Set in JC World after Sleeping With Seonghwa, 864 words, teen rating
Content note: reader has a vulva, is asexual, and is Mingi’s wife, healthcare mention, insect mention, polyamory
~
You looked at Mingi’s red hair between your spread legs. He seemed nervous, possibly more than you were, and frankly admitted, “I’ve never done this before and I don’t know how to start.” Your husband had just been exploring your skin all over with a gentle touch. The feel of his warm hands everywhere on your body had been appealing as he examined you closely. Until this moment, you both felt relaxed but all that changed as Mingi squirmed under your gaze when he started to poke around.
You really wished you could have asked Yunho to do this instead. He was so much better suited for the task. It was easy to see why you always used to seek out his help when you were together. Yunho was very professional, and it had surprised you how comfortable you had felt with his head at your thighs when you had expected it to be completely awkward. Yunho would dive in without hesitation and made it seem like he enjoyed the process.
You would not say it was a pleasure, but you were after the sense of relief. Unfortunately, you could no longer turn to Yunho since the break up with your polyamorous boyfriend, but despite being former lovers you wondered if asking him or your queerplatonic partner Jongho would have been better choices than what you had now. How could you have forgotten Mingi had never seen a vulva up close like this before? You had once thought he had experience with your friend Annie but it turned out he had only wanted to go as far as kissing when they tried out a vacation romance.
The novelty of Mingi’s view showed in his curiosity and your husband was having a field day with the opportunity. “Did you know you have some grey hairs down here?”
“Thank you Mingi,” you deadpanned.
“And you are slimy like you are part slug. Do you remember the yellow ones with the funny name we saw in California? They were really cool.”
“Oh yeah, banana slugs in the redwood forest park…wait.” You facepalmed audibly. “Mingi! Get on with it!” You had been through gynecology check ups which were less embarrassing. Still, this was not as mortifying as another trip to the emergency room for an embedded tick removal would be. The staff had been completely unfazed despite the position you had been in, but whatever medication they gave to make you less anxious would have come in handy again right now.
“Want me to do anything else while I am down here?”
“No!”
With a sly grin Mingi needled, “The people in the movies make it look like a lot of fun.”
“Okay, that’s it. You have helped enough. You are just supposed to be looking for ticks after I fell asleep in the tall grass with Hongjoong on our picnic with Yeosang’s family. I don’t need the commentary,” you emphasized. “Your turn next since you sat on the bank for so long fishing. I have to check all your fuzzy parts. Bend over and spread your cheeks.”
“You sure this isn’t your way of asking to try something?” He looked back at you with a gleam in his eye. “We might enjoy it.”
“Mingi! Even if I wanted to do a little more sexual experimenting with you, this is truly not the most conducive atmosphere when I am still wondering if I have one of those little bloodsuckers attached to my scalp so please, let me look you over and then you can finish in my hair.”
Eyes wide, he started laughing at your phrasing and it took a while for you to catch on aided by some rather graphic gesturing on his part. “Didn't know that was an option for us.”
“Mingi!” Again you were left in awe of the man you married. Everything was a source of laughter when you were together and he knew the aggravated way you were always saying his name held no real frustration. Shared jokes made every situation easier and he had gotten you through many stressful things by deliberately pushing your humor buttons. Still, if it was possible to get permanently stuck facepalming, this conversation was going to be what did it to you.
Mingi reveled in the reactions crossing your face and fruitless, open-mouthed attempts to think of something to say in return. Tenderly, he did take pity on you and added, “I can't help being attracted to my wife, even if you are asexual.”
That was it. Now your mouth was sore from smiling. No more grassy parks for you or else in the future you were going to have to rely on someone else, or doing the best you could with the help of a mirror to make sure you had picked up no ticks along the way. For now though, you kissed his head sweetly then dressed after deciding to seek out Jongho to look over your hair. Certainly there would be less innuendo from your asexual, queerplatonic partner. Mingi was still willing to investigate your scalp but by this point your body hurt from too much laughter and you could take no more.
The ATEEZ dorm was quiet except for the increasingly active sounds of you and Mingi. You had not planned for this to happen but you had been struck by the idea and could not help yourselves. Perhaps it would have been better to have used your nearby apartment instead but the mood had seized you both and you were betting on being done before anyone else came home.
“No, we are not lined up, this won’t light me up.” Despite the thrill of the activity you began with a litany of complaints. “You have to reach the right hole. It has to get it all the way in or it doesn’t work.” Your instructions to Mingi made it sound as if you had some experience but this was your first time too. “It is too loose, it will fall out again if you don't shove in enough.”
“To the left a little. Okay, now hold still, I will never get inserted if you keep moving about.” Mingi’s frustrated directions were interrupted by a long, drawn out snore and you stared at each other in astonishment before separating.
Creeping over to the couch you peered over the back of it and saw Hongjoong fast asleep bundled in a blanket. “I did not even realize he was there until he made noise. You were right when you once said he could sleep through anything. It feels weird to be doing this with him present. What if he wakes up?”
Mingi was reassuring. “He won’t, I promise.”
So, far too trustingly, you got back to your fun with the added thrill of knowing Hongjoong could awake and catch the two of you at any moment. “I wish I could see what I was doing. I get too close and have to go by feel alone.” Suddenly you yelped in pain, “Mercy!”
“You felt that?”
“It was shocking! I am never doing that again.” Even your cry did not disturb Hongjoong still sleeping peacefully nearby. This was more difficult than you expected and you let out a tired sigh. “Perhaps this will get easier with practice, it is all so new to me. Even when we align properly you aren’t getting in.”
“It is my first time too. Movies and TV make it seem so easy.” Mingi looked resigned. “Did your parents teach you anything about it? They have done this before, right? Can you ask them for advice?”
“What do you want me to do, call them now?” You both laughed at the idea. Muddling through as best as you could on your own was a better plan.
Several more attempts left you both weary and neither of you noticed that the snoring had come to an end. “Okay, stop. This is really not working for either of us. Let's take everything off and start from the beginning again. This time let's do it on the floor, it will be much easier to connect with less poking and gooeyness.”
Mingi’s words left Hongjoong wide-eyed, certain you did not know of his presence. It came as a relief when he heard you say, “Maybe we should take a break.” However, he missed his chance to make himself known and began debating if he should say something or pretend to be asleep as the conversation quickly resumed. “My arms are really getting sore and sticky too. I did not think this was going to require strength.”
“That is because the fit is so tight. I thought it was all made to go together smoothly. Ideally we would be finished by the time the others have gotten back but maybe we need more hands. Shall we wait for Jongho? With his strength he could really push it in. Yunho would be good at this too, he has a longer reach so could slip it in easily.”
“You are right,” you agreed. “We have friends who would be happy to help out, we do not have to do it alone.” A smile crossed your face. “As close as I feel to those two, I would be comfortable with them in on our fun.”
At this point Hongjoong was shaking his head wondering if there was any tactful way to get out of the situation. It was one thing to know your friends were polyamorous but quite another to hear them openly discussing involving other members. Apparently you were one of the asexuals who were okay with having sex even if it was not from a sense of attraction. Perhaps pretending he was unaware of the conversation around him was the tactful way out. A massive yawn with eyes firmly shut to draw attention then wandering off to his bedroom without looking back could work.
“No, wait, let me try again. I think I am getting close. Just a little more.”
Hongjoong covered his ears as best as he could to block out your voice. He really should have done something sooner but now he regretted it was far too late.
“That’s it, that’s it,” you whooped with joy. Mingi held you close as you came down from the excitement. “I never thought it could be so beautiful,” you murmured in wonder.
Standing outside on the doorstep Seonghwa almost dropped the takeout tray of apple cider at what he had been overhearing through the door. He was mortified and admittedly a little turned on. You and Mingi were a committed couple after all so this was not a complete surprise but surely this activity was better suited for the privacy of your own apartment rather than the dorm’s living room. Knowing some people were into that sort of thing he wondered if you two were trying to be caught deliberately. He debated coming back later but this was his home too so he angled his elbow to reach the doorbell. This saved him from putting the drinks down to open the door himself but more importantly announced his presence.
Your moment of bliss was interrupted by the door buzzer. “Uh-oh, caught in the act,” you grinned. “What should we do? There is no time to hide.”
“It ruined the surprise but I am glad we can do it together in a way.” Mingi picked up the now glowing holiday lights strung along the floor and began to artfully drape them around the branches while you answered the door and helped Seonghwa in due to his full hands. The newcomer kept looking around as if expecting an altogether different scene than the one before him of two fully clothed people, a tree, and suddenly Hongjoong’s head now making an appearance over the back of the couch with an open-mouthed expression of understanding that mirrored Seonghwa’s.
When Mingi was done with his task you used a paper towel soaked in rubbing alcohol to get some of the tree’s tacky pitch off his arms and your own. Cleanup job complete you wrapped your arms around your boyfriend, on tiptoe kissed his cheek, then sighed lovingly against his chest. “It is our first time putting up a Christmas tree together as a couple. This means a lot to me, Mingi. Thank you for making some space for it in the ATEEZ dorm.”
“The guys will love it. We still have to add the decorations, lights alone are not enough.”
You shook one hand and began to blow on the fingers. “The way we struggled getting the strings connected I am going to celebrate even reaching this point.” Mingi looked at your fingertips that were still reddened from the accidental touch to the live connection between plug ends earlier. Bringing your hand to his lips he gave a gentle ‘get better’ kiss and you smiled at the caring touch.
