Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

There’s a ring from Hyungwon’s phone the moment he got to the door of his new place.

It’s a text from Hoseok that he needs to hurry up and get back to the office because the director needs them.

Hyungwon puts his phone away to drag his suitcases into the apartment.

It’s a new place to live in the new city.

Hyungwon finally has a proper place to live in after moving to the new city with his best friend Hoseok since 3 months ago. It was an impulsive decision to just grab the offer to work under the renowned architect they both had looked up to so Hyungwon has to admit he really hadn’t planned his accomodations properly. And for this new place, he has his best friend’s boyfriend to thank.

And said boyfriend is showing him the place in the morning, after he called in to work to say he’ll be late because he needed to move his stuff into the new apartment he’s renting.

“Okay, so just put your stuff there, and take a look around first if you want.” Kihyun—Hoseok’s one and only (his words), Hyungwon wants to barf at it—says, shuffling around and rearranging stacked books on the coffee table in the living room.

Hyungwon huffs with his heavy suitcase and finally takes in the apartment. Good thing the owner is Kihyun’s uncle, which means procedures are easy, and the place is as good as Kihyun vouched for.

Kihyun mentioned something about his uncle renting the place to people only cause he didn’t want the apartment to be empty, so Hyungwon’s getting a really cheap rent for a good apartment.

“Gosh, does he not clean when he knows someone is moving in?” Kihyun mumbles to himself, rearranging the pillows on the couch. His movements are quick and practiced, and Hyungwon thinks Hoseok once mentioned how particular Kihyun could be about cleanliness and orderliness.

The TV is left on on very low volume, Hyungwon finds, a documentary on marine creatures showing and he can hear the narrator. Speaking softly as if the narrator is also underwater with the creature.

“Male humpback whales repeat each others songs and add to them so they become ever more complex and beautiful, showing off their memory and sheer volume…”

On the screen are two whales underwater, swimming—as if dancing and drawn by the blues, the almost otherworldly tune softly echoing in the living room, Hyungwon’s entranced for a minute there by their languid movements.

“… the sounds they make are considered to be a song due to—”

The screen is off; Kihyun has the remote in his hand.

“He doesn’t even turn off the tv,” Kihyun sighs, putting the remote away, and shaking his head subtly, his light orange hair shakes softly with his movement.

Swallowing a lump in his throat, Hyungwon turns away from the now blank screen to look around.

The apartment is bright, and spacious, probably due to the open space concept, Hyungwon notes. The kitchen seems clean, and one wall in the living room is soft, bright yellow. There’s that huge flat screen tv and to be honest Hyungwon can’t see himself sitting there and watching the tv.

He’s just never really the type to sit down and watch the tv. His entertainment has always been on the internet anyway, and he doubts he’d ever have the time to lounge around watching tv.

“Looks good, right?” Kihyun inhales deeply as he stands beside Hyungwon, hands on his hips. He’s looking around too, as if it’s his first time there.

“Wait, it’s not your first time here, right?”

Kihyun blinks and laughs a little. “No, I told you I’ve been here a lot of times. My best friend lives here.”

Right.

Kihyun did mention that this best friend of his knew his uncle. And apparently his uncle liked him enough to rent him the place for a good price too. In exchange for the guy taking care of the place and maintaining life in the apartment while his uncle is probably living in a mansion somewhere—or at least, that’s how Hyungwon imagines it.

Hyungwon thinks, the downside of moving in here is; he’s getting a roommate. But the thought of having a roommate is outweighed by the better condition, and the strategic apartment complex in the city. He gets the parking space— that’s great right? He doesn’t have to park at the side of streets anymore, plus, there’s that great huge convenience store nearby, and it’s easier to get to work from here. The traffic isn’t as bad with the new route from this apartment.

Hyungwon nods to himself subtly. Yes, it’s better living here than the old, one roomed, roach ridden flat he had hastily rented when he arrived in the new city. For some reason the floor was always sticky even after he wiped them clean. He shudders just thinking about it. Good riddance.

“Okay, so I guess your roommate is not home, he’s working, it’s weekday after all.” Kihyun starts talking again, gesturing for Hyungwon to follow him. He seems a little excited to show Hyungwon the place. “You wanna see your room?”

“Sure.” Hyungwon answers. Since he has to get back to work soon, he just wants to dump all his things in his room and leave. The project needs him. The director needs him.

He’s only in the beginning of his career and honestly it’s the only thing he wants to focus on now.

The hallway is a little darker than the rest of the house, as the two friends walk through it. There are two doors opposite of each other, another at the end. Kihyun gestures to the door at the end of the hall.

“Storage room, and here opposite of each other, two bedrooms, with a bathroom each so no problem with taking turns.” Kihyun chuckles, grabbing the doorknob and turning it. “Trust me, Hoseok takes so long in the morning, you wouldn’t want to share a bathroom with anyone ever again.”

“Ugh, tell me about it,” Hyungwon agrees, thinking back to the times he and Hoseok shared hotel rooms for work trips and sometimes he found himself wishing he would have waken up early just to avoid being tardy. Because Hoseok takes so long in the morning.

That’s a wild wish that’s very Un-hyungwon.

The door to the bedroom opens with a soft click as Kihyun pushes the door open wide, stepping aside to let Hyungwon look into the room.

His new bedroom is bright. The curtains white, the walls white, the bare mattress white. If only he could just plop on the bed and never wake up, he really wants to, but he has a job to get back to. How dreadful.

“The previous tenant moved out months ago so this bedroom has been unoccupied for some time.” Kihyun says absentmindedly following Hyungwon’s gaze as Hyungwon examines the space. “Nice?” Kihyun then asks expectantly, like he doesn’t want Hyungwon to be disappointed with his recommendation to rent his uncle’s apartment.

“Nice.” Hyungwon offers a small smile, holding in a yawn.

Kihyun grins. As if he hasn’t had a moment of doubt that Hyungwon would like the place. Hoseok loves a very confident man, Hyungwon finds himself thinking, who doesn’t like to be disagreed with.

But then, there wasn’t a need to lie after all. His own bedroom is good, it looks clean, ventilation seems okay, he realizes, looking at the windows. The view is nice, plus, no smell of food getting stuck on his clothes, bedsheet and practically everywhere.

He can get used to this.

“So, your roommate, he’s—well, nice and all. Things won’t be awkward, I guarantee you.” Kihyun walks out of the room again and helps Hyungwon with his things. And he huffs and makes heaving noises as he picks them up.

Kihyun is a petite man with fiery hair—usually hurled around in Hoseok’s crushing hugs, so Hyungwon  starts to feel a little bad he’s trying to help with moving.

He’s so small, carrying one of the big suitcase with a grunt. Hyungwonis beginning to think that should have asked for Hoseok to come along instead. Hoseok, the man who dreads skipping a workout session at the gym, wouldn’t have let Kihyun lift even a feather.

Hyungwon smirks at the thought of it, on a second thought, Kihyun is too spoilt, let him do this.

“What are you smiling about?” Kihyun suddenly eyes him suspiciously, watching him picking up his other suitcase.

“Nothing, just excited to have a roommate, I guess.” Hyungwon lied.

Kihyun scoffs. “And here I thought you dreaded a roommate. I thought you’d want to live alone.”

“Hey, I went to college.” Replies Hyungwon indignantly. “I shared a room with people before. Plus, the rent is cheaper this way.” Hyungwon shrugs as they dragged everything into the room.

It’s so tiring already. And it’s not even noon yet.

“Yeah, but this guy was my roommate in college, I was so glad I’m rid of him—I mean,” Kihyun stops himself, “I know he’s a good person so there’s nothing to worry about. Yeah.”

Hyungwon narrows his eyes at the smaller man. The ‘ yeah ’ at the end didn’t sound very convincing.

“Did you just set me up to share an apartment with a psycho?”

“Wow, Hyungwon, why do you have so many stuff?”

Hyungwon rolls his eyes. If he doesn’t have to rush back to work soon he would have considered looking for a new place to stay, because Kihyun seems to have set him up to live with a bad roommate.

“I have to get back to work, thanks for showing me the way, Kihyun.” He just dismisses the previous thought as he looks at his watch, and takes out his car key as a ready sign to go.

“Sure thing,” Kihyun pats the suitcases, making sure everything’s there. “Oh, can you give me a ride to work too?”

At the same time Hyungwon’s phone rings with a text. It’s Hoseok asking him if he’s kind enough to send Kihyun to his workplace on his way back.

Of course.

“Sure.”

“Here you go.” Hyungwon places a paperbag on Hoseok’s desk on his way to his own.

“Whoa, Kihyunnie made me lunch?” Hoseok beams, quickly looking into the paper bag happily.

Hyungwon sighs as he sits on his chair, leaning back in his seat tiredly. “Yeah. I didn’t even notice he brought it with him when I first picked him up.”

“Make sure Hoseok eats every grain.” Kihyun had rather warned Hyungwon in the car when they arrived at his workplace. When Hyungwon had nodded uninterestedly Kihyun held on to the apartment keys. “Every. Grain.” It was only when Hyungwon voiced out a yes sir that he received the apartment keys, the passcode too, and a smiley Kihyun waved goodbye as he ran into the hospital where he works.

“Aw, the sausages are little octopus.” Hoseok coos, the lunchbox open on his desk already.

It almost has Hyungwon cringing when Hoseok’s taking a picture of the lunchbox and sending a recording of his voice saying ‘ My Kihyunnie is the best’ before the director came and hit him on the hed with a rolled up blueprint.

“Don’t eat at your desk, go to the pantry,” The director says, at the man’s lovey dovey behaviour in the office.

Hyungwon catches Hoseok’s alarmed gaze and just shakes his head, couldn’t help but smile at the older too.

“I’m sorry director.” Hoseok chuckles a little, scratching his head and bowing in his seat.

The director shakes his head dismissively before going to Hyungwon’s desk. “Here’s the blueprint for the previous project, you can take it as reference,” He says before leaving.

“Thank you Mr. Kim,” Hyungwon mutters eventhough the man had already left.

Examining the now unrolled blueprint in his hand, Hyungwon can’t help but let his smile grow a little wider. This is the sole reason he moved. Getting the offer to work under the renowned architect was a dream come true, and actually working under him is just living the dream. Hyungwon’s excited to be able to refer to the man’s work first hand, just thinking of all the experience he’s getting for working under the three times awarded architect makes him all jittery.

“Hey, you wanna have lunch together? We can share.” Hoseok whispers, pointing at his lunchbox.

The young architect waves a hand in the air without looking at the older, already absorbed in his work. “I’ve had a sandwich on my way here.”

“Oh, okay.”

He turns on the screen of his computer and started drafting. Hoseok doesn’t talk even when he returns, already resuming work. The firm got a huge project that was one of the director’s dream to work on, and being the new kids there the two of them knew they had to prove their worth.

So when it’s almost sunset and the director had left, Hoseok is already clearing up his things on the desk, while Hyungwon is still blinking at his screen, his chin on his palm.

“Not done?” Hoseok asks, picking up a duffel bag from under his desk.

Hyungwon hums a negative.

“Don’t stay too late.”

Hyungwon eyes the duffel bag. “And where are you going?”

“To the gym, and then home.” Hoseok answers nonchalantly. “You wanna come?”

The younger co-worker gives him an almost disgusted look. “To the gym? Spare me.” He returns to clicking on his mouse again. He might have gotten teased a little too much back in high school for his overly lean body, but he doesn’t care about that anymore.

“You gotta take care of yourself, you know, Hyungwon.” Hoseok says softly and his voice is genuinely laced with concern. It happens, a lot. Hyungwon learned to ignore it. “Work isn’t everything.”

“I know,” the younger replies, without batting an eye. “I’ll rest when I’m an established architect while you keep on working out.”

Hoseok laughs. “My work for today is done. There’s such a thing as balance for success.”

Hyungwon hums.

Hoseok leaves.

The cleaning lady comes once the sun sets, the lights are turned off, and then Hyungwon’s alone at his desk accompanied only by the light emanating from his computer screen.

The clock is a little after twelve when he finally packs his things and goes home.

There’s a weird feeling he gets driving back to the new apartment where he lives now. A new place to stay always had him feeling this queasy feeling in his stomach like he doesn’t know what to expect. But all he knows is that he now has a proper, good bedroom all to himself, with his own bathroom.

And a roommate.

The dark apartment greets him when he returns, the kitchen sink wet and the other bedroom silent.

He figures his roommate has already gone to sleep. That’s good. Spare him an awkward introduction and greeting; he just wants to sleep.

And that’s exactly what he did. Didn’t even put on the bedsheet, just spread it there on the mattress and wrapped himself in it, still in his work clothes and everything.

It turns into a routine for next week, including the weekend.

“This won’t hold,” The director says in the meeting. “I’m changing the plan, we’re going for a safer alternative.”

Hyungwon’s handed the blueprint again and he looks over it.

The big project is preserving and maintaining an old traditional neighbourhood, and a lot is at stake; especially the director’s reputation, the manager, Bora, has said.

“The budget will need to be adjusted, again,” Hoseok states almost uncertainly and the director merely looks at him.

“Yes, I trust you can handle that?” The director raises his eyebrows and Hoseok meekly lowers his head as he starts cancelling something on his document.

When the meeting ends, both Hyungwon and Hoseok sigh as they got back to their desks.

“Another overtime, I guess.” Hoseok says, flipping through some files.

“Someone’s gonna miss going to the gym three times in a row this week.”

Hoseok whines when he’s reminded of it. “I have to text Kihyun to tell him I’ll probably be home late.”

The older takes out his phone and Hyungwon watches as he frowns sadly.

“Ah,” Hoseok throws his head back in despair. He’s prone to be overdramatic. “Kihyun said he’d cook my favorite for dinner I can’t believe this.”

Hyungwon scoffs. He’s fine just getting some packed food from the convenience store across the street, what did Hoseok have to overreact like that for? (There’s a small nagging voice in the back of Hyungwon’s head that says it’s different. Homecooked meal has always been different. But he ignores it.)

“Hey, how’s the new place?” Hoseok suddenly sits up in his chair, blinking at Hyungwon.

“It’s fine.” To be honest Hyungwon only comes home to sleep. He’s spending most of his time at work.

“That’s good, I told you you can trust Kihyun. You got a roommate, right?”

“Yeah.”

“How is he?”

Hyungwon pauses before he answers. He hasn’t met his roommate yet. And it’s been a week since he moved in. To be fair, he knows his roommate leaves for work earlier than he does, from the sound of the ruckus in the hallway he heard one early morning. And Hyungwon himself comes home later than his roommate.

They never saw each other.

“I haven’t met him yet.”

Hoseok’s jaw drops. “What? You haven’t met the person you’re living with?”

Hyungwon leans back in his chair, crossing his arms together. He feels indifferent despite Hoseok’s surprise. “Yeah, what’s the big deal? We’re just two person living in the same apartment. We don’t need to be all friends and everything. We’re just roommates after all.”

“Okay,” The older lifts a finger like he has an idea to counter the former statement yet he drops it. “But it’s always great to get to know new people.”

“I have work to do, I don’t have time for that.” Hyungwon turns to his computer, slightly giving his back to Hoseok.

It’s a signal the conversation is done.

“It’s a new city, Hyungwon. New friends. You can’t just hang out with me and Kihyun.” Hoseok says in a low voice.

There’s a sound of flipping pages as Hyungwon clicks and clicks on his mouse.

“I’m fine with the few friends I have.” He decides to answer.

It was almost 8 pm when Kihyun comes with paper bags. He had insisted Hyungwon joins them in the pantry to have dinner together.

“Brought dinner to you, when you can’t bring yourself to dinner.” Kihyun mutters as he sets some food containers onto the table.

“Whoa, Kihyunnie is always the best!” Hoseok cheers, already clasping on his chopsticks. He’s looking at his boyfriend with adoring, shimmering eyes that Kihyun just gives him an amused look as he takes off the lids for the containers one by one.

Hyungwon stares at the food revealed disinterestedly. He was at a pace doing his work and Kihyun’s arrival broke it. He hates how Hoseok is so strong that his strength is sometimes used to drag Hyungwon to have a meal after a long day.

However, his stomach grumbles like a betrayal.

“I was right to think both of you skipped lunch.” Kihyun groans as the two starts eating while he just watches.

“This is so good.” Hoseok cries with his mouth full, his eyes glistening with adoration.

Kihyun smiles. “Eat a lot.”

“Thanks, Kihyun,” Hyungwon finally mutters. Finding himself a lot hungrier than he expected.

“Hey, I’m not gonna make this a usual thing, okay?” Kihyun warns, raising a finger and Hyungwon notices it’s only directed to him.

He stopped chewing as his eyes grow wider.“Wha-?”

“It’s already hard to take care of Hoseok-hyung and I’m not gonna try to take care of you too.”

Hyungwon chokes on his rice. “I didn’t even ask for it,” He retorts, putting down the container and gulping on water immediately.

Kihyun scowls. “Get yourself a girlfriend, a boyfriend, or something. They’d take better care of you than yourself.”

The other merely gives him a blank look.

“Don’t give me that look.” Kihyun glares at him, defensive. “You’re in a city away from your parent, learn how to take care of yourself, will you?”

“I am. I’m working for my own success.”

“He’s worried for you, dude.” Hoseok interjects, taking the last of the kimchi. He has that soft, understanding look on his face as he turns to Kihyun. “Aren’t you, babe?”

“Ugh, no.” Kihyun rolls his eyes.

“Also, did you just say I should date someone just so they’d take care of me? Isn’t that called using a person?” Hyungwon finishes the last of his rice. He won’t admit how good Kihyun’s cooking is when Kihyun’s nagging him like this.

Since when was food this good , he suddenly finds himself asking.

“ No , you know what I mean, Hyungwon.”

In the back of his mind there’s a little voice that reminds him he had only been eating convenience store meals the past week.

“Our director’s an old bachelor, and he’s doing fine. A great architect too.”

“Don’t you get lonely?” Hoseok frowns a little.

Hyungwon shrugs. He’s doing okay most of the time. Of course, he’s not against romance, but it hasn’t come and Hyungwon isn’t particularly looking for it either.

“I’m gonna get Minhyuk to take you out or something. Meet people. He has lots of friends.” Kihyun mumbles as he takes Hoseok’s chopsticks and starts tidying up the table. He leaves Hyungwon to tidy his own mess.

“Who’s Minhyuk?” Hyungwon asks absentmindedly as he puts the lid on the now empty containers.

Kihyun immediately falls silent, stops crumpling the napkins Hoseok used in his hands, and stares at Hyungwon in disbelief.

“Minhyuk? Lee Minhyuk? You don’t know Minhyuk?”

Hoseok looks at them two, confused. There’s a brief silence between the three in the dim pantry before he snaps his fingers. “Oh, right, Minhyuk!”

“What?” It’s Hyungwon’s turn to look at the two back and forth. “Who the fuck is Minhyuk?”

“Your roommate!”

Kihyun falls almost dejectedly back in his chair with the most ridiculous look of disbelief on his face. It astounds Hyungwon how surprised people are that he’s not all chummy with his roommate like it’s supposed to be a given thing. “Are you telling me this past week you’ve been living with him and you’ve never asked for his name? Or did you forget?”

“He’s never even met him, yet, Kihyun.” Hoseok adds unhelpfully.

“Oh my god.” Kihyun lifts a hand to his head, looking shocked. But the expression turns accusing in a matter of second, with Kihyun’s orange hair looking like fire as if he’s pissed. “Hyungwon, you’re the worst at human interaction.”

“No, I’m not! I’ve been busy with the new project so I’m barely at home anyway. Our schedules never matched either so, I never seen him. That’s all.”

“Okay, but, not even in the kitchen? The living room?”

Hyungwon still doesn’t understand why this is such a big deal. “Yeah, by the time I got back he’s probably already asleep.”

Kihyun turns to Hoseok like he’s sick, grabbing the man’s arm. “Has Hyungwon been doing overtime that late for that many days?”

Hoseok nods.

“Hyungwon!” Kihyun exclaims and Hyungwon flinches. “You’re gonna work yourself to death, you know that?” He quickly turns back to Hoseok again. “Don’t be like this please, I don’t want you to fall sick, you fall sick so easily as it is.”

Hoseok nods assuringly with a small smile on his face. “With you taking care of me, never.”

Hyungwon’s at loss for words. “It’s fine , I’m still young so I’m using all the energy I have for something I’m passionate about, you know?”

“Yeah, that energy should also be spent to actually experience being young.”

“If being young is being lovey dovey like you two then I’ll pass.”

The couple scoffs.

“When you get your own partner we’ll see how you act.” Hoseok points at him.

Hyungwon hisses, slapping away the accusing finger. It’s such a redundant conversation, he finds. Maybe his college days haven’t been as eventful as other people had hoped for romantically, but he personally doesn’t find that a problem.

“Whatever, I’m leaving.” Kihyun sighs.

“Aw, already?” Hoseok pouts, watching his boyfriend’s every movement as Kihyun gets up and pushes the chair back under the table.

“Well, if you’re gonna do that you can come home with me now, or you can just stay and do your work. Your choice,” Kihyun says without looking at his boyfriend and already packing his things.

“You know this project is important, right? I gotta make a good impression on the director.” Hoseok catches the younger’s hand on the table.

Kihyun sighs at the thumb rubbing his, and smiles at Hoseok. “I know. Tell me when you’re coming back.”

Hoseok grins happily. “Don’t wait up on me though.”

Kihyun only grunts and leaves with no goodbye. The two architects sit with their stomach full in the pantry, recharging after the meal.

Somehow the office feels so much more quieter when it’s just the two of the young architects in there again.

“Why don’t you marry him?” Hyungwon just blurts out as he watches the way Hoseok’s stare lingers at the door even after Kihyun’s exit.

Hoseok turns to him, getting up and stretching his muscly arms. “Planning to. Gotta work hard first.”

Hyungwon’s slightly surprised by the answer, but just shakes his head with a smile.

“Back to work.”

He leaves earlier that night, half past 10 just cause Hoseok forced him to. So Hyungwon visits a bar on his way back just to have a drink.

It’s just there, close to the apartment complex and looks cosy, so he’s automatically drawn to step foot into it.

It’s a rather calm bar, with soft music playing and not too much of a crowd. The lights are white and yellow, the walls dark.

The bartender is a big man with a confused look on his face all the time, Hyungwon observes.

“New in town?” The bartender asks as he serves Hyungwon his drink, managing an awkward smile. “I’ve never seen you before.”

Hyungwon returns the smile, albeit robotically. “Yeah, moved in the apartment right across the street.”

“Oh, yea, you renting?”

“No money to buy a place of my own yet.” Hyungwon shrugs.

“Hyunwoo, by the way.”

“Hyungwon.”

A big hand is offered across the bar, and Hyungwon takes it. Hyunwoo’s handshake is firm and strong. Hyungwon thinks he might follow Hoseok to the gym someday.

Wait, scratch that, it’s too tiring.

“What did you move here for?” Hyunwoo asks, wiping some glasses. The bar is pretty empty—a group of friends just left, and Hyungwon’s the only lone customer without a group so he figured Hyunwoo’s just bored at work and trying to have a chat.

He doesn’t mind.

“Got a new job. It’s with this architect I look up to, so I couldn’t pass that.” Hyungwon chuckles slightly, drinking his scotch.

“That’s nice. Congrats.”

Hyungwon raises his glass and drinks again.

“Have you been around, anywhere? There’s a great park nearby.” Hyunwoo puts away the glasses and takes a bottle of beer for himself, a towel he flips over his shoulder.

“Not really, been busy with work. Plus, I don’t know my way around much.”

“Yeah? Take some time exploring. It’s a great city. Do you know anyone around here?”

“Not really, just a friend and his boyfriend. He moved here recently too.”

“Oh,” Hyunwoo takes out his phone, handing it to Hyungwon. “If you need anything you can call me. I can show you around if you want.”

“That’s… that’s nice of you.” Hyungwon manages a smile, and punches in his number.

“I also have a friend who’s also renting an apartment across the street. We can hang sometime. He’s a good guy.”

Hyungwon blinks. “Yeah?”

Hyunwoo nods, taking the phone from Hyungwon and typing in the name. He looks happy as he looks at his phone intently with a small smile. “Hyungwon, right?”

“Chae Hyungwon.”

The bartender saves the number.

“Anyway, he’s a teacher, so he doesn’t come by this bar often, but we can always share a drink or two together sometimes. I’ll be here.” Hyunwoo inhales a deep breath. “If you want to meet more people, or wanna meet some girls… uh, I can—not me, but my friend can help you with that—”

“It’s fine,” Hyungwon laughs. “I’m not looking into that kind of thing, mostly I’m just focusing on my work.”

“Okay, okay.” Hyunwoo nods, smiling. “Hey, we also play some late night futsal, you can join us sometime.”

“Sure.” Hyungwon doesn’t do any sports since he’s graduated college but whatever, the bartender is trying to make him feel at home, he appreciates that.

He takes out his wallet to pay but Hyunwoo shakes his head.

“It’s on me.”

Hyungwon thanks him and leaves for the night.

Walking on the street back to his apartment, somehow it finally dawned on him he’s living in a new city. With the new  unfamiliar buildings, new streets, unknown shops and cafes. Getting a welcome from a stranger is like a wake up call; this isn’t his hometown, the people here are strangers and maybe Kihyun is right. He should make new friends. To share drinks with at the end of the day. Hang out, do sports. Maybe.

Hyungwon gets a text message from Hyunwoo on his way home.

Welcome to our city. I hope you find this place as good as your hometown.

He saves Hyunwoo’s number and replied a thanks.

In his new home, the lights in the kitchen is still on. And when he gets to the door of his bedroom he hears someone singing in the other room.

He leans in to listen and hears the sound of the shower running.

Minhyuk. Lee Minhyuk.

That’s the name to the voice cracking in the shower. Hyungwon smiles at the thought of that and he doesn’t know why.

When he got into his bedroom he passed out on the bed immediately.

Hyungwon’s mind is running at hundred miles per hour. The side project, a home for a family called for a change in design and with the big project needing attention too, he’s multitasking in an attempt to be more productive.

Hoseok’s no smiley either, he’s focused and serious, quickly getting to the director’s order and calling people here and there along with Bora.

“This is gonna be an all nighter.” Hyungwon mutters to himself, plugging in the usb he just received from his director.

“I know,” Hoseok moans. “Ugh, why did they change the plan anyway?”

“The in-laws are moving in with the family, the client just informed us of it this morning.” Bora comes with a file that she hands to Hoseok. The manager lifts a hand to massage her own head, looking tired.

“In-law business is a messy thing,” Hyungwon says.

“You’re right.” Bora agrees. “Hoseok, get the contractors to change the material for the glass doors, please.”

“Okay okay,” Hoseok sighs, punching in numbers on the telephone on his desk.

They work all throughout the day, and evening. Bora and the director left at 10pm because all the work is just on Hyungwon and Hoseok now. As usual, in the dark office illuminated by the lights at their desks and their computers.

“Hey, it’ll be big if we manage to finish the project you know.” Hoseok suddenly says while drinking his fifth cup of coffee for the day.

“Yeah, just imagine our names there during the completion. It’ll look good on our resume.”

It’s the thought of getting their name out there that kept the two up all night, flipping through documents, changing designs and looking up on materials. Before they knew it, it was dawn and Hyungwon’s eyes are as heavy as a ton of rocks.

“Hey, Kihyun said he’s bringing me a change of clothes and we’re gonna head out to get a quick breakfast. Wanna come?” Hoseok asks as he takes his bag. There are dark circles around his eyes, which, while familiar on Hyungwon’s eyes, is a strange thing to see on Hoseok.

Hyungwon yawns, shaking his head. “Go ahead, I’m just gonna take a nap meanwhile.”

“Do you wanna at least head back home for a while and I don’t know, freshen up?”

Hyungwon looks down at the shirt he’s wearing. It’s his favorite blue shirt. He crosses his arms on the desk, and lays his head on it. “I’ll be fine after a nap.” He mumbles.

“Okay, buddy.” Hoseok sounds uncertain, but he leaves anyway as the sun starts to rise.

Hyungwon’s nap is empty. Just his body trying its best to recharge but the strain on his back proves to be too difficult to ignore and he wakes up half an hour later, stretching the ache in his back and feeling cold in the empty office. It’s so chilly in the morning especially when he’s running low on sleep. It’s as if the morning’s chill just passes through his bones.

He sighs as he looks around. The place is a mess in this chaotic period of the projects. Somehow waking up at this time of a day, still running low on sleep reminds him of all the all nighters he pulled in college, in that studio he and Hoseok spent so much of their time together.

He goes to wash his face at the sink in the pantry and makes himself a cup of coffee before returning to his computer again.

It’s already bright outside and he hears children laughing.

That’s right, it’s Sunday. The director and manager won’t be coming in that day either, so he finds it’s relieving that he can work in peace with no superiors around.

Hoseok comes back looking happy. He’s changed into new clothes and brought some chocolate filled croissants for Hyungwon.

“You shouldn’t have,” Hyungwon mutters, biting into the pastry hungrily.

“I should,” Hoseok says. “Kihyun told me to, too.”

The little food Hyungwon gets fuelled him for a few more hours of intense work, before they both were done for the day, or rather, they kind of sloppily finished everything cause they really needed to sleep. Plus, the manager and director will look over it on Monday, tomorrow, so they’ll fix what they have to after that.

Hoseok says goodbye to him tiredly, impatient to come home to Kihyun and Hyungwon drives slowly on a Sunday afternoon because he might just fall asleep on the road and kill someone.

He made it safely back though, and when he keys in the passcode to the apartment there’s the sound of cooking and smell of something stewing from the kitchen. It smells so good Hyungwon’s stomach grumbled.

“Oh, you just came back?”

An unfamiliar voice greets him.

