Chapter Text
After Jisung’s 14th failed attempt at finding “the one” and of countless disastrous dates later all in the past 3 months, Seungmin has finally had enough.
“I’m sick of you complaining about shitty people and dates,” Seungmin says to Jisung, which is just his code for I’m worried about you. You see, Jisung might be a walking disaster himself, but he’s kind and sweet in his own ways, and Seungmin loves this dude and would gladly take a bullet for him anytime (don’t tell Jisung. He has a reputation to uphold afterall.). As a self-proclaimed Jisung’s bestest friend, it’s Seungmin’s responsibility to keep Jisung in line, and to remind him he deserves only the best (or at least decent people, the fuck), so he’s going to take over in finding someone and matching them with Jisung whether his friend likes it or not. Jisung shouldn’t have settled for less than what he deserves just because he’s desperate for someone to hold hands and cuddle with. That’s unacceptable! He should have looked for someone who cares about him at the very least and not those who only want a quick fuck.
“Maybe next one will be the one,” Jisung says with a pout because Seungmin had just lectured him about the importance of self-worth and self-love for 30 minutes straight. It’s not that Seungmin thinks Jisung wouldn’t get what he’s trying to say when he opened his mouth about the topic during the first 15 minutes, but rather, he repeated it again to Jisung the second time to make sure to drill his words straight into Jisung’s brain.
“That’s what you said the last time, and all the previous times since you started this absurd search for the one,” Seungmin rolls his eyes.
“I just want someone to love!” Jisung wails dramatically, dropping himself on the bed. “And to be loved! I want to hold hands and cuddle with someone, Seungminnie,” he continues, voice muffled by the pillow he’s burying his face on.
“I’m not saying that it’s wrong that you’re trying,” Seungmin clarifies. “It’s just, you should be more careful with your choices. I don’t want you to get hurt, okay?”
“Mmkay,” Jisung replies half-heartedly. Seungmin sighs seeing the pitiful sight of his friend. He gets it, really. Jisung is lonely.
“Besides, if you want to hold hands and cuddle with someone, you have me,” Seungmin says as he manhandles the groaning Jisung into a position where Seungmin’s lying on the mattress and having Jisung in his embrace, with Jisung’s head resting on Seungmin’s chest. “There. We can cuddle as much as you want now.”
“How sweet of you,” Jisung murmurs, but Seungmin can feel the curve of Jisung’s lips on his chest. “If I say I want kisses, would you give me some as well?”
“Don’t push your luck,” Seungmin grimaces playfully. Hearing the sound of Jisung’s laughter and the way his arms tighten around Seungmin in a manner that can only be described as grateful, if it ever comes right down to it, Seungmin wouldn't actually mind giving Jisung the kisses he wanted. “By the way, the chances of you finding the right person increases by 80% if I was more involved in the search.”
“Yeah, yeah. Cause you know who would be good for me and who wouldn’t. Yeap, totally,” Jisung humors him.
“You’ll see,” Seungmin huffs, already mentally going through a list of potential people for him to set up with Jisung. He has a few shortlisted candidates in mind. He supposes it’s now only a matter of time. He’ll have to plan it all thoroughly later but for now, he’s just going to enjoy cuddling with his best friend.
~*~
The evening night is cold and crisp, as expected of early November. After being stuck in the warm, cramped room of their rehearsal studio for hours on end, the change in view, air and temperature is a welcomed one. The walk back to their shared apartment is quiet and peaceful, the echoes of their footsteps bouncing off the walls of the alleyways.
Jisung reaches for Seungmin’s hand and locks their fingers together as they cross the main road. Jisung’s hand is small compared to Seungmin, but it’s warm and nice albeit a little calloused at the tips of his fingers. It’s a nice and steady hold that Seungmin doesn’t mind Jisung doesn’t let go even when they have reached the other side of the road. Squeezing Jisung’s hand, Seungmin is reminded of the plan he’s been brewing since Jisung’s last (bad) date.
“There’s someone I want to introduce to you,” Seungmin starts. Jisung makes a confused noise but doesn’t prod any further. “I think you'll like him.”
That gets Jisung to stop walking, hand squeezing Seungmin’s and eyes wide with questions. “You think I’ll like him?”
