#minho request

“I have a job,” he reminded me.

“And a girlfriend,” Minho added, giving me a knowing look. “You’re giving Changbin a difficult choice: you or his favorite girl.”

“Hey!” I protested, kicking out at him with my foot. “Everyone knows that I’m Changbin’s favorite girl.”

“Mhmm,” Changbin mumbled in response, but he was clearly too tired to give anyone a coherent response, already drifting back to sleep.

“Guess what?” Minho continued, sitting down on the edge of the bed next to me. “I have a surprise for you.”

“Oh?” I asked, feeling a little more alert as my heart gave a happy little flutter. “What is it?”

“You’re graduating Friday,” Minho said, and I smiled at the reminder, the idea of freedom looming in the near-distance. 

So close I could almost feel it!!

“I’m the most excited,” I said. “Seungmin keeps complaining. Apparently, he’s not looking forward to four more years in University.”

“He knows it’s good for him,” Minho remarked, crossing his arms as we both thought about Seungmin’s decision - met with heavy tears from an over-emotional Chan when he found out about Seungmin’s scholarship.

“I’m just going to Felix the situation,” I said, smirking at Minho’s eye-roll. “Get my two-year degree online cuz’ it's cheaper and I won’t have to move away from you.”

“Oh, really?” Minho purred, but he looked rather pleased about the prospect, leaning down to offer me a deep kiss. “I like the sound of that, Y/N. But I also organized something for you and Seungmin. Consider it a graduation present.”

“Present?”

“A camping trip,” Minho said. “We’re going away this weekend. The original nine.”

“The original nine?” I repeated because it sounded so cliche, but the truth of the matter was that it also sounded really nice. Not that I didn’t want Sara and Lisa around, but just having our little family together? It seemed too good to be true.

“I’d say no girlfriends allowed...” Minho trailed off, raising one sultry brow at me that was far more suggestive than necessary.

“Uh-huh, so I’m the exception?” I grinned.

“I’d like to do this for you,” Minho said. “It would mean a lot.”

“And Seungmin too?” I asked, just because it was funny to watch Minho roll his eyes.

“Yes, Seungmin too.”

“Well, then,” I started, reaching out to pull Minho closer for another kiss, ignoring Changbin’s whines of complaint. “I guess I can’t exactly say no.”

It was already crowded in the living room the next morning, and Seungmin and I were both growing increasingly more annoyed with having cameras shoved into our faces. “Look over here!” Chan said, holding up his hand. “You guys look great!”

“It’s just a robe,” Seungmin grumbled, but we both stood shoulder-to-shoulder for yet another photograph.

“Cute,” Hyunjin decided, messing with the settings on his digital camera. “Should we do some shots in front of the house?”

“We’ll be late for the ceremony,” Seungmin said, desperately trying to get us out of the impromptu family photo shoot. 

“Besides, neither of us are looking forward to sitting out in the hot sun for just our names to be called out once,” I added, and Seungmin snorted around a laugh while Chan looked nothing short of affronted.

“This is a big deal,” he insisted, putting down his phone to step forward and mess with Seungmin’s tie.

Again.

“Leave them alone, Chan,” Felix quietly intervened, and I gave him a grateful smile.

“Seriously,” Lisa said, rolling her eyes dramatically. “We can swarm them with pictures later.”

“Just...try and keep this on straight,” Chan told Seungmin, giving his appearance another once-over before nodding in satisfaction.

“The cars are waiting!” Changbin announced from outside, and Seungmin and I were more than willing to force our way through frantic hands and flashing smiles as our roommates proved to be an imposing obstacle.

“They’re just excited,” Sara whispered to me when I finally found reprieve in the sunshine, and I attempted a smile.

“I know,” I agreed, wrapping my arm through hers. 

“They raised you,” she continued. “Let them be a little doting. I think I can understand.”

I nodded, even though I might not understand in the same way, but they were my family, and there weren’t many things I wouldn’t do for them.

The ceremony was hotter than I expected, and at one point, I whispered to Seungmin that he might need to be prepared to carry me off the field.

