being lonely | minsung | ✔

42

"Geez, I'm tired," I yawn, cuddling a fluffy blue pillow against my chest.

The screams coming from the TV are barely enough to keep me awake. With my stomach full, a cat on my lap and a couch that's way too comfortable, it's so tempting to close my eyes and drift off to dreamland. I don't even know why I'm so tired. I guess it just happens every now and then.

But Minho doesn't let me.

A hand lands on my shoulder for the umpteenth time this evening, lightly shaking to keep me from falling asleep. I blink a few times, looking at him with heavy eyes.

"The best part is about to happen," he explains, pointing at the screen. Another scream fills the room and I sigh. He's been saying that for the past few episodes now.

"Hyung, nothing happened in the past few episodes, besides tons of people being killed by those titans."

"Yes, but Eren is about to-"

"Okay, I get it, I'll try to stay awake," I huff, covering my mouth to hide another yawn.

Minho basically forced me to watch Attack on Titan, even though we've both watched the show months ago, a little while before we met. He explained how it was one of his favorite anime and that it would be fun to watch it together. I mean, I'm fine with it, but preferably not when I'm this tired.

But he threatened me that he wouldn't cook anymore and I gave in.

So I keep my eyes glued to the flatscreen. Even though I already know the story, there's so much happening on the screen that my eyes are automatically drawn towards it. It still provides enough entertainment but not enough to keep me from nodding off every now and then.

"Okay, I give up," Minho sighs, using the remote to pause the anime. "Are you really that tired? What on earth did Mr. Lin make you do during PE?"

"A few laps and soccer," I reply, reaching out to grab my drink from the coffee table. "Nothing I can't handle, I have no idea why I'm tired."

The older hums softly before inching closer until our shoulders are touching. It remains silent and the two of us just watch the paused screen in silence, not even caring that the screen shows a picture where a titan is about to behead someone of the survey corps.

"Now that I really think about it, this anime is a little disturbing. Look at the grinning face of that titan," I mutter. What monster grins before eating someone?

"Aww, little Ji can't handle it?" Minho coos, reaching out to pinch my cheeks.

Laughing softly, I slap his hands away.

"Of course I can handle it, do I look like a scaredy-cat?"

"Do you want the truth?" the older questions, lightly tilting his head to the side.

"You think of me as a scaredy-cat? I guess I have to prove myself," I sigh dramatically as I put down my drink. Then I lean forward, grabbing the Minho's shoulder and using my weight to slowly push him down onto the couch. In a sudden rush of confidence, I bring my face really close to his and the boy underneath me gasps, looking up at me with wide eyes.

"I am not a scaredy-cat," I whisper in a low voice before leaning in and kissing the tip of his nose.

As I lean back with a satisfied grin, I watch how Minho blinks a few times. His cheeks are dusted a bright pink as he slowly climbs up again, looking at me with a troubled expression that screams flustered.

Victory, a small voice in my mind cheers. I just hope it doesn't backfire, as usual.

"T-That had nothing to do with being a scaredy-cat," the boy protests, brushing a few loose strands of raven hair from his face.

"I guess you're right," I say, lightly tapping my chin as I pretend to ponder over something. Then I look at him and casually shrug my shoulders. "Maybe I just needed an excuse to do that."

"Wha-" Minho begins but I quickly interrupt him with a soft chuckle.

"I'm going to bed, I'm reaaally tired," I inform the older before jumping up from the couch and innocently waving at him before I hurry into the bedroom, where I burst out into nervous laughter. Did I really do that?

I quickly change into the pair of sweatpants I basically claimed as my own, as well as a t-shirt. Then I climb in the queen-sized bed, hiding under the covers. Even though Minho isn't here, I still feel too embarrassed and the urge to cover myself is just really strong.

Not long after, the bedroom door opens and I take a peek from under the covers, only to choke on air and throwing them off completely. There, in the doorway, is Minho. Not just Minho, but Minho without a shirt and only a pair of sweatpants loosely hugging his waist.

Apparently, my body forgot how exhausted I was a moment before because suddenly, I'm wide awake. I look at him with wide eyes, my heart hammering in my chest. Then my eyes involuntary wander down to his lightly toned abdomen and I gulp, forcing myself to look him in the eyes again.

Just in time to see a sly smirk disappearing.

"U-Uh, hyung?" I stammer, my throat feeling awfully dry as I attempt to swallow. Now I know where his nickname, Minhoe, comes from. And here I thought that one particular PE class was bad. "Why uh, are you not wearing a shirt?"

It's a battle to keep my voice from quivering and I can only guess that he knows exactly what he is doing. Yeah, he's totally doing this on purpose. Why else would he enter the room looking like that?

"I always sleep shirtless!" the boy innocently explains, dramatically dropping his arms to emphasize his word as he looks into my eyes.

Is this his revenge for earlier?

"You didn't for the past few weeks since I've been here," I point out, trying my best to maintain eye contact and not to look down at his exposed chest and abdomen again.

I think it's the biggest challenge I've ever faced in life so far.

"Ugh, whatever," I groan, turning around and burying my face in my pillow. "Just come here and turn off the lights. I want to sleep."

"Ji? Is something the matter?" the older softly asks and if I wouldn't have known better, I might have believed that his concern is genuine. I hear Minho's footsteps approaching the bed but I don't hear the familiar click of the light switch.

"Nothing, just tired," I reply, my voice muffled by the pillow. I fake a massive yawn to emphasize my words, even though I know my reaction was quite obvious and trying to cover it up now is pointless.

"Ah, okay," Minho replies before I finally hear the click of the light. The mattress dips in as the older lies down next to me and snuggles under the covers. For unknown reasons, I hold my breath but I quickly let it go as I mentally scold myself. I have changed in the locker room for PE on a weekly basis, this is no different.

After telling myself that for a few times, I prop myself up on my elbows, only to find Minho looking at me. It's dark and I can only make out a silhouette and the streetlights from outside make his eyes shimmer.

He's so beautiful, I think to myself as I take my time to admire the boy in front of me, partially hidden by the darkness.

But he's also the biggest tease you've ever met, I then remind myself. But isn't that one of the many things I like about him?

"I wanna cuddle," the older mumbles out of nothing, inching closer and snuggling up to me.

A bit nervous and hesitant, I wrap my arms around his bare torso, reminding myself over and over that it's no big deal.

Hyunjin's really rubbing off on me, huh? Look at how overdramatic I've become.

With a small yawn, Minho moves a little to make himself more comfortable, burying his nose in the crook of my neck.

"Payback, baby," he whispers, his hot breath tickling my nape and I lightly shudder.

I was wrong. Teasing always backfires for me.