Work Text:
To be fair, Minho never dreamed of working in a restaurant because he was so used to cooking for himself and doing it for others was very weird. But now, after more than a year, he got used to it.
He worked great with Felix, he was amazing when it came to meat of any type while Minho was sure pasta was what people thought was his speciality. He was good at doing everything, but people always complimented his pasta more than anything. Even Felix was always impressed by how Minho seasoned food but Minho didn’t have a secret actually.
Now, when it came to Felix, Minho was sure he didn’t know how to behave because the other was… well, Minho had to admit he had a soft spot for the younger. Part of him hesitated when it was about hanging out with him — a thing that they were doing quite often recently — and another one thought he wasn’t direct enough in making Felix realize he had feelings for him.
“Once again, I feel like I’m eating something so comforting.”
Minho giggled at the face Felix was making while biting into the fork, a clear sign he wanted to take another bite even if he was containing himself.
“I don’t do anything special.”
Felix shook his head, leaning on the counter, “not true, you put all your love in food.”
Minho chuckled, covering the plate, “the rest is mine.”
“Then bring me another one after.”
Minho pushed the plate to him, “I was kidding.”
Felix didn’t even wait for Minho to turn before he started eating and Minho smiled at that, because it gave him so much satisfaction. It was natural to be a good chef but Felix’s compliments were always more than usual compliments.
Also, Felix seemed to act differently for the past weeks. Most of it was how Felix started being touchy and more affectionate and it made Minho’s heart flutter badly. But that wasn't all: recently Minho got invited by Felix to go to a cafè, one where a big friend of his worked at and Minho found out the man is his ex roommate from college, the one Minho had a crush on long ago.
So now Minho’s heart was all over the place. An old crush and a new crush knew each other and most of all, he was about to spend time with both tomorrow.
………………………………………..
The day of that damn date came so fast Minho barely focused at work. Thank god there weren’t many people the night before and he got home rather quickly to take a bath and sleep decently, even if he was still over the place.
It wasn’t even a date truly, it was more the nth hanging out with Felix, but Minho felt like he should dress up and be happy about it, because Felix was an angel and Minho was so lucky meeting him.
The cafè they got at was lovely, there were so many drinks to choose from and the atmosphere was very cozy. Minho looked around mesmerized and curious, even the chairs looked pretty, all white and with small golden details. It had been a while since Minho went to a good place on his free day, usually he spent it sleeping or going out for groceries, but so far today seemed so relaxing and it was nice to spend time in the company of a good friend.
The coffee there smelled so good. And Felix’s smile was so sweet and content, Minho really liked to think he enjoyed his company, even if there wasn’t much giving that impression.
Once or twice, Felix’s eyes traveled to the counter, where there were two baristas but no sign of Seungmin yet. Sure, they knew each other, of course Felix wanted to see him and maybe he was waiting for some sort of reconciliation from their eyes meeting, but Minho was a little scared to see him again.
They didn’t fight or anything, but it had been years since they saw each other and they didn’t keep in touch, even if Minho thought it was because someone told Seungmin Minho had feelings for him and he decided to move out.
Since then, Minho was tortured by that idea, even if he didn’t want to avoid Seungmin anyways, it just happened because they didn’t see each other anymore and Minho lost touch with their mutual friends as well.
Maybe Minho shouldn’t react much but he almost choked on the tea once his eyes met Seungmin’s figure. He looked different, his hair was longer than what Minho remembered — it had been years, of course he was different — and a different shade of blond he didn’t remember he’d ever had. And the apron suited him, for some reason.
He looked busy, Minho didn’t even dare look twice because he didn’t even want to think about him, but Felix noticed that Minho’s eyes strayed to the counter. Despite that, he didn’t say anything and Minho didn’t either, they enjoyed the meal and started talking again, changing topics a couple times.
Eventually though, Seungmin noticed Felix. And that was enough for the other to approach them.
Shit , Minho didn’t even know why he was so nervous, it wasn’t like they had a huge fight or something, it happened to lose touch when one matured and got busy with work and graduation, but Minho never forgot about him and now his heart jumped in his throat when Seungmin’s eyes met his for a moment before he ruffled Felix’s hair softly.