Thankfully, once our names were called, and we walked across the stage while ignoring the whistles and cheers from our section in the crowd, I was able to unzip my robe and allow some fresh air to soothe my overheated skin. “Could he have talked any longer?” Seungmin complained, referring to our principal's long and meandering speech about the importance of life after high school.

“I think he likes the attention,” I managed to get out, mere seconds before Changbin’s strong arms swept me up into an impossible hug in an attempt to squeeze the actual life from my lungs. “Dying,” I huffed around the last reserves of oxygen, and Sara had the wherewithal to convince Changbin that he probably shouldn’t be doing that on our school’s football field.

“Don’t!” I heard Seungmin whining from next to me, and I looked over just in time to see Hyunjin messing up the meticulous hairstyle he had spent hours perfecting that morning.

Meanwhile, a few of Seungmin’s school friends were watching, trying to call him over. “I’ll be right back,” Seungmin said, but he was immediately stopped by Chan who was cooing and crying at the same time, hugging Seungmin close to him in the same manner that Changbin had done to me.

“Oh, god, you’re embarrassing me,” Seungmin whined, shoving Chan away as he blushed at the sound of his friend’s laughter. 

“Let the kid go,” Lisa said with a laugh, and Seungmin muttered out a quick thanks before practically sprinting over to his friends.

“It’s family time!” Hyunjin protested. 

“He’ll be back,” Lisa said, smirking as she gave Hyunjin a pat on his shoulder. “You’ll all have plenty of time together on your top-secret camping trip.”

“It’s an expedition in the woods,” Jisung retorted. “Get it right.”

I shook my head, looking away from Jisung and Lisa just in time to find Minho with his gaze focused on mine. “Come here,” he said, opening his arms and inviting me into a welcoming embrace, whispering kisses across any surface of my skin he could access. “So proud of you.”

“Thank you,” I said, closing my eyes for a moment as I rested my chin atop his shoulder. “Did I rock that stage or what?”

Minho chuckled, and I could feel his chest vibrating against mine. “I’m mostly impressed that you could walk in those heels.”

“Yeah, me too,” I said, opening my eyes again only to spot a familiar face standing a little further apart from everyone else.

Slowly, I unwound my arms from around Minho, and he followed my gaze to the woman hunching her shoulders uncomfortably as she studied me from afar. “Hey, mom,” I said, and Minho tensed, looking between me and my mother like he was expecting a confrontation. 

It was also at the same time when Chan decided to come over, greeting my mother with a respectful incline of his head. “Hi, Ms. Y/L/N,” he said. 

“Chan, right?” my mother asked, and I swallowed hard because she had done that on purpose. There’s simply no other explanation for someone forgetting the name of the only person who allowed her to have continued involvement in her daughter’s life.

“Nice to see you,” Chan said, and I could tell that it took a lot for him to be so courteous.

“Well,” my mother sighed. “I just wanted to congratulate you, dear. There’s no way I could miss my own daughter’s graduation.”

“Thanks,” I muttered through gritted teeth. “I’m glad you came.”

She nodded her head, suddenly appearing a little more sheepish as more eyes started to notice her presence. “Call me soon,” she requested. “Maybe I can take you out for a proper celebration?”

“Sure,” I lied, watching her closely as she shuffled in place.

“You have my number,” she said, giving me one last considerate look before allowing herself to be swept away with the other parents leaving toward the parking lot.

I shuddered once she was out of sight, leaning more of my weight against Minho who was always more than willing to support me whenever I was at my weakest and most vulnerable.

It was always like that with my mother.

“Jisung stole my french fries!”

“Did not!”

“Really? Then what the hell happened to them? Did they just disappear?”

“I guess so!”

I cracked my eye open at the ridiculous conversation, glancing over to my right to see Changbin mere seconds away from exploding on Jisung and Hyunjin who were arguing so vehemently from the backseat. His fingers were clenched tight around the steering wheel, brows furrowed together, and his mouth twisted into something unpleasant.

“Hyunjin,” he breathed around an exhale. “Jisung.”

“He started it!” Jisung said. 

“That’s not true!” Hyunjin retorted. “He’s just mad because he ordered a medium!”

“How old are the two of you?” Changbin asked, rolling his eyes as he glanced up at the rearview mirror. “Jeongin, I’m sorry you have to put up with this shit.”

