Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Minho entered the room loudly as always, and Seungmin was already missing his holidays. Those two weeks without getting annoyed by Minho were glorious, just the sun, the ocean, Jeju's breeze, his books, and his thoughts.

“Hi Seungmin-ah, did you miss me?" Minho said, interrupting his reading while sitting right next to him.

“Not at all", was his response, knowing what was going to happen next.

“Why are you so mean?" he said with a fake sad tone. “I did miss you a lot. I didn't have anyone to tell me about new stories,” he confessed, and Seungmin looked at him in disbelief.

“By the pictures you sent to me, I wouldn't have thought you missed me that much. You looked like you were having the time of your life hanging out with girls and getting drunk.” Seungmin said, more bitterly than he might like.

“Don't get jealous, Seung-ah, you know you're the only one for me,” he said jokingly, “Now tell me, what's that book about?” He asked, as always, and Seungmin was about to reply when Baeksung, their teacher, entered the room.

***

Seungmin only had one free hour that day, and he decided to go to the library to finish the last chapters left from his book. No one can blame an avid reader for obsessing over a really good book. Not even his friends, who weren't really available by the way, some of them having an extra class for more credits, and the rest finishing a homework they forgot they needed to do.

He was peacefully reading, very immersed in the story that he didn't realize Minho was sitting beside him until he felt his head resting on his shoulder. He jumped from his seat, and Minho smirked at him.

“Did I scare you?" He asked, laughing at him, “Your book must be really good 'cause I spent quite a while waiting for you to notice that I was here".

“It really is, and I wish I could read it peacefully, without anyone around interrupting,” Seungmin said deadpanned.

“Hey, don’t be so rude to me, I just wanted to spend time with you,” Minho said, more quietly than before, and for a minute, Seungmin thought he saw a glimpse of sadness in Minho's eyes. He sighed and marked his book to turn his attention completely to Minho.

“Didn't you have a rehearsal with Hyunjin?" Seungmin asked, remembering what he had told him that morning.

“I did, but he cancelled ‘cause he's helping Jisung with his homework or something like that,” he said, shrugging his shoulders, “and I decided to come here, where I knew you would be, so you can tell me about your book.”

“So you just came so I could tell you about the book I'm reading?" Seungmin asked, looking at him suspiciously.

“Yeah, at this point it's kind of a tradition, isn't it?" Minho said, smiling. “So, what kept you so immersed you didn't notice I was here?" Seungmin saw the curiosity in Minho's eyes, so he just started explaining what he was reading.

Minho wasn't wrong. It was kind of a tradition for him to tell Minho the stories he was reading, updating when something happened, and telling him his opinion when he finished. He knew Minho barely read any books; he spent most of his time dancing or going out, so he was surprised when he kept asking him.

Thirteen minutes later, they left the library heading to their classroom, chatting as always, when a girl that Seungmin didn't know approached Minho.

“Hi, Minho-hyung, why didn't you reply to my text?" She asked, with sad eyes. Seungmin knew it was none of his business, and he was ready to go, but Minho stopped him by grabbing his arm.

“I'm sorry, I was busy, Minhee-ssi," he started, “and I'm gonna be honest with you, I don't think I'm gonna be able to go out with you.”

“But I thought-” she stopped for a second. “One week ago we talked, I thought we had chemistry," she said, clearly sad. No one said anything, and Seungmin was really uncomfortable feeling Minho’s touch on his arm and listening to their private conversation, so he broke away from the grip, walking away.

“I was thinking of you as a friend,” Minho said, finally reacting, “Sorry if I made you think otherwise somehow," he said regretfully. She was speechless, and Minho didn’t know what else he could do or say to make her feel better, so after saying sorry again, he reached out for Seungmin.

“Sorry for that, I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I’m tired of facing those kinds of situations, and I thought if you were there, she wouldn’t say anything,” he explained to Seungmin, who just sighed. They walked in an awkward silence until they reached the classroom and sat, and at that moment, Seungmin could notice the distress in Minho’s face.

“Are you okay?” Seungmin asked, and Minho turned to him.

