Chapter Text
NINE
When Minho and Namjoon arrived, albeit slightly early, at the address Jisung had sent, the doorbell of the apartment building was broken. Minho had to text Chan to let him know they had arrived and kindly ask him to let them in. Less than two minutes later, it was Jisung who opened the main door and greeted them with that huge, heart-shaped smile, before leading them inside the building to Chan’s apartment.
Namjoon sent Minho a quick look, raising an eyebrow, as if saying “so that’s him”. Jisung was delighted to be introduced to Namjoon, and Minho seriously considered the pros and cons of first degree murder when his bodyguard mentioned, as they were in the elevator, how often he talked about Jisung.
— Really ? he said with a cocky smile, his eyes finding Minho’s. And what does His Royal Highness have to say about me ?
At this moment, Minho thought that the solution to all of his problems might be his complete removal from existence. And if he could take Namjoon in Hell with him, he gladly would.
— Most of the time it’s to complain about how annoying you are.
— He’s hopelessly in love with you.
If a look could kill, Namjoon would be dead.
— For legal reasons I am obliged to clarify that this is a joke, Minho said.
— Your life is a joke, Namjoon whispered low enough that Jisung probably missed it.
And okay, fair . He was not wrong. But before he could argue more, Jisung stopped in front of the number 8B and opened the front door. Immediately, a suspicious smell of something burning reached their noses, and loud voices could be heard arguing.
The three of them hastily took off their shoes and followed the voices to the kitchen, where a very much burned pizza was resting on the counter. It turned out that the voices arguing belonged to Chan and Changbin, the former loudly accusing the latter of pizza slaughter.
— I told you not to let it cook for too long, and what did you do ?
— It’s not my fault you messed up the settings of the oven !
— If you were paying attention, like I asked you to , you would have seen that it was cooked !
— Woah, what’s going on ? Jisung intervened before somebody died.
— Changbin let the pizza burn so now we have to order take out.
Changbin opened his mouth to protest.
— Well that’s okay too, Jisung said. I don’t even know why you bothered to try and make pizza by yourself, we all knew it would end up like this. We’re honestly lucky that your kitchen hasn’t burned with it.
Minho smiled at Chan and Changbin’s reluctant admission. The two rappers finally noticing his and Namjoon’s arrival, quickly apologised for the disturbance. Introductions were made, and Namjoon refrained himself from embarrassing Minho again. Thank God for that.
The living room — which Minho recognised from some of their vlogs — was empty when Changbin led them to the well-used couch. After disposing of the remains of the poor overcooked pizza, Chan soon joined them.
— How was your day ? Jisung asked.
— Good, actually. We visited a school, the kids were adorable.
— Yeah, he knows, Changbin said. He followed Twitter threads the entire afternoon, waiting for updates.
The revelation, and the blush creeping up Jisung’s cheeks, made Minho’s stomach jump weirdly. Fighting his own blush back down, Minho decided to mask his (stupid, stupid ) odd and unidentified feelings the way he often did.
— Really ? he smirked. You missed me that much ?
— I was not stalking you ! I was simply keeping myself updated on your activities ! And it’s not my fault that stupid white shirt suited you so well and I needed another angle to see it clearly. All of you, stop smiling like that, I’m telling the truth. It was for science. Just for science.
Unable to keep it down, Minho burst out laughing, and was quickly followed by Namjoon, Chan and Changbin. Jisung, now red as a tomato, jumped on his feet when his phone rang, displaying her mother’s contact, and left the living room claiming he hated them all.
— Saved by the bell, Jisungie ! Chan exclaimed.
Jisung shouted back a simple and effective “Fuck you all !” before he slammed the front door shut behind him.
**********
Although Jisung had promised him a “quiet” evening, there was not much quiet left once everyone had arrived. The sorrowful episode of the decimated pizza forgotten, a joyful ruckus settled. Almost twenty people somehow managed to fit into Chan’s living room and the smell of perfectly unburned pizza replaced the stench of carbonised pizza. Minho struck a conversation with Changbin’s mother, and Namjoon left his side when Jisung shyly approached him, a glass of apple juice in his hands.
— I’ve got to say, I was surprised when I found out that you liked Binnie’s music, she was saying. No offence, but you rather look like someone who would listen to classical music.
Minho muffled a laugh, and shrugged.
