Chapter Text
Staring at his boyfriend’s slumbering face, Mingyu couldn’t help but smile. Though it had become a routine for him to see Wonwoo beside him every morning, he couldn’t help but feel giddy with joy. He had never really understood the bliss people felt when they woke up to the face of their lover. What was so magical about seeing a person snoring or drooling? After he began dating Wonwoo, he finally understood.
Mingyu studied Wonwoo’s soft features inches from his face. His limbs were wrapped possessively around Mingyu as he snored ever so quietly. He loved falling asleep in Wonwoo’s arms, he loved being spooned by Wonwoo and he loved waking up to Wonwoo beside him. It brought him comfort and an odd sense of security.
He snuggled closer to Wonwoo but the movement stirred Wonwoo awake.
“Mingyu-ah,” he groaned, eyes barely open as he pulled Mingyu closer. Mingyu snickered, wriggling out of his grasp to place a kiss on his nose.
“You can’t lure me out of sleep with those kisses, Gyu,” his voice was deeper and raspier than usual. Mingyu chuckled in a whisper, shifting to press against Wonwoo.
“Maybe if I gave you a head--”
“OK! I’m up!” Wonwoo’s eyes shot open and Mingyu smirked.
“Looks like you had a good sleep,” Mingyu remarked, noticing the imprints on his cheek, running his fingers along them. Wonwoo nodded, stretching as Mingyu sat up.
“You ready for today?” he asked and suddenly all of Mingyu’s sleep vanished. He swallowed, “yes”
Wonwoo noticed the apprehension in his voice, the anxiety on his face, and smiled. Nimble fingers wrapped around his reassuringly, “I’m here, okay?”
Mingyu nodded, “Yeah. Yeah, I know you are. Let’s get ready, yeah?”
“Sure thing”
Wonwoo kissed him and Mingyu laughed, “Morning breath Won!” Mingyu complained and Wonwoo pouted, “since when are you worried about that stuff? That night, you ate me out and kissed me! That’s worse!”
“Ahahahaha you’re right, you’re right. Anyway, let’s get up,”
Sulking, Wonwoo rolled his eyes and got off the bed, heading straight to the closet, “So, what’s your dad’s favorite color?”
--
It was a week ago when Mingyu finally popped the question. No, he did not ask Wonwoo to marry him. Not yet.
Mingyu waited for Wonwoo outside his class, browsing through his phone as a swarm of students walked out of the class past him. A bunch of them greeted Mingyu on their way out.
“Oh? Mingyu. Waiting for Wonwoo?” he heard Mina tease and he blushed from ear to ear. After finding out that Mingyu was dating Wonwoo, instead of being bitter or bitchy, she had become his friend. She had the most classes in common with Wonwoo and always sent Mingyu updates about his boyfriend. Not in a creepy way though. Just texts like, ‘He argued with the Professor. Might punch you in the face, beware’
And Mingyu was thankful.
“Yeah,” he replied, clearing his throat. She giggled, playfully pulling his cheeks, “Have fun. He was in a good mood today,” she winked.
“Why do you pay so much attention to him, Mina? Do you like him?” he joked. Mina hummed, “maybe”
“Wait what--” he choked as Wonwoo walked out, “Hey, Gyu,”
Mina giggled and winked again before walking away. Mingyu narrowed his eyes at her and turned to Wonwoo looking gorgeous as ever even in his mundane sweats. “You need to stop looking this good!” he sulked and Wonwoo snickered, “what’s wrong?”
“It’s hard to gatekeep you this way!” Mingyu pouted and Wonwoo burst out laughing. He slid an arm around Mingyu’s waist, pulling him close as they made their way to the cafeteria.
“You’re a baby,” he placed a kiss on his cheek and Mingyu grinned, “your baby”
“You're cheesy,” Wonwoo flashed him a shy smile and Mingyu’s heart almost cartwheeled out of his chest like it always does when Wonwoo smiled.
In case people didn’t know Wonwoo and Mingyu were dating, watching them walk together, arms around the waist and all made it very obvious. Wonwoo’s name had been cleared after another investigation was launched into the matter and it’s safe to say that everyone that wronged him now walked with their heads low. And that included Woojin. After almost beating each other to death, their trio was reduced to a duo. And Mingyu was more than happy to lose that kind of negativity from his life. Jungkook had revealed to him a while later that he and Taehyung had witnessed Mingyu and Wonwoo kiss in the library and that they’d caught a drift of what had happened between the two. He was grateful to Jungkook, and Taehyung, for not jumping to conclusions or causing a scene like Woojin. They were good people.
