Chapter Text
“I don’t get it,” Minghao says as he pulls a desk chair to sit on, joining his coworkers. He places his laptop in front of him and a cup of green tea to the side.
Seungkwan and Hansol, who are in the middle of watching funny cat videos as their short break from work, look up to see the newest member of their team, a small, confused frown on his face. Minghao is technically not a new employee of the Pledisvt Inc since he has worked at one of their branches in China for a little over two years. He has just recently transferred to the main branch in Seoul, and is assigned to a Social Media Creative team of six, and so far, Minghao has enjoyed his transfer.
Seungkwan is the first to respond, “What don’t you get, hyung?”, which is followed immediately by Hansol’s “What’s wrong, Minghao-ssi…hyung?”
Seungkwan looks judgingly at Hansol. “What’s with 'Minghao-ssi hyung’?? Just drop the ssi, aigoo.. Hyung already told us so many times.”
Minghao chuckles at the two younger coworkers. It has been less than a week since Seungkwan dropped formality with Minghao, while Hansol is apparently still working on it. It’s understandable really, since Minghao is new to them and has only been working with them for just 3 weeks.
Hansol shrugs nonchalantly, obviously used to Seungkwan’s nagging. He directs their attention back to Minghao. “Anyways, what don’t you get, Minghao-s–hyung?”
Minghao sighs, suddenly remembering a series of events from this week. “Oh, it’s just,” he begins, “I don’t get Seokmin–”
Seungkwan interrupts, already shaking his head. “Don’t try to understand Seokmin-hyung,” he says, but with a slightly affectionate tone. “He’s ridiculous and sometimes illogical but he means well, you know? Also definitely too kind of a person to survive in this cruel world–”
“That I already know,” Minghao stops Seungkwan, hand tapping the younger’s arm.
“I meant,” Minghao starts again, “I don’t get Seokmin and Mingyu, like the two of them, together. One moment they look like they might strangle each other, and then the next moment they’re shoulder-to-shoulder in the break room, giggling over whatever. I don’t know what mood they’re going to be in the next meeting I would have with them, you know what I mean?”
When Minghao looks between Seungkwan and Hansol, anticipating a response, the two are looking at each other with some knowing look, and then Seungkwan snorts. Hansol gives Minghao a slightly apologetic smile.
“Seokmin hyung and Mingyu hyung are always like that,” Seungkwan says, his tone somewhat tired, like he had had to explain this over and over again. “They’re just–” Seungkwan stops to look around the conference room they are currently sitting in. No one else besides the three of them is there. Then, with a lower voice, he resumes, “two idiots when they’re together.” Quickly he adds, “Seungcheol-sunbae’s words, not mine. Although I don’t disagree.”
Seungcheol is their direct supervisor, who manages two other teams besides theirs. Minghao’s impression of him is that whatever he says, it’s probably true.
“He actually used the word ‘idiots’?” Minghao asks.
“Hmm there might have been a curse word thrown in too,” Seungkwan grins.
“He’s kidding,” Hansol immediately adds. Minghao looks at him, curious to what Hansol’s thought on this. “But yeah, ‘idiots’ was a word Seungcheol sunbae used.”
Seungkwan waves his hand in front of them, getting Minghao and Hansol to face him. “Anyways, the point is, Seokmin hyung and Mingyu hyung bicker almost everyday.”
“But,” Hansol cuts in, “Like, they’re always together. Despite the bickering.”
“So in conclusion, they’re fine, nothing to worry about,” Seungkwan finishes.
Minghao hears them, but he is somewhat still curious about the two colleagues the same age as him. He had a different question in mind earlier, but decided not to ask it when he walked into the room. But now he thinks he should ask anyway,
“Are they.. Do you think they’re, like, you know, dating?”
Seungkwan and Hansol look surprised at the question, eyes wide. “Each other?” is what comes out of Hansol’s mouth, which is immediately followed by Seungkwan’s disapproving, “Oh no, no no no. No way Seokmin hyung would date Mingyu hyung. Nope, no way.”
Minghao (and Hansol) wince at the slight disgust(?) in Seungkwan’s voice. “Wow, okay, do you have something against Mingyu hyung or something?” Hansol frowns.
“It’s not that, I like hyung just fine,” Seungkwan clarifies, clicking his tongue. “But Seokmin hyung can do much better! He’s like the best person I know.”
