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The night went on and on longer than Mingyu thought.
He's still nervous.
Nonetheless, he enjoyed it.
They're halfway through. All the things he and Seungcheol-hyung did since months ago led to this private listening party. Just a couple more teasers and official releases then he'll calm down a little. Or maybe not.
Maybe he'll be even more freaked out than ever.
Their hard work of creating concepts, composing songs, shooting videos here and then paid with lack of rest will finally come to light. It's a reasonable excuse to feel jittery run down your entire body and legs shaking from anticipation and nervousness.
The initial idea of the listening party was exciting. Gathering friends and colleagues to listen to your music together. But when it's finally happening, you can't help feeling nervous of your music being judged and ranked in ways you can't expect. He understands Jihoon-hyung well now.
Yet as always, Seokmin was right.
Despite the state of his heart that was close to exploding any moment, it turned out great. Spectacular, even.
You're going to do great, Mingyu-ya.
Everyone was having fun when they sang the title song and Bumzu-hyung accompanied them as the DJ. All the people he met after the performance said they love the songs in the mini album. Mingyu's shoulder felt a lot lighter.
"It's so catchy, Gyu!"
"I love that last one in the album."
"The lyrics are so fun and the beat is crazy."
It's more of Seungcheol-hyung's thing to fold cutely into his own skin in the face of compliments, not Mingyu. Yet here he is, trying desperately to stand straight and full of confidence like the usual Kim Mingyu should do while chatting (and receiving endless compliments) with his friends.
Yet, the remains of his jittery nervousness are still there if one looks closely.
In between the conversations, Mingyu's eyes are searching unconsciously for a certain presence, someone. The anchor to steadily hold his quivery heart.
There he is.
Lee Seokmin stands near the photo booth, talking and laughing with other members. It's funny how comfort can radiate so much from one person and envelopes Mingyu in his warmth, forgetting the still worried heart.
Seokmin is a safe place. His safe place.
And how lucky Mingyu is to lock gaze with the round bright eyes of Seokmin in the sea of people. As if he knows that Mingyu is always looking for him.
He is beautiful even with an oversized t-shirt and jeans, under the dim red light of the cramped club. Seokmin sends Mingyu a simple delightful smile, proud and content, with a wine glass in one hand raised to meet his stare. No words come out, but he knows Seokmin like the back of his hand.
One smile makes all his hard work on the unit worthwhile.
I celebrate you.
His breath hitches. There is tightness and relief in his chest at the same time. Conversation is forgotten.
It takes everything in Mingyu not to ditch his friends and run across the room to wrap Seokmin in his arms (and steal a secret kiss or two if possible).
The said person grins, reading Mingyu's reaction from a distance with accuracy. It's annoying and cute how well Seokmin knows him. Still, Mingyu's heart swells.
How could Heaven ever be so kind and blessed Mingyu with this perfect man in his life?
Fortunately, they feel the same. Seokmin tilts his head a little toward the toilet, knowing Mingyu will understand his gesture and follow him there.
So Mingyu excuses himself from the conversation, following his trails of light into the toilet. Pulses palpitate quietly in his veins.
The door opens to a small toilet with two cubicles inside and pouty lips Lee Seokmin who is leaning to the cubicle's door, eyes cast on the floor. Like an adorable wet puppy.
"Hey." Mingyu walks closer slowly. Seokmin looks up, round bright eyes warm at the sight of Mingyu entering the toilet.
They're still in public. Every encounter should be calculated. Every action should be thought carefully before it is done.
"Hey." Seokmin replies, with a huge relieved smile.
The toilet is quieter than the lounge with music outside, but there are two hearts beating loudly for each other inside.
Without saying more, Seokmin pulls the taller one to enter the small and cramped cubicle with him.
"Seok–"
"I checked. And recheck. It's safe."
Again, he should be used to how good Seokmin can read him, but each time it only shocks him more. But if he told him they have a little private time to themselves, a little sanctuary in between his agitation, then Mingyu believes him.
They just stand still, comfortable silence between.
Seokmin holds both of Mingyu's hands, caressing softly in his warmth. Their bodies pressed against each other now. Heart pounds in sync. Mingyu just has to move a bit for his lips to touch Seokmin's nose and he can feel Seokmin's breath on his collarbone. Eyes fix whatever is interesting on Mingyu's t-shirt (there is none).
But neither make any moves or say anything, except Seokmin's thumbs rubbing the back of his hands, no longer tense from anxiety or fear, but something more.
Finally Seokmin tilts his head upward, long lashes and pink tinted cheeks from wine earlier. He wears minimal make up as it is not an official schedule, the cute moles stand proudly in his cheek. He looks lovely as always.
In one swift move, Seokmin cups his jaw and brings Mingyu closer to kiss him sweetly on the lips. His big and long arms finally draped over Seokmin's shoulder. Fingers pressing to feel his skin. And despite the limited time and space of it all, the two were not rushing. Lips tasting and sucking softly. A sweet dance for the duo.
And at the right time, they part.
"I watched you." Seokmin begins, breathing unevenly. Their foreheads touch. "I like the songs. You were doing great there, Mingyu. I'm happy for you."
Mingyu feels the tightness in his throat and watery eyes that begin to spill over, but he holds in it, "Thank you."
He continues, "You're a great help to me, Seok." Nose nuzzling the warm scent in Seokmin's neck. "Couldn't do it without you."
In his hold, Mingyu feels a gentle shake on Seokmin's shoulder and a teasing laugh, "Like I did with 'Shake It Off'?"
Now it's his turn to pout, but his hold is still tight on the smaller despite it all, "You know it's a lot more than that."
"Yeah." Gentle caress on Mingyu's hair, "I swear it's great. I think everyone will love the album."
"Ugh, thank you, but stop it." Again, it's more of Seungcheol-hyung's forte to fold shyly in the eyes of endless compliments, but it seems Mingyu has caught the disease too.
Seokmin grips his shoulder, tearing the warm hug reluctantly. The half-moon smile on his pretty face, "You better get used to it." Tiptoeing one last time to press a kiss between Mingyu's eyelids.
"Now go back there, Mr. Hype Vibes."
But Mingyu is stubborn, he returns to the pleasant touch that is Seokmin's hand, threading their fingers together. "Not without you."
"But–"
It is the same worry in Seokmin's gaze as Mingyu felt earlier the moment he is being pulled to the cubicle. Acting all smug and brave to feel scared too in the end? Cute.
Unfortunately or fortunately for Seokmin, Mingyu is always the bigger and stronger body than him as he gets dragged to the opened toilet door, "It's okay. It will be great, right?"
Seokmin rolls his eyes in fond, hands never letting go of Mingyu's, even as they go back to where the party was.