Work Text:
~~˚.🎁⋆~~
Notes App Entry: Cheol’s List
Last edited: August 1, 2025
- Vitamin pack (He already has a shelf full)
- Custom leather belt (Hyung’s taste is too expensive and he’s rich anyway he can buy it on his own)
- High-quality noise-canceling earplugs (For sleeping on the plane during unit promos)
Wonwoo had never taken a liking to summer, even though he was born in the middle of it. And Seoul summers were brutally awful. It would be warm and breezy one moment, and then rain would start to fall the next. This specific first week of August heat in Seoul didn’t care that it was two o’clock in the morning. The stickiness would cling to his skin, making him uncomfortable all day no matter what he wore. Especially when he was out. And lately, he always seemed to find himself outdoors.
Wonwoo adjusted his black bucket hat, pulling it down a fraction lower as he pushed the squeaky metal shopping cart through the brightly lit aisles of a 24-hour mart in their neighborhood.
Beside him, Mingyu was practically vibrating, despite having come straight from a grueling twelve-hour dance practice.
The impending debut of the new two-man unit with Seungcheol was looming over them like a heat wave. Between recording schedules, jacket shoots, and the sheer pressure of launching a brand-new project with just two members, Mingyu’s days had become a blur of sweat and caffeine (or protein, to be exact, because Wonwoo had been noticing his two members bulking up for a unit with a concept he still wasn’t entirely sure was their main goal).
Midnight grocery runs had become their only real escape. It was almost like a ritual where they could just be normal guys arguing over which brand of instant ramen to buy. And Wonwoo’s pick would always win because his taste was superior when it came to instant noodles. Mingyu could argue all he wanted but they would always end up buying Wonwoo’s favorites anyway.
“Hyung, look at this,” Mingyu said, holding up a family-sized bag of shrimp crackers into the cart. “I think it’s a new flavor. I want to try it. Please? It’s my fuel for tomorrow’s rehearsal."
“We already have three bags of crackers at home, Min,” Wonwoo said, though he didn’t take it out when Mingyu simply tossed two packs in their cart. Instead, he pulled out his phone, staring blankly at his notes app. “Anyway. I need your help. Coups-hyung’s birthday is in a week and I still haven’t bought him a gift.”
Mingyu paused, leaning his hip against the edge of the display shelf. “Right. What are we thinking? A watch?”
Wonwoo side-eyed him as if saying, seriously? The guy has Richard Mille in his drawer and you’re suggesting a watch?
“I want to get him something useful,” he said with a sigh, looking at Mingyu. “He’s been stressed about your unit debut, on top of managing the rest of the contract renewal before everyone starts enlisting next year. Give me a serious suggestion.”
Mingyu grinned, his inner puppy immediately taking over. He stepped in close, dropping a heavy arm over Wonwoo’s shoulders and leaning his weight into him. “Easy. You should give him me. I’m the ultimate gift. I cook, I clean, I’m the best unit partner he could ever ask for. I’ll just wrap a giant red bow around my neck.”
Wonwoo didn’t even blink. He calmly reached up and pushed Mingyu’s face away by the chin. “I want to give him a gift, Mingyu, not a headache. Be serious.”
However, Wonwoo’s thoughts took a much different path. Give you away? he thought, his eyes lingering for a fraction of a second on the broad line of Mingyu’s shoulders. Why on earth would I do that? I’m the one who tolerates your loud mornings, who eats your late-night cooking, and who actually deals with your chaotic energy every single day. You belong right where you are. Seungcheol could have a lot of things but he wasn’t getting Kim Mingyu.
“I am being serious!” Mingyu laughed, his deep voice echoing slightly in the empty aisle, completely oblivious to the brief possessive turn Wonwoo’s mind had just taken. “Okay, okay. Get him those high-end earplugs. You know how he complains he can’t sleep in public places like planes. I also noticed that when we were going back and forth to the US for our album’s recording. That would be useful, especially with the tours they were planning for us.”
Wonwoo paused, his thumb hovering over his phone screen. He tapped the display, typing it out. Noise-canceling earplugs. “Actually... that’s a good idea. Thanks.”
“See? I’m a genius,” Mingyu beamed, pulling his arm back to grab the handle of the cart, taking over the steering. “Come on, let’s pay. I want to get back before the ice cream melts.”
The process at the self-checkout counter was a well-rehearsed routine. Wonwoo stood back, doing absolutely nothing until it was time to lean forward and tap his card against the terminal, while Mingyu handled the actual labor. With practiced efficiency, Mingyu scanned the items, packed the groceries neatly into their reusable bags, and slung the heaviest ones over his own broad shoulders. He then turned and handed the absolute smallest and lightest bag to Wonwoo. “Can we eat the ice cream now?” Mingyu asked as soon as they stepped outside the mart. To which Wonwoo just shook his head in response.
“I thought you and Coups-hyung are preparing your ‘summer bods’,” he said while airquoting his last words.
“Exactly. And this is my cheat day,” Mingyu countered instantly, not looking the least bit guilty as they fell into a comfortable rhythm, walking side by side down the sidewalk leading back to their apartment block.
Seoul was completely asleep and yet here they were, breaking the silence with the soft rustle of their grocery bags. The night air was still thick and sticky but a faint breeze rustled the leaves of the hedges lining the pathway. It was a brief reprieve from the suffocating August heat.
Wonwoo took a slow breath, enjoying this quiet moment. But just as they neared the entrance of their building, a distinct meow cut through the darkness.
Wonwoo stopped in his tracks.
A small stray black kitten trotted out from a bush. It had tiny white paws that looked exactly like little socks and it didn’t seem the least bit intimidated by the two tall men blocking its path. It walked straight toward Wonwoo’s legs, tail held high in a curious question mark before it began to enthusiastically rub its cheeks against the cuff of his sweatpants.
“Oh,” Wonwoo murmured. His eyes instantly softened behind his glasses. He stood perfectly still, barely daring to breathe so he wouldn’t scare it away. A small smile broke across his face. “Hey there.”
