Youth | Gyuhao

- 12

| Chapter Twelve — Dumb & Dumber |

"Are you okay?"

Minghao had never really seen Soonyoung's puppy dog eyes in real time, only having ever heard Junhui and the others whine in distress about them.

He understands the frustration now. They really were melting. It made him sad and happy all at once.

"I'm fine," Minghao frowned, tossing his things on his desk mindlessly, "What's wrong?"

Soonyoung just shook his head, "Junhui and I have just been really worried about you, Myungho." His friend looked so sad, so exhausted. It tore his sore heart, "I mean, what was that yesterday? You just stormed out..." Minghao can tell by the way Soonyoung's voice trails off that he doesn't know what to say next. It's upsetting.

"I'm sorry," He apologizes lightly, pulling his friend into a quick embrace, smiling when arms immediately tighten around him, "That whole scene just freaked me out, I had to get away for a little bit. I promise."

"Just try to at least let us know where you're heading before you run out like that, if you can. We were both really worried— practically shitting. Junhui almost called the cops until he realized that we're literally the police." Minghao gets a quick laugh in before Soonyoung continues, "He ended up calling that dude you like. What was his name again?"

"Mingyu?" The name flies past Minghao's lips before he can stop it.

He can visibly see the earlier sadness be replaced by no other than that cocky grin Soonyoung always ends up having on his face by the end of the day suddenly appear like a snap of a finger.

"Wait no, please—"

"Yah, so you do like him, then?"

"I was just answering your question, hyung." Minghao rolls his eyes, plopping down in his chair, slumping further down in hopes to drown out his friend's giggling, "Don't get any ideas."

The sudden gasp that Soonyoung shoots out has Minghao jolting like somebody got shot, "Jesus Christ, Soon—"

"Did he pick you up or something? I bet he did. That's where you went yesterday, right?"

Minghao visibly coils in a type of cringe he thought he'd never have to feel, "Okay, respectfully, that's none of your business."

"I need the deets, Myungho!" Soonyoung begged, taking a seat in Junhui's spot and sliding the chair over. He got all up in Minghao's space, "Did you guys do anything.... special?"

"Okay—" Minghao stood up sharply with an awkward laugh, already making a b-line in a direction that goes as far away from Soonyoung as it can, "I'll be back."

"Sure," Soonyoung giggles, fidgeting with the tip of a pencil as he spins around, "If he ever ends up sticking the iron up the drill, let me know!"

Minghao turns beet red, walking faster than he ever has in his life.

That speed unfortunately makes him bump right into Junhui. The older man had just finished printing something in the other room, a coffee cup in his hand.

"Are you shitting me?" It's the first thing he says. Minghao laughs at it.

"I'm okay, don't go nuts, please." He sighs.

Junhui stares him in the eye for all of about 5 seconds before he begins to scarf down the remainder of his beverage.

Minghao nervously watches him slam the mug down on a nearby bookcase, heart racing.

"Oh shit—" He squeals, immediately running away as soon as Junhui bolts at him.

"You little bitch!" Junhui chases him around the station. Minghao can feel the millions of looks they're receiving, but he's too busy with trying not to actually die to notice further, "Had me worried sick!"

"I'm fine!"

"You're not about to be!" Junhui insisted, running after him.

Minghao screamed silently, making a sharp curve to stand on the opposite side of an empty desk. Junhui met him halfway, on the other side, ready to attack.

"Truce." Minghao pants.

Junhui huffs after a moment, "Fine." He stands straight, smoothing out his clothing, "I'll get you if it happens again. I'm serious."

Minghao chuckles, walking around from behind the desk, "I know you will."

Minghao laughs, groaning when Junhui pulls him to his side, rubbing at his hair.

Things were good.

Yet, they weren't.

There was still a killer on the loose. And Minghao couldn't let himself get lost in the pleasure of life until he found them.