dawnofdaybreak - Tumblr blog

dawnofdaybreak · 4 years ago

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Title: Another Cliche’ Love Story

Pairing: Jongho

Rating: NC-17

Summary: In which Minho and Jonghyun are best friends but things get complicated.

[aff link] [ao3 link]

[part one] [part two]

Part Three (Finished)

Minho isn’t quite sure how to describe the feeling he experiences when he wakes with Jonghyun’s naked body pressing back comfortably against his. The feeling is reminiscent of the feeling he gets when he scores the winning goal for a soccer game or aces a test he didn’t study for. It’s so much more self-satisfying than that though, the content emotions running through him right now are so intense, Minho’s sure he’s never experienced this before.

He watches Jonghyun’s flawless face as he sleeps, the way his chest moves up and down with tiny breaths. Minho brushes away a few silver strands of hair that were covering the other’s forehead. Jonghyun is so beautiful and Minho’s so unbelievably happy to be able to call Jonghyun his.

The elder male begins to stir a little, causing Minho to pull his hand back, but he doesn’t move away from Jonghyun’s warmth.

“Were you watching me sleep?” Jonghyun asks groggily.

Minho tries to suppress his smile. “No.”

“Liar.”

��Okay, you caught me.”

Jonghyun inches closer and presses a light kiss to Minho’s chest which is heaving a bit with laughter. “Minho-yah.” Jonghyun uses his index finger to trace small circles around Minho’s left nipple which is very distracting in the brunet’s opinion. “I’m hungry.”

Minho bursts out laughing at what Jonghyun is suggesting he do for him. “Fine hyung, I’ll make us something to eat.”

Jonghyun smiles in triumph as Minho gets out of bed, dressing himself in a pair of discarded boxers on the floor, completely unsure if they’re his or Jonghyun’s – not like it matters anyway.

It doesn’t take long for Minho to maneuver himself around Jonghyun’s kitchen and prepare sandwiches for them both. When he returns to the elder’s room with said sandwiches and a glass of orange juice, Jonghyun is nowhere to be found. Minho frowns until his ears pick up on the sound of water running. He smirks as he sets the food and beverage onto Jonghyun’s small bedside table.

The pair find themselves quenching their passion yet again, as lukewarm water cascades all around them. Jonghyun’s legs are wrapped tightly around Minho’s waist as the latter’s skin burns from the feel of the elder’s lips moving across his body.

“Oh God Minho.”

Their pace is slow, languid almost, but satisfying all the same. Minho moans out his hyung’s name as he feels that familiar twisting in his gut. He grunts as he climaxes into Jonghyun’s heat, ungracefully locking lips with the shorter male. Jonghyun comes right after, hand curled around his own member as the water begins to run cold.

After the intensity and shock of their first night spent together passes over, words that Minho dreaded hearing left Jonghyun’s lips.

“We need to talk about this Minho.”

Minho sighs, burying his face into Jonghyun’s shoulder. “Babe please, let’s not do this now.” He hopes that this conversation will be dropped, not really wanting to think about Taemin and the consequences of his and Jonghyun’s actions last night.

“Minho-“

The sudden sound of Minho’s ringtone cuts Jonghyun off much to Minho’s silent relief.

“Hello.”

“MINHO!” It’s Kibum and Minho cringes at the volume of the other’s voice. “You were supposed to be to the airport to pick me up 20 minutes ago. Where the hell are you!?” Minho drags his hand over his face in pure exasperation. Kibum’s return to Korea was remembered up until last night. Now, all he can think about is the little whine Jonghyun makes when he pushes into his-

“Well?! Minho, where the hell are you please tell me you’re on your way.”

“Give me 20 more minutes please, I’ll be there.” Minho ends the call before Kibum can reply.

“Taemin huh?”

Minho winces at the sadness lacing Jonghyun’s tone. “No. It was Kibum. I have to go.” Minho tries to press a kiss to Jonghyun’s lips but the elder shifts his head. Minho sighs, settling for Jonghyun’s cheek instead.

“I’ll come by later, we can talk then okay?”

Jonghyun doesn’t respond.

“I’m sorry Key, I went out last night and got a little drunk and woke up super late this morning.” Minho apologizes the minute he’s in speaking distance of Kibum. The other simply glares at Minho, shoving his suitcase into Minho’s hands and storms off – much like a spoiled child – to Minho’s car.

Minho sighs, knowing that Kibum’s not usually subject to having to wait on people.

“Seriously Kibum, I’m really sorry.” Minho apologizes for the 6th time once they’re making their way through the heart of Seoul. “Are you seriously not going to talk to me or even acknowledge my apology? Come on Bummie please…I can’t say I’m sorry enough.”

Kibum groans at the nickname. “Fine, Minho, I know you’re just gonna keep nagging me until I forgive you so fine! You’re forgiven.”

Minho gives a small smile of triumph, reaching with his right hand to pat Kibum’s cheek. Key swats Minho’s hand away, still looking somewhat annoyed.

“I’m just peeved because I had some things I had to get done today before Tae’s big dance recital tonight. Now I’m falling behind on my schedule.”

Minho’s mouth immediately relaxes. He pales. Oh shit! He totally forgot about that. His eyes lose their focus as he chastises himself. How could he forget?! Taemin’s been talking about this for months for Christ’s sake! Thousands of scouts from professional agencies would be looking for future dancers and choreographers tonight. This would be an important moment in Taemin’s future career as a dancer and it completely slipped Minho’s mind.

“You didn’t forget did you?” Kibum looks at him with narrowed eyes.

Minho forces himself to chuckle, looking at Kibum as if he’d just asked him something stupid. “No, of course not.”

The performing arts center of Taemin’s school is filled to the brim as Minho and Kibum settle into their seats. Kibum complains about how far they are from the stage, frowning when Minho doesn’t agree with him. The younger man is too absorbed with his cell phone to pay attention to his surroundings – checking for mixed calls or messages from Jonghyun. He’d texted the older man earlier to let him know he wasn’t sure he’d be able to come over tonight, but there’s still no response. Minho turns his phone on silent and sinks into his seat as the lights begin to dim.

There are about nine performances before Taemin along with his best friend Jongin, take the stage as the final act. They would be dancing to a mashup of songs, a piece Taemin choreographed himself. Minho’s seen this performance hundreds of times during Taemin’s practice sessions. However he feels a sense of pride watching his boyfriend perform the piece he’s been working on for months in front of hundreds of people.

“Wow, they’re really doing amazing. They haven’t missed a beat.”

Minho nods in silent agreement, watching with proud eyes as the music transitions from dubstep to a lighter less gritty sound. Minho knows the end is nearing. Instead of ending abruptly like most of the other performers tonight, Taemin and Jongin were ending their performance on a graceful note.

Minho smiles as he watches the two men spin on the tips of their toes and then collapse onto the stage as the chillstep song comes to an end. He knows that move was difficult for Taemin, especially since he doesn’t have the extensive history in ballet that Jongin has.

The crowd erupts into a standing ovation, cheers and hollers echoing all around the room. Minho and Kibum stand as well, with Kibum doing enough yelling to rival everyone else in the building.

“He’s gotta get recruited by at least 10 companies after that performance,” Kibum comments as he and Minho wait for Taemin to emerge from the dressing rooms.

“I’m sure he will be.” Minho takes his phone out of his pocket to check the time, and then grows worried as he sees one missed call and 7 text messages from Jonghyun.

Texts from Jonghyunnie♥♥♥, 2 hours ago:

Hey

are you still coming over so we can talk?

minho? it’s getting late and I still haven’t heard from u

…are u ignoring me?

im sorry, we don’t have to talk about taemin if u don’t want to

please don’t be mad at me

im sorry

“Are you okay?” Kibum asks as he takes in Minho’s expression.

“I’m fine,” Minho says a little too quickly to be true. He sighs and pockets his phone. “Really, I’m fine,” he rolls his eyes at Kibum’s disbelieving look.

Taemin joins them a minute later. He’s freshly showered and all smiles as Kibum reigns down the praises.

“Oh my God Tae that was fantastic! I’ve known you for almost eight years and I didn’t even know you could move like that!”

Minho gives a tight lipped smile when Taemin turns to him. “You knocked them dead babe,” he says as he places a kiss on Taemin’s cheek.

Taemin giggles in response while Minho wraps an arm around his waist.

“Thanks guys. We’re having a small get together at Jongin’s house. You guys are coming right.”

“Um I-“

“Of course we are,” Kibum cuts Minho off.

“Excuse me.”

The three men look to the older man who addresses them.

“Are you Mr. Lee Taemin?” The man looks at Taemin.

Taemin nods and slips out of Minho’s grasp.

