Monsta X Series

The next morning the weather was wonderful. The air felt warmer than it had been in weeks and the sun was shining brightly overhead. The sunlight seemed to fill you with energy as you sprang out of bed and walked to the large window of your room. Looking out across the lawns, you saw the weeds and grass over taking the pathways leading to the gazebo and pond. The pond looked fresh and inviting, it was the only part of the house that had remained unchanged over the recent years and events.
You got dressed and headed straight to Minhyuk’s room. You didn’t bother knocking on the door. You know for sure he was still asleep at this early hour.
As the door swung open, you pranced over to his bed and crawled into it under the warm covers. Nuzzling up to his jaw line, you began trying to wake him up sweetly.
“Minhyukkie…” you whispered. He sleepily moaned in response but did not open his eyes.
“Minhyukkie…” you whispered again, slightly louder. He moaned again, louder and reached out wrapping his arms around you. You felt warm, pressed against his bare chest as you tried to wake him up again.
“It’s a nice day! We should take a walk” you spoke to him.
“Sure, babe” he mumbled, still sounding full of sleepiness. You giggled at his grogginess. You were surprised at him calling you ‘babe’ but reasoned with yourself that he had probably just been somewhat sleep still.
“Minhyukkie… you’re so warm” you noticed as you snuggled into his chest more. Rubbing your hand along his sides you felt him take a deep breath and shiver. He reached up and grabbed your wrist, pinning it to the bed above you as he crawled on top of you. The suddenness of this made your breath catch in your throat.
“Why are you teasing me like this?” he asked, as he blinked the sleepiness from his eyes on top of you. He had grabbed your other wrist without you noticing and pinned it over your head as well. He never held back anything when he had just woken up. With his body pressed against yours, you felt the strain of his pants this early in the morning between your legs. You swallowed hard before composing yourself enough to answer.
“I just thought… it would be nice to take a walk…” you said breathlessly.
“This early?” he asked, releasing on of your hands to rub his eyes.
“Yes” you smiled up at him innocently. You knew he couldn’t resist. He sighed as he rolled off of you and sat up. Running his fingers through his hair, he looked out the window through squinted and still tired eyes. You pranced over to his closet, grabbing some random clothes and tossing them to him.
“I just miss the days where we used to wander around the grounds, just you and me. It is so bright out today, I thought it would be a good day to…”
“I agree” he yawned and nodded as he pulled the shirt over his head. You turned your back as he dropped his pants and pulled on some jeans you had tossed him.
“Breakfast first?” you asked as he stood up and made his way to the bathroom. He mumbled something you couldn’t hear as a response.
Exiting his room so he could get ready, you walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. You made yourself some coffee and peeled a banana to eat. When you had eaten it halfway, Minhyuk came into the kitchen and took it from your hand. He looked fully awake now and had a wide smile on his face. He leaned next to you on the counter as he finished the banana in three large bites.
“There are more bananas, you know”
“I can grab you one then” he snickered and rubbed the top of your head, nearly making you spill your coffee.
You placed the mug down and walked through the foyer and a back sitting room where there were large French doors leading onto the back porch. You threw them both open as the breeze grazed along your face. You smiled at the beautiful day and took a deep breath of fresh air.
“What makes you want to explore the back yard all of a sudden?” Minhyuk asked as he followed you out onto the porch.
“Seeing Vernon’s house made me remember how much fun this place used to be. How beautiful it used to look…” you leaned against the railing as a light breeze flowed through your hair. Minhyuk slowly walked over and leaned next to you. You both gazed out over the expansive backyard in silence, each with your own thoughts.
“Where do you want to start?” he asked after a few moments of standing next to you reminiscing.
“Let’s look at mom’s flower garden” you said as you walked down the brick steps and into the yard. Weeds were as high as your waist, but flowers could be seen doing their best to poke through the gaps in the taller plants. You cleared some away and noticed the yellow mums had grown huge over the years. Minhyuk followed behind you, watching with caring eyes as you worked, clearing away the weeds and brambles that over took the flowers.
