One Shots| Stray Kids

In the Shadows of the Night(Minsung)

"In the Shadows of the Night"

The bus stop on the outskirts of town was a lonely place, especially after sunset. The flickering streetlight cast long shadows, and the wind whispered secrets through the empty street. Lee Minho leaned against the cold metal frame of the bus shelter, his cigarette glowing in the dim light. Smoke curled lazily around him as he stared at the road, lost in his own thoughts. He was a regular fixture here, a rough-around-the-edges young man with a penchant for trouble. Skipping college, working part-time at a grimy gas station, and clinging to his bad habits, Minho was a far cry from the idealistic student he'd once been.

Han Jisung was different. His life was a study in contrasts. Calm, reserved, and with an old car that wheezed more than it drove, Jisung had a quiet elegance about him. His love for music was his solace, his escape from a world that often seemed too harsh. He was a diligent worker, meticulously saving every penny from his job to keep his aging vehicle on the road. Their worlds collided every other day when Jisung would stop at the gas station where Minho worked.

Minho had noticed Jisung from the first day he pulled up in that rickety old car. He was the type of customer Minho often ignored—polite, unassuming, and with an air of tranquility that Minho found oddly fascinating. Their conversations were brief, often about the weather or the car's engine, but there was an unspoken connection that lingered in those fleeting moments.

One evening, as a storm rolled in, Jisung pulled up to the gas station. The rain pattered against the pavement, and the air was thick with humidity. Minho was inside, trying to stay dry, his cigarette dangling between his lips. When Jisung stepped inside, dripping wet, Minho couldn't help but notice how the rain glistened on his skin.

"Evening," Jisung greeted, his voice gentle but weary.

"Hey," Minho replied, barely looking up. "Car's acting up again?"

"Yeah, it's been rough lately," Jisung admitted, shaking his head as he glanced around the dimly lit shop.

Minho put out his cigarette and approached the counter, his eyes meeting Jisung's. "You should get that checked out. Might be more than just a minor issue."

Jisung smiled, a rare and beautiful expression. "I'll think about it. Thanks."

As Jisung paid for the gas, their fingers brushed briefly, sending an electric shock through both of them. Minho's heart skipped a beat. He'd always had a rough exterior, but there was something about Jisung's quiet demeanor that unsettled him in a way he couldn't quite explain.

Days turned into weeks, and their interactions became more frequent. They shared fleeting smiles and hesitant conversations. Minho found himself drawn to Jisung's calm presence, the way he spoke about music with a passion that seemed to contrast sharply with the bleak reality of Minho's life. Jisung, on the other hand, saw through Minho's tough facade, sensing the loneliness that lay beneath.

One rainy night, as the storm raged outside, Jisung found himself at the gas station later than usual. The clock on the wall ticked toward midnight, and the dim lights flickered ominously. Minho was at the counter, his posture relaxed but his eyes betraying an underlying tension. Jisung approached with a hesitant step, his gaze fixed on Minho.

"Long night?" Jisung asked softly, his voice almost lost to the storm's roar.

"Yeah, you could say that," Minho replied, his tone gruff but not unkind.

Jisung looked around, then took a deep breath. "Do you want to talk? I mean, if you're up for it."

Minho's eyes met Jisung's, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to vanish. He nodded slowly, feeling an unfamiliar vulnerability. "Sure. I've got time."

They settled in a corner of the store, away from the glaring lights. Minho leaned back against the counter while Jisung sat across from him. The rain drummed against the windows, creating a cocoon of sound that seemed to isolate them from the rest of the world.

"I didn't expect you to be here this late," Minho admitted, his voice barely audible over the storm. "You usually come earlier."

Jisung shrugged, a small, melancholic smile playing on his lips. "Thought I'd stop by for a change. Sometimes it's nice to break the routine."

Minho studied him, intrigued by the depth of Jisung's eyes. "You're different from most people I meet."

"I could say the same about you," Jisung replied softly. "You're not what I expected."

The conversation drifted into more personal territory, with Jisung sharing stories of his life and dreams. Minho found himself opening up, revealing parts of himself he rarely showed to anyone. As they spoke, the air between them grew heavy with unspoken emotions.

At some point, Minho's hand brushed against Jisung's, and the touch lingered. The tension was palpable, a magnetic force drawing them together. Jisung's eyes locked with Minho's, his expression both nervous and hopeful.

Without another word, Minho leaned in, capturing Jisung's lips in a slow, tentative kiss. Jisung responded, his lips parting slightly as the kiss deepened. The world outside seemed to dissolve, leaving only the warmth of their embrace.

They moved closer, their bodies pressing together as the kiss became more urgent, more passionate. Minho's hands roamed over Jisung's back, feeling the curve of his muscles beneath his soaked shirt. Jisung's fingers tangled in Minho's hair, pulling him closer as their breaths mingled.

Their kiss was an exploration, a discovery of new sensations and desires. Minho's rough edges softened in the face of Jisung's gentle touch, while Jisung's calm demeanor gave way to a newfound intensity. The storm outside seemed to mirror the storm within them, a tempest of longing and connection.

As they finally broke apart, breathless and flushed, Minho gazed at Jisung with a mixture of awe and gratitude. "I didn't think... I didn't know."

Jisung smiled, his eyes filled with warmth. "Neither did I. But I'm glad we did."

They continued to explore their newfound intimacy, their actions filled with a mix of tenderness and passion. The connection they shared was intense, a reflection of the deep bond that had formed between them.

In the following weeks, Minho and Jisung's relationship grew stronger. They spent their days and nights exploring each other's worlds, finding solace and excitement in their connection. Minho began to shift his priorities, slowly leaving behind the bad habits that had defined his life. Jisung, in turn, found comfort and inspiration in Minho's presence, his once solitary world brightened by their shared moments.

Their love was a blend of darkness and light, a testament to the transformative power of connection. As they walked together, hand in hand, through the streets illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights, both knew that they had found something rare and beautiful—a love that had blossomed from the shadows and illuminated their lives.

And so, in the depths of the night, amidst the storm and the darkness, Minho and Jisung discovered that even in the most unexpected places, love could find a way to shine through, creating a future filled with hope and happiness.