Work Text:
December 31, 2007
Junhui is in Times Square. Kind of.
His office building on the 39th floor is a little different than everyone crowding the streets below him, cheering and yelling as they get nearer to midnight. The clock ticks a little closer, 11:48 PM, and the cheers pick up again.
Junhui gets another email asking him to reformat a document. He gets to work.
At 11:59 PM, he goes to the window to try to see any of the excitement below, even if he knows that probably won't be the case. He's right: it's only the office building across from him with the lights on their 39th floor off. He can hear the yelling though, can hear everything picking up as the countdown to midnight starts.
The screams are loud when the ball drops. Happy fucking New Year. Junhui goes back to working on his document and flips on the radio.
"Hello, hello," the radio host laughs a few seconds later. "I'm Minghao and this is Left of the Dial on 98.1 Independent Radio. Happy fuckin' New Year, everyone. It's an honor to be here with all of you, whether you're miserable or not to start 2008. Probably a big year for some of us! Probably a regular year for many of us. We'll get through it together either way, hm?"
Junhui smiles on instinct.
"This is I'll Believe in Anything by Wolf Parade," Minghao says. "And we really will believe in anything. Happy 2008."
The program shifts back to the series of tracks that will play before Junhui has to really tune back in to hear Minghao's commentary. In the meantime, he can get back to reformatting this document. Junhui's shift only started an hour ago, so he has plenty to do on deck afterwards.
At 3 AM, Junhui and Minghao hit their halfway-through-their-shift lull together—Minghao's radio show runs from 12 AM to 6 AM, when the morning show takes over, and Junhui's shift runs to 7 AM, when the next set of hands comes in. It means 3 AM is their perfect time to take a breather.
It comes in the form of a Feist song. "That was My Moon My Man, which is one of my current favorites."
Minghao does a deep dive on the song, on the lyrics, and it gives Junhui a chance to sit back in his chair and breathe. Time starts to stretch and blur once the clock ticks past 2:30, once the emails slow down. Minghao and his radio show help things focus. It would be one monotonous chunk of time if not for Minghao's soft voice and indie picks from Monday through Friday. Junhui is always grateful he clicked over to 98.1 a few months ago.
He works the night shift alone—the attorneys he works for tend to fade out around midnight, so they really only need one person on staff until everyone is up again at 7 AM. Still, there are stragglers that require assistance at ass o'clock in the morning, so here Junhui is. He's just grateful he doesn't work the weekend shift. Seems even slower and more likely to make someone commit a graphic act of suicide on the 39th floor.
"Coming up, we've got All My Friends by LCD Soundsystem and whatever else comes to me in a dream," Minghao says, breaking up Junhui's thoughts. Junhui can hear the smile in his voice. "Thanks for being here."
Junhui doesn't really have a choice. He needed an overnight job to accomodate the schedule he, Joshua, and Jeonghan have set up for Harin and this is one of the rare office overnight shifts rather than, like, a janitorial shift. Junhui shivers. He would have been a terrible janitor. He's also kind of a terrible babysitter, but needs must.
Sometimes, you and your boyfriend move in with your friend and your friend's baby. Needs must.
Well, ex-boyfriend as of two years ago. The Joshua of it all remains a mystery of sorts nonetheless—though, not really. Junhui just loves a bit and Joshua loves tormenting Jeonghan to a cruel and unusual degree.
Minghao is back on the radio. Junhui focuses. "Our next segment is my favorite: I need a caller with an existential problem who wants advice from random people at 4 AM. Any takers?"
It doesn't take more than a few seconds for Minghao to put a caller on air. She has, as per usual, boyfriend troubles. It's run of the mill, but she's so dramatic about it that it drags a laugh out of Junhui. Minghao asks for callers with advice and Junhui debates it and decides against it. He would just be saying some bullshit, which is what he usually does, but he doesn't want to embarrass himself in front of Minghao. That would really make him want to kill himself on the 39th floor.
Time passes, Minghao introduces Bullet and a Target by Citizen Cope, and Junhui makes a spreadsheet with data sent to him in a Word document. Normal stuff.
Minghao signs off at 6 AM with a soft "happy sunrise, listeners," and Junhui sighs. One more hour and then he can go home and pass out for seven hours.
Junhui drags himself through his front door at 7:30 AM after another shift, downs a glass of water, and melts into his bed. He only wakes up enough to shove in ear plugs when Jeonghan leaves and Joshua and Harin really get going for the day.
Harin screeches something in her three-year-old way and Junhui doesn't even notice. He's used to it. Joshua kind of screeches back and Junhui is used to that too. He sleeps on.
When he wakes up at 2 PM, Harin is sitting on the end of his bed, staring at him.
"Good morning," he rasps out. Harin stares at him. "Where's your uncle?"
"In the kitchen!" Joshua calls. "She wanted to sit with you."
"What did you do?" Junhui asks quietly. Harin giggles, not giving anything away. Did she cut his hair again? Could be anything. He drags himself out of bed and skips over her entirely on his way to the bathroom.
She drew on his face, but it's only ballpoint pen. At least there's that. He scrubs it off relatively easy before he goes back into his room, scoops Harin up to hold her upside down, and sighs.
"Girl. We have to come to a truce," he says, tired as hell. "You and me, at 3 PM. A showdown."
"Showdown?" she asks, testing the word in her mouth.
