He couldn’t stay in his apartment. Everything here reminded him of Wonwoo, Seokmin and the whole situation. Besides, Minghao would show up here at some point and Mingyu wasn’t ready to talk to him. He packed his things and drove to his mother, who was happy to take him in. And finally, finally, Mingyu could breathe. Breathe properly.
He got the feeling that the distance was good for him. No Wonwoo, no Seokmin, no Minghao. No one he could disappoint. Mingyu was able to fully concentrate on Wonwoo’s gift. It...he didn’t necessarily care if Wonwoo forgave him. He hoped so. But Mingyu would understand if Wonwoo didn’t, the way Mingyu had hurt him. But Mingyu didn’t prepare the gift because he wanted Wonwoo to forgive him. But because Wonwoo deserved it. Even if Wonwoo didn’t give him another chance, Mingyu would go through with it.
Mingyu sat at Wonwoo’s gift until the last moment. He left very close and arrived at his office a little late. The last appointment was coming up. The last date. Mingyu was a little nervous as he packed Wonwoo’s gift in a bag and took it to the cat cafe. Mingyu didn’t know how the others would react to his presence. He could explain it to Jeonghan, Jihoon and Soonyoung. He could explain it to Minghao and Jun, who would be there. Mingyu just wouldn’t be able to explain it to Wonwoo. Not yet. Because he wanted to do it right. Just like Wonwoo deserved.
As soon as Mingyu entered the cat cafe with a very uneasy feeling, Soonyoung greeted him. “Luckily you’re here! Wonwoo is in the kitchen. It’s best to go to him now.”
Okay. He hadn’t expected this reaction to his presence. Mingyu’s phone had been off since Christmas, but he still remembered the message on his voicemail from Jeonghan. He expected worse.
On the way to the kitchen, Mingyu only glanced around. The decoration seemed sparse compared to previous events. And there were a lot of people there. Even though Jeonghan didn’t put as much work into the event this time, they were popular. Without hesitation, Mingyu walked into the kitchen.
His heart skipped a beat when he saw Wonwoo. He had missed him so much. He still missed him. Mingyu missed his Wonwoo with whom he could tease each other. Someone he could talk to. Who cared for him and who he cared about. Would Mingyu get him back? It was all up to Wonwoo.
“Hey.” His voice broke and Mingyu cleared his throat. Would the other curse him? Punish him with silence? Mingyu was prepared for anything.
Wonwoo raised his head. And looked relieved when he saw Mingyu. “Luckily you’re here. Can you help us? Jeonghan and Jihoon are both sick and the help we usually hire has made some mistake and we are understaffed. Really understaffed.”
Just not this one.
“Sure. Should I go change?” he agreed, surprised. Mingyu would do anything. Even if it meant he had to work at the cat cafe for at least five hours.
“Yes, please. A uniform is already waiting downstairs. After that, you can replace Soonyoung so that he can go to the bar.” As if the matter had been resolved for Wonwoo, or because he was really stressed, he turned his attention to the snacks he was currently preparing.
Mingyu stopped briefly and looked at Wonwoo. Not for long, as he didn’t want to avoid work and was already late, anyway. Just long enough for his longing to subside a little and yet at the same time get worse.
Mingyu turned away and opened the door.
“Mingyu?” Wonwoo’s gentle voice made him freeze. He didn’t dare turn around. “Thank you.”
Mingyu closed his eyes. Why was Wonwoo like that? Mingyu didn’t deserve it. Not yet. “Not for that,” he whispered and went out of the kitchen to get to work.
He had imagined New Year’s Eve to be different. Mingyu had imagined the date differently. But he didn’t mind greeting people that day, offering them drinks, and later picking up snacks and trash and dishes. It even fit into his plan better than him being alone with Wonwoo. He noticed that Minghao and Jun were also helping out, but (fortunately) couldn’t speak to them.
During his break, he went to see Soonyoung. Soonyoung was in the kitchen (luckily Wonwoo was checking on the cats) and was preparing the next round of snacks. He looked exhausted. Therefore, Mingyu felt guilty about his request. But it had to be done.
“You want to be alone with Wonwoo at midnight? I think we can manage that. He’ll go upstairs to the cats if there’s any panic there. Just go up.” Soonyoung gave him a thumbs up.
“Thank you, Soonyoung I-”
“I’m doing this for Wonwoo,” Soonyoung interrupted him and for the first time, the other came across as serious and cold. “I shouldn’t have let you into the cat cafe. I’m definitely going to get in trouble with Jeonghan because of you. But if you want to make it up to Wonwoo, I won’t stop you.”
Mingyu nodded. He also had to gain the others’ trust again. He still had no idea how and at the moment only Wonwoo mattered to him, but he made a note that he had to think of something. Mingyu ended his break early because he would have enough rest later and plunged into work again.
Mingyu kept an eye on the clock. Time passed quickly as he worked. And then it was 11:50 p.m. Mingyu went into the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of champagne and two glasses. Then he got Wonwoo’s present from the basement and went to the first floor.
“It’s getting a little loud, but you’re not scared, are you? Nothing will happen. Don’t worry,” he heard Wonwoo’s voice. Mingyu smiled. He would have liked to listen to the other a little longer, but a glance at the clock told him that it was time. So he entered and made his way into the lounge, where he thought Wonwoo was.
Wonwoo looked up when he heard the door open. Seoltang came to Mingyu meowing, but Mingyu had no eyes for the cats. He fixed his eyes on Wonwoo, who looked at him in surprise. He sat on the floor and the cats gathered around him as if they competed for Wonwoo’s attention. And Mingyu could understand them.
“Mingyu? Sorry.” Wonwoo stood up. “Is it getting too much for you? You’re welcome to stay here. I’ll go downstairs and help.”
He hated that Wonwoo was so understanding. That he didn’t blame him. That he made things way too easy for Mingyu.
“Please stay.” Mingyu knew that his perfectionism had ruined some things for him. But he wanted this romantic gesture he had planned to be perfect. So he didn’t say anything else.
Wonwoo looked at him uncertainly before nodding and sinking back to the ground. He ignored Mingyu. Okay.
Mingyu went to the window and placed the gift on the windowsill before placing the champagne bottle and glasses there. It had to be soon. He glanced at his watch. 3 minutes left.
Since Wonwoo ignored him, Mingyu opened the champagne and poured it into the glasses. He didn’t even know if they would have anything to toast to.
“You nearly made it.” Mingyu tried to start a conversation. He meant the bet. But Wonwoo didn’t reply.
“Since you have to work today, the others will know that you won, right?” he tried again. Was it a mistake, after all?
Mingyu sighed and looked out the window. If it weren’t for the cats, he would have kidnapped Wonwoo to the roof.
Mingyu didn’t notice Wonwoo getting up. Only when he stood next to him did he look at him. Wonwoo looked out the window. And there was such a sad expression in his eyes.
“You nearly made it, too.”, Wonwoo whispered. And in his voice, Mingyu heard the pain Mingyu had caused him. “And you never have to see me again.”
Mingyu had planned to toast with Wonwoo at midnight and then carry out his plan. But after those words, he couldn’t.
“Please look at me.”, Mingyu asked gently.
Outside, you could hear the people starting the countdown.
10
9
8
Wonwoo turned to him.
7
He raised his head and looked at Mingyu.
6
And Mingyu could see tears in his eyes.
5
Mingyu’s heart clenched painfully.
4
He didn’t want that. Not at all.
3
“Please let me explain,” Mingyu whispered.
2
It was too early, but Mingyu didn’t want to wait another second. He walked up to Wonwoo and kissed him.
1
Wonwoo didn’t push him away, but he didn’t respond either. Only when the fireworks could be heard outside did he push him away. He didn’t look at Mingyu anymore, but went back to his seat and seemed to take care of the cats.
Mingyu turned to him and looked at him helplessly. “Wonwoo-“
“What was that?” Wonwoo asked without looking at him. He petted Byeol, who looked around the room in a panic.
“It’s a tradition to kiss on New Year’s Eve,” Mingyu explained. His head was blank. He knew he should go through with his plan. But it took him a moment to remember. Remember Wonwoo’s gift.
Mingyu took it in his hands and walked to Wonwoo. Noise could still be heard outside. “I still owe you a gift,” Mingyu began. He crouched down, so that he was almost at eye level with Wonwoo. Mingyu felt so sick. He hadn’t been this nervous in a long time.
“You don’t owe me anything,” Wonwoo said shortly, giving Mingyu’s heart a pang. He didn’t deserve anything else, did he?
Mingyu finally sat down on the ground. He held Wonwoo’s gift in both hands and held it out to him. “I broke up with Seokmin. Wonwoo...I’m sorry. I’ll be happy to explain everything to you later, but please unwrap the present first.”
Apparently, that was the right thing to do. Mingyu could be cursing himself for not saying it right away. Wonwoo must have thought that Mingyu was just playing with him!
Wonwoo raised his eyes and looked at Mingyu. He then stretched out his hands and took the gift from Mingyu.
Byeol, who meowed offended, wandered over to Mingyu and Mingyu took Wonwoo’s part and petted him.
Wonwoo looked at the wrapped gift. He didn’t say anything or respond, and Mingyu waited. He wanted to give Wonwoo the time the other might need. Should he have explained everything to him first and then given the gift? Damn, why couldn’t Mingyu do anything right anymore?
Then Wonwoo hesitantly began to unwrap the gift. Careful to not damage the paper. Mingyu was glad that Byeol and now Seoltang had come over to keep him busy. Otherwise, he would have gone crazy waiting.
Wonwoo took out the calendar that Mingyu had prepared for the last week. He stroked the cover. “A calendar?” he asked, more to himself. Wonwoo looked up briefly and their gaze met. Then he opened the calendar. Mingyu focused on Wonwoo’s face. He picked up on every little movement. Mingyu saw the other’s expression become more closed. He hated it. Mingyu had tried to save it too late. But he had tried. He lowered his gaze and let go of the cats. And then he noticed Wonwoo flipping through the calendar from the back.
A nervous laugh escaped Mingyu. He reached for the calendar and opened approximately the page that should be for January.
14.01.2023
6:00 p.m. Eating out with Mingyu
“Sorry. I haven’t found a stupid name for myself,” Mingyu tried to tease the other. But his voice sounded far too nervous. How long had it been since he’d pulled something like that?
And failed miserably.
Wonwoo was still silent.
“Wonwoo, I’m so sorry. I wasn’t fair. I wanted to do everything right. Want to have everything perfect. And in the end, I destroyed everything. I have feelings for you. Only for you. There is no one else and there should have been no one else. I don’t know if you can forgive me, but I hope we can keep the dates on your calendar.”
He saw Wonwoo swipe at the appointment and turn the page.
07.01.2023
2:00 p.m. Visit to the aquarium with Mingyu
21.01.2023
8:00 p.m. Visit to an observatory with Mingyu
28.01.2023
1:00 p.m. Paint & Pour with Mingyu
“You’re an idiot.”
Huh? Wonwoo finally spoke after what seemed like forever and that was the first thing he said? And was that a good or a bad sign?
Wonwoo closed the calendar and placed it on the floor next to him. “Such a big idiot.”
Well, then the rejection would come now. Mingyu would endure it.
“My idiot,” Wonwoo added. Soft. “My big idiot.” When he looked up, he smiled at Mingyu. “The cats have calmed down. Now let’s go to the others and help. And then talk. I can’t believe you didn’t remember that I hate getting out of the house and doing things every week!”
Wh...what? Mingyu was still too confused. He still didn’t understand whether Wonwoo’s reaction was positive or negative. He was...like before? But the words didn’t make sense. Was he angry or forgiving Mingyu?
Mingyu also stood up as Wonwoo did so. Wonwoo smiled.
“Thank you.” Wonwoo came up to him and kissed him. Gentle and short. “I can’t believe I not only won the bet, but I got you, too.”
And finally, finally, Mingyu knew that he hadn’t completely messed up with Wonwoo. Things wouldn’t be the same again tomorrow, but Wonwoo was willing to give him another chance. That was all Mingyu wanted for today.
He reached for Wonwoo’s hand and squeezed it.
“Come on, Mr. Beanie. Let’s end the last date of the old year.”
He was the worst. The most terrible. He didn’t deserve anything good.
Mingyu had really tried to do everything right. Breaking up with Seokmin. Wait a certain amount of time. Confess his feelings to Wonwoo. Explain everything. Mingyu had managed none of it. Absolutely nothing. He had hurt Wonwoo. He would hurt Seokmin. Not to mention himself.
Mingyu buried himself in work again. After his escape he went to his office. And that’s where he worked. The thoughts couldn’t always be stopped.
Mingyu thought about Seokmin. Wasn’t it better to stay with him? Did he need that one person who wouldn’t let him push him away? Or would it be too much for Seokmin that he had cheated on him? Not just emotionally but also physically? Seokmin didn’t deserve it. Should Mingyu even confess it to him? He didn’t want to lie to the other, but it would only burden Seokmin. If Mingyu decided to tell Seokmin the truth, would Seokmin stay with him? Would he carry out his threat?
Mingyu looked at his phone, which was still turned off on his desk. Seokmin had definitely written to him often. But Mingyu couldn’t bring himself to turn it on. He was too scared. Which is why he sat in his office in the dark and only worked with the light from his screen.
Which led him to the person he thought about so often. Wonwoo. What did he do now? What had he thought when he got out of the shower and found the bed empty? Had he cried? Was Wonwoo a guy who cried a lot? Had he written to Mingyu? Called him? Cursed him? Mingyu couldn’t blame him. Mingyu would rather have Wonwoo hate him than cry because of him. He didn’t deserve someone like him. Mingyu had tried to be better and earn Wonwoo’s love, but he wasn’t that good.
Whenever he thought of Wonwoo, Mingyu tried to quickly shake the thought of him away and concentrate on work again. For 2 days. He worked from Saturday evening to Monday morning. Mingyu took a short break at night when his program restarted and dozed off a little in his chair. He had food delivered to the office and trash piled up in the kitchen. He didn’t even notice that he was working through Monday because he was so intent on blocking out his thoughts.
Until Seungcheol showed up.
He didn’t say anything, but the look he gave Mingyu said it all.
“I...worked...throughout the weekend,” Mingyu justified himself.
“Are you okay?” Seungcheol sat down at his meeting table and looked at him. And since he should move again anyway, Mingyu got up and also went to the meeting table. He stopped behind the chair across from Seungcheol. “I’m having a little trouble,” he admitted. “That’s why I took the opportunity and worked. The good news is we don’t have much work left to do this year. What’s here so far.” It was really good to work for two days.
“Then you can go home and rest now.” Seungcheol looked at him seriously and Mingyu didn’t like that. He couldn’t use anyone who wanted to take care of him right now. It reminded him of…Wonwoo. Damned.
He shook his head. “I...I can’t go home.” What if Seokmin or Wonwoo were waiting there? He wasn’t ready to face either of them.
“Okay.” Seungcheol stood up. “Then you go to my house. You can shower and sleep there. I’ll keep things tidy here and then drive to my apartment via your apartment. I’ll bring you what you need, okay?”
Old Mingyu would have refused. He would have put his employee in his place, because that was really not appropriate behavior here. He would have refused any help because he didn’t need it. Mingyu wouldn’t have let himself go like that in the first place.
But Wonwoo had changed him. He was no longer the old Mingyu. This Mingyu was happy that Seungcheol offered him this opportunity. That he could continue to run away from his problems. And so he nodded. “Fine.”
After the long nap at Seungcheol’s (fortunately his son wasn’t at home), Mingyu felt a little better. At least he could think more clearly again. And even if he couldn’t sort things out with Wonwoo, Mingyu would at least be able to handle things properly with Seokmin.
He thanked Seungcheol and gave him the rest of the year off (the three days he would have worked were unnecessary due to Mingyu’s weekend work) and then drove to Seokmin. At least for the last week, he could be the boyfriend Seokmin deserved.
Until Christmas.
“Why are you going to meet him? On Christmas day?”
Mingyu sighed. Things had been going well the last few days. Seokmin hadn’t been stressful, but rather they had gotten along well. He had been a good distraction. It wasn’t fair, but Mingyu had given up on that since last week.
“Seokmin, please. There are only two weeks left. I’ll come home and then we can do something else, okay?” After this week...why shouldn’t he stay with Seokmin? Mingyu realized that he needed someone to take care of him every now and then. Someone he could take care of. Who saved him from loneliness. So why not?
“Hurry up?” Seokmin softened at Mingyu’s promise. Good. At least he wouldn’t disappoint one person today. Mingyu said goodbye with a kiss and then drove home.
He showered, changed, and then turned on his phone for the first time since last week.
39 missed calls
6 voicemail messages
110 new messages
Oof.
Most were from Seokmin. Mingyu opened the chat and closed it again. He had spoken to Seokmin. More or less.
39 missed calls
6 voicemail messages
26 new messages
Mingyu took a break and picked out something fancy. They were going to his favorite restaurant today. He hadn’t been there for a while and should actually be happy. But he didn’t feel like it at all.
Dressed, he sat on his bed and picked up his phone, which he had attached to the charging cable. He next opened the chat with Joshua.
Sorry Mingyu, I didn’t check my messages. If you want, call me and we can talk.
A bitter laugh escaped him. He didn’t need the message anymore. It had cleared up. Mingyu opened the chats of his clients and replied to them if he had not answered them via email in the office.
39 missed calls
6 voicemail messages
12 new messages
Mingyu breathed in and out deeply. Only the chats with Wonwoo and Minghao remained. But before he opened them, he closed the chats and opened his missed calls.
Wonwoo had tried three times. Right after Mingyu escaped. A few hours later. Sunday morning. Mingyu’s heart ached and he couldn’t say why. Did Wonwoo give up after that?
Luckily, his thoughts were interrupted as he saw that Minghao had called him 29 times. Why did he call him that often? He changed his view and went back to the chats. And as he watched Minghao’s 9 messages, he remembered that he had forgotten to pick him and Jun up from the airport. Damned.
12/21/22, 5:48 p.m.: Mingyu?
12/21/22, 5:49 p.m.: Where are you? Are you late?
12/21/22, 6:10 p.m.: Did something happen? Please get in touch!
12/21/22, 7:00 p.m.: We took a taxi. Please get in touch, I’m worried.
12/22/22, 9:00 a.m.: Mingyu, what’s going on? You are not at home. Where are you?
12/22/22, 12:06 p.m.: Mingyu, what have you done?
12/22/22, 12:50 p.m.: How could you do this to him? Where are you?
12/22/22, 10:06 p.m.: Shit Mingyu. Where are you? I am really worried.
12/23/22, 2:17 p.m.: No matter what’s going on, we’ll get it sorted out. Please contact me. I love you
He had disappointed three people. Damned. How could he have forgotten his best friend? Mingyu typed in the typing field and his fingers remained over the keyboard that had opened. But what should he write to him? Minghao had apparently been with Wonwoo. He knew it. He knew what Mingyu had done.
Sorry for being such an ass?
I wasn’t thinking.
I am the worst.
No. He deleted his attempts and closed the chat. Even if Mingyu had considered chickening out today, he wouldn’t do it. At least he still had some pride left in him. Mingyu would keep his promises. He would see Minghao in half an hour.
I’m doing well. I’ll pick you up in time.
It had to be enough. For now.
And then all that was left was one chat. Wonwoo.
6 voicemail messages
3 new messages
12/17/22, 4:48 p.m.: Where are you Mingyu?
12/17/22, 5:26 p.m.: I’m sorry.
12/18/22, 12:26 a.m.: I understand if you need some distance. Please let’s talk when you’re ready. I’m sorry, Mingyu.
Mingyu closed his eyes and put his phone aside. He was sorry? Wonwoo was sorry? Mingyu had made the mistakes after all. Mingyu should write these words. He shouldn’t receive them. He sank back. Damned. Mingyu didn’t deserve this.
His notification tone sounded and Mingyu sat up and brought up the chat.
Are you all right? I’ll pick you up. Same time.
A slight smile crept onto his face. Minghao wasn’t angry with him. Or his concern was bigger. Anyway. Since he still had time, he opened his voicemail and let the calls go through one after the other.
“Mingyu?” Mingyu swallowed hard when he heard Wonwoo’s voice. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have...I...please get in touch. We should talk. I’m sorry.”
“Mr. Kim, nice to hear from you. I’m not in the area this week. I’ll call you again to sign when I’m nearby.”
“You’re not answering again. Mingyu, I’m your boyfriend. Why are you giving me the cold shoulder? I do love you. Please contact me. I need you. I don’t know what to do without you. Please.” Seokmin sounded desperate. He hadn’t said anything about his call when Mingyu showed up at his house on Monday.
“What were you thinking, you mean little-“
“Jeonghan!”
“What? You’re banned from the cat cafe.”
Mingyu closed his eyes in pain. That was what he needed to hear. But it didn’t make things any better.
“Mingyu,” came Jihoon’s voice, “of course you are not banned. Don’t listen to Jeonghan. Wonwoo blames himself. Please come over and talk to him.”
“Mingyu, where are you? You wanted to pick us up. Are you too busy with Wonwoo to remember me?”
“Mingyu darling? Minghao called me to see if you were here. Did something happen? You know you can always come here, right? No matter what. If you have time, you can call. I’m always there for you.”
Mingyu wiped his eyes. Hearing his mother’s voice felt good. He had completely forgotten her request. Not only was he a bad friend and boyfriend, but he was also a bad son. Great.
He received another notification.
I’m here
Then things would get serious now. Mingyu had no idea how to act, but he wasn’t going to back down now. Mingyu checked his appearance in the mirror and made sure there were no tear tracks before heading outside.
As Mingyu stood in front of Minghao’s car, he panicked. Minghao definitely wanted Jun to sit up front with him. But that meant he had to sit in the backseat with Wonwoo. He couldn’t do that. Just the thought of the other made his stomach turn. He didn’t want to talk to Wonwoo. He couldn’t. Nothing had changed. He was in a relationship with Seokmin. It was natural that he felt bad. After all, he cheated on his boyfriend. So Mingyu got in the front, but avoided Minghao’s gaze.
“Hey Mingyu.”
“I’m sorry I forgot you. I had a lot on my plate.”
“Do you want to talk about it now?”
“No.”
He could hug Minghao for not pushing him any further. Even though the ride to the cat cafe was very quiet and unpleasant. He felt Minghao’s gaze on him every now and then, but Mingyu stubbornly looked out the window.
“Go out and get Wonwoo. I will turn around.,” Minghao said as they stood in front of the cat cafe.
Mingyu didn’t like the idea. Absolutely not. When he went outside, he would have to talk to Wonwoo. He wasn’t ready for it. Mingyu took out his phone and called Wonwoo. “We’re here,” he said briefly before hanging up.
“Nice. Didn’t you talk to him?”
“I really don’t want to talk about this topic,” Mingyu said stubbornly. He would get through the meal and then leave. Only because he promised.
Mingyu tensed as he heard the car door open. Wonwoo greeted them and sat down, right behind Mingyu.
“Merry Christmas, Wonwoo,” Minghao greeted the other exuberantly. As if he had to compensate for Mingyu’s behavior. Mingyu didn’t turn around. He didn’t dare turn around or look behind him through any of the mirrors. Wonwoo’s stare at his back was enough to make him feel uncomfortable. Mingyu should have given up the last bit of pride. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. Mingyu could behave as badly as he wanted, he would keep his promise.
The car ride to Jun’s was terrible. Nobody said a word. Minghao tried several times to start a conversation, but neither Mingyu nor Wonwoo responded. Things only got better when Jun got in and Minghao and Jun talked.
Even on the way to the restaurant, Mingyu managed to avoid Wonwoo. Only in the restaurant did they sit opposite each other. Mingyu couldn’t manage not to look at him. He glanced at him briefly, but immediately noticed the red eyes and it was enough to make him feel even worse. But it was better that way. He had to ignore him. It was really better that way.
The mood was depressing. Mingyu couldn’t stand it, so he started a conversation with Jun. Jun tried to involve Wonwoo and Minghao, but Minghao kept giving Mingyu evil looks. And Wonwoo didn’t respond. If it weren’t for the bet, he probably wouldn’t be here at all. Mingyu just shouldn’t have shown up. He should have taken the evening off for Seokmin. Shouldn’t he feel guilty about being here? Then why did he feel bad because the situation here was so terrible? Mingyu glanced at Wonwoo. He sat there with his eyes down and picked at his food.
Jun talked about their vacation and Minghao gave short and tight comments.
“Mingyu? I have a gift for you.” Wonwoo’s voice came when no one said anything.
Mingyu froze. This...he hadn’t expected this. A gift? A damn gift? Why was Wonwoo like that?
“Mingyu has one for you, too. Here you go Mingyu.”
His gaze shot to Minghao, who was holding a small package in his hands. What? Why? Did Minghao get a gift for Wonwoo?
“Well, give it to him,” demanded Minghao. Mingyu reluctantly accepted the package. He then looked at Wonwoo. Wonwoo looked at him and there was so much pain in his eyes. Mingyu didn’t want to give him the package. They both knew it wasn’t from Mingyu. It was an attempt by Minghao to clear the situation between them. Nevertheless, Wonwoo thanked him quietly and handed Mingyu an even smaller package. Mingyu stared at it. When Minghao elbowed him in the side, he accepted it. He placed it on the table in front of him.
“Don’t you want to unwrap your present?” Minghao asked as Mingyu just looked at it and made no move to unwrap it.
“No,” came emotionlessly from his lips. He wouldn’t last the evening. It was a mistake to come here. What was he thinking? Mingyu was fooling himself. He wouldn’t be able to save anything between them. Not if things went like this. They should talk to each other, but not in public. Here he would only cause more damage. Mingyu stood up.
“I should go now.”
He immediately felt three eyes on him. And because he was tired of being a coward, he looked at Wonwoo and then at Jun and Minghao.
“Excuse me?” Minghao asked, stunned.
“I have another date.” He mentally braced himself for what the next sentence would do. “With my boyfriend.” Mingyu had to look at him. It wasn’t because he wanted to see his pain, but he couldn’t help it. Despite the situation, he had missed Wonwoo. He lowered his gaze and Mingyu managed to avert his gaze. He said goodbye quietly, took the gift, and left the restaurant. Maybe this was a lot worse than last week.
He called a taxi and drove to his house, where Seokmin would be waiting. As soon as he entered his apartment and heard Seokmin’s cheerful voice, he felt the guilty conscience that he had missed before. Why did it just feel like he was cheating on Wonwoo?
When Seokmin came to the door and greeted him with a kiss, Mingyu realized that he couldn’t continue like this. He felt nothing for Seokmin. Absolutely nothing. And he never would. His heart beat for Wonwoo. And even though he had been doing everything wrong in the last few weeks, he finally had to put it right. Mingyu would apologize to Wonwoo and hope that he didn’t hate him.
“Seokmin, it’s Christmas,” Mingyu began. He saw the happy expression on Seokmin’s face give way to one of panic. Mingyu could no longer put Seokmin’s feelings first. “I’m sorry. I don’t feel anything for you. I’ve done so much wrong lately and I don’t want to hurt us any further. Please accept this.”
He saw the tears in Seokmin’s eyes. He expected the other to make a scene again. “Would you like me to call Joshua for you?” he asked.
“It’s because of him, right?”
Of course he would speak about Wonwoo. Mingyu felt bad. So bad that he gave Seokmin what Wonwoo wanted from him and what Mingyu wanted to give to Wonwoo. They talked. Mingyu would do everything right. He had thought it so many times, but this time it was true. Mingyu would do everything right.
Joshua picked Seokmin up from Mingyu’s apartment. At least Mingyu didn’t have to worry about this one. This matter was settled. Done right. Next, he wrote an apology to Minghao. And a quick message that he would make everything right. He should just give Mingyu some time. As soon as he sent the message, Mingyu clicked on the chat with Wonwoo. He wanted to write to him. Explain everything to him. But that wasn’t the right method. Not the way he had behaved today. No, he had to think about something. A…a romantic gesture. Even if Mingyu had blown all his chances, he would try. And he already knew how.
Mingyu got up and wanted to go to his hobby room. Until he passed Wonwoo’s gift in the hallway. He stopped in front of it and reached for it hesitantly. When Mingyu opened the gift, he felt even worse. It was the cookies they had baked. Oh, he had to make it right. He had to make everything right.
“I’m so sorry,” Mingyu whispered, putting the cookies close to his heart. It was time for him to act mature and make up for his mistakes.
The next week wasn’t any easier. The time until the New Year was approaching and the work was increasing with each passing day instead of decreasing. Mingyu hid in the office. But this week he slowly regained control. Which was largely because the subject was Seokmin history. And Mingyu could finally breathe freely again.
At least that’s what Mingyu thought.
During his lunch break, he had planned to go to the cat cafe and try to talk to Wonwoo. Until Seokmin showed up in his office.
“Hello, darling,” the other person beamed at him as he entered his office.
What the fuck? Mingyu looked up in horror when he heard the other’s voice. There was no sign that Seokmin had cried two days ago. “Seokmin,” Mingyu began calmly. He stood up and repeatedly told himself not to get angry. He was here at work (which made it even worse that Seokmin showed up here) and Mingyu didn’t want to cause a scene here. “What are you doing here?” He walked to his door, past the other one, and closed it. He didn’t want Vernon or Seungcheol to know anything.
“I missed you. Should we have lunch together?”
Did the other have amnesia? How could he have forgotten that Mingyu had ended the relationship?
“I broke up with you, Seokmin.” Seokmin didn’t have a twin, right? Urgh, he didn’t know anything about him. Which was just another reason why they didn’t fit together. And it was a sign that Mingyu had been a bad boyfriend.
“I thought we could try it again. Just tell me what you don’t like about me. I’m changing, Mingyu. Give me a chance! I...I can show you that you can love me. Please.”
Okay. Mingyu didn’t go crazy. Even if a twin or amnesia would have been a better choice. He really didn’t have the time or the desire to make it clear to the other that it was no use. Why couldn’t Seokmin accept that Mingyu didn’t have feelings for him?
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. Seokmin, please give it up.”
“But Mingyu-“
Mingyu exhaled in annoyance. He wanted to go to the cat cafe and explain the situation to Wonwoo. Instead, he had to deal with something he didn’t want again. “No. Please go. I don’t want to anymore and I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
And there were the tears. And Mingyu became even more annoyed. Did Seokmin really think he would progress like this?
“Mingyu, please. I need you. I only moved here because of you. And now you want to leave me alone?”
Mingyu suppressed the urge to laugh. He walked past Seokmin to his window and looked out. So now he tried guilt. How low did Seokmin want to sink?
“Please, Mingyu. Give me until Christmas. Until Christmas and if you don’t feel something for me then, I’ll give up. Please. Just this time.”
And negotiating. It was laughable. Christmas was only 12 days away - what was going to change in that time? He shook his head and turned around.
“I can’t live without you anymore, Mingyu! If you push me away, I’ll kill myself!” the other blurted out.
And Mingyu became ice cold. What did Seokmin say? He wanted to kill himself? Mingyu’s mind was racing. He had never had any experience with anything like this. Was Seokmin just saying it “like that” because Mingyu didn’t do what he asked? Or was he serious? He needed help. Urgent. How do you respond to a person who threatened something like that? Mingyu had no idea. He didn’t want to do anything wrong.
“Until Christmas?” he repeated the demand emotionlessly. Should he respond to that? It would buy him time. He would be able to find out more. He didn’t want to just let Seokmin go after he made the threat. It wasn’t fair to Mingyu to say something like that. But maybe Seokmin didn’t understand that at all? He definitely didn’t want to risk it. Just because Mingyu had no feelings for him didn’t mean he didn’t care about him. Seokmin had initially been a friend. He didn’t want to hurt him or lose him.
“Okay.”
Maybe he and Wonwoo just shouldn’t have a chance. It was never the right time. Maybe they were destined to end up as friends - if they still were. Because after the last meeting? Mingyu had his concerns about that.
“Oh Mingyu, thank you! You won’t regret it!” Seokmin rushed towards him and threw his arms around Mingyu’s neck. It seemed like Mingyu did the right thing. Even if he didn’t feel like it at all.
He missed his lunch break that day and because of his appointments he didn’t get to do any research during work. And in the evening? At 6 p.m. Seokmin picked him up from work and never let him out of his sight for a second. As if he knew what Mingyu was planning.
Mingyu was able to investigate on Tuesday. He told Vernon that he shouldn’t let Seokmin or other private matters come to him. And even though he often received texts, calls and visits from Seokmin, Mingyu brushed him off with the words “I have to work.” Of course Seokmin wasn’t happy about it. But there had been no more outbreaks. Mingyu had the faint hope that the other would notice how bad Mingyu actually was.
The suggested solutions to his problem? They sounded logical. But Mingyu had his doubts that they were good for his situation. The first suggestion was to talk to the person. But how could that work if Seokmin didn’t listen to him? Seokmin hadn’t accepted the breakup, so how was Mingyu supposed to start a conversation about the threat of suicide? No, that wasn’t the right solution. Mingyu found the second idea, that he should call the police, too extreme. No. He would talk to Joshua. Maybe he had an idea. But when he called he only went to voicemail. Mingyu wrote him an email. And until Joshua responded… he was in a relationship with Seokmin again. It was only until Christmas for now. Mingyu had his doubts that Seokmin would accept it if he told him at Christmas that nothing had changed for Mingyu.
Mingyu had stayed away from the cat cafe. Vernon had made sure he still had something to eat. Be it lunch or dinner. He once got him something from the cat cafe. But Mingyu didn’t let anything get to him. When he was in the office, he had no time for other thoughts. He didn’t allow it anymore. Not the thought that he should finally give up on Wonwoo and their future together (was Mingyu that much better than Seokmin?) nor the thought that Seokmin was putting a burden on him that no one should have to bear. No, Mingyu threw himself completely into the work.
When Seokmin wasn’t waiting outside his office to pick him up (and Mingyu had the feeling that he was getting even more clingy), then Mingyu was working late. Like on Friday. He could have left long ago. But when he got off work and went home, he would have to deal with the thoughts. With Seokmin. With Wonwoo. With tomorrow’s date. And that…he wasn’t ready for it. That’s why he stayed here and continued working. Thanks to Mingyu’s hard work, they got through well. Vernon was now on vacation for the rest of the year and Seungcheol would take days off to look after his son when his ex-wife wasn’t with him, but Mingyu felt like they were well on schedule. Especially if he kept working like this. Then maybe he could go visit his mother in February.
A ringing sound interrupted his work. Mingyu looked at the clock. It was past 8 p.m., who else was coming to the office now? Although individual clients knew that Mingyu was often there late, they never came by without calling first. Was that Seokmin? Did he bother him at work again? Sighing, Mingyu stood up and walked to the door. He no longer had any strength for this. He wanted to be left alone. If Seokmin showed up, there would just be more stress about tomorrow. And Mingyu hadn’t received a response from Joshua yet. He probably also had a lot to do and hadn’t seen the email yet (Mingyu urgently wanted to get ahead).
But it wasn’t Seokmin. But Wonwoo.
Wonwoo stood in front of his door and had a lunch box in his hands. He looked...nervous? What?
“Can I come in?” Wonwoo asked, and Mingyu could hear the uncertainty in his voice. He stepped aside and made a welcoming gesture.
“Sure.”
He had missed him. Mingyu had missed him so much. Mingyu wanted to hug the other. Pull him close. Hugging him tight until he felt better. But he wasn’t allowed. Not just because he was in a relationship again. No, Mingyu didn’t know if Wonwoo was still mad at him.
“I saw light. No, wait.” Wonwoo interrupted himself. He entered and went into Mingyu’s office. As if they would bother anyone else. Mingyu followed him. He said nothing and waited for Wonwoo to continue. Wonwoo stood in front of his desk and first turned his back to him, but then he turned around and looked at Mingyu.
“I was worried about you. I know that last week...I’m sorry. It wasn’t fair of me. I’m not someone who interferes in relationships. Just because I have feelings for you, it didn’t make it right.” He trailed off.
Just because I have feelings for you.
Just because I have feelings for you.
Just because I have feelings for you.
The words repeated in Mingyu’s head. He resisted the urge to close his eyes and surrender to those words. Oh, he wanted so badly to go to Wonwoo and hold him close. But he couldn’t. Mingyu couldn’t return his feelings. Not yet.
“It will not happen again. Believe me. I’m...I’m not...angry anymore either. You can come back to us.” Wonwoo started speaking again and Mingyu forced himself to listen to him.
Just because I have feelings for you.
“I have a lot of work,” came out of his mouth and it sounded so strange. So wrong. He wanted to say something else. Not that. But his words seemed to calm Wonwoo. He didn’t seem so nervous anymore.
“Then…you aren’t avoiding us?” he asked, and Mingyu had to smile. Did he think about Mingyu a lot? Was he worried about him? How could Mingyu ever stay away from the cat cafe?
“I told you that I might not come again.”
“I know, but I thought I messed up. Mingyu, I’m really sorry.”
Mingyu stepped towards the other. When he realized it, he stopped himself. He wasn’t allowed to. Wonwoo was so sincere. Why did he apologize for that? If Mingyu really loved Seokmin, that would be the absolute best thing Wonwoo could do. But he didn’t have to apologize for anything. For absolutely nothing. Mingyu wanted to tell him. Should he explain the situation to him? And ask him to wait?
“Wonwoo I-”
“Please tell Seokmin too. He doesn’t have to come to the cafe anymore to make it clear that you’re his.”
Please what? Mingyu went to his desk and sat down. It gave him a moment to think about that sentence. Seokmin had been to the cat cafe? He had made it clear to Wonwoo that Mingyu was his? What did the other actually think he was? Mingyu would love to visit him now and tell him what he thought. But he was starting to get a little scared. If he went to Wonwoo – what else would Seokmin do? Would he really kill himself if Mingyu broke up with him? Damned…
“I’m sorry, Wonwoo. I’ll tell him.” He had to keep playing the game. Pretending he was in a happy relationship with Seokmin. It was probably better that way. Wonwoo and him weren’t made for each other. Time was against them. If Mingyu had sorted things out with Seokmin, was Wonwoo already over him? He would wish him to. Wonwoo deserved better. And Mingyu wasn’t it.
“I brought you food. I didn’t know if you ate anything.” Wonwoo came over to him and handed him the lunch box.
Mingyu first looked at the lunch box and then raised his gaze and looked into Wonwoo’s eyes. He smiled. “Vernon got me lunch. But I haven’t eaten dinner yet. Thanks.”
“At least he’s looking after you.” Wonwoo seemed a little unsure again now that he no longer had anything in his hands.
Just because I have feelings for you.
“Oh well. For this year, I’m on my own again. He’s on vacation from now on.” Mingyu tried to lighten the mood.
“Oh? If you want... I can-we can bring you your lunch. Jeonghan is already complaining that we will lose sales if you stop coming.” It seemed to work. Wonwoo relaxed again and he also joked slightly.
“If you really don’t mind. You can really forget about the other food in the area.”
It brought a smile to Wonwoo’s face. Good. If they continued like this, their friendship wouldn’t be destroyed.
“I should let you get back to work now. Don’t work so long anymore, okay?” Mingyu watched as Wonwoo walked to his door. He paused there. Without turning around, he asked, “Are you coming tomorrow?”
Mingyu’s heart beat faster. Wasn’t Wonwoo here because he was worried about Mingyu? Was he afraid that Mingyu wouldn’t come to the meetings anymore?
“Of course. I promised you. You won’t get rid of me this year,” he repeated his promise, even though he would have preferred to say something else.
“See you tomorrow, Mingyu.”
Wonwoo didn’t turn around. But even after he left and Mingyu ate, he couldn’t get Wonwoo out of his mind.
Just because I have feelings for you.
He wouldn’t be able to do anything today. It was time to call it a day. After all, he would be baking cookies all day tomorrow. Despite having worked 14 hours today, Mingyu was full of energy. He finished his work, shut down his computer and drove home. As he passed the cat cafe, he saw a dim light glowing.
Just because I have feelings for you.
This week’s meeting was registered for a long time. Mingyu suspected that Jeonghan wanted to use him as cheap labor again. Maybe it took all day to bake cookies. He had no idea about it. But Mingyu didn’t care either. He was so stressed from work (he realized he brought the stress on himself) and it felt good to get away from Seokmin. He called him last night and again this morning and complained why Mingyu didn’t have time for him. Mingyu really didn’t need anything like that. For this reason, when Mingyu was walking from his parking spot to the cat cafe, he decided to turn off his phone. He never did that. He would mute it every now and then, but he never turned it off. But putting it on silent or do not disturb didn’t feel good. It wasn’t until his phone was actually out that Mingyu felt ready for the day.
He was a little surprised when he entered the empty cat cafe. Shouldn’t the business start already?
“Hello?” he called loudly because he didn’t hear any noises either. The cats came to him curiously and normally Mingyu wouldn’t pay any attention to them. But he spotted Seoltang snuggling against his legs and Mingyu squatted down and petted her. He wasn’t a cat person. But he also had nothing against cats. But Seoltang and some of the other cats had become so familiar to him.
“Hello. Did you miss me?” he asked quietly as he petted her. Seoltang meowed and Mingyu couldn’t help but smile. Gopchang or Naembi (Mingyu couldn’t tell the two apart) tried to push themself between them and Mingyu sat down completely on the floor and stroked them with his other hand.
It seemed like the cats weren’t getting enough attention - or were they hungry? Was that because the cafe was closed? Had the others overslept and didn’t give them any food?
Mingyu looked around the cat cafe. From what he could see from where he was on the ground, it was deserted. He saw no light and, what surprised him even more, not even any decorations. He would have thought more of them after what they had shown at the events. A Christmas tree, he would have thought that Jeonghan hang mistletoes, anything. But here? It was hard to see that Christmas was just around the corner.
And suddenly Wonwoo came out of the cats’ rest room and came into Mingyu’s field of vision. He looked surprised before a soft expression came over his face. “You’re here,” came Wonwoo’s gentle voice. He sounded like he didn’t expect it. Didn’t he make sure yesterday?
Mingyu pushed Jag-Eun off his lap and stood up. One cat meowed, and it sounded almost offended.
“Why is it closed?” Mingyu asked, without addressing the subject of his presence. He couldn’t think about it. Not about yesterday. Not about Wonwoo’s words. He wasn’t ready yet. He hadn’t figured everything out yet.
