eighty-nine

Hyunjin looks concerned. "Minho? Is everything okay? You haven't been replying to all the messages I sent you so I was worried."

"Yeah, yeah, I'm all good," he says. "Come in."

"Hyunjin! Hyunjin, hellooooo!"

Minho holds up his phone. Laughs.

"Hello?" Hyunjin replies. "Is that Jisung?"

Minho nods. Jisung shouts,"Yes! I'm shopping!"

Hyunjin glances at Minho. He's shocked.

"He's shopping by himself?" He whispers.

Minho grins. Nods. He's somewhat relieved. Hyunjin's reacting the same way. So he's not the only one to worry now.

Minho walks back to his drawings. Puts the phone down.

Hyunjin sits near him. Up on the couch. Keeps Kkami close.

"Sungie, did you find your candy?" Minho says.

"No..." Jisung sounds pouty.

"Do you remember where the chips were?"

"Yeah! I think I do! I'm gonna go get the chips!"

- - -

- - - - - -

With Hyunjin present... Minho works more freely.

Jisung's happy to report what he's doing. What he's buying. Hyunjin responds to him. And Minho gets to laugh quietly as he listens to them.

Jisung ends up finding all his snacks. He asks Hyunjin what Kkami wants. Then announces he's heading to checkout.

Minho gets up. Stops drawing. He wants to guide Jisung through the transaction. But Hyunjin waves him away. Continues to speak to Jisung. Explains the money to him gently.

Minho sits back down. Tries to listen. Even as he's drawing.

When he comes back to check on them... he sees Hyunjin laughing.

Kkami's glaring down at Minho's phone.

"What happened?" Minho asks.

Hyunjin shakes his head. "Nothing, he's doing great."

"Minhoo!" Jisung shouts. "I'm leaving the store! The cashier told me which money to give her! She helped me count! So I gave her money and then she gave me money too!"

"Oh, good work. Be careful walking now, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah! These are not heavy!"

Hyunjin keeps responding to Jisung's chatter. He's good natured and amused. Even as Kkami whines. Gets annoyed.

"What if Kkami doesn't like it? What if he rips it up and— Oh no! Even worse! W-What if he bites me?!"

"I wouldn't let him do that..."

"But Hyunjin, what do I do if he doesn't waaant it? Do I have to take it back to the store? Will the lady get mad if I have to bring it back?"

"No, just keep it with you and try again. You don't have to return it, and no one will get mad if you have to return it."

"Ohhh, Mama Hwang— your mom said I have to try giving Kkami a snack over ten times and then maybe he will like me!"

"Yes, I'm sorry... He's not friendly all the time..."

It doesn't take Jisung long to arrive.

Minho just started coloring his next piece. Jisung's huffs are heard from the phone. Then there's noise from the front.

Kkami makes a low grrrrr. Minho leaves his work. Runs to the front.

He opens the door. Because Jisung was struggling with it.

"Oh!" Jisung says. Surprised. He breaks into a huge smile. Lifts his bags. An earphone has fallen out. "I'm back!"

Minho laughs. He immediately takes the bags from him. Sets them on the floor. Grabs Jisung in a tight hug.

"Oh, you're amazing..." He says. Presses kisses on his cheek.

"Minho!" Jisung says. Tries to look at him. "The cashier told me—"

Minho pulls back. Cups his face. Kisses him a few times.

"She told me that I should—"

Minho kisses him again. The other earphone has slipped out.

"Minho!" Jisung says. Holds his arms. "She told me to come again and I said I will! When should I go again?"

Minho chuckles. He takes out Jisung's phone. Ends the call.

"Um, maybe next week..." He says.

"Okay," Jisung says. Beams. He pecks Minho. Looks at him lovingly. "Were you scared? Were you worried?"

"At first, yeah... But now I'm okay. You did really well."

Jisung's pleased giggle makes his heart warm.

Hyunjin's standing by the couch. Kkami's in his arms.

"Hi!" Jisung chirps. Skips to them. Kkami yaps at him. But Jisung laughs. Tries to hug Hyunjin. "I got him a ball! Should I show it to him?"

"Sure. But why don't we put away your groceries first?" Hyunjin's eyes flick to Minho. He adds in a softer voice to Jisung, "Um, because... Minho's not finished with work yet..."

"Oh!" Jisung turns. Hurries to take the milk from Minho.

"I'll do it, Minho! I'm sorry! I'm supposed to do it!"

"It's alright," Minho says. Smiles.

- - -

- - - - - -

The three let him work. They go to the kitchen. Minho can hear them though. They're trying to get Kkami to play.

But it seems that Jisung's unsuccessful.

After about half an hour... they become quiet.

Minho can't hear much. But he knows they're talking. He gets curious enough... to consider getting up...

Then Hyunjin comes back. Kkami's in his arms. Jisung's behind him. He has a wide eager smile.

"Minho," Hyunjin says. "Since you're so busy, could I take Jisung to my parents' house? I'm sure grandma and mom would love to see him."

"Oh." Minho glances at Jisung. "Sure, if Jisung wants..."

"Yes! I do!" Jisung nods happily.

"Oh, okay. Then of course. But um, if I'm not done by eight, could you please bring Jisung home, Hyunjin?"

"Absolutely. Come on, Jisung."

"Okay!" Jisung hops down beside Minho first. Kisses his cheek.

Minho quickly takes his hand. "I'm sorry about today..."

"W-Why are you sorry?" Jisung says. Confusedly.

Minho smiles. Pecks him. "Never mind. I love you. Text me when you need me, okay? If I finish early, I'll come get you."

"Okay! Good luck on your work!"

"Thanks. Go, don't keep Hyunjin waiting."

Jisung scrambles up. Runs to Kkami and Hyunjin.

"Take your phone with you, Sungie," Minho calls.

"I have it!" Jisung lifts it up to him.

He turns back to Hyunjin. Holds his arms. To put on his shoes. "Hyunjin, do you think I can drive one day too?"

"Oh... that's a good question. I'm sure you can, but first you'll need a driver's license. Anyway, let's talk to my mom about it, okay? She'll know what to do. Bye, Minho!"

"O-Oh, yeah, bye..."

Minho waves at them. Returns to his work.

That is something that has been in the back of his mind for a while now: how to get Jisung documents?

Now Jisung's asking about it himself...

If he's going to live like a normal person... which he wasn't able to do for centuries... they'll have to do something about that...

To be continued...

See, Jisung's really okay guys. Damn, how kind can I be ^^