Always is a Promise {Minsung}

Chapter 11

Tap. Tap. Tap. Jisung's fingers drummed anxiously against the edge of his bed as he laid in bed, his mind racing. Staring blankly at the wall, his eyes wide with worry and his heart pounding in his chest. The room laid pitch black and that silence only heightened his anxiety. Tap. Tap. Feeling overwhelmed, he stood up. Slowly and quietly, he made his way out of the bedroom and to the bathroom. He turned the light on, squinting his eyes against the sudden brightness.

He shut the door behind him, hearing his breath echo in the enclosed space. As if he was losing his balance, he stumbled over to the sink and gripped the countertop for support. He took a deep breath in, trying to calm his racing thoughts. In. Out. In. Out. As slow as he could. Turning the sink on, he cupped his hands under the running water before bringing it to his face, splashing the water onto his face. It ran cold down his face and neck, bringing a momentary relief to his heated skin. In. Out. But as soon as he turned off the faucet, his anxiety came crashing back. The only thing he felt like he could do was grip the countertop, staring at the figure in the mirror. It stared back, reflecting unease and fear.

Why? It felt like it was consuming him, suffocating him from the inside out. Why? How could he calm himself down? His thoughts ran, unable to find an answer. Pushing away from the countertop, Jisung took a shaky breath and leaned against the wall where he found himself sliding down. He closed his eyes, desperate for a moment of peace. Why? He didn't know. Nothing he thought made sense.

So he sat there, time standing still while rushing by him.

A knock at the door startled Jisung, causing his heart to freeze for a brief moment. He tensed up and his breath caught in his throat. The door slowly opened a soft squeak echoing through the bathroom and his head. He buried his face into his hands, trying to erase the intense panic that gripped him.
He could hear the person sitting in front of him, their presence alone filling the room with a comforting aura.

"Jisung?"

The voice was gentle and soft, almost inaudible, but it was enough to ripple silence through his brain. He lifted his head slowly, his tear-stained eyes meeting Minho's concerned gaze. At that moment, he felt calm. Only for that moment. His lips trembled as he tried to form words, but all that came out was a choked sob. Minho frowned, reaching his hand out and taking Jisung's trembling hand in his own, slowly rubbing the back of his hand with his thumb.

"It's okay, Jisung."

Jisung sniffled as he stared at their hands. He lunged forward, clinging onto Minho in a desperate embrace. Minho fell backward ever so slightly, but he held onto Jisung firmly. Slowly, Minho rubbed Jisung's back going up and down. Up and down. Up. Down. Up. Minho pulled him closer, the two laying on the bathroom floor. Jisung was laid on top of Minho, but Minho didn't care. Jisung could feel Minho's steady heartbeat matching the rhythm of his own heart and the soft breath that brushed against his skin. It dragged him back to reality and grounded him in the present, tears no longing rolled down. Instead, he felt safe.

"Do you want to go back to bed?"

Jisung let out a small nod, slowly sitting up. They slowly stood, Minho still holding onto Jisung's hand. The walk back to their room was quiet and short, but filled with a comfort that Jisung needed. In the dark, Minho pulled back the blankets and covers, helping Jisung climb under them before doing so himself. As they settled into the bed, Minho wrapped his arms around Jisung, holding him close.

Peace. Calm. Silence. Wrapped in Minho's embrace, Jisung finally found comfort and tranquility, all worries melting away by the second.

"Thank you," He mumbled.

Minho pressed a soft kiss onto Jisung's head. "You're welcome. Please, get some sleep."

"I will."