“We spontaneously decided not to open today.” Wonwoo went to the sofa and sat down on it. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes. Mingyu noticed that the other was walking around in very comfortable clothes - had he slept in those? Mingyu raised an eyebrow. “And why?”
“We had a kind of farewell party yesterday. For Ash and Naembi. Jeonghan is currently taking them to their new home.”
Oh. That was fast. Didn’t Wonwoo tell him about it recently? But then he remembered that the last few weeks hadn’t been normal.
“We accepted your suggestion. Thanks for that. Even more than our regular guests came by to say goodbye to them both.”
“I wasn’t told anything,” Mingyu managed to say. Not that he had a deep relationship with Ash or Naembi. But if it was his idea, Mingyu would have liked to have known about it beforehand. Then he could have come over.
“You’re not coming over for the cats.” Wonwoo opened his eyes again and stood up. It looked arduous.
“Are you sure you want to bake cookies all day?” Mingyu asked when he saw this. Secretly, he was relieved. It was as usual between them again. As if the last few weeks hadn’t happened. And that was exactly what he needed today. To have a worry-free day. With Wonwoo by his side.
“Want? Jeonghan and Jihoon gave us four recipes that we have to make. Soonyoung contributed a fifth after the four of us said goodbye and had a little drink yesterday. They want to make it difficult for me. But give me a little more time and I’ll be ready for it.”
Mingyu had to smile. So that was it. It was the other’s turn to be hungover. “Are you having a hard time letting them go?”
Wonwoo motioned for him to follow him and Mingyu did as he asked.
“It’s difficult for Jeonghan with both of them. He nursed Naembi back then and sometimes had to feed Ash with a bottle. But it’s better if they can go to a home where you can care for them alone. This was clear to us from the beginning when we set up the cat cafe. It shouldn’t be an end stop. We need space so we can help more cats,” Wonwoo explained as he led Mingyu to the first floor.
The cat flap was lose again. Then it was really finished and Mingyu would now see the finished result with his own eyes. The time they had worked here together seemed so incredibly far away.
Wonwoo stepped aside and let Mingyu lead the way, and he entered. In the hallway, Mingyu saw the walls decorated with handprints (Wonwoo had already shown him that in the video). But the portraits of the cats were new.
“We thought it would be a kind of hall of honor for the cats that lived here in the cafe.”
Mingyu looked at each picture. Ash and Naembi were also there. It was a nice idea. If it helped them to overcome the pain of separation better. And then he saw Hwaseong. It seemed to be a recent picture because he was so much taller than Mingyu remembered, but he recognized him immediately. With his white-orange fur. “It’s nice.” Mingyu turned away and went into the lounge. This hadn’t changed since his video call with Wonwoo. Even the stupid lines on the wall were still there. Urgh. When he heard Wonwoo laugh, it bothered him even more. The other knew exactly how annoying that was!
“You should just let me fix it.”
“Why? It’s perfect like that,” Wonwoo replied in a good mood. He seemed to be doing a little better. Tz! Mingyu would have preferred to bake with a bad-tempered Wonwoo than let himself get teased again.
The three quarantine rooms looked no different. But the office.
“Wow,” Mingyu exclaimed. It was neat. There were no more piles of paper lying around. “Did you throw everything away?” he asked suspiciously. But the office was so small, he couldn’t have hidden anything there.
Wonwoo laughed again. Loudly. He pushed past Mingyu and pulled two folders from the shelf. “Everything filed, Mr. Tax consultant. Are you satisfied with me now?” Wonwoo asked teasingly. Mingyu looked at the other and his folder. Isn’t that how porn started? Mingyu’s thoughts threatened to wander in a dangerous direction. Mingyu cleared his throat. Damned. Why was it suddenly so difficult to hold back? He had managed it at the beginning.
Just because I have feelings for you.
Shit.
“Sure,” he said with an extra annoyed tone and rolled his eyes. Mingyu turned away from the office. “Shouldn’t we start baking? How many recipes did you say we had to make? I don’t want to be here all night.”
“Mingyu.” The mischief had disappeared from Wonwoo’s voice. Instead, he sounded worried. “If it gets too much for you, you don’t have to stay there until the end. I can do this on my own.”
He wanted to get away from this...harmless...flirting. But that Wonwoo cared about him again? That didn’t make it any better.
“I told you you wouldn’t be able to get rid of me for the next three weeks. I just want to finally start and finish. It sounds like a lot of work.”
Mingyu turned briefly to the other, and their eyes met. Whatever Mingyu had done, it was the wrong thing. Or the right one. Because Wonwoo broke eye contact and put the folders back. “Let’s start.”
They went back downstairs.
“Why don’t you have any decorations here?” Mingyu asked. The silence became uncomfortable. And he had no idea what he had said that had upset Wonwoo.
“We have cats here. A tree wouldn’t last long, believe me. We tried.” Wonwoo turned to him and looked at him. “You won’t stay clean today. Because of the flour. Should I give you old things? Otherwise, I would give you an apron?”
Urgh. Wonwoo seemed completely cold. What had Mingyu done wrong? Because he had urged the other to hurry?
“Just give me an apron.” He would wash his clothes afterward, anyway. Whether there was a little flour on it or not. Mingyu didn’t expect a flour fight because of Wonwoo’s threat - he remembered too well what he was like in the kitchen.
Mingyu washed his hands while Wonwoo disappeared and returned shortly after with an apron.
“You should get your own name tag,” the other teased as he handed him the apron.
“No, thanks.” Mingyu took the apron from him and shook it out. “I don’t plan on working here again.”
He put the apron over his head. And when he looked at Wonwoo, he knew what he had done wrong. Shit. It was still about the calendar thing.
“Can you please help me?” Mingyu asked, even though he didn’t actually need help. But he didn’t know how to tell Wonwoo that he definitely wanted to see him next year. He didn’t want to see him just once a week. If Mingyu had his way, they would see each other a lot more often. But how should he make it clear to Wonwoo? That wouldn’t work. Not yet. Wonwoo should forget about him. He was way too good for Mingyu.
“Help?” The other looked at him skeptically. But it helped as it replaced his gloomy expression.
Mingyu turned around and held the ties of the apron backward.
“Oh Mingyu.” Wonwoo chuckled. “Turn around.”
His gentle voice almost made Mingyu shudder. He closed his eyes briefly so that it wouldn’t be obvious that Wonwoo’s gentle voice was overwhelming him, before Mingyu turned around again. His breathing stopped. Wonwoo had come closer.
“You tie the apron at the front,” the other explained as he took the straps from Mingyu. Wonwoo took another step closer and was now so close that they were touching. Mingyu didn’t move. He waited. His gaze locked on Wonwoo’s face as he leaned forward and brought the straps to Mingyu’s back, probably crossing them there and bringing them out again on the other side. Mingyu didn’t care. Wonwoo could do whatever he wanted. As long as he stayed close to Mingyu.
But Wonwoo leaned back again when he was done, putting distance between the two of them. He explained something to Mingyu while he brought the straps together on Mingyu’s stomach and knotted them there. But Mingyu could only think about pulling the other that tiny bit that separated them, towards him and kissing him. As Wonwoo spoke, Mingyu focused on the other’s lips. He noticed Wonwoo raise his head. Wonwoo was finished, Mingyu could tell, but he didn’t move. He didn’t step back. Mingyu raised his gaze and saw Wonwoo looking at him. With the same piercing look he had given him after the dark restaurant.
“Mingyu.” It came almost soundlessly from Wonwoo’s lips. They immediately caught Mingyu’s gaze again. Wonwoo’s lips parted slightly, but he didn’t say anything else. Was that an invitation? Mingyu raised his hand. But before he could do anything, the magic between them was over. Wonwoo stepped back. “We should get started.”
Mingyu watched as Wonwoo put distance between them. Damn, what was he doing here? Luckily, Wonwoo seemed to still have enough sense. Mingyu took a few deep breaths. He had to pull himself together. When he felt ready, he approached Wonwoo.
He was completely correct in his assumption that Jeonghan wanted to use him as cheap labor. Five cookie doughs didn’t exactly sound like a lot. But when they kneaded the first dough (luckily with a kitchen machine), Mingyu saw how much dough there was in one cookie dough. They would stand here until evening. Could he make it?
To set the mood, Wonwoo turned on the radio and they played Christmas and winter songs. It was a good distraction from Wonwoo. Because when they kneaded the second dough, Wonwoo was close to him again to show him how it was done. But Mingyu was able to control himself this time. They had to prepare all the dough first so that they could cool down. Kneading it together was quick and the dough could be prepared in the kitchen machine, anyway. Wonwoo only left him alone for the last dough. They hadn’t spoken much. Which was mainly due to the loud kitchen machine. Since the recipes were requested by Jeonghan, they were even printed out and Mingyu could prepare the dough alone. And yet he kept an eye on Wonwoo as he went to the stove and did something there. Mingyu took a quick look at the recipe. Apparently Wonwoo was melting chocolate.
He hadn’t imagined today’s event to be like this. On the one hand, it was good because it gave them some distance between them, but Mingyu didn’t want any distance. He looked back at Wonwoo, who was absentmindedly stirring a bowl. Did he think about the situation before? If Wonwoo had done nothing, Mingyu would have kissed him. As if he heard Mingyu’s thoughts, Wonwoo looked up. His mouth moved, but Mingyu couldn’t hear anything over the noise of the kitchen machine. He turned it off and a Christmas song could be heard.
“What?”
“I’ll be almost done,” Wonwoo smiled. He behaved as if nothing had happened between them. Mingyu’s mind told him that he should handle it that way, too. He shouldn’t think about it anymore. He couldn’t think about it anymore. And yet…it was so hard.
He turned the mixer back on and watched the dough hook knead the dough. When Wonwoo came to him, Mingyu took off the splash guard, and they poured the chocolate into the dough, which slowly turned dark.
Wonwoo put the pot away and Mingyu stayed in front of the kitchen machine until he received further instructions. Wonwoo came back to him with a form.
“Do you know what the most important thing about baking is?” Wonwoo asked after turning off the kitchen machine (hopefully for the last time).
The most important thing about baking? Had Mingyu forgotten something? He had washed his hands.
Wonwoo gave him a mischievous grin and pulled out two small spoons. “Try it.”
What? Try it? Did the other person want to trick him? That couldn’t possibly be right.
Wonwoo took a spoon, put some dough on it and let the dough drip from the first spoon onto the second. Whatever he was doing there. He then held out the second spoonful to Mingyu. Not so that Mingyu could take it with his hands himself. No, he held it in front of Mingyu’s mouth. So he hadn’t forgotten it either. Mingyu opened his mouth and looked into Wonwoo’s eyes as he fed him the dough. He expected him to do or say something, but Wonwoo turned away and grabbed some dough with the first spoon. He acted like nothing happened. It was the most sensible thing they could do. And yet it frustrated Mingyu more and more.
While the first dough was in the oven (it was supposed to be chocolate bread), they prepared everything for the second one to be processed further. And here and there Wonwoo touched him. It couldn’t be a coincidence. He would come close to Mingyu when he showed him something or touch his hand when he passed him. Wonwoo was the one who hardly initiated any physical contact. But after that he behaved normally. Whether they were talking about normal things (“How are things at work?” or him making fun of Mingyu for complaining about the tenth Christmas song, it was all normal. As if nothing had happened.
The cookies were quick to process. When the chocolate bread was ready, all they had to do was take it out of the oven and cut it into pieces. Mingyu was allowed to melt chocolate again and spread it over it while Wonwoo rolled out the dough for the cinnamon stars and cut out the stars. During these times, everything seemed like a normal baking day. Even when they made the hazelnut macaroons or the vanilla crescents, everything was normal between them, apart from a few touches.
But when it came to the piped cookies, which were much more tiring and Mingyu couldn’t believe that they had more dough than the others, Wonwoo became brisker again. Mingyu no longer had time to concentrate on anything other than the cookies. The dough was put into a pump and Mingyu had to pump by hand so that the dough would be pressed out of the pump in a certain shape. That would have been okay a few times. But they had so much dough! After filling the pump for the tenth time, there was still so much dough.
“I’m sorry, Mingyu. I have no idea what kind of recipe Jeonghan picked out,” Wonwoo apologized.
While Mingyu did the hard work, Wonwoo cut the ropes of dough into small portions and formed circles out of them, which he then placed on a baking sheet and every now and then, when the kitchen timer rang, he went to the oven to swap the cookies. It now smelled wonderful in the kitchen. But they had already been there for a few hours. Wonwoo provided him with drinks. As for lunch, they both decided to skip it because, according to Wonwoo, the most important thing about baking was trying the dough and cookies, and they did that enough.
“Should we swap?”
Mingyu had just finished a new pump. He went to the bowl that had the dough in it and looked inside. He had to go maybe three or four more times. Mingyu would manage that, too.
“No, it’s fine. It’s not much left.” He would definitely regret it tomorrow. Mingyu took some dough, rolled it (after all the times he was a pro at it) and put the dough into the pump before going to the work surface and continuing.
Wonwoo came to him and waited. Since his work wasn’t that strenuous, he was much faster than Mingyu (and because he had to wait for free baking trays). He grabbed Mingyu’s upper arm and squeezed, as if he wanted to feel Mingyu’s muscles. “What a hero,” Wonwoo grinned at him.
Good. Mingyu almost expected something different. But this was okay. That was them. At least the way they used to treat each other.
Mingyu rolled his eyes and shook off Wonwoo’s hand. “Better change the radio station than keep me from working here.” Dashing through the snow in high heels was on for the third time. The third time! Mingyu really didn’t feel like listening to songs like that anymore. He preferred not to hear anything.
“Not in the Christmas spirit anymore?” Wonwoo guessed but did as Mingyu asked. As Mingyu continued to process the dough, Wonwoo flipped through a few radio stations before they found one that wasn’t playing Christmas music. Well finally! As if he had recharged his batteries, the two more dough fillings got processed like nothing. And then came the last dough.
“Well finally. The last portion,” he announced to Wonwoo, who brought another baking tray away. But there were still two on the work surface waiting to be baked.
“Really? Then we’re finished,” Wonwoo cheered. “The others can make the rest of the cookies. After all, they’re supposed to be gifts from all of us.”
Gifts? And Mingyu should help? “Who are they for?” He could already guess. But hearing it made the fact that he had spent his Saturday here even worse.
“For the visitors to the cat cafe. If you visit us before Christmas, you’ll also get a package,” Wonwoo winked at him. These…exploiters!
Mingyu pumped the dough onto the table and then started cleaning up. As soon as Wonwoo was finished, he helped him. In between, Wonwoo swapped the baking sheets. They were finished cleaning the kitchen when there were still two baking sheets left. Luckily, by the last dough, things had cooled down between them.
“You can go now, Mingyu.”
They leaned against the kitchen counter and waited for the kitchen timer to go off. Two more baking trays and then that’s it for today’s appointment. And Mingyu would have survived the day. Two more baking sheets and then this appointment would be done. And two more were left. It was amazing how quickly the time had passed and what they had experienced.
“No. I’ll stay until the end.” Mingyu looked at Wonwoo. “I owe you this after the trouble I caused you.”
“Trouble?” Wonwoo also turned his head to look at him.
“Have you forgotten how I was to you in the beginning? Have I ever really apologized to you for that? If not – I’m really sorry. You didn’t deserve that.”
Wonwoo bumped his fist into Mingyu’s upper arm (and Mingyu was already feeling the soreness). “What’s going to happen now? Do you want to say goodbye to me? Idiot.”
Idiot? Mingyu wanted to apologize. He couldn’t remember a sincere apology. Why did the other have to put it down like that now?
“I wasn’t any better,” said Wonwoo. He smiled at Mingyu. “We’ve put that behind us, haven’t we?”
Mingyu shrugged. Well, if Wonwoo didn’t want his apology, then not! “I was just thinking about what we’ve been through together. And now you’ve finished another appointment. You’ll win the bet, won’t you?”
The kitchen timer rang and Mingyu took the cooled baking tray with the next cookies while Wonwoo took the other one out of the oven. The song on the radio changed and Mingyu really wondered what station Wonwoo had tuned to now. A Halloween song was playing. He just shook his head as he put the cold baking tray in the oven and closed the oven door. He then took his place next to Wonwoo, leaning against the kitchen counter. Another 20 minutes and they would be done. He looked at Wonwoo, who hadn’t said anything else, and noticed that Wonwoo had a closed expression on his face again.
“Wonwoo-” Mingyu started, but then stopped speaking because he didn’t know how to broach the subject.
“Do you know what you promised me? That we dance together on Halloween.” Wonwoo started instead.
Mingyu looked at him. He had promised to dance with him? That could be. Mingyu could blame him now since Wonwoo hadn’t been seen all evening. But he didn’t feel like arguing. So he pushed himself off the kitchen counter and offered his hand to Wonwoo. They still had almost 20 minutes, and he didn’t want to spoil the mood between them.
“What?”
“Come dance with me. I won’t let anyone tell me I broke a promise.” And he wanted to be close to Wonwoo.
The Halloween song ended and a soft, quiet song began. It was perfect for dancing. Mingyu smiled at the other and held out his hand closer. And hesitantly, Wonwoo took it. Mingyu pulled him close. Close to himself. He could blame it on dancing for finally being able to do what he longed for. He put one hand around Wonwoo’s waist and held Wonwoo’s hand with the other. They started moving to the music. Wonwoo’s free hand rested on his arm. And Mingyu pulled him even closer. They were far too close. He should stop and save the situation. But when Wonwoo rested his head against Mingyu’s shoulder, he gave up on those thoughts. Mingyu could feel Wonwoo’s slightly increased heart rate and he noticed how his own was adjusting. Mingyu could only hope that the song was quiet afterward too, because he wanted the moment to never end.
It wasn’t really dancing what they were doing, but neither of them complained. When Wonwoo pulled away a little, Mingyu hoped it was just because he wanted to look at him. Mingyu loosened his grip to give him a chance to stop. But as he had hoped, Wonwoo just looked him in the eyes and didn’t move anymore. The calm song ended and another one, perfect for their situation, played. Another Halloween song would have ruined the moment. Mingyu knew that the moment would eventually end. But for now, he wanted to enjoy it. He was tired of listening to his reasonable side. He finally wanted to listen to his heart. And his heart wanted Wonwoo. It never wanted to let him go. It wanted him here in its arms. And it wanted to kiss him. But before Mingyu could do anything, Wonwoo pushed himself closer to Mingyu so that they stood like before, pressed close to each other. Mingyu could feel Wonwoo’s heartbeat again. And Wonwoo got closer to his face.
But before they could kiss, the kitchen timer went off. As if he reminded them that what they were doing was wrong, they separated. Wonwoo stammered an apology and rushed to the oven. Mingyu swallowed hard. Damn kitchen timer. He didn’t want it to end like this. He turned around and saw Wonwoo putting down the last cold baking tray and running his hands through his hair. If he knew him right, Wonwoo didn’t want it either. So Mingyu went after him.
Mingyu waited until Wonwoo had put the hot baking tray to cool down and put the cold baking tray in the oven before he walked up to it from behind. Mingyu grabbed Wonwoo by the waist and turned him around. He didn’t wait any longer, but pushed Wonwoo against the oven with his body and kissed him. When Wonwoo groaned, Mingyu didn’t know if it was the heat of the oven door he pressed him against or if it was because of their kiss. Mingyu turned off the oven with one hand and pulled Wonwoo closer to him with the other.
Their kiss was wild and passionate and Wonwoo, as well as Mingyu, often sighed. Neither wanted to really break away from the other, and they kissed again and again. But no matter how many times he kissed Wonwoo, it wasn’t enough for him. Mingyu needed him.
“Mingyu. Not in my kitchen,” Wonwoo gasped between their kisses. Mingyu understood. Wonwoo thought the same thing. As if to annoy the other, Mingyu broke away from him and grabbed Wonwoo’s shirt. As he pulled it over his head, he kissed Wonwoo again. Wonwoo lightly tugged at Mingyu’s lip with his teeth and Mingyu grinned. However, they couldn’t separate for long and so they stumbled further upstairs into Wonwoo’s apartment, leaving a trail of clothing behind them. When they got to the first floor, Wonwoo pushed Mingyu against the wall. He unzipped Mingyu’s pants and slipped his hand inside. It was a miracle that they eventually arrived in Wonwoo’s bedroom.
If Mingyu had been in his right mind, he would probably have been bothered by all the fluffy spectators. But he wasn’t in his right mind. Oh no.
Mingyu only regained consciousness when he came into Wonwoo and withdrew. They had been so caught up in the moment that they hadn’t even used a condom. What happened to Mingyu? He wasn’t like that. Not a bit.
Wonwoo pulled him next to him and Mingyu wrapped his arms around the other. His heart finally had what it desired. But now his mind returned.
The ecstasy disappeared, and he felt terrible. What had he done? He had destroyed so much because he wanted to do it right. And what had he done today? Mingyu had destroyed everything. Shit. His mind was racing. Wonwoo didn’t notice anything because his hand was stroking Mingyu’s arm and his chest. Mingyu had destroyed everything. There was still Seokmin.
Wonwoo sat up. “Do you want to come take a shower? The others are coming soon. I should clean up a bit. In the kitchen. And collect our things.” He looked at Mingyu and leaned over to blow a kiss on his lips. Mingyu closed his eyes. Wonwoo should stop talking. It all sounded so right. If Mingyu wasn’t such a damn bastard. “We could talk after that.” Mingyu managed to shake his head. However, he didn’t manage to open his eyes and see the look on Wonwoo’s face. Was he disappointed? Understanding? Mingyu didn’t want to know. He felt Wonwoo lean in again and kiss him one last time. The last kiss they would probably share. Mingyu opened his eyes and watched Wonwoo pull away and stand up.
“Just forget me,” he whispered as he heard the shower turn on in the next room. And then he did the worst thing he could have done. Mingyu fled.
Mingyu threw himself into work. Saturday when he got home, he sat down at his laptop and worked. He had to distract himself. He also spent Sunday working. The work helped him focus his thoughts on something else. So he didn’t think about Wonwoo’s hurt expression. Not his confession. No, Mingyu could work until the evening without thinking much about it. That’s why he loved his job. It helped him to suppress such negative things.
But when his alarm went off, Mingyu was glad that he had asked Seokmin to come to him. As he shut down his laptop and packed it up, Mingyu found himself not being able to focus. He had no idea how he was going to tell Seokmin that there was no future between them. Or never had. Should he call Joshua afterward? Urgh. Mingyu could only hope that the thing with Seokmin didn’t ruin his friendship with Joshua.
Mingyu continued to forbid himself from thinking about Wonwoo. Only once, when Seokmin canceled on him for the day, did he open their chat. They hardly wrote to each other, which is why the last message was the one Mingyu wrote to him when he came back from his vacation. He sighed. There would be no point in writing to Wonwoo. Not until he talked to Seokmin. Why did Seokmin stand him up? Had something happened?
Can we talk tomorrow? It’s important
He waited for Seokmin to enter the chat and read his message. And then left the chat.
Sorry, I can’t next week. I would have time on Saturday
Mingyu now looked at the chat angrily. Seokmin couldn’t? He had told him several times in the last few days that Mingyu had never had time for him and now Seokmin didn’t have time to meet with Mingyu? Oh no. Did he suspect something? And then Saturday too! Until Saturday he had actually intended to sort this thing out. And besides, Seokmin knew that Mingyu never had time on Saturdays.
Mingyu picked up his calendar and looked at the appointments for Saturday.
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Christmas market visit with Mr. Beanie
Good. Actually, it would be advisable to wait at least a day. But if he met with Seokmin beforehand and ended things with him, then he could properly apologize to Wonwoo and tell him the truth.
I have an appointment from 4 p.m. When do you have time before that?
This time it didn’t take as long for Seokmin to answer.
Sorry, I can’t until the evening.
Mingyu agreed after all. He had no other choice. But it would be another week before he could talk to Wonwoo. Damned.
Mingyu could really use Minghao here. He would know what Mingyu should do in the current situation. He would be able to help him. But Mingyu didn’t want to disturb his vacation. Mingyu sighed. He stood up and stretched. It was late and he might as well just go to bed now. Mingyu felt so tired at the moment.
His heart skipped a beat and his thoughts immediately turned to Wonwoo when he got a call. But it wasn’t Wonwoo. It was his mother.
“Hi Mom,” he greeted his mother as he walked into his bedroom.
“Hello, my darling. How are you doing? You didn’t even get in touch after you got back from your vacation. How was it?”
Mingyu was a grown man. He usually didn’t like it when his mother called him darling. He then felt like a little child. But right now, he didn’t mind.
“I’m having a few problems right now. No big ones. Hopefully, I can sort it out next week, but it’s weighing on me a little.” Mingyu couldn’t tell his mother everything. He felt too bad about his role in the whole story. He was the bad guy, wasn’t he? Mingyu was the one who had been acting like an idiot from the start. And it was him who flirted with the other despite being in a relationship. And cheated on his boyfriend. And hurt Wonwoo.
“Oh, my poor darling. If you want to talk, you know you can call me anytime? I know you have a lot to do at work, too. But come over when things get better, okay?”
Mingyu smiled. He finally felt a little better again. “That sounds good, yes.” He would do that. As soon as this matter was sorted out, he would go visit his family. And take some time off.
The next week, he continued to throw himself into work. It wasn’t like he had that much to do. But it wouldn’t hurt to do some preliminary work. And he didn’t think about Wonwoo while he was working. Or Seokmin. It was better when he worked.
On Saturday, Mingyu would have preferred not to go on the date. Mingyu didn’t feel ready to face Wonwoo yet. If this one showed up.
Mingyu was so incredibly tired. His vacation had been for nothing. He felt the same as before his vacation. Only this time, it wasn’t because of work. But Mingyu still stood in front of the entrance to the Christmas market and waited for Wonwoo. Crowds of people were streaming into the market and Mingyu had no desire to get involved. He didn’t feel like it. But here, in the fresh air, he felt like he could breathe deeply for the first time in a long time.
“Hello.”
Mingyu looked up when he heard Wonwoo’s voice. “Hey,” he greeted the other briefly. He didn’t know how to behave. He made it easy for himself and didn’t deal with the situation. It wasn’t fair, but Mingyu had done so much wrong. One more thing didn’t matter anymore, did it? Mingyu didn’t even have to apologize because he couldn’t tell Wonwoo the truth. Not yet.
“Let’s go. Not that the appointment takes much longer because we can’t get through.”
Ouch.
Wonwoo spoke to him emotionlessly. He had never been like that to Mingyu before. Mingyu had missed his chance.
This da...meeting...this meeting was so unpleasant. Mingyu wanted to grab Wonwoo’s hand so they wouldn’t get lost, but Wonwoo pulled away and walked ahead. He didn’t turn around or say a word to him. Not a single word. Mingyu had no choice but to follow him and make sure he didn’t lose him. He felt so tired. Everything had gone wrong.
The two hours they spent “together” were torture for Mingyu. Seeing the other made the longing for him worse. But the absence Wonwoo showed him made him long for the meeting to end. They arrived at the exit and finally Wonwoo looked at him. “See you next week.”
“Wonwoo, please wait!” He had no idea what to say to the other. But Mingyu couldn’t let him go like that. Not when things were going so badly between them. He didn’t want things to end like this between them. If Mingyu couldn’t have Wonwoo’s love, then he at least wanted to save their friendship.
“I’m sorry. I-“
“I don’t know what you should be sorry about. Besides, I have to go, Mingyu. Our meeting ended 5 minutes ago. And your boyfriend is waiting for you.” Wonwoo nodded his head towards Mingyu. What?
Mingyu turned around and saw Seokmin waving brightly at him. What was that supposed to mean? Sure, they had agreed to meet today. But only in half an hour. In Mingyu’s apartment. How did Seokmin know where Mingyu was? Had Seokmin looked into his calendar? Oh, he couldn’t stand that at all.
“Wonwoo, that-“ Mingyu turned to the other and fell silent when he was no longer standing in front of him. Wonwoo was gone. Without saying goodbye. Why did everything just go wrong?
“What are you doing here?” he asked Seokmin more sharply than he intended.
“Oh, I saw you were at the Christmas market. I thought we could stroll over it a bit. It’ll be a nice first date, right?” Seokmin didn’t care about his sharp tone. He spoke in a cheerful tone, completely without accusation.
And Mingyu felt bad. The anger disappeared. “Okay.” He would grant him that.
Seokmin’s beam widened. He linked arms with Mingyu and pulled him back to the Christmas market. Things didn’t get better and Mingyu almost wished for the silence and being ignored by Wonwoo. Seokmin chattered happily and didn’t seem to mind that Mingyu wasn’t listening to him. Because Mingyu just wanted to go home. He wanted to end things with Seokmin (but not in public) and then go home.
Since Seokmin’s apartment was closer, they went there after the Christmas market. To distract himself, Mingyu went through his clients on the way there. Since today was the 10th, the advance sales tax return was due on Monday. As far as he knew, everyone was already finished. But he would check again on Monday just to be on the safe side. He didn’t trust himself anymore.
He walked behind Seokmin into his apartment. “Can we talk now, please?”
“Wait a minute!” Seokmin walked happily through his apartment. Mingyu reluctantly followed him. He didn’t want to drag this out any further.
“I found us somewhere to do our Christmas date.”
Oh no. Mingyu was worried that Seokmin knew Mingyu wanted to break up. That’s why he didn’t want to meet Mingyu. But that he had no idea and was making plans? Mingyu sighed.
“I wanted to talk about that. It’s not going to work.”
“Are you having a meeting with him at Christmas, too? Why? Mingyu, you are my boyfriend! Why do you choose him over me?” Seokmin became upset.
“Please listen to me, Seokmin. It is not about that. This isn’t about Wonwoo. I have no feelings for you. We’d better end this.” He saw Seokmin’s eyes fill with tears.
“Mingyu, please. I do everything.”
Urgh. He couldn’t stand something like that. Why did the other want to change just to please Mingyu? Why did he want to pretend to be something he wasn’t? He’d better find someone who loved him for who he was. And that wasn’t Mingyu. They were too different. They prioritized other things.
“Seokmin, please stop it. I don’t see a future for us. I’m sorry.” He wanted to remain polite. He didn’t want the break up to turn into an argument.
“But Mingyu” The other was interrupted by a sob.
Mingyu hated situations like this. He was tempted to comfort the other. But that would only give him false hope. “You can’t change my mind. I’m really sorry Seokmin. Take care.”
Before Seokmin could plead any further, Mingyu fled. It wasn’t acting like an adult, but what was the point?
As Mingyu stepped outside, he took a deep breath. Finally, this issue was settled. Now all he had to do was figure out how to explain it to Wonwoo.
The second half of his vacation was...different. It was restful, yes. But Seokmin behaved differently. Maybe it wasn’t really different, but Mingyu noticed it now. He hinted that Mingyu shouldn’t work so much after their vacation. He expressed his displeasure about meeting Wonwoo. It wasn’t just these incidents, there were other things that bothered him too. And Mingyu decided to end things with Seokmin as soon as they got home. He had tried. Mingyu had really tried. But it was just like always. Seokmin didn’t understand that he was a workaholic. Mingyu was so tired. He didn’t want to fight for it when he knew it wouldn’t help, anyway. And why should he fight? He liked Seokmin. He found him attractive. But there was nothing more. No, it was better if they ended it now, before either of them developed deeper feelings.
Minghao picked them both up from the airport late Wednesday evening. Mingyu let him drive Seokmin home first. And as Seokmin happily talked about their vacation and Mingyu looked out the window, Mingyu realized how much he had missed someone here. The feeling had been there since last Saturday, but he hadn’t been able to put it into words until now. He missed Wonwoo. Not like a friend. He longed for the other. Although his mind had decided at the time that he wouldn’t worry about Wonwoo any further, his heart had decided otherwise at the first thought about him and their what-if.
“You were right,” he began as Minghao drove towards Mingyu’s apartment after dropping Seokmin off. Now that the other was no longer by his side, Mingyu felt much freer.
“With what?” Mingyu looked ahead briefly and met Minghao’s gaze in the rearview mirror before looking out the window again. He wasn’t ready to say it yet. “They’re dates.” It had to be enough. Because it wasn’t the right time. Despite his feelings, Mingyu was still with Seokmin and it wasn’t fair to him and Wonwoo. Even if his heart demanded otherwise.
“Is there anything else you want to tell me?” Minghao asked after a while. They turned down a street and Mingyu knew that it led to his office.
“No,” he answered quietly, because he just couldn’t say it. He had to put everything right first.
“Don’t worry, Mingyu,” said Minghao, who seemed to understand what was going on in Mingyu’s mind, “Go and do what you agreed on. Just enjoy it, okay?”
Minghao meant the weekly dates. Mingyu knew. This was clear to his mind. But his heart? The possibility of going to Wonwoo…?
“Bring me to him.” Mingyu sat up. They should arrive at his office and therefore at the cat cafe in a few hundred meters.
“What?”
“Just drop me off at the cat cafe. I have to see him.”
Minghao was silent, but he turned on the indicator and changed lanes. “Are you sure?” he asked as he pulled up to the cat cafe.
“Yes.”
Mingyu got out with his suitcase. He was going to work tomorrow anyway and from there he could take a taxi home. But now he was standing in front of the locked door of the cat cafe. He had no idea how to get Wonwoo’s attention. The cat cafe didn’t have a bell and Mingyu didn’t think there was one at the back entrance. So he took out his phone. He could only hope that he wasn’t already asleep.
I’m standing at your door
Mingyu didn’t leave the chat. He saw Wonwoo read his message and left the chat. Without answering him. Should he have written something else?
But then the light came on.
As soon as he recognized the other’s face, Mingyu realized how much he had missed him. He should have taken Wonwoo with him. Damned.
Wonwoo paused for a moment when he saw Mingyu and Mingyu realized that the other was already wearing his sleeping clothes (comfortable shorts and a faded T-shirt).
“Mingyu? What are you doing here?” Wonwoo asked as he unlocked the door.
“You wanted to see my pictures.” He took a step closer and didn’t take his eyes off Wonwoo. “Besides, didn’t you say you missed me?” he teased the other before opening his arms slightly. “Aren’t you going to welcome me back?”
Mingyu realized that Wonwoo still didn’t really know why Mingyu was here. But when he saw Mingyu offer him a hug, he laughed and accepted it. And yes, Mingyu was enjoying it a little too much. He didn’t want to break away from Wonwoo, but instead hugged him even tighter. Wonwoo seemed to feel the same way. They stood in the entrance to the cat cafe for a few minutes, lying in each other’s arms and saying nothing. “I missed you too,” Mingyu whispered before letting the other go.
Wonwoo looked at him with a piercing gaze. As if he didn’t understand what was going on with Mingyu. But Mingyu didn’t know it himself.
“You want to show me the pictures, right? Come in.” He wasn’t sure if Wonwoo really believed him or if he just accepted it.
It was probably a mistake to go to the other’s apartment late at night. For a made-up reason. But Mingyu didn’t really care. He entered and followed Wonwoo upstairs. They made themselves comfortable in Wonwoo’s bed and Mingyu linked his camera to his television. Mingyu sat further forward at the front (he certainly wouldn’t make the mistake of lying down next to Wonwoo...he had to do it right!) and clicked through the pictures while telling Wonwoo about them. He kept looking at the other person. Until he noticed that Wonwoo had fallen asleep. They hadn’t gotten through all the pictures, but that was an excuse, anyway.
Mingyu disconnected his camera from Wonwoo’s television and turned it off. He glanced at the clock. It was already well past midnight. It was far too late to go home. He didn’t think about it being inappropriate because Wonwoo had offered it to him many times before. So Mingyu went to his suitcase, took out a shirt and his pajama pants and went into the bathroom to change. He set his alarm for tomorrow morning and then lay down next to Wonwoo.
Yes, this was right. He really had to end it with Seokmin.
His night was not very pleasant. Which wasn’t because of Wonwoo. But the first night in strange beds was always a challenge for Mingyu. And at least two of the cats visited them in the bedroom and walked over Mingyu. How could Wonwoo sleep peacefully? At 5 a.m. Mingyu decided to not go to sleep again. Instead, he made himself comfortable by laying on the side of the bed and looking at Wonwoo. He behaved like a lovesick idiot. It wasn’t like he loved Wonwoo so much that he couldn’t take his eyes off the other. But Mingyu wanted to enjoy the sight. Wonwoo’s gentle face that faced towards him. The quiet snoring noises that escaped him every now and then.
Of course, Mingyu could now think that they could have had this a long time ago. What if he hadn’t seen Seungkwan and Wonwoo together? What if he had thrown Seokmin out of the apartment right away? What if he hadn’t been so stubborn when the dates started? No, Mingyu preferred to think about the future. Would he be able to enjoy this sight more often? The past was gone. It wouldn’t let itself be changed and there was no point in thinking about what ifs. Mingyu just wanted to look forward. He had to clear it up with Seokmin, then he could really get closer to Wonwoo. It was time.
Seoltang joined them. But instead of paying attention to Mingyu, she bumped her head into Wonwoo’s. She meowed at him and Mingyu only realized too late that she was waking him up.
Wonwoo made a disapproving noise as he woke up. He felt for Seoltang and petted her. He sighed and then sat up. Mingyu waited, amused. Did the other not notice him?
“Good morning,” he whispered as Wonwoo sat in bed but didn’t move. He saw the other flinch. And finally turned to Mingyu.
“Mingyu…what?”
“I hope you don’t mind that I slept here. You just fell asleep, and it was too late.” Mingyu also sat up.
Wonwoo slowly looked away from him. He felt for his glasses, which were lying on the bedside table next to him, and put them on. Then Wonwoo looked at the blanket in front of him again. “No, it’s fine.”
Mingyu’s grin disappeared. The other was strange. Shouldn’t Mingyu have slept here? But Wonwoo had offered it to him several times.
Wonwoo raised his gaze again and looked at Mingyu with the same intense look as last night. He didn’t say anything but looked at Mingyu as if he wanted to find out what Mingyu was doing here. He had the right to do that. And Mingyu wanted to tell him. But he couldn’t. Shit. Mingyu wanted to do it right. Now it was Mingyu who looked away and stood up. “Can I shower at your place before I go to work?” he asked in a decidedly casual manner. He had to do it right.
Unfortunately, Mingyu didn’t get to talk to Seokmin before their Saturday date. As soon as he entered his office, Mingyu was in workaholic mode. When he got home, he wrote to Seokmin, but he was put off until Sunday. It bothered him a little. But they had endured this long. It would still work this one day. On Friday, he saw Minghao and Jun off on vacation. The two of them would first visit Jun’s parents and then Minghao’s parents and only return home shortly before Christmas. And that was only because their double date was coming up. Even though Mingyu no longer needed a double date to go on one with Wonwoo on Christmas. But now it was too late to rebook the flights.
Mingyu went to the cat cafe page several times to watch the latest vlog. But it wasn’t until his fourth or fifth attempt that it was online. Again with Soonyoung. Disappointed, Mingyu closed the page without taking a closer look at the latest entry. Mingyu looked at the clock. Well, if he couldn’t see Wonwoo in the vlog, at least he didn’t have to wait long before he could see him properly. It had only been two days since they last had a proper conversation, but Mingyu missed him almost more than after his vacation.
Their date today was something extraordinary. Mingyu had never been to a dark restaurant before. It had never occurred to him before. And even though he had complained about Jeonghan’s choices the last few times, he found this idea creative. Since he hadn’t seen or spoken to Wonwoo before, Mingyu wasn’t sure if he was overdressed. Although you wouldn’t be able to see in the restaurant, since he had truly accepted that he had feelings for Wonwoo...he approached the whole thing differently. It was laughable. Mingyu knew that too. Mingyu looked around, but couldn’t see the other yet. There were already a few people waiting in front of the restaurant. It was like an event and everyone would start eating together. Mingyu was excited about the menu.
“You know no one will see you in there?” He heard Wonwoo’s amused voice and turned around.
“Not everyone has to walk around like you,” Mingyu countered. Although Wonwoo wasn’t dressed quite as shabbily today as on some other dates. He actually looked quite good. And Mingyu didn’t think so because he had accepted his feelings for him. No, he was wearing fine white trousers and a striped light brown sweater.
Wonwoo grinned at him. “Just say that you made yourself so pretty for me.”
Mingyu let out a fake mock breath. Just like he often did in the beginning. “You wish.” He turned his gaze away from Wonwoo and towards the entrance of the restaurant. Slowly, there was movement.
“Come on, let’s get in line,” Mingyu said and started moving. He was glad that conversations with Wonwoo weren’t suddenly strange. That Mingyu had no inhibitions because something didn’t feel right anymore. No, it was the same as before. Just different. But that made it right.
“Please hold on to my shoulder. I’ll show you to your table.” A waiter came up to them and Mingyu held onto his shoulder with both hands, just like he saw the others do. And when Wonwoo placed his hands on Mingyu’s shoulders, the waiter started moving. It was still light in the entrance area, but as soon as they passed through another door, darkness greeted them. Their waiter led them to their table and Mingyu carefully made his way and sat down.
“I’ll be right back.”
“Have you done something like this before?” Wonwoo asked when their waiter was gone. At least Mingyu thought so. You could hear others being shown to their tables and chatting. But see anything? Not a bit.
Mingyu shook his head. Then he realized that Wonwoo couldn’t see it at all. “No. But it’s an interesting idea.”
He heard Wonwoo laugh softly. “Are you starting to forgive him?”
“Forgive him? Never.” In truth, perhaps he did. If this calendar thing led to him getting into a happy relationship, then he had no other choice? Although even then, Mingyu wouldn’t make it easy for Jeonghan. Maybe he would help Jihoon and Wonwoo with the next bet. Jeonghan deserved to lose.
“The others miss you. You weren’t with us at all,” Wonwoo began after there was silence for a while. He said it without any undertone. But had he missed Mingyu the last few days?
“I had a lot to do. You can let them know that I’ll stop by again next week.” He had to hold himself back. He wanted to do it right. And wasn’t he just congratulating himself for acting normal?
“Were you here before?”
“No. We all wanted to come here together, but it’s not that easy to find a suitable day. We don’t want to leave the cats alone.”