Minghao chuckles, “I thought you said Seokmin is ridiculous and illogical..”
“And he is,” Seungkwan replies, nodding to agree with Minghao, “But I’ve never met anyone as kind and forgiving and just super nice as him. So, yeah, anyways, I don’t think he and Mingyu hyung are dating.”
“Well I actually think they might be,” Hansol says a beat after Seungkwan’s declarations, tapping his knuckles on the table. A proud smile is on his face, like he’s won something.
“Why the hell do you think that?” Seungkwan squints his eyes at Hansol. “And ew, why are you smiling like that?”
Hansol ignores Seungkwan, once again used to his friend’s nagging. He looks straight at Minghao instead, who has raised his eyebrows, surprised at Hansol's statement.
“I mean they’re always together, always. Even during that company outing we went to, they stuck together like glue–”
“They were in the same team,” Seungkwan scoffs, rolling his eyes.
“You and Chan were in the other team together but you sat with me at lunch,” Hansol counters easily, pointing at Seungkwan, “Chan didn’t even sit at our table.” He then looks back at Minghao, his mouth curved into a smile. “Seokmin and Mingyu hyungs? I don’t think I saw them not within 2 meters of each other the entire day.”
“How– how do you even know that?” Seungkwan sighs. “The entire day? Were you just watching them then? Are you a pervert?”
Hansol gives Seungkwan a light knock on the side of his head. “Aniya! Geez, it’s a figurative speech,” Hansol says, shaking his head while Seungkwan pouts and rubs the spot where Hansol hit. “Obviously I wasn’t with the both of them the entire day, but every time I saw Seokmin hyung, there was a Mingyu next to him.”
Minghao chuckles at the sight of the two younger colleagues bickering; it reminded him of what he just saw of Seokmin and Mingyu earlier today, except it was more extreme? Or dramatic? Minghao thought he was watching a weekday drama when Seokmin and Mingyu had an argument earlier this week. It was quite funny, Minghao had thought then, how they were bickering over how Seokmin used to think Mingyu was shallow and only sympathized for show and how that was why Mingyu could never sympathize with Seokmin.
“Hey, don’t argue, you guys,” Minghao says before Seungkwan gets the chance to retort Hansol. Minghao gives both of them an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I didn’t think you two would have such opposite opinions on a silly question. I was just curious.” He picks up his mug and takes a few sips of the green tea.
“Oh, no worries,” Hansol assures Minghao. “I guess since you’re new and you work even more closely with both of them, you notice things we don’t.”
“The two of them have always been close, that’s obvious, but like it’s a friend thing, best friend even, you know?” Seungkwan adds, seemingly adamant about what he thinks about the two not dating whatsoever.
Minghao nods. He notices that they should probably go back to work, so he concludes, “Yeah, I know, you’re probably right, Seungkwan-ah.”
–
Except, whatever conclusion Minghao said back in the conference room a few days ago dissipates into thin air today when he watches Mingyu reach to place his right hand on Seokmin’s left forearm, squeezes it, and leaves it there to rest while his other hand stays on the steering wheel.
–
Minghao, Seokmin, Mingyu, and the youngest member of their team, Chan, had left earlier this morning for a business meeting across town, about one hour drive with traffic. They decided to take the company’s SUV and carpool there, saving time and money. (plus the company’s SUV is more comfortable than most of their cars). Seokmin and Mingyu had volunteered to drive; Seokmin in the morning and now Mingyu, on the way back to their office.
Everything seemed normal in the morning, casual, friendly chat between the four of them, with both Seokmin and Mingyu driving the conversations. Chan seems to be close to the two of them; Minghao notices him being comfortable enough to banter with Seokmin and Mingyu here and there. Chan is a lot more polite to Minghao though, since he has yet to have many one-on-one interactions with the youngest member. Nevertheless, Chan is a good company to have, and it is obvious he is well liked by his two sunbaes.
Halfway into the morning drive, the four of them had gone to a comfortable lull, music playing from the radio was low, Seokmin and Mingyu quietly discussing the new episode on Great British Baking Show, and Minghao had decided to review some documents they had brought for the business meeting. It was a few moments later when Seokmin, who was driving, blurted something about taking the exit to buy some mini walnut cake.
Chan had laughed at Seokmin because it was too late to move one lane over and then take the exit and Seokmin wasn’t making any effort to even slow down. Minghao had shaken his head, a small smile on his lips as he found the situation amusing.
