Work Text:
"Te dolió cuando te caíste del cielo?"
He stopped tying his shoelaces as he heard the voice right behind his ear. Immediately, he straightened his body, startled yet a smile appeared on his face.
"Vamos a un lugar más tranquilo?"
The figure behind him grew bolder, lips getting closer to the curve of his neck, and his right hand firmly yet gently holding onto his narrow waist.
He turned his face and smiled.
"Cariño"
-----
For three years, he hadn't had time for himself. His daily routine consisted of working, cooking, cleaning the house, playing with his dog, and indulging in his simple hobbies. He realized he was lonely and in need of a change of scenery, but he didn't know where to go or if when that day arrived, will he feel happy and his sense of loneliness disappear?
Although he wants to seek new experiences, he often turns down some invitations from his friends for short trips like camping at Lake Genero or just going fishing. He knows his friends want him to be little more alive, but he himself is unsure if these activities will alleviate his sense of loneliness.
"Hey Mingyu, I'm going home this summer" Mingyu turned to the man beside him while grabbing a novel from the bookstore's shelf they were visiting.
"Summer is about a week away, you'll leave me next week?" The man beside Mingyu nodded while playing with his phone and a small smile appeared on his delicate face.
"Yeah, Seokmin is coming"
"Why don't you invite him to New York, Josh?" Joshua shook his head and put his phone in his pocket, walking away from Mingyu with his eyes fixed on the row of books.
"He wants to meet my parents." Mingyu fell silent as Joshua's steps came to a halt.
"It's time for us to get married." Joshua turned back to Mingyu and smiled, showing off a ring in his finger.
"Down to the West Coast, Kim Mingyu?"
-----
"Your ex-boyfriend?" Mingyu's reverie was interrupted by a voice, and he turned to the source of the sound. There was a figure of a sweet-looking man sitting right next to him, ordering a glass of whisky for himself.
"Huh?" Mingyu looked at the man with a puzzled expression.
"Lee Seokmin or Joshua Hong, oh sorry, Joshua Lee. Between those two, who is your ex-boyfriend?" The man next to Mingyu drank his whisky in one shot before answering to Mingyu's question.
Mingyu just chuckled softly upon hearing the man's question and continued sipping his cocktail.
"Joshua Hong"
The man next to him looked at Mingyu and he patted Mingyu's shoulder gently.
"Joshua Hong is my friend. I've known him since moving to New York three years ago and he's been with Seokmin for two years, now five"
The man next to Mingyu stopped patting his shoulder and let out a small laugh much like Mingyu's.
"So, it's not a broken heart that's making your face look so gloomy"
"No, I'm just contemplating"
"About?"
"Life" Mingyu turned his body around and faced the dozens of people dancing around the newlyweds, Lee Seokmin and Joshua Lee.
"Wow, that's an answer I've never expected" The man next to Mingyu also turned his body around and took another sip of his whisky, slightly tipsy.
"I was thinking about how interesting their lives are, struggling through a long-distance relationship for five years and deciding to get married. It's not an easy journey, right?" Mingyu looked at the man next to him and raised his glass, inviting the man to clink glasses.
The man next to him smiled upon hearing Mingyu's question. He nodded and raised his glass towards Mingyu's. They both drank their drinks while looking at each other.
-----
"So, are you from New York? Mix?" The man next to Mingyu asked, his glass was empty, and both Mingyu and the man had finished their drinks. They were feeling a bit tipsy, propping their heads up with their hands.
"No, I'm fully Korean. I was transferred to the New York branch three years ago" The man next to Mingyu nodded and let out a soft breath.
"Same here"
"Are you all alone tonight?" Mingyu asked the figure next to him (now in front of him as they had turned to face each other).
The man shook his head and waved his hand in a gesture that meant 'no.'
"No, I'm with my friends. Actually, I'm friends with the newlyweds. We went to the same university in Korea" Mingyu nodded upon hearing the man's answer.
The music changed to a softer melody and the atmosphere at the party became a bit quieter. Some couples were still dancing on the dance floor with their partners, including the newlyweds. Mingyu looked at the newlyweds with a smile, his hand reaching for his phone in his suit pocket to take a photo of his friends. However, a voice next to him interrupted him from his activity.
"Would you like to dance with me?" Mingyu looked a bit surprised, but he quickly held the hand of the man and led them to the dance floor.
They exchanged glances and laughed several times, realizing how strange their current situation was – two strangers dancing at their friend's wedding, representing the west coast and east coast.
Eventually, their laughter faded but their gazes grew deeper as they stripped each other's souls. Their faces drew closer, and the warm exhales of Mingyu's breath felt gentle against the other man's cheek.
