Archive of Our Own ^beta

Already halfway through his final year, and with graduation slowly creeping closer, Minho had forced himself to traipse to the library and find a quiet corner to finally knuckle down and start sending out job applications. He’d been avoiding it for weeks, not wanting the reminder that his days as a student, his days of relative freedom, were coming to a close.

It was as he scrolled through endless postings that he first felt a pair of eyes on him. Subtly flicking his eyes over, he noticed a boy sat between the bookshelves, a textbook propped on his knees. Minho smiled to himself. He couldn’t say that he wasn’t flattered.

With a quick sip of his drink, he returned to his task, filling out his details on one of the jobs that didn’t sound completely mind numbing. He frowned as he got to the experience section, wracking his brain for anything that might seem remotely related to the position.

Reaching for his coffee, he took a long drink, twirling the straw around in the ice as he considered just how far he could stretch the truth to come up with something decent. And now, he was definitely being stared at again.

When he looked up this time, their eyes met. Minho had expected the other boy to look away, to be embarrassed at being caught, but he only stared back, unimpressed.

“You’re not supposed to drink in here,” the boy noted, his gaze shifting to Minho’s fingers where he continued to play with the plastic straw. The sound of the ice knocking against the side of the cup suddenly seemed ten times louder and Minho couldn’t help but let his hand drop away. He didn’t like that.

“I’m sure you’re not supposed to sit on the ground. They supply chairs,” he returned.

Minho received a small smile and a shake of the head, the boy shifting his legs, and flipping to the next page of his book.

Quiet fell over their corner once more, the sound of rustling and keyboard tapping from the people nearby a pleasant white noise as Minho tried to focus once more. He really hadn’t done it on purpose when he picked up the cup again, the plastic crinkling obnoxiously under his fingers. He winced, eyes flicking over to meet an unamused glare.

“Really?”

Minho smiled sweetly, cocking his head as he shook the cup for added effect. He was rewarded by the boy narrowing his eyes, unimpressed, and that was when Minho decided that this was a much more interesting use of his time.

“Am I distracting you? he asked, bringing the straw to his lips.

Something flashed over the boy’s features. Surprise perhaps, at the way Minho was staring him down, a daring glint in his eye. But, it was only there for a moment before his gaze hardened, looking so determinedly indifferent that the desire to challenge it flared up inside Minho’s stomach.

They continued like that for the best part of an hour, Minho barely paying attention to his laptop as he put all his effort into seeming nonchalant. Each time he took a casual sip of his drink, he felt the same pair of eyes flicking over, and when he thought it was safe, Minho glanced back. He took those short moments to actually look at the boy. He was cute. Minho thought about kissing him against the bookshelves.

Eventually, he had to go to the bathroom, pocketing his phone, but leaving the rest of his things behind. Surely his new admirer wouldn’t let someone steal his belongings, and if he was the one doing so, Minho at least had a little respect for his patience.

As he stood, Minho watched the boy out of the corner of his eye. Not that he was being so subtle in return. Their eyes met, and Minho smirked, grabbing his cup for one final sip that sucked obnoxiously at the small amount of ice left in the bottom of the cup, setting it back on the table. He made a point to walk down the aisle the boy was sitting in, stepping directly over his outstretched legs, despite there being more than enough room to walk around.

When he returned, Minho was pleased to find that his laptop and notebook remained in their place. However, he wasn’t so pleased to find that it was the boy who had disappeared. He couldn’t exactly feel disappointed over a few stolen glances and a quipped remark, but as he flopped back into his seat, he was reluctant to admit that he’d been intrigued.

His eyes went to the spot the boy had been sitting, and he wondered if maybe he’d be there again tomorrow. Although, that was definitely not going to happen. Minho was not going to show up in the hopes of seeing some random guy. That would be ridiculous.

With a soft sigh, he closed his laptop, resigned to the fact that he’d long given up on actually getting any more done today and reached for his backpack. After packing up his things, he pushed his chair under the table and plucked the cup of now melted ice from where he’d left it to throw away on his way out. When he lifted it up, something caught his attention. There was the usual black marker scrawled on the side with his order and his name, but there, on the other side, was something that pulled a disbelieving chuckle from his lips.

A phone number, and underneath, in neat handwriting, a name. Seungmin.

-

When Minho had been invited in at the end of their fourth date, they had both known what he’d been expecting. Usually he might have feigned some fake interest at wherever his date lived, nodding through a short tour, or politely complimenting some random part of the decor before they got down to business.

This time, however, it was Seungmin tugging him away from the pinboard in his dorm room as Minho laughed at one of the photos tacked up there of Seungmin with some of his friends. Minho grinned, trying to wriggle out of his grip to get another look.

“What was that? Halloween?” he laughed.

“Maybe… it’s an old photo,” Seungmin grumbled.

When Minho’s attention shifted to the next photo, Seungmin slipped himself between him and the wall, frowning.

“Hey!” Minho protested, but Seungmin’s hands came to his waist, a shy smile on his face.

“Did you really come in here to look at those?”

Minho blinked back, his head cocking in surprise, but Seungmin had a point, so he let himself be pulled closer. They’d kissed three times now, at the end of each of their dates, sweet and fleeting, but there was already something different about being somewhere much more private, without the added effect of the way Seungmin was staring him down.

Reaching for his wrists, Minho pulled Seungmin’s arms firmly around his waist as he leaned forward. When their mouths met, it started as cautiously as the previous times, the soft pressing of lips, but Minho tilted his head and slotted their mouths together and Seungmin reciprocated immediately.

Their kisses deepened until Seungmin was eagerly licking into his mouth, Minho dragging his teeth against his bottom lip as he pulled back to tilt his head the other way, his hand coming up to hold Seungmin’s cheek.

Kissing Seungmin was nice every time. Minho liked the way he ducked his head whenever they pulled away, an embarrassed grin on his face as they said their goodbyes, but kissing Seungmin like this might be his new favourite thing. The way he pushed back with more enthusiasm than Minho had expected, given his usual demeanour, but not in a desperate way. He was eager without being impatient, his hands a firm weight on Minho’s waist, holding him in place as he curled his tongue against Minho’s, pulling a surprised moan from his mouth.

Not to be outdone, Minho pressed forward, pushing Seungmin against the wall behind him, pleased by the soft whimper Seungmin let out. He pressed a series of quick kisses to his lips, his fingers coming to the waistband of Seungmin’s jeans to pull lightly where his shirt was tucked in.

With a soft gasp, Seungmin pulled back, his hand coming to catch Minho’s wrist.

“I can’t,” he whispered.

Stilling his fingers, Minho paused, their breath mingling as their faces hovered in front of one another.

“That’s okay,” he said, moving away to give him a little more space.

Seungmin’s cheeks were flushed, and he looked embarrassed, his eyes avoiding Minho’s.

“Hey…” Minho murmured, his hand moving towards the other boy, before pausing and dropping back to his side. “I can go, if you want…?”

With a quick shake of his head, Seungmin met his gaze, his eyebrows knitting together, and he looked so cute that Minho couldn’t help but smile.

“You don’t have to go. I just…”

“I get it. It’s okay,” Minho reassured him with a gentle smile.

Nodding, Seungmin’s expression eased, reaching tentatively for Minho’s waist again. “But, you can still kiss me. If you want to…”

“Mhm?” Minho tilted his head. “Do I want to?”

“Yes,” Seungmin supplied, making Minho laugh as he was pulled forward, their lips meeting once again.

-

On their fifth date, Minho had met Seungmin at the library, planning to go to lunch together, and when Minho had shown up with an iced americano and a smirk, Seungmin had been the one to look both ways before pressing him back against the bookshelves, bringing their mouths together with a reluctant smile on his lips.

-

Six weeks later and Minho was back in Seungmin’s room, the two of them sprawled out on Seungmin’s bed. The younger boy had Minho pinned down against the mattress, straddling his hips as their mouths moved together. He’d kept his hands to himself ever since Seungmin had backed away, not wanting to push too far too quickly. But, with Seungmin’s hips rocking down, and the hand that had found its way into Minho’s hair, he wasn’t really thinking when his hands moved from their hold on Seungmin’s waist to cup his ass, pulling him closer.

Seungmin pulled back with a small squeak, and Minho dropped his hands quickly, his eyes wide.

“Sorry… I…”

“It’s okay,” Seungmin laughed, panting softly, one hand resting on Minho’s chest as he looked down at him.

Minho was about to say something more, to apologise again, or reassure him that he wasn’t trying to push anything, but Seungmin had pulled his lip between his teeth, thinking deeply about something.

After a few moments of silence, Minho rested his hands on Seungmin’s thighs, squeezing softly just above his knees.

“Talk to me,” he encouraged. “Have you not done this before?”

Seungmin let out a small sigh and swung off Minho’s lap, shuffling to sit on the edge of the bed. Minho watched him, he looked nervous and Minho wanted to pull him into his arms.

“I haven’t. Done this before.” he confirmed, Minho pushing himself to sit up. “Well… I’ve done this. But, not… more.”

“Alright. I mean… that’s okay, you know. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about.”

Seungmin laughed, glancing over at him. “I know.”

“Okay. Good. That’s… good. That you know.” Minho rubbed the back of his neck, smiling nervously. “We don’t have to do anything until you’re ready. Or never… if you… like, if you don’t want to. That’s cool.”

“It is?” Seungmin looked surprised, his eyes meeting Minho’s properly for the first time since they had started the conversation.

Frowning, Minho nodded. “Of course.”

“Sorry. It’s just… Not everyone has that reaction. It’s not that I don’t want to. I want to.”

“But you want to wait?” Minho offered, wriggling to sit on the edge of the bed beside him. “It’s a big deal, I get it.”

Seungmin hummed, but shook his head, looking back down at his lap.

“I think I… Um… I think I want to wait until marriage?”

The pitch of Seungmin’s voice raised at the end of the sentence, Minho’s eyes widening with it.

“Until…”

“Marriage.” Seungmin confirmed, with a little nod.

“Oh.”

“Right.”

“Oh…”

“I know that it’s kind of a lot… I get it if you would rather call things off. No hard feelings, I swear. I probably should have told you before, but I don’t know… I liked you and…”

“Okay.”

Seungmin’s head lifted, surprised out of his own babbling. “Okay?”

“Mhm,” Minho confirmed, leaning back on his hands with an easy smile. “Okay.”

Seungmin’s eyebrows shot up, and Minho laughed.

“I can’t promise I’ll marry you, but not having sex… that’s cool.”

“Really?”

“Yes, really! Stop looking at me like that…” Minho sighed, leaning forward to push the other boy lightly. “What do you think of me?”

“That you could be out there sleeping with anyone you want?”

Minho hummed in agreement, doing his best to keep a straight face. “You're not wrong. But, I’ve decided that I quite like you, Kim Seungmin. I think I’ll stick around a while longer.”

“Yeah, if I’ll have you,” Seungmin countered.

“You wish you could have me,” Minho jibed with a smirk, Seungmin shooting him a glare. Minho simply stared back until they both broke out into soft smiles, Minho leaning to grab Seungmin’s laptop from the ground.

“Wanna watch a movie or something?”

“Okay, but I’m not letting you pick again.”

“What?! I make good choices!”

“Oh, yeah? What happened in the last move we watched?”

Minho frowned, sitting back against the pillows and opening the laptop with a pout. He tapped at Seungmin’s arm until the other boy reached over to type in his password with a sigh.

“That movie was artistic. You aren’t supposed to understand what’s happening. That’s the point.”

Seungmin looked unconvinced, settling beside Minho on the small bed, their legs lying side by side. When their eyes met, there was a fondness in Seungmin’s eyes that made Minho’s chest clench, and he had to avert his gaze, moving his attention back to the screen.

He wasn’t sure how he’d ended up here, with a boy beside him that made his heart race in a multitude of ways, but at the very least, he wasn’t ready to give up on whatever was blossoming between them, and if that meant this small sacrifice, then okay. As he shuffled, Seungmin glanced down, rolling his eyes and lifting his arm so that Minho could tuck his head into his chest, and Minho started to think that so long as he was with Seungmin, he wouldn’t feel like he was missing out at all.

-

Four months and a lot of dry humping later, and Minho was feeling a little... restless.

“Hey,” he called, poking Seungmin’s arm and receiving an annoyed grumble. Seungmin didn’t take his eyes off his laptop, where he continued with whatever he was working on.

They were at Minho’s apartment and Minho was very aware of the fact that, for once, they were alone, both of his roommates out for the evening.

When Seungmin continued to pay him no attention, he propped his chin on the boy’s shoulder, pressing down harder and harder until Seungmin gasped, wriggling out of the way with a frown.

“What?”

Minho smiled sweetly, then pouted his lips closing his eyes.

“You’re not distracting me right now. I’m on a deadline,” Seungmin warned, Minho frowning when his lips remained unkissed.

He stared Seungmin down until he finally spared him a glance, cocking his head with a little smile on his face, then tilted it to the other side.

Seungmin’s response was to look mildly offended, his eyebrows furrowing. “What is that? What are you doing?”

“Trying to get you to kiss me,” Minho explained, moving his head the other way again.

“It’s weird.”

Minho blinked back slowly. “It’s cute,” he defended.

“It’s not.”

Minho pouted, tugging at Seungmin’s sleeve. “Kiss me!”

