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Hyunjoon chews the chips he had stolen from Minhyung and watches their ADC across from him on the couch instead of the new Kode video sent in their group chat, the idiot’s reaction to it much more entertaining than the video itself.
Minhyung’s face lights up, he flushes, a smile tugs up his lips in that way it does when he thinks of Minseok, when he sees Minseok, when Minseok says something, when he sees a photo of Minseok, or when Minseok breathes and exists in his general direction.
That smile then turns down, his face becomes colder, a frown messes up his face. As if he was invited to his own funeral or was told that Jinx and Caitlyn would no longer be viable in pro-play forever.
Only for that face to turn up brightly once again when Minseok appears in the video. Then down when he guesses Wonwoo shows up. Then up. Then down. Then up. Then down.
Idiot, this guy. He thinks to himself, amused. How is he one of the best ADC in the world right now?
You have been slain. Resounds in Hyunjoon’s head as he watches Minhyung fall sideways once he finished watching the video.
The jungler throws the pillow he was holding and watches as it rebounds off Minhyung’s head and falls off the floor. It was ignored.
Business Partners.
Minhyung closes his phone from where he was watching and curls up then and there from where he was watching, ignoring the amused look Hyunjoon was giving him.
Business Partners.
It rings on his head like the sound effect in League. It feels a little like getting caught in midwave in an important game five. Except instead of his screen graying, it was his whole world. (Dramatic, that was what he is.)
Soullessly he says, “Wow China is good no? You think I can start a career in LPL?” He imagines it. He’ll probably do well here. The players' skill level is mostly on the same level as LCK. Ruler’s transfer seemed good too.
Hyunjoon, uncaring for his plight, laughs at him. “Dumbass their ADC pool is already stacked, they already have Jaehyuk-hyung here, not to mention Elk and Jackeylove.”
Minhyung just glares at the other not even having the energy to think of a comeback. That emotionless asshole, see if he acts the same once he sees the photos of Wooje exchanging jerseys.
“Then I’d go to EU. Noah had a great idea. Maybe then they’d finally get a fighting chance.” Minhyung says, as confident in his skills as ever despite the shot to his heart.
Hyunjoon not taking any of this seriously says, “Ah did you know that Wonwoo was an ADC? No wonder he was so taken with Minseok.”
Double kill. The sound effect of the game plays in Hyunjoon’s head as he watches the ADC wilt even more if possible.
“NA, I’d go to NA. It’s further right? Umti was right in going there. They’d last longer than seventeen minutes with me there.” Minhyung says out loud, voice sounding like his soul had well and truly flown away.
“Sure, you go. I wonder which ADC Minseok will play with once you go, you think Hyukkyu-hyung will go to T1 after his military service?”
Triple kill.
“I’m retiring. It was a good run. I won Worlds. Let’s win MSI. Then I’m done.”
“Who’s retiring?” Minseok’s voice resounds into the room, entering Minhyung’s room like it was his own.
The jungler points to the wilted ADC. The support takes one look and sighs fondly, already having an inkling of what’s happening.
Minhyung had always been lauded for his tenacity. His steadfastness had always been one of his strengths. It was the reason why he lasted as long as he did, the reason why he was able to climb as high as he did.
He had faced the endless criticisms online head on. The hate comments slide off his shoulders easily, more focused on improving himself and the people who matter than those faceless haters.
There is a grit to him that made him weather storms.
Somehow the words Business Partners punched through his defenses like a bullet through a wet pile of tissue papers. As was always the case when it comes to Minseok.
With this he turns away from the support, sulking just a little bit as he pretends to continue scrolling through his phone.
It was a joke. That he knows. Even without taking their romantic relationship into consideration, their roster had gone through hell and back to be simply called a business relationship.
He had seen them in their worst, throats bare and the weight of the world on their backs. Had seen them struggle and break and bleed with it, had helped them glue those same pieces together during the late nights and early mornings he had caught them with their tear stricken face. So no, they aren’t business partners.
Because it was a joke.
And despite him making jokes about his supposed possessiveness towards Minseok, he wasn’t totally serious about it. It was made with jest, something he knew the fans would eat up and meme around.
Minseok can play with whoever he wants, can duo whenever he wants. It was something he had made clear before he even made those jokes on air.
