Chapter Text
“Wow you’re in a mood tonight.” Vernon noticed the grim and tired look on Jihoon’s face as he and Jeonghan entered his apartment.
“We ran into Mingyu and Wooyoung when I went to pick him up.” Jeonghan said, giving him the bag of take out that the two had ordered on the way home.
“And I'm supposed to know who they are?” This was the first time Vernon was hearing these names. Why was meeting them suddenly relevant enough to be mentioned as if just saying their names was an explanation enough?
“Mingyu is Jihoon’s colleague and Wooyoung is Mingyu’s friend.” Jeonghan explained as he made himself comfortable on the couch. Meanwhile Jihoon made his way to his room.
“Right. And anything else I should know about them?”
“I don't know, Nonnie. You should ask the man himself.” Jeonghan said with a shrug.
Ten minutes later, Jihoon finally came back to the living room looking like he was ready to murder someone. He looked just as tired and done after a shower and changing into comfortable clothes.
“Why did you do this hyung?” Jihoon asked without any preamble.
“What did I do, Jihoon-ah?” Jeonghan retorted back with a smirk that only spelled trouble.
“You barely know them.” Was all Jihoon said.
“And I intend to get to know them. What’s so wrong about that?” Jeonghan asked, the smirk not leaving his face.
“What’s wrong is none of you clarifying why the two of you are being divas.” Vernon deadpanned.
“I created a group chat with all of us and added Mingyu and Wooyoung.” Jeonghan finally clarified to which all Vernon did was let out a small ‘Ah’ of understanding though that was far from the truth.
“What’s weird about that? We have so many different random group chats anyway. What’s one more?” Vernon asked, still not really understanding why Jihoon was so against this group chat.
“The kid is asking, Jihoon-ah. What’s one more?” Jeonghan was really taunting Jihoon now and while Jihoon was not a violent person, the thought of smacking the smirk off the elders face was really tempting right now. But all Jihoon did was sigh and take a seat beside Vernon.
“Are you going to finally tell us what’s got you all worked up about this?” Jeonghan asked, sounding genuinely concerned about Jihoon and he didn't doubt the elder on this.
“This is ridiculous. I am a grown adult.” Jihoon said, which caused Jeonghan to smile knowingly.
“You’re realising that just now? You’re nearing 30 hyung.” Vernon teased as he passed them their food. He was starving while waiting for his hyungs to come back home with dinner but apparently they also came home with tea.
“You should stop hanging out with Seungkwan.” Jihoon declared as he dug into his food.
“Okay, maybe I will find someone new to hang out with from that group chat.” Vernon announced making Jihoon groan and Jeonghan chuckle.
“What’s the matter Jihoon-ah?” Jeonghan tried again. He had already drawn a conclusion but he wanted to hear it from the man himself.
“I don't know, hyung. That guy, Mingyu, just brings out these weird things in me. Like that day at the gym I was just minding my own business but then he approached me in that sleeveless shirt and asked me to spot him.”
“What a slut.” Jeonghan added, just to be a menace earning himself a glare from Jihoon.
“Watching him bench press a 80 that easily did things to me, and I’m still in denial.” Jihoon continued as if he wasn't interrupted.
“Were you imagining him lifting you or something? What bothered you so much about it?” Jihoon decided that night that murder was accepted in some circumstances and this time, Jeonghan deserved it.
“Ah, so, you have a crush on him.” Vernon finally understood what was really happening.
“I DO NOT have a crush on him. I am a grown adult.” Jihoon quipped back.
“What does being a grown adult have to do with you having a crush on this Mingyu guy? Crushes are not just for teenagers. You do remember Kwan when was crushing on Chan right?” Vernon reminded them about how annoying Seungkwan was before he started dating him. It’s a miracle none of them started bleeding from their ears.
“I will never be that annoying.” Jihoon promised to himself and them. Just the thought of him acting like Seungkwan sent a shiver down his spine.
“So, you agree that you have a crush on him.” Jeonghan could switch between being an angel to becoming a demon in a matter of seconds that always left Jihoon baffled.
“Whatever.” Jihoon went back to his food, no longer wanting to discuss this.
“Are you ever going to ask him out?” Vernon asking him this made Jihoon pause mid bite. He had not really thought about that. He just thought it was a silly emotion and was ready to bury it. Did he really want to ask Mingyu out?
“No.” Jihoon decided and went back to his food.
“Why not? It’s not like you are his superior. You guys are not even from the same department.” Jeonghan reasoned.
“It’s still too risky. I don't want my personal life to be too intertwined with my day job.” Jihoon explained.
“Sounds like an excuse to me. Are you scared of rejection, hyung?” Vernon should really stop hanging out with Seungkwan. He is turning into a brat just like him.
“Why would I be scared? I just think he likes someone else.”
