Chapter Text
"Thank you so much young man! How did you know that car could've hit me?"
"I saw it from behind you Ma'am. Please be careful from now on."
"I will, thank you."
Minho walked away as he waved goodbye to the old lady he just saved. The old lady was walking across the street and didn't see the car about to hit her. Minho immediately ran across the street to push the old lady out of the way while catching her fall with his body. This honestly would've been a very heroic moment for Minho if he didn't do this multiple times every single day.
No, he isn't a superhero.
He was simply... gifted.
To explain further, Minho has a gift that has been passed down in his family from one generation to another. The gift is said to be granted to the first-born of every generation. And since he's an only child, of course, he has the gift.
How did his parents confirm it when he was born?
He acquired the same mark as his ancestors behind his left ear. It was a small symbol of an eye that looked like a mole from afar.
So what kind of gift would resemble an eye?
Well, my dear reader. Minho has the Gift of Vision, a gift to foresee accidents before it even occurs. His task is to stop it from happening to prevent any bigger consequences for the people around him. The thing with his gift is it is only triggered when an accident will occur within his proximity. This allows him to save the person before it's too late.
But of course, some people are not so lucky.
Growing up, Minho has witnessed several people die before his very eyes. There were times when he's too late or the accident happens too fast. Failing to save them doesn't do any damage to Minho's gift, but it has a horrible consequence to his mental health. Sleepless nights and endless nightmares were the proof of that.
Over the years, Minho gradually learned to never let it get to him. He knew it wasn't his fault if those people were unfortunate. If it was their time, there's nothing he can do about it. His only job is to save them to the best of his abilities. Though the guilt always lingers in the back of his head, Minho does his best to ignore it and go on with his life.
You may ask, why does Minho continue to save people even if it was affecting him in some way?
It's simply in the good of his heart. He couldn't bare to let those people leave the world so unfairly, not when he could've done something to prevent it. Even though the most he got was a 'Thank you', it's more than enough to him. Seeing those people safe was already enough compensation.
"Minho hyung, you're late."
Minho snorted, "I'm late by 2 minutes, don't overreact."
Jisung pouted, "That's already too long."
"Alright, I'm here. What did you want?" Minho asked as he sat down on the couch in the practice room
"I need you to judge me." Jisung said as he walked over to the stereo, probably preparing a song to play in the speakers
Minho raised a brow at the younger, "Really? You want your feelings to get hurt?"
Jisung glared at the older through the mirror, "I mean for my solo stage at the concert."
Minho laughed, "Oh right, alright let's see it."
In the middle of Jisung's run-through, Minho's vision suddenly turned black. Minho blinked repeatedly to adjust his eyes. Once his vision cleared up again, he realized he wasn't in the practice room and was at the hallway by the stairs.
Minho immediately knew what was up.
Minho glanced around the halls to find out who he needs to save. It was always like this with his visions. Everything would turn black momentarily before his consciousness transports to wherever the accident would occur. He calls it the 'blackout phase'.
Not long after, he saw Yeji, ITZY's leader, walk out of the practice room. Seeing that Yeji was the only one in this floor, Minho figured his vision was probably centred on the young leader. Minho watched as Yeji headed for the stairs with her bag in hand, so Minho assumed she just finished practicing.
Minho followed the younger and watched carefully as Yeji started walking down the stairs. Yeji whipped out her phone when it started ringing to answer the call, which was her biggest mistake.
Not noticing the small puddle of water by the stairs, Yeji accidentally stepped on it and slipped. This sent her rolling down the stairs with a scream. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, Yeji was already unconscious with an alarming amount of blood pooling under her head.
With that, Minho's vision suddenly turned black for a few seconds before he regained it back again. Minho held his head as the dizziness gradually washed away. Minho didn't waste any time and ran out of the practice room, leaving Jisung calling out to him.
Minho ran up the stairs and tried to remember which floor Yeji was on. Minho ran up 3 more floors until he saw Yeji walking down the stairs while holding her phone. Just as Yeji was about to step on the small puddle, Minho called out to her.
"Yeji-ah!"
Yeji flinched at Minho's loud voice but stopped in her tracks, "Lee Know sunbaenim? Is everything okay?"
