Youth | Gyuhao

- 25

| Chapter Twenty - Five — AntiFragile |

Minghao had been friends with Jeonghan and Joshua for as long as he can remember.

He recalls the day Junhui introduced him to Jeonghan.

He was quick to think the man was scary. Minghao didn't know if it were the curly blonde locks on his head or the sharpness of his eyes. Or maybe it was the way he expressed his attitude.

Probably all of the above.

And Joshua strung along not too long after.

Minghao can remember the day Jeonghan ran up to him all giggly, whines and gasps of excitement slipping past his lips as he hurriedly told him they had a date that following night.

Now look at them. Engaged to be wedded.

Minghao wishes he could've found someone just as special. Somebody who didn't kill and lie and cheat. Somebody who just saw the world as a perfect place instead.

He wanted someone who would make him forget what reality feels like.

He wanted someone to love him so much to the point of nearly touching the edge of heaven.

But instead—

He got Kim Mingyu.

Minghao was just now heading home for the day. With his jacket wrapped snug around his body, and his bag thrown around his shoulder, he walked down the hallway of his complex.

He had his phone to his ear, heart, mind and soul ringing with every word Joshua spoke.

"I'm sorry." Minghao blurts suddenly, still walking, still maintaining conversation.

Joshua sighed on the other line, "I know."

"You've been worrying all week because of me," Minghao frowns to himself, "I'm so sorry, hyung. I didn't mean for it to go on this long. Calling you back had completely slipped my mind—"

"Myungho, I understand. Don't worry." Joshua told him. Minghao hears a piece of glass clink on something. He assumes Joshua just set his coffee or tea down, "I was talking with Jeonghan and everything about this, too. I was just concerned about you. I've been concerned about you."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Like, that night you left alone. It was so dark and chilly...." Joshua trails off, as if disbelieved this even happened, "I mean, did anything happen to you? I know you're not dead— Unless you're calling from beyond that grave, that is."

Minghao punches out a laugh, "As sick as that sounds, I'm very much alive."

"That's good to hear." Joshua hums, "Call me whenever you need to, alright? If something like this happens again I won't let you down as easy."

"I know you won't." Minghao snorted.

The following words that Joshua exchanges through the phone seem to go in one ear out the other, the sight of Kim Mingyu standing there, leaning on the wall next to his front door.

He freezes, face blank.

"Myungho?"

"Yes— Sorry?" Minghao's talking to Joshua, but he can't take his eyes off Mingyu.

He's mad. Minghao thinks he's mad.

There's anger. But there's also confusion and a genuine flare of hurt in his eyes.

"I was just about to hang up the phone. I'm telling you bye," Joshua explains the bits Minghao missed, "Let's hang out again soon, okay? Me, you, and Jeonghan. Maybe the others, too."