Chapter Text
November
"But... isn't it... I don't know, hyung... demeaning?" Jisung whispered those words into the phone, even though he was alone in his office. Looking out the window and realizing from the shaking trees on the street that a new season was coming up, the chilling air was already taking place.
He heard Changbin chuckling from the other side of the line. "Well, I guess it can be, Hannie. But listen, despite the fact that I'm sure there are a lot of people that choose this kind of job because they have no other choice and that is definitely not cool-" the older guy babbled about. "There are people who actually enjoy it, so I'm just saying... If you're lonely, maybe give it a chance?"
Jisung sighed and rubbed his face. How his friend managed to talk so nonchalantly about that in broad daylight was beyond his understanding. "Yeah, but how can I tell them apart?" He mumbled.
"Oh I could give you a few agency references!"
Jisung stuttered. "A- a few?! Hyung, do I even want to know why you have so many contacts in sex work?" He whispered the last words and his friend laughed at him, lightheartedly.
"You know I travel a lot and it gets lonely sometimes. Like I said before, there are people that actually enjoy working with this. So if I'm with someone, I want to make sure they are willing and not just about the money, yeah? Consent is still the most important thing." He finished with a serious tone.
"Yeah, of course! I wouldn't want it any other way. It's just... I don't know, I really don't."
Someone could be heard on the other side of the line, calling for Changbin and cutting their conversation short. "Hey, babe, I gotta go now, a meeting awaits. I'll text you later with a few places to go and you just think about it, ok? No pressure and no judgment."
"Yeah yeah, okay. Thank you, hyung. See you next week?"
"Hopefully! If your father doesn't stuff me in another plane." The way his eyes rolled was practically audible as Jisung giggled at him saying goodbye and ending the call.
Changbin and he were friends since middle school, almost brothers. Their families had so many businesses together, that the older guy even got hired by Jisung's father into the multimillionaire company which the Han family ran around South Korea. Jisung himself had a job at the foundation his mother ran, and an office at the company's main building, despite the ridiculous amount of money he's had in his bank account ever since he was born. He was more than happy to help and organize philanthropic events and donations for several groups of people in need.
He doubled majored in Business, because of pressure into one day taking over the company- and was very thankful that Changbin was there along the way to help him through it- and Music, purely out of passion, knowing he could never exclusively follow his dreams as he was expected to be part of business from the moment he turned 18.
Now at 26, he lived a comfortable life, and he wasn't unhappy per se. He was just... lonely. His days consisted of going to the company or the Foundation office building from 9am to 6pm on business days and working out a bit before heading to his ridiculously big and far too empty apartment. In his free time, he liked locking himself in his secret home studio to produce music and he liked to believe he was good at it.
Because of how known his family was throughout Korea, he couldn't use his real name when it came to music. So whenever he put something out, he had to go by an alias. The only people who actually knew about his secret persona were Changbin and Chan – a friend he met in Music college and carried for dear life, another brother if he could say so.
But both his hyungs were really busy. Changbin always traveled, dealing with the company's international business and Chan working inhumane hours as a producer in the studio he now owned.
The three of them became inseparable at some point, even Changbin had surprised the other two with his raw talent for rapping and composing.
But adult life happens and they didn't get to spend as much time together as they wished, though Jisung knows they'd drop everything for him the second he asked them and the feeling was mutual.
The thing he loved the most about them was how open to everything they were, never having a place or time for judgements, always supporting each other no matter how crazy their ideas or thoughts were. They were the perfect trio almost bound by blood, musketeers of making music, one for all and all for one.
Which is why Jisung blames both of them – Chan was obviously also on board with the idea of him hiring someone to – to be with... just wanting to make sure Jisung was safe and careful about it.
He sighed for the npth time, squeezing hard on his steering wheel, knuckles turning white as he couldn't believe he was actually going through with this.