"We're sword fighting," Junhui explains. They have foam swords. It's the perfect opportunity. He flips Harin back upright and carries her into the kitchen, where Joshua is getting ready for work. He has to make sure she's eaten before their big showdown. He should probably eat too.
Joshua has lunch made because he's a brilliant star in Junhui's sky and he sets two plates on the table for Harin and Junhui. Harin is a perfect angel because Joshua's around, sitting politely and eating well, and Junhui scarfs down lunch before he's up and cleaning around Joshua so Joshua can get to work. Routine. Joshua kisses Harin's head on his way out, ruffles Junhui's hair, and shuts the door. That's routine too.
At least it's Friday. At least he only has one more shift with the kid and at work this week before he's set free to— Well, to hang out with the kid, Jeonghan, and Joshua. He should probably get more friends. It's hard to when he can only see them on the weekends, but he should try anyway.
"Harin," Junhui says, getting her attention. "Why do you hate me?"
Harin shrugs. "Don't."
"It really seems like it."
Harin shrugs again. Fair enough. Maybe Junhui is reading into things. She smacks him in the face with a foam sword later and maybe he isn't reading into things at all.
On Monday, Junhui walks into the community theatre building and gets to painting. Seokmin should be in any minute, but Junhui knows where he left off on the background mural from a text on Friday. The green paint calls his name and he digs in.
"Junhui!" Seokmin calls when he comes in. "Hard at work or hardly working?"
Junhui is covered in paint. It's in his hair. "Hardly working."
"Fair enough," Seokmin laughs. "You look like your niece."
"Thank you?" Junhui asks more than anything. He supposes he kind of does. Harin does love to cover herself in substances. "How are you, Seokmin?"
"Could be better, could be worse," Seokmin sighs as he sits next to Junhui and picks up a paint brush. "Living the dream, kind of."
"You sound so happy."
Seokmin laughs again. "I am, I swear. This play is just kicking my ass. Who knew running a community theatre program would be so demanding?"
"Honestly?" Junhui asks. "Everyone, probably. Did you not think it would be?"
Seokmin shrugs and smears paint on himself by accident. They might as well both be covered. "I thought it would be something worth it and I was right, so it's fine. How was last week?"
Junhui regales Seokmin of all of the banalities of his office job while Seokmin nods along, always weirdly interested in it. He's notoriously fascinated by all things corporate, even if he'd rather die than participate in it. Junhui indulges him and talks about documents while they paint.
"And Harin drew on my face again," Junhui says. "She really wants me dead in a ditch. I'm convinced."
"She's just three," Seokmin laughs, "and needs an outlet."
"Maybe we should get her into karate or something."
Seokmin hums. "Could be good. I think this mural might be done, by the way. We can move onto the side wing pieces."
Junhui nods and they shuffle pieces of plywood until they can prime two of the side pieces. They sit back to let that dry and Junhui lolls his head to look at Seokmin. "You sure you don't want an overnight office manager?"
Seokmin barks out a laugh. "I can barely afford to pay who we have on staff and you expect me to keep the lights on all night? Yeah, right."
"Fair enough," Junhui sighs. "I'll keep working elsewhere and coming to enjoy your presence on Mondays."
"You know, I really do appreciate it," Seokmin says with a small smile. Oh no. They're getting sentimental. Seokmin does love to do that. "You're my most consistent volunteer."
"Makes me feel less out of touch with the arts or whatever," Junhui says, shrugging. "And I like contributing to the community. Helps that you're nice and bring me lunch sometimes."
"Helps," Seokmin laughs. "Still. You know what I'm saying."
"I do."
Seokmin hums. "I think the primer is dry."
They paint.
That night, Junhui is knee deep in documents at midnight when Minghao's voice comes over the radio.
"Hello, hello," he says, his voice soft and smooth. "It's a beautiful night. I think. I wouldn't really know from in the studio, but nobody needs to correct me. I won't be taking any calls anyway."
Junhui stifles a laugh.
"Anyway, it's a beautiful night to listen to some music together. A bit of a slow start tonight—this is Sodom, South Georgia by Iron and Wine."
The music floats over the radio, a bit tinny on the speakers in the office, and Junhui nods his head while he makes a spreadsheet, triple-checking the figures so no attorneys snipe at him. That only had to happen once for Junhui to learn to triple check.
Minghao's voice is the only thing that breaks up the flow of music in the office, introducing The Good Times are Killing Me and musing on Modest Mouse. He does a lot of musing. Junhui appreciates it—he isn't sure he ever thinks about things so deeply. It's refreshing, to say the least. Grounding, almost.
At 4 AM, the calling in segment hits. Junhui normally lets this part mildly amuse him, but he admittedly tunes in a little more than usual when a man calls in about his boyfriend. It's a very gay change of pace.
"He won't tell his family about us because they're homophobic, which I understand, but what does that mean for us?" the man asks. "What does that mean for me? I guess I'm just a little lost and looking for opinions. Thanks."
Minghao hums. "I've got my own thoughts about this, but let's hear from the peanut gallery first. Any takers?"
Minghao reads the phone number off again and Junhui doesn't know what possesses him to call. He doesn't know who he is right now. His own voice rings in his office over the radio when Minghao puts him on air and Junhui rushes to turn the volume down.
"I think this situation is very delicate," Junhui starts. "My own ex-boyfriend hid us from his very religious family and it kind of exploded our relationship, but I don't think it had to in hindsight. Your relationship is yours, not your boyfriend's family's. If you love him and he loves you, then you should rest on that unless there's something distinctly wrong or if he's hiding you from people who would understand. I hope it gets easier."
