late nights || minjoong

- two -

mingi tossed and he turned but no matter what he did he couldn't get to sleep. his sleep schedule was terrible and the insomnia didn't help. he stayed up all night usually maybe passing out here and there for a few minutes. but during the day he couldn't help it, he would just...fall asleep for maybe an hour or two. it was terrible on his body and his mind was exhausted. not to mention recently deleted the 6,000 or so words he had on his report. he had a month to do it, though it seemed like plenty of time, to mingi it was like learning a new language in a week. 

and that's how mingi found himself slipping on his sneakers and grabbing a random book to use an excuse. 

thankfully the lamps inside were still on signaling that hongjoong was still there. he pushed the door open gently but didn't see hongjoong behind the counter. mingi pulled his hood down and ruffled his bed hair. "well at least it's not two am" the older giggled when mingi jumped clearly not expecting him to speak. "sorry didn't mean to startle you. go ahead and sit down" mingi went back over to the table from last night. he placed his book on the table and opened it holding it up in front of him. he heard the sound of a coffee machine and removed his gaze from the pages and peeked over at where hongjoong was working. 

the older was wearing a black long sleeved shirt, however he rolled up the sleeves as he made the coffee. mingi swallowed a lump in his throat and quickly glanced down at his book when hongjoong changed positions to grab a cup. mingi peeked up again and watched hongjoong keep working on the coffee. he found himself blushing and looked down at his book when hongjoong switched positions behind the counter. he took a breath before looking up again but almost screamed when he saw hongjoong leaning against the counter his head propped up by his hand looking right at him with a knowing smirk. the taller coughed and looked down at his book shyly realizing how creepy he probably seemed to the other. 

"you good?" "oh uh yeah...why?" "because you're holding the book upside down" mingi looked down at the page and mentally face palmed for being so idiotic. he snapped the book shut giving up and pushed it away with his lips pressed tight. hongjoong only laughed, but not at him. " here you seem stressed" hongjoong placed the coffee on the table and sat across from him like he did just last night, technically morning since it was two am when the encounter happened. "yeah if i could sleep i might be able to think straight" "well why don't you?" "i can't...i don't know what it is, like insomnia maybe. but the thing is, is that i'm tired i want to sleep but no matter what i try i just can't. i don't know" the younger trailed off starting to worry again.

"not to sound like a basic, aha i work at a cafe type, but...tea...it could help" the two let out a few short laughs and mingi sighed. "i've tried everything, the doctor was no help either...i don't know what caused it." "stress?" hongjoong suggested shrugging. the two stayed silent as hongjoong gazed worryingly at the younger who was deep in thought. the older got up quickly and disappeared into the back room that was blocked by a black curtain. he returned soon after and sat back down but made his presence known when he placed the plate down on the table startling the younger. "you gotta stop doing that" "i'll try" hongjoong pushed the plate towards the other and a fork. mingi looked down and felt a small appreciative smile grow on his lips. "cheesecake? that's my favorite, how did you guess, some kinda witchcraft or something" the younger laughed at himself and grabbed the fork. "maybe, but it's my favorite to, had a hunch that you might have good taste" 

hongjoong couldn't help but smile as the other ate the dessert happily. "how's your report coming?" mingi momentarily stopped chewing, his cheeks full of cheesecake. he swallowed and shook his head sadly. "i deleted what i had. none of it made sense and there was nothing to go off of. i had no argument, it has to be a topic that means something to me..." "something will come up, i'm sure of it." "thank's hongjoong" mingi took the last bite of his cheesecake and sighed. 

"hongjoong?" "yeah" "why the heck are you here so late? yesterday it was 2 am" mingi looked expectantly at the other. hongjoong had stayed late yesterday because a few things in the back needed to be cleaned up and someone broke a shelf in the fridge so he took the time to fix it. usually the cafe closes at 9:30 and hongjoong had the last closing shift. but he stayed tonight because he had a hunch mingi would be back again. which, there he is sitting in front of him so hongjoong's confidence in his gut feeling is starting to grow and he noted to trust it more. "i have the closing shift and i make sure to clean up before i leave" not thinking anything else about it mingi nodded seeing it reasonable. hongjoong seemed responsible so him staying and working over time seemed reasonable. 

"well i'm glad you do..." the two shared a smile and mingi sipped the secret coffee drink that hongjoong whipped up. 

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