“Aw man, I really wanted those mini walnut cakes,” Seokmin had said, his tone borderline whining. Minghao heard himself and Chan giggled quietly.
Mingyu then decided to say something back to Seokmin, which Minghao has noticed he always does anytime Seokmin makes any comment, even some nonsense stuff, especially when it’s nonsense.
“Pfft, what, you want me to order some for you?”
“No—” was Seokmin’s initial, automatic response. “—wait, yes! Do it. Order from that bakery near our exit in Seongnam. We can pick up on the way.”
Silence filled the air for a few seconds. Minghao had forgotten about the chart he was reading, suddenly curious to what Mingyu would say. Meanwhile Chan had gone back to minding his own business (re: phone).
Seokmin broke the silence, sounding a little impatient. “Are you putting in an order, like right now?”
Mingyu had stared at Seokmin before saying, “Patient, Seok. Why are you in a rush? We can do that later.”
Seokmin glanced briefly to his right and clicked his tongue. “Why not now? You’re not doing anything anyway.”
“I’m having conversations with you.”
“Well, then don’t.”
“Excuse me?” Mingyu had moved slightly, his stance looking like he was offended.
“I mean, just order the walnut cake now. Like right now? So it can be ready when we get there, you know?” Seokmin tried again. “Are you doing it?”
Mingyu only stared at the other, and Minghao had thought he looked just a little upset.
“Mingyu? Ya! Are you ignoring me right now?” Seokmin turned his head a little to see Mingyu look away, and Minghao, who was still watching them, had noted Seokmin looking as equally annoyed as Mingyu.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I thought you said to not talk to you,” Mingyu had (lamely, Minghao thought) retorted.
In the rearview mirror, Minghao could see Seokmin rolling his eyes dramatically before he said, “What are you even saying right now? I just wanted mini walnut cakes and–”
“And I said we can do that later,” Mingyu cut in, “Then you said ‘don’t’ when I said we were just conversing. Conversation in which I thought was pleasant.”
“What–” Seokmin stopped himself, focusing his attention on the road as he had to switch lanes to stay on the highway. Once he had safely made it to the right lane, he continued, “–okay so like you won’t put an order in?”
Mingyu actually groaned. “I’m actually a little upset right now and the damn walnut cake is what you’re concerned about??”
Seokmin, for all his innocence or whatever it is, Minghao thought, had frowned when he said, “Why are you upset? I just wanted some mini walnut cake, but you just had to make it about yourself, Mingyu-ya?”
“Well you didn’t have to be rude,” Mingyu clicked his tongue.
“Okay now how exactly was I rude?” Seokmin protested, casting a side-glance at Mingyu. It looked like Seokmin was about to say something about the mini walnut cake again, when they heard Chan speaking.
“Seokmin-hyung, I just put an order in, but I can only pick a time for when we head back.”
Minghao and Mingyu turned to look at Chan, while Seokmin looked at his reflection in the rearview mirror. Chan had a small smile on, his right thumb up and his left hand holding his phone. The screen showed the receipt for the mini walnut cake.
“You can pay me back later,” Chan added simply, then returned to whatever he was doing earlier.
Mingyu had let out a deep and dramatic sigh and turned in his seat so his body was angled away from Seokmin, who cheerfully said, “Thank you Chan! You’re the best!”
“Unlike someone,” Seokmin muttered under his breath, but Minghao heard it as he sat right behind him. Mingyu definitely heard it too, as Seokmin possesses a voice that is both loud and well-projected.
Minghao shook his head at the two, once again witnessing their bickering. He glanced at Chan, who had looked perfectly comfortable using his phone, as if Seokmin and Mingyu bickering didn’t bother him a bit. Like he was used to it. Which reminded Minghao of what Seungkwan and Hansol said yesterday.
So when they were getting ready to head back, three hours later, and Seokmin was by Mingyu’s side chatting animatedly with Mingyu, who looked equally as into the conversation as Seokmin, Minghao chuckled and shook his head again. “These dorks..” Minghao mumbled to himself.
“They’re always like that,” Chan was suddenly next to him, and Minghao turned to acknowledge him. Chan gave him an apologetic smile. “I hope you weren’t worried this morning in the car, or wait, was it uncomfortable for you?”
