more self control than I
thought,” he grumbles while wiping the spit from the corner of his mouth. This was definitely the last
time he was going to eat the stupid fruit of his own accord. Washing the taste of banana out of his
mouth, Mingyu quickly texts Minghao that deep-throating a banana didn't work. Minghao replies back
with 'of course it didn't, Wonwoo isn't that easy' and the hybrid feels like he should be a bit insulted
by the poodle. Now that he thinks back though, it has always been him who has initiated the heated
kisses and intimate touches.

Mingyu's stomach tightens unpleasantly and he wonders if it's still because of the banana.

***

The banana plan isn't repeated thank the lord, but after shooting Jeonghan's suggestion of 'get him
hard and then leave him' (Mingyu isn't that mean) Minghao suggests thigh-highs and shorts that
shouldn't even be classified as clothing with how scandalous they were. He takes back having no
remnants of dignity because he definitely feels it being broken when he slips on the denim fabric and
white thigh-highs. White because apparently it contrasts beautifully with his skin tone, or at least
that's what Minghao and Jeonghan had said when they forced him to try on different coloured socks.
He stares at his reflection in the bathroom mirror, hair still damp and skin slightly red.
He pairs the short shorts with a soft, cotton sweater that he's ninety-percent sure is Wonwoo's. He
isn't sure if it makes the plan better or worse.

The sweater itself is Mingyu's favourite, the sleeves long as they only reveal the tip of his fingers and
scooped neckline that hangs loose on his body. The colour's a light sky blue, contrasting to the
dark—almost black—colour of the shorts. The thigh-highs aren't as uncomfortable as Mingyu first
thought they would be, but it still feels foreign on his skin.

Taking in a deep breath, he exits the bathroom and, with fingers twisting against each other, peeks
into the living room where the rest of the family is. Eunjun notices first and her face morphs into
sheer delight as she coos, “Oh, Gyu, you look so cute!”

This causes Wonwoo and his father, Jinwoo, to turn their heads toward them. He isn't sure how
Jinwoo will react and braces himself for the worst because he knows it isn't normal for men to dress
like this, but the reprimanding that he expects never comes. Instead, Jinwoo stares at him with a
soft, fatherly smile.

“Trying out a new fashion style?”

Mingyu bits his lip and nods shyly, not able to meet Wonwoo's gaze as he fidgets. “Okay Wonwoo,”
Eunjung suddenly exclaims with a grin, “your father and I are going to the floral shop for a bit. We
need to plant something else in the garden besides roses.” She finishes with a tiny glare sent to her
nervously laughing husband.

Jinwoo pouts as he holds open the door, “What, roses are pretty, just like my little flower.” Both
Wonwoo and Mingyu roll their eyes at the cheesy line as the door shuts. Before his nervousness
gets the best of him, Mingyu makes his way to the couch and sits beside Wonwoo.

“Hyung,” he mumbles while folding his legs underneath him, “you didn't say anything...”

Wonwoo shifts a bit, finger pausing over the remote before he scrolls through the channels again.
“Mingyu, remember that time you wore lingerie?”

At the memory of lace that hugged his skin, Mingyu blushes a bright red and nods, his fingers
busying his mind by fiddling with the hem of the thigh-highs. Wonwoo goes on, “You shouldn't be so
nervous around us, you know we don't care what you wear as long as you like it.” As silence greets
the confession; however, Wonwoo frowns and turns to Mingyu. The hybrid's ears, although usually
droopy, look even droopier.
“H-hyung,” Mingyu whispers with dilated pupils as Wonwoo grips his chin firmly between his pointer
finger and thumb.

“Consider this payback,” Wonwoo, voice all gravel and dirt, whispers back playfully before their lips
meet.

It's soft and languid at first, the pace slow as Mingyu willing crawls onto Wonwoo's lap. Wrapping his
arms around the older boy's neck, he lets out a low keen as he rocks his hips, the swell of Wonwoo's
bulge pressing pleasantly against his clothed butt. It's been so long since they've been this
intimate—too long—where nothing was rushed and Mingyu can feel all the love he has for Wonwoo
pouring out of every crevice of his body. He wants to get closer, needs to. And from the way
Wonwoo's grip on his hips tighten the brunette feels the same way. Just before Mingyu's hand can
travel to unbutton the older boy's pants, the door swings open causing Wonwoo to push Mingyu off
and grab a pillow.

“Sorry, forgot my phone,” Jinwoo exclaims as he doesn't bother giving the two boys a glance but
rather walks down the hall ignoring Mingyu's flushed cheeks (not that it wasn't unusual with how
easy he blushes). “Okay, you kids have fun, but not too much fun,” he advises with feign sternness.

Not trusting their voices, Mingyu and Wonwoo just nod as the door shuts once again.

“I-I'm gonna get something to eat,” Wonwoo says after a few seconds of silence. Mingyu makes a
noise in acknowledgment as he tries to will down his erection.

He whines to Minghao a few hours later in his room. “I was so close, Hao,” he grumbles, thigh-highs
rubbing together as he rolls on his bed.

He can practically hear the smirk in the poodle's voice; however, as Minghao replies, “Well it's a
good thing I have one more plan.” And oh, Mingyu definitely doesn't like that tone of voice. The
poodle hybrid goes on, “if nothing happens still, I will personally go over there and beat him up for
you.”

Mingyu knows that his complaining started all of this, but he still can't help but feel bad for whatever
Wonwoo is going to have to put up with. That night, he silently prays that it doesn't involve lingerie.

***
As it turns out, the plan doesn't involve lingerie but cross-dressing so Mingyu isn't sure if that's a step
up or down. Eunjung tilts her head to the side, examining the school uniform with squinted eyes
before she shakes her head. “Honestly, how did they mix up your gender?”

Mingyu plucks up the rose pink skirt with a white stripe running on the bottom pleats, “I'm just
surprised they had a skirt in my size.”

Placing the dress shirt and bow back into the box, the middle-aged woman sighs. “Guess I'll have to
talk to them tomorrow and tell them about the mix up. For now, just keep them in the box.” Mingyu
watches as Wonwoo's mom walks out the room before he brings out his phone and texts Minghao.

'Did you have something to do with me getting a girl's uniform?'

Not even a minute later a text from Minghao appears. The only content in the text box is the wink-
face emoji and a second box appears under it suggesting (or perhaps demanding considering it's
Minghao) that he put the clothes on. Well, Wonwoo did tell him that neither him nor his parents cared
about what he wore; although, his preferences were for things that actually covered up his body. He
locks his door and quickly strips. The dress shirt is surprisingly soft and feels weightless as he puts it
on. The buttons are a paler shade of pink than the skirt which he diligently tucks the shirt into. Next,
he places the bow under the collar and ties it loosely. He presses his palms flat against the skirt,
smoothing out wrinkles, before doing a little turn.

Okay, well, he feels thoroughly ridiculous. Before Mingyu has a chance to change; however, a sharp
rapping comes form behind the door.

“Oh, Wonwoo-hyung,” he comments blankly, momentarily forgetting his attire. The memory lapse
doesn't last long though as Wonwoo glares at him, or rather the outfit. “Err, did you need
something?” Mingyu tries in vain to lengthen the skirt but this only brings Wonwoo's attention to the
hybrid's legs.

“Is this what you're wearing to the school?” Mingyu gulps at the tone and steps back as Wonwoo
crowds into his space. Synapses firing rapidly and instincts telling him to run, Mingyu doesn't hear
the sound of the door locking. “Well...?”

“W-what if it is,” Mingyu challenges.

That obviously wasn't the right retort, if there was even one at all, because Wonwoo's eyes become
impossibly dark as he grabs the hybrid and spins him so that Mingyus back slams against the wall
with a loud thud.

“I think,” Wonwoo rasps as he digs his fingers into Mingyu's hip, “that you've been a very bad
hybrid.”

“W-what are you talking about,” Mingyu stutters as he shudders under Wonwoo's touch. He bites his
lip trying to desperately to hold in a whimper as Wonwoo attacks his neck. “A-ah, hyung,” he groans
as the elder bites down on the soft skin, hard enough to bruise before he licks the nipped skin.

“Mingyu, darling,” Eunjung's soft voice floats outside the door, “are you okay?”