I finally cracked a smile, turning around in my seat to look at Jeongin. “How long has this been going on for?”

“Ten minutes,” the youngest informed me with a sober frown. 

“I’m this close to calling Chan and throwing one of your asses into his car,” Changbin said, holding his fingers close together to indicate that he was on the last vestiges of patience. 

“Whatever,” Hyunjin grumbled. “S’ not my fault.”

“Oh, yeah, the picture of innocence,” Changbin muttered, and I resisted the urge to laugh as I reached over to give Changbin’s hand a reassuring squeeze. 

“How far away are we from the campsite?”

“30 minutes,” Changbin said. “Hallelujah.”

I nodded and relaxed further into my seat, enjoying the benefits of winning a competitive game of rock-paper-scissors to determine which of us would get the privilege of riding in the passenger seat. As always, Changbin and Chan became our designated drivers, especially since Minho insisted that he didn’t have the patience to drive and watch over everyone else.

“Can the two of you keep your shit together long enough for us to make it to the campsite without calling Chan?”

“Yeah,” Hyunjin and Jisung echoed together at the same time, and Changbin let out a deep breath, cursing under his breath as I smirked and turned my attention to the passing clouds outside.

“Everyone pair up!” Chan announced once we had all of our supplies together at the campsite, with our bags and equipment scattered around the circle's circumference.

“Me and Y/N,” Minho said, pulling me close with a raised brow. “Obviously.”

“Gross,” Jisung huffed. “I want Felix!”

“No way!” Hyunjin protested. “Felix is my partner!”

“Did Felix even agree to this?” Chan asked, and he looked at the younger one who merely shrugged in response. 

“I’ll decide, then,” Chan intervened. “Minho and Y/N, Seungmin and Jeongin, Changbin and Felix, and Jisung and Hyunjin.”

“Seriously?” Hyunjin sighed. “Chan, that’s like the worst idea you’ve ever had.”

“Seconded!” Jisung agreed.

“Well, you can work on putting aside your differences for one night,” Chan replied. “And I’m getting my own tent because I’m tired of everyone’s bullshit.”

“Seems fair,” Felix nodded.

“Let’s split up,” Chan continued. “We can get everything set up.”

His orders were met by various murmurs of consent, and I giggled when Minho came up behind me to wrap an arm around my waist. “Come on, partner,” he whispered, and I followed him to where he had already scoped out a good spot to pitch our tent.

“How the hell do you even do this?” Hyunjin wondered aloud, glancing between the instructions to the sad pile of rods and fabric situated messily on the ground.

“Give it to me,” Jisung grumbled. “It’s obviously too complicated for you to figure out.”

“Whatever,” Hyunjin retorted, and he sat down in the middle of the circle and pulled out his phone. “No service. Just great.”

“You could use some fresh air outside, Jinnie,” Minho said, and I was more than inclined to let my boyfriend shoulder most of the work.

“Maybe we could go hiking together?” Jeongin suggested.

“Like with bears and shit?” Jisung asked, already disregarding building his tent for something that sounded a whole lot more interesting.

“You know what?” Chan asked. “That sounds like a good idea! Jeongin can take Jisung and Hyunjin somewhere far away for hiking, and anyone else who wants to go can join them.”

“But what about the tent?” Jisung questioned, pointing down to the incomplete lack of progress he had made.

“I’ll handle it,” Chan insisted, and it was with great reluctance that Hyunjin followed an over-eager Jisung, Seungmin, and Jeongin further into the solitude of the woods.

“Thanks for the peace and quiet,” Changbin eventually said, interrupting the solitude to vocalize what everyone else had been thinking.

“Yeah, no problem,” Chan grumbled, but I knew that he wasn’t that upset. After all, his family meant more to him than anything else in the world. 

Later that night, once all the tents were pitched and Changbin and Felix returned with Jeongin and his hiking crew who had apparently forgotten to bring a compass with them, Chan had us all sitting around the fire toasting marshmallows and sharing pleasant conversation about whatever topic struck us at the moment.

In the meantime, I was more than content in Minho’s arms, propped up against his strong chest as his fingers worked themselves through the tangles in my hair. “How about some ground rules for tonight?” Seungmin ventured at one point, gesturing towards me and Minho with a loose hand. “No sex in the tents.”

