Chapter 57: Falling Without Fear

Minho was done running.

Done pretending.

Done holding himself back from something that had already taken root in his heart.

He didn't know exactly when it happened—when Hyunjin became more than just his husband on paper, when his laughter started sounding like home, when the mere sight of him brightened Minho's entire day.

But it didn't matter.

Because now, Minho was done fighting it.

And for once, that realization didn't terrify him.

--

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a soft glow over their shared bedroom.

Minho woke first, blinking against the light.

His arm was numb—something warm and heavy resting against it.

He glanced down, only to be met with the sight of Hyunjin—curled into his side, his face buried against Minho's shoulder.

Minho froze.

Hyunjin's steady breaths tickled his skin, his lips slightly parted, his hair a mess of soft waves.

Minho swallowed, his heart doing something stupid in his chest.

And then, before he could stop himself, he did something even stupider.

He reached out—fingertips barely brushing against Hyunjin's cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear.

Hyunjin sighed in his sleep, unconsciously nuzzling closer.

Minho melted.

How was this real?

How was it that just weeks ago, he had resented this entire situation, and now—now, he couldn't even imagine waking up without Hyunjin beside him?

Minho exhaled slowly.

And then, with a quiet chuckle at his own helplessness, he pressed a feather-light kiss to Hyunjin's forehead.

His lips barely lingered before he pulled away, heart hammering.

It wasn't until Hyunjin stirred—his lashes fluttering open, sleep still heavy in his gaze—that Minho realized he was still staring.

"Mm...?" Hyunjin murmured groggily, his voice raspy with sleep.

Minho panicked.

"You snore."

Hyunjin blinked blearily. "...What?"

Minho cleared his throat, turning away. "You snore. It's loud. You should fix that."

Hyunjin frowned. "I do not snore."

"You do."

"I don't!"

Minho smirked. "I should record it next time."

Hyunjin groaned, flopping back onto the bed dramatically. "You're the worst."

Minho hummed, still amused. But as Hyunjin rubbed the sleep from his eyes, stretching like a cat, Minho's chest did that thing again.

That thing where it ached in the best way.

And he knew—he knew—that there was no turning back now.

--

Minho found himself sticking close to Hyunjin more than usual.

At school, during lunch, instead of sitting with his usual group, he naturally gravitated toward Hyunjin and his friends.

The first time it happened, Chan nearly choked on his drink.

Jisung, as expected, was not subtle.

"Well, well, well," Jisung drawled, smirking as Minho dropped his tray beside Hyunjin. "Look who decided to join us."

Minho rolled his eyes. "Don't make it weird."

Felix, ever the instigator, leaned in. "But it is weird."

Hyunjin shot them both a glare. "Guys."

Jisung raised an eyebrow. "I'm just saying. First, Minho stops acting like he hates Hyunjin. Then, he sits with us. What's next? Holding hands?"

Minho snorted. "Want me to hold yours instead?"

Jisung shuddered. "Please don't."

Hyunjin, red-faced, focused aggressively on his food.

Minho smirked. Teasing him was too easy.

--

That evening, Minho found himself walking home with Hyunjin—a routine that had somehow become second nature.

But this time, he didn't keep his distance.

They walked side by side, close enough that their hands occasionally brushed.

Minho didn't pull away.

Neither did Hyunjin.

"You've been acting different," Hyunjin murmured suddenly, glancing at him.

Minho smirked. "Oh? Are you finally noticing?"

Hyunjin pouted. "I mean it."

Minho sighed, stuffing his hands into his pockets. "Yeah, well. Maybe I just stopped being stupid."

Hyunjin blinked. "Huh?"

Minho huffed a laugh, shaking his head. "Nothing."

Hyunjin frowned, looking as if he wanted to press further—but then, a group of students passed by, and one of them openly stared at Hyunjin.

Minho's mood soured instantly.

He didn't like it.

Didn't like how the guy's eyes lingered a little too long, how Hyunjin looked uncomfortable under the attention.

And when the stranger actually took a step toward them, Minho acted without thinking.

He grabbed Hyunjin's hand.

Firm. Certain. Possessive.

Hyunjin stiffened. "Minho—?"

Minho shot the stranger a look.

A single, unspoken warning.

The guy quickly looked away, muttering something to his friends before walking off.

Only when they were gone did Minho realize what he had just done.

And that he was still holding Hyunjin's hand.

Hyunjin was staring.

Minho cleared his throat. "Uh—"

"Minho..." Hyunjin's voice was softer now. Almost shy.

Minho hesitated.

And then—screw it.

He didn't let go.

Instead, he held on tighter.

"Come on," Minho murmured, pulling him along.

Hyunjin followed without question.

And just like that, Minho stopped holding back.

Stopped running.

Stopped pretending he wasn't already falling, falling, falling.

And for once—he wasn't afraid.