So Close Yet So Far - Mingyu x Reader

Chapter 12 - The Breaking Point

That breakfast was not as awkward as dinner the night before, but there was still a hanging tension in the air. That, or everyone was hung over. Based on the groans that circulated the kitchen as each person staggered in one by one, it might be the hungover part. You took a plate of the pancakes Jihoon had left, thanking him as you stepped out onto the back porch. Hoshi was already out there, plate-less as he leaned against the balcony and watched the sun as it creeped over the island. You walked over, handing yours to him. "Did you eat yet?" you asked. Hoshi only shook his head. "Take this. I'll go get another plate." Hoshi took the plate, obvious hunger in his eyes.

"Thanks." He smiled at you. "Are you hungover too?"

"Incredibly." You laughed. "But it was worth it. Last night was so fun."

"Did you and Mingyu stay up and have any drunken late-night love confessions?" He teased, grinning. You could only laugh nervously, shaking your head.

"No." You admitted. "I thought I did, but it wasn't him." Hoshi seemed confused at your statement, but you waved him off. "Just me in my drunken stupidity, I guess."

"Oof, embarrassing." He said. You watched as Hoshi began to eat the pancakes, the sigh of relief making you smile. "I needed this more than I thought."

"Good." You smiled. After a moment of silence, you nudged him. "So, are you feeling a bit better after yesterday?"

"I think so." Hoshi smiled at you, but you could sense a hint of sadness as the memories swarmed him again. "He tried to talk to me this morning...I don't know if I want to talk to him."

"What exactly happened?" You asked curiously. "Is it something really bad?"

Hoshi thought to that night, pursing his lips together. You watched as Hoshi pressed his hands together. "I don't know how to explain it. He told me that he had something he wanted to tell me. It was such a big secret; I couldn't process it all. I still don't think I have. Before I could even try to process it, he was gone. At first, I thought he needed time to figure things out and tell me. But he never came back to find me." Hoshi sighed. "He was in so much pain and I tried to help. But when he was gone, he was gone."

"You said to me sometimes people hide things for a reason."

"Yeah, I know." Hoshi said. "I think he did that to." Hoshi sighed. "I just can't help but be upset after seeing him after so many years. I almost forgot about him completely, too." Hoshi looked over at you. "I wish he had stayed behind so we could talk about it."

"What was the secret? Or is it to inappropriate for me to ask?" Hoshi shook his head.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you." He said simply, before ending the conversation with another bite of pancakes in his mouth.

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Joshua woke up to the sound of people shuffling out into the hallway. When he sat up, he saw Jeonghan still asleep in the bed beside him, snoring peacefully. Joshua hummed, reaching over and nudging him. "Get up." He said groggily. "Let's go." Jeonghan's eyes opened, and he sat up in bed with a yawn. Joshua stepped out of bed, stretching his arms over his head. "I miss not needing to sleep." He admitted behind a deep yawn.

"Then stop fooling around." Jeonghan responded, catching the loud yawn Joshua threw into the room.

"Oh, ha, ha." Joshua murmured. As he went to change for the day, Jihoon's comment the night before trickled into his mind.

That was almost romantic if it wasn't the stupid thing I've ever seen.

Joshua shook his head, rubbing his shoulder over his shoulder blade slightly. He threw on a change of clothes and exited the room so Jeonghan could do the same. As he stepped into the hallway, he overheard whispering around the corner. As he walked closer, he immediately recognized Mingyu and Seungkwan's voices.