Work Text:
The sun shines through the window, warming up Seungmin’s body lying under the covers of his bed. The boy grumbles, his slumber leaving by the second. He turns around, trying to escape the sunrays trying to tell him to wake up.
It’s the middle of spring, the sun peeking more and more from behind the clouds. The bustling sound of the city can be heard, a soft breeze of air flying through his room.
Seungmin grumbles again, knowing he won’t regain his sleep and sits up. He rubs his eyes, carefully opens them and looks around,
His alarm indicates 9:15, which is pretty early for a day where he only has afternoon classes. Usually, he would sleep in and sleep until 11, eat a long breakfast and then join his online lectures.
On Tuesday, he only has two of his business classes, marketing and financial business management, in the afternoon. It’s true that as a photography major, it is pretty rare to have these kinds of classes, but the boy had chosen business as a minor for a reason. As much as he loves photography, if he doesn’t know a little bit about business, he wouldn’t be able to start as a freelancer properly.
He grabs his phone, already filled with multiple notifications from a group chat and from Felix. He smiles as he sees the latter’s name appear on his phone screen. He opens the messages and is greeted by a picture of the beach.
Sunshine
Good morning!
I’m trying to figure out why I am up this early
It’s only 9am!!! Why am I awake, pls
Don’t take too long to wake up; I know its only 7.30 but
I’m boooored
Oh well, imma go to the beach; there’s not gonna be a soul
7.30
Look!
I thought you’d like the picture waking up;
I hope you can one day take your own pictures from the beach here!
8.45am
Seungmiiiin
Dandy boyyyy
Yo
Wake up you lazy ass
Pls keep me company while i try to work on this stupid assignment
9.12am
Seungmin chuckled at the last messages, sending a quick message back while moving to the kitchen
Dandy Boii
Yo i’m awake
At least you weren’t the one who woke me up
Why am i awake at 9 on the only day that i have afternoon classes
9.17am
Sunshine
EY YOURE AWAKE
Don’t ask me
Must be habit of waking up early every time
Although you’re allowed to wake up later with online classes
No need to commute to campus
9.18am
Dandy Boii
True true
Oh well
The picture of the beach is really nice! Thank you!
Not getting too cold over there?
Well i’d love to take pics of the beach there sometime
Although won’t be for now
But you’ll have to grab me to go over there
9.19am
Seungmin sighs as he sends the last messages. Who would have ever thought they’d be in the middle of a pandemic? No one probably expected it. His physical classes turned into online ones, through video calls or into online videos of lectures. Or it became self-study when the prof didn’t feel like doing any of those, like one of his creative classes where the professor turned the lectures into weekly assignments instead.
The pandemic hadn’t only made that he wasn’t physically present on campus, it also meant he didn’t really see a lot of people.
Seungmin had decided to stay back at the dorms for the pandemic. Seungmin wouldn’t have been opposed to going back to his parents, if they didn’t live in a small apartment. It would have been all 3 of them stuck together in a small space, so Seungmin was better off staying at the dorm. It was paid along with his university fees anyway.
Unlike Seungmin, all his friends had gone back to their parents’ house.
Luckily enough, Hyunjin lives around Seoul, so he can meet up with him, much to both boys’ pleasure. They usually hang out at one of the parks and go on a walk with Kkami, Hyunjin’s dog.
With the others, they usually have big group calls once every week, and they usually play a round of Among Us™ or online Uno. It isn’t much, but it is what they could do in these times.
Even with all the calls, Seungmin misses his friends all dearly. (Not that he would ever admit that, he has a reputation to keep up.) But the worst part of this all is definitely his best friend and roommate Felix going back home. His friends Chan and Felix are transfer students from Australia, and both had gone back to their home country for the pandemic. It not only makes meeting up impossible (because they also live in the dorms), but there is also a two hour difference. It isn’t that big of a problem, but having video calls until midnight means video calls until 2am for them. For university students, it isn’t a problem to be awake late. But they still live with their family and can’t be too loud in their rooms, as they don’t want to wake up anyone.
As much as both him and Felix text and call all the time, it just isn’t the same. He can’t see the sun shining just a tad brighter every time Felix smiles; He can’t have daily hugs or cuddles; He just misses the physical presence of his best friend.
He stands up and opens the group chat he is in with his friends as he walks to the small kitchen. Changbin is complaining about some rude clients from the store he works at, to which Seungmin answers with a “good luck”. His poor friend needs it; people could get pretty rude. Seungmin would never understand why some clients miss that basic politeness, but is glad he doesn’t have to deal with it. The bookstore he works at is calm, and rude clients are a rare occurrence.
He responds to some more messages before a message of Felix grabs his attention.
Sunshine:
Let’s call?
I wanna show u smth
9.35am
Dandy Boii:
Sure
9.36am
As soon as the message is sent, Seungmin gets an incoming call. He sits down quickly on one of the chairs of the kitchen table, and picks up. The incoming call changes into a close-up shot of Felix, smiling wide and freckles in full view. Seungmin’s smile grows even wider upon seeing the other boy.
“Hey you!” Felix greets him, the wind leaving a rustling sound in the background.
“Hey!” Seungmin greets back.
“Look! The beach!” Felix turns his camera around, and shows the view in front of him. The sun shines through the many clouds, coloring the sky in spots of blue and white.
“Aye nice! It’s really pretty!” Seungmin looks at his screen, even turning it horizontally so he can see it better. (As Felix had done the same to give him a better view of the beach.) “You gonna go surf?” Seungmin asks teasingly.