“What about outside of them?” Minho asked with a suggestive tone.

“I stand by my gross comment from before,” Jisung said, wrinkling his nose in disgust as he stuffed another marshmallow into whatever room remained in his cheeks.

“No sex, period,” Chan said. “Should I even have to say that?”

“Well, we are celebrating,” Minho said, and I tried not to squirm when he dug his fingers into my side.

“No loud music either,” Changbin continued, and I was grateful that he decided to guide the conversation away from me and Minho.

“Who does that?” Jisung asked.

“Felix,” Changbin said, and he gave the younger a look. “I can hear you all the way upstairs at home.”

“I can always change it for you,” Felix said, nonchalant as always as he sipped at his water bottle.

“Let’s just enjoy ourselves,” Chan suggested. “As hard as that may be for some of you.”

“I’m more than capable of relaxing,” Hyunjin said, but then he screeched and quickly stood up from the log he had been sitting on. “Why are there so many beetles?”

“Cuz’ it’s the woods?” Seungmin said, sharing a quick exchange with Jeongin to which the youngest merely nodded in response. 

“This is for Y/N and Seungmin,” Changbin said, and he lifted his marshmallow roasting stick high into the air. “Cheers to them.”

“Uh-huh, sure,” I said, lifting mine as well even though it seemed utterly ridiculous. 

“Hazaa!” Jisung shouted, and he stood up next to Hyunjin as he raised his high above his head, dripping remains of his marshmallows leaking down the handle.

“Are we really doing this?” Seungmin grumbled in complaint, but one by one each of us contributed to our weird display of solidarity.

“Okay, enough before someone comes by and wonders what the hell we’re trying to do,” Chan said. 

“Or before someone pokes an eye out,” Minho added with a grunt, pulling me back against him with a gentle kiss. 

“We can just skip to the speeches instead,” Jisung said, and he clapped his hands together as he indicated between me and Seungmin. “Who goes first.”

“I will, I guess,” Seungmin said, and he reluctantly stood up and waved off the cheers from everyone else. “Thanks for all the support,” he said, pursing his lips in deep concentration as he tried to put something together. “You’re cool. Sometimes.”

“Hell yeah!” Jisung yelled, and I stifled my laughter at Seungmin’s brevity.

“Now, Y/N,” Hyunjin said, and I groaned but unwound Minho’s arms long enough to stand next to the fire.

“Sure,” I said, searching for the right words. “It’s weird to be here because I never really saw any kind of future for myself until I met you guys.” I swallowed hard, nearly choking around the sudden flood of emotion clogging my throat. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, and I can’t wait for whatever might come next.”

“Y/N,” Jeongin sniffled once I sat back down. 

“Such a sweetheart,” Minho whispered into my ear, holding me in close to him in reassurance as Chan roughly wiped away a tear. 

“Alright, enough speeches,” he said, voice breaking once as he tried to regain his composure. “I love this, you know? Just the nine of us.”

“Let’s do it more often,” Felix said, always interrupting at the right moments.

“I agree,” Changbin nodded, and I didn’t even realize he had been crying until I took in the sight of his bloodshot eyes. 

“Binnie,” I whispered, and he shook his head, giving me a warm smile.

“Felix can turn on his shitty music,” Changbin said. “Hyunjin and Jisung can fight to their heart's content.”

“And me and Y/N...” Minho trailed off, but Changbin quickly changed his tone.

“Anything but that,” he grunted.

“I think we should just look at the stars,” Felix said, and he was already lying back on his blanket, hands folded behind his head as he looked up at the night sky loaded so brilliantly with freckles of light.

“Good idea,” Jeongin said, and I only saw him fall backward before Minho was forcing me into a tight embrace, facing one another on our sides as we exchanged gentle puffs of oxygen.

“The stars aren’t as beautiful as you,” he whispered.

“Cheesy.”

“I’m serious,” he said, and his fingers traced over the ridges of my lips. “I love you, Y/N. Everyone here loves you.”

“I know,” I said, and it was all I could manage because the atmosphere was suddenly charged with something heavy.

