Breakfast for Champions → for strwberydaifuku
Title: Breakfast for Champions
Recipient: strwberydaifuku
Pairing(s): Minseok/Jongdae, hinted!Kyungsoo/Baekhyun, mention of Jongin and Tao
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: language, hints of suicide
Word count: 8200
Summary: Minseok likes coffee. But he likes Jongdae a whole lot, too.
The crunch of broken glass, crushed to pieces under his feet, echoes throughout the empty alley as Minseok walks home after a long shift at Overdose. Another broken window -- probably from the neighbourhood kids playing soccer on the streets. He has a (goddamned) 9AM class the next day and (asshole) Zitao just had to call in sick. Donghae hadn’t wanted to hear the excuses, calling Minseok in a frenzy and asking if he could cover for the night. He needs the extra money, anyway, so he agrees although this seems like a bad idea, already, seeing how the fatigue settles in so quickly.
“Mom?” Minseok whispers when he sees the familiar figure on the couch, nodding off to sleep. He approaches her slowly before gently shaking her awake. “Why are you not in your room?”
She stirs awake and looks around for a while, the usual confusion of having just woken up is clear on her face. She takes a look at the clock on the wall and then at Minseok. She inhales. “You just got back, right?” She yawns, stretching. “You smell like coffee.”
“Just a while ago.” Minseok smiles, placing his backpack on the couch. He walks to the kitchen and comes back with two glasses of water. “Were you waiting for me?”
“Yes, but it’s alright. I wasn’t that sleepy just now,” She smiles. She takes a sip of her water, glancing pointedly at the clock on the wall. “Don’t you have a class in the morning, tomorrow? How come you’re on night shift?”
Minseok nods, taking a swig of the water. He swallows it then smiles, “Yeah I have class but Tao fell sick and Donghae hyung couldn’t find anyone else to cover… But it’s alright, Mom. I could use the money so you don’t have to--”
“If only we had a bit more money, then you wouldn’t have to work so hard.” She stops talking and looks at Minseok, trying to gauge his expression. There is an apology hanging loose at the tip of her tongue -- an apology that Minseok will never accept because it is not her fault they are tight on money. Things happen and his family has always learnt how to work around that. Besides, Minseok is working part-time now to shed a bit of the burden of paying for his school textbooks and pocket money. Minseok shakes his head and clamps a hand over his mother’s. She looks down at their hands together and heaves a grateful sigh. “You’ve always been such a good boy.”
She then reaches over to stroke his hair, wordlessly. There seems to be a lot on her mind, a lot that she wants to say but Minseok knows his mother hates to worry her children. He takes her hand in his and gives it a squeeze. It’s an invitation; a silent gesture to let his mother know that she can trust him and tell him things if she needs to. He’s an adult, now. He can understand. She smiles and gently retracts her hand, tilting her chin towards his room.
Minseok gets up, leans forward to press a gentle kiss to the top of her head before heading back to his room.
He makes a beeline for his room, the moment he reaches home, and slams the door shut against hisparents fighting over the bills once more. He has been through this scene before and right now, Minseok just longs for the part where his father walks out of the flat to drink his head off and forget to pay the bills, leaving the bulk of the payments to his poor mother. She is crying for a good few seconds before he hears the sound of glass shattering against the hardwood floor. He stills, ears pricked for any further sounds. After a few moments of silence, he carefully steps out and sees the mess on the floor. It’s easy to guess what has happened, seeing how his father’s is red with fury and the way his mother is shooting daggers at him, mouth pulled into a furious scowl. He must have, in a fit of anger, knocked the vase of flowers to the floor. There are broken shards of glass everywhere.
“Minseok,” his mother’s voice pierces through the silent flat. Minseok isn’t sure what’s more broken, her voice or the vase, but he looks up and is startled at how exhausted she looks, how much she’s aged. He sees the worry lines and fatigue drawn finely on her face. He also notices the blood at the corner of her mouth and this is when he takes a step forward, concerned. She holds out a hand, signalling for him to stop and then her voice becomes firm. One that leaves no room for argument. “Go to your room. Your father and I are having a talk. Don’t worry, just go to your room. I’ll clean this up.”
There’s a terrified squeak amidst the brief, heavy silence -- Minseok’s two sisters are out of their rooms, clearly having heard of the commotion outside. He grabs the two by the shoulders and push them into his room, swiftly covering Minhee’s mouth with his hand to stop the question already teetering so dangerously on the edges of her mouth. Minyoung, the older of the two sisters, glares.
“Not now,” she whispers, as fiercely as a nine-year-old could. She takes Minhee’s hand in hers and squeezes it when she nods at her obediently. Minseok walks over to the door to shut it close but not before watching how:
His father huffing and walking away, leaving their mother in the silence of the living room. There is a loud slam of the door when he leaves, it echoes throughout the whole house and the aftermath of the fight lingers on fresh even after a few hours.
Minseok pretends not to know that his mother is crying herself to sleep that night.
***
The school has been buzzing about the new transfer student, gossiped to be filthy rich, driving to school in an expensive car and how he gets in through family connections. Whatever that means. Several of the popular kids in Minseok’s class have been talking about the new kid - they say he’s arrogant, a chaebol’s son used to having the world at his feet with a foreign name to boot but Minseok can’t help noticing how some of the girls have this odd lovestruck expressions on their faces. Like they’re enamoured by him, whoever he is. He can never understand girls, to be honest. He tunes out a female classmate’s he’s kind of cute though I bet he got in because he’s richand flips his textbook open.
He twirls his pen in his hand, mind blank with exhaustion at the night shifts at the cafe that he has taken up these few days before he feels a buzz in his pocket. He takes out his mobile phone and smiles. It’s Kyungsoo.
Lunch at the South Canteen, later? Seohyun is killing me. She’s fucking boring.
He rolls his eye, grinning as he types: Professor Kim. Pay attention, Do-sshi. You want to keep your A, right? and then a See you later, fucker. He places the device on the table and waits for Kyungsoo to reply. A second later, his screen lights up.
wtv, dad!!! oh pls don’t tell baek, i don’t want to eat w him. he’s not coming in till noon that motherfucker only has class at 2pm what the fuck says Kyungsoo and Baekhyun, who is in the same group chat, replies a while later.
FUCK OFF I CAN SEE THE MESSAGES YOU DUMBASS. I AM IN THIS GROUP CHAT. see u 2 @ south canteen, 1pm xoxo bbh Minseok bites back a laugh as he stuff his phone into his pocket, after muting the conversation.
This is going to be a long week, he thinks, watching his lecturer fiddle with his laptop. He cannot wait for lunch break already.
“He came all the way from Beijing,” Kyungsoo informs during lunch, setting down his tray of food in front of Minseok’s, when he asks if he has heard about the new student. Beside him, Baekhyun is already slurping away noisily at his kimchi ramyun. Kyungsoo throws a disgusted look at the boy before continuing, “But he’s Korean. His name is Kim Jongdae.”
“Not that Chen nonsense everyone’s talking about?” Baekhyun asks through a mouthful of noodles. Kyungsoo retorts with a Have you not been listening to me, you idiot, as Minseok shakes his head, narrowing his eyes at Baekhyun. The latter grins at him and then promptly closes his mouth. “Sorry. No talking with the mouth full, I know.”
“So, what’s the deal with him?” Minseok asks. Jongdae, the new kid, has caused quite a ruckus at the administrative office this morning. He hears all about him when he goes there to submit his financial assistance forms earlier, apart from the rest of his schoolmates. “Why is everyone talking about him?”
“Typical wild child, I suppose,” Baekhyun shrugs, finally done with his lunch. He slaps his hands together and looks at Minseok and Kyungsoo. “But yes, I agree. What is the deal with him?”
Kyungsoo purses his lips in response, hesitation passing his features for a fraction of a second before resuming his usual stony-faced demeanour. “Rich, arrogant, the partying type… you know the deal. He’s also... He’s just -” He stops and mulls over his words before settling with a “I just heard things about him.”
“Things, as in--” Baekhyun starts to question but falls silent at the look Kyungsoo gives him.Minseok takes the hint and turns back to his lunch, kicking Baekhyun under the table and signalling with his eyes for him to not ask anymore. Baekhyun scowls at him and resumes eating his noodles.
***
It is not until a few weeks later that Minseok runs into Jongdae. Minseok is working, having just survived a (crazy) customer with twenty-five coffee orders, thank god they are all iced americanos with the exception of one iced non-fat soy milk mocha, and he doesn’t think he wants to deal with any more customers for the next hour. He has a lot of washing to do.
Jongdae walks in and beams at him, looking at the menu board at the top of the counter for a few seconds before deciding on his order. Minseok gets to work immediately, not even bothering to
acknowledge his school mate.
“Don’t I know you from somewhere?” Jongdae asks, after a while. He takes out a wad of cash from his wallet and hands the money to Minseok. “I’ve seen you around, I’m sure of it.”
“School,” Minseok replies. He swiftly pours the hot water into a cup, not turning around at Jongdae.
“We go to the same school?”
“Yes.”
“Is it your thing to be so… monosyllabic?” Jongdae is laughing now. “You don’t talk a lot, do you?”
Minseok turns slightly and offers a smile, instead. He’s not monosyllabic. He’s just wary of new people and what with all the things that the school is buzzing about with regards to Jongdae, Minseok knows more than enough to keep his distance.
He hands Jongdae his order. Jongdae takes it just as a few of the popular kids from their college streams into the cafe, yelling his name and high-fiving him before dragging him to the back of their cafe, where they usually hang out. He lets out a tinkle of laughter, fingers waving at Minseok.
Minseok shakes his head and smiles at the sight.
Jongdae becomes a regular customer at Overdose, not that anyone is complaining since he brings good business to the cafe with his minimum order of 5 cups of drinks -- a variation of coffees and iced teas, sometimes blends of juices -- each visit. Donghae welcomes him like a V.I.P. after noticing that he seems to have taken a liking for Minseok’s service. Except that this also means Donghae assigns more shifts to Minseok, even on the days that he has classes.
“This is getting ridiculous,” Minseok says after serving the crazy morning crowd. It’s the lull period before lunch time and he is in the kitchen, wiping dry some cups. Donghae has just handed him his duty roster which shows his increase in shifts for the month. He stares at the table stuck on wall as he dries the cups. “I have full-day classes on Thursdays and Fridays and you want me to work after school? I’m sorry. You have to hire another barista, hyung.”
“I’ll pay you twice -- no triple -- your pay!” Donghae offers with a pleading look. “You’re popular! That Square-faced chap keeps coming here and asking for you.. he comes like what, every day? During the past week?”
