t w e n t y n i n e

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"Okay... alright, Channie—I'll see you later then..." Jeongin's voice trailed off as he ended the call.


The moment the phone hit the table, his best friend, gasped dramatically, eyes wide with surprise. His reaction was so intense that he nearly jumped across the table to get closer to Jeongin.


"CHANNIE!? Did I hear that right?" Felix practically screamed, his voice carrying throughout the room.


"Oh my god, Felix, for heaven's sake, lower your voice!" Seungmin groaned, rubbing his temples as if Felix's outburst had physically pained him.


"Uh... is there something wrong?" Jeongin asked, blinking in confusion.


"You called him Channie!" Felix repeated, looking almost horrified. "I've never heard you call him that—ever!"


"Hey, he likes it when I call him that!" Jeongin quickly defended himself, raising his hands as if trying to calm Felix down.


"That just means you're giving in to his wishes! And you never give in!" Felix pointed an accusatory finger at Jeongin before dramatically sighing, sinking back into his seat with a pout. "Innie's changing. Seungmin, mark my words, one day his husband is going to change him completely!"


"And is that supposed to be a bad thing?" Seungmin asked, glancing over at Felix with a raised eyebrow.


"I—uh, no, but—!" Felix stammered, pouting even more as he crossed his arms defensively. "I feel like a mother who's having a hard time letting go of her son. He's growing up too fast."


"Wow," Seungmin said flatly, rolling his eyes. "Real dramatic."


"Forget about this emotional mess," Seungmin continued, turning his attention back to Jeongin. "So, what did Chan actually say?" He leaned in slightly, eager to hear the actual details.


"He just... wants to take me out again after my last class today," Jeongin mumbled, almost embarrassed by the simplicity of it.


"That's great!" Seungmin said, nodding with approval. "I'm really glad you're getting more comfortable with him. The amount of progress you've made is honestly amazing."


Jeongin nodded in agreement, a small, shy smile forming on his lips.


"Also... I hope your mother-in-law hasn't brought up the grandchild topic again?" Seungmin asked, tilting his head slightly as he tried to read Jeongin's expression.


"Well..." Jeongin sighed deeply. "A few days ago, I overheard her talking to Chan. She wasn't arguing this time, but she was lecturing him. She said how the elders have been gossiping about us because one of Chan's cousins is expecting another child, and... well, we're still not parents," his voice lowered to a near whisper, his fingers tightly gripping the empty juice carton in his hand, twisting it in his anxiety.


"Hey, Jeongin. Don't let her words get to you, okay?" Seungmin said firmly, his tone shifting to one of gentle reassurance. "You don't have to rush into anything. Things are always better when you take your time and go at your own pace."

𝔇𝔢𝔞𝔯 𝔏𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩𝔶 ᴊᴇᴏɴɢᴄʜᴀɴWhere stories live. Discover now