#mingyuscoffeewrites

hansol had been sitting next to you the whole night—his thigh brushing yours, his arm lazily slung across the back of the booth behind you. you had spent the last hour laughing at chan’s dramatic reenactment of junhui trying to flirt in three languages, and every time you laughed, hansol smiled like you were the only one he could hear.

“i’m getting us another round,” hansol said suddenly, sliding out of the booth. “same for you?”

you nodded, your fingers brushing his as you handed him your empty glass. “yeah, thanks, sol.”

hansol smiled at you, then his signature look—eyes soft like you were something to memorize. soon he disappeared into the crowd.

you waited.

minutes passed. you watched the booth shift around you—soonyoung pulling jihoon and minghao to dance, seokmin whining about his lost jacket, and wonwoo trying to stop jeonghan from stealing his drink. everyone else already at the dance floor. it was a normal night out with your best friends.

but still no sign of hansol.

curious, you stood and scanned the bar. and that’s when you saw him.

leaning against the counter, two drinks in hand, talking to a girl. she had long, sleek hair, one hand twirling around the straw in her glass, the other tucked flirtatiously under her chin. and hansol… he was smiling.

that look. the one he always gave you. warm. intent. like he was listening with his whole soul.

but this time, it wasn’t for you.

you stomach twisted.

you forced yourself back into the booth and sat in silence, pretending to check your phone. the laughter around you felt like static, but little aches behind your ribs grew heavier with each second.

“you good?” jeonghan slid into the seat beside you with a fresh drink after failed attempts to take wonwoo’s.

you offered a tight smile. “yeah, just a little tired.”

jeonghan was smarter than that. you were having fun until hansol left, sitting quietly ever since. so, jeonghan followed your previous gaze.

to hansol.

to the girl.

and then right back to you.

a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “it’s hansol.”

your heart jumped. “what?”

he leaned in, whispering low. “you look upset. like someone just walked off with the last piece of your favorite cake.”

you scoffed. “it’s not like that. it’s really nothing.”

jeonghan raised a brow, clearly not buying it. “mm. sure.” you hated how your best friend could read you so well.

you stood abruptly, waving jeonghan off with your hands. “i’m heading home. i’ll see everyone next time, okay?”

jeonghan asked, voice gentler now, “want me to tell him?”

you shook your head. “no, he looks like he’s having a good time.”

you slipped out the exit, letting the cool night air hit your cheeks. you didn’t know if it was the drinks or just your heart pulling you downward, but your chest ached.

then—“y/n!”

you turned around in the direction of the club.

hansol jogged toward you, the club lights casting a faint halo behind him. “why are you leaving already? you were fine when i left.”

yoon jeonghan will so be hearing from you tomorrow.

you looked away. “it’s nothing. i’m just tired. you should head back inside, you seemed busy.”

your best friend frowned. “y/n. come on. you think i wouldn’t notice if something’s off?”

you didn’t answer.

hansol sighed, stepping closer. “okay, then i’m walking you home.”

you blinked. “sol, you don’t have to—”

“i want to,” he said firmly.

you walked in silence for a while. the streets were quiet, the night air slightly cold. it should have been a peaceful walk home, but your thoughts churned.

you glanced at him. “so… who was the girl?”

hansol looked over, confused. “what girl?”

“the one you were talking to at the bar.”

he blinked, then laughed softly. “oh her? she was asking about mingyu.”

“what?” you stopped walking and he followed your actions.

hansol shrugged. “she wanted to know if mingyu was single. apparently, they were meeting eyes the whole night and she saw us sitting in the same booth, so she assumed i knew him.”

you stared at the pavement. “oh.”

hansol‘s voice was calmer. “wait, were you jealous?”

your head snapped up and your heart stuttered.

you opened your mouth—but no words came.

he smiled, almost to himself. “y/n…”

“yes?” you mumbled.

you turned, only to find him looking at you with that expression again—the one you thought was only reserved for you.

“you’re so blind,” he said softly.

you swallowed. “what does that mean?”

hansol took a step closer to you.

“i’ve looked at you like this for years,” he murmured. “everyone’s told me—the guys tease me all the time. jeonghan says i look at you like you’re the answer to a question i’ve been asking my whole life.”

your breath hitched. “what?”

“you kept brushing it off, so i thought i just needed to wait. like if i stayed close, maybe one day you’d finally see me.”

hansol added quietly. “so, do you see me now?”

you couldn’t speak, shocked.

“god, i’m in love with you, y/n,” he said, voice trembling slightly. “i don’t know when it started—maybe when you dragged me through that rainstorm because you wanted ramen, or when you fell asleep on my shoulder during movie night, or maybe from the first time i met you. but i love you.”

the world tilted slightly. chwe hansol has loved you this whole time.

you let out a shaky breath. “sol, i’m in love with you, too.”

hansol’s eyes widened—then softened, impossibly more than before.

and just like that, the space between you disappeared. he leaned in slowly as if asking without words, and when your hand found his shirt and pulled him closer, that was answer enough.

his lips brushed against yours—warm, tender, unhurried. like the world wasn’t rushing like it never would again.

you pulled back just enough to whisper, “so, you really do look at me like you’re in love.”

hansol smiled, forehead resting against yours.

