Chapter Text
Upbeat music played on Hansol’s speaker, and the room was cluttered with clothes and a variety of accesories. Mingyu stood in front of his mirror, carefully adjusting the red, small face gems he had just applied near his eyes. He tilted his head to one side, inspecting his handiwork. The small, shimmering gems caught the light, adding a sparkle to his look.
“Looking good, Gyu!” Hansol called from across the room. He was sprawled on his bed, scrolling through his phone, but glanced up occasionally to offer opinions. Seungkwan was sitting beside him, their legs tangled together, leaning over to see Mingyu’s progress.
“Thanks,” Mingyu replied with a grin, turning to face his friends. “What do you think, ‘Kwan?”
Seungkwan smiled warmly. “Those gems really do suit your outfit. Ugh, I blow my own mind sometimes.”
Mingyu laughed and turned back to the mirror, running a hand through his hair to give it a final tousle. He was wearing a cream short-sleeve button-up shirt, with intricate roses embroidered on one side, paired with light-washed jeans that fit him just right. His wrists jingled with bracelets, and a couple of rings adorned his fingers, catching the light with every movement. To top it all off, he rested a brown pair of sunglasses over his head.
Jungkook and Minnie were lounging on the other bed, rummaging through a box of jewelry and accessories. Minnie was trying on different earrings, holding them up to her ears and asking for opinions, while Jungkook was adjusting his own outfit– a bright, patterned shirt and denim shorts that came just above the knee.
“All right, guys, we need to hurry up if we want to be at the front of the line,” Hansol said, rummaging through a pile of clothes on his bed and wrapping a black bandana around the top of his head.
Minnie twirled in front of the mirror, eyeing her own festival outfit. “Seungkwan, I think I need some of those face gems.”
“Say less!” Seungkwan exclaimed from the bed as he practically jumped off. He grabbed his small cosmetics bag and got to work on Minnie’s face. He strategically and very carefully placed hot pink gems underneath her eyes to match her velvet pants.
Jungkook, who was now sitting cross-legged on the floor while tying his shoes, looked up and laughed. “Those gems were a nice touch, Gyu. Looking very ‘festival chic.’”
“You can never overdo it at a festival. The more extra, the better,” Seungkwan replied, now fixing Minnie’s hair.
Just then, Minghao walked in, balancing a twelve pack of seltzers. “Alright, pre-festival drinks are here. Get them while they’re cold. For Hansol and Seungkwan, if anyone asks, I said you can’t have any.”
Mingyu sat up, grinning. “Perfect timing, Hao.”
Hansol took a drink, still fussing with his own face gems. “Thanks, Minghao. I think we’re almost ready.”
Seungkwan studied Minnie for a moment before nodding approvingly. “We’re ready.”
Minghao raised his drink. “To…college, I guess.”
They all clinked their drinks together, laughing and chatting excitedly about the upcoming event. As Mingyu took a long sip, he glanced at himself in the mirror again, admiring the way the light washed over his outfit and the carefully placed face gems. He felt a surge of excitement and a tinge of nervousness, and hoped the night would go smoothly.
Hansol, noticing Mingyu’s slight hesitation, nudged him playfully. “You’re going to have a great time, trust me.”
“This is your first time going,” Mingyu responded with a chuckle.
Hansol shrugged. “I would like to think Seungkwan wouldn’t vouch so hard for it if it was lame.”
Mingyu smiled, feeling reassured. “You’re right. Let’s do this.”
They finished their drinks and headed out of the dorm. Mingyu’s thoughts briefly flickered to Wonwoo, wondering if he’d run into him at the festival. He quickly brushed the thought aside, focusing on the excitement of the night ahead.
They made their way to the door, with Mingyu grabbing his phone and wallet, stuffing them into his pocket. As they stepped out into the hallway, they could hear the distant sounds of music and laughter from other neighboring rooms.
Walking through the dorm lobby, Mingyu felt a surge of excitement. As they made the ten minute walk to the large field, Minghao and Mingyu trailed behind, catching up with each other. Their group walked adjacent to multiple other groups of people dressed in similar attire, all excitedly walking in the same direction.
“So… is the guy you used to bully going to be there? What’s his name again?” Minghao asked, leaning in slightly so the others couldn’t hear, although they were all deep in their own conversations.