Changbin hyung:
So, this guy I see a lot and honestly trust, told me about this one friend of his that usually hangs around this bus stop at night
[Location attached]
Guess is a long shot, but he said his friend is one of the best and also very respectful so I thought he seemed like a good match to you.
Jisung:
!!!!!!
Am I supposed to just stop the car and roll the windows down wtf???
Changbin hyung:
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I actually asked about that and he said 'yes, just tell him to roll the window down and say 'would you like a ride?''
Jisung:
!!!!!!
Do people seriously do that????
hyung omg that sounds so sketchy
What if I do that to the wrong guy and he either is a serial killer or calls the cops on me????
How do I even know he's a worker?????
Changbin took a few minutes to text back. Leaving Jisung to an internal turmoil.
Changbin hyung:
Sorry, was passing your question forward!
He said it's kind of a known code or something so don't worry!
If the guy's into it he'll engage and answer with a time period.
Jisung:
Tf that's supposed to mean???????
Changbin hyung:
🤣🤣🤣
God you're so pure I almost feel bad telling you to hire a hooker
Jisung:
🖕🏼🖕🏼🖕🏼🖕🏼🖕🏼🖕🏼
But really??????
Changbin hyung:
🤣❤️❤️
He'll say something like "an hour" or so. If he says anything else just apologize and drive away, no harm done.
No harm done , right, just him probably dying from embarrassment. But sure no harm done.
Changbin hyung:
Now go get your boy ❤️
Jisung:
🖕🏼
So really, it was all Changbin's fault that he drove 17 minutes to the said bus stop, heart threatening to burst out of his chest as he saw one lonely figure standing there, arms crossed over his chest, body lean and sharp silhouette under the dim light of the street lamp.
He pulled over by the stop, taking a few seconds to breathe. The man standing there with a foot propped against the wall seemed like he was raising a curious brow at him.
Fuck. He already made it this far, what could go wrong?
He rolled his window down.
♦♦♦
It was fucking freezing, and winter wasn't even that around the corner yet. But somehow Minho couldn't help but dress in three layers of clothing, even a cardigan and an overcoat thrown onto his body as he waited patiently for the bus home.
He even chuckled to himself remembering how many times he had been on that same bus stop at that time of the evening with only one purpose: get enough money to pay off his bills. But that night, he just had to stay over at the pet shop to cover for a friend that announced his sickness leave just as he was about to clock out, and seeing as he didn't have class that night, he decided the extra cash wouldn't hurt.
He was fumbling with his phone when he heard a soft hum of engine approaching on the quiet street, too soft to be his bus, so he didn't bother looking up. Until the very fancy car slowed to a stop right in front of him.
That surely wasn't... No... It couldn't be.
He felt his own eyebrow rising as he stared at the tainted black window of that posh car, ready to tell whoever disturbed his peace to kindly fuck off and have a good evening.
But then the window rolled down.
Oh, he was cute, very cute. And Minho would even think the guy was probably lost if it wasn't for the clear pink hue on his blushing cheeks as he looked at him, trying to avoid eye contact as his mouth opened and closed a few times.
Minho held back a smile because cute . Definitely a first timer. Then he remembered that... He didn't do that anymore. He had been retired from sex working for over six months by then, having saved enough money as it was and now was contently working a part time job at a pet shop while finishing his majoring in veterinary studies at the glorious age of 28.
"Uhm-" The cute boy stuttered. "Hi- I mean- I." Shit he was really cute. "Would you- eh- would you like a ride?"
Minho cursed internally. Because it was just his luck that the cutest guy he saw in a long while would turn out to be seemingly rich as fuck and looking for a prostitute. Just fucking great.
The guy probably misunderstood his silent staring and his eyes went huge.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry! I totally mistook you for someone, right? I'm so so sorry! Have a good evening, sir!"
Minho blinked as the windows started rolling back up. And for some reason he quite didn't understand yet, he found himself saying:
"Two hours."
