[One-Shot] Ten Years
Ten Years
Lee Minwoo/Andy Lee / PG-13 / 1,490 words / Romance
Summary: Five times Andy almost told Minwoo that he loved him, plus the one time that he did tell him.
Though he's twenty one years old and inexperienced in relationships, Andy knows that the confession is the most crucial point. It has to be perfect, and he feels the pressure building as he paces Shinhwa's rehearsal room. He hasn't quite achieved the picture of his ideal confession. His voice is far too weak, his legs tremble when he tries to stand still, and though he can't see his face, he can feel the panic in his expression each time he tries to say the three words he prepared. He's nowhere near ready.
But time runs out and Andy mentally scolds his nerves for not getting it together as Minwoo enters the rehearsal room.
"Hey what's going on?" Minwoo asks. "Why did you want me to meet you here so early?"
Andy scrambles for the heart shaped chocolate in his pocket and thrusts it at Minwoo, his arms shaking despite the fact that he's trying so hard to hold them steady.
"Minwoo-hyung I -"
The rest of the words don't seem to come out, and Andy doesn't bother trying again. He lets his arms go limp at his sides and waits for Minwoo's rejection.
Minwoo, however, chuckles and gently takes the box from him.
"How about we grab lunch after rehearsal, just the two of us?" he asks grinning and Andy breathes a sigh of relief as Minwoo gives him a hug.
~*~
Minwoo had always been the jealous type, and it was his insecurity that caused the fight. Yet the look in Minwoo's eyes made Andy feel completely responsible.
"There is nothing going on between me and Eric," Andy says gently for the irate approach he took earlier didn't make Minwoo believe him. "There has never been anything going on between us. I wish you would trust me."
"You don't give me much of a reason to trust you," Minwoo says quietly. "You and Eric have always been close, everyone sees it. Hell sometimes I forget that we're together. It's been two years and I still can't believe it."
This revelation makes Andy feel like he's been crushed by a ton of steel and he quickly searches for something to say that will reassure Minwoo of his feelings.
"Minwoo I…"
He trails off, not wanting to continue.
"You what?" Minwoo asks, annoyance creeping into his voice and Andy doesn't continue. It wouldn't sound believable, not now.
"I didn't confess to Eric two years ago," Andy says. "Isn't that reason enough?"
Minwoo sighs.
"I'm sorry," he says, yet Andy doesn't hear a trace of sincerity in his apology. "You're right. I should trust you more. I need to go for a walk."
Andy winces as Minwoo slams the door to their apartment. He sighs, wondering if things would have been different if he had finished his first sentence.
~*~
Andy is thankful that he and Minwoo decided on carpet for their apartment, as it's quite a comfortable resting surface for a full stomach. The remains of his twenty fifth birthday cake sit on the floor between him and Minwoo and as he stares at them he regrets that they didn't show a bit more self-control.
"I can't move," he says bitterly and Minwoo grins and gets to his feet and stretches.
"I guess that means that you won't be able to open the present that I got for you."
"You know this carpet is starting to feel a bit itchy," Andy says sitting up. Minwoo laughs as he flops back down on the floor, takes a box off of the coffee table behind them, and hands it to Andy.
"Minwoo," Andy says as he unwraps it. "This…"
"The look in your eye when we walked past the display window two months ago told me that I had to get it for you," Minwoo says as Andy takes the silver watch out of the box.
"But -"
"- it costs a kidney and a couple other organs as well, I know. But I wanted you to have it so don't complain, alright?"
Minwoo gives Andy a glance that lets him know that it's worthless to pursue it any further. Instead Andy turns the watch over his hand and wonders just how much Minwoo had to save to buy it for him. He pushes back the tears attempting to form in his eyes and hugs Minwoo, a large smile on his face.
"I -"
Andy pauses as he realizes that saying the words after receiving such an expensive gift may not be the best idea.
"You…?" Minwoo inquires, eyebrows raised.
"I think…" Andy says as he puts the box on the coffee table, "that I should thank you."
Minwoo grins as Andy pins him to the carpet.
"We'll have to get the carpet cleaned again," he says and Andy laughs and closes the distance between them.
~*~
Andy got out of bed that morning to discover that the room was spinning and since then he's been confined to the bedroom with Minwoo for company.
"Are you feeling better?" Minwoo asks as he sits at the edge of the bed.
"A little," Andy replies as Minwoo begins to gently rub his back. "I think that the repackaged promotions are getting to me."
"I told you to take care of yourself you punk," Minwoo says and Andy flinches as Minwoo pinches his side. "Make sure that you eat regularly and rest as much as you can from now on. The last thing I need is for you faint."
"Okay," Andy says frowning and rubbing his side and Minwoo laughs.
"I'm going to go check on your soup," he says ruffling Andy's hair and standing.
"Minwoo?"
Minwoo whips around so fast that Andy is certain he'll have a cramp in his neck for the next week or two.
"What is it?" he asks quickly. "Do you feel dizzy again?"
