Accidental Rental

2 Minutes

"...but I was afraid it wasn't going to work out. Being friends with you and being around you would only make me want more." Minhyun glanced at his watch. 2 minutes left. Make this count, Minhyun. "I'm not asking you to wait for me but if you can, I promise I'll come back to you. I promise I'll make this right. I promise it'll be different this time."

Baekho lifted his hands and pulled Minhyun close.

"I'll wait but don't break your promise this time."

Minhyun felt his heart ache. He moved back and Baekho smiled, tiptoeing a little. Minhyun chuckled and kissed him. Baekho held onto Minhyun, not wanting to let go because it felt like everything would go awry if he did yet they didn't have a choice as Minhyun's watch started to beep. They pulled away, both cheeks flushed.

"Guess time's up, huh," Baekho said softly. Minhyun didn't want it to end like this or at all but he held Baekho's hand.

"I'll drop you back home," He said and Baekho sighed, nodding. They held hands back to the car after returning the kite.

"So... What is it that you plan on doing?" Baekho asked, silently hoping Minhyun would give him a concrete answer but it wasn't that easy.

"I'll tell you after."

Baekho fell silent after a little nod. He just had to wait, he guessed. Not like he was going anywhere.

###

But that didn't mean he expected Minhyun to totally disappear for a whole week without a single sound. He tried to text the other but there was no reply. Even his face on the application had disappeared, making it seem as though he never existed there in the first place. He didn't want to call and seem so needy for attention either but it didn't help with his insecurities and how Minhyun felt even more out of reach than before. He sipped his drink slowly while staring at his phone as if that would conjure up a reply.

"Brother?"

"Ah... Naeun. Yeah, what's up?"

"I was wondering if we could go back home this weekend. Mum and dad are asking us to come back to visit and I have a short break next week," she said while taking a seat beside him. Ever since that day, their arguments had lessened. Baekho wasn't sure what Minhyun had said or done to Naeun but she was more mellow and tried to be on her best behavior. She still wouldn't tell him why she was at Minhyun's though but he guessed as long as she was alright, he wouldn't pry anymore.

"I'll see if I can take a break from work too," He replied with a tired smile. She tilted her head.

"Ah... Minhyun also asked if you want anything from Milan."

That was when Baekho froze. He looked at her with bewildered eyes. So Minhyun was real after all. He had almost started to think that he had imagined him up all along. "Milan?"

"Yeah. He's at Milan now. He's coming back in a few days."

"What is he doing in Milan?! He didn't tell me he was going all the way there!" Baekho hissed, suddenly irritated that Minhyun had the nerve to text his sister but not him. Naeun chuckled to Baekho's confusion.

"Thing is he actually lost his phone and he was only able to retrieve my number, not yours. I told him I could give it to you but he said he will ask for it when he sees you again."

"What..." Baekho pursed his lips.

"Are you... Jealous?" Naeun cooed and Baekho turned bright red.

"N-no! That guy can go and disappear for however long he wants. I don't care," Baekho scowled and hid his face behind a pillow. His sister laughed and patted his shoulder.

"So want anything?"

"I'll text him myself," Baekho blurted out and she shrugged.

"Okay. I'll send you his new number."

###

'I want you.'

###

Fast forward to the next two days, Baekho somehow found himself sitting at a rectangle table in a pizzeria with Jonghyun, Aron and Ren. His friend had invited him out but didn't expect the other two to be there but then again, Jonghyun and Aron were friends so it shouldn't be surprising to him. He sipped his drink quietly as they chatted away.

"So... I heard you and Minhyun are kind of involved," Ren spoke up and nudged Baekho who snapped his head up with a surprised look.

"What... H-he told you?" Baekho stuttered, cursing himself silently for being like this at the mention of Minhyun.

"Sort of. He told me that he would go back to modelling after all. Do you know how long I've been trying to convince him to drop that rental job? So, what's the deet? Are you two dating?" Ren probed and Baekho breathed in before shaking his head.

"No... I just... Just gave him the push he needed I guess."

"But wow. Who would have thought he would go all the way to Milan for his comeback?" Aron chimed in. Baekho chuckled nervously, wishing the conversation wasn't about Minhyun. It made him unintentionally miss Minhyun. He knew he didn't have to wait for a guy like him but he wanted to. He swirled his drink with a downcast look and Jonghyun noticed his little change.

"Um... Didn't you say you were going to fetch him tomorrow, Aron?" Jonghyun asked.

"Hmm? Yeah. Cause Ren doesn't have a car and he will be back by the time my work is over."

Baekho lit up a little, hearing that Minhyun would be back tomorrow.

"Do you want to go along, Baekho?" Jonghyun asked with a smile.

"Eh? Me?" Baekho blurted out.

"Oooh. You should. I'm sure he would be happy to see you again too," Ren chirped and Baekho smiled sheepishly. He nodded.

"Yeah... I'll go." He could only hope Minhyun kept his promise too or else he wouldn't know what all his mixed emotions were for. He knew he should be glad that the other was finally making a move to be with him but part of him felt guilty too. As if he had forced Minhyun to move from his comfort spot just for him. Baekho never intended for that. He just wanted them to be able to love without a hitch.