Secret Relationship || Seonghwa X Ateez

Yunho carefully plated the pasta, serving Seonghwa first before taking his own portion. Seonghwa twirled his fork into the pasta and took a bite. The flavors melted in his mouth-savory, creamy, and perfectly balanced. He looked up at Yunho, a hint of admiration in his eyes.

"Wow... this is really good," Seonghwa finally said, wiping his lips with a napkin.

Yunho smiled as he sat down across from him. "Of course, it is. Did you forget I used to cook for you back in college?"

Seonghwa chuckled softly, but before he could respond, Yunho leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand.

"So, what was it that you wanted to tell me?" Yunho asked, his eyes searching Seonghwa's face.

Seonghwa hesitated, glancing briefly at his bag where he had carefully placed a small gift. He wasn't sure how to give it to him, knowing Yunho could easily afford it himself. Still, it meant something to Seonghwa.

Just as he was about to speak, his phone buzzed loudly on the table. The name "Dad" flashed on the screen. His stomach twisted. He immediately silenced the call, but another notification popped up-this time a message from his younger brother.

Jongho: Dad's asking where you are. He needs more money.

Seonghwa's expression darkened slightly as he read the text. He sighed, rubbing his temple before locking his phone and placing it face-down on the table.

Yunho noticed the change in his demeanor. "Something wrong?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Seonghwa forced a small smile, shaking his head. "No, it's nothing important. Just some family stuff."

Yunho didn't push, but his gaze lingered on Seonghwa for a moment longer. "You know you can talk to me, right?" Seonghwa nodded, but his mind was elsewhere.

Seonghwa took a deep breath, ready to finally say what he had been holding in. He looked at Yunho, gathering his thoughts. But before he could utter a word, Yunho suddenly spoke.

"Seonghwa... don't be mad, but... Mingi is coming back to Korea soon."

The words hit Seonghwa like a sudden gust of cold wind. His mind went blank for a second. The name echoed in his head-Mingi. The person he had pushed to the very back of his memories, the person he had tried to forget.

He didn't say anything. Instead, he reached for his glass of wine, tilting it back and downing the entire thing in one go. The bitter warmth spread through his chest, but it did nothing to stop the tightening in his throat.

Yunho watched him carefully, his expression unreadable. "I know this is sudden, but... you should know. He's coming back next week."

Seonghwa set his empty glass down a little too forcefully, the soft clink sounding louder in the silence. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to appear composed.

"Why are you telling me this?" Seonghwa finally asked, his voice quieter than before. "I just thought you should know," he said simply.

#@#@#@#

Seonghwa sat slumped on the couch, his head throbbing from the effects of too much wine. His eyes were half-lidded, his mind hazy. Yunho walked over with a glass of water and a small pill, kneeling in front of him.

"Take this," Yunho said, placing the medicine in Seonghwa's hand. "It'll help with the hangover."

Seonghwa stared at the pill for a moment before looking up at Yunho, his expression unreadable.

"Are you going to date him again?" he asked suddenly, his voice hoarse but laced with something close to desperation.

Yunho blinked, confused. "What?"