Chapter Text
Wonwoo lost track of time. It’s become a regular occurrence for him — body sunk into his couch, the heat of his laptop on his lap, emails from the clinic long forgotten as old drama reruns play on the television, his cheap dinner left on the coffee table to clean later.
He guesses it’s somewhere in the dead of night as the reruns play, though it wasn’t surprising for him. His life wasn’t filled with a spark, nor something film worthy, but that reality was accepted long ago.
Nevertheless, his life kept him busy. Overworking was better than dreaming of a reality he can’t have. The last interesting thing he experienced was helping deliver four healthy baby puppies last winter.
Sometimes, just sometimes, he imagined small and intricate scenarios that would add colour to his mundane lifestyle. Spice it up; add a little flavour.
That wasn’t happening soon.
Like he said, he accepted it, so he’s going to head over to his door and tell whoever the hell is knocking at his door to leave him alone.
Wonwoo didn’t even know if it was considered a knock. They were more like irregular thuds. Slow and irritating. Not to mention that it was at a strange hour. It could be a murderer standing at his door.
Nah, that sounds impossible.
He opened the door without checking video camera to see who was outside. Close to starting a cranky complaint, the taste in Wonwoo’s mouth becomes distasteful when he sees the mystery knocker.
It was Wonwoo’s neighbour. All of a sudden, Wonwoo regrets checking beforehand.
Kim Mingyu. The six foot piece of perfection from head to toe who lives across Wonwoo, golden skin and a physique that has others swept off their feet and on their knees.
Simplified, he was ridiculously hot.
But would Wonwoo admit that? He wouldn’t dare to boost Mingyu’s ego. Mingyu just added another lovely problem to Wonwoo’s miserable life.
And there he was — this six foot dreamboat — leaning against Wonwoo’s door frame, out of place strands from his gelled hair, formal attire uncomfortably fitted around his slouched figure. A faint smell of alcohol hits Wonwoo’s nose before the scent drastically becomes stronger. Wonwoo grunts at the contact.
What he doesn’t realise is that Mingyu is leaning on him until the male's warm breath begins singing children songs next to Wonwoo’s ear.
“Mingyu,” Wonwoo cringes at the warmth of Mingyu being hunched over, “Mingyu get off me.”
Of course Mingyu won’t listen. His arms are locked around Wonwoo and the latter finds it incredibly difficult to hold the both of them up. Wonwoo begins to wonder what made Mingyu this way but at the same time he didn’t really have a care in the world.
What Wonwoo did care about is the fact Mingyu is clinging onto him. Wonwoo can’t carry this heavy man — it’s late and this situation is uncalled for.
“I’m giving you until three to let go.” Wonwoo commands. Mingyu stomps to this. Child, Wonwoo irks.
“My keys…” Mingyu stumbles, drawn out vowels, “They’re… They’re not with me… Wonwoo…”
And it sounded convincing until Mingyu bursts out with giggles, changing Wonwoo’s mind. Mingyu was drunk, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. It makes Wonwoo almost feel angry.
Clenching his teeth, he begins to count.
“One…” Nothing from Mingyu. Wonwoo adds a bit more aggression. “… Two…”
He still hasn’t responded to the threat. Wonwoo huffs internally — he’s seriously considering pushing Mingyu and slamming the door to his face. That’ll teach him to not disturb Wonwoo’s night.
“Don’t make me finish. I’ve given you your chance.” Mingyu warmly hums at Wonwoo’s warning. What’s up with this guy? “Three—“
Quiet clicks of heels and a mixture of paper rustling and a constant sound of a moving item distracts Wonwoo from pushing his drunk neighbour. He freezes, hoping to not be heard. Mingyu ruins it with his continuation of the children songs.
Wonwoo sharply sighs, ready to push Mingyu before the sound comes to a complete stop at Wonwoo’s door, revealing the figure.
She was a young girl — a high schooler, Wonwoo reckons — wearing a baby blue dress with white lace, a plain white headband framing her face alongside long, dark hair. Wonwoo doesn’t remember meeting a high schooler before, so being someone Wonwoo knew was out of the question.
He hasn’t seen this girl in his life.
She’s still staring at them and Wonwoo begins to feel small. A teenager is making Wonwoo feel small. This hasn’t happened since forever.
Wonwoo chews the inside of his lip. Is this high schooler judging me? Why is she looking at me for so long?
He tries to think of the most suitable thing to say. Who are you? Is there something you need? Why are you looking at me? Wonwoo has no idea. His brain feels like it’s been switched off from the alcohol; the smell, no less.
