#unkownxmc

https://www.webtoons.com/en/challenge/baby-its-cold-outside-mystic-messenger-parody/list?title_no=336745

Part one can be found here: here

--

“What do I even do with these?”

MC stood at the kitchen counter frowning at the pile of half-eaten bags of Honey Buddah Chips that littered the surface. So far she had counted twelve. Well. Staring at them wasn’t going to clean up the mess any, she chided herself silently. And if she knew Saeyoung at all he would just leave these until the next time she came over…or until Saeran got fed up with his brother’s slovenly ways and picked them up himself. Lifting a few up to determine which was the lightest, she contemplated pouring them into one or two bags.

“Just throw them away. He’s going to open a new bag when he’s hungry anyway.”

The suddenness of the voice by her ear caused her to jump. The half-full bags fell from her hands and scattered across the linoleum, spilling what was left of their contents along the way.

“Jesus, Saeran!” MC whirled to look at the twin, a hand on her chest as if to catch her heart from rocketing out of her chest. “You can’t just sneak up on me like that.”

“I wasn’t sneaking.” Saeran broke his gaze then, looking off to the side as a faint dusting of pink colored his expression. He shoved his hands into his pockets and turned his body away from her, leaning back against the fridge. Seeing him flush drew warmth to MC’s cheeks as well. She hadn’t meant to be harsh with him.

“Sorry.” Tearing her gaze away from him she peered down at the yellow chips that were scattered around her feet. Exhaling a soft breath she willed a warm smile to her lips despite the embarrassment that thrummed threw her. “You just caught me by surprise.”

“You’re not keyed up from that movie, are you?”

MC caught the sidelong glance he threw at her; the way the corner of his mouth ticked upwards in a smirk belaying the monotone of his voice. That smirk did things to her. Feeling her face burn even more she pretended to ignore the look and knelt down to pick up the chips before they were ground into dust. Or before Saeyoung came in to moan about losing some of his precious chips.

“Oh, please. We both know that you’re going to be the one sleeping with the light on tonight.” She teased back, not quite able to look up yet at him. Instead, she focused on scooping up the scattered chips on the floor and shoveling them back into the now-empty bag. Saeran huffed as he knelt next to her and began to help her. A silence settled over the pair as they worked together to clean up the kitchen. Without looking she could sense exactly where he was. Her mind swirled as she fought with her feelings. She wondered how awkward she was making their friendship. It wasn’t fair for her to feel these things towards him when he was just working at recovering. But she couldn’t help the swirl of tension that ran through her stomach whenever he was close.

A sudden warmth on her hand pulled her from her thoughts. Saeran’s fingers curled tentatively around hers, intercepting MC as she reached for the final chip.

“Hey.”

Eyes widening, MC’s attention snapped to her friend’s face. Saeran was peering at her with the same careful, inscrutable. Save for the faint blush that dusted his pale cheeks and colored the tops of his ears. Narrowed mint eyes observed her with a gentleness that undermined the mask of neutrality he normally sheltered behind. The look made her stomach twist.

“What?” Oh, God— I’m so awkward. The thought thrilled through her, threatening to pull her away from the moment and send her spiraling into an anxiety echo chamber. Saeran’s hand shifted. His fingers slipped upward to gain further purchase on her hand, his thumb rubbing gentle circles along her palm. The unexpected sensation reeled her back into the moment. Heat creeped up into her cheeks as her gaze dropped down to their clasped hands.

“Where did you go?”

“Go?” Panic. Were her feelings that apparent? “I’m right here. I— It’s just late. Tiredness is catching up to me, that’s it.”

She attempted a smile, hoping it would lend some credence to her words. Saeran arched an eyebrow at her, his mouth quirking to one side. But he didn’t press the issue. Instead he rose to his feet and tugged her along with him.

“It is getting late. C’mon. I’ll take you home.”

This offer caught her by surprise. Normally it was Saeyoung who offered to chauffeur her around. Certainly Saeran was with him more often than not, but this was the first time he had offered to take her by himself. The prospect filled her with equal parts excitement and dread. She needed to get herself together. Her friend was offering to drive her home. Was that really a big deal? The butterflies in her stomach seemed to think so.

--

When MC and Saeran emerged from the kitchen they found Saeyoung sprawled across the couch with one leg kicked over the back. He was idly scrolling through something on his phone.

“How are you even comfortable like that?” Saeran walked towards the couch and roughly pushed his brother’s leg off the back.

“Hey!” Saeyoung protested. “I was just keeping it warm until you got back.” Pocketing his phone he popped up with a broad grin. “What should we watch next?”

“Gross.” Saeran rolled his eyes. Shoving his hands in his pockets he shook his head at his brother. “It’s late. I’m taking MC home.”

“Ohhohoho~ Are you?”

