Mischief Managed (Stray Kids Oneshots)

Jealousy Sparks | Lee Minho

Minho was the definition of cool — calm, composed, and always in control of his emotions. He was never one to let anything throw him off balance. But, as you had come to realize, there was one thing that could challenge even his unshakable demeanor.

You.

The way your smile could melt his heart, the way your laugh made his chest tighten in the best way. You had become someone so important to him, yet Minho kept that side of himself under wraps, buried beneath layers of playful teasing and his signature aloofness. He didn't like to let people in too much, not even you, despite how often you found yourself pulling him in with your warmth.

It was a typical night, just the two of you meeting up for a casual dinner at a local restaurant. Minho had been unusually quiet all evening, not his usual teasing self, but you figured he was just tired. He had been working hard lately, and you could tell that he was still recovering from a long rehearsal. You didn't mind, though. Just being in his company was enough.

You were both seated at a small corner table when you noticed a familiar face at the bar. It was one of your old friends from college, someone you hadn't seen in a while. You waved at him, and he spotted you immediately, offering a broad smile before making his way over.

"Hey, long time no see!" your friend greeted, leaning in for a hug. You stood up to return the hug, excited to catch up with someone you hadn't seen in months.

"Wow, it's been ages!" you exclaimed, pulling away. "How have you been?"

"I've been good, just keeping busy with work," he said, glancing at the empty seat across from you. "Mind if I join you guys for a minute?"

You glanced at Minho, unsure if he was comfortable with the idea. You knew he could be a little particular about sharing attention, but Minho simply gave a slight nod, his gaze flicking between you and your friend before he turned his attention back to his phone.

"Sure! It's good to see you again," you said, gesturing for him to take a seat. Your friend sat down next to you, and the three of you began chatting about life updates, your old college days, and what you'd been up to.

But as the conversation continued, you started to notice a change in Minho's demeanor. At first, it was subtle — his jaw tightening, his shoulders becoming more rigid — but soon, it became harder to ignore. Minho's attention seemed to be divided, his focus lingering on you and your friend more than it had before. He didn't join the conversation much, instead making random comments here and there, his voice low and almost dismissive. But there was something else in the way he carried himself — an unmistakable tension that made your stomach twist.

You tried to brush it off, thinking it was just your imagination, but the way Minho was tapping his fingers against the table and the slight furrow in his brow made it clear that something was bothering him.

Your friend, oblivious to the shift in Minho's mood, laughed and placed a hand on your arm, leaning closer as he joked. "So, you and Minho must be the perfect couple, huh? You two always seem to get along so well."

You smiled awkwardly, glancing at Minho, who was staring at the table, his lips pressed into a thin line. There was a flicker of something in his eyes — something possessive, something you hadn't seen before. It made your heart race, a sudden heat flushing through your body.

"Heh," your friend continued, completely unaware of the brewing tension, "you guys are so cute together. Have you two been together long?"

The question hung in the air, and for a brief moment, Minho didn't respond. His fingers stopped tapping, and his eyes flicked from the table to your friend, locking onto him for the first time all night. His gaze was intense, but there was something almost territorial about it.

"I don't think she's interested in people who don't know when to stop flirting," Minho said sharply, his voice laced with an edge that sent a chill down your spine. The playful tone that normally characterized his voice was completely absent.

Your friend blinked, clearly caught off guard by the sudden change in Minho's demeanor. "What? I wasn't—"

"You should probably take a hint," Minho interrupted, his voice smooth but with an undeniable bite to it. "I'm sure she's had enough of the small talk."

There was a brief, awkward silence between the three of you. Your heart pounded, and you could feel the heat rising in your cheeks as you tried to figure out what just happened. The tension in the air was palpable, and you could see your friend shifting uncomfortably in his seat.

"Well, I think I'll get going now," your friend said quickly, standing up and shooting you a nervous smile. "Nice seeing you again, [Your Name]." Without another word, he quickly walked off, leaving you and Minho alone at the table.

You stared at Minho, his eyes now trained on you, intense and unreadable. The playful, carefree Minho you were used to had completely vanished, replaced by someone you hadn't seen before.

"Minho?" you asked hesitantly, unsure of how to approach the situation. His reaction had caught you completely off guard.

He didn't respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest, and let out a soft sigh. "I'm sorry," he muttered, not meeting your gaze. "I just didn't like the way he was talking to you."

You raised an eyebrow, feeling a mix of confusion and amusement. "You were jealous?" you asked, the word hanging in the air between you.

Minho finally met your gaze, and there was a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes. "Yeah," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "I didn't like how he was flirting with you. I don't like it when other people try to take your attention away from me."

Your heart fluttered at the admission, and a small smile tugged at your lips. You never would've guessed that Minho, the cool and composed one, would be the jealous type. But here he was, confessing his feelings, his eyes full of sincerity and something deeper.

"You don't have to worry about him," you said softly, reaching out to gently touch his hand. "I'm with you, Minho."

He looked at you, his expression softening, and you could see the tension in his shoulders melt away. "I'm not used to sharing," he admitted with a half-smile. "But I'll try."

You chuckled, squeezing his hand. "I think you're doing just fine."

Minho smiled, his usual cocky charm returning in full force. "Yeah, well, I always get what I want." He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a low, teasing tone. "And I want you."

Your heart raced as he leaned in closer, his eyes never leaving yours. In that moment, you realized just how much he truly cared. And from now on, you wouldn't ever doubt where his heart was.

4o mini