But Minho understood. He always did. Bringing my head closer to his chest, so I could listen to the calming combination of background conversations about everything and the soothing reverberation of his heart thumping in time to a special melody that only I had the privilege of understanding.

Upon realizing that your parents were home when you returned from school, you excitedly ran into the kitchen, clutching your theater program’s cast list, which named you the lead. After congratulating you— your mother with a kiss on the forehead and your father with a gentle clap on the shoulder— they reminded that somebody would have to watch your little siblings during afternoon practices while your parents were working. 

The often troublesome twins, one boy and one girl, overheard the news about a new babysitter and immediately coordinated their efforts to chase away anyone you chose. 

“But why?” Your little sister tilted her head and frowned. “I don’t want to be bad. I don’t like when Y/N is upset with me.”

And it was true; your sister was the sweeter of the two. Too often, however, her big-toothed smile paled in comparison to your brother’s conniving grin. 

“You don’t want Y/N to forget about us, do you?” He mimicked her pout. And when she wildly shook her head, he continued, “If we get a babysitter, Y/N will never play with us again. So we can’t let her take us to somebody new!”

Don’t feel too flattered— your brother didn’t really like you that much— or at least, he would never admit it. From his perspective, he knew how to convince you to let him win games; he could sweet talk you into letting him stay awake past bedtime; he could trick you into giving him an extra piece of candy. But he had been devastated enough to learn that these tricks wouldn’t work on his preschool teacher; he couldn’t risk going through that kind of humiliation again with a babysitter. 

So with your little sister’s reluctant assistance, he vowed to make the babysitter miserable. 

After picking the twins up after school, you nearly lulled your brother to sleep with your excited chatter about the neighbor boy who agreed to take care of them. “He used to be my best friend— back when we were your age. Y’know, we even pinky promised that we would get married one day. Isn’t that silly?”

“It’s dumb,” your brother grumbled under his breath. He was pouting, too determined to be miserable to even eat the cookie you gave him.

But your sister was leaning forward in her booster seat, obviously drawn into your story. “What’s his name, Y/N? And what does he look like? Will I like him? Will he like me—”

“Hey, one question at a time, silly.” You smiled at her through the rear view mirror. “His name is Minho. I’m sure you’ve seen him before, he’s that really cute boy from across the street. And yes you’ll like him, and he’ll like you.”

And your brother looked at you, his eyebrows raised as if to ask if Minho would like him too. 

You simply remarked, having noted your brother’s attitude, “He’ll like both of you as long as you’re on your best behavior.”

Before your brother could offer his bratty retort, you pulled into Minho driveway. Wearing his familiar broad smile, he raced toward you. “Thank you so much.” You beamed as you unbuckled the twins’ seat belts. “Really— I think I would have had to quit the play without your help.”

“It’s no problem,” he shrugged. Then, winking, he said, “Just promise not to forget me when you become a famous actress, alright?”

“Hmmmm.” You considered Minho’s condition, as if you could ever really forget him. Then, holding out your pinky, you agreed. “Okay— pinky promise!”

Your little sister looked on at the situation in awe; her jaw dropped and a pink blush rose to her cheeks as Minho laced his pinky with yours. “Y/N! A pinky promise! Like when you and Minho promised to get married!”

Minho smirked as you attempted to hide your face with your hands. “You’re still telling people about that?” He laughed at your embarrassment; he really hadn’t changed much with age. 

And before you could make any attempt to defend yourself, your sister answered, “Yup! She told me all about it on our way here!”

“Oh yeah?” Minho scooped her into his arms and asked, “What else did she say about me?”

“Ummmmm.” Your sister hummed as she tried to remember. Then, smiling maniacally, she recalled, “She said you’re the really cute boy from across the street!” She leaned in to whisper in his ear, “I think she really likes you.”

Meanwhile, your little brother  had heard enough. He remained in the car, his arms crossed, until he heard Minho ask your sister if he should be your boyfriend. When your sister responded with an enthusiastic nod, his jaw dropped. He really didn’t want to, but he would have to get out of the car— to protect you. 

Minho put your sister down, presumably to confess to you; but he hadn’t even said a word when a cookie smacked him across the face. Perplexed, and slightly irritated, he wheeled around to find your brother scowling at him. 

