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Sunset sienna. Autumn amber. The moment their eyes reunite, Mingi and Yunho trade a silent conversation with gazes mirroring each other's warmth. Lips curve into smiles carrying happy secrets. Hands ache with the yearning to reach out and touch.
A flock of seagulls soar across clear cerulean skies. As Yunho sits on the wooden railing overlooking the ocean, he admires how sunrays catch upon Mingi's hair. Even before Mingi takes another step forward, Yunho knows he's about to break into a sprint. Beaming brightly, Yunho invites Mingi closer by holding his arm out to the side.
Mingi dashes over, eager to perch on Yunho's lap, and indulge in the awaiting embrace. Nuzzling his face into Yunho's neck, Mingi laughs. The warm sound trickles down Yunho's shoulder, seeping through fabric like spring rainwater.
Breathless with joy, Mingi whispers, "Yuyu."
The first time Mingi calls him that name, Yunho's mind melts down, the intricate spiderweb of wires fray, every warning alarm screams, the boy freezes.
Yunho goes through most of his life not being called by his first name. Classmates spin nicknames off wild myths and rumors of Yunho's supposed violent legacy. Demon. Mad dog. Monster. The least creative, yet most effective, sharpest names are honed into weapons by his father. Mistake. Trash. Murderer.
Yunho wonders what his mother would call him.
But there's a bright eyed, mega-watt smiling boy who calls him Yuyu.
It's never only a string of syllables. There's a sparkling sense of wonder and innocence, always burning with hope whether Mingi says it for the first time or millionth time.
'Yuyu!' Mingi exclaims after they successfully dance to another favorite song, his shout carrying across the school rooftop.
'Y-Yuyu--' Mingi gasps between a breathless laugh and sob, holding onto Yunho tightly, overwhelmed by discovering they're both part of ATEEZ.
'Yuyu,' Mingi whispers in the darkness, lips brushing Yunho's ear, moments away from stepping onto the brilliantly lit stage.
Yunho blinks when a finger pokes his cheek. He looks over to see Mingi watching him. After trying to playfully bite at Mingi's finger, Yunho grins. "Yeah, babe?"
"Bro, I can tell you've got something on your mind." Mingi's eyes soften with concern. "What're you thinking about?"
Looking right at Mingi with a warm gaze, Yunho answers, "You."
Swearing and wheezing, Mingi spontaneously combusts with a fierce blush. "Yuyu-! Dude, how-- What-?! " Mingi's voice breaks into newfound octaves. Pale washed denim sleeves flail in an attempt to cover his face. "Who said you can be so romantic?"
Laughing brightly, Yunho tightens his hold on Mingi, so his partner doesn't fall out of his lap. "Honestly, it's not my fault." Yunho shrugs a shoulder. "You're just too lovable."
As Mingi muffles a flustered screech against his shoulder, Yunho's grin grows, almost bordering on feral delight. Yunho throws his head back to laugh. No matter how much time passes, or where life takes them-- Yunho never hesitates to boldly, loudly express his love for Mingi.
"Well--" Mingi grasps his voice again after a heaving breath. "Guess that makes the two of us." Reaching out, Mingi's hand fits perfectly on the side of Yunho's neck. His thumb strokes over the warm blush rising on that soft cheek. "I was thinking about you too."
Eyes widening, Yunho burns several shades of red. "Min-"
Yunho finishes saying his favorite name on Mingi's lips. Smiles melt into the kiss with the faint sweetness of milk tea, and something purer than water. Truth is that Yunho sees the kiss coming. It's always a tell-tale sign when Mingi grasps the side of Yunho's neck, right in the spot Mingi adores holding Yunho steady. Yunho sighs softly at those callused fingers bleeding with possessive tenderness, curling into Yunho's hair, anchoring him.
Even once the kiss breaks out of mercy for their lungs, they dive back in again. And again. And again. All the kisses blur together into one with a fit of breathless laughter in-between. Echoing the melody of summer windchimes, that laughter chases after sunlight dancing across rippling waves, melting gold upon the sea.
"I don't know how you do it." Eyes wide with awe, Seonghwa shakes his head, and watches Mingi work magic in the kitchen. "You're like pro!"