Hot drinks in hand, Hongjoong and Seonghwa looked on grateful the situation had turned out to be nothing like it had sounded. Mingi took a steaming apple cider from Seonghwa and passed it to you then reached for another of his own while placing the other arm around your waist. Raising the drink in a salute to his friends he then took a long sip and smiled at the taste. “We wanted to surprise the rest of the team by putting a tree up while everyone was out. It was a lot harder than expected. We barely even managed the light strings.” Still, Mingi looked on his work with pride.
Soon afterward, Yeosang, Wooyoung, and San got home hefting a large wreath they had picked up while out. Jongho and Yunho came in a little later also feeling festive and starting the season off early with a big box of Christmas cookies to share from their favorite bakery. Seonghwa put on some carols and Jongho sang along while you and your eight friends joyfully decked the tree. Yunho found permanent markers and he and Hongjoong reformed some of the reflective plastic balls into new designs celebrating each member, yourself, Yeosang’s girlfriend Betty, and not to be forgotten, ATINY. Wooyoung lifted San to place a star on top but there was one item remaining, an early present you had hidden in Yeosang’s room with his permission.
Mingi teared up unwrapping his first gift of the season as it revealed a delicate glass ornament painted with the words “Our first Christmas together” and the year over a snowy landscape background. Turning it around he saw your names thanks to Jongho’s beautiful calligraphy joined by a plus sign and surrounded by a heart. He was so pleased by the ornament that when the time eventually came to take down the tree the gift was moved to a prominent place in his bedroom. Mingi liked to look at it from bed while you would talk late into the night over the phone knowing one day it would be on a tree in your own home together and in time that was exactly what happened.
This takes place in the JC Saga world sometime between chapter 12 and the epilogue, 2.4K words, NSFW
Mingi is dating both the reader and Yunho. A night on the road changes the relationships among the group in a hotel room with only one bed. This is a humorous piece and no actual cheating occurs and the implication that polyamory is cheating gets refuted.
Content note: polyamory, kink mention
~
Faint red lines begin to show on Yunho’s body as he moaned under your touch. “Long strokes, just like that. You are a natural at this.” His praise warmed your heart and you intensified your efforts. “Over a bit, down, harder. Don’t stop, right there, keep going. Oh, this feels heavenly!” Your nails scratched down, raking Yunho’s back as Mingi squirmed with envy.
“Oh come on, I said I was sorry already,” Mingi whined.
You stuck your tongue out at your boyfriend. “I’m just giving you a taste of your own medicine, cheater!”
“I can see why you like this, Mingi. The sensation is very different when someone is doing it for you. I could get used to this.” Yunho’s face lit up as your attention reached a new spot and he shakily exhaled.
“Okay, enough with the orgasm face,” Mingi wailed, “you are playing it up for me.”
Yunho smiled and agreed, “But you are such fun to tease, love.”
All three of you laughed as Mingi buried his face in his hands halfheartedly complaining, “I had no idea one of the problems of polyamory could be your partners ganging up on you!”
How the situation came to be was this:
It was an overnight trip to get to a distant ATEEZ fan meet and then vacation spot reward afterward and you were sharing a room with your boyfriend Mingi and his boyfriend Yunho. The second relationship was a more recent development after your years together but being polyamorous seemed to be working out well as long as you each had time with Mingi separately. Sure you would cuddle on the couch and watch dramas draped around your shared man but that was as far as it went. You were not around for anything beyond that, even giving them privacy whenever kissing turned serious.
Despite repeated reassurances from both you and Mingi, Yunho was never certain if you were always leaving to be tactful or this was from unease with their romantic relationship. So, this night had been unusual for the group togetherness in a more intimate setting. Already in sleepwear, you had been doing a bit of unwinding before bed. Singular. The hotel accommodation had been a surprise in that the expected room with two beds had not been available.
Mingi had been the first to march in and suddenly halted causing Yunho to bump into his back. Looking over his boyfriend’s shoulder and with years of fanfic reading experience Yunho joked, “Oh no! There is only one bed!” On the one hand this had been good because you no longer had to flip a coin to see which one of you would get to spend the night with Mingi and who would be in the other bed alone. You both would get a side of him in the king bed, similar to sharing him on the couch. However, this would be the first time for the three of you to share a bed for any length of time and you hoped it would work out okay. Little did you know this would later become the norm once Yunho became your boyfriend too but that pleasant surprise still lay in the future.
Normally a girlfriend would not be permitted to travel with an ATEEZ member but being the niece of the CEO of KQ Entertainment had some perks. Actually, you were with the advance party as an assistant to the CEO and the rest of the staff would becoming in by early bus to get the members ready for the event. If anybody from KQ gave it any thought it would be assumed you were sharing a room with your uncle but to outside observers who didn’t know your family relation it wouldn’t look good to have CEO Kim in a room with a much younger staff member.
Appearing to have two idols illicitly slipping a girl into their room was in the end less likely to be a scandal if reported to the press. Other than possibly giggling together, your uncle knew as an asexual you would not be keeping Mingi up at night and you wondered if the CEO had placed you in the shared room to make sure Yunho did not do that either.
The problem began when Yunho moved a pillow upright and sat against the headboard with his legs out in a V before bed. He patted the space enticingly and Mingi jumped right in, crossed his legs and invited you to sit in front of him. When you and Mingi were together for evenings you had developed a routine of trading off foot massages, back rubs, or brushing each other’s hair which made a nice way to unwind and talk about all the little things that make up a day. It seemed he had the same routine with Yunho as well and for the first time you experienced a moment of jealousy.
You knew their relationship was a sexual one and that did not bother you because it did not feel like encroaching on your territory. Being asexual you were happy he had a second partner to offer what you did not. But to know your boyfriend was getting his hair brushed by someone else other than the work stylists, that somehow gave you pause while at the same time joy that he liked the activity so much he had begun it with his boyfriend as well.
The time passed quickly as you were lost in thought about this new feeling and soon Mingi returned to the bathroom to put both hairbrushes away. Left alone on the bed with Yunho you promptly moved to the nearby desk chair as your relaxed mood dissipated. Ever since you had learned of his crush on you years ago you had tried to keep an amicable distance from your friend to make things easier on both of you. The awkward silence was interrupted by some unusual noise from Mingi so you padded over to investigate. His groans of pleasure and relief had been too loud to ignore. “Cheater,” you cried as you walked in on him.
Mingi hung his head in shame as Yunho rushed into the bathroom squeezing into the already tight space. “I thought you were completely supportive of our relationship, enthusiastic even.”
Putting a hand on his shoulder gently you assured, “You are fine Yunho, this is not about you.” Swinging around to point at the boyfriend you had in common, “This man however, what did I say about taking things into your own hands?”
Yunho blanched. “Whoa, that’s TMI. It is fine though, everybody has different tastes. As an ace I know you have talked about not having sex with your boyfriend. If you also don’t let Mingi touch himself that is an unexpected dynamic between you two. I didn’t know you played with kink in your relationship.” He scratched his head. “I can not imagine what punishment for disobeying you would look like in an asexual romance but I will leave you alone while you have that kind of discussion.” Thinking on it he added warily, “If you are going to spank him or something like that I’m going to flee to Jongho’s room so you need to warn me if that is about to happen.”
Both of you turned to look at Yunho incredulously, mouths hanging open. “Okay, what?” You were so lost by where his mind went. “What do you think we are talking about?” Shaking your head as if to clear your thoughts you added, “Never mind. Probably best I do not know, actually.”
“Oh!” Mingi’s eyes went wide as he began to laugh. “Nothing like that. Interesting your mind went there though. We should probably talk about that later.” Yunho looked thoughtful and nodded in agreement.
“Okay, moving on,” you practically shouted. Rescuing everybody from the conversation, particularly yourself, you helpfully explained, “I caught him with the cheat stick!”
Your answer meant nothing to Yunho. “Cheat stick? What is that? Like a wand vibrator?” Mingi grinned sheepishly. Completely bewildered Yunho finally noticed the back scratcher in Mingi’s grasp. “That is a cheat stick?”
“To explain this,” Mingi said gesturing to the item in his other hand, “I promised to let her help me whenever I had an itch. I can get it with the scratcher but sometimes it aggravates my back twisting my arm like that.” You nodded sympathetically. “I don’t know if she’s more protective of me as my girlfriend or as part of KQ Entertainment looking out for her investment.”
You shot him a glare at the completely unserious dig but quickly resumed your adoring gaze. “I love doing little things for Mingi including scratching his back. To help him remember to call on my help we have gotten into the habit of calling scratchers a ‘cheat stick’ because we laugh that he is cheating on me with that tool when taking care of him is something I want to be there to do.”
Finally understanding the situation Yunho winked, “I never took you for the jealous type.”
“Your nails work the best but I did not want to bother you and when I remembered the extendable back scratcher buried in the bottom of my travel shaving kit I thought I would put it to use.” Mingi compacted the telescoping metal device and hid the offending item back into his bag.
Yunho pondered a moment then turned to you with a playful offer. “You know I’m usually not one to think that you can make things right by cheating in return but perhaps you would consider scratching my back. I have an itch that I can’t reach.”
Your face broke out in a devious grin. “Now there is a thought Mingi, maybe I should do his back to let you know how it feels to be left out. If your back does not have to be loyal to my hands then my hands might as well be free to help others.” So that is how you arrived at the situation where Yunho was rolling his eyes back in pleasure at your touch leaving Mingi looking on in indignant mock jealousy. To be so freely laughing together like this felt like old times, you really had missed this closeness with your friend Yunho. Eventually everyone settled down, finished their evening routines, and hopped into bed with Mingi happily snuggled between his partners.
