12

                                    

                                          
"Morning?"
Donghyuck pretended not to hear the familiar voice and continued cutting into his pancake.
"Guess it's a bad one," Minhyung mumbled, though Donghyuck heard him clearly. Minhyung slid into the chair beside him, unfazed.
"Pancakes, cereal, and hot chocolate. Did you make this?" he asked, pouring cereal into his bowl and adding milk.
Donghyuck stayed silent.
"Hey, why aren’t you answering me?" Minhyung furrowed his brows, his spoon frozen mid-air.
What happened this time? Why was Donghyuck ignoring him like he was thin air?
Donghyuck sighed dramatically, finally meeting Minhyung’s gaze with a dull expression. "Can I have my breakfast in peace?"
Minhyung raised an eyebrow. "Woke up on the wrong side of the bed?"
"Actually, that’s my line." Donghyuck put down his fork, folding his arms. "Why do you always have to be so annoying, Mr. Lee Minhyung?"
"That’s my charm," Minhyung replied with an exaggerated grin. "Anyway, I’m not here to argue. Let’s get to the point, okay, wifey?"
Donghyuck froze for a split second, his fork slipping. Wifey? But he quickly composed himself as he noticed Doyoung entering the room, Minhyung’s saving grace as always.
Scaredy cat, Donghyuck thought with a small smirk. If Minhyung wanted to play this “hubby-wifey” game, then fine—two could play.
"Alright, hubby," Donghyuck said, matching Minhyung’s fake smile. "By the way, why’d you leave me alone yesterday, hubby? I was so upset, hubby." He emphasized the word mockingly, pouting for added effect.
Minhyung’s grin faltered.
"What? Mark, you left Donghyuck alone yesterday?" Doyoung’s brows furrowed as he turned to his younger brother.
"I—Hyung, it was urgent! I had to leave." Minhyung’s stiff smile wavered as he darted glances between Doyoung and Donghyuck.
Donghyuck wasn’t done yet.
"Urgent? More urgent than me? Hubby, it was our first night as a married couple!" His tone dripped with fake heartbreak, though the mischievous glint in his eyes gave him away.
Minhyung clenched his fists under the table. His forced smile stiffened even more.
"Not cool, Mark." Doyoung frowned, crossing his arms. "You need to make up for this."
Satisfied with Minhyung’s defeated expression, Donghyuck returned to his pancake, a victorious smirk playing on his lips.
Donghyuck: 1. Minhyung: 0.
The morning suddenly felt brighter.
"Morning, Doyoung hyung! Want some pancakes? I made them," Donghyuck said cheerfully.
"Morning, Hyuck." Doyoung smiled. "They look great, but I already ate. Maybe next time. Oh, I almost forgot—I brought the car. Did you two pack your things?"
Minhyung raised an eyebrow. "Hyung, I already have a car. Why bother coming?"
"I know you’d rather I not interrupt your sweet time, but Dad called you to the office, Mark. I’m here to pick up Donghyuck."
Donghyuck nearly choked on his hot chocolate. Sweet time? He rolled his eyes but stayed silent.
After breakfast, Minhyung left first, but not before delivering a final blow that left Donghyuck speechless.
Just as they were leaving the lake house, Minhyung stopped, turned to Donghyuck, and pulled him into a sudden hug.
Then he kissed his forehead.
"I’ll be back soon, wifey. Miss me."
Donghyuck froze.
In front of Doyoung?
The older Lee coughed awkwardly, snapping Donghyuck out of his daze. His face was a furious shade of red.
Minhyung smirked. Victory was his.
---
The ride to the Lee mansion was surprisingly pleasant, with Doyoung filling the car with his chatter. But Donghyuck’s mind kept drifting back to Doyoung’s words from earlier.
---
"Mom passed away when Minhyung was 18. Her death shook the family. Minhyung fell into depression for a year, Dad started drinking, and the house was a mess. Father and Minhyung started fighting constantly—now, they barely talk."
"At the time, Minhyung had a girlfriend. She tried everything to bring him back, but nothing worked. He isolated himself, going through life on autopilot. It was painful to watch. Then, one day, he just…snapped out of it. No one knows how or why, but he came back to us."
"He’s annoying, short-tempered, and rude, but he’s a good person. Once you see the real Minhyung, you won’t be able to stop loving him. Hyuck, promise me something: stay with him. Don’t leave him. Never stop loving him."
Donghyuck had hesitated, but Doyoung’s earnest smile pushed him to reply.
"I promise to stay by his side."
---
The mansion was eerily quiet without Minhyung or his father around. After Doyoung left, Donghyuck unpacked his suitcase in their shared room. The decor was pristine, almost clinical, but the bed was impossibly soft. He collapsed onto it, exhaustion overtaking him.
As he lay there, Doyoung’s words echoed in his mind.
Could he really keep that promise?
---
A/N : Thank you for your comments on my previous chapter I appreciate it <3
Thoughts on this chapter? I also love how Donghyuck is being the fierce cutie pie 😭
Vote and comment 🍒