An Autumn in Seoul 

Ch.8 

By Eiryia 

Seungyoon made a quick glance at the silver watch on his wrist, it was now officially less than 24 hours left until he was leaving for London. He dreaded the flight, but it was one he had taken many times the previous year and he knew that it would be well worth it this time like all the others. It was time to finish work for the day and start heading home. Packing up his things he began thinking about his favorite person, a person he would be seeing very soon; Mino.

He could still remember the look on Mino’s face when they had spoken on Skype a week ago. When he had told him he would be coming to London to celebrate Christmas with him there and that they then could make their final decision. A decision he couldn’t wait for them to decide on; where they would settle down as a pair. Where they would buy their first home together.

He had told Mino before so he knew about this decision being made, but Mino didn’t know to the full extent what he had to sacrifice to be able to make this decision. He would not renew his contract with the music company, he would be on his own and it was to great dismay of both the company and many others in the industry. It was not something anyone expected since he had told them he would be renewing his contract earlier in the year, but a lot had changed since then because he weren’t alone anymore.

They were a family now and one should always prioritize family first.

Walking down the hall he thought about what the next couple of months would be like. There would be obligations and contracts he still would have to follow up on until summer at least, but after that he would be free. Free to live where he wanted, do what he wanted and be with who he wanted. He was well aware that him being gay would blow up in the media back home and that it surely would hurt the company’s reputation if he stayed. So really, they should thank him for leaving. They might even send him flowers for their wedding when they find out. If they ever got married that was.

Imagining Mino in a wedding dress he laughed a little to himself as he turned a corner jogging the last few steps towards the elevator.

The last touches on the Christmas album had been done last week, but he had something else that needed a last look over: his and Mino’s song. Which was his reason for staying in late at work so close up to such a long trip. The song was the one they had started working on when Mino visited last time, he had made sure not to mention that it now was done. It would make for a great surprise and hopefully would it be one of many songs they would make together in the future.

Mino had a way of words that was unlike anyone he had met. At least when it came to writing. He had complete faith that they could create great things together in the future and just the thought of it made him so excited he couldn’t help but to smile a wide smile as he hurried down the corridor towards the elevator.

Pushing the button once, twice and then a third time he looked at his watch one more time. He thought he had just enough time to get everything done in time. He had already packed and so there was only a few things to look over at home before locking the place up for the holidays.

The sound of the elevator doors opening made him look up from throwing another quick glance at his watch, inside the elevator stood a man he had seen more than enough of lately. Greeting Taehyun quickly he noticed what he was leaning on; a huge suitcase.

                "Going home for Christmas?"

He asked curiously. Taehyun only smiled and gave him a funny look.

                "Mino didn’t tell you?"

Taehyun replied, smile spreading wider for each second so that his bunny teeth was showing and his eyes turned into small crescents. Seungyoon thought back to his last conversation with Mino about Taehyun. It had been over a month since his name had come up, Mino had his theories about Taehyun and Seungyoon weren’t one to doubt Mino’s words so he had kept his distance. Mino had never mentioned anything about Taehyun traveling however. Shaking his head slightly he turned his attention to the opening elevator doors.

                "I’m leaving for Europe, I got time off until the new year. It’s going to be a busy year for me next year so I’m looking to flee as far away as I can this holiday"

Seungyoon couldn’t help but to smile at this. History was repeating itself. He too had escaped to Europe once and his life had definitely changed for the better. He had a pretty good idea about why Taehyun would be busy as well. He would be taking over as one of the company’s key artists, it had been in the cards all along, but even more so now that he was leaving. Taehyun didn’t know that and this weren’t the time to tell him.

               "Where in Europe are going?"

He asked more to be polite than out of interest.

               "England"

Taehyun replied still with his wide smile in place. Seungyoon felt his own smile halter a little hearing this.

               "Really?"

He knew it shouldn’t bother him. London had a population way past 8 million which should suffice more than well enough as company for Taehyun. He had not told Taehyun that he was traveling there for Christmas, but Taehyun knew that Mino currently lived there so it wouldn’t be hard to guess.

