thirty-four

"So I talked to Hyunjin today..." Minho says.

Jisung looks at him. His eyes and cheeks are round. A bagel's in his hand. Minho chuckles. Pecks his head. Sits beside him.

"I think... it would be nice for you to see Hyunjin first. For him to see you. Then when you feel good... and he feels comfortable about it, then we can get you to see his grandma. Okay?"

Jisung slowly chews again. Nods.

Minho smiles. Watches him go back to eating. Jisung takes little bites. Fills his cheeks. Chews. Takes a sip from his milk. Goes back to his bagel.

Jisung empties his glass when he's finishes.

"Sungie... how about we go out sometime today?"

"To walk?!" Jisung says. Excitedly. He jumps out of his seat. Then looks out the window. "When it's dark?"

"No, let's go buy you some snacks later," Minho says.

He wants him to see more of the world.

"Snacks? Cookies? Chips? To get things like on the TV?"

"Yeah, sure. You can see and choose."

Jisung's eyes twinkle like stars. He's adorable.

- - -

- - - - - -

Minho finishes as many scenes as he can. It's past noon when he pauses.

Jisung's sitting on the other side of him. He's looking through a volume. His cheeks were blushing before. But now he's just pouting.

He must be getting hungry. Or confused. About what he's reading. He's being patient for Minho, though. He's been quiet the whole time. Not asking anything. Not coming close to cuddle.

He lets Minho work in peace.

Minho feels such strong love for him.

"Sungie...?" He calls.

The other's head snaps up. "Yeah!"

Minho smiles. "Should we go, then?"

Jisung leaves his book on the table. Jumps to his feet. "Okay! But are you done? Did you do all your work? Are you caught up?"

"I need to draw a few more pages, but I need a break. My hand will hurt if I keep going." Minho gets to his feet. "Let's have something for lunch and get you those snacks.

Jisung comes around to him. He holds his hand. Strokes it. "Okay. A break is important. You can't hurt your hand." Jisung kisses it. Hugs it to his chest. "I can make lunch so you don't have to use your hand!"

"You're so sweet," Minho says. "It'll be okay, but you can help."

"Yes, I want to!"

Minho leans in to kiss him. Jisung responds to it instantly. With a little bounce. He holds Minho's face. Makes their kiss longer.

- - -

- - - - - -

Minho doesn't want to take him far. They're not walking around like before. At night. When the streets are empty. They're going somewhere in broad daylight. There will be other people.

He's worried. About losing Jisung. Something happening to him. Or if he turns into a mannequin. Jisung seems alright now. He says he's alright too. But Minho can't help thinking of those things.

Jisung asked to hold his hand when they stepped out of the door. Now he's holding it. Hugging his arm when they pass people.

He's just sticking close to Minho. His eyes go around to every building. Up and down the street.

"See that little building with the bright blue sign?" Minho says.

Jisung nods. "Con... venience store?"

"Yes. That is where we're going."

"There's candy and chips there?"

"Yep," Minho says. "Come on."

He has to step away from Jisung a little. To push the door. Hold it for another person to get out. Jisung gasps. Grabs the back of his jacket.

Minho gives him his hand when they're inside.

"Okay, Sungie," he says quietly. "We'll walk around... and if there's something you want, you can show me or just pick it up, okay?"

"Okay," Jisung says. Nods.

Minutes later... Minho thinks he shouldn't have said that...

Jisung has his arms loaded. He's not even holding Minho's hand. His eyes shine brighter... every time they get to a new aisle.

"Um, Sungie..." Minho says. He's the one holding Jisung's jacket now. "How about we come another time for more?"

Jisung frowns. Looks at the colorful junk in his arms. Candy. Chips. Drinks. Then looks at the section of chocolate bars on the shelf.

Minho reaches for one of them. "Here, I'll hold this one for you," he says. "We'll come another time, okay?"

Jisung bites his lip. Blinks miserably at the items he hasn't passed yet. He nods. Reluctantly.

Minho sighs. "Thanks. Okay, let's go pay for this."

"Oh, with the money, right?"

"Yes. Or with a card. Come, I'll show you."

He keeps his hand on Jisung's back. Makes sure to hold a hand over the items too. Because there's too many in his arms. They could all fall.

Both of them make it to the front. He guides Jisung to get in line. "We'll wait for our turn," he whispers to him.