Finding something to say, his thoughts sidetrack to the large suitcase behind her and countless of bags hung around her arms. Even weirder, the longer Wonwoo stares at the young girl, resemblances of Mingyu slowly form on her face.
“Mingyu!” She exclaims — this person knows Mingyu now? — getting on her tiptoes to see a small glimpse of Mingyu’s face. “There you are…”
A hand is placed on her chest as she sighs, eyes closed. Her arms are thin and Wonwoo has a slight feeling they’ll snap from the amount of bags dangling on her arms. Speechless, Wonwoo doesn’t realise he’s looking straight back at the girl when she looks up at him.
She gasps, lips a curve away from smiling. “You must be my brother’s boyfriend! You’re a lot taller than he described,”
Mingyu’s dating? Wonwoo furrows his eyebrows. He didn’t even know Mingyu had a sister, let alone a dating life. Wonwoo shook the thoughts off. He had no reason to care — Mingyu could get anyone who he wanted. Typical.
His thoughts pass over his head when Mingyu leans forward, losing Wonwoo’s balance. Luckily, Wonwoo latches his arms around the other’s waist and they remain as they are. It’s getting really uncomfortable for Wonwoo, but throwing Mingyu to the floor while his sister watches wouldn’t give the best reaction.
As Wonwoo stays lost in thought, Mingyu’s sister continues to watch the two males. When they move, she gets a peek of the television and the drama playing. Like a lightbulb flickering on, something unknown influences her to add another detail to this made-up story that she’s witnessing.
“Mingyu didn’t tell us you live together,” she comments, eyes innocent.
Wonwoo didn’t hear it. Well, he did, but the comment acted like white noise because of Mingyu’s struggle to find the best way to lay his head on Wonwoo’s shoulder.
“How much did he drink?” Wonwoo asks, more irritated than concerned.
“By the looks of it, a lot.” Mingyu’s sister replies. “It was his high school friend’s bachelor party. I thought my brother knew better.” She tuts, looking at her nails in dismissal.
Right, Mingyu went back to his hometown. As expected Mingyu didn’t tell Wonwoo — hell, why would he — but Wonwoo got the unwanted information from outside sources. Outside sources meaning the two people he questions as his friends.
Wonwoo surprisingly does remember the last thing Mingyu said to him which was a loving fuck you. Wonwoo guesses they argued that day. Not surprising for their daily routine.
However, it made sense to Wonwoo. It explained the abnormal, blissful silence Wonwoo didn’t question. But now that Mingyu was back, Wonwoo began to wonder why Mingyu arrived before Sunday. It’s Friday today.
“What type of bachelor party is that…” Wonwoo mumbles, speaking up after. “I thought Mingyu was staying until the end of the week.”
“He told us he wanted to go home right after the party. I think his work called him.”
“Oh.”
“Mom told me to help Mingyu, but I’m sure he’ll be fine in your hands, right?”
How does Wonwoo respond to that?
Wonwoo can only get his words up to his throat before Mingyu slurs, “Just go already! You’re so annoying!”
Mingyu’s sister mimics him in a whiny voice, “Watch your alcohol consumption next time you big baby!” Wonwoo can’t deny it, but for a single child like himself, the quarrel was funny to watch.
His sister moves closer to the two and hands the suitcase while finally putting down all the bags, spinning cheerfully when she’s free from the weight.
She tugs Mingyu’s clothes. “I’m going now. Call mom when you wake up, okay Mingyu?” With no response she turns to Wonwoo, a grateful expression in her eyes, slightly softened. “It was really nice meeting you, um…”
Wonwoo’s eyebrows rise, lips slightly parted before his mind connects the pieces together. She’s asking for your name, idiot. Wonwoo wants to slap the stupidity out of himself.
“Wonwoo.” He replies in one go, holding his breath.
Mingyu’s sister smiles, similar to how Mingyu smiles. “Thank you for looking after my brother Wonwoo. Sorry for disturbing you, I’ll get going!”
Wonwoo wants to correct her statement for many reasons but only manages, “Get home safely,” awkwardly.
“How did my brother get someone this caring and cute?” She pouts with jealousy, patting her drunk brother’s back. Mingyu whines at the touch, wriggling. She giggles. “Good job Mingyu. Goodnight!”
Wonwoo just smiles, watching her step into the elevators, observing the corners of the interior.
The elevator doors close and Wonwoo doesn’t hesitate to drag Mingyu inside, letting him slouch over the couch. Wonwoo slightly scowls that the drama episode finished, but right now he needed to find Mingyu’s key. He’ll probably look for a website that recaps the episode later.
