𝕄𝕒𝕜𝕖 𝕞𝕖 𝕗𝕖𝕖𝕝 𝔸𝕝𝕚𝕧𝕖 || 𝟚𝕞𝕚𝕟

24 | I Hate it Here

As they slowly pulled back from the embrace, neither of them let go completely. Their arms remained loosely around each other, warmth lingering between them. Minho gazed at Seungmin, his eyes overflowing with so much love it made Seungmin's breath hitch. He gently cupped his face, his thumb brushing over the soft skin of Seungmin's cheek in slow, tender strokes.

Seungmin swallowed, his heart pounding against his ribs. He could feel his face heat up under Minho's touch, and instinctively, he lowered his gaze, suddenly feeling shy.

Minho let out a quiet chuckle, tilting Seungmin's face back up with gentle fingers. "I need to leave now... see you tomorrow, okay?"

Seungmin nodded, his lips curling into a soft smile. He didn't want Minho to go, but he knew they'd see each other again soon.

Before standing up, Minho leaned in, capturing Seungmin's lips in one more slow, lingering kiss—this time softer, as if he was savoring every second. When he pulled away, he pressed a quick, playful peck to the tip of Seungmin's nose, making the younger scrunch it slightly.

Minho chuckled at the reaction before finally standing up, giving Seungmin one last lingering look before heading toward the door.

Seungmin watched him go, biting his lips softly, feeling the ghost of Minho's touch still there.

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

Tuesday afternoons had started to feel like a ritual—one that Seungmin didn't mind as much anymore. The doctor's room was quiet, save for the faint ticking of the clock on the wall and the soft shuffling of papers as the doctor reviewed her notes. Seungmin sat in his usual chair, fiddling with the hem of his sweater. Beside him, Minho sat practically bouncing in his seat, his excitement barely contained.

"You know what, Seungmin spoke yesterday," Minho announced, his voice filled with barely restrained joy.

The doctor's pen froze mid-sentence, and she looked up, her face lighting up with warmth. "That's wonderful news, Seungmin."

Seungmin lowered his gaze slightly, his fingers moving slowly to sign. "It was just a few words."

Minho shook his head immediately. "But it happened. And that's amazing."

The doctor nodded in agreement. "He's right. Progress doesn't happen overnight, but every step forward matters. And how did it feel, Seungmin?"

Seungmin hesitated, thinking back to last night—Minho's arms around him, his gentle voice, the warmth of his lips when they kissed, when he whispered I love you— but he quickly snapped back to the present, not wanting to get lost in the memory and let himself get carried away. His face would undoubtedly turn red if he did. 

But it undoubtedly was the first time in a long while that speaking had felt... natural.

"Good" he signed, his movements small but sincere.

Minho's face practically split into a proud grin. He reached over, gently squeezing Seungmin's hand under the table.

"See? You're doing amazing."

Seungmin felt warmth bloom in his chest, his lips curling up just slightly. The sessions were still stressful at times, still overwhelming, but Minho made everything feel a little easier. A little safer.

The doctor continued to talk to them, offering encouragement and discussing their next steps, but Seungmin had no idea that while they sat in the quiet safety and warmth of this room, miles away, things were anything but peaceful.

𝄞⨾𓍢ִ໋

The bus rumbled along the road, the atmosphere light and calm as they neared home. Most of the students were either dozing off or chatting quietly, but Hyunjin sat stiffly, staring at his phone.