"Jeon Wonwoo"
Mingyu fell silent upon hearing the words that came from his dance partner's lips, waiting for him to continue.
"You need my name to moan. Jeon Wonwoo. My name is Jeon Wonwoo"
Mingyu nodded, understand and then pressed his lips against Wonwoo's, running his tongue along the bottom lip before gently nibbling it and pulling away.
"Then moan my name too, it's Kim Mingyu"
-----
They both hurriedly entered Mingyu's hotel room and started to kiss again, unlike like the first one, this time Mingyu kissed Wonwoo with desire and lust, his tongue entered Wonwoo's mouth and playing with his tongue, he nibbling, sucking and licking it. Wonwoo responded passionly, closing his eyes and placing his hand on his shoulder and neck. He felt like he was flying, he felt so desired, and it made his body tremble and his heart feel warm. Wonwoo ran his fingers through Mingyu's hair and pressed his body against Mingyu, feeling Mingyu's erected crocth on his thigh. Wonwoo gently rubbed Mingyu's erect with his thigh and pressed them, causing Mingyu let out a soft moan. Their activities continued that night, their room filled with their moans, growls, and whimpers as atmosphere grew hotter between them.
-----
"Good morning" Wonwoo, who had woken up earlier, decided to stare at Mingyu who was still asleep until he woke up a while later and greeted him with a smile.
"Hmm, good morning.." Mingyu snuggled closer to Wonwoo's body and hugged him, burying his face in Wonwoo's naked chest.
"Do you want your breakfast in the room or go out and see the beach?" Wonwoo asked Mingyu, his hand tidying up Mingyu's messy hair and gently pinching Mingyu's cheek.
Mingyu let out a soft exhale, his steady and gentle breath assuring Wonwoo that Mingyu was comfortable in his embrace this morning. Wonwoo smiled as he watched Mingyu keep searching for the most comfortable position.
"And what about you? Are you okay? Was I too rough? Is it hurt?" Mingyu looked at Wonwoo with concern.
Wonwoo smiled and shook his head, adjusting the blanket that covered both of them and settling comfortably while still hugging Mingyu. Last night, they were just two strangers at a friend's wedding party, but this morning, everything had changed. Neither of them regretted their decision from the previous night. Mingyu, seeing Wonwoo smile at him, planted a kiss on Wonwoo's small nose and gently stroked his cheek.
"Would you like to have breakfast together?"
-----
"Is your friend having some big problems or is he sick?" Seokmin asked Joshua, whom he embraced from behind on their room's balcony while looking towards the café near the beach. Their honeymoon suite was on the third floor with a view of the beach, and they could clearly see the hotel café, conveniently located by the beach.
"Who?"
"Kim Mingyu, your roommate in New York." Seokmin pointed towards one person at the café, leading Joshua's gaze. Joshua, understand what Seokmin meant simply shook his head and rubbed Seokmin's hand which was around his waist.
"He's been grumpy and gloomy ever since he came to New York."
"Why? Did he leave his lover in Korea and come to New York reluctantly?"
Joshua shook his head at Seokmin's assumption about his friend.
"No, baby. He actually went to New York to find his place. He lost his home and keeps longing for it."
Three years ago, Kim Mingyu arrived in New York during the spring, a season when flowers bloomed and adorned the city's gardens and streets. Spring was a time of happiness for many, with blossoming flowers and calming rains. Unlike others, Mingyu arrived in the middle of spring, filled with sadness. The spring rain soaked him and his suitcases.
Three years ago, during spring, Mingyu stood in front of Joshua's apartment door and his tears hidden by the rain.
"Both his parents and his little sister died in a car accident. Mingyu was devastated and lost his way. He messed his work in Korea and almost get fired because he is still grieving. Kim Mingyu, he's a talented employee, he is worth the fight that's why several superiors agreed to relocate him to New York for a fresh start. You know baby, how different the social scene is in Seoul and New York. Even tho after moving, he never really went on a vacation or enjoyed himself alone or with his friends."
Seokmin nodded as he listened to his husband's story about his friend. His eyes continued to gaze towards Mingyu while silently saying a prayer in his heart, hoping that Mingyu would find his place soon.
"I think Mingyu has found his place, he has found his home" Seokmin whispered into Joshua's ear while still looking towards Mingyu.
Joshua furrowed his brow upon hearing his husband's statement, considering they had only met Mingyu a week before their wedding, yet, Seokmin seemed to know Mingyu quite well. Realizing Joshua's expression, Seokmin then pointed his finger towards a man walking towards Mingyu and then back at Mingyu, who was now smiling as he looked at the figure.