With a sigh, Seungmin darted forward to peck his lips, instantly turning back to his laptop. “Now behave, I’m almost finished.”

Minho grumbled softly, watching Seungmin’s fingers fly over his keyboard for perhaps another five minutes before he got too impatient.

He brought a hand to Seungmin’s arm, his fingers trailing down. “I’ve been thinking…” he murmured, Seungmin’s fingers twitching as he traced a pattern over the back of his hand. “About this marriage thing…”

“Yeah?” Seungmin was still at least acting like he wasn’t paying attention, deleting a few of the words he had written and typing out a correction. But, he did use his free hand, letting Minho continue playing with his fingers and Minho took that as encouragement.

“Maybe we should just get married.”

Seungmin huffed out a laugh, loud enough that Minho couldn’t help but feel a little offended.

“I was joking, but it didn’t have to seem that ridiculous…”

Seungmin glanced down at him, an eyebrow raised. “It is ridiculous. We’ve been dating for five months. We can’t even get married.”

Pausing, Minho sat up a little, Seungmin’s words hanging between them as his brain tried to catch up.

“We can’t even get married,” he repeated dumbly. “We… Oh my god. We can’t get married.”

Seungmin’s eyes widened, but Minho was too busy trying to suppress his horror at what this meant.

“How are you just realising this?”

“I don’t know! I haven’t exactly considered marrying anyone before… Why would you want to wait until marriage, if you can’t even get married?”

Seungmin pushed his laptop to the side, turning to face Minho properly. He looked anxious, and Minho suddenly felt bad for the panic he knew that was all over his face, but he couldn’t help it, he was panicking.

“It’s not like it’s never going to happen. The world is changing all the time, and I just figured that one day....”

Minho stared straight ahead, trying to get his mind to function properly. “I’m never going to have sex again…” he whispered.

Laughing, Seungmin shrugged. “Well, that’s not true. If we break up, you can sleep with whoever you want.”

“I’m never going to have sex again,” Minho repeated, the smile that pulled at Seungmin’s lips at the implication of his words easing him from his trance.

“Sorry…” Seungmin shrugged, patting his shoulder.

Minho reached for his hand, holding onto his fingers. “You do realise how stupid this is, right?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re sure you’re committed to this?”

Seungmin rolled his eyes, but nodded. Minho was mostly joking and he knew that Seungmin knew that, the familiar fondness still in his eyes, but he reached up to cup Minho’s cheek and his expression turned serious.

“But, if this changes things… Now that you’re really realising what you’re agreeing to… I still mean it, that I’d understand if you…”

Minho’s eyes narrowed, climbing into Seungmin’s lap with a determined look in his eyes.

“You’re not getting rid of me. Not that easily.”

“No?” Seungmin questioned with a smirk, holding Minho’s thighs.

“Not yet. Try me again in six months time.” Minho ducked down to brush their lips together, Seungmin’s grip tightening.

“I’ll make a note of it.”

-

In actual fact, it had only taken half that time for the matter to come up again. It was the night before Minho’s graduation, and Seungmin had met his parents for the first time. They’d gone to dinner, and it had gone better than Minho could have hoped. Not that he’d been worried. Not at all.

Despite his disgruntled expression at his mother fawning over Seungmin more than her own son, Minho was secretly a little overwhelmed by the warm feeling that spread through him. He didn’t even really care when they started exchanging embarrassing stories about him, Seungmin smiling brightly at every detail he could learn about Minho’s childhood.

By the time they’d returned home, the strange blend of sheer happiness and relief had him toppling Seungmin back over the arm of the sofa, climbing on top of him to push their lips together.

Seungmin was laughing against his lips, but it didn’t take long for that laughter to melt into soft gasps, their kisses growing deeper, hands roaming.

“You looked hot tonight,” Seungmin mumbled, his fingers clutching at the material of Minho’s shirt.

Minho moaned, trailing his kisses to Seungmin’s jaw. “Don’t think I didn’t notice you staring at me,” he whispered against the boy’s skin.

Seungmin hummed, his hands sliding over Minho’s back. “You should wear more suits.”

When Seungmin tipped his head back, Minho sucked harshly at his neck, determined to leave a mark. He felt the way his pulse raced under his tongue, and then Minho was being rolled over, the two of them toppling off the edge of the sofa onto the hard floor, but neither of them seemed to mind, Seungmin shuffling back enough to tug the hem of Minho’s shirt free.

He’d noticed a shift over the last few weeks. Without the distraction of school and exams, they’d had much more time on their hands, and the more of that time they spent together, the harder it was to keep themselves in check.

It wasn’t just him, Minho had noticed Seungmin’s eyes lingering on him a little longer, his kisses growing needier, and his hands drifting a little lower, but he was still surprised when Seungmin’s fingers came to the buttons of his shirt, fumbling to get them open. He managed about half before he was leaning back down to connect their mouths again, his palm coming to slide over the now exposed skin of Minho’s chest.

“Seungmin…” Minho gasped, but the sound only seemed to spur him on more. His hips rolled down against Minho’s crotch, and Minho had to fight the urge to push up against him, every layer of clothing between them, a barrier he wanted gone.

Sometimes their kisses had grown heated, hips rocking together until they were left panting and flushed, needing several minutes to cool off, each of them adjusting their pants with shy smiles, but Minho was cautious of anything more. Not only because he was afraid of pushing Seungmin into something he didn’t want, but also because he knew once they started, just how difficult it might be to stop.

But, he could sense something in Seungmin, could see it in his darkened gaze as he pulled back, his eyes running over Minho’s face. That look made Minho picture what the boy above him would look like, hovering over his body as he pushed inside him, and Minho had to close his eyes against the image, taking a deep breath.

It was probably a mistake, Seungmin pushing his ass back against Minho’s growing erection with a soft moan. But, before he could think about what was happening, Seungmin’s mouth was on his neck, messy and uncoordinated, like he couldn’t choose a spot to fix on. One of his hands pushed Minho’s shirt off his shoulder, his hips shifting and then Minho could feel him, hard against his thigh, as Seungmin let out a small whimper.

Minho’s brain felt a little fuzzy. He wanted to roll them over, pin Seungmin down and fulfil every lewd fantasy that his brain had concocted over the last few months, but he forced his eyes open instead.

Nudging his head, he found Seungmin’s lips, kissing him deeply with firm hands on his hips. He used his grip to slow things down, to take his time exploring Seungmin’s mouth in a way that had become familiar to them both without them even realising it.

With one particularly long grind down, Seungmin’s whimpers intensified, Minho struggling to keep him focussed on their kisses, and he knew he couldn’t back out now. They were both so hard, pressed together with Seungmin’s little thrusts doing little more than riling them both up more.

“Sorry,” Seungmin gasped, resting their foreheads together.

“It’s okay,” Minho laughed weakly, reaching up to gently pet at the hair on the back of Seungmin’s neck. “Do you want to…?”

Minho pushed his hips up and Seungmin nodded quickly, his arms starting to shake from holding himself up.

“Are you sure?”

Seungmin practically growled, shifting impatiently. “Yes.”

“For sure? Because…”

“I swear to god,” Seungmin warned. “Will you just…”

It was all Minho needed to hear for now, not waiting for Seungmin to finish his sentence, before shifting their position to slot one of Seungmin’s legs between his own, and this time, when Seungmin ground down, it was directly against Minho’s thigh, the moan he released enough to get Minho fully hard, if he wasn’t already.

They stayed like that, rocking together with needy thrusts, exchanging messy kisses until Seungmin could do little more than whimper into Minho’s neck.

He wished he’d have taken the time to get Seungmin’s shirt off so that he could feel his skin, but they were well past the time for that. He flipped them over instead, wanting to at least watch Seungmin’s face as he fell apart.

Minho pulled Seungmin’s leg up around his waist, rolling his hips down, and he was rewarded with the sight of his eyes scrunching shut, his mouth falling open in a silent gasp, his lips slick with spit and puffy from Minho’s kisses.

It didn’t take long then, Seungmin clinging desperately to Minho’s shoulders, panting into each other’s mouths, with just enough friction that Minho thought he might actually come from this. And quickly.

“Minho-hyung…” Seungmin whimpered, the sound going directly to Minho’s cock, the repetitive slide of the fabric of his underwear pushing him closer to the edge.

“It’s okay,” Minho mumbled, holding him closer, doing his best to keep up some kind of rhythm, but Seungmin didn’t seem to care, mewling softly into his neck. “You’re okay. Are you close?”

Seungmin nodded, and Minho opened his mouth to tell him that it was alright, that he could come, but he felt him tense in his arms, felt his hips push up forcefully as he moaned, coming into his pants with a whine.

Minho couldn’t help it, his hips bucking forward, once, twice more, and the sight of Seungmin beneath him, the feel of the wet patch against his thigh, was enough to push him over the edge, his orgasm rippling through him as he did his best not to crush the boy beneath him.

It took a few minutes of quiet panting before either of them spoke, or moved. It wasn’t until Seungmin shuffled, that Minho even lifted his head to look at him again.

He was afraid that he might find regret in Seungmin’s eyes, but he only looked a little embarrassed, his cheeks flushed pink. Minho smiled at his expression, letting his eyes drop to Seungmin’s mouth, pleased when he took the hint and leaned up to kiss him. It was okay.

When they pulled back, he wrinkled his nose, glancing down. “These were my good trousers,” he muttered, and Seungmin laughed, pushing lightly at his chest.

“Guess you’d better take them off then,” Seungmin teased, reaching up to push Minho’s hair back.

“Mhm?” Minho turned his head to press a kiss to his palm.

“I love you,” Seungmin said. So simply. Like he was noting the weather.

Minho felt his heart stutter, felt something warm pool in his stomach. Staring back, Seungmin’s face was completely open, even as a few moments of silence passed, like he had no fear of the magnitude of the words he had just said. Like it didn’t matter if Minho said them back. He just wanted him to know.

“Do you…” He paused and licked his lips. “You don’t have to…”

“Do I love you too?” Minho asked.

“Yeah.”

“I thought that was obvious.”

-

In the weeks that followed, something had definitely awakened in Seungmin. Minho had started his new job, one that was the very epitome of fine, and whether it was seeing him in a tie everyday, or the memory of their bodies pressed together, Seungmin had turned into a horny teenager. Or rather, a horny twenty-something that had no intention of putting Minho out of his misery.

He watched Minho like a predator, taking every opportunity to touch some part of him. A hand on his thigh at dinner with their friends, fingers sliding over his waist when they passed one another in the kitchen, a thigh slung over his hips while they watched TV, or lips on his jaw as he eased his tie open after a long day at the office.

One day, he had stolen some of Minho’s lunch from right between his fingertips, his lips brushing against the digits with intent, a glint in his eye. It was slowly driving him mad.

And yet, he didn’t understand Seungmin’s game. Did he want Minho to snap? To fuck him against the kitchen counter, and screw the consequences? No way was he letting that happen.

They were approaching their one year anniversary, when they had gone for drinks with a few friends, and their sex life had somehow ended up the topic of conversation. Minho briefly wondered if that was it. If Seungmin was embarrassed to still be a virgin, and had been pushing Minho to just get it over with.

“You haven’t had sex yet?” Changbin questioned, looking utterly unconvinced. “You?”

“Yes,” Minho sighed, trying to move past the conversation as quickly as possible. He could feel Seungmin’s eyes boring into him, and knew he was likely trying to gauge Minho’s reaction to sharing this.

“Why?” Jisung questioned, looking completely confused.

With a little shrug, Minho circled the top of his glass with his finger. “We’re waiting until marriage.”

We. Minho had been careful of his wording. Not Seungmin. They were both waiting. Together.

Hyunjin’s eyes blew wide, even Chan looking a little shocked from the other side of the table.

“You are aware that you can’t get married?” Jisung questioned, leaning forward to motion between them.

Minho nodded, smiling when he met Seungmin’s eyes. “I know. I’ve told him it’s dumb. He’s well aware of how I feel.”

Laughing, Seungmin shook his head. “You’ve agreed to it now.”

“So you’re just going to keep waiting?” Jeongin asked.

“Mhm.” Minho bit back a smile, avoiding Seungmin’s eyes.

“Wow,” Felix breathed. “That’s romantic as shit.”

“Or stupid,” Hyunjin countered.

The growing blush on Seungmin’s cheeks made Minho think that he might’ve been right. That Seungmin had been growing tired of waiting, because he was embarrassed. He got it, he watched the way he shrank away sometimes when these discussions arose. The way that he tried to avoid the questions that he couldn’t answer, because he’d never done the things they spoke about.

However, what Jisung said next flipped all of his worries on their head.

“But, I don’t understand. I’ve heard you having sex.”

Minho felt ever so slightly like his chair had disappeared from beneath him. His stomach swooped, and his eyes flashed across at his boyfriend. Seungmin’s pink cheeks had darkened to a deep crimson, his eyes wide with panic.

“When?” he asked with a strained laugh. “We haven’t…”

Had Seungmin been trying harder than he thought? Had he really not paid enough attention to his advances, and Seungmin had sought out what he wanted elsewhere?

“A few weeks ago,” Jisung explained, looking uneasy himself now, shifting in his seat. “I forgot my notes for class, and you’d said Minho was coming over… I definitely heard something.”

Seungmin looked from Jisung to Minho, and back again. Minho blinked back, waiting.