— You know, my brother is obsessed with Twice, he said. If you were to suddenly blast a random Twice song anywhere he might hear it, he would start dancing on the spot because he knows every single one of their choreographies by heart.
— Really ?
— Yes, he almost cried last time they held a concert in Seoul and he couldn’t attend because of an official visit to Japan. We’re normal people too.
Changbin’s mother studied him for a couple of seconds, and then grinned, nodding her head, as though pleased by his answer.
— However, Minho added, please never mention what I just said to Yongbok were you to meet him. He swore me to secrecy.
— Oh, I won't, you don’t need to worry.
— Oops, too late ! Changbin’s voice suddenly interjected.
Minho turned around and saw Changbin, who without any doubt overheard his conversation with his mother, typing something on his phone at a relentless pace. Minho’s heart missed a beat.
— Seo Changbin, what are you doing ?
The rapper looked up, a smirk on his face, and held up his phone. He had Twitter opened, and the screen was displaying a Tweet he had just now posted. Minho took a step forward to make it out, and sighed when he read “So @LeeYongBok is ‘obsessed’ with @JYPETWICE and knows all of their choreos ? What an amazing piece of information, thank you @LeeMinHo for sharing with the class”
Slowly, Minho shifted his gaze to meet Changbin’s playful eyes.
— I’ve already Tweeted about it. And, oh look ! he said as he checked his likes and replies. Your brother has already seen it. Looks like that fundraiser is boring, after all.
Minho blinked, and excused himself in advance to Changbin’s mother for murdering his son. In his grand generosity, he even proposed to pay for the funeral. As he was getting his phone out of his pocket, hoping to make some damage control, Changbin shrugged and laughed, proud of himself. Minho easily found his Tweet and his brother’s reply.
**********
Spear B @jutdwae
So @LeeYongBok is ‘obsessed’ with @JYPETWICE and knows all of their choreos ? What an amazing piece of information, thank you @LeeMinHo for sharing with the class
Lee Yong Bok @LeeYongBok
@LeeMinHo you dare snitch on me like that ? You betrayed your own blood without any hesitation ?
Lee Min Ho @LeeMinHo
It was a private conversation Seo Changbin was not a part of. I wouldn’t even dream of disclosing your secrets to a pauper like him.
Lee Yong Bok @LeeYongBok
But now my darkest secret is out to the world, all of that because of your carelessness. It is only fair that I return the favour and exclusively reveal that you had a crush on Taemin from SHINee when you were sixteen.
Lee Min Ho @LeeMinHo
You promised you’d die before telling anyone
Lee Yong Bok @LeeYongBok
And you promised you’d never tell anyone how many hours I spent in your studio learning Twice choreos but here we are. All men do is lie
**********
Before Minho could think of a reply to his brother — and a revenge sweet enough to make up for the fact that he shamelessly exposed him to the entire internet — Jisung’s voice pulled him out of his Twitter thread. Minho’s plans for revenge to both Changbin and Yongbok will have to wait.
— Minho hyung ? he said. Do you have a minute ?
Minho quickly pocketed his phone, sent a polite and apologetic smile to Changbin’s mother and a death glare to her son, before turning his attention to the young rapper. Jisung was standing awkwardly behind Changbin, his hands clutched around what looked like a black box.
— Of course, Minho replied with a smile. What’s up ?
Minho’s poor heart leapt in his chest when Jisung took a step forward and grabbed his hand, intertwining their fingers, to lead him away from the noise of the living room. Minho’s brain short-circuited when his eyes landed on their joined hands. He refused to dwell too much on it, preferring to look away. Which proved to be a bad idea, as he was immediately met with the perceptive gaze of Jisung’s older brother.
Thankfully for Minho’s heart and sanity, the walk to the balcony, where Jisung was seemingly taking them, was short. They soon slipped outside, and Jisung closed the door behind them, effectively cutting off the noise from the apartment. Their hands fell apart, and Minho tried to stifle the weird feeling that awfully looked like regret.
He leaned his back to the railing and tilted his head, waiting for Jisung to start speaking. It didn’t take long. Minho had noticed that Jisung tended to ramble quite a lot when he was nervous — which he definitely was if his fingers tapping against whatever he was holding were anything to go by.
— Listen, I don’t know if you remember the day we met. Even though we didn’t technically meet that day, because we didn’t see each other properly then, so it’s rather the day we started texting ? But anyway, I don’t know if you remember it, because it was kinda a long time ago, so I don’t…
— I do not have that much of a short memory, Jisung.
