𝐒𝐄𝐓

Seungmiin slides the door closed, setting his things on the living room table before padding through the apartment and into the kitchen. When he enters, Yonsu is standing by the oven holding spices in his hands, his chai tea scent wafting off of him in waves upon seeing Seungmin.

"Yes?" He hums, playing with his fingers as he stands in the doorway. Yonsu peers at him, glancing at his figure before beckoning him over with the wave of his arm. Seungmin walks closer, fitting himself under his alphas arm, up against his side when he realizes what he wants.

Yonsu's arm lays over Suengmin's figure, hand resting on his ass.

"I'm thinking we have scalloped potatoes and steaks tonight. I'll pick up the ingredients, how's that sound?" he asks Seungmin, smiling down at him. Seungmin smiles back, nodding quickly. "Sounds great. I'll make sure to make it medium rare like you like it too."

Seungmin absolutely despises scalloped potatoes. Still, he smiles, hugged flesh to his boyfriends figure.

Yonsu chuckles, nodding, "Dope."

When Yonsu leaves, Seungmin makes his way back outside to the patio, and he continues to do what he does best. He writes. He writes like his life depends on it, because in his situation, it feels like it does. His hand trembles around his pen, he steadies it with his opposite hand without flinching.

He writes in journal until his hand cramps up, he writes on his computer until the battery dies, he writes until the outside world, which was just illuminated by the sun, is darkness only filled with moon and city light. He counts off the minutes in his pages and pages of writing, until Yonsu finally returns to their apartment, four hours later, with a handful of groceries.

"Sorry Min, traffic was really bad, and the line at the store was endless." He claims, setting the groceries on the table for Seungmin to sort and put away. "I'm starving, you outta get started on dinner. I'm gonna get in the shower." he says, before speeding off deeper into the apartment, hurrying to hop in the shower before Seungmin can catch his scent.

There's really no need, no reason for him to shower.

Even with his lack of sense, Seungmin can smell her on him.

In his hair, on his clothes, shit, she's probably in his car too. Lord knows Yonsu loves a good backseat session.

But Yonsu will shower anyways while Seungmin makes dinner. He'll return later and hug Seungmin from behind, scenting him with his tainted chai tea aroma that the omega has grown to hate, kissing his ears while Seungmin fights to stop his gag reflex from reacting to the combination of distasteful smells.

Lucky for Seungmin, his ability to detect it is faint to nonexistent.

Seungmin will make his way to his patio after putting Yonsu to sleep, unable to get the same amount of rest while Yonsu is in the apartment. And he will write in one of his journals, which are quickly filling up, that he's glad just to have made it through another day.

Tomorrow, this cycle will repeat in the same way but in a different font, whether Yonsu suddenly has to stay late at work or has to leave earlier to complete more labor, he'll go missing for a few hours. During that time, Seungmin can enjoy the little bit of peace his life allows him, if Yonsu is feeling jolly.

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Weeks later, after the necessary paperwork has been published and processed, Minho receives the new keys to his apartment. He brings Changbin, Chan and Hyunjin to help him move. Because as much as he likes to watch sweaty men lift his boxes for him, Minho would much rather do it on his own, with the help of his friends.

And maybe, just maybe, he's attempting to help Changbin see that Hyunjin is much more competent than he thinks.

A week later, while Seungmin is on the patio, watching the sun rise, he hears usher playing from the newly occupied patio to his the side. Through the cracked door, someone sings along to the track "no limit" at a horribly pitchy tone.

With his competent hearing, Seungmin can make out the sound of boxes being opened and furniture being moved around, and honestly all he can do is giggle in the security of his egg chair while it happens.

The neighbor is a handsome stranger alright. Seungmin discovers upon his first week in the building that he has three cats. Specifically on one faithful night when Yonsu is off disgracing their relationship and Seungmin is sitting in his usual spot.

The grey one sneaks across the ledge connecting his and his new neighbors patio, a squeaky little mouse toy in its mouth. "DORI" Seungmin thinks her– his? pink tag read, and despite its intrusion to his living space, the feline only sat quietly on the patio table, watching Seungmin intently before running back home, leaving her toy behind.