“That performance you and your colleague gave tonight was amazing. If you don’t mind, can I speak to you in private?”

“Sure.”

“So, you wanna head straight to the party or you wanna go home and change first?”

Minho glances sideways at Kibum. “I think you should head to the party with Tae. I’ve got something to do first.”

Kibum narrows his eyes. “Does this have something to do with the text messages you were reading earlier.”

Minho sighs. “No. Something just came up that I need to take care of first.”

Taemin comes practically skipping to the pair, with a huge smile plastered on his face.

“Good news I presume…” Kibum murmurs.

“You guys, that man is the head of recruitment for a choreographing company and he wants me and Jongin to come and work with them!”

“Oh my God that’s amazing Tae,” Kibum squeezes the younger man tight. “Did you already accept?”

“No, he said to just think about it for now. Jongin and I are gonna go to his company later on this week and talk about all the details.”

Minho ruffles Taemin’s hair. “I’m so proud of you.”

Taemin blushes hotly. “Jongin’s bringing his car around front so we can get going.”

Minho frowns. “About that…there’s something I have to go and do first.”

“Oh.”

Guilt wells up in Minho as he sees Taemin’s smile replaced with sheer disappointment.

“I’ll be there don’t worry, I just gotta go take care of this thing. Kibum will ride with you guys.” Minho gives Taemin a kiss on the cheek for good measure, and nods to Kibum who gives him a scathing look.

He’s barely out of earshot when Kibum mumbles, “How dodgy.”

“Hyung, open up, it’s freezing out here.” Minho knocks on Jonghyun’s door for the fourth time. It’s just past ten, he didn’t expect Jonghyun to go to bed so early. He grabs his phone and opens up his chat log with Jonghyun just as the older man opens the door.

Jonghyun is dressed in only boxers with his hair dripping wet, which Minho assumes is from a recent shower.

“Minho?” Jonghyun pulls the younger man inside and wraps his arms tightly around him. “I thought you weren’t coming I-I thought you were mad at me. I’m sorry.”

Minho chuckles at how panicked Jonghyun sounds. He pulls away to kiss the shorter man. “It’s okay baby, I wasn’t mad.”

“Where were you tonight?”

“T-Tae had a dance recital…”

“Oh.” Jonghyun gives Minho that same disappointed look Taemin gave him earlier. But then Jonghyun kisses him with such passion that Minho forgets all about Taemin. His head feels light, like he might just float away. “Let’s not talk about him. Not now at least.”

Minho smiles as Jonghyun leads him to the couch in his living room and begins an assault on his neck.

“I missed you.”

“I m-missed you too baby, but I ahh…can’t stay.”

Jonghyun pouts as he untucks Minho’s dress shirt from his pants and begins unbuttoning it.

Minho groans as Jonghyun’s lips latch onto his chest. He feels Jonghyun’s finger toying with the button on his slacks and all his resolve disappears. He’s unable to tell Jonghyun to stop now.

“I’ve wanted to do this from last night,” Jonghyun breathes as he pulls Minho’s cock out into the warm air of his heated apartment.

Minho lets out the most unmanly whimper as Jonghyun takes him into his mouth, teasing at first, but growing more and more firm and enthusiastic as time draws on.

“Fuck hyung,” Minho moans as Jonghyun pumps him with his hand before taking him into his mouth again. He’s got his head tilted back, teeth digging into his lower lip as his fingers dig into the cushions.

Jonghyun lets him out of his mouth again with an obscene pop. “You can grab onto my hair, I know you want to.”

Minho bites his lip and grabs onto Jonghyun’s silver locks. He tugs lightly, helping guide the movements of Jonghyun’s head up and down his cock. “B-Baby, you’re s-so good,” Minho moans as Jonghyun’s tongue works wonders up and down his shaft.

Minho’s words spur Jonghyun to suck Minho harder until the younger man becomes a whimpering mess beneath him.

“B-Babe I-I’m gonna – f-fuck, I’m gonna cum,” Minho moans out before coming suddenly.

He half expected Jonghyun to gag and spit it out – but when Minho sees the bobbing of Jonghyun’s adam’s apple, he looks at him with blown pupils.

Jonghyun pulls off of Minho’s cock with a smile. “Was it good?”

All Minho can do is nod, unable to form words just yet.

“Good.” Jonghyun pecks Minho’s lips and pulls his underwear and pants back up for him. He sits down next to Minho and laces their fingers together. “I guess I understand if you have to leave…but can you stay with me for a bit, at least until I fall asleep?”

Minho can’t possibly say no – not to Jonghyun.

Minho ends up staying longer than a bit and much longer than after Jonghyun falls asleep. How could he leave with Jonghyun snuggled onto his chest and looking so damn peaceful in his embrace? Minho sighs when he hears his phone vibrate on the nightstand for what he thinks is the 10th time that night – the light from it casting a dim glow in the room. He reaches over and turns it off, before he pecks Jonghyun’s forehead and closes his eyes. He’ll just deal with everything tomorrow.

“Where were you last night?” Taemin asks as soon as Minho lets him into his apartment. “Key hyung and I called and texted you a bunch of times and you didn’t answer anything. We were worried Minho!”

Minho sighs. “Something came up Tae…”

“What do you mean something came up?! Something so important that you missed the after party of one of the most important nights in my life? It couldn’t wait?”

Minho runs a hand through his hair. “I’m not about to fight with you Taemin. Something important came up that I had to deal with. I’m sorry that it took so long and I missed the party and I’m sorry I didn’t call and let you know I was okay. M-My phone was on low battery and then it died,” Minho lies.

Taemin sighs. “I j-just really wanted you to be there Minho. I wanted to celebrate my achievements with you. And I hardly even talked to you last night. I saw you for two seconds and then you were gone.”

Minho feels guilt rise up in him. “I’m sorry baby. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

“O-Okay.” Taemin leans forward and presses a gentle kiss to Minho’s lips. Minho forces himself to kiss Taemin back – mind registering how wrong this is, considering that he just kissed Jonghyun goodbye this morning. When Taemin tries to deepen the kiss, Minho pulls away.

“What’s wrong?” Taemin looks at him confused.

“Nothing baby,” Minho forces a smile. “I’m just tired.”

“Oh.”

Minho pretends he doesn’t hear the feeling of rejection in Taemin’s voice.

On Thursday after his last final, Minho and a few of his soccer teammates decide to have a little scrimmage before they part ways for the break. Minho invites Jonghyun to come and watch, eager to show him how much he’s improved since the last time Jonghyun watched him play soccer.

Jonghyun gives Minho a big wave when he arrives and Minho gives him an even bigger one back. He smiles at how cute Jonghyun looks in his oversized jacket, along with a beanie on his head.

“Who’s that?” Jihan – one of Minho’s teammates – asks.

“He’s a close friend of mine,” Minho says as he stares at Jonghyun with a smile.

“He’s cute.”

The smile disappears off of Minho’s face as he looks at Jihan. “He’s taken,” Minho says with more force than he’d intended.

“Woah man, just saying he’s cute. Never said I wanted to date the guy.” Jihan pats him on the back. “You shouldn’t care anyway, aren’t you in a relationship with Taemin?”

Minho groans and grits his teeth. “Let’s just start the game.”

Minho’s team ends up beating the others 3-1 by the time it starts getting dark. He runs over to where Jonghyun’s sitting on the bleachers, clapping for him. “So Jonghyun hyung, what did you think?”

Jonghyun smiles at him. “You were really good. You’re like a pro now,” Jonghyun says honestly. “But I must say it was hard to focus watching you run up and down the field in those shorts of yours. It was pretty sexy.”

Minho blushes. “Oh really?”

“Yeah.”

Minho grins. “Let’s go back to your place.”

Minho takes a quick shower at Jonghyun’s apartment and borrows some of his clothes – they’re a little tight on him but he doesn’t mind that much.

“Hey Min…which one do you like more?” Jonghyun holds up two shirts, a red plaid one, and a cream coloured one.

Minho looks at both shirts and eyes Jonghyun. “The red one. Red is your colour hyung.”

Jonghyun smiles softly. “Okay, red it is,” he says before taking the shirts back to his room.

When he comes back and plops down next to Minho, Minho looks at him strangely. “Why are you asking for my opinion on clothes? You got a date?”

Jonghyun giggles. “Maybe.”

Minho frowns. “Don’t say things like that hyung, you’ll make me jealous.”

The grin falls off of Jonghyun’s face. He scoots away from Minho. “It was a joke Minho, and you’re not exactly in the position to be possessive don’t you think?”