“Enjoying the coffee?”
Felix nodded with a smile, looking up at Seungmin and placing the cup down before he reached for Seungmin’s face, fingers lingering on his cheek for a while.
What was happening?
Minho frowned slightly at the gesture, his hand shaking a little when Felix tilted his head down to look at Minho.
“I actually wanted to tell you, sooner or later.”
Oh?
Seungmin blinked in surprise, but the one taken aback should have been Minho.
“You didn’t tell your friend?”
Minho gulped loud, eyes on Seungmin till the other leaned forwards.
Shit.
“Minho?”
Of course…
Minho hummed, “hi, it’s been a while.” he mumbled with a forced smile, he wasn’t sure why he got so tense, it wasn’t a big deal.
“Minho told me you knew each other,” Felix chuckled, “so I decided to bring him here, he knew we’d meet.”
Seungmin nodded at that, “I see,” then he placed his palm on the table, almost startling Minho with the way he looked at him, “I truly haven’t heard of you in years, Jisung told me you moved out of that apartment.”
He did, Jisung and him talked for a while and they texted months ago a couple times, but he never said anything about Seungmin and Minho didn’t ask. So they end up never talking much again, even if it was fine for Minho as well, he ended up closing in himself a little after graduating and starting his new job.
“Yea,” Minho hesitated, “I changed towns eventually too.”
Seungmin hummed, leaning back, “I see.”
“Anyways,” Felix interjected, maybe he realized there was some sort of tension forming, “I truly wanted to introduce you to my boyfriend, since I didn’t tell you before.”
His… what ?
Minho didn’t know Felix had a boyfriend… was Seungmin the boyfriend?
Oh, shit .
Judging by Seungmin’s reaction, it was about him and Minho felt dizzy. There was no way he had a crush on his old roommate’s boyfriend, right?
“So you two… are together?” Minho pointed between the two, Felix’s bright smile confirming it for him.
Boyfriend.
And now that he saw Seungmin, he felt like for a moment those feelings didn’t have time to dissipate.
Boyfriend.
Minho had no chance, not then, not now.
Shit.
……………………………………..
Minho avoided Felix at work now, even if he shouldn’t act like that, it wasn’t like Felix lead him on or anything, but he felt like a coward for not even admitting why he felt so let down by knowing those two were together and even more, for fleeing from his own feelings, for both of them.
He adored Felix but the feelings for Seungmin didn’t seem to have left his heart and aching for two people wasn’t a good idea – especially if those two were a couple – and Minho felt like his own presence was intruding.
The more he thought about it the more his heart was aching.
Seungmin didn’t say anything more that day, mostly because he was busy but Felix didn’t shut up about him and what felt even more heartbreaking was that Felix kept acting sweet with him like nothing happened. The worst part was that maybe it meant that Minho read too much into it, he grew false hope and it wasn’t even the first time, since Seungmin acted that way with him too and Minho caught feelings for him as well.
It had been a good couple weeks since they went on the date — it hurt to call it that, yet Minho didn’t have another word for it — and he felt completely drained. He saw Seungmin everywhere, not only because he was sort of having a tough time and he thought he flashed him somewhere but also because Seungmin came to the restaurant many times and ordered food or even stayed there to eat Minho’s pasta because “I missed your cooking a lot, to be honest .” He probably didn’t even realize how much Minho felt desperate for him, since their eyes met again he barely could talk to him yet he seemed to know an awful lot about him — courtesy of Felix for sure, but Minho wasn’t mad with the other.
In the end, Minho wanted to curl into a ball and cry forever because he couldn’t believe the feelings for both grew more and more and his eyes suddenly went big and he pouted under the mask he wore at work and he felt one step closer to just go right there and stop them from kissing in front of him because… why did they share all that love only between themselves?
He felt sort of envious, but not jealous of either. It was weird, he knew it wasn’t the first time it happened to him that he fell for two or more people at the same time, but still he felt like he shouldn’t, like those feelings were too much, because he had no chance and because he couldn’t suffer forever because he couldn’t have love from the people he fell in love with.