You slept well until the dawning light slowly brought you awake. It came to your awareness that Yunho’s palm was resting on your forearm while your hand was splayed over Mingi’s warm chest. Though still faint, the sunlight coming around the curtains let you admire Yunho and you understood a lot of what Mingi physically saw in his boyfriend. As he breathed gently you noted the little triangle constellation of three moles below the outer edge of his right eye that you had never focused on before. From the way Yunho’s head rested on his lover’s shoulder you could also see the delicate peak along his nose. It was something he usually did not show, often avoiding photo angles in full profile for idol work, but you did not think it diminished his attractiveness at all.
You felt different about romance these days ever since falling for Mingi and getting to have him as your first boyfriend. Maybe you were ready to see Yunho in a new way too. Thinking back to the previous night you wondered if your jealousy was from Yunho getting to brush Mingi’s hair which was normally your pleasant task. Alternately, the possibility existed that it was envy from your boyfriend being pampered when you desired that intimate attention from Yunho as well. It surprised you now how tempting it was to run your hand through his hair or caress his cheek as he slept so near by. This was a bit like the way you felt when you came to realize your love for Mingi and you were not really sure what to think about that. For now you would say nothing to prevent raising false hopes, but still the possibility of dating Yunho after all was on your mind.
Settling back to sleep soon after, you were coasting when you heard Yunho stir and felt him pull his hand off your arm with a start. You could not tell if it was done to respect your boundaries or protect his heart. Although you had a boyfriend in common there was no agreement of what that made you to each other which had led to some tension. With a sleepy gaze, you reached out to him and took his hand in yours bringing it under your cheek to include him in your snuggle across Mingi. In his own dreamy state he had wondered if you were aiming to kiss his hand but this outcome was just as unexpected and welcome. Good intentions not to lead Yunho on aside, your barely awake brain seemed to have made your developing feelings noticeable and he fell back asleep with a smile and a little more hope about the future.
An ATEEZ fanfic by AbsentCaryatid with Mingi, Yunho, and the reader in a polyfidelitous triad
5.6K words set in the JC world after A Good Life Filled With Love and overlapping with Happy Birthday Betty.
In a poorly timed admission, Yunho breaks news that his romantic partners the reader and her husband Mingi find difficult to deal with.
Content note: so much angst, agender (she/her, comfortably called ‘girl’) and asexual reader, polyamory, homophobia mention, cursing, desire to parent, mention of military conscription
~
You looked over the crowd at Yeosang’s party and saw him on the periphery horsing around with Wooyoung in his arms. Nearby, your husband Mingi was happily playing croquet with a bunch of kids along with Hongjoong and Seonghwa. Terrible at it, Mingi still seemed to be having plenty of fun despite scoring far behind the young people. You suspected the other two adults were faking problems getting balls through the wickets letting the children score their wins.
Yunho’s face was solemn despite the festivities of Yeosang’s marriage to his true love Betty. You sat with your boyfriend at one of the picnic tables as he poked at his cake. “With Seonghwa beginning military service soon after we get back home and Hongjoong to follow months later, it feels like ATEEZ will never be the same again.” Nodding in the direction of the happy couple he added, “I guess the first change was when Yeosang moved out to be with Betty in their Seoul apartment whenever she was in Korea but he still came back to the dorms if she had work to do in the United States. It was more final when Mingi left after you bought your house together.”
Smiling at the recollection, you agreed, “It has been a lot of changes since KQ brought you together all those years ago. I suppose there are some things to look forward to now though. Without touring, the less booked schedules will leave time for other projects. I know Jongho is excited about his next drama. It would not surprise me to hear you have another one lined up yourself.”
Yunho seemed unusually distant as he struggled to keep up conversation. Typically, he loved to discuss what was next for his career and the silence was telling. Something was going on, but you knew he would not talk about it until he was ready. Still, you felt wary about what this could mean. Along with the rest of ATEEZ, Yunho had recently renewed his contract with KQ Entertainment so it was probably not related to work. Not wanting your mind to spiral into baseless concerns for his health, you decided to mingle with Betty’s relatives while you had the opportunity to see them again.
The time spent talking was pleasant enough but you were feeling tired from the long day. So, you let your spouse know you were leaving the party and asked if he wanted to to come back to the hotel with you. Mingi was now playing badminton with the children present and having a great time so he decided he would head back with one of the other ATEEZ members later. Seeing your weariness, he wished he had taken the time to earn a driving license to assist you now. Offering another form of support, Mingi called out to your mutual boyfriend Yunho suggesting he safely take you back down the unfamiliar winding road in your rental car.
With immediate concern for you, Yunho placed his hand on Jongho’s shoulder apologizing for an abrupt exit from their conversation with Betty’s grandparents. Together you said brief goodbyes to the groom then told your other friends you would see them at the hotel later. Yunho then walked you to the parking lot with quick hugs to your friend Betty, now Yeosang’s wife, on the way.
The car left Tilden Park and began the descent down the Berkeley, California hills under Yunho’s careful hands. He was good at driving and usually would have enjoyed the challenge of the switchbacks, but that was clearly not the case today. You wondered if you would come to regret opening this can of worms here and now but the infinite doubts were worse than a concrete problem could be. “You aren’t dying, are you?”
The blunt question startled your boyfriend and he asked incredulously, “What?” Yunho shook his head. “Where did you get that idea?”
“Something felt off at the wedding. You did not seem yourself. I know you just ended a world tour and that can leave you in need of rest but this feels very different. I need to know what is going on with you so I can help if I can.”
“Shit.” Hearing that from him meant something was definitely up and you grew more anxious. “I wanted to wait until we were back home in Korea to give you my news.” Soon Yunho was pulling the rental car off the hillside road to have your discussion safely. The turnout he parked in had a beautiful view of the setting sun but your mind was completely on Yunho and bracing for whatever he was about to say.
Knowing he was about to break your heart and then Mingi’s in turn, he simply turned to you and said, “I am working on having children.”
Gutted, despite always knowing this would happen one day when Yunho found a person to have kids with, it still hurt like nothing else and your response was uncharacteristically hard. “How could you have a new partner when we agreed to keep everyone informed before becoming sexually active with someone else?”
Yunho agitatedly put his head in his hands. “No, no, no, it is not like that at all. I am doing this so badly. Forgive me for letting your mind go there by not explaining things better.” Yunho took a deep breath allowing him to continue the difficult talk. “I have stopped looking for a partner to share a child with. If it happens it happens, but there is no one on the horizon partly because nobody measures up to Mingi or you.” This at least brought a small smile to your face and Yunho was now reassured he could make it through the conversation, however painful it would be all around.
“Lately I have been looking into becoming an adoptive parent instead. This would have to happen after my military service of course, so I have planned to move that up. Once dismissed, I would not return to the dorms but into a place of my own with extra bedrooms. Luckily the agency I talked to is willing to let single people apply and they really seemed attracted to the good publicity my high profile could bring getting more people interested in the important role of adopting. I wanted to run this plan by you and Mingi before I confirmed with the military or made a formal request to KQ Entertainment for the absence.”
“Yunho, that is great. You have wanted this for so long. I understand how important family is to you.” Knowing that this is where his mind was came as a great relief. “Stress is hard to turn off, but you really should not worry about being a good father. I have admired your skill with children for years. Making sure your work schedule accommodates parenthood will be a priority of mine.”
“Please, let me finish.” He looked in physical pain. “You know you once said, ‘Whatever you need from me, whenever, you shall have it.’ It kills me to ask, but what I need is to break up with you and Mingi.” Yunho watched the color drain from your face, even in the dimming evening light it was evident. He made sure you did not seem to have any other physical symptoms before continuing. Yeosang had warned him he’d better plan his delivery well. Having firsthand experience with breaking up despite both parties very much wanting to stay together, Yeosang had advised picking the timing of any discussion wisely and here he was just blurting it out.
Yunho closed his eyes and tried to choose his words carefully. “If I am going to be a single parent I do not want to go through the early childhood years. An older child or two will be a different kind of hard work but I am likely to find someone who needs a father. However, a bachelor sleeping with a married couple is not what they are looking for when placing vulnerable kids. They will investigate my life and I will not lie so I regret that my romantic relationships with you and Mingi have to end to make this dream come true.”
Holding your hands in his as you turned toward each other in the car, Yunho admitted, “My love for you has not changed, and I don’t think it ever will, but my private life has to be morally spotless, especially as a single man looking to adopt children by myself. Our deep, loving relationship would be viewed as participating in an affair and our homophobic society would look even more askance at my love for your husband.
Unbidden, a sob escaped your throat and you took time enough to recover to talk through your tears. “All along you warned us children were in your future and eventually I will be able to be happy for you, Yunho. I see this breakup isn’t something you really want either but I understand your circumstances.”
The relief in his face was clear, this must have been an impossible choice and he had borne the decision making alone apart from a lot of listening and good advice from Wooyoung, San, and Yeosang you would come to learn later. In time you could wish Yunho had found a partner to parent with making everything easier but in the moment your heart was glad you had not been replaced. Fearfully you asked, “Is it already over or can you spend one last weekend with us?”
“You would still have me, even as badly as I have botched this delivery?”
With tear-filled eyes you reassured him, “Always, and no matter how many years it takes for your kids to grow up and you come back to us, I will always welcome you with open arms.” Now it was his turn to tear up at this unexpectedly accepting news. Even at this moment of utter shock your mind turned toward consoling your boyfriend. “How long has this been on your mind?”
“Since the beginning of the tour. I knew I needed to tell you both but wanted to wait till we got back to Korea. I could not risk the success of the concert performances if Mingi did not take it well.”