The guy froze and put the windows back down.
"Oh?" God, his cheeks looked so soft and pretty, blushing like that.
"There's a hotel around the corner. Sounds good?" Minho offered with a practiced smile. He knew he was probably a bit rusty on his game but he'd done this too many times in the past. It was just like riding a bike.
The guy nodded with his eyes wide and unlocked the car as Minho made his way into the door, sitting on the passenger seat. Body relaxed a little too much on its own when he was met with the pleasant temperature from the heater and the sweet smell of green apples probably from an aromatic diffuser. And oh, the guy looked way prettier up close. Minho felt a weird stirring in his guts.
"I'm Minho." He began with a soft smile. "You get me for two hours, starting the moment we get into the room. I have a few rules for safety that are non negotiable but apart from that I'm pretty open. If there's a problem for you, I'll gladly step out and we can go on our ways, no hard feelings."
The guy stared at him for a few seconds, probably trying to process his words. Then he nodded. "My name's Jisung. And yeah that's perfectly fine! Just... I've- I've never done this before so I'm sorry if I'm rude or stupid or something." He looked genuinely embarrassed and for some reason, that was very endearing for Minho.
"I've had my fair share of first timers." He said kindly, hand reaching for the guy's arm to comfort him a bit. "Also, this stops the second either of us say so, you don't have to worry about it."
Jisung nodded again.
"Can we get going then? Not to be rude but I have something scheduled early tomorrow." He made sure to keep his tone soft and smiled when the guy nodded again as turned the keys, car humming back to life.
And he wasn't really lying, he did want to go home soon and rest because the next day would be a busy one. But his horny and maybe a little lonely brain didn't allow him to pass up the opportunity of getting laid. Even if he had in fact been retired for a while, Jisung was really pretty and cute, and definitely that was not something common for his clients, definitely not that young either.
And then reality suddenly hit Minho as they drove in silence to the nearest 5 star hotel.
Jisung was young, presumably wealthy since he drove that car and didn't even bat an eye at the suggestion of such a luxurious hotel. His clothes looked expensive and even his perfume smelled like a couple hundred dollars worth. If he was looking for a prostitute, there was something really wrong with him. Most probably sexually wise. Most probably way too kinky to enjoy sex, or maybe he was closeted still? He looked too young to be married and also there was no ring on his fingers. Despite his still full on blush, he drove carefully and comfortably. He looked collected for someone who'd been stuttering just a few minutes before.
Minho was both intrigued and horny by him. But he was certain the only positive thing out of this would be a weird fetish paid with money. And he would definitely charge extra depending on how weird Jisung truly turned out to be.
He sighed quietly to himself, looking outside the window, lights blurring through as they drove. He suddenly wished Jisung hadn't approached him on the stop. Maybe they could have crossed paths at the shop, or even a club. Suddenly Minho wished he wasn't a client. And he had no idea what to do with that feeling or why it was even there.
♦♦♦
"Alright", Minho started as soon as the trembling guy shut the hotel room door behind them. Having already done this dance hundreds of times by now, it was almost second nature to him. "I've got five rules, stick to them and we won't have any problems. If you can't remember, just ask again before doing anything."
The guy with the soft looking cheeks nodded slowly, his blush just as visible as it had been in the elevator where he'd refused to meet Minho's eyes after checking into the most expensive suite the hotel had to offer.
"One." He said while removing his coat and folding it neatly over the back of the couch. Movements as enticing as possible, body curving naturally as he moved. "No kissing. Two, no barebacking. Three, I only top." He waited patiently, knowing that by now was when most of the clients would try to speak up, but Jisung only nodded again, eyes as round and dark as boba pearls. "Four, as long as it doesn't include bruising, actual hurting or excrements, you're free to ask for anything." He waited again, feeling a little weird for not having been interrupted yet, these kinds of clients weren't that unusual but definitely not that common either. "And five, there's an app on my watch, it calls the police the second I activate it, no I'm not gonna tell you how I activate it and neither how to disarm it." He was also used to one of those two questions, mostly both.