MC shifted uncomfortably under Saeyoung’s teasing gaze. She knew that spark of mischief that was currently lighting up her friend’s eyes and nothing good ever came of it. Funny, perhaps, but not ‘good’.

“Shut it. Let us borrow a car.”

From the especially salty expression that Saeran was wearing it seemed that his brother’s mood wasn’t lost on him. Saeyoung cackled in the face of Saeran’s death glare.

“Aww~~But it is past my babies’ bedtime! You can’t disturb their beauty sleep! Let’s have a slumber party instead.” There was a slight pause where Saeyoung’s golden eyes narrowed and peered thoughtfully at MC. A cheshire cat-like grin blossoming on his lips. “It’ll be fun! MC, I’ve got some shirts you can—“ Saeyoung was interrupted by his brother’s hand being thrust in front of his face, palm upward.

“Give me a key or I’m going to hot wire the one I want. Your choice.” The serious note in Saeran’s voice was enough to douse Seven’s good mood.

“WAH! OK OK! FINE!” It just took a moment before he fished a keyring out of his pocket, all the while grousing about his babies being threatened. “Geeze. You can’t take take a joke, baby brother.”

Turning abruptly, Saeran didn’t waste time heading towards the garage. MC scurried after him. Behind them Saeyoung yelled a parting shot from the couch.

“I still think a slumber part would've been more fun!”

--

The car ride passed in relative silence. The soft drone of some station that Saeyoung had left the radio on filled the air between the two, pushing back at the silence. MC leaned back into the passenger seat peering out at the city as they wound their way through the rainy streets. Water pooled and raced on the windows in turns as they sailed along the relatively empty roads. It caught the light; shimmering as droplets sped across the glass.

When they reached MC’s building Saeran insisted on following her up to her door to make sure she arrived safely. She only made half-hearted attempts to discourage him from it. Really, she was thankful for the extra time she was getting with Saeran, however short. It wasn’t often that just the two of them got to spend time together. Usually they had Saeyoung there to act as a bridge. Or a safety net. Someone to relieve these little moments of tension.

“Thanks for coming all this way.” MC smiled warmly up at Saeran. She fumbled through her bag for a moment before she managed to unearth her keys. She slipped them into the dead bolt of her door. “Next time we can watch whatever you want, okay? I know that these B movies aren’t really your thing.”

“MC.”

“Hmm?”

The door to her apartment opened with a click as Saeran’s quiet voice sounded her name. She turned to look at her friend only to realize that he was much closer than she expected. And soon he was closer still as he bridged the gap between them; brushing his lips lightly against hers in a feather light kiss. His fingers once again sought out hers, lightly squeezing her fingertips before slipping away. A small, satisfied smile played across his lips as MC stared at him agape.Did that just happen?!

“We can watch whatever you want.” Shoving his hands into his pockets he took a step backwards, playing at nonchalance. “Get some sleep. And don’t forget to lock up.”

With that Saeran pivoted on his heel and casually made his way towards the exit. MC stood still, reeling from the rush of emotions that leapt and swirled within her in response to the kiss.

Shock.

Joy.

Embarrassment.

And now he was just walking away?

...Irritation.

“Saeran!”

She yelled his name much louder than’s polite past 3am in an apartment building. But the last thing she was thinking of was her neighbors. MC was rewarded by Saeran stopping in his tracks. Surprised by the sudden outcry, Saeran paused and half turned to look back at MC— who was now racing towards him with furrowed brow and a determined expression. A look of uncertainty crossed his face and he opened his mouth to say something, but before he could get any words out MC flung herself at him and crashed her lips into his. The sudden force sent them both stumbling back into the wall. The shock gave way quickly, however, and he soon was returning the kiss with fervor.

It was MC who broke it this time.

“You don’t get to kiss me and just walk away.” It was hard to maintain any kind of serious expression when he was looking at her with such fondness. Somehow, she managed to persevere.

“No?”

“No.”

“Well.” Saeran leaned forward, his forehead resting against hers. That same satisfied smirk began to twitch at the corners of his lips as he peered at MC with half-lidded eyes. “I thought you were tired.”

It was enough to cause her whole face to flush. She must have been as red as his hair. Untangling herself from him she stepped away, immediately missing the warmth of his body, but the insecurities that pulled at her outweighed the desire to cling to him. What was that? “You’re terrible.” She laughed in spite of herself. When she glanced back up at Saeran he was smiling softly at her. His normally icy mint eyes were filled with such warmth.

“Get some rest.” Reaching his hand out, Saeran tucked a stray lock of hair back behind MC’s ear, his fingertips lingering along her jawline. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

MC’s heart swelled as she watched him back down the hallway a few paces before turning and continuing to the exit. In his absence the hallway felt vast. She stared at the the empty hall, reliving the last precious moments with him.