To Be Loved... (BOOK 1)

Heartstrings

Minho's POV:

It was the next morning and I haven't slept. But I knew it was time to get up for the day once I heard the bathroom door open. Jisung was still asleep and I didn't want to wake him. I got out of bed and left the room the same time San left the bathroom.

"Hopefully your night was better than mine." I said quietly so I didn't wake anyone up. San just poked the inside of his cheek with his tongue and smirked, rubbing his neck.

"Yeah, it was pretty good." I thought setting Wooyoung and San up was the right decision. I watched Wooyoung run outside and completely break down. If San went out of his way to actually punch Hongjoong in the face, then he should be the one to be there for Wooyoung. "Do you have a hangover or something?" I find it funny how they've just completely missed everything.

"Jisung got kicked out of his house and his dad put his hands on him. When you see him, the best thing to do is act like nothing is different. He probably won't want the attention, okay?"

"Does he look bad?"

I sighed. "He doesn't look great. How is Wooyoung feeling?"

"He's good. Still asleep."

"Okay." I nodded and walked past him to the kitchen downstairs. I went into the freezer and grabbed an ice pack, then wrapped it with paper towels for Jisung wherever he may need it. I turned around to walk back, but Yongbok appeared in the doorway making me jump.

"Oh my god, Yongbokie, you scared me." I put my hand on my chest, feeling my beating heart.

"Sorry." He yawned, treading towards the fridge and grabbed two bottles of water. "Hyunjin told me what happened."

"I fucked up." I rested my elbows on the kitchen counter and ran my fingers through my messy hair.

"You guys will be okay."

"Yeah, that's what Hyunjin said."

"Well, he's right. He told me everything Jisung and his parents said to each other."

"He didn't go into detail."

"Some things...I don't think he wanted to seem weak so he just stayed quiet."

"He practically saved his life, how could he ever be afraid of being weak after that?"

"Because Jisung's parents brought Hyunjin up."

"What, why?"

"All he told me was that his mom tells Jisung's parents that they don't love him because he's gay and that's it. He didn't want to talk about it."

"Why are we the only normal family?" I groaned. "Why would Hyunjin even get brought up like that?"

"Because his parents assumed Hyunjin was his boyfriend."

I nodded as I understood. I heard slow footsteps coming down the stairs only to reveal a very exhausted looking Hyunjin.

"Morning." He spoke with a raspy morning voice. "I just went to check on him. He's awake."

I rushed out of the kitchen and ran up the stairs into my room.

"Sungie?" I was terrified to know where we stood. "Sungie, it's me." I closed the door and kneeled down at his side of the bed. He had an expressionless face with tears slowly falling from his eyes.

"What do you want?" He whispered, not daring to look at me.

"I'm so sorry, Jisung. This is all my fault. I didn't mean anything I said to you. I was just drunk and stupid and...and I'm sorry." I felt like nothing I could've said would've made this better. No matter how hard I try, I can't imagine anything being the same.

"Yeah." He whispered, still looking away from me.

"Please." I pleaded, hoping he'd say something more.

"You were right."

"No, no, please don't say that." I reached for his hand and held it in mine. Although he didn't pull away, he didn't hold it back in return. "I wish I could take back everything I said. I never want to upset you or hurt you ever again. Please, Jisung, I'll do anything." I begged, terrified that this was truly the end of us.

"There's nothing for you to do, Minho." He finally looked up at me with a glooming smile. "I know that's how you really feel, it's okay."

"No," I shook my head, squeezing his hand, "that's not how I feel. I only want to be with you, I'm so sorry. I promise I'll never say 'I love you' again if that's what will make you stay. I'll do everything you ask of me. Just please, Jisung, don't leave me." I felt dizzy and sick. It was almost as if my entire world was crashing down in front of me.

"Why not?" He winced in pain as he attempted to sit up on his own. I was quick to help him and on instinct, I moved the hair out of his face. Even that made me feel like I was overstepping.

"Because I need you in my life. You're the only thing that makes me happy. I just-"

"No. I mean why not say 'I love you'?"

Is he being serious? Me saying that is what pretty much started this entire disaster.

"Because it makes you uncomfortable and you don't feel that way." I tried to sound understanding rather than hurt even though it still upsets me greatly.

He looked down at our hands that rested them in my lap. He had finally given mine a light squeeze and looked back at me.

"What if I finally realized that's not true?" He seemed shy as he spoke even though I hadn't fully grasped what he had just said.

"What?"

"I told my parents last night." He bit his lip, looking away from me again. "Kinda made me realize a lot, you know?" He shrugged. "They never gave a shit about me so I was scared of someone who did. But I don't think I am anymore. I don't want you to leave me either." Before he even finished his sentence, I lifted our hands to my forehead and rested, taking a sigh of relief. "But they kicked me out." He whispered.

"You're staying here. Hyunjin grabbed all your stuff already." I looked up at him to see he was confused.

"What? How?"

"Jisung, do you have any idea how you got here?" He shook his head. "Hyunjin and I went to your house to make sure you were okay. I stayed in the car, but Hyunjin went inside thinking everyone was asleep. He heard everything."

He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.

"I really wish he didn't."

"He got you out of there though. That was more important to him. He's a good friend."

"I know, Lee Know." He cracked a small smile, making me do the same. "I figured out why your family calls you that now."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah because you just know everything, right?"

"I do know everything." I nodded.

"Not everything." He shook his head then started to play with my hair.

"What don't I know?"

His hand trailed down to my cheek as I leaned into it, keeping my eyes to his. He was reluctant at first, but leaned in for a kiss which I immediately gave into. I had less doubts of us not staying together. We were going to be okay.

He nodded to himself, building up the courage to speak. "I do love you."

"Jisung, I love you so much." It's almost as if an electric shock went through my entire soul. I thought for a second that I could be dreaming. Maybe this was too good to be true. But if it was, then I plan on taking advantage of this moment the best I could.

"I love you." He repeated, sounding more confident.

"I love y-"

Before I could finish, he pressed his lips to mine. He held the sides of my head, resting his thumbs on my cheekbones.

He pulled away, "come back in bed." I rushed to my side and got underneath the blankets to lay close to him.

He loves me. He actually said it.

Han Jisung, I will always love you.