But... But Jisung simply nodded again. Maybe he was into that, Minho thought to himself, tilting his head as he tried to read the man standing in front of him.
"Alright." He started unclasping the buttons of his cardigan. "What would you like me to do for you tonight?" He saw the way his words literally made the guy startle, his eyes going impossibly wide.
Minho knew from experience that the quiet ones were always the kinkiest motherfuckers. So he waited for Jisung to finally ask him to spit on him, or maybe even piss a little. He was definitely glad he had a pedicure a couple days before because Jisung was for sure the kind of creep who would ask for a footjob.
"Can we..." He began, voice trembling and small. Minho suppressed the urge to find it cute and waited for the blow he'd known to happen. "Can we just talk for the night?"
What the actual fuck?
♦♦♦
Minho was still waiting for the punchline to come.
When Jisung had asked for them to just talk, he was sure that it had to be some kind of code for something the millennials were onto. But… Two hours later, they were sitting on opposite ends of a very expensive looking couch as they stuffed their faces with expensive gourmet spring rolls.
“I swear! My hyung laughed so hard he ended up spurting a noodle from his nose.”
Minho scrunched his face, a little disgusted but couldn’t help but laugh.
“And honestly, that was great because people quickly forgot about the new kid that had peed his pants.” Jisung finished embarrassed, rambling about his younger self.
They had been talking for hours, literally hours if Minho’s watch was correct. He wasn’t even sure how he went from trying to get Jisung to talk to him about sex and preferences- still convinced that the boy only needed a little push- to them talking about how they met their childhood friends.
The older guy was definitely more reserved and chose to not disclosure a lot about himself, remembering that avoiding personal intimacy was sex work 101. Although… which sex, he wasn’t sure. Jisung hadn't made a single move onto him, and he wasn’t sure he should feel offended or endeared. Maybe a little both.
They talked a lot, Minho couldn’t remember the last time he spoke so much. He told Jisung about graduating as veterinarian in a couple of semesters, and how he worked at a pet shop, how he absolutely preferred animals to humans and how cats were superior beings that actually ruled the world, only allowing humans to live in it to laugh at their misery.
Jisung had giggled at him, soft and cute. His pretty boba eyes kinda made Minho really want to kiss him. But that was definitely against rule number one.
The younger guy told him a lot of things as well, almost feeling like his brain to mouth filter wasn’t working as he opened up so much about his own private life. He told Minho about his job, both at the company and at the foundation, but also how music was his true passion and even his secret alias. He told him he was an only child but life gave him two hyungs. He told Minho that he had a great relationship with his mother, who spent most of her single life living in the United States, which is why she has a beautiful open mind about a lot of things, especially sexuality and gender related issues. His father was more on a traditional side, always expecting and demanding things from his only son.
Minho didn’t even realize he was reaching to poke him with his toes when the younger man went too quiet when talking about his father, not liking the way his pretty eyes seemed to lose a bit of light at the topic.
“I know he loves me, at least I hope he does, you know?” Jisung had laughed humorlessly. “I try my best to make him happy without losing myself in the process… it’s quite a challenge.”
“I bet…” Minho mumbled kindly and understandingly. Then he leaned his head against the back of the couch, letting Jisung’s soft voice lure him into a type of peace he hadn’t felt in a while.
♦♦♦
When the annoying first rays of light hit his face the following morning, Minho was a little lost, not knowing where he was.
"Oh you're up!" A chipper voice startled him before he was hit with the mortifying realization that he fell asleep. He fell asleep with a client around. A client he didn't even sleep with and was pretty much a stranger. Fuck.
"Morning." He said while sitting up and rubbing his eyes because he still had the bare minimum of politeness.