"Oh, my god-" Mingi's laughter spills into a fit of flustered giggles. With a grin, Mingi nudges Seonghwa with his elbow. "You'll always be the best in the kitchen. Nobody cooks like you."
"You're too kind." Seonghwa ducks his head with a shy laugh. "Thanks, Mingi." He wraps an arm around Mingi, and rubs his shoulder. "But I mean it. Can't say I've seen anyone else make tiramisu so well."
It's a miracle Mingi doesn't lose grasp of the glass pan. Mingi's never immune to praise from his fellow bandmates. "Thank you, hyung. But my mom's the one amazing at making food. Learned a few things from her." He successfully sets the pan on the island counter without any disasters. "And y'know-" Clearing his throat, Mingi tries to play it off cool, chill, calm. "Wanting to make a boy you love happy is a huge motivator."
To avoid keeling over, Seonghwa rests a hand on the counter. "God--" His other hand clutches at his chest. "So, it's true what Yunho says about you courting him."
"What?! It went both ways, hyung!" Mingi bristles like a riled up house cat. His attempt to scowl just comes off as a pout. "Yunho was doing it too!"
"I was doing what?" Grinning, Yunho hugs Mingi from behind.
Mingi lets out a startled yelp. Flustered by how he gets so easily surprised, Mingi almost collapses onto the kitchen island counter. Laughing fondly, Seonghwa moves the tiramisu safely aside, so Mingi doesn't bury his face into it.
"What was I doing, babe? Hm?" Yunho squeezes Mingi in his arms. "Tell me! C'mon, c'mon, c'mon-" For every 'c'mon', Yunho attacks Mingi with a kiss on his cheek, shoulder, neck.
"Yuyu--!" Mingi's bones shake from an uncontrollable fit of giggles. He turns around with the intent to retaliate. But once Mingi sees Yunho's eyes spark brighter, any thoughts of revenge perish. Mingi tugs his partner closer until their lips meet. "Welcome home, babe. I missed you."
The kiss leaves Yunho with a wider smile. Brushing his nose across Mingi's cheek, Yunho murmurs, "Missed you too."
Mingi holds out the spoon with leftover whipped cream and mascarpone. Knowing how much Yunho likes it, Mingi always saves the spoon for him. "Did recording go well?"
"Yeah! We even finished early." Yunho leans closer to lick at the spoon while Mingi holds it. "So, I figured we could spend some time together." With a wink, Yunho takes a suggestive lick at the cream.
"Keep it family-friendly, boys," Hongjoong reminds as he walks into the kitchen. He tousles Yunho's and Mingi's hair while passing by them. Once reaching Seonghwa, Hongjoong greets his partner with a light kiss. He rests a hand on Seonghwa's waist, then glances over at Yunho and Mingi. "Rated-PG around other people."
"Hongjoong, darling, be nice," Seonghwa chides with a laugh. "They've been behaving all day." After catching some last traces of tiramisu cream, Seonghwa licks it off his fingers.
"Mmm--" Hongjoong grasps his partner's wrist. Without his eyes straying from Seonghwa even for a moment, Hongjoong licks at one of those fingers. "But are you behaving?"
"Are you serious?!" Mingi exclaims over Yunho's loud, hysterical laughter. "Hongjoong hyung, you just told us to keep it family-friendly! PG! Like literally seconds ago!"
"What? Are we doing anything not like that?" Blinking innocently, Hongjoong slides a hand up Seonghwa's thigh, and under his apron.
"Out of everyone here, I think you need to behave." Seonghwa playfully swats at Hongjoong's hand while struggling to hold back his laughter. "But if you want to play..." Purring, Seonghwa tilts Hongjoong's face towards him. "How about we take this to the bedroom?"
"Oh-" Leaning closer, Hongjoong brushes his smile along Seonghwa's neck. "I love the sound of that." Grasping under his thighs, Hongjoong lifts Seonghwa up, and starts carrying him out of the kitchen.
