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Once more he runs through the choreography, watching himself through the mirror critically. He’s been at it a couple hours just to blow off some steam. (He’s aware he needs to take a break but he just needs to get this one move down pact.)
“Minghao! We’re going out to grab some snacks, do you want anything?” Soonyoung calls out by the door with Chan by his side. They got bored of practicing a while ago talking about how they’re too hungry to focus anymore.
Walking over to where his bag lays he picks up his phone to turn off the music and sits against the cold wall out of breath. “Yeah actually, some gatorade would be nice.” He didn’t really feel like eating, he was more focused on not dying of thirst first.
“Yeah well you should eat as well so we’ll grab a banana or two for you as well, hyung. What flavor gatorade do you want?” Chan says with a grin. Why are all his friends so nice? He has the best of friends.
“I want raspberry, Channie, thanks.” He smiles in gratefulness. When the door shuts behind them he scrolls through his phone in silence. He debates texting Jun or Wonwoo but he’s too tired to have a proper conversation so he sticks to dog videos.
His mind can’t help but to wonder back to Mingyu. It’s been about two weeks since their impromptu talk and he can’t help but to feel a little bad. He wishes he could say that he wasn’t actively ignoring him but he knew that wasn’t really the case.
At first he was actually busy with work and his classes. He’s always wanted to save up enough money to be financially stable at a young age and still live comfortably. He knew that he was becoming a workaholic, it wasn’t a good thought. He wanted to have fun. So, he’d always be down to have fun with his friends whenever asked or had the time.
He wasn’t as busy now though. He spent his days more or less out of the house with his roommates and friends. Yesterday, they went to eat with their group of 7 and for some reason he couldn’t help but think how things would be if Mingyu had joined them.
Really, at first he was excited to talk to Mingyu again. Then as the days went by he began to think that he’s already messed everything up. That Mingyu would think of him as some kind of flake and not want to be friends with him, and that really wasn’t him. He’s embarrassed.
When Chan and Soonyoung come back with their hands full they eat and hydrate themselves and they go through everything once more. They’ve been working on all kinds of old and new choreographies for their new youtube channel called Triple∞. They’ve been working hard to make everything perfect the past week and he’s excited to see how everything will play out. The thought makes him double his efforts.
It’s close to 12 am when he finally gets home. Not thinking anyone would be up or in the living room he planned on just knocking out on the couch after a movie or two. Walking through his door he drops his bag and takes off his shoes to only collapse on the couch not noticing Wonwoo laying on the couch.
Wonwoo sighs, “Rough day?” He can only nod. “I’d say come here but you stink, take a shower and then we can talk about it.” he smiles.
It’s when he gets out of the shower that he feels rejuventated, the coldness finally waking him up. He throws on a pair of red pair of sweats and a white tee and collapses back on the couch, this time with Wonwoo waiting for him.
“It wasn’t a rough day really, the opposite really, spent half the day in the studio with Channie and Soonyoung. We made a lot of progress, i’m excited.” He smiles at the end.
Wonwoo ruffles his hair, “Well, i’m glad. Did you eat? You know a bag of chips doesn’t count Haohao.”
“Yeah i ate, but it was way earlier, we went to a small cafe. Then i ate a banana not too long ago so i’m not that hungry. You’ve eaten as well right?” Gosh he loves his friends.
“Yeah, Junnie and I ate. Anyway, guess what happened to us today little Hao.” He sings out. This only means something that was out of the ordinary happened. He’s suddenly nervous.
“What? Did you guys finally get married without telling me?” He teases only to get a big slap on his shoulder.
“Shut up, no not yet but anyhow,” He adds the second part a little quieter. “We saw someone.” He says in this annoying mysterious voice.
“Jesus?” He laughs out and Wonwoo moans.
“You know, our neighbours are actually kinda hot. One came over today asking for some flour or some shit but i think it was just some excuse. He asked if i was you, actually.” Wonwoo looks at him with this pointed look.
He can’t help the red that slowly over takes his face because, GOD, that’s kind of embarrassing and he hates it.
Wonwoo continues with a teasing smile on his face, “You know, being the kind people we are we invited him into our home for some food. He said that he had met someone by the name of Minghao, asked if he was here. Told him that you had left an hour ago, and get this, he looked actually kind of disappointed!”
He hides his face in shame because his neighbour seemed to have no sense of shame. He can’t help the little flutter in his chest.
“Anyway, before he left he told us that his name was Mingyu and that we were always invited to their home. He seems nice so maybe we will soon,” He muses at the end. “You should talk to him. Don’t think i don’t know that you’ve been avoiding that. What’s going on in your head now, hm?”
Sighing, he admits, “I just feel shitty for not talking for him, he probably went outside everyday hoping to talk to me and i wasn’t there and i feel like some huge jackass! It’s embarrassing.”