“Fuck the business.”
He looked up, startled at your response.
“You should never have had to bear the weight of your decision for so long. No wonder you felt distant whenever I called. I had noticed and wondered if you had a potential new partner who would have kids with you on the condition you were monogamous. So being dumped is not completely out of the blue, but for a different reason. Instead of a person, you’re leaving me for somebody else’s misguided sense of propriety.” Heartbroken, you still found sympathy for Yunho. “I am so sorry you were not able to savor what was some of our last time together.”
“It is true,” he sniffled. “Today I sat there watching the lizard on my hand, feeling the way you leaned against me on the picnic bench, hand warm on my thigh. It was a moment to relax and enjoy but all I could think about was how much I would be hurting you with the news once we got back home in a week. I had no idea everything was going to fall apart minutes later. This timing was certainly not planned.”
Reaching toward him in the car, he seemed surprised by your compassion for his position in the midst of your own turmoil. As your hand held his shoulder Yunho despondently blinked away tears. “I wish I had never hoped to have kids.”
“You have a very common, human need. Nobody is at fault here, Yunho. But damn. Fuck the adoption committee that wants to dictate what a moral life looks like.”
“Yeah,” he breathed raggedly. You both broke down sobbing in each other’s arms. It did not solve anything but it helped a little in the moment. Thankfully the pullout was large and the few cars passing on the road were distant enough to not get a good look at your activity. You hated that even at a time like this part of your mind was devoted to defending his image as an idol. But it really wasn’t that you realized, you were protective of your lover having his grief splashed across the tabloids around romantic circumstances he never wished to disclose to public scrutiny.
Recovering somewhat, Yunho said, “I thought by now I would’ve met someone, we could’ve had kids or perhaps they were already a parent and I’d be incorporated into their lives.”
You put a hand in his again consolingly. “Anybody would be lucky to have you as a stepfather or adoptive parent.”
The rest of the short trip back to the hotel was silent apart from sniffling from both you and Yunho. As he drove, you kept looking over to him knowing he would be in your presence far less often from here on out. He was no longer yours, or at least on the brink of that being true, and it was something you did not want to face.
Walking from the lobby to your shared room went quietly. Using humor to deal with pain, your spirits partially recovered to ruefully dig at Yunho, “If you will not be available to me anymore I might just have to see if Jongho can fit me into his busy dating schedule.” Unknowingly overheard, San came out of his room you had just passed with a jacket on and one for Wooyoung as he was about to head back to the party in the park. A thoughtful look was on his face. So, the bombshell of such weighty news had been detonated early. He would be sure to tell Wooyoung so both of them could be available tonight if anyone needed some comforting.
Closing the door to the hotel room shared with Mingi and Yunho, you instantly regretted lashing out with a threat of replacement and apologized at once.
In return Yunho offered his regrets for sharing the news on this otherwise happy day.
“The harm from keeping this to yourself must have been too much to bear. You really are a good actor, I saw so little of your stress until today and as a partner I should have.” Yunho held you through another fit of crying as he stroked your head and rubbed your back. Needing even closer touch, you asked Yunho to shower with you. Things always felt better after a shower, but you had never asked so much of the activity before. The warm water could not fix things but at least you might feel less wrung out.
It helped somewhat, as did drinking plenty of water. Yunho offered a cuddle in bed and you gratefully accepted, eager to get any more time from him you could. With your head on his chest, his heartbeat and warmth soothed you. Still in distress himself, Yunho continued a night of poorly timed admissions saying, “Maybe it would’ve been best if you never had agreed to date me after all.”
“Never,” you said with such vehemence it startled him. “Falling in love not just once but twice was so unexpected. To have been loved by you even if it had to end was worth it at any cost.” He could hear the resignation in your voice as you added, “I did not know it would be so physically painful though.”
“This is your first breakup, isn’t it?” Nodding, you clung to him tighter under the covers. “I don’t know how much comfort I can be when I am the cause,” Yunho added with regret. “Love hurts both when you long for it and when you have to give it up.”
You gasped as tears filled your eyes again, blurring the world. All these years of wiping tears of joy from Yunho’s cheeks and now he was doing the same for you but for an opposite reason. “Now that you know, we can plan how to tell Mingi as gently as possible.”
He saw you furious for the first time in his life. Bolting upright, your voice turned icy. “Don’t you dare underestimate the depth of my love for you.” It came out harder than you expected and you were shaking. “This was no easier for me to hear than it will be for him, even though your relationship is more physical. For so long I thought we had a reprieve once you understood kids can learn about polyamorous families. It seemed like you could have a child with a primary partner and still have room for us in your life. And now to lose that, for the duration of a whole childhood, it’s harder than I ever expected to take.”
“I knew I would fuck this up if I was not prepared for the conversation to happen and I just dumped it on you anyway.” Yunho hung his head, appalled at his sloppy handling of the situation. “You are dealing with this better than I deserve when all I have earned is your rage. Just because I know nobody can soothe our Mingi like you can, not even me, that does not mean I can assign that job to you when there is an equal depth to your grief.”
“Thank you, Yunho. I needed to hear you acknowledge that.” You dressed again and decided to walk off your bitter energy. As you made your way down the hotel hall you heard a muffled sob then a wail through a pillow, the saddest sound you had ever heard in your life, come from the shared room and your own eyes teared up once more. Wanting nothing more than to run back and comfort Yunho, you made the difficult but necessary choice to look after yourself in the moment. Carrying his pain too would only double your own and you needed to pull it together because soon enough you would have your husband to tend to.
Over the walk you began to feel slightly charitable again despite the sudden, crushing news. You were only losing half of your romantic relationships whereas Yunho was losing all of them in one swoop before heading to the military and apart from the team who had been his support for years. Mingi and you would have each other, and Yunho wouldn’t even have a partner to parent with. You were almost back to the room when Yunho’s text came through.
“Mingi knows now but I don’t think it has really hit him yet. Jongho is taking me in for the night but I will not leave Mingi alone until you return. Take all the time you need.”
Three replies were sent to Yunho in quick succession. “Almost there. Please stay.” “I need the comfort of your arms tonight even if it may be for the last time.” “I love you.” Wiping the tear that fell to your screen, you then brought out your keycard and braced to face the aftermath.
~
Needing to begin distancing himself, Yunho shared a room with Jongho at Yosemite’s historic Ahwahnee Hotel instead of with you and Mingi as originally planned. As popular as Jongho was with women, Yunho was unsure if he would be intruding on nights his friend could be spending with dates picked up on vacation.
Jongho was quick to welcome the change. “It will not impact my plans at all. In fact, it will be nice to have you around.” Left unsaid was the benefit he felt Yunho would get from less opportunity to mope around Mingi and yourself. Chuckling, he added, “I suppose I can put my appetites on hold for a week.” With a wry grin Jongho then asked, “What must you think of me?”
Yunho was reassuring that he passed no judgement on the frequency with which Jongho enjoyed a variety of girlfriends, all top-tier K-pop stars and always two at a time. “After all, you have never questioned my choices. When you so easily take advantage of many options it must have looked silly for me to be hung up on a crush for so long even if it did turn out to be reciprocated in the end.”
“You would be surprised how much value I see in what you had.” Jongho’s gaze was distant and Yunho left him to his thoughts as they both unpacked for the week.
The vacation passed in a blur. Years later you couldn’t even be sure you had been to Yosemite National Park if not for the pictures. Yeosang was the only member unaware of the drama in his group which was a good thing because it didn’t put a dampener on his honeymoon with Betty. As the news had filtered through the group the morning after the wedding, Seonghwa wisely had bought out one store’s supply of wrap around sunglasses before boarding the chartered bus to the park. They had served you well over the trip as fans watched your party from a respectful distance.
There was also a lot to be grateful to Yeosang for. Given his history of leaving his carnation shaped birthmark visible as a sign he did not want to be photographed and not available for fan encounters came in handy for the rest of the team who had adopted the look on this vacation. All seven members in need of a flower nature had not provided from birth, in addition to you and Betty, spent the honeymoon trip with an actual carnation tucked behind your ears thanks to a daily supply courtesy of Hongjoong’s thoughtfulness. Everybody who considered themselves ATINY respected the signal of the flower and it made at least one aspect of the final days of your relationship with Yunho easier. Being photographed while going through all these emotions would have been unbearable.
All eyes in your trio were red still when it came time to board the airplane home. Mingi had the window and zoned out most of the lengthy flight before dozing eventually. So trusting in the good of people, he was in denial and thought if it could just be explained how much the three of you were in love it would solve everything. It was obvious to him how good Yunho would be as a parent so he expected it to be just as clear to any selection committee.
Perhaps Mingi understood more that he was letting on though. As your husband slept he kept hold of your hand, squeezing it now and then as if to make sure you were still really there. Wooyoung had the other as you sat between the men. He had made no objection when Yunho asked to switch seats with him moving the younger member into your row. Being one of the confidantes along with Yeosang and San to help Yunho through his decision, he had known the reveal was coming and he was glad the relationship between his teammates had not imploded while still on tour. Still, he had seen the toll the secret had taken. Yunho’s recent performances had not been his best work.
Armrest up, Wooyoung pressed into your side talking quietly, head consolingly on your shoulder and arm entwined with yours. In other circumstances the remaining members might have wondered if this unusual closeness was the start of a new romantic relationship but the scene made sense to San and he used the time apart from his partner to keep an eye on Yunho. With time, everybody fell asleep but it brought you no peace.