“that’s because i always have been.”

you nod, cheeks already sore from how much you’ve been smiling. “i loved it. seriously. my first caratland experience was so memorable.”

hansol quickly grabs your hand and leads you down the hall. “i tried to spot you out there, but i couldn’t find you in the crowd.”

you fall into step beside him, your visitor tag swinging as you walk. “it’s okay. i still enjoyed the show.” you glance at him and say, “candy was especially my favorite part of tonight.”

your best friend looks at you, eyes warm. recently, his attentiveness causes you to start nervous rambling.

“i mean it’s my favorite seventeen song, so i was already excited just to hear it… but to hear you sing candy?” you shake your head, a little in awe. “your voice is so beautiful, sol. i was fangirling a little too hard out there.”

hansol pauses, his expression shifting into something more tender. “yeah, well i knew it was your favorite song so i told everyone to keep the unit reverse songs a secret.”

you blink. “you did?”

he nods, a slight frown replacing his smile. “that’s why i wanted to spot you tonight. i wanted you to see your reaction earlier, but i couldn’t find you.”

your heart stumbles. you both stop walking in front of the dressing room.

before you can respond, a voice from behind cuts in. you already know the light teasing is coming when you spot seungkwan.

“y/n! did you like our voices too, or did you only come for hansol?” seungkwan calls as he rushes past, dramatically placing a hand on his heart.

you laugh and hansol squeezes your hand. “mister boo! of course i came for all of you!”

“bestie, we all know you came for sol.” seungkwan replies in a sing-song voice, trying to imitate you by saying the nickname that only you call hansol.

seungkwan quickly sticks his tongue out before stepping into the dressing room.

the blush creeping into hansol’s cheeks is impossible to miss. then, gently, he leans in and presses a soft kiss to your forehead—so quick and so careful, but enough to leave your heart racing.

“go first. i’ll meet you outside soon,” hansol murmurs, voice just for you. “you can wait in the car… and we can hang out at yours. is that okay?”

you look up at him, trying not to smile too wide but failing. “that sounds perfect.”

“i’ll be out soon.” hansol gives you one more shy smile before slipping away toward the dressing room, the sound of the others teasing him softly in the distance.

Hansol glances at it with a soft smile, his expression calm, but he doesn’t explain. “Oh, right. I forgot that was delivering today.” He pushes the door open, motioning for you to step inside first. The familiar scent of his apartment greets you—a comforting blend of fresh laundry and something distinctly him.

After slipping off your shoes and changing into your slippers, Hansol does the same. He bends down to pick up the package, carrying it to the kitchen island. You catch a glimpse of his focused expression as he places it down, his hands lingering on the box momentarily before turning toward you.

“Why don’t you go shower and freshen up?” His voice is gentle, yet there’s a hint of mischief behind it, something unspoken.

You tilt your head, curiosity bubbling up. “What did you order this time? Another Lego set?” you tease, imagining him adding to his ever-growing collection.

Hansol only chuckles, shaking his head. “You’ll see later. Go ahead and relax for now.” He gives you a gentle nudge toward the hallway.

With a playful roll of your eyes, you head toward his bedroom. His bed, neatly made with crisp sheets, looks inviting. But what draws your attention is the closet. Pulling the door open, you find your clothes neatly hung alongside his—an entire section just for you.

A smile tugs at your lips as you remember the first time you’d looked around his apartment for the spare clothes you’d left behind, only to find that he had washed them and made space for them in his closet. It was a small gesture, but it made you feel so cherished as if you truly belonged here. The sight of your neatly organized clothes, with his shirts and jackets nearby, gives you a quiet sense of comfort.

You pick out a comfortable set of loungewear and step into the bathroom. The bathroom is warm from the sunlight streaming in through the small window, casting soft patterns across the tiled floor.

The familiar sight of your toiletries lined up beside Hansol’s makes you pause. Your shampoo, conditioner, and body wash are placed right next to his, just as they had been from the first time you stayed over. He never moved them—never made it seem like your presence was temporary. Your heart flutters at the thought.

The shower’s water is perfectly warm, and as the steam rises around you, you let yourself relax. The simple intimacy of seeing your things alongside his, of knowing you’re considered part of his space, fills you with warmth.

After drying off, you slip into your clothes and make your way back to the living room. The soft sound of music plays in the background, a gentle melody that mingles with the faint clinking of utensils in the kitchen. As you approach, you hear Hansol humming quietly to himself, his focus entirely on whatever task he’s busy with.

“Sol? I’m done now,” you call out as you step into the kitchen.

You notice the brown package, now open, and its contents—carefully laid out on the counter. Hansol stands over a mixing bowl, his brow furrowed in concentration as he whisks something vigorously. The scent of matcha drifts toward you, delicate and earthy.

“Sol?” you ask, stepping closer until you can see him whisking a bowl of matcha powder.

He looks up and smiles warmly. “Hey, just give me a minute. I promise it’s almost done.”

You take a seat at the kitchen island, your eyes lighting up as you watch him. “You bought this to make me matcha?”

Hansol glances at you, then grins, a hint of bashfulness in his smile. “You mentioned you like drinking matcha lattes recently, so… I thought I’d try making one for you myself.” He turns back to his work, carefully pouring milk into a glass and topping it with freshly whisked matcha. There’s a quiet pride in his movements, a tenderness that makes your heart swell.

He slides the glass toward you, his gaze soft and hopeful, waiting for your reaction. You take a sip, and your eyes widen in pleasant surprise.

