Archive of Our Own

Kim Mingyu is pretty sure Lee Seokmin is Spider-man.

Well, maybe he's not pretty sure— he's entirely sure. He'd say it's definite, in fact. He's not even sure there can be room for denial. He's holding the mask in his hands, rubbing the soft material between his fingers. He's completely sure his roommate is Spider-man. He'd say at least 99.9%.

That sentence sounds ridiculous out loud, though. He stops himself from saying it to save himself the embarassment. He repeats it in his mind, though, turning the words over before finally dropping the mask back into the laundry basket. He takes care to cover it back up, manoeuvring a shirt and some dirty socks to lay over it. He stares for a moment longer, making sure it looks the same as it did before he walked into the room,

He probably doesn't want Mingyu to know.

The thought shocks him, but it also makes sense. They're not that close. The room Mingyu moved into used to be Soonyoung's before he abandoned ship to live with his boyfriend. Mingyu's pretty sure he can count the amount of conversations they had before he moved in on one hand, their schedules not really lining up by the time he started unpacking. Seokmin's job taking pictures for the paper usually eats into his days, and Mingyu's routine of shuffling through castings and photo shoots takes him out the hours Seokmin actually is home.

Still, he didn't expect a secret like this to be hanging between them. The superhero Mingyu has so often seen on his phone or TV screen feels a far cry from the boy who dropped coffee on his white shirt last week, spending a good five minutes running it under the cold tap before Mingyu offered to help.

Mingyu digs into the laundry basket just to be sure, pulling the mask free for a second look.

It's definitely Spider-man's mask. He's tempted to try it on, a childish part of his brain urging him to get a look in the mirror in it.

Instead he drops it again, rearranging the laundry a second time. Seokmin can do his own laundry, he figures. Mingyu can pretend he has no idea. It's fine. He won't bring it up. He'll ignore it.

"Has the internet been slow all day?"

Seokmin's voice snaps him out of the memory of holding the mask from earlier. Mingyu didn't hear him come in. He's been lying on the couch for an hour waiting for his laundry to be ready, rethinking everything he's ever known about Spider-man, or Seokmin. He's missed it. He's been blind to it. He's been—

"Has it?"

"What?" Mingyu questions, pushing himself to sit up and blink.

"The internet? WiFi? Has it been slow all day….? Or is it just acting up now…?" Seokmin speaks slowly— as if Mingyu won't be able to understand him if he speaks normally again.

"Oh, I'm not sure."

Seokmin raises an eyebrow. "I thought you were home today."

"No, I was!" He's not sure his voice sounds right. He's not sure of anything today, really. He swallows. "I just wasn't on my phone."

That's a lie. Before he landed on the couch— laundry finally shoved in the machine, pillows sinking under him— he'd spent forty five minutes standing in the middle of his bedroom frantically googling any recent news about Spider-man. The WiFi was fine then. Maybe he was using data, though. He'd had too much on his mind to even check.

Seokmin sighs, disappearing into his bedroom again. Mingyu lets his eyes close, trying to remember how to act normal. What if Spider-man has super-human hearing, he thinks. What if Spider-man— Seokmin— can hear his heartbeat erratically hammering against his chest as he tries to remember how to breathe again?

He only realises he's been lost in thought when he hears Seokmin in the kitchen again, rooting around the cupboards. Mingyu gets to his feet this time, making his way to the doorway, leaning against it. The pictures he's seen of Spider-man always made him look bigger. Bulkier. Sure— it doesn't look like Seokmin skips the gym— but he looks a little scrawnier in person. He's shorter than Mingyu, too. Not by a lot, but it still feels noticeable now.

Maybe his height helps. The fact he's light on his feet must make swinging through the city much easier. His arms— that Mingyu isn't looking at as he pulls open the fridge— are toned, too. It makes sense, he thinks. Maybe Seokmin suits Spider-man.

He keeps his observations to himself. It's annoying, his eyes often straying towards his roommate when he comes home late at night, bags under his eyes, slumped posture adding to his look of exhaustion. He looks like he's carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders, practically buckling under it as he drops his bag by the door most evenings, rubbing his face on his way to his room.

It makes Mingyu want to bring it up. The words bubble to the tip of his tongue whenever Seokmin yawns through his breakfast. He almost asks where he's been when Seokmin walks through the living room after never coming through the front door. He wants to prod for information when news alerts flash across his phone screen boasting of Spider-man's latest fights.

He keeps it to himself, though.

🕷️

He only lasts two months.

"Okay, I'm going to ask you something… And, you're not allowed to call me ridiculous," Mingyu begins, watching Seokmin's head tilt to the side like a dogs. "Are you… Spider-man?"

Really, he did well to last two months. Amazingly, in his opinion. He almost slipped up a few times, but he didn't bring it up. He purposefully skirts around it every time the thought enters his mind.

Except, he can't hold back now; Seokmin's come into the living room after leaving through the front door five hours ago, never re-entering through it. The question feels like it has to be asked just for Mingyu's sanity, at this point!

The silence stretches between them, although Mingyu is sure he can distantly hear the cogs in Seokmin's head scrambling as he tries to think of an excuse. In the end, he doesn't even find one. "Who?"

"So, you are," Mingyu nods. There's no other reason for him to ask something so stupid.

He watches him swallow, face slowly becoming as red as the mask Mingyu found in the laundry basket all those weeks ago. It's surreal, and a little stupid. Seokmin keeps opening and closing his mouth, trying to summon something intelligible to say. Mingyu feels a little guilty, clearing his throat eventually. "It's cool if you are, y'know? Spider-man— he's cool! I mean, I love Spider-man— well, not love— he's cool, though!"

If it's possible, Seokmin grows even redder. "How do you—" He breaks off, swallowing roughly. "Why would you think I'm Spider-man?"

"Well, I was doing laundry. and there was this mask—"

"Oh my God, did you wash it?" Seokmin almost squeals, looking momentarily distraught. "It needs the special fabric softener in the blue bottle, or it'll make me sneeze."

Mingyu has to stifle a laugh as he watches Seokmin's confession hit him. He's not sure his eyes can even get any bigger. "What? Spider-man has allergies?"

"It's not—" He cuts himself off, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Spider-man doesn't get allergies, okay? Seokmin…. He does."

Mingyu has to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from laughing properly this time. The whole situation feels so far removed from reality that he's tempted to pinch himself, too, just to make sure he's really awake. He resists the urge, though. "Right, well… It was kinda easy to connect the dots after that."

Seokmin owlishly blinks at him. He looks like he wants to deny it. They haven't exactly grown closer since Mingyu made the discovery. There's still an arms-length separating them. It makes sense he'd be concerned. "Were there… A lot…. Of dots?"

He shrugs a little. "Well, sometimes you look a bit beaten up… I just thought it was your big mouth getting you in trouble."

"Hey!"

"Sorry," he replies, although he's not. The comment is enough to break the tension, even if it is just a bit. "You go out a lot, too."

"So do you!" He argues.

Mingyu waves a hand. "Yeah, but I'm going to work. I work a job with weird hours. Or, I'm seeing our friends, and I usually invite you! But you disappear with no explanation… Which I guess makes sense, now."

Seokmin chews his thumb when he's nervous. Mingyu noticed it when they'd talked about living together, nail caught between his teeth as he tried to analyse whether Mingyu would be a good roommate or not, Wonwoo's recommendation probably sounding a little biased when it came to talking about his best friend.

He does it now, letting them wait in silence before he finally speaks quieter this time. "Does anyone— Did you tell anyone?"

Mingyu expects the question, but he still sounds a little offended when he asks, "Tell anyone? What do you take me for?"

"Well, I don't know!" Seokmin cries. "If I found out my roommate was Spider-man, I'd probably want to tell someone!"

