just pretend.

46.

“We’ve been driving around for hours”, Jisung complained, throwing a glance at Seungmin, who was gripping the steering wheel tightly. The sun was slowly setting, casting a warm orange and pink glow across the sky, which contrasted sharply with the tension hanging in the car. Shadows began to stretch across the pavement, and the bustling city around them seemed to fade into a blur of colors as they drove. Seungmin let out a tired exhale, his eyes narrowing as he took the next exit off the street. “Considering you almost got caught by Wooyoung, do you really think it’s smart to go back home already and possibly lead him to Minho’s place?”, he snapped back, frustration lacing his voice. Jisung rolled his eyes, fully aware of the danger but feeling a surge of defiance. Wooyoung couldn’t have followed them for long; he had trailed them to the park on foot and would have lost track as soon as they left the confines of the city with two different cars. “He’s not following us. I had an eye on the streets for hours now”, Jisung said, resting his pounding head against the cold window, the chill offering a momentary respite from the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind. “I’ll drop you off a few streets away from Felix’s place then”, Seungmin muttered, his tone suggesting he was still unconvinced. Jisung could almost grasp the tension between them – not only the palpable anxiety of being hunted like prey but also the unspoken emotions lingering beneath the surface. He was acutely aware of the way Seungmin looked at Minho, the fleeting touches, and the subtle longings that hung between them like a delicate thread. But Jisung wasn’t going to give up without a fight. “Drop me off at Hyunjin’s place instead. I don’t think anyone is going to suspect me there”, he answered, the city lights beginning to twinkle in the dusk. “Just in case my father or Wooyoung found out where Minho lives by now”, he added, feeling his headache worsen. “Where are Chan and Hyunjin taking your brother?”, Seungmin asked after a long pause, his voice softer now, almost concerned. Jisung side-eyed him tiredly, feeling the weight of the day settle heavily on his shoulders. “He’s staying with one of his friends. It’s not a good idea for him to go back to his apartment if he’s actually being followed”, Jisung mumbled quietly, his thoughts racing back to Minho and the unease that gripped his heart. He watched as Seungmin drove past familiar streets, each landmark reminding him of moments they had shared in safer times. The decision to turn off their phones had felt necessary, yet since they had done so, a nagging guilt had begun to eat at him. What if Minho had been trying to reach him? What if he was worried sick, pacing the apartment while they drove aimlessly? The thought twisted in Jisung’s gut as the sunset deepened into twilight, leaving them in a dim world fraught with uncertainty.

Seungmin dropped him off a few streets away from Hyunjin’s place, the car rolling to a stop in the dimming light of the evening. "Be careful", Seungmin said, his voice soft but tired. He managed a faint smile and nodded as they stared at each other for a moment. Seungmin's intense gaze locked onto him, making Jisung slightly squirm in his seat. Neither of them knew what to say. With a tired exhale Jisung stepped out, the cool night air brushing against his skin, and he quickly slipped into the dark of a small alley, straining his ears for any signs of being followed. His heart raced as he pressed his back against the cold brick wall, listening intently, but after a few moments, he convinced himself that he wasn’t being chased anymore. Taking a deep breath, he sprinted through the empty streets, the echoes of his footsteps muffled by the quiet. He entered the building with the key he had received from Hyunjin before their ways parted, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as the door softly clicked shut behind him. He let out a strained exhale, feeling the heavy weight on his chest lift a little. The hallway was eerily silent, and he glanced around, noting that he hadn’t seen Hyunjin’s car parked outside. A wave of uncertainty washed over him as he wondered whether they were on their way back or still driving around, trying to evade Wooyoung. With his tired legs carrying him up the stairs, Jisung's mind raced with thoughts of Minho, the guilt of leaving him behind nagging at him. Reaching the door to Hyunjin and Chan’s apartment, he fumbled with the key, his hands shaking from exhaustion and fear as he finally unlocked it and stepped inside. The familiar scent of Hyunjin’s cologne greeted him, making his stomach churn. He quickly fished Felix’s phone out of his pocket and turned it on, his heart fluttering when he saw that Minho had called him at least five times. A faint smile brushed across his face as he dialed Minho’s number, his heart pounding with anticipation. The call connected, and he heard Minho’s voice immediately. “Hannie?”, Minho whispered, his voice sounding uncertain and filled with fear, sending a pang of anxiety through Jisung’s chest. “Yes, it’s me baby”, Jisung replied, his tone softening with affection that surprised even him. Despite the chaos and tension surrounding them, he always had a soft spot for the person he loved the most. “Are you okay?”, Minho asked, and Jisung could hear his voice crack, the strain evident in his words. “I’m okay. Seungmin drove around the entire time, making sure Wooyoung wasn’t following. He dropped me off at Hyunjin’s place. Are you alright?”, he asked back, his concern for Minho rising as he listened to the silence on the other end. Minho hummed quietly, and Jisung felt his stomach cramp with worry, knowing the situation was taking a toll on Minho as much as it took a toll on himself and everyone involved. “Did you eat?”, Jisung asked, finally allowing himself to fall onto the couch, his entire body aching from exhaustion. “Yes, and you?”, he heard Minho’s soft, tired voice through the speaker. “Hyunjin promised to bring some pizza once he dropped off Minju.” As he spoke, he heard a key turning in the lock, followed by Hyunjin’s loud voice echoing through the apartment. “They just arrived”, Jisung added, glancing towards the door and meeting Hyunjin’s gaze a moment later as he walked through the door, a stack of boxes in hand and Chan following him. “I’ll turn the phone off for the night, okay? If you need anything, text or call Hyunjin.. or Chan”, he reassured Minho, feeling a sense of calm wash over him just from hearing his voice. Minho inhaled deeply, the sound heavy with unsaid words. “Eat well, see you tomorrow”, his voice echoed in the back of Jisung’s mind, and he knew it was going to be a rough night for them both, filled with worry and uncertainty. “So, what’s the plan?”, Hyunjin asked, handing him a box with pizza as he turned off his phone. He sat upright and opened the box, immediately grabbing a slice and taking a bite, feeling his stomach grumble. “I don’t know”, he said between chews, leaning against a pillow as he swallowed his food. “The hearing is soon and we’re going to hide, Minju and I. We also have to take the pictures of me in the van and send it to my dad, I guess we’re doing that tomorrow.” Hyunjin nodded, handing a slice to Chan before sitting down next to Jisung. “Thank you for letting me stay here”, Jisung mumbled as he grabbed a second slice, feeling extremely hungry and really tired all of a sudden. Hyunjin nodded, throwing a glance at Chan. “We were thinking about it”, Hyunjin said after a while, taking a bite off his own slice. “Maybe it's best if you stay here for a while, with your brother, instead of going to Felix’s place. That way Minho can go back home and after a while, you could stay with us if you haven’t found a place to stay yet. It could help confuse your father or whoever he sends next.” Jisung nodded absentmindedly, agreeing to the plan. “I’ll stay here then for as long as you can handle”, he grinned, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. He already missed his own bed, his comforting four walls and his job. Minju had talked to him about courses he found online, each one being outside of the city he lived in. “You’re moving out tomorrow”, Chan said jokingly, making him chuckle and lifting the tense mood. He didn’t know what he had done to earn Chan’s forgiveness, but he appreciated his support.