Work Text:
“I don’t understand why they couldn’t just have told us about this like a month before?!” Chan was surprised when a man suddenly flopped on the seat opposite him, rambling. Chan noticed that the man’s hair looked like pink at first glance, but it’s actually purple that faded.
He wasn’t able to say anything because the other man continued, arms folding and a big scowl on his face. “Or maybe 2 weeks - no, 1 week would be acceptable, too. It’s cutting it close but I’ll take it. But! 3 days?!” The man this time sat up at the edge of his seat and was raising his arms up like it was the most unbelievable thing he has ever experienced.
Chan, on the other hand, laughed amused - earning a glare from the man opposite him. “Hello to you, too, Min.” The mirth on his voice is evident as he pushed the iced americano he had already ordered towards the other guy - Minho.
Minho didn’t stop glaring for a good 5 seconds until he finally rolled his eyes and slumped back to his seat, sipping the iced coffee. “Hello, hyung.” He mumbled with the straw still in between his teeth.
Chan couldn’t help but laugh at his friend - best friend’s- adorable behavior. A lot of people find him intimidating with his glares and snarky comments but Chan and their small group of friends know full well how he mostly has no bite, at all.
“You feeling better now?”
Chan may have laughed at the younger but he knew how frazzled he is right now.
~o~
Chan was at the company’s studio working on a new project when he heard his phone ring. He picked it up immediately after hearing a familiar tone - the tone he set only for his home and Minho. And knowing his friend, he was someone who wouldn’t call without any good reason.
“Hello, Min? Is everything ok?” He started.
“I am doomed.” He heard Minho’s voice almost crying at the other end of the line. Chan slightly panicked.
“Are you okay? What happened?”
“How will I survive after this Friday?! I don’t have anywhere to go and they expect me to move out just like that?! What fucking bullshit they are!” He was obviously angered but Chan doesn’t know why.
“Min, where are you? Do you need me there right now?” Chan tried to soothe him, his voice calm and low, concern laced in every word.
This was effective as he heard Minho sigh heavily on the other side of the line. “I’m still at work. You don’t need to come right now but I might need you after I get out of here.” He was clearly calmer than before, but still clearly not fine.
Chan was relieved to know that, at least, it wasn’t life-threatening serious - or maybe it was? He looked at the digital clock hanging up on the wall on his right. 14:13. “You still have time before your break ends, right? Do you want to talk to me a bit about it?”
He didn’t hear anything for a while but he heard a bit of shuffling sound and could swear Minho was nodding quietly, and that’s when he started speaking. “I’ll be kicked out of my apartment by Friday.”
“Friday? But it’s…” Chan looked back at the blinking clock to check the date.
“Tuesday, yes.” Minho completed. “But that’s why I am freaking out! They tell me to leave 3days prior!”
Chan could hear the sound of papers being crushed. “What happened? You pay on quite early and have never missed payment. So why are they kicking you out?”
“Right?! I always paid in advance!” Minho’s voice shot up again but it seemed like he was trying to calm himself down again because Chan heard him breathe in deep and exhaled before he continued. “Well, it’s not just actually me being kicked out. All of us tenants are.”
Minho was renting an apartment duplex with 6 houses in total and they’re all being kicked out at the same time? “Why? What happened?”
“Apparently the old man finally sold the land to Cho Corporation. And they want us gone in 3 days because they will start blowing down the neighborhood this weekend.”
“That same corp that bought the rest of your neighbors’ lands?” Chan asked in confirmation. Minho’s apartment complex being the only last land standing. They both thought that the old man would never give in, but apparently that’s not the case.
“Yes. The same one. They finally have all the land here and they demanded for us to leave immediately.” Minho could only sigh in defeat.
They both stayed quiet for a while until Minho broke it. “Anyway, that’s what. My break is up. I’ll see you later!”
“See you later, Min.”
Chan spent the remaining 3 hours thinking of how to help his friend - well, not really. It only took him at most 30 minutes. It was a quick decision and the most acceptable choice, after all.
~o~
“Come live with me and Imie.” Yes, the help he came up with was offer his home with his friend of 15 years. “I’m sure he’d love to have his Uncle Min around.”
The suggestion came out of nowhere and Minho almost choked on the iced coffee he was sipping. Minho was having a bit of a coughing fit and Chan stood up to get a tissue. He gave it to Minho as he rubbed his back to soothe his coughing.