“Will Jungkook join us for lunch?” Wonwoo asked and Mingyu laughed.
“Uh nope. He finally asked Taehyung out and they’re going out on a lunch date today” Wonwoo gasped, “What? He’s been crushing on Jungkook for over a year now so good for him I guess,”
“Same with Jungkook. Ever since he met him in the library, he wouldn’t stop talking about him,”
“They look cute together,”
“They do,” Mingyu agreed as they entered the cafeteria and took their seat. Once they began eating, Mingyu finally said it. It had been weighing on his mind all day and he didn’t know how to tell Wonwoo. ANd since Mina had told him that he was in a good mood, Mingyu shot his shot.
“I want you to meet my dad, Wonwoo,” and Wonwoo stopped eating.
“What?”
Mingyu shrank under his furrowed brows, “Sorry. If you don’t want to--”
Wonwoo clicked his tongue, putting his chopsticks down, “No, I’m sorry. I was just surprised. And um, sure. I’ll meet your Dad.”
Mingyu was shocked at how easily Wonwoo had accepted.
“What’s wrong?” Wonwoo questioned when he noticed Mingyu gaping at him.
“i-I just thought you’d be more hesitant,”
“Why would I be? He’s the dad of my boyfriend. I was going to meet him someday. Why not right now then?”
Wonwoo made a valid point. Mingyu admired how forward Wonwoo was with things that came his way. Mingyu wished he had that courage.
“O-Oh. That’s great, haha. Let’s meet him this Sunday for lunch!”Mingyu averted his gaze, digging into his food, hoping Wonwoo wouldn’t notice. But he did. Of course, he did.
“You’re acting weird. WHat’s wrong, Gyu?” he put down the chopsticks, ready for a talk. Mingyu sighed at the gesture and put down his chopsticks too.
“I-I haven’t told my Dad that...that it’s you,”
“What do you mean?”
“That you...you’re a guy,”
Wonwoo gasped, “ I-I thought you already came out to your Dad,”
Wonwoo was right. Mingyu did give that impression.
“He, well, he knows that my preferences are...wide. And he has never said anything. B-but I’ve never really talked to him about it. Directly at least,” he let out a shaky breath just thinking about it. Fingers laced with him on the table and he looked up to meet Wonwoo’s kind smile.
“You don’t have to be scared, Gyu. I’m here, with you. Let’s talk to your Dad together, alright?”
To think that Wonwoo, whose own Dad had not accepted him, was being so brave put Mingyu to shame. He bit his lips and Wonwoo sighed, “it is okay to be scared. Don’t feel bad that you’re scared, okay? And don’t worry, I’ll be right by your side,”
From where Wonwoo held Mingyu’s hand, warmth seeped in and Mingyu felt braver than before. He smiled, rubbing his thumb along Wonwoo’s knuckles, “Alright. Let’s meet him. Together,”
Wonwoo smiled.
“Together”
--
Standing outside Mingyu’s Dad’s penthouse, their stomachs churned with anxiety.
“How do I look?” Wonwoo asked, adjusting his clothes for the umpteenth time that day. Mingyu sighed, sliding his bangs back, “You look perfect, he’ll love you,”
Wonwoo smiled, sliding his hand into Mingyu’s, “you too,” Mingyu kissed Wonwoo.
“Let’s go in now,” Mingyu said and rang the doorbell. As they waited for his Dad to answer the door, they held their breaths. And as the door clicked open, they tensed. The first in his Dad’s view was Mingyu.
“Mingyu! It’s so nice that you--” he halted when the door opened farther to reveal Wonwoo standing beside Mingyu. His gaze fell to their interlaced hands and Wonwoo held his breath as those questioning eyes studied the two.
“Dad, this is--”
“You must be Mingyu’s boyfriend! Come on in!” the expression on his face changed to a much livelier one and Wonwoo relaxed, smiling from ear to ear. He bowed a full 90 degrees, “Hello, sir. I’m Jeon Wonwoo!” he said and Mingyu’s dad laughed heartily and ushered them in, “Wonwoo-ah! Mingyu-ah! It’s so nice to have you here!”
“Thank you for inviting us, Jaeho-ssi,” Wonwoo said as Jaeho gestured to them to take a seat on the couch.
“My pleasure! I just had to see who my son was seeing. He seems so happy these days haha” he chirped and Mingyu blushed when Wonwoo side-eyed him.
