The Weight of Goodbye || minsung

echoes of change

The days that followed the conversation with Jihoon felt like a fragile truce. Jisung and Minho tried to maintain a sense of normalcy, but the lingering tension of their discussion hung in the air like a thick fog, refusing to dissipate. Jihoon kept his distance, and while Jisung understood his need for space, it only deepened the ache in his heart.

One afternoon, as Jisung and Minho lounged on the couch, the silence felt heavier than usual. Minho had been scrolling through his phone, but his brow was furrowed in thought, indicating that his mind was elsewhere. Jisung could sense the weight of unspoken concerns hanging between them.

"Minho?" Jisung said, breaking the silence. "Are you okay?"

Minho sighed, putting his phone down and looking at Jisung with a mixture of exhaustion and uncertainty. "I'm just thinking about Jihoon. I'm worried about him."

"I am too," Jisung admitted, his heart twisting. "But we have to respect his need for space. It's hard, but it's what he asked for."

"I know," Minho replied, running a hand through his hair. "It just feels wrong to leave him alone like this. I keep thinking about how much he's struggling."

"We can't fix everything for him, Minho," Jisung said gently. "He needs to figure this out on his own. We can support him when he's ready."

Minho nodded, but his expression remained troubled. "It's just hard. I hate feeling like I'm abandoning him, even if that's not what I'm trying to do."

Jisung moved closer, taking Minho's hand in his own. "You're not abandoning him. You're choosing us, and that's okay. But it doesn't mean we don't care about Jihoon. We can be there for him in a different way."

Minho's eyes softened, and he squeezed Jisung's hand. "I know you're right. I just wish it didn't feel so complicated."

"Life is complicated," Jisung replied, offering a reassuring smile. "But that's what makes it worth living. We'll get through this together."

Just then, Minho's phone buzzed on the coffee table, drawing their attention. He picked it up and frowned at the screen. "It's Jihoon."

Jisung's heart raced as Minho answered the call. "Hey, Jihoon. What's up?"

Jisung held his breath, his ears straining to hear Jihoon's voice through the phone. Minho's expression shifted, a mix of surprise and concern etched across his features.

"Really? Are you sure?" Minho asked, glancing at Jisung with wide eyes. "Okay, yeah. We'll be right there."

As Minho hung up, Jisung's curiosity peaked. "What did Jihoon say?"

"He wants us to come over," Minho replied, his voice a mix of excitement and worry. "He said he's ready to talk."

"Ready to talk?" Jisung echoed, his stomach twisting with anticipation. "What do you think that means?"

"I don't know," Minho said, his brow furrowing. "But it sounds serious. We should go."

"Yeah, let's go," Jisung agreed, adrenaline coursing through him as they quickly gathered their things.

They arrived at Jihoon's apartment a short while later, the familiar space feeling different somehow. Jisung's heart pounded as he knocked on the door, and Minho stood close beside him, their hands brushing against each other in silent support.

When Jihoon opened the door, his eyes looked brighter, a spark of determination shining within them. "Hey, thanks for coming."

"Of course," Minho said, stepping inside with Jisung. "What's going on?"

Jihoon gestured for them to sit down. "I've been thinking a lot about everything, and I realized something important."

As they settled onto the couch, Jisung felt a mix of hope and apprehension. "What did you realize?"

"I realized that I've been so focused on my own struggles that I didn't take the time to consider how my actions affected you both," Jihoon began, his voice steady. "I don't want to be the reason you two feel strained."

"Jihoon, you don't have to apologize," Minho interjected gently. "We all care about each other, and it's okay to need space."

"I know, but I also don't want to keep you both in limbo," Jihoon said, his expression earnest. "So, I think it's best if I take a step back for a while. I need to work on my own issues without feeling like I'm imposing on your relationship."

Jisung exchanged a glance with Minho, relief flooding through him. "That sounds like a good idea, Jihoon. We want you to take care of yourself."

"I appreciate that," Jihoon replied, his voice tinged with gratitude. "But I also want you both to know that I'm here for you, no matter what. I care about your relationship, and I want you to be happy."

"Thank you, Jihoon," Minho said, his voice warm. "We appreciate your support. We'll always be here for you, too."

Jisung nodded in agreement, his heart swelling with gratitude. "We'll figure this out together. Just know that we're rooting for you, even from a distance."

Jihoon smiled, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. "I'm really going to miss our hangouts, but I think this is what I need right now. I'll reach out when I'm ready."

After sharing a few more moments of warmth and reassurance, Jihoon stood up to walk them to the door. As they reached the threshold, Jisung felt a mix of emotions stirring within him—relief, sadness, hope—all swirling together.

"Take care of yourself, Jihoon," Jisung said softly, pulling him into a brief hug. "We'll be waiting for you."

"I will," Jihoon replied, his voice thick with emotion. "Thanks for being so understanding."

As they left Jihoon's apartment, Jisung felt a sense of closure begin to settle over him, even as the uncertainties of their situation remained.

"Do you think we did the right thing?" Jisung asked, glancing up at Minho as they walked back to their car.

"I think so," Minho replied, taking Jisung's hand and giving it a reassuring squeeze. "It's going to be a process, but I believe we're all going to be okay."

"Yeah," Jisung agreed, though a part of him still worried about Jihoon's well-being. "I just hope he finds what he's looking for."

"Me too," Minho said, looking thoughtful. "But we can't carry that weight alone. We'll support him, but we also need to focus on us."

As they climbed into the car, Jisung felt a mix of hope and trepidation. They had taken a significant step toward healing, but the journey ahead was still uncharted territory. The echoes of their conversation with Jihoon would linger, but Jisung knew that with Minho by his side, they could face whatever came next.