Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“He’s just so fucking hot...” Changbin said, words falling from his lips without any mindfulness regarding the world around him. 

“Pretty sure that was supposed to stay inside of your brain.” Chan said from his left.

Yup, Chan was correct. Surely those words were meant to stay within his own mind, but here he was, once again staring at Minho; The stunning, effortlessly handsome, one hundred out of ten face card having black cat hybrid. He stared the entire time the other walked into their classroom and took a seat at his desk. 

A sigh came from his right. “He’s perfection on legs.” It was Jisung, leaning across his desk.

“Right?” Changbin said, before realizing Jisung was staring at Hyunjin, the ferret hybrid who just so happened to be Minho’s best friend. “Oh, wait, you were talking about Hyunjin.”

“I should be talking to a therapist about what I did to end up with you two hopeless simps as my best friends. Where is Seungmin when I need him?” Chan shook his head dramatically and Changbin raised an eyebrow.

“Oh, like you aren’t completely whipped for Seungmin. You literally give him your blood.” Changbin said as he crossed his big arms over his chest and pouted. “You have no room to talk.”

Chan waved his arms around a bit frantically. “He’s literally a vampire! He needs the blood!”

“And I need just one chance with Hyunjin.” Jisung tacked on and Changbin sighed as he let his head fall back. “HyunSung’s ship needs to sail.”

They were all hopeless, really. That’s why they were best friends. Why they had come to college together and why they planned to form their own sorcerers’ coven between them named 3Racha. “Maybe we should rename our coven to 3Simps.”

Both of them laughed. “Probably should.” Jisung said, grinning a bit cheeky. “Seriously though, I really do need just one chance with Hyunjin.”

“You’ve had approximately fifty chances to talk to him last semester and you failed every single time.” Chan pointed out. 

Jisung was instantly squirming in his chair. “They were all too forced! I need a natural opening!”

Changbin needed one with Minho too. This was the first time he was ever actually sharing a class with the black cat hybrid. He prayed this would give him the opportunity he was looking for. Honestly, he hadn’t had eyes for anyone else since they started college, but they weren’t freshmen anymore. It was time to try a little harder. It was a pretty big school, afterall. He had no idea when he would get this opportunity again.

Seguine University was the premier institution for all supernatural beings. They housed and taught just about any species of the magical and strange. Sorcerers, witches, vampires, hybrids, elves, orcs, dragonborns, werewolves, fairies, if they existed, they were in attendance. 

Changbin wasn’t necessarily the greatest up and coming sorcerer in the world, but he worked hard. He kept his grades up and was able to get admitted into the university without too much trouble. He specialized in ritual spellcasting and spells of song. He struggled in many of the other types of casting. He wasn’t like Jisung, who had gotten acceptance on sheer talent and the word of mouth about it. He could make illusions, elemental magic, alchemy, transmutation, and just about any other type of magic was at his fingertips. He was a legend in many ways, but he was socially shy and usually kept to himself. Well, kept mostly to their group: him, Chan, and Chan’s boyfriend, Seungmin. They were tight knit, didn’t bother with others. Well, except for his wandering eye towards Minho and Jisung’s similar adventurous gazes towards Hyunjin. 

Minho kept a similarly sized circle, just four of them as well. Minho’s two best friends were Hyunjin, Jisung’s deep crush, and Felix, an elf who was dating a kitsune named Jeongin. He didn’t know this because he was stalking the cat hybrid or anything either! He just saw them around together often enough to know. 

“Seriously though.” Chan said. “You both might actually have a chance with them this semester since we have class with them. Behave, but don’t waste the opportunity either.”

He smiled at the older. His curly brown hair was its usual endearingly frizzy mop on top of his head. “Aw, Hyung. You do care about me.”

Chan rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I do. Even if your crush is literally ridiculous. Considering you are actually allergic to him.”

Yeah, that... that was a problem. Changbin was allergic to cats, cat hybrids included, but Minho was so gorgeous. He was worth all the allergy meds he’d have to take, all the nose spray, all the tissues. “They make allergy meds. It’ll be fine!”

“Not with how allergic you are.” Jisung snorted. “You really are tempting fate with that one.”

Changbin waved his hand in front of his face. “You both are being dramatic. I’ll be fine. I could endure anything for him .”

“Simp.” Chan and Jisung spoke in sync and he was about to lay into them both when the professor clapped her hands.

“Alright, class! Let’s get this semester started, yes? Welcome to potions 101.” The professor began.

He settled down and pulled out his notebook and folder, wanting to actually be a good student. They were going through the course syllabus, a lot of routine assignments and protocols when they got to the biggest item on the tasks list for the class. 

“As you can see here, there is a semester-long partner project. I will be assigning your partners and you will be expected to meet up every week to work on your own potion and full safety data sheets about it. There will be sections that unfold every week as the project goes along and this will be worth forty percent of your grade so you need to all take this seriously. Part of your grade will be based on an assessment done by your partner so if you are not a good partner, your grade will reflect that.” She explained. “I’ll announce the partners now.”

A flutter of hope sparked in his chest. What... What if Minho ended up as his partner? No, there was no way. There were over seventy students in this class. 

“Please, magic spirits, give me Hyunjin.” Jisung said beside him and Changbin wouldn’t be surprised if his natural abilities would somehow reassign Hyunjin to him. 

“Han Jisung and... hold on, the writing smudged, one second. Ah, yes, Hwang Hyunjin.” She said.

Jisung’s whole face lit up. “No way!” He cheered and then promptly turned red when Hyunjin was looking at him. He laughed awkwardly and Changbin had to hold back from outright busting a gasket over his friend being caught red handed. To his surprise though, Hyunjin just smirked, almost looking flattered. He had to say though, Jisung magic was something else. It had definitely tampered with the teacher’s list. 

Changbin was so lost in his amusement with Jisung’s predicament he almost missed his own name being called. 

“Seo Changbin and Lee Minho.”

His jaw fell open. He was dreaming. He had to be dreaming. 

His jaw shut as soon as Minho’s dark eyes fell on him. The cat hybrid gave a little wave and Changbin thought his heart was going to hammer out of his chest. He grinned, probably way too wide, probably like a psycho, but he waved back, trying with all his might to look natural. 

He had never really outgrown his own awkward phase. He had been a skinny, little thing as a child and teen. Physically he had bulked up a ton as he entered early adulthood. He spent a good chunk of his free time in the gym, something he and Chan bonded over in the early stage of their friendship. Now he was bulky, known for his big arms and chest, but he still often felt as awkward and nerdy as he ever was. His brain hadn’t quite caught up with how much his body had grown and changed. 

No one ever hit on him as a teen, but now, sometimes they did. He would stutter, completely lose his words and turn absolutely bright red every time it happened. Oh god. He was going to be partners with Minho.

He had to talk to Minho.

Real conversation.

Oh god. He was going to look like a complete idiot!

A sneezing idiot at that!

“Chan—Hyung.” He pulled the older’s sleeve. “You have to drive me to the store after class.”

“What?” The other asked, confusion bleeding onto his face.

“I have to get all the nose spray, allergy meds, and tissues I can find!” He said, hushed and rushed whispers spilling out of him. 

Chan gave him a look, but of course gave in. “Yeah, sure. We’ll go after class.”

“Thank you, Hyung.” 

The rest of the class was a jumble of words that didn’t compute in his brain at all. He was too busy staring at Minho’s incredible side profile. He was actually partners with Minho... for the entire semester. The professor must have ended class, but he hadn’t noticed until Minho was standing up and walking towards him. Hyunjin was right beside him. The two were practically supermodels walking down a runaway as they came closer. Changbin was pretty sure he and Jisung were ready to lay down on the floor, ready to be the ground they walk on. 

“Hey.” Minho said, sticking a hand out. “I’m Minho, your partner for the semester, I guess.”

Changbin stared at the extended hand in disbelief. He froze until he saw Minho starting to pull back. He quickly jumped forward, wrapping both his hands around the cat hybrid’s. “I-I know! I—I mean I’m Changbin. Hi.”

Minho raised an eyebrow at him, mouth turning up on one side. “Hi. Nice to meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too.” He said, trying to get his unsteady heart to calm down. 

They stood, awkward, silence falling when the other’s black cat ears swiveled around a bit. His cat eyes falling on their still connected hands. “I mean, I do like holding hands, but I wasn’t expecting to do so on our first meeting.”

He ripped his hands away as if he had been burned. “I... I’m sorry. I’m not the best with, you know, people.” Gorgeous people. His mind supplied.

Jisung wasn’t fairing much better beside them.

“Hyunjin—wait, that's you. You’re Hyunjin and I’m Jisung.”

The ferret hybrid chuckled, his light brown hair was pulled back in a half up bun on his head, the rest falling around his neck, caressing his shoulders. “That is correct, yes.”

Jisung laughed lightly. “Yeah, of course. Uh, yes. So, project. We have a project to work on—together.”

Hyunjin leaned closer, one hand splaying on the desk as he leaned over Jisung’s smaller frame. “That is also correct.”

“Fuck, you’re gorgeous.” Jisung breathed out.

Hyunjin laughed loudly then, a smile unraveling on his face. “You know, I’ve heard you’re an ace. That you’re real smart. Guess they were right. Everything you’ve said has been completely on point.”

Jisung covered his face with his hands. “I’m sorry... you are just... Hwang Hyunjin.”

The ferret hybrid leaned over to Minho. “Can you believe how smart my partner is, Hyung?”

“Yet to be determined on mine.” The cat hybrid replied and Changbin felt his nose getting ticklish. Oh, he had to hold it in. Sneezing would surely only make this worse.

Chan stepped in suddenly, his hand coming out to both of them. “I swear these two aren’t so awkward once you get to know them. I’m Chan. Nice to meet you both.”

“Good to know.” Minho said, pulling out his phone after he shook Chan’s hand. “Put in your number.” He slid the device across the desk to Changbin. “I’ll text you and we can figure out when is best to meet up for the project.”

“O-okay.” He stuttered, typing his number into the phone. “Here.”

“Great. I’ll text you then, Changbin.”

He nodded. “Okay.”

Hyunjin opted for sliding his number across Jisung’s desk on a little slip of paper before the two of them walked away. Changbin stared until Minho’s figure disappeared from the room all together. Jisung was busy holding the piece of paper up as if it was the hope diamond between his fingers.

Chan shook his head at them. “You two are hopeless.”

Changbin sneezed in response. “Sorry...”

“Let’s get you to the store.” Chan rubbed his fingers on the bridge of his nose. “This is going to be a long semester.”

“I really have his number.” Jisung said, completely in a world of his own. 

Changbin came back to himself a bit, starting to pack up his things when he looked at Chan. “Who is your partner anyway?”

“Hongjoong.” He answered. “We just gave each other the thumbs up. I already have his number from when I took herbalism with him.” 

“Ah, makes sense.”

They pulled Jisung out of his stunned state, getting him packed up and to his feet. They made their way to the store, getting all the allergy meds he could afford. Then they had to hype Jisung up for a full hour before he worked up the nerve to text Hyunjin. Changbin didn’t get the same grace. He was just left waiting, praying he didn’t type his number in wrong like a moron. 

He worked out his nervous energy at the gym after dinner and then showered and was getting ready to lay down and relax for the night when his phone dinged. 

He had almost forgotten, lost in thought as he went through his planner for the semester. He had been trying to figure out when his free time would be and the best time to study when his phone went off. He grabbed it thoughtlessly, assuming it was Chan or Jisung, maybe Seungmin. The digits across his screen made him pause, the message underneath it sent him into the stratosphere.

‘ Hey, It’s Lee Minho from Potions 101. ’

He was frozen, staring with wide eyes when another message came through.

‘ Tuesdays or Fridays are my lightest class days. Do either of those work for you? ’

He sputtered to life like an old lawn mower. It took a few tries of the pull start, but he opened the messages and started typing. 

‘Hi, Minho. Fridays would work the best for me. ’—Did ‘Hi’ sound too stiff? He deleted the whole message, trying again. ‘Hey, Minho. Fridays sound great. ’—Was that too short? Once more he deleted the whole thing.

‘I can see you typing, you know. ’ Minho’s message come through before he sent anything

Oh god. He groaned. How was he being embarrassing even over the phone? 

‘ Sorry...  Hi. Yeah, Fridays would work for me. ’

 ‘ It’s fine. And good. After potion’s class work for you too? ’ Minho asked and he nodded at the phone. You know, like no one could see considering he had a single dorm and was entirely alone at the moment. 

‘ Yes, that works. Where do you want to meet? ’ He was proud of that one. A whole, normal question. Maybe he could do this. 

‘ I usually study in my dorm. The library is too loud. ’ The most devastating of replies came his way. If he went to Minho’s room he would surely do nothing but sneeze. His eyes would get itchy and red. There was no way he could do that. 

Another message came in then. ‘ Although Felix is usually too loud playing his video games. ’

He almost couldn’t believe himself as he typed the next message. ‘ We could use my dorm. I have a single room. Plenty quiet. ’

‘ Sounds perfect. ’ Minho replied and Changbin couldn’t quite believe it.

‘ Okay, great. ’ He answered before he could embarrass himself anymore. 

‘ See you in class. Night. ’

‘ Goodnight, Minho. ’

Changbin barely slept that night. Friday couldn’t come soon enough and yet he had never been so scared of an arbitrary day of the week before. He laid in bed, tossing and turning. He needed to clean his room. What should he wear Friday? Are they going to eat together? What should they eat? When should he take his allergy meds? How was he going to use nose spray without Minho noticing? He’d have to use the bathroom to hide it. Yeah, that could work. His brain ran through questions over and over until the sun was coming up and his alarm sounded. Fuck. It was going to be a long day.

