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⇛ Seoul Sunshine Homes
10:30pm

"So you really think that's a good idea?" Seungmin shook his head, lightly slapping a palm over his face. "And you tried to be so smart about it too; telling us the Thursday after you gave him the okay so we wouldn't have the time to think it over with you. It just- it baffles me how you said yes to spending a day at a man's house- a man who is practically built on-"

"Okay stop right there," Felix glared softly at the younger, shaking his head. "Chan is getting better, Minnie. And he made a pretty valid point about us getting comfortable with each other. I honestly see nothing wrong in spending a day out with him," he shrugged nonchalantly, slumping back into the sofa. "Besides, I can speak up for myself. So if he does cross the line, I'll not hesitate to stop him."

"If you say so," Seungmin thinned his lips, nudging his boyfriend's arm for some sort of input into the trio's conversation. "You okay, Jinnie?"

"Yeah I'm fine, just tired," Hyunjin lied, faking a yawn. "I mean, if Felix knows what he's about, I think he should do it," he looked over at the younger, nodding when Felix smiled at his comment. "If you two admitted to liking each other, then automatically the next step would be like a promotion in the relationship. Usually people would just get together then and there, but I understand that your situation is different."

"Oh so you're suddenly shipping them?" Seungmin snickered as he teased, arching a brow when Hyunjin only huffed out a breath at his question. "You sure you okay, bab-"

"Yeah, Seungmin. I'm just tired," Hyunjin lied again, not even attempting to hide his distaste in their gathering. "I had a rough day, so I just want to sleep," he deadpanned, poking at the inside of his cheek with his tongue. "Is it okay if I go, Min? You could stay with Lixie for the night if you want, but I really need to just freshen up and go to bed."

"Oh- you could do it here if you want," Felix frowned subtly out of slight confusion at his friend's new uninterested demeanor. Sitting up, he pointed to the direction of his bathroom as if the older wasn't aware of its location, hoping that Hyunjin, despite his irritability, would feel comfortable enough to settle down at his friend's house like usual- just to prevent the younger from overthinking the situation. "I have extra clothes, if that's what you're worried about. It's not safe to drive while you're sleepy-"

"No, Lix it's fine, really. I can make it home tonight," Hyunjin smiled softly, tilting to face his boyfriend. "Are you staying, Min?"

"Oh well um- if you're tired then I don't think you'll be awake when I'm ready to be picked up," Seungmin thinned a fake smile, clearly uncomfortable and slightly embarrassed from his boyfriend's sudden desire to head out. "So, Lixie I'll call you when I get home, okay? We can continue talking about it, and yeah, I guess I'll see you tomorrow," he stood up and headed to give the mutual a hug, both furrowing their brows when Hyunjin only marched along to the front door, not sparing the pair a glance.

"Is he okay?" Felix whispered near Seungmin's ear, low voice filled with concern. "It's been a while since I've seen him agitated like this. Did I say something?"

"Of course not, Lix. I don't know what's wrong with him, but I'll fix it, okay?" The younger comforted his friend with one more light squeeze around his torso before letting go, smiling and waving Felix before leaving the apartment. "Have a good night."

-

10:50pm

"Hyunjin now what the fuck was that about?" Seungmin started as soon as they entered their vehicle, becoming even more pissed when his boyfriend only scoffed at his question before driving out of the parking lot. "What is your problem?"

"I don't have a problem," the older spoke with an uncomfortably calm yet sarcastic tone, eyes fixated on the road while both hands were tightly gripped onto the steering wheel. "As I said, I'm just tired."

"Just tired? Really? Why did you act up in front of Felix like that?"

"I just want them to get together already," Hyunjin spat, almost missing a speed bump, frightening his boyfriend with the sharp brake. "I'm sorry- I'll slow down. I just want Felix and Chan to get together, Seungmin. He's been single for so long, so I want that for him?"

"So you were acting up because you want to see Felix in a relationship?" Seungmin arched a brow, vaguely trying to grasp the concept of the older's reasoning. "I don't know, maybe it's because I'm upset and it's late, but I just don't seem to get what you're saying."

"I never get to be with you anymore, Min. And it's starting to get to me," Hyunjin sighed, sighing out of relief when he neared the street of their apartment. "I love him but, it gets tiring. I mean the last time we had sex was that week I planned out for us, and we only did it once because we just didn't have the time to get everything I planned out done. And do you know why our plans had to be canceled like that? Because we had to be there for Felix, or in rarer cases, we were too tired from work. It's just- I miss you..."

"Hyunjin, we see each other everyday. We eat breakfast and have dinner together... where is all of this coming from?"

"Seungmin even when we're not with Felix, our conversation is still Felix," Hyunjin clenched his jaw, almost slamming on the brake when he pulled into the parking lot of their apartment. "When he was with Changbin even though he was still a bit clingy, we had more us time, but I guess it's only because he had someone with him, so he knew how it felt and always wanted to have their time. Look, I know it makes me sound like a dick, but I'm just being honest. I sometimes just want to see and hear about him less, Min."

