Minchan: Fighting The Storms With You

36

A/N: I believe you guys are dying for a peaceful chapter...here you go!

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The sun was setting as we drove through the winding roads of Seoraksan National Park. The sky turned a beautiful mix of pink and orange. The mountains around us were tall and mysterious, and the peace of the place felt far away from the problems we had escaped.

Minho sat next to me, staring out the window. He was quieter than usual, his face tight with tension. I could see how he flinched at sudden noises. His father's abuse had hurt him deeply, and it made my heart ache to see him so numb and distant.

"How are you doing?" I asked softly, looking over at him.Minho turned slightly and gave a small nod. "I'm okay," he whispered.

I wanted to tell him it was alright to not be okay, that he didn't have to face this alone. But I knew he needed time. Minho needed to heal at his own pace, and I was here for him, no matter how long it took.

We arrived at the bungalow, a cozy wooden house nestled deep in the forest. It had large windows with views of the mountains. Seungmin's mother had kindly let us stay here, knowing we needed a safe place for Minho to heal.

I parked the car, and the silence was overwhelming, broken only by birds and the rustling leaves."Welcome home," I said with a gentle smile.

Minho stepped out of the car, his eyes wide as he took in the beauty around us. For a moment, I saw a flicker of something in his eyes—maybe hope. It was a small victory, but it warmed my heart.

Inside, the bungalow was warm and inviting. I showed Minho to his room, which had big windows overlooking the forest. I could see some of the tension leave his shoulders as he took in his new surroundings.

That evening, we ate dinner in silence. I made sure to cook some of Minho's favorite dishes, hoping to bring him some comfort. He ate slowly, but at least he was eating.

"Do you remember last week on the rooftop?" I asked, trying to bring back a happier memory.Minho looked up, a faint smile on his lips. "Yeah, we had pudding.""We listened to music and talked about nothing important," I added, hoping to see more of that smile.He nodded. "It feels like a lifetime ago.""It was only last week," I said softly. "We can make new memories here, too."

Minho didn't respond, but I hoped my words reached him. That night, I heard him tossing and turning in his sleep. I got up and quietly opened his door, finding him tangled in his sheets, his face twisted in fear.

"Minho," I whispered, sitting on the edge of his bed. "It's okay, I'm here."

He woke with a start, eyes wide with terror. It took a moment for him to recognize me, and then he collapsed into my arms, shaking.

"It's just a nightmare," I soothed, holding him close. "You're safe now."He didn't speak, but his grip on me tightened. I stayed with him until he fell back asleep, the nightmares kept at bay by my presence.

The next morning, I suggested a walk in the forest. Minho hesitated but eventually agreed. The forest was peaceful, and I hoped it would help him feel a little better. We walked in silence, the beauty of nature all around us.

After a while, Minho started asking about the different plants and animals. It was a small sign of his interest returning, and it gave me hope.

We found a quiet spot by a stream and sat down. I could see Minho was still troubled, his eyes dark with unspoken fears. I reached out and took his hand.

"You don't have to talk about it if you're not ready," I said. "But I'm here when you are."He nodded, his eyes filling with tears. "Thank you, Chan."

That night, Minho had another nightmare. This time, he didn't wake up screaming, but I could hear his soft whimpers. I went to his room and lay down next to him, wrapping my arms around him.

"It's okay, Minho," I whispered. "You're safe."

His breathing slowly evened out, and he nestled closer to me. I stayed with him the whole night, feeling his warmth and hoping it brought him some comfort.

In the days that followed, we settled into a routine. We took walks, cooked meals together, and spent evenings watching the stars. Minho was still quiet, but there were moments when I saw glimpses of the person he used to be.

One night, as we sat on the porch wrapped in blankets, I turned to him.

I said softly. "Minho, there's something I need to tell you. Something I need you to know."He looked at me, curiosity in his eyes. "What is it?"

Taking a deep breath, I gathered my courage. "I love you, Minho. I think I fell in love the first time I saw you at the rooftop, being a completely different personality than I thought you to be. And never feel that you are bad for me...like my mom said. I love you. The more I do for you, the happier I get. You get me right?"

There was a moment of silence, and then he reached out to take my hand. "I love you too, Chan. More than you'll ever know."

We sat there, holding each other under the starry sky. It was a moment of pure bliss, one that I knew I would cherish forever. Minho was beginning to heal, and with time, I knew he would find his way back to himself. And I would be there, every step of the way, to support him.