nurse's office | minsung ✓

35

After they finally pulled away from their hug, Minho looked down at Jisung, a warm smile playing on his lips. "You hungry?" he asked, his voice soft yet teasing.

Jisung blinked for a second before vigorously nodding, his stomach growling almost on cue. Minho chuckled, amused by how eager Jisung seemed.

"Alright," Minho said, "get ready. I'm taking you out."

Jisung's eyes lit up, but he hesitated. "Minho, I really appreciate it, but I have to study... You know the bar exam is coming up," he said, almost regretfully.

Minho rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed by the protest. "Jisung," he started, his tone taking on a stern edge, "you need a break, and I said we're going out. Do what I ask."

The sudden shift in Minho's tone took Jisung by surprise. His eyes widened, and he couldn't help but feel a little flustered. That was new. But he nodded immediately, deciding not to argue. "O-Okay," he stammered, quickly heading off to his room to get ready.

Jisung rummaged through his clothes, picking out an outfit that felt casual but nice. He wanted to look decent since Minho was making an effort to take him out. Once he changed into his outfit, he walked back out into the living room, standing in front of Minho.

Minho gave him a once-over, his eyes lingering for a moment before a grin spread across his face. "Nice," he said with an approving nod. "You clean up well."

Jisung felt a blush creep up his neck. "Thanks," he mumbled, scratching the back of his head.

"Let's go, then," Minho said, grabbing his keys and leading the way out the door.

The drive to the bakery was peaceful, filled with light conversation and music playing in the background. Jisung felt a weight lift off his shoulders, knowing he could spend a few hours away from his notes and the constant pressure of studying.

Once they arrived at the bakery, the smell of fresh bread, pastries, and sweets hit Jisung like a wave. His eyes sparkled as he took in the sight of all the goodies on display. Minho nudged him playfully, snapping him out of his awe.

"Go on, pick whatever the hell you want," Minho said, smirking as he watched Jisung's eyes light up even more.

As Jisung scanned the shelves of the bakery, carefully deciding between the various pastries, he felt like a kid in a candy store. But he didn't want to rush his choices—this was an important moment of indulgence. He picked out a slice of tiramisu and a pumpkin tart. As he finally reached for a chocolate croissant, the lady behind the counter spoke up, catching him off-guard.

"So... is the guy over there your boyfriend?" she asked, pointing subtly at Minho, who was busy scrolling through his phone while waiting for Jisung.

Jisung froze, his mouth dropping open in an 'o' shape as he stared at the woman in shock. "W-What?" he stammered, his voice an octave higher than usual.

The lady just smiled knowingly, her eyes twinkling with understanding. "Oh, I see," she said, her tone teasing. "You two aren't officially together, huh? But the way he looks at you...trust me, dear. It's mutual, even if neither of you has said anything yet."

Jisung blinked, trying to process what she was saying. His mind raced, and before he knew it, he found himself launching into a full-on rant about Minho.

"He's just—he's done so much for me," Jisung started, grabbing a nearby pastry to add to his tray as he spoke. "I mean, we've been through a lot together. We met a few years ago, and he's been this constant in my life, you know? Always there for me, no matter what. Like, when I was really struggling with my health and all the law school stress, Minho just... stepped in. He took care of me without even asking if I needed help."

The lady listened patiently, nodding and smiling as Jisung continued. "And he's smart. Like, really smart. He's doing great in his engineering stuff, and honestly, sometimes I don't know how he manages it all. But despite being so busy, he still finds time for me, which is insane because I barely keep up with myself."

Jisung paused to pick out a strawberry tart before going on. "There was this one time—okay, there were a lot of times, but—he stayed up all night with me while I was cramming for finals. He made me tea, kept me focused, and just...helped me get through it. And even now, with the bar exam coming up, he's been reminding me to take breaks, telling me I need to breathe. I don't think I've told him enough how much I appreciate all that."

The lady behind the counter smiled softly, leaning forward a little. "It sounds like you care a lot about him," she said, her voice gentle. "You know, even if you're not together romantically, someone like that is worth cherishing. Minho sounds like someone who's deeply invested in your happiness. So whether or not you two end up being more than friends, make sure you appreciate him as much as he appreciates you."

Jisung nodded, her words sinking in. She was right. Even though he hadn't really confessed his feelings, Minho was already so important to him—more than he could express. He needed to value what they had, regardless of what the future held.

"Thank you," Jisung said softly, taking his tray to the counter. "I think...I really needed to hear that."

The lady smiled warmly at him. "You're welcome, dear. Now go enjoy your time with him. You deserve it."

Jisung paid for his selection and made his way back to where Minho was waiting. As he sat down, Minho looked up from his phone with a smirk. "Took you long enough," he teased.

Jisung chuckled, feeling lighter than he had in a while. "Yeah, well, I had to pick the best ones," he replied, setting his tray down.

They settled in, enjoying their pastries, and Jisung couldn't help but glance at Minho from time to time, his heart feeling warm and full. Maybe they hadn't confessed anything yet, but in that moment, Jisung knew he was exactly where he wanted to be. Minho was special, and he intended to show him just how much he appreciated everything, starting with this little outing.

"Thanks, Minho," Jisung said suddenly, his voice soft but sincere.

Minho raised an eyebrow, mid-bite. "For what?"

"For this. For everything," Jisung said, looking at him earnestly. "You've been there for me so much, and...I just want you to know that I appreciate it."

Minho stared at him for a moment, then smiled. "You don't have to thank me, Sung. I'm always here for you, no matter what."

Jisung smiled back, feeling his heart swell with affection as they continued enjoying their time together.

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