That's true, Mingyu thinks. He'd had an overwhelming urge to call Wonwoo, or Seungcheol. His fingers had been practically itching to pick up the phone, and say 'guess what' to his friends. It wasn't his news, though. It was Seokmin's. And, Seokmin looks positively terrified of the idea of anyone else knowing.

"I'd never say anything to anyone," he finally says, hoping he sounds sincere enough for Seokmin to take him seriously. But he always finds Seokmin hard to read. "I promise," he tacks on, swallowing.

They're locked in a stare-off for a few moments before Seokmin's shoulders finally relax. "Okay."

"Okay," Mingyu stupidly echoes.

"You're just—" Seokmin shrugs. "You're one of the only people who know… I don't really tell anyone. Ever."

"Who else knows?"

It takes a few moments for Seokmin to actually answer. His mouth clamps shut as he tries to think it over before giving in, as if realising they've already gotten themselves in too deep. "Wonwoo."

"Wonwoo?" Mingyu practically squawks.

"He came over to get Soonyoung once, and I was—" Seokmin flushes a little, gesturing towards himself. "In my suit… I couldn't really deny it… And, now he helps, kind of."

"He helps?"

"Well, he's good with computers. He has that degree," he shrugs. "Sometimes he hacks into stuff for me… If there's an emergency, y'know?"

Mingyu swallows, the idea catching him off guard. He didn't think Seokmin and Wonwoo were close enough for something like that. They're friends, but not like he and Wonwoo are friends, or Soonyoung and Seokmin. There's no reason for Wonwoo to know out of all people.

"But Soonyoung…" The words hang mid air. Soonyoung has spent numerous evenings asking their friends about Spider-man. He's even got a little bulletin board in his room, pins pressed into a map of places Spider-man frequents. The idea of his boyfriend being Spider-man's man behind the scenes feels a little ridiculous.

But Seokmin shrugs. "Well, you figured it out a lot quicker than he did, and we've lived together a lot less time. Maybe he doesn't want to know that badly."

"Right."

"Right," Seokmin nods, and then straightens up a little. "I have to go out, though."

"Ah."

"I'll be back later," he offers, pointing towards the door.

"Is it superhero stuff?" Mingyu asks. He's been wanting to ask that every time Seokmin's walked in or out of the flat since he found out. Finally saying it makes him feel a little lighter.

Seokmin, however, looks like he'd rather be anywhere else than in this conversation as he reluctantly nods.

Mingyu nods back, letting him go. He won't ask from now on, he decides. Spider-man and Seokmin will be separate entities. Sure, he'll make a few mental notes whenever Seokmin slips out of the apartment for hours on end, but he won't ask.

Seokmin needs this from him. It's the least he can do.

🕷️

Mingyu has a Google alert for Spider-man's name. He watches clips on Youtube, hunched over his laptop at odd hours when he hears Seokmin get home. He never hears him actually come in, but the quiet footsteps in the kitchen always alert him he's back, Mingyu already scouring Twitter to find out where he's been spotted to see what he's been up to.

He sticks to his word, though. He doesn't ask. He keeps conversation with Seokmin short and casual. When they meet up with their friends, and Soonyoung excitedly mentions recent theories he's cooked up, Mingyu purposefully doesn't look his direction. He almost asks when they walk home, but he still manages an astounding level of self-restraint.

The truth is, he's never really considered superheroes that much. He didn't read comics as a kid or watched the cheesy movies. He can barely remember the first mention of Spider-man in the news. He cares a little now— because of his lengthy research— but he's not sure he'd have ever bothered looking into it if he didn't know it's Seokmin under the mask.

Soonyoung— with his stalker-like fascination— is another story. He's practically breathing down Hansol's neck at Jihoon's party, trying to pull his sweatshirt neckline lower to see his red t-shirt underneath. "C'mon, you think Spider-man is walking around in jeans and a t-shirt over his suit?"

"He could be!" Soonyoung insists, ignoring Hansol trying to bat him away. "That's how Clark Kent did things!"

"Clark Kent isn't real," Hansol huffs, giving him a light shove. Soonyoung finally relents, raising his hands in defence. "You're acting crazy."

"I'm not acting crazy. I'm investigating."

"Not everything needs to be investigated," Seungkwan pressed. "Spider-man hasn't done anything wrong. He saves cats, for God sake."

"And, he gave that kid his bike back last week. Did you see that?" Minghao says, joining his boyfriends defence. "He's just a nice guy. Your investigation is unnecessary."

"You can't tell him that," Wonwoo sighs. "You can't deter him."

"I think it's fun," Seokmin shrugs. Mingyu can't help but look over with slightly wider eyes than usual, wondering what this gains. Seokmin doesn't notice, though. "It's a mystery. People always want to know the answers to a mystery."

"Well, the answer isn't Hansol," Seungkwan tuts.

"It could be," he insists. "Hansol matches his build."

"Have you seen him in person?" Mingyu asks.

Soonyoung seems to slump back against Wonwoo, pouting as he crosses his arms. "Almost! He was walking past Delano's last week. I was in Delano's the day before."

"So, no," he confirms, earning a few laughs from his friends.

"It's not like I'm hunting him for profit. I just want to tell him he's doing a great job. Maybe become his friend. Maybe ask him if he'll swing me through the city once or twice."

Their friends all laugh again, Soonyoung's true intentions shining through. Seokmin doesn't add anything to the conversation, though. He takes a gulp of his drink, and smiles when Minghao prods Soonyoung for being an adrenaline junkie.

This time he almost asks again, footsteps matching Seokmin's as they make their way home. He could probably ask his opinion on Soonyoung's nosiness, their friends opinions, how he got into this.

He doesn't, though.

There's nothing said about Spider-man in their flat for another week and a half, in fact. It probably could have been longer, but Mingyu is thoughtless.

He's shuffling through Seokmin's desk, trying to find the phone charger he lent him the day before when Seokmin had held up his fried cable with a frown. Mingyu's just got his hand on the plug when he hears the window sliding open.

He turns because he can't stop himself, eyes landing on the silent figure of Spider-man trying to slide the window closed with his foot, his hands still stuck to the wall to keep him off the ground.

Mingyu's jaw drops. Of course he's seen clips of Spider-man stuck to the sides of building, but it's different seeing it up close. He moves like he weighs nothing, crawling across the ceiling before he drops himself onto his bed with an almost silent thud.

When he pulls his mask off he looks perfectly composed. His hairs a little messy, but he looks normal, as if he's just walked through the door instead of scaling the building.

"Is that how you've been sneaking in and out of the apartment all this time?" Mingyu blurts.

Seokmin flinches somewhat violently, surprise colouring his features as he finally spots Mingyu by his desk. "What— Why are you— Jesus Christ!" He sounds out-of-breath, the surprise of Mingyu in his room clearly winding him more than crawling across the room upside down. "Why are you in my room?"

"Charger," he lamely replies, holding it up as evidence.

Seokmin takes a moment to register it, blinking before he smacks the side of his head. "Shit, that's what I was meant to pick up."

"You can borrow it again," Mingyu rushes to say. He pats the pocket of his sweatpants holding his phone. "I just need it for an hour or so. I'll bring it back."

"I can go back out," Seokmin starts, already readying himself to get up.

Mingyu waves him off, though. "Seriously, it's fine."

Seokmin just looks too tired to contemplate going out again. He looks paler than usual, and Mingyu's sure he can see a tension in his shoulder that hurts just from looking at it. He still looks good, though. It's hard not to notice. "Are you sure?" He asks, although he looks a little relieved Mingyu's offering.

"We're friends, Seokmin. You can borrow whatever you want from me. It's no big deal."

For a moment— just a moment— he looks surprised. But then he's nodding, offering Mingyu a small smile. "Thanks."

"You could do something about the cobwebs in the living room, though."

"What?"

Mingyu weakly nods towards the door to their hallway. "There are cobwebs in the corners that even I can't reach…. Maybe you could—"

"Are you asking me to use superpowers to clean the apartment?"

