Archive of Our Own ^beta

twenty-one, twenty-three

Junhui sees him before he sees Junhui. He’s beautiful, and he looks so unsure of himself in this bar that Junhui has to card him. There’s no way he’s 21. It’s a shame.

The boy comes up to the bar and sits down, raising his hand once to get Junhui’s attention and waiting patiently. At least the baby has manners.

“What can I get you?” Junhui asks, on the off-chance that the boy wants, like, a Shirley Temple.

“Vodka cran, please,” the boy says politely.

“You know we card, right?” Junhui asks.

“Yes?” the boy asks as he pulls out his wallet. “Aren’t you supposed to?”

The boy hands over his ID and oh, huh. Junhui scans the ID and it goes through. The picture looks exactly the same. Junhui still doubts it.

“What’s your organ donor status?” Junhui asks, scrutinizing the card. 

“I’m not one, because I missed where to check the box when I got my new ID,” the boy—Minghao, supposedly—says. “I tried calling to fix it, but they wouldn’t let me unless I got a new one.”

It’s an elaborate story, but it checks out. 

“Minghao, then?” Junhui asks. “Vodka cran?”

Minghao laughs as Junhui hands back his ID and turns to start making the drink. “Yeah. Did I really require all of that scrutiny?”

“You walked in here like you’ve never seen a bar before.”

“I think that’s just my face,” Minghao says. “I’ve been told that I have a boyish wonder about me.”

“I just get told I’m childlike, so that’s nice,” Junhui laughs. “Here’s your drink. Do you want to open a tab?”

“Yeah, sure,” Minghao sighs. “Might as well. I’ll be here for a little bit.”

“What makes you say that?” Junhui asks. “Tell me it’s my beautiful face.”

“It’s your beautiful face,” Minghao says with a laugh. “No, my family is just at the beach. I’m not one for the sun.”

“But you’re here on a beach vacation?”

Minghao smiles. “The things family will get you to do, y’know? Anyway, I fucked off and they’re all fine with it, so I guess I’m withering away here.”

“Happy to have you,” Junhui laughs. “If you want company, just shout.”

Minghao smiles and then he, of all things, pulls out a book. Junhui goes to serve someone else and Minghao reads his book and no one else sits at the bar, because they have tables for all of that. Minghao is the odd one out. Junhui doesn’t mind. He really is beautiful. It’s nice to have something to look at while his shift drags by.

Minghao calls him over at some point with a hand raised, waiting for Junhui’s attention.

“Can I please have a glass of water?” Minghao asks. “Can I also ask your name? It occurs to me that you know mine and I don’t know yours.”

Junhui gets the glass of water and slides it in front of Minghao. “Junhui. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you,” Minghao says with the most pleasant smile. “How often are you here?”

“Going for a ‘come here often?’ pick up line?”

Minghao laughs. “No, just wondering who I’d see if I came here to hide from the sun again tomorrow.”

“Well, like it or not, you’d find me,” Junhui says with a grin. 

“I think I’d like that very much,” Minghao says softly. “It’d be a shame not to see your face more than once. That was a pick up line.”

Junhui barks out a laugh, sudden and loud. He’s had people hit on him before at work, of course he has, but there’s something about the gentle way that Minghao speaks that makes it different. 

“I think I’d like that too,” Junhui says. “I get off at 6, by the way. Tomorrow too.”

Minghao hums. “I have something tonight, but I could tomorrow. Hypothetically. If you’re asking.”

“I’m definitely asking,” Junhui laughs. “I expect to see you back here tomorrow, out of the sun, and then we can get dinner. I know a place the tourists don’t really go to.”

“You’ve got intel, very sexy,” Minghao says with a smile. “I’ll be here. I’ve got to get going though, so let me close out my tab.”

Minghao pays and he tips extra and it’s very sweet. Junhui feels a fluttering in his stomach that he really shouldn’t be feeling about a tourist. Not at all. Junhui doesn’t take tourists on dates. He fucks them, sure, but he doesn’t plan to see them so he can take them on dates. 