Hyungwon turns his head to finally meet his roommate who’s in the kitchen. He blinks sleepily, he really wants to sleep but he’s also so hungry with the smell attacking his senses.

“Hi, nice to meet you!” Minhyuk—that’s his name, Hyungwon recalled— bows immediately with a spatula in his hand.

As he smooths down the crumpled apron he’s wearing, he has the widest smile on his face and it’s so bright Hyungwon squints at him to get a better look. Is it possible that someone’s eyes also shine so brightly like that?

“H-hi.” Hyungwon manages to speak out, his throat dry.

Minhyuk scratches his head, his dark hair messy, and damp. Maybe he just got out of the shower, judging from how his skin is glowing healthily.

“I’m Minhyuk, Lee Minhyuk!” he says, his voice a little too loud for the sleep deprived Hyungwon that Hyungwon had to will himself not to flinch at the loud noise. Immediately, Minhyuk seems to notice his discomfort and speaks in a lower voice. He speaks meekly with one hand fisting the hem of the crumpled apron. “Ah, and you are?”

“Chae Hyungwon.” Hyungwon answers, smiling softly because Minhyuk’s voice is soft when he talks in a low voice.

“Right, Hyungwon.” Minhyuk grins, the pan smoking next to him. “Kihyun told me that, I just didn’t remember.” He chuckles.

His chuckle sounds really delightful, like years of happy childhood, Hyungwon finds himself thinking. It may be the lack of sleep and the smoke coming up from the stove but Hyungwon feels heat coming up his cheeks when he thinks about what he’s thinking.

Hyungwon nods, bows a little. “N-nice to meet you.”

Minhyuk tries to bow again before he realizes his chicken is burning and he almost jumps. “My food is burning!” He yelps, quickly lifting the pan and setting it aside.

Hyungwon watches as he’s panicking, turning over the pieces of chicken worriedly and muttering to himself about how this one is okay, this one is a little burnt but it’s okay, ah this one is black but still okay.

He laughs without meaning to and Minhyuk looks up at him with wide, shimmering eyes that’s somehow so pleasant to look at. It’s because of the smoke in the kitchen, Hyungwon convinces himself instead.

“I’m sorry.”

Minhyuk laughs too. “No, it’s okay, it’s okay.” The way he says it sounds so soothing, that Hyungwon believes it’s just a way Minhyuk uses to soothe himself after almost burning his lunch. “Have you had lunch? Did you pull an all nighter at your job? Do you wanna have lunch with me? I cooked enough for us two I think. I can prepare a meal for two.” Minhyuk suddenly starts to speak so quickly, moving around in the kitchen that Hyungwon’s a little dizzy by his words and movements.

The architect shakes his head. “It’s fine, I’m just—I’m just gonna go to sleep. It’s been a long day at work.”

Minhyuk looks at him as he lifts the lid to the rice cooker, his mouth open. “Ah, yeah, yeah, okay. Alright.”

Hyungwon nods, managing a smile again. And it’s awkward as he walks to his room and he feels Minhyuk staring at him.

When he got to his bedroom door he notices Minhyuk is standing at the end of the hallway.

He looks at his roommate expectantly. Minhyuk quickly bows.

“Have a good rest!”

“Thanks.”

And Hyungwon shuts the door to his bedroom. He goes to sleep as soon as he lands on the bed.

It’s midnight when Hyungwon wakes up.

He didn’t dream. He gets up, takes a shower and feels his empty stomach howling for food.

So he decides he should go out and find Mcdonald’s or some other places he can buy food. The dread to go out alone in the middle of the night just to find food makes him feel anxious, searching for 24 hours places on his phone as he walks out of his room.

There’s the quiet sound of the television, and the light in the kitchen is on but it’s empty.

Hyungwon turns around to find Minhyuk wrapped in a blanket on the couch, sleeping. The people on the television laugh, the remote in Minhyuk’s hand on the verge of falling.

Hyungwon rescues the tv remote, gently taking it out of the other’s hand and Minhyuk doesn’t even stir. Just lied there, sleeping comfortably and eyes shut softly.

There’s a sense of peacefulness in the way Minhyuk sleeps. How he seems so still in dim light, his lips unmoving and even in his sleep he seems to be smiling a little. Hyungwon’s reminded of the smile that he has just come to know, how bright it is on Minhyuk, how it’s a textbook smile because when Hyungwon thinks about it he somehow thinks that’s how everyone should smile, if they genuinely want to smile. There seems to be nothing held back in the way Minhyuk has smiled, and it’s rare, Hyungwon’s mulling over it.

It’s as if people’s smile has just been so tainted as they grow older, but Minhyuk’s is as fresh as the new rising sun in the morning.

The people cheer on the show Minhyuk had been watching and it’s then that Hyungwon realizes he’s staring at Minhyuk’s dreaming face.

He turns off the television. Sets the remote on the coffee table quietly and finds food on the kitchen counter. There’s a note too. It’s hard not to notice with it’s bright pink color.

Minhyuk must have wanted Hyungwon to find the note when he’s actually already sleeping in his bedroom, but instead he fell asleep on the couch.

Please eat this deliciously, you’ve worked hard, Hyungwon-shi!

Hyungwon can’t help the smile stretching across his face. He turns to look at Minhyuk again and Minhyuk’s still sleeping.

That’s nice of him, Hyungwon thinks, as he takes a seat and tries to eat as quietly as possible. When his chopsticks hit the bowl a little too loudly than he meant to, he turns around just to check on Minhyuk.

He’s still sleeping.

The chicken isn’t burnt, which makes Hyungwon wonder if Minhyuk left him the good ones just to make a good impression as a roommate. The stew is good too. Hyungwon is appropriately full after the meal with the amount of food Minhyuk left for him.

If Minhyuk is doing this to leave a good impression, then Hyungwon thinks he did it well. Kihyun didn’t mention his roommate was going to be this kind of person. Which makes Hyungwon rethink of how he moved in here a week ago and missed himself this kindness.

Minhyuk is a good looking man too. Not too built, like Hoseok, not too petite like Kihyun and not too skinny like Hyungwon either. Just nice. He must have a girlfriend or something, that’s must be a given for a person like him.

Hyungwon lets the water runs slow in the sink as he washes the dishes. Silent and content. He’s caught up on sleep and he’s eaten well. Why does it feel like it’s been ages since he feels this content?

He goes back into his room to sleep again. This time he dreams Minhyuk brings his girlfriend home and asks him to join them for dinner. Minhyuk’s girlfriend cooked some dishes and they share a hearty dinner and got to know each other and Minhyuk laughs loudly in his dream.

And then it’s Monday morning and Hyungwon goes to work as usual.

“Hey, you two go home early today.” Bora orders from her desk.

Hoseok and Hyungwon turn around to look at her. It’s the benefit of an open concept for the office.

“Oh?” Hoseok blinks. “Was the plan okay for the family?”

She frowns and shakes her head. “We’re fixing it again. The director will do it himself.”

Hoseok and Hyungwon’s hearts drop and they look at each other, sharing a look of dread before looking over to the director who’s silent and clicking on his mouse, eyes fixed on the computer.

“O-okay…” Hoseok bites his lips and turns back to his desk. He slowly looks at Hyungwon.

Hyungwon feels his heart pounding.

Was his quality of work not good enough? Was it because he was too hasty to go back and sleep yesterday?

“Are we doomed?” Hoseok whispers, trying to be subtle in talking to Hyungwon. He’s absentmindedly flipping through some files.

“I don’t know.” Hyungwon sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose. He’s suddenly so tired.

So much for establishing himself as a good architect working under his idol all these years.

When the clock strikes 5 they pack their things a little hesitantly. It feels wrong to leave for home so early, especially when they know their work wasn’t good enough for the director.

“It’s fine, just leave.” Bora says, noticing the two hesitant employees. She smiles assuringly and motions for them to leave.

So they did.

When they walk out of the building, Hyungwon really doesn’t know what to say.

“I don’t even feel like going to the gym.” Hoseok mutters, walking like a defeated man.

“I need a drink.” Hyungwon answers instead, and takes out his car keys. “You coming?”

“Hi,” Hyunwoo says when he sees Hyungwon and Hoseok taking their seats. “You two know each other?”

“You two know each other?” Hoseok and Hyungwon both said at the same time and they look at each other back and forth for a while before Hyunwoo takes a deep breath, taking a glass.

“I come here with Kihyun sometimes.”

“Oh,” Hyungwon nods, raising his eyebrows at the bartender now.

“Kihyun’s also a good friend of mine.” Hyunwoo says.

Hoseok grunts rather unpleasantly at this but if Hyunwoo doesn’t notice this then Hyungwon’s pretty sure he’s good at ignoring it.

He serves Hoseok his drink without saying anything, and to know that the bartender knows Hoseok’s usual already means he’s been there quite a few times.

Hyungwon orders the same drink he ordered last time he was there.

Hyunwoo nods. “Right.” He serves Hyungwon’s drink and places both hands on the bar. “It’s pretty early for you two to get off work.”

“Our boss told us to get off early,” Hoseok sighs.

“Oh, that’s good right? With how hectic things have been it’s nice for you to catch up on some rest.”

“But the thing is, it’s because we kinda messed up on our work.” Hyungwon mutters, looking down at his drink disinterestedly and takes a sip. He scrunches his face at the taste, why does it feel like he didn’t eat anything at all today?

Right, they skipped lunch cause they felt too queasy after knowing the director wasn’t satisfied with their work.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Hyunwoo offers sympathetically and the two co-workers smile at him.

Hoseok takes out his phone and stares at it. “Should I call Kihyun over? I forgot if he said he’s taking the night shift tonight or not.”

“Probably not,” Hyunwoo says and Hoseok looks at him surprisedly. “He had one last night, right?”

Hyungwon notices how Hoseok’s stare on the bartender turns into a glare and then daggers and was about to say something before Hoseok bursts or anything, but Hyunwoo calmly explains himself.

“I came to the hospital last night because some drunk man hurt himself in my bar yesterday.” Hyunwoo smiles, unknowing of Hoseok emanating jealousy.

“Right,” Hoseok says through gritted teeth, texting Kihyun immediately. “He should really stop substituting for other nurses.”

“Maybe it’s cause he knows you won’t be home at night anyway.” Hyungwon offers.

“Well, I’ll be home tonight,” Hoseok retorts, putting down his phone and smiles at Hyunwoo forcedly for another drink.

Hyungwon on the other hand finds the air between the two to be interestingly strange.

Kihyun comes half an hour later, worried and panting. “Hey, baby, are you okay?” he asks as soon as he takes a seat beside Hoseok.

“Kihyun-ah,” Hoseok pouts as soon as he turns to Kihyun. “It was a bad day at work.” He fakes a cry and Hyungwon swears he saw Hyunwoo rolling his eyes, already serving Kihyun his drink.

Hyungwon drinks, suddenly excited to see the strange dynamic unfolding in front of him.

“Oh no,” Kihyun sighs, cupping a hand on Hoseok’s cheek. “I’m sure it’s nothing bad.”

“We were told to get off early.” Hyungwon intercepts and Kihyun looks at him, scowls and pats Hoseok’s cheek gently.

“You’ll get through this. You’re still new anyway, not anyone is good in the beginning.” Kihyun lifts his glass and drinks. “Thanks, Hyunwoo-hyung.” He says, scrunching his face at the alcohol.

“What about you? No difficult patients today, I suppose?” Hoseok quickly asks, gaining Kihyun’s attention again.

Kihyun smiles, running a hand through his hair. “No.” he chuckles. “But this one ahjumma tried to set me up with his son who broke his leg—”

“Hey!” Hoseok whines and Kihyun laughs.

“It’s just friendly chatting, plus her son doesn’t care about me anyway, he seems straight. His mom is just desperate for him to date, I guess. But still, it was funny.” He blinks, and looks over to Hyungwon almost excitedly. “Hey, Minhyuk mentioned he met you yesterday.”

“Oh,” Hyungwon tries to hide a sudden smile that just wanted to creep up his face. He fakes a cough. “Yeah.” Maybe it’s the thought that Minhyuk talks about him. That must be it.

“He said he was so glad he wasn’t living with a ghost. Although you did look like a zombie, he said.”

Hyungwon chokes on his drink and almost spurts them out. Hyunwoo hands him a napkin and he starts coughing as he wipes his lips.

“I didn’t get to sleep the day before!” He says defensively.

How dare he. How dare Lee Minhyuk, call Chae Hyunwon the heartthrob of this century (not his words, he was crowned one during a college party) a zombie.

Kihyun and Hoseok laugh.

“Do you see it now, though? You work too hard that you’re just a ghost to your roommate.”

Hyungwon looks up at the ceiling to fake like he’s not hearing Kihyun.

“Hard work doesn’t take you very far, look what happened today.”

“Hey!” Hoseok and Hyungwon snap at him.

Kihyun smiles apologetically despite being surprised of getting two protests. “What I’m saying is, work smartly. You’re more productive if you get adequate rest. Did you know that?”

“That’s true,” Hyunwoo says, returning from serving other customers. “It’s what people in Europe do. They make sure their workers rest a lot. I saw that in a documentary.”

“This is South Korea, Hyunwoo.” Hoseok bites back and Hyunwoo chuckles.

Hyungwon almost laughs.

“There’s something you can learn from there.” Kihyun shrugs.

“Well, what about you? Stop replacing your co-workers on night shifts, will you?” Hoseok holds his hand, kneading the smaller’s palm.

“It’s not like you’re home anyway.”

“I’ll be home early starting from today, I promise!” Hoseok raises a hand like he swears by an oath.

“Good.” Kihyun drinks and asks for another from Hyunwoo. “So, Minhyuk, he’s not a bad roommate is he?”

Hyungwon puts down his glass before he even drank. “Oh yea, he’s fine.”

“Cool,” Kihyun says, but it feels like he’s hiding something from Hyungwon. “You two will be fine in one apartment.”

“Hyungwon mentioned he’s strictly all about that roommate is just roommate thing,” Hoseok quips.

“That’s a shame, Minhyuk’s a great friend.” Hyunwoo’s serving them a plate of snacks.

Kihyun starts munching on them gladly.

“Yeah, but that’s fine too, you know. Living with someone else is hard, even harder if it’s someone you’re close with, because, whoa , you don’t even wanna know the house conflict that can arise from living together.” Kihyun whistles and smiles at Hyungwon.

“I trust I’m gonna be okay.” Hyungwon waves a hand dismissively.

They drank some more, and chatted and once everyone gets tipsy Hyunwoo urged them to go home.

Hyungwon said goodbye to Hoseok and Kihyun at the entrance of the bar and walks home by himself, his step a little too light for the heavy feeling in his head and heart. Now that he’s alone he thinks about work again. They didn’t say working life is so much harder than college. He thought college was hard enough.

He passes by a convenience store and he buys himself some beers.

In the apartment building, he keys in the passcode to the apartment with half closed eyes, and the apartment is dark as he enters. Minhyuk doesn’t seem to be home so he sits on the couch, spreading his long legs across the floor and staring up at the ceiling.

He just wants to be good at what he’s passionate about. He knows it takes time to get there but the obstacles are just hard to get through.

Getting told to get off work early was a blow on his self esteem and now he’s not so sure if he’s good to be an architect anymore.

He knows he’s not a child, it’s just this one time, he can’t let it get to him but he’s upset nonetheless.

He cracks open a beer and drinks, and before he knows it he feels like crying in the living room, the alcohol working its way in his system.

That’s when Minhyuk decides to arrive home and Hyungwon rubs at his teary eyes as Minhyuk announces his arrival in a singsong voice. Hyungwon buries his face in his hands.

“Hi, Hyungwon-shi… are you okay?”

Hyungwon hears his steps halting, noticing that Hyungwon is depressed on the couch with empty cans of beer on the coffee table.

“I’m fine.” Hyungwon answers but his voice cracks and Minhyuk’s steps thud in his mind as he rushes to sit beside the architect on the couch.

“Oh, no, you’re not.” Minhyuk sounds genuinely concerned it’s so annoying but soothing at the same time.

Hyungwon doesn’t know why.

“What happened?”

“Nothing.”

“It’s not nothing, I can see it,” Minhyuk says and there’s a sound of a small smile in his voice, as he grabs a can that almost rolled off the table and places it upright again. “Is it a relationship problem?”

“No.”

“Friendship problem?”

“No.”

Minhyuk pauses and makes a humming sound just to make sure Hyungwon knows he’s thinking. “Then, work problem?”

“Yeah.”

“The boss?”

“Uhuh.”

“He didn’t scold you or anything did he?”

“No.” Hyungwon sighs. “But it’s even worse because of that,” he groans and lifts his head. He turns to Minhyuk and Minhyuk’s eyes are round in the dimly lit living room. “I just want to be a good architect, you know, I work hard.”

“Oh, you’re an architect.” Minhyuk nods, holding his stare. “And you work hard. I know that. You’re barely home.”

“Yes!” Hyungwon throws his hands in the air. “But sometimes, I just feel like I’m not fit for this. It’s so, ugh, it’s so frustrating. Why did I even finish my education for this? Why did I become an architect of all things?”

Minhyuk takes a deep breath, and Hyungwon suddenly feels ashamed of the sudden outbursts, so he looks away and rubs the back of his neck tensely.

“You went through years of college for this, I’m sure you’re fit for it,” Minhyuk mutters.

“I don’t know.” Hyungwon feels his eyes pooling with tears again. Why is he so emotional? He’s not usually like this.

“Oh!” Minhyuk suddenly gasps, quickly rummaging through his bag. “Do you want some brownies? I baked them earlier this morning.”

Hyungwon watches as he takes out a ziplock bag filled with square pieces of crumbling brownies. He furrows his eyebrows at the sight.

“From what I know,” Minhyuk smiles as he unzips the bag, and somehow it’s bright in the dimly lit living room. “Eating something sweet helps when you’re upset.”

He offers a piece to Hyungwon.

Hyungwon takes it and examines it closely like he has never seen one before.

“Is this pot brownie?”

“No!” Minhyuk retorts. “I baked them for the kids, why would it be pot brownies?”

“You give kids pot brownies?” Hyungwon stares at him incredulously and Minhyuk gawks at him in disbelief, blinking repeatedly and quickly.

“No!” Minhyuk hits him on the neck gently with his palm and Hyungwon laughs a little. Drunkenly.  “I’m sorry.” Minhyuk quickly apologizes. “Class activity was to bake brownies today, and I have leftovers.”

“Oh,” Hyungwon blinks at him. “You work with kids?”

Minhyuk grins. “Yes, I’m a kindergarten teacher.”

“There are male kindergarten teachers?”

Minhyuk lifts a hand as if to hit him again but he quickly drops it when he sees Hyungwon already bracing himself for another hit. “Yes, of course there is.”

“Oh.” Hyungwon nods amusedly. He looks at the brownie in his hand again and takes a bite.

He freezes.

The tears dry in his eyes and he’s eyeing Minhyuk who’s staring at him expectantly, biting on his lower lip as if he’s the one biting into the brownie.

It’s so, so good. That tears fill his eyes again in an instant out of different reason this time, and his face scrunches at the taste invading his mouth. There is chocolate melting in his mouth, the centre is filled with warm chocolate and he might cry because it’s the best brownie he’s ever had.

“This is the best brownie I’ve ever had.” Hyungwon almost cries. “What the fuck, it’s so good!”

Minhyuk looks breathless when Hyungwon looks at him, smiling widely. “Yeah?” Minhyuk says, his voice breathy. “It’s good?”

The architect nods enthusiastically, stuffing the rest into his mouth and groaning in pleasure.

Minhyuk chuckles. “It’s my first time baking one, I was afraid it was bad because the kids didn’t really eat it that much. That’s why there are leftovers.”

“Kids are missing out!” Hyungwon exclaims and Minhyuk laughs pleasantly at Hyungwon’s behaviour.

“Have some more. You can have them all if you want.”

He hands Hyungwon the bag and Hyungwon takes it gratefully.

“You’re right, you are right, it’s nice to have something sweet when you’re upset.” Hyungwon starts saying, his voice muffled at the rate he is eating the brownies.

Minhyuk watches him eat with a soft smile, and when Hyungwon gazes at him with mouth full of brownies Minhyuk bites his lower lip and averts his stare, looking at the bag of brownies instead.

“This was just one day, you know.” Minhyuk murmurs and Hyungwon leans closer to listen better. “It’s just a bad day. It’ll be better tomorrow.”

Hyungwon nods. He knows Minhyuk is right. It’s such a simple statement, but Hyungwon doesn’t know why it eases the dread that’s been there inside him the whole day. He convinces himself it’s really just the sweet brownie.

Gradually, he slows down his chewing and lowers his head. He didn’t realize the brownies are almost gone now. “I never did want to become an architect initially,” He says, remembering those times he wrote essays in school about his ambitions and what he’d want to be. There was always one answer and one answer only.

“What did you want to be, Hyungwon-shi?”

“Hyungwon, please, just Hyungwon.”

“Okay, Hyungwon.”

“I wanted to become a lawyer.” Hyungwon laughs at this. It feels bitter now, the brownies, but he keeps eating. Anything to keep himself preoccupied because he’s so emotional today.

“What happened?”

“I don’t know, my interests changed, I guess?” He says. “I started to love drawing buildings, dreaming of building one myself. And I veered off into architecture. Well either way, Dad wasn’t too happy though, had this agency he owns, wanted me to take over. But, I was stubborn and now here I am, an architect.” Just a mediocre architect , Hyungwon wants to say, who should have listened to his dad maybe . But he didn’t, mostly because he just doesn’t want Minhyuk to feel sorry for him. Minhyuk’s already doing so much in assuring him anyway.

“That’s nice, you love what you do.”

Hyungwon blinks, and Minhyuk is still smiling when he looks at him. Is he not tired smiling all the time?

“Do you love what you do?” Hyungwon asks.

Minhyuk seems taken aback, but he hums, and nods to himself. “Yes, I love what I do. I love working with kids. They’re great.”

“I love kids too but, come on we all know they’re really not all that. They’re noisy, and small, and they cry and whine about stupid things. They can be difficult .”

“Yes, but adults are too, aren’t they?”

Hyungwon takes another piece in the bag, reminded of the reason Minhyuk gave him the brownies in the first place. “Fair point.”

“I originally wanted to be a paediatrician.” Minhyuk sighs and he reaches for one of the cans on the table, the one half empty already. He drinks it. “But I’m not smart enough to be one.” He chuckles and he seems sad all of a sudden, Hyungwon frowns at the sight.

He wonders what memories play in Minhyuk’s mind when he said that.

“Do you want some?” He offers the brownies and Minhyuk shakes his head.

“A kindergarten teacher is still great, I’m glad I am one.” Minhyuk beams. “I think it fits me. I love kids and I like making them happy and teaching them. It’s fun. Because the teaching goes both ways. Everyday is always so enjoyable with the kids. They make me smile all the time and it makes me really happy too and—Hyungwon? Hyungwon, why are you smiling like that?”

The teacher’s smile grows wider as he blinks at the one on Hyungwon’s face, like he’s thoroughly amused by it or something.

“I’m sure you’re a great teacher. I’m glad there’s someone like you to guide the kids.”

Minhyuk opens his mouth to say something, decides against it, and looks down at the can in his hands. His gaze is soft, his lips pink and pursed as he thinks.

“Thank you.” He says. “We’ve only known each other for like, two days, but thank you.”

Hyungwon nods like it’s an honor.

“I should go to sleep now.” Minhyuk suddenly says, putting away the can in his hand. He runs a hand through his hair. “Thank you for enjoying my brownies, Hyungwon.”

The bag is empty now. Hyungwon lets out a small chuckle.

“Thank you for offering me brownies, Minhyuk.”

Minhyuk stares at him for a moment and gets up.

“I should go to sleep too,” Hyungwon says and sways when he stands. Minhyuk makes a move to catch him but finds it unnecessary as Hyungwon stands upright, waving a hand in the air to tell him not to worry.

They walk to their bedrooms together.

When they pushed the doors open they both turn around.

“Goodnight, Minhyuk.”

“Goodnight, Hyungwon. Tomorrow will be better.” Minhyuk smiles.

Winks, and enters his room.

Hyungwon shuts the door behind him almost numbly and thinks of the wink. He thinks of the wink on the bed, to sleep, and in his dreams.

Hyungwon thinks of the wink even as he’s assembling the model for the side project.

“Hey! You’re gluing the wrong part!” Hoseok’s loud voice pulls him back to earth and Hyungwon almost drops everything he’s holding.

“Oh, shit ,” Hyungwon hisses, the polystyrene board now sticking on his thumb. He pulls it off his skin with a frown and now his thumb is sticky.

“Give me that.” Hoseok snatches the piece and glues it to the model of the house himself. “Are you okay, Hyungwon? Hungover?”

“No, no.” Hyungwon quickly answers, wiping his hands with a wet tissue Hoseok prepared beforehand. “I was just… thinking about things.”

Hoseok looks at him as he adjusts the miniature stairs on the model. “Yeah?” he smiles slightly. “What things?”

The younger shrugs, sitting down and leaning close to the model, adjusting a wall. “Hey, do you remember all your teachers in school?”

“Of course!” Hoseok says, grinning. “Why? I remember this one math teacher in elementary school a lot. He was really nice to me, offering to teach me after class because I was falling behind.”

Hyungwon blinks, resting his chin on his palm as he stares at Hoseok. “What about when you were younger than that?”

Hoseok hums, stretching his back after bending over for so long while building the model. “I think I do. Just their faces, not their names to be honest. What’s wrong? Did you bump into one of them?”

Hyungwon shakes his head and drinks his lukewarm coffee that’s been sitting on the work table for hours. “I just think a teaching profession is very admirable.”

“Uhuh.” Hoseok nods, and he leans forward once he sits on his chair, pulling himself closer to Hyungwon. “Are you planning on being a teacher instead?” he asks seriously.

Hyungwon scoffs and laughs. “No, I can’t handle a bunch of people, a class .”

Hoseok seems relieved by the answer as he clasps his hand together on his lap. “Well, is there any teacher you particularly remember?”

Hyungwon looks up, and he’s thinking of Minhyuk pulling out a bag of brownies. And his wide, toothy smile.

“A kindergarten teacher.” He says.

“Oh,”

“She paid a special attention to me because I always singled myself out during recess.” Hyungwon smiles at a particular memory in kindergarten. “She was worried, I guess.”

“Teachers are so underrated.”

“They are.”

Later that afternoon, the director and manager walk out of the meeting room after seeing the client, and Hyungwon was handed back the house model he and Hoseok built that morning.

“They’re changing their minds again.” Director Kim says, looking annoyed and stomping to his own desk.

Bora smiles apologetically to the two young men.

“What? I thought this was good enough,” Hoseok says taking the model and examining the design.

“Yeah, but apparently the husband wants to live separately from the in-laws so we have to consider that too.” Bora pats Hoseok on his shoulder. “But it’s fine, alright? They’re paying us, this is our job.”

Hyungwon sighs.

“The director will send you the new design, so try to get off on time today, okay?”

“What?” Hyungwon retorts.

“What I’m saying is, we know you two have been doing a lot of overtime. And the big project will require even more of your energy once the proposal is approved, so right now try to rest as much as you can.”

Hoseok and Hyungwon bow as she walks away, thanking her.

“I get to go to the gym and spend time with Kihyun today!” Hoseok cheers, happy.

Hyungwon smiles, sitting down and slumping in his seat out of relief. Today is better than yesterday. He wished he hadn’t let the negativity cloud his thoughts so much, he was upset for such a small thing.

So when it is time to leave they all left the office right on time, the director tells Hyungwon to check on the design for the big project that he’s going to email him tonight. And informs him he wants Hyungwon to present it at the meeting tomorrow. He sets aside another presentation for Hoseok too.

Hyungwon finds it an opportunity, getting a new responsibility from the director is a good thing so he enthusiastically agrees and promises he will work hard.

So when Hyungwon parts with Hoseok who’s pumped up to work out, he really doesn’t know what to do with the time he has. He’s gotta wait for the director’s email so he doesn’t know what he’d do in the mean time.

He decides to visit the grocery store near his apartment, and buy groceries. Exploring the isles with no particular shopping list and taking cereals and milk for quick breakfasts. He takes lots of snacks—just lots and lots of Cheetos— and wonders if he has a healthy enough lifestyle to purchase some fruits too.

He’s looking at the pears and melons when someone stands beside him.

“Hyungwon?”

Hyungwon finds Minhyuk grinning by his side, carrying a basket full of fresh vegetables and some snacks.

“Oh, hi,” Hyungwon mutters, his heart pounding because it was genuinely a surprise to see Minhyuk there.

“Got off work early today?” Minhyuk asks without looking at him, he’s picking some pears.

“Y-yeah. Thought I’d buy some food to eat at home.”

Minhyuk checks out his basket and purses his lips. “That’s it? That’s all you’re eating?”

Hyungwon scratches his head embarrassedly. “Ah, well most of the time I’m gonna eat out or grab some takeouts anyway.”

“Right.” Minhyuk nods, carrying a bag of pears in one hand now. “I buy all these fresh vegetables only to cook them a month later to be honest. I’m fond of takeouts too.”

“Well, we have jobs, so, most of our energy are spent there already. None to spare for cooking.”

Minhyuk nods almost too enthusiastically, chuckling. When he walks to have the pears weighed Hyungwon automatically follows him.

“I try to cook on weekends though, sometimes it’s not good to always eat food outside.”

“Oh yeah, about that, thank you for the other day.”

Minhyuk takes the pears from the weighing scale and gazes at Hyungwon. “Ah, yes, you seemed like you’d need some homecooked meal after working so hard.”

“It was really good.”

“Yeah? I’m glad.” Minhyuk laughs. “I’m not really good at cooking.”

“I can’t tell to be honest.”

Minhyuk laughs again, throwing his head back slightly. Then, he stops and tilts his head at Hyungwon. “I did almost burn my food though.”

