Bookstore Wars (Minsung)

If We Were Villains

The next book club meeting came faster than Minho would have liked. He wasn't sure how he was going to look Jisung in the eye now that he knew just how much he wanted him. If Jisung knew half of the thoughts That Minho got off to he would either be disgusted or have way too much power. Neither outcome was ideal.

"Are you ready to go yet?" Seungmin complained, arms crossed as he leaned in the doorway.

Minho double checked his lip gloss and barely noticeable eye shadow one more time before slinging his bag over his shoulder and sighing in the mirror. Really, nothing had changed. At least, nothing Jisung had to know about. They would argue, as usual, eat cheesecake, as usual. The only difference was Minho had to be normal.

He knew this all logically, but there was nothing logical about Jisung or his feelings surrounding Jisung. Really the only thing on his mind was jumping Jisung as soon as he got out of the car, but he maintained his composure despite everything.

"You're weird," Seungmin said as he parked. "More weird than normal"

"Trying out new tactics to piss you off" Minho responded without missing a beat. "Are they working?"

"No, I'm just worried." He remained sitting. "I'm not the best at these conversations but, like, are you okay?"

Minho flushed. "Yes, of course I am. You know me"

"Exactly, so I know you would hide something from me because you don't want to bother anyone" Seungmin retorted, getting out of the car. "I don't care whether you tell me or not, but i'll listen if you want"

Minho nodded silently at that. He was right, neither of them were the best at having conversations that required any vulnerability whatsoever. Still, it was nice to know that Seungmin would step out of his comfort zone to check in on Minho. He couldn't tell him the real reason for his nervousness, but maybe Minho would give him a little insight to the complicated mess that was his feelings towards Jisung.

For now, though, he just had to get through this meeting. To avoid becoming too consumed with thoughts of Jisung, Minho threw himself into books and got through most of the books they were all reading.

They entered the bookstore, and Minho's eyes darted right to Jisung, who was already in a debate with Hyunjin.

Jisung rolled his eyes. "It is not a love story" he scoffed, still not noticing that Minho had sat at the table.

"Of course it is, they kissed," Hyunjin shrugged. "It's about devotion, love, and sacrifice"

"Making it a tragedy" Jisung countered, taking a sip of his americano. "And let's not forget that it's mainly a murder mystery"

"Is it really a mystery if you can guess the killer from the beginning?" Hyunjin grumbled.

Minho observed the passionate glare in Jisung's eyes as he argued over something so mundane. How every word was planned out, and how he picked out wording from his opponent to make his argument stronger. He felt a shiver go up his spine every time he saw the flash of excitement pass Jisungs face.

"What are you two even arguing about?" Seungmin asked.

"If we were villains" Hyunjin responded. "Apparently this one has big feelings about what genre it is"

"Only when you're wrong" Jisung stuck his tongue out before finally realizing Minho was there. "Oh, hi jagi"

Minho's jaw tensed. This was normal. "Jisung" he greeted in the most monotone voice he could muster. The deep V neck Jisung was wearing was not helping his mission in the slightest.

Jisung leaned forward on his hands. "I have you're next book already picked out"

"You're not special," Minho met his challenging gaze. "I've had yours picked out since last week"

Before they could discuss any further, Chan interrupted. "Alright, everyone's here so we can start"

Minho naively thought that a group setting would make this whole thing easier to get through, and it was working for a while. That was until Jisung's hand quietly slipped into his under the table, resting on Minho's thigh.

"What did you think of the water motif, Minho?" Hyunjin asked. "You mentioned earlier that it was a rebirth- what did you mean by that?"

"I, um," He started, losing all control of his tongue as he tried uselessly to ignore Jisung's presence. Everyone's eyes were on him, increasing that pressure. "There wouldn't- ah, be a reoccurring theme, if... if it wasn't important in some way"

He paused to breathe, squeezing Jisung's hand before continuing. "And every time it's been brought up it's the context of a character changing themselves in some way, being reborn in a sense. It's a common literary device used to be a metaphorical baptism"

Hyunjin nodded and responded and turned to Seungmin to continue the conversation, allowing the attention on Minho to let up. He could breathe now.

"You did good, Minho," Jisung whispered.

It was entirely involuntary, but Minho made a small, nearly inaudible sound that sounded something like a moan. It was more accurately described as a squeak, but either way it caught Jisung's attention.

"Was that-"

"Shut up."

"But was it?" Jisung said, still whispering to save Minho's pride. He was met with a fiery glare that warned him from mentioning it any further so he bit his tongue. For now.

The rest of the meeting passed by without any more hiccups that would ruin Minho's life forever. The rest of the group dispersed, but Jisung told Minho to wait up, much to his embarrassment. Minho sat on one of the couches in the back, looking out the window as he waited for Jisung to return.

"So," He heard a familiar and vexing voice say, as he slid in next to Minho. "Is there something you want to tell me, jagi?"

"Nope," Minho said, no looking down at him because he knew that as soon as he did it would be over. Jisung could ask him to rip the world apart and he would.

"That's too bad, because I really want to know what was going through your mind earlier," Jisung leaned on Minho's shoulder. "You know, when you moan at just four words-"

"Oh my god" Minho cringed at himself and covered his face with his hands. "Don't look at me, I actually want to die"

"No, we can't do that," Jisung pulled Minho's hands down. "I thought it was adorable"

Minho reluctantly met his eyes and instantly felt his heart melt. "I hate you"