Still, Minghao turns and waves cutely before he leaves and Junhui waves back. 

~~~~

When Minghao comes into the bar the next day, he looks significantly less confused. He smiles brightly when he sees Junhui and Junhui can’t fight back his own smile. 

“Hey, beautiful,” Minghao says as he sits at the bar. “You’re much nicer to look at than the ocean. That was also a line.”

“I got that,” Junhui laughs. “You’re not too bad yourself. Vodka cran?”

“Yes, please,” Minghao says. “Gotta nurse it so I’m sober at dinner. I’d rather die than miss a moment of it.”

Junhui laughs as he makes Minghao’s drink. “Aren’t you smooth?”

“Usually not,” Minghao says with a grin, but Junhui doesn’t quite believe him. He seems a little too put together to not have practiced this at least a little.

“Did you bring your book again?”

Minghao pulls it out of his bag. “I did. Didn’t want to monopolize your time and I’m not really a social media person.”

“Oh, I’m not either,” Junhui says. He leans on the bar, keeping an eye out for other customers, but it’s dead right now. “I don’t have any accounts.”

“I do, but mostly because my friends made me,” Minghao laughs. “I barely have a smartphone at this point. I don’t have anything downloaded.”

“I have a flip phone, so I get it,” Junhui says, pulling his phone out of his back pocket and showing it off. “I only have it for work and to call my friends.”

“How cute,” Minghao says. He’s smiling so hard. He’s so pretty. “Tell me about where we’re going tonight?”

“It’s a small place,” Junhui says. “My friend’s parents own it. I think you’ll like it if you like things a bit quieter.”

“I love things a bit quieter,” Minghao laughs. “It’s my ideal, really.”

Junhui smiles. “Then we’ve got a date. I’ll have you know I don’t really take tourists on dates. You’re just passing through.”

“At least I'll be here for two weeks?” Minghao offers. “Yesterday was my first day here.”

“Makes it better,” Junhui says. “At least I’ve got you for that long. If I can steal you away from your family.”

Minghao makes this little “psh” noise. “I see my family all the time. I think they’ll be fine. I’ll have to tell them that I met someone, but I can live with the embarrassment of that.”

Something about “I met someone” makes Junhui’s cheeks flare hot. He covers them with his hands and Minghao giggles. He has such an endearing laugh. 

“You’re cute,” Minghao says softly. “Very cute, Junhui.”

Minghao has Junhui so flustered. He’s 23, he’s a big boy now, he should be able to hold it together better than this. He can’t do it in the face of sweet smiles and pointed ears and sugared words. 

“I have to, um, go serve someone,” Junhui says. He’s lying and Minghao knows it, because there’s no one else at the bar. Minghao still laughs and pulls out his book, winking at Junhui before he looks away. Good man.

Junhui makes himself busy cleaning up the bar and by the time it’s 6 and he’s swapping shifts with Soonyoung, Minghao has nearly finished his book.

“Is that him?” Soonyoung whispers too loudly. 

“Yes, now shut up,” Junhui hisses. Minghao definitely noticed, but he seems to be pretending that he hasn’t. A very good man. “We’re going now. Don’t be weird.”

“Hi, Minghao!” Soonyoung calls. Minghao bursts into giggles and Junhui wants to die. 

“Hello,” Minghao says pleasantly. “Is it time for me to steal Junhui?”

“Take him away,” Soonyoung says with a grin. “By all means, sweep him off his feet.”

“I think I can manage that,” Minghao laughs. He waits for Junhui to come out from behind the counter before he puts his stuff away in his tote bag and puts his hand out for Junhui to hold. Junhui takes it easily. “Following you, Jun.”

He says the last part so softly, just for Junhui. Junhui is enamored. 

“We’re going further into town,” Junhui says on their way out. “I’ll drive. That’s part of why it’s so unknown.”

“And the other reasons?”

“We try to keep it that way,” Junhui laughs. “It’s always busy enough with locals that we just don’t tell tourists about it. It’s kind of an unspoken thing.”

“Are you sure you want to take me?” Minghao asks when they get to Junhui’s car. “You don’t have to.”

“No, I want to,” Junhui says. He squeezes Minghao’s hand. “In the passenger seat, chop chop. Let’s go, Xu.”

“You haven’t even told me your last name,” Minghao says once they’re in the car. “So mysterious.”

“It’s Wen,” Junhui says with a smile. “Does that make you feel better about me kidnapping you away from your family?”

Minghao laughs. “Sure, we’ll go with that. Makes me feel like I know you better, which is kind of the whole point of this. I’m trying to get to know you, Junhui.”

And that’s different. Junhui is used to tourists trying to fuck him. He’s never had one be genuinely interested in him. 

“Oh,” Junhui says softly. “I’m trying to get to know you too. Tell me your favorite color?”

Minghao laughs again, that sweet little giggle, and Junhui smiles. 

“It’s orange,” Minghao says. “Like a sunset.”

“Then do I have some great news for you about beach sunsets,” Junhui says. “Can I get you in the sun to see one?”

“I guess you could.”

“Down bad already?”

Junhui sees Minghao grin out of the corner of his eye. “Yeah. Certainly.”

“I’ll take it,” Junhui laughs. “Mine’s blue, by the way. You didn’t ask, but—”

“But I was wondering,” Minghao says. “What kind of blue?”

“Midnight blue,” Junhui says. “Right after the sunset.”

Junhui can feel Minghao watching him. “We go together.”

“Yeah. I think we do.”

Junhui pulls into the parking lot of a small building and Minghao lets out a little gasp. “It’s so cute.”

“Thanks, on behalf of Wonwoo’s family,” Junhui says. “Let’s go in. I called ahead.”

“On your flip phone?”

“On my flip phone,” Junhui laughs. He takes Minghao’s hand when they’re both out of the car, guiding him inside. Wonwoo is behind the bar and he yells to them when they come in.

“Table by the window!” Wonwoo says. “You asked, we answered.”

“You’re the best,” Junhui says. “This is Minghao, by the way. Minghao, this is Wonwoo.”

Minghao waves, a shy thing, and he’s gripping Junhui’s hand hard. He’s nervous. How sweet. Wonwoo waves back, a small smile on his face, and honestly, Minghao and Wonwoo would be a match made in heaven if Junhui wasn’t the way he is and standing firmly between them. He doesn’t really plan to change that. 

“Over here,” Junhui says quietly, nudging Minghao toward the window table. “Don’t get distracted by the cute boy behind the bar.”

“I’ve only got room for one cute bartender,” Minghao says too genuinely as he sits across from Junhui. “I’m afraid that spot’s been filled.”

“You really are a flirt.” Junhui laughs to hide the fact that he’s almost certainly blushing. His cheeks are hot.

“Only with you,” Minghao says with a smile. “I’m usually not very good at this.”

Junhui hides his face in his hands before he nudges the menu toward Minghao. “Stop focusing on me for two seconds and let me pull myself together.”

“Got it,” Minghao laughs. He dutifully looks at the menu and when Wonwoo comes over to ask what they want, he orders with a quiet voice and a small smile at Wonwoo. Wonwoo smiles back. Junhui needs to keep these two apart until he locks Minghao down.

He might have already, but that’s beside the point. 

“The usual, Jun?” Wonwoo asks. Junhui nods and Wonwoo writes it down on his little notepad. “Got it. Be back soon. Flag me down if you need anything.”  

“You meant it when you said this place is for locals,” Minghao says when Wonwoo is gone. “I can’t believe you actually brought me here.”

“Yeah, well, I had to pull all the tricks out,” Junhui says with a grin. “Like the fact that I’m going to take you to see a beach sunset at one of the more hidden beaches? Pulling out a trick.”

Minghao laughs. “You really don’t have to. I was sold the first time you heavily questioned me about my identity.”

“In my defense, you looked like a baby in his first bar.”

“I’m sure I did,” Minghao says. “I tend to look like that in new places. They make me relentlessly nervous.”

“I feel that,” Junhui says. “The first time I went into that bar, I bet I looked like that too. I was also 12 and with my parents, but that’s not the point.

“No, it isn’t,” Minghao laughs. “My parents stayed firmly on the beach.”

“Yeah, who are you here with?”

“My parents, my aunts and uncles and cousins,” Minghao says. “It’s a family reunion, basically.”

“And you’re here with me?”

“I see them all the time,” Minghao says with a shrug. “I don’t actually know why we do this when we all live in the same city. I think it’s just an excuse for a beach vacation.”

Junhui laughs. “I’ll take it. As long as you’re with me.”

“I may or may not have told them I was going to be a little preoccupied for the next two weeks,” Minghao says, rubbing at the back of his neck like he’s embarrassed. “I got questioned about it. It was a lot.”

“Very presumptive of you,” Junhui teases. “Banking on this going well?”

“I have a very good feeling about you,” Minghao says softly. His smile is so sweet. Junhui can’t resist his own smile. “I’ll just say it’s a gut instinct.”

Junhui taps Minghao’s foot with his and he smiles wider when Minghao tangles their legs together. “Yeah, I get it. I really do.”

They talk through the rest of dinner, about Minghao’s family and Junhui growing up in a beach town and where Minghao calls home. It’s eight hours away. That’s a little heartbreaking. Junhui pushes that aside. He has Minghao for two weeks.

“I’m off work tomorrow, actually,” Junhui says as he pays after a small argument about it. “If you’re interested in breakfast in the morning, we could go early, get a spot.”

Minghao grins. “Yeah, that sounds perfect. I’ll pay.”

Junhui laughs. “Yeah, alright, brat. Come on. Let’s go see the sunset. I have a beach blanket in my car.”

“I’m sure you do,” Minghao says. He follows Junhui back to his car and slides into the passenger seat like he was meant to be there. “Where are we going?”

“Hidden little place,” Junhui says as he drives. “Near my apartment, there’s a private part of the beach that’s on the lagoon side, but the owners are this old couple that let locals use it. They’re lovely. Their house sits further back, so the beach is like its own little world.”

“That’s really sweet of them.”

“We stick together,” Junhui says. “I’m sure you’ve only seen the beach while it’s packed, so this will be nice.”

Minghao is watching Junhui, his head lolled to the side. “I’m sure it’ll be beautiful.”

“We’re here,” Junhui says instead of giggling nervously. He pulls into the parking lot of his apartment building and parks, getting the beach blanket out of the back before he takes Minghao’s hand and pulls him along a hidden little path. It pops them out on a quiet stretch of the beach and Junhui is surprised that there’s no one there at this hour.

They’re right in time for the sunset, so Junhui lays the blanket out near the water and sits, patting the spot next to him. Minghao sits and takes Junhui’s hand again, playing with his fingers while he stares out at the horizon as the sun lowers in the sky. Junhui kind of can’t take his eyes off of Minghao.

“It’s gorgeous,” Minghao says quietly.

“You are too,” Junhui whispers. Minghao looks over at him, his eyes wide, and in the dying light, Junhui kisses him. Minghao brings his free hand up to Junhui’s cheek and holds him softly, kissing back almost hesitantly. Junhui presses closer, kisses him harder, and Minghao squeezes Junhui’s hand.

Minghao licks into Junhui’s mouth and Junhui moves so he’s straddling Minghao’s hips, in his lap and making himself smaller to fit. Minghao smiles into the kiss and slips a hand under Junhui’s shirt to rest it on his waist, holding him steady. 

“Hi,” Junhui says softly when he pulls away. “We kind of missed the sunset.”

“I’m alright with that,” Minghao says with a smile. It’s dark now and the sound of the waves behind him mixes with Minghao’s soft breaths when Junhui kisses him again. Junhui doesn’t know how long they kiss like that, blanketed by the stars appearing and the water lapping at the shore. It’s a bit of a dream. Junhui holds Minghao tighter.

“I should get you back to your hotel,” Junhui says eventually. 

“I’m actually right down the road,” Minghao says. “I recognize where we are. I can walk from here.”

“You’re so close to me.”

“Convenient.”

Junhui smiles. “I guess so. Are you sure you want to walk? I can take you.”

“Nah, it’ll be good to walk a bit,” Minghao says with a shrug. “Thanks though, babe.”

It’s sweet. He’s sweet. Junhui smiles wider. 

They untangle themselves and stand, Junhui folding up his blanket and putting his hand out for Minghao. Minghao takes it easily and Junhui guides him back to the parking lot so he can orient himself. 

“You sure you know where you’re going?”

“I really do,” Minghao laughs. “I’ll see you in the morning?”

“Nautilus, 9 am?”

“Works for me.”

“See you then,” Junhui says. He pulls Minghao close again and kisses him softly, fleeting, and Minghao smiles. 

“Goodnight, Junhui,” Minghao whispers.

“Goodnight,” Junhui whispers back. He watches Minghao walk away until he can’t anymore, until he has to put his blanket back in his car and go into his apartment.