“Only cause you were surprised to see a zombie? I assume?” Hyungwon says through gritted teeth as they walk to the cashier.

Minhyuk turns pink and he chuckles. “I didn’t mean it in a bad way! You just looked really tired. Kihyun, I swear to god…”

“It’s fine.” Hyungwon shrugs, his things being scanned by the cashier now.

After he pays he waits for Minhyuk to pay for his grocery too and they decide to walk home together.

“Let’s order some fried chicken for dinner.”Minhyuk says when Hyungwon is keying in their passcode.

He agrees and they shared dinner in the living room with bottles of coke. Minhyuk tells him while living alone he sometimes ordered too much for himself and ended up with leftovers. Says he eats a lot but he really should stop overestimating himself.

Hyungwon laughs at his silly antics throughout the night, listening to Minhyuk ranting about how the previous tenant was a college kid—Kihyun’s uncle’s friend’s son—who was barely home and always came home drunk, about his job; some kids drew on his expensive bag once, some hyperactive kids give him headaches, (But I still love them, Minhyuk says.) to how Kihyun is so hard to contact now because he’s so busy with work and spending time with his boyfriend, Hoseok.

“I kind of feel lonely when Hoseok sticks by Kihyun a lot lately.” Hyungwon agrees with gritted teeth. As hard as it is to admit, with Hoseok catching up with his time with Kihyun after a long distance Hyungwon feels a little neglected. “The audacity! I had to find a place to rent last minute and got this shitty flat with roaches.”

Minhyuk’s eyes are wide and his mouth is open the whole time Hyungwon describes his shitty experience living in the shitty flat. Listening to people next door bickering and some kids crying upstairs to some kids playing flute in the house in the middle of the night. Of course Hoseok and Kihyun offered him their couch, but as bitter as Hyungwon could be, he wasn’t about to just intrude on the two finally moving in together.

“I’m glad I’m here now,” Hyungwon finally says, downing the last of his coke.

The fried chicken is all gone now, Minhyuk’s licking the seasoning off his fingers, humming.

“I’m glad you’re here too. Sometimes the place gets too quiet living here alone.” Minhyuk smiles, looks at Hyungwon and this is it.

He winks at Hyungwon again, before getting up and tidying up the table.

Hyungwon’s stunned, sitting on the floor because why is Minhyuk winking at him again? He can’t for his life figure out what it means. But Minhyuk throws the boxes, bottles and used napkins into the trash can, washes his hands and says goodnight for the night.

The architect retreats into his own bedroom, turns on his computer and works on the design his director has emailed him. He tries not to get distracted about what just happened after dinner, managing to finish his work and saving it into his USB.

And when he’s in his bed he thinks about the wink again.

God damn it.

He arrives to work early the next morning, unable to sleep that well because he had been thinking of a certain wink from a certain person and trying to decipher the meaning behind it.

“Okay, so the meeting will be a little earlier at noon,” Bora says, flipping through her file and reading some things. “Hoseok, you will be presenting first, and please mind that the contractors will be here too.”

“Yes Ma’am.” Hoseok nods.

“And Hyungwon, present the design, cause the director’s not going to talk about it. He wants you to do that.”

Hyungwon feels a surge of pride being given this responsibility by the director himself. “Of course!”

Bora glances at him and smiles. “Someone’s enthusiastic.” She comments before walking off to discuss something with the director.

“Are you nervous?” Hoseok asks, turning his chair to face Hyungwon.

Hyungwon’s fingertips are already cold at the thought of presenting the design for such a huge project. “Yeah, I am.”

“You’ll do fine.” Hoseok smiles assuringly.

“You will too, Hoseok-hyung.”

And when the time is approaching for the meeting Hoseok is setting up the projector in the meeting room when Hyungwon realizes he didn’t save his work online last night. And instead, saved it on his USB.

Which he can’t seem to find anywhere in his bag.

“Hey, buddy, you okay?” Hoseok asks, watching him fumbling with his bag.

“ Shit, man. I think I lost my USB.” Hyungwon’s panicking. It’s his first big presentation and he lost his fucking USB.

“What?” Hoseok almost shouts and takes his bag, looking for it himself. “It’s gotta be here somewhere. You can’t lose it you know, the director’s gonna kill us.”

Hyungwon curses, hands in his hair now. He doesn’t know what to do, his heart is pounding, already imagining himself cleaning up his desks and saying goodbye to Hoseok. And he can’t even wave goodbye cause he’s carrying this box full of his work things and he will not be able to find a new job because the director tells everyone what an incompetent person he is.

“Did you even take it out of your room?” Hoseok asks, his forehead creased and really worried.

“I—I don’t know…” Hyungwon mumbles. “Do you think if I drive home now and check—”

“Okay boys! The people will be here soon, let’s get the presentation ready.” Bora announces as she walks in with the director.

“Hyungwon, I trust you worked on the things I sent to you by email.” Director Kim says as he takes a seat at the table.

Hyungwon swallows a lump in his throat and nods anyway. He hopes the director and manager doesn’t see that he’s contemplating jumping out of the window.

He nears Hoseok and whispers, “Do you think I can go out and get it real quick?”

“Are you crazy? Important people will be here anytime soon!” Hoseok whispers a little too loudly and Hyungwon hisses, hitting his arm.

At that time the other people arrive and Hoseok and Hyungwon start bowing and introducing themselves, shaking hands and managing polite smiles. Bora starts telling them all about the new boys in the office and how they can offer fresh insights for a project like theirs.

It drives Hyungwon even crazier when he has to take a seat when all he wants to do is run.

“Hey, is Kihyun free, can he do me this one favour of grabbing that USB and bringing it here?” Hyungwon whispers to Hoseok.

Hoseok blinks. “Good idea, let me text him real quick.”

Hoseok texts Kihyun under the table as people exchange pleasantries at the table. When Kihyun doesn’t answer right away Hyungwon hits Hoseok’s arm to urge him to tell Kihyun they’re desperate. Hoseok starts spamming Kihyun with texts.

When ten minutes went by and the superiors are fortunately still discussing other things, Kihyun replies.

I’m busy, there’s a traffic accident involving many people. I’m on call. Tell Hyungwon I’m sorry.

Hyungwon groans internally and snatches the phone from Hoseok.

Please give me Minhyuk’s number, please please please.

He can’t think of any other source of help at this desperate time. Thankfully Kihyun texts him Minhyuk’s phone number to his phone.

He’s your roommate,

but whatever

here it is anyway.

Hyungwon wastes no time to text Minhyuk. And the text is long, typed by shaky fingers under the table, full of apologies for bothering him and that he wouldn’t do this if he wasn’t so desperate.

Hoseok’s already getting up to present.

The phone vibrates five minutes later.

Hyungwon! Sure I’ll grab it for you! Send me the location of your office too!!

Hyungwon wants to cry at the quick way Minhyuk agrees to help him. So he sends his location and thanks Minhyuk profusely over texts.

Minhyuk doesn’t reply and he keeps checking if he did. He catches the director’s eyes on him and manages a small calm smile, and pretends to listen to what Hoseok has to say.

Minhyuk still doesn’t say anything as the contractors start asking Hoseok questions, which means the presentation is coming to an end already. Hyungwon makes a subtle gesture for Hoseok to prolong the presentation for him, making a desperate face.

Hoseok bites his lips nervously and starts stuttering as he speaks, repeating some things and looking over at Hyungwon telling him that he can’t prolong much longer.

Hyngon I’m hereI got the usb

The text from Minhyuk has typos including on his name but Hyungwon doesn’t care, so he carefully gets up and tells Bora with hand signals that he just needs to go to the bathroom real quick. Bora narrows her eyes at him but waves her hand quickly. Telling him to hurry.

Hyungwon slips out of the meeting room as Hoseok tries to explain everything in much more detail. He runs out of the office and Minhyuk’s there, panting.

“Oh my god, I’m so, so, sorry.” Hyungwon can’t even look at Minhyuk, he’s so, so embarrassed and really, really grateful.

“It’s fine!” Minhyuk says cheerily and somehow Hyungwon knows he’s trying to sound happy and not make Hyungwon feel bad. “Here you go!”

Minhyuk takes out the USB out of the pocket of his jeans and hands it to Hyungwon. Hyungwon takes it.

“It’s just a really, really important presentation and I don’t want to mess up so early in my career—”

“Hyungwon—”

“I might get fired and I just—”

“Hyungwon!” Minhyuk grabs him by the shoulders and Hyungwon shuts up, staring at him all wild eyed and Minhyuk’s gaze is soft, warm and his smile is gentle. “Count to three.”

Hyungwon’s voice tremble. “One.”

“Two.”

“Three.” Hyungwon takes a deep breath.

“You’ll nail the presentation,” Minhyuk states, not taking his eyes off Hyungwon.

Hyungwon blinks, only cause he thinks he sees stars in Minhyuk’s eyes. “I’ll nail the presentation.” He repeats, almost dazed.

“Now go inside!” Minhyuk chuckles a little, pushing him towards the door now.

“T-thank you! I’ll buy you a meal or something!” Hyungwon says over his shoulder as he hurriedly enters the office.

Minhyuk waves at him. “I’ll hold on to that! Now go!”

He winks.

Hyungwon grins and nails the presentation.

“I really thought I was gonna die.” Hyungwon says over bottles of beer in the bar.

Kihyun and Hoseok are seated in front of him, both leaning on each other. Tired.

“Me too.” Hoseok sighs. “I had to prolong the presentation for so long I don’t even know what I was talking about.”

Hyungwon puts his hands together and bows his head on the table. “Thank you so much, Hyung! I owe you a big one!”

“Hey, his presentation wasn’t as smooth as planned and it’s all cause of you.” Kihyun glares at Hyungwon and kicking him under the table. “If this ruins my Hoseok’s career I swear to god I’ll kill you Chae Hyungwon.”

Hoseok wraps an arm around Kihyun’s shoulders. “Don’t be like that, babe, everything went well in the end.” He smiles down at Kihyun and Kihyun just crosses his arms together.

“I’m really sorry and grateful, okay?” Hyungwon smiles apologetically at his two friends.

“What’s gotten into you anyway? If Minhyuk wasn’t there for you how do you think things would have turned out?” Kihyun mutters.

“Oh,” Hyungwon didn’t text Minhyuk after the presentation. He figured he could thank the man later at home himself. He scratches his head. “I really don’t know what I would have done if Minhyuk hadn’t helped.”

“Hey, call him.” Kihyun suddenly says, looking at Hyungwon expectantly. “Ask him to come and share a drink with us.”

“What?”

“Yeah, buy him a drink or something. He’s got your back when you needed it the most.” Hoseok adds nonchalantly.

Hyungwon leans back in his seat. Somehow he doesn’t know what to say. “Kihyun, he’s your friend. Why don’t you call him?”

Kihyun scoffs. “Aren’t you the man who texted him for help earlier today?”

“I—I—well Minhyuk said you’re so hard to get in contact with now. I think he’ll be glad to receive a call from you.”

Kihyun stares at him and there’s amusement on both his and Hoseok’s face.

“Someone hung out with his roommate!” Hoseok says teasingly.

“What happened to roommate is just a roommate thing?” Kihyun snickers and Hyungwon hates the look on both of their faces.

So he covers his face with his hands instead, shaking his head. Now there is no way he and Minhyuk can just be roommates. Minhyuk went a great length just to help him with his work, he deserves to be bought a drink.

“Fine.” Hyungwon removes his hands from his face and takes his phone out. He texts Minhyuk without much thought and presses send before he can rethink about it.

“Really though, Minhyuk’s not that bad of a person. I mean I get the roommates are just roommates thing, but now I think you two would make good friends.” Kihyun says, taking a swig of his beer.

Hyungwon sighs. “You’re not saying that just cause you feel bad right? You did ditch him a lot recently for Hoseok-hyung.”

Kihyun gasps, looking offended. “I didn’t ditch him!”

“Kihyun! I told you if you want to hang out with your friends I’d let you. There’s no need to ditch friends over me,” Hoseok says worriedly. “Well, except some friends…” he glances at the bar where Hyunwoo is talking to a customer over the counter.

Kihyun pouts, looking angry. “I want to spend more time with you is that wrong?” he mumbles as he looks away.

Hoseok hears it clearly and he grins. “What’s that?”

“You heard me.” Kihyun mutters, still not looking at him.

Hyungwon makes a barfing sound and Hoseok laughs loudly. The couple starts to playfully bicker with each other as Hyungwon drinks his beer.

Minhyuk replies the text saying he’ll be there with lots of exclamation marks !!!!!

“He said he’ll be here.” Hyungwon says, holding his phone in one hand and the bottle in the other.

“Who?” Hoseok asks.

“Minhyuk.”

“Oh.”

The table went silent for a brief moment, before Hyungwon clucks his tongue, uncomfortably shifting in his seat.

“So,” he draws out, “I think—I think Minhyuk might be flirting with me.”

Kihyun, who was drinking his beer, almost did a spit take, starts choking, and Hoseok pats his back worriedly.

“Baby! Baby! Don’t die on me! You’re the nurse here!” Hoseok exclaims and Kihyun coughs even harder, lifting a hand to tell him to stop.

Once he stops coughing, Kihyun looks at Hyungwon with the most condescending look Hyungwon thinks he’s ever received.

“Minhyuk?” he says as if it’s a joke. “With you ?”

Hyungwon’s taken aback, not knowing what to say.

Hyunwoo comes at the right moment to offer Kihyun fresh napkins and more beers. Hoseok takes the napkin from Hyunwoo rather aggressively and hands it to Kihyun.

“Thanks, Hyunwoo-hyung.” Kihyun and Hyungwon say at the same time.

Hoseok is quiet as Hyunwoo went away.

“I am good looking.” Hyungwon decides to say, resuming the conversation.

Kihyun laughs. “Okay.” He waves a hand in the air dismissively.

“I’m not making this up.” Hyungwon groans, because he needs to get it out of his system. He didn’t sleep well last night, forgot his USB and he thinks it was because he kept thinking about how Minhyuk keeps winking at him. Like he’s expecting Hyungwon to kiss him or something.

Okay maybe not kiss, Hyungwon doesn’t know why he’d thought Minhyuk would expect a kiss but that’s not the point.

“The point is, I really think he’s flirting with me. Whenever we talk, he says these nice things like ‘tomorrow will be a good day for you’ or something. ‘Have a good night’ or ‘I’m glad you’re here’ and then he just winks at me! Who does that?!” Hyungwon’s exasperated because truthfully it gnaws on him more than he’ll ever admit at how nice and bright Minhyuk is and how he likes to wink at Hyungwon. He could accept the nice words just fine, but the winks just throw him off.

Kihyun and Hoseok who have been listening intently hum together, thinking.

“I don’t know, Hyungwon, Minhyuk’s dumb as a rock.” Kihyun states as a matter of factly.

Hyungwon wants to say something at that but decides against it.

“And because he’s dumb,” Kihyun starts gesturing seriously, “I don’t think he would even know how to flirt.”

“Maybe he doesn’t even realize he’s flirting.” Hoseok mutters.

“How does that work?” Kihyun looks at him incredulously.

Hoseok shrugs. “You were flirting with me when we first met right? You didn’t even know.”

“That’s not—that’s—the thing is, Minhyuk , is the dumbest person in the world .” Kihyun has to emphasize every word. “Hyungwon, I think he might just be innocent.”

“What are you saying?” Hyungwon squints at the smaller man across the table. “That it’s all in my head? He winked at me cause he’s just nice ?”

“Well, I mean—what— god , are you even sure he winked at you?”

“Three times!” Hyungwon holds up his hand with three fingers. “That’s not an accident or my imagination!”

“What imagination?”

The three at the table almost jumped when they see Minhyuk already standing by the table, smiling innocently with a bottle of beer already in one hand. The three friends stare at him with hands clutching their chests.

“I—I’m sorry? I interrupted a really engaging conversation, didn’t I?” Minhyuk chuckles.

“Like you’d care.” Kihyun retorts even though he’s still trying to calm the heart attack he almost had.

“Aw, Kihyunnie, you didn’t even call me for the past few weeks you can’t act cold around me like this.” Minhyuk pouts and moves his stare to Hyungwon. “Hi, Hyungwon.”

“H-hi.” Hyungwon swallows a lump in his throat.

Minhyuk takes a seat next to him. “Scoot,” he says and Hyungwon did. “Hoseok! How are you?” Minhyuk beams.

Hoseok smiles at him. “Great! How’s living with Hyungwon so far?”

Minhyuk glances at Hyungwon who chugs at his beer. “He’s okay.” He smiles, all teeth showing and eyes crinkling at the sides.

“Oh,” Hoseok looks at Hyungwon and raises an eyebrow. “I hope he doesn’t cause you too much trouble.”

“No, no.” Minhyuk shakes his head.

“Um, I made you go back home and fetch that USB. You must have been working then.” Hyungwon scratches his head.

“I got another teacher to replace me for that short time, so it’s okay.” Minhyuk says. “Plus, you said you’d buy me a meal.”

“I’ll buy you a drink instead.” Hyungwon says pointing to Minhyuk’s bottle of beer.

Minhyuk looks at the bottle and shakes his head. “No,” he says as a matter of factly. “I want a meal.” He grins.

The architect smiles amusedly at the teacher.

“Yeah,” Kihyun who has an undecipherable look on his face starts to speak. “Pick a date and buy him a meal, Hyungwon.”

Hyungwon wants to throw Kihyun into a trash can. He’s small. Hyungwon can carry him.

“I’m okay with weekends, or after work.” Minhyuk turns to Hyungwon. “There’s this new restaurant I’ve always wanted to try, they have this meat from Japan? I heard the steaks are really good and all. But I’m just worried about you, cause you’re always busy—”

“Okay, okay, I’ll buy you a meal there and I’ll make sure I’m not busy.” Hyungwon says when realizes Minhyuk’s rambling.

“Okay!” Minhyuk makes a sign with his fingers and drinks his beer happily.

“You just want steak.” Kihyun shakes his head at Minhyuk. “That’s all there is. You don’t even think about Hyungwon, do you?” He looks at Hyungwon now instead and Hyungwon thinks he’s turning red.

“Busted.” Minhyuk laughs instead and Hyungwon doesn’t know why his heart drops when Kihyun gives him a knowing look.

It’s like he’s telling Hyungwon; see? He’s dumb. He just wants to get a chance to eat expensive steak and would have been okay with anyone as long as he gets his free meal .

Hoseok who notices the silent exchange rubs Kihyun’s back and smiles at Hyungwon. As if he’s sorry. “So, you mentioned there was a huge traffic accident. Was everyone okay?”

Kihyun sighs, and Hyungwon’s glad of the change of topic.

“No casualties, but it was really hectic, I tell you.” Kihyun rubs at his own shoulder, suddenly acting like he’s so tired, so Hoseok squeezes both of his shoulders. “There are some kids involved too, I’m so glad they weren’t badly injured.

And so the conversation draws on to other things. Hyungwon’s glad of the general topic, not much personal discussion about things and Minhyuk, he finds, is loud, rants a lot, laughs a lot and likes to disagree with Kihyun just cause he wants to.

And when he’s dying from laughing (his words), he grabs onto Hyungwon’s arm like it’s his lifeline, and his eyes are always so tightly shut with delight only cause he’s so happy.

Hyungwon really just finds it endearing.

Later that night they part ways outside the bar, Hyungwon tipsy and Minhyuk still sober because he’s a teacher so he doesn’t get drunk to avoid hangover.

The kids are his hangover, he has said.

“Wow, that was really nice!” Minhyuk exclaims happily as they walk back to their apartment. “I haven’t hung out with friends and have drinks like that for so long.”

Hyungwon smiles lopsidedly at him. “Really?”

“Yeah,” Minhyuk pouts as he nods at Hyungwon. “I told you Kihyun has ditched me a lot lately. Jooheon and Changkyun are also busy with the new app they’re developing.”

“Who’s Jooheon and Changkyun?”

“Friends.” Minhyuk beams and Hyungwon swears to god, even under the night sky Minhyuk is so bright; it’s like there’s sunshine at nighttime. Which is impossible. But possible because Minhyuk does it. “You should meet them someday. When they’re not too busy. They’re great people, Hyungwon.”

“Okay,” Hyungwon says.

Minhyuk sighs, “Why are my friends so busy though? I mean, as a teacher I’m busy too, but you guys work day and night it’s so worrying sometimes, you know that?”

“Kihyun’s trying to save lives.”

Minhyuk smiles. They’re approaching the elevator to take them to their floor. “Yeah, but what about you? Are you saving lives?”

Hyungwon slows down his steps, thinking. “I don’t. But I’d like to think we’re building lives.”

Minhyuk hums, genuinely amazed by the response.

Hyungwon chuckled almost proudly. “When I think about building homes, I can’t help but imagine the lives they’re gonna have in that home. The things they’re gonna do there. How they’re going to decorate it over the years. What kind of memories created, relived and talked about in that space they call home.”

Minhyuk keys in the passcode and they enter the apartment together.

“A home is where you really live,” Minhyuk says, taking off his shoes. He gazes at Hyungwon. “Not at work then.”

Hyungwon feels a swift hit on his heart. He really felt that. He stares at Minhyuk’s back as the teacher walks into the kitchen without looking back, the switch clicking and the lights turning on, illuminating the apartment.

When he walks into the kitchen Minhyuk is pouring water into a glass. His eyes are soft as he looks down at the clear water, his lips hide a whisper of a smile.

“Have some water. You drank a lot.” He offers the glass to Hyungwon.

Hyungwon takes it, drinks it and feels the water running down his dry throat.

Minhyuk laughs a little, watching him down the glass in one shot. He’s leaning against the kitchen counter.

Hyungwon sighs. And he pinches the bridge of his nose. “I really need to take it easy on my work. I really do.” He says. “But I also want to do my hardest.”

“Doing your hardest is not doing your best.” Minhyuk answers, and Hyungwon feels him grabbing his hand, removing it away from his face. He fixes Hyungwon’s bangs gently and Hyungwon can hear him breathe this close. “Wanting to take it easy… when you say you really do, I really don’t see you doing it. Because one week you moved in here you were a ghost. You work too hard, Hyungwon. And sometimes that’s not a good thing.”

Minhyuk takes a step back after, smiling.

The kitchen is so silent Hyungwon can hear the lights humming. The lights are illuminating yellow on Minhyuk’s face, and he still looks bright as ever.

“I’m gonna go to sleep now, got to handle kids tomorrow, you know.” He chuckles, but before he turns around and leave, he winks.

And Hyungwon knows he has to find out why, right now, at this moment, because if he doesn’t he knows he will never figure out why Minhyuk is like this. Why he stands close to Hyungwon, fixes his hair, tells him good things and winks at him.

So he pulls at Minhyuk’s hand and cups the other’s face with his own two hands, pulling him closer.

He stares into the eyes, the pupils that are shaking, listens to the breaths that are lost in the air.

“H-hyungwon?” Minhyuk gasps, unable to look anywhere else but Hyungwon’s eyes.

His eyes shimmer in the proximity, searching for what would explain the position they are in in Hyungwon’s eyes but all Hyungwon sees is confusion in Minhyuk’s.

“What are you doing?”

“What are you doing?” Hyungwon snaps back.

Minhyuk manages a forced smile, and chuckles weakly. “I—I don’t know? You just suddenly—is there something on my face?”

When Hyungwon doesn’t answer Minhyuk pushes at him slightly.

“Stop scaring me like this!” he says but he’s still so stiff in Hyungwon’s hold, unable to move. “What do you want from me? I don’t have that much money as a kindergarten teacher but I’ll give you what I have—”

Hyungwon’s heart stops when Minhyuk blinks in the middle of his outbursts of nonsense.

“M-minhyuk, do that again.”

“What?” Minhyuk groans, frustrated because he’s confused.

“Blink.”

“Why?” Minhyuk blinks anyway and Hyungwon eyes widen, and he thinks his heart just dropped down five floors of his ribcage.

That was it. That was the whole thing. The whole flirting thing. When Minhyuk blinks with his lopsided eyes, one eye closes first before the other, Hyungwon finally realizes. That’s why it looks like he’s winking.

Kihyun’s right. He’s too dumb to flirt. He’s too dumb to even blink properly too.

Hyungwon on the other hand is also dumb to even think of this possibility, too full of himself that he’d think someone like Minhyuk would even flirt with him.

Hyungwon lets go of him like he’s hot, and Minhyuk stares at him cautiously.

If only Hyungwon looks at him then he’d notice how red Minhyuk has turned.

He lifts his hands, taking a deep breath in.

“I’m drunk.” He tries to explain. And he pauses, searches for an elaboration but that’s it. That’s all he could think of at this moment and the floor doesn’t exactly give him any ideas.

So he promptly walks away and into his bedroom to lament his own foolishness.

“Wait, wait, I’m dying oh no, I’m dying!” Kihyun’s head is on the table at the park. He’s laughing so hard he could barely breathe. Hoseok on the other hand is clutching at his stomach, his laughter is too intense for sound.

Hyungwon’s face is in his hands. “Shouldn’t have revealed this. Shouldn’t have revealed this.” He chants, too embarrassed for his own good.

They’re in the park near the office having lunch outside because the weather is nice. They bought some sandwiches and Kihyun’s not in a hurry to return to the hospital.

“I just—I just can’t imagine you doing all that and blaming it all on—” Hoseok lifts his two hands in the air. “You being drunk. Minhyuk must have been really confused!”

“Look, whatever, okay! I was wrong, and you were right, Minhyuk doesn’t flirt around like that.” Hyungwon groans.

Kihyun wipes the tears off his eyes. “This is gold!”

“In my defence, he was getting into my personal space too! Who does that?!”

“Oh, Minhyuk does that. He doesn’t understand what personal space is. Ignore it.”

“Could have given me a heads up.” Hyungwon grunts through his teeth.

Kihyun nonchalantly waves a hand in the air. “Never really talked about that, so…” he shrugs.

Hyungwon points an accusing finger at Kihyun. “You! You also didn’t tell me he blinks that way!”

Kihyun nods to calm him down, raising his hands as if Hyungwon might hit him. “I guess I’m so used to it that I forgot he blinks like a loser .”

“Anyway, case is closed. Can we all forget about this now?” Hyungwon grabs his sandwich and eats angrily.

The two shake their heads.

Hyungwon’s mouth is full of sandwich and he feels sadly miserable. “Please, I need to live, I don’t want to ever remember this.”

Minhyuk, unfortunately, won’t let him forget what he did. Because the moment they meet at home after Hyungwon arrived at work, he jumps on the couch and welcomes Hyungwon home with a wide smile.

“Hyungwon! You’re home! Did you get a hangover from last night?” He asks.

The television is playing some documentary.

“Come and sit with me.” Minhyuk excitedly pats the space next to him.

Realizing he has not much to lose, Hyungwon sits and Minhyuk stares at him.

“So, about last night—”

Hyungwon groans. “I’m sorry, I was drunk, I wasn’t really thinking—”

Minhyuk laughs, so loudly Hyungwon fears the neighbours are going to hear him and call to complain.

“Let me ask you one question,” Minhyuk raises a finger and Hyungwon looks at him, fearing the worst.

But this is already the worst, he thinks. Plus, he wants to know what Minhyuk is going to ask.

“Okay.” He nods, lowering his voice and doubtful where this is going.

“Do you like me, Hyungwon?”

Hyungwon immediately lost everything. His words, his composure, his dignity, his breaths and his soul.

Minhyuk laughs again and grabs Hyungwon’s arm with both of his hands. “There’s no shame in admitting your feelings, Hyungwon, come on.”

Hyungwon immediately grasps the easiest defence he could get at this time; that is to act annoyed.

“As if,” he scoffs, pushing Minhyuk’s hands off his arm. “I was just—it was just a stupid thing.”

“So a stupid thing is you grabbing me in the heat of the moment—”

“Don’t say it like that .”

“—and looking like you wanted to kiss me?”

Hyungwon wants to die. That’s it. No more living for Hyungwon. Minhyuk doesn’t seem like he’d let him live anyway.

“First of all—” he shifts on the couch. “—I wasn’t trying to kiss you.”

Minhyuk makes some weird teasing sound and puckers his lips so Hyungwon couldn’t help but laugh and push his face away. Minhyuk is delighted.

“I was just weirded out cause you blink like a loser!” he says.

Minhyuk immediately falls silent as he blinks and there it is, but the smile is gone from his face.

Oh shit.

“Wait, I mean—”

“Bench!” Minhyuk shouts. “Did Kihyun point it out to you?” he asks, “I swear to god, I’m going to kill that ash-hole! People usually won’t notice unless Kihyun goes around and tells people I blink like a loser! Which, I do not !”

Hyungwon chuckles at it, relieved that Minhyuk wasn’t offended at the words that he stole from Kihyun in his desperation to shrug his own embarrassment off.

“I’m sorry,” Hyungwon murmurs, he’s really sorry. “I actually do agree you don’t blink like a loser.”

“Right?” Minhyuk throws his hand in the air and leans back on the couch, grabbing a pillow to wrap his arms around. “That doesn’t make me a freak or something.” He lowers his voice and looks at Hyungwon. “Right?”

Hyungwon immediately shakes his head. “I think of it like this, like eccentric architectures, people are built in different ways. You’re just built that way. That you blink unlike any other normal person. That’s a great design.” That creates unfortunate misunderstanding , he wants to add but held himself back from doing so.

Minhyuk beams at the words. “You’re right, wow, Hyungwon you’re so smart.”

“I know.”

He looks at the people in the television, and hears Minhyuk smiling ear to ear.

“Just so you know,” Minhyuk starts. “I’m not dating anyo—”

“That’s it, I’m going to sleep.” Hyungwon promptly gets up and Minhyuk is laughing as he sighs, dragging his feet to his bedroom.

“But it’s still early!” Minhyuk shouts as he enters the hallway. “Hyungwon-ah! I was kidding!” But he’s still laughing which means he enjoyed teasing Hyungwon. “Oh, come on!”

