#lownctes

coming back to love island is a lot less scary this time around. he feels like he’s got an advantage in the form of a partner by his side, someone to rely upon and confide in like the true couple they’ve become. plus, there’s something nice about being out of the korean media spotlight. being one half of the controversially loved ‘it couple’ was exhausting; he doesn’t know how babylon handled fame on his own for this long. after having brought in the last of his suitcases (more than the first season for sure), he sprawls out on their shared bed, smiling up at the ceiling. dusting his fingertips through the silver strands across his forehead, he hums before turning a gaze onto baby. minkyu makes grabby hands, encouraging the other to come closer. “it’s weird to be back, isn’t it?” he trills with a soft smile, the kind that’s very quickly becoming reserved for baby and baby alone.

minkyu’s always been accused of having an overactive imagination. it’s why he’s found himself in the career he has -- he’d be nothing without his surplus of creativity. however, nothing could have prepared him for the fantasy-like turn his life has taken. no amount of wishing and hoping and dreaming could have convinced him that this is his reality. there are talks to be had but unlike some in minkyu’s past, he can only see good outcomes. one of these talks, he wants to have now -- while the memory of him, henry and baby meeting on the beach in the early morning is still fresh on his mind. as him and babylon alone stroll down those same sands, hand-in-hand, kyu gives a sweet little tug to get his lover’s attention. “can i pick your brain?” he prompts with a smile, sea-salted silver wisps tugged into his eyes by the coastal breeze. “it’s about hyuntae.” it’s almost a role reversal of sorts but, instead of tears and fear and panic, there’s only a nagging sort of excitement he won’t let himself experience in its entirety until he’s gotten confirmation from his boyfriend. 

instead, every time he wakes it’s to more surreal, wonderful things. christmas, for example, he was getting to spend with baby. he isn’t surprised that babylon had been booked for year-end performances and shows; the idol had swept the awards circuits even in his absence. it was more the fact that he was included in this world now, and how official and ‘date-like’ it felt to be invited along. with no desire to see his own unsupportive, money-grabbing, identity erasing family, minkyu jumped at the chance to be with the one who made his heart race instead. the rehearsals, styling, and the show itself all pass in a babylon-focused blur. for all that he enjoys the fame and attention, he likes it best when his hand is safely held in baby’s and he’s being led through the flashes and the crowds out to the waiting car they were going to share. “that was amazing,” kyu praises, breathless and not for the first time tonight. “you’re amazing!”

his plan of action joining the cast of love island had been to find someone passably attractive, glom onto him with reckless zeal and flutter his eyelashes to a swift and steady win. they’d be the cutest couple mostly because cute was minkyu’s whole brand and then he’d be able to take that money and invest in himself, for once. it’s foolproof. only then he met babylon. it isn’t that his plan is completely thrown out the window -- it’s simply put on pause while he indulges his inner fanboy and tries to get to know an idol he’s followed for perhaps a little too long to be considered ‘casual interest.’ the fact that babylon also picked him in return is... something and he’s increasingly intrigued by the way things have unfolded. it’s late enough in the day; he’s grateful that his hangover is feeling vastly improved by the time he actually spots babylon again. without preamble, minkyu collapses into the open seat next to him on the lounger, tucking up his legs and shooting the other a smile.  “just for the record,” he trills, trying to ignore the fluttering of shyness threatening to creep into place, “i’m little spoon.” minkyu had gone to bed a teensy bit too drunk to actually know if babylon had joined him. he woke up alone anyways so he figures now’s as good a time as any to set things straight and just jump right in.