zinnia
an/ rr: 2026 has been a mess , sorta homeless rn because i dont have a place to stay for my uni last year, i hope i make it through all this. i dont enjoy my major n idk about my future n this is how i wanted to be comforted after my failed presentation
mingyu knew how to take care of you.
gyu<3 : all the best for your presentation!
you ignored the message. your team was next, you were sweating profusely, almost going through all stages of panic. you knew you could not mess this presentation up after all the long nights put into preparing the deck and research, but most importantly because it carried a major chunk of your final grade. you are surviving on water and a piece of toast that mingyu had worriedly fed you before he left for his practice early morning. you knew you are going to get a whole lecture on sleep schedule and pulling all nighters now but all that didn't matter right now.
you get on the stage trying your best to maintain your composure, practicing deep breaths just the way he taught you, and finally it was your turn. you step forward and blank out. you were only able to explain few points in broken voice, it was clear that you have messed it up now and the realization makes you feel more stressed. your teammates try to cover it up for you but that didn't help much.
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mingyu phone buzzed while he was at practice. he was looking forward to your text back. he excuses himself and checks for the messages. he saw name and immediately lit up.
you: it went bad.
the smile disappeared. he stared at the screen and typed back.
gyu<3 : how bad?
he waits for your reply but didn't get any. he knew you were probably going through a spiral of emotions right now. he saw how much you worked for that, so much so that you had to be constantly reminded to take care of yourself. he was happy that he was there this time unlike the other times when you had buried yourself in work while he was touring. he plans to leave practice early to ensure that you get the most pampering and rest today.
you enter your house after attending your classes and a long day of self criticism. you smell freshly cooked food and saw the mingyu trying to arrange a bouquet of zinnias for you. he stood at the kitchen island, completely focused, tongue peeking out in concentration as he carefully rearranged bright flowers into a glass vase.
he frowned. moved one flower, stepped back. "no", he says as he tries to rearrange it again. "better now", he says as he sees you and comes forward for a warm hug, and before you know you had broken down.you look up with your eyes red, and exhaustion written all over your face. his face sank the moment he saw your tired face.
he walks over to the fridge and gets you a drink to calm down. "babe, you want to talk about it?" he asks while keeping you close. you sniffled and gave a small nod. "i embarrassed myself" you say breaking down again.
"you didn't"
"i forgot everything, my teammates had to save me, im stupid and -" mingyu tilts his head seeming offended by the last sentence. "no way jose" he says mimicking the way you say it whenever you found something absurd, and he was happy to hear a chuckle out of you.
"i worked my ass off, barely slept, wanted it to be perfect and all i get it this. i dont even think anyone would like to even group with me now" you say as you try to control your emotions.
"it was one bad day, baby" he says leaning his forehead against yours smiling just enough to make you feel safe and comforted. "and if anyone refuses to group with you after one presentation", he shrugged dramatically, "its their loss"
you huffed out a laugh through your tears. "there she is" he gently kisses you as he rubs your back to get you to relax. "i've been waiting for my girl to come back" he says giggling.
"thanks for being here with me" you say feeling grateful. mingyu looks at you, "always baby" he says peppering your face with kisses.
"the zinnias are pretty"
"they reminded me of you" he says admiring you.
mrrow!, both of you looked toward the kitchen. your orange tabby was perched proudly on the counter, one tiny paw reaching suspiciously close to the bouquet of zinnias.
"mushu!" mingyu warned and the cat froze. then, maintaining eye contact with both of you, slowly pushed one flower onto the floor. "did she just?" you ask shocked. "she absolutely did" ,mingyu sighed dramatically and stood up. "you tiny criminal", he says trying to clean up the mess. "so that's why it's been quiet" ,he muttered, jogging after your nine pound menace.
"well she lives up to her name" you say as a laugh bubbled out of you as you watched your six-foot-two boyfriend chase your baby around the dining table while the culprit zigzagged expertly between the chairs.