****************

His leg wouldn’t stop shaking, bouncing up and down restlessly under his desk. He couldn’t quite believe how fast Friday had come around. Chan’s hand slipped over his thigh, pressing it down. “Relax. You’re vibrating the whole room.”

“How am I supposed to relax?” He said, looking over with wide eyes. Truthfully, he was scared shitless. This was his big chance. What if Minho thought he was a total loser? Honestly, he probably already did. He had yet to manage a normal conversation with the guy. 

“Try breathing first.” Chan said and then Jisung snorted beside him.

“If he breathes too deeply around Minho he’ll just end up sneezing.” Jisung said and Changbin threw a not too hard punch into his friend’s shoulder. “Ow!”

Changbin rolled his eyes. “It wasn’t even hard and you were bullying me so it serves you right.” 

Their bickering was about to escalate but the teacher started the lesson. It was the longest and fastest lecture of his life. His leg didn’t stop bouncing really, but before he was ready, class was over and Minho was walking over to him. 

He looked so good. All he was wearing was a baggy gray t-shirt and black jeans with his backpack thrown casually over one shoulder, but he was stunning nonetheless. Effortlessly gorgeous. His black hair was parted, exposing his forehead. His cat ears were moving as they often did, listening to the world around him as his long tail swished behind him. 

“Hey, you ready to go?” Minho asked before he started chuckling. “Or are you just going to keep staring at me?”

Changbin got to his feet as he looked down, face turning red. He started packing up his things, rushed, crumpling his papers, but he couldn’t seem to slow down. “Sorry. Yeah, let’s go.” To his room. He cleared his throat because the idea was ready to choke him.

“Changbin.” Chan called and he looked back at the older, blinking in question. He didn’t expect it when the other sorcerer wrapped him up in a hug, whispering in his ear. “Relax. He’s just a person. Be yourself. You’re amazing.” He pulled back. “Alright? I’ll see you at the gym in the morning.”

“Thanks, Hyung.” He smiled and took a breath, calming a little. Jisung grinned at him, giving him a thumbs up and mouthing ‘you got this’ to him before they disappeared from the room. It left him very much alone with Minho inside their now empty potions class. 

Okay. He could do this. He just needed to not panic. He had taken in allergy meds right before class. He should be good for a little while. 

“To, uh, to my room, I guess, yeah?” He asked and Minho nodded.

“That’s the plan.” He answered and started to walk alongside Changbin. Although he walked much more gracefully. Changbin felt like he was using his legs for the first time. Maybe he shouldn’t have done legs at the gym yesterday, it was only making his gait more awkward. As they made their way across campus he was trying to wrack his brain for a conversation to bring up. Everything sounded stupid. He didn’t know how to be casual. Which is why it felt like a gift from the heavens when Minho started talking.

“So, how long have you three been friends? Everytime I see you around campus, it is always the three of you. Sometimes that vampire hangs around you guys too, right?” Minho asked and something about the sheer fact that Minho had noticed anything about him in the past was remarkable to him. 

“Oh, yeah. The vampire is Chan’s boyfriend, Seungmin. He only comes out at night, for obvious reasons.” He laughed, was it a weird laugh? “But yeah, Chan and Jisung have been friends since they were in middle school. I met them in highschool. My parents had to move and we ended up in the same school. Chan was big into the gym, even back then. I was kind of inspired by it so I started going with him. Jisung was always around too. I don’t know. We just naturally clicked. I couldn’t really imagine life without them now. We want to make a coven, the three of us.” 

“Hm, interesting.” Minho said.

“What’s interesting about that?” He asked.

The cat hybrid smiles, a bit sly in nature. “It’s just interesting that you can speak like a normal person when you actually get talking. It’s nice. You have a nice voice.”

“Do I?” He asked, staring in disbelief at Minho.

“Yes. I’ve actually heard some of your music too. So I already kind of knew you had a good voice, but it’s nice to hear it like this.” Minho stepped aside as they got to the entranceway to the dormitories. 

Changbin swiped his ID and watched it light up green as he tried to process what the other had said. Minho had heard his music before? “Did you like it? My music, I mean.”

“I did. Good beats to dance to.” Minho smiled as he shimmied his shoulders playfully. “I really like to dance.”

“You’re an amazing dancer.” He said without a filter. 

Minho smiled, eyes looking a bit starry as they wound down the hallways to Changbin’s room. “Oh? You’ve seen me dance?”

Yes. Every single time he’s ever done a performance on campus, Changbin has been there. “Yeah. The showcase and stuff.” He said, trying to not sound like some kind of stalker. 

Minho hummed. “Yeah, that was a fun one. I got to dance with Hyunjin and Felix for the first time since we started at university.” 

“How long have you known them?” He asked, finding the question easier to ask since Minho had posed it to him earlier.

“Jinnie and I go way back, since we were kids. We met Felix in highschool, he transferred in and we were all friends before long.” Minho looked fond as he thought of his two best friends. 

Changbin could relate to that. “Having good friends is the best. Like I said, I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

“Yeah, agreed. Even Felix’s boyfriend, Jeongin. He’s stuck to all of us like glue now. Our little freshman.” He chuckled. “He hates it when we call him that.” He was grinning from ear to ear, a cheshire grin that only enthralled Changbin more.

“Seungmin hates it when we call him a freshie too. It is funny that the vampire of our group is younger than us.” Changbin laughed. He was enjoying the moment, until a tickle started in his nose. Already? What the hell were these allergy meds even good for? 

“Is he? I wondered what his actual age is.”

“Only 20.” He said. “He’s been turned for only a year.” They arrived at Changbin's room and he prayed he could hold his sneeze back until they got inside. “We’re here.” He said, gesturing to the blank door. He turned the lock and gestured Minho inside. “Make yourself comfortable... I’m going to use the bathroom quick.” He dipped into the restroom and closed the door, instantly digging through his pocket for the nose spray. He wasted no time stuffed the nozzle up his nose. It cleared him out, even as the spray felt uncomfortable. Okay. He could do this. He flushed the toilet, pretending to go before pulling out the bottle of allergy pills. One more couldn’t hurt, right? He swallowed it down, cupping some water from the sink into his hands to do so. 

When he came back out, he almost thought he was dreaming. There sat Minho, the man of his dreams, preached on the end of the bed, looking out the window like some statue of perfection. 

He pinched himself once just in case. It hurt and as the hard proof this was real sunk into him, he came back to life. “I guess we should start on the project?”

“Your view is really nice here. We are right up against the other building. Can’t see shit.” Minho said, ignoring Changbin’s statement completely. He found he didn’t really mind. He daringly took a step forward, leaning so he could see out the window as well. It was a nice vista. The trees were glistening around the edges in the sun while the center gave a clear view of the mountains in the distance. 

“Yeah, I was happy when I got assigned this room. It’s a nice location and I really wanted a single room. Chan and Jisung always share a room and last year I had the worst roommate. He changed his socks once a week. It was terrible. Seungmin offered to room with me, but I didn’t think we’d be a good match with the opposite sleeping schedules.” Changbin found the words coming out naturally once more. It was funny how easy it was to talk to Minho once the conversation was actually flowing. 

Minho started laughing.

“What is it? Did I say something weird again?” He asked, a groan rising in his chest, but the cat hybrid shook his head.

“No, I just really expected you to say something cheesy, like ‘Minho, you’re better than the view’.” The cat hybrid looked smug and Changbin wanted to throw himself in a volcano because honestly... Minho was better than the view. 

“Well—I—yes, but I’m... fuck.” He was turning bright red, swirling so his back was to Minho. He was making such a fool of himself. “I’m sorry. You probably think I’m such a loser and—.”

“Changbin.” The other’s voice was firm as a hand came to wrap around his bicep, maneuvering him back around. “I didn’t say that to make fun of you. Well, not in a malicious way. I was just teasing.”

He blinked, trying to figure out why the other would be doing that. “...Why?”

Minho smiled, nothing coy or smug about it. It was soft. “Do you really think I haven’t noticed you staring at me around campus? You aren’t exactly subtle about it.” A melodic little laugh came out of him. “But, you also are quite handsome. I haven’t exactly been bothered by you staring. Now there’s finally an excuse to talk to you.” He shrugged. “I'm not that big on dating. I figure if something sparks with someone, great, if not, oh well. So I figured if an opportunity came to get to know you, I’d take it. Well, or if you ever got the courage to approach me.” He smirked then, Changbin’s cheeks flamed a darker shade of red, he was sure. “But regardless, we’ve ended up paired together. So, I do want to get a good grade, but I don’t hate the idea of flirting and getting to know you while we do that.”

Oh. The most perfect of words entered his ears as the most dangerous of sneezes built in his nose. He ripped himself away suddenly. 

“Changbin, I’m sorry if I read things wrong—.”

ACHOO .

The sneeze was so violent another two came right after, just to spite him. 

“Oh, bless you.” Minho said beside him.

“Thanks. Sorry.” He laughed it off. “Something must have just gotten in my nose. Excuse me. One second.” He scurried off into the bathroom, blowing his nose as he tried to calm his heart rate because... What the fuck did he mean he wanted to flirt and get to know Changbin? Was this real life? Minho called him handsome? Him? 

He looked up in the mirror. His black framed glasses were askew on his face from blowing his nose. His curly black hair was an untamed mess on top of his head. How could he ever be good enough for the princely vision Minho was?

Okay. It didn’t matter. He couldn’t hide out in the bathroom too long. He’d look even weirder. He actually had a chance. He needed to stop acting so all over the place. He used the nose spray once again before dipping back into the room. 

“Sorry about that.”

“It’s alright.” Minho said. “And you don’t need to give me any kind of answer about the other stuff. We can just see where things go, yeah?”

“Yes—yeah. I’d really like that.” Changbin answered.

Minho smiled, leaning forward, tail curling up and hooking at the end, a sign of happiness. “I thought you might. However, we need to actually do some work.”

“Yes! We should. Okay, work, yes.” He took a seat in his desk chair, rolling it over to the bed. He sprawled out their assignment sheets, looking everything over.

“What kind of potion were you thinking of?” Minho asked, leaning over to look at the list of options.

“I think one of the medical ones would be nice. They could actually help someone.” Changbin said before shyness seeped into him. “But maybe that’s dumb. What were you thinking?”

“That’s not dumb at all.” Minho said and Changbin was shocked when a finger suddenly poked into his cheek. He looked at the cat hybrid, confused by the action. “Stop overthinking. I want to hear what you have to say.”

“Okay. Sorry... I’ve just... I don’t have a lot of experience in this type of thing.” He admitted.

“Group projects? How have you gone this long without doing them? Teach me your ways.” The cat hybrid said, draping himself down across the blanket.

“No.” Changbin groaned and Minho started laughing. “I meant with... like dating things. Of course I know about group projects.”

The cat hybrid was grinning and he looked beautiful lounging across Changbin’s mattress. It was surreal, actually. “You’re so much fun to tease, Changbinnie.”

Changbinnie .

Oh, the nickname went straight down his body, a shiver like lightning that unfortunately ended up in his nose, a sudden sneeze coming out of him. He turned his head, releasing the mess into his arm. “Oh, sorry.”

Minho frowned. “Take some vitamins. It seems like you might be getting sick.”

He laughed it off. “I’m sure I’m okay. Plus, I take a lot of stuff for my workouts. I’ll… I’ll be fine. I won’t get sick.”

Minho nodded softly. “You can get sick even if you’re healthy. Just be careful.”

They ended up managing to focus after that. Changbin held in most of his sneezes. Only one escaped when Minho leaned over to point at something on Changbin’s laptop screen. The hybrid’s fluffy cat ear graced along his cheek. It sent him to heaven and hell all in the span of ten seconds. He hated Minho’s worried face, but he couldn’t let the other know he was allergic to him. He had a real chance with Minho now. Which was actually crazy. He couldn’t ruin it because of his stupid allergies! 

He would get used to Minho, probably. Yeah. It would be fine. Absolutely fine because Minho was so fine. Every interaction they had made him fall harder. The other was witty, amusing, and he just lit up the room around him. He was so passionate. Even for their project. Ironically they settled on making a potion to help cure Minho’s mom of her allergies to flowers. She loves them, but they send her into sneezing fits. Changbin could more than relate. 

It was after nine o'clock when Minho flopped onto his back, all cat in his movements. “Enough. I can’t take anymore studying. I’m going cross eyed.”

Changbin chuckled, closing his laptop. He had gotten a little more comfortable as they worked together. Although the butterflies were back now that the project wasn’t giving them something to work on. He was still just in awe that Minho was really laying across his mattress. Eyes falling closed as he sighed and took a deep breath. “We got a good chunk done anyway. I think we can call it a night.”

The hybrid hummed. “So, what’s something you don’t typically tell people?”

“What?” Confusion filled him.

Minho opened his eyes and looked over with an eyebrow raised. “I’m trying to get to know you.”

“Oh. Yes. Okay. That.” He laughed. “Well... I guess most people don’t know that I used to look really different?”

“What do you mean?” The other asked. 

Changbin didn’t keep a lot of photos of himself when he was younger, but there were some exceptions. He scrolled up towards the top of the pictures in his phone. It was the first picture of him, Jisung, and Chan after they became friends. They had gone to a local rappers show. Changbin’s mom had insisted they take some photos. He had groaned back then, but he treasured them now. He slid the phone across the bed.