“Wonwoo. I don’t know if he’s gonna be there. I didn’t have time to ask when I apologized to him on Thursday.” Mingyu figured the older would be there considering he was trying to promote the event as much as possible, but that also just seemed to be his job.
“If you see him, you should say hi. I kinda feel bad for the guy after everything you told me.”
Mingyu nodded. “Yeah I definitely will. Wonwoo’s actually pretty cool,” Mingyu added, smiling to himself.
As they reached the field and finally approached the front of the line to get in, Mingyu was greeted by a familiar face.
“Oh! Hey, Seungkwan! Not working today I see…” Yoohyeon said with a playful smirk, eyeing where his hand was interlocked with Hansol’s. She pulled out the black phone-like device and began scanning their tickets.
Seungkwan shook his head. “You’re just jealous because your plus one is always that lanyard around your neck,” he retorted, his tone defensive. Mingyu would have thought he was serious if he hadn’t already met the boy.
Yoohyeon dramatically gasped, a smile hinting at her face. “For that, I’m not giving your friends a drink voucher,” she said, pulling out a small stack of lilac cards.
Seungkwan rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah. You’re single ‘by choice’. I get it.”
Yoohyeon laughed as she began to pass out the cards to everyone but Hansol and Seungkwan. “Exactly. Have fun guys!”
“Thanks, Yoohyeon!” Mingyu replied with a grin.
It was only a few seconds until he caught on to the conversation that just transpired.
“What’s up?” Minghao asked, noticing the pained expression on Mingyu’s face.
“Remember I told you I thought Wonwoo had a girlfriend- that was her.” Mingyu internally face palmed, only refraining from physically doing so because of the face gems he spent twenty minutes trying to get right.
“What?!” Seungkwan exclaimed from where he was walking in front of them. “You’re talking about Wonwoo? Tall with glasses? You thought he had a girlfriend?” he asked with an amused expression.
“I saw them hug at orientation. I don’t know,” Mingyu whined, now realizing how silly he must have sounded.
“Hm,” Seungkwan replied, unimpressed. “Yoohyeon hugs everyone. Wonwoo doesn’t play for that team, though- thought it was obvious,” he added before his attention was pulled by the security officer checking his bag.
Minghao looked at Mingyu and shook his head with an amused expression.
The outdoor music festival was probably one of the biggest highlights of the semester, drawing in students from all over campus. Two small stages were set up on the school’s large, grassy softball field, with food trucks and booths lining the walkways. Lights strung between trees added a magical touch as the sun continued to set, painting the sky in hues of pink and orange.
As they made it past the festival entrance, the vibrant sounds of live music and laughter filled the air. A kaleidoscope of colors greeted them– bright lights, sparkly decorations, and art installations scattered throughout the grounds. The walkways were filled with an array of food, drinks, and festival merchandise.
The main stage loomed ahead, illuminated by a colorful light show that danced in sync with the pounding beats of the music.
A small ferris wheel spun slowly in the distance, its seats filled with people. Food trucks and pop-up stalls emanated delicious smells, from sizzling street food to sweet pastries.
“Wow, this looks a lot cooler than I thought it would,” Jungkook said, eyes wide with excitement. “Look at all the lights!”
Seungkwan nodded, grinning. “Yeah, they really went all out this year.” He grabbed Hansol’s arm, pointing towards a nearby booth. “We should get some glow sticks first!”
Minnie twirled around, her sequined top catching the light. “Jungkook, take pictures of me!”
Jungkook groaned and rolled his eyes before pulling out his phone and doing as instructed.
Mingyu took in the lively surroundings. The festival-goers around them were dressed in all sorts of creative and colorful outfits. Groups of friends laughed and danced together.
As they made their way deeper into the festival, Minghao pointed towards a smaller stage where a band was performing an upbeat, catchy tune. “We should check them out first.”
“We still have three hours for the main act to go on: some DJ or something. We can split up and regroup later if you guys want? Hansol and I are gonna get on the ferris wheel before the line gets too long,” Seungkwan said.
“Sounds good, we’ll catch you guys later!” Mingyu replied, watching as the two boys excitedly walked away with their arms interlocked. The four remaining friends looked at each other, trying to determine where to head first.
Minnie spoke up first. “Let’s go get drinks?”
They all agreed, making their way to one of the bar booths. Mingyu glanced at the long line ahead and sighed. “Of course, everyone wants a drink at the same time.”
Minghao nudged him playfully. “Good things come to those who wait. Plus, it gives us more time to decide what to get.”