“I’m starting to get the feeling you’re the worse workaholic. When are you on vacation? When are you leaving, hmm? Who told me a few months ago that you should enjoy life?”
“This is something else. I’ll do that.” After a short pause, Wonwoo added: “If the others have time.”
“Then you just need a few more employees at the cafe.” It was fun to tease Wonwoo. And hey, when they got together, Mingyu wanted to do something with his boyfriend. And not always just play cat sitter. “Haven’t you already thought about that?”
“Can we please stop talking about work?”
Mingyu laughed. Was he annoying Wonwoo too much? Or had he hit a sore spot?
“Sorry for disturbing you,” a voice suddenly sounded and Mingyu jumped. He hadn’t heard anyone come to them. Shouldn’t one’s senses become sharpened when one is taken away? Or was it because he was completely focused on Wonwoo?
“The drinks are included in the price. May I take your order?”
“Oh really? I take a cola. How about the menu?”
“This was chosen in advance. I’ll take a water. And a wine.”, Mingyu answered Wonwoo’s question.
He heard the waiter laugh. It sounded likable. “Exactly. We won’t reveal exactly what’s served. But you could make a rough pre-selection when making your reservation. What you don’t like, whether you have allergies or don’t want to eat something specific. I’ll bring your drinks straight away and the first course will start soon.”
Allergies? Mingyu knew how it happened, but he hadn’t specified anything. And if he interpreted Wonwoo’s question correctly, he hadn’t either. That could only have been Jeonghan (Mingyu hadn’t paid anything yet either - had Jeonghan done that in advance?).
“Jeonghan didn’t ask you if you had allergies, did he?” Wonwoo’s voice sounded.
Mingyu felt around the table to orient himself. Luckily, there were no decorations lying around. Because it was probably pointless, but it calmed Mingyu down because he was otherwise afraid of knocking something over. “No. But it’s okay, I don’t have any allergies.”
He heard Wonwoo exhale in relief. Mingyu smiled. “Maybe he guessed because I never said anything to you.”
“He urgently needs to improve his planning. You won’t believe that he is responsible for event planning for us. He never forgets things like that.”
Mingyu didn’t hear anything from Wonwoo’s side. Sure, the other guests, but nothing from Wonwoo. Wasn’t he moving? Was he sitting there quietly? Or was he moving so quietly? Mingyu placed his hands on the table. Somehow, it made him feel safer. He debated whether he should close his eyes. Would it be more pleasant that way? He tried for a moment. But despite the fact that he couldn’t see anything with his eyes open, he felt safer when he had them open.
Their waiter came and brought them their drinks and cutlery.
“I hope I don’t knock anything over,” Mingyu said quietly as he hoped the waiter was out of earshot.
Wonwoo heard him and he laughed. “Do you regret your choice of clothing?”
“Maybe I shouldn’t have ordered wine after all. It’s hard to get wine stains out of clothes when they’re dry.” He carefully felt for his glasses and brought the larger one to his mouth. He sipped and when he was sure he had gotten the wine, he took a sip. Mingyu wasn’t a wine connoisseur, but today in this atmosphere he wanted some wine.
And then finally the appetizer came. The waiter said nothing to this and Mingyu carefully felt where the plate was. He then took his cutlery. It was really strange. He didn’t see where the food was. He poked around with his fork until he caught something.
“Mh, that’s good,” he heard Wonwoo say.
“And what do you think it is?” he asked as he cut a piece with the knife (or so he hoped). He took the fork and brought it to his mouth.
“Meat. Beef,” Wonwoo told him and when Mingyu took the first bite, he was able to confirm it.
It really was a different way to enjoy food. He guessed with Wonwoo what they had on the table in front of them. They narrowed it down to a beef carpaccio with a citrus marinade (but they couldn’t agree on which citrus). And Mingyu talked a little about his vacation. From the second half, since Wonwoo already knew the important details from their last appointment.
Just as Mingyu arrived on the last day, their plates were cleared, and music began. Mingyu fell silent and listened. It wasn’t live music. It was classical, calm music. It would still be possible to continue the conversation without any problems, but Mingyu now closed his eyes and listened. Wonwoo was also silent. You could still hear the other guests resuming their conversations. But no one around them was loud enough for them to hear exactly what was being said.
“My nieces have been asking about you,” Wonwoo began.
His nieces? Mingyu tried to remember the two of them. He had seen them once. That was…kite flying, right? It had been so long. “What were their names again?” he asked. Wasn’t that their first real date? Where Mingyu hadn’t hated Wonwoo.
“Soyeon and Somi. If I tell them that you don’t know their names anymore,” Wonwoo scolded him. But his laughter softened it all and Mingyu didn’t feel guilty about it. He had barely spoken to the two.
“My brother says Somi raves about you all the time. She really wants to see Uncle Wonwoo’s almost friend again.” He heard the smile in Wonwoo’s voice.
“Uncle Wonwoo’s almost-friend?” Mingyu repeated. He said that back then, right?
“Should I tell them we’ve become friends now?”
Friends? Were they really friends? Mingyu remained silent because he didn’t know how to respond. Hadn’t they skipped the friends stage?
“I haven’t had much to do with children so far,” he went back to the previous topic.
“They don’t mind. Believe me, they are so excited about you, you can’t do much wrong right now. Next time they’re at the cat cafe, I’ll let you know. If you have time and want to, you can consider coming.”
There was an advantage to being in the dark - Mingyu didn’t have to hide his emotions. This way he could grin undisturbed without Wonwoo thinking badly of him. So that’s why Wonwoo started with his nieces. It was still that Wonwoo thought Mingyu wouldn’t do anything with him after the meetings. The right thing was to enlighten Wonwoo. That’s what Mingyu had planned, too. But it was...amusing to see how Wonwoo kept coming up with new things.
“Let’s see,” he replied casually. He would allow himself a little bit of fun here.
“And here you have your main course. I hope you enjoy your meal.” This time he heard the waiter coming!
The guessing game began again with Wonwoo as to what they had on their plate. It was veal (not exactly imaginative, Mingyu was hoping for a bit of variation) and the sauce was definitely laced with red wine. They could taste pumpkin, but they couldn’t figure out the last thing. But you couldn’t complain about the taste. Mingyu took a sip of his red wine (he thought it was the same as the one used in the sauce, but as he said, he wasn’t a wine connoisseur and could be wrong). As he put the glass away, he placed his right hand back on the table. As long as he didn’t need the knife, that was the best place for it. He had almost missed his plate earlier.
“And how are you?” Mingyu asked after they hadn’t spoken for some time. He meant Wonwoo’s breakdown.
He could almost hear the other freeze. The cutting sound stopped. “It’s okay. Better. But I have decided to start rescuing cats again next year. I know they need my help, but I still need the time for myself. Losing the three of them...was...” He heard Wonwoo’s voice break. Shit. He didn’t want that. Wonwoo cleared his throat. “Sorry. It’s not that easy to talk about yet. I know I couldn’t have done anything better,” he continued in a quieter voice.
“But it doesn’t make it better, right?”
“No.” Wonwoo sounded sad. Mingyu felt his way further and when he felt Wonwoo’s hand, he grabbed it and squeezed it. “But I’ve had enough…distractions? The other cats help a lot. Even though we received an application for Naembi and Ash.”
Huh? “An application?” They wanted to let two of the cats from the cat cafe go again? It must be tight now and they should look for new cats. Even though Wonwoo wanted to take a break this month...with the quarantine and everything, they definitely couldn’t give it that much time. Since Wonwoo’s voice no longer sounded so sad, Mingyu withdrew his hand.
“Someone wants to take them both in. All cats are open to this. That’s why we opened the cat cafe. It will be difficult to let them go, but we are currently in the process of investigating.”
“If you let them go, you should make an announcement at the cat cafe. So that people know about it.” He still remembered Hwaseong. To the cheeky little cat, who suddenly disappeared.
“An announcement? So you can say goodbye?”
“Yes, why not? You’re not the only one who likes the cats. I’m not talking about myself now. You know I’m over for other things, but other guests come to you because of the cats.”
“Correct. You only come to us because we are within range of your WiFi.”
“Don’t roll your eyes like that.” Tz! He could see it even though he didn’t see anything. Why did Wonwoo have to tease him about it? Even if it was true, it wasn’t a bad thing?
The mood had changed again and was better than before, but one question was still burning on Mingyu’s lips. It wasn’t really the right time, but it probably wouldn’t come again. But it was important for him to know. He needed to know if Wonwoo was over Seungkwan. He didn’t want to get his hopes up again just for Seungkwan to get in his way.
“And the other thing? Tell me about Seungkwan.” Mingyu didn’t know if Wonwoo had told him about Seungkwan. Had he now given himself away that he knew about the other person?
“Seungkwan?”
There was silence. Mingyu took his knife again and cut off some of the meat.
“I’m over him,” Wonwoo confirmed what Mingyu was aiming for. “It’s easier than with the cats. Or it was more complicated. We’ve actually been separated for a long time. It...because he was also one of our veterinarians, we couldn’t completely end the contact. Now I would do a lot of things differently, but you can always say that in hindsight, right? I was lonely. I didn’t want to let him go. Seungkwan...he...he told me that I was concentrating too much on the cats. He didn’t understand that they were my family and, of course, I put them first. Nevertheless, we tried again. And again. But this time I’m really over him. We even saw each other again. And I told him it won’t happen again.”
Mingyu didn’t expect so much openness from Wonwoo. Mingyu remembered that the other had mentioned something like this before. That someone didn’t understand how he could take cats so seriously. He didn’t want to think it, but Mingyu thought that fate was sending them a sign with this. The reason why their last relationships didn’t work out was why Mingyu believed they were a good fit.
“That’s good. You deserve better.” That’s why he wanted to do it right.
They were silent for a while and ate. For Mingyu, the issue was over. If Wonwoo didn’t want to talk about it further, he wouldn’t delve into it.
“How’s work going?” Wonwoo asked. He was probably looking for his drink because his hand touched Mingyu’s. So he was no different from Mingyu and carefully felt his way across the table.
“Oh good. Seungcheol is really good at it. I didn’t have to rework that much. But now the turn of the year is coming. Maybe I won’t come to you every lunchtime. I know I should take a break, but with all the extra clients it’s a lot of work despite Seungcheol. I don’t want to apply for as many extensions of deadlines as usual this year.” He hated that. It was often the case because of his clients, but Mingyu hated not meeting deadlines. Even if it was hardly possible to submit all financial statements on time.
“Do you want me to bring you your lunch?” Wonwoo asked. And again, his hand touched Mingyu’s. But this time, Wonwoo didn’t withdraw his hand. Mingyu couldn’t place which finger, but Wonwoo stroked Mingyu’s finger with his one. What was that supposed to mean now?
“No,” he replied, trying not to let his confusion show. Did Wonwoo not realize what he was doing here? Or did he do it on purpose?
Mingyu didn’t want to withdraw his hand. What if this sent Wonwoo the wrong signals? Luckily, it was dark and no one saw, so he speared his piece of meat with his fork and took a bite. There was no more word from Wonwoo and Mingyu was busy eating. And he also focused more on Wonwoo’s hand, which was feeling its way forward. It had to be his pinky trying to lift Mingyu’s pinky. And Mingyu let him have his way, so Wonwoo laced their fingers together. Was that…Wonwoo wanted to go one step further? This was the dateliest date they had ever had. Mingyu released their fingers and clasped their hands together properly. He didn’t hear a sound from Wonwoo’s side. He would have loved to see his face to read it. It didn’t take long until he finished eating (Wonwoo too?) and Mingyu placed the cutlery on his plate with one hand. He wiped his mouth with the napkin with one hand. Because his right hand was still clasped with Wonwoo’s hand and was lying on the table.
Their waiter came and cleared the table and the soft string music started again. And they held hands. He would drive Wonwoo home today. This was finally a real date. And even though you didn’t talk about exes on a date, it all felt so right. He would drive him home. And who knew what happened next. Otherwise, he wouldn’t plan anything else.
Mingyu smiled as the other squeezed his hand. As if to make sure Mingyu was still there. And he gently squeezed Wonwoo’s hand back. This was so right.
They stayed like that during the meal break. During dessert. And Mingyu could have sat at that table the whole time. Holding hands with Wonwoo. Even if they didn’t speak to each other. Mingyu didn’t know what to talk about (which wasn’t often). Because he didn’t want to ruin this moment between them. But at some point, the evening came to an end. Their waiter came to them.
“I hope you enjoyed the evening. You can now follow me outside again.”
As if those words had broken the spell between them, Wonwoo withdrew his hand. He heard the other get up. Longing gripped his heart. He didn’t want to leave here. He wanted to enjoy the moment even longer. Mingyu didn’t know if it was because of the darkness, his feelings, or the moment. But this had been something so intimate. It had been very different from their other encounters. But it didn’t help. He stood up and put his hands on Wonwoo’s shoulders and followed him and the waiter outside.
It was already dark when they left the restaurant. It wasn’t quite as extreme to be able to see again, and Mingyu only blinked a few times. They thanked the waiter and walked away from the entrance. Mingyu wanted to reach for Wonwoo’s hand again, but Wonwoo put his hands in his jacket pockets and avoided his gaze.
Did he regret it? Was he ashamed of it? Was it going too fast for him?
Mingyu swallowed the questions. “I’ll drive you home,” he said instead.
“What? I can take public transport!” Wonwoo still didn’t look at him. But he heard uncertainty in his voice. Mingyu smiled. “It’s late. And that’s how you do it,” he explained. As he added, “On dates.”, he now turned away. As Mingyu said the words, he realized what it sounded like. He felt his cheeks warm.
“Okay,” he heard Wonwoo say almost tonelessly.
Mingyu nodded and led him to his car. Mingyu held the door open for him and looked Wonwoo in the eyes for the first time again. He expected a comment because he held the door open for him, but Wonwoo said nothing. He looked at Mingyu intently, as if he wanted to find out what Mingyu was up to. Was it really so absurd that Mingyu had feelings for him?
Even on the way to the cat cafe, he felt Wonwoo’s gaze on him. They only chatted superficially about the experience. Exceptional experience, good food, great music, blah blah blah. Not a word about what had happened between them. And Mingyu couldn’t tell if it came from Wonwoo, him, or both of them.
When he finally turned on the indicator and stopped in front of the cat cafe, Mingyu turned off his car and turned slightly in the seat to face Wonwoo.
“Thanks for the ride home, Mingyu.” Wonwoo unbuckled himself and reached for the door. And without thinking, Mingyu stopped him. He put a hand on Wonwoo’s thigh and said “Wait please.” But he didn’t know why he was doing that. He didn’t want to think about it, so he acted purely instinctively here.
Wonwoo turned to him and remained seated. When he looked at him questioningly, Mingyu could only think of one thing. He wanted to kiss Wonwoo. He didn’t want to let him go. Not after this evening. Not after what happened between them. But Mingyu couldn’t get the words out of his mouth.
“Jeonghan didn’t choose you at random back then. When you first came to our cafe...I had a crush on you, Mingyu.” Wonwoo began and Mingyu’s heart was now pounding in his ears as he heard those words. What?
“And maybe I never stopped.”
Wonwoo just confessed that he had feelings for him. Mingyu had...he didn’t expect it. His mind was racing at this new knowledge. He opened his mouth when his car showed he was being called. Mingyu glanced at the screen.
Seokmin.
Shit. He had...he had forgotten the other. What Mingyu was doing here wasn’t right. Wonwoo deserved better. He deserved more, so much more. Mingyu closed his eyes as he opened his mouth again. “I have a boyfriend, Wonwoo.” He had to break Wonwoo’s heart for today so they could start things off right. He couldn’t ask him to wait. Because that only came from people who had no intention of ending anything.
When Mingyu opened his eyes again, Wonwoo was still looking at him. He saw the pain in the other’s eyes. He felt it himself. Wonwoo had expected something different. And Mingyu would have liked to give him a different reaction. But it wasn’t fair. Not towards him. And Mingyu had been such a bad boyfriend to Seokmin. He wouldn’t cheat on him any further.
“I’m sorry.” Wonwoo continued to look at him as he tried to open the car door behind his back. The sight of it pained Mingyu, but he remained silent and watched as Wonwoo, when he finally made it, stammered a goodbye and got out of the car.
Mingyu’s heart screamed to get out too and follow Wonwoo. But Mingyu couldn’t follow him. He had tried to do the right thing and had possibly done everything wrong.
Mingyu’s vacation was incredibly relaxing. He wasn’t able to take quite as many pictures as planned since Seokmin changed his plans here and there, but Mingyu could relax. He and Seokmin grew closer. And time flew by. Mingyu was hardly on his phone because he didn’t want to be tempted to log into his work email account. But it was okay. To be isolated from everyone. Because Seokmin was there.
It wasn’t until Mingyu sent him away alone on Saturday evening, made himself comfortable in bed in their hotel room and called Wonwoo via video chat on his laptop that he realized that he missed his normal life a bit. His friends, his work (yes, Mingyu was a workaholic) and his everyday life.
“Hey Mingyu,” Wonwoo greeted him gently. Mingyu could see the sofa in the lounge. Wonwoo seemed to have made himself comfortable there. He looked good. Not tired, not exhausted and not sad anymore. That was good. And when Wonwoo smiled at him, Mingyu realized how much he had missed the other.
“Hey,” Mingyu replied.
“You look refreshed. How is the vacation?”
“Recovering,” Mingyu teased the other. He saw Wonwoo’s amused look and began to talk about his experiences in more detail. Mingyu held back from talking too much about Seokmin. He wanted to at least keep him out of this appointment. But Mingyu’s experiences weren’t that entertaining and he told Wonwoo about the pictures he had taken and the ones he planned to take.
“I can’t wait to see the pictures,” Wonwoo said as Mingyu finished. Wonwoo sat down differently and Mingyu could see a cat’s tail.
“Is the lounge already approved for the cats?” Before his vacation, Wonwoo had made sure that the room was locked. There were still too many things lying around and Wonwoo didn’t want the cats to get hurt.
“Yes, we’re done.” Wonwoo shifted the camera and Mingyu no longer saw his face, but rather Gopchang, who had made herself comfortable on Wonwoo’s lap. “Gopchang wanted to say hello to you, too.” He heard the smile in Wonwoo’s voice. How Mingyu had missed that. It was crazy how much he had grown fond of the other. In just a few months.
“Mingyu?” The camera image moved again and Mingyu could see Wonwoo’s face again.
“Sorry. I’m a little tired.” Mingyu apologized for his absence. It was true, but Wonwoo didn’t need to know the reason why he wasn’t here with his mind. “How are things going at home?”
“Oh, Jihoon’s birthday was on Tuesday. We decided to close the cafe in the afternoon and celebrate a bit just for ourselves. Soonyoung gave him something. I think our gifts were nothing compared to that,” Wonwoo said and laughed.
Mingyu remembered Jihoon’s bet. “Is there something going on between the two of them now?”
“No. Jihoon continues to have a crush on him. I don’t think Soonyoung notices.” Wonwoo sighed. Was he still thinking about Seungkwan? “Oh well. I’m curious how much longer. Jihoon has worn the sweater he gave him every day so far. Just don’t mention it to him!”
Mingyu put the laptop on the bed and lay sideways and saw the camera.
“Jeonghan is acting like he always does. Even if he asked about you.”
“Just because he needs someone to annoy,” Mingyu interrupted him.
“No. I think he really likes you. Vernon and Chan were here too. Don’t worry, things are going well. I should tell you when we talk. Vernon also told me that you haven’t contacted them yet. So you’re really going through with the trust thing, huh?”
It was good to hear that things weren’t going badly in the office. He had thought about getting in touch once or twice. But Seungcheol was there. And Vernon also knew his way around and would contact him in the worst case scenario. “Of course. I told you I can relax. You just never wanted to believe it.”
“And you’re never afraid to rub it in my face, are you?”
Even though they had never actually spoken on the phone or written to each other before, now it was as if they were face to face. Well, at least almost.
“And how are you?” Mingyu asked after Wonwoo didn’t say anything about himself.
“I miss you,” Wonwoo answered him gently. Without any indication that he meant it as a joke. It was...Mingyu couldn’t tear his eyes away from the screen where Wonwoo was looking at him. Until Wonwoo lowered his gaze. What Mingyu would give to be with the other now. Mingyu looked around the room to get away from that thought. His eyes fell on his calendar. There weren’t many appointments left. Was Wonwoo worried because he hadn’t been able to get access to Mingyu’s calendar yet? He probably still thought that Mingyu didn’t want anything to do with him after that. Which was just laughable. “How long is the appointment on New Year’s Eve?” he teased, to lighten the mood a bit. “Theoretically, it should end at midnight, right?”
Mingyu looked at the camera. He was just able to catch a glimpse of Wonwoo before he panned the camera. Mingyu saw him stand up and force Gopchang off his lap.
Why did Wonwoo take this so seriously?
“I would definitely have fallen while skating today,” he tried to lighten the mood.
“I think so too,” Wonwoo agreed. And suddenly he saw his face again. Well, this time he said the right thing. When did it become so difficult to talk to Wonwoo?
“Want me to show you the first floor, Mingyu?”
“Yes, gladly.”
Mingyu yawned and lay down more comfortably. He looked at the laptop screen. Wonwoo showed him the lounge. This was very comfortably furnished. The sofa, and the two armchairs with reclining function. Of course, lots of cat sleeping options. Shelves with books in them. Wonwoo talked a lot, but Mingyu found it increasingly difficult to listen to him.
When Wonwoo showed him the two smaller quarantine rooms, his eyes kept closing. He couldn’t shake himself out of this trance and when Wonwoo entered the office, Mingyu finally fell asleep.
If Mingyu had been awake, he would not only have noticed Wonwoo showing him the now paperless office, but also him going back and noticing that Mingyu had fallen asleep. Mingyu would have seen how his face first showed tenderness and then melancholy. And he would have heard Wonwoo: “I hate Seokmin. Why did you take him with you? It should have been me. You should have taken me with you...why didn’t you give me a chance? Just a small chance?” He would have heard Wonwoo sigh. And he would have seen him lie down on the sofa and watch Mingyu sleep. “I miss you so much. But even if you come back here, you won’t be with me. Why did you just come into my life and be so perfect? So insanely perfect.” Mingyu would have heard exactly those words in Wonwoo’s gentle voice. But this time there was longing and a bit of sadness in it. He would have seen Wonwoo reach out and touch his screen. And continued to watch him. But Mingyu was sleeping soundly and didn’t notice anything.
Mingyu also didn’t notice how Seokmin came back and Wonwoo quickly sat up and interrupted his expressions of love.
“Darling?” Seokmin asked, but Mingyu didn’t react.
“He just fell asleep. He must be pretty exhausted. It’s best to let him sleep.”
Seokmin’s gaze focused on the laptop. He glared at Wonwoo. “Oh please. Mingyu still needs something to eat. “I’ll take care of my boyfriend.” And without saying goodbye, he ended the conversation.
Jihoon loved Soonyoung. He just loved everything about him. Even the fact that he pushed Jihoon away and rejected him didn’t weaken his feelings for the other. He loved Soonyoung’s craziness and he loved his serious side. The side that would sink its teeth into something when it was important to him.
That means everything that wasn’t Jihoon.
It was humiliating that Soonyoung had pushed him away. In front of all their friends. But Jihoon didn’t blame him. Jihoon had kissed him. True, to free him from a curse, but he had kissed him without Soonyoung’s consent. Soonyoung knew Jihoon loved him. That according to Minghao, he felt “true love” for Soonyoung. And Soonyoung felt nothing for him. It was...Jihoon had to live with it. Somehow.
If only Soonyoung wasn’t so different. He had changed so much. Over the last few months (if Jihoon saw him at all), Soonyoung was losing more and more of his carefree attitude. His craziness. Something wasn’t right. Or Jihoon wanted to believe something was wrong. Because if it wasn’t, it was just Jihoon’s fault. Then Soonyoung had pushed him away much earlier.
“What did he confide in you?” Seungkwan’s voice broke the silence.
“I can’t say that!”
Jihoon looked up and paid attention to the others again. Seokmin was still sitting on the sofa, holding Vernon’s hand and didn’t seem to ever want to let go again. Everyone else had gathered around them. They ignored Jihoon, as if they wanted to give him time to deal with the rejection. Except Seungcheol. He sighed.
“Then I’ll say it. It can’t go on like this. Soonyoung did magic. He’s made some mistakes and something seems to be eating him up. He…he comes from another time.”
Jihoon paid no attention to Minghao, who frowned thoughtfully. He didn’t pay attention to Jeonghan who wanted to silence Seungcheol. He didn’t pay attention to Seokmin’s shocked face or the others who looked disbelieving. Jihoon only paid attention to Seungcheol. It sounded so crazy. It suited Soonyoung. To the Soonyoung a few months ago. “He was in a relationship with you, Jihoon. In his time. He made a mistake and wanted you back. I have no idea what went wrong, but he changed his mind.”
He was in a relationship with you, Jihoon.
Soonyoung…and him…? Were a couple? How…? The other…Soonyoung loved Jihoon.
“Time travel. Sure, of course. Oh, I knew something was wrong,” Minghao wondered out loud.
Something had gone wrong. And that’s why Soonyoung didn’t want him anymore. Had Jihoon made a mistake? Is that why he didn’t want him anymore?
“Jihoon?”
“Okay,” he said. It wasn’t like he could do anything about it. Or? His gaze fixed on Minghao. Minghao had helped Seokmin. Could…could Minghao help him too?
The others reluctantly let him go. Seungcheol in particular was clingy and really wanted to pay attention to him. But Jihoon got rid of him. He didn’t go home either. Or to Soonyoung. He drove to Minghao’s apartment. He had no idea what he was supposed to do. What he hoped to achieve. He just wanted to understand.
It didn’t take long for Minghao and Jun to arrive. When they saw him, Minghao broke away from Jun and whispered something to him. Jun nodded. He kissed Minghao and turned around.
“What do you want to know?” Minghao asked as he approached. He unlocked the door and entered.
Jihoon followed him silently. What did he want to know? Everything? Nothing? “Magic is real.”
“Yes. Listen, I don’t know what Soonyoung has done. But if he gives Seokmin expired ingredients, it’s risky. I’ll spy on him. If you want, you can be there.”
Spy on him?
It felt wrong. As if Jihoon was betraying him. Would betray him. But he wanted to understand. So he nodded. “Thanks.”
Jihoon followed Minghao into a room he had never been in before. And now he knew why. It was a - what should he call it? Magic room? In the middle there were various cauldrons, most of which had something cooking in them. Ingredients were stored on a shelf to the left and various books were on a shelf to the right. A larger board had been placed under the window and there was a lot of stuff on it that Jihoon couldn’t quite see.
He stopped at the door and looked at Minghao. He nodded appreciatively, as Jihoon had done something right. “I just need a moment. It won’t take long. Since when has Soonyoung been acting so strange?”
“About six months.”
Of course he knew the answer to that. It was shortly after Jihoon developed feelings for him. A sigh escaped him as he watched Minghao add something to the cauldron. He wasn’t interested in this stuff. Even if there was sorcery and magic - Jihoon didn’t need anything. He wanted nothing to do with it. All that mattered to him was that Soonyoung went back to…“normal”. He should become Jihoon’s Soonyoung again. Even if it meant Jihoon had to forget his feelings.
“Okay. I’m done. Are you ready? We travel as some sort of ghost into Soonyoung’s past. All we can do is watch, not touch, talk to, or change anything. We’re just observers, okay?”
It felt so wrong. He should leave it alone.
“Let’s get started.”
Jihoon was no saint. And when it seemed to be about Soonyoung, especially not.
Minghao reached for Jihoon’s hand. When Jihoon handed it to him, Minghao mumbled a few words. And the next moment it seemed as if they were being sucked into the cauldron.
And what they then experienced was indescribable.
They ended up in Soonyoung’s room. He was sitting hunched over a book and pulling out his hair while trying to attach it to candles. Minghao mumbled something and time ran faster. It was like they were watching a movie. Except they were standing right in it.
Jihoon and Minghao watched as Soonyoung tried many different little spells. “He didn’t reveal the secret of the magic book. And he does everything wrong. How did he get so good?”
Jihoon could see himself. In situations that never happened. He could see how he didn’t have time for Soonyoung, how he recognized what Soonyoung was doing and how he invited him to dinner. Jihoon was jealous when the other Jihoon confessed his feelings to Soonyoung. When Soonyoung returned it. As they exchanged caresses. What had Jihoon done that made Soonyoung no longer want this?
His heart clenched painfully as Minghao mumbled something again and the surroundings disappeared before they appeared in Soonyoung’s living room.
They watched as Soonyoung performed magic with Mingyu. While it was important for Minghao that Soonyoung discovered the secret of the magic book like this, Jihoon just wanted to know what he did wrong.
The scene changed again and instead of Mingyu there was Jun. But instead of watching this fast forward, Minghao stopped the spell. Jihoon didn’t pressure him into anything. If Jun was his boyfriend, he would probably want to know too.
“Is that your new pet?”
“Yeah. He’s very cute, isn’t he?”
Jun showed Soonyoung a frog. Where was Tutu? Jihoon glanced at Minghao. Nothing made any sense here. Everything seemed familiar, but at the same time so strange.
“How’s it going with Jihoon?”
As soon as his name was mentioned, Jihoon looked back at the two.
“He rather did something with Seungcheol. They didn’t even ask me!” Soonyoung sounded so pouty. Was that the reason? Had he not paid him enough attention? If that’s true-
“Otherwise, good. He didn’t want to officially introduce me to his parents, but I think that’s coming soon.”
“So my loneliness has meaning, that’s good.”
Jihoon’s mind was blank. He tried to figure out what happened from every sentence Soonyoung said.
“I can help you.”, Jihoon heard Soonyoung say as Minghao put his hand on Jihoon’s shoulder. “We’ll find out, don’t worry.” Minghao said it at such a volume that Jihoon was afraid the other two would hear and discover them. But they didn’t.
Jun took a sip of the drink and turned into a frog. What the…?
What happened earlier with Seokmin and Soonyoung was something different. There was something fairytale-like about it. But this?
Minghao made the scene move faster. Although they stood still, they floated with Soonyoung as he drove with Jun as a frog to the magic shop. Minghao watched in normal time, as he kissed Jun as a frog and then made out with Jun as a human (Jihoon averted his gaze) and then they jumped to Soonyoung. And him. How he snapped at Soonyoung when he asked Jihoon for permission to kiss Jun. Oh, if Soonyoung had told him the truth! If only Jihoon had let him finish. Even though it wasn’t Jihoon who hit Soonyoung and threw him out of his apartment, he felt incredibly guilty. No wonder Soonyoung didn’t want him anymore.
The scene changed again to show Soonyoung in his apartment. How he kissed a frog.
It was disgusting. And yet it amused Jihoon and lifted his spirits. Soonyoung could be such an idiot sometimes. But he was a lovable idiot. Who cared about his friends.
“What is he doing?” Minghao asked, stunned. Soonyoung sat over a paper and wrote things down. Magic came in handy because Minghao was able to make it bigger so they could get a good look at it.
Jihoon closed his eyes as he realized what it was. Soonyoung didn’t resent Jihoon’s behavior. No. He wanted to apologize. He wanted Jihoon to forgive him.
“I can’t do this anymore,” Jihoon whispered. It was too much. He couldn’t watch Jihoon, who wasn’t him, treat Soonyoung like that. He should have known what Soonyoung was like.
“No, we have to look at it. He casts a spell over you. Or not you. How did he manage that?”
Minghao was merciful to him because he let the scenes play through fast forward. Every now and then he would stop it if he thought it was something interesting. Like when Soonyoung kissed Seungcheol and it almost broke Jihoon’s heart, or when it turned out that a poltergeist (whatever) had escaped and taken up residence in his best friends (Jihoon had no idea, why Minghao got that from the actions and conversations, but even Soonyoung had no idea). Minghao’s face became more and more closed.
And then Minghao’s counterpart came to Soonyoung. Minghao changed the story when his counterpart said that he had changed time. And Jihoon’s expression became more closed off as they looked at what the other had done. He didn’t necessarily blame Minghao for doing magic on him (after all, Soonyoung did too and he didn’t blame him for it either). It rather bothered him that he wanted to hide everything from Soonyoung. What was the point?
Unfortunately, he felt right, when they watched as Soonyoung started working at Minghao’s magic shop and his magical urges were at least controlled - but Jihoon saw the scenes with his counterpart clearly. He didn’t pay attention to his counterpart, but rather to Soonyoung. How the loving expression in his eyes disappeared. How he became less emotional. How he fell out of love. It broke Jihoon’s heart. But he couldn’t blame Soonyoung. The Jihoon that Soonyoung was with wasn’t him. He was so different. As soon as Soonyoung made a mistake (all his laundry was pink!), the fake Jihoon didn’t care. In theory, it was Soonyoung’s magic. But Soonyoung never thought it would come to this. Jihoon knew that. But the fake Jihoon that Soonyoung was currently holding in his arms? He stared at the opposite wall and didn’t care.
It broke Jihoon’s heart again as Soonyoung tried to get the fake Jihoon to react. When he snapped and lied to him. But not because of himself. No, it broke for Soonyoung. How desperate did he have to be? When Soonyoung loved something or someone, he only wanted the best for them. He was not one to hurt the person he loved. That was a quality that Jihoon loved about him.
Finally, Soonyoung was desperate enough and turned to Minghao. And they listened. Jihoon was happy to have something else to focus on.
„And…and what you did? The time travel?”
“Now things get interesting,” he heard Minghao say next to him.
“No!” said the other Minghao firmly.
“I can’t believe he changed my mind.” Minghao sped up the scene. Until Seungcheol hugged Soonyoung.
“Stop,” Jihoon interrupted and Minghao obeyed him and let everything go normally. That wasn’t right. The two were friends, but not like that. Something had happened. Something that wasn’t normal. Jihoon didn’t look at the other, almost lifeless, Jihoon, who sat on the sofa and didn’t react. His gaze focused on Seungcheol, who had a disgustingly gentle expression on his face. Something was wrong there.
“The poltergeist!” Soonyoung shouted at that moment.
Seungcheol laughed. “I’m Jeonghan. Don’t worry about how or why. Believe me, Seungcheol and Joshua bear with me willingly.”
Jihoon averted his gaze and looked at Minghao. That’s what they were looking for, right? He was confirmed when Seungcheol said a little later: “I can help you better with your little problem. And you could help me.”
It didn’t matter to Jihoon anymore. He had his answers. He could imagine that Soonyoung had given up at some point. That he thought that he didn’t deserve Jihoon anymore. Oh, that idiot. Of course he deserved Jihoon. He deserved only the best.
Jihoon thought about what to say to Soonyoung. How could he destroy these thoughts? Jihoon would forgive him anything. Now that he knew what had happened, anyway.
“Jihoon? I think that’s what you want to see,” Minghao whispered. He didn’t sound good. Jihoon opened his eyes. They were in Soonyoung’s bedroom. And he had another man with him. Oh no, why would he want to see that? Jihoon definitely didn’t want to see Soonyoung having fun with someone el-
What?
He was too shocked to understand the words the two were saying. He watched helplessly as Soonyoung tied up the other man, who he knew as Jeonghan. The way Soonyoung’s fingers dug into the pillow as he pressed it against Jeonghan’s face. What had Soonyoung done?
Jihoon lost his footing. He sat down on the ground and stared at the scene in disbelief. No words could make this right. Soonyoung would never recover from this. How long ago was that? He tried to remember if and when Soonyoung had shown any different behavior. Was that when he moved? Shit, why was Jihoon so blind and didn’t see that something was wrong? He should have forced Soonyoung to talk to him! How much had he let him down? He should have known. He had also known that something was wrong. Damned.
While Jihoon argued with himself, the scene continued. Sometimes faster, sometimes slower.
Seungcheol and Joshua came and Jeonghan came back, too. It passed Jihoon. Although he realized it, his eyes were fixed on Soonyoung. At Soonyoung, who looked like he was about to collapse. If only Jihoon could have helped him! But he had to watch helplessly as the four (according to Minghao) traveled back in time. How Soonyoung tried to make everything right on his own. And became more and more desperate himself. How the Jihoon in the scenes before him didn’t understand anything and just accepted it. And what made this Jihoon so much worse – he was him. It was much harder for Jihoon to see him let Soonyoung suffer like that and do nothing about it than to see the emotionless Jihoon, who he hadn’t been, treating Soonyoung like that. It was his fault. Soonyoung had every right to push him away.
Minghao ended the spell when they arrived at yesterday and Soonyoung collapsed in Seokmin’s arms. Jihoon wiped his eyes and slowly stood up. He had no idea how he could save this. How he could help Soonyoung.
“I have to go back in time,” Minghao stated.
Jihoon turned his gaze to him. He hadn’t said much since Soonyoung went back in time. Jihoon didn’t know what was going on in Minghao. But he knew that wasn’t right.
“No. You won’t do anything. That’s not the solution, Minghao! He makes a mistake and you travel back. Then you make a mistake and he travels back in time. How long is this going to continue?”
“I’ll give him a potion that will make him forget the magic and-“
“No. That’s not the solution. We both saw that it was only through Soonyoung that the others came together. What if you make a mistake? Do you want Seungkwan and Chan to fight all the time again? That Seungcheol continues to be blind in his love? No. You do nothing. I...I’m thinking about it. How we can do this here in our time. Understood?”
Well, he was more emotional than usual. Stricter. Angrier. Jihoon didn’t care. He was only satisfied when Minghao nodded. “Okay.”
And even though he had no idea how to do it, Jihoon set to work.
~
It took so much strength for him not to go to Soonyoung and confess to him that he knew everything. That he would help him somehow. But he couldn’t go to him. He had to act as Jihoon, who was rejected by Soonyoung. Who was now hurt and heartbroken. Also towards the others. And it gave him the time he needed to plan everything, involve Minghao, and refine his plan.
In the end, Jihoon was happy with the plan. Minghao no longer had anything to object to either. And yet Jihoon couldn’t bring himself to start. The hardest part was the beginning. After that everything would become easier. But the beginning?
Jihoon closed his eyes. The idea of Soonyoung suffering made him start. And thus dial Soonyoung’s number.
It took a while for Soonyoung to answer. Jihoon ignored his aching heart. If everything worked, that would change again. Then Soonyoung would answer on the first ring like he used to.
“Yes?”
“Hey…Soonyoung,” Jihoon began. His heart was pounding in his ears. If Soonyoung didn’t agree, the plan was in vain. “I wanted to ask if you could come to my place tonight.”
He heard Soonyoung sigh. That was a no. Soonyoung would say no. “I would cook us something. Please.”
“Jihoon, I-” It was a no again.
“You owe me that, don’t you think?” He didn’t want to say it. Jihoon didn’t want Soonyoung to feel any worse. But he needed a yes.
“I...I’m so sorry-“
“Just say yes.”, again Jihoon didn’t let the other finish. It had never been so hard to convince Soonyoung to do something.
Soonyoung sighed again. “Okay,” he whispered. And Jihoon felt a weight lifted from his heart.
“Okay. 7 p.m. at my place. Be on time.” He hung up before Soonyoung could change his mind.
With shaking fingers, Jihoon wrote to Minghao that today was the day. Today, they would go through with the plan. Getting a thumbs up from Minghao made his heart feel a little lighter. It would be fine. Jihoon just had to think positively.
He spent the day shopping, tidying his apartment because he was so nervous, and cooking. Jihoon finished early. The food wouldn’t taste good until Soonyoung showed up. If everything was back to normal and Jihoon told him it was just because he was so nervous…Soonyoung would tease him about it. And Jihoon almost wouldn’t mind. Jihoon turned off the stove and walked to his door. Soonyoung wouldn’t come for a long time, but he needed to distract himself.
But when he looked out the door viewer, he could see Soonyoung. Soonyoung, who was waiting at his door way too early. Who looked like he was debating whether to ring the bell or leave. He really loved Jihoon, right? Jihoon’s heart beat faster again as he reached for the doorknob and slowly opened the door.
When Jihoon faced Soonyoung, he could clearly see the desperate expression on his face. Until Soonyoung tried more than badly to cover it up. “Don’t you want to come in?” Jihoon asked. He wanted to pull Soonyoung into his arms and tell him everything would be okay. He wanted to confess his love to him and kiss him. But Soonyoung, as he was now, would push him away again. No, it was no use.
“I’m early,” Soonyoung exclaimed. He seemed as if he couldn’t understand the situation.
Jihoon forced a smile, even though he felt like he was going to throw up. “It’s good. The food is ready.”
Soonyoung’s expression became even more desperate. Did he see it as fate? They only had to wait a few more minutes.
Jihoon turned away and pointed inside. “Please come in.”
When Soonyoung finally entered and Jihoon closed the door behind him, his fingers were shaking. He didn’t know what they would do if the plan didn’t work.
Soonyoung waited for Jihoon to move, and followed him into the kitchen. Jihoon set the table while Soonyoung stood in the room uncertainly.
They didn’t even act like it was a normal meal. As if they were still friends. Lover. Even if they never were in this time. Soonyoung started picking at his food and Jihoon didn’t even start eating.
“Jihoon, what do-” Soonyoung looked up and paused when he noticed Jihoon wasn’t eating.
“I know everything, Soonyoung.” Jihoon adjusted the chopsticks because he had to do something. “I know about magic, about time travel, and about...us.”
Soonyoung stared at him. Shocked. And then it was as if the message got to him. His eyes became watery. Soonyoung’s hand came up to grab Jihoon’s, but he wanted to pull it back. Which is why Jihoon did it for him and linked their hands together. He saw Soonyoung’s gaze drop to their hands. “Then you know why this isn’t a good idea. You should stay away from me,” he whispered. And he sounded so broken. How could Jihoon not have noticed it before?
“Because you love me? Because you did everything to make your friends happy? That you tried to do it right? Why should I stay away from you?”
“But…I hurt you, Jihoon. I hurt everyone and put everyone in danger. And I killed someone. You don’t know...you can’t...I...I’m a bad person.” Soonyoung wanted to take his hand away, but Jihoon tightened his grip.