               "Heading straight to the airport then?"

Seungyoon crossed his fingers in his pockets. If they were both flying first class on the same flight then there would be no avoiding each other and that was one long flight. They had already arrived outside and were both waiting for the cars picking them up when Taehyun replied.

               "Nah, I’m having dinner with my family and then I’m staying at a friend’s place for the night. She lives ten minutes away from the airport making it easy to get there on time in the morning"

How many flights could possibly be leaving the next morning Seungyoon didn’t know for sure, but it couldn’t be many. Chances were they would be flying on the same plane then.

The car driving him home rolled up in front of them then and he hurried inside as the weather was freezing.

                "I’ll be seeing you then, happy holidays"

He said shortly before getting into the car. Taehyun waved at him through the glass before tightening his scarf around his neck. Seungyoon kept thinking about Taehyun all the way home. He had liked the guy well enough and there was no doubt he got some serious talent, but after Mino had told him about the whole kissing ordeal. Well, it had changed his opinion on him more than he would like to admit. Just thinking about it brought forth a burning sensation in the pit of his stomach and this tinge of anger that kept growing. The fact that he was looking at the cause for this anger made the feeling all the more intense. No one would get between him and the person he loved. No one.

It weren’t like him to get this angry, it was a kind of anger he knew came from jealousy and probably his own insecurities. Mino seemed relatively unaffected by the whole kissing ordeal which had made him calm at first, but the more he thought about afterwards the less he liked it. No one could corner his boyfriend and kiss him like that. No one.

The fact that anyone could manage to corner Mino at all was rather surprising to him. He had only managed to do so himself a handful of times and most of them was while Mino had been drunk. He was a big guy and strong, much stronger than him.  He could look intimidating enough when he frowned those thick dark eyebrows of his while talking with that deep voice of his. If you considered the size of his biceps and those big arms of his he could pose as a real threat to anyone who provoked him. Not that it was like Mino to use his strength inn that way.

His mind wandered to other things those strong hands could be used for as he locked himself into his apartment. He missed everything about Mino, from the way he talked to walked. His smile and his confused frown when he had been spacing out after making a dumb joke that no one laughed at but himself. How he would take on any challenge and most likely master it better he himself ever could. Of course there were less lovable sides to him, but Seungyoon was convinced he himself had way more of those than Mino ever would acquire. 

After finishing the last couple of things he needed to get done around the apartment had he slumped down on the couch with his phone. He was about to call his mother when the framed picture on the wall caught his eye. Mino had drawn that while he was sick. The tiny cars on the roads and the people walking around. It felt very alive and vibrant like no other piece of art he had seen. He had decided long ago that it was because he had watched part of its creation, but today he had a different theory. It was because of its creator. Mino had wished to leave behind some trace of himself so badly that he managed to convey it in his art. Seungyoon decided that it had to be the reason.

He liked this reason a lot and it sounded to him like the kind of thing Mino would do. There was a hint of possessiveness to him as well which he liked a lot. Second time today he noted and poked his own cheek. These erted thoughts needed to go, it was Christmas after all.

Wriggling on the spot he was annoyed at himself, the third thought had flown into his mind as soon as the word Christmas had appeared. They had never dressed up before, but he was pretty sure someone would look pretty good as a present. Only the ribbons would do.

It was time for that evening shower. Making it a cold one for good measure. Or not. He might catch a cold again and he wouldn’t want to ruin another few weeks of their time together being sick.

The airport was as crowded as ever. Or even more so Seungyoon thought considering how it was the holidays. He had hoped there would be less as Christmas Eve was only a day away, but lots probably got couple of days off and that was it.

Somehow was it easier to get through everything this way and he bid his manager goodbye at the gate after having made their way through the worst crowds. There had been no sign of Taehyun which he was rather pleased about. He had checked the flights leaving for London and there had been a few different options to choose from. His was the quickest though.