“Who? And how do you know that?” Jeonghan argued back, he was relentless.
“I don't know. It’s just a feeling that I have.”
“You liking him is also a feeling you have. Why won't you act on that but will act on the ‘feeling’ that he likes someone else?” Vernon
“Stop trying to outsmart me.” Jihoon was pouting despite trying his best to not. He was not liking being attacked on all sides especially on friday evening, though to be honest, he doesn't know what it being a friday evening has to do with it but its not fair for him.
“You’re just being dumb this time.” Jeonghan pointed out not so helpfully looking all the more like the responsible hyung that he was sometimes.
“Let’s just eat. I’m tired and have lots of work.” Jihoon was done with any sort of conversation, wanting to just be done with dinner and enter his peaceful zone. Having these talks and thoughts were only bound to reduce his productivity.
“It's a Friday evening. Almost weekend.” Jeonghan pointed out yet again and honestly Jihoon knew what his friends thought of his lifestyle but he couldn't care any less about it. He liked the life he was living and was happy with the way most things were.
“And I got deadlines.”
“Don't die, hyung.” was all the concern Vernon managed to convey before Jihoon locked himself in his room.
________________
Jihoon waited outside the main gate like Mingyu asked him to, he checked his phone a couple of times, opening and closing his chat with Mingyu. He hated how robotic he sounded while replying to him. Mingyu was nowhere to be seen and he was close to calling him but he refrained from it, he didn’t want to look desperate.
“Jihoon-ssi?” A tall and well-built figure walked towards him, he reminded of Mingyu in so many ways. He smiled widely, resembling a soft bunny. “Hello hyungnim.” He bowed.
“Jungkook-ssi?” Jihoon bowed back to him. Jungkook nodded in response, his smile never wavering. “Please, you can just call me hyung.”
“Sure hyung, you can call me just Jungkook.”
Jihoon noticed that Jungkook too was sporting a lip ring. What’s with Mingyu’s friends and lip rings? “Right. Where is Mingyu?”
“He didn’t tell you? He went early with Youngie to help Wonu hyung.”
“Oh…” Jihoon did not know that. “You came all the way here to pick me up?”
“Sort of?” Jungkook said, sheepishly. “Seokmin’s place is close by so we’ll also be picking him up on the way.”
“You didn’t have to, Jungkook.” Jihoon sighed. This was not at all part of his plan, not that he had it all pinned down. He was waiting for an opportunity like this to spend time with Mingyu, organically. Now he was inconveniencing Mingyu’s friend.
“It’s really nothing hyung. Let’s go?”
Jihoon got in the passenger seat reluctantly, if only he had known that Mingyu wasn’t going to be there he would’ve chosen to get there by himself. Jungkook was practically a stranger at the end of the day and he was getting in his car to pick up basically another stranger, he was slowly getting uncomfortable with the whole ordeal.
“We have one more person joining us, that’s ok right?”
“Sure, it’s your car…” Jihoon sat up straight, he took a deep breath hoping to calm his nerves. He needed to think straight in order to pay attention to what Jungkook was saying.
“Ah hyung, please. Make yourself comfortable. We’ll reach there in less than an hour even with the traffic, the sound system is all yours.”
Jihoon wordlessly pulled out his phone and connected his phone to the car, he hit play on one of his spotify playlist, music has always helped ground him and maybe this could help.
“It’s been so long since I heard this!” Jungkook sounded like a kid at a candy store finally finding the exact flavour of chocolate he has been craving.
“Their new music has been pretty good too…” Jihoon trying to make small talk made him feel put on the spot yet again, but at least they were talking about music, Jihoon can hold a conversation about music.
“Let me know if you want some peace and quiet because once we pick those 2 up, you aren’t getting any.” Jungkook chuckled. Jihoon was grateful that he was given the choice, Jungkook must’ve figured that he doesn’t do well around strangers.
“Who’s the other?” Jihoon willed himself to ask.
“Rey, she’s stuck at work sadly. Let’s hope she comes out on time.”
After a few minutes of driving silently, peacefully, with the low hum of music in the background, Jihoon tried to ground himself. Jungkook pulled into a parking lot, he was nice enough to keep the AC running.
“Where are we?” Jihoon asked.
“Rey’s office, apparently Seokmin came here after work,” Jungkook shook his head, finding the pair ridiculous. “They keep making plans to hang out even until the last minute.”
There was a sudden series of knocks on the window and Jihoon’s heart skipped a couple of beats. “Open up, FBI.” A voice boomed from Jungkook’s side, who just rolled his eyes in response.
“Yah!” Jungkook laughed after his initial shock wore off. “Get in the back.” He instructed. Jihoon looked back, he saw both the sides of the door opening and 2 figures getting in. He figured they were Seokmin and Rey.
“Shit I’m sorry” The girl, who was probably Rey, said. “I didn’t know we had company.”
