Accidental Rental

Ten On The Dot

No shit, he was nervous the entire time. He stood in front of his apartment all dressed up in a rather low v cut grey sweater and hands clenched in fists within the pockets of his jeans. His hair was nicely styled and Baekho swore he didn't need to take it this far just to impress one person but his sister insisted before she left the house for her own gathering. Minhyun arrived right on the dot and Baekho got up his car in a hurry before the other could even lower the window or get down the car. He slammed the door shut and breathed in deeply before glancing at Minhyun who just stared at him with an awestruck look. Baekho froze as well, seeing the way Minhyun was dressed in a buttoned up yellow shirt and brown checkered oversized jacket. Nothing ever looks bad on this guy and he was probably jealous of that while he had to go an extra mile just to look good. Not that Minhyun shared that same thought.

"What. Stop staring," Baekho blurted out and Minhyun blinked, finally breaking his stare. He looked down at himself with low self confidence and let out a dry laugh. "I look terrible, don't I?"

"Huh? No, of course you don't. That's stupid. Silly. To even. Think about. You don't. You look gorgeous," Minhyun stammered and Baekho turned pink.

"Shut up. You're just trying to be nice...."

Minhyun pursed his lips but his hands were starting to get clammy and his mind a mess. "Right..."

"You look great yourself too," Baekho mumbled softly and Minhyun almost didn't hear it. He smiled sheepishly and started driving. It was silent. Deadly silent as neither dared to say a word and Baekho just kept his eyes outside just in case looking at the other was going to give him stupid thoughts and make him do stupid things again. That didn't mean their heads weren't filled with questions they were curious about each other yet they didn't voice it out, afraid it might lead to a stupid bickering or just even more awkward tension. They reached a cafe and got down, heading inside with Minhyun leading the way. Baekho couldn't help but stare at the other's swinging hand. He wanted to grasp it and hold it under the pretense that his swinging was annoying but he kept it in and fiddled with his own fingers instead. Did he look okay? Was Minhyun impressed? He wasn't sure. Gorgeous wasn't exactly the same as being called handsome or... Whatever a more masculine term was.

"What would you like to drink?" Minhyun asked with a gentle smile that made Baekho just want to curl up and hide his face.

"Americano?" The coffee just slipped from his lips before he even gave it a thought because Minhyun's face and voice just did something to him.

"Okay. One americano and one grapefruit tea."

Tea? Baekho blinked in confusion. Didn't Minhyun invite him out for coffee so why was he getting tea?

"Do you want anything to eat? I mean, have you eaten breakfast?"

"Uh... No. I mean, yes. I... Would like a pie," Baekho stuttered and cursed himself for being all nervous and fidgety.

"Okay. And a pie please." Minhyun took out his wallet to pay and Baekho flailed.

"Wait, wait. Let me pay."

"No," Minhyun said flatly and Baekho flinched since Minhyun put it in such a direct response. "I mean, I'll pay. You can... Pay during our next hangout."

"Are you... Worried about my finances that much?" Baekho asked once Minhyun paid and they found a table to sit. Minhyun raised his brows and nodded.

"Why wouldn't I? You literally bawled your eyes out about it while drunk," Minhyun replied and Baekho felt ashamed of himself for having done that.

"Right. I can't remember that."

"Is it that bad?"

"Huh? My forgetfulness?"

"Your financial state."

"Well... I guess." Baekho wasn't sure if he wanted to elaborate on it, worried that Minhyun might worry about him, not that he wouldn't want him to but you know. "You don't have to worry about me. I... I can still get by just fine and I do have a small saving."

Minhyun nodded and could only feel bad. There was nothing he could do to help and even if he did, he wasn't sure if Baekho would like that. They started having lighter talks to lessen the heavy mood. The food and drinks helped as well in mellowing out their hangout. Part of Baekho wanted to ask if this could be considered a date but knew it was better not to.

"Do you drink coffee?" Baekho asked when Minhyun sipped his tea.

"No, not really. I'm more of a sweet tooth than a coffee drinker," Minhyun replied and Baekho nodded.

"Then why did you invite me out for coffee instead of tea?" Baekho asked jokingly. Minhyun shrugged.

"I thought that's how people ask each other out. As in to hang out. If you would like coffee."

Baekho blinked before laughing. The more they talked, the more he realised Minhyun was normal like him. He wasn't sure what he had been expecting since he had always seen the boyfriend version of the male and to just see him being him made Baekho relieved.

"Is there somewhere you like to go anywhere else next?" Minhyun asked once the plates and cups have been emptied. Baekho honestly wouldn't mind just sitting and chatting all day but didn't want to seem boring either.

"I don't know. Maybe we could just... Take a walk around or something," He said, trying to convince himself that he was not making this into a date. Minhyun nodded.

"Okay. Well, if you don't have a place in mind, I do."

"Great. Let's go then."

They picked up their stuff and headed back to the car. Baekho would ask where they were going but he refrained himself from doing so, treating it as a surprise to himself.

Though he wasn't exactly expecting to end up at Minhyun's apartment doorstep.