Suffocating his chuckle against the slope of Mingyu's neck, Wonwoo rubs his knee harder against
Mingyu's swelling erection. “Go ahead 'darling',” he drawls darkly, “answer.”

“Y-Yes, I'm fi-ine,” Mingyu grits out as a teasing finger pinches his nipple.

“Okay.” Eunjung hardly sounds convinced but her footsteps indicate her departure. Mingyu releases
a breath but the feeling of relief isn't long lived before Wonwoo's attacking him again. The shorter
man nips at the hybrids lips, licking the bottom one before his tongue invades the hybrid's mouth.
Sweetness blooms across Wonwoo's tongue, the vague taste of peanut-butter and honey from lunch
still lingers in the dog hybrid's mouth, and it makes Wonwoo groan. He presses himself impossibly
closer, gently rubbing his own erection against Mingyu's bare leg, as his hand travels form Mingyu's
abused nipple to the full erection.

Mingyu whines behind his hand as his hips buck up in desperate need of friction. “Hyung, please,”
he whines as he tilts his neck, giving Wonwoo more access to his skin. He feels the elder smirk
against his neck before he's pulling Mingyu away from the wall and pushing the taller boy onto the
bed.

With most of the blood down south, Mingyu wobbles before falling backwards unceremoniously, feet
planted on the floor as half of his body lays on the bed. Wonwoo, instead of stepping forward like
Mingyu needs, takes a step back. The devil.

“Shit, you look so pretty like this Mingyu,” he whispers hoarsely, “but you only dress like this at
home, understand.” He grips the hybrid's erection through the skirt and palms. “Do you understand?”
“Yes, yes, hyung, please just,” Unsure of how to finish Mingyu just wiggles his hips.

Smirking at the neediness, Wonwoo adjusts Mingyu so that the tall hybrid is on the bed, legs spread
and skirt slightly hiked to reveal more of his thick thighs. Growling, Wonwoo slots himself between
the hybrid so that their crotches are touching. Mingyu arches as Wonwoo begins to thrust slowly,
hands scrambling onto the brunette's back as he grips the older teen's shirt.

“Hyung,” Mingyu whines, rutting helplessly against the male, “w-wait, stop, the skirt—stain,” he
gasps out but this only spurs Wonwoo on.

The thrusts become sloppier and more desperate and the pressure in Mingyu's stomach builds up.
“Mingyu,” Wonwoo whispers gruffly, “come for me.” And Wonwoo's voice is Mingyu's undoing. His
muscles spasm as his legs twist, come spreading against his boxers as he groans. Unable to stand
the sight, Wonwoo swiftly undoes his pants and grips his own throbbing erection, pumping his cock a
few times before he's coming in thick white ribbons all over the pale rose skirt and white shirt.

As the duo try and catch their breath, coming down from their high, Mingyu sighs, “Hyung, we had to
returns this. Now it's gonna stain.”

5
After the whole uniform debacle (that Mingyu ends up having to bleach) Wonwoo offers more
attention. It's a step up from before but Mingyu's still not satisfied, although, he can't complain.
Especially with the older boy's cock down his throat. Wonwoo groans, fisting Mingyu's fluffy hair, as
he comes with a small grunt. The hybrid hollows his cheeks and swallows the load eagerly, pink lips
slipping the softening erection out with an obscene popping sound, as he brings the back of his hand
to wipe away any residual. “We really need to stop doing this on linoleum,” Mingyu whines as he
messages his sore knees. Wonwoo just scoffs, unceremoniously tucking himself back in, before he
drags Mingyu by the belt loops; their groins touching.

“You're lucky I'm even indulging you,” the teen mocked in a half-growl-half-whisper that has the
hybrid's knees feeling weak. “What do you want for dinner?”

As the words topple out, Wonwoo realizes his mistake as Mingyu picks his head up and a
mischievous gleam illuminates his eyes. God, he regrets ever attacking Mingyu because lately the
beagle’s libido has been insatiable and there's only so much energy Wonwoo has to offer when he
comes back from school. Shouldn't only females in heat be the ones with uncontrollable sex drives?
Mingyu bites his lip coyly as he flutters his eyelashes in an entirely over-exaggerated manner. It's
enough to get Wonwoo snickering, the usually semi-awkward atmosphere of their blowjob
disappearing. “I want you,” Mingyu says playfully, nipping Wonwoo's pale skin.

“Yah, what are you a cannibal? You can't eat me.”

Mingyu puffs out his cheeks at Wonwoo's inability to play along but quickly grins as he rolls his hips
up.

“H-hyung, can we...you know, tonight can we....” the hybrid's face flushes as he looks into Wonwoo's
abyss eyes, hoping the brunette will get the message. From the way Wonwoo's face scrunches and
sighs Mingyu assumes he does. That's the other thing. Lately, Mingyu's wanting more, and by more
he wants to go all the way but Wonwoo isn't sure how to handle it. He loves Mingyu, he would die for
the boy—kill if he had too—but when the idea of penetration pops into his head he's suddenly
reduced to an inexperienced pre-teen boy who just watched their first porn video.

Wonwoo isn't unfamiliar with the idea of gay sex, nor does he have anything against it, but having
sex with Mingyu could either make their relationship or break them. And Wonwoo knows that
Mingyu's still in that puppy mind-set; not able to think things through. He doesn't want the hybrid to
regret it.

How should he go about communicating his feelings though? Easy answer, Wonwoo doesn't. He
gently pushes Mingyu away and says the hybrid's name with exhaustion. It's a clear no and Mingyu's
ears droop down even more, tail wagging sadly behind him.

“We're too young,” Wonwoo starts but is unable to finish.

“I literally just had your dick in my mouth a minute ago! Hyung, please, I'm tired of hearing the same
thing,” Mingyu pleads as he latches onto Wonwoo's hand.

Wonwoo doesn't relent though and says in a deeper, firmer voice, “No. And that's final.”

Before Mingyu has time to retaliate, Wonwoo tears his hand from Mingyu's and unlocks the
bathroom door, his back facing the hybrid's the whole time as he disappears from Mingyu's site. With
a deep-set sigh, Mingyu is left to stare at his dejected reflection in the mirror.
Is it the way he looks? Did Wonwoo not find him attractive enough to go all the way? Was this only a
one-sided pleasure where Wonwoo was the only one happy? Was he just a masochist? Mingyu
pokes his cheeks, still not entirely rid of baby-fat, before he runs his hands up to his ears and gently
messages them. Was it because he was a hybrid? Did he not deserve Wonwoo? Insecurity after
insecurity berates his mind before Mingyu finally decides to leave the room, feeling half of his worth
as when he entered.

He avoids gaining attention from Wonwoo as he leaves the hall but it's rather hard to do when you're
a giant. If Wonwoo does stare; however, Mingyu doesn't bother to lift his head up before he locks the
door to his room. He does the only thing he can think of—calls Minghao.

“Mingyu-hyung? Are you okay? You never said anything after wearing the uniform? How did it go?”

Mingyu inhales deeply, “I think...I think I'm done Hao. Wonwoo doesn't seem to want to return my
affection so-”

A loud bang blares across the speaker that causes Mingyu to jump slightly. “I-is everything okay?
Hao, Hao!”

There's a grumbled response before the poodle's voice breaks through. “Yeah, don't have a heart-
attack. Word of advice, never buy glass tables.”

“You didn't.”

“That doesn't matter,” Minghao replies curtly, “Jun will be mad but I'll pay for it. You know, I always
hated Wonwoo, the bastard. I mean, he knows how you feel and I just,” Minghao pauses and
exhales heavily, “I just thought with the way he stared at you that he felt the same way. We went
through all this effort for nothing,” he finishes with a low growl.

Mingyu nods in agreement, “Yes, but he's my owner. Of course he looks at me like, like...”

“Your the entire world,” Minghao supplies, stretching out the syllables. Mingyu can practically hear
the eye-roll in the poodle's tone.
“I guess, but maybe he doesn't love me as much as I love him.”

“My offer to kick his ass still stands.”

Mingyu chuckles, heart already feeling lighter, “Nah, it's okay. I can take care of him on my own.
He's pretty skinny.”

