twelve

It takes some planning. Minho has gotten used to working late at night and staying up for Jisung. But now... he decides to change things.

Now, he has got his work done earlier so that he can meet up with friends... hope to get lucky and find someone... then come back for Jisung before he changes to a human.

It's difficult. He gets bored several times. He bids his friends good night. Hurries home past midnight. He doesn't like the thought of Jisung being alone. He keeps thinking, oh no, poor mannequin.

Jisung could be wondering where he is.

He won't have Minho to eat food with, and get love.

It hurts Minho a bit. That Jisung could feel sad. By himself.

The fourth time though... Minho finds a cute guy checking him out at the bar. He's leaning. Sipping his drink. He winks at Minho.

They haven't done more than make out against his car. Then Minho wonders... if Jisung will check the fridge. If he'll see that slice of cake he saved for him. If he'll love it.

Oh. Minho will miss the look of delight on his face...

He quickly finds excuses to leave, and the guy looks more than pissed at him. Minho doesn't care. He rushes back home.

- - -

- - - - - -

He arrives back home, panting.

"Jisung?" He calls and walks into the living room.

The mannequin's sitting on the floor. Against the couch. There's a book in his hands. His wide surprised eyes are on Minho. They scan his appearance, then he blushes.

Minho realizes. He's showily dressed. He has ripped jeans. Tight shirt with sleeves rolled up. Half his buttons are open.

"You're back..." Jisung says. He smiles and slowly hides the book behind his back. "I was looking for you..."

"Jisung, are you reading things you shouldn't be?"

"W-What?! Of course not!"

"You are!" Minho sighs. "Jisung, did you eat the food I left?"

Jisung bites his lip. Shakes his head.

Minho groans. "Why? I told you, you should always eat first! Use your time for that before anything else!"

"I'm sorry," he mumbles. "B-But I didn't feel like it."

Minho frowns. Sits down. Touches the mannequin's face. Forehead. "You didn't feel like eating? Are you okay, Jisung?"

He shrugs. "I don't know. But your note said you'll be gone. And I felt... something bad. It made me lose appetite."

"Something bad? What do you mean?"

"Here," Jisung says. He touches his own chest. "I don't like it."

Minho feels absolutely terrible. "I'm sorry. I'm here now." He smiles at him. Stands. Holds out his hand. "Come, I got you cake. You'll love it."

"Really?" Jisung lets himself be pulled up. The huge smile on his face makes Minho's heart soar. Then his smile turns shy.

"Minho... you look a bit different today..."

"Y-Yeah?" He says. His cheeks warm up. He has dressed to get someone in bed. Sooo, obviously... "Umm, good or...?"

Jisung nods. His hair bounces. "Yes. You look really good."

A stupid thought goes through Minho's head. I can make you feel really good too— fucking idiot. No! Stop it!

He clears his throat. Smiles. "Thank you, Jisung."

Jisung keeps staring at him. He seems... dazed.

Minho feels himself blushing more.

Then Jisung's smile disappears. "This is confusing me, Minho..."

"W-What is?"

"Lately..." He grips his shirt tightly. Over his chest again.

"It's been... strange. I feel it hurting. And then it's like moving. Jumping out of me. It scares me because whether it's something good... or I think about something bad... it does this..."

Minho stares. His heart's pounding.

Slowly... he touches Jisung's hand. Removes it from his chest. Places his own palm over where his heart would be.

He feels the loud, steady thumping of a beating heart. His eyes meet Jisung's. The beat becomes more rapid.

Minho pulls his hand away. Places it on Jisung's back.

"What kind of bad things do you mean, Jisung?"

He shrugs. "I don't know. B-But what does this mean, Minho? Does this happen to you too? And if it does, is it coming from love?"

"Uh... W-What?"

"Love!" He repeats. He looks at Minho. His expression's adorable. "I was reading in the book—the girl feels things in her chest! And it was love!"

Minho gulps. He prays it was some innocent scene.

"Um, I... I really don't know," he says. Honest.

"W-Wait, how about we eat the cake first, yeah?" He goes to the fridge to escape for a second. He pulls out the slice of cake.

They both sit down at the kitchen table.

"I don't have a lot of knowledge about this, Jisung," he continues. "I can't say for certain what could be happening to you. I need your help, and your memories, to figure that out with you."

Jisung is staring at him intently. Him. Instead of the cake on the table.

Minho smiles. Pushes the plate towards him.

He can't help himself from touching the mannequin's hair.

It looks too adorable with its round eyes.

"Ah!" Jisung suddenly yelps. He holds his chest.

"W-What happened? Are you okay?"

Jisung's lips tremble. His eyes are teary. "It happened again!"

"W-What did?"

"It's my heart, isn't it? I think it wants you because I like you!"

Minho is stunned. His heart is going crazy. It's racing. He stares dumbly.

"Is that possible? Minho? I read in the book—"

Not the fucking books again!

"Ah... no, Jisung, I mean, well, yes! Um, we're friends so... so yes, you would like me and I... I also like you!"

Jisung stands. "Y-You do? So d-does your heart do this too? Does your heart want me?" He places a hand on Minho's chest.

He feels his heart beating fast.

"Minho," he whispers. Moves closer. Too close. "D-Does this mean you want to kiss me too?"

Fuck. Minho is completely frozen. He's only gazing at Jisung. His eyes. His lips. The way his breath caresses his face.

Jisung's hand comes to his cheek. And he jumps back.

He regrets it immediately. Jisung's eyes tear up. His lips press together.

"N-No!" Minho says quickly. Wrong word. Jisung's tears fall. "Shit, no, listen... I-I don't want to kiss you now! I can't!"

Jisung swallows. Wipes his tears. "Okay." He sits back down.

Minho's close to crying himself. He was about to kiss him first! Fuck.

But he remembered how... he was making out with another guy. He doesn't like it. Doesn't like... kissing Jisung when he just got back from kissing someone else. It feels gross.

Jisung sniffles quietly.

Minho's heart hurts for him.

Fuck it. He quickly steps close. Brushes a hand through Jisung's soft hair. Turns his face up towards him.

"Jisung, we can only kiss when you're done eating. Food first."

Jisung's eyes go round. His mouth parts in a smile.

"Really? I can kiss you? You'll kiss me?"

"Y-Yes. But I'm going to change and shower first, okay? I'll be back—"

"Why?" Jisung pouts. He holds Minho's arm. "Y-You look so good. It gets my heart all... strange."

"Um, t-these clothes smell—"

"No, they don't..." Jisung sniffs him. "You smell good."

Minho's body is heating up. This is bad.

"Jisung! I'll wear better clothes and smell better!"

He dashes away. To the bathroom.

To be continued...