Anything To Keep You Safe

Twenty Four:

"Mrs. Kim." Jisung smiles with a bow. "Where's the little munchkin?" He asks excitedly.

"She's upstairs with Wonpil, as per usual. Who's this?" She asks, gesturing to Minho. At this, Minho bows respectfully.

"Hello, ma'am. My name is Lee Minho, I'm Jisung's boyfriend." He says with a shy smile. She coos, gesturing them in. She hugs Jisung, and then Minho.

"You're the one that Jisung didn't shut up about when he was here last. That's so cute! It's nice to finally meet you, Minho. I'm Kim Hei Ran, I'm the mother. Everyone is upstairs right now. I think Wonpil is trying to convince Mina to shave her head, since she'll have to, but I think she's having none of it." She laughs, gesturing upstairs. The boys bow and make their way upstairs.

"I spy, with my little eye, my favourite, fabulous little girl!" Jisung says, walking into the room.

"SUNGIEE!!" Mina squeals, throwing herself at the boy, who laughs, catching her. Hyunjin and Seungmin greet both of the boys with hugs, and Minho and Wonpil are introduced while Jisung dotes of the girl.

"Now, Mina. Aren't you going to give me a chance to give our Sungie a hug?" Wonpil pretends to pout.

"Sorry oppa!" She giggles, releasing Jisung finally and letting him hug the oldest boy.

"Woahhh. Jisungie brought a really pretty boy with him." She yells excitedly.

"Hi Mina! I'm Minho!" He says sweetly. She smiles up at him.

"Hi Min! We are best friends now!" She says, taking his hand to have him go play dolls with her.

"Hey, Ji. I don't think you have a boyfriend anymore." Seungmin says sympathetically, patting him on the back.

"Oh well, it was a good run." Jisung jokes. The three boys laugh, going to chill on the bed and talk as Minho is absorbed in playing dolls with Mina, and Wonpil leaves the room to get something.

After a few hours of playing, the kids are called down to dinner. They all gather and a man who Minho assumes to be Seungmin's dad, carries food to the table. Mina refuses to let Minho put her down, and Minho assures Hei Ran he doesn't mind.

"I see Mina made a new best friend. You must be Minho! I'm Kim Min Su." He says with a smile, extending his hand to shake Minho's. Once introductions are over, Mina reluctantly let's go of Minho, only with the promise that she can sit next to him at dinner. Wonpil sits at her left, of course, with Hyunjin across from her and Jisung and Seungmin on either side. The parents take the end and Mrs. Kim smiles happily.

"I can't remember the last time our table was this full. It's nice." She comments, and the kids say thank you for the meal and then dig in silently.

"I thought you were gonna cut your hair, Mina Bina." Mr. Kim says playfully.

"But I'll look ugly..." She says sadly.

"No way!" Minho exclaims. "No matter what haircut, you'll still be the cutest, most fierce kid around."

Mina looks up at the boy with teary eyes.

"Min means it?" She pouts.

"Of course I do." She smiles.

"Fine. Min cuts my hair though or I don't wanna do it." She says with a huff.

"Sure thing, bub." Wonpil says, relieved that she's agreed willingly at this point. Minho looks a little scared since he's never shaved anyone's hair off before.

Guess it's time to learn.

♡

"Okay, princess. About to start." Wonpil explains as he has Minho turn on the clippers. He then guides the boy's hand as they cut her hair. Hyunjin is sitting in front of her, occupying her by playing dolls.

When they finish, Hyunjin gives his sister a giant hug.

"See, bub? Still absolutely gorgeous!"

"Still as gorgeous as you, Jinnie?" She asks shyly.

"Of course. Even more gorgeous than Jinnie." He responds. She squeezes him tighter.

From behind the chair, Jisung is hugging his boyfriend, praising him for how well he handled everything.

"Auntie!! Uncle!!" Mina screams excitedly, running to find them so she can show them how pretty she is. As soon as she's out of the room, Hyunjin's shoulders drop and Jisung pulls him in his arms.

"You're so strong, Hyunie. I'm so proud of you for being strong for her sake." He says, petting his hair. Seungmin joins in on the hug, followed by Wonpil and Minho.

"Alright, Alright, a bitch needs to breathe." Hyunjin exclaims dramatically. They all part ways, immediately engaging in a different conversation.

After a long day, Minho yawns exhaustedly.

"I think I'm gonna take him home, but we will be there for the surgery." Jisung informs his best friend, going to bid them goodbye, then making his way to say goodbye to Mina.

Minho also says his goodbyes, giving hugs and then waiting for his boyfriend to finish.

"If you're tired, I could drive us." Minho nods ecstatically.

"If you would, please."

Jisung drives them home and then carries Minho inside, much to his pleasure. They greet Jihyo in the living room, sitting down to watch TV with her.

On the screen is playing a drama that she has decided to rewatch. A bowl of popcorn sits in her lap as she stares intently at the screen, yelling obscenities and talking to the characters as if they can hear her.

Jisung is giggling at her, joining her commentary every now and then.

"THIS WOULD ALL BE FIXED IF THEY JUST TALKED IT OUT!" Jisung yells at the TV.

"FOR REAL! IT'S JUST A MISUNDERSTANDING, IDIOTS!" Jihyo yells, raging. As the episode progresses, showing that the two were right and the problem is solved when they talk it out, they cheer and scream at the characters that they "told them so".

The episode ends and Jisung finally notices his boyfriend is asleep on his lap.

"Oh my gosh, that's so cute. I feel bad that he was sleeping as we were screaming." His mother says with a chuckle.

"He'll be fine." Jisung laughs. He moves the boy's head lightly and picks the boy up to carry him upstairs to bed.

"Goodnight, Ji." Jihyo says, kissing the boy's cheek. Then she leans her head down and kisses her sons forehead lightly. "Sheesh. This sleepy kid. He used to fall asleep at the most random of times as a kid. One time we took him to the Zoo, and he fell asleep on a bench in front of the penguins." She recalls with a laugh. "His father got to carry him to the car after that. Because I warned him that Min would get too tired."

"That's so cute though!" Jisung coos. "Thank you for telling me the story."

"Anytime kiddo, I have loads more."

Jisung carries the boy upstairs and once their in bed he gently strokes his hair. "My sleepy boy."

"Don't let my mother tell you more kids stories of me. They're embarrassing." Minho whines, moving closer to the other so they can cuddle.

"I knew you weren't sleeping."

"Hey! I was! Until you picked me up!" Minho says.

"Well now that you're awake..." Jisung says with a smirk.

"Don't you dare!" He warns playfully as Jisung lunges at him, tickling his ribcage, which leads to a tickle war that nobody wins.

From across the hall, Jihyo turns her lights off, looking at the picture on her phone from the day at the zoo.

"Aish, these kids. You would have been so proud of our boy, love. And you would have loved Ji. I miss you."