Minho finds out on Saturday why Jonghyun had asked for his opinion on his clothes. It’s his 21st birthday and Kibum had somehow managed to plan an entire party without Minho knowing anything of it. It’s not a huge party but there are a nice number of Minho’s friends and family in attendance. The music is lively and whichever catering company Kibum hired did an amazing job. Jonghyun arrives about an hour into the party, dressed in the same plaid shirt he’d shown Minho the other night and a pair of ripped black jeans. Minho’s eyes don’t leave Jonghyun’s body the minute he spots him, even though Taemin’s body is pressed tightly against his as they dance in the middle of the living room of Kibum’s apartment.

He watches as Jonghyun converses with Kibum and then Jinki before sitting idly in a corner and watching everything going on around him. Their eyes lock suddenly and Minho freezes. He starts gently prying Taemin’s body away from his.

“I’m staying over at your place tonight…” Taemin whispers suggestively in Minho’s ear.

“Y-Yeah sure,” Minho says absentmindedly before completely letting go of Taemin. “I’m gonna go say hi to Jonghyun hyung okay.” He leaves before Taemin can respond and goes over to where Jonghyun’s sitting.

Jonghyun looks up at him with a small smile. “Happy Birthday Min.”

Minho smiles. “Thanks hyung.” He leans down to whisper in Jonghyun’s ear, “Come with me next door, to my apartment,” he says before leaving.

“This is the first time I’ve been in your place since I got back,” Jonghyun says as Minho closes the door behind them.

“Yeah…Do you like it?”

“It’s cozy,” Jonghyun says.

Minho smiles softly and sits next to Jonghyun on the couch. He brushes a few stray strands of hair away from Jonghyun’s forehead before leaning in for a kiss.

Jonghyun gently pushes Minho back by his chest. “Are you really going to try and kiss me, after you’ve been dancing with your boyfriend all night?” Jonghyun asks with a sense of bitterness lacing his words.

Minho sighs. “Jjong…you know…i-it…it’s complicated.”

Jonghyun shakes his head. “It’s not right Minho. Y-You can’t date me and him. You need to break up with him…”

Minho looks at Jonghyun with sullen eyes.

“O-Or stop seeing me.”

Minho’s eyes widen. “No. I’m not going to stop seeing you Jonghyun. I just got you. I-I’ve been in love with you for years…”

“Then you know what you need to do.”

Minho looks away from Jonghyun and bites his lower lip. “I feel like shit because of this hyung,” he whispers, to himself almost.

Jonghyun’s eyes soften. “I’m sorry Minho. It’s your birthday, you should be celebrating instead of talking about this.” Jonghyun reaches out to gently comb his fingers through Minho’s hair. “I got you something.”

Minho looks back at Jonghyun. “You did?”

He gives him a small smile and a nod. Jonghyun passes Minho a small gift bag he’d brought with him.

Minho takes it and can’t help the small smile that grows on his face, knowing that Jonghyun had bought him something. He opens the bag and pulls out a picture frame, encasing a drawing of his much younger self. “W-What’s this?”

“It’s a drawing I did of you back when we were teens. I think it was then I started realizing I had feelings for you,” Jonghyun says quietly. “I kept it with me all this time but I think you should have it.”

Minho rubs his thumb over the drawing, in awe at the amount of detail put into it. “I-It’s beautiful hyung. Thank you.”

“I have another gift for you too…”

Minho turns to face him and before he can ask what it is, Jonghyun’s pink plump lips are pressed softly against his. Minho closes his eyes and melts into the kiss. He rests the drawing down at his side and cups Jonghyun’s face.

Jonghyun pulls back briefly to whisper “I love you,” against Minho’s lips before kissing him deeply.

Minho kisses Jonghyun back just as deeply. He presses Jonghyun’s body close to his before sliding a wet tongue into Jonghyun’s warm mouth. Minho receives a low moan in response to his actions and it just spurs him on. He starts kissing Jonghyun more forcefully, trying to pour all his passion and desire for him into the kiss.

A sudden knock on the door forces them to separate.

Minho pulls back from Jonghyun’s lips and looks at his apartment door with a sigh. He reluctantly gets up to answer it.

“So this is where you snuck off to,” Kibum says when Minho cracks the doorway. “Are you seriously trying to ditch your own party?”

Minho chuckles. “I just needed a breather Bummie. I’ll be back over in a few minutes.”

“No no no breathing time is over, I’ve been looking everywhere for you. It’s time to cut your cake.”

Minho inwardly groans. “I’m coming over right now Kibum I promise. It can wait five more minutes.”

“Minho. Get your ass back over to YOUR birthday party right now. And have you seen Jonghyun? Taemin said that you were gonna go and say ‘Hi’ to him before you disappeared to here.”

“U-Uh,” Minho starts.

Jonghyun stands and moves towards the door. “I-I’m here. I w-wanted Minho to show me his apartment,” he says, voice still sounding a bit shaky after the kiss. “I haven’t gotten any chances to visit yet.”

Kibum’s eyes flicker from Minho to Jonghyun closely, before he smiles. “Well it’s nothing special, you can come back and check it out later” he says before pulling them both back along to his apartment. “Now come, cake time.”

Minho doesn’t get the chance to take Jonghyun back to his apartment later, nor does he get the chance to sneak in a kiss or even a friendly dance. Once he’d gone back to the party and cut and shared out his birthday cake, Taemin latched onto him like a parasite. Minho couldn’t even go to the bathroom without the younger man waiting on him by the door. In the end when the party dwindled down, Minho settled for a quick hug with Jonghyun – but made sure to whisper in his ear that he’d see him in the upcoming week and they could continue their kiss. Jonghyun left with a slight blush on his face and after seeing that Minho made peace with the fact that he didn’t get to kiss him goodbye.

“Minho, let’s go back to your place. Key hyung said not to worry about the mess,” Taemin says while clutching onto Minho’s arm.

“You’re sleeping over tonight?”

Taemin tilts his head and looks up at Minho. “I told you this…earlier.”

“O-Oh,” Minho says. “Y-Yeah, you did. Sorry. Let’s go.”

Minho feels awkward when he and Taemin get undressed together. Taemin takes his time, trying to be sexy. Birthday sex is obviously on his mind.

Minho wants to tell him to stop, to put his clothes back on but he can’t bring himself to, not when Taemin looks so determined.

It’s when Taemin gently pushes Minho onto the bed and starts straddling him that Minho realizes he can’t do this. He presses a hand to Taemin’s bare chest. “Stop…”

Taemin looks at him confused. “What do you mean ‘stop’?”

Minho looks away from him and sighs. “I mean stop. I don’t want to have sex. I don’t feel too up for it baby…”

“You’ve never refused sex before?”

Minho bites his lip. “I don’t feel well,” he lies.

Taemin tilts his head. “I don’t understand.” He looks down at Minho’s crotch and then looks back up at him with watery eyes. “O-Oh…you’re not even hard…?”

“It’s not you Tae,” Minho says. “It’s just I don’t feel well, I drank too much. You know alcohol makes me sleepy,” Minho lies again, knowing that he only had two cups tonight.

“Yeah…okay, sorry,” Taemin says as he gets off of Minho’s lap. He gets under the covers and lays down with his back facing Minho.

Minho sighs as he looks at Taemin’s back, feeling guilty.

He turns away from him, mind overflowing with various thought before he falls asleep.

The next morning is awkward as they eat breakfast together. Taemin does not make much eye contact with Minho.

“…So…” Minho clears his throat. “D-Do you wanna do anything today…baby?” Minho asks.

Taemin looks up at him and then shakes his head. “I can’t. I needa meet with Jongin to discuss some stuff about our choreography deal.”

“Oh okay,” Minho says quietly. He sips at his orange juice.

“I’m gonna get going,” Taemin says when he finishes eating. He puts his plate in the sink and grabs his things.

“Okay,” Minho says. “I’ll see you later?” Minho looks up at Taemin, expecting the man to give him a kiss before he departs.

“Yeah, later,” Taemin says before leaving.

“Oh fuck,” Jonghyun gasps as Minho strokes deep inside of him.

Minho’s got him bent over his work desk as they’d been too impatient to move to Jonghyun’s bedroom when Minho came over.

“A-Ah hyung…s-so tight,” Minho pants against Jonghyun’s neck. “I-I’m so close,” he groans.

“M-Me too,” Jonghyun whimpers as he pumps his dick in tune with Minho’s thrusts.

Minho cries out when he finally climaxes inside of Jonghyun, with the man following with his own cries not too long after.

“Oh shit,” Jonghyun says as he gets a good look at Minho’s neck in the shower. “I marked you.”

Minho touches the mark on his neck and then shrugs.

Jonghyun bites his lip nervously. “I’m sorry, it’s really visible Min. I c-can cover it for you with makeup.”

“Baby it’s fine, no need to cover it.”