“I’m so sorry,” Seokmin bowed after putting on his seat belt. “I’m Seokmin and this is Rey.” Rey bowed and threw a peace sign.
“I’m Jihoon, Mingyu’s friend.” Jihoon bowed to them, he didn’t know what else to do at that point.
“Ahh, so you’re him, nice to meet you Jihoon-ssi.” Rey bowed again.
“Why are you being awkward?” Jungkook giggled looking back at her.
“You’re the weirdo, just drive.” Rey kicked his seat harmlessly and Jungkook obeyed and started reversing the car out the parking lot.
Jungkook was right, Jihoon thought. Seokmin and Rey in the back seat chatted so much and so fast it was hard to keep up to what they were saying. Jungkook smiled apologetically to Jihoon and raised the volume up.
“Are all his friends like this?” Jihoon asked quietly.
“Like what exactly?” Jungkook did not sound defensive, or at least tried his best not to. Jihoon was observant enough to pick it up.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that… I mean, are they all extroverts?” Jihoon hoped he sounded sincere and not like a douche bag. He was off to a great start.
“Sexy extroverts, now tattoos and lip rings are making rounds.” Rey responded from the back.
“I’m never getting either of that.” Seokmin said.
“It’ll add at least 5000 aura points, trust me.”
Jihoon lost track after that, he wondered what aura points meant along with almost everything they said after that. Just when he started thinking about how long this car ride was taking, Jungkook drove inside the venue and found a decent parking spot that wasn’t too far away from one of the entry gates.
Jihoon was baffled by the sheer amount of people that had come to the stadium, it took a minute to realise that he was in a stadium. Jihoon marvelled at the rows and rows of the audience seated, there were four giant screens in front of them showing the main menu of the game, the stage was lit up completely and some form of a light show going on where the lights changed according to the beat of the song.
“Rey please don’t get lost, everybody hold hands if you have to.” Seokmin sounded like every bit of the school teacher he was. Jihoon was still orienting himself to the noise and the sheer amount of people.
“Sorry, forgot to introduce myself properly. I’m Rey, a corporate slave!” She bowed and Jihoon smiled, bowing back. “Sorry if we got on your nerves earlier, I met Seokmin after ages and we went off the rails a little bit.” Rey added apologetically.
“Please don’t, it’s fine. I’m Jihoon, and I think you know that I work as a professor.” Jihoon looked around trying to find his friends, he really needed to get closer to someone he knew before he started to get more nervous.
“I think Jungkook knows how to get to the others.” Seokmin took a hold of Rey’s sleeves and pulled her to follow him, Jihoon followed the both of them.
“Jihoon hyung!” Seungkwan rushed to his side. “We thought you weren’t gonna come!” Seungkwan handed him a water bottle along with a bag filled with what looked like snacks. Of course he had come prepared.
“We saw Mingyu hyung and thought you ditched us, then Wooyoung mentioned that you were coming with Jungkook hyung, I was worried.”
“I’m fine Seungkwan-ah, relax.” Jihoon uncapped the bottle and chugged almost half of it at one go. He looked around trying to find Mingyu but he was met with Jeonghan’s sly smirk. What now? He rolled his eyes internally. He made his way to sit in between Jeonghan and Joshua which in hindsight wasn’t really the smartest thing to do.
“Mingyu is up front with Wonwoo, apparently. He’ll join us soon.” Joshua said as soon as Jihoon leaned back on the chair to relax.
“And…?” Jihoon hoped he sounded nonchalant.
“Jeonghan was right huh.” Joshua mused and turned to strike up a conversation with his new friend, Seokmin. Jihoon pretended to not know what that meant. They were all seated in one line and he was glad he was at the end of it and among his friends. He noticed how unregulated he was all this while and hoped it wouldn’t get worse.
Jihoon was on his phone trying to look up e-sports related terms so that he wouldn’t feel so lost, everyone else seemed to know what was going on. From the corner of his eyes he spotted Mingyu, if he wasn’t sure of what he saw, he heard Rey scream for him. He shrinked in his seat not wanting to attract any attention to him anymore.
There were multiple rounds and it took almost an hour before Wonwoo’s team were queued to play, he had never seen Vernon this excited and loud, being with Wooyoung and the others must have gotten him excited as well. Jihoon tried his best to keep up with everything that was going on, but he was distracted. More annoyed than distracted.
Somewhere in the middle of all this, Jeonghan had made a move leaving the spot next to him empty, that only lasted a couple of seconds before Mingyu was pushed to take a seat beside him. Mingyu glared at Wooyoung but sat down knowing nothing was going to budge the kid.
Jihoon pretended to be invested in the game but he was hyper aware of Mingyu’s presence beside him. He was annoyed that Jeonghan and Vernon were right, he had a big fat crush on his coworker. He was also annoyed that Mingyu had ditched him to ride all alone with Jungkook.