Jungkook, scrolling through the drink menu on his phone, chimed in. “Maybe I’ll get a piña colada. Or should I go for a mojito? Just want to make sure I get what’s gonna get me the most drunk without the taste of acetone.”
“As long as my drink has a little umbrella in it, I’m happy,” Minnie added.
As they inched closer to the front of the line, the group’s excitement grew. The EDM from a nearby stage provided the perfect backdrop to their lively banter.
“Just don’t get too drunk. One time Hao almost got kicked out of the bar for dancing on the counter,” Mingyu said, laughing.
Minghao’s head snapped to Mingyu, eyes wide. “I didn’t almost get kicked out—I was politely asked to step down.”
Mingyu snorted. “Yeah, ‘politely asked’ by a very large security guard.”
As they finally reached the front of the line, he turned to his friends. “Alright, has everyone decided what they want to order?”
As he turned his head back to the bar, Mingyu felt his blood pressure drop. Standing behind the bar, looking more relaxed and festive than ever, was Wonwoo. He was dressed in a sleeveless shirt with a colorful pattern, revealing his toned arms. A few festival-themed accessories, including a beaded necklace, completed his look. Mingyu couldn’t help but feel a flutter of nerves.
Wonwoo’s eyes widened slightly when he saw Mingyu, and he offered a polite smile. “Hey, Mingyu. Glad you can make it.”
Mingyu swallowed hard, trying to steady his voice. “H-hey, Wonwoo. I didn’t know you were bartending tonight… you look great.”
Wonwoo’s smile softened. “Thanks. What can I get for you guys?”
Mingyu quickly turned to his friends, who were oblivious to the internal panic he was feeling at the moment. “What do you guys want?”
Minghao paused and looked at Mingyu amusedly for a few seconds before he leaned over the counter. “I’ll have a mojito.”
Jungkook and Minnie followed suit, ordering specialty cocktails that they saw on the menu.
Wonwoo nodded, his movements fluid as he started mixing the drinks. “Coming right up. And for you, Mingyu?”
Mingyu hesitated, then decided to keep it simple. “Just a beer, thanks.”
As Wonwoo collected their vouchers and worked on their drinks, Mingyu couldn’t help but steal glances at him, admiring how effortlessly he moved and how he mixed and poured drinks with a rhythm. He noticed the way the colorful lights and the setting sun caught his features, accentuating his sharp jawline and the slight curl of his hair, seemingly a little damp from sweat. He swallowed, not understanding why he was so affected.
When Wonwoo went further into the back of the booth, Mingyu felt Minghao tug him down so that his mouth was to his ear.
“ That’s Wonwoo?” Minghao whispered.
Mingyu looked over to make sure Wonwoo wasn’t in an ear shot. He nodded.
“The guy you used to bully?”
Mingyu nodded again.
“From high school?”
Mingyu nodded once again.
“You rejected him ?”
“Yes, Minghao!” He exclaimed, growing frustrated.
Just then Wonwoo came up to them and handed over the drinks one by one. “Enjoy the festival, guys.”
Mingyu gave a small smile, though his heart was racing. “Thanks.”
As they moved away from the bar, Jungkook nudged Mingyu. “You know him?”
Mingyu forced a laugh, shaking his head. “Yeah, just... an old friend.”
Minnie raised an eyebrow. “Old friend? He’s cute.”
Minghao laughed, nudging Mingyu. “Yeah, he is.”
The four walked absentmindedly to the closest stage where a small band played a mainstream pop rock song.
“Should we chug these and go have a good time?” Minnie asked motioning to the plastic cups in their hands.
Mingyu looked down at the hazy, very thick beer in his hand, knowing the consequences of consuming a beer too fast. He sighed. “Fuck it,” he said with a shrug. “Cheers!”
“Cheers!” They all exclaimed in unison before attempting to take large, fast gulps of their respective beverages.
As the sun dipped into the horizon, the ambiance of the festival transformed completely, with colorful strobes and bright spotlights being the main source of light among the now dark field. After the first set, against their better judgment, the four had decided that they were not drunk enough and approached the closest bar taking advantage of the $5 vodka shots that were being advertised on a sign near the booth.
After agreeing that they would spend $15 each and consuming the hard liquor, they made their way back to the crowd, feeling a lot lighter and happier than they were before. They found themselves in the heart of the crowd of a pop punk cover band.
