Secret Love

44| soft embrace

The next evening, the chill of winter hung in the air, a crisp reminder that a new year had dawned. The city outside was bathed in a soft, ethereal glow, as if the stars had descended to earth to usher in the promise of a fresh start.

As Jisung opened the door, he was met with the warm smile of Minho, who stood on the threshold, holding a few bags in his hand. Jisung's gaze narrowed slightly, perplexed by the unexpected visit. He stepped aside, allowing Minho to enter, and as he did, Minho turned to him and said, "I brought something for you."

Jisung's eyes darted from Minho's face to the bags in his hand and then back up to his face again. But instead of a smile, Minho was met with a blank expression. Minho's own smile faltered, and his brow furrowed in concern. "Why aren't you smiling?" he asked, taking a step closer to Jisung. "Are you okay?"

As Minho's eyes scanned Jisung's face, his concern grew. "Are you hurt? Is there pain somewhere?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry. Without thinking, he set the bags down on the table and stepped closer to Jisung, his hand reaching out to check his forehead. But Jisung's temperature was normal, and Minho's confusion deepened.

Jisung remained quiet, his expression unreadable, and Minho's concern turned to alarm. "Are you tired?" he asked, trying to coax some response from Jisung. But Jisung simply shook his head, his eyes avoiding Minho's.

Minho's brow furrowed in concern. "Then, what happened?" he asked, his voice low and urgent. He took another step closer to Jisung, his eyes searching for some clue, some hint of what was wrong.

As the minutes ticked by, Jisung's curiosity got the better of him. He peeked around the corner of the couch, trying to catch a glimpse of what Minho was up to. But the kitchen was out of sight, and Jisung was left to wonder.

"I brought your favorite," he said, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I hope it still is." As he approached Jisung, he held out a plate, and Jisung's heart skipped a beat as he saw the delicious-looking cheesecake.

Minho's smile grew wider as he handed Jisung the plate. "It's warm," he said, his voice low and soothing. Jisung's eyes lit up with delight, but he tried to play it cool, not wanting to reveal just how thrilled he was. Instead, he looked up at Minho with a soft, grateful expression, thanking him silently for the thoughtful gesture.

As he took the plate from Minho, Jisung's voice was barely above a whisper. "Thanks," he said, his eyes never leaving Minho's face. The warmth of the cheesecake and the kindness in Minho's eyes wrapped around Jisung like a cozy blanket, filling him with a sense of comfort and belonging.

As the days went by, Minho found himself falling into a comfortable routine. Every evening, he would make his way to Jisung's place, armed with a warm smile and a delicious meal. He would take care to prepare Jisung's favorite dishes, carefully considering his dietary needs and preferences.

As he arrived at Jisung's doorstep, Minho's heart would swell with a sense of purpose. He would knock gently, and Jisung would answer. Minho's instincts would kick in, and he would quickly take charge, ushering Jisung to the couch and settling in beside him.

"How are you feeling today?" Minho would ask, his voice low and soothing. Jisung would smile weakly, and Minho's heart would go out to him. He would take Jisung's hand in his, feeling for any signs of discomfort or pain.

"Does your body hurt?" Minho would ask, his brow furrowed with concern. Jisung would nod or shake his head, and Minho would adjust his care accordingly.

As they sat together on the couch, Minho would often look over at Jisung, taking in the lines of fatigue etched on his face. He would feel a pang of concern, wondering how he could do more to help.