Seungmin shrugs. “I really think you will. As a friend, or something more.” Seungmin pulls on Jisung’s hand to start walking again and lets Jisung take his time to process Seungmin’s words carefully.
“Are you setting me up on a date?” Jisung asks after a few moments of silence between them. There’s a smile in Jisung’s voice, amusement in the curl of his lips when Seungmin takes a quick glance at him.
“I can arrange for it to be a blind date if that’s what you want.”
“I thought you said you’re sick of me complaining about going on dates.”
“No. I said I was sick of you complaining about shitty people and dates,” Seungmin quotes himself word for word. “I want you to meet fun people and go on fun dates that even if you ended up not liking them more than friends, you still enjoy the time you spend together. And since this person is a… kind of friend, I know what type of a person he is. He’s not a shitty person at least but even if he was, it would only make it easier for me to hunt him down and beat him up if he ever hurt you.”
“Beat him up with what? Your tiny fist?” Jisung snorts.
“Shut up. Your fists are tinier than mine.”
They are only a few minutes away from their apartment building now- there’s only the stone steps that lead uphill left to climb and a smaller road to cross, but instead of hurrying up, halfway into climbing up the stairs, Jisung stops and puts his guitar case down before sitting on one of the steps. Seungmin follows suit, their hands no longer interlocked as Jisung is using his hands to get something from his backpack, which turns out to be a pack of cigarettes.
Seungmin eyes Jisung carefully and shakes his head a no when Jisung offers him a stick. “So? What do you think? We can just hang out if you’re up for it.” Seungmin waits as Jisung lights his cigarette and takes a drag. Jisung takes the smoke into his lungs and exhales it again.
“Yeah, sure,” Jisung grins. “I wanna know more about this friend of yours though. How did you meet him? How did you become friends? Most importantly, why have I never heard of this person before? I can’t believe my little Seungminnie is capable of making friends outside the circle of our band,” Jisung coos, his fingers rubbing Seungmin’s chin teasingly.
Seungmin rolls his eyes and swats Jisung’s fingers away. “Shut up. I have a lot of other friends that are not a part of the band. I’m not that anti-social.”
“I feel like you’re mistaking acquaintances as actual friends but you do you, babe.”
“Anyway,” Seungmin pressed. “His name is Lee Minho. He’s 2 years older than us and goes to a neighbouring uni.” Seungmin ignores Jisung’s wolf whistle. “I met him when I was doing volunteer work at the animal shelter.”
Jisung takes a long drag of his cigarette and raises his eyebrows when Seungmin doesn’t offer any other information on Minho. “Is he good looking?”
“Infuriatingly so,” Seungmin nods solemnly.
“Is he buff?”
“No. He has thick thighs though. Very strong.”
“How do you know that?”
“He’s a dancer,” Seungmin explains simply. Then, in a quieter, softer voice: “And I can confirm because I’ve slept with him.”
“You what?!” Jisung chokes on his spit and coughs the smoke out from his mouth. Seungmin would have been more concerned if Jisung did not immediately cackle right after and whoop loudly. “Now you’re talking,” he says, throwing the shortened cigarette stick onto the ground and scuffing off the remaining ember on the bud before giving all his attention to Seungmin. “I was going to tease you about staring inappropriately and lusting over someone’s thighs but damn you were already fucking with him. Didn’t know you were getting some action behind my back.”
“Oh, please. You knew I was also fooling around with Chan hyung for a while the same time you were fucking with Changbin hyung.”
“True,” Jisung shrugs nonchalantly. “But wow. You wanna set me up on a date with your one night stand? Juicy.”
“He’s not a one night stand. He’s a friend.”
“...With benefits? Wait, this isn’t an elaborate plan to get me into doing threesome with you guys, right?” Jisung wrinkles his nose cutely that Seungmin can’t help but laugh.
“Of course not! He really is a friend. We were infatuated with each other for a hot second, slept with each other and then realized that once the sexual tension was out from our system, we were more better off as friends. Like, strictly just friends without any sexual benefits.”
“Uh huh. And when did this realization occur to you?”
Seungmin exhales in resignation. This is Jisung after all - his best friend. They know each other like the back of their hands so there is no use denying. “After the 5th time.” He’s rewarded with a loud laugh from Jisung.