Because Minseok isn’t something to own. He’s too bright and too awe-inspiring to be contained. He isn’t someone Minhyung can keep cupped around his hand and hidden on his chest. His light would always shine through between the gaps in Minhyung’s finger.
Besides, it isn’t as if Minhyung particularly wants to do that. And he knows it isn’t right to do that.
Still, there’s a pit on his stomach, churning darkly.
In his peripheral vision he can see Minseok shooing Hyunjoon off the room, something the jungler rolled his eyes at before doing as the support gestured.
By mindlessly clicking on his phone in a bid to pretend he was busy and not sulking, he accidentally clicks on his gallery. There he sees the photo of the yoghurt he had saved so he can buy the same brand since Minseok seemed that he liked it.
In an instant he finds himself smiling softly, remembering the photo sent to him by Minseok being so happy about receiving a yoghurt sample.
It was cute how Minseok was made happy by that, even cuter that he sends it to Minhyung. It warms him that Minseok wants him to be part of that happiness, even though it was mundane. The fact that he shared it with Minhyung has the ADC smiling in his phone and Wooje scrunching his nose in faux disgust.
Like a falling domino, he then remembers that the photo of the yoghurt was shown in the Kode video, then he remembers the Kode video, then he remembers those accursed words— Business Partners.
In a snap of a finger the warmth bubbling in his chest was sapped, replaced by the dark heavy feeling making itself known once again.
Minhyung is Minhyung. He is Gumayusi. Talented, confident, first-class in his trade. He isn’t the type to bring himself down, it’s the opposite really. But something pricks his soft inside.
Like an icy needle, inferiority pricks him. Not once, but in a continuous stab that had him wincing try as he might to prevent it. He looks unseeing at his phone, a chill settling on his shoulders despite the heating being on.
A finger pokes him in between his brows, smoothing the frown down.
Minhyung finds himself blinking confusedly as Minseok straddles his lap without shame, reeling at the coldness churning in his gut and the armful of Minseok that has him warming in affection.
“Hey, you okay?” Minhyung-- lauded for his mental strength, his tenacity, his resolve, crumples in an instant. He embraces the support, tucking himself into the curve of Minseok’s neck like a child hiding from the world.
As natural as breathing, Minseok returns the embrace, clutching Minhyung close to him. His hands find itself on the back of Minhyung’s head, running his finger through his boyfriend’s hair. “Hmmm, what’s the matter now?”
There’s tenderness in his caress. A kind of careful touch that was reminiscent of Minhyung touching Minseok, gently.
Minseok touched not like Minhyung was a glass that could shatter with any pressure. He touches him like Minhyung isn’t anything fragile but would still choose to touch him with gentleness. Minhyung thinks that he would shatter still.
I’m jealous . Minhyung wants to say. There’s a stinging creaking pain in his chest that makes itself known now that Minseok is now here. Everything was for show earlier, him being overdramatic just for the sake of it.
But now that the other was here, it feels like the bruising makes itself more prominent. All the hurts make itself known, aching to be soothed and kissed well.
It wasn’t just that video too, Minhyung is self-aware enough to admit. It was also the bid of the management for them to be more lowkey. Lessen the skinship, focus more on gaming, put some more distance between them.
It’s something Minhyung struggled to-- if all the photos in the twitter were anything to go by, with him staring at Minseok as if he had hung the stars and shaped the universe. His love seemed to seep out of him no matter what. He aches to hold Minseok, aches to be held in return. There’s a permanent tugging underneath his skin, like a line connecting him to Minseok.
And Minseok, well, Minseok keeps the distance well to say the least.
It’s something the fans had noticed and pointed out. Which in turn made it much more magnified for Minhyung. It was ridiculous, this tremulous little thing building inside of him.
It bothers him, and it bothers him that it bothers him. An endless cycle that twists into something unpleasant, buried in the recesses of his mind, to be processed when he has the time.
Only that he never had the time. Because then play offs were approaching, Minseok was feeling unwell, the ddos attacks, their loss to HLE and Gen, the pressure pressing on them from every side that never seemed to disappear.
Minhyung had a laundry list of issues to process and not enough time. This petty jealousy a cherry on top of the shit cupcake that he was served.
