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Jihoon doesn’t think he needs to be this nervous for a date. As much as he likes to say that he doesn’t have time for dating, he has gone (read: forced to go by Seungcheol) on several dates, something about putting himself out there. Unfortunately, none of those dates had turned into anything tangible. Some had led to further dates, but the spark soon fizzled out when they discovered his obsession with work. Jihoon genuinely loves what he does and has made it his whole life.
“You might as well be having compositions for breakfast,” one date had joked; it wasn’t technically untrue. Jihoon does skip breakfast so that he can reach the studio earlier. He grabs something from the vending machine, or if Mingyu somehow finds out, he brings containers and containers of food. There is so much food that it lasts for all three meals for two days.
Speaking of him, it’s been twenty minutes, and while Jihoon has no problem waiting, it’s a bit uncanny for Mingyu to be late for anything this huge.
Oh gosh, how self-centered of him to think that this is as important to Mingyu as it is to him.
He probably doesn’t even want to be here. Jihoon’s probably wasting Mingyu’s time, which he could’ve spent productivity doing one
of his many hobbies.
He nervously bounces his leg and tries to will the thoughts away; he doesn’t want to ruin his mood.
About five minutes later, Mingyu bursts through the restaurant door and simultaneously bows in apology as he clumsily bumps into people. “Hyung!” he mouths as he spots Jihoon and makes his way to the table.
As soon as he sits down, he apologizes for being late. He keeps talking nervously, but Jihoon stops listening when he gets a good look at Mingyu.
He’s wearing a dark blue button-up with top buttons undone and a delicate necklace underneath. His hair falls on his forehead in waves, he has pretty eyeshadow on, and he is the most gorgeous person Jihoon has laid eyes on.
“Hyung?”, Mingyu calls after a while.
“Uh—sorry, I—what did you say?”
“Sorry, I spoke too much,” Mingyu says, fidgeting with his fingers as he always does when he’s guilty or thinking hard.
“No—no! You’re just—you’re really pretty”
Jihoon thinks that might have been the most loserish way to compliment ever, but Mingyu immediately pinks—his little ears like tomatoes and two blotches on the apple of his cheeks. It’s such an adorable site every time. (So Jihoon makes sure he tells Mingyu when he does well during recording).
“Thanks… I’m shy. You look really good too, hyung.”, Mingyu says, smiling shyly at his lap.
Jihoon blushes. Gosh, kill him. Is it possible to die of cuteness aggression?
“I—I was saying that I was late because I couldn’t choose what to wear. It took me hours to decide, and Wonwoo hyung had to calm me down. I wanted to dress up for you.”
Mingyu wanted to dress up for him. He doesn’t think he can survive this date if Mingyu keeps talking like that.
(And if he, too, spent all of the previous night fretting over an outfit and a whole week for the perfect place, he’s too embarrassed to say.)
“It’s alright! You weren’t that late, and I love this shirt. I love all your shirts, but this one just suits you so well, and your makeup too, I mean—“
“May I take your order, sir?” the waiter asks.
It breaks the moment and Jihoon’s train of thought. Embarrassment courses through him, and he quickly asks for a moment to choose.
The waiter nods, and as he goes away, Mingyu starts giggling. “You looked mortified.”
“Shut up,” Jihoon mumbles.
. . .
Dinner is a quiet affair, both of them gradually returning to their usual banter, the shyness of this newfound territory present but slightly ebbing away because of the comfort of their friendship.
Outside, it is cold and windy, as it is on a typical November night. Jihoon wears his jacket, and Mingyu wears his cardigan. He then wraps a scarf around his neck.
“Do you want the scarf? It’s warm.”, Mingyu asks as they walk towards the city center.
“No, no, I’m fine, and it looks cute on you.”
Mingyu giggles and hides his face in his scarf.
“Y’know it’s so cute how you’re all shy and nervous. Hyung, it makes me so happy that you like me too.”, he says into his scarf. The night is quiet enough that Jihoon hears everything clearly, and he can’t stop himself then.
“I think I love you.”
Mingyu stops abruptly and stares at him with widened eyes. “D-do you mean it?”
“You’re my best friend, Mingyu, and have been since we were what? Fifteen? I-I just--you’re the most loveable person I know”
“Hyung..” is all Mingyu says before jumping in his arms. Jihoon wraps his arms around his waist while Mingyu buries his head in Jihoon’s neck.
It’s amazing how all six feet of Mingyu fits perfectly in his arms.
Mingyu removes himself from the hug and looks him in the eyes. He does this when he wants to be earnest about something, and it used to scare Jihoon because it made what he feels for Mingyu a thousand times worse. Now, though, his sweet honey eyes make him giddy; it’s addicting to have those eyes on you.
You always say these nice things about me and compliment me. Now, it’s your turn to hear. Lee Jihoon, you’re also the most loveable person I know. You’re hardworking, and you’re passionate. You’re a great mentor and an even better producer. You’re kind, and you get pouty sometimes, and I get to see it, and it’s so cute—hyung, I just love you so much.”
Jihoon has read it in books before: ‘don’t know who leaned in first’, which is what happens.
The kiss is just a simple press of lips, but it turns Jihoon’s stomach upside down. They stand like this for a while, savoring the moment, taking in each other’s scents.
They part, and Mingyu jumps and skips ahead of him, “I’m so happy!” As soon as he says that, he bumps into a dustbin on the side of the road and almost topples it over.
Jihoon laughs until there are tears in his eyes, while Mingyu stands by the dustbin, pouting.
He joins him by the dustbin and takes his hand. “Let’s get ice cream before the date turns into a pregame for a hospital trip.”
Mingyu kisses his cheek and happily swings their intertwined hands to the ice cream stall.