The Mannequin - Minsung

twenty-four

Jisung doesn't tell Minho about his nightmare. He only clings to him for hours. Until Minho falls asleep.

The next morning, he wakes up shocked. 

Jisung's holding his hand. Lying beside him. His eyes are open. They're red. Probably from crying.

"W-What? Sungie?" Minho says. His voice comes out hoarse. "Y-You're awake— You didn't turn back?"

Jisung blinks. He smiles. Then stops smiling.

"You... want me to be a mannequin?"

"N-No!" Minho says. "I'm always happy to see you, but... it's strange..."

Jisung sits up. "Your voice is different."

Minho smiles. "It's just from sleep. It'll go back to normal."

- - -

- - - - - -

He knows something is wrong. With Jisung.

He grows so worried. But Jisung doesn't want to say anything.

Minho can see that he also seems... afraid. Hurt.

So he focuses on making him feel better.

He cares for him. Shows him love.

"Here you go," Minho says. He puts the warmed up pizza slices in front of him. "You didn't get to eat this yesterday."

"Thank you," Jisung responds. Quietly.

Minho touches his chin. Jisung's smile is tiny. His eyes are tired.

"There's plenty more, okay? Eat as much as you want."

Jisung simply nods.

Minho makes his own breakfast. Coffee. Eggs. Toast. He sits beside Jisung. The other is eating slowly again. Like the previous day.

Jisung also looks... unhealthy. Pale. Minho's heart hurts. He obviously stayed awake all night. And stayed alive all night.

He hopes Jisung can fall asleep soon. Or at least turn into a mannequin. Maybe the feelings of whatever dream he had... could be forgotten a little. Because it's clearly got him quite shaken up.

Minho has work scheduled too. There's a meeting with his editor. But he's not leaving Jisung alone like this.

Minho picks up his own dishes. Puts them in the sink. Jisung's still nibbling on his second slice. Slowly.

"Sungie," Minho says. "I need to make a phone call, I'll be right back."

Jisung nods. Minho kisses his head.

He ends up scanning his work. He emails it. Apologizes to his editor for not being able to meet. He also texts Hyunjin. Tells him he can't make it. To their regular workout together.

He returns to see Jisung putting away cleaned dishes.

"Sungie? Are you done? Did you eat everything?"