Without a second thought, Mingyu dropped the heavy grocery bags onto the concrete, completely forgetting about his melting ice cream. He bent down, shifting his massive frame into a deep crouch until he was eye-level with the tiny creature. He extended a broad hand, letting the kitten sniff his knuckles first before he began gently scratching it right under the chin. The little kitten purred instantly, leaning its entire, feather-light weight into the palm of Mingyu’s hand.
Wonwoo watched them, absorbing the sheer contrast of Mingyu’s athletic shoulders hunched over this tiny creature in the middle of a deserted Seoul street.
“You know,” Mingyu said, his voice dropping into that thoughtful tone he only used when it was just the two of them. He kept his eyes on the kitten, his thumb gently smoothing down the soft fur between its ears. “I think we should get a cat for our house.”
Wonwoo let out a soft huff of laughter, crossing his arms. “Mingyu. You’re allergic.”
“It’s a mild allergy,” Mingyu protested, looking up at him with defensive eyes, though his hands never stopped petting the black kitten. “It’s fine. It’s all about exposure therapy, hyung. If I live with one long enough, my body will just adapt. It’s science.”
“That is absolutely not how science works,” Wonwoo said, though his voice was entirely fond. He looked down at the kitten, then back at Mingyu’s bright face. “You’d be sneezing twenty-four hours a day. Who’s going to take care of it when you’re swollen and miserable?”
“I’ll take medicine!” Mingyu insisted, finally standing back up and retrieving the grocery bags as the kitten trotted back into the safety of the bushes. He nudged Wonwoo’s shoulder with his own as they walked into the lobby. “Just think about it. A quiet little roommate. It’d be nice.”
Wonwoo cast a dry look at the broad-shouldered man next to him, who was currently whining about his melting ice cream and getting a kitten.
“I already have a loud, oversized roommate who eats all our food and takes up the entire couch,” Wonwoo said, a tiny smirk playing on his lips. “One is more than enough.”
“But I can help you take care of it!” Mingyu pressed on as they stepped into the elevator, pouting as he bumped his shoulder against Wonwoo's again, turning completely on the puppy dog eyes. “And I’ll buy the food and I’ll do all the litter box duty, I promise. Hyung, please? Think of how cute it would be.”
Wonwoo just shook his head, tapping the elevator button to their floor. “No kitten, Kim Mingyu. Focus on your unit debut first.”
But later that night, after they had unpacked the groceries and Mingyu had fallen fast asleep on the living room couch with their projector still murmuring in the background, Wonwoo sat at the dining table. He opened his phone, looking at the brand-new list he had started for the upcoming year of birthdays.
He looked at the entry for August, then scrolled down to the very bottom of the page, long past the winter months, all the way to July of next year.
He didn’t write anything down yet. But as he looked out the window at the humid Seoul night, the image of Mingyu crouching on the sidewalk, stubbornly defending a kitten he couldn’t even breathe around, refused to leave his mind.
~~˚.🎁⋆~~
Notes App Entry: Hani’s List
Last edited: October 2, 2025
-Custom designer cardigan (He already has three closets full of them, mostly stolen from the rest of us)
-Premium Lego set (He’d just invite Mingyu to come over to his unit and build it for him anyway)
-Custom acrylic stamp with his name (For checking the kids’ worksheets? Too official?)
Wonwoo was running out of time. Jeonghan’s birthday would be in two days and he still had to buy a gift for his second oldest hyung.
Autumn had officially settled over Seoul, turning the air crisp and dry. It was a welcome relief from the suffocating summer. But Wonwoo barely had the energy to enjoy it.
His 8-to-5 civil service routine was draining him in a completely different way than idol life; the fixed hours left his brain feeling fried by the afternoon. Jeonghan was equally buried, spending his days as a public service worker teaching children with special needs.
Out of all the people whose birthdays Wonwoo thought he might lose track of in the fog of their new lives, he couldn’t believe it was Jeonghan’s. The older hyung was usually the center of the group’s social calendar, yet their separate duties had made the days bleed together for Wonwoo.
To make matters worse, Wonwoo’s shopping companion for the afternoon had been absolutely zero help.
“I’m telling you, just get him a giant plushie,” Cho Seung-youn said, taking a massive gulp of his iced Americano. They were currently sitting in a secluded café on the ground floor of a department store after dragging themselves through three different floors of luxury boutiques and stationery shops. “He can use it as a shield when the kids at the center get too rowdy.”
Wonwoo stared at him deadpan behind his glasses. “Seung-youn-ah. He’s turning thirty, not ten. And he works with children. He doesn’t need to bring a giant teddy bear to a classroom.”
“Hey, I tried,” Seung-youn laughed, raising his hands in defeat as his phone buzzed with a message about an upcoming recording session. “Look, I gotta run back to Edam. Good luck. Don’t get him a gift card; he’ll definitely judge you.”
Once Seung-youn left, Wonwoo sighed, sinking deeper into the cafe chair. He pulled out his phone and instinctively opened his chat with Mingyu. Even though the CxM unit promotions were in full swing and Mingyu’s schedule was a chaotic mess of music shows and fanmeets, Wonwoo didn’t hesitate to text him.
And, as always, Mingyu didn’t seem to mind the distraction at all. The reply came almost instantly.
Mingyu: Hyung! Have you eaten? Did you find a gift?
Wonwoo: No. Seung-youn suggested a teddy bear. I’m desperate. Give me an idea.
Mingyu: Oh! Get him a luxury pet house.
Wonwoo: A what? Jeonghan hyung doesn’t have a dog.
Mingyu: For Doljjong, hyung!! His pet rock! A miniature velvet sofa or a tiny wooden mansion. I saw one online. It’s hilarious.
Wonwoo: I am not buying a three-hundred-dollar designer bed for a piece of granite, Kim Mingyu. Be serious.
Mingyu: ㅋㅋㅋㅋ ok ok. What about something for his actual work? He keeps saying his throat gets dry from talking to the kids all day. And he’s always carrying those sticker charts.
Wonwoo paused, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. He looked back at his notes app list, staring at the crossed-out options.
Wonwoo: Like what? A humidifier?
Mingyu: No, he has a big one. Get him one of those heavy-duty thermos cups that keeps tea hot for 24 hours. The ones hikers use.
Wonwoo: That's actually very sensible. Who are you and what have you done to my roommate?