The music was loud and infectious, the kind that made it impossible to stand still. The band's high-energy performance had the crowd jumping and dancing in unison, and the group was no exception. Mingyu could feel the vibrations of the music through the ground, the rhythm syncing with his racing heartbeat. With each song, he felt lighter, the weight of past anxieties lifting with the chorus of every familiar tune.
Minghao was the first to start lip-synching dramatically to the music, his exaggerated expressions drawing laughs from the others. Mingyu laughed, feeling the effects of the alcohol. He joined in, mouthing the lyrics and gesturing wildly. Jungkook and Minnie weren't far ahead, belting out the words. Minnie, perched on Jungkook’s shoulders, had a perfect view of the stage and the sea of people.
Mingyu couldn’t help but smile as he watched his friends. The sight of Minnie on Jungkook’s shoulders, her silhouette outlined against the colorful stage lights, was a picture of pure joy. He glanced at Minghao, who was typically very timid and reserved, as he jumped and threw his arms around. He turned to Jungkook and lip-synched the next line of the song, their faces inches apart as they laughed and sang.
For a moment, Mingyu forgot about everything else. All that mattered was the here and now, the music, and the simple happiness of being surrounded by friends. The feeling of pure joy had officially set as he began to ponder on how great his college experience has been so far. Not only was he doing amazing academically, he managed to build close friendships a lot faster than he thought.
The night was young, and the festival was their playground. In that moment, with the music and the lights and the laughter, Mingyu felt truly free.
Wonwoo scanned the crowd, searching for his friends. It didn’t take long to spot them; they were near the hot dog booth where they said they would be, laughing loudly and swaying to the music, already well into their drinks. He weaved his way through the throng of students who were waiting for the main act to start, a smile spreading across his face as he approached them.
“Hey, there he is!” Jeonghan shouted, raising his drink in a toast as Wonwoo arrived. “Finally done with your shift, huh?”
Wonwoo nodded, grinning. “Yep. Looks like you guys have been enjoying yourselves.”
Seungcheol slung an arm around Wonwoo’s shoulders, nearly spilling his drink in the process. “You bet we have! Come on, you need to catch up. What’s your poison?”
Wonwoo laughed, holding up his own cup. “Made myself an AMF,” he said with a slight smirk.
“What?! Okay. Now I really wish I had my bartender license,” Jeonghan said, shaking his head.
Wonwoo smiled. “What’s the plan? Main stage?”
Jeonghan nodded eagerly. “Yep. We’re gonna head over there now. But first, there’s something you should know…”
Before Wonwoo could ask what the surprise was, he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind. He turned, finding himself face-to-face with none other than his boyfriend. Alex’s eyes were bright with excitement, and he leaned in for a quick kiss.
“Hey, babe! I thought I’d surprise you,” Alex said, beaming.
Wonwoo forced a smile, though a part of him felt a twinge of awkwardness. There was a reason he didn’t invite him in the first place. It’s not that he doesn’t enjoy his company- he just wanted to have a good time without being reminded of his stressors: his relationship being one of them.
“Hey, Alex. This is a nice surprise. Are you having a good time?”
Alex nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, it’s been great! I’ve been with Jeonghan and Seungcheol. They’ve been keeping me company.”
Jeonghan smiled, raising his drink again. “We’ve been making sure he’s having a good time, don’t worry.”
Wonwoo glanced at his friends, grateful for their enthusiasm. He took a sip of his drink, feeling the cool liquid calm his nerves. “Alright, let’s head to the main stage.”
As they made their way through the crowd, the music grew louder, the bass reverberating in Wonwoo’s chest. Jeonghan and Seungcheol led the way, their laughter and playful shoves guiding them through the sea of people who were excitedly waiting for the DJ to come on stage. Alex stayed close to Wonwoo, holding his hand tightly, which made Wonwoo feel a bit more trapped than he liked to admit.
“Are you okay?” Alex asked, noticing Wonwoo’s slightly distant expression.
Wonwoo nodded quickly, guilt settling in as he squeezed Alex’s hand. “Yeah, just getting used to being off work. I’m good, promise.”
They reached the main stage just as the main act walked out. A guy wearing a giant panda head made his way in front of a DJ set up as the crowd erupted in cheers. Animated visuals and different colored strobe lights adorned the screens behind the stage, and Wonwoo couldn’t help but feel a thrill of excitement. He turned to Alex, pulling him closer as they began to sway.
