𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐄

#.. FIFTY-SIX

It was quiet in Jiseok's room, his quiet chewing and slurping being the only thing that interrupted their shared silence. The chicken stew, which didn't look really appealing, was already cold, Jiseok procrastinated a lot.

Seungmin understood. It must be hard for Jiseok. With the spoon in his hand, he regularly filled it with the stew before bringing it up to Jiseok's mouth. Not a single thing was spoken in the whole time.

"I can't remember you" The elder suddenly whispered as the bowl was empty. He looked up, just to meet Seungmin's eyes already lingering on him. It was hard to tell what the boy sitting in front of him was feeling.

Why would he suddenly bring that up? Seungmin listened attentively as he put the empty bowl on the nightstand next to the hospital bed.

"But I can remember loving you dearly, Seungmin." Jiseok looked him dead in the eyes, a small smile thinning out his otherwise plump lips. "You were someone so special to me, I'm looking forward to make new memories with such huge value."

Seungmin needed some seconds to process the said things, he didn't notice Jiseok suddenly leaning closer. Just when his cold hands cupped his cheeks, something clicked in his mind.

Jiseok kissed Seungmin's forehead, it was warmer than it should be. Was he ill? Seungmin's arms wrapped around Jiseok's fragile body some moments later, both of them only focused on each other that moment.

Jiseok slowly removed his hands from Seungmin's cheeks, the touch instantly being replaced by his lips. First, he kissed his left cheek, then he moved on to the right.

It was hard for Seungmin to breathe, so he stopped. Closing his eyes, he felt Jiseok's lips eventually brush his own, yet the small gap never closed. Jiseok hesitated. And Seungmin didn't mind. He should take his time.

Jiseok pulled away again and flashed a warm smile, he was the most adorable boy Seungmin ever got to know.

The cute pink hospital gown, his disheveled and slightly greasy hair, his flushed cheeks, his big pretty eyes that finally shone again, as if they held the universe inside of them.

Jiseok seemed to come closer to finding the spark of life again and Seungmin was glad to accompany him on that journey.

"Thank you..." Seungmin finally managed to whisper, alternating his gaze from one eye to the other. That action made Jiseok's smile grow slightly wider, as he reached forwards to grab Seungmin's hands.

"I should be the one to thank you.." he started explaining. "You're so patient with me. You're helping me in my recovery and you never give up on me."

Seungmin shook his head, while he intertwined their fingers softly. "I'm the reason why you even ended up here, I don't see a reason on why you should-" He didn't get to finish.

"Seungmin, no. Stop thinking like that." Jiseok replied. "That would've happened anytime anyway because my father didn't seem to accept anything I did.

So it didn't matter if it happened with you or with someone else. I don't care that I'm injured, yet I care that I am still alive. Of course, it's a pity that I basically wasted nineteen years of my life. Obviously, I can't remember my youth.

Yet I feel like you'd be ready to give my youth a new meaning. New memories, new feelings to discover. That's why I want to thank you. Thank you for never leaving my side and never getting impatient with me.

As I said before, I can't really remember what I felt towards you but thanks to you, I get to experience love for the first time again."

Seungmin didn't answer verbally. With tears in his eyes, he leaned closer and hugged Jiseok tightly. It will be alright.

He wasn't forcing himself to anything, Jiseok wanted all this. It made Seungmin feel so incredibly happy, he couldn't help but hug the boy. They sat like that for some minutes, in each other's embrace.

Jiseok was ready to fall in love with Seungmin for the second time.