Work Text:
‘We’re over, Wonwoo.’
‘Why can’t you do better?’
‘Thought you’re fun to be with but I was wrong.’
Wonwoo has had enough. His dating life was never good and he’d always ended up getting dumped or got cheated on. He’s not sure either it’s him or them that is a problem. Or maybe it is him since he tends to fall in love with strangers quite easily. He needs to guard his heart more and build up a tall wall surrounding his heart after multiple times of being broken up or cheated on.
At least he never cried when they broke up with him. Perhaps because he’s so used to it that it’s already something so common to him now. He would always accept it with an open heart and just left them. Sometimes his exes would feel astonished when they watched Wonwoo leave without saying anything or agreeing to them to split.
His friends would always scold him and tell him to show some more emotions at least after they broke up. Anything to make his exes feel bad but Wonwoo just shrugs it off and would say ‘Why bother if they don’t like me?’
His friends, Soonyoung and Jeonghan would always tries to get him to meet new people after his break up and Wonwoo, the ever so good friend would go and most of the time he and his date hits off immediately and when they started dating, their relationship with his exes will always last at least three months or up to six months. Never more than that and Wonwoo almost wanted to go and meet a doctor or someone who specializes in figuring out what the hell is wrong with him.
Why does his love life sucks so much? Wonwoo sighs, leaning back into his chair after he finishes off a long ass paragraph for his upcoming novel. He’s been sitting at his desk, eyes glued to his computer for seven hours, writing about 40 pages of his book that he’s currently writing. Being an author wasn’t easy but he enjoys writing them. It sucks that he wrote romance novels that he needed to imagine how to make his characters romantically involved throughout his novel.
It sucks. Really sucks but he just has to deal with it. Okay, not that he solely writes romance, he wrote horror, fantasy and thriller novels too with some romances here and there. He rubs his sore eyes before he saves the file and turns off his computer. It’s not that late yet but he needed to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day for him. Not really but he was forced to do it. Plus he had to put a pause to his book. His editors know about him joining a dating show.
“Can’t believe I’m going on a dating show tomorrow. For the love of god, help me survive.” He says before he closes his eyes and sleeps for the night.
The following day, Wonwoo found himself at the company where he’ll be one of the contestants for the dating show. Wonwoo stood there and stared up at the tall building. Seriously, why did he agree to do this anyway. It’s not like he’s gonna be paired up with anyone or confirm in dating them. He’s not even sure if he’ll meet the right person for himself there but his friends forced him to. Saying this might be good for him.
He steps inside and asks the receptionist for directions to where he should go to meet with the producers.
After he met with them, signing a contract of agreement, they led him to a car that would bring him to where the other contestant would be. It’s basically a mixture of both genders but they can openly choose either they’re interested in the same gender or the opposite. Of course the company had specifically asked about all their sexuality so it won’t be a problem at all.
He will be spending at least 3 months or so to get to know each and everyone of the contestants and at the end of the show, he or they will choose whether they have someone they are interested in dating for real or not. They won’t win anything else, just a man or a woman that they’ll probably be spending their entire life with. Wonwoo is skeptical of it but he signed the contract anyways so he might as well go with it. Not really hoping to meet the love of his life in a dating show anyway.
But what Wonwoo didn’t know was that someone was waiting for him. Someone that will immediately fall for him at first sight and practically only want him through the entire show and nobody else. Someone that Wonwoo didn’t expect to be his forever.
❤️
Mingyu ran through the airport like his life depended on it. He bumped into almost all the people walking around there, apologizing to all as he ran towards his cab. He just landed a plane from France and now needed to attend a bloody dating show that he almost forgot that he signed up for a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully his friend, Seokmin, reminded him.
Being a pilot is tiring. Having to fly to lots of places that are not only domestically but internationally too. Mostly international flights and he has to stay in the country they landed for a few days. But today was special. He can finally be free from traveling or fly a plane for a couple of months.
His colleagues didn’t understand him when he told them he signed up to be in a dating show when they know Mingyu has no problem dating anyone. He’s popular among the stewardesses and some of the male ones too but Mingyu never likes to have a relationship with his fellow work friends as he likes to call them.
