Coffee Kisses

Thinkin About You

'Mingyu.'
No.
'Mingyu.'
It had barely been a minute.
'Mingyu!'
What had he done to deserve this.
He slowly opened his eyes to see a small face and a big mess of blond hair floating in front of him. Groaning he closed his eyes again.
'No.'
'You have to get up now.'
'I'm refusing. You can't force me.'
'I will force you, Mingyu. Get up.' Sighing Mingyu knew he had to get up eventually, so he threw the blanket away (which hit Jehyun right in the face, but he did not know that) and rolled off the bed. Literally. He rolled off the edge and landed face first on the ground.
'Ouch.' His roommate sighed.
'It's already half past eight. You have to be at work in about fifteen minutes.'
'Shit.' He sprung up, suddenly full of energy, and did not care that he flashed his best friend. Come on, who slept in underwear anyways.
'Me! I sleep in underwear! And so should you!', Jehyun exclaimed. Mingyu must have thought that out loud. Oh well.
That was not important though. Right now the only thing that mattered was that he would get his ass out of the house in ideally under ten minutes.
Grumbling he put on a pair of boxers and ran into the kitchen to shove some toast down his throat. Running back to the bathroom with a stuffed - and very dry - mouth he plugged in the straightener and wondered if he could brush his teeth while eating. Probably not. So he opted to using his time for slapping some bb cream on his face - that had to be enough for today. He then continued to burn his forehead several times in the process of trying to make a somewhat presentable human being out of the mess he saw in the mirror, and while styling his hair he fished for some socks in the laundry basket (yes, he knew they were in there for a reason, but he did not have remotely enough time to think about that right now). Running back into his room he put on the first clothes he found (which later turned out to be a baby blue way too skinny jeans that originally belonged to Jehyun and hence was way too short, too). Grabbing his keys he slammed the door behind his back and flew down the stairs - not without shouting a rushed goodbye, of course.
Needless to say, he really needed to be punctual or his boss would fire him.

About ten minutes later he arrived at the little flower shop. He had run all the way there, being faster that way than with public transport, and he was heaving heavily. His hair was sticking to his forehead, and if he wasn't mistaken he could feel sweat running down his back. It was a mess.
After waiting for his beating heart to calm down a bit, he entered through the back door and put on his brown apron with the small logo on it. He went to check on the flowers, carefully re-arranging them in their pots and replacing some of the withered ones. He also watered the bushes in front of the shop (which technically did not belong to their property but they had adopted anyways because, well, they were a flower shop), being the only one in the shop this morning and therefore the only person available to water these desperate, defenseless children of mother nature.
Yes, Mingyu was very passionate about his job, thanks for asking.
Next to gardening he also really enjoyed cooking and domestic tasks in general. It was very popular among his friends to tease him about it, and sometimes it annoyed the shit out of him (what was wrong about being interested in 'feminine' topics as a guy? They lived in the 21st century, come on), but they were always first to ask for his help when they needed him. Still, he knew they didn't mean it seriously and it was all a joke, therefore he didn't mind too much.
A thing Mingyu really loved about his job was the versatility. On the one hand he really enjoyed having his time alone with the plants, taking care of them and feeling at ease. Plants had always played a big role in his life, and he felt at home around them. It gave him a feeling of security and acceptance, the fact that they couldn't speak or judge him but accepted him in their own way. On the other hand there were the customer interactions, having to come up with unique and interesting bouquets every time someone asked for it. He loved trying to capture the customers personality and creating beautiful combinations of colorful flowers and elegant ferns.
Once again, yes, Mingyu really loved his job.
Around nine he turned the chalkboard hanging on their door around, letting customers know that they were now not closed anymore, but in fact opened. He stood behind the wooden counter (which kinda reminded him of a certain girl he did not want to think about right now), and he didn't have to wait for long when the first customer entered. A middle aged man asked for a bouquet of tulips for his wife - it was her birthday. She preferred light and pastelly colors and Mingyu immediately had an idea in mind. He started picking out some flowers and loosely arranging them in his hand.
He had nearly finished putting together the flowers when the shop door opened again. This time it wasn't a customer though - it was the familiar frame of Jehyun, wearing his running clothes and sipping on a bottle of water.
'Hey, Mingyu!', he exclaimed and walked towards them. Mingyu waved back briefly, needing to remain professional (something Jehyun didn't understand a lot of).
'That'll make 40,000 won, please.' The man fumbled for his money and carefully received the bouquet. 'Thank you. Enjoy your day!', Mingyu said and as soon as the man was gone he turned his attention to the smaller boy standing in front of him. 'What is up?', he asked. 'Didn't your morning run go as planned or something?' Jehyun was one of those people who could go running every morning without skipping a day, however he managed that. Reason for this strict schedule was on the one hand his desire to stay in form, and on the other hand to show his body of to all kinds of people wandering around busy Seoul in the morning hours. It seemed to work out well for him as he had gotten several numbers from girls just by running around and looking good (not that Mingyu was the judge of that) already.