“I’ve seen everything, Soonyoung. I know how you struggle with it, too. Does a bad person do such things? You are still the man I fell in love with. Who cares about his friends. Who thinks with his heart. You are such a good person that sometimes it almost hurts to see how naive it makes you. I thought I made a mistake. That you didn’t want me anymore because of a mistake. I realized too late that the only mistake I made was not push you to talk to me. We could have figured it out together. But it’s not too late, Soonyoung. I...I spoke to Minghao.” Jihoon now released their hands and stood up. He got the magic potion that Minghao had brought him in two small bottles and placed one of the bottles on the table in front of Soonyoung. He held the other in his hands.
“He brewed us a potion. You will forget everything that has to do with magic.”
A tear rolled down Soonyoung’s cheek as he shook his head. “I can’t. That’s too easy.”
Jihoon had feared it. “It’s okay to take the easy route. If you agree, Minghao will tell the others to drink the potions too. Seungkwan, Chan, Vernon, Seokmin, Wonwoo, Mingyu and Jun agreed. Seungcheol, Joshua and Jeonghan have no choice, otherwise, Minghao will not allow Jeonghan to continue to walk around freely. We’ll all drink it and go back to how we used to be. And I can finally tell you how much I love you and that I want to be with you. I cooked especially for it.”
“Jihoon...”
He couldn’t tell what was going on in Soonyoung’s head. He could only hope he said the right thing. This wasn’t a superhero movie where the main protagonist had to live with his mistakes. If there was something as crazy as magic, why wouldn’t they use it?
“Please,” Jihoon added.
“And what if I start magic again?”
“Minghao will make sure that doesn’t happen. He will perform a spell that puts a blockage on you.”
Soonyoung nodded. But he didn’t move otherwise. What else could Jihoon say? He put the bottle down in front of him and looked at it for a moment. When he knew what else he could say to Soonyoung, he looked up and at him. “The last few times have been bad for me. Not because I missed you and you hurt my feelings. I had to watch you suffer and I couldn’t help you. I want you to be well Soonyoung. And I know that you will break because of what happened. If you aren’t already. I couldn’t bear to see you like this. I want you to be well. And if the only way to do it is by simply forgetting what happened, then so be it. I’m fine with anything as long as I can see you happy again.”
Soonyoung held out his hand again. But this time he didn’t hesitate, but reached for Jihoon’s hand. He squeezed it quite tight, as if he needed to support himself. “I don’t know what I deserve you for.”
He had won. Jihoon was so relieved. Soonyoung would do it. A relieved laugh escaped him. “I don’t know that either. So go ahead, drink. The food is getting cold.”
Soonyoung let out a deep breath. He let go of Jihoon’s hand and took the bottle. “I love you so much, Jihoon. Please never forget that.” And then Soonyoung drank. Once he finished the bottle, Soonyoung closed his eyes.
Jihoon picked up his phone and sent Minghao a thumbs up. The others would now take the potions. And then he deleted the chat with Minghao and anything that would remind him of magic.
“Huh?” Soonyoung’s voice sounded different. So damn different that it brought tears to Jihoon’s eyes again. It sounded like it used to. Carefree. Cheerful.
“Are you back among the living, yes? You were so lost in your thoughts that it wasn’t worth talking to you.” Jihoon tried to scold the other person. But at the moment he was so happy with the development that he could act well.
“Huh? Talking to me?” Soonyoung looked at him with big, naive eyes. Oh, Jihoon loved him so much. He couldn’t wait to meet the other Soonyoung. The Soonyoung who had been the other Jihoon’s boyfriend. Who loved each other.
“Soonyoung?”
“Hm?”
“I have to tell you something. Right now, yes? Please make sure I don’t run away from it, okay?”
Jihoon looked into the other’s eyes as he reached for the bottle. He saw the spark in Soonyoung’s eyes. He had the right guess. Everything would be fine. Jihoon closed his eyes and drained the bottle.
~
Jihoon put down the bottle he had in his hands.
“Jihoon, you wanted to confess something to me?”
Oh no. Why had he said that? How should he...how should he confess his love to Soonyoung? He couldn’t do that. What if their friendship fell apart? What if Soonyoung didn’t like him. Oh no. He-
Soonyoung reached for his hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
Did he know something? Had anyone else spilled the beans? Jihoon hadn’t told anyone about his plan. He didn’t know what drove him to invite Soonyoung to an incredibly romantic dinner and confess his love to him. And why had he told him that he wanted to confess something to him? He couldn’t talk his way out of it anymore.
Jihoon lowered his gaze. “I love you,” he pressed between his lips.
Soonyoung pulled his hand away. But before Jihoon could think, Soonyoung was behind him and hugged him. “I knew it. Oh I’m so happy! I dreamed that you were the first to confess. Jihoon, you don’t know how happy I am about this!” Soonyoung shouted and hugged Jihoon to him.
A weight fell from his heart. “I love you too,” Soonyoung breathed into his ear, releasing a swarm of butterflies into Jihoon. He leaned back and looked up into Soonyoung’s face. “I love you, Soonyoung,” he repeated, a little more confident this time. “I love you so much.”
Magical Soonyoung - Chapter 6: Seokmin and the poisened potion
Soonyoung tries to make up for his mistakes and change the past. Seokmin is let in on the secret "magic" and also wants Soonyoung's help
Soonyoung loved Jihoon. He just loved everything about him! Well…at least the old Jihoon. His Jihoon. And for him, Soonyoung would do anything. Even if it meant killing a person.
~
“Are you really willing to do everything that needs to be done?” Jeonghan looked at him seriously in Seungcheol’s body.
“Of course.” Soonyoung nodded firmly. He would do anything.
“We need the Spell. Minghao must have the instruction.”
“Oh, I know where it is. I can take a photo of it.”, Soonyoung interrupted the other. If he had known that he would have to do it without Minghao, he would have photographed it right then.
“No. A photo doesn’t work with magic books. You have to write it down. And you can’t make any mistakes, understand? But it’s good that you know where it is. Next, we need the ingredients. He mustn’t notice that you’re taking them, otherwise, he might suspect something.”
Okay, that wasn’t really a problem either. He worked in the store and Minghao had already left him alone once. Soonyoung just had to wait until he left him alone again.
“We also need rosemary, eucalyptus, sage, lilac, cinnamon, myrrh and carnation. I don’t want Joshua and Seungcheol to forget me.” Jeonghan stopped and seemed to be talking to Seungcheol.
Even though it was a little strange at first, Soonyoung envied the three of them. Well, at the moment he would probably envy anyone with a happy relationship. But they got along so well. They probably knew everything about each other from Jeonghan being inside Seungcheol’s body. He also wanted to be able to be so carefree with Jihoon again. Soonyoung sighed softly as a giggle escaped Jeonghan. It was so strange to hear that!
“We need the protection spell. It’s important. I also want them to cast the spell with us to be on the safe side.”
Soonyoung nodded. He understood. He would do anything to get his Jihoon back. But he wouldn’t jeopardize the others’ relationships. They didn’t deserve that.
“And then we come to my reward. For helping you.” Jeonghan started and he became more serious. “I need a body.”
Soonyoung blinked. He didn’t understand what Jeonghan meant. He had a body after all. Couldn’t he control Seungcheol’s or Joshua’s body the way he wanted?
“My own body. I want to live, Soonyoung! I was a ghost and trapped for years. This makes it better, but I want to have my own body. How else am I supposed to really enjoy my two lovers?” Despite his joke, Jeonghan remained serious.
A body of his own? How should they do that? He felt ice cold as a thought occurred to him, which Jeonghan confirmed: “You have to kill someone for me, Soonyoung.”
~
He just had no idea how. Or who. The other points were far too easy. But a murder? He had destroyed everything with his magic. If only he had listened to Jihoon back then! He would somehow have to deal with taking out someone else’s life. Jeonghan didn’t want to do it himself because he wouldn’t involve Joshua and Seungcheol. And Soonyoung understood. He totally understood. He also didn’t want Jihoon to get involved. That’s why he asked Jeonghan for two days. Two days in which he could say goodbye to this Jihoon.
The two days passed far too quickly. Soonyoung tried his best to be the most perfect boyfriend in the world. Jihoon didn’t even act weird. It made Soonyoung think about whether he should go through with the plan with Jeonghan. But it was tiring. And he liked teasing Jihoon. Not teasing him that Jihoon got angry. But light teasing that didn’t hurt too much. He loved it. And it still wasn’t his Jihoon. Although this Jihoon had his advantages. But he would see him in a year. Soonyoung could wait.
He didn’t leave Jihoon’s side for the last few hours. They had had sex, and they had made love. For Jihoon, Soonyoung was probably just clingy and horny, but for Soonyoung, it was a goodbye. A farewell to this Jihoon. How else was he supposed to last the year until he could have him again? Soonyoung wanted it to be like it used to be.
When he finally had to leave, Soonyoung hugged Jihoon. He pulled the other tightly to him and buried his face in the other’s hair.
“Goodbye. See you in a year,” he whispered. It didn’t matter if Jihoon heard it or understood it or dismissed it. Soon, he no longer existed.
Before Soonyoung started crying, he left Jihoon’s apartment for the last time. Now it was time to kill someone.
Soonyoung wandered around the area. He had the ingredients and the copied instructions in the car. He still didn’t know who or how to do it. How could he kill someone? He looked every person he met in the eye. But he couldn’t choose them as victims. What if they had family? A lover who was waiting for them? Was his happiness worth more than their happiness?
It got later and later, and Soonyoung couldn’t find anyone who fit. If such a thing even existed. His path led him to a bridge and there he saw the way out. A young man stood on the railing and stared down. Soonyoung’s heart skipped excitedly. That was the solution! It wasn’t really murder if the person wanted to die, right? He shouldn’t be so happy about it, but Soonyoung quickly and carefully walked toward him. He just had to convince him to do it his way. He should feel bad, but all he could think about was that this was his ticket to the past.
“Hey, can I make you a suggestion?” He had no idea how to say something like that. Can I kill you?
“Go away! I won’t change my mind! No one-“
“Good, I didn’t want to change your mind, either.” Soonyoung shrugged his shoulders in a decidedly calm manner. Maybe that was exactly what he was supposed to say? “I wanted to make you a suggestion. If you jump down here, it will hurt. And maybe you’ll fall so unluckily that you won’t die. I could help you with that.”
The other was silent. Like he seemed to really be thinking about it. Soonyoung got excited. He ignored the guilty conscience. He had to do this. There was no other way out.
“What do you suggest instead?”
He really shouldn’t be as excited as he felt right now. Soonyoung wasn’t keen on killing anyone. Especially not his counterpart, whom he barely knew. He didn’t want to think about his bereaved. Would this time continue here? Would he be gone forever and they would never know what happened to him? No...Soonyoung wasn’t allowed to think about it! The other was his chance to be with Jihoon again.
“I’m suffocating you. It happens quickly and you lose consciousness.”
“Sorry, I’m not into men.”
Pah! What did he think of Soonyoung? Soonyoung was loyal to Jihoon! Well, except for the kiss thing with Seungcheol, but that was Jeonghan’s fault! It was absolutely not Soonyoung’s fault and that’s why he hadn’t cheated...right? Soonyoung definitely wouldn’t want to have sex with the other guy!
“I just want to kill you. Nothing else.”
The other one seemed amused? Soonyoung doubted his mental state a little - but that’s probably what he thought of Soonyoung, too.
“So you want to try what it’s like to kill someone? Do you at least have a good plan after that? I want them to know that I wanted to die. I don’t want to be mourned as a victim.”
Soonyoung shuddered slightly. It was…not very nice. He wouldn’t want the other guy dead if it wasn’t for Jihoon. He didn’t want to kill him, either. The knowledge that he was responsible for the suffering of others was horrible. But he nodded. “No one will find your body,” he promised. At least Jeonghan lived on in the other one. At least as he understood it.
“Okay, then lead me to the place of my death, stranger.”
He was strange. But Soonyoung was fine with not having to violently kill someone. That would make it easier. He hoped.
On the way to his apartment, he texted Jeonghan that he and the others could come in an hour. When they got to his apartment, Soonyoung wanted to lead the other into his bedroom, but he had such fond memories with Jihoon there. He didn’t want to ruin it with something like that.
“You should tie me up. I’ve heard that the body fights back and the survival instinct kicks in. Unless you’re into that kind of thing, of course.”
Soonyoung swallowed. He wasn’t prepared for it. Not at all!
With shaking hands, he tied the other man to his bed. He would do it. He did this for Jihoon. So they could be together again.
“Thank you,” he whispered before sitting on the other’s chest. He groaned, but Soonyoung didn’t have to pay any attention. After all, he had something much worse planned. He thought deeply of Jihoon as he took the pillow and pressed it on the other’s face. When he opened his eyes after a while and began to pull at the restraints, Soonyoung closed his eyes. Inwardly he just repeated, “I’m doing the right thing.” Again and again.
It didn’t take long. At least not according to the clock. But it felt like forever. Soonyoung had squeezed longer to be on the safe side. He recited in his head every little thing he loved about Jihoon. Every memory that was dear to him. Just to get through this cruelty. And when Soonyoung was sure that the other was dead, he let go and opened his eyes.
As soon as he saw the other person, he felt sick. Soonyoung quickly got up and rushed to the bathroom, where he vomited. He had killed a person! Even if it was the right thing and the other person had agreed, Soonyoung had done something terrible. He sank to the floor and began to sob.
He didn’t know how long he sat there mourning the other. He didn’t even know his name. Soonyoung only stopped when the doorbell rang. He just hoped it was really Jeonghan and the others. What was he supposed to do when it was someone else?
Soonyoung stood up heavily and dragged himself to the door. He felt tired. So incredibly tired. He wanted the year to go by quickly, and he could finally be in Jihoon’s arms again. How much he missed the other!
When Soonyoung opened the door, it was little consolation that Joshua and Seungcheol were actually standing at his door. He didn’t know which of the two was Jeonghan, and he didn’t care.
“In the bedroom,” he managed.
Joshua nodded and Seungcheol’s eyes turned worried. “Are you okay?” he asked and Soonyoung shrugged his shoulders. He wouldn’t complain. He had decided to do it. Soonyoung couldn’t break down now. Not now when it was about something so important.
“If you want to talk, we’re here,” Joshua began and Soonyoung turned his gaze to him. He seemed different. Was Jeonghan out of him? Soonyoung felt sick again as he thought about what this meant. “Come with me,” he tried to distract himself and led both of them into the living room. To keep himself occupied, he took out his magic supplies and spread them out on his table.
“It’s good to have my own body again.”
Soonyoung froze at the sound of the voice. He knew what Jeonghan was planning. But just a few minutes ago, he had robbed that voice of the strength to ever speak again. He swallowed several times before he felt ready to turn to the dead man’s voice. And he wasn’t.
Tears welled up in his eyes. He felt so bad. As if he was about to throw up again.
“Well, how do you like me? Soonyoung really did a good job, didn’t he?”
He didn’t want to hear that. He had killed someone. A person. What was good work about it? He had ended a life!
“Soonyoung?”
Soonyoung was still staring at the dead man. You couldn’t tell he was dead. His skin didn’t appear bluish. There was no sign of the shackles on his wrists and no signs of how violently he had fought back. Nothing.
“I spoke to his ghost before he disappeared. He’s not mad at you, Soonyoung. You don’t have to blame yourself. I’m really impressed with how you handled this. You will be a great magician.” The dead man came towards him. No. He had to stop thinking like that. Jeonghan. Jeonghan came towards him. Could he believe him? Had he spoken to the other person? Soonyoung shook his head slightly. It wasn’t the time for that. He had to go to Jihoon!
“Let’s get started, please.”
The time travel spell was complicated. Not only was there a potion involved that Soonyoung was taking care of, but also three different colored candles for Joshua to keep an eye on. Seungcheol took care of the herbs by mixing them together and drawing a mark on each person’s forehead. And Jeonghan looked over the instructions, keeping an eye on everything and drilling the words for the spell into their heads.
The potion bubbled in the center of the nine candles. It had turned a soft purple. Soonyoung had never seen this color in a potion before, but he trusted Jeonghan completely.
“Now let’s all hold hands. We have to recite the words of the spell together. 3 times. Then we take a sip and the spell should begin to work. Just close your eyes. It will be best because otherwise you will feel a little dizzy. We will arrive at the place where we were at this point almost a year ago. No matter what you do. Stop this activity and we will meet again in Soonyoung’s apartment. It is important, otherwise you will lose your memory of your current life. Understood?”
Wouldn’t it be better to lose your memory?
No. He couldn’t be so cowardly and run away from his actions. Besides, he would never be able to stop Minghao and let everything go back to the way it was before. That just didn’t work. So he nodded.
Soonyoung focused on the instructions Jeonghan had placed next to the potion, and as they all joined hands, he repeated the words Jeonghan had taught them. With the sound of the last word of the third repeat, he closed his eyes. He felt the ground start to move. Or at least that’s what he thought. He felt Jeonghan and Joshua’s hands slip from his, but Soonyoung kept his eyes tightly closed. He was feeling sick enough.
Only when he felt that everything was calm again did he carefully open his eyes. Soonyoung was still in his apartment. Had the magic worked? Soonyoung couldn’t spot the others, but what if they had made a mistake? But the magic things were gone. The cauldron, the ingredients, the candles, everything! It had worked, right? He was just about to make his way to his bedroom to see if there were any traces of the dead man when he received a message.
Soonyoung pulled out his phone with shaky fingers. He stared at the date for a moment. It worked. It was 2021 again. They had done it. Everything would be okay! Soonyoung closed his eyes happily. It was worth it. He could do everything right. And then he would never do magic again! The magic had taken too much away from him. Jihoon had been right. It was all too dangerous. Once everything was back to the way it should be, he would throw it all away. He would never, ever risk losing Jihoon again!
Soonyoung opened his eyes again after promising himself and looked at the message preview. Jihoon!
He unlocked his phone and pulled up the message.
We’re meeting today, right?
His heart was beating fast. So crazy fast. He wasn’t ready. Unwilling to face Jihoon and see if the spell had really worked, or if the Jihoon here was also cursed by the forgiveness spell. He wasn’t ready to face him and had to hold back. They weren’t together at that time. Could he hold back? Argh, he had to. How else was everything supposed to be the way it was? What had he written to Jihoon back then? He didn’t remember anything. But…how would he answer Jihoon to a question like that? His fingers moved of their own accord and as he sent the message without hesitation, he stared at it. Did that sound like him? Like the Soonyoung a year ago?
Of course~ I can’t wait to see you.
Was this the Soonyoung a year ago or the Soonyoung he was now?
When the doorbell rang, he jumped and dropped his phone in shock. His first thought was the police. They had noticed the murder! Only after a few seconds of shock, when the doorbell rang again, did his thoughts become clearer. No. He had never murdered during this time. They couldn’t arrest him.
Nevertheless, Soonyoung hesitated until he finally went to the door and opened it. Jeonghan. He hoped.
“Are Seungcheol and Joshua here yet? I bought the necessary materials. To be on the safe side, also a cauldron.”
He was it. This calmed Soonyoung incredibly.
“No, you’re the first.” Soonyoung led Jeonghan into his living room. “What about…with…” He trailed off.
“The person you killed? His soul is not here. In the future, I was some kind of zombie in his body. I couldn’t have held him long before the body rotted. Because of the protective spells, his soul didn’t go back with him. This body is alive and belongs to me. Thank you for that, Soonyoung.”
So Soonyoung had actually ended a life. He tried to suppress his guilty conscience. The other guy wanted it that way, right?”
“The good thing is that he has crazy problems with his family. It won’t be noticed if I cut off contact with them and change my name. Anyway, I discussed with Shua and Cheol that we will move in together, so no one will find this body again.”
It was shocking how casually Jeonghan said that. But Soonyoung didn’t want to think about whether it was the right thing to do.
“Jihoon wrote to me,” he tried to distract himself.
Jeonghan grinned at him. “Can’t wait to see him again, huh? But remember, you have to stop Minghao from meeting Jun. Otherwise, everything will start all over again.”
Could he really deprive Jun of his happiness in love? Soonyoung wanted to be happy with Jihoon again...but not at the price of the others’ relationships! He would prevent the premature meeting...but he would have to bring them back together. He owed Jun that! Luckily, he had almost a year to think about how to do this without Minghao becoming suspicious.
It didn’t take long until Joshua, and shortly afterward Seungcheol rang his doorbell. “I had to leave work early!” Seungcheol complained. “I hope I don’t get in trouble for this. I said it was a family emergency, but I don’t know if they believe that.”
“We’ll manage,” Jeonghan reassured him and kissed Seungcheol. For him, it seemed completely normal to kiss a stranger. Sure, it was Jeonghan, but not his body.
“Let’s get started.” Jeonghan broke away from the other and gave instructions again. Soonyoung chopped the ingredients and the others took turns stirring the potion. Soonyoung added the ingredients as instructed and after it turned a bright yellow, everyone took a sip. Soonyoung felt nothing.
“I don’t feel anything. Are you sure the potion works?” Joshua asked skeptically.
But Jeonghan nodded. “Absolutely. I’m a master of magic, don’t forget that. We won’t lose our memories. And we shouldn’t talk about it with others. We’ll each go our own ways now and not talk about it anymore, okay?”
Soonyoung had no choice but to nod. And when the others left and Jeonghan took the magic things back with him, his life was as it used to be. He was the Soonyoung who was head over heels in love with Jihoon and had no idea how to get a confession out of the other.
Before he forgot everything that had happened the last few weeks, Soonyoung sat down and wrote everything down. He made a schedule, took notes, and wrote down every bit of information he still knew. He would approach this the way Jihoon approached things. Planned and thought out. When Soonyoung couldn’t think of anything else, he looked at his to-do list:
1. Prevent Minghao and Jun’s premature meeting
2. Find out if Jihoon is still under any spells
3. Bring Mingyu and Wonwoo together
4. Bring Seungkwan and Chan together
5. Bring Minghao and Jun together without Minghao finding out about me
6. Finally get Jihoon
He hesitantly wrote on the list:
7. Change apartments
Even though this didn’t happen a year ago, he couldn’t stay in this apartment. It did not work. He couldn’t imagine going into his bedroom at the moment. At the place where he committed the murder. Soonyoung shuddered. No, he had to get out of here.
It was time to get right to the first point. Operation preventing Minghao and Jun’s premature meeting could begin.
As far as Soonyoung knew, Minghao had hit on Jun in a cafe. Tomorrow. So he just had to keep Jun away from any cafes. That wasn’t a problem. But the question was, and Soonyoung was incredibly proud of himself for thinking about it, whether Minghao already knew about Jun or not? Would he give up after tomorrow or would he try again? Soonyoung liked Jun, but he didn’t think they could meet every day to prevent this. What if this bothered Jihoon? No, that wouldn’t be a good solution. He didn’t want Jihoon to get jealous and mess up their predetermined schedule. No, that didn’t work.
Soonyoung thought and thought. And finally, he came up with an idea that Minghao lost interest in Jun. He would just give Jun a love potion. One like the one he had given Chan. He knew what he needed and the potion wore off after 24 hours. Soonyoung just needed a suitable victim... But first he had to get Jun to spend the day with him. He dialed his number.
“Hello Soonyoung,” the other greeted him.
“Hey Jun! Do you know what I was thinking? We haven’t done anything together for a long time. What do you think about spending the day together tomorrow and doing a little shopping?” Soonyoung immediately blurted out his request.
“Tomorrow? I actually have plans with Vernon. But if you want, you can come with us.”
Vernon? Soonyoung wondered if he would hinder his plan - but Vernon was the perfect victim! He would simply give them both a love potion so that they would be madly in love with each other for 24 hours and Minghao would see that and give up on Jun. And since he wasn’t protected this time, his memory of the future would fade. It was perfect!
“Soonyoung?”
Oh crap. Jun was still on the phone. “Sorry, I was distracted. No, that sounds perfect. I’ll pick you up tomorrow,” he announced happily and hung up. He urgently needed to get the ingredients for the love potion! Luckily, he knew where to get the ingredients without having to go to Minghao’s shop.
On the way back to his apartment, he got a call. From Jihoon! His heart jumped when he read the name.
“Hey” He was just able to stop himself from saying “baby”. Shit, he had to be more careful!
“Where are you?”
“Huh?”
“We wanted to meet? Have you forgotten me?” Jihoon tried to sound matter-of-fact. But Soonyoung could hear the slightly annoyed undertone. Annoyed! Jihoon was annoyed! Because of him! Was there anything more beautiful?
The grin couldn’t be kept off his face. Jihoon was angry with him. Annoyed, no matter what, as long as it was a negative feeling. It had worked! Everything would be fine.
“Kwon Soonyoung!” the other one scolded, and Soonyoung turned his attention back to the annoyed Jihoon. “If you don’t have time for me, just say so.”
“I always have time for you. I’m on my way. Wait for me a little longer. But please tell me again where we want to meet?”
Jihoon’s sigh was like angel bells in his ears. Jihoon was annoyed with him!
“If you’re not at the cinema in 10 minutes, we’ll miss the film.”
The cinema? He didn’t think he could do it. Soonyoung started running. “I’ll be there as quickly as possible.” Sure, he wanted Jihoon to be mad at him. But not because of something like that!
In the end, he didn’t make it in time. Jihoon stood in front of the cinema with his arms crossed and when he saw Soonyoung, he just looked at him silently. Soonyoung had tried everything! He was completely out of breath and couldn’t even apologize to the other. But the way Jihoon looked at him was worth it. It was no longer a blank expression. No emotionless look. It was his Jihoon. The Jihoon he had endured so much for. Before Soonyoung could catch his breath, he hugged the other.
As if sensing something was different, Jihoon didn’t resist but stood motionless as Soonyoung hugged him. As he slowly regained his breath, Soonyoung whispered, “I missed you so much.” He didn’t care if Jihoon heard it or not. Soonyoung often did “weird things” like that and Jihoon wouldn’t mind it. He finally had his Jihoon back!
With a heavy heart, he had to say goodbye to Jihoon again after a few hours (they drove to another cinema to see the movie). His heart ached as the other turned to leave without a hug. It would be harder to act “normal” than Soonyoung had thought. But he had to get the love potion ready for Jun and Vernon. As he looked at it and the pink slowly turned to the real pink, he felt melancholy again. This Jihoon didn’t have pink underwear. He would miss it a little. Would Soonyoung still be that good with the love potions? Or would he forget which color was the right one? If the color faded any further, the potion would become ineffective. But now he still knew. Maybe he should keep practicing this year so he won’t completely fail next year. Soonyoung filled the potions. He would put these in two teas for the two tomorrow, and then they would have to drink them.
Soonyoung didn’t dare go to his bedroom and slept on the sofa. He was a little exhausted the next morning, but he was looking forward to the day. A little. He couldn’t let Minghao approach Jun and Minghao couldn’t get suspicious!
Soonyoung prepared tea and filled the love potion in. He filled this tea-love potion mixture into two cups to go and then drove to Jun and Vernon’s apartment.
“Good morning,” he happily greeted Vernon, who opened the door for him.
“Good morning Soonyoung.”
“Tea? I brought you some.” He just had to make sure they were looking at each other and not at him. He didn’t really want to experience that.
“Yes, sure. Thank you.” Vernon took a cup from him and Soonyoung quickly scurried past him into the kitchen. He found Jun there and offered him the other tea. “I just have to go to the toilet, then I’ll be ready.”
Soonyoung hurried out of the kitchen, where Vernon went to. He went to the toilet normally, opened and closed the door, and then sneaked back. He didn’t dare look around the corner. But he listened. It just had to work! Maybe he should find some sort of camouflage or invisibility spell for his next plans. Even if there was a voice in the back of his mind telling him not to. Magic was too dangerous. What if he never became visible again?
“Why can’t we just stay here? We’re going to get rid of Soonyoung and-” Jun started. Soonyoung should be offended because they wanted to get rid of him. But he spoke exactly as he had heard Chan on the phone. Would hear. Whatever.
“What are you talking about?” Vernon fell silent and Soonyoung waited anxiously. Was he looking at Jun too now? Why didn’t anyone say anything? He didn’t want to see around the corner. But when he still didn’t hear anything, he did it. And pah! The two stood in the kitchen and made out with each other.
“Hey, I’m done, we can go.”
Suddenly, the two of them pulled apart. Good. The potion worked, but they were still sane. When he looked at the two of them, he felt guilty for a moment. Would that destroy their friendship with each other? But there was something good about it. Jun would have someone and wouldn’t get lonely and Vernon wasn’t in a relationship right now either. They could handle it, right?
“Soonyoung...can we skip this today?” Vernon started and Jun grabbed his hand and nodded.
“No, we can’t. You promised me a day of shopping. Let’s go.” Soonyoung grabbed Vernon’s free hand and pulled him towards the exit.
It was very tiring traveling with a couple on love potions. Exhausting and incredibly lonely. The two clung to each other the whole time. Kissed each other, held hands, or whispered sweet words to each other. Well, it was Soonyoung’s fault. But he only did it for everyone else. Minghao was not allowed to join their friend group at this time. It would destroy too much. He had to endure it.
“Let’s go to the cafe,” he suggested. It was just that the two of them were so busy with each other that they didn’t notice that they were just hanging out in random cafes all day. Or it was just fine with them because they could snog with each other. And finally, in the fifth cafe, he saw him. Minghao.
Soonyoung tried not to look at him or give himself away. He looked for a table nearby and the other two followed him. Soonyoung ordered cake for everyone and the lovestruck Jun fed Vernon. Very nice. Soonyoung pretended to look around the cafe and saw Minghao standing up. With his heart pounding, he waited to see if he would come to their table. But he was lucky and Minghao left the cafe. He had done it! Everything would be okay!
That one year passed quickly. Way too fast for Soonyoung’s liking. And everything went wrong.
The friendship between Jun and Vernon hadn’t really survived the love potion, and Jun had moved into his own apartment. He had a cat and didn’t seem lonely at all anymore. Vernon had a new roommate. But it wasn’t Seungkwan, but Seokmin. Seokmin hadn’t been in their friend group in the old time loop. But he matched them and he was also really nice and Soonyoung got along wonderfully with him - but he wasn’t right. How would he ever get Seungkwan and Chan together like that?
Soonyoung had moved. He had found an apartment near Jihoon, but the nightmares wouldn’t leave him. And it wasn’t just the nightmares. Soonyoung felt bad whenever he met Jun or Vernon. He had not only destroyed Jihoon’s old self, but also the friendship between them. Soonyoung had ended a human life. He had made so many mistakes. All because of the magic.
The only small consolation was Seungcheol, Joshua, and Jeonghan. The three fit together wonderfully. For them, Soonyoung’s mistakes had something good. But otherwise? No. He should never have started magic. Soonyoung would make up for his mistakes and then never do even a little bit of magic again. There would be no more spells, potions, or incantations. Absolutely nothing more. But first, it was Mingyu and Wonwoo’s turn. Soonyoung knew that he should actually focus on Jihoon first...but he didn’t feel ready at the moment. Not until the other stuff was made right. He couldn’t face Jihoon like that. He had to make everything right first. And what difference did it make in which month they got together? He just had to do his best.
Of course, it hurt when the day they got together went by and nothing happened. The time before, when Soonyoung had tried out the magic spells, he had stayed away from Jihoon this time. There were no meetings, no dinners, and no confessions. Soonyoung had grown to hate himself so much that he had taken up magic. He also withdrew from Jihoon over the next two weeks. Jihoon had been writing to him every day for a few days, but Soonyoung couldn’t face him. He was such a loser. He hadn’t accomplished anything and had only made things worse. Jihoon deserved better. Someone better.
Soonyoung longed for the day Mingyu came to him with heartache. It was a step in the right direction. After that, there would only be two more steps left on his to-do list before he could devote himself to Jihoon. He missed him so much. But Mingyu didn’t come.
He didn’t come that day, exactly 14 days after Soonyoung should have gotten together with Jihoon, and he didn’t come the following day either. Or the one after that. What had changed? Where was Mingyu? Without further ado, Soonyoung decided to visit him himself. Mingyu and Wonwoo still lived together. At least that hadn’t changed.
When Soonyoung rang the bell and Wonwoo opened the door for him, he didn’t look like one of his closest friends had just confessed his love for him.
“Hey Wonwoo. I wanted to visit you.” Soonyoung tried to make his voice sound happy and as usual, but he knew that he couldn’t do that anymore. He himself had changed in the last year.
“Mingyu isn’t here. But I don’t have anything planned. Come in.”
Damn. What if Mingyu was on his way to see him? Should he go again?
“Where is Mingyu?”
Wonwoo’s expression didn’t change in the slightest as he said the next words. It didn’t look like it bothered him much. “Mingyu has a date.”
Damned.
Since Wonwoo would get suspicious, Soonyoung had stayed there for a few hours. But he wasn’t paying attention. Where had he gone wrong with Mingyu? Why was he on a date? Why didn’t Wonwoo care? They were so happy! In the first timeline and the second that Minghao had created. They couldn’t give up! Soonyoung didn’t know how, but he had to fix it. He just had to do it!
Only too late did he realize where he had gone. Where he always went when he was feeling bad and didn’t know what to do. To Jihoon. Soonyoung stared at his door. He couldn’t drag him into this. Soonyoung would make things worse. He was not allowed to. He turned around with a heavy heart, even though he would love nothing more than to be with Jihoon. And at that moment he got a message.
Don’t you finally want to ring the bell?
Jihoon had noticed him. Soonyoung pressed his lips together. He couldn’t drag him into this. Jihoon didn’t deserve this. But he couldn’t leave now either. Would it hurt the other? And it would be the first time they’d seen each other since they-
“Is everything okay with you?” Jihoon’s voice came from behind his back. And the worry inside it drove Soonyoung to tears. He turned around and walked towards Jihoon. He looked up at Soonyoung worriedly. Jihoon opened his mouth to say something, but Soonyoung beat him to it: “Can I hold you, Jihoon?” He didn’t care that they were in public. Because when Jihoon nodded, Soonyoung came closer and hugged him. Soonyoung closed his eyes. He wouldn’t drag Jihoon into this, but he would get some strength from the other. From his Jihoon.
Jihoon didn’t let him go. He cooked food for them and that made Soonyoung even more desperate. It reminded him far too much of their actual get-together. He picked at his food and couldn’t really eat anything. Jihoon didn’t pressure him into anything. Soonyoung loved him more and more.
“Why doesn’t Mingyu confess his love for Wonwoo?” Soonyoung asked suddenly. He looked up and noticed Jihoon looking at him with wide eyes.
“What?”
“Mingyu loves him, after all. Why doesn’t he just confess to him?”
Jihoon put down his chopsticks. Was the other shaking? Why?
“It’s not that easy to confess your feelings to a friend,” Jihoon answered him. And then Soonyoung realized it. Did Jihoon think he had figured him out? Of course, he saw that Jihoon had started to have a crush on him in the last few months. It was obvious, and he didn’t understand how he hadn’t noticed it the last time. But he would never trick him like that. Not his Jihoon!
“It can destroy a lot. If the other person - if Wonwoo doesn’t love him back, then it destroys their friendship. Look at Jun and Vernon. To this day they still can’t talk to each other without things getting weird. It is better to suppress your feelings than to lose the other person.”
Did…Jihoon think that about him? Was that why he only confessed his love to him back then after he was sure that Soonyoung loved him too? Because Soonyoung had used love spells on him?
“But Wonwoo loves him too,” Soonyoung interjected weakly. Because he didn’t want to think about himself and Jihoon.
Jihoon looked at him, amused. “If it wasn’t so complicated, it would be easy. There’s so much that can be misinterpreted.”
Good. So all he had to do was get them to talk to each other. Should he do this with a love spell? No. Jihoon was right that he had destroyed Vernon and Jun’s relationship. He couldn’t risk that. What if they dismissed it as the influence of the love spell?
A truth potion, like Mingyu’s back then? But then he would have to be there and it wouldn’t be a sweet love story anymore. No, that didn’t work.
The transformation potion! His actual plan! That was it. He would turn Mingyu into a cat (too bad he couldn’t get him to dye his hair again) and would take him to Wonwoo. He would only tell Mingyu how to lift the transformation when he was a cat and Mingyu had to kiss Wonwoo. And then they would talk to each other. Hopefully.
In a better mood, he sat up straighter. “That’s why I like being with you, Ji. You helped me so much.” Soonyoung concentrated on his food, ignoring Jihoon’s still worried looks.
It wasn’t difficult to lure Mingyu to him. Soonyoung had previously brewed the potion alone. Meanwhile, he decided not to tell Mingyu about the transformation. What if he was against it? Soonyoung would have to outsmart him. It was easier this way. Because if it was really like Jihoon said, then he wouldn’t admit that he liked Wonwoo. Soonyoung didn’t understand what was different. Surely he hadn’t changed the timeline of the two of them? What was-
Jihoon and Soonyoung.
Soonyoung paused as the thought occurred to him. They were different. They weren’t a couple, but still friends. Had old Mingyu only gathered his courage because they dared a relationship? Oh Mingyu...
Soonyoung’s mind was racing. On the one hand, there were Seungcheol and Joshua, who were also first friends and then a couple. And Mingyu was good friends with them. But no one noticed how they got together. Because it didn’t happen in the current timeline, but in the old timeline. And there was Jeonghan. It wasn’t a “they were friends and now they’re lovers” story. Not the one Mingyu needed. Not the ones that Jihoon and him were. Had been. Argh!
It touched him that Mingyu only dared to do it back then because Soonyoung had tried it with Jihoon. Mingyu took him as a role model! He would rub that in his face...if he knew everything about it.
Soonyoung jumped as what was probably Mingyu rang the doorbell. Damned. He couldn’t go through with his actual plan. But what should he do instead? He had the potion; he had Mingyu, but he didn’t know how to get anyone to do anything.
Nevertheless, Soonyoung went to the door and let Mingyu in. The tea, with the transformation potion, was on the table and ready to be served. But Soonyoung chatted with Mingyu about everything and tried to come up with a plan. But he came up with nothing.
“Wonwoo told me you were on a date,” he finally moved on to another topic. At some point Mingyu would want to leave. And Soonyoung had no idea how to stop him.
“Oh, right.” Mingyu didn’t seem particularly happy to talk about this topic.
“Didn’t it go well?” Soonyoung did his best to sound genuinely worried. It would have been a catastrophe if things had gone wonderfully.
“Hm? No. It’s all ok. It’s just…” Mingyu trailed off.
“It wasn’t Wonwoo, right?” Screw any plan. Soonyoung would improvise. He was good at that. He was damn good at it.
Mingyu confirmed this as he looked up in panic. “What? How? What do you mean?” he stammered and Soonyoung leaned back.
“Everyone can see that you like him.” It hadn’t been that obvious. Back in the old timeline, he had no idea. “And also that Wonwoo likes you,” he added and lied again. He had no idea if Wonwoo liked him. Old Wonwoo had to rethink the matter. The current Wonwoo? No idea.
“What?” Mingyu looked at him as if he was overwhelmed.
“He didn’t look so happy when he told me you were on a date yesterday. He’s jealous, Mingyu. Why are you even going on a date if you love him, huh?”
“He was jealous?” Mingyu breathed. He seemed too lost in his thoughts at the moment. But then he ruffled his hair. “It’s much more complicated than that, Soonyoung,” Mingyu complained. “We are friends. We live together. What if it doesn’t work? What if any of us underestimate our feelings and things go wrong? I don’t want to lose him. I’d rather wait until the feelings go away. It’s easier this way.”
“Easier? Since when did you take the easier route? It’s wonderful to be with a friend. You all know your bad sides about each other. There is nothing to hide or hope that the other person cannot accept it. You know each other and you still love each other. Mingyu, this is the best thing that can happen. Not having to keep secrets from each other. You already have a past.”
“And what about Jun and Vernon? I don’t want to end up like this with Wonwoo.” Mingyu interrupted him.
Shit.
This was Soonyoung’s fault. But he couldn’t tell Mingyu that. That the two of them were just under a love spell. “It went wrong for both of them, yes,” he said slowly, desperately trying to think of a counterargument. “But they don’t fit together as well as the two of you either. Wasn’t it the case that they jumped into it too early? When they weren’t really aware of their feelings yet?” Soonyoung continued to lie.
Mingyu looked at him doubtfully.
“Do you know what I read? If you drink a cup of black tea on a full moon night and make a wish over a red candle, it will come true. It just so happens that today is a full moon.” It wasn’t, but Soonyoung hoped he was convincing Mingyu.
“And that’s supposed to do what? As if something like that would work.”
“Then we can test it out. Wait, I’ll get a candle.” It wasn’t a magic spell. It was just something Soonyoung made up. So it wouldn’t do any harm.
“Do you have something you wish for?” Mingyu asked when Soonyoung came back and lit the candle. Soonyoung thought about Jihoon. “Yes. I have.” He couldn’t stop his voice from sounding sad.
“Okay, let’s test it out. Do you have any black tea?” It didn’t go unnoticed by Soonyoung that Mingyu was now more enthusiastic about the matter. Well, then his longing for Jihoon was good. He nodded and poured them both the tea with the potion.
“And if that doesn’t work, we’ll get Wonwoo a cute red kitten and try woo him with it, right?” he jokingly tried to direct Mingyu’s thoughts towards a kitten. Oh, it just had to work!
Mingyu drank the tea in one go. Soonyoung watched him close his eyes and move his lips. And suddenly began to transform. Shortly afterwards, a little red kitten sat on his sofa.
Mingyu didn’t have to dye his hair orange.
It was the first thing that came to his mind. “Oh Mingyu, what did you wish for?”; he asked after a few minutes. The Mingyu kitten meowed a few times and spun around. Perfect. Now all he had to do was get Wonwoo to admit his feelings. “I have an idea, Mingyu. I’ll take you to Wonwoo and he’ll take care of you, okay? You’ll definitely change back.”
Mingyu meowed, but Soonyoung had no idea if it was something affirmative or not. As he picked Mingyu up and left his apartment, he set his alarm. Not that Mingyu remained a cat forever. Oh no, Soonyoung had really learned.
Luckily, Wonwoo was home. Otherwise, Soonyoung would have had to kiss the other one. No thanks. Soonyoung held the Mingyu kitten out to him as Wonwoo opened the door.
“Um hello?”
“Wonwoo, I need your help. I found the poor little kitten here. I don’t think it has a home.” Soonyoung deliberately made his voice sound sad. But it was a cat. Of course Wonwoo would jump at it.