The next one he meets is not nearly as friendly, an oversized orange and white cat who seemingly dislikes the fact that Seungmin likes to be outside, minding his business. He'll regularly jump up on the ledge just to hiss at Seungmin, and sometimes when he's feeling petty, the omega will hiss right back.

Today, with his new neighbors door cracked once again, apparently up and at em early to finish unpacking and sing for his cardboard boxes, another cat hops up onto the coping, to the ledge and right onto Seungmin's own, sitting and staring at Seungmin with its beady little slit feline eyes. It's unsettling for a few moments, before Seungmin notices the cats body language.

The animals tail sits completely still, like it senses something Seungmin doesn't want it to see. And quite honestly, maybe it does.

Cautiously, Seungmin stands, his long skirt falling from where it's bunched up as he's setting the notebook aside on the table. He carefully approaches the feline, noticing it's distinct difference in coat from the fat one who didn't even like for Seungmin to look at him. He's all orange, few white spots, with darker fur. It's pretty, Seungmin can admit that much, even as someone who prefers dogs.

It's not like he dislikes cats, he's just got less experience with them, and they aren't always the kindest to him. Much like the fat cat his neighbor owns.

When Seungmin approaches, the fireball doesn't move, meowing coolly at him when the man reaches for the tag on his neck, reading the name off of it.

"Soonie." He says out loud. Seungmin giggles at how it feels on his tongue. "Soonie huh? That's so cute. What are you doing here, Soonie? Why do you and your brother like it so much over here?" He questions out loud to no one, barely reaching up to run a hand over the back of the animals coat, surprisingly, it lets him.

Just then, the patio door across from his slides open a bit more, a now familiar figure stepping out onto the ground, baggy sweatpants and t shirt as his attire. Seungmin tries to hide how distracting the handsome mans biceps and hands are, but it's hard when everything is on display for him to see.

"Soonie, hey, what are you doing over there, rascal." He says, voice soft and sweet, which is surprising, considering the hard lines of his face, straight and lacking the playfulness that Seungmin hears in his voice. Seungmin looks from the mans thick body back down to Soonie, who hops off Seungmins coping, trotting across the ledge and hopping back onto his owner's patio.

"Sorry about him. He usually minds his business." The stranger says, kneeling down to pat the cats butt softly. He doesn't seem to give the slightest fuck, actually. The thought has Seungmin huffing a laugh, watching the interaction between the two.

"It's alright, he was being polite." Seungmin assures, locking eyes with the stranger as he stands back up straight, feline in hands. Very veiny, very small hands. With no ring. Huh. His hair is casual and fluffy on his head, different from his usual combed back style Seungmin has seen him wear when passing him in the lobby.

Maybe it's not right for Seungmin to be thinking about if someone else is married when he's technically in a relationship, but Yonsu hasn't spared him that thought in god knows how long. Seungmin can imagine, he has at least that much right.

"Minho." The man says suddenly, pulling Seungmins gaze from the blood vessels running up his arms and hands. Seungmin blinks, cheeks tinting when he realizes how openly he's been oggling. Suddenly he has no manners.

"Sorry, what?" he squeaks.

He sees the man chuckle, the large cat in his arms deciding that now is a good time to lick stripes up the side of his face when he speaks again, mid groom. "Minho. My name is Minho. I'm your neighbor, clearly." he elaborates.

Seungmin swallows the thick lump in his throat, an unsettling feeling of discomfort washing over him, something that has become natural upon meeting new people. Especially alpha's, which Seungmin can tell Minho is by the  strength of his dark chocolate scent. Usually scents are an absent or indistinct reality to him, but this guys is.. Powerful. It elicits something.

When the smell hits him, his body nearly collapses where he stands on the edge of the large patio, eyes becoming heavy and legs wobbling where their attempting to continue holding his weight.

'What the fuck was that?' Seungmin thinks to himself, his omega suddenly awake and clawing at its walls, where it's usually dead and spineless. Seungmin can't detect scents, barely if at all. On a rare occasion, when he can, they don't impact him. This was highly unusual.

It doesn't help that Minho has a very intense gaze, one of intelligence that Seungmin can feel picking apart and putting together every fiber of his aura. It's like being read where you stand, openly and without permission. It's unsettling to say the least. But the attention is...something.

Whatever that something is, Seungmin is sure Yonsu would despise it. So he doesn't reply with his own name. Instead,

"It's nice to meet you. Your cats have already introduced themselves." he says, glancing at the pillow of fur still grooming Minho like he's marking his territory.