"Wait!" Seonghwa exclaims even though he's already clinging onto Hongjoong. "I need to help Mingi clean up-"
"No, no, please, go. I've got it covered." Mingi waves them off enthusiastically, then heaves a sigh. "God, if people knew that San and Wooyoung aren't the only shameless ones."
"Thanks, Mingi." Hongjoong smiles over his shoulder. "By the way, speaking of shameless-" The smile sharpens into an amused smirk. "If you guys need more concealer, or tips on how to hide those, just let us know." Hongjoong winks.
"Hide what?" Mingi's confusion grows as he blinks owlishly.
Before Hongjoong turns the corner, Seonghwa gestures to his neck and collarbone with a grin, then waves bye.
It takes Mingi a few seconds for his mind to catch up. Once the freight truck of a realization crashes in, Mingi swears loudly. He slaps a hand on the side of his neck. "Jeong Yunho!"
"What?" Laughing, Yunho kisses the scattering of rouge marks. "I figured you really enjoyed last night, and wanted to show them off."
"Oh, god, fuck, Jesus Christ-" Mingi only stays upright, since Yunho's holding him up. Luckily, his schedule today didn't involve any cameras or public appearances. Only his bandmates would've seen him. "Wait." Straightening up, Mingi turns around to face his partner. "You don't mind?"
Yunho steps closer, crowding Mingi against the counter, hands grasping the ledge on either side of the man. "No way, babe." His lips trace along Mingi's jawline, then kiss a crimson starburst shining proudly on his neck. "Love how everyone can see who you belong to."
Mingi's breath hitches sharply. The deeper octave of Yunho's voice fires a lightning bolt down Mingi's spine, and scorches his veins. "Well--" Biting on his lower lip, Mingi rests a hand on his partner's chest. Fingers curl into the white shirt as Mingi bares his neck. "What if I want more?"
Yunho's eyes dilate before he even finishes the swear. He grips Mingi's hip just the way his partner craves, fingers pressing into last night's faint indigo bruises. "I'll give you everything. Always." Yunho burns a searing kiss onto the hummingbird pulse. "I love you."
"Love you too," Mingi murmurs with a kiss, adoring the sweetness lingering on Yunho's lips.
"--oh, wait, wait, Mingi, god, fuck-!"
As laughter takes over his voice, Yunho collapses. But he doesn't catastrophically crash onto the ground. Mingi catches Yunho in his arms, and makes sure his partner eases down safely. Mingi falls into Yunho's fit of laughter with his own delighted wheezes. Limbs tangling into a mess, ribcages aching, riptides of joy flood the mirrored practice room.
"Sorry, Yuyu-" Mingi gasps and laughs between struggles to catch his breath. Propping up on an elbow, Mingi looks over Yunho to make sure he isn't hurt. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, dude, I'm fine." Yunho swipes at damp eyes with the heel of his hand. Happy tremors shake his bones. "And it's not your fault. I didn't hook my leg in the right place for you to spin me. My bad." Yunho laughs sheepishly. Reaching out, Yunho caresses the side of Mingi's cheek. "Thanks for catching me."
"Of course, babe." Mingi grasps Yunho's hand to kiss his palm. "I've always got you."
Mingi seals those words with his lips tracing palm lines. Once reaching the heel of Yunho's hand, Mingi glides the kiss down to rest upon his partner's tender wrist. Breath hitching, Yunho blinks through the blurriness of tears.
This was their first kiss. Not on the lips. But on the wrist, Mingi sealing a promise onto Yunho's pulse in those tired veins. Two boys dreaming together, chasing after a brighter future with everything on the line, fighting to prove they can be more than their ghosts.
Under that quiet, searing love, Yunho feels haunting remnants of winter thaw. His heartbeat resurrects with a dangerous, defiant spark of courage. Mingi reminds Yunho that he's strong enough to let go of this lifetime of armor. As Yunho learns to look up at the sky, the scarred parts of him yearn for sunlight.
"Mingi," Yunho exhales shakily. "Can you do that again?"
Blinking, Mingi tilts his head. "Do what?"
"The way you kiss my hand--" Yunho lightly touches his palm, then draws an invisible path down to his wrist. "-and here."
