Chapter Text
Mingi's eyes shimmered excitedly, those hazel orbs traveling all over the basketball court to keep a certain someone in his line of sight. The timid sixteen-year-old had many favorite things to witness, but this was surely in the top five.
It wasn't the game, but a particular player who caught his gaze on the daily. Tall and bound to grow taller, fluffy raven hair that was currently damp with sweat, soft and bright features like a golden retriever, and tiny spots of healing acne.
That was Jeong Yunho, and he was dribbling the basketball with unperturbed focus. Mingi unconsciously sat forward with his hands clasped together as the player glided closer to the goal.
The ball swished effortlessly into the basket.
Mingi mentally cheered as the group of boys crowded around Yunho with laughter and pretend bitterness. This was nothing but a game of leisure, but there would've been tons of screaming support had it been a real game.
A few curious female students swooned over the team, but Mingi didn't miss the ogling eyes on Yunho. Nibbling his lip, he frowned out of irrational jealousy. It had always been that way for the last couple of years. He should've been used to it.
Besides…
Yunho scampered over like a proud puppy, stopping in front of Mingi's spot on the bleachers. He bent slightly, resting his hands on his knees, and beamed like the sun. His dark eyes locked onto the brunette's with anticipation.
"Was I cool just now?" he asked.
Mingi leaned back, feigning nonchalance. "Don't ask corny things… Of course, you were cool. Mr. Jeong is always the star."
Yunho smirked, "Then, can Mr. Jeong get his reward?"
Swallowing nervously, Mingi picked up an ice-cold bottle of water from beside his hip and held it out. The ravenette eyed the drink with a pout, clearly indicating he wanted something else.
After glancing around awkwardly at the disapproving stares from those girls and a couple of the basketball players, Mingi reluctantly petted Yunho's head.
"There. Now, drink." Mingi scowled and wiped the sweat on his uniform pants. "Don't touch me until after you shower."
Yunho cocked a mischievous brow while chugging his water, satisfied with the mild affection for now. Ignoring the silent message, Mingi checked the time on his phone and replied to a text.
"Seonghwa's finished with his cleaning duties. We agreed to go home together to study and fix his garden, so I killed some time here," he mumbled.
The taller boy hummed oddly and dropped the bottle from his lips. "And here I thought you came for me. You were just waiting for Seonghwa? Is that really all?"
"Why would I want to watch you run around all sweaty and throw a stupid ball?"
"You're cute when you try to lie," Yunho sneered playfully.
Mingi blushed in spite of himself. So, maybe he did like to watch the boy play basketball. Perhaps, his heart raced whenever Yunho zipped across the court and leaped into the air to make a basket.
So what?
"I'm leaving," he grumbled shyly. He stood and lightly pushed against Yunho's chest, silently requesting him to get out of the way.
The ravenette grabbed Mingi's backpack and offered, "I'll walk you."
But Mingi shook his head. "I'm only going to the school gates. Stay and play with your friends more."
"But I want to go with you."
"I told you not to be clingy at school. It's embarrassing."
"Fine." Yunho sagged his shoulders. "Before you go—"
Mingi furrowed his brows until the other boy suddenly trapped him in a tight embrace, vigorously rubbing his body flush against the brunette. Eyes as wide as saucers, the shy teenager tried to wrestle his way out.
"Yunho, no!" Mingi gasped, both abashed by the public display of affection and appalled by the sweat.
He whined pitifully until Yunho released him with a satisfied grin. His school uniform was now damp with the basketball player's aroma. He huffed exasperatedly.
Yunho gave him the backpack and said, "You can go now. See you later, cutie."
"I hate you. Bye."
Stomping out of the gym, Mingi heard Yunho smirk from behind him. "I think you like me, actually!"
So damn annoying. Mingi cursed under his breath and slammed the door shut.
"Isn't it a bit late to still get embarrassed?" Seonghwa said, his arm looped around Mingi's on the way home.
Mingi scoffed, "How so?"
Seonghwa puckered his lips musingly. "You've been dating for months, and even before that, you've been neighbors for, like, almost three years? Yunho's never been the shy type."
"That's the problem, Hwa. He attracts so much attention, and—"
"And you hate attention, I know." Seonghwa rolled his eyes.
They approached the front door, and Seonghwa unlocked it with his house key. Removing their shoes at the door, the boys were hit with warm, cozy air.
Mingi hopped up the stairs and beelined to the other's bedroom. His best friend was close behind, and the door closed just as soon as it opened, the exhausted students collapsing on the plush bed.
Stretching his long limbs, Mingi glared at the ceiling. Seonghwa turned his head curiously.
"I get that you're introverted and everything, but does it truly bother you that much? Isn't it something else?"
Mingi slowly admitted, "Yunho used to get into fights with people who bullied me… Plus, I'm just overwhelmed by others."
Seonghwa tucked the brunette's soft hair behind his ear affectionately. "I remember. He did that because he likes you."
"That's what I don't get. Why me?"