~~~~

They spend their days like that, with Minghao lingering at the bar or, on Junhui’s days off, on the beach when Junhui can coax him there with the promise to make sure he’s sufficiently sunscreened. It’s a week into Minghao’s vacation and Junhui has never felt a countdown with more menacing energy than this one.

He ignores it and invites Minghao to spend the night.

Minghao smiles. They’re on the beach watching the sunset again and Minghao sends off a text to his parents before he follows Junhui back to his apartment, their hands laced together. Minghao toes off his shoes at the door before Junhui nudges him back toward his bedroom.

“You’re making your intentions awfully clear, baby,” Minghao laughs. 

“I would hope so, considering I’m trying to sleep with you,” Junhui says with a grin. He kisses Minghao hard and walks him backwards until he’s falling back on Junhui’s bed. “Thought I’d made that obvious.”

Minghao pulls Junhui on top of him. “A little bit. I’m fine with it.”

Junhui can’t resist the way he teases Minghao. “Oh, you’re fine with it? I’m so honored.”

Minghao laughs. “I’m thrilled. Is that better?”

“A little,” Junhui sighs dramatically. “You’re going to have to make it up to me.”

“I’m going to let you fuck me,” Minghao says. “Is that good enough?”

Junhui smiles. “Yeah, I think that works.”

Minghao pulls Junhui back down to kiss him and tugs on the hem of his shirt so Junhui will get the hint. He pulls off his shirt and helps Minghao out of his, and he sucks in a breath when Minghao runs his hands down Junhui’s chest until he’s hooking his fingers in Junhui’s waistband, holding him close. Junhui nudges Minghao’s head to the side so he can kiss down his neck, stopping to nip at his collarbone to hear him gasp. He lets out a small moan when Junhui lightly thumbs over his nipple while he bites a mark below his collarbone. 

Minghao pulls on Junhui’s waistband, encouraging him to grind down, and Junhui can’t help the way he moans. Minghao has him weak, laid bare, and he isn’t swallowing down the noises he makes like he normally does.

“Pretty baby,” Minghao says softly as he pulls Junhui down again. “You sound so pretty.”