“But what about Ta-“

“Shh, we’re not talking about him remember?” Minho gives Jonghyun a kiss on the cheek. “Now come on, let’s rinse off.”

Minho’s never been particularly religious, finding thoughts of a higher deity rather silly. But that doesn’t stop him from celebrating Christmas with his family. The holiday itself has loss much of its true intent, rather becoming capitalism’s grand finale every year. Despite being very aware of this fact, Minho finds himself in front of his childhood home with gifts for his parents and brother tucked under his arm.

He knocks on the front door while Taemin stands beside him.

“Hello boys,” Minho’s mother answers the door with a smile. She pulls Minho in for a hug and smiles warmly at Taemin.

“Taemin, it’s nice to see you again.” She’d met Taemin in Minho’s apartment early on in their relationship when she’d made an impromptu visit to surprise her son.

“It’s nice to see you again too Mrs. Choi,” Taemin says politely.

“Come on in boys, the Kims are already here.”

Minho follows behind his mother visibly confused. “The Kims? They’re having Christmas dinner with us?”

“Yes, it was a last-minute decision. Sodam just brought over their dishes.”

Minho inwardly sighs. Jonghyun had mentioned spending Christmas with his mother and sister but Minho had no idea that their parents would decide to have dinner together. He was hoping to avoid being around both Jonghyun and Taemin again.

“Taemin, you know Jonghyun don’t you? He’s Minho’s best friend,” Mrs. Choi says when they finally reach the dining room.

“We’ve met,” Taemin says. “Hey Jonghyun-hyung. Merry Christmas.”

Jonghyun looks at Minho and Taemin standing near the doorway wearing their matching sweaters and then looks down at the table. “Merry Christmas,” he says quietly.

Minho finds that he can look everywhere but Jonghyun’s eyes.

“Are you boys ready to eat?” Mrs. Choi asks happily.

They sit around the large dining table, Minho between his brother and Taemin. Jonghyun switched seats with his sister a few minutes after Minho and Taemin arrived. Minho would have to crane his neck if he wanted to catch a glimpse of him.

Minho feels but isn’t sure if he looks visibly uncomfortable throughout the entire dinner. With his parents asking questions about his relationship with Taemin while simultaneously reminiscing over how he and Jonghyun were attached to the hip growing up, Minho doesn’t know which one is worse.

“So, how long have you two been dating?” Mrs. Kim asks Minho and Taemin halfway throughout the dinner.

“O-Oh um around six months,” Minho says.

Taemin gently kicks him under the table. “It’s been eight hyung.”

Minho smiles sheepishly, slightly embarrassed. “Time flies. I forget sometimes.” The table takes pity on him as the elders laugh at his statement.

“It’s too early to be forgetting dates little brother,” Minseok says. “Save that for when you’re married,” he says with a nudge to Minho’s elbow.

Minho rolls his eyes, knowing his brother wanted to get a rise out of him.

“What about you Jonghyun?” Minseok directs his question down the table.

“What about me?” Jonghyun asks.

“You’re the only single young adult at this table.” Sodam had brought her boyfriend along and Minseok’s girlfriend was also gracing the Chois with her presence. “Any girlfriend back in Japan?”

Minho visibly stiffens.

Jonghyun snorts. “No. I haven’t had any luck dating since I’ve been back yet either.”

“Oh?” Minseok looks at Minho then back down at Jonghyun. “You’ve been looking?”

“Yeah,” Jonghyun says.

Minho’s face starts to feel hot. He knows he has no right to feel like this but Jonghyun’s words hurt.

Minseok rests a hand on Minho’s knee and smiles knowingly. “The least you could do is play wingman for Jjongie.”

Minho pushes his brother’s hand off and grits his teeth at him. “Stop it,” he whispers.

“Who wants dessert?” Minho’s mom asks.

Minho’s brother corners him outside the upstairs bathroom after everyone’s finished eating dinner.

“So. I’ll give you a chance to come clean,” Minseok says.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Minho says and pushes past him.

Minseok grabs onto his arm. “I know something is going on between you and Jonghyun,” Minseok says loudly.

“Shh!” Minho demands and pushes his brother into his old bedroom. “What the hell are you talking about hyung,” Minho says and closes the door behind them, a nervous feeling rising from the pit of his gut. “There’s nothing going on.”

“Oh, come off it Minho,” Minseok says. “I’ve known since you were kids that you had a crush on him. Now you show up here with your boyfriend and you can’t even look Jonghyun in the eye.”

Minho shakes his head. “That’s not true. You know nothing.”

Minseok folds his arms. “You’re sleeping with him, aren’t you?”

Minho’s eyes widen. “W-What…N-No!”

“Fuck, Minho!” Minseok says. “Does Taemin know? Wait of course he doesn’t know, he’s fucking oblivious to it all isn’t he?”

Minho sighs heavily. “Y-You can’t say anything hyung. I’m going to tell him eventually.”

“E-Eventually?” Minseok asks, eyes wide in disbelief. “Minho what the fuck? That’s not right. None of this is right. Y-You’re cheating.”

“Lower your voice!” Minho shouts back at him. “I n-never meant for this to happen hyung,” he says in hushed tones. “J-Jonghyun came back home and all the feelings I thought were buried just rushed to the surface again. I don’t want to hurt him or Taemin. I promise I’m not a bad person,” Minho says as tears well in his eyes.

His older brother sighs heavily and rests an arm on Minho’s shoulder. “D-Don’t cry. But just…you know this is wrong. And you know what you need to do to fix it.”

Minseok pats Minho’s shoulder before exiting the bedroom.

When Minho and Taemin are on their way back to Minho’s apartment, Taemin asks him a question.

“Is something going on between you and Jonghyun-hyung?”

Minho’s hands grow rigid on the steering wheel. “W-What do you mean?” He asks nervously.

“I heard your hyung ask you that.”

“Oh? O-Oh…Um there’s nothing going on,” Minho rambles. “Hyung was just wondering why we weren’t talking much at dinner,” Minho lies.

The car grows quiet. Minho slowly relaxes his grip on the steering wheel.

“D-Did you hear anything else?” He asks softly.

“Oh no. That’s all I heard,” Taemin quickly replies.

“Okay.”

“Jonghyun-hyung is straight right?” the younger man asks. “You said he was dating a girl when you guys were younger?”

“…H-He’s,” Minho doesn’t really know. “I don’t t-think he has a preference. He’s mostly dated girls but he’s dated guys too…”

Taemin hums and turns to look out of the window.

“Why are you asking?”

“Oh no reason. I was thinking of setting him up with one of my friends. Her name is Soojung and she’s really pretty.”

“Oh,” Minho says. He’s seen pictures of Soojung before. She is indeed pretty. “Y-You think they’d b-be a good match?” Minho prays to that deity he barely believes in that Taemin doesn’t notice the quiver in his voice.

Taemin shrugs. “I think they’d be a great match. They’d look really good together. But you do know him better, so I figured you’d have an idea.”

Minho shakes his head, not liking the thought of that at all. “I don’t think she’s what hyung is looking for right now,” he says a bit firmer than necessary.

Taemin stares at him for a few seconds and then looks back out the window. “Well, it was only a suggestion.”

“What are you doing here?” Jonghyun asks as Minho stands on his doorstep two days later.

Minho frowns at him. “Is something wrong? I tried to call you and you didn’t answer.”

Jonghyun steps aside and lets him into the apartment. “Oh no, nothing’s wrong. Not thinking about the play by play I got of you and Taemin’s relationship the other day.” He shuts the door behind Minho louder than necessary.

Minho sighs. “H-Hyung…you know…it’s-“

“Complicated?” Jonghyun asks. “How long is it going to be complicated Minho?”

“Hyung…”

Jonghyun rubs his hand over his face in exasperation. “Why are you here Minho?”

Minho bites his lip. “I…I got you a present.”

“O-Oh,” Jonghyun says quietly. “I d-didn’t get you anything…”

Minho hands him the small box with a smile. “That’s okay. We’ve never really celebrated Christmas. Besides your birthday present was enough.”

“What is it?” The blonde asks curiously.

“Open it and see.”

Jonghyun unties the pink bow on the box and discards the wrapping. He opens it to find a small silver ring – not small enough to fit on his ring finger, but rather appearing to be the width of his thumb.

“Is this a thumb ring?” Jonghun inquires.

Minho raises his hand to show a matching one. “Yeah.”

Jonghyun’s mouth falls open in surprise. “M-Minho, I…I can’t wear this. Not if you’re wearing one too. It’s too obvious.”

Minho shakes his head. “No, these are really popular right now. People won’t notice it hyung. Besides, don’t you like it?”

“O-Of course I do.” Jonghyun slides the ring onto his thumb. “P-Perfect fit…”

“I thought it would be,” Minho says.