He sheepishly shrugs. "It's for the greater good."

"What greater good?" Seokmin challenges, eyebrows raising.

"The… Apartments…"

"And, where will the spiders live?"

"Hey, they're your cousins. Invite them in here to co-habit. We don't need them hanging out over the couch."

Seokmin looks like he's trying to come back with something smart to say back. In the end he just laughs, though, shoulders relaxing as the sound echoes around the room.

🕷️

Mingyu wouldn't say he's used to Seokmin in the suit, but it doesn't feel surprising when he sees Seokmin in it anymore. It does feel surprising that he walked through the front door, though.

"I'll let you ask me anything you want if you share that with me," he breathes, pointing towards the pot of pasta Mingyu's been lazily stirring for the past three minutes.

"Did our neighbours see you?"

"That's what you want to ask me?"

Mingyu raises an eyebrow, looking between the pot and his roommate. "I don't want to ask you anything."

"But you can," Seokmin offers again, still trying to set up a trade-off. "Seriously. I feel like— I owe you whatever you want to know."

Mingyu squints at him for a moment. He looks exhausted again, bags under his eyes making him look paler, hair flattened against his head. He looks like he needs a shower, really. He suggests it, nodding towards the hall. "It'll be ready by the time you are."

Seokmin hesitates but nods, disappearing into his room. Mingyu focuses on his pot again, grabbing the bag of pasta to shake a few more pieces into the bubbling water. He hears the shower water start up, his hand reaching towards the knife to continue cutting his tomatoes.

The Google alert from yesterday had told Mingyu that Spider-man had been found hanging from the side of a building, leg caught in his own web that a nice civilian had to cut him free from. There had been talk of someone getting away, talk of Spider-man having a 'defeated posture' when he'd reached the street again. Seokmin hadn't been home since.

Mingyu supposes it's good he's back. He'd been itching to text, tempted to call. But he didn't want to overstep. He's still getting to grips with the whole thing. The fact they joke around a little doesn't change all that much for them.

Mingyu's plating up when Seokmin gets back, hair damp against his forehead, over-sized t-shirt and shorts replacing his suit. He looks impossibly young like this, and even tireder than before.

"You really can ask," Seokmin prompts after a few bites. His cheeks are a little pink from his shower, and the hot meal in front of him. But he looks serious as he looks across the table at Mingyu, fork paused mid-air.

Mingyu swallows his own bite, considering for a long time. In the end he settles on, "How do you do it?"

"Do what?" Seokmin echoes. "Swing? Make the web fluid? Sense things?"

He considers all the prompts, but Mingyu hasn't been agonising over those things. "Balance it?"

Seokmin pauses, the question clearly catching him off guard. "Oh."

"You just… You have work, and you see us, and you're here, sometimes. I just— I googled it, okay? And, you've been doing this since high school, and I know you graduated as one of the top of your class, so… I'm just curious how you balance all that stress," Mingyu explains, hesitating a little before he tacks on, "All that stress alone."

He wonders if the question is too invasive when Seokmin doesn't say anything for a long stretch of seconds, time ticking by as their pasta cools.

Eventually, Seokmin shrugs, glancing at his food with interest. "I just manage."

"Oh."

"I mean, I almost missed my graduation… And, I've fallen behind in classes before… Some of my photography assignments end up a little late… But I just push through."

He says it like it's fact, a way of life that's set in stone and he just has to get through, rather than a conscious choice. Mingyu's not sure he really gets it. But Seokmin's fork is clinking against his bowl.

"I like it."

"The food?"

Seokmin shakes his head before nodding quickly. "No— well, yes, the food is great! But I was talking about being Spider-man." Mingyu nods with interest, intrigued by how he talks about it like a role. "I like helping people, and feeling like I'm making a difference. It's important to me. It's who I am."

Mingyu can't help but feel it makes a little sense. Even before he met him, he'd heard stories from their friends about Seokmin's selfless nature, his constant need to help their friends with matters big or small. They always said he had a sense of a problem before anyone ever said anything.

However, it's one thing to check-in on Seungkwan's mindset for finals compared to swinging himself into danger week after week.

"How come you don't tell people?"

"It's not that big a deal."

Mingyu tries not to scoff. "Right."

"It's not! Really! It's just a small part of my life."

"It's not that small."

Seokmin huffs quietly, slightly amused before pointing his fork across the table. "You see how Soonyoung acts about Spider-man? You ever hear Jun's pre-prepared questions he has for Spider-man? Everyone knowing would change everything."

"So, you're keeping it a secret to avoid questions?"

"It would be exhausting." He chews through another few bites of food, humming as he swallows. "Think about it. If Jeonghan or Seungcheol find out I'm endangering my well being once a week, it's over! I'll never have a moment of peace again!"

His tone is light again, the prodding remark loosening something in Mingyu's chest that pushes him to laugh quietly. "Yeah, I suppose that's true."

"They mean well, but they'd put a tracker on me, or something. They'd want constant health updates."

Mingyu doesn't point out that he wants the same. His searches for Spider-man's name in the news have probably overtaken Soonyoung's attempts. He barely slept last night after realising Seokmin never came home.

He doesn't say it, but something in his face clearly translates it across the table. "God, not you too."

He flushes at the accusation. "I just worry! We're friends."

"I'm fine."

"You just look a little tired," he gently presses, trying not to hurt his feelings. "I'm sure you're great at flinging yourself across the city everyday, but I just want you to be careful."

Seokmin grumbles something under his breath, looking away from his bowl and the table entirely.

"I just care."

He stops grumbling then, silence stretching between them again as Seokmin looks back at him.

"I'm okay," he finally says, cheeks a little pink again. "I promise."

🕷️

"Is he okay?"

Mingyu looks away from the spot Seokmin was in a few minutes ago, meeting Seungkwan's eye.

"Seokmin?"

His friend blinks at him like he's an idiot, nodding as if it's obvious. "Yeah… Was he sick before you guys left?"

He wasn't. Seokmin was practically beaming when they left their flat, humming to whatever track their neighbours were playing too loudly through the walls, taking the trash out so 'they wouldn't have to take it out in the morning' when they'd be 'tragically hungover!'

Mingyu can see it in his head now.

But Seokmin has just made a big song and dance over his stomach cramping, practically stumbling away from them with his hands clutching his torso. The lie came only a few moments after the wails of sirens flooded past Joshua's apartment, but no one seems to have noticed that.

Except Mingyu, who feels like he's choking on his own tongue as he nods. "Yeah… A bit, but he thought he could power through. I guess not."

His drink is still on the table, abandoned in his haste to go. They haven't drank much, but Mingyu's already mentally running through the possibility of swinging whilst under the influence.

"He seemed fine," Jun murmurs, looking towards the door.

He seemed fine, Mingyu notes, until Seungcheol mentioned the sirens being a call for 'Spider-boy."

"I think you mean Spider-man," Soonyoung had jumped to correct. It was Wonwoo who had skilfully distracted everyone, asking if anyone wanted to order food. It had been enough to pull Soonyoung's attention away from any Spider-man theorising that could spiral out of him.

"It's probably my fault," Mingyu offers now. "I was a bit sick last week. One of the make-up artists at the last shoot had a bug, I think. Must have passed it along."

"Do you think he gave it to us?" Hansol asks, eyebrows raised.

Mingyu shrugs.

The conversation moves on, mindless chatter carrying them until the pizza arrives, slices disappearing one-by-one. Mingyu's mind wanders, however. His head is filled with thoughts about Seokmin. He wonders where he is, what the sirens were for, who he's saving, who he's fighting.

He does try to keep his attention on his friends, but the thoughts creep in, infecting his brain. He doesn't get another drink when everyone else does, taking small bites of his food until it's cold.

"Shot?"

Mingyu looks up, blinking at the glass Jeonghan is holding out to him. "What?"

"I asked you if you want a shot."