"I was about to wake you up, just ordered some breakfast first." Jisung had the most stupid smile on his adorable face and Minho kind of wanted to punch himself for it. Or maybe punch Jisung. Maybe both. "Ah don't worry! I asked them for a sealed pack and a full closed jug of juice instead of glasses!" He was moving way too quickly for Minho's recently awakened brain.
But the last sentence was what caught his full attention. Jisung had for some reason remembered what Minho had said the night before.
It was around the time when the younger man had asked him if he could tell something about himself, nothing personal, just anything at all. And Minho had still been sure all that small talk was just Jisung trying to break the ice before finally asking to be put on a leash and to only bark from then on. But to Minho's surprise, the guy never got closer than an arm's length from him. So he started talking about the most random and non-personal shit. He even told him about his non spoken rules for his own safety, for example:
"I don't eat or drink anything my clients offer me unless they are properly sealed or if I'm standing by their side when they pour me a drink."
He was used to even his friends Felix and Hyunjin mocking him for that. But Jisung had simply nodded with a look of concentration before saying "that's actually quite smart."
Seriously, Minho had never been more intrigued by a client before. But he knew it was a matter of time before that lost looking pup put his claws out and started asking for the most perverted things.
"I gotta run now or I'll be late for work and I'll need to head home to change first." Jisung smiled while putting his coat on. "I already dealt with checking out so just leave the key card downstairs whenever you feel like, you have like three hours so you can take a nap if you'd like." That smile was seemingly not going anywhere, and Minho tried to remember at which point of the previous night, the other guy had stopped stuttering and blushing while averting his gaze.
But then the pink was back on his pretty face. Not that Minho would ever admit how that simple and so fucking domestic sight had made his heart beat a beat faster.
"Thank you, Minho, for your time." He said softly, looking down, ears red. "I left the- the payment... By the door." He finally looked up, staring at the older man who was now staring back at him. "I really needed that. So thank you, really."
For fuck's sake, all they did was talk and Jisung was thanking him as if he'd given him the best dicking of his life- which Minho was sure he would have if the guy hadn't explicitly told him he wasn't interested in having sex at all. Shocking, he knew.
"You're very welcome." Minho finally spoke, forcing a practiced smile on his lips. "I'm sorry for falling asleep, I never do that."
"Oh don't worry about it!" The smile was back on his face as he crossed his bag over his shoulder. "You seemed tired and so was I, so it's okay."
Minho noticed then that the other side of the bed was made. Jisung caught him looking and explained, voice sounding just as shy as the previous night.
"I slept on the couch."
For fuck's sake again. Who the hell is this kid? Is he really conservative? Maybe religious? Maybe a recently out of the closet baby gay who doesn't really know how to act around hot guys yet? Probably the last one.
Minho couldn't suppress the eye roll. "Next time at least sleep next to me, Jisung."
Next time.
Fucking fuck.
Before Minho could smolder himself for saying such a stupid thing, Jisung's voice stopped him, the biggest heart shaped grin aimed right at his face, almost blinding.
"How can I find you again?" He asked, blushing as clear on his cheeks as was the excited brightness on his eyes.
Minho was probably breaking not one but about 57 different of his rules when he offered his palm up, a phone being placed on it an instant later, understanding.
"I have clients most nights" he lied. "But I'm sure I can make a few hours for you if you ever want to... talk again."
He needed to be sedated and thrown in a cushioned cell. He was clearly out of his mind handing his personal phone number to a client he slept-... spent the night with? Only once. There was definitely something very wrong with him.
But the beamed smile he got in return and the "see you later!" Jisung waved from the door a few minutes later, made his thumping heart feel at least a little happy. For whatever reason.
And if he walked home feeling the worst he'd ever felt, he only blamed himself for not saying Jisung didn't have to pay him for the actual six hours he spent sleeping . Never in his life getting paid had made him feel so dirty.
He could only hope he'd see Jisung again.