The image was goofy. Jisung was on his left, tongue out, making bunny ears behind Changbin’s head. Chan was leaning sideways, head tucked under Changbin’s skinny teenage arm as he pretended to be getting choked. Changbin was in the middle, sharp jaw, lean body, but a blinding bunny tooth grin on his face. His nose was scrunched. He had been really happy that day. 

“That’s me in the middle.” He said as Minho’s eyes roamed over the picture. 

The hybrid smiled, eyes twinkling as he did. “This picture is adorable. Look at you, a baby. All of you are here. You’ve all grown a lot.”

“Me the most though.” He laughed. “That’s why I don’t really have much experience dating or anything... No one ever hit on me or was interested in me back then.”

Minho hummed. “I get it now. You were the skinny awkward boy when you were younger and you haven’t grown into the hot man body you occupy now.”

Changbin choked and then sneezed; a tragic combination that sent Minho into a fit of giggles. “ Whatdoyoumean ?” The sentence rushed out of him.

“Oh boy. He’s really not aware that he is ridiculously hot.” The hybrid was speaking as if Changbin wasn’t even there, but it was so much worse when Minho did look at him, talking right to him. “You are so hot, Changbin. Maybe a short king, but that has never bothered me. You are gorgeous and your body is to die for.”

“I-I—I don’t even have abs!” He blurted out and Minho only smirked.

“Who needs those? You’re perfect just the way you are.” He slipped across the bed, feet planting on the ground before he leaned against Changbin’s ear, whispering right into it. “And for the record, you were good looking back then too. People are just blind when it doesn’t fit the standard, but trust me, Binnie, you’ve always been beautiful.”

A pair of lips hit his cheek and he fought with his entire soul to hold in the pending sneeze from how close Minho was. “T-thanks.” He managed to stutter out and then the hybrid was to his feet.

“Welcome.” Changbin dared to turn as the other walked towards the door. “But it’s late. I should be getting back. Have a good night, Binnie. See you in class.”

He sauntered out of the room. Changbin proceeded to sneeze and almost died of a heart attack as soon as the door clicked closed. 

Oh, this wasn’t going to be good for his health, for so many reasons.

******************

“What do you mean he wants to flirt and get to know you more?” Jisung’s jaw was hung open.

“It means exactly what those words mean.” Seungmin deadpanned from across the table. They were all in a study room in the library. Books and papers spread out in front of each of them. 

Jisung pouted. “Channie, your boyfriend is being mean to me.”

“Oh, he’s harmless.” Chan said. “Doesn’t even bite—well actually, yes he does.” 

The vampire flashed his fangs and Changbin just laughed at his friend's antics before getting back to his conversation. “Yeah. He said he’s noticed me, ya know...”

“Endless fond gazing?” Jisung supplied.

“Gawking obnoxiously?” Seungmin added. 

“Yeah. That.” He groaned. “Anyway. He noticed and said he was just kind of waiting to see if I would approach or if something would naturally happen? He said he’s not really looking for a relationship. More like, if it happens, great, if not, oh well. So he just let it be, but now that we are paired up, he sees it as an opportunity for us.” Us . It was unreal to be referring to himself and Minho as an us .

“That’s amazing, Binnie.” Chan said, answering like a civilized person. “I hope you two can hit it off.”

Jisung nodded. “Yeah, for real. That’s awesome you have a chance with him now.”

“If he doesn’t sneeze the guy out of the bed.” Seungmin pointed out. 

“A future problem for future Changbin.” He said, speaking in the third person. 

They all chuckled about that before Chan looked at Jisung. “How are things with you and Hyunjin?”

Jisung groaned instantly. “Well... I don’t know?”

“How do you not know?” Seungmin asked and Chan reached for his boyfriend’s hand, giving in a light squeeze.

“I think what Minnie is trying to say is what do you mean you don’t know?” 

Seungmin pouted slightly but gave in, because he always would give in to Chan at the end of the day. “Yes, what do you mean, Sung?”

“He keeps teasing me so much. He giggles at me all the time... I can’t tell if it is because he actually likes how pitiful I am or because he’s actually laughing at me and messing with me.” Jisung sighed. “He’s so beautiful. He’s probably just amused by the dumb simp who is obsessed with him. I’m like a slave at his feet... which I might have rubbed when he asked.” He whined, hiding his face in his arms as he bent over onto the table. “I’m pathetic.”

Seungmin leaned over to Changbin, whispering in his ear. “How is he worse than you?”

Changbin smacked the vampire’s shoulder. “Shut up.” He ignored the antics and put a hand on Jisung’s back. “Sung. You’re not pathetic.”

Seungmin held up his fingers, a centimeter of space between them, but promptly put his fingers down when Chan and Changbin shot him twin glares.

“You aren’t dumb or a simp either. You just like him.” Chan added.

Seungmin suddenly leaned in, tapping Jisung’s head until he looked up at him. “Hey, listen. I know I always mess with you, but you should really address this with him. It’s not okay for him to use you or take advantage of your emotions if he doesn’t return them at all. It’s manipulative and ugly. Beauty on the outside doesn’t mean shit if you’re ugly on the inside. Make sure who he is as a person is worth crushing on and simping over too, alright?”

Jisung’s boba eyes were getting glassy. “Seungminnie... you do care about me.”

The vampire rolled his eyes. “Yeah, for some reason I do.”

Chan was suddenly completely mushy for his boyfriend. He wrapped his arms around Seungmin and nuzzled his face in his shirt. “That was so sweet, Minnie... totally giving you head for that later.”

“TMI.” Jisung and Changbin yelled in sync before laughing. 

They went back to studying after that. Changbin was having trouble focusing, his thoughts too lost in Minho. He had been staring worse than ever in potions class, but what added to the problem was the way Minho stared back sometimes now. They had done some texting too.

Well, maybe Changbin hadn’t stopped texting him for the past two days. They struck up a conversation after Monday’s potions class. Minho had texted him that he missed the date the teacher said their quiz would be. His phone hadn’t stopped buzzing on and off since. He was nervous for Friday, but he was also excited. He had talked to Minho a lot more now. Maybe it wouldn’t be so awkward this time. Somehow, knowing himself, he doubted it though.

Chapter Text

“Oh, he’s smiling at his phone again.” Felix giggled from across the room. He was sitting on his bed, back against the wall for support. 

Minho picked up a pillow and threw it at him. It wasn’t his fault that Changbin was perpetually adorable in text messages. If he were being honest, he was adorable in any context, really. They had met up yesterday for their weekly meeting. It was another successful night, both in terms of their school work and their growing fondness towards one another. 

“Hey! Aim better!” Jeongin complained as he fell victim to the fluffy projectile. The kitsune was lounging across Felix’s mattress, head on his boyfriend’s lap. 

“Oh, let him have his fun.” Hyunjin defended from his seat at Minho’s desk. “I think it’s good he’s finally looking for love. It’s romantic.”

“It is romantic.” Felix said. “I’m happy about it too. It’s just cute to witness.”

Minho sighed. Truthfully he wasn’t annoyed with any of it. He knew his friends were happy for him. It had been a long time since he tried to date anyone. It hadn’t exactly been easy since his last relationship ended so poorly. Still though, he had an image to keep. “You all can worry about your own love lives. Mine doesn’t need babysitters.”

“My love life is in this room.” Felix said, looking down at Jeongin with hearts in his eyes. “Isn’t that right, baby?”

The kitsune rolled his eyes, but the smile stretching across his face couldn’t be denied. “Yeah, yeah. It is.”

“Get a room.” Minho called and Hyunjin laughed.

“This is my room.” Felix said before looking at Hyunjin. “How’s things with your squirrel boy, anyway?”

“Oh, good.” Hyunjin said, a shy expression bleeding onto his face as he looked down and tucked a hair behind his ear. “He’s so freaking adorable. I can’t stand it. I want to chew on his cheeks.”

“Which ones?” Jeongin asked and Hyunjin didn’t hesitate to answer.

“Both.” Hyunjin’s phone suddenly dinged. “Oh, that’s him now.” He opened the message and then his face fell. “Or maybe it’s not going so well.”

Minho instantly put down his phone. “What do you mean?”

“He just sent me this long text.” The ferret hybrid was frowning. Minho hated his friends frowning, unless it was from him teasing them.

Felix was leaning in closer just as fast. “Read it to us. Unless you aren’t comfortable.”

“I’ll read it.” Hyunjin said before clearing his throat. “Hyunjin, I... I don’t know how to say this. I’m sorry to do it over text, but I’m terrible at confronting anyone, let alone you. I just... I have to. I know you know that I like you. I don’t think I’m physically capable of hiding it, but you keep teasing me and laughing at me. You make me do things for you and... I’m worried you are just using me. I hope I’m wrong, but if you don’t like me back at all then you shouldn’t be teasing me or using my feelings to get me to do stuff for you. That’s not okay to do to someone. So, if you don’t like me, please tell me now so I can set the boundaries I need to for my own well-being. Thanks. Sorry about this... Jisung.” Hyunjin had glassy eyes by the time he looked up. “Have I really seemed like that much of an asshole to him?”

“Oh, Jinnie.” Felix was up and across the room in a flash, wrapping his arms around Hyunjin and pulling him closer. “You’re not an asshole. He just doesn’t know you that well and is misunderstanding your actions. We all know you would never make fun of someone’s feelings or use them like that.”

“Felix is right.” Minho said. “You two have only spent a little bit of time together.”

Hyunjin nodded. “I was just being cocky and all that because I thought he liked it... you all know I’m an emotional mush ball on the inside. I am the biggest hopeless romantic in the world! Which is exactly why I’ve grown a crush on him so fast... he’s so dedicated and adorable.”

“Well, you clearly need to tell him that.” Minho said and Hyunjin nodded.

“What are you going to do?” Jeongin asked. 

Hyunjin smiled, looking at Minho. “I need your help.”

He sighed, playing it up. “They’re always so needy.” Then he looked right in his best friend's eyes. “What do you need?”

Hyunjin gave him the details of his plan and Minho loved that the first steps involved him scheming with Changbin. He pulled out his phone, swiping and tapping across the screen.

Minho: Binnie, can we meet up for a bit?

The reply was fast, it always was with Changbin. 

Binnie Baby: Of course. Where? I’m in the library in a private study room now, but I can meet you somewhere.

Minho: What’s the room number?

Binnie Baby: 307. Is everything okay?

Minho: Just need your help with something. Be there soon. Don’t move.

He was up and out of the dorm room within minutes. Anything for his friends, afterall, but he’d happily disguise it as ‘you’re lucky I get to see Changbin or I wouldn’t even be getting out of bed’. When he arrived at the studyroom he found the sorcerer with a bottle of nose spray up his nostril. He scrambled to put it away as soon as Minho’s head popped in the door, but the other’s awkward nature only endeared him more.

“H-hey.” Changbin said. He had on his thick black rimmed glasses. His fluffy black curls were adorable on top of his head, all messy and perfect. He had on a large black t-shirt and some gray sweatpants. It was more casual than the way he dressed on Fridays. He always noticed how the other put a little more effort in when he knew they were going to see each other. It was cute and thoughtful, but this was nice too. He liked seeing the other more relaxed and comfortable. He looked so cuddly like this. Minho wanted to crawl in his lap, but he was taking things slow with Changbin. 

One, because he was certain the other would have a heart attack if Minho moved too quickly and two, because Minho knew what it was like to get hurt. He didn’t want to end up that way again because he was stupid and rushed things. Even if Changbin was nothing like his asshole of an ex.

Okay, focus, Minho. There’s a mission to complete. “Hey, Binnie.”

“You said you need my help with something?” He asked, blinking, boba eyes wide and precious. 

“I do.” He slid into the seat beside the sorcerer. “I'm pretty sure you know about the message Jisung since Hyunjin?”

“Yeah. He sent me a pic of it before he sent it... is there a problem?” Changbin asked and Minho tilted his head.

“Only problem is he is completely misunderstanding Jinnie.” 

The sorcerer blinked a few times before suddenly sneezing, nose scrunching up. He was cute even when he was sneezing. Minho was down bad, more so every day it seemed. “Sorry.” Changbin laughed it off again. “So, Hyunjin isn’t making fun of him or any of that?”

Minho shook his head. “No. I know how he can come off. Cocky, hot, fuckboy vibes even, but Jinnie is actually a hopeless romantic. He’s a complete sap. The way Jisung is so dedicated to him? He thinks it’s the cutest thing. He’s grown a crush on him practically overnight.” He laughed. “Don’t tell him I ever told you, but Hyunjin’s actually a virgin. He knows how to act confident, but really he’s been saving himself for someone special. So he is pretty upset Jisung is misunderstanding him.”

Changbin melted, a soft cooing sound escaping him. “Oh my god... that is so sweet! So, how can I help?”

“I need you to bring Jisung to the pond across campus at noon tomorrow.” Minho said and the sorcerer easily nodded.

“Consider it done.” Changbin grinned at him and Minho grabbed one of his cheek to squeeze it or he would’ve done something really stupid, like kiss him right then and there. 

“What a good Binnie baby you are for Hyung.” He said, words breathing out of him before he could help himself. Changbin’s breath hitched and then the moment was broken when he suddenly pulled away, sneezing again. “Bin.” He sighed. “What’s up with you sneezing all the time? Maybe you should see a doctor.”

Changbin waved his hand around. “I’m fine. I promise. I feel totally fine.”

Minho sighed. “Alright, if you say so.”