“Square-faced… You mean Jongdae?” Minseok asks, amused smile playing upon his lips when Donghae shrugs nonchalantly. “The one with super big eyes?” Donghae nods and Minseok confirms, “Yup, that’s Jongdae, alright. What does he want?”
“You’re asking me?” Donghae replies. “I don’t care what he wants… all I care about is how--” and Donghae suddenly pauses as something comes to his mind. He grins at Minseok. “Maybe I should ask you that.”
“Me?” Minseok asks incredulously, jabbing himself in the chest. He lets out a snort. “How the hell would I know?”, Donghae wiggles his eyebrows at him in response and laughs. Minseok stares at him. “What?”
Donghae just shakes his head and waves him to the kitchen, smiling to himself, leaving Minseok with his cups and towel.
***
Kyungsoo scoffs aloud when Minseok tells him about the extra shifts and Jongdae, the disdain in his voice is clear. The bowl of rice and soup in front of him goes untouched as he severely questions Minseok, eyebrows furrowed, “So, Jongdae has been going toOverdose just to see you? What the hell does he want with you?”
“I have no idea.” Minseok shrugs though he is more concerned with Kyungsoo’s annoyance. He leans over and brushes his fingers on his best friend’s arm, cocking a questioning eyebrow. “But, what’s up with him? You don’t seem… you don’t like him, do you?”
Kyungsoo lets out a loud sigh and jabs the spoon into his bowl of rice. “I don’t like what… okay, yes. I don’t like him.” There seems to be something more behind those words, Minseok knows. He’s just not sure if Kyungsoo is willing to share; he’s vastly different from Baekhyun in that way, keeping a lot of things to himself, but he’s also similar to Minseok. There are some things in life that doesn’t need to be said aloud. Minseok understands this. Kyungsoo will tell him if there’s anything important, Minseok is sure of that.
“He doesn’t like anyone, to be honest,” a familiar voice quips, laughing. Minseok and Kyungsoo roll their eyes in unison at that, but smile at the best friend who shoots them a grin. “I wonder if he likes us. So, who have we got here? Who is that lucky person to have crossed our dear Do Kyungsoo’s way?”
“Just shut up, Rectangle. I dislike you the most,” Kyungsoo answers in mock seriousness, playfully punching Baekhyun in the arm. He lets out a laugh when Baekhyun opens his mouth in the shape of a rectangle. “You are so annoying.”
“It is my pleasure,” Baekhyun says as he bows, not before grinning mischievously at the two of them. Minseok rolls his eyes and Baekhyun smirks at him though not for long because Kyungsoo smacks his head with a clear folder. He laughs aloud, flips Kyungsoo off then reaches over to flick at Kyungsoo’s forehead. Kyungsoo swears at him but Baekhyun just waves a hand. “So, who were you guys talking about?”
“The notorious badboy, of course. Seems like he’s got the hots for Minnie, now,” Kyungsoo supplies, grinning when Minseok glares at him at the mention of the nickname. “Minseok’s telling me about how he keeps visiting Overdose and asking for him. So much so that Donghae is giving our friend extra shifts.”
“Please tell me you’d rather retain your streak of straight As,” Baekhyun says, not at all missing a beat. “There is no way in hell you can cope if you take any more shifts, Minseok. With or without monetary incentives. Seriously.”
“I know. And of course, I will,” Minseok nods in agreement with Baekhyun. He turns to Kyungsoo, “But what is the deal with Jongdae?”
“Let’s just say,” Kyungsoo replies carefully, “I know people whom he has hurt. There was a reason he left for Beijing, Minseok. You have to keep a lookout for someone like that; they always have something to hide.”
“And sometimes, you generalise too much,” Baekhyun counters, shaking his head. “You don’t even know him. You gotta form your own impressions, you know? Not just hear it from the grapevines and… judge him like that. I got him for some math module right now, he’s pretty chill.”
“Do you even know what he has done?” Kyungsoo snaps. Baekhyun and Minseok freeze, unsure of how to react and mostly, they are surprised by the outburst. Kyungsoo is quick to notice this as he takes a deep breath and finally picks up his chopstick to start on his lunch. “You know what. Never mind.”
“What, you used to date him or something?” Baekhyun questions after a while, his voice turning cold. He narrows his eyes at Kyungsoo. “What do you know about him that we don’t? Why do you dislike him so much?” The words fly out of his mouth fast like bullets and Kyungsoo blinks. Minseok holds out a hand. An intervention. Baekhyun doesn’t hurt people by punches or kicks -- no matter how good he is at hapkido as he has always claimed -- perfectly capable of doing so with his scalding words.
“Drop it,” Kyungsoo says, his voice is dangerously calm. He exchanges a look with Baekhyun and something passes between them -- something that Minseok doesn’t understand. His two best friends have always been closer to each other than they are with him.
Baekhyun does.
***
The cafe has closed when Jongdae arrives, armed with his book bag and a huge smile on his face. Minseok looks up the chime of bells near the door, raising an eyebrow at the other boy.
“We’re closed,” Minseok says. He picks up a tray full of empty coffee cups and plates of half-eaten cakes and pastries and pushes past Jongdae to get behind the counter. “Didn’t you see the sign?”
“I know,” Jongdae admits and Minseok can hear the grin in his voice. He doesn’t turn around as he sorts the cups out. “But I’m going for supper.”
“Okay.”
“You were doing so well with those full sentences, Minseok,” Jongdae laughs, putting his bag down on a chair. “And now you’re monosyllabic once more.” Minseok doesn’t reply to that but Jongdae doesn’t seem to be wavering as he takes a step forward and invites him to supper.
“Supper?”
“There you go, one-word answers once more,” Jongdae comments, leaning over the counter. “Yes, supper. And I’m asking you to join me? If you want?”
Minseok stops washing the cups and stares at him. Supper sounds good right now, after a long day at the cafe. Besides, it’s a Saturday the next day and Minseok knows he can afford a few a hours with Jongdae. But it’s also a Friday night and the sight of the alleged party king Kim Jongdae with a stack of books in his arm looks oddly suspicious. He narrows his eyes at them.
“What are you doing studying on a Friday night? Isn’t it party night for you?” Minseok asks briskly, bringing the tray of clean cups and plates back to the rack. “I still have to close the cafe so wait for a while, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t… I don’t go to parties anymore since… I came back,” Jongdae says, shaking his head. In a softer voice this time, he says, “I don’t know what you’ve heard about me but I’m not like that… Wait. Did you just say yes?”
Minseok doesn’t reply, feeling slightly embarrassed about being wrong. He doesn’t believe everything that Jongdae says, right now, but he doesn’t seem to be lying either. Jongdae looks awfully lonely, despite the bright smile and Minseok knows better than to question further. It’s not as if he’s a complete stranger and he also has time to kill.
When he is finally done with the closing of the shop, Jongdae is nearly asleep at one of the chairs, ears stuffed with his earpieces as he waits for Minseok to be done. He gently wakes Jongdae up, smiling.
“Is supper still on?”
***
That one supper leads to many, many more suppers, sometimes extending to lunches and dinners. Whenever Minseok has some time off and when he has no classes, he finds himself sending text messages to Jongdae to ask him out. He enjoys Jongdae’s company, much like he enjoys being with his two best friends. Jongdae is a breath of fresh air, the curl of his lips when he smiles and the way he knows how to make Minseok laugh are just some of the things that makes Minseok feels even closer to Jongdae.
On days where they have late classes, they go for breakfasts, too -- Jongdae never failing to be awed by Minseok’s strong affinity for coffee after knowing that he drinks once before he goes out of his house and then have another cup when they go on breakfast dates together.
“Why do you need so much coffee?” Jongdae asks, taking a sip of his own. “You’re going to die from being overcaffeinated. Two cups per day and it’s only what? Nine-thirty AM right now?”
“You can never have too much coffee,” Minseok laughs. He sets his cup of coffee down. “Besides, how do you start the day without some kickass coffee, hm?”
“Is that why you work at Overdose? To get close to all the coffee, to become one with all the coffee…”
“You know me so well.” Jongdae replies to that with an eye-roll and Minseok laughs again. “Speak for yourself, Jongdae… when was the last time a day passed without you having a cuppa?”
“Touché.”
Minseok raises his cup as if proposing a toast before gulping all of his coffee down.
***
“You’ve been hanging out a lot with that Jongdae kid,” Kyungsoo comments when Minseok is over at his house for their usual dinner -- specially cooked by Kyungsoo himself -- with Baekhyun. “I thought you have him for only one module?”
“Three, actually,” Baekhyun says, beating Minseok to correcting Kyungsoo. He throws Minseok a triumphant glance before continuing, “And all the extra lunches and dinners. And breakfasts. All the coffee dates. Oh god, don’t tell me he’s a coffee addict like you. Minseok.” He wags a finger at Minseok as if scolding a young child. Minseok rolls his eyes at him.
“He’s pretty cool,” Minseok says as he takes a bite of his food. This food is really good, he thinks and he tells Kyungsoo so. Baekhyun gives a thumbs-up. “And yes, Bucheon Boy. He likes coffee.”
“Thanks,” Kyungsoo says. He smiles when Baekhyun reaches over for a second helping. “Easy there, Byunbaek. I cooked these for Minseok, too.” He takes a sip of water and nods at Minseok. “So, Jongdae?”
“I told you, he’s cool and… yeah. We’ve been hanging out a lot,” Minseok finally admits.
“Is this like J-” Kyungsoo begins, teeth worrying over his lower lip as he peers at Minseok and Minseok freezes, knowing fully well what Kyungsoo is about to say next. He doesn’t need that, not now, he wants to say, but Baekhyun is beats him to it again.
“Don’t,” Baekhyun warns, his voice low and Minseok sends him a grateful look. Baekhyun gives him a knowing glance, smiling, before bursting out, “Hey! Don’t you think you should cook more next time? Look, I’m eating all of these and it’s not--”
“Don’t tell me it’s not enough when you’re eating for two people, Baekhyun!” Kyungsoo says in mock anger, laughing when Baekhyun pouts at him. “You’re so horrible.”
“But you love me,” Baekhyun wiggles his eyebrows, stuffing himself with more food. “Right?”
Kyungsoo shakes his head and gets up, heading to the kitchen to get more food. Baekhyun whoops in delight.