Mingyu swallows. He doesn't really want a shot. He doesn't really want to be here when he can't focus. He feels seconds away from dropping something on himself, or spacing out again. "I think I'll have to call it a night, actually."

He's already on his feet as his friends begin to argue. It's been three hours since Seokmin ducked out. He doesn't even want to think about how much can happen in that amount of time.

"Just a few more hours," Chan sighs, shaking his cup at him. "We're meant to play beer pong later."

It's not really a party, but drinking games are a feature at most of their meetings like this. He's not sure he'd get through a round without messing up, however.

He spends his subway home with his head bowed, thinking of every possibility he can. There are no Spider-man stories blowing up his phone, but that just makes him worry more. So Spider-man isn't swinging around the city, he thinks, because he's lying face down in a gutter.

"Seokmin?"

His shout echoes through their dark apartment, keys still in his hand as the door shuts behind him. He glances at the empty living room before passing the equally empty kitchen.

"Seokmin?" He calls again, just to be sure.

He's probably still out, he rationalises, trying to ignore the pit that opens in his gut at the insinuation. He could be anywhere. He could be—

"Mingyu?"

He can barely make it out. His name isn't said as much as it's rasped. He's moving before he can think twice, however, stumbling towards their bathroom.

Seokmin's still in his suit, but his mask lies on the floor, far away from his hunched posture as he sits on the side of their bathtub.

"Shit, are you bleeding?"

He squats in front of Seokmin, hands hovering over his face. He's too scared to touch. Up close he can see his suit is ripped, blood seeping from his chest, cut on his cheek weeping a little. He looks a mess, hair pressed against his head, damp with sweat against his pale skin.

"Just a scratch."

"Seokmin."

When Seokmin blinks his eyes open, and actually looks at Mingyu, he can see tears welling up. "It's not that bad," he weakly replies, although it sounds like he's holding back a sob.

"Let's…" Mingyu swallows roughly, standing up again. "Let's get you cleaned up, yeah?"

He finds alcohol spray in their bathroom cabinet, alongside cotton wool, gauze, medical tape, and bandages. He wonders if they've always been in Seokmin's side. He wonders just how many nights Seokmin's come home like this, slipping into the bathroom to piece himself back together without Mingyu knowing. He's not sure he wants to know the answer.

When he was a teenager, still stuck between balancing homework and weekends with his friends, he thought about becoming a doctor. The idea had struck him too late, a check-up at his own doctor for a cold inspiring him a little. He'd spent a week researching medical schools before realising sixteen was a little late to be thinking of these things.

Now, he wishes he'd spent the week researching the actual medical part.

"Ah," Seokmin winces as Mingyu helps him peel his suit off the top half of his body. He leaves it bunched around his waist, the cuts and bruises covering his chest taking the attention away from his toned torso.

Mingyu's hand hovers, cotton wool ball full of alcohol waiting to be applied. "What happened?"

"Got in a fight."

"With Godzilla?"

Seokmin lets out a quiet huff of amusement, wincing again. "Don't make jokes. It hurts to—"

"Breathe?"

"No more jokes."

Mingyu raises an eyebrow, but presses the cotton wool against one of the cuts on his chest, trying not to flinch at the groan Seokmin lets out. "Seriously, this can't just be a run of the mill fight. What happened?"

Seokmin takes a few shallow breaths as Mingyu begins to properly clean out the wound. "I just got… Thrown into a car… a little. And, the guy had this… I don't know what to call it. A fist? Like… A mechanical one? Sharp claws, and sparks…. I'm not sure. It was just bad. He picked me up by the chest, and… Well, he kind of slammed me against the car, and—"

He cuts off his explanation with a groan as Mingyu presses gauze against the wound.

"That sounds…" He trails off. What does it sound like? Absurd, to start. A little horrific, too. Terrifying.

"It's not as bad as it look," Seokmin assures him, as if he can tell Mingyu's breathing is picking up. "I'll be fine tomorrow. Just a little stiff."

"But—"

"It's just part of the job."

For a moment, Mingyu considers begging him to get a new job. There are a million options out there. Seokmin is smart, and funny, and— He cuts that line of thinking before it can take off. The point is Seokmin is good. He'd be great at a million jobs if he wanted to be. But he knows his suggestion will fall on deaf ears.

This is Seokmin's life. Saving people, being good for everyone else. He'll be doing it until he physically can't.

The idea terrifies Mingyu.

"How long were you here before I got home?"

"Only a few minutes," he mumbles, eyes following Mingyu's careful hands as they tape bandages into place. "How come you're back so early? I thought Soonyoung was trying to pull an all-nighter."

Mingyu swallows as he smooths the tape over Seokmin's skin, making sure the whole area is covered. "I was…. I was worried about you."

The admission makes him feel a little raw, stomach jumping as Seokmin blinks down at him. But he doesn't meet his eye. Mingyu rises, turning back to the sink, washing his hands before he starts on Seokmin's face.

"Tilt your head back," he requests when he kneels in front of him again, fresh cotton ball of antiseptic ready to press against the cuts on his cheek.

Seokmin obeys, but he still manages to stare at Mingyu. "You don't have to. I've cleaned myself up before."

"You're bruised. You shouldn't be moving too much."

"But—"

"I'm almost done," he insists, gently pressing against his cheek. It feels more intimate than before. He cradles Seokmin's jaw between his fingers, trying to keep him in place, ignoring the way he looks at him.

It makes him feel a little ill.

"Okay… All done," Mingyu says after securing a smaller bandage over his cheek.

He washes his hands a second time, drying them off before restocking the cabinet with the supplies, trying to keep them organised for future use.

"You want a hand to your room?"

Seokmin blinks up at him before nodding, letting Mingyu wrap an arm around his waist to pull him up as gently as possible. Their steps are slow as they shuffle down the hallway, Seokmin's arm wrapping around Mingyu's shoulders to try to steady himself.

"Fuck," Seokmin wheezes as he falls back onto his mattress. Mingyu opens his mouth to apologise, but Seokmin is waving him off, laboured breaths cutting through the room as Mingyu turns his desk lamp on. "My fault."

Mingyu pulls the blinds for him as Seokmin tries to shimmy his way out of the bottom of his suit. He turns back when Seokmin groans in pain.

"I can't—" He pinches his nose, face pink with embarassment. "Can you… Can you just—"

He seems too mortified to voice it, but Mingyu gets the message, carefully dragging the bottom of his suit off. He looks for somewhere to put the suit, desperately trying to look anywhere but Seokmin's toned thighs.

"You can just leave them on the chair… Please…."

He's still wheezing through the words a little pathetically.

"Shit, do you think you could have punctured a lung?" Mingyu asks, a whole new wave of concerns fighting their way into his head.

"What?" Seokmin wheezes, trying to push himself up on one elbow. He glances down at himself, as if the one of his ribs could be poking through his skin since Mingyu put the thought into his head. He catches himself, flopping back down with another harsh breath. "I don't think I did."

"How can you be sure?"

Seokmin's fingers trace over his ribcage, digging into random spots before beginning his journey along the opposite side of his chest. "I can't feel anything out of place like last time."

"You've punctured a lung before?!"

"Only when I cracked a rib," he innocently replies, laying his palms flat against his stomach.

"Cracked a rib?"

"It was ages ago."

"Seokmin."

"Mingyu," he breathes, leaning his head up again to meet Mingyu's eye. "This is my job."

"Jobs are things you get paid for. This is an insane volunteer gig that seems to always end in injury."

Seokmin's expression tightens before he shakes his head. "I've come home a million times before you knew… This can't just be different because—"

"Because I care?"

"Because you snooped where you shouldn't have," Seokmin huffs.

Mingyu leaves without turning the desk lamp off, a silent punishment for Seokmin's tone.

🕷️

"Good morning."

Mingyu doesn't look up from his laptop. He's been up for hours, barely sleeping, spending his morning jogging by the river before running home again, standing under the hot shower water until it hurt.