“Say, aren’t you the one I saw at the Principal’s office that day? About 8 months ago? When Mingyu was called in from getting into a brawl?”
Panicked, Wonwoo shot to his feet, bowing again, “I’m so sorry, Jaeho-ssi! Mingyu got into trouble because of me! I’m sorry I--”
“Oh my! Wonwoo, calm down haha. I was just making an observation. I am not blaming you for anything. Whatever my son does is up to him. Plus, he told me about everything that happened with you and your art. So please, don’t blame yourself for it” he spoke and Wonwoo sighed, sinking back into his seat.
“Thank you for being so kind, Jaeho-ssi,”
“Hahaha don’t mention it!”
“Dad um I wanted to apologize too. For not telling you beforehand that I...with Wonwoo,” Mingyu struggled to form words and his Dad smiled reassuringly.
“Mingyu-ah. You’re my precious Son. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t know about you being, what do they call it, bisexual, yes. And I’d love to talk to you about it, have you open up to me too. Unless you don’t want to, which is fine too--”
“No! I mean...I want to talk to you..”
“Then we’ll talk, okay? But right now, we have a guest over. So talk later, hm?”
To think that his Dad was taking it so well, Mingyu was filled with happiness and warmth. He glanced at Wonwoo who smiled at him and all the tension in Mingyu’s shoulders disappeared. After that, the conversation flowed easily.
During lunch, they told his dad that they had moved in together and he was more than delighted to hear that.
“Oh, right. How’s your hand, Wonwoo? Has your wound healed?”
“Ah, it has, Jaeho-ssi. It was not that deep anyway”
Mingyu smiled, thinking about how Wonwoo’s injury was how his Dad had found out about them.
--
It was one of their weekly lunches together. Mingyu and his Dad would get together and discuss everything that had been going on in their lives. In all honesty, Mingyu had been scrambling his brain about telling his Dad about them but had never found the right time to do so.
It was towards the end of their meal that Mingyu’s phone rang. It was Wonwoo.
Usually, Mingyu wouldn't take calls when with his Dad. But usually, Wonwoo wouldn't call.
“Dad I’ll have to take this,” he said and his Dad nodded as if saying, ‘oh sure. Don’t mind me,’
He lifted the call, getting up from his seat and taking a few steps away, “Wonwoo, what’s up?”
Mingyu’s dad couldn’t help but overhear as his son conversed with the person on the phone.
Mingyu spoke in a hushed tone but Jaeho could still hear it.
“Home? About 40 minutes, why?”
“Bandages? Are you hurt?”
The concern in Mingyu’s voice piqued Jaeho’s curiosity.
“Not that big?! But you need bandages? I think we need to go to the hospital. No. I’m coming back right now. Just cover it with cloth for now, yeah? And lie down. I’m leaving right now!”
Mingyu turned to his father, “Dad I--”
“I have some bandages. Take them. Don’t keep them waiting,” he gestured towards the bedroom and Mingyu smiled, relieved. “Thanks!” he retrieved the med-kit and it was only then that he realized that his father had heard that he had needed bandages. And if he had heard that, he had surely heard--
“Bring over your lover sometime, okay?”
Mingyu gulped and after muttering a light ‘will do! and he dashed out.
--
After a nice dinner and some bonding, Jaeho had come to see Mingyu and Wonwoo off.
“Thank you for the food, Jaeho-ssi. It was delicious. I can see where Mingyu gets his skills from,” Wonwoo said and Jaeho laughed. Noticing the time, Mingyu spoke up.
“Dad, we’ll be taking our leave now--”
“Sure, sure. Oh right! One second!” Jaeho said as he dug some money out of his pocket and handed it to Mingyu, “This is your allowance, Mingyu-ah” he smiled.
“Thanks, Dad”
“And this,” he held Wonwoo’s hand, “this is your allowance, Wonwoo-ah”
The gesture took both Mingyu and Wonwoo by surprise, “Jaeho-ssi I-I there is no need. How could I accept this--”
“Wonwoo-ah. You’ve been calling me, ‘Jaeho-ssi’ all day. You don’t have to, okay? We’re family, aren’t we? Call me Dad. Or Appa. Whatever you like, hm?”
And it would be an understatement to say that Wonwoo was stunned by those words. He was catatonic as he stared at Jaeho in disbelief.
“A-Appa?”