"Jeon Wonwoo is Mingyu's new home. I don't think you've ever seen Mingyu smile that widely, have you, Shua?" Understand the implication of his husband's words, Joshua chuckled softly and pulled Seokmin into the room, starting to devise a plan for Mingyu and Wonwoo.
-----
"I've never been to the West Coast" Mingyu said as he took a bite of his pancake topped with whipped cream and maple syrup, his gaze fixed on the crashing waves in front of them. Meanwhile, Wonwoo remained silent, sipping on his warm coffee.
"Not even Los Angeles?" Mingyu shook his head and continued eating his pancake.
"I've never ventured far from New York."
Wonwoo looked at Mingyu and rested his chin on his hand, gazing at Mingyu calmly as if expecting him to continue his story.
"For the three years I've been in New York, I didn't know what made me happy. I just played with my dog and took pictures of the streets on my days off. The rest of the time, I was working."
"What about your love life? Have you ever had a one-night stand or hookup?"
Mingyu gave a faint smile and also rested his chin on his hand, looking at Wonwoo.
"Never."
Hearing Mingyu's answer, Wonwoo leaned closer and gently caressed Mingyu's cheek.
"So, am I the first after three years?" Mingyu nodded like a puppy, and Wonwoo just laughed softly, patting Mingyu's head gently.
For the next 30 minutes, they talked like close friends, often mistaken by others as a couple. When people asked if they were dating, Wonwoo would respond with a smile and a shake of his head. That morning, Mingyu shared about his daily life as an office worker in New York City and his beloved dog Bobpul. He also opened up about the tragic incident that befell his family three years ago. Their conversation unveiled many aspects about each other. Wonwoo did the same, telling Mingyu about himself and his job.
"What's it like being both a photographer and an editor? Isn't that quite challenging?" Mingyu asked Wonwoo after learning about his job.
"Not really. My main job is still being a magazine editor. So, if I'm too busy with my main job, I can turn down photography offers."
"Do you live alone in Los Angeles?"
Wonwoo pondered for a moment, nodding and shaking his head.
"Yes and no" Mingyu fell silent, waiting for Wonwoo to finish his answer.
"I share an apartment with my friend Soonyoung, the guy who was always with Seokmin during the wedding. But he's been out of town for business for two months, he just came back for his friend's wedding. Tomorrow, he'll leave again for a month, so I'll be alone for a month." Wonwoo explained, and Mingyu nodded.
"I'll leave tomorrow."
Both fell silent, gazing out at the sea. Mingyu's statement left a slight feeling of sadness in Wonwoo's heart. Wonwoo wished Mingyu wouldn't go back to New York because he realized he liked Mingyu and wanted to get to know him better. But Wonwoo couldn't stop Mingyu. Mingyu wasn't tied to anyone or anything in Los Angeles. Their night was just a pleasant one-night stand, and they would become strangers again once Mingyu returned to New York.
------
Mingyu was organizing his luggage when Joshua knocked on the door of his hotel room. Joshua sat on one of the chairs, observing Mingyu as he continued packing. The two of them remained silent for 2 minutes until Joshua broke the silence and initiated a conversation.
"How many rounds?" Joshua asked Mingyu, grinning as Mingyu fell quiet and looked shyly towards Joshua, as if understand what Joshua was referring to.
"No shit. None of your business" Joshua burst into laughter at Mingyu's response, then walked over to Mingyu's bed and sat on one side.
"Wonwoo will be performing at a bar tonight"
Still focused on his packing, Mingyu gazed at Joshua with a puzzled expression.
"Wonwoo didn't mention that he sings at a bar?" Mingyu grew even more confused by Joshua's statement and stopped his activity, gesturing for Joshua to continue his story. Mingyu and Wonwoo had parted ways earlier in the afternoon, and neither had exchanged phone numbers or social media profiles. They had reverted to being strangers once again.
"Besides the two jobs you know about, Wonwoo also sings at a bar with his friends. Don't worry, it's just cafes and bars. He'll be performing tonight." Joshua stopped speaking, observing Mingyu's expression as Joshua explained.
"I saw you smiling and laughing when you were with Wonwoo. For the three years I've known you, I've never seen you that happy, Mingyu. Perhaps Wonwoo is what you need." Joshua smiled and handed him a piece of paper with the address of the cafe where Wonwoo would be. He patted Mingyu's shoulder before leaving the room.