~
ATEEZ duties resumed with a flurry of activity wrapping up the final appearances before members would begin serving in the military. Yunho had been able to move up his enlistment and you and Mingi awaited his arrival for a final weekend together as partners, in the short term at least, but possibly forever. With arms around each other in comfort, absorbed in your own thoughts, Yunho had slipped in unnoticed and made his way to the piano to announce his presence with the song you now associated with his visits. At the sound of ‘Summer’ by Joe Hisaishi you raced to his side and hugged him like you would never let go, quickly joined by Mingi. Despite the tight hold, Yunho finished the song before kissing you both. Hesitantly, he asked, “May I keep the piano here until I have an apartment of my own when I get out of the service?”
“Of course. Mingi goofs off on it from time to time and there is really no space to keep it at the dorm. In fact, we can store anything you need while you are away. You don’t need to rent a storage space or leave things with your parents.”
Eyes downcast and grimacing in shame, Yunho replied, “Thank you, you are being too good to me when I have caused so much pain.”
“You once said your visits were like a dream. Now I see what you meant. It does hurt that you want kids more than you want me and Mingi but then you have been honest with us about that from the start. Our future was always uncertain and we hoped you could find a partner to have children with who was comfortable with polyamory so little would change. But, this situation of adopting sounds non-negotiable and I can not blame you for ending things to make your dream come true. Mingi and I can comfort each other but you no longer will have a lover to turn to for consolation.”
“I was not going to while serving the country anyway, even if we had stayed together. But still, this is so awful for you too and I should not downplay that. Here I am dumping you both unexpectedly and meanwhile you are the ones kindly looking after me.”
“The situation is the problem, it is not you at all. My love for you would never change unless you asked me to stop caring, and even then I don’t think I could. May I still write to you at your barracks when you leave for duty?”
“That would mean the world to me.” Yunho caught himself and backpedaled his excitement. “I am not expecting you to, knowing how you fell for Mingi in writing, and you already love me which would undoubtedly show through. Maybe a clean break is needed.” You nodded in understanding even if you did not like the answer. Yunho continued, “I am content to have Jongho give me the news. He is such a good storyteller and has already promised to keep me informed about all the little things I will be missing back home in the dorm.”
Mingi put a hand on your back soothingly and commented, “That’s probably for the best anyway. Even if people know our girl works for KQ, getting frequent letters from the wife of a teammate is a little bit suspicious.”
Nodding, Yunho agreed, “And, as much as I should be able to trust my brothers in arms, there’s always the possibility of the letters being photographed or even stolen to wind up in the tabloids and I do not want that to happen to us no matter how innocent they are.”
Gone in a blink, the weekend soon ended and the last days of your polyfidelitous triad were over. The final goodbye came hard but you managed to wish your lover success in the rest of his life. “Farewell, Yunho.” With a lingering kiss to Mingi and an all too brief group hug as romantic partners, he disengaged himself and walked outside. Without looking back, Yunho waved out the car window as he left.
With that you and Mingi were down to one partner, just right for many and more than others ever got no matter how much they might desire love, but it was less than you were accustomed to. Even without it being a sexual relationship, you felt the loss no less deeply than Mingi and you grieved for what would have been in a more understanding world that would not make Yunho choose between his desires for family in the two different forms.
Mingi saw you going down that well-worn path of regret that you had never wanted kids. Everything would have been solved if you had just decided to have children with Yunho in any form they might have come into your life. “Hey,” Mingi said, caressing a tear from your cheek as one slid down his own. “You know it was right for us to give him the difficult answer that kids are not what we want. Going against our hearts that way would not have ended well and deep down you know it too.”
“True, but knowing it and getting my broken heart to understand are two different things.”
He pulled you close and stroked your hair, calming you somewhat. “Maybe we could use some new surroundings. Annie is always encouraging us to visit the country where she grew up. Shall we see if she will be back home in Brazil anytime soon? I think the change would do us good and with one member gone and Seonghwa soon to follow our schedules are pretty free right now. I can do a V Live from anywhere when needed and your work is often portable too. So, what do you say?”
“Thank you for being my rock, Mingi. I love you for your idea and so much more.” You set your face with not wholly felt certainty. “We will survive this. Yunho is not gone from our lives, just back to being a friend. And we can still see him on breaks from the military when he stays at the ATEEZ dorm or with his parents.”
“Yet I want more.” Your husband buried his head in your shoulder, wetting your neck with his tears.
“Me too. I don’t think I can see Yunho for a while for fear of clinging to him.” You sighed heavily. “Our lives were so much richer with our boyfriend and I would not have had it any other way despite the pain now.” Mingi nodded with nothing to add but his arm around your waist as you walked back into the house beginning several days of intermittent crying on both your parts. You would live, but damn, it hurt.
~
Jeong Aurora and Jeong Nero raced into their father’s bedroom waking him up early by jumping onto the bed. “Slow down, your footed pajamas can be slippery,” he groggily cautioned as he raised the covers making space for his girls on either side.
“Dad, we are adults now. We can take care of ourselves,” his daughter Nero, the elder by three minutes, complained as she and her sister snuggled against their father.
Yunho wrapped an arm around each girl’s shoulder as he sat up in bed. “You will always be my babies. I can’t help but worry about your safety.” Now that he had moved in with Mingi and yourself he spent far less time at the old apartment in Seoul where he had raised his children but they had taken over the lease and their dad remained a frequent guest when he was working in the region. Yunho was older now and showing some gray between dye jobs for ATEEZ duties but being around his kids always made him feel young again, even if they thought he was ancient.
Thrilled to be living with his partners now, he still made sure to come back to the girls’ place for this important day. Accepting Aurora’s invitation, Yunho agreed to let them take him out for their traditional breakfast in honor of Father’s Day. “Though I should be treating you, coming into my life has been a dream come true and my greatest joy.”
The sisters were used to their dad’s sentimentality and secretly loved it but never said so. Yunho could always tell, despite their claims he was being too mushy. His children gave him a sweet and solemn card to celebrate the occasion. Each of the young women had written a heartfelt paragraph attempting to convey even a fraction of how much Yunho meant to them, and as usually happened on this day, he began to tear up. This time his twins did too, having grown as tenderhearted as their father after so long together.
It had been many years since they had entered his life in their early teens and the anniversary of that day held special meaning for the family. All the milestones were commemorated throughout the year- the day they first met when the foster youth group toured KQ, when he applied for adoption, then when they came home for a trial period, and the courthouse date finalizing papers. The last event was the cause for today’s personalized Father’s Day unique to their family. Yunho would always be grateful to Seonghwa and Hongjoong who had convinced him to follow his heart and apply to adopt despite all the challenges of being a single parent to teenagers. All in all, he was exceedingly proud of the way both of his daughters and the rest of his life had turned out.
~
On to An Interlude With Annie which comes next in the series or go straight to Yunho making his dream come true in The ATEEZ Family Grows. His eventual reunion with his partners can be found at Yunho Comes Back.
Set in JC World after What Could Have Been, 2.7K words
The reader’s dinner with San and Wooyoung leads to a night with three in the bed. We learn a little more about the men’s plans for the future of their relationship. There are some worries, but also coziness in this part.
Content note: asexual reader with she/her pronouns, Shiber, domesticity, polyamory mention, alcohol, food, discussion of having children, mentions of military service, fear of self-harm (does not happen), pregnancy, assisted reproduction, gestational surrogacy, and adoption
~
“I told Jongho she likes him.”
Wooyoung stopped massaging suds through his boyfriend’s hair. “Why are you meddling, dearheart?”
San sat up fully in the bubble filled tub and looked back over a shoulder at his love while talking. “You sound surprised, isn’t it a good thing to help people figure things out? You have said yourself she seems to be attracted to him in some ways.” An angelic smile overtook San’s face. “The way I am besotted with you makes me want that happiness for everyone. Besides, she is at a loose end without Yunho, and with Mingi eventually going into the military himself she’ll be on her own and might like someone else to lean on.”
Wooyoung began tenderly washing San’s back before speaking. “Their group of four has always been close but there are many kinds of love. I don’t think it is romantic between them, not everyone wants that.”
San turned himself around fully now and leaned against the other wall of the tub beckoning Wooyoung into his arms for a turn to be shampooed. Working up a lather, he paused to ask, “You sound like you know something.”
“Ever notice how his dates never go on to an overnight together? Jongho’s either a fic-worthy master of restaurant bathroom and limousine quickies or something else is going on.”
“He could be saving himself for marriage,” San pondered.
“True, some people do. You know how much easier it makes things for us when we never have to worry about a pregnancy scandal. But he is always out with two women at a time so not exactly a ‘saving myself for my wife’ image. My sense though, and I am not sure how much thought he has given to it himself, is he may be aromantic or ace, maybe both. I might mention that possibility to her when she comes over for dinner tomorrow.”
“Mingi too?”
“No, he is off shooting a commercial for Jeju Island tourism this week, you know how he’s always going fishing there and has been looking into getting a vacation house.”
“So we are wining and dining his wife while he’s gone?”
“She doesn’t drink alcohol, but yes.” Wooyoung chuckled then returned to the original topic. “I don’t see her ever getting over Yunho, but perhaps a nudge toward more time with Jongho would do her some good.”
San’s dimple took the edge off his smirk. “Who is meddling now?”
“Okay, fine,” Wooyoung admitted.
“What happened to your good advice that ‘People will know when they are ready and let them work it out for themselves?’” They laughed and San concluded, “I wholeheartedly approve of course.”
~
The trip overseas had been a boost to you emotionally, but now back home in the environment filled with memories of Yunho your mood turned maudlin again. It was Wooyoung who had the idea to invite you over for a cheering up dinner while Mingi was away for a week. Usually you loved the time alone, but recently your thoughts kept returning to the problem that was unsolvable and San and his partner had been concerned to see the change.