The last time he was in a relationship was a year ago. Lasted for two years until they decided to move on and just be friends. At least he has good relationships with all his exes, just that Mingyu doesn’t find those sparks when he’s with any of them. Although his relationships last quite long and people would think he was happy with them, he did though. He’s happy but not that much to the point of proposing to marry them or anything.
He chose to be in the dating show solely to find love. Hoping that he would find someone that will be his forever. Preferably a man since he’s bi and most of his exes were with women. No hate for women, he’s actually more into men but he never got the opportunity to be with one that lasted longer than a year. He dated men and women both but he mostly has girlfriends rather than boyfriends. Thankfully this dating show openly accepted any sexuality so Mingyu when they asked him about his sexuality he did say he’s bi but he preferred men, and they accepted it. No questions asked and just let him sign the contract.
He didn’t have time to go home because he’s a bit later than he should have been. Supposedly they would have landed 30 minutes earlier but due to windy weather, they landed a little late. Now he’s rushing to the hotel where the team has gathered. Hopefully he makes a good impression on the other contestants.
“Fingers crossed and hope one of them will be someone I’ll be spending my whole life with.” He whispers to himself as he sits in the cab staring out the window. He fidgeted in his seats.
❤️
Mingyu, looking slightly haphazardly, stumbled into the room. He bows to some of the people that he guessed were fellow contestants, taking a seat at the back. Looks like he’s not the only person that’s late. He noticed the seat next to him was occupied because a small bag was placed there but the owner wasn’t around. He wondered who the person next to him was.
Few others walked in, bowing and greeting them, taking a seat on the empty chairs around. Mingyu rested his eyes for a while since he’s tired and didn’t have the time to sleep after he landed when he felt a presence next to him. He opened his eyes and looked at the person that sat next to him.
Lo and behold, the person next to him caught his breath away. The man was beautiful, handsome even though his breath hitched. Mingyu immediately straightened himself, making the man glance at him.
‘The fuck is he looking like an angel for! He’s gorgeous!!’ Mingyu internally screams.
The man he is looking at is Wonwoo who has the same thought as Mingyu. Internally panicking when he met Mingyu.
‘Wow, he’s so hot.’ Wonwoo thought to himself. The man was damn sexy and hot in his pilot suits. His suits don’t do any justice or try to hide his muscular body. It seems the man had taken off his coat and his hat that Wonwoo knows so well is a pilot hat. So the man is a pilot. But why is he still in his pilot clothes? Could it be the man just arrived from the airport?
“Hi.” The man says to which Wonwoo came back to his senses. The man smiles, looking at him, greeting Wonwoo with a bright smile.
“Hi.” He greets back with the same kind of smile.
“What brings you to join this dating show?” The man asked as he leaned forward a little, slightly closer to Wonwoo.
“Oh, uh…looking for love? Isn’t that what we’re here for?”
Mingyu laughs, “Yeah we’re looking for love but some of them might just be here for fame. To get famous.”
Wonwoo raised his eyebrow, “They do? Sorry, I never really followed or watched any dating show before. And I’m here because my friends forced me to be here because I’m pathetic.” Wonwoo chuckled, rubbing the back of his nape sheepishly. He didn’t know why he had to say this to someone whom he hasn’t known his name yet but he just did.
Mingyu smiles boyishly, “It’s fine. I’m here to find someone to be with anyway. I mean, someone serious that will love me as myself and not because of my looks or what I do for a living. You know, someone who I’ll get married to maybe.”
Wonwoo nods, “Same. Um, well I’m not sure marriage is what I’m looking for right now but I needed someone that won’t leave me after a month or two. My love life record sucks.” He sighs, leaning back into his chair. Mingyu’s eyes were still on him. Truth be told, Mingyu really hoped that Wonwoo would choose him. He could be the person that he’s looking for. Mingyu is a hopeless romantic anyway and his guts are telling that this man beside him is the one.
Wonwoo seems to realize something, he straightens himself, “Oh my bad. I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Wonwoo, Jeon Wonwoo, 29 years old.” Wonwoo stretched his arm out for a handshake, a pretty smile that Mingyu starts to love is mesmerizing him.