The sorcerer nodded. “Thank you for worrying about me, though.”

He couldn’t help smiling once more. “Of course. You’re growing on me so I’d like to keep you around.”

“I’m not going anywhere. I promise.” Changbin said and Minho hoped that was true. Another case of being ghosted would probably have him giving up on love for good. 

“Good.” He answered, standing up. “Alright, let me get back to Hyunjin and update him. I’ll see you tomorrow. Pond, twelve o’clock. Don’t be late.”

“I won’t be. Even if I have to bring Jisung kicking and screaming!” Changbin said before they said their goodbyes for the evening. 

***************

It wasn’t so much kicking and screaming. Jisung was full on pouting and whining when Changbin pulled him around the corner towards the pond. Minho was hiding behind a tree not far away from the pond with Hyunjin. The ferret hybrid had a bouquet of flowers hidden behind his back. 

“Come on, it’s a beautiful day outside.” Changbin said. “Is taking a walk with me really going to kill you?”

“Hyung.” Jisung whined. “I’m depressed. Hyunjin... he hasn’t even answered me. He left me on read! What am I going to do? Not just about my feelings but also this potions project.” The younger sorcerer sighed. 

“Maybe he just needs some time to think about how he wants to answer. You sent the message kind of late and it was a lot to take in.” Changbin answered, putting a hand on Jisung’s shoulder and squeezing. “It’s going to work itself out, trust me.”

“You don’t know that for sure...”

“Well.” Changbin laughed. “I might know something.”

Jisung raised an eyebrow and Hyunjin decided that was his cue to enter. The ferret hybrid darted out from behind the tree, Minho trailing behind him. 

“Hyung.” Jisung looked at Changbin, eyes clearly pleading for answers, but Changbin only smiled and waved as he walked backward, leaving Hyunjin to approach, flowers in hand. Minho walked until he stood beside Changbin. The two of them watching over their friends. He glanced at his potions class partner. The sorcerer was watching with warmth in his eyes as Hyunjin held the flowers out to Jisung. It was obvious how much Changbin cared about his friends. It was a trait Minho could relate to, but also one that made him all the more attracted to the other. He decided to be a little bold. Changbin seemed to be in his own little world anyway. He slid his hand down, intertwining their fingers. Their hands came together naturally, so naturally that Changbin didn’t even notice. Minho looked at their friends when Hyunjin started speaking.

“I wanted to say I’m sorry.” Hyunjin began.

“What... What is all this?” Jisung asked. His squirrel cheeks were vibrant red as his eyes were glued to the bouquet of red roses.

Hyunjin cleared his throat. “Well... you said you weren’t sure what my intentions were and all of that. I wanted them to be clear. Red roses are only supposed to be for someone you’re romantically interested in... I figured they could do some of the talking for me.”

Jisung looked up at Hyunjin, finally. Minho could see the way it relaxed his best friend ever so slightly. “Wait... really? You actually like me? You aren’t making fun of me?”

Hyunjin stepped forward, the flowers pressing into Jisung’s chest a bit. “I like you so much, Jisung. I was acting cocky and confident because I thought you liked that... I have that side to me for sure, but I’m actually probably the biggest romantic sap on the planet.” He laughed. “A romantic sap that hasn’t liked anyone even as close to as much as I like you.”

Jisung shook his head as tears glistened along the edge of his eyes in the sunlight. “No. You’re wrong.”

“How am I wrong?” Hyunjin asked, confusion knitting into his brow.

“Because I’m the biggest romantic sap on the planet.” He said as a hearty sob bubbled out of him. “I can’t believe you like me back...”

Hyunjin laughed, giddy as he opened his arms. “Can I hug you?”

Jisung ran into his embrace before the sentence had finished. “So like... are we boyfriends now?”

“Yes.” Hyunjin said, not even hesitating for a second.

Changbin cheered next to him. “HyunSung ship is finally sailing!” 

“Hyung! I have a boyfriend!” Jisung yelled, grinning back at them.

“Me too!” Hyunjin was beaming, giddy and still hugging Jisung tightly.

Minho started laughing. “Wonderful! Now get a room!” He looked over at Changbin then, eyebrow raised “HyunSung?”

“He’s been calling them that since he started crushing on Hyunjin.” Changbin explained, looking over at Minho and then gasping when he realized they were holding hands. “Ah—when?”

“You know I’ve noticed your inability to multitask, but this is a cute new level of it.” He said, squeezing Changbin’s fingers playfully. 

The sorcerer turned tomato red, right up to the tips of his ears. “I was just focused on them!”

“Of course.” Minho chuckled, leaning in closer, keeping hold of Changbin’s hand so he couldn’t shy away as he whispered in his ear. “So do we have a ship name?”

“MinBin.” The other blurted out and Minho grinned, wholly endeared. 

“MinBin, hm? Cute.” 

Hyunjin’s voice floated into their bubble. “I think you two need to get a room too.”

Minho glanced over at the ferret hybrid, a warning look on his face when Changbin sneezed, drawing his attention back. “Still sneezing?”

Jisung snorted and Changbin was the one glaring at his friend then. “Yeah, but you don’t need to worry. It’s nothing.” 

“We’ll see about that.” Minho said, turning to Hyunjin and Jisung. The two had walked closer to them. Jisung was cradling his flowers lovingly to his chest. “I’m assuming you two are off to be hopelessly romantic somewhere all day?”

“Yup!” Hyunjin grinned. “I have a whole day planned for us! I want to take him to that cute cafe on 2nd street for coffee and lunch, then we’ll do some shopping, and tonight I made a reservation for this Italian place, it’s going to be amazing!”

“Reservation? I don’t have any clothes fancy enough for a place that takes reservations.” Jisung said, his whole face red. 

Hyunjin tapped his nose. “That’s what the shopping trip is for, darling.”

Minho rolled his eyes and looked over at Changbin. “These two are going to be gross from now on, aren’t they?”

“Unbearably.” Changbin laughed. “But I’m happy for you both.”

“You two next.” Hyunjin said, pointing between the two of them.

Jisung nodded. “I mean, you’re both already together on a day off, no classes and you’re already holding hands so...”

“Yeah, you two could hang out all day too.” Hyunjin said, wiggling his eyebrows before tugging Jisung’s hands. “Come on, we’ve got places to be, baby.”

“Oh my god, he called me baby.” Jisung said as he got pulled away.

Changbin barked out a laugh. “Have a great day, Sungie!”

“You too, Hyung!” The younger sorcerer grinned and the new couple disappeared from view. 

It left Minho holding Changbin’s hand and very much alone. Maybe they should spend some time together. Those two did have a point. It was a day off and they were already together. “So, how about lunch?” He asked.

Changbin looked at him with those adorable boba eyes. “You want to?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

The sorcerer shrugged, looking down towards the ground. “I don’t know... figured you might have plans or better things to do. I mean, just ‘cause those two said that stuff doesn’t mean you have to follow through or anything.” 

Minho hated it when Changbin sounded so insecure. He hated that the world had beaten him down to believe he wasn’t worth spending time with or caring about. “Changbin, look at me.” His eyes lifted. “I’d cancel plans to hang out with you. Believe me, there’s nothing I want to do today more than spend time with you.”

The other looked entirely shocked. “R-really?”

Minho fondly rolled his eyes, reaching up with his free hand and ruffling Changbin’s fluffy curls. “Yes, really. Don’t make me repeat it twice. I’m supposed to be a tsundere .” 

That earned a fit of giggles out of Changbin. “Of course, my bad.”

“Come on.” He tugged on their connected hands, leading them across campus. 

***************

Minho had multiple realizations as he spent the day with Changbin. 

One, he was quite possibly the nicest, sweetest, cutest person to exist. Two, once he got past his shy layer, he was quite outgoing. He could tell jokes, be silly, and had no shortage of interesting things to talk about. Three, he was hiding something and Minho was sure the sneezing was related to his secret. 

“Sorry.” Changbin said, coming back from the bathroom for the third time since they sat down for dinner that night. They had an easy going lunch. They had picked up some street food and wandered around the city, laughing and chatting as they explored shops. They ended up going to a karaoke bar in the middle of the afternoon. It was so much fun, actually. Minho hadn’t laughed that much in a long time. He was shocked by how good Changbin’s singing voice was. He knew the other could rap, but he could sing too. Even if he sneezed in the middle of at least four songs. Changbin spent the whole time gushing about Minho’s voice too. He was always a bit shy about singing at first, but once he got in the groove, he loved karaoke. 

“It’s alright.” Minho answered as Changbin settled back into the chair diagonal from him. “I’m just worried your stomach is okay. Did the street food not agree with you?” Dinner would certainly be high quality food. They were in one of the nicest korean bbq places in the area. 

“No, no, nothing like that. It was all really good.” Changbin said, suddenly sniffling and shifting in his seat. Minho was almost certain the other was getting sick at this point. “I’ve honestly had the best day with you.” He was smiling again and Minho decided to hold in his worried thoughts at least for now. He mirrored the happy expression.

“Me too. It’s been so much fun.”

“I still can’t believe how well you sing. Your range is crazy.” Changbin said. “Makes me want to write a song.”

Minho took a sip of his water because the comment made him a bit shy. “You should write one for yourself then. Your voice is great.”

Changbin waved his hand. “Rapping is my thing.”

“Singing could be too.” Minho countered.

“Yeah, maybe.” He said before looking down, a bit bashful. “But I think I’d rather have a song with me rapping and you singing.”

Minho hummed. “That sounds like it could be fun.”

“Really?” Changbin asked and then he sneezed again. “Ah, sorry...”

“Binnie.” Minho sighed, reaching over to check Changbin’s forehead. He wasn’t warm but... “I’m really worried about all this sneezing.”

He waved his hands. “I’m fine. I promise.”

“You keep saying that, but it seems like it’s getting worse.” Minho insisted. “How about we go back to your dorm after this? You can take some meds and lay down. Maybe that will help.”

Changbin looked like he wanted to disagree, but he just nodded, giving in. “Yeah, okay. It might help.” He smiled at Minho then. “Thank you for worrying about me, even if you really don’t need to.”

Minho reached his hand across the table, wrapping his fingers around Changbin’s hand. “I... I really like hanging out with you so I want you to be healthy and okay. You’ve been sneezing like this for weeks now.”

The waiter came with their trays of meat after that. They got absorbed into cooking and eating. The serious topics falling away. They fell back into the steps of their lighter conversations. It was a bit baffling to Minho how easy it was to talk to Changbin now that he wasn’t such a stuttering mess. Although, Minho still got him tongue tied on and off.

After dinner they headed back to Changbin’s dorm. The other came out of the bathroom with a bottle of pills in hand. “Took some.” He said, placing it on the bedside table, label facing away. “It’s the nighttime one so I’m sorry if I fall asleep.”

Minho smiled. “That’s alright. I’ll just hang out with you until you do, how about that?”

“Sure.” Changbin crawled into his bed, cradling himself on the pillows, blankets pooled around his waist. Minho felt the urge to purr. He wanted to curl up with him so badly. Maybe he should... maybe he should let go of some of his fears about it all. Changbin had proven over and over again how nice and thoughtful he was. He was funny, endearing. Minho liked everything about him. “Do, uh, do you want to put on a movie or something?”

“We can. Do... do you mind if I lay down too?” Minho asked and Changbin instantly slid over, making room for him. He laughed at the sorcerer’s excitement as he let his body recline into the curve of Changbin’s. He pillowed his head onto that built and luscious chest. It was heavenly. A purr did rumble out of him. He heard the way Changbin gasped but the other didn’t comment. He just grabbed the remote and turned on the tv. Frankly, Minho didn’t pay attention to what he picked, too comfortable. His ears twitched happily, bumping Changbin’s cheek every so often. 

His peace was startled by a sneeze from Changbin. “Sorry...” He said, but his voice was low, weighed down with drowsiness. Minho looked up to see him toss away the tissue he had caught his sneeze in before watching the sorcerer’s eyes fall shut. He laid there purring for a while longer, just watching Changbin. He was so cute, pouty lips parted as he breathed softly in and out. Minho was sure his nose had to be stuffed up, but his tiny snores were adorable. 

Once he was sure Changbin was asleep, he carefully got up, not wanting to wake him. His eyes fell on the bottle of medicine. He had no idea why, but he picked it up, looking at it and gasping. It wasn’t cold medicine. No, it was allergy medicine. 

Wait, why would Changbin be hiding an allergy? He had asked before and Changbin said he didn’t have allergies so why?

Unless... was Changbin allergic to him?

He startled at the thought. How... how could they be together if Changbin was literally getting sick every time they were together? He shook his head. He didn’t know for sure. He needed to go see Hyunjin. Maybe Jisung would still be with him. He needed to get to the bottom of this. He left Changbin’s room, one last look at the sorcerer before he went. God, he was so handsome and kind and... Minho really hoped he was wrong.

************** 

“Hyunjin!” Minho knocked heavily against the door. “Stop gushing over your boyfriend and open up!”

The ferret hybrid opened up the door a few moments later. His lips were bright red, matching Jisung’s who was sitting up against the pillows of Hyunjin’s bed. “What’s wrong?” He looked into his best friend’s eyes and the other pulled him inside. “Get in here.”

The door closed behind them and Jisung sat up a little more. “Is everything okay?”

“About to find out.” Hyunjin answered his boyfriend. “What’s going on?”

“And if you need me to leave, I can.” Jisung added. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. If you need just your best friend, I totally get it.”

