Ch 11

Nighttime comes swiftly, and Minho finds himself tidying up his apartment, wanting to make sure everything is perfect for the movie night with Haein. He straightens the couch cushions, picks up any stray items lying around, and even lights a few scented candles to create a cozy atmosphere. He glances at the time, realizing that Haein should be arriving soon. He checks his reflection in the mirror, smoothing down his clothes and running a hand through his hair. He's not sure why he's so nervous, but there's a swarm of butterflies in his stomach that just won't subside. A few minutes later, there's a knock on the door, and Minho feels his heart skip a beat. He takes a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves, and opens the door to find Haein standing there, a small smile on his face. "Hey," Haein says softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He's holding a bag of takeout in one hand and a small bouquet of flowers in the other. "I brought some food and... well, these are for you." Minho feels a warm surge of affection as he takes the flowers from Haein. "Thanks," he says, his voice a little hoarse. "You didn't have to bring these, you know." "I wanted to," Haein says softly, a hint of shyness in his tone. "Consider it a thank-you gift for inviting me. And always taking care of me." He steps inside and sets the food on the coffee table, looking around the apartment with an appreciative gaze. Minho closes the door behind Haein and follows him into the living room, taking in the sight of him. Haein looks cute as always, his hair falling in soft waves around his face, his eyes shining with a mix of excitement and something else that Minho can't quite place. "Make yourself comfortable," Minho says, gesturing towards the couch. "I just have to grab something real quick." He disappears into the kitchen, his heart pounding in his chest. He knows he's acting strangely, but he just can't seem to shake this feeling of nervousness. In the kitchen, Minho takes a moment to collect himself. He splashes some cold water on his face, trying to calm his racing thoughts and emotions. He can't believe he's feeling this way, like a silly schoolboy with a crush. He takes a deep breath, grabbing two glasses and a bottle of wine from the fridge before rejoining Haein in the living room. Haein is already settled on the couch, unpacking the takeout containers and arranging them on the coffee table. "I got some Chinese," Haein says, looking up at Minho with a smile. "I hope you don't mind. I was craving some fried rice and dumpling."

Minho sets the glasses and wine down on the table, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "No, I don't mind at all. I love Chinese food," he says, sitting down on the couch next to Haein. Haein glances at the wine and glasses, his eyes widening slightly. "You're not planning on getting us both drunk, are you?" he teases, raising an eyebrow.

Minho laughs softly, shaking his head. "No, I just thought it would be nice to have a glass of wine with dinner," he says, uncorking the bottle and pouring some into each glass. Haein smirks, taking one of the glasses and swirling the wine around. "Sure, sure. Just don't try anything sneaky while I'm all loosened up," he teases, taking a sip of the wine.

Minho rolls his eyes, but he can't help the small flutter in his stomach at Haein's words. "I'll try to contain myself," he says dryly, taking a sip of his own wine. The two of them fall into easy conversation, chatting about everything and nothing at all as they eat their food. The atmosphere is comfortable and relaxed, and Minho finds himself forgetting his earlier nerves. After they finish eating, Haein leans back against the couch, letting out a contented sigh. "That was so good," he says, patting his stomach. "I definitely ate too much." Minho chuckles, leaning back against the couch as well. "You always do. I swear, you have a black hole for a stomach," he teases, nudging Haein's leg with his foot. Haein sticks out his tongue playfully. "Hey, I'm a growing boy. I need to eat a lot," he says, taking another sip of his wine. "Besides, everything tastes better when I'm with you." Minho feels his cheeks heat up at Haein's words, his heart doing a little somersault in his chest. He tries to play it cool, but his heart is racing. "Is that so?" he says, keeping his voice casual. "Yeah. Being with you feels like home. It brings me so much comfort. To the point you make everything feel, taste and smell good." Minho feels a wave of affection wash over him at Haein's words. "That's... really sweet," he says softly, his eyes softening as he looks at Haein. "I feel the same way about being with you. Like I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be." A moment of silence falls upon them, but it's a comfortable silence. They just look at each other, their gazes fixed and searching, as if trying to communicate the words they're both too afraid to say aloud. Finally, Minho clears his throat, tearing his gaze away from Haein's. "So, should we start the movie?" he says, his voice coming out a bit more strained than he would have liked.