You moved onto another plant and this time it was your mother’s favorite pink roses that you cleared some of the weeds away from, careful to avoid the thorns.
“Moms favorite” you said out loud. Minhyuk walked over and stood next to you looking down at the disorganized rose bush. You stood up and noticed the gazebo not too far off. Grabbing Minhyuk’s hand, you walked towards it, pulling him along behind you.
“Remember in the evenings, father would let us stay up late and read to us?” you remembered out loud as you and Minhyuk reached the gazebo. There was a huge hole in the roof that had caved in, leaving very little room to sit down. You stepped up on one of the remaining seats and walked along it balancing. Minhyuk watched from his spot leaning against the wooden post that used to hold up the roof.
“His favorite was…”
“Gulliver’s Travels” Minhyuk finished for you. He had made his way to the opposite side of the gazebo and walked along the seat like you did; you and he used to do this all the time when you were little.
“Do you think that family of swans ever came back?” you asked Minhyuk as you jumped down from the seats absentmindedly pulling at the wood that used to hold up the roof.
“One way to find out” Minhyuk said holding out his hand. He walked you out of the gazebo as you and he walked hand in hand to the pond. The cattails that had always surrounded the pond had grown over your head. You felt like a small ladybug in a garden. There was a bench at the opposite side of the bank that appeared to be untouched.
“No swans, but it still looks magical. I used the pretend fairies were living in these cattails” you told Minhyuk as you reached out and traced the branches of the cattails with your hand lightly.
“I remember I teased you about that and you cried. I felt awful” Minhyuk reminded you as he walked to the edge of the pond and kicked a small branch into the water. You and he watched as it slowly floated towards the center of the pond.
Standing in the sunlight, you were beginning to feel hot. You took of your jacket and placed it next to you on the ground.
“Remember that one time when mom had bought us our new outfits and we got them wet by playing in the pond. You walked closer to the edge and took off you t shirt, leaving you there in your tank top. Minhyuk looked sideways at you. He too had taken off his jacket due to the heat.
“She was so made she nearly fell in the pond herself.”
“None of that would have happened if you didn’t push me in, in the first place” you said, reaching down, you undid your jeans, preparing to go for a swim.
“What are you doing?” Minhyuk asked sounding alarmed.
“Going for a swim” you said as your jeans fell to your ankles. You stepped out of them as you pulled off your tank top. Minhyuk’s mouth fell open as he stood there watching, his face growing redder as his eyes never left your curves.
“Minhyuk?” you called him out of his gaze.
“Mm?” he looked up at your face.
“Swim?” you asked. He smiled and threw his t shirt off, quickly followed by his own jeans. He walked over and grabbed you into a hug. You tried to run, noting the mischievous gleam in his eye, but he caught up to you easily.
“I know what you are thinking and if you throw me in…” you shouted as he lifted you off of your feet and headed towards the water’s edge. He didn’t stop as he stepped off the bank and into the water, causing it to splash around the two of you. The ripples spread out of the surface of the water, not having been disturbed like this is years.
“Oh no, it feels cold” you shouted and tried to wiggle away as Minhyuk entered the water still carrying you.
“You wanted to swim!” he said as he made it to waist deep water. Without letting go he dropped you into the water and sank next to you submerging his own head. Gaining your balance and standing up, you pushed your sticky wet hair away from your face as you splashed water at Minhyuk and shivered.
“I should’ve expected something like that from you!” you shouted as he splashed you back.
“You wanted to swim and I just helped you out” he said sinking deeper into the water. You followed and wrapped your arms around his as you and he waded into the water together.
“Just like when we were younger.”
“Except we won’t get in trouble this time” Minhyuk said sinking under the water with you.
You and he swam for a few hours before you walked to the bank and gathered you clothes. Shivering as you walked back to the house, you and he sat on the back porch. He had gone inside and grabbed some blankets to drape around the two of you to stay warm.