“I-...” Seungmin stammered. “Minho wasn’t there. We haven’t… Oh my god.”

Hiding his face in hands, Seungmin let out a long groan, something about his demeanour easing Minho’s concern.

“Then what did you hear?” Minho asked, suspicion of the truth creeping into his mind. He wanted to hear it. To know if that could possibly be right.

Jisung looked nervous, clearly feeling as though he’d put his foot in it. Which he had. “Well…” he started, and Seungmin let out a small whimper from his hiding place. “He was kind of moaning… which is why I thought…”

“Did you cheat on me, Kim Seungmin?” Minho questioned, smirking.

“No!” Seungmin’s head popped up, his eyes frighteningly wide. Near manic.

“He was moaning your name…” Jisung offered, shrugging.

“Oh, really?”

Seungmin seemed to give up on embarrassment and turned to physically restrain Jisung from saying anymore.

After several minutes of gentle wrestling and muffled yelling, Seungmin sat back with his arms folded and a little pout on his face.

Minho, on the other hand, was torn. The idea of Seungmin getting off on his own, desperately moaning Minho’s name? Yeah, that was something to file away for later. But, the wild heat that had flared through him at the idea of Seungmin being with someone else, even for just those brief moments… that was interesting.

Reaching down under the table, he found Seungmin’s hand, slotting their fingers together. He squeezed tightly, and hoped that Seungmin assumed it was in reassurance, rather than the surge of protectiveness and jealousy that swirled inside him.

“I give it another six months tops before they break,” Hyunjin was saying, but Minho only rolled his eyes, downing the rest of his drink.

It was that night that Minho first felt truly frustrated at their situation. That the idea of marrying Seungmin started to seem less like a solution to a problem, and more like an unattainable dream.

-

Once he’d recovered from the onslaught of life altering feelings, the sex deprived part of Minho’s brain seemed to finally catch up with what he had learned. He’d expected Seungmin to be embarrassed by the entire thing. To become shy and back off from his increasing flirtations, and at first, Minho thought he was right.

The next few weeks consisted of Minho thinking about it more than he would like to admit. He thought about it at night, in the morning, in the shower… And Seungmin wasn’t helping. Every time he so much as said his name, Minho could imagine it tumbling from his lips as he stroked himself, desperate for release. Loud enough that Jisung had heard it through the walls.

It was a Thursday evening that Minho realised that maybe Seungmin knew exactly what he was doing.

He’d been studying at Minho’s, because it was quieter, he said. Less distractions. Minho had come home from work and started preparing them dinner, as had become something of a routine. He hadn’t expected Seungmin’s arms to slide around his waist. Then he had whispered his name, his lips so close to Minho’s ear. His voice low. Practically a moan. “Minho-hyung…”

Minho tried his best to stay still, to not show the effect that Seungmin was having on him. How he could rile him up so easily.

Seungmin’s arms tightened and the small sigh he let out was warm against Minho’s neck. It couldn’t happen, his brain supplied. Not now. Not on a Thursday night, when he had something spilled on his shirt from lunch and he smelled like the bodies that had been pressed against him on the bus ride home.

Minho wasn’t sure when this had happened. When he became the kind of person that worried about making things special. But, he leaned back into Seungmin’s arms, his hands resting over Seungmin's, and it made a little more sense.

“What’s up?”

“How long until the food’s ready?” Seungmin questioned, hooking his chin over Minho’s shoulder.

“Five minutes, if you don’t keep bothering me.”

“M’not a bother,” Seungmin mumbled.

Minho huffed out a laugh, easing Seungmin’s arms from around him. “You’re extremely bothersome.”

Bringing their plates to the table, Minho placed them in front of their seats, the same ones they always used. He wasn’t sure when they had reached this mark. They didn’t have a side of the bed, or whispered conversations in the middle of the night, but they had this.

They had their chairs at the table, an end of the sofa, and not buying mushrooms anymore, because Seungmin always picked them out. They had ‘how was your days’, and bringing Seungmin cups of coffee when he’d been studying all day, hands knotted in his hair as he crammed endless facts into his brain. They had surprise lunches, where Minho could vent about his co-workers and long kisses goodnight when Seungmin had to go home. And it was different for Seungmin to have seen him cry before he’d seen him naked, but Minho was starting to think that he’d never really cared for normal in the first place.

When Seungmin’s foot nudged his under the table, Minho didn’t really pay it any mind. He continued his story about Chan ordering him out of the flat on Friday night, because Felix was coming over, and since when had that become a thing? He certainly wasn’t pleased by the idea of them having sex on his couch, especially when it was a luxury he couldn’t even enjoy himself. Seungmin was nodding, seemingly paying attention, but his foot was sliding slowly up Minho’s calf.

It wasn’t until he had slid it back down, and pointedly repeated the action that Minho realised what was happening, pausing halfway through his sentence. Seungmin smiled innocently back, resting his chopsticks on the table.

Picking up the conversation like nothing had happened, Minho looked down at his plate, his leg shifting forward just an inch. Only when Seungmin’s foot brushed the side of his thigh, did he meet his eyes, blinking back slowly.

“I’m going to do the dishes,” he announced, pushing his chair back, and collecting their plates.

“Let me,” Seungmin offered, moving with him, but Minho only shook his head, placing the plates in the sink.

“You’ve been studying all day.”

“And you cooked, and you have to get up for work tomorrow,” Seungmin countered, plucking the washing up liquid away before Minho could reach for it.

Turning towards him, Minho raised an eyebrow. “I start late on Fridays, do you not know me at all?”

“No,” Seungmin agreed, his expression neutral. “I have no interest in you whatsoever.”

Lip quirking in surprise, Minho moved to grab the bottle from his grasp, eyes widening when Seungmin moved it behind his back.

“Really?”

Seungmin shrugged, his eyes alight with a challenge. “Come and get it. I’ve noticed how you’ve been looking at me, you know…”

Minho could feel heat rising in his cheeks, but kept his face cool, his eyes going a little glassy with the effort to seem unaffected. “Mhm? Must be the idea of you screaming my name for the neighbours to hear that did it.”

Seungmin faltered a little at that, a hint of embarrassment flicking over his features, and Minho seized the opportunity to push a little more. Closing the gap between them, he pressed Seungmin back until his hips met the countertop. Watched the way his tongue slid out to wet his lips.

“Still not interested?” Minho whispered, his hands moving to Seungmin’s hips.

“Not even a little bit,” Seungmin agreed, gaining back his confidence.

Minho laughed, about to pull away and carry on, when Seungmin pulled him back by his wrist and pressed their mouths together. The kiss was heated from the start, Minho the one trying to keep up, trying to keep things at a sensible pace. But, Seungmin’s mouth was bruising, working Minho’s open with each slide of tongue, grazing his teeth expertly until Minho felt completely breathless.

He heard the bottle of washing up liquid fall to the ground, neither of them paying much mind as Minho dug his thumbs into Seungmin’s hips.

One of Seungmin’s hands had tucked under the collar of Minho’s shirt where he’d earlier undone the top few buttons, just resting against where his shoulder curved up into his neck. It was barely anything, but Minho’s brain fixated on the feel of Seungmin’s touch against his bare skin.

Seungmin pulled away, and Minho knew that they needed to pause, that he needed to calm down, that they needed to breathe, but he wanted more. He couldn’t keep denying that fact, and Seungmin was here, his breathing heavy as their faces hovered together, and he wasn’t backing away, but Minho couldn’t. He wouldn’t ask that of him.

Closing his eyes, he willed his body to relax, mouth opening to make some dumb comment. A joke to break the mood, but Seungmin spoke first.

“Do you want to watch me?”

It was then that Minho’s brain officially short circuited. He wasn’t sure how long it took him to respond. His eyes had flown open and he could see Seungmin growing increasingly shy as the seconds passed.

“Are you trying to kill me?”

A smile pulled at Seungmin mouth, ducking his head. “Is that a yes?”

Minho almost whimpered at the sight, and when Seungmin looked up through his eyelashes, he had to physically bite back a moan.

He groaned internally, and maybe he’d also made the sound out loud, because Seungmin looked amused. And fuck him. Minho was supposed to be the sexy one, the one who knew what he was doing. The one to tempt Seungmin towards destroying all of his morals.

But, who was he kidding? He’d been hopeless the moment Seungmin had set him in his place with that unamused stare—not that he’d ever admit it. And so, with a reputation to uphold, he scooped Seungmin up, the other boy’s arms quickly wrapping around his neck in surprise.

“Bedroom,” he explained, in response to Seungmin’s confused expression.

He tried to lean in for another kiss, tried to keep their mouths connected as he walked, but this definitely looked easier in the movies. He knocked into several pieces of furniture, and sent a stack of Seungmin’s papers tumbling to the ground on the way. When he stubbed his toe on the doorway, he almost gave in, eyes closing against the pain. It pulled an amused snort from Seungmin at least, the boy in his arms trying to hold back a laugh as Minho shot him a glare.

“Watch yourself, or I’ll make you kiss every one of these injuries better,” he warned, kicking the door to his bedroom open.

“Shame you haven’t injured your dick,” Seungmin noted, Minho resting him on the mattress as elegantly as he could manage.

Shaking his head, Minho crawled onto the bed, pulling Seungmin closer by his hips until he hovered over him. “When did you get like this?” he whispered, eyes running over Seungmin’s face in awe.

“Just got tired of pretending I don’t want you…” Seungmin murmured, wrapping his arms around Minho’s neck to pull him down into a kiss.

Minho couldn’t let himself process those words, Seungmin’s mouth enough of a distraction to keep himself from fixating on the idea.

“Did you mean what you said? In the kitchen…” he asked when they pulled away.

Seungmin nodded, his eyes wide, and Minho was getting whiplash trying to keep up with flipping between the shy and reserved Seungmin, and the sexy version that apparently liked to whisper filth into his ear and play footsie during dinner. Not that he particularly minded. He was a pretty big fan of them both.

He got it too. He could see that Seungmin clearly wanted something. That he might’ve been thinking about this as much as Minho had, the desire in his eyes doing dangerous things to Minho’s crotch. But, he also had to remind himself of how inexperienced Seungmin was. That he had his boundaries, and how much trust he was giving Minho to act like this and know he wouldn’t push them.

“How…” Minho paused, trying to think of what he was trying to ask. “Do you want me to… Do you want to watch me too?”

“Yes,” Seungmin breathed, sounding so eager that they both laughed, Minho ducking down to kiss him again.

He trailed his lips to Seungmin’s neck, feeling his legs come up to wrap around his waist. They stayed like that for a little while, Seungmin’s hands running over his back and shoulders as Minho continued to nip and suck at his neck. He reached for Seungmin’s hands, bringing them up to pin either side of his head, leaning back as much as he could with Seungmin’s legs still wrapped tightly around him.

“I need you to tell me what’s okay.”

Licking his lips, Seungmin thought for a moment. “No sex,” he said. “Obviously.”

“How about touching?” Minho suggested. He’d rather have the awkward conversation now, than do something Seungmin would be uncomfortable with. “Where is okay? Or would you rather me stay away the whole time?”

“No,” Seungmin said quickly, Minho feeling his thighs flex around his waist to hold him in place. “Just not… not below the waist. Expect maybe my legs, or thighs… I-... just not in that… area.”

“Not your dick?” Minho offered, smiling.

Seungmin’s eyes narrowed at his teasing, but he nodded. “Is this going to be too weird? We don’t have to…”

“It’s not weird at all,” Minho reassured him, his expression genuine as he smiled fondly. “I’d love to see you like that. If you’ll let me?”

“Yeah,” Seungmin agreed, lifting his head to brush their lips together. “If you think you can hold yourself back.”

Minho laughed softly at the comment, but he didn’t get a chance to respond before Seungmin’s lips had found their way to his jaw, making a slow but sure descent down.

He was surprised when he felt his body being pushed, Seungmin rolling them until he was straddling Minho’s hips, his fingers coming to the buttons of his shirt.

“Can I?”

Minho nodded quickly, helping him get it all the way off and toss it aside. Seungmin’s t-shirt was next, tugged hurriedly over his head, and then it was just skin. They weren’t even near naked, but Minho already felt like there were masses of it, warm and soft under his fingers as they dragged experimentally over Seungmin’s chest. His palms brushed over his nipples, and Minho noted the way his breath hitched, filing that away for another time.

Seungmin’s touches were rougher. Firmer. Holding tightly onto Minho’s sides as they kissed, or his nails digging into his bare shoulders. Minho wondered how he’d get if Minho ever fucked him. If he’d scratch up his back, desperately clinging on.

A low moan pulled Minho from his thoughts, and he noticed that Seungmin had begun to rock down against his hip.

Keeping his eyes on Seungmin’s face for any sign of discomfort, he shifted until their hips aligned, and then he could feel just how hard Seungmin was pressed against him. Grinding up, they rubbed together through their clothes, Minho gasping at the sensation. He longed to reach down and touch Seungmin, even just over his sweatpants, but he held himself back.

They didn’t even bother to continue kissing, their eyes fixed together as Seungmin moved back and forth slowly. It was so much after so long. Not just just the physical pleasure, but the intimacy too, Minho feeling ten times more sensitive than usual. He was almost glad for the layers between them, because without them, the heat of Seungmin pressed against him might have pushed him over the edge by now.

