𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐦𝐧 • 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

25; staircase

"seungcheol hyung? not here yet." seungkwan states, grabbing minghao's wrist. "come on! you just arrived, spend some time with us before looking for that crusty old man!"

minghao supposed that the confrontation could wait. he looks at the sulky face of seungkwan, and smiles momentarily before deciding to stay with a nod.

"yes!" seungkwan says, laughing while pumping his fist in the air.

jisoo, seokmin, and jeonghan laughed along, while wonwoo's ears did not pick up anything coherent so he just stared at the other artists, hiding his confusion.

minghao looked at the people who surrounded him.

oh lord. minghao used to think how this world is bleak and ugly, for all the things he is surrounded with are not the best. an army of men who give him orders and degradation, a war that inflicts permanent evidences on him, and a low quality of life. minghao thought that if the army of miyuni and the enemies from zuivet, which are a lot of people, are hostile towards him—then that means that that's all to his life. his blood-related relatives never even once showed themselves in front of minghao's eyes.

now, minghao is surrounded by a few people. but, they are beautiful. kind. colorful. they are the definition of laughter, resiliency, happiness, friendship, family, and love. how is it that minghao couldn't find a single kind person in a place that's full of 1/4 of the country's population—who also raised and trained him, but in a place where a bunch of people who are strangers, minghao found what he was looking for.

that just proves that the world is not entirely a bad place, because you are surrounded with bad things. in the most unexpected places, littlest ways, there is good. minghao used to think that this world was swarmed by bad people, but he was very wrong.

what minghao was seeking for is not good. it was the bare minimum. minghao was looking for the lowest setting on the bar for life. but, he found good—better, even.

life got better. minghao is happy that it did. minghao is happy that he did not bite off seungcheol's hand the first time they met, and minghao is happy that he can now protect people's happiness.

once, he was in the war, trying to protect the population's smiles. it was doing everything—but nothing, at the same time. but now, by just being with the people he care about, he was doing something. it might sound selfish, but this is the first time minghao has ever done something for his personal gain.

"minghao?" seungkwan says, tapping him lightly on the arm. "morning! let's go get those new brushes that the measly president had bought for us. i do hope that they are of good quality, or i will flip choi's table myself."

minghao chuckled, nodding. "sure."

as they walk out, seungkwan smiled widely and expressed his surprise st a certain action minghao did.

"you smile and chuckle now, huh? so easily, too. a few weeks ago, you would even attack us for friendly gestures." seungkwan says. minghao was about to laugh again—when he saw that seungkwan was looking at him with eyes that adore. he intended for that to come out as a joke, but the windows were open.

"i believe we have briefed you about what happened in miyuni," minghao says. "i've had an epiphany."

"after hearing it, it sounded like i expected you to come back even more exhausted; like you are just a tired soul, but when i saw your eyes closing when you smile, i was able to smile as well." seungkwan smiled, and hooked his arm around minghao's. "minghao, you truly are a wonder. you know..."

minghao was excited. was he about to hear another story? "yes?"

"i love entertaining people. seeing them laugh, or smile, makes me happy, even if i embarrass myself in the process. of course, i hate being embarrassed, still, so i chose to entertain people while being praised." seungkwan honestly stated, chortling. "painting. so, fast forward to when i knew you, i wondered what would entertain you.

"i was thinking, slapstick. or maybe a simple joke, ones i would use on kids, since you were as innocent as a child. it was hard to figure out, you see, i was in risk of getting falsely accused of assault and get pinned down by you if i ever perform a wrong stunt or joke." seungkwan states, stepping down the first stair. minghao follows.

"but, i realized now, that what made you laugh weren't jokes, or physical comedy. of course you don't laugh at statements that are falsely formed for the sake of entertainment or comedy—of course! what made you laugh, were things that are real. not fake jokes, not stupidity. realness." seungkwan paused. "what you needed was the reality, that it is not always darkness. that it is not always supposed to be ugliness and lies—which, pretty much, is similar to jokes. and in reality, that's where you can find the happiness you deserve."

minghao hummed, sporting a small, charming smile.

"and in reality and happiness, you will find laughter—because you are finally free. you don't have to worry about anything that you are able to laugh. you are entertained enough by your real life, which is truly amazing. really amazing, minghao."

all that he said was true. "you must be a telepathic. thank you."

seungkwan laughed at minghao's comment. "i'm not! this is the only time i'm getting all sappy, and you do that! you really are something, huh?!" loud laughter was heard by the grand staircase in their company, after seungkwan spoke.

as they laughed together, the main door opens, and spews out seungcheol.