Work Text:
Minho didn’t know what to do. Thomas would call him a bi-saster again if he knew that his best friend already had a crush on his new neighbor, one week after moving from their native California to New Mexico.
Minho defended himself in his head ; it was not his fault that his parents had this horrible tradition of going to knock on their new neighbors’s door and offer them cookies. They also loved dragging with them Minho and Sun, his little sister. And it was even less his fault if Mr and Mrs Smith (what a cliché name for an english family (but after all he is korean and named Park) had a blond, grey-eyed, tall, beautiful son who was the same age as Minho. Everything that he loved in a guy. Plus he saw him drawing in his garden, and if the guy was an artist, Minho was utterly fucked. It was his sweet spot, people who could draw.
Ever since he saw him, standing behind his parents, looking bored as if he wanted to be anywhere but where he was, Minho couldn’t get him out of his head. He just wished very hard that he would not make a fool of himself during the one month and a half that wass left of summer, which, according to his parents, he was supposed to spend meeting new friends and exploring the city. If one could call Carlsbad, New Mexico a city, with its barely-reaching-thirty-thousands-inhabitants. It was a stark contrast with the city they grew up in, Spring Valley, in the agglomeration of Los Angeles. At least there was an high school, so Sun and him wouldn’t have to travel in the morning. But that was also another reason Minho couldn’t make an ass out of himself with the british boy across his street : there was a ninety percent chance the boy went to the same school as him.
That’s why, with all the logic he could master, Minho decided to make a move on the guy. Yes, he didn’t even know his name. Yes, the english boy didn’t know him either. Yes, it was a stupid idea, and yes, Minho would surely end up being laughed at or ignored. But if it didn’t work, he could at least try to make a friend. So, in the middle of the afternoon, on a sunny day of july, with his family out in the city, Minho Park went out in the street, hoping that the blond would be home.
In his room, Newt was quietly working on his newest painting, with his window open. He was savouring the rare peace and silence in his house, which was something he couldn’t have often since his parents were almost always fighting loudly, when they weren’t working on their newest project. Thankfully, today, they were far away, a congress for historians of their field being held in Sacramento.
Just when Newt was thinking about the peace and quiet, music came suddenly from his street, startling him. After a few seconds, he recognized ''Call me maybe'', a song he never could bear. Sighing loudly, the blond stood up, going to close his window. Just when he was about to go back to his work, he looked down to his street, and was very confused to find his new neighbor, holding a sign with his name -Minho- and his number, standing just in front of his house, looking up to his bedroom window. When their eyes met, Newt jumped back slightly, and Minho smiled broadly. Exasperated, Newt smiled back at him hipocritically, and closed his window. He missed the look of disappointment which painted itself on Minho’s face at his reaction.
Despite his angry attitude, the blond had memorized the number, and he couldn’t help writing it down. The smiling face of the asian was in his mind for the rest of the day, and after eating dinner alone, Newt picked up his phone and called his neighbor, hoping he wouldn’t answer. He wasn’t so lucky.
« Yes ?
– You’re Minho ?
– You’re the cute english ? Uh, Mr. Smith ?
– S’okay. You don’t know my name yet anyways.
– True. I wasn’t expecting you to call me, you seemed pretty angry.
– It’s just that you picked the ONE song I hate more than everything in this world. Well, maybe except maths.
– Yeah I thought it fitted the situation, and don’t worry, I listen to other things than Carly Rae Jepsen.
– I hope so. If you plan on talking to me… and more, you’ll have to find another thing than soppy pop.
– Uhh,,, what do you say about The Clash ? Or The Doors ?
– Very, very good. You are improving already, Minho.
– We aren’t equal here. You know my name and I still don’t know yours.
– I’m Newt.
– Pleasure to meet you, Sir Newt.
– I feel some sarcasm here.
– Hmm… yes. But, for real, it’s nice talking to you. My friend would call me a bi-saster for having a crush on someone I never talked to, but I regret nothing.
– A crush ? You’re already there ? »
And their conversation went on and on, until they both realized that the sun was rising and that they were falling asleep on their phones.
