You missed the group chat || Mingyu x reader
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You don’t mean to ignore him. Or them. It’s just that your work schedule has been brutal, your inbox keeps overflowing, and your days start and end in the same tired hoodie with takeout containers piling up like trophies of survival.
So when you silence the group chat for the third time this week, you think nothing of it. You’re not being rude. You’re just tired.
You tell yourself Mingyu understands.
But when he shows up at your apartment on a Thursday night — no text, no warning, just him and a plastic bag full of tteokbokki and something wrapped in foil — you know something’s off the moment he walks in.
He doesn’t kiss you like he usually does. Just kicks his shoes off and sets the food on the counter.
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧
“I thought we could eat together,” he says, voice neutral. “Unless you’re too busy.”
You flinch a little at the edge in his tone.
“No, it’s fine. I haven’t eaten yet.”
You follow him into the kitchen and lean against the counter while he opens the containers. He moves slower than usual, quieter too.
You wait a moment before saying, “You okay?”
He shrugs. “Are you?”
You blink. “I mean… yeah. Just tired.”
He looks up then, really looks. “You haven’t come to any of the group stuff lately. Not even the movie night we planned around your schedule.”
You exhale. “I know. I just — work’s been draining. I didn’t think anyone would notice.”
“We noticed.” He pauses. “I noticed.”
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧
You feel the guilt slowly curl in your stomach.
“I wasn’t trying to pull away,” you say.
He nods. “But you did.”
You push your sleeves up, a nervous habit. “It’s not that I don’t care.”
“I didn’t say you didn’t care,” he says, softer now. “But when you go quiet, it’s hard not to feel like I’m the only one trying.”
You walk over to where he’s standing and reach for his hand. “You’re not. I promise. I just... didn’t realize I’d made it feel that way.”
His fingers close around yours, thumb brushing lightly over your knuckles.
“I don’t need you to show up to everything. But when you start ghosting the parts of my life that matter to me, I can’t help but feel like I’m asking for too much.”
Your chest tightens.
“I’m sorry,” you say quietly. “I think I got so wrapped up in trying to keep my head above water that I forgot you were swimming next to me.”
He lets out a breath, somewhere between a sigh and a laugh.
“I don’t need a lifeguard,” he says. “Just someone who wants to be there.”
You wrap your arms around his waist, resting your forehead against his chest. “I want to be there.”
He presses a kiss to the top of your head.
“Good. Because we saved you a spot in the group chat.”
You laugh a little. “Are they mad at me?”
“Hyung line? No. They’re just confused. Dino thinks you’re ghosting us because of a TikTok conspiracy.”
You snort. “I’ll make it up to them. I’ll bring brownies.”
“You’ll have to bring brownies and a signed apology card.”
You smile, leaning back to look at him. “I can do that.”
He cups your face gently, brushing your hair back.
“You don’t have to show up perfectly. Just show up.”
“I’m here now,” you whisper.
And when he kisses you — soft, lingering, steady — you believe him when he says that’s enough.
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: :･ﾟ✧:･ﾟ✧
A few days later...
You show up to the dorm holding a Tupperware container of still-warm brownies and a sheet of printer paper folded into thirds with “I’m sorry I was MIA” scribbled in purple pen and decorated with bad doodles of carrots and cats.
Mingyu opens the door and grins like he’s been waiting for this exact moment.
“She’s alive!” Soonyoung yells from the couch.
“Confirmed not kidnapped!” Seokmin adds, mouth full of chips.
You roll your eyes, smiling.
“I brought gifts.”
“Apology accepted,” Jeonghan says, already peeling the foil back on the brownies.
You end up wedged between Mingyu and Seungkwan on the couch, a half-watched movie playing while the guys argue about the best instant ramen flavor. Chan keeps glancing at your “apology letter” like it’s the funniest thing he’s seen all week.
You’re not saying much. You’re just... there. But this time, it feels right. Comfortable. Like the door you had shut so tightly creaked open again, and they didn’t hesitate before welcoming you back in.
Mingyu leans in close, whispering, “Thanks for showing up.”
You nudge his knee with yours. “Thanks for waiting.”
