SEQUEL TO HOLD ME
"it's only human."
those are words that stick in the minds of eight boys who have found themselves closer than ever because of a year spent at the same college.
minsung, seungin, changhyunlix... and chan :')
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Jeongin came out of little space a little slower and smoother this time, but Seungmin could tell he was still fighting it. He kept switching between slumping sleepily against Seungmin's chest, nearly dozing off, and sitting up stiffly; leaning away. He was restless, holding himself back— but he also kept closing his eyes, dropping his head heavily, and occasionally sucking on the pacifier.
Seungmin didn't know what to do for him. Should he try to lull him, or let him figure it out himself? That had been his question overall for the past few days, since Jeongin had first regressed. The internet had caused him to think that little space would be all sunshine and rainbows for Jeongin, but in reality it seemed to be nothing short of traumatic. He never thought he'd see Jeongin scream and sob like that.
Maybe this wasn't right for him. If it was only causing him more pain, shouldn't they just give up? At a loss, Seungmin just sat there and held him— motionless, with his hands no longer moving to rub his back or run through his hair; quiet, with his voice no longer slipping out to sing or murmur reassurances.
He would've stayed there like that and just let Jeongin figure it out, but his phone, which had been sitting on the other side of the bed throughout this ordeal, kept chiming and buzzing irritatingly as texts cluttered his home screen. Jeongin had just about calmed down by now, so he figured it'd be fine to just shift over slightly so he could reach out and grab the phone and at least turn it on silent. But when he did, the side of Jeongin that kept reaching for control (in other words, his normal headspace) evidently won.
Jeongin pulled away from Seungmin and hugged his knees in, sitting with his back against the footboard, wiping his face with his palms.
Concerned, as he flicked the tiny switch to quiet his inconsiderately noisy phone, Seungmin glanced at him, locking eyes with him for the first time in nearly an hour, seeing that he looked quite a bit more like himself now. He didn't have to say anything; Jeongin beat him to it.
"B-bathroom. Help. Please." His voice, unstable and shaky, was pitchy and not quite right.
Seungmin wasn't quite sure what exactly he was to help with until Jeongin shifted to place his feet on the floor but didn't stand— instead, he looked up at Seungmin (who was already standing) pleadingly.
"Gotcha." Seungmin assumed that helping him as little as possible would be best. He helped him to his feet with a single hand, noting the shake in his legs and therefore quickly bending down to sling one of his arms over his shoulders.
Their march down the hallway was slow and careful, and Seungmin supported Jeongin less and less the closer they got to the bathroom door. Once there, Jeongin slipped in and closed the door behind him, and Seungmin heard the sink run immediately.