Junhui is a little frenzied about undressing them, but he slows down and groans when Minghao gathers the precome he’s been leaking and gets his hand around him, a light and teasing touch. 

Junhui pulls Minghao’s hand away because he’s not going to come like this and he laces their fingers together while he moves to get lube and a condom out of his bedside table. He helps Minghao adjust with a pillow under his hips while Junhui sits back between his legs, kissing his knee before he starts pressing a finger into him. He opens Minghao up slowly, careful not to hurt him, and Minghao is biting down on his bottom lip hard by the time Junhui is three fingers deep in him, tears welling up in his eyes.

“You ready, sweetheart?” Junhui asks softly. Minghao nods and Junhui pulls his fingers out slowly before rolling the condom on and positioning himself back over Minghao.

Minghao pulls Junhui down into a kiss as Junhui presses into him and both of them moan when their hips press together. Junhui gives Minghao time to adjust before Minghao whispers a soft “you can move, baby.” Junhui fucks him slowly, fucks him deep, and savors the way Minghao rolls his hips back down to meet Junhui like he’s a little desperate for it. Minghao tangles his fingers in Junhui’s hair and they kiss messily, unfocused, while Junhui sets a faster pace.

“Touch yourself, baby,” Junhui says softly. “I want to see you.”

Minghao nods and gets a hand around himself and it doesn’t take long for him to come with Junhui’s name on his lips and he sounds so pretty and it tugs Junhui over the edge. 

They hold each other close while they come down and it’s so gentle, so soft, and Junhui doesn’t usually seek out this kind of intimacy, but he kind of can’t help it with Minghao. It’s innate, the two of them, the way they are. Minghao kisses him again and it’s everything.

Junhui gets out of bed to clean them up carefully before he gets back in bed and pulls Minghao to him. Minghao curls into him easily, muffling a yawn into his hand. Junhui strokes a hand up and down Minghao’s spine, his fingers catching on the notches of it.