"No, I'm fine. I just -"
He wants to tell Minwoo how grateful he is, and how he thinks that he couldn't deal with this or anything else without him. But the meaning of the words is too much to handle.
"I just wanted to say thank you," he says softly.
Minwoo grins.
"You're welcome," he replies. "Now try and relax."
When he's out of earshot, Andy groans and hits himself with a pillow.
~*~
The army separation hits them hard. Minwoo tends to be down far more than usual, taking to visiting various bars at least four times a week, and when Andy gets word of this, he decides to dedicate every single off day he gets to being at home.
"Hey," he says quietly as he enters the bedroom to see Minwoo curled up under the sheets.
"Hi," Minwoo says softly, not moving an inch.
"Why don't we see a movie?" Andy asks.
"There's nothing I want to see," Minwoo replies quietly.
"What about going out to eat?" Andy says hopefully. "We can go to that place you love so much. You know the one that I hate…"
Minwoo lets out a soft laugh and Andy can't help be feel relieved that he still has his sense of humor.
"Thanks Sunho, but I'm not very hungry," Minwoo says and Andy frowns.
"Are you alright?" he asks, attempting to keep the worry out of his voice and failing.
"I'm fine," Minwoo says giving him a half-hearted smile. "I just need to rest."
Andy climbs into the bed and wraps his arms around Minwoo's waist, burying his face into the crook of his neck. He isn't sure what to do to lift Minwoo's mood, but the least that he can do is stay with him until it passes.
"I…I'm here for you. Whatever you need, okay?"
"I have what I need now," Minwoo says, putting his arms over tops of Andy's, and Andy presses a kiss to his cheek.
~*~
Ten years is a long time to be dating someone, and Andy thinks that today is the perfect day to redeem himself from the failed confession that started everything. He takes a deep breath and shakes off his nerves as he paces the rehearsal room of the Shinhwa Company building, waiting for Minwoo to arrive.
"What's up?" Minwoo asks as he enters the rehearsal room, and this time Andy doesn't jump at the sight of him, doesn't lose his nerve. He knows the right position to take as he removes a tiny box from his pants pocket and kneels in front of Minwoo, he knows the perfect facial expression to make as he breaks out into a smile, and he knows the right words to say as he opens his mouth and finally says what he's been trying to for ten years.
"I love you."
His voice is strong as he opens the box to reveal a gold ring, and tears spring to Minwoo's eyes before he knows it.
"Yes!" he says before Andy can even get the question out, and Andy laughs as Minwoo tackles him to the floor. Redemption achieved.
Lee Minwoo/Andy Lee / PG-13 / 1,490 words / Romance
Summary: Five times Andy almost told Minwoo that he loved him, plus the one time that he did tell him.
Though he's twenty one years old and inexperienced in relationships, Andy knows that the confession is the most crucial point. It has to be perfect, and he feels the pressure building as he paces Shinhwa's rehearsal room. He hasn't quite achieved the picture of his ideal confession. His voice is far too weak, his legs tremble when he tries to stand still, and though he can't see his face, he can feel the panic in his expression each time he tries to say the three words he prepared. He's nowhere near ready.
But time runs out and Andy mentally scolds his nerves for not getting it together as Minwoo enters the rehearsal room.
"Hey what's going on?" Minwoo asks. "Why did you want me to meet you here so early?"
Andy scrambles for the heart shaped chocolate in his pocket and thrusts it at Minwoo, his arms shaking despite the fact that he's trying so hard to hold them steady.
"Minwoo-hyung I -"
The rest of the words don't seem to come out, and Andy doesn't bother trying again. He lets his arms go limp at his sides and waits for Minwoo's rejection.
Minwoo, however, chuckles and gently takes the box from him.
"How about we grab lunch after rehearsal, just the two of us?" he asks grinning and Andy breathes a sigh of relief as Minwoo gives him a hug.
~*~
Minwoo had always been the jealous type, and it was his insecurity that caused the fight. Yet the look in Minwoo's eyes made Andy feel completely responsible.
"There is nothing going on between me and Eric," Andy says gently for the irate approach he took earlier didn't make Minwoo believe him. "There has never been anything going on between us. I wish you would trust me."
"You don't give me much of a reason to trust you," Minwoo says quietly. "You and Eric have always been close, everyone sees it. Hell sometimes I forget that we're together. It's been two years and I still can't believe it."
This revelation makes Andy feel like he's been crushed by a ton of steel and he quickly searches for something to say that will reassure Minwoo of his feelings.
"Minwoo I…"
He trails off, not wanting to continue.
"You what?" Minwoo asks, annoyance creeping into his voice and Andy doesn't continue. It wouldn't sound believable, not now.
"I didn't confess to Eric two years ago," Andy says. "Isn't that reason enough?"
Minwoo sighs.
"I'm sorry," he says, yet Andy doesn't hear a trace of sincerity in his apology. "You're right. I should trust you more. I need to go for a walk."
Andy winces as Minwoo slams the door to their apartment. He sighs, wondering if things would have been different if he had finished his first sentence.
