1+1=3? {Meanie}

fourteen

"So, how are things going with that one guy?" Seokmin asked.

It was Saturday afternoon and Mingyu was spending it with Danbi at Seokmin's house. He had called telling him that his youngest niece and Danbi's friend, Hyejin, was coming over, and he wanted to invite them over as well. So, while the girls were playing in Seokmin's room, Seokmin and Mingyu were in the living room, talking and catching up. They hadn't had much of a chance to talk lately despite working at the same company. Seokmin was a singer and was part of a duo with Joshua. The company had announced a comeback for them and the two had been working harder than ever, glad to finally have a comeback after three years. Mingyu was busy with other groups and helping produce in the studio. He nearly had an album ready for one of the new idol groups debuting in spring. He was quite proud of himself, but he was thankful for the time off. He needed to catch his breath. When he wasn't at work, he spent most of his time with Danbi or Wonwoo. He barely saw Seokmin these days and he felt guilty for practically abandoning his friend.

Seokmin didn't know much about Wonwoo. He only knew that Mingyu was actively pursuing a guy he had met at a club. He hadn't asked much otherwise, but he was curious about the person that made Mingyu look so goofy all the time. Mingyu lit up at the mention of Wonwoo. It had been three days since the other came to his house in the middle of the night to confess his feelings. Even just thinking about it now made his heart skip a bit. To keep face, and not gross Seokmin out with the cheesy details, he shrugged, trying to play it cool.

"It's going alright. We've been on a couple of dates and he confessed to me the other night."

Seokmin looked surprised. "He actually confessed to you?"

Mingyu nodded and held back the goofy smile that wanted to make its way onto his face. He couldn't stop thinking about how cute Wonwoo looked when he first arrived. He walked the entire way there, making his cheeks flushed and he was obviously flustered. Mingyu had desperately wanted to kiss him right there on his doorstep. Seokmin asked him another question, breaking him out of his pleasant daydream.

"So, are you guys dating then?"

Mingyu hesitated. "Not exactly."

Seokmin frowned. "Why not? You both like each other, so why not? Didn't you ask him?"

"I wanted to," Mingyu admitted. "The words were all there, waiting to be said, but I want Wonwoo to be the one to make the first official move. It's vital to him and our future relationship that he does. He still has a lot to let go of and to settle. I can't determine that for him. He needs to be ready on his own terms. In the meantime, I'll wait for him."

"Wow, that's very mature of you," Seokmin noted. "But didn't you say he was rude to you for a while? Why did you try so hard to pursue him if he had such an attitude?"

Mingyu smiled as he thought back fondly at all the times Wonwoo had been less than friendly with him. Sure, any person would have thought he was heartless or rude, maybe even a jerk, but Mingyu had a feeling deep down that it was more than that. He could feel a connection between them and he didn't want to lose it. He could sense there was another side to Wonwoo, a softer one that wasn't filled with so much pain. If he stuck around and shown Wonwoo the kindness he lacked and deserved, perhaps that side would revealed to him in time, and Mingyu would have been right. Slowly, the real Wonwoo was coming out and every time something new about him was revealed, Mingyu fell deeper in love with him. He couldn't verbally express that to Seokmin though, not without sounding like a love-whipped moron. So, he simply shrugged with a knowing smile.

"There's just something about him." Was all he said.

Seokmin rolled his eyes at the cliche answer. "I take it you're completely done with Danbi's mother then?"

"There will always be a special place in my heart for her. I mean, it's hard not to have one. We shared so much together and we brought a life into this world. I can't ignore that or forget that it happened. In a sense, I'll always love her, but it's not the same kind of love anymore. I still care for her, but it no longer had any romantic implications. After all, some people aren't meant to stay in your life forever, but it doesn't mean that love leaves with them." He answered.

Seokmin patted Mingyu's shoulder. "No matter what you decide or who you are with, your happiness will always matter more and be important to me. You're like a brother to me. If Wonwoo makes you happy, that's enough for me."

Mingyu smiled warmly at him. "Thanks."

Their brotherly moment was interrupted by Mingyu's phone ringing from the coffee table. He peered over to see who it was but leaned back against the couch when he saw Joshua's name. Seokmin frowned.

"You aren't answering Shua?"

"Nope."

"Did you two have a fight or something?"

Mingyu crossed his arms. "I've decided to no longer be friends with him." He announced.

Mingyu could only say so much. He didn't want, nor did he have the right, to reveal Wonwoo's personal life and trauma. Ever since he heard what happened between them, he made an effort to distance himself from Joshua. It made him regret ever being friends with such a person. However, it was also between Wonwoo and Joshua. Mingyu had no right to talk about it or butt in. All he could do was cut Joshua off and hope he could change his ways. It was obvious Seokmin wanted to question it further. The three of them had entered the company at the same time and had been friends and colleagues for many years. Before he could ask, Joshua called Seokmin next and he left the room to answer the call.

At seven, Mingyu left Seokmin's. Danbi asked to spend the night with Hyejin and Mingyu agreed, not wanting to deny her time with her friend. He also knew he needed some alone time after the long week he had. As he rounded the corner to his house, saw the silhouette of a person standing in his driveway. As he cautiously walked forward, he saw that it was Wonwoo. He relaxed.

"What are you doing here?" He asked. Wonwoo jumped and nearly tripped on the curb.

"You scared me!" He exclaimed. "I didn't expect you to turn up behind me."

"Sorry, but really, what are you doing here?" He repeated. "Not that I'm not happy to see you." He quickly added.

He didn't want Wonwoo to think he wasn't welcome, but he hated the idea of Wonwoo standing all alone waiting for him. He would have to get him a key. Wonwoo became visibly nervous and started clutching a piece of paper tightly in his hands. He took a deep breath before hanging Mingyu the now slightly crumbled paper.

"My friends are getting married. They just send out invitations and they gave me an extra, which is the one you're holding." He explained. "I came over to ask you if you'd come to the wedding with me. I know it's a couple of months away, but I like to plan ahead."

Mingyu decided to test the waters. "Are you asking me to be your date for the wedding?"

Wonwoo became nervous once more and started to fidget. Mingyu took pity on him. He held up the invitation.

"I'll go with you, but to determine if I'm going as your friend or date, we'll need a trial run."

"Trial run?" Wonwoo echoed.

"We'll act like a couple and test how we fit together in more serious settings. In the month leading up to the wedding, we'll discuss where we stand." He explained. "So, what do you say? Trial boyfriends?"

Wonwoo hesitated for a moment before taking his hand and shaking it. "Trial boyfriends." He confirmed.