“Yeah,” he started, nodding, “I’m just tired.” He said, sounding off.

“Of girls chasing you?” Seungmin asked, genuinely curious.

“I’m tired of them always thinking I’m flirting with them,” he said. “I know it’s a champagne problem, but with Minhee, I thought I was making a friend. Sometimes I feel like everyone thinks I’m just someone who wants to be with lots of girls, just a handsome face and not someone you can have a real conversation with, “ Minho let that sound vulnerable, trusting Seungmin enough.

“Sorry if I ever made you feel like that,” Seungmin said, remembering what he told him later. “But for the record, I think that you are more than a handsome face; you are trusting, talented, funny, and an idiot, too.” He said jokingly, making Minho smile. And get flustered, but he didn’t need to know that.

Chapter Text

Several days before, Seungmin could tell something was off. Since he arrived, he felt the stares of people on him, but he chose not to care, thinking it was because the last cover he posted online had become sort of viral. At lunch, he knew the truth when one of his friends approached him.

“When did you and Minho-hyung start dating, and why did I learn it from Mingi and not from you?" A very angry Jisung asked him, and Seungmin couldn't believe what he just heard.

“Me? And Minho? Dating?" It was the only thing that he could say before Minho appeared.

“Who are dating?" He asked curiously, and Jisung centered his attention on him.

“Stop playing, Minho-hyung, everyone knows that you two are dating,” he said, and then he returned to Seungmin, “I just thought we were besties, and I was gonna be informed when this happened." He declared sadly, and then he left, leaving them confused. Before any of them could say anything, another classmate approached them.

“Congratulations, it was time for you to get together," the girl whose name none of them remembered said, and then left without saying another thing. They turned to see each other, trying to find an explanation that none of them had.

“Why do people believe we are dating?" Asked Minho. “Honestly, I have no idea," Seungmin answered him, really confused. After some time, they decided to call Jisung so he could explain what was happening and why people were congratulating them for their “recently announced" relationship.

He, clearly still upset, said no and hung up. The one who brought back Jisung was Hyunjin.

“I don't want to talk to them!" He said, “I can't believe they didn't tell me!"

“Honey," Hyunjin said with his calm tone, “Stop being dramatic, just listen to them". Hyunjin had a lot of power in him because he sat, still pouting.

“Jisung, we are not dating," said Seungmin, “If we were, I would tell you 'cause I know you are as dramatic as Hyunjin.”

“Hey, I’m trying to help you!” Hyunjin complained.

“What exactly did Mingi tell you?" Minho asked, interrupting the upcoming drama scene.

“He told me that Seoyeon was spreading the news," Jisung explained, still looking at them suspiciously.

“Isn't Seoyeon friends with Minhee?" Seungmin asked Minho, and he nodded. “Do you think this has something to do with her?"

“I don't know," Minho answered honestly, “but it doesn't sound crazy.*

“What happened with Minhee?" Hyunjin asked, curious. Minho just sighed, knowing he was never getting out of that kind of situation.

Seungmin, remembering the conversation they had had days before, decided to explain it himself.

“Minhee thought Minho liked her, but he was just being nice with her," he answered.

“And you know that cause you are dating Minho," Jisung said, judging them.

“I know that because I was there when that happened," Seungmin said after rolling his eyes.

“Maybe she thought Minho was rejecting her for you," Hyunjin said, and Seungmin nodded, remembering how he ran away, and Minho went after him. It definitely could have been misinterpreted.

“But why will they tell the entire school about it?" Minho asked.

“Maybe 'cause it's better to convince you and everyone else that your crush is with someone else than accepting you misinterpreted someone's actions and that led you to be rejected,” Seungmin said, making everyone nod.

“Actually, Billie Eilish has a song about that," Jisung said, finally stopping his drama.

“What are you gonna do about it?" Hyunjin asked, and they turned to see each other, not knowing what was the best option.

****

They decided to skip their usual library break to talk about the situation. They went to the garden, above the shadow of a tree.

“Do you think we should tell everybody we aren't dating?" Seungmin asked, lying on the grass, and Minho did the same.

“Is it worth it?" Minho said, making Seungmin look at him in confusion.

