Work Text:
This would be their second time traveling to Mexico. The first time was for their An Ode tour in 2020, which S.Coups couldn't attend. This time, they'll be performing at a festival called Tecate "Pal Norte."
Mingyu felt mixed emotions. He was excited to return to the country that had welcomed them years ago with so much love and euphoria, but knowing that Wonwoo wouldn't be joining them this time made him feel sad.
He knew it was bound to happen. Everyone has to complete their service at some point, but Wonwoo was different. Having spent so many years together and suddenly not having him around for so long in his activities was unsettling.
Their flight was minutes away from landing in Mexico. Mingyu looked around for someone in particular until he remembered that person hadn't traveled with them. He had stayed home, waiting for his enlistment date. This trip had definitely been more his body than his mind and heart.
They had to take another flight to Monterrey, their final destination. They arrived quickly and began disembarking without incident. Honestly, they were expecting a noisy crowd at the airport. It was a pleasant surprise to see the fans give them their space.
Mingyu could see how S.Coups liked what he saw. Seeing Carat respect his space brought a smile to his leader's face. He was grateful that he liked his first visit to this country... DAMN IT!!! NO ONE TOLD THEM IT WAS HELLISHLY HOT!!!
The following days, all of Seventeen—staff, dancers, and other collaborators—took the time to get to know Monterrey a little. Mingyu almost didn't want to go out, which was strange since he's one of the members who most enjoys exploring places. The rest of Seventeen knew why, but no one said anything.
The days flew by, and out of nowhere, the big day had arrived. The night before, they performed a soundcheck. The stage was impressive. They were pleased with the huge screens so all of Caratland could see them perform. This was a festival, not a concert, and they knew it would be a battle between their fans and, quite possibly, other fans of other groups to get to the barricades to see them up close. They hoped everyone would be careful and no one would get hurt.
The HipHop Team held a press conference, answered several questions, and Mingyu's mind was thinking that his Wonwoo hyung could have been there with them.
Mingyu knew he should also think about his fans. He knew it wasn't just his Mexican fans waiting, but also many others who had traveled from different countries to see them. So he had to put his sadness aside. He was a professional; he knew how to handle this.
When they were already at the festival, Mingyu's phone started ringing. The name "Mi Wonwoo" appeared on the screen. Without further ado, he answered the call and headed to a more private place.
"Hyung, how are you? Is everything okay at home? Do you need anything?" Mingyu quickly asked questions.
"Wow, Min, wait, I'm fine. Are you okay?" Jeonghan hyung left a message. Coups hyung told him you weren't okay. Wonwoo waited for Mingyu to speak, but a minute passed and nothing came. He waited until he decided to speak again. "Min, are you there? Are you all like that for me?"
Suddenly, Mingyu answered, "Hyung... Why did you have to leave so quickly?" You should be here with me. The festival is crazy. There are so many carats here... and Coups hyung is a traitor, Jeonghan hyung too." Mingyu pouted as he held his phone to his ear. "
" Min, our hyungs aren't traitors for telling me you're sad because you miss me. They just care about us. You're a big baby." Wonwoo smiled on the other end of the phone. Hearing his adorable husband complain made his heart flutter. Wonwoo was able to use his phone since he was allowed to use it for an hour the first week, either on Saturday or Sunday.
" Won, everything is perfect, but it would be even more so if you were here with me." Mingyu was probably asking too much because it was impossible for it to happen. Everything was already set up, and nothing more could be done.
Wonwoo sighed and said, "I know, baby. I miss you too. I wish I could have been with you, with Carat, with you, and I'm sorry."
"I know, hyung. I know you wish you could have come with us. I think I'm dramatizing all of this, but it feels very different. I love you." Mingyu pressed the button to make a video call. He wanted to see his husband before going on stage.
"Hey, handsome." Mingyu called Wonwoo in different ways, and it was adorable. "Hyung, I'll hang up soon. I just wanted to see you for a few seconds, okay?"
"I'm still pretty with my head shaved, huh? I was surprised you liked it." Wonwoo knew he could be wearing a garbage bag, and to Mingyu, he'd be the most beautiful man on earth. That's always made him feel truly loved.
"Hyung, damn it, you always look beautiful." Come on, I told you so - Okay, Kim Mingyu, it's time for you to go. Good luck to everyone at the festival. I love you, giant baby. Don't be silly, and by the way... happy birthday. I love you. Mingyu will always be her sunshine, her morning, her comforting words, her strength, her kind words. Kim Mingyu is everything to Wonwoo, and in the same way, Wonwoo is everything to Mingyu.
- See you soon, love. I hope your enlistment is safe and peaceful... and thanks for wishing me a happy birthday. See you soon. I love you. - They both looked at each other through their cameras, they looked at each other as if it were the first time, like that time in the green room at Pledis, when they had just met, not knowing that time would bring them together in the best possible way. They didn't say anything else in words, but they said everything with just their looks, and then they both hung up.
Their performance at the festival was a success. Carat sang along with them on every single one of their songs. Mingyu felt so refreshed after that call, and everyone noticed.
It was time to say goodbye, to thank all their fans and others who respectfully attended their performance. Despite going to see other artists, they were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the show they put on.
And that's how Seventeen's performance at Tecate Pal Norte came to an end.
Mingyu and S. Coups had to return first due to their schedules. Before the flight took off, Mingyu remembered what Wonwoo had told him about not doing anything crazy. Well, let's just say he did do something, and he remembered.
In the basement, Joshua and Mingyu were looking at a group of tattoo artists. They were surprised by how many people were being tattooed at that moment. It was so different from Korea. In their country, this type of work is illegal, well... something like that.
Joshua decided on a custom tattoo, and Mingyu... well, Mingyu got a tattoo too. He got something tattooed on his ankle.
Suddenly, the voice of the plane's pilot announcing takeoff brought him back to the present.
Mingyu looked down at his ankle and whispered to himself, "I think Wonwoo hyung would like it." He smiled and settled down to sleep. There were still a few long hours until he returned home.