Jonghyun looks up at him with a wobbly smile. “T-Thank you Minho.” He gets on his tippy toes and presses a kiss to Minho’s lips.

Minho kisses him back deeply. “I love you,” he whispers against Jonghyun’s lips.

“I love you too,” Jonghyun replies after a slight pause.

Minho pulls Jonghyun into a tight hug. “I-I’m sorry hyung. Sorry that I haven’t addressed everything yet. I p-promise I will, soon.”

Minho feels Jonghyun sigh against his neck. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep Minho.”

Minho pulls back, looking slightly offended. “I will keep this promise hyung. I l-lo-“

Jonghyun shuts him up with a harsh kiss, teeth digging into Minho’s lip. Minho yelps in surprise but quickly recovers, kissing Jonghyun back just as passionately. He wraps his arms around Jonghyun’s tiny waist and lifts him up against the wall. Minho begins kissing Jonghyun’s neck, working on the spots he knows the other likes. The shorter man cries out as Minho leaves light marks along his collarbone. Minho carries Jonghyun to his bedroom and deposits him onto the bed, pulling off the elder’s shirt as soon as his back touches the mattress.

He pulls his own shirt over his head when a firm hand touches his chest.

“Can we just cuddle tonight,” Jonghyun says quietly, unable to make eye contact.

Minho pulls his shirt back on. “O-Of course baby. Of course. Do you want to be held?”

Jonghyun nods, pulling his own shirt back on and shifting onto his side.

Minho spoons him from behind, watching as the man twists the ring around his thumb but says nothing.

New Years Eve finds them at Jinki’s restaurant, sitting around a table filled with various dishes and lots of beer.

Kibum’s a bit tipsy, his tolerance for beer being very low. Minho rolls his eyes as Kibum entertains the group with his forced acts of cuteness – committed all out of spite because he knows Minho hates it. Taemin records key with an amused smile on his face. He had plopped down, right next to Jonghyun when they’d arrived, forcing Minho to sit to the left of him.

“This will be perfect blackmail material,” Taemin says with a wicked grin as he finishes recording.

Those words seem to sober Kibum up. “You wouldn’t dare! I have a public image.”

Taemin laughs at him. “Just be a good hyung and you’ll have nothing to worry about.”

“Any goals for the new year?” Jinki asks at quarter to twelve.

Kibum mumbles something about settling down, Taemin says he wants to work with foreign choreographers and Jonghyun plans to register more than ten songs.

Minho remains silent as the conversation quickly shifts to something else. He has no idea what the new year has in store for him especially with such a dark secret looming above his head.

“So Jonghyun-hyung,” Taemin says. “Are you still looking to date someone?”

Minho snaps out of his self-reflection.

“Oh um…kinda?” Jonghyun replies.

“Kinda?” Kibum chimes in. “Have you gotten laid since you moved back home?”

Jonghyun visibly squirms.

“Bum!” Minho shouts. “Don’t you think that’s a little personal.”

“What? We’re all friends here. We’re always talking about each other’s sex lives.”

Minho frowns. Kibum’s the one that does most of the talking in those conversations.

“Anyway,” Taemin practically shoves his phone in Jonghyun’s face. “This is my friend Soojung, she’s super nice and is into music too. I thought you two would be a good match.”

“O-Oh really?” Jonghyun nervously glances at Minho.

“Yeah. I could give her your number if you’d like. I think you’ll hit it off really well. She gives off a cold vibe at first but she’s really down to earth.”

Jonghyun stammers, “O-Oh um…”

Minho grits his teeth. “Tae…don’t you think you’re putting a bit of pressure on Jjong right now? He’s never even met her.”

Taemin looks back at Minho. “Jonghyun can answer for himself. Besides most people text before meeting each other these days anyway.” Taemin turns back to Jonghyun. “What do you say?”

Minho’s eyes burn at the back of Taemin’s head.

“Um sure,” Jonghyun relents. “You can give her my number.”

“Great. I think you’ll really hit it off, oh um,” Taemin looks down at Jonghyun’s hand. “Nice thumb ring.”

Jonghyun touches it instinctively. “Oh yeah thanks.”

“It looks just like the one Minho started wearing recently.”

Kibum perks up. “Lemme see.” He grabs Jonghyun’s hand and examines the ring. He looks back to Minho’s to compare but Minho’s fingers are bare.

“I’m not wearing my ring,” Minho says.

“But I have a picture,” Taemin adds in. He hands his phone to Kibum.

Kibum glances at the ring on Minho’s thumb in the photo and the one on Jonghyun’s actual thumb. “They look pretty identical to me.”

“O-Oh,” Jonghyun chuckles nervously. “What a coincidence.”

Taemin narrows his eyes. “Yeah…a coincidence. Where’d you get yours Jonghyun-hyung?”

“Huh?” Jonghyun looks up at Minho as if he’s asking for help.

“Where’d you buy the ring?” Taemin rewords his question.

“Oh, I have no idea. My sister bought it for me. It was a gift,” he lies with a chuckle.

“Hmm,” Taemin hums and looks back at his photo of Minho.

Minho doesn’t share a new year’s kiss with Taemin or Jonghyun that night.

Minho knows what he’s doing is selfish. Cheating is something he always frowned upon, hating when it was a plot point in a movie and shunning the topic whenever his friends brought it up. But now that he’s in this current predicament, he finds himself actually understanding why people do it.

It’s not right.

But is it wrong?

He loves Jonghyun with his entire being. But at some point, in his and Taemin’s now eight-month long relationship, he was sure that he was love with him too. He doesn’t want to hurt the younger man’s feelings.

He finds himself unable to do anything while Taemin and Jonghyun both begin pulling away from him. It’s as if there’s rope attached to both of his hands. But instead of being pulled in either direction he remains set in place while Jonghyun and Taemin pull farther and farther away.

It all comes to a head in the new year.

Kibum confronts him in his apartment early February – much like he’d done when Minho had forgotten his and Taemin’s six-month anniversary.

“I know what you’re doing Minho,” Kibum says, sounding very much like he knows something that Minho doesn’t.

Minho looks visibly perturbed. “What are you talking about Kibum?”

“I know you’ve been cheating on Taemin.”

“W-What?” Minho says all too quickly. “That’s not true.”

“Oh? So you haven’t been sneaking around with Jonghyun behind Taemin’s back?”

Minho opens his mouth and then closes it sharply. “…J-Jonghyun is my best friend Kibum. I can’t spend time with him now?”

“Oh please,” Kibum says. “Taemin told me you haven’t touched him in weeks. He’s seen the marks you know.”

“I don’t have any marks.”

“Yeah cause now Jonghyun’s caught a clue and has stopped fooling around with you too.”

Minho’s anger flares at the harsh truth behind that statement. “You need to leave,” Minho says, his tone matching the chill of the air outside.

Kibum heads towards the door. “Just for the record, we’re not friends anymore. I’m not going to be friends with a cheater! You broke Taemin’s heart Minho and I’ll never forgive you for that!” He slams the door as he exits.

Minho stares at the door for what feels like hours after Kibum leaves.

Hours later he finds himself at Orgel, in desperate need to see Jonghyun. The older man had ignored his texts and calls and when Minho had pulled up to his apartment complex, Jonghyun’s car was nowhere to be seen. The club was the only place Minho figured he would be.

But Jonghyun isn’t alone.

Minho watches as the man walks off the stage after his set and heads to a small table in front where a pretty blond claps enthusiastically for him.

Minho feels his heart crumble in his chest, the sight far too similar of an experience he’d repressed from his teenage years.

Before he can stop himself, he’s already crossed over to the table with fire in his eyes.

To say Jonghyun is startled to see him would be an understatement. The older man’s eyes practically bulge out of his sockets. “M-Minho, w-what are you doing here?”

“W-Who is she?” Minho asks bluntly.

Jonghyun looks at the girl apologetically, before grabbing Minho’s arm roughly and tugging him outside.

“What are you doing here Minho?” He asks in hushed tones.

A group of bystanders look at them suspiciously. Minho doesn’t care.

“Who’s the girl hyung?! Why’s she looking at you like that?”

Jonghyun looks away from him with guilt etched on his face.

“H-Hyung. Who is she?”

“She’s my date!” Jonghyun says. “And now she probably won’t go out with me again because you were so rude in there.”

Minho’s so focused on the word date that it takes him a few extra seconds to process the remainder of what Jonghyun had said.

“Hyung…w-what do you mean she’s your date?! G-Go out with you again? W-What about us?”

Jonghyun sighs heavily. “M-Minho. There’s no us! There can’t be a us! I can’t just be your side piece, your mistress. And Taemin deserves better. You know that.”