“You should take it to the animal shelter. I can’t just take in a cat here, Soonyoung. I have to clear this with Mingyu and the landlord and-“
“Mingyu won’t mind. He’s gone all day and night. He has a date,” Soonyoung interrupted. Damn. It wasn’t until he thought about it that he realized it probably wasn’t a good idea. Saying that Mingyu went on a date again and it lasted through the night.
“Oh. Again?”
Huh? Huh???? He could see that Wonwoo was bothered by it now? What happened? But that was perfect! He pushed the Mingyu kitten into Wonwoo’s hands. “Sorry, I have to go to Jihoon. “Have a lot of fun together,” he grinned and hurried away.
Despite the excuse, he didn’t go to Jihoon’s but instead went home. Mingyu and Wonwoo were done. Now he had to think of something for the others. He had no idea what he could do for Jun, so Soonyoung started brewing the two love potions for Seungkwan and Chan. The normal one for Chan was easy. But the one for Seungkwan took longer and when Soonyoung was finished, he had two messages on his phone.
Why are you telling Wonwoo you would come to me? Did something happen or why aren’t you coming? I’m worried about you.
His heart beat faster as he read the message from Jihoon. Shit, of course Wonwoo and Jihoon were talking. Wonwoo had definitely complained about him. Was Jihoon hoping he would come over?
Sorry, something came up. I’ll come back to you soon <3
He saw Jihoon open the chat. But he didn’t write anything. And yet he stayed in their chat for a long time before being shown as offline again. Ah….he missed him. He finally wanted to take him in his arms again. Like really. As lovers. But...he wasn’t worthy of calling himself Jihoon’s boyfriend yet.
He also left their chat and opened the one with Wonwoo.
Mingyu doesn’t answer. Did he say where he was or where he wanted to go? When is he coming back?
Oh, if the two of them didn’t speak out now, then Soonyoung wouldn’t know what to do next. But why hadn’t Mingyu transformed back yet? He didn’t have that much time left. Should he go check? But if he went as a human, Wonwoo would stop him.
Soonyoung’s eyes fell on the tea with the transformation potion. He knew how to change back. He could risk it...right?
Before he had any more doubts, Soonyoung took a sip and imagined a cat. The potion didn’t taste bad. The transformation wasn’t bad either. He should have just gone to Wonwoo first and taken the potion there. Damn. So he had to make the long journey to get there. As a cat it was really dangerous. Drivers didn’t pay attention to him and several pedestrians wanted to pet him, but Soonyoung wouldn’t let them. Only Jihoon would have permission to do this!
He didn’t know how much time had passed when he finally got to Wonwoo. He scratched at the door and meowed loudly because he couldn’t ring the bell.
Wonwoo opened the door for him. Luckily, he was such a cat lover! Soonyoung scurried into the apartment. He smelled Mingyu as soon as he stepped inside. Woah. That was crazy. He hadn’t had time to concentrate on the transformation, so it only really occurred to him now. He walked into the living room, where he saw Mingyu curled up on the sofa. Had he cuddled with Wonwoo? He should change back and talk to him.
Soonyoung meowed softly as he heard Wonwoo coming back. Mingyu pricked up his ears. He opened his eyes and when he saw Soonyoung, he jumped off the sofa. Soonyoung scurried into the kitchen just in front of Wonwoo.
“What are you still doing here as a cat? Go and change back, otherwise, you will remain one.” All that came out of his mouth was meowing, but the other understood him.
“How? I have no idea how to do that.” Mingyu looked like he was pouting.
Did Soonyoung...didn’t he tell him how to change back? Where was he with his thoughts?
“You have to kiss him.”
“WHAT?”
“The kiss of true love breaks all curses. Go ahead and finally kiss him.” He was so good at improvising.
“I can’t just kiss him!” Even as a cat, Mingyu looked horrified and if Soonyoung were human, he would have laughed at him.
“Then you’ll stay a cat forever.”
This argument seemed to work because Soonyoung followed Mingyu as he walked back into the living room.
“There you are. Were you hungry?” Wonwoo asked in a gentle voice as Mingyu came into his field of vision. Soonyoung crept closer and watched them.
Mingyu rubbed his head on Wonwoo’s hand. It took an eternity for him to actually pounce on Wonwoo. Soonyoung heard Wonwoo laugh and saw Mingyu transform back shortly after.
“Mingyu?”
“Whoa. You won’t believe what happened today. And I really need to talk to you, Wonwoo.” Mingyu sounded so serious. Soonyoung was done here. At least he had brought a couple back together.
Soonyoung sneaked out of Wonwoo’s apartment and thought about who he could use to solve his curse. He wanted to go to Jihoon, but he couldn’t. He wasn’t worth it yet. That’s why his path led him to Jun and he played the same trick as with Wonwoo. And of course Jun let him in too. He simply had the best friends.
“So who are you?” asked Jun, amazed. He bent down and picked him up. Soonyoung wasn’t expecting this. Especially not when Jun started to pet him. Oh~ that was so wonderful. He felt himself purring and closed his eyes in pleasure. The last year had been hard. Should he just stay a cat? It was less tiring and not as complicated as cat. And if he got Jihoon to take him in, he would be with him again.
“Are you hungry?” Jun carried him into his kitchen and set him down on the counter. Soonyoung looked around curiously. He saw Tutu, Jun’s cat, come into the kitchen and freeze as soon as she saw him.
“Don’t worry, I’ll be gone soon,” he called to her. He just wanted to know what Jun would give him. Delicious chicken?
But Jun gave him cat food! Soonyoung stared at it in disgust. He would never eat that. Well, then he would just have to transform back into a human. He jumped off the counter. Soonyoung didn’t look back at Jun. He wouldn’t kiss Jun. Soonyoung hoped it worked on Tutu, too. Then he wouldn’t cheat on Jihoon like he would with a human.
“Please come with me,” he said to Tutu as he walked past. He hoped she understood him, since she hadn’t responded earlier.
“Oh, not hungry?” Jun asked and followed him. Damn. He couldn’t transform back unnoticed. He didn’t want word to get around. Above all, Jun wasn’t allowed to notice anything! What if he met Minghao and let it slip that Soonyoung could turn into a cat? Oh no, he would have Minghao right back on his trail. That couldn’t happen.
He let Jun pick him up and carry him into the living room. Tutu followed them. She didn’t say anything and Soonyoung wasn’t sure if she understood him or not. He stared at her. But she ignored him, jumped onto the sofa and lay down at Jun’s side. Soonyoung scooted a little away from them, sat down and watched the two of them.
Jun looked at him. “Not a cuddler type, huh? I’m here if you change your mind.”
Soonyoung watched him cuddle with Tutu. He did a few times try to get up, but Jun immediately looked at him and wanted to come with him. So did he have to wait until Jun fell asleep? Great. His tail whipped back and forth restlessly. Hopefully, that won’t be too late. He had no idea what time he drank the potion. How much time he had left before he remained a cat forever.
Because watching Jun and Tutu was boring, and the TV program was...he couldn’t see everything. So Soonyoung lay down and somehow he fell asleep.
A phone sound startled him. Soonyoung jumped up and had to orient himself.
“Oh. Wonwoo and Mingyu are together.” Jun looked surprised. Soonyoung moved closer to him. He tried to read something on the phone, but it was difficult to read anything.
Jun sighed and pulled Tutu onto his lap, making Soonyoung keep his distance.
“When is it my turn, huh? Luckily, I still have you, Tutu. What would I do without you?”
Oh! Jun was lonely after all. That was...well it wasn’t good, but Soonyoung would be able to make up for his mistake. And when his eyes fell on Tutu, he knew exactly how.
Soonyoung had to wait a little longer before Jun went to bed. He left them both behind. Tutu wanted to leave, but Soonyoung stopped her.
“What do you want?” She understood him after all!
“I need your help. I’m actually human and-“
“I know. You are the wild one. I don’t like you.” Oh. That wasn’t nice to hear. What had he done wrong?
“I’ll try to be a little calmer if you help me.”
“And I want treats. Lots of them. And you can tell him I don’t like the litter. The old one was much better.” Tutu looked at him carefully and Soonyoung tried to act as if he would remember everything. He had no idea whether it would work. But he needed Tutu’s help.
“Sure, I promise. I would have to take you with me. Just for a week. And then I’ll take you to someone to take you back to Jun, okay?”
Instantly, Tutu looked annoyed. Her ears folded back and her tail twitched.
“I give you treats every day. And the best food, I promise. And I’ll leave you alone.”
“And why should I accept this?”
Didn’t he just give her a lot of reasons? What kind of diva was Tutu?
“It’s for Jun. He’s unhappy, can’t you see that? He is lonely and needs someone. The one I’m taking you to is perfect for him.”
“Is he like you?”
She really didn’t like him, did she? Soonyoung tried not to take it too much to heart. “No, he’s very gentle. He will take good care of you. You just can’t tell him about me.”
“Okay. If he’s not like you, I’m okay with it.” Pah! Stupid thing!
Soonyoung listened to see if Jun was already asleep or still around the apartment. But it was quiet. He didn’t hear anyone anymore. Soonyoung came up to Tutu and kissed her. As Soonyoung transformed back and crouched in front of Tutu, he grinned at her. “Then come with me, Tutu.”
He picked her up and left Jun’s apartment.
One week. He lasted a week. Tutu made his life hell. She peed everywhere and ripped his clothes despite Soonyoung sticking to his promise. He got her the best of the best, cleaning her litter box every day. But Tutu showed him clearly that she didn’t like him. How did Jun put up with the beast? In a week, Soonyoung hadn’t even seen Jihoon. The other wrote to him almost every day, but Soonyoung couldn’t leave Tutu alone. He heard from the others that Jun was looking for her and that he was feeling very bad. Soonyoung was sorry, but Jun had to be desperate so that he would be even more grateful to Minghao when he brought Tutu back to Jun. Soonyoung also got in touch with Chan every day. How things went with his driving license, when he had the test, etc.
And in one day everything fell together. Tutu had peed on the sweater that Jihoon had left at Soonyoung’s apartment. It was the last thing Soonyoung had of the other and he didn’t care if Jun needed more time for Minghao, but Tutu had to go. With a heavy heart, he put the sweater in the washing machine. While he was removing the cat things from his apartment, he called Chan.
“I have my second exam tomorrow. Wish me luck!”
Oh no. He was under pressure. Didn’t it happen last time before Chan’s exam? He would simply lure them into his apartment and trick them with the potions.
“Do you want to come and study at my place? I’m meeting Jihoon.”
“You are the best! Thanks, Soonyoung!”
Okay, good. Chan would show up here soon. Soonyoung lured Tutu into her new carrier and locked her up. She hissed and meowed, but Soonyoung couldn’t use her right now. He prepared the potion for Chan (he had to reheat it and spoke to it again since it was brewed so long ago) and poured it into a teakettle, which he placed on the table. He prepared some snacks, but no other drinks. Soonyoung would leave Chan alone and send Seungkwan to his apartment. Soonyoung would have to get him a drink somehow. He would manage that.
That it wouldn’t be noticed and not that Chan might fall in love with him, Soonyoung left the key under the doormat and left with Tutu and Seungkwan’s magic potion. Chan would show up at his place any time. Down in the car, Soonyoung changed his mind and rushed up again with Seungkwan’s magic potion. He placed it in his bedroom so Chan couldn’t get his hands on it. If things went like last time, Seungkwan would call him and Soonyoung could guide him to the potion there. Good.
Before Soonyoung changed his mind, he drove to Minghao’s magic shop.
“You know what we agreed on, right?” he whispered to Tutu. She meowed unfriendly. “You go over to him and let him pet you and show him your collar, okay?”
She didn’t say anything back, but Soonyoung just hoped she did what he asked. After all, it was for Jun and she liked this one. Since Soonyoung wanted to see how it went, he first took Tutu out of the box and then took the transformation potion and thought of a fly. It was risky, but it was the safest way to avoid being seen by Minghao.
It took him some time to get used to flying before he followed Tutu into the store. They had to wait outside for some time, because Tutu sat there and just waited for the door to open. She should have scratched and cried like Soonyoung. That wasted his valuable time! He flew into the store and sat down against a wall not far from the counter. As a fly, it was even stranger than a cat. He couldn’t wait to be human again. But he saw Tutu hop on the counter and cuddle Minghao extensively. She should please hurry up! She did everything so slowly, as if she was keeping him waiting on purpose! And then Minghao finally saw her collar.
“Oh, is this from your owner?” He read Jun’s number and typed it into his phone.
“Hi. I think I found your cat?”
Soonyoung listened intently. He couldn’t hear Jun, only relying on Minghao’s reaction.
“She is white and black. Long fur. A very lovely one. No, she looks healthy.”
Minghao was silent again.
“I have a shop. A magic shop. That’s why I can’t leave right now. But come over, that wouldn’t be a problem.” Minghao gave the other the address and hung up.
“Your owner will be over soon.” Minghao petted Tutu again and stroked her fur. “He sounds very nice. Is he single?”
Oh Jun was awesome! He had piqued Minghao’s interest with a single phone call. Jun just couldn’t be so fixated on Tutu himself afterward. Soonyoung squeezed all…legs? wings? that it worked.
It seemed like an eternity as he flew around until Jun finally got to the store.
“Oh Tutu!” he shouted with relief. He shouldn’t be concentrating on the stupid cat! His future boyfriend was present and more important! Soonyoung flew a little closer so as not to miss anything.
“Thank you so much for finding her. How did you run away, you little cheeky cat?”
Minghao laughed. “She rather found me. Came in here and greeted me. As if it were a sign.” He winked at Jun, but Soonyoung saw clearly that he was directing his attention to Tutu. Shit.
But then Jun raised his head. “How can I thank you?”
“Go out with me.”
Was it like that with the two of them back then, in the correct timeline? Minghao had released Jun from his frog existence - but Soonyoung didn’t know how they got together. Was it that easy between them? But they weren’t friends either, just two strangers who found each other attractive or likable. If he could sigh as a fly, he would have done so now.
“With pleasure.” Jun’s voice had changed. Was he flirting with Minghao? Perfect! Maybe somehow they still knew that they were meant to be. Anyway, Soonyoung could leave the two of them alone.
Two couples were together again. Only one remained. And Jihoon.
He had to wait until Jun left so he could fly out. And even though he didn’t like it, Soonyoung flew into the lips of the next person he saw. He flew on quickly and in the next moment fell roughly to the ground as a human. He wiped his lips in disgust. What did his mistakes lead him to? He hated it.
Soonyoung rushed back to his car and looked at his phone. He had several messages. But only Chan’s was important.
Hey Soonyoung, do you have something to drink somewhere? I can’t afford to go shopping and the tea is empty.
Chan had drunk the love potion! His plan worked. Perfect! Soonyoung would do everything today. Then it would finally be as it should be again.
I’ll take care of it, don’t worry
But Soonyoung wouldn’t bring him anything. He called Seungkwan with a grin on his face.
“What?”
“Hey Seungkwan. I have an emergency. Can you bring me some water? I don’t have anything left and-“
“So why don’t you go yourself?”
Uh-oh. Seungkwan was in a bad mood. Damn. He wouldn’t mess up his plan!
He faked a cough. “I’m sick.”
“Sure, what do you need?” Seungkwan’s voice suddenly sounded completely different. Worried. Lovingly. Oh, he could be such a good friend – when he wanted to.
Soonyoung coughed again. “Only water. I would have asked Jihoon, but I don’t want him to worry,” he added. Otherwise, it would seem unbelievable why he hadn’t asked his best friend. Even though Soonyoung no longer felt like they were best friends anymore. Not in this timeline and especially not in the old one. He had destroyed everything.
“I’ll come over soon, don’t worry. I’m hurrying.”
It was a bit of a shame that he couldn’t watch again when the two of them had their moment. But Soonyoung didn’t want to risk anything. Would a love potion also work on animals? When they were actually human? No, no. He would stay away from his apartment. Seungkwan would ring his doorbell and Chan would open the door and fall in love with him.
Since Soonyoung didn’t know where to go, he drove to Jihoon. First, he took Tutu’s cat things away - not that it came out that he had kidnapped her.
Just as he parked in front of Jihoon’s apartment, his phone rang. Seungkwan. Perfect!
“Yes?” Soonyoung answered the phone innocently.
“Kwon Soonyoung! What did you do? Why is Chan acting like a…like a…”
“Love drunk idiot? Oh no. I had a magic potion in the apartment. He must have drunk it.” He wasn’t the best at playing dumb, but Soonyoung hoped Seungkwan would believe him. “You shouldn’t leave him alone now. He has a test tomorrow and will follow you. But don’t worry, the effect will be gone in 24 hours.”
“I should what? Stay with him for 24 hours? Are you actually insane? You can’t just leave any potions lying around here,” Seungkwan snapped. Was it that easy because Seungkwan had already fallen for it once?
“You can also take one so that Chan’s potion doesn’t affect you. I just have to buy a new one. The potion is in my bedroom.” Soonyoung sighed, as if he were mourning his magic potion and his wasted money.
He heard Seungkwan start to move and immediately heard Chan’s “Where are you going? Don’t leave me alone.”. Seungkwan sighed. He opened a door and then seemed to find the potion. “Woe, that won’t work.”
Hearing Seungkwan drinking, Soonyoung exclaimed, “Or I just gave you a magic potion to make you fall in love with him too. Thank me tomorrow. Have fun.” And then he hung up. He would let Seungkwan know tomorrow when the effects had worn off. Huh. Finally, everyone was together again. It was back to normal. Only Jihoon remained.
Soonyoung got out of his car and rang the doorbell.
But when Jihoon stood in front of him, Soonyoung didn’t feel any different. He expected to feel better. That everything was right again. That he would feel like he deserved Jihoon. But he didn’t feel that way. If it wasn’t for Soonyoung, wouldn’t this have happened? Could he really do this to Jihoon? Being with Soonyoung and his chaos again?
“Hey,” Jihoon greeted him. He looked so happy. Could he really take away this happiness? Sooner or later, he would make mistakes again. Could he be done with magic? Soonyoung wasn’t who he was before the whole thing. What had he done?
“Everything okay? Jeonghan, Joshua and Seungcheol are here, but they were about to leave. Come on in.”
Soonyoung nodded. No, he wouldn’t dare do anything with Jihoon. He would…give him up. It was better that way. For Jihoon.
He followed him with a heavy heart and briefly greeted the others.
The others left really quickly and Jihoon sat next to Soonyoung. It seemed as if he was thinking about what to say. Soonyoung had to pull himself together! He wouldn’t pressure Jihoon into a relationship with him, but he shouldn’t worry him either. He wanted Jihoon to be happy.
“Jun has a date,” he announced and put on a cheerful expression. As if there was nothing wrong with Soonyoung.
“Oh really? Good for him.” Jihoon didn’t sound happy. Did he still love Soonyoung? Did Jihoon miss him? Did he wish that Soonyoung would confess his feelings to him? He could not. Shit. Did protecting Jihoon mean he had to stay away from him? Until Jihoon got over his feelings?
“I envy them. Jeonghan, Joshua and Seungcheol. We don’t even have one person to share something like that with and they have each other.” Jihoon started. Soonyoung looked at him. Jihoon looked unsure. He played with his ring.
What?
No.
Jihoon. He could not…
Jihoon dared to make a move. He wanted…he wanted to know how things were going with Soonyoung.
It really took all of his strength not to burst into tears. He couldn’t respond.
“No,” he began, meeting Jihoon’s gaze. “I don’t think you necessarily need a relationship.”
He saw exactly how his words were destroying something. Jihoon’s decision to tell him something? His heart?
“Then are you happy being single? Is there no one you care about?”
Soonyoung heard his own heart break as he looked into Jihoon’s eyes again. “No.”
~
Bonus SeokSol, 5 months later:
Seokmin was so incredibly lucky to have moved in with Vernon back then. It wasn’t just because Vernon was an absolutely great roommate - no, he also brought Seokmin into his circle of friends. So Seokmin didn’t have to be alone on his birthday. Coincidentally, Vernon’s birthday was on the same day as his and they had a small celebration at their apartment. And Seokmin felt almost complete. If only everything wasn’t full of couples.
On the one hand there was Seungcheol, Jeonghan and Joshua who were together. In the beginning, when he only met Seungcheol and Jeonghan and only later saw Seungcheol with Joshua, Seokmin had thought that Seungcheol was cheating on his boyfriend...until it was cleared up. The three matched each other. Although they often teased each other and Seokmin had often noticed that they were conspiring against someone, you could tell that they were happy together. So happy that it made Seokmin lonely.
Seungkwan and Chan, who teased each other more often than the three of them, also showed that they loved each other. Seokmin wasn’t exactly the type to tease his love, but he’d just been single for far too long to not envy the two of them for each other.
Jun and Minghao were also a couple. Minghao hadn’t been in the friend group for that long. He only started dating Jun a few months ago, but he got along quite well with most of the group. And Seokmin was so happy that he didn’t have to be the new guy anymore.
There were Mingyu and Wonwoo, who had been best friends before and were now a couple. And it gave Seokmin a little hope. That friendship could turn into love.
With Soonyoung and Jihoon…it was complicated. At least according to Vernon. The two had been best friends, but to Seokmin they didn’t feel close. Soonyoung seemed to be avoiding Jihoon, and Jihoon made no move to do anything about it. It was none of Seokmin’s business and he didn’t know them, but Seokmin suspected that something must have happened between them. And that was the direct counterpart to Mingyu and Wonwoo. What if friendship couldn’t turn into love?
Because there was Vernon, too. His roommate. Friend. And crush.
Seokmin hadn’t been able to do anything about it. He had fallen for the other in the first month. He had tried to fall out of love, but it was no use. Since he had already known enough at this point, he didn’t get his hopes up. There had been a spark between Vernon and Jun, who had previously lived together, and they had destroyed their friendship. And Vernon never wanted to do something like that again. He had told Seokmin that. His friends had told him that and he didn’t show anything that Seokmin meant more to him. It was hopeless. But Seokmin couldn’t get away from him. He wanted Vernon to know. He wanted to tell him at least once. That he loved him. But he just didn’t have enough courage to do it.
“I think we should go.”, Joshua interjected.
Seokmin looked at the clock. It was already well past midnight. It was no longer their birthday and some of the others had already left. Joshua stood up and stretched. Jeonghan stood up too, but Seungcheol looked up at them in surprise. “Already?”
Joshua gave him a friendly smile. Seokmin believed that he suspected his feelings for Vernon. “Let’s leave these two alone, Seungcheol, shall we?”
It wasn’t just the three that were still there. Vernon’s little brother Chan, as well as Jihoon and Soonyoung were also still there. Seungkwan had already left since he had to get up early tomorrow.
“Would you like me to take you home, Jihoon?” Chan asked. Seokmin also stood up. He hugged Joshua, Jeonghan and Seungcheol as they said goodbye and turned to their three remaining guests.
“That would be nice. Soonyoung, are you coming?”
Jihoon turned to Soonyoung. But he was lying half on the sofa and seemed to be asleep. He had drunk too much. They would probably have trouble getting him home. Although Seokmin would love to have a little more time with Vernon, he hadn’t drunk nearly enough to do something that he really wanted to but didn’t dare to do.
“He can sleep here,” Seokmin interjected.
Jihoon shook his head. He didn’t look at him, but continued to look at Soonyoung. “I’ll take him home.”
“Oh, come on. Let him sleep here. Don’t make it so difficult for yourself,” Vernon began.
Something wasn’t right. Jihoon seemed to hesitate. “He’s clingy when he’s drunk. Not that it’s too much for you.” Something had happened! Seokmin knew. He held back. Maybe it was better that the two of them could talk?
“Oh, he’s sleeping anyway. Come on now, otherwise Seungkwan will get angry if I wake him up so late,” Chan urged. Jihoon still seemed hesitant, but when Vernon promised him that they would look after Soonyoung, Jihoon was persuaded.
While Vernon walked the two of them to the door, Seokmin put together the essentials.
“What’s going on between them?” Seokmin asked his roommate when he returned. Vernon shrugged. “No idea. The others think that Jihoon confessed his love for him. Soonyoung feels nothing for him. The usual. You shouldn’t get involved in something like that with friends.”
Yes...Seokmin would probably never dare to confess to Vernon how he felt.
“I’m sorry for them.”
They were silent for a while. “We should go to bed. I’ll take care of Soonyoung, don’t worry. After all, it was my idea. Sleep well…Vernon.”
Vernon nodded and gave him a small smile. “Sleep well Seokmin. It’s really great to have you here.”
And with just those words, he made Seokmin go crazy. And even though he knew Vernon didn’t mean it like that, he enjoyed hearing the words. Only when Vernon had disappeared into his room and Seokmin had calmed down again did he take care of Soonyoung.
Seokmin knelt in front of him. “Are you awake?”
Soonyoung stared into space and didn’t seem to notice him at all. Seokmin put a hand on his shoulder when he suddenly started speaking.
“I love him.”
Huh?
“What? Who?”
“Jihoon. My Jihoon. I love him so much.”
Was it completely different? They all probably assumed that Soonyoung had rejected Jihoon - but it was the other way around? Seokmin sat down next to Soonyoung and put an arm around him.
“And he doesn’t feel like you?” he asked cautiously.
Soonyoung let out a laugh. It sounded so bitter. “He loves me,” he finally whispered.
Seokmin sighed. Okay, Soonyoung was too drunk to get anything out of him. He would try again tomorrow. Seokmin broke away from the other and stood up. “Come on, let’s get you to bed.”
Soonyoung didn’t speak anymore, but he got up and let Seokmin lead him into his bedroom. Even when Seokmin put things out for him to sleep with, Soonyoung didn’t say anything.
“Lie down, we’ll talk tomorrow, right? Goodnight Soonyoung.” Seokmin wanted to leave when Soonyoung stopped him. “Can you please stay here?”
Seokmin was way too nice to turn down something like that. Especially not when Soonyoung said it in such a heartbreaking tone. He quickly put on something to sleep in and then got into bed with Soonyoung.
And as soon as he lay down, Soonyoung’s silence was broken. He threw himself into Seokmin’s arms and slurred and said nonsense. He talked about magic and time travel and flying and Jihoon. Seokmin let him have his way. He thought nothing of it and fell asleep after Soonyoung finally fell silent.
“I’m sorry, Seokmin. I didn’t want to involve you in this. Please, just forget it. And don’t tell anyone. Not Jihoon. And especially not Minghao!”
Seokmin looked at Soonyoung, confused. He had been awake for a few minutes. What did Soonyoung mean?
“The magic story?” he asked tiredly and rubbed his eyes.
“Yes. You can’t tell anyone about this. Please. I don’t want to drag anyone into this. I ruined so much.” Soonyoung sounded so desperate.
But…
…
He couldn’t possibly still be drunk?
“Wait, are you serious?”
Soonyoung laughed. Bitter. It sounded nothing like the Soonyoung he had met.
“Of course it’s true. I destroyed everything.”
Seokmin’s mind was racing. Magic really existed? He tried to remember everything Soonyoung had told him. But he had to admit, since he had dismissed it as drunken talk, it was difficult for him.
“Please, Soonyoung, tell me about it again. I also promise not to tell anyone.”
The other hesitated, but Seokmin saw exactly how the other wanted to talk about it. Even though he said he didn’t want to involve anyone in the story, he didn’t want to be alone. Oh.
Seokmin scooted over and put his arm around the other, like yesterday. And as Soonyoung leaned against him, he started to talk:
“There is magic. I wanted...I wanted to make Jihoon confess his love to me. I was so dumb. I ruined so much because I had a selfish thought. Although I brought the others together, I turned Jun into a frog and released a poltergeist. I took away Jihoon’s feelings. All negative ones. He was like a robot! I did so many things wrong.” Soonyoung took a shaky breath in and out, and Seokmin stroked his arm. “Minghao is also a magician, and he undid everything. But it was all wrong. Mingyu and Wonwoo didn’t get together like they should and Jihoon was so different. He wasn’t my Jihoon anymore. And Minghao wouldn’t tell me how to do it. So I did it myself. Do you know what the price is for changing the past? It’s so high. It’s way too high, Seokmin. Magic is dangerous. It should be left alone. But I was so stupid. So incredibly stupid. I undid everything and tried to get everything right. But I made everything worse.”
As Soonyoung’s body began to tremble, Seokmin held him tighter. He felt so sorry for the other. If magic really existed and Soonyoung wasn’t lying...then he had been through so much. And Seokmin believed him! He knew he was gullible sometimes. And Soonyoung had a wild imagination. But this? He talked about how he brought Mingyu and Wonwoo together again. How he kidnapped Jun’s cat and brought it to Minghao. How he had helped Seungkwan and Chan and also indirectly Jeonghan, Joshua and Seungcheol.
“And it’s my fault Jun and Vernon aren’t friends anymore. I gave them a love potion. I’m so sorry.”
What?
“You have to tell them!” Seokmin shouted excitedly. Oh, he had a chance with Vernon! If he found out that it wasn’t real feelings that had caused this between him and Jun, he wouldn’t react so negatively. Seokmin had a chance with him!
“Seokmin, I can’t do this. They can’t find out anything.” Soonyoung sounded pained, and Seokmin’s euphoria leveled off.
“Then can’t you give them something? A forgetting spell? Or something that makes Vernon more open to feelings?” he asked cautiously. He didn’t want to give up. Vernon’s dislike of friends having feelings for each other had no natural causes. Then magic would also be able to help him end up with Vernon. Oh, Seokmin was so excited!
Soonyoung looked at him silently before sighing and then shaking his head. “It is too dangerous. Magic destroys too much. You don’t know what the price is.”
Seokmin didn’t want to give up. Sure, Soonyoung had had bad experiences...but he had also done good things!
“Does that mean you help everyone else find love except me?” he asked, knowingly a little sadder. “You’re practiced. You can do it without making a mistake.”
When he looked at Soonyoung’s face, his hope of being able to convince him faded.
“I made a promise. Once I get everything sorted out, I’ll never do magic again. I’m sorry, Seokmin.”
No.
He didn’t want to lose Vernon.
He wanted to be loved by him and to love him.
How was he supposed to do that without magic?
“You didn’t fix everything,” he blurted out desperately. “Because of your mistakes, Vernon no longer believes that we can be happy together. Just because we’re friends.”
When Seokmin finally realized what he was saying, he felt uncomfortable. He didn’t mean to snap at Soonyoung like that. Not when the other had desperately told him earlier that he should never have started with magic. Seokmin opened his mouth to apologize. But he was interrupted by Soonyoung: “You’re right. But I...I can’t take it anymore. It disgusts me. I can...I can give you my stuff. If you want…then you can try.”
Woah. Seokmin should do magic? Wasn’t it too dangerous? After everything Soonyoung had said. But his fingers itched. Trying out a potion or spell. And if it helped him with Vernon, why not?
“Okay, let’s do it!”
Luckily Vernon wasn’t at home, so Seokmin could drive Soonyoung home without keeping a secret and take his magic things with him. It was a lot. Three cauldrons, ingredients, various books, more ingredients and a bunch of different colored candles. Soonyoung seemed to be doing better as he gave Seokmin his all. Seokmin ignored his inner voice that wanted to warn him. He would look through Soonyoung’s spell books and think everything through carefully. What could possibly go wrong?
He made himself comfortable in his bed and looked through all the books. He placed bookmarks in interesting spells or potions. But then he found it. The perfect magic potion to try out the magic. He wouldn’t experiment on Vernon, but would take one himself.
Strengthen the self-confidence
If he had more self-confidence, he would be able to confess his love to Vernon easily. And maybe that was enough? Then he wouldn’t have to cast a spell on Vernon in the first place. With a big grin, Seokmin took the ingredients he needed, a cauldron and the book into the kitchen. He hummed happily to himself as he chopped the ingredients. Soon he would find happiness. Then he would no longer be so lonely, but happy like everyone else.
Making the potion wasn’t difficult. It was like cooking. And in the end, the potion had turned a grayish color. The book didn’t say what color it should be, but that should be fine. Seokmin poured some into a glass and drank it.
And the next moment he felt like he was falling. He staggered, but just managed not to fall over. Huh? Was there an earthquake? Seokmin heard a horrible dull bang. He turned around but couldn’t see that anything had fallen on the floor. Until he noticed that there was something underneath him.
When he looked at his own face, he felt sick. He dropped the glass, but it immediately returned to his hand. What the hell? Seokmin looked at his hand. It was almost transparent. No. He had...was he...did he just die? Had he made a mistake? Oh no. No. No. No. He didn’t want to die. He wanted to be happy. With Vernon. He wanted to enjoy his life. He still had so much to do! Seokmin tried to shake the glass off, but it seemed stuck. He knelt on the floor and tried to touch himself. But as soon as his hand came to his cheek, it slid through his body. He was a ghost. Seokmin had died. What had he just done?
It took about an hour before the door opened and Vernon came. Seokmin was crouched in the corner of the kitchen. Yes, he had cried. You were allowed to cry over your own death. And he had been watching the clock. He didn’t want to leave his body. And especially not Vernon. And now this would find his dead body. Oh Vernon.
“I’m back,” Vernon called into the empty apartment and Seokmin cried again. He would never be able to greet the other person again.
Vernon didn’t seem to mind that Seokmin didn’t answer him. He probably thought Seokmin was sleeping. Seokmin stood up just as Vernon made his way to the kitchen. He tried to ignore his own body. He would rather look at Vernon - who knew how long he would be allowed to be on earth.
“Oh, shit.” Vernon had spotted him. He quickly walked over to Seokmin’s dead body while taking out his phone. Seokmin also knelt down and watched Vernon. This one looked really worried. And Seokmin’s heart warmed.
“Seungkwan? I need help. Seokmin is lying here. He doesn’t move. He fell, I don’t know.” Vernon lifted his head up. “No, he’s not bleeding.” He gently laid Seokmin’s head back on the ground. Then he grabbed his wrist. “Yes”
Huh????
Did Vernon feel his pulse?
Seokmin looked at his own ghost wrist. Did he have a pulse? He wasn’t...dead? Then what happened to him? Oh, no. Was this one of the side effects Soonyoung was talking about? What had he said? “You don’t know what the price is.” How could be a ghost help him boost his self-confidence? Should he spy on Vernon and find out things about himself? He didn’t want to do that. Seokmin wasn’t that mean.
“Okay, thanks.” Vernon hung up, getting Seokmin’s attention. Vernon put his arms under Seokmin’s legs and his neck and lifted him up. Seokmin sighed happily. Oh no, how romantic! If only he were awake to experience this himself.
Vernon carried him to the sofa and placed him there. He didn’t say anything, but Seokmin could clearly see that he was worried about him. He knew he didn’t have to hope that Vernon would now pull off a desperate display of love. That wasn’t Vernon. Even if it would be so nice. No, instead Vernon sat next to him and waited.
Seungkwan hurried. He arrived completely out of breath. Chan and Jihoon were with him. Vernon followed Seungkwan and took his place at Seokmin’s side again. If only Seokmin knew if this was normal friendship behavior or something more!
“And he shows no reaction? He wasn’t awake for a moment? Is he sleepwalking? Is he sleeping deeply?” Seungkwan asked, checking Seokmin’s pulse. Seokmin watched them.
Vernon shrugged. “No idea. Not that I know?”
Seungkwan sighed. “I think we should call 911.”
No! They couldn’t separate him from Vernon. How else would he benefit from being a ghost?
“Hey, guys? There are strange things in the kitchen. Some pretty nasty looking stuff in the pot and a…spell book?” Chan came over to them and held the spell book in his hands. “Didn’t Soonyoung talk about something like that?”
Oh, Chan was the best! They would call Soonyoung and he would be able to help. Seokmin felt more confident. Everything would be fine. He just had to wait.
“Soonyoung?” Jihoon asked, but no one paid attention to him. Well, except for Seokmin.
Seungkwan stood up and walked over to Chan to look at the spell book. “What has he done now?” Seokmin heard him mutter.
“Soonyoung?” Vernon asked. “He spent the last night here. I’ll call him.”
Vernon was so…active. That was a good thing.
Seokmin watched happily as Vernon took out his phone again and called Soonyoung.
“Soonyoung? Hey, it’s me, Vernon. I found Seokmin lying on the floor. He doesn’t react. Chan found a spell book and said you might know something?”
Silence. They all listened intently, but there was no sound from Soonyoung’s side. Vernon could have easily turned on the loudspeaker.
“Okay, see you soon.” And Vernon hung up again.
“What did he say?” Seungkwan asked.
“He cursed. A lot. But he’ll come.”
Oh no. That didn’t sound good. Seokmin panicked again. If Soonyoung cursed, didn’t he know how to help him? Was Seokmin lost? But he still had so much to do!
Before he could wallow in self-pity again, Seungkwan drew his attention to himself. He walked up to Vernon and took him in his arms. “We can do this. If Soonyoung can’t help, we’ll call an ambulance, okay?”
Soonyoung got here even faster than Seungkwan. He rushed into the living room and wanted to go to Seokmin when Jihoon caught his eye. Seokmin remembered his stories. And his outbreak. Was it very painful to see the other person and know that you had destroyed everything between you? He didn’t even want to imagine it. Seokmin saw Soonyoung swallow and then turn to Seokmin.
“I told you it wasn’t a good idea. This is all my fault.” Soonyoung murmured to Seokmin’s body. Seokmin wasn’t supposed to be able to hear it since he was standing too far away, but he heard it clearly. Was it because his body heard it?
“I...I can try something. If it doesn’t work out and something goes wrong…” Soonyoung trailed off. He didn’t look up, and it looked to Seokmin like he was struggling to say the words. “If something goes wrong, call Minghao or Jeonghan. They can help you further. I’m sorry.”
Soonyoung acted weird. Even weirder than when he talked about the magic thing. And then he suddenly leaned in and kissed Seokmin.
What!?
Seokmin stared at his body in shock. And to Soonyoung. Or rather on Soonyoung’s body. Because it slumped forward.
“Damn,” he hears Soonyoung say. But behind him. Not in front of him, where his body was. Seokmin slowly turned around. And there he stood. Or floated. No idea whatever ghosts were doing. If they were ghosts.
“That didn’t quite work out,” said Ghost Soonyoung. And Seokmin panicked.
While Soonyoung tried to calm him down, the others also panicked. They maneuvered Soonyoung to the other side of the sofa. Chan called Minghao and Seungkwan called Jeonghan. Vernon stayed by Seokmin’s side and Jihoon sat down next to Soonyoung, his face pale. He reached for Soonyoung’s hand and seemed as if he wanted to use it to support himself. That was love! And what did Vernon do? He just sat there. He should grab Seokmin’s hand too!
When Jeonghan arrived with Seungcheol, Joshua, Wonwoo and Mingyu, Seokmin had calmed down a bit.
“What happened?” Seungcheol asked.
Seokmin looked at the newcomers and when he reached Jeonghan, it felt like he was looking directly at him.
“Soonyoung? What’s so special about Jeonghan? Why should he be able to help?” Seokmin asked but received no answer. Jeonghan looked directly at him.
“I don’t know why Soonyoung said I can help. I can’t.”, Jeonghan said, finally averting his gaze. What?
But then Minghao and Jun arrived. What had happened was explained again. While Seokmin still felt like Jeonghan could see him, Minghao didn’t make the appearance. But his look became serious and that gave Seokmin courage.
When Seungkwan finished telling the story, Minghao nodded. “Okay, I think I know what happened. You must know that magic is real. I am a wizard. I don’t know how they know about it, but the potion went wrong,” he explained.
And even though it wasn’t good news (he had really followed the recipe), Seokmin felt so much better!
“We can save them. What kind of potion did he want to make? What does he look like?” Minghao seemed so serious that Seokmin no longer cared. He walked over to his body and Vernon, who stayed by his side. He did hear that Seungkwan went into the kitchen with Minghao and that Minghao said something (a magic spell?), but Seokmin preferred to concentrate on Vernon. How much longer would he be able to watch him like that?
“Guys, we have a problem,” Minghao’s voice sounded just as Seokmin reached out to touch Vernon. Or to try.
“There is only one thing that can solve the curse. It may sound silly, but only true love’s kiss will save them.”
Seokmin froze. What? The true what? Ohhhhhh! That was so good! Vernon just had to kiss him. If he liked him. Oh no. What if Vernon didn’t love him? Would Seokmin stay like this forever? Would he be trapped for ages until his body rotted away? He didn’t want that. Seokmin just wanted to have the courage to confess to Vernon. He didn’t want to be a ghost!
“Seokmin doesn’t have a boyfriend, does he?” Mingyu asked.
“Or an ex-boyfriend – maybe there’s still love?”
“Is this really still true love?”
“No, Seokmin doesn’t have anyone,” Vernon intervened in the discussions about Seokmin’s love life. It was a little sad to see what a failure he was in this regard. While everyone present was in a happy relationship. Or at least almost all of them. Seokmin glanced at Jihoon and Soonyoung. Jihoon did not participate in the discussion. He was still holding Soonyoung’s hand. Seokmin had never seen him so serious. Soonyoung stood behind Jihoon in his ghost form. He had placed a hand on Jihoon’s shoulder and Seokmin could see his lips moving. Was he whispering something to Jihoon?
“Does Seokmin have to love this person or is it enough if he is loved?” Vernon asked, drawing Seokmin’s full attention. What?
“I think it should be enough. It’s hard to say what counts as true love. If it’s not enough, you’ll end up like Soonyoung.” Minghao said thoughtfully.
Vernon nodded. “Okay. I’ll try it.”
Seokmin’s heart stopped. Vernon wanted what? Try it? Kiss…Seokmin? Whaaaaaaaat?
“Are you sure? I don’t want to lose you, too.”, Chan objected.
“If it’s enough for Seokmin to be loved, then I should try, right? I love him. I don’t want to lose him. And if not, then you can try to bring me back. If brotherly love isn’t enough, Seungkwan can at least take you back. I would rather share his fate than continue living without him.”
It wasn’t just hot that Vernon said such clever things. No, he loved Seokmin. He had said it. Vernon didn’t want to live without him. He loved Seokmin. Vernon loved him.
It didn’t matter that Seokmin had endured the last few hours torture. Vernon loved him! The potion had accomplished what he intended. So had it really gone wrong? Or had the magic simply worked differently than they had assumed?