Jeonghan and Seungcheol were already in full party mode, jumping along to the music and encouraging Wonwoo and Alex to join in. Wonwoo took a long swig of his bright blue drink and allowed himself to get lost in the moment, the music and the energy of the crowd helping to push his worries to the back of his mind.
“This is amazing!” Alex shouted over the music, his face lit up with joy.
Wonwoo nodded, smiling genuinely this time. “Yeah, it really is.” He took another gulp of his drink, this time disregarding the straw.
As the EDM set progressed, Wonwoo found himself relaxing more and more with every sip. He danced with his friends and laughed at their drunken antics. Despite his reservations about their relationship, he couldn’t deny the happiness he felt being surrounded by his two friends and boyfriend.
“You look really hot in this shirt, you know?” Alex said against Wonwoo’s neck, his arms wrapped around him from behind. Wonwoo giggled, the alcohol beginning to kick in.
“It’s a good thing I came. Someone would've stolen you away from me,” he added with a kiss to Wonwoo’s temple.
The music continued to pound through the night air. Wonwoo, feeling more affected by the drinks he had consumed, swayed in time with the music, his hand resting in the back pocket of Alex’s jeans. Jeonghan and Seungcheol danced nearby, laughing and stumbling around.
Wonwoo’s thoughts were pleasantly hazy, everything seeming more vibrant and carefree. He looked around, taking in the sea of people dancing and enjoying the night. It was then that his eyes landed on Mingyu, who was dancing with the same girl he was with at the bar. The two were lost in the music, moving together in a way that was both sensual and captivating.
Her arms were draped around Mingyu’s neck, her body pressed close to his. Mingyu’s hands rested on her hips, their movements perfectly synchronized with the beat. Wonwoo felt an unexpected and uncomfortable sensation stir within him as he watched them. His hand slipped out of Alex’s back pocket, and his expression faltered.
“Hey, you okay?” Alex asked, noticing Wonwoo’s sudden tension.
The hard bass and powerful beat only made the thumping in his head worse. Wonwoo forced a smile, nodding. “Yeah, just... caught up in the music.”
His eyes drifted back to Mingyu and the girl. He couldn’t help but notice how effortlessly Mingyu moved, how attractive he looked even in the dim festival lights. Mingyu’s carefree laughter and the way he and Minnie seemed to fit together so perfectly on the dance floor made Wonwoo feel something he didn’t want to acknowledge.
His body language betrayed him, though. He shifted uncomfortably, his eyes narrowing slightly as he watched them. He took the last swig of his drink, hoping the alcohol would dull the uneasy sensation gnawing at him.
Alex, sensing Wonwoo’s lack of interest in the music, leaned in closer. “Do you want to go somewhere else? We can check out some of the games.”
Wonwoo hesitated, then shook his head. “No, it’s fine. Just a little dizzy. I think it’s the drink catching up to me.”
He didn’t understand why it bothered him so much. It was just dancing. But the sight of Mingyu looking so free, so different from the person he remembered, stirred a mix of emotions he wasn’t prepared to deal with.
As the song changed and the tempo slowed, Wonwoo forced himself to look away. He focused on Alex, trying to be present and enjoy the moment and blaming the alcohol for the unwelcome feelings that were arising within him.
“I’m gonna go to the bathroom,” Wonwoo all but slurred before he hurried off in the direction of the porta-potties. He intentionally walked quickly in hopes that Alex wouldn't be able to catch up to him He drunkenly made his way out of the bustling crowd, the scene of Mingyu dancing with that girl replaying in his head.
His self-destructive mind couldn’t help but make parallels to high school, when he would watch Mingyu dance with other girls at school dances, wondering if he would ever be given the chance to dance with him like that. How after he confessed to him, he saw Mingyu sitting in the cafeteria with a group of girls who were fawning over him. Mingyu would look at Wonwoo, whisper something to the group of girls, and they would all start laughing. How Wonwoo wished that he could be normal and just like girls like everyone else.
Yeah, he was definitely drunk.
Finding an empty spot on the grass, he sat down alongside other festival goers who must have had a similar idea. A few others laid down on the grass, having conversations as the music from the main stage filled the air, but not loud enough to drown out any conversations. Wonwoo leaned back on his hands, staring blankly at the strobe lights that could be seen peeking out from the side of the stage.