Minho feels his heart deflate in his chest. “S-So w-what? You’re giving up on me? Are you going to act like it’s all my fault! Like I was cheating on Taemin by myself?!” He says angrily.

Jonghyun looks visibly hurt by his words. “I will not be complicit in that anymore. I-I’m done Minho. I don’t feel good about myself knowing I’m ruining someone else’s relationship.”

“I-It’s not a relationship anymore. T-Taemin…h-he knows.”

Jonghyun raises an eyebrow. “He knows?”

“Y-Yeah. He knows…It’s not a thing anymore.”

“So, you came clean to him? You told him everything?”

Minho doesn’t answer.

Jonghyun scoffs. “…I…I can’t do this anymore Minho. Even if you had ended things with Taemin, I would’ve still felt like shit about it. I c-can’t have that on my conscience more than it already is. I-I’m going back to Taeyeon. At the very least, I deserve someone that’ll be with just me.” He wipes away the tears gathered in the corners of his eyes before heading back into the club.

Minho feels numb as his car drives him home. Cause surely, he isn’t driving, not when he feels like his heart’s been stepped on and his mind is playing a loop of Jonghyun’s retreating form. He makes the short trek from the parking lot to his apartment building and gets in the elevator. It takes severe willpower to not knock on Kibum’s door and go to him for comfort like he’s done so many times in the past. Instead he opens the door to his apartment and sees Taemin sitting on his couch.

“Hey,” Taemin says.

Minho wipes his hand over his face, trying to remove evidence of tear tracks and heartache.

“W-What are you doing here Tae. How’d you get in?”

Taemin shakes his head with a mirthless laugh. “You gave me a key, awhile ago.”

Minho crosses over to the kitchen to pour himself a much-needed drink. “Oh…yeah right.” He takes a swig of the amber liquid, feeling uncomfortable as the silence grows thick between them.

“So-“ Taemin starts.

“I-I’ve been cheating on you with Jonghyun,” Minho blurts in one breath.

Taemin closes his mouth.

He doesn’t know what he expects from Taemin. Shock? Sadness? Anger? Rather, Taemin looks as if he knows.

“I know,” Taemin says after a few minutes. “I’ve known since Christmas.”

Minho rests down his glass. “…Oh.”

“I eavesdropped on you and your hyung’s conversation. So, yeah I knew.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

“I wanted to pretend like it wasn’t true. But then it became too apparent to ignore. The way you’d disappear for hours on end, refuse to have sex with me, the marks I didn’t give you, the matching thumb rings,” Taemin scoffs. “Your face would light up every time you saw Jonghyun. It was obvious from the beginning that something was going on between you two and I didn’t want to believe it.”

Minho fidgets uncomfortably. “…Why tell me this now?”

“Because Jonghyun told me everything. Said he felt like such a huge asshole for getting between you and me.”

Minho swallows. No wonder Jonghyun knew he was lying when he said his relationship with Taemin was no more. “Are you upset with him? Please don’t be it’s not his fault.”

Taemin laughs. “Fuck, I just admitted that I know you’ve been cheating on me and still your only concern is Jonghyun. Wow Minho. I didn’t have a chance, did I?”

Minho frowns.

“The moment Jonghyun moved back here. I-It was all over for us wasn’t it?”

Minho can’t bring himself to answer that question. “I…I didn’t want to hurt you Taemin. I-“

“Bullshit. Don’t you think getting cheated on would hurt me more than you just being fucking upfront with me from the beginning?” Taemin asks. “You’re a selfish asshole. You only cared about what you wanted. You didn’t give a shit about my feelings and you got Jonghyun in the middle of it too. And you did hurt me, no matter how much you claim you didn’t want to, you hurt me. You hurt me so fucking much.”

“T-Tae I-I…”

“And I don’t think anything you say can erase that hurt.”

Minho swallows heavily, feeling like anything he says won’t have an effect. “I-I’m sorry,” he offers weakly.

Taemin shakes his head before exiting the apartment with a duffel bag filled with presumably his things.

Minho downs the rest of his alcohol and sinks to the floor.

Minho finds himself sinking into something akin to depression. He still manages to go to his classes, to put on his usually happy act while around his teammates – but when he’s home alone in his apartment he feels himself growing empty, looking at old pictures of him and Jonghyun and deleting the ones of Taemin out of pure guilt. His attempts to contact Jonghyun are futile. The man doesn’t reply to his texts or answers his calls – arriving to the point where Minho’s convinced his number is blocked. Minho doesn’t know what he could possibly say if he ever approached him in person. Kibum avoids him as well, effectively ignoring him whenever they wind up in the elevator together and by foregoing their previous spots.

He shows up to Jinki’s shop one day, attempting to find solace in one member of their squad not directly involved in the drama – but the man looks visibly pained talking to him.

“Kibum told me what happened. He told me not to be friends with you anymore.”

“So, you’re going to cut me off too?” Minho asks, sounding incredibly hurt.

Jinki gives him a look of pity. “I’m sorry Minho. Kibum and Taemin are two of my closest friends and what you did really hurt them both. I c-can’t hang out with you.”

Minho gets his food to go.

“What did I tell you,” Minseok says over a glass of beer.

Minho groans, not interested in being lectured by his older brother.

“I said, you needed to come clean before shit hit the fan. But you didn’t listen and now look. Shit hit the fan.”

Minho sighs heavily.

“How long has it been?” his brother asks.

“T-Three months,” Minho says under his breath.

“And you’re still this fucked up over it? Shit.”

Minho takes a sip of his drink. “It’s not that fucking easy to forget about hyung. J-Jonghyun, he…h-he was my everything,” Minho’s eyes grow misty.

Minseok sighs. “Maybe you should try talking to someone else. Go out there, get laid. Forget about it for a while.”

Minho shakes his head. “I don’t want to. I only want Jonghyun.” Minho stares down at his lock screen, a picture of him and Jonghyun sitting on the elder’s couch with their faces smushed together.

Minseok peers over Minho’s shoulder and groans. “Well you’re not going to get over him if you stare at his picture every day. Change your fucking lock screen and delete those pictures. Besides, you know it’s really fucked up how you don’t mention Taemin when he was the one you were actually dating.”

Minho pushes his phone back into his pocket, feeling the alcohol begin to catch up with him. “T-Tae hates me. S-Said I’m an asshole, w-which I am,” Minho slurs. “B-But Jjong and I…W-We were so r-real.”

“Woah there,” Minseok says. He takes Minho’s glass away from him. “Enough drinking for you.”

His brother drops him home, making sure he makes it safely into his apartment before leaving with the promise to check on him tomorrow.

Minho stares up at the ceiling of his apartment for the longest. The spin of the ceiling fan keeps his drunk mind entertained for the longest. After a while, he grabs his phone and opens up Taemin’s contact information. He starts typing a text but finds himself squinting at the keys, unable to type properly. He settles for a voice note instead.

“H-Hey Taemin. I-It’s me, Minho. I’m kinda d-drunk right now and yeah, I wanted to r-reach out to you for the l-longest but I didn’t k-know what to say. B-But maybe my t-thoughts will come to me e-easier right now. A-Are you doing well? I saw that y-you and Jongin went to L.A on your socials. I hope things are going great, I always believed in your potential.” Minho sighs. “I-I’m stalling cause I want to avoid talking about s-serious things. But I do really wish you all the best with your career. You’ve worked so hard. I’ve always liked that about you. N-No matter what you may think, I always genuinely cared about you Taemin. You were my first real relationship, y-you were literally my first and I’m glad that I was able to experience t-that with you. I’m sorry that I wasn’t able to love you as fully as you deserved. J-Jonghyun held a piece of my heart from we were kids and I didn’t realize that until it was too late to act on it. I-It was never my plan to start seeing him when he came back home. I-It just sort of happened. I k-know that’s not an excuse. But it was never my intention to hurt you as much as I did. But I understand that I did hurt you, I hurt you a lot. A-And I’m sorry Tae. So s-sorry. It tears me up inside knowing that I hurt you that much. I hope one day you c-can find it in your heart to forgive me. It doesn’t have to be now or even a year from now…b-but just someday.”

Minho sends the voice note and then hovers over Jonghyun’s number. He presses call but immediately ends it when the phone starts ringing. He sighs and chucks his phone elsewhere on the couch, not knowing what he could possibly say to Jonghyun at this point.

A few months later, Minho finds himself finally taking his brother’s advice. His phone background has been changed to a photo of a palm tree and he’s sitting across from Jihan on their third date.

“You know, I never thought you were interested.”

He isn’t – well not entirely. Jihan’s a handsome guy and they get along well, but Minho would be lying if he said he was truly vested.

He chuckles slightly. “Well. You’re handsome. You know that.”