“Alright,” Minghao's voice sounds questioning like he expects Mingyu to call again a few hours from
now lamenting his woes, but Mingyu figures he'll cross that bridge when he gets to it. “It'll be okay,
hyung,” Minghao finally says after a few moments of silence.

“Yeah,” Mingyu breaths out before he slides his finger to end the call. “I know...”

“Dude,” Soonyoung starts with a dead gaze that has Wonwoo squirming (no, not squirming, just
moving awkwardly), “you are hopeless I hope you know that.”

“What?”

Soonyoung rolls his eyes, leaning over the desk, and repeats, “Hope-less. Adjective, meaning
without hope-” Wonwoo sneers at his friend's face before he places a hardy kick to the idiot's shin.
Soonyoung groans as he slumps over the taller boy's desk. “Okay, not only are you hopeless, but
you're an asshole too.” Soonyoung rubs his shin with a pout as he takes his seat in front of Wonwoo.
The latter debates if the seating position had been the smartest thing on the teacher's part but it's
not like he was the one with low grades.

“I have no clue what you mean,” Wonwoo asserts as he diverts his gaze to the half-assed cleaned
chalk-board.

“I heard from a little kitty that you didn't have sex with Mingyu yet, even though we both know you
want to.”
Wonwoo yelps as he shoots up from his desk, knee banging on the underside of the wood.
Soonyoung mutters something about poetic justice but Wonwoo's much to concerned about his soon
to be bruised knee. So much for playing soccer—wait, that's not the problem here.

“What the hell do you mean 'little kitty'? Are you talking about Jihoon? And since when did Jihoon
care about Mingyu?”

Soonyoung wags his finger, “Jihoonie has friends ya' know. Heard it from some bird who happens to
be friends with Minghao.”

Of course Minghao is at the center of this. Wonwoo sits back down, eyes ablaze as he tries to set
his best-friend on fire.

“So what,” Wonwoo replies acidicly, “do all hybrids know each other or something?”

“That's incredibly racist Won, and no, the world just happens to be rather small,” Soonyoung finishes
with a wide, cheschire grin. “So, what's up with you? Why don't you want to have sex with Mingyu?”
It should shock Wonwoo how casual Soonyoung brings up sex and Mingyu in the same sentence
but he's long desensitized to most of the crap that spews out of the idiot's mouth.

“He's just, it's Mingyu! He's, he's—“

“The reason you wake up, yes, yes, we all know that,” Soonyoung states in a bored manner.

“You don't understand because Jihoon isn't trying to jump you every day,” Wonwoo groans, “Mingyu
is just...Mingyu. What if he regrets it? He's just letting his hormones and instincts control him.”

Soonyoung groans, “Wonwoo, you know I love you, right?” Wonwoo shrugs which earns him a
gently punch on the arm. “Bastard. Well, Mingyu isn't some puppy anymore even though he is a dog
hybrid. He's only a year younger for god's sake! He's been with you since birth! Trust me, he knows
what he wants and I'm sure it took a lot of courage for him to do anything with you so you better man
the hell up or else you'll lose him to someone who will return his feelings. And I know you feel the
same way because you're as obvious as a child hiding behind see-through curtains.”

By the time Soonyoung's done ranting the teen is red in the face, eyes visibly as agitated as
Wonwoo's own. Wonwoo huffs, crossing his arms, but doesn't offer any response.
“Let's go eat before lunch is over.”

Soonyoung shakes his head as he watches his idiot of a friend walk out of the empty classroom. He
better get brownie points for trying to at least reach his dense friend because only cupid and God
could help the two now.

“Yah, wait up!”

When Wonwoo returns home it's to an empty house. Cocking his head to the side, he throws hi
bookbag onto the couch and makes his way to the kitchen. It's unusual for his parents to be out by
the time he gets home. Picking up the pale, pink sticky not stuck to the fridge, Wonwoo lets out
another sigh. His parents have left to go grocery shopping which takes them ages to return from
meaning that he was alone, without food most likely.

At least, that's the brunette's initial perception but then he hears Mingyu's voice. Wonwoo blinks and
shakes his head. He should be focused on the fact that he and Mingyu are alone and Mingyu isn't
currently trying to eat him which is odd, but what's more odd is the breathy moan that comes from
the direction of his room. Wonwoo carefully edges his way towards his bedroom door. He furrows his
brows even more when he hears his name, broken and almost a sob, that echoes in his mind. It's a
familiar cant and Wonwoo identifies as lust.

Curiosity too much to handle, Wonwoo peers in through the slightly ajar door and has to bit his
bottom lip from gasping at the site.

Mingyu's slumped on his bed, knees spread and ass in the air. The hybrid's clutching a black shirt
that Wonwoo identifies as his pajama top, salivating on it slightly, as his other hand reaches behind
to stretch himself open.

“Hmm, hy-u-ng,” Mingyu moans gently as he inserts another finger, fucking himself onto the three
digits, “Wonwoo-hyung,” Mingyu whines again as his tail wags eagerly in the air, “please, please go
faster. Ah!”
Wonwoo jostles at the sudden increase of pitch. His pupils are blown only leaving a dangerous ring
of whiskey brown as Mingyu's back arches temptingly, his erection smacking against his stomach
lightly.

The door creaks.

“W-Wonwoo-hyung?”

6
Mingyu scrambles to sit up, embarrassment settles heavily in his stomach, as he attempts to speak.
His tongue feels dry and mouth full of cotton, “H-hyung, I, I didn't,” he stutters, moving back as
Wonwoo takes steady strides toward him. The hybrid's heart beats in excitement but also a bit of
fear. The musky scent Mingyu's smelt before rolls off of the elder in waves, intoxicating and heady.
Gulping, Mingyu stops once his slick back hits the wall. Wonwoo still hasn't uttered a word, but his
irises practically disappear in a pool of ink black; lust.

“Mingyu,” Wonwoo whispered huskily, voice dragging gravel over rock, “did you plan this, hmm?”

Opening his mouth, no words managed to come out so Mingyu settles for a small whimper, trying his
best to hide his throbbing erection. Wonwoo's eyes slitted at the answer, or lack thereof, and settles
a hand on Mingyu's knee. “Be a good hybrid, Mingyu,” he drawls as he gently digs his fingers into
the heated skin, “Won't you do that for me? Hmm?” Wonwoo leans in and gently captures Mingyu's
plump lips. Mingyu moans wantonly, never has Wonwoo touched him in like this before, so loving
and wanting.

“H-hyung,” Mingyu whimpers as Wonwoo's hand gently travels between his legs. Unable to hold
back his desire, Mingyu's legs part with little effort on Wonwoo's end. The hybrid lets out a low groan
as Wonwoo pulls back; Mingyu's hand shoots out and makes grabbing motions.

Wonwoo chuckles darkly as he sits back on his haunches, admiring the hybrid before him. Mingyu's
hair is messy, lips spit-slick and swollen, and his eyes blown out. The hybrid's already flushed face
grows even hotter under Wonwoo's gaze but he doesn't dare close his legs, instead he nibbles on
his bottom lip, eying his hyung's growing erection.

“Fuck,” Wonwoo growls, “you're so beautiful, fucking gorgeous,” the brunette continues on with a
darkening voice. Both of the teens are surprised just how low Wonwoo's voice sounds but Mingyu
doesn't have time to tease the boy because Wonwoo's back to crowding his space. “Mingyu, lay
down on the bed,” Wonwoo orders as he tugs the hybrid by the ankles. With a strong shiver running
down his spine, Mingyu re-arranges his position so that his back is flat against the sheets. Wonwoo,
his still clothed legs, bracket the hybrid's own thighs.

Mingyu whimpers as Wonwoo's hand goes and twists his left nipple and lays his tongue flat against
the other one. “Ah, Wonwoo!” The teen just hums and gently bites on the hybrid's nipple again.
Mingyu squirms, hands scrambling to hold onto something—keep him grounded—and that happens
to be Wonwoo's hair. He tugs gently, unsure if he wants more of the searing pleasure or to push
Wonwoo away because shit, he won't last long. Wonwoo releases the puffy, pink nipples from his
torture and sits back up.