“What do you mean?" He asked.

“We can go and tell everyone that we are not together, but I’m pretty sure that after some time we are gonna get sick of it," he explained. “I prefer not to waste my energy and time explaining."

“So, are we gonna let them think we are together?" Seungmin asked.

“I don't mind. Actually, it might be good for me," he started, “I told you already, I'm really tired of not being able to talk to people in a friendly way, and make friends. If they think you are my boyfriend, they aren't gonna believe I like them from the beginning." They stayed silent for a couple of minutes, thinking, until Minho broke the silence.

“If you aren't okay with it, we can go and tell everybody we are not together, though. I'm pretty sure our friends will help, Felix is really good at that cause he knows everyone". Seungmin stayed silent, thinking about it. He really didn't mind people thinking they were together.

“If you think it is gonna help you, I'm in," he said, making Minho open his eyes in surprise, “but, are we gonna act like a couple?" Seungmin asked, and Minho shrugged.

“Maybe just in public. Holding hands and calling each other pet names would be enough for us to keep the act. Maybe some pics on Instagram. We can figure it out with the passing days.”

“Okay," Seungmin said, returning to the silence. Both of them were too immersed in their own thoughts until they heard the alarm.

When they were incorporating, Minho helped Seungmin and took the opportunity to intertwine their hands.

“We should start now, don't you think so?” Minho asked, and Seungmin just nodded, too flustered to say anything. They walked like that, holding hands and chatting as always.

After taking their seats, they decided to take their first fake-boyfriend picture. I was just the two of them, posing.

If Jisung spammed them with lots of texts, calling them liars, when they posted it, it was no one’s business.

Chapter Text

There were only two of their friends who knew the truth: Jisung, because he couldn’t stop calling them liars, so they had to tell him, and Hyunjin, because apparently, they were stuck together. They thought it was amusing to see if their friends would notice or comment on their new relationship, but they didn’t; they just accepted it.

They mostly remain the same, bickering a lot, talking about the books Seungmin read, and sitting right next to each other in class, but now they call each other by nicknames, and when the whole group go out or are together outside of school, their friends decide not to sit next to them if there is only one free space, so they can sit together. Leaving that aside, they were the same.

One October night, Seungmin was deciding what to wear for Chan's party, while Minho was talking about his dance teacher, who said that he was being lazy.

“I'm NOT being lazy, how could he say that?" He said pretty angry.

“I think he meant you can put in a little more effort", Seungmin started, “Remember this week we spent a lot of time studying for our exam, so you didn't have time for practicing.”

“But I did practice!" Minho complained, “Even when I was mentally tired."

“I know, Min, but you're top class, he expected a lot from you," he said, taking off his 10th shirt and changing it, “But I understand you, I know how hard it can be to try to fill people's expectations".

“You do it really well", he said, looking directly at Seungmin, who was changing his shirt again.

“My panic attacks might disagree," Minho smiled softly at him. "Just take it easy, Min, you're doing pretty good."

“You haven't had one lately, haven't you?" Minho asked softly, returning to the panic attacks topic.

"Actually, no. Been pretty good lately, I think studying with you helps me." Minho smiled and then said, "I'm happy to annoy you till you get used to me, then". Seungmin smiled at him but didn't say anything more for a while.

"I think if we don't wanna be late, you should keep that one shirt and use your black jacket, the one with the letters," Minho suggested, and Seungmin agreed, doing what he told him.

"I don't like parties," Seungmin said.

"You're gonna be fine, I'm gonna stay with you.”

"Even if there are pretty girls?" Seungmin teased.

"For your information, I have a boyfriend and I'm one hundred percent loyal,” Minho remembered, and Seungmin rolled his eyes, smiling widely.

***

They entered Chan's house and saw a lot of people everywhere, some of them dancing, drinking, or trying to talk through the loud music. Chan and Felix welcome them, smiling and introducing them to other friends.

Ryujin, one of the girls, was really funny, and Minho enjoyed talking with her. She told them she was waiting for her girlfriend to come, so they decided to stay with her.

