Minchan: Fighting The Storms With You

48

Han, Seungmin, and Chan sat together in silence for a moment, processing everything Jungkook had said. The weight of his words hung heavily in the air, but as they thought it through, they knew he was right. Lino looked happy—so different from the Minho they once knew, who was burdened with scars both visible and hidden.

"Chan... you could still try to get close to him," Han suggested, trying to lift Chan's spirits. "He's already a fan of yours, right? Maybe if you tried, he'd fall for you."

Chan forced a smile at Han's attempt to cheer him up, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I don't know, Han. Maybe I should just be grateful that he's alive. I can see him smile, even if he isn't mine. I can still be around him, talk to him."

Seungmin and Han exchanged a glance, nodding in agreement. They both offered him a reassuring smile before retreating to their rooms, leaving Chan alone with his thoughts.

That night, Chan couldn't sleep. Tears streamed down his face as he lay awake, the ache in his chest growing with each passing minute. He kept mumbling to himself, as if trying to convince his heart of what his mind knew to be true. "At least he's alive... at least he's alive... why am I so selfish... why does it hurt so much...?"

The next morning, Chan headed downstairs, hoping a cup of coffee might clear his head. As he approached the kitchen, he saw Lino sitting at the table, a grin lighting up his face as he gazed towards the kitchen.

"And once I get that certificate... I can teach people to dance too! Isn't that great?" Lino's voice was full of joy, a far cry from the haunted tone Chan remembered.

"Hmm... but don't push yourself too much, Lino," Jungkook's voice responded from the kitchen, warm and caring.

"You never let me. You're like a mother, you know? I'm getting tired of you," Lino teased, pouting playfully.

"Oh really?" Jungkook's voice carried a smile with it.

Chan stopped in his tracks, his heart clenching as he watched Jungkook emerge from the kitchen, two cups in hand. He placed them on the table, then, in one smooth motion, picked Lino up, settling him on his lap. Lino's legs wrapped around Jungkook's waist as if it were the most natural thing in the world, and he rested his head on Jungkook's shoulder, a picture of comfort and trust.

Jungkook placed a gentle kiss on Lino's head, and Chan felt his chest tighten painfully.

"Will you go out today?" Lino asked, his voice soft and filled with a quiet contentment.

"I might... just for a few hours," Jungkook answered.

"We have guests, you know? Why would you leave me alone?" Lino's tone was light, but there was an unmistakable fondness in it.

Chan felt his legs weaken as he moved away from the doorway, leaning against the wall for support. He could hear Lino's voice, so full of love and life, but it wasn't directed at him. His vision blurred with tears as he realized just how deeply Lino had moved on—how far he had come from the broken boy Chan once knew.

"You know Grandfather would nag if I don't," Jungkook said, bringing a chuckle from Lino.

"Hmm..." Lino hummed in response, the sound of his happiness like a knife to Chan's heart.

"Now let's drink the coffee," Jungkook said, gently placing Lino back on his chair. The couple sat together, talking about their everyday lives, their voices filled with a casual intimacy that spoke of years spent together.

Chan turned and walked back upstairs, his heart heavy with a mix of regret and acceptance. As he reached the top of the stairs, he hesitated, his thoughts swirling in his mind.

'Should I still be here?' he wondered, the pain of seeing Lino happy without him almost too much to bear. But beneath the hurt, there was also a quiet, reluctant acceptance. Lino was alive, and he was happy. Maybe that had to be enough.