Just to return the envelope with the extra ⅔ over the payment they had agreed on, of course.
It wasn't like he was looking forward to spending almost four hours chatting and eating fancy Chinese takeout in a fancy hotel room with a cute guy that would giggle at every stupid phrase he let out of his mouth.
Maybe Minho should start going over his own rules again. Just to be safe. And definitely never again accept another client no matter how cute they were.
Also, he realized as he walked into his apartment, bending down to pet his cats: It wasn't like he had for the first time in forever wished he'd break rule number one or anything stupid like that.
—
November, a few days later
The first text from Jisung shouldn’t have surprised Minho the way it did, he had for a fact asked how he could contact the older guy again, after all. But nonetheless, he was surprised when a few days after their first meeting, his phone buzzed with a new message on a Thursday afternoon, right when he was about to finish his afternoon break.
[Unknown number]:
Hi, I’m sorry to bother you, but since you gave me your number maybe you’re okay with me texting you.
[Unknown number]:
At least I hope so.
[Unknown number]:
Oh, it’s Jisung.
Minho felt his lips split into a soft smile, letting it melt away as soon as his coworker’s eyebrow rose curiously at him.
“Do I even want to know?” Seungmin, his annoying ass coworker asked with his brow raised.
“Maybe, but since it is not your business, I probably wouldn’t answer.” He walked away, back into the pet shop to step behind the counter, slipping his navy-blue apron back over his head. Fumbling with his phone quickly before pocketing it again, for some reason feeling much lighter than before lunch.
Minho:
Sorry, who?
Weirdo (Jisung):
Ah… The guy from a few nights ago? We talked a lot at the hotel?
You called me a weirdo when I said I don't like spicy food?
This is Minho, right?
Oh god he probably game me the wrong number
gave*
I’m so sorry, sir
Or Ma’am
Sorry, have a good afternoon
Minho couldn’t stop the fit of giggles that escaped his lips. If everyone ever told him he would’ve spent days thinking about a guy he’s only seen once, he’d tell them to fuck off, and then that they were delusional. But here he was, smiling stupidly because of spam text.
Minho:
Hi Weirdo
No I didn’t give you the wrong number
Though now I’m thinking how funny that probably would’ve been
Weirdo (Jisung):
!!!!!
That’s mean!
But I’m also really glad it’s you
Minho smiled again, once more ignoring the eye roll Seungmin offered him from the plushies corridor closer to him.
Minho:
So, what’s up?
Weirdo (Jisung):
I was wondering if we could meet again?
Minho:
That depends…
Are you planning on putting me to sleep again?
Weirdo (Jisung):
!!!!!!
♦♦♦
Early February
"I’ve heard your songs… the ones you sent me. Your lyrics make me want to believe in it, true love, the right person, the one that will make every bad thing in life be worth it someday- and it's ridiculous I know, you must think I’m pathetic."
Jisung shook his head firmly. "I guarantee you that is the last thing I think about you."
It was about the nineth or so time they met at the very same hotel room. Minho had promised himself he’d only see Jisung once more, to return his money, and maybe, who knows, they could go to a nice café and chat, get to know each other better. He’d definitely needed to know why a guy that seemed to be as lovely as Jisung would need to look for a prostitute.
Lonely . Was the only explanation Jisung had offered him, when he asked on their second encounter. His voice sounded tired but filled to the brim with honesty. Maybe a little too socially awkward too, mainly having snobs as acquaintances. They had both chuckled at that over a pint of beer. The younger man made sure to hand Minho an uncapped one, causing his heart to flutter once again at how thoughtful he was without a single whiff of judgment.
And that's how Minho found himself going back home with a conflicted tightness in his chest, a stuffed envelope in his pocket and a stupid smile on his face, at least once a week.