'No, no, everything went alright. But I've been really dying to ask you about yesterday evening?' He cocked his head and looked at Mingyu with suspicious eyes.
'Oh, about that...' He scratched his nape. 'Nothing special happened, I guess.' Jehyun narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
'Dude. You literally came home at six in the morning, which is already extremely suspicious as you never stay out after midnight, and you smelled like mouthwash. Did you have a secret date with our dentist or what was going on?'
'I did not have a secret date with our dentist! He's like sixty, at least!', Mingyu protested in a shout-whisper while waving his hands around wildly.
'Well, you lead me to assume that you did if you don't explain yourself!', Jehyun shouted back, his voice on full volume. Mingyu winced and quickly shushed his friend.
'Be quiet, or the entirety of Seoul will hear you.' Jehyun did not seem to mind.
'Well, good for them-' Mingyu promptly leaned across the counter and shut his mouth with his own hand.
'Shush.' Jehyun snorted once more, then he nodded.
'Iwl bwe quiew', he mumbled through Mingyus fingers. The latter removed his hand.
'Geez, you are so curious and annoying at the same time.' Jehyun grinned mischievously.
'You love me, don't kid yourself.' Mingyu sighed exasperatedly.
'Seems like I do. Well, since you're set to finding out let me explain. I caused a little accident in the cafe I go to daily-'
'The NCT?'
'Yes, that one. An employee got a concussion-'
'A concussion?!' Jehyun raised his voice again and Mingyu quickly put a finger to his own lips. 'Sorry.'
'Yes, a concussion. Where was I... Right. Well, the employee had a concussion and I had to bring them to the hospital. That's it, nothing more.' Jehyun looked at him, not at all satisfied.
'It's not.'
'It is.'
'I don't believe you.'
'Well you should. Why would I lie to you?' Certain of his victory Jehyun started to explain why Mingyus story was not at all credible.
'First of all you didn't mention the gender of the person you injured - however you managed to do that - meaning it was a girl, as you could have easily said 'he'. I know you well, and you generally not being very experienced with girls and being extremely inexperienced in handling the other sex means that you were flustered and didn't want to arouse more of my interest.' Somehow it sounded like an insult and Mingyu felt his cheeks heat up. 'Secondly - no, I'm not done yet: Why did you come home at six, when the cafe is only opened until around seven pm? That's more than ten hours. You would have spent at least ten hours in the hospital, waiting for the diagnosis of a stranger or maybe even waiting at their bedside to wake up. Doesn't sound like a stranger to me, let's be real. Thirdly, I've noticed a change in behavior over the last few days. Everytime you come back from work you smile, and you've been staring off into the distance a lot lately. This tells me that there is someone on your mind, maybe someone from the cafe? In conclusion, I'll ask you once more: What happened yesterday? And don't you dare try to leave anything out.' Mingyu pushed his hair back and sighed. The problem about Jehyun was that he was too clever for his own good - and for the well-being of the people around him. The thing was, Mingyu knew that he was slightly attracted to Lea. But up until now he had been able to deny his feelings and to tell himself that this was just him being needy and desperate for some affection. He had been able to convince himself that all he wanted was someone to love him, and Lea had just been a convenient choice. But he didn't - well, he didn't want that. Not right now.
The moment Jehyun came to know about Lea he would put one and one together and try his hardest to make it work out. He would interfere, and Mingyu knew that in the end he would give up and bow to his plans. But that wasn't the right thing to do.
'Mingyu?' Jehyun asked and interrupted Mingyus thoughts. 'Care to tell me now?' Mingyu nodded in defeat.
'Well, you weren't exactly wrong with your theory.'
'Ha, I knew it!', Jehyun exclaimed victurously.
'Please don't interrupt me, okay?' Jehyun dropped his smile and got serious in a matter of seconds.
'Of course, sorry. Go on.' So Mingyu did. He told Jehyun nearly everything about how he had first seen Lea through the window of the coffee shop and immediately been interested, and how he had injured her and stayed by her side in the hospital.
'And now i'm kinda worried that I hurt her badly, even though the hospital staff said it isn't serious? And I don't know if I am allowed to check up on her or if that is considered inappropriate or something...' Mingyu sighed and dropped his head on his arms. Jehyun laid his hand on his back and patted him sympathetically. For a while no one said anything, then Jehyun piped up.
'That sounds like an adventure, to be honest. You experienced more in four days than you did in three years, and most of it is positive.' Mingyu snorted. 'I said most of it, you punk. And about you worrying about visiting her, I don't think there is a problem. You have a reason to check up on her, and it's always nice to visit people in the hospital. You can be assured that it wouldn't be weird - I bet she would be really happy to see you. From what you have told me she isn't totally opposed to your presence.'
