Lee Minho had always been brilliant, at least when it came to science.
For months, he had been absorbed in his research on genetics, quietly working toward something he barely spoke about: a machine capable of cloning.
Outside of his lab, however, he was far less composed. With you, his girlfriend, he was softer, though he rarely admitted it.
His affection came in quiet gestures. Lingering touches, the way he would sit close without saying anything, or how he absentmindedly played with your fingers while thinking.
But words were not his strength. Sarcasm often replaced sincerity, and long hours in the lab sometimes kept him distant.
That morning had been no different. You left early for work, pressing a quick kiss to his cheek while he was already half-focused on his notes. He barely looked up, only mumbling something about not waiting up for him.
He had stayed in his lab the entire day.
And then, somewhere between calculations and trial runs, something went wrong.
The machine activated incorrectly.
By the time the light faded, there was not just one Minho standing in the room, but four.
Each of them… different.
One was gentle, almost immediately gravitating toward the nearest cat, holding Dori carefully as if grounding himself. Another stood stiffly nearby, arms crossed, already analyzing the situation with a sharp, critical gaze. The third leaned casually against the wall, a smirk playing on his lips, clearly more amused than concerned. And then there was the original Minho. Tense, frustrated, and already regretting everything.
By the time you returned home, the house felt strangely quiet.
Doongie greeted you at the door, brushing against your leg with a soft meow. You frowned slightly, sensing something off.
Your steps carried you downstairs, toward the lab. The door was slightly open. Voices, multiple voices, echoed from inside.
When you stepped in, you froze.
Four identical figures stood in the room, arguing.
"Oh, come on, you’re all overreacting. She won’t be home anytime soon." One of them said, rolling his eyes lazily.
"That is not the point..." Another replied sharply, clearly irritated. "We need to resolve this immediately."
"Can you both stop?" The softer one murmured, adjusting his hold on Dori, who seemed perfectly content in his arms.
Your mind struggled to process what you were seeing.
Before you could say anything, one of them turned, and your Minho immediately recognized you.
His expression shifted in an instant.
He crossed the room quickly, stopping right in front of you. His hands came up to cup your face, grounding both you and himself. "Honey…" He began, exhaling slowly. "I can explain."
There was a brief pause, as if even he did not fully believe what he was about to say. "There was a mistake with the experiment." He continued, quieter now. "Something went wrong, and… this happened."
He glanced back at the others, then returned his gaze to you.
"There are four of me."