Minghao leaves in six days. Junhui tries not to think about it as he falls asleep.

~~~~

The morning Minghao leaves, he wakes up in Junhui’s bed. Junhui holds him close and tries to pretend it’s not happening.

“I have to go, baby,” Minghao whispers. “I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to be sorry,” Junhui sighs. “I’ll walk you out.”

Junhui gets out of bed and pulls Minghao with him, walking him to the door. He draws Minghao into a kiss, holding them both steady.

They haven’t talked about continuing this. Junhui didn’t really think it was on the table.

They haven’t talked about seeing each other again either. Junhui aches.

“I’ll miss you,” Junhui whispers.

Minghao smiles and it’s so sad. “I’ll miss you too. I’ll be thinking about you.”

“You know where to find me.”

Minghao kisses him again and doesn’t say anything to that.

“Bye, sweetheart,” Junhui says when Minghao pulls away. “Be safe going home.”

“Have a good shift today,” Minghao says softly. “Bye, baby.”

Minghao kisses Junhui one last time, lingering, before he opens the front door. Junhui watches Minghao walk down the sidewalk, watches him turn back at the edge of the parking lot. Junhui waves. Minghao waves back.

Junhui watches him until he’s gone.

twenty-two, twenty-four

Minghao walks into the bar and he’s as beautiful as he was a year ago. Maybe more beautiful.  Junhui didn’t think it was possible, but he’s okay being proven wrong.

Minghao lights up when he sees Junhui, a smile growing on his face. He sits at one of the bar stools and Junhui is quick to go to him.

“I was hoping you would be here,” Minghao says softly. “Hi, beautiful.”

Junhui reaches out and cups Minghao’s cheek in his hand, running his thumb along his cheekbone. “Hi, sweetheart.”

Minghao catches Junhui’s hand and presses a kiss to his palm. It’s always been easy with them. “Missed you.”

“Missed you too,” Junhui says too quietly. He wants to keep this private. Sue him. “How long are you here?”

“Two weeks,” Minghao says. “We just got in today. Like, 20 minutes ago, actually.”

“And you came straight here?”

“I don’t know why that’s surprising,” Minghao laughs. “My next plan was to show up at your apartment and hope you hadn’t moved.”

“Well, lucky you,” Junhui says with a smile. “Lucky me.”

“When do you get off?”

“In half an hour. Are you willing to wait?”

“Always,” Minghao says. His smile is so soft, small and private. “I brought a book.”

“Brilliant boy,” Junhui says. “I’ve gotta clean my stuff up, but do you want a drink?”

“Just water’s fine,” Minghao says, waving his hand. Junhui gets him a glass of water and he opens up his book, reading quietly while Junhui prepares for the shift swap with Soonyoung. 

Soonyoung gasps when he comes in and Junhui glares at him. Soonyoung sneaks up to Junhui and whispers in his ear, but it’s too loud to be private.

“He’s back?” Soonyoung asks.

“Clearly,” Junhui says, rolling his eyes fondly.

“Does he know how much you moped while he was gone?”

Minghao looks up and raises his eyebrows at Junhui. 

“Well, now he does,” Junhui sighs. “Thanks, Soonyoung.”

“Happy to help.”

Junhui whips a kitchen towel at him and Soonyoung barely dodges, laughing. 

“You ready to go, Minghao?” Junhui asks when he’s clocked out. “Let’s get dinner. I’m starving.”

Minghao nods and puts his book away before he goes to hold Junhui’s hand. Junhui clings to Minghao’s hand on the way to his car.

“Wait, one second,” Minghao says when Junhui is about to get into the driver’s seat. Minghao pulls him close and kisses him softly. It’s a little hesitant, like he’s not sure how it’s going to go over, and Junhui presses back into the kiss, an assurance. When they break apart, Minghao smiles. “Hey.”

“Hey, baby,” Junhui whispers. He brushes their lips together again before he nudges Minghao back with his hip. “I really am starving. Chop chop.”

Minghao laughs and swings himself into Junhui’s passenger seat. 

Wonwoo looks shocked when they walk into the restaurant, hand-in-hand and laughing at something Minghao just said.

“You’re back,” Wonwoo says, staring at Minghao. 

“I’m back,” Minghao says with a smile. “Good to see you.”

“You too,” Wonwoo says faintly, looking at Junhui with a clear question in his eyes. Is Junhui okay with this?

More than. 

Wonwoo gestures for them to take the table by the window that Junhui likes so much and Minghao tangles their legs together when they sit down. 

“So, tell me what you’ve been up to?” Junhui asks once they’ve ordered. “It’s been a year. Lots to cover.”

“Lots to cover,” Minghao laughs. He goes over the last year in broad strokes and Junhui notes what he wants to ask questions about, but they have two weeks. He’ll get there. Junhui does the same, hits the highlights, and by the time dinner is over, he feels sufficiently caught up on how Minghao changed jobs, moved in with a new roommate, and convinced his family to come back to the beach for vacation.

“Did they see straight through you?” Junhui asks with a laugh.

“Totally,” Minghao laughs. “My mom even called me on it, but they were convinced in the end. They said they want to meet you this time though. Something about wooing me away from them.”

“I’d argue you did more wooing than I did.”

Minghao grins. “You’d be surprised. I’m sufficiently wooed.”

Junhui reaches out to take Minghao’s hand over the table, squeezing it. “Good. Are you staying with me tonight?”

Minghao’s cheeks go pink. “I was hoping so. I may or may not have already told my family I would be gone.”

“Perfect,” Junhui laughs. “I’m paying, by the way.”

“I’m getting breakfast then.”

Junhui smiles. “Excellent. Let’s go home.”

Junhui pays and leads Minghao back out to the car. They talk idly on the way back to Junhui’s apartment, just about his shift at the bar, and it’s so easy with them. It’s so easy to fall back into what they had. It should worry Junhui more than it does. 

In Junhui’s apartment, Minghao pulls Junhui close, caging him against the wall in the entryway. It’s where they said goodbye. It’s where Minghao leans in to kiss Junhui slowly, carefully. Junhui laces his fingers in Minghao’s hair, tugging at the soft hair at the nape of his neck. 

“Missed you,” Minghao whispers. “Missed you so much.”

“God, I missed you too,” Junhui whispers back, pressing it to Minghao’s mouth. “Sweet boy.”

Junhui sets his hands on Minghao’s hips to move him, but they don’t quite make it to the bedroom. He’s a little distracted with kissing Minghao and he decides that the couch will do. He lays Minghao out underneath him and Minghao slips his hands under Junhui’s shirt, ghosting them up his chest and rolling his nipples in between his fingers. Junhui doesn’t swallow down his moan. He doesn’t do that with Minghao. 

They undress each other slowly, a little reverently, and Minghao has grown more into his shoulders. He’s somehow more beautiful and somehow more sensitive when Junhui nips at his jaw. 

Minghao’s head falls back with a moan when Junhui spits into his hand and wraps it around both of their cocks, just the right amount of friction, particularly when Minghao moves his hips like he can’t quite help it, as overwhelmed as he is.

“Minghao, my baby,” Junhui calls softly. “Tell me how you feel.”

“No one touches me like you do,” Minghao chokes out. He starts to say something else, but it cuts off on a moan when Junhui speeds his hand up. 

“That’s right, sweetheart,” Junhui says, a little caught up in that. “You going to come for me?”

Minghao nods and pulls Junhui back into a kiss before he breaks it as he comes with a whine. Junhui works him through it before he pulls his hand away, waiting for Minghao to catch his breath. He’s about to finish himself off when Minghao spits into his hand and wraps it around Junhui’s cock, coaxing him into coming over his stomach.

“Good boy,” Minghao says softly and Junhui shudders. Minghao smiles. “Can you get a washcloth, please? I don’t want to drip come onto your carpet.”

Junhui nearly snorts with how hard he laughs before he gets up to go to the bathroom. He comes back with a washcloth, wiping Minghao clean carefully. He helps Minghao off the couch and into the shower, slipping in behind him just to stay with him. Minghao washes Junhui’s hair for him and it’s too sweet. It makes Junhui’s teeth ache. It makes something else in him ache when he remembers that he went so long without this. 

He thought he wouldn’t get this again at all. He thought he wouldn’t get Minghao again.

“Let’s go to bed?” Minghao asks softly when they’re out of the shower and Minghao has dried Junhui’s hair. It’s gotten late and Junhui nods, guiding Minghao back to his bedroom. He curls up to Minghao in bed and feels Minghao press a kiss to the top of his head. “I’m really happy to be back.”

“I’m happy you’re back,” Junhui says quietly. “I feel like you missed everything and nothing all at once. It’s still the same town. I’m still the same me.”

“Good,” Minghao says. “I’d like you if you changed too, but I do really like who you are now.”

Junhui looks up at Minghao. “You’re a little dreamy. Have I ever told you that?”

Minghao laughs. “No, but happy to hear it. Not a dream though. Very much here.”

Junhui doesn’t say that he had too many dreams where Minghao came back. Soonyoung already gave away enough. He just reaches up to kiss Minghao instead. 

~~~~

Junhui meets Minghao’s family on the beach. Minghao looks distinctly displeased to be in the direct sunlight and Junhui wants to laugh, but he’s surrounded by Minghao’s family.

Minghao’s mom, who Junhui recognizes from photos, laughs though. “You’re being a baby, Minghao.”

“I just don’t like it,” Minghao huffs. “Junhui, this is everyone. Everyone, this is Junhui.”

“You’re so good at introductions,” Junhui laughs. “Hi, everyone. Nice to meet you all.”

They introduce themselves in turn and when it circles back to Minghao’s mom, she brings Junhui into a hug. “He’s much less grouchy when we see him now.”

“Sorry you’re not seeing him as much,” Junhui says as he hugs her back. 

Minghao’s mom makes a little “psh” noise. “I see him at home. He’s happier. I’m alright with that.”

Minghao is flushed bright red. “That’s enough of that.”

“Oh, you’ll be fine,” Minghao’s mom laughs. She pulls away from Junhui and Junhui turns to shake hands with Minghao’s dad, a slightly more stoic man, but he gives Junhui a small smile and says “hello.”

“We should get going—” Minghao tries, but his mom cuts him off with a hand raised.

“Junhui, would you like to join us?” Minghao’s mom asks. “We were about to send the kids to pick up lunch. You and Minghao can stay for it.”

“Sure, that’d be lovely,” Junhui says, because is he supposed to say no? Absolutely not. Minghao glares at him and he waves him off. “We’ll get sunscreen on you and you’ll be fine, sweetheart.”

Minghao’s mom is grinning. It was probably the “sweetheart,” which Junhui let slip more than anything. 