When Seungmin dropped down onto his forearms, Minho’s mind cleared enough to kick back into gear, rubbing over his back as he whispered softly. “Do you still want to touch yourself? Do you want to take these off?”

He touched the waistband of Seungmin’s sweatpants lightly, just gesturing to the material, but Seungmin was nodding eagerly, crawling off Minho so that he could shove them down.

He stopped when he was left in just his underwear, looking back at Minho for guidance. It took Minho a moment, his eyes running over the other boy’s body. It was the first time he was seeing so much of it clearly, and the beauty of it took him a second to catch up.

Noting the nervous look in Seungmin’s eyes—when he got back to looking at his eyes—Minho shifted. He wriggled until he was laid back against the pillows, legs open wide, giving Seungmin a reassuring smile.

“Come lie with me?” he offered, patting the bed. He grinned when Seungmin crawled towards him, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Seungmin looked unimpressed, but a little of his nerves seemed to have melted away, settling into Minho’s arms with his back against Minho’s chest.

“Okay?” Minho checked, kissing Seungmin’s shoulder.

“Yeah.”

“Do you want to touch yourself for me?” Minho asked, keeping his hands to himself for now.

Slowly, Seungmin’s hand slid from where it rested on his stomach to rub over the bulge in his underwear. A moan fell from his lips and Minho felt his own cock twitch in response, his eyes fixed on the movement of Seungmin’s hand.

It didn’t take long for Seungmin to grow impatient, fingers tucking under the waistband of his boxers, but Minho touched his arm lightly.

“Take them off?”

Seungmin didn’t have to be told twice, lifting his hips up to push his underwear down his legs. He had to hunch forward to get them off his feet, but when he lay back, Minho’s eyes fell to his cock, lying hard against his stomach, and his mouth went dry.

Holding onto the duvet to stop himself from reaching out, Minho watched him wrap a hand around himself, slowly sliding his fist over his length.

“Fuck, Min,” he moaned, shifting to sit up a little more, so that he could see everything.

Seungmin moaned quietly at the words, starting to stroke himself with purpose, and Minho took the cue to help in the small ways he could.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, lips ghosting the side of Seungmin’s ear. “I wish I could touch you.”

He felt Seungmin shiver in his arms, felt him relax back into Minho’s hold a little more.

“Is this how you touch yourself when you’re alone? Thinking of me…”

Seungmin’s hand moved a little faster, Minho slowly reaching forward to rest a hand on his thigh. Seungmin’s legs fell open wider, and Minho’s took it as an invitation, ever so slowly trailing his fingers over his skin.

“Is this okay?” he checked, and when Seungmin gasped a quick yes, he continued. His fingers moved, feather-light along the inside of Seungmin’s thigh, watching as the muscle clenched every time his fingertips strayed closer and closer to his crotch. He never gave in, skirting his touch up and over Seungmin’s hip every so often until Seungmin was practically shaking.

His hips started to shift, curling into his touch, and Minho was sure he must be able to feel how hard he was pressed against his back.

“Do you imagine it’s me?” Minho asked, voice low, as his other hand came to slide under Seungmin’s arm and hold him still against his chest. “I bet you’d feel so good filling me up.”

Seungmin’s movements grew desperate, his hand moving quickly over himself, and Minho longed to reach out and stop him. To replace his hand with his own, sliding over his cock in infuriatingly slow strokes, palm sliding over the head of his cock until his was reduced to a whimpering mess in arms. But, Minho let him carry on, mostly because he knew that he probably needed this, after all this time. That if he felt anything like Minho, the need was likely overwhelming.

“Minho-hyung…” Seungmin whimpered. And there it was, the sound that had plagued his mind for days, and it was so much better than he could have imagined. Seungmin’s voice was needy. He’d always imagined it low, and seductive, like he’d used on him earlier, but now his words were barely more than a desperate whine.

“I’m so close, hyung. Feels.. ah-... please…”

“You did so good. Sound so hot, Minnie… it’s okay.”

Minho held him closer, nudging at Seungmin’s neck until he tilted his head, so that he could press kisses there, just wanting Seungmin to feel him. To know the feeling of being held and wanted as his hips bucked up and he cried out, spilling over his own fist.

He’d almost forgotten how hard he was inside his own trousers, the blissed out little laugh Seungmin let out as he tipped his head back against Minho’s shoulder, one of the most beautiful things he’d ever seen.

He reached over for the box of tissues, watching as Seungmin cleaned his hand and wiped over his stomach.

“How was it?” he asked, smirking when Seungmin turned to look at him, but Seungmin’s eyes were dark with determination.

Lips were pressed against his, and Minho let out a little surprised whine into Seungmin’s mouth, hands coming to his waist as he turned in his arms.

“Off,” Seungmin ordered, tugging at Minho’s belt.

Surprised, but not upset with the request, Minho undid his belt and with a nod from Seungmin, unbuttoned his trousers too, the relief making a moan fall from his mouth.

“Touch yourself,” Seungmin murmured. A hand came up to rest on the side of Minho’s neck, and he was aware of Seungmin’s eyes on him as he pulled out his cock. Even more so with the little gasp he received.

“Okay?” he teased, his expression faltering as he took his cock into own hand. He was so hard, precum starting to gather at the tip, and Seungmin’s intent staring was doing more to him than he could ever have imagined.

“Do you want to come?” Seungmin threatened, pleasure spiking through Minho’s stomach in a way that made him tuck that away to test again at a later date.

Right now, he did want to come. And soon. He could already feel it building in his stomach as Seungmin kissed him gently, not asking for much as Minho worked his hand quicker.

When Minho gasped, Seungmin pulled back to look down between them, the muscles of Minho’s stomach clenching.

“You’re so fucking hot, hyung. Beautiful,” Seungmin mumbled, his fingers scratching lightly at the back of his neck, and that was enough, his orgasm rolling through him as he hunched in on himself, cum splattering over the black material of his trousers. Some even hitting Seungmin’s stomach where he hovered over him, and that drew one final ripple of pleasure to wash over him before he had to pull his hand away, gasping.

“Min… Seungmin… fuck,” he moaned, tilting his head up until Seungmin connected their lips again.

Minho took a moment to appreciate the feel of it, of the satisfied hum under his skin and having Seungmin there, lips on his, his fingers in hair.

“Are you alright? Was that alright?” Minho asked when they parted.

“Really good,” Seungmin confirmed, pecking his lips once more. “But I think you need to change.”

Minho groaned, glancing down. “Why is it always my good trousers?”

“I like them like that.” Seungmin shrugged, smiling.

Minho grabbed a few tissues to wipe himself down and tucked himself back in. With most of his attention on Seungmin, who was stepping back into his underwear, he wriggled out of his trousers, throwing them off the side of the bed to deal with tomorrow.

He opened his arms then, quietly pleased when Seungmin crawled back into his hold without retrieving the rest of his clothes. They kissed softly, just the press of lips, lazy and content, until Seungmin pulled away with a soft hum, tucking his head into Minho’s neck, one of his legs thrown over Minho’s waist.

Minho took the moment to smile down at him while Seungmin couldn’t see, relaxing into the feeling of Seungmin’s warm body against his own, and the slow rise and fall of his breathing.

“Why didn’t you ever ask me why?”

“Huh?”

Minho’s brain still felt a little foggy, Seungmin’s words a soft murmur in the quiet of the room.

“Why I want to wait,” Seungmin explained, his palm splaying on Minho's chest.

Minho looked up at the ceiling, humming softly. In truth, he hadn’t really thought about it, the why. It was simply a part of Seungmin, like any other one of his values. “I guess it wasn’t any of my business. If you wanted to tell me, you would. I didn’t need to know why if it was what you wanted. Still want.”

Seungmin nodded, tracing a little pattern over Minho’s skin. “You know how things are… with my parents.”

“That they’re not very accepting?”

“Mhm. They’re not… They’re not bad people. It’s not like they hate me, or disowned me or something, but… They’re not in love with the idea.”

“Don’t ask, don’t tell,” Minho said, quoting what Seungmin had told him in the past.

“Right. They’d rather just not know,” Seungmin said, looking up. “But, I wish they could. I wish they’d give you a chance.”

Minho smiled softly, tightening his arms around Seungmin. “It’s okay. I understand. And maybe one day…”

“We seem to be saying that a lot,” Seungmin noted, and Minho laughed, nodding. “I suppose there was always this part of me that felt like I had disappointed them by being who I am. That I wasn’t the son they’d always wanted, but this… it was something I was raised with. Something I could still do right.”

Minho couldn’t help his frown. “You know that’s dumb, Seungmin. You’re literally the best person I know. You’re going to be a lawyer, for fuck’s sake! That’s like a parent’s dream. Just because you love who you do, that’s not a failure.”

“I know,” Seungmin replied, looking down.

“Do you?” Minho questioned, tilting his chin back up. “Because even if you weren’t all of those things, even if you fail every one of your exams and sleep with a different guy every week, they will still love you, and so will I. Although, maybe not the guy a week thing while we’re still together, because then I might have to rethink some things…”

Seungmin laughed reluctantly, shaking his head.

“They struggle to understand this, and I know I don’t really know them, but I am sure of this,” Minho said, fixing Seungmin with a look that he hoped showed at least some of his feelings. “They should always be proud to have you as their son. And if you want to wait, then fine. I told you we don’t ever have to have sex, and I still mean that. But, if this is just because you don’t feel good enough, that’s stupid.”

“I don’t know what I want anymore,” Seungmin whispered, leaning closer.

Minho let him brush their lips together, sliding his hand down to his waist.

“You don’t have to decide anything now,” he said, resting their foreheads together.

“It’s just… the waiting. Marriage is just some piece of paper, right? The point is to be with one person. To share that with the person you’re going to be with forever.”

“I guess.”

Seungmin pulled back, eyes running over Minho’s face. “And I don’t even really care about that. It’s not that I think that’s correct. You know I don’t care that… that you…”

“That I’ve been with other people?” Minho offered, smiling. “That I’m a wanton whore in your parents’ eyes.”

Seungmin raised an eyebrow, leaning back a little. “It was three people. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”

“Eh…” Minho shrugged, laughing.

“But, yes. What I’m saying is… that’s the point, really. And that’s who you are for me. That, if we could… I would.”

“Are you asking me to marry you, Kim Seungmin?” Minho raised his eyebrows, a smug little smile on his face.

“Not right now, no. I’m just saying hypothetically…”

“Uh huh?”

“Shut up.”

“No, go on… Do you have a speech planned?”

Seungmin moved to roll away, but Minho held on tight, tangling their legs together. He couldn’t deny that he’d had the same thoughts on occasion. That he’d imagined how he might propose to Seungmin, if there was any point. But, maybe there was a point. Maybe the gesture and the promise it held was still just as impactful, even if they had to wait a while to fulfil it. They were good at waiting after all.

That night, they didn’t sleep. They had jostled until their wrestling turned into battling lips and hands pinned to the mattress, kisses melting into whispered secrets and stupid stories that had them both giggling into each other’s necks.

At some point, Seungmin had retrieved snacks, and at another, he had cried. Somewhere along the way, they’d ended up in the shower, Seungmin stroking himself with Minho on his knees until cum splattered against the older boy’s cheek.

With their limbs tangled together, and the sun rising, Minho had felt his eyes growing heavy, taking a final few moments to appreciate the sight of Seungmin’s smooth features as he fought against increasingly longer blinks.

“Go to sleep,” Seungmin huffed, shifting his legs to get comfortable, his arms tightening around Minho's waist.

“I will,” Minho whispered, “in a minute.”

Seungmin hummed, barely still awake himself, tongue coming out to wet his lips. His expression relaxed again, and his breathing slowed, but his fingers still moved slowly against the skin of Minho’s back, and Minho thought that night that he might’ve fallen in love all over again.

-

They’d been together almost two and a half years to the day when things fell apart.

Minho had noticed Seungmin struggling more and more. Watched as the stress of his final exams consumed him. Held him the nights before his interviews for apprentice positions at the law firms he’d dream of working at. Most of their conversations had been reduced to flash cards, and cover letters, and apartment hunting.

The idea of moving in together had crept into Minho’s thoughts more than once. Graduation night, he’d decided. He’d ask Seungmin then. Chan was already planning on moving out, not that they’d need his room, and he’d stopped on his way home to get a new key cut. He was passing anyway, so why not.

That evening, Minho had been half asleep on the sofa, waiting for Seungmin to get back. He’d been out for the evening with his parents, a celebratory dinner for completing his exams. His sister had even come into town for the occasion, and Minho had known he’d been nervous, reaching out to squeeze his hand before he’d left.

He hadn’t noticed that something was wrong at first, still trying to wake up properly when Seungmin had shook off his jacket and sunk onto the sofa beside him. His hands were cold and he smelled like the night air, his lips on Minho’s mouth before he could register what was happening.

Maybe he was happy, Minho had thought. Maybe his parents had been okay with him coming to the post-graduation meal they had planned. It had been Seungmin’s idea to drop it into conversation this evening that they were planning on going together.

“They’ll have to face it sometime,” Seungmin had said, and Minho had felt that familiar warmth at the insinuation that this was going to last.

“Hello,” Minho laughed against his lips, hands coming to Seungmin’s hips as he was pushed back into the sofa cushions.

