Chapter 50: A New Beginning

Minho had never thought a quiet house could feel so loud.

He sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his hands.

Seungmin was gone.

The person he had been with for years, the person he once thought he'd spend his life with—was no longer by his side.

And for the first time in a long time, Minho was alone.

Or was he?

--

The logical part of him knew he had made the right choice.

He couldn't keep pretending.

He couldn't keep stringing Seungmin along while his heart wandered elsewhere.

But that didn't mean it didn't hurt.

It wasn't that he missed Seungmin in a romantic way.

It was more the loss of something familiar.

The routines, the inside jokes, the presence of someone who knew him in a way no one else did.

Or at least—no one besides Hyunjin.

Minho sighed, rubbing his temples.

Everything felt complicated.

Because now, there was nothing standing in the way of his feelings for Hyunjin.

And that scared him.

What the hell was he supposed to do next?

--

A knock on the bedroom door broke his thoughts.

Minho looked up just as the door creaked open.

Hyunjin peeked inside, brows furrowed in concern.

"You okay?" he asked softly.

Minho exhaled, forcing a small smirk. "Why? Worried about me, husband?"

Hyunjin rolled his eyes, stepping inside.

"You didn't even eat dinner," he pointed out, sitting beside him on the bed. "And you're just sitting here, staring at nothing. So yeah, I am worried."

Minho swallowed.

It was still jarring—how much Hyunjin cared.

Even after everything Minho had done.

Even after the way he had treated him at the start of this marriage.

Hyunjin still looked at him with kindness.

With warmth.

With something Minho wasn't sure he deserved.

"I broke up with Seungmin," Minho admitted suddenly.

Hyunjin's eyes widened slightly.

"Oh."

Minho glanced at him.

"That's all you have to say?"

Hyunjin hesitated, biting his lip. "I mean... I kind of saw it coming."

Minho blinked. "You did?"

Hyunjin nodded slowly.

"I'm not blind, Minho," he murmured. "I saw how tense you were. How distant you became when you were with him. You weren't... you weren't happy."

Minho clenched his jaw.

It was scary how well Hyunjin understood him.

"And what about now?" Minho asked. "Do I look happy to you now?"

Hyunjin tilted his head, studying him.

"You look lost," he admitted. "But not miserable."

Minho snorted. "That's comforting."

Hyunjin smiled, nudging him lightly. "I'm just saying... maybe this is a good thing."

Minho frowned. "How?"

Hyunjin's voice softened.

"Because now, you can figure out what you really want."

Minho froze.

Because that was the problem.

He already knew what he wanted.

Or rather—who he wanted.

And he was sitting right next to him.

--

The days that followed were strange.

For the first time in a long time, Minho didn't have to answer Seungmin's texts or calls.

He didn't have to plan dates or worry about maintaining a relationship that no longer felt right.

Instead—he spent more time with Hyunjin.

Not intentionally.

It just... happened.

He started driving Hyunjin to and from school, even when Hyunjin insisted he could take the bus.

He started bringing home extra snacks because he knew Hyunjin liked them, even when he pretended it was just a coincidence.

He started lingering in the living room when Hyunjin was watching a drama, pretending he wasn't interested—only to end up sitting beside him for hours.

It was easy.

It felt right.

And Minho was starting to realize—

It had always been like this.

He had just been too blind to see it.

--

One evening, as they sat on the couch watching TV, Hyunjin stretched his arms above his head and let out a tired sigh.

"Ugh, I'm so sleepy," he mumbled.

Minho smirked. "Then go to bed, dumbass."

Hyunjin pouted. "I want to, but I don't want to move."

Minho rolled his eyes.

"You're so dramatic."

But before Hyunjin could respond, Minho sighed and tugged on his wrist.

"Come here," he muttered.

Hyunjin blinked. "Huh?"

Minho didn't wait.

He simply pulled Hyunjin closer, guiding him until his head rested against Minho's shoulder.

Hyunjin stiffened. "W-What are you—"

"You wanted to rest, didn't you?" Minho muttered, eyes fixed on the TV. "Just shut up and sleep."

Hyunjin hesitated.

But after a moment, he relaxed, letting out a soft breath.

"...Okay."

Minho felt his heart stutter.

What the hell was he doing?

But as Hyunjin's breathing evened out, as his warmth settled against Minho's side—

Minho realized—

He didn't want to move.

He didn't want to let go.

And for the first time—

He didn't fight it.

Because maybe, just maybe—

This was exactly where he was meant to be.