Sitting there as the stars appeared into the sky, you and Minhyuk traded stories about when you were younger.
“I forgot how your parents died, Minhyukkie” you asked.
“Mom died giving birth to me and dad died when I was four in a rebel ambush. I lived with my aunt but I didn’t like her so I spent most of my time on the street”
“Guess that makes us both orphans then?” he added. You thought for a moment, never having considered yourself an orphan.
“I guess so.” You agreed slowly.
“Good thing we still have each other.” Minhyuk said as he stared at you from where he was sitting. You couldn’t help but look away as he seemed to stare at your lips and lean closer.
“Of course, silly. That will never change” you said standing up, ready to head inside. Minhyuk was getting too serious for the mood you had been in tonight.
“I’m getting tired. The swimming really drained me today” you said grabbing your clothes and preparing to head inside. Minhyuk nodded.
“You tired?” you asked heading for the back door. Once your hand was on the handle, you turned and looked back at Minhyuk. He was looking at the stars and seemed to be staring off into them.
“Minhyuk?” you asked.
“Oh- sorry. No. I’m not tired yet” he said offhandedly.
“Well, good night.” You walked over and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek as you headed inside.
The next morning, you were in the kitchen in the early afternoon when you heard a knock at the door. You heard Minhyuk answer it and heard Jooheon’s voice. Shownu and he had arrived with a borrowed truck to take some furniture to town.
“Hey guys, want some coffee?” you asked as they entered the kitchen.
“I forgot how massive this place was” Jooheon said looking around the kitchen. He and Shownu took a seat at the rickety table as you poured each of them a cup of coffee.
“The furniture is in the living room to the left when you walk in” you told them. They exchanged worried glans before Shown spoke out.
“We came here to ask for Minhyuk’s help, too.” Shownu started to explain. You looked at him skeptically, not liking the sound of where this was going.
“There’s going to be a large meeting with reinforcements from out of town, and we need look outs again”
“Because that worked out well for Minhyuk last time” you shot daggers his way as Shownu finished filling you in.
“He did a good job warning everyone last time. Kihyun and I might have been arrested too if it wasn’t for him” Jooheon filled you in. You felt cornered.
“Seems like I don’t have a say in this” you placed the coffee that you had been pouring back onto the counter and leaned against the counter allowing them to finish filling Minhyuk in on the meeting’s details. You crossed your arms and didn’t hide your unhappiness.
“Cornerstone warehouse. That place looks rough on the outside but the tall roof means plenty of lookout area. And here’s plenty of space for everyone to sit” Jooheon told Minhyuk the location. He nodded and didn’t dare look your way.
“One hour after the normal meeting time” Jooheon concluded.
“I’ll be there” Minhyuk answered as he stole one look in your direction now that he had given them his commitment. He saw you biting your lips and felt guilty, but there was nothing he could do.
“Thanks for getting the furniture into town for me. Just take what you need out of the profits and I’ll take the rest” you told them as you left the kitchen and headed to your room. Shownu and Jooheon knew this was a lot to ask. Minhyuk just sat there feeling guilty. He thought about getting up and following you to your room, but the distant slam of your door told him otherwise.
“Let’s load up the furniture and get going.” Shownu said, draining his coffee mug and placing it in the sink. The other two followed suit. Once the random pieces of furniture was loaded into the truck, Minhyuk took one last look at the house before getting into the back seat.
That evening at the warehouse, Minhyuk and Changkyun were sitting on the right corner of the roof of the warehouse. This was the side closest to town. Dressed all in black, they kept their eyes on the road that headed in their direction.
“So… I heard y/n wasn’t too happy with you being here” Changkyun whispered to Minhyuk, passing the time by making conversation.
“Not one bit. Can you blame her?” Minhyuk adjusted his seated position and did not take his eyes off the road. Changkyun shrugged.
