Work Text:
“What do you want for Christmas?” Seungmin asks, feet barely through the doorway of his dorm living room as he speaks. Hyunjin looks up at him, a soft but wide smile on his face.
“Well, there’s something I really want, but I don’t wanna burden you with finding it.” Hyunjin answers and Seungmin huffs, rolling his eyes.
“Just tell me what it is, you overdramatic baby.” Seungmin says, slumping down beside the older, ignoring his protests.
Hyunjin hmphs, pulling up a screen on his phone, before showing it Seungmin. Seungmin takes in the screen. It’s a rare edition of a book that Hyunjin had briefly rambled to Seungmin about before. He sighs.
“Take a screenshot and send me it. I’ll try find it for you. And send me any backup ideas, okay?” Seungmin says and Hyunjin starts thanking him, over and over, until Seungmin glares at him, the older boy quickly shutting up before falling into a fit of giggles.
“You’re the best, Minnie.” Hyunjin says when he finally calms down and Seungmin feels heat fill his cheeks. Hyunjin laughs again, poking Seungmin’s cheek, before going back to his phone.
Seungmin smiles at Hyunjin then and pulls out his own phone once Hyunjin tells him he sent the picture. Seungmin memorises the details before pulling up google.
May as well start looking now, Seungmin muses. He finds a bookstore that people recommend for rare books and mentally checks over his schedule before deciding he’ll go in two days, on Saturday.
Hopefully I can find it, Seungmin thinks.
*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*
Seungmin sighs when warmth floods through his body upon entering the bookstore. Walking through the still-falling snow was awful, but Seungmin was determined to get the book he needed today, otherwise who knows when his schedule would allow him to hunt it down.
The bookstore was a lot larger than it appeared, though, and Seungmin quickly felt himself becoming overwhelmed.
“I just browse for a bit. Until I can feel my fingers at least.” Seungmin mutters as he pulls off his gloves and tucks them into his coat pocket. The bookstore was very warm and Seungmin is quick to start walking around the store, immediately finding himself drawn to the mystery section. A few familiar titles catch his eye, but he doesn’t find anything that intrigues him.
Seungmin’s feet carry him to the next section, which is stuffed full of classics, and Seungmin decides to take a peek for the copy of Dracula he’s been eyeing up recently. It’s a gorgeous hardcover edition, red and black and embossed and just so, so beautiful. A flash of that same red has Seungmin turning to face it, finding the exact copy he’d been looking for. He squeaks in excitement, before immediately covering his mouth in embarrassment. After looking around and confirming no one is looking at him, Seungmin finally removes his hand from his mouth and pulls the book off the shelf.
It's even prettier in real life and Seungmin feels like this find was a small victory. He turns his attention back to the shelves before deciding to finally try and find the damned book he needs for Hyunjin.
Seungmin spots the staircase and walks towards it. Once he stops there, he notices the sign that mention three more floors and Seungmin actually wants to cry, he really does. He’s never gonna find this book.
*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*
Seungmin has made it all the way up the stairs and all the way back down again, checking over shelves thousands and thousands of times, when he finally decides to give up. He ends up on the first floor again, in the middle of the main entrance, empty-handed (well he still has Dracula, but that’s not what he means). He sighs, running a hand through his hair, and vows to start looking for a third time when a voice startles him out of his frustrated thoughts.
“Do you need help?” The person says and Seungmin turns to face them, finding a pretty boy standing before him. He’s slightly shorter than Seungmin, with soft orange hair and the prettiest lips Seungmin has ever seen. He shakes his head and stops staring at the shorter boy’s lips when he giggles. “You’re cute.” The boy (Jisung, as his name badge reads) continues, and Seungmin flushes, heat building within his body and blossoming in shades of red on his cheeks.
“Um, I’m looking for a really specific and rare edition of a book for a friend. It’s… hang on.” Seungmin says, fishing his phone out of his back pocket before unlocking it and quickly loading up the screenshot Hyunjin had sent him. “It’s this one.” Seungmin finishes, showing the picture to the cute boy before him, and he nods.
“Follow me. I’m Jisung, by the way. I’ll search our database to see if we have it.” Jisung, says and Seungmin smiles before following after him. They arrive at the checkout, where no one stands, luckily, and Jisung slides behind the counter to search up on the computer. Seungmin waits awkwardly, glancing at the bookmarks that decorate the front of the checkout. He spots one with wolves on it and makes a mental note to pick it up later when he checks out. Chan will love it.
“Oh! We do have it, but it’s locked away, that’s why you couldn’t find it.” Jisung says, stepping out from behind the counter and gesturing for Seungmin to follow him. “We have to be wary of theft, that’s all.” Jisung clarifies, before shooting Seungmin a wink over his shoulder. “Technically, I should’ve made you wait at the till, but you’re just so cute, I was afraid if I left you there, someone else would snatch you up!” Jisung continues and Seungmin flushes red again then, a squeak leaving his lips that makes Jisung laugh as he walks.