"Again," Seonghwa giggled, "a bit late to ask that."
Mingi rolled over and groaned into the fluffy pink blanket at the foot of the bed. Seonghwa followed him, pressing his shoulder onto the brunette's back.
"Just appreciate your luck! When will I find someone who shamelessly adores me?" the ravenette sighed dramatically.
The boys remained cozily draped over each other for another five minutes before starting on their homework. Afterward, they spent the evening planting early autumn flowers.
When Mingi got off the bus and walked down the street to his mother's snack shop, he noticed a familiar car parked outside. Heart bursting like fireworks, he dashed inside past the few customers.
His mother flinched at his abrupt appearance behind the counter, but her fright quickly morphed into a gorgeous smile. "Someone's excited."
Bouncing on his feet, Mingi urgently asked, "Is Jin home from university?!"
She shrugged happily. "Go inside and find out. Oh, and wash your hands! I prepared a snack for you on the kitchen table."
Mingi kissed his mother on the cheek and hurried into the living room in the back; the shopfront was connected to the two-story house. Ecstatic at the thought of his older brother visiting, he tossed his bag haphazardly on the sofa and tripped out of his shoes.
In the kitchen, a plate of dumplings and celery sticks sat patiently with a glass cover. A handsome young man with brown hair stuck his head in the fridge. Mingi barreled into his back.
"Seokjin!"
"Ow! Mingi, you're too big to do that anymore!" the elder groaned, nearly bumping his head on the fridge door.
Seokjin, Mingi's half-brother by five years, faced the younger brunette with a goofy smile. Despite being born to different fathers, there has never been a rift between them and their sister, Chungha. Chungha and Mingi's father raised Seokjin since their mother remarried when the eldest was two. Chungha came soon after, and Mingi three years after her.
Their father was no longer in the picture, leaving the children in their mother's care and disappearing. Nevertheless, the family has gotten along just fine without him.
"Even if I become a giant, I'll continue to do it," Mingi insisted, childishly sticking out his tongue.
Seokjin tittered, "I think you're well on your way."
Mingi blinked happily when the elder ruffled his hair. "Are you staying the night?"
"I am. I'll head back tomorrow afternoon, so if you and Yunho want a comfortable ride to school instead of that crowded bus, let me know."
"Aye, sir!" Mingi bubbled. Gone was the timid high school student, aptly replaced with an energetic little brother.
The circle of people Mingi felt comfortable around was indeed small, but he liked it that way. He didn't need to be popular like his boyfriend. Close-knit groups were warmer.
Mingi washed his hands and sat with his brother to chat over the snack their mother prepared. The sunset bloomed over the street, and the shop closed down for the night. The high schooler took the opportunity to get homework help from Seokjin.
Typing a diary entry on his laptop after showering and wearing his pajamas, Mingi received a text.
YUNHO!!! 💓
yunho:
are you in bed?
mingi:
yes
yunho:
:(
sleeping soon?
mingi:
nope
yunho:
:)
Mingi frowned impatiently, knowing what the text meant. This had become quite normal since he started going out with his next-door neighbor. It made the task of waking the ravenette up just a tad easier as well.
In under five minutes, his bedroom door swung open to reveal a smiling Yunho in a plain shirt and sweatpants. The other teen had presumably entered through the snack shop (locking the gate behind him, hopefully) and made his way upstairs as if he lived there.
"Hi," Mingi whispered for some reason.
Yunho shut the door quietly and launched himself into the bed, trapping the brunette in his arms. "Hi."
They shifted to get more comfortable, although, Mingi was still crushed underneath Yunho. The former shut down his laptop and placed it on the bedside table to focus on his boyfriend.
He gently caressed the human golden retriever's cheek. "Did you tell your parents you were coming over?"
"No, but I'm sure they'll be able to guess in the morning," Yunho shrugged. He nuzzled into Mingi's neck.
Mingi's heart accelerated. Despite dating for several months, their intimacy never went anywhere. They haven't even kissed. Yet, Yunho's actions felt strange just then.
"Yuyu, about earlier, you shouldn't do stuff like that at school," he muttered, his arms naturally wrapping around the ravenette's shoulders.
"Nobody cares, Min," Yunho hummed against his skin.
"I do…"
Sighing, Yunho lifted his head to meet Mingi's eyes. "Is this about what happened before?"
Mingi averted his gaze.
The ravenette pinched Mingi's cheek. "You know I won't let anyone bully you. But if you're really uncomfortable, I'll try to control myself."
"Thank you."
"Although, I'm already doing a good job at holding back," Yunho muttered to himself.
Mingi blinked. "Hm?"
Yunho shook his head and rolled to the side. "Nothing. Turn off the lights."
The brunette hurriedly shut the lights off. When he returned to the bed, Yunho held his arms open expectantly. An adorable smile graced Mingi's face as he dropped his weight into the other boy's care.
Yunho pulled the covers up and hugged Mingi close, cuddling them both to an endearing sleep.
