Into the Hornet's Nest

3

           "Han Jisung," Minho says into the phone. The sun is beginning to set, and he has unfortunately not eaten yet. He managed to get a quick shower without passing out from the fumes still lingering in the house and finish up scheduling workers to come to the house, but eating had almost slipped his mind entirely. Until he saw the folded paper in his wallet with Han's number on it. "Have you eaten?" He asks, a hum coming through the other end. Han tells him he hasn't, but he knows a few good places. Minho rolls his eyes at his ability to be so oblivious. "Han Jisung, I am asking if you would like to eat with me." He hears Han exclaim, making him smile at the thought of the boy being so surprised. Han tells him to pick him up where he had dropped him off before, Minho agreeing and telling him to get ready if he isn't already. Han laughs at his motherly tone, Minho chiding him and hanging up once Han agrees to get ready and wait outside. MInho is glad to have changed and hopefully be smelling better, this time.

          Han slides into the truck with a smile, Minho admiring their similar outfits. Dark ripped jeans, rings and earrings to spice up a simple outfit. Han's shirt says something in another language, but it looks cool even if he doesn't understand what it says. Minho is quiet as he lets Han guide him through the streets, listening at the occasional comment such as 'this is where I broke my arm,' or 'this place used to be a laundromat.' Listening to the way he happily tells an outsider about all the things most residents would know, such as how the lake they are currently passing is great to swim in and how some of the schools are still in session right now. Han manages to do this without missing a beat, leading the two of them to a cozy diner nestled on the side of the road, Minho looping into the back lot and letting himself out once parked. Han does the same, waiting beside the truck to fall in beside Minho, walking close to him and only stepping ahead to hold the door for him at the entrance. Minho thanks him, opening the following door and following behind him into the small waiting area. He looks around, framed photos along the walls and a chalkboard wall beside the waiting area where people have scrawled their names or drawn cute images. Some have hearts with initials in the middle, others are of smiling silverware or the typical 'x was here.' Minho wants to write their names.

          Han ushers him to the board after noticing his interest, handing him a white stick of chalk and taking one for himself. Han finds a decent sized space that's still untouched, looking long and hard at Minho before putting the chalk on the board. Minho is lost in thought, writing his name and the date below it. When he sets his chalk down and looks to where Han is writing, he's met with two cartoon faces - one with the initials H.J underneath and one with only an M. Minho smiles at the captured likeness, erasing the M and replacing it with L.M while Han smiles at his creation.
          "Lee Minho," Minho explains, setting the chalk down just in time for their table to be called. Minho quickly snaps a photo on his phone of the drawing, turning on his heel to follow Han and the older waitress who is seating them. The boys slide into a booth, Han already aware of what he wants to order. The clean and calming atmosphere of the diner pleases Minho, Han clearly used to coming here. Probably with friends, Minho thinks. You are his friend, idiot, he corrects.

            After agreeing to order whatever Han recommends, the boys fall into a comfortable silence across from each other, each of them either sipping their water or glancing over the menu. Minho lets his eyes raise to a concentrated Han, his eyebrows gently furrowed while reading over the options. The yellow light of the diner makes him appear even more honey-like, his hair seeming almost blonde compared to the silver he knows it to be. Minho reads over his features, the small mouth with full lips, the straight button nose and how large his eyes seem to get when he is reacting to something. Minho feels the corner of his mouth twitch, snapping him out of the daze and going back to looking at his own menu. Little does he know, Han is looking over his sharp features. He is admiring how dagger-like his eyes are and his strong cheekbones, watching the way his bottom lip is rolled over by his pink tongue. Han feels himself blush at the sight, diverting his attention to the sweet older woman who has come to take their orders.

          "Tell me about you," Han suddenly says halfway through their meal, Minho raising an eyebrow with his fork still in his mouth. "You seem to move around a lot." Han says, sipping his strawberry milkshake. Minho nods, finishing the food in his mouth and gently wiping his face with a napkin.
          "I fix houses for a living. I enjoy it, though." Minho says simply, noticing that Han expects more out of him by the attentive look on his face. "I love cats, I have three that stay with my mother. Soongi, Doongie, and Dori." Minho's face lights up at the mention of his fur babies, Han smiling at the boost in energy. "Uh, I was born in 1998, and I have attended college." Han squints at Minho.
          "This isn't a business meeting, loosen up, man." He says, feeding himself another bite of his meal and not seeing the way Minho smiles at the second time he's been told that today. "I was born in 2000, by the way. I suppose that makes you my hyung?" Han asks, looking up at Minho with full cheeks. Minho feels a hint of embarrassment, the title implying the two of them are close or that Han looks up to him somehow. Well, Minho supposes, if this isn't considered close then they will grow to be. So, he nods.
          "Don't look at me like that," Minho says, Han looking at him with a soft but smug expression. Han holds up his hands in joking defense, folding his arms onto the table again to continue eating. Minho does the same, glancing at the squirrel-like boy as he also takes another bite. He listens to Han tell him that this diner has been around since he was young, how he often came here for family gatherings or with friends after a particularly stressful week. Minho nods along, enjoying the short stories that are constantly interrupted by another thought. Minho is glad to have met someone who can talk this much, who knows that his silence isn't inherently disinterested. He sips his chocolate milkshake, only feeling mildly embarrassed when he locks eyes with the younger boy the second his lips wrap around the straw. They don't comment on it. 

           After Minho had paid for the meal despite Han's insisting that he pay for a hyung, the pair made their way back onto the road with Minho's phone playing music through the speakers. They listen, happy to have full stomachs and to have someone to share the calming aftermath with. The sky is dark, the stars shining overhead while they slowly drive down the random back roads to kill time. Neither boy admits wanting to draw out the time, Minho telling himself he will bring Han home whenever he asks. Han is waiting for Minho to say he's tired, so they continue to drive. Neither of them mention that it almost feels like a date, nor do they admit that they each kind of want it to be. Minho pulls into a random rest stop, putting the car in park and turning off the lights while letting the music continue to play. Han looks at him, the boy covering his mouth as he yawns.
           "Thank you for inviting me out." Han says, making his seat lay back and turning toward Minho. "I mostly work these days, so it's nice to get out with new people." He adds, rubbing his eye with his knuckle. Minho hums, locking the doors and laying his own seat back. He turns his head to face Han, faced with a mostly dark silhouette. Han is looking at him, too. They each hide it in the darkness, playing it off as if they each have their eyes closed rather than believe they're basically just staring at each other while the music fills their silence.
          "Thank you for agreeing to come." Minho says quietly, smiling under the mask of the night. Han smiles too, Minho can feel it. Minho is glad Han hadn't assumed he would hurt him or anything, that he was comfortable enough to come out here with a stranger and hopefully enjoy their time together. Minho has enjoyed it - is currently enjoying it - without feeling the need to truly do anything in order to feel content. He secretly hopes Han feels similarly. (He does.)