Felix turns the camera back around and Seungmin can see the annoyed look on his face. “Are you nuts?” Felix huffs. “The water’s too damn cold for that!” Seungmin’s laugh could be heard over the phone, Felix smiling warmly at the sound of it.
Then Felix’s face turns pensive. “Well actually I could go surf because my wetsuit does keep me warm… But we,” Felix continues, facing the camera to (try and) look Seungmin right into his eyes, “have classes this afternoon. And I actually do not feel like having to shower and clean all the sand out of my suit and my hair before that. I’ll be going surfing with Channie-hyung this weekend anyway.”
Seungmin nods. “Understandable! Enjoy surfing with Chan-hyung tho! How has he been?”
“Oh, he’s been all good! He’s just trying to jingle writing his bachelor’s thesis and having his siblings in the house.” Felix chuckles. “His little brother has been asking for his attention a lot, but he mostly does it because he missed his brother. It’s honestly endearing, and if Chan didn’t have to work on the thesis he could actually spend more time with him. He does his best though and Lucas gets it.”
“Oh, that’s good! Good luck to him though, with that thesis. Glad that’s only for next year for us!” Seungmin chuckles.
Felix chuckles along. “Yeah! Really! We already have enough with everything we have now; I’m so done with prof. Choi’s assignment. Please!” Felix whines.
“Oh, tell me about it. Was thinking of starting it tomorrow though! Wanna start together?”
“Oh, I need to finish another assignment for my creative dance class first, but after that I can!” Felix smiles.
Seungmin smiles back at him. “How have you been though?”
“Well, ever since yesterday, when we last talked ,” at which Seungmin rolls his eyes, “I’ve been good! Slept well. There’s too much wind to be able to spend a nice walk outside though, I need to get back inside!” Felix practically screams into the camera, as his hair follows the harsh wind flying through it.
Seungmin laughs. “Yeah, I can hear the wind until here, your sentences almost get cut off; At least I’m good at knowing what you might say!” Seungmin winks.
Felix rolls his eyes fondly. “Oh, how I am not surprised. As if I don’t have the same guessing abilities. I’ve known you for more than a year now, for whatever’s-up-there’s sake!”
Seungmin giggles. “True, true! Time flies by, doesn’t it?”
“It certainly does! And now we’re both stuck in quarantine, 4.000 kilometers between us!” Felix sighs dramatically.
“Yeah… 4.000 is a lot, ain’t it?” Seungmin’s smile turns sad.
“It is…” Felix smiles the same sad smile back, and both stay silent.
“Anyways!” Felix interrupts the silence, Seungmin lifting his eyes back on the boy on his screen. “I’m actually gonna head back so i can have a bite before class later. It’s gonna be lunch here and I’m hungry .”
Seungmin shoots him a genuine smile. “Sounds good! Enjoy! I’ll ‘see’ you in class, I guess?” Seungmin lifts his free hand to add finger brackets with his free hand.
Felix chuckles. “Yep, see ya later!” Both wave to each other, and the call ends.
Seungmin smiles at his phone, showing his lock screen containing a picture of him and Felix during their birthday karaoke last year. He keeps on smiling, even as his phone screen turns black.
Class was as boring as ever, Felix decides. Well, as boring as it can get. He notes down what he deems important, but for the rest he is just looking through his window, his class a podcast playing in the background. His luck gives that back home, in Australia, he has a view on the sea, their duplex being well situated in the city.
Professor Park’s voice resonates into his headphones, talking about consumer behavior and whatsoever. It’s not that it’s hard or uninteresting, far from that. The professor’s voice is just so boring, too slow to be able to keep attention.
Right when the professor announces a small break, Felix settles down his headphones, plugs them out, and the professor’s voice now resonates in his room instead of directly into his ears. The professor speaks out a quick “see you back in 15 minutes,” before his camera and micro are turned off. Felix lifts himself out of his chair, and starts stretching.
He intertwines his fingers, lifts his arms and stretches them into the air, palms facing the ceiling. He then detaches his fingers, his arms falling down alongside his body and brings his hands back together behind his back. He repeats the same movement, his knuckles now facing the ground. His fingers let go from each other and he starts moving his head. First he inclines his head to the left, then to the right, and repeats the motion multiple times. Then he does the same as he moves his head forward and backward, and then he follows up with circle-like movements. He finishes up stretching his arms and neck, and then lifts his right foot so that it meets his butt and holds it against it with both of his hands. Then does the same with his left leg.
He continues his stretching session until the professor’s voice chimes into the room. He sits back down, ready to take some notes when his phone chimes.
Seungmin’s name pops up on the screen, and Felix lets out a giggle.
Dandy Boii:
As much as this course is interesting
Please for the love of Satan
Can he have more structure or just finish his slides properly for once
2.45pm
Sunshine:
That’s hoping for too much Mini-Minnie
I don’t think he’s ever had any structure in his whole life
Remember that he was the one that concocted a whole mindfulness session
I attended it and I do admit
It worked
But to this day I’m still questioning whether it’s the tactic used to relax that made me fall asleep
Or if it was his voice that is still able to lull me to sleep during class
Or both
2.46pm
Dandy boii:
Probably both
Only difference at this moment is that we’re hearing how we could possibly attract a client by working onto their needs
Not how to relax a whole body hoping we can in some way meditate into sleep
I remember doing that session as well
It was nice
2.47pm
Sunshine:
Nice?