He wasn’t sure Felix realized that Minho was ignoring him, he didn’t even try that hard and Minho wasn’t able to be mean. Also, Felix was the sweetest with him, even going so far that he left him cake on the table and brought the compliments from the customers to the chef by himself.
Minho was falling badly, he needed to get his shit together.
So he did the only reasonable thing to avoid seeing them: he took some time off from the kitchen, with a heavy heart, hoping something would change and he’d realize there was no way he could always expect love to knock at his door.
………………………………………….
A week became rapidly two and he was scared it was too much but Chan was chill with him and he told him if he needed to rest he could and he never took a break since he started working there so his place had always meant to stay his, always.
So Minho took it slow, he tried to not think of them, he tried to mind his business and focus on other things he wanted to do. He even had a couple other hobbies he wanted to check on and he even started a new book. He was trying so hard, part of him wanted to go back home to visit his cats despite going there some weeks ago.
He didn’t want to flee this way though, even if avoiding answering the phone or even Felix’s texts was acting cowardly and Minho didn’t like to be like that but maybe he just needed to focus on other things and stay away, because even closing his eyes reminded him of them.
It was like exploding in his chest, a multitude of doubts and memories and that big crush he used to have on Seungmin that never truly stopped existing, maybe Felix even made it stronger and it was weird to admit it now that Minho’s crush on Felix was still there.
Both , he couldn’t have both and he couldn’t mix in the middle. Even if it didn’t seem like being there in front of them he could act like a friend. What a fucked man he was…
He was ready to go to sleep again, these days he kept taking naps and holding his own hand to imagine somehow he wasn’t alone. Loneliness set him up so badly, he always wanted too much. It wasn’t even desperation for love, it was more the need to be taken care of and have someone to take care of, to hold to his chest, to be in the middle of a couple of people loving— NO! He shouldn’t think about them all the time, it wasn’t like he needed them… maybe.
Minho turned his fairy lights on, staring up at them as he tried to focus on anything else, even if now he needed to calm down and let those thoughts fly away. He couldn’t believe his heart, it was unfair how obsessed he was.
He knew he needed to pretend nothing was happening but it was so hard. His phone kept buzzing, his head kept throbbing and right when he thought he could close in himself and forget everything for a while, someone knocked at his door.
At first he thought he imagined it but the knocks grew insistent and his phone didn’t stop buzzing — and he wasn’t sure he wanted to look at the screen anytime soon — so he stood up with a frustrated groan.
He moved to the door, unsure if to ask who it was but checking rapidly through the peephole he almost choked on his spit.
Seungmin.
He looked alone, Minho wasn’t sure if to pretend he wasn’t home or anything.
“Minho, open.”
Shit.
That was Felix’s voice.
Fuck.
Minho bit his bottom lip, nervous. If he opened, he had to look them in the eyes and he wasn’t sure what to say. If he didn’t, they would probably get hurt because of him, even more than they already probably were.
So Minho took a deep breath, trying to cough a couple times to cover his own shaky voice, that wasn’t due to anything but nervousness.
“I’m sick.”
Seungmin’s loud chuckle almost startled him, “as if I believe you.”
True, but it was worth a try.
“It’s true.”
“Then we’re here to take care of you.” Felix said, getting closer to the door and knocking again.
It was useless.
Minho sighed, biting his bottom lip hard and tasting blood for how hard he was abusing the dry skin.
Minho unlocked the door, slowly opening it and looking at them, not really ready to present any excuse for his behavior. At first they stared back but then Minho let them in and Seungmin’s arms around his neck almost melted him.
“Don’t run away from me again.”
He was so shocked by those words that for a moment Minho didn’t react, he felt completely taken aback by that action, especially when Felix joined him too.
“I was so worried.”
Minho’s breath hitched in his throat at those words, hands shaking as he hugged Seungmin back softly. He smelled of coffee, he probably just finished working and came there, Minho felt so bad he came there, he was probably worried as well.
Minho felt like a mess.
Seungmin broke the hug, hands on Minho’s cheeks, “can we talk, about everything?”
Everything.
The past too?
Minho nodded with hesitation, he knew they had to and it was late to even pretend nothing happened.
