Work Text:
It starts with a simple, offhand comment. Something so insignificant, it was a miracle that Minho caught the statement at all. Felix says it like it’s nothing. Like it doesn’t suddenly change everything.
“You know, Chris texts you a lot.”
Minho lifted his head, brows furrowing and staring narrowly at Felix. After a brief roar of giggling between Changbin and Felix, the conversation moved forward without giving Minho a chance to ask what that meant.
The four boys had been inseparable since their teens. They’d become ensnared with one another early in secondary school and were always getting into mischief together—much to Minho’s chagrin. Tonight, they planned to go to a new 80’s themed bowling alley and arcade downtown. Really, it was all Changbin’s idea.
“You should come along with Felix and me on our date. I think you’d really enjoy the arcade. Oh! And Felix invited Chris too~.”
Of course, Minho would show up if Chris was invited. The two were best friends—talked every day—so there was no way he’d just leave him hanging. Still, the proposition was just a hair outside of normal. Maybe it was Changbin’s phrasing, but Minho couldn’t place what was so odd about it.
Not until Felix had said something too.
While the couple continues to laugh as they drive to Chris’s house, Minho becomes a detective. He sits in the backseat and scrolls through weeks of his conversations with Chris, searching for…something. Some hidden subtext between the lines of their messages. Anything that could make sense of the sudden, uncomfortable feeling rooted in his stomach.
Every text seemed innocent enough. Asking about each other’s day, sharing funny memes, making plans to hang out. Nothing that would suggest anything more than friendship.
But still, Minho couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
The car came to a hissing halt in front of Chris’ house. Minho would have to do some more digging later. Frustrated, he shoved his phone into his coat pocket as if the device had offended him.
“Hey!” Chris called out from his front porch. He wore a bright smile that shone like starlight itself. Minho turned his head towards the window, unable to help grinning himself. With a skip to his step, Chris nearly stumbled down the porch steps in a hurry to get to the car and hopped into the back passenger seat. “Ready to have some fun tonight?”
Minho’s heart felt swollen in his chest as Chris settled into the seat beside him, his infectious energy filling the small space. He nodded enthusiastically, trying to push aside the nagging feeling that had been plaguing him ever since Felix’s innocent remark. Minho scolded himself for overthinking things. After all, Chris had always been friendly and engaging with everyone, not just him.
As they drove towards the arcade, the atmosphere in the car was light-hearted and filled with laughter. Changbin kept teasing Felix about his impeccable pinball skills, while Felix simply rolled his eyes and laughed along. Minho found himself stealing glances at Chris whenever he thought no one was looking. The way his friend lit up the car, happiness contagious and bright, made Minho feel both elated and uneasy.
It was going to be a long night.
As they stepped into the brightly lit arcade, the sounds of retro music flooded their senses, transporting them back in time. Felix and Changbin were immediately drawn to the flashing lights and colorful screens, disappearing into the section like kids in a candy store. Minho and Chris were left standing by the bowling lanes, taking in the nostalgic atmosphere around them.
Chris let out a laugh, his eyes still scanning the rows of arcade games. He playfully nudged Minho's shoulder before gesturing towards the bowling counter.
"Well, it looks like it's just you and me now. Care for a round?"
Minho raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"I didn't know you were a pro at bowling."
"I wouldn't say that. But with those kiddie guards up, I might have a fighting chance." His lips curved into a mischievous grin as he prepared to take on his friend in a game of bowling.
“You’re on,” Minho smirked, bumping Chris’ shoulder back.
As the two friends grabbed their bowling shoes and headed toward their lane, Minho's heart was racing with conflicting emotions. On one hand, he was thrilled to be spending time with his best friend Chris, whose natural charm turned even the simplest activities into exciting adventures. At the same time, Minho couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. His friends' teasing words echoed in his mind—blending with his own confused emotions—until suddenly it hit him.
He was crushing on Chris.
A painfully obvious crush that Felix and Changbin had somehow deciphered before Minho realized it himself. The realization sent a wave of panic through him as he tried to make sense of his feelings and how they would affect his friendship with Chris.
“Hey, you okay?”