“Is this what you wanted, baby boy,” Wonwoo says huskily, letting his fingers gently trail over the
buttons of his shirt. “Tell me, baby, what do you want me to do,” he undoes one, enjoying Mingyu's
eyes training on him, “Do you want me to fuck you. Wreck you so that you'll only remember my
name,” two more buttons and finally Wonwoo brings his shirt over his head revealing pale skin,
taught over an athletic build. “Baby boy,” Wonwoo trails his thumb over Mingyu's bottom lip, “answer
me.”

Mingyu exhales shakily, “Y-yes, please hyung, I need you. Want to feel you inside of me.” The hybrid
exhales as Wonwoo hastily gets off the bed. Staring at the ceiling in a daze, Mingyu shivers as he
hears the sound of a zipper and a small 'thud'. Wonwoo climbs back on, fully naked, and Mingyu's
seen the boy's erection before, but seeing his Wonwoo's cock now with the rest of his body bare—it
excites him. The way the elder's cock curves slightly, thick and long, pre-cum glistening.

“I know I'm good-looking, but you don't have to drool,” Wonwoo smirks cockily.

Mingyu blushes brightly, snapping his jaw shut as he turns his head, “Shut up, you're ruining this,” he
grumbles but Wonwoo just laughs.

“Hmm, baby boy, look at me.” Letting Wonwoo capture his chin between his fingers, Mingyu turns to
look at the hovering male. “So beautiful,” Wonwoo murmurs as he places butterfly kisses all over the
hybrid's jawline, licking and sucking the tan skin. Finally reaching the hybrid's neck, Wonwoo gently
nibbles at the sweaty skin before he bites down. Mingyu's back arches and his muscles tense at the
sharp pain, shouting incoherently but it's soon replaced with pleasure as Wonwoo reaches down and
strokes his erection.

“A-ah, hyung,” Mingyu groans, lifting his hips higher it's all in vain as Wonwoo keeps him pinned
down. Instead of answering the hybrid's distressed cries, Wonwoo continues to suck at the tan boy's
neck, teeth dragging against skin as he rubs circles into the hybrid's sharp hip-bone.
When he finally pulls back, Wonwoo grins at his handy-work, bruises already forming on the hybrid's
neck.

“How do you want this Mingyu,” Wonwoo questions casually as if the smell of sex was nonexistent
and the hybrid wasn't laid out, thoroughly debauched and for the taking, “do you want it rough? Want
me to claim you like the little omega you are? Just look at you, already so wet for me,” Wonwoo
muses as he drags the pad of his thumb over the hybrid's slit, “Do you want to be on all fours as I
fuck you? Pounding into you deep and hard.”

“S-shit, hyung, please just,” Mingyu twists on the sheets and bucks his hips up, “just fuck me
already!”

Wonwoo hums, something shining in his eyes as the unabashed neediness in his hybrid's voice.
“Stretch yourself open for me, baby boy, let me see how much you want it.”

Fuck. Mingyu's head falls back onto the pillow as he slips three fingers into his mouth. Swirling the
digits until they're wet enough, Mingyu pulls them out with an obscene wet sound and quickly inserts
two into his twitching hole.

Wonwoo sits back, eyes trained on Mingyu's hand, as he strokes his leaking cock lazily. Mingyu's
absolutely wrecked and they haven't even done anything yet; Wonwoo smirks as he imagines what
the hybrid will look like as he fucks into him, stretched and filled by his dick. Stretching doesn't take
long Mingyu had already did it before, but the hybrid still winces a bit as he inserts his third finger.

“H-hyung,” he whispers hoarsely, eyes glazed over as he stares at Wonwoo with lust, “please,
hyung, I need more,” he pants, gasping as his fingers finally graze over his prostate.

Watching Mingyu's back arch in euphoria is what sets Wonwoo over the edge. He growls, bats
Mingyu's hand away, and positions the blunt tip of his erection against the hybrid's fluttering hole.
“Beg me Mingyu, beg me to fuck you,” he demands hotly, nails digging into the hybrid's tan thighs as
he teases the hole.

“Hyung, please I need you! I want you to stretch me open, claim me as yours. I want to feel you
inside of me, ruining me,” Mingyu babbles on with earnest.

Wonwoo smirks as he slowly starts to insert himself, groaning as heat encompasses the tip of his
penis. “Fuck baby boy, so hot and tight, all just for me,” Wonwoo says to himself more than anything.
He watches himself sink into the pliant body below until his balls hit Mingyu's soft ass cheeks. Lifting
Mingyu's long legs over his shoulders, Wonwoo gently pulls out, enjoying the heat of the hybrid, as
he builds up a slow pace.

Mingyu whines, winding his arms around Wonwoo's neck. “You're so big, hyung,” Mingyu gasps,
pressing their sweaty foreheads together. A large smile spreads over Wonwoo's face as he captures
Mingyu's lips. The kiss is sloppy and uncoordinated, nothing but teeth and tongue as Wonwoo
focuses more on pumping himself in-and-out of Mingyu's tight heat.

Eventually, Wonwoo takes to just licking at Mingyu's neck, the hybrid letting out delicious moans as
Wonwoo keeps grazing over his prostate but never hitting dead on.

“H-hyung,” Mingyu groans, “can I ride you?”

Wonwoo mutters into the boy's neck, most likely a swear, as he pulls his angry, straining erection out
of Mingyu. “Shit baby boy,” Wonwoo groans as Mingyu gently flips them over, “you're so sexy, like
this. Just remember who the alpha is,” Wonwoo growls as Mingyu grinds his ass playfully over his
owner's erection.

Mingyu lets out a breathy laugh and sits on his knees, aligning the tip of Wonwoo's penis to his
entrance and slowly sinks down. Both of the teenagers moan at the feeling as Mingyu slowly brings
himself up and slams back down. The hybrid's tail wags erratically behind him as Wonwoo lets his
hands grip the hybrid's waist, gently resting but not guiding.

“Hmm, so close,” Mingyu whines as he builds up a fast pace, constantly moving and angling his
body in search of that one spot that he knows will push him over the edge. “Ah, there!” Mingyu's jaw
opens as moans leave his lips.

Wonwoo watches in a daze as he admires the hybrid's pleasure riddled face, the younger teen's
body bouncing as his erection disappears with every downward drop. Unable to just lay still,
Wonwoo growls and starts thrusting upward.

“Ah, yes, yes, yes! Hyung, faster, fuck,” Mingyu moans brokenly as his moves become more
uncoordinated. Noticing the shake in Mingyu's thighs, Wonwoo flips them back over and sets a
brutal place. He pounds into Mingyu swiftly, swallowing the hybrid's moans as he grips Mingyu's
leaking erection. “Hyung, so close,” Mingyu pants as he drags his nails across Wonwoo's back.

Wonwoo grunts in response, fastening his pace as he pumps Mingyu's slick cock faster.
“Tell me, who do you belong to,” Wonwoo growls as he slows down his pace.

Mingyu whines and twists at the slowed pace.

“Baby boy, tell me,” Wonwoo commands as he gently sucks at Mingyu's Adam's apple.

“Y-ou, always you,” Mingyu chokes out, “please please alpha, come inside me. Fill me up.” Mingyu's
unsure exactly why he's calling Wonwoo 'alpha' but it feels right and from the way Wonwoo starts to
thrust faster again he assumes the teen doesn't exactly hate it.

“That's right,” Wonwoo grunts, “you belong to me. Only me.”

With a few final pumps and thrusts to Mingyu's prostate, the hybrid comes in thick, white stripes. His
muscle's tense and spasm as he sees large spots behind his eyes. At the sudden tightening heat,
Wonwoo let's out a long groan as he comes as well, gently thrusting his release into Mingyu's body
as he rides the high out. Mingyu's tight hole milks him for all he's worth before Wonwoo falls on top
of the hybrid, bones feeling like jelly.

“You know,” Mingyu starts up after a pause of silence, “if I knew fingering myself would turn you on
this much I'd have done it much sooner.”

Wonwoo chortles, burying his face into the crook of Mingyu's sweaty neck.

“Have you done this before,” the elder questions, wondering if he should take himself out of Mingyu
and clean them up, but he's much too tired for that. “You know, while you're alone?”

Mingyu blushes brightly. It's rather odd that the hybrid still feels embarrassment especially after the
activity they've done but Wonwoo finds it cute and endearing.