Seokmin watched closely as Vernon leaned towards him. And then he felt Vernon’s lips on his. He finally lost the weight of the glass in his hand. Seokmin quickly opened his eyes. He was apparently back in his body. He sighed into the kiss and wrapped his arms around Vernon to stop him from breaking the kiss quickly.
He heard the others vaguely. And finally, Seokmin let go of Vernon. He sat up and beamed at him. “I love you!” he blurted out.
Vernon looked at him in surprise. Did he really not think so? And Seokmin thought he was too obvious at times. He took Vernon’s hand. “When everyone’s gone, shall we talk? You love me too. After all, you freed me from my curse.” Oh, that was the best love story of all. Better than anyone in this room. It was like a fairy tale. Oh, so romantic. Seokmin couldn’t wait until everything was gone and he and Vernon were alone.
“Jihoon, what are you waiting for? Kiss him.”
Until then, there was another problem. Soonyoung. He hadn’t woken up yet.
“I...I don’t know...”
Seokmin’s heart felt a little heavy again. It was so difficult for both of them. “You should kiss him, Jihoon. Soonyoung loves you too,” he said. Soonyoung had helped him, so Seokmin would help him too.
Jihoon still hesitated. But then he leaned in and kissed Soonyoung. Finally, a happy end for everyone.
Seokmin thought. Until Soonyoung pushed Jihoon away. He snatched his hand from Jihoon and stood up. “Stay away from me,” he said to Jihoon and then turned to Seokmin. “I trusted you. You should have just left me there!”
Before anyone could react, Soonyoung disappeared. But before Seokmin could blame himself, he felt Vernon grab his hand and squeeze it. And even though he couldn’t completely forget Soonyoung, Seokmin finally had his happy ending. With Vernon. His true love.
On Monday, Mingyu regretted the rescheduled date a little. Because he had sore muscles. Not just in the arms, no also in the legs. He could only hope that he would be fit again by Saturday. He had actually planned to work through his break. The work wasn’t getting any less, and he wanted to get it done. No, he had to get it done.
But then Mingyu sat at his desk and he felt the sore muscles again. And his stomach wanted food. And at that moment Seungcheol emailed him. Why did Mingyu work so hard? It wasn’t like always, where no one was there to do the work. Seungcheol was here. Mingyu would work him into the remaining open cases this afternoon. Perhaps they would get through most of them by the end of the week. For now, he would take a lunch break. He deserved that.
When he arrived at the cat cafe, Mingyu sat down in his usual seat, but since he had left his laptop in the office, he looked around. Jeonghan and Soonyoung served the tables. Jihoon was probably in the kitchen. But where was Wonwoo?
“Hey Mingyu, the usual?” Soonyoung asked and beamed at Mingyu.
“No, please bring me the day’s meal.” As soon as Mingyu said the word “day’s meal” and before he could ask about Wonwoo, Soonyoung disappeared. Were they stressed? Crap, he hadn’t been to the cat cafe the previous week. Was Wonwoo still not feeling well? Was that why they were stressed?
“Jeonghan, wait.” Mingyu looked for the other person and at the right moment, he spoke to him.
“Has no one taken your order yet?” Jeonghan asked hastily. So were they really stressed?
“Where’s Wonwoo?”
“Wonwoo throws himself into work. He’s busy upstairs. Just go up.” Jeonghan quickly moved on.
Mingyu sat there undecided for a moment. He didn’t want to bother anyone here when they didn’t have time. He wouldn’t be able to do anything for Jeonghan and Soonyoung (other than helping out himself and he really didn’t feel like doing that), but he would be able to help Wonwoo take a break - maybe.
Mingyu stood up again and went to the kitchen. Soonyoung passed him on the way. “I’ll eat upstairs,” he told the other and Soonyoung nodded. In the kitchen, as Mingyu had thought, was Jihoon.
He raised a questioning eyebrow when he saw Mingyu. “I’ll eat upstairs,” Mingyu repeated. And he slowly came to regret his decision. At least until Jihoon’s expression relaxed.
“Make him eat something, will you Mingyu? Thanks for checking on him.”
Jihoon filled him two plates and gave them to him on a tray.
Well...then Mingyu could safely ignore the chaos down here and go upstairs.
“Thanks.”
With the tray he went upstairs to the first floor. The smell of paint hit him. Mingyu realized that there were more handprints in the hallway.
“Wonwoo? Time for the lunch break,” he called to the empty floor.
“Mingyu?” He heard something rumbling and a little later, Wonwoo came out of one of the former quarantine rooms. “What are you doing up here?”
“We,” Mingyu emphasized the word, “are taking a lunch break now.” He raised the tray slightly.
“I do not have any-“
“Me neither. The others are also stressed. Better tell me where we’re eating. Is there somewhere to sit here or are we going up to your apartment?”
Wonwoo sighed. “We can sit down in the office. There is a table.” Wonwoo pointed to the smallest room on the first floor. Oh? Was there already a room set up?
Mingyu followed him into the room. He recognized the shelf in Wonwoo’s living room. Also the desk. And the pile of papers. Wonwoo took this and roughly stuffed it on the nearest shelf. Mingyu didn’t even want to know how many dog ears he had made with this action. He swallowed his comment and sat down on one of the two chairs in the room.
“The room isn’t finished yet. We’ll first bring the furniture we already have. The others are coming one by one,” Wonwoo justified, as if he had misinterpreted Mingyu’s look.
“Who will be working in here?” Mingyu asked interestedly. Even if his question only boiled down to who took care of the accounting.
“Oh well. Jeonghan may edit the events and social media accounts here from time to time. No idea. We just wanted the business stuff out of my apartment. And in a lockable room so the cats can’t always make chaos. And otherwise, probably me.”
Urgh. So it was really Wonwoo who seemed to have no idea about proper accounting. He would definitely have to tutor the other. Mingyu wouldn’t be able to stand seeing the piles of papers for long.
“I’m not going to stress myself out this week,” Mingyu started another topic. “I think I should train Seungcheol more. My weekend was pretty hard and it’s hindering me from working a little.” He winked at Wonwoo so that he wouldn’t take it personally.
“That’s good. That you give up work. We also thought about adding more people. But I don’t know if we can afford it on a large scale. Just because things are going so well now?”
“Can’t your tax consultant help you?” Mingyu asked, irritated. What did he do then?
“Stop! We don’t talk about work. We are here as private individuals. We can voice our concerns, but I’m not your client and you won’t advise me, okay?”
Mingyu was already busy thinking about the cat cafe. Well, he would just let it go. If Wonwoo didn’t want his help!
“What else do you have planned here? What are you doing right now?”
“Oh the sofa is in the lounge and I’m currently setting up the scratching posts for the new quarantine rooms. Jihoon is going shopping for furniture for the lounge with Soonyoung tomorrow. And Jeonghan…”
Wonwoo talked about how they were going to set up the rooms with such enthusiasm that Mingyu just sat next to him, smiling and eating his food. You could see that Wonwoo had found a project that would distract him from the chaos. That was good.
Mingyu finished eating much quicker than Wonwoo, but he didn’t complain. As Wonwoo devoured his food, Mingyu glanced at the clock. He still had plenty of time for his actual break. So why should he go back?
“Would you like me to help you a little?” Mingyu asked.
And so it happened that they spent their lunch breaks setting up various scratching and sleeping furniture for the cats. There was no big deal behind it and it was mostly self-explanatory.
Even though Mingyu’s lunch break was a little more stressful, it was still much more relaxing. He was able to go back to work with a fresh mind and handle a few cases.
On Monday evening he met with Seokmin. Mingyu felt a little guilty because he didn’t have time for him, but Seokmin understood that he had to help his friend and was very stressed about his upcoming vacation.
On Tuesday he began to work Seungcheol into the outstanding cases. And at lunchtime he repeated the same process as yesterday. Mingyu went to the cat cafe, this time let Jeonghan give him something to eat in the kitchen and went upstairs. Wonwoo was just setting up a chair in the lounge.
“Break,” Mingyu announced and the other looked up with a smile. Since the sofa was already there, Wonwoo decided that they would eat in the lounge today. Huchu came to visit them briefly, but since Wonwoo didn’t show mercy and gave him something to eat, he soon disappeared again. The only thing that bothered Mingyu about this room were the two lines that were pretty obviously wrong. He looked at them several times. But he couldn’t think of a way to hide them either. Nothing matched it.
Because he was distracted by the strokes, Wonwoo finished eating faster.
“Wait a second, okay? I’ll be right back.”
It didn’t take long for Wonwoo to come back. With a gift in his hands.
Mingyu frowned. What did Wonwoo want with that? Oh. He had said they wanted to give Mingyu something. But that wasn’t necessary. He couldn’t just accept a gift from them. Mingyu placed his bowl back on the tray and looked at Wonwoo as he approached, holding the gift in both hands. It could be a book. Did they already have the card? But they didn’t know whether Wonwoo would win the bet or not? Or was it...if this was a prank book and it was somehow intended to humiliate Mingyu... Oh, he would-
“I told you that I…that we would like to give you something. I know we don’t have to. But since you didn’t give me a wish, I have twice as many reasons for it. Here you go.”
If Mingyu didn’t know better, he would think Wonwoo was...nervous? Shy? Because of a gift? Mingyu looked at the other, who held out the gift with both hands and didn’t look him in the eye. What was in there? Now he was getting a little curious.
“That wasn’t necessary!” Even though he was curious, he still held that opinion. Mingyu liked doing this here. If so, they should call it a recompense for the scribbling.
“Yes, that was it,” Wonwoo replied gently and now looked at him. “Please open it, Mingyu.”
Mingyu accepted the gift. That was definitely a joke. If Wonwoo wanted him to open it in front of his eyes. Tax advice for dummies. The most annoying cafe visitors. Something like that would come out.
Mingyu braced himself for anything and carefully opened the wrapping paper. A book came out in a black leather cover. Well? As he turned the book around so he could read the title, he paused. It wasn’t a book. It was a calendar. For 2023.
“I already have a calendar, Wonwoo,” was the first thing that came to Mingyu’s mind. Why did they give him a calendar? As compensation? Mingyu stroked the cover. This one looked really classy.
“What? But it’s only mid-November!”
“I always prepare these in September. I create my own calendars.” Wonwoo already had his calendar in his hands?
“Sorry,” he added after Wonwoo said nothing more. He held out the calendar. “Take it. It looks expensive.”
Mingyu felt guilty. The other looked dejected. Mingyu didn’t like returning gifts. But what would he do with two calendars?
“Okay. Sorry. Then we’ll have to think of something else, right?” Wonwoo’s joke didn’t sound sincere. He took the calendar from him and walked out of the room. And it wasn’t until he was outside that it occurred to Mingyu that it wasn’t about the calendar. What if there was something in there? Shit.
When Wonwoo came back, Mingyu didn’t know how to bring it up. And the mood between them became strange as they set up the two chairs.
Wednesday was exactly the same. He worked Seungcheol in on the open cases in the morning, went to the cat cafe at lunch, picked up food from Jihoon and went to visit Wonwoo on the first floor. This looked more finished day by day. They ate together and put up shelves in the lounge.
Then he went back to the office and worked. He ignored Seokmin’s message about when they could meet. His vacation was getting closer and even though he had said he would give Seungcheol more cases...it didn’t look like he was going to make it this week at the moment.
As Mingyu drove home, he realized how tired he was. He felt like he could sleep as long as he wanted and he wouldn’t be fit again. He really needed a vacation. How did Wonwoo have to feel then? He hadn’t had a vacation since at least July. And the way he assessed him before that wasn’t the case for the near future either (Mingyu didn’t even want to know how much the cat cafe’s vacation accruals were). Should he...could he be so direct and invite Wonwoo to his vacation? Wonwoo also wanted to go to Shizuoka, right? The others could handle it if he wasn’t there for a few days. They would probably be grateful to him. And Wonwoo? Maybe he wouldn’t find it so badly.
Thoughtfully, Mingyu parked his car and got out. If he surprised Wonwoo with everything already done...then he couldn’t say no. And if he did... then Mingyu would just have to pay the rebooking costs again. Mingyu called his travel agent.
“Good evening. This is Kim Mingyu. I’m traveling to Shizuoka on Sunday and would like to book for a second person. Is that still possible?” He went into his apartment while he was on the phone.
“Oh Mingyu, wait!”
Mingyu only heard his name. But since he was concentrating on the lady from the travel agency, he didn’t care who was calling him. He only glanced back briefly and left the apartment door open. Whoever it was could wait.
“Yes, it is possible to book a second person. Of course, it costs twice as much as well as the additional fee of…” Blah blah blah. The cost wasn’t important to him. So it would work. He would just do it like that now. Mingyu would invite Wonwoo to his vacation. Whether Wonwoo wanted to or not. And if he really didn’t want to, maybe Jeonghan, Jihoon and Soonyoung could help him convince him.
“Then please book the second person. I’ll pick up the ticket tomorrow.”
“For the hotel room, would you like two single rooms or one double room?”
“A double room, please.” That was fine, right? Wouldn’t it seem strange? He didn’t have anything bad in mind. He just wanted to do the other person a favor.
“Understood. I will send you the confirmation to the email address we have on file.”
“Thank you,” Mingyu said goodbye. When he hung up, he felt lighter. He would surprise Wonwoo tomorrow. He hoped it would make up for the calendar thing, too.
“Oh Mingyu! I wanted to complain that you don’t have time for me anymore. But that! I’d like to come with you. I’m turning in sick. That won’t be a problem. Oh, I love you so much.”
Huh?
Only when someone fell on his neck did Mingyu remember the person who had followed him. Seokmin.
Oh no.
Mingyu was a bad boyfriend. Oh, he was such a bad boyfriend. He really didn’t have time for Seokmin. At least not recently. During his lunch break he stood up the other (who asked almost every day if they could spend it together) because of Wonwoo and in the evening Mingyu either worked late, was at the gym, or had other plans. Seokmin didn’t deserve this.
When Seokmin kissed him exuberantly, Mingyu couldn’t bring himself to confess to the other that he hadn’t extended the vacation for him. Oh, Mingyu was such a lousy boyfriend. The bad conscience didn’t leave him. He couldn’t tell Seokmin. They were together. If anyone should come with Mingyu on vacation, it was Seokmin. With a heavy heart, Mingyu let him believe it.
“I wanted to surprise you,” he said weakly. He hadn’t told Wonwoo about it yet. So it was okay, right?
It was the same on Thursday and Friday too. Mingyu worked with Seungcheol on the outstanding cases in the morning. They were making good progress. At lunchtime Mingyu went to the cat cafe, got food from Jihoon or Jeonghan and once he ate with Wonwoo in the lounge (Mingyu was bothered the whole time by the two lines that still seemed wrong) and once they sat in one of the quarantine rooms the floor. After they had eaten, they continued working on the first floor. This filled more and more with life. The quarantine rooms were set up quickly, the office filled up a little because Jihoon and Soonyoung brought decorations and a plant, and the lounge also became more comfortable.
And then it was finally time. It was Friday evening. Seungcheol had kicked him out of the office at 6 p.m. sharp. And Mingyu had a good feeling about it, which is why he was only too happy to go. His path led him home, where he started packing. He planned the last things and did the last laundry.
Mingyu watched the cat cafe’s latest vlog, even though it was Jihoon who did it. It was a short video announcing that they were taking a break from cat rescue for the year. The last five cats that were in the quarantine rooms had been re-homed. And Huchu.
This news made Mingyu feel a little strange. Huchu was the first cafe cat that he actually noticed was being adopted. Nobody had said a word. He seemed to remember seeing Huchu this or last week. And now he was just gone? It was like Hwaseong. Are they planning on taking in another cat soon? At least someone was missing now. There were still enough cafe cats, but one less certainly stood out?
Saturday was the meeting with Wonwoo. Mingyu slept in. He slept in for a really long time. He was in vacation mode. Mingyu didn’t even think about work. He wasn’t completely relaxed when Wonwoo came to him, but he was much more relaxed than the last few days.
“Jeonghan isn’t really creative, is he? This has been how many appointments that revolved around food?
Wonwoo laughed. “Don’t take it against him. The year is almost over.” Wonwoo put the bags down in the kitchen.
“He could have entered more restaurant visits. Why do we always have to prepare the food ourselves?”
Wonwoo laughed again. “You have to see it from Jeonghan’s point of view. This is more romantic.”
More romantic? Jeonghan really had no idea.
“I’ll just go wash my hands, right?” Wonwoo wanted to get up and leave the room, but Mingyu spoke up and stopped him: “You can do that here in the sink too?”
“Ah yes. Right.”
Mingyu was confused for a second. Until he remembered why Wonwoo wanted to sneak out of the room. What he wanted to give Mingyu this week. And Mingyu didn’t know whether to be amused or offended. Wonwoo wanted to find his calendar for 2023 and enter new dates. Not only that he would scribble into Mingyu’s calendar again. No, he probably didn’t trust Mingyu either. Oh, that definitely deserved punishment. Mingyu suppressed a grin. He would have some fun today and ruin Wonwoo’s tour. If the other didn’t trust Mingyu, he didn’t deserve anything else. Mingyu had repeatedly made it clear to him that it was no longer just about the appointments.
Wonwoo washed his hands in the kitchen while Mingyu leaned against the kitchen counter and watched him. The other seemed even softer today. Mingyu couldn’t say why. It wasn’t just the black hair (which suited him so much better than the blonde hair), no, something that Mingyu didn’t realize was different than usual.
“Can I draw you?” He didn’t care if the other person thought he was crazy. Something inside him wanted to hold onto this soft Wonwoo.
He looked up. “You just want to avoid cooking,” he complained.
Mingyu smiled and shook his head slightly. “No, I would like to draw you.”
“Okay,” Wonwoo agreed. Mingyu could see his red ears. He turned away from Mingyu and towards the bags he had brought with him. Mingyu found it hard to believe that the other was so embarrassed. He knew they had fans at the cat cafe. Wonwoo had definitely heard something like this before.
Mingyu went to his hobby room. He hid his calendar there (better safe than sorry) and went back with a sketchpad and a pencil. Wonwoo was already cooking.
Mingyu sat up high on the counter and looked at Wonwoo.
“This is unsanitary, Mingyu.”
But Mingyu knew that Wonwoo was just saying it to distract himself. That’s why he didn’t answer, briefly lowered his gaze to the page and started drawing Wonwoo. He kept looking up, taking in Wonwoo’s facial features and trying to capture them on his paper. It was pleasant to draw him. How he cooked calmly and also kept looking at Mingyu.
Well, maybe it was bad of him to let Wonwoo do everything alone again. But he didn’t complain and Mingyu found it much more pleasant. He could understand what Wonwoo meant earlier. The situation would be romantic. If there was something between them. But that wasn’t the case.
Mingyu lowered his gaze back to the page and began the second drawing.
When Mingyu finished, Wonwoo gently asked him to set the table.
“I’m just going to the toilet for a moment. Then we can eat.”
Wonwoo turned down the temperature. Mingyu slid off the counter. “Okay, then I’ll put the sketchpad away.”
Oh, he knew exactly what Wonwoo was up to. He didn’t have to go to the toilet. He just wanted to find Mingyu’s calendar. So Mingyu waited in his hobby room until Wonwoo went back into the kitchen. He wouldn’t be able to lay a finger on Mingyu’s calendar!
“What are you doing with the drawings?” Wonwoo asked as they ate. But he didn’t look at him. Was he still embarrassed?
“Would you like to have them? Otherwise, I’ll put them in my folder.”
“What should I-” Wonwoo’s question was interrupted by Mingyu’s bell.
Huh? Who wanted anything from him? Anyone who would visit him knew that Mingyu was going on vacation tomorrow. So if someone did want something from him, it was urgent.
“Please excuse me.”
Mingyu stood up and walked out of the kitchen and opened the door. Seokmin stood in front of it.
“What are you doing here?” Mingyu asked, irritated. The other knew that Mingyu didn’t have time on Saturdays. And why did he have suitcases with him?
“Oh, I happened to be driving by your house and I saw your car. I thought you were done with these meetings and I could sleep over tonight. Would be more practical for tomorrow, wouldn’t it?”
It was more convenient for Seokmin to sleep here. Mingyu had to admit that. But it bothered him that Seokmin just surprised him. “My meeting isn’t over yet. We’re eating right now.” He didn’t step aside so Seokmin could enter. He could come back later if he wanted.
“Oh, that’s good. I haven’t eaten anything today,” the other beamed at him. And just pushed past him.
Mingyu closed his eyes and exhaled. He wouldn’t make a scene here, even if Seokmin’s behavior bothered him at the moment. Seokmin was already on his way to the kitchen (luckily without a suitcase) and Mingyu hurried to follow him. He wasn’t comfortable with Seokmin and Wonwoo getting to know each other like that. And that Seokmin simply invited himself to their meeting.
When Mingyu entered the kitchen, the first thing he noticed was Wonwoo’s closed expression.
He didn’t know if he should apologize. It would be fair to Wonwoo. But Seokmin might take it badly? He couldn’t do that.
“Wonwoo? This is Seokmin. Seokmin? This is Wonwoo,” he introduced the two of them. He got a place setting for Seokmin and sat on his chair. The mood was tense.
Seokmin sat down next to Mingyu. “So you’re the one taking my boyfriend away from me, yeah?” Seokmin joked. He didn’t mean any harm. Mingyu knew him so well that he could say that. But Wonwoo’s expression became even more closed. Did he take that to heart?
Mingyu placed his hand on Seokmin’s thigh. He wanted to suggest that he should take a step back and be nice. But the other didn’t notice.
“Why do you have these meetings? Is there any reason for that? I can’t do anything with my boyfriend on a Saturday.”
Before Wonwoo could say anything, Mingyu interrupted, “It’s for an important reason, right? I told you the dates can’t be rescheduled.”
Mingyu couldn’t stand something like that at all. Such jealousies. It was as if the other person didn’t trust him. Sure, it wasn’t exactly ideal that Mingyu hardly had any time for him. But he couldn’t attack Wonwoo like that when they saw each other for the first time?
Mingyu cleared his throat and started eating again. Seokmin didn’t seem to mind because he helped himself to food. But the mood was strange. Nobody said a word. At least until Wonwoo broke the silence. “How long do you know each other?”
Mingyu looked up. But Wonwoo didn’t look at him but at Seokmin.
“In 4 days we have known each other for 4 months. And next week we’ll be together for a month. That’s why Mingyu invited me to go on a romantic vacation together.”
Mingyu felt bad. Not just because Seokmin sounded so hostile and Mingyu didn’t know him like that at all. He didn’t want Wonwoo to know these things. It was...Mingyu was over the fact that he had imagined a relationship with Wonwoo. But it wasn’t right to tell him that he and Seokmin got together during that time when Wonwoo was having a hard time. It felt wrong.
“Oh. Are you going away together? Congratulations.”
How did he get out of this unpleasant situation? Mingyu looked at Wonwoo, but this one avoided his gaze. He picked at his food. He seemed strange. Completely different and yet...Mingyu had seen him like this before. He didn’t seem present. It was-
The day of the fireworks. That was it. Back then, Wonwoo was also quite strange at the beginning. Shit, had he made a mistake? He would talk to Seokmin later. He couldn’t just act like that.
“I think we can finish the appointment a little earlier today. I don’t want to bother you any longer,” Wonwoo said and stood up.
Mingyu wanted to stop him. But maybe it was better to end this evening. The mood wouldn’t get any better. He also stood up. “Please stay,” he said to Seokmin as he also stood up. He walked Wonwoo to the door.
“Wonwoo I-”
“Have a nice vacation, Mingyu,” Wonwoo interrupted him and Mingyu made it easy for himself and let Wonwoo speak. “Get some rest.”
Mingyu should apologize. He wanted to say a proper goodbye to Wonwoo. But the situation right now? But Mingyu didn’t want to let Wonwoo go just like that. Not when he was in such a strange mood. So he pulled him into his arms. “I have to tell you that. Don’t work so much, okay?”
When Mingyu pulled away from Wonwoo, he looked better. “Take some photos for me, okay? I can’t wait to see them.” Wonwoo even smiled and Mingyu immediately felt better. He opened the door for him.
“See you next week, Wonwoo. I’m sorry about Seokmin,” he added. He just had to say it. He couldn’t let him go like that. As Wonwoo walked out the door, Mingyu was sure he would miss the other. They had seen each other so often lately that it would be strange not to see him at all anymore.
Despite Mingyu’s sleepless night, he was fit the next day. Before he made his way to the cat cafe, he called a client. This was a painter. Because Mingyu wasn’t sure if Wonwoo had enough color for Mingyu’s plans. Although his client wasn’t too happy about the early disruption, he agreed to deliver the colors to the cat cafe.
Mingyu arrived shortly after him.
“I didn’t think you would do something like that in your free time,” said his client as he handed him the paints.
Mingyu laughed. “I’m more creative than you think.”
“Then good luck with it.”
Mingyu thanked him and then went into the cat cafe.
Wonwoo was already waiting for him. With crossed arms. “Who are you flirting with in front of my cafe?”
Mingyu was briefly confused. Until he noticed the mischievous grin on Wonwoo’s face. “Better help me put the paint in than to stand here and watch me.”
Wonwoo laughed but went to work helping him. They put the paint in the largest room. “Shall I show you my plans?” Mingyu asked. He couldn’t wait to get started. It would look wonderful when they were finished here.
“You wanted food, so let’s have breakfast first,” Wonwoo ordered.
Mingyu looked at him in disbelief. “Breakfast? I thought we’d get started and have a late breakfast.”
“Oh no, Mingyu. I don’t want to hear about me not keeping up my end of the bargain. You can get breakfast, lunch and, if you’re still there in the evening, dinner and your massage.”
Mingyu smiled. “All right. I don’t want to be responsible for you not being able to do your part. But let me tell you my plans over breakfast.”
Exceptionally, the cat cafe was closed today. Jeonghan had his day off, Jihoon was sick and Wonwoo was busy with Mingyu. Soonyoung had agreed to stop by and take care of the cats, but he wasn’t there yet. This allowed them to spread. Of course, they sat at Mingyu’s usual spot, had breakfast, and Mingyu explained to Wonwoo exactly what he planned. And how they should proceed. He also had his laptop with the card in case they came along.
Mingyu noticed Wonwoo watching him, smiling. But Mingyu decided not to say anything about it.
“Shall we start now?” Mingyu asked as they cleared the table.
“Sure. I don’t want to stop you and your muse.” Wonwoo laughed.
“Tz. Just because I want to finish here before I go on vacation. How am I supposed to fly with peace of mind and relax when this project is here to haunt me?”
Mingyu immediately saw that Wonwoo had taken his words the wrong way. Because his look became remorseful. “Mingyu, I’m sorry you got dragged into this. You deserve a break.”
“Stop apologizing all the time. I’m an adult, Wonwoo. I can say no. Have you forgotten that?”
“That doesn’t exactly speak well for you, Mingyu. You said no so many times and still kept coming.” Wonwoo teased him.
Mingyu gave him a warning look. He wanted to start working here, but the other had to annoy him again. But now that didn’t bother him anymore.
“If we start talking about the past. You still have one wish.”
“A wish?” What was Wonwoo talking about?
“For winning mini golf.”
Urgh. Did he have to think of something now? Mingyu knew nothing. What could he want from Wonwoo? “I don’t know.” He looked thoughtfully at Wonwoo. “You know what? Cancel your outstanding birthday present and we’re even.” Because if Wonwoo was still thinking about winning mini golf, it certainly wouldn’t take long before he came up with the present.
And again, it wasn’t what Wonwoo wanted to hear. Mingyu didn’t know what he did wrong, but he could see it in the other person’s face. And shortly after, his expression became closed.
“Come on, let’s get started.”, Mingyu tried to lift the mood again.
They started with the ceiling. Mingyu’s client had mixed the colors, and the black and blue were exactly how Mingyu wanted it. Only one person could climb the ladder and Mingyu volunteered, so he had something to do. When it was the stars’ turn, they swapped, and Mingyu held the ladder while Wonwoo painted it on the ceiling. It looked like Mingyu had imagined.
“Is that a real starry sky?” Wonwoo asked while he was painting the big bear on the ceiling.
Mingyu looked away, caught. The other knew him too well by now. “Yes. I picked a random day,” he lied. He didn’t want to admit that he had chosen the day they had stargazed together. Not that that meant anything. But Mingyu didn’t do things by halves. He wanted a day that meant something. And which one else should he choose?
Wonwoo didn’t say anything about it and Mingyu wasn’t entirely sure whether he believed the lie. At least Wonwoo didn’t say anything and Mingyu was grateful to him.
As Wonwoo climbed down the ladder, he tilted his head back and they looked at their work.
“Did you choose this for me?” Wonwoo asked gently.
“You told me the beach was for Soonyoung, the forest was for Jeonghan, and the spring meadow was for Jihoon. I didn’t know anything else to take for you. But don’t you deserve something that relaxes you the most of all?”
Mingyu turned his gaze away from the starry sky and looked at Wonwoo. And he noticed that he was looking at him. Again, nothing came from him.
“Come on, let’s move on.” Mingyu pointed to the wall that was supposed to represent the spring meadow. “I’ll sketch in pencil and you can start coloring it in, okay? Just look at my drawing.”
Wonwoo picked up his sketch. “Do you really want me to help you?” he asked with a smile.
If it weren’t such a stressful time right now and if his vacation wasn’t just around the corner... Mingyu wouldn’t be reluctant to settle here alone. But he wouldn’t be able to relax if he left this half-finished. “I trust you. Don’t abuse it.”
“Mingyu, if it’s too stressful for you next week, you don’t have to come to our meeting.” Wonwoo started when Mingyu was almost at the end of the first wall. Wonwoo would take longer, but once Mingyu finished all three walls, he would be able to help him.
“Why shouldn’t I come? I’m not flying until the next morning. What was entered again? Cooking together? It does fit. I have to eat something, anyway.”
It seemed like Jeonghan wasn’t as creative with the meetings towards the end of the year. Didn’t they do that already? Mingyu would have expected more individual meetings.
“Are you sure?” Wonwoo sounded worried.
“I told you I’ll be at every appointment this year. Without exception. And we have even made up for those at the beginning now. I don’t know why you want to stop me now.” Mingyu grinned and glanced at him. “Do you want to get rid of me? Don’t you think you would miss me during my vacation?”
“Of course, I’ll miss you.”
Mingyu’s grin faltered slightly. What was wrong with Wonwoo? He wanted to make a joke. Why did Wonwoo sound so serious? Would he really miss Mingyu? Or did he just say that? Was he lonely right now? It would match with his behavior over the last few days. Maybe he should talk to the others before his vacation.
“We can make the appointment at my place. Then I can go to sleep straight away and you don’t have to feel guilty about it.” He suggested to make Wonwoo feel better.
They worked through until Mingyu was finished with the second wall, the forest. Then Wonwoo went to take care of the cats for a moment (even though Soonyoung was supposed to come? But Mingyu didn’t say anything about it) and to take care of lunch. Mingyu stayed and improved Wonwoo’s work a bit. He was just a perfectionist.
“I’m not good enough for you, huh?”
Mingyu laughed when he heard Wonwoo’s voice. “No. I wouldn’t say that exactly. I just made improvements.” He demonstratively added a green line and only then turned to Wonwoo.
“Improvements, yes? Then you’ll understand if I make a few improvements.” Wonwoo spoke in a serious voice, but Mingyu saw the mischief in his eyes. Wonwoo grabbed a brush, dipped it in the purple paint, and walked toward Mingyu.
“Wait!” Oh no. Wonwoo didn’t mean what Mingyu thought. He quickly walked away from the wall because he didn’t want any splashes on it and Wonwoo followed him. Mingyu took the opportunity and dipped his brush into the green paint again and raised the brush threateningly. “Do not come closer!”
His threat didn’t work. Wonwoo pressed the brush on his nose.
“Ah yes, that looks much better,” Wonwoo now grinned.
Mingyu returned the favor by stroking Wonwoo’s cheek with the brush.
And when Wonwoo took revenge again, a color battle broke out. In the middle of the room, because they both still had enough sense that they didn’t want to ruin their work.
It ended with Wonwoo slapping Mingyu’s brush away and standing in front of him with his brush raised. Wonwoo had a lot of green (and also purple) spots on his face and glasses. And also in the hair. He was lucky he didn’t have blonde hair anymore. Would the color ever come out of blonde hair?
“I think I still need to make a few improvements,” Wonwoo whispered. He took a step closer to Wonwoo and suddenly he became serious again. Mingyu didn’t dare to fight back. He looked into Wonwoo’s eyes, who was focused intently on his work. Mingyu felt the other making the point on his nose bigger, shaping it. And he gave him...whiskers?
“Of course a cat, huh? Aren’t you the kitten here?” Mingyu whispered.
The nickname just slipped out. He didn’t want to use it anymore. It would just make things weird between them. Like now, when Wonwoo paused. His gaze sought Mingyu’s.
Before Wonwoo could retreat, Mingyu put an arm around his waist and kept him close. He could see Wonwoo swallowing. His expression became more questioning. And Mingyu didn’t want to dwell on it. He lowered his gaze and his eyes automatically locked onto Wonwoo’s lips.
“Mingyu” It was just his name, which Wonwoo said softly. Was it a question? An invitation? Shit, what was he doing here? Mingyu tore his gaze from Wonwoo’s lips, released his grip on him, and stepped back.
He cleared his throat and turned to the door. “Dinner’s ready, right?”
“What…are you doing up there?” Soonyoung stared at them as they both went into the main room.
Had he just been upstairs? Had he seen something? But nothing had happened.
“We probably exaggerated a bit with the color battle,” laughed Wonwoo. He looked at himself in the mirror behind the counter and Mingyu walked up to him and looked at himself. Oh no. He would never be able to go outside like that in his life. He stared unhappily at his reflection. Well, hopefully he could still wash his face here.
“Okay? I thought you were working. The cats are all taken care of. Should I stay and help you?” Soonyoung asked.
Mingyu didn’t like the idea at all. Not that there was anything between them. Or that he didn’t want any troublemakers there. But Mingyu didn’t know Soonyoung enough. What if he had no talent and would destroy his painting? Urgh, definitely not!
“Jeonghan wouldn’t allow that. Do you want Wonwoo to lose the bet? There can’t be anyone else there,” he lied coldly.
Soonyoung turned pale and Mingyu fought back a grin. “Oh no. Please excuse me. I’m not familiar with the bets yet. I go. I wasn’t even here, okay? Please Wonwoo, forgive me.”
Soonyoung frantically packed his things. Mingyu dared to turn his gaze towards Wonwoo. Wonwoo looked at him questioningly but didn’t stop Soonyoung or explain things to him. They watched as Soonyoung said goodbye and practically ran out of the cafe.
“He’s panicking about the bets, isn’t he?” Mingyu asked, amused.
“Jeonghan won’t hold back with him either. I think he has every reason to be.”
Wonwoo grabbed Mingyu’s hand and pulled him into the kitchen. Mingyu was too surprised to say anything against it. Of course, he had done that outside, too. But in here? Where no one else was? Couldn’t he have just said that Mingyu should follow him?
“Sorry, I set the table in here. Not that someone sees us outside and wants to disturb our togetherness and thus deprives me of my chances of winning.” Wonwoo winked at him.
Mingyu was imagining things. Wonwoo was as usual. Mingyu probably hadn’t been able to completely put the thought aside yet. How pathetic of him. To chase after a thought like that.
Because Mingyu had a guilty conscience, he glanced at his phone. As expected, Seokmin had written to him. Mingyu was such a bad person. He thought for a moment and texted Seokmin back that he was helping a friend with the renovation and that they could meet tomorrow evening. Because Mingyu didn’t think he wanted to go out tonight.
When Mingyu looked up again, he noticed Wonwoo watching him. “Nothing fancy, sorry,” Wonwoo smiled and pointed to the food.
Mingyu shook his head. “Tell me how you want to decorate the rooms upstairs.”
As if Wonwoo had to apologize for the food. He would still have dinner today and the other one could cook. While he ate the delicious food, he listened to Wonwoo describe how he wanted to set up the office, what he had planned for the resting room and what should go from the basement to the storage rooms.
And when they were done, Mingyu almost didn’t want to go back. His stomach was full, and he was tired. Not just because of the good food, but also because of the stress and excitement of the last few days. But only almost. Because he was interested in getting the project done. And he didn’t want to stay here until night. So he stood up and offered a hand to Wonwoo, who also looked so exhausted. Wonwoo accepted it gratefully and let Mingyu help him up. Mingyu watched as Wonwoo stretched. Despite the color on his face, Mingyu could see the exhaustion.
“When are you on vacation?” he asked as they went upstairs.
“Vacation? Not really. Not a real one. At least nothing is planned.” The other shrugged his shoulders.
Mingyu, who was walking behind him, frowned. No wonder Wonwoo was so exhausted. He needed a break. But Mingyu remained silent. Until the first floor was finished, there would be no point in saying anything.
The last side, the beach, was quick from Mingyu’s side. While Wonwoo was still busy with the first one, Mingyu took the colors and started coloring the beach. He had completely forgotten how much joy such creative work brought him. Mingyu had let his hobbies slide too often lately. This couldn’t happen to him again.
They finished their respective walls almost simultaneously. Wonwoo a little earlier, but instead of coloring the next wall, he watched Mingyu.
“I can’t thank you as much as you deserve, Mingyu,” Wonwoo said as Mingyu stepped back and critically examined the wall. Mingyu turned to him. “No. I have to thank you. My blockage is completely gone. I needed a project like this, so thank you, Wonwoo.”
“Let’s get on with it,” Wonwoo said gently.
The mountain wall went faster than the spring meadow, but slower than the beach. And they got in each other’s way. Every time Mingyu blocked Wonwoo’s path, he received a brush stroke. Not just on the face, no also on the arms. And once Wonwoo managed to draw a brush stroke on the back of his neck.
“Can’t you just stop doing that?” Mingyu cursed as he tore his own brush and left an ugly gray line behind. “Argh. How do I get rid of this?”
Wonwoo’s laughter didn’t help him much. It didn’t sound mean, but he knew how perfectionist Mingyu was. Mingyu was about to leave to get a cloth and maybe save the situation when Wonwoo hugged him from behind and kept Mingyu in place. He wrapped his arms around Mingyu’s stomach and placed his head on Mingyu’s back. Mingyu froze in his tracks. He held the brush between himself and the wall and felt the paint dripping down. But he couldn’t do anything. What was that supposed to mean now?
“You have to learn to accept imperfect things. Not everything can be perfect.”
“If I do it, it can,” Mingyu said through gritted teeth. He felt Wonwoo laugh.
“Let some chaos into your life, Mingyu,” Wonwoo whispered and Mingyu felt him tighten his grip on his stomach.
He didn’t know whether Wonwoo needed his closeness and didn’t dare ask - or whether Wonwoo wanted to annoy him. So he stood there undecided, still frozen in his movements, waiting for a reaction from Wonwoo. Until he felt Wonwoo pushing his shirt up. Before Wonwoo arrived with the brush, Mingyu reacted. Wonwoo wanted chaos? He could have that!
Mingyu moved his left foot, causing Wonwoo to fall. However, he didn’t let him go and Wonwoo not only fell roughly to the floor and knocked over the (luckily) small bucket of red paint, no, he also dragged Mingyu with him and he fell on top of Wonwoo.
Mingyu heard him groan in pain. But instead of feeling sorry, Mingyu turned away from his grasp. He crouched down and looked at Wonwoo. “Chaos enough?” He grinned at the other. Wonwoo was sprinkled with red paint. Mingyu probably didn’t look any better. He could only hope that Wonwoo would let him take a shower here before heading home. He wouldn’t be able to get into his car or ride in a taxi like this.
“I give up. Where did you learn that?” Wonwoo stayed there and Mingyu almost felt a little sorry. But only almost.
“Too much energy,” he replied cheerfully. Again, it finally felt like Mingyu had the upper hand. As if he could take a little revenge for Wonwoo’s troubles at the beginning. “Let’s get ready. You know you still have to prepare dinner and give me a massage, right?”
“Who just knocked who over here?” Wonwoo sat up with a groan.
“It’s your own fault.”
Mingyu regretted his action. When he turned to face the mountain wall, there was a blue line next to the gray line. Probably from Wonwoo. Urgh. How was he supposed to cover that up? Especially since that was a spot that was supposed to stay white.
“If you don’t behave now, there will be trouble, okay?” he said sternly.
But Wonwoo laughed.
And despite all this, they finished without further incident. He couldn’t think of anything else for the two lines, and Wonwoo had forbidden him to paint over them. “Let a little chaos into your life, Mingyu,” Wonwoo repeated the words.
Mingyu gave in, gritting his teeth. After all, Wonwoo needed to relax in this imperfect environment. Mingyu would probably never set foot in here again.
“Then we’re done, right?” Mingyu asked as he started putting the paint buckets together and closing them.
Wonwoo looked around and then nodded. “In this room, yes. I have another task for you in the hallway.” He picked out a bucket and took it with him. The purple one. Mingyu followed him. Wonwoo hadn’t mentioned a word about the hallway. What was he planning to do?
Wonwoo opened the bucket and took Mingyu’s hand. “Trust me, Mingyu,” he said softly, and Mingyu let him do it. Wonwoo led Mingyu’s hand to the bucket and dipped it so that the palm of his hand was full of paint. He wanted a handprint of Mingyu. It could have been a lot cleaner if they had painted Mingyu’s hand with a brush. But he didn’t want to mess with Wonwoo anymore, so he didn’t say anything when the other raised his hand and pushed Mingyu’s hand against the wall. Mingyu saw a few smaller drops of paint dripping onto the wall next to his hand. He wouldn’t have to go back to this chaos. It was fine like that.
Wonwoo withdrew his hand. “Now we’re done. What do you think if we put you in the shower and I order us something to eat?”
“Absolutely!” He just wanted to get out of those clothes. And his skin also felt tight from the dried paint. It had never been so dirty after a renovation.
“Just please be careful not to come into contact with any cats. If we have to wash them...you’ll have to be treated afterward.” Wonwoo warned him as they left the first floor and Wonwoo tried to lock the door without getting much paint anywhere. Mingyu only now saw that the cat flap had been locked in, because it didn’t move.
