Distance Between Us

5.

"Baby stop stressing out" Junhui said as he wiped down the dining table.

"I'm not stressed it's just there's going to be 11 other people here soon and our apartment is mess" Wonwoo frantically dusted the shelves. Junhui looked around at the spotless apartment and raised an eyebrow. He walked over to Wonwoo and placed his arms on his shoulders.

"It'll be fine" Junhui squeezed him gently and he could feel Wonwoo's shoulders release their tension. Junhui looked at Wonwoo for a while, deciding this might be the best time to bring up what happened with Mingyu. "Won-" He was interrupted by the doorbell.

"Oh god they're here!" Wonwoo perked up and ran to the door. He took a deep breath and then sighed, unlocking the door, putting on his best smile. The door opened to reveal a tall man in a black compression shirt and jeans, standing next to a slightly shorter man wearing a large trench coat, turtle neck and bell bottom jeans. "Mingyu, Minghao, welcome!" Wonwoo said nicely, trying to hide his feeling of awkwardness. Junhui looked from the dining table towards the door surprised, instantly walking towards Wonwoo and putting his arm around him.

"Come in, come in!" Junhui said, motioning with his arm. The couple exchanged hugs with Mingyu and Minghao, saying formalities. "Sit on the couch, me and Wonwoo have some final things to do but besides that the party has started!" Junhui pulled Wonwoo into the kitchen and whispered, "You didn't tell me they were coming"

"Sorry babe, it slipped my mind" Wonwoo apologised. Junhui pressed a kiss on his hand and went back to the living room to entertain his guests. Wonwoo sighed, rolling up his sleeves and putting his hands on the counter.

Why did he bring Minghao? And did I see them let go of each other when I opened the door? I must be hallucinating.

Wonwoo was brought back to consciousness with the sound of his kettle boiling water. He turned it off and walked to the living room to join Junhui, Mingyu and Minghao.

"How are you guys?" Wonwoo tried his best to sound welcoming.

"We're good" Mingyu smiled at him.

"Did you need anything? Beer, coffee, wine, water?" Junhui asked. Minghao looked around the corner at the kitchen where the beer and wine were sat on the counter, the wine glasses right next to them. The kitchen was in a different room but you could see the edge of the counter from the couch.

"I'm sure you guys are tired from setting up so I can get it myself" Minghao stood up.

"Oh don't be silly Jun can help you" Wonwoo offered with a smile.

"Really, it's fine" Minghao said. Wonwoo nudged Junhui to get up.

"He said he was fine babe" Junhui responded but Wonwoo just death stared him. Junhui quickly stood up and walked into the kitchen, Minghao following him. They stood in the kitchen in silence for a few moments.

"Which one did you want?" Junhui quietly asked.

"Wine." Minghao said curtly. As Junhui poured the wine into the glass, Minghao stared at him.

"Wonwoo didn't tell me you were coming today" Junhui said.

"Mingyu asked me to come, since you know... it is my friend group" Minghao responded.

"Right" Junhui looked up at him. "Here you go" Junhui handed it to him.

"Are you going to tell him?" Minghao took a sip of the wine.

"Tell him what? You haven't told anyone either" Junhui responded quickly.

"Junnie you were the one who hurt me" Minghao frowned at him.

"Hao... we both know there was nothing we could've done" Junhui looked down.

"Did your dad pick him?" Minghao swirled the wine in his glass, watching the vortex spin and slowly dissipate.

"Yes." Junhui admitted. Minghao walked towards the window above the sink, staring at the birds flying past. He felt a hand snake it's way into his.

"Junnie..."

"Just give me this Hao, for a few seconds" Junhui pleaded and Minghao squeezed his hand back. Minghao put his glass down and turned to face Junhui. Junhui pulled him into a hug, not wanting to let go. Minghao shuddered at the feeling of Junhui's big arms around his waist, but found the courage to pull him in closer by the neck.

Back in the living room, Wonwoo and Mingyu were exchanging small words.

"How'd the interview go?" Mingyu asked, shuffling closer to Wonwoo.

"Good... I got the job!" Wonwoo's smiled beamed at him and Mingyu lit up.

"Won that's amazing!" Mingyu couldn't stop himself from standing up, Wonwoo just chuckled at him. "Get up here!" Mingyu pulled him by the hands up, bringing him into a big bear hug. Mingyu couldn't contain his excitement, picking Wonwoo up and spinning him around.

"AH Mingyu put me down!" Wonwoo shrieked in between his giggles. Mingyu finally let him down, still holding him close.

"I'm so proud of you! Finally putting that software engineer degree to use" Mingyu pressed his thumbs into Wonwoo's sides, making him laugh.

"Mingyu let go!" Wonwoo laughed as he tried to squirm away from his touch. Their laughter settled down once they heard Minghao and Junhui return from the kitchen. "Oh you're back! Did you get the drink you want Minghao?" Minghao looked down at his hands and realised he forgot it in the kitchen.

"Yup, I already finished it though" Minghao settled back into the couch. Wonwoo sat down and was joined by Junhui who pulled him in close, pressing a kiss on his temple. Wonwoo giggled - the same on he used to give Mingyu when they kissed - leaning into Junhui's touch. The air was beginning to get awkward, but it was luckily ended by the doorbell ringing. After Jeonghan and Joshua arrived, everyone else came not long after.

"Wow my baby has his own apartment and it's pretty!" Jeonghan exclaimed as he looked around, Wonwoo chuckled and followed after him to show him around.

"Yes it's pretty but I'm sure it'll be even better when he gets his first pay check" Joshua added. Everyone murmured in agreement, gawking at the size of the apartment. Junhui's dad had paid for the whole thing, and although it wasn't the  penthouse it was still shocking and the size of half of the floor they lived on.

"Okay" Wonwoo clapped his hands. "Let's get this party started"