Hands stiff, Wonwoo carefully pats around Mingyu for his key. He hates this, he hates the smell of alcohol, he hates Mingyu. Wonwoo doesn’t go any lower than the man’s torso and assumes Mingyu doesn’t have his key on him.
Wonwoo could also guess Mingyu’s passcode to his apartment. Sadly, that would only be half of their security system that had been installed for a while. A key and four digit passcode; two factor authentication, or something like that.
Wonwoo knows it’s for protection but it was also inconvenient at times. Pretty dumb if you asked him.
Now, Mingyu’s password. Wonwoo’s sure with Mingyu’s simple brain that it would be the male’s birthday. Problem is that Wonwoo doesn’t know Mingyu’s birthday. For someone he’s known for a long time, their troubled history results in Wonwoo knowing nothing about Mingyu.
Well, it wasn’t a big deal anyway. He doesn’t know why he’s trying so much for Mingyu. Wonwoo decides he’ll let Mingyu stay the night until he wakes up, complain about whatever hangover he has and kick Mingyu out right after to deal with his own problems.
After all, only Mingyu would know where his key is.
Going back to the struggle, Wonwoo moves Mingyu to his bedroom, panting after setting him on the bed and Mingyu sprawls, half of his body off the bed. Once calm, Wonwoo shrugs and leaves the room, ignoring the dull thud coming afterwards. It’s not like Mingyu would get mad for sleeping on the floor.
Wonwoo, on the other hand, sleeps on the couch. Wonwoo hates sleeping there, but at least knows what happens at the end of that episode.
Morning comes and as dreadful Wonwoo might be from last night’s event, he still pulls himself up and powers his way through the morning with an extremely hot cup of strong coffee — just how he likes it — and scrolling through any new emails on his phone.
At first he couldn’t tolerate with the noisy snores coming from his room. He contemplates waking Mingyu up just so that he can get rid of the jerk once and for all but the sound becomes like static to him again.
He already knows the storm that’s coming when he hears the slam of the door from his room, stumbling footsteps walking into the living space. The tufts of Mingyu’s head peeks out until it reveals the sleepy male blinking in panic. It’s obvious in Mingyu’s expression he doesn’t remember last night.
Turning to Wonwoo’s direction, Mingyu immediately wakes up from the sight of him. The look wasn’t pleasant — eyes opened wide, cheeks dusting in red shortly after. His hands cross over his chest in defence.
Likely the alcohol, Wonwoo judges.
“Wonwoo?” Mingyu rasps out, voice not adjusted yet. It’s low. Alarmingly low. “What am I doing here?”
“Don’t give me that attitude.” God, Wonwoo needs a long sip of coffee, he’ll need it. His fists ball to control himself. One slip up and it’ll end up in another one of their pointless fights.
Mingyu doesn’t deserve a full explanation. He can figure it out himself.
“You came in here drunk. I’ve given you enough hospitality.”
“I woke up on your floor.”
“So? Now get your stuff and get out.”
“With pleasure,” Mingyu counters bitterly, collecting all his items and heading out with a door slam.
Wonwoo calmly takes another sip. That… Was surprisingly easy.
He’s positive that it’s one of their quickest clear outs, no fighting, a few bitter comments, no fuss, no yelling—
“Open up!” Mingyu’s muffled voice sounds through the door, loud bangs on the door. Now that’s a knock.
As much as he doesn’t want to, Wonwoo goes to the entrance.
“Can you tone it down? It’s eight in the morning.”
Mingyu looks at him dead in the eye, an awkward feeling striking Wonwoo. “I don’t have my key.”
Wonwoo steps back.
“What? What do you mean you ‘don’t have your key’?”
“Just—“ Mingyu stops himself, thinking deeply about his answer. So Mingyu was serious about this all along. “Just let me in. I need to make a call.”
Giving the benefit of the doubt, Wonwoo allows Mingyu to enter again. Again. Wonwoo’s pretty sure he’s going to have a cold after all of this. Heading to the living area, Wonwoo watches Mingyu stand by the window, hands busy on his phone.
“I’m gonna take a shower.” Wonwoo announces, the smell of alcohol stuck to his clothes. “Don’t touch my stuff.”
The male doesn’t bother to spare a glance at Wonwoo. “I wouldn’t touch your shit even if I was a burglar.”
That’s expected from Mingyu. And Wonwoo usually lets him have the word, because, he usually does. It isn’t like Mingyu notices it, or notices the way his words take a thin knife and thrusts it at Wonwoo. Wonwoo’s a grown adult, he can defend himself too. Ignoring is the most mature option.
It’ll make him the bigger person, bigger than Mingyu. He isn’t losing to him whatsoever. Letting his guard only means defeat and to Mingyu in that matter.
