If there was one thing about Minho, it was the fact that it was difficult to get him to wake up in the morning. It was the fourth time you pressed the redial button, and the fifth time you sent him a message. Alright, you thought, 9 was a little too early to meet but it was the time to meet and have breakfast before he went for the Idol Sports Championship at noon.

“We’ll have breakfast at the waffle store. Your favorite. I promise.”

You seethed to yourself dramatically, glaring at the thought of Minho saying that to you over the phone the night before. Trust Minho to do anything but wake up early.

You slumped on your bed, regretting your dolling up and such. You were only going to have breakfast and watch him go. You’ll be watching him instead of having him watch you for the rest of the day, but you still dressed up anyway. Your effort made you sigh. Not only that, but Minho could be late if he’s still not awake.

There was another option and it was to call Key. He was most probably awake, and making sure that everyone else was, too. You waited as the phone started to ring.

Key, in the SHINee dormitory, frantically looked for his phone. “WHERE’S MY PHONE?”

Taemin laughed at his hyung. Onew was in the kitchen pouring some cereal before turning to look at a scrambling Key. “Wasn’t Taemin playing around with it earlier?”

The umma of the house turned and face the maknae, eyes wide and mouth agape. “YAH! I CAN HEAR IT BUT NOT SEE IT! WHERE DID YOU PUT IT!? AND HOW MANY TIMES DID I TELL YOU NOT TO TOUCH MY THINGS!?”

Taemin burst out laughing and quickly pointed to the coffee table. “Under it!”

Key rolled his eyes and picked up the call without looking at the caller’s name. “Yeoboseyo!”

You sighed when you heard Key’s voice. “Finally,” you said. “Is Minho awake by any chance?”

“Oh, you!” Key laughed. He looked down the short hallway and so no sign of Minho. “I think he’s in the shower,” he said.

“He’s not,” Taemin answered, chewing on his favorite potato chips as he flipped the channels on the television. “He left already.”

“He did?” Key’s eyes widened.

“Yeah, why you were taking ages in the other bathroom, he jumped out of bed, took the quickest shower and went out without eating,” Onew said, sitting next to Taemin with his cereal. “He even left his phone on the counter.”

You heard everything that was going on in Key’s background. A part of you softened. You looked at your watch; it was almost half nine but at least Minho was on his way.

“Well then, thanks,” you said to Key.

“No problem. Make sure he tells us where to pick him up. We have the Idol Sports Championship today.”

You nodded, said goodbye, and hung up.

* * *

Minho finally reached your house. You met him with a pout when you opened the door, and found yourself greeted by a panting, but dashing, young man.

“Annyeonghaseyo,” he bowed to you, obviously being formal since he had something to make up for. He smiled a little, hoping you would, too.

“It’s past 10 now. You have to go in less than two hours. I’m not going downtown to the store and back just to smell the waffles, you know.” You had your arms crossed.

Minho was quite disheartened, giving a small pout to match yours when he stepped into the house. He was level with you, and so he appeared much taller as he looked down at you. He came so close so suddenly that it made you awkward. Quickly, you stepped back. He went closer again and your bodies touch. When you appeared shocked, he had that adoring smile of a five-year-old that you found hard to say no to.

“Yah, what do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m sorr—”

You stomped on Minho’s foot once, lightly, and he made a short and sharp ‘ahh!’ that made you smile just a tiny bit. You ignored him and turned around to walk inwards but heard the rustling of a plastic bag and the next thing you know, a box hit you and a hand grabbed your wrist all at the same time. Minho had caught you and wouldn’t let you go.

You turned and saw the childishly apologetic look on his face. “Yah, don’t do this to me. I got you the waffles and came here as fast as I could. I even took the taxi. These waffles are no longer than 10 minutes old. It’s still hot and crispy.”

He brought the bag close to your face and you took a while before deciding to accept it. “You’re lucky because I’m a very forgiving person,” you said, when in fact you really couldn’t say no to Choi Minho.

Minho grinned excitedly and leaned in to your face. “No, I’m lucky because I have you.”

“Yeah, right,” you mumbled. You felt like you blushed, and quickly wanted to turn away. When you did in fact, Minho grabbed you from behind, hugging your waist. He nuzzled over your neck quickly and brushed his lips over your jawline.

You leaned back on his chest and closed your eyes with mouth slightly agape. You definitely loved his touch.

“You don’t seem to believe me,” he whispered with his deep voice, so deep it sounded like it came from the soles of his feet.

Your voice was almost caught in your throat. “I believe in something, in something else…”

“What is it?” Minho asked huskily, letting his lips linger lightly against your neck, sending shivers down your spine. His hug was tighter than before.

“I believe…” You said. Then you turned around and was enveloped perfectly in his arms. Leaning into his ears as he bent down, you whispered, “I believe that waffles are best eaten warm.”

Minho was surprised when you pried out of his grip and ran straight for the kitchen. You laughed at him. He was left, mouth open and speechless. He smiled to himself and shook his head before closing the door and heading to look for you. It amazed him time after time how you could pull his strings so well.