Hyungwon goes into his bedroom anyway.

The next morning, the moment Hyungwon opens the door of his bedroom, Minhyuk just stumbled out of his own, messy hair and books in his hands.

“Oh, you’re early today! Good morning, Hyungwon!” Minhyuk says, grinning so early in the morning despite his condition.

“Good morning.” Hyungwon answers, a little bewildered to have Minhyuk as the first person he sees after what happened last night. “You… You okay there?” He asks, fixing his shirt as he closes the door behind him and they walk out to the living room.

“I overslept,” Minhyuk chuckles embarrassedly as he fixes his hair, shuffling away in a hurry. He’s grabbing his shoes hastily and putting on his socks when the books he’s carrying slip out of his hold.

Hyungwon sighs, grabs them and carries them while Minhyuk is putting on his shoes.

“Thank you!” Minhyuk mutters in a singsong voice. He takes the books from Hyungwon’s hands and eyes the architect from head to toe. “You’re dressed casual today?”

Hyungwon takes his shoes from the shoe rack. “It’s a site visit day.” He says, putting on his shoes.

“Oh,” Minhyuk nods. “Look at the time!” he suddenly says. “I gotta go! I hope you have a—”

“Do you want me to give you a ride?” Hyungwon asks, taking out his car keys.

There’s a glint passing across Minhyuk’s eyes at the sight of the car keys, and he opens his mouth for a second. Then, he nods quickly. “Yes, please.”

So they end up in Hyungwon’s car, Minhyuk excitedly getting into the passenger seat and putting on his seatbelt.

“You have a really nice car, Hyungwon.” Minhyuk says, looking at the rearview mirror and turning around to check out the backseats.

Hyungwon sighs, pulling the door close on his side and turning the engine on. “Not like I drive it anywhere but to the office though.”

“We should go out,” Minhyuk says and Hyungwon’s head turns at the speed of light to glare at him. “sometimes.” Minhyuk adds belatedly, a michievous grin on his face. “To somewhere nice. I’ll take you to great places to hang in this city.”

“You mean I’ll take you there.” Hyungwon corrects, already pulling out of the parking spot.

Minhyuk merely laughs.

The traffic isn’t bad that day.

“Can you drive?” Hyungwon asks once they’re out of the apartment area.

“Nope. Failed my test.” Minhyuk chuckles.

“Oh.” Hyungwon sees the drive through for the coffee shop he frequents in the morning, and glances at Minhyuk. “You don’t mind me stopping by just a second to get coffee do you?”

“Oh, not at all, I’m sure I’ll still get to the school earlier than using the bus,” Minhyuk shakes his head, looking out his window as Hyungwon pulls to the drive through. “The next bus would have me waiting for 15 minutes, and then I’d have to get to the train station…”

Hyungwon orders his usual and turns to Minhyuk. “You want anything?”

“It’s fine I don’t drink coffee.” Minhyuk cranes his neck to look at him, smiling so early in the morning.

“And something not coffee, please.” Hyungwon says to the worker.

Hyungwon hands Minhyuk the drink later. And Minhyuk looks at the drink dumbfoundedly.

“Now, where is this school?” Hyungwon asks, keeping his eyes on the road and sipping on his coffee as they turn at the intersection.

“Oh, just go straight and take the next right.” Minhyuk sips at his hot drink carefully. “Tea latte.” He mutters.

Hyungwon smiles, glad that Minhyuk likes it.

The kindergarten Minhyuk works at, turns out to be on the way to the architectural firm Hyungwon works at.

“Hey, my workplace is just a few blocks away.” Hyungwon says once they arrived. He looks out at the colourful building, the kids outside, the parents dropping their kids off.

It occurs to him how different their workplace ambience are.

“Thank you so much, Hyungwon!” Minhyuk says, taking off the seatbelt and picking up his tea from the cup holder.

He pushes the door open hastily, and Hyungwon calls after him before he can run away.

Minhyuk’s staring at him expectantly, still in a rush, but why does Hyungwon feel like he wants to keep Minhyuk there longer?

“I can drop you off for work tomorrow too. And the next day too.” Hyungwon finds himself saying.

Minhyuk blinks and a smile creeps up his face, it’s so bright. Brighter than any of the colors painted on the kindergarten. Not to mention mischievous too. “Every day?”

Hyungwon scoffs. “Yeah, it’s on my way to work anyway.”

Minhyuk nods quickly. “But why? I’m fine as it is.”

Hyungwon swallows a lump in his throat. “You said you have to take the bus, and the train and to be honest that sounds like a hassle to me.” He chuckles a little, clearing his throat after. “Plus, you saved my career the other day, it’s the least I can do.”

“You still owe me that meal.” The teacher grins, and waves goodbye.

The door is closed and Hyungwon watches him running and bowing at the parents, and also greeting the kids animatedly. He sees the kids looking up at the teacher with bright expressions, jumping around and following the teacher into the building.

“You seem happy today,” Hoseok says, getting into the car.

Hyungwon’s picking him up from the office to get to the construction site together.

“Really?” Hyungwon asks disinterestedly.

“Yeah. Something happened?” Hoseok putting on his seatbelt and thus began the drive to the site.

It’s a little out of the city so it is going to take a while.

“Not really.” Hyungwon mutters, drinking his coffee.

Hoseok lets him brush the topic aside, and starts talking about their work, looking through the documents he has with him and Hyungwon entertains him with his own ideas. They talk about how uptight the director is, and how they wish they can get on his level to be renowned in the field of architecture.

The visit is more on checking on the buildings they were going to preserve. It’s a historical site and Hoseok’s taking pictures and jotting down notes as Hyungwon checks on old doors, and beams.

“Take a good look at this place, boys.” Bora says once she stands with them. “We are going to preserve the history of this place. This is an old neighbourhood where your ancestors might have lived.”.

“Imagine all the families lived in this neighbourhood.” Hoseok starts talking as they walk around. “How they all grew up here. The houses are so nice, I hope they grew up really well too.”

Hyungwon scoffs. “Sappy.”

Hoseok smiles softly.

“He’s right. Buildings are essential part of our lives.” Bora says. “They may hold more memories than you do in your entire life.”

The proposal was approved.

Here comes the tsunami of work , Hyungwon has thought, already flipping through blueprints, and plans, and designs.

The days get busier and busier as time passes by, Bora’s surprised he’s coming to work earlier than usual now and Hyungwon comes home late as a routine. It’s like the first week he moved all over again, Minhyuk’s always asleep by the time he returns.

But they see each other every morning, Hyungwon eats his cereals that he bought for breakfast. And drives Minhyuk to the kindergarten, watches him go greet the kids, drives to his own workplace. Work.

Home. And it’s late again.

Morning, and Minhyuk likes his tea latte.

Kindergarten. Minhyuk greets the kids.

Work.

Minhyuk texted him a little after 6, looking for the vacuum cleaner. Hyungwon tells him it’s in his room and to just go inside and grab it.

It’s midnight now, and the director and Bora left just a moment ago, looking worn out.

“Get some sleep, boys. Please.” Bora has said before she left, heels clacking in the empty, dark hallway.

“If we’re gonna have to stay on schedule,” Hoseok says, looking at their schedule thoughtfully. “It’s better that we finish the blueprints by tonight.”

“Yeah, sure.” Hyungwon yawns. “There’s also the new design for that house.”

“Right.” Hoseok nods, tight lipped. “I think we’re changing the kitchen design to fit the budget.”

Hyungwon nods, clicking on his mouse, eyes droopy. His phone vibrates.

It’s a text message from Minhyuk.

You’re not home yet.

He swivels around and round on his chair.

Gotta keep on schedule.

Did you even have dinner? Comes a quick reply.

Had a late lunch. Are you worried about me?

Minhyuk doesn’t reply for the next ten minutes.

Only cause if you’re staying there until next morning I won’t have my ride to work :^(

Hyungwon chuckles at his phone and Hoseok looks at him.

I’m sorry. Might have to pass tomorrow. You’ll be fine just for one day right?

Minhyuk doesn’t answer and Hyungwon thinks he’s asleep already. He resumes work.

“Hey, I’m gonna sleep for an hour, please pick up the phone if Kihyun calls.” Hoseok’s yawning and stretching his arms in the air. He groans tiredly and plops down on the office couch.

“After that I’m sleeping.”

Hoseok grunts.

Kihyun calls a bit past one o’clock and Hoseok is still sleeping so Hyungwon answers the phone for him.

“He’s sleeping.” Hyungwon says.

“Oh. I just finished my shift. Tell Hoseok I’m coming over early in the morning to bring him a change of clothes.”

“Sure.” Hyungwon yawns.

“Go to sleep.” Kihyun sighs.

Hoseok slept two hours and apologizes for sleeping longer than he originally planned.

“It’s fine,” Hyungwon has said and took his turn to sleep.

He wakes up a little after dawn. There are two texts on his phone when he checks on it.

Do you want me to bring you a change of clothes, Hyungwon? Don’t want you to be smelly in the office and all.

The second one is sent half an hour later. I’ll come before I go to work then.

He doesn’t answer. Still soaked in sleep and finds himself just thinking about Minhyuk rummaging through his closet and taking his clothes. He remembers he left his room messy. Minhyuk’s going to have to find his way around the messy room.

Wait .

Oh god. His underwears that he just throws around.

He grabs his phone to stop Minhyuk from coming over.

It’s fine, you don’t have to—

He almost jumps when his phone rings. It’s Minhyuk and he’s panicking.

“Hey,” He says as he presses his phone against his ear. “You know what, it’s—”

“I’m here.” Minhyuk sounds cheery so early in the morning.

“ What ?” He walks out of the office with a confused Hoseok watching him half running away.

Minhyuk is there, with a paper bag in his hand, a cup of coffee and his phone pressed against his ear just like Hyungwon.

It must be Hyungwon’s sleepy vision that makes Minhyuk look so dreamy early in the morning, a soft smile stretching across his face at the sight of Hyungwon.

“Good morning. You don’t look so good.” Minhyuk walks to him after hanging up. “I brought you a change of clothes as promised.”

“I didn’t make you promise anything.” Hyungwon blurts out, a little dumbfounded—and maybe a little touched— at Minhyuk’s act of kindness.

“It’s just an expression,” Minhyuk chuckles. “I bought you your coffee from the usual shop.” he hands Hyungwon the coffee and it’s warm in Hyungwon’s cold hand. “And some pastries too cause you need your breakfast—”

“Minhyuk?”

Hyungwon looks over Minhyuk’s shoulder to see Kihyun in his blue scrubs, carrying coffees and a paper bag too.

“Hyungwon?” He tilts his head confusedly, staring at the two roommates. His eyes narrow just a little at the sight of the two just outside the firm.

“Hey, Kihyun.” Minhyuk greets him.

Hyungwon’s face is flushing red, why does it feel like he’s caught red handed doing something wrong?

Maybe it’s cause Kihyun’s giving him this weird look.

“What are you doing here?” Minhyuk asks casually, not at all bothered by the looks Hyungwon and Kihyun are exchanging.

“I brought Hoseok his change of clothes and breakfast…” Kihyun’s voice trails off.

“Right.”

“Hey, let’s go in and have breakfast together,” Kihyun says, gesturing for them to go inside together.

“Okay!” Minhyuk agrees and the two walk inside, leaving a confused Hyungwon outside.

And then they’re all sitting in the pantry. Kihyun made Hoseok sandwiches that Hoseok eats deliciously like he hasn’t eaten for a week.

Minhyuk brought Hyungwon some croissants and a salmon sandwich. He’s eating one too.

“So,” Hoseok starts, drinking his coffee. “it’s really kind of you to come here and do this for Hyungwon, Minhyuk.”

“He gives me ride to work every morning now. It’s the least I can do,” Minhyuk says, pulling out cucumbers from his sandwich.

Hoseok and Kihyun share a look that Hyungwon doesn’t miss. How does he stop them?

Hyungwon realizes his sandwich also has cucumbers so he pulls them out too, placing it onto the napkin where Minhyuk puts his.

Minhyuk looks at him and gives him a knowing look.

They talk about the progress of Hoseok and Hyungwon’s work. Whether there will be more of this breakfast in the pantry. Hoseok and Hyungwon swear it’s only today because they fell a bit behind schedule since the director took his time with the designs and materials.

“Alright, I gotta go now,” Kihyun says once all the food are finished, getting up and cleaning up Hoseok’s mess.

“Thank you for coming over Kihyunnie!” Hoseok grins up at his boyfriend. “Now I’m all recharged for the day after seeing your face!”

Kihyun scoffs, kisses him on the forehead and says a hurried goodbye to go to work.

Hoseok is still grinning like an idiot even after Kihyun left and Minhyuk and Hyungwon stare at him, amused.

“You really got it bad for him, huh?” Minhyuk asks, crossing his arms together.

“I miss him already,” Hoseok sighs, putting down his coffee and frowning.

Minhyuk laughs. “Hyungwon’s got it bad for me too.”

Hoseok’s ears perk up at the statement and Hyungwon groans, getting up to get rid of the trash on the table.

“He tried to kiss me once.”

“I did not!” Hyungwon retorts while Hoseok laughs happily. “Minhyuk was just blinking weird. I was curious why.”

“Oh yea, I heard about this.” Hoseok’s still laughing.

Minhyuk puffs out his chest. “Oh, so he talks about me now?”

“Shut up, Minhyuk. Don’t you have a class to teach?”

Minhyuk laughs but gets up anyway. “You’re right, better get going.”

“I’ll see you out,” Hyungwon mutters, grabbing Minhyuk by the shoulders and pushing him out of the place to stop him from saying more stupid things, but Minhyuk holds on to the doorframe.

“He’s seeing me out, Hoseok!” Minhyuk beams and Hyungwon just pushes the giggling man out.

He walks Minhyuk until they’re outside of the building. The weather is cold in the morning.

“You’ll be home early today?” Minhyuk asks, squinting under the bright sky.

“Hopefully.” Hyungwon answers. “Now go.”

Minhyuk snickers. “Okay, okay you’re trying to get rid of me now, I’m a little hurt.”

Hyungwon sighs, looking around, everywhere as long as it’s not Minhyuk. “No, I’m not. You’re gonna be late to work.”

Minhyuk grins. And waves goodbye happily. Hyungwon watches him go and goes back inside.

“Okay, that was weird.” Hoseok says, already in fresh clothes and sitting at his desk.

Hyungwon’s looking into the paper bag Minhyuk brought. He really did go through Hyungwon’s closet and packed him his favorite blue shirt. Hyungwon is at least glad he gets to wear his favorite shirt.

“What’s weird?” Hyungwon asks, looking at the clock on the wall. The director and manager will be there soon.

Hoseok turns to face Hyungwon on his chair, arms crossed on his chest. “Is there something going on? Between you and Minhyuk?”

Hyungwon raises an eyebrow at him, scoffing. “No.” He answers truthfully. Admittedly, the roommate is just a roommate thing was cancelled entirely, Minhyuk wasn’t flirting with him at all, and saved his career; so he finds it acceptable to be friends with Minhyuk. “Why are you asking this? I told you there was no flirting going on. I was wrong. And now it’s more comfortable hanging out with him cause of that, you know.”

“Uhuh.”

“Dude hanging out with a dude.” Hyungwon mutters, picking up the bag to go change.

“Bros being bros?” Hoseok asks.

“Yeah. What’s better than that?” Hyungwon smirks before leaving and freshening up.

On his way home, Hyungwon finds Minhyuk walking on the street, so he slows down and rolls the window down.

“Going home?” He asks.

Minhyuk seems surprised to see him, and a smile instantly lights up his face when he realizes it’s Hyungwon. “Hi, yes, I’m on my way home.”

Hyungwon gestures to the passenger seat. “Get in.”

Minhyuk beams, scurrying into the passenger seat. Once he’s seated he sighs out of relief.

“It’s pretty late,” Hyungwon says, eyes on the road. “Did you stop by somewhere after school?”

“Yeah, went out with Jooheon.”

“Oh, the one who makes apps, right?”

“Yes! You remember.” Minhyuk claps a little, as if it’s an achievement.

The architect merely smiles at the road. “Have you had dinner?” He asks instead.

“No.”

“Do you wanna have dinner together?”

“Sure.”

“Do you know a good place for some bean paste stew?”

“Yeah.” Minhyuk quickly straightens in his seat and starts giving directions. They end up at a restaurant that Minhyuk said serves the best stews in the whole city. After Hyungwon parked the car they went inside.

Minhyuk greets the old woman at the counter as if they’ve known each other their whole lives and somehow Hyungwon’s convinced of it because the waiter calls Minhyuk by his name and asks him about his work.

“This is Hyungwon,” Minhyuk points at Hyungwon. “He recently moved here so I’m showing him the best restaurant in the whole city.”

The waiter, whom Minhyuk calls Sanghyuk, laughs politely. “Nice to meet you, Hyungwon.”

Hyungwon smiles. “Likewise.”

“He also has a crush on me, so I guess now we’re on a date.” Minhyuk suddenly says and Hyungwon sighs, shaking his head.

“I’m glad you chose our restaurant as the place for your first date.” Sanghyuk grins.

Minhyuk giggles.

“I don’t have a crush on him, and can I have bean paste stew with a bowl of rice, please.” Hyungwon says to the waiter.

“Oh, come on, Hyungwon.” Minhyuk looks up at the waiter, says his order and waves a hand in the air. “Hyungwon’s just shy about it, don’t mind him.”

“No, please don’t mind Minhyuk, here.”

Sanghyuk chuckles and gives Hyungwon an understanding look. “It’s fine, I know how he is.”

Hyungwon nods gratefully.

When the waiter left, Hyungwon pours himself a glass of water already served on the table and takes a huge gulp.

“Can you please stop that, Minhyuk?”

Minhyuk who was checking on something on his phone immediately drops it on the table. “Fine, I won’t play with my phone when we’re having a meal but there was a text from Changkyun—”

“No, no.” Hyungwon shuts his eyes briefly, suddenly his head hurts. “I meant telling people that I like you.”

“Oh.” Minhyuk blinks, picking up his phone again. “But you do.”

“I don’t.”  Hyungwon pinches the bridge of his nose.

The teacher is texting again, not looking at Hyungwon. “Yes, you do.” He sings and Hyungwon covers his face with his hand, shaking his head in disbelief.

“Whatever.” He sighs and leans back in his seat.

Minhyuk puts down his phone and rests his chin on his palms. “So, how was work?” he asks, eyeing Hyungwon in his favorite blue shirt.

“It was fine.” Hyungwon answers without much thought. “What about yours?”

Minhyuk shrugs.

“Tell me about it. I don’t think you’ve ever talked about your work that much.”

And once Minhyuk starts, apparently it’s hard for him to stop. Hyungwon listens intently though, even as the food comes, and they’re eating. Minhyuk’s rambling about everything that happened in that one day with mouth full of rice.

“And sometimes, it’s hard when the kids are already crying in the morning, you know.” Minhyuk mutters. “So I always tell them it’s not good to start the day with so much tears, when you can start it with a smile.”

Hyungwon hums to show he’s still listening.

“Usually it works, but this one kid, she doesn’t cry, she just sits there with the biggest frown on her face! And I tried getting her to slowly open up but that’s gonna take a longer time with the progress we’re having.”

“You’ll get through her.” Hyungwon says absentmindedly.

“You think so?”

“Yeah, all the kids seem to like you. I’m sure she will too.”

Minhyuk blinks, a piece of kimchi between his chopsticks and uneaten cause he’s staring at Hyungwon with his bangs in his eyes. “How do you know that?”

Hyungwon shrugs, finishing his stew. “I see the way they greet you in the morning.” He puts down the bowl and wipes his mouth with the napkin as he gazes at Minhyuk.

Minhyuk’s expression softens just as their eyes met, and Hyungwon smiles slightly at him behind the napkin.

All of a sudden, the phone on the table rings, and Minhyuk fumbles to answer.

“What? What? What?” He asks as soon as he presses the phone against his ear.

Hyungwon stacks the bowls on the table as Minhyuk finishes what is left of his food while listening to the person on the line.

“Yeah. Tomorrow?” Minhyuk asks. “Okay.” He pauses. “Oh, can I bring someone else with me? You’d be glad to meet him.”

Hyungwon looks at him and Minhyuk catches his eyes, smiling and raising a finger.

“Yeah, yeah, Hyungwon.”

Hyungwon raises his eyebrows at the teacher, pointing at himself questioningly.

“He has a crush on me but that’s not important, I’ll ask him if he wants to come along. Okay, bye.” Minhyuk hangs up happily, putting down his phone and eating a spoonful of rice.

The architect stares at him in disbelief, crossing his arms together.

“Lee Minhyuk.”

Minhyuk looks up at him from his bowl. “What?”

“I said, stop doing that.”

Minhyuk laughs. “It’s just a joke!”

“Sooner or later everyone’s going to think I actually have a crush on you, you know that?”

“But you do.”

“I don’t.” Hyungwon pulls at the collar of his shirt. A mischievous smile tugs at his lips and he has to struggle to keep a straight face. “I have a reputation to uphold you know, I don’t just like anyone.”

Minhyuk drops his spoon, and frowns. “I’m not just anyone.”

“Yeah, but I still don’t have a crush on you.”

“What, I’m not good enough for a good looking architect like you?”

“What I’m saying is, my taste is very restricted and maybe you don’t fall in my category.”

“Oh, so what is your taste? A building that’s designed properly? One where it doesn’t blink like a loser ?”

Hyungwon blinks, straightening in his seat. “Kihyun’s words. And—” He lifts a finger. “I told you I don’t think you blink like a loser.”

“Okay, so why don’t you have a crush on me?”

“This isn’t high school, Minhyuk, stop with the crushes.”

“Ah, so you’re in love with me?”

“Lee Minhyuk,” Hyungwon says with the tone of a warning.

Minhyuk laughs loudly, clutching his stomach that the next time he speaks his voice is hoarse, “Okay, anyway, do you wanna come with me tomorrow morning?”

“What day is tomorrow?”

“Saturday, you fool.” Minhyuk’s smile is so wide the sides of his eyes are crinkling it’s almost adorable.

Hyungwon hisses and sighs, “I want to sleep.”

“Oh, come on Hyungwon, I’ll introduce you to Jooheon and Changkyun! They’re excited to meet you already!”

“Only cause you told them I’m some crazy guy who has a crush on you.”

Minhyuk holds in a giggle. “Not really, but it’s nice to meet some new people, right?”

“What is it with tomorrow morning?” Hyungwon pours himself more water and starts drinking.

“We’re going to the gym.”

Hyungwon is really tempted to splash Minhyuk with the water he’s drinking because Minhyuk should wake up, Hyungwon barely goes out of his room once he’s home. “I don’t… go to the gym.”

“You can start now. Cause I don’t either. But Hyunwoo-hyung is a trainer there so we can get a discount for a workout session. Come on, it’s nice to feel healthy once in a while.”

“Once in a while,” Hyungwon repeats, chuckling.

It’s so early in the morning. And it’s Saturday. Usually Hyungwon isn’t even up at this time, and if he is, he must have gone insane or something.

But here he is, driving his car with a giddy Minhyuk singing along to the weekend morning radio.

His voice cracks every now and then when he tries to reach a high note, so Hyungwon attempts to turn off the radio but Minhyuk grabs his hand and stops him all the time.

“Don’t forget your water, Hyungwon,” Minhyuk says after they parked and Hyungwon was already out of the car.

He takes his bottle and his bag from the backseat as Minhyuk gets out of the car too.

The gym is on the second floor of a building and Minhyuk already sighs as he climbs the flight of stairs.

“We can still ditch if this is already too tiring for you.” Hyungwon smirks at him as he walks past the other and hastening his steps up the stairs.

Minhyuk groans.

Upstairs, there are already other people gathered in their workout attire. It’s an entirely new scene for Hyungwon who’s a homebody. Hyunwoo greets them once they’re there, and there are already other people stretching next to the prepared treadmills.

“I didn’t know you do this,” Hyungwon says after their greeting.

Hyunwoo raises an eyebrow. “Me? Oh, I train people by day and tend the bar at night.”

“Interesting.” Hyungwon only manages to say before Minhyuk pulls his hand.

“So, this is Jooheon.” Minhyuk starts once Hyungwon sees a man smiling ear to ear, a prominent dimple on his cheek. “And this is Changkyun.”

This other man seems serious but he’s smiling rather awkwardly.

“Hyungwon! Heard a lot about you!” Jooheon greets him happily, holding out a hand.

“A lot?” Hyungwon echoes, glancing at Minhyuk who’s grinning.

“Are you really crushing on Minhyuk-hyung?” Changkyun asks and Hyungwon’s mouth open but no words came out.

He tries again. “Minhyuk, you really should stop—”

“Well, look who’s here!” Someone exclaims excitedly and they all turned to see Hoseok with his tight shirt and Kihyun trailing behind him. “Hyungwon, you work out now?”

“Why the fuck is everyone here,” Hyungwon mutters under his breath before feeling Minhyuk grabbing his arm.

“I asked him to come with me!” Minhyuk chuckles like an idiot and Hyungwon pulls his arm away.

“Lee Minhyuk are you trying to kill him?” Kihyun asks. “This man can barely carry himself and now you’re asking him to work out?”

“Hey.” Hyungwon interjects, feeling offended. “I’m not that weak.”

“But you’re saying you are weak?” Minhyuk asks instead and Hyungwon rolls his eyes.

“Changkyun-ah, you didn’t return my calls, where have you been?” Kihyun turns to Changkyun who looks away as if he didn’t hear him. “Hey, you’re going to ignore me like this after I lent you my playstation?”

“We were on a worktrip.” Jooheon answers instead, smiling and trying to calm Kihyun down because Kihyun seems like he’s ready to fight.

“Anyway,” Kihyun sighs, turning to Hoseok who is smiling happily at everyone. “This is Jooheon and Changkyun.”

“Oh yeah, I met Changkyun briefly when I visited you here last year.” Hoseok says, shaking Changkyun and Jooheon’s hands. “And Jooheon, heard a lot about you!”

“Only good things I hope,” Jooheon says politely.

“We’re going to start now.” Hyunwoo comes into the circle, gesturing for them to take their place.

“Oh, sorry!” Kihyun quickly apologizes and suddenly Hyungwon’s pulled to Minhyuk’s side.

“Stay next to me so we can make fun of Kihyun together,” Minhyuk whispers.

Kihyun who was saying something to Hoseok turns around and glares at Minhyuk. “I heard that.”

“Working out doesn’t make you bigger, Kihyun.” Minhyuk fakes a smile.

“It does make me stronger so I can beat the shit out of you for annoying me someday.” Kihyun showed him his fist and Minhyuk acts as if he’s scared.

Hyungwon’s watching amusedly.

“Hey, stop it, Minhyuk.” Hoseok laughs a little. “Let my Kihyunnie live.”

Kihyun sticks out his tongue at Minhyuk before Hoseok gets his attention again.

The workout session is hard and rigorous, they were only ten minutes in when Hyungwon finds himself already losing his breath and so, so tired. Even Minhyuk is quiet and not throwing comments at how Kihyun almost fell and Hoseok has to catch him.

The session ended half an hour later and the moms and other men start crowding around Hyunwoo. He seems famous and admired by the people asking him questions and everything.

“Never again,” Hyungwon says, still out of breath and drinking his water.

“Yeah, never again.” Minhyuk agrees, panting and hands on his knees.

“Hey, hey, hey, gotta build up that stamina, so don’t say never again!” Hoseok, who is the only one still standing straight, says excitedly. Even Kihyun seems dead next to him.

“I can’t do this anymore,” Minhyuk groans. He leans against Hyungwon, all sweaty and annoying. “Hyungwon-ah, you’re gonna have to carry me home.”

“Go away, you’re all sweaty!” Hyungwon pushes him and Minhyuk starts wiping his sweaty neck with his palms and trying to wipe it on Hyungwon who keeps him away at an arm’s length, laughing. “Gross!”

“So,” Kihyun says weakly, looking at them all. “Brunch? Anyone?”

“The only good part of working out, is food tastes a hundred times better!” Minhyuk groans as he eats his frittata and closing his eyes in delight.

“So do you guys always do this on weekends?” Hyungwon asks Hoseok who’s sitting across him. Minhyuk is shaking in his seat– excited over his food– beside him and he pulls his chair slightly away.

“No, this is our first time actually.” Hoseok’s munching on his Panini. “I keep telling Kihyun the gym I go to is better, but he wants to support Hyunwoo.” Hoseok rolls his eyes and Hyungwon laughs slightly.

“I don’t get it, is it so wrong to support a friend?” Kihyun asks, adjusting his own panini in his hands.

“No babe, that’s too big let me cut them in half.” Hoseok puts down his food to cut Kihyun’s panini into a smaller size.

“Speaking of support,” Changkyun at the end of the table suddenly voices out loudly. “Support our new app.”

“What is this new app?” Minhyuk asks.

“Well it’s not really an app, but more like a new software.” Jooheon starts.

“It’s an app.” Changkyun states.

“But, it’s like cinema in a box!” Jooheon raises his voice. “You get all these movies in one—”

“So Netflix?” Kihyun cuts him off.

“No!” Jooheon waves  a hand in the air, shaking his head. “I told you, it’s this software- it’s a—it’s like a—”

“Mini cinema that you can carry around and share with other people. It’s like, a portable, wireless cinema that people around you can connect to together and watch together.” Changkyun doesn’t even seem sure of what he’s saying either as he blinks at his food.

“Yeah, like that.”

“You can find it on the store.”

“This is expensive,” Minhyuk says, already on his phone.

“One week free trial only?” Kihyun is also on his phone.

“Do we get advertisements in the middle of the movie on trial?” Hoseok’s tapping on his phone now too.

“So it’s basically a streaming app?” Hyungwon’s still trying to make sense of what he just heard.