It is not that the dorm where they lived did not hold memories of Yunho, quite the opposite when it is where you first met and became good friends. But recently you had come to associate the place more with Hongjoong, San, Wooyoung, and Jongho, the only current residents. Mingi still had his bed there for use whenever schedules clashed with the further commute home but it was rarely needed. Newlyweds Betty and Yeosang lived in their apartment nearby and Seonghwa had recently begun his military service following Yunho’s early admission. Hongjoong was to enlist before the year was out and then the remaining mass of ‘99 liners would in turn, then finally Jongho so the ATEEZ dorms were really in a state of flux for years to come.
Upon arrival, Wooyoung greeted you with a bear hug that was soon joined by San. Despite tending to Jongho the previous week, you had not spent much time with your other friends and had really missed their company. Wondering if any other residents were home, you realized there was little point in asking about the leader’s whereabouts since he was working longer hours than ever knowing an interruption to his ATEEZ work was coming up. Hongjoong hoped to have plenty of songs banked in advance to get right back to music production upon his release. Looking around for another close friend, you asked, “Is Jongho joining us tonight?”
“No, he is away visiting his parents, and another night in the studio for Hongjoong of course,” Wooyoung explained before apologizing for his own disappearance back into the kitchen. The evening was a pleasant one beginning with conversation with San letting your chef for the night put the finishing touches on his most recently mastered Korean recipe. Over the meal you told them about the many things learned on your vacation in Brazil including some of the local dishes and promised to cook for the guys in return. They were particularly interested in hearing more about Annie’s family and childhood given how close she had become to the whole team while partnered with Hongjoong and Seonghwa.
It felt really good to be with these friends again and despite wanting to enjoy the respite from your mourning forever, you began to yawn and announced you had better head home. Considering how tired you looked, San made an irresistible offer. “Mingi won’t mind if you take his dorm bed. Why don’t you sleep over? Like old times. He keeps some clothes in there you could use as pajamas.”
“That sounds wonderful. I would like that.”
In an echo of long ago, he reappeared bearing Shiber soon after you had tucked down. “Need a friend to cuddle with?”
In a funk, even the stuffed animal was not enough. “As much as I love Shiber, are you available for the night?”
San thought for a moment then nodded. “Let me tell Wooyoung you finally gave in and want my body after all these years.” You looked shocked at the insinuation but then laughed together. It did him good to see the smile on your face and he soon returned having added a shirt to his pajama pants and crawled in beside you in the single bed. You lay on your backs happily crammed together enjoying the closeness. “Funny to be back in Mingi’s bed after all these years,” San commented.
“I’d wondered if you two had been an item at one point if the early stage footage was anything to go by.”
“As an asexual, you of all people should know there can be platonic cuddling between friends because you’re not getting anything else from me tonight.” This set you both off laughing again which made Wooyoung happy to hear from the next room. “We actually did consider dating back in our first year as ATEEZ but Mingi was just not ready, for any romantic relationship really, but the added element of it being a gay one that would need to be kept hidden from tabloids made the idea extra dicey. He is so honest it would have just spilled out of him in an interview one day for sure.”
You nodded in recognition. Mingi’s openness was one of your favorite traits about the man you loved.
“There were enough near kisses on stage as it was. Worked out okay though because it got Wooyoung to let me know he was interested.”
“It wasn’t just Mingi being demonstrative. I do remember you moving to kiss his hand you held on camera playing the ‘I love you game’ for the Kstyle YouTube channel. You probably would have made a good couple, but I am glad he was available when I fell for him. It did work out well after all.”
“Yes, it did.” San looked at you softly. “Come here, chipmunk,” he encouraged, throwing an arm around you and cuddling closer.
“Oh now you really are buttering me up, calling me the name San uses for his adopted sister in one of the best fics with my favorite fan take on you.”
He grinned. “I knew you would recognize the reference. I am fond of ‘Seen’ by yungidreamer too, ever since you introduced me to their series. Would you like me to read you a bedtime story?”
“Could you? That would be so comforting. But not that one though, you should not have to read smut to me. Wooyoung’s fanfic ‘Shiber’s Adventure At The Zoo’ would be just as good.”
“I can just read the first half where they are enjoying the vacation setting.” Too late San realized the mature material was not your only reason for hesitating over that specific story. He regretted his mistake of bringing up the poly tale about Yunho, Mingi, and their girlfriend in a mutual relationship, exactly the scenario you had been trying to get over.
You reached over him to get your phone from the nightstand and acknowledged the pained look on his face. “It is okay, I do love that one.” The frequently reread story was easy to find in your bookmarks. Despite tearing up at the part where Mingi, his girlfriend, and their boyfriend Yunho were enjoying a lakeside picnic, San’s steady voice lulled you to the peace of sleep.
He read the rest to himself, pleased the author saw such a tender side to him as the San in the fic fell for a nonbinary character. About to put your phone away, he changed his mind and sent a text. It was paired with a triumphant selfie showing your sleeping head on his chest while clutching the adorable toy Shiba Inu dog. “While you are away, I am in YOUR bed with YOUR wife.”
Mingi soon replied with a flood of teary-eyed laughing emojis. “Looks cozy, wish I was there too.” Remembering the familiar joke he added, “I am glad my wife wants your body after all. Don’t let her break your heart, though. I know she’s more into Shiber than you.” Moments later the last reply came in. “Seriously, thank you for taking care of her tonight. Love to you both and Wooyoung too.”
San smiled and put the phone down again. He kissed the top of your head with a whispered “Goodnight chipmunk,” before quickly falling asleep himself.
The next morning Wooyoung appeared at the door to Mingi's dorm room with a breakfast tray in hand. Seeing the way you and San were entangled while sleeping, he announced cheerfully, “Glad to see the honeymoon is going so well, Mr. Choi!”
With eyes still closed you beamed groggily then asked, “I married Jongho too? I'm glad. He's so nice. I like him a lot.”
The two men looked at each other in surprise at your unintentional revelation and quietly laughed at your expression of interest. “Told you,” Wooyoung mouthed silently to his partner. “Okay princess, we better get some coffee into you.”
Waking a little more, you questioned excitedly, “Mingi is here?” They rolled their eyes recalling his nickname and chuckled.
Wooyoung marveled, “You are in San’s arms but thinking of another man, two actually.” He turned to his boyfriend. “I knew she didn’t have a thing for you secretly.”
“Well she is the only person who doesn’t.”
“Sure, tiger,” Wooyoung teased with a hand through San’s hair and a good morning kiss to his lips. “I shall take it as the compliment it is then that you could have anybody in the world, except her, and choose to bless me with your heart.”
Rubbing sleep from your eyes, you missed the loving looks they shared. “Yeah, sorry you don’t do it for me, San. I’d rather be with Jongho.”
Your friends again looked at each other over your sleep-influenced admission as you blinked tiredly. Being playful, San teased, “I am not offended, I would pick him over you as well.” You both grinned.
Wooyoung’s inquiry was gentle, “How many years has it taken you to finally admit that?”
“You know I have always thought he had his charms.”
Looking at his boyfriend witheringly, Wooyoung complained, “I am not asking you, San.”
“Oh right.”
Taking your own turn you answered, “I don’t know why, but now that I’ve turned him down I’m suddenly interested in something, but it does not feel like the way I fell for Yunho or Mingi.”
Handing care of you over to Wooyoung, San suggested the two of you share the breakfast tray and talk things over while he showered then grabbed his own meal. He saw relief cross your face and knew you were being left in good hands. San himself had benefited from his partner’s high capacity for emotional intelligence many times and if anybody could help you gain insight into your muddled feelings it was Wooyoung.
With many thanks to your beloved hosts, you prepared to leave after breakfast and the productive conversation was over. Picking up your phone to record a morning message for your young niece and nephew, you began to laugh to the point of tears to see what your phone had been up to with San’s help while you slept. Wooyoung took a look and he found it hilarious too.
The screenshot you took of the conversation and photo was a favorite of yours and became your lock screen for a while, finally replacing the one of you with Mingi and Yunho on the hot springs trip years earlier when you had given Yunho the news that you loved him too. In time the Shiber picture would be in turn replaced by a joyful one from a future picnic with Jongho and Mingi.
That night you were the subject of conversation between your hosts. Wooyoung was the one to bring up the topic, but it was on both their minds. “I am worried she is still so unhappy with the loss of her relationship with Yunho that she might do something she regrets.”
San’s chopsticks clattered to his plate as he looked up, scared. “You are thinking self-harm?”
“Thank goodness not that, but maybe pushing herself into sexual activity she does not want on the chance of bearing Mingi or Jongho a child to get Yunho back. Not even restoring the former relationship for her own sake perhaps, but on behalf of Mingi.”
San nodded. “She loves him so much. I do not know how far she would go to get her husband and his boyfriend together again.”
“I do not believe the scenario is likely, but grief can steer people into making bad decisions sometimes. Yunho's wish to have a kid is the only thing keeping them apart, and really that is due to him facing an adoption review of his personal life. They would never be understanding of polyamory with a married couple no matter how committed the three are. Even as gay partners, adoption approval will be a hurdle for us someday which is why I look into gestational surrogacy from time to time.”
Their shared dream planned for later in their careers brought a warm smile to San’s face.
“Given my concern for her, you can see why I think her dear friendship with Jongho will be doing her some good at a benefit to himself as well. We will just have to wait and see what comes of it.”
