thirty-three

Minho only had four good strawberries. The container was from last week. Several had gone bad. Jisung had excitedly eaten the four anyway. Then he gasped. Claimed he needed a bath.

Before he disappeared into the bathroom... he said to Minho:

"If you think I should see her, then I will do that. I trust you."

Minho felt so proud. So glad.

He soon returns to his room. He's finished with his necessary calls. He spoke to Hyunjin too. Asking him if it would be alright for Jisung... the mannequin... to go visit his grandma.

Hyunjin agreed to his request. He sounded reluctant. Still dubious. But he said yes in the end. They'll decide on a proper time and day later.

"Jisung?" He stops. He sees Jisung on the bed. He has fallen asleep. Minho's surprised. He breathes a quiet sigh.

When Jisung woke him... Minho knew he hadn't slept much. He was afraid Jisung was still struggling. That he was unable to sleep due to nightmares. But seeing him sleeping like this is good.

Minho kneels beside the bed. Smiles.

Jisung looks peaceful. His breathing's steady. He's hugging pillows. There's one between his arms. One between his knees. His cheeks look soft. His lips are pouty as usual.

Minho wants to leave a kiss on his nose. On his lips. He wants to stroke his hair... But he shouldn't wake him though.

Minho stares for a while. Then gets to his feet. Leaves the bedroom... To come back in a few minutes. He wants to let Jisung sleep.

It's just... he's still not completely over what happened. He keeps getting flashes of Jisung in a corner. With those fearful eyes and cold, hard skin.

- - -

- - - - - -

Jisung stirs awake hous later. He makes quiet sounds. Minho pauses.

The other sits up. Blinks at where Minho's sitting. Beside the bed. His big sketchbook's on his lap. "Are you... drawing me?" Jisung asks.

Minho chuckles. He's so cute saying that. He's got bed hair. Bleary eyes. "I wanted to... but I've fallen behind, so I'm actually working..."

"Oh..." Jisung says. Blushes in embarrassment.

"I'll draw you once I've caught up, okay?"

"N-No, you've drawn me many times..."

Minho smiles. He closes his sketchbook. Puts his work to the side. Gets up to sit on the bed. To be closer to him. "Did you sleep well?"

Jisung nods. Minho kisses his cheek. "I hope I didn't wake you up..."

"I don't think so," Jisung says. "Why were you doing your work here?"

"Oh... I couldn't leave you... I'm sorry..."

Jisung's eyes widen. "D-Did you think I'd turn into a mannequin and stay like that again?"

Minho feels scared just hearing it.

"I'm sorry..." Jisung says. His eyes fill up.

Minho pulls him into a hug. Frowns as he thinks...

"But Jisung... are you going to be alive for full days now?"

"I-I'm not sure... I think so...?"

Minho's heart skips in excitement. "So n-no mannequin hours?"

"I don't know but... you said... you love me and that you'll love me so I can stay alive... so maybe?"

Minho kisses his lips. His heart's racing. He hugs his waist. Feels his warmth. His scent. "Is this the cherry one?" He asks.

Jisung lifts the neckline of his shirt. Smells himself. "It's cherry? I thought it was strawberry..."

Minho buries his nose into his neck again. Breathes deeply. The scent is light. There's a hint of sweetness. Just a bit of tartness. There's something floral too. "It's cherry. It's nice."

"Okay," Jisung says. Giggles. Minho's brushing his skin with his nose. He leaves a kiss on his jaw. Pulls away just to see Jisung.

He's smiling so cutely. He's lovely...

Minho groans at the sight of him. He kisses one cheek. Then the other. He kisses his lips. Slowly. He enjoys the feel of them. The way they move with his own. Jisung's warm mouth... soft tongue...

"You're adorable," Minho murmurs. "I love you."

Jisung's a little breathless. "I love you too... you make my heart go really fast because... I think it loves you so much— will I get a heart attack?"

Minho pecks his lips. "My heart does that too. It's just from happiness, so you'll be okay. Don't worry. That's normal."

Jisung still looks concerned. He places a hand on Minho's chest.

"Is your heart... okay? You're not hurt, are you?"

"Mhm." Minho nods. Rubs his hair. "Why?"

"What... are you supposed to do if it's not okay?" Jisung whispers. His eyes tear up. He's about to burst into tears.

"Go to a doctor. What are you thinking about?"

"If... If something happens to you... how can I help you? I d-don't know what to do so I'm scared... I don't want to lose you..."

Minho wipes his cheeks. Holds them.

"But I'm okay. Is this about Hyunjin's father again? We can talk about things to do if one of us isn't well... also some people to call if you're not sure... like my brother and Hyunjin."

"I'll show you everything I can and introduce you to my friends too... but slowly, like I said before, okay?"

Jisung nods. "You'll show me the other things too, right?"

Minho laughs quietly. "Yes. Whatever you want. If you promise to stay with me, we'll have time for everything..."

Jisung nods again. His eyes are shining with joy and tears.

"Okay. Thank you, Minho..." He kisses him sweetly. His cheeks are pink. "I'm so... so lucky I met you... I really love you."

"Me too. I feel lucky I got you."

Jisung laughs. Minho has to kiss him. He brushes his hair gently.

"Thank you, Minho... you helped me go from a few minutes to hours to now days... no one else could do that..."

Minho's heart soars... from how Jisung's looking at him... "Sungie," he whispers. His thumb's on his lips. "Do you want to kiss me now?"

"I always want to kiss you!"

"Yes, except when you're sleepy..." Minho pulls his face closer. Joins their mouths. It's such a blissful, sweet moment.

To be continued...

hehehehe, awwee fluff is so nice, isn't it?