Him - Monsta X Short Story

twenty-one.

"Alright," I sighed softly, finished breakfast for everyone. "Jooheon, do you wanna hang out with friends today?" I asked, sitting down with the bowl of eggs I had made.

Jooheon shrugged. "Don't have them," he admitted.

I nodded a bit, making Benji's plate. "You can go make them, or you can clean up around here. Your choice." He nodded, understanding what was being asked of him. "Can you take Benji to school?" I asked, hoping to have time with Minhyuk alone.

"Yeah definitely," he smiled. "What are your plans for the day?"

Minhyuk quickly finished his food as he heard Aria crying. He ran upstairs to take care of her. "I'm taking the day to spend with Minhyuk and Aria." I glanced over at Benji. "Hey Bubba, can you take your plate to the sink and get ready for school?" He nodded excitedly. "Both hands, babe." Benji jumped off his chair and took his plate in both hands. Then he took his chances on his step stool. After he put his plate away and ran upstairs, I decided it was a good time to talk. "And I'm gonna bond with her. There's no reason I shouldn't feel connected to her. That's my girl too and Minhyuk should be content knowing I love her just as much as Benji. We're husbands who are raising kids together. Not roommates who are raising our own kids separately."

Jooheon smiled softly. "I'm proud of you for making the change." I nodded in appreciation, continuing to eat in silence.

It was only quiet for a little bit before I heard crying. Controlled, muffled crying. "What the hell?" I asked, heading upstairs. Minhyuk was on our bed, facing the window. "Babe, what's wrong?" I asked quietly. Aria was sleeping again, so I wasn't understanding why he was crying. "Minnie," I sighed, crawling up behind him to hug him.

"Sorry, I'm just... I'm upset." Well I could see that. "But I don't wanna fight again." Oh. He was upset with me.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Just tell me," I said, rubbing his back.

He turned to face me, holding my hands. "Elizabeth almost took this away from me. She almost took away being a father from me. And I hate that I'm happy, living my dream and you're not happy with me. I know you might love her, but it doesn't seem like it." Then he hit me with a bomb. "And if you might not love her, I can't be with you."

My heart dropped along with my face. "Babe, I was taking you two out today. Just so we can bond. I love you, I love Aria. I'm just struggling to adjust." And then Minhyuk hit me in my gut.

"You didn't take so long to adjust to Benji. It was Hyungwon, you did anything for him." I sighed, standing up to go to the door. "Do you even love me like I love you?"

I shut the door, sitting back down. "I love you, I do. Look at how far we've come, Min, of course I love you."

Minhyuk shook his head, pulling a me. "I asked you if you love me like I love you. I can't fathom living without you, being a parent without you, being a husband without you. It's you, Kihyun. But I know you can imagine doing all of those things with someone who's not me. Someone who..." I glared at him.

"Someone who died?" I asked, my voice cracking. "Your brother who died? Because yes, that was the love of my life. He saved me. He ended my pain. I owed it to him to try harder and it kills me every single day that I failed him. How you can even fix your mouth to compare you two like that is bewildering." I was furious.

Minhyuk shook his head. "Kihyun, you couldn't save him. None of us could. Mama was his tether to this world. And when he started up with the drugs? Nothing was going to stop him. He fell fast and I don't know how we, how you, could have stopped him. And I know that hurts and I know it feels wrong to move on without him, but you don't get to use that excuse to not love me at all. You love what I've done for you. I went far enough to honor you and to make it possible to have your DNR respected if you died. That's it. I get that's all I've done. No, I didn't kill Abe. No, I didn't get you your father. No, I didn't bring you your son." His thoughts and feelings were spilling out and disjointed. "But that girl, that's our daughter. Our daughter. We've had her since day one."

I shook my head in return. "You have had her since day one. You were the one who got the news Elizabeth was pregnant." I was barely a part of this.

"I came home and told you! I ran in and jumped in your arms! This is my dream, Kihyun, and you are starting to ruin it. And I don't know if I can be married to someone who doesn't want to be married to me and part of that dream." I felt my heart shatter and anger spilled off the top of my head.

I stood up, grabbing a bag. "Jooheon!" I called, not caring if I woke the baby or not. "Get Benji to school please!" When I heard the front door close, I rushed into Benji's room, grabbing a few outfits and his favorite toys.

Minhyuk ran after me, starting to panic. "No, Kihyun, that's not what I meant."

I turned around, staring daggers into his soul. "Yes it is," I scoffed. "It's either that or you want to manipulate me into loving you more than you love me. So which is it?" I asked.

"I want you! But I would love to stop feeling second to Hyungwon. You can't be mad at me for sharing my fucking feelings. You fucking asked!" When I saw him shaking, I felt horrible. "Oh God, you're gonna leave me too and I can't handle that. I love you. Please don't leave me. Don't leave. I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pick a fight. You're just distant and I feel it." I shushed him, going to hug him.

I didn't know what this was, but it wasn't Minhyuk. "I love you, I'm sorry. Let's just go on our date together okay? You, me, and Aria. I truly... that's what I want to do. I don't want to pack Benji's things and stay at a hotel. I want to be here with you and our girl." Minhyuk nodded, wiping his tears. "Go get ready." He turned away going to the bathroom and I sighed softly. This was a new thing of his. If we were going to work, I knew exactly what we needed. Therapy.