Now the insecurity was well and truly developed, tended by all the negativities and issues and the tournament.
A soft kiss on the top of his head breaks Minhyung from where he was sinking. Minseok as attuned to Minhyung as Minhyung was to him. “Minhyungie, talk to me.”
His chest aches for attention, aches to be soothed and treated to life. Now that he was being treated delicately however, it feels like he’s being hollowed out. Each touch a punch to his chest that steals his breath away.
He wanted the distance between him and Minseok to be crossed, not by him but by Minseok. Now that it was, Minhyung feels like he won’t survive the encounter.
It’s not like Minseok hadn’t really been affectionate with Minhyung. Because he is. He was never as outwardly affectionate as Minhyung is, but he has his ways of showing his care. And Minhyung is fine with it. He loves it. He loves Minseok. There is no lack in their relationship. He is secure in Minseok’s love for him.
And yet .
It’s so frustrating how this stupid little thing needles at him. It was irrational, this hurt. But try as he might to not feel it, it’s like a nerve exposed.
Minseok guides him back in order to see his face. Minhyung lets it happen, locking eyes with the soft eyes of his lover.
“Oh Minhyung.” Minseok says. His hand traces Minhyung’s face, gently, like butterflies kissing his skin. He then rests his palms on Minhyung’s jaw firmly, holding the other still.
Minhyung lets it happen, the warmth of Minseok’s hand a balm to the ache inside of him. “You-“ Minseok pauses in the way that he does when he seeks for words. He looks down at Minhyung contemplatingly. “Was it the video?” He asks, no judgement on his voice, just curiosity.
Minhyung groans, his forehead thumping on Minseok’s chest as he hides his face again.
“Yeah, I’m jealous.” He states, honest as always when Minseok was the one asking him. “I’m sorry. I know you love me.” He says, hurrying to assure his lover. “I don’t doubt you. I know you, I- Minseok-” Minhyung struggles for words, the usually eloquent man at a loss on how to express this gaping hurt in him.
Because it wasn’t Minseok’s fault, this hurt. This is all him. A problem that he needs to settle within him.
Minseok takes a hold of Minhyung’s shoulder and pushes him back slightly to see him. He then cups Minhyung’s cheeks and makes sure the other was looking at him. “I know Minhyung. I understand. I’m not mad.”
Minhyung grips Minseok’s wrist, needing something stable to hold onto as something in his chest heaves. Sometimes Minhyung doesn’t know what to do when Minseok treats him as gently as this.
He’s glad that Minseok is a bit more reserved compared to him. He might just unravel if Minseok is as shameless as him when it comes to affection.
And Minseok’s eyes were stripping, cutting him bone deep to see his messy insides, his beating mangled heart. It was too much, a little too much.
Minhyung places his hand on Minseok’s nape, tugging him in a kiss, a bid to distract.
His lips touch Minseok’s, a hurried desperation to it. But Minseok answers him in kind, slowly, kindly.
There is strength in Minseok’s kiss. A solid press of lips to lips, warm and real. With the hold to his jaw Minseok tilts his head, guides him to part his lips and accept what was given to him.
And accept Minhyung did. He grasps for Minseok, desperate, aching for something solid to hold on. He attempts to hasten the kiss, tightening his hold on Minseok.
But Minseok was like the ocean, a steady collapse of wave, uncontrollable except for when he wishes to. So he steadies Minhyung, swallows the desperation reeking in him, laps at the wildness that makes him tremble. At the end he pulls away at his will, leaving Minhyung panting and dazed.
Minseok hums in satisfaction, his thumb pressing into Minhyung’s bottom lip, enjoying the glossed kissed lips of his beloved. Pretty.
“Minseokie, please.” Who is he to deny Minhyung, beautiful and vulnerable, begging for Minseok.
“Shhh.” Minseok combs Minhyungs hair back, watching as he tilts his head to his hand. “I got you.”
It wasn’t anything sexual, this touch. It was meant to soothe and settle. He feels like a cliff face, smoothed down by the ocean that was Minseok. Every kiss was a crack filled, every touch a sharpness filed down.
It was exactly what Minhyung needed.
