Endlessly Us

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Mingi feels like his heart is bursting out of his chest when he finds out that he will not only debut, but he will be in the same group as his friend Yunho. Now they share almost every moment, especially their time in the dorm, which is what Mingi and Yunho like the most about their days.

The rapper does not remember when his feelings became more than just friendly towards Yunho, maybe the first time he saw the boy dance. As he lies on his bed, his eyes closed, he can see the boy, who is only older by a few months, pulling his hoodie over his head before his body falls into these effortless movements that leave Mingi gasping for air as his heart explodes in his chest.

At the same time, Yunho is in his own bedroom, looking through an old box he found in the back of his closet as he tries to make space for new clothes. His fingers slowly move over the picture from his third high-school year. He had almost forgotten about the photo, but definitively not the exact moment it was taken.
It had been the end of the year, and everyone was goofing around with the camera they had borrowed from the photo club in school. Yunho was trying to escape his friend, who would not stop to bother him for a picture, when he ran into Mingi's chest. The latter giggled when he brought his arms around Yunho, turned him in his embrace and smiled sweetly into the camera while Yunho just had the most shocked expression on his face. The sensation of the bigger boy's arms around him had him feeling like a thousand butterflies dancing in his stomach.
"Fuck, how long are you already driving me crazy?" Yunho mumbles as he puts the picture of them under his pillow.

"Wow, Yunho, your body..." The dancer spins around, looking down at himself, unsure what is wrong with his outfit.
"What?" He quickly questions Jaesung, the newest staff member in the stylist team.
"Nothing! Your body proportions are out of this world. Your shoulder...," the stylist moves his fingers over the dancer's back. "Oh, my god."
Yunho blushes profoundly, not used to being complimented on his body.
Mingi has just stepped out of the dressing room when he sees his crush blushing. Jealousy rises as he watches the new stylist walk around Yunho, his fingers moving over his upper body.
"Are you okay, Mingi-ah?" Song-Mi, his stylist-noona, inquires as she sees his body tense up.
"Yes, why do you...?" The rapper is about to reply when Jaesung's voice catches his attention.
"Oh, really. I would love that. How about tomorrow night? Are you free?"
Mingi clenches his fists as he cannot move his eyes away from Yunho, and how he nods to the stylist with a grin.
"Mingi, relax, or you will burst the back of the jacket!" His stylist warns him as she turns him towards the mirror to adjust his suit.

"So, are you and Jaesung a couple?" Mingi asks Yunho out of the blue when he comes out of his bedroom to attend another date with the stylist.
"No!" Yunho quickly lets him know. But when Mingi steps closer, and the singer feels trapped under his intense stare, he pushes his friend away and runs to the front door.
This has been the third night in two weeks that Yunho has left the dorm to meet Jaesung. Mingi is losing his mind as jealousy fills every one of his pores.
Not thinking clearly, the rapper picks up his jacket and rushes after his crush.

Mingi does not want to stalk Yunho, but his jealousy overwhelms him.
He takes a seat on the bench next to the road having the perfect view of the table in the restaurant where Yunho is meeting Jaesung.
At first, the conversation seems casual, but suddenly his crush's face lightens up as he giggles. Mingi's heart skips a beat as he watches him. But then his eyes travel down onto the tabletop, and rage fills him when Jaesung gently brushes his finger over Yunho's hand.
Mingi's eyes cannot move from the scenery of the couple at the restaurant. Yunho's rosy cheeks make it even harder for the rapper to keep his emotions in check.
When another smile lifts the singer's lips, Mingi runs away, knowing only one place where he can forget about his one-sided love.

The Taboo is a secret bar, only known by a few, but all know its reputation for finding what you need for the night.
Mingi sits alone at the bar. His fifth beer in his hands. He has not been in for long when he catches a woman's attention. She takes a seat next to him, brushing her fingers through her long hair to get his attention before asking, "Are you looking for someone?"
Mingi darts his eyes in her direction. There is not a millimetre in her whole attire that attracts him.
"Sorry, but I think my friend here is not interested." A soft but comforting pat on his shoulder has the Ateez member look up at the male behind him.
"Hyunkyu-hyung!" Mingi exclaims in excitement before pulling the latter in for a hug.
The woman is clearly embarrassed at the interaction. Hyunkyu mouths a soft "Sorry" before the woman gets up and leaves.
"Now, my dongsaeng, what brings you to this bar?" The older man asks as he takes the spot the woman has just fled.
"I don't want to talk about it!" Mingi firmly states before ordering another beer.
The waiter brings not only the beer but also a shot. The rapper raises his eyes questioningly when the waiter points to Hyunkyu.
"Come on, beer alone will not make you forget," the oldest advises his friend before toasting.