Minho doesn't miss a beat, he also doesn't smile, or move, like suddenly he's scrutinizing Seungmin.

"Don't you think you should too then? Since we're getting familiar."

That's the thing, Seungmin's boyfriend wouldn't want them getting familiar. But considering Seungmin never gets to go anywhere, or do anything, getting to know his handsome neighbor feels like being handed ice cold water when your balls deep in the Sahara desert.

He craves connection and warmth, something he's been missing for the past few years.

Truth is, the loneliest you'll ever feel is not being appreciated in a relationship. Seungmin can vouch for that truth a million times over.

"My.. my boyfriend wouldn't like us getting comfortable." Seungmin deflects, averting his gaze despite Minho's eyes still locked on him. He pets the animal softly, silent for a few moments. It's only then that Soonie meows, wiggling in his hold until Minho sets him down so he can run inside, like he senses tension.

Maybe he does, something about Minho's pets seems oddly observant, like Seungmin is made of glass, or like there's a guide to him written on his forehead.

Despite his best interest, Seungmin wants to give his neighbor, who's nice to look at, his name.

It's not wise, it's not smart, yet he still finds himself giving in.

"Seungmin." he says simply. Minho gives him a little sideways smile at that, head lolling to the side like he's won something. The blonde feels something coiling in his stomach at it, he's glad he gave Minho his name.

"Well. I've got work this morning, but it was nice talking with you, Seungmo." With that, he turns, stepping off of his patio and back into the house, the mans eye twitches at the incorrect pronunciation, fully aware that the morning wind wasn't strong enough to override the clarity at which he'd said his own name.

"It's Seungmin!" He says quickly as Minho's terrace door is closing, he doesn't get a response, but he knows Minho heard him. The first and the second time, regardless of his lack of acknowledgement.

The blonde spends the rest of the day washing clothes and cleaning up his living space. Yonsu's clothes, Yonsu's dishes, Yonsu's apartment. But somehow, until he walks through the door late that night, his shirt wrinkled at the collar, and scent that of a satisfied, egotistical alpha, Yonsu is the last thing on his mind.

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It's not until a month or so passes that Minho sees Seungmin again, to his surprise it's not in their apartment building, but out shopping for his new place.

He's  settled in his home, Soonie Doongi and Dori have become accustomed to it's layout, their personal area a comfortable space satisfying their tastes and making their new apartment a home, but now it's Minho's turn.

Unfortunately, Minho's apartment is on a completely different side of the city, so he is painfully unfamiliar with the area. Today is his day off, and he's chosen to be productive instead of lazing around like a bum. Much to his own dismay, he is an adult, with an adult job and adult responsibilities. So it's up to him to shop for things that compliment his new place of residence.

This side of the city is much newer, a plethora of brand new streets and shops, the area constantly being expanded and added to. The neighborhoods continue to be unfinished and under construction, which is why Minho is stuck shopping for a loft and not a house. For this reason, he wants to get comfortable but not stuck.

He pushes his cart up and down the aisles, uninterested in the throw pillows and wall decor that seem to be too expensive for how basic the designs of the decor are. The detective learned when he bought his first apartment at 23 that he was a fan of color coding his living space. Curtains, pillows, appliances, all of it.

His basic things he tended to get in common colors, like black or silver. But the interchangeable items were where the assortment was. Curtains, carpets, decor, hangers, etcetera etcetera. It was a fun project to commit yourself to amongst adulthood, but only when you can find the right material things to make it worth your time.

Right now, his options were unfortunate. This was the worst part about moving. Having to take the time to become familiar with your area, the shops, restaurants, the roads.

Minho tries to speedrun this journey, attempting to commit every dip and turn in a 10 mile radius to memory, but he only has so much capability. So he groans, yet again as he ventures out of the pitiful selection of comforter sets and throw pillows.

When he turns into the next aisle, an aggressive variety of candles smack him in the face as he spots a familiar figure reaching a long arm to the top of the shelf. Per Minho's astute observation, it seems like he's struggling to grab a purple candle which is just a few inches too far out of his reach.

His jumping isn't helping, and Minho would laugh at how adorable it is if he wasn't so focused on the coloring that the pretty mans lifted shirt is revealing.

