Chapter 56: Unspoken Words, Noticeable Changes

The atmosphere in their home had shifted.

It was subtle—so subtle that if Minho hadn't been paying attention, he might've missed it.

But the weight of Hyunjin's head against his shoulder last night still lingered, the ghost of warmth settling deep in his chest.

They hadn't talked about it.

Hadn't addressed the accidental kiss either.

And yet, something between them had changed.

Minho wasn't sure if it scared him or if he welcomed it.

All he knew was that, for the first time, he didn't want to push Hyunjin away.

And that realization was terrifying.

--

Hyunjin was humming as he made breakfast, the soft melody filling the kitchen as he flipped pancakes with practiced ease.

Minho leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "You're in a good mood."

Hyunjin grinned over his shoulder. "Maybe because I actually got to sleep in for once?"

Minho scoffed. "Not my fault you stayed up watching dramas again."

Hyunjin pouted, flipping the last pancake onto the plate. "It was worth it."

Minho rolled his eyes but took a seat at the dining table, watching as Hyunjin brought over the food.

The younger set down two plates, sliding one in front of Minho before sitting across from him.

Minho frowned. "You made my plate first."

Hyunjin tilted his head. "Yeah? So?"

"You never do that."

Hyunjin shrugged, stabbing a piece of pancake. "Maybe I'm just being nice."

Minho narrowed his eyes.

There it was again—the shift.

He didn't know what to make of it.

But when Hyunjin smiled at him—genuinely, effortlessly—Minho found himself eating in silence, his chest feeling strangely full.

--

It was almost noon when the first knock on the door came.

Hyunjin, still in his cozy oversized sweater, perked up immediately. "They're here!"

Minho raised an eyebrow from the couch. "You invited your friends over?"

Hyunjin turned to him, sheepish. "Oh... yeah, I forgot to tell you. But it's okay, right?"

Minho sighed, standing up. "They're gonna be loud, aren't they?"

As if on cue, Felix's voice rang through the hallway. "Hyunjinnie! Open up before I kick down the door!"

Hyunjin beamed. "They missed me."

Minho shook his head, but he didn't argue.

When Hyunjin swung the door open, Felix practically tackled him in a hug, his blond hair bouncing as he grinned. "I missed you, you idiot."

Behind him, Chan, Changbin, and Jisung followed—each one greeting Hyunjin with warm smiles before their eyes flickered toward Minho.

Felix was the first to notice it.

The shift.

His brown eyes sparkled with mischief as he whispered to Hyunjin, "You seem... different."

Hyunjin blinked. "What?"

Jisung snorted. "Yeah. You've got this whole glowy, lovestruck vibe going on."

Hyunjin's ears burned. "I do not!"

Chan raised an eyebrow, glancing at Minho—who was leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed. "You sure about that?"

Hyunjin followed Chan's gaze, only to realize that Minho was... watching him.

Not in his usual annoyed, I'm-stuck-in-this-marriage way.

But in a way that was softer. Warmer.

Hyunjin quickly turned away, stuffing his face with a pancake.

Felix smirked. "Uh-huh. Definitely something's changed."

--

Minho expected to feel suffocated by Hyunjin's friends.

But surprisingly, he didn't.

He sat with them in the living room, half-listening to their chaotic stories, watching as Hyunjin laughed easily—his happiness so genuine it was almost contagious.

And then, something unexpected happened.

Hyunjin leaned against him. Casually.

As if it was normal.

Minho tensed slightly, but he didn't move away.

And that's when he caught Felix staring at him.

Noticing the subtle shift.

Felix's eyes flickered with realization.

Minho sighed, already knowing what was coming.

Felix's smirk widened.

Minho groaned.

--

Minho should've known it was a trap.

The moment Felix dragged him into the kitchen with the excuse of needing a drink, Minho already knew what was coming.

Felix folded his arms. "So... what's going on between you and Hyunjin?"

Minho grabbed a glass of water, feigning innocence. "What do you mean?"

Felix rolled his eyes. "Minho. I'm not an idiot."

Minho took a sip of water. "Could've fooled me."

Felix gasped. "Rude."

Minho sighed, placing the glass down. "Nothing's going on."

Felix gave him a look.

Minho looked away.

Felix's smirk returned. "You like him."

Minho almost choked. "I—what?"

Felix poked his shoulder. "You like him."

Minho scowled. "Shut up."

Felix's grin widened. "You so do."

Minho sighed, rubbing his temple. "Even if I did... it's complicated."

Felix's expression softened. "It doesn't have to be."

Minho glanced toward the living room, where Hyunjin was laughing at something Jisung had said.

And for a moment—just a moment—Minho let himself imagine.

Imagine what it would be like if he stopped holding back.

If he let himself love Hyunjin the way he knew he already did.

Felix nudged him. "Think about it, yeah?"

Minho exhaled.

Yeah.

He was already thinking about it.

--

That night, after everyone had left, Minho found himself standing beside Hyunjin on the balcony.

The cool breeze brushed against them, the city lights twinkling below.

Hyunjin sighed, stretching his arms. "Today was fun."

Minho hummed in agreement. "Your friends are annoying."

Hyunjin giggled. "You like them."

Minho didn't deny it.

Silence settled between them—comfortable, unforced.

And then—

Hyunjin shifted closer, brushing their arms together.

Minho didn't move away.

Instead, he exhaled.

And for the first time, he allowed himself to accept it.

That maybe—just maybe—he didn't want to let Hyunjin go anymore.