Seungmin didn’t reply, his mouth needy, almost bruising with the intensity of his kisses. His palms slid up Minho’s chest, along his neck and into his hair, giving a sharp tug, and Minho gasped.

Heat flashed through him, his instincts kicking in, as he melted under Seungmin’s touch, finally starting to reciprocate properly.

It had been weeks since they’d done anything like this. Nothing since the afternoon that Minho had got bored watching Seungmin study, his hands working their way under Seungmin’s shirt as he’d highlighted his notes. It hadn’t taken long for Seungmin to give in and slide a hand into his shorts, laid between Minho’s legs on the sofa. Minho had turned his head up to connect their mouths as Seungmin had fallen apart in his arms.

Then he’d shuffled down and pulled Minho’s sweatpants off for him, laying his head right there on Minho’s thigh, and Minho had come with the feeling of Seungmin’s breath on his skin.

Minho definitely wouldn't forget that. And he especially wouldn’t forget the sight of Seungmin’s wide eyes as Minho had kissed his face clean.

So, Minho wasn’t surprised that they were both a little pent up, but Seungmin’s apparent eagerness was still unexpected, not to mention uncharacteristic. Minho pulled back, taking a moment to try and catch his breath, Seungmin only shifting his attention to Minho’s neck instead.

He’d ended up straddling Minho’s hips, fingers dancing over whatever parts of Minho they could reach, as though he wanted it all at once. It was hot, Minho had to admit, but when his hand finally settled directly over Minho’s crotch, his eyes blew wide in surprise.

“Seung-..”

“Let’s have sex,” Seungmin blurted, his expression a little manic, and his cheeks pink.

Minho gasped out a laugh, trying to sit up. “What?!”

“Sex,” Seungmin repeated, leaning in determinedly, but Minho stopped him with a hand on his chest.

“Now?!”

Seungmin sighed, shifting his hips impatiently. “Yes.”

Minho opened his mouth to respond, but Seungmin’s lips were on his again, hands coming to push at his t-shirt.

“Seungmin…”

Seungmin groaned, shifting back, but Minho caught his wrist.

“Seungmin, stop.”

Looking up, Seungmin’s eyes were wide. Minho thought that he could see tears building, threatening to spill, and his confusion melted into understanding.

“What?” Seungmin asked, his words holding more bite than Minho had expected. “Don’t you want to?”

“No,” Minho replied, almost regretting his response at the hurt that flashed over Seungmin’s face.

“You told me, all those months ago, to think about it, and I have. A lot. I want to do it.”

“Not now...” Minho said, loosening his grip on Seungmin’s wrist, so that he could pull his hand away.

“Why not now?”

Trying to sit up, Minho shook his head. “Because you’re upset, Seungmin. Because we haven’t discussed this, or…”

“All we do is talk, hyung! I’m sick of it!”

Seungmin was practically vibrating on top of him. Though with actual annoyance, or just the effort of trying not to cry, Minho couldn’t tell. Either way, he hated it. He reached out, fingers finding Seungmin’s cheek, but he was brushed away.

“Do you not want me? Is that it?”

“Seungmin…”

When Seungmin met his eyes, Minho’s chest physically ached with the urge to pull him into his arms, to let him cry out whatever this was.

“Is that why you agreed so easily? Why it didn’t matter to you?”

“No. Seungmin, will you just listen to me, please?”

“Will you listen to me?!” Seungmin exclaimed. “I told you, I want to.”

Minho paused a beat too long, giving Seungmin a chance to see the hesitation in his eyes. The longing. And then, he was pressed back down, Seungmin’s fingers digging into his shoulders as his lips sought out Minho’s mouth.

Minho grabbed his waist, pushing him back, and rolling out from beneath him so that he ended up tumbling to the ground with a thud. He sat there, Seungmin staring back at him from the sofa, his heart racing.

“I said no.”

Seungmin’s lip quivered, the tears coming back to pool in his eyes. Minho could see the hurt in his expression, the mix of anger and frustration and embarrassment.

“I’m sorry.”

Minho moved to stand up, but Seungmin shook his head, pulling his legs up to his chest, curling in on himself.

Slowly, Minho approached him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders, his hand resting on the top of his head. The words hung on his lips. The question of what had happened. The reassurances that it would be okay, but Seungmin’s voice broke the silence, small and broken.

“I can’t do this anymore.”

Minho felt like his entire world was shifting, crumbling, his immediate reaction to try and grasp onto something before it all fell away.

“Don’t be stupid.”

Seungmin looked up, his eyes wet, but angry. “I’m not stupid. This is stupid. Who are we kidding that this would ever work? That we’d… that you’d…”

Shaking his head, Seungmin shrugged Minho’s arm away, standing up.

“You’re breaking up with me because I won’t have sex with you?”

“I’m letting you have what you want,” Seungmin argued, turning towards him. “Now, you don’t have to feel sorry for me. You don’t have to put your life on hold, because of some commitment you made to some guy.”

“Some guy?” Minho scoffed, shaking his head. He was laughing, he couldn’t help it.

Seungmin shrugged. “I’m tired, hyung. I want to live my life. I want to stop trying to make everyone else happy. I-... I want to have sex! And you don’t even trust me to make that decision.”

Minho didn’t know what to do, what to say. He felt trapped between hurting Seungmin now, and allowing him to do something he might regret. He spoke softly, maybe not the best decision. He could hear the patronising tone there himself.

“It’s not about trust, Seungmin. It’s about the fact that you’re not thinking straight right now.”

Annoyance and disbelief flashed in Seungmin’s eyes, something inside him snapping.

“I’m thinking clearly enough to know what I want!” he cried, his voice dropping from angry to something else, low and bitter and venomous. “I know I’m inexperienced, but I can still make my own choices. Or are you just scared? Are you out of practise, hyung? Because you certainly weren’t this hesitant when we first got together.”

Minho felt like he’d been punched in the chest. “You know that was different.”

“What was different?” Seungmin questioned, his eyes cold. “That you didn’t know I was some poor innocent little prude yet? Did you think this would be a fun challenge? Didn’t plan on getting so invested?”

“Now you’re being ridiculous,” Minho laughed, looking down as he shook his head.

“Me, ridiculous? You’re supposed to be my boyfriend. You’re supposed to want this, to be excited, to-… to want me.”

Despite his front, despite the cold accusations and his clenched fists, Seungmin’s last words were underpinned with hurt, his eyes softening for just a moment to show the pain underneath, like he’d been betrayed.

“Is that what you think?” Minho asked, standing up. He could feel his own voice rising, and he didn’t like it. He tried to calm himself down, tried to keep the situation in check, but Seungmin’s eyes burned into his. “That I don’t want you?”

“I think that if you won’t sleep with me tonight, then there’s someone out there who will.”

“Fine,” Minho spat, regretting the word as soon as it left his lips.

Surprise flashed over Seungmin’s face, but he regained his composure quickly, giving a short nod. “Fine,” he agreed, reaching past Minho for his jacket.

Watching on, Minho couldn’t quite believe it. That he would leave right now. Like this. And yet, he was, he was walking towards the door, and Minho wasn’t moving. Why wasn’t he moving?

“Seungmin…” his voice cracked, but it was too late. The door was already slamming shut.

-

When Hyunjin found him, Minho was sitting on the steps outside Seungmin’s building. It was past midnight, and it was freezing, but Minho had left his jacket, along with his spare key at home and he didn’t exactly feel like making the walk back.

He’d waited, checking his phone every two minutes, knees bouncing until an hour had passed, and he had realised that Seungmin wasn’t coming back. A frustrating mix of anger, and disappointment swirled inside him, leaving Minho feeling both on edge and utterly exhausted at the same time. He wanted to crawl into his bed and speak to nobody for several weeks, while simultaneously needing to rant every irritating thought that was currently racing through his mind at whoever would listen.

Checking his phone, the last message he’d received stared back at him. Felix’s confirmation that he’d look for Seungmin and make sure he was okay. Even though Seungmin was right, he could make his own decisions, Minho still hated the idea of him alone and upset, and perhaps about to do something very stupid. And if he’d messaged Felix for the slightly selfish hope that he might intercept Seungmin before any hasty decisions were made, then okay. He was selfish.

He’d been selfish when he’d told Seungmin no, more afraid of Seungmin’s reaction after. Of him looking back with regret that might blossom into something bitter. That it would be Minho he’d regret. So much so, that he hadn’t been there for Seungmin when he’d needed him. Hadn’t given him what he needed. He was right after all, it was his choice to make.

Looking down at his feet, he watched as a small spider slowly climbed back up a near invisible string of web, legs flailing as it slid back twice as far for every inch of progress it made. He thought about shifting his foot and squishing it under the toe of his shoe, but couldn’t bring himself to do it.

“Hey.” Hyunjin’s voice pulled his attention, looking up as he ascended the steps towards him. “What are you doing out here?”

Minho shrugged, looking back down at his lap. “Waiting for Seungmin.”

“Aren’t you just,” Hyunjin muttered, pulling out his keys to unlock the door, holding it open. “Come on then. You’d better come in.”

Minho found himself sitting on the edge of the sofa, Hyunjin tucked up in the corner, the two of them in an uncomfortable silence.

“You’re sure he’s not coming back?” Minho asked again, receiving a long sigh.

“I told you. He’s staying at Felix’s. Felix said that he’s upset, but he’s alright. Or he will be.”

Nodding, Minho picked at his fingers. “Did he…?”

“Say what happened? Not really.”

Minho hummed, pushing his hair back. He should have brought a hat. And a coat. He should’ve opened his damn mouth. He should’ve followed Seungmin down the street until he could make him listen.

Hyunjin reached for his shoulder, and then he was talking. Babbling. Venting everything that had happened, that had been said, that should have been said, Hyunjin watching on with wide eyes.

“Wow,” Hyunjin huffed, when he finally stopped to breathe.

“Right?”

“Yeah, you’re both idiots.”

Minho looked up, glaring. “Thanks.”

“Look, hyung… Either you can both mope about
being miserable, or you can make up and hook up and live happily ever after.”

Rolling his eyes, Minho looked away. “It’s not that easy.”

“Not if you’re going to be difficult,” Hyunjin shrugged. “He’s right. He’s an adult who can make his own decisions, but so are you. You love him, and you didn’t want him to do something he’d regret. That was your choice too.”

“And what if he did want to go out there and find someone else? Am I supposed to stand in his way?”

Laughing, Hyunjin nodded. “Yes, actually. You are. You’re supposed to tell him that you don’t want him to do that. That you love him.”

“He knows I love him,” Minho muttered, frowning.

“Look, hyung. I’m going to bed, and you’re welcome to stay here. Jisung isn’t here, so there’s his room, or the sofa. Or my bed, if you don’t want to be alone...” Hyunjin offered, smiling at Minho’s expression. “Not like that. That’s disgusting.”

Smiling weakly, Minho nodded. “Thank you.”

“I’ll give you one night to be a fool,” Hyunjin warned, squeezing his shoulder. “Then I expect some really good make-up sex to happen… or make-up mutual masturbation, or whatever it is you two get up to.”

Minho’s eyebrows shot up.

“What?” Hyunjin smirked. “Seungmin talks.”

-

Ultimately, fixing things with Seungmin hadn’t been so simple. When he’d woken up to no new messages and a crick in his neck from sleeping on Seungmin’s sofa, his own stubbornness stopped him from making the first move.

After sleeping on things, he felt calmer, but also more sure that he’d been right to push Seungmin away. To stop things from going too far. Maybe he shouldn’t have let him leave, but Seungmin had been purposely hurtful, and if he wanted to push Minho away that badly, maybe he needed the space.

When it reached the sixth day, Chan had grown tired of him moping around the apartment, turning off the movie he’d been watching with an unimpressed sigh.

“Are you coming tomorrow or not?”

“Where?” Minho grumbled, folding his arms pettily.

“You know where.”

Minho shrugged. “Maybe. I should for the others.”

Chan nodded, seemingly satisfied enough for now and tossed the remote back into Minho’s lap.

Pausing in the doorway of his bedroom, Chan smiled sadly. Minho tried not to roll his eyes, or declare for the fiftieth time that week that he was fine.

“He’s miserable too, you know,” Chan noted, waiting a beat before adding. “His sister got engaged.”

Minho found himself staring long after he’d closed the door.

-

Somehow, almost two years to the day, Minho found himself back in the familiar building, the chairs laid out exactly as they had been for his own graduation. Except, he’d been sat at the front then with the other students, and now, even though he was only a few rows further back, that life seemed worlds away.

Chan had gone, Felix’s ceremony over and his family waiting for photos, and now Minho sat alone. Hyunjin and Jisung’s ceremonies had been that morning, long over, and if Chan had smiled when he’d said that he was staying behind, Minho had pretended not to notice.

They’d all be back before it started, filling up the rest of the row to cheer Seungmin on, but for now, Minho didn’t fancy all the small talk and posing for endless photos. And if he scanned the students milling around for a familiar smile, then nobody else needed to know.

“You came.”

Minho jumped.

He turned slowly in his seat, having to look up to meet Seungmin’s eyes. He was in his suit and gown, cap clutched in his hand, and he looked good. A little tired perhaps, his smile not quite right, but good. Minho felt his fingers twitch with the urge to reach for him. To slot their fingers together, or touch his cheek.

“Felix’s just finished…” he explained, nodding towards the stage.

