Fashioned For Love | Minsung AU

Forty Four

~~~~~~~~~~~ 44 ~~~~~~~~~~~

Woosung

That night, as the warmth of the Christmas celebrations faded into a quiet hum, Woosung found himself sitting with Jiho in their cozy living room. The glow of the fireplace cast soft shadows on the walls, wrapping them in a cocoon of intimacy and comfort. Mugs of hot cocoa sat steaming on the coffee table, untouched for the moment as they navigated the emotional currents of the day.

Jiho stirred the marshmallows in her mug absently, her brow furrowed with concern. "I still can't believe how everything unfolded after the proposal," she said, her voice soft yet filled with disbelief. "It was supposed to be such a happy moment."

"It was," Woosung replied, leaning back into the plush cushions, his thoughts drifting to Minho's shining eyes when he had first revealed his intentions to Jisung. That joy had been so quickly overshadowed by the arrival of Minho's parents. "But then... his father. I never expected him to react that way."

Jiho shook her head, a look of sympathy crossing her face. "To disown his own son over love... It's heartbreaking. How could anyone do that?"

Woosung sighed, feeling the weight of the world settle on his shoulders. "It's not just the disowning. It's everything leading up to that moment. The pressure Minho must have felt, trying to live up to his father's expectations, and then for it to all crumble like that..." He paused, his heart heavy with the memory of Minho's tears. "He was so vulnerable."

Jiho nodded, her gaze softening as she looked at her husband. "You saw it too, didn't you? The way he broke down. It's not often you see someone like Minho—someone so strong—reveal that kind of fragility."

Woosung's mind drifted back to Minho's sobs, the way he had clung to him like a lifeline. "He's built a facade of strength, but when his parents walked out that door, it all fell apart. He was just... a scared kid in that moment, crying for the love he's never really received."

"What a terrible price to pay for being true to himself," Jiho murmured, her voice thick with empathy. "And that moment when he called you 'Dad'... It was like he was reaching out for something he thought he'd never have."

"Yes," Woosung replied, a soft smile touching his lips despite the heaviness in his heart. "It was as if he was asking for permission to belong, to be accepted for who he is. I couldn't just let him feel alone in that moment."

He looked at Jiho, her eyes filled with understanding. "When I held him, I felt the weight of all his struggles. I realized then that he's not just Jisung's partner; he's a part of our family now. He deserves a place where he feels safe and loved, something he's clearly been missing."

Jiho smiled softly, reaching out to take Woosung's hand. "You have such a big heart, Woosung. I admire how you stepped in for him, even when things were so tense. It's not easy to confront that kind of pain."

"I just wanted him to know that he's not alone," Woosung said, squeezing her hand gently. "No one should ever feel that way, especially not on a day that was supposed to be filled with love."

As the couple sat in the tranquil silence, the flickering flames of the fireplace reflecting in their eyes, Woosung couldn't help but think about Minho's strength masked by his vulnerability. The contrast between the two left a profound impact on him, a reminder of how complicated love could be.

"I hope Minho finds his way through this," Jiho finally said, her voice breaking the silence. "He deserves happiness. He deserves to be loved, especially by those who should love him unconditionally."

"He will," Woosung reassured her, his voice steady with conviction. "With Jisung by his side and our family around him, he'll find the strength to stand up for what he wants and who he is. He has a chance to break the cycle."