PLAY BALL | minsung

AUTUMN

Seoul, South Korea

"Is it ironic that I'm nervous?"

Minho turns to his boyfriend, smile gracing his face as he looks lovingly at the boy sitting on the examination table. He leans over to kiss him on the side of his head, "You're always nervous, baby."

A small laugh fills the room, Jisung picking the rip in his jeans to distract himself, "That is very true."

The older simply rubs the boys thigh soothingly, reminding him that he was there if he needed him.

The wall was a sterile white, pamphlets warning of disease and endorsing vaccinations sitting on a table next to the chair, a chair for Minho.

Jisung took extra notice that instead of taking the seat that seemed so far away from him, Minho stood attentively next to his boyfriends side, preferring to be as close to him as possible.

The sharps box stared dauntingly at the nervous boy, he didn't do too well with needles, but he was reminded of what Minho said when they first walked into the doctors office, "They're not going to draw your blood baby, there's no need, you're just going to tell them why you're here."

He was instantly calmed, the princely man too was examining the room, taking care to look at each of the things lining the walls.

The younger is momentarily reminded of the pediatric doctors office he went to as a kid, his mom holding his hand and stroking his back when he coughed weakly.

Except today he wasn't sick, not physically at the very least.

Jisung was sure just visiting the doctors office alone would send him into a panic attack but, Minho, Minho was here.

That made it all better.

"Thank you for coming with me."

Minho snaps his head to face his boyfriend, confusion dotting his features, "What.." he trails off as he examines Jisung stressed features.

"I don't think I would have ever made it here if it wasn't for you," he fiddles with his fingers, "I—I would never have confronted this so head on."

The older gives him a small smile, taking his hand and rubbing the knuckles, "I may have been there for you, but it took your own strength to get you here."

Jisung nods, pressing the lightest kiss to his boyfriend's lips, "You keep me sane."

Minho scrunches up his nose teasingly, "Of course, you're absolutely crazy, someone's gotta take care of you."

Giggles fill the room as he pushes his boyfriend playfully when the door opens, a sweet lady maybe in her early thirties walks in, "Good morning."

Both boys were caught off guard, but they both bow politely greeting her as she situates herself at the counter, "What seems to be the problem?"

There's a heartbeat starting to pulse in Jisung's ears, a breath escaping him.

But then there's a squeeze on his hand, Minho's small reassurance, and it's all okay.

"I think I have anxiety."

—

Los Angeles, California, USA

Felix was perched quietly at the kitchen counter, textbooks spread out before him as he studied the words with innate focus. The whole apartment was silent, and nothing stirred, the only thing that could be heard was the silent whirr of the air conditioning (because yes, even in the fall, LA managed to be burning hot) along with the intermittent turning of pages.