~*~
Andy is thankful that he and Minwoo decided on carpet for their apartment, as it's quite a comfortable resting surface for a full stomach. The remains of his twenty fifth birthday cake sit on the floor between him and Minwoo and as he stares at them he regrets that they didn't show a bit more self-control.
"I can't move," he says bitterly and Minwoo grins and gets to his feet and stretches.
"I guess that means that you won't be able to open the present that I got for you."
"You know this carpet is starting to feel a bit itchy," Andy says sitting up. Minwoo laughs as he flops back down on the floor, takes a box off of the coffee table behind them, and hands it to Andy.
"Minwoo," Andy says as he unwraps it. "This…"
"The look in your eye when we walked past the display window two months ago told me that I had to get it for you," Minwoo says as Andy takes the silver watch out of the box.
"But -"
"- it costs a kidney and a couple other organs as well, I know. But I wanted you to have it so don't complain, alright?"
Minwoo gives Andy a glance that lets him know that it's worthless to pursue it any further. Instead Andy turns the watch over his hand and wonders just how much Minwoo had to save to buy it for him. He pushes back the tears attempting to form in his eyes and hugs Minwoo, a large smile on his face.
"I -"
Andy pauses as he realizes that saying the words after receiving such an expensive gift may not be the best idea.
"You…?" Minwoo inquires, eyebrows raised.
"I think…" Andy says as he puts the box on the coffee table, "that I should thank you."
Minwoo grins as Andy pins him to the carpet.
"We'll have to get the carpet cleaned again," he says and Andy laughs and closes the distance between them.
~*~
Andy got out of bed that morning to discover that the room was spinning and since then he's been confined to the bedroom with Minwoo for company.
"Are you feeling better?" Minwoo asks as he sits at the edge of the bed.
"A little," Andy replies as Minwoo begins to gently rub his back. "I think that the repackaged promotions are getting to me."
"I told you to take care of yourself you punk," Minwoo says and Andy flinches as Minwoo pinches his side. "Make sure that you eat regularly and rest as much as you can from now on. The last thing I need is for you faint."
"Okay," Andy says frowning and rubbing his side and Minwoo laughs.
"I'm going to go check on your soup," he says ruffling Andy's hair and standing.
"Minwoo?"
Minwoo whips around so fast that Andy is certain he'll have a cramp in his neck for the next week or two.
"What is it?" he asks quickly. "Do you feel dizzy again?"
"No, I'm fine. I just -"
He wants to tell Minwoo how grateful he is, and how he thinks that he couldn't deal with this or anything else without him. But the meaning of the words is too much to handle.
"I just wanted to say thank you," he says softly.
Minwoo grins.
"You're welcome," he replies. "Now try and relax."
When he's out of earshot, Andy groans and hits himself with a pillow.
~*~
The army separation hits them hard. Minwoo tends to be down far more than usual, taking to visiting various bars at least four times a week, and when Andy gets word of this, he decides to dedicate every single off day he gets to being at home.
"Hey," he says quietly as he enters the bedroom to see Minwoo curled up under the sheets.
"Hi," Minwoo says softly, not moving an inch.
"Why don't we see a movie?" Andy asks.
"There's nothing I want to see," Minwoo replies quietly.
"What about going out to eat?" Andy says hopefully. "We can go to that place you love so much. You know the one that I hate…"
Minwoo lets out a soft laugh and Andy can't help be feel relieved that he still has his sense of humor.
"Thanks Sunho, but I'm not very hungry," Minwoo says and Andy frowns.
"Are you alright?" he asks, attempting to keep the worry out of his voice and failing.
"I'm fine," Minwoo says giving him a half-hearted smile. "I just need to rest."
Andy climbs into the bed and wraps his arms around Minwoo's waist, burying his face into the crook of his neck. He isn't sure what to do to lift Minwoo's mood, but the least that he can do is stay with him until it passes.
"I…I'm here for you. Whatever you need, okay?"
"I have what I need now," Minwoo says, putting his arms over tops of Andy's, and Andy presses a kiss to his cheek.
~*~
Ten years is a long time to be dating someone, and Andy thinks that today is the perfect day to redeem himself from the failed confession that started everything. He takes a deep breath and shakes off his nerves as he paces the rehearsal room of the Shinhwa Company building, waiting for Minwoo to arrive.
"What's up?" Minwoo asks as he enters the rehearsal room, and this time Andy doesn't jump at the sight of him, doesn't lose his nerve. He knows the right position to take as he removes a tiny box from his pants pocket and kneels in front of Minwoo, he knows the perfect facial expression to make as he breaks out into a smile, and he knows the right words to say as he opens his mouth and finally says what he's been trying to for ten years.
"I love you."
His voice is strong as he opens the box to reveal a gold ring, and tears spring to Minwoo's eyes before he knows it.
"Yes!" he says before Andy can even get the question out, and Andy laughs as Minwoo tackles him to the floor. Redemption achieved.