***
They kiss after one particular breakfast in a newly opened cafe in Hongdae; Minseok has been worrying over an upcoming presentation that afternoon when Jongdae leans over and kisses him. Full on the mouth. Lightly at first and unsure -- for once Jongdae is no longer confident and loud but soft and whimpering against Minseok’s lips, coaxing -- and Minseok finds himself kissing Jongdae back perhaps because of how Jongdae tastes of the overly sweet Americano a while ago but mostly because his lips is moist and yielding under his. He has a hand cupped along Minseok’s jaw, another one around his neck and they are standing chest against chest, Jongdae backed against the wall of a nearby alley. Minseok thinks they should get closer. But they are also out in the open, no matter how unfrequented the alley is. Minseok thinks he’s thinking too much as he kisses Jongdae and he’d like to fix that. Which means he’d like to do that again, with Jongdae.
When they break apart, Minseok finds himself breathing hard; his head is spinning but for all the good reasons. Jongdae looks flushed and he is smiling as he wipes Minseok’s lower lip with his thumb, pulling him closer for a second round. Minseok laughs.
“You’re good,” Jongdae whispers, hand on Minseok’s jaw. He leans in and lets his lips brush gently over Minseok’s, murmuring against his lips, “You’re really good.”
“You want to do this again?” Minseok breathes, fingers curling around Jongdae’s neck.
Jongdae replies by pressing his lips onto his, murmuring against them, “Of course. Over and over.”
“Like this?” Minseok leans in and kisses Jongdae softly, sliding his tongue in.
Jongdae whines into his mouth. “Exactly.” He pulls away and stares at Minseok, his eyes all warm as he says, “This is random but contrary to popular belief, if you say yes, you are only the second person I have ever dated.”
“Really, now.” If you say yes. Minseok isn’t sure if there is anything to say yes to, if he has unknowingly missed a question because he has not been focusing throughout the time he is staring at the space between Jongdae’s eyebrows and thinking that he’d love to plant his lips there, too. But if this is Jongdae’s way of asking him to be in a relationship, Minseok thinks that might very well be his answer. Yes. He very much like to be Jongdae’s boyfriend, significant other, whatever other terms that exist for this sort of thing. Of course. But he needs to confirm, “W-wait. Wait. You’re asking…”
Jongdae gives a slow nod, lips curling up into a smile. “But I didn’t think you’d want me to be so straightforward.”
“I say… I say, yes.” Jongdae smiles.
***
“Do I get any special discounts since I’m dating you now?” Jongdae whispers, leaning over the counter. He smirks when Minseok rolls his eyes. “Maybe extra shots of espresso, free of charge?”
“And have Donghae-hyung dock my pay for all that? No thanks,” Minseok replies, gently slapping Jongdae’s cheek. He shooes Jongdae away with a napkin, turning around to reach for a mug. “Go take a seat. What do you want?”
Jongdae laughs before letting his voice drop to a whisper, “You.”
“Not here, oh god,” Minseok whispers back. He smiles when Jongdae pouts at him and he reaches over to pinch those lips. Jongdae pulls away in mock pain, glaring at Minseok who laughs at him in response. Setting the mug down, Minseok leans close and pecks Jongdae on the cheek. “Happy?”
“Absolutely not,” Jongdae replies. This time he puckers his lips at Minseok and gives him a look that melts his heart but Minseok is strong. He will absolutely not succumb to those long lashes and beautiful eyes and make out in front of the -- and suddenly all of his willpower is gone when Jongdae crashes his lips upon his, one hand on his jaw, and pulling him closer and closer.
“Jongdae,” Minseok mumbles against his lips. He’s tiptoeing now, body angled awkwardly towards the counter and one hand on it to support himself. Then, Jongdae pulls away. He grins.
“I should not disturb you while you’re working,” he teases as Minseok wipes at his lips. Minseok flips him off at that and Jongdae laughs.
***
It takes a while more for Kyungsoo to come to terms with Minseok and Jongdae dating; Baekhyun has been an easy stamp of approval, happily slinging an arm around Jongdae and squeezing his neck in a chokehold (a move he learns from Kyungsoo, Minseok does not doubt), whispering something like don’t fuck around with him, Jongdae. Minseok laughs and punches Baekhyun out of the way, purposefully kissing Jongdae in front of him when Baekhyun curses at him.
And then, Kyungsoo tells him why, all of his suspicions towards Jongdae since the first day.
***
Jongdae calls at six in the morning, on a Sunday, and Minseok honestly just wants to hangs up and fall back asleep. He doesn’t have work that day and the plan is to meet Jongdae for lunch, crash at his place for a while before heading back home for dinner. Jongdae calling him this early in the day is not part of the agenda.
For a while, it is silent. Minseok yawns once more then scratches his head, eyes still closed. After a few seconds, Jongdae makes a sound. A sobbing sound. Minseok stills. “Jongdae? What’s wrong?” All signs of sleepiness seem to disappear as Minseok jolts awake, his heart racing. “Babe?” He hears the panic in his voice and Jongdae starts to cry even harder.
“C-can you come and p-p-pick me up?”
No further questions are needed as Minseok jumps out of bed, hurriedly changing and within five minutes, he is already walking out the door, his heart thundering against his chest. The club that Jongdae has mentioned is nearby his flat, it shouldn’t take that long to find him.
“You sure your mom’s alright?” Jongdae whispers, wincing in pain as he clutches at his side. “Isn’t it too late?”
“You’re bleeding and in need of a warm meal,” Minseok says, the finality in his tone evident. Jongdae nods, tiredly, and lets himself gets dragged to Minseok’s house, silently.
Jongdae is already up by the time Minseok stumbles into the kitchen for breakfast. He wipes at his eyes and straightens up, looking at his mother and Jongdae who smile at him. They are suddenly quiet, unlike a while ago when Minseok makes his way to the kitchen, where he has heard small chatterings. He has definitely interrupted something. He takes a seat next to Jongdae and shoots him an apologetic look. Mrs. Kim places a plate of toasts and eggs in front of him.
“I should get going,” she says, smiling at Minseok and Jongdae. She runs her fingers through Minseok’s hair, downwards, before settling to pinch the skin at the base of his hairline. “Enjoy your breakfast, you two.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Kim,” Jongdae says, smiling up at her. There is something in his voice and Minseok is sure that Jongdae isn’t thanking his mothe just for the breakfast.
She senses this too as she stops and smiles back at him. “Jongdae, dear,” Mrs Kim says, patting him on a shoulder. “You can come by anytime you like, okay? The more the merrier, anyway!”
Minseok silently eats his breakfast and wonder what they have been talking about earlier. He will have to ask Jongdae, one of these days, though he’s mostly relieved that Jongdae has gotten on so well with his mother.
Apart from being a regular customer at Overdose, Jongdae becomes a regular face at Minseok’s house, too, sometimes even self-inviting himself to dinners. His sisters have taken a liking towards him since he spoils them with all sorts of small toys and snacks.
“Are you dating me or my sisters,” Minseok asks dryly during one of the visits, rolling his eyes at Minhee who squeals over the stash of chocolates Jongdae has presented her with. “Chocolate… sweets… toys…”
“Jongdae oppa,” Minyoung says, tugging at Jongdae’s shirt. Jongdae looks at her and smiles, raising an eyebrow questioningly. She beams at him and gives him a thumbs-up. “You’re the best.”
Jongdae laughs and holds his hand out for a high-five. Minseok scoffs. “Thanks for the support, Kim Minyoung.”
“AFTER Minseok oppa,” Minyoung adds quickly, hugging Minseok from the side. “Of course.”
Minseok sighs, fondly ruffling his sister’s hair in response, instead.
***
When they finally have time to talk, Minseok tells Jongdae about Kyungsoo has shared with him.
“Kyungsoo told you that?” Jongdae says. His voice is eerily steady but Minseok recognises this situation; it’s the calm before the storm and the way his boyfriend stiffens is enough to tell him that he isn’t pleased. “And you believe him?”
“I- I don’t. Not quite,” Minseok replies hurriedly when Jongdae cocks an eyebrow at him. “I mean, it’s Kyungsoo’s neighbour, you know? I’m not sure if it’s just town gossip or what but… look. I just want to hear it from you.”
Jongdae takes a shuddering breath and curls himself up into a ball for a second before sitting back up for air. He looks at Minseok questioningly -- are you sure you want to hear this - and then at his hands, completely reluctant. Minseok doesn’t say a word as he waits, merely slinging an arm around his boyfriend’s waist, tugging him close. Once in a while, Minseok lets his hand snake up and down Jongdae’s thigh to tell him that it’s okay. He don’t have to let everything out all at once if he doesn’t want to. Not everyone works like that.
When Jongdae opens his mouth to share his story, Minseok lets go of him and tries to will his heart to stop aching so much at the sight of his boyfriend shaking at the memories of his dead girlfriend. The recount isn't smooth - the words get stuck at the back of Jongdae's throat and many times, he stops to calm himself down. To dislodge those painful words out, to breathe. Minseok startles when Jongdae shares that he is the first person to ask, that he is the first person that Jongdae is sharing this with.
"It's not your fault," Minseok whispers, gathering Jongdae and his tears in his arms. He strokes his hair and kisses the back of his head. “Jongdae, listen. It’s not your fault.”
"I should have paid more attention, you know? She was quieter, thinner, she kept to herself more. She doesn't want to talk. When it happened, her parents blamed me. Said I was the one spending the time with her because she stopped talking to them. They said--"
"The cheek of them," Minseok says firmly. "There is no one to be blamed for this kind of thing. You know that."
"She left just like that. No goodbye note, no nothing."
Except for a whole lot of guessing and misery, a lot of guilt and confusion. Minseok knows it must have been hard on Jongdae, to lose someone he loves in such a way.
“I didn’t exactly leave because of her. Dad had some business dealings in Beijing and since I’m taking over the company, he just wanted me to come over and take a look. So I went, took my chance and… I just felt like I needed to get away. I--” He stops to inhale a shuddering breath and Minseok notices his eyes fill with tears.
“You missed her.” Minseok takes Jongdae’s hand in his and gives it a squeeze before rubbing circles at the back of it with his thumb, comforting. The startled expression on Jongdae’s first tells him that he’s right but Minseok’s not angry. He gently pulls Jongdae into a hug, “I get it. And you loved her. It must have been so difficult for you and I’m really sorry to have made go through all that again. We don’t have to talk about this anymore, if you don’t want to.”
Jongdae nods, humming softly into the crook of Minseok’s shoulder. They stay like that for a while, silently and Minseok wishes he can take away all of the pain that Jongdae is feeling. He strokes Jongdae’s hair for a while before gently planting a kiss to his temple. He lets his fingers dance across Jongdae’s skin, from the top of his head to his neck and finally to the small of his back, for a while as he thinks of some other thing to talk about.