“It’s different knowing that you find me handsome though,” Jihan says with a smirk.

Minho waves him off with a smile and finishes up his meal.

After their date Jihan asks if Minho would like to come over to his place and he reluctantly agrees.

Jihan’s apartment is a one-bedroom, very small and tidy – but Minho can’t help feeling uncomfortable as they sit on the loveseat with drinks in hand. After small talk about soccer and the conclusion of the semester, Jihan leans forward for a kiss. It’s not their first time kissing each other – Minho had given him a short peck on their second date – but it does feel strange. At this point, Minho is practically starved for human contact, but kissing Jihan doesn’t make him feel anything. When the other man presses a hand on Minho’s chest and attempts to deepen the kiss, Minho pulls away.

“F-Fuck, I’m sorry,” he says, knocking over one of their bottles in his haste to get as far away from the man as possible. “I c-can’t do this. I thought I could, I thought I was ready, but, I…fuck!” Minho grabs his wallet and keys and scrambles up. “I have to go,” he says before fleeing from the other’s apartment.

He gets in his car and drives straight to Jonghyun’s apartment, jolted by the realization that his love for the other has not ceased at all in the six months they’ve been apart.

Minho knocks on the door loudly, asking out loud for Jonghyun to answer it.

When he finally does answer the door, Minho meets pink hair where there had previously been silver.

“M-Minho?” Jonghyun says in surprise.

“P-Please don’t shut the door on me and hear m-me out please,” he begs. “I just went on a date,” Minho says. He inhales deeply. “I went on a d-date and I t-thought it’d been long enough. I thought I was ready. I mean we only spent two months together. Two g-glorious and unforgettable months and here I am six months later freaking out because someone t-tried to kiss me.”

Jonghyun looks at him with eyes of concern mixed with pity.

“B-But I can’t move on because I still love you. I love you so fucking much hyung. I-I’m sorry I didn’t do right by you. I wanted you s-so bad but I wasn’t even the boyfriend you deserved. I had you as my s-secret on the side and I’ll always regret that. I love you and I want to treat you like the boyfriend you deserve to be treated. I w-wanna scream your name from rooftops and let everyone know how much I adore you. B-But I ruined that chance and I-I’m sorry. You’ve probably moved on. I j-just, I h-hope you can forgive m-me. I hope you haven’t spent the last six months h-hating my guts.”

Jonghyun stares up at Minho for the longest. “M-Minho-“

“I-I’ll just go hyung,” Minho says softly. “Thanks for hearing me out.”

He scrambles away from Jonghyun’s apartment as quickly as he had arrived. He drives home, texts Jihan a lengthy apology and passes out on his couch.

When Minho finally wakes up the next morning, he sees a text from Jonghyun.

Text from Jonghyunnie♥♥♥, 9 hours ago:

Meet me at the café today, at 3.

Minho isn’t sure what to expect as he taps his foot anxiously under the table. He’s sitting in the same seat he’d sat in last year when he and Jonghyun had made promises to catch up and give being best friends another go. It feels odd, knowing that it’s almost a year since that happened. They’ve spent more time apart than they have together since Jonghyun’s return.

Jonghyun saunters in at just seven minutes past three and sits down across from Minho.

“H-Hi,” Minho says quietly.

“Hi,” Jonghyun says.

“Why did you ask me he-“

Jonghyun cuts Minho off by motioning a waiter over to their table. He orders a lemonade and a sandwich for himself. Minho orders a water, too nervous to consume anything else. The waiter writes down their orders, promising to be back shortly before leaving to tend to another table.

“So,” Jonghyun begins. “Taemin told me he got a voice message from you.”

Minho furrows his brows, utterly confused at the notion of Taemin keeping in contact with Jonghyun. “O-Oh. Um, yeah. That happened a few months back. I didn’t think he listened to it. He never responded.”

“He messaged me instead,” Jonghyun says. “He doesn’t hold any resentment towards you anymore and he gave me his blessing to date you.”

“Oh? Oh. Um…”

“I had to think about it for a while,” Jonghyun continues. “Actually, it made me feel even worse. That he could be so forgiving. Neither of us deserve that. I-“ Jonghyun pauses while their waiter rests down their drinks. He gives her a small smile after she promises to be back with his food soon.

“I dated too,” Jonghyun resumes. “Taeyeon and I went out a few times. We even fooled around once.”

Minho swallows in attempts to stifle the burning jealousy coursing through him.

“She was really pretty and such a sweet person. But my heart wasn’t in it either. I couldn’t give myself to her fully. I’ve spent the last few months writing sad songs about relationships that can’t seem to work out for whatever reason.” He sips at his lemonade. “I guess what I’m trying to say is I still feel like shit about what we did…but I still love you and despite all the time that’s passed it hasn’t gotten any easier not having you in my life.”

Minho takes a deep breath, feeling like it’s the first one he’s taken since he sat down in this café.

“I love you too. I l-love you so much hyung.” He reaches for Jonghyun’s hand across the table.

Jonghyun holds onto Minho’s hand tightly. “B-But I don’t think we can just go back to the way things were before.”

Minho frowns at him, slowly pulling his hand away. “Oh?”

Jonghyun snatches his hand back and laces their fingers together. “You could at least court me first.”

Courting Jonghyun proves to be an easy task. With his years of knowledge of the shorter man’s preferences, it’s not difficult to plan dates that the other will like or perform gestures that are guaranteed to make the other swoon.

With the older man’s advice, Minho manages to pick out an excellent gift for Kibum’s birthday. A pricey bracelet accompanied with a letter apologizing for all his wrongdoings.

It takes a while, but Kibum eventually returns to his post as Minho’s best friend.

“I mean I guess I should have known,” Kibum says over a glass of wine.

He’s currently sporting a buzzcut with patches dyed a bunch of different colours. Minho thinks it looks ridiculous but Kibum swears it’s the height of style.

“You were way too sad when Jonghyun-hyung wanted nothing to do with you and then way too excited when he came around. I had my suspicions all along.”

Minho snorts. “Yeah well-“

“And then the disappearing acts. So obvious. But you had to top it all off with the matching rings.”

Minho sighs heavily, not wanting this reminder of his wrongful actions – but unable to blame Kibum nonetheless.

“It’s a good thing Taemin has moved on, or we wouldn’t be having this conversation right now,” Kibum says as he takes another sip of his wine.

Minho hasn’t spoken to Taemin, it seems as though there was a silent agreement that they would keep their distance. However according to his Instagram and updates from Kibum, he’s currently dating a girl named Seulgi.

“I-I’m so sorry again Bum-“

“Yeah yeah, I know,” Kibum cuts him off. “So back to Jonghyun. Things back to what they were?”

Minho shakes his head. “We’re taking it a little slow. He doesn’t want to be called my boyfriend just yet. We haven’t been sleeping together either.”

“Oh? And you’re fine with that.”

Minho nods. “I’m just happy I get to be in his presence.”

Jonghyun does eventually come around.

Minho takes him on a trip to the Hallasan Mountain and Jonghyun agrees to be his boyfriend – properly this time – right before he dumps snow down Minho’s jacket.

The revelation of their relationship does not come as a surprise to either of their families. Mrs. Kim and Mrs. Choi look at each other knowingly when the two boys admit to their relationship, commenting that they’d had their suspicions all along but thought that they’d let them figure it out on their own without any pressure. Minho’s father doesn’t comment, but he does smile at the couple fondly a few times over the course of the shared dinner.

“Even though he doesn’t deserve it after the shit he pulled,” Minseok teases. “I’m glad you decided to give Minho another chance Jonghyun. He really cares about you.”

Jonghyun nods with a shy smile.

“But, if he ever pulls any shady business again, I’d be happy to kick his ass for you.”

Jonghyun laughs heartily at that. “I will definitely keep that in mind hyung.”

It’s amazing when you find true love and all your needs satisfied by merely being in their presence. Minho never thought it was possible, but he and Jonghyun have made it official for a month now and he hasn’t felt the urge to ask the man for sex. He misses it, he wants it, but he’s also perfectly content simply curled up on his couch together with the shorter man.

“Hey Minho,” Jonghyun looks up at Minho after noticing him drifting off into his own thoughts.

Minho looks down at him, smiling as he sees the ring fit snugly around Jonghyun’s thumb. “Yeah baby?”

Jonghyun presses a warm kiss to his mouth, before shifting on Minho’s lap so that he’s straddling Minho’s waist. He kisses Minho deeply, hands rubbing all over Minho’s warm skin.

“I-Is this okay?” Jonghyun asks breathlessly. “D-Do you want to?”

Minho nods, unable to find the words.