Mingyu: Hey! I pay attention! 😤 Plus, I miss you. Hurry home, I’ll make samgyeopsal tonight.
An involuntary smile tugged at the corner of Wonwoo’s mouth. His exhausting 8-to-5 shift suddenly felt a little lighter. Even with the rest of the world scattered and their schedules pulling them in opposite directions, Mingyu was still right there, tethering him back to their shared home.
Wonwoo stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder with a renewed sense of purpose. He walked back out into the department store corridors, heading straight for the home goods section.
He opened his notes app one last time, deleting the stamp idea, and typed a fresh line right at the top.
- Heavy-duty thermos & custom leather pen pouch. (Sensible. Useful. Mingyu’s idea but I’ll take the credit).
~~˚.🎁⋆~~
Notes App Entry: Hao and Woozi's List
Last edited: November 6, 2025
Hao’s List
-Standard tea set (He literally imports his own from his hometown, don’t embarrass yourself)
-Vintage oversized linen scarf (Found a nice olive green one at a boutique in Seongsu)
Woozi’s List
-Studio gear (He buys things I can’t even pronounce, do not attempt)
-Limited-edition matte black track jacket (Pre-ordered months ago so he can wear it once he’s back in the studio)
Wonwoo didn’t do crafts. He was a man of swift keyboard commands. He could pull off a flawless clutch play in a first-person shooter game without his hands shaking, but right now, a simple roll of double-sided tape and a sheet of colorful wrapping paper were thoroughly defeating him.
He sat cross-legged on the living room floor of their home, the coffee table completely buried under scissors, ribbons, and the vintage linen scarf meant for Minghao. The paper was currently wrinkled at the edges, the corners completely butchered by his lack of spatial coordination.
He was focused on folding the wrapper on the edge when he heard the front door click open, signalling Mingyu’s return.
“Jeon Nonu~ seriously, the lobby looked like a warehouse,” Mingyu said as he shuffled into the living room, carrying a massive stack of delivery boxes that practically hid his face. He dropped the boxes onto the blue couch with a loud sigh. “All of these are for you. Are you secretly hoarding stuff?”
Wonwoo didn’t even look up, his eyes entirely locked onto a stubborn crease in the green wrapping paper. “Just put them there, Min. Komawo~”
Mingyu was supposed to go straight to his bedroom, packing his own bags for the next leg of his unit’s promotional tour, but as usual, he seemed to have a surplus of time when it came to loitering around Wonwoo. He drifted over, standing over Wonwoo with his hands on his hips as he watched the tragic display on the table.
“What are you doing with that poor paper?” Mingyu asked, a laugh bubbling up in his chest. He sat down directly across from Wonwoo, pulling the scissor roll toward himself. “It looks like it went through a blender.”
“I wanted to wrap it myself this time,” Wonwoo muttered, finally leaning back on the couch and rubbing the bridge of his nose, his glasses slipping slightly. “I’m not entirely sure if the gifts I found for Hao and Jihoon are okay. So I wanted to put in a bit more effort into how I present them. But turns out it’s much easier to push keyboards during a game than to do whatever this is.”
Mingyu didn’t say anything at first. With practiced ease, he reached across, took the wrinkled paper out of Wonwoo’s hands. He quietly smoothed it out and began re-measuring the dimensions against the scarf box. “Hyung, anything you give them is going to be fine. You worry too much.”
“I just... want it to look like I put effort into it,” Wonwoo said softly, watching Mingyu’s long fingers effortlessly fold a crisp corner.
“We already sent them the birthday money pot anyway,” Mingyu pointed out, referring to the long-standing tradition where every member transferred a fixed amount into a shared account so the birthday boy could buy whatever ridiculous thing they actually wanted. “Why bother with a separate gift and the stress of hand-wrapping it?”
Wonwoo looked down at his lap, his voice dropping into a more vulnerable and quieter register. “Because I like having the time to do this now. I don’t see them as often as I used to before the enlistments started. When we were constantly touring, birthdays were just quick cakes in waiting rooms. Now... this makes it feel real. Like I’m still keeping up with them.”
Mingyu stopped moving. He held the half-taped box in his hands, his eyes lifting to settle entirely on Wonwoo’s face. There was a silence that stretched between them, the kind that usually made Wonwoo intensely self-conscious. Wonwoo blinked, shifting uncomfortably under the steady warmth of Mingyu’s gaze. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
A teasing smirk broke across Mingyu’s face, shattering the heavy atmosphere instantly. “Nothing. I just noticed that since you have so much free time now, you’ve also had time to buy random purple trinkets all over our house.”
Wonwoo frowned, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink. “They match the living room aesthetic.”
“Hyung, there is a purple ceramic pot on our kitchen counter but we don’t have a chopping board because you haven’t found a purple one yet,” Mingyu laughed, officially securing the final piece of tape on Minghao’s beautifully wrapped box before reaching for Woozi’s track jacket. “But don’t worry. Your superior taste in interior design is safe with me. Now sit back and let the master finish the rest of these.”
~~˚.🎁⋆~~
Notes App Entry: December Shopping List
Last edited: December 4, 2025
Joshijoshi’s List
-Crochet kit (He has one already)
-Vintage analog watch-maker toolkit (He’s been getting into restoring old accessories, this is perfect)
Holiday Gift
Dad (Warm thermal undershirts and the specific health supplements he requested)
Dongsaeng (New gaming chair)
Memberdeul (Custom holiday card set + standard warm packs for the winter schedules)
Manager-nims and stylist-nims (Premium red ginseng sets to survive the year-end chaos)
Wonwoo was efficient today.
He stood in a secluded alleyway in Cheongdam-dong with his hands tucked deep into the pockets of his coat as he waited for the cab he had booked. Usually, holiday shopping in December was a logistical nightmare that required careful coordination, disguises, and a lot of patience. But today was surprisingly easy.
Joshua’s birthday gift had practically chosen itself. His favorite, gentlest hyung had very distinct, refined hobbies that the entire group knew by heart. Finding the vintage watch-maker toolkit in a specialized boutique had taken less than thirty minutes, and the rest of his holiday shopping for his family, the members, and their staff had gone just as smoothly.
Because he had finished much earlier than intended, Wonwoo found himself enjoying a rare luxury: unhurried time.
For the past year, his life had taken a drastically different rhythm. He wasn’t catching flights every other week. He wasn’t standing under blinding stage lights. And he wasn’t constantly running on adrenaline. He was just Jeon Wonwoo, a civilian worker who went to an office, did his duties, and came home to a shared space. It was a peaceful existence, one he had often craved during their busiest years. And yet standing here on a deserted sidewalk, he couldn’t help but feel the slight ache of missing their usual year-end chaos.
His thoughts naturally drifted to the members. Right now, they were across the sea in Japan, preparing for the first night of their tour stop.
Just as he was about to check his transit app, his phone vibrated in his palm. The screen lit up with a familiar name.
Mingyu.
Wonwoo frowned slightly, tapping to answer as he pressed the phone to his ear. “Min? Shouldn’t you be at the venue? The show starts in an hour, doesn’t it?”
“We’re already dressed and waiting backstage,” Mingyu’s voice came through the receiver, slightly muffled by the background noise of the dressing room. Even after a year of no activity, Wonwoo was still familiar with all of it: the distant thud of a bass test, staff rushing around, and the chaotic laughter of the members in the background. “I just wanted to call you quickly. I saw your message from earlier but my hands were full with rehearsals. I didn’t want to leave you hanging.”
“Ah,” Wonwoo murmured, a small smile relaxing his features. “You didn’t have to call. It was just about your sister’s holiday gift. I wasn’t sure if she still liked that brand of bags or if I should get her something else.”
“Get her the cardholder instead,” Mingyu replied, his tone warm and easy, as if they were just sitting at their kitchen rather than separated by an entire ocean. “She’s been complaining that her current wallet is too bulky. And hey, don’t spend too much on her. If you spoil her, she’s going to start liking you more than me.”
“She already likes me more than you,” Wonwoo retorted softly.
“I’m gonna get jealous!” Mingyu laughed.
The conversation drifted into its usual way. They talked about the cold Tokyo weather, what Mingyu had eaten for lunch, and how Wonwoo’s office was freezing because the heater was acting up. It was so completely normal, so deeply ordinary, that Wonwoo almost forgot where he was standing.
But then, a tiny icy touch brushed against the tip of his nose.
Wonwoo blinked, tilting his head back slightly. He thought it was the start of the unpredictable winter rain but as he looked up against the glow of the streetlamp, a white speck drifted down through the air, followed by another… and another.
It was snow. The very first snow of the year.
A sudden overwhelming wave of longing hit Wonwoo right in the chest. He was not one to believe in that silly, romantic superstition that if you watched the first snow with someone, your love would last forever. But for more than ten years, the first snow had always found them together. They were either crammed into a freezing rehearsal room, standing on a stage, or walking back from a late-night schedule.
Without thinking, the words slipped past his lips, vulnerable and entirely honest.
“I wish you were here.”
The line went completely quiet.
The chaotic background noise of the concert venue seemed to fade away. Wonwoo held his breath, suddenly realizing what he had let slip. His heart beating a little faster against his ribs. He gripped his phone tighter, watching the tiny snowflakes melt the second they hit his dark coat sleeve.
There was a long beat of silence before he finally heard Mingyu speak. His voice was incredibly soft, devoid of any teasing, carrying a gentleness that traveled effortlessly across the distance between them.
“I know.”
Wonwoo swallowed hard, warmth blooming deep in his chest despite the freezing air.
“The cab is here,” Wonwoo said softly, breaking the spell as an orange car pulled up to the curb. “Go do well on stage, Min. Have fun. Don’t get hurt.”
“I won’t,” Mingyu promised, his voice returning to its familiar, bright warmth. “Get home safe, hyung. I’ll call you as soon as the show ends.”
Wonwoo hung up, slipping into the warm backseat of the cab. As the car pulled away, leaving the secluded alley and the falling snow behind, he unlocked his phone and opened his notes app. He looked at the December list, quietly checking off the very last item.
He locked his screen and leaned his head against the cool glass of the window, watching the snowflakes drift under the glow of the streetlights. The city outside was freezing, but as he closed his eyes, the lingering echo of Mingyu’s voice kept the winter chill completely at bay.
~~˚.🎁⋆~~
Notes App Entry: Kwani's List
Last edited: January 17, 2026
Seungkwan’s List
-High-end multivitamin set (He literally has a sponsorship, do not be basic)
-A set of fancy organic room sprays (Knowing his meticulous nature, he probably already has a signature scent for every day of the week)
-A minimalist designer jewelry dish or trinket tray (So he can neatly organize his accessories when he gets home)
Wonwoo was nervous.
It was a ridiculous feeling to have, especially considering he had known Boo Seungkwan for more than half his life. Yet, sitting on the floor of Seungkwan’s cozy solo apartment, Wonwoo’s fingers lightly tapped against his knee.
The apartment was filled with the noisy warmth of their closest friends. Not everyone could make it—some were tied up with schedules—but Joshua, Vernon, Jeonghan, Dino, and of course, Mingyu and Seokmin, were all crammed into the space. They had already finished a birthday dinner, which had naturally evolved into a lively drinking session. And now, they littered the living room floor with small plates of leftover chicken and pig’s trotters acting as their anju.
In the center of the room, Mingyu and Seokmin were currently locked in a deadly high-stakes game of Go-Stop. They were slamming the plastic cards onto the floor with enough force to wake the neighbors, arguing over points like they were still teenagers in a green-walled practice room.
Wonwoo watched them, leaning his back against the base of the sofa, sitting so close to Mingyu that he could feel the radiating heat from the younger man’s side.
In his jacket pocket, the neatly wrapped box containing the designer jewelry dish felt heavy. He still hadn’t handed it over.
“Hyung,” Mingyu whispered, his voice low and vibrating right against Wonwoo’s ear as he leaned back from his cards for a brief second. “You still haven’t given him your gift.”
Wonwoo tilted his head, his shoulder brushing Mingyu’s. “I’m waiting for the right time. You’re being too loud.”