“Y-yeah,” the hybrid mutters as he licks his lips, “I just...I didn't know if you wanted me and...” the
hybrid's thoughts stop as Wonwoo places a gentle kiss on the underside of his jaw.
“Of course I want you, I will always want you in any way you'll let me have you.” Wonwoo gently
cups Mingyu's face. “I love you, Kim Mingyu.”

Smiling form ear-to-ear, Mingyu wraps his arms around Wonwoo's lithe frame, fingers dragging
against the smaller man's spine as he hums.

“I love you too, Jeon Wonwoo. Even if you're an idiot,” he finishes with teasing laughter. Wonwoo
rolls his eyes and gently nips at the hybrid's lip.

“You're such a little shit.”

After their cuddling session that involves Mingyu spilling how Minghao's been trying to help him
seduce the man (“okay, that's it, you're getting new friends.”) Wonwoo finally manages to get the
strength to pull out of Mingyu. The hybrid whimpers as he feels Wonwoo's load slowly ooze out of
him, the come sticky and cold against his thighs.

“We'll use a condom next time,” Wonwoo promises as he gently wipes Mingyu clean with a rag. “You
might not be able to walk tomorrow,” the elder comments as he opens a window in hopes of getting
ride of the very distinct sex smell. Throwing their clothes into the laundry basket, Wonwoo returns to
bed and wraps his arms around Mingyu's waist, the hybrid's chin resting on top of the brunette's
head.

“So,” Mingyu starts off quietly, “does this mean we're dating?”

Wonwoo pulls away a bit and looks up at Mingyu's expectant face.

“Of course we are, baby boy,” Wonwoo says with a lazy grin. “Now let's get some rest, you exhaust
me,” Wonwoo finishes with a yawn as he pulls the blankets over their naked form. Laughing, Mingyu
buries his face against Wonwoo's chest, sighing in content as he feels an arm drape over him.

Wonwoo could kick himself for taking so long, and multiple people have almost done the job for him,
but he's happy he finally decided on a course of action and has no doubt in his mind that he and
Mingyu would be able to face whatever challenges were on the way. He places a gentle kiss atop of
Mingyu's head and traces patterns lazily against the hybrid's back, slowly falling asleep to the sound
of Mingyu's breathing.
you'd be surprised

Description
Kim Mingyu loves to tease the new photographers manning his photo shoots and Jeon Wonwoo
is no exception.

"Great weather today, right?"

