thirty

They don't get to talk much. Minho would explain more to Hyunjin. But he's preoccupied with Jisung. Because the mannequin's too shocked. Confused. A bit scared. He's still crying.

Minho's similar. He's too emotional. But relieved that Jisung's back.

Minho's glad when Hyunjin reluctantly excuses himself.

He hugs Jisung for a long time. Repeats his previous words to him.

No, I'm not mad at you. Yes, of course, I wanted to see you. I missed you. I was waiting for you. Don't leave me for that long again. Please.

He cries with Jisung. Doesn't want to let him go—

Until Jisung's stomach growls. It makes him pull back.

Minho laughs. He's so delighted. The first thing he always does with Jisung is feed him. But today they've just sat. They cried. Talked incoherently. No wonder he's hungry.

Minho brushes away Jisung's black hair. Cups his pretty face. Kisses his forehead. Strokes his cheeks. "Come on, then. Let's go eat."

Jisung nods. He's a little timid. Bewildered. He helps Minho to his feet.

Minho himself has only been eating around Hyunjin. To not make him worry more. But he hasn't had an appetite.

This time he does. Because Jisung's eating. It makes him want to eat too. He can't stop smiling.

He's having these moments again with Jisung.

The past day... the past week... it feels like some nightmare.

This feels normal. Feels wonderful.

Jisung's slowly becoming calmer too. He's looking better. Less lost and shaken. His tears are disappearing. His cheeks are full of food.

Minho does the same. He wipes his own eyes to eat as much as he can.

But Jisung's the faster eater. He finishes. Sits there to observe Minho.

"Minho..." He says. His voice's soft. "Why... do you look like this?"

Oh... he's noticed. He'll be worried now.

"I'm okay, baby," Minho says. Smiles. "Just tired."

"T-Tired?" Jisung gets to his feet. Comes to hold Minho's face. Peers at it. "Oh no, baby, you have to sleep! You must rest!"

That's how Minho soon ends up in bed. Jisung tells him the importance of resting. They're the very things Minho told him a week ago. When Jisung simply couldn't and wouldn't sleep.

Jisung pulls the blanket up to Minho's neck. Smooths it. Pats it. Kisses Minho's head. "Sleep, okay?" He says. A concerned pout's on his lips.

"While you rest, I-I'm going to clean! There's dishes and lots of laundry too! I saw!" He then scurries away.

Minho sniffs. But chuckles. He kept leaving some chores all week. When Hyunjin wasn't around. He'd choose to sit in front of the mannequin instead. Speak to him.

He turns in bed. Stares ahead. He's aware of his heartbeat. The feelings in him. It's those few minutes... of Jisung somewhere in the house...

It makes Minho realize... he's gotten very scared of losing Jisung.

He remembers Jisung's expression when he turned into a mannequin. Remembers how he became cold. Statue-like. How he was stuck that way. And he didn't know if he'll ever come back.

He tries to lie still. Listen. To the sounds Jisung's making. There's clanks. Water. His feet pad around. But then it all stops.

Minho feels his heart beating louder. His breathing gets rapid.

He sits up. "J-Jisung?" He calls.

He hears Jisung's voice. "Yeah?"

He breathes in. To calm himself. He feels the shake in his hands.

Jisung comes back into the room. His footsteps are quick. He's holding a pile of folded laundry. He's beaming. "The laundry's done!"

"G-Great. Just put it somewhere in the closet," Minho says. Holds out his hand already. He's still trembling.

"Okay..." Jisung glances at him. At his hand. Worry fills his face. He quickly places the clothes inside. Hurries to take Minho's hand.

Minho pulls him closer. Onto the bed. Into his lap. He wraps his arms around him. Nuzzles his neck.  Oh, he's soft. He's warm. He is alive.

"Minho..." Jisung says. "I didn't finish the dishes..."

"It's okay," Minho says. He's aware Jisung enjoys doing the dishes. But he can't let him go now. "Leave them. M-Maybe you can do them tomorrow. Please. Stay with me for a while."

Jisung becomes silent. Minho can feel the pulse at his neck. The movement of his body. From his breathing. It makes his heart full.

"Minho..." Jisung speaks. Gently makes him look up.

Minho must seem very upset. Because Jisung's eyes suddenly droop. His mouth becomes sad. His hands softly touch Minho's face.

"You're clearly not okay..." He whispers. "You got like this... because of me?" His eyes tear up. "I'm sorry..."

Minho takes his hand. Kisses his palm. "Not because of you... but because I thought I hurt and scared you and I wouldn't see you again. But it's okay. You're here now. I'll be alright."

"I'm really sorry... I shouldn't have left like that—"

"No, no, I'm sorry," he says. Cups his face. Then asks once more. "You... you do remember everything though, right? Like the things I told you when you were still a mannequin..."

"Yeah... You sat in front of me, I think I remember a little... I could hear you... there was a dog... I'm not sure..."

"That was Kkami!" Minho says. "He must've scared you..."

"Yeah... I remember it biting me... I couldn't move. I was so scared. But you kept coming back... talking to me... so I felt better."

"Because I needed you," Minho says. His voice quivers. "I love you..."

Jisung sucks in a breath. His eyes close as tears escape. He sets his forehead on Minho's. "I thought I heard you say something like that before... I wasn't sure... it didn't feel real..."

"It was real. I did say it. Many times. I love you. I really do."

Jisung's lips tremble. He presses them to Minho's cheek. He travels down. Places soft kisses. "Tell me more..." He whispers.

Minho captures his lips for a kiss. "I love you," he tells him. Kisses him more. Tenderly. "I love you and I want to love you for as long as I'm living... so you can be with me and stay alive by my side..."

To be continued...