'You think so?'
'Definitely. And if you want I can come with you. We can go after work today?' Mingyu felt a lot lighter now that he had Jehyuns approval.
'Yes, that would be nice.' Jehyun smiled at him and Mingyu felt way more comfortable than he did a few minutes ago. He really was his best friend, and right now the only family he could rely on.
'But that isn't the only thing you feel troubled about, is it?' Even though the bright smile remained on Jehyuns face, his tone changed ever so slightly. He sounded worried now. Mingyu knew exactly what the boy before him insinuated.
'I- I don't know. I know nothing right now.'
'You can talk to me, you know that, right?' Mingyu nodded hesitantly, Jehyuns hand that was still on his shoulder pressing down lightly.
'Yes. Yes I know that. It's just all so... much. My head is a mess.'
'Tell me how you're feeling. Try to describe it.' Mingyu felt his eyes burn and his heart cramp as he tried to describe his feelings.
'It is as if I was on a rollercoaster. Oftentimes I feel happy, I see her and am so sure that everything will work out fine. I am positive, I feel as light as a feather and nothing can harm me. I feel nearly invincible, you know? But then there are those moments where my - my past just comes back and I feel as if a gigantic weight presses me down and as if i can never be happy again... Those moments overshadow the other ones. They feel so much more intense and I am really... really not... I really don't know how to cope. And maybe I am just craving someone who can help me out of this? I try to tell myself that maybe I am not selfish, but who am I to use a person to be my positivity, to be my light in the darkness?' Jehyun opened his mouth to protest, but Mingyu already knew what he wanted to say. 'It's alright. It's gotten way less over the past few years and I don't think nearly as much about it than I used to. But when I do it's just so overwhelming, you know?'
'Yes Mingyu, I know.' When Jehyun didn't continue speaking Mingyu looked up. His best friend looked to the opposite wall, obviously deep in thought. A few minutes passed, Mingyu thinking about his past and Jehyun pondering over something. 'But, and I think that's really important right now, Lea is not Soyeon. She really is not, and I think it would be unfair if you compared the two.' Mingyu closed his eyes in exhaustion. 'And same with how they aren't the same, the times have changed too. You were different back then, and you really beat yourself up over it enough. I think it is time you let it go. And I know it sounds easier than it is, but I think having someone that is not me by your side would really help you. This is also the reason why I constantly try to set you up, but thus far no one has sparked your interest. That's why I'm really happy right now, you know? You found someone by yourself, someone who makes your days brighter, and you are willing to take it further than just distant admiration and pining.'
'But I don't think I can do this, Jehyun. I've failed once, I've continued failing, why is it going to be different this time?'
'Because, and I cannot stress this enough, you will give her a chance to make you happy. And she will take that chance and make you happy, same as you are going to better her life.'
'But I don't know what to do. The feelings from back then, they just keep coming back, and I feel so helpless...' He buried his head back in his arms and pulled his shoulders up. Jehyun removed his hand for a short period of time to step behind the counter too. He then proceeded to wrap his arms tightly around Mingyus waist and press his cheek against his back.
'You don't have to feel that way. Look around you. You have the flowers, they are your best friends and will never leave you. They'll always be there for you. Look', he said and removed his arms for a second to pick a random flower from a vase behind them. Based on the scent it had to be a hydrangea. 'Here. You see? They'll always be there for you.' Mingyu looked up and mustered the roundish plant, violet and full of small little flowers. He carefully took it into his own hands, smiling a bit at how it looked and nearly seemed to smile back at him. He immediately felt a wave of comfort wash over him. 'And most importantly', Jehyun continued, 'you have me. And no matter what happens, I'll always be there for you. No matter what happens, I'll always be your best friend and support you in everything you do. Never hesitate to come to me, no matter how embarrassed you are or how down you feel.' Now Mingyus eyes really burned, and he really had to hold back not to cry. Instead he wrapped his long arms around Jehyuns shoulders and buried his face in the crook of his neck. Jehyun chuckled lightly and patted him on the back. 'And she sounds like a funny girl, I would really much like to meet her.' Mingyu had to smile now, too.
'She is. She's really funny.' He paused and thought about her beautiful smile, the way she threw her head back when she laughed and tears streamed down her face. 'And really pretty. And you know the best thing? She knows Park Chanwook - and Lee Changdong. How amazing is that?' Jehyun full on laughed (which caused Mingyu to have acute hearing loss on his left ear as Jehyuns mouth was right beside it - but he didn't mind a single bit) and Mingyu felt completely at ease.
Yes, Mingyu loved his flowers. And Jehyun. Thanks for asking.