Chapter Text
Opening your eyes to pitch black is really something else.
It feels empty.
Unnatural.
Endless.
Like a void.
I was standing in my own void.
Frozen in time, but more present than ever.
It was as if I could see everything, yet nothing at the same time.
Perhaps this is what death was. But I had a gut feeling death was sweeter than this.
Regardless, it was me and... the lack there of...
Yet that painted a clearer picture than vision correcting glasses could.
You know I heard everything while I waited here? It's kind of like a waiting room, but with no walls.
I'm sure there were some things lost in translation, but no matter
I was waiting for... something
I don't know what exactly?
But it came eventually.
Perhaps I knew all this time though?
---
There was this ticklish feeling, I felt it crawl up my neck which was ridden of aches and strains. My eyes fluttered open, I only saw white sheets. The uncomfortable taste of the air drying my throat and mouth made me first reach for water, subconsciously I reached over to where the bedside table was. Only then did I notice the blanket that draped over my body. And like a weak magnet, the subtle changes clicked in my head.
I picked my eyes up, finding the bed I was perched against very much empty. The bed that I've been glued to, like a mother bird to her nest, for 2 days. Safe to say, panic quickly ensued in my mind, but also subsided just as quickly. Perhaps it was the on and off amount of sleep I was getting. Or the countless worries, guilty thoughts, stressful moments, you name it, that I've accumulated over these 48 hours.
Nonetheless, I stood up, wrapping the blanket around me as I waddled out of the white room. Again, the hallways were empty. It was as if I was the only person in the world, with how quiet everything was. I headed towards the end of the hallway, spotting an attend at the front desk of this floor. They seemed to be on their brake right now, munching on a bar of some sort.
I crept closer to the desk, "Hello, excuse me?"
The lady behind the desk seemed startled, dropping the bar out of their hand, "Ah, oh hello. What can I help you with?" She brought a hand over her mouth, to block her chewing.
"I was wondering if you knew where the person in room H21 went?"
"H21? You mean the room down the hallway?" She leaned forwards, pointing to the down the corridor.
I looked towards where she was pointing, then back at her, "Yeah," Nodding my head.
"Oh him? He went up to the roof, said he wanted some fresh air," She swallowed her food, "There's an elevator to your right, or you can take the stairs up,"
I leaned back on my heels, feeling the corners of my mouth lift up, "Thank you so much!" Bowing to the staff, before rushing for the stairs.
How was I feeling as I darted up the stairs? Well I don't really know how to put it. My life had been a hot mess for the past 2 days, constantly in and out of the hospital. I wish I could say I was more composed with the absence of you, but that would be the fattest lie I've ever said.
I can't live without you. You're like blood to my beating heart, that only beats for you.
Safe to say, I felt like I just won the lottery with you awake.
I stopped in my track when I reached the door to the roof, placing a hand over my chest. Trying to calm my nerves a bit.
I breathed in.
Then out.
I wasn't the only person in this world.
---
Minho perched his body against the side railings. He was dressed in a night gown, a wrist band tied to his a hand, and an IV drip bag attached to his arm. Minho couldn't remember the last time he watched the sun set, always stuck in the practice room from the crack of dawn, till late in the evening. He finally had a moment to appreciate the summer wind on his cheeks.
He'd been up there for no less than 20 minutes, just soaking in the warm light of the setting sun. Streaks of auburn and amber stretched across the sky, casting a ray on Minho's face. He let out a sigh, mixing into the busy street down below of cars and pedestrians. In the white noise, he heard a creak from behind him.
Minho turned around, roughly 50 feet away from him, the opened door.
It was Jisung.
Upon seeing the younger, Minho couldn't help but smile.
Jisung froze, eye's shot open. There he was, standing a few paces away from him. Minho, in all his glory, stood like a statue crafted by the hands of Michelangelo himself. The setting sun aligned perfectly behind Minho, casting a ring of light around the older. Like a halo. Dazzling and radiant. The wind blowing the ends of Minho's hair freely in the air. Everything else seemed to have faded around them. Leaving Jisung and Minho the only ones there.
It was like a scene pulled right from a K-drama.
"Minho..." Was a Jisung could mutter. Feeling the side's of his visions blur with tears. The person he wanted the most, cherished more than anything, give anything up for. Was standing across from him.