"So, how long have you been together?" She asked them, as Chan introduced them as boyfriends.

"A month and a half, but it feels like an eternity already," Seungmin said, and Minho hit him in the arm.

"As lovely as always," he said, with a teasing smile.

"You look so cute together, my girlfriend was shipping you for a long time,” Ryujin said, with a smile.

"Did she? How?" Seungmin asked curiously.

"She's helping the librarian for credits, so she sees you often studying or reading," she explains, "every time she sees you, she tells me about it, she even thought you'd been together long ago.*

"A lot of people said that when they found out," Seungmin said, chuckling.

"I think there was definitely something, but you didn't see it," Ryujin said, clueless of what it was going to do to their minds.

After some time, Seungmin excused himself and went to the bathroom, telling Minho to stay with Ryujin. After seeing the long queue, he supposed he was gonna spend some time waiting, so he decided to turn out his data and play a game without the ads.

Almost 15 minutes later, he returned and found Minho and a girl who wasn't Ryujin talking. He didn't care until Minho greeted him, calling him "Baby".

"Oh, baby, what took you so long?" He asked, moving away from the girl, "I was actually telling Chaemin-shi about you. Chaemin-shi, this is Seungmin, my boyfriend," he said, remarkably louder than the boyfriend part, and then he took his hand, pulling him closer. The girl stared at them, then at their hands, without saying a word. It was awkward for the three of them, so Seungmin decided to say something.

"Nice to meet you," was the first thing that left his lips, "One of our friends is waiting for us in the kitchen, so we gotta go, we'll see you around." He took Minho through the hallway to the kitchen after saying goodbye.

"She kept on flirting with me, even though I told her I had a boyfriend. She didn't believe me," he said, before Seungmin could ask.

"That's so rude," Seungmin said angrily, "even if you didn't have a boyfriend, she should respect you when you say no.”

"I know, babe,” Minho nodded, “I’m lucky I have a fake boyfriend now, we get to see the funny face she made after not believing me.”

“I don't know how you can handle being involved in that kind of situation. It was awkward,” Seungmin said.

“I just got used to it, I think,” Minho answered. “Let's find our friends, baby,” he said, too happy for Seungmin's liking.

***

It wasn't long before Seungmin felt his social battery going down, and Minho noticed, so he told him to go to Chan's roof so they could see the stars and be alone for a while.

The view was pretty, the lights of the city were shining so bright, and the whole moon completed the perfect sight.

"How's the party going? How are you feeling?" Minho asked as they sat on a bench.

"Pretty good, to be honest. Ignoring the fact that someone tried to steal my boyfriend," he joked, and Minho laughed.

"I'm just too handsome, you need to be careful.” He said, making Seungmin roll his eyes.

"I think you should be the one who needs to be careful, I'm not only handsome, I'm also smart, everybody's type," Seungmin said with a grin.

"Don't worry, love, I'm not letting anyone steal you," Minho said jokingly, and Seungmin laughed. After that, they stay in silence for a couple of minutes, just looking at the sight.

"I thought pretending to date you might be weird,” Seungmin said, breaking the silence, “but it's pretty normal. It's funny how everyone thinks we were together a long time ago."

"It really is, I didn't know our ship was a thing," Minho said, "maybe Ryujin is right and there's something we didn’t see before.”

“Maybe…” Seungmin responded calmly, but didn’t say anything more.

“Do you think we look good together?” Minho asked, curious.

“Genuinely, I do,” Seungmin said, smiling.

“I do too,” Minho said, smiling too.

Chapter Text

November arrived with cold air, rainy days, and lots of coffee. Seungmin wasn't a big fan of coffee, but Minho was, and he insisted they should go to every café and try the season's menu. He agreed because he likes the pumpkin spice latte, the pie, and Minho.

It wasn't like a big revelation to him; he just spent the whole weekend after Chan’s partý thinking about their little conversation on the roof, and he realized he liked the idea of them together as a couple. He didn't say anything to Minho, though. He didn't find it necessary at the time; he liked the way their relationship was going and how they could still be themselves around each other, but being honest, he could feel a slight change in his own reactions when Minho flirted with him or made jokes. But nothing he couldn’t control.

