5 days alone in the dorm.

Just thinking about it was almost enough for Kibum to ask his manager for more schedules. Almost because Kibum wasn’t going to be that crazy to request for more work when it was just the first week of the New Year. Besides, he could already use the break considering he needed the rest after two musical stages in one day. Still, returning back to an empty dorm once his manager dropped him off wasn’t something to look forward to. And so, when he unlocked the door to the dorm and found that the living room lights were on, Kibum’s spirits were instantly lifted. Whoever it was, he was just relieved he wasn’t going to be alone. Of course, when he realised it was Minho who was sitting on the sofa and playing that damn football game of his, Kibum was even happier and so very thankful that it was his boyfriend of all people.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?!”

With the sudden voice breaking his concentration, Minho missed a goal scoring opportunity and let out a curse.

“Kibum!”

Not caring one bit at how Minho was staring unhappily at him, Kibum gave him the widest smile as he made himself comfortable beside his grumpy boyfriend on the sofa.

“You didn’t come back to the dorm to play Winning, did you?” Kibum asked, not expecting an answer from Minho, as he went on to say, “You must be here because you knew I was going to be alone. You should have told me you were coming back though, we could have made plans and-”

“Calm down, bum.” Minho smiled, amused at how excited his boyfriend was, as he revealed, “I already made plans.”

“What?”

“Yeah, you’re coming back with me to Incheon.”

Kibum’s eyes grew wide as his jaw dropped, “What?!”

“Incheon, bummie...” Holding back a laugh, Minho helped Kibum close his jaw, “My home, remember?”

Kibum shook Minho’s hand off his face and replied, “Of course I know that but whaaaaat? Are you serious?”

“Do I look like I’m kidding?”

“No.”

“Exactly.”

“But why?”

“Why not?”

“Because I’m Kim Kibum.” Kibum points to himself, “You can’t bring me home.”

“And that’s why I knew I couldn’t tell you that I was coming back to bring you home to Incheon.” Minho explained, “I just knew you would react this way.”

“So what makes you think you can convince me to go back home with you now?”

“I don’t plan to convince you, bummie...”

“Then what do you plan to do?”

“Manhandle you?”

“You wouldn’t.”

“Is that a challenge?”

Kibum remained silent, not daring to answer because he knew exactly what Minho was capable of.

▷▷

Half an hour later, Kibum was in the passenger seat of Minho’s car, on their way to Incheon, all packed to stay for five days in Minho’s house. Obviously, Kibum wasn’t too happy about this. A thousand thoughts were running through his mind and most of them had to do with worrying about Minho’s family. As much as he was more than familiar with Minho’s family having met them on countless occasions, he had never spent an extended period of time with them, let alone in their house, their private space, in Incheon. And the fact that Kibum himself knew he wasn’t just friends with Minho bothered him to the point that he felt a little guilty. They hadn’t even talked about this! Were they going to keep their relationship a secret? Did they even have plans to tell their family about their relationship, especially one that was undesirable in their conservative society? Kibum thought he understood Minho’s intentions to bring him home but now, he wasn’t quite sure anymore.

Contrary to Kibum’s somewhat permanent frown, there was a smug smile on Minho’s face, mostly because he didn’t even have to lift a finger to get Kibum in his car. The other part of Minho was just happy that everything was going to plan. Of course he knew what Kibum was thinking. Of course he knew that his boyfriend was worried. And that was why after he had his fun seeing Kibum (for once) all troubled and missing his usual air of confidence, Minho finally reached out to squeeze Kibum’s thigh and broke the silence.

“Relax, bum. I know what I’m doing.”

“Do you?” Kibum broke out of his thoughts and turned his full attention to Minho, “Because I highly doubt so. We haven’t even talked about this!”

“What’s there to talk about?” Minho asked, taking a quick peek at Kibum, “You’re the person I love, I want you home with me this holiday. It’s as simple as that.”

“You’re forgetting the most important thing... Your parents?” Kibum sighed, throwing his hands up in the air, “And your brother, for god’s sake!”

“Actually...”

“What?”

“My dad’s overseas with his soccer team for their preseason training camp.”

“Am I supposed to be celebrating?”

“No... But I thought maybe you could stop giving me those death glares.”

“I might but there’s still your mother and brother.”

“How about we tell them?”

“Minho...”

“Yeah?”

