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astraystayyh · 1 year

Text

Invisible thread- one

pairing : minho x reader

genre : university au, academic rivals to lovers (rivals not enemies because they respect each other), slow burn, fluff, angst.

warnings : reader has a very bad relationship with her mother, insecurities, talk about murder but as a joke, mention of alcohol, reader has she/her pronouns.

summary : Your studies were your lifeline for as long as you can remember. What happens when Minho comes into your life and rips it away from you?

word count : 20k

Author's note : I've been working on this fic on and off for the past two months, so if you do enjoy reading, please let me know. asks, comments, reblogs i read them all and they truly make me the happiest <3 (also i based this off my own college experience, where we study two terms and there is one person on top of the class every semester)

part two

You have always been first in your class.

Not because you particularly enjoyed studying. You simply felt that your worth was solely tied to the marks on your papers.

You never wanted to crumble under the pressure of studies, to hole yourself up in your room for an assignment you won’t remember in a month. But achieving good grades was the only way for you to feel seen; to make someone stop in their tracks and acknowledge you.

A simple “good job” that you preserved inside your mind, as a reminder that you did exist to other people. Considering that the majority of your life was spent in silence.

Your mom put a roof above your head and food on your table, but she never asked about your day, nor did she seem to care. You felt as though you were no more important to her than the tapestry hanging on your wall.

At times, you imagined that if you stood close enough to that tapestry, you could merge with it as one. The intricate embroidery would wrap around you and draw you in. And your mother wouldn’t notice. She would regard you with the same indifference she showed towards that textile- a mere decoration, at times a nuisance when she had to dust it.

You always ate your dinner alone. When you scraped your knee, you tended to the wound by yourself. No one attended your childhood musicals, and you patted your back when you cracked an egg without dropping a shell into the bowl.

You’ve come to learn since your young age that all your milestones, both small and significant, would be celebrated alone.

On the rare times your mother would acknowledge your presence, she’d unleash a flurry of criticism your way as if she was eagerly awaiting the opportunity to strike you down. She'd toss crude comments over her shoulder as easily as a casual hello, leaving you feeling battered and bruised in her wake.

You felt as if you were shoreline rocks, and your mother was the ocean. You never knew if she would be like a gentle tide, barely brushing against you, or an enraged storm, mercilessly crashing down on your being. And you weren't sure which one was worse: to be invisible or to be seen and despised.

That’s why you grew up plagued with self-doubt. You made friends throughout your school years but you never allowed them to get close enough to really see you -you feared that they might glimpse the very thing your mother seemed to despise in you.

Throughout your childhood, you were like soft clay in your mother's hands- pliable, and easy to mold. And she indented you, everywhere, carved in edges and dips where they should not have been ones. Handled you roughly when you should have been treated with care. And as the years went by, you hardened- much like clay, but her touch remained imprinted upon you. It was difficult at times to discern who you were and who she made you to be.

You tried to start anew when you went away to university; to rewire your brain into believing that you were enough- you exist and you shouldn't prove to anyone that you deserved to be alive. But her words haunted you, they were like skeletons in your closet- but the closet was you. You could never part from them.

So, you fell back into the same pattern of seeking good grades and congratulatory words from your professors. Every A+ you got infused you with a momentary sense of worthiness.

But unlike in high school, you weren't always the best. Your competition came in the form of a single man named Minho, who seemed to excel in every class you shared.

Minho was mostly quiet, but whenever he spoke, you found that his words carried weight. Your professors consistently agreed with his points, and you envied the confidence he exuded. You wondered what it must feel like to be so sure of oneself.

It wasn't until a month into the year that you had your first interaction with Minho. You were in your Constitutional Law class when your professor Kim brought up the notion of ‘Separation of Powers’. You were arguing that judges shouldn’t be included in the writings of law when you heard a scoff from the row behind you. You turned around, raising a brow at the culprit, "Is there something you’d like to say?" you asked.

And in response, Minho smiled lazily, an air of smugness surrounding him, "I just don’t agree." The professor urged him to explain himself, so he leaned back into his chair, eyeing you. "Judges are the ones who practice the law every day, and sometimes they find that none of the written texts fit their case. If they get involved in lawmaking, they can help address those gaps or uncertainties."

"Who's to say that those judges aren’t biased or politically motivated? They’ll end up writing laws to fit their own preferences," you pointed out, raising an eyebrow at him. "We elect judges to interpret and apply laws, not make them. If they start writing laws too, we'll be violating the separation of powers between the legislative and judicial branches. That's what keeps our entire system from crumbling."

Minho rested his chin on his hand, tapping his cheek thoughtfully with his index finger. "Aren’t legislators prone to biases too? Your point doesn’t stand then," he challenged, tilting his head to the side, "and judges can participate without going overboard. They can provide input on proposed laws without actually drafting them. That way, we ensure that the laws are crafted with a clear understanding of how they'll be put into practice."

"If your main concern is to ensure that the laws are impartial, we have people who work as consulting experts whose job is exactly that," you flashed him an innocent smile, firing back. "Also, wouldn’t these overstepping branches put the judges in a position to be perceived in a bad light? Is that what you want?"

Before Minho could respond, Mr. Kim intervened, putting an end to your debate, "Let's save this energy for your essays and see who can convince me more."

You gave a quick nod, swiveling in your seat without a backward glance. However, you could sense Minho’s gaze penetrating through your back- as if he was trying to read your most intimate thoughts.

That was the first thing you noticed about Minho when he walked over to you. His eyes were brown, not a special color by any means. But they held a certain depth to them that seemed to draw you in like a black hole. You weren't sure what you would find on the other side, nor did you have any desire to find out.

He outstretched his hands towards you, stopping you in your tracks. "Minho," he introduced and your hand met his in a firm grip. The second thing you noticed about him was the coldness of his hand, as it wrapped tightly around your palm.

Suddenly you were taken back to when you built a snowman for the first and last time. You were just seven and the ice was freezing, numbing your fingers as you worked. Your mother never told you that you should’ve worn mittens, or a thick jacket to fight off the cold when she saw you walking out of the house. The memory of your cold hands and the horrible illness that followed still left a bitter taste in your mouth, like an unripe fruit. With a jolt you dropped his hand, forcefully pulling yourself away from that memory.

"Yn," you said back, and he smiled to himself, repeating your name slowly, each syllable dripping from his tongue.

"We'll see who'll write the best essay, right?" he asked, clearly challenging you. There was a gleam of excitement in his eyes that reminded you of a child gazing up at cotton candy.

That was the third thing you noticed about Minho; how expressive his eyes were. They moved with his every word, punctuating them.

He was infuriating but also amusing. You've never had a clear competitor in your life. Or maybe you had, but you didn't notice them. You were always so reclined on yourself, trying to survive the day, you didn't pay enough attention to your surroundings.

"You want to compete with me?" You asked, and he smirked, leaning against the door, arms crossed in front of his chest. "What? Scared you’d lose?"

"Please." You rolled your eyes at his taunting, "Don’t come crying when I win."

"We’ll see about that!" He shouted after you as you walked ahead, leaving him behind.

This essay was insignificant. A simple way for your professor to assess your knowledge and work approach. And yet, you found yourself staying up all night to complete it. There was no way you were going to let Minho take this one thing from you.

Who were you if not the best in your studies? You were deathly afraid to find out.

Later on that week, the professor handed you your grade back, 98%. You turned around to show Minho your mark, and so did he. You surpassed him, only by mere percents. "I told you so," you smiled cheekily and he pouted, holding a hand to his heart as if your grade wounded him.

"I'll beat you next time", he mouthed and you chuckled, "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

✹✹✹

The first time you studied with Minho was in a cat café near campus, called Limbo, about two weeks after your initial interaction. You stumbled upon it serendipitously while strolling through your university town. You couldn’t study at home, since you were easily distracted in there, and the eerie silence of libraries often left you unsettled.

Limbo, however, offered the perfect middle-ground: it was calm, not overly crowded, and the buzzing of the coffee machine blended harmoniously with the occasional mewls of cats, which helped you concentrate better.

You were sitting in a secluded corner table at the café's back, a sleeping black cat comfortably nestled in your lap when you sensed a shadow loom over you. You glanced up quickly to find Minho. He was clad in a grey hoodie sporting a bunny holding up its middle finger. You had to bite your cheek to suppress a grin at his clothing attire.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"You know for someone smart you sure ask stupid questions," you remarked, already looking down at the papers scattered in front of you.

He huffed, taking a seat at the table right next to yours, "I can’t believe that of all places you’ve found this café to study in."

"My apologies, am I disturbing you, your highness?" You asked sarcastically, and in retort, Minho mimicked your words in a high-pitched tone. You threw the pillow right next to you at his head, and Minho swiftly ducked, easily avoiding it. He chuckled loudly while you glared at his laughing figure. That was the end of your conversation that day.

From that moment forward, it became a routine for the two of you to study at Limbo, every Saturday, without fault. You didn’t explicitly plan on it, but it seemed that both of you found it comforting to work there. And you could also tell that, unlike you, it wasn’t Minho’s first time coming to Limbo. He was friends with the owner, a sweet middle-aged man who offered you pastries whenever you stayed there until closing. The cats seemed to know him too, they mewled at his feet whenever he entered and he always greeted them with a soft smile on his face.

You didn’t talk much in those unofficial study sessions, the both of you were consumed by your own work. But you’d steal quick glances at him every now and then, the sight of him so concentrated only fueled you to work harder.

Admittedly, your competition left you feeling anxious for days on end at first. Each time Minho came out on top, you’d found yourself losing your grip. Your studies have been the one anchor keeping you afloat your entire life, and now, Minho was ripping it carelessly away from you. So, you resented him- you were human after all.

But then, you realized that Minho’s taunting wasn’t malicious. He wasn’t competing with you to hurt you, he was doing it for amusement only.

You've slowly started to learn that despite his relentless teasing, Minho had a gentle aura surrounding him. Glimpses of which occasionally emerged like rays of sunshine piercing through a thick cloud cover.

True, he chuckled when you accidentally bumped your head on the table while retrieving a fallen pen. Yet, you also noticed how he began to cover the table's corners with his hand whenever you bent down. He swiftly retracted his hand, seemingly believing you didn't notice, but you did.

During class presentations, he deliberately prepared challenging questions for you, urging you to study twice as hard to ensure no stone was left unturned. Yet, whenever the professor praised your performance, Minho offered a subtle thumbs-up as a gesture of support. He winked at you each time he got the right answer and you didn’t. However, when he noticed you struggling with a particular subject, he scooted closer and patiently explained it to you. He got up before you could thank him, swatting his arm in the air as if he didn’t do anything of significance.

To show your appreciation, you bought him a drink that day he helped you—a simple gesture that sparked an ongoing game of "win a bet, get free food". You bet on who would receive the first mark on an assignment or who would finish an essay first- anything to further deepen the competition between you.

That's how you came to know that he loved puddings, among other things.

Curiously, as the months went by, your mind began to retain these little details about him. How his eyelashes fluttered like butterfly wings when he blinked repeatedly during your conversations. How he glanced at the ceiling when lost in deep thought as if he was waiting for the answers to descend from the sky. Or how his lips take on the shape of an "o" while thinking of his response during one of your many debates. But you supposed that it was natural to take notice of such things when you spend countless Saturday afternoons with the same person.

You were still studying for someone else, in the sense that each time you stayed up working, it was solely to prove your worth to Minho. But at least unlike your mother, Minho's words never haunted you at night.

✹✹✹

Just like that, four months have gone by since you joined your university as a law major. It was nearing finals week and you were preparing it at Limbo. Minho was naturally present too, at his usual table right next to yours.

On the last weekend before the beginning of your finals, you were head-deep into your Criminal Law documents when Minho abruptly got up from his seat and settled in the chair in front of you.

"Yn," he whispers and you glance at him, "What?"

"I have an idea."

"Keep it to yourself," you grin sarcastically, only for him to pick up your spoon and move it around in a threatening manner.

"Are you trying to scare me with a spoon?" you chuckle in disbelief.

"Anything can be a weapon if you use enough force."

"Okay… that was creepy. What do you want?"

"The end of the first term is coming up. So, to celebrate our little rivalry-"

"It's not a rivalry if I’m always winning," you cut him off.

"Yeah, that’s why I have a fridge full of pudding."

"But-"

"Anyways, how about the top of the class takes the other out for dinner? A fancy one." He suggests, his gaze fixed on you.

"No, thank you. I already see you enough in classes."

"Didn’t think you wouldn’t up for a bet. Guess I was wrong," he remarks, a cheeky smile drawn on his lips. He knows you couldn’t possibly say no now.

"Fine," you roll your eyes at his proud expression. "Prepare your wallet."

"Mm, sure," he responds, before rising from his seat once more.

That day, you both lost track of time as you studied in Limbo until it closed down. When you finally stepped outside, stretching your tired limbs, you were met with the sight of falling snowflakes.

"Nooo, go away. I don't want to watch the first snow with you," Minho whines, referring to the superstition that watching the first snowfall with someone could spark love between the two of you.

"As if I could ever love you," you laugh at the ridiculous idea, "that’d just be signing a death warrant."

You resume walking towards your apartment when suddenly something freezing and hard hits your back with enough force to make you stagger. Turning around slowly, you find Minho erupting in laughter, his body filled with uncontainable joy. He’s jumping and clapping excitedly, and for a fleeting moment, you can’t decide if your shock was from the impact or from how beautiful happiness looks on him.

Snapping out of your daze, you swiftly retaliate by scooping up a handful of snow and hurling it at him. "Now you are cold too!" you shout, while he’s still laughing uncontrollably.

Thus begins an impromptu snowball fight between the two of you. Unsurprisingly, you’re being competitive in this too, trying your best to strike each other before the other could recover. But Minho draws nearer to you, and in your desperation to win, you fall to the ground when he throws a snowball at your chest, gasping as if you’re in pain.

"Shit, did I hurt you?" Minho quickly kneels in front of you, concern evident in his voice. It surprises you for a moment- how worried he seems at the prospect of causing you pain.

But you shake that thought off and push him down to the ground, a proud smile on your face. In his fall, Minho instinctively reaches for you to steady himself, which ends up with you landing on top of him. Your faces are mere inches apart, and a soft gasp escapes your mouth at your sudden proximity.

Minho has a mole on his nose. You’ve never noticed that before.

You quickly push yourself off of him, not enjoying being this close to somebody. "Why did you drag me down with you?" you grumble, shaking off the snow from your hair.

"Play stupid games, win stupid prizes," he cheekily stuck out his tongue, and you respond with the same childlike gesture before the both of you burst into loud laughter. The sound reverberates through your entire being, and it echoes in your mind long after the two of you go your separate ways.

As you lay in bed that night, ready to drift off to sleep, a quiet realization dawns on you. This was the first time you've touched snow in since your childhood incident.

That unpleasant memory didn't cross your mind once. Instead, all you thought about was Minho’s infectious laughter, and the surprising warmth it stirred within you.

✹✹✹

You came first in your grade this semester.

True to his words, Minho texted you the name of the restaurant where you’d both meet to celebrate your win. As you got ready for your outing, you couldn’t help the nerves creeping up on you. Studying in silence next to Minho was something, going to a friendly dinner with him was another. You feared it would be too awkward and Minho would regret ever proposing such a thing.

So, as you sit in the refined BBQ restaurant waiting for him, you fidget with your hands, counting down to three in your head in an attempt to steady your breathing.

You were clearly not accustomed to existing with Minho outside of the confines of your studies.

"Did you wait long?" Minho asks as he finally pulls the chair in front of you and you shake your head no.

"Are you nervous?" he chuckles at your lack of words, and you frown, suddenly feeling defensive. "Why would I be nervous? This isn't a date."

"Who said anything about a date?" he smirks and you grab your fork threateningly, pointing it at him, "Don't say anything stupid or I will walk out."

"And stand me up on our first date? That's too mean.” He pouts, a hand on his heart and you can’t help but giggle at his antics. You were ridiculous for being nervous. This was Minho, the one person you’ve talked to the most since the start of this year.

"What will you have?" he asks and you smile mischievously.

"Most expensive thing on the menu."

"So you are only here for the food."

"Well, it's certainly not for your company," you wink and he chuckles, his bunny teeth on full display.

"And here I thought we were going to be civil with each other."

"When are we ever not?" you gasp dramatically and Minho swats your hand with the menu. "Just order whatever," you finally answer," I trust your food judgment."

"I could poison you, you know?" He smiles proudly and you roll your eyes at him, "Can’t you be normal, for once?"

Minho calls over the waiter and places your orders. The food is quick to arrive and Minho starts to grill up the meat, while you cut the Kimchi into smaller pieces.

"Here," he puts the perfectly cooked rib onto your plate first and you smile at him, "Thank you."

"Eat up, don’t wait for me," he tells you and you nod, tasting the flavorful meat.

"Wow this is really good," you compliment and he smirks proudly at your words, "I know."

Minho places four other ribs for you, without eating one himself. You start to feel bad, so you grab his chopsticks, pick up the meat, and move it toward his mouth, "Open up."

"What?" He asks confused and you wave the food in front of his face, "Come on, you haven’t eaten anything."

Minho parts his lips slowly, and you feed the tender meat to him, before eating one yourself. You notice how his cheeks are slightly tinted pink now, and you account it to the intense heat of the grill.

"Oh, let's not talk about studies, my brain can't take another debate with you," you tell Minho in between bites and he grins at you, a gleam of excitement in his eyes. "If you were to dispose of a body, how would you do it?"

"I think our next celebration will be in an asylum." you smile too sweetly at him and he stares at you pointedly, "Please, I know you've already thought about it."

"Fine. Probably in a deserted land. What about you?"

"I'd cut their bodies and then bury each part in a different forest. In a different city."

His answer came too quickly, and you pause in your tracks, "Should I be worried?"

"You are too cute to kill." His tone is sarcastic and you make a show of gushing at his compliment, clasping both of your hands in front of your heart, "Growing soft on me, Minho?"

"Yeah, I’m basically sooo in love with you," he replies with a smirk and you roll your eyes at him, an amused smile tugging at the corners of your mouth.

"What's your favorite color?" you finally ask, changing the subject.

"Purple."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"You'll buy me purple flowers?" He coos at you and you shake your head as you grab the utensil from his hand, to grill the meat your turn.

"No. I'll paint your tombstone purple," you grin and he laughs loudly, eyes squinted close, and you can't find it in you to care that the people next to you are staring.

"What's yours?" he asks when he calms down and you shrug, "Navy blue, I think."

"You do remind me of navy blue."

"And why is that?"

"When you look at it, at first glance, it looks like black. But the more you stare at it, the more layers you uncover. Just like you. There’s more to you than what meets the eye."

You grab your glass of water, gulping it down to hide the way your eyes just glossed over. You suddenly felt bare in front of Minho. How did he know?

You clear your throat, racking your brain for a way to move on from that question. "If you were to describe colors to a blind person, how would you do it?"

"Mm," he looks up at the ceiling as he mulls over your question, "I’d say that yellow is the feeling of eating ice cream on a sunny day, in an amusement park. Your fingers are sticky but your cheeks ache from how much you smiled that day."

"Yellow is carefree and happy."

"Exact. Now your turn, red."

"I’d say that... Red is the thrill that rushes through your veins when you do something you are passionate about, you know? It’s what makes our blood boil and our heart race. The very essence of our humanity."

Minho smiles softly at your words, seemingly agreeing with your description. "Don’t you think it would be easier if we simply asked, what color are you feeling today, instead of a 'How are you'?" He questions and you tilt your head to the side, "What do you mean?"

"Well, you could say, I feel like that moss green that no one seems to pay attention to. Or, I feel bright yellow as if the world's energy is stored inside me."

"And right now, how do you feel?"

"I feel orange, not the ugly orange." He precises and you chuckle, "the orange that paints the sky when the sun is about to dip into the ocean."

"A bittersweet orange, an ending that instantly strings along a new beginning. And you don't have time to rest."

Minho places his chin on his palm, eyeing you curiously, "Is that what you want? To rest?"

"Yeah." You admit quietly, "Don't you sometimes wish that the world would just stop, for a few seconds? Just like in a song, right before the beat drops. That silence, I wish I could live inside of it."

"I do too."

You both hold each other’s gaze for a while after that. You felt as if he was keeping you captive with his brown eyes, and he was slowly peeling each of your layers, in silence, as you were peeling his. For the first time, you think that you and he are similar, more than on a studies level. There was a part of his soul that understood yours perfectly. And it felt good, to be understood, for once.

