The Mannequin - Minsung

thirty

They don't get to talk much. Minho would explain more to Hyunjin. But he's preoccupied with Jisung. Because the mannequin's too shocked. Confused. A bit scared. He's still crying.

Minho's similar. He's too emotional. But relieved that Jisung's back.

Minho's glad when Hyunjin reluctantly excuses himself.

He hugs Jisung for a long time. Repeats his previous words to him.

No, I'm not mad at you. Yes, of course, I wanted to see you. I missed you. I was waiting for you. Don't leave me for that long again. Please.

He cries with Jisung. Doesn't want to let him go—

Until Jisung's stomach growls. It makes him pull back.

Minho laughs. He's so delighted. The first thing he always does with Jisung is feed him. But today they've just sat. They cried. Talked incoherently. No wonder he's hungry.

Minho brushes away Jisung's black hair. Cups his pretty face. Kisses his forehead. Strokes his cheeks. "Come on, then. Let's go eat."

Jisung nods. He's a little timid. Bewildered. He helps Minho to his feet.

Minho himself has only been eating around Hyunjin. To not make him worry more. But he hasn't had an appetite.

This time he does. Because Jisung's eating. It makes him want to eat too. He can't stop smiling.

He's having these moments again with Jisung.

The past day... the past week... it feels like some nightmare.

This feels normal. Feels wonderful.

Jisung's slowly becoming calmer too. He's looking better. Less lost and shaken. His tears are disappearing. His cheeks are full of food.

Minho does the same. He wipes his own eyes to eat as much as he can.

But Jisung's the faster eater. He finishes. Sits there to observe Minho.

"Minho..." He says. His voice's soft. "Why... do you look like this?"

Oh... he's noticed. He'll be worried now.

"I'm okay, baby," Minho says. Smiles. "Just tired."

"T-Tired?" Jisung gets to his feet. Comes to hold Minho's face. Peers at it. "Oh no, baby, you have to sleep! You must rest!"

That's how Minho soon ends up in bed. Jisung tells him the importance of resting. They're the very things Minho told him a week ago. When Jisung simply couldn't and wouldn't sleep.

Jisung pulls the blanket up to Minho's neck. Smooths it. Pats it. Kisses Minho's head. "Sleep, okay?" He says. A concerned pout's on his lips.

"While you rest, I-I'm going to clean! There's dishes and lots of laundry too! I saw!" He then scurries away.

Minho sniffs. But chuckles. He kept leaving some chores all week. When Hyunjin wasn't around. He'd choose to sit in front of the mannequin instead. Speak to him.