Accidental Rental

One Hour

He stood there, rubbing the tears off his cheeks. He was the one who said it so why did he already feel so hurt. Baekho stared at Minhyun who was crying and was speechless. He didn't think Minhyun would suddenly break down in front of him and he didn't know what to do except to hug the other in hopes it would comfort him yet it only pained him more. Minhyun wanted to push Baekho away but couldn't as he only brought him closer, holding him as if he was the most precious thing to him in the world.

"Don't cry," Baekho said softly while patting his back, wondering just how much things Minhyun could actually be going through. As much as he had on his mind, it didn't mean Minhyun didn't as well even if the other often looked like there was nothing bothering him. Minhyun tightened his grip on Baekho and sniffled.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean what I said," He spoke in a small voice. "I don't want to stop seeing you. I don't know what's wrong with me but you're all I want to see. You're who I want to be with every time someone requests for me."

Baekho raised his brows in surprise. He felt embarrassed somehow as though he was just realising he was probably never second. "Hey, Minhyun. When you came over to my house per Naeun's request... Were you ever there once to actually see her?"

Minhyun stiffened but Baekho could feel him shaking his head and his heart melted. His earlier irritation disappeared as if it had never been there.

"Then... Was it for the money?"

"At first, it was... But... It was fun being around you and your sister. It felt like I had friends. Friends who actually cared about me and not just my appearance. I became greedy and I wanted to be actual friends..."

Baekho felt sad for the tall male who held onto him like he was a life support. He wondered for how long Minhyun had been feeling like this but could never voice it out.

"But we have to draw a clean line between clients and friends for the sake of our rating and to avoid relationship issues. But then... You requested for me when you were drunk and... I just... Fell for you more. You told me you wanted to be friends more but because of my job, we couldn't. I didn't know what to do. Then we met again at the bar and you kissed me... I... "

"That's... Probably enough," Baekho finally interrupted. His cheeks were already furiously blushing.

"Sorry I said too much."

"No, that's not it," Baekho hurriedly said while moving back so he could look at Minhyun's face. He twitched, looking at the other's teary face. "Do you have to look like a goddamn model even when you're crying?"

Minhyun blinked and broke into a small laugh as he rubbed his tears. "I'm sorry."

"Stop apologising. You've got nothing to apologise for... I didn't realise I was... I'm also at fault. I'm sorry. It's my fault I kept giving off mixed signals, I hadn't realised it at all."

Minhyun whimpered and nodded. "So what do we do now?"

"Uh... Well... Baby steps?"

They weren't quite sure what baby steps even implied but Baekho exchanged his contact information with Minhyun so they could actually chat and not having to see each other through the rental application. They promised to try to be more honest to one another if they were going to start as friends and kissing were off limits even though they both knew that was probably a silly rule but there was still the problem of Minhyun being unable to date so Baekho didn't oppose to it although one stare in the other male's face was enough to make him want to break that promise again.

That was when Baekho realised something. He wanted to date Minhyun. He was the one who wanted to be more than friends.

"Fuck," the word slipped from his lips before he could stop himself, surprising the rental boyfriend.

"A-Are you alright?" Minhyun asked and Baekho nodded, cheeks turning red again as he covered them.

"Fine! Shit. Shit, shit."

"I'm not sure someone fine would start cursing after saying they're fine."

Baekho was just aghast at his slow processing brain. The emotion he had been feeling was jealousy and he had wanted Minhyun's attention all these while since the other felt like a friend but more importantly, he wanted Minhyun to look at him only. He didn't know what to do or say about his emotions right now so he just held it all in in a big bubble that was bound to overflow or explode one day. "I'm fine. Let's just... Leave. Also weren't you with a date earlier?"

"Oh. I was but her friends showed up and our hour ended. That's why I came after you," Minhyun said and rubbed his neck. "Um... If you'd like, do you want to... Um... Get coffee or something?"

Baekho blinked and he silently wished he could get something more than just coffee but he was about to really slap himself for thinking about that so he just nodded. Minhyun smiled and Baekho breathed in, wondering why did his slow brain have to start functioning so quickly now. But before they could even make it to a coffee shop, Minhyun's phone went off again. He took it out and sighed a little.

"Your job?" Baekho asked and Minhyun nodded.

"After the hour is over, the app automatically switches my availability back unless I manually change it," He explained and Baekho nodded, stuffing his hands inside his pockets.

"You could go," Baekho said although internally he wanted to just grab Minhyun and not let him leave. Minhyun looked at Baekho apologetically.

"I'll make it up to you. I promise this time," Minhyun said and had a sad smile, showing Baekho that he didn't want to leave either.

Don't go.

The words stayed on the tip of Baekho's tongue as he nodded. Minhyun gave him a quick hug before leaving and Baekho could only watch the tall male's back disappearing from sight.