Now he's here, analysing which shots from a sun-cream ad campaign are good enough to add to his modelling portfolio. He's zooming in on blemishes that photoshop have covered, trying to see if he can spot them despite the skilful editing of the people in charge.

"I'm sorry about last night."

He still doesn't look up.

It's childish, but he's not ready. He's sure he looks as worse for wear as seokmin does, bags surely blooming under his eyes from the lack of sleep.

Seokmin rounds the kitchen counter, however, standing in Mingyu's line of sight when he gives in, and glances up from his screen.

There's something shocking about how fresh Seokmin looks. His hair is still damp from his shower, bandage Mingyu carefully applied last night gone. But there's only a scratch where the cut was, his cheeks looking a healthy shade of pink rather than the sickly green he'd tried to ignore last night.

"How did you—"

"I heal quickly," he admits, "I meant to tell you, but last night I was a little caught off guard. It'll be gone tonight."

"Gone?"

Seokmin nods, swiping his finger over the small scratch. It looks like make-up in a way; Mingyu almost expects it to swipe away. It doesn't, though. "My chest is on the mend, too."

"Oh," he manages, nodding slowly. "That's good."

"I wanted to say thank you, though," he insists, hands now flat on the counter. "I really— You didn't have to help me last night. And, you did. And, I wasn't nice to you. I'm sorry."

Mingyu wants to look away. It's hard to hold Seokmin's gaze when he's staring this earnestly, apologising so nicely. But he manages, nodding a little hesitantly. "It's fine."

"I care about you, too."

He sounds a little pained to admit it, but he still says it. And— worse— he looks like he means it.

Mingyu's breath hitches, a sudden, unwanted warmth blossoming right behind his ribs. It's infuriating how easily those five words throw off his entire rhythm. He crosses his arms, looking off to the side just to break the suffocating eye contact, trying desperately to pretend his heart didn't just do a slow, heavy thud against his chest.

"Thanks," Mingyu flatly replies.

Seokmin rocks back and forwards on his feet before nodding, turning to open the fridge. He only lasts a few moments before he's back at the counter, pressing his fingertips into the wood. "I don't get you."

Mingyu glances between his laptop and his roommate, head tilting to the side. "What?"

"I just— You don't ask any actual questions. I gave you free reign. You could have asked how this happened. Asked if it's a genetic mutation, or just some inherited trait like my father's nose or my mother's hair. But you didn't. And, now you're saying this stuff about caring. I just—"

"I didn't think you'd want to give me your family history, Seokmin. And, really, I don't care how you came to have powers. I don't even care how you're using them, at this point. I just care that—" Mingyu sighs heavily, shaking his head as he snaps his laptop shut. "I just care that you're safe, okay? I just want you to be safe. I don't want to come home someday, and have you—"

He cuts himself off rather abruptly, the admission feeling a little too much.

But Seokmin curiously prods him, eyes a little wider than usual. "Have me what?"

"Have you not be here."

🕷️

The camera that flashes in his eyes is a little blinding. Mingyu supposes he should be used to it by now, but he still has to blink away the stars. It takes everything in him to resist the urge to rub his eyes— his make-up would smudge.

"Brilliant."

He smiles at the photographer, accepting the compliment as the camera flashes again. They're on top of a building, the skyline behind them creating a breathtaking backdrop for the moisturiser Mingyu is holding by his cheek.

He stays posed for a few minutes, moving when asked, pulling whatever faces are requested by the creative team. He's worked with a few of them before, stood on similar rooftops for other champaigns. It's just another day in the office.

Except, not really.

"Holy shit, is that him?"

All heads turn as an assistant points towards a building across the road. Mingyu even lets himself look, too curious not to see what everyone is fussing about. He wishes he didn't when he spots Spider-man scaling the side of a building.

He's been avoiding him. It's a little childish considering they're living under the same roof. But he walked out of the kitchen the other morning, and hasn't looked back since. They almost ran into each other in the bathroom, but Mingyu was quick to U-turn his way back to his room, the door snapping shut behind him.

He lets himself look at Spider-man, though. The shoot is momentarily on hold, the photographer giving an intrigued glance across at the building. It gives Mingyu the opportunity to take him in, eyes catching the way he nimbly climbs up the skyscraper as if it's a rock wall rather than a flat surface of windows.

Mingyu's never seen him in action. He's watched the videos, studied the descriptions in articles. But this— now— is his first time experiencing it.

Spider-man reaches the top of the building, flipping himself onto his feet before looking over his shoulder. Mingyu almost thinks he's looking at him.

And, then he's gone, web shooting from one wrist, body taking off as he darts across the rooftop to another building.

A couple of the assistants leaning over the rooftop swoon. Mingyu listens to their interested 'oooh's' and 'ahhh's' and tries not to fall victim to the same fate. "He's so cool," he hears one guy say, making his way back to the lights to readjust them. The girl next to him nods a little too enthusiastically.

The sun has set by the time they're allowed to go, the photographer offering another thumbs up as a goodbye. Mingyu's quick to change into his own clothes, thanking the make-up team who offer him wipes before they pack their things up.

He's running through a mental grocery list by the time he gets to street level. He'll walk home, swing by the bodega on his way, pick up a pot noodle to keep him going until he does a proper grocery shop tomorrow. He'll get an early-ish night. He'll continue to ignore Seokmin.

His plan is golden until it's not.

The rain is what starts the whole thing. He's sure the clouds open up out of nowhere, the sudden downpour making him jump as he raises his arms over his head. The pavements dampen within moments, the heavy drops landing audibly against the concrete.

He's almost home, he reminds himself. There's no point wasting money on cab fare, or trying to catch the busy subway. If he just keeps his head down, and—

The explosion makes him jump. The car is across the road, but the fire feels far closer as it becomes engulfed in flames that climb dangerously high to the fire escape above it. Mingyu squints at it, trying to figure out what's happened, silently thankful the rain is beginning to fan the flames.

"Look out!"

The next ball of fire lands on the fire escape of the building by the car, and Mingyu realises it's someone launching something. He twists to look around, practically stumbling over himself to try and find the source.

Instead, he sees Spider-man for the second time today, dropping from a building onto the pavement, webs springing towards the flames. It's quite impressive to see how quickly they dampen, the webbing and the rain working together to stifle the flames.

It must be him that shouted, Mingyu thinks. And yet, he's still stood on the side of the road, staring at the scene as Spider-man shoots a web towards the building next.

Spider-man ends up in front of him, standing up straighter as he looks him up and down, the eyes of his suit widening. "Mingyu!? Shit— What are you doing here?!"

"I'm on my way home," he murmurs, keeping his voice down. Spider-man can hear him, though, stepping closer as his hand wraps around Mingyu's bicep, pulling him a little further down the street.

"Great," he mutters, glancing over his shoulder. "Good, yeah. Go home."

"What's going on over—"

The next ball of flames lands in the middle of the road, closer to them than any of the other attempts. When Spider-man looks at Mingyu again, his eyes are much wider. "Go home, Mingyu. Now."

He gives him a light shove, the concern in his voice making Mingyu nod quickly.

He doesn't end up actually leaving. Not properly, at least. This is his chance to see Spider-man. His chance to see Seokmin.

He ends up down an alleyway, poking his head around the corner as a figure approaches Spider-man. It's hard to make out what he is. There some sort of suit that makes him look somewhat robotic, and a large in one hand. The figure aims it at Spider-man now, the smaller darting out of the way as another ball of flames shoots from the gun.

It doesn't seem like anything Mingyu's ever seen before. Sure— he's a little far away— but he's seen flame throwers on TV before. This looks nothing like them. He can't even fathom how fire could be launched at close range like this, the flames licking the wet pavement beside Seokmin.

In the distance, he can hear the wailing sirens of help on the way. For now, he watches as Seokmin tries to shoot webs towards the stranger, a few sticking to the metal of his suit whilst others fall flat on the road.