Minghao knocks their shoulders together. “If I get a sunburn, it’s on you.”

“I’ll take that on,” Junhui laughs. Minghao’s family shifts around to accommodate them both on the blankets and under the umbrellas and Junhui helps Minghao get sunscreen fully rubbed into his face and it’s good. The rest of the cousins bring lunch back and they eat without getting sand in anything and it’s really good.

Junhui ends up in some kind of card game with Minghao’s uncles and Minghao is talking to his mom while he watches them. 

“He’s sweet,” Junhui overhears Minghao’s mother say.

“Yeah,” Minghao says. “I really like him.”

Junhui grins to himself and goes back to his card game. Minghao’s uncles wipe the floor with him and that’s alright. Junhui is okay with that.

Minghao doesn’t get a sunburn in the end, mostly because he and Junhui were both vigorous about it, and when Junhui has to go to the bar for a closing shift, Minghao comes so he can sit at the bar with him. 

“Bye, everyone,” Junhui says before they leave. “Thanks for having me.”

“Come back with him if you’d like,” Minghao’s mom says. “We’ll be here.”

“We’ll do that,” Junhui says. He laughs when Minghao bumps their hips together in protest and he takes Minghao’s hand to walk back to the bar.

“So,” Junhui says, drawing the word out. “I heard you really like me.”

Minghao groans. “You heard me?”

“Definitely,” Junhui laughs. “It was cute. I really like you too, to be clear.”

“Well, that’s a relief, I guess.”

Junhui squeezes Minghao’s hand before he lets go to go behind the bar. “Read your book, honey. Are you with me tonight?”

“Mhm.”

Junhui grins. “Perfect.”

~~~~

They’re saying goodbye again. Junhui feels a little like he can’t breathe. He’s choking on something like grief.

“I’m coming back next year,” Minghao says quietly at Junhui’s front door, leaning against the wall with Junhui caging him in. “I had to check with my family, but I’ll be back next year.”

“I’m still going to miss you,” Junhui says softly.

“We could call?”

Junhui sighs. “Wouldn’t that make it harder? To be apart?”

“Yeah,” Minghao says, staring at the ground. “Sorry. That was stupid.”

Junhui tucks his fingers under Minghao’s chin and pulls his head up so they’re making eye contact. “If and when you come back, I’ll be here. Okay?”

“I’m coming back.”

“Okay,” Junhui says softly. He leans in to kiss Minghao, keeping it gentle. “I’ll see you then.”

“I’ll see you then,” Minghao echoes. He tangles his fingers in Junhui’s hair and pulls him into a kiss, hard and desperate. “Bye, baby.”

“Bye, sweetheart,” Junhui whispers. He kisses Minghao quickly one last time before he opens his front door. “Go before your mom gets mad at me for keeping you.”

“She likes you too much to get mad at you,” Minghao laughs. “I’ll see you when I come back.”

“I’ll see you then,” Junhui says. He watches Minghao go.

twenty-three, twenty-five

If Junhui is right, Minghao is going to show up in mid-July. That’s when he’s come the last two years. It doesn’t stop Junhui from whipping his head up every time the door to the bar opens at the beginning of June.

It pays off one day in, and Junhui was right, mid-July. Minghao walks in and he smiles when he sees Junhui and Junhui shouldn’t because he’s at work, but he runs at Minghao and sweeps him up into a hug. It’s fine. Soonyoung is his boss now—he’ll be alright. 

“Hi, baby,” Minghao says, clinging to Junhui. “Hi, hi, hi.”

Junhui lets go of Minghao just enough to be able to kiss him. He keeps it chaste—he really is at work—but he can’t help himself. “Hi, sweetheart. You’re here.”

“I’m here,” Minghao laughs. “And you should be behind the bar before you get in trouble.”

“Fine,” Junhui groans. “Come sit?”

“Brought my book and everything,” Minghao says. He follows Junhui to the bar and sits on one of the stools while Junhui goes behind the bar and washes his hands. “Will you make me a vodka cran if I ask nicely?”

“Try begging for it and maybe.”

“Kinky,” Minghao laughs. “Do you do this with all of your customers?”

“Absolutely not,” Junhui says. “This is a special case. Are you begging or not?”

“I’m begging,” Minghao says. “Please, baby? I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Whatever I want?” Junhui asks with a wink. Minghao groans and Junhui laughs so hard he has tears in his eyes. He missed Minghao so badly. He’s a little delirious with him being back.

He makes Minghao’s vodka cran and sets it in front of him, moving to go take someone else’s order and watching out of the corner of his eye as Minghao takes his book out. Sweet boy. 

Junhui’s shift passes slowly now that he can’t touch Minghao even though he’s right there, but Soonyoung eventually comes to swap with him. 

“Minghao!” Soonyoung yells when he comes in. “You’re back!”

“Hey, Soonyoung,” Minghao laughs. “I’m back. Good to see you.”

“You too, buddy,” Soonyoung says with a smile. “Are you whisking Junhui away?”

“Trying to.”

“Go, then,” Soonyoung says, shooing Junhui into the back to clock out. Junhui hears Minghao and Soonyoung talking and he grins to himself. Soonyoung is saying something about Minghao being invited to their bonfire that weekend when Junhui comes back out and the grin doesn’t fade.

“I’d love to come if Junhui is going,” Minghao says, looking to Junhui. Junhui nods. “Then great. Thanks for inviting me.”

“I’m sure Junhui would have, but I like to be the first in things.”

Junhui laughs. “And you were. C’mon, Minghao. Off we go. I have stuff to make dinner at my apartment if you’re interested.”

“Very,” Minghao says. He takes Junhui’s hand when Junhui comes out from behind the bar and Junhui smiles. He’s doing an awful lot of that. He can’t really help it.

They start their debrief on the way to Junhui’s apartment, what they missed and what’s new, and Junhui feels Minghao watching him the whole time. He looks over when they’re at a stoplight and Minghao is just smiling at him.

“What are you looking at?” Junhui teases.

“You’re just so beautiful,” Minghao says softly. “Missed you so much.”

“Missed you too,” Junhui says. He has to drive. Now isn’t the time to cry about how honeyed Minghao’s voice is when he says things like that. 

They get to his apartment and Minghao follows Junhui inside, taking his shoes off at the door and gasping.

“You got a cat!” 

Junhui laughs. “This is Shrimp. I got her as a birthday present to myself.”

Minghao sits on the floor, letting Shrimp wrap herself around him before he pets her, and it’s a sweet scene. Junhui might love them both.

Huh. That’s interesting. He ignores that for now.

“Come to the kitchen, sweetheart,” Junhui says after a moment of just watching them together. “I have wine, we’ll make a night out of it.”

Minghao trails after Junhui into the kitchen and before Junhui can even pour their glasses, Minghao is pressing him against the counter. Junhui is more than fine with it.

“Hey,” Junhui says with a smile. “You going to kiss me now?”

“Mhm,” Minghao hums. He leans in to kiss Junhui so gently, but it isn’t hesitant this time. He kisses Junhui like he knows how badly Junhui wants it now. He slides a hand into Junhui’s hair, cradling him carefully, and Junhui deepens the kiss easily. Always easy. 

They make out almost lazily, like they’ve got all the time in the world, and right now, they do. Right now, the world is outside Junhui’s apartment door and the ticking clock that follows them is locked outside. They kiss until Minghao shifts how he’s standing and Junhui smiles into the kiss when he feels how hard he is.

“You said you would do anything for that vodka cran?” Junhui asks. Minghao hums. “What about fucking me?”

“I’d beg for that too,” Minghao says, his voice low. Junhui shivers and Minghao pulls Junhui away from the counter and toward the bedroom, laying him out on the bed. Minghao is careful about undressing them, about skating his fingers all over Junhui’s body and following them with his mouth, about working Junhui up until he’s almost shaking with how overwhelmed he is. 

“Can I?” Minghao asks once he’s pulled lube and a condom out of Junhui’s nightstand. “Please, baby?”

“Yeah, you can,” Junhui breathes out. He winces when Minghao starts to press a finger inside him and Minghao nips at his thigh as a distraction before leaving a dark bruise there. He follows it with a few more while he works Junhui open, always gentle. 

“You’re doing so well,” Minghao says softly. “Taking my fingers so well, Jun. You’re so beautiful like this too. You’re a dream.”

Junhui knows he’s tearing up, but he’s just so overwhelmed by all of it, by Minghao’s quiet praise and the way Junhui probably loves him and Minghao, Minghao, Minghao. He tells Minghao that he’s ready and watches Minghao roll the condom on and slick himself up before he kisses Junhui, soothing him through the discomfort as he presses inside him. 

“You can move, sweetheart,” Junhui whispers. 

Minghao picks up a smooth pace and Junhui feels like his little moans are being punched out of him and he would be embarrassed if it were anyone but Minghao. Minghao just smiles and kisses him a little harder and tells him he “sounds so pretty, baby.”

Junhui hasn’t been fucked like this, like he matters, tender and careful, since last summer and he’ll blame that on why he’s crying a little.

“Oh, my sweet boy,” Minghao says. “Missed you so much.”

“Missed you,” Junhui chokes out. He’s about to say something else, he isn’t sure what, but Minghao gets his hand around Junhui’s cock and wrings his orgasm out of him like it’s nothing for him, like he knows Junhui inside and out and can do this so easily. He probably can.

Junhui locks his ankles behind Minghao’s hips and encourages him to keep going until he comes with a near-whine that Junhui adores.

“I’ll clean us up,” Minghao says once he’s come down. He moves around Junhui’s apartment without issue and Junhui has an idea.

“Stay with me,” Junhui says while Minghao cleans him up. “While you’re here. Stay with me. We’ll go spend time with your family and you can on your own too, but stay with me.”

Minghao grins. “Yeah, Jun. I will.”

Junhui pulls him down into a kiss before he pushes him away to go rinse out the washcloth. Junhui pulls his discarded clothes on and waits for Minghao to as well before he pulls Minghao back to the kitchen for dinner.

Minghao helps him cook, lets him talk about whatever comes to mind as they drink their wine, and it’s so fucking domestic, Junhui might pass out. It’s everything he could want.

They settle at Junhui’s small table and Shrimp swirls around their feet while she begs for scraps and it’s perfect. Minghao smiles and he’s perfect.