“You’re just scared you’re going to lose the bet," Mingyu teased, a smug grin stretching across his face. He kept his voice to a murmur, leaning in so close that the rest of the room’s chaotic noise seemed to soften. “I told you, my gift was the ultimate winner. Did you see his face when he opened the espresso cups? He practically hugged me.”
“It was a decent gift,” Wonwoo admitted quietly, trying to ignore the way Mingyu’s knee nudged his. “But mine is more practical.”
“Do you want to double the stakes?” Mingyu whispered, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “If he likes mine better, you have to do the dishes at our place for a whole month.”
“And if he likes mine?”
“I’ll buy you that gaming mouse you’ve been staring at. The white-mint one.”
Wonwoo paused, genuinely considering it. They were whispering so closely, their heads nearly touching, completely wrapped up in their own private bubble.
Across the room, Jeonghan took a slow sip of his beer, his eyes tracking the two of them with a knowing glint, while Joshua simply smiled into his glass. They knew. They always knew when Wonwoo and Mingyu had drifted into their own world but they let them have it.
“Just give it to him, hyung,” Mingyu said, his voice dropping its teasing edge, turning incredibly gentle. He reached down under the edge of the table, his hand briefly covering Wonwoo’s cold fingers, giving them a warm, reassuring squeeze. “He’s going to love it. You know you’re his favorite hyung anyway.”
Wonwoo let out a skeptical huff. “I am not his favorite. He spends half his time bickering with me.”
“Because he wants your attention,” Mingyu murmured, his thumb lightly brushing over the back of Wonwoo’s knuckles before he reluctantly pulled his hand back to pick up his Go-Stop cards. “Trust me. He adores you. Go on.”
Encouraged by the warmth of Mingyu’s hand still lingering on his skin, Wonwoo finally reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box.
“Seungkwan-ah,” Wonwoo called out softly over the sound of Seokmin loudly groaning over a lost card.
Seungkwan looked up from where he was chatting with Vernon. “Yes, hyung?”
“This is for you. A bit belated.” Wonwoo slid the neatly wrapped package across the floor.
Seungkwan’s eyes lit up, his dramatic flair instantly softening into something incredibly sweet. He tore the paper open carefully, revealing the elegant ceramic dish. He ran a thumb over the glazed surface, a touched smile breaking across his face.
“Hyung…” Seungkwan looked up, his eyes shining. “How did you know? I literally lost my favorite silver ring last week because I just threw it on the kitchen counter after a shoot. This is... perfect. Really. Thank you.”
Mingyu then caught Wonwoo’s eye. Instead of looking disappointed about losing the bet, Mingyu was beaming, his eyes crinkling at the corners with absolute pride.
As Seungkwan happily showed the dish to Vernon, Wonwoo leaned back against the sofa. The apartment was loud and his friends were still shouting over card games. But as Mingyu’s shoulder settled firmly against his once more, always solid and always warm, Wonwoo felt entirely at peace. He didn’t mind losing or winning a bet. Having Mingyu right next to him was the only prize he actually cared to keep.
~~˚.🎁⋆~~
Notes App Entry: Dino and 0218 Bros' List
Last edited: February 5, 2026
Chan’s List
- Kneepads for his dance practice for his upcoming solo (Too work-oriented, let our maknae rest)
- A voucher for a luxury head spa treatment (He’s been complaining about scalp tension from all the hair product during promotions)
Seokmin’s List
-A custom baseball cap (He bought one for himself last month)
-A massive high-grade weighted blanket (For his sleep anxiety, something heavy enough to help him sleep)
Hansol’s List
-A rare vinyl record (His taste is too unpredictable right now)
-A sleek metallic headphone stand (Practical, matte black, fits his studio setup perfectly)
Wonwoo’s plans was derailed
He was supposed to be in Seoul, spending his quiet weekend off checking off the three overlapping February birthdays from his running list. Instead, he found himself standing in the freezing Chiba street, pulling down his mask as the bitter wind cut through his coat.
He had flown to Japan with Jeonghan on a sudden whim (or rather, a coordinated show of support from the members who weren’t currently touring). The CxM unit had just wrapped a massive show and the crowd’s energy was still vibrating in the air. But Wonwoo hadn’t been processing the concert. He had been on edge for the past two weeks, a tight tension knotting his shoulders.
To be honest, it was because of Mingyu.
They had gotten into a petty, ridiculous argument over the phone right before his unit’s tour resumed—something completely insignificant about a miscommunicated schedule and a misplaced hoodie—but the distance had magnified it. They hadn’t spoken properly since. Wonwoo had almost canceled the weekend trip entirely, convinced he would just be an awkward brooding presence backstage.
Yet, here they were.
“Hyung, wait up,” a breathless voice called out.
Wonwoo turned to see Mingyu jogging down the steps of the venue’s artist exit. He had a heavy puffer jacket thrown over his shirt and jeans, his hair still slightly damp from the post-show shower. Dark circles under his eyes betrayed how grueling the tour had been, his broad frame looking noticeably tired under the streetlights.
“You don’t have to do this, Min,” Wonwoo said, his voice clipped though it was mostly out of guilt. “Go back to the hotel. You look exhausted. Jeonghan hyung and I can just browse the department store ourselves.”
“Jeonghan hyung already slipped away with Coups hyung for dinner,” Mingyu countered, stepping into Wonwoo’s space. He smelled like stage sweat and oddly, the cold winter air. “And you still need to find gifts for Chan, Seokmin, and Non. You don’t even know where the lifestyle shops are in this district. Let’s go.”
The walk down the neon-lit street was suffocatingly quiet. It felt like a lover’s quarrel though neither of them would ever use the word. It was just the heavy friction of two people who lived in each other’s pockets suddenly finding themselves out of sync. Every time Mingyu’s shoulder brushed his, Wonwoo felt a defensive spike in his chest.
Finally, as they crossed a pedestrian bridge away from the main shopping crowd, Wonwoo stopped.
“Stop it,” Wonwoo said softly.
Mingyu paused, turning around. “Stop what?”
“Acting like everything is fine when you’re running on two hours of sleep and you’re still mad at me,” Wonwoo said, his eyes fixed on the metal railing of the bridge. “I shouldn’t have snapped at you over the phone. I’ve just been... restless lately. Our home feels too big when you’re not there and I took it out on you. I’m sorry.”