Minho's head snapped up from the cool countertop, his eyes meeting Chris' worried gaze. The creases on Chris' forehead and the furrow in his brow were clear signs of concern. Minho couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for causing that look on his friend's face.
“Yeah, I’m good,” Minho said, forcing a small smile onto his face. Deep down, he knew that unpacking all of his emotions in this setting would only make things worse. For now, he would keep up the act and deal with it later. “Just mourning your unfortunate loss before it happens.”
“What?” Chris chuckled dubiously. “You’ve not even seen me bowl before!”
“Didn’t you just say you weren’t good at this?”
“Well…yeah.”
Minho chuckled, the sound a low rumble that contrasted with the bright energy of the bowling alley. His heart raced as they made their way over to Lane 8, each step closer filling him with both excitement and nervousness. The sound of pins crashing and chatter from other bowlers filled his ears, but he focused on Chris beside him, grateful for his presence as a distraction from his racing thoughts.
As they settled into their lanes and grabbed their bowling balls, Minho couldn't help but notice the easy confidence that exuded from Chris. It was evident in the way he walked, in the casual way he set up his shot, and in every strike he made. In contrast, Minho struggled to find his rhythm, his mind too distracted by the warmth of Chris's body at his side. But even as he fumbled with his ball and missed several shots, he couldn't help but smile at the friendly competition between them. Laughter filled the air as they teased each other about their scores, and Minho found himself losing track of time as he soaked in this moment with Chris by his side.
After a particularly close round that ended in a tie, Chris turned to Minho with a sparkle in his eyes.
"I guess we're evenly matched, huh?" he said with a grin.
“I don’t understand how you managed to strike so many times.”
“I told you. It’s all in the kiddie guards.”
Minho couldn't help but laugh at Chris' playful remark, the tension easing slightly as they continued to banter back and forth. Despite the light-hearted atmosphere, Minho's heart still felt heavy with the weight of his newfound realization. He had just barely started to come to terms with his feelings for Chris, and the fear of ruining their friendship loomed over him like a dark cloud.
"Let's make this last round a high-stakes game. We're tied right now, so it's the perfect opportunity for a little wager,” Chris suggested.
"What are we betting?" Minho turned his head to the side and asked.
“…do we have to place an actual bet?”
"Well...isn't that the whole point? To raise the stakes and make the competition more intense?"
“What kind of thing would we even bet with? Money?”
Minho saw an opening here. If he came up with the terms of the bet, he could potentially prod Chris to see if he had also realized Minho's deep crush on him. That might save him some shame and preserve their friendship for another day. However, if Minho loses, the plan could backfire and push him into a corner where he would have no choice but to confess his feelings. It was a risky move.
“Money works,” Minho said.
Mentally berating himself for his cowardice, Minho slumped his shoulders and sighed. He hurriedly walked over to the bowling ball dispenser and picked up the bright orange ball he had used for the entire game.
Chris watched as Minho returned with the ball in hand, a determined look on his face that made Chris chuckle softly. He admired Minho's competitive spirit, even if it meant going head-to-head with him at times. As they set up for their final round, the stakes hanging between them like unspoken words, Chris couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more to Minho's demeanor tonight.
"Hey, Minho. Are you sure you're okay with this bet?" Chris's voice was gentle, laced with a touch of understanding.
Minho glanced back at Chris, his gaze meeting the sincerity reflected in those eyes he had grown fond of. Despite the turmoil in his heart, a small smile tugged at Minho's lips as he realized how much Chris truly cared. Taking a deep breath, Minho nodded slowly.
"Yeah, I'm good. Let's do this."
The clatter of bowling pins being reset filled the air, signaling the start of their last game. Minho took his position at the lane, his brows furrowed in determination as he eyed the pins at the end of the lane. Last chance, make it count. His grip on the ball tightened slightly before he took his shot, his form slightly off but still managing to hit a majority of the pins. Still, there was a margin that Chris could squeeze beyond to win.
Chris confidently stepped up to the lane, his eyes never leaving his target. With a smooth and practiced swing, he released the ball, sending it hurtling down the polished wood toward the pins with impressive speed. However, as it reached its mark, it shockingly missed all but two of the pins.