“Of course.”

Disappointed flashed over Seungmin’s face, despite his efforts to mask it, but it was enough for Minho to hope.

“Chan’s gone out for photos,” he added. “I wanted to save a good seat.”

The corner or Seungmin’s mouth twitched. “It’s still a while yet… You don’t have to stay.”

Minho shrugged. “I’m happy to wait.”

“Okay,” Seungmin agreed, his eyes softening. “Will I see you after?”

Minho tilted his head, letting himself take in the sight of Seungmin standing there after all those months of late nights and cram sessions, and smiled. “Yeah.”

With a quick nod, Seungmin started back up the aisle before pausing and looking back.

“I missed you,” he said simply, those words carrying a hundred other things, but also just that. That he had missed Minho. That he didn’t want to be apart anymore.

Seungmin had always been open with his feelings, not afraid to share his emotions, especially when it came to Minho. As soon as they’d met, he’d dived straight in, with no reservations. He’d been the one to leave his number behind, the one to casually call Minho his boyfriend in front of all their friends as Minho had choked on his water. The one to send him an obnoxiously large bunch of flowers when he’d pouted about Chan buying Felix chocolates on Valentine’s Day.

He’d been there to tell Minho when he was acting dumb after he’d argued with Changbin, to encourage him to apply for a new job, one that he actually liked, and to make him laugh each time he received another rejection.

It was how Minho had ended up here in the first place. How he’d fallen in love without even realising it. With each fact learned, or adjustment made, every kiss and knowing look building something, that now, Minho didn’t know how to live without. And in what they had created, in the moments shared, there hadn’t been a day spent with Seungmin that Minho had felt like he was waiting for anything.

“I love you,” he replied with a little smile, the relief that flooded over Seungmin’s face all he needed to know that it would be okay.

When Seungmin had crossed the stage, Minho would like to have said that he screamed the loudest, but that was pretty difficult with six other overexcited boys at his side. He did, however, feel unbelievable pride bloom in his chest, his grin so wide that his cheeks hurt, his palms red from clapping.

And when Seungmin appeared from the entrance, Minho leaning against a tree outside with the shiny new key to his apartment tucked into his pocket, he hadn’t waited a second more before lifting Seungmin into his arms and spinning him around. Seungmin’s surprised laughter was a memory he would never forget as he pressed their lips together.

“Fucking finally,” Changbin muttered from behind them, Jeongin sounding close behind.

“Can I get my group photo now or what?”

After what felt like a thousand photos, Seungmin had gone to say hello to his family, Minho keeping his distance. He watched from a nearby bench, hands tucked between his thighs to battle the cold biting at his fingertips.

They were smiling, and it was nice to see, even from the outside, Seungmin hugging his mother and hovering until their little group disappeared around the corner. He met Minho’s eyes then, making his way down the path, and perching at Minho’s side.

“I told them I had a few friends to say goodbye to. We’re going to meet at the car.”

Minho hummed, giving a little nod as he looked down at his lap. “Chan told me. About your sister,” he said. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. She’s happy. I’m happy for her.”

“Shitty timing though.”

Seungmin shrugged. “She was just excited.”

Looking up, Minho blinked slowly, unsure of what to say next. How to sum up every feeling he’d had over the last few days.

“I was hoping one of them would tell you,” Seungmin admitted. “So you’d understand why I acted so stupid. The things I said… They were awful, hyung. I’m so sorry. I just… I didn’t want to use it. Like some excuse.”

“It’s not an excuse. I knew that you were upset, and I get it… why you’d feel angry. Why you’d want to… do that. With anyone.”

Seungmin’s eyebrows furrowed. “I didn’t say those things so that I could go and sleep with someone else. I said them to push you away. So that you wouldn’t have to keep waiting for me. Seeing my sister… I realised how much you were giving up for me.”

“Giving up?” Minho asked, a disbelieving smile on his face. “What? Sex? Because, if I’m not with you, everything else isn’t suddenly going to change. Do you think I’m suddenly going to be straight? Get married and have four kids?”

“It was dumb, I know,” Seungmin admitted, hanging his head.

“You see, I just thought that you really wanted to have sex with me.”

Peeking up, Seungmin shook his head at Minho’s smirk, a reluctant smile pulling as his lips as Minho reached across to take his hand in his.

“You’d better get going, or your parents will wonder where you are.”

“You don’t want to come?” Seungmin offered. “I didn’t get a chance to tell them the other night, but you could. It wouldn’t have to be a big deal.”

Minho considered the offer, wanting nothing more than to spend the rest of the evening with Seungmin. He was ashamed to say that he was feeling a little clingy, even after just one week apart, but he wanted this to be a good day for Seungmin. A day about just him.

“Next time,” Minho said.

Seungmin nodded in understanding.

“We can talk more tomorrow, okay?” Minho offered, squeezing his fingers. “Today is about celebrating. You’re free.”

Seungmin’s smile grew, turning his palm to slot their fingers together properly. “But you don’t hate me?”

“Mhm…” Minho cocked his head, eyes wide as he assessed Seungmin’s face. “Only thirty-six point seven percent right now.”

Seungmin frowned, pushing Minho lightly. “Thirty-six?!”

“Point seven,” Minho corrected, exaggeratedly holding onto the edge of the bench as though he might have fallen off.

“What if I apologise?” Seungmin offered.

“Hmm. It would have to be a really good apology.”

Leaning closer, Seungmin nibbled on his lip in thought, Minho making a little noise that sounded suspiciously like a muffled coo.

“What?”

“Nothing… You’re just cute.”

“Cute?” Seungmin questioned, looking concerned. “You really did miss me.”

With an unimpressed huff, Minho reached for the knot of Seungmin’s tie, gently pulling him down to kiss him. It was chaste, sweet and short, Minho nudging their noses together before he pulled away.

“I am, you know,” Seungmin whispered. “Sorry.”

“Me too.”

-

Over the next few weeks, things returned to relative normality. If anything, they’d been better. Stronger. Those few days apart had scared Seungmin. Terrified him with not only the thought of losing Minho, but also just how much it would hurt him if he did.

They hadn’t become overly affectionate, or suddenly sweet to one another, and Seungmin was glad. There was nothing to compensate for. But, he had noticed Minho holding his hand while they ate breakfast, the little taps on the butt and cheeky winks as they’d unpacked Seungmin’s boxes in their shared bedroom. Even the little messages left on the fridge when he’d gone to work. And if Minho put up a front of nonchalance, if he turned those little affections into a light-hearted joke, Seungmin still felt the sentiment underneath.

Despite feeling like he’d already known Minho better than he’d known anyone, he discovered extra little things over those weeks. Things that he tucked inside for just himself. Like the way Minho’s lips puffed out from his soft breaths as he slept, or how tightly he wrapped his arms around Seungmin’s waist, face tucked into his back, like he was afraid of him slipping away.

His personal favourite was discovering just how high pitched Minho’s screams could get when he’d thrown a cupful of ice water around the shower curtain and quickly ran away. And if he’d been backed up against the bedroom wall, Minho stalking towards him with a terrifying glint in his eye, it had been worth it to end up with Minho kissing him stupid, hair still dripping wet, and nothing more than a fluffy white towel wrapped around his waist.

Seungmin was definitely enjoying the perks of living together.

This morning, however, he’d woken up to an empty bed. He hadn’t noticed at first, thanks to the blur of yellow obscuring his vision. He reached up, still half asleep and pulled a sticky note from his forehead, having to blink several times before he could read the words written there.

It was an address that he didn’t recognise, but he knew the area and it wasn't too far away. Not that that helped him very much.

It was brighter than he expected, and when he checked the time, he found that he’d either slept through his alarm, or somebody had turned it off.

Seungmin sat up and looked around the room, straining his ears for any sign of life, but he couldn’t hear any clanging from the kitchen, or the shower running.

Still clutching his sticky note, he was about to get out of bed, when something caught his eye. An iced americano on the bedside table. It couldn’t have been there too long, the cup still full of ice, but there was a small puddle of condensation forming where it sat. With a small snort, Seungmin picked up the cup and turned it around, a disbelieving laugh pulled from him at the message in black pen on the side.

Meet me at 7pm. Wear a suit. xxx

Seungmin’s first guess was a hotel room. They’d had plenty of discussions over the last few weeks, and Seungmin had admitted that Minho had been right that night to stop him, that he would have regretted it. But, he’d made it clear that he still meant what he said. He was ready. No more waiting. They just needed the right time.

Even when he recognised the restaurant he pulled up outside, one that he knew a friend of Changbin’s family owned—they’d been there for his birthday a few months earlier—it still made sense.

He only started to feel suspicious when he noticed Felix waiting outside, a mischievous glint in his eye. He was dressed smartly, just as Seungmin had been told to, his smile bright as he spotted Seungmin approaching.

“What’s going on...?”

Felix only shrugged, nodding towards the door. “Better go in and find out.”

-

Minho wasn’t sure how things had grown quite so much. His idea had been a small meal with their friends, perhaps some words exchanged as he slipped the promise ring he’d bought onto Seungmin’s finger.

Somewhere along the way, he’d allowed Jeongin and Jisung to head decorations, the entire place now adorned with fairy lights and flowers. Hyunjin had sourced tablecloths, and placecards, and he and Changbin had spent the last week contacting their close friends and family for anyone that would be available at such short notice.

Felix had made a cake. Chan had at least two speeches prepared. Jisung was currently trying to connect up the Bluetooth speakers. Things had escalated.

Bouncing on the balls of his feet, Minho fiddled with the collar of his shirt, nerves twisting uncomfortably in his stomach.

“You need to breathe,” Jeongin noted, patting his shoulder.

That caught Chan’s attention, a smile on his face as he watched Minho fix his tie yet again.

“Nervous?”

“What if he hates it?” Minho asked, eyes wide. This might’ve been the most stupid idea he’d ever had.

Chan rolled his eyes, reassurances on his tongue, but Felix was rushing through the room, declaring that it was time. That everyone needed to shut up.

Realistically, there were only about fifteen people there; their friends, Minho’s parents, and Seungmin’s sister, and her fiancé. It was a very well decorated family meal-cum-engagement party-cum-very premature rehearsal dinner, but Minho felt ever so slightly like he might faint.

Even so, he couldn’t deny the flare of excitement inside him. The swell of fondness for their friends, and for the boy he was waiting for. He knew that Seungmin had held that image in his head of how his future would be, and if this could give him even a fraction of that dream, Minho would take the watching eyes and butterflies any day.

He watched as everyone took their seats, Changbin nudging his arm as he stood beside him, and then the doors were opening, and with one final deep breath, Minho turned around.

It hadn’t been so scary in the end. Maybe when it was the real thing, and there were rows and rows of guests, and one of them had to make the long walk up the aisle, it would be different. But, today Seungmin’s eyes were huge, sparking with tears and the reflection of fairy lights as he met Minho, hands outstretched like he needed something to hold onto.

“You…” Seungmin laughed. Giggled really, in both disbelief and awe. “What is this?”

Minho shrugged, everything feeling easier with Seungmin’s hands in his. He let go of one to slip a hand in his pocket, pulling out the small blue box.

“Oh…” Seungmin breathed, eyes fixed on Minho’s hands for a few moments before he could pull his gaze up to his face. And then he grinned. “Are you proposing to me right now?”

“Actually, I was just going to ask if you wanted to get dinner sometime...”

“Shut up,” Seungmin laughed.

Minho blinked back. “It’s a promise ring, if you want to be technical.”

“So, you’re pre-proposing?” Seungmin’s words were sarcastic, a teasing smile on his face.

“In a minute, I’m going to leave…” Minho warned, Seungmin reaching forward to grab his arm.

“No, go on… Please?” Seungmin’s gaze softened, lips pressing together as Minho bent down on one knee.

Seungmin ducked his head, staying obediently silent, and when his eyes met Minho’s he looked surprisingly emotional, his breath hitching as Minho eased the box open.

He had words planned, and he thought he’d said some of them, or something close to what he’d scrawled on a notepad the night before, but Seungmin was practically vibrating, tears pooled in his eyes, his lip actually wobbling. And, he was pulling Minho back to his feet, arms thrown around his neck, cutting Minho off before he could say even half of what he’d wanted to.

It didn’t really matter anyway. Something about promises, about one day, about loving Seungmin for the rest of his life... But, they had time for that. Someday, he’d have real vows to write, and in the meantime, they would tell each other those things without having to say a word.

“Hey!” Changbin cut in, tugging at Minho’s sleeve. “I haven’t told you you could kiss yet!”

Seungmin peeked out guilty, the fact that there were several people, including his sister, watching them right now seeming to sink in. His arms slid from Minho’s neck, but he found his fingers instead, unable to keep the smile off his face.

“Now…” Changbin began, pointedly looking between the two of them. “Do you, Lee Minho, promise to one day take Kim Seungmin to be your hopefully lawful wedded husband?”

“I don’t remember agreeing to this part,” Minho said, raising an eyebrow.

Changbin stared back. “Do you...”

“Yes,” Minho sighed, eyes softening when he glanced across at Seungmin who seemed to be trying not to laugh. “Yes, I do.”

“And do you, Kim Seungmin…”

“I do,” Seungmin interjected, Minho feeling his grip on his hand tighten.

“You didn’t even let me…”

Minho shot Changbin a quick glare, daring him to try him right now.