As soon as he was fine, Minho raised his head and stared at Chan with his big round eyes - always shining and full of stars, as Chan had observed.
“Live with you?!” Minho almost shouted but he remembered that they were at a cafe.
Chan was confused as to why he reacted so strongly. “Yes? I mean you’ve always been hanging out at our place. You also sleep over sometimes. So there’s nothing wrong with you living with us now. My Imie loves you lots, too. And Sara isn’t there anymore to pester us.”
The last sentence somehow made Minho realize something as he was evidently calmer. He flopped back against his seat and stayed quiet, deep in his thoughts. He knew why Minho reacted like that when he mentioned Sara.
~o~
Sara, his ex-wife. They finally signed their divorce papers just 6 months ago, after Chan found out she had been sleeping around behind his back. Much to his surprise, that issue had not much effect on him. What spurred him into filing the divorce finally was when they were arguing one night after Chan sent Jeongin to sleep.
Chan had just come back home late at night after the babysitter called him past 9PM asking him when they would be home. He was surprised to know how his wife was out of the house at that time, leaving their son with the babysitter.
He really had no problems letting his wife go out with friends at night. But she never told him she was going out. If he knew, he would have left work earlier. The babysitter was only supposed to stay until 6PM, after all.
He left the company studio as fast as he could even though he still had a lot of things left to do - his son needed him more.
Fortunately when he got back home, Jeongin was already asleep so he let the babysitter go home, and he waited for his wife to come home.
She finally did. At past 2AM. Drunk.
They argued a lot and Sara admitted being at the house of the guy she was sleeping with. He didn’t get angry at the fact she slept with someone that’s not her husband. He was more angry at her for leaving their son alone when she knew full well how he needed to be in the office the past few days.
She kept on calling him names and telling him how useless of a husband he was. He didn’t react to any of those because he knew it was mostly the alcohol in her that spoke.
Not until she said, “I don’t need you or Jeongin in my life! I wish I never met you or gave birth to Jeongin. Go live with that bitch Minho instead!”
Hearing it made Chan’s blood shot up. He grabbed her wrist and glared at her, he could feel his body shaking in anger as he clenched his jaw. “Do not ever speak about that towards my son and my best friend! You don’t deserve to be called a mother! You never held your son willingly and you always put on airs around Minho. I didn’t say anything about it, thinking you both would eventually get along but for you to actually think about him that way - when he takes care of our son like what you should be doing? You don’t deserve any kind of decency from this house. Leave! Now! I’ll send over your things and the divorce papers ASAP.”
He let go of her hand forcefully, leaving her scared self stumbling on her shaking legs. This was the first time she’s ever seen Chan angry. And he was far from just scary when angry. She felt like he was about to maul her body with just the intensity of his glare and his words.
Chan went straight to his son’s room to check up on him, and he heard the sound of the front door opening and closing.
Fortunately, Jeongin slept through the whole fiasco.
Chan sat on the chair beside the crib and reached out to his peaceful sleeping form. He gently caressed his son’s head. He was so heartbroken for his 1 year old son who couldn’t even get his mother’s love.
She has never held him unless there were other people with them. Chan realized just now how she only did it to show off to the others she was a kind loving mother. But the moment they were alone, she’d immediately pass him to the babysitter, almost like she was disgusted.
Chan felt more infuriated but he felt small fingers wrap his thumb. He could only feel bad for his son, and he decided then that he’d provide twice the love so that his son won’t feel the emptiness of his mother.
He left after kissing his son a good night. He was tired - physically, emotionally, and mentally. He collapsed on his bed, face down and was about to go down a mental breakdown when he heard his phone ring.
There’s only one person calling him at this hour. He picked it up and only said a quiet “Hi, Min.”
“Hyung? You home already? Binnie mentioned about you leaving work so fast. Everything fine?” Minho’s voice was so soft and calming, despite his continuous questions.
It wasn’t long until he spilled everything that happened that night. It took everything in him not to cry.
When he was done, he heard nothing from Minho for a couple of seconds until he heard, “You did so well, Channie. You’re doing so good. You did so well for Imie. You’re the best dad Imie could have. You did so well.”
And just like that, the tears he was keeping in flowed freely. Minho stayed quiet the whole time but he knew he was waiting there on the other side of the line, in case he needed him.
The next morning, he woke up to the sound of Jeongin giggling. He was startled and checked the time. It was 9am. Jeongin was supposed to wake up an hour ago. He sat up immediately and was about to go to his son's room when he heard the giggling sounds from the opposite direction.