“Anyway,” Changkyun lifts his hands, signalling a big announcement. “It’s already the number one app in South Korea for last month.”

“Now that , I understand.” Minhyuk beams. He lifts his tea and urges everyone to do the same with their drinks.

“Congratulations!” Hoseok cheers.

Jooheon and Changkyun nod proudly as the other congratulates them and asking if they patented it.

Of course they did.

Hyungwon just got out of the shower when he hears Minhyuk groaning loudly outside in the living room. He gets dressed, throws his towel on the bed and walks out to find Minhyuk trying to climb the tv.

“Why are you trying to climb the tv?”

Minhyuk turns his head around. “Oh, Hyungwon, thank god, come and help me with this.”

Hyungwon approaches him cautiously. “What are you doing?”

“Oh, before that,” Minhyuk lets go of the tv and stands in front of Hyungwon. And he smiles, but Hyungwon sees a hidden intention behind that smile so he doesn’t return it. “You don’t really watch the tv, do you?”

“Um, no? I barely have the time.”

“So, is it okay if I move this tv into my bedroom?” Minhyuk clasps his hands together and stares at Hyungwon with a hopeful smile.

“Whatever.”

“And help me carry this into my room?” Minhyuk bats his eyelashes and Hyungwon holds his stare. “Pleaaaaseee?”

“Minhyuk, my body is sore from working out.”

“Mine too, you think you were the only one who worked out?”

Hyungwon groans but walks to the other side of the tv anyway. “Hurry up, I don’t have all day.”

Minhyuk grins and takes the other side quickly. “Yes, you do!”

They took the tv off from the thing holding it in place on the wall, and both of them groan in pain because of their sore arms and the heavier than they thought tv.

“I’m gonna drop it, I’m gonna drop it!”

“Don’t fucking drop the tv Minhyuk!” Hyungwon warns and feels the tv tilting on the other side. “Lee Minhyuk!”

Minhyuk screams but thankfully they didn’t drop the tv. The journey to Minhyuk’s bedroom is slow, and excruciating, full of shouts and screams and a toppled chair at the dining table.

When they got into the room they decided to put the tv on the bed to regain their strength.

“Why is it so heavy, and big?” Minhyuk is panting, patting his back like an old man.

Hyungwon stretches his back. He looks around, Minhyuk’s room is messy but he can see Minhyuk cleared a space for the television on a low table in front of his bed.

“Let me get the tv decoder stuff.” Minhyuk runs out of the room, and Hyungwon sits on the edge of the bed.

There are clothes thrown around, the closet is open halfway, and there are children’s drawings on Minhyuk’s desk, some exercise books, sketchbooks too and encyclopedias that Hyungwon assumes he reads so he can tell the kids all about everything. There’s a notice board by his desk, filled with colorful papers of old reminders –that he never took off apparently, and some polaroids with his friends. From the way they dressed and what seems to be a party they attended, Hyungwon thinks it was in his college days. Kihyun has dark brown hair in most of them and Minhyuk blond. He looked brighter when he was blond, Hyungwon thinks. Next to it on the wall, there’s a portrait of him, presumably drawn by one of his students, Hyungwon hopes from the look of the squiggly lines.

Even in drawing Minhyuk is smiling brightly.

“Here we go,” Minhyuk walks into the room with remotes, tv decoder and other things in his arms. He hands the television stand to Hyungwon and puts a box of tools beside the architect.

Hyungwon tries to put it on while Minhyuk sets up the decoder.

“Can you do it?” Minhyuk looms over his shoulder as he screws on the metal on the back of the tv. “Wait, you’re doing it wrong,” He points at whatever Hyungwon’s doing wrong because Hyungwon doesn’t know if he’s even doing it wrong.

“Wait, why am I doing this?” Hyungwon puts away the screwdriver in his hands. “Do it yourself!”

Minhyuk frowns and pushes him away. “Sheesh, bossy.” He mutters.

Hyungwon scoffs. “And I don’t even get a thank you?”

Minhyuk forces a smile. “Let me do this in peace, would you?”

Hyungwon sneers at him and crosses his arms together as he watches Minhyuk do his own work. He tries not to focus on Minhyuk’s expression as he focuses on the tv, and instead inspects the bedroom. They’re not much different, Minhyuk seems like a messy person too. He also has a dusty computer on his desk. Probably too busy to use it.

Thankfully, Minhyuk seems to do everything correctly and they placed the television together onto the table.

They both step back and stare at the blank tv.

“Well, let’s try turning it on.” Minhyuk takes the cables and plugged them in.

Hyungwon sits on the bed again and Minhyuk takes the space next to him as he presses on the tv remote.

“Wow, it’s so much better to watch tv when you’re on your bed,” Minhyuk says amazedly, leaning back on his hands.

A documentary is on, showing marine animals, and soothing narrator talking over the blue footages.

“I love whales,” Minhyuk suddenly says, and Hyungwon cranes his neck, looks at the blue light from the huge tv screen illuminating his face. The narrator is talking about whales so Hyungwon thinks the documentary is showing whales now.

“Why?” Hyungwon asks.

Minhyuk blinks at the screen, his lips a soft smile, eyes fixed on the footages of the whale. “I don’t know,” He murmurs. “They’re big, and great. Don’t you think they can take you anywhere on their backs?”

Hyungwon chuckles slightly, finally looking at the tv.

“They also make this weird but fascinating sound when they’re trying to communicate,” Minhyuk says and chuckles when the documentary lets the viewers listen to the sound whales make. “They call their sounds a song and I think it fits. Maybe they are singing to each other.”

They watch the documentary in silence, and the sound of the tv seems to echo in a smaller space than the usual living room. Minhyuk laughs every now and then, fascinated by the creatures on the tv and Hyungwon wonders if his child like fascination is what makes him so good dealing with kids.

Minhyuk turns to look at him, only to find Hyungwon already staring at him too.

“Hey, watch a movie with me.” He says.

“What movie?” Hyungwon asks, rubbing the nape of his neck.

“It’s this horror movie that I always wanted to watch, but was too scared to. But since you’re here now, accompany me would you?” He excitedly gets up and scurries to his closet where he takes out a dvd. He connects the dvd player to the television excitedly. “We’ll order in for dinner while we watch this.”

So they did. They ordered black bean noodles and Minhyuk said he doesn’t mind eating on the bed. Hyungwon is careful anyway.

They did scream all the way throughout the movie because of the jumpscares and Minhyuk babbles after on, saying how it wasn’t fair, they were focusing too much on this and that so that when a ghost appears, of course people would be surprised. Hyungwon wants to say that’s the point of it all but bites back on his words and watches the movie (and Minhyuk’s reaction) in what he hopes is silence. Because apparently he screams when Minhyuk screams too.

When the movie ends, Hyungwon’s already lying on the bed, full and tired, while Minhyuk goes out to throw away the trash from their dinner.

Minhyuk comes back and sits beside Hyungwon, pressing on the tv remote and surfing through the channels. He settles for a sitcom, lowers the volume and lies down beside Hyungwon, pulling a pillow under his head. They fall silent, letting the room be filled with the sound of the actors talking.

“Why did you want to put the tv in here?” Hyungwon asks in a low voice.

Minhyuk turns his head on the pillow and smiles at the architect softly. “I like letting the sound of the tv lull me to sleep.”

“Why?”

Minhyuk shrugs. “I don’t know,” He says, eyes slowly blinking (winking) and he looks sleepy already, with the sound of the actors talking from the television surrounding the whole room. “It’s just easier to fall asleep this way.” He whispers and this time when he blinks his eyes stays closed, and his lips stay smiling.

Hyungwon doesn’t say anything, just stares at him with the changing colors of the tv light on Minhyuk’s skin and finds his eyes drooping.

He remembers Minhyuk sleeping on the couch, wrapped in his blanket that one night. The soft sound of the tv playing in the living room. A note written to Hyungwon on the kitchen counter with homecooked stew and salvaged from burning chicken.

He falls asleep to the soft sound of Minhyuk breathing.

(He woke up at 3, turned the tv off and placed a blanket on Minhyuk before retreating into his own bedroom to sleep again.)

Minhyuk surrounds Hyungwon everywhere now. He’s there in that apartment, he’s there in the mornings, with his now usual order of tea latte. He’s there greeting the kids in the morning before Hyungwon drives away to his own workplace.

In occasional texts asking where anything is in the apartment.

He’s there in Hyungwon’s mind.

He’s in the car too.

“What are those?” Hoseok asks once he gets in the car, peering over his shoulder to look at the backseat.

Hyungwon looks at what he’s staring at too. “Oh, they’re the kids’ drawings and exercise books. Minhyuk left them there.”

Hoseok nods slowly, Hyungwon already begun driving to their site.

Sometimes Minhyuk forgets his tea in the cup holder in his rush. And Hyungwon brings in a cup of coffee and another of tea into the office because he doesn’t want to waste a perfectly good drink in the morning.

Minhyuk would say it’s okay over the text, Hyungwon can have them.

Hyungwon reminds him not to forget them ever again. So there’s always an ‘ aren’t you forgetting something?’ in the morning and Minhyuk’s embarrassed smile in the car now.

“Are we getting off early today? Since we’re not going back to the office?” Hyungwon asks, pulling on the steering wheel to turn left.

Hoseok’s texting on his phone. “I guess so.” He replies absentmindedly. “Why?”

“I was thinking of grabbing dinner somewhere with Minhyuk,” Hyungwon says nonchalantly.

Hoseok stops texting, looks at him and puts his phone down. “Yeah? Is that a usual thing?”

“What?”

“I don’t know.”

“He finishes work early, so I just thought it’d be convenient to get dinner together and then go home. We live in the same apartment after all.”

“Oh, can I come too?”

“Sure.”

Hoseok blinks at him. “Okay.” He pats his thighs, looking out the window. “I’ll ask Kihyun if he wants to join too.”

“Alright.”

They did get off early. And Hoseok and Hyungwon wait for Kihyun and Minhyuk in the restaurant, flipping through the menu and talking about nothing.

“I’m not against Hyunwoo or anything, but it just irks me whenever Kihyun wants to have a drink at the bar,” Hoseok mutters. “I know they’re close, they’ve known each other way before I met Kihyun, but Kihyun’s all chummy with this guy, I don’t like it.”

“Uhuh.” Hyungwon scans the main course on the menu. He doesn’t know if he should get meat or seafood.

“And Hyunwoo has this behavior as if he wants to show me he cares about Kihyun more than I do. Ugh, I don’t know it’s so frustrating because Kihyun doesn’t know this and he admires the guy so much for some reason.”

“You think they had something special between them before?”

“What?” Hoseok snaps. “I would have known!”

“I was just asking.”

“It bothered me even while we were doing long distance, cause it’s Hyunwoo this and Hyunwoo that, he did this and that to help Kihyun around. Should I trust this gut feeling to keep Kihyun away from him as much as possible?”

“They’re just good friends, relax. You’re way more significant in Kihyun’s life, I believe that.”

Hoseok sighs, and Hyungwon receives a text message from Minhyuk.

I’m gonna be a little late :( Got some problem. Order first without me!

Just in time, Kihyun arrives, pecking Hoseok’s cheek and taking a seat.

“Where’s Minhyuk, is he coming?” Kihyun asks, taking the menu from Hoseok.

“He said he’s gonna be little late.” Hyungwon answers.

“Oh,” Kihyun nods. “What are you gonna have, babe?”

“I can’t decide.” Hoseok shrugs, looking at the menu too.

“Did you guys know the restaurant with the famous Japanese beef steak requires you to make a month ahead reservation?” Hyungwon suddenly asks.

“What restaurant?”

“The new restaurant right around the corner from the bar.”

“Reservation? A month ahead? That’s crazy.” Kihyun hisses, putting down the menu.

“I know.”

“The food better be good for the month ahead to be worth it.”

“Yeah.” Hyungwon chuckles.

“Can we order first? I’m starving.” Kihyun raises a hand to call the waiter and they placed their order.

Minhyuk comes right when the food is served, panting. “I’m so sorry I’m late!” he says, taking a seat next to Hyungwon. The waiter hands him the menu.

“What was the matter?” Hyungwon asks, watching Minhyuk downs his glass of water.

Minhyuk seems tired, and worried, his eyebrows knitted. “Oh, this kid. Her parent forgot to pick her up and she was crying and the parents were unreachable.” He manages a smile. “The mom came though, so I just had to accompany the kid.”

“Phew, that sucks,” Kihyun says.

“Yeah it does.” Minhyuk sighs, and Hyungwon blinks, watching the way Minhyuk frowns at the list of food on the menu.

He orders, and returns the menu to the waiter.

“Ugh, I’m starving I had to skip lunch today because some kid pooped his pants during free play.”

“Wow, thank you for the information, Minhyuk.” Hoseok says as he cuts up the meat on his plate.

Minhyuk laughs.

“What a day at the kindergarten, huh?” Hyungwon pushes his plate slightly towards Minhyuk. “Have some of mine while you wait.”

Minhyuk fakes a touched sound and immediately grabs his fork to eat Hyungwon’s food. He starts stabbing anything he could get on the plate.

“Not everything . Just som—god damn it, Minhyuk.”

Minhyuk giggles with his mouth full and finally puts his fork down. “Thanks.”

They eat in silence while Minhyuk drums his fingers impatiently on the table, hungry and praying for his food to come soon.

“Hey, remind me to carry the things in the backseat to the apartment. I need to mark them.” He says to Hyungwon.

“Okay.”

Hoseok and Kihyun look at each other. Kihyun raises an eyebrow and Hoseok shrugs.

Minhyuk sighs, rubbing his eyes with his fists. “When will I get to forking eat my food.” He whines loudly.

“Okay, I didn’t ask this for too long,” Hyungwon puts down his cutleries. “But what is up with censoring all these curse words?”

Kihyun blinks. “He works with kids, Hyungwon.” He says like Hyungwon is the dumbest person in the world.

“Yeah, I created this system of cursing but not really cursing.” Minhyuk says. “Like Kihyun is a bench—”

“I will fucking kill you.” Kihyun cuts off.

“Or stop acting like an ash-hole, Kihyun.”

“Minhyuk, I swear to god.”

“Anyway, the other teachers do it too. Sometimes it’s harder to not curse so we’ve been using this system to get it out of our system.”

Hyungwon chuckles “That’s funny.”

“Yeah.” Minhyuk agrees, eyeing the waiter for his food.

When his food comes he ate enthusiastically and they stayed and chatted for a little while after the food was gone, Kihyun ordering dessert that he shared with the others. After that he suggested they get some drinks at the bar, and Hoseok visibly rolls his eyes.

Minhyuk declines, says he’s can’t drink cause he’s working tomorrow.

“I’ll send you home first then,” Hyungwon says, getting up and picking up his jacket from the chair.

“Really? You would do that for me?” Minhyuk tilts his head at him as they walk out of the restaurant.

“Sure.”

They all got in the car, and Hyungwon drives Minhyuk home, reminding him to take the drawings and books in the backseat. The teacher’s grateful for the reminder and says goodbye to his friends.

“I should buy a car soon.” Hoseok speaks up once they’re seated at a booth in the bar.

Kihyun’s getting them their drinks, chatting with Hyunwoo at the bar.

“Yeah you should. You can drive Kihyun around with it. It’s convenient.” Hyungwon mutters without much thought and Hoseok gives him a strange smile.

“Yeah? Like how you drive Minhyuk around now?”

Hyungwon notices the shift in the topic and leans back in his seat.

“Got us beers,” Kihyun says once he got to the table, putting down three bottles of beers.

“That was a long chat,” Hoseok states and Kihyun gives him a weird look before sitting down. “Anyway, Minhyuk.”

“What’s wrong with him now?”

“Nothing,” Hyungwon sighs.

“Of course you’d say that.” Hoseok snickers.

“Look, Kihyun said we’d make good friends, and I admit that. I think we’re good friends now.”

Kihyun looks at them two. “Oh? Yeah, I said that.”

“So there’s nothing going on?” Hoseok leans forward expectantly.

“Does he even swing that way?” Hyungwon finds himself asking.

“Of course!” Kihyun retorts.

“Anyway,” Hyungwon drinks his beer. “No. We live in the same apartment, we help each other on some things, it’s just good friends being good friends with each other, you know.”

“How long has it been, like a month?” Kihyun narrows his eyes at Hyungwon.

“It doesn’t have to take so long to be good friends.” Hyungwon shrugs, picking at the sticker on his bottle of beer. “Plus, if it was something else I would know. I don’t even want to make a move on him or anything so yeah, it’s all,” He stares at Kihyun certainly. “Platonic.”

“Okay.” Kihyun shrugs, he looks unconvinced but then says, “Good friends.”

“Although I do hope Minhyuk would stop joking around, he does this stupid thing where he tells everyone I have feelings for him.” Hyungwon groans. The joke hasn’t stopped, it’s an ongoing one and Hyungwon hates it because if they grab dinner after work the people around them would just smile and look at them with this fond look in their eyes while Minhyuk giggles like a devil he is. It’s embarrassing only because Hyungwon doesn’t like Minhyuk that way.

Kihyun blinks, puts down his bottle and stares at the table. “What’s that?”

“He tells everyone I like him.” Hyungwon answers dismissively, he nods a little at the music playing in the bar.

There’s good music tonight, he likes it.

“Everyone? He makes it a point to tell, everyone ?”

“He told me that too, after we had breakfast at the office, remember?” Hoseok asks, looking confused. “Oh wait, you left already.”

“Minhyuk didn’t tell me anything,” Kihyun mutters in a low voice. He seems to be deep in his thoughts.

Hoseok and Hyungwon exchange a look.

“Okay, this is awkward,” Kihyun laughs slightly. “And weird .”

“Spill.” Hoseok shifts in his seat excitedly, noticing that Kihyun has come up with something important.

“You know how you thought Minhyuk flirts by winking at you every chance he gets? And invading your personal space?”

Hyungwon doesn’t like where this is going because first, he doesn’t like being reminded of his own foolishness and second, because Kihyun looks serious but there’s a hint of a playful smile on his face.

“That’s not how Minhyuk flirts.”

“I know, sheesh, stop reminding me of the misunderstanding.” Hyungwon slumps in his seat because he’s now reminded of how confused Minhyuk looked when Hyungwon had his hands on his face.

How his eyes shone like they contain stars in the proximity and how Hyungwon could hear him breathe. His pink lips parted. Hyungwon thought he expected a kiss. Minhyuk said Hyungwon looked like he wanted to kiss him.

“Minhyuk,” Kihyun starts. “This idiot who is so dumb sometimes I don’t understand how he’s so good at dealing with kids, flirts that way, Hyungwon.”

Hyungwon’s uncomfortable in his seat, he fiddles with the collar of his shirt, and drinks his beer.

“He’s so stupid that when he likes someone the first thing he does is convince that someone that they like him instead.”

“Oh shit !” Hoseok exclaims in realization and he smiles widely. “Minhyuk likes Hyungwon!”

Kihyun laughs loudly, not in the same happiness as Hoseok but more of a mocking laugh for Hyungwon.

“What kind of reverse psychology shit is this ?!” Hyungwon—in his disbelief— questions, bewildered and eyes wide and somehow his heart is racing.

It’s the beer, it’s the beer, he had wine at the restaurant too.

Kihyun’s slapping the table as he laughs. “Oh man, okay this is hilarious. Minhyuk is so dumb I can’t believe he’s pulling this move on you.”

Hyungwon’s cheeks are hot now. He drinks more of the cold beer, but his hands are cold now too. Did Hyunwoo turn down the heater?

“It’s the classic Minhyuk move since college.” Kihyun explains. “But don’t worry about it.” He suddenly waves a hand in the air dismissively. “He’s used to being rejected that way. It doesn’t work but I don’t know why he’s still doing it.”

“Glad to know it doesn’t work.” Hyungwon mutters, rubbing the nape of his neck.

“Doesn’t mean you don’t have to be careful, though,” Kihyun raises a finger and gives him a serious look. “If you break his heart you would have me to deal with.”

Hoseok looks at the two of them because Hyungwon’s clearly threatened from the look on his face, so Hoseok manages a laugh. “Well, they’re good friends, and Hyungwon’s a good guy, Minhyuk too, I trust everything will be just fine .”

Except it isn’t fine. Hyungwon tiptoes around Minhyuk now, tries not to let Minhyuk see other people when it’s the two of them in fear Minhyuk pulls that move again, and tells anyone in proximity that Hyungwon is in love with him. It’s a scary thing.

That when they order their morning drink at the usual coffee shop he rolls down the window with a pounding heart – why is it moving so slowly?! —just in case Minhyuk would tell the guy at the window that Hyungwon loves him.

“Hey, you okay?” Minhyuk asks, sipping on his tea in the passenger seat.

“Y-yeah?” Hyungwon stutters, biting his lips nervously.

“You look really nervous lately.” Minhyuk stares at him. “Something at work?” He asks, reaching out to squeeze Hyungwon’s shoulder comfortingly.

“Um, yeah.” Hyungwon lies. Minhyuk is still squeezing his shoulder.

Oh, that’s really comforting, Hyungwon finds, but still, he’s still confused around Minhyuk. Because if Minhyuk likes him that way, then he really doesn’t know what to do. They’re roommates, they see each other everyday, and Hyungwon was just over the fact that Minhyuk wasn’t flirting with him only to find out that Minhyuk is flirting with him in a different way.

“Want a cookie?” Minhyuk pulls a ziplock bag out. And they’re filled with animal shaped cookies.

“When did you bake that?”

“Last night.”

“I didn’t know that.”

“You came home late.”

“No wonder there was this cookie smell in the whole apartment. I was cursing the neighbour for making my stomach grumble in the middle of the night.”

Minhyuk chuckles, taking a cookie out. “Have a puppy shaped one,” He says with a soft smile.

“I’m driving.” Hyungwon says and apparently Minhyuk takes it as an order to feed Hyungwon the cookie himself.

Hyungwon can’t say anything because first, Minhyuk looks really happy and second his mouth is filled with a puppy shaped cookie. It’s chocolate. There are chocolate chips in it too.

“It’s my first time baking them, and since it turns out quite okay, I wanted to share some with the other teachers and kids.” Minhyuk says, putting the cookies back into his bag.

“It’s good,” Hyungwon says after he swallows everything.

“Great.” Minhyuk seems proud of it.

When they arrive at the kindergarten, Hyungwon reminds to not forget his drink. Minhyuk says a hearty goodbye as always, rushing out of the car to bow at the other teachers and the parents there dropping off their kids.

Hyungwon watches a mother and a father dropping off their son, looks at the way the parents hold the kid’s hands and how the mother fixes the kid’s hair with a wide smile. The kid gives each parent a kiss on the cheek and Hyungwon watches as Minhyuk bows to them happily, taking the kid’s backpack. Minhyuk and the kid wave at the parents as they leave.

Hyungwon doesn’t realize how long he has been staring until another car honks behind him and he finally drives away.

“This is great!” Bora says, looking at Hoseok’s work. “The director says it was okay too, which actually means he likes it so congratulations, Hoseok, you did a great job!”

Hyungwon claps, smiling at Hoseok, who’s scratching his head in embarrassment.

“I’m so glad.” Hoseok says, grinning and genuinely happy.

“Yes! So you can proceed with the model for that now, and you’ll present it in the next meeting.” Bora hands him some documents. “And don’t forget the client is coming over in an hour, so you two better be there. The director’s out for today.”

“Yes ma’am.” Both of the men say and she smiles before walking to Hyungwon’s desk and putting down a file of Hyungwon’s work that he submitted a few days ago.

“And this,” she says in a lower voice, “the director needs you to redo this.”

Hyungwon can’t help the sudden frown on his face as Bora leaves and he flips through the document, finding red markers on his drawings and designs, with the director’s handwriting about what he doesn’t like.

Hoseok notices, but doesn’t say anything because an upset Hyungwon should be left alone and he knows that.

So Hyungwon stays in the office even after Hoseok left, redoing his work and trying to understand how the director doesn’t like his design.

It hurts his pride, yes, especially after Hoseok was praised for his good work. It means that Hyungwon’s been working hard, but he needs to work harder.

He finishes his work close to midnight, turns off the computer on his desk and drives home without any thoughts occupying his mind. There are soft music playing on the radio and he wonders if Minhyuk will still be awake when he gets home.

Minhyuk isn’t anywhere outside his room when Hyungwon arrives and he settles to just take a hot shower and sleep.

That’s when he realizes the light isn’t working in his bathroom. He clicks the switch on and off, yet the bathroom is still dark and he groans loudly. Great. He really needed that shower.

So he knocks on Minhyuk’s door when he can’t seem to find any spare lightbulbs anywhere in the apartment. He pushes the door open and Minhyuk’s on his bed, watching the tv in the dark. He’s wearing a black framed glasses and truthfully that’s a new sight for Hyungwon.

“Hey,” Hyungwon says, taking a step in.

“Hey, you’re home late.” Minhyuk states as a matter of factly and puts down the tv remote in his hand. “What’s the matter?”

“We don’t happen to have a spare lightbulb in this apartment, do we?”

Minhyuk says there is, so they both went to the kitchen and Minhyuk produces a white lightbulb from a drawer. Hyungwon picks up one of the chair from the dining table and dragged it into his bathroom.

“You’re taller so why don’t you go ahead,” Minhyuk says, holding on the chair and now the bathroom is cramped and he’s gesturing for Hyungwon to get on there and replace the lightbulb.

Hyungwon gets on the chair and takes off the old lightbulb which is easy enough but Minhyuk’s yelling about not getting an electric shock which he ignores. He puts on the new one, and Minhyuk tells him to stay there while he tries to turn it on.

Minhyuk scurries out of the bathroom and clicks on the switch.

Nothing happens.

“Oh? Did you put it on wrongly?” Minhyuk asks confusedly, head tilted.

“No, I didn’t.” Hyungwon scoffs and redoes it anyway.

Still, nothing happens and Hyungwon moans in exasperation. He needs his hot shower after a hurtful day on his pride.

“Just use my bathroom then,” Minhyuk says nonchalantly, already walking away to leave Hyungwon there with his dark bathroom, old and new lightbulbs, and the chair.

Hyungwon puts everything back, sulky that things aren’t going his way as he hears Minhyuk clearing things up in his bathroom.

He takes his towel, change of clothes and walks into Minhyuk’s bedroom.

“Must be something wrong with the wiring,” Minhyuk mutters as he rearranges some bottles at the sink. “I’ll tell Kihyun’s uncle.”

“Yeah.”

Minhyuk smiles and goes back to watching the tv as Hyungwon showers.

When Hyungwon gets out of the shower, drying his hair with the towel, Minhyuk is still in the same position, focused on the tv.

“What are you watching?” Hyungwon asks, sitting on the other side of the bed. Minhyuk doesn’t seem to mind.

“Just this documentary. It’s interesting.” Minhyuk answers, eyes still glued on the screen.

Hyungwon hangs the towel around his neck, making himself comfortable on the bed as he too, gets absorbed into the documentary. Minhyuk throws some comment here and there every now and then, laughs at the jokes inserted in the documentary and Hyungwon finds himself not at all sleepy despite how he usually goes to sleep right away after coming back from work.

“I forgot how eye opening documentaries like this can be,” Minhyuk says once it ends, already snuggling with the pillows on his bed. Minhyuk has so many pillows on his bed, Hyungwon realizes. Different shapes and sizes. He also has a plushie of a brown puppy. “I used to watch them a lot when I was a kid, just fascinated about all these things in other parts of the world.”

“Yeah?” Hyungwon lies on the bed, stretching his arms. The tv is now showing some other programs.

“When I was a kid,” Minhyuk starts to say, and pauses to have a small smile carved on his face. “When I couldn’t sleep, I would go out of my room and find my parents watching these documentaries late at night.”

Hyungwon blinks, gazes at Minhyuk who’s still looking at the tv but no longer watching. What is it that Minhyuk sees, Hyungwon wonders. Is it his parents in the living room back home, watching documentaries together? Welcoming the little Minhyuk who was unable to sleep onto the couch?

“They’d let me lie on their laps, and my mom would play with my hair, and I’d watch all these different countries on the tv, listen to this interesting information entering my ear, and that was my lullaby.”

Minhyuk chuckles at the memory.

“Is that why you like to sleep with the tv on?”

Minhyuk shrugs, looking down at his fingers and playing with them. “I guess.”

Hyungwon hums, turning on his back just as Minhyuk turns on his side to face him.

The ceiling is changing colors, like how Minhyuk’s face changed colors while he talked about whales. His bed is comfy and his room is warm.

“Sounds like you had a really great childhood.” Hyungwon decides to say, swallowing a lump in his throat.

“I think so.” Minhyuk smiles, and even when Hyungwon feels Minhyuk’s eyes on his face he doesn’t dare to just turn his head and see how that happy childhood must have made the bright Minhyuk he’s seeing today.

Because what if Minhyuk sees how he’s thinking so much about how different their lives are?

“I’m thankful I get to say that I have a happy childhood. They’re the best days of my life.”

Hyungwon manages a small smile.

“I miss my parents,” Minhyuk sighs. “I should visit them soon.”

Hyungwon blinks at the ceiling. The tv screen is so bright that even without the lights on he can still see Minhyuk’s face in his mind.

“Do you call them often?”

Minhyuk nods. “I try to talk to my mom often. What about you, Hyungwon?”

“I don’t call, um, often.” Hyungwon swallows a lump in his throat. “I’m busy,” He quickly adds. “And we’re just not the type to talk often. It’s like, no news is good news, you know?”

Humming, Minhyuk nods again.

“Is that why you’re so good at dealing with kids? Because you lived well as a kid yourself?” Hyungwon suddenly asks, the question just pops into his mind.

“Yeah, if I may say so myself,”  Minhyuk chuckles, shifting on his pillows. “It’s like, I want them to be as happy as I was when I was a child.”