— Yeah, anyway, so we started texting and all. I’m just gonna stop talking now.
Jisung awkwardly smiled, and handed Minho the box wrapped in black wrapping paper. Minho took it in his hands, confused. And then it clicked. Minho broke into a grin and exhaled loudly.
— Did you really…
— Just open it.
And Minho did. He carefully took off the tape holding the wrapping paper together, to reveal a rectangular white box. A picture of three figures sitting on a wall against the light was printed right in the centre. The word Horizon was written above the three silhouettes, in the blue sky above their heads. Written in Jisung’s lopsided handwriting, Minho could read “To HRH Prince Minho, as promised ;). I’ll make sure to send you an invitation to our first concert <3”. Below were the three signatures of 3RACHA.
Minho was speechless. To be perfectly honest, he did not expect Jisung to go along with his request. His eyes lingered a second too long on the little heart Jisung had doodled on the cover of the album.
— You’re officially the first person to receive their copy of our album, Jisung proudly announced. A little less than an hour before release.
— Thank you, he whispered, looking up. I’ll cherish it forever.
— I hope you’ll like it.
— I’m sure I will.
Jisung had moved to lean against the railing next to him while he was opening the wrapping paper. He was smiling. He was beautiful. His black hair was flying slightly in the cool evening wind. His eyes were shining with pride, and something Minho could not exactly place but that made his whole face lit up. He let his eyes wander freely on Jisung’s face for a second, making out his soft features. His gaze detailed his round cheeks, his small nose, his hazel boba eyes, his straight eyebrows, the beauty mark right above his upper lip, the piercing dangling from his ear.
Minho’s eyes stopped on Jisung’s mouth. On his plump lower lip and his heart-shaped upper lip. Minho wondered how they would feel against his own. How they would taste. How Jisung’s mouth would feel against his skin. How his tongue would feel in his own mouth. How Jisung’s hands would feel on his body.
— Hyung ?
Jisung’s voice brutally pulled him out of his contemplative state. In utter horror, Minho realised he had unconsciously moved closer to Jisung. He blinked, fast, his eyes jumping away from the young producer’s mouth as he hurriedly took a step back. Shit. Shit, fuck. No, shit, fuck, please no. This could not be happening. He could not let himself catch feelings for Jisung. He was not allowed to. He needed to come back to his senses before he fell too hard and inevitably got hurt in the process.
He could not have Jisung. Never. His position did not allow him to. His stupid heart needed to understand this once for all. And it also needed to fucking slow down because surely it was not normal to be beating this furiously against his ribcage.
— Are you alright ?
Minho blinked, hard and fast, and forced his lips into a soft smile, trying to ignore his pounding and longing heart, his eyes meeting Jisung’s worried gaze.
— Yes, he said. Thank you so much for this.
Jisung beamed, and opened his mouth to speak. Before he could get the words out, however, the door to the balcony slid open to reveal Jihun, Jisung’s older brother. His lips were curved into an uptight smile, and he was staring directly at Minho, who felt his heart stopping in his chest. So much for slowing down.
— Hi, he said.
— Hi hyung, Jisung smiled.
— Could I have a word with you, your highness ? In private, he added with a pointed look in Jisung’s direction.
Oh, god. Minho was fucked. Did he have some kind of superpower and was he able to see right through Minho ? Jihun was definitely going to throw him off the balcony if he had access to his brain. What was he supposed to say in this kind of situation ?
— Of course, Minho blurted out.
However, Jisung did not seem pleased. He frowned, visibly confused.
— Why ? What’s going on ?
— Nothing you need to worry about, Jihun smiled.
Minho was worried though. He swallowed when Jisung looked between him and his brother for a couple of seconds, before shrugging and getting back inside Chan’s living room, sliding the door closed behind him. Jihun’s smile melted, his eyes staring right through Minho’s soul.
And listen, Minho was trying to keep his cool. He really was. But he became aware of the true nature of his feelings for Jisung thirty seconds ago — and he was definitely going to freak out to Namjoon about that later — and now his older brother was coming at him. He buried his hands in his pockets to hide their shiver.
— Jisung talks about you a lot, Jihun started.
Minho looked up, meeting his eyes. They were unreadable.