"Thank you, random caller," Minghao says when it's clear Junhui is done. Junhui hangs up quickly. "I would tend to agree with you there, though nobody asked. Anybody else?"
There are two more people who call in with similar messages before Minghao muses on this too.
"Now that we're asking me, I agree with our callers," Minghao says softly. "You're so caught up in what other people think of you that you're losing sight of what matters: you love each other. His family clearly hasn't prevented that, so don't get lost in this idea that his family is going to change that now. If it falls apart because of his family, it falls apart, but so many things do for so many other reasons. You can't dwell on all of them, so you shouldn't dwell on this either. Just enjoy being in love. It's a gift."
It's more than Minghao usually says about these and he seems to realize, because he clears his throat. "Anyway, relatedly or unrelatedly, this is Your Heart is an Empty Room by Death Cab for Cutie."
It startles a laugh out of Junhui, calming the way his heart has been racing since he dialed the radio station's number. He doesn't know why he did it, but he stands by what he says. He was speaking from experience with Joshua and it's something he and Joshua have talked about at length, so he knows he has some ground to stand on, and Minghao agreed with him. So did the other callers. Maybe he's fine.
He has to get back to work anyway. No time to linger on all of that. He's just a changed man now. Nothing to linger on in the first place.
"And how is Harin?" Junhui's mother asks two Saturdays later. He's finally taken the time to call her and she's running through every question she's ever had as divine punishment. "Is she still your enemy?"
"Of course," Junhui says. "She's nefarious. A demon incarnate."
"She's three."
"And she's my archnemesis!"
Junhui's mother laughs. "I can't wait for you to have children of your own. You'll learn that it gets worse. You were worse."
"Hey!" Junhui cries. "I resent that. I also doubt I'm ever going to have children of my own at this rate, so I'm stuck with Harin forever."
"You really should spend some time focusing on bringing home a nice Chinese boy."
Junhui groans, his head thumping back onto the wall. It makes a resounding noise. "I don't know any nice Chinese boys."
He knows of Minghao. That's as close as he's gotten.
"A nice Korean boy would do," his mother says. Junhui laughs. Yeah, right. "But really, there must be so many nice Chinese boys near you. You just have to look."
"I'd have to spend time outside of the house. That's not happening. The demon and my job takes all of my time."
"What about the theater?"
Junhui shakes his head even if his mother can't see, but then he stops. "I guess I could ask Seokmin if he knows anyone."
"A nice Chinese boy."
"A nice Chinese boy, yeah," Junhui says, distracted. He's thinking now. Seokmin might be the key. "I'll ask him next time I see him, because he won't be in on Monday. Yeah, that works."
"Good," his mother says. She sounds overjoyed. "Maybe you'll get me evil grandchildren after all."
"Maybe so," Junhui says, though Harin screeches in the background and he isn't sure he could handle more of her. He should give it a shot anyway. "How are your workout classes in the park?"
"I have something special to kick off tonight," Minghao says over the radio. He sounds like he's giggling. Junhui looks up like he can see him. "In its debut on Left of the Dial, the song of all time, Untouched by The Veronicas."
Despite Junhui's midnight misery, it drags a laugh out of him. He's particularly slammed as if it's not a Friday, and he needed something not completely terrible to pull him out of his genuine and existential despair. Untouched works.
The strings lead in and Junhui takes a deep breath. Back in he goes.
He looks up again when Minghao announces Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots, Pt. 1 and takes in Minghao's excitement about The Flaming Lips, even if this song is old. Minghao's got a certain kind of charm about him that means that the song feels brand new to Junhui, even if he's been listening to it since 2002. Junhui gets another email and focuses.
Finally, things have lulled at 4 AM when Minghao talks about the advice segment. It's been three weeks since Junhui called in and vowed to never do it again, so he only pays idle attention until a man's voice comes over the radio:
"Another guy kissed me for the first time. I don't think he knew it was my first time, but it was, and now I have all these… feelings, I guess. I've never liked kissing anyone like I liked kissing him, but I'm scared that it makes me gay. Does that make me gay?"
"No comment yet," Minghao says when the caller hangs up. "Let's hear from the audience."
And then, Junhui—stupid fucking Junhui—calls in.
"You're on the line," Minghao says over the radio and over the phone.
Junhui turns the radio down and takes a deep breath. "I don't think it makes you anything to have kissed a man and liked it. It hints at some things, but it's still a personal journey to decide what to do with that feeling. You can't necessarily deny it, but you can pause and ask yourself what you want out of this. It doesn't have to be being gay right now, but trying opening yourself up to it meaning that now or later."
Junhui hangs up and Minghao lets two other people talk before he hums. "I would tend to say that yes, it makes you some kind of gay, but the first caller made a good point about it being a personal journey. It means you're at least attracted to that man, but you get to decide what it means for your relationships with other men and with yourself. Be kind to yourself and take a deep breath. Hope that helps, caller, and I hope it's easy on you. Next up, we have Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) by Arcade Fire."
Junhui lets out a breath about Minghao not openly disagreeing with him. Thank God. He would have had to jump out the window or something and he has documents to finish and a weekend to enjoy.
He gets back to work to the tune of Sam's Town by The Killers and calls it good.
"Harin," Junhui says, his voice low. "Let's not do this."
Harin has a pair of safety scissors in her hand and she's standing ominously in his doorway. He's just glad he heard her come in and woke up. He should start locking his door.