“You know what, fine! Kiss your… whatever he is!”

It was all Minho needed to hear, cupping Seungmin’s cheek gently. He just looked for a moment, blinking slowly, relishing the feeling of standing here, committing the moment to memory.

When their lips met, it was soft, still cautious of their audience, but it would be up there as one of Minho’s favourites. As they pulled away, Seungmin ducked his head, his smile shy, peeking up at Minho like he had the first time. Even though a lot had changed since then, Minho’s stomach still flipped in the same way, and he still had the same urge to tilt Seungmin’s chin back up so that he could kiss him again.

This time, he did, a giggle on both their lips.

“Oh my god… are you crying?!” Jeongin’s voice cut into the silence, the two of them breaking apart in time to see Jisung land a jab on his arm, tears very much wet on his cheeks.

The atmosphere had broken after that. Various people rushed over to hug the two of them, Seungmin showing off the simple band on his finger like it was a diamond, a dumb smile still plastered on his face until they were ushered to sit down and actually eat the food they’d paid for.

Minho kept Seungmin’s hand in his the entire time, thumb occasionally brushing over the band on his finger.

“I don’t think I’m up to doing the real thing,” he mused. “This was very stressful.”

“Don’t go hoping for anything this good for my proposal,” Seungmin said, leaning back in his chair with a smile.

“Your proposal?” Minho questioned, tilting his head.

“Mhm. If you did the pre-proposal, it only seems fair. Besides, your finger looks way too bare for my liking.”

“Are you going to spoil me?” Minho asked, propping his chin on his hand.

Seungmin simply snorted, pushing Minho’s elbow off the edge of the table.

Chan’s speech had been an emotional affair, but Jeongin—who had proclaimed himself Seungmin’s best man—might have topped him, half the guests in tears by the end as they raised their glasses, both Seungmin and Minho laughing at the sight.

Jisung had managed to stop crying long enough to take over his role as DJ, some soft ballad starting to play. With a little bow and an outstretched palm, Minho allowed Seungmin to pull him towards the small space they’d made in the middle of the room, the two of them rocking back and forth.

He rested his head on Seungmin’s shoulder, hiding his smile against his neck as Felix dragged Chan to dance beside them. And soon that little space was packed with the rest of their friends, Seungmin’s laugh rumbling against his chest as Hyunjin twirled Changbin around, Changbin unfortunately landing with a thud on the ground when Hyunjin bent him back and failed to actually catch him.

Leaning back in his hold, Minho had told Seungmin that he’d invited his parents, but they’d been unable to make it, both of them knowing that probably wasn’t true. But, that was okay. Things would get better, slowly.

A few weeks later, Minho would go to lunch, and it would be awkward, but it would be a start. When the invitation to Seungmin’s sister’s wedding arrived, it was with both of their names printed at the top. And then, many years later, when they exchanged that ring for the real thing, Seungmin’s parents would be sat in the front row, his mother pressing a kiss to Minho’s cheek, a smile on her face as she told him to look after her son with a knowing smile, like he hadn’t been doing so for a decade already.

Pecking his lips, Seungmin simply shrugged. “They had the choice. It probably would have been a lot for them to handle right off the bat anyway.”

Minho hummed, arms tightening around his waist.

“I still can’t believe you did this.”

“Me neither,” Minho laughed. “Blame the others.”

“Really?” Seungmin questioned, “because Channie-hyung told me it was all your idea.”

“Maybe,” Minho allowed, “but I hadn’t expected it to be quite so…”

“Over the top?” Seungmin offered laughing. “I don’t really mind. It’s kind of nice to be with you like this, to show off that I’m happy. That I love you.”

“You love me?” Minho cocked his head, eyes blinking innocently.

“Do you want a divorce already?”

“Not actually married though, are we?”

Seungmin narrowed his eyes. “If you can host a fake wedding, I can hold a fake divorce. I am a lawyer after all.”

“I can’t believe you’re arguing with me on our wedding day…” Minho tutted softly, shaking his head in dismay. “After all the effort I’ve gone to!”

“You really wanted to get into my pants, huh?”

“I… That’s…” Minho balked, stuttering at the insinuation, Seungmin only smirking. ”It might have been a contributing factor…”

“It’s okay,” Seungmin said with a reassuring smile, fingers playing with the hair on the back of Minho’s neck. “I’ve been trying to seduce you for weeks.”

Eyebrows shooting up, Minho glanced around as though someone might overhear their conversation. Like every single one of their friends couldn't already guess what would be happening tonight.

“Is that why you keep sleeping in your underwear? Working out shirtless in the living room… Why you keep sitting on my lap?”

“Maybe,” Seungmin laughed, “And you were so distracted, you didn’t even notice.”

“I was a little busy…”

“So, I suppose you’ll just have to make it up to me,” Seungmin countered.

Minho’s eyes flicked down to his lips, arousal twisting in his stomach. “Do you think they’d notice if we left?”

“Do you care?” Seungmin challenged.

Minho couldn’t argue with that, reaching for Seungmin’s hand. “I’ll tell Felix to save us some cake.”

-

Minho mentally cursed himself. He should have booked a hotel room. Something romantic. But, then again, this somehow felt right. To be in their bed, in their home. They had only recently finished moving all of Seungmin’s things, Minho still feeling that simmer of excitement every morning he woke up to the sound of soft snoring, or when he realised that Seungmin didn’t have to go home, because he already was.

When Minho remembered that night, it would be with the crinkle of the new bedding they had chosen together the week before, the floor oddly bare, and everything a little too in its place.

They’d only stay there for a year or so, growing out of having Changbin third wheeling their date nights, and wanting to make a place their own. So, those memories faded into a happy little bubble in the timeline of their relationship. Lazy mornings spent mapping out each other’s skin, slipping into the shower together, even when they both knew they didn’t have the time, memories of midnight snacks eaten in bed and talking late into the night just because they could, the possibility of everything and anything laid out ahead of them.

Minho had never felt as understood as he had with Seungmin. Even in the ways they differed, there had never been a pressure to change. And yet, they had. Slowly molding in ways that made them work better, picking up on each other's quirks, slotting their lives and themselves together as two people who didn’t need to give anything up, but did it anyway.

He felt it now, with Seungmin’s hands on his waist, backing him through the living room. With the feel of his lips, so familiar, despite the layer of something new pulsing between them—nervousness and anticipation, and the sudden very real realisation that this was happening. Minho felt like he’d been thrown back two years, back to uncertain touches and stolen kisses between classes, back when they were still learning who one another were.

It felt weird to be experiencing all of those emotions with someone he knew so well. But, Seungmin’s breath hitched, and his hands shook a little as he eased Minho’s jacket off his shoulders, quickly followed by his own, and Minho remembered that Seungmin was just as nervous as he was, if not more so.

He lowered Minho back onto the bed, climbing into his lap. They started slow, kissing softly with Minho’s arms wrapped around his waist, relaxing into one another until Minho could feel Seungmin melting into his touch.

He pulled back when he felt Seungmin shift his hips, finding his eyes one more time. Just to be sure. “We don’t have to,” he whispered, hands sliding up Seungmin’s sides.

Seungmin looked like he wanted to make some sarcastic joke, but he held it back, meeting Minho’s eyes. “I’m sure,” he repeated for perhaps the third time since Minho had carried him bridal-style over the threshold.

“Good,” Minho’s smile spread into a smirk. “Because I’ve been thinking about this for a really long time.”

Seungmin grinned, resting their foreheads together. “I know.”

Laughing, their mouths came back together, their kisses deeper, and laced with intent. They knew this, they felt comfortable with it, and Seungmin had Minho’s tie thrown across the room, and his shirt unbuttoned in a heartbeat, the hint of desperation sending heat flaring up inside Minho’s stomach.

“Eager?” Minho joked, raising an eyebrow.

Seungmin only huffed, pushing Minho’s shirt off his shoulders. “I always tell you, you look hot in a suit.”

With one hand on the back of Seungmin’s neck, Minho gently rolled them over, laying him back to kiss down his body, working the buttons of his shirt open as he went. Once Seungmin’s chest was exposed, he took his time, mouthing at every inch of skin he could reach until Seungmin started to shake a little under his lips.

One of Seungmin’s hands had come to thread into his hair, his grip tightening suddenly as Minho slid his mouth over his nipple.

“Hyung…” Seungmin gasped as Minho flicked his tongue, reaching up to circle his thumb over the bud as he moved to the other side.

He wanted Seungmin as relaxed as possible, to feel as good as possible, trying to tread the line between taking their time, and acknowledging the desperation and anticipation underpinning every touch.

Once Seungmin’s breathing began to hitch, his hips pushing up needily, Minho gave in. His trousers were removed quickly, Seungmin kicking at the material to help get them off. It was with his fingers hovering over the waistband of Seungmin’s underwear that Minho hesitated, for just a moment, a question in his eyes.

Seungmin’s short nod and whispered please, was all the permission he needed, finally giving in and sliding Seungmin’s underwear down his legs, crawling back up his body to kiss him once, twice, three times in short pecks.

His own clothes followed, not wanting Seungmin to feel uncomfortable naked underneath him. And when Seungmin was the first to reach between them, wrapping a hand around Minho’s half-hard cock, he couldn’t hold back the low moan he let out against his lips.

“Seungmin…”

“Is this okay?” Seungmin asked, slowly moving his hand.

“Yes. Very… yes,” Minho hummed, bringing their mouths back together as Seungmin stroked him to full hardness, the feeling practically euphoric.

Seungmin’s movements were tentative, and a little awkward, Minho pulling back to watch the focus in his expression.

“It’s weird,” he murmured, shifting so that he could better angle his arm, twisting his palm on the next upstroke and earning a surprised moan from Minho.

“Good weird?” Minho offered, a shy smile spreading onto Seungmin’s face as he nodded.

“Good weird.”

“Can I… touch you?”

Seungmin nodded again, and Minho shifted onto his side, leaning up on his elbow as his other hand slowly came to palm against Seungmin’s erection where it lay hard against his stomach. He took his cock into his hand, moving up and down slowly at first, his eyes focussed on Seungmin’s face where his gaze had fixed on the ceiling, definitely experiencing something.

“Holy shit,” he breathed, hands flexing at his sides.

“Okay?” Minho questioned with a smirk, occasionally letting his palm roll over the head of Seungmin’s cock.

“Yeah. Just… Not too much, or I’m going to come.”

Minho eased up, laughing, and leaned over to connect their lips again. He’d been worried that the pressure of being this for Seungmin, after so much build up, would be difficult—especially after it had certainly been a hot minute for himself—but then, it was Seungmin, the boy who’d popped into his life, and nestled into a spot Minho didn’t even know was there, and it just felt as natural as every other part of their relationship had.

He kissed him harder, letting himself get lost in it, like he hadn’t been allowed to before, touching Seungmin until he had to break away, and knock Minho’s hands aside, his chest heaving.

“Not yet,” he gasped. “I want to feel you.”

Those words sent a shiver through Minho’s entire body. He was ready to help, to reach for the bedside drawer where he’d hopefully stashed a few supplies that morning, but Seungmin crawled over him, ducking down to peck his lips.

“Can I suck you off?” he asked, eyes wide, and Minho certainly wasn't going to argue with that.

He nodded hastily, palms spreading flat against the mattress as Seungmin shuffled back and leaned down to take him into his mouth. He tried to keep as still as possible, lifting his head to watch as Seungmin’s lips slid down, then back up, before bobbing his head a few times. When he popped off to lick a long strip along his length, mouthing eagerly up the side before sinking back down, Minho had to drop his head back, the view far too good if he was going to last long enough to get Seungmin inside him.

“Feels really good,” he moaned, lifting an arm behind his head to fight the urge to grab onto Seungmin’s hair and buck up into his mouth. He focussed instead on the feeling of Seungmin holding the base of his cock steady, the fingers of his free hand digging into the skin of Minho’s thigh.

Seungmin hummed, the feeling of it making Minho let out a whimper, touching Seungmin’s cheek gently to pull him up and press their lips together.

He shuffled down then, until he was between Seungmin’s legs, hands coming up to cup his ass and press him forward until he could slide his mouth over his cock.

Minho tried not to smile at the strangled little sound Seungmin made as he took him all the way down.

Bobbing his head a few times, Minho looked up, his other hand holding Seungmin’s hip steady.

“Tell me what feels good.”

“You’ve got my dick in your mouth, it all feels good,” Seungmin groaned, as Minho pressed a kiss to the side of his shaft.

“Well, what do you like?” Minho prompted, sliding his hand back to Seungmin’s ass and squeezing.

“I… I like when you… yeah,” Seungmin sighed as Minho slid his mouth back over him, bobbing shallowly over the tip. “I like that.”

Using his hand to stroke the rest of him, in between sinking down all the way, Minho worked Seungmin’s cock until his hips struggled to stay still and one of his hands found its way into Minho’s hair.

Minho moaned at that, looking up at Seungmin with his lips shining with spit. “Do you want to fuck my mouth?” he offered, a shot of pleasure going to his own crotch at the pathetic little whine he received in response.

It wasn’t anywhere near the edge of what he could handle, Seungmin pushing into his mouth with slow rolls of his hips, but he held his mouth open and closed his eyes, enjoying the feeling of letting Seungmin use him as he needed.