Hyungwon finds a smile stretching across his lips, despite himself.

“I want to have kids soon.”

At this Hyungwon almost cracks his neck to look at Minhyuk with bewilderment and Minhyuk laughs immediately, looking apologetic for Hyungwon’s surprise.

“Not that soon, but I just want them,” He says instead. “I want to take care of my own.”

Hyungwon scoffs, looking away as he pushes his hands under the pillow. “No offence against kids, but I wouldn’t want them. Not looking forward to taking care of my own.”

Minhyuk hums confusedly, taking off his glasses and placing it away. “Why not? They’re great.”

“They are. It’s just—” Hyungwon thinks, chewing on his lower lip. “I’m not as equipped as you are to make children happy.”

He hears Minhyuk takes a deep breath to say something, but Minhyuk doesn’t. Instead he lets a rather heavy silence descend upon both of them, and the people are screaming in delight on the television, whatever program it is.

“Stay here, I know it must be a hassle to get up after making yourself so comfy.” Minhyuk breaks the silence so casually, placing a hand on Hyungwon’s arm. He retracts it not a second later. “I don’t mind.”

Of course he wouldn’t.

Hyungwon doesn’t say anything, even when Minhyuk pulls the blanket over both of them and curls under it, ready to sleep.

After another silence, Hyungwon blinks, and takes the remote.

“Can I turn the tv off though?”

“Yeah, it’s fine.”

Minhyuk’s closed eyes are the last thing Hyungwon sees when the tv screen goes blank, rendering the room into pitch black darkness.

Waking up next to Minhyuk isn’t awkward. Instead, Hyungwon finds it a little comforting, that despite knowing Minhyuk is somehow harbouring feelings for him, he’s still fine with sleeping on the same bed, without doing anything.

Minhyuk is bright as soon as he wakes up, Hyungwon knows this, but he didn’t expect him to be that bright as soon as he opens his eyes.

Minhyuk takes his time stretching on the bed while Hyungwon goes into the bathroom, finding it convenient that he slept there since he has to share the Minhyuk’s bathroom now.

They go to work as usual.

Hyungwon’s redo of the documents are good enough for the director, which he is glad for and he works on the models with Hoseok for other ongoing projects.

The clients for the family home come a little after noon, and they’re all seated in the meeting room, with the model of the house built by Hoseok and Hyungwon last week on the table. The pair of husband and wife looks over the model, asks necessary questions, mostly regarding where their in laws will have their rooms and Bora answers each one patiently.

“Where is the second entrance?” The husband asks. “I don’t want to bother my in laws when I get home from work late. They’re going to nag at me.”

His wife sighs.

“We figured, since you wanted a family home, we tried to make it more family like.” Bora explains with a pen in her hand. “In your case, the family is your in-laws so we tried to do a design that shows cohesive relationship—”

“But the thing is, we want a separation in the house, I want my privacy in my own house,” The husband says, looking upset.

“What you’re really asking is, for us to built two houses.” The director speaks up, looking pissed and Hoseok and Hyungwon squirm in their seat. “We’re fine with that, but give us a budget for two houses, we’ll design it and have it built for you right away.”

The husband looks offended and the wife looks relieved that the director seemed to have said what everybody else is thinking.

“Okay, okay, fine.” The husband says, looking defeated.

When the clients leave with only minor changes and they get the permission to proceed, Hoseok gives out the biggest sigh.

“That was intense, I also thought the husband and wife was going to fight or something.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if they did. Maybe they’re fighting on their way out of the building at this very moment.” Hyungwon says, stretching his arms.

“I hope they’re not.” Hoseok pouts. “A house design really isn’t worth to be fighting over.”

“People fight over smaller things, trust me,” Hyungwon chuckles, clearing up some documents on the table.

“You see how the director handled that, boys?” Bora asks, standing behind their chairs.

They all look at the director sitting at his desk already, looking serious and focused on his work.

“You gotta be that strict, sometimes we can’t listen to clients all the time.” She sighs. “But I’m guessing that’s also why he’s not married yet.”

Hoseok chuckles, slightly turning to look up at her. “You’re not married either, Noona.”

“Hey,” Bora glares at him. “I’m still finding the right one. Not everyone is as lucky as you to have found the right one so early in your life, Hoseok.”

Hoseok giggles, happy and probably thinking about Kihyun.

Hyungwon shakes his head.

“What about you, Hyungwon? Seeing anyone?” Bora asks.

“No, he’s not.” Hoseok answers for him instead and Hyungwon remains indifferent to the topic.

“Want me to set you up with some people I know?” her face lights up at the suggestion itself but slowly her smile falters when she sees Hyungwon not reacting as she expected him to.

“Nope. I’m not interested in dating right now.” Hyungwon answers, not even looking up.

She hums, and walks out of the meeting room after a pat on their backs.

When Hyungwon comes home, he’s surprised to not see Minhyuk anywhere. He takes a shower and sits down on Minhyuk’s bed, wondering where he is at this time of the night.

He turns on the tv, watches some random programs, not really paying attention to anything. He looks at the time, changes channel and still, Minhyuk isn’t back yet.

It’s only half an hour later when Minhyuk practically staggers into the bedroom. He’s frowning and his cheeks are red.

“Minhyuk, where have you been?” The sight of a frowning Minhyuk has Hyungwon straightening up at the bed, worried as Minhyuk almost loses his balance walking to the bed.

“Oh, Hyungwon,” Minhyuk tries to wave but his hand is limp. “I went out to drink.”

Minhyuk crawls onto the bed, and Hyungwon notices how tired he looks, how he’s not smiling and just how upset and sad he is.

“You reek of soju,” Hyungwon mutters and Minhyuk groans sadly. Hyungwon’s utterly confused at how worrying this drunken Minhyuk is. “Minhyuk… are you okay?”

At this question, Minhyuk looks at Hyungwon and that’s when Hyungwon notices the red rimmed eyes, and the tears glistening in his eyes.

He couldn’t say anything, couldn’t find it in himself to say anything to alleviate whatever it is that weighs down on Minhyuk at the moment.

“Hyungwon-ah,” Minhyuk moans and he pulls himself closer, immediately laying his head, face first into Hyungwon’s lap.

He’s curling himself on the bed, and he seems so small there, and Hyungwon thinks Minhyuk is shaking. He quickly grabs the tv remote and lowers the volume.

“Oh no… Minhyuk—are you—what hap—are you okay?” Hyungwon murmurs worriedly, still having trouble with words. He could only place a hand on the other’s back and feels Minhyuk takes a deep breath.

“I don’t know what to do, I didn’t know what to do,” Minhyuk cries, his voice muffled. “I was just there, and I didn’t know what to do.”

Hyungwon lifts his hands, unsure of where to place them because he doesn’t know where it really hurts for Minhyuk. He seems to be hurting everywhere with the way he cries into Hyungwon’s lap, and Hyungwon’s biting his lips in anxiety it might just draw blood.

“No, don’t, don’t,” Hyungwon shushes him, awkwardly patting the other’s back.

Minhyuk just cries harder as he shuts his eyes tightly at that painful cry.

“Minhyuk, don’t cry, don’t…” Oh fuck , his voice is trembling as he decides to just throw all caution out of the window, wrapping his arms around Minhyuk, trying to hold him when Minhyuk seems to just fall apart.

The quiver in his voice and every trembling breaths that Minhyuk takes, shakes Hyungwon’s heart and tugs at its core. Hyungwon doesn’t understand, what it is that hurts so much to see Minhyuk like this, but knows that it’s easy to bend down and hold Minhyuk who’s crying into his lap, his shoulders shaking with each sobs.

“This kid, this kid I told you about,” Minhyuk sniffles, “Her parents are separating, and she’s so angry all the time, she’s crying alone during recess, and I don’t know what to do.” He sobs again. “They don’t even pick her up sometimes and then today they fought on who gets to take her home and my heart breaks, Hyungwon. My heart breaks .”

Hyungwon presses his face into Minhyuk’s back. If he could absorb all the sadness from Minhyuk this way he would. So he holds him tighter, taking in all the sobs and heaving breaths, that no one as bright as Minhyuk should ever deserve.

“When they were pulling at her I couldn’t do anything,” Minhyuk raises himself, pressing himself into Hyungwon, his hands clutching on the cotton shirt Hyungwon’s wearing so desperately. “I just stood there while she’s torn apart here and there.”

Minhyuk shakes his head, cries again and Hyunwon enveloped him into an embrace, hiding Minhyuk’s face into the crook of his neck because he doesn’t want to see the tears. He can’t even imagine them, can’t even believe that tears even exists for Minhyuk.

All this time he realized he had thought it was impossible.

“It’s not your fault,” Hyungwon whispers, rocking on the bed. “You did everything you could.”

“They were screaming at each other right in front of her.” Minhyuk weeps and weeps. “No kid deserves to see that, Hyungwon. It’s too hearbreaking.”

Hyungwon holds him by the back of his head, running his fingers through the hair in an attempt to soothe. He’s never good at this, finds it hard to comfort someone when he’s barely good at comforting himself. But somehow in his racing heart, and in the heat of Minhyuk’s tears there’s an urgency to do it. To placate anything that burns and churns the tears out of Minhyuk’s shimmering eyes.

“These things happen. The kid is strong,” Hyungwon whispers. “She’ll be fine. You just have to be there when she needs you in the kindergarten. You’re a great teacher, Minhyuk. You’re doing the best you can already.”

Minhyuk sobs, but doesn’t answer.

And it takes a long time of Hyungwon just lightly shushing him as he sniffles and cries the last of his tears into Hyungwon’s shirt. His tears are warm when it seeps into Hyungwon’s skin but Hyungwon couldn’t care less, he’s just relieved Minhyuk’s calmer as time passes, his breathing slower, quieter. Minhyuk turns his head to the side, and Hyungwon thinks he’s listening to his heartbeat because Minhyuk’s breathing comes into the same rhythm and his fingers loosen on Hyungwon’s shirt. The people on the news seems to be whispering on the low volume; white noise.

“Go to sleep.” Hyungwon whispers. “Tomorrow will be better.”

“For her or for me?” Minhyuk asks, his voice hoarse and cracking.

Hyungwon swallows a lump in his throat. “Both of you.”

Minhyuk shuts his eyes, and Hyungwon brings both of them down to lie on the bed. He holds Minhyuk close until he’s sure he’s fallen asleep, and then, pulls the cover on both of them.

He turns off the tv and sleeps with a tear stained shirt.

Thank god, it’s Saturday. Hyungwon wakes up when Minhyuk stirs on the bed, groaning and whining about his headache. He turns to see a groggy Hyungwon, and he smiles slightly.

Suddenly there’s not a trace of the sobbing, tear stained cheeks Minhyuk in the morning.

“Oh, Hyungwon,” Minhyuk stretches his arms, grunting. “Good morning. Thank god it’s Saturday, huh?”

Hyungwon grunts a reply, closing his eyes in attempt to go back to sleep but Minhyuk shakes his shoulder gently.

“Don’t go back to sleep. I’m awake now. Who’s gonna talk to me if I’m the only one awake?”

Hyungwon mumbles something that he doesn’t know the meaning of either, burying his face into the pillow.

“Hyungwon-ah, come on, it’s almost noon!” Minhyuk says and Hyungwon hears him wincing. “Ah, my head, it hurts.”

“You’re hungover, so stop talking so loudly in the morning.” Hyungwon rasps out, eyes still closed.

“Why does it hurt so much? Hyungwon-ah, my head is pounding.”

Hyungwon sighs, reaches out from under the cover and places a hand on what he thinks is Minhyuk’s forehead. It’s warm beneath his palm and Minhyuk’s hair is soft.

“Stay still. Moving around worsens it.”

“Why did I drink so much?” Minhyuk whines.

“And stop talking.”  

Minhyuk rolls away and his hand falls on to the bed. So he grabs a pillow to hold in his arms instead. He is close on the verge of sleeping again when Minhyuk rolls around, stirring him awake again.

“What do I need to do to get some sleep here.” Hyungwon mutters under his breath, finally opening his eyes, annoyed.

He rubs at his two eyes, and feels Minhyuk staring at him.

“Sleepyhead.” Minhyuk chuckles.

Hyungwon grunts, and he feels Minhyuk getting up from the bed.

“Come on, I’ll cook breakfast,” Minhyuk says, his footsteps light as he walks out of the room, and Hyungwon looks at the open door Minhyuk left in his wake. He covers his mouth as he yawns.

The whole night, as he drifted off to sleep, he had been anxious. What should he do if Minhyuk wakes up and he’s crying again? What would he do if Minhyuk starts shaking again?

Would it even be enough to just hold him, and let him cry?

It feels cruel to Hyungwon to just let Minhyuk cry, and it made him anxious the whole night, that he didn’t dream.

When he gets into the kitchen Minhyuk has taken out almost everything out of the fridge, and Hyungwon notices he’s moving slowly, wincing and clutching at his head.

“You’re still hungover.” Hyungwon states, watching the other move around, taking out pots, the cutting board, the knife.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m making a hangover stew.”

Hyungwon sighs, shoulders him to the side and takes the knife. “Sit down.” He mutters, picking up a radish and staring at it as he turns it around in his hand.

“Do you even know how to cook?”

Hyungwon doesn’t even pretend to know so he looks at Minhyuk. “You’d have to tell me what to do.”

Minhyuk tries to take the knife from him and he hisses, scowling at the hungover teacher on a Saturday morning. So Minhyuk resigns, tells him what to do all the while looming over Hyungwon’s shoulder.

His voice is raspy in the morning, and Hyungwon’s not sure if it’s because he drank the night before or it’s just the morning. But Hyungwon keeps quiet, chops all there is needed to be chopped, putting them into the pot, almost forgetting water because Minhyuk assumed he would have known people put water into the pot to make soup.

It makes Minhyuk worried, so Minhyuk leans on his shoulder as he stirs the boiling soup. Hyungwon doesn’t know where to put his other hand so he settles it on his own hip instead.

“Looks good enough.” Minhyuk says quietly, probably to calm his own throbbing head.

“Yeah?”

Minhyuk nods, his hair grazing against the soft cotton of Hyungwon’s shirt.

“Sit down now.”

“I’m just really worried.”

“It’s done.”

“What if you—”

“I know how to pour stew into the bowl— god , Minhyuk, what do you take me for?”

Minhyuk scoffs a little, but takes a seat at the table anyway. And Hyungwon serves two bowls of steaming hangover soup. Wasting no time, Minhyuk delves right in.

Hyungwon’s spoon hung in the air as he watches Minhyuk takes his first spoonful of the soup, and Minhyuk nods to himself, an acknowledgement. Hyungwon’s not that bad at cooking after all. Provided that someone tells him what to do and watch over him.

They eat in silence, and Minhyuk tells him he has to go out with Kihyun today.

“You feeling better? Does your head still hurt?” Hyungwon asks as Minhyuk stacks their bowls on the table.

“Yeah, yeah, a thousand times better.” He’s not even looking at Hyungwon, he’s just looking at the bowls.

“Go take a shower, I’ll clean this up.” Hyungwon takes the bowls and when he’s washing the dishes he hears the muffled sound of the shower running.

Minhyuk doesn’t sing in the shower. Maybe it’s because his head still hurts.

And he leaves a little later, scurrying around with his socks and bag and shouting goodbye over his shoulder as Hyungwon prepares to shower himself.

The apartment is empty on a Saturday and truthfully Hyungwon doesn’t know what to do.

Minhyuk comes home earlier than Hyungwon expected, early in the evening and Minhyuk is giving him an amused look as he stares at Hyungwon who’s watching the tv in his room with his glasses on, snacking on a bag of Cheetos. Hyungwon left the lights off because he’s too lazy to get up to turn them on and also he likes how the tv screen illuminates the dark room. It’s calming, to an extent, gives him this familiar feeling of something he couldn’t quite pinpoint.

“What’re you watching?” Minhyuk asks, dropping his bag onto the floor and tiredly huffing as he pulls himself onto the pillows.

“Some sitcom,” Hyungwon says, munching, munching, munching. “You’re back earlier than I expected.”

“Kihyun said he has to go buy a new tv with Hoseok,” Minhyuk sighs, his eyes on the tv.

“Ditched again, huh?” the architect teases, smiling lopsidedly as he looks down at the other lying on the bed.

Minhyuk shrugs, looking at him. He pulls himself up and sits against the headboard like Hyungwon, and their shoulders are pressed together. Minhyuk sighs, his hands clasped on his lap and Hyungwon looks at him, worried again but he doesn’t say anything.

“The maintenance guy will come on Monday.” Minhyuk mutters.

Hyungwon turns and looks at the tv. He lost track of what was happening the moment Minhyuk stepped into the room. And he totally forgot about the faulty wiring in his bathroom. “Oh.”

“Have you eaten?” Minhyuk asks.

“Finished the leftover for breakfast as an early dinner. You?”

“Had an early dinner with Kihyun too.”

Hyungwon side eyes the fidgeting fingers on Minhyuk’s lap. He realizes how manly Minhyuk’s hands look, yet how delicate the fingers are, neatly trimmed nails that shine in the dim lighting of the tv screen. The subtle veins under his skin.

Just last night those fingers were in Hyungwon’s shirt, clutching as if for his dear life.

For some reason Hyungwon also thinks of the way those hands held the kids’ hands in front of the kindergarten every morning.

“It’s nice having a tv in the bedroom, isn’t it?” Minhyuk suddenly says as he takes a deep breath, and Hyungwon blinks at the tv screen.

He really doesn’t know what’s going on in the sitcom anymore. And when he feels Minhyuk’s arms around his own, and Minhyuk’s head on his shoulder, he doesn’t even attempt to catch up with what’s going on either.

“You still never thanked me for helping you carry it all the way here.” He attempts for a dismissive tone, trying to pull his arm away in his fake annoyed demeanour that he finds himself doing around Minhyuk. But Minhyuk lets out a little whine, only tightening his arms around Hyungwon’s even further.

So he lets him.

Even when the actor is shouting and his heart pounds, only to quickly quieten at the realization of how comfortable this is. How Minhyuk fits on his shoulder and maybe under his chin too, and how the soft black hair of Minhyuk’s brushes so comfortingly against his chin and neck.

“Let’s just not do anything tomorrow, and just lie in bed, and watch whatever’s on tv,” Minhyuk whispers, and Hyungwon already feels his fingertip making circles on his wrist. “Just an empty Sunday.”

And it did turn into an empty Sunday, where they did nothing, lied in bed and watched whatever was on the tv.

“We’re behind schedule again,” Hoseok says, looking at the schedule and his chin propped on his palm.

“Only because we were distracted with that change of materials due to the environmental report.” Hyungwon stretches his arms in the air, he’s been working on the design on his computer for hours straight after lunch break. He glances at the director and the director is still focused on his own computer, his eyes tired. “I still need the blueprint from the director.”

“Oh.” Hoseok nods and when they both look at the director the director catches their eyes immediately.

“I’ll give it to you soon.” The director says to Hyungwon and Hyungwon nods hesitantly in return.

The two co-workers turn around on their chairs.

“He has three eyes,” Hoseok whispers, cleaning up his things and packing up as the clock shows that it’s time for them to go home. “You’re staying to finish up the thing?” He asks.

Hyungwon shakes his head, stifling a yawn. “I think I’ll work on it at home on my own computer.”

“That’s new.” Hoseok looks at him and smiles amusedly.

“Hey, why are you and Kihyun buying a new tv anyway?”

Hoseok chuckles embarrassedly, “Not yet. We just looked around and well, it was cause I kinda broke the old one with the wii remote.”

Hyungwon laughs.

“It was unfortunate. I was trying to save for a car too,” Hoseok sighs, turning off the computer. He suddenly turns to Hyungwon. “Hey, you don’t have the need for the tv in your apartment, don’t you? Kihyun said maybe we can get that instead of buying the new one. His uncle wouldn’t mind.”

“Hell, no.” Hyungwon gives him a look of disbelief as he crosses his arms on his chest.

“You don’t watch the tv, don’t you?” Hoseok asks confusedly, knowing Hyungwon for years up his sleeves.

“Yes, I do,” Hyungwon says as a matter of factly and the director comes, handing him the usb and promptly cleaning up his desk to leave.

“You do?” Hoseok seems surprised, blinking at the younger.

“Yeah, there are some good programs to watch after a long day at work.”

Hoseok tilts his head, thinking with his eyebrows knitted together. “Okay,” He murmurs uncertainly.

“Good work everyone, see you tomorrow.” The director announces as he leaves without looking back and the two younger employees bow.

“You know, if your priority is the car then, forget the tv,” Hyungwon says, standing up and pushing his chair under the table as he grabbed his bag.

“I’m leaving! See you guys tomorrow!” Bora shouts over her shoulder with a wave as she walked out of the office with her heels echoing against the floor softly.

The two wave her goodbye.

“I mean I got money saved up other than for the car…” Hoseok’s voice trailed off and it earned an expectant look from the younger.

“But…?”

“It’s more of a marriage saving, you know?” Hoseok’s cheeks turn a little red at the statement, and he scratches his head embarrassedly. “Build a house of our own, a proper house. And uh, the rings .”

Hyungwon blinks and nodded slowly, understanding. “Oh,” He draws out elongatedly. “I thought you wanted to wait and work a little bit more, you know, build better reputation to get better pay.”

The older shrugs as they both walk out of the firm. Hyungwon’s phone rings and it’s a text from Minhyuk.

Coming home? Bought takeouts we can share :D

He puts his phone back into the pocket of his pants to take out his car keys.

“It’s weird, like I want this stable, established career, I just want everything to be perfect before I really get to, uh…”

“Propose?” Hyungwon offers.

Hoseok nods shyly. “But at the same time it feels like the only way for that to be possible is if I have Kihyun by my side. And to ensure that, I would need to—” He gestures with his hands and Hyungwon looks at him incredulously.

“Propose.” He offers again.

Hoseok nods thankfully, biting his lips.

“But isn’t Kihyun already by your side, all this time? Especially since you’ve moved in with him? How would it make a difference if you guys are engaged?” Hyungwon asks without really much thought because he took out his phone again and he’s replying to Minhyuk’s text.

Will be home soon, don’t eat without me.

Hoseok stops walking and Hyungwon puts away his phone, confused.

“No, you don’t— Hyungwon ,” Hoseok sighs and turns to Hyungwon. “You naïve, single, young man. It makes a ton of difference.”

Hyungwon gives him a funny look. “Okay,” He says, not convinced as he starts walking again.

Hoseok half runs to catch up, grinning and somehow beaming with happiness. “There’s this one thing I hope for you to experience, Hyungwon.” He starts, with a big inhale of the fresh air outside of the building. “It’s to realize how much you love a person you just want them to know you’d keep them in your life, and stay in theirs, forever.”

They stop because this is where they usually say goodbye, Hoseok goes the other way usually and Hyungwon would go to where his car is parked.

Hoseok places a hand on Hyungwon’s shoulder, smiling hopefully. “And for you, my friend, I am impatient.”

Hyungwon scoffs, but he’s smiling. “Wait for 5 years or so.”

“It’s gonna be 10 years if you keep living like this, working too hard and barely loving anyone.”

“Tell that to the director, hyung, I dare you.”

Hoseok laughs, it’s a good laugh under the afternoon sun. “But honestly, I can’t wait for you to experience all this loving a person thing. You never really unleashed your romantic side in college either.”

“That’s because none of them worked out,” Hyungwon mutters, remembering how nothing really happened in college. No relationship, just casual flirting that never worked out one way or another. He’s not bitter about it. If it wasn’t meant to be so be it. As an architecture student most of his energy and time was in the studio anyway.

Hoseok is silent briefly, just looking at Hyungwon, and Hyungwon thinks it’s the thought of spending the rest of his life with Kihyun that makes Hoseok this sappy and soft at that time of the day.

“I just—” Hoseok takes a deep breath, his hand on Hyungwon’s shoulder dropping to his side. “—have this thought, that whomever you will love, will be one of the luckiest person in the world. I know you’re not one to love sparingly, Hyungwon, that’s why you’re like this. But I’ll be damned if I don’t say how I am looking forward to my good friend finally settling down with a person, taking and taken care of.”

Hyungwon rolls his eyes to be dismissive, but he’s smiling because he knows he appreciates how well Hoseok knows him, and how he’s grateful there’s someone in this world who would wish all the good things for him.

“So, the person I will love, will just be one of the luckiest person in the world?”

“Seriously, that’s all you got from what I said?”

They laugh.

“It’s cause Kihyun’s one of them, and it’s cause he’s loved by me.”

Hyungwon fakes a vomitting sound and Hoseok pushes him by the shoulder playfully before they say their goodbyes and leave for their own homes.

And when Hyungwon stepped into the apartment Minhyuk was at the dining table, with takeouts served on it. He takes off his coat and drops it along with his bag on the couch in the living room.

“Welcome back,” Minhyuk says, arranging the dishes, chopsticks already in his hands.

“What’s the occasion?” Hyungwon asks amusedly as he takes a seat across the table, rolling the sleeves of his shirt up his arms.

Minhyuk shrugs, not looking at him. “Nothing, just thought takeouts for dinner would be nice.”

He hands the architect a pair of chopsticks and they start eating without words. Minhyuk chews loudly, checks on his phone every now and then, probably texting Changkyun or Jooheon.

“Can you pass me the coke?” Hyungwon asks, eyeing Minhyuk’s phone on the table.

Minhyuk looks up from his phone and takes the bottle of cola on the table. He gestures for Hyungwon to take his glass and pours the cola into the glass instead.

“So,” Hyungwon murmurs, scrunching his face at the taste of fresh, cold coke running down his throat. “How are the, um, kids?” He scratches at his neck slightly, not looking at Minhyuk as he starts absentmindedly eating kimchi, piece by piece.

“They’re fine,” Minhyuk says, chewing on rice. “We’re planning a fieldtrip soon.”

“That sounds nice.”

“It is. And how’s the project going?”

“We’re still trying to keep on schedule, brought work home so I can work on it later.”

Minhyuk looks at him and smiles a little concernedly. “Don’t stay up too late.”

Hyungwon scoffs. “Don’t worry about me.”

It’s 3 o’clock in the morning when Hyungwon wakes up with a start, realizing he’s on his desk and the computer is still on. He worked on the design all night and fell asleep at the desk. When he straigtens in his seat to stretch, his spine cracks and the blanket that was placed on him slips off his shoulders. Quickly, he grabs it before it falls to the ground.

He didn’t remember bringing a blanket to his desk before and figured Minhyuk must have come in and done it. His glasses are also on the table. He rubs at his arms as he yawns and finds himself walking across the dark hallway and into Minhyuk’s room.

The door is silent as he pushes it open carefully, peeking into the room. Unsurprisingly, the tv is on with low volume, and Minhyuk’s dead asleep on the bed by himself.

Hyungwon watches the actors in the late night sitcom talking in the bar as he walks to the bed, sits on it and turns his attention to Minhyuk.

Minhyuk is silent when he’s asleep, Hyungwon notes, pulling the blanket up Minhyuk’s shoulder and then grabbing the tv remote. He turns off the tv and lies down beside Minhyuk, where he goes back to sleep.

If Minhyuk is surprised to see Hyungwon in the morning, he certainly doesn’t show it. Just smiles when they wake up from Minhyuk’s phone alarm, and stretches on the bed where he greets Hyungwon with a low ‘good morning’.

Somewhere along the chilly night Hyungwon slipped under the same blanket, and somehow Hyungwon’s coming to find that the weight of Minhyuk’s leg on him keeps him feeling grounded on the bed and it’s comfortable.

It’s becoming a routine, no matter whether Hyungwon stays at work until midnight, or even when he worked on his work in his own room, at the end of the day he’d walk into Minhyuk’s room, watch the tv with Minhyuk if Minhyuk’s still awake, or for most of the time, he’d just turn off the tv and then lie down beside a sleeping Minhyuk.

Minhyuk tells him the maintenance guy told him that it was going to take some time to fix the wiring for the bathroom the other day. And Hyungwon saw the tools left in the bathroom and the bulb on the ceiling is gone and the only things left are the protruding wires, green and red, coming out of a hole in the center of the white ceiling.

It didn’t matter, Hyungwon finds, because sharing the bathroom isn’t an inconvenience, he’s used to it by now, his toothbrush is in the same cup as Minhyuk’s and they share toothpaste ever since Minhyuk ran out of his.

In the mornings they talk about nothing, laughing at the stories on the morning radio with their morning drinks and Hyungwon notices how Minhyuk looks nervous everytime they arrive at the kindergarten. So he’d make sure to squeeze Minhyuk on the shoulder as an encouragement, or stretch his smile wider than he usually would, just so Minhyuk would get out of the car smiling too, waving goodbye to Hyungwon and waving good morning happily to the kids.

“Hey Minhyuk,” Hyungwon calls one morning before Minhyuk could close the car door shut.

Minhyuk bends down to look at him, blinking. “Yeah?”

“I totally forgot to tell you,” Hyungwon’s leaning across the passenger seat the furthest his seatbelt is letting him. “We’re having dinner tonight, I’ll pick you up after work.”

Minhyuk looks confused, placing a hand on the roof of the car and slightly leaning forward inside. “What’s the occasion?”

Hyungwon grins. “The meal I owe you, remember?”

There’s a myriad of expression passing across Minhyuk’s face before he finally remembers and he looks excited, eyes wide. “The new restaurant?” He beams.

“Not that new anymore,” Hyungwon mutters, “But yeah.”

“I thought you have to make a month prior reservation!”

“That’s exactly what I did, that’s why the delayed, promised dinner.”

“Ah, alright! I’ll see you after work then.”

Minhyuk waves at him enthusiastically and runs to greet the parents and his students, this time genuinely looking happier than usual and Hyungwon finds himself never been so glad to see someone happy.

Ran into some problems, go on ahead and I’ll just meet you at the restaurant instead!