Wonwoo looks at him in pity. “It’s not fair for the both of you guys. You’re feeling shitty and he feels like he’s done something right,” and he knows he’s right. “How about you go over there and apologize, it’ll make the both of you guys feel better, right?”
Once again he knows he’s right but anxiety squeezes his chest at the thought of going over there and failing at life and Wonwoo must have noticed, reaching out to rub his shoulder. “Hey, don’t put too much pressure on yourself, he came over here looking for you right? He wants to see you! Wouldn’t it be nice to finally put a voice to a face?”
He sighs in defeat. “Why do you have to be filled with so much wisdom? You’re right, i’ll go over there...what do i say?” he bites his lips.
Wonwoo smiles brightly at him, “Just apologize, and if everything goes good take him out! Go get em’ tiger!”
Getting up Wonwoo gives him a brief hug and then stretches. “I’m going to sleep now, Haohao. Don’t stay up too late!”
Pauses he says, “Hey Wonwoo, did you stay up to see me in?’
“Of course i did you idiot, now goodnight!”
Now, usually he isn’t this dense. At least he thinks. There aren’t that many times where things have just flown over his head without him noticing. This might just take the cake though.
It’s when he just got done making cookies that he realized the conversation he and Wonwoo had last night. He is supposed to go over their neighbour’s home today and apologize for being an idiot.
After an hour or so on the couch ravaging his brain, going over numerous options, he decides on bringing a present of some sort, but what? The first thing that comes to mind is bringing a basket of home made cookies...but by now the cookies he made earlier would surely be cold. Maybe a cake, or is that too extra? He wants something easy and sweet.
Walking into the kitchen he rummages through the cabinets for something that fits his idea but he only finds home baked cookie packages and really that isn’t a bad idea.
There’s only chocolate, peanut butter, and oatmeal and he wants to fight whoever was in charge of buying these because none of these were his favorite. This wasn’t about him though so he picks out what everyone likes and the easiest direction to go. He grabs the chocolate mix.
He finds himself in front of their neighbours’ door an hour later in only a hoodie and some shorts with a basket of cookies in his arms, and really, he could of at least made a better attempt but he’s here now.
He’s hit with a sudden wave of nerves. Vaguely aware of the sun hitting the back of his head he knocks on the door three times. Deciding there’s no use of being nervous he puts on a smile he knows is charming as the door opens.
He’s met with a tall man who looks about the same age as he is wearing a dark blue track fit that suits the color of his skin nicely. His first thought is ‘Is this Mingyu?’ and he’s suddenly nervous.
He’s then hit with a blinding smile that almost makes him want to advert his eyes because a smile shouldn’t look that bright….like ever. “Hey, need something?” the man says, standing right in the doorway.
It’s now or never.
Smiling at the man he reaches his hand out for him to shake, carrying the basket in one hand. As he shakes it he smiles even more and says, “My name’s Minghao, i’m your neighbour...are you Mingyu?” adding the last part with a small grin.
“Oh! You must be Minghao, wow, you’re cute. My name is Seokmin though! I live with Mingyu. Want me to go get him?” he suggests with a wink.
Flushing suddenly, he wants to slap himself for being so stupid. “I’d like that.” he nods a little dumbly.
Seokmin then turns around and hollers for Mingyu to come to the door and then turns back around and winks at him once more and smile deviously before leaving.
The wind is blowing harshly by the time another person comes into the doorway and he can’t help but smile brightly because ‘wow, he’s gorgeous and he suddenly wants to turn right back around and pretend this never happened.’
He almost does it too until the man in the doorway sticks out his hand to shake. The man smiles, ‘Seriously will everything be cute with him?!?”
“My name’s Mingyu. You’re Minghao, i’m guessing?” Mingyu says with another dazzling smile. It’s then he realizes that Mingyu doesn’t have a shirt on and he’s sure that his face is beat red now.
Stuttering, “Y-yeah, I’m Minghao. It’s nice to finally put a voice to a face..” he says quickly and remembers the cookies. Holding them out he says with a smile because mama ain’t raise no quitter he says, “These are for you. I’m sorry.”
Mingyu laughs, “For what? Thank you though!” taking the basket from him gently. “Wow, these smell so good.” he moans and makes a sound that almost sounds like a squeal.
Really, if he didn’t have a crush before he definitely has one now because that was seriously just too cute. “I’m sorry for not talking to you as i told you we would. At first i was busy with work and school but then…” he drawls off.
Mingyu grins, “But….” and scratch that, Mingyu is a jerk and he shall not waste his time with immature people. He turns around to leave but he puts his hand on his elbow.
“You felt bad for making me wait to see your face? Yeah you should be ashamed, what did i ever do to you!” he whines childishly.
Minghao laughs and looks down, “Yeah, i’m sorry. How about i make it up to you over dinner?” and smiles shyly, meeting Mingyu’s bright smile.
“Yeah, i’d like that.”