"He's worth to fight, Mingyu"
-----
Mingyu walked toward the cafe where Wonwoo would be performing. The cafe and bar he entered didn't match his expectations, the place was very comfortable to chill and had a warm atmosphere.
Mingyu scrutinized every corner of the cafe as he looked for an empty table near the stage. He couldn't spot Wonwoo at the moment, but he knew Wonwoo must be getting ready for his performance.
After waiting for 10 minutes, accompanied by a glass of beer at his table, Wonwoo and his friends emerged from behind the curtains. The song Wonwoo sang captivated the audience who watched in awe and enjoyed his voice. Wonwoo's gaze wandered over the audience, eventually stopping at a familiar face. A sweet smile graced his lips as their eyes met.
-----
With the performance ended, Wonwoo approached Mingyu and sat across from him, smiling and waving.
"Hi, you came" Mingyu smiled and nodded, handing Wonwoo a water he had just ordered specifically for him.
"Joshua told me that you're also a singer."
Wonwoo laughed and shook his head at Mingyu's words.
"I'm just doing what I love, it's not something big."
They fell silent then, no words exchanged, but their eyes seemed to speak. They gazed at each other, communicating without uttering a word.
"Can I rent Soonyoung's room for a month?"
Wonwoo grinned widely, nodding and holding Mingyu's hand, inviting him to leave the cafe.
-----
Carrying a suitcase in his hand, Mingyu and Wonwoo entered Wonwoo's apartment and walked into the living room. Wonwoo showed him around his simple apartment with a view of Los Angeles city from the balcony. Soonyoung's room was empty and tidy as he had taken most of his belongings for his business trip. Wonwoo and Mingyu returned to the living room and sat on the couch after freshening up and Mingyu had finished arranging his things.
They sat on the couch, the sound of the TV softly playing in the background, not disturbing their peaceful atmosphere. They sat facing each other, leaning their backs against the opposite ends of the couch. Once again, they merely exchanged gazes, with no words spoken, only their eyes conversing. Smiles formed on their faces as Mingyu started to yawn, his drowsiness evident.
-----
"Tienes ojos hermosos" Wonwoo whispered when he noticed Mingyu's watery eyes due to drowsiness. Mingyu smiled upon hearing the words from Wonwoo, and he leaned closer to Wonwoo, gently caressing his cheek.
"Podría perderme en tus ojos." Wonwoo repeated his words as he felt himself drowning in Mingyu's eyes.
"Vas a sacarme los colores" Wonwoo was taken aback when Mingyu turned to respond to his statement. Wonwoo didn't know that Mingyu could speak Spanish. Wonwoo covered his face with both hands, feeling embarrassed but Mingyu removed Wonwoo's hands and kissed his nose.
"Should we sleep, Wonwoo?"
Wonwoo nodded
That night, they spent their night together again.
-----
After a week staying in Wonwoo's apartment, Mingyu gathered the courage to ask Wonwoo out on a date, a casual date without any official commitment. Mingyu explained that he was afraid of the potential pain if he had to leave Wonwoo when they're attached to each other. Wonwoo understood Mingyu's concerns, as he had also experienced some casual datings without any lingering heartache. Eventually, they both agreed to date until Mingyu returned to New York.
Every morning, Mingyu would wake up earlier and prepare breakfast for Wonwoo. Mingyu often cooked Korean dishes, and Wonwoo, who hadn't tasted homemade delicacies in a long time, would reward Mingyu with sweet kisses as a token of his gratitude.
The once spacious sofa now felt small as they sat closer each day. They would end up with Wonwoo sitting in Mingyu's lap while watching movies or simply talking about their daily lives.
Mingyu worked from home, having obtained permission to work remotely during his vacation. Because for three years, Mingyu hadn't taken any time off and he became an exemplary employee.
By the fourth day of Mingyu's stay, Soonyoung's room was no longer Mingyu's space. Mingyu and Wonwoo decided to sleep together in Wonwoo's room, as they had frequently used it to enjoy their nights together.
Three weeks had passed since Mingyu started living with Wonwoo, and two weeks since they began dating. A tinge of sadness and disappointment clouded Mingyu when he realized he only had one more week with Wonwoo. Mingyu wished he could stay longer, but he was uncertain if Wonwoo would accept him after he confessed that they were just dating without any official status. Mingyu knew he had fallen into Wonwoo's embrace, but did Wonwoo feel the same way about him?
-----
During the last week, Mingyu decided to take his annual leave from work and spend his time with Wonwoo. He cooked for Wonwoo, drop him off to work, accompanied him to work as a photographer, and even watched Wonwoo perform at the cafe. Mingyu wanted to create more memories to cherish, so he could remember them forever.