“They say it’s bad to talk to your partners about your exes..." Minseok trails off laughing at the expression on Jongdae's face. "I'm joking!"
There is a hint of a smile creeping upon Jongdae's when he roughly pulls Minseok towards him and nuzzles into his neck. He starts to tickle Minseok and they wrestle each other for a while.
Jongdae stops when he's managed to pin Minseok down, grinning at him before swooping down to plant a kiss to Minseok's lips.
***
Minseok can see the disappointment in Jongdae’s face even through the extra bright smile. When Jongdae opens his mouth to speak, Minseok is impressed by how calm he sounds. “So, what you’re saying is… you will not be coming to my birthday party because you’re babysitting your sisters?” It’s not really a question. Minseok has clearly stated his reasons for not being able to attend and he has known Jongdae long and well enough to know that this is him asking Minseok to reconsider his decision. He’s giving Minseok a chance to change his mind. Sometimes, Jongdae will not just settle for a ‘no’.
“Yes,” Minseok replies briskly. He takes Jongdae’s hand in his and is grateful his boyfriend doesn’t pull away. “Jong, I’m sorry but Mom has a night shift and you know how money is always tight around the house. I can’t possibly tell her to skip work because I want to be there for your party.”
“So, you want to come?”
“Of course, I do!”
“How much does your mother make? I can pay her twice --”
Minseok is the one who pulls away first, yanking off his hand out of Jongdae’s grip as if he has been burned. He stares at Jongdae for a long second, not believing what he has just heard. His family may be poor but they are not beggars. He tells Jongdae this and watches him laugh.
“Babe, I’m not saying you’re a beggar. I’m just saying--”
“That you’re practically paying me to go out with you?” He’s shaking now, Minseok realises a little too late as Jongdae slinks away from him, clearly not expecting this outburst. He seems confused and that makes Minseok even angrier. “You honestly think that you’re doing me some sort of favour by doing that? Seriously, Kim Jongdae?”
“Wait-- wait. I didn’t mean to -- I just. Minseok, listen to me,” Jongdae says, his voice rising as he catches hold of Minseok’s arm. Minseok angrily yanks his hand away and rubs at the spot Jongdae has gripped, “I didn’t mean it like that, I swear to god. I’m sorry, okay? I
“Do you even know what you’re sorry for?” Minseok snaps. Jongdae responds by dropping his hand to the side and staring at the ground instead of him and Minseok thinks that this is enough for an answer. He doesn’t need to listen further. He opens his mouth to say something but decides not to, closing it.
So, he walks away.
***
Baekhyun is the first person to notice something’s wrong. “You look like shit,” he greets, slapping Minseok on the shoulder, when he walks in. “What the hell happened?”
Minseok takes a deep breath and is startled by the single tear rolling down his cheek. It hurts to say Jongdae’s name, to even think of what he has said, to recall the fight and admit that Minseok misses Jongdae a lot more than he allows himself to and he cannot understand why. It hurts and it is terrifyingly unsettling to have such a soft spot for Jongdae, to let his heart swell with love and affection when he thinks of Jongdae, even though he has been hurt. He tries to explain all of these but the words get stuck at the back of his throat.
This is a different kind of hurt from what he has ever experienced, something that leaves him aching in places he never knew could hurt before; it’s not his first time if Minseok puts in his very first relationship into the equation but Jongdae is a new kind of hurt that he knows he must give himself time to get over. Waking up each day after the fight, knowing that There are a million and one things about the boy that Minseok loves and will never trade the world for but there are also problems. And issues. There are things that Minseok hasn’t been able to come to terms with and more than anything, he feels frustrated because he knows deep down, Jongdae means no harm. It is just like him to blow up over the small things, to notice the details and mull over them when
“Jongdae?” Baekhyun guesses, a hand clamping Minseok’s shoulder. Minseok nods once. Baekhyun pulls up a chair and sits next to him, concern written all over his face. “What did he do? What the hell, Minseok? Why are you crying, what on earth did he do?”
For all of his dumb antics, Baekhyun is a fiercely loyal friend when he needs to be. “I am going to break his face,” he says, voice dangerously low with anger, when Minseok finally tells him. Minseok sees the clenched fists and, smiles despite himself, immediately puts his hand over Baekhyun’s. “Does Kyungsoo know about this?” Minseok shakes his head. “I am going to tell Kyungsoo and the both of us will break his face. Who the hell does he think he is, to be talking to you like that.”
“Do you think I’m being too sensitive?” Minseoks asks.
“No way!”
“If you’re not my friend?”
“Even if you’re a stranger on the street,” Baekhyun confirms. “Look, it was just…what he did... he was just an asshole, alright? I’ll be honest with you. And you did the right thing; get angry at him and letting him know that money cannot buy everything. Especially dates and attention and love. I sound like my mom right now but you’re teaching him a good lesson.”
***
There are nearly sixty missed calls from Jongdae, twice as many Whatsapp messages and his email inbox is flooded with apologies. Minseok has a test the coming week and he knows that he has spent too many hours holed up in his room, crying for reasons that he knows will never put that A on his tests and exams. He hasn’t been eating well, sleeping well and he’s refusing more and more shifts for Overdose-- something that he rarely does, even during the exam periods. Being away from Jongdae and missing him has taken a toll on his life.
The birthday card he has written for Jongdae is on his table, the gift he has gotten him next to it. Minseok has been preparing the gift for weeks, now and he has been anticipating Jongdae’s birthday to finally give it to him.
And, now.
He reaches over for his mobile phone and he hates how his fingers hover over Jongdae’s name in the contacts list. He never used to have this problem. After a few minutes of internally debating with himself, Minseok gives up and throws his mobile phone aside, choosing to go to bed, instead.
***
It is nearly 11pm already and Minseok is still struggling to put his sisters to sleep. “Mom always lets us stay up till midnight!”
“When I was your age, I had to go to bed by 9!”
“Oppa, times have changed,” Minyoung says, blinking her eyes innocently up at Minseok. He narrows his eyes at her, at how familiar that line is… because he always says that to their mother when she puts him to bed years back.
“One last story?” Minseok pleads.
“Oppa, did you hear that?”
“Kim Minhee,” Minseok says as he puts both hands on his waist in an attempt to be firm.
“No, really! Did you hear that? Someone’s knocking on our door!” Minhee jumps out of bed and runs out the bedroom. Minyoung follows suit, forcefully tugging her hand off Minseok’s grip, yelling for her sister to wait for her.
In a flash, Minseok is out of the room as he takes long strides to the door, beating his two sisters.
“Who on earth could it be… Who the..FFFRENCH FRIES OH GOD KIM JONGDAE!” Minseok yells in shock at seeing Jongdae stand right in front of his eyes. “What are you doing here?!” He groans aloud when he hears his sisters’ footsteps running towards the door.
“To celebrate my birthday,” Jongdae replies, grinning widely at Minseok. There are boxes in his hands and two balloons. “Aren’t you going to let me in? It’s cold.”
“Y-yeah, sure. I-- Come in,” Minseok says, opening the door slightly wider and gesturing for Jongdae to step inside.
“JONGDAE OPPA!” Minyoung shrieks as soon as she catches sight of him. Minhee lets out an equally excited squeal, nearly stepping on Minseok’s toes as she pushes past him to get to the door.
“How come you’re here so late? Like Jongin oppa?” Minhee asks through a mouthful of cake. She grins up at Jongdae and waves his hand away when he tries to wipe the mess on her mouth. “No, no, I can do it myself.”
“Aren’t you a clever girl,” Jongdae praises before asking, “So, who’s Jongin oppa?”
“A really mean oppa. He used to come all the time a long time ago, really late too! But now we don’t see him, anymore, ” Minyoung answers, completely ignoring the stricken look on Minseok’s face. She licks off the remains of the cake off her fingers before smacking her lips in satisfaction. “Whoa. This cake is so yummy! Mom would never let us eat cake this late…
“Really mean oppa?” Jongdae repeats and that is when Minseok clears his throat. Jongdae looks up and raises an eyebrow. “Your ex?”
“Yes,” Minseok replies, exhaling loudly as he leans back into the couch. “And someone I don’t want to talk about. Ever.” Grabbing the remote control, Minseok starts to channel surf, absentmindedly playing with the strands of Minyoung’s hair.
“We don’t have to talk about him,” Jongdae says. He scoots closer to Minseok and starts to snuggle. Minseok doesn’t pull away and Jongdae shoots him a grateful smile. “We need to talk about us.”
“Help me put my sisters to sleep, first,” Minseok replies, smiling when Jongdae encloses his hand with his. He has missed this warmth, feeling as though his anger at Jongdae all these while has melted. Slightly. “We have all night. You have to get home before 7.30. Mom is home by then.”
Jongdae smiles and leans in to give a quick peck at Minseok, who yelps in response before wildly pointing at his sisters. They aren’t paying attention, of course, too engrossed with the cake that Jongdae has brought them. He stands up and claps his hands, “Okay, who wants to listen a bedtime story?”
Minyoung and Minhee stop eating their cake, turning to Jongdae in unison. “ME!” Minyoung shrieks, rushing over to give Jongdae a hug before realising that her hand is dirty. She grins at Jongdae, waving, “Maybe I should wash my hands first?”
“Yup,” Jongdae nods, grabbing her hand, “And brush your teeth, get a change of clothes and get ready for bed. Yes?”
“YES!” The twins shout, scrambling away to do as their told. Minseok turns to Jongdae and gives him a nod.
“You’ve a way with kids,” Minseok remarks, impressed, raising his eyebrows at his boyfriend.
Jongdae bows and curtseys, laughing when Minseok hits him lightly at the top of his head.
Minseok awakens by the sound of the shrill alarm clock by his bedside table. He groans, as he stretches over the sleeping Jongdae, to shut it off. A quarter to seven a.m. His mother should be making her way back home, now. Jumping out of bed, Minseok rushes out of his room to clean up the mess from last night. His mother tends to get irritable from night shifts and he doesn’t exactly want to get an earful from her, first thing in the morning.
“You’re up,” a familiar voice says and Minseok spins around, amidst adjusting the cushions on the sofa. It’s Jongdae, sleepy grin and messy hair, rubbing his eyes at Minseok with one hand and the other up in the air as he stretches.
He smiles at Jongdae. “Coffee?”
Jongdae nods in response, walking towards Minseok in large strides and then enveloping him into a tight hug. He brushes the hair away from Minseok’s forehead and leaves a kiss there.
“You, first.”