The festival lights painted the night with vibrant colors as Mingyu and Minnie moved to the music. Mingyu, still slightly drunk, laughed as Minnie twirled around him, her hair flying around.
Minnie leaned in close, her breath warm against his ear as she shouted over the music, “This is so fun! I almost forgot I’m on academic probation!”
Mingyu let out a laugh, grinning wide.
“We should go clubbing more often!” she shouted.
Mingyu nodded. “Yeah! Who knew college could be so fun?”
Their dancing was a mix of playful and sensual, the alcohol loosening their inhibitions and making them bolder. Minnie wrapped her arms around Mingyu’s neck, pulling him close as they swayed to the steady rhythm of the song that had just started.
“You know,” Minnie said, her voice a bit slurred but cheerful, “you’re a great dancer. Who knew Mr. Biochemistry had moves?”
Mingyu laughed, his hands resting on her hips. “You underestimate us too much.”
They continued to dance, the world around them blurring into a sea of faces and lights. Mingyu caught sight of Jungkook and Minghao nearby, both seemingly moshing to the loud beat of the techno song that was currently playing.
Minnie pulled back, looking up at Mingyu with a teasing smile. “You’re gonna break some hearts tonight, you know that?”
Mingyu gave her an inquisitive look. “Is this your way of flirting with me?”
She laughed, poking his chest playfully. “You’re the total package, my friend. I think you know who I really want, though,” she said, motioning over to her left with her head, where Jungkook was now jumping, waving around his hands wildly.
Mingyu gave a pleased smile. He knew she was only admitting this to him because she was drunk, so he decided not to press more on the matter. A blind person could have seen that Minnie had a crush on Jungkook and vice versa.
Minnie laughed, spinning around and pulling him with her. They continued dancing, lost in the moment. As the song shifted to a more upbeat tempo, Mingyu and Minnie’s movements became more energetic. They jumped and danced, their laughter mingling with the music.
“I’m gonna go buy another drink!” she yelled spontaneously before turning and walking away.
“Wait, us too!” Minghao yelled running after her, Jungkook following on his tail just as enthusiastically. Noticing the effects of the alcohol starting to decrease in his own system, Mingyu followed suit.
Being a few meters behind, Mingyu stumbled as he tried to make his way out of the now larger crowd. Two different people had attempted to dance with him: one grabbed his hand and the other just flat out began grinding on him. While the second instance was definitely distracting, Mingyu continued walking forward, focusing on the quest at hand.
Once he was out of the heavy crowd, he made his way in the direction of where they bought their shots earlier. However, a certain individual caught his eye.
Wonwoo laid on the ground on a large empty patch of grass where a few others seemed to be doing the same. He was on his phone, his knees bent.
If Mingyu was sober, he probably would have just kept walking to catch up with his friends. But he wasn’t.
“Wonwoo?”
Wonwoo looked up, the lenses of his glasses reflecting colorful lights. Mingyu found that endearing for some reason.
He quickly sat up. “Oh, hey.”
“Mind if I join you?” Mingyu asked, gesturing to the spot next to him.
“Sure.”
Mingyu sat down, the grass cool against his skin. He glanced at Wonwoo. The festival sounds seemed to fade into the background as the two of them settled into an awkward silence.
“Enjoying the festival?” Mingyu asked, trying to break the ice.
Wonwoo nodded, his eyes flicking to Mingyu briefly before returning to the sky. “Yeah, it’s fun. Needed a break, though.”
“Yeah, it's a lot,” Mingyu agreed, fiddling with the grass. The silence stretched out again.“You seemed pretty busy at the bar earlier.”
“Yeah, it was hectic. But it’s over now,” Wonwoo replied, his gaze finally meeting Mingyu’s. “You looked like you were having a good time, dancing with your friends.”
Mingyu smiled, realizing Wonwoo was watching him on the dance floor. “Yeah, it’s nice to let loose once in a while.”
Wonwoo’s eyes lingered on Mingyu for a moment longer than necessary before he looked away. “You’re different than I remember.”
Mingyu’s eyes widened, unsure how to interpret his words. “Different good or different bad?”
Wonwoo laughed softly. “Different good, I guess. You seem... happier. Nicer for sure.”
Mingyu considered this, a small smile tugging at his lips. “I think I am happier. College has been really good for me so far, if I’m being honest.”
There was a brief pause. Wonwoo looked around the field. “It’s weird, isn’t it? Running into each other after all this time.”