“Is it not enough for you to give me a heart attack this New Year that you have to go give your family one too?”

“So… Is that a no?”

Rubbing the sides of his head, Kibum breathed out heavily, “What do you think?”

“I honestly think I’m ready to tell them...” As he paid attention to the road, Minho shared his thoughts with Kibum, “After all the matchmaking sessions that failed, I really think my mum got the hint. So it’s really up to you, bummie.”

“How do you think they’ll handle it?”

Minho shrugged, “I’m not asking them for their approval... I’m just telling them that you’re the person I will be spending the rest of my life with.”

“Minho... I don’t want to be the cause of you getting into a bad situation with your family, or even worse, losing your family because of me.”

“You won’t.”

“Why are you so sure?”

“Because they’re my family.”

With that, Minho smiled so reassuringly at Kibum that it almost gave him all the confidence he needed to agree to reveal their relationship. Yet, a part of Kibum still didn’t feel like it was the right time so he took Minho’s hand in his and squeezed it tight.

“Minho... I...”

Knowing Kibum was still feeling hesitant and couldn’t find the right words to say, Minho squeezed his boyfriend’s hand back and said, “I know, bum, it’s alright. I’m not rushing you. Whenever you’re ready...”

Kibum bit his bottom lip as he stared at their joint hands, “I love you, you know that right?”

“I know.” Minho nodded, because honestly, it wouldn’t be this hard for Kibum if he didn’t love him.

It was precisely because Kibum loved him which made it so difficult for him to let Minho risk going against his family for their own relationship. For that reason, Minho wasn’t going to push Kibum anymore. And so, as he played with Kibum’s hand, Minho did his best to make his boyfriend’s unnecessary worries go away.

“Kibum, don’t think too much alright?” Minho reassured Kibum, “Look, I told my mum that you were going to be alone in the dorm and she was the one who wanted you over at our house. I didn’t even have to say anything for her to invite you over... so really, there’s nothing to worry about. She already treats you like family so please just enjoy the holidays with us alright?”

True enough, Kibum finally relaxed as he let out a breath and nodded, “Alright alright, I’m sorry for freaking out.”

“It’s okay... At least I got to hear you say I love you.” Minho winked at his boyfriend.

Kibum could only roll his eyes as he finally settled comfortably in his seat and decided to take a nap for the rest of the car ride.

▷▷

By the time they reached Minho’s place in Incheon, it was already past 2am and the whole house was silent. Minho’s family were already asleep and yet, Kibum still had a reason to freak out.

“What do you mean I’m sleeping in your room?!?!” Kibum hissed once the door to Minho’s room closed.

Minho shrugged as he threw himself on his bed, “There’s no guest room in my house so you’re sleeping with me.”

“Are you kidding me?”

“Kibum...”

“What would your mother think?”

“Bum, may I remind you that we slept as 5 in a room before? Besides, we’re always sharing hotel rooms overseas and-”

“Fine.” Kibum pouted, “I get your point.”

Minho grinned as he patted the empty space beside him on bed, “Now come and join me, baby.”

Kibum tensed, “I think we should set some ground rules first.”

“I object.”

“I’m not giving you a chance to object.”

“Then I’m not going to listen.”

“I guess I’ll sleep on the floor then.”

“I’ll sleep on the floor with you.”

“Why are you doing this to me?” Kibum couldn’t help but whine since he couldn’t win the argument.

“I could ask you the same.” Minho said before he went on to do his own share of whining, “I’ve been on the roads for so long, driving from Incheon to Seoul and back. All I want to do now is sleep with my boyfriend in bed, am I asking for too much?”

At that, Kibum couldn’t help but feel guilty at what he had put Minho through. And so, he sighed out loud and reluctantly crawled into bed with Minho.

“Fine. You win.” Kibum said as he settled under the covers, “Just don’t hug me to sleep. I don’t want to give your mother a heart attack in the morning.”

Minho flipped to his side so he was facing Kibum, “The door’s locked, bum.”

“Oh.” Kibum paused for a moment as he fidgeted around in bed, “If that’s the case, why are you sleeping so far away?”

Minho chuckled as he reduced the distance between their bodies and brought Kibum into his arms.

Now, he was finally home.

Author's Note: i think i ended it quite nicely that i don't know what should happen next. hahaha. well, i guess, we'll see. hopefully it'll be another productive night~ happy January dear readers! ^^