The most voted ship... Yungi!
Happy belated birthday to Mingi!!
Slightly longer read, but worth it :)

Mingi groaned and tossed around in bed. He was restless tonight, and he wasn't sure why.

But there were a few factors.

The first, he hated living alone. His father had bought this house for him to be close enough for classes. Mingi hadn't seen him in months after he went away on his overseas trip. The only interaction he gets is whenever his father deposits money into his bank account.

Second, and the following issue after his home, was his school. Mingi was a new student and therefore knew no one there.

The third, his birthday was last week, and no one was there to congratulate him. Not even Mingi himself wanted to acknowledge it. He was too busy moving.

And here he was, walking into the school by himself.

"Mingi, right?" the teacher asked just as he entered the classroom.

"Yeah." He turned to the semi-empty class. "My name is Mingi."

A few nodded or mumbled hellos.

"Have a seat in the spot there." The teacher pointed to a pair of desks by a window, but neither occupied.

Mingi chose the window seat.

In the next few minutes, more students entered the room. Some flashing curious looks at Mingi, and others just ignoring him completely.

Mingi sighed and turned to look out the window. He didn't like to be seen like a zoo animal.

"Hey, my name's Yunho. The teacher told me to sit by the new student."

Mingi looked at him with a little bit of annoyance.

But the Yunho guy only grinned with a slight shrug. "Not my choice."

Mingi sighed and turned forward. Yunho was quietly getting his things out for class.

"What's your name?"

"Mingi."

"Cool."

...

"What school did you last come from-"

"Look," Mingi stared into Yunho's amused eyes. "I was kicked out of my last school when they accused me of stealing. My dad forced me to come to this school where I had to meet you."

"...So, did you steal?" Yunho taunted.

Mingi rolled his eyes, finally shifting attention to the teacher instead.

"Hey. I'm sorry," Mingi heard while stepping out of class.

"It's whatever." Mingi shrugged. "I'm just tired from moving."

Yunho nodded. "Ah... I'll see you around, I guess."

Mingi quickly went home after school. As soon as his chauffeur dropped him off, he threw his things onto his bed and screamed into the pillow.

So many feelings ran to his head.

And it was at that night when he left home.

The sound of bells hanging off the door filled the antique shop. There was an old TV as background noise, but the audio was so scratchy, one could barely understand what was playing.

Mingi silently adjusted his face mask. He casually cleared his throat and looked around.

Though no one greeted him, Mingi knew the owner was watching.

The owner was a serious, buff male who sat in the back unless someone was ready to buy. He moved sluggishly.

"...That one's expensive," he called out. Mingi looked down at the watch he held.

Red straps, black case. It looked expensive. He wanted to take it home. So bad.

"I'll look at others." Mingi set it down with the rest.

The bells rang again as a second figure entered the antique shop. They wore a black hoodie to complement their nice proportions. Mingi looked away, a bit flustered from staring.

But Mingi caught something from the corner of his eye:

A hand was sneaking the watch into a pocket.

Mingi followed the person's arm up to sneak a look at their face.

He wished he hadn't.

"Yunho," Mingi mouthed.

Just as fast as Yunho arrived, he quickly left the shop.
~

"Hey."

Mingi snapped his head at Yunho, who sat down beside him. The other seemed unfazed — as if Mingi hadn't met eyes with him as he stole.

"Nice watch," Mingi muttered.

"Nice rings."

Mingi opened his mouth to snap back, but the bell rang for class.

Now intrigued with who Mingi was, Yunho walked out with him after class. The pair walked up to the lonely roof, where few students hung out.

"I've spent days going to that store," Yunho said. "Those rings are from there. And I've wanted this watch for the longest time."

"Should've bought it then." Mingi looked over the ledge.

"You're one to say." Yunho shrugged. "You should be smarter when stealing. Learn a thing or two from me."

"I don't steal for the item," Mingi began. "I steal for the fun of it."

"The fun?" Yunho cracked a smile, and Mingi cursed himself for thinking it was attractive.

"Yeah. And I'm good at it too." Mingi crossed his arms.

"Let's do this then: a competition."

"What for?" Mingi skeptically asked.

"To see who's better." Yunho's smile grew larger. "Tonight. Outside yesterday's shop."

