single father | minchan

22

the soft glow of the afternoon sun streamed through the curtains, casting a warm and comforting light across minho's bedroom. he lay sprawled out on the bed, his body heavy with exhaustion from a long week of work and responsibilities. the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest indicated that he was deeply immersed in slumber, his mind finally finding respite in the embrace of sleep.

as minho's peaceful nap continued, his phone on the bedside table lit up with a gentle vibration. chan's name appeared on the screen, accompanied by a melodious ringtone. minho stirred slightly, blinking his eyes open in a drowsy haze. he reached for his phone, his movements sluggish as he answered the call.

"hey," chan's voice sounded through the phone, carrying a hint of loneliness and longing.

"hi," minho replied, his voice heavy with sleep.

"i was wondering... would you want to come over?" chan's words were accompanied by a slight pause, as if he was uncertain about extending the invitation.

minho yawned, his exhaustion making it difficult to process chan's request fully. "come over? why?"

a soft sigh came from the other end of the line. "the kids are with changbin for the day, and i'm feeling a bit lonely. it's too quiet here."

minho's eyes blinked open a little wider, the pieces of the conversation falling into place. he smiled, the thought of spending time with chan bringing a sense of warmth to his tired heart. "you're lonely without the chaos, huh?"

chan chuckled softly. "yeah, can you believe it? i guess i've grown accustomed to their constant energy."

minho's fingers played with the edge of the blanket as he considered chan's invitation. "give me a little while to wake up. i might need a coffee or two to be functional."

"take your time. i'll be here," chan replied, his voice carrying a hint of eagerness.

after hanging up, minho stretched his arms above his head, feeling the pleasant pull of his muscles as he gradually shook off the last remnants of sleep.

he sat up and rubbed his eyes, then swung his legs over the edge of the bed. as he headed toward the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee, he couldn't help but feel grateful for chan's invitation.

despite his exhaustion, the prospect of spending time with his boyfriend, even if it meant trading the solitude of sleep for chan's company, brought a smile to minho's face.

———

minho stood outside chan's apartment, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. it had been a busy week for both of them, and he was looking forward to spending some quality time together.

taking a deep breath, minho knocked on the door. he didn't have to wait long before the door swung open, revealing chan with a warm smile that reached his eyes.

"min, hey!" chan greeted, stepping aside to let him in.

"hey, chan," minho replied, stepping inside and giving chan a quick peck on the cheek. "how's your day been?"

chan closed the door behind them and sighed. "oh, you know, the usual chaos. it's nice to finally have a quiet day."

minho chuckled. "well, i'm here to make sure you enjoy every moment of it."

chan's smile widened, and he looped his arm through minho's. "you always know how to brighten my day."

they walked further into the apartment, the cozy atmosphere welcoming them. minho took a moment to admire the little details that made the place uniquely chan's—a painting on the wall, a shelf filled with books, and a few scattered toys that were unmistakably the kids'.