“Sol, this is good!” You take another, longer sip, savoring the taste, nearly finishing half of it in one go.

Hansol chuckles, shaking his head. “Slow down, love. I’ll make you more in the future.”

He steps away for a moment, disposing of the empty box in the recycle bin before going to sit next to you. You take his hand, your fingers entwining with his, and he glances at you, his eyes filled with affection.

“So, you bought everything just to make me matcha?” you ask, a smile tugging on your lips.

Hansol turns toward you, his eyes locking onto yours. “I just… wanted to show you that I love you.” His honesty makes your heart flutter.

You lean forward, cupping his face and pressing soft kisses all over, making him giggle. His laugh is like music to your ears.

“Chwe Hansol, I love you,” you whisper, tracing his lip with your thumb.

Hansol’s eyes twinkle as he pulls you closer for a proper kiss. When he pulls away, he is so sure in that moment.

“Since you love me… will you move in with me?”

“gyu, i have to go to work,” you sigh, staring at the mirror to fix your messy hair.

you head to mingyu’s bathroom, the spacious room filled with light and the soft scent of his cologne lingering in the air.

not feeling your warmth against his body anymore, mingyu huffs and stirs awake. he sits up, yawning as he opens one eye to notice you bustling around in his bathroom.

“where did i place my—oh, i found it,” you mutter to yourself, finding your hairbrush on the counter.

your boyfriend tilts his head, watching you get ready for your day. he thinks he could wake up every morning and observe this scene for the rest of his life.

you come back outside the bathroom, walking over to your bag. “baby, do you have a spare toothbrush? i have to brush my teeth,” you ask, glancing at him.

mingyu nods, quietly making his way over to his bathroom to open the bottom cabinet while you gather your belongings. “here you go,” he says softly, handing you a brand-new toothbrush when you walk back into the bathroom.

“thank you,” you reply, unboxing the toothbrush and quickly grabbing the toothpaste from the counter. as you brush your teeth, mingyu stands right next to you in his spacious bathroom, admiring you in silence.

when you rinse your mouth, you catch his gaze in the mirror and a smile spreads across your face. “you alright, babe?” you ask, amused by his quiet attention.

mingyu hums in response, grabbing your washed toothbrush and placing it next to his in the cup.

you chuckle at his action, “what are you doing?”

“you can leave a toothbrush at my place,” mingyu says with a gentle smile, pulling you closer to press a kiss on your forehead before hugging you and placing his head on the crook of your neck.

“so you won’t have to rush in the future.”

It wasn't a lie. You had been friends since freshmen year when you met Mingyu through your high school friend Vernon, who had introduced you to all his twelve friends, and the two of you had been best friends for the past three years.

Now, although there were times when Mingyu would concerningly question—more like interrogate—every guy you went on a date with and maybe hold your waist a little too closely during crowded parties, you knew your feelings for Mingyu were hopeless.

That man had never been on a date for all the years you had been friends, even though there were lines of people trying to gain his attention, so it was clear he wasn't looking for a relationship with anyone.

You couldn't be an actress either, as your entire college friend group had caught on to your feelings over the years but it was easy to convince all of the twelve boys to keep their mouths shut and take it to their graves.

Now back to the news that you had broken to Mingyu as soon as he walked inside your house.

"What do you mean you're going abroad? For how long?" You shrugged your shoulders, walking over to where Mingyu was sitting on the kitchen island and placing his plate of pasta down along with yours. The vibrant colors of the pasta dishes on the table seemed to clash with the heavy atmosphere that hung over the room, accentuating Mingyu's deepening frown.

With a wince at Mingyu's look, you tried to maintain a casual demeanor, "I'm just going to be in London for three months for an internship."

You sat across from Mingyu, grabbing your fork to start eating. Mingyu, however, lost his appetite at your words. Amidst the distant hum of the city outside, Mingyu's troubled expression stood out against the backdrop of your cozy kitchen.

"When do you leave? Is this decided?" He asked further, displeased that he was informed after your decision.

Nodding in response to Mingyu's question, you looked down at your food, feeling the weight of his disapproval. "I leave in exactly a week since the semester ended today."

After placing your fork down on the counter, you sought to convey reassurance. “Mingyu, I won't even be gone for that long. It's just three months..." You trail after your word, realizing that wasn't changing Mingyu's attitude towards the situation. 

Meeting Mingyu's gaze, you attempted to gauge his reaction before speaking. "Aren't you happy for me?"

With a sigh, Mingyu looked down at his food, his silence speaking volumes. "I just expected you to tell me before you committed to this decision." Mingyu picked up his fork and started eating his food quietly while you looked at him.

You knew the real reason why you didn't tell Mingyu was because he was the one thing keeping you from leaving. Any of his words asking you to stay would immediately sway you to stay, which was not healthy as you knew it was a one-sided love. 

Quietly observing Mingyu as he ate, you grappled with the tension in the air. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, but it's decided, I'll just be back before you know it." You try to smile as you continue eating, hoping to make your best friend lighten up. You could almost feel the weight of Mingyu's disappointment settling like a thick fog in the air, casting a somber mood over your otherwise familiar dinner routine.

As you adjusted the Facetime, the soft light of your hotel room cast a warm glow, creating a cozy ambiance despite the distance from home.

