Page 41 of Idol Prize
Min Jae’seyes fluttered open as the first rays of early morning sunlight filtered through his bedroom window curtains. He shifted, releasing some of the pressure on his shoulder, now sore from sleeping on the mat. Beside and above him, the rhythmic sounds of Andy’s quiet breathing. Min Jae inhaled, long and deep, and nearly choked. Two people sharing his tiny bedroom, sleeping off a huge dinner and two bottles of soju, had produced a funk of magnificent proportions. A single spark would probably reduce the whole house to splinters. He’d have to leave the window open all day just to air it out.
Quietly groaning, Min Jae climbed from his temporary bed and visited the bathroom, leaving the window open afterward for whatever wonders were yet to be visited on his toilet. He brushed his teeth and splashed some water on his face before returning to his room–and a still-sleeping Andy–to grab a t-shirt. His grandmother’s door was still closed as he padded by on his way to the kitchen. She’d really gone all out for Andy. Min Jae had expected nothing less, judging by her overjoyed reaction to his announcement that he was bringing Andy home with him. She’d long wished that he’d introduce her to more of the people in his life. Hopefully, Andy was enough to last her fora while. Andy, who was in his home, in his room right then, still asleep.
Min Jae ignored the rice cooker–they had plenty left over from dinner–and filled the electric kettle. As it began to burble, he grabbed the French press and a pair of mugs from the cupboard. He added two scoops of ground coffee to the French press before quietly huffing and adding a third. Then he pulled out an additional mug, too. Being at home was supposed to be an escape. A domain that only he and his grandmother inhabited. An environment he could control.
Min Jae still wasn’t sure if bringing Andy home with him had been his best idea. It had seemed so at the time he’d thought of it. And, as the day went on, they both grew more comfortable with each other–directed not-so-subtly by his grandmother–to the point where Min Jae felt like he actually knew Andy now. Andy, who was still asleep in his bed inside a room smelling of nerve gas and intestinal distress.
But Min Jae and Andy had fired their warning shots, too, in their most naked flirting session yet. Naked, almost literally. It had been a long time–years, probably–since someone had flirted with Min Jae who wasn’t paying him for the privilege. Longer still since Min Jae had flirted back. But mixing his personal feelings and attractions with his idol goals was an unsolvable equation. The sooner they got to talking about how to best take advantage of their fan ship, the better.
As if Min Jae’s thoughts had summoned him, Andy soon crossed the hall between the bedroom and bathroom, yawning and wearily rubbing his messy hair. The kettle had long since boiled, Min Jae already quietly enjoying his coffee by the time Andy finally emerged.
“Yikes,” Andy quietly exclaimed. “That dinner was amazing but it did me a little wrong, too. I opened your window. Hope you don’t mind.”
Min Jae snorted and shook his head. “It was the kimchi. Mygrandmother’s recipe is heavenly, but it can pack quite a punch if you’re not used to it.”
Andy crossed the kitchen, making a beeline for the French press, still dressed in his not-quite-big-enough t-shirt that left a few centimeters of his smooth, flat stomach exposed, and the red athletic shorts that left nothing to the imagination. A flash of Andy lying in his bed, his shorts–no. That could never happen.
“Did you sleep alright?” Min Jae asked as Andy brought his mug to the table and sat.
Andy nodded. “Honestly? Like the dead. Your bed’s surprisingly comfortable.”
“I splurged on a nice mattress,” Min Jae confessed. “I figured it was worth it.”
“It was.” Andy sipped his coffee and nodded with approval. “So, what’s our plan today?”
Min Jae grabbed his mug and settled back into his chair. “I’d say that’s up to you, but I know you’re not familiar with the area–”
“If by area, you mean this whole country,” Andy cut in, grinning.
“I suppose so. I thought we could go out and explore. There’s shopping and cafes not too far from here, if you like that. Or, we’re right next to Bukhansan Park. It’s got a lot of great trails for running or hiking.”
Andy sipped his coffee again, his eyes narrowing, his right eye to the point of crinkling in the corners. The way he always did when giving an idea serious consideration. “I don’t know about running, but I could definitely go for some hiking trails.”
Of course, Andy chose what Min Jae wanted, too. Why did they have to be so damn compatible? “Great. I can show you some good ones.” He glanced at the refrigerator. “Are you hungry? I can reheat something from yesterday.”
Andy vigorously shook his head. “No, but thanks. I ateenough last night to skip the next three or four meals, but I’ll probably just skip breakfast.”
Min Jae chuckled. How did Andy manage to be so charming in the morning? “It’s just as well. It’s better to hike early before most of the tourists start showing up.”
“Ah.” Andy nodded, sitting forward. “Alright. I might take a quick shower before we go, if that’s okay.”
“Be my guest.” Min Jae gestured toward the doorway. “My grandmother probably won’t wake up for a little while. She likes to sleep late after long days.”
Andy nodded again. “Yeah, I get that. I’d probably still be asleep, too, if it wasn’t for–” His stomach gurgled, loudly announcing itself. He immediately grinned. “Shit. Time for round two, I guess. I’ll be quick.”
Min Jae casually waved him off, already charmed to the point of actual irritation. “Take your time.”
Min Jae went back to his phone, hidden face-down on his seat while Andy was there, and continued scrolling through his feed. The number of #MinDy posts, good, bad, and other, totally astounded him. What the showrunners had played for them during their viewing party was hardly even a fraction. The attention was intoxicating. And terrifying. Just like any powerful tool, its effectiveness depended on its proper use. Use it wrong, and it could just as easily curse you as bless you.
The door to his grandmother’s bedroom clicked and squeaked open the moment Min Jae heard the shower start. Almost as if she was waiting for it.
“Of course, I waited,” she explained without apology. “You two were getting on so well last night, I thought you could use some privacy this morning.”
Min Jae nearly spat out his coffee. “Privacy for what, exactly?”
His grandmother stirred three spoonfuls of sugar into her mug. Another of her bad habits. “I’m sure I don’t know. For whatever you got up to last night.”
Min Jae huffed, gripping the edge of his seat, his shock quickly being overtaken by his terror. “And just what do you think we got up to?”