"If you lived in this silence, what would you be doing?" he asks, breaking the serene quiet that surrounded you.

"I’d open a café that had books. And there'd be a little space, where people could paint. Or do pottery. And I’d have cats in there too." You reply excitedly, hands moving around in the air, you end up missing the way Minho gazes fondly at you before his smile morphs into a smirk.

"Please tell me you won't be cooking."

"Shut up. What about you?"

"I’d be a dancer."

"You dance?!" you whisper-shout and he frowns at the surprised look on your face.

"Yeah. Why are you looking at me like this?"

"I just never expected it. Can I-"

"No." he cuts you off immediately and you pout.

"I didn't even finish."

"I knew what you were going to say."

"Please, I won't make a sound I’d just watch. Pinky promise.” He grabs your now outstretched pinky with the tip of his index and thumb, lowering it down.

"I’d only grant you this wish when you’re on your deathbed."

"Bold of you to assume you'd still be around."

"Death might be around the corner."

"Stop it."

"Close your door tonight."

"You are deranged."

Minho chuckles at the crestfallen look on your face, "I’ll think about it."

Just like that, three hours of talking have gone by, the conversation flowing easily between the two of you. And when you finally leave the restaurant, Minho grabs you a cab and you wave him off with a smile. You couldn't lie to yourself, you had a really good time with him. You liked to think that Minho was no longer just a rival, but a possible friend.

But now that you were laying in your bed, you couldn’t help but curse Minho in your brain. His repetitive talk about murder made you paranoid, and now every creak in your apartment made you feel as if death was really right around the corner.

You decide to text him, figuring that if you couldn’t sleep because of him, you could at least disturb him for a bit.

Yn : I hate you I'm paranoid from your murder talk

Minho : Poor baby

Yn : Is that you at my door?

Suddenly your phone rings, the shrill sound echoing around your apartment. It was a Facetime call from Minho. You panic for a few seconds, before remembering that you just spent your entire night with him. A call can’t be more daunting than a real-life meeting.

"See, I’m in my home," he tells you as soon as you pick up and you laugh.

"It's pitch black, I can't see."

"Just say you miss my face." You can’t see him but you can clearly hear the proud grin in his voice.

"What's there to miss?"

"Are you actually scared?" Minho asks gently and you clear your throat, feeling ridiculous all of the sudden.

"There is a tree right outside my window and it keeps rustling from the wind," you grumble and Minho laughs at you.

"Trees can't hurt you."

"No shit Sherlock."

"Close your eyes.” He instructs and you frown at his words.

"Why?"

"I’ll tell you a story."

"Fine.” You close your eyes tentatively. It’s quiet for a few seconds and you feel yourself relax slightly.

"So, I bought a sous-vide machine and-"

"Is your bedtime story going to be about meat?"

"Yes?” He replies as if it’s an evidence, “Now be quiet." You pretend to zip your mouth and Minho faintly giggles, before resuming his story. "So, I was saying. I bought one and I wanted to experience different kinds of meats. So, I bought a 30-day aged one and a 58-day aged one and I cooked them both."

"What did you use?" you ask quietly.

"Just garlic, and thyme, I didn't want to overpower the taste of meat. Anyways I cooked them, but I didn't have plastic bags so I had to go out and buy them."

"Mm," you hum in acknowledgment. You could feel your nerves slowly dissipate with Minho's every word. His story might be ridiculous but his honey-coated voice compensated for it, wrapping around you like a protective cocoon.

"And I found pudding there so I had to buy it."

"Obviously," you whisper. Sleep was knocking on your door, but paradoxically you tried to fight it off. You wanted to hear the rest of Minho’s story.

"And I went back home and I cooked it, then I plated it nicely with vegetables that I sauteed with butter and garlic. Just mushrooms and potatoes, nothing too fancy. Again, my main focus was the meat. But there wasn't a difference between the two. They tasted the same for me, for some reason. And I didn't like this because the aged one was very expensive. Maybe I was scammed. Honestly, that butcher looked kind of suspicio..."

Your quiet snores make Minho pause in his tracks, and he laughs quietly. You did end up falling asleep. He can't see your face clearly, but he can see its outline and he stares at you for a while. You look peaceful.

He goes to hang up but his finger hovers over the 'end call' button. You aren't talking, but your hums are quiet enough that they fill up the space around him. It calms him down, and he lets his head fall on the pillow, his phone lying beside him.

He closes his eyes, thinking that maybe he just found the silence you talked about earlier on.

You just made his world stop.

✹✹✹

The second semester had just started and with it the return of frat parties. You were excited at the prospect of going to one with your new friend Mina. You met her in the library when you both went to grab the same book. You quickly apologized but she waved you off, handing you the book with a huge smile on her face. She was bubbly, like a human serotonin boost, and she started gushing about how much she loved the author. You saw her again in the campus cafeteria, and she skipped towards you as if you've both known each other your entire life. That was the start of your friendship.

You walk into the frat house, both your arms encircling each other. The flashing lights of the party blind you for a moment, and it takes you a while to adjust to the loud music bouncing off of the walls. But you like it, it was like a shield from the outside world and its problems.

You feel yourself letting loose in the crowd, swaying your hips to the music. Mina spins you around and you laugh, dancing with no care in the world. It was just the both of you in that instant.

Mina spots Jeongin in the crowd, a friend of hers that she had an immense crush on. You couldn’t blame her- he was very attractive; his easy smirk and his blonde tousled hair earned him lots of appreciative looks from the people around him. But when his eyes locked with Mina’s, you found that his face morphed into a beautiful smile, that made his dimples look on full display, as if it was only reserved for her.

“Go get your man!” You shout in her ears, so she’d be able to hear you.

“What are you talking about?” She yells back, but you could see the nervous smile on her face.

“He likes you! Go talk to him!”

“I don’t want to leave you alone. We came together!” She clasps your hand in hers and you smile touched by her kind spirit.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll go to the kitchen to get some drinks. Go have fun!”

“You are sure?” She asks, her eyes darting between you and Jeongin, who was still looking at her, and her only.

“Yes! Go!” You say, gently pushing her away. Mina jogs up to Jeongin who greets her with a side hug. He quickly glances at you and you shoot him a thumbs-up, to which he grins. You loved playing Cupid.

With that, you decide to head to the kitchen to grab a drink. You pick a beer from the fridge, double-checking if the can is closed before opening it.

You lean on the countertop, sipping on your drink while you watch the crowd, humming along each time a song you knew played. You enjoyed watching people dance freely from afar, with no apparent care in the world.

You feel someone stand next to you and you brace yourself, getting ready to tell the person off if they decide to bother you. You didn’t have the energy for mindless flirting. But then, you smell the cologne that has lingered around you for the past term- Minho. You haven't seen him since your dinner. That was a month ago.

"Fancy seeing you here," he greets as he leans on the counter right next to you, his eyes fixated on the mingling bodies.

You turn around to face him, faking an outraged gasp, "Are you following me?"

"Mmm. You look nice", he compliments and you smile cheekily, "I know."

"Won't tell me I look nice too?" he smirks, leaning closer to your face. "Someone didn’t get enough compliments tonight?" You pout, placing a hand on your heart in mock concern.

"I did, but I want to hear it from you. You’re the only sensible person in this room."

"You look nice. Now leave me alone."

"Come on, I know you can do better than that", he jokes and you roll your eyes, muttering “You’re annoying”, under your breath.

Still, you comply, placing your arms on top of the counter and leaning your head on them to get a better look at him. He does the same, smiling, and you both stare at each other for a while after that.

The strobing lights dance on Minho’s face, casting enticing shadows on him. You've always known he was a beautiful man; you've looked into his eyes far too many times in your heated conversations. But this time was different, there was no cheeky smirk on his face nor a furrow in his eyebrows. He was simply looking at you, and it made a pool of warmth huddle in your belly. You feel yourself relax under his gaze, everything around you seemingly melts away.

You weren’t wrong when you thought that his eyes were like a black hole, pulling you in. But this time, you realize that you didn’t mind knowing what was on the other side. On the contrary, you longed for it.

"I like your eyes right now. They remind me of the night sky. Black, with tiny little stars littered in them," you finally say.

Minho is taken aback by your words, he wasn't expecting you to compliment him, let alone to tell him something so special. He can feel his cheeks burn red at your words, feel his heart hammering in his chest. He's afraid you can hear it too.

He doesn't know what to say, so instead he clears his throat, plastering a smirk on his face, "I heard better." He hasn't. This is the first genuine compliment he's ever gotten.

"Oh, fuck off," you laugh and he joins you. The music was loud and yet the only sound his ear seemed to pick up was your laugh.

"Are you here alone?" He asks, and you shake your head no, "Came with my friend Mina."

"Did she leave you by yourself?" He frowns and you feel yourself warm up at his worried tone. "I told her to go talk to Jeongin."

"Next time, don’t stay alone."

“Fine, Dad.” You chastise and he stares pointedly at you, "I’m serious, yn."

You take another swing of the beer before turning your body fully towards Minho. After a few beats of silence, you finally ask a question that has been on your mind for a while. "Why do you say my name this way?"

"What way?" He questions and you shrug, "Slowly. People used to always rush it but you don’t."

"Well, it’s a pretty name. It deserves to be pronounced as a whole."

You beam at his words; you smile so brightly it makes his heart skip a beat. This is the first time you’ve grinned this widely at him, no hand in front of your mouth as if to hide it. He did notice how you were a reserved person outside of class, as if you were afraid of taking up too much place. But he could tell you were slowly unraveling, growing bolder with each passing month. He wanted to tell you that if people like you spoke more, the world would be a far better place.

But he couldn't bring himself to say all of this, so he forced those bubbling words down his throat. "I’m hungry," he whines instead and you laugh at his pout. "I'm kind of craving a greasy pizza."

"Should we go buy it? You can tell Mina to come so we can walk her back."

"I’ll ask her."

You shoot Mina a text, asking her where she was and telling her about your plan. She replies that she’s with Jeongin who just offered to take her home, so you could leave without her.

"We can go." You tell him and he nods. Minho shrugs his leather jacket off, gently placing it on your shoulders. His warmth engulfs you and you sink further into it. His arm hovers around your shoulder not touching you as he leads you out of the party. He has never touched your body, you note, it's like he was everywhere and nowhere at once.

You both walk to an open parlor near the frat house, and you order a Margarita pizza to share. You sit down on a nearby bench to eat it- the night breeze too liberating to pass up on.

As you both finish eating, a cat with white and orange stripes all over her body approaches the both of you cautiously, and you pat her head softly. "Aren't you the cutest thing ever?" you coo and Minho chuckles as he scratches the cat’s chin. She purrs at his touch appreciatively, and you smile at the soft look on his face.

"Never knew you to be this gentle", you giggle and Minho shushes you, "Let's not do this in front of the cat."

"Why are you acting as if we are a divorced couple and she’s our child."

"Easy, yn. You make it sound as if you want me to marry you."

"Now you're just projecting," you chastise and he laughs, eliciting giggles from you. He had a melodic laugh, you noticed, and you always felt a surge of pride whenever you made him close his eyes and tip his head from laughter. You felt as if it's a sight only you can see.

"I have three cats", he says softly and you gasp, "Really? We spent all of our Sundays in a cat café and this is when you tell me?"

"I only tell my friends."

"So we're friends now?" You gush and he rolls his eyes at you, "I take it back."

"What’s their names?" You ask curiously and his eyes soften at your question- you could easily tell he loved them dearly.

"Soongie, Doongie, and Dori. They are rescues."

"That’s very sweet of you Minho."

"Most of my scars come from them though," he chuckles but you sober up at his words, quietly scratching the cat's ears.

"What’s on your mind?" He asks and you glance at him. It was scary how well he’s starting to know you. But it was also nice; to be known is to exist, after all.

"I just... Sometimes I wish that memories would leave physical scars on you. Because at least then, you could treat them, put a band-aid on, and watch them fade away day by day. Because when the scars are emotional, you can’t treat them, you know? And someday someone brings up a name or a place, or you smell a certain scent, and suddenly they reopen as if no time has gone by at all.”

Minho stays silent for a while, mulling over your words. You don't mind, you weren't expecting him to comfort you. You just needed to free those words from the mental prison you've held them in for so long.

"Do you know Kintsugi?" he finally asks and you shake your head no.

"It's a Japanese art. They put back together broken vases with molten gold. It represents strength despite our flaws."

"That sounds nice," you sigh wistfully and he nods.

"It is. When you look at that vase, you know that it was once broken, but it doesn't take away from its beauty, on the contrary, it adds to it. Scars, whether they are emotional or physical are there for a reason. They remind us of how we pushed through whatever life threw at us."

"Am I supposed to be grateful I survived this?" You chuckle lowly, as your hand scratches the cat’s ear. Your fingers brush against Minho’s and you hesitate for a few seconds before moving them away.

"I wouldn't say grateful for what you went through," he speaks once again, "but grateful to yourself. At the end of the day, the reason why you're still here is you. You put yourself back together," he then bumps his elbow into your side softly, "and hey, even if your scars reopen there will come a time when they wouldn’t anymore. Sometimes, it takes a while to be okay again."

This was Minho’s way of telling you that someday it wouldn’t hurt anymore. That someday you’d be okay. And you needed to hear that. You needed to hear someone else other than yourself tell you that.

"Thank you, Minho, I needed that", you smile at him and he grins back at you before his smile turns to a smirk. "I charge 15 dollars for the hour by the way."

"Oh, come on! You didn't even say something revolutionary." You are lying. Minho's words will echo in your mind long after this night- a beacon of light to hold onto.

"Oh, so now it’s no longer ‘I needed that’. Tsk," he jokes a smirk still plastered on his face.

"Okay, Mr. Therapist. I’ll pay for your coffee tomorrow, sounds good?"

"I should have you as my client more often," he winks and you laugh, head tipped back. You were grateful more than ever for his teasing, loving how it wasn’t awkward between you after your discussion.

"You are a good listener." You tell him as you stand up, dusting your pants.

"I’m good at everything," he grins cheekily at you and you roll your eyes playfully, "And here I thought we were having a moment."

You both start walking side by side toward your home when Minho speaks again. His tone is quiet as if he wasn’t sure he wanted you to hear him. "About earlier, your compliment, I mean. I suppose I didn't thank you. So, thank you," he scratches the tip of his ears and you shrug nonchalantly. "It's the truth. You might get on my ass but that doesn't change the fact you are a pretty man."

He doesn’t respond and you tug at the sleeve of his shirt playfully, "You won't tell me I’m pretty too?"

"But then I’d be lying."

"Asshole."

"Pretty," he replies without missing a beat.

You laugh loudly, hand tightly clutching your stomach and he joins you. There is a newfound lightness in your steps now. Unbeknownst to him, Minho just managed to lift a small weight off your shoulders, allowing you a brief moment of respite.

"This is me," you say when you arrive in front of your apartment block, "Thank you for walking me home."

"Of course. Don't dream of me."

"Idiot," you laugh waving him off and he does the same. "Oh, and text me when you get home safely!" you shout before heading inside.

For the second time this night, Minho is blushing profusely at your words. He sighs to himself, waiting patiently until a light turns on in your place to leave.

✹✹✹

It’s been two months since the start of the new term. You still went to Limbo, every Saturday with Minho- even when you didn’t need to study.

Sometimes you’d just grab a book and you’d both read, a cat lazily lounging at your feet. You started sitting at the same table too; you figured it was easier since one of you always pays for the other. When you have a bet, but also randomly, when you notice that the other person is feeling down and you want to cheer them up without saying anything.

That's why you bought three bubble teas for Minho in a row. He was quieter these days, you noticed. He didn’t talk to you nor did he retort back in class. It was the first time you’ve seen him this way. As if he was a simple shell of the person he usually is.

You were walking out of your Communications Strategies class, which Minho weirdly didn’t come to when you realized that it was pouring rain. You smile lightly to yourself, grateful since you thought about picking up an umbrella this morning.

As you walk through campus, everyone around you running to take shelter, you spot someone sitting on a bench, completely drenched from the rain. Their head is hung low and you frown to yourself. They would surely get a cold if they stay there.

But then the person raises their head and you quickly realize it's Minho. You jog up to him instinctively, standing in front of him and shielding him from the rain with your umbrella.

He looks up at you and you feel your heart clench. His eyes are void of emotion and he stares blankly at you. "Are you okay?" you ask and he blinks at your words, as if his brain hadn't yet registered that you were there.

"Yeah."

"You don't look like it", you tilt your head to the side and he looks down again. You have to strain to hear his next words, muffled by the rain and his mumbling, "I don't want to talk, yn."

You decide to put away your umbrella and sit down next to him on the bench. The rain falls rapidly on both of you, and you feel yourself grow cold from it.

"What are you doing?" He questions, turning to the side to look at you.

"Enjoying the rain. It is kind of stupid that we have umbrellas, right?"

"You'll catch a cold."

"I mean we always complain about the drought and then when it rains, we hide from it. But it's really beautiful."

"Stop, I don't want you to get sick."

"Well, neither do I. Let's go eat some soup. My treat."

"Yn, I don’t-"

"I thought you were smart enough to know I won't take no for an answer."

"But I-" you cut him off again. "Also, I’m doing this for me because when you order for two, they give you a lot of side dishes. Now come on."

You stand up and he looks doubtfully at you, before following suit. You open up the umbrella again and hold it over both of your heads. He has to huddle close to you, and your shoulders brush against each other. Once, twice. Not that you're keeping count. But your body is always hyper-aware of Minho’s proximity. You also notice how he silently moves from your right to your left, this way he's the one walking right next to the speeding cars. Your hold on the umbrella tightens. You were still not used to those small attentions of his.

You arrive in front of your apartment block and he hesitates. "Come up, I won't murder you I promise." You joke and he smiles lightly back at your words. Progress.

He enters your dorm and you can see him eying his surroundings. You know that if it was another time, he would have teased you about something- anything. But he stays quiet, and you find yourself missing the sound of his voice.

"Would you like to shower?" You offer and he nods, "Please."

You lead him to your bathroom and show him where the washing machine is. "Put your clothes in there for a quick wash and dry. You can shower meanwhile."

He nods again as you hand him a towel. "I'll be outside."

You quickly leave the bathroom to place the soup orders, and Minho discards his wet clothes, walking into your shower. The water is piping hot, and he leans his forehead on the cold tiles. He doesn’t move for the first ten minutes, too tired at the prospect of lifting his limbs.

Nothing particular happened. But he’d go through days when he’d quiet down because everything around him was too much. The feel of his clothes against his skin, and the sun streaming through his curtains. But it always passes. Minho was a realistic man and he knew that his emotions would regulate themselves. That’s why he didn’t like appearing vulnerable in front of other people.

But for some reason, he didn’t mind lowering his guard with you. He knew you wouldn’t judge.

He sighs, grabbing your cherry-scented shampoo and pouring it into his hands. He can clearly smell you now. The scent of your hair that always tickles his nose, whenever you are sitting close to him. Your body wash is next and he wonders if this is how your skin smells, like vanilla and jasmine, and something entirely you.

Forty minutes later, Minho finally steps out of the shower. His clothes are clean and he quickly puts them on. He dries his hair with the towel as he walks out of your bathroom towards the living room.

He finds you sitting on the ground, in front of a heater that looks close to giving up. He makes a mental note of giving you the one he has since he doesn't really use it. You changed out of your clothes too, and you are now wearing a pair of pajamas with little bunnies sewn into it. The sight almost manages to make him smile.

"Still cold?" you question when you notice him standing behind you, unmoving, and he shakes his head no.

"Good, the soup is here." You say cheerfully, pointing at the steaming bowls sitting on your table. Minho hums in reply and you stand up, grabbing the towel from his hands to place it on the drying rack.

You come back, a soft green blanket in your hands. You sit on the couch and pat the spot beside you. Minho sits next to you, and you lay the blanket on both of your laps, before handing him his soup.

You start the show you’ve been last watching, as you both eat in silence, your legs crisscrossed. You make some comments throughout the episodes. You figured that it was a safe territory, to talk about something as mundane as this. He didn't reply but you didn't mind. You weren't here to have a conversation with him. You just wanted to distract him.

You realize at that moment that Minho always looked so put together to you. But he had problems of his own too. That much was obvious. It made you feel closer to him, in a sense. You were both just trying to make it through the day.

Two hours later, you get up to grab a book, handing Minho the remote to put on a show of his own. You curl in a ball in the corner, reading where you left off last night.

"Can you... Can you read out loud?" Minho speaks for the first time in a while and you look at him. His eyes are closed, his head resting against your couch.

"Sure."