Mingyu tried to talk to him a couple of times, explained what was going on with the ranking system and routinely pointed to Wonwoo’s game characters throughout the game. Jihoon wanted to thank him for the help but he was too caught up from before, he hummed and mumbled low thank yous in response. Mingyu sensed his mood and stopped talking to him less and less which somehow annoyed Jihoon further.
The group decided to get dinner together after the tournament ended, a decision Jihoon had no say on. He got in the car with his friends, he learned that Wonwoo would join them later as he was off to celebrate with his team members. So, he wasn’t sure why the dinner was taking place if their main character wasn’t going to be present.
“Just talk it out with him Jihoon-ah, it’s getting bad.” Joshua talked to him unprompted.
“What’s getting bad?” Jihoon played dumb.
“Your sour mood and yearning.” Seungkwan pointed out.
Jihoon sighed not bothering them with an answer because he knew they were right, he needed to talk to Mingyu. He had been in a sour mood the past hour and he hoped he wouldn’t do more damage in the name of sorting it out with Mingyu which also made him wonder, what the hell was he going to say to him?
They reached the restaurant before Jihoon could come up with an opening statement, Jeonghan insisted that he would talk it out with Mingyu before the dinner began, he waited near their car for Mingyu to come.
“Jeonghan hyung said he needed to get something from the car… Said it was in the back seat.” Oh so innocent and sweet Mingyu approached him with a cute confused look on his face.
“So you would do anything he asks for?” Jihoon retorted, and immediately regretted it.
“I’m just- hold on, why are you so pissed?”
“I’m not pissed.” Jihoon said, “I’m just tired, I guess.” Jihoon sensed that Mingyu was getting confused with his attitude change, so he reeled it all back in.
“I wanted to talk to you, Jeonghan helped me get you alone.” Jihoon admitted.
“Right. Anyways, how was the ride here hyung?” Mingyu asked, so casually. Jihoon got right back to square one, he was annoyed again, was Mingyu seriously that oblivious or was Jihoon really good at hiding his intentions?
“Fine.” Jihoon didn’t really know what to think anymore, he wasn’t sure what he should be feeling and he didn’t want to say or do anything he regretted anymore.
“Are you grumpy because you found out?” Mingyu turned to look at him.
“About what? What are you talking about?”
“I should’ve told you before, I’m sorry hyung.” Mingyu pouted. “That was pretty childish of me.”
“It’s fine… I guess…” Jihoon hated that he hated seeing Mingyu so sad, but he was confused. If Mingyu was this bothered by ditching him he shouldn’t have in the first place.
“But I was pretty annoyed that you ditched me…” Jihoon admitted, slowly.
“Ditched you where?”
“I thought we were going to come here together, well not together, together but with Jungkook but he drove all the way to just pick me up.”
“I thought you wanted that…” Mingyu looked more confused than before.
“Want what? Want to ride with practically a stranger for an hour?”
“But it’s Jungkook.” Mingyu said as if that made sense.
“What are you trying to say? Tell me from the start, why did you apologise?” Jihoon needed to set the record straight before his brain fried itself.
“I thought you liked Jungkook…That’s why I got him to pick you up. But then he said he’s picking up Rey and I thought you’ll find out you don’t have a chance with him which now I understand is pretty stupid and childish-”
“Why would it bother you if I liked Jungkook?” Jihoon interrupted him.
“I didn’t say it bothered me-”
“Mingyu, cut the crap. We both behaved like kids. I thought you wanted to ask Jeonghan hyung out.”
“No I never did, he’s not my type.”
“You’re my type Mingyu.” Jihoon blurted out. “I don’t like Jungkook,” He sighed. He did not picture this going this way, in fact he had not pictured this happening at all.
“Ok forget everything, do you want to go out on a date with me? And I don’t want to do this here where our friends are listening in on us” Jihoon vaguely gestured to the parking lot.
“You want to date me?”
“Yes, you. Kim Mingyu.”
“Wow… Why did I think you liked Jungkook?” Mingyu thought aloud to himself
“Probably the same reason why I thought you liked Jeonghan hyung but none of that matters now,” Jihoon shoved his hands in his pockets, he was getting cold. “Let’s get dinner, we can figure it out tomorrow.”
“I’m all clear, Jihoon hyung. I’d love to go out with you!” Mingyu smiled widely and gestured to Jihoon to walk forward.
“Are we pretending that didn’t happen or are we in denial?” Joshua quietly asked Jihoon as he sat down next to him.
“Not a word, everyone just eat, it’s been a long day.” Jihoon ended any discussion about his new development with Mingyu even before it began and Mingyu was thankful, he couldn’t have dealt with his friends teasing him in front of Jihoon, his date, and not his coworker.