Monsta X Series

The next morning Minhyuk woke you early as the sun poked through the curtains.
“Morning” you rolled over and greeted him as he quickly stood and grabbed his clothes to change into from the day before.
“How did you sleep? Did the storm keep you up?” he asked as he walked back over and sat next to you on the bed.
“I slept great, thank you. How did you sleep?” you asked.
“Great. How could anyone sleep badly with you next to them” he said, before standing up and exiting the room. You didn’t think you had heard him correctly but before you opened your mouth to ask him what he meant, he had left the room. You heard the bathroom door down the hall close.
You stood up and bent over to grab your pants and shirt from the day before when you heard someone open the door.
“Minhy- whoa. I mean-oops” you heard Changkyun behind you in the doorway getting a full view of your butt in your underwear. You turned and covered yourself with your folded up shirt and jeans as best as you could.
“Knock next time!” you shouted at him.
“I’m sorry! I was looking for Minhyuk! I thought you went to the bathroom!” he explained as he covered his eyes.
“That was Minhyuk, idiot!”
“I’m sorry! I thought you would still be sleeping, but now I can see why Minhyuk is so protective of you…” he said as he turned around in embarrassment and walked away in a hurry.
“Wait- what did you say?” you called after him. When you poked your head out of the door frame, Changkyun was nowhere in sight.
“What did who say?” Minhyuk asked as he returned from the bathroom.
“Changkyun caught me in my undies” you told him as you walked back into the room to gather up your clothes once more. Minhyuk looked down the hallway mildly offended as he absentmindedly followed you back into the room.
“I thought I told you that you can’t walk around like that?” Minhyuk asked sternly.
“I wasn’t walking around! The door was closed and he was looking for you. He just didn’t knock” you explained. It’s not like you invited Changkyun in with you.
“Besides you guys don’t view me that way, right?” you asked, half wanting the truth.
“In what way are you talking about?”
“In a sexual way, you know…” you elaborated. Minhyuk and you looked at each other as silence passed. Your cheeks reddened.
“I’m going to change.” You said before the awkward silence could grow. You pulled up your jeans over your under wear and headed to the bathroom to finish getting ready.
After you had rinsed your face and gotten you clothes on from yesterday you met the boys in the kitchen. A few of them leaned against the counter with coffee while Shownu and Minhyuk sat at the table and outlined their planes for entering the city. You made yourself some coffee, greeting everyone a good morning, except Changkyun.
“I’m still sorry” he whispered to you as you asked him to move so you could reach a coffee cup.
“so Jooheon and Changkyun will enter the city through the front gate and open the back door of the loading docks to let us in. there is never anyone back there but Changkyun should keep watch just in case.” You over heard him outline.
“Be safe guys” you told them as they all stood up and get ready to leave. Minhyuk was the last to stand as he walked over to say good bye.
“Don’t worry, I will” he comforted you and kissed you on the cheek, only to leave quickly afterwards. Kihyun, who was not going with them, looked from you to the door that Minhyuk had exited through. He had this annoying smirk on his face.
“What?” you asked him as you took a sip of your coffee.
“Nothing...” He said, but the smirk told you that this was a lie. You didn’t press the issue. You had no idea what that kiss meant either.
When all the guys had gotten safely into the city, they made their way to the bookstore to sell your fathers old books and buy some food. The streets were crowded and muddy puddles sat everywhere from the storm the night before. They walked silently to the book store, when they saw the guards that were out in abundance, slowly walking the streets in groups of two and three.
Stepping in front of the group, one of them stopped and poked Minhyuk in the chest with his finger.
“Minhyuk- where’s your sister? I haven’t seen her in a while.” A young guard that had a fancy for you asked. Minhyuk licked his lips before answering.
“She forgot her ID. She wasn’t let into the city.” He explained. The guard smiled a perfect smile.
“You should have just come found me” he shook his head and chuckled. Minhyuk smiled, but didn’t like that this guard liked you so much.
“I will remember that next time” Minhyuk responded. He didn’t want to sound rude, but he couldn’t ignore the way this guard would stare at you and carry your bags when you entered the city. He would find any excuse to talk to you. Minhyuk could go on and on.
“Tell her I say hello” the guard said in a friendly manner as he walked back to his comrades. Minhyuk nodded. He had no intention of telling you anything as he turned to find Shownu and continue their walk to the bookstore. He scanned the crowd and saw Shownu talking to a tall man. They nodded once and parted.
Shownu walked back to the rest of the group and in a low voice told them quickly what he and the other man had been talking about.
“Meeting. Fifth’s bridge. Same time” was all he said and it was met with everyone’s head nodding once. It was barely noticeable to anyone watching. Changkyun walked next to Minhyuk and dropped his voice as well.
“We need one more lookout.”
“You know how y/n feels about this. I can’t…”
“There will be pay this time” Changkyun added. Minhyuk looked at him sideways and sighed. He hated seeing you always having to sell your family’s things to pay for food.