The silence hung between them, colder than the winter wind around them. Wonwoo braced himself for a defensive reply, but instead, he heard a long and low sigh.
Mingyu walked back toward him. He didn’t say anything as he reached out, his large hands coming up to gently grab the lapels of Wonwoo’s coat, pulling him half an inch closer.
“I’m not mad, hyung,” Mingyu murmured, his voice incredibly soft, dropping that defensive tone completely. “I was just frustrated because I wanted to come home, too. The schedules are packed, and when you sounded so distant, it made the distance feel twice as far.” He leaned down slightly, catching Wonwoo’s gaze behind his glasses. “I don’t care about my missing hoodie or the argument. I just… I just missed you.”
The tight knot in Wonwoo’s shoulders dissolved instantly, replaced by a sudden warmth that made the Chiba winter completely irrelevant. The air cleared between them so quickly it almost made him dizzy.
Wonwoo stared at him for a second, then shook his head, a helpless laugh finally escaping him. “I don’t even know why I try to argue with you.”
“Because you’d miss it if you didn’t,” Mingyu grinned, his bright energy returning in a single second. He let go of Wonwoo’s coat, instead dropping his arm heavily over Wonwoo’s shoulders, pulling him tight against his side as they started walking again. “Now, since we cleared the air... Valentine’s Day is next week, hyung. Should I buy you a heart’s day gift while we’re out? A giant box of chocolates? A bouquet of white roses?”
Wonwoo let out a sharp scoff, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Don’t waste your money. I don’t do Valentine’s Day.”
“Aw, come on, hyung! Not even a little bit of romance for your favorite roommate?” Mingyu teased, nudging him playfully.
“No,” Wonwoo said firmly, looking straight ahead.
But as they walked into the brightly lit entrance of the lifestyle boutique, Wonwoo reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He unlocked his screen, opened his notes app, and quietly scrolled past the lists for Chan, Seokmin, and Hansol.
Right at the very bottom, hidden beneath was a single un-bulleted line that had been sitting there since the first week of February.
Mingyu - Valentine's custom camera strap (Already ordered. Arriving at our home on the 14th).
He locked his phone with a swift click of his thumb, slipping it back into his pocket as Mingyu dragged him toward a display of designer headphones. Wonwoo didn’t say a word, but the small, secret smile on his face lasted the entire night.
~~˚.🎁⋆~~
Notes App Entry: Min’s List
Last edited: April 5, 2026
Ordered
-Pajama set with his name on it (Arrived and hidden in the sock drawer)
-Ice cream maker (too complicated to use alone but its his gift anyway so he should use it)
-Meat thermometer (he would probably ask if I was slowly making him my personal chef but isn’t he one already? haha)
Not sure if I should still order
-A heavy duty duffle bag for gym (He already bought it himself last week, cancel)
-Indoor bbq grill (Too bulky for our small kitchen? He’d complain it ruins his favorite space’s aesthetic)
Back up incase
-That Lady Dior art bag he liked from his trip in Bangkok but he didn’t buy (ordered but will arrive exactly on April 6)
Wonwoo’s phone kept on light up from notifications.
He was sitting in the middle of a boisterous half-drunk crowd at a private room in a barbecue restaurant in Incheon. Their New_ team was celebrating. The grueling nine-member tour had finally wrapped up and the atmosphere was dictated by the scent of grilled pork, beers and soju, and loud relieved laughter of the staff and crew. Even though they were currently serving their alternative military duties, Wonwoo, Jeonghan, and even Hoshi had made sure to show up to welcome the touring members back.
But even with Seokmin singing passionately into a spoon nearby and Hoshi enthusiastically rallying the table for another round of drinks, Wonwoo’s attention was entirely glued to his screen.
He was frantically tracking the deliveries he had ordered. Mingyu’s birthday was tomorrow and Wonwoo was caught in a quiet state of panic. He had ordered three different things, unable to decide which one would make the absolute perfect main gift. He figured he would just give Mingyu the best one tomorrow and hoard the rest in their closet, handing them over as random surprises whenever he felt like it throughout the year.
But there was another, more complicated logistical plan he was currently managing.
He wasn’t staring at a shopping app now; he was in a rapid-fire KakaoTalk exchange with Mingyu’s younger sister.
Wonwoo was going to be out of the apartment early tomorrow morning. He needed to be with his family for the memorial service. He wouldn’t be back at their home until afternoon. Because he couldn’t be there to wish his roommate a happy birthday the moment he woke up, Wonwoo had secretly coordinated with his sister to set up a small surprise.
The plan was simple: Wonwoo was going to slip his spare key to Mingyu’s sister early morning so she and her mother could quietly head over to their home and prepare a home-cooked birthday meal for Mingyu. Wonwoo would then return in the afternoon to join them and celebrate.
But as he scrolled through the chat, his brow furrowed behind his glasses.
MS: Oppa, what about you? What’s your absolute favorite soup?
Wonwoo: It’s Mingyu’s birthday, MS-ya. You should cook his favorites. Don’t worry about me.
MS: Mom and I already know Mingyu-oppa’s menu by heart! But we’re cooking for you too. Just tell us. Actually, is it still beef radish soup? Mingyu mentioned before that you love mom’s version.
Wonwoo stared at the screen, a sudden warmth blooming in his chest. He felt a little flustered, quickly typing back a polite protest.
Wonwoo: You and your mother really don’t have to take care of me like this.
MS: Too late! Mom already bought the beef. We’ll see you tomorrow afternoon, Oppa. Don’t be late!
Before Wonwoo could reply, a familiar warm head suddenly slumped against his left shoulder. The comforting scent mixed with a sweet trace of alcohol enveloped him instantly.
“Hyung…” an incredibly whiny voice mumbled right against his neck.
Wonwoo didn’t even have to look to know it was Mingyu. The younger man was thoroughly spent, his eyes half-closed and his cheeks flushed a pretty pink from all the bottles of soju and everything else he drank. He had his large arms wrapped loosely around Wonwoo’s waist, practically using Wonwoo as a human pillow.
“You’re drunk,” Wonwoo murmured, though he instinctively leaned into the weight, his hand automatically reaching up to lightly pat Mingyu’s broad back. “Are you ready to go home?”