“I also heard that you have a thing for y/n?” Changkyun continued. Minhyuk smiled and looked up at the stars before answering.
“Can you blame me?” Minhyuk responded.
“I was going to say if you didn’t I was going to ask her out sometime” Changkyun joked.
“Hey, watch yourself” Minhyuk said protectively as he pushed Changkyun over.
As he fumbled back to a seated position his eyes locked on something that was heading down the road. Minhyuk followed his gaze and strained his eyes to make out the movement far off in the dark.
“I’m going to get closer. Remember the call sound” Changkyun told Minhyuk as he quickly climbed down the ladder and sprinted in the direction of the movement on the road. Minhyuk held his breath as he let out a specific whistle letting the other lookouts know something might be wrong. Changkyun would be back soon or it would be nothing, or…
Carried by the breeze, Minhyuk heard Changchun’s warning whistle, as did the other lookouts. Each one of them shimmied down a ladder and crept into the meeting. Minhyuk held the door open as the people inside filed out and scrambled to hide in the woods and make their way back to their houses. All of this was done as silently as possible. After the warehouse was empty, Minhyuk heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He quickly tore into the woods and circled around to head back to the road. He was responsible to watch and let the others know when the coast was clear.
He sat by the road side covered by brush, when he felt a cold barrel of a shot gun in his back.
“Stand and face me. Keep your hands where I can see them” Minhyuk cursed inwardly. You would kill him for getting arrested again. He turned slowly as a bright light flashed in his eyes. There was a group of three men, one holding a flashlight and one holding the shotgun. He couldn’t make out their faces, but the one holding the flashlight stepped forward.
“Minhyuk?” Vernon asked, lowering the flashlight and placing his hand on the barrel of the shotgun, causing his comrade to lower it.
“What are you doing here?” he asked, sounding apprehensive. He certainly didn’t want to arrest who he thought was your brother, but there seemed to be no way around it.
Luckily Minhyuk was quick thinking.
“I was walking home from town when I saw the guards and hid.”
“Why would you hide?” Vernon asked, almost chuckling.
“Why wouldn’t I hide? I look suspicious being out this late at night” Minhyuk laughed. Vernon seemed satisfied that Minhyuk knew nothing about the rebel meeting. His comrades weren’t so sure.
“That’s true. I have no choice but to pat you down for weapons, but then you can be on your way” Vernon explained.
“Thank you” Minhyuk said still holding his arms up.
“Look, I know y/n must be wondering where you are, so just get home. Could you give her this note from me?” he asked at the last moment.
“She hasn’t been to town and I haven’t been able to ask her out on a second date” Vernon explained and smiled. Minhyuk nodded and took the note. He hated that he owed this to Vernon for not arresting him. Walking back onto the road, he had no choice but to make it look like he was heading home. Glancing back, he noticed there were no guards near him. He let off one more warning whistle, letting everyone know the guards were still checking the place out. He headed home with his heart pounding, hoping he had done his best to keep someone from getting arrested.
Hearing the front door open from your room, you knew who you hoped this would be. Your breath caught as you ran out your bedroom door and peered down the banister into the foyer below. You sighed with relief when you saw it was Minhyuk that had arrived.
“I have been so worried.” You told him as he ascended the stairs.
“The meeting was found out again. I booked it here” he smiled sheepishly, knowing he would have to tell you the whole story.
“I…uh… I ran into Vernon on my way out.”
“What do you mean…?”
“He caught me, but he let me go. Seemed to think there was no way we have anything to do with the rebellion. He wanted me to give you this note” he added this last part, almost not wanting to hand it to you at all. He hated the fact that you and Vernon being on such good terms was good for him in case he got into trouble.
“Well, I guess I owe him now too” you took the note gingerly. You and Minhyuk seemed to be heading towards something more than childhood friends, but Vernon kept springing back into your life.
You had hoped with the way Minhyuk was acting that he reciprocated the feelings you had for him, but you weren’t sure if you were just imaging what would make you happy.

Notes