Chapter 6 - A Home, Not a Marriage

The house was perfect.

It had floor-to-ceiling windows, an open floor plan, a kitchen outfitted with state-of-the-art appliances, and a backyard with a small garden area. The kind of place most young couples would dream of starting their lives in.

But as Minho stepped through the front door, suitcase in hand, he felt nothing.

Hyunjin followed behind him, his presence quiet, almost careful.

"Do you want to pick a room first?" Hyunjin asked softly.

Minho scoffed. "Pick a room?" He turned to face him. "You think we're sharing?"

Hyunjin blinked, then shook his head. "I didn't mean it like that."

"Good." Minho dropped his bag and walked toward the master bedroom, claiming it without another word.

Hyunjin sighed but didn't argue. He picked up his own luggage and made his way to the second bedroom.

This was his life now.

--

Later that night, Minho sat on the couch, scrolling through his phone mindlessly when the front door opened.

Seungmin stepped in, looking around before his eyes landed on Minho.

"I hate it," he said.

Minho arched a brow. "Hate what?"

"This." Seungmin gestured around. "This house. This whole setup. You're really going to live here and play house with him?"

Minho sighed, leaning back into the couch. "It's not like that."

Seungmin sat down beside him, his knee brushing Minho's. "Then what is it like?"

Minho didn't respond.

Seungmin studied him before tilting his head. "You could've run away, you know. I would've gone with you."

Minho exhaled through his nose. "It's not that simple."

"It is." Seungmin's voice turned sharp. "But you didn't want to disappoint Mommy and Daddy, so now you're stuck."

Minho clenched his jaw. "I said it's not like that."

Seungmin scoffed, leaning in closer. "Just don't get too comfortable, Minho. I don't care if you have to fake it in front of them, but I refuse to let him replace me."

Minho shot him a look. "No one is replacing you."

Seungmin smirked. "Good."

Neither of them noticed Hyunjin standing at the top of the stairs, watching in silence.

--

Hyunjin adapted quickly.

He wasn't sure if it was a good thing.

Their home felt more like a shared rental than a married couple's house. Minho barely acknowledged his presence, disappearing whenever he could. And when he was home, he was cold, distant.

Hyunjin made sure not to intrude. He woke up before Minho, made breakfast for himself, and left for university without a word.

He still had his classes, his friends, his routines.

Chan was still overprotective, side-eyeing Minho at every opportunity.

Felix still hugged him a little longer than usual, as if worried he might break.

Changbin still made jokes, still tried to make him laugh even when his smiles didn't reach his eyes.

And for the most part, Hyunjin was okay.

Or at least, he convinced himself he was.

--

One evening, Minho came home to the scent of home-cooked food.

It was unfamiliar because neither of them ever really cooked.

He walked into the kitchen to see Hyunjin setting the table, his hair tied back, sleeves rolled up.

Minho frowned. "What's this?"

Hyunjin looked up. "Dinner."

Minho scoffed. "Why?"

Hyunjin hesitated, then shrugged. "I just thought... we should at least eat together."

Minho rolled his eyes. "Don't act like a wife. You don't have to."

Hyunjin's fingers curled slightly around the edge of the table. "I know."

Minho stared at him for a moment before grabbing a glass of water and walking away without another word.

Hyunjin sat down and ate alone.

Again.

--

A few days later, Jisung caught Minho in between classes.

"You're making yourself look bad," Jisung said bluntly.

Minho sighed, rubbing his temples. "I don't have time for this."

"You're married now." Jisung crossed his arms. "And I get it, you don't want to be, but you could at least pretend better."

"I am pretending."

Jisung raised a brow. "Really? Because Seungmin isn't helping."

Minho tensed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Jisung scoffed. "You know exactly what I mean. He keeps clinging to you in public, making it obvious. And you let him."

Minho exhaled sharply. "It's not like that."

"Then what is it like?"

Minho didn't answer.

Jisung shook his head. "You're making people hate you, dude. Even people who don't know Hyunjin can see how bad you're treating him."

Minho clenched his jaw. "Why do you care?"

Jisung shrugged. "Because unlike you, I actually like Felix's friends."

Minho rolled his eyes. "Then stay out of it."

Jisung sighed, watching Minho walk away.

"Idiot."

--

Hyunjin never expected love from Minho.

But he had hoped for at least a little respect.

Weeks passed, and nothing changed. Minho was distant. Seungmin was ever-present. The house was cold, unwelcoming.

Hyunjin did what he always did—endured.

But something inside him was beginning to crack.

One night, as he lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, he wondered—how much longer could he live like this?