When he pulled off, Seungmin’s cock was red and wet between his legs, and Minho almost immediately wanted it back in his mouth, especially with how Seungmin had just started to tug on his hair. But, what he wanted more, was to finally feel Seungmin inside him.

Moving onto his knees, he slid a hand up Seungmin’s bare chest, cocking his head. “Do you want to open me up?” he offered, kissing the corner of Seungmin’s mouth, then his cheek.

Seungmin licked his lips, nodding. “If you tell me how. I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t,” Minho reassured him. “Just take it slow.”

Once he’d retrieved the lube from their bedside, Minho let Seungmin crawl between his legs, pulling them back against his stomach.

Seungmin shuffled awkwardly, spreading an ample amount of lube over his fingers.

“I know you’ve done this to yourself,” Minho noted, with a smile. “It’s not that different.”

Seungmin flushed, like he hadn’t literally just had Minho’s cock in his mouth, reaching forward to slide a tentative finger over his hole.

“Can I…?”

“Yes,” Minho urged, holding his thighs back.

Seungmin pressed one finger inside slowly, Minho humming, mostly out of encouragement. He worked his finger in and out a few times before adding a second.

“Yeah, that’s good,” Minho sighed, relaxing into the feeling. It had been a while since he’d had anyone’s fingers inside him that weren’t his own. “You can move them… Just shift your wrist a little and ah-... y-yeah.”

Minho’s hips shifted as Seungmin angled his fingers against his prostate. Seeing Minho’s reaction seemed to be what Seungmin needed, his confidence growing as he began to work his fingers with purpose, leaning down to mouth at the head of Minho’s cock where it lay against his stomach.

It wasn’t perfect, Seungmin’s angle a little off, still holding back as though Minho was fragile, but Minho was kind of glad. If he’d been stimulated any more, he’d probably be edging towards his climax by now.

With a third finger added, Minho didn’t know how he’d waited so long. He hadn’t realised how much he’d wanted it, and that was saying a lot, because he had wanted it. The feeling of being filled. Of having it be Seungmin there touching him.

“I need you to fuck me,” he stated, Seungmin’s eyes flying up to meet his, pausing his hand where he’d started to stroke Minho’s cock in time with his fingers.

“Condom?” Seungmin asked, slowly removing his fingers.

Minho shook his head, reaching to pull Seungmin closer. “I’m clean, and you’ve never been with anyone, unless this whole thing has been a ruse.”

Rolling his eyes, Seungmin shook his head, whatever comment he was about to make, cut off by Minho’s mouth on his neck.

“How do you want me?”

“I don’t know,” Seungmin laughed. “I just want you.”

Smiling against his skin, Minho dragged his teeth lightly before leaning back to look at Seungmin. He shuffled a little, pulling his legs back up so that Seungmin could get closer, both of their eyes wide when Seungmin wrapped a hand around himself, the head of his cock brushing Minho’s hole.

“Lube,” Minho reminded him.

Seungmin flushed, reaching quickly to coat himself liberally, squeezing a little straight over Minho’s hole. It made him shiver, the feel of the wetness between his legs a vivid reminder of what was about to happen.

“Okay?” Minho asked, Seungmin nodding quickly.

“You’ll tell me if I hurt you?”

“You’re not that huge, baby,” Minho rebutted, eyes softening at the unimpressed look on Seungmin's face. “But, yes. I’ll tell you.”

With one hand resting tentatively on the inside of his thigh, Minho felt it then, the slight stretch as Seungmin began to press inside him. Unbelievable in every sense of the word.

Minho wasn’t sure he was breathing, eyes fixed on Seungmin’s face as he stared down at the spot he was disappearing inside him. He must have been all the way in, because Minho felt so full, Seungmin staying totally still. Maybe Minho hadn’t really taken into account how long it had actually been, the slight burn of it unexpected, but turning him on more than he’d care to admit.

He loved it. Loved the feeling of his body accommodating Seungmin, of really feeling him. He hoped he’d still feel him for a while after this was over.

Slowly, Seungmin leaned forward, holding himself with a hand on either side of Minho’s head.

“Still okay?” he checked, but his voice shook a little. “You’re so tight.”

Minho nodded, hands coming to run over Seungmin's arms. “Does it feel good?”

With a breathless laugh, Seungmin nodded. “You feel incredible. I just… can’t believe we’re doing this.”

Minho brought their lips together, legs dropping a little as they kissed slow and deep, tongues dancing until he felt Seungmin’s hips shift.

“You can move,” he urged, with a hand on the back of Seungmin’s neck.

Seungmin pulled back, excruciatingly slowly, and then back in, his eyes fluttering.

“More,” Minho urged, pushing his hips up.

Seungmin adjusted his position, leaning up to hold Minho’s legs back himself. “I thought you were good at waiting,” he smirked.

Minho blinked back, tempted to reach between his legs and stroke himself, but he didn’t want to encourage Seungmin to tease him further.

“I guess I’m all out of patience.”

Eyes darkening, Seungmin pulled out again, not all the way, but faster this time and pushed back in with purpose, both of them moaning at the same time.

Hearing that from Minho seemed to spur him on, starting up a steady rhythm of thrusts, pushing into Minho with deep, repetitive strokes.

It felt good, but Minho wanted more. He told himself to stay calm, to let Seungmin take his time, but with one particular thrust, his aim was just right, Minho gasping.

“Yes. There… just adjust your hips, try to aim… oh fuck.”

Minho whined, head tipping back as Seungmin caught on, hitting that spot that made Minho’s entire body feel like jelly.

“Good?” Seungmin asked, sounding proud. When Minho looked up at him, the satisfied little smile on his face made him want to cry, or come, he couldn’t decide which.

“Yeah, Min. More.”

Seungmin picked up his speed, thrusting into Minho with a little more force as his head dropped down. His fingers tightened their hold on Minho’s legs, and then he was really fucking him.

Seungmin was fucking him.

The thought alone had Minho closing his eyes, mouth hung open as his fingers tangled in the sheets, his body moving against the mattress with Seungmin’s thrusts. The soft little ah’s, that tumbled from his lips made Minho want to pull him down and hold him.

It felt good. Incredible. But, Minho was conscious that Seungmin might not last long if he carried on like that, and while Minho was enjoying his desperate little thrusts, he didn’t want him to come just yet.

“Wait… wait…” Minho gasped, Seungmin freezing immediately. Minho almost felt bad at the confused little frown on his face as he paused, eyes flicking over Minho’s face as though to check if he was okay. “Roll over,” he urged.

Seungmin pulled out carefully, letting Minho roll them over until he was straddling his hips. He felt good like that, the sight of Seungmin naked beneath him sending a shot of pleasure straight to his groin.

Reaching behind himself, he guided Seungmin’s cock back inside him, eyes going a little glassy at the sensation of being filled again, and the new angle. Seungmin looked awestruck, hands resting on Minho’s hips.

“Alright?” Minho checked, his palms coming to rest on Seungmin’s chest.

Seungmin nodded quickly, letting out a small laugh. “I can’t believe I’m inside you right now.”

“Do you like it?” Minho teased, trailing his fingers over Seungmin’s skin, and quickly tweaking his nipple.

“I’d make a joke, but neither of us are going to believe me if I say no right now.”

“You’re right, I can feel how hard you are.”

Minho chose that moment to roll his hips, as though to prove his point, Seungmin whimpering.

“Then please, do something about it.”

Minho didn’t need to be told twice, raising his hips with a hand resting on Seungmin’s chest before sinking back down. He started slow, easing them both into it until found that perfect angle, unable to hold himself back from seeking the pleasure it sent through him as he moved faster until he was bouncing on Seungmin’s cock.

Seungmin was watching him with wide eyes, his mouth hanging open in silent moans, his eyebrows furrowing as Minho pushed them both closer. He had to pause, his legs burning, but he couldn’t stop now. He needed it.

Leaning back, he balanced himself with a hand on Seungmin’s thigh, grinding his hips down, chasing the pleasure while giving them both something of a break.

Seungmin seemed to be close, the edges of his hair damp as he panted softly.

“Minho-hyung…” he whined, reaching forward. “Hyung…”

Minho was there, meeting Seungmin where he leaned up, bringing their lips together. They only managed to kiss for a few moments, Minho still rocking his hips, but Minho stayed. He let himself drape over Seungmin, his face in his neck, muffling his little sounds.

It was exactly what he’d wanted. To feel as close as possible, unable to focus on anything other than skin, and pleasure and Seungmin. Somewhere along the way, Seungmin’s hand found his, their fingers slotting together against the mattress, clinging on as Seungmin pushed up into him, whispered I love you’s passing between them.

It was barely a rhythm, just the desperate rocking of their bodies together, Seungmin meeting his hips with desperate thrusts, his free hand sliding over Minho’s back to hold him even closer.

“I don’t want to stop,” Seungmin whimpered, his voice cracking.

Minho moaned against his neck, leaning up to just enough to meet his eyes, holding himself on shaky arms.

“It’s okay, we can do it again.”

Seungmin nodded, eyes shining. “I’m really close.”

“Then come,” Minho whispered, eyes not leaving Seungmin’s as he worked himself on his cock, one long moan pouring from Seungmin’s throat as his orgasm hit, his nails digging into the back of Minho’s hand.

Minho could feel his body shaking, feel him throb inside him as he filled him up with hot cum. He’d never felt it before, a first, the feeling of it, combined with the look on Seungmin’s face making his cock twitch.

Seeking out his mouth, Minho kissed him, deep and needy, eyes squeezed shut as Seungmin did his best to keep up.

He whimpered when Minho pulled back, sitting up with Seungmin still inside him. But, even completely spent, his chest still heaving, Seungmin knocked his hand out of the way, wrapping around his cock as Minho had gone to touch himself.

He worked Minho’s cock in tight, fast strokes, Minho’s head tipping back with a high pitched mewl. He knew what Seungmin had meant, that he didn’t want it to be over, that he wanted to stay here like this with him forever, lost in the feel of pleasure and each other. It was too short, over too soon, but he couldn’t hold back, Seungmin’s name tumbling from his lips as his eyes slid closed, cum spurting over Seungmin’s fist and hitting his chest.

He could feel himself clench around Seungmin’s cock, the sensation of feeling full combined with Seungmin’s hand pulling wave after wave of pleasure to wash over him. Seungmin moaned, either from the sight or the overstimulation, slowing his hand until Minho opened his eyes, blinking slowly and his palm slipped away.

Minho used the last of his energy to ease himself off Seungmin’s lap, collapsing at his side with a shaky breath. His entire body still thrummed, shaky hands reaching for Seungmin’s body. He found his waist, Seungmin rolling onto his side to bring their lips together.

It was him that had to take the lead this time, guiding Minho’s mouth until they both pulled apart to breathe.

“Worth the wait?” Minho murmured.

Seungmin smiled weakly, nodding. “How long before we can do that again?”

Chuckling, Minho rolled onto his back, Seungmin’s arm resting on his chest. “Give me twenty minutes and a shower,” he offered, Seungmin’s eyes lighting up.

“The shower…?”

Pausing to consider the biting comeback he’d been about to give, versus the idea of Seungmin with wet hair and flushed cheeks, fucking him against the tiles, Minho shrugged.

“I suppose we’d better start making up for lost time.”

-

It was the perfect day. Late spring, with blossoms in full bloom, chairs laid out in perfectly lined rows. Minho was glad that it wasn’t too warm, seeing as they were outside, Changbin going over his lines for the hundredth time.

“You’ll do great,” Minho reassured him. “You practically have it memorised.”

Changbin looked unconvinced, but finally looked away from his papers, guests settling in their seats.

“Is it time?” he asked.

Minho nodded, shooting him a thumbs up as he moved to stand at Chan’s side. They shared a look, small smiles blooming on both of their faces, the excitement and nerves tangible in the air. It was a big day.

Then the music began, floating lightly into the open air as guests rose to their feet, heads collectively turning to the end of the aisle. Changbin cleared his throat, the sun blocking Minho’s sight for a moment, and then they both looked up, every eye fixed on that spot.

When Felix appeared, Minho heard Chan’s breath catch.

It had taken seven years in the end, Chan and Felix’s invitation arriving the very next day. Minho could see the readiness in their eyes—the pure joy, after so many years of waiting, and wanting to have this moment. Minho understood it. He still wanted that too, but they were happy to wait a little longer. They had time.

He found Seungmin’s eyes in the front row, already staring back, a fondness in his eyes. It hadn’t always been easy over the years, there’d been those few months, four years into their relationship, that it had almost ended for good. Minho had moved away, a job Seungmin refused to let him turn down, but they’d adjusted, and found ways to love one another despite the difficult things. Sometimes it just took a little patience.

And now, they were here, still annoyed at having to wait, angry even, but not bitter. Because they hadn’t waited really, they had lived their lives together every day, growing and progressing at their own pace.

If Seungmin had been saving slowly over the years, if there was a new engagement ring tucked at the back of his sock drawer, and a fancy restaurant booked in a few days time, Minho was none the wiser. Tonight, all they needed was one another, dancing close until the early hours of the morning, until their age caught up to them and they stumbled back to the fancy hotel room that Seungmin had upgraded as a surprise.

With Seungmin’s lips on his skin, now so familiar, fingers slotted together, Minho didn’t know what the future would hold for them, but that was okay. They’d just have to wait and find out.