You start to read, and Minho further sinks into the couch. He feels at home here. Because the blanket is soft and the light is dim enough to not hurt his eyes. Or it could be that he smells like you, a scent so comforting he wants to bury himself in it. Or maybe it's your voice that floats through the air, slowly clouding Minho’s every sense. He feels as if he could see the words you were pronouncing dancing in front of his eyes. You enunciated each syllable clearly, making sure that no sound was forgotten.

As Minho gently drifted to sleep, he felt as if he was part of the words you read out loud. He felt as if you were treating him with the same care, making sure that he knew he wasn't invisible. At least not to you.

When you wake up the next morning, Minho is gone. And his place beside you on the couch is empty. He made you breakfast, scrambled eggs, and freshly pressed orange juice. And right next to it you find a note, "Thank you for reading to me."

✹✹✹

Minho didn't believe in having a lot of friends. He was content with the two people he had, Chan and Changbin. The latter was his high school friend, he skipped a year and ended up being in the same class as Minho. They didn't talk at first until the day Changbin dropped a book on Minho's foot. The brooding man started apologizing profusely, and that was the start of their friendship. They've kept in touch since.

Chan was his roommate at university. It's not that he particularly wanted to befriend him, but Chan was a social butterfly and he quickly managed to pull Minho into his friendly trap. He annoys Minho the most, but in an endearing way. And although Chan is older, Minho still strangely developed a soft spot for him.

And he supposes he has you too now. At first, you weren’t friends, rivals at most. He enjoyed reeling you up and having you frown at his words in your heated debates. He also liked talking to you, because your ideas were interesting and you always gave him a new fresh perceptive to see things.

That’s how he strictly saw you as, an intelligent human who he liked to debate with.

But then he started to look forward to meeting up with you at Limbo. He no longer minded the fact that you took his self-assigned table, from his high school days. And he laughed more freely with you, enjoying how you always had a witty retort sitting at the tip of your tongue.

That’s how he started to notice things that friends most definitely notice. How you have a charm bracelet you always fidget with whenever you are nervous. How you stray away from physical touch. How you scratch your eyebrow when you are deep in thought.

But also, how you seem to have an obsession with cherries. Your cherry pendant, your cherry-scented shampoo, and your cherry-tainted lips. A friend would most certainly think that your lips are like red wine-stained glass.

He remembers one of the many times when you were at Limbo, and he saw you reapply your lip tint, or so you called it. You caught him looking and he swiftly averted his gaze, but it wasn't quick enough. Suddenly you were in front of him, a tiny red bottle in hand.

"Let me apply it to you," you smiled and he pushed your head away with his pointer finger. "No."

"Please," you pouted and he couldn't help but find you adorable. You sometimes reminded him of a small kitten. But he didn’t dare to call you by that nickname.

"Never."

"If I score more than you in our environmental assignment then I will do it."

"Fine." he huffed so that you'd leave him alone.

Minho didn't study for that assignment. He blamed it on a headache, not that it's ever stopped him before. And two weeks later you were in front of him, eyebrows scrunched in concentration. You applied the lip tint gently on his plump lips, carefully tracing over his cupid bow.

Your face was mere inches away from his and he noticed how you were wearing a gloss today, for change. It was shimmering under the lights and he usually didn't like glittery things, but he couldn't take his eyes off your lips.

"All done!" you clapped excitedly, snapping him out of his haze. You then shove your phone camera into his face so he'd look at the results.

"You should be a model. Your face is perfectly sculpted," you comment nonchalantly, before sitting back in your seat.

“I know.” He replies confidently, but his hand kept fiddling with the tip of his now pink ears. He couldn't concentrate for the rest of the night.

You were his friend because he always worried if you were eating enough. That’s why he urged you to grab a bite in the convenience store near Limbo, whenever you finished up your studying late.

This was one of the many times you sat on the minuscule table outside, hot ramen bowls in front of the both of you. Minho huffed in annoyance between each bite, his bangs were getting longer, disturbing him when he leaned down to slurp his noodles.

“Here,” you stand up from your place, a hair tie in your hands.

“What are you doing?” He questions as you stand behind him. You don’t reply, silently grabbing his hair and putting it up in a tiny ponytail, this way it wouldn’t get in his eyes anymore.

“Voila,” you sit back down, resuming your eating. Minho was grateful for the dimly lit street because his entire face was burning up. Your fingers in his hair were gentle and he wondered how it would feel if you ran your fingers through it.

This was something friends think about, right?

"I’ll cut my hair tomorrow," he clears his throat. He didn't know why he told you. You certainly weren't interested in his hair endeavors.

"What?!" you yell, "Don't. Your hair is beautiful why would you cut it?"

"Because it's getting longer."

"But it suits you."

Minho also noticed how you always threw compliments his way. Not in a flirtatious way, but in a genuine one. He couldn't help but wonder what made you this way. Did you so freely give love to others because you knew how it felt to not receive it?

"I’ll still cut it."

Minho returned home; his hair still clipped back in a ponytail. Chan eyed him weirdly but he shut him off with a glare. The elastic remained at his bedside since.

He didn't cut his hair.

The moment Minho started to consider you a close friend, was when you invited him over to watch your show. You didn’t force him to open up that night, and he appreciated it, more than he let on.

That's how a week later, he finds himself walking towards your dorm again. The thoughts in his head got too much, and Chan was immersed in his makeshift studio, which meant he won't be free for the next four hours, minimum.

He didn't plan on going to you. It was late at night and you were probably asleep, but his feet naturally led him to the direction of your place.

He knocks softly on your door. He wasn't even sure if he wanted you to open. What would you think of him showing up at eleven pm? He should have thought this thro-

"Minho?" you call out, and he startles a bit, his feet already inching away from the door.

"This was a bad idea, I'm sorry," he starts to retract back but you grab the hem of his jacket to stop him. "Do you... Do you want to watch my show with me?" you ask, a soft smile on your face and he nods tentatively.

"Okay, come in," you open the door wider and Minho follows you inside. The look in his eyes reminds you of the day you found him sitting under the rain. You didn't like it, you wanted him to find his spark back, his usual demeanor. He wasn't deserving of anything but happiness.

"I’ve started a new show, this one's a bit more romantic, so don't go around imagining me as the main character," you tease and he scoffs at your words, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

He doesn't reply, but you don't mind. There was this secret agreement between the two of you, you would talk and he would listen. He needed the distraction, and you needed the company. Sometimes the line between alone and lonely blurs, and on days like these, Minho’s presence fills the void inside.

You comment on the scenes and Minho hums in reply, you watch three episodes in a row, and your eyes are getting drowsy, so you close them.

"Minho," you call out gently and he turns his head towards you.

"Yeah?"

"What color are you feeling tonight?" You ask, referencing to what he told you on your dinner celebration. That felt like an eternity ago.

"Black." You stay silent and Minho fidgets with his hands before speaking once again. "I feel a lot at the same time, too much of every color. That's why- that's why I said black."

"How can I help you feel yellow?"

"You already do." His admission came softly and it made your breath hitch in your throat. You wanted to open your eyes and look at him, but you figured it will only make him close off even more.

“Okay. Will you stay for breakfast?”, you whisper. You were very sleepy, the soft chatter of the TV and your hushed conversation were like a lullaby to you.

"You want me to?" he asks, and he sounds so vulnerable you can't find it in you to say anything but the truth.

"I do," you admit, and that's the last thing you remember before sleeping.

Your head falls near Minho’s lap on the couch, your hair tickling his exposed thigh. Minho shouldn’t feel this way, he thinks. He’s sitting on the leather couch and his feet are touching the cold floor and yet all he can feel is three strands of your hair tickling him.

He glances at you, at your now parted lips and your relaxed eyebrows. His hand hovers over your hair, but then he curls it into a tight fist. What is he doing? He thinks to himself as he drags an angry hand through his face. He sighs, before standing up and grabbing the blanket you had on the opposing chair. He gently lays it on your body before sitting next to you once again.

You told him to stay for breakfast. He’ll stay.

✹✹✹

2 months later

"Yn!" Minho shouts in your ear as he plops down next to you. You startle, dropping the book you were reading.

"I hate you," you grumble, picking up your book and he smiles cheekily at you, "No you don't."

You were laying on the grass of your campus garden, in between two classes, trying to kill the time. It was April so the weather was perfect for lying under the warm sunrays. You loved spring, it always held within it the promise of a better time.

"What are you doing?"

"I was reading before you got here and started to annoy me."

"Don't mind me. Do your thing."

"And what are you doing?"

"Enjoying the sun."

"You couldn't find any other place to do so?"

"Nope."

"You're annoying" You try to sound mad but the smile on your face betrays you. You started looking forward to any moment Minho randomly shows up throughout your day. Sometimes it's late at night when he's suddenly craving sushi and he drags you with him because if he's not studying then you shouldn't be too.

Sometimes it's during the day, when he takes you to a new garden where he found the quote "cutest cats in existence". Not as cute as his cats, of course.

Sometimes it's late afternoon when he just knocks on your door, and he's there with Chan-his roommate who sometimes joins your study sessions- snacks in their hands. You've learned that what Minho doesn't say in words, he compensates by spending time with you. And you didn't tell him but waiting for these moments has been the joy of your life for the past few weeks.

It made you feel excited- like a child waiting up for Christmas morning to discover what gifts they are receiving.

So, you resume reading, as Minho is lying next to you. You could smell his pinewood cologne and you wished you could pour his essence into a bottle and carry it with you everywhere.

You notice how the sun is hitting Minho’s eyes directly, and how his eyebrows are scrunched up at the aggression. So, you grab your book with your left hand, and hover your right one over his eyes, shielding him from the sun. Minho's breath tickles your hand and you can feel goosebumps rising through your skin.

It's as if every physical proximity with Minho made you feel hyperaware of every part of your body, and how he can lighten it with a simple breath from his part. It made you wonder what it would feel to have his hands on your skin.

As if Minho heard your thoughts, he gently wraps his thumb and index finger around your wrist, steadying your hand in place so it wouldn't strain your arm. You suddenly don't know what page you are in, too overwhelmed by the feeling of his hands on you.

His touch is very featherlight and you are afraid to move, to break the bubble you are suddenly pulled into.

"Read to me," he tells you and you gulp. You never understood why Minho enjoyed it when you read to him.

"Like my voice that much?" you tease, in an attempt to hide how affected you are. You were so close to him; it would be easy to slide down and lay your head on his chest. You wondered how his heartbeat would sound. Was it steady, or racing just like your own?

"Yeah, it's calming," he replies sincerely, catching you off guard. You didn't expect him to compliment you, and now you are racking your brain for a retort, anything to make you breathe again.

"Growing soft on me Minho?" you say, the same question you asked on your first dinner out. The first time you truly saw him, the first time you felt as if you were two pieces of the same puzzle, just waiting for someone to connect the both of you.

He doesn't reply. And you sit there, patiently waiting. His first answer came so easily, so naturally, because he was being sarcastic, "I’m basically in love with you", he told you back then. So why can't he say it again?

"Yes, I am." He finally replies and you feel your breath catch in your throat. You try to account it for your brain misguiding you. It wasn't Minho speaking, it was the rustling of the leaves and the singing of the birds that you just heard. But it was him, and now his eyes are open and he's looking at you. Your hand is still shielding his eyes and his fingers are still wrapped around your wrist. And you are suddenly feeling. You are feeling too much. You don't know what to do with those feelings cursing through your veins and you can't face them. Because they are scaring you.

"I'll just... Yeah, I’ll just read," you say quietly, too flustered by his intense gaze. You were already on the other side, you realize. His eyes pulled you in and you were stuck in there, swimming in a pool of honey.

"Out loud," he says and you chuckle, "Fine, Min." The nickname slips out of your tongue naturally and you quickly snap your head towards Minho to see if he noticed.

His eyes are closed, and there is a slight smile on his face, and you can swear that he just repeated the nickname to himself softly.

✹✹✹

You've been so sick these past days, you barely managed to go to class. Your head throbbed with pain and your entire body felt as if someone thoroughly boxed it.

You were grateful that Minho reeled down his teasing because you had no energy to retort back. He may have noticed how sick you felt and truthfully it would be hard not to. You stayed silent throughout the day, and you looked so pale, you avoided looking at the mirror altogether.

Though Minho didn't talk to you, he still silently placed water bottles and some of your favorite snacks on your desk. You'd down the water, grateful for the relief it brought your sore throat. And when you didn't touch the food, he'd immediately text you 'Eat up', followed by a simple 'Please'. Having someone else care for your well-being felt weird, but it warmed your heart beyond what words could describe.

You only came today to pass your Criminal Law mid-term, but your head hurt so badly that you weren't even sure what you wrote on your paper. The words blurred in front of your eyes and you almost slept in the middle of your exam, exhaustion threatening to take over your body.

You fucked up, badly. You haven't screwed up this much in years.

You thought that you were slowly getting better since Minho surpassing you no longer sparked an unworthy feeling within you. But apparently, you were wrong to believe so. Self-doubt crept up within you once again, and the ugly feelings it stirred slowly clawed at your throat, making it hard for you to breathe.

It was one test, and yet it reeled you back ages ago.

Tears threaten to spill out of your eyes as you hurriedly walk out of your class. You make a beeline for the library, figuring that it will be mostly empty by now.

You pull out a chair and sit on it, lowering your head down so no one will see you. Your tears are falling rapidly and you hit your thigh repeatedly. You hated how weak you felt in that instant.

"Yn?", someone calls out and you curse internally. You don't have to look up to see who it is, Minho's voice has become a part of you- you could easily recognize it between a thousand mingling sounds.

You don't want him to see you, especially not like this, weak and vulnerable and on the verge of breaking down. So you quickly slip a pair of sunglasses on your eyes, before raising your head to look at him. "Hm?"

"Are you okay?" he asks, his tone so soft it makes you want to cry ten times fold. You hated it, hated how attentive he was to you. You didn't deserve it.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm just here to pick a book," you lie, abruptly standing up and heading toward the rows behind you. You desperately needed to get away from him.

You pause in front of a random shelf and then you feel Minho standing behind you. You grab a random book and he peeks above your shoulder to see it, "Economics? You hate this subject."

"Why are you following me?" you turn around attempting your best to sound mad. When in reality, your heart was brimming with hurt. You wished you could get away from your body and seep into someone's soul to feel what it's like to love yourself.

"You aren't okay," he asserts and you hate it. You hate that he sounds so sure of himself. Was it that noticeable? Were you not fooling anyone?

"I am," your voice is shaking but you are adamant about contradicting him. You couldn't let him see you. What if he runs?

"Then..." he steps forward and you take a step back until your back is against the shelf. His left arm cages your body, but his right one stays by his side. He is leaving you an opening, you realize, an outing in case you feel uncomfortable. Against all odds, you don't.

"Why are you hiding from me?" he asks, gently taking your sunglasses off your face, and placing them on the top of your head.

You don't look up at him, and he hooks his finger underneath your chin, gently raising your head. When your tear-stained eyes meet his, he frowns deeply, "Why are you crying?"

"it's nothing."

"Yn..."

"I fucked up, okay?! That was the worst test I’ve ever given in years." The tears start to flow at your words and you wipe them away aggressively. You despised crying in front of people.

Minho raises his hand to wipe the tears away for you but he quickly retracts it- you probably wouldn't want him to touch your face. It was enough that he had grabbed your wrist a couple of weeks before this. He quickly racks his brain for something to do, because the sight of your tears is making his heart ache in a way he hasn't felt before. It's as if he's feeling your emotions deep within him.

In desperation, Minho pinches your arm and you yelp, startled. "What was that for?" you whisper-shout and he raises his hands in defense, "I didn't know what else to do."

"So, you thought about pinching me?" you chuckle in bewilderment and he scratches the top of his hair sheepishly.

"I mean, it worked. Look, you stopped crying," he points out raising his brows at you proudly and you shake your head at him.

"Remind me to never cry in front of you again."

Minho grins at you before his face turns serious once again. "Look, you are the smartest person I know," he pauses, adding with a cheeky smirk, "After me of course." Which makes you giggle against your will.

"Shut up", you lightly punch his chest and he smiles. "One test doesn't define you. You always work very hard. I wouldn't lie to you."

"Mm," you hum and he frowns at your lack of enthusiasm, but still, he doesn't comment.

"No more crying," he wiggles his finger in front of your face and you roll your eyes, wiping the rest of your tears away. "Fine. Pretend as if this never happened."

"What are you talking about?" he asks as if confused, and you can't help the smile tugging at the corner of your mouth. It's as if Minho knows exactly what to say to cheer you up.

"Come with me," he tells you, gently pulling you by the sleeve of your hoodie.

"Where to?"

"I’m craving ice cream."

"And why do you need me?"

"You're craving ice cream too," he says in a matter-of-a-fact tone.

"Only if you're paying," you add with a giggle and he whines loudly, "I feel so so used around you."

True to his words, Minho takes you to the nearest ice cream parlor. It's a 20 minutes walk away and you are grateful for the distance because it helps you clear your head a bit.

Minho lets you pick whatever flavors you want, and when you hesitate between two of them, he tells the cashier to put them both into your cup. This is how you end up with a container of 5 scoops of ice cream. You insisted you'd share, and Minho begrudgingly agreed when you threatened to walk out and leave him.

You then walk to a deserted alley and sit on the sidewalk. You didn't want to be around people right now, and thankfully, Minho understood without you having to say a word.

You munch silently on your ice cream and Minho does the same, the both of you lost in your thoughts. You naturally take turns holding the freezing container, so it wouldn't numb the fingers of one of you.

When you're done, Minho stands up to throw it away in a nearby trashcan before sitting back again next to you.

Suddenly you feel him gently tapping your hand. You look down to find that you've curled your fingers into a tight fist, so much that there are crescent indents visible on your palm now.

"Let's play thumb war," he tells you and you giggle at his words. You never knew what to expect from him.

Still, as your fingers hold each other, and your thumb circles one another, you feel yourself calm down slightly. You play a couple of rounds, and you know he's going easy on you, allowing you to quickly trap his thumb down.

No one has gone to such lengths to cheer you up, and you suddenly feel so grateful for Minho’s presence in your life. You didn't care in what shape he was in, you just needed him to be in it. Which in turn makes you think how bad it'd hurt if he ever leaves.��

You don't want Minho to leave. You've gotten so attached to him that the thought of not talking to him again makes your heart race in panic.

Minho notices the change in your expression, suddenly melancholic once again. Your hand has gone limp in his, the thumb war long forgotten by you.

He curses under his breath, before looking at you. "If I dance for you, will you quit being so sad?"

"Dance for me?" you repeat incredulously and he nods, "Yes. I’ll show you an upcoming choreography just... Please smile?"

"Okay," you giggle, plastering a wide grin on your face.

"Not like that you look scary."

"Get to dancing!" you clap excitedly and he rolls his eyes, standing up and looking through his phone for a particular music.

"Oh and no comment!" he looks pointedly at you, and you nod, pretending to zip your mouth and throwing away the key.

'Finesse' by Bruno Mars starts playing and you are left mesmerized by the way Minho dances. It's short but it leaves you yearning to see more. His body moves smoothly, hitting each beat effortlessly. He made it look as if dancing was second nature to him, that it came as easily to him as breathing.

You were speechless, rightfully so. You wished you could build a world where all Minho did was dance.

"That was-" you start when he stops the music but he cuts you off instantly, "I said no comment."

"But--" Minho places his finger on your mouth to silence you, seemingly not thinking too much of it. But the feel of his finger on your lips makes you dizzy. Minho quickly takes off his hand, a blush evidently creeping up his neck.

"Let's just go home," he sighs in defeat and you laugh despite the intense feelings cursing through you.

You don't know if you are imagining it but you swear that your pinkies brush against each other on your walk back. As if there was this magnetic force pulling them together. You wondered what would happen if you just linked your pinky with his. Would he grab you by the hand or will he let go of you entirely?

You were too much of a coward to find out. You were scared of messing up anything with him. So, you'd settle for this. Stolen glances and random outings. You just need him in your life.

"Thank you for today," you tell Minho once you arrive and he shrugs, as what he did wasn't a big deal.

"No, I mean it. Thank you," you repeat, trying your best to convey how sincere you were being. You take in a deep breath, before grabbing his hand and squeezing it, for a fleeting second, before dropping it again.

Minho is sure that your hand will now be imprinted into his, that the lines tracing over your palm will merge with his as one. Your touch was barely there but it had electrocuted him. He wondered to himself if his body would be able to handle more from you. But he'd gladly burn in your fires for the sake of holding you. And he'd wait, unwaveringly, as time stretches alongside the two of you. He'd wait as long as it takes for you.

