Fashioned For Love | Minsung AU

Twenty-One

~~~~~~ 21 ~~~~~~

"You headed to bed, Sungie?" His mother called out and he paused in the hallway, turning back to see what she wanted.

"Uhhh, yeah, but I'm not too tired if you need me to do anything," Han reassured.

She shook her head, "I just wanted to talk sweetie, join me?" She smiled, gesturing to a seat at the dining table. "Tea?" She asked, not really waiting for a response as she got up, fetched him a mug and poured a fresh steaming cup full. "Where's Minho?"

Han chuckled, "I think the early mornings and hard labor is finally starting to catch up to him. He crashed as soon as we got home."

Han Jiho chuckled, "Mmm, yeah I gathered that he isn't accustomed to much manual labor. I was a little worried about your friend, he sort of sticks out like a sore thumb. The Gucci luggage, that private school hoodie he wears when it's cold, the subtle, old looking but undoubtedly designer watch he wears and even the way he carries himself...." As his mother rattled off some of her observations, Han couldn't help but get nervous about where this all was headed. "He feels sort of like undercover royalty." Jisung laughed nervously, nodding in agreement, he couldn't exactly argue with that. "But it's awfully endearing to see him working so hard."

"Yes, it really is," Jisung admitted with a relieved smile, unable to shake the feeling of warmth that spread throughout his body at the thought. "He's taking everything so seriously and yet, I feel like I've seen him laugh and smile more this week than our whole time together at SKZ."

His mother smiled wider at that, "Have you thought about why that may be?"

"What do you mean?"

At this she reached for his free hand, "Sungie, tell me, who is Minho to you?"

Uh oh. He probably should have seen this coming, but he didn't think it would happen after the first week of him being back home. "He's my boss, and a friend," he answered plainly, sipping from his mug.

"Just a friend?" She countered, causing Jisung to flush shyly. "Honey, I've seen the way he looks at you when he thinks no one is paying attention. And more importantly I see how you look at him. I haven't seen you make a more adoring face since you were a little boy."

"Mom...." He groaned, face growing rosier by the second. "It's...it's not that simple," he insisted. "We had a fight, a big one. And even though I still care about him a lot, I don't know if I can put myself out there again."

His mother petted his hand sympathetically, "Seems to me like he's here, trying to make amends."

Han nodded, "I know. I'm still pinching myself about all of this. But I already told him that my focus is on the farm and the restaurant. We're going to figure out a way to get the money and save them both. Actually, me and Minho have been brainstorming some ideas we want to discuss with you and dad tomorrow."

He could tell that his mother wasn't happy with the topic switch but she respected his boundaries nonetheless. She simply gave his hand a squeeze and promised to set aside time for a meeting. "Alright it's late, and I suppose you've indulged me long enough. I'll head to bed. But Sungie," she said softly as she dumped her tea and mug, "I think you should use this time to focus on more personal matters as well as the business."

Her words were met with silence as Jisung watched her leave. He took another sip or two of his tea before doing the same, tiptoeing as quietly as he could into his shared bedroom with his boss. He changed into pjs and eased into bed, hoping sleep would come fast. Much to his surprise, he felt an arm around his waist almost immediately and a whispered sigh from Minho that sort of sounded like his name. And even though he wasn't ready to confront his feelings just yet, he savored this moment. Jisung relaxed into his hold, covering the arm at his waist with his own and allowed himself to fall asleep.