Smiling,
At him.
Almost on queue, Minho tilted his head to the side, spreading his arms out, "What are you just standing there for?" He grinned.
Jisung, like a lost child, ran towards Minho. Kinda throwing himself into the older's arm. But being careful since Minho was still a patient.
Their embrace was perfect. Like 2 puzzle pieces. They slotted into each other's arms like it was 2nd nature. Jisung snuggled his face into Minho's chest, while Minho rested his chin on Jisung's head. They stood there, in silence. Letting it wrap around them.
They were the only people in the world.
Once Minho felt his body go a little numb from Jisung's grip, he patted the younger's back, "I know you missed me, but I'm still recovering,"
Jisung broke out of his trance, loosening his grasp on Minho, as he reeled back. Minho could see how rosy Jisung's cheeks were, eyes a bit glossy. He turned around, leaning on the railing again.
Jisung stood there, watching Minho turn around. It was only then did Jisung realize he had nothing to say. Everything he wanted to say in those 2 days, up and left Jisung's poor mind as soon as he saw Minho smiling. With nothing else to do, Jisung followed Minho, leaning next to the older on the railing.
Minho was busy looking down at the streets below them.
Jisung was busy looking at Minho.
No words were spoken for a good amount of time. Jisung could feel embarrassment creep up his neck. "Minho- I mean Hyung!" Jisung stammered, "How- I mean- well... you, um-" jisung's hands were motioning a lot in front of him.
"I missed you too Jisung," Minho chimed.
Jisung felt his heart flutter hearing those simple words, "You... did?"
Minho paused, making Jisung nervous.
"You know Jisung, I don't really know how long I was out for? I'm guessing a few days," Minho straighten his posture, "But what I do know, is that you were there. You were always there,"
Jisung felt his mouth dry.
"For the time I was sleeping, I didn't hear much. But I could still feel, I felt you next to me,"
Jisung's body temperature started to rise.
"I felt your absence, your grief, your joy, your silence, so on and so forth,"
Jisung eye's dilated.
"I felt your love."
Minho reached for Jisung's hand, "I needed your love, it kept me going. No, it keeps me going,"
Jisung didn't know where Minho was going with this all.
"You know, when you confessed to me the other night. I didn't know what to think. But I ran. Ran away from you. From your love,"
You could hear the echoes of car's honking.
"I was afraid. Still am. We're Idols Jisung, we can't love, we're not allowed to. It's in our contacts,"
Jisung could feel tears start to well up in his vision.
"My mind was such a mess, I guess that reflected in my health. I wasn't really expecting to collapse on set like that," Minho chuckled.
Jisung was trying his best not to cry.
"I've thought over it for some time now-" Minho noticed Jisung's expression, quickly bringing his hands to the younger's face, "Why are you crying Hannie?" smudging away the tears.
JIsung didn't notice the hot steams that poured down his face, bringing his sleeve to wipe his face, "Ah- Sorry," He choked back a bit, "I don't think I'm ready to hear your response yet-"
"I love you."
Jisung stopped. Slowly trailing his eyes up to look at Minho, "W-what?"
Minho let out a small huff, "I love you Jisung," cupping Jisung's face with his hands.
The sun's light's painted the side of Minho's face, blinding Jisung, but in the perfect way.
"Y-you do?" Jisung let out a hiccup.
Minho sighed, bringing Jisung's face into his chest, "You didn't let me finish what I was saying Jisung. I didn't think you'd start crying all of the sudden,"
Jisung sobbed a bit into Minho's chest as a response. Minho petted the back of Jisung's head, "What I was going to say, is that I'm done running away. That was my biggest regret Jisung. I can't be without you, you're my light Jisung," Minho glanced down, noticing the way Jisung seemed to calm down down by those words. He could've over look the small trembling though.
After that, Minho didn't say anything. Giving Jisung some time to collect himself. Soothing the younger in his embrace.
They had time to talk more about it.
Just not right then.
The sun set into the horizon, a black wash filled the sky above them.
It gone silent again.