Mingi's gaze widens for a fleeting moment, then softens with unending warmth. As his eyes fall close, Mingi kisses a constellation line between the stars in Yunho's hand and wrist. "Like this?"
With tears in his laughter, Yunho nods. "Yeah, like that. It'd be beautiful in the choreo." Another laugh tumbles out as Yunho touches his damp cheek. "Sorry, I don't know why-...? God, I-" A harsh breath scrapes his lungs with a sob. Yunho hides his face with the back of his hand. Voice straining from the weight of his heart, Yunho whispers, "I just love you so fucking much."
Gently, Mingi guides his partner's hand away, so he can kiss Yunho's cheek. "I love you too, Yuyu," he murmurs over the damp cheekbone. Lips brush away tears before the scalding rivulets cool off. As Mingi laces their fingers together, his thumb strokes over Yunho's ring finger. "Can't believe I get to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Same here, love." Yunho laughs breathlessly. The tears in his eyes glimmer. "You're my future."
From the way Yunho leans closer, Mingi knows that his partner craves a kiss. They meet each other halfway with lips touching softly. Yunho squeezes Mingi's hand before the kiss breaks.
"It means a lot that you trust me, Mingi. I've never choreographed something like this before, but I want it to be good, no, I mean, great, amazing, perfect, I-" Yunho inhales sharply once his lungs demand air. A tremor fissures down his arm until scorching his fingertips. In a whisper, Yunho confesses, "I want to give you the best."
"Yunho. Babe." Mingi takes Yunho's face into his hands. "You've already given me more than I could ever ask for. I'm happy that you want me to be a part of this. And dude-!" Beaming, Mingi playfully bumps a fist into Yunho's arm. "It's freaking awesome that you're tackling something you've never done before." Mingi's smile reaches his eyes that melt into adoring crescent moons. "I'm so proud of you."
Holding his breath, Yunho can't take his eyes off Mingi even for a moment. Rest of the world fades away until it's only the two of them. Like the school rooftop of their boyhood years, this dance practice room has grown into another safe haven. A second home. The brutal gravity of self-doubt and fear threatens to nail Yunho's limbs on the ground. But Mingi still fiercely believes in him.
"C'mon, how about we give it one more try?" Standing up, Mingi holds his hand out. Wildness curves his smile. The embers in his eyes catch fire, burning with stubborn, brilliant light. "And don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll catch you."
Smiling so bright that it aches, Yunho takes Mingi's hand.
"--and today we're here with the amazing, extraordinary Song Mingi!" Wooyoung gestures wildly at his bandmate. "I swear, he gets more handsome everyday."
Whistling low, San aims the phone camera at Mingi. "10 outta 10 right there. So goddamned handsome."
"Honey, get a closeup over here." With his hands shaping into L's, Wooyoung connects thumbs and index fingers to create a rectangular frame. "Look at that face! And jeez, not anyone can pull off that hair color."
"Oh, my god, guys--" Caught off guard by the sudden ambush of affection, Mingi tries covering his face. He marvels at how he doesn't pass out from the intense blush. But Mingi's hand gets swatted away by Wooyoung. "What're you-" Mingi's voice breaks into a laugh when familiar arms wrap around him from behind. Leaning back into that broad chest, Mingi turns his head in time to brush his lips against Yunho's. "Hey."
"Hey," Yunho echoes with a boyish smile. Resting his chin on Mingi's shoulder, Yunho looks over at San and Wooyoung. "Sorry, am I interrupting something?"
"No, bro, you can help out." Smirking, mischief sparks in San's eyes. He winks at Wooyoung.
Wooyoung winks right back at San, his own eyes mirroring that same dangerously devious light. "Mingi's telling our fans about his look for this photoshoot." Wooyoung holds out the invisible mic towards Yunho. "Any comments?"
"Oh, absolutely." Yunho promptly takes the offered mic, then flashes a smile at the camera. "Hi, my name is Jeong Yunho. Proud member of ATEEZ. Leading expert on Song Mingi. As you can see--" With his free hand, Yunho grandly gestures to Mingi. "Beautiful. Stunning. Honestly, who has proportions like these?" Yunho sighs wistfully. "As much as I adore going to museums, I see a genuine masterpiece right here."