“Kim Mingyu, 28 years old. I think you and the rest of them here already know what I’m doing for a living by how I dress.” He chuckled, accepting Wonwoo’s handshake before he gestured at himself. Especially his attire. The older man smiles wider at Mingyu, “Yeah, a pilot. Pretty cool occupation you got there unlike me who is a novelist.”
The younger seems to remember something. Perhaps he recalled hearing the same older’s name and then he widened his eyes. “Wait. Don’t tell me you’re the Jeon Wonwoo who wrote The Veil series.”
“As a matter of fact I did. That’s my first novel series, how did you know that?”
Mingyu gasped, slapping his thigh a couple of times because he’s excited, making some of the others to glance at him. “That’s my favorite novel series of all times! I have all the volumes you produce. Oh my god, you’re my all time favorite author! Your books were all amazing. I heard you’re currently on hiatus but…” the younger stared at him.
“Oh no, no. I’m not really on hiatus. Well, for now yes since I’m participating in this dating show but I have a couple of chapters written for my next novel ready. It’s not finished yet and a work in progress. It’s a pleasure to meet a fan of my book here.” Wonwoo smiles while Mingyu returns the favor.
Their chats were interrupted when the host walks in and starts introducing themselves to all the contestants. Wonwoo and Mingyu sat straight, focusing on the host but they both had subtle glances at each other every seconds or minutes as the host kept on talking. It seems like the two had build a bond with just minutes of talking to each other earlier on.
❤️
Each of them was granted with their own room once they arrived at the venue. Men on the 3rd floor while the women is on the 4th floor. Before they were transported to this place, the host had asked each of them to write a name of the person they wished to be paired with for the first time. They all had introduced themselves to each other and try to remember their names.
Most of the women there had chosen or rather wrote Mingyu’s name because they honestly think he’s the most interesting person or man there. Second would be Wonwoo, a few of the women and men wrote his name. Oddly enough almost all the people who joined the show chose either Mingyu or Wonwoo to be paired with on the first day.
Mingyu, if he is being honest, chose Wonwoo too. Somehow, he had his eyes on Wonwoo not only because he’s his favorite author but Wonwoo is genuinely good looking and handsome as fuck in real life. Mingyu felt like Wonwoo is someone that might be the right person he’s looking for. Everything checked out in his list of ideal people that he remembers writing.
Wonwoo didn’t really write a name on the paper given to him at first. He wasn’t sure who he would write to because Wonwoo is scared to be rejected again. But since the host says they can’t leave the paper empty, before they were ushered out, he scribbled a name randomly.
Once they all freshen up, they all moved to the area where chairs were being arranged for all the contestants. 10 each on the left and right of the room while the centre part of it has a couch for the host to sit.
They were all being given a script to read, an introduction to be made and try to charm the fans with whatever way they could once the camera is on. Wonwoo and Mingyu found themselves sitting next to each other once again. They exchanged smiles before they focused on the front. The camera is rolling and soon the show starts.
❤️
It would be crazy to say but they have never met someone, anyone in their dating show that already has about 3 to 4 seasons out, chose the same person every single day. Fans were wild and supportive of them as the show aired. They started shipping the two and hoping that they would be the final couple.
Considering that Mingyu fell in love with Wonwoo at first sight, then Wonwoo did the same thing, after getting to know the man a little more. It's safe to say that almost the entire season, Mingyu chose Wonwoo to be his date, his partner that he wanted to spend time with, and basically wanting Wonwoo all to himself.
He even had to argue with a couple of men in the show when they confronted him about he always hogging on Wonwoo and never even spared a glance on the women that wanted to get close to Mingyu.
“I like him so of course I wanted to spend time with him rather than anyone else in this show.” Mingyu says as a matter of fact when he had to stay at the place they provided since one of the girls begged Mingyu to let her go on a date with Wonwoo once. Being a gentleman that he is, Mingyu relent just because the girl asked him nicely. He half expected for Wonwoo to reject the girl but when Wonwoo accepted the invitation, Mingyu was sad. He thought at least Wonwoo declined her but he thought wrong.