The next day
Minho was in his hospital room, changed back into his normal clothing. After yesterday, Jisung and Minho spent a little bit more time talking, until Minho convinced Jisung to go home and get some rest. With the clearance of the doctor, Minho was scheduled for discharge later that day. He was just left in his room to gather some of his belongings.
With how chaotic the pass week had been, he's happy to finally get back to the dorms.
Happy to get back to Jisung.
Just then, he heard a knock on the door, "Lee know? You in there?"
Minho turned around, recognizing the voice, "Yeah, come in Hyung,"
The door slide opened, revealing Bang Chan, "I'm here to pick you up, the rest of the member's are practicing,"
"And Hannie?" Miho continued.
Bang Chan let an all knowing "ah" out, "Oh, he's resting back in the dorms,"
Minho turned away, hiding a smile on his face from the leader.
"Anyways," Bang Chan hesitated, "Han seemed oddly calm yesterday when he got back,"
"Did he now?" Minho hummed, throwing some napkins into the trash.
"Yeah," Bang Chan trailed off, "I don't know how else to ask, but is everything good between you and Han now?" (subtle lol)
Minho couldn't help but find some amusement in Bang Chan's awkwardness, turning to face the older, "Perfect,"
"Hm? What does that mean?" Bang Chan copied Minho, helping him tidy the room.
"Just that, everything worked out in the end,"
"Yeah?"
Minho paused, "Yeah... I'm done avoiding the sun,"
Bang Chan looked at Minho in a confused manner, "Why are you speaking like that? I don't get it,"
Minho just hummed to himself, "You'll understand when you're older," teasing the leader.
"Yah! I'm older than you Lee know!"
Minho and Bang Chan laughed, the laughter echoing out of the room, and down the hallway.
---
Minho opened the door, peering inside the dimmed room. He tried not to be loud when he arrived back into the dorms, tip toeing across the wood floors. He spotted who he was looking for, a buddle of blankets were lumped up on one of the mattresses. He made his way over, a smiling blooming on the older's face when he leaned over.
Jisung was sound asleep, the rise and fall of his chest was cute to Minho.
Minho brought a hand to the younger's cheek, admiring the softness of Jisung napping.
He turned back towards the door way, checking if anyone was there. Seeing nobody in sight, Minho took the opportunity.
He inched closer to Jisung, breath heavy against the younger's face. Minho felt his nape flush a bit, planting a small kiss on the sleeping beauty's cheek.
"I love you Hannie," Minho whispered, pushing himself off the bed.
He was walking away, leaving so he wouldn't disturb Jisung any longer.
As he was moving away from the bed, he felt something tug at his shirt, turning around to be greeted with Jisung's loopy smile. His bed head was messy, strand poking out, and eye's squinted.
"Ah sorry, did I wake you? I didn't mean to, go back to bed now Jisung," Minho cooed, tucking a blanket over Jisung.
Jisung starred at the older, fixated on the way light bounced off Minho's eyes, leaving a highlight, "You're home,"
Minho felt an arrow strike his heart, trying not to make a stupid smile, "Yeah, I'm home now,"
Jisung pulled his body up, throwing his arms around Minho. Pulling him in closer to his heart. Minho's hands hovered behind Jisung's back, taking a second, before melting into the hug.
"I love you Minho Hyung," Jisung beamed.
"I love you too," Minho responded.
"I love you, I love you, I love you," Jisung babbled on.
Minho let a laugh out, "I know you do, why do you keep saying that Hannie?"
Jisung titled back, face to face now with Minho, "Just cause," and without thinking, leaned forward, placing a light peck on Minho's lips.
The sensation was exhilarating, blissful. Something Jisung always wanted to do. The look on Minho's face was even better. Han swears he'd never seen Minho's face that red before, glowing brightly in the dark.
"That- that wasn't fair," Minho whined, hiding his face in the crook of Jisung's neck.
It was moments like this, that Minho resembled a cat, "Ha- I know, but I still love you," Jisung patted.
Minho was silent for a bit, Jisung worried he might've frustrated Minho slightly.
Minho mumbled into Jisung's chest, "Me to,"
Jisung felt his face lift, relishing in Minho's presence. Wrapping his arm farther around Minho's body, he felt the older's heartbeat against his.
From the window, a wave of warm light washed over the two.
Illuminating the way.
To each other's hearts.
---
Fin.