I woke you up at the end of it bc you’d fallen asleep
By calling you on the phone
Luckily so or else you’d have stayed on the call for another hour like Hyunjin did the other day
2.47pm
Dandy Boii:
Don’t tell me he fell asleep
During class
Again
And stayed on call for an hour
*sighs*
2.48pm
Sunshine
HAHAHA of course he did man
It’s Hyunjin
Luckily the prof yeeted him out herself
Hyunjin has been awake during each of Lee’s classes ever since
I laugh my ass off every time
2.49pm
“... mistake with the submission deadline.”
Felix looks up from his phone, and stares at his screen, professor Park’s words bringing him back to class. He apparently started the lecture again while he was texting Seungmin.
“The deadline from the software would be wrong, as your classmate Yoon Sanha nicely pointed out. The online deadline indicated the 20th of May as the deadline. But as I mentioned in class, it was meant for the 9th of June. I have changed it online, so it should be correct for now.”
Felix throws his hands up in victory. “HECK YES! GOT 2 WEEKS MORE FOR IT!”
Felix’s phone chims again, messages from Seungmin who’s celebrating the same victory as him. He smiles at it, answers a quick gif, and goes back to concentrating on class. Well, he’s going to try to concentrate, anyways.
“Hey!” Felix’s grin is blinding on Seungmin’s screen. He can’t help but grin along.
“Hey!” Seungmin greets back.
“How are you? Not too dead from the classes and assignments?”
Seungmin lets out a sigh. “Almost pulled an all-nighter for that one assignment in my Account Management class. I love professor Kim, but please, that assignment was so vague. It’s also like, my eight group work. Let it end , please. Or end me. That’d work as well.”
Felix laughs. “Oh yeah, that task! You told me about it; Wasn’t that the one you had a group work with Jongho?”
Seungmin groans at the memory, and Felix chuckles at his reaction. “As much as I love Jongho, I’m not working in a group with him anymore for the sake of our friendship. Never again. I even work better with Minho-hyung in a team!” Seungmin responds, frustration and distress clearly present in his voice.
Felix laughs loudly now, his low voice resonating into Seungmin’s ears, and the frown on his face turns into a smile automatically.
It’s one of their study dates from their bi-weekly study sessions. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, both work on assignments together, and then afterwards relax; Fridays are movie nights.
When Felix’s laughter has died out, both start working on their assignment, keeping each other company. They make some small talk in between, and start up some lofi music in their private server on Discord, but for the rest they mostly try to work. When Felix gets called for dinner, he leaves the call on, and Seungmin goes to prepare food for himself in the kitchen. He eats his dinner in their (yes, their, because this is still Felix’s kitchen as well) dorm room, watching some videos on YouTube to relax.
Felix appears not long after Seungmin has put away the dishes, and Felix talks about dinner for a bit; His younger sister asked if they could go play in the park the next day and if Chan and his dog Berry could come with them.
“I think Berry has replaced me as a brother,” Felix sighs dramatically, and Seungmin chuckles.
“Well, you’ve got the same energy as a dog, so that’s probably why they want you around as well.”
“Ya!” Felix looks into the camera, offended by Seungmin's words. A small smile that tugs the corners of his lips give him away, though.
Seungmin places his face into his hands, elbows planted on his desk. He looks at Felix, the latter giving him a curious look.
“Have you heard about the change in rules in Korea? They’re starting to let people meet up more and more.”
Felix perks up. “Yeah, I have. It would be nice to have some classes back on campus, so I’ve been discussing with my parents to come back. They’re really hoping it’s possible as I’m still following a dance major and they’d hope I could get some classes back on campus.”
Seungmin’s eyes widen at that news. “Oh, that’s awesome!” He smiles and Felix smiles back immediately. “Do you have a date for when you’re coming back?”
Felix’s smile falters a bit. “Not sure; I’ve got to be able to prove to the embassy that I’m going back for school and papers and shit so I’ve got to figure that out first.”
Seungmin pouts, but nods. “Yeah, I get that. They’re not gonna let you enter the country just like that.”
Felix hums in response.
They’re both silent for a minute, both lost in thought, when Seungmin speaks up.
“Let’s watch Your Name again. We’ve worked enough like that tonight.”
“Heck yes,” Felix agrees wholeheartedly. He closes his book that was lying in front of his laptop, and moves to his bed. He can see on his screen that Seungmin is doing the same.
When they’re both comfortable in their own beds - Seungmin with the laptop on his lap, cushions behind his back and Felix lying on his stomach with his blanket rolled around him, engulfed like a burrito with the laptop in front of him - the younger starts sharing his screen, and both watch the famous anime movie again together.
They end up watching the first High School Musical movie together as well, Seungmin singing along to the lyrics. Even if Felix would mind the fact that Seungmin’s voice came in on his side always a tad bit later than the actual song, he didn’t say anything about it.
They wrap up High School Musical, and talk for a bit longer about the movie. The debate goes along the lines of Seungmin saying that “ Ryan and Sharpay are auditioning for roles as the kind of experienced musical kids they are as they’ve been for years so they deserve a fair chance. ” to Felix responding that “ But they didn’t need to be rude about it! ” with a pout. Seungmin didn’t have it in him to not let the other win.
They fall in comfortable silence, when Felix starts humming. Seungmin makes himself a bit more comfortable, places his laptop next to him so that Felix sees him lying on his side. His head hits the pillow and he closes his eyes as he listens to Felix humming. It sways him closer and closer to sleep, but he manages to catch some last words from Felix.
“I miss you.”
Seungmin responds without opening his eyes. “I miss you too, so much.”