“I’m in” he said without thinking about it anymore, and they shook hands.
They sold all the books and bought some fresh food for everyone, as well as some extra for you and Minhyuk to take back home. Minhyuk made sure to buy you a cookie that he had promised.
When they returned a few hour later, you had been sitting on the couch watching the television with your nerves at an all-time high. You would never relax until they got back.
“Here is that cookie I promised you” Minhyuk said taking the seat next to you and handing over the cookie.
“Thank you. How was town?” you asked. What you meant by this question was really: did you get into any trouble?
“Not interesting. Sold those books. Got food, and that was it” Minhyuk informed out as he watched the television by your side.
“And, y/n, that guard asked about you again” Changkyun informed you.
“Vernon?” you asked, feeling curious.
“Yeah. He said next time you can’t get into the city just find him and he will let you in” he continued. Minhyuk remained silent.
“Thanks. That’s sweet of him.” You said absentmindedly, but Minhyuk scoffed.
“There is nothing sweet about him. He would arrest any of us first chance he got”
“You always seem to give him a reason to arrest you.” You shot back, not liking Minhyuk’s attitude.
“I don’t want to argue with you. Look…“he turned and took hold of both of your hands.
“This can’t be good. You are never asking something simple when you take my hands like this”
“It is easier for you to see my sad puppy eyes this way” he said smiling.
“Go on” you agreed.
“There’s a meeting tonight…“, you began your protest as soon as he said this.
“And- they just need more look outs”
“Minhyuk! You know how I feel about getting involved like this!”
“Just lookouts! It is hardly getting involved” you stood up and left before he could tell you anymore. You retreated to Hyungwon’s room, hoping Minhyuk wouldn’t follow you and continue arguing. You closed the door behind you to let Minhyuk know you were done talking about this, just in case. He could do what he wanted, but you would not show your support.
A few hours later, the group was getting ready to leave, making sure they were dressed all in black and talking in low voices already. You exited the room to see them off, begrudgingly. It was oddly sneaky to you, and you didn’t like it.
“We will be fine. I promise” Minhyuk tried to convince you as he walked over to hug you good bye. He had that smile plastered across his face again. You nodded, but could not smile, and only halfheartedly hugged him back.
“Don’t wait up. I’ll wake you when I get back”
“Wake me and I will really be mad”
“So you aren’t really mad now?” he teased. He was adorably insufferable at times.
“Minhyuk, let’s go” Shownu said quietly as he opened the front door and walked into the street. The rest of the group followed, leaving you to have the house to yourself. You watched them retreat down the road and into the brush alongside so they wouldn’t be seen. Minhyuk waved one last time before he too disappeared.
There was nothing else for you to do but head to Hyungwon’s room and try to sleep. You sighed as you tossed and turned for what must have been hours, before you heard the front door open. You let out a sigh of relief that quickly caught in your throat when you heard your name being called.
“Y/n?” Changkyun shouted. You sprang up and headed for the door, flinging it open. Running down the hallway you pulled Minhyuk’s sweatshirt on.
Following the voices to the kitchen, you saw Shownu and Changkyun standing there looking urgent.
“What?” you asked them.
“They’ve been arrested. The meeting was fond out.” Shownu told you.
“We were able to warn most of them but-“
“Not Minhyuk. Who else?” you asked them, too nervous to sit down.
“Wonho too. Hyungwon was still home with the baby. Jooheon and Kihyun got away.” You sighed when you were told this.
“I will bail them out tomorrow then” you said angrily.
“Do you have the money for that?”
“I will have to sell some things to cover the cost but it will work out” you sighed again and sat down at the table. You felt ten times more exhausted now but there was nothing you could do at such a late hour. Shownu patted your shoulder, his way of showing support, before he made his way to his room. He too knew there was no point in worrying tonight.
“You forgot your pants” Changkyun said by way of lightening the mood, before he too walked to his room, leaving you to sulk in bitterness for Minhyuk being so foolish.
You hardly slept the rest of that night and was up bright and early. You had the money in hand to get Minhyuk and Wonho out of jail. Your plan was to do that, and take him straight home.
You didn’t wait for Shownu and Changkyun to wake up and help you out. The guard said he would be helpful, and you were determined to put it to the test. Your anger lead the way.
Walking right up to the front gate, you saw the guards standing watch over the people presenting their IDs. You suddenly felt nervous. What were you going to do if he wouldn’t help you out? You would have to sneak in and you didn’t think you had the balls for something so daring.
“Y/n!” you heard your name and looked for the source. You smiled and waved when you saw it was just the person you were looking for. Not wanting to seem too obvious, you didn’t break the line, but waited for him to walk over to you.
“Your brother said you forgot your ID?” he asked.
“I-I did, but I was going to explain that my brother is here and I need to find him and take him home after I grab some food.” you explained innocently. There was no way you could tell him your brother got arrested from the meeting that was being held last night.