“Ok, let me get this straight; you met Minho, thought you might like him then slept with him and then realized both of you were just infatuated with each other. Decided to fuck it all out of your system a few more times before deciding bro, let’s just be friends. Is that it?”
Seungmin groans. “When you put it that way, it does sound a little silly. But in my defense, it was just all too convenient for us at that time. We were both moving on from something, we were both stressed out from uni and we were both. Horny. I guess we both used each other for our own benefits,” he murmurs. “It was good and consensual, yes, but also something Minho hyung and I mutually agreed not to do again.”
Jisung’s laughter faded into a small smile on his lips. “I see,” he says. “Why did you keep it a secret from me?”
“I didn’t mean to? But there was just never the right time to tell you. Besides, things were awkward between Minho hyung and I for a bit. We stopped talking for about a month or so and only became friends again after that. We just started getting really close 3 months ago. I wanted to make sure he’s staying in my life for a long time before introducing you to each other,” Seungmin returns Jisung’s smile with his own. “I think we’re good now, Minho hyung and I. Our friendship is healthy and comfortable. Minho hyung is a great guy and I know you can benefit something from him, whatever that is.”
“Honestly, it’s a miracle you could manage to hide him from me for this long,” Jisung tells Seungmin after contemplating. “And if my best friend said his other friend slash ex-friend with benefits is a great guy and would be good for me, then who am I to doubt and question him? I guess I’ll just have to meet him myself and see if it’s true.”
Seungmin can’t help but grin this time, mentally high-fiving himself for successfully convincing Jisung to meet Minho. He’ll just have to confirm it with Minho later and then it’s all set. It should be that simple. “You’ll see,” Seungmin sing-songs as he gets up from the steps and dusts off his pants before taking his guitar case into his hand. “I bet he’s better than all of your previous dates combined.”
“Yeah. I guess I’ll see,” Jisung agrees.
~*~
2 days later, after Seungmin’s shift at the library, he invites himself to Minho’s apartment.
Minho
I’m coming over
How’d you know I just restocked my froot loops?
I can read your mind
Uh, hello?????
I thought you said you can read my mind.
I was communicating with you through it just now
Totally heard it of course. What did you say?
Don’t come over bitch
Yeayyy I’ll be there in 10
You’re gonna have to climb through the windows then
because I am not opening the door for you
Seungmin grins reading Minho’s last text and then pockets his phone. He’s already on his way to Minho’s apartment. In fact, he's already nearby that he can get there in less than 10 minutes, but he decides to stop by a 7-eleven first because he’s a good boy who knows it’s rude to show up at someone else’s place empty-handed so he’s going to buy some snacks for Minho and himself. He gets a box of melona (god knows Minho needs some in his almost empty freezer), a couple packets of chips as well as a few cans of coke, and then he’s already on his way to Minho’s apartment again with a bounce in his step.
Despite threatening not to open the door for Seungmin, it’s all proven to be an empty warning because here’s Minho unlocking and opening the door immediately after Seungmin gives a couple of taps on his door.
“Well, at least you bought something,” Minho says when he sees the paper bag in Seungmin’s hands. He doesn’t wait for Seungmin to slip off his shoes, knowing Seungmin will find his way around the apartment since he’s been here before.
“I bought melona,” Seungmin announces cheerfully. He makes his way to the kitchen and shoves the box of ice cream into the freezer while the other snacks are put on the dining table. Turning around, he notices Minho is heating up something on the stove. He’s wearing a black t-shirt and shorts, his hair a little wet and dripping water on some of the tips of his locks.
“Stop eating ice cream, it’s going to be winter soon,” Minho tuts in disapproval. “Do you want to get sick? Have something warmer.”
Seungmin easily ignores Minho’s nagging, of course. He moves closer to where Minho is and sees the food in the pot the older guy is stirring is kimchi-jjigae . No wonder it smells divine.