“No, I actually need you too.” Minho answered. The sorcerer looked surprised but he nodded. 

Hyunjin put a hand on his shoulder. “Talk to us.”

Minho sighed. “Changbin has been sneezing for weeks now. I’ve been worried about him. Telling him to go to the doctor or take medicine or something. He just keeps saying he’s fine and not to worry. It’s been kind of weird, but I figured he’s just being stubborn since he’s overall a healthy person. Then today when we hung out, the sneezing just seemed to get worse. I kept pestering him about taking meds or something and he finally gave in tonight. Then we went back to his dorm so he could take some medicine. He told me he took nighttime meds and might fall asleep. I didn’t mind. I hung around until he fell asleep and I don’t even know why, but I decided to look at the bottle of medicine he took right before I left. It... it wasn’t cold medicine. It was allergy medicine.”

“Okay?” Hyunjin tilted his head in confusion. “I’m not quite following. Maybe he thinks he has allergies and not a cold?”

“I’ve asked him if he has allergies and he’s repeatedly told me no.” Minho asked, looking over at Jisung. The sorcerer looked... squirmy. He was staring at the blankets, playing with the edge of his hoodie sleeve. “It got me thinking, why would he hide allergies? Then I started to wonder if I’m the thing he’s allergic to.”

Hyunjin’s eyes went wide. “Do you think?” The ferret hybrid looked back at his boyfriend. “Is that true, Sungie?”

Jisung whined, pulling his hands up to cover his face. “I shouldn’t talk about it... it’s Hyung’s business...”

“He is, isn’t he?” Minho pressed, needing answers, but feeling like he already had them by the way Jisung was acting. “Fuck. He really is allergic to me. How am I supposed to date him if he can’t stop sneezing his face off around me?”

The sorcerer whined some more, clearly feeling torn before muttering out. “He says you’re worth the suffering...” 

Changbin would say that. He let his head fall into his hands, shaking it. “He would say something so stupid. Fuck. This sucks so much.”

Hyunjin immediately jumped in for damage control. “Min, breathe. Let’s think about this a little more. Allergies aren’t always that severe. How bad are Changbin’s?” He looked at Jisung, the downturn grimace he gave wasn’t comforting. “That bad?”

“He’s been taking tons of allergy meds when he’s going to see Minho... Bottles of nose spray too...” He admitted.

“This is hopeless then.” Minho said, emotions welling up then. “And it really sucks because I actually like him so much... but I can’t let him suffer for the rest of his life. That would be cruel.” 

“I mean, I think he would think a life without you is more cruel.” Jisung said. “That's why he didn’t want you to know...”

Hyunjin sighed. “Look, there has to be something we can do. Wait! I’ve got it!”

“What?” Minho asked, honestly looking at his best friend with hope because he needed something. His heart was opening for the first time in far too long to someone else and he really didn’t want stupid allergies to come between his chance at love and happiness. 

“Your potions project! You wanted to create an allergy potion for your mom, right? Why don’t you create one for Changbin! See if you guys can make a potion that will cure him!” Hyunjin said, a smile on his face, clearly proud of the idea.

Minho was enraptured by it too. “That... that could be possible. Honestly the research we’ve done so far will be easy to switch over to that instead of my mom’s allergy. We were on a pretty good path to figuring out our formula... it might even be easier if it’s based on my actual DNA.” 

Jisung was nodding now too. “Yes, that’s a great idea!”

“It might work.” Minho said. “No, we’ve got to get it to work. For our grade, but more than that, for a chance at something with him. I... I really like him.”

“I’m really happy to hear that.” Jisung said, smiling. “Even if he’s going to kill me for not being able to keep a straight face.”

Minho shook his head. “I won’t tell him anything. I’ll just tell him I figured it out from the medicine. I mean, I pretty much did anyway. Your face just confirmed it.” He stood up from where he had sat down in Hyunjin’s desk chair. “Anyway, thank you both. I’m going to do some more research for our potion and I’ll talk with Changbin about all of this tomorrow. I’ll get out of your hair so the two of you can go back to making out like a couple of teenagers.” 

“Thanks, Hyung!” Hyunjin grinned and Minho rolled his eyes, chuckling before he got up and left, waving goodbye as he did. 

Tomorrow would be interesting, but at least they had a chance. They had to get this potion perfect. He wouldn’t let Changin suffer beside him for years to come. The thought halted his movements, even in the middle of the hallway. He was really thinking about years with Changbin... fuck, he was truly down bad, wasn’t he? 

Chapter Text

Changbin was smiling like an idiot when Minho walked up to him after potions class Monday afternoon. “Hey, are you busy tonight?”

“No, I’m free.” He answered, instantly earning a smack on the arm from Chan who was seated beside him.

“Bro, I thought you said you’d go to the gym with me?” The older sorcerer pouted.

Changbin turned to Chan, smiling. “And I will, tomorrow.”

He got a head shake in return. “Simp.” Chan leaned over to look at Jisung. “Are you free to go to the gym, Ji?”

“Ooo... about that... Hyunjin kind of asked me to go to the movies tonight.”

Chan inhaled loudly. “What happened to bros before hoes, huh? No ethics. I thought I raised you both better.”

“Tomorrow, Hyung.” Changbin said. “I promise.”

Minho was amused by their exchange. “I won’t try to steal him tomorrow. I just need him for something with our project, actually.”

Chan nodded. “Alright. If it’s for school then I won’t complain.”

They all finished packing up and soon Minho and Changbin were walking on the familiar path to his dorm room. “What’s up with the project?”

“I just... I want to change the direction a little, but I wanted to discuss it with you.” He explained and Changbin nodded. 

“Yeah, sure. Whatever you think is best, I’m sure it’ll be good.” Afterall, Changbin loved every idea that had come from Minho’s mind so far. Especially the parts about the two of them. He couldn’t believe how well everything was going between them. Yeah, sure, Minho did worry a bit about all his sneezing, which—ACHOO—was already starting up again. The cat hybrid gave him a worried expression but Changbin waved him off once more. He’d just go to the bathroom and take some medicine when they got in the dorm. It would all be fine. 

They were at his room before long. Changbin slipped into the bathroom as Minho took a seat on the bed. Honestly, he was so excited to be getting more time with the cat hybrid. Their impromptu date day yesterday had been wonderful. Falling asleep with Minho in his arms had been a dream come true, even if his nose was tickled the whole time, it was worth it. He took a few allergy meds and fixed his wild hair in the mirror before emerging out of the bathroom. 

He expected to see Minho laid out over his bed already. It was his usual position when they were in here working on their project the last few weeks, but this time he stayed seated, right on the edge of the bed. It almost seemed like he was afraid to touch it, but Changbin didn’t understand why. He tried not to overthink it though. He took a seat in his desk chair and swiveled around to face Minho. “So, what did you want to change?”

“I’d like to change the allergy we are trying to cure.” He answered.

“Oh?” Changbin asked, tilting his head in thought. “To what?”

“Yours.” Minho said and he blinked. Wait. What? What did he mean by that? Did he figure out about his allergy? The wheels started turning in his mind when Minho spoke up again. “You’re allergic to me, aren’t you?”

His mouth opened and closed a few times before he cleared his throat. “How... how did you find out?”

“I saw the medicine bottle last night. Then I just kind of put two and two together.” Minho answered, lacing his fingers together and putting them on his lap. He looked afraid to touch anything in the room, like he was toxic or something. Changbin hated it. He rolled his chair across the floor, closing the gap between them. He couldn’t stand the way Minho flinched when he took his hand.

“Please don’t start acting weird. I don’t care if I’m allergic to you... you’re worth the medicine and the sneezing, Minho.” He said and the cat hybrid shook his head.

“No one is worth suffering and being sick for. I won’t be able to live with myself if I know you’re suffering because of me.” He said before clearing his throat. “Even though I have grown feelings for you... I can’t let you do that to yourself.”

“You absolutely can. I am completely consenting, totally willing to sneeze it out for life if it means I can be with you.” He answered, probably more confidently than he had ever answered the hybrid before. This was something he was certain of. 

Minho shook his head though. “No, that’s why we have to figure this potion out. Instead of my mom’s allergy, let’s figure out how to cure yours. We can change our project to this. If we can get it to work... then I’d like you to be my boyfriend, but if we can’t, we should let this go... even if it’s going to completely suck.” 

Changbin would pull a million all nighters researching if he had to. “Then we’ll get it to work. No other option if you ask me.”

Minho looked at him, the softest look he had ever seen on the other’s face. His eyes were a little glassy. “We have to.” He answered and Changbin jumped up, wrapping his arms around the hybrid. He didn’t care how his nose tickled or his eyes stung as his face was pressed too close to the other’s hair. “You’re going to set off your allergies more!” Minho protested, but he didn’t let up.

“I don’t care.” He answered, even as he had to pull away, feeling a sneeze building. He turned his head, sneezing away from Minho who was pouting when Changbin turned around.

“Look what you did.”

He shrugged. “Worth it.” Then he sat back down, rolling over to his desk. “Alright, no more time to waste. Let’s see what we can find.” He opened his laptop and the two of them worked well into the night, getting through the new foundation of their research as well as some of the more complicated layers of it. It was so much easier to use his nose spray and not having to run to the bathroom to hide it. 

Minho’s phone rang around midnight.

“It’s Felix, hold on.” He swiped across the screen and brought it up to his ear. “What’s up?” Changbin couldn’t make out everything, but Felix was definitely asking where Minho was. “I’m with Changbin. We’ve been working on the project. We had to change the direction a bit so we were reworking things.” Another pause. “Yes, I’m coming home tonight. Don’t worry. It’ll be soon.” He chuckled. “Don’t act like you and Innie didn’t take advantage of me being gone. There better not be any suspicious stains or flung clothing on my side of the room.” He laughed again. “Good. Alright. I’ll see you soon. Mhm, bye.”

“He just checking in?” Changbin asked and Minho nodded as he slipped his phone back in his pocket. 

“Yeah, he was worried since it’s late. I probably should get back. We’ve gotten a lot done.” He smiled. “I’m glad.”

“Me too.” Changbin answered, suddenly sneezing again.

Minho got to his feet then. “Alright, let me get out of your room before your nose falls off... maybe we should meet in the library from now on. I am probably contaminating your space.”

Changbin stood up, wrapping the hybrid in a back hug. “Stop worrying so much. Sneezing isn’t going to kill me. Plus, we are going to get this potion figured out. I’m going to be your boyfriend by the end of the semester.”

Minho laughed, turning and breaking out of his hold. He tilted his head to the side. “Who are you and what have you done with the shy and stuttering Changbin I’ve come to know?”

He smiled, a warm fire in his belly. “Well, now he’s got a purpose, a goal, and nothing is going to stop him. Not to mention, the man of his dreams likes him back so he’s kind of feeling pretty good about himself these days.” He laughed, looking down, realizing he probably sounded so cheesy talking in the third person. “Okay, maybe I’m still a little bit unsure and hopeless, but I really want to get this right. I’m not going to let you slip through my fingertips, Minho.”

“Alright, this side of you is entirely too attractive, time to go.” He said, twirling around to grab the door handle and escaping faster than Changbin could react. “Night, Binnie!”

“Night, Minho.” He smiled, waving until the other disappeared around the corner.

*******************

They spent the coming weeks working on their project, figuring out every detail and solving every problem that arose. Changbin had never spent more time on something for school in his life. It was late, they were in one of the private study rooms at the library. Minho had stopped coming to his dorm, insisting on not getting his fur and things in the room. Changbin didn’t love it. He missed looking at the other sprawled out across his bed, but he understood that Minho was trying to take care of him. Instead, he sat too close, leaning in so their shoulders brushed at the table. Minho would give him a look every time he sneezed, but he didn’t stop him. Changbin was convinced the gravity between the two of them was too strong to resist, but somehow Minho managed to fight it, not completely, but better than him. 

“I think this will do it!” Minho said, excitement in his tone. They had just rewritten their potion formula for the nth time, however, they were both quite certain they had nailed this one. 

See, allergy potions had been attempted many times over the years, but anything of widespread use seemed to be extremely tricky. The only successful potions reported were ones for specific people and specific allergens. However, in their case, that was all they needed. They just needed to cure Changbin of his specific allergy to Minho. 

“I think this will work.” He said and then they were looking at one another. That gravity he mentioned before was acting up again. Their faces were so close. Changbin couldn’t help glancing down at the cat hybrid’s soft lips. He wanted to kiss him so bad. Minho was looking too. The opportunity was right there. He leaned in and met Minho’s finger instead. 

“Not yet.” He whispered. “I want to but... we shouldn’t let this get any deeper until we know for sure.”

“You’re stronger than I am.” Changbin said, whining softly before he curled in to hug Minho at least. 

The hybrid humored him, hugging back. “I’m not, really. I just hate you suffering. Like I know you're going to sneeze any second—.” Changbin pulled back out of Minho's arms, sneezing three times and groaning after. “There it goes.” He sighed. “I just hate it.”

“Me too, but we are going to fix this.” He lifted up the paper with their formula on it. “I believe it.”

Minho smiled, a bit sad at the edges. “I hope so.”

***************

The moment of truth was upon them. 

It was dark outside, but the potions lab was beaming fluorescent light all around them. They had vials and tubes of different colored liquids in front of them. Pieces of Minho’s fur, herbs, and powders littered across the workbench in front of them. 

Changbin’s heart was beating out of his chest as he lifted up the final product. It was a dark purple color, sparkling and swirling around inside the glass bottle. He could feel the magic seeping from it, electrifying his fingertips even through the glass. 