Author's note: Thank you for your lovely prompt <3 I really hope you like this fic as much as I have enjoyed writing it for you! Special thanks to J~
Recipient: strwberydaifuku
Pairing(s): Minseok/Jongdae, hinted!Kyungsoo/Baekhyun, mention of Jongin and Tao
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: language, hints of suicide
Word count: 8200
Summary: Minseok likes coffee. But he likes Jongdae a whole lot, too.
The crunch of broken glass, crushed to pieces under his feet, echoes throughout the empty alley as Minseok walks home after a long shift at Overdose. Another broken window -- probably from the neighbourhood kids playing soccer on the streets. He has a (goddamned) 9AM class the next day and (asshole) Zitao just had to call in sick. Donghae hadn’t wanted to hear the excuses, calling Minseok in a frenzy and asking if he could cover for the night. He needs the extra money, anyway, so he agrees although this seems like a bad idea, already, seeing how the fatigue settles in so quickly.
“Mom?” Minseok whispers when he sees the familiar figure on the couch, nodding off to sleep. He approaches her slowly before gently shaking her awake. “Why are you not in your room?”
She stirs awake and looks around for a while, the usual confusion of having just woken up is clear on her face. She takes a look at the clock on the wall and then at Minseok. She inhales. “You just got back, right?” She yawns, stretching. “You smell like coffee.”
“Just a while ago.” Minseok smiles, placing his backpack on the couch. He walks to the kitchen and comes back with two glasses of water. “Were you waiting for me?”
“Yes, but it’s alright. I wasn’t that sleepy just now,” She smiles. She takes a sip of her water, glancing pointedly at the clock on the wall. “Don’t you have a class in the morning, tomorrow? How come you’re on night shift?”
Minseok nods, taking a swig of the water. He swallows it then smiles, “Yeah I have class but Tao fell sick and Donghae hyung couldn’t find anyone else to cover… But it’s alright, Mom. I could use the money so you don’t have to--”
“If only we had a bit more money, then you wouldn’t have to work so hard.” She stops talking and looks at Minseok, trying to gauge his expression. There is an apology hanging loose at the tip of her tongue -- an apology that Minseok will never accept because it is not her fault they are tight on money. Things happen and his family has always learnt how to work around that. Besides, Minseok is working part-time now to shed a bit of the burden of paying for his school textbooks and pocket money. Minseok shakes his head and clamps a hand over his mother’s. She looks down at their hands together and heaves a grateful sigh. “You’ve always been such a good boy.”
She then reaches over to stroke his hair, wordlessly. There seems to be a lot on her mind, a lot that she wants to say but Minseok knows his mother hates to worry her children. He takes her hand in his and gives it a squeeze. It’s an invitation; a silent gesture to let his mother know that she can trust him and tell him things if she needs to. He’s an adult, now. He can understand. She smiles and gently retracts her hand, tilting her chin towards his room.
Minseok gets up, leans forward to press a gentle kiss to the top of her head before heading back to his room.
He makes a beeline for his room, the moment he reaches home, and slams the door shut against hisparents fighting over the bills once more. He has been through this scene before and right now, Minseok just longs for the part where his father walks out of the flat to drink his head off and forget to pay the bills, leaving the bulk of the payments to his poor mother. She is crying for a good few seconds before he hears the sound of glass shattering against the hardwood floor. He stills, ears pricked for any further sounds. After a few moments of silence, he carefully steps out and sees the mess on the floor. It’s easy to guess what has happened, seeing how his father’s is red with fury and the way his mother is shooting daggers at him, mouth pulled into a furious scowl. He must have, in a fit of anger, knocked the vase of flowers to the floor. There are broken shards of glass everywhere.
“Minseok,” his mother’s voice pierces through the silent flat. Minseok isn’t sure what’s more broken, her voice or the vase, but he looks up and is startled at how exhausted she looks, how much she’s aged. He sees the worry lines and fatigue drawn finely on her face. He also notices the blood at the corner of her mouth and this is when he takes a step forward, concerned. She holds out a hand, signalling for him to stop and then her voice becomes firm. One that leaves no room for argument. “Go to your room. Your father and I are having a talk. Don’t worry, just go to your room. I’ll clean this up.”
There’s a terrified squeak amidst the brief, heavy silence -- Minseok’s two sisters are out of their rooms, clearly having heard of the commotion outside. He grabs the two by the shoulders and push them into his room, swiftly covering Minhee’s mouth with his hand to stop the question already teetering so dangerously on the edges of her mouth. Minyoung, the older of the two sisters, glares.
“Not now,” she whispers, as fiercely as a nine-year-old could. She takes Minhee’s hand in hers and squeezes it when she nods at her obediently. Minseok walks over to the door to shut it close but not before watching how:
His father huffing and walking away, leaving their mother in the silence of the living room. There is a loud slam of the door when he leaves, it echoes throughout the whole house and the aftermath of the fight lingers on fresh even after a few hours.
Minseok pretends not to know that his mother is crying herself to sleep that night.
***
The school has been buzzing about the new transfer student, gossiped to be filthy rich, driving to school in an expensive car and how he gets in through family connections. Whatever that means. Several of the popular kids in Minseok’s class have been talking about the new kid - they say he’s arrogant, a chaebol’s son used to having the world at his feet with a foreign name to boot but Minseok can’t help noticing how some of the girls have this odd lovestruck expressions on their faces. Like they’re enamoured by him, whoever he is. He can never understand girls, to be honest. He tunes out a female classmate’s he’s kind of cute though I bet he got in because he’s richand flips his textbook open.
He twirls his pen in his hand, mind blank with exhaustion at the night shifts at the cafe that he has taken up these few days before he feels a buzz in his pocket. He takes out his mobile phone and smiles. It’s Kyungsoo.
Lunch at the South Canteen, later? Seohyun is killing me. She’s fucking boring.
He rolls his eye, grinning as he types: Professor Kim. Pay attention, Do-sshi. You want to keep your A, right? and then a See you later, fucker. He places the device on the table and waits for Kyungsoo to reply. A second later, his screen lights up.
wtv, dad!!! oh pls don’t tell baek, i don’t want to eat w him. he’s not coming in till noon that motherfucker only has class at 2pm what the fuck says Kyungsoo and Baekhyun, who is in the same group chat, replies a while later.
FUCK OFF I CAN SEE THE MESSAGES YOU DUMBASS. I AM IN THIS GROUP CHAT. see u 2 @ south canteen, 1pm xoxo bbh Minseok bites back a laugh as he stuff his phone into his pocket, after muting the conversation.
This is going to be a long week, he thinks, watching his lecturer fiddle with his laptop. He cannot wait for lunch break already.
“He came all the way from Beijing,” Kyungsoo informs during lunch, setting down his tray of food in front of Minseok’s, when he asks if he has heard about the new student. Beside him, Baekhyun is already slurping away noisily at his kimchi ramyun. Kyungsoo throws a disgusted look at the boy before continuing, “But he’s Korean. His name is Kim Jongdae.”
“Not that Chen nonsense everyone’s talking about?” Baekhyun asks through a mouthful of noodles. Kyungsoo retorts with a Have you not been listening to me, you idiot, as Minseok shakes his head, narrowing his eyes at Baekhyun. The latter grins at him and then promptly closes his mouth. “Sorry. No talking with the mouth full, I know.”
“So, what’s the deal with him?” Minseok asks. Jongdae, the new kid, has caused quite a ruckus at the administrative office this morning. He hears all about him when he goes there to submit his financial assistance forms earlier, apart from the rest of his schoolmates. “Why is everyone talking about him?”
“Typical wild child, I suppose,” Baekhyun shrugs, finally done with his lunch. He slaps his hands together and looks at Minseok and Kyungsoo. “But yes, I agree. What is the deal with him?”
Kyungsoo purses his lips in response, hesitation passing his features for a fraction of a second before resuming his usual stony-faced demeanour. “Rich, arrogant, the partying type… you know the deal. He’s also... He’s just -” He stops and mulls over his words before settling with a “I just heard things about him.”
“Things, as in--” Baekhyun starts to question but falls silent at the look Kyungsoo gives him.Minseok takes the hint and turns back to his lunch, kicking Baekhyun under the table and signalling with his eyes for him to not ask anymore. Baekhyun scowls at him and resumes eating his noodles.
***
It is not until a few weeks later that Minseok runs into Jongdae. Minseok is working, having just survived a (crazy) customer with twenty-five coffee orders, thank god they are all iced americanos with the exception of one iced non-fat soy milk mocha, and he doesn’t think he wants to deal with any more customers for the next hour. He has a lot of washing to do.
Jongdae walks in and beams at him, looking at the menu board at the top of the counter for a few seconds before deciding on his order. Minseok gets to work immediately, not even bothering to
acknowledge his school mate.
“Don’t I know you from somewhere?” Jongdae asks, after a while. He takes out a wad of cash from his wallet and hands the money to Minseok. “I’ve seen you around, I’m sure of it.”
“School,” Minseok replies. He swiftly pours the hot water into a cup, not turning around at Jongdae.
“We go to the same school?”
“Yes.”
“Is it your thing to be so… monosyllabic?” Jongdae is laughing now. “You don’t talk a lot, do you?”
Minseok turns slightly and offers a smile, instead. He’s not monosyllabic. He’s just wary of new people and what with all the things that the school is buzzing about with regards to Jongdae, Minseok knows more than enough to keep his distance.
He hands Jongdae his order. Jongdae takes it just as a few of the popular kids from their college streams into the cafe, yelling his name and high-fiving him before dragging him to the back of their cafe, where they usually hang out. He lets out a tinkle of laughter, fingers waving at Minseok.
Minseok shakes his head and smiles at the sight.
Jongdae becomes a regular customer at Overdose, not that anyone is complaining since he brings good business to the cafe with his minimum order of 5 cups of drinks -- a variation of coffees and iced teas, sometimes blends of juices -- each visit. Donghae welcomes him like a V.I.P. after noticing that he seems to have taken a liking for Minseok’s service. Except that this also means Donghae assigns more shifts to Minseok, even on the days that he has classes.
“This is getting ridiculous,” Minseok says after serving the crazy morning crowd. It’s the lull period before lunch time and he is in the kitchen, wiping dry some cups. Donghae has just handed him his duty roster which shows his increase in shifts for the month. He stares at the table stuck on wall as he dries the cups. “I have full-day classes on Thursdays and Fridays and you want me to work after school? I’m sorry. You have to hire another barista, hyung.”
“I’ll pay you twice -- no triple -- your pay!” Donghae offers with a pleading look. “You’re popular! That Square-faced chap keeps coming here and asking for you.. he comes like what, every day? During the past week?”