“Aww, you made kimchi-jjigae for me?” Seungmin teases. This close, Seungmin can smell the refreshing mixed scents of Minho’s shampoo, body wash and cologne. Minho has no business smelling this good and clean. “And showered yourself clean just to welcome me? You're so sweet.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Minho elbows Seungmin on his side, causing the younger guy to groan from the mild pain and arms immediately shielding himself from any another possible attack. It doesn’t hurt that much but Seungmin likes exaggerating in front of Minho. Too bad Minho knows of this as well so often time, he doesn’t even bat an eyelash just to spite Seungmin by not giving him the reactions he wanted. “I literally just got home half an hour ago from dance practice and needed to clean off all the gross sweats sticking on my skin.”
“You didn’t need to explain yourself but if you say so then ok I guess.” Seungmin smiles smugly when he sees the tips of Minho’s ears burn pink and quickly moves away laughing when Minho threatens to hit him again.
“I didn’t make this for you,” Minho scowls, referring to the kimchi-jjigae . “It’s a leftover from this morning. I haven’t eaten dinner yet and was going to have a nice, peaceful one and watch a movie on netflix but you ruined my perfect plan by coming over.”
Minho sounded like he’s complaining but Seungmin knows he doesn’t really mind Seungmin ‘ruining’ his plan for the night. The truth is, even if they bicker and tease each other a lot, they’re genuinely good friends and rather enjoy each other’s company. Conversations with Minho tend to jump from one random topic to another and it may be hard to catch up if you weren’t fast enough but Seungmin likes it– appreciates it even especially during times where he needs distraction from his mind (or whatever he’s struggling at at the moment) more than anything else. Seungmin finds that Minho makes an excellent listener and he is also good at giving advice. Minho and Jisung are similar in some ways and different in other ways that Seungmin thinks they will make a good pair once he introduces them to one another. Thinking back, Seungmin wonders why he took this long to introduce two of his good friends to each other. Oh, well.
“What are you waiting for? Go get the rice and utensils,” Minho instructs. He’s pouring the steaming stew into a large bowl and then carefully carries it presumably to the living room.
“Yes, sir,” Seungmin salutes using two fingers. The bowls for rice are already prepared at the counter next to the rice cooker. All Seungmin had to do was scoop the rice into the bowls and he should be done. Easy peasy.
“One for you and one for me,” Seungmin settles the bowls, chopsticks and spoons on the coffee table. He notices there is also roasted seaweed, fried egg and spam ready on the table. “When did you make these?” Seungmin points his finger on the plate with fried egg and sliced spam, carelessly taking off the backpack he’d been carrying all this time and dumping it onto the couch before taking a seat on the floor.
“While I was waiting for the stew to boil, obviously,” Minho replies. A headband miraculously appears out of nowhere (Minho actually had it hanging around his neck all this time) and Minho uses it to keep his hair away from his eyes. Seungmin cringes at how uncomfortable it must feel to use the headband on his still damp hair. Minho looks ridiculously cute though, but only he could pull off such a look without any effort. “Should have done it later though. They’ve probably cooled off now.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Seungmin dismisses with a wave of his hand. He inhales the smell of the kimchi-jjigae and sighs at how good it is. His stomach grumbles at the sight, making Seungmin realize how hungry he is and that his last meal was at noon and now it’s already almost six in the evening. “Thanks for the meal, hyung!”
Minho acknowledges with a lazy hum as his hand picks the remote and presses play. Then they’re both digging in before the stew gets cold. They eat in mutual silence, eyes darting off to the television screen every now and then, although admittedly Seungmin is more interested in the food than whatever is playing on the television. Minho had picked an animation. There’s a woman with short red hair and another with long dark blue hair parkouring around the city to get to their destination. It’s so dangerous and unrealistic that Seungmin hopes whichever kid currently watching this show would have parents monitoring and reminding them not to try it at home.
Seungmin gets a little more invested in the anime when another character shows up– a teenage girl with two very long braided (light blue) hair, tattoos on her arm and an unhealthy obsession over firearms. Her character is both intriguing and frustrating. A little insane if you asked Seungmin– although a little is an understatement. She’s a fucking lunatic, that's what she is.
“She turned out like that because her sister left her,” Minho says after they’re both done with dinner. At one point, Minho had gotten up to get them something to drink, which was water and the cans of coke Seungmin’s bought. Now they’re absentmindedly munching on the chips as they watch the show with their backs leaning on the couch while still sitting on the floor.
“Which one is the sister?” Seungmin asks.
“The one with red hair.”
