♡𝙱𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚂𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎♡

𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝙸𝙸𝙸

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The next few days passed in an unbearable blur. Jeongin rarely left the armchair in Seungmin's apartment, wrapped in the same hoodie, eyes glazed over as though he wasn't fully present. He barely ate. He barely spoke. And every time Seungmin tried to reach him, Jeongin would either deflect or shut down completely.

But today was different. Seungmin could feel it from the moment he woke up.

Jeongin wasn't in the armchair.

At first, Seungmin thought maybe he was in the bathroom, but when he knocked on the door, there was no response. The panic began to build in his chest as he checked the kitchen, the balcony, every room in the apartment.

"Jeongin?" he called, his voice rising with worry.

No answer.

Seungmin's heart pounded as he grabbed his phone and started dialing. The ringing echoed in his ear like a countdown, each unanswered buzz tightening the knot in his stomach.

"Pick up, pick up," he whispered desperately.

Finally, the call connected, but it wasn't Jeongin's voice on the other end. It was the automated message telling him the phone was off or out of range.

"Dammit," Seungmin cursed under his breath, shoving the phone into his pocket.

He grabbed his jacket and keys, slamming the door behind him as he ran out into the crisp morning air.

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Seungmin's mind raced as he searched the streets, replaying every recent conversation he'd had with Jeongin, trying to remember if he'd mentioned any specific place he might go. But Jeongin hadn't been talking much at all lately, and the weight of that realization made Seungmin's stomach churn.

He checked the park first, but it was empty, the swings swaying gently in the wind as though mocking him. Next, he went to the coffee shop Jeongin used to love, but the barista shook their head when he asked if they'd seen him.

Finally, as a last resort, Seungmin headed to the river. It was a place Jeongin used to go when he needed to think, back when things weren't so dark.

And there he was.

Jeongin stood at the edge of the riverbank, his silhouette stark against the gray morning sky. His hands were shoved deep into his hoodie pockets, his shoulders hunched against the cold.

Seungmin felt his chest tighten as he approached cautiously, not wanting to startle him. "Jeongin," he called softly.

Jeongin didn't turn around.

Seungmin stopped a few feet away, his breath visible in the chilly air. "What are you doing out here?"

For a moment, Jeongin didn't answer. Then, without looking back, he said, "I just needed to get away."

Seungmin swallowed hard. "You scared me. I woke up, and you were gone."

Jeongin let out a hollow laugh, the sound carrying over the water like a ghost. "I didn't think you'd notice. Or care."

Seungmin felt his stomach drop. "How can you say that? Of course, I care."

Jeongin finally turned to face him, and the sight made Seungmin's heart ache. His eyes were red-rimmed and glassy, his cheeks pale and hollow. He looked like he hadn't slept in days.

"You shouldn't," Jeongin said flatly. "It's exhausting, isn't it? Taking care of me, watching me fall apart over and over again."

Seungmin took a step closer, his voice trembling with emotion. "You're not a burden, Jeongin. Stop saying that."

Jeongin shook his head, his expression crumpling. "You don't get it, Seungmin. I don't want to feel like this anymore. I don't want to feel anything anymore."

The words hit Seungmin like a punch to the gut. He closed the distance between them in two strides, grabbing Jeongin by the shoulders. "Don't you dare," he said, his voice fierce and unsteady. "Don't you dare give up on yourself."

Tears spilled down Jeongin's cheeks, and he tried to pull away, but Seungmin wouldn't let go.

"Look at me," Seungmin demanded. "I know it hurts. I know you feel like there's no way out, but this isn't the answer."

Jeongin sobbed, his body shaking under Seungmin's grip. "I don't know how to do this anymore," he choked out. "I'm so tired, Seungmin. I'm so tired."

Seungmin's own eyes filled with tears as he pulled Jeongin into a tight embrace, holding him like he was afraid he might disappear. "I know," he whispered. "I know you're tired. But you don't have to do this alone. I'm here, Jeongin. I'll always be here."

Jeongin clung to him, his fingers clutching Seungmin's jacket like a lifeline. The two of them stood there on the riverbank, the sound of the water mingling with Jeongin's quiet sobs.

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It was hours before they returned to the apartment. Jeongin was drained, physically and emotionally, but there was something different in his eyes now—a faint glimmer of hope, fragile but real.

Seungmin didn't leave his side that night. He made sure Jeongin ate, even if it was just a few bites of toast, and sat with him until he finally fell asleep on the couch.

As Seungmin watched his friend breathe deeply, the weight of the day settled on him. He knew they weren't out of the woods yet. There would be more hard days ahead, more moments where Jeongin would want to give up.

But for now, they'd made it through this one. And that was enough.

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