"Yn, I..." he stammers, taking a step closer to you. His scent engulfs you and you shamefully close your eyes, inhaling it. When you open them again, you find Minho glancing down at your lips. You gulp, dazzled by his proximity.

"You have a mole on your nose," you suddenly speak up and his eyes snap back to yours, an adorable confusion drawn on his features.

"I like that mole," you continue and you wish you could dig yourself a hole and bury yourself in it.

"Thank you," he chuckles and you nod vigorously, "You're welcome."

"Can I ask you something?" he says and your breath hitches in your throat. "Sure."

"You don't like it when people touch you, right?"

"Yeah."

"Can I ask why?"

You want to confide in him, to tell him that it’s because you long for it, you crave it so badly. That this need has woven itself into the very fabric of your being. An ache so raw that it scares you at times. You’ve never known what it feels like to be held- it was uncharted territory to you.

"Isn't everyone scared of the unknown?" you settle on saying, and he nods in understanding. Of course, he understood. No one knows you as well as him.

"It's okay. I just wanted to know if I ever overstepped my boundaries."

"You didn't," you reply instantly.

"Good. You'll tell me if I ever do, right?"

"I will."

"Okay."

"Um. I'll get going," you point behind you and Minho smiles at you, waving you off.

You walk for a few steps before coming back again quickly. You then grab Minho’s hand, gently squeezing it like before, "You are an amazing dancer."

And then you drop it, running back towards your apartment block without waiting for a reply.

Minho stays frozen in his place. You think he's an amazing dancer. And you held his hand for five seconds.

That's four seconds more than the first time.

Progress.

✹✹✹

You haven't gotten out of your house for the past three days.

Everything crashed around you rapidly, it made you realize that the ground you once stood on was only an illusion, elusive and fleeting.

You were doing well; you were getting better. But then Monday came and you went out for a walk in the park near you. As you sat there, you saw a little girl playing on the swings, delightful joy dancing across her features. But then she fell to the ground and you instinctively stood up to help her, only to notice her mother running to her.

The world stilled around you as you clearly saw it- how the little girl clung to her mother's embrace, her embodiment of hope and love. You never had that. You don’t even know what perfume your mother used because she never allowed you to get that close to her.

You stood up abruptly, quickly heading back to your apartment block. As you ran up the stairs, you ended up bumping into one of your neighbors. You were quick to apologize but they ignored you, and the feeling of being invisible came back to haunt you ten times fold.

You knew you shouldn’t have done it, you knew you should have deleted your mother’s number when she sent you away to university without a backward glance, relieved at the thought of you getting a full-ride scholarship and not needing her anymore. But you didn’t, you kept her number in the hopes that she’d call. On your birthday, on holidays, on a random Thursday to tell you that she did remember who you are.

With trembling hands, tears welling in your eyes, you dialed your mother’s number for the first time in a year. You didn’t know what you were expecting. Maybe she regrets it. Maybe she misses you. Maybe she didn’t find the courage to mend her wrongdoings and that's why she never called.

"Hello?" her voice rang through your apartment. Goosebumps erupted on your arms and your hold on the phone tightened. Her voice took you back to memories you thought you had buried. How you spent countless nights yearning to hear the sound of her voice, how you regretted it once she spoke to attack you.

You hate her. You miss her. You want to hang up. You need to ask if she's doing okay.

“Who is this?” Her voice was devoid of recognition, freezing you in your tracks. You felt as if a bucket of ice was thrown over your head, dousing the flame of hope that flickered in your heart.

She deleted your number.

You quickly hung up, placing your phone down on the table. The tears refused to fall. It was as if your body had long anticipated this outcome, leaving only your wounded soul to bear the pain.

Healing isn't linear, you've read about it in books and heard it in shows and movies. One step back doesn't mean that your entire progress is gone. You know this, you've memorized those sentences. So why do you not believe them? Why does it feel as if you can never be free from the past? Why does it feel as if you’ll always seek something out of her?

Those questions roamed your mind for the past three days, making you too tired at the prospect of lifting your limbs, let alone leaving your apartment. You sent your two friends a text, telling them that you're sick so they wouldn't worry. Not that you believed they would. Nothing made sense to you anymore.

You laid on your bed in utter silence- a tense quiet that was disrupted on the third day by someone knocking on your door. You didn't know who was there; you just hoped that they'd leave you alone.

To your surprise, you open the door to find Minho, some notes in his right hand and a coffee in his left. He sends an easy smile your way. You don't smile back.

"What do you want?" your voice is cold, but Minho doesn't bristle. A cheeky smile settles on his lips as he leans on your doorway.

"You didn't come to class for the past three days, so I brought you the notes. So, you wouldn't think our competition is unfair."

"Competition," you chuckle coldly, heading inside your apartment, and he follows suit. You start to pace around furiously, and Minho looks at you worriedly. "Competition?" you repeat, the word dripping off your tongue like venom. You turn around, marching towards Minho and standing a few inches from him. "You know what? Fuck you and your competition!"

"Yn-"

"Did it ever occur to you that I never wanted a part in this competition? That all I wanted was to be left alone?" you say, growing louder as you jab your finger into his chest repeatedly. "I never wanted any of this! Do you understand? I never wanted to be this way," you shout angrily in his face.

The worried look in Minho’s eyes snaps you out of your haze. You realize that you are being utterly ridiculous lashing out at Minho, when the one person you are mad at is yourself.

Your anger quickly deflates, leaving in its trail an agonizing sadness. It's so sudden that it knocks the breath out of you, and you clutch your chest as if it could soothe the burn in your heart. Suddenly you are twelve years old again, crying in your room because you feel like no one has ever loved you.

But this time you aren't alone. Minho is in front of you, and his eyebrows are so furrowed you want to lean forward to ease the tension between them. His eyebrows, you liked his eyebrows, they were arched, and they framed his eyes nicely, and his eyes are brown and so big, and they always look at you softly and why is it getting so hard to breathe-

"Did I do something to you? Whatever it is I’m sorry," Minho panics, cutting off your frantic train of thought. But now, the weight of guilt adds to your overwhelming emotions. You shouldn't have lashed out at him, he brought you coffee and you yelled at him. Maybe your mom was right after all.

You shake your head left and right furiously, your words coming out in hiccups. Since when did you start crying? "It isn't- it isn't you."

"Then let me help you-", he steps forward, hand outstretched, but you take three hurried steps back and wrap your hands around yourself protectively. "Don’t. Please, don't."

"Why are you pushing me away?" his tone isn't accusatory. You've learned time and time again that Minho wouldn't do anything that made you feel uncomfortable.

"You won't understand."

"Then make me."

"Because I’m afraid!" the words slip out of your mouth before you can stop them. "I’m afraid if you ever hug me, I wouldn't be able to go back to hugging myself. I'd need you and I can't afford to need someone else."

You regret the words as soon as they fleet away from your mouth. He would look at you differently, he would find you pathetic and then he’d leave. And you wanted him to leave. But you also wanted him to stay. It was all so confusing.

You felt as if your being was torn between two great forces, each one of them trying to win the war raging inside you. You wished someone else would make the decisions in your place, for once.

Minho places the coffee and notes on the ground before approaching you, his palms facing up in a gesture of surrender. "I won't leave you," he says softly. "I’ll be by your side for as long as you'll have me."

"Minho..." your voice catches in your throat as you utter his name- like a broken prayer. He stands before you, his eyes shimmering like the reflection of a river on a sunny day.

"Please, let me make it better."

You nod tentatively and Minho comes even closer to you. He was treating you like one would with a wounded animal, giving you a chance to ultimately back out. But for once, you listen to what your heart has been yearning for. Your bones are aching to be held, to feel the warmth of a body against your own, to feel safe and secure.

Minho embraces you, wrapping his arms around your shoulders and bringing you to him. You slowly bring your arms up and lace them around his waist. You are afraid, deathly afraid. His grip is loose, and you almost can't feel him around you, but when you lay your head on his chest, he tightens his hold on you and you instinctively let out a sob.

He's hugging adult you, the woman whose heart was once again broken by her mom. But he's also hugging little you, the girl who was craving affection from everyone around her. In that instant, Minho is hugging every single version of you that ever needed a hug.

You were right to be scared because you don't want to let go, you want to stay in his arms because they feel safe, like a shield protecting you. You can't go back to not hugging Minho.

The sensation is overwhelming and your knees buckle underneath you. But instead of holding you up, Minho falls to the ground with you, as if you are two inseparable pieces of one puzzle. He isn’t here to fix you, he’s here to break down with you and help you pick up the scattered pieces.

You think back to that night in the park when Minho told you about Japanese vases. At this moment, it dawns on you that Minho has found a way to become a part of you. He was the molten gold binding your broken parts together. He was the invisible thread stitching your wounds back together.

Who were you fooling? It was him; it was him all along.

Minho rocks you gently as you cry and cry and cry. His hand finds your hair and he plays with it as you sob. He tells you you'll be okay, you'll feel better and you try to believe him, his words wrap around your bruises like a healing balm.

"There, there, love. You are okay", he murmurs, tenderly patting your head. A fresh set of tears wells up in your eyes. Love.

"I’m sorry. I'm so sorry," you apologize as you pull away from his embrace.

"Why are you apologizing? Is it because you wet my shirt? I don't mind," he reassures you with a smile and you shake your head.

"I was mean to you and you didn’t deserve it," you explain through hiccups.

"It's okay, you weren't mad at me, were you?" he asks, wiping your tears away so gently with his thumbs, careful not to irritate the sensitive skin.

"No. Still, it isn't okay and I’m sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Shh, don't apologize. It's okay." you look at him doubtfully and he rolls his eyes playfully, "Here I’ll even do your silly pinky promise, okay?" he laces his pinky with yours, but then he suddenly leans forward and places a chaste kiss on your thumb pad. "There, sealed forever."

You giggle faintly as a blush dusts your cheeks, "That's not how it works."

"I know."

Your giggle was far different from the ones Minho was accustomed to. It was small, and it didn't brighten up your face like usual. But he was grateful for it nonetheless. He realized how much he missed your laugh, and how all the other sounds in the world pale in comparison to it.

In that moment Minho thinks to himself that he'd do anything to make you smile again. He'd make a fool out of himself if it meant making you happy. He'd settle for a simple tug at the corners of your mouth, anything but the sadness that seemed etched in your face, as if it was blended into the colors that drew you.

You tentatively move around, before laying your head on his lap. Minho's hand instinctively finds your hair and he starts to gently play with it. It feels as if you've done this a million times before, when in fact it was the first.

There was something wildly intimate about laying on the floor with the man who just comforted you. It made you want to spill all your secrets to him, one by one, and have him hug you through them.

"Did you mean it? When you said you'll stay?" you felt so vulnerable in his hold, as if he could twist you whoever he liked. But you trusted him. You trusted yourself with Minho.

"I did. Your walls are always up. It's hard to peek behind them. But I don't want to tear them down. I want you to slowly unbuild them. I want you to do it for yourself."

To do it for yourself, it's hard to even know who you are anymore.

"I want to tell you."

"You don't need to."

"I know, but I want to."

"Okay. Take your time, kitten." he pats your head gently, and you try to sync your breathing to the rhythm of his touch. You were grateful that you were lying on his lap since you couldn't see his face. It made talking feel a little less daunting.

"On my 9th birthday... I was very excited. I'd been on my best behavior that month, trying to please my mom in the hope that, for once, we'd celebrate my birthday. Like a normal little family," you smile sadly, you were so hopeful back then.

"My birthday came, I woke up, excited. My mom was still asleep, nothing out of the ordinary. So, I made my breakfast and walked to my school. I wore my prettiest dress and put on pigtails with hair clips. It was my birthday after all," Minho smiles softly at your words, his hand now resting on your own.

"I got back home and waited for my mom to come back. She remembered my birthday, I thought. And then, she came but she didn't talk to me. So, I thought, oh a surprise party!" you chuckle, but this time the smile on Minho’s face is gone.

"It was then 11 pm, and the hope had slowly died in me. So, in my stupid innocent self, I went to my mom, and asked her "Did you forget my birthday?". And I remember... I remember the way she laughed. Cruelly. Like I had told her the funniest joke in the world. And then. Then she looked me dead in the eye and said 'I hate the fact that you are born. Why would I celebrate that?'"

Minho sucks in a deep breath at your words, and you exhale one right out. It felt comforting, to have someone else stomach the hurt for you. To take the weight off your shoulders, allowing you a few moments to breathe.

"I confronted her about it one day, but she said she doesn't remember saying that. It's funny how it was a random Thursday for her, but for me, it shaped my life." you smile bitterly, "I remember how jealous I was of the way the other kids talked about their mothers. They said the word so lightly. It must have reminded them of sunshine and ice cream and rainbows. But for me, it held an uncharacteristic heaviness to it. I grew to hate the word."

"I drove myself crazy, Min", you whisper and he brings you closer to his body, "was it me or was it her? When did it start? Was it because I was too loud as a child or maybe too quiet? Did I not cater to her fantasies of a kid? I wanted to remember every single thing that happened throughout my childhood, thread through every single memory. I tried to pinpoint the exact moment my mom stopped loving me."

Minho squeezes your hand tightly in his, and you feel as if he was pulling you away from the memory that had long trapped you. You were now watching it unfold from outside of the window, your hand in his, safe from the hurt it had inflicted on you.

"It's not you. It could never be you. Some people are simply not fit to be parents. It's never their kid's fault."

Minho tries his best to keep his touch soothing, to make his voice sound as soft as possible. But he was angry, he was so angry at the world for not taking care of you when you were younger. His heart broke, thinking of 9-year-old you being told such cruel words.

He wanted to turn back time and tell you that you were enough. He wanted to make the pain that seemed so anchored in you float back to the surface, and dissipate like sea foam meeting the shore.

But he couldn't do that. All he could do is comfort present you.

Minho gently pulls you up from his lap, making you sit upright. He crisscrosses his legs and you do the same. Your knees brush against each other and you feel a shiver run down your spine. You didn't know that even knees could emanate such warmth.

"Yn, look at me. The world wouldn't be the same without you in it," he cradles your face between his hands, "You hear me yn? I’m so thankful you exist."

His doe brown eyes are sincere, and it made you want to believe him badly. That's a good start, right?

"I’ll be back," he tells you, letting go of your face and standing up.

You hear Minho rummaging through the kitchen and you take the time to calm yourself down. Sharing those parts of you with Minho felt therapeutic. As if you were healing parts of your inner child. You have never talked about this with anyone before, maybe this is why it still hurt as badly.

Minho comes back five minutes later, his hands behind his back. You raise a brow at him inquisitively and he just smiles secretly at you. "Close your eyes," he tells you and you giggle, doing as he says. He crouches in front of you, and you hear him shuffle in his place for a bit.

Then, "Open your eyes yn," and you find him, in front of you, a cupcake you had stored in your fridge in his hands, and a makeshift candle lit up. "Happy 9th birthday, love. You did well."

You stare at him in utter bewilderment. You couldn't believe your eyes. How could this man be so thoughtful? He was wishing you a belated birthday, to compensate for the 9th birthday you didn't celebrate.

You panic, at the look in his eyes. You've never seen it, never dared to dream of it, of someone caring for you unconditionally. So, you try to scare him, to push him away. You didn't want him to regret knowing you.

"There are things I need you to know um", you chuckle nervously, "When I... When I throw up, I hold my hair, and when I’m sick I nurse myself back to health, and when I have a nightmare I- I hold my hand in the dark. It will be hard for me to hold yours instead."

"We'll start a finger at a time, yeah?"

"It will take time."

"I have time," he speaks easily, as if loving you was effortless and not a strenuous task. You couldn't fathom it.

"You are too busy-", he cuts you off instantly, "Not for you."

"The world doesn't stop because we need it to." Your voice is quiet; this is your very last try. You are tired of fighting. You are putting down your armor and waving a white flag.

"We'll make it stop. Here, the two of us. On this floor. We'll take as long as we need to."

"I never deemed you as an optimist", you smile a little, a hint of teasing in your tone.

"I’m not," he pauses, gazing down at the cupcake between his hands and then at you. "But I feel that we deserve a bit of happiness together, don't we?"

"We do."

"Then make a wish."

You close your eyes for a few seconds, before blowing on the candle.

"What did you wish for?" he asks a fond smile on his face.

The answer came naturally to you, you didn't even need to think about it. "I wished for you."

Minho's lips come crashing down on yours, and you imagine that this is what it feels like to see colors for the first time. To discover a new world beyond the one you've always known.

The kiss isn't urgent nor feverish, it is one of comfort. Your lips spilling the words you have not yet said to each other. "I love you," he kisses you, "I love you too," you kiss him back. "I need you to stay," you swipe your tongue across his bottom lip, "I’m never leaving you," he opens his mouth allowing you entrance.

As you kiss him, you remember a fact you once learned in high school. The human body possesses seven trillion nerves. And for the first time in your life, you feel as if each of these nerves is alive. You feel that even the smallest atom is electrocuted with Minho’s love and it’s all you know within you.

You feel as if the pain, the hurt, and the ache you've been through are slowly unraveled, and in their place, a timid happiness is starting to bloom. You imagine that when Minho’s lips met your own, the seven trillion nerves inside you exhaled in relief 'We've made it', they said, 'we'll finally be okay.'

Epilogue

You've always thought that epilogues were useless. How can you resume the rest of your life in one sentence, boil down the rest of your existence in mere pages? Because life doesn't stop at the epilogue, and a new book can start once again, right where you left it off.

But with Minho, you didn't mind an epilogue. On the contrary, you longed for a soft one. You wanted to rest on this last page, you wanted to lay your worries on the words and tuck them into the syllables. And you wanted to wake up anew.

And this wasn't the end of your story with Minho. A lot happened after it. But it didn't worry you, because epilogues are about the one thing that doesn't change throughout the long march of time. And luckily for you, that constant was Minho’s love for you. From that day he held you, he has never let go.

It took time, for his warmth to seep through your bones. It took time, for your heart to forget the cold. But you wanted to do it. With him. You wanted to love and be loved.

The sound of cats mewling fills your apartment, pudding can always be found in your fridge and you haven't felt invisible in years.

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entername322 · 6 months

Text

Almost perfect

Yuri (Izone) x Male Reader x Minju (Izone)

Length: 18117

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“You look like shit”, You turned to the side to see Doyoung is grinning. “You look like shit, even without bruises and cuts all over your face”, Yuri scoffed. “Now, now, don't cause any more trouble for your boyfriend”, Doyoung has been playing nice, he didn't say a single word to both of your girlfriends while you were suspended. Not even when Yuri suddenly moved class. That's because he wants to tease them while you're around.

“Shut up, or I'll make you shut up”, Minju came to the rescue, “Heheheh, this is fun, did you tell them about Yuna Brute?” How does he know about her? “Oh of course I knew, I had a thing with her during our end-of-the-year vacation. I was surprised when she said you and her were a thing-”, Yuri slammed the table, “They are not a thing”, Oh god Yuri just keeps feeding Doyoung.

“Is that so? Did you tell them about her birthday present for you”, The two girls crushed your hand when he reminded them of that. “Yes”, Minju said through her gritted teeth, “Oh? Then did he tell you about his birthday present for her”, Doyoung fucking sucks. “Babe”, Minju smiled at you while she pulled your hand up, carefully putting her nails where it would hurt you most. “Listen, it wasn't anything important, I just drew her”, Yuri headbutted your cheek, “You did what?”

Doyung was laughing while watching you suffer. “It's just a drawing, I've made so many more drawings for the two of you. It was just a silly gift because I didn't know her birthday was coming up. She probably let it collect dust somewhere”, Glancing at Doyoung you know he's about to say something. “She had it framed in her bedroom, you know? There's even a polaroid picture of you two together on the side”, Your hands might not survive through the day.

“I hate her”, “What a fucking whore”, The two of them said in a low tone while glaring at you. “Girls, can we just forget about her already? I already did, now you're here spending time with me while thinking about other girls? That's rude”, Thankfully your homeroom teacher came in and forced them to let you go.

You have to talk to Doyoung, you just have to, otherwise, he might get you killed. The thing is, you know he's not gonna say anything when Yuri and Minju are around, but they also won't let you talk to him by yourself. There is only one way to talk to him, wait for him to get to the toilet.