"Wonwoo, I will be going back to New York tomorrow." Wonwoo paused his dinner and held Mingyu's hand.
"Hey, we agreed to start and end this on good terms and with happiness, right?" Mingyu simply nodded and looked down at the kimchi soup in front of him.
"Mingyu, I feel incredibly happy and loved by you. No one has ever loved me like you do. I'm glad that night I decided to join you for a drink." Wonwoo continued to smile and gently stroked Mingyu's hand.
"Can you smile for me one last time? This is our last night, isn't it?" Mingyu shifted his gaze from the soup to Wonwoo and smiled as Wonwoo wished. Mingyu stood up, approached Wonwoo, knelt in front of him, and kissed both of Wonwoo's hands.
"Jeon Wonwoo."
"Hm?" Wonwoo smiled as he saw the loving gaze from Mingyu. He turned his hand to hold Mingyu's hand and squeezed it gently. Their hands parted as Mingyu lifted Wonwoo's body and carried him. Wonwoo chuckled and cupped Mingyu's cheeks, giving him a kiss as Mingyu carried them both to the bedroom, for the last time.
-----
It's been two weeks since Mingyu left him. Wonwoo felt incredibly lonely, as he no longer saw Mingyu's sweet smile when he returned from work, and there was no one to hug him at night or cook Korean food for him. Wonwoo's reverie was interrupted by the sound of his apartment door suddenly opening. Startled, Wonwoo stood up, hoping it might be Mingyu returning, but fate had a different plan. It was Soonyoung the one who entered, looking puzzled by Wonwoo's disappointed expression upon seeing him.
"Aren't you happy to see your friend back?" Soonyoung asked, raising an eyebrow, to which Wonwoo shook his head and approached Soonyoung, hugging him to welcome him home.
That night, Wonwoo shared all that had happened with Mingyu over the past month with Soonyoung. Soonyoung simply listened to Wonwoo's story, patting his back a few times and pouring wine into his glass.
"You're in love with him, aren't you?"
Wonwoo nodded.
-----
"Te dolió cuando te caíste del cielo?"
He stopped tying his shoelaces as he heard the voice right behind his ear. Immediately, he straightened his body, startled yet a smile appeared on his face.
"Vamos a un lugar más tranquilo?"
The figure behind him grew bolder, lips getting closer to the curve of his neck, and his right hand firmly yet gently holding onto his narrow waist.
He turned his face and smiled.
"Mi niño"
-------
"You're back" Wonwoo hugged the figure in front of him tightly as if he didn't want that person to leave him again.
"I'm sorry, Wonwoo. It turned out I needed a little more time to come back" The figure in front of him replied, kissing Wonwoo's lips. Wonwoo's smile never ceased as he looked at him.
"Oh, Kim Mingyu, I never thought you'd return to the West Coast."
Kim Mingyu, the one who had left him for a month, was now back in his arms. Kim Mingyu, who had occupied his thoughts for the past month, making him miss him endlessly, was now kissing him while gently caressing his back. Kim Mingyu, the person he loved, was back, looking at him with his beautiful eyes.
"I never thought I'd get stuck on the West Coast" Mingyu fixed Wonwoo's bangs as he sat on his lap, facing him.
"I never thought I'd find what I was looking for on the West Coast" Wonwoo smiled and fell silent, listening to Mingyu's words while playing with the collar of Mingyu's shirt.
"I never thought I'd be tied down on the West Coast."
"I'm sorry for leaving for too long, Wonwoo. I was busy with work and had to get permission to work from Los Angeles."
Wonwoo furrowed his brow and stopped playing with Mingyu's collar.
"You won't go back to New York again?" Wonwoo asked Mingyu.
"No, why would I go to New York when what I've been looking for is here in my lap, looking at me with so much love? Oh, Jeon Wonwoo, you made me make a big decision at the last minute." Wonwoo furrowed his brow again and looked at Mingyu with confusion.
"Baby." Hearing Mingyu call him 'baby' made Wonwoo melt in Mingyu's lap and hug him tightly, rubbing his nose against Mingyu's neck.
"I heard you say 'I love you' on our last night, not knowing that I had fallen in love with you even before you said those words. Because of what you said, I finally knew your true feelings and decided to go back to New York not to leave you, but to come back to you. I found my home here, and now my home is hugging me as if it doesn't want me to leave again." Mingyu turned around, hugging Wonwoo and gently caressing his back, kissing the side of Wonwoo's head and whispering the words 'I love you' into his ear.
"Jeon Wonwoo, I love you."
Fin.