Minseok loves like an ocean. Tempestuous at times, but there’s a depth to it that settles Minhyung. A kind of stability that you wouldn’t have expected. But he is. And with the knowing that he holds in Minhyung, it does not take long before he steadies the other.
He pulls back, dropping a kiss on Minhyung’s forehead.
“I’m not mad.” He repeats to the other. “You’re a bit of an idiot though. So let me clear a few things up.” Minseok says good-naturedly, squeezing Minhyung’s cheeks together playfully.
“Minhyungie is very important to me.” He says, emphasizing the point with a soft peck on Minhyung’s pursed lips. “I love Minhyung.” He continues, another kiss dropped on Minhyung’s forehead. “I suppose I haven’t been saying it a lot these days huh.”
Double kill . Resounds in Minhyung’s head, face flushing at the onslaught of affection.
“No Minseokie, you’re doing fine. I-”
“You don’t have to defend me to myself.” A flick on Minhyung’s forehead. “I guess I took for granted the fact that you know me well. You always seem to know what I was thinking. So I thought it would be natural for you to know that I was always thinking that I love you.” Minseok states.
And ah. It was an attack straight to the heart, with the amount of i love you Minseok is saying right now it wouldn’t be too far off before the support would have to call the ambulance for the ADC with how fast his heart is beating.
Still, Minhyung finds himself arguing back, not even knowing why. “Minseokie, I know that. I know that you love me.”
“Hmm. But knowing is different from knowing no?” The statement immediately puts a stop to him.
“Well,” Minhyung staggers for a moment. Because it is different.
“Let me just say this.” Minseok then looks away, a flush on his face, shy. “I’m not, well, defending myself. But you should know that-”
Minseok’s face becomes redder. “Well, loving you comes so naturally to me Minhyung.” Minseok starts. “The sky is blue, we’re pro-players, Minseok loves Minhyung. So well, I just- you don’t mention that the sky is blue no? Because it just is. It’s a fact. And it’s a fact that I love you.”
Minhyung flushes too. Looking down instead on Minseok’s chest instead of his eyes. They had seen each other naked, had whispered scandalous things to each other’s ears. Somehow, this is what makes the both of them act like shy maidens.
Minseok clears his throat. “But,” His voice cracks. Minseok face palms in embarrassment. What is he, a teenager? Why is his voice cracking at the most inopportune moment?
Now it’s him hiding his face.
They are a pair huh? Minhyung thinks. Both of them. Minhyung finds the ice in his chest melting, affection flooding it in turn.
“But that doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t still say it more.” Minseok continues despite the obvious shyness descending on him.
“I,” Minhyung swallows back the ‘it’s okay you don’t have to’ and says instead, “I wouldn’t mind if you do.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
Silence settles between the both of them, the kind that comes with familiarity and vulnerabilities laid bare. Except that now it does not sting, nor does Minhyung want to hide. He revels in it, luxuriates in the knowing that Minseok has on him.
Minhyung knows devotion, in ways that others can’t fathom. He does it as well as he plays his Varus. Knows it and has it carved into his bones. It feels like he can’t love any other way but wholeheartedly, pouring his self and offering his heart to Minseok.
Minseok smiles at him, softly, fondly. “I love you.”
But it seems like in the same way they share their champ pools, this is a characteristic they share too. Because Minseok has devotion down in spades too. In a different shade, a different shadow. But he loves Minhyung in a way that has him breathless, its vastness enough to love all of Minhyung.
Minhyung smiles. “I love you too.”
(i. extra:
Hyunjoon smiles at his phone.
Wooje was adorable in the photo. Fluffy hair, sweet smile.
What’s not adorable however, is the jersey he was holding with another man’s name on it. Which would probably look bad on him. Not that Wooje looks bad of course. Because Wooje looks good, too good sometimes; if the way Hyunjoon finds himself distracted, neck craned as he takes a fill of his toplaner.
Just that Wooje looks fine in his jersey. T1 jersey looks great on him, with Wooje’s own name written on it. Or Hyunjoon’s. He doesn’t mind that. Wooje would look good in his jersey.
Hyunjoon’s eyes strays to the side and Loud’s toplaner. He frowns.
Beside him Minhyung grins, amused as if he himself wasn’t in the same position the day before.
He throws the pillow beside him as revenge and proceeds to laugh at his jungler.)