He walked towards the kitchen and there he found Jeongin wobbling towards a Minho who was kneeling on the ground, a princess crown on his head and shaking a baby’s rattle on one hand, cheering, “You can do it, baby! Come to Uncle Min!”
Jeongin had just learned walking a few weeks by then so he still has yet mastered walking on his own, and he was about to stumble when he was only a few steps away from Minho. But Minho moved fast and caught Jeongin and held him as he continued to spin him in the air like a plane and that’s when they both realized Chan was at the doorway, staring at them with a confused face.
“Dada!” Jeongin shouted in delight seeing his dad and he stretched out his arms, asking his father to carry him. Chan walked towards him immediately, gave a kiss on his cheeks, and hugged him tight. “Mornin’ dada”
Chan felt fresh tears trying to come out as his son hugged him as tight as his 1 year old body could, but he can’t so he willed it away. Minho saw it and he could only smile at Chan, encouragingly.
Minho stood up, fixing the toys a bit and brushing off the dust from his clothes. “Good morning, hyung. Do you want some breakfast? I already fed the little monster.” He asked as he came close and tickled little Jeongin in the tummy.
When Minho turned his face towards Chan, they were only a few inches away from each other. Minho flinched a bit and Chan was confused why and before he could ask, Minho moved away and cleared his throat, but not before Chan saw his ears turn pink.
Minho served him a simple breakfast of bacon and fried eggs. Chan is always amazed at how Minho cooks the perfect egg for him - not too dry and not too runny at the same time. He devoured his food as well as the pineapple juice poured for him and he felt so full.
He wanted to go back to bed and lie down the whole day.
That’s when he remembered he still had work! He stood up so fast it surprised both Minho and Jeongin who were back to playing on the floor.
“I’m gonna be late! Is the babysitter still not here? How can I leave if she doesn’t come?” He was already pacing around the kitchen, thinking of how to proceed with his day when he suddenly felt two hands grab onto his arms and grounded him instantly.
“Channie, chill!” It was Minho. He may seem like he has a petite body but he was almost as strong as Chan. He works out diligently - to make sure he can move his body how he wants it when he dances, Minho would say.
Minho pulled him back to the chair he sat on earlier and continued to rub his arms, trying to soothe him. He was about to protest when Minho glared at him, making him take back whatever he was about to say.
As soon as Minho felt him calm down a bit, he began explaining to Chan. “I already called the babysitter. She’s not coming in today.” Chan was confused but MInho just continued. “I also called Changbin. He said there’s nothing too important you need to work on today so you can take the day off.”
“But-” He was silenced again when Minho glared at him for the second time.
“There’s no more use to you complaining. I already made sure you’re free enough today so that you can spend it with Imie.” Minho may have spoken sharply and dismissive but Chan knew him well enough that the only time he’d be nosy of others’ lives is when it was totally needed.
“And you’re human, too, Channie. You need time after what happened last night. Take a rest today and the next couple of days.” See? Minho always does things his own way to help the people important to him.
Chan felt warmth creep up inside him, knowing how there will always be a Lee Minho to back him up when he needed it. “Thanks, Min.” His heart is full and he can only say his thanks and a very genuine smile.
Minho returned his smile and let go of Chan. He grabbed the duffel bag he placed before on the counter. “I’ll be a call away when you need me. Oh and I’ll be busy today because of the kids’ coming showcase so I can only check up on you and this little monster tomorrow night. Don’t forget to buy groceries! Your fridge and pantry is almost empty.”
Minho returned to his normal speaking tone. And the way he spoke so fast like that as he circled towards the playing toddler had Chan chuckling. “Yes, mom! I won’t forget~” He cheekily answered and Minho could only roll his eyes.
He knelt down to pick up little Jeongin and hugged him tight and left a big kiss on his chubby cheeks - a loud popping sound was heard when he moved away from the 1 year old. Jeongin really loves it when his Uncle Min does that to him.
“Bye bye, baby~ Make sure your dad feeds you on time, okay?” Both Minho and Jeongin looked at Chan who was confused by the blank stares they had and then they both shared giggles, making Chan even more confused.
He was trying to get an answer from both of them why they giggled like that but Jeongin only shouted a “Shiiiicleeet~” His lisp is making him infinitely cuter and Chan makes him want to smother him with kisses. But he realized his Jeongin is acting so scarily much like his Uncle Min a lot these days, and he doesn’t know if it’s a good thing or not.
Minho handed Jeongin over to Chan before he fixed the strap of his bag on his shoulder and was already on his way to the door when Chan called him. “Min! That’s unfair! You forgot my goodbye kiss!”
Chan saw how Minho’s face went from blank to a scowl, and this made him laugh but he also kept apologizing in a light mood as he walked over to him with Jeongin in his arms. Minho’s red ears and neck didn’t escape Chan.
“Whatever, Bang Christopher Chan. I’m going!” Minho turned around and finally put on his shoes. He turned the knob and stepped out the doorway, waving at the father and son without even looking back again.
Chan got 4 days off from work as he and Jeongin spent their alone time together.
His son only asked once where his mother was - the first night after what happened. Chan felt bad for him. He may still be just a year old but he wanted his son to have a say in his life, too. So he asked him, “Do you miss your mom?”
The little boy was in the middle of playing with his dinosaur stuffed toys when he asked about his mother. After Chan asked the question, he just stared at the toy in his hand. He didn’t say a word.
Chan wanted to know what his son was thinking about so he asked again, “Do you want to see your mom?”
Jeongin remained quiet for a while but, this time, he looked back to his dad and shook his head. “No, Imie only wants daddy. Imie scared of mom.” His voice was so quiet but Chan could hear the shaking in it.
His heart broke hearing his 1 year old son say something like that about his own mother. He picked his baby up and gave him a big tight hug. “Daddy only needs Imie, too. Don’t worry. If you don’t want to see your mom, you can definitely choose that. Daddy will always be here for you, my love. I love you, remember that.”
The boy began sobbing and Chan just kept on holding him and soothing his back until he calmed down.
As soon as Chan tucked in Jeongin that night, he called Seungmin and asked him to help him with his divorce procedures. Seungmin is also part of his and Minho’s circle. Being praised as the youngest of the best lawyers in the city was for a reason. With his help, the papers were signed immediately with the additional clause that Sara should never initiate coming into contact with Jeongin, unless he decides to do so. She even failed to get any money out of the divorce.
And just like that, 8 months have already passed.
~o~
“You can take Imie’s room. It’s practically unused now that I let him sleep inside my room. And the two of us could use some new company, too. You should see how Imie told me he was bored of my face one time!”
Chan knew Minho was still being wary and second-thinking his offer so he tried to ease the mood by sharing how his son felt about him one day, a few months ago.
And it was effective. Minho broke out in laughs. He did that cute thing he does when laughing - closing his eyes tight and scrunching his nose as he laughed with his mouth open, Chan observed.
“Oh, Imie baby really was so done with you, huh?” Minho said in between laughs. He really adores Chan’s son, especially when it comes to the two of them ganging up against him.
Chan wants to complain but his fondness over his son and his best friend got the best of him so he just laughed together with Minho. “I don’t know what you’ve been teaching my kid but he’s really acting so much like you - it kinda scares me.” Chan sighed playfully.
Minho had a look of disbelief on his face, his right brow raised high. “Excuse me? It’s not my fault you’re just a boring old man.”
It was Chan’s turn to have a look of disbelief on his face. “I’m not that old though??? I’m only 30!” He tried to reason out but Minho still won’t let him win.
“Exactly, hyung. You’re halfway to 60! And that’s reeeally old.” Minho was being as dramatic as he could as he clasped a hand over his mouth in shock.
“Then you’re old, too! You’re only 1 year younger than me, after all!” His voice suddenly got louder and the people in the cafe looked over at them. And Chan felt his face heat up, he tried to hide in his palms and groaned. “This is your fault, Min.”
Minho just laughed at his hyung. “No, it’s the oldness in your bones, Bang Chan-ssi.” Minho was snickering so hard now and Chan couldn’t help but sigh in defeat and smile so hard because finally his best friend is laughing instead of his earlier bad mood. He loves it when he can make Minho laugh like a kid.
When Minho calmed down after a while, he sipped his remaining iced coffee in silence. He put the glass down on the table and then looked at Chan with a more serious face, but still careful. “About your offer,”
He stopped a bit, trying to find the right words to say. Chan kept quiet and only stared back at him, waiting for him to continue.
Minho sighed deeply and said, “I’ll take your offer. I’ll look for an apartment as soon as I can so you won’t have to worry.”