He falls asleep right after, Felix’s humming bercing him into dreamland.
Felix sits on his surfplank, and stares into the distance. He’s daydreaming, which isn’t exactly unusual, but right now he’s thinking about a certain someone.
Ever since his call with Seungmin on the previous Tuesday, he realizes that his mind had been drifting off more and more to his memories with the younger boy. His smile, the cuddles, the late night talks, his sassiness, the way he loves taking pictures of their friends, the way he bickers with Minho and how he scolds Chan for not resting. He just misses Seungmin. And the way Seungmin told him the same, his heart tugged.
It still tugs, every time he thinks about the younger (even if he’s only younger by a week). It’s a new feeling, but he feels like it had been lying hidden for a while. He cares so much for the boy with puppy-like features that it hurts.
Splatters of water hit his face and Felix snaps out of his daze. He looks into the direction of where the water came from and sees Chan grinning, but his eyes show that he’s worried.
“Ya alright, mate? I know it’s not unusual for you to space out but…” Chan trailed, “This is the longest I’ve seen you out of it. Everything alright?”
Felix couldn’t really blame him for getting worried, and the elder had a point; He had spaced out much longer than usual, if the time on the big clock on the beach indicated anything of it anyways.
He shrugs. “Nah, I’m good?” The ending of the sentence sounds unsure, and Chan swims closer to him. He doesn’t prod, he never does, most wanting to be a warmth to their friends’ sides. Felix still feels inclined to talk to him.
“I miss Seungmin,” are the only words that come out of his mouth. Chan hums, understanding. “I get you, I miss them all too. But you don’t just miss him, do you?”
Felix looks up at Chan, a little bit confused, but he has a feeling of where this conversation is going anyway.
“Lixie, I think you’ve got it either all figured out, or you have an inclination of what I’m insinuating, right?”
Felix sighs. “Yeah, I do.”
Chan smiles, his reassuring eyes looking right into Felix’s. “I’m here if you need me, okay?”
They don’t need any more words than that, and then they drift back to the sand to get a nice shower and some food.
Felix just got out of the shower when his laptop rings. He flops the towel that he was holding to dry his hair over his shoulder and he answers Seungmin’s call.
“Hey! Oh, did I call at a bad time?” Seungmin looks worried when he answers, but Felix quickly reassures him.
“Nah, nah! You’re fine. Just got out of the shower, so good timing, to be honest.” He grabs a hoodie out of his closet for comfort and warmth. His fresh shirt is already a bit wet because of his wet hair, but hoodies are just comfortable, so he just takes one. He slouches down onto his bed, drops the hoodie next to him and grabs the towel to rub it over his wet hair.
“Looking comfy,” Seungmin muses, a small grin visible on his face. Felix just hums in response as he shakes his head to help the drying process.
“How was surfing with Chan-hyung?”
Felix looks at the younger as he dries his hair. He had already settled himself on his bed, his famous wifi heart hoodie in great display. His hair seemed to be soft, which made Felix assume he had washed it as well earlier in the day. They both didn’t have classes this Friday afternoon and they decided to start their weekly Friday movie nights earlier, just for the sake of bunging more episodes of My Hero Academia, even if it was the third time they were watching it.
He finishes up, placing the towel over his headboard and slides down the hoodie he put next to him. “It was nice, the weather was really good to go surfing; was a good afternoon of relaxing and not thinking about school.”
Seungmin laughs, relating. “It’s really nice to sometimes do nothing during a day. It’s sometimes just as necessary as a productive day. You have some good colors as well & your freckles are getting more and more visible, so that shows you’re definitely getting some vitamins.”
Felix chuckles at that, but he feels the tip of his ears getting red. He doesn’t know why, but Seungmin’s words felt like a compliment. They probably were one.
They just want to start the session when someone knocks on the door.
“Just a second, Seungmin.” Seungmin pauses what he’s doing and Felix answers to tell the person who knocked they can come in. His younger sister Chaeryoung appears in the doorway.
“Hey Lixie, are you busy?”
Felix answers truthfully. “I was going to watch a movie with Seungmin, why?”
Felix sees Seungmin trying to not listen in to the convo but is probably still doing so; It’s fine, it’s not like Felix got anything to hide.
“Oh, you kind of promised we would play with the switch today? I don’t want to prod into your movie nights with Seungmin, but I feel like I won’t be able to see you much longer if you’re going to go back to campus soon.”
Seungmin frowns and Felix gasps. “Oh, yeah, that’s true! I’m so sorry I forgot sis.”
Felix looks down onto his screen, and wants to ask Seungmin if it’s alright when the latter already dismisses him. “It’s okay, Lix, go play with your sister. She has a point and promises have to be kept.”
“I’m really sorry though; I can make it up to you?”
Seungmin laughs. “You better!” He means it lightheartedly, but Felix still wants to make it up to him.
“Go beat her ass in Mario Kart!” Seungmin screams at him before they bid their goodbyes. Felix closes his laptop and gets up to follow his sister downstairs. She gives him a curious glint, but he just gives a warning by poking into her side. She yelps and runs downstairs and Felix follows behind her, laughing loudly.
Seungmin doesn’t know why he’s so annoyed by yesterday night. He knows he shouldn’t be and that it’s not like Felix is his to claim only on Friday nights, but it’s movie nights and they are much more fun with Felix around. He knows he shouldn’t be annoyed by last night, as Felix’s sister had a point and that Felix deserves all the family time he gets. He hadn’t seen them in a long time, and the pandemic kind of brought him an excuse to spend some more time with his family. Felix deserves that happiness. He deserves all the happiness, actually.