"I think this place is an 8 to 10, what do you think?" Munho asked, making him come back to reality.

"I agree. The food is good, but I think there are better and more affordable options. The decoration is pretty, though," he said, taking pictures of the place.

"It's definitely somewhere you can have a date," Minho said, smiling, "Shall we take a picture like the pretty couple we are?" Seungmin nodded, getting closer to Minho. They smiled, made fun faces, and Minho even kissed Seungmin's cheek for one picture, which made him rush to the bathroom, trying to suppress his loud beating. When he returned, he found a small heart-shaped cheesecake to deliver.

"Did you order a cheesecake?" Seungmin asked, confused because Minho was already going to ask for the bill when he left.

"I didn't, the waitress brought this for you," he said, emotionless. "She also left a note on her Instagram." he passed Seungmin the note while he was in shock, not used to people making moves on him.

"Oh," was the only thing he said, looking at the cheesecake.

"She's pretty," Minho smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Yeah," Seungmin said, trying not to sound sad, "I'm not interested, though. You think I should return the cake, or it would make things worse?"

"If I were her, I would feel worse if you returned the cake," Seungmin nodded. "Do you think she just ignored that we are together, or do we really look just like friends?"

"I think she didn't have enough time to look at our dynamic and just thought we were friends," Seungmin said.

"I'm gonna kiss you next time, then," Minho joked, and all Seungmin could do was nervously laugh.

***

Later, they were walking back to their dorms when Seungmin saw a library with 50% off and made Minho go immediately.

It was a place Seungmin had never been to, so he was really surprised when he found a beautiful place with flowers and a little coffee shop. Apart from the books, they were things they could paint as mugs, bags, canvas, etc., and they were things to craft as well, for making bracelets, to knot, and other things.

After buying books Seungmin found interesting, the cashier told them that they could do anything they wanted, just in case of painting, the paint is free, but they needed to pay for whatever they were to paint.

They decided to do matching bracelets, so they sat and started thinking about the pattern and the colors they were gonna use. It ended up being blue for Seungmin and purple for Minho, with matching charms for both of them. Once finished, they took a picture of themselves wearing them, mentioning the place.

"I'm glad you came. Next time, I can offer you our special menu for couples," the cashier told them.

"We'll gladly come back, then," Minho said, smiling at her. They returned to their path, chatting and laughing. Once they came, Minho decided to kiss Seungmin goodbye, obviously in the checks.

They went to their own rooms, with their date in mind and the promise to return for another one.

Chapter Text

Minho wasn't the type to believe in magic, myths, legends or things like that. He usually didn't care to walk below a stair, he pets every black cat because he’s a cat person, and he just lives every Friday 13th like any other day. So he was surprised when he found himself inviting Seungmin to go on a date with him just because he heard that day was gonna be the first snow.

The plan was simple: they were going to grab hot cocoa and some pastry, and then they were going to watch the lights and decorations of the city. Then it'll start snowing so he can say something cheesy that will make Seungmin's cheeks flush and maybe give him a proper kiss like he wanted months ago. It was perfect, until Seungmin told him he felt sick and didn't want to go out.

That changed everything he planned, so he decided to spend time with him anyway, take care of him, and watch the snow through the window. He made him soup and tea, bought some cookies and medicine so he could feel better.

"Are you sure you wanna stay here and not do something with the boys?" Seungmin asked Minho, who was getting comfortable on the sofa.

"They'll be busy with their loved ones", he said simply, looking at Seungmin.

"Even Changbin?" He asked.

"He's at the gym with Yeonjun and Wooyoung. Besides, there's nowhere else I'd rather be than here, with you," he said softly, making Seungmin flush.

"But I don't want you to get sick," he said after some minutes.

"I'm not going to get sick, I'm strong enough and I do take vitamins,” he replied, jokingly.

“So are you saying I’m weak?” Seungmin asked with his eyebrows up.

