eighty-six

They're waiting in line. To check out. Both are holding a shopping basket. They were on the way back. From the Hwangs' place. So they stopped by a store to do some shopping.

"Jisung... have you been okay?" Minho asks. Smiles.

Jisung's confused at his question. He nods.

"Yeah! I'm feeling great! Are you?"

"Yeah, I'm great too," Minho answers. Chuckles.

Jisung was quiet for a few moments earlier. So Minho just wondered... if there was anything troubling him. Any new memories. Dreams.

It helps Minho feel better. Just to hear it from him—

Jisung hugs his free arm. "Is it okay to kiss in public too?" He asks.

Minho notices the couple who had entered. He didn't see. If they'd exchanged a kiss. But Jisung's pouting.

"Depends but... yeah, mostly it's okay. Just like hugs."

Jisung's eyes flick to his lips. He leans closer. Holds back.

Minho closes the gap for him. He pecks his lips.

Jisung beams. Minho has to kiss him once more.

"Okay, it's our turn," Minho murmurs.

Jisung watches him with rapt attention. He doesn't want to miss anything in their transaction.

Minho finishes. Then Jisung jumps to carry the bags.

"You don't have to hold all of them," Minho says. He takes half from him. "You can carry these. Now we can hold hands."

Jisung loves that. He's beaming even more with joy.

- - -

- - - - - -

They've fallen into a routine. It's comfortable.

After the few talks about appropriateness... Jisung's working harder. To keep his hands off Minho. And off sexy books.

Minho will sometimes find Jisung staring at him. As he's working. So he'll stare back at him. Jisung will go pink. Cover his face. Chant, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm a bad person! I'm sorry!"

Minho's continuously impressed too. Jisung really listens well. And when he understands, he can be so considerate.

Even though he enjoys love books... he has separated them. They're on a different section of the bookshelf.

Minho laughed to himself. Quietly. As he watched Jisung sort them.

Jisung would open books to the middle. Go pink. Shove them into a pile. To reorganize them. To make sure he doesn't grab any by mistake.

Minho found that adorably funny.

Jisung now reads old books. With more complex language. It keeps him occupied though. He uses a dictionary. Puts it right beside himself.

Occasionally... if Jisung sees that Minho is not deeply focused in his works... he'll ask him.

Jisung's incredibly helpful too. After all the chores he's done with Minho... he's gotten good at it.

He does the laundry. He vacuums. Sweeps. He tried cooking too. Breakfast. Just eggs. But he asked Minho to watch. Which he did, gladly.

They visit the Hwangs daily. If they can. Minho's able to leave Jisung there. With his Mama Haeun and Mrs. Hwang.

He and Hyunjin on the other hand go to the gym.

Jisung has been better on the phone, too. Minho practiced with him. Jisung ends calls now. Texts a little faster.

They go shopping together. Go on walks. Visit cafes.

Minho's favorite parts of every day... are Jisung's smiles. Especially when he learns something new or when he accomplishes something.

His smiles... They're the most beautiful.

- - -

- - - - - -

Later at night. Minho tucks Jisung in bed. He kisses him to coax him to sleep. But Jisung's eyes don't close.

Instead, he's got a flush on his cheeks. He looks at Minho. His ears are red. He gets out of bed. Fidgets. Looks around the room.

"Jisung? What's the matter? Where are you going?"

"My br— my gift! I have to give it to you! Where is it?"

"Oh, it's in the closet. You can give it to me lat—"

Jisung has rushed away.

"Later... ahh..." Minho drops. Sits on the bed.

"Where is it?" Jisung calls.

"Um, top shelf. By the sweaters."

There's a few thuds. Then a giggle.

"Okay, I found it! I got it!" Jisung comes out. He's holing a little bag in his hands. He's beaming.

He stops in front of Minho. "Close your eyes!"

Minho does as he says. "Okay."

"Now hold out your hand."

Minho does. He hears rustling. Then he feels something cool on his wrist. A click. Jisung then holds his hand.

"Okay, you can look now!"

"Oh..." Minho says. Looks at it more closely. It's a bracelet. There's a heart hanging on it. On the heart... it says...

"My love!" Jisung says. "Because I love you!"

The silver heart on it is thin. Minho hasn't ever given something like this to anyone. In the past. He hasn't received one either.

He doesn't think he would have been too enthusiastic... about wearing it... if he did receive one...

But now... a lump's in his throat. His eyes are tearing up.

"Are you okay?" Jisung says. Worriedly. He holds his hand.

"Yeah, I... I love this," Minho says. Sincerely. He swallows. "I love it so much and I love you too." He kisses him with all he's feeling.

"Thank you so much... I'll never take it off..."

Jisung giggles. "Really? You'll wear it all the time?"

Minho kisses his head. "Yes, all the time. I love you."

To be continued...

Yes, this hair tie was my reference for the bracelet :>