But he still is annoyed at it. And he doesn’t know why.
His sulking might have gotten to Hyunjin at some point, because the elder sighs loudly, catching Seungmin’s attention in the coffee shop they’re in, waiting for their drinks.
“-Min, Seungmin.”
Hyunjin’s words snap him out of his thinking and Hyunjin scowls at him. “Dude, what’s going on? You’ve been lowkey frowning ever since I picked you up, and it’s pretty rare for you to daydream like that.”
Seungmin sighs, and mumbles something.
“Sorry man, the mask muffled the sounds, you’re gonna have to repeat that.”
Seungmin fights the urge to roll his eyes. “I just miss Felix.”
Hyunjin’s mouth leaves a soft “aaah” before nodding in agreement. “I miss our Aussie boys too, and I know you miss him, but to the point of spacing out?”
And then he grins (well, Seungmin supposes from the way his eyes crinkle slightly like they do when he grins). “Finally realizing some feelings?”
Seungmin looks at him in confusion, not understanding where Hyunjin’s statement comes from. But before he can ask anything about it, they get called to pick up their drinks and they leave the shop. Seungmin’s phone lets out a sound, telling him he got a notif.
Sunshine:
Yo, look at this
This is Jisung when he looks into the mirror in the morning
3.36pm
Seungmin barks out in laughter, and Hyunjin looks at him in genuine confusion. He shows him the meme with the text Felix just sent him, and he dissolves into a wave of giggles, just like Seungmin.
Dandy boii
That
Is
So goddamn accurate
Send it to him, just so he can get a callout
3.37pm
Sunshine:
If that calls him out, this should call us all out:
Replace the me on the yellow shirt by “school” and the me on the stick by “anxiety”, then I think we definitely all relate
3.38pm
Seungmin shows the new meme to Hyunjin, and Hyunjin whistles. “That’s a wholeass mood , man.”
Seungmin nods in agreement.
Dandy boii:
Hyunjin and I both agree
He says hi
3.42pm
Sunshine:
You
Absolute
CUTIES
MY HEART CAN’T HANDLE THIS
Actual footage of me rn
3.43pm
Seungmin smiles down at his phone, a small blush coming up to his cheeks. He doesn’t hear Hyunjin in time.
“-min. SEUNGMI-”
Bang.
It’s already luck in itself that made its way to Seungmin that he did not drop his phone but, damn, his head hurts.
Seungmin swears under his breath while he rubs the part of his forehead that hit the pole. He glares at it, not that it can say anything back, as he takes a step back. Hyunjin is folded double from laughter, even blinking away a tear when he’s still hiccuping.
They continue their walk, and Hyunjin’s giggles finally die down. Seungmin is still frowning, rubbing at his head softly, his phone in his pocket.
“So, did that finally make you realize your feelings, or?”
Seungmin looks at him incredulously. “Feelings? Since when do I catch feelings?”
“Well apparently you already have because you just were so blind because of love that you walked into a pole,” Hyunjin deadpans.
Seungmin glares. “I’m not in love to the point that I’m blind. Scientifically can’t happen and also I’m not in love with Felix.”
“Yeah yeah sure, and I’m not the tallest of our friend group,” Hyunjin retorts.
“I’m like three centimeters smaller than you!”
“Still smaller than me,” Hyunjin scoffs.
Seungmin just scowls. And then. “Changbin really is small, isn’t he?”
Both giggle further, the subject having changed enough for Hyunjin not to prod anymore.
--
Jinnie
So
5.30pm
Channie
So?
5.31pm
Jinnie
Who’s gonna lose their cool first iyo
5.31pm
Channie
We’re talking about seunglix aren’t we
5.31pm
Jinnie
Mmmh
5.32pm
Channie
Mmmh.
I’d say Felix
But dude seems so oblivious to his own feelings
That I prefer betting on Seungmin
5.33pm
Jinnie:
Mmmh. I think it’s gonna be Felix
I love Minnie but he should stop hiding everything
Felix might be oblivious to his own feelings
But seungmin’s gon’ think felix doesn’t like him at all
And is not gonna say anything
So placing bets on Felix
5.34pm
Channie
Means I’m placing bets on Seungmin
What does the winner have to do
5.34pm
Jinnie:
Ask the other out on a date
5.35pm
Channie:
Sure
That’s a deal
Ready to ask me out, Hwang Hyunjin?
5.35pm
Jinnie:
Are you ready?
5.36pm
Channie:
Mmmh
5.36pm
Jinnie:
So we are betting on who asks who first, right
5.37pm
Channie:
Yep
Of course we are x)
5.37pm
Jinnie:
Nice
I miss you
Please be back soon
5.38pm
Channie:
I’ll be back soon
I promise
5.38pm
Seungmin thinks about it.
He doesn’t want to, but it’s been lingering much more on his mind than he wants it to be. And usually when this happens, he kind of goes into a total lockdown. Him and feelings aren’t the greatest combination, and he tends to overthink such things.
It’s true that his heart tugs when he thinks about the other. But he’s literally more than 4.000 kilometers away, of course he misses him? It’s his best friend, for fudge’s sake!
And also what happens then is that he doesn’t really. Text. back. And he hasn’t texted Felix since the last meme he sent, just because it reminds him of him walking into a pole and Hyunjin mentioning that and-
Seungmin groans loudly into his silent dorm, pushing his head further down the pillow. It’s Monday evening, he has finished his courses and he just doesn’t know what to do.