So Minho closed the door behind them, inviting them inside and Seungmin and Felix both looked around his small place, Seungmin’s eyes stopping at some details he for sure recognized.
“It’s cute,” Seungmin then pointed up, “the fairy lights, you didn’t change.”
He didn't, indeed, Seungmin had the same man he shared an apartment with in front of him, still confused and still hesitating.
“Yea…”
Seungmin sat down on the couch, Felix sitting next to him and patting the place in the middle for Minho to sit as well. It was both familiar and completely new, Minho wasn’t sure what to do yet again but Seungmin’s fingers curling around his wrist and dragging him there decided for him.
“So,” Seungmin started, leaning closer to Minho, “I know we basically broke a friendship briskly in the past, but we aren’t like that anymore, right?”
Minho shook his head, “it’s true, we can do better, I can do better.”
“Start by not running from me again then,” Seungmin placed one hand over Minho’s shoulder gently, “or better, from your feelings for me, yea?”
Oh.
Minho’s eyes darted to him right away, the eye contant completely sending a shock right to his heart, “huh?”
“You heard me.”
He did, clearly even, but Minho couldn’t believe his ears.
“I was hoping that we could go on a date again,” Felix spoke all of a sudden, making the other turn, “all three of us.”
A date ?
Again?
All three ?
What!?
Minho blinked confused, staring at one then the other, “what?”
“I mean,” Seungmin cleared his voice with a small cough, “I was excited to meet Felix’s new crush, I’m glad it’s you.”
Crush ?
Minho felt dizzy suddenly.
Felix had a crush on him?
“I wasn’t expecting it to be honest, but Felix sort of said it could be a good surprise for me,” Seungmin laughed softly, “I’m glad to see you again more than anything.”
“Seungmin…”
“Can you two please be all lovey-dovey so we can all try this?” Felix whined, hands clenching around Minho’s cardigan, “please?”
Minho felt tears form in his eyes, he was still a tad confused but mostly because he didn’t expect that and now all his anxious thoughts were slowly dying and he felt like everything was so unpredictable that he didn’t know how to react. He truly didn’t expect that to happen.
“ Please , Minho.” Seungmin took Minho’s hand in his, not squeezing it but Minho felt like he could explode.
So he decided to swallow his fears and take both their hands, squeezing them a little to gain the guts to tell them the truth.
“I was so scared to tell you both…” a sob cut him short, “how I felt.”
Seungmin’s arms were around his neck again, hugging him close and placing a small kiss on his temple, “it’s ok.”
The tears didn’t line his face yet but Felix wiped them off and ruffled his hair gently, kissing his forehead, “you’re fine.”
“We’re sorry too, we wanted to tell you sooner but you just disappeared and we both missed you,” Seungmin whispered in his hair as he still held Minho close, “I was so scared what happened in the past was about to happen again.”
Minho sniffled, he didn’t want that to happen, “I’m sorry.”
“No need,” Seungmin kissed his face again and again, massaging his neck, “I’m glad I found you again, Felix adores us both and I adore you both too.”
Minho felt his chest exploding, he was so comfortable in between them he felt like he could fall asleep.
“You’re tired, huh ?” Felix murmured on his cheek softly, unbuttoning Minho’s cardigan a little and then standing up.
Minho wasn’t sure why but he was a little dizzy now and Seungmin slowly pulling him closer and comfortably on his chest made him forget everything.
“Wanna date?”
Minho huffed with a smile, then nodded before adding, “both.”
“Sure.” Felix answered next to him, the couch suddenly big enough for all three of them as he felt Felix’s clingy hands around his waist.
“I will leave them on,” Seungmin whispered, “you always felt safe with fairy lights on.”
Indeed, Seungmin remembered him well. Fairy lights used to be everywhere in his room and even Seungmin liked to read and study in his room because of that. He kept thinking of love when he saw them, it made sense he was always a little nostalgic, but now they could gain a new meaning.
The last thing he saw for a moment were indeed the fairy lights flickering as he felt a couple small kisses on his forehead.
“I missed you deeply.”
Seungmin.
“I’m glad you are ok.”
Felix.
“Thank you, I like you both so much.”