"Jesus Christ, dude, Yunho-" Limbs flailing, Mingi makes another attempt at hiding his face. "I can't-"
"You got that down?" San bumps Wooyoung with his shoulder. "Hongjoong hyung can use it for lyrics."
"Already on it, babe." Wooyoung scribbles madly on an imaginary notepad. "Anything else, Mr. Jeong?"
"Certainly. I'm only getting started." Grinning, Yunho caresses the side of Mingi's face. His knuckles feel the blazing warmth of that blush. "You might want a closeup of these gorgeous eyes, there's a whole universe in them-"
With a pterodactyl screech, Mingi breaks free, and turns to dash away.
"Jongho, get him!" Wooyoung shouts over his shoulder. "Mingi's trying to escape praise!"
Before Mingi can take another step forward, Jongho easily catches Mingi by the waist, and lifts him off the ground. It doesn't strain Jongho at all, not even while he carries Yeosang with his other arm. Yeosang covers his burning face with his hand.
Even before they start dating, it's a regular occurrence for Jongho to manhandle Yeosang. Jongho will carry Yeosang around just because he feels like it. By now, nobody bats an eye. Especially when they all know that Yeosang adores how Jongho relentlessly dotes on him.
Jongho carries Mingi back over to Yunho, and passes him over.
"Thanks, dude." Grinning, Yunho locks his arms around Mingi in a back hug.
"No problem. Happy to help." Jongho gives a thumbs up, then turns his attention back to Yeosang. "Hyung, are you hungry?" He presses a kiss onto Yeosang's cheek. "We should get something to eat after we're done today. I'll treat you."
That kiss dials up Yeosang's blush. While still hiding his face, he mumbles, "No, I'll treat you."
Jongho scoffs. "You already did last time." He tightens his hold on Yeosang, and lifts his partner higher. "I'm not going to let you back on the ground if I don't treat you."
Lowering his hand, Yeosang whispers into Jongho's ear. It must be something ridiculously endearing, since Jongho throws his head back to laugh. Bright. Loud. It's the sound of pure joy. The couple swiftly gets lost in their own world as Jongho carries Yeosang away. Before disappearing around the corner, there's a glimpse of Yeosang guiding Jongho into a kiss.
"Look at that, gentlemen. Another reminder of what a pleasure it was working with you in Operation Jongsang." Wooyoung holds his hand out for congratulatory handshakes.
"The pleasure was all ours." Yunho shakes Wooyoung's hand, then goes on with shaking San's and Mingi's. "Excellent work, everyone. A true success."
It takes collective effort to nudge Yeosang and Jongho to confess, but nowhere near as much effort to endure their mutual (not actual) unrequited pining. If Seonghwa and Hongjoong weren't on the photostage, there would be more handshakes to go around.
"You can let me down now, Yuyu." Mingi understands why Yeosang flusters so severely when Jongho carries him. It's overwhelming how cared for Mingi feels when Yunho holds him up.
"Nah, dude, I'm kinda digging this." Eyes softening, Yunho looks up at Mingi with a warm smile. "But really, Mingi-- you look beautiful today."
Laughing breathlessly, Mingi reaches to cradles Yunho's face in his hands. He can't resist the urge to feel that smile brush against his own.
The harsh glacier touch of a thousand winters lances across Mingi's skin, and jolts him awake. "Fuck-" He barely gets the hissing swear out as his body burns from freezing contact.
Eyes blinking open, Mingi first sees a catastrophe of soft brown hair. A few specks of dust float like stardust amongst pale light rays. With nightfall fading away into the beginning of dawn, turquoise paints over the bedroom. Time loses its hard edges, and the world stands still. Only Mingi and Yunho exist.
Mingi tilts his head to see Yunho curling up against him, and sliding his hands under Mingi's sweater. Even this early in the day, Mingi loses breath over how goddamned endearing Yunho can be.
"Cold--" Yunho's whine muffles against his partner's chest. He's still well beyond half asleep. But succumbing to his craving for warmth, Yunho presses his palms flat on Mingi's bare chest under the sweater.