This had to be right, for so many reasons. First, their project was due in three days. They had tried a few other versions over the last few weeks and they hadn’t been quite right. With some tweaking here and there, he felt like this would be it. The last one was so close. It stopped his watery eyes, but didn’t cure his sneezing. This one, though, he could feel it. It was going to work. It had to because the second reason was so much more important to him than a grade. He needed Minho to be his boyfriend. Every passing hour with the black cat hybrid only made him fall more in love. He thought he was a hopeless simp at the beginning of the semester? He’d probably just hand over his kidney if Minho asked now. 

It was funny how the thing that made him most frustrated with Minho also made him the most enamored. He hated that Minho would cut off their relationship if this potion didn’t work. He wanted to scream from the roof that he’d sneeze for eternity for Minho, but the hybrid wouldn’t let him. Minho really cared about him. Changbin never thought he’d have a partner that cared about his health and well-being enough to push him away. Even if it would hurt emotionally, Minho cared about him too much to watch him suffer. It was dedication to him that Changbin never thought he would have from someone else. Even if it was the thing that made him want to shake Minho with frustration.

He just prayed the vial in his hand would fix this because he wanted to be with Minho more than he wanted anything. He looked over at the hybrid. “Well, should I try it?” 

The hybrid nodded. “Now or never.” Minho reached his hand out, intertwining their free hands. 

Changbin took a deep breath and brought the potion to his lips, tilting it and gulping down the purple liquid. He felt the magic start to pour through his body. Tingling strains of power started to branch out through him. First, his stomach warmed, then the feeling rose into his chest, wrapping around his lungs before it continued up his throat, into his nose until the warmth enveloped his whole head. He took a deep breath and everything felt so clear. 

“How do you feel?” Minho asked and Changbin nodded slightly. 

“Good. I think I feel good. Let me—.” He pulled Minho closer, pressing his face into Minho’s fur before inhaling deeply.

Nothing. No tingling, no itchiness, no sneezing. He pulled back, a smile splitting his face. “I think it worked!”

“Yeah?” Minho was bubbling over with excitement, coming to cup Changbin’s cheek in his free hand. “Really? No symptoms at all?”

Changbin buried his nose back into Minho’s hair, breathing again. “None!” He laughed as he pulled back to look at the hybrid. “I think we did it!”

“How long do you think it will last?” Minho asked.

“I don’t know exactly, but the last one kept the itchy eyes away for four days and I increased the potency of the lengthening agents this time so I’m thinking it should last even a bit longer than that.” He grinned. “So hopefully like a week? We can make a big batch of this potion every couple months and I can just take it weekly. That is totally manageable.” 

Minho nodded, a beautiful smile making him look angelic. “Definitely.” Minho had always been gorgeous to him, but every day they spent together, he got more and more beautiful. 

Changbin’s eyes fell on Minho’s lips and suddenly nothing else mattered. “Can... Can I finally kiss you?”

Minho didn’t answer him with words. He pressed forward, their lips meeting for the first time. Changbin felt like lightning struck him. Sparks ignited under his skin as his legs suddenly felt a little weak. He grabbed onto Minho’s side, pulling him closer and steadying himself. The other’s lips were just as soft as he always dreamed they would be. They moved with grace against his own, molding perfectly as the hand cupping his cheek stroked it tenderly. There were so many pent up emotions between them. He shuddered under the weight of them, kissing Minho back like it could be his last chance. 

He was so thankful it wouldn’t be, however. This was their beginning, finally, nothing was between them. When they pulled back, they were both flushed. Even Minho’s neck was red as he took a deeper breath, trying to regain his composure. 

Minho looked up at him, a smile spreading on his face as their eyes met. “Hey, boyfriend.”

Fuck . Changbin’s knees almost buckled. “That’s... fuck.”

“Oh, good, we are on the same page.” Minho answered, a smirk pulling up on his lips.

Changbin blinked. “Wait, what... you mean? Really?” He grabbed onto Minho harder as his eyes went wide. “We... we can do that?”

Minho laughed and nodded. “Yes, baby. We can do that. I really want to do that. Do you?”

“Yes!” He practically screamed it and it only made the hybrid laugh more.

“To your dorm then.” Minho said.

Changbin looked around the messy workbench in front of them. “The clean up...”

“Let’s make it quick.” The two of them scrambled around like giddy teenagers as they cleaned up the potions lab. They maybe stopped to kiss again one or twice, or maybe ten times, but who was counting? They took the three extra vials of their potion with them. Afterall, they needed to hand it in for their class and would need more when the effects wore off of Changbin. Once everything was in order, they were scampering down the hall and across campus as fast as they could while holding hands. 

Changbin dropped his keys, fumbling with them at the door of his dorm. The heat of Minho was curled over his back and he felt his palms getting sweaty. Changbin had never done this, but there was no one on the planet he wanted to explore this with more than Minho. He finally got the door open, flinging it with too much force, but not caring. They stumbled inside and as soon as they were locked inside, Minho pressed Changbin to the wall, kissing him deeply. 

All the restraint he had held over the past few months seemed to fly right out the window, but Changbin wasn’t complaining in the least. He kissed back, hardly any experience, but all the enthusiasm. He moaned when Minho’s hands started running down the sides of his body, pulling their hips closer. Changbin was already so ridiculously hard. It was no surprise to him, but what did make him gasp was how hard Minho was too. 

“Fuck, baby.” The hybrid moaned, grinding their hips together. “Been dying to get my hands on you. Shit, your body is just so perfect.” Hands groped Changbin’s chest and his head fell back, a loud moan escaping from between his lips.

“Minho...” 

“Yes, boyfriend?” The other asked, a smirk on his lips that literally melted Changbin into goo against the wall. The other was so unbelievably hot. His cat ears were twitching above his head, tail wiggling back and forth as he licked his lips. 

“You’re so fucking hot.” He said and Minho chuckled.

“You are too, baby. Gonna make the whole campus jealous. Sexiest couple of the year.” Minho leaned in to kiss him again and that was good because he had no intelligent thoughts left in his brain. How could he when Minho started teasing over his nipples through his shirt. He felt a tongue sweep across his bottom lip and complied immediately. He was washed away when Minho’s tongue dove into his mouth, exploring every inch of it. He followed the movements with his own, exploring Minho just as deeply, letting them get completely caught up in one another. “Shirt, off. Need to feel you.” 

Changbin had never stripped a piece of fabric off himself faster. He tossed it to the ground, moaning loudly when bare hands started groping at his chest, kneading the flesh. “Min—ah, Hyung.” He gasped, cock twitching in his pants and the hybrid played with his chest. It was so much worse when he licked over Changbin’s nipple. His knees shook, fighting to keep him standing as he threw his head back.

Minho hummed, like a hungry predator. “That’s it, baby. Make all the pretty sounds for Hyung.”

“Please, please... feels so good.” He panted out. Another lick over his nipple had him squirming. He whined and Minho growled, a sound that was like a drug in his veins. 

“Bed. Need you on the bed.” 

The most glorious words he had ever heard. Changbin almost tripped as they stumbled across the room, falling onto the mattress. He was on his back and Minho wasted no time crawling on top of him and taking over his mouth once more. Hands threaded into Changbin’s fluffy locks while he wrapped his big arms around Minho’s lithe body, keeping him close. Their lengths were still pressed together and he found himself with a million questions suddenly. He had never done this before. He knew things, had watched more than enough porn, but he hadn’t done things. That was a whole different area. Plus, he had no idea what Minho preferred or any of it. 

“Min—.” He squeaked out between their dizzying kisses and the hybrid pulled back, looking like an angel hanging above him.

“Yes, baby?” He was breathing heavy, dark eyes so clearly full of desire. 

“I, uh, how—I never—what do you—me—I’m sorry.” His mouth muttered together every question that he had and he whined in embarrassment at how badly he failed to get it all out.

Minho just chuckled, petting his cheek softly. “Would you like to try that again, baby? Slower, maybe.”

He nodded. “Yeah... sorry. I’ve never... I’ve never done this. I just—how are we? You know?”

The hybrid’s gaze was so fond and it made Changbin’s stomach flutter. “Are you asking who is topping and bottoming?"

“Yes.” He answered. “I’ve never done either.”

Minho leaned down, kissing him once. It was sweet, and it helped him calm down a bit. “I like both so it doesn’t matter to me either way. I want to do what you want to do. This is your first time, afterall. Topping or bottoming, I’ll guide you, okay? You don’t need to be so nervous.”

Changbin didn’t think he could fall harder for Minho, but here he was, finding new depths to tumble down. He thought it over. Bottoming for the first time seemed like it would be really intense... even when he’s explored that area, it’s been overwhelming by himself. He was sure he wouldn’t even know how to function if he did that with Minho. Which sounded like an amazing thing to explore sometime, but he didn’t know that he was ready for that today. The idea of being inside Minho was unbelievably tempting anyway. Knowing that he would be there to guide Changbin through it lessened his nerves too. He made up his mind. “This time... can I top?”

“Absolutely, baby.” Minho answered before leaning down and whispering in his ear. “No matter your answer it would be a win for me, you know. I’d either get to devour that insane ass of yours, or I get to feel your clearly large cock inside me.” He ground their hips down together before moaning. “No losing there.”

“Sometime soon...” Changbin said, mouth watering at the thought of it. “I’d like to try bottoming too.”

“You’ll have no complaints from me, Binnie baby.” Minho started kissing along his jaw and Changbin shivered. It should be illegal to be as hot as the hybrid was. He swallowed, trying to find a bit of courage as he moved his hands up, slipping them under his Minho’s shirt. He felt his heart skip a beat as his fingertips touched bare skin for the first time. He had been dreaming of this for so long. 

“Can... fuck, can I touch you more? Please...” He moved his hands up, touching the soft skin of Minho’s stomach.

The hybrid sat up suddenly, ripping his shirt off completely. “Yes. Want you to touch me.” His hands were like magnets then, both of them exploring the newly exposed skin. He felt along Minho’s sides, over the soft but lean plains of his stomach. He gulped when he let his hands travel up his chest, fuck. He was built so perfectly. His pecs fit in his hands like they were made just for him. His hips bucked up on their own when he looked up to Minho’s princely face. The other’s eyes were wide with desire. Lips slightly parted as he rolled his hips, clearly needing the friction just as badly as Changbin did. He moaned so beautifully when Changbin played with his nipples. “Yes, baby. Just like that.” 

Changbin sat up slightly. “Can... Can I lick them?”

Minho bent to him right away. “Absolutely, baby. Wanna feel it.”

He started to bend his neck when another idea came to him. “Hold on.” He said before grabbing Minho’s hips, lifting and flipping them so Changbin was caging over him instead. Minho started purring and Changbin could feel the lust dripping from his gaze.

“We will definitely have to put your muscles to use some more in the future.” The hybrid said. “Fuck, want you to throw me around, fuck me against the wall...”

Changbin.exe stopped working. 404 Error. This page was no longer available. His mind frazzled completely. “Hyung—yeah?”

Minho laughed, nodding. “Yeah, Binnie baby, gonna teach you how to fuck Hyung the best.”

“Please...” He said, leaning down, excitement racing under his skin as he connected their lips once more. He couldn’t get enough of the other. He wanted to hear him purr again. He started kissing down Minho’s neck, licking and scraping his teeth along the way. The noises it drew from the hybrid made his hunger worse. He got to his chest, groping again, feeling every inch of Minho, taking it all in as he licked over his nipple. He got a purring moan from him, a sound he would forever be addicted to. Now that he’d heard it, he wanted to be surrounded by it, let it be the theme song of his life. He swirled his tongue around the buds, switching back and forth between them until they were red and glossy, beautiful. 

“Changbin.” Minho panted and he looked up, seeing the half-lidded mess he had turned his boyfriend into. Fuck, his boyfriend. His new favorite word. “Pants, off.”

He followed the command like it was a sacred decree. His fingers undoing the button of Minho’s jeans as something shy bubbled up in him again when he slid the zipper down. He was really taking off the man of his dream’s pants. He took a deep breath, looking up, seeing a reassuring amount of patience mixed with the desire in Minho’s eyes. “I love you.” The words were out of his mouth before he could think any deeper about it. The hybrid’s eyes went wide, breath hitching and for a second Changbin wondered if he had messed everything up. 

Instead Minho came towards him, ab muscles contracting as he pulled himself from the bed, grabbing both sides of Changbin’s face and kissing him deeply. He moaned, body sinking into the savory flavor of Minho’s mouth. “I love you too, Binnie baby.” He whispered it right against his lips and a whimper slipped from between Changbin’s own. “You had me right from the start, you know? Not letting go of my hand, holding it instead of shaking it. How did you know holding hands was my one true weakness, hm?” The hybrid was smiling, something cheeky, something playful, but everything loving within the expression. 

“Lucky guess.” He answered, cheeks warm, heart even warmer. 

Minho hummed and nuzzled his nose against Changbin’s cheek, cat-like, adorable. “I’m so glad we got the potion to work... I didn’t know how I was going to give you up.”

“Now you never have to.” He said, capturing Minho in another kiss. He was melting in the tenderness of it all, but he was also fairly certain his dick was going to hulk out of his clothing soon. “Can I finish taking these off now?”

