God was Mingi not looking forward to the start of the school term. The break had been the most enjoyable part of his year and now that he was forced to return to KQ all the exhaustion from his, so far, nonexistent workload came crashing down on him. Thankfully, his professors had a few health issues and inconveniences preventing them from appearing in their lectures, by the pure grace of the lord. So it was only his music he had to focus on for the first week of school, something he could manage. He was thankful that decorating his room didn't take much time but that also left him with a few gaps in his schedule to fill.

That was likely the reason Yunho found him face flat on the couch that morning. The pinkette giggled at the sight. Cute. He thought to himself, a slight grin growing on his lips. Quietly, the student slipped himself next to Mingi and poked his soft cheek. He watched with a chuckle as the younger male whined through the couch cushions but that didn't stop him from touching him once again.

"Hongjoong hyung, I'm not in the mood." Grumbled the redhead.

"Not quite, try again." Not a moment later, Mingi sprang up at the realisation that it wasn't Hongjoong he was speaking to. He chuckled nervously when he noticed that in actuality, it was Yunho sitting in front of him, tucking his spare strands of orange hair behind his ear in embarrassment.

"Yunho hyung! Sorry, I just assumed it was Hongjoong."

Despite his grin, Yunho still narrowed his gaze. "Are you two that close?" He inquired, keeping his tone light. The last thing he would want is to frighten him.

However Yunho's voice may have come across, Mingi paid it little mind. "Wow, right into the questions, huh?" The younger sat up properly, relaxing with his legs crossed on the other end of the couch. "I would hope so. We used to be roommates before the hostels flooded. He usually visits me during break or when I'm working after class. So I'd say we're pretty close since we see one another often."

Yunho wasn't too sure who to be jealous of - Hongjoong or Mingi. After all, he had known Hongjoong longer. Why should some stranger act as if they knew him that well in his presence? In fact, it was almost insulting how much Mingi treated Joong as if he were his "best friend".

Yet, at the same time, Hongjoong got to spend time with the redhead and though they had only been familiar with one another up to this point - Yunho would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a little attracted to the barista. He couldn't help but be a little envious of his long-time peer.

His sweet smile, his adorably innocent attitude, even the way he slept was captivating. The two were sharing a room now, how could Yunho not sneak a peek at Mingi's wonderful features?

"He talks about you a lot. When we were rooming together, he used to take a ton of pictures of himself and random things," Said Mingi. "Whenever I'd ask him who they were for, he'd say 'My friend at JYP' then go on and on about you." The idea of Hongjoong speaking about him like that was endearing to Yunho. A smile formed on his face as he thought back to all the seemingly random photos he had received over the years. It was just Joong's way of keeping him updated on the lesser details of his life but it was sweet nonetheless.

No matter how cynical the blunette may seem, he had many tender moments that were a joy to be a part of. Mingi and Yunho were part of the few who were lucky enough to see that side of him, something they used to bond over. "He'd gush about you quite often too," Yunho stated. "You got him through a tough time when I wasn't there for him. Thank you for that, Mingi."

The following leers they shared were of appreciation for the other, a silent thankfulness for each other's actions towards their friend.

"Though, I will say one thing," Continued the pinkette, leaning closer ever so slightly. "Hongjoong forgot to mention how cute his roommate was."

Yunho smirked at Mingi's flustered silence, giggling when his face slowly melted into a panicked shade of red. Reaching towards his cheek, the older stroked him softly, brows knitted together in facetious concern. "You're burning up babe," He murmured, keeping his voice even and nearly sultry. "Are you feeling alright?"

Wordlessly, Mingi nodded at him. He noticed the way Yunho's smirk grew when he moved his hand away, as the barista had leaned into his touch. Craving it for just a little longer. He wasn't one to fall easily, only because he had never surrounded himself with the type of people he would find necessarily attractive.

But when it came to Yunho, that couldn't be farther from the truth. Considering his strapping stature, consisting of a height parallel to Mingi's, golden eyes that captivated him with every stare and a voice that made his heart flip in every direction - it would be difficult to see how someone could resist him.

It was safe to say that the feeling was undoubtedly mutual. Despite their short time knowing one another, the fondness they shared was extremely evident. Mingi didn't have many walls in terms of his past or the way he lived his life. With the way things were going between the two of them, he could only hope Yunho didn't either. Just to make it easier to get to know him.

So he decided to be blunt. "Tell me something about yourself."

Though it was rather spontaneous, Yunho laughed regardless and didn't hesitate to answer. "Well, I'm majoring in dance. Contemporary and hip hop are my favourite. I was part of a group back at JYP but we had a few issues so we had to disband."

His mention of their rival school seemed to spark Mingi's interest, as he leaned into his hand and hummed. "JYP, huh?" He murmured. "Is it true that a student really burned down an entire building?"

Such a question made the older male narrow his eyes, yet he saw no mal intent in Mingi's expression, rather, genuine curiosity. "I assumed it was a teacher," He said with a shrug of his shoulders. "Several of them had vendettas against a lot of the students, so I wouldn't be surprised if one day one of them just snapped. You're quite curious, aren't you, little detective."

Although he chuckled, for whatever reason, Mingi dropped the subject from there.

It was strange. All he did following was bring out his phone, ignoring Yunho completely. The pinkette could do nothing but blink with bewilderment at his swiftly Mingi had moved on from him. "What are you looking for?" He inquired to regain the younger's attention once again.