Finding his seat on first class he watched as every seat around him slowly filled up with people. In the end was there only two free seats to his direct left, all the others were taken. Other passengers kept entering on board and the last call went through. The two seat were still unoccupied and he felt uneasy waiting to see if anyone would make it for those two seats during the last call.

Seungyoon had just begun pulling out his ear pods when a person in a long black coat with half-long disheveled hair rushed into the cabin. The person was bowing and apologizing as he went until he reached the seat to Seungyoon.

He had already recognized who it was and he didn’t like it one bit. Taehyun seemed more than a little pleased to see him and gave him a small wave as he put his bag in the compartment next to him.

          "Forgot to check in my guitar as special luggage, what a mess"

Taehyun confessed and put his hair up in a slightly loop-sided bun.

           "I made it though, thank god"

Pulling out the blanket from under his he unfolded it and spread it across his lap before fastening his seatbelt. Seungyoon gave a resigned sigh watching this whole scene unfold.

The flight had gone unexpectantly smooth, mainly because he had slept when Taehyun was awake and then Taehyun slept most of the time he was awake. The only time they both were awake was during the serving of the two meals during the flight. To Seungyoon surprise was Taehyun mainly interested in traveling tips for London. Restaurant recommendations, sight to see and where he could buy old records and books. He almost recommended the book store where Mino worked, but thought better of it last moment.

During their switch of flights in Europe had they walked together in silence, except from when Taehyun had asked him to watch his bags while he ran to the bathroom. Chuckling he waited calmly while checking the times for boarding. The flight was a little delayed due to heavy snow earlier in the day, but it had all cleared up and the traffic was almost back to normal now.

           "So what are your plans for the holidays?"

Taehyun asked after they had found their seats on the plane.

            "Couple things"

He replied without giving it much thought. Taehyun arched those characteristic eyebrows of his quite a bit at this and Seungyoon weren’t sure if it was surprise, disgust or just the way Taehyun looked sometimes.

            "It’s been a while, eh?"

Taehyun finally replied, looking into his lap now while playing with the clip on security belt. Opening and closing it continuously.

            "I’ve missed him a lot yeah"

Seungyoon told him truthfully. There was no point hiding it and he didn’t wish to give any wrong signals. Mino was his, and his alone. There would be no more stolen kisses by mister sneaky over there that much he would make sure of.

            "What?"

Taehyun said, as if he could feel the sudden hostile feelings Seungyoon was feeling for him right now.

            "Eh? Nothing. We got plans, Christmas things amongst them. Going to a market, cooking, testing a few new coffee ideas I got"

The time before and during take-off they spent talking about their favorite kinds of holiday coffees. Taehyun talked about how he would miss the autumn ones with all their pumpkin goodness while Seungyoon couldn’t wait to make candy cane inspired coffees and ones filled with mint and dark chocolate. They would be getting ingredients for those at the market the next day and he was really excited for that.

After a while more of discussing the charms of Christmas in London had he excused himself saying he wanted a catch a bit more sleep before arriving at Heathrow airport.

The next thing he knew was he being waked by the stewardess telling him they were about to land. He quickly packed up his things and waited excitedly. Mino would be closing up the book store about now and would be home by the time he got there.

             "Welcome to London"

He said to Taehyun as they bumped into each other after clearing through customs. Watching Taehyuns amusement was somewhat enjoyable, he could remember the feeling well. There was nothing better than a new city to explore. He knew a car would already be waiting for him as he had arranged for it when he booked the flight. Deciding to be nice he asked

             "Do you need me to call for a car for you?"

 Taehyun shook his head in silence and smiled before replying a few moments later.

             "No thanks, here I am free. If you could point me in the direction of the metro or train station then that would be good"

Heathrow was a huge airport in itself and it took them a while to find it. Taehyun had thanked him gratefully as he helped him get the right type of ticket for the train before waving good bye. He watched him jog down the ramp with his suitcase behind him and guitar on his back. Seungyoon felt his own happiness increase now. He had helped Taehyun, they had separated on good terms and he was rid of him. No invitations or arrangements had been done between them. He was free too, free to do exactly what he wanted and to be with who he wanted.

