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“I’ll be right there, don’t cause any troubles!” Changbin yells after him before he shuts himself in the stuffy bathroom of his dorm room.
Minho is honestly grateful for the spacious apartment he’s rented – Changbin insisted on staying in the dormitory despite there being a spare room. Something about being too protective of his roommate to throw him under the train.
“The boy is a shy mess,” he would laugh fondly whenever Minho brought it up. “I’m glad he warmed up to me. It would be too much hassle to start over with a stranger.”
He honestly couldn’t understand what could be that important about the boy to reject such an offer – until meeting the said roommate, that is. And finding out the boy truly doesn’t communicate much (Minho hasn’t asked for a confirmation, it might be a touchy topic, but he’s pretty sure the boy is mute).
He also found out the freshman is incredibly cute and began crashing into Changbin’s place more often. Usually, he doesn’t have a reason to come over – doesn’t need one, because Changbin might roll his eyes every time he spots him occupying the couch uninvited, but he actually likes having Minho around.
Today he does have a reason, coming to pick Changbin up before they leave for a karaoke night. For whatever reason, Changbin insisted on having his roommate tag along.
“Wouldn’t that be… you know? Insensitive?” he tried to ask, but Changbin only gave him a raised eyebrow.
“He’s not that shy, Minho, and you’re not a stranger,” the younger shook his head dismissively, as if he found the question ridiculous. Then he muttered something about Minho being the insensitive one for judging someone’s singing potential which confused Minho even more.
‘I’ve never even heard him talk, how does he want to sing’, he wanted to say, but stayed silent.
And he didn’t have an opportunity to argue further, so here they are.
Minho slumps down onto the worn-out couch, making himself comfortable and shuffling closer to the further end where Jisung – Changbin’s adorable roommate – is watching something on Netflix, already dressed and ready. Minho can tell he’s trying his hardest to focus on the screen, through his and Changbin’s earlier conversation and now despite Minho’s presence.
Unfortunately for him, though, Minho wants his attention elsewhere.
“Wanna see Dori dressed as a fairy?” he inquires, not waiting for an answer before he fishes out his phone and heads to the gallery, smiling under his breath when Jisung turns off the tv and curiously leans over his shoulder. “Soonie and Doongie fleeted at the mere sight but my baby never disappoints.”
Minho doesn’t pay as much attention to the photos he scrolls through, more interested in seeing the younger’s reactions. He won’t say anything but the look that reflects in his eyes speaks for him. Minho finds him impossibly adorable when his eyes sparkle in joy or awe.
He continues scrolling even after Fairy Dori gets replaced by regular cat photos. Jisung is used to him talking about his cats – it’s the go-to topic he opens with people instead of the boring, general small talk, and an easy pick for when his conversation partner can’t actually converse.
He has already pulled the younger into his side nonchalantly, one arm around his waist – he’s dropping hints whenever he can, knowing it would be easier for Jisung to either push him away or act on them rather than making a move himself. If he were interested, that is.
To distract himself and entertain the younger, he goes on about Soonie and Doongie being bratty as always, then cringes at a few stray memes finding their way into his gallery. And then he comes across one of his paintings.
Jisung reaches out hesitantly to stop him from moving, and Minho complies, letting the younger observe it, rambling about what it’s supposed to be, until-
“It’s pretty,” Jisung breathes out, stunned, the sound slipping past his lips so gently it feels like having his soul caressed. His whisper is dreamy and softer than Minho imagined – which makes him pause because imagining it was the only option until now.
A few stunned seconds of silence. Then Minho pulls away completely to stare down at the younger’s red face. The younger is practically tearing up at the sudden movement, eyes flicking between Minho’s as he searches for a motive behind the sudden change in atmosphere.
Minho wants to coo and reach out and maybe tease him before he confirms that everything is okay. Nothing comes out of his mouth, though. Jisung’s lips quiver. “Wait– sorry, I’m just… you can talk? You’re not mute?”
Minho purses his lips, now realising how absurd the question is. But it all made sense until now, he’d been so sure – Jisung never even peeped around him, no more than soft huffs of breath that indicated laughter and forming unsaid words with his delicate lips.
God, he feels stupid. Overwhelmed, mostly, and Jisung isn’t doing any better.
“I, uh,” his cheeks are flushed the deepest shade of red possible – and Minho has seen him blush quite the number of times. You’re not really helping yourself right now, he thinks adoringly. “No, I can talk. I do, usually. A lot.”
His voice breaks at the start of the sentence, and he squeaks, ears burning red. He drops his head in embarrassment. Minho supposes he could survive only listening to him whispering for the rest of his life – it’s better than having to second guess what the younger is thinking, anyway.
Not that they see each other too often, but they should.
They stare at each other in silence until Changbin walks past the living room again, towel resting around his neck. He stops by the couch to give them an amused and confused smirk and poke Jisung’s arm.
Minho feels like saying something to him – the only thought present in his head at the moment. Never mind his own embarrassment, this is a misunderstanding on three sides. “Hey, you– you haven’t told me your roommate can talk.”
“I never what?” Changbin turns around, confused. “Wait, what’s happening? Minho?”
He looks from Jisung to Minho, then back, eyes growing larger with each second until they’re almost bulging out of his head, eyebrows shot so high they get lost under his fringe.
“No, I just…” he trails off, scratching his neck and feeling the skin scorch under his touch. It’s too ridiculous to properly explain, after all.
Changbin frowns at the lack of his answer in what Minho recognises as protectivity over the younger. The understanding of why Changbin always cared so much for the younger dawns on him pretty quickly. “You thought he– what–”
“No, doesn’t matter! It’s fine!” Jisung interferes, making Minho freeze – this is probably the first time he’s heard his voice and it’s surprisingly deep, considering the most sounds he’s heard from Jisung were tiny whines and squeaks, and also… calming. “Look, you can talk about it on your way, now hurry and get changed!”
Changbin scoffs but obeys, shutting himself in his room, ultimately leaving them alone in silence. Minho wants to break it first, looking at Jisung uncertainly and clearing his throat but the younger is faster. “My voice is fine, I can talk.”
“Then why…?” Minho wonders.
One more whine escapes Jisung’s throat as the younger looks away, then locks his eyes with Minho with poorly staged confidence. “Half the time I get too embarrassed to even say anything.”
That pretty much matches what Changbin had told him about Jisung and goes well with everything else he knows about him. Hell, he knows Jisung is shy. And yet, that’s quite another level. Minho isn’t that intimidating, or is he?
He clears his throat, considering how to not show his amusement and make Jisung freak out. “Will you talk to me more from now on?”
“I– I’ll think about it,” the younger assures him.
“Well, and if I say I like your voice?” he asks softly, wiggling his eyebrows when Jisung’s lips part in surprise. “Would you talk to me on our first date?”
Jisung whisper-squeals, falling backwards onto the sofa.
...He’ll take that as a yes.
✧*:･ﾟ♥･ﾟ:*✧