“Please.” Minho said, flopping back to the mattress and lifting his hips. It was dramatic, silly, sexy, perfect. He smiled, tugging the fabric down, steeling up his nerve and grabbing the edge of Minho’s boxers too, taking everything off of him in one fluid motion. One fluid motion that only got stuck on the hybrid's tail, then his knees, bunched up on his ankles and had the hybrid laughing and kicking as his jeans and sock somehow super glued the fabric to his right foot for a whole two minutes until Changbin was able to pull everything off. He was burning red with embarrassment, but Minho only pulled him closer, kissing him once more. “I’ll wear sweatpants next time.” 

Changbin pouted, whining and nuzzling into Minho’s throat. “Sorry I’m so bad at this...”

“You’re perfect, baby. I promise. Some stuck pants have in no way messed this up. Look down if you need proof.” The hybrid said and when Changbin looked down he was met with the most mouthwatering sight of Minho’s cock, standing tall, proud and leaking, not the least bit deterred by Changbin’s inexperience. 

“Fuck...” He whispered and Minho chuckled lowly against his ear. 

“Like what you see, baby?”

“Yes.” He answered, hand starting to travel down before he got nervous again. “Can I?”

Minho nodded. “You can touch me anywhere, baby.”

Maybe his hand moved a little too fast, but his fingers were wrapped around Minho’s length not even a second later. The hybrid hissed, startled by the sudden contact. “Sorry! Sorry!” He said pulling back but Minho shook his head, grabbed Changbin’s wrist and guided it back down. 

“Shhh, you’re fine. Just... fuck, wasn’t expecting you to move so quick, baby. That’s all.” He said, moaning when Changbin’s fingers wrapped around him this time. “Yes, like that. Perfect.” He said, rambling a bit and Changbin liked him like this. “Right under the head like that, yes, baby.” He started stroking and Minho’s words kept flowing, drowning him with praise that was spilling out the tip of his cock. He could see the wet spot forming in the front of his own gray sweatpants. “Feels so good, baby.”

“Hyung.” He whispered, grinding against Minho’s big and beautiful thigh because he was starting to lose his mind. 

Minho looked at him and wrapped a hand around the back of his neck, pulling him in for a searing kiss. He continued to hump shamelessly against the hybrid’s leg, desperate for contact. “Let me take the edge off, baby. Then you can finger me open, yeah?”

He nodded. Anything, he’d agree to anything Minho said right now. Especially when the other pushed him onto his back and grabbed the edges of his sweatpants. “Gonna take these off. Okay, baby?

“Please... Minho—Hyung... please.” He was losing it. He didn’t think he had ever been so hard in his entire life. His pants and underwear were pulled off in one go, quite the accomplishment if you asked Changbin. He groaned as his cock sprung free, smacking his belly. 

“Shit, Bin.” Minho said, hands traveling up his legs, ghosting over his thighs, making him twitch as he stared at Changbin’s cock with a lion’s gaze. “So thick and perfect.” Fingers wrapped around him and he gasped, back arching, sounds sputtering out of him. “Gonna fill me up so perfect, baby. Fuck.” That’s when Changbin followed the way the hybrid was bending, face coming closer to his center. Minho’s ears were flicking with interest on top of his head, tail up, excited, behind him as he licked his lips. “Gonna taste you, baby.”

“Please.” He begged, needing to feel Minho’s mouth on him more than he needed oxygen at the moment. 

He was launched into outer space when that tongue lapped over his tip. His eyes rolled back and he shuddered. “So sensitive.” Minho purred, breath ghosting over his heated flesh. “I love it.” Then that tongue was back, licking him from root to tip, swirling around the top before swallowing around the head. Changbin was a star going supernova as his moans combusted from his mouth, loud enough to echo off the window and probably let half the dorm know what they were up to, but he didn’t care. The more of him that Minho swallowed down the more Changbin was sure he’d never recover from this. He was tugging at the sheets, trying not to buck into the delicious hot pleasure of Minho’s mouth. 

“Min—Minho!” He was crying out, absolutely going insane when the hybrid pulled back, slipping off his cock with a sinful pop. 

“Shhh, baby, breathe for me.” He said and Changbin tried to listen. His chest was heaving, but he was trying to suck down more oxygen. “That’s it, baby. Good boy. So good for Hyung.” Minho was petting his chest, soothing, grounding. “I have a question, baby.”

“Y-yes?” He asked, voice unsteady. 

“If you cum now, can you cum again after? You’re just so sensitive right now. I want you to be able to enjoy it for longer when you actually get inside me.” Minho said, no judgment in his tone, pure curiosity. 

“I can cum again.” He answered, no hesitation because he was certain he would be hard and leaking again by the time he was finished prepping Minho. 

Minho smiled. “I knew you could, baby. So good for me.” He leaned down, kissing him again before his lips trailed down Changbin chest and stomach until he was swallowing him down once more. He was blinded all over again by the sensation of that incredible heat wrapping around him. The way his tongue wiggled and moved under his cock was a match in a gas leak, explosive and leaving havoc in its wake. Changbin was a wreck, coming apart at the seams. He couldn’t help the way his hips started bucking up, but Minho didn’t stop him. Only pulled back to encourage it, actually. “That’s it, baby. Fuck my throat. Come on.”

Changbin did. He went wild, losing himself as he sank into the depths of Minho’s ocean, of the warm, seaming waters of his throat. He had never seen an image more erotic or beautiful. Minho’s mouth was stretched to the limit around his thick length, drool leaking out the corners as he abused the cavern of his lover. He wasn’t going to last, not looking at those glassy eyes, silently begging for his cum. 

The cord snapped as he cried out, shuddering, gasping. What felt like gallons of cum splattered down Minho’s throat, the other almost choking as he fought to swallow it all. The hybrid collapsed against his thigh once he pulled off, gulping down oxygen as Changbin went boneless against the mattress. He had never cum so hard in his entire life. His vision was blurry, not coming into focus until Minho was hanging above him.

“So, liked the blowjob?” He asked and Changbin snorted. 

“Yeah, I think I liked the blowjob.” He laughed, reaching up to pet Minho’s cheek tenderly. “Thank you. That really was amazing...”

Minho smirked. “It was my pleasure... speaking of.” He bent, whispering into Changbin’s ear. “I’d really love to get your fingers in me now.” 

He moaned, nodding. “Yes, please.”

Minho resituated him, getting Changbin seated at the top of the bed against some pillows. He started watching as the cat hybrid looked around the room. “Lube?” He asked.

“Bottom drawer.” He pointed and maybe lost his mind a little, cock already starting to stir back to life as Minho bent over to retrieve the lube. The curve of his ass was delicious, silky black tail swishing around, only adding to his beauty.

He was caught staring when the hybrid turned around with a smirk on his lips and Changbin looked down shyly. “Enjoying the view?” Minho asked as he climbed up, straddling Changbin’s lap.

“Yeah...” He admitted. 

“Good.” Minho purred. “You should always look at me like that.”

“Always will.” He breathed, hands finding their way to Minho’s hips, polite, unsure where to go, how they should proceed. This was new and Minho was so distractingly attractive in his lap. 

The hybrid kissed down his neck, licking and letting out more delectable purrs as he settled his hands on top of Changbin’s, sliding them down. “Touch me, baby. Please. I need your hands on me.”

He didn’t need to be told twice. He groped the muscular but soft flesh of Minho’s ass, moaning from just the feel of it. He swallowed, daring himself to be a bit bold as he let his fingers dip in between the globes, brushing against the edge of Minho’s entrance, loving the soft sound it brought out of him. 

“That’s it, baby. Touch. Explore.” He said, voice breathy. “I want you to.”

He let his fingers be firmer, feeling the wrinkled skin, circling around it. Minho was sighing softly, happy noises in his ear as Changbin poked a bit at the center, just teasing before he pulled back. “Lube.” He said, getting the bottle into his hands a moment later. He coated his fingers, being generous with it, knowing he was thick he really wanted to do a good job prepping his boyfriend. The last thing he wanted was to hurt him on their first time together. When the wet fingers touched Minho, his moans got louder. 

“Yes, baby. Get me nice and wet for you. Just like that.” He was kissing Changbin’s jaw, holding onto him tightly. He wasn’t sure how exactly he was supposed to concentrate, but he was going to try his best to not be distracted by Minho’s sweet words and kisses. Once he had slicked around the entrance, he poked back at the center, feeling it start to give, opening up for him. Minho gasped. “Yes, Bin. Nice and easy, just like that.” The words encouraged him, getting him to press in a bit farther, getting the finger half way before starting to move it in and out. 

“Like this?” He asked and Minho nodded.

“Just like that, baby. Give me a bit more. I can take it.” He said and Changbin slipped the whole finger in, already short circuiting at how tight and warm the other was inside. He was really going to get his whole cock in here? Fuck. The idea had his half hard cock coming back to life even faster. “Yeah, perfect. Shit. Forgot how good it feels when someone else does it.” The comment had him moving his finger in and out even more. He wanted his fingers to be the only ones Minho dreamed of from now on. “And yours are perfect, baby. Give me another. I need another.”

Changbin complied instantly, pulling his finger out to push two back in. He was careful, gentle as he worked them into his boyfriend. He treasured every moan that spilled from the hybrid’s lips as he sunk both fingers inside. “Good?” He asked, hoping the lack of words wasn’t for the wrong reasons.

“So good, baby. Addicted to your fingers already.” He said, moving his hips. His tail was flicking around behind him, clearly buzzing with the sensations. Changbin started working the two digits in and out of Minho, loving the way he was starting to come apart at the edges. “Push all the way in and curl them, baby.” The hybrid guided him and Changbin did as told, shivering at the shuttering moan Minho let out when he did. “Fuck, yes, baby, right there.” He did it again, addicted when the purrs and moans started flowing in equal measure.

“Minho... fuck. You’re so hot.” He groaned, working his fingers even more, scissoring them, stretching his boyfriend.

“Another—Bin, need another. Fuck. Please.” The hybrid gasped, nails digging into Changbin’s shoulders. He found himself biting at Minho’s neck as he sunk the third finger inside. He needed to focus, something to ground him. The hybrid didn’t seem to mind, only exposing his neck up further as he slid down onto Changbin’s three fingers. “Yes... Changbin. Fuck.” Minho started moving his hips, fucking himself onto his fingers. He was powerless, frozen and in awe of his boyfriend as he moved, as fluid and beautiful as he danced, but this time on Changbin’s fingers. 

Oh, he was perfection. Changbin’s cock was leaking again, fully erect and aching to be inside Minho. “I love you so much.” He breathed out. “Want to be inside you so bad. Please, Hyung. Please.” He was panting, the world fizzing out, everything coming down to only him and Minho. 

“Yes.” Minho said, lifting up, letting Changbin’s fingers slip from his body. “Need you too, Binnie baby.” He said, moving and capturing his lips. They kissed, sloppy, out of it, but perfect and messy. “And I love you too. Never wanted someone this bad. Please.” He said and Changbin grabbed his own length, helping as Minho started to line up, getting ready to sink down on it. 

“I’m all yours, Minho. From the day I first saw you, been yours.” He moaned out, watching as his boyfriend smiled, lining up his entrance.

“All mine.” He whispered. “Gonna be mine for life, yeah?”

He nodded, feeling that warm heat teasing at his tip. “Forever, Minho.”

“Me too, baby. I’m yours forever too.” The hybrid said, kissing him as he sank down, tight, hot pleasure enveloping his length as he popped his cherry and melded into the man of his dreams. “Oh, fuck, Binnie.”

That was his line. “Oh my god.” He moaned, brain not even processing how incredible the other felt around him. It was unlike anything he had ever experienced. His boyfriend was squeezing around him, making him shudder with the intensity of it all. “Minho...”

Lips were on his a second later, heavy breathing mingling between each caress of their mouths. “Stretch me so perfectly, baby. Shit. So good.”

And if he thought it felt good when Minho wasn’t moving, oh how insane it felt when he started moving. Changbin’s eyes rolled back in his head, nails clawing into the hybrid’s hips as he started to lift himself, slowly dropping back down, getting used to it, splitting himself open on Changbin’s cock so beautifully. “Ah, Hyung.” He whined, overwhelmed with it all.

“Feel good, baby?” Minho asked, eyes half lidded, stunning with his kissed red lips and gorgeous pleasure filled expression.

“So good... the best. You’re the best.” He said and the hybrid smirked, clearly loving the words.

He hummed, nuzzling their noses together. “That’s right, baby. You too.” Minho then licked into his mouth, rolling his hips as he let his tongue explore deep into Changbin.

It was tender and dirty in a way that set his whole body ablaze. He moaned, letting Minho guide them through each rising level of pleasure. As the hybrid built the pace, Changbin’s mind frayed more and more, wire meshing, rerouting to forever connect Minho with unbelievable euphoria. 

He sat in awe, watching his boyfriend ride him like he was a professional. It was electrifying and he had never felt so alive, but as he watched him work, black hair sticking to his sweaty forehead as he found himself wanting to put in the same effort. 

“Min—can, fuck, please can I move too?” He asked, somehow still feeling embarrassed as he asked.

Minho’s face split in a cheshire grin. “Binnie baby wants to fuck Hyung properly, hm?”

He nodded, gripping Minho’s hips and wanting nothing more than to slam into the hybrid over and over again. “Please, can I, Hyung?” 

“Flip us over, baby.” He said and Changbin moved probably too fast again, but the moans that left Minho felt like he would get a pass about it. He flipped them, the hybrid landing on his back. Changbin slipped out of him as they moved, but he quickly pushed Minho’s legs up to his chest and—fuck. He would see his boyfriend's wet and shiny hole for the first time. It was red, a bit puffy from the stretch around Changbin’s cock and oh, he was entranced. 

