Chasing Perfection || Lee Know

What Hands can mend

Minho sat on Hyejin's couch, gingerly stretching his legs out in front of him. His knee was still sore, and his forehead was bandaged, a stark reminder of the chaotic night. Hyejin, ever the caretaker, knelt down in front of him, her fingers deftly cleaning the small cut on his cheek. She was so focused, her brows furrowed in concentration, that Minho couldn't help but watch her. There was something about the way she handled him with such gentle care that made his heart flutter.

"Hold still," Hyejin muttered, her voice low as she pressed a cotton pad against his skin.

"I'm holding still," Minho grumbled, but he winced a little when she applied the antiseptic a little too roughly. "Okay, maybe not that still."

Hyejin shot him a playful glare but softened when she noticed him wincing. "Sorry, I'll be more gentle," she said, her voice already laced with that softness that made him feel both protected and adored.

Minho smiled, his heart warmed by her words. "You don't need to apologize for that. It's just... you're a little fierce with those bandages."

"You know I'm a professional, right?" she teased, keeping her tone light as she worked. "You're lucky I'm taking care of you, not some random nurse."

"Yeah, lucky me," he replied, looking at her with that mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "You've got that soft touch, Hyejin."

Once she finished cleaning the cut on his cheek, she carefully applied a fresh bandage. Her fingers brushed lightly against his skin, and he couldn't help but shiver at the softness of her touch.

"Done," she announced with a satisfied smile, sitting back on her heels.

"Thanks, Hyejin," Minho murmured, looking at her with an intensity that made her blush slightly. "I think I'll survive now."

"You better," she replied, lifting a glass of water with a painkiller in it. "Take this. It'll help with the pain."

Minho glanced at the pill in her hand, then back at her. "Yes, ma'am," he said, lifting his hand to accept it, only to pause for a moment. "Is this your way of making me rely on you forever?"

Hyejin rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the soft smile tugging at her lips. "If I wanted to do that, I'd make sure to feed you soup every day too."

Minho chuckled, his heart swelling. "I wouldn't mind that at all."

"Well, lucky for you, I'm a great cook," she replied, winking at him.

He swallowed the pill and took a long sip of water, savoring the moment of calm before he had to face whatever else life threw at him. His phone buzzed suddenly, causing him to flinch.

"Who's that?" Hyejin asked, her curiosity piqued.

Minho glanced at the screen and groaned. "It's my mom," he said, rubbing his temples. "She's going to freak out."

"Answer it," she urged, giving him a playful push. "I want to hear this."

Minho reluctantly pressed the green button, putting the phone on speaker. "Hi, Mom," he said, trying to sound casual.

"Lee Minho!" his mother's voice cut through the phone, high-pitched and worried. "Do you have any idea how worried I was when I heard your voicemail? What were you thinking, getting into a fight with robbers?!"

Hyejin's eyes widened, and she looked at him with a mixture of concern and disbelief. Minho looked back at her sheepishly, trying to avoid her gaze.

"Mom, I didn't exactly plan for it to happen," he said, his tone defensive.

"I told you this would happen one day!" his mother continued, her voice loud and exasperated. "Your father and I warned you about living alone in that duplex house. Why didn't you hire a security guard like we suggested? And don't even get me started on the penthouse we bought for you—do you see now why we insisted you live there?"

Minho sighed, rubbing his face. "Mom, I like the duplex. It feels more... comfortable, okay?"

"Comfortable?" his mother screeched. "Comfortable? What's comfortable about getting robbed and hurt? The consequences are catching up to you now, Minho!"

Hyejin tried to stifle her laughter, covering her mouth with her hand as she caught the look of absolute discomfort on Minho's face.

"Mom, I'll be fine," Minho said, cutting off his mom's rant. "It wasn't as bad as it sounds."

His mother wasn't done, though. "Where are you now? Are you at the hospital?"

"No," Minho replied, glancing at Hyejin with a small smile. "I'm at Hyejin's house. She's taking care of me."

There was a pause on the line, and then Minho's mother spoke again, this time softer. "Hyejin-ah, are you there?"

"Y-Yes, Mrs. Lee," Hyejin said, nervous but trying to keep it together.

"Thank you for looking after my son," his mother's voice softened further. "If it weren't for you, God knows where he'd be right now."

Minho smiled at Hyejin, his heart swelling with warmth. He couldn't express how grateful he was for her—especially in a moment like this.

Minho's mom continued, her tone shifting to something playful. "Minho, if Hyejin weren't your girlfriend, you'd be completely helpless! You better treat her well, or I'll come over there myself and knock some sense into you."

Hyejin's cheeks turned a bright shade of pink, and she glanced at Minho nervously. His teasing grin was infectious, though, and soon, she was trying to suppress a smile herself.

"I know, Mom," Minho said, rolling his eyes but unable to hide the affection in his voice. "I'll treat her well. I promise."

"Good," his mom said, satisfied. "And make sure she knows how lucky you are. I can't imagine how many times she's had to save you from yourself."

"Okay, Mom, I get it," Minho said, his voice tinged with embarrassment. "I'll think about the penthouse, alright?"

"You better think about it seriously," his mother replied. "And thank Hyejin properly. She's a keeper."

The conversation finally ended, and Minho let out a long breath, relieved it was over.

"Your mom's... something else," Hyejin said, trying to hold back her laughter.

Minho shrugged, his face slightly red. "Yeah, she's got her own way of showing love."

Hyejin grinned, sitting closer to him on the couch. "You're lucky to have her. She really cares about you."

"Yeah, I know," Minho said, his voice softening. "I'm lucky to have you too."

Hyejin looked at him, her heart racing slightly at the sincerity in his voice. She leaned in, gently brushing her thumb over his bandaged cheek. "You better believe it," she teased. "Now, stay still while I check that knee of yours."

Minho chuckled, his eyes never leaving hers. "You're making me rely on you, Hyejin. I don't think I'll ever leave your side now."

She raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Good. I'll make sure you never do."

They shared a lingering gaze, the tension between them palpable, before Minho slowly leaned forward, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, tender kiss. It was slow at first, as if they were savoring the moment, before deepening, as if their hearts were confirming what their souls had known for so long.

When they finally pulled away, both were breathless, their foreheads resting against each other. Minho smiled against her skin, his voice a whisper. "Thank you, Hyejin. I don't think I could have gotten through tonight without you."

Hyejin smiled, her hands resting on his shoulders as she looked up at him with tenderness in her eyes. "I'll always be here for you, Minho."

And in that moment, everything else faded away. It was just the two of them, the quiet in the room, and the undeniable connection they shared. They were each other's strength, each other's home, and in that softness, in the vulnerability of it all, they both knew—this was where they were meant to be.

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