"Nothing much," Mingi muttered in response before going mute for an unknown amount of time. The thought of his focus being elsewhere made Yunho pout ever so slightly.

Could he be texting someone? Who? Perhaps he didn't find Yunho interesting anymore? That thought made him particularly stressed.

Mingi was caught off guard when he felt a presence on his lap, looking down to see that Yunho had made himself comfortable between his legs. "Y-Yunho?" He stuttered only to earn a light hum from the pinkette. "What are you doing?"

"Resting, of course."

"On my lap?"

Yunho then chuckled, sliding further up. Mingi's legs were pushed apart so that the older student could lay against his chest. "Is that so wrong?" He murmured, acquiring the same tone as when he had stroked Mingi's cheek.

In response, the redhead smiled and made himself comfortable as well. Placing his hands just above Yunho's stomach, he craned his neck to look down at him, smirking. "You're rather cheeky, you know that?"

"And you're hot. I guess that evens the playing field, doesn't it?"

Mingi hummed, his slight smile shifting to a suggestive smirk as he spoke, "Rule three, Yunho."

"Fuck rule three."

With the way Yunho was looking at him, it would be hard not to fantasise about the things they could do together. He didn't care how long they had known each other. God, I could just kiss him. And he probably would have if the door didn't suddenly fly open, startling the pair to look in its direction.

They hadn't expected Hongjoong to sprint through the living room, eyes filled to the brim with tears. Both leapt from their positions to catch him just before he could run past.

Mingi was able to get to him first, gently grabbing his arms to keep him still. Despite his thrashing and loud outcry, Hongjoong couldn't do much to get out of his grip. "Joong, Hongjoong, it's okay. I'm here." He whispered. The blunette was pressed against his chest, the embrace meant to calm him down.

Yunho wasn't far behind and did his best to get a few answers out of him while Mingi held him. "Hyung? What happened?"

"H-He...I w-was at t-t-the café and h-he..."

"Shh, it's okay hyung. Who was there?"

"Seonghwa," his wail echoed pure distress, alerting both men of how serious the situation may have been. "He didn't do anything to me...but he groped me a-and I started th-thinking about how it could have gone worse and I just..."

Mingi could only hold him tighter. He knew that Hongjoong's anxiety often got the better of him, sending him into panics like these. The most minuscule things could send his mind into overdrive and he was well aware of it. After dating him for two years, Seonghwa should be as well.

Yet he was the one to put him in this state, shivering and overflowing with uneasiness. The sight was not only worrying but infuriating to both of them, Yunho especially.

His orange-haired peer told him that he would be taking Hongjoong to his room to help him calm down and that they'd meet later. Yunho hadn't seen his friend like this in so long and with the foresight that he had the opportunity to make things worse he, begrudgingly, nodded. Allowing Mingi to take him away.

At least he would be able to calm down. That just left the real problem to deal with...

---

Seonghwa skipped on the terrain, eyes grazing hurriedly after the blue-haired student. He had to talk to him, he needed to apologise or do something! "Hong-"

"Park. Seonghwa." Striding in abruptly, yet with a certain steadiness attached, Yunho stepped forward. His expression bore a menacing intent, one that couldn't be picked up through the gaze of an ordinary person.

The older scoffed, deranged with how easily he'd been thrown off track. "Got a problem?"

"Yeah," Yunho craned his neck, peering intensely into the troublemaker's eyes. "You."

The blonde puffed sharply, already fed up with the other's pretentious attitude. "I don't need this. Get away from me."

Only the pinkette wouldn't back down so effortlessly. "Not until you stop pestering Hongjoong. You're always on his ass, why's that? Don't you think you've upset him enough?"

"How does any of that fucking concern you, Jeong?" His eyes squinted, poison dripping from his tongue. "Don't you have someone to screw around with? Do yourself a favour and get out of me and Hongjoong's business."

Confident in his words, Seonghwa turned to leave, yet experienced a burst of vexation once a strong grip linked to his forearm. The clutch was tough, enough to leave a remarkable bruise the next day, guaranteeing that he would need to seek himself a long-sleeved blouse to cover it.

"I won't tolerate you hurting or speaking badly of any of my friends." The taller uttered, every last bit of empathy succumbing to nothingness. He was beyond distraught when it came to 'heart-warming compliments' in regards to his confidants. Therefore, the possibility of Yunho letting it slide was gliding downhill faster than Seonghwa's heart could pulsate. "Watch it." He ended shortly, freeing the other from his hold.

Seonghwa held his arm in his clutch, sore from Yunho's tight grip bothering him immensely. "Oh, and Park, if I were you, I'd find another room to sleep in tonight."

------------------------------

"Is he okay?" Yunho asked, stroking Mingi's soft orange hair. By the time Yunho got back inside, Hongjoong's door had been locked. They both knew he wouldn't be coming out for a good while. So they sat in their room together, situated on the older's bed as they thought about what had just occurred.

"I'm not sure. He was so shaken, Yunho. I haven't seen him like that in a while."

"Let's give him some time, princess. He'll come around in a bit." Uttering this made Mingi look at him curiously, furrowing his brow incredulously. Embarrassed, Yunho glanced down. "Oh, you don't like that nickname? Sorry, I won't call you that again..."

"I'm not complaining, Yunnie." He said, a smile on his face as he lifted Yunho chin back up. "I'll be your princess. But I want to get to know you better, Yunho."

"Trust me, the feeling is mutual."