They move into Minho’s bed. The lights are off, making it difficult to see each other. But Minho finds that he doesn’t need to see the other man to know what expression he’s making. He doesn’t need to see him to please him.

They take things slow, thoroughly exploring each other’s bodies. Minho works his mouth over the entire expanse of Jonghyun’s skin, like it’s the first time he’s ever gotten a taste.

“Shit, you’re killing m-me,” Jonghyun whimpers as Minho’s tongue works over his most intimate spot. Minho doesn’t have much experience doing this but from the sounds Jonghyun’s making, he’s certain it’ll make its way into their routine.

Minho whimpers as he interlocks their fingers above Jonghyun’s head, rocking into him at a slow pace. It feels so good, being able to express his love in such a raw and passionate way. He peppers kisses all over Jonghyun’s face while he moves inside of him. “I l-love you,” he repeats over and over like a mantra.

Jonghyun cums first with his legs tightening around Minho’s waist while his voice reaches pitches Minho’s only ever heard in song. Minho follows soon after, unable to contain himself after feeling the way Jonghyun tightened around him.

Minho can’t see it, but he feels the love and adoration pouring into him from Jonghyun.

“G-God I love you. I wanna spend the rest of my days with you. I wanna write sappy love songs that I’m too embarrassed to play for you and be in the bleachers for every one of your soccer games. And I fucking hate sports. I-“

Minho lets out a breathless laugh before shutting Jonghyun up with a kiss. “I k-know hyung. I k-know. I-I’m sorry it took so long for us to be t-together like this. Y-You know I feel the same. I’ve felt this f-for such a long time. I w-would have waited years for you if I had to.”

Jonghyun kisses Minho deeply and Minho knows that now that he has him fully, he will never let him go.

“So,” Minho starts.

“So,” Jonghyun echoes.

“T-This is awkward,” Minho says apologetically.

“Only if you make it awkward hyung,” Taemin quips.

They’re gathered in a small restaurant – Minho and Jonghyun sitting across from Taemin and his girlfriend Seulgi. Seulgi is even more beautiful in person and has an addicting laugh. Minho can see why Taemin is attracted to her. She and Jonghyun seem to get along well, sharing conversations about books and music throughout the dinner. Minho finds it hard to talk to her, considering he doesn’t know just how much of his and Taemin’s past the girl actually knows.

Minho clears his throat. “I’m sorry. It’s hard for it not to be awkward?” His words come out sounding like a question rather than a statement.

“There’s no hard feelings hyung. You and Jonghyun-hyung are back together and I’ve moved on. I just wanted to meet up with you guys so it wouldn’t be uncomfortable in the future.”

“I’m really sorry again,” Jonghyun says. “Truly.”

“I know,” Taemin replies. “I was never upset with you Jonghyun-hyung. You, on the other hand,” he looks at Minho.

Minho looks away, embarrassed.

“Well…we can let a dead thing stay dead.”

Jonghyun rests a comforting hand on Minho’s knee. “So…Are you moving back to Seoul?” Jonghyun asks in attempts to change the conversation.

“Oh no, we’re only visiting,” Taemin says. “There’s still a lot more of the world I wanna see.”

Minho nods, knowing that Taemin had ambitions that could not be confined to South Korea.

“I know you’ll do well,” Minho says quietly.

Taemin gives him a small smile.

After dinner they decide to go to a karaoke bar. Jongin shows up halfway through the night along with his girlfriend. Jinki joins them later followed by Kibum and his new boyfriend Donghyun.

“Are you okay?” Jonghyun asks Minho when he sits down after belting out a TVXQ song. “You don’t look like you’re having a good time.”

Minho’s the only one who hasn’t sang tonight.

“I-It just feels…weird,” Minho confesses. “Being around everyone like this. It almost feels normal. But I still feel like an asshole for what I did. And everyone knows.”

Jonghyun rubs his hand gently. “Why don’t you talk to him…alone.”

Minho chews on his lip nervously. “You’d be okay with that? After everything?”

“Of course. I trust you Minho. I know you’re not that person.”

Spurred on by Jonghyun’s declaration of trust, Minho approaches Taemin and asks if he can talk to him alone.

“You look happy,” Minho tells him as they stand out on the balcony of the establishment. “Is it real or is it just for show?”

Taemin scoffs. “Over a year later and you expect me to still be crying over you?”

“N-No that’s not what I meant, it’s just-“

“Calm down. I’m just fucking with you,” Taemin says. “I am happy. Genuinely. I love Seulgi and entering a partnership with Jongin was the best decision I made career wise. I have lots to be happy about.”

Love. Minho can’t recall ever saying that word to Taemin and really meaning it. “You love her?”

Taemin nods. “Yeah, I do.”

He says it with so much conviction. “That’s good. I’m really happy for you Tae.”

Taemin hums. “I don’t have to ask if you’re happy. It’s so apparent with the way you look at Jonghyun. It’s almost disgusting.” He takes a sip of his beer.

“Does that bother you?”

“At first it did. I spent so many nights wondering why you would look at him like that, and not me. But it doesn’t bother me anymore. I can see now that the love we had for each other or at least thought we had doesn’t compare to the real thing. You know? I still care about you. I always will. But I’m not in love with you.”

Minho nods, not at all hurt by those words – rather feeling a sense of peace that Taemin has been able to move on.

“I’ll always care about you. I know I was drunk in the voice memo, but I meant everything I said. I know we probably won’t ever be friends again, but I just want you to be happy and to take good care of yourself.”

Taemin gives him a small smile. “I will.”

Minho pulls the younger man in for a hug. “Thank you Taemin.”

Taemin hugs him back. “For what?”

“For forgiving me. That means more to me than you know.”

Taemin pulls back. “I know you’re not a bad guy Minho. I never thought you were. You let your heart get the best of you. It also sucks cause Jonghyun-hyung is so hard to hate. He’s really sexy too-“

“Hey, are you trying to make the moves on my man?” Minho teases.

Taemin laughs with him.

“There you guys are,” Kibum says as he joins them on the balcony. “Come back to the room, we’ve only got 10 minutes left and Minho has yet to sing a song.”

Minho shakes his head as he and Taemin are both pulled along by Kibum.

He sings a song that he thinks both Jonghyun and Taemin will enjoy.

“Hey Min…”

“Hmm?”

They’re lying in their shared bed, huddled under the covers for warmth, with Jonghyun’s unbelievably cold toes tickling Minho’s ankles. It’s late December, with Christmas right around the corner. They both want to make the most of their first Christmas living together in their own home.

“What do you think about getting married?”

Minho pitches up at that, rolling over on top of Jonghyun so he can look at the other clearly.

“What did you just say?”

Jonghyun averts his eyes, suddenly feeling shy under Minho’s intense gaze. “I-I’m asking you to marry me.”

“N-no Jjong why…”

Jonghyun visibly deflates. “You don’t want to get married?” His eyes well up a little bit.

“No no Jonghyun, of course I do baby,” Minho chuckles at how easily emotional his boyfriend can get. He squishes Jonghyun’s cheeks together. “Idiot. Of course I do. But you ruined my surprise.” Minho sighs and rolls over to his original position.

Jonghyun sniffles. “Surprise?”

“I was gonna propose to you next spring. I had this big thing planned. I was gonna take you out to a nice hotel for the weekend, one with a view of the beach. And on our last night, I would lead you to the balcony of our room and you’d look down at the beach and there would be ‘Will you marry me Jjong’ in big letters in the sand.”

“Are you serious?”

“Of course I am hyung! I was gonna book the reservations this week.”

Jonghyun chuckles and then presses a kiss to Minho’s pouting lips. “You’re so cheesy.”

“Shut up, you would’ve cried if I did.”

He kisses Minho again. “Maybe…But still, will you though? Will you marry me?”

Minho grumbles. “Of course I will,” he pulls Jonghyun against his chest. The shorter man sighs in contentment as he wraps his arms around Minho’s waist.

“We should start planning the wedding. Maybe a beach wedding so your fantasy will be fulfilled.”

Minho smiles, and laces his fingers with Jonghyun’s. “Yeah? And after we’re married what are we gonna do next? Adopt some kids?”

“Ooh ooh, two boys and a girl. Or two girls and a boy. We can start a cute little family.”

“The cutest little family.”

Jonghyun grins and kisses Minho’s chin. The latter’s cheeks hurt from smiling at the idea of marrying his best friend and starting a family with him. And it would be the best family ever. They’d love and nurture their children just as much as they love and care for each other. And their lives will forever be filled with constant happiness.

Jonghyun yawns and snuggles more into Minho’s embrace.

“I love you Frogho.”

“I love you more Dinoboy.”

The End.

#im still alive...who would've thought #finishing a fic from 6 years ago...classic #jongho #shinee

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