Minghao shook his head, smiling reassuringly. “Oh no, not at all. I've had many encounters with those two, together. And witnessed plenty of bickerings.”
Chan had let out a relieved sigh when he said, “Oh, good. We’re just so used to it; it's strange if they don’t bicker once in a while, you know?”
Minghao nodded in agreement, and a thought of asking Chan the same question he had asked Seungkwan and Hansol yesterday flashed in his mind. He had just started to open his mouth when Seokmin loudly called them, “Minghao-ya! Channie! C’mon, Mingyu is going to bring the car out front.”
And within fifteen minutes, they were on the road back to Seoul, Seokmin’s mini walnut cakes had been picked up before Mingyu pulled into the highway. Seokmin shared the cakes with everyone, and the four of them chatted for a while until Chan decided to read his book and Minghao closed his eyes to rest them for a moment.
Minghao could hear Seokmin and Mingyu still talking, this time about the composition of the mini walnut cakes. Seokmin had said something about how much sweetened red bean paste should fill the cake for the name to change from mini walnut cake to mini red bean cake, and Mingyu had laughed at that.
“Pabo-ya, that’s basically just bunggeoppang (Korean fish-shaped pastry) if it’s full of red bean paste,” Mingyu’s tone of voice teasing.
Minghao had opened his eyes, his mouth curved into a smile. He had agreed with Mingyu this time, and although he thought Seokmin was just being funny.
“Aniya,” Seokmin exclaimed, trying to protest but his face was gentle with a smile. “I meant like, ‘mini red bean walnut cake’. So it’s not bunggeoppang!” He had turned his body so it was angling more toward Mingyu.
Then Seokmin’s eyes had narrowed a little, like he suddenly remembered something, and a punch was thrown on Mingyu’s right arm. “Also, don’t call me pabo, that wasn’t very nice.” Seokmin had a cute pout on his face as he said this.
Mingyu took a glance at Seokmin and grinned at him. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry.”
Seokmin’s pout was still showing as he clicked his tongue, but his eyes were twinkling like he was ready to burst out into another laugh. But he didn’t, because the next thing Minghao saw was Mingyu reaching out with his right hand and placing it on Seokmin’s left forearm.
–
Mingyu has just given Seokmin’s forearm a squeeze, and now as he leaves his hand there, he is also patting Seokmin’s arm gently, in some rhythms.
Seokmin doesn’t look bothered at all to Minghao, if anything, his pout is slowly being replaced by a full, relaxed smile. Seokmin then takes his own right hand and encloses Mingyu’s hand that is patting his forearm. His thumb is mindlessly and gently stroking Mingyu’s hand.
They stay like that for the next few minutes, hands/forearms caressing and patting each other, until Mingyu has to switch hands on the steering wheel. Mingyu glances briefly at Seokmin when he lets go, and Seokmin immediately looks up to meet Mingyu’s eyes. They smile at each other and look away; Mingyu’s eyes on the road, and Seokmin turns his head to the back seat, meeting Minghao’s curious stare.
Seokmin actually looks and sounds worried when he asks, “Are you okay, Minghao-ya?”
Minghao catches Mingyu glancing at Seokmin again and then he looks in the rearview mirror briefly before returning his attention on the road. Minghao smirks on the inside for some reason, but to Seokmin he smiles kindly and says, “Oh yes, I’m feeling great, Seokmin-ah.”
Seokmin returns a pleased smile at Minghao, and shifts his attention to Chan, who somehow is still reading his book. As Seokmin asks Chan about the book he’s reading, Minghao once again finds Mingyu taking another glance in Seokmin’s direction. He doesn’t do that again when Seokmin finally turns to face the front, leaning on the console with his left elbow resting on it, and makes a comment on a sports car passing on their right and cutting in front of other cars ahead of them. Mingyu shifts slightly to rest his right forearm on the console too. Seokmin’s left hand almost immediately finds its way to play with Mingyu’s palm.
With a tiny smirk and a little head shaking, Minghao looks away, outside his window, and suppresses the urge to blurt out the question he had asked Seungkwan and Hansol yesterday. (“Are they.. Do you think they’re, like, you know, dating?”)
But as he looks at Chan who once again is only minding his business, in a very comfortable manner, Minghao thinks that he doesn’t have to ask his possibly bizarre question about Seokmin and Mingyu. Or at least not now, anyways.