"Okay." Jisung says. And Minho smiles. At how serious he looks. He's watching the people in front of them. They're putting their items on the counter. Speaking to the cashier.

Minho wants to kiss Jisung. He's so cute. But he just rubs his back. Leans his head on his shoulder. Then gently pushes him ahead.

"Good afternoon!" The cashier greets. Jisung jumps. Which startles the lady too. A chip and candy bag fall out of Jisung's arms.

Minho quickly picks them up. "Hello," he says to the lady. He takes the rest of the items from Jisung. Carefully places them on the counter.

Jisung clings to the back of his jacket. Minho handles the transaction. Jisung watches over his shoulder.

The cashier bags everything. Holds it out for him. Smiles at him.

"T-Thank you," Jisung says. Takes it from her.

Minho smiles at him.

On the walk back... Jisung swings their hands happily.

- - -

- - - - - -

"Baby!" Jisung says. "These are delicious! Can I get them next time?"

It's a bag of sour... chewable sweets...

"Sure. You've had them before, haven't you?" Minho asks. He feels like he bought them for him before.

Jisung nods. Wiggles in joy. He's sitting on the ground. Going through his bag. He pops another candy into his mouth. Scrunches up his face.

Minho watches him eat. Opens his mouth for what Jisung wants him to try. They exchange opinions on which ones they like.

Unsurprisingly... Jisung loves all the ones... that Minho finds too sweet.

Minho's been absently eating out of a chip bag. He turns it. Reads the nutrition facts... Oh. He's missed quite a few gym days...

He'll have to figure out... what to do... when he needs to go somewhere. Jisung's still getting used to being a person. For a full day.

What will he do without Minho? If he continues like this... he'll need some time... to get used to not being with Minho...

Minho needs to feel okay too. About leaving him. He still gets anxious.

Maybe if everything with Hyunjin and his grandma is okay... he could drop him off at their house...

Jisung kisses him softly. Minho blinks. He's pulled out of his thoughts.

"Are you okay?" Jisung asks. Quietly. Worried.

"Oh yes, sorry. I was thinking..."

"About what?"

"About you, actually..." Minho takes his hand. Puts aside the chips. Pulls him closer. "How are you feeling?"

"Really good!" Jisung says. "If... you're feeling... good..."

"I am. If you are."

Jisung smiles. Nods. "I am!"

Minho kisses his lips. "Then I am, too."

- - -

- - - - - -

"Minho..." Jisung asks him at night. He's snuggled next to him.

"Hmmm?" Minho tries fight a yawn. Tries to stay awake.

"Are you... my boyfriend?"

Minho opens his eyes. "I guess... yeah? We're boyfriends... or lovers..."

"Lovers?" Jisung says.

"Would you like that? If we're lovers?"

"Yeah... because I love you..."

"Me too," Minho says.

Jisung laughs. He wraps his arms around Minho's waist. Hugs him tightly. And Minho pecks his hair. Sighs. He's content.

He sleepily thinks... of how much he worried before... about Jisung being too close. How his warmth and softness were too tempting...

But now he's simply glad: His Jisung is alive. Happy. He's being sweet. Adorable. He agreed to learning things slowly.

When they're both ready... they can do more...

Minho's almost dozed off. He's smiling to himself.

But his phone notifies him of a message.

Jisung raises his head. "Who is it? What is it?"

Minho turns to grab his phone. He opens his messages. Jisung scrambles up. Leans his face on his arm. Minho's smile gets bigger.

His actions are so cute.

"Oh!" Jisung says. He's reading what Minho's opened. "Tomorrow? Is that— can we d-do that? Can I do that?"

"Can you do that?" Minho says gently. "You can say no if you're not ready. I won't force you to do it."

"W-Will he be sad? Will he get angry?"

"Oh no, not at all. It's Hyunjin. I don't think we'd have any problem with him. But he can come another time if you want."

Jisung's round eyes show his worry.

"It's your choice," Minho says. "He just wants to meet you. It'll probably take an hour. It can be tomorrow, or next week, or next month, if you don't feel comfortable."

Jisung thinks some more. His lips are protruded. Minho kisses them.

"Okay..." Jisung says. He gives Minho a kiss too. "Tomorrow is okay."

To be continued...

Hyunjin gonna show up tomorrow like: