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The clinking of glasses was ringing in his ears. Every few seconds somebody was encouraging a cheers which everybody joined enthusiastically at this late hour. At least he was only drinking water and didn’t have to worry about hydration after the concert. Two years ago there would have been no chance to catch Wonwoo at a company dinner past midnight but these days he enjoyed spending more time with his members and the staff this way. Just now it was past three a.m. in the morning and he was one of the few SEVENTEEN members left at the table.
Wonwoo was so, so tired and kept blinking his eyes to not fall asleep but he didn’t have to heart to go home just yet.
Right next to him was an enthusiastic puppy rejoicing in this easy going drunken fueled atmosphere. Their thighs kept brushing and Wonwoo was savoring every tiny bit of body heat the contact gave him.
Mingyu‘s happy and carefree smile was a delight to see and if Wonwoo‘s gaze was getting stuck to the glimpses of his fangs it was nobody’s business. Even after more than ten years together Wonwoo couldn’t understand how Mingyu had this bottomless source of energy even after two days of concerts. Maybe the alcohol was fuel but he didn’t dare try it as being drunk has never been an enjoyable experience for him.
Staying sober right now also meant that he could look after his drunk roommate and he could safely take him home tonight.
Just as his eyes closed a second too long with the next blink he felt a warm breath ghost his ear.
„Are you okay Wonu-hyung? You look terribly sleepy, do you wanna go home together?“ Mingyu was trying to whisper in his ear but was too far gone to notice how his voice never reached the appropriate volume. His arm was draped over his shoulders and the weight of it was comforting. Wonwoo felt his sleepiness affecting his brain, he couldn’t even blame some alcohol on how he was leaning closer to Mingyu‘s warm presence. He was reaching for his thigh and almost leaned his head on his shoulder before he caught himself and looked around. They were still at the company dinner damn it. Maybe it would be best to go home and dive into his very comfy bed, but just as he wanted to say so to Mingyu, there was another round of enthusiastic clinking of glasses which Mingyu joined with a loud cheers. Wonwoo winced at the noise. He really was exhausted and could feel a headache forming. Mingyu’s laughter on the other hand was like music in his ears and however bad his introverted self wanted to go home and enjoy the quiet of his bedroom, he also enjoyed observing Mingyu thriving as the social butterfly he always has been. Yes, that‘s how bad his crush was.
Remembering that Wonwoo never answered his question Mingyu turned to him. „Let’s catch a cab hyung! If we go right now, we could be in bed a little past four a.m. We are the last members left anyway and daepyo-nim did go home an hour ago.“ Astonished Wonwoo looked around to see that they really were the only two of the thirteen members left.
How did he not notice the others leaving? Was he so tired? Did he close his eyes longer than he thought? Or was his attention so occupied by Mingyu that he didn’t say goodbye to the last few people retiring for the night?
Sighing Wonwoo decided to forgive himself for stupidly being in love with his roommate for the night and apologize in the group chat for his behavior the following morning. Anything else would have depleted any energy he did have left. Mingyu kept stroking his nape and gave him his best puppy eyes, which Wonwoo honestly found very endearing even if he would never admit that out loud.
„Thanks Mingyu-ah, I really am tired. Let’s get you home, hyung is sober and will take good care of you.“ Wonwoo allowed himself a soft little smile in Mingyu’s direction and prayed that their staff had enough drinks to not get suspicious at any of their behavior.
Saying goodbye and bowing their thanks for all the hard work the staff put in preparing, organizing and execute their concerts took a whole lot longer with an intoxicated Mingyu by his side, but by the time their cab arrived Wonwoo had successfully escorted the two of them outside. The fresh autumn air was a relief after being squished with so many people around one table. Wonwoo involuntarily shivered at the cold temperatures.
„Hyuuuuung take my jacket! Don’t get a cold, promotions are nearing and I want to see you healthy and strong rocking all the sleeveless Hip-Hop outfits the stylist noonas have prepared for you!“ Mingyu giggled and struggled to get out of the sleeves of his jacket. He kept getting stuck somewhere and Wonwoo tried to wrestle all his longs limbs back into the warm jacket Mingyu was wearing.
„No need, thank you Min. Look, our cab is just over there. We can just ask the driver to turn the temperature higher inside the car.“ Mingyu looked up and suddenly squished Wonwoo‘s cheeks between his hands. With surprised wide eyes Wonwoo saw a look of concern grace Mingyu’s otherwise handsome face.
„Promise me that you stay healthy for this round of promotions for the comeback. No repeat of your cough from last time! I was worried sick with you getting so little sleep and you condition not improving.“
Wonwoo felt his cheeks redden at the genuine distress his drunk best friend was displaying. Before he could catch himself Mingyu was already turning away and moving toward the cab that was parking at the curb. Wonwoo needed a moment to unglue his feet and straighten his wobbly knees, which seemed to have molten like hot lava at the affection he unexpectedly received. Cursing under his breath he jogged a few steps to catch up to Mingyu and help him inside the cab.
On the drive to their shared apartment Mingyu was giggling about everything and anything happening at their concerts („Real fire hyung!!!!! Can you believe it? We had real fire at our concert! Soonyoung-hyungs joke was sooooooo bad but we really burned up the stage, how legendary is that????? Can you imagine telling our trainee-self’s that we would be performing at Goyang stadium selling out 58,000 seats?“) while draping his whole body over Wonwoo. Flustered at the great deal of body contact Wonwoo tried to help Mingyu sit up but it was a lost cause how the other kept flopping around like a boneless toddler. Resigning to his fate and trying to savor every bit of cuddling he received, Wonwoo kept wishing it wouldn’t feel like taking advantage.
Mingyu has never been shy to show his affection for his friends with physical contact and Wonwoo was relishing every touch between them since their days in the green room. But with realizing his not-so-platonic feelings for the other came a sense of shame and a period of time where Wonwoo resented and rejected every casual hand holding or hug - especially in front of rolling cameras. The fear of being found out or being to obvious with his crush has accompanied him ever since. But because Wonwoo has always been a weak man faced with a sulky and pouting Mingyu they quickly established some degree of physical contact which Wonwoo could stand while trying his best to ignore every stray butterfly in his stomach whom he tried to lock away in a tight and safe cage inside his heart.
However stuck in a situation with a drunk Mingyu showing no respect for Wonwoo’s established boundaries whatsoever, all these butterflies wrecked havoc.
Taking measured breaths Wonwoo tried to ignore and enjoy at the same time how Mingyu runs his hands up and down his arms, toying with his fingers, leaning towards him and bumping their foreheads together. The car ride seemed endless and Wonwoo couldn’t decide if that felt like a blessing or a curse.
When they finally arrived at their apartment, Wonwoo jumped out of the car leaving a startled Mingyu on the backseat while he thanked and payed the driver, hoping that he had no clue who the two people were wo cozied up in his car and returned home together. Maybe leaving with a manager would have been the better idea, but with everybody inebriated that had not been an option tonight.
Right after Wonwoo managed to wrestle Mingyu inside the elevator and then guiding him to the right apartment door, Mingyu flopped down on their blue couch.
„Aaaah, I had too many drinks tonight. Tomorrow morning will suck so bad! Why didn’t you stop me Jeononu? Where was your responsibility as my hyung? You should have told me to slow down a little,“ he groaned loudly.
With a tired chuckle Wonwoo returned from their bathroom bringing make-up remover wipes and dropping them on their coffee table. He settled down next to Mingyu who shuffled closer and laid his head on Wonwoo’s thighs. His soft hair fanned out and Wonwoo couldn’t help himself staring longingly at the strands. He looked beautiful even at this odd angle.
„You never listen to me, Mingyu-yah. You know best that my nagging would have been fruitless as it is your mission to prove your stamina at these kind of events. Attacking your honor as the best drinker never leaves anybody unscathed.“ Mingyu grumbled at that, but quickly quieted down and closed his eyes as Wonwoo began to lightly stroke his hair.
„You have to remove your make-up though, it always feels better to wake up with a clean face.“ Mingyu sighed and turned towards him but gave no other reaction and Wonwoo took this as his sign to keep caressing his head, feeling all sorts of tender and mushy inside.
After a too short while Mingyu mumbled sleepily inside Wonwoo’s sweater „You always take so good care of me hyung. I love coming home with you to our apartment. It’s always the best part of my day to calm down with you by my side after another hectic schedule.“
Wonwoo felt himself freeze at the statement. This was a perfectly normal thing to say in a platonic relationship, right? Mingyu was drunk, vulnerable and worn out, there was no way he would really remember what he just said. With racing thoughts Wonwoo‘s heart hammered in his chest, all tender parts of him aching beautifully. Luckily Mingyu didn’t seem to notice the simmering flame inside Wonwoo he just lit on fire, creating a whole bonfire with just a few words. His breath evened out and he blissfully fell asleep, welcoming dream land with open arms. Feeling very brave Wonwoo stroked his cheeks and wished he could lean down and kiss him goodnight.
His bleeding heart was in the palm of Mingyu’s warm and beautiful hands, he would take anything Mingyu would give him with a grateful smile. So being his best friend was everything he could hope for and for now this right here, being the only one seeing this side of Mingyu, had to be enough.