“Square-faced… You mean Jongdae?” Minseok asks, amused smile playing upon his lips when Donghae shrugs nonchalantly. “The one with super big eyes?” Donghae nods and Minseok confirms, “Yup, that’s Jongdae, alright. What does he want?”
“You’re asking me?” Donghae replies. “I don’t care what he wants… all I care about is how--” and Donghae suddenly pauses as something comes to his mind. He grins at Minseok. “Maybe I should ask you that.”
“Me?” Minseok asks incredulously, jabbing himself in the chest. He lets out a snort. “How the hell would I know?”, Donghae wiggles his eyebrows at him in response and laughs. Minseok stares at him. “What?”
Donghae just shakes his head and waves him to the kitchen, smiling to himself, leaving Minseok with his cups and towel.
***
Kyungsoo scoffs aloud when Minseok tells him about the extra shifts and Jongdae, the disdain in his voice is clear. The bowl of rice and soup in front of him goes untouched as he severely questions Minseok, eyebrows furrowed, “So, Jongdae has been going toOverdose just to see you? What the hell does he want with you?”
“I have no idea.” Minseok shrugs though he is more concerned with Kyungsoo’s annoyance. He leans over and brushes his fingers on his best friend’s arm, cocking a questioning eyebrow. “But, what’s up with him? You don’t seem… you don’t like him, do you?”
Kyungsoo lets out a loud sigh and jabs the spoon into his bowl of rice. “I don’t like what… okay, yes. I don’t like him.” There seems to be something more behind those words, Minseok knows. He’s just not sure if Kyungsoo is willing to share; he’s vastly different from Baekhyun in that way, keeping a lot of things to himself, but he’s also similar to Minseok. There are some things in life that doesn’t need to be said aloud. Minseok understands this. Kyungsoo will tell him if there’s anything important, Minseok is sure of that.
“He doesn’t like anyone, to be honest,” a familiar voice quips, laughing. Minseok and Kyungsoo roll their eyes in unison at that, but smile at the best friend who shoots them a grin. “I wonder if he likes us. So, who have we got here? Who is that lucky person to have crossed our dear Do Kyungsoo’s way?”
“Just shut up, Rectangle. I dislike you the most,” Kyungsoo answers in mock seriousness, playfully punching Baekhyun in the arm. He lets out a laugh when Baekhyun opens his mouth in the shape of a rectangle. “You are so annoying.”
“It is my pleasure,” Baekhyun says as he bows, not before grinning mischievously at the two of them. Minseok rolls his eyes and Baekhyun smirks at him though not for long because Kyungsoo smacks his head with a clear folder. He laughs aloud, flips Kyungsoo off then reaches over to flick at Kyungsoo’s forehead. Kyungsoo swears at him but Baekhyun just waves a hand. “So, who were you guys talking about?”
“The notorious badboy, of course. Seems like he’s got the hots for Minnie, now,” Kyungsoo supplies, grinning when Minseok glares at him at the mention of the nickname. “Minseok’s telling me about how he keeps visiting Overdose and asking for him. So much so that Donghae is giving our friend extra shifts.”
“Please tell me you’d rather retain your streak of straight As,” Baekhyun says, not at all missing a beat. “There is no way in hell you can cope if you take any more shifts, Minseok. With or without monetary incentives. Seriously.”
“I know. And of course, I will,” Minseok nods in agreement with Baekhyun. He turns to Kyungsoo, “But what is the deal with Jongdae?”
“Let’s just say,” Kyungsoo replies carefully, “I know people whom he has hurt. There was a reason he left for Beijing, Minseok. You have to keep a lookout for someone like that; they always have something to hide.”
“And sometimes, you generalise too much,” Baekhyun counters, shaking his head. “You don’t even know him. You gotta form your own impressions, you know? Not just hear it from the grapevines and… judge him like that. I got him for some math module right now, he’s pretty chill.”
“Do you even know what he has done?” Kyungsoo snaps. Baekhyun and Minseok freeze, unsure of how to react and mostly, they are surprised by the outburst. Kyungsoo is quick to notice this as he takes a deep breath and finally picks up his chopstick to start on his lunch. “You know what. Never mind.”
“What, you used to date him or something?” Baekhyun questions after a while, his voice turning cold. He narrows his eyes at Kyungsoo. “What do you know about him that we don’t? Why do you dislike him so much?” The words fly out of his mouth fast like bullets and Kyungsoo blinks. Minseok holds out a hand. An intervention. Baekhyun doesn’t hurt people by punches or kicks -- no matter how good he is at hapkido as he has always claimed -- perfectly capable of doing so with his scalding words.
“Drop it,” Kyungsoo says, his voice is dangerously calm. He exchanges a look with Baekhyun and something passes between them -- something that Minseok doesn’t understand. His two best friends have always been closer to each other than they are with him.
Baekhyun does.
***
The cafe has closed when Jongdae arrives, armed with his book bag and a huge smile on his face. Minseok looks up the chime of bells near the door, raising an eyebrow at the other boy.
“We’re closed,” Minseok says. He picks up a tray full of empty coffee cups and plates of half-eaten cakes and pastries and pushes past Jongdae to get behind the counter. “Didn’t you see the sign?”
“I know,” Jongdae admits and Minseok can hear the grin in his voice. He doesn’t turn around as he sorts the cups out. “But I’m going for supper.”
“Okay.”
“You were doing so well with those full sentences, Minseok,” Jongdae laughs, putting his bag down on a chair. “And now you’re monosyllabic once more.” Minseok doesn’t reply to that but Jongdae doesn’t seem to be wavering as he takes a step forward and invites him to supper.
“Supper?”
“There you go, one-word answers once more,” Jongdae comments, leaning over the counter. “Yes, supper. And I’m asking you to join me? If you want?”
Minseok stops washing the cups and stares at him. Supper sounds good right now, after a long day at the cafe. Besides, it’s a Saturday the next day and Minseok knows he can afford a few a hours with Jongdae. But it’s also a Friday night and the sight of the alleged party king Kim Jongdae with a stack of books in his arm looks oddly suspicious. He narrows his eyes at them.
“What are you doing studying on a Friday night? Isn’t it party night for you?” Minseok asks briskly, bringing the tray of clean cups and plates back to the rack. “I still have to close the cafe so wait for a while, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t… I don’t go to parties anymore since… I came back,” Jongdae says, shaking his head. In a softer voice this time, he says, “I don’t know what you’ve heard about me but I’m not like that… Wait. Did you just say yes?”
Minseok doesn’t reply, feeling slightly embarrassed about being wrong. He doesn’t believe everything that Jongdae says, right now, but he doesn’t seem to be lying either. Jongdae looks awfully lonely, despite the bright smile and Minseok knows better than to question further. It’s not as if he’s a complete stranger and he also has time to kill.
When he is finally done with the closing of the shop, Jongdae is nearly asleep at one of the chairs, ears stuffed with his earpieces as he waits for Minseok to be done. He gently wakes Jongdae up, smiling.
“Is supper still on?”
***
That one supper leads to many, many more suppers, sometimes extending to lunches and dinners. Whenever Minseok has some time off and when he has no classes, he finds himself sending text messages to Jongdae to ask him out. He enjoys Jongdae’s company, much like he enjoys being with his two best friends. Jongdae is a breath of fresh air, the curl of his lips when he smiles and the way he knows how to make Minseok laugh are just some of the things that makes Minseok feels even closer to Jongdae.
On days where they have late classes, they go for breakfasts, too -- Jongdae never failing to be awed by Minseok’s strong affinity for coffee after knowing that he drinks once before he goes out of his house and then have another cup when they go on breakfast dates together.
“Why do you need so much coffee?” Jongdae asks, taking a sip of his own. “You’re going to die from being overcaffeinated. Two cups per day and it’s only what? Nine-thirty AM right now?”
“You can never have too much coffee,” Minseok laughs. He sets his cup of coffee down. “Besides, how do you start the day without some kickass coffee, hm?”
“Is that why you work at Overdose? To get close to all the coffee, to become one with all the coffee…”
“You know me so well.” Jongdae replies to that with an eye-roll and Minseok laughs again. “Speak for yourself, Jongdae… when was the last time a day passed without you having a cuppa?”
“Touché.”
Minseok raises his cup as if proposing a toast before gulping all of his coffee down.
***
“You’ve been hanging out a lot with that Jongdae kid,” Kyungsoo comments when Minseok is over at his house for their usual dinner -- specially cooked by Kyungsoo himself -- with Baekhyun. “I thought you have him for only one module?”
“Three, actually,” Baekhyun says, beating Minseok to correcting Kyungsoo. He throws Minseok a triumphant glance before continuing, “And all the extra lunches and dinners. And breakfasts. All the coffee dates. Oh god, don’t tell me he’s a coffee addict like you. Minseok.” He wags a finger at Minseok as if scolding a young child. Minseok rolls his eyes at him.
“He’s pretty cool,” Minseok says as he takes a bite of his food. This food is really good, he thinks and he tells Kyungsoo so. Baekhyun gives a thumbs-up. “And yes, Bucheon Boy. He likes coffee.”
“Thanks,” Kyungsoo says. He smiles when Baekhyun reaches over for a second helping. “Easy there, Byunbaek. I cooked these for Minseok, too.” He takes a sip of water and nods at Minseok. “So, Jongdae?”
“I told you, he’s cool and… yeah. We’ve been hanging out a lot,” Minseok finally admits.
“Is this like J-” Kyungsoo begins, teeth worrying over his lower lip as he peers at Minseok and Minseok freezes, knowing fully well what Kyungsoo is about to say next. He doesn’t need that, not now, he wants to say, but Baekhyun is beats him to it again.
“Don’t,” Baekhyun warns, his voice low and Minseok sends him a grateful look. Baekhyun gives him a knowing glance, smiling, before bursting out, “Hey! Don’t you think you should cook more next time? Look, I’m eating all of these and it’s not--”
“Don’t tell me it’s not enough when you’re eating for two people, Baekhyun!” Kyungsoo says in mock anger, laughing when Baekhyun pouts at him. “You’re so horrible.”
“But you love me,” Baekhyun wiggles his eyebrows, stuffing himself with more food. “Right?”
Kyungsoo shakes his head and gets up, heading to the kitchen to get more food. Baekhyun whoops in delight.