“Why are you targeting me”, Okay it looks kinda awkward for you to start interrogating someone when he's using the urinal. “Hehehehe, you mind?” No, you have to interrogate him, “Why?” He just laughed at you. “Because it's fun, stir the pot of chaos. I used to do this almost to everyone back in middle school and now, I'm bored. But then, I saw you, you and your childhood friend plus the new girl. It's a new variable to the equation, a new chaos can be made. I was a bit disappointed that my friends got kicked out, but today, I saw that the chaos just changed form. Instead of fighting those 4 dumbasses you're gonna have infighting. Isn't it fun? Intriguing? I always love a good drama”

You frowned hearing him, you're not quite sure if he's just evil or mischievous by nature. However, that doesn't matter if you end up getting hurt in the end. “Stop it”, You growl, “Jeez Brute, I thought you'd love a good drama”, You shake your head. “Everyone likes drama until they get in one, so stop it”, He finished his pissing before washing his hands. “Come on now, if you want me to stop you should do something fun in return. Oooohhhh, I know, what if I do a makeover for you, join the basketball team with me, it'll be fun”, Is he mad?

You didn't get to ask that question because you saw Jin walking in the toilet. His face contorts when he sees you. “Jin, where have you been man”, You smiled but he just walked past you, bumping you in the process. You glanced at Doyoung who was watching this excitedly. “Yo, not even a word for me?” Suddenly Jin stomped the ground turning to you. “Fuck you”, You shouldn't be pushing him, but you just had the feeling that you need to have some clarity from him. “Listen I don't know what is wrong with you-” His fist was fast, you didn't even get to blink before you felt a searing pain on your cheek followed by the weightless feeling coming from the fact that your body is floating due to the force of the punch.

“You don't know? Fucking bitch you didn't just fucking date Yuri, you had to date that Minju girl too? You know how long I've tried to play nice with you just so I can get close to Yuri. I was a week away from asking her out. Now you fucking ruined it and take my backup. Fucking idiot bitch”

The searing pain is changed to one of second-hand embarrassment due to his childish ramble. “How old are you? You really got mad because of some girls that's out of your reach?” Doyung laughed hearing your response as he leaned to the door closing it. “You fucking talk a lot fucker” Jin swing his leg to kick your stomach. “Enough Jin, he shit talk you so shit talk him back, if you hit him again I'll call the teacher”, Physical fight is not fun to watch when it comes to you, Doyoung prefers something with even playing field.

“Fuck off Doy, you're not the club prez”, Jin swing his leg again, this time you managed to dodge it. He then sends a punch to your face, you almost dodge it, but Doyoung stops him. “Come on now, he won Yuri because they had a long history together, he won Minju despite the lack of it, he's just a better flirt than you. Don't be such a sore loser about it” Jin sneered before sending a punch to Doyoung.

Doyoung catches it, so you send a punch to Jin's jaw, “Fucking bitch”, It's more of a mental attack for being punched by a scrawny kid like you. “You're pathetic Jin”, You easily evade his fist, because Doyoung pulls your head to the side. “Fuck off”, Doyoung punched Jin's face making him stumble back, “Just a sore loser”, During his confusion you kicked his stomach which did nothing but made him exhale a bit of air from his mouth. “You're out of the team Jin”, Doyoung finished the job and punched Jin's in the nose, breaking it.

“Hahahaha, oh this is fun, come on Brute, it's time for you to join the basketball team”, Jin dragged you by the back of your collar out to the nursery office. “What did you do this time?” Oh, fuck the old nurse is gonna dissect your brain to see what's wrong with it. “He was getting attacked by a bully, I helped him, maybe his cheeks gonna start bruising”, Doyoung smiled at you. “I'll call up your girlfriends”, Fuck, you wanted to stop him but he already flew away.

In the class, Yuri and Minju are getting restless, they know you wanted to talk with Doyoung, and although they hate him they still let you go. Now you've been gone for too long already, and they felt nervous. “Excuse me sir, Minju and Yuri are called to the nursery office”, Without missing a beat the two of them start running out. Both of them dragged Doyoung with them. “What did you do shithead”, Yuri punched him, “Listen now”, Doyoung is excited, these two girls are crazier than what he expected. “Speak”, Minju digs her nails into his forearm.

“He and I talked, then Jin walked in and-” He doesn't even need to finish as the two of them start running to the nursery office. “Crazy bitches”, Doyoung smiled before he walked to the teacher's office.

““Babe””, You heard the two girls run up to you from behind, they gasped when they saw your face. “Oh yeah sorry about that, Jin was just being an idiot”, The two girls are nervously waiting for the nurse to finish the check-up on you. “Hmmm, your eyes have stopped bleeding. Your cheek is gonna get swollen soon, you're gonna need some ice for that. Other than that, you need to get your head checked, if I see you coming here again after a fight I'll take off your limbs so you will be able to sit still in class”, She slapped your head before moving to the side.

The two immediately went to hug you, “Babe I'm fine”, You started caressing their hair. “No you're not fine, I'm taking you out of the school”, Ah fuck, Minju might actually lose her patience with this school. “Babe I'm fine okay, nothing bad happened”, Obviously, they're not blind so they just shook their heads. “I can get us to a good and safe school and if it doesn't work we can get some home tutor. The best of the best, we won't be left behind in our studies”, Yuri is conflicted, but she is willing to do anything to keep you safe.

“No listen, I promise I won't let anybody trample over me again okay? Just…… just do what you do before, kick Jin out, the 4 idiots are an example and Jin will be a warning, nobody will even think about touching me after that”, You don't want to leave school, maybe you should, but you don't want to. There is no way you can have any productive days living with these two girls. At least, for now.

“Fine, but you have to promise me you won't leave our sight anymore while we're in school”, A reasonable demand so you agreed to it, “And you will start working out”, You and Yuri were surprised hearing Minju's demand. “I, I guess I was already thinking about doing it”, The imagination of you getting hot and sweaty, gaining a few kilos of muscle, enthralled them. “Fine, Yuri stayed here with oppa, I'm talking to the principal”, Minju kissed you before striding off. “Yuri, we're in school”, Yuri sat on your lap and started drawing around your chest. “I’m not doing anything”, You glanced at the nurse, “If you fuck while I'm still here I'm chopping your dick off”, While you're cringing with the image that popped on your head, Yuri was intrigued, she can fuck you here, when the nurse is not around.

The nurse frowned seeing Yuri's smile, “I've been in this office for longer than you live, I know kids your age just can't handle themselves. If you want to do it clean after”, She scoffed before leaving. You are flabbergasted, should you just leave the school? “Hehehe, what a nice lady, come here oppa”, She pulled you to the bed. Now listen, you're not a pervert, not at all, you just don't want to deny your girlfriend's craving.

“Yuri, we really shouldn't”, You can feel a sting as she touches your cheek. “I know, I just want to cuddle for a moment”, She sighed and dropped her head on your chest. Not long after, Minju came back and jumped on the bed as well. “It's done, the principal is gonna round up the students tomorrow at the hall to talk about bullying”, Minju then purred when you started playing around with her hair. “Good, the nurse said earlier that we can use this place to have sex when she's not around”, Minju lights up, she loves this school. “We should bring her some brownies tomorrow then”, The two of them were excited for tomorrow.

All three of you stay there until your first break. Your cheek starts to swell making you look terrible. “Damn you look ugly”, Doyoung was smiling seeing you return to class. “Not as ugly as you”, You laughed as you sat back at your seat with the two girls surrounding you. “Zip it idiot, you're the one who caused him this”, You did tell them about what happened but they still don't like it, Doyoung might just hurt you for his entertainment. “Hey, I helped him”, He just smiled raising his hand, “Why don't you go out and find some new recruits for your team, it seems like you've lost 5 people already”, Minju threatened him.

“I already found a good replacement for Jin”, He smiles at you, making the two girls slam the table. “Fuck off”, “No”, You don't even need to answer him, “Alright, hey gonna be honest I had some envy when these two came out and say they're dating you. But then they tried to kill me earlier and I feel nothing but pity, you have my condolences Brute”, The girls eyed him as he left the class.

“Fucking bitch”, It's probably just a rebound thing from Jin but you kinda like Doyoung. Maybe you just want some friends outside these two girls but you don't care. “Don't be too hostile to him, he still helped me earlier”, The two frowned, “He's a maniac who's gonna get you kill for a good show”, “I agree, don't hangout with him anymore”, After today you won't be able to even if you wanted to.

Nothing much happens until lunch. During your lunch you see people are actively avoiding you, they would go out of their way to avoid being anywhere near your vicinity. Everyone is eyeing you, and from time to time you can hear a snippet of what they said.

“Don't get close to them”

“They kicked out-”

“Fucking chaebols”

The other freshmen steer clear of you fully, the idea of the short-tempered Yuri teaming up with a chaebols is just too scary. The upperclassmen however, are taking this as a challenge. It's weird because you recognise some of them yet they all seem to be surprised seeing the two girls that's holding onto both of your arms.

“That's weird actually, why did I never see any upperclassmen last week?” I turned to the other two, “I don't know, I just got transferred, remember?” Minju doesn't care, “I think it's because they only start school today? I heard last year the academic year ended a little late due to some administration problem. So they got an extra week of winter break to compensate for the extra month”, Sounds like ass.

We sat at the corner again, like usual, however since the cafeteria is way more full than before a lot of people are sitting at the table near us. It doesn't take a genius to see that most of them are trying to check Yuri and Minju out. For a moment you felt insecure for a little, the pain on your cheek reminded you of how unsightly you must be right now. It makes you feel a bit conscious about your body, for the first time, you actually want to change.

“What are you thinking?” Minju dropped her head on your shoulder, she never eats anything at lunch according to Yuri. Well, compared to the restaurant she took you to, these foods taste like shit. “I was just thinking, how ugly I gotta be compared to the two of you”, Yuri coughed up her food. “Babe, don't say that”, Minju played with your hair, “Well, it's true, I gotta look like a loser with this swelling on my cheek”, You laughed a little. “No you're not, you look fine”, Yuri grabbed your hand.

“I was just thinking that's all, I haven't had this many eyes on me since the drama”, There's nothing to be insecure about, after all, these girls are way too deep into you. “Don't think like that anymore”, Yuri pinched your other cheek, “That's right babe, we will make sure you never feel that way again”, Minju smiled at you which is kinda hard to see since the swelling starts to cover your eyes a little.

“I think my right eye is gonna be fully closed by the end of the day”, Minju frowned at Yuri, “Change seats with me”, Yuri shakes her head with a smirk. “You choose his right side then deal with it”, The two girls have some staring contest for a little before getting back to whatever they are doing.

The people that are checking your girlfriends seem to grow into a consensus to try and ask around more about them. Thankfully nobody really came up and tried to make small talk. Except for Doyoung, “Well, well, well, your girlfriends seems to be taking many upperclassmen eyes”, The two frowned at him but he didn't seem to be able to see them.

“Well, it's to be expected”, You shrugged as you watched the girl holding his arm. “Guys, meet Haeun, my girlfriend, she's one year older than us. Babe meet my best friend, the bestest of them all, Brutus”, His girlfriend eyed you carefully making your girlfriends glare at her. “Nice to meet you, these two are my girlfriends, Yuri and Minju”, You bowed to her before nodding to your girlfriends.

“I heard about you from Yuna, as far as i remember you were, in her words, a cute innocent guy and a perfect husband material, what happened here”, She point to the two furious girls, “Circumstances and fate, excuse me but I have to get to class”, Another day, another murder averted. “Husband material huh?” Minju said in a cold tone, “I thought you said you two weren't anything important”, Yuri slapped me.

“Come here”, You pulled them to find somewhere a bit more secluded. “Explain yourself”, The two of them crossed their arms watching you squirm uncomfortably, “I don't know how Yuna remembers that much about me. I only got to date her for two months. We don't go out much, I don't talk that much in the chat either. I swear I don't know if she had any feeling more than just a casual fuck buddy”, Not a satisfying answer.

“Look girls, I'm really sorry but I don't know how I left such an impression on her. Just…. Can you tell me how to make it up to you”, They already win the argument without saying anything. “Hmmm, what do you think, Yuri?” Yuri was surprised when Minju asked for her idea. “Well, we can't let her contact oppa under any circumstances”, That's easy, you barely remember to open your chat messages once a week. “Then we have to….. I don't know”, Yuri tried to think of something but she just doesn't know. “So am I, hearing her say that about you makes my blood boil but I don't know what to do”, Minju frowned.

“So, do you need some space or something”, You cringed when you said that, one because it actually feeds into your insecurities a little, the other because they immediately show a shocked expression, as if you said you want to break up with them. “No, we would never do that, why would you say that babe”, Yuri grabbed your cheek, “You know that's not what we want, did we do something wrong babe? We're sorry”, Minju wanted to hold your cheek but resorted to your neck.

“I just don't know, okay? You guys seem so mad about her, so caught up in my old relationship. I told you again and again that I already moved on but you can't seem to stand her for some reason and always get angry. I thought you needed some time to cool off or something”

They looked at each other before leaping in for a hug. “Baby, we just don't like her okay? We really don't, and I'm sorry if we give off the feelings that we blame you, we realised that it's wrong for us to do so”, Minju said, “Yeah, me too okay babe? Let's just never talk about her again, we can do that”, Yuri said. “Okay, I'm sorry too, let's get back to class”, Surely the conversation about Yuna won't come up again.

The next day, after the homeroom class the teacher told you to get to the auditorium. Minju and Yuri drag you out of the crowd of people to the nursery office. “Well? What are you three doing here? Everyone is told to come to the auditorium”, The nurse scoffed at us, “We just want to do a check up”, Minju smiled meaningfully. “That's right, we are scared that our boyfriend here will be too tired for school today”, Yuri bought up a jar of cookies that Minju baked back on Sunday.

The nurse looked at us for a few moments before standing up and putting a key on the table, “You have two hours”, Then she took the cookies and walked out. “She didn't check on you”, Minju frowned while unbuttoning your shirt, “I'm sure babe will be fine, and I gotta say, the scar made you hot oppa”, The swelling has gone down significantly leaving nothing but a blue and red mark across your cheek. “I agree, but I don't want to deal with a swollen cheek ever again”

Minju pushed you to the bed as she finished taking off your shirt. The two of them kneeled down in front of you before pulling down your pants. “Heheheh, so hard already for us?” Yuri kissed the tip making you shiver, “We only have two hours Yuri, stop with the foreplay”, Minju immediately spit on your cock before she swallowed it. “Fucking nympho”, Yuri leaned down and suck on your balls. “You two are gonna be the death of me”, They smiled with their eyes while they took care of your cock and balls.

“Oh fuck Minju, do that again”, Your moan is music to her ears, she continue using her tongue to reached down to lick your balls. Feeling neglected, Yuri takes off her shirt and throws it to the bed before pulling down her bra. “Oppa, your meal is ready”, She stood up so you could start sucking on her tits.

One good thing about these school uniforms is that the skirt is pretty tight, allowing you to feel up Yuri's ass while you're fondling her tits. “Oppaaa, stop teasing, suck my tits please”, Yuri has mastered the skill of being cute without intending to do so. One arm on her ass while the other cooperates with your mouth to worship her tits proof to be too much for her.

“Ahhhh, oppa, bite it harder”, Sinking your teeth even deeper into her boobs, your tongue kept playing with her nipples which made her let out a moan. Minju protested, her muffled groan caught your attention so you stop fondling Yuri's tits with one and start caressing Minju's head. “My other tits oppa”, Yuri gets on your lap to feed you her other teeth, blocking your view from Minju.

You felt Minju's mouth letting go of your cock, “Yaaa”, then you heard a slap before your hand felt a ripple on Yuri's ass. “Shut up unnie, just go suck oppa's cock”, Yuri moaned as you bit her other tits. “Your turn now”, Minju pulled Yuri down to the ground before taking off her shirt. “Don't you want to mark my tits too oppa?” The girls switch places, letting you have fun with the smaller yet still beautiful Minju's tits.

“I can't take it anymore, I want you in me oppa”, You didn't realise Yuri had taken off her skirt and panties. “Hey, I'm first”, The two had a glaring competition before they decided to rock-paper-scissors. “Hahaha, go lock the door up first unnie”, Yuri pushed you to the bed before jumping on you.

“Come here Yuri, take my hands”, She smiled and grabbed both before she lined her pussy with your cock, “Slowly”, Yuri shook her head before slamming it all in. “Aghhhhh, opppaaaaa”, She screamed, “Don't scream too loud Yuri”, Minju pinched her cheek, already locking the door. Minju takes off the rest of her attire before crawling to you, “Lick me oppa”, You're gonna get full before lunch at this rate.

“Ahhh, oppa, hold me”, You hear Yuri protest as your hand reaches to hold Minju’s waist. “Come here Yuri, your mouth can be used for something more important”, Minju pulled Yuri to a kiss. The kiss was enjoyable for the two, Yuri for one felt some other hunger rising up inside her. Minju, who hasn't kissed another girl for a while, had a sudden nostalgia that she immediately threw away. She only cares about you and Yuri from now on.

In the middle of this you felt frustrated for not being able to see the two girls kiss. Your tongue immediately picks up the pace and starts licking Minju aggressively while your hips start thrusting Yuri. “Ohhhh, baby keep licking there”, Minju breaks off the kiss and drops her hand to hold her up using your chest. “Yeah oppa, faster”, Yuri raised her speed more and you matched up with her speed. “You have a nice ass, Yuri you know that?” Minju smiled before her hand reached out to slap her ass.

“Ahhhh, unnie”, Yuri moaned, “Ohhh, call me that again”, Another slap, “Unnie, again”, Yuri moaned. Feeling forgotten you slap Minju's ass making her moan. “Ahhhhh, oppa, if you keep doing that, I migh- I'M CUMMINGGGG” Minju moaned as she tried to raise her hips as her leg tensed up. You wouldn't let her and keep her waist down so your tongue can send her off the rail. “Fuckkkk”, Minju squirted all over your face, “Oppa, move your hips again”, Yuri whined as she fuck you even faster.

“Hehehe, let me clean you up oppa”, Minju got off you and started licking your face, your hand immediately got grabbed by Yuri as her hips were getting more and more immense. “Fuck, I'm cumming oppa”, Seeing your intense stare Yuri can't hold for more than 10 seconds before her walls tightened up and she dropped on you.

“Do I taste good oppa?” Minju was enthralled with the juice that has soaked your face. “I don't know, let me try”, You can swear her eyes turned to a heart, she immediately licked all the remaining liquid on you before she kissed you. Transferring those juices and her saliva to your mouth. Her bodily liquid all tasted amazing, during your kiss you felt Yuri drop her head on your chest.

“Tired already Yuri?” You laughed as you caressed her head, “You forgot about me”, She pouted. “Forgot, I think you two forgot about me, how can you two just make out while I can't even see it”, The two felt guilt, which got replaced with even more lust seeing your pouting face.

“My turn”, Minju pulled Yuri out of you and jumped on your cock. Yuri climbed on your face, with her back facing Minju so you can maintain eye contact with her. The second round begins, the two girls are still sensitive making their moan much more frequent. “Do you like Yuri's taste, oppa?” Minju peeked from Yuri's shoulder. You just winked at them, “Look at these things Yuri, how do you not get back pain from these”, Minju's hand travelled to Yuri's boobs and started pinching her nipples. “Ahhhh, unnie”, Now this is the view you can get behind, or rather, under. “Sssshhhh, what did I tell you about your mouth”, You saw Minju pull Yuri in another kiss, a view that can only be described as heavenly.

“Ahhhhh, oppa”, Yuri breaks the kiss and turns to you, Yuri loves eye contact during sex, as she was lost in ecstasy she felt a sharp pain on her shoulder as Minju bit her. “Aghhhhh, I'm cumming”, Yuri's voice got all squeaky and high as her body was having another orgasm. “Oh fuck, are you cumming oppa?” Minju moaned, feeling your cock throbbing. You gritted your teeth before grabbing her hips, “Ladies first”, You swallow down the ejaculations that's about to come and start pounding her mercilessly, “Ahhhhh, oppa I'm cumming”, Minju can't deal with your sudden aggression before cumming again, soaking your crotch.

The sperm is knocking on your penis screaming to be let out, “I'm cumming”, You thrust into her, letting her feel the warmth she has become addicted to. “I need some time”, Yuri gets off you and lays next to you. Minju smiled at you, showing she's ready for round two. “Get off me Minju”, She complies and gets on all four, above Yuri. “Fucking, nympho”, Yuri is panting and just look at Minju like she's a monster. “Oppa, get me my bag”, You stand up and give it to her, she bought out a bottle of lube. “Oh my god, are you serious?” You laughed, she winked at you before giving it to you.