"Hyunjin-"

"Minnie, it's either we're both at work and come home tired, or we spend our days off and lunch breaks with him, or we talk about his situations and ways to help him all of the time," Hyunjin sighed, sniffling some. "I want to talk about us and our future. I want to spend late nights with you, talking about your day and stuff. The last time we even had a picnic was about two months ago when Felix had just gotten his job, Min. And as much as I practically begged and fought to make the time, we still haven't gotten the chance to have another one."

"But, Hyunjin, why didn't you say this all along? You didn't have to act up like that," Seungmin pouted, resting a hand against his boyfriend's thigh, stroking a finger over the cloth comfortingly. "I- I don't even know what to say."

"Baby it's just- I'm just tired. I had a rough day at work so all my emotions and thoughts came crashing down, and it was hard to hold them back, you know?" Hyunjin sighed, resting a hand over his boyfriend's, stroking his thumb over the younger's knuckles. "I mean even for our bet. You promised me two uninterrupted nights, yet I'm still waiting. I just love you, Min. And I miss you. I know that your responsibility with Felix is much greater than mine since you guys were friends first, but I just need you to be a bit more considerate when it comes to our relationship."

"I- I understand," Seungmin mumbled, looking down and pursing his lips in thought. Hyunjin was right, and he couldn't blame the boy for acting in the way that he did- although the older could have displayed more self control, it was understandable how all his bottled up emotions came crashing down.

And in all honesty, Seungmin couldn't deny the fact that practically all their time and energy went to work and their mutual friend- he couldn't deny the fact that even in their personal conversations, Felix would always pop up one way or the other. And all that dissatisfaction really did exist less when Felix was in a relationship, so Hyunjin was right about that as well.

There was this one seemingly selfish, unwelcome thought though; a conceptualization that that couldn't help but make its way into Seungmin's swamped mind. It made him feel as if they were just thinking about their friend negatively at that point- as if they only cared about themselves and their happiness... but it was reasonable, so Seungmin couldn't help but run his mind over it- he couldn't help but wonder whether or not the reason for Felix being more understanding of their personal space and relationship when he was in his own relationship was because he knew how that felt and understood the importance of those times alone- and whether or not he was only willing to respect their times together on late nights when he himself had that opportunity with someone else.

It seemed insensitive, yes, but it was true.... And only then did Seungmin really ponder on and pin point all of the missing factors in his relationship.

He had to talk to Felix, right? To be a good friend instead of talking behind the older's back. Or maybe- maybe he could just wait for the boy's friendship with the addict to escalate... but what if it never did? Hyunjin had clearly already had enough of the mutual practically being a part of their relationship, so waiting unsurely for that ship to sail would undoubtedly be a risk to the couple's three year relationship.

So Seungmin had to come to a compromise with himself- for his love life. He couldn't give 100% to both Felix and his boyfriend, and Hyunjin in his frustrated mindset would definitely not tolerate 50%... so he had to make up his mind- he had to make it up to Hyunjin.

"Well, first of all... I'm sorry," Seungmin started, frowning and keeping his head lowered to hide his tears from showing under the dome light. "I'm sorry for not prioritizing you, and I promise to do that... from now on. I'll make it up to you by first talking to Felix. I don't know exactly what I'm gonna say yet, or when and where I'm going to say it, but I will. And I'll do it in your presence, so he'll see that you don't hate him or anything."

"Thank you," Hyunjin spoke softly, bringing his free hand to cup his boyfriend's chin, lifting the younger's head gently and frowning at the scattered tears streaming down his lover's cheeks. "Min, why are you crying?"

"Just overwhelmed," Seungmin shrugged, reaching to turn off the light so the older would no longer see and pity his tears. "But I'm okay, I promise. Let's go inside so you can rest."

"Mhm," Hyunjin hummed, leaning in and lightly pecking the other's lips, smirking at how dimly visible Seungmin's blush was despite the darkness in their vehicle. "Are you sure?" He kissed him again, this time completely taking the younger's lips into his, each melting into the touch of the other.

"Mmm... Jinnie," Seungmin released, blushing even harder and fighting to avoid eye contact with the older. "Let's go inside."

"Mhm. And then you can start giving me my winnings from our bet," the blonde winked as they both left the vehicle, snickering when Seungmin landed a light slap on his hand in response to his teasing. "Oh come on, you're acting like you're not going to be on all fours by the time we-"

"Hyunjin," Seungmin slapped the older again, blushing profusely at his remarks. "Stop all his dirty talk outside."

"Okay, okay," Hyunjin smiled softly, entwining their hands together while they strolled side to side, soaking in the last few drops of the night's dew before walking into the building. "Minnie..."

"Hm?"

"I love you, okay? Don't ever forget that."