“I’m saying you’re too busy to take care of yourself, so today let it out to me. Eat the food I brought you, take your medicine, and let's watch a movie, Seug,” he commanded, and Seungmin followed his instructions, so he started to eat. They decided to watch Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, so Minho sat on the sofa with popcorn while Seungmin was in his own bed. At some point, Seungmin fell asleep, so Minho let the movie roll while he watched his phone, mostly his social media.

Almost an hour later, Seungmin woke up, feeling slightly better, so they finished the movie and watched a YouTube video, making comments about it. Around 15 minutes later, Seungmin watched the window while he was returning to the bathroom.

“It’s snowing!” He said, clearly happy. Minho approached to watch too.

“Our first snow together,” Minho pointed out, and Seungmin turned to see him.

“That's why you wanted us to out today, you knew.” It wasn't a question; it was more like an affirmation. “I fucked up your plan,” Seungmin realized.

“I wasn't like you could help not getting sick, Seung, so don't worry. We are having time together anyway, and that's the only thing that matters,” Mungo reassured him, taking his hand.

“I didn't take you as someone who believes in this kind of thing,” Seungmin said, looking at him.

“Me neither, but I want to believe in such a beautiful thing just because it’s with you,” he confessed, smiling, and Seungmin mirrored him.

“I want to believe it too,” Seungmin said, hugging him. Next time, when he isn't sick, he's going to finally kiss him.

Chapter Text

Christmas wasn't Seungmin's favorite holiday; he was more like a Halloween boy. Maybe it was because his parents used to go to a fancy dinner while he stayed home on Christmas Eve, and he was desperate to open the presents every morning, that his parents never woke up before him. Minho, instead, loved everything that comes with Christmas, the presents —he was more like a gift-giver person than a touchy one— the food, and spending time with his family.

Seungmin's plans for Christmas that year were like every other day: watch a movie, eat something from delivery, and sleep, but Minho sure wasn't going to let that happen, so he asked him to spend the day with his family, at his parents’. Since then, he’d been nervous about meeting Minho’s family, even when Minho himself told him they were gonna love him.

He wanted to make a good impression, so he asked Minho a lot about their family —including the cats– so he could buy presents they would really like. Then he put a lot of effort into wrapping everything up with lovely paper and adding personalized notes for each one.

Their parents were surprised when he told them where he was going to spend Christmas Eve, but they agreed on his staying there, only if they returned later on Christmas Day to open the present together. So that was the plan for the two of them.

Their way to Minho's house went desperately slow, or maybe Seungmin was feeling that way because of his nervousness, which really was showing in his body language.

“Baby, calm down,” Minho said to him halfway through the ride, gently touching his leg, stopping him from shaking it, “they already like you. I’ve told them a lot about you, and they're happy to finally meet you.”

“You told them about me?” Seungmin asked, curious, “What did you tell them?”

“The truth,” he began, “that you're smart, kind, and one of the best things that happened to me.” He said, smiling. He wasn't looking at Seungmin, but he knew he was flustered.

Seungmin relaxed a little from then on, or maybe it was that he couldn't stop thinking about what Minho said. He was also one of the best things that happened to him, for sure.

—--

When they arrived, Minho took Seungmin's hand as they were waiting at the door. Yeji, Minho's cousin, opened the door smiling.

“We were waiting for you!” She said, happily, “Come in, my aunt was about to call you.”

When they entered the house, Seungmin saw a lot of people here and there, everyone being too loud until they appeared, and everyone got silent, looking curious at Seungmin.
“Hi everyone, this is Seungmin, my boyfriend.” Minho introduced him, and everyone greeted them back, and then they kept going to whatever thing they were doing before.

After that, both of them went to the kitchen, where they found Minho's mother.

“Honey, I was about to call you,” she said, approaching to hug her son. When they got apart, she focused on Seungmin, smiling at him, “and you must be Seungmin, I’ve heard a lot about you,” she said.

“I hope good things,” he said, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, thank you for letting me stay.”

“It’s nothing, everyone in Minho's life is welcomed,” she said, “Go to your room, relax a little, and we’ll call you to eat”.

“Can I help you with anything?” Seungmin asked, and she smiled at him softly.

