twenty-four

Jisung doesn't tell Minho about his nightmare. He only clings to him for hours. Until Minho falls asleep.

The next morning, he wakes up shocked.

Jisung's holding his hand. Lying beside him. His eyes are open. They're red. Probably from crying.

"W-What? Sungie?" Minho says. His voice comes out hoarse. "Y-You're awake— You didn't turn back?"

Jisung blinks. He smiles. Then stops smiling.

"You... want me to be a mannequin?"

"N-No!" Minho says. "I'm always happy to see you, but... it's strange..."

Jisung sits up. "Your voice is different."

Minho smiles. "It's just from sleep. It'll go back to normal."

- - -

- - - - - -

He knows something is wrong. With Jisung.

He grows so worried. But Jisung doesn't want to say anything.

Minho can see that he also seems... afraid. Hurt.

So he focuses on making him feel better.

He cares for him. Shows him love.

"Here you go," Minho says. He puts the warmed up pizza slices in front of him. "You didn't get to eat this yesterday."

"Thank you," Jisung responds. Quietly.

Minho touches his chin. Jisung's smile is tiny. His eyes are tired.

"There's plenty more, okay? Eat as much as you want."

Jisung simply nods.

Minho makes his own breakfast. Coffee. Eggs. Toast. He sits beside Jisung. The other is eating slowly again. Like the previous day.

Jisung also looks... unhealthy. Pale. Minho's heart hurts. He obviously stayed awake all night. And stayed alive all night.

He hopes Jisung can fall asleep soon. Or at least turn into a mannequin. Maybe the feelings of whatever dream he had... could be forgotten a little. Because it's clearly got him quite shaken up.

Minho has work scheduled too. There's a meeting with his editor. But he's not leaving Jisung alone like this.

Minho picks up his own dishes. Puts them in the sink. Jisung's still nibbling on his second slice. Slowly.

"Sungie," Minho says. "I need to make a phone call, I'll be right back."

Jisung nods. Minho kisses his head.

He ends up scanning his work. He emails it. Apologizes to his editor for not being able to meet. He also texts Hyunjin. Tells him he can't make it. To their regular workout together.

He returns to see Jisung putting away cleaned dishes.

"Sungie? Are you done? Did you eat everything?"

- - -

- - - - - -

Jisung does everything that he normally does when he's alive. He eats. Cleans. Cooks. Takes his showers. Picks out clothes. And more, like helping Minho with the laundry.

But he does all those things... slower. He has zero of the energy that he normally has. He has little focus. Little joy. Little curiosity. Or chatter.

He clearly needs sleep.

Minho gives him a book. Puts on a movie. His intent is to make Jisung sleepy. And he will work in the meantime. Because his editor sent his pages back with suggestions.

When Minho's finished... Jisung is still awake.

The credits of the movie are rolling. And Jisung's staring.

Minho sighs. Puts his stuff away. Turns off the TV. Sits beside him.

He pulls Jisung into his lap. Kisses his lips softly. Brushes his hair. Holds his face. "Sungie... you need to sleep."

Jisung blinks his tired eyes. Shakes his head.

"Why, baby?" Minho strokes his cheeks. "This isn't good for you. If you're staying alive longer, then you have to take care of your body more."

"B-But I'm scared..." Jisung whispers.

"Of what? Sleeping?"

Jisung's eyes tear up. "If I sleep... it will happen again. I'm scared."

Minho kisses him tenderly. He wants to ask him what he saw in his dream. What he's scared of. But his tears keep coming.

Minho wipes his cheeks. Pecks his lips again. "What if I sleep with you? If you have a bad dream again, I'll wake you up so it can stop. Okay?"

Jisung shakes his head. "I don't want to sleep..."

"But you need to," Minho says. He leans back on the couch. Pulls Jisung to lie with him. Hugs him to his chest. Strokes his back.

At some point... even if Jisung doesn't want to...

