Through Every Step

The Test of Time

The summer days came quickly, and with them, the first big test of their relationship. After a full school year together, Jisung and Minho had grown even closer, their bond stronger than ever. But now, with the break stretching out before them, they were faced with the reality of being apart for longer than usual.

Jisung had always been busy, whether it was hanging out with friends or taking part in random activities, but the thought of being apart from Minho for an extended period made him feel uneasy. Minho, on the other hand, was a bit more relaxed about the idea of distance. He wasn't one for big displays of emotion, and he trusted that their connection would remain strong, even if they weren't in constant contact.

But Jisung... Jisung had always worn his heart on his sleeve. He wanted to be near Minho as much as possible, always seeking his company, always needing the reassurance that he was still a constant in Minho's life.

"You're not worried, are you?" Minho asked one evening, as they sat on the grass outside of their favorite park. The summer breeze made the warm air more bearable, and they had spent the last few hours just talking, laughing, and being together in the way only they could.

Jisung shrugged, though his fingers nervously fiddled with the hem of his shirt. "Maybe just a little. I mean, we've never had a long break like this before. What if we start drifting apart?"

Minho turned his head to look at him, eyes softening. "Jisung, we're not going to drift apart. You're important to me. Nothing is going to change that."

Jisung met his gaze, searching Minho's eyes for any trace of doubt. But all he found was sincerity. Minho had always been calm, always steady, and Jisung found comfort in that. He exhaled a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.

"I guess you're right," Jisung said, smiling a little, though the worry still lingered in the back of his mind. "I just... I don't like the idea of not being around you all the time."

Minho chuckled and nudged him playfully. "We'll make it work. It's only a few weeks. Besides, you're not the only one who misses me."

Jisung grinned, leaning in and nudging him back. "I never said I wasn't going to miss you."

They laughed together, the tension easing between them, but Jisung couldn't shake the feeling that things might change. The thought of being apart, even for a few weeks, felt like a test. Would their connection remain as strong? Would they both come out of it the same way they had entered it?

That night, as they said their goodbyes, Jisung hugged Minho tightly, refusing to let go for a few extra seconds longer than usual.

"You promise you won't forget about me?" Jisung asked, his voice barely above a whisper, a playful tone hiding the uncertainty he felt.

Minho smiled softly, pulling away just enough to meet his gaze. "You're impossible to forget. Trust me."

And with that, they parted ways, Jisung's heart heavy but his mind trying to trust Minho's words.

Days turned into weeks, and the time apart was both harder and easier than Jisung had imagined. At first, he had been flooded with memories of their time together—laughing over inside jokes, the late-night walks home, the stolen kisses when no one was looking. But after a while, he found himself adjusting to the distance, focusing on his own activities, hanging out with other friends, and enjoying the freedom summer brought.

But then, out of nowhere, he received a text from Minho:

Minho: "I'm coming over tomorrow. We need to talk."

Jisung's heart skipped a beat, his fingers hovering over the screen as his mind raced. What did that mean? Talk? Was something wrong? Had they drifted apart without even realizing it?

The next day, he waited by the front door, his mind in a whirlwind. When he saw Minho walking down the street, his heart fluttered in his chest. Minho was just as calm as always, but there was something different in his eyes. Something that Jisung couldn't quite put into words.

Before Jisung could say anything, Minho wrapped him in his arms, pulling him into a tight hug. "Missed you," Minho murmured, his voice low and warm.

Jisung smiled into the hug, a mixture of relief and happiness washing over him. "I missed you too," he said, his voice muffled by Minho's shoulder.

Minho pulled back slightly, looking into Jisung's eyes. "I know we've been apart for a little while, but I wanted to tell you something. I've been thinking about us... a lot."

Jisung felt a knot in his stomach, nerves creeping in. "What's going on, Minho?"

"I'm not going anywhere," Minho said, his words steady and firm. "I want us to stay like this. Together. No matter what."

Jisung blinked, his chest tightening. "What do you mean?"

Minho smiled, a rare softness on his face. "I want you to know that, no matter the distance or the time apart, nothing is going to change how I feel about you. I'm not just going to let you go. I'm here for the long haul."

Jisung's breath caught in his throat. He had been so scared of the distance between them, but hearing Minho say that made everything feel like it was finally falling into place. The uncertainty he had felt melted away, and for the first time in weeks, he felt at peace.

"I... I feel the same way," Jisung admitted, his voice small but filled with emotion. "I didn't want to admit it, but I was scared. Scared we might fall apart."

Minho cupped his face gently, his thumbs brushing over Jisung's cheeks. "I'm not going anywhere, Jisung. You don't have to worry about that."

And as they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Jisung realized that the love they shared wasn't fragile. It was strong, enduring, and no amount of time or distance could take that away.

They had made it through the challenge of separation, and in the end, it only brought them closer.

From that point on, Jisung and Minho's relationship grew even stronger. Their connection was undeniable, and as the months went by, they faced new challenges together—balancing school, friends, and their love for one another. But no matter what life threw their way, they always knew they had each other.

Jisung had learned that love wasn't about perfect timing or never having any doubts. It was about sticking together, even when things got hard. And Minho had learned that he didn't have to be as stoic as he had always thought. With Jisung by his side, he could be vulnerable, and it only made him love Jisung more.

Together, they were unstoppable.

And with each passing day, they found new ways to fall even more in love with one another—learning, growing, and building a future they were both excited to face.

Side by side.