He had yet to feel much of the holiday spirit while he was back in Seoul. After watching the city of London under an unusual heavy layer of snow for about ten minutes through the car window had all that changed. He was feeling giddy, jolly and had a hard time just sitting still. When the driver asked what he worked as had he offered to illustrate with a song, which lead to him singing Christmas songs for the rest of the trip.

Stepping out of the car in front of the building where Mino lived he could see lights shine out from the top floor window. I’m home! He declared happily to a partially snow covered snowman as he watched the driver pull out on the road. Ringing the doorbell he waited for the familiar voice to reply, but there was none.

He was about to take a step back to have another look up at the window to Mino’s window when he heard the front make a clicking sound. Seconds later and he was hugged so hard that he got the air knocked out of him. Gasping for air he struggled against Mino’s too tight grip.

                "I missed you so much"

Mino said without loosening his grip at all. To the contrary had he hoisted Seungyoon into the air so only his pointed shoe tips touched the snow covered stairs beneath them.

                "I missed you too, but I.Can’t.Breathe"

He protested waving his legs furiously in the air so that Mino would put him down. That helped and he was soon standing steady on the ground again.

                "Well are you just going to stand there? Get moving before we freeze to the spot"

Mino said and picked up Seungyoon’s large suitcase as if it was some old lady’s purse. Seungyoon let Mino pass him with his suitcase before quickly following after him. Watching his strong boyfriend doing physical labor like this did things to him. Making sure to take in every second of the magnificent view he smiled to himself as he studied the broad shoulders, the now half long black hair and the gorgeous skin peeking out at him both at Mino's arms, waist and neck.

Having waited what felt like years, but what was actually weeks he wasted no time. As soon as the door to Mino’s apartment shut behind them and the suitcase was safely on the ground could he simply not wait any longer.

With cold hands trailing warm skin Seungyoon quickly snuck his hands up under Mino’s shirt. He truly was freezing even if he couldn’t have spent that many minutes in the cold. His poor blood circulation in his hands was a blessing now that they proved as a good excuse to go touchy touchy on his boyfriend. Mino weren’t hard to ask and quickly wrapped his arms around Seungyoon’s neck and back, pulling him closer.

                 "Don’t catch a cold now, we have so much fun stuff planned the next days"

Mino mumbled while nuzzling his nose into his hair like he always did. Seungyoon enjoyed that a lot, even if it tickled.

                 "You better warm me up then"

He replied, smiling to himself for his smooth comeback. He could feel Mino’s chuckle as his chest shook a little against his own.

                 "If you insist"

Was the last thing he heard before Mino picked him up and attempted to throw him over his shoulder.

                "Yes I can tell you have been working out, but I’m not some bride you can just pick up and have your way with"

He protested and managed to touch ground with one foot. Stepping away quickly he had to laugh a little as the mental image from before of Mino as a bride appeared in his head again.

                "No bride then, but"

Mino quickly followed and trapped him between his arms, leaning down close, but not so close that their lips touched.

                "I will still have my way with you"

Mino nudged the bedroom door which was already half way open with his foot and grabbed Seungyoon by the shoulder, pulling him along. He felt a swooping feeling in his stomach as they swiftly moved across the room and enjoy the way the world felt like it was spinning too fast for him to follow. Nothing else gave him such a thrill, such excitement as these moments shared with Mino. Not even stepping onto a stage in front of thousands.

Staring into the darkness of Mino’s bedroom he felt warm lips trace their way down his jaw, onto his neck before his shirt got lightly tugged loose from being half-heartedly stuck into his pants to avoid cold air to flow freely. Tiny shivers flew up his spine for every wet kiss and he continuously let his fingers flow through Mino’s smooth hair. He liked it longer like this and he suddenly felt an urge to tug at it.

As Mino’s lips closed in on his s did he do just that, he tugged lightly at his hair. Mino reacted by letting out a nearly in audible complaint before taking his revenge by switching from soft, wet kisses to biting down hard. Now it was his turn to complain and he sat up so that he was resting on his elbows, leaning forward wanting a kiss as pa