"Hey, how have you been?"

Shifting your laptop's position, you ensured Mingyu had a clear view of your hotel room through the Facetime call. Even with your short stay, you personalized the hotel room to feel more like your apartment.

"I'm fine..." Mingyu answered while he was in a dark setting. You assumed he was in his room as he picked up your call. You were retouching your hair for the last time before going out to the bar.

"Did I wake you up?" You curiously peeked your head at him before resuming your actions. The time difference between London and South Korea was eight hours, meaning it was only 6PM for you, while it was 2AM back home. 

Mingyu just stared at you, his face consuming the entirety of your screen. "No, I was awake. Are you going out?"

"Yeah, the friends I've made at my workplace want to celebrate since we finished our internship."

You saw Mingyu's face frown with your peripheral vision, "Don't give me that face, Mingyu. Why are you always sad when I call you?"

Mingyu turns over to lean on his side, the sound of his sheets moving evident. "I'm not sad," Mingyu argues back, trying to move his phone upwards so you won't see his pout.

"Mingyu, I'm your best friend, I could tell when you're sad." Mingyu rolled his eyes, but you could see him smile right after because he adjusted his phone to show his entire face.

"I can't believe you're coming back soon." You stood up from your chair, showing Mingyu how you looked before your night out.

"Do you miss me that much?" You teased, checking your mirror one more time.

"No, I'm just happy to have someone I can annoy again." You rolled your eyes playfully before taking your laptop over to where your shoes were, setting the device down and putting on your heels.

"Also, everyone told me you don't go out anymore?"

You had kept in contact with all your friends, hearing the same "How's London?", "Can't wait for you to come back!", and the constant "Tell Mingyu to go out with us!" from your friends.

When you called Vernon last week, he confirmed that Mingyu had been hitting the gym but remaining at home when the boys went out, which was quite strange for someone who used to go out every weekend before you left.

Today, Seungkwan called you complaining about Mingyu rejecting, once again, the invite to go out, whining to you as if you knew the reason behind your best friend's change.

"I just didn't feel like going out recently." You shook your head at Mingyu while strapping your heels, "Our friends miss going out with you."

"I miss you."

You snapped your head at Mingyu, "What did you say? I didn't hear you." You rush back over to your laptop after putting on your heels.

"I said, I'll go out tomorrow since it's Jun’s birthday weekend."

You smile, going towards your laptop. "Oh, okay, now go to sleep, Mingyu. I'm going to leave my hotel now."

"Okay, remember to call me tomorrow."

It was the next morning and you had woken up after a fun night with your London friends. You didn't drink a lot because you weren't drinking with Mingyu. Back at home, he would take care of you after a night out, but without him, you made sure to watch how much you drank.

Scrolling through your phone, you saw everyone wishing Jun a happy birthday, reminding you that it was almost time for your friends to go out back in Korea. 

"Hey, Jun! Happy birthday!" Jun must have already experienced his surprise birthday party, one that Soonyoung told you he was planning. "I hope you've had a great day so far."

Jun flips his camera to show you his perspective of his living room, where your friends chatting while eating slices of cake.

"It would be better if you were here to celebrate with us!" Jun took a sip from his drink.

"Where's the others?" You asked, noticing only half the group was at his apartment.

Jun started walking, "They're already at the club, we're taking three different Ubers to get there."

He stopped to hand his phone to others. Wonwoo and Seungcheol's eyes widened looking at Jun’s phone, "Hey! How's London?"

You chuckled at Wonwoo, "It's fun. I might grow a British accent by the time I'm back." You joked, only for Chan to take the phone.

"Hey, give me my phone back Chan!" Jun protested while Chan seemed to be running away, as the phone screen shook.

Chan showed Seokmin’s face, who was taking a bite of his cake before he came.

"Look who it is," Chan set Jun’s phone down on the counter, allowing you to see the two boys. The loud talking behind them showed that they must be at Jun's house before going to the bar later.

"We all miss you!" Seokmin started, setting his plate down. "But Mingyu misses you most."

You simply laughed at his statement, "I call him every day, it's okay."

Chan shook his head at your obliviousness, "No, you don't understand. That man has not smiled once since you've gone abroad."

You were about to ask more until both their heads moved to the sound of Wonwoo calling their names.

"Oh, we have to go, our Uber is here." You decide to let it go, bidding them goodbye and wishing them a fun night out.

It had been exactly two hours since you ended the call with the boys. You stood in front of your suitcase, packing up your clothes and getting ready to leave for the airport.

You had wanted to surprise everyone by returning home early, only telling Vernon and buying a ticket for a flight that was two days earlier than your presumed return.

However, the phone call you had with Jeonghan yesterday, before calling Mingyu, kept lingering in your mind.

"Hey, I haven't talked to you in so long! How have you-"

"Listen, I am saying this because I love you both, but Mingyu is hurting." Your eyes almost flew out of the sockets, "Mingyu is what? Is he okay? How bad is he injured?"

If this call was on Facetime, you would have seen Jeonghan roll his eyes at your misunderstanding. "No, I meant he's hurting emotionally."

You calmed down a bit but still remained confused.

"What do you mean? He didn't tell me he's hurting?"

Jeonghan sighed on the other end of the phone. He knew you were clueless and didn't want to have this conversation over the phone, but it was becoming more urgent the longer you stayed away.