“What's that?” Yuri said, “That Yuri, is a lube, because oppa is going inside my ass”, Yuri looked horrified, while also a little curious. “Ohhhh, oppa, so impatient already”, Minju moaned, feeling your finger teasing her hole. “Is it painful?” Yuri said, “Oh, for the first time, but I have a lot of experience”, You can tell because you can slip in three fingers already without any resistance. “Well go on oppa, I'm waiting”, Minju swayed her hips, enticing you even further. You squirt some lube to your cock before aligning it with her asshole.

Your tip pressed against her hole making her body shiver, then it pushed through, making her back tensed up. Yuri sat up to watch the process from behind, the sight of her two melons right on Minju's face was too alluring. “Unnie, I want to wa-, ahhhhh” Yuri moaned as both of her hands were holding on to Minju’s head. “Fuck”, You groaned, Minju’s asshole is so tight you can't help but moan. “Does it feel good oppa?” Yuri bites her lips seeing your face, “It's great Yuri”, Slowly you start moving, letting Minju's ass adjust to your size.

Before long you start pounding her at a comfortable pace. Her ass ripples everytime you push in, a sight you can't get tired of. “Does it feel good unnie?” Yuri whimpered as one of her hands started rubbing her pussy. “It feels great Yuri”, Minju rolled her eyes to the back of her skull making Yuri even more intrigued. “Fuck, you're so tight Min”, You start fucking her violently almost pushing her head to Yuri's.

“Fuckkkk, if you're gonna keep saying that, you're gonna make me blush babe”, You're gonna make her do a lot more than that as your hand starts trailing her spine. “Fuckkkk, that's cheating oppa”, You leaned forward and bit her ears. “Such a slut”, As much as she likes being complimented, she loves hearing you call her that. “Fuck yes, I'm your slut babe, fuck me”, You turned to Yuri who's looking at you with thrill. “Come here”, She immediately leaned closer to makeout with you, Minju hugged Yuri and rested her head on Yuri's shoulder. “I'm cumming”, You can hear her juice sprays all over the bed before she slumped down on Yuri.

“Fuck, Yuri, come here”, Yuri throw Minju off of her and her closer to you, “I'm sorry, I was too sensitive oppa, go finish in pure Yuri's hole”, Minju got behind Yuri and used her hand to spread open Yuri's already wet pussy. “Fucking hell”, You moved to your last round. Plunging in, you can see Yuri's body convulsed due to the sudden intrusion, “Fuck, that's so hot”, You start pounding her, she let out a squeal everytime you got fully in her, she's so cute sometimes.

“Look at these oppa, don't you love Yuri's boobs?”Minju smiled as she started massaging it. “So fucking hot, come here”, You pulled her in for a kiss that she immediately reciprocate. Yuri after seeing you two got busy with each other. “Opppaaaaa, focus on meeeee”, She let out a super cute whine making you look down at her. “I'm cumming”, she squealed, her tightening walls starting to milk your cock as well. “Fuck, take it Yuri”, You pushed deeper into her spraying your cum to her womb entrance.

As the orgasm passes the three of you get on the bed, fully drained, you can't comprehend how you can even finish the day. “I'm so tired already”, You felt breathless, you might just sleep here for the whole day. “Hahahaha, I feel energised, and full”, Minju starts caressing her stomach like a pregnant lady. “Me too, I can feel your sperm swimming inside me oppa”, Yuri did the same and started moaning. “You two….. are on birth…… control right? I'm not….. ready to be a father”, Even finishing a sentence is tiring for you.

“Hahahaha, of course, I don't want to have babies, your love and attention is split up already and I don't want less of that”, Minju laughed and played with your hair, “Children? In this economy? No thanks”, Yuri laughed and drew on your chest. As the three of you were enjoying the moment you heard a knock on the door. “Anybody in there?” Sounds like a student, the three of you look at each other. “Oy switch with us, we also want to do a check up”, The three of you let out a sigh realising you don't need to leave.

“We're, busyyyy” Minju moaned making you laugh, “Come, back laterrr” Yuri squealed. “Oy, you're there for an hour already”, He knocked the door again, “Hey, do you mind”, You said sternly, the two girls start laughing loudly before letting out a few moans. “Fucking bitch”, He said, “Come on, we can use the janitor closet”, You heard a girl's voice before the sounds of footsteps leaving. “I hope a janitor walk in on them”, Yuri scoffed, “Hmmm, I wish we can go home and just rest for the day”, Minju sniffed her shampoo on your hair.

“I think, if we get homeschooled we won't be able to leave our bedroom for 3 years”, They can barely contain themselves when they're in school, let alone being confined at Minju’s house. “I wouldn't mind”, Of course she wouldn't, “Hmmm, babe, we still need to talk to mom and dad”, Yuri reminded of the dreaded dinner you would have to attend eventually. “Let's wait, we know they won't be as open minded as Noona. Let this relationship run for a while, so that we can show them we are confident with our choices”, You said.

“We are confident already”, Yuri said, “Yeah but they won't trust us. They will think we are riding on our teenage hormones, so let's just let this run, just long enough so that they were surprised we have been going for so long”, Yuri's parents are also gonna kill you if they found out about this now. “Haaaa, if only I can introduce you to mom and dad, although they probably won't care much but it would still be a fun thing to do”, Minju sighed.

“What is your relationship with your parents anyway?” She never says anything about it, “They're fine, they have more expectations for my sibling, 2 older brothers and a sister, since I'm the youngest they tend to let me do as I please”, Did they cast her aside or something? “Minju, did your parents abandon you or something?” Yuri said concerned, “No, they just don't want me to be too pressured to follow their steps. They're not the typical family like on the K-drama you watch”, Minju laughed seeing your concerned face.

“Alright then, we should get dressed, I don't want to get a cold”, The two reluctantly get off you and get ready for the day. Looking at Minju, you can't help but have a sense of pride rising due to her walking stiffly. “Hey, you did this to me so you have to help me now babe”, Minju pressed up against you for support, you wrapped your arm around her waist to help her walk. “Oppa, me too”, Yuri starts walking funny as well. “I feel like a playboy”, Holding both of the girls by the waist while they leaned to you, yeah that seems a little too brazen.

“Let's just wait in class okay?” And thus the day began, although you wanted nothing more but to go home and rest. After the first break Doyoung pulled you to the side, much to the girls discontent. “Did you and you and your girlfriends fool around in the nurse office earlier?” The smile that he has is a bit concerning, “Yeah?” He shook his head. “You piss off a senior, and he's gunning for you, I heard from Haeun that they went to the janitor's closet and a janitor walked in on them. Quite funny actually, but you can't help but cause trouble. No worries though, he will not do any physical confrontation. Although be careful, he might ruin your chances for getting to college, his father is a dean in some universities I don't remember”, Well, that would be scary if you didn't have Minju by your side.

“What does he want?” Yuri and Minju pester you the moment Doyoung walks away. “The guy from earlier got caught by the janitor and wanted some beef with me. “This place is filled with cunts”, Minjun growled, “Relax, Doyoung said he won't attack me, he's already in his senior years so he won't do anything stupid. Come on, let's just focus on the class”

When the school finished and the three of you went to Minju's place, a surprise was waiting for you. “Welcome home Minju, I offered myself some of your cookies. I hope you don't mind”, A tall black-haired guy, who seems to be in his early 20s, is sitting in the living room. “Minho? What are you doing here?” Minju's open hostility made you feel nervous. “Come on, be a good girl and introduce your boyfriend to your brother”, A sigh of relief escaped your mouth realising it wasn't an ex or nosy suitor.

“Babe, Yuri, this is my brother, Minho, Minho, this is my boyfriend and his girlfriend Yuri”, You can see his face start to form a smile, one you've grown familiar with. “Is your older brother Doyoung’s brother as well?” Minju slapped you to shut you up. “Hahahahhaha, oh god, oh god this is good, this is wayyyyy too good. When I heard from Tae that you were fooling around in the middle of the restaurant I couldn't help but laugh. Now I came here to check on you and you got into a harem?” His laugh echoes inside the living room. Minju pulled you and Yuri to sit with her on the couch, with her sitting the closest to him.

“I don't think this is a harem”, He looked at you with interest, “So tell me kid, what's your name?” The smile he wore tells you he already knows your name, “Marcus Junius Brutus”, He laughed again. “What are you doing here Minho?” Minju said impatiently, “Oh, I can't visit my own sister?” Yuri is shaking, she doesn't like him very much. “Well, I'm still here, now go finish your visit and leave”, Minho just snorted and reached inside his suite. He pulled out a small envelope and handed it to Minju, “Invitation, for mom’s charity event next week”, Minju frowned and took it. “and before you say anything, you can either come there or you'll have to go to another, proposal dinner”, Minju's face contorted.

“Min?” The moment your hand touched her hair she dropped herself to your embrace. “You know, I'm curious about how this comes to be. Because as far as I know Minju is gay”, Minho leaned back in his seat clearly showing he won't leave until his curiosity is satiated. “We met, she had a crush on me, and the compromise with my best friend Yuri, now they're sharing me”, You wrapped your other arm on Yuri's shoulder making her slump into you as well. “Really? Because I thought she was going after that cute girl first then you come in”, Minho winked at Yuri who just growled at him. “Well you're wrong, so can you not check out my girlfriend?” You're not really sure where you get your confidence from, but it certainly amused the two while Minho seems to be intrigued.

“So bold, I see why you can get away with it”, You smiled again, “Thank you, but I gained my confidence after these two started dating me. I'm nothing without them you see”, Oh the girls gonna reward you for this. “Such a romantic guy, what happened to your face, did Minju get too rough? She always screams like-” Minju immediately yelled at him, “Minho”, You can tell she's embarrassed. “What? I got woken up at night a few times because my sister was mastur-”, Minju stood up and kicked him.

“Minju is quite the screamer”, She turned to you with horrors on her face, “But she didn't do this, it was just some boring high school kid getting jealous of me dating these two”, You smiled and reached out to pull her down. She buries her face in your chest while letting out a muffled scream. “Surprised you aren't dead yet, you look like you could crumble from a falling leaves”, Hurtful, but he's not wrong, “We won't let that happen”, Yuri roared, “Oh? But you already let his face turn to that”, From her grip you can't tell Yuri is furious. “It's just a mistake, it won't happen again”, Minho is gauging your relationship dynamics, and he concluded, it's unique, and fun to watch.

Maybe I should get two girlfriends as well. I wonder if Seolhyun is down.

“It's just a mishap, don't worry, I'll get better”, You pulled Yuri down who started grumbling while burying her face to your neck. “Hey, I just gotta say, as a fellow guy, respect. Still though, you break my sister's heart I'm breaking your financial capabilities”, The threat felt so light-hearted you felt like he was just joking. “Okay, are you staying till dinner?” The two immediately raised their heads and glared at you, “No, it seems I'm not invited”, He opened his phone and sent a text. “Good, we only have a portion for 3”, He laughed at you before standing up and taking the jar of cookies. “I'm taking these, good job Min, I'll see you next week. Yura, or whatever you are, nice to meet you, and Brutus, don't stab my sister in the back”, Now this one feels like a real threat.

As he leaves the two girls were glaring daggers to his back. “Well, that was something”, You tried to calm them down, “I hate him”, Yuri turned to Minju, “Now that you said it babe, I remember why I hate Doyoung so much, he's a carbon copy of Minho”, Minju frowned. “So, what's the charity event gonna be about?” You turned to Minju, “It's just some party for the donator, it's boring stuff really. I don't like going there, too much attention on me”, She starts taking off my shirt. “And the proposal dinner?” Yuri said, “It's just my parent's set up dinner for a suitor, I hate it”, You don't feel comfortable imagining Minju going out to meet other guys.

“Can't you tell your parents that you're dating oppa?” Minju sighed and shook her head, “I haven't got the chance, they don't necessarily hate people from the lower class. However they have some prejudice, mom got swindled by some guy who's after her money. They will try to keep an open mind, but oppa will have to work to convince them. Just like with you Yuri, I think it's best if we try to wait for a little while", As much as you want to agree to that, you still don't like the idea of Minju having to go and have dinner with other dudes.

“You can tell them you find someone you're interested in, then lie that he is already having a somewhat unofficial relationship with his childhood friend”, Minju lights up hearing your suggestions, “That's a great idea babe, mom loves romantic novel so she will definitely be hooked”, Yuri nodded proudly at you. “Now that's covered, why am I naked?” Why do you even bother asking?

Around sundown Minju pulled out her phone and started shopping for some gym equipment to put at her house. Hearing that they all will be delivered by tomorrow you can only sigh, it seems a new hell will be upon you soon.

“Why do you look like that?” Eunbi eyed you carefully, “Oh, I just had some workout with Minju and Yuri earlier”, You know that's not what she's asking. “You idiot I left for 3 days and you already got into another fight?” Eunbi is determined that if you really like getting into a fight so much, she will give you one that would change your life. “Noona, I'm sorry, I was attacked, please, I'm sorry”, Her punches are relentless, however soon she calmed down and let you go. “I can't, I really can't with you sometimes”, She started massaging her head trying to calm the headache. “I'm sorry Noona, but I promise I won't get into another fight until I graduate”, At least you don't plan to. “Until you die, you shouldn't get into any fight idiot”, Thankfully Eunbi didn't explode again from your poor word choices.

“Okay, I promise”, She sighed and sat back down to her seat, for a while the two of you ate quietly. “You've done it yet?” You just nodded without looking up at her, “Are you being safe?” Keep nodding, keep looking at your food, “How many times?” Yep, just nod. “Damn it, don't tell me you've been doing that everyday. Is that the reason why you never go home?” Nod? Yeah, just nod, “You idiot”, Yeah that one also needs a nod.

“You know Yuri's parents have been asking me about you two. Yesterday they came here asking for her but I have to lie to them about you having sex with her”, You can't nod to that one, “What do they want to talk about?” She just shrugged. “I'll tell them then”, It's time to have some private sleep. “Bring them here sometime too, I want to have dinner with them”, You shake your head this time. “You brat, I'm not asking”, You shake it again, “Why?” Because you're scared of her. “Well, you never introduced me to your boyfriend, so why should I introduce you to my girlfriends”, She glared at you for a moment, “So? Are you gonna introduce him to me?” Then suddenly a thought crosses your mind.

“Noona, you do have a boyfriend right?” Her face contorted to be an incarnation of death, “Yes I have a boyfriend”, She doesn't need to say that with a punch but what can you do? “Then why did you never introduce him?” She frowned, “Because he's gonna try to hook you up with his friends”, What kind of excuse is that? “Huh?” Eunbi just sighs, “He's popular with girls okay, and he likes playing matchmaker. When I told him I have a brother he wanted to introduce you to his sister so you two can go out together. Do you want that?” Well, it's a bit late for that. “And now it's already too late”, You nodded agreeing, “I'm sure my girlfriends wouldn't appreciate the gesture”, She slam the table, “It's too late because if he met you he'll have an idea to find a new girlfriend and push me to a poly relationship”, Oh yeah, that too.

“Well, that's unfortunate then”, The dinner ended silently. Eunbi usually teased you alot, however she hasn't done that now that you're in a relationship. At first you thought that she was mad and angry at you. However, in Eunbi’s mind, she's just confused about you. It's like the little secluded boy she has known for so long suddenly changed under her nose.

Has he always been like this? Did I just never pick up on it? It's so hard to do this. What would mom and dad say if they find out? Dad would definitely laugh his ass off and tease him everyday. Actually he would also be a little disappointed since he might think that you were essentially cheating on Yuri. Mom would chew him out, probably causing some strain on the relationship itself. Haaaaaa, I'm happy for you lil bro, I really do, but I can't keep encouraging you, I need to be mom and dad for you. Whatever happens with you and your girlfriends, I hope it'll be a happy ending.

Just like you, Eunbi is still processing your parents death in her own ways. It's been over a year already, yet she still finds it hard sometimes. Your parents room is still empty, it's quite ironic really. Both of you had some conversations long ago about who can take their bedroom once you grow up. Yet now, even seeing the door already causes some pain in your chest. Life goes on so fast, and ends so suddenly that you two never really had time to process their death. Eunbi had to deal with her college entrance and adjust to new environments and situations.

She used to be so mischievous and as idiotic as you. After their death, she had to change. Sometimes she longed for those times of ignorance bliss. She wanted to strangle you while making endless jokes about your sex life. Alas, she had to grow, she can't be your sister anymore, she has to take the responsibility your parents left her. Perhaps one day, once you've grown to an adult, who figured out how to wing the little thing called life, she can return. Or maybe, by the time you've grown out of her guidance, she has taken the serious adult mantle and persona for too long, that her old repressed personality was nothing but a distant memory for her.

“I'm going out Noona”, Hope, she still has it, she hopes you will grow, without the pain and struggle she's feeling right now. “Take care, and don't forget to sleep properly, it's not healthy waking up the whole night to please your girlfriends”, For now, she can only continue her role, for you.

Oblivious to all this, you return to the girls to break the news. “What do you mean we have to split our sleep?” They did not take it well, “Listen, we have to understand, Yuri's parents will find out one day if we keep sleeping here. So let's compromise, one day with Yuri, one day with Minju, I'll go to each of your houses”, The two looked at each other. “Fine, Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday is mine”, Yuri said, “You’re not taking Friday and getting 4 days, I'm taking Saturday and Sunday”, The two clashed for a moment. “Girls, what if we just have Sunday together, all three of us”, You're getting good at managing them.

“I still want Friday, you're gonna be beat on Saturday because you spend time with her”, Minju pouted, “Then let's have one at school nights”, Alright, totally controlled. “Okay, do we start today?” You're not really ready to meet with Yuri's parents, especially because you haven't really met them since the little scuffle you had last week. “Yeah sure, bye Minju”, Yuri wanted to gloat over Minju but you just gave Minju a goodnight kiss that calmed her down for now.

“Yuri, and- what happened to you sweetie?” Her mom immediately came up to me, “Oppa got into a fight because some idiot from school doesn't like that we're dating. He jumped in for me”, Yuri pulled my head and caressed my cheek. “Oh my god, that's horrible sweetie, come here let me take a look”, Still holding you, Yuri pulled you closer to her mom. “Oh my god, did you do this Yuri? Is this why you haven't brought him back to us for a week?” Her dad came by and immediately got kicked by Yuri. “Oppa is resting so I didn't bring him here”, Yuri scoffed as her mom checked it. “Well, it seems like it'll heal in a week, do your eyes have any trouble seeing sweetie?” You shake your head.

“He's fine mom, we've already checked the school nurse a few times already, there's nothing serious”, Her mom glanced at my neck and maybe down my shirt. “I see, so you have rewarded him properly for protecting you sweetie? Is that what's gonna happen tonight?” Yuri frowned and pulled you out of the living room. “Good night, don't get too loud, I have a morning shift tomorrow”, Her mom teased us as we got to Yuri's room. “Haaaaaa, come on oppa, it's been a long day. My thighs are dying for a rest”, She took off her jacket and changed her pants to shorter and more comforting pants.

“Yuri, did you not tell your parents about last week?” She turned off the lights and jumped on the bed to join you, not bothering to answer you. “Yuri?” She raised her head, “Huh?” You asked her again. “Well, I was scared okay, I was a little embarrassed that I can't protect you and you were so injured that I was just too busy worrying about you”, She sighed and rubbed her head on your chest. “You do remember your mom is a nurse as well right?” Even in the dark room you can still see her blush, “Shut up”, She bites your chest. “Aggghhhhh, Yuri”, The girls has actually find your weakness yesterday.

“I didn't forget, I just don't want to….. it doesn't matter, it's in the past”

“You're so cute when you're embarrassed you know that?”

“I'm not cute”

“Yes you are”

“No, stop calling me that”

“Then what do you want to be called?”

“I'm hot”

“Yeah you are, but also-, wait is that why you want to do squats and leg exercises? To make your ass and thighs bigger?”

“SHUT UP!!!!!”

“Hahahhaa, you're so cute”

“I'm not cute” *pout cutely*

“Why not? Why don't you like being called cute”

“Because I want people to call me hot”

“Well, people can do that, but can't your boyfriend call you cute? Can you be cute for me?”

Gotta say, that was smooth. Don't believe what others say.

“Do you really want me to be cute oppa?”

“You already are Yuri, I just want you to accept my compliments about that”

“But I'm still hot right?”

“You're still hot, and beautiful, but you're also cute”

“Hotter than Minju?”

“Same level”

“Prettier?”