Mingyu says wth a dazzling smile, stepping out of the sleek, black car and taking of his shades
before walking towards the tall building. Behind him, a raven haired beauty follows, eyes glued
to his phone and is grumbling to his earpiece. They enter the building at once and Jeonghan
stops Mingyu in his tracks.
"The photographer suddenly couldn't make it today, do you want to cancel the photoshoot or do
you want to let the assistant take over?" Jeonghan says as Mingyu smirks and his eyes gleam
mischievously. Jeonghan presses a finger on his temple. They start walking to the elevator.
"Mingyu, I swear to god, did you plan this?"
"Of course not, what makes you think that?" Mingyu answers, stepping into the elevator. He
laughs at his manager's misery as he presses the 5th button and leans on the cool metal behind
him.
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because the photographer magically disappears when you
have this kind of photo shoot?" Jeonghan hisses at him, his eyes narrowed to slits, but Mingyu is
showing his toothy smile and Jeonghan sighs. 'Whatever, nothing can be done now.' Jeonghan
thinks as he slumps beside Mingyu.
Kim Mingyu is a famous model despite only debuting a few months ago. He was praised for his
good looks and large build at the age of 18. He has brown hair that is parted at the side and cute
puppy teeth that everyone loves. He seems almost bipolar with his two contrasting personalities:
player-like and puppy-like, though everyone seems to love it. It confuses Jeonghan greatly.
Another reason on why Mingyu is famous is because of his companion and manager, Yoon
Jeonghan. Everyone claims that Jeonghan should model as well, and when they are seen
together, they all assume that they are dating. But most importantly, Mingyu is famous because
of his bold photo shoot which was the second he released, the first being his debut.
They arrive at the 5th floor and they were quickly ushered to the studio where everyone was
getting ready. They all stopped to greet the two before continuing on their jobs. A thin man with
slanted eyes walked towards them, and smiled warmly.
"Hello, my name's Jisoo, I'm your make-up artist for today." Jisoo shaked their hands firmly and
gestured for them to follow him to a room. Mingyu rolled his eyes as he walked behind Jeonghan
and Jisoo. 'Damn, he didn't even talk to me the whole ride but he's really getting chatty with this
dude.' Mingyu thought as he checked Jisoo out.
They enter the room and as Mingyu predicted, it was the make-up room. The room was
blindingly white except for the blood red loveseat in the far right of the room. Numerous mirrors
lined the wall and a mahogany door was seen opposite the door they came from. A simple white
table was littered with makeup and hair products.
"Anyways, Mingyu, you can take your clothes off now." Mingyu's eyes widened as the words left
the supposed timid man's mouth. He can hear Jeonghan snickering beside him as Jisoo passes
him a white robe.
Mingyu shrugs off his leather jacket (which he now regrets wearing, because it's so difficult to
take off), and swiftly removes the white shirt underneath it, revealing his broad shoulders and
slim figure. He hesitates on taking off his pants as he feels the two pairs of eyes watching his
every move like a hawk. He smirked as he knew where this was going and was about to give
them a show, but the door was suddenly thrown open and an American boy quickly comes in.
"Is Joshua here?" He spoke in english, and his eyes bulged out as he saw the scene playing. He
quickly turned around and took Jisoo with him. All the while screaming, 'Oh my God!'
There was a silence that Mingyu couldn't really describe, but before any other interruptions
were made, he quickly took off his pants and his underwear and wrapped the robe around him.
"Hope I didn't scare your boyfriend away." Mingyu said as he plopped himself into the loveseat
and took out his phone. Jeonghan scoffed and fixed his appearance in the nearest mirror.
"As if he'd sleep with you. I've already got him wrapped around my finger." Jeonghan replied as
he tucked in hair behind his ear.
"You mean he's got you around his little finger." Mingyu said pointedly, laughing when he sees
Jeonghan narrow his eyes through the mirror. The older sighs, facing Mingyu with his hands
resting on his hips.
"I'm gonna get Jisoo. Stay here, don't do anything." Walking out the door, Jeonghan raises two
fingers to his eyes and point them at Mingyu as if saying 'I'm watching you'.
The door closes slowly and Mingyu makes himself comfortable, spreading his limbs out and he
smirks to himself. If it wasn't obvious yet, Mingyu was a famous rookie model who occasionally
liked to do nude photoshoots. He's done this three times in total but only two got published. If
he recalls, the first one he did was a hit. Fans loved him and it's how he got known. But as much
as he wanted men and women ogling at his body, it wasn't the real reason why he did it in the
first place. He was actually quite shy in the first one, but his confidence was boosted when he
saw his photographer, a boy in his twenties, looking at him with bedroom eyes (which Mingyu
totally laughed at, but not out loud, he was a rookie). 'Fuck it' Mingyu thought at the time, and
discovered his talent of turning people on. Mingyu wasn't a sadist by any means but seeing his
photographer's poorly disguised bulge made him a teeny bit proud (okay, really proud). He
doesn't remember his name, but he was chinese and an assistant photographer, the actual
photographer couldn't make it due to something about cheeseburgers (Mingyu thought it was
ridiculous but hey, he got something out of it!).
Mingyu hopes that the photographer today was a boy because it's no fun if it was a girl, he
couldn't exactly poke fun at her, the lust-blown eyes and reddened cheeks were telling but it
wasn't visible enough.
The door opens and Jisoo pokes his head in, he walks in and clears his throat as Mingyu sits up
and walks to the chair facing the mirror. Jisoo takes out his make up kit and starts doing his job.
They were both quiet except for the occasional commands from the other to tilt or turn his head.
His hair was styled next, it seems that they were going with the messy style. The manager didn't
tell them what the concept will be because they wanted Mingyu to be more natural. Most of his
bangs were swept to the side, a few stray hairs tickling his forehead. Mingyu liked it.
Jisoo motions Mingyu to stand up and the white robe comes off. Jisoo stared for a couple of
seconds before applying powder to his abdomen and pectorals. His skin has a sun kissed glow
and few blemishes so even without make up, it would still look good. Jisoo was staring at his
crotch now. Mingyu supposed he could have a little fun before the photoshoot.
"Did you shave this morning?" Mingyu choked, spluttering and surprised. Jisoo was looking at
him weirdly now.
'Calm down, idiot.' Mingyu thought as he said yes as calm as he could. Jisoo shrugged and
handed him his robe. Mingyu followed Jisoo out the door. It was showtime.
The first thing Mingyu noticed was that somehow, in the span of an hour, the set hs been turned
from nothing to the grandest bedroom he had seen. The whole room semed to be of red. The
walls were red and so was the carpet. In the middle was a luxurious king-sized bed with an
intricate headboard, the sheets were blood red and looked velvety soft. Lamps were on either
side of the bed, showing off an orange glow. The whole room seemed to be romantic. Hell, there
was even slow jazz playing.
The second thing that Mingyu noticed was that the dozens of people have fled. Usually, there
were at least twelve people in the studio with him, but now that there were little to no people
here, Mingyu felt a little flustered. He tried to look for Jeonghan but didn't seem to find him and
when he looked beside him, Jisoo was also gone. The american boy from earlier was talking to a
small black-haired fellow who seemed to be struggling to carry four drinks. Mingyu stood
awkwardly at the side, wondering where the photographer was when a door opened on the
other side of the room.
The man was beautiful. He had black hair that covered his eyebrows and complimented his milky
skin. His sharp eyes seemed to penetrate into anyone who dares to look at him and his pink lips
that looked slightly chapped but so soft and so kissable. He wore a black button up that hugged
his body in all right ways, tight slacks that accentuated his figure, a body like that could rival
Mingyu's.
The man walked up to the model and Mingyu gaped at him. He was a few centimeters shorter
than the model and Mingyu found that very attractive.
"The name's Jeon Wonwoo, I'm your photographer for today." The man-- Wonwoo, raised his
hand as an offering. Mingyu immediately clasped his hand tightly between his own, "Kim Mingyu,
thanks for working with me." Mingyu replied, easily finding the words to say.
Wonwoo laughed and it was the best sound he has ever heard in his life (somewhere in his mind,
he told himself that his moans would sound better, but he shook it away). "I should be saying
that. But anyway, you've been waiting for a while now. Let's start."
Mingyu smirked and nodded, slowly, sensually taking off his robe. He wondered what Wonwoo
would look like if he was flustered. What would Wonwoo look like under him? How would he
sound? What would he taste like? He looked over his shoulder as he walked towards the bed in
slow steps. Wonwoo was already holding his camera, looking straight at him. It's only the start,
baby. He thought as he sat down on the sheets.
Mingyu spread his legs apart, leaning forward and clasping his hands in front of him. He gazed
sexily at Wonwoo under his eyelashes then looked straight to the camera, smirking when he
hears Wonwoo gasp slightly. Wonwoo kneeled in front of him, making Mingyu look down on
him. Several shots were taken with Wonwoo asking him to do this and that. He bites his lip and
stares straight at Wonwoo, making the latter blush, but Mingyu wasn't done yet.
His heartbeat accelerates when Wonwoo suddenly stands over him.
"Lean back and expose your neck for me, Mingyu." Wonwoo said without missing a beat, and
Mingyu was a bit taken aback. He does it nonetheless. Wonwoo takes pictures of him and he
looks at them from the small screen of his camera. Wonwoo's ears are red and he opens his
mouth to say something but closes it before anything is said.
"Look over there. Pretend that your partner just came in or something." Mingyu smiled
charmingly as he followed Wonwoo's words. Mingyu laughed internally, 'You're affecting him,
Mingyu. He can't take it.'
He took a few pictures before frowning. "Don't look at the camera, Mingyu." The model whined,
turning to look at the photographer. Honestly, right now he was looking at that American boy
and the dinosaur kid talking and he couldn't take it seriously.
"It's a bit awkward, looking at nothing, don't you think?" Mingyu said, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Then look at Hansol and Dino." Wonwoo answered, motioning to the two and tapping his foot
impatiently.
"I tried, it's worse that way."
Wonwoo groaned, raising his hand, motioning for him to stay there. He speedwalks towards the
two and he says something that Mingyu couldn't hear. The two boys look surprised, he heard a
'Wow, really?' from the Dino kid before they both left the studio, bowing as they left.
"Where were we?" Wonwoo said, his voice going a few octaves lower than normal. It was sexy
and Mingyu liked it. And now that the two were alone, Mingyu could perform a few stunts more
freely.
They took a few more pictures with different poses, he stood up at some point, leaning as close
to Wonwoo as he could. He tried to do a few things to make the photographer flustered but
most of them didn't get a response from the smaller man. They took a small break and Wonwoo
handed him a bottle of water. Mingyu tried for small talk but to no avail, it seems that Wonwoo
is the professional type. Though it didn't mean that Mingyu would stop trying.
Mingyu was drinking his water, when all of a sudden, Wonwoo bumped into his hand making the
contents spill on his bare body. Mingyu tensed as the cold water hit his body, rolling down from
his collarbones and down his chest. Mingyu snapped his head up as he heard the camera
clicking. He furrowed his brows at Wonwoo, but he just smiled sweetly, mumbling 'my bad' and
walked towards him.
Wonwoo took the bottle away from him. Then, he pushed Mingyu towards the bed, a slender
hand on his right pectoral. A smirk played on Wonwoo's lips and he looked at Mingyu under his
lashes. The back of Mingyu's knees hit he bed and he sat down. Wonwoo leaned froward and
whispered into his ear, "Let's continue."
Mingyu could feel Wonwoo spreading his legs apart, telling him to puff out his chest, but it was
hard. Epecially that Wonwoo was this close to him. He wanted to touch him, kiss him, throw him
into the matress, anything. Mingyu balled up his hands and did as he was told. Wonwoo leaned
back and tilted his head, as if admiring the view displayed out for him. Wonwoo's hand slid
across his shoulder, up his neck and made it's way into Mingyu's lips, urging them to
open. MIngyu sighed as he opened his mouth for Wonwoo, whining when Wonwoo stepped
back to take pictures.
"Touch yourself." Mingyu's eyes bulged out as his hands shook. Was this guy an exhibitionist?
"I-- What?" Mingyu stuttered out pathetically, hands coming down to cover his cock. This was a
first, Kim Mingyu, was being shy?
"You heard me. They aren't coming out as I wanted them to be. Oh, and don't worry, I won't be
taking any pictures while you do your thing." Wonwoo waved his hand around, looking at the
pictures he took in the small screen of his camera.
Mingyu doesn't know what to do, on one hand, he's a bit uncomfortable with this, and on
another, he's really turned on by this. Mingyu alternates between staring at his half-hard cock,
his hands and Wonwoo, who has his head down. He decides at last.
Wonwoo looked up from his camera and saw Mingyu doing... absolutely nothing.
Wonwoo quietly put his camera down beside Mingyu and stood before the model. Mingyu
startled as Wonwoo towered over him. He looked up at the beautiful man and saw Wonwoo
fighting a smile. It didn't help that the corners of his lips were curved up, making him look very
cute. "Want me to help?" Mingyu was once again, flustered out of his mind. What the hell? His
mind was a mess, but he could feel himself nodding. What the hell.
Wonwoo kneeled down between his legs and spit into his hand, grabbing his cock from the base
on the get-go. With a firm grip, he starts slowly, his pumping gradually going faster, rougher,
from base to tip. Mingyu moans quietly, 'Holy shit, this man, he's perfect' Mingyu thinks as
Wonwoo twists, squeezes and digs his nails on all the right places. And the best thing was,
Wonwoo was looking right at him. His eyes never leaving his and Mingyu can't help but shy away
and want the man even more at the same time. It really wasn't long until Mingyu was fully hard
(it was actually embarassing how quick it stood up) and Wonwoo thumbed his slit one last time
before taking his camera from the bed and took a picture. Mingyu's head was thrown back
exposing his neck, but it wasn't what Wonwoo wanted. "Mingyu." He called, garnering the
distracted male's attention, he quickly snapped a picture as the model looked at him then the
camera. Mingyu had his legs spread apart, he was balancing on his elbows, mouth agape and his
eyes were dilated with lust. Perfect.
Wonwoo walked over and promptly sat on Mingyu's lap, earning a throaty moan. Mingyu lied
down completely as Wonwoo shifted on his lap. Is he trying to kill me? The photographer had his
legs on either side of Mingyu's, so there wasn't much room for moving. Mingyu didn't realize
that he had put his hand on Wonwoo's slim waist until Wonwoo had told him to put them on the
bed. With much difficulty, he pressed them against the mattress and he bent his arm so that his
hand would be touching his lips slightly.
Wonwoo took close ups of his body and responded to Mingyu's grinding with just as much
vigour. It seems that Wonwoo had stopped taking pictures and they were just humping against
each other. Just as Mingyu was going to come, Wonwoo roughly held his hips and slid off them
in one swift motion. Mingyu groaned at the loss and sat up to see Wonwoo walking away,
stopping to look at Mingyu over his shoulder and smirking. "Photoshoot's over. Good job." He
said cockily and left towards the room he came out of earlier.
Mingyu was speechless. Did he just... He ruffled his hair harshly and ran to the door. Oh, Mingyu
was mad, he was mad, angry, pissed off and hard. No one plays with Kim Mingyu like that and
gets away with it. Mingyu's egotistical side is showing up as he grabs his robe on the way to the
room. When he got there, Wonwoo was seriously ready to get the hell out. Black designer bag in
his hand, and an equally expensive looking coat around his shoulders. Mingyu slammed the door
shut and locked it.
He slammed Wonwoo into the door and caged him in, hands on either side of Wonwoo's head.
"What the hell was that?" Mingyu snarled, pushing his face closer to the shorter.
Wonwoo smiled and crinkled his nose and laughed. He threw his head back like it was the most
hilarious thing in the world. "You really don't remember, huh?" Mingyu was taken aback, was
this man crazy?
"Xu Minghao, the photographer on your first naughty photoshoot, the guy you embarrassed in
front of people, is my best friend." Wonwoo explained, finding the strength to push Mingyu and
flip their positions while Mingyu was flabbergasted.
"It's not like it's revenge, honey. I just wanted you to have a taste of your own medicine, but--"
Wonwoo whispered against his lips, barely ghosting over them. "I guess I can help you out a bit."
Wonwoo slid to his knees for the third time that day. He took Mingyu's length in his hand and
licked around the head, pumping his dick at the same time. Wonwoo was quick, after giving the
head a few kitten licks, he swallowed his length in one go. Apparently, Wonwoo was good at
giving head. Mingyu moaned as the heat of Wonwoo's mouth spread and he could feel his eyes
rolling up. Wonwoo's right hand played with his balls while the other pumped the skin that
Wonwoo couldn't swallow. He could feel Wonwoo run his tongue on the underside of his cock.
Mingyu grasped at Wonwoo's hair, hips stuttering as he didn't want to hurt the smaller.
Wonwoo swallowed around his length and Mingyu groans, thrusting into Wonwoo's mouth.
Wonwoo pulls out, releasing the length with a pop. He looked at the beautiful cock in front of
him. Long and arched beautifully, as if it was a piece of art. The head was like a flower blooming,
and it was definitely big.
"Don't hold back." Wonwoo said, voice rough due to his abused throat. He opened his lips
gingerly, looking at Mingyu with half-lidded eyes. Mingyu lost all self control as he grabbed
Wonwoo's head with both hands and pushed his length down Wonwoo's throat. He looked
down on him, their eyes never leaving each others. Mingyu's hips rapidly increased in speed and
his rhythm was all over the place. Wonwoo knew he was nearing his end.
"Ugh-- Wonwoo." He said, trying to pull out, but Wonwoo grabbed his hips and he came down
Wonwoo's throat with a groan. Wonwoo swallowed everything and stood up. This look on
Wonwoo was probably the best: unkempt hair, lust-blown eyes, red lips that were begging to be
kissed. Wonwoo wrapped his arms around Mingyu's shoulders.
Mingyu's eyes travelled down to his lips and saw that it was slowly coming towards his own.
Mingyu closed his eyes, waiting for sparks to fly. He could feel Wonwoo's breath on his lips and it
was like every weight was lifted.
No, literally, there were no arms around his neck, there was no lips on his lips. He opened his
eyes to see Wonwoo grabbing his bag and smirking.
"It was nice working with you, Kim Mingyu." He purred before he bolted out the door.
Mingyu fell off the door as Wonwoo opened it with renewed strength. He chose to just lie there
instead of running after him because what was the point? A few minutes later he dressed
himself up and went down the elevator. He found Jeonghan outside, waiting for him. Mingyu
sighed as he got ready for questions but there were none.
They got into the car simultaneously, Jeonghan driving and Mingyu sulking in the back. He was
probably not going to see Wonwoo ever again. He sniffed as the car went into stop. Jeonghan
passed him a piece of paper. Mingyu was confused but he took it. On it, was a phone number.
Not only was it a phone number, it was Jeon Wonwoo's number.
"Jeonghan, how did you--" Jeonghan cut him off by raising his hand.
"Look, Mingyu, I don't know what you guys did in there. But when the guy went out, he was
blushing really hard and he was shaking. I didn't know if I should give you this because he could
have been a fanatic, you know? I didn't even want to accept it but then Jisoo accepted it for me,
so I kind of had to do it." Jeonghan explained, looking at Mingyu and the piece of paper
questionably.
The next moments were the most confusing to Jeonghan. Mingyu jumped up and down in his
seat in joy, screaming and cheering so loud that the cars around them could hear it. Jeonghan
just started driving again.
Once Mingyu calmed down, the damn cocky smile was back unto his face. He sighed happily and
said to Jeonghan, "Get me a schedule with him again, a one-on-one session this time."
Jeonghan groaned.
Best Thing In My Life