Despite the stinging first few seconds, Mingi still welcomes Yunho's touch. He revels in how Yunho always seeks him out for warmth. While walking to and from school during winter days, Yunho tucks their clasped hands into his coat pocket. Even while wearing puffy marshmallow jackets in-between outdoor photoshoot sets, Yunho squeezes his way into Mingi's arms for a hug. On the hotel's outdoor balcony, Yunho molds his hands on the curves connecting Mingi's neck and shoulder, glittering city lights watching over them.
Mingi kisses Yunho's forehead. "Be right back."
Yunho's whine crescendos as Mingi slides out of bed. Chuckling, Mingi coaxes his partner with another kiss on his cheek. Yunho melts away into the blankets with incoherent words tumbling out. After rummaging through the closet, Mingi returns with a pale golden hoodie. He slides the hoodie onto Yunho while being gentle as possible. Once Mingi gets settled in bed again, he gathers Yunho in his arms.
"Dude, you can't do that," Yunho mumbles into Mingi's chest.
Mingi huffs out a laugh. "Do what?"
Yunho waves a sleeve paw around as if firing up to launch into a passionate TED Talk. But he can barely open his eyes. "Dress me in your hoodie that I really like, cuddle me even before I ask for it, be the sweetest, most freaking loving partner." Stifling a yawn, Yunho pulls the hood over his head, and burrows more into Mingi's warmth. "Why you gotta be so good to me?"
Like a palette knife mixing alizarin crimson and ultramarine blue, sleep blurs Yunho's words into a drowsy, lovely mess of violet. Fondness warms up Mingi's soft laugh. By now, he's familiar with how Yunho rambles while being barely awake.
Brushing back Yunho's bangs, Mingi kisses his temple. "It's because I love you."
Slowly, waves of sleep cascade away from Yunho. But he doesn't open his eyes. Not yet. The sun isn't high enough in the sky to douse their room in bright gold, and clearly expose the scar lines on Yunho's temple. But even in pitch black darkness, Mingi can perfectly map out Yunho's scars.
Sometimes, the impulse to bury his scars 24/7 under cosmetics grips Yunho. Mingi deserves better. He should have a partner free of scars, of damage, of physical reminders that not everyone accepts boys who love boys, of ghosts that endlessly, brutally haunt.
But whether sharing a shower last night, or sharing a bed this morning, Mingi always gives love to the parts of Yunho he tries to hide.
Daring to open his eyes, Yunho sees only adoration welling in Mingi's gaze. The phantom hand of shame gripping Yunho's throat withers away. Vivid color returns to Yunho in an exhilarating, fierce rush.
Yunho eases closer to Mingi, and lays half on top. A smile emerges as their heartbeats align. Softly, Yunho whispers, "But I love you more." Fingers reaching out from the sleeve paw, Yunho brushes the nape of Mingi's neck.
Grasping Yunho's thigh, and wrapping an arm around his waist, Mingi swiftly pins Yunho on his back. Laughter escapes Yunho at the blur of light and shadow, the world spinning with only Mingi in focus.
Mingi kisses the scarlet pooling in the hollow above Yunho's collarbone. "I love you most."
"Dude-" Yunho gasps for air. His lungs are too full of pure white carnations and clouds of joy. The hoodie sleeve falls over his face, but a glimpse of his smile still shows. "Jesus Christ, Mingi. You gonna be that suave this early?"
Yunho locks a leg around Mingi to pull him closer. His hand slides under Mingi's sweater. Not only to seek out warmth, but to lightly rake nails down the broad back.
Closing his eyes, Mingi struggles to hold his composure. He exhales shakily as he looks at Yunho again. "Really?" Mingi scoffs, but he can't feign exasperation when fondness wins. "You're asking me that when you're doing this?" Mingi caresses the side of Yunho's leg. "Teasing me."
"What? When?" With an innocent smile, Yunho twirls a drawstring around his fingers. "I don't know what you're talking about, babe."
Swearing under his breath, Mingi attacks Yunho with kisses. Yunho's smile cuts sharp and bright as their lips collide.