Chapter Eighty-nine (1/2)

Seokmin sighed.  "I told you before, I can handle things on my own."  He said as he let Yeosang walk him. Yeosang frowned and held him closer.  "I can't just let you get mistreated by Mingi."  He said.  "This is different, Dokyeom."  Yeosang walked them slowly in order to have more time to talk.

Seokmin made more space between them.  "Nothing is different,"  He stated, "you're sent by Woozi because he doesn't want me to have any friends.  Mingi has been nothing but nice to me."  He defended himself and the other other male.

"Woozi didn't send me this time."  Yeosang admitted.  "I'm concerned because you're emotional and he's taking advantage of you."  He explained.

"I am not emotional right now."  Seokmin stopped them to look down at the male.  "I told you I've accepted Jeonghan not liking Sungjae.  So leave me alone and worship Woozi."  He narrowed his eyes on the boy.

Yeosang held the boy's shoulder.  "Dokyeom, how long have we known each other?  I know you're not 100% right now."  He said softly, smiling to try to cover his sadness to the older.  "Mingi isn't someone you want to mingle with.  He's not right for you."  He stated.

"Stop acting like you care about me."  Seokmin grumbled and walked ahead to the table.

Woozi looked up at him as Seokmin sat down.  "Long pizza run, hm?"  He asked as he closed a book.  "Where's Mingi?" "How should I know?  Yeosang got in the way."  Seokmin said, not even looking at the younger who just sat down next to him.

Yeosang stayed silent.  "Maybe we shouldn't have come, DK.."  Woozi sighed.  "Sorry that we've made the atmosphere bad."  He said. "You're fine.. But I rather come to lunch tomorrow alone with him, if you don't mind."  Seokmin said, looking at Woozi in the eyes.  "We are in a public place."

Woozi nodded.  "Sure.. I was thinking about spending lunch break with Minghao anyway."  He agreed.  "He said he wanted my opinion on his sketchbook for an art competition he's going to enter."  He further explained.

The table looked up when Mingi had three drinks and a pan of soda in his arms.  "Sorry it took a little while.  She wanted to scold me for a few minutes.."  Mingi said, putting the pizza on the table. "Why would a lunch lady scold you for picking up pizza late..?"  Seokmin asked as he pointed at which person would want the sort of drink Mingi picked out. Yeosang put his elbows on the table and his chin on his hands.  "Because lunch lady can,"  He started, "she is Mingi's mom, after all."  He continued with a little smirk. Mingi had a blank expression.  "..thanks.."  He said, sitting down. "Oh?"  Yeosang faked a surprised expression.  "You didn't want Dokyeom to know?  Sorry, Mingi-ah."  He said. Seokmin looked at him with a sarcastic smile.  "You hardly ever talk when we're in the study room, Yeosang.  Why don't you stay in character?"  He suggested.

Woozi looked between the two with a wondering eye.  "What's going on between you two?  You were nice to each other this morning."  He said, picking up a fork and a knife for his pizza.  Greasy fingers are never the best when being a pianist.

Mingi wanted to settle the air between them by bringing up a different topic.  "Seokmin-hyung,"  He got the boy's attention, "why don't you sing a little of what you'll be singing at the festival?"  He suggested. "Oh.. I can't really sing while I'm eating."  Seokmin blushed. "Ayy, I'm sure your voice is just as beautiful when you're eating."  He said softly.

Seokmin smiled a bit.  "If you want pizza flying in your face, go ahead and let him sing for you."  Woozi joked with a small laugh.

And then Seokmin's smile faded.  "It.. wouldn't be that messy.. I won't sing.."  He said, looking down at his slice.

"Aw.. too bad.  I'll catch you before lunch tomorrow to hear you sing in the auditorium."  Mingi smiled and nonchalantly patted Seokmin's hand that was on the table. Yeosang put his strawberry tea down.  "Mingi-ah, we have a competition tomorrow.  You can't leave early."  He informed.

"Who am I up against?  You?"  Mingi asked.  "I'll apologize to the wall after I'm done."  He said in a cocky tone.

"It's not me this time,"  Yeosang's expression got serious, "you're going against Yeji."  He said.

Mingi huffed and wiped his fingers from the sauce.  "Oh yeah, that'll be easy.  She doesn't look stronger than you."  He said with a shrug.

Yeosang held his chin and sat back in the chair.  "Might wanna rethink that.  She was the only person I couldn't beat in stork school."  He said.

"Pft, duh."  Mingi smirked.  "Even little Huening can beat you up."  He joked.

Yeosang shrugged.  "Kay."  He put his lips around the straw and proceeded to drink while studying Woozi and Mingi sitting next to each other.

He didn't feel like Mingi was going to try anything with Woozi.  But he did feel the lingering gaze Mingi has on Seokmin.  I'll be here to protect you, even if you don't want me to, Dokyeom-hyung.  He thought before looking into Woozi's eyes. He smiles softly and reaches to hold the boy's hand.  Woozi blushes a little and moves their hands under the table.  But for now, I will worship my Woozi.  He couldn't help but die inside when Woozi smiled back at him.

Meanwhile, Jeonghan cracks his neck as he sees Joshua enter the room.  "So, do you hate Jae now?"  His curiosity got to him.

Joshua raised an eyebrow.  "Uhm, no..?  Why?"  He asked as he sat next to him on the couch while Jaemin was on the other couch.

"Oh, Jae told me what happened last night, so.."  Jeonghan looked at Joshua before the younger male.

Jaemin breathed in and out.  "Note, never tell Jeonghan anything you want to be kept secret.."  He muttered.

Joshua folded his arms.  "Further note, Jaemin doesn't mind telling Jeonghan what goes on between us."  He said in a sassy tone.

"Well it's out now.  Jae, make sure you ask Josh if he's comfortable with doing something."  Jeonghan said, looking at Jaemin.  "Josh, speak up, don't hit him."  He pointed at Joshua. Jaemin sighed.  "Josh always tells me I don't have to ask to go farther."  He started.  "The one time I didn't, he shoved me to the floor without mercy."  He continued with an upset glare.

Joshua returned the glare.  "Hey Genius, you went out of the ordinary.  Duh I was upset."  He snapped back.

"Alright, stop fighting."  Jeonghan put his hands up.  "It's over and it won't ever happen again."  He looked at the two one-by-one.

Joshua hums.  "And if it ever happens again, Jae will be a couch dweller for the rest of our lives."  He said, not looking at the boy.

"We can cuddle on the couch too.."  Jaemin muttered. "Don't assume things."  Joshua narrowed his eyes on the younger.

Jeonghan shook his head with a smile.  "So lovely.."

***