Chan offered him an understanding smile. “You can go do that if you want, Min. But just so you know, you can stay as long as you like and we won’t mind one bit. We’d actually be glad to have you. But if you’re not comfortable with that, then you can leave any time you’d like.”
“No. It’s not that I’m uncomfortable with living with the two of you.” Minho replied immediately and then muttered something after saying “It’s just that…” and Chan couldn’t get what he said but he could see his friend looking down and playing with his fingers, his ears getting red.
Chan reached out and squeezed Minho’s hands. “It’s okay, Min.” Minho stared back up at him, seeing the dimple on the older’s face showing with his comforting smile. “I am actually getting off earlier these days so I can definitely help you with moving out. Why don’t we start moving your things tomorrow night? Would that be okay?”
Minho sighed and nodded in agreement to Chan’s suggestion.
They spent the next two nights moving his things over to Chan's place. Jeongin, the adorable baby that he is, was so excited when he learned about his favorite Uncle Min living with them. He clung to the 29year old the whole time he came to move his things the first night, leaving most of the lifting to Chan.
Chan was more than happy to do it though, especially seeing his son look extra happy with the news. The second night, Minho was freer so the two of them worked together to move his things inside. Even little Jeongin helped carry his small pillows inside. And he gets kisses from Uncle Min every time he completes his job, making him giggle a lot, making the two adults meltover his cuteness.
After they were done moving things, they decided to order dinner because nobody was in the mood to cook after that much labor. Jeongin made sure his request was heard because he wanted to order pizza. Chan called to order them immediately and while waiting, they put on a movie on the living room’s TV - League of Superpets, courtesy of a little mister Bang Jeongin.
Just like that, Minho started living with the father and son Bangs.
Minho wanted to pay Chan monthly rent but Chan was unusually stubborn with the topic and didn’t let him pay for the rent. So instead, Minho decided to do the cleaning, cooking, and groceries. It wasn’t really anything new to him, having lived alone for more than a decade now.
The babysitter used to stay up until 6-8 at night, waiting for Chan to finish work but ever since Minho came to live with them, she gets home earlier at around 4 in the afternoon.
The moment Minho gets back home, Jeongin would still be asleep so he takes this time to do laundry and a little bit of cleaning of the house. As soon as Jeongin wakes up, Minho would let him out of the room and play while Minho fixed him up some snacks.
Or, every Tuesday, he brings the toddler to grocery shopping. Chan would come home and listen to Jeongin talk about what happened while they did the groceries. And, of course, Jeongin doesn’t forget letting his father know about the ahjummas calling Uncle Min his dad. Chan finds it interesting and also expected, especially with how much similar the two have become recently.
~o~
Chan thought that living with Minho wouldn’t really change how things have always been in his and Jeongin’s life. Minho used to visit or stay over a lot that Chan thought he already knew what living with Minho meant. But he was totally wrong - the good kind of wrong.
Breakfasts in the Bang house used to be only cereals and fruits. Jeongin’s lunch was prepared by the babysitter. Dinner is mostly ordered from outside. This happened even before the divorce. But ever since Minho lived with them, fresh and carefully cooked meals were served every day. There may be moments when Minho is not in the mood to cook, but those are extremely rare. “Cooking relieves my stress, don’t worry. And seeing the both of you devouring my food makes it even better.” Minho always would say.
Chan would usually hire someone to clean and do their laundry every Saturday. But ever since Minho lived with them, their laundry basket gets emptied out and his clothes folded neatly every single day. Every time Chan comes home, his mind feels freer because the house now doesn’t look like a total mess.
Chan’s nightly routine starts off with getting little Jeongin to bed, reading him books, kissing him goodnight, and then retreat to his home studio. He’d leave the door slightly open in case his son wakes up. Jeongin hates waking up alone so he’d always end up crying when he wakes up in the middle of the night. Chan would be startled out of his work mode and come running to soothe his baby.
He’d come back to work most of the time, sometimes he’d stay in bed and stare at the blank ceiling until his mind would swirl into dark waters. He hates this feeling that’s why he keeps his mind occupied with work as much as he can. But there are times when he’s just too tired and lets himself go down there.
Fortunately, he has Jeongin beside him. He can’t let his mind wander off too far because his son needed him.
Minho living with them was a breath of sunshine that lifted up all the clouds he didn’t know existed around him. Story time with Jeongin got pretty heated up one time because of Minho’s intense acting as the evil dragon. Chan gave him the princess role at first but Minho declined immediately saying, “Excuse me. I’m no princess.” Minho sounded playfully offended, and with his full confidence - chin up and one brow up, he declared, “I am a queen.” And Chan couldn’t help but stop himself from snorting ‘coz of the way he said it and that a queen fits him so well.