Wonwoo led him upstairs to his apartment. He probably didn’t notice that he left red stains on the floor. Mingyu smiled. “You should wipe around here later,” he remarked, amused. Wonwoo turned around, spotted the red drops and sighed. “This is your fault, you know that?”
“Shouldn’t I let chaos into my life?”
Now that Mingyu’s artwork was no longer in danger of walls, he could joke about it.
Wonwoo didn’t reply and Mingyu only found it more amusing.
Wonwoo maneuvered Mingyu into the bathroom and washed his hands there himself. “I’ll bring you some clothes that you can wear after the shower.”
While Wonwoo cleaned himself a little, Mingyu examined himself in the mirror. He looked...wild. What had Wonwoo done to him? You could almost think he wanted to disfigure Mingyu and keep him here longer. His face was not only purple and green, no, there were also blue, gray, white and red areas on it. And only in his face. He saw color on his neck, even in his hair, and who knew what his arms looked like.
Mingyu turned his attention to Wonwoo, who was just then taking off his shirt over his head and then taking off his pants. Mingyu couldn’t wait to do the same and finally wash the paint off.
“Towels are in here. If you need anything, let me know, okay?”
Mingyu nodded. Wonwoo turned to leave and Mingyu allowed himself to tear himself away from his eyes (anything else would have been inappropriate) and let his gaze slide over the other’s body. You could definitely tell that Wonwoo wasn’t just taking care of the cats.
But as soon as he was outside, Mingyu got rid of his clothes. He threw them with Wonwoo’s paint-smeared clothes and got in the shower. Mingyu first let the hot water rain down on him and closed his eyes. Only after a few minutes did he reach for the shower gel he saw and lather himself up. The water turned all sorts of colors. Mingyu scrubbed his face, his arms, and his neck, and even found a colored fingerprint on his hip.
“I’ll put these things on the shelf here, okay? Take your time.”
Mingyu only turned his head slightly when he heard Wonwoo’s voice. “Okay, thanks,” he replied. He heard Wonwoo close the door and continued trying to rid himself of paint.
When the water was mostly clean, he grabbed the shampoo and washed his hair. And then scrubbed again over every spot where there was paint. And finally, the water came clear at the bottom.
Mingyu turned off the water and stepped out of the shower. He grabbed a towel from the closet Wonwoo had shown him earlier and dried himself off. He just rubbed his hair a little dry. Then he got dressed. He finally felt a bit cleaner again. Mingyu looked at himself in the mirror again and felt confirmed.
He stepped out of the bathroom. “Wonwoo?” he called, but there was no answer. Since the colored things were still in the bathroom, he closed the door so that no cat could come in and went downstairs. He didn’t find Wonwoo in the hallway and when Mingyu briefly opened the door on the first floor, he didn’t hear anything. He only found him in the cat cafe. Wonwoo had gotten dressed but still looked wild after their color battle.
“Hey,” the other said gently as Mingyu came to him. He looked at him as Mingyu approached him. What kind of picture did they have to give? Mingyu, freshly showered and wrapped in a warm, cozy sweater and Wonwoo in an old, worn shirt and his skin covered in paint. Was he thinking the same thing because he looked at him like that? Mingyu averted his gaze and let it wander across the room. The cats seemed calm and prepared for their evening nap. Had Wonwoo already fed them? Or had Soonyoung been here again?
Mingyu sat down opposite Wonwoo (he had chosen Mingyu’s regular table and Mingyu could only hope that the other didn’t leave any stains) and looked at him again. Wonwoo looked at him (still?).
“Isn’t the food here yet? Go take a shower. I’ll wait here and then bring it up.”
“Okay. Thank you, Mingyu.” Wonwoo smiled at him. He sat there for a moment before getting up and disappearing into the cats’ rest room.
Mingyu leaned back. Luckily, no cat came to him because he didn’t want to deal with them at the moment. He enjoyed sitting quietly. If only his mother could see this.
And then there was a knock on the window. That had to be the food. Mingyu got up and walked to the entrance, making sure there was no cat at the door, and accepted the food. As he entered Wonwoo’s apartment again, he heard the shower. Mingyu went to the kitchen, got everything they would need and then went to Wonwoo’s living room, where he set the table.
He didn’t have to wait much longer until Wonwoo came into the living room with damp hair. And new clothes again. But the other things were probably full of paint again.
“I put your clothes in the washing machine. If it gets too much for you before your vacation, just bring them over to me unwashed and we’ll swap them, okay?”
Mingyu glanced at the clock. It was just 5 p.m. “I have my laptop with me. If you want, we can look at your card? Then maybe my things are ready too?” he suggested.
“You still want to stay?”
Mingyu snorted in amusement. “Hello? You owe me a massage. And we wanted to finish the card. Do you have anything else planned?”
Wonwoo came over and sat down. “No. Let’s do it.”
The other looked happy. So much happier than last week. And Mingyu felt a little proud that it was his achievement.
They decided to get to work after dinner. Wonwoo sat at his desk with his PC and Mingyu sat next to him with his laptop. They had to move a little closer together so they could both fit on it, but it was okay. Wonwoo sent him the picture of him (without cat ears!) and Mingyu showed Wonwoo different fonts that he thought fit. Here, Wonwoo was much nicer. But he no longer had a brush with paint within reach. They worked with concentration and Wonwoo repeatedly praised Mingyu’s drawings and after 3 hours they were so far finished that only Wonwoo’s pictures had to be used. To annoy him, Mingyu had taken the picture with the cat ears.
“Mingyu, how can we ever thank you? It’s way too much you’re doing for us,” Wonwoo began. When Mingyu tried to defend himself, Wonwoo shook his head. “No really. I want to give you something. From the cat cafe.”
“Take my picture out of the card.” Mingyu suggested jokingly but became serious when he saw Wonwoo’s look. “I can’t think of anything. It’s okay, really.”
“No, it’s not that,” Wonwoo insisted. “I’ll think of something.”
Mingyu stood up and stretched. “Good. Then lie down on the sofa for the massage. If you want one too, I’d rather start and then enjoy it at the end.” He didn’t agree directly yesterday, but he was a man of his word.
Wonwoo went to get some massage oil. Mingyu looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “Do you do something like that often?”
“No. I just bought it yesterday.”
Mingyu grinned. But he didn’t comment on it. He saw Wonwoo’s red ears and, since he avoided Mingyu’s gaze, Mingyu knew exactly how uncomfortable he was. Why did Wonwoo want to please him even more when he was already like that to him?
Mingyu walked up to him and took the massage oil from him. “Lie down,” he tried to make his voice sound gentle.
Wonwoo took off his shirt and lay on his stomach on the sofa. He crossed his arms and Mingyu opened the massage oil and poured some into his right hand. He set the bottle aside and rubbed the oil between his hands to warm it up. Yes, he also once took a couples’ massage course with one of his exes. Mingyu was eager for knowledge, too. He still knew how to proceed. He walked over to Wonwoo and started the massage. Mingyu felt Wonwoo tense up under his grip.
“So you’re training?” Mingyu teased to lighten the atmosphere a bit.
He heard Wonwoo sigh. “I’m going to the gym in your office building, Mingyu.”
Oh? Really? He had never seen Wonwoo before. Maybe he left at a time when Mingyu wasn’t-
“We’ve met a few times. But as I realize now, you didn’t recognize me. If it wasn’t for Jeonghan, you wouldn’t even know I existed.”
Crap, that had gone wrong. Wonwoo slowly relaxed under Mingyu’s massage, but Mingyu wasn’t sure if he had hurt Wonwoo’s feelings. He couldn’t deny it either, because he didn’t think he would have ever paid attention to Wonwoo unless something had happened.
“Don’t tell him I’m grateful for that.”
At some point, Wonwoo stirred and Mingyu stopped the massage. Wonwoo sat up. “You can really do anything, can you?”
“You can’t avoid it,” Mingyu replied.
“I wanted to give you a compliment,” Wonwoo defended himself. Mingyu laughed and they swapped places. Mingyu took off his sweater and made himself comfortable on the sofa. And then he felt Wonwoo’s hands spreading the massage oil on him and massaging him. And as Mingyu closed his eyes and tried to relax. He felt how tiring the day had been today. Wonwoo did well and Mingyu forced himself not to think about anything. Not bad things and not good things either. He just didn’t want to think about anything and enjoy the moment. And he probably dozed off.
Because he suddenly woke up.
“Awake again?” Wonwoo asked gently. Mingyu could still feel his hands massaging his shoulders. How long had he been dozing?
“Sorry. I think I’m more ready for a vacation than I thought.”
“I think I read that it’s the biggest compliment for a masseur. Besides, it’s already late. And you’ll definitely want to go to work early tomorrow.”
Mingyu sighed and finally sat up. “Yeah, you’re right. The last week will be tough. I should go.”
Wonwoo sat down next to him. “If you want, you can sleep here. Then you don’t have to go home anymore.”
Mingyu just shook his head. “No, thanks.”
“You could go straight to the office from here tomorrow.”
Why didn’t Wonwoo let go of this? Mingyu wasn’t so tired that he wouldn’t make it home. And the distance wasn’t that far. He drove it every day, often late at night when he was working. “I don’t sleep well the first night in strange places,” he explained.
“All right. I’ll bring you your things.”
Wonwoo got up and disappeared into the bathroom while Mingyu waited bare-chested. He resisted the urge to get dressed again because it wouldn’t help. But he got up and packed up his laptop and folded the sweater until Wonwoo returned. When Wonwoo gave him his freshly washed clothes, Mingyu changed his clothes. Of course, the wash didn’t completely remove the paint, but he could put it back on without getting the paint all over himself again. And he had expected it and put on old clothes.
Mingyu folded the pants that Wonwoo had lent him and put them on top of the sweater.
“Leave the things here, I’ll wash them,” Wonwoo said before he could say anything.
Mingyu hadn’t planned on offering to wash the clothes since Wonwoo had said so earlier. But he didn’t want to point this out to the other person, so he just said “Thank you.”
Wonwoo took him downstairs to the cat cafe and they stood in the space between them.
“Thank you again, Mingyu. I don’t know how long it would have taken me without you. And the others will be very happy.” Wonwoo stood between him and the door and looked at him. And stopped Mingyu from leaving as he didn’t want to move.
“It was hard for me to say no to a project like this, so don’t thank me too much.”
“Maybe next time you’ll take me up on my offer to stay the night here.” Wonwoo still didn’t make any move to move away so Mingyu could leave. Was he waiting for something? But on what?
“The next time? I don’t think we’ll be busy all day again. Today was the last replacement date. And the appointments listed don’t last that long.” Oh, Mingyu wasn’t so naive that he didn’t know what Wonwoo was getting at. But why should he make it easy for him?
He watched in amusement as Wonwoo’s expression darkened slightly. Mingyu looked over his shoulder at the night sky. Wonwoo should believe that Mingyu would only do something with him for the appointments written into his calendar. Although he should have realized long ago that it wasn’t the case.
And then he saw it. A shooting star. Mingyu’s mood lifted. He had seen it and not Wonwoo, like last time.
“Now I saw a shooting star too,” he said, pointing outside. “So you can let me go now.”
“Huh? Oh yeah…sorry. Congratulations on the shooting star. Drive home safe Mingyu, okay? Let me know when you get home.” And finally, Wonwoo stepped aside and Mingyu could leave.
It didn’t take long for him to drive home at that time. It was a nice evening and Mingyu didn’t regret coming back that day. As he parked at home, he texted Wonwoo. When he felt the fresh, wintry evening air, he took a deep breath. Mingyu looked at the sky. Despite it being a tiring day, he felt ready for the week ahead. And then he would finally have a vacation.
Monday Mingyu got a call from Joshua. During work. He almost considered not going. He had too much to do and didn’t like having private conversations during his work hours (especially today he planned to spend his break at the cat cafe and check on Wonwoo). But he could guess what it was about. So he took the call after all.
“Hello.”
“Hey Mingyu. Everything okay with you?”
Good. Joshua wanted to make a little small talk first. But Mingyu didn’t necessarily have time for that.
“Good. I guess you’ve heard about me and Seokmin.” Seokmin...Mingyu probably needed some time to get used to this one. He was affectionate. He showed up on Saturday night because he “missed Mingyu so much.” And Mingyu couldn’t get rid of him until Sunday afternoon when he wanted to go to the office.
Mingyu also knew that he shouldn’t think like that. Just because it happened too quickly didn’t mean anything bad. He would get used to Seokmin. He hadn’t had to get used to a person and get involved with them in years. It was just difficult to suddenly no longer be able to organize your time alone.
“Yes. That’s why I’m calling, if I’m being honest. Mingyu, you are both my friends. But I’ve known Seokmin a little longer than you have known him. He is very sensitive. Please don’t hurt him. He doesn’t deserve that,” Joshua said in a tone that didn’t match his words.
Mingyu had suspected it. Joshua threatened him. That too.
Mingyu rubbed his forehead in annoyance. Did this all have to happen right before his vacation?
“I won’t,” he said shortly.
Since Joshua probably still had a bad conscience towards him (Mingyu could have easily done without it), he asked about Mingyu’s well-being and made more small talk. And Mingyu couldn’t get rid of him. Mingyu shouldn’t take a break from work. But he was still worried about Wonwoo. Which is why he went over to the cat cafe without a laptop and at 12 p.m. sharp. He sat down in his usual spot and waited.
“Hello Mingyu. “Oh, you’re not working today?” Jeonghan greeted him in surprise.
“I wanted to check on Wonwoo.” He didn’t have time to play games. He probably wouldn’t be able to do a full hour lunch.
“Wonwoo won’t come down today. Don’t worry. He’s doing better. Whatever you said or did, thank you, Mingyu. He just needs a little more time to get back on track.”
Jeonghan didn’t really convince him. But Mingyu couldn’t force them to bring Wonwoo downstairs. He just wanted to make sure with his own eyes that the other was okay.
But Mingyu had no luck on Tuesday either. He didn’t manage to go over during his lunch break (a client was late and didn’t arrive until just before his lunch break), so Mingyu went to the cat cafe in the evening, just before it closed.
Soonyoung gave him a questioning look. Mingyu didn’t have to look around to see that there were no more guests.
“Is Wonwoo here?” he asked, but Soonyoung shook his head.
“He went shopping a few minutes ago. Sorry.”
“It’s fine. Thanks.”
Mingyu turned to leave. Did Wonwoo avoid him? He hadn’t done anything wrong. Or was it really a coincidence that he missed him?
Mingyu took out his phone. He brought up the chat with Wonwoo. The last time they had written to each other had been some time ago. There had never been a reason for it. But now?
We still have an alternative date left. Would you like to catch up on our visit to the aquarium this week?
It took a while before he got an answer. Only after he had exercised in the gym and taken a shower did Wonwoo answer him. Shortly.
Not this week, Mingyu. But thanks.
And he shouldn’t worry about that?
Wednesday didn’t go any better. Mingyu was about to leave to go to the cat cafe when Seokmin stood in his office.
“Hey, darling.” He came up to him and kissed him.
If there was one thing Mingyu liked even less than having private conversations at work, it was showing displays of affection in the office. Although the relationship with Vernon and Seungcheol had loosened up, that was something that Mingyu thought had gone too far. This was his personal life and he wouldn’t mix it with business. At least no more than it was already the case.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, a little harsher than he intended.
“I wanted to pick you up for lunch. You work so much. I don’t even see you anymore.” It came across as accusatory. Not seriously accusing, more like pouting, but Mingyu knew from experience that the other was blaming him. Whether he covered it or not. Mingyu was a bad boyfriend. Even though his vacation was less than a week and a half away, he should take the time to do something with his boyfriend, right?
“I’m sorry. It’s a lot going on,” he apologized. He offered Seokmin his arm, which the other willingly hooked himself into.
“Do you have time this weekend? I read about an exhibition that is supposed to be open on Saturday.”
“Sorry, I don’t have time on Saturday. I...I have a date every Saturday this year. They’re not real dates. But they are meetings that I cannot cancel or postpone.” It would sound weird to a stranger. How was Mingyu supposed to explain the meetings without telling about Wonwoo, the bet, or the others? But these were exactly the issues that were of no concern to Seokmin. It didn’t matter if he was Mingyu’s boyfriend or not. It was a thing of the cat cafe.
“Every Saturday this year? Oh...okay. Well, we still have six other days in the week, don’t we?”
It reassured Mingyu that Seokmin wasn’t angry with him about it.
And it reassured him even more that Wonwoo wasn’t in sight.
Mingyu knew that eventually the time would come and Wonwoo and Seokmin would see each other. At some point, this statement about the meetings would no longer be enough for Seokmin. He would have to tell him. But today wasn’t the day. As long as it was after his vacation, Mingyu didn’t care. Jihoon assured him that Wonwoo was fine (and Mingyu was glad that Seokmin didn’t bring that up - maybe he also assumed that Wonwoo was a cat?).
He didn’t see Wonwoo on Thursday either. Mingyu didn’t even come to the cat cafe. Seokmin stood in his office again at 12 o’clock sharp (did the other person postpone his lunch break just to be with him?). The other brought him food and they ate together in the kitchen with Seungcheol. Mingyu should be happy that someone cared about him. But he was still worried about Wonwoo.
Mingyu worked through Friday lunchtime. He wanted to go home and finally embrace his weekend and go to bed and sleep. But it wasn’t until late in the evening when he was going through his appointments for the weekend (Mingyu wasn’t quite as up to speed as usual) that he realized what tomorrow’s appointment was.
9:00 a.m. Renovate apartment with Mr. Beanie
Urgh. He really didn’t feel like going to an appointment like that. Why was Jeonghan using him as cheap labor? Should he stay away from the appointment? After all, Wonwoo had allowed him to do it. But it would be his chance to finally see Wonwoo again. He had last seen the other one a week ago. And even though the others assured him that he was fine, Mingyu wanted to see for himself.
However, since Mingyu didn’t know if he needed to bring anything with him, he called Wonwoo on the way home. But he didn’t reach him.
At home, Mingyu wrote him a message. And even though he wanted to go to sleep straight away, he couldn’t fall asleep before Wonwoo texted him. Which is why he sat down in his hobby room and sat down at the cat cafe menu. He had put off this task long enough.
Wonwoo stopped texting him. Mingyu got no text on Friday and not on Saturday either.
Mingyu was so worried about the other. He would have to get Jeonghan, Jihoon, or Soonyoung’s number. What if something had happened? He put on old clothes that could get dirty and drove to the cat cafe early.
“What are you doing here? The appointment doesn’t start for another hour?” Wonwoo greeted him critically.
When Mingyu went into the cat cafe, he just came out of the kitchen. And wow. Mingyu’s concern for the other instantly faded. “You know what? I will come again later.”
But Wonwoo’s laughter stopped him. “Sorry Mingyu. You looked so serious. I heard from the others that you asked about me every day. That you’re so worried about me. Just be careful that people don’t think you’re interested in me.”
Mingyu let out an annoyed breath. He wanted Wonwoo to get better. But that he fell back into his old pattern? He didn’t want that.
“Let’s get the appointment over with, shall we?”
Wonwoo stepped aside so Mingyu could enter. The other didn’t say anything else but led the way into the cats’ rest room. Mingyu greeted the others briefly and didn’t say anything either as he followed Wonwoo. They went to the cats’ quarantine rooms. That’s right. Wonwoo said it was the first floor.
“Aren’t the others helping?” Mingyu asked as they stepped into the hallway.
“Jeonghan said since I have you, they’ll take care of the cat cafe. Sorry.”
Of course, it came from Jeonghan. Mingyu looked around the hallway and counted the doors again. 6 doors. Would they really do the entire first floor today? Ugh.
“Mingyu?”
He almost froze when he heard Wonwoo’s soft voice. But Mingyu hadn’t thought about the other anymore. He no longer thought about what could have been between them. Mingyu was simply surprised at how the other person had suddenly changed. Wonwoo downstairs was like he was in the early days. And now suddenly he was the Wonwoo he had last met? The real Wonwoo?
“Hm?”
“Thanks again for last week.” And suddenly he was serious.
“How are you?” Mingyu asked, trying to imitate Wonwoo’s gentle voice.
The other smiled slightly. “It gets better. The time for renovation has probably come at just the right time. We actually planned to relocate the cats. But I took a break. For now, there are no more emergencies coming here. I just...I just need a little more time.” Wonwoo looked away from him, but Mingyu continued to watch him as Wonwoo started speaking again: “I just wanted to thank you again. Last week was good for me. Now let’s please forget about that. I need to distract myself, okay?”
Mingyu nodded. Okay. If Wonwoo didn’t want to talk about it anymore and instead wanted to distract himself, Mingyu would accept that. If it was easier for him that way, Mingyu wouldn’t force him to do anything.
He cleared his throat. “What do we start with? What is planned?”
Wonwoo sighed and pointed his hand everywhere. “All rooms except the bathroom need to be wallpapered and painted. We can take it easy and you can leave as soon as the appointment ends. Or earlier. As you wish. It is a lot. Yesterday I watched a video on how to do it. I hope we can get this right. I thought we’d start with the largest room. So that things go faster afterward.”
Wait. Couldn’t Wonwoo do that? And the others didn’t help (anymore)? What were they actually planning? “You’re lucky I’ve done this before. Do you already have the materials? Is the room taped off?” Leave early? Pah! If Wonwoo secretly told him that he had no idea about anything, Mingyu wouldn’t be able to leave him alone. Not now that they were friends.
“I emptied the rooms. And bought the materials.” Wonwoo looked at him uncertainly. “Nothing else?”
“Okay, then let’s get started.”
Mingyu let Wonwoo go first because he knew where the largest room was. Neatly laid out in the middle were tarpaulins, wallpaper, paint and, luckily, also a wallpapering table, brush and buckets.
“It’s best we tape off all the rooms so that it goes faster,” Mingyu thought. He took a tarp and tape and showed Wonwoo what he needed to cover and how best to stick it on. Luckily, this was the easiest job and was done quickly. He left Wonwoo to tape off the other rooms and set about setting up the wallpapering table, measuring the wall and marking the required length on the table. He then mixed the paste and checked on Wonwoo.
“What would you have done without me?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe and watching Wonwoo struggle.
“We could have done it quite well without you,” replied the other and gave him a quick look. “But I’m glad you’re here,” he added quickly. As if he was afraid that Mingyu would abandon the work. But Mingyu just laughed.
“You owe me a massage after today for that.”
“A massage?” Wonwoo stood up and stretched. “If you give me a massage afterward, I’m happy.”
“That contradicts the point a little.” Mingyu wanted to be rewarded for his hard work.
But it was pleasant. There wasn’t anything strange between them, which reassured Mingyu immensely.
Since Wonwoo was finished, they went back to the large room. Mingyu tested the paste. “Good, the consistency looks right. Let’s get started.”
“How can you do that? Have you ever done something like this before?”
“When Minghao bought his apartment, we renovated everything ourselves.”
“I needed you two years ago when we moved here. I paid so much to have everything professionally prepared downstairs. I didn’t really want to try it myself if it was the main room.”
Mingyu smiled. “You don’t even know if I’m good yet. Just wait and see.” But of course he was. Mingyu was a perfectionist. Before he and Minghao renovated his apartment, he had taken a few courses so that he could do it well.
“Mingyu, I know you well enough to know that you can do this beautifully.”
Mingyu showed him how to lay down the wallpaper, how to cut it off and put paste on it. How he put the wallpaper on the wall and made sure it was straight and smooth. It wasn’t that bad. Mingyu liked physical work. Now and then. He preferred mental work, but physical work took more energy. They also had a pleasant chat. Really pleasant. It wasn’t like before, but it wasn’t any worse. Mingyu was no longer worried.
And Wonwoo learned quickly. If it had been Mingyu’s apartment or property, he wouldn’t have let the other put up the wallpaper alone (perfectionist), but since Mingyu wouldn’t be here anymore, he let it pass. Since they took turns, they also made quick progress. While Mingyu was putting up the wallpaper, Wonwoo was preparing the next layer and while Wonwoo was putting it up, Mingyu was preparing the next layer of wallpaper. And even the little things that bothered Mingyu in the first room became smaller in the next room and in the third, Wonwoo was close to Mingyu’s standards.
“If you keep it up, you’ll soon be able to do this on your own,” Mingyu praised him as he watched as Wonwoo put wallpaper on the wall and carefully loosened the lower, folded layer and stuck it to the wall.
“You are a good teacher. I’m sure you could teach someone anything if you were interested.”
When was the last time Wonwoo praised him like that? “You still can’t avoid the massage.”
“I didn’t mean to either. I am serious!”
It really was different between them. And somehow not. It was more normal than the last meetings.
When they were finished with the wallpaper, Wonwoo announced a break (luckily the walls still had to dry before they could start painting, otherwise Mingyu would probably have gone through without one) and they went downstairs to the cat cafe. Everything was still normal here.
Until they went back upstairs and started painting. They worked in silence. At least until Wonwoo started speaking.
“Is your offer from last week still standing?”
Mingyu didn’t stop what he was doing. He had no idea what exactly the other was talking about, but Mingyu didn’t promise anything he wouldn’t stick to. “Of course.”
“It’s hard for me to talk about it. And I can’t talk to Jeonghan and Jihoon about it anymore because they are too set in their opinions. It…I…” Wonwoo interrupted himself and Mingyu’s heart sank a little. He could guess what Wonwoo wanted to talk to him about. But they were friends so that wouldn’t be a problem, right?
“There was someone in my life. My last relationship. It was…complicated.” Wonwoo sighed.
Mingyu was a little surprised that the other spoke like it was a long time ago. He had seen the two of them together two weeks ago.
“I have the feeling he can’t understand me about the cats. I thought he would understand. He...he’s a veterinarian. But he kept blaming me as to why I didn’t have time.”
Mingyu glanced at the other. But since they were working on different walls, he couldn’t see anything of Wonwoo except his back. He remembered Wonwoo saying something about an ex like that. But it had been too long for him to remember.
“Like I said, it’s complicated. He’s trying to change me. But I can’t put the cats behind. Even if it’s not just about emergencies or rescuing cats, the cats here in the cafe come first. They are my family. And also my primary income.”
“That’s not right.” Mingyu lowered the brush and turned around. This time, Wonwoo turned to him too. “You don’t have to change yourself for others. Especially not when it’s about something that’s important to you.” He’d seen it happen too many times. Not because of cats, but because of his work. Which was also why he thought he and Wonwoo would be a good match. Well, that turned out to be a total mistake, but Mingyu stuck to his guns.
“Yes. So you think so too. I...I’m actually sure that’s right. But he sometimes makes me feel like I’m wrong.”
Sorry, what?
“You should break it off with him urgently. I don’t know him and don’t know what he’s like, but that doesn’t sound right. You deserve someone who will treat you well. Who loves you the way you are. I find the fact that you care so devotedly for the cats a very pleasant trait. Maybe your best. At least it’s better than this betting story. And he doesn’t exactly sound like it.”
Wonwoo turned back and remained silent. Mingyu waited a moment, but when he didn’t say anything, he added: “You deserve someone better, Wonwoo.” He also turned back and dipped the brush into the paint again.
“Thank you, Mingyu.” It took a while for Wonwoo to speak again. “I ended it with him. A few days earlier. I don’t know…I needed reassurance that it was the right decision.”
Luckily, Mingyu had declared the topic of them together over himself. If he got his hopes up (and he didn’t), it wouldn’t be the time. As he had said himself, Wonwoo deserved someone better. And that someone wasn’t Mingyu.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully. They got through well and after a short break, Wonwoo joked around again. Wonwoo explained to him that they wanted to set up the lounge and break room in the largest room, a storage room was added in the room next door, three quarantine rooms should remain and the last room should be an office. Mingyu was reassured to hear this. He still remembered with horror the stacks of papers lying haphazardly on Wonwoo’s desk.
“I would say we take another break. Or do you want to go? The appointment is long over, Mingyu.”
“What else do you have planned?”
They had wallpapered and painted everything. And Mingyu slowly needed a break. But he wouldn’t leave Wonwoo alone here if Jeonghan, Jihoon, and Soonyoung had already abandoned him.
“I don’t know exactly yet. But I was thinking about making the break room a little colorful.”
Oh, Wonwoo. How could you approach something like that? “And you were planning on doing that now? You have to wait for the white paint to dry. It’s best we continue tomorrow.”
Wonwoo looked at him in surprise. “Tomorrow? We?”
“I thought we clarified that friends don’t let each other down. What do you have planned?”
Mingyu should have felt bad when he saw the grin that crept onto Wonwoo’s lips. But it felt good when the other asked him teasingly, “So we’re not almost friends anymore, yeah?” Because it showed that the other was really doing better.
Mingyu stayed for a while until Wonwoo explained what he was doing. He was a little vague. “Do you trust me? I’ll think of something, okay?” Wonwoo just wanted to create a place to rest. With a spring meadow, a beach and a forest. Places where the cat cafe employees felt comfortable. Mingyu made a note of a night sky in his head. He knew Wonwoo found something like this relaxing. It involved a lot of work, but it was also important that he had something that promised him relaxation.
“Mingyu, I feel guilty.”
“We still have an alternative date open. I’ll come tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. You take care of the food and we’ll get this done, okay? Don’t complain. I have to go home now. I have a vague idea, but I’d like to work it out.”
And he did. Mingyu went home and immediately started working on it. Ever since Wonwoo explained his idea to him, the inspiration never left him. He couldn’t wait to get started tomorrow. Before Mingyu went to bed at 2 a.m. (it took him that long to finish), he wrote to Seokmin. He had almost forgotten about him. Mingyu was a terrible boyfriend. Starting next week he would have to change that.
He was feeling so bad. Much, much worse than last time. Mingyu should stop drinking. He was too old for something like that. Mingyu groaned as he tried to sit up. He could hardly open his eyes, which wasn’t a bad thing, because as soon as he opened them for a moment he felt his headache start. He wouldn’t drink again any time soon.
It took a while before Mingyu could bring himself to open his eyes again. He whimpered as it was way too bright in the room. He must have forgotten to close the shutters yesterday. Mingyu ran his hands through his hair and yawned. Should he just stay in bed today? Lie down and go back to sleep? He could allow himself to do that, right? He didn’t even know what happened yesterday. How did he get home? As soon as he thought about it, the headache got worse. Mingyu sank back into his bed. No, today wasn’t a day he would get up. He wanted to roll over from his back onto his stomach until he noticed someone lying next to him. Huh?
Mingyu half sat up again and suppressed the feeling of dizziness that hit him. Who did he take with him? As he looked at the shock of black hair, memories came flooding back to Mingyu.
Wonwoo, who was preparing the cat food in the basement. Wonwoo with black hair. Wonwoo making out with Seungkwan. Mingyu, who went to the dance floor and kissed him.
But after that? Nothing more. What had they done? He hardly believed they had sex. Mingyu had been too drunk for that. Had they spoken about everything? Had Mingyu confessed that he had been jealous? In any case, Wonwoo was here. Here, with him. And not with Seungkwan. Despite feeling bad, Mingyu felt a triumphant feeling. He sank into bed again, this time lying directly behind Wonwoo. He put an arm around him and pulled Wonwoo close to him. Whatever had happened between them yesterday could wait until later. Now he wanted to enjoy lying in bed with the other. Even though he was feeling incredibly bad. Mingyu’s hand began to gently stroke Wonwoo’s stomach. He wanted to feel him. Savor his triumph. When he started to move, Mingyu snuggled up to the other man from behind. He placed soft kisses on Wonwoo’s shoulder, moving from his shoulder to Wonwoo’s ear. “Good morning, Princess,” he breathed.
Mingyu allowed Wonwoo to stir and turn to him. He wanted nothing more than to look at him and- fuck.
Mingyu turned ice cold as the other turned around. It wasn’t Wonwoo. But Seokmin. Fuck, what had he done?
“Good morning,” the other beamed at him, while Mingyu tried to hide his horror.
Seokmin didn’t notice his feelings because he put his arms around Mingyu and snuggled up to him.
Mingyu didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know what had happened. He had kissed Wonwoo…right? Or was that a dream? What happened after that? Had Wonwoo rejected him? Was that why he consoled himself with Seokmin?
“What happened yesterday?” he asked almost tonelessly. Mingyu felt completely out of place. Not only did he feel bad physically, no, his feeling of triumph had completely disappeared and he now felt as bad mentally as he did physically.
He heard Seokmin laugh. “You drank too much, huh? I had already feared that. How are you, Darling?”
Dar…darling?
Mingyu closed his eyes. Something was very wrong here.
He just felt Seokmin move away from him a little. “Should I order us something to eat?”
He didn’t feel like eating at all. He just wanted to go back to bed and escape the nightmare.
“Please, just tell me what happened?” Well, he sounded a little harsher than he intended. Seokmin couldn’t help it – maybe.
Mingyu broke away from him completely and he didn’t have the strength to open his eyes. He didn’t know what the other person was like. They didn’t know each other well enough. What if he blamed him now?
“What else can you remember?” Seokmin asked cautiously and Mingyu felt confirmed. He hold it against Mingyu. Great.
“I was drinking at the bar and wanted to go back to the dance floor.” And he had kissed Wonwoo. Maybe.
“Oh.” Seokmin sounded a little sad and Mingyu opened his eyes. “You came to the dance floor and kissed me. You told me you didn’t want to lose me. And I was so happy, Mingyu! I only moved here because of you. I took you home in a taxi because I noticed how drunk you were. We didn’t do anything else, don’t worry. We can make up for it all now.” Seokmin gave him a shy smile.
But Mingyu felt sick. So bad.
It wasn’t Wonwoo he kissed? He had confessed to Seokmin that he didn’t want to lose him? Well, at least he didn’t embarrass himself in front of Wonwoo. He didn’t turn him down. But what should he do with Seokmin now?
“Oh, I can see that you’re not feeling well. Stay in bed, okay? I’ll get you something to make you feel better.”
“Okay, thanks.”
Seokmin took care of him and Mingyu felt too bad to think much about anything. It wasn’t until he was feeling better that he felt able to properly process the Halloween party.
He must have confused the two with each other. He was too drunk to think clearly. And he had made a big mistake. Seokmin seemed to think they were in a relationship. A relationship! How long did they know each other?
But then again…Wonwoo had someone. And didn’t everyone tell him that he needed someone to take care of him? The feelings would develop over time. And that’s why he offered Seokmin to sleep over one more night.
It was different. To be in a relationship.
Maybe everyone had been right after all. It had been ages since his last relationship. Mingyu was lonelier than he thought.
He was still stressed at work. He introduced Seungcheol more to the appointments and clients so that Mingyu could (more or less) go on his vacation with peace of mind. But during his lunch break? Except for the two days when he went out to eat with Seungcheol and his clients (not at the cat cafe, as they were appointments at the client’s office), Seokmin was with him. He brought him food. And even though Mingyu couldn’t afford it, he took a break with him.
It happened that he hadn’t seen Wonwoo for the week. But it was also a good thing. Mingyu wasn’t one to cheat. Neither when it came to his own relationships nor those of others. It wasn’t like he had feelings for Wonwoo, either. He had let himself be seduced by Jeonghan and Minghao’s words. Imagining a what-if. The time out was good to get away from these ridiculous thoughts. Just because Wonwoo cared for him and Mingyu cared for Wonwoo didn’t mean there was anything between them. They were friends. Not more.
And this week the visit to the aquarium was scheduled. Mingyu was really looking forward to it. He hadn’t been to an aquarium often. But it was something completely different from his everyday life. He would be able to really unwind and lose himself in the depths of the water.
Luckily, Seokmin went out to dinner with his colleagues on Saturday to celebrate his arrival. Mingyu didn’t know how to explain the appointment thing. So he had at least another week. And in two weeks, the time had finally come and his vacation would begin.
Mingyu stood in front of the “Coral Kingdom” aquarium at 3 p.m. punctual. Well, he was 15 minutes early. He had been in the office earlier and since he was really looking forward to the appointment, he left on time. And was now too early. The weather was sunny, but there was an icy wind and Mingyu pulled his coat a little tighter. He definitely didn’t want to get sick now. But Wonwoo would show up soon. He was always there a few minutes before.
Would things get weird between them? Mingyu didn’t want it to get in the way of them being friends. Maybe the teasing would lessen. Definitely the flirting. The nicknames…Mingyu wouldn’t use them anymore. They were too intimate. But he liked Wonwoo’s company. Before Jeonghan and Minghao confused him with the comments. It was their fault!
To distract himself, Mingyu went to the aquarium’s website and scrolled through the information. There was a livestream that he clicked on while he waited. And waited.
As he started to feel cold, he stopped the livestream and looked at the clock. It was already 3:30 p.m. Huh. How quickly did time pass? And why wasn’t Wonwoo here yet? Had something happened? Then he would have let Mingyu know. He opened the chat with Wonwoo. Mingyu hesitated before writing him a message:
Did something happen? Where are you?
After he stared at the chat for two minutes without Wonwoo coming online, he closed it again and dialed Wonwoo’s number. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Well, Mingyu would wait a little longer. Maybe the other was on his way here.
But even after another half hour, Wonwoo didn’t show up. He didn’t answer his texts or his phone. And Mingyu was starting to get really worried. He went into the aquarium and asked about Wonwoo, but no one had seen him. He left a message for him in case he showed up and drove to the cat cafe.
Mingyu rushed over to the cat cafe from his underground parking lot. He didn’t wait until he could take a proper breath, but went straight in. Jihoon looked surprised when he saw Mingyu.
“Is everything okay with Wonwoo?”
“Mingyu?” Jeonghan asked in surprise when he heard his voice and came over. The two looked at each other before Jeonghan spoke again. “He’s upstairs.”
“He wanted to be left alone.”
“Maybe Mingyu can get through to him. He’s not feeling very well.” Jeonghan explained and didn’t explain anything.
Mingyu’s heart stopped for a moment.
Wonwoo wasn’t feeling well.
Was he sick? No, it didn’t sound like that. Was he…sad? Had he seen Mingyu and Seokmin together and realized that he didn’t want to lose Mingyu either? Had he finally broken things off with Seungkwan?
Mingyu nodded and walked to the cats’ rest room without hesitation.
If that was true, he would end things with Seokmin immediately.
Mingyu went upstairs and knocked on Wonwoo’s apartment door. When no one answered him, Mingyu carefully opened the door. Jeonghan and Jihoon had allowed him to do so. And if Wonwoo was feeling bad, he might not answer either. And if it was really because of him and it cleared up, then Wonwoo would definitely be happy if he just went in.
The door to Wonwoo’s bedroom was half open again. Mingyu pushed aside thoughts of last week and slowly walked towards it. He cleared his throat before knocking. “Wonwoo?”
It was pitch black in his bedroom. The shutters were all the way down and there were no lights on. Mingyu tried to see something in the dark. But all he could see was something moving. Was that Wonwoo or a cat? Mingyu pushed the door open a little more, allowing the light from the hallway to enter the room.
“Mingyu?” Wonwoo’s voice…it didn’t sound good. He immediately understood what Jeonghan had meant. The other sounded...broken? Was it really because of Mingyu?
“You didn’t show up. I was worried.”
“Is it Saturday already?” He could finally see Wonwoo’s outline as he sat up. “You can leave. It’s fine.”
What?
That...that wasn’t Wonwoo. Wonwoo, who wanted to win the bet at any cost. What happened? Something bad must have happened if he suddenly didn’t care about the bet. Mingyu walked into the room and sat on the edge of Wonwoo’s bed.
“What happened?” he asked seriously, trying to read something on Wonwoo’s face.
But Wonwoo just shook his head. As if Mingyu would believe him! Mingyu took out his phone to check the time. Then an idea came to him. He opened the livestream of the aquarium and placed it on the bed so that both of them could look at it if they wanted. But Mingyu looked at Wonwoo, whose face was now dimly lit by the livestream.
“The appointment is still scheduled for 2.5 hours. You’ll have to put up with me for that long.”
Mingyu expected a comment, but Wonwoo just nodded. He may have said, “Okay,” quietly, but Mingyu wasn’t sure. It bothered him. Why didn’t Wonwoo trust him?
Mingyu got up and sat next to Wonwoo in his bed. He placed his phone again so they could see it.
Wonwoo remained silent. Was he going to let him wait here in silence for the next 2.5 hours?
“You know you can talk to me? We’re friends, Wonwoo.” He almost considered keeping up the play with the almost friends. But Mingyu decided otherwise. Although it might have elicited a smile from Wonwoo, even if only a weak one.
“Life is just really difficult right now.” Wonwoo sounded so incredibly sad. “It’ll definitely get better soon,” he added, but from the sound of his voice, he didn’t believe it himself.
Something had happened. Something bad. He wanted Wonwoo to talk to him about it. He didn’t want to just sit next to him and be silent. Mingyu didn’t want to be pushed away and excluded from Wonwoo’s life. He wanted to know what was bothering the other person. They were friends, weren’t they? You help your friends when they weren’t doing well.
“I know you’re not the most outgoing person. But I’ll still hold you now, okay? Allow someone to be with you who wants to help you. Everyone needs a hug every now and then.”
He didn’t know if there was a reason Wonwoo didn’t like being touched as much as Mingyu. Maybe there wasn’t one and Mingyu was just exaggerating (something he’d heard before, but he was a very sociable person). That’s why he wanted to warn the other.
But Wonwoo remained silent as Mingyu wrapped one arm around him and gently pulled the other towards him while wrapping his second arm around him. He just felt the other person put a hand on his chest. Mingyu almost expected Wonwoo to try to push him away. But he didn’t do that. Wonwoo held on to his sweater. When Mingyu noticed this, he squeezed the other harder. He wanted to be there for him. Maybe he wouldn’t be able to take away his pain or suffering, but he could be there for him. Give him support.
The live stream was running quietly and only gentle piano music could be heard, so Mingyu could clearly hear the other person when he finally raised his voice:
“The kittens died.”
His heart clenched. Not only that everything made sense now. No, he felt so bad. So pathetic. How could he have thought that Wonwoo would be jealous and act like that? Of course, this one had far bigger problems.
“Wonwoo, I’m so sorry.”
“It happens. For rescue animals. But everything is just going wrong right now.”
No, Mingyu definitely wouldn’t worry about it anymore. This wasn’t about him.
“I’m here if you want to talk. In case you need anything. Be it a hug or support. Just tell me, okay? Do you want to hold a funeral for them?”
He had no idea what to do when an animal died. He had never had a pet.