“Yes, I hope it all works out well for everybody. But, back to us.” San took his boyfriend’s hands into his own across the table. “I was talking to my sister recently and unprompted she mentioned how much she enjoyed being pregnant. Now that she has all the kids she wants she said she was willing to try IVF for us in the future if we wished. She could even donate eggs so the baby would be genetically related to both of us.”
Wooyoung’s eyes lit up. “Your sister is amazing. She is offering us an incredible gift.” San’s thumb wiped away a tear of joy that slid down his partner’s cheek. A little sniffly, Wooyoung spoke in a daze, “You and me having a child together. Just the thought has me crushing on you more than ever, Mr. Choi.”
~
On to Romanced By Jongho
So nobody has to feel anxious over the future of this story, everybody is going to be okay. These characters are only getting happiness.
An ATEEZ fanfic by AbsentCaryatid with Mingi, Yunho, and the reader in a polyfidelitous triad
Takes place in JC world some time after Dropping In On The Newlyweds and before Happy Birthday Betty.
Set at the home of the reader and her husband Mingi with visiting shared boyfriend Yunho, this is more of a catching-up story setting the stage for what comes next in the series. A few things are going on at the house including saving Mingi from an insect and awaiting the arrival of a piano along with a discussion about sexual orientation and becoming a parent.
3.8K words, Content note: agender (she/her, comfortably called ‘girl’) and asexual reader, polyamory, COVID-19 mention, an insect of no further elaboration, anxiety, mental health, mention of wanting children, and some personal griping on the part of the author about recent KQ decisions
~
You felt pride at the way newer employees had no clue that you were married to a member of ATEEZ. Even if told, they could point to no man in the group receiving attention beyond the friendliness you shared with any other employee of KQ Entertainment. This ability to keep your work life and home life separate was vital for not only was Mingi your adored husband but Yunho was also in the relationship, a much loved boyfriend to you both. While your marriage was public knowledge, Yunho’s involvement was known only to the other members and their steady partners. These trusted friends, Betty, a former roommate and now Yeosang’s fiancée, and Annie, Hongjoong and Seonghwa’s model girlfriend were able to keep secrets just as you kept theirs.
As demonstrative as you were at home with your men, any affection stayed there and you three were all business in the office, as it should be. While your spouse Mingi was naturally living with you full time, your shared lover Yunho lived in the ATEEZ dorm with all but Yeosang who shared a home with Betty. You were close to all the men and their partners and in many ways KQ was family to you.
With a different name, your relationship to your uncle the CEO was also something unobservable with your work as KQ Vice President as dedicated and earned as if you were unrelated. You enjoyed the job and had been widely praised for being good at it, even by people outside the company hoping to poach your expertise. Some days you considered it, but not for long. Still, there had been times when you wildly disagreed with the way CEO Kim ran his company.
It was before your time at a decision-making level at KQ Entertainment but you could not help but wish you had been given a say in the subsidiary company Seven Seasons’ bewildering choice to not move heaven and earth to retain all the members of Block B as their contracts came up for renewal. First Zico and now P.O were gone and you could not understand why they had been allowed to slip out of the portfolio of artists. You did not blame the men when you suspected the offers they had been given were nowhere near their worth. Your uncle would probably say you were being too sentimental but this was coming from a business perspective. As a producer Zico could have offered so much guidance to newer talent. P.O’s marketability beyond his singing was also high as an actor and all-around personality.
There were other decisions you had clashed with your uncle over even more strongly. Back in 2022, his decision to go forward with the ATEEZ tour during the COVID-19 omicron variant surge in the United States had almost led to you walking away from the company. The pandemic was serious enough in your own country where San had been infected the year before and you could not understand risking the members being sent to a country far less under control.
Safety assurances from the venues had been made but relying on the assumption local governments would not permit concerts if the conditions were inadvisable was far too trusting. You still recalled how your blood ran cold before the New York concert when you heard Mingi felt a muscle ache and was tested for Covid. Thankfully it came back negative, as Wooyoung mercifully called to tell you the moment the result was in, but your warm relationship with your uncle took a long time to recover. The business decision to tour despite the very real danger of spreading infection to fans and staff had left you fuming.
A soft conversation in the next room brought you back to far more pleasant circumstances in the present. You loved they way the guys were so caring and gentle with each other and you went to see what was going on. It was another break in the schedule permitting Yunho to take a few nights away from the dorm and stay with you. His regular visits were something both you and Mingi cherished and he seamlessly fit into the activity of the household.
“There you go Princess Mingi, I saved you from another dragon,” Yunho said while taking a newly caught bug in a cup to the door.
“Thank you for the rescue, sir knight.”
Grinning at Mingi’s phrasing Yunho joked, “There you go with ‘Sir’ again, are you trying to start something?”
“You know what I mean, Yunho. You help save me from all the dragons, even anxiety.”
Yunho tossed the insect from the cup to a life of outdoor reprieve, washed his hands, and sat down beside his lover snuggling in close and running his hand through Mingi’s hair in a soothing manner. Mingi had been diligent about keeping up therapy appointments begun during his lengthy health break years back. Dealing with anxiety would always be a part of his life but he had developed quite an arsenal of tools to deal with anything that came up. Of all he had learned, Mingi’s favorite would always be cuddling with either of his partners and he visibly relaxed as his boyfriend tended to him.
Yunho was glad to be ‘home for the weekend’ as he liked to call his overnight visits. Other times Mingi left you home alone and slept at his old room in the dorm if ATEEZ had an early call. It gave the boyfriends time together outside your presence while you could bask in the silence of a temporarily empty house. Things were really working well for your polyfidelitous triad. Even when away, Yunho’s presence was felt in the house in his touches of artwork and a few furniture pieces along with a portion of the closets and dressers. With the arrival of his piano today, it warmed your heart to see he was making a life with you, divided as it was between here and the dorm.
The relationship was not settled knowing Yunho still dreamed of having children one day which was incompatible with the lives you and Mingi wanted but that problem lay in the future. At best, he would be able to remain a devoted boyfriend while living with a primary partner he shared a child with but that outcome was not guaranteed. You sensed his desire to parent was stronger than his need for you or Mingi and if he fell for another who required exclusivity he would be lost to you both. Still, you could enjoy what you and Mingi had with Yunho for now, as long as it lasted. As far as you had discussed, he had never even gone on dates in search of this so far mythical mother of his child so things were holding in the present.
Mingi received a ding on his phone from the piano moving company Yunho had hired to get the instrument from his childhood home. The text said they were lost but nearby so Mingi put on a jacket and went looking for them down the street. Feeling much better after the encounter with the insect in his home, he still eyed the area outside the door warily as he left.
You sat on the couch beside Yunho to wait and brought out your own phone to get photos of the piano’s imminent arrival. Noticing you had a message from a friend, you checked out the link. For a few minutes you stared at the article on your phone and Yunho caught your concerned frown. Apologetically you explained, “I am so sorry about this celebrity coverage claiming we hate each other. In the picture I certainly do have a scowl while turned toward you but I think I was frustrated over a pebble in my shoe at the time. My public face is not as practiced as yours.”
“You can see why we liked masks even before they were necessary. Best not to look at it,” Yunho sagely advised. “We have people at KQ to keep tabs on that in case there is something that needs to be addressed. This of course does not. I don’t think they would believe us even if we did announce we were a devoted couple. Perhaps ease up on ignoring me in public a little, though.”
“I am afraid any glance at you is full of adoration without intending to be, I just can’t help it. My thoughts are on projects when I’m at work so it’s not difficult to treat you like everyone else but when we’re out in the world that’s when my mind is free and goes to how much I love you.”
Yunho patted your hand comfortingly. “I know you do and I appreciate all you do to preserve my privacy. As problems go, being so adored is not really a bad one to be had. And really they don’t need any evidence to make up stories about you coming between me and my best friend. Everyone important to us knows it is nothing like that and nobody else really matters.”
“Well, there are the mornings I do crawl in between you from my side of our bed for a snuggle but I’m pretty sure that’s not what they meant.” He pulled you close as you laughed together. “You are so good at taking everything in stride, Yunho. No wonder Seonghwa said you have such a healthy mind.”
He laughed again recalling that radio interview. “That was one of the weirdest compliments I’ve ever gotten though I know he meant it sincerely.”
Looking at him with wonder you asked, “You don’t worry about things do you?”
“Just some things, like if I ever will become a father as I hope to. You also know how long I pined over you. And I think a lot about making sure my performances are my best. But the things out of my control like what people say? That I do not devote time to thinking about.”
Yunho calmed you with both his words and presence. Resting your head on his shoulder you began to run your fingers over his bracelets, the same three he had worn in the ‘If Without You’ music video filmed years ago while in quarantine. Being required to be without contact, the men of ATEEZ had lacked the assistance of wardrobe and makeup so their styles in those Zoom enabled appearances had reflected more of their own tastes than usual.
One bracelet was made from the rainbow colors of the pride flag and the next pink, white, and blue celebrating trans people. Lacking black and grey beads for his jewelry project after making an asexual one for you, his final bracelet was only green and white but you knew it represented agender pride. It had been an amazing gift to see those on him in the video supporting you and countless other fans. You were only friends at the time, and just recently dating Mingi, but Yunho’s subtle but clear public statement helped cement your impression of him as a trusted person in your life. It was the same good feeling generated when San once shared a little video with a face drawn on his hand. The clip was cute enough with his dialog and sweet demeanor but you suspected it was posted as much to show off his bracelet in trans flag colors.
Wanting to return the favor of support you asked Yunho, “I know you are very private, but would you like me to make you a bracelet in blue, purple, and pink for your flag? Nobody would know it is about you.”