If you asked Minho why he had let Jisung in little by little, he would honestly answer he had no idea but there was something in the moment their eyes met, a brief second that made their hearts beat in synch even though they didn't know it yet- but somehow they could feel it, as if they could predict that someday something might happen. And this feeling had appeared from the very first moment their eyes met in the dim light of the cozy warm car.
That evening, they spent over an hour talking about love and heartbreaks and trust and neither of them knew why but suddenly they wanted to share with the other.
"I used to believe in love and fairy tales
and big weddings were everything I dreamed of..." Jisung opened up for
Minho in a matter of days in a way that took him years to do so with anyone else.
"You can't give up on it because someone
unworthy of you made you think you weren't enough, Sungie." The nickname had slipped Minho's lips as naturally as his fingers had laced with Jisung's on the couch where they sat side by side.
The soon to be veterinarian had found out many things about the secret music producer in the almost three months they had known each other by then.
For example, Jisung was in fact a weirdo. He didn't like spicy food, but ate shin ramyeon just fine. He didn't like pop music but knew the lyrics to the top 20 chart. He would blush and refuse every attempt Minho made or his offers for sex- since Jisung was still paying him, and yet, he'd openly talk about sex and flirt with Minho as if he'd make out with him on the spot.
He also had noticed that once Jisung realized Minho's advances didn't have any ounce of pressure or judgment for them to have any sort of physical intimacy, he seemed much more relaxed and open. Only blushing softly at the older's nasty innuendos and stupid sexual jokes, but soon joining him. He stopped stuttering around Minho and also showed him that despite having a whiny complaint to teasing and an almost childlike behavior when he was contradicted about something, he was incredibly responsible and serious when it came to any of his jobs- especially in his passion for music.
He was dangerous to be around, Minho also had noticed. He was too pretty, too sweet, too enticing. And Minho was really fucking touched starved.
The hours went by, the heavy talks as well, the sounds filling the air had been replaced by banter and clinks of beer bottles on the coffee table every now and then.
Minho giggled. “Okay!” There's gotta be one thing about weddings that you like.”
At some point they started talking about how boring big events were but Minho wouldn't cave about how lovely weddings could be, even if he's never wanted it for himself.
Jisung took a sip of his beer. ”Open bar”.
The older man rolled his eyes. ”No.”
Jisung was quiet for a second, his expression soft and thoughtful. ”All right. So when the bride or the groom come in and make their giant, grand entrance, I like to glance back at the poor bastard getting married to them. 'Cause even though I think they’re an idiot for willingly entering into the last apparent legal form of slavery... I don't know, they always look really, really happy. And, for some reason, I...Why the hell are you looking at me like that?”
Minho’s feline eyes narrowed at him. “Are you shitting me right now?”
Jisung only chuckled. “What? Why?”
“That's my favorite part. Oh, my God. We have something in common.”
“Yes. Well, statistically that was bound to happen.” He giggled.
Minho snorted and shook his head before letting it fall on the back of the couch. He was feeling slightly tipsy from the beers, warm and fuzzy.
They were now sitting sideways and facing each other on the couch.
Minho couldn't help but half purr half hum when Jisung reached for his hair, fixing it behind his ear and scratching his scalp in the process. God he was so close. And so gorgeous.
"Okay." Minho sighed at last. "Today was great, thank you for texting me and calling me over, this week has been really stressful." He reached for Jisung's hand bringing it to his lips to kiss the back of it on a spur of the moment, causing the man to gasp a little. "I'm willing to give us an actual chance-" he saw the way the songwriter smirked lazily at his words and he couldn’t help but smile sloppily back. "-however...for us to work there can't be an us."
Jisung giggled and made the most adorable face Minho had ever seen in his life and he could kiss him for it but that was exactly his point.
"What the hell, hyung?"
Minho's smile deepened at the title, having already accepted it as a pet name.
"No kissing."
"Oh? So we're going over your rules again?" Jisung smiled smugly, faux bravery led by alcohol.
"No inappropriate touching." Minho kept going as if he didn't say a thing.