“No, but cuter”

“Oppaaaaaa”

“Okay, don't tell her I say this but you're more beautiful. I'm lucky to be able to enjoy seeing you everyday ever since I'm a child”

“Good, then I'll be cute for you”

“You already are”

“Yaaaa, I'm not gonna be cute for you”

“Can't deny who you are”

The conversation goes on and on, it was a nice talk. Somehow, late night, half asleep talk is just your thing. To Yuri, it was such a blessing, to be able to relive all those memories of sleeping with you back in the day. Talking about movies or fantasy or just gossiping around. Without saying a word, you two agreed that this separate sleeping schedule is not a bad idea.

The next day, your whole body is in pain. Despite your protest, Minju and Yuri still pushed you to do another workout. You wanted to do some leg with Yuri, and you've come to the conclusion, leg day fucking sucks. At the end you didn't even bother to go home and get a change of clothes. Minju has a lot of baggy clothes that can fit you, much to your embarrassment.

“Why are you shy babe, you look good”, Minju smiled seeing your frown, “I just feel a little discouraged realising how small my body is”, Pathetic, the feelings you're having that is, not your body. “Come on babe, you'll grow soon enough”, Yuri kissed your cheek. “Yep, besides you're perfect the way you are”, Minju plays with your hair. “Well, maybe we need to do a little shopping for new clothes though”, Yuri roasted you by accident. “My wardrobe is fine”, They shake their head making you feel even worse. “It's okay babe, I can pay for you”, Now, there's a thing called a man's pride. A stupid concept that you always hated, until now. Somehow, knowing your girlfriends gonna be your sugar mama made you feel uncomfortable.

“Oh come on now, it's fine, I can afford it”, You shake your head, “At least, give me a debt, I don't feel good about it”, Minju really wants to spoil you with money, and you're making it hard for her. Yuri leaned in and whispered to him, “Just accept it, he doesn't like being pitied. If you really want to, you can make him pay with other ways”, For one, Yuri doesn't feel any competitiveness with Minju.

“Fine, but you'll pay me with some work”, The smirk tells you this would end badly, but you nodded. “Good, now, let's cook dinner for our boyfriend Yuri”, Yuri has been learning how to cook with Minju recently. You already know how to cook, but it's inferior to Minju. Of course, learning how to cook with her is a bad idea as she spends more time feeling you up rather than teaching you.

“Haaaaa, you're so warm babe”, Without Yuri around Minju locked you in her embrace with both her legs and arms. Her head comfortably nestles against yours. “Are you sure you want to sleep like this babe?” Your hand can't say no to her alluring bare thighs in your stomach. “Yeah, I do, and if you don't like it then deal with it”, She giggled when your hands started feeling her up.

“Do you usually sleep with a body pillow or something?”

“Yeah sometimes, I wanted to buy one when I moved here, but then you came around, and I don't need to now”

“Yeah, but now you'll have some nights of sleeping without me”

“Haaaaa, I'll manage, I still have your workout sweater”

“You know I feel disgusted and aroused by the idea of how addicted you are to my scent”

“Thank you, but you smell so good. Yesterday I used your sweater to sleep, it smells of you so I can lie to myself that I'm sleeping with you”

“That's psycho material, or wife material I'm not sure”

“Heheheh, you want to get married babe? I once saw this beautiful engagement ring when I accompanied my brother because he wanted to buy one. He ended up buying an expensive one, then he offered to buy me that one for my future wife. I said no, I wished I said yes”

“We never really talk about that do we? You were gay?”

“Well, I think I was, I mean I never really feel any attraction towards guys”

“But you feel it with me?”

“Yeah, so I thought I wasn't gay, but that threesome with Yuri remind me some old experience I had with my ex”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, you're all angry about me having an ex while you also had one”

“I know, I'm sorry babe, I really do and it's not like I tried to keep it away. It's just, I hate her”

“Bad breakup?”

“Haaaaa, she was so nice, she was my only friend that wasn't fake. Of course I was naive, so I just started going out with her. Although we never did it, we still fool around, then I send her a nude selfie, and it spreads”

“Ohhh, I'm sorry babe, she sounds like a bitch”

“Yeah, she is, thankfully my family stepped in and all the pictures got deleted. She, well, I don't know where she went but dad said she's taken care off”

“Uhhh, have you checked the bottom of the ocean?”

“Babeeee, we're not a mafia”

“Alright, sure, whatever you say-, aggghhhhh”

“You're so cute when you're like that”

“Should I get beat up again”

“I'll kill you before you jump to another fight”

“Hahahah, you know I was wondering, you never talk about your siblings”

“Hmmm? There's not much to talk about, I'm the youngest child, I have an older brother Minho, and then the two eldest sibling are Seojin and Yoojin, they're twins”

“Minho look kinda old you know”

“Yeah, there's a big age gap between all of us, Minho is 5 year older than me, Seojin and Yoojin is 6 years older than him”

“Huh, and you have a good relationship with them?”

“Yeah, Minho is a shit stirrer so he pranks me a lot. Seojin and Yoojin are already mature. Yoojin-unnie is cold and very stern, Seojin-oppa is more easy going and sociable. We take care of each other, how about you and Eunbi-unnie?”

“We're taking care of each other as well, you know she used to be as stupid and rebellious as I am”

“Really?

“Yeah, there's one time when me, her and Yuri were having a camping trip with our family………”

Your voice is like a lullaby that slowly brings Minju to sleep, not because it's boring, but because it's comforting. The next day when you wake up Minju was apologising profusely for falling asleep during your story. You're fine with it, because you also fell asleep in the middle. She wanted to hear it again later on, which brought up the topic of the second date.

“Since I go out first you can take him out first Yuri”, Surprisingly, Yuri shook her head. “I think we should go out together, as three before we have a second date”, Oh shit, how many eyes are you gonna get now. “Hmmmm, that sounds good, then shopping, it's time to give you a makeover oppa”, Minju already planned your date, “Yep, first, a haircut”, Minju loves your hair, but she agreed that it's getting too long. “No way, I wanted to grow it”, Nope, they won't let you. “I know a place for spa day”, Can they keep themselves from you during spa day?

“I think we can just go to a barbershop”, The look of disgust on their face tells you that you can't get away from this. “Alright, haircut, shopping then spa day. How about this Saturday?” Yuri doesn't like that she won't be able to pitch in for the trip. “Listen Yuri, if you don't like that you're getting treated by me, then you can also pay me with other means”, Of course, Yuri thinks that it means she has to give her time with oppa for Minju as payment. “Oh, don't worry Yuri, I'm not gonna take your time with him, but, don't you think it's time for us to have our own date?” Minju wants to try something.

“Are you serious?” Yuri was baffled, “Of course, we have had a lot of pillow talk with oppa the last two days, and I realised earlier that you and I haven't gotten that close. So, we should go out, the more we get along the better it is for oppa right?” Huh, you're getting cucked by your girlfriends. “Fine, once, just once, and if oppa doesn't like it then we stop it”, Minju and Yuri can see the complex emotions on your face and agree that it's a bad idea to feed your insecurities even more. “I can't wait for Saturday”

“I look like a fuckboy”, You've seen so many ‘influencers’ rocking this hairstyle that you've grown to hate it. “You look good babe, your curly hair is perfect for this”, Doesn't make you less basic, “We like it oppa, so just roll with it”, The things I, well, you do for love. “Fine, let's go get some clothes”, When Minju said a makeover, you didn't really expect her to buy you a wardrobe worth of clothes. In fact, you might need to buy a new one. “Girls, how many more clothes do you want me to buy?” Fed up with them, you can't help but protest, surprisingly for the first time today. “Oppa we just need a few more pants, then we can go and relax in a spa okay?” Thankfully they stay true to their words and leave shortly after.

Just as you thought the relaxation time of the day had come, the world decided to play a game on you. “Minju, Brutus, Juri? I don't know your name” Minho is there, with a girl in his arms. “What are you doing here?” Minju frowned, “What do you mean? I'm going to chill with my girlfriend, you two, meet Seolhyun, Seol, this are my sister's boyfriend and girlfriend”, The girl raised her eyebrow and turned to Minju before laughing. “Nice to meet you” She acknowledged me and Yuri. “You…. I'm using this so leave”, Minho laughed, you realised, he probably planned for this already. “Come on sis, let's have some spa day, let me catch up with your boyfriend”, Not a chance your girlfriends will let you go.

“Alright fine, the place is big enough for us to never crosspath, I'll see you inside”, Minju and Yuri's mood is ruined, this was supposed to be a relaxing time for the three of you. “Girls, you hear what he said, we can just ignore them and have our own fun right?” Although it's true, the girls had some other type of fun in mind. Which is ruled out due to Minho and his girlfriend's presence. “Uggghhhhh, come on”

Although he said you won't crosspath you still find Minho in the male changing room. “What's up playboy? Got into another fight while I'm gone?” He's jacked, the type of lean jacked body, you take mental note of what your ideal body type would be. “You know we're coming here don't you?” No point of lying, but no point of confirming it either since he saw you know already. “Why?” He's contemplating on whether he should tell you or not. “Let's just say, I'm jealous of you”, Despite the proclamation you feel like he still has the upper hand in the conversation. “You want to fuck your own sister?” Your pathetic attempt to throw him off only made him laugh. “You're trying to seize me too, aren't you? You want your girlfriend to talk to me and you want to check on me. If things are going well you want to talk her into a poly as well. If things aren't going well you will try to pull Minju out” Impressive, although there's a bit more specific reason on why he wants to check you.

“Almost, but good one kiddo, it's good to have a curious mind to read your environment” He patted your head on the way out. Almost, that word bugs your mind, why is he here? “You okay babe?” The girls picked up on it, “I'm fine, just curious”, The two exchanged glances, “You're not thinking about my brother's girlfriend right?” Ahhhh, jealousy, the fourth entity in your poly relationship. “Hahahhaah, no, just why they're here”, Seeing your relaxed tone they calmed down, for now.

First, massage, all three of you are getting massaged in the same room, thankfully your masseur is a guy and theirs are girls so there's no unpleasant feelings coming around. “Your body seems very tense sir, have you been working out lately?” Your masseur made some small talk. “I've started working out, 3 days ago”, He chuckled before pressing down on your shoulder. “It's very hard to start working out sir, your body is not ready for the sudden adjustment. Have you been sleeping correctly? Good bed, good sleep time”, Now that he says that, you do realise that Minju’s bed is much more comfortable to sleep in compared to Yuri's. “Sometimes, I change beds often, and my girlfriends tend to be passionate” He laughed again, “They're your girlfriends sir? I see now, may I suggest working on cardio first?” Turns out, he's also a gym trainer, so you had some good advice out of him.

“Hnmmm, I feel like sleeping already after that”, Yuri said, “Well, what's next?” You turn to Minju who's indulging in your warmth. “Now, skin treatment followed by manicure and pedicure”, You've never really taken care of your body. It's not like you ignore it, you still shower a lot and use deodorant, but you've never really gone an extra mile to take care of it. After getting your whole body cleansed, the three of you had some snacks while chilling on the balcony.

“I feel like I just shed my skin”, You're practically glowing right now. “Hahahaha, ahhhhh it's been fun, it's a sauna after this and then we take a shower before we can chill in the jacuzzi together”, That does sound fun. “I would've asked about having sex in the jacuzzi but I might just fall asleep after”, All three of you are pretty beat. “Alright, sauna time, let's go”

Well, having a sauna with Minho is certainly not what you expected. “Welcome Brutus, have a seat”, Thankfully both of you still have a towel to cover yourself, and the steam was covering the place. “I thought this will be a sauna”, He moved your schedule didn't he? “You want to talk to me in a sauna?” Well, the steam room does have some better cover. “Your sister's gonna kill you”, He shrugged before leaning to the tile behind him. “My girlfriend can handle them, she knows how to deal with worse”, Being almost naked made the feeling of being seized by him much more uncomfortable. “You want me to go to the auction party”, Impressive, you grasp his intention.

“Good one kid, you know why?” It's time to make up some fake stories-, huh, maybe the shot in the dark you're about to do won't miss the mark so much. “You want me to help protect Minju”, He nodded while looking at you with scepticism in his eyes. “How would you even be able to protect her?” With full confidence you continue on, “You care about her, and you want me to be there to show that she is no longer single. Also you want me to talk to your parents because you don't want to be the one who breaks the news to them”, Intriguing, that's what Minho feels about you. “You want to visit me, because you want to see if I'm actually a good boyfriend. You told your girlfriend to talk to them under the guise that you're looking out for your own sister. If things turned out smooth you can use today as a way to put ideas in her head”, Good, you've passed the test.

“Perfect, you can come, wear something nice”, Well, even though you've bought a lot of clothes, a skinny jeans with white tank tops and black denim jacket isn't exactly a formal attire. “I don't have a suit”, Minho just realised the hole in his plan, your poverty. “I'll get someone to measure you after this, then you can pay me back later”, You are not planning to go into debt over a suit. “Pay it, you're rich already”, The audacity is as impressive as your guessing skill. “Why the fuck would I do that, you're my sister's boyfriend not mine. Ask her to pay for you”, Somehow, you have a feeling that he doesn't mind paying for it if you have a good reason. “Well, I think if you have to come to her party as a surprise the gesture will be less romantic when I come with a bill for her”, True, but why does he have to care?

“Just slip it inside your jacket for her to find or something”, That sounds pathetic. “Just pay for it, I'll punch someone there for you once and never come to those parties again”, Now that would be a good reason, although he doesn't want you in particular to do it. “That's a great idea, I can use that sometimes, but alas you'll end up embarrassing her and my family. How about this, you have to make a scene, but also come up as the good guys”, Doable, a plan came up in your mind. “Hehehe, I'll pay for it once I see it, if you don't manage to do it I'll send you the bill”, Confidently, you nod at him. “So now, how do you plan to talk to my parents? Need some tips kiddo?” Confidently, you shrugged.

“I'll just talk to them”, A daredevil, no, that's not quite right, an apathetic person. “You're so confident that you can get away with Minju if my parents don't like you”, No, of course not, “I'm confident that I will do my best to get away”, He laughed. “Alright, you're pretty confident aren't you?” You shake your head, “I'm confident because Minju is helplessly in love with me. If it's just a normal relationship I'll be bailing out”, Not ignorant, that's a plus. “What if they target your sister”, Fuck, “How do you know about her?” Of course he does a background check on you. “You know she's working in one of our child companies right?” You don't.

“How small is the world?” No, that's not quite right, “It's not a small world, my family empire is just too big”, Swallow your pride. “Do you have some tips?” He laughed again, “So easy to break”, No, they're just too big that they can break you with a simple thought. “Of course, I have to compromise with the world”

“You mean us?”

“You're part of the world technically. Since you're too big to handle I have to grovel on my feet”

“So if I don't threaten your sister you'll just do what you want?”

“Yeah, what do you have against me anyway? I'm just a highschool kid”

“Bullying the weak and bending to the strong, so pathetic”

“So? If I have a backing as strong as you I'll act as I want. That's just how the world works”

“You know my examination on you drop down a little”

“So? Yeah I'm pathetic but I acknowledge it. I'm gonna lick your feet if that means I'll survive”

“You're gonna tell my parents that?”

“What? It's not like they don't deal with people like me on a daily basis. Difference is that I only did it to survive”

“And those people don't?”

“Maybe, but if they lick too much they definitely want to grow. I don't, I want to be left alone with my girlfriends and leave peacefully”

“Heeeh, my dad would definitely find your confidence and straightforwardness to be amusing. Just be you, I guess, but don't piss them off too much”

No word was said during the rest of your stays in the steam room. Of course after that you have to try to comfort your two girlfriends that's not pleased with Minho's interference. “I swear I'll kill him one day”, Minju is pissed off. “Calm down, he just wants to check if I'm treating his sister right”, The two still don't like someone just nosing around their relationship. “What were you talking about?” Time to lie, “I was just talking about you two, you know, how we got together. How things have been going so far”, They knew you lied to them. “Oppa, tell us the truth, did he bully you?” Time to lie again, “Okay, I was also talking about your family, and how to talk to them”, They still know that you're hiding something. However Minju is too happy to hear about your initiative to reach out to her parents, Yuri felt sour since a good family relationship was the only thing she has over Minju.

Monday, on your sleeping schedule with Yuri, you decided to tell her about what you talked about with Minho. “Oppaaaa”, She is not happy, “Babe, come on, I'm doing this for Minju. You know I'll do it for you too”, Although she knows that, it doesn't make her feel any better. “Saturday, mom and dad are visiting grandma, you and I will come too. Minju's party is on Friday, right? Then we will switch schedule”, If you're gonna meet Minju's parents then you will also meet Yuri's extended family. “Okay, thanks babe”, Thrilled due to how smooth your proposal was taken by her, you can't wait for Saturday.

“How much is this fucking suit, I won't be able to have enough to pay this in my lifetime”, You weren't thrilled when you see the suit Minho's made for you. “It's cheap, the expensive stuff usually needs a few months to be worked on. Now go change, quickly” You felt like you were tainting the suit with your skin when you put it on. “See? Perfect, now let's go”

In his car, or rather, limousine, his girlfriend is already waiting for you two. “Oh hello, good evening”, She looks at you with some interest before looking away. The ride was quiet, you felt like a third wheel which isn't fun. “Alright kid, follow me and don't fall behind too much”, They drop you off at the main entrance, following closely behind them you navigate to the auditorium where the smell of wealth struck your nose. You scan the room, trying to find Minju, to find that she was talking to someone, her back facing you. “Is that Minju?” Minho and his girlfriend laugh hearing you ask. “You can't tell your own girlfriend from behind?” Seolhyun teased you. “I'm not wearing my glasses”, Sometimes, it's best to lie.

Seolhyun opened her small purse and pulled out her glasses. “Go ahead, you'll look good with it”, Fuck, you opened it and put it on, to find, it's just an accessory glasses. “There? You can see better now?” Their mocking tone tells you that your lie was a failure. “I fucking hate you two”, The two laugh before walking away. You turned to Minju, took a deep breath before walking towards her. “I'm really sorry, but I'm very busy right now, I really appreciate the invitation-”, Minju felt a tap on her shoulder distracting her from her refusal.

Turning around, she felt her heart stop for a moment. You were no better, the two of you just stared at each other, smitten by the others' looks. “What are you doing here?” She smiled before hugging you, “Well, surprise, you said you wished I could go with you. So I think why not”, You wrapped your arm around her. In an instant, all her worry and discomfort were washed away. Fuck her parents, she wants your lips right now.

For you, it felt a little awkward, such a public display of affection never sits tight with you. However you can feel her nervousness being washed away so you comply. “Feeling better?” Minju pulled away from the kiss with a blinding smile while looking at you. “Never better, you look great babe, where did you get the outfits?” Her hand trailed your arms and chest while her eyes are bathing on the pleasant sight you're giving off. “Well, Minho was actually trying to see if I was fit to come to the party today back in the spa. Since I passed his test, he got me a suit”, Talking about the test, you realised you still have a task to do here. “Excuse me? Minju-ah?” And maybe, you can finish it right now.

“Oh? Sorry, what were you saying again?” Minju genuinely forgot about what she was talking about, for the guy this felt like a provocation that angered him. “I was just saying that we should try Chef Gowon’s new three michelin restaurant while we're in town”, Right, a typical date proposal, Minju turned to you. “Right, babe we should try out this new restaurant, the owner is the same one that we went to on our first date”, Minju might complicate things. You want him to get angry at you, not her, nobody would do anything towards the hostess’s daughter. “Ahhhh, you want to relive our first date again do you?” She blushes before pinching your cheek, “Pervert”, Alright, you got aggro.

“Oh right, sorry sunbaenim, but I am not interested”, Minju turned to the guy again before she smiled at you. “I see”, Such an embarrassing refusal definitely will send him over the edge. “Fuck, I really need to go to the bathroom babe, wait here okay?” Minju is reluctant to leave you here. Not because some random admirer is glaring at you, but because there's other girls in the room. However she really needs to pee. “Alright”, She kissed your cheek again to mark you.

You and the random rich boy stay quiet for sometime, a long time. “So, how did you meet Minju-ah?” In the corner of your eyes you can see Minho and Seolhyun are watching you. “Oh, she just moved into my highschool, we went out not too long ago”, As a competent stalker he remembered that Minju ran to the poorer side of the city to avoid the spotlight. “Right, it must be surprising to see someone like us move to your high school right?” He can't even mock you subtly. “Of course, it's like a gift from god, someone that pretty and well off just moves to class. Befriend her since the first day”, Time to lie.