Chan got the princess role because little Jeongin was the prince. Minho got the toy crown and put it on top of Chan’s messy curls and he couldn’t help himself but snicker. “Princess suits you a lot better than I expected, hyung. But I think they should change the standards for princesses. They should make princesses as wide and buff and pretty like you.”
Before he could voice out a complaint, Minho turned to Prince Imie and asked him with his gentle voice, “Princess Channie looks so pretty, doesn’t he, Prince Imie?” His son agreed almost immediately, his right thumb up and his left hand raised his toy sword in agreement. He was happy seeing his son look so happy but he can’t help himself from feeling his face flush when Minho smirked at him and shot him a wink.
But story times don't always end up that high-strung. There are also times when Minho would just read them a book with his soft and soothing voice. Chan found himself a couple of times dozing off a bit but still gets woken up when Minho is done reading.
They’d both get out of the room at the same time, leaving a small crack on the door. Minho then would go directly to the kitchen and heat up water and make them both a cup of tea. They’d spend a few minutes catching up with their day - Chan complaining about how Jisung always brags about Jeongin like we’ll ever forget how lucky he was he found the perfect boyfriend. And how Changbin would suddenly giggle out of nowhere while looking at his phone - Hyunjin sent him some selfies or some sketches of Changbin’s face.
“They’re so disgustingly sweet with their boyfriends and they have the audacity to tell me I’m such a sore ass just because I don’t have a partner?!” Chan buried his face on his palms in complaint and Minho would just laugh at him and their friends’ antics as he poured Chan his tea.
“Maybe it really is time you find a partner, hyung.” Minho casually said as he slipped into the seat across Chan.
“Not you, too, Min.” Chan groaned and now splayed on the island top, both his arms stretched out, reaching Minho. “You know I can’t do that just yet. Jeongin needs me now more than ever.” This was what he always answers when he gets told to get into a new relationship.
Minho didn’t answer immediately. He was staring at Chan’s arm in front of him. He poked the back of Chan’s hand playfully and Chan turned his hand around to catch his finger but Minho was fast enough to avoid it. They kept playing this in silence for a while when Minho began speaking.
“Jeongin needs you, yes. But you also need someone to look after you, hyung.” His voice was too soft and quiet but loud enough for Chan to hear the concern laced in it. Minho must’ve also been lost in his thinking that he forgot to move his finger, letting Chan catch it.
With Minho’s finger on his hand, Chan sat up straight, pulling Minho’s hand to the middle of the island counter. Chan spread Minho’s tiny hand open and started kneading it like one does with dog and cat paws - Minho’s is definitely soft like a cat’s, Chan thought.
“I will, Min. But maybe not just now.” He can’t look at Minho, knowing full well how his friend worries for him.
After their nightly catch-ups, Minho would either open the TV in the living room and watch either cooking shows or horror movies, or get his glasses and a book and read it quietly as he comfortably sits on his favorite spot in the living room couch.
Chan knew Minho was cute - the man has a natural aegyo in him, he swears - but seeing his friend in specs and pyjamas has something in it, Chan couldn’t put his fingers exactly on what. But something about it puts giddy feelings in him and he finds himself wanting to coo more or shower Minho with praises and maybe hugs.
Of course, Minho just stiffens for a second and lets his hyung cuddle him while he rolls his eyes in quote-and-quote annoyance. And then they both would end up laughing together before Chan retreats into his home studio.
Chan has the habit of leaving his door slightly open and his earphones only hooked in one ear so that he’d be able to hear his son at night. And ever since Minho started living with them, Jeongin wakes up less in the middle of the night but when he does, his cries would still ring out all over the house.
He would prepare to stand up and leave his chair when he suddenly hears Minho’s door creak open and his sleepy voice saying “I’ll go, Channie.” Through the small crack of his door, he could see Minho drag his sleepy self out his door as he rubs his eyes awake before going inside his and Jeongin’s room.
Chan got up and followed his friend. When he reaches the door to his room, he sees Minho carrying his son and soothing him on his back as he whispers “You’re fine, baby. Don’t worry. No need to be scared.” And then he’d kiss Jeongin on his head before letting him lean onto his chest and shoulder as he rocked him back to sleep, humming the kid’s favorite lullaby.