“Yeah,” Mingyu mumbled, his forehead rubbing against Wonwoo’s shoulder like a giant sleepy puppy. “My head is spinning. Let’s go home, hyung. I want to sleep in our own bed.”
“Okay. Let me just say goodbye to Coups-hyung,” Wonwoo said softly, his voice dropping into that gentle register he only reserved for moments like this.
As Mingyu let out a pleased hum, keeping his chin hooked over Wonwoo’s shoulder, Wonwoo quickly sent one final text to Mingyu’s sister, confirming the key hand-off. He locked his phone, slipping it into his pocket.
Tomorrow was going to be an emotional day but as he looked down at his sleepy roommate clinging to him in the middle of the loud restaurant, Wonwoo knew he wouldn’t be coming back to an empty and lonely apartment. He was coming home to a warm kitchen, a home-cooked meal, and the one person who always knew exactly how to keep his heart safe.
~~˚.🎁⋆~~
Notes App Entry: 96liner's List
Last edited: June 11, 2026
Jun’s List
-Plush cushion (He can use this in between takes but he has a lot of it)
-A silk sleep mask & silk pillowcase set (For his long flights and hotel stays during solo drama shoots)
Soonyoung’s List
-A luxury designer brand bucket hat (He already has a wardrobe full of them, half of which still have the tags on)
-A high-grade neck massager (Something portable he can use during his exhibition tour)
Wonwoo felt entirely relaxed, sitting at the dining table in an oversized t-shirt. It was probably Mingyu’s, but their clothes ended up on his side of the shared closet so often that the distinction had long since blurred. He didn't mind either way. He was slowly eating a bowl of cold noodles while his phone was propped up against a tissue box in front of him. On the screen, the grid of four was filled with familiar faces. The 96-liners was currently in the middle of a frantic group video call to greet Junhui for his birthday.
Jun was beaming through the camera, talking animatedly about his grueling drama shooting schedule in China and the intense remote rehearsals he was doing to prepare for the upcoming Caratland fan meeting. On the other screens, Jihoon was quietly nodding from his barracks, and Soonyoung was practically yelling into his mic, his face flushed with his usual high energy as he tried to teach Jun how to hype a crowd on their upcoming fanmeeting.
As Wonwoo laughed quietly at Soonyoung’s antics, the bathroom door down the hall clicked open.
Mingyu walked out, with a white towel slung around his damp shoulders, his wet hair messy and sticking to his forehead. He had actually been home for two hours already, having finished his own Caratland rehearsals early. But because Wonwoo had been locked in a long phone call with Seung-youn right before this, and had immediately transitioned into the 96-liner call the second he hung up, Mingyu hadn’t gotten a single word in.
And Mingyu was clearly feeling the lack of attention.
Instead of going to his room to change, Mingyu padded over to the kitchen in his sweatpants. He deliberately shuffled past the dining table, letting out a dramatic sigh as he poured himself a glass of water.
“Ooh, is that Mingyu?” Jun’s voice crackled through the speaker, his sharp eyes catching the blurry movement in Wonwoo’s background. “Mingyu-ya! I got you and Wonwoo’s gift! Thank you!”
Mingyu set his glass down on the counter with a soft clink. He didn’t lean into the camera. Instead, he walked over and stood directly behind Wonwoo’s chair. He crossed his arms, looking down at Wonwoo’s screen with a slightly pouted and very much exaggeratedly aloof expression.
“Hey, Jun-hyung. Happy birthday,” Mingyu said, his deep voice carrying a whiny edge. “Must be nice having Wonwoo-hyung’s undivided attention. He’s been on the phone since I got home. I think I’ve spoken a total of three words to him today.”
Soonyoung let out a cackling laugh from his screen. “Yah, Kim Mingyu! Stop being so clingy! It’s Jun’s birthday, let us have our time!”
“I’m not being clingy,” Mingyu protested instantly, though he immediately dropped his chin onto the top of Wonwoo’s shoulder, his damp hair lightly brushing Wonwoo’s cheek. He wrapped his arms loosely around the back of Wonwoo’s chair, effectively trapping him. “I’m just stating facts. Hyung, are those noodles good? You didn’t even ask if I wanted any.”
Wonwoo let out a soft huff of laughter, tilting his head back slightly to look up at the giant puppy hovering over him. The annoyance in Mingyu’s eyes was so transparently fake, so deeply cute, that Wonwoo couldn’t even pretend to be irritated by the interruption.
“There’s more in the fridge, Min,” Wonwoo murmured, his voice instinctively softening as he spoke directly to him. “Go change before you catch a cold. Your shoulders are still wet.”
On the screen, Jihoon rolled his eyes with a sigh. “Please don’ that. Some of us are away from their loved ones and trying to enjoy a birthday call in peace.”
“Okay, okay, I’m going,” Mingyu grumbled, though a pleased smirk was already forming on his lips. He gave the top of Wonwoo’s head a lingering gentle pat before finally straightening up and walking back toward the hallway. “Hurry up, hyung. I want to watch a movie when you’re done.”
“I’ll be there in ten minutes,” Wonwoo called out after him.
He looked back at the screen, where Jun was smiling softly at him with that knowing brotherly look, and Soonyoung was still teasing Mingyu’s dramatics. Wonwoo just shook his head, tapping the screen to mute himself for a second as he took a sip of water.
He opened his notes app on his tablet beside his bowl. He checked off the list for Jun’s gift, then scrolled down to the bottom, past the June entries, all the way to the next month on the calendar.
July’s List.
He still hadn’t written anything under it. Usually, by this time, he’d have a few practical items jotted down for when the members inevitably started asking what he wanted for his birthday. This year, his mind was completely blank; there wasn’t a single gadget, book, or piece of clothing he actually cared to add.
But as he heard the quiet rustle of Mingyu finally changing into dry clothes in the next room, Wonwoo stared at the empty white screen and smiled. He didn’t need to write anything down. The only thing he actually wanted was already padding back down the hallway to find him.
