The Weight of Goodbye || minsung

unraveling threads

As autumn deepened, the air around them turned crisp, bringing with it a sense of change. Jisung and Minho continued to enjoy their newfound closeness, but the specter of Jihoon's struggles lingered like a shadow over their relationship. Each day, they found themselves checking their phones, hoping for a message from him, but the silence stretched on, leaving them both restless.

One evening, as they cuddled on the couch watching a movie, Jisung felt a familiar tension creeping back into the room. The laughter and lightheartedness of the picnic felt like a distant memory, replaced by an underlying worry that gnawed at Jisung's heart.

"Minho?" Jisung ventured, hesitating for a moment. "Do you think Jihoon is okay?"

Minho paused the movie, his expression turning serious. "I don't know. I wish he would reach out. It's hard not knowing what he's going through."

"Yeah," Jisung replied, his stomach twisting. "I can't shake the feeling that we should do something more. I hate feeling helpless."

"We've given him space," Minho said, leaning back against the couch. "But it feels like we're at a crossroads. I want to help him, but I don't want to push him away."

Jisung nodded, understanding the weight of Minho's words. "It's complicated. I care about Jihoon, but I also want to prioritize us."

Minho sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's a tough balance. I don't want to be selfish, but I also want to keep building what we have."

The air between them thickened with unspoken fears and concerns. Jisung leaned closer, seeking comfort in Minho's presence. "We're doing our best, and I think that counts for something. We can keep checking in on Jihoon without losing sight of us."

Minho turned to face him, his expression softening. "You're right. We just need to find a way to keep our connection strong while still being there for him."

Jisung smiled, encouraged by Minho's determination. "Maybe we can invite him for dinner soon? A small gathering, just the three of us. It might help him feel more connected."

"I like that idea," Minho replied, his face brightening. "Let's reach out and see how he's doing."

With that resolution in mind, they decided to send Jihoon a message. Jisung's heart raced as he typed, the words feeling both heavy and hopeful. He hit send, and they both held their breath, waiting.

Hours passed with no response, and the anticipation turned into anxiety. Jisung found it hard to focus on anything else, the silence growing louder with each passing minute. Just as he was about to give up hope, his phone buzzed, jolting him from his thoughts.

"It's Jihoon!" he exclaimed, eyes wide with excitement.

Minho leaned closer, both of them reading the message together. "Hey, guys. I appreciate the offer. Can we do it next weekend? I need a little more time."

Jisung felt a pang of disappointment but quickly reminded himself of Jihoon's need for space. "Of course! We're here for you whenever you're ready."

After sending the reply, Jisung looked at Minho, who had a thoughtful expression on his face. "What do you think he's going through?" Minho asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"I wish I knew," Jisung replied, frustration creeping in. "I feel like we're on the outside looking in. It's hard to support him when we can't fully understand what he's facing."

"We can't force him to open up," Minho said, his voice calm. "But we can be patient. He'll reach out when he's ready. We just have to keep letting him know we care."