the in-between | xmh+kmg+lsm ?

In the days leading up to Christmas, Seokmin is flooded with exams, but he doesn't have to feel as guilty as he has been. Mingyu and Minghao are in the middle of their exams too, so it's not only Seokmin's fault that the three of them aren't able to spend time together.

That Friday night, Minghao asks Seokmin if they can talk. It's a little nerve-wracking, but he's holding Seokmin's hand, so Seokmin isn't too concerned. They sit in silence on their bed for nearly two minutes while Seokmin waits for Minghao to speak.

"I think it's time we ask Gyu to move in with us," Minghao says eventually.

Seokmin's eyebrows shoot up.

"I know it's kind of early," Mnghao says quickly. Seokmin quickly schools his face into a flat expression, knowing the surprise might have come off the wrong way. "Time has nothing to do with it, I just think... I feel like we're ready. I think he'd want it too. You know what I mean?"

"Yeah," Seokmin says slowly.

He looks at Minghao through the dim lighting, taking in the sight of his messy hair and dark circles. He's worn the same pajama shirt for a few days now, and he very clearly needs a haircut and a long nap after exams are over. Seokmin's heart swells with a familiar affection regardless.

"Okay," he says.

Minghao blinks at him. "What? That's – that's it?"

"I mean, yeah," Seokmin says. "I trust you. If it feels right to you, then I don't see why not."

"Please don't just any that for my sake," Minghao says. "It doesn't matter what I think if you're not ready. We need to agree on this and actually talk about it if we don't."

The unlike last time, although unstated, rings loudly through the air. Seokmin squeezes Minghao's hand. "Mingyu is always here anyway," he says carefully, because it's easier to talk about practicality than about emotions.

"Moving in is a much bigger deal than how often he comes over," Minghao says.

Seokmin grins. "Are you sure you're not the one who doesn't want him to move in?"

"Of course not," Minghao says. "I just... don't want you to say yes because you feel like you have to."

"I'm dating Mingyu too, remember?" Seokmin says gently. "It's fine. Don't worry about that. I think it'll be great."

Minghao smiles back at him and scoots over so that they're pressed against each other, leaning his head onto Seokmin's shoulder and sighing. Seokmin wonders what it'll be like when they have Mingyu in this bed with them instead of on the couch where they usually all hang out. No, they'll probably have to buy a new bed. Mingyu is far too tall.

"Gyu tells me you haven't popped the L-word yet," Minghao says.

"Oh," Seokmin says. He's not sure what else to say. He knows Minghao and Mingyu say they love each other all the time, since Minghao is so dependent on words for affection; Seokmin himself tells Minghao he loves him fairly often as well. Seokmin and Mingyu just haven't gone there yet, but it's not as though he's unsure about his feelings for Mingyu. In fact, he's fairly confident that for once he knows what he's feeling.

"I don't know," he says eventually. "I mean, I do. L-word him. It's just..."

"You're scared?" Minghao guesses. "He told me he's pretty sure he's in love with you. Like, ninety-nine percent sure."

"Oh, good, me too," Seokmin says.

"Say that to him, not me," Minghao complains. "I swear, both of you – I'm your boyfriend, not your messenger."

Seokmin grins and pats his cheek. "Sorry. Maybe I'll tell him Christmas day when we ask him to move in."

Minghao seems to be taken by surprise for a second, like he still can't believe Seokmin's on board with his proposal, but he doesn't question it further. "Christmas, then," he agrees, cheeks a little red as he smiles. Seokmin's heart does an ambitious series of flips in his chest, but still manages to stick the landing, and he thinks that if he loved Minghao any more, he would probably burst.