"But—"
"No cutting hair in my sleep," Junhui sighs.
"Cutting hair awake?" Harin asks. She takes a step forward and Junhui very gently pries the scissors from her hand. They have got to get her the scissors that won't cut hair. Next paycheck.
"No, honey girl," Junhui says softly. He's trying to be gentle with the demon child. Trying not to set her off. "No cutting hair awake either. Where's your dad?"
"Kitchen."
"Let's go there."
Harin huffs, but she lets Junhui set the scissors down, get out of bed, and scoop her into his arms. She's so little. It's amazing that so much evil fits in such a little body.
"Jeonghan," Junhui says when he gets into the kitchen, Harin clinging to him where he's holding her like a ragdoll. "Your spawn tried to cut my hair again."
"No, she didn't," Jeonghan laughs. "She was just playing around."
"Mhm," Harin hums. Bastard child. "Playing."
"I should play with you," Junhui mutters, though he isn't sure what that means. "She's cut my hair before."
"That was an accident, she didn't mean to," Jeonghan sighs. "She told me she thought it wouldn't cut."
Junhui stares at Jeonghan before he shakes his head. "Whatever. Take your child."
Jeonghan takes Harin from Junhui and props her on his hip, his perfect sweetheart. Junhui always wonders why she's an angel for Jeonghan and Joshua and not for him. Is it something with his face? Does it ask toddlers to bully him? He's helped raise her from the moment she was born. He's lived with her for her whole life. It's a mystery to him why she's so demented with him and not with anyone else.
Harin looks at Junhui, smug as hell, while Jeonghan sets a plate from breakfast on the table for Junhui. "Eat up. We're going to the park today."
"It's like two degrees outside."
"And the munchkin needs more exercise than running around the living room," Jeonghan says. "Josh is coming too."
"Oh, I'm sure he is," Junhui teases. He doesn't quite get what's going on between Joshua and Jeonghan, but he isn't sure that they know either. Junhui finds it amusing anyway, because both of their defaults is to piss each other off to show affection. It's highly entertaining. "Have to bat your eyelashes for that one?"
"He just said yes," Jeonghan huffs. "Shut up, Junhui."
"That's no way to talk to your best friend."
"You're stupid and I hate you."
Junhui grins. "Mhm. Sure. I'll go to the park anyway."
"Thank you," Jeonghan says, his nose upturned. Harin pets his face affectionately. Junhui would like to understand why he can't have that. "I'll go get her bundled. You eat."
Junhui obeys before going back to his room to get ready for the park.
On Monday, Junhui is mixing plaster for a set when Seokmin comes into the theater with two coffees in hand. Junhui's saving grace.
"You look hunky and blue collar like this," Seokmin says, handing off the coffee for Junhui. "Have you ever considered concreting for a living? Is that what it's called?"
"I think so," Junhui says with a nod. He wipes his face with the back of his hand and miraculously doesn't smear plaster everywhere. "Are you helping with this?"
"Mhm," Seokmin hums. They get to to work on the set once Junhui has the plaster mixed and they chat idly, not enough to get distracted, but enough to pass the time. By the time they're done with one set piece, they stop to take a break before Junhui mixes more, and Junhui remembers his conversation with his mother.
"Oh, question for you," Junhui says. He's trying not to be embarrassed about this. "Say you had a good friend who was single. He's very single. He's kind of looking to meet someone and his mother would prefer if it was a nice Chinese boy. Would you know anyone fitting that description?"
Seokmin laughs. "Weirdly enough, yes. I have one very nice Chinese boy in mind, actually. He's my best friend. You'd be a great fit, actually, particularly with your job schedules."
"Oh?"
"He works overnights too," Seokmin says. "He's a radio host."
Junhui feels his eyes go wide. Shot in the dark, but, "is his name Minghao?"
"It is," Seokmin laughs again. "You're a listener?"
"Devoted. Don't tell him I said that."
Seokmin smiles. "I'll keep your secret. So you kind of know him from that. Do you want me to set something up?"
Junhui's stomach is swirling. "Yes, actually. Yeah. That would be awesome. My mom would be thrilled too. I can't believe that worked."
"I can't believe I haven't thought of it before," Seokmin says. "You'd be such a sexy couple. I should have put it together."
"In your defense, you didn't know that I'm horrifyingly lonely."
Seokmin shrugs. "I did. It's kind of all over your face sometimes."
Junhui frowns and mixes more plaster, ignoring that. He's going to get set up with Minghao. He can handle a little mild humiliation from Seokmin right now. He's on a high.
Saturday night finds Junhui at a bar. He doesn't really go to bars. This is more than a little strange for him, but Seokmin texted him a time, an address, and an instruction to "look cute," so here Junhui is. He's sitting at the bar in a nice sweater and nursing a gin and tonic when someone sets a hand on his shoulder.
"Junhui!" Seokmin says, turning Junhui around. His smile is bright and the most beautiful man in the world is standing next to him. "You look nice. This is Minghao."
"Oh my God," Junhui mutters. It's enough to make Minghao laugh and Junhui feels something flip in his stomach at Minghao's little giggle. "Hi. I'm Junhui. It's really fucking nice to meet you."
"You too, Junhui," Minghao says with a smile.
"And that's my cue to go!" Seokmin laughs. "Have fun!"
Seokmin is gone before they can say anything else and Minghao laughs again as he sits at the bar next to Junhui. "He was eager to go find a boy he saw on the way in."