“Um, t-thanks?” Seungmin stutters and Jisung just winks at him over his shoulder again. They go to the very back section of the store (where the history non-fiction lives, as Seungmin has learnt from his many deep searches). There’s a silver door that Seungmin had noticed before but shrugged off and Jisung enters a code before holding the door open for Seungmin. He follows him in, scared that he’ll get in trouble for this. Apparently, Jisung can sense his apprehension and fear though, and smiles at him, a reassuring tilt of his lips, and goes to comfort him.
“Don’t worry, the only person who’ll get in trouble with you being back here is me. And that’s fine. I’m just a uni student trynna make some extra money, ya know?” Jisung says and Seungmin smiles, nodding his head. He definitely understands that.
“So do you flirt with every boy who comes into the shop and needs your help?” Seungmin asks, finally feeling confidence flow through him again. Jisung, who had been walking towards a glass covered shelf that contains the book Hyunjin asked him for, turns around then and walks back towards him. Jisung stands on his tiptoes, pressing his face close to Seungmin’s, and Seungmin shivers at the feeling of Jisung’s warm breath on his lips. He closes his eyes briefly and when he opens them again, Jisung has pulled away.
“Only the cute puppy-like ones.” Jisung says with another wink as he walks towards the bookshelf again and Seungmin huffs before following after Jisung. He doesn’t like that this hyperactive boy has so much of an effect on him, he really doesn’t.
“I’m not cute.” Seungmin replies with, watching as Jisung unlocks the glass display case, slightly it to one side, before grabbing the book and holding it out towards Seungmin. Seungmin goes to when Jisung pulls the book away again. Seungmin huffs. “Seriously?” Jisung laughs.
“I’ll give it to you in a second. But firstly, I wanted to ask, why did you refute the cute comment and not the puppy-like one?” Jisung asks, crossing his arms over the book that rests against his chest before stepping closer. Seungmin decides to be brave, stepping closer too, dipping his face dangerously close to Jisung’s, before pulling away. The red on Jisung’s cheeks is a deliciously deep shade and Seungmin feels a little bit proud of himself.
“My friends have been telling me I’m like a puppy for years. I’m used to it.” Jisung pouts at Seungmin’s response and Seungmin tilts his head in confusion. Very puppy-like, Seungmin mentally notes, but brushes the thought off.
“I thought I’d made a great observation, but nope, puppy boy’s friends are smarter than I am.” Jisung mutters through a pout and Seungmin laughs then, free and unrestrained. Jisung is the one with the confused look this time and it makes Seungmin’s heart beat faster.
“My friends have known me for an entire year now, this is our first time meeting. Besides, most people make the observation.” Seungmin shrugs, but Jisung’s pout only deepens and Seungmin giggles again. “But this is the first time anyone’s called me cute upon first meeting me, so you get that point?” Seungmin continues, watching Jisung with a soft smile. The shorter boy looks up then, a big gummy smile visible on his face, and Seungmin feels his smile widen at that.
“Come on, let’s get out of here, so you can buy your book and I can keep my job.” Jisung says then, turning around to quickly lock up the case behind him before leading Seungmin out of the room. Once they exit the room and check that the door is locked, the pair turn around to find one of Jisung’s co-workers staring at them, arms crossed over his chest, with one eyebrow raised.
“Jisung… wanna explain?” He asks and Seungmin squeaks when Jisung grabs his and drags Seungmin to cover him.
“Nope.” Jisung says from behind him and Seungmin can’t stop the laugh that leaves his lips at that. Jisung comes to rest his head on Seungmin’s shoulder, arms wrapped tight around the taller boy’s waist, the book still clenched in Jisung’s hands, and Seungmin tenses before relaxing into the hold.
“You know customers aren’t allowed back there.” The guy says and Seungmin feels like a rather awkward blockade right now. Jisung lightly squeezes him for a second before releasing and Seungmin instantly feels himself calm down. What the fuck? How the fuck?, Seungmin thinks.
“Please don’t say anything Minho.” Jisung begs, his breath hot against Seungmin’s neck and if Seungmin didn’t feel awkward before, he definitely does now. Minho rolls his eyes and uncrosses his arms, revealing a pin that Seungmin is pretty sure is the aroace flag, before stalking off.
“Fine. Next time you won’t be so lucky, Jisung.” Minho says over his shoulder and Jisung yells a ‘thank you’ before detaching himself from Seungmin’s form. Seungmin sighs in relief. The shorter boy made him feel so many things and having him that close sent butterflies twirling about in Seungmin’s stomach.
“Did you get everything you want?” Jisung asks, holding the book out for Seungmin, and Seungmin exits his thoughts to take the book from the shorter boy’s hands with a smile.
