1+1=3? {Meanie}

eleven

Wonwoo returned to work the next day feeling better and lighter than he had in ages and it was all thanks to Mingyu. Their day off together helped him more than he thought it would. He got fresh air and spent a good day with Mingyu and Danbi. For a moment, he had forgotten his troubles, and most importantly, about Jisoo. When he returned home that night, he skipped playing games and went right to bed. He slept better than he had in years. Even if his feelings for Mingyu weren't certain, one thing was, Wonwoo wanted Mingyu to remain in his life, even if that meant they were only friends. It would be enough to know and have such a wonderful person in his life. At nine, Soonyoung strolled into the store and his face lit up at the sight of Wonwoo. He dropped his bag at the door and rushed over to tackle Wonwoo in a hug over the counter.

"Where have you been? I've missed you so much! Mr. Kim told me you called in yesterday. Are you okay?" He stopped hugging him momentarily to feel his forehead. "Are you sick?"

Wonwoo swatted his hand away, but a small smile was evident on his face. It was nice to have friends who cared about him even when he had been moody and unpleasant to them. He made a mental note to work on being nicer to his friends, even Soonyoung.

"I'm fine," Wonwoo reassured him. "I just had to take a day off."

Soonyoung's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You've never taken a day off. You've been working here for years and never once called in. I almost thought you weren't human there for a bit."

Wonwoo rolled his eyes, feeling the familiar annoyance creep in. Soonyoung sure knew which buttons to press to annoy him. He would work on being nicer to Soonyoung, only when he didn't annoy Wonwoo so much.

"I just didn't feel well yesterday. That's all. I'm better now." He insisted.

Soonyoung smirked, moving to the other side of the counter, close to Wonwoo. "I know, you spent the evening with a tall and handsome man and you had so much fun that you had to call in." He teased.

Wonwoo quickly grabbed a hardback that had been returned and was about to beat Soonyoung senseless with it when the door chimed with the arrival of a customer. Wonwoo dropped the book, not wanting to make a bad impression on a potential customer, but when he saw it was just Jeonghan, he picked it back up and gave Soonyoung's arm a hard smack. Jeonghan jumped over Soonyoung's bag that was still in the way and ignored the ongoing fight. He rushed up to them and leaned on the counter.

"Do you two have plans tonight?"

Wonwoo stopped hitting Soonyoung and finally set the book down. He shook his head while Soonyoung straightened out his clothes.

"Depends," he said, smoothing out his tiger shirt that had become wrinkled from Wonwoo's harsh grip. "What's up?"

"A party."

"Who's throwing it?" Wonwoo asked this time.

"Me! It's my engagement party!" He exclaimed.

He flashed them his hand which wore an expensive-looking silver band. Both Wonwoo and Soonyoung gaped at the sight.

"Hannie!" Soonyoung exclaimed, matching his excitement.

"I know!" Jeonghan yelled back.

"When did this happen?" Wonwoo asked, feeling the excitement himself.

"Last night. Sungcheol took me to a fancy restaurant and before I knew it, he was asking me to marry him. I'm still in shock."

"You got engaged last night and are having a party tonight?" Soonyoung asked. "Isn't that a little fast?"

"Also," Wonwoo interjected, "aren't you supposed to have a big family dinner, not a party?"

Jeonghan gave Soonyoung a pointed look. "I've been waiting for this moment for years. I think an immediate engagement party is the least I can ask for."

He then addressed Wonwoo's question. "Sungcheol and I agreed to involve family as little as possible. Trust me, a party with our closest friends is best." He explained.

Wonwoo nodded and asked his next question. "What made Sungcheol change his mind?"

For as long as he'd known Sungcheol, his friend had been firmly set in ways and rarely wavered. It was nearly impossible to change his mind. It was the most strange and spontaneous decision he had seen him make, but also the best. Jeonghan shrugged as he admired his new piece of jewelry. 

"I don't know, but I'm not going to question it too much. I'd rather enjoy the moment."

"Understandable. So, what time is the party?"

"Nine. Don't be late and bring some liquor. There's no such thing as too much."

"I beg to differ," Wonwoo muttered to himself as he remembered the night he met Mingyu.

Jeonghan heard him and laughed. "Don't worry Wonnie, I won't let you near the liquor." He reassured.

Beside him, Soonyoung whined. "Hyung, don't do that. Wonwoo is a buzzkill without alcohol."

Wonwoo rolled his eyes for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. Soonyoung was working on his nerves and he was regretting his decision to be nicer to him, but for the sake of Jeonghan and his happiness, he kept a smile on his face.

"I'm happy for both of you." He said sincerely. "We'll be there tonight."

Jeonghan smiled as he fully leaned over the counter to hug his friends.

"I'm so happy." He admitted softly on their shoulders. And for once, so was Wonwoo.

Near the end of his shift, Mingyu called him. He silently cursed and managed to slip into the backroom and lock the door before Soonyoung could react. He was pounding on the door, but Wonwoo ignored him as he answered the call.

"Just wanted to check in." Came Mingyu's deep voice through the phone's speaker. "You're just about to end your shift, right?"

"Mm. Once Soonyoung stops shouting, I can leave."

Mingyu laughed a bit. "So, any plans for tonight?"

"Surprisingly, yes. I'm going to a party my friends are throwing." He paused. "Why? Did you have something planned?"

This time, Mingyu fully laughed. "I'm not that spontaneous. I'm just interested in you."

Wonwoo froze as his cheeks and ears started heating up. He couldn't see himself but he was sure both were bright red. He cleared his throat, trying to regain some composure.

"You worked all day and you still have the energy to be cheesy. Amazing."

Mingyu ignored his statement. "By the way,"

"Yeah?"

"Might want to stay away from the liquor, if there is any." He teased. "I would hate to think of you falling for someone else, literally."

Wonwoo let out an unamused laugh. "You know, you're not the first person to make that joke."

"It wasn't a joke. It was a piece of advice."

"Yeah, yeah."

Mingyu's tone softened. "Could you please call me after the party so I know you're okay?"

"I will," Wonwoo promised, equally as soft before hanging up.

He listened for any sounds on the other side of the door to indicate that Soonyoung was still there, but it was silent. Thinking it was safe, he opened the door only to be greeted by Soonyoung's smirking face.

"You sound so sweet when you talk to him. How come you never sound like with me?"

"Because you're a bastard and he's not," Wonwoo replied, not skipping a beat.

"Rude,"

"But true," Wonwoo said as he slung his bag over his shoulder. "See you at the party."

He left the store feeling like he was living a new life.