“You’re my son now, Wonwoo-ah,” he held his shoulders and Wonwoo was at a loss for words. Mingyu could see tears pooling in his eyes.
Wonwoo who had been rejected by his father had found someone who had accepted him.
And without any further ado, tears finally escaped his eyes, no matter how hard he tried to control them.
Jaeho panicked, “Wonwoo-ah! You okay? Please don’t cry!” he said, pulling Wonwoo into a tight hug, making the latter cry even more. Mingyu couldn’t help but giggle at his Father consoling a sobbing Wonwoo.
He joined in on the action and wrapped his arms around Wonwoo and Dad.
Around his family.
Family.
Mingyu was home.
--
Wonwoo skipped ahead of Mingyu, humming to himself as they made their way to the Stationery shop. After a snotty farewell, Wonwoo had promised to buy art supplies using his first allowance. He wished to paint something for Dad and Dad was more than willing to hang it on his wall.
“Won, I’ll go get myself a milkshake. You want one?” he asked and Wonwoo shook his head, “go ahead. I’ll be in the paints aisle!” and he skipped away without sparing Mingyu a glance.
Mingyu chuckled at how happy and lively Wonwoo seemed. He crossed the street and grabbed his banana milkshake and a strawberry milkshake for Wonwoo because he knew Wonwoo would ask, and headed back. He navigated his way through the store but just as he turned into the aisle, he heard a voice.
“What do you want, Sungho?”
Mingyu froze, feet unmoving as the two conversed.
Mingyu peeped in, catching a glimpse of the man. He had the body of a basketball player, tall and broad, towering over Wonwoo.
“I’m here to apologize,”
Mingyu had assumed SUngho was here for revenge of sorts. After all, clearing Wonwoo’s name meant incriminating Sungho. He had heard that SUngho had gotten into a lot of trouble. So it was surprising that he felt remorse and not anger.
Wonwoo seemed taken aback too, eyes softening at the words.
“What?”
“I-I’m sorry. For everything. For framing you, for...mistreating you,” he raised his hand to Wonwoo’s cheek, hesitant to touch him, “but I just want you to know that...I really did like you,”
There it was. One of Mingyu’s worst fears.
Sungho.
Mingyu was afraid. Terrified at the thought of Wonwoo leaving him. Going back to Sungho.
His fear made no sense. Why would Wonwoo ever go back to that asshole?
But he was scared nonetheless.
“Sungho--”
“I really liked you. I did. And i-if you’re willing, I-I want you back--”
“OK! That’s it!” Mingyu moved, turning to the aisle to tell Sungho off. To face him and confront his fears. To tell him that he had had his chance with Wonwoo! And he had ruined it! Mingyu was not going to let Sungho waltz back into Wonwoo’s life and manipulate him again.
But before Mingyu could even take his place by Wonwoo’s side, Wonwoo landed a solid punch on Sungho.
“This...is me accepting your half-hearted apology,” Wonwoo raised his hand to punch him again but Mingyu grabbed a hold of him, stopping him from causing serious damage to Sungho’s sculpted face.
“Ok. That's enough,” Mingyu held him back, stopping Wonwoo from wriggling out of his grasp.
Sungho recovered from the blow, standing up, “Right. Yeah, I deserved that,” he nodded as Wonwoo struggled in Mingyu’s hold.
“You must be the boyfriend,” he gestured to Mingyu and the latter nodded.
“Mingyu.” He introduced himself and Sungho acknowledged him with a nod.
Sungho cleared his throat and stood straight. He inhaled and bowed, “I’m sorry. For everything that I’ve done. For framing you and for offending you just now. I apologize, Wonwoo,”
And this time, it felt genuine.
Wonwoo relaxed and Mingyu no longer had to hold him back.
Sungho does not raise for a good minute, waiting for Wonwoo to respond. Mingyu exchanged glances with Wonwoo, Wonwoo seemed reluctant, after having gone through so much because of Sungho. He grit his teeth, fingers itching with doubt.
But then, he exhaled.
“Whatever,” Wonwoo said and walked away. Sungho swallowed, standing up to meet Mingyu’s eyes.
Sungho and Mingyu both knew that Wonwoo wasn't going to forgive him anytime soon. But his indifference was a step towards forgiveness. And Sungho could live with that.
Sungho wanted to say something, maybe along the lines of ‘Take care of him’ but Mingyu wasn't having any of that. Who was Sungho to tell Mingyu anything about Wonwoo?