And while Wonwoo went out on a date with the girl, that was the time when the other men came to confront him. They almost had a fist fight if it’s not because of the bodyguards stationed around to stop them. The host of the show even called them in and gave them a warning about not to make a fuss when cameras were rolling.
“There aren’t many of you left so the cameras will be stricter and focused on you guys that remains even closer. It’s no harm in wanting the same person every single time but I think it’s fair that everyone at least get to know each other with everyone here at least one time, so Mingyu-ssi, I hope you could let Wonwoo-ssi go on other dates too and for you to do the same as well.”
Mingyu huffed, looking away from the host. He didn’t like the idea but he guessed there’s no harm in letting others go out with Wonwoo once.
“Fine, I’ll let him go on other dates but if he wishes not to, hope that none of you try to force him.” With that, Mingyu left the room, leaving every other man and the host alone.
“I’ve never met someone so determined and possessive over another person before in this show. He’s the first.” The host said to his partner sitting next to him, after the others left the room too.
“I think we might have just made two people destined to be together on this show.”
“What do you mean like soulmate kind of thing?”
The other nodded, “That could be it. Who knows that perhaps Wonwoo-ssi and Mingyu-ssi are actually destined to be together but they’ve never crossed paths outside the show. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were already in love with each other alone when they first met.”
It could be possible but the chances are low but it’s there.
❤️
Wonwoo didn’t like the changes. After he came back from that date he went with the girl, he thought he could have a moment with Mingyu but he later found out that Mingyu asked out one of the girls to go on a date with him. Wonwoo found it strange that Mingyu went out with a girl when he often asked for him. He wondered what happened while he was out.
It's even stranger now that it's been a week since he last was paired with Mingyu. Now he was paired up with different people but never with Mingyu, and Mingyu somehow ignores him? Acting like he’s not there? What happened? There's a million questions playing in Wonwoo’s head but he can't show it to the camera so he masked his frustration well.
If Mingyu chose to play with fire then so be it. So far most of the contestants never went beyond holding hands or hugging. They rarely find a pair kissing on the show, only when they were the final pair that they get to kiss each other. There’s some that almost share a kiss when they go on dates but it never actually did happen. Wonwoo, wanting to see Mingyu’s reaction, went on dates with one other male contestant, Doyoung.
They clicked quite well to be honest and basically as they went out, they found out that they actually don’t have that romantic attraction between each other. Doyoung confessed that he already has his eyes on one other male contestant while Wonwoo shyly said the same thing but he opens up to Doyoung that he’s scared that he’ll be rejected by him.
“Honestly, I had a bad dating reputation before I joined this show. A lot of my dates didn't last long. None of my relationships went beyond a year, not even a year too. We always ended up breaking up around a month or three or five.” Wonwoo confessed, albeit shyly, that he is sharing his disasters of relationships.
Doyoung smiles, genuinely feels sorry for Wonwoo, “They missed a chance to be with you though. Sucks to them but I think that you’re a great person, Wonwoo-ssi. Maybe you haven’t found the right person yet that’s why you kept breaking up with all your exes. Don’t be too harsh on yourself, I’m sure someone in this show is the person you are looking for. We only have another two weeks to go.”
Wonwoo didn’t say anything and think about Mingyu. Could Mingyu be the person he’s looking for? Does the younger man even feel the same way as Wonwoo to Mingyu? Even if he does, what if they ended up breaking up just after a month, Wonwoo can’t fathom another heartbreak.
“Why don’t we spice things up a little. The cameraman is filming us right now, the hosts and the others are watching us back at the villa so why don’t we amp it up? What do you call Wonwoo-ssi?”
“Like what?”
“A peck on the lips. I want to make the person I like jealous and you could do the same to Mingyu-ssi too.” Wonwoo blushes, “Wh-Who said it was Mi-Mingyu?!”
Doyoung chuckles, “Oh please, you both are way too obvious. Don’t be shy, we all sort of agreed that you both looked good with each other and we’re rooting for your guys. That’s why most of us now kind of wish that you and him end up together as the final couple by the end of this show.”