He looked at you with confusion in his eyes. “I would wear it to be an ally to friends like Annie and plenty of ATEEZ fans but I’m not bisexual.”
“Good to know. All this time together and I did not know you prefer to use pansexual.”
“Um, actually, not to negate you being agender, but I consider myself straight.”
You waved off Yunho’s concern, “You know I don’t find being gendered important though I recognize it is usually something very important to others.”
“Certainly all the people I feel initially attracted to as I look for someone to have a child with are women.”
With a flash of insight, you conceded, “Well that would make things easier.”
“Oh no, they aren’t all cisgender, just all women. Meeting someone with a child from a previous relationship would be fine or we could adopt a child. Even women who are cis do not know if they are capable of pregnancy until it happens so there is no one I could choose who would be a sure route to genetic parenthood. I am looking for someone to be a co-parent, not breed.” The look of distaste on his face told you how repellent he found the idea of shopping for a gestational carrier as a partner rather than someone for him to love.
“But, I am still confused.” Sitting up fully on the couch you turned toward Yunho. “Not to argue with you, because nobody knows self-assessment is the only thing that matters like aces do, but why use ‘straight’ when you have been in a sexual relationship with a man for years?”
“Well, it is similar to you not being interested in romance but for Mingi and me. Life can surprise you when you don’t let the expectations of your own labels get in the way. I exclusively like women, except for two, well, exceptions being nonbinary you and of course Mingi too. The last two categories might not be mutually exclusive by the way, I don’t think he has given any of it much thought when it comes to gender. He is just our Mingi, and sometimes princess Mingi at that.”
Smiling, you agreed, “With his fondness for the word I have never been sure if he knows it is generally a term for women or he just thinks it is the English word for junior royal person.”
Yunho nodded. “A lot of people seem to pick up on him being a gender unto himself.”
“True, I have seen more than one fan online refer to themselves as ‘Mingi gender.’ Still, attraction to women in general and two other people sounds bi or pan if you wanted to think of yourself that way, the ratio is not important. And, yes, I do know what you mean about exceptions. Sometimes I wonder if I am grey or demiromantic the way I was not looking for any relationships and fell into both by accident. Certainly hesitance about romance is not part of being asexual. But, it is not something I require an answer to anyway. Labels are only there for your own purposes and do not have to remain fixed over time. All I need to know is that I dearly love you and Mingi.”
As if summoned by his name, your husband appeared at the door excited to announce “We have a piano! The movers are coming down the walk now.” While neither you nor Mingi had the talent, it was a pleasure to hear Yunho play around from time to time when the opportunity presented itself. He had not pursued piano for long and his skill had backslid from disuse but he wanted to keep the instrument he had grown up within the family in case any future children might wish to learn.
While he had not planned to take it on so soon in life without a home of his own beside the dorm, he took the piano off his parents’ hands after finding they could not even give it away and it was otherwise headed for the dump. Yunho had been the only one in the family with an interest and with him gone for years they had decided to make a change in furniture, removing what had become a large photo display surface for something more useful. Glad the inconveniently sized instrument could be kept in your home for now, he sat at the bench and began to play once the movers had left.
You were entranced. “You remembered how much I adore that song!” Ever since Yunho had fiddled on the piano on a ‘Fever: Epilogue’ photo shoot you had been in love with his playing. The chance to hear him was rare but now things had changed in your favor. The YouTube video of him at the keys was one you watched often but had never thought to ask the name of the song.
“‘Summer’, by Joe Hisaishi,” Yunho helpfully supplied. “It was one of the things I learned when my parents had me take lessons. Drawn more to dance than music at the time, it seems to have finally come in handy if it makes you swoon like that.”
“Of course, the composer from the ‘Totoro’ soundtrack and other Studio Ghibli films. No wonder it sounds familiar in style to other songs I love. Please, would you play that again for me?”
“For you, anything,” Yunho beamed. “It is a small price to pay for piano storage.”
You closed your eyes and became lost in the tune. Later in the day you would find a notification on your phone that Yunho had bought the song for your music collection and it immediately went into heavy rotation. Every visit thereafter Yunho would slip into your home quietly enough that you would not know of his arrival until the piano began the familiar tune announcing his presence. No matter what you were doing it was immediately dropped to rush to his side.
Such was your love for the song you held back tackling Yunho until he was finished. Then your arms would engulf him still at the piano bench at such a convenient height to hug him from behind and smother his head with kisses. You could hang on him forever like that if he would let you but Yunho had more than one person eager to see their partner again. Mingi would show himself at a more sedate pace and once your greeting was complete they would look at each other tenderly before Mingi could hold back no longer. Their reunion kiss was always passionate and you left the men to their pleasure.
In time Yunho would find you busy in the kitchen and steal a bite of whatever you were preparing for your family of three. Just like your husband Mingi, Yunho was cute enough to get away with anything. In truth, if he was hungry you were happy he was eating and the schedule did not matter.
Time together on these visits was precious. You made sure Yunho got as much attention from Mingi as yourself so found ways to keep your hands busy and off of him, as much as you wanted to hold him constantly. Cooking was one activity but you also enjoyed playing around on your phone. As if your days were not already filled enough with the group at work and home, you had picked up a taste for ATEEZ SuperStar. Coming into the kitchen one afternoon with a question about dinner plans you cut Yunho short. “Can’t talk now, playing your mobile game.”
He peered over your shoulder waiting for the round to finish before speaking further. “Hey, Jongho is your user icon?” Yunho looked at you a little too knowingly at your pick. “It always keeps coming back to Jongho doesn't it?” Shaking his head, he laughed at you kindly.
The familiar teasing made you smile. “I don’t have a thing for him, as far as I know.” Your mouth hung open in surprise as you thought. You were pretty sure about this. “He just looks great here and really, how could I have chosen between my two partners?”
“Better two of us are jealous than one?”
“Something like that. I didn’t want to imply a favorite.” Closing the app to give Yunho your full attention you mused, “KQ needs another type of mobile game, less frantic. I think I will look into the feasibility of a dress-up game where users style the members with favorite outfits and create new clothes.”
“Oh please do that, I would try a Minkiway ATEEZ costuming game.”
Coming into the room Mingi was pleased to hear his popular individual content from YouTube mentioned. “I’d play that. I would love to dress up Yunho, just like you let me do in real life too,” he added while putting an arm around his lover’s waist and coming in for a kiss.
Yunho noted, “Fashion is not my thing, but I know how happy it makes you to pick something for me when we go out together.”
“I know and love that you let me do this with you.” Mingi unnecessarily smoothed the designer jacket Yunho was wearing as his partner glowed from the touch. “Thank you for putting up with it.”
“Putting up is too strong a phrase, I certainly don’t mind the praise and good press we get for KQ. And it makes my partner happy, that means everything to me.” With a smirk and head tilt your way he added, “I also see it as protecting our girl from having to do fashion.”
Looking to you, Mingi said, “Yeah, you let me help here and there but fancy isn’t your style. Cheap comfort is everything to you.” Turning back to Yunho he added, “But we love her as she is don’t we?”
“We do, very much.” He gazed from one of you to to the other fondly then put his free arm around your midsection joining the group as one. “It always makes me laugh when I remember we’re living out the fanfiction dream of a girl with two ATEEZ boyfriends. The fans would go wild if they knew wouldn’t they? Sometimes I think it would be fun to tell just to see their faces but I certainly wouldn’t want to see the pushback.”
Head leaning on his shoulder, you patted Yunho’s chest lovingly and agreed. “No, I think you have always been wise to keep your private life to yourself, and me and Mingi of course.” In this moment you were so happy to have your two men by your side. Like the song though, you knew summer could not last forever. Your carefully balanced relationship was a beautiful, fragile soap bubble that was always capable of bursting and you hoped that day was far off, if it had to be.
~
On to a whole lot of angst with Yunho’s Painful Decision
Fluff and innuendo only, all talk and no action but still best to call it NSFW. 374 words
This takes place in the JC Saga world sometime between chapter 12 and the epilogue.
~
As you approached Mingi on the couch you were hit hard by the reminder just how weak in the knees his looks made you. Your boyfriend added his gorgeous, warm voice to that effect and your heart began to flutter listening to him talk. “So tiny compared to me, you are so little and that makes me feel so big. Just look at the size of my hands covering so much of you!” The love in his heart was clear as he requested, “Tell me what you need, baby girl.”
Laughing as you watched, he was left to keep up conversation by himself. “No words? I already know what you want. I am going to make you feel so good. Let me do this for you.” Smiling his megawatt grin Mingi added teasingly, “So needy, so ravenous, I like a girl with an appetite. I’m going to fill you up.” As the activity progressed he complimented, “You are taking it so well, baby girl. Good job, take every last drop. Such a good girl for me.”
Glancing down you could see the adoration reflected in her eyes as you handed Mingi the burp cloth before he hoisted your infant niece onto his shoulder after feeding her. No matter how often you saw your partner with a young child it never ceased to amaze you how gentle he could be and how well they responded to him.
Mingi was well known in the neighborhood for his track record at being able to soothe even the most fussy baby immediately. It was not just the faces he made, or the vibrant hair he often had from work as a member of ATEEZ, but also the way he would talk and sing that had infants and toddlers transfixed. In another life he would have made an excellent daycare or preschool teacher with his skill for language and natural charm.
In your relationship it was not the big events that left the most impact, it was these little domestic moments of shared laughter and time together that meant so much. You felt incredibly lucky a guy like Mingi was yours and you were his which you made sure to tell him along with a kiss to his forehead.
