Work Text:
“I LOVE YOU SHINEE WORLD! THANK YOU SO MUCH!”
As Key panted, the deafening cheers of the audience echoed around the stadium. He kept his smile high as the curtains closed.
The moment the stage lights turned off, his shoulders dropped, and he exhaled in relief. Though he kept his smile, he relaxed his cheeks and panted to catch his breath.
His two-day concert was finally over. It was thrilling, euphoric, but now the stress and exhaustion hit him all at once.
He had just a few final words with his staff, crew, and dancers, and then they could all let loose at the afterparty.
As he and his team put their hands down in the middle for their final team huddle of the night, he caught a glimpse of Minho, his bandmate of nearly two decades, who had come backstage after the last encore.
No matter how busy Minho’s schedule got, he would always show up for Key’s events.
His dedication still amazed Key, and he appreciated it all the more.
Key smiled to himself, then quickly shifted his attention back to the team as he led the post-concert chant.
--
The manager dropped the two of them off at the front of the building. They helped each other up the stairs to Key’s apartment. Key clumsily punched in the passcode, and as soon as they heard the beep, they both pushed the door open.
They took off their shoes and dropped their bags in the genkan. With Key’s parents dogsitting for the week, the pair arrived to a relaxing silence.
As they slowly stepped into the living room, Key groaned, turning to collapse into Minho’s shoulder.
Minho chuckled, pulling him into a proper hug, which Key reciprocated.
Key sighed deeply, closing his eyes. Minho dropped his head; after spending the last few months filming for his new drama, he too had missed this.
For a minute or so, they just stood in silence, with no cameras to capture this private moment. Key rested his chin on Minho’s shoulder, the two taking in each other’s warmth for the first time in a while.
Key broke the silence with a whisper.
“I’m so tired.”
“I know.”
“My joints hurt.”
“You’ve been dancing a lot these past few weeks.”
“How do you do this everyday?”
“Don’t compare yourself to me.”
“I can’t wait to relax for the next two days.”
“You did incredible tonight.”
“... I know.”
“I know you know.” Minho chuckled. “Still, I wanted to tell you anyway.”
Key smiled to himself. They didn’t usually compliment each other nowadays; they had known each other for so long that words of encouragement now felt redundant.
Every now and then, though, Key still appreciated the praise.
He pulled back to look at Minho, still wrapped in his arms. He smiled, barely able to keep his eyes open. Minho was also tired and tipsy from the after party, yet his droopy eyes were as wide as ever.
Key held Minho’s jaw and pulled him in for a long kiss. Neither could remember the last time they had shared one.
As their lips parted, Minho smiled.
“Let’s go wash up.”
--
The faint morning light gleamed into the bedroom.
Key slowly blinked until his eyes were fully open. He was still on his side. He shivered, raising the sheets over his bare shoulder.
Right in front of him was Minho, sleeping soundly on his back, his head slightly tilted toward Key. His hair was a mess, and yet, he still looked strikingly handsome.
Key reached over, tucking Minho’s hair behind his ear. Before he could retract his hand, it had settled onto Minho’s jaw, his thumb gently stroking the latter’s cheek.
After another moment, Minho turned toward Key’s hand, savoring his warm touch. He smiled, eyes still closed.
“Good morning, nae sarang~”
Key smirked. “Were you always this cheesy?”
Minho caressed Key’s hand and gently kissed it. “You already forgot?”
Key sighed. “It really has been too long.”
Key continued stroking Minho’s cheek. For another moment, they stayed like that.
As much as Key didn’t want to leave the comfort of his bed, he knew he had to eat something soon to curb his oncoming hangover. He slowly sat up.
“I’ll make some breakfast. You getting up?”
Minho blinked his eyes open, his vision slowly adjusting to the room as he sat up. “Shoot, I missed my morning workout.”
“You wanted to work out now?”
“You know I usually go in the mornings.”
Key rolled his eyes. “You can’t go to the gym now after all that alcohol last night.”
“Shit, you’re right.” Minho rolled his head, loosening the stiff muscles in his neck. “Even so, I can’t skip a morning workout.”
Before Key could respond, Minho scooped him in his arms, standing up and lifting him off the bed in one go.
“What the—CHOI MINHO!! What are you doing!?”
“You’ll have to be my morning workout.” Minho teased.
Key scoffed, truly speechless. Just when he had forgotten how cheesy Minho could be, he pulled this stunt.
All Key could do was laugh in defeat as Minho graciously carried him to the bathroom.
--
Minho ate his breakfast well while he rapidly switched between different apps on his phone. Even during downtime, he had to stay on top of his commitments.
Key soon walked over and placed a cup of coffee in front of him. While Minho smiled down at the coffee, Key pulled the former in by the shoulder, kissing the top of his head.
As Minho tapped away on his phone, Key passively observed.
“You got a busy schedule today?”
“I’ve got practice later today and then I have pilates after.”
“Won’t your body be tired after practice?”
“I’ll cool down in between. I gotta go consistently to stay in shape.”
Key didn’t know what to say. He never understood how someone could exercise almost every day and not tire out.
Even so, he wasn’t surprised. That’s just how Choi Minho was.
And Key wouldn’t change any part of him.
Minho returned his attention to his phone, and Key shifted his from the phone to Minho. They enjoyed another comfortable silence before Key spoke up.
“Let’s move in together.”
Minho froze, his fingers stopping midair, doubting what he had just heard.
He swallowed his food and looked up at Key. He chuckled. “Someone’s feeling good this morning.”
“I’m serious.” Key calmly clarified.
Just a few years ago, he would have shuddered at the thought of them living together. They already shared a dorm in their rookie years, and that was a hell of its own. Key moved out to get his own space, away from the other members.
And yet, after almost a decade of living outside the dorm, the words slipped off his tongue so easily. With their military service finally behind them, and them now in their thirties, the time felt right.
Key took his hand.
"I'm serious. I'd love to live with you.”
Now Minho was the speechless one. He didn’t have a quip or witty comeback ready for this.
“You’re serious? You? The one who decided to move out of the dorm after just seeing me walk past you?”
Even Key had to chuckle at how absurd it sounded.
But he didn’t care. Back then, he was a young and stubborn teen who needed his space and couldn’t express himself. This time, he was mature, settled, and more affectionate, and he knew what he wanted.
A smile crept onto Minho’s face. He wrapped an arm around Key’s waist, pressing his temple into Key’s torso.
“Of course, I would love to…”
Key’s smile started to fade. It was a nice thought, but he knew it couldn’t really happen – at least, not anytime soon, and certainly not while they were both still in the public eye.
Now he started to regret saying those words out loud.
“Sorry, I shouldn’t have—”
“No, don’t apologize~”
“I know that we can’t…”
“I know too.”
Minho gently rubbed Key’s back. With one quick gesture, he welcomed Key onto his lap. Key wrapped an arm around his neck, and rested his head against Minho’s. Minho wrapped one arm around Key’s lower back for support, and let his free hand rest on Key’s knee.
“At least we can see each other like this.” Minho reassured him.
Key smirked. “People already treat us like we’re married.”
“Comme Des and Garcons already love me.”
“You already fold my clothes on your own.”
“Seriously, why are you so averse to folding your laundry?”
They both laughed. Minho was beyond delighted to bring a smile back to Key’s face.
“Maybe one day.” Minho nodded.
“Yea?”
“Yea.” He whispered, lifting his free hand to stroke Key’s hair. “But this is fine for now.”
Key closed his eyes, fully absorbing Minho’s warmth. “Yea, yea it is.”