"Grateful that he made enough time to introduce us, I guess," Junhui says with a smile. "Can I buy you a drink?"
"That would be lovely, thank you," Minghao says. His own smile is small but sweet. "You'll have to excuse that I get a vodka cran. I can't handle a strong liquor taste."
"That's cute," Junhui laughs, but he's just teasing and Minghao's smile grows. "Yeah, no issues with that here. You can do whatever you want, actually. You're gorgeous. Did I say that already?"
Junhui is rambling. He's definitely, totally rambling. Minghao is laughing so much.
"No, but thank you," Minghao giggles. "You're kind, but I knew that from what Seokmin told me."
"And what else did Seokmin tell you?" Junhui asks nervously. There's a pause where Junhui orders Minghao's drink where Junhui mentally spirals and tries not to die.
"He told me you're a fan of my radio show, which helped me recognize you as the gay caller," Minghao laughs as the bartender makes his drink.
"The gay caller?" Junhui asks in mild despair.
Minghao smiles. "You only call in when the problem is gay. It makes sense now that I'm on a date with you. I recognized your voice."
"That's fucking horrible news," Junhui sighs. He passes the vodka cran he's handed to Minghao and tries not to shiver when their hands brush. "I hoped you wouldn't recognize me. I don't even know why I call in. It's like something possesses me."
"Something gay."
"Something gay, yeah."
"I always appreciate it, if that helps," Minghao says with a smile. "It's sweet. You give them good advice when they're obviously being vulnerable. It helps them to hear from other gay men, I'm sure."
"I hope so," Junhui sighs. Minghao rubs his shoulder and he really doesn't suppress the shiver this time. "Sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?" Minghao laughs.
Junhui shrugs. "I apologize for everything. Like, sorry I'm about to throw a wrench in this."
"Hm?" Minghao hums, cocking his head to the side in a question.
"I kind of have a kid," Junhui says, because transparency is important if he and Minghao are going to get married like Junhui is planning. "It's my best friend's kid, but I live with them and my other friend and we've helped raise her since she was born."
"Oh," Minghao says, clearly processing that. Oh God. Junhui wants to marry him and he just said oh. "How old is she?"
"She's three and a half."
"And she's your friend's kid?"
"Yeah, but she's basically all of our kid," Junhui says with a shrug. "Our lives kind of revolve around her. It's why I work overnights, so I can watch her during the day. I thought you should know before you inevitably fall for my many charms."
Minghao stifles a laugh, covering his mouth with his hand. "I appreciate it. Do you have pictures?"
"Yeah, of course," Junhui says, leaning forward and pulling his phone out. He brings up his Harin photo album and hands his phone to Minghao. "This is Harin. She's fundamentally evil at her core. Love her."
"Fundamentally evil?" Minghao laughs.
"She cut my hair one time," Junhui explains. "She tried to do it again last weekend. She torments me on the daily, but she only does it to me for some reason."
"Maybe she feels the safest with you."
"I hope so, but goddamn."
Minghao smiles. "She's cute. I hope she won't be evil to me."
"Planning to stick around?" Junhui asks with a laugh.
Minghao's smile turns mischievious and Junhui's stomach churns. "Maybe. I haven't quite decided yet. Your charms haven't won me over yet."
"Have I mentioned that I can juggle?"
Minghao shakes his head. "That doesn't help. That really doesn't help."
"Fair enough. Uh… I can cook?"
"Better."
Junhui grins. "I'll win you over. Trust."
By the time they're sharing a cigarette in the alley behind the bar three hours later, Junhui is enchanted with Minghao. He's gorgeous, yeah, but he's also funny and kind and content to just listen to Junhui talk. He asks questions, prompts Junhui to go on, and Junhui is in love with him.
Maybe a little dramatic, but in Junhui's defense, he's heard Minghao on the radio for the last several months. He knows Minghao a little more than Minghao knows him.
Beyond being the gay caller, that is. Jesus Christ.
Junhui passes the cigarette back to Minghao for the last drag, their fingers brushing, and he watches smoke curl out of Minghao's mouth on the exhale. Minghao puts the cigarette out and Junhui is pleasantly surprised when he leans in to kiss Junhui. Minghao tastes like smoke and cranberry when he lets Junhui press him against the brick, when he lets Junhui lick into his mouth.
"Do you sleep with people on the first date?" Junhui whispers into Minghao's mouth.
Minghao smirks. "First? So sure you're going to get a second?"
"Pretty positive," Junhui laughs. "Considering you kissed me first."
"Hmm, good point," Minghao hums. "Yeah, I sleep with people on the first date if they're you."
Junhui laughs and ducks down to kiss Minghao again. "I'm honored. I'm afraid you're going to have to take me home, as I live with a toddler."
"Fair enough," Minghao says with a smile. "Come on. I live close. I think it was Seokmin's plan all along."
"Probably," Junhui says, shrugging. "He's kind of a mastermind. He said he couldn't believe he hadn't set us up before."
"He really should have," Minghao laughs. He takes Junhui's hand and starts to guide him out of the alley and down the sidewalk, presumably to his apartment and not to murder him in a park. "He should have known I would have been a little obsessed with you."
Junhui stifles his embarrassing giggle. "You? Obsessed with me? God. That's something."
"It's something," Minghao agrees. He's swinging their hands back and forth between them as they walk. Junhui is enchanted. "To think it would be my gay caller."