"He loves you. He hasn't been himself since you left for London. I know it isn't my place to tell you this, but he's lying when he says he's fine when we can all tell he misses you deeply."

You couldn't help but laugh at Jeonghan's words. "My best friend misses me that much? Aw, I miss Mingyu and you all too. Don't worry though, I'll be back soon!"

Now Jeonghan almost broke his phone at you steering this conversation away from what he meant to say. "Did you not hear me correctly? Mingyu loves you!"

"Yeah, as a friend, Jeonghan. Anyway, I'm about to enter my workplace now so I have to go. I'll talk to you soon?"

Jeonghan sighed, his best efforts coming to a halt.

"Okay, I'll talk to you soon."

He couldn't possibly mean that Mingyu loved you in a nonplatonic way, right? You shrug off the thought while zipping up your suitcase, ready to rest for the remaining time in your hotel room before your night flight.

You lounged on your couch, the soft cushions enveloping you as you prepared to rest before your night flight, before your phone rang.

It was a Facetime from Mingyu.

"Hey Mingyu!"

Mingyu's gaze bore into the screen, the lively backdrop of the crowded club for Jun’s birthday party indicating his current location.

Mingyu's face was red, probably due to the alcohol, and his hair was messed up.

"How are you?"

"I'm tired of lying," Mingyu slurred, walking over to his booth so he could take a seat. He was obviously drunk, and you were grateful that your friends designate sober friends before a night out.

"Lying?" You sat up from the couch, confused at what Mingyu was saying.

"I'm tired of telling you that I'm fine or that I don't miss you—because in reality, I do."

Mingyu took a sip of the beer next to him, gulping it down for some liquid courage.

"Can't you see that I love you?" He yelled through his phone, hoping the volume would put some sense through your obliviousness. You couldn't believe your eyes as you saw some tears streaking down his cheeks.

"What? Mingyu, are you crying-"

You saw Mingyu's phone being taken away. It was Jeonghan's face you now saw through the screen. He looked at you with sad eyes, having heard Mingyu's confession just seconds before.

"Hey, Mingyu's really drunk, so talk to him tomorrow when he sobers up. I know you're coming back tomorrow, Vernon can't keep secrets."

Your mind raced, but you managed to nod in agreement. "Could you make sure he gets home safely?"

"Yeah, I think we're all leaving now. I'll talk to you soon."

You nodded and ended the call. You did not get some sleep before the airport and throughout the flight home.

A knock on his front door woke Mingyu up.

Mingyu's apartment was dimly lit, the morning sunlight filtering through the curtains to cast soft patterns on the floor. Mingyu walked to his door to open it for the person persistently knocking.

He was feeling hungover, trying to recollect the night before. He recalls Jihoon offering him drinks, dancing with Minghao and Joshua, then calling you-

"Hi." Mingyu stood shocked at your presence, just remembering his drunken confession to you.

"Hey? Wait, how are you here?" Mingyu's mind was spinning, first, he confessed to his best friend while he was drunk, and now said best friend was back in Korea earlier than expected.

You smiled at his bewildered expression while he gestured for you to come inside his house. 

"I just got back from the airport. I was going to surprise everyone by coming back today." You dragged your suitcase behind you and walked inside Mingyu's apartment, before turning to face him, "And I wanted to talk to you about last night."

Mingyu covered his face with his hands, closing his front door, "Listen, what I said last night-"

"I love you too."

Mingyu snapped his face to you, complete shock written all over his face. 

"What? Say that again." You laughed at his reaction, stepping towards him.

"I said, Kim Mingyu, I love you too. And I'm glad you told me first because I was afraid to tell you."

Mingyu pulled you into a hug. 

"I missed you so much."

You pulled away from the hug briefly, "You know, you cried last night! I have never seen you cry before!”

Mingyu whined, holding your hand, "Well, I guess I love my girl that much."

You smiled cheekily at his comment, "Yours, huh?" Mingyu just led you to his kitchen with a smile.

“Always, now will you out me out of my misery and be my girlfriend?”

You peck Mingyu on the lips, grinning widely, “Yes, I will be your girlfriend.”

Mingyu reciprocated your affection, lacing your hands together, “Come on, let's do our Thursday tradition as breakfast since I'm hungry."

Your laughter filled the room as you followed him, "Okay, boyfriend."

mingyu rubs the back of his neck sheepishly, a nervous chuckle escaping his lips. "oh, i'm so sorry. i just wanted to say hi to the new drummer."

you finally come to your senses, quickly inspecting your phone for damage. relieved to find it intact, you look back up at mingyu and hold out your hand. "it's okay, my phone didn't break. i'm y/n, and i know who you are mingyu."

mingyu's smile widens, his eyes crinkling at the corners. he shakes your hand with a firm but gentle grip. “i thought it was so cool that seungkwan's friend will be our live drummer from now on!"

you glance at seungkwan, who grins beside you. "yeah, it's an honor to play for seventeen."

seungkwan clears his throat, catching mingyu's attention. "mingyu hyung, i think you have to go get your makeup done before the shoot."

the three of you turn to see one of the makeup artists waving at mingyu, trying to catch his eye.