“Huh,” is all Seungmin says. Minho doesn’t provide anymore backstory that Seungmin’s missed out on because he senses that Seungmin doesn’t really care; if he did, he wouldn’t stop asking Minho questions. Seungmin finds that he’s now only appreciating looking at the art style of the anime as he begins slipping into a food coma state. Oddly enough, that’s how Seungmin remembers his intention on coming here in the first place. “Remember the friend you saw on my lock screen once?”
“The one I said was cute?” Minho quickly catches up to who Seungmin is referring to.
“The one you said was cute,” Seungmin confirms with a smile. “His name is Jisung. He’s my best friend. I probably mentioned this to you before.”
“Probably. Why? What about him?”
“Nothing,” Seungmin shrugs nonchalantly. Minho narrows his eyes at Seungmin in distrust. Although Minho does not know Seungmin like the back of his hand like Jisung yet, he knows when Seungmin is up to something so there is no use to beat around the bush with Minho. Seungmin offers a grin back at him. “Ok . He’s...going through something. To distract himself, he’s been going on dates here and there but like, they were all terrible.”
“Uh-huh. So? You want to set me up for a date with him, is that what you're saying?”
“I mean, would that be something you'd want?” Seungmin asks, carefully gauging Minho’s reaction. Of course Jisung had already agreed to meet Minho, but if it wasn’t something Minho wanted to happen, Seungmin was not going to force him. “It doesn’t have to be a date. I told Jisung this, too. We can all just hang out together if that’s better for you.”
Minho seems to be contemplating this for a while, his eyes on the screen but mind no doubt flying off somewhere else. Seungmin lets him be. If Minho needed time and space to think, he'll gladly give him those. It's not like Jisung and Minho need to meet immediately anyway.
“Why though?” Minho breaks the silence after a while.
“Why not?” Seungmin questions back. “You already have one cute dongsaeng,” Seungmin frames his face with his hands, eyelids fluttering exaggeratingly. “What’s one more to add into your collection?”
Minho rolls his eyes but can’t stop the smile forming on his lips even if he tries. Seungmin knows he’s already won. “Do you want me to go on a date with him or collect him as my dongsaeng? Make up your damn mind.”
“Anything you want, hyung. A friendly date if you will. Jisung is a great guy and he deserves everything good. I just want him to have a great time, and realize that not every person and date will end badly- he just has to be smart with his choices. I trust you to take care of him. Besides, Jisung could use another amazing person like you in his life.”
“Sweet talker,” Minho huffs begrudgingly, letting his head fall backward onto the couch to stare at the ceiling.
“Honestly though, you could use a Han Jisung in your life.” Minho swats Seungmin’s finger away when it boops on the tip of Minho’s nose.
“Would you let me watch my anime in peace if I said yes?”
“Yes,” Seungmin grins. He curls his arm around Minho’s and leans his head on Minho’s shoulder, and Minho lets him.
“Fine,” Minho relents, lifting his head back up to see the television clearer. “I’d like to meet him. Only if he’s ok with it, though.”
“He is,” Seungmin assures, hand rubbing Minho’s arm. “I’ll arrange something and let you know!”
“Tsk. Are you happy playing cupid?”
Instead of answering the question, Seungmin sincerely says: “Thank you for doing this, hyung. It means a lot to me.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Minho mutters quietly.
Seungmin really does let Minho watch the show in peace after that. In fact, it’s so peaceful that the chatters from the show are barely just a noise lulling Seungmin deeper into a sleepy state. He had just started closing his eyes and willing sleep to claim him when the sound of the door unlocking made him startled awake again.
“Who’s that?”
“It’s ok. It’s just my roommate,” Minho says distractedly. It seems the show has reached an important scene because there are two characters seen fighting with each other, with more than a dozen of what seems to be mechanical fireflies floating around them.
Seungmin is understandably confused because Minho’s previous roommate was Seonghwa but he had moved out a couple of months ago. Maybe he’d come back and Seungmin just hadn’t been informed of it. “Seonghwa hyung?”
“I’m home,” the voice says. It does not sound like Seonghwa.
“No,” Minho answers to Seungmin’s question and then to the newcomer: “Welcome back. There’s kimchi-jjigae on the stove if you’re hungry.”