He doesn’t want to read a book, it’s no use trying to concentrate on his homework, he has already showered and ate a little bit. So he’s currently just lying on his bed, doing more than nothing, hands under the pillow and face in the pillow as he sighs deeply.
He turns around, thinking some air might be better than ending up suffocating in his own pillow, and stares at the ceiling. Some glow-in-the-dark stars are scattered over it, a gift from Felix out of the middle of nowhere. They were having a study session at Seungmin’s, and Felix just found those in his bag and placed them on the ceiling when Seungmin went to grab some drinks. Seungmin fell asleep with a soft smile that night. They bring comfort, as if Felix is always present, in a way.
His phone rings, and he wants to ignore it, but it’s Twice’s What Is Love that starts playing, and that’s Felix’s ringtone. And that he can’t ignore. He kind of had been ignoring the other’s messages, so he was bound to get worried.
Seungmin rolls over to his night stand, picks up his phone, and picks up the call.
Felix comes into view, and Seungmin’s little mirror appears on the screen as well. Felix is sitting upright in his bed and has a frown on his face.
“Hey, you’ve been mia, and that usually means there’s something going on. Are you alright?”
Seungmin rolls back onto his back, his phone above his head. He puts his arm behind his head.
Felix speaks up again, seeing Seungmin’s hesitant look. “No pressure, okay? I was mostly worried and wanted to check if you were doing alright. You tend to log off when you overthink, and then sometimes wording it can help.”
Seungmin smiles, Felix’s reassurance making him feel warm inside. Just already hearing Felix’s voice made him feel better, but also just his presence makes Seungmin feel at ease.
“I’m okay; Yeah, I kind of got into my head, but it’s okay. Just something that was mentioned in a convo, I don’t want to talk about it for now.”
“That’s fine!” Felix reassures, a soft smile on his face. “No need to talk about it now. But I’m here whenever, okay?”
“I know, but thank you, angel.” Seungmin smiles, and Felix smiles even wider, before trying to act nonchalant as he says the next words.
“Oh by the way, I’ll be coming back to Korea next week.”
Seungmin blinks as he processes the information, and then outright screams into the phone.
“You’re what?!”
Felix just grins proudly, and raises his hands in victory.“You’ve heard me alright! I’m coming back to Korea , baby!”
“Oh. My. God.” Seungmin is speechless, gaping at his screen. “How? When? What?”
“Well, school decided - thanks to governmental decisions - that some classes will be back on campus after our Easter break, so my parents and I are preparing everything for Korea. We bought the ticket earlier, and Chan is coming with me! So we’re both coming back.” Felix’s smile is blinding.
Seungmin breaks into a bright smile, and shouts out in happiness. “I’m going to see my best friend again! Woohoow!”
Felix laughs out loud, but joins him, and both end up shouting from happiness.
Their laughter dies out, and Seungmin speaks up.
“I’m really happy. I missed you.”
Felix smiles back sadly. “I missed you too. I’ll be there in no time, I promise.” Seungmin just nods.
“But anyways,” Felix grins and Seungmin looks at him curiously, “Wanna continue with Miraculous Ladybug?”
Seungmin grins right back. “And see Marinette simp for Adrien and Adrien for Ladybug? And die because it’s the biggest slow-burn in existence? Heck yes.”
As they start watching, Felix sings along the generic, energetic and in a total Felix-like style. Seungmin’s whole body relaxes at the sight of his best friend. And when the latter flashes him another smile at the end of the soundtrack, Seungmin heart stutters.
Well shit.
“You what?”
Felix looks incredulously at his mom, not quite believing his ears.
“You heard me the first time, Felix, I’m really sorry.” His mom responds, a sad smile on her face.
“You have got to be kidding me. Please tell me you are.” Felix doesn’t want to cry, he definitely doesn’t, but he tears up anyway.
His mom shakes her head, a genuine look of sorry taking over her features.
“I got the message right before you came down for dinner. Apparently one of my coworkers has been tested positive, so now everyone who has seen them ever since has got to be tested as well.”
His mom tries to smile in a reassuring manner, but it’s more a forced smile than anything else. “I’m getting tested this afternoon, so we should have the test results in time for your flight, okay?”
Felix knew his mom couldn’t do anything about it. She followed the regulations made for covid, she couldn’t be blamed for her coworker getting infected. Felix knows all of it, but it doesn’t make him any less sad or mad.
“If your coworker knew that they were gonna get tested, why did they not warn the company? I just don’t understand. It’s not fair towards you nor your other colleagues, nor our and their families. Like think about others for fuck’s sake.”
Felix’s mom smiled apologetically, nodding her head in agreement. “I agree completely, but we can’t do anything about it. For now, we all have to stay in quarantine until I have my results, just in case.”
Felix’s voice is small, his hands trembling lightly. “Do we know who the coworker in question is?”
His mom shakes her head. “We’re not allowed to know, which I can understand, to be honest. The coworker in question is apparently being scolded by the company and they might be fired? But that’s all office rumors. I do hope they get some kind of sanction in any way.”
Felix lets out a shuddered sigh, and nods his head. His mom puts her hands on his shoulders.
“I’ll have the results in no time, okay?”
“Yeah I know, it’s just…” Felix shakes his shoulders and his mom’s hands drop to the side of her body. “I’ve just been looking forward to going back to Korea so much and then this happens. I know you can’t do anything about it but if I can’t go back I just can’t see Seungmin or the others or anyone because if you’re positive I will also have to get tested and then I can’t see Channie until the results and-” Felix’s sentence breaks as a sob comes out of his mouth.