~~~~

That weekend, Junhui gets off work to find Minghao waiting for him outside the bar. He spent dinner with his family and now he’s come back to go with Junhui to the bonfire and God, what Junhui wouldn’t give to have Minghao wait for him all the time.

“Hey, sweetheart,” Junhui says, leaning in to kiss Minghao hello before he takes his hand on the way to the car. “How’s everyone?”

“They asked when you were coming to see them,” Minghao laughs. “I told them we’d try tomorrow since you’re off work, but I didn’t make any promises.”

“That sounds good to me,” Junhui says. He watches Minghao swing himself into the passenger seat and he smiles. “So, you know everyone who’s coming tonight, but they might be a lot all at once. You’ve met them over the years though.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine,” Minghao says. “Just stick with me and don’t leave me alone with Jeonghan for too long. He worries me.”

Junhui laughs. “Yeah, that’s fair. He worries all of us.”

They get back to Junhui’s apartment building and park before following the hidden pathway down to the beach, where the group has already gathered and lit the small bonfire. Junhui takes Minghao’s hand in his and guides him down to the group, beach blanket in hand.

They lay out their blanket by the fire before greeting everyone and Junhui is so endeared by the way Minghao greets everyone like they’re old friends. He hugs Soonyoung and Seungcheol, says a soft hello to Wonwoo and Jihoon, and stays a little behind Junhui when he says hello to Jeonghan and Joshua like he should. It’s perfect. Junhui doesn’t know that he’s ever been happier, if he’s being honest. He’s surrounded by his favorite people, he’s at his favorite place, and he has his favorite boy’s hand in his. 

He and Minghao settle on their blanket to watch the fire and Minghao tucks his head on Junhui’s shoulder.

He fits so well, on Junhui’s shoulder, here with them. It makes Junhui want to scream. 

“Thanks for bringing me,” Minghao says softly. He turns his head so he can brush a kiss across Junhui’s jaw. “Means a lot.”

“Thanks for coming,” Junhui says. He wraps his arm around Minghao’s waist, helping him get comfortable and tapping a pattern into his hip. “Thanks for coming back.”

“I think I’m always going to come back for you,” Minghao whispers. Junhui barely hears him. 