“Maybe later,” the person says. There’s a telltale sound of the fridge being opened, and then the freezer, followed by a loud, pleased gasp. “We have melona?? Nice!”
Seungmin tries to crane his neck to see beyond the sofa to where the kitchen is, but couldn’t see much from his position.
“Seungmin bought them,” Minho informs the person.
“Seungmin?” he echoes. Footsteps can be heard approaching the living room area and when the person appears, Seungmin can only widen his eyes in surprise. The guy catches his gaze and smiles. “Oh, I didn’t know you had a guest over. My bad.”
“You’re not Seonghwa hyung,” Seungmin says dumbly. It’s obviously not Seonghwa and Minho even confirmed it isn’t but Seungmin is just feeling shocked to the core. He recognizes this guy. That sharp gaze softened by a mole underneath the left eye, those pretty, full lips and blonde hair tied into a half ponytail. Seungmin is sure he knows this guy.
“No, I’m not,” the guy chuckles, putting the tip of the melona into his mouth as he looks at Seungmin with an unreadable gaze.
“Oh. This is Seungmin. That’s Hyunjin,” Minho introduces them without looking.
“Hi Seungmin,” Hyunjin puts his unoccupied hand up and wiggles his fingers at Seungmin. “Nice to meet you.”
“Hey,” Seungmin greets back. Yeah, it’s definitely him. That face and that name? Unmistakable. But does Hyunjin remember him? It’s really hard to tell. It’s been a while anyway, so it’s possible that Hyunjin had already forgotten him.
“Well, don’t let me bother you guys. Have fun. I need to finish my ice cream and take a shower,” he waves one last time before turning around and heading towards one of the rooms in the hallway. Seungmin listens for the sound of the closing door before turning his head to Minho.
“Who is that?”
Minho looks unimpressed with his question, eyes boring into Seungmin’s and lips pressed into a thin line. “Do you have a goldfish memory or something? I literally just introduced you guys.”
“I mean,” Seungmin shakes his head to snap himself out of it. “I know his name. But since when did you have a new roommate? How do you even know him?”
“Why does it matter anyway,” Minho states instead of answering, which means he has no intention to explain to Seungmin. But Seungmin is not giving up. He has to know!
“Hyuuuuung,” Seungmin resorts to whining.
“He moved in last month,” Minho gives in, sighing heavily. The whining always works. Ha! “He’s my junior in uni and we used to go to the same dance academy. He didn’t like living in the dorms so I offered him a room here.”
“I see,” Seungmin nods in understanding. What a strangely small world they live in. Who would have thought Minho and Hyunjin knew each other? Definitely not Seungmin. Although, now that he thinks about it again, he did meet Hyunjin at Minho’s friend’s party, which means the possibility of them being friends (or at least acquaintances) was always there. Turns out they do know each other, and seem pretty close, too. Seungmin can’t decide what to feel about that yet.
“I swear to god, if this series ends with a cliffhanger, the world will know no peace anymore,” Minho grumbles while clicking the button for the next episode of the anime series they’re watching, effectively pulling Seungmin’s attention back to the present. Well, whether Hyunjin remembers Seungmin or not, it’s none of S9eungmin’s concern. He doubts he’ll be interacting much with Hyunjin, or even at all. He’s still shocked to have met Hyunjin again, here out of all places, and Seungmin will no doubt be thinking about this from time to time but whatever it is that will happen, it’s for future Seungmin to deal with. Right now? He’s spending some quality time with one of his good friends and he should enjoy this while he still can.
“Very threatening coming from a huge cat,” Seungmin teases, scratching Minho’s chin with his fingers.
“Yah,” Minho says in disbelief, immediately pulling his face away from Seungmin’s fingers. “You really want to die, huh?” is all the warning Seungmin gets before Minho tickles him mercilessly. They fight for a bit, laughter and scream filling the air as if forgetting they’re not the only people in the apartment. If Hyunjin had heard the ruckus, he doesn’t go out to check.
~*~
Originally, Jisung had agreed for it to be a blind date so Seungmin picked a dog cafe for Jisung and Minho to meet up at because Jisung loves puppies and Seungmin would pick Jisung’s comfort over Minho’s. The presence of the puppies would help calm Jisung a bit, and although Minho is a cat person, he’s an animal lover so Seungmin knows Minho wouldn’t mind that Seungmin arranged for a dog cafe date.