“I wanna see my friends again and go to school. I was just so looking forward to this.”
“Oh, angel.” Felix’s mom takes the young boy into her arms, and hugs him tightly. Some tears stain his mom’s shirt, but she doesn’t seem to mind in that instance.
Felix mumbles into her shirt. “I just miss them, mom. I miss Seungmin.”
Her hand cards through Felix’s hair, and she hums in understanding. “Your roommate and best friend, right?”
Felix nods, face buried in her neck. His mom pulls away to look at him, a knowing glance in her eyes. "Is he just a friend though?"
Felix groans, dismantling himself from his mom's embrace. His cheeks turn slightly red, and he's not looking into her eyes.
"Or is he one but you want it to be something more?"
Well, it seems like his mom knows what's up.
"Yeah, kind of. I'm not sure, to be honest; I just know I really want to see him again."
His mom nods in understanding. "And it's okay to not know. Completely. Take your time figuring it out, but don't forget: Talk. To. Him." She accents every word by booping the boy's nose.
Felix giggles, but bites his lip in nervousness. "Yeah, I will. I think. I don't know yet. I want to tell him in person, to be honest."
His mom nods, in understanding. "Well, think it over, take your time. I'm here if you need me and keep me updated, alright?" She winks at him, and Felix smiles.
"I will."
He doesn't get to tell him in person.
Seungmin calls Felix in the evening for their usual study Tuesday study date. He doesn't expect the news Felix tells him.
"Mom has to take a test. Apparently one of her coworkers has been tested positive. Work got to know about it through the employee because of their follow-up system."
Seungmin's eyes widen. "No, you're kidding, right?"
The corners of the older boy's lips are turned downwards, a sad gaze on his features. "I wish I was."
Seungmin goes quiet, and they both stay in silence until Seungmin speaks up. "So that means you don't know if you'll be coming back just yet?"
Felix nods, a sad smile on his face. "Mom got tested this afternoon and we hope to have the results soon. It normally only takes a day or two, so I will really know the results the day just before my departure. It's luck only that makes it that if it's the case, we can get refunded for the ticket."
Seungmin nods, lost in thought. His eyes have a sad gaze, just like Felix's.
"It's just so frustrating," Felix starts, and Seungmin looks up to look at Felix on his screen.
"It's so frustrating because the employee just didn't seem to think it was okay to not warn their employer about the fact that they had to get tested. We don't even know why they had to get tested; They didn't think about how others might get into trouble because of their actions. They didn't think of the consequences at all, and it rubs me wrong in so many ways."
Seungmin nods, relating to the feeling completely. The same had happened to Jisung in the beginning of the lockdown. He was visiting his family over a weekend, and a family friend came over to his home to say hi. The person had to get tested the day after that and only told them he was positive when he got his results, which kind of led into an argument. Jisung had to get tested, but was annoyed because he was planning on going back to campus to say hi to the others. The plan had to be moved to a week later, but it was something the boy had been looking forward to for a long while. Luckily Jisung tested negative, but it wasn't a nice experience any less.
Seungmin returns back to reality when he hears a sob come out of the speakers of his phone. Felix has multiple tears streaming down his face.
"Oh, Felix." Seungmin can't hold back from tearing up himself. Felix smiles so often that the sight of him crying is heartbreaking. He's the sunshine of the group (and Seungmin's ray of sunshine every day, his brain supplies). Even though he doesn't cry often, when he does, everyone's hearts break.
"It's just so unfair. I was looking forward to coming back to all of you. Even if it's in certain rules and I can't see all of you all the time, at least I'll be back on campus. As much as I love being back with my family and being in Australia, as much as I love surfing with Chan, I had been living in Korea for a while now, and I really, really miss it. You all became my second home and I just want to come back to my family."
Felix breaks down, and sobs.
Seungmin doesn't know what to do. His heart breaks into a million pieces, wanting to hug the boy more than anything else. Lockdown had been hard on all of them, not being able to see each other for so long, the online classes seeming eternal and never-ending. It was taking a toll on all of them, and they all wanted it to stop.
Seungmin can't help the tears that roll down his cheeks, but he wipes them away.
"You'll be back soon, okay? We'll make sure of it. And if you're stuck in quarantine, we're calling on the daily, I don't care." Seungmin is surprised at how stable his voice sounds.
"It is unfair, I agree completely, and I hope that asshole gets fired, because he deserves it. You know what? Even better. If you're stuck in quarantine, I'll come over to first go and kick that person's ass because I will find out who it is and then I'll come spend two weeks in quarantine with you. No shit given. And then we'll go back to Korea together so you can go and enjoy your dance classes on campus and we can both die together during Mr. Park's classes."
Felix was now looking at Seungmin, his tears seemingly having stopped. You could see a trace of them on Felix's face, but the boy just broke out in a big smile.
"I love you so much."
Seungmin's eyes widen, his tummy filled with butterflies, his cheeks tinting a beautiful tomato red. It wasn't the first time they told each other that, but it was the first since Seungmin had realized his feelings for the other, and it took him a bit back.
"Felix, I-"
"No, let me finish." Seungmin's shuts his mouth immediately.
"I have already told you that I love you on earlier occasions, but I recently realized that I love you,,, just a tad bit more than that. I love you in more than just a "bro", manner. Like, you know, I love you, I kind of want to pepper kisses all over your face kind of love." Felix's cheeks joined the same tint as the one on Seungmin's face. He's not looking at this screen, his eyes fixed on his hands, his fingers playing with each other on his legs.