Mingyu realises he wishes he asked questions when Seokmin offered them up the other day. He's suddenly afraid that he'll run out of whatever is spewing from his wrists. Unless it comes from him— does it come from him…?

He blanches, grip on the red brick of the wall in front of him tightening as he tries to get a better look. It's a blur to watch them fight it out now, though. Spider-man moves quicker than he expects, feet leaving the ground as he flips and jumps, trying to get a better shot at saving the street from disrepair.

Mingyu almost shouts. The words catch in his throat, but he tries his best, Seokmin's name at the forefront of his mind. A warning planned. The ball of fire seems to be moving faster than the rest, aim so clear that Mingyu is sure it will hit Spider-man. For a moment, he's sure it will kill Spider-man.

But he somehow sees it. Somehow catches it. The web is quick, shooting to the side, extinguishing it before it can hit him. Mingyu feels his mouth agape. He probably looks ridiculous, but he can't help it. He's mesmerised. Terrified, too. But mostly awe-struck.

His eyes barely catch Spider-man's webs hitting the gun, but with a fierce tug it's hitting the road, sparks flying as Spider-man pulls it as far away from the other as it can get. He's nimble, then. Mingyu tries hard to focus, but he's still shocked at the efficiency Spider-man appears to have for getting around. He's got the guy disarmed and restrained within the blink of an eye.

"Everyone put your hands up"

The police order is transmitted through a crackling megaphone that surprises Mingyu despite being able to see the flashing lights at the end of the street. Spider-man gingerly raises his hands, the cartoonish villain too tied up to move.

The police move in carefully, all their focus on him rather than Spider-man. Mingyu is watching Spider-man, though. It's hard not to, eyes wide as he launches another web from his wrist, body easily flying off the ground towards a rooftop as a fire engine arrives at the scene.

The sight is enough to wake Mingyu up a little. This is it. The bad guy is caught, police coming from more directions. And, he shouldn't be here.

He turns, looking further down the alleyway with a squint. It seems like a dead end, a fence keeping him from being able to get to the next street over. He's silently thankful the rain managed to teeter off in the time he spent watching the fight, but he should have left when he was told. He should have—

He doesn't have time to process his body lifting off the ground. One second he's on the street, the next his legs are dangling mid-air, arms scrambling to grab onto something— anything.

He ends up with a tight grip on the web that's attached to the centre of his chest, clinging to his shirt like a lifeline as he's lifted further into the air. He's sure he doesn't breathe the entire way up, air never quite making it out of his lungs. Even an embarrassing squawk gets lodged in his throat, never quite audible.

And, then he's on a rooftop. Solid ground.

Spider-man is hanging from the side of the rooftop water tower, eyes of his mask narrowed.

"What happened to home?"

They're still attached, Spider-man's wrist raised, the web hanging between them. Mingyu glances at it a little bewildered. "I—" He breaks off, still trying to get air. "You just lifted me off the ground."

Spider-man blinks at him, head tilting. "Yeah?"

The thought is dizzying. Mingyu almost wishes he wasn't hanging off the water tower so he could compare their height again. "You're so strong," he dumbly replies, weakly gesturing towards him. "I'm…. Heavy."

"That's what you wanna talk about?"

"I'm just saying," he says, voice a little hoarse. "I work out."

"I know, Mingyu."

"How strong are you?"

"Strong enough," he annoyingly answers, shrugging. "Answer my question. Why didn't you go home?"

He can't think of a lie, so he answers honestly. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"What would you have done?"

"Well, I was trying to warn you," he offers. "At one point, I was— well it was coming towards you, and I was going to shout, but you somehow managed to catch it before I could."

The other sniffs, head turning to the side. "I had a feeling about it."

"A feeling?"

"Yeah, I feel… Things," he mutters.

"Oh… A Seokmin tingle…"

"It's a Spidey sense," he argues, and Mingyu is sure he's pouting behind the mask.

"That doesn't sound much better."

He pulls the mask off just to frown, meeting Mingyu's eye for the first time in days. "It wasn't safe. You should have gone home."

"You should have, too," he shrugs.

"This is—" Seokmin lets out an exasperated sigh. "You know I had to be here."

He wants to argue. He's sure there are a million other people who should be here. A million other people putting themselves in harms way to keep Seokmin out of it. But he knows it's a losing battle.

"I know."

Seokmin looks a little surprised at the fact he isn't fighting back. In fact, it makes him look a little unsure of himself for a moment, swallowing roughly. "I'm sorry about our fight," he finally settles on saying. "I know you were avoiding me, and I really…. I hated it."

"I'm sorry, too," Mingyu murmurs.

"Did you mean it?"

"Mean what?"

Seokmin tugs him forward a little, web pulling Mingyu closer. "About coming home, and me not being there. It sounded—"

Mingyu goes easily, nearing the water tower with careful steps. "Sounded what?"

"I don't know. It sounded like more than that."

He opens his mouth, unsure of what will come out. It ends up being nothing, the wail of silence hanging between them as his mind runs through the list of possibilities for what Seokmin is thinking. He's hard to read, though. He always has been.

"I don't want to come home without you being there, either," Seokmin admits, lowering his hand to rest on the platform around the water tower by his feet. "I think…. Well, I don't know. I'm still figuring it out."

Mingyu blinks. He's making his own way closer now, ending up by the platform, looking up at Seokmin. "You're figuring what out?"

Seokmin looks down at him. "Us."

For a moment, Mingyu really wants to kiss him. He's too far away, and still looking a little confused by their interaction, but Mingyu considers it. Imagines it, even.

"We can figure it out together," he manages to offer,

Seokmin's gaze softens a little as he nods. "At home, though. You'll catch a chill with your shirt that damp."

Mingyu glances down at himself before looking up at him again. "What about you?"

"It's waterproof. Did you not notice when you were snooping?"

"I wasn't—" He breaks off when he notices Seokmin grinning at him, easy going nature replacing whatever serious spell has surrounded them the past few days. It makes him feel a little lighter as Seokmin climbs down like a normal person, landing on the rooftop next to him with a small thud. "I gotta get groceries," he remembers.

"Get groceries," he nods, stepping out of his space. "I can't go with you…"

"I'll meet you at home."

"Great," Seokmin nods, pulling his mask back on.

And, then he's gone, gliding through the air to another rooftop, ready to jump somewhere else. Mingyu watches, mouth open before Spider-man turns back, making his way to their rooftop again.

"Let me help you get back down, though," he offers, nodding towards the street below.

"Slowly, this time," he requests, trying not to overreact as Seokmin grabs his waist, pulling him into his side.

"Slowly," he repeats, but his tone is teasing.

Their descent is anything but slow, however Mingyu's mind lingers on the way Seokmin feels against him rather than the sharp drop to earth.

🕷️

"Are you sleeping with Seokmin?"

Mingyu's eyes widen as he looks at Wonwoo. "What?"

"I'm asking as a friend."

"I'm not sleeping with Seokmin," he huffs.

Wonwoo raises an eyebrow, folding his book page in half. "Really?"

"Why would you—"

"I saw you guys at Jun's! You were grinning at each other."

Ah, yes. The grinning. The happiness. It's part of the new chapter Mingyu has categorised in his head for them. They're 'figuring it out' by spending more time together. Getting to know each other a little better.

It's small things. It's things like Seokmin texting before he gets home so Mingyu can start dinner for them both. It's things like Mingyu asking how Seokmin's Spider-man abilities came to be, what he uses them for, how everything that makes him Seokmin adds up to also make him Spider-man. They talk more, joke more, laugh more.

They smile more, apparently, too.

"We're friends."

"You're more than friends," Wonwoo mutters, unimpressed. "You know. And, no one else does. That's big."

"You know."

"By accident."

"That's how I know, too."

"But it's different."