On the day they were set to meet though, Jisung suddenly began having doubts. While Jisung is funny, friendly and easy-going most of the time, he does have his moments where he gets timid, nervous and insecure around strangers. Looking back, Seungmin wonders how Jisung had managed to survive most of the dates he’s been to. Seungmin hoped Jisung hadn’t been forcing himself to do something he didn't want to.
“It’s ok. I can cancel and rearrange it for some other time. Hyung will understand,” Seungmin says. It’s abrupt and very last minute, and while Minho would possibly bitch to Seungmin about them canceling on him, Seungmin knows Minho would understand if Seungmin carefully explains the situation to the older guy.
“You don’t have to cancel it?” Jisung tries. “You can come with me instead. That’ll make me feel so much better.”
Seungmin wasn’t expecting that but he supposes it’s way better than having to cancel everything. “Sure. But I still have to tell Minho hyung about the change of plan. I told him it was going to be a date.”
Jisung winces at this, though he does look apologetic. “Sorry,” he says, fingers nervously tapping on the table they’re currently at. It’s only half past one in the afternoon and their scheduled meet up was set to be at three, so they still have time to kill, especially now that they’re both done with their last class for the day. “I-. I don’t know why I’m nervous.”
“Don’t be. I told you we could always just hang out,” Seugmin smiles in assurance. He takes his phone out to text Minho immediately, while Jisung only offers a grateful smile in return.
Minho
Change of plan
Jisung is feeling a little nervous so I’m coming along
You sure you aren’t just sabotaging the date? 🤨
And why would I do that when I was the one who planned it?
Jealousy? 😏
Shut up 🙄
I’m serious. Jisung is nervous about meeting you so he asked me to tag along
You better not tease him about it later ok?
Pshh. What do you take me for?
Ok fine. But I’m bringing along a friend with me too
Who?
Predictably, Minho left him on read. Seungmin sighs and puts his phone away. He doesn’t think too much about it. Minho can bring whoever he wants since it’s no longer a date but a hangout.
“Let’s go find something to eat before we head to the dog cafe,” Seungmin suggests. Jisung is only happy to agree.
~*~
When Seungmin and Jisung go to the dog cafe at around 3pm sharp, Minho is already there talking to one of the staff. Minho is alone, though, making Seungmin believe that Minho was only pulling Seungmin’s leg in the text so he doesn’t ask Minho about it.
Introduction was curt and awkward because even after wandering aimlessly after getting their lunch, Jisung still has residue of nervousness lingering around, and he also seems a little…shy? Uncharacteristically so. At least Minho was cool about it, being the one to lead conversations with Jisung, to Seungmin’s relief.
They warm up to each other fast, though. True to Seungmin’s prediction, his two friends do hit it off well. They’re currently on the other side of the cafe, playing with golden retriever puppies at the play area, while Seungmin is left alone at their table. Truthfully, Seungmin has his own worries about his friends not liking each other but seeing them now, Seungmin is glad they’re going along just fine. And that look on their face? Seungmin dares to call them smitten with each other.
While busy keeping an eye on his friends and entertaining a rottweiler at the same time, Seungmain fails to notice the person entering the cafe and walking straight to their table. When the person pulls on one of the four chairs and says “Did Minho really invite me here just to be a third wheel on his date?” Seungmin is understandably shocked by the new presence at the table.
Seungmin blinks dumbly at the guy, whose button up shirt is not tucked properly on the front and two buttons left unclasped revealing his collarbone and chest, blonde hair a little messy from the breeze outside but still looking like a model rocking a photoshoot. “Hyunjin?” Seungmin says in a way that’s supposed to mean what are you doing here? but is misinterpreted by said guy.