Seungmin can't believe his ears. Felix loves him? As in more than a friend?
"And I wanted to tell you this in person, but now I just blurted it out but I guess I'm glad because then at least we can figure out logistics would you not feel the same way for me because I don't want to make you uncomfortable and-"
"I love you too." Seungmin blurts out.
Felix's head shoots up.
"Also in a like, I want to pepper kisses all over your face kind of love. I thought I just liked you a bit more than I liked others but honestly, I love you so much that it hurts and that I right now need to have you in my arms so I can hug you so tightly until you have to catch your breath."
Felix's smile is blinding, and Seungmin smiles back. They stay in silence, not sure what to say, and burst into giggles.
When they finish giggling, Seungmin takes a deep breath. "Let's figure this out as we go, okay? Let's figure this out in person."
Felix nods. "Yeah, let's do that." and then Felix grins. "Won't keep me from flirting with you any less though."
Seungmin bursts out in laughter.
Sunshine:
Mom's test is negative
Going to the airport right now
Chan and I will be landing at 7.30pm
Love you, I will see you soon
8.01
Dandy Boii:
WAIT
WHAT
when did you get the result
lixie
lix
Felix
Felix Lee
YA
YOU CAN'T JUST DROP THIS ON ME
WHILE I'M IN THE SHOWER AND THEN TAKE THAT PLANE T.T
I'll be kissing the shit out of you when you get to the airport, though.
Just get here soon, please
I love you too
10.25
Seungmin's jittery. Hyunjin is trying to calm him down, but he himself can't wait to see the Australian duo himself. (Well, he's probably more waiting for Chan to arrive, but Seungmin keeps that teasing thought to himself. They're both too nervous for this right now.)
They're at the terminal, and Felix's plane should have landed five minutes ago. They're probably waiting for their luggage, as the luggage claim just started, according to the gigantic announcement board.
Seungmin keeps on switching his weight from his left foot to his right one, going back and forth. Hyunjin puts his hands on his shoulders.
"I know you're excited to see your loverboy, but man you're making me even more nervous."
"He's not my loverboy-"
"Yet." Hyunjin responds immediately in a singing tone.
Seungmin just rolls his eyes, even if he knows Hyunjin has a point.
"Has Chan texted you anything?"
Hyunjin looks at his screen for what might be the thousandth time in the past five minutes, but his screen is still black. He shakes his head. "Still nothing, I have no clue what they're doing, both not texting us. I hate those Aussie boys."
"We both love them and you know it."
Hyunjin sighs. "Yeah, I know."
A flash of blond takes Seungmin's attention back on the crowd coming into the terminal. He looks for the person in question and meets Felix sparkling brown eyes, a big smile on his face. The moment the older boy sees Seungmin, he runs up to him and Seungmin opens his arms. Felix outright crashes into the younger boy, making them stumble, but Felix manages to keep them stable, their feet on the ground. Seungmin feels warm all over, hugging Felix as tightly as possible, scared of him disappearing into thin air. Felix's face is nestled into Seungmin's neck, his arms wrapped strongly around the other's shoulders. They stand there for a very long time, before bringing their heads back, their gazes locking.
"Hi," Felix says, breathless.
"Hi," Seungmin responds, as breathless as the other.
Felix's eyes crinkle from smiling, but Seungmin can't see the smile because of the mask. He gently peels the mask off of Felix's nose, blocking it under the other's chin. He does the same to his own.
"Can I kiss you?"
Felix makes a pensive face, and then grins. "I don't think that's very covid-proof, is it?"
Seungmin's face drops to an annoyed one, but the fond look in his eyes and the smile on his lips give him away. He puts his hands on the other boy's hips, pulling him closer.
"I honestly don't really care right now," he whispers.
Felix's hands find their way to the nape of Seungmin's neck, playing with the younger's hair. He whispers a response. "Yeah, me neither."
Felix's lips are soft. As soft as he imagined. Their lips slot onto each other perfectly, and Seungmin thinks he could get addicted to this. He wants to kiss the freckled boy even more. So he does.
He kisses him softly, multiple times, before tightening his hold on the other's hips and pulling him even closer to deepen the kiss. Seungmin bites Felix's bottom lip, and Felix gasps. Seungmin takes the opportunity to explore Felix's mouth, making the latter go weak in his knees. Seungmin smirks as he holds Felix close to him, the older's arms tightening around him. He pulls away, their lips disconnecting.
"Fuck Covid," Seungmin whispers.
Felix grins. "I'd rather have you-"
"Lee Felix, do not dare to finish that sentence."
Felix wiggles his eyebrows. "Make me."
A cough in the background startles them both.
"As much as y'all are cute, and as much as there’s nobody at the airport, please keep us free from the overload of PDA." Hyunjin says, a corner of his lips smiling knowingly.
Seungmin and Felix turn completely red, but detach themselves from each other. Seungmin grabs Felix's suitcase and his hand, and all four of them march out of the airport.
Seungmin can't help whisper something into Felix's ear, though.
"I'll take you upon that."
Felix's laughter rings into the air. Chan and Hyunjin cock an eyebrow at each other, but ignore the two lover-birds for the time being.
And if Felix and Seungmin both have swollen lips by the end of the evening, then that's noone's business but their own.
Bonus: the next day:
Channie:
You know, you didn’t need a bet to ask for a date
I’m picking you up tonight, 6pm.
I know you don’t have class
Wear something comfy that you like
I’ll see ya then.
10.05