"i guess i have to go." mingyu starts to take steps backward, his smile never fading. "teach me a few things next time?"

you nod, trying to keep your cool. "yeah, of course."

as mingyu leaves, you're left starstruck, staring at his retreating figure. "kwannie, did that really just happen?"

seungkwan chuckles, looking around to ensure the rest of the members are occupied with their vlogging for the 'inside seventeen' behind-the-scenes video. the room buzzes with excitement and energy, the members too busy to notice your interaction.

"i'm guessing it's because mingyu has an interest in playing drums," seungkwan muses, taking a sip of his iced americano.

"yeah, you told me some of the members do."

seungkwan turns to face you, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "but he's never done that before..."

you try to play it cool, shrugging. "it's whatever."

seungkwan pats your back lightly, grinning. "he is your bias, though."

"hey, jihoon." you greet him as you spot him seated in front of his desktop, surrounded by an array of electronic equipment and speakers. jihoon swivels in his chair, offering a small smile.

"hey, y/n. did you listen to the demo i sent you?" he asks, his voice calm and focused.

you nod, setting your bag on the couch. "i did, don't worry." you walk over to his desktop, where jihoon gestures towards a music sheet.

he explains the type of drum sounds he envisions for the new track, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table as he talks. "i think this should be easy for you. just follow this sheet and add your touch."

you grab the music sheet and head towards the recording booth dedicated to instruments. this booth is separate from the one for vocals, designed to perfectly capture the sound of drums, guitars, and pianos. it’s a spacious room with soundproof walls, a gleaming drum set, and an array of other instruments neatly arranged.

after a while, seungcheol strolls into the studio, followed by mingyu and hansol. the three of them look relaxed, dressed casually as they make their way into the lounge space.

"jihoon, we're here!" seungcheol announces, his voice filling the studio. they came to brainstorm lyrics for their unit's song.

jihoon checks the time, nodding. "you guys are pretty early."

seungcheol plops down on the couch, stretching out comfortably. "yeah, we had nothing to do, so we came early. wonwoo’s grabbing drinks from the café next door."

jihoon nods while setting up. "well, i'm recording the drums with y/n right now."

mingyu's head perks up. "y/n? she's here right now?"

seungcheol smirks, noticing mingyu's reaction. "we can start now, and you can help us once y/n finishes."

jihoon hands hansol some paper and pens to start brainstorming lyrics. once they settle down, jihoon presses a button to speak to you through the intercom.

"i like the recording so far. let’s listen to it once."

you sit in the recording booth, headphones on, as jihoon plays back the track. the sound is rich and vibrant, resonating perfectly within the booth's acoustics. you notice a slight tempo change and speak into the mic, "can i do that one more time? i think i sped up a bit in the middle."

"yeah, one more time, and i think this one might be the last we need," jihoon responds, his voice clear through the speakers.

after another take, jihoon's voice fills the booth. "that's perfect. you're done, y/n. good work!" you set down your drumsticks and remove your headphones, feeling satisfied with the session. as you exit the booth, you spot seungcheol, wonwoo, hansol, and mingyu lounging around the cozy couches, discussing their lyric ideas.

jihoon looks up from his workstation. "they're all writing lyrics for their unit's songs."

you nod, making your way over to the mixing desk to listen to the finished beat with jihoon. the sound of your drums blended with jihoon's production fills the room, creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere.

as you discuss the track with jihoon, mingyu’s voice breaks through the conversation. "do you want a coffee?"

you turn to see mingyu holding out a cup of iced coffee, his expression earnest. "wonwoo hyung bought six coffees, one is for you too."

wonwoo looks up from his lyrics, smiling warmly. "i didn’t know you were here, but mingyu told me to get one for you."

you accept the coffee with a grateful smile. "thank you." the cool drink is refreshing, a welcome break from the intensity of the recording session.

as you chat with jihoon about the track, you're unaware of mingyu blushing and seungcheol nudging him playfully. mingyu tries to swat seungcheol away, only for seungcheol to point at you, as if threatening to spill a secret. 

as the hours pass and lunchtime approaches, seungcheol practically bounces with excitement. "there’s this new restaurant i really want to try. let’s go!"

you chuckle at his enthusiasm but decide to stay behind. "i'm going to stay here and practice some drums since we have a live shooting soon," you explain, referring to the 'it's live' youtube video performance scheduled in a few days.

wonwoo, already standing, asks, "you're not hungry?"

you shrug, "i can order delivery later; it's okay."

hansol shakes his head, determined. "we'll just get takeout from the restaurant so you can eat later."

seungcheol claps his hands together, pleased with the plan. "perfect! text us your order then."

everyone but you, mingyu, and jihoon get up from the couches. the room feels suddenly quieter, the absence of the others making the space seem even more expansive.

"mingyu hyung, you're not going?" hansol asks, looking confused.

mingyu points to a piece of paper full of crossed-out words. "i want to finish this first. just get me some takeout too."

jihoon eyes mingyu, then glances at you, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "i think i’m going to go eat, too." he stands, leaving you and mingyu alone in the studio.

seungcheol, leading the charge out of the studio, glances back with a teasing grin. the remaining members follow, leaving the studio surprisingly quiet except for the hum of equipment and the occasional rustle of paper.

you watch them leave, then turn to mingyu. "i thought jihoon doesn't eat while he works?"

"i thought you don't eat while you work?" hansol finally asks once the group is out of the studio.

jihoon smiles, "you don't get it?"

hansol tilts his head because he's definitely confused now. "get what?"

wonwoo joins in, "that piece of paper was mine, not mingyu's."

seungcheol steps in between the three, jogging to the restaurant and laughing. "i can't wait to try the food!"