“Yup, that’s me,” Hyunjin grins cheekily. “Sorry I’m a little late, I got caught up in something,” he explains without prompting, exhaling heavily as he slumps back on the chair, staring up at the ceiling and having his neck exposed. Seungmin’s gaze trails on Hyunjin’s neck and the shape of his Adam’s apple and collarbone, then feels himself blush at the unwanted memory rushing in. Sadly, the rottweiler from earlier has lost interest in Seungmin and abandoned him, so the only distraction Seungmin has left is the glass of now watery iced americano. He slurps on the remaining coffee with a straw like his life depends on it. Of course Minho wasn’t kidding when he said he’d bring along a friend, although said friend arrived way later than they did. Of course Minho invited Hyunjin out of all people. Seungmin should have known, should have expected it. Hyunjin is Minho’s roommate, after all.
“I’ll get you a new one,” Hyunjin says in amusement, snapping Seungmin out of his thoughts. “Iced americano, right?” Before Seungmin could say no, it’s ok, Hyunjin had already got up and walked to the counter to order. Seungmin watches Hyunjin’s back in silence, watches as Minho approaches Hyunjin at the counter and then catches Jisung’s gaze when Seungmin goes to check on his best friend. Jisung grins widely and waves a hand at Seungmin, to which Seungmin waves back, but it doesn’t seem like Jisung is getting up anytime soon. His thought is confirmed when Minho walks back to Jisung and they go find other dogs to play with together. At least his best friend is having a good time. That’s all that truly matters to Seungmin, quite honestly. It’s what he wanted out of this the most.
Hyunjin returns to the table with a tray carrying two glasses of iced americano and a slice of cheesecake. “Here you go,” he says, handing one glass to Seungmin.
“Thanks,” Seungmin mutters. He really should monitor his caffeine intake seeing how this will be his third glass of coffee for the day, and definitely won’t be the last since he does have plans on studying and finishing his assignments tonight but well, he can’t simply refuse a good glass of coffee. “I’ll pay you back.”
“No worries,” Hyunjin dismisses with a wave of his hand. “My treat.”
Silence falls around their table but it isn’t as awkward as Seungmin thought it’d be. Every now and then, a dog or two will come to their table to get some pets and belly rubs, and Seungmin indulges every single one of them. Hyunjin on the other hand seems immersed in eating his cake. It’s a strawberry cheesecake, now that Seungmin is looking closely. Seungmin’s tasted the same cake once or twice before, and while the coffee in the place is something to die for, their cakes however taste mediocre at best. The way Hyunjin eats the cake and appreciates every bite with a pleased hum, though, makes it seem like the cake was made by a 5 star Michelin chef.
“Oh,” Hyunjin chuckles when he notices Seungmin’s eyes on him. “Do you want some?” he offers, shades of light red dusting his cheeks from embarrassment. Seungmin smiles and shakes his head. “This is the best thing I’ve ever had this week considering all of my other meals tasted bland.”
Seungmin makes a confused noise at this, tilting his head to the side. “Why is that so?”
“I’m on a diet. It’s a dancer thing,” Hyunjin explains simply, shrugging his shoulders. “I have a choreo to perform and film and I need to look my best.”
“You…” Seungmin hesitates. “Already look good though?”
Hyunjin smirks. “Thanks. But I need to look my best,” he says. “Since the video will be up on YouTube for public viewing. It’s a part of our project.”
“I see,” Seungmin nods in acknowledgement. “When the video is up, I’ll give it a watch then.”
“Please do,” Hyunjin sing-songs. Seungmin smiles and lets Hyunjin finish the rest of his cake. Seungmin presses his elbow on the table and uses his palm to prop his chin up as his eyes drift towards Jisung again. Jisung and Minho are seen taking pictures with the dogs around them and Seungmin can’t help but smile at the sight. For some reason, his two friends are very popular with the dogs in the cafe seeing how most of the dogs are surrounding them fighting for their attention.
Seungmin doesn’t know how long he spends just quietly observing his friends but by the time he hears Hyunjin calling for his name, Seungmin realizes he’s almost finished his second glass. “Yeah?” Seungmin blinks up at Hyunjin, only to find the other guy mirroring his action- arms on the table and chin propped up by his palm. Hyunjin has a smile on his face as he regards Seungmin carefully. There’s something in the way Hyunjin looks at Seungmin that makes the blood rush to his face. “What?” Seungmin asks again when Hyunjin doesn’t say anything.
Hyunjin remains silent for a few more moments and then: “I know you remember me.”
Seungmin proceeds to choke on his americano and coughs violently.