That was the text Minhyuk sent him an hour before he was supposed to get off work. Hyungwon didn’t think much of it, thinking that he’ll just meet him there, and they will have dinner as promised.

The waitress comes and refills Hyungwon’s glass of water. He checks his watch and Minhyuk’s late by an hour than Hyungwon expected he would have come.

The people around him are all eating, and conversing with each other and Hyungwon’s the only one alone at his table, with his glass of water and an unopened menu.

He grows worried when more time passes by, texts Minhyuk asking him if he’s okay, where is he and if he can help on the problem that came up.

Minhyuk doesn’t reply. The texts go unread.

So half an hour later, impatient and tapping his feet on the ground, Hyungwon calls him.

Even the call goes unanswered. The dial tone fades into Minhyuk’s practiced voice telling him to leave a message.

I did , Hyungwon thinks as he cancels the call. Minhyuk just doesn’t read it.

“Would you like to order while you wait, sir?” The waitress is at his table again. And traditionally Hyungwon would have been embarrassed to be in this situation.

It’s as if he has been stood up in this fancy restaurant that he made a reservation for a month ago. But all he could even think about is how worrying it is that Minhyuk’s unreachable, and how uncomfortable it is knowing he doesn’t know what to do, what he could do for the probably distressed Minhyuk right now.

“It’s fine, I’m still waiting—”

“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,” Came Minhyuk’s voice from behind the waitress and she steps aside to reveal a very worn out Minhyuk who immediately collapses in his seat.

Hyungwon straightens in his seat, alert, and worried at how Minhyuk immediately gulped on the glass of water the waitress poured for him.

“Are you okay? Did you run all the way here?” Hyungwon’s watching the way Minhyuk is panting for breath, “I could have picked you up if you just called me—” he’s gripping on the armrest of his seat, and realizes the swollen eyes Minhyuk is sporting. No, oh, no . “Minhyuk, did—I—”

Minhyuk looks at him confusedly, blinking and already flipping through the menu. “I’m fine, calm down, Hyungwon,” He says, forcing a little chuckle as he looks down at the menu, his voice quivered and he’s so easy to read. “Now, since this is your treat I’m gonna order the most expensive dish.”

The architect slumps down a little in his seat, and decides to go along with Minhyuk by finally looking at the menu. He’s so hungry it’s unbelievable that he waited for so long to order.

The waitress comes to take their order and when Minhyuk hands her the menu back he smiles at her.

“Thank you for not kicking him out when he wasn’t ordering. He’s so in love with me he would have waited until morning.” Minhyuk nonchalantly tells her and she smiles politely, clearly she couldn’t find the right response so she just walks away after.

Minhyuk giggles as Hyungwon stares at him in disbelief.

“This is still going on? Really?” Hyungwon asks.

“It’s fun.” Minhyuk says behind his mouth because he’s trying not to laugh too loudly in such a fancy restaurant. “I don’t wanna feel left out with all the couples around.”

Hyungwon sighs, but then doesn’t say anything, because waiting for almost two hours at the restaurant he notices around them are indeed mostly couples or families.

Minhyuk rambles about everything, everything except what it is that clearly troubles him, but Hyungwon allows him this. Even as the brief pauses in the conversation has Minhyuk looking out the window, where there’s a flash of an anxious frown—so subtle yet so apparent to Hyungwon.

It’s fine, Hyungwon tries to tell himself, laughing at whatever Minhyuk says as they eat, smiling as Minhyuk scrunches his face at how good the food are. If Minhyuk can still smile and joke around, then it’ll be fine.

Except that the moment they entered the apartment Minhyuk takes a can of beer out of the fridge and shuffles into his room.

Hyungwon doesn’t say anything, changes out of his clothes in his own bedroom and finally entering Minhyuk’s.

“Hey,” Hyungwon mutters at the door.

The room is dark, the tv is on but Minhyuk’s not watching it, not even facing it. He’s just sitting there on the edge of his bed with the can of beer in his hands.

“You okay?”

He sits beside Minhyuk, and looks at him. He’s blocking the only source of light in the room, and Minhyuk’s face is dark.

“Yeah.” Minhyuk nods, drinks and smiles slightly. “I’m fine.”

“Was the food not as good as you expected it to be?”

Minhyuk chuckles. “The wait was too long.”

“The waiting list was long.”

Minhyuk looks at him, laughs slightly. The smile on his face then fades and he blinks as he stares into Hyungwon’s eyes. “Her mom’s taking her away.”

“Who?”

“The kid, my student.”

Hyungwon nods slowly, as Minhyuk looks away and he rubs at his arm.

“She’s moving, so she’s leaving the school.” Minhyuk mutters. “Today she made a drawing of her dad, said she doesn’t want to forget how he looks like, in case they won’t meet again.”

The tears fall when Minhyuk blinks and Hyungwon pulls him closer by the shoulder. His throat is tight, he cannot find the words to say anything when Minhyuk leans against him, his tears silent this time.

“It’s not fair,” Minhyuk says, his voice cracking. “A kid isn’t supposed to be so sad, she doesn’t deserve this. It might be selfish of me to say, but they can’t let her live like that. Parents are the kid’s whole world, I just—I just can’t imagine it being torn apart for her at such a young age.”

Hyungwon looks up at the ceiling, finding tears pooling in his eyes too because he can’t stand someone crying. Sadness is extremely contagious, especially coming from someone as bright as Minhyuk, because the descend from happiness is a sharp, steep fall.

“And now I won’t even be able to be there for her, she’s moving, she said she doesn’t want to.”

Hyungwon wants to tell him, that not everyone gets to be happy, but at the same time he understands Minhyuk so well, because he once said he wants to make the children happy and it hurts him that he can’t do that. When Hyungwon thought it was impossible for the always, cheerful, happy Minhyuk to be sad and sorrowful, he realizes that of course, what’s most painful for such a person would certainly be that another can’t be as happy as he wished they could be.

It’s a delicate, kind-hearted sentiment of his, but at the same time it’s so fragile, that Hyungwon can’t pinpoint how different they are yet how Hyungwon understands him well.

Hyungwon rubs his thumb against Minhyuk’s shoulder and lifts his chin to rest on the teacher’s head. “Minhyuk, if there’s someone like you in that kindergarten, I trust there’ll be another teacher just like you in the new kindergarten too.”

Minhyuk sniffs, the can makes a sound in his tight grip. “You think so?”

“Yeah,” Hyungwon says without waiting. “Kindergarten teachers are great, I told you. I can’t even imagine working as a person who has to handle kids everyday.”

Minhyuk chuckles and there’s relief in Hyungwon’s heart.

Minhyuk pulls away slightly to look at Hyungwon and the tears has stopped, it’s just Minhyuk with a small smile and teary eyes now.

“I’m sorry,” Minhyuk wipes the last of his tears with the sleeves of his shirt. He’s red and embarrassed. “I just get really upset when I know students of mine are unhappy, even the slightest. It’s stupid, I know, people say—”

“Teachers are just teachers.” Hyungwon finishes for him and Minhyuk stares at him. “I know, and I agree. But even just being one you’re already doing so much for kids, Minhyuk.”

Minhyuk smiles amusedly, nose red and eyes puffy but it’s still such a sight for Hyungwon. “How would you know?”

Hyungwon shrugs, looking away. “I assume. I’ve never had bad experiences with kindergarten teachers.”

“Yeah?”

“Once, um, when I was in one, this teacher found me crying alone during recess. And I still remember she has this panicked look on her face, and she ran inside to look for tissues. But came back with a roll of toilet paper because apparently they were out of tissues.” Hyungwon smiles at the memory playing in his head, the soft, gentle hands of a teacher holding him, offering soothing words. “She wiped all those tears, and snots away, and talked to me until the waterwork stopped.”

Minhyuk sighs, and relaxed a bit on the bed. “That’s a nice teacher.”

“Yeah, I think about her a lot, somehow.” Hyungwon looks down at his hands, but he feels Minhyuk reaching out to place a hand on his neck, coaxing them to look at one another eye to eye.

“But why were you crying?” Minhyuk asks softly.

Hyungwon swallows a lump in his throat, feels the constriction in his heart as he finds himself unable to look away in the proximity. Minhyuk’s stare on him holds him there and squeezes the words out of Hyungwon.

“My parents were fighting,” Hyungwon says. “And then they separated.”

“Oh,” Minhyuk’s calm, curious expression turns into a scowl, and a fierce frown so fast, and he pulls Hyungwon close until their foreheads meet. Minhyuk shuts his eyes tightly and Hyungwon feels bad because he wouldn’t know what to do if Minhyuk cries again.

“It helped knowing there’s someone who cared,” Hyungwon whispers quickly because he doesn’t like the fact that Minhyuk’s frowning because of his sob story now. “The teacher, she was there for me, I didn’t think about home and all the fights when she cheered me up.”

“Hyungwon, oh, little Hyungwon.” Minhyuk murmurs, his voice quivering.

Hyungwon smiles bitterly. It’s something else when someone else is sad for his sadness, so he takes Minhyuk’s hand on his neck.

“What I’m saying is, what you did for the girl probably already means a whole lot to her,” Hyungwon says, rubbing his thumb against Minhyuk’s. “I’d vouch for that, it happened to me.”

Minhyuk pulls away to look at him properly and he’s sporting a sad pout on his face so Hyungwon chuckles.

“Don’t feel sad, I turned out fine, didn’t I?”

“No.”

“ Hey .”

Minhyuk smiles slightly, looking away as he frees his hand from Hyungwon’s gently. He places the beer can onto the bedside table, and lies down on the bed.

Hyungwon follows, and finds Minhyuk scooting closer on his side, placing a hand on his shoulder.

They stay there in silence for a brief moment, just staring into nothing and Hyungwon praying that Minhyuk has completely calm down from his crying.

“Who raised you then, Hyungwon?” He asks, face hidden from view from being close. All Hyungwon can see is his hair.

“My dad.” Hyungwon answers. It comes easy. Of course, he acknowledges that childhood sadness doesn’t go away easily, it dulls yet it stays, but telling it to Minhyuk is easy. “My mother left him for another man. I guess it broke my dad’s heart.”

He feels Minhyuk’s hand gripping the fabric of his shirt.

“I didn’t see her for the longest time after. But she called me a few years later, and talked to me for almost an hour, just asking how I’ve been, if I was eating well. I guess, what hurt was the fact that she left me as a kid, and even more when I found out she’s got new kids of her own. The hurt didn’t really last though—” Hyungwon manages a small laugh, “—that was the last I heard of her.”

Living with his dad, wasn’t really bad, Hyungwon thinks. Really. His dad has this travelling agency he opened up even before Hyungwon was born. Pushed himself into his work when his wife left and it really wasn’t that bad. He worked part time there during the summers once he got into middle school so he spent what he would say quality time with his dad. His dad didn’t marry anyone else after, unlike his mom. Didn’t leave Hyungwon wondering when else he would hear his mom’s voice, the one who left and never really came back except for that one phone call.

And somehow, at the outpouring words in the night where Minhyuk listens, Hyungwon realizes how bitter he has been. That his dad retreated way too deep into his work that Hyungwon’s all left alone, wondering in what life would he be able to live like other kids, with their parents dropping them off at school in the mornings.

And maybe that was Minhyuk’s biggest fear for his own student, and Hyungwon understands. But he’s all grown up, the dulled bitterness and sorrows, despite still there, he thinks there are still good things in the world.

“But as I gew up I understand him, you know.”

Or maybe sympathize , Hyungwon wants to add, because it wasn’t just one person the mother left, it was Hyungwon and his dad. Both of them.

“Most of the time we’re okay,” Hyungwon says when Minhyuk asked if he’s close with his dad. “We’re not on bad terms, just, a little distant maybe after college.”

“Has it always been that way? Distant?”

Hyungwon shakes his head, sighing. “It was just… because of the summers I spent at the agency, he thought I was going to work there after my studies. Take over. Do what I have been helping him with all these time. But I wanted to pursue architecture, and he wasn’t overtly against it, but I could see he was a little disappointed when I left for college.”

They didn’t fight. It was just this quiet hesitance that hung between the father and the son. The father to stop him from pursuing his dream, and the son for convincing him to let him do what he wanted to do.

During summer breaks in college, Hyungwon came back home and worked at the agency, but his dad then tried to tell him not to. And it kind of left things a little strange between them, that his dad didn’t understand that Hyungwon did it to spend his summer with his only family, and that his dad mistaken it as some sort of a lie because he wasn’t taking over the agency anyway. So Hyungwon’s return in the summer became shorter over the summers, he joined clubs, did things with Hoseok in whatever thing they got themselves into.

“For the longest time,” Hyungwon says. “I didn’t know what to do. So we just never really talked about it. Guess that’s why we grew a little distant after.”

“Oh,” Minhyuk shifts his head that’s now on Hyungwon’s shoulder, his fingers scratching slightly at Hyungwon’s shirt. “What else do you do in the summers of your childhood, Hyungwon?” He suddenly asks, and his hair scratches against Hyungwon’s chin.

“Anything else? Not much. When I was younger mostly I stayed home because dad’s the busiest during the summers. You know, with his travelling agency, and families booking trips for vacations. So when I got into middle school I decided to start helping around in the office every summer. It helps with my resume later after school.” Hyungwon chuckles slightly, remembering the dreadful paperworks, the summer calls of last minute bookings for family travels. Exasperated spouses.

He used to think if he doesn’t marry he wouldn’t have to be so obligated to plan a trip in the summer, because it was such a pain. That was how bitter he was. How ironic for a kid working at a travelling agency owned by his own dad.

“Was it fun? Working there?”

“It was a pain, but—” Hyungwon blinks. “—it’s the most time I spent with my dad, I get to see him work and everything. And he’s a hard worker. I admired him for it. I know it’s not the conventional way of spending summer with family, but it’s just been that way.”

“Oh.”

“What about you?”

Minhyuk shrugs. “We, my parents, me and my brother, go to the countryside sometimes. The sea, the mountains. It’s fun. Usual things, you know.”

Hyungwon can almost feel him holding back, so he nudges Minhyuk’s head with his shoulder slightly. “Tell me everything, don’t hold back just cause I’ve never done it with my family. It’s better if you tell me all about it. Because at least then I’ll get a picture of how a family trip during the summer feels like.”

Minhyuk chuckles. “If I tell you everything it’ll take years.”

“Years, huh? We’ve got time.”

Minhyuk lifts a hand to playfully slap him on the neck. “When was the last time you talked to him?” He asks instead.

Hyungwon hums, the tv’s volume is so low he can barely hear it. “I don’t remember.”

Minhyuk looks at him in surprise. “That long ?” He gapes and slightly hits Hyungwon on the neck again and Hyungwon laughs confusedly. “Call him, ask him how he’s been or something, he’s your dad , Hyungwon.”

Hyungwon catches Minhyuk’s hand that threatens to hit him again for laughing. “Calm down, it’s been like that for as long as I remember. It’s no news is good news, you know. And what about you? I bet you haven’t talked with your parents for a long time.”

“I’ll have you know I called them earlier this morning, Hyungwon.”

The architect rolls his eyes slightly, but a smile still plays on his lips.

Minhyuk sighs slightly, pulling his hand away from Hyungwon’s to hold on to Hyungwon’s arm instead.

It’s so comfortable to be on Minhyuk’s bed now. “Fine, I’ll call him soon.”

He hears Minhyuk smiling.

“What’s up with you two?” Kihyun asks, hands clasped around his bottle of the beer on the table. He’s squinting at Hyungwon and Minhyuk.

“What?” Hyungwon asks. He has just been complaining because Minhyuk told Hyunwoo he has a crush on him when they were getting the beers earlier. As usual. It came as no surprise but it really bothers Hyungwon. Not in a bad way, he has to admit.

“You’re all—” Kihyun starts making some movements with his hands. “—I don’t know. It’s weird.”

“Y ou’r e weird, Kihyun,” Minhyuk says, drinking his beer. “Also, where’s Hoseok anyway, he told us to be here and he’s like—” He looks at his watch. “—half an hour late.”

Kihyun groans, rolling his eyes. “Who knows what he’s up to. He’s been working late, and he has been smiling like an idiot by himself.”

Minhyuk and Hyungwon share a look and Hyungwon shrugs when Minhyuk raises his eyebrows at him.

“Is he—” Kihyun blinks and stares at Hyungwon. “He wasn’t running off somewhere else, is he?”

Hyungwon laughs. “Yes, Kihyun. Don’t worry about it, he’s just been given a lot of work by the director.”

If Hyungwon has to be honest, he’s kind of envious the director seems to trust in Hoseok more with all the work Hoseok’s given. Hyungwon doesn’t know what he’s done wrong in his work at all, but tries not to think about it much. Plus, it’s good that Hoseok is doing good in his career, he’s trying to establish himself after all, and that meant a promising future, including for his plan of proposing soon.

“It’s you,” Kihyun points an accusing finger at Hyungwon. “You’re a bad influence, Hoseok-hyung’s not this hardworking. He knows when to take a rest. You’re rubbing off this workaholic culture on him.”

Hyungwon gasps, sporting an offended expression but it’s Minhyuk who speaks.

“I’ll have you know, Hyungwon’s been toning it down lately. He comes home earlier now.”

Kihyun looks at the two weirdly again, but then rolls his eyes. “Yeah, you would know,” He mutters and then finishing the rest of his beer.

“Of course, we’re roommates.”

The nurse sighs again, groaning. “ Where is Hoseok ?” He throws his head back, bored and tired of waiting. “Why didn’t you two leave work together?”

“He said he has to go somewhere first.” Hyungwon shrugs. “Hey, are we that boring to hang out with? I feel offended.”

“No,” Kihyun shakes his head slowly, not even looking at the two across the table. “I just miss him.”

“What’s that?” Minhyuk asks, sounding irritated.

“You heard me.”

“You literally live together, how can you miss him this quick?”

“You wouldn’t know, you, lonely, single, man, Minhyuk.” Kihyun mutters and has a cracker thrown at him by Minhyuk. He curses loudly, a hand on his eye because it almost hit him there. “What the fuck?”

“No cursing!” Minhyuk hisses.

“Oh, no, fuck you, what was that for?”

“For saying I’m lonely,” Minhyuk grunts, and pulls at Hyungwon’s arm. “I have Hyungwon, right here.”

Kihyun laughs amusedly and it’s a mocking one, Hyungwon knows. “Oh? Really?”

“Yeah, Hyungwon really likes me too. Don’t you? Hyungwon?” Minhyuk turns to Hyungwon and the architect rolls his eyes.

Here they go again , he thinks as he pulls his arm out of Minhyuk’s grip.

“Please take this man away from me, Kihyun. I don’t know him,” Hyungwon says dismissively and Minhyuk makes a whiny sound.

“You’re the worst,” Minhyuk sighs, faking a headache as he pinches the bridge of his nose. “It wouldn’t have hurt to play along.” He gets up and for a second there Hyungwon thought he was going to leave and was prepared to pull him back into his seat when Minhyuk smiles at him slightly. “I’m getting us more beers.”

Minhyuk walks away to Hyunwoo, and starts chatting the bartender up.

“Look at you,” Kihyun snickers. “Watching him like a hawk.”

“Who?” Hyungwon finally tears his eyes off Minhyuk who’s laughing at something Hyunwoo said. “Hyunwoo-hyung?”

“Minhyuk, you idiot.”

Hyungwon laughs because he knew Kihyun meant Minhyuk.

“He likes you,” Kihyun whispers. “And you two have this, vibe going on you know?”

“What vibe?” Hyungwon asks incredulously, noticing that his bottle of beer is empty. He was about to drink.

“This weird vibe like— baby !” Kihyun immediately stands up to greet Hoseok who apparently just arrived. “What took you so long?” He asks as he gives Hoseok a quick kiss and pulls him down to sit.

“Something came up.” Hoseok answers, grinning. “Hey, Hyungwon. Thanks for keeping Kihyun company.”

Hyungwon crosses his arms on his chest, shrugging.

“Where’s Minhyuk?” Hoseok asks.

“Getting more beers.”

Minhyuk is still laughing with Hyunwoo when Hyungwon checks. The conversation seems lively there that Hyungwon’s afraid Minhyuk forgot that he came there to hang out with them.

“Anyway,” Kihyun starts again, Hoseok’s arm already around his shoulders. “Hyungwon, care to explain about you and Minhyuk?”

Hyungwon blinks at the sudden question, thinking that the conversation was just over when Hoseok came.

Hoseok mouth hangs open and he looks at them two. “What did I miss?”

“Minhyuk and Hyungwon, these two have been acting all weird.”

“Oh, yeah, I noticed.” Hoseok nods. “This one time Hyungwon was laughing at his phone in the office and it got me all confused when I realized he was just texting Minhyuk.”

Kihyun gives Hyungwon a look that Hyungwon can only describe as despicable.

“He was sending me memes.” Hyungwon tries to defend himself.

“They were good memes.” Hoseok adds and Kihyun shakes his head at Hoseok amusedly.

“Minhyuk also told me how you two moved the tv into his bedroom the other day. And that there are faulty wirings or something. What are you guys trying to do? Ruin my uncle’s apartment?” Kihyun suddenly asks and Hyungwon wonders when Minhyuk told him about that.

“It’s just faulty wiring in the bathroom. The maintenance guy is fixing it though.”

“Still?”

Hyungwon shrugs. He hasn’t heard news about the repair at all lately to be honest.

“Wait.” Hoseok suddenly lifts a hand. “The tv is in Minhyuk’s bedroom?”

“Yeah,” Hyungwon answers dismissively, wondering when they’re getting their beers. Minhyuk’s so chatty he’s probably keeping Hyunwoo from serving other customers.

“Is that why you’re watching the tv again?” Hoseok quickly asks as if he’s solved the greatest mystery in the world.

Hyungwon just realized what he’s gotten himself into. But he’s an honest man, and it’s no use hiding things when he feels himself getting red anyway. “Yeah, we watch tv in his room, happy?”

Hoseok and Kihyun laugh together, grabbing each other’s hands in happiness. The two lean forward, interested in Hyungwon who’s growing uncomfortable in his seat.

When will Minhyuk come back with the beers?

“Why are you acting like an old married couple with my bestfriend, Hyungwon?” Kihyun asks slyly, his chin on his hand.

“That’s it!” Hoseok snaps a finger in the air. “I was trying to think of a way to describe these two, god, Kihyun, you’re a genius.”

Kihyun smiles at Hoseok, proud.

“Is this turning into an interrogation?” Hyungwon grunts, and looks at Minhyuk who’s still talking to Hyunwoo. “Hey, Minhyuk,” He calls and Minhyuk turns around expectantly. “Hurry up with the beers would you?”

Minhyuk nods and turns back to talking with Hyunwoo.

Hyungwon sighs. The couple in front of him is still staring at him excitedly.

“Are you enjoying it,” Kihyun asks, and somehow Hyungwon senses the honesty in his question, the genuine curiosity. “Being this domestic with someone? With Minhyuk ?”

Hyungwon blinks, tries not to smile because he’s thinking of all the days he’s spent with Minhyuk. The running joke of Hyungwon having a crush on him. It doesn’t feel so much like a joke now, he finds.

“It’s,” Hyungwon pauses, takes a deep breath. “It’s not bad.”

And it feels good. To say it out loud. To his two friends who stare at him with this newfound excitement. Hyungwon smiles, rubs the nape of his neck and he’s embarrassed he hates himself for it.

“Ugh, why am I like this?” He mutters under his breath. “Okay, look, it’s not, anything . Nothing’s going on, it’s really not what you think.”

“Yeah, I knew you’d say that.” Kihyun nods as he starts eating the chips served on the table.

Hyungwon shakes his head, a hand covering his face. “I told you we’re just good friends.”

“That was before you knew he was flirting with you, right?” Hoseok looks at him certainly, trying to make sure Hyungwon remembers the fact that Minhyuk likes him since long ago.

Hyungwon groans, slumping down in his seat and looking up at the ceiling. He’s remembering the way Minhyuk would talk softly to him on the bed, asking him things, those genuine questions that would make Hyungwon spill and spill. And also the way his own heart twists and aches because he’s never been so panicked at someone’s tears. There’s an inexplicable wrenching feeling in his guts when he sees Minhyuk distressed and the truth is, he really doesn’t know what it is that makes him feel that way.

“Like I said,” Hyungwon swallows a lump in his throat. “It’s platonic.”

The two lean back in their seats, looking not satisfied with the answer.

Hyungwon tries to think about his words again. Is he in denial? He’s not. He’s sure he isn’t. He rubs his hands on his face, trying to ease the tension in his brain. “Look, I don’t know, okay? Maybe it’s not platonic, but maybe it is, too. It’s like I never want to make a move on him.”

“Yeah, only cause that’s the classic Hyungwon move.” Hoseok snortles and Kihyun looks at him with his eyebrows raised.

“Classic Hyungwon move?” Kihyun asks.

“It’s where Hyungwon doesn’t make a move at all.” Hoseok explains with a soft smile at Kihyun who’s nodding thoughtfully now.

“I don’t not make any moves.” Hyungwon crosses his arms together, narrowing his eyes.

“Well, think about all those could-be-relationships you’ve had over college.”

Hyungwon blinks. “Okay, but is that weird?”

Hoseok shrugs, blinking in return.

“But do I like Minhyuk?” Hyungwon pushes himself up his seat and leans forward toward his two friends. “Yes.” He says and pauses for a one giant heartbeat as the two nods slowly. “But in what way? I don’t know.”

“Complicated.” Kihyun decides to say.

“It is, I guess.” Hyungwon looks away at Minhyuk who’s still talking to Hyunwoo. That chatterbox.

“Okay,” Hoseok speaks up. “Let’s figure it out. Have you two kissed?”

Hyungwon’s head snaps to his direction and he gives him a look of disbelief. “No.”

“What?” Kihyun almost yells and he quickly lowers his voice. “You never kissed yet, what? And you two sleep on the same bed all the time?”

“Like I said, I never feel like making a move—wait a minute , how did you—”

“That’s not the point.” Kihyun shakes his head, looking as utterly confused as everyone else at the table. “How far have you two even gone?”

Hyungwon squints as he thinks.

“Cuddle?” Hoseok offers.

“Um, does simply being tangled in sleep count?”

Kihyun laughs a little. “Okay, so you two hold hands and everything?”

“Not really.”

“What is up with you two?” Kihyun retorts, throwing his hands in the air.

“Old married couple, you said it.” Hoseok murmurs.

“Help me figure this out, would you?”

“Hey, whatever it is, you two seem happy, okay?” Kihyun says and he gives Hyungwon an assuring smile. “That’s a good thing.”

“I’ll take that.” Hyungwon looks down at the empty beer bottle in his hand, biting his lips as he scratches at the sticker on it.

“But god! I’m so mad!” Kihyun suddenly groans. “Does that mean Minhyuk’s reverse psychology bullshit move worked?!”

Hoseok laughs, squeezing Kihyun’s shoulder.

“It’s literally such a stupid move!”

Hyungwon can’t help but laugh too. “Maybe it was just done on the right person.” He decides to offer and Kihyun looks at him exasperatedly.

“Here are the beers,” Minhyuk says, finally arriving at the table with the beers. Hyungwon notices he got himself a bottle of soda this time. “Hey, Hoseok!”

“Hi, Minhyuk.” Hoseok smiles at him.

“What did you guys talk about without me?” Minhyuk asks once he’s seated beside Hyungwon again.

“More importantly, what did you talk about with Hyunwoo-hyung? We waited for years for the beers,” Kihyun says, annoyed.

“Hyunwoo-hyung is a great person to talk to, it’s so hard to end a conversation with him.” Minhyuk answers nonchalantly.

“Is he?” Hoseok scoffs.

“Yeah.” Kihyun blinks, looking at Hoseok confusedly.

“Anyway, I invited you all here, because I have something to show you later.” Hoseok rubs his hands together excitedly. “But, let’s drink first, I’m so tired after a long day of work.”

So they drank and talked about their work. Kihyun tells them about the patient with a huge wound in his leg, enjoying sharing the gruesome detail just to gross out his friends until Hoseok begs him to stop, threatening to cry in the public place while the others laugh at him. Kihyun just cradles the scared, bigger man and kisses his head to soothe him.

So then after all the bottles are empty, they all walked out of the bar and Hoseok lead them somewhere around the corner of the block. He stops and stretches out his hands.

“Tadah!” He says.

The other three look around confusedly. They’re at a parking spot and there were only cars.

Hyungwon blinks. “You bought a car.” He says.

“Yes!” Hoseok almost jumps in excitement and looks at Kihyun expectantly, grinning ear to ear. “Baby, I bought a car for us!”

“What?” Kihyun asks in disbelief and runs to Hoseok to look at the car Hoseok’s pointing at.

“Now I can drive you around.” Hoseok says, wrapping an arm around Kihyun as Kihyun stares at the brand new car parked there in front of them. “Just like how Hyungwon does for Minhyuk.” He adds.

“Oh,” Minhyuk blinks, looking at the two amusedly.

“I thought we were gonna buy a new tv.” Kihyun turns to look up at Hoseok. “How am I gonna play my playstation, babe?”

“Oh,” Hoseok mutters, his smile fading.

“I’m kidding, we can buy it later, but wow!” Kihyun pulls himself away from Hoseok and starts peering into the car. “The seats are still wrapped in plastic. It’s a brand new car, wow!”

Hoseok laughs at Kihyun’s excitement.

“That’s a nice car.” Hyungwon says to Hoseok.

“I know,” Hoseok nods, happy and pushing the button to unlock the doors. Kihyun says he can’t wait to get home in the new car.

“Congrats on the new car!” Minhyuk says, waving goodbye at the two after they all finished fawning over the vehicle.

Hyungwon and Minhyuk watch as Hoseok drives away on the street. And when the car’s out of sight, it’s quiet in the area, except for some muffled music playing from the bar.