Mingyu leans back in his chair. He only came over to see Wonwoo's new computer, a tour that only took five minutes and somehow ended him up at their dining room table for three hours, scrolling his phone while Wonwoo read a book. It was like old times, in a way.

He should go home, though.

"It'd be good if you were."

"What?"

Wonwoo shrugs, mirroring Mingyu as he leans back. "Together. It'd be good. I think you'd be good for him."

The idea makes his stomach lurch. Together, with Seokmin. He's been thinking about it more and more since their day on the roof. The desire to kiss him has popped into his thoughts more than he'd like to admit, distracting him as Seokmin tries to explain his day over dinner. But they're figuring it out.

"Right."

"You look out for him. It's good."

"We're friends," he shrugs.

Wonwoo gives him a long look before nodding. "Right."

Mingyu thinks about it on the walk home, hands in his pockets. He always knew Seokmin was attractive. If he's honest, he probably thought about what it would be like to kiss him before their moment on the rooftop. He's probably had a crush on him since they first met.

He's pretty sure Spider-man is what threw a spanner in the works for his ideas about it. His constant worrying, his anxiety, his need to Google every Spider-man detail he could find. He feels a little better having seen Seokmin take charge in person. But could he deal with being in love with someone risking their lives like that everyday?

He stops outside their building, the thought bringing him to a halt.

He's not sure.

They're friends now. Roommates. And yet, he lost sleep over the idea of Seokmin ever being hurt. What would romantic feelings do to him, he wonders. He might never sleep again. He might never—

"Loitering's a crime, y'know?"

He jumps, turning to face the voice. Spider-man is hanging from their fire escape, web keeping him from hitting the ground. They're eye-level, although Spider-man is hanging upside down, the sight almost making Mingyu laugh.

He's still rethinking their entire relationship in his mind, however. He can barely even bring himself to smile.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Yeah?" Spider-man asks, Seokmin's voice gentle behind the mask. "You just look a little lost. Had me worried."

Worried.

The word echoes around his mind as he swallows. This is it. This is life. Seokmin being Spider-man doesn't change anything, really. There are tons of dangerous jobs out there, tons of people risking their lives. It doesn't stop them from falling in love. It shouldn't stop him.

"I was just thinking," he admits, stepping a little closer.

"Alert the press."

Mingyu scoffs at the joke, but he smiles nonetheless. He feels warmer than usual, and he's sure the way the eyes of Spider-man's mask squint as if he's smiling back is what does it.

"Can I kiss you?"

It's comical how large the eyes of his mask get, surprise conveyed through them and them alone. But then he's nodding, the movement looking a little tedious upside down.

Mingyu steps even closer. He could ask him to get down, do this properly. But he finds himself peeling half of Spider-man's mask down, cupping his cheeks to press a soft kiss against Seokmin's exposed lips.

For a moment, there's nothing, and he almost pulls back. But then Seokmin kisses back, mouth opening so he can catch Mingyu's top lip, the angle a bit off, but somehow perfect. Mingyu's never kissed anyone upside down before, but he leans into it regardless. He's not sure anything about their relationship can be classed in the realm of reality, really.

He's the one to pull away, unable to help smiling as Seokmin strains his neck trying to follow him. "You're going to get a headache if you stay like that."

"You're right," Seokmin admits, and then twists, body easily flipping to let him land on the pavement beside Mingyu as gracefully as possible. "C'mon."

He grabs Mingyu by the waist before he can protest, aiming his wrist towards their fire escape. Mingyu opens his mouth to argue, but they're already taking off, his arms latching around Seokmin's neck to keep himself secure.

They land without issue, though. Mingyu's still unsure of the logistics as Seokmin slides his bedroom window open, ushering Mingyu inside.

"You have to stop doing that, it's—" Mingyu's words are cut off by Seokmin's hands on his cheeks, pulling him in for a proper kiss this time.

Their mouths move together, lips slotting against each other like they were designed for this, and this alone. His hands find their way to Seokmin's waist, the suit's pattern odd under his fingertips. Seokmin presses his body against Mingyu's, distracting him further.

Seokmin. is the one to pull away first this time, using his moment of air to pull his mask off completely, throwing it behind him before his hands are back on Mingyu's jaw. "Is this us figuring it out?"

"I figured it out," Mingyu admits.

Seokmin stares at him for a moment, and he almost feels studied. Seokmin seems to understand, however. He nods, slowly, thumb caressing Mingyu's cheek. "I did, too."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah," he says, leaning in to kiss him again.

Mingyu tries to feel sure of himself, but he feels a little dazed as Seokmin slips his tongue into his mouth, lips moving against his own with a rhythm he didn't expect. He lets his fingers squeeze Seokmin's waist, their feet stepping backwards until the back of Mingyu's knees hit the bed.

He falls a little dramatically, Seokmin's suit a material too shiny for him to keep his grip. It's almost worth it to see Seokmin look down at him, desire in his eyes. Mingyu hasn't seen this type of expression on Seokmin's face before, but it's the only way he can describe it.

"I saw you on a billboard today," he says, pulling at his suit. It comes off easily, hanging at his waist as he pauses. Mingyu lets himself look. There are no cuts and bruises on his torso this time, just toned muscle he wants to run his tongue over.

"Yeah?" He manages to ask, realising Seokmin is waiting for a response.

Seokmin nods, dropping the suit in a heap on the ground. "It's kinda distracting to see your face on the side of buildings I'm trying to swing past."

"Is it?"

"Extremely," he nods, moving to stand between Mingyu's legs. He feels a little helpless, still fully dressed and lying on Seokmin's bed.

"Well, at least you have the real thing at home," he offers, sucking in a breath as the older kneels on the bed, leaning down to meet him.

"I do," he nods, pressing their lips together again.

Mingyu gets lost in it easier than he'd like to admit. Their teeth clash, hands finding their way to each other. Seokmin's skin is hot under his touch, body firm against him as he works his way under Mingyu's shirt, careful hands grabbing him.

His clothes end up next to the suit, Seokmin impatiently fumbling with Mingyu's belt until he got the message.

"Okay…." Mingyu mumbles, Seokmin in his lap now, boxers the only thing separating them. "I do have a… Spidey… question."

Seokmin looks down at him, eyebrows raising. "You do?"

"If we have sex… Are you going to… Is it possible you'll, like, lay eggs?"

Seokmin blinks at him, mouth opening and closing. "What?"

Mingyu flushes, leaning up on his elbows. "Well, I was researching spiders after I found out about you, and I—"

"I'm not an actual spider, Mingyu," he flatly replies. "Did you— Wait, you researched?"

He nods slowly, looking away from Seokmin's curious gaze. "Well, I knew for a while before I asked you… I had to look into it myself…"

"And, you decided to look into the reproductive process?"

It sounds bad out loud like that. Mingyu's pretty sure he's as red as Seokmin's suit on the floor. "No, I—"

"That's a little presumptuous," Seokmin tuts, finger trailing over Mingyu's chest. "Did you like me back then, too?"

He asks it seriously, looking down at him until Mingyu can't help but meet his eye, He finds himself nodding, finds himself smiling when Seokmin does.

It's easier now, he thinks. The room feels lighter, tension gone entirely as Seokmin lies back, inviting Mingyu to open him up. Mingyu feels a little mesmerised by how pliant Seokmin is for him, moaning softly as Mingyu slowly stretches him open, prepping him. It's almost hard to remember it's the same person who was lifting him off the ground like he weighed nothing, pulling him up the side of a building by the waist.

"You can—" Seokmin cuts himself off as Mingyu crooks his fingers again, savouring the moan that falls from his mouth instead.

"Yeah?"

"Please," Seokmin quietly begs, and Mingyu finds himself nodding, unsure of how he'd ever be able to say no.

It takes him a moment to fumble with his condom, anticipation making his hand shake as he slicks himself up. But then he's ready, lining himself up with Seokmin, trying not to think too much about the way he's looking up at him.