Junhui groans. "I have to kill myself. I can never call in again."
"Oh, but you have to," Minghao laughs. "Who else would give such sage gay advice? We're here, by the way."
It's a quaint little townhouse with a red door and Junhui is immediately charmed. Minghao unlocks the front door and kicks off his shoes in the foyer, so Junhui follows suit before he lets Minghao pull him back to the bedroom.
"No outside clothes on the bed, so strip, baby," Minghao giggles. Junhui would do whatever Minghao wanted if it meant being called baby in that sweet voice. He strips, watching closely as Minghao does the same, and as soon as they're both naked, Junhui's hands are all over Minghao. He can't help himself. He can't help his hands at Minghao's thin waist and his mouth on Minghao's as Minghao guides him onto his back on the bed.
Minghao straddles Junhui's waist and sits back and Junhui can't help but tell him that he's "so pretty, my God, Minghao."
"You're a dream," Minghao says softly. He cups Junhui's cheek in his hand before he leans down to kiss him again. Junhui loses himself in it, which means he nearly misses it when Minghao uncaps the bottle of lube from his bedside table and starts to press a finger inside himself as he straddles Junhui.
"Aht," Junhui says, his hand going to stop Minghao's movements. "Let me. I'll be gentle."
"I was going to be quick—"
"All the more reason to let me," Junhui insists. "Seriously. I won't if you don't want me to, but…"
Minghao lets out a breath before he smiles. "Okay. Yeah, you can."
Junhui guides Minghao onto his back with a pillow under his hips, lubing up his fingers and warming it up before pressing a finger inside Minghao slowly. Minghao is watching him closely, breathing hard, and he doesn't look away until Junhui crooks his finger inside of him, when his head falls back. Junhui bites marks into Minghao's thighs while he works another finger inside of him. He's delicate with Minghao, takes his time. He's savoring this. They won't get another first time.
Minghao is moaning softly by the time Junhui is comfortably fucking him with three fingers and Junhui wonders what it will take to get him to be louder right as Minghao whines when Junhui moves just right. Fuck. Okay. Junhui can keep his composure.
"Ready," Minghao finally says, his eyes back on Junhui. Junhui nods and rolls on the condom that Minghao hands him before he presses inside Minghao slowly, carefully. They both moan into each other's mouths when their hips meet, when Junhui leans down to kiss Minghao. It's perfect. Minghao is perfect and he's moaning louder now that Junhui is fucking him, now that Junhui is running one hand through Minghao's hair and tugging.
"Touch yourself, pretty boy," Junhui murmurs into Minghao's ear. Minghao gasps and wraps a hand around himself, moving in time with Junhui's hips, and he bites down on Junhui's shoulder when he comes, painting his stomach white.
It doesn't take much for Junhui to follow, just Minghao whispering "come on, baby, let me see you." Junhui spills into the condom with their hips flush together and Junhui is still breathing heavily when Minghao catches him in a kiss. Junhui pulls out carefully, laughing when Minghao just points him in the direction of the bathroom tiredly.
"You're cute," Junhui says when he comes back, cleaned up and with a washcloth, because Minghao is just laying on the bed and staring at the ceiling. "I've got you."
Junhui wipes Minghao clean while Minghao watches him before he finally speaks. "Are you staying the night?"
"Do you want me to stay the night?" Junhui asks.
"I asked you first."
Junhui smiles. "Yes, I'll stay the night, since you so clearly want me to."
Minghao laughs and shoves Junhui's shoulder. "You're an asshole. Come cuddle me before I pass out and die forever."
"Yeah, I can do that," Junhui laughs. He crawls back into bed after getting rid of the washcloth and Minghao pulls Junhui to his chest, letting Junhui get comfortable with his head resting on Minghao's shoulder. Junhui brushes a kiss across Minghao's collarbone and Minghao's hand tightens on his waist.
"So, that second date," Minghao says. "I assume you're only available on the weekends?"
"Kind of, yeah, at least until you meet the demon baby."
Minghao hums and he sounds half-asleep when he speaks. "Gotcha. How's breakfast in the morning, and then I'll see you next weekend?"
"Sounds like a plan," Junhui says with a smile pressed to Minghao's skin. "Now go to sleep. Goodnight, Minghao."
"G'night."
When Junhui wakes up in the morning, Minghao is already awake, his hair all over the place and his eyes bright.
"Good morning," Minghao says softly. He kisses Junhui's forehead and smiles when Junhui reaches out to sort his hair into place. "Hi, baby."
"Hi," Junhui whispers. "Good morning. Sleep well?"
"Mhm," Minghao hums. "Now, about breakfast."
Junhui laughs and lets Minghao settle on top of him to discuss breakfast.
Seokmin gives Junhui an absolutely sleazy look when he comes into the theater on Monday. Junhui staunchly ignores him, even if he's eternally grateful.
Junhui wonders if it's weird that he turns on Left of the Dial at midnight on Monday considering he spent Saturday night and Sunday with Minghao. He decides that it isn't—he really hopes it isn't, because he kind of relies on the show to get him through his shifts at this point.
"Hello, hello, I'm Minghao and this is Left of the Dial. I hope you're all living well and loving well. Our first song tonight is Stella was a diver and she was always down by Interpol."
Not very talkative tonight, it seems. Junhui tries to resist the urge to text and ask if anything's wrong, but he's ultimately weak and tired.