Wonwoo looked away and didn’t know what to say at the news. And to make Mingyu jealous by him kissing Doyoung is very tempting. He smiles as he turns around to face Doyoung. If kissing others can help in getting a reaction he wanted from Mingyu then he’ll do it.
“Just a peck then?” Doyoung nodded. Wonwoo sighs, he slowly closes his eyes and waits for Doyoung since the other is leaning in for the kiss.
Back at the villa, the whole crew and contestants were surprised when they watched them from the big screen. Mingyu was stunned, shocked at the scene. The hand that was holding onto a glass of water slipped out of his hand, dropping to the floor and shattering it to pieces. His mouth was agape, eyes wide at the scene unfold before his eyes. The other person that Doyoung wanted to make jealous is Nahyung who gawked at them. His hands were clutching onto a pillow so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
It’s not forbidden to kiss but it rarely happens on the show. The netizens, the fans outside were stunned as well since they all shipped Wonwoo with Mingyu and Doyoung and Nahyung, so for them to witness the two opposite people they shipped with another person kissing is a shocker.
The peck was so minimal that both of them didn’t even really feel it. It was just a peck, lip touching a lip so gently. Thank god as they both talked to each other about planning the kiss, the cameraman didn’t hear them. The two looked at each other after the kiss and laughed.
“Let’s see if it triggers them.”
Wonwoo nodded. They decided to end their date and went home.
❤️
The villa was quiet but it’s not too quiet. Some other contestants were still awake while others retreated themselves into their room. Mingyu is waiting inside Wonwoo’s room, pacing around and biting his nails as his head replays the kiss.
‘I thought he liked me! Why is he kissing another man!?’
He was so out of it that he didn’t notice Wonwoo walks in. “Mingyu?”
The said person stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Wonwoo. Mingyu is staring openly, subtly but not really checking Wonwoo up and down as if he’s undressing him with his eyes. Wonwoo squirmed because Mingyu’s stares were intense.
“Umm…Mi-Mingyu? Is everything alright?” He knows it’s not alright for him to find the younger standing in the middle of his room. Looks like his and Doyoung’s plan worked.
“Why did you kiss him?” Mingyu starts.
“What?”
“Why did you kiss Doyoung when you don’t even know him?”
“I…”
Wonwoo didn’t manage to answer when he was pulled into an embrace. Thankfully there’s no camera in his room since it’s night time and they stopped filming right after he and Doyoung arrived at the villa.
“Hyung you shouldn’t be kissing someone if you don’t like them. Why did you let him kiss you? Is he that great that you let him kiss you? Did you plan on partnering with him again after this since he kissed you? Will you choose him now to be your life partner since he kissed you?”
Wonwoo couldn’t say anything as he let the younger man hold him, arms tightening around him. Mingyu was asking him so many questions in one go that he didn’t know what to say. But he knows that he won’t be choosing Doyoung again since they both planned that kiss.
In the other room, Doyoung was pinned to the bed by Nahyung, getting kissed aggressively out of jealousy. The former had told Nahyung the truth once he saw how the other man was losing himself and now he’s currently getting eaten (kissing) alive by Nahyung. It’s the reaction that he wasn’t expecting to get but he loves it so much since it indicates that Nahyung likes him too.
“Min-Mingyu…calm down. It was just...something that we both plan on. We don’t even like each other and no I don’t plan on choosing him again after that date since he has eyes on someone else here.” Wonwoo tries to explain as simply as he can because somehow the arms around him are starting to make him uncomfortable because Mingyu is sort of hurting him a little.
“Min…can you please loosen up your arms a bit? You’re hurting me.”
Mingyu loosened his arms at the request, leaning back to check if he actually hurt Wonwoo. “I’m sorry...I didn’t mean to hurt you..”
“It’s alright but Mingyu, you should trust me when I say that me and Doyoung didn’t have any feelings for each other. I…” He stops himself and Wonwoo could feel the blush creeping up his cheeks. “I actually like you…We..We kissed just to get your reactions and his crush reactions and that’s it.”
The younger man stared at Wonwoo, a little confused but then when a realisation hits him at the words Wonwoo just said, he pushed Wonwoo back, making the older man fall on the bed behind him with an oof. Wonwoo looked up, blushing madly when Mingyu crawled on top of him.
