The Weight of Goodbye || minsung

the conversation

The next day, the atmosphere in the apartment was tense with anticipation. Jisung found himself pacing anxiously, his thoughts spiraling around the impending conversation with Jihoon. Minho had set up a small gathering, promising pizza and a casual vibe to ease the tension, but Jisung felt anything but relaxed.

"Are you ready for this?" Minho asked, watching Jisung with concern as he set the table.

"I think so," Jisung replied, though the tremor in his voice betrayed his uncertainty. "What if it doesn't go well?"

Minho stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on Jisung's shoulder. "We'll handle it together. Just remember to be honest with him—and with yourself."

"Yeah," Jisung said, though the knot in his stomach tightened. "I just don't want to hurt him. He's been through so much already."

"Neither do I," Minho replied softly. "But we can't ignore how we feel. It's time to talk it out."

As the doorbell rang, Jisung's heart raced. He exchanged a quick glance with Minho, who nodded reassuringly. Together, they moved to the door, and Jisung took a deep breath before opening it.

"Hey, Jihoon," Jisung said, forcing a smile as he stepped aside to let him in. Jihoon looked nervous, his hands fidgeting in front of him.

"Thanks for inviting me over," Jihoon said, his voice slightly shaky as he entered.

"Of course," Minho said, gesturing toward the living room. "We ordered pizza. Want to eat first or talk?"

"Let's talk," Jihoon replied, his expression serious. "I think it's important."

The three of them settled onto the couch, the air thick with unspoken words. Jisung and Minho exchanged glances, silently communicating their resolve to be honest. Jihoon sat slightly apart from them, a sense of distance palpable despite their proximity.

"Okay, I guess I'll start," Jihoon said, taking a deep breath. "I've been doing a lot of thinking since we last spoke, and I've realized I need to be honest about how I feel."

Jisung nodded, feeling a mix of apprehension and empathy. "We want to hear what you have to say."

"I appreciate that," Jihoon said, glancing at both of them. "I know this situation isn't easy for any of us. I've struggled with my feelings for both of you. I don't want to come between you two, but I also don't want to lose our friendship."

"We understand that, Jihoon," Minho said, leaning forward. "But it's important to set boundaries. Jisung and I want to make this work, but we also want to support you."

"Exactly," Jisung added, feeling a surge of determination. "But it has to be clear that our relationship is a priority."

Jihoon's expression shifted, a hint of sadness creeping into his eyes. "I understand. I want you both to be happy. But I can't help but feel like I'm losing you."

"You're not losing us," Minho reassured him. "You'll always be important to us. But I need to focus on my relationship with Jisung."

"Me too," Jisung said, his voice steady. "But I want to be here for you, Jihoon. You've been through so much, and I don't want to abandon you either."

Jihoon looked down, clearly wrestling with his emotions. "I appreciate that, really. But I think I need some space to sort through my feelings. I can't keep leaning on you both."

"Space is okay," Minho replied gently. "But please know that we're here for you when you need us. You don't have to go through this alone."

"I just want you both to know that I care about you," Jihoon said, his voice thick with emotion. "But I don't want to hold you back. I want you to be free to love each other without feeling guilty."

Jisung felt a swell of gratitude for Jihoon's honesty, but it was accompanied by a deep sadness. "We want you to be happy too, Jihoon. You deserve to find your happiness, whatever that looks like."

Jihoon nodded, tears welling in his eyes. "Thank you. I really appreciate you both for being so understanding. I'll work on myself, and I hope we can still be friends."

As the tension began to ease, Jisung felt a wave of relief wash over him. "We can be friends. It will take time, but we can find a way to support each other."

"Let's take it one day at a time," Minho said, reaching out to place a comforting hand on Jihoon's shoulder. "We're still a team, no matter what."

The three of them shared a moment of understanding, the weight of the conversation hanging in the air but feeling lighter somehow. Jihoon finally smiled, a hint of hope returning to his expression.

"Okay," Jihoon said, wiping his eyes. "Let's eat pizza and try to enjoy the night. I don't want to be a downer."

With the ice broken, Jisung felt a sense of camaraderie returning. They ordered pizza and spent the next hour sharing laughter and stories, the atmosphere gradually shifting back to a more comfortable one.

But even as they joked and ate, Jisung couldn't shake the feeling that things had changed irrevocably. He had opened a door that couldn't be closed, and while he felt relieved to have expressed his feelings, he knew the road ahead would still be fraught with challenges.

As the night drew to a close, Jisung walked Jihoon to the door, feeling a mix of apprehension and hope. "I'm glad we talked," he said sincerely. "Let's keep communicating."

"Definitely," Jihoon replied, his smile warm. "Thanks for being so understanding. I'll figure things out, I promise."

After Jihoon left, Jisung turned to Minho, who was leaning against the counter, a thoughtful expression on his face. "How do you feel about all of that?"

"I feel good," Minho said, though his eyes revealed the complexity of his emotions. "But I also feel scared. It's a lot to process."

"Yeah," Jisung agreed, running a hand through his hair. "But at least we're being honest with each other now."

"Absolutely," Minho replied, stepping closer to Jisung and wrapping his arms around him. "And no matter what happens, I'm glad we have each other."

Jisung melted into Minho's embrace, the warmth of his body providing a comforting sanctuary. "Me too. We'll figure this out together."

As they stood together in the fading light, Jisung felt a sense of calm settling over him, even as he knew challenges lay ahead. They were navigating a complex path, but together, they could find a way to make it work.