In the end, each useless comment that eats away at his heart will go away eventually.
I wouldn’t touch your shit even if I was a burglar.
Wonwoo heads to the shower, hoping the water washes the words away.
He comes out fully dressed when he hears Mingyu speaking. Pinching the tips of his hair to soak any extra droplets of water, Wonwoo watches Mingyu from afar.
Mingyu rubs his face with a hand, teeth clenched. “So you’re staying there? Fantastic.” Mingyu tuts. Exhausted, he sighs right after, rubbing his face one more time. “I’m not mad. Sorry for acting like that, our schedules just got mixed up. Don’t worry about me. Just enjoy Paris, I know you love it there. Thanks. Take care too.”
It’s Wonwoo’s cue to finally come in when Mingyu hangs up, a quiet curse escaping the male’s lips. Seems like he’s really frustrated.
“You alright?” Wonwoo initiates once he’s sat down. Mingyu scoffs.
“Like you’d care.” Mingyu sucks in a breath, speaking less harshly after his frustrated state. “Just annoyed, I guess.”
“Did something happen?”
“Why are you so concerned?”
“Because you’re in my house. Doesn’t that give me a right?”
Humming, Mingyu finally sits. “Here’s the thing.”
For the next few minutes, Mingyu explains to Wonwoo that he visited his family — which Wonwoo already knew, but didn’t comment about it — and left his key to one of his friends while his spare key got lost somewhere in his workplace. It sounds Mingyu-stupid enough but the events sounded insane in itself.
Obviously, Wonwoo sticks to the logic of Mingyu’s scenario and says, “If Minghao has your key, why can’t you just get it back from him?”
In short, Minghao is one of Mingyu’s model friends and the reason why Mingyu’s career sky rocketed. Not to mention he was the artsy type from what Wonwoo usually saw on social media. There was barely any fashion magazine that didn’t include Mingyu with him — the two came like a buy one, get two deal. Wonwoo is well aware Mingyu would trust Minghao to his keys than Wonwoo.
“Let me finish my story and you’ll get your answer,”
“That was Minghao on the phone, wasn’t it?”
Cautiously, Mingyu nods, groaning right after. “He’s in Paris for some of his exhibits and while staying there, he was chosen to be a representative for a chain of fashion industries.”
Is he boasting about his own friend to me? Wonwoo winces.
“I have no clue when he’s coming back. I don’t like to disturb him either… But if I tell this to the landlord, I’d be in serious trouble again.”
Mingyu’s eyes soften towards the end, a hopeless, sullen expression on his face. Wonwoo doesn’t like it. “Are you trying to soften my edges so that I’ll make you stay with me?”
“Gross, no!” Mingyu defends.
Watching the disgust form on Mingyu’s face, an unwanted voice comes to Wonwoo’s head.
You must be my brother’s boyfriend!
Wonwoo squints. Why hasn’t he picked this up before
Boyfriend? Oh… Oh—
Clenching his fist, Wonwoo contemplates in telling Mingyu or not. If he does, Mingyu will end up saying something hurtful and pointless. If he doesn’t, Mingyu will just clear up the misunderstanding to that high schooler the next time they meet.
Okay. Wonwoo has got this. He won’t tell Mingyu—
“You’re thinking.”
Wonwoo stares into space — shit. “Huh? It’s nothing.”
“There’s something you wanna say. Tell it.”
Wonwoo hopes that faster he tells Mingyu the sooner he leaves. It’s Wonwoo’s turn to speak now. “So,” Wonwoo rubs his hands, “the thing is…”
He speaks for the whole duration — Wonwoo minding his business, koala-hugging Mingyu, his high schooler sister, the chaos ensuing in those few minutes — building up to the key moment of the story. Mingyu listens to him and Wonwoo finds it strange to have the neighbour he hates so much finally shut his mouth.
“And the worst thing about it all… Is that she thinks we’re dating and that we live together…”
The tension feels like a lot, so Wonwoo nervously chuckles to fill in the sound. Mingyu stays seated, lips shut, eventually repeating no again and again, voice progressively growing.
“What the heck, Mingyu?” Wonwoo asks, freaked out.
“You’re joking, right Wonwoo? Right?!”
“Do you think I’d joke about this?! I wouldn’t dare think about me being your boyfriend!” Defends Wonwoo. “If you still don’t believe me your sister was wearing a blue dress and—“
“Minseo, that little!“ Mingyu stresses, fingers curled. “She just had to add details to a story she doesn’t know!”
“Woah, calm down, what story? Is there more to this?”