« Could we meet ? Like, for real ?
– Yes ! When ?
– Tomorrow. I’ll come to your house at noon and I’ll take you to my favorite place in the city.
– I want it to be tomorrow already !
– I can feel your pout and it is tomorrow already.
– Well, sleep tight Newt.
– Good night Minho. »
Next morning, Minho was woken up by a rather loud banging on his bedroom door.
« Minho ! Min ! Wake up you fucker !
– Are we at the nickname stage already ? What time is it ? And what the fuck are you doing in my house ?
– Relax pretty boy, it’s quarter past ten, and your sister let me in. She said, and I quote « You must be really stupid if you are going on a date with someone as stupid as my brother. »
– Sounds like her. Well, uhh, you can wait in the living room while I get dressed ? It’ll only take five minutes.
– Okay. »
Minho jumped to his closet, trying to find something to put on that wasn’t sport clothes or something too smelly. Finding something decent to wear was harder than he thought, and by the time he went downstairs, Newt was in a deep conversation with his sister about a book they both read. Of course he had to like books as well. This boy was going to be the death of him.
At last, Newt saw him and his eyes lit up, a mischievious grin appearing on his face .
« You’re finally ready ! I thought you were dead.
– And you didn’t check on me ? Asshole.
– Boys ! Stop flirting in front of me ! Get out of here, Harriet is coming in like, ten minutes and I told her we’ll be alone.
– Yes Sun.
– Yes Sun, sorry Sun. We’re leaving right now. If Mama calls you, tell her I’m out with a friend.
– Okay, do the same for me, I’m not sure we’re gonna stay here this afternoon with Harriet.
– Bye ! »
Newt and Minho walked for a bit, the british leading the other boy. The latter couldn’t contain himself anymore.
« So, where are we going ? I’m so excited about this ! I thought I’d need practical clothes but maybe I was wrong I don’t know sorry I’m nervous but it’s not because of you it’s bec…
– Minho ! Stop. Your clothes are perfect, and I’m nervous too, it’s okay. Don’t worry about anything, alright ?
– Alright. It’s just… it’s been a long time since I went on a date, and the last one was literally a disaster. The girl threw her drink at me. Do you know how hard it is to clean strawberry lemonade on a white t-shirt ?
– No but I can imagine. Anyways, this one won’t go like that. »
Minho didn’t answer, just took Newt’s hand and squeezed it. He didn’t let it go until they arrived in front of a little forest. Newt didn’t stop, taking a little hidden path. They walked for a few more minutes, and finally arrived into a little clearing, where the grass was perfect to sit and nap, and the sun shone through the trees.
They sat down, talking about anything and everything, enjoying the sunny weather and the company of each other. After a few hours, Minho’s stomach made a loud growl, startling them both. Newt laughed lightly, stood up, and took a basket full of food from behind a tree.
« You really brought a picnic ?
– Yes, Minho, I did. Oh, by the way, I didn’t know what you liked, so I took really basic things.
– It’s perfect. I love every food ever except parsnip and beet.
– Yeah, I’m a bit of a sap, I’ve always wanted to have a picnic date… »
Newt blushed, looking down to avoid Minho’s eyes. The latter took his chin gently, raising his head. Minho was looking at Newt’s beautiful eyes, when he felt more than he saw him bring his face closer, until their lips were almost touching. But Minho jerked back suddenly.
« Are you okay Min ?
– Yeah, yeah, it’s just… I… I’ve never kissed anybody. Well, if you count kindergarten I kissed a friend once but that’s it.
– Don’t worry. I’m not very experienced either, but we don’t have to kiss if you’re not ready.
– I am ! I really want to ! I’m just scared I’ll be an awful kisser. »
Newt answered by kissing him shortly. Minho blushed, and he kissed Newt, longer this time. They pulled apart, panting lightly.
« You’re really not an awful kisser. »
They both burst out laughing, interrupted only by Minho’s stomach growling again.
« Okay, let’s eat. I’m really fucking hungry.
– No shit. »