Moving on - Minsung

13.

"Minho Hyung!" - Jisung rushed after the older, determination clear in his eyes. He reached out to grab Minho's arm the moment they stepped out of the store. Jisung left the pocky unattended in the building, probably lying somewhere on the floor, figuring that talking to Minho was more important and urgent.

"What?" - Minho didn't turn around, he stood still. The position they were in was quite unusual. Minho was facing forward, while Jisung had one arm extended, his grasp on Minho's bomber jacket not yet loosened.

Was Minho really that upset? That hurt, that he wouldn't even turn around? He scrunched up his eyebrows, his mind going haywire.

Only then did he realise, that he still didn't let go of the poor boy.

"Sorry.." - he cleared his throat, letting go of the older's jacket and taking a step back. He saw how Minho's shoulders fell, and took a deep breath.

After a few seconds, Minho veered around, and Jisung's eyes roamed the others to search for his. Minho, on the other hand, avoided eye contact. He shifted on his feet, not knowing how to behave, how to stand, what to say. He bit his lip, unsure of what he was about to hear. The silence consuming them was deafening, until Jisung decided to break it, too many words and thoughts circling in his head.

"I just-- what happened to your face?" - Jisung's face contorted in discomfort, unable to tear his eyes off Minho.

The older lowered his face in order to hide what was so obvious, but Jisung, with a swift movement, lifted Minho's chin, their eyes meeting and locking together again. But now both of them got lost in each other's eyes, different emotions wavering in their orbits.

Minho chose to keep quiet. It was too obvious, so why should he lie? Why should he come up with something so lame and apparent that even Jisung would laugh in his face? It was better to shut his mouth. Words were needless right now.

"So..?" - Jisung didn't want to push the boy in front of him so much, but he felt responsible somehow, he wanted- no, needed to know what had happened to him.

"I think it's obvious." - his voice was colder than the weather. Minho's voice was thick and dry, obviously letting Jisung say it out loud.

"Your face.."

"I know, Jisung. I think both of us can see it properly no matter how much I try to cover it up, so there is no need to point that out." - Minho bit the inside of his cheek, staring straight into Jisung's eyes. He felt bad for getting so defensive and bitchy, but he couldn't do anything about it now, could he? He was cornered by Jisung..

"Who did this to you?" - Jisung's serene tone surprised Minho just the slightest bit, because he was expecting the exact opposite to happen, maybe something else. But he wouldn't have guessed that Jisung would step closer, that his hand would slightly trace Minho's jawline, his cheek. Jisung's hand slid towards Minho's right ear, his fingers hooking onto the strap of his mask with just one finger.

"Can I..?" - throughout the whole scene, the two did nothing but stare at each other. Minho's mind had gone blank the moment Jisung's fingers brushed his face. He was puzzled.. should he just let him take off his mask? Let him see how fucked up his face had gotten in just a matter of hours?

But then again, Jisung, so delicate, touching his face so softly, his voice patient and serene his eyes full of curiosity, yet Minho could see a hint of worry hidden in those deep chocolate eyes.

Unfortunately, Minho was a weak man when it came to handsome and tender guys.. The usual 'keeping his walls up high in his ass until he breaks down on a random day' was not working so well right now. Because if Jisung was looking at him like that like he would bring down the stars if Minho snapped his fingers, why should he keep up his usual cold and distant demeanour?

Minho nodded. That was all Jisung needed, and he let Minho's mask fall, revealing Minho's whole face.

Oh, how Minho wished he didn't look at Jisung. The pure disbelief and shock he saw as Jisung's reaction made his heart clench. He knew there were already bruises forming, that he still hadn't fully cleaned his face from the blood because his cheek still ached.

Jisung on the other hand, saw how uncomfortable Minho had gotten, so he gently helped put Minho's mask back on. They didn't exchange a single word. Both of them were deep in their minds. Jisung kept chewing on the inside of his mouth, his mind speeding, wondering who could have done something so horrible to Minho.

"Come with me.." - Jisung spoke up, still in the same tender tone.

"Thanks, but I'll have to pass.." - Minho responded in a monotone voice.

"Why..?"

"Because I have stuff to do, and you can't just invite me over.. I'd just left your dorm not even 24 hours ago.."

"Look Hyung I'm really sorry, I shouldn't have said those things to you.. please.."

"I was never angry at you.."

"But you speedwalked away from me when you noticed me.." - the younger retorted.

"No.. I just.. never mind. I have to go." - Minho tried brushing Jisung's hand off of him. It was one thing that he let him see his face, that he let him hold his face, but this was getting too much for Minho.

"No-" - Jisung pushed, his hand clutching Minho's - "Hyung please.. let me treat your face.." - his voice cracked.

Minho had to turn back to take a look at his face. Jisung's expression was awful to look at. So much despair, and blinking away forming tears. It irked Minho in a way. The older huffed, then pressed his lips together, trying his best to keep himself from saying something hurtful to Jisung. He was fine on his own, like he was until now. Yet deep down, a small voice whispered to him, that Jisung just wanted to help, he meant no harm. Although it was hard for Minho to believe it, he let the younger take his hand and lead them to his dorm.

~

A/N

Hi guysss

Sorry for the long delay, I promise I will finish this story!! It's winter break now, so I think I will have more time to write!! Thank you all for your patience!! In case there are loads of mistakes, I'm sorry TT ❤️

Stay healthy and take care!❤️