Chapter 55: The Space Between Us is Getting Smaller

The warmth of another presence beside him was no longer unfamiliar.

It used to feel suffocating, like a weight he hadn't asked for—this marriage, this arrangement, this person.

But now, sitting on the couch with Hyunjin curled up next to him, Minho found himself shifting just slightly—closer.

He didn't know when he had started craving Hyunjin's presence.

Didn't know when his annoyance had turned into curiosity, and curiosity had melted into something softer, something dangerous.

All he knew was that the space between them kept getting smaller.

And he didn't want to push him away anymore.

--

Minho wasn't used to waking up this late.

But today, the sun was already up by the time he blinked his eyes open, and for once, he didn't mind.

Especially when the first thing he saw was Hyunjin—still asleep beside him, face half-buried in the pillow, hair falling messily over his eyes.

Minho propped himself up on his elbow, watching him.

Since when did I start finding him beautiful?

Hyunjin stirred slightly, brow furrowing as if sensing the weight of Minho's gaze. His lips parted just a little, breath soft and even.

Minho swallowed.

Something about Hyunjin like this—unguarded, completely at peace—made something tighten in his chest.

Without thinking, he reached out, brushing a stray strand of hair away from his face.

Hyunjin murmured something in his sleep, unconsciously leaning into the touch.

Minho's heart skipped a beat.

Before he could stop himself, he leaned in—

And pressed the lightest kiss to Hyunjin's forehead. (Seriously, how many times this happened?)

The moment his lips made contact, he froze.

His own actions startled him.

Minho pulled back quickly, his ears burning.

What the hell was that?

He wasn't supposed to—

A sleepy voice cut through his panic.

"Minho...?"

Minho nearly choked.

Hyunjin's eyes fluttered open, still heavy with sleep, lips pursed in confusion.

"Did you just...?"

Minho cleared his throat, rolling onto his back. "You were drooling."

Hyunjin gasped, immediately rubbing at his mouth. "I was not!"

Minho smirked. "You'll never know."

Hyunjin groaned, flopping back onto the pillows. "You're impossible."

Minho let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding.

Crisis averted.

For now.

--

"You didn't have to come with me, you know."

Minho gave Hyunjin a look. "You say that like I'd actually let you go alone."

Hyunjin rolled his eyes but didn't argue.

They had decided to restock their kitchen, and somehow, Minho had ended up pushing the cart while Hyunjin flitted around, picking up ingredients with practiced ease.

Minho watched as Hyunjin stopped in front of a display of fresh fruit, humming thoughtfully.

"Do you like strawberries?" Hyunjin asked, glancing at him.

Minho shrugged. "They're fine."

Hyunjin's lips twitched. "That means you love them, doesn't it?"

Minho didn't answer, but the way his ears turned pink was enough of a response.

Hyunjin grinned, tossing a pack of strawberries into the cart.

Minho shook his head, amused.

But just as they were about to move to the next aisle, a stranger approached.

"Excuse me," the man said, eyes locking onto Hyunjin.

Minho's grip on the cart tightened.

Hyunjin blinked in surprise. "Oh, uh—yes?"

"I just wanted to say," the man continued, smiling, "you have a really kind aura. I noticed you helped that elderly woman just now—it's rare to see people like that these days."

Hyunjin blushed. "Oh, it was nothing, really..."

Minho's eye twitched.

"Are you a student here?" the man asked, seemingly oblivious to Minho's growing irritation.

Hyunjin nodded. "Yeah, I go to—"

"He's married," Minho cut in, stepping between them.

Hyunjin's eyes widened.

The man looked taken aback. "Oh, I wasn't—"

Minho crossed his arms. "To me."

Silence.

Then—

"Oh."

The man awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "Uh, my bad."

Without another word, he turned and left, disappearing down the aisle.

Hyunjin stared at Minho.

Minho pretended not to notice.

"Minho."

"What?"

Hyunjin folded his arms. "Were you jealous?"

Minho scoffed. "No."

Hyunjin raised an eyebrow. "You literally chased him away."

Minho shrugged. "He was annoying."

Hyunjin bit his lip, a slow smile spreading across his face. "Right. Annoying."

Minho ignored the way his heart skipped a beat.

--

Later that night, they found themselves in the kitchen, arguing over who got to use the stove first.

"I'm making dinner," Minho stated.

Hyunjin pouted. "But I wanted to make something special tonight!"

Minho narrowed his eyes. "What were you planning to cook?"

"...Instant ramen."

Minho sighed. "That's not special, Hyunjin."

Hyunjin gasped. "How dare you disrespect ramen like that?"

Minho rolled his eyes, stepping forward. "Move. I'll cook."

Hyunjin stubbornly held his ground. "Nope. Not moving."

"Hyunjin."

"Minho."

They glared at each other.

And then—

It happened.

Hyunjin moved forward at the same time Minho did, and in the next second, their noses brushed—

Their lips—

Accidentally met. (At this point they should have kiss already)

For a split second, neither of them moved.

Neither of them breathed.

Then—

Hyunjin yelped, jerking back. "Oh my god—"

Minho stumbled away, ears flaming. "That didn't happen."

Hyunjin clutched his face. "It totally happened."

Minho turned around, gripping the counter. "Forget it."

Hyunjin let out a breathless laugh, voice slightly higher than normal. "That's the third time—"

"I said forget it."

Hyunjin peeked at him through his fingers. "Your ears are red."

Minho groaned. "Shut up, Hyunjin."

Hyunjin giggled.

And Minho—

Minho knew he was doomed.

Because he didn't hate it.

Not even a little bit.

--

Later that night, Hyunjin curled up on the couch with a blanket, scrolling through his phone.

Minho hesitated.

Then—

Without a word, he sat down beside him.

Hyunjin glanced at him but didn't say anything.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, Hyunjin shifted—

Resting his head on Minho's shoulder.

Minho didn't push him away.

Didn't tease him.

Didn't say anything at all.

Instead, he leaned his head against Hyunjin's, closing his eyes.

The space between them had disappeared.

And for the first time—

Minho didn't want it back.