Minwon short au
@sushiiiiitrash
Mingyu couldn’t keep still during their group practice, his movements rushed and unfocused. As soon as the session ended, he bolted out of the practice room. Dino called after him, “Hyung, wait! I need to—” but Mingyu didn’t stop to listen. He was consumed by a single thought: getting home to see Wonwoo.
The idea that their schedule in Mexico would prevent him from sending Wonwoo off was a constant ache in his heart. Every day that passed felt like sand slipping through an hourglass, reminding him of how little time he had left with his hyung. Even though their members and fans reassured him that Wonwoo would come home to their shared apartment during his enlistment, Mingyu couldn’t shake the heaviness of knowing it wouldn’t be the same.
He punched in the apartment code and stepped inside, calling out, “Hyung? Wonwoo hyung, are you here?” Silence greeted him. The space felt colder and emptier than it ever had, and Mingyu stood frozen in the doorway. His gaze swept across the familiar surroundings, but instead of comfort, he felt loneliness. This wasn’t just an empty apartment; it was a glimpse of what life would be like once Wonwoo enlisted. The thought hit him like a wave, and suddenly, tears spilled down his face. He stumbled into the living room, sinking onto the couch as sobs wracked his body.
The sound of his crying must have reached Wonwoo, who walked in moments later, his expression shifting from surprise to concern. “Mingyu, what’s wrong?” he asked, hurrying to kneel in front of him. Mingyu looked up, his face wet and blotchy from tears. “Hyung…” he choked out, his voice trembling. “I… I don’t want you to go.”
Wonwoo’s brows knitted together in concern as he crouched down before Mingyu and took the younger’s trembling hands into his own. His touch was firm but tender, grounding Mingyu in that moment. “Mingyu,” he began, his voice calm and soothing, “I’m not leaving forever. I’ll still be here, coming home whenever I can.”
Mingyu shook his head weakly, his shoulders quivering as fresh tears spilled over his cheeks. “It’s not the same,” he whispered, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. “I’ll miss everything about you, hyung. Performing with you, knowing you’re there when I need someone to listen… seeing your face mid-performance when I feel overwhelmed—it helps me, it calms me. I’ll miss coming home to this, to us, and being tired together after schedules. I’ll miss all of it… everything.”
Wonwoo felt his heart squeeze at the vulnerability in Mingyu’s words. The bright, dependable member who so often masked his feelings now sat before him, exposed and undone. Reaching up, Wonwoo cupped Mingyu’s tear-streaked cheek with one hand, his thumb brushing away the falling tears. “Mingyu,” he murmured, his tone carrying both conviction and warmth, “you won’t lose me. Distance won’t change our bond. I’ll be cheering you on, cheering the group on, even if it’s from afar. And I’ll be carrying you with me, too.”
Mingyu sniffled, leaning into Wonwoo’s touch, his sobs quieting under the gentle reassurances. “You promise?”
“I promise,” Wonwoo said firmly, his hand resting on Mingyu’s shoulder now. Then, in an attempt to lighten the mood, he added with a playful smile, “Besides, you won’t miss me much. You’re practically carrying me with you everywhere you go, anyway.”
Mingyu blinked in confusion before Wonwoo leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a teasing whisper. “That cologne you’ve been using? It’s the same one I wear. I’d say that’s my love you’re carrying around.”
The comment pulled a reluctant laugh from Mingyu. He looked at Wonwoo, shaking his head but unable to hide the small smile forming on his lips. “You’re ridiculous, hyung.”
“But I made you smile,” Wonwoo said, a hint of pride in his voice. “That’s what matters.”
For the rest of the evening, they stayed together, Mingyu clinging to every word Wonwoo said. They reminisced about their journey—moments on stage, shared jokes, and the little things that made their bond special. Wonwoo made it his mission to replace Mingyu’s sadness with laughter, telling silly stories and making promises for the future.
As the night deepened, Mingyu found himself leaning against Wonwoo’s shoulder, his heart feeling lighter but still aching at the thought of goodbye. “Hyung,” he murmured, his voice barely audible. “I’ll wait for you.”
Wonwoo smiled, resting his head lightly against Mingyu’s. “And I’ll come back. For you, for us. Always.”