— He likes you a lot too. More than he thinks he likes you, I believe. Jisung has a heart bigger than what’s good for him, and I would hate to see him getting hurt. I’m sure you understand my position, you have a little brother too after all. So if you break his heart, future king or not, I’ll make sure you regret it. Did I make myself clear ?
Minho let out a shaky breath. He attempted to give Jihun a confident nod the best he could, trying to forget the fact that he had just threatened him (it was probably written somewhere that threatening a prince was high treason. Whatever. Minho was not really an etiquette guy).
— Very clear, he whispered.
Jihun studied him for a while longer before nodding. He wished him a good evening, a courtesy Minho was unable to reciprocate, and went back inside, leaving him alone on the balcony.
Minho initially wanted to stay here for a moment to collect himself, but the cold March evening chased him back inside as well. He caught sight of Jisung, already speaking with his brother, but otherwise kept his head low, navigating through the mass of bodies discreetly to Chan’s kitchen. He closed the door behind him and took a deep breath.
Minho was fucked. Utterly and definitely fucked. Not only did he catch feelings for someone he would never be able to build a relationship with, but he also managed to get his protective older brother against him. Not that he blamed Jihun. If their roles were reversed, he probably would have acted the same way. At the end of the day, everything would be much easier if his stupid heart knew how to control itself.
The door to the kitchen was thrown open. Minho spinned around. A young man was staring back at him with wide eyes and an empty glass in his hand. Minho felt his blood freeze in his veins when his eyes landed on the dog printed on the boy’s grey hoodie. The same dog, on the same hoodie. Not the same person, though. This boy was not Yang Jeongin. It was simply a coincidence. They both happened to own the same hoodie, nothing more.
— Oh, the boy said. I, uhm, I didn’t think anyone would be here. I’m just, uh, here for some water. I’m Seungmin, by the way.
Oh. Minho could only watch as the boy — the infamous Kim Seungmin apparently — filled his glass with water and took a sip. This was Jisung’s friend, he had to remind himself. He wouldn’t do anything to him. Just because he owned the same hoodie as Yang Jeongin did not mean he would suddenly pull out a knife and attack him or something. Minho would be fine. It was just a hoodie for the love of God, Seungmin was perfectly innocent.
— You know, I thought you’d be taller, he said without looking up.
Okay, that was enough. Maybe Seungmin was not as innocent as he initially thought.
— And I thought you’d be classier, Minho fired back with a pointed look at Seungmin’s grey hoodie.
That god damned hoodie. Seungmin looked up, a blank look on his face. They studied each other for a second, both trying to get the upper hand on their silent glaring contest.
— Your brother was right when he said you look intimidating at first, Seungmin finally said without breaking eye contact.
— Are you implying that I’m intimidating you ?
— No. But I can see why people feel impressed.
— Thank you.
— It wasn’t a compliment.
— I consider it as a compliment.
— You’re weird.
— So are you, from what I’ve heard.
Seungmin said nothing, and simply studied him for a while longer. Minho blinked and slightly tilted his head to the side. They stared blankly into each other’s eyes, none of them willing to be the first to look away. Keeping his gaze locked onto Seungmin’s eyes also allowed Minho to avoid seeing that godforsaken hoodie.
— Oh, you’re both here, great ! Chan’s voice suddenly interrupted them. Come on, it's almost midnight, we’re gonna watch the MV.
Seungmin looked somewhere over Minho’s shoulder where Chan must be standing, and smiled.
— Coming right up ! It was a pleasure to properly meet you, your highness, he added with a smirk in Minho’s direction.
— Just Minho is fine.
Without further ado, they followed Chan out of the kitchen. Once they were back in the living room, Minho caught Jisung’s worried glance and Namjoon’s raised eyebrow in interrogation. He not-so-wisely chose to ignore both of them, and took a seat next to Choi Yeonjun — God knows how Changbin and him knew each other — who almost spilled his drink all over himself when he made eye contact with Minho.
Minho politely smiled, and as he was opening his mouth to strike a conversation, Changbin loudly announced that midnight had come, and that it was therefore time to discover the album they had put so much work into.
When the music video began, Minho felt the all-too familiar presence of Namjoon behind him.
— You and I need to talk, he said, low enough for Minho to be the only one to hear him. I think you have some stuff to tell me.
Well, this was going to be an interesting conversation for sure.