“One night my relatives came over for dinner and kept nagging me to tell them who I was seeing.” When Mingyu looks back at the other, his eyebrows furrow, gulping. “I didn’t wanna hear anymore of it, so i just said yes for the sake of it. Jokes on me, they let me drink until I was able to answer their questions about this ‘significant other’ I don’t have.” Mingyu bends his fingers on the quotes.
“Hold on. Was anything about that description similar to me?”
Mingyu looks back at him. “I wouldn’t know, I was tipsy that night!” A slightly panicked expression tints his face, hiding his face with his hands shortly after. Must be his hangover bothering him. “So my sister saw you. She saw us,”
“If we’re being specific she saw you clinging onto me.”
“That doesn’t change anything! My younger sister saw us together, thinks we’re dating and that we live together, I’m locked out of my house, and my key is in Paris! Can’t you see how bad this is?!”
“Just tell her she got it all wrong the next time you see her! Is it really that hard?” Now Wonwoo is yelling at the same volume as Mingyu.
Mingyu sucks in a breath. His eyes speak with tiredness, but the anger inside is radiating without trying. “Fine. How about my key?”
Unsure how to respond, Wonwoo remains quiet. This situation is something he shouldn’t care about, but seeing Mingyu angry over something that isn’t because of Wonwoo affects him differently.
But staying silent may be Wonwoo’s worst mistake.
“Guess we have no choice. You’re helping me.”
“What?!” Mingyu’s words replay in Wonwoo’s mind — that jerk made it sound like a command than a polite question — he didn’t even address Wonwoo properly.
“I just have to live with you honey, not a big deal.”
It comes to attention he’s breathing heavily. Before anything, Wonwoo should calm down first. He has to think about this carefully, Mingyu is unpredictable, full of surprises which Wonwoo can’t trust straight away.
Putting his defences up, Wonwoo attempts to control his voice. “And I should help you because?” Mingyu actually doesn’t answer Wonwoo. Interesting. “As far as I’m aware, the last thing you said to me was fuck you, you can’t even name three nice things you’ve done for me Mingyu.”
A small smile appears on his lips whilst Mingyu’s lips draw a firm line. Mingyu’s eyes have a different message, a clear indication that Wonwoo is definitely ahead of him this time.
Ready to bathe in glory, Mingyu speaks up.
“I know,”
Wonwoo raises an eyebrow at this. Like he stated, unpredictable.
“Know what…” Wonwoo questions, hoping no cracks show through his currently nervous state.
Mingyu’s pink lips curl with cockiness, showing the canines that peek out, hate filling Wonwoo every time he sees them. It’s so irritating to stare at.
Just from that wicked grin, Wonwoo was aware what Mingyu was hinting. He wishes he didn’t.
“No. You wouldn’t Mingyu.”
“You think I wouldn’t? Cute.” Mingyu hiccups a tiny laugh.
“Bringing up what happened at Seungcheol’s is childish. That was years ago.”
Dammit, why did Mingyu bring that up. Wonwoo doesn’t want to remember.
Lights flickering from blue to purple, beverages of different shades of ruby lined in messy rows, the pushes of people having a good time, that dark room — that damn room, Wonwoo wants to forget about that the most. The thought of it makes his palms sweat, sick, even — and the brightness which made him want to crawl back into darkness, no matter how horrible it was.
His heart beats rapidly. Couldn’t Mingyu be any more careless when it came to Wonwoo?
“Think of it as wrong place, wrong time.” Mingyu taps a finger on his chin, walking closer to Wonwoo. “Not it my case.”
It’s intimidating — humiliating — to see Mingyu tower Wonwoo like this. Powerful eyes piercing as he scorns at Wonwoo in his six foot splendour. Wonwoo stands too, wanting that level of balance. They’re both the perfect height to look straight at each other despite the small difference they have.
Mingyu continues to smile, nothing pleasant within the grin at all. “Just give it a shot, not everyone can get a piece of me.”
Here he goes again — ego boosted and pride through the roof. Wonwoo wants to laugh in pity. Mingyu is only wasting his precious time. Better seal this deal quickly.
“Christ, tone down the pride.” Wonwoo coldly answers. “If I’m going to do this, that means we’re following my rules too. I don’t want to live with you. I’ll give you until Monday to find a hotel.”
“I’m surprised you’re agreeing to this,”
“Don’t make me change my mind.”
Mingyu raises his hands up in surrender. “Fine. It’s fair for the both of us. Promise?”
Wonwoo stares at the man’s stretched out pinky, taken back by the gesture. It’s going to be a long few months. He scoffs, no hesitation in linking their pinkies. “Whatever.”
When Wonwoo asked for some flavour in his life, he didn’t mean this.