***
They kiss after one particular breakfast in a newly opened cafe in Hongdae; Minseok has been worrying over an upcoming presentation that afternoon when Jongdae leans over and kisses him. Full on the mouth. Lightly at first and unsure -- for once Jongdae is no longer confident and loud but soft and whimpering against Minseok’s lips, coaxing -- and Minseok finds himself kissing Jongdae back perhaps because of how Jongdae tastes of the overly sweet Americano a while ago but mostly because his lips is moist and yielding under his. He has a hand cupped along Minseok’s jaw, another one around his neck and they are standing chest against chest, Jongdae backed against the wall of a nearby alley. Minseok thinks they should get closer. But they are also out in the open, no matter how unfrequented the alley is. Minseok thinks he’s thinking too much as he kisses Jongdae and he’d like to fix that. Which means he’d like to do that again, with Jongdae.
When they break apart, Minseok finds himself breathing hard; his head is spinning but for all the good reasons. Jongdae looks flushed and he is smiling as he wipes Minseok’s lower lip with his thumb, pulling him closer for a second round. Minseok laughs.
“You’re good,” Jongdae whispers, hand on Minseok’s jaw. He leans in and lets his lips brush gently over Minseok’s, murmuring against his lips, “You’re really good.”
“You want to do this again?” Minseok breathes, fingers curling around Jongdae’s neck.
Jongdae replies by pressing his lips onto his, murmuring against them, “Of course. Over and over.”
“Like this?” Minseok leans in and kisses Jongdae softly, sliding his tongue in.
Jongdae whines into his mouth. “Exactly.” He pulls away and stares at Minseok, his eyes all warm as he says, “This is random but contrary to popular belief, if you say yes, you are only the second person I have ever dated.”
“Really, now.” If you say yes. Minseok isn’t sure if there is anything to say yes to, if he has unknowingly missed a question because he has not been focusing throughout the time he is staring at the space between Jongdae’s eyebrows and thinking that he’d love to plant his lips there, too. But if this is Jongdae’s way of asking him to be in a relationship, Minseok thinks that might very well be his answer. Yes. He very much like to be Jongdae’s boyfriend, significant other, whatever other terms that exist for this sort of thing. Of course. But he needs to confirm, “W-wait. Wait. You’re asking…”
Jongdae gives a slow nod, lips curling up into a smile. “But I didn’t think you’d want me to be so straightforward.”
“I say… I say, yes.” Jongdae smiles.
***
“Do I get any special discounts since I’m dating you now?” Jongdae whispers, leaning over the counter. He smirks when Minseok rolls his eyes. “Maybe extra shots of espresso, free of charge?”
“And have Donghae-hyung dock my pay for all that? No thanks,” Minseok replies, gently slapping Jongdae’s cheek. He shooes Jongdae away with a napkin, turning around to reach for a mug. “Go take a seat. What do you want?”
Jongdae laughs before letting his voice drop to a whisper, “You.”
“Not here, oh god,” Minseok whispers back. He smiles when Jongdae pouts at him and he reaches over to pinch those lips. Jongdae pulls away in mock pain, glaring at Minseok who laughs at him in response. Setting the mug down, Minseok leans close and pecks Jongdae on the cheek. “Happy?”
“Absolutely not,” Jongdae replies. This time he puckers his lips at Minseok and gives him a look that melts his heart but Minseok is strong. He will absolutely not succumb to those long lashes and beautiful eyes and make out in front of the -- and suddenly all of his willpower is gone when Jongdae crashes his lips upon his, one hand on his jaw, and pulling him closer and closer.
“Jongdae,” Minseok mumbles against his lips. He’s tiptoeing now, body angled awkwardly towards the counter and one hand on it to support himself. Then, Jongdae pulls away. He grins.
“I should not disturb you while you’re working,” he teases as Minseok wipes at his lips. Minseok flips him off at that and Jongdae laughs.
***
It takes a while more for Kyungsoo to come to terms with Minseok and Jongdae dating; Baekhyun has been an easy stamp of approval, happily slinging an arm around Jongdae and squeezing his neck in a chokehold (a move he learns from Kyungsoo, Minseok does not doubt), whispering something like don’t fuck around with him, Jongdae. Minseok laughs and punches Baekhyun out of the way, purposefully kissing Jongdae in front of him when Baekhyun curses at him.
And then, Kyungsoo tells him why, all of his suspicions towards Jongdae since the first day.
***
Jongdae calls at six in the morning, on a Sunday, and Minseok honestly just wants to hangs up and fall back asleep. He doesn’t have work that day and the plan is to meet Jongdae for lunch, crash at his place for a while before heading back home for dinner. Jongdae calling him this early in the day is not part of the agenda.
For a while, it is silent. Minseok yawns once more then scratches his head, eyes still closed. After a few seconds, Jongdae makes a sound. A sobbing sound. Minseok stills. “Jongdae? What’s wrong?” All signs of sleepiness seem to disappear as Minseok jolts awake, his heart racing. “Babe?” He hears the panic in his voice and Jongdae starts to cry even harder.
“C-can you come and p-p-pick me up?”
No further questions are needed as Minseok jumps out of bed, hurriedly changing and within five minutes, he is already walking out the door, his heart thundering against his chest. The club that Jongdae has mentioned is nearby his flat, it shouldn’t take that long to find him.
“You sure your mom’s alright?” Jongdae whispers, wincing in pain as he clutches at his side. “Isn’t it too late?”
“You’re bleeding and in need of a warm meal,” Minseok says, the finality in his tone evident. Jongdae nods, tiredly, and lets himself gets dragged to Minseok’s house, silently.
Jongdae is already up by the time Minseok stumbles into the kitchen for breakfast. He wipes at his eyes and straightens up, looking at his mother and Jongdae who smile at him. They are suddenly quiet, unlike a while ago when Minseok makes his way to the kitchen, where he has heard small chatterings. He has definitely interrupted something. He takes a seat next to Jongdae and shoots him an apologetic look. Mrs. Kim places a plate of toasts and eggs in front of him.
“I should get going,” she says, smiling at Minseok and Jongdae. She runs her fingers through Minseok’s hair, downwards, before settling to pinch the skin at the base of his hairline. “Enjoy your breakfast, you two.”
“Thanks, Mrs. Kim,” Jongdae says, smiling up at her. There is something in his voice and Minseok is sure that Jongdae isn’t thanking his mothe just for the breakfast.
She senses this too as she stops and smiles back at him. “Jongdae, dear,” Mrs Kim says, patting him on a shoulder. “You can come by anytime you like, okay? The more the merrier, anyway!”
Minseok silently eats his breakfast and wonder what they have been talking about earlier. He will have to ask Jongdae, one of these days, though he’s mostly relieved that Jongdae has gotten on so well with his mother.
Apart from being a regular customer at Overdose, Jongdae becomes a regular face at Minseok’s house, too, sometimes even self-inviting himself to dinners. His sisters have taken a liking towards him since he spoils them with all sorts of small toys and snacks.
“Are you dating me or my sisters,” Minseok asks dryly during one of the visits, rolling his eyes at Minhee who squeals over the stash of chocolates Jongdae has presented her with. “Chocolate… sweets… toys…”
“Jongdae oppa,” Minyoung says, tugging at Jongdae’s shirt. Jongdae looks at her and smiles, raising an eyebrow questioningly. She beams at him and gives him a thumbs-up. “You’re the best.”
Jongdae laughs and holds his hand out for a high-five. Minseok scoffs. “Thanks for the support, Kim Minyoung.”
“AFTER Minseok oppa,” Minyoung adds quickly, hugging Minseok from the side. “Of course.”
Minseok sighs, fondly ruffling his sister’s hair in response, instead.
***
When they finally have time to talk, Minseok tells Jongdae about Kyungsoo has shared with him.
“Kyungsoo told you that?” Jongdae says. His voice is eerily steady but Minseok recognises this situation; it’s the calm before the storm and the way his boyfriend stiffens is enough to tell him that he isn’t pleased. “And you believe him?”
“I- I don’t. Not quite,” Minseok replies hurriedly when Jongdae cocks an eyebrow at him. “I mean, it’s Kyungsoo’s neighbour, you know? I’m not sure if it’s just town gossip or what but… look. I just want to hear it from you.”
Jongdae takes a shuddering breath and curls himself up into a ball for a second before sitting back up for air. He looks at Minseok questioningly -- are you sure you want to hear this - and then at his hands, completely reluctant. Minseok doesn’t say a word as he waits, merely slinging an arm around his boyfriend’s waist, tugging him close. Once in a while, Minseok lets his hand snake up and down Jongdae’s thigh to tell him that it’s okay. He don’t have to let everything out all at once if he doesn’t want to. Not everyone works like that.
When Jongdae opens his mouth to share his story, Minseok lets go of him and tries to will his heart to stop aching so much at the sight of his boyfriend shaking at the memories of his dead girlfriend. The recount isn't smooth - the words get stuck at the back of Jongdae's throat and many times, he stops to calm himself down. To dislodge those painful words out, to breathe. Minseok startles when Jongdae shares that he is the first person to ask, that he is the first person that Jongdae is sharing this with.
"It's not your fault," Minseok whispers, gathering Jongdae and his tears in his arms. He strokes his hair and kisses the back of his head. “Jongdae, listen. It’s not your fault.”
"I should have paid more attention, you know? She was quieter, thinner, she kept to herself more. She doesn't want to talk. When it happened, her parents blamed me. Said I was the one spending the time with her because she stopped talking to them. They said--"
"The cheek of them," Minseok says firmly. "There is no one to be blamed for this kind of thing. You know that."
"She left just like that. No goodbye note, no nothing."
Except for a whole lot of guessing and misery, a lot of guilt and confusion. Minseok knows it must have been hard on Jongdae, to lose someone he loves in such a way.
“I didn’t exactly leave because of her. Dad had some business dealings in Beijing and since I’m taking over the company, he just wanted me to come over and take a look. So I went, took my chance and… I just felt like I needed to get away. I--” He stops to inhale a shuddering breath and Minseok notices his eyes fill with tears.
“You missed her.” Minseok takes Jongdae’s hand in his and gives it a squeeze before rubbing circles at the back of it with his thumb, comforting. The startled expression on Jongdae’s first tells him that he’s right but Minseok’s not angry. He gently pulls Jongdae into a hug, “I get it. And you loved her. It must have been so difficult for you and I’m really sorry to have made go through all that again. We don’t have to talk about this anymore, if you don’t want to.”
Jongdae nods, humming softly into the crook of Minseok’s shoulder. They stay like that for a while, silently and Minseok wishes he can take away all of the pain that Jongdae is feeling. He strokes Jongdae’s hair for a while before gently planting a kiss to his temple. He lets his fingers dance across Jongdae’s skin, from the top of his head to his neck and finally to the small of his back, for a while as he thinks of some other thing to talk about.