“We’ve already held that. Thanks.”
They were silent and Mingyu started to rub the other’s back. He didn’t know what to say. This was a topic he was unfamiliar with. How did you get over the death of your fosterlings? Was Wonwoo blaming himself? Could he have done something different?
“It’s enough if we just lie here a little longer,” Wonwoo whispered. Mingyu felt much better. Good thing the other guy told him how he could help him. Finally.
And, because he couldn’t completely push the thoughts away, he let his thoughts wander to the topic that had been haunting him for a week. He should give up the idea that anything would ever happen between him and Wonwoo. If he concentrated on his feelings right now, lying in bed with Wonwoo tightly wrapped in his arms...Mingyu felt nothing. No feelings for the other person. And the ideas would stop if he stopped imagining something. He would just destroy everything between them. Friends. They were friends. No more and no less. No more almost friends, oh no.
The live stream changed and showed a new image. Turtles could now be seen. And Mingyu felt that the music sounded much sadder.
“Are you blaming yourself?” he asked quietly.
He heard Wonwoo sigh. “Yes. No. Perhaps. It really is more common than you think. But we haven’t lost one in so long. And now all three. And I pushed you to give them names. I am so sorry.”
Wonwoo worried about him? Even though he had taken care of the three of them? Had looked after and cared for them? Why…was he worried about Mingyu? Did he really think Mingyu would form a bond with them just because he gave them names?
“If it weren’t for you, they would have died on the streets long ago. You gave them a chance, Wonwoo.” He didn’t know if that was true. Would someone else have saved them? Would they have had a chance? But he wanted to believe that.
Suddenly, something jumped onto the bed. One cat came over and tried to lie down between them. And finally he heard Wonwoo laugh.
“I think someone is getting jealous. Thank you, Mingyu.”
He felt Wonwoo let go of him, and Mingyu released his hug. Wonwoo moved away a little and Mingyu could now see Byeol, who cuddled up to Wonwoo, meowed and then began to purr. So even the cats thought it would be better if he stopped trying to imagine things with Wonwoo.
Mingyu wanted to ask why Seungkwan wasn’t there for him. But he didn’t know if he had been here all week. And it was none of his business. If Wonwoo didn’t tell him about Seungkwan, it wasn’t his business. And Wonwoo didn’t need that kind of drama right now.
Mingyu looked up as something heavy leaned on his shoulder. Wonwoo leaned his head on Mingyu’s shoulder while his hand slid through Byeol’s fur. As if he was still looking to be close to him. Mingyu looked back at his phone, where the live stream was still playing.
Time passed as the three of them lay in bed watching the live stream and no one spoke. Until a message came. From Seokmin.
I miss you, Darling
Mingyu froze. They could see it. He picked up his phone and turned it on do not disturb mode before putting it back and pretending to continue watching the live stream. Why was Seokmin so clingy? Just because they hadn’t seen each other today? Urgh.
“You don’t have to come to the appointments anymore, Mingyu.”
Mingyu looked away. He couldn’t concentrate on the livestream anymore, anyway. “What?”
“If you have other things to do, you don’t have to come anymore. I can manage the appointments on my own.”
Was it because of Seokmin? Or because of Wonwoo’s depression? Or had he lost the bet today? But otherwise, he wouldn’t have mentioned the rest of the meetings.
“Forget it. I can’t let you sit through this alone. For this year, you will have to put up with me every Saturday. Even if it’s just via video chat.”
Since Mingyu was still looking at Wonwoo, he could see him turning and looking at him. Mingyu couldn’t read the expression on his face. Wonwoo seemed as closed and inscrutable as at the beginning. “Can’t you just take me with you and leave me there?” Wonwoo finally asked.
Mingyu was extremely worried about him. If he had Jeonghan or Jihoon’s number, he would ask them if Wonwoo often had thoughts like that. It seemed depressive. There was no way he could leave him alone in such a mood.
“Who else is going to take care of Byeol and the others?” Mingyu asked to cover up his concern. He hoped Wonwoo would agree. But he remained silent again and turned to the live stream. And Mingyu thought about how he could get in touch with the others.
When the time turned to 6 p.m., Wonwoo sat up. “You should go now.”
Leave? He couldn’t leave now. Not when he felt like Wonwoo shouldn’t be left alone. Not if he-
“Your boyfriend is certainly waiting for you.”
Hearing these words from Wonwoo...it was as if a piece of his sadness passed on to Mingyu. It made the maybe final. That the maybe would never become more. And even though Mingyu had told himself not to think about it anymore...hearing those words from Wonwoo made it worse. Or better? Maybe he really should go. To get distance. To give himself the opportunity to think more clearly again.
“Okay.” Mingyu slid off the bed and grabbed his phone. He would send Jeonghan upstairs so Wonwoo wouldn’t be alone. It was better that way. If they both wanted to remain friends, he should leave now. Before anything else broke.
Mingyu walked towards the door when he heard Wonwoo following him. He turned around in front of his apartment door. A part of him hoped Wonwoo was holding him back.
Wonwoo took a step towards him and gave him a quick hug. “Thank you Mingyu. You’re a good friend. It’s good that you found someone. You need someone to take care of you.”
Wasn’t it Wonwoo who needed someone? But Mingyu’s mouth was so dry, he couldn’t say anything. Instead, he nodded.
“See you next week, Mingyu,” Wonwoo said goodbye.
Mingyu didn’t turn around. He went downstairs and looked around for Jeonghan. The cat cafe was almost empty and Mingyu’s path led him to the kitchen. There he found Jeonghan and Jihoon.
“Please don’t leave him alone,” he said seriously.
“He didn’t send you away? That’s good. I’ll go up and bring him food.” Mingyu had never seen Jeonghan so serious and worried. He watched him pack up a day’s lunch, put one of the sandwiches on a tray and take a piece of cake and walk out of the kitchen. Good.
“Mingyu wait.”
Mingyu looked at Jihoon questioningly.
“That last week-“ the other started, but Mingyu shook his head.
“It’s not my business. Wonwoo and I are friends. What he does or doesn’t do in his free time is his business. And I think he has just enough other problems to worry about me talking to his friends about his personal business. I should go. I still have something to do. Please take care of him.”
Mingyu didn’t want to let Jihoon speak. He had made up his mind. As soon as he walked out of the cat cafe, he wouldn’t give a single thought to a relationship with Wonwoo.
And when he actually stepped out of the cat cafe, he turned off the do not disturb mode on his phone and texted Seokmin back. He was lonely. Wasn’t that everyone at some point? It had nothing to do with the other. They were friends. Friends only.
Even though it was Wonwoo’s turn last time, Mingyu took a closer look at the cat cafe’s latest vlog entry. Soonyoung was in front of the camera for the first time. And he talked about the kittens. Mingyu thought back to Wonwoo’s sadness. He wanted to help him. He was worried about Wonwoo. Because that’s what friends did when the other person wasn’t feeling well, right?
Mingyu found it easy not to think about Wonwoo. At least until he finally fell asleep (he really needed a little more sleep.) Luckily, Minghao called him on Sunday and wanted to spontaneously meet up with him. And not only did Mingyu need this extra bit of distraction, no, he was happy to finally meet up with his best friend again. Because Jun was still taking too much time from Minghao. And, because Mingyu wasn’t completely distracted yet, he thought on the drive to Minghao that maybe things would change soon. Maybe Mingyu would be also busy with someone soon. At this meeting, he also made sure that Minghao was coming to the Halloween party with Jun. He didn’t really want to go alone with Seokmin. Even though Wonwoo had to work, he would surely have a break? Why else would the appointment be entered? The picnic where Wonwoo ignored him was unplanned.
Mingyu had decided against telling Minghao about Wonwoo and whatever was between them. It didn’t feel right yet. It was too early. If they had spoken to each other, he and Wonwoo, then he could tell Minghao about it. Furthermore, he had not yet been able to take “revenge” because of the appointments that Minghao had forced him to attend. He didn’t have to find out everything straight away.
After Minghao left, Mingyu opened the cat cafe’s homepage and looked at the latest vlog entry (yes, he had already written the publications into his calendar). This time it was Wonwoo’s turn and Mingyu was glued to the screen. He watched as Wonwoo played with the little kittens and kept looking at the camera as he told what was new at the cat cafe. During these 15 minutes of the vlog, Mingyu allowed himself to think about the other.
He had two seminars on Monday and Tuesday. Latest news from Value Added Tax as well as changes in the area of income tax and payroll. It was a little annoying that he couldn’t get a place nearby this year and had to drive to another part of the city. Mingyu remembered to text Wonwoo briefly in the morning (they still only had very sporadic contact with each other - why should they, if they saw each other regularly?).
Before you miss me today: I’ll be traveling to another part of the city for the next two days
When he looked at his phone during the short break, he found Wonwoo’s answer. I hope you don’t find a better cafe and come back again.
It put a grin on his face and made him walk around during his lunch break looking for a cafe. Just to annoy Wonwoo.
Instead, he found a store that sold clothes. Various Halloween costumes were offered in the window and Mingyu remembered his bet with Jeonghan. He didn’t really trust him. What if he had robbed every costume shop in the area? What if there wasn’t a single prince costume left near the cat cafe? Urgh. He definitely didn’t want to be shown on the card with cat ears. Actually, he still didn’t want to be pictured at all, but Mingyu knew that he didn’t have to bother with the three of them. They seemed incorrigible in this regard.
Mingyu entered the store and looked around. He noticed that the Halloween costumes were all set up in one area, so he strolled over there.
“Oh hey, Mingyu. What are you doing here?”
He knew the voice but couldn’t place it at first. Mingyu turned around and looked at Seokmin’s beaming face.
“I need a Halloween costume. What brings you to this area?”
Seokmin looked caught. He looked around cautiously and then came a little closer. “This is the shop I’m starting at next week. I wanted to spy a little,” he whispered.
Spy? What would that do if he had already signed? Wouldn’t that have been better before? But well, if the other perhaps needed it and felt safer that way, Mingyu wouldn’t say anything about it.
“Do you need help?”
Or was the other person bored? Mingyu vaguely remembered the call when Seokmin asked him to do something with him. He didn’t know anyone here except Mingyu. It was definitely lonely.
So he nodded. “I need a prince costume.”
“You’re going as a prince? Do you have a princess you’re taking with you?”
Maybe it was Jeonghan’s costume idea that was meant to be a little “embarrassing.” Couldn’t you appear alone in a prince costume? Mingyu didn’t think there was anything wrong with it. Or would Wonwoo…? No. He didn’t even want to finish the thought. Even if that was the more likely solution. After all, he didn’t yet know how the employees of the cat cafe would dress up. Wouldn’t it be more appropriate to dress up as cats? Even if you can’t do it every year.
“No. I’m going alone.” Whatever Jeonghan’s motive behind the costume, Mingyu would find out sooner than he would have liked.
With Seokmin’s help, he quickly found a prince costume. It was even enough time for him to go out for something to eat with Seokmin (no cafe, so he forgot to text Wonwoo again).
And when he came back to the office on Wednesday...well, it wasn’t Seungcheol’s or Vernon’s fault. But it was chaos and Mingyu wished he hadn’t taken the time out of those two days to go to training. One client had a special audit coming up, another had received a visit from customs due to undeclared work (which Mingyu had not known about) and another urgently needed information for a loan refinancing. Very urgent. A lot of information. And then there was the daily business, the appointments made and the preparation for his vacation.
Mingyu was so happy when everything was finished (more or less) on Friday and he could call it a day. He had only left the office to sleep for the last three days. At least that’s how it seemed to him. He hadn’t even managed to go over to the cat cafe.
And then it was Friday night again, and Mingyu just wanted to go to bed. He was so done. He longed for his vacation. As he lay in bed, he managed to look at his phone and answer the few messages that came in this week and check tomorrow’s appointment. At least he could sleep in tomorrow. Which he would need since the Halloween party didn’t start until 8 p.m. and was scheduled until midnight. He urgently needed a vacation.
Mingyu couldn’t sleep in. Which made him realize he was under too much stress. But instead of tossing and turning in bed for a few more hours, he went to the gym in the morning. If he was already awake, he could catch up on what he hadn’t had time for this week.
Minghao came to see him in the afternoon. Without Jun!
“I don’t have to be stuck with him all the time, Mingyu! I thought we were both getting ready together. Well, what does it look like? Do you have a costume?”
Aha? Was there someone finally out of the honeymoon phase? Minghao has been constantly glued to Jun for the past few months.
“Of course, I have a costume. It’s a Halloween party. And what about you? You two have a partner costume, right?”
“No, we don’t have a partner costume. Jun goes as a pirate. I’ve thought about it, but you don’t necessarily have to have a partner costume. What is yours? I almost thought that I would have to force you. That’s why I brought a vampire costume with me. But you seem to have really made friends with the dates.”
“They’re not dates,” Mingyu said automatically. Even if he now saw the appointments as dates himself. They were meant to be that way. They were date ideas. He would just continue to lie to himself if he thought about them as “appointments”. “I’m going as a prince.”
Minghao raised his eyebrows in surprise. “Prince?”
What was so weird about this costume idea?
“I have a bet with Jeonghan. I had no choice.”
“Not really suitable for Halloween, Mingyu.” Ah. Maybe he was now too sensitive to any kind of criticism. Especially from his best friend.
Mingyu went to his bedroom and got the prince costume. It seemed pretty…clean. He would have chosen something else, but he wouldn’t lose the bet (maybe Wonwoo’s ambition rubbed off on him here - or it was the cat ears). But had Jeonghan mentioned what kind of prince costume it had to be?
He looked at Minghao, who was looking critically at the costume. “Which character do you represent?”
“Jack Skellington. This is a real Halloween costume.”
Mingyu sighed. “Alright, let’s go to my hobby room. I just have to wear a prince costume. That is the condition.” He went ahead and thought about what could be done with this idea. “What do you think of a prince who couldn’t save his princess?”
That’s why Minghao was his best friend. Not just because he (sometimes) had good advice and ideas, no, also because they were both creative and could pursue their hobbies together. It was fun to “destroy” the costume so that it looked like he was fighting dragons, thorny hedges, or evil stepmothers. And lost. It made the costume so much more enjoyable and no one could make fun of him. Minghao helped him with his makeup (But Mingyu didn’t want to overdo it here. After all, it would be the first time he saw Wonwoo again after their goodbye kiss) and Mingyu helped him with his. And even though they brought up the topic of Wonwoo and the appointments/dates a few times (more from Minghao’s side), Mingyu didn’t mention anything about the latest development. He could always do that later.
Time passed and when the time came, Jun picked them up from Mingyu’s home. Mingyu was persuaded to drive with Jun and Minghao. He had to give up alcohol the last few times and even though it was too much for him last week; he didn’t have to go overboard. Mingyu would meet Seokmin beforehand (according to the text, he was already on his way). He thought about whether he should write to Wonwoo. But Mingyu decided against it. He couldn’t think of anything. The other one was definitely already preparing the event and Mingyu would just disturb him. On the way out, Mingyu took another look in the mirror. Despite his ragged appearance, he still looked good. And he was excited to see what the evening would bring.
Mingyu allowed Jun to park in his underground parking space in his office and gave him the spare key so that he could get out of the garage again. Even though Jun offered to take him home, something in Mingyu told him that he might not necessarily go home. The next moment, he was annoyed with himself. What was that? He wanted to take it slow? But he had already given Jun the key.
We’re almost there
He texted Seokmin as they walked out of the parking garage and then put his phone in the pocket of the prince costume. You could see from afar that the cat cafe’s shop windows were covered. Mingyu expected it after the picnic. The music was booming dully outside and a few people went inside.
“Aren’t we going in?” Minghao asked as Mingyu stopped and looked around.
“I’m still waiting for someone?”
“Surely Wonwoo will be in there?”
“Hello Mingyu!” Seokmin shouted at that moment. Mingyu turned around and raised his hand in greeting when he recognized Seokmin. This one came in a princess costume? If he remembered correctly (Mingyu wasn’t really that into princesses and all that stuff) this one was Sleeping Beauty. Seokmin hugged him exuberantly. “You are looking good. Just what did you do with the poor costume?” Seokmin asked while looking at Mingyu.
Mingyu shrugged. He wasn’t going to explain or tell anything now. He just wanted to have fun. Besides, the appointment had started 5 minutes ago. And he didn’t want to show up later.
“Sorry, it took me a while. Have you waited long?” Seokmin asked and then greeted Minghao and Jun, a little more reservedly. And when Mingyu turned to them, he was getting a bad feeling about the way Minghao looked at him. What was that supposed to mean now?
“Let’s go inside,” Mingyu said while giving Minghao a questioning look.
“Oh, do you think the cats run around freely too?” Seokmin asked, trying to see something in the shop window.
“No, probably not. That will be too loud for them. And if they serve food, they’re probably not allowed to let them in again,” Jun replied, sounding regretful.
But Mingyu couldn’t fully listen to the two because Minghao stood next to him. “What are you doing? You can’t just bring someone along on your date,” he hissed at Mingyu.
Huh? “I’m bringing you to the meeting too? Wonwoo won’t mind. He’s going to work, anyway. And now come on. We’re already late, anyway.”
Mingyu didn’t want to think about Minghao’s strange behavior anymore, so he quickened his pace and entered the cafe right after Jun and Seokmin. As expected, the four of them had done a good job. The cafe had already been well decorated at the picnic, but here? There was a spooky atmosphere. Cobwebs were hanging on the walls and from the ceiling. The tables and chairs were no longer in the room. Instead, there were individual bar tables covered with black tablecloths. Here, too, there were real-looking cobwebs hanging over it. He realized there were decorations on the tables, but since the lights were dim, he couldn’t really see what was on them. What you couldn’t see from outside through the curtained shop windows was the highlight for Mingyu. They probably used a projector to project cat ghosts onto the curtained cloth and into the room. Sometimes the cat spirits would get lost in the crowd, but when they fell on the cloth, they would jump and play. Did they use the cats from the cafe as a template for this? It was crazy. Mingyu let his gaze wander further. The walls were covered with sheets (probably so they could redecorate better and clean everything up the following day) and dead trees, bats, owls and spiders were attached to the sheets. A few people gathered at the back where the counter was – was there a bar there?
Music was playing. It wasn’t too loud (probably because of the cats) and would be easy to have a conversation with, but it wasn’t too quiet either and would be easy to dance to.
“Wow,” Minghao said. Mingyu tore himself away from the decorations and looked at his companions. They seemed to feel the same way as him. Especially if you knew the cat cafe as it normally looked. It was crazy how much they had changed and how they had decorated it. Did Jeonghan plan and organize all of this? He was responsible for the events. He had a knack for it, after all. But Mingyu wouldn’t tell him that. Not that the other was imagining anything about it.
“Have you paid for your tickets yet?” came Jeonghan’s voice. Mingyu turned to him. And only then did Jeonghan seem to recognize him.
“Wow. Mingyu. That’s even better than what I had in my head. Have you spoken to each other?”
Mingyu would be amused - if only Jeonghan’s costume didn’t distract him. Jeonghan’s costume was...he had on a dress. A…princess dress. A pink one. Mingyu had no idea which princess the other wanted to portray. But that wasn’t his biggest problem. Jeonghan was wearing a princess dress. He...that...what? Did the bet...? What?
“Don’t worry, I’m not the only princess here,” Jeonghan laughed and reassured Mingyu a little. The other person wouldn’t go that far...right? He cleared his throat and couldn’t help but feel annoyed that he had fallen for Jeonghan’s trick. Regardless of whether that was intentional or not. Mingyu felt several eyes on him. The others were waiting for them to finally finish their conversation.
“What do you get for the tickets?”
“Would you like to help us today? Then you wouldn’t have to pay anything.” Jeonghan wiggled his eyebrows expectantly.
Help? Oh no. Definitely not. “No thanks. This won’t happen again. And you can see that I won the bet.”
“Oh yeah, I can see that.” Jeonghan grinned widely before running his gaze up and down Mingyu. He nodded approvingly.
I’m not the only princess here.
Had...he had suspected it. There was a reason. Wonwoo was wearing a princess costume. For whatever reason. But that was the reason why Mingyu should put on a prince costume. Did he know about Mingyu’s bet by now? Did he know how Mingyu would show up here?
Jeonghan continued to eye him as he told him the price and paid. Mingyu didn’t know if he was reading Jeonghan’s reaction correctly. Had he chosen the right prince costume? He didn’t know anything about it.
“Can you please stop whatever you’re doing? We would like to enjoy the evening.” Luckily, Minghao didn’t sound annoyed. More amused? Mingyu glanced at him. It was hard to see his facial expressions through his makeup and the dim lighting, but apparently, he had forgiven Mingyu for whatever had happened before. Good.
“Forgive me. I didn’t mean to stop you. Mix with people and have a lot of fun. If you need anything, please feel free to contact us. Mingyu, maybe you would like to go down to the basement and say hello to someone first,” Jeonghan said without an undertone, but Mingyu knew who was waiting downstairs based on his look. Wonwoo.
“You guys go to the bar. I’ll come right after you,” Mingyu said and looked at Minghao and then Seokmin. “Please excuse me for a moment.”
There weren’t that many people further back and Mingyu was able to walk unhindered through the door that led to the toilets and the basement. He felt bad as he ignored the “Staff Only” sign and went down the stairs. He could guess where Wonwoo was and knocked on the door where the cat food was stored.
“Yes?” came Wonwoo’s deep voice.
For some reason, Mingyu was now feeling a little uneasy. But he didn’t give himself time to let the feeling sink in. Instead, he stepped inside.
Wonwoo stood at the table and weighed out cat food. He was wearing a princess dress, but the first thing that caught Mingyu’s eye was his hair. Black. It was black.
“Oh hey, Mingyu.” Wonwoo looked up and his expression softened.
“Your hair.” Mingyu wasn’t obsessed with hair. Not even hair colors. But Wonwoo…with black hair. The other one seemed much softer with black hair...much softer. Mingyu stepped closer as Wonwoo focused on the cat food again.
Wonwoo laughed softly. “Snow White has black hair. I thought it would be a good opportunity to get away from the blonde.”
Snow White? Mingyu took a moment to recover from the sight. Oh yes, right. The costume. Mingyu lowered his gaze. Wonwoo was wearing a dress that was blue on the top and yellow on the bottom. Was that Snow White? But why was his dress so torn and dirty? It almost looked like-
“I’m Snow White, whose prince didn’t come to save her.” Wonwoo explained, looking up again as he put the next bowl away. “And you are a prince.” His voice sounded different.
“I am a prince who couldn’t save his princess,” Mingyu explained calmly. That’s what Jeonghan meant. Without having spoken to each other…they were a perfect match. Mingyu didn’t believe in fate or any kind of predestination, but this was a sign for them.
“It was Jeonghan’s bet. I mean the prince costume.”
The situation between them was strange. Mingyu expected something different. But he couldn’t shake himself out of the strange calm that had taken hold of him. Somehow, the conversation didn’t seem real.
“Jeonghan’s bet? Why would he- oh.” Wonwoo interrupted himself and as he turned to the next bowl of food, Mingyu could see that his ears were turning red.
That. That was more normal. He had expected that. Was Wonwoo thinking about their kiss?
“You have to work, right?” Mingyu asked to ease the situation.
“Yes. I’m sorry. We have organized some help, but the cats are all upstairs and I have to check on them more often. Jeonghan didn’t think much about it when he planned that da- the appointment.”
The date. Had Wonwoo always been so gentle and sweet, or was it because of the black hair? Mingyu grinned.
“At least it’s not difficult for you today, is it?”
Wonwoo looked up again. His ears were back to normal color, and he laughed quietly. “Exactly. If it gets too much for me, I can just disappear to the cats. Great excuse, huh?” Then his expression became serious. “Let’s dance together later, shall we? That he has nothing to complain about.”
Mingyu’s grin widened. Oh, he saw right through Wonwoo. That Jeonghan had nothing to complain about, huh? As if those were his motives for doing so. And not the fact that they were standing here in matching partner costumes and had kissed a week ago. And Wonwoo liked Mingyu.
“Then I’ll let my princess get on with her work so she can go to the ball later.” Mingyu felt inspired by the turn their conversation had taken. He stepped closer to Wonwoo and grabbed a strand of Wonwoo’s hair with one hand. He let these slide through his fingers before lightly stroking Wonwoo’s hair. Just like on the roof. The first time he had called him kitten. “Don’t keep your prince waiting too long, kitten,” Mingyu whispered. He then moved away from Wonwoo and turned around.
He didn’t want to stop the other from doing his work. Wonwoo was too dutiful for that.
Mingyu went back to the others. He found them at the bar, where he ordered a bright green witch cocktail from a blonde-haired Jihoon in a blue dress. Mingyu didn’t want to guess what kind of princess this one was. He also left his blonde hair uncommented. Unlike Wonwoo, Jihoon seemed much softer with blonde hair. Was it a rule here that someone always had to be blonde? But he really didn’t want to think about any of the pointless rules of the cat cafe. He was here today to have fun.
And oh, he had that. Mingyu tried the cocktails, danced with Minghao, Jun, and Seokmin (and a few strangers too) and enjoyed the party to the fullest. Towards later, the waiters (all in princess costumes, which led to a funny situation in which Seokmin was asked about something and he was completely overwhelmed until Mingyu saved him and answered the question about the toilets) brought appetizers. Those were creepy, too. They really had everything planned out well.
Only one didn’t show up.
Wonwoo.
It was late. Some people had already left, new people had arrived, and this one hadn’t shown up. Was it too much for him? Was something with the cats?
Mingyu apologized to Minghao, whom he was dancing with, and pushed through the crowd to find Jeonghan, Jihoon, or Wonwoo himself. He found Jeonghan.
“Have you seen Wonwoo?” Mingyu shouted louder to beat the music. As the evening progressed, the volume had gotten louder.
“Wonwoo?” Jeonghan repeated questioningly. “He’s probably upstairs with the cats. You know the way, just go up, Mingyu.”
Mingyu nodded and went to the cats’ rest room. As soon as he closed the door, it became quieter. The music wasn’t completely blocked out, but it was quieter.
Mingyu continued on his way and went up the stairs. He was careful with the doors in case a cat sat behind them so that it couldn’t get through. The atmosphere in the cat cafe would definitely scare them away. He went up to the quarantine rooms, not knowing exactly where Wonwoo was. Mingyu looked in every room, but he didn’t find Wonwoo there. And not all cats either (he thought). Was this one in his apartment? Mingyu continued upstairs. Luckily, the door wasn’t locked. Still, Mingyu knocked before entering. Before he could call out, he heard a noise. It sounded like it was coming from Wonwoo’s bedroom. Mingyu walked towards it. The door was half open. So he had a good view of what was going on there.
Mingyu froze. On the opposite side, Wonwoo was pushed against the wall by another man. It looked like they were kissing. Wonwoo’s dress was open and hanging halfway over his shoulder.
No.
Jeonghan loves drama
Wonwoo had warned him. This was definitely some kind of trick from Jeonghan. He wanted to lure Mingyu out of his reserve. The whole thing would soon be revealed as a joke.
But when it seemed like both of them were going to pull away from each other and the man turned to Wonwoo’s exposed shoulder and a deep groan came from Wonwoo, a hand came over his mouth.
Mingyu didn’t want to peep. He just couldn’t tell his body to move as he looked at the two people making out wild with each other.
“Shit. Be quiet and come with me,” Jeonghan’s voice hissed in his ear. Then the hand left Mingyu’s mouth.
Good, Mingyu wanted to get out of here.
“Ah~ Seungkwan,” Wonwoo’s lust-drenched voice sounded as Mingyu turned around and followed Jeonghan out of the apartment. Mingyu’s mind was blank. He felt numb as he followed Jeonghan to the quarantine rooms, where the cats’ meowing was pleasantly quiet.
“I didn’t know Seungkwan was with him. If I had known that I wouldn’t have sent you up. Shit.”
Mingyu looked at Jeonghan and said nothing. He thought about the scene he had just witnessed in Wonwoo’s apartment, in his bedroom. Jeonghan hadn’t lured him into a trap. It was real. Wonwoo was making out with someone at that very moment. “Who is Seungkwan?” He had heard the name before. He just couldn’t place it.
Jeonghan sighed. “I shouldn’t tell you this. Shit, I was really hoping that it would work out for you two. That he finally forgets him. Seungkwan is Wonwoo’s…they have a complicated on/off relationship.”
Relationship. Wonwoo was in a relationship. God, Mingyu felt bad. He had gotten too caught up in these thoughts in the last few weeks. In the thoughts that he and Wonwoo could become something. How could he have been so wrong? Shit, he had kissed Wonwoo. While he was in a relationship. Mingyu didn’t do anything like that. The interest he had sensed in Wonwoo…how could he have been so wrong?
“Mingyu, are you okay?”
“Why shouldn’t I be okay?” he asked, deliberately making his voice sound cold. He couldn’t show how it affected him. It was bad to lose a relationship or a love. But a maybe? A maybe was even more painful. You had nothing to remember. You didn’t know if it would really have been as you had imagined. It would torment you for months. What if they had tried it with each other? “He can do whatever he wants. You messed up today’s appointment and put one in that he has to work on. Whether he makes out with someone there or not is his decision.” He had to quickly forget about the other. Forget the maybe. The what if with Wonwoo. With Wonwoo, who was in a relationship.
He saw Jeonghan open his mouth, but he didn’t want to hear anything. “I have to go to my friends. Please excuse me.”
The last thing Mingyu needed was for anyone to know what he was thinking. What he had felt. Shit and on the last dates...no. Appointments. He had revealed too much in recent appointments. He had kissed Wonwoo. Shit. Had he interpreted the grabbing differently than it was? Did Wonwoo not wanted that at all? Did Mingyu force him to do this? Shit. Shit. Shit.
The music grew louder as he reentered the cat cafe and closed the door to the cats’ rest room. Mingyu headed for the bar, where he sat down on a bar stool. Luckily, it wasn’t Jihoon who took his order, but one of the strange waiters. Because Mingyu didn’t want anyone around him. He felt humiliated. He knew Wonwoo couldn’t help it. In the beginning he only teased Mingyu. Later, everything came from Mingyu. The goodbye kisses. The flirts. The nickname. Shit.
Wonwoo only cared about the bet. He had made that clear from the start. And Mingyu had still made a huge mistake.
“Mingyu. Don’t you think that’s enough?”
Mingyu looked up from his glass, which had one eye looking back at him, and saw that Jihoon was back at the bar. Great.
Mingyu raised the glass and emptied it in one go. He was drunk. Maybe he should stop. But he had enough of maybes. “No. I wanted to have a good time.”
“Listen, Jeonghan told me what happened. Wonwoo isn’t dating Seungkwan. He-“
He didn’t want to hear about it. “Do we have to talk about it? I’m here to have fun,” he repeated. “I don’t care what Wonwoo does or doesn’t do. It’s his bet. I’m only here because I promised him I’d be there too.”
He turned away pointedly, but had to hold on to the counter because the world was spinning too fast. When it stopped again, Mingyu could just see the rest room door opening and Wonwoo and probably Seungkwan coming through. He should just leave. But he couldn’t look away. Especially not when Seungkwan pulled Wonwoo close and kissed him.
Mingyu swallowed hard. He didn’t want to, but a bitter feeling of jealousy welled up within him. That was his maybe. How dare the other person just intrude? Mingyu turned away and reached for his glass. He wanted to empty it, but only realized when he put it to his lips that it was already empty. When did he finish drinking it? Mingyu put the glass back and stood up. He turned around and scanned the room.
If he had been sober, Mingyu would have done the only right thing. He would have gone home. But he had had far too many cocktails and was far too drunk. So he walked towards his princess on the dance floor with an unsteady step. He grabbed him by the waist, pulled him closer, and kissed his princess.
Friday was hard. Not only did he feel the after-effects of the work swap (he actually had a little sore muscles in his legs. But Mingyu was fit, so he didn’t think he would), the work he had left behind caught up with him a little. And then there was the afternoon appointment with one of his oldest clients. He was a good acquaintance of Mingyu’s and when they finally talked everything through, it was already evening. His client suggested going out to dinner together (Mingyu had given him a big tax savings) and it didn’t stop there.
He had exaggerated. Mingyu realized this when he woke up on Saturday and felt absolutely miserable. Mingyu sat up and ran his hands through his hair. He only vaguely remembered yesterday. But he didn’t want to think about it too much at the moment. His head hurt. Mingyu scooted to the edge of the bed just as the doorbell rang. Oof. The sound went straight into his head. Who was bothering him so early?
Yawning, he got up and made his way to the door. The doorbell rang again just before he reached his apartment door. Mingyu sighed. Whoever it was, he definitely wouldn’t leave him alone. With a final sigh, he opened the door. Mingyu squeezed his eyes shut as it suddenly became bright.
“There you are! Do you know how worried I was!”
Who snapped at him so early in the morn- Wonwoo?
Mingyu slowly opened his eyes. Right. Wonwoo stood in front of his door. Packed with two large bags. “What are you doing here?” Mingyu asked and had to clear his throat because his voice didn’t want to sound the way he wanted to.
“You didn’t come to our appointment? I thought something had happened to you. Minghao said I should try your house before I call the hospital.”
Mingyu’s receptiveness was not yet so good that he understood everything straight away. Only gradually did the words seep through to him. And then it occurred to him. Shit. It was Saturday. He hadn’t looked to see what time their date was listed for today. Had he overslept? “Sorry,” he managed. “I was gone too long yesterday.”
“I can see that.” When he saw Wonwoo’s eyes drop and look at him, Mingyu looked down at himself. He cleared his throat again when he realized he had opened the door in only his boxers. He took a step to the side so that at least he wasn’t standing in the open door. “Come in. What did we have planned?” A yawn underlined his tiredness.
Wonwoo walked into his apartment and put the bags down. “Breakfast. Well, more of a brunch now. What do you think if you take a headache pill, take a shower, and I’ll get started?”
“Okay.” He nodded. That sounded good. Although he would rather go back to bed and continue sleeping, he knew what was at stake for Wonwoo. He had experienced it himself. He definitely didn’t want to repeat the cat ears thing. “You know where the kitchen is.” Mingyu went to his bedroom and did exactly as Wonwoo suggested.
He looked for a painkiller, took it and then picked out some fresh clothes. Then he went to the bathroom. The water helped him feel a little better and even though Wonwoo was in his kitchen preparing food (and Mingyu wasn’t really hungry), he enjoyed it a little too much. As he stepped out of the shower, the smell of food wafted to him. Shit, how long had he been showering? In any case, the painkillers had some effect, but he still felt bad. He put on a pair of loose black pants and his comfortable pink sweater and dried his hair a bit with the towel before going into the kitchen.
“Good morning,” smiled Wonwoo, who was still cooking. “There is something on the table that will help you. Drink it.”
Whatever it was, Mingyu trusted Wonwoo enough that he took the glass and downed the contents in one go. “Do I need to help you?” he asked, deliberately making his voice sound whiny. He was rewarded with Wonwoo’s laughter. “Sit down. I’ll be almost done, anyway.”
“You’re the best,” Mingyu uttered before sitting down at the table in the kitchen, folding his hands on the tabletop and resting his head on them. “I was out with a client yesterday. First, we just wanted to go out to eat. Then just toast once. And then it kind of went on all night,” he explained his behavior.
“Are you so happy about not working at the cat cafe anymore?” Wonwoo teased him. But Mingyu didn’t feel fit enough to counter. “I’ve simply gotten too old.” In the past, he would have been able to put up with it without a problem.
He heard Wonwoo laugh again. Pah, the other had a good time talking. Wait! How old was Wonwoo? They never brought it up. “How old-“
“I’m a year older than you,” Wonwoo replied cheerfully, as if he knew what Mingyu wanted to ask. Wonwoo was older? Based on his behavior at the beginning, he thought he was much younger.
“Jeonghan told me he made a bet with you. I don’t know what the bet is, but watch out Mingyu. If you don’t win it honestly, he’ll find out. What’s your bet?”
Huh? They hadn’t told Wonwoo about the bet? Mingyu raised his head slightly. Then he wouldn’t say anything. “If I lose, my picture with cat ears will be printed in the card,” he said shortly. Right. The bet. His day at work at the cat cafe. The situations between him and Wonwoo.
Mingyu hadn’t had time to think about it yet. What they meant. And now he didn’t have the head for it either. Especially not when Wonwoo started setting the table. Mingyu gave another suffering look, whereupon Wonwoo looked at him with a smile. “Stay seated.” Mingyu sat up happily. It was nice the way things were going between them. Should he really do something about it?
“Can I help you with your bet?” Wonwoo started the topic again when he had set the table alone (Mingyu didn’t have a guilty conscience in the slightest. If it weren’t for Wonwoo’s bet, he could have slept in) and they ate together.
“No, that won’t be a problem. I think he just meant it as a joke. I don’t know how to lose it.” Unless Jeonghan had bought up all the prince costumes in the area. But he wouldn’t do that…would he?
No. Mingyu felt more like it had to do with Wonwoo. That whatever was between them, Jeonghan had noticed. Mingyu looked at Wonwoo. Was Jeonghan planning something for next week? Did Wonwoo know about this? But this one didn’t look like he had any idea. If anything, he looked a little…displeased that Mingyu wouldn’t tell him what the bet was. Did it bother him not to know? Was...was Wonwoo interested in him? This question kept running through his mind.
“Did they show you the plans with the card?” he asked, trying to get the thought out of his mind again. Wonwoo looked up and nodded.
“Do you want to see the designs later? I sat on it for a bit on Thursday.”
Yes, his muse was completely back. Although he had been exhausted from working at the cat cafe, after he sat in his hobby room after a fresh shower, the thought had stuck with him.
“Tz tz tz Mingyu. Then what was the point of me sending you home early if you still worked?” Like now. Was Wonwoo teasing him? Or was he genuinely worried about him? As a friend? As a…lover?
“I pursued my hobby. As I recall, you initially criticized it. Shouldn’t you be happy about that?” Mingyu deliberately fell into his arrogant tone.
Wonwoo smiled. Since he was finished eating, he stood up and Mingyu expected the matter to be over. But then he leaned over and ruffled his hair before patting him gently again. What?
“You really need someone to look after you, Mingyu.”
Wonwoo pulled away and Mingyu could see a slight blush on his ears.
“For what?” he replied without really thinking about it. “I have you and the cafe for food.”
Wonwoo turned away from him and put away the first things.
Mingyu didn’t want to let it go, so he got up, grabbed some dirty dishes and followed him. He acted like nothing was wrong while he put the things in his dishwasher. But when he took a look at Wonwoo’s face, he saw a blush there too. Wonwoo liked him.
What did Mingyu have to lose here if things didn’t work out between them? The atmosphere in his regular cafe would become strange. Maybe Jeonghan and Jihoon would treat him more derogatory. But he didn’t go to the cat cafe because of the good customer service. And if something developed between them and it worked (and Mingyu really believed that they could work things out well - they understood each other’s point of view), then he would gain so much.
When Mingyu went to his table again and cleared it, he knew what had to be done. He would wait. As long as he didn’t have any burning feelings for the other, it was best. And maybe he could get back at Wonwoo for the trouble from the beginning. Since he already knew how their date would end today, he cleared the table in a good mood.
Wonwoo completely ignored the topic. He didn’t make another comment. Had he fallen that hard? Mingyu tried to suppress a grin. He wondered when Wonwoo had developed feelings for him. It couldn’t have been from the beginning, right? Even if he had made innuendos back then, they were only made to annoy Mingyu.
And when they looked at Mingyu’s designs and Wonwoo gave his comments, he seemed professional. Just like always. There was nothing to see. But Mingyu knew he wasn’t imagining anything.
“I still have to send you the picture I took of you,” said Wonwoo when he reached the last page. Mingyu hadn’t prepared that much yet. He had mainly started the drawings of the cats and picked out a few fonts that would suit the cat cafe.
“I could come to your place next week in the evening and we continue working there?” Mingyu offered. It didn’t matter to him whether he did it at Wonwoo’s house or at home.
“Really? Mingyu, you don’t have to overwork yourself because of this. You don’t even get paid for it.”
“But I don’t have to see your chaotic card every day. Accept my offer, Wonwoo. And if I seem to you like I’m working too much, then you just have to take care of me.” He alluded to the situation before again.
And Wonwoo looked away again. “If you really want to, come over when you want. I should go now too. Helping the two of them close.”
Mingyu wasn’t feeling so bad that Wonwoo wanted to escape. He was still not completely fit and would go to bed again for another hour or two when the other one was gone. But he still had his plan, which is why he followed Wonwoo into the kitchen and carried his bags to the door.
Wonwoo walked through his apartment door and turned to accept the bags.
“Do you still want a goodbye kiss?” Mingyu asked without handing him the bags. Instead, he let them slide to the floor.
Wonwoo’s eyes, which had been following the bags, shot up. Mingyu could see the uncertainty in the other’s eyes. He could no longer assess Mingyu. Oh, that was really pleasant. Mingyu finally felt like he had the upper hand here.
Finally, Wonwoo nodded. “After all, this is our how many date?”
Before any cats got in the way again, this time Mingyu wasted no time and took a step forward so that he was standing in front of Wonwoo. At least he wanted it this time too. Mingyu cupped Wonwoo’s face and leaned in to kiss him without hesitation.
It wasn’t a sweet goodbye kiss. Oh no, it wasn’t. Mingyu kissed the other wildly and passionately, as if he wanted to give him a taste of what it would be like with him. As if Mingyu wanted to make up for all the past meetings. He felt Wonwoo’s hands curling into his sweater.
But he didn’t want to go too far.
Mingyu opened his eyes and pulled back slightly. He saw Wonwoo following him, as if he didn’t want the kiss to end.
But they shouldn’t rush anything.
Mingyu took a step back and licked his lips. “See you next week, kitten.”
They had to take it easy.
Mingyu grabbed the two bags and handed them to Wonwoo. He had been watching Mingyu the whole time and only slowly realized that Mingyu was holding the bags out to him. But as he took it, Mingyu took another step back into his apartment and closed the door.
And even though he repeatedly told himself not to rush into it, he longed to open the door and take Wonwoo to his bedroom. Especially when it took a while before he heard the other’s retreating footsteps.
He wanted to let it happen naturally. To not rush it. Take it easy. After all, they still had so much time to spend together this year.
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