Minho

Minho closed his laptop, and the lecture hall immediately filled with chatter. The last seminar of the week was always the most draining. He rubbed the bridge of his nose, packed his charger, and stopped by the department office to drop off the midterm grade reports. By the time he finally reached the underground parking lot and got into his car, all he wanted was a hot shower and his bed.

Twenty minutes later, he unlocked the front door of their apartment. Minho set his leather briefcase down by the console table and had barely reached for his collar when the sound of bare footsteps padded quickly across the hardwood floor.

Jisung didn’t say a word. He walked right up to Minho, wrapping his arms around his waist and burying his face against his neck.

— You’re late, Jisung mumbled into his shirt.

— Blame the dean's office, Minho sighed, the tension in his shoulders dropping instantly as he wrapped an arm around Jisung's back and rested his chin on top of his head.

— I was two seconds away from eating without you, Jisung said, finally tilting his head up.

Jisung reached up to loosen the knot of Minho’s tie, pulling it free before undoing the top buttons of his dress shirt. Minho exhaled slowly, leaning down for a brief, warm kiss before toeing off his shoes.

They ate dinner sitting cross-legged at the coffee table – spicy pork and bowls of hot rice. Neither of them talked much, comfortably passing side dishes back and forth while a random variety show played on the TV.

An hour later, they had moved to the living room couch. Jisung was lying with his head in Minho’s lap, scrolling through his phone, while Minho gently ran his fingers through his hair.

— Free this weekend? Minho asked quietly, looking down at him.

— Why? Jisung asked, glancing up from his screen.

Minho gently nudged the top edge of Jisung’s phone down with his finger, meeting his eyes.

— Let's go on a proper date? We haven't had a day just for us in weeks.