"y/n! mingyu! we're back!"

not receiving an answer, a curious seungcheol and wonwoo head straight to the recording room. through the window, they see mingyu sitting down in front of the drums while you stand with your back facing the window.

you were teaching mingyu how to play drums.

chuckling, they snap a quick photo to tease mingyu later.

"hey," seungcheol slightly opens the door, "sorry to interrupt you lovebirds, but your food is here."

before you can register what he said, mingyu gets up to chase after seungcheol and wonwoo laughs, leaving you alone confused.

"seungcheol decided to order takeout on what he thought was tasty, so there is more food than what you both asked for." jihoon explains while hansol takes the food out from the brown bags.

"okay, thank you." you sit down next to mingyu and start opening the packaging.

"you guys know y/n said i have drum potential?" mingyu suddenly brags, mostly toward seungcheol, who also had an interest in drums.

you lightly hit mingyu on the side, "hey, i didn't say that!" 

mingyu doesn't let go because of the slight compliment you gave him earlier, "okay, well i'm getting better, right?"

you shake your head but smile, "just a little more practice and you're okay, i guess?"

jihoon chuckles, "mingyu don't replace y/n, i like her more."

"i think you three can start recording some parts, right?" jihoon points toward seungcheol, wonwoo, and hansol and they nod.

"eat up," mingyu whispers and places the food he just opened in front of you.

"oh my god, i need an iced americano right now." seungkwan stands up from his spot on the couch as it is his turn to record.

your ears perk up. "i can run to the cafe if you want?"

the vocal unit members arrived at jihoon's studio just a few moments prior, and you realize why jihoon had such a spacious studio in the first place.

“everyone wants a caffeine wake-up, right?” when you ask, everyone lets out a chorus of agreement.

"i'll go with you." mingyu stands up and walks with you to the exit.

"we haven't gone outside, so i need a breather." mingyu randomly assures you, and you nod.

"so, how do you like the job?" mingyu asks curiously while walking beside you. 

you take a look at the sky that's getting darker, "it's really fun. i'm so glad that seungkwan introduced me to the position or else i would have never met you all."

when you arrive at the cafe, mingyu opens the door for you. the two of you order ten drinks and stand next to the counter to wait.

"listen, y/n." mingyu can't help but thank this cafe for not having a lot of customers right now. "i was wondering if you would like to grab dinner with me?"

you tilt your head in confusion, "oh, are you hungry because we didn't go eat lunch with them? i thought you ate a lot of the takeout though?"

mingyu laughs at your oblivious state. "no, not tonight. i meant on a date?"

your mouth forms an 'o', and before you can respond, the barista is calling up your order number. 

mingyu is quick to turn and grab the two bags with drinks inside, before motioning you to leave the cafe with him.

"so, is that a no?" mingyu breaks the silence once you start walking back.

how could anyone say no, especially with the sight you're seeing right now? kim mingyu holding drinks in both hands while staring down at the sidewalk.

"you're so cute, you know that?"

mingyu's head snaps up and he hears you laugh.

"you look like a kicked puppy. a really cute one."

mingyu breaks into a grin, "hey, stop teasing me!"

you walk closer to mingyu on the sidewalk, pulling his arm to stop.

"i would love to go on a date with you. i was just shocked because i didn't expect you to ask me."

mingyu huffs with a cute pout, "you had me thinking you didn't like me back."

you reach up to ruffle his hair, "so you like me?"

you continue to walk, and mingyu gladly speeds up to catch up with you. "i thought it was obvious to my feelings. actually, i think all the members know, they're just good at keeping their mouths shut."

"well, it's a good thing they all kept their mouths shut about my feelings too."

His head sits on top of your right shoulder, wondering why you weren’t cuddling with him in bed. 

“You didn’t even wake me up when you came back,” Mingyu grumbles like a child, complaining because he missed your presence. 

You fight a smile, trying to focus on cooking the soup in front of you. “Baby, that’s because you’re sick.”

Your boyfriend had caught a cold recently so you stayed over at his house for the past few days, trying to nurse him back to health. 

In the morning, you instructed Mingyu to stay in bed while you went to run some errands, resulting in him falling asleep for a few hours. 

“Just let me watch you cook.” You set the spoon down on the kitchen counter so you can turn around. Mingyu lets go of your figure slightly, allowing you to face him.

“Please? I’ll go back to bed after if you join me,” He negotiates, waiting for your response. You shake your head playfully at his persistence, slightly feeling bad when you remember that he hasn’t properly gone outside his house in the past week. 

Mingyu beams when you don’t ask him to go back and rest, allowing him to spend some time with you. Curiously, he peeks behind your shoulder to observe the stovetop. “So, what are you cooking?”

You shrug your shoulders at him, “I was making your favorite soup.” Mingyu’s head tilts in confusion; It was usually him cooking meals, an act you only allowed because he loves to cook meals for you. 

Noting his surprised face, you point to the kitchen island full of grocery bags, “I found a recipe online earlier, so after I stopped by my house, I went to the store to buy some ingredients.” 

You peel off from mingyu, hovering back to the boiling pot, trying to turn the gas off. 