"Is that so?"
"And definitely no sex." He stated as if Jisung hadn't been the first one to make it clear it wasn't something he expected from him, and hadn't rejected all of his not so subtle attempts of seduction.
"So you're saying we'll just be friends?"
"That's exactly what I’m saying."
Minho's eyes were so pretty, so sexy and sharp, his cheeks were flushed in the prettiest shade of pink and his lips looked so kissable. Jisung often found himself trying to tattoo the first rule into his brain. Sometimes it was hard to resist, always catching himself at the very last second before leaning in. He respected Minho too much to let his stupid brain take over.
"And most importantly." Minho said, sitting up a bit straighter, voice firmer. "I don't want you to pay me anymore-" He lifted a hand the second Jisung opened his mouth to protest. "Spending time with you is something I do because I want to, Jisungie. I don't feel comfortable with you paying me for that. If you want to see me, just call me over and we'll see each other."
"But hyung, that's your job! I mean you get paid for the time you spend with people, it doesn't matter what you do with them during that time! It's still a source of income for you, I don't want to take that away." The pout on his face was absolutely adorable and Minho found himself repeating his own first rule mentally like a mantra.
If he only knew.
"Please respect this, jagi." The name slipped before he could help himself. He reached for Jisung's hand and looked deeply into his eyes. "I'm nowhere near in need of money, I'm very comfortable as I am." It wasn't entirely true but he wasn't struggling either. Since he saved a lot of money on his actual working days. "I would also like to return everything you've paid so far, it's only fair."
" Hyuuung ." Jisung actually whined this time. "Please don't!" A sudden blush covered his cheek as he bit his bottom lip before speaking much quieter. "I like providing for you." He said as if it didn't give Minho a mini heart attack. "I know you don't depend on me or on anyone for that matter! I just- I like to take care of you somehow… you're so good to me, you make my weeks so much better and lighter. It's the least I can do."
Minho blinked at him. He was definitely way drunker than he thought. "Jisu-"
"How about this!" The guy interrupted softly with a bright smile. "I'll respect your wishes and won't offer you money anymore, but you don't give back what I already gave and you'll accept gifts every now and then, I promise they won't be many, nor too expensive! I just want to show my appreciation and gratitude for you." He finished squeezing Minho's hand, still tangled in his.
The older guy let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding. Sure his ear tips were red by now. The baby blue brand hoodie he was wearing suddenly felt much warmer. It had been a gift from Jisung, the boy always jumping at him during their weekly meetings with a pretty branded gift wrap and his eyes always looked so bright that Minho didn't have the heart to refuse them or the stupid money envelopes he left by the door for him when he left the hotel room.
"Jesus, if you wanted a sugar baby you should've just said so." He rolled his eyes trying to hide his blush.
Jisung suddenly moved into his space to mock very closely to his face, with a shit eating grin on his lips. "Ohh, does hyung want to be my sugar baby then?! Huh? Huuuh?"
Minho pulled back instantly while the other giggled at him. "Do you want to die?" He narrowed his eyes but his own smile betrayed him. "But ugh, fine. One gift on special occasions and I get to give you one as well! And no more payments. No discussion." Jisung pouted but nodded.
"Okay." Jisung cleared his throat and sat up straight sticking his hand out. "Friends, then."
Minho laughed and launched himself onto him, surprising even himself as he buried his face into his neck. "You're ridiculous. Ah and cuddling is allowed from time to time."
"Ah so you still make all the rules?" Jisung asked teasingly even though he was already wrapping his arms tightly around the other man and getting comfortable.
"Unless you're opposed to cuddling?" Minho checked, looking up at him with a sleepy smile.
Jisung’s heart suddenly started thumping fast and he felt much sober than a second ago. He decided to play along. "As long as you've showered in the last 12 hours, we're good."
Minho giggled softly before drifting to sleep. Jisung never felt more awake.