Color Me Rainbow || MEANIE ✔

-30 || wonwoo-

"Why work at a noodle shop of all places?" Wonwoo asked Mingyu as they stepped into the younger's workplace.

For the last couple of weeks, every day Mingyu doesn't have to do something for the company, Wonwoo helped him learn how to drive. Afterwards, whenever Mingyu had work, Wonwoo would drop him off. Today, Mingyu had work off. They were just there for the food.

It wasn't until they ordered their food and sat down that Mingyu answered the question. "Nobody's asked me that before. You're probably going to laugh," he said. "I chose a noodle shop because my only other option was to work with meat."

"What's wrong with meat?" Wonwoo asked, very confused.

"Meat is one of my favorite things to eat," Mingyu said. Wonwoo vaguely remembered this from the interviews. "I didn't want to gain too much weight from eating meat when I was around it all the time."

Wonwoo held back a snort. That was such a Mingyu thing to do. He felt himself start to smile. He liked spending time with Mingyu and learning all these things nobody else knew.

"You're just afraid of gaining weight?" he asked.

"That's just the main reason," Mingyu told him. "The other reason is we don't sell booze here. People are more enjoyable to be around when they aren't drunk."

"You say that, yet you go out and drink anyway?" he said with an eyebrow raise.

Mingyu laughed nervously. "I wouldn't want to put up with drunk me either," he said. He was now avoiding eye contact with Wonwoo.

"I don't know," the other male said. "That part of you wasn't too bad. You get points for not throwing up anywhere near me."

"I'm glad you think so," Mingyu said. "Wouldn't this place be a good spot for your happy pictures?"

Wonwoo glanced around at the smiling faces of the other customers. Even those who were alone didn't seem so glum. It was natural happiness. Not whatever people wanted to call it when they were drinking.

"I think I'd seem more like a creep if I took any pictures in such a small space," the elder said.

Mingyu leaned forward and rested his chin on both hands. "Well, if you ever need a model . . ." He batted his eyelashes and made duck lips.

The other laughed as he lifted his camera and snapped a photo. "I wish I turned this photo in with the article," he said.

Mingyu dropped his hand and watched him fondly. "You've been smiling a lot more often," he pointed out.

As if it was instinct, Wonwoo stopped smiling. Mingyu chuckled. "Smiling isn't a bad thing," he said.

Wonwoo felt a little uncomfortable. The first thought that popped into his mind was, Does Mingyu like my smile as much as I like his? It made him feel self-conscious all of a sudden. He didn't usually care about those kinds of things.

"So I've been told," he said. "You like to smile all the time. Doesn't your face ever get tired?"

"I've been wondering the same thing," a guy with light hair swept to the side interrupted. He set their food down on the table. "Sorry for the interruption," he apologized. "I'm Chan, one of Mingyu's friends."

"I'm Wonwoo," he said. He didn't miss the sly look Chan shot Mingyu.

"Nice to meet you," Chan said brightly. "I hope I get to see you around more often. Enjoy your food." With that, he left.

"Sorry, he's been dying to meet you," Mingyu said with a laugh.

"Does he know . . . ?"

"No," the other male replied quickly. "But he knows everything else."

"You talk about me a lot?" Wonwoo asked. He didn't say it accusingly, but rather as if he enjoyed that fact. The feeling surprised him. He didn't have any explanation behind it.

The younger one scratched the back of his neck, flustered. "I mean, yeah. Can you blame me?"

Wonwoo chewed on his noodles, his focus on not letting his face flush red. He wasn't going to let Mingyu see how his words affected him. "I really don't understand what you see in me."

"Says the one who's dating a guy who kissed you as a complete stranger."

"Dating," the elder repeated, his face finally turning that deep red he'd been trying to avoid. They hadn't officially decided if they were boyfriends yet. They hadn't done anything else outside of holding hands, even then that's something a lot of friends do.

The realization of his words dawned on Mingyu. "Sorry," he apologized. "You aren't ready yet."

"It's fine," Wonwoo reassured him.

The next few minutes were made up of eating and awkward silence.

Finally, Wonoo had enough. He pushed his empty bowl away. "Are you busy tonight?" he questioned.

"My dad wants me home by eight for some meeting, but before then I'm all open," Mingyu answered, seeming relieved that the awkward silence is no more.

"My mom wants to meet you," the older one explained.

"Mingyu didn't bother to try and hide his happiness. "She wants to meet me?" Wonwoo nodded, like obviously. "Let's do it," Mingyu said. He reached for Wonwoo's hand practically dragged him out of the restaurant.

Wonwoo laughed. "Hey, chill. I have to let her know that I'm bringing you."

Mingyu nodded, sheepish, and climbed into the car. I'm falling for a child, Wonwoo thought as he dialed his mother's number.

🌈

Mingyu was definitely not a child. He was a tall, attractive, (mostly) mature human being with a nice personality, and he was well aware of it. He didn't bother to look in the mirror or fix his clothes or anything before he got out of the car. He didn't even ask Wonwoo for reassurance.

Wonwoo led him up the walkway. "Are you not nervous?" he asked as he pulled his key from his pocket. He was. As far as he knew, meeting parents was a big step in a relationship. They weren't even dating.

"If you want me to be honest," Mingyu said, "I'm terrified."

"You'll be fine," the other said. "Everyone loves you." He pushed the door open before Mingyu could respond.

"Mom, I'm home!" he called out. He crinkled his nose. The place smelt like Mrs. Jeon stuffed cinnamon sticks into every little crevice of the house.

"In the kitchen!" she responded.

Wonwoo glanced at Mingyu who was as composed as ever. They made their way owards the kitchen.

Mrs. Jeon was pouring what looked to be apple cider into some glasses. She looked up when they walked in. Her jaw dropped.

"My God, the angle in that video doesn't do you justice," she said. "You're so good-looking."

Wonwoo pursed his lips. He wasn't used to this side of his mom.

Mingyu was unfazed. He bowed his head with a smile. "Thank you, ma'am. I'm Mingyu."

After that, everything was smooth sailing. They took their drinks to the living room. Wonwoo sat there quietly sipping his drink while the other carried out the conversation. He'd never seen his mother happier in the last few years.

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a/n: double update in celebration of so many readers. tysm 😖