Chapter 38 - A Shift in the Air

The morning after the late-night group session felt strangely different.

Minho woke up later than usual, stretching his arms as he sat up in bed. His thoughts were still tangled from the call with Seungmin, and an unfamiliar weight sat in his chest.

It wasn't guilt.

It wasn't regret.

But it was something.

He rubbed his face, groaning, before dragging himself out of bed.

As he stepped into the hallway, he heard faint laughter coming from the kitchen.

Hyunjin.

--

Minho found Hyunjin standing by the stove, humming a soft tune as he flipped pancakes in a pan.

The sight was so domestic that Minho hesitated at the doorway.

Hyunjin hadn't noticed him yet, his focus entirely on the food. His hair was slightly messy from sleep, and he was wearing an oversized hoodie that made him look smaller than usual.

Minho's stomach twisted.

He quickly shook off the feeling and walked in. "You're making breakfast?"

Hyunjin jumped slightly before turning around, eyes widening. "Oh! Good morning, Minho."

Minho nodded, taking a seat at the counter. "Didn't know you could cook."

Hyunjin puffed his cheeks. "Hey! I can cook basic food. I just... don't do it often."

Minho smirked. "Right."

Hyunjin rolled his eyes, but his lips curled into a small smile as he placed a plate of pancakes in front of Minho.

Minho stared at the plate for a moment before glancing at Hyunjin.

"You made this for me?"

Hyunjin tilted his head. "Well, yeah. You live here, don't you?"

Minho picked up his fork, an odd warmth spreading in his chest.

It wasn't a big deal.

It was just breakfast.

So why did it feel like more than that?

--

As they ate, Hyunjin's phone buzzed with a message.

He glanced at the screen and smiled.

"What is it?" Minho asked, not bothering to hide his curiosity.

"Chan and the others are planning a small get-together later," Hyunjin said. "Just dinner and some games. They invited me."

Minho chewed slowly. "Are you going?"

Hyunjin nodded. "Yeah. You should come too."

Minho blinked. "Me?"

Hyunjin nodded again. "You're my husband, aren't you?"

Minho stiffened at the word.

He still wasn't used to hearing it like that.

Hyunjin continued, oblivious to Minho's inner turmoil. "You don't have to, but I think it'll be nice if you spend time with them. You're always just here or with Seungmin."

Minho hesitated.

Spending time with Hyunjin's friends?

He had always seen them as Hyunjin's support system—the people who would take his side against Minho.

But lately, Minho wasn't so sure.

Because the more he observed Hyunjin, the more he realized how effortlessly he fit into people's hearts.

Even his.

"I'll think about it," Minho said, surprising himself.

Hyunjin beamed. "That's good enough for me."

Minho's stomach twisted again.

He was so screwed.

--

That afternoon, just as Minho was still contemplating whether to join Hyunjin's gathering, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Minho."

He turned toward the door.

Seungmin stood there, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

Minho blinked. "Seungmin? What are you doing here?"

Seungmin stepped inside, gaze sweeping over the house before landing on Minho.

"I came to see you," he said.

Minho frowned. "You could've just called."

Seungmin exhaled, stepping closer. "I needed to talk to you in person."

Minho glanced toward the hallway, suddenly aware of Hyunjin's presence somewhere in the house.

"Let's talk outside," Minho muttered, leading Seungmin toward the backyard.

--

The moment they were alone, Seungmin's expression shifted.

"Are you avoiding me?" he asked bluntly.

Minho sighed. "No. I've just been—"

"Busy?" Seungmin cut in. "With Hyunjin?"

Minho clenched his jaw. "Seungmin, don't start."

Seungmin scoffed. "Don't start? Minho, we barely spend time together anymore. And when we do, you're always distracted. Always thinking about something."

Minho said nothing.

Because he couldn't deny it.

Seungmin took a step closer, voice softer now. "Minho... do you still love me?"

Minho's breath caught.

It was the first time Seungmin had asked that.

And the fact that Minho hesitated before answering made something inside him break.

Seungmin studied his face, and a bitter smile curled his lips.

"You don't have to say it," he whispered. "I can already tell."

Minho swallowed hard. "Seungmin, I—"

Seungmin took a deep breath, forcing a smile. "I'll go now."

Minho watched as Seungmin turned to leave, his chest tightening.

He knew he should say something.

Stop him.

Fix this.

But he didn't.

Because for the first time in his life, Minho wasn't sure if he wanted to.

--

That evening, Hyunjin was preparing to leave for Chan's place when Minho finally made up his mind.

"I'll come with you," he said.

Hyunjin blinked in surprise. "Really?"

Minho nodded.

Hyunjin smiled, and for the first time in a while, Minho felt like he was making the right choice.

As they stepped out of the house together, Minho couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting.

Something was changing.

And for once, he wasn't afraid of it.