~~˚.🎁⋆~~
Notes App Entry: July’s To-do List
Last edited: July 17, 2026
- Dinner with Dad (Completed - July 15)
- Buy eggs (our supplies seems always gone)
- Buy more hypoallergenic laundry detergent (Mingyu's skin has been breaking out from the tour stress again)
- Back up the shared hard drive (all the photos from the Japan trip and early summer)
- Check the delivery status of the projector bulb replacement (movie night is lagging)
- Find that compact umbrella (do not buy one! It’s just there at our house)
Wonwoo was used to getting caught in the rain on this day. He couldn’t remember a single year that had stayed dry; mid-summer storms were as guaranteed as the candles on his cake, ranging from a light drizzle to a sudden deluge.
He was so used to the rainy birthday luck that having a genuinely good day felt like a glitch in his system, one he expected to be corrected the moment he stepped inside.
Wonwoo stood in the entryway of the place he and Mingyu shared, slowly slipping off his shoes. In a year of massive, unsettling transitions—trading the roaring stadiums and constant travel of his idol life for the routine of his civil service enlistment—this apartment had been his only real constant. It was the place where he didn’t have to be someone else; he could just be himself.
Usually, coming home to their place was a sensory overload. There was almost always a stray shopping bag by the door, the scent of whatever Mingyu was cooking, or the booming sound of his laughter echoing from the living room. It was their own private sanctuary away from the chaos of the outside world, a space they had built together.
But tonight, there was nothing.
Wonwoo’s shoulders felt heavy. Between his own civil service duties, the constant rush of the younger members scrambling to wrap up schedules before their impending enlistments, and the older members already away, the world had grown steadily quieter.
He had celebrated with his family a day early because his father had a trip scheduled with his long distance cousins for the rest of the week. So, today—his actual birthday—had just been a long day of office work, a quiet commute home, and the sudden realization that he was turning another year older in a very still apartment.
He didn’t hold it against anyone. They were all running out of time before their lives split into different directions for a while.
Wonwoo sighed as he entered their house, not bothering to turn on the lights.
“Mingyu?” he called out, though he knew the younger was supposed to be at the company headquarters earlier but Wonwoo didn’t know it would last longer than his office shift.
He called out once more but there was still no response
Wonwoo continued to walked into the dark kitchen.
“Min?” he called out for the third time and that was when the lights suddenly flickered on.
“Happy birthday, Wonwoo hyung.”
Mingyu was standing by the dining table, wearing a soft lavender sweater that made him look incredibly giant and impossibly warm. He wasn’t alone. The dining table was completely buried. There was a beautifully decorated cake in the center, surrounded by a mountain of meticulously wrapped boxes, bags, and envelopes.
Wonwoo blinked, frozen in place. “What is all this?”
“The members couldn’t make it tonight but they absolutely refused to let you have a quiet birthday,” Mingyu said, his signature smile spreading wide across his face. He walked over, his steps comfortable and familiar against the floor and gently took Wonwoo’s coat from his shoulders. “I went around and collected all of them today. Jeonghan-hyung sent his gift through manager-nim. Hao hand-delivered his. Even Jihoon sent a courier from his base. It’s all here.”
Wonwoo’s throat felt suddenly tight. He looked at the mountain of love sitting on their table. It was the culmination of a whole year of observations, notes app entries, and shared secrets. “You did all this?”
“Of course I did,” Mingyu murmured, stepping in close. The playful boy who would always bother him at their grocery runs or when he was drunk after dinner parties was replaced by the incredibly gentle man who had kept Wonwoo anchored through every season in the past year. “But I have one more. My gift.”
“Mingyu, you already got me the camera strap in February—”
“That was for Valentine’s,” Mingyu interrupted softly, a beautiful nervous heat in his eyes. “This is for your birthday. And for... when I’m not here next month.”
Mingyu walked over to the living room couch and reached behind a large throw pillow. When he turned back around, he was holding a tiny bundle against his broad chest.
Wonwoo’s breath hitched in his throat.
It was a small black cat. It had the same tiny white paws that looked exactly like little socks, itscurious eyes blinking against the warm light of the room. It let out a tiny yet so high-pitched meow that shattered the remaining silence of their home.
It was definitely the black kitten from the rainy sidewalk in August last year. Fully grown now but unmistakably the very same creature.
“I tracked down the shelter that took the litter in from our street last year,” Mingyu explained quietly. He walked over, holding the cat out to Wonwoo. “I took care of the adoption process and the medical checks. I know I’m allergic, hyung. But I’m leaving for active duty soon. And... I didn’t want you coming back to a quiet house. I didn’t want you to be lonely in our home while I’m away.”
Wonwoo reached out, his hands trembling slightly as he took the cat into his arms. The cat immediately snuggled against his chest, its soft purr vibrating against his collarbone.
A tear slipped past Wonwoo’s lashes, wetting the collar of his shirt. He looked up at Mingyu through blurry eyes, his heart so full of love and ache that he could barely breathe. He remembered writing down that empty space for July in his notes app nearly a year ago, wondering what kind of warmth he would be waiting for.
He was looking right at it.
Wonwoo looked up, his chest aching with a warmth so profound it made this transitioning era feel entirely bearable. They were all going away, yes. The stage would be empty for a little while. But the love they had built over a decade wasn’t going anywhere. It was right here, standing in the form of his tallest, loudest, dearest friend in the home they shared.
“You’re going to sneeze so much when you come home,” Wonwoo whispered, a helpless laugh escaping him as he leaned his forehead against Mingyu’s broad shoulder, the cat tucked safely between them.
“I’ll buy a million air purifiers,” Mingyu promised, his large arms wrapping completely around Wonwoo and the cat, holding them both as if they were the only precious things left in the world. “Happy birthday, my favorite hyung. You’re never going to be lonely here. We’re going to be just fine. I promise.”
Suddenly, the empty July List in his phone made perfect sense.
For the past year, Wonwoo had lived through his Notes App. He had spent months meticulously planning, researching, and ticking off lists for the people he loved. He had spent so much of his energy ensuring everyone else felt seen and cherished in a year where everything was shifting.
But when it came to himself, his page had remained entirely blank. He had stared at that empty white screen in his notes, genuinely unable to think of a single thing to write down.
Now, standing in their living room, he finally understood why.
How could he possibly ask for anything more than this?
This, beside him, was enough. More than enough.