“Oh, hi, buddy—”

“Don’t buddy me.” Your brother stomped his foot. He pointed his finger and accused, “You only agreed to watch me so you could give my sister your cooties!”

Through your laughter, you asked, “Is that true, Minho?”

Minho’s eye twitched as he wondered aloud, “Is that kid some kind of genius or something?”

“I’ll never let you date my sister,” your brother swore. “Never—”

He paused only when your sister clapped her hand over his mouth. “Hush!” She begged. “Y/N has to marry Minho— they pinky promised! You’re ruining everything!”

Once the children were fully immersed in their bickering, Minho turned toward you and scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. Chuckling, he said, “Well, I guess you know I like you now. Never thought that would be revealed by a kid, but I guess stranger things have happened.”

“Minho— I kind of already knew you liked me,” you admitted and rubbed his shoulder comfortingly. “Nothing else could compel you to want to take care of these goobers.” You gestured to your little siblings, who were now arguing over who got to eat the cookie now lying in the grass. “Don’t let them eat that— and if you make it through the night, I guess I’ll go out on one date.”

“Babe, I’m right here.”

His eyes lighted on you and the biggest grin split across his face as he ran to you with actual open arms. 

“Y/N!”

You ducked back in the bathroom, closing the door, to avoid him and finish your nighttime ritual.

“Y/N?? Where’d you go???”

You heard a thud outside the door and then little scratches that reminded you of a cat - except you didn’t have a cat. 

Cleaning up after yourself, you finally opened the door again, only to have an unbalanced Minho fall against your legs. Apparently he’d been trying to listen through the door?

“Y/N you’re back!”

“Minho I was just getting ready for bed. Did you have fun with the guys?” you asked as you tried to help him up off the floor, then walk him back to the front to hang up his jacket and put up his shoes. 

He was wrapped around you as soon as his jacket was off, toeing out of his shoes lazily. You just sighed and started leading him back towards the bathroom.

“Did you know that Taemin is all grown up now?? I mean he’s all grown up!”

“I know babe, that’s what happens when you’re around someone for as long as you guys have been.”

“But I mean he even ordered the drinks for us. He knows drinks! He’s so grown up!”

You just gave him a “mhmm” as you helped him sit down on the closed toilet, grabbing his toothbrush and prepping it for him before handing it off.

“Brush.”

“And he even talked about his - “

“Brush Minho!”

He saluted you with the toothbrush before putting it in his mouth and brushing slowly. You started running the sink faucet to get a good temperature. When he had rinsed out his mouth, you helped hold him as he kind of washed his face.

You say kind of because it was definitely not a thorough job, but it was good enough for the night.

“Alright babe, bed.”

“Buuuut Y/NNN -”

“Nope! Bed.” you said, helping him to sit on your comforter and tossing his pajamas at his face.

As he changed, you crawled in on your side. When he was ready, you pulled back the covers for him and patted the bed.

His face lit up like a kid in a candy store.

“Bedtime cuddles?” ha asked, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. 

You rolled your eyes, wondering why he was always like this when he drunk because you guys cuddled all the time regardless.

“Yes Minho, bedtime cuddles.”

He dove, literally dove, into your side as he snuggled up.

Not that he would admit it all the time, but he totally loved when you were the big spoon or one who got cuddled into. And you can’t say you minded, especially when he was this cute, rubbing his cheek into your shoulder.

You ran your fingers through his hair as you waited for his breathing to even out. You thought it finally had when you heard him speak.

“You know, you’re the best.”

You chuckled as a response, causing him to rise up on his elbows to look you right in the eyes.

“No I mean it, Y/N. I love you. I am so lucky to have you.” he said, smiling down at you.

You just smiled back, bumping his nose with yours before pulling his head back down to your chest.

“I love you too, Minho.” you said, like you did every time.

And now that he’d gotten that off his chest, your cute, clingy cuddler finally fell sound asleep. You closed your eyes to follow, hoping you could doze off before his snoring picked up. While normally soft and cute, when he drank it got as loud as a bulldozer.

And as much as you loved him, you didn’t want to be kept awake by that.

//