Junhui: hey! you okay? your intro was shorter than usual
Minghao: hi hi
Minghao: i'm okay-ish. got some bad news about my mom, but i'm rallying
Junhui curses the fact that it's Monday and he can't offer anything but virtual comfort until the weekend, but he does his best in between Minghao's mini-monologues that stay short and Adventures in Solitude by The New Pornographers. Now isn't the time for Junhui to laugh at that band name either.
At 4 AM, when Minghao would normally do the advice segment, he lets Melody Day by Caribou play instead of interrupting. Junhui is so intensely worried. At 4:15, Minghao finally comes back on air.
"Sorry, listeners, no advice tonight," Minghao says. "I've got more music for you though, so sit back and enjoy."
Junhui: take care of yourself
Minghao: thanks, junhui
When Minghao signs off at 6 AM, Junhui sighs.
Junhui is the worst not-boyfriend on Earth. On Saturday, when he's supposed to meet Minghao in the park for a late lunch and ostensibly comfort him, Jeonghan is sick as a dog, Joshua is at work, and Harin falls into Junhui's hands. This is only their third date. This is awful.
Junhui: i'm so so so sorry
Junhui: i have to watch harin today, get her out of the house while jeonghan is sick. unless you want to come to the park with a 3 year old, i have to cancel
Minghao: i figured you wouldn't want me around her for a bit
Junhui: we can just introduce you as one of our friends. if you want to come to the park with us, that is
Minghao: let's do it. i could use a cute kid distraction
So Junhui finds himself walking to the park with Harin, hand-in-hand, trying to bargain with a toddler.
"Harin, please behave," Junhui begs. "I'll let you get hot chocolate later if you're nice and normal to Minghao."
“‘M always nice,” Harin says with her nose upturned. She’s just like Jeonghan. Makes sense, considering she’s his kid, but she couldn’t have gotten any of Junhui’s pleasant kindness?
“Sure,” Junhui sighs. “You’re always nice. Just don’t treat him like you treat me.”
“No haircut?”
“No haircut.”
“Okay,” Harin says, dejected. As long as it got through to her, it’s fine. She doesn’t have scissors anyway. He thinks. He hopes.
They get to the playground and Junhui texts Minghao to let him know where they are before he tucks his phone away and offers to push Harin on the swings. It’s her favorite. Junhui would know, as her favorite and most mistreated uncle. Harin agrees and he lets her chatter to him while he looks out for Minghao.
He shows up five minutes later, dressed smartly with a scarf around his neck. Junhui thinks he might be the cutest thing in the entire world.
“Hello,” Minghao says to Junhui as he walks up before he looks down at Harin with a smile. “Hello, Miss Harin. I’m Minghao. I’m friends with your uncle.”
“Hi,” Harin says, sweet and shy. “Are you going to swing too?”
“Would you like me to swing with you?” Minghao asks. “I’d love to.”
Harin nods with a small smile and Minghao takes the swing next to her before he looks up at Junhui expectantly. Junhui barks out a laugh before he gives Harin one last push to keep her going and switches to pushing Minghao on the swing.
“You’re spoiled,” Junhui says to Minghao.
“That’s what Uncle Junnie says to me too!” Harin says, perked up. They’re bonding. For some reason, that’s intensely ominous for Junhui.
“Does he?” Minghao laughs. “How rude.”
“How rude!” Harin giggles. Dear God. Minghao is going to make a monster, Frankenstein’s Creature style.
Minghao keeps up a stream of conversation with Harin about her school and what her class has been doing as they swing and it’s sweet. He’s good with her. Unfortunately, this is bad news for Junhui, because it’s another person who inevitably isn’t going to believe that Harin has malice in her bones. By the time they’re getting hot chocolate—because Harin was objectively nice and normal to Minghao—Minghao and Harin are holding hands on the way to the coffee shop. Junhui doesn’t know how he feels. They’re cute, but he’s doomed.
When Junhui gets home and puts Harin down for her nap, he texts Minghao.
Junhui: so, you like the child
Minghao: i do. i do believe you though
Minghao: i sensed a great evil within her
Minghao: she’s awesome
Junhui groans.
Joshua and Jeonghan are being suspicious. Junhui tells Minghao as much over dinner the next weekend.
“You’re deeply concerned with your ex’s state of affairs,” Minghao teases. “Should I be worried?”
“No!” Junhui says too loudly. People look over at them and he puts his face in his hands. “I just mean that I live with them. I should know who’s fucking who.”
“Do they know about me?” Minghao asks.
“Well— Not really,” Junhui says. “They know I’m dating someone, but they don’t know who it is. You have to understand. I’m trying to protect you from them.”
Minghao laughs. “I’m not concerned about that, Junhui. I’m just saying that you can’t demand honesty that you’re not willing to give.”
“Wise words.”
“Get fucked.”
“I mean, we can try that, but…”
Minghao groans. “You’re avoiding things. You can just ask them what’s going on, but you should be prepared to disclose that we’re together.”
“We’re together?” Junhui asks.
Minghao stares at him. “You just said we were dating. Are we not together?”
“No, we are!” Junhui says quickly. “Oh my God, yes, please. That’s amazing. I love that for me.”
Minghao shakes his head. “Sure. Just ask them.”
Junhui asks them. He asks Jeonghan first, who dodges the question like he’s trying to dodge the draft, before he corners Joshua in his room.
“Joshua,” Junhui says, his voice low. “You can’t lie to me. I know what you look like when you come.”