“They say it’s bad to talk to your partners about your exes..." Minseok trails off laughing at the expression on Jongdae's face. "I'm joking!"
There is a hint of a smile creeping upon Jongdae's when he roughly pulls Minseok towards him and nuzzles into his neck. He starts to tickle Minseok and they wrestle each other for a while.
Jongdae stops when he's managed to pin Minseok down, grinning at him before swooping down to plant a kiss to Minseok's lips.
***
Minseok can see the disappointment in Jongdae’s face even through the extra bright smile. When Jongdae opens his mouth to speak, Minseok is impressed by how calm he sounds. “So, what you’re saying is… you will not be coming to my birthday party because you’re babysitting your sisters?” It’s not really a question. Minseok has clearly stated his reasons for not being able to attend and he has known Jongdae long and well enough to know that this is him asking Minseok to reconsider his decision. He’s giving Minseok a chance to change his mind. Sometimes, Jongdae will not just settle for a ‘no’.
“Yes,” Minseok replies briskly. He takes Jongdae’s hand in his and is grateful his boyfriend doesn’t pull away. “Jong, I’m sorry but Mom has a night shift and you know how money is always tight around the house. I can’t possibly tell her to skip work because I want to be there for your party.”
“So, you want to come?”
“Of course, I do!”
“How much does your mother make? I can pay her twice --”
Minseok is the one who pulls away first, yanking off his hand out of Jongdae’s grip as if he has been burned. He stares at Jongdae for a long second, not believing what he has just heard. His family may be poor but they are not beggars. He tells Jongdae this and watches him laugh.
“Babe, I’m not saying you’re a beggar. I’m just saying--”
“That you’re practically paying me to go out with you?” He’s shaking now, Minseok realises a little too late as Jongdae slinks away from him, clearly not expecting this outburst. He seems confused and that makes Minseok even angrier. “You honestly think that you’re doing me some sort of favour by doing that? Seriously, Kim Jongdae?”
“Wait-- wait. I didn’t mean to -- I just. Minseok, listen to me,” Jongdae says, his voice rising as he catches hold of Minseok’s arm. Minseok angrily yanks his hand away and rubs at the spot Jongdae has gripped, “I didn’t mean it like that, I swear to god. I’m sorry, okay? I
“Do you even know what you’re sorry for?” Minseok snaps. Jongdae responds by dropping his hand to the side and staring at the ground instead of him and Minseok thinks that this is enough for an answer. He doesn’t need to listen further. He opens his mouth to say something but decides not to, closing it.
So, he walks away.
***
Baekhyun is the first person to notice something’s wrong. “You look like shit,” he greets, slapping Minseok on the shoulder, when he walks in. “What the hell happened?”
Minseok takes a deep breath and is startled by the single tear rolling down his cheek. It hurts to say Jongdae’s name, to even think of what he has said, to recall the fight and admit that Minseok misses Jongdae a lot more than he allows himself to and he cannot understand why. It hurts and it is terrifyingly unsettling to have such a soft spot for Jongdae, to let his heart swell with love and affection when he thinks of Jongdae, even though he has been hurt. He tries to explain all of these but the words get stuck at the back of his throat.
This is a different kind of hurt from what he has ever experienced, something that leaves him aching in places he never knew could hurt before; it’s not his first time if Minseok puts in his very first relationship into the equation but Jongdae is a new kind of hurt that he knows he must give himself time to get over. Waking up each day after the fight, knowing that There are a million and one things about the boy that Minseok loves and will never trade the world for but there are also problems. And issues. There are things that Minseok hasn’t been able to come to terms with and more than anything, he feels frustrated because he knows deep down, Jongdae means no harm. It is just like him to blow up over the small things, to notice the details and mull over them when
“Jongdae?” Baekhyun guesses, a hand clamping Minseok’s shoulder. Minseok nods once. Baekhyun pulls up a chair and sits next to him, concern written all over his face. “What did he do? What the hell, Minseok? Why are you crying, what on earth did he do?”
For all of his dumb antics, Baekhyun is a fiercely loyal friend when he needs to be. “I am going to break his face,” he says, voice dangerously low with anger, when Minseok finally tells him. Minseok sees the clenched fists and, smiles despite himself, immediately puts his hand over Baekhyun’s. “Does Kyungsoo know about this?” Minseok shakes his head. “I am going to tell Kyungsoo and the both of us will break his face. Who the hell does he think he is, to be talking to you like that.”
“Do you think I’m being too sensitive?” Minseoks asks.
“No way!”
“If you’re not my friend?”
“Even if you’re a stranger on the street,” Baekhyun confirms. “Look, it was just…what he did... he was just an asshole, alright? I’ll be honest with you. And you did the right thing; get angry at him and letting him know that money cannot buy everything. Especially dates and attention and love. I sound like my mom right now but you’re teaching him a good lesson.”
***
There are nearly sixty missed calls from Jongdae, twice as many Whatsapp messages and his email inbox is flooded with apologies. Minseok has a test the coming week and he knows that he has spent too many hours holed up in his room, crying for reasons that he knows will never put that A on his tests and exams. He hasn’t been eating well, sleeping well and he’s refusing more and more shifts for Overdose-- something that he rarely does, even during the exam periods. Being away from Jongdae and missing him has taken a toll on his life.
The birthday card he has written for Jongdae is on his table, the gift he has gotten him next to it. Minseok has been preparing the gift for weeks, now and he has been anticipating Jongdae’s birthday to finally give it to him.
And, now.
He reaches over for his mobile phone and he hates how his fingers hover over Jongdae’s name in the contacts list. He never used to have this problem. After a few minutes of internally debating with himself, Minseok gives up and throws his mobile phone aside, choosing to go to bed, instead.
***
It is nearly 11pm already and Minseok is still struggling to put his sisters to sleep. “Mom always lets us stay up till midnight!”
“When I was your age, I had to go to bed by 9!”
“Oppa, times have changed,” Minyoung says, blinking her eyes innocently up at Minseok. He narrows his eyes at her, at how familiar that line is… because he always says that to their mother when she puts him to bed years back.
“One last story?” Minseok pleads.
“Oppa, did you hear that?”
“Kim Minhee,” Minseok says as he puts both hands on his waist in an attempt to be firm.
“No, really! Did you hear that? Someone’s knocking on our door!” Minhee jumps out of bed and runs out the bedroom. Minyoung follows suit, forcefully tugging her hand off Minseok’s grip, yelling for her sister to wait for her.
In a flash, Minseok is out of the room as he takes long strides to the door, beating his two sisters.
“Who on earth could it be… Who the..FFFRENCH FRIES OH GOD KIM JONGDAE!” Minseok yells in shock at seeing Jongdae stand right in front of his eyes. “What are you doing here?!” He groans aloud when he hears his sisters’ footsteps running towards the door.
“To celebrate my birthday,” Jongdae replies, grinning widely at Minseok. There are boxes in his hands and two balloons. “Aren’t you going to let me in? It’s cold.”
“Y-yeah, sure. I-- Come in,” Minseok says, opening the door slightly wider and gesturing for Jongdae to step inside.
“JONGDAE OPPA!” Minyoung shrieks as soon as she catches sight of him. Minhee lets out an equally excited squeal, nearly stepping on Minseok’s toes as she pushes past him to get to the door.
“How come you’re here so late? Like Jongin oppa?” Minhee asks through a mouthful of cake. She grins up at Jongdae and waves his hand away when he tries to wipe the mess on her mouth. “No, no, I can do it myself.”
“Aren’t you a clever girl,” Jongdae praises before asking, “So, who’s Jongin oppa?”
“A really mean oppa. He used to come all the time a long time ago, really late too! But now we don’t see him, anymore, ” Minyoung answers, completely ignoring the stricken look on Minseok’s face. She licks off the remains of the cake off her fingers before smacking her lips in satisfaction. “Whoa. This cake is so yummy! Mom would never let us eat cake this late…
“Really mean oppa?” Jongdae repeats and that is when Minseok clears his throat. Jongdae looks up and raises an eyebrow. “Your ex?”
“Yes,” Minseok replies, exhaling loudly as he leans back into the couch. “And someone I don’t want to talk about. Ever.” Grabbing the remote control, Minseok starts to channel surf, absentmindedly playing with the strands of Minyoung’s hair.
“We don’t have to talk about him,” Jongdae says. He scoots closer to Minseok and starts to snuggle. Minseok doesn’t pull away and Jongdae shoots him a grateful smile. “We need to talk about us.”
“Help me put my sisters to sleep, first,” Minseok replies, smiling when Jongdae encloses his hand with his. He has missed this warmth, feeling as though his anger at Jongdae all these while has melted. Slightly. “We have all night. You have to get home before 7.30. Mom is home by then.”
Jongdae smiles and leans in to give a quick peck at Minseok, who yelps in response before wildly pointing at his sisters. They aren’t paying attention, of course, too engrossed with the cake that Jongdae has brought them. He stands up and claps his hands, “Okay, who wants to listen a bedtime story?”
Minyoung and Minhee stop eating their cake, turning to Jongdae in unison. “ME!” Minyoung shrieks, rushing over to give Jongdae a hug before realising that her hand is dirty. She grins at Jongdae, waving, “Maybe I should wash my hands first?”
“Yup,” Jongdae nods, grabbing her hand, “And brush your teeth, get a change of clothes and get ready for bed. Yes?”
“YES!” The twins shout, scrambling away to do as their told. Minseok turns to Jongdae and gives him a nod.
“You’ve a way with kids,” Minseok remarks, impressed, raising his eyebrows at his boyfriend.
Jongdae bows and curtseys, laughing when Minseok hits him lightly at the top of his head.
Minseok awakens by the sound of the shrill alarm clock by his bedside table. He groans, as he stretches over the sleeping Jongdae, to shut it off. A quarter to seven a.m. His mother should be making her way back home, now. Jumping out of bed, Minseok rushes out of his room to clean up the mess from last night. His mother tends to get irritable from night shifts and he doesn’t exactly want to get an earful from her, first thing in the morning.
“You’re up,” a familiar voice says and Minseok spins around, amidst adjusting the cushions on the sofa. It’s Jongdae, sleepy grin and messy hair, rubbing his eyes at Minseok with one hand and the other up in the air as he stretches.
He smiles at Jongdae. “Coffee?”
Jongdae nods in response, walking towards Minseok in large strides and then enveloping him into a tight hug. He brushes the hair away from Minseok’s forehead and leaves a kiss there.
“You, first.”
Author's note: Thank you for your lovely prompt <3 I really hope you like this fic as much as I have enjoyed writing it for you! Special thanks to J~