Chapter Text
The rooftop was shrouded in a biting chill, the wind cutting through the quiet night like a cruel whisper. Wonwoo’s breath was ragged as he pushed the heavy rooftop door open, his heart thundering in his chest. He didn’t know why he came here, but something deep inside pulled him to the top of the building.
And there he was.
Mingyu stood at the edge, his tall frame illuminated by the faint glow of the city lights. His coat flapped in the wind, his hands limp at his sides. He looked so small, so heartbreakingly lost, as if he might let the cold swallow him whole.
Wonwoo’s heart seized, relief crashing into him with the force of a tidal wave. He clutched the doorframe to steady himself, his chest heaving from the frantic sprint up the stairs. But the relief was short-lived, quickly replaced by a simmering anger.
“Ya, Kim Mingyu!” Wonwoo’s voice shattered the silence, sharp and desperate.
Mingyu turned at the sound, his expression blank, but his red, tear-streaked eyes betrayed him. He didn’t move, didn’t say a word, just stood there, looking at Wonwoo with an emptiness that tore at his heart.
Wonwoo didn’t hesitate. He stormed forward, his shoes scuffing against the rooftop surface. When he reached Mingyu, he grabbed him by the collar with trembling hands, shaking him slightly.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?!” Wonwoo’s voice cracked, a mixture of anger and fear. “I’ve been looking for you for hours, Mingyu. Do you even understand how scared I was?”
Mingyu didn’t respond. He didn’t even look at Wonwoo, his gaze dropping to the ground as fresh tears welled in his eyes.
“Look at me!” Wonwoo demanded, his voice rising. But the moment his eyes met Mingyu’s, all the anger drained from him. Mingyu wasn’t defiant or dismissive—he was broken. His tears fell freely, his shoulders shaking as he struggled to hold himself together.
Wonwoo’s grip faltered, and without thinking, he pulled Mingyu into a tight embrace. The younger man didn’t resist. He clung to Wonwoo immediately, his arms wrapping around him with a desperation that made Wonwoo’s heart ache.
Mingyu sobbed against Wonwoo’s shoulder, his body trembling as if he’d been holding everything in for far too long. Wonwoo held him tighter, one hand cradling the back of Mingyu’s head, the other rubbing soothing circles on his back.
“It’s okay,” Wonwoo whispered, his own voice thick with unshed tears. “It’s okay, Mingyu. I’m here. I’m sorry.”
Mingyu tightened his grip, burying his face deeper into Wonwoo’s shoulder. He cried like a lost child who had finally found his way home, his muffled sobs breaking Wonwoo’s resolve.
“I’m sorry,” Wonwoo said again, the words tumbling out in a broken whisper. “I’m so sorry, Mingyu. I shouldn’t have… I shouldn’t have been so cruel.”
Mingyu shook his head against Wonwoo’s shoulder, his voice barely audible through his tears. “Don’t be. I’m sorry for worrying you.”
Wonwoo let out a shaky laugh, though his tears fell freely now. “Don’t be a baby, Mingyu-ah. I was so scared… I thought…”
Mingyu loosened his hold just enough to pull back and look at Wonwoo. His face was a mess, tears streaking down his cheeks, his lips trembling. The sight tore Wonwoo apart.
“I was being unreasonable,” Mingyu managed to say between sobs. “Yesterday… I shouldn’t have…”
“Stop,” Wonwoo interrupted, placing a hand over Mingyu’s mouth. “Don’t. It wasn’t you. It was me. I was wrong, Mingyu. Not you.”
Mingyu clung to him like a lifeline, his breaths coming in uneven gasps. “I’m sorry,” he said between sobs. “I just… I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Wonwoo closed his eyes, swallowing against the lump in his throat. “Don’t say that. Don’t you dare apologize. I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have… I should’ve been better, Mingyu. I should’ve been there.”
Mingyu pulled back slightly, just enough to look up at Wonwoo. His face was blotchy, his eyes red and swollen, but there was something achingly tender in the way he looked at him.
Mingyu’s lips quivered, and he looked away again, unable to meet his gaze. Wonwoo sighed softly, cupping Mingyu’s face with both hands and tilting it upward until their eyes met.
“But don’t ever do this again,” Wonwoo said, his voice firm yet tender. “Don’t disappear like that. I was terrified when I couldn’t find you. Don’t scare me like this. Don't be a baby Mingyu. Please.”
Mingyu’s tears spilled over again, and he leaned forward, burying his face in the crook of Wonwoo’s neck. His voice was muffled but clear enough to break Wonwoo’s heart all over again.
“But I’m your baby,” Mingyu murmured, his words trembling with vulnerability.
Wonwoo let out a soft, broken laugh, his arms wrapping around Mingyu once more. He held him like he’d never let go, his voice a quiet whisper in the cold night.
“Yes, you are,” Wonwoo said, his lips brushing against Mingyu’s temple. “You’ll always be my baby. Always.”
Mingyu clung to him, his sobs gradually subsiding into quiet sniffles. The rooftop felt still now, the wind no longer biting but carrying their shared warmth.
"You don’t have to keep pretending,” Mingyu whispered, his voice trembling. “I know I’m a mess. I know you don’t want to deal with me anymore.”
Wonwoo’s heart cracked open at the words. Without thinking, he cupped Mingyu’s face in his hands, forcing him to meet his gaze.
“You don’t get to decide that,” Wonwoo said, his voice firm but gentle. “You don’t get to push me away like this, Mingyu. Not when I—” He stopped himself, the words catching in his throat.
Mingyu’s lips quivered, his gaze searching Wonwoo’s face. “Not when you what?” he asked softly, his voice barely audible over the wind.
Wonwoo’s hands trembled where they rested against Mingyu’s skin. His eyes flickered to Mingyu’s lips, and for a brief, reckless moment, he thought about closing the distance. About telling him everything.
The space between them seemed to shrink on its own, their breaths mingling in the cold air. Mingyu’s hands found their way to Wonwoo’s coat, his grip light but anchoring.
“Wonwoo…” Mingyu’s voice was a whisper, his tone heavy with emotion.
Wonwoo leaned in, his forehead brushing against Mingyu’s. His heart pounded wildly in his chest, every nerve in his body screaming for him to stop, but he couldn’t. He didn’t want to.
But just as his lips were about to graze Mingyu’s, the rooftop door burst open with a loud crash.
"Kim Mingyu!"
The sound shattered the fragile bubble around them, and both men turned sharply to see Seungcheol standing in the doorway, his face a mixture of relief and anger.
“There you are!” Seungcheol said, his voice firm but laced with concern. He stormed toward them, his heavy footsteps echoing across the rooftop.
Mingyu immediately stepped back, his arms dropping to his sides. The loss of his warmth hit Wonwoo like a blow, but he quickly masked the hurt with indifference.
"What the hell were you thinking, running off like that?” Seungcheol demanded, his tone sharp. “Do you have any idea how worried everyone’s been?”
“I’m sorry,” Mingyu mumbled, his gaze fixed on the ground.
Seungcheol let out a heavy sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Let’s just get you inside before you freeze to death.”
Mingyu hesitated, casting a fleeting glance at Wonwoo. There was something unspoken in his eyes, something that lingered in the cold night air even as he turned to follow Seungcheol.