“Yeah, there was just one bookmark by the tills I wanted to get.” Seungmin responds and Jisung smiles before starting to walk towards the tills, Seungmin trailing after him. They get to the counter and Jisung slips behind the desk before shooting Seungmin a soft smile. It’s different than the gummy smile Jisung had given him earlier, and Seungmin supposes this is Jisung’s customer service smile. It’s cute. Seungmin quickly grabs the wolf bookmark from earlier before placing the three items on the desk.
“You’re cute.” Seungmin says as he watches Jisung scan the books and tap away at the screen. Jisung turns away from the screen, blinking owlishly for a few seconds before ducking down behind the desk with a squeak. It makes Seungmin giggle. He clambers back up eventually, his orange hair a mess, strands in his eyes and Seungmin reaches out to fix the strands before he even realises. Jisung squeaks again but doesn’t pull away, allowing Seungmin to fix his hair.
“There. Perfect.” Seungmin says and Jisung pouts. Seungmin can feel his smile get wider at that.
“Stop being better at flirting than me.” Jisung whines and Seungmin giggles.
“Yeah, you were never good to begin with.” Seungmin says as he watches Jisung bag his books and the bookmark, handing the bag over to Seungmin. Seungmin accepts it gracefully before watching as Jisung quickly scribbles down something on a slip of paper before sliding it over to Seungmin. Seungmin goes to open it when Jisung freaks out.
“Not now. When you’re gone.” Jisung says and Seungmin laughs softly, pocketing the paper. “Also I’m not a bad flirt.” Jisung says, crosses his arms and playfully hmph-ing.
“You are.” Seungmin replies back, the smile still prominent on his lips.
“Then why did you flirt back, huh?” Jisung says, leaning across the counter. Seungmin gently taps his forehead.
“Because. Cute boy was being cute. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.” Seungmin shrugs and Jisung flushes, whining lightly at Seungmin’s words.
“Shush.” Is all Jisung mutters and Seungmin laughs. Someone stands in the queue behind Seungmin then, so Seungmin wishes Jisung a farewell before leaving the store, unaware of Jisung’s eyes constantly flicking back to stare at him.
When he gets out the store, Seungmin pulls the slip of paper back out of his pocket, uncovering the text written on it. It’s Jisung’s number and Seungmin feels heat fill his cheeks at that. Jisung had liked Seungmin enough that he had given Seungmin his number…how cute.
Seungmin’s smile doesn’t leaves his face as he walks home.
*•̩̩͙✩•̩̩͙*
When he finally gets back to his dorm, he shrugs off his shoes and jacket, before running upstairs. Changbin is in their room, and he softly greets Seungmin when the younger walks in before turning his attention back to his phone. Seungmin pulls out the contents of his bag, placing the new copy of Dracula on his bedside table, before walking over to his wardrobe and placing the book for Hyunjin underneath the stack of hoodies that were gathered on the bottom shelf.
Seungmin leaves, the wolf bookmark still in his hands, before heading to the room Chan shares with Hyunjin. The latter isn’t there, but Chan is, eyes focused on his laptop. Seungmin crosses the space over to Chan’s desk, alerting the older boy to his presence and holds out the wolf bookmark.
“Aw thank you Minnie.” Chan says and Seungmin smiles at him.
“It’s no big deal.” Seungmin responds and turns to leave, wishing Chan a good afternoon.
Seungmin makes his way down to the living room where Hyunjin and Felix are play-fighting, Jeongin watching his two boyfriends fight from the couch, a wide smile on his lips. It’s a cute sight and Seungmin walks past them with a giggle, settling on the second couch before pulling out the slip of paper again. He quickly inputs the number and texts a simple ‘hi :))’ before locking his phone and watching as Felix finally wins the fight against Hyunjin.
“You two are pathetic.” Seungmin says and Jeongin laughs. However, Seungmin’s phone pings, and Seungmin’s attention is taken away from the boys before him. It’s Jisung and Seungmin can’t stop the smile that forms on his face, unaware that said smile has caught Jeongin’s attention.
Cute Boy♡: omg hi!
Cute Boy♡: ngl didnt think youd actually text me
Seungmin giggles, unknowingly catching the attention of Hyunjin and Felix as well, before typing out his response.
Seungmin🐾: Of course I’d text you. I do think you’re cute after all.
Seungmin continues texting back and forth, smiling until he squeals and covers his face with his hands, leaving his phone unattended. Jeongin snatches it without Seungmin even realising and reads over the latest texts.
Cute Boy♡: ya know when i hugged u earlier, i realised u fit perfectly in my arms
Cute Boy♡: must be fate 🤪
Jeongin fake gags, catching Seungmin’s attention, who quickly launches for his phone. He manages to get it back, but it’s too late as Jeongin is already telling Hyunjin and Felix, and Hyunjin, in all his overdramatic glory, just has to react loudly.
“Seungmin has a boyfriend!” Hyunjin yells and his two boyfriends burst into giggles. It isn’t long until the familiar sounds of Changbin’s footsteps come rushing towards the living room.
“Minnie has a boyfriend?!”