Chapter 3 - Deception and Denial

The city was alive with its usual evening buzz—neon signs flickering against the glass buildings, laughter and chatter spilling out from restaurants and bars. But in Minho's apartment, the air was thick with something far less vibrant.

Seungmin sat cross-legged on the couch, his fingers tapping impatiently against his knee. His dark eyes were fixed on Minho, waiting for him to speak.

Minho exhaled sharply, tossing his keys onto the counter. "It's happening."

Seungmin tilted his head. "The marriage?"

Minho scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah. Our parents finalized everything tonight."

Seungmin's expression barely shifted. He leaned back, arms crossing over his chest. "And?"

Minho gave him a pointed look. "And I told him straight up that I won't love him."

Seungmin let out a breathy laugh. "You actually said that to his face?"

Minho nodded, a bitter smirk tugging at his lips. "Dragged him onto the balcony and made it clear."

Seungmin hummed in amusement, his fingers drumming against his thigh. "And how did he take it?"

Minho frowned slightly, recalling the way Hyunjin had looked at him—not with disappointment, not with anger, but with quiet acceptance. That small, knowing smile that Minho couldn't quite place.

"He just... agreed," Minho admitted.

Seungmin raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah." Minho flopped onto the couch beside him. "Said he won't get in the way, won't interfere. Acted like he wasn't even bothered."

Seungmin studied Minho for a moment before a smirk curled at his lips. "Well, that makes things easier, doesn't it?"

Minho turned to him, brows furrowing.

Seungmin leaned in slightly. "Think about it. If he's willing to play along, then we just have to keep up the act in front of our parents. We pretend we're fine with the arrangement, and once their eyes are off us, nothing changes. You and I still stay together. He lives his life, and we live ours."

Minho hesitated. "And what if he changes his mind?"

Seungmin scoffed. "Please. If he didn't put up a fight tonight, he won't put up one later." He reached out, his fingers tracing slow, deliberate patterns over Minho's wrist. "This is just a game, babe. We play our part, and in the end, we win."

Minho exhaled slowly. Seungmin was right. If Hyunjin wasn't going to resist, then this wouldn't be as complicated as he feared. He could live his life the way he wanted—without interruption.

Still... something about Hyunjin's expression earlier lingered in his mind.

--

Meanwhile, Across the City

Hyunjin sat in his bedroom, curled up against a mountain of pillows, his phone on speaker as Felix and Chan's voices filled the space around him.

"...I'm going to kill them," Chan stated flatly.

Hyunjin chuckled softly. "Hyung, no murder."

Chan made an irritated noise. "You're seriously okay with this? An arranged marriage in this century? That's insane."

Felix hummed in agreement. "Yeah, Hyunjin. I mean, I get that you don't want to disappoint your parents, but this is your life."

Hyunjin pulled his knees to his chest, staring out the window. The city lights blurred against the glass. "I know. But it's not like I'm being forced at gunpoint. My parents just... worry about me a lot. They think I'm too soft for the world. Too alone."

Chan sighed. "Hyunjin, just because they love you doesn't mean they always know what's best."

Felix's voice softened. "Are you scared?"

Hyunjin considered the question for a moment. "Not scared. Just... unsure. Minho doesn't want this either. He told me he won't ever love me."

Silence. Then, Felix muttered, "Wow. What a dick."

Chan clicked his tongue. "I swear to God, if he treats you like crap, I'll—"

"I'll be fine," Hyunjin reassured, smiling slightly. "He and I are just two people caught in a situation we didn't ask for. I don't expect anything from him."

Felix groaned. "That's what makes me worried. You always endure everything with a smile. But, Hyunjin, just because you understand doesn't mean you deserve to be treated badly."

Hyunjin didn't respond to that.

Chan sighed. "Look, just promise me one thing—if he ever crosses the line, you call me. Immediately."

Hyunjin chuckled. "Yes, yes. My overprotective hyung."

Chan's tone softened. "Someone has to be."

Felix giggled. "Yeah, especially when Changbin finds out. He's going to have a meltdown."

Hyunjin grinned, already picturing it. "I'll tell him tomorrow. Wish me luck."

"Good luck," they chorused.

And as the call ended, Hyunjin sat there, staring at his reflection in the window, letting the weight of everything settle in.

--

Hyunjin expected Changbin's reaction to be dramatic, but even he was surprised at just how fast the older man exploded.

"WHAT?"

The entire café went silent for a moment before people returned to their conversations, though a few side-eyes were definitely thrown their way.

Chan sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "Binnie, volume."

Changbin ignored him, leaning forward. "Hyunjin, tell me you're joking."

Hyunjin, sipping on his caramel macchiato, offered a sheepish smile. "I'm not."

Changbin groaned, shoving a hand through his hair. "You're actually marrying that smug bastard?!"

Chan sighed. "Unfortunately, yes."

Changbin looked between the two of them, eyes wide with disbelief. "And we're okay with this?"

"No," Chan said.

"Yes," Hyunjin countered at the same time.

Changbin stared. "Hyunjin."

Hyunjin sighed, setting his cup down. "I know it's not ideal, but I don't want to fight my parents over this. I just have to survive, right?"

Changbin exhaled, slumping in his seat. "God, you're too nice."

Chan hummed. "That's the problem."

Hyunjin smiled. "I have you guys. I'll be fine."

And though they didn't look convinced, they let it go—for now.

--

Minho sat on the couch, scrolling through his phone as Seungmin leaned against his side. The TV was playing some mindless drama in the background, but neither of them were really paying attention.

Seungmin sighed, tilting his head. "So, when's the wedding?"

Minho groaned. "Don't remind me."

Seungmin chuckled. "It'll be fine. Just keep up the act."

Minho let his head fall back against the couch. "I hate this."

Seungmin smirked, tracing slow circles on Minho's arm. "But you love me, right?"

Minho turned to him, his expression softening slightly. "Yeah. Of course."

And as Seungmin leaned in, pressing a kiss to his lips, Minho let himself believe—just for a moment—that things would go exactly as planned.

Little did he know, nothing ever goes as planned.