Minho's face twisted in confusion as he glanced between Chris, the remaining pins, and back at Chris in disbelief.
"You—”" Minho began to accuse. “Did you just throw the game on purpose?”
Chris just shrugged nonchalantly with a mischievous smile playing on his lips that gave away his true intent.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Yes you do,” Minho retorted.
"Okay, fine, I might have taken it easy on you this time." His confession only added to Minho's confusion and he couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and frustration at Chris's actions. The unspoken moment hung in the air between them, heavy with unaddressed feelings that neither dared to voice out loud.
“Well, time to put my money where my mouth is,” Chris continued. He sighed and reached into his back pocket to retrieve his wallet. “How much?”
“Wha—Chris,” Minho shook his head with the scolding tone of a mother. Even if that was the agreed-upon payment, Minho felt dirty about winning like this. “I don’t want your money. You worked hard for that!”
“Then what do you want?” Chris asked, forced innocence in his eyes.
Minho's heart raced as he struggled to keep his emotions in check. Did Chris already know about his crush? He couldn't help but shut his lips tight, afraid that the truth might escape if he didn't swallow it down. The tension between them was palpable, and Minho couldn't shake off the feeling that Chris could see right through him.
"Actually," Minho began tentatively, his voice barely above a whisper as he met Chris's gaze head-on, "there's something else I want."
The air was thick with unspoken emotions as Minho inched closer to Chris, the once long distance between them now shrinking. His heart thumped loudly in his chest, each passing second bringing him closer to the pivotal moment of truth.
Chris's expression softened, a flicker of realization crossing his features as he searched Minho's eyes for the unspoken words lingering between them. Without breaking eye contact, Chris reached out a hand to gently cup Minho's cheek, his touch warm and comforting against Minho's skin.
Minho felt like he was dreaming.
"I think I know what you mean," Chris said softly, his voice barely audible over the background noise of the bowling alley. The weight of uncertainty lifted off Minho's shoulders as he felt a surge of hope blossom within him. It could be that Chris felt the same way too.
“This is okay, right?” Minho asked in a hushed tone.
“Yeah,” Chris assured, nodding his head. “I mean…if what is happening that I think is happening…then it’s mutual.”
“You’re so vague,” Minho chuckled.
“Well, I can be direct,” Chris said. He sucked in a deep, dramatic breath and kept his gaze on his friend. “I like you, Minho. I think you are easily lovable and so smart…and it took me longer than I care to admit to realize my feelings for you."
Minho's heart felt like it was about to burst with joy and relief at Chris's confession. All the worry, the fear of ruining their friendship, seemed to dissipate in that moment as he gazed into Chris's warm eyes. A smile spread across Minho's face, a genuine one that reached his eyes for the first time in what felt like forever.
"I like you too, Chris," Minho finally admitted, unable to contain the happiness that swelled within him. The anxiety was replaced by a lightness he had never experienced before.
Chris beamed back at him, his hand still cupping Minho's cheek gently. Without breaking eye contact, he leaned in closer, his breath mingling with Minho's as their faces drew near. And then, their lips met in a soft and tender kiss that spoke volumes without needing any words.
Time seemed to stand still as they shared that moment, a moment that felt like it had been a long time coming. The world around them faded away, leaving only the sensation of each other's presence, the soft warmth of their touch, and the overwhelming rush of emotions they had kept buried for far too long.
Minho felt a sense of completeness wash over him as they finally parted. He had been yearning for this, what his heart had been silently pleading for. To be with Chris, to share these intimate moments, was a dream come true.
Chris's eyes sparkled with affection and happiness as he rested his forehead against Minho's, a content smile playing on his lips.
"I'm glad we finally talked about this," Chris murmured, his voice filled with genuine emotion. Minho chuckled softly, a song in his tone that mirrored the newfound joy in his heart.
"You’re such a dork,” Minho said. “But me too. I guess Felix and Changbin won't have to meddle anymore."
"They mean well…but it’ll be trouble in paradise soon.”
"Why do you say that?"
With a sheepish grin, Chris replied, "Well...I think they were betting on whether I would confess my feelings first."