Mingi couldn't turn that offer down.

"Whoever gets the more expensive thing this time wins this round," Yunho proposed that night. Mingi nodded, up for the challenge.

"You're on."

The first store was one selling cheap electronics. It only took five minutes before Yunho was already outside, waiting on Mingi.

"No fair."

"Very fair."

Mingi sighed and pulled out a small box -- a charger. A grin appeared on Yunho's face as he showed some earbuds.

"Newest model."

"Shut up."

The two walked around to several stores, sometimes snatching a thing or two. An hour later, they stopped by a convenience store for snacks.

"Wait here," Yunho said.

...

"Hey, come back!"

Yunho broke out into a sprint. Mingi raised an eyebrow at why the older was running out of the store.

"Run!" Yunho pulled him by the wrist.

Down some alleys later, Yunho pushed Mingi against the wall.

"Shh."

No more footsteps chased after them.

"What the hell was that?"

"He saw me, but..." Yunho revealed some packs of candy and a soda he managed to hold in his sweatshirt's pocket.

Mingi took the soda. He snapped it open only for the drink to explode between them. Yunho and Mingi laughed.

There was a slight pause. Yunho admired the way Mingi laughed. He wanted to see it more, if possible.

But it faded off. Mingi cleared his throat. "Sorry. Let's go to my house. I can clean you up."

Yunho couldn't stop looking around Mingi's home. It was so modern and grand — all for him.

"And you live alone?"

"Yeah. My dad... he's busy." Mingi avoided Yunho's look. "Here's a rag to dry that off."

"I think it would be better just to change the shirt completely-"

"But wipe this first. Here..." Mingi was brushing Yunho's torso with the rap until he paused.

He was too close to Yunho.

"Mingi," Yunho whispered.

"What?"

"I just..." Yunho exhaled. "Shit-"

Mingi couldn't react before Yunho's lips were on his. And though it took him by surprise, he relaxed into it, holding onto Yunho's biceps to feel close.

"Damn..." Mingi nervously laughed afterward. "I didn't think it would get so hot this fast."

"No?" Yunho kissed his cheek. "I could use that shirt now. You've wiped enough."

Mingi couldn't stop smiling that whole night -- not even as he covered his eyes cutely as Yunho changed. And when the older cooed at his gesture, his smile grew even wider.

Their flirting continued for the following week. Mingi wanted to go to school now; he wanted to see Yunho.

And Yunho wanted to see him too.

"Where are you, Yunho?" Mingi muttered to himself. He paced around the school roof — it was now their usual meeting spot at lunch.

"Happy birthday to you~."

"No..." Mingi laughed. "Yunho!"

Yunho showed him a small rounded white cake. At the top was a single candle with 'Mingi' written in blue.

"I didn't know your birthday passed. But a teacher told me..., and you live alone, so..." Yunho shrugged. "I thought you probably didn't have anyone to spend it with."

Tears threatened to spill down Mingi's cheeks. He wanted to hold it in.

"Oh- Don't cry, don't cry." Yunho shook his head. He began to worry for the younger. Maybe he triggered an emotion.

"...I-Is this cake stolen too?" Mingi whispered instead.

Yunho erupted into laughter. He had to shake his head multiple times because words were impossible.

"N-No..." he gasped out. "I promise I bought it. Just for you."

Mingi chuckled. He was grateful for Yunho's sweetness. "Thank you."

"But blow the candle before it drips all over the cake."

Mingi leaned close to blow the lit candle out, for which Yunho cheered.

"Mingi?" Yunho asked as they ate cake.

"Hm?"

Yunho couldn't help but smile. The younger's awaiting look was cute as he ate.

"I like you," Yunho confessed. "A lot."

Mingi didn't know if to nod or reply quickly. He wanted to be calm and also confess, but at the same time wanted to let Yunho know he strongly felt the same way in return.

"I like you too," the words flew from his mouth.

Yunho lifted Mingi's chin to stare at him. He was trying to keep down all the butterflies in his stomach from the confession.

"So..."

"So?" Mingi laughed.

"Boyfriends?"

Mingi closed their small space with a sweet kiss.

"Boyfriends," he replied.