“Did you eat already?” Mingyu questions from behind you, watching as you place some of the soup into a single glass bowl. He walks backward to lean on the kitchen island to give you space while you shuffle around the kitchen. 

“Yeah,” You place the cover over the pot quickly, saving the rest of the food for tomorrow. “I already ate with Seungkwan and Seokmin earlier because I needed to discuss work with them.”

Mingyu nods his head, “You know, you didn’t have to cook for me.” He plays with his fingers, twiddling them while waiting for you to prepare his bowl. 

Your eyebrows raise, “Baby, of course, I would. I know you cook most of the time, but it doesn’t mean I can’t make your favorite soup.” You head toward the dining table, setting the bowl down and walking over to grab utensils for him. 

“And I know you would do the same for me if I were in your position.” You hover over the bowl before sitting down on the opposite side, waiting for mingyu to join you.

“Thanks, baby,” Mingyu pushes himself off the island, “What would I do without my lovely girlfriend?”

You smile when Mingyu plops down his seat, eventually raising his spoon before he starts devouring the soup. 

You felt your heart swell watching Mingyu reach the bottom of the bowl, showering you with compliments over the simple soup you made. 

“Wait, let me go shower so we can go to bed.” You rise from your seat, trying to grab the empty bowl and spoon in the middle of the wooden table. 

“No,” Mingyu stops your action, reaching for it first. “Let me do the dishes, please?” You halt next to the table, debating if you should give in to Mingyu’s pleading brown eyes.

“Okay, but only because you’re feeling better.” You remind him, watching him smile and get up to clean. 

“I’ll be right back,” You take a final glimpse at your boyfriend before walking down the hall to go shower. 

“Mom, I’m not that sick anymore!” is the first thing you hear when you return to the living room, wearing Mingyu’s oversized t-shirt and some shorts you left over. 

Mingyu remains sitting on the couch as you near him, obviously talking to his mom on the phone. You opt to get water and let him continue his conversation. 

Mingyu turns his head when he hears you, phone on the side of his ear and replying to his mom. 

You walk over to the fridge. “She cooked me homemade soup earlier,” you hear Mingyu excitedly inform his mom, “Yeah, my favorite one that you always made for me.”

“I know, isn’t she the best girlfriend ever.” You try to ignore the way Mingyu’s bringing you up to his mom, opening the fridge and grabbing a cold water bottle. 

You meet Mingyu’s gaze and break out into a grin, his body now shifted sideways on the couch to face you. You place the bottle down on the kitchen counter, taking a glance to see that he cleaned the dishes, before walking over to join him. 

Mingyu doesn’t say anything for a bit, indicating that his mom is speaking. “Mom,” Mingyu whines, immediately reaching for your hand with his free one and pulling you close. “Fine, but only if she agrees.”

You grow curious as to what Mingyu is talking about, hand playing with his fingers while you wait for him to end the call. 

“Okay, I’m going to go now. yes, I’ll remember to text you tomorrow,” Mingyu pauses to let his mom talk on the other end, “I love you too. Bye, mom!”

“What’s that last part about?” You watch Mingyu set his phone down on the armrest next to him, before diverting his entire attention to you. 

“My mom was asking if you wanted to go over next weekend, she’s having family members come over for my dad’s birthday,” He explains casually, the complete opposite of your widened eyes. 

“She wants me to meet your whole family?” You ask, voice slightly pitched higher, failing to hide the nervousness leaking through your words. 

You’ve been dating Mingyu for a few months already, but never met Mingyu’s parents before. There was really no excuse to see them, seeing as he lived without his parents, so the thought of meeting his entire family all together was one you never imagined happening first. 

“They,” Mingyu’s hand found yours, fingers intertwining in a comforting gesture. “Both of my parents. You don’t have to go if you’re not ready, I understand that it might be overwhelming to meet everyone at once.” 

You shake your head, “No, I want to meet your family, I was just surprised because I didn’t expect to get invited to your dad’s birthday.”

Now mingyu stares back at you with confusion in his eyes, “Why wouldn’t they invite you? I always talk about you to my parents so they practically love you already.” 

You smile at the idea of Mingyu’s parents approving you and your relationship. “I’ll go, we can go buy your dad a birthday gift tomorrow since you’re feeling a bit better. Now, do you want to go to bed?” You rise from the couch to lead the way, waiting for Mingyu to follow you. 

“Of course, I’m so tired.” Mingyu dramatically complains while you pull his hand down the hallway. 

You laugh at your boyfriend, “Babe, you’ve been asleep for the entire day, how is that possible?” 

When you reach Mingyu’s bed, you quickly get under his covers as Mingyu follows suit. 

“Shh, let’s just go to sleep,” Mingyu coos as he settles into bed, he pulls you close, and his body molds to yours in a comforting embrace.

You know he doesn’t want you to catch his cold so, you plant a kiss on his cheek, earning a blush from him. 

“Okay, baby, now let’s really go to sleep,” You stretch your arms out before getting into a comfortable position to knock out. Mingyu’s touch remains on you, sending a shiver of delight down your spine, his fingers tracing patterns on your skin.

"Can I tell you a secret?” Mingyu whispers, his face inches away, although your eyes remain closed.

“Yeah?” You ask your boyfriend back, feeling his hand on yours so he can intertwine your fingers.  

“I’m actually not sleepy.”

"Kim Mingyu!"