just pretend.

12.

Minho spent the rest of the week visiting Seungmin, using the time to distract himself from the thoughts that plagued him every night. He deliberately avoided the areas where Jisung worked and lived, trying to put some distance between himself and the memories that threatened to pull him under. But despite his best efforts, he found himself getting lost in his own head more often than not, the nights stretching on as he wrestled with his emotions. One evening, as Seungmin packed a small sports bag with his few belongings, Minho sat on a chair in the corner of the room, his mind elsewhere. Seungmin tossed in a stack of shirts, pants, and some books, his movements efficient and focused. “Too bad you moved in with Felix already, I could really use a roommate”, Seungmin said, his voice pulling Minho from his thoughts. Minho barely registered the comment, his gaze distant as he stared into the void. It wasn’t until Seungmin stood directly in front of him, pushing his legs apart and stepping between his thighs, that Minho snapped back to reality. He felt Seungmin’s hand wrap gently around his neck, the younger one’s fingers threading through his hair and tugging his head back to make him look up. “Did you hear what I said?”, Seungmin’s voice was soft but firm, his eyes searching Minho’s face for a response. Minho let out a weak whine, his breath hitching as Seungmin’s free hand stroked his cheek tenderly. “Hm? Yes, you’re looking for a roommate”, Minho mumbled, his voice distant as Seungmin’s presence grounded him, if only for a moment. He wrapped his arms around Seungmin’s waist, resting his cheek against Seungmin’s stomach. The familiar scent of his hoodie was comforting, and Minho closed his eyes, trying to push the swirling thoughts out of his mind. “What’s on your mind?”, Seungmin asked, his voice full of concern, yet soft, as his fingers continued to brush through Minho’s hair. Minho blinked up at him, struggling to articulate the chaos in his head. He shook his head slightly, pulling Seungmin closer as if the physical connection could somehow silence the noise in his mind. “I’m just really tired lately”, Minho admitted, his voice barely a whisper. The constant pressure of everything he had to manage was weighing on him, and he felt overwhelmed by the sheer volume of it all. Seungmin’s touch was gentle, reassuring, but Minho couldn’t shake the feeling of being buried beneath it all. “Is it getting bad again?”, Seungmin’s question was soft, but it cut through the fog in Minho’s mind like a knife. Minho exhaled shakily, feeling the weight of his own exhaustion pressing down on him. “No, I’m just overwhelmed with all the things I have to do”, Minho confessed, his voice trembling slightly as he spoke. “I applied for jobs, I need to move the rest of my things, and I have to sell the house. It’s a lot, and it doesn’t seem to get any easier.” He buried his face deeper into Seungmin’s hoodie, his voice muffled by the fabric as he continued, “It’s like it’s all piling up and I’m barely keeping my head above water.” Seungmin squatted down so they were eye to eye, his expression gentle but serious. “You’re not alone, you know that, right?”, he asked, his voice firm, almost scolding. Minho nodded slowly, his gaze still somewhat unfocused, but Seungmin’s words were beginning to soothe the chaos in his mind. “Good”, Seungmin said, his tone resolute. “Because I’ll help with the moving, and I’m sure Felix will help too. And the house will sell by itself. You showed me the pictures, it’s beautiful. It’s going to give you enough to live comfortably for a while, even without a job. Don’t worry too much, okay?” Before Minho could protest, Seungmin leaned in and connected their lips in a gentle, grounding kiss. Minho melted into it, letting Seungmin’s reassurances wash over him. The kiss was slow and comforting, a reminder that he wasn’t as alone as he sometimes felt. When they finally pulled apart, Minho felt a little lighter, the weight of his worries eased just slightly.

“When will I see you again?”, Minho asked, his voice softer than he intended, as he turned to look at Seungmin sitting in the passenger seat. The younger one smiled, a gentle expression that made Minho's heart flutter. As Seungmin opened the car door, Minho’s eyes followed his movements, trying to memorize every detail of this moment. They were parked in front of Seungmin's house, a sleek, modern, one-story home with a well-tended garden and solar panels gleaming on the roof. “Whenever you want”, Seungmin replied casually, stepping out of the car. His nonchalance made Minho smile, but there was a longing underneath that kept him rooted in place. He watched Seungmin retrieve his sports bag from the backseat. “When are you moving?”, Minho asked as he slid out of the driver's seat, leaning casually against the car as he watched Seungmin with a curious gaze. “We’ll start moving the furniture and boxes in a week, but my parents won’t officially live there until two weeks from now. But I’ll get to move into my apartment sooner than expected”, Seungmin explained, his voice steady as he hoisted the bag over his shoulder. He let it drop to the ground before closing the distance between them, his presence warm and commanding. In a fluid motion, Seungmin cornered Minho between the car and his body, his eyes glinting with a familiar mischief as he leaned in close. “You’re not gonna wait two weeks before visiting me, are you?”, Seungmin muttered against Minho’s lips, the words a playful challenge that made Minho’s breath catch. A chuckle escaped Minho’s lips as he shook his head, his hands instinctively grabbing onto the fabric of Seungmin’s hoodie, pulling him even closer. “I’ll be here to help”, Minho promised, his voice low but firm. The thought of being apart for that long seemed unbearable, but Seungmin’s closeness made it easier to cope with. Seungmin let his hand glide over Minho's chest, the touch sending a warm thrill through him. “No need”, Seungmin hushed, his tone soothing. “Focus on your own responsibilities, and once you’re done”, his voice trailed off as he leaned in, his breath hot against Minho’s ear, “Once you’re done, come visit me so I can fuck you on my kitchen table, alright?” Minho nodded, feeling a rush of excitement flutter in his stomach at the thought. The idea of being with Seungmin in his new home, with no one around to interrupt them, was more tempting than anything. Seungmin placed a soft, lingering kiss on Minho’s lips, a promise of what was to come, before he turned and walked up the driveway. Minho watched him disappear inside, the warmth of the moment hanging in the cool evening air. He got back into his car, a sense of determination settling over him. There was work to be done, and the sooner he finished, the sooner he could be with Seungmin again. The thought spurred him on as he headed back home, ready to pack up more of his belongings and get his house ready for sale.