Description
Just when Mingyu decided to leave...
... Wonwoo was there to stop him.
After 5 years...
"When I tell you I love you, I don't say it out of habit or to make conversation.
I say it to remind you that you're the best thing that happened to me."

This week is a very busy week for all the senior students who will be graduating at the end
of the week and the same goes for Jeon Wonwoo, the vice president of class 4-A and is
known to have a very quiet persona since he barely talk except when he's with his friends.
Wonwoo was picking up some book from his locker when a certain giant came and leaned
against the locker next to Wonwoo. "Hey babe." The tall male greeted. Wonwoo sighed
before closing his locker and look at the other boy. "Will you please stop calling me
names?" Wonwoo stated as glared at the boy but the other just chuckled before pushing
Wonwoo to the locker his left hand on Wonwoo's waist and the other is placed on the
locker beside Wonwoo's head and his face was just an inch away from Wonwoo's. "Why
would I, princess?” The tall male asked as he stared at Wonwoo's eyes. "Because I hate it."
Wonwoo replied as he also stares at the other like they're having an eye staring contest.
"And will you please move away, Kim Mingyu-ssi." Wonwoo added. "Feisty, aren't we?"
Mingyu smirked. Kim Mingyu, known to be the hottest guy in the campus and he's the
class "President" of class 4-A along Wonwoo. And everybody knows that he has his eyes
over Jeon Wonwoo. He got closer to Wonwoo, pressing the other's body in between his
body and the locker before whispering at Wonwoo. "I'll see you in class honey." He
breathed out some hot air to Wonwoo's ear sending shiver to the male. Mingyu left after
planting a kiss at Wonwoo's earlobe. The commotion made the other girls squeal in
delight as they saw the two God-like creatures together. Wonwoo sighed before heading
to his class.

As Wonwoo entered their classroom he slumped to his seat and rests his head at his desk.
"Tough morning?" Asked Soonyoung, his best friend. "Kill me now, please." Wonwoo
mumbled. "It's lover boy, isn't it?" Jeonghan, another best friend oh him asked. "Why
don't you just go out with him?" Soonyoung suggested. "Yup, it' been a year. Give the boy
a chance." Jeonghan stated. "It's not like you didn't like him back." Jeonghan added.
Wonwoo raised his head and turn his head to the side and saw Mingyu smirking at him
as the taller talk at his friends. "Why would I like someone like him?" Wonwoo scoffed
before knocking his head straight into his desk once again. "We know that you have hots
for the guy." Both Jeonghan and Soonyoung tease, but even before he could hit his friends
their homeroom teacher entered making all the students settle down to their seats same
for Mingyu who is seated beside Wonwoo, what a luck. "Greetings." Mingyu stated and all
stood up and bowed at their teacher. "Good Morning Mr. Kim." They all greeted. And so
the class goes on with the usual scenario which means Mingyu harassing Wonwoo, well
not really, only for Wonwoo.

