ᴀᴅᴅɪᴄᴛᴇᴅ

【33】

after almost three weeks in the hospital, mingi was finally sent home— not to his own house, but with yunho.

yunho's mom picked them up. the ride was quiet, so quiet that even the turn signal felt too loud in the silence. mingi and yunho sat in the backseat, his were hands tucked in the sleeves of his hoodie, staring out the window like the gray sky outside held answers.

no one spoke.

when they arrived, the house smelled like food — warm and homey, but it made mingi's stomach twist instead of settle. the table was already set, and dinner sat steaming in the center. a roast, some vegetables, rice. it should've felt comforting. it didn't.

he barely touched his plate, pushing rice around with his chopsticks.

that's when yunho's mom finally broke the silence. "mingi dear, stop picking and eat."

mingi's head jerked up, eyes wide. it was the first thing she'd said to him since they left the hospital. her voice wasn't angry — it was tight. controlled and calming. but it was also soft and soothing.

"i know it's hard," she added, her gaze softening, "but please eat. i don't want you to starve."

"sorry," he mumbled, looking down again.

"after we finish eating, we can talk, kay?"

"okay."

⸻

the clinking of dishes and the hum of the sink filled the silence after dinner. yunho quietly helped his mom clean up while mingi lingered in the hallway, unsure whether to sit or stand or disappear.

eventually, they guided him to the living room. the couch was soft, but he sat on the edge like he didn't belong.

yunho's mom sat across from him. her hands were clasped tightly in her lap.

"first things first," she said, voice gentle but firm. "are you okay?"

"yes. just tired, but... i'm okay," mingi answered, though even he himself didn't believe it.

she hesitated, then continued, "do you want to stay with us? i know everything about your condition... and father. and i hate that you didn't tell anyone sooner. we could've done something to prevent all of this."

mingi shook his head slowly. "i'm greatful for you're concern, really... but i don't know about staying here. i already feel like a burden. i lived with hongjoong for a while, some time ago."

a heavy silence followed, then yunho cut in.

"mingi-ya," he said quietly, "joong's a college student. he's busy and still trying to pass his classes. i don't think he's going to have time to manage school, two jobs, his relationship and you."

"you need to be around someone who is going to be by your side at every minute until you fully heal."

"i've been saving up from the jobs i've had i can just use that to stay at a hotel for a few nights."

"what about after you run out of money? what happens then?" yunho countered.

"did not hear what i said? you need someone to be there with you."