Chapter Text
"I’m really sorry but we couldn’t give you an extension," Minjun repeated with a straight tone as he gazed at Minsu, a sense of concern lingered in his eyes. "I hope you got your things together and figured everything out. Once again I’m really sorry...” Minsu diverted his glance to his worn-out phone screen, its cracked surface reflecting the harsh reality before him. The digital display indicated 10:55 am was a Saturday. He knew he was going to get evicted. Minsu got a one week notice and he was kind of surprised they didn’t kick him out before. He missed so many rent payment and he is truly grateful that the landlords gave him sometime to figure his shit out.
The one talking to him is Minjun, the esteemed landlord who, alongside his wife, managed the apartment complex with precision and diligence. Together, they upheld the responsibilities that came with their position, including rent collection and tenant management. Amidst the weight of Minsu's mounting overdue payments and financial setbacks, he couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards the landlords for affording him the grace of additional time to navigate his challenges, a kindness that wasn't lost on him amidst the chaos of his circumstances.
“Its..It’s alright I already got most of my stuff out of the apartment.” He was very nervous and couldn’t hold eye contact. “I just need to get my backpack and a suitcase so I’ll be out of here in no time.” He started playing with his hands. He digged his nails into his palms and picked on the skin around his nails. “Thank you. Minsu i’m truly sor-“ “It’s okay I’m the one who’s sorry” Minsu interrupted. “You kept me for so long even after I couldn’t pay rent. Thank you, the world needs more people like you.” He looked up and smiled at the old man. “I’m just really glad I did pay back everything. You know my financial situation and you always gave me time.” “Thank you Minsu you were always my favorite renter.” He smiled back and winked at Minsu. “If you need help with anything, call me okay.” “Thank you so much” Minsu said. “Okay I’ll leave you to it. Bye Minsu.” Minsu muttered bye under his breath and the old man walked off. Minsu turned to his almost empty apartment and walked in.
He looked at his phone and realized it was already 11:00 am. He got a message from Semi, his closest friend, it said “I’m out hurry tf up😋”. Wow aggressive but whatever. Minsu grabbed his backpack and his suitcase. He texted Semi “omw” but it fucking autocorrected to “On my way!” which pissed him off but whatever. With his backpack on and suitcase behind him he looked around one last time at his home. About four years ago he got this apartment since it was the lowest cost. He stayed here until he finished his collage and got his degree, which thankfully felt like a breeze. Now a major in chemistry he needed to find work. However, money started being an issue. Minsu had to payback student loans, rent, buy food and so much other things. Money just got annoying. Thankfully though he found a job quick and paid off most of his debts. Lost in his thoughts Minsu didn’t even realize he was outside and already
“MINSUUUUU” Semi got out of her car and started waving at him. “Hey Semi”. Minsu smiled at her. “Took you long enough..” Minsu sighed at that comment and put his suitcase in the backseat. He then sat next to Semi on the passenger seat. “Thank you for letting me live with you Semi..”He smiled at her. Semi was his closest and frankly his only friend. He met her in sophomore year of highschool. From a young age Minsu wasn’t really treated well. He was the smallest of all the men and looked more feminine than others. Thankfully in high school most people left him alone. Semi was the only person who didn’t judge him for his looks. “Ofc my old roomate sucked” She smiled and Minsu gave her a hum in response.
Her old roommate was her ex. Minsu doesn’t remember much about her only that she was really lazy and refused to get a job. Semi got her apartment around a year ago. When Minsu was trying to find a job. She was a year younger than him and yet knew way more about money saving than him. Of course she offered Minsu to live with her but he refused saying that he wanted to pay off his late rent and debts first.
“Hey, I hope you don’t mind but I need to pick up someone real quick!!” She said softly. “He’s actually our neighbor so this might be good for you.” She said fidgeting with the steering wheel. “Oh it’s okay” He looked down like a sad puppy. To be real Minsu hated meeting new people but maybe this would be good for him. Lost in his thoughts again realized something. “AHHH SHOULD I MOVE MY SUIT CASE.” He screamed suddenly. “No it’s fine he’ll live.” Semi responded. “Oh good..” Minsu responded quickly. “Sorry for screaming”. “It’s alright down worry. Hey did you hear about..” Semi and Minsu just stated gossiping until they got to the location.
“Ughhh where is this guy..” Semi said impatiently. “Don’t worry I’m sure he’s near” Minsu said reassuring her. Semi let out an over exaggerated sigh. Suddenly a purple head guy started walking towards the car. “SEMIIII YOU ACTUALLY CAME” He screamed and he stared running towards the car. “Oh shut up go sit in the back dumbass” She half screamed back. When the guy came up to the window Minsu noticed he had a tattoo on his neck going down to his back. It was kind of hot.
