just pretend.

21.

"Would you please talk to me?", Seungmin's voice was soft but persistent as he followed Minho into the kitchen the next morning, his eyes filled with concern. Minho tensed, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him. After the night's chaotic revelations, he hadn't been able to sleep, lying awake as his mind replayed every conversation, every suspicious glance he'd missed, every small betrayal that had built up until it shattered everything. Seungmin had dropped him off the night before, sending text after text that Minho ignored, his phone lighting up with messages he wasn't ready to read. And now here he was, at eight in the morning, practically demanding a conversation. A part of Minho knew he should have expected this, but it didn't stop the surge of frustration. Letting out a slow, frustrated exhale, Minho finally turned to face him, his eyes heavy and tired. "What is there to talk about?", he asked, his voice low but sharp. "You knew they were fucking each other, and you didn't say anything. I'm not mad at you, Seungmin – I know it wasn't your responsibility to tell me. But Felix.. after he knew Jisung was my ex?" His voice wavered as the hurt surfaced. "I can't ignore how disappointed I am. I saw you struggling with it, and I even told you to keep it to yourself, so.. what is there to talk about?" Minho's voice cracked slightly, exposing the raw hurt beneath his words. Seungmin's face softened, and he took a step closer. "I'm sorry", he whispered, voice trembling with remorse. But the apology only deepened Minho's frustration. "Stop apologizing", Minho muttered, cutting him off. Turning away, he tried to focus on the task of feeding his cats, anything to escape the intensity of the moment. He heard Seungmin step closer, felt his hand brush against his waist, and his body instinctively stiffened. Seungmin slipped his arms around him from behind, resting his chin on Minho's shoulder as he watched him scoop food into the bowls. "Is there anything I can do to make you feel a little better?", Seungmin's breath was warm against his neck, sending a shiver through him despite the lingering anger. Minho swallowed his mixed feelings, shaking his head. "No", he mumbled, voice barely above a whisper. "I just want to be alone for a while – to calm down and sort out my thoughts." He felt Seungmin's arms loosen, and he took the opportunity to gently push back, creating space between them as he set the bowls on the floor for his cats. "And", he added, his voice firming as he turned back around to face Seungmin, "I decided to take the documents to a lawyer." He watched Seungmin's brows knit together, the question forming on his lips before he even said it. "Is it because Jisung slept with Felix?", Seungmin asked cautiously, his gaze hesitant. Minho felt a surge of irritation flash through him. "What?" He glared, feeling a fresh sting of betrayal twist in his chest. But Seungmin's gaze dropped immediately, realizing he'd misstepped. "Sorry", Seungmin mumbled, looking away. "I didn't mean to be insensitive.. I just thought – never mind." He took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "Why did you change your mind?" Minho exhaled, his grip tightening on the countertop as he tried to put his reasoning into words. "I had a lot of time to think about it last night. Maybe the decision came from anger at first, but.. all I ever wanted was to get justice for my parents. I feel like with these documents, I might actually have a chance." He glanced over to the hallway, where his car keys hung by the door. "Where did we store them again?", he asked, meeting Seungmin's gaze. "They're in your car", Seungmin answered, his voice softer now, understanding etched in his expression. "Do you want me to come with you?" Minho shook his head. "I need to do this alone for now", he replied, his voice steady but resolute. The hurt of the last night still lingered, mingling with the determination settling in his chest.

He walked around the countertop and stopped in front of Seungmin, noting the guilt that lingered in his downcast eyes. "Stop looking like a beat-up dog; I'm not mad at you", he muttered, his voice softening as he took Seungmin's face in his hands. Without another word, he closed the gap, wrapping his arms around Seungmin's neck and pulling him into a kiss. Seungmin's hands moved to his waist, slipping beneath the hem of his black shirt, his fingers grazing the skin there with a gentleness that sent a comforting warmth through him. He could feel Seungmin's touch grow bolder, his hands slipping just under the waistband of his sweatpants, pulling him closer as he murmured against his lips. "I'm still sorry, for not telling you and because they did that to you." Seungmin's breath was warm, carrying a sincerity that made Minho's chest ache. Minho pulled back slightly, meeting Seungmin's gaze, his own filled with a tangle of emotions he couldn't quite name. "It's not like they owe me anything", he mumbled, struggling to keep his voice steady, "but it still hurts to think they didn't care in the slightest about my feelings – not even once." Seungmin shook his head slowly, his hands resting reassuringly on Minho's hips. "Felix looked devastated, Minho", he said quietly. "I know it doesn't excuse what he did, but I think he's feeling more guilt than you know. Maybe it'd help to talk with him." Minho nodded, though he wasn't sure if he was ready to confront Felix. Instead, he leaned forward, pressing one last soft kiss to Seungmin's lips before gently pushing him toward the door. "Go. I have a lot to do today", he said with a small smile, nudging him out playfully. As Seungmin left, Minho settled into his work, powering through four hours of finance files, the monotony helping to keep his mind off things. His cat, Dori, nestled in his lap, purring softly as he finished sending off the last report. "Done", he whispered with a sense of satisfaction, scratching Dori's ears as he stretched, feeling his muscles ache from sitting so long. Carrying Dori with him to the kitchen, he opened the fridge, searching for anything remotely appetizing. "Looks like we gotta eat out today", he chuckled, holding Dori up to eye level. "And we gotta go grocery shopping after teaching some kids how to dance, hm?" Dori let out a small meow, as if in agreement, earning a laugh from Minho. After setting Dori down, he quickly got himself ready, pulling on his shoes by the hallway dresser. Grabbing his keys and wallet, he left the apartment, his mind already shifting to the tasks ahead.