Our Little Lives, in this Big World

OCTOBER: Swimming Fool (just keep swimming)

OCTOBER 13, SATURDAY, 14:18. SIX DAYS AFTER "THE REUNION".

"That's it, Mingyu, take it nice and slow."

"L-Like this?"

"Perfect, just like that—do it just like that."

"What about here?"

"God yes... you have amazing hands, has anyone ever told you that?"

Mingyu blushes, but maintains his steady focus nonetheless, "...Maybe once or t-twice before..."

"Well, you do. Now, squeeze your fingers here and you'll—"

"Ah—!"

"Yep. Amazing, huh? You're doing so good for me. Now swirl it up before sinking back down—yes! Keep going, just like that... So close—"

The door swings open with Beomgyu clutching onto the door handle and sporting a look of complete exacerbation. "The—The fuck's goin' on in'er?!" He cries out, his satoori accent coming in strong through riled breaths.

" Hey Lil'Gyu. I'm teaching Mingoo how to make icing flowers. Mmm, I guess you're ready to learn, so come here and—"

"That most definitely did not sound like what you were doing!"

"Oh my," chuckles Mingyu, "What's got Lil'Gyu lookin' so worked up, hm? I'm curious. Aren't you, Hannie?"

"Oh, yes." Jeonghan answers back, lips curling sweetly, "Care to enlighten us on what you were just thinking about?"

Beomgyu stammers, stepping back towards the door with each advance Mingyu and Jeonghan take. "I, uh..."

Mingyu tilts his head with a pout, "Aw, since when has our Lil'Gyu become so shy?"

"And nervous, too? Perhaps... he was thinking of naughty things?" If Beomgyu's face wasn't red before, it sure as hell is now, which only serves as further confirmation. "Oh? Then that means..." Jeonghan takes Mingyu's hand into his own, "I wonder what he would have done if he walked in and saw something else..."

Mingyu plays up a pouty innocence and sticks out his bottom lip and meets Jeonghan's pretty, big eyes, "Hannie..."

Feet moving faster than his body's ready for, Beomgyu Scooby-Doo runs several times before catching his balance and taking off. "I—I gotta go!" and he's out in a flash.

Upon the slamming of the door, undoubtedly heard throughout the entire cafe (Jeonghan will let it slide this time), the two men drop the act and kneel over laughing. "Good god that kid is somethin' else!"

"Isn't he fun?" laughs Jeonghan wiping away a few stray tears, "Even if he was a shitty worker, I'd still keep him around just to mess with."

"I wouldn't blame ya, I'd do the same!" Mingyu agrees, letting out the last of his laughs before turning around to the table and picking the icing pipe back up. "But seriously, what a little perv! I swear, all teenagers these days think about is sex."

"Well, duh." Jeonghan answers with a scoff, "Didn't you?"

"Oh, most definitely. All the time. Sex is fun, of course I'm gonna think about it."

"Yeah, sex is fun! But luckily we're old and mature, so we know how to control ourselves now."

"Sure," complies Mingyu, "but you can keep the 'old' part to yourself. You got a couple years on me so don't lump me in with your 'old people' crap."

"That's a warning, Mingyu. Two more and you're out."

"Wh–Hey! That's not fair!"

"Is that any way to speak to your boss? Your most glorious leader and mentor?"