TPA | MW [✔]

11. Mingyu/Wonwoo

Mingyu

Watching Wonwoo work out how to decorate the float is adorable. He directs me on what to do. Whether it's cutting boards to make a dramatic arch to hold fairy lights or attaching barres down the middle of a platform in the center of the float, he's good at making his vision come to life.

We paint the arch blue and white together, giving it a cloud texture. He wants it to look dreamy, like clouds ready to dump snow. Once it's dry and we have the lights wrapped around it, the float finally takes shape. I created a short platform to showcase a single dancer in the center. For most of the parade, the dancers simply wave and look pretty, as Wonwoo says. But there are a few stops where they get to perform.

"This looks amazing." Wonwoo gives the short platform one more dab of pink paint. "I want to get some pillow stuffing to make the clouds look three-dimensional, and then maybe some flowers to flesh out the idea. We'll need some fringe, and I think it'll be all done."

"It really does look great." I pull him into my arms and we sway to the beat of our own music. Music of our hearts. "We work really well together."

"We do." He gives a sharp nod and turns in my arms. "But let's not dawdle. I want to finish this tonight so we can relax."

"I'll take you wherever you want to go."

"To the craft shop on Third Street. Should have everything we need to finish up."

"Third street it is."

It's like Wonwoo is on super speed. He races to the truck and straps in before I can even get the garage door closed. When I do get buckled in the truck, he wrings his hands.

"Sorry. I get—"

"Excited. I know. And it's fine." I wish I could help him understand it's a part of him that I love so much. I hold out my hand, like always, and he takes it. "How about we talk? I know we both tend to avoid the big subjects. We used to talk so openly with each other, I miss it."

Wonwoo squeezes my hand. "I miss our talks too, but I don't know how to even get started anymore. What do you want to talk about?"

I can't help but laugh. "That's the thing. I don't know. I just know nothing used to be off limits and we never judged each other."

He nods. "What about... The thought of having sex with anyone else doesn't compute in my brain. I think I've always thought that way. When I was younger, I told myself you would be the one to take my virginity. And you were." He chuckles. "I was so in love with you. I don't think that ever died. Even now, when we're still getting to know each other again. I know in my heart you really are the only one for me. But my head says we have to confirm that. Is that okay?"

"Of course it's okay."

"Do you regret being a heat service alpha? You've asked me if I was jealous and I can honestly say no. But I have to wonder—"

"The answer is complicated," I let out a sigh. "On one hand, no. I try to live with no regrets because the one regret I have took you away from me. But on the other hand, I've serviced so many omegas, and every time I wanted them to be you. It's fucked up, pining when you moved on—"

"I didn't, though. I lived such a self-imposed sheltered life. One I built on fear from one encounter with a human and what I heard you say about someone else. I built a wall around my heart because of things I couldn't let go of."

"But now you can?"

Wonwoo nods again. "It's easier with you around. And I believe your explanation of what happened that night. I shouldn't have run away, but that's my M.O. I'm a runner. I don't want to say you give me strength, but you've helped guide me in a way. Helped me see how I've been closing myself off when I shouldn't be. I've been doing a little tiny bit of soul searching." He pinches his finger and thumb together. "I like me, but I need to find better ways to express myself and live a life I find fulfilling."