There, on his hip, is a yellow and purple bruise the size of a softball sitting on his thin torso. Minho pinches his brow at the sight of it. Minho sees dead bodies all the time, even so, he holds back a wince at the sight and size of the injury.

It's not pretty, it's quite ugly actually. Yet Seungmin is still beautiful. In his floor length loose skirt and off the shoulder shirt.

His style of dress is kind of whimsy, Minho has noticed. All his clothing is loose and long, sort of like his body, and how he carries himself. Aside from the caution that always seems to be in his posture.

Like he's constantly bracing himself for impact. It's less stiff when he's outside of their apartment building, but it's not exactly. Minho thinks he would move with great beauty if he could just.. Relax. But with a bruise that size it seems like the last possibility on his list.

"You know, I know they say 'if you fail,  try try again' but honestly I'm not too sure the idea can be applied if you keep doing the exact same thing the same way. Repeatedly." Minho says after watching him reach and stretch at different angles for a few seconds.

The effort was adorable for a while there, but now he feels it's time to make his presence known.

Seungmin whips around from his spot in front of the tall shelf, wide eyes blinking in surprise before they land on Minho, who's smirking mischievously, leaning over his cart. He huffs a laugh when he recognizes the man, pouting at the teasing.

"I don't suppose you've got a better idea, smart guy? You could help instead of being a dick." he remarks, rolling his eyes as he turns back to the rows of candles, looking up longingly at the top of the shelf where the soft purple one still sits, untouched.

Minho chuckles, shaking his head even as he walks around his basket, sauntering closer to the omega. He tries his best to contain the growl of satisfaction that climbs his throat as Seungmin's cookie dough scent hits him, faded and all.

"Last time I checked you were the taller one, I'd say you've got a solid 2 or 3 inches on me. In height at least." Minho laughs again. Despite his words, he dips down, hooking his arms around the mans hips and lifting him from the ground. Seungmin makes a little sound of surprise, hand on Minho's shoulder to steady himself as he ascends.

His opposite reaches and grabs the candle, clutching it to his chest as he's lowered back onto the ground. When he's safely on his feet, Minho backs away, hands in his pockets as he watches a slightly flustered Seungmin open the candle, checking the label before smelling it.

When the smell hits his nose, his eyes light up as he does a little bounce, smiling happily. Minho ignores the feeling of content that's summersalting in his chest at the sight. "Lavender marshmallow, just like I thought it was." he elaborates, giving the detective a muted, excitement filled smile. "I am in your debt." He says simply, deadly serious.

Minho walks back to his empty cart, going back to leaning on its handle. "Yeah, well, at least one of us found something we like." Minho muses, watching Seungmin place his newly acquired jar in his arm basket with the others.

"Well what are you looking for?" the blonde questions, curious eyes shining under the light from the high ceilings. "New decorations for my place. I change it up everytime I move but I have no idea where good shops around here are, so I'm just bouncing around by this point."

Minho shrugs, checking the notification that pops up on his phone. An email about a missing case file, he marks it important, before slipping his phone back into his pocket and returning his attention to Seungmin.

The omega has a contemplative look on his face, like he's considering something, weighing the options of things in his head. Minho observes him, noting the shift in his stance and the manner at which he plays with his fingers while he's in his head. The taller of the two swallows once, before returning his gaze to the detective and shrugging as he makes a suggestion.

"I could show you a good couple places." he proposes, switching his basket to his other arm, he places it slightly off of where he had it on his other arm, it's intentional, like he's trying not to irritate something that's already on his skin beneath his clothes. Minho's gaze stays locked on Seungmin's despite his stirring thoughts.

"If you're willing. I've got the day today if you're free." he agrees. Something about Seungmin screams fed up when he scoffs as he says his next words. "Yeah me too, my boyfriend is working late tonight."

Minho tilts his head at that, relaxed even as his eyes seem to pierce Seungmins being like needles. Seungmins omega thrives at the attention. "That's alright, Seungmo, I can keep you company."

Seungmins eyes leave where they're watching his own hands mingle with one another, pausing in his fiddling to lock gazes with the other man.

There's no words exchanged in the look they give one another, not really. It's too risky, too soon. But still, their glances say more than enough for the both of their satisfaction.