“Oh is that so? Must be nice to find some rich secluded girl falling into your lap”, Now come on, at least make it a challenge. “Ahhhh, sometimes, God is good. Now I don't even need to care about money problems, all got taken care of with a little charm”, Go on, cause a scene. “You're bold, you know that? When she finds out I'll make sure you can never see the light of day any more”, You laughed at him confidently. “Who's gonna tell her? You? Who is she gonna believe, her boyfriend or you, a random nobody”, Good, very good.

He grabbed your shoulder, pressing it firmly, which is kinda painful since you just did shoulder today. “Do you know who I am?” The classic, “No, just an idiot with money? Hey maybe you can go around and buy some coach to give you an interesting personality”, Thank fuck Minho moved quick, you see two bodyguard start walking towards you. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” You just blinked your eye rapidly feeling his spit thrown to your face. “The guy who's fucking your crush?” It's so easy, too easy even.

He used his other hands trying to punch you only to be caught by one of the bodyguards. “What's going on here?” The two of you turned to see the Minju giving off an almost visible freezing aura. “Minju-ah, this guy was-”, Minju raised her hand to shut him up and walk to you. “Are you okay?” The cold tone she has was dropped leaving nothing but concern. “Except for the shoulder day we did earlier? I'm fine?” You move around your shoulder. “Minju-ah, he's using you”, You just remembered that you didn't even know his name. Minju turned to him with a bone chilling gaze, she walked towards him and took the handkerchief on his chest pocket before turning to you. “Your glasses are all dirty now”, She took it off and wiped your face before cleaning the glasses. “Oh, that's Seolhyun-noona’s glasses, she said it'll do fine with my suit’, She frowned and cleaned it before putting it on your pocket, clearly telling you to not use it anymore.

She handed the handkerchief to one of the bodyguards who took it and stuffed it into the stalker's pocket. “Take him away”, He tried to say something but he got a punch to his neck making him have hard time breathing while being dragged away. “Why would you cause trouble here babe, I don't want you to get another wound in your pretty face”, Her fingers touch the bruise on your cheek making you wince a little. “Sorry babe, I have to pay for the suit and shoes”, Minju followed your eyes and turned to Minho and Seolhyun who raised their glass of champagne towards you. “You don't need to do that, I can pay for this”, You smiled and brushed her hair, “You know I can do that”, She pouted before hugging you again. “Ahem”, You hear someone clearing their throat to get your attention. Turning to the source, you two find an elder couple, which you instantly recognised as, Minju’s parents. “Sweetie, I believe you haven't introduce us yet”, Nervousness well up on Minju's heart, she held your hand tightly before letting go of the hug. “Mom, dad, this is my boyfriend, babe this is my parents”, Clearly not wanting to entertain them more she tried to pull you away. “Now, now, don't her hurried sweetheart, let's have a little chat”

Your feet start to tap nervously as the four of you find a secluded seat away from the party. Glancing around, you can see Minho and his girlfriend are talking to a girl before waving at me. “So, let me get this straight, you two met on the first day of school, and have been going out ever since?” You nodded, Minju held your thighs stopping it from doing some tap dancing.

“And what have you been doing since you two started dating?” Well, you just smiled nervously, “Minju?” Her father turned to her. “We just had a few dates, and hung out a lot after school”, He closed his eyes before letting out a long sigh. “You lose your virginity to someone you met less than a month ago?” You smiled nervously, “Answer kiddo, did you two do it?” Her mom turned to you. “Yeah, well……. technically we only knew each other for a week before that” The two parents turn to you with some suffocating glare.

“What happened?” How do you describe the sex you had without making them pissed off. “Mom, we were just caught up in the moment, and I brought him back to my house and we just….. you know the rest”, Minju thankfully covered for you. “Right, let's talk about the elephant in the room, why are you ridden with scars?” Her father looks at you with inspecting eyes. “Well, Minju had a lot of people going after her at school. Some of them aren't pleased with the fact that I'm dating her. So, they start causing trouble and I get beat up”, You're in conflict on whether or not you should tell them about Yuri.

“So you get into a fight for her?” You wouldn't necessarily call it a fight. “Yes dad, and it was very heroic and touching”, Minju said angrily. “Sweetie, is this why you call up my assistant to-”, Minju suddenly stood up and dragged him out, leaving you with her mom. The thing about her mom is, she has perfected the cold and suffocating gaze that Minju had sometimes. “What do you want?”

“Ehhhmmmm, sushi?”

“From her”

“Well, her, just, all of her”

“You want her money”

“Who doesn't want money?”

“If I pay you 10 billion won would you leave her?”

“I don't think the government would leave me alone to suddenly get 10 billion won transferred to my bank account”

“Stop being so snarky and answer it”

“No, and if you think I'm after her for the money then the answer is also no”

“What else then?”

“Do you really think your daughter has nothing to offer for me? Look at her, she's perfect, outside and inside”

“Are you making sexual innuendos right now?”

“Heeeh, that does sound like one. No, I'm not, Minju is great, she helped me alot and, maybe she's too good for me”

“So you acknowledge that?”

“I said maybe, and if I keep thinking like that then I won't deserve to have her”

“What makes you think you deserve her now?”

“Our love? I don't know, what do people mean by deserve? Do I not deserve her because I'm poor? Do I not deserve her because someone else loves her more than me?”

“What makes you think you and her belong together? Why should I let you go?”

“Well, because you'll end up hurting both of us for one. Second what makes you think I don't deserve a chance”

“What do people mean by deserving of something?”

“Why do you not like me? How can I prove myself when you already have prejudice against me?”

“Why do you think I have prejudice?”

“Because I'm poor? Because I look like a scoundrel? Because Minju and I are still young and stupid? Because we just met recently?”

“Correct”

“So why do you want me to break up with her?”

“Why should I let you continue dating her?”

“Because we love each other”

“Is that all?”

“That's all I have”

“Your love?”

“Yeah”

The quiet linger for a while, you can tell she's not impressed by you. Although the truth is, she finds you amusing. So brazen and open of your own lacking qualities. She knows it's not due to stupidity, you sounded smart, and definitely grasp the problem she has with you.

“What's your ambition?”

“In live? To live happily?”

“Too broad, try again”

“I don't have any, I want to live without worry”

“Minju wouldn't like someone lacking in ambition”

“Why?”

“Because women loves ambitious man”

“I have an ambition, to live with our worry”

“Is that really an ambition?”

“I want to make enough money so I can live happily forever, secluded with my own writings and drawings”

“An artist then”

“I want to say a dreamer, sounds a bit cooler”

“An apathetic person then”

“You can say that”

“And where does Minju fit in this dream of yours?”

“A wife?”

“Hahahhaah, already?”

“I mean, if things work out why not?”

“Alright, you're telling me you're dating the daughter of one of the richest couples in Korea and you don't want to do anything with that?”

“First of all, I'm not using her, second of all, I don't know you are one of the richest people in Korea”

“You never heard of my family?”

“The Kim family? Are you related to the old couple living down the street from my home?”

“Hnmmm, you're a very….. flawed man”

“I took pride in it”

“I'll give you a chance”

“Thank you”

“But if things goes wrong, don't expect me to stay still”

“You don't need to say that”

“So tell me, how are you with Minju?” For a while, you have some conflicting ideas about whether or not you should tell her about Yuri. “Things are complicated on my end”, She raised her eyebrow intrigued, “Do tell”, Let's keep it vague. “Well, I have this friend of mine, we have known each other since we were children. Recently we've grown some distance between us, I'm not sure why exactly. When I first met Minju, we just connected, we had a lot in common, especially in hobbies and interests. So we went out. Me and my friend, Yuri, her name, got a little out of hand. Yuri said that she started drifting off of me because she started catching feelings. That she was a dumb teenager that freaked out with her own feelings. I love Minju, but Yuri also holds a special place in my heart. I don't want to lose a friend, but I also know Minju is not ready to deal with Yuri, because she felt threatened. I know Minju will come around eventually, but I'm scared that by the time she does that, I already lost Yuri”, Very nice, one thing you didn't know about Minju's mom is that Minju inherited her love for reading from her. A young romantic drama is just right up her alley.

“Then, why don't you just bring her into your relationship”, Of all the answers you expected, this wasn't even on the list. “Hahahaha, ahhhh, young people. Always so busy dealing with their feelings. The right answer is always the simplest one”, She's right, why bother making up those stories when you can just tell her you're in a poly relationship already. “What?” For now, just keep selling on the stories with your bewilderment. “Just, date both of them”, If things work out, then you won't be in despair, so you can date Minju without guilt or paranoia. If things go bad Minju will break up and things will still be fine. It's a win-win situation in Minju’s mom's eyes.

“Let me ask Minju, my girlfriend, one of the richest woman in Korea, one of the most beautiful woman in the world, if she wants to share me, a nobody, with my childhood friend who knew me since we know how to walk”, She nodded with a smile, “I….. no, you, it's you, you're crazy”, Good, start rambling. “No, this isn't it, I'm just giving you an option”, You stayed quiet for a while, just staring at the table. “Now, now, why don't you return back to your girlfriend, she might kill me if I keep holding you up”

Turning to Minju you saw her looking at both of you with a clear hint of annoyance. You bow and excuse yourself before walking to her. The moment she saw you stand up she immediately ran to you. “How did things go babe?” You smiled and caressed her head, “Everything is fine, you know a quiet place around here?” Hurriedly, she grabbed your hand and ran away from the auditorium to a quite large bathroom.

“What were you talking about?” Filling her in, she was surprised hearing her mom's suggestions, “Okay, this might be easier than we expected”, Minju felt like a huge boulder was lifted from her shoulder. “You know, you look so hot with this dress”, Your hand trailed down her bare shoulder. “Babe, stop that, wait till we're home”, She wants more, and you know it. “Minju, don't you want to go back to the party, filled with my seed”, She immediately threw away all her anxiety and just leaped to you. “Fuck, don't take off that dress”, She zip down your pants and pull down your underwear. “Itadakimasu”, She start sucking on it like a hungry beast, “Oh fuck, you're so good at this Min”, Your compliments made her even more hungry and passionate.

It didn't last long though as you quickly grabbed her and sat her down in the huge sink cabinet. She pulled up her dress revealing her panties that you pulled down. “So fucking horny already aren't you?” You grabbed her face with one hand while your other arm reached down to her glistening pussy. “Fill me up babe, fill me up until I can't walk”, Your thumb caressed her lips and she immediately started to suck on it. Your other hand starts fingering her, making her moan. “You look so pretty Min, like princess, my whore of a princess”, She bites your thumb and sucks on it even harder. Your other hand can feel her tensing up, “Aaaahhhh, babeee”, She moans as she squirts all over the bathroom. Her hand was holding on to the hand you have on her pussy. “Baby, stop playing, fuck me”, She pulled out her cute pouting face that you just can't say no to.

“Fuckkkk, I can't never get used to your size babe”, She almost make you blush, “Fuck I can't believe I get you”, You put one hand next to her and start fucking her. “Oooohhhh, baby, just like that, mark me babe, let's show the world, I'm yoursss”, How can you refuse such an inviting offer. Leaning in, you pulled aside her bra straps before biting her shoulder. “Fuckkkk, harder”, Not really sure which one she's talking about you start fucking her even harder while your teeth clamped down even deeper to her shoulder. “Baby I'm cumming”, So are you, pushing in deeper you let your throbbing cock get milked by her pussy as you deliver your load deep into her.

You felt a metallic taste in your mouth along with a spray of bodily fluid on your pants. Pulling back you see that your bite mark has left a bleeding wound on her. “Fuck, sorry”, Looking at your reflection in the mirror you see the blood tainted your teeth and you immediately wiped it using your tongue. For Minju, this arouses an unknown kink that she has. Maybe those vampire lovers aren't so crazy after all. “Come on, stop dozing off”, You already pulled some tissue and put it on her wounds before you wiped your own dick and put it back in its place.

“Your pants are all soaked now”, You mark her, and she marks you, such animalistic behaviour. I'm sorry babe, I got too carried away”, She just hummed something as you helped wipe her wound. “There's a medkit on the cabinet there”, You took 5 minutes to clean her wound, but as you wanted to bandage it she stopped you. “Do you really want to go back there with these?” She nodded with an unrestrained smile. “Such a whore”, You smiled, “Your, whore” fixing up her dress, she gave you a kiss before you two made your way back to the party.

“You two are insane, you know that?” Minho laughed as we walked to him, “I don't know what you're talking about”, You plead innocence. “Uhuh, you're not slick buddy”, Seolhyun stares at you two with mischievous eyes. “Now you, why did you force my boyfriend to cause a scene?” Minju punched Minho, “What are you talking about, I simply offered him a way to pay for the dress. That you already ruined apparently. “If you push him to do it again I'll kill you”, Minju sent another punch that doesn't seem to cause any effect. “Yeah, yeah, good job though, mom and dad somehow give you their approval, now just get some from our sister”, He nod behind you, turning around, you see an older woman, late 20s, striking resemblance with her mom and Minju.

“Minju, you seem to be having a good night, and you”, She turned to you, just like her mom, she's an ice queen. “Nice to meet you”, You bowed to her respectfully. “Unnie, this is my boyfriend”, Minju pulled you back up. Nobody said anything for awhile, “Bring him to the family dinner Min, until then, don't cause a scene or dirty anymore bathrooms”, She walked away. “We still have dinner after this?” Minju shakes her head, “Seojin-oppa is out of town, so maybe Sunday? Don't worry babe, I won't leave you with my parents again”, Thank fuck, you don't want to sit in the dinner table with your obvious marking on Minju. “I suggest going home, there's nothing to be done here anyway. Besides I don't think you two can't keep your hands off each other any longer”, Whoa, Minho is helping you?

Minju dragged you to her parents, “Mom, dad, me and oppa will be going home, we're kinda tired”, Their gaze immediately fell upon the bite mark that's being half covered with Minju's bra strap. “Haaaaaaa, at least don't scream too loud when you do that”, You and Minju blushed, “So passionate, go home and get some rest. Although you two don't seem to be planning to sleep tonight”, You two nodded before walking away. “Babe, tomorrow I'll be going with Yuri to her grandma's place, don't drain me too much”, Minju doesn't care, “Yuri is a soft baby, you can regenerate two rounds after our sleep. Now come on, I want to strip that suit out of you”

“Hey, are you okay oppa?” You're not, “I'm fine, just a little tired”, Yuri frowned hearing that. “Don't tell me Minju went overboard yesterday”, You smiled at her, “I will kill her”, Come on, calm her down. “Relax babe, I still have a few more in me, now smile, you wouldn't want to meet your grandma in a bad mood right?” It's not fair for Yuri, her weak spot is a kiss on her cheek while yours is a bite to the chest, and she can't do that with her parents at the front seat. The drive wasn't that long, around 25 minutes or so, Yuri leaned her body towards you while tucking her leg to her chest. Wrapping your hand around her, you can't help but enjoy the warm happy family feelings that linger around the car.

Thankfully the only people in the house are just her grandma and grandpa. Yuri proudly announced your relationship which was received warmly. It was a nice family gathering, you haven't been in one ever since your parents death, so there's a bit of a mixed emotions within you. As the dinner finishes up, Yuri pulls you and her parents to the side, it's time.

“Mom, dad, we have something to tell you”, You're not really sure how, but Yuri just took over the conversation by herself. You were just there, sitting and encouraging her during her ramblings. “So yeah, that's what we are now”, The two of you felt anxiousness raise in your heart, especially since her parents are giving a disapproving look. “Did you talk her into this?” His father turned to you, “No, I just asked them for a month to make my decision-”, Her mom cut you off, “Why do you need an extra month? You and her have known each other since you were little already”, It is very clear, they do not accept this arrangement. “Because I don't want to just jump in blindly. I don't know what I'm gonna miss if I just picked one of them”, They frowned at you. “No, sweetie I know you love him but after this I can't accept you dating him”, Yuri felt her heart stop, her hand squeezed yours to the point you wanted to squeal but you kept it in. “Why not?” She roared, “Because he's a perverted playboy who's playing with your heart”

The emotion Yuri's feeling right now is complicated. It's anger for them not understanding her and you, also calling you those words doesn't sit right with her. The other feeling is disappointment, at her own parents, and sadness for making them feel disappointed. It was a whole bag of emotions that she just can't deal with right now. “Mom, dad,for the last time me, oppa and Minju are in a relationship together. We are happy, and we love each other. So it doesn't matter what you say, I'm not gonna ruin this beautiful thing we have”, Yuri's voice is confident and stern, her eyes filled with anger and determination. “I'm really sorry, I know how you two feel, but I don't think we will put a stop to this. Yuri is right, we didn't tell you to ask for your blessing, we are simply telling you about what we have been up to”, You're not scared of them, not after dealing with Minju’s mom. “We are not having you, play with our daughter's heart, end of story”, Is it though? The 4 of you had this back and forth for a while, maybe too long.

Yuri finally stood up pulling your hands before running away, you stopped her at her track. “I'm sorry that you feel this way, but we have something beautiful going on with us, and I hope you can see it. Until then, take care”, Very mature, good job. You and Yuri ran away from her grandma's house. It's already night outside, and you're not really sure where Yuri is running off to. “Yuri”, The moment she hears your voice it's like the floodgates have been opened. You pulled her to your embrace as she let out her tears. You two stood there in the empty street as she bailed her eyes out. “Yuri I'm sure they'll come around soon”, You tried to comfort her, “I'm so useless, I'm not as pretty as Minju, or as rich as her, and now my parent can't even support us like her parent does”, What's the point of having these 3 way relationship if she is much more inferior to Minju. “No baby, I love you, because of you. Not because of your wealth, or your parents, or your looks. I love you because of you okay? You and Minju scold me every time you hear me feeling insecure. Well it works both ways cutie, you think you can just beat yourself down without me beating some sense into you?” Grabbing both of her cheeks you pulled her to look at you, “I love you okay Yuri? And I don't care what your parents said, because they won't get in our way, because I love you”, And you took it off with a kiss to calm her down.

“Bring me home, prove your love to me”, Racing through the night you two ran all the way back to your place. Sneakily getting in through your backdoor to avoid the possibility that her parents are waiting for you. It reminds you of those times you two would like to slip away to get some midnight snacks togethers.

Yuri immediately jumped you the moment you two walked into your bedroom. “Babe, I feel cold”, She whined as you held her, “Then get on the bed”, She let go of you and lay on the bed, giving you an alluring view of her face, desperate for you. “Fuck you're so beautiful you know? Who says you're not as pretty as Minju?” You laughed and took off your clothes. “So I'm prettier than her?” Yuri takes hers as well. “Don't tell her I say that”, You get on top of her and give her a few kisses before moving down to her tits. “Fuckkkk, oppa I can't wait any more, just fuck me”, Yuri cute whine is like music to your ears.

“You're ready?” You aligned your cock with her pussy, “Hold my hand”, You grabbed both of her hands, she nodded so you slowly pushed. “Oh fuck you're so tight”, Overwhelmed by the emotions you've gone through earlier you feel desperate to have a relief. “Oppa, you're not gonna leave me right?” She sounded cute, but your pounding made her voice all shaky and breathless while also shaking her two tits, which made it super hot. “I will stay with you Yuri, no matter what they say”, Tears start pouring down her eyes. “Tell me you love me”, Her begging is so needy, “I love you”, You smiled while you fuck her even faster. “Again”, You pulled both her hands up and held it with one hand, “I love you”, She looked so vulnerable, mentally and physically, yet she felt joy and happiness.

“Oppa, kiss me”, Seeing her turn back to the cute Yuri you laughed before dropping down to her and gave her a kiss. Your tongue starts dancing with each other pulling one another in a battle of domination. Your pounding only gets even more aggressive. Her hand hugged your head making sure you couldn't leave her kiss. “Cum with me oppa”, Her leg immediately locked your waist in place as you thrust deeper and delivered your loads into her womb.

“So warm, so good, I love you oppa”, She moaned, “I love you too babe”, You kissed her cheek and lay down next to her. “Oppaaaaa, don't sleep, I want more”, Fuck, well yeah she wants more fuck but fuck, you're not gonna be able to move tomorrow. “Okay Yuri, let's give you all my love okay?” Yuri smiled and get on top of you, “Tonight, I'll make sure I have enough of it for the rest of my life”

You want to die. Your whole body is out of energy, your heart is filled with anxiousness about Yuri's parents. Your cock is crying and begging for no more back to back actions. You wanted nothing but to lay on your bed the whole day. “Oy dumbass, go down and bring your girlfriend, both of them. We need to talk”, Eunbi destroyed your plan for the day, “Can we do it later?” Your voice is hoarse and rough, “No, come down”

Well, guess things aren't over yet.

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