“So fucking beautiful…” He breathed. “So perfect.” He lined his cock back up, started to press back inside as he looked up, meeting Minho’s eyes. “And mine… you’re really mine, my boyfriend.”

“Yours, Binnie baby.” Minho was smiling, reaching up so they could intertwine their fingers as Changbin sank all the way back home. “Fuck. So big and perfect—shit.”

“Never wanna leave this room again.” Changbin said, moaning as he started rocking his hips, loving the way Minho’s eyes fluttered. “Gonna drop out and study you instead.”

He groaned as Minho clenched around him, laughter bubbling out of him making him tighten up. “Oh yeah? You’re so cute, Binnie, but I only date smart boys so you better keep your grades up—fuck.” Minho swore as Changbin changed angle, finding his prostate. 

“Anything for you.” He moaned, pistoning his hips again and again, melting at Minho’s shudders, his whining moans, and the purrs that trickled out in between. Changbin was just as noisy, panting and gasping as he gave his all to fucking his boyfriend. The hybrid’s tail had wrapped around his leg and it made him feel so loved even in the heat of it all. Minho was clinging to him and he wasn’t a clingy person by nature. It was an honor that the hybrid could be soft with him like this. He was open, vulnerable, and stunning. 

“Bin—shit. Binnie baby, right there. Don’t stop. Don’t—.” Minho was rambling moaning as Changbin pounded into him over and over again. The high was building, climbing ever closer to the peak of their mountain. He was certain no summit had a better view than the one he had now. Minho’s red flushed chest, arching, head thrown back in the seas of their passion. His adorable bunny teeth peeking out of his red lips.

He was getting close too, the pressing build of pleasure was shaking through him. He wrapped his hand around Minho’s length, watching the way it made him quiver, legs kicking out as his hips bucked down into Changbin. “Let go, Hyung. I’ve got you.” He only sped up, stroking the hybrid in time with his thrusts. Well, as best he could. He was sure his movements were a bit sloppy, but his boyfriend was moaning all the same.

He knew they were shattering the careful balance between the rise and fall of climax when Minho’s body clenched around him. “Bin—Changbin—fuck, ah.” He cried out, body spasming as his orgasm ripped through him. His trembling muscles sent Changbin off the cliff as well. He moaned loud, deep in his chest until it broke into tiny whimpers as his cock was milked dry by Minho’s walls. He panted, shaky above his partner as he tried to regain clarity of the world.

It wasn’t easy. Everything was hazy, his ears were ringing but Minho was shining below him, hair fanned out, perfect, just perfect. His half lidded eyes stared up at him. The moment hung, frozen as they laid in the afterglow of their union. 

Minho’s hand came up, cupping his cheek. “Well, how was your first time, baby?” He asked, something soft in his eyes, like he was truly hoping he lived up to Changbin’s expectations. He had more than exceeded them, however.

“Better than I ever dreamed.” He answered, leaning down, loving the purrs that vibrated through Minho’s chest as he nuzzled into the hybrid’s neck. “I love you so how could it have been anything other than amazing?”

Minho kissed his forehead. “I’m so glad. My… my first time wasn’t the best so I’m really glad yours could be special, baby.”

Changbin looked up, pouting instantly. “Who was he? I’ll kick his ass.”

Minho laughed, shaking his head. “Believe me, he’s not worth the energy. Much rather you use those muscles on me.” He snickered. “Will be much more satisfying if you ask me.”

Changbin let his pout fade, nodding along. “Alright, if you say so.”

Minho kissed his nose. “You’re too cute, Binnie baby.”

Changbin smiled. He liked being called cute. He started wiggling around, giddy with it all. “You think so, Hyung?”

“Yes, baby.” Minho gently pet his head and Changbin found himself wanting to do the same.

“Can I touch your ears?” He asked, eyes glued to the black fluffy appendages. 

Minho nodded. “I told you earlier, you can touch me anywhere, baby.”

He smiled and reached up. He had honestly wanted to touch them for so long, but he had been too afraid of triggering his allergies. Now he let his fingers caress over the silk fur, instantly purrs poured out of Minho. The hybrid closed his eyes, clearly relaxing even more at the touch. “They’re so soft.” He whispered, petting them and Minho’s head in general. 

He smiled when the other’s tail wrapped around him again, curling over his leg as Changbin settled in. His fingers kept gently touching Minho’s ears until they both were drifting closer and closer to sleep. He nuzzled into his boyfriend’s neck and sighed contently. Neither had any desire to move, more than happy to be snuggled up together for the night. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” Minho kissed his forehead and they melted further into the mattress.

Their peace was violently interrupted by Minho’s phone ringing from somewhere at the foot of his bed inside of his pants. “Fuck, it’s probably Felix.” He groaned, dragging himself up, tipping Changbin over onto the bed. He managed to find his phone, aggressively swiping across the screen to answer the call. “Yeah, yeah. What is it?” He grumbled and Changbin giggled a little. “No, I’m not coming home. I’m staying at my boyfriend’s.” Minho said and then pulled the phone away from his ear as Felix started yelling and cheering loud enough that Changbin could even make out the words.

“Oh my god, Hyung! Congrats!”

Minho smiled. “Thanks, Lixie. I’ll fill you in more later.” He hung up the phone and flopped back on the bed, wrapping himself around Changbin, draping across him and snuggling into his chest. “Your boobs are the best pillow I’ve ever had.” He mumbled, sleepy, eyes heavy, adorable.

Changbin chuckled as Minho purred. Nothing had ever been more perfect. 

No more sneezes, no more itchy eyes, just his boyfriend and all the love between them.

****************

“Finals are done!” Changbin yelled out into the air, running around the parking lot, letting the rest of their group laugh at him. All eight of his and Minho’s friends were together. They were getting ready to pile into two cars and head to karaoke together to celebrate the end of the semester. 

He was grinning, loving the way Minho’s eyes followed him, tail perked up, happy to see Changbin so giddy and carefree. His confidence had blossomed overnight, really. It was amazing what a supportive partner could do. He was a lot less shy the last few weeks. He held Minho’s hand in public and his boyfriend had been a little bit correct about the rest of the campus being jealous of them. He never would’ve thought he could be seen that way, but others watched them, whispered about the new campus ‘power couple’. 

Now that all eight of them were hanging out, they all got talked about a lot, honestly. They weren’t really the type to fade into the background. Especially since Minho, Felix, and Hyunjin were dancers and Changbin, Chan, and Jisung rapped. Not to mention Jisung’s reputation as a sorcerer in general. Then there was Seungmin, the vampire was well known for his modeling and Jeongin was an incredible singer, Changbin came to learn. He had quite the following of his own. 

“Let’s go sing our faces off!” Jisung cheered as he looped his arm in Hyunjin’s, staring up at his ferret hybrid boyfriend with hearts in his eyes. “I can’t wait to sing for you, baby.”

“Me neither, love.” Hyunjin said, leaning over to kiss Jisung’s cheek, an equally fond expression of his handsome face.

“Then let’s go already!” Felix dashed off towards the car, pulling Jeongin behind him.

Chan was following after, Seungmin getting dragged as well. “Felix!”

“Hm?” The freckled faced elf turned to look at the oldest sorcerer.

“Oh.” He laughed. “I just wanted to say, I’m really curious about your singing voice since you naturally have such a deep tone.”

Jeongin chimed in then. “Oh, he’s going to blow your mind. The way he can go from the lowest notes to the highest falsettos? Insane.”

“Really?” Chan lit up, curiosity climbing out of him. Changbin chuckled at the way he could see Chan’s producer brain kick on. “Just wait until you hear Seungmin’s singing voice too. I keep telling him he should branch out from just modeling. He’s so good.”

Their conversation continued as the four of them got into the other car as Changbin, Minho, Hyunjin, and Jisung got into their own. 

“So.” Hyunjin said, leaning over, poking his head out in between the two front seats. Minho was driving (read: Changbin was trying not to drool over how hot his boyfriend looked driving) and he was in the passenger seat. The other couple in the back seat. However, Hyunjin was leaning his elbow on the center console, looking directly at Changbin. “How’s relationship life now that you aren’t sneezing your face off around Minnie?” 

He let out a huff of humor. “It’s been absolutely amazing. How about you two? You guys are what, two months in now?”

“68 days, thank you.” Jisung said from the back and Minho was shaking his head instantly at the comment, but Hyunjin was quick to defend his boyfriend. 

“Hey! The first 69 days are important! Which, by the way, don’t even try to get in contact with us tomorrow. We’ll be busy.” Hyunjin said, a mischievous smile blooming on his face.

Minho groaned, dramatic, playfully standoffish as usual. “Gross. Don’t touch me for at least a week.”

“I’m running straight to your dorm afterwards, hyung. Gonna put my sticky fingers all over you.” Hyunjin stuck his tongue out, but the appendage quickly went back in his mouth when Minho shot him a glare. 

“And I’m going to throw you in the airfryer if you dare try it.”

Hyunjin sat up. “Did I say I was coming to your dorm? I meant to say that I will completely avoid you for at least a week.”

Changbin laughed. It was always funny to watch Minho with his friends.

“Don’t worry, babe.” Jisung said. “I’m sure Binnie Hyung will still hug us even if we are sticky.” He wanted to protest, but it was probably true. He didn’t have time to anyway, the karaoke place was in view as Minho steered them into a parking spot.

Soon the eight of them were inside a karaoke room, being loud, obnoxious and perfect. After a couple hours they were almost all drunk, only Minho and Jeongin staying sober to drive. Minho was sitting in Changbin’s lap, claiming there were no open seats despite the five available, but he wasn’t complaining. He just wrapped his arms around the hybrid as they watched their friends.

“This one’s for you, baby!” Chan had the microphone in one hand and a drink in the other. He was pointing at Seungmin, already getting tears in his eyes. The song was starting, but Chan just went on yapping, completely ignoring the beat. “See, guys, when I met Seungmin, oh god.” He sniffled. “He was just so handsome. I was frozen in place, staring hopelessly. I thought he’d never notice me.” He started wiping under his eyes with his hand holding the drink, startling when the cold glass touched his face. “Oh, dang that’s cold. Anyway! He did notice me! He came walking right to me and—.”

“Babe, if you don’t sing the song, I’m taking the mic from you.” Seungmin said and Chan’s eyes went wide, personally assaulted by the comment.

“But I’m trying to tell them our love story!”

“Tell it through the song! You already missed the first verse.” Seungmin said, laughing and shaking his head, clearly endeared by his drunk and silly boyfriend. 

“Did I? Shit!” Suddenly he locked into the music, belting out notes far too beautiful for how silly and drunk he was. It was nice to see the other let go and have a good time. He was always too tense, worrying about the world around him, being the hyung. Seungmin definitely made him feel comfortable enough to relax and Changbin was glad they had found one another. 

Felix was tugging on Jeongin’s sleeve beside them as Chan kept on singing. “Please, Innie.” He was pouting. “Can’t you just sing me one cute love song?”

Jeongin sighed. “But it’s so cringy. Look at this mess.” The kitsune pointed at Chan. 

Felix’s eyes got watery. “But... but Jisung and Hyunjin have sung like ten to each other... Can I have one?”

The kitsune sighed, standing up when Chan’s song finished, taking the microphone from him.

“Wait! I was next!” Jisung said, whining. “I have a love song for Jinnie to sing!”

“We know.” Jeongin said into the microphone, looking pointedly over at Felix. “But my boyfriend is impatient and won’t let me save the song I wrote for him until the end of the night for the big reveal I had planned so I have to go now.”

The elf’s mouth fell open. “You wrote me a song?”

He nodded. “And I came here yesterday to get the guy to add it to the machine for me.”

Felix started crying. “Oh my god, guys... I have the best boyfriend ever.”

“No, I do.” A chorus of voices echoed around the room and they all started laughing. 

Changbin squeezed onto Minho tighter though, because he truly believed his boyfriend was the best in the whole world. 

Felix was a sobbing mess by the time Jeongin’s song wrapped up. It had been absolutely beautiful. So beautiful it had Jisung, Chan, and Hyunjin sobbing too. The four of them had fallen into a cuddle puddle, melting over how cute it was. 

“Sing one with me.” Minho said then, letting Jeongin and Seungmin tend to the crying pile of people.

“Okay.” Changbin nodded, the two of them getting up and grabbing two mics. The song started and the room faded away. As much as he loved how their friend groups were blending and adored that all of his friends were in happy relationships these days, something about Minho could make everything else disappear. They sung a duet, tender lyrics of love being passed between them as they locked gazes, bright smiles on their faces. This was the beginning of a lifetime with his soulmate. Nothing could stop them, not allergies or anything else. 

“I love you.” He said, still talking into the mic as the song ended.

“I love you too.” Minho answered and the room erupted behind them. 

“Oh my god! They’re so cute.” Felix gushed.

“Ship MinBin for life!” Jisung cried out.

Chan cried more. “I’m so happy for them.”

“I just love love guys. So much.” Hyunjin added and Changbin laughed, running over and tackling into the pile of their shenanigans. 

“We love you guys too!”

Seungmin ruffled Changbin’s hair. “I am happy for you.”

Changbin watched as Jeongin ran his shoulder into Minho’s. “Yeah, me too. You guys are a cute couple.”

“The cutest.” Minho said, smiling at Changbin, making his cheek burn, even as an argument broke out around the room over who was truly the cutest couple. 

Changbin and Minho didn’t fight with them, they both already knew it was them, now and always.