They practically meld together, Mingyu's hips snapping at a measured pace that keeps punching little moans from the back of Seokmin's throat, quiet encouragements spurring him on.

It's over quicker than either of them probably would have liked, Seokmin coming untouched, clenching around Mingyu until his own orgasm hits him. He silently prays there'll be a next time, a redemption that lasts at least a few minutes longer. The way Seokmin looks at him as he cleans him up tells him there's a possibility.

He flops onto the bed beside him, limbs a little loose, heart still beating a little too quickly for him to feel normal.

"We should do that again," Seokmin mumbles beside him.

"I get that you probably have some sort of Spider-stamina, but I need to—" His joke is cut off by the pillow Seokmin whacks against his chest,

"You need new material."

"Hey, that's a valid concern," Mingyu huffs, but he's grinning when he meets Seokmin's eye.

Seokmin leans up on his elbow, looking at him a little more seriously. "We should, though. I really…"

He trails off as if he's not sure what to say, how to word it. But Mingyu nods, leaning up to kiss him once again. "I know," he says when he lies back down. "I do, too."

🕷️

It settles down. At least, in Mingyu's opinion, it settles down. He doesn't spend every night worrying when Seokmin will come home because he keeps in contact. And, he usually ends up creeping into Mingyu's room, the taller often waking up with Seokmin half on top of him, snoring quietly.

And it's easy to fall into a new routine, getting to know each other better than before, days spent making time for each other between work and Spider-man activities.

Mingyu even adjusts to getting swung through the city, Seokmin's tight grip on his waist keeping him safe and secure.

He even begins to like it.

Still, life isn't perfect.

"It's on your left."

"There's nothing there."

"There is," Mingyu huffs, pointing. "Over there."

"That's my right."

"Oh… Okay, on your right."

Seokmin crawls a little further across the ceiling, feather duster under his arm. "You know, you could have taped this to a stick, and done it yourself."

"What's the point in dating Spider-man if he's not going to help with the house cleaning?"

Seokmin grumbles under his breath, but his complaint is cut off as their attention is drawn to their front door, a key clicking against their lock outside.

They both freeze, Mingyu looking between Seokmin and the door, Seokmin's eyes narrowed as if he's trying to see through the wood.

It's not a criminal who bursts through their front door, however. It's Soonyoung, Wonwoo stumbling into the flat behind him.

"You," he practically shouts, landing in front of Mingyu with a finger jabbing him in the chest. "How could you?"

Mingyu blinks down at him before looking over his shoulder. Wonwoo stands by the door, waving up at Seokmin with a polite smile before looking over at Mingyu. He raises his hands in surrender before Mingyu looks away, back at his angry looking boyfriend. "Me?"

"You're dating Spider-man, and you didn't tell me!"

His mind takes a moment to catch up. Maybe it's the fact he's stopped googling Spider-man's every move, spending his time asking Seokmin about it instead. But he never considered they'd be seen together.

"What?" He manages to innocently reply.

Soonyoung fumbles through his pocket for a moment before retrieving his phone, holding it up to Mingyu's face. It's almost too close to his eyes for him to focus, but he manages. The picture Soonyoung shows him has Spider-man by his side, arm around his waist, Mingyu's body leaning towards him with a lovesick grin. But Soonyoung isn't done, swiping to the next photo that shows Spider-man, half his mask pulled up, kissing Mingyu on a rooftop.

It's from three days ago, when Seokmin decided to 'walk Mingyu home' from a photo shoot.

He involuntarily flushes, blinking when Soonyoung repockets his phone, annoyed face glaring up at him. "I can't believe you didn't tell me! You know who he is, and you wouldn't even tell me— your best friend!"

"Wonwoo's my best friend…"

"I'm Wonwoo's boyfriend! That's best friend by extension. Like I should be with Spider-man!"

"Oh my God, Soonyoung, you're already best friends with Spider-man!"

Mingyu doesn't expect Seokmin to speak, so he jumps just as much as Soonyoung does. He recovers quickly enough to take delight in the shocked expression that spreads across the shorter's face as he stares up at the ceiling with wide eyes.

"You— But you— Spider— But you— But I— But we— Roommates?" Soonyoung stammers out, not quite making sense.

Seokmin drops to the floor with grace, letting go of the duster before he approaches his friend. "Take a breath."

"You're Spider-man?!"

Seokmin swallows before he nods.

"And, you're dating Mingyu?!"

He somehow sounds more surprised about that, eyes wider than Mingyu thought was possible for any human to manage. But Seokmin is calmly nodding, smiling. "Yeah."

"And, you didn't tell me," Soonyoung sniffs.

"I didn't tell anyone. Mingyu found out by accident, same as Wonwoo."

He must realise his mistake when Soonyoung gasps, spinning back to the door. "You!"

Wonwoo pales, mouth opening and closing like a fish as he tries to get to grips with the look of anger on Soonyoung's face. "It was an accident!"

"You knew!"

"It was a secret, I couldn't—"

"You knew!"

Seokmin glances up at Mingyu, an amused look on his face as Wonwoo splutters a little more, caught out.

"How about you two take this home?" Mingyu suggests, giving Soonyoung a pat on the back. "We were actually busy before you came over.."

"Busy…" Soonyoung repeats. "I get it. Honeymoon phase… I remember that… Cherish it. One day, your lover will betray you."

"I didn't betray—"

"And, you'll have to face a future without them. Plan a life on the run. Learn how to hide a body—"

"You're so dramatic," Wonwoo huffs.

Seokmin and Mingyu can't help but laugh, though. Soonyoung glares at his boyfriend before dragging Seokmin into a hug. "Fine. No hard feelings. We'll talk about this later."

Seokmin nods quickly, still smiling as Soonyoung steps away. "I'll tell you whatever you want to know. I promise. You just—"

"I'm not going to tell anyone," he promises without being asked.

"Thank you."

Soonyoung looks up at Mingyu before nodding back at Seokmin again. "I'm serious about that honeymoon phase. Go get him tiger… Or should I say… Spider."

His exaggerated wink earns another laugh from them, Soonyoung beaming before he makes his way back to the door. He gives Wonwoo a light shove as he opens the door, glaring again. "See you soon," Wonwoo tells them both.

"If he survives," Soonyoung snipes.

They can hear them bickering outside the front door for a few moments before it closes fully, silence returning to their flat.

"He's ridiculous," Seokmin says, turning to loop his arms around Mingyu's neck.

Mingyu lets his hands rest on his waist, head tilting. "He's just excitable. I hear Spider-man is really cool."

"He's okay," Seokmin shrugs, lips twitching as he tries not to smile.

Mingyu grins before he leans down to kiss him, soft lips pressing against his own for a moment. Seokmin's blushing when he pulls away, smiling properly this time. "You know what would make him cooler…?"

"What?" Seokmin breathes, still close to Mingyu's lips.

"If he got that giant cobweb he's been ignoring all morning. It's just in that top corner, and you'd—"

Seokmin shoves him away, Mingyu stumbling a little. He's close to slipping, but Seokmin catches him by the waist, strong fingers keeping him upright. "Stop using me for my housework."

"That was a nice catch. Your Seokmin-tingle is so cool."

"I told you, it's—"

Mingyu rights himself, pressing his lips against Seokmin's again. "I know," he says when they're apart again, hands still keeping a grip of one another. "Spidey-senses. Very cool."

Seokmin sighs against him, head tilting. "Fine. Tell me where the cobweb is." Mingyu grins at him, kissing him one final time before he lets go.

They'll be okay, he thinks, watching Seokmin navigate their ceiling again. There'll still be worries in his mind, injuries to attend to, battles for Seokmin to fight. But Mingyu is pretty sure moments like this make it worth it.

He's pretty sure Seokmin is worth it.

"It's on your left."

"My left or your left."

"… It's on your right."

"Of course."