Arrange Marriage

Bonus

The argument between Wonwoo and Mingyu had started small, a misunderstanding about Mingyu’s late nights at university and Wonwoo’s increasing number of absences due to work. But somehow, tempers had flared, and words had been exchanged, leaving Mingyu fuming. Before Wonwoo could stop him, Mingyu had grabbed his keys and stormed out, leaving a tense silence hanging in the house.

Wonwoo was frustrated but tried to calm himself, hoping Mingyu would cool off and come back soon. But hours went by, and there was no sign of him. Just as Wonwoo was debating whether to go look for him, he heard the unmistakable sound of the front door opening, followed by a loud clatter and… was that giggling?

He turned around just in time to see Mingyu stumble into the foyer, his cheeks flushed, his eyes half-lidded with a dazed, glassy look. He was clearly drunk, swaying slightly as he tried to take off his shoes and mumbling to himself. He finally gave up, kicked his shoes off, and wobbled toward Wonwoo, a goofy smile plastered on his face.

“Oh, there you are,” Mingyu slurred, his voice rising in a sing-song tone. “Mr. Too-Busy-For-Me!”

Wonwoo raised an eyebrow, holding back a smirk. Mingyu was clearly in a state, and although they’d been at each other’s throats hours earlier, Wonwoo couldn’t deny the amusement bubbling up at seeing his usually composed husband so out of sorts.

“Mingyu, are you drunk?” Wonwoo asked, feigning surprise.

Mingyu pouted, folding his arms and swaying slightly on the spot. “Me? Drunk? Noooo.” He dragged out the word, his pout deepening. “Just… slightly tipsy. And maybe a little angry.” He hiccuped, poking a finger into Wonwoo’s chest. “At you!”

Wonwoo barely managed to suppress a laugh as he reached out to steady Mingyu, who was now trying to keep his balance while also glaring up at him in what he must have thought was a menacing expression. It looked more like a puppy trying to growl.

“Oh? And why are you angry with me?” Wonwoo asked, indulging him.

Mingyu’s eyes narrowed as he clumsily poked Wonwoo’s chest again. “Because,” he said with exaggerated emphasis, “you work too much! And… and you make me wait around like some… some…” He struggled to find the word, frowning hard. “Some houseplant!”

“A houseplant?” Wonwoo repeated, barely holding back a snort.

“Yes! I just… sit there… waiting for water and sunshine!” Mingyu declared dramatically, his arms flailing. “And I don’t even get enough sunshine, Wonwoo. You know what happens when plants don’t get enough sunshine?”

Wonwoo bit his lip, trying to keep a straight face. “What happens?”

“They wither,” Mingyu said, his voice dropping to a mournful whisper. “They wither and get all droopy… and they feel unappreciated.” He looked up at Wonwoo, his expression melting into a pitiful pout. “Am I… am I a droopy plant to you, Wonwoo?”

The mix of innocence and ridiculousness in Mingyu’s question made Wonwoo’s chest tighten with affection, his frustration from their earlier argument evaporating. “No, Mingyu, you’re not a droopy plant,” he replied, his voice soft as he gently led Mingyu to sit on the couch.

Mingyu let himself be guided, flopping down and slumping against Wonwoo’s shoulder with a little huff. “Good,” he muttered, his eyes half-closed as he settled against Wonwoo’s side. “Because… because I don’t want to be a droopy plant. I’m… I’m Kim Mingyu! I’m strong, I’m brave, I’m…” He paused, his eyes fluttering closed as he leaned his head back against the couch. “I’m sleepy…”

Wonwoo chuckled, reaching up to gently ruffle Mingyu’s hair. “Are you done scolding me for tonight?” he asked.

Mingyu’s eyes shot open, and he turned to look at Wonwoo with a drunken determination. “No! I have more things to say!” He sat up, wobbling a bit before jabbing his finger at Wonwoo’s chest again. “You… you’re supposed to be my husband, okay? And husbands spend time together. They eat together. They… they watch movies together, and they… they argue and make up!” He looked at Wonwoo, blinking hard as if trying to focus. “But you keep leaving. And I… I miss you.”

Wonwoo felt a pang of guilt mixed with warmth at Mingyu’s words. The vulnerable honesty, even if it was coming out in a slightly slurred mess, made him realize just how much his absence had been affecting Mingyu. He reached out, pulling Mingyu close, holding him against his chest as he brushed a hand over Mingyu’s hair.

“I’m sorry, Mingyu,” he said quietly, his voice filled with sincerity. “I didn’t mean to make you feel like that. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”

Mingyu sighed contentedly, snuggling closer into Wonwoo’s embrace, his earlier anger melting into a soft smile. “Good,” he mumbled, his words muffled against Wonwoo’s chest. “Because… I don’t want to be mad at you. You’re my favorite person, you know.”

Wonwoo’s heart melted at the confession, his own annoyance long forgotten. He pressed a gentle kiss to the top of Mingyu’s head, a smile tugging at his lips. “You’re my favorite person too,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mingyu looked up, a sleepy smile spreading across his face as he beamed at Wonwoo. “See? That’s all I wanted to hear,” he mumbled, his eyes fluttering shut as he finally relaxed against Wonwoo.

With Mingyu asleep in his arms, Wonwoo sat there for a long while, watching him, feeling a warmth he hadn’t allowed himself to fully embrace until now. He’d seen many sides of Mingyu—his playful mischief, his calm confidence, his vulnerability, and now this silly, drunken honesty that made Wonwoo feel both guilty and deeply cherished.

As he brushed a hand softly over Mingyu’s cheek, he made a silent vow to be better—to find more time for them, to show Mingyu he didn’t need to wait around like some “droopy houseplant.” Because if anyone was worth making time for, it was Mingyu.

And in that quiet moment, with Mingyu asleep in his arms, Wonwoo realized just how deeply he had come to need Mingyu’s presence in his life.