Soon they all graduated. Wonwoo, Jeonghan, and Soonyoung together with Seungcheol
and Woozi, Jeonghan's and Soonyoung's boyfriend and Mingyu's friends, which means
Mingyu's coming to, decided to celebrate together after the ceremony. "Wonwoo,
someone is waiting for you outside." One of their classmates told Wonwoo. "Wait for me
here guys; I'll see who it is." Wonwoo stated before heading outside. But when he got
outside he saw no one. As he turned to go back he bumped to someone. "You?" Wonwoo
asked looking at the tall male skeptically. "Congrats." Mingyu greeted the other. "You too."
Wonwoo replied. Mingyu pulled something out of his pocket and showed it to Wonwoo.
"What's that?" Wonwoo asked raising his right eyebrow. "Necklace." Mingyu answered.
"I know that idiot but-" Before he could he even finish what he's saying, Mingyu come
closer to his and place the necklace into Wonwoo's neck. "I want you to keep this so you
won't forget about me." Mingyu started. "I'm sorry for being annoying. When you go to
college don't talk with other boys, alright? Just go to library and read there at the corner
so no one will see your beauty." Mingyu added. Wonwoo looked at the other and he saw
Mingyu's face fell with eyes starting to tear up. "Why are you like that?" Wonwoo asked
confusedly. "I'm leaving. I'm going to overseas to continue my studies." Mingyu
explained. "I'm going to miss you." Mingyu brushed Wonwoo's cheeks with his thumb and
Wonwoo frowned. "I'm going, goodbye."Mingyu smiled bitterly at the other before
turning his back.

"Don't leave!" Wonwoo hugged Mingyu from behind. Mingyu was shocked at the other's
reaction. "If it's because of me, I'm sorry, I won't do it again. How do I make it up to you?"
Wonwoo stated as he cried at Mingyu's back. Mingyu turned around and hugged the
crying boy, caressing his hair. "I'm sorry is a statement, I won't do it again is a promise,
how do I make it up to you is a responsibility." Mingyu replied. "Goodbyes hurt when the
story is not finished and the book has been closed, and ours haven't begun yet." Wonwoo
started still crying and hugging the tall male so tight. "What do you mean?" Mingyu asked
confusedly. He cupped Wonwoo's cheeks and look at his swollen eyes. “I like you too,
idiot. I scoff when people say your name, like it doesn't bother me but in reality my heart
skip a beat." Wonwoo replied. Mingyu cannot believe what he just heard, he was beyond
happy that Jeon Wonwoo, the boy he's been eyeing likes him back. "Do you really mean
it?" Mingyu asked and Wonwoo nods his head. "So don't leave. I'll do anything for you."
Wonwoo added. "I'm sorry but I have too." Mingyu frowned. "But if you really want to
make it up to me, promise me something." Mingyu added. "What is it?" Wonwoo asked.
"Marry me; promise to marry me after I come back."Mingyu replied. He didn't have
Wonwoo's answer instead he was pulled by the other into a kiss. Their first kiss

After 5 years...

"Honey, I'm home.” The 23 year old Kim Mingyu shouted as he entered their house. Yes
he was married. He studied four years abroad before coming back and now he's the
successful CEO of the Kim Corp. and is married to the most beautiful and sexy wife
according to him. Usually his "wife" would be waiting for him after work but today was
different; there was no sign of wife so he head to their room to see if his princess fell
asleep. As he opened the door he saw his lovely wife lying in their bed. He eyed his wife
hungrily since his wife was wearing one of his white button up shirt and a very short shorts
exposing those beautiful, smooth, milky thighs and the two buttons of the shirt was
unbuttoned, sexy collarbones were peeking. Mingyu locked the door behind him and
removed his coat placing it on the chair. He walked towards their bed and crawl to the
sleeping beauty. He started placing light kisses to his wife's neck down to the collar.

"You're already home?" His wife asked half-asleep, since the later was awakened by
Mingyu's kisses. "Hey, babe." Mingyu kissed the other's lips. "Have you eaten? Want me
to warm up the food?" His wife asked. "No need. I'd rather have you tonight." Mingyu
wiggled his eyebrows as he groped his wife's ass. "Yah! Kim Mingyu!" His wife whined
and pouted. "Yes, Kim Wonwoo." Mingyu replied kissing the pout into Wonwoo's lips.
Yes, he was married to Jeon Wonwoo who's now Kim Wonwoo. "Wash up, you stink."
Wonwoo suggested pushing his husband up. "Later, it'll be waste. Let me do you first."
Mingyu smirked as he loosened up his tie throwing it on the floor. He began with
Wonwoo's neck, marking it with his hands going inside Wonwoo's shirt. Wonwoo felt his
husband's hands into his stomach going to his chest. He let out sexy moans when Mingyu
pinched one of his nipples. "Gyu~" He grabbed Mingyu's shoulder. Mingyu kissed
Wonwoo so hard as he unbuttoned the shirt his wife was wearing.

Mingyu entered his tongue into Wonwoo's hot cavern. He pulled out and a string of saliva
connects their lips. Mingyu pulled Wonwoo up to remove everything he's wearing and laid
him down again. He kissed Wonwoo's collars going down to the perky nipples. Mingyu
didn't waste time and licks Wonwoo's right nipple, sucking it as he played with the other.
"Mmm~" Wonwoo moaned in pleasure. Mingyu kissed and mark every inch of his body
made his way to Wonwoo's leaking hole. Mingyu lick his hole and played it with his tongue
as he stares at Wonwoo's eyes not breaking the eye contact.

Wonwoo grabbed the sheets, he felt too high as his husband give him pleasure. Mingyu
stopped for a while earning a whine from Wonwoo. Mingyu removed his clothes, revealing
his toned abs and his huge member, throwing his clothes to the floor. "Suck this for me
baby." Mingyu brought up three fingers into Wonwoo's mouth and the other does so. After
licking it well, Mingyu brought his fingers into Wonwoo's hole and played with it. "Ming~
ah~" Mingyu kissed him as he entered the first digit. "Ah~ Nggg~" Wonwoo moaned.
"Fuck, you made me so hard babe." Mingyu growl as he entered all the three fingers.
"Mingyu~" "Tell me what you want princess." Mingyu smirked as he fucks Wonwoo with
his fingers, hitting his sweet spot. "Please~ nggg~" Wonwoo moaned. "Please, what babe."
Mingyu was torturing the other. "I'm near~ Please fuck me~" Wonwoo begged since he's
limits are near. "As you wish princess." Mingyu smirked and removed his fingers earning
a whine from the man beneath him. He positioned himself as he slowly pushed his
member inside. "Ahhh~""You're so tight babe~" Mingyu moaned and pushed his whole
member inside. He thrust slowly at first before thrusting like a beast. "Hnggg~" Wonwoo
grabbed Mingyu's hair. "I'm near~" Wonwoo stated. "Let's do it together babe." After a
few more thrust, Mingyu come inside Wonwoo and his on Mingyu's stomach. Wonwoo
panted heavily, trying to catch his breath same goes for Mingyu.

After the hot, steamy love making, the two baths together, and maybe just maybe they
had another couple of rounds in there. After showering the couple was lying at their bed,
naked bodies covered by the duvet. Wonwoo was resting his head in Mingyu's chest,
playing with their fingers. "I love you." Mingyu stated as he kissed Wonwoo's head.
Wonwoo looked up, "I know, you've told me so many times." He replied "When I tell you
I love you, I don't say it out of habit or to make conversation. I say it to remind you that
you're the best thing that happened to me." Mingyu stated as he stares lovingly at Wonwoo
"I love you too." Wonwoo smiled and placed a kiss on Mingyu's jaw before snuggling back
to his husband and both of them drift into dreamland with a smile on their faces. Marrying
each other was the best thing that ever happened to them.