Junhui knows it doesn’t work like that. He knows this will end at some point, that Minghao won’t come back, but they have time until then. They have this year. They have another two or three. It’ll come to an end, but it doesn’t have to right now. Right now, Minghao keeps coming back. 

“I’ll be here,” Junhui says, and that one’s true. He’ll be waiting for Minghao until Minghao’s gone for good. 

Minghao moves so he can kiss Junhui gently, just a small thing. Soonyoung still manages to see it and still manages to heckle them. Minghao starts yelling something back that Junhui doesn’t even process with how deep in his head he still is, but it’s enough to make him laugh.

Minghao doesn’t let go of him for the rest of the night.

~~~~

They’re always saying goodbye at Junhui’s front door. They’re always saying goodbye.

There’s so much that Junhui wants to say. He wants to tell Minghao he loves him, wants to beg him to stay. He kisses Minghao instead, kisses him hard.

“I’ll miss you,” Minghao whispers. “I’ll be back next year, but I’m going to miss you so much. I always do.”

“I’ll miss you too,” Junhui says. He hates that he’s crying a little. 

Minghao wipes Junhui's cheeks gently. “Don’t cry, my baby. It’s going to be okay.”

It isn’t. Junhui doesn’t say that. It’ll only make Minghao feel worse.

“I’m okay,” Junhui says, trying not to choke on it. “You’re coming back. I’ll see you then?”

“I’ll see you then,” Minghao says. He kisses Junhui gently, soft and sweet and too fleeting. “Bye, baby.”

“Bye, sweetheart.”

Minghao opens the door and it looks like it takes something from him to walk out. It takes something from Junhui. 

Minghao looks back when he’s halfway down the sidewalk. Junhui waves. Minghao waves.

He keeps going. Junhui watches him until he can’t anymore.

twenty-four, twenty-six

Summer dawns hot and humid. Junhui looks up everytime someone comes into the bar, but it’s only June. It won’t be Minghao yet. None of them are Minghao.

~~~~

Mid-July comes and goes. None of them are Minghao.

~~~~

It takes the calendar turning to August 15th for Junhui to admit to himself that Minghao isn’t coming back. Soonyoung finds him in the back room at work, sobbing his heart out after the last time someone came in and it wasn’t Minghao.

“Oh, Junnie,” Soonyoung says sadly. He wraps an arm around Junhui’s shoulders and brings him into a hug. “I’m so sorry.”

“I just wanted him to come back.”

“Maybe he still will,” Soonyoung tries, but they both know it’s weak. “I’m sorry.”

Junhui just cries. He doesn’t know what else to do.

~~~~

The air is cooler in September. The air is cooler when Junhui opens his apartment door to find Minghao standing there.

“Hi,” Minghao says. He sounds breathless. “Fuck. Hi.”

“What are you—”

“Ask me to stay,” Minghao rushes out. “Please. Ask me to stay.”

“What?” Junhui asks, but there’s a desperate look on Minghao’s face that tells Junhui that he’s being serious. 

“I’m sorry I was gone, I was in England, it’s a long story—” Minghao stops himself. “You don’t care about why I was there. You just want to know why I’m here now.”

“A little bit.”

“I, um, came back for you,” Minghao says quietly. He’s shaking like a leaf. “I said I would. I’m late, I know I’m late, and I know things might have changed for you, but they haven’t changed for me. I’m in love with you. I’m still in love with you. I want to stay. Here. With you.”

“You want to stay here?” Junhui asks.

“Well, not, like, in your apartment, that would be a lot,” Minghao says quickly. “Maybe for a few days, but I found another apartment in the building? I’ve been talking to the guy and—”

“Minghao.”

“Right. Focusing. Sorry.”

“You came back for me?” Junhui asks. “Like, for good?”

“For good,” Minghao says. He sounds so nervous. “You really don’t care right now, but I was getting my masters? And now I have a better job and it’s remote and I could live here. With you. Or, like, in the same building. Just ask me to stay. Please ask me to stay.”

Junhui barely has to think about it. “Stay. Stay, Minghao. Please stay.”

Minghao’s shoulders slump and Junhui barely catches him before he hits the ground. Junhui pulls them both inside his apartment and shuts the door behind them, sinking to the floor in his entryway with Minghao in his lap. 

“That relieved?” Junhui asks with a laugh.

“You have no idea,” Minghao says quietly. Minghao nudges their noses together before he kisses Junhui, easy easy easy. “I love you. Did I say that? I hope I said that.”

“You said it,” Junhui laughs. He strokes his thumb on Minghao’s cheekbone. “I love you too. I love you so much. Why the fuck were you in England?”

“I really was getting my masters.”

“And you couldn’t have told me that you were going?”

Minghao huffs. “We never exchanged numbers and you’ve never made a social media account in your life. I called the bar multiple times and just never caught you or Soonyoung and everyone else rightfully denied that you worked there in case I was, like, a stalker. I don’t even actually know your apartment number, I just remember how to get here. You’re an impossible man to track down, Junhui.”

“That usually isn’t a problem, I’ll admit.”

Minghao laughs. “Well, it became one.”

“Seems so,” Junhui says. He leans down to kiss Minghao again, lingering there. “I’m glad you remembered how to get to my apartment.”

“I really didn’t want to do this at the bar.”

“Not really the place for that.”

“Not really,” Minghao laughs. “God, I missed you. I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too, sweetheart,” Junhui says with a smile. “But I’m a little mad at you for temporarily breaking my heart.”

“That’s fair,” Minghao sighs. “I deserve that.”

“I won’t be mad for long,” Junhui says softly. “Come on. Let’s get off the floor and you can tell me all about England.”

“Kiss me again real quick,” Minghao laughs. Junhui does and Minghao holds him close, kissing him so softly. “Alright. Now we can go.”

twenty-five, twenty-seven

The day Minghao moves in with Junhui goes pretty smoothly, all things considered. They’re just moving all of his things from the apartment down the hall and they have all of their friends to help, but still. Things could have gone wrong. 

They’re in bed after everything is moved, Shrimp curled up at their feet, and Minghao laughs as Junhui splays himself out over Minghao.

“Relieved?” Minghao asks.

“Very,” Junhui says. He nuzzles into Minghao’s neck and Minghao runs his hand up and down Junhui’s back. “I’m just still so glad you’re here.”

Minghao kisses the side of Junhui’s head. “I love you. Loved you for years.”

“I love you too,” Junhui says softly. “For many more years too.”