“Let’s go home now.” Minhyuk says, starting to walk away already. “Why does the bar have to be so close to our home? I kinda want to have a car ride now that I see their excitement over a new car.”

“You get a ride every morning, Minhyuk.” Hyungwon scoffs. “What are you even talking about?”

Minhyuk shrugs. “I don’t know.” He murmurs. “Something about seeing the two of them so happy…” His voice trails off.

Hyungwon doesn’t ask him to clarify, because he thinks he knows what Minhyuk is trying to say.

“Nothing, I was just, wondering how you’ve been.” Hyungwon says over the phone. He’s leaning against the huge glass window in the living room overlooking the other apartment blocks around.

Minhyuk is in the shower, and Hyungwon figured it was the right time to call his dad rather than when he’s going to just be making excuses later.

His dad says he’s fine and asks if he’s still working in that architectural firm while sounding like he’s moving things around. Hyungwon wonders what he’s doing early in the morning.

“Yeah, I’m still working there. It’s been fine.”

Hyungwon smiles slightly when his dad tells him it better be fine, since no one was going to continue his travelling agency business.

It’s just his way to tell his son to work hard and take care of himself.

“How’s the agency, dad? Summer’s coming soon, it’ll be a busy season.”

He hears his dad sighing and instantly his smile drops, and there’s a dread in his heart. He tries to talk to his dad more, but his dad cuts the call short, as he always does, and although Hyungwon is usually thankful for it—long conversations with his dad isn’t a thing—somehow this left him anxious and somehow upset.

“I’m here, I’m ready!” Minhyuk’s running out of the room, with his bag hanging on his shoulder. He shuffles around in the kitchen, pulling the fridge door open and taking things out.

Hyungwon walks to the kitchen counter, pressing his knuckles against the marble counter as he watches Minhyuk take out some lunchboxes out of the fridge.

“Um, hey,” Hyungwon calls and the other hums a reply. “I—I think I’m gonna call a day off at work today.”

Minhyuk stops what he’s doing, and looks at Hyungwon confusedly. “Yeah? You feeling okay?” He asks.

“I’m fine, it’s just, I called my dad,” Hyungwon bites at his lips and sighs. “He said he’s retiring, and closing down the agency.”

In an instant, Minhyuk’s shoulders slump and he looks concerned. And it’s funny how just a few nights ago Hyungwon told him how he spent most of his summers at the agency, and now it’s closing down, and now Minhyuk knows exactly what Hyungwon’s thinking and feeling at this very moment.

“Don’t worry, I’ll drive you to school.” Hyungwon lifts the car keys, managing a smile.

The drive to school is silent, Minhyuk doesn’t say anything while Hyungwon calls Bora to tell her he’s not coming in because of family matters. She doesn’t ask anything but only wished him well. Hyungwon texts Hoseok the reason and Hoseok doesn’t pry either, maybe hoping to talk about it when they meet after.

When they get to the school, Minhyuk scurries out of the car to get the things he placed in the backseat and balancing his usual tea latte in one hand. Hyungwon gets out and helps him with the books and bag.

“You’re driving back to your hometown?” Minhyuk asks, looking up at Hyungwon as Hyungwon pulls the strap of Minhyuk’s bag up his shoulder when he sees it almost falling off.

“Yeah.”

“Okay.” Minhyuk nods, looking down at the bag he has hanging on his arm.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back,” Hyungwon says, distracted by the kids running to the school building.

“It’s fine, take all the time you need.” Minhyuk rummages into the bag and hands Hyungwon a lunchbox.

“What’s this?”

Minhyuk smiles, all bright in the morning, like the sun in the sky. “I made kimbap last night.”

Hyungwon hesitantly takes the lunchbox, frowning slightly. “Isn’t this for the kids?” He asks.

“Yeah, because we’re having the fieldtrip today but I also made them for you. Eat it on your way home, it’ll be a long drive, Hyungwon.”

The architect manages a smile. “I’ll enjoy it.” He mutters.

“There are no cucumbers,” The teacher whispers, reaching out to brush away dusts on Hyungwon’s shoulder with his hand.

Hyungwon laughs and before he can go back into his car Minhyuk calls after him and Hyungwon cranes his neck, eyebrows raised at the teacher.

“I hope everything will be well back in your hometown.” Minhyuk beams, “Say hi to your dad.”

Hyungwon nods, waves and before he could get in the car Minhyuk speaks again.

“I hope you spend quality time with your dad, and I—”

He stops himself and even Hyungwon who’s halfway into the car stops and looks at him.

Minhyuk’s mouth is open, and it closes and it opens again as Minhyuk blinks, looking nervous all of a sudden.

Hyungwon stares at him as Minhyuk slowly looks away.

“I—I hope you drive safely,” He says in a much lower voice instead.

Hyungwon didn’t get a chance to say anything because there are kids running towards Minhyuk, screaming his name and pulling at his hands, trying to check what’s in the bag he’s carrying. Hyungwon sits in the driver’s seat, watches Minhyuk go with the kids swarming him. Puts on his seatbelt and drives away.

The whole agency is empty when Hyungwon arrives a little late in the afternoon. It was a long drive, he passed by his home, saw the lights were off and went to the agency instead. Apparently his dad is clearing the last of his things in the office.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were closing down the agency?” Hyungwon asks, walking into his dad’s office.

The desk is empty, with dust in the shapes of his dad’s files and other things. Even the outside cubicles are as empty; the wires for the telephones, printers and fax machines all gone. The carpet showed only marks of the tapes Hyungwon placed to conceal the cables running through the whole floor of the office one summer.

“I didn’t think it was important.” His dad answers without looking at him, putting the last of his things into the box on his desk. He doesn’t seem surprised that Hyungwon’s there, and Hyungwon thinks that maybe it’s because he knows after the call Hyungwon would go there in an instant.

“Why wouldn’t it be important?” Hyungwon mutters, a little annoyed. “You’re closing down this whole business that’s been your whole life, and without telling me beforehand. Would you have even told me if I hadn’t called?”

His dad looks at him, and his hair is whiter than Hyungwon remembers, the wrinkles are so defined on his face. People say Hyungwon looks exactly like his father. But Hyungwon thinks it’s just that mostly they never met his mother.

“Why are you acting like it’s such a big deal?” His dad laughs a little instead and Hyungwon sighs. “I am at an age to retire, it’s perfectly normal for me to do so at this age and time.”

It’s such a Hyungwon’s dad thing to say. Hyungwon huffs, walks to his father and takes the box.

“You must have not eaten.” Hyungwon says as he carries the box out, his dad trailing behind him.

Before he could proceed to where his car is parked his dad calls after him and he turns.

“Wait,” His dad says, walks into the shop beneath the agency, talks to an old man inside and hands him something.

Hyungwon puts down the heavy box, and watches his dad approaching him.

“It’s closing time.” His dad mutters, stands beside him and looks up at the signboard.

The old, faded signboard on the second floor of a shop building that Hyungwon frequented in the summers.

Chae Travel Agency.

It’s lit, and bright under the sky where the sun is setting. The lights in the office are on too. But Hyungwon watches as it turns off one by one through the window, and there’s an inexplicable feeling of both relief and sadness that washes over him.

Lastly, the lights for the signboard are turned off.

It’s dark.

When they leave the place in the summer, they never really looked back to the way the lights turn off in the office, the way the signboard turns dark. It’s a bit strange to just look at it only when the place is closing.

“I’m glad you are here to witness this, Hyungwon.” His dad takes a deep breath and Hyungwon looks at him. “I stood here when that signboard first lit up, way before you were born.”

Hyungwon looks down at the box, sees a frame peeking out among the other things. It’s a picture of him and his dad, taken when he was 5 years old. He knows his dad keeps it on his desk. He used to stare at it and be relieved to know that even when his dad worked most of his days, he would think of Hyungwon who sat there as a reminder on his desk.

He still remembers seeing his dad all alone at his desk, picking up calls and looking through files. The hardworking man, in his own office while his son watched from the outside, making copies and coffees in the busy summers.

“Was mom there too, with you?” Hyungwon finds himself asking. “Watching the lights go on?”

“Of course she was.”

Hyungwon swallows a lump in his throat, and looks at the signboard again. Soon they’ll take it down, and it’ll be replaced with a new signboard. For a shop maybe. Or whatever small company that would rent the place.

“You worked hard, dad,” Hyungwon mutters. “Now you don’t have to tire yourself out working anymore.”

His dad chuckles slightly, the age evident in his voice. “Are you seeing anyone, Hyungwon?”

The son scoffs at the change of topic, pushing his hands into the pocket of his pants. “No, I’m mostly working.”

“That’s the thing,” His dad mutters, still looking at the signboard. Hyungwon wonders how long his parents stood there during the opening of the agency. “I know me and your mom separated, but it doesn’t mean you have to lead the same life you see that I do.”

Hyungwon exhales heavily.

“You’re here because you’re worried that I might just be standing here alone, but you never think about whether there’ll be someone worrying about you standing in the world alone too, don’t you?”

“Where is this coming from, dad?” The son sighs slightly, looking up at the blue sky with a hint of red and orange.

“Don’t try to make yourself alone, Hyungwon.” The old man gazes at his son, and he seems sad for some reason. “A life is better lived by two.”

And that was the life his father lived the day he opened the agency. And now, he’s standing there with his own son.

Hyungwon decides to say nothing, picks up the box again and walks to his car with his dad trailing behind.

He puts the box into his car, and tells his dad he’s taking both of them to dinner at the restaurant they usually go to when his dad’s employees celebrate things. He doesn’t even remember what most of the celebrations were for. He was just happy to be eating delicious food.

When his dad tries to get into the passenger seat he sees the empty lunchbox on the seat. It was left there after Hyungwon ate it in the middle of the journey back to his hometown. Hyungwon just takes it and places it in the backseat silently.

The old woman at the restaurant greets Hyungwon with enthusiasm after such a long time, praising him for growing up so well and asking how he has been. She asks him about work and about marriage but Hyungwon laughs and tells her he’s still young so he just wants to focus on work. The old woman frowns and tells him not to be like his father.

They eat dinner in silence, Hyungwon ordered a lot of side dishes and enjoys all of them. They remind him of his childhood, schooldays and simply just the plain, old simple days before he left the town for college and a career.

“Have you… ever dated, after mom left, dad?” Hyungwon finds himself asking the one question he has always held back in asking all these years. But he figured he’s old enough, his father is even older and he just doesn’t care anymore.

“Of course.” His dad answers without hesitating and Hyungwon’s surprised, his chopsticks halfway into his mouth hung there in his shock. “What do you take me for?”

“What?” The son retorts. “I never knew this!”

“You never asked.”

“Who did you date? How many?” Hyungwon blurts and his dad laughs wholeheartedly. “Oh my god, was one of them the ahjumma from the dessert shop?”

His dad shakes his head in his laughter. “You’ve underestimated your own father.”

Hyungwon puts down his utensil and drinks his glass of water, sighing. “Well, all this time I just thought—”

“That your father was still heartbroken over the leaving of your mother?”

Hyungwon stares at him. It was exactly it. And the fact that his dad worked so much he couldn’t imagine his dad doing anything else. He’s a little ashamed that he thought of his dad so narrowly that way. It was immature, and foolish.

“I was of course heartbroken for a long time.” His dad confesses, picks up his bowl, and puts it down again, sighing. “But hearts heal. I meet other people too, but they just never worked out.”

“Why?”

His dad shrugs, looking down at the food on the table. They ordered so many.

“Isn’t a life better lived by two?” Hyungwon offers, a bit bitter and somehow upset.

The old man in front of him smirks, his words handed back to him by his own son. “My life is lived by two.” He says instead.

Hyungwon blinks, and it finally dawns on him. The picture frame that sits on his dad’s desk everyday, the one that’s now in the box, in his car.

“Oh,” is all he can manage, realizing how slow he is in everything when it comes to the man who raised him.

Hyungwon resumes eating again, and his dad watches.

“So why didn’t you tell me that you were closing down the agency?”

“Why is it so important to you that I tell you?”

Hyungwon shrugs, putting away the empty bowl and asking for another bowl of rice from the passing waiter. “It’s been part of my whole life. Your life. You worked there everyday, sometimes every night. All through the seasons. I don’t see why you treat the closing down of the agency as if it’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing.”

“Then why…?” Hyungwon lost all the words, and somehow, remembering that most summers he spent there helping his dad was the most time he’s ever spent with the old man, makes tears pool in his eyes and he has to gather himself  at the table.

Maybe deep down it feels like it is his fault. That he went on to become an architect and left his hometown. Left all those experiences in the summer that he gathered while watching his dad work just because it was strange after he made it clear he wasn’t taking over.

“The agency, was just a way of supporting the family,” His dad says, as if reading his thoughts. He chews as he talks. “It was only important to me because it was the only way for me to support you, after your mother left. And now you’re out there, an architect, making a career of your own, doing what you love. I found that the agency is unnecessary now. I closed it down because I trust you’re building a good life of your own right now.”

Hyungwon hastily wipes his tears away before they could fall with a napkin. He eats so as not to cry, and he doesn’t look at his dad at all. His heart burns, he thinks of how distant they have been, and how all this distance they—no, just Hyungwon put between themselves was such a waste.

“So what are you going to do now?”

His dad shrugs nonchalantly. “I’ll probably be travelling the world. After booking so many flights, it’s time for me to go on them myself.”

Hyungwon manages a smile. “See? You could have told me earlier, I would have gone with you.”

His dad waves a hand in the air dismissively. “Just go do your work, whatever architectural thing that you do. You love working anyway, don’t you?”

Hyungwon can only chuckle, feeling the words stab him right through the heart even though he knows his dad was joking.

“I want to go alone anyway. It’s what the young people say, finding themselves, right?”

“Probably.”

After dinner, the father and son are full and Hyungwon drives them home. He realizes how long it has been since he set foot in the house he’s lived most of his life, and his dad retreats into his own bedroom while Hyungwon checks the living room, the kitchen and sees that nothing really changed.

When he walks into his bedroom it’s exactly like he left it. There’s only a thin layer of dust on his study desk. There are also some books he left on the desk before he moved out because he read them all through high school. His bookshelves are filled with old comic books that he used to enjoy.

He dusts off the mattress, takes the bedsheet out of his closet and set everything up so he could sleep.

His old clothes fit him mostly, and when he’s lying on his old, single bed in the dark he takes out his phone.

The kimbaps were delicious, I enjoyed them greatly.

He texted to Minhyuk.

Glad to know you arrived safely.

Hyungwon laughs at the passive aggressive reply.

Turn off the tv before you sleep.

Did you tell your dad the man you’re in love with says hi?

Goodnight.

Aw come on!

Hyungwon sleeps with a smile on his face anyway.

Hyungwon decides to stay longer in his hometown. Bora said it was okay, they don’t have much workload at the moment and the director’s been focusing on Hoseok for the designs and planning of the big project.

Hyungwon feels a little envious at that, but decides that he wouldn’t think about work in his hometown, not when his dad walks out of the house in the morning to finally have all the time he can have to just drink coffee with other old men in town.

His son comes with him, meets the uncles he used to see working hard in the town before, now all retired with stories of their children and grandchildren shared over cups of coffees.

He sees some high school friends taking over their family’s business, some are already married. Some moved away a long time ago.

It’s peaceful, staying at his hometown, Hyungwon finds. Even though his dad tells him to not follow him around.

He gets that his dad wants to do things by himself with his new freedom and abundance of time so he sets off by himself, looking at how the town has changed a lot since he last visited, the new shops, restaurants. New buildings.

School kids.

A kindergarten.

He stops, and looks at the parents picking up their kids at the kindergarten, the little hands waving goodbye at their teachers, some crying, some running around.

He used to go there, and he can see the playground where he used to cry alone at until a teacher approached him and wiped his tears and snots away for him.

It was such a long time ago, he doubts the teacher is still there so he goes home.

His dad is at the kitchen serving dinner when he arrived.

“I was so busy working I never really learned how to cook.” His dad says, serving a pot of stew on the table as Hyungwon puts down bowls and cutleries on the table. “And you always had to endure whatever things I made that’s just barely edible.”

Hyungwon chuckles. “They’re not that bad.” He says. “Plus, the ahjumma next door used to give us so much side dishes.”

“Ah, yes, she looked after you a lot too when you were a kid.”

Hyungwon nods, smiling. He remembers staying next door after school because his dad was working and it was just better than an empty house all by himself.

“When are you leaving for your trip?” Hyungwon asks when they are eating.

“Tomorrow morning. First stop is Japan.” His dad answers.

“I hope you remember whatever Japanese phrases that you learned when you had to handle Japanese tourists.”

His dad laughs.

“I’ll see you off at the airport before I go back.” Hyungwon mutters, taking more stew out of the pot on the table.

His dad looks at him, and they stare at each other. He blinks and his dad chuckles slightly, shaking his head.

They eat in silence after. It has been a long time since they’e had a meal just the two of them in the house, just father and son.

The next morning they left early for the airport in case his dad misses his flight. And when Hyungwon sends his dad off with hopes of his dad staying safe in foreign countries by himself, his dad hands him a paper bag.

“I don’t know who it is, but what I do know is; you can’t cook and the lunchbox was not prepared by yourself.”

When Hyungwon checks what’s in the paper bag, it’s the lunchbox he left in his car. He didn’t remember his dad taking it out, let alone washing it and putting in some famous delicacies from their hometown inside.

He drives back with the radio broadcasting advertisements for the famous whale watching cruise, with sounds of whales singing in the background.

He can see Minhyuk’s smile lit up by the documentary on marine creatures in his mind the whole drive. The way Minhyuk said the whales can take them anywhere on their backs.

Where would Minhyuk want to go?

And Hyungwon thinks of going home, and seeing Minhyuk in his room watching the tv. Thinks of the large, delicate hands. Thinks of how warm the bed is when it is shared.

When he arrives in the city it was in the afternoon. It’s the weekend so he calls Kihyun and Hoseok for some coffee. They meet at some café and Hoseok and Kihyun looks at him with a look of disbelief. Hyungwon knows it’s a sudden call for meeting and he’s probably disturbing the couple’s Saturday. But he just needed other people’s thoughts. And maybe some encouragement.

“What did you call us here for?” Kihyun asks, eyeing Hyungwon with his slightly narrowed eyes.

“How was the trip back to your hometown?” Hoseok leans forward in his seat, smiling softly.

“It was good, my dad retired and closed down the travelling agency. So I had to help him with some things. I’m sorry I missed work.”

“Good for your dad, he gets to relax now. And no, it’s fine.” Hoseok shakes his head, waving a hand dismissively.

“We had dinner with Minhyuk yesterday, poor guy seemed so lonely without you.” Kihyun suddenly says, looking down at his nails and then drinking his coffee. “You were gone for only like what? Two days?”

Hyungwon blinks. “Oh, I’m sure he’s actually fine.”

Hoseok and Kihyun share a chuckle.

“He is, but the thing is he couldn’t stop talking about you. It’s like if you’re not there all he thinks is just Hyungwon, Hyungwon, Hyungwon, ugh.” Kihyun groans, rolling his eyes and his boyfriend squeezes his shoulders, laughing.

“Yeah?” Hyungwon grins amusedly. “What did he say about me?”

“Oh, a lot of things.” Hoseok retorts and somehow Hyungwon suddenly dreads the thought of Minhyuk saying embarrassing things about him.

“We didn’t need to know that you’re such a picky eater and that you can sleep like the dead, Hyungwon. It was a TMI we didn’t ask for, Minhyuk wouldn’t shut up.”

Hyungwon laughs, feeling somehow honoured that Minhyuk is using him to annoy Kihyun.

“Anyway,” He shakes his head, his laughter subsiding. “I’m here to talk exactly about that.”

“What?” Kihyun raises his eyebrows, looking uninterested. “About how you don’t even eat onions ?”

“No,” Hyungwon says quickly. “About Minhyuk. And I.”

The couple in front of him nods slowly, crossing their arms simultaneously that Hoseok points it out, giggling and Kihyun has to pinch him gently so he would stop.

“I did some thinking back home,” Hyungwon mutters, and looks down at his cup of coffee. “So once I get home and see Minhyuk…”

Hoseok and Kihyun lean forward, expectantly and mouths slightly open.

“I’m gonna talk to him about it.”

“God damn it,” Kihyun suddenly snaps as he leans back in his seat immediately. “I thought you were gonna say you’ll tell him you love him or something.”

“I told you, I don’t even know—why would I even say that? That’s moving too fast!”

“Because,” Kihyun places a hand on the table. “You two are basically an old married couple, I told you!”

Hoseok laughs in amusement at the two’s antics.

“I get where Hyungwon’s coming from though.” He says, cupping Kihyun’s shoulder to pull his boyfriend closer to him. “He’s not sure what it is either, and I think the two of them can figure it out together if they talk about it.”

Kihyun throws his head back against Hoseok’s shoulder and looks up at the older. “Yeah, but I want some more drama in this love story.” He mumbles.

“Excuse me, are you treating us like some sort of a soap opera or something?” Hyungwon narrows his eyes at the nurse in disbelief.

“Yeah,” Kihyun answers nonchalantly, looking at him as if daring him to go against him. “The ones playing at night on the tv.”

“You’re saying it as if it’s a bad thing, there are some good ones on the tv nowadays, I would know.”

Kihyun scoffs, irritated.

“Okay, so why do you feel like you need to tell us this, though?” Hoseok intercepts, taking a sip of his Americano.

The young man sitting across him shrugs. “I guess I was searching for some sort of approval from the one who knows me the best,” He says, looking at Hoseok, and then at Kihyun. “And the one who knows him the best.”

Hoseok and Kihyun smile at him.

“Go ahead. Go crazy, I don’t care.” Kihyun shrugs but he’s still smiling genuinely out of pride or warmth, Hyungwon doesn’t know. All he knows is that it’s rare and somehow he feels a surge of courage to go home and face Minhyuk.

“You two will figure it out, together. I’m sure.” Hoseok winks.

When Hyungwon keys in the passcode on the door, somehow it feels like ages since he’s been home. He was only away for two days, and yet he feels nervous as he pushes the door open, and steps in. He thinks he hears Minhyuk humming in the kitchen and he swallows a lump in his throat, his heart pounding softly, yet harder as he takes off his shoes and goes to the kitchen to see Minhyuk drying his hands with a towel.

“Minhyuk.” Hyungwon calls.

Minhyuk looks up from the towel to him, and an instant smile stretches across his face. He’s all teeth and bright and beaming. “Hyungwon! You’re back!”

Hyungwon returns the smile with a small one and watches as Minhyuk takes quick steps towards him, and now is looking up at Hyungwon with some sort of shimmer in his eyes.

“How was, um, work?” Hyungwon asks, somehow worried about how he didn’t drive Minhyuk to work for a day.

Minhyuk blinks and he frowns slightly. “It was okay,” He sighs, forcing a small smile as if to assure Hyungwon now. “The kid moved. Settled all the paperwork yesterday, and she’s officially withdrawn from the school.”

“Oh,” Hyungwon manages, a bit concerned and part of him wants to put his hand somewhere on Minhyuk, to comfort maybe but his arms feel heavy, and he’s a little nervous so suddenly.

“It’s fine, though, you’re right. There’ll be other teachers in her new school. They’ll be there for her. I’ll focus on my other students too. It’s our job to focus on our students.” He nods to himself and seems better, so Hyungwon’s relieved.

There’s a brief silence between them and Minhyuk chuckles, looking up at him.

“So,” Minhyuk seems excited to just have Hyungwon back, a fresh smile now stuck on his face. “How was your hometown?”

Hyungwon stares at him and shrugs slightly. “It was okay, a lot of things have changed since I last visited. But it’s okay.”

“And your dad?” Minhyuk asks, tilting his head slightly and he’s looking for something in the other’s eyes.

Hyungwon nods, taking a deep breath. “He’s fine. In fact, he got you this.” He lifts the paper bag in his hand that Minhyuk quickly takes from him, gasping in pleasant surprise.

Minhyuk looks inside and pulls the lunchbox out. His eyes go wide once he realizes it’s filled with Hyungwon’s hometown delicacies.

“That’s so nice of him.” Minhyuk bites his lower lip gratefully and puts down the lunchbox on the kitchen counter to turn his attention to Hyungwon again. “I’m guessing you told him I said hi?”

“I didn’t have to.” Hyungwon scoffs.

“What does that mean?” the other blinks confusedly.

Hyungwon shakes his head dismissively.

Minhyuk presses his lips together. “Did you make it in time before the agency really closed down, though?” He asks in a much lower voice.

Hyungwon nods, the smile slightly faltering, remembering how the place where most of his summer memories with his dad were created was at last, no more. “I got what felt like, a closure to all my summers or something.”

“That’s good,” Minhyuk whispers, and he holds Hyungwon’s stare in his round, concerned eyes. “That’s good.” He repeats again, this time reaching out and wrapping his arms around the taller’s neck, pulling Hyungwon closer to him.

Hyungwon’s stunned by the actions, his heart immediately lurching in all sort of ways, yet the comfort of Minhyuk’s arms is so overwhelming, he finds himself lowering his head into Minhyuk’s shoulder, slowly reciprocating the gesture by wrapping his arms tightly around the other.

With his eyes shut tightly, he hears Minhyuk breathing, feels Minhyuk pressed so tightly against him and feels Minhyuk’s fingers in his hair.

“Dad left to travel all around the world by himself,” Hyungwon whispers.

“Sounds nice, for him.” Minhyuk replies, his own voice muffled in Hyungwon’s shoulder too.

Hyungwon hums. “I told him if he had told me earlier about this I would have gone with him. With no hesitation.”

“Yeah?” He hears Minhyuk’s voice shake a little.

“Yeah.” Hyungwon nods, burying his face into Minhyuk’s form, smells the scent of Minhyuk’s shampoo that he uses too since they shared the bathroom. “But he told me no, he wanted to go by himself.”

Minhyuk coos a little, his fingers running through Hyungwon’s hair comfortingly. “You don’t want him to feel lonely, didn’t you?”

He receives a hum of agreement and Minhyuk gives out a small chuckle in the tight embrace they have going on.

“And then, this whole trip I realized,” Hyungwon murmurs, and here it goes , he thinks. What has he got to lose? He’s already this close with Minhyuk, with probably no space spared in between them for the first time. “That all this time when I worried he was lonely, I’ve been making myself lonely in return.”

Minhyuk doesn’t answer for the longest, brief pause.

“I need to tell you something, Minhyuk.” Hyungwon says, and he wants to pull away, to look into Minhyuk’s eyes so he can see how Minhyuk feels, but neither of them let go or even loosen their hold, so he settles to hold Minhyuk tighter. “I can’t for the life of me figure out, what this is that’s been going on between the two of us.”

They’re slightly swaying in their embrace now, and it’s comforting, as if they’re dancing. In the kitchen.

“I’m pretty sure you know what I mean—but,” Hyungwon takes a deep breath, takes in Minhyuk’s scent that has become so familiar, that smells like his bed, his pillows, his blanket and he wants to sleep right now, he’s so tired from the long drive and he also realizes just how strange it is that all he thinks about when it comes to sleep now is that it’s associated with Minhyuk. And his bedroom and his bed and just the two of them being together. “I just want to make sure—I want to know what we are. Because we’re certainly not just roommates.”

Minhyuk hums to show he’s listening and Hyungwon goes on.

“So, I need to know,” Hyungwon whispers. “if it’s right for me to be there when it’s the most difficult for you. And also to be there when it’s the happiest for you. I just want to know if I’m right to be with you and if you think so too.”

There’s a brief silence, one that’s filled with too many thoughts but none of them is where Hyungwon thinks he’s wrong because somehow he’s convinced they’re both on the same page, in whatever book the two of them have pulled out of the shelves. Because they certainly didn’t look at the title, and now Kihyun calls them the old married couple and yet Hyungwon himself just doesn’t know what they actually are.

Minhyuk chuckles, breaking the silence. “That was a lot of words, Hyungwon,” He says. “But yes, me too.”

Hyungwon blinks, and they finally loosen their arms around each other together, yet never letting go, and Hyungwon stares at Minhyuk with a rather soft, grateful expression.

“I don’t know what we are,” Minhyuk says, his hand on the side of Hyungwon’s neck, cupping it and rubbing his thumb along Hyungwon’s jaw. “It’s weird, I have to admit, but yes. Be there for me. Because I want to be there for you too.”

Hyungwon smiles slowly yet surely, all the blooming happiness inside himself is pulling at the corners of his lips, and Minhyuk grins widely, still the same bright grin that when Hyungwon saw it the first time it reminded him of the sun and  Hyungwon really thought it was going to hurt his eyes. But he’s used to the brightness now, if anything, he loves it.

Gently, their foreheads meet and Hyungwon’s breathless, pleasantly overwhelmed by this rush of euphoria that just settles there comfortably between them. It has never been so wonderful to have said all those words, those words that convey this warm feeling that makes him want to just hold Minhyuk close and never let go.

He feels Minhyuk’s finger tracing his jaw, and softly traces down to the collar of his shirt, fiddling with it and Minhyuk pulls away slowly.

“Okay,” Minhyuk sighs happily, dropping his hands off Hyungwon after fixing the collar of Hyungwon’s shirt. “Have you eaten? I can heat up some dishes I cooked the other day when you weren’t here.”

“Sure,” Hyungwon answers, breathless, overwhelmed, still smiling, and he watches as Minhyuk walks to the fridge, taking out the cold dishes and humming to himself.

Hyungwon helps and then they eat together at the dining table, talking about nothing, and Minhyuk tells him about how Jooheon and Changkyun actually came over and they brought food for Minhyuk earlier that day. Minhyuk tells him all about the documentary he missed that played on the tv last night and Hyungwon listens, with a smile on his face all the time. So then Minhyuk pauses his rambling, blinks ( winks ) and smiles widely, gladly , at Hyungwon too.