nineteen

Jisung stays human for over five hours now. And that is... too long.

Because it's too long for those kisses. With tongue. As he'd say.

Minho's got a plan for most days. He starts with an activity like cooking.

After that, Jisung will eat. Then Minho rushes him to his bath. With bubbles. Bath bombs. So he can stay in longer.

Minho gives him new clothes later. Then some books to read.

He always leaves some work for himself too, so he can tell Jisung he needs to finish that. The mannequin will read while he works. But even so. They're left with too much time. And Minho himself can't resist.

Jisung will quietly snuggle closer. Closer. Closer. He'll blink cutely and expectantly at Minho. For his kisses.

Minho is troubled by this because, the longer he spends kissing Jisung... and being kissed... the more he wants to do something to him...

It's extremely frustrating. It leaves his entire body hot. His pulse becomes rapid. His heart pounds. His pants... get tight.

Minho cups Jisung's cheeks. Presses a long kiss to his lips. Then shifts away. "I'll see you tomorrow," he says.

He quickly disappears into the bathroom.

Behind, he hears Jisung softly say, "Good night, baby..."

He's glad the mannequin hasn't asked yet. About why he needs to hurry to the bathroom. Each time after their tongue kisses.

He's afraid of the day Jisung will ask. Because he's too smart to not notice. Especially when Minho's been letting him read more.

He'd promised him that he can read what he wants. But he's still careful, of course. He still hides some... books.

Anyway. He's relieved that his escapes... after their tongue kisses... are not misunderstood. Like the last time. When Jisung wouldn't change to a human. When he'd thought Minho didn't want to see him.

The memory makes Minho's chest hurt. His heart sinks in fear. He can't accept... never seeing the mannequin alive again...

- - -

- - - - - -

"Baby!" Jisung says. Enters the kitchen. He's beaming.

Minho smiles. He opens his arms for the other. Hugs him back.

"It's wonderful to see you, Jisung," he says. Kisses his cheek.

Jisung pecks his lips. Three times. He's almost bouncing in excitement.

Minho giggles. Holds the precious creature in place.

He presses a soft, tender kiss to his lips.

Jisung opens his eyes when Minho pulls away.

"Come on," Minho says. Takes his hand. Makes him sit at the table. "Eat. And then we'll be baking cookies today."

Jisung nods. "Okay!"

Minho pecks his head. Sits. Watches him stuff rice into his mouth.

Later, he prepares and measures the ingredients they need. And Jisung joins. He's bouncing from joy again.

Jisung follows instructions well. He focuses on his task. He pays attention to Minho too when asked. He listens. Nods.

Minho finds him so cute.

He ends up letting him eat some chocolate chips.

When the cookies are in the oven... Minho fills the sink with bubbles. So Jisung can was the dishes and tools they used.

The mannequin's drying his hands after. His gaze is turned to the timer on the oven. He seems... in thought.

"It's just five more minutes," Minho tells him. "Are you okay?"

Jisung nods. Smiles. "I like this smell..."

"Smells delicious, right?"

"Yeah! B-But... I feel like... maybe I've done this before."

"Done what? Baked cookies?"

"M-Maybe? I'm not too sure."

Minho observes him quietly.

When the cookies are done, he puts them on a cooling rack.

Jisung sniffs them. "Mmmm," he says. "Can I have one now? I really want to taste it and see if I remember..."

"They'll be a little hot," Minho says.

But Jisung's chewing on his lip. He appears impatient.

"Sorry," Minho says. "Wait a few minutes, okay?"

Jisung nods. Minho feels sorry for him. So he picks one up. Places it on a paper towel. "Here. Just be careful. Don't burn yourself."

Jisung nods again. He pokes the cookie with his finger. Licks his fingertip. Waits. Then he starts blowing on it. Pokes it again. Picks it up. He looks at Minho. Who nods.

Jisung takes a small bite. The soft piece disappears into his mouth. Some chocolate gets on his lips. "Mmm!" He says. "This is so good!"

Minho laughs—

Jisung suddenly stops.

"Sungie?" Minho says. He wipes the smeared chocolate on his lip. "W-What's the matter? Did you remember anything?"

Jisung blinks rapidly. His eyes tear up. He turns away from Minho. "She made these for me..." He whispers.

"S-Sorry?"

Jisung blinks around at the kitchen. "But yours... is different."

"What's different?"

Jisung points to the stovetop. "That."

Then he points to the microwave. "That."

Then the fridge. "And that... A lot of things are different..."

"Jisung," Minho says. Takes his hand. Pecks his forehead. "Can you tell me what you remembered?"

"I d-don't remember a lot. Just... the kitchen. I... I can't see her face."

Minho's heart beats painfully. He cups his face. Kisses him.

Tears roll out of Jisung's eyes.

"Oh, Sungie, you're crying? Please don't cry..."

"B-But it hurts..." He says. His eyes redden. "And... I don't know why."

Minho hugs him tightly. He feels afraid. He doesn't know why either. He strokes his hair. Rubs his back. And the other cries quietly.

"I'm here, Jisung..." Minho says. He feels helpless.

Jisung's arms go around his waist.

"Y-You won't hate me?" He says. His voice is muffled.

Minho quickly parts. Holds his face again. Kisses his soft lips. "Jisung, no... how could I ever hate you?"

Jisung sniffles. "I don't know..."

Minho wipes his tears. Kisses him again. This time, he tastes his lips. His sweet mouth. The remaining taste of the chocolate chip cookie.

When he pulls away... Jisung's tears have reduced.

Minho smiles. "We've got over three hours to spend together. You have to eat your cookies. And I wanted to take you outside today."

Jisung stare at him. His eyes are wide and cute. His eyelashes are clumped from tears. "Out... Outside?"

"Yes. It's night. The weather's nice. So we can just walk around for a few minutes. What do you think?"

Jisung breaks into a beautiful smile. "Y-You've never taken me outside before! That's so exciting! You'll go with me, right?"

"Of course!" There's no way he's ever letting him go out alone!

"Thank you— Oh!" Jisung raises his hand. It has half of the cookie he bit. "Y-You didn't try this yet..."

Minho opens his mouth. Then he curses himself. His own books. His stupid drawings. One of which Jisung must've come across.

Because... he places a part of the cookie piece in his own mouth. His arms wrap around Minho's neck. He leans in for Minho to the bite into the soft cookie. Then their lips touch.

Minho only carefully takes the piece into his mouth.

Jisung surprises him though. He kisses him fully.

"Good?" He murmurs to his lips.

"Delicious." Minho gently pulls him by the waist. "Come on, Jisung. You need a jacket, a scarf, a hat, gloves, and some shoes."

"Okay! What about my cookies, though?"

"Good idea. Let's put them in a bag so you can snack on them."

He then helps Jisung into his clothes.

He slips the little bag of cookies into his pocket.

The other blinks at him behind his green scarf. Only his eyes shine excitedly. Minho laughs. Lowers his scarf for him.

Minho slips on his own coat. Shoes. Holds out his hand for Jisung.

"Wait, Minho. Where's your scarf, gloves, and hat?"

"I won't get that cold. If you hold my hand, it'll stay warm."

"What about your other hand?"

Minho shoves it into his pocket. Opens the door.

"Now, come on. We can't waste time. You still have to come back and take your bath and do some reading and watching TV!"

"And kissing!" Jisung beams.

"Yeah... And kissing," Minho agrees. He chuckles.

To be continued...

Oh, the urge to let Jisung go out alone... muahahahaha