“What why” The purple guy said kind of hurt. “Are you that blind or are the drugs getting to your head” She said as she moved herself to show Minsu’s face. “Umm. Hii?” Minsu was a little embarrassed. He felt awkward. When he looked at the guy more he noticed that he had his nails painted in different colors. “Woah who are you.”He said. When Minsu locked eyes with him he was met with a look that was so unexpected, he had this spark in his eyes that Minsu swears wasn’t there before. But it left just as quickly as it appeared. “I’m Park Minsu umm I’m moving in with Semi so I guess I’m your new neighbor…” Minsu started mumbling to himself and fidgeting with his hands. “Yeah. This the guy I told you about.” She said. Minsu nodded and looked at Semi. Hearing that Semi had talked about him before made Minsu mixed with feeling. He hoped it was all good news and nothing too embarrassing.
“My name is Choi Su-Bong but you can call me.. Thanos” He made some weird hand movement. Which made Minsu giggle a little. “You look cringe go and sit we don’t have all day” Semi rolled her eyes at him. Thanos walked to the back and sat down behind Se-mi. Which thankk everyone he decided to put his suitcase behind himself. “Soooo Minsuuu why’d you decide to move”. Thanos said. “Well, the apartment is had before was just small and I only stayed to pay for my money problems” Minsu stared picking on his skin again. “Hope you don’t mind me asking but what money problems” He sounded curious to get to know more about Minsu. Or maybe that was all in his head “Ah I don’t mind. I missed a bunch of rent and had student loans to pay off” “Couldn’t your parents pay for it.” Thanos asked. “Well..um it’s complicated”.
Minsu hates talking about his parents or his family in general. His older siblings would try and protect him from everything and never let him live his life. Of course everything changed though when he accidentally told his parents something he shouldn’t have. They always said „family stick together” until this one thing that made them forget all about that statement.
“Minsu” Semi called out. “Thanos is bisexual so if you want you can tell him the truth don’t worry.” Semi just got an oh for a response. Minsu took a deep breath in and started talking. “Well my parents disowned me after I told them I was gay. and my siblings don’t really talk to me anymore” He bit his lip and was nervous. Nervous Thanos would say something rude about him. Even if he was bisexual it still made Minsu shake a little. “Ohh well I got disowned cus my mom decided to go through my shit” Thanos responded. Minsu was really confused on what he meant with that statement until Semi added “He means that that his mom found his drugs and he couldn’t quit for them”. “OH SHUT UP” He responded quickly. The words „couldn’t quit for them” stuck in Minsu’s mind. He tried not to be judgmental since he himself had a history with smoking. It wasn’t quite the same as drugs but it was an addiction. His moods would change and he hated that so he tried his best to quit and it worked. “You can say that but it’s not like it matters they sucked as parents.” His voice had some hurt into it. “I was going to leave them anyway.”
Minsu just looked down and didn’t respond. He never actually thought about how much his parents really did mean to him. Through all his success and efforts, it was his parents who had been the support, guiding him throughout life with unstoppable love and devotion. It was kind of selfish of him to throw everything away and tell them he was gay. Minsu recalled all the times he would always shut down his thoughts just because of the fear of disappointing his deeply religious parents. Minsu would stay up denying his feelings for men for a long time. Until Minsu met him. Minsu’s first boyfriend he was so kind and caring.He always supported Minsu through everything.
“Minsuuu” Semi called out. “Huh oh yeah?”. He responded quickly. “You were zoned out. You good?” She said him. Her voice had some concerns. She know every-time his parents came up in a conversation, he would over think his life choices “Oh yeah just thinking..” Minsu said as he looked down. Semi was about to say something but then a voice interrupted them.
“ARE WE THERE YETTTT” Thanos’ voice spoke loud and clear. “Don’t worry druggie we’re one turn away.” Semi responded annoyed. “Don’t call me that” Thanos sounded genuinely annoyed at that. “So Minsu, you got a boyfriend?” Minsu jumped at that unexpected question. “Wha..WHAT” his cheeks started to turn red and eyes looked back shocked. Se-mi gave Thanos a glare through the reior veiw mirror. All Thanos did was shrugged at her and said “What it’s just a question.” After Minsu calmed down he answered Thanos question “No..no i don’t.” Se-mi made the last turn and they were in front of their apartment.
Minsu, trying to ignore the last conversation, got out of the car and opened the passenger seat. When he went to take out his suitcase it got stuck in between the seats. Thanos noticing Minsu’s struggle decided to help. He reached his hand over to move the suitcase with him. Without Thanos realizing, their hands brushed briefly against each other. Minsu looked up with pink cheeks and then looked down. He was embarrassed but there was more to it. Minsu felt butterflies in his stomach. He also felt the need to throw up. Please don’t tell me he fell in love with someone he just met. Oh god no. Minsu looked up again and didn’t expect to see the man staring at him. For a split second, just like before, he saw a spark in the man’s eyes. Minsu and Thanos looked down at the same time and the suitcase got out. Minsu just mumbled sorry underneath his breath and got out of the car. He tried convincing himself it wasn’t love he was just embarrassed.