MARKED AS MINE || minsung

~15~

Author's pov..

Jisung tugged at the collar of his jacket, his eyes darting around the busy market. The bright colors of the stalls and the lively chatter of the vendors did little to calm his nerves. He had insisted on coming alone, practically begging Minho for a bit of independence. Now, as he walked through the market, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched.

Every few steps, he glanced over his shoulder, catching glimpses of a figure in a hooded jacket. The person seemed to be following him, staying just far enough away to be unnoticed but close enough to make Jisung's heart race.

He tried to focus on the task at hand, picking out fresh vegetables and fruits as he navigated through the crowd. But the sense of being followed grew stronger with each passing minute. He quickened his pace, hoping to lose his shadow, but the figure remained steadfast, matching his every move.

Jisung's mind raced with possibilities. Could it be a fan who recognized him and was too shy to approach? Or worse, could it be someone with more sinister intentions? His breath hitched as he turned down a narrow alley, hoping to find a shortcut back to the main street.

"Hey, wait up!" a voice called from behind him.

Jisung's heart pounded in his chest as he spun around, ready to confront his pursuer. To his surprise, the hooded figure pulled back their hood, revealing a familiar face.

"Soobin?" Jisung gasped, his fear quickly turning to confusion. "Is that really you?"

Soobin smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, it's me. Sorry if I scared you, "

Jisung let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, relief flooding through him. "What are you doing here?"

Soobin's cheeks flushed slightly as he glanced down at the ground. "I saw you in the market and couldn't believe it was you . I wanted to make sure it was really you before I said anything. I didn't want to come up and startle you if I was wrong."

Jisung's heart melted at Soobin's words. Despite the initial fear, knowing that Soobin had been looking out for him filled him with warmth. "You could have just come up and said hi, you know. I wouldn't have minded."

Soobin laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Yeah, I guess I could have. But you seemed so determined to do this on your own. I didn't want to ruin that for you."

Jisung smiled, feeling a newfound appreciation for his old friend. "It's so good to see you after all this time. I've missed you."

The two of them continued through the market, this time side by side. As they walked, they caught up on each other's lives, the earlier tension forgotten. Soobin pointed out his favorite stalls, and Jisung shared stories about their childhood adventures.

By the time they reached the end of the market, Jisung couldn't help but feel grateful for Soobin's presence. Their bond felt stronger than ever, a testament to the trust and understanding they had shared since they were kids.

"Let's grab some snacks before we head back," Soobin suggested, nodding toward a stall selling freshly made pastries.

Jisung grinned. "Sounds perfect."

As they stood in line, waiting for their turn, Jisung glanced at Soobin, feeling a deep sense of contentment. He realized that sometimes, having someone looking out for you didn't mean losing your independence. It meant having a friend who cared enough to be there, just in case. And for that, Jisung was truly thankful.

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Hope you liked it..