embracing the unexpected (2min)

Chapter 6: The Dinner with Friends

One evening, as they were winding down from their day, Seungmin’s phone buzzed with a message from Hyunjin.

Hyunjin: Dinner at my place tomorrow! Everyone’s invited! No excuses!

Seungmin looked over at Minho, excitement bubbling within him. “Hyunjin is having a dinner tomorrow. We should go!”

Minho raised an eyebrow. “You think it’s a good idea? You know how they can be.”

“Exactly! They’ll lighten the mood. Plus, it’ll be fun,” Seungmin replied enthusiastically.

The next day, Hyunjin’s dinner gathering at his apartment became a highlight in Seungmin’s week. As he and Minho entered, they were greeted by the familiar, boisterous energy of their friends.

“Finally! The newlyweds have arrived!” Han announced, raising a glass in their direction, a mischievous grin on his face.

“Can’t believe you guys actually made it!” Changbin added, elbowing Seungmin playfully. “We thought you were going to bail on us.”

“Yeah, come on! You’re supposed to bring the fun!” Felix chimed in, his infectious enthusiasm lifting the room's spirit.

As they settled around the dining table, the atmosphere was warm and lively. The friends shared food, laughter, and stories, their bonds growing stronger with each passing moment.

“Seungmin, do you remember that time we got lost on the way to that music festival?” Hyunjin started, prompting a chorus of laughter from everyone.

Seungmin chuckled, remembering the chaos. “How could I forget? I thought we were going to end up in the next province!”

Minho watched Seungmin interact with his friends, a small smile creeping onto his face. He admired how effortlessly Seungmin brought joy to those around him. It was moments like these that made him realize how much he valued Seungmin’s presence.

As the night progressed, they moved to the living room for games. In a moment of competitiveness, Minho and Seungmin found themselves on opposing teams in a trivia game.

“Prepare to lose!” Seungmin teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

“Don’t count on it,” Minho shot back, equally determined.

The game escalated into friendly banter, with Minho finally admitting defeat. “Alright, you win this time, but I’ll be back!” he proclaimed, feigning indignation.

After the game, as everyone settled down, Seungmin found himself sitting beside Minho on the couch . He turned to Minho, his heart racing slightly. “You were actually really fun tonight. I didn’t know you had it in you.”

Minho smirked, nudging Seungmin gently. “Maybe you’re just bringing it out of me.”

Seungmin smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him at the light banter. They exchanged glances, and for a brief moment, the tension between them seemed to dissipate, replaced by a budding connection that both found hard to ignore.

As the night drew to a close, Hyunjin began to gather everyone for a group picture. “Come on, everyone! We need a shot to remember this night!”

They all piled together, laughter and playful shoves erupting as they squeezed into the frame. Seungmin felt Minho’s warmth beside him, and for a fleeting second, he rested his head against Minho’s shoulder, drawing an unexpected smile from the other man.

“Okay, on three! One, two, three!” Hyunjin counted, capturing their laughter in a photograph that would become a cherished memory.

As the group began to disperse, Seungmin lingered, watching as his friends paired off—Hyunjin and Felix heading to the kitchen, Chan and IN sharing quiet jokes in the corner, and Changbin playfully arguing with Han. The atmosphere was filled with love and camaraderie, making Seungmin’s heart swell.

“Let’s go home,” Minho said, breaking Seungmin’s thoughts as he stood up.

“Yeah,” Seungmin agreed, feeling a mixture of reluctance to leave and excitement at the progress they had made.

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