“Well, just follow me” he told you as he flashed you his perfectly straight and white teeth.
“Thank you” you said as you followed him right past the line and into the city.
It had been a few weeks since you had been in town, and not much had changed. The smell of the fresh food in the shops was tantalizing. The clothes hanging in the windows were fun and flirty. Kids ran in and out of the toy shop and the ice cream parlor next door. Walking around the city always brought a smile to your face, until you felt someone watching you.
You turned your head and saw Vernon staring at you.
“Yes?” you asked as he apologized at the same time.
“Sorry… it’s just you look like you enjoy the city” he shook his head and looked away from you.
“I do. It is so fun and full of people” you smiled as you glanced in every window that you passed.
“It is a lot prettier when you are here” he said shyly. You and he blushed.
You were trying to think of a diversion, to break away from Vernon and head to the jail. He couldn’t accompany you there. As you made it to a fork in the street, you stopped walking and turned to face Vernon. You shuffled your feet awkwardly, knowing you needed to thank him for helping you out.
“Well, um, I guess I owe you one” you told him awkwardly.
“How about dinner?” he asked, speaking quickly.
“Dinner?”
“I mean, I would love to take you out sometime. drinks? Dessert? Dinner?” he smiled and waited for an answer.
“I suppose it is the least I could do” you agreed, feeling a bit shy and even more awkward agreeing to go out it him.
“Great! I will catch up with you next time you are in the city” he said happily as he walked away to return to his guard duties. That certainly wasn’t what you had been expecting he wanted as payment.
You walked to the jail with renewed annoyance as you headed for the front desk. There sat a fat man with a huge beard. His nose was large and his belly was round. The gold buttons on his shirt strained against the pressure.
“I haven’t seen you here in a while. Cell number 4” he pointed with his thumb over his shoulder, letting you know you could go back and see the boys that had gotten themselves locked up in here. You thanked him and walked briskly to cell 4. As you got closer you heard Wonho and Minhyuk laughing. It made you even madder.
“If it is so fun in jail than I guess I should just leave you here” you stormed up the bars and let them know you were not ready to hear their excuses. Minhyuk stood and grabbed onto the bars in front of you.
“Look, I know you are going to say ‘I told you so’ and maybe you were right but…” Minhyuk looked like he wanted to argue more but you held up a hand.
“Do you want out or not?” you asked putting your face close to his so that you could feel his breath on your face.
“Out. Please” he smiled between the bars at you.
“Then shut up.” You said through clenched teeth.
You walked back to the front desk and handed the man enough money for the both of them. It was all the reserves you had saved and carried with you, just in case Minhyuk needed bail money, (he usually did), as well as some borrowed from Shownu with an IOU.
After Minhyuk and Wonho had been let out, they were both still too happy for your liking. They had just been thrown in jail, and here they were practically prancing down the street like they owned the place. You glared at their backs as they walked ahead of you.
Returning to Shownu and Jooheon’s place, Wonho entered the front door, saying something about it being nice to be back home. Minhyuk made an attempt to follow but you grabbed the back of his shirt.
“No way. We are going home. We have been hanging out in the city for far too long” you tugged his shirt once and then began walking back in the direction of your home.
“Can’t we stay one more night if I promise to not leave your side?” he asked. You didn’t answer he was pushing his luck. He left you in silence for a few moments before he spoke up again. Silence wasn’t his forte.
“Thank you for bailing us out. What did you have to sell this time?” he asked, dreading the answer.
“The rest of father’s books. Shownu lent me most of the money so I just have to sell the rest next time I am in town and pay him back”
“I’m sorry. I can get…”
“Get the books back. thanks. I know” you finished for him. A few more minutes of silence passed between the two of you. He noticed your pace was still furious. Your mansion was in sight a lot sooner than it normally was.
“How did you get into the city? Are they taking bribes again?” he asked, rounding the last curve in the road that lead to your driveway. He hoped if he kept the conversation going that your anger would melt away. Usually, that worked.
“Vernon helped me” you told him as you grabbed the front gate and tugged sharply
“The guard?” he asked, stopping in his tracks. The gate almost closed on him as he stood there in his shock.
“He said he would help and he did. Thanks to him you were able to not spend another night in jail” you told him as he caught up to you. You were already at the front door, and tugging it open as well. You sighed as a single window pane fell out and hit the wooden front porch at your feet. The universe was taunting you.
“Nice of him to just do that”
“Yes it was- and so was the fact that he offered to take me to dinner sometime as payment” you said facing Minhyuk once in the foyer. For once he looked speechless.
“Dinner?” he asked after it had sunk in. It was his turn to look mad.
“Yes, numb nuts. Dinner” you said no more and turned walking up the stairs, remembering to jump over the bottom one. You were determined to head to your room and close the door. You had had enough of today.

Notes