Chapter 40 - A Change in the Air

Minho didn't sleep that night.

Not because of Seungmin's words—though they haunted him more than he cared to admit.

Not because of the weight of the call, the unspoken truths hanging between them.

But because every time he closed his eyes, his mind drifted to the sleeping figure in the next room.

Hyunjin.

The way he had giggled earlier, clinging to him so freely. The way he had rested his head on Minho's shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

The way he had said, I'm glad you came with me today.

Minho groaned, rubbing his hands down his face.

This was dangerous.

He needed to keep his distance. He needed to—

A loud thud echoed from Hyunjin's room, followed by a muffled groan.

Minho shot up immediately.

--

Minho barged into the room without knocking, only to find Hyunjin sprawled out on the floor, tangled in his blanket.

The younger groaned, rubbing his head. "Ugh... why does the world feel like it's spinning?"

Minho crossed his arms, leaning against the doorway. "Because you're hungover, genius."

Hyunjin blinked up at him, his face still half-buried in the blanket.

Then he whined.

Minho bit back a smirk.

"Minhoooo," Hyunjin groaned dramatically. "Make it stop."

Minho rolled his eyes but walked over anyway, grabbing the bottle of water he had left for Hyunjin the night before.

"Drink," he ordered, crouching down to hand it to him.

Hyunjin took it obediently, chugging half of it before sighing. "I feel like I got hit by a truck."

Minho snorted. "That's because you had your first real drink and acted like it was juice."

Hyunjin pouted. "But it was kinda fun."

Minho flicked his forehead.

"Ow!" Hyunjin whined, rubbing the spot. "What was that for?"

"For being an idiot."

Hyunjin huffed but didn't argue.

Instead, he blinked up at Minho, his voice turning softer. "Did I... do anything stupid?"

Minho paused.

His mind flickered back to last night.

The way Hyunjin had leaned against him. The way he had reached for Minho like he trusted him completely.

Minho cleared his throat. "Nothing too bad. Just some embarrassing whining and clinging."

Hyunjin groaned, flopping onto his back. "Kill me now."

Minho rolled his eyes, standing up. "Come on, get up. You need food."

Hyunjin perked up. "You're cooking?"

Minho scoffed. "Who else is going to do it? You can barely function right now."

Hyunjin beamed. "I like this husband privilege."

Minho's stomach flipped.

He didn't let it show.

--

The kitchen was quiet except for the soft sizzle of eggs in the pan.

Hyunjin sat at the counter, watching Minho move around with ease.

"You're really good at this," Hyunjin mused.

Minho glanced at him. "Cooking?"

Hyunjin nodded. "Yeah. You make it look so effortless."

Minho shrugged. "I lived alone for a while. Had to learn."

Hyunjin rested his chin on his palm. "It suits you."

Minho didn't know why that made his chest feel warm.

"Eat," Minho muttered, setting a plate in front of him.

Hyunjin gasped dramatically. "Minho, you do care about me."

Minho rolled his eyes. "Shut up and eat before I take it back."

Hyunjin giggled, but he obeyed, happily digging into the food.

And Minho—despite himself—felt content.

--

Later that afternoon, Minho sat on the couch, mindlessly scrolling on his phone.

Hyunjin was curled up at the other end, a book in his hands.

For the first time in forever, their home felt... peaceful.

Minho stole a glance at Hyunjin.

The way his brows furrowed in concentration. The way he tucked his bottom lip between his teeth as he read.

He was beautiful.

Minho had always known that, objectively.

But now, it was starting to mean something.

And that realization scared him more than anything.

--

Minho's phone buzzed.

A message from Seungmin.

Have you thought about what I said?

Minho hesitated.

His eyes flickered back to Hyunjin, who was still absorbed in his book, completely unaware of the turmoil in Minho's chest.

Minho exhaled.

Yes.

He had thought about it.

More than he wanted to admit.

And the more time passed, the more the answer terrified him.

Because the truth was, Minho had never felt this way before.

Not even with Seungmin.

--

That night, Minho lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.

Sleep wouldn't come.

Too many thoughts. Too many feelings.

A soft knock on his door made him sit up.

"Minho?"

Hyunjin peeked in hesitantly.

Minho frowned. "What's wrong?"

Hyunjin shuffled inside, holding a blanket. "I... had a bad dream."

Minho's chest tightened. "You want to stay here?"

Hyunjin hesitated before nodding.

Minho sighed but patted the space beside him.

Hyunjin wasted no time crawling in, wrapping himself in his blanket.

They lay there in silence for a moment before Hyunjin whispered, "You make me feel safe."

Minho's breath caught.

He didn't respond.

Because if he did, he wasn't sure what would come out.

Instead, he simply reached over and turned off the light.

Letting the darkness hide the truth written all over his face.