He will fall asleep. Right?

- - -

- - - - - -

Yes, Minho was right. Jisung did fall asleep after some time.

He carefully peeked at Jisung's face. He felt relieved. Relaxed.

Then... not even twenty minutes later... Jisung's breathing became uneven. He is whimpering now. Minho has to shake him awake.

"Jisung? Jisung! Open your eyes..."

Jisung gasps. Jerks. His eyes open wide.

Minho holds his face. "Bad dream again? Are you okay?"

Jisung breaks down. Sobs. His hands rubs at his eyes. "I d-didn't know..." He stammers. "I didn't m-mean to hurt him... I'm sorry..."

Minho sits up. Pulls him. Holds his hands away from his face.

"Hurt him? Who? What happened?"

Jisung cries harder. Struggles to breathe. He pulls his hands back. Wipes his running tears.

Minho feels very scared. Worried. What does he mean?

Jisung hurt someone? Impossible.

He'd told Minho. The first night. Not to be scared of him. That he won't hurt him. He was trembling himself at that time.

"Jisung," he tries again. Brushes his hair. Tilts his head up. Wipes his face for him. He takes his hands again.

"Baby, I believe you. I know you didn't mean to. Look at me, Jisung. It's okay," he whispers. "It's okay. Don't cry."

JIsung's breaths stutter. He blinks. His eyes are swollen and red.

"It's okay," Minho repeats. Kisses his tearful face. Smiles at him. "I know you're not a bad person. I don't hate you, and I could never hate you."

Jisung grows silent. He's just sniffling now.

"I'm here with you, okay?" Minho says. "You're wonderful, Jisung, and I love spending time with you. C-Can you please tell me about your dream... or memory? So that I can maybe try and help you?"

Jisung's eyes fill up once more. He shakes his head. So Minho cups his face. Kisses him. "That's fine. You don't have to," he says quickly. "It's okay. Don't tell me. What about your kisses. Do you want to kiss?"

Jisung stops again. Wipes his eyes hurriedly. Nods while sniveling.

Minho's chest tightens. He brings Jisung closer. Pulls him across his lap. Initiates a slow comforting kiss.

It feels lovely. Endless. But it's Minho... who doesn't want to stop. Jisung reciprocates in his sweet... shy way. And Minho keeps going. Because he wants to make him feel better.

Jisung whimpers. Minho parts slightly. He realizes Jisung's running out of breath. He sets their foreheads together. Jisung pants against his lips.

"M-Minho, can I do something for you?" He says.

"Hm? What do you mean?"

"B-Because... you do a lot for me... but I don't—" Minho stops him with a kiss. "No. You just smile. Say thank you. And kiss me."

Jisung pecks his lips. "But I... I can do more for you... if you want..."

Minho gulps. Peers into his dark eyes. He wonders... if the adorable creature means... No. No. No.

Minho smiles. Pecks his sweet lips back. "Sure. I'll let you know, okay?"

Jisung beams. It's beautiful. He hugs Minho. Rests his head on his shoulder. Minho rubs his back. Jisung sighs.

They lie quietly. Feel each other's body rise and fall with every inhale and exhale. Minho wishes Jisung will fall asleep again. Peacefully.

"I hope you never change how you see me, Minho... L-Like her," Jisung says. His voice quivers. "I didn't know... I really didn't mean to hurt him."

"He cared for me... so I was sad. I didn't... want that to happen to him. I didn't know what to do... B-But she was so angry. She got so sad and hurt. She stopped talking to me... and she didn't want to see me—"

Minho gently pulls him back. Because he's crying again. Trembling.

"I miss him," Jisung says. "I miss her too. B-But she didn't want me..."

"What happened to him?" Minho asks. Careful.

Jisung lifts his shaking hand. Places it on Minho's chest. Right where his heart's beating. Loudly. Heavily.

"He stopped breathing... stopped living..." Jisung whispers.

To be continued...