“See you,” Mingyu bowed and followed Wonwoo out of the store, on their way to find another one.
--
After they came back home, Wonwoo dove straight into his work, hoping to finish a piece for Mingyu’s dad. But there was tension in the air. And Mingyu attributed it to their encounter with Sungho this afternoon.
Mingyu stood outside their bedroom, debating whether to go in and give Wonwoo the strawberry milk or give him some space. But Mingyu knew better than to let silence cause miscommunication.
With a soft knock alerting Wonwoo of his presence, he entered the room.
“Hey. You thirsty?” he asked as he settled on the bed behind Wonwoo who had been painting the canvas with warm colors, seated comfortably on the bed.
Wonwoo turned, catching a glimpse of his boyfriend coming to sit behind him.
“No, I’m good,” he went back to focusing on the canvas. Mingyu hummed, snuggling closer to gather Wonwoo’s hair and tie it in a pony. He then wrapped his arms around Wonwoo’s waist, pressing his chest to Wonwoo’s back, resting his chin on his shoulder.
Mingyu watched Wonwoo pain in comfortable silence, fingers rubbing soothing circles into his thighs.
After a while, Wonwoo spoke up.
“I can't forgive him just yet, you know”
“I know. You don't have to either. No one is pressuring you to either. Sungho understands,” he placed a small kiss on his shoulder.
“How do you know that?” Wonwoo put down the brush, holding Mingyu’s hand resting on his thigh.
“I just do,” Mingyu kissed him again, this time his jaw, tightening the grip around his waist.
“That’s a shitty answer,” Wonwoo sighed, smiling as Mingyu’s lips move up to his cheeks.
“I have nothing else to offer,” he chuckled into his ear, eliciting a breathy giggle from Wonwoo.
Mingyu held him close, letting Wonwoo settle onto his chest. They breathed in sync, finally relaxing after a long day.
It was in the quiet and comfort of this moment that Mingyu spoke up.
“I love you,”
And then, silence.
But Mingyu, not even for a moment, wanted to take back what he said. He wanted his feelings to be heard, loud and clear.
“W-What?”
“I said, I love you, Wonwoo,”
Saying it again, Mingyu felt lighter. Calmer.
He thought back to how reluctant he was at confronting his feelings. His hesitation had lost him all this precious time with Wonwoo. He wasn't willing to make that mistake again.
Living with Wonwoo, Mingyu had become braver. Bolder and upfront.
Wonwoo shifted in his arms, turning to face Mingyu.
“Gyu…”
“I love you. I love you so much,” Mingyu couldn't stop, “I love waking up to your stupid face every morning, I love it when you smile, I love it when you cry, I love it when we fight! I love it when you paint on me, I love it when you touch me like I’m the most precious being ever. I love everything about you. So much that it hurts, Wonwoo I--” Mingyu’s met with a finger to his lips, shushing him gently. He raised his gaze from the finger to Wonwoo’s eyes.
His eyes were moist but he was smiling through the tears, grinning at Mingyu like a lovesick fool. Mingyu knew he wasn't any better.
“Why are you crying?” Mingyu questioned and Wonwoo giggled, “you’re crying too, idiot,” wiping Mingyu’s tears he didn't realize he was shedding. Guess he was just overwhelmed.
Wonwoo cupped his cheek, pulling him closer, pressing their foreheads against each other, “are you afraid?”
It’s a question Mingyu had been asking himself. Was he afraid? If yes, of what? Why?
Mingyu smiled, “Not anymore,”
It was a vague answer but it seemed to have reached Wonwoo’s heart successfully. He closed his eyes and pressed his lips into Mingyu’s, kissing him gently.
Mingyu’s eyes fluttered shut and he smiled, feeling Wonwoo’s lips curve against his.
“Mingyu, I love you too”
Mingyu had known Wonwoo would respond that way. Nevertheless, hearing those words leave Wonwoo’s lips filled him with warmth. Suddenly, he felt like he was on top of the world like he had achieved everything he had ever wanted to.
“I-I’m bad with words but I hope you know how much you mean to me, Mingyu. I love you, I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you,” he sniffled through the kisses.
“Hm, are you planning on proposing soon?” Mingyu asked, wrapping his arms around Wonwoo’s waist, helping him onto his waist.
“All in good time, baby,” Wonwoo kissed him tenderly, passionately. And Mingyu did not desire anything else.
“For now, take my hand and hold me close,”
“Anything for you, my love,”
Mingyu won't let go.
Not this time.