“And why did you have to bring that up?” Joshua groans.
“Because I’ll tell everyone what face you make unless you tell me the truth,” Junhui says, smug as hell. “Are you dating Jeonghan?”
Joshua glares at Junhui, but Junhui’s smirk never leaves his face. “Are you dating someone?”
“Yes,” Junhui says, rolling his eyes. “So what’s your answer?”
“Who is he?”
“His name is Minghao, he’s a radio host, and he’s a very nice Chinese boy,” Junhui says. “So what is your answer?”
“Yes,” Joshua mutters, his face in his hands. “Yes, we’re dating. Are you happy?”
“You know what?” Junhui asks after a moment. “I can’t tell. I think I’m happy? I think I’m also scared for my life.”
Joshua glares at Junhui again. He’s doing a lot of that. “Why would that scare you?”
“I feel like that should be obvious,” Junhui says. “Should I move out to avoid the sound of you two having sex?”
“No, because you have to distract Harin so we can have sex.”
“Kill yourself, Joshua Hong.”
In the end, Junhui doesn’t move out solely to avoid the sound of Joshua and Jeonghan having sex. That’s part of it, he has to admit, but the bigger part of it is moving in with Minghao. Harin is in kindergarten now and Junhui kept his overnight job so his and Minghao’s schedules would align, but it means he doesn’t have to watch her during the day. Joshua and Jeonghan readjust their schedules and they don’t need Junhui as much anymore.
Thank God. Junhui is so tired and Minghao is already talking about having kids of their own. Knowing Minghao, their kids are almost certainly going to be worse than Harin, so Junhui has to rest up while he can.
“Hello, hello,” Minghao says over the radio. “I’m Minghao and this is Left of the Dial on 98.1 Independent Radio. It’s an auspicious night, folks, and I don’t just say that because I have a weird churning feeling in my stomach. It’s a full moon. Auspicious. To kick us off, here’s Fireworks by Animal Collective.”
It’s certainly an auspicious night, Junhui thinks.
He wraps up his shift early so, at 3:53 AM, when Minghao introduces Chicago by Sufjan Stevens, Junhui can be lingering outside the radio station’s recording booth. Seungcheol let him in fifteen minutes ago and Junhui is just trying not to throw up.
At 4 AM, Minghao comes back over the radio and introduces the advice segment. Junhui calls in from his cellphone and waits for Seungcheol to put him on air.
“You’re on,” Minghao says into Junhui’s ear.
“Hi,” Junhui says, before he lets out a breath. “I’m in need of some advice. See, I’ve been with this man for three years and they’ve been the best three years of my life. I’m crazy in love with him. We kind of met through this show, kind of met on this show, and I need to ask him something, so I figured this would be my best avenue. I’m outside of the studio right now and I guess I don’t need advice, actually. I just need an answer. Minghao, will you marry me?”
“Holy fuck,” Minghao says under his breath. It drifts over the radio outside. “Are you seriously outside?”
“Yeah, definitely.”
“Everyone, this is Passenger Seat by Death Cab for Cutie,” Minghao rushes out. He turns the track on and the door to the studio flies open a second later to find Junhui, on one knee, a ring box in his hand.
It’s kind of dramatic that Minghao falls to his knees in front of Junhui to pull him into a kiss. He’s always been a little dramatic though, and Junhui loves him for it. He only breaks the kiss to ask if that’s a “yes?”
“Yes, oh my God,” Minghao says quickly. “I love you so much. I still have a show to do.”
“You do,” Junhui laughs. He kisses Minghao quickly and slides the ring onto his finger before pulling him up to his feet. “Come on. I got special permission to sit with you.”
Minghao laughs and pulls Junhui into the studio.
“Well, listeners, I said yes,” Minghao laughs into the mic. “In case you were wondering. It was an auspicious night after all.”
“Junhui,” Minghao murmurs, dragging Junhui into consciousness at 2 AM. “There’s someone in the kitchen.”
“What?”
“I heard the front door open, there’s something moving around in the kitchen, the cat is in bed with us, and the baby is asleep,” Minghao whispers. “I’m going to go check it out.”
“No, you stay here,” Junhui says quickly. He’s never been more awake. It’s him and a baseball bat that he doesn’t remember acquiring and he creeps into the kitchen before he flicks on the lights. Someone yells and it isn’t even Junhui, because it’s—
“Harin?” Junhui asks. “What are you doing here?”
“Dad dropped me off,” Harin says with a shrug, all nine-year-old attitude. “Why do you have a baseball bat?”
“Intruders?”
“It’s just me.”
“I got that, Harin,” Junhui sighs. “Why did your dad drop you off?”
“Something about getting me out of the house.”
“At 2 AM?”
“I was, maybe, being annoying.”
“At 2 AM?” Junhui repeats.
Harin shrugs. “Couldn’t sleep. Can I stay here? Can I have the baby’s juice box too?”
“That’s my juice box, but yes,” Junhui says, shaking his head. “Go sleep in the guest room. Say hi to your uncle on your way. You freaked him out.”
“Yeah, I’ll tell Minghao I’m here,” Harin says with a grin. She plucks the juice box out of the fridge and walks toward the hallway. “Goodnight!”
“Goodnight,” Junhui sighs. He shuts the fridge and goes back to bed, crawling into Minghao’s arms.
“You’re very brave,” Minghao mutters, clearly half-asleep.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Junhui huffs. “Go to sleep.”
Minghao’s already out.