“You are our guest, don't worry about anything,” and with that, they went to Minho's childhood room. Seungmin found a lot of things to entertain, like pictures, posters, and even medals from dance contests.

“You’d always been so talented, Honnie”, he said, holding a picture of his high school dance crew, “dance was really your passion."

“Always have been,” Minho said, petting Sonnie, “It’s like singing for you”.

“Did you know that when I was a kid, I dreamed of being a baseball player, not a singer?” Seungmin said to Minho's surprise.

“I really didn't know. How did you end up singing?”

“I got injured, so my dream ended really quickly. I liked singing, and I found a way to show everyone how I was feeling after all,” he explained.

“I’m happy you found a way to express yourself. I love your singing, and I’m grateful to be blessed by listening to your voice,” Minho said, and Seungmin got flustered.

***

The dinner was truly a buffet, with lots of Minho's family's typical food like bulgogi, kimchi, noodles, and even some American food they thought Seungmin might like because they knew he lived in Los Angeles for a while.

Minho’s family told Seungmin many stories about him, his childhood antics, some of his competitions, how he found his cats, and how “annoying” he was about Seungmin.

“Every time we talk, he tells us about you. I’ve never seen him so in love,” said Yeji. “It’s so annoying,” she said, clearly joking.

“It was really obvious that he was in love with you ages ago. Last year, he couldn't stop talking about how cute you were, and how much he liked listening to you talking about the books you read.” This time it was Suzy, Minho's aunt. Seungmin's surprise was evident, and Minho just pretended he wasn't listening.

“You both are cute together, I’m happy that Minho is happy,” said Minho's dad, and Seungmin smiled at him. He looked really intimidating, but he was nice, just as his son was.

After dinner, Minho invited him to the Art Village, which was holding a special concert. The night was calm and delightful, so they decided to walk, holding hands and chatting.

“So you thought I was cute a year ago?” Seungmin asked him while they were waiting for the concert to start.

“I always thought you were cute,” he admitted, "especially when you were reading. I don't know if you notice, but you make cute gestures while reading,” he explained, making Seungmin blush.

“I didn't know,” Seungmin said.

“That's one of the things I like about you,” Minho started, “I also like the way you sing, your kindness, and the fact that you are so much smarter than me,” he finished, looking straight into his eyes. “I like you, Kim Seungmin”. He finally confessed, getting closer so they were just one breath away. Seungmin couldn’t tell whether hours or seconds had passed after he felt Minho’s lips on his. For a moment, he felt nothing, too busy trying to understand what was happening.

It wasn't until he let himself go that he started feeling the warmth and tenderness. Everything just made sense in that moment: every glance, every touch, the nicknames, and the suspicions everyone has had. They were always more than friends, everyone knew, even they, but they took a long time to figure out what they had in front of them. The kiss felt like months of longing, and it was really worth it.

“I’m assuming from the way you didn't reject that kiss that you like me too, am I right?” Minho asked, smiling, when they stopped due to the lack of air.

“You are wrong, that was just for scientific purposes,” Seungmin joked, smiling playfully.

“And what were your results?” He played along.

“That my fake boyfriend is a good kisser,” he answered.

“Honestly, I’ve been hating the fake part for a long time,” Minho said, pretending to be mad.

“We should do something about it, don't you think?” Seungmin said, getting closer again.

“What's your idea?” Minho asked, pulling him closer by holding his waist. Seungmin reacted by pulling his arms around his neck.

“I don't know, it was your idea,” Seungmin said, smirking.

“So I need to do something about it,” Minho said, thinking. He smirked when the idea came. “Are you gonna say yes?” He asked Seungmin, who just made a gesture of not knowing.

And then, the concert started. At the beginning, it was traditional music, and then it was more varied, with different songs. At some point, someone started singing a cover of Only and Minho knew that it was the moment.

When the song reached the “my only love” part, he pulled on his knee and took Seungmin's hands. With realization, Seungmin smiled playfully.

“Will you be my only love?” He asked, feeling people's attention turning to them.

“Yes!” Seungmin answered, and people around them started to clap and congratulate them.

They kissed and laughed, knowing they were never going to stop pretending things, apparently.