“Yeah, it is,” Mingyu agreed. He hesitated, then added, “But maybe it’s a good thing. A chance to start over.” The last statement came out more like a question.
Wonwoo’s eyes met Mingyu’s again, his expression unreadable. “Maybe.”
Mingyu looked up at the stars, feeling a bit bolder as a result of the alcohol. “So, what do you do for fun when you’re not working at festivals?”
Wonwoo laughed. “When I’m not playing bartender for drunk college students? I like to read, watch movies, and hangout with friends. Nothing crazy.”
“Any favorite books or movies?” Mingyu asked, genuinely curious.
Wonwoo thought for a moment. “I’m a sucker for classic literature and old films.”
Mingyu grinned. “You really haven’t changed that much.”
Wonwoo chuckled. “Maybe not. How about you? What do you do when you’re not doing… whatever biochem majors do?”
Mingyu laughed. “I like to cook, actually. It’s a good stress reliever.”
Wonwoo raised an eyebrow, impressed. “Ah, that’s right.”
Mingyu nodded. “Yeah, it’s something I picked up after high school. Maybe I’ll cook for you sometime.”
Wonwoo’s expression softened, and he nodded. “I’d like that.” He looked up at the sky. “I can’t cook for shit.”
“You know, for some reason, that doesn’t surprise me.”
“What? Jerk.” Wonwoo playfully punched Mingyu’s arm, making him laugh.
Just then, a voice called out, cutting through their conversation. “Won! There you are!”
Mingyu turned to see a tall guy making his way toward them.
“Alex,” Wonwoo said, standing up quickly. He looked between Mingyu and Alex, an awkward expression crossing his face. “Uh, Mingyu, this is Alex, my boyfriend. Alex, this is Mingyu– a friend from high school.”
Friend.
Alex's eyes flicked to Mingyu, a hint of confusion and curiosity in his gaze. “Hey, nice to meet you,” he said with a lack of expression.
“Hi,” Mingyu replied, forcing a smile. He stood up too, feeling a bit out of place. He took in Alex’s athletic build, his tan skin, curly hair, long eyelashes, and the way he seemed almost protective of Wonwoo.
“I’ve been looking for you,” Alex said, his gaze shifting to Wonwoo. “You disappeared on me.”
“Sorry,” Wonwoo replied, scratching the back of his neck. “I just needed some air. Mingyu was just keeping me company.”
Mingyu noticed the subtle tension in Wonwoo’s voice, and it made him feel even more uncomfortable. “Yeah, just catching up.”
Alex's eyes narrowed slightly, but he quickly masked it with a smile. “Well, glad you’re okay. We should probably get back to the festival, though.”
“Right,” Wonwoo agreed. He turned to Mingyu, offering a hesitant smile. “Enjoy the rest of the festival, Mingyu.”
Mingyu nodded, then watched as Wonwoo walked away with Alex.
He couldn’t help but feel a pang of something he didn’t quite understand. Alex seemed nice enough, but Mingyu couldn't help but feel like he had done something wrong.
Wonwoo probably told him about you.
Defeat fell on Mingyu’s shoulders at the thought. Of course Wonwoo would open up to his boyfriend and tell him about what happened in high school. It’s no wonder it seemed like Alex didn’t like him very much.
Soon after, his friends walked up to him with a new drink in their hands. Feeling comfortable at his level of influence, Mingyu decided he wouldn’t drink for the rest of the night.
“We’re going to be at one of the side stages. Minnie wants to listen to pop music,” Jungkook announced as the two turned and made their way to the other side of the field.
Mingyu sighed and looked at Minghao, trying to read him– figure out what he wanted to do.
Minghao took a long sip from his cocktail before moving to stand directly in front of Mingyu. “I saw you talking to Wonwoo. I tried to stall the guys otherwise we probably would’ve interrupted your conversation. You looked like you needed that time,” Minghao explained, slightly swaying.
Mingyu smiled at his friend’s thoughtfulness. “Thanks, Hao. Yeah, we were catching up. It was nice.”
Minghao gave a small smile back. “Who was the other guy? Did you know him too?”
“Nah. That was his boyfriend,” Mingyu answered, head pounding.
Minghao studied Mingyu for a few seconds, before nodding, not saying anything else.
“Wanna get in line for the ferris wheel?” Mingyu suggested.
Minghao raised his drink. “Lead the way.”