“So you did that just to make me jealous?”
Wonwoo couldn’t trust himself in talking so he simply nods his head, swallowing down as he slowly moves back while Mingyu continues to crawl towards him like a predator.
“Well you succeeded in making me jealous so you need to be punished.”
“Wh-What do you want me to do?”
The younger male smirks down at Wonwoo, leaning forward as he whispers into Wonwoo’s ear.
“You have to…spend the rest of your life with me and starting from tomorrow, you’ll only choose me and only me.” Mingyu playfully bit Wonwoo’s ear, which earned him a soft yelp from the other.
“And…And if I refused?”
“I’ll force you to do it anyway.”
And with that Mingyu captured Wonwoo’s lips with his own, showing him what real kisses feel like. Wonwoo ended up wrapping his arms around Mingyu’s neck and pulling him closer. Their kisses get heated but not to the point of turning it to something sexual. They both spend about 15 to 30 minutes making out on Wonwoo’s bed before Mingyu reluctantly pulls himself away. He gives Wonwoo a few more pecks before he retreats himself to his own room, albeit reluctantly, promising Wonwoo that tomorrow they’ll spend time together.
❤️
On the final day of the show, leaving 8 contestants, to choose the person they wish to date after the show ended. 4 of them didn’t choose a partner since they said the person they wanted was eliminated or basically already chose someone else, while the other 4 chose the person they wanted.
The four that chose their partner is none other than Wonwoo and Mingyu, Doyoung and Nahyung.
They got lots of votes and fans shipped them and wished for them to date each other for real. In the last episode, the ones that were chosen and got paired with have to tell them their actual reason for joining the dating show.
Wonwoo hesitated but with a light squeeze he felt on his hand that Mingyu is holding as an encouraging gesture, he told the world why he joined the show. Fans understood him and they sort of sympathised with him.
Mingyu told them that he was pressured to get married since in two years he’s turning 30 soon and his parents wanted him to start a family of his own that’s why he chose to join the show. Turns out he did find someone that he wanted to spend his entire life with. He never thought he’d found someone but he did and he is so in love with him right now.
“Wonwoo-ssi is the person that I want to be with forever.” He declares openly in front of the rolling camera. Fans went absolutely ham on the news. They know that Mingyu and Wonwoo like each other and they ship them but not to the point of marriage.
Wonwoo was stunned, he looked at Mingyu in surprise. He knows Mingyu told him he came here to find love but never told him anything about marriage. It’s not that Wonwoo didn’t want to get married, it's just that he’s shocked. He never thought someone would want to be with him for forever but here Mingyu was, proving him wrong.
The hosts were shocked but mostly happy and proud of them. “Told you they’re soulmates.”
The show ended with everyone slowly leaving the villa one by one, but the paired ones left the villa together hand in hand.
They all have a car ready for them with the couples going into the same car together. Before they get to be free from the show, they have to go to the company first. While Mingyu and Wonwoo walked towards the car, hand in hand, Mingyu pulled Wonwoo’s hand up to his lips, gently kissing the back of Wonwoo’s hand with such affection.
Wonwoo blushes when their eyes meet and Mingyu smirks on the skin, pecking the hand again before dropping their intertwined hands.
“Can’t wait to propose to you once we’re back home and I want you to move in with me.”
“Mingyu…stop, you’re making me blush so hard.”
“Oh baby, I love making you blush and I mean it, hyung…move in with me so we can be together always. I don’t wanna spend a single second away from you.”
“You’re such a hopeless romantic.”
“Only to you.” Mingyu grins.
One week after the show ended, Wonwoo moved in with Mingyu.
One month after he moved in, Mingyu proposed to him in the comfort of their home with Wonwoo wetly saying yes and tackled Mingyu into a hug.
Two months after they got engaged, they got married in Paris when Mingyu had to fly a plane to Paris, taking advantage of arranging their marriage there with Wonwoo flew to Paris two days after Mingyu’s flight, bringing his and Mingyu’s friends and family along. Even his co-workers, that is his flight, attended his wedding.
“I love you, Kim Wonwoo.”
“And I love you, Kim Mingyu.”