The Painting

Twenty:

The weekend comes to an end faster than Jisung would have liked. He bids his friends farewell as Minho carries him up the stairs. 

"Thanks for driving me home, Min." The younger boy says, trying to mask the anxiety in his voice.

"Of course, Sungie." The older boy responds, a mischievous grin on his beautiful face.

"What is it?" The squirrel boy inquires, confused as to why the other boy is so happy.

"I was going to wait until we arrive, but I'm moving you into my house... if that's okay with you, of course." He says, looking at the boy to see his reaction.

"Min... what... how... what about your parents?" He finally responds.

"They agreed already. They agreed when my mother brought you out of your house on a stretcher. When you spent a trip to the hospital sobbing while I held you in my arms... Sungie... please come live with me. I want to protect you." Minho confesses. Jisung starts to cry, nodding in agreement. The older boy starts the car, starting the drive. The younger boy fidgets nervously.

"What's wrong?" Minho asks, worried.

"What if they don't like me?" He murmurs.

"Oh, baby. They'll love you. My mom already does."

"How can she? All she saw was a broken little boy." Tears start streaming down the younger's face.

"No. She saw someone who has gone through so much... someone who even brought Lee Minho out of his shell. She saw how much I love you." Minho replies, reaching over to hold Jisung's hand.

"Min..."

"Do you know why I called her first?" He says, pulling the car over.

"Why?"

"Because I was ready to kill them... your parents... because I was ready to be a murderer. The way you trembled... it killed me inside and I needed to make them pay. But my mother is the best there is, and I needed the best to look over the light of my life if I went down protecting him." Jisung reaches over and pulls the older boy into his arms.

"I'm glad you didn't... I don't know what I would do without you." Jisung confesses. Minho kisses the younger boy on the forehead and finishes driving home. He parks the car and looks at the other boy who is busy staring at the door, nervous. 

"Sungie?" 

"Y-yea?" 

"I love you." Minho leans over, kissing the boy's lips softly. "Never forget that. I am yours... even if you do not want me." 

"Min..." The younger caresses his cheek softly. "I do want you. I am as much yours as you are mine." The boys kiss softly for a second before Minho exits the car. He gets the wheelchair out first, putting it near the door. When he opens the door for Jisung, he smiles at the younger, making a funny face to make him laugh. "You're so silly, I love you." Jisung says, laughing. This makes Minho smile. He picks the boy up and carries him to his wheelchair.

"Ready?" 

"As I'll ever be." Minho laughs and opens the front door, propping it open before pushing Jisung into the building. Where the outside was a darker colour, the inside of the house contrasts with bright quartz. "Wow..." Jisung mutters, causing Minho to lean over and kiss his head. He pushes Jisung over to a large open doorway and into the living room. The room is homey looking with red carpet and comfy couches. In two chairs sit a middle-aged couple, the woman looking familiar to Jisung.

"Mom, Dad." Minho greets, walking further into the room with Jisung. The woman approaches, kissing her son's cheek, whispering something in his ear. Then she kneels down to get eye level with the small boy in the wheelchair. 

"Han Jisung, correct?" Minho's mother says, trying to make Jisung more comfortable. He nods.

"Yes ma'am." He responds anxiously. She smiles at him, hugging him lightly, causing Jisung to go stiff, unsure of what to do. 

"Thank you, Jisung... and I'm so so sorry." She says, still embracing the younger. Jisung finally relaxes, hugging back lightly. 

"I... I don't know what I did... b-but you're welcome..." Mrs. Lee smiles at him, then stands up and runs her hand through Minho's hair.

"You brought my son back to me." She responds. "I hope you're alright with staying here. Anything you want or need, just let us know. Our home is your home, Jisung." She kisses the boy's cheek before announcing that she wants to garden before starting dinner. 

After Mrs. Lee leaves, Minho and Jisung are left with who Minho had called father. 

"We are very sorry Jisung, and we do really hope that you adjust well here."

"Thank you very much, sir. It means a lot to me... Minho means a lot to me." Jisung responds as Minho's father speaks to him. Minho blushes and then his father directs his words to him.

"Son, would you please give me a minute to talk with Jisung alone?" Minho bows and exits the room, going to join his mother in the garden. Jisung looks at Mr. Lee, confused. "I knew your mother." He says, causing Jisung to flinch.

"I-" Jisung starts to tear up.

"Hyun-Ae was a wonderful woman, and used to be a good friend of mine. Won-Shik... he was my best friend for a long time... until Jae... Jisung I am so sorry. None of you deserved any of this... especially you." Jisung nods. 

"I appreciate that, Mr. Lee."

"Are you going to attend their funeral?" Jisung looks at the man sadly, remembering that his parents are, in fact, dead.

"I- yes." The man nods.

"I hope you find the closure you need. And I am thankful that you found my son." Jisung smiles. 

"Me too." Mr. Lee stands up, pushing Jisung out of the living room and to a large window overlooking the garden, where Minho was being shown by his mom something to do with planting. Minho is smiling brightly.

"Do you see that smile Jisung?" Jisung nods.

"We have not seen that since before Minho's grandmother died. You did that. Just as my wife said, you brought our son back to us. I know this seems irrelevant... but it means a lot to us and it should to you too. Minho was really attached to his grandmother because she is my wife's mother. My parents... they were like how yours turned out to be. I spent a long time thinking everything was my fault... and that all I brought anybody was sorrow. But I was wrong. Minho's smile proves that whatever negative thoughts you have... they're wrong." Jisung looks at the older man teary eyed. 

"I cannot tell you how much I appreciate that. I love Minho... I know we technically aren't together... but I love him, and he brings me more happiness than, as you said, I feel I deserve." Mr. Lee pats Jisung on the back softly.

"Welcome to the family, Jisung."