The Mannequin - Minsung

eighty-eight

Minho checks Jisung's wallet. The cash is in there. He gave him his card too. If he needs it. He rereads Jisung's list. Puts it in his back pocket.

"Okay, so the wallet is here. The list is here. And your phone—"

"Don't touch the phone! I understand!"

"Yes. Just so the call doesn't get disconnected or something." Minho gently touches his ears. "You can hear me through them, right?"

Jisung's face is serious. He nods. "Yes!" 

"Okay, so you can take one out, but don't take both out. And if they fall out, you just have to—"

"Put them back in my ears, I understand!" Jisung giggles. 

Minho's worrying. Too much. He's repeating too much.

But, shit. He has never done this before.

He found wired earphones for Jisung. He put them through his shirt. Inserted them into his phone. So that they're stuck to him.

Minho has connected their call. It's ongoing. It's meant to be on for the entire time. He had considered video. But then Jisung might be distracted. His hands would be occupied. So this is safer.

"Can I go now?" Jisung says.

"Um, y-yeah, in a minute."

Minho looks over Jisung once more. He's wearing black sneakers. A purple shirt. Shorts. A black fanny pack is around his waist. His earphones are in. Yeah, okay... All good.

Even though Minho's so nervous... Jisung looks adorable.

Minho meets his eyes. Smiles. He cups his cheeks. Kisses him softly. Then again. Several times. "Okay. You can go."

"Okay!" Jisung beams. Turns around.

Minho opens the door. Lets Jisung step out.

"Sungie... please talk to me the whole way..."

"Yes, I will! Don't be scared. I know where to go and it's not far and I won't take long and I won't buy a lot!"

"Yeah. Okay. Go now. Before I change my mind..."

Jisung laughs. He leans forward. Kisses Minho.

"I'm going to close the door now! But we can still talk to each other!" He says. Peers at Minho. Slowly closes the door. He speaks behind it.

"I'm still here! You can hear me, right?"

Minho laughs. "Yes, I can hear you. Loud and clear."

"I'm gonna start walking now! So you walk too. Back to your work."

"Alright," Minho says. "Watch where you're going—"

Minho trips on a pile of clothes. He had left them on the floor when dressing Jisung. He gets back up. Picks them all up.

"Minho? Are you still there? You okay?"

"Umm, yeah. I'm fine. How far are you?"

"I'm on the sidewalk now!"

"Okay, watch for cars and for people—"

"Yes, I know!"

Minho dropped the clothes. On the bed. He'll put them away later. He goes back to his work. Places his phone beside him. Picks up his pen.

"Where are you now, Sungie?"

"The weather is so nice right now!"

"That's wonderful— where are you now?"

"I'm still walking!"

"In the right direction? Did you cross the intersection yet? Did you wait for the green man to light up?"

"Yeah! I crossed already! I see the store!"

Oh... he's walking fast... too fast...

"You don't have to hurry. Take your time, okay? Don't get hurt."

"I won't, Minho! Don't worry!"

Minho breathes in. Tries not to worry.

- - -

- - - - - -

"But... you said I can take my time..." Jisung's voice says.

Minho taps his pen on the table. Gives in.

"Right. I did. Fine. You can get..." Minho mentally calculates. He gave Jisung more than enough money. But he doesn't want him to get confused. By the amount. The numbers.

"Okay, you can get three snacks," he decides.

"I can get the cookies?!" Jisung shouts. Excitedly.

"Shh... please..." Minho says. He imagines Jisung standing in the aisle. Holding the box of cookies. Shouting to himself.

"Yes. The cookies and two more things."

Jisung squeals. It's quieter now.

But Minho actually hears him skipping.

"Just make sure you can carry those stuff home..."

"Yeah! I can! I'm strong!"

"Alright..." Minho says. He goes back to drawing. It's the cover. It needs to be sent soon. He has to focus. He's still outlining the remaining stuff—

Fuck. There's someone at the door.

"Sungie? Are you still there?" Minho says.

"Yes!" Jisung says. From the phone. "I'm looking for that chewy stuff! I can't find it! I don't know where it is!"

"Wait a minute, Sungie," he says. Gets to his feet. Grabs his phone. "I think Hyunjin's here." He's been ignoring every text on his phone. Because he has stayed connected to Jisung.

"Hyunjin? He came to visit?!"

"Yeah, maybe... okay, yes, it's him."

Minho opens the door. Hyunjin's got Kkami with him.

To be continued...

See guys? It's all good <3 I'm not that evil hehe. Jisung's okay ^^