Seeing this puts a smile on his lips. Minho has this really gentle aura with him that puts people around him at ease and seeing him soothe Jeongin so easily like this when not even the babysitter could make warm feelings fill his heart. He’s so lucky to have a best friend like Minho.
This happens a lot more and Chan is so fond every time Minho shouts “I’ll go.” in his sleepy voice and drag his sleepy body to where Jeongin is. Usually Minho would come out after a few minutes and then go to the kitchen and then he’d suddenly knock in his studio carrying a cup of warm tea or milk for Chan which helps him relax and sleep easier.
But one night, he realized Minho didn’t come out of his room for a while. Is Jeongin maybe giving his Uncle Min a hard time? He needed to check. He took off his earphones and rolled his swivel chair out from under his table as he made his way to his room.
He was expecting to see his toddler and his best friend playing or whispering with each other but what greeted him instead was two peacefully sleeping bodies on top of his bed. Chan felt his heart swell seeing his two favorite people sleeping comfortably beside each other.
He then moved quietly towards his bed and carefully sat on the free side of the bed, opposite of Minho. He looked at his son sleeping with a smile on his face - he must be dreaming about something good, Chan thought.
He kissed Jeongin good night on top of his head. The little kid moved in response to the kiss and Chan stifled a chuckle when he saw his son drop his tiny fist on Minho’s face. His best friend didn’t wake up but instead, he grumbled something incoherent while he turned his body towards their direction. In no time, he heard the soft breathing from the younger again.
Chan pulled his legs off the floor and carefully laid them on top of the bed as he leaned his body on one side, looking at both Jeongin and Minho - mostly Minho, his friend.
His best friend. 15 years of friendship.
His pillar of support. He was there for him during his ups, and most especially his lows.
His housemate. It’s only been 8 months but living with him felt like what he always missed and needed.
His son’s Uncle Min. The only other person his son feels safe and comfortable with. The only other person who loves Jeongin so much that he would wake up in the middle of the night to come running to the crying child. He loves him like he is his own son.
“We might as well get married.” Chan whispered, unconsciously, moving some stray hair away from Minho’s eyes.
“You know, you should really ask me out first before proposing.” Minho smiled as he opened his eyes and stared at the older. His eyes still has sleepiness in them but the sparkle and joy they contain are so distinct and Chan couldn’t help but smile back at him, too.
There were clearly no butterflies or the intense beatings of the heart. There was just peace with Minho.
But he knew.
As clear as anything he has ever felt.
He is in love with his best friend.
With Lee Minho.
Chan leaned closer towards him until he was barely an inch away, his hand cupping and caressing Minho’s face.
“Lee Minho do you want to go out with me?”
Minho’s face bloomed so bright as he showed Chan his widest smile, his eyes sparkling with life more than ever.
“Fucking finally, Channie. Yes! I would love to!”
Minho pulled his face closer and locked their lips together. It wasn’t fiery, nor was it slow. It was a kiss filled with so much promises of their future together.
They pulled off of each other, foreheads still touching each other as they stared into each other’s eyes with so much love.
Until they heard a tiny giggle below them. They turned towards where it came from and they saw little Jeongin clasping his hands on his mouth, staring back at them with glinting eyes.
“Does this mean I can call Uncle Min Papa like Uncle Binnie said?!”
The two adults were surprised he was awake but a lot more surprised with what he said. Minho was the first one to react. He moved closer to Jeongin and gently caressed his chubby face.
“Did you always want to call me Papa, baby?” Jeongin replied immediately with an intense nod and Chan saw tears forming in the corners of his eyes. “Oh baby what do I do with you?” Minho pulled Jeongin into a hug and the kid was confused but still hugged him back happily.
“Your dad hasn’t proposed to me yet - he will soon.” Chan can’t help but laugh at the confidence Minho had when he said that. But he wasn’t wrong. Now that Chan knows what’s important, he’ll make sure to treasure them.
Minho released Jeongin from the hug and held his face, their foreheads touching. “Imie, baby, you can call me Papa as much as you want to and I’d be reaally reaaally happy if you would.”
Jeongin beamed when he heard it and immediately hugged Minho, calling him “Papa” over and over.
Chan felt like everything he needed was right here in front of him already.
He joined them in the hug, he surrounded both Jeongin and Minho in his arms and he has never felt as complete as he does now.
That night, Chan finally fell asleep without worries.
He was home.