Minho ran up a few more stairs and stopped in front of her, "You almost slipped, the stairs are wet."
Yeji made a confused sound before looking down. Truly enough, there was a small puddle on the stairs that could've seriously injured the young leader.
"Wah, I didn't know that was there. Thank you for telling me. But how did you know?" Yeji asked, her brows furrowed in fear at the thought that she could've been injured
Minho shook his head, dismissing the younger's question. "I just do. I'll call someone to clean this up. Can you stay here until I get back?"
Yeji nodded, "I will sunbaenim."
"Hyung what happened? Why did you run out??"
Minho took a deep breath as he walked over to Jisung who was standing outside their practice room door, "Yeji almost got hurt." Minho said as the two of them walked back in
Jisung's brows furrowed in concern, "What did you see?"
"She almost fell down the stairs because of a small puddle. Luckily I got there on time." Minho sighed as he leaned back on the couch, feeling exhausted from running around too much today
Jisung leaned over and held Minho's hand, "You did good hyung. She's fine. Thank you for always looking out for us." Jisung smiled so warmly that Minho felt his heart melt at the appreciation
Yes, the members knew about Minho's secret gift. Minho never really planned on telling them, but what was he gonna do when he got a vision during their meeting, and he stopped Felix from drinking a tampered drink caused by a barista who was apparently an anti.
Right there, Minho knew he should be honest with his family.
And Minho didn't regret a thing because so far, they have done a great job at helping Minho save people. From giving him more time to get to a specific location, to covering for him when he gets a vision (apparently Minho stops whatever he's doing and stares into space until his vision is done), to helping him calm down from the stress and anxiety it brings, it all helps keep Minho sane.
"Come on, why don't we head home?" Jisung offered as he stood up
Minho looked up at the younger with a pout, "But I didn't finish your run-through."
Jisung laughed, "I know, but that can wait until tomorrow. I know you saved someone that's why you were late, and I know you're exhausted. So please, let's rest for now hyungie."
Minho chuckled at Jisung's thoughtfulness as he felt his heart swell up with fondness for the younger, "Alright, let's go home."
Minho sighed as he stared at the ceiling above him. It was one of those nights again, where his mind is haunted by all his visions and past encounters. There were times when the dark voice in his mind kept whispering to him that it was all his fault, and there are times when that voice almost convinces him.
Minho has always been a soft-hearted person despite putting up a tough front. It was how he protected himself from getting unnecessarily hurt. Yet, he was always misunderstood as a cold and rude person. Even so, Minho still puts his very best into protecting the people around him, especially the people he loves.
Minho was snapped out of his thoughts upon hearing a knock from his door. Minho lifted his head up to glance at the person who opened this door, wondering who was still up at this hour. A smile made its way to Minho's face upon seeing Felix standing by the door with puffy eyes, pouty lips and his hair sticking up in random directions. Minho presumes the younger probably woke up from his sleep.
"Is everything okay Lixie?" Minho asked, sitting up
Minho patted the space beside him, figuring Felix would want to sleep there since he was carrying his pillow.
"I figured you might have trouble sleeping again, do you mind me sleeping with you?" Felix said as he walked over beside Minho's bed, his voice all raspy and deep
Bless this sunshine's heart.
Minho chuckled, pulling Felix to lie down next to him as the younger got situated, "Of course not Lixie. Let's sleep now, we have a big day ahead tomorrow."
Felix placed his pillow beside Minho's and snuggled up against the older's chest, rendering the pillow useless. Felix sighed in content as his body relaxed against Minho's, his arm wrapped tightly around Minho's waist. Minho chuckled as he ran his fingers through Felix's hair to help the younger fall back asleep.
"Why were you still awake?" Felix mumbled, his voice muffled by Minho's shirt
Minho glanced at Felix whose eyes remained closed, "I just had a few things on my mind. I'm okay Lixie, don't worry."
Felix lifted his head to look at the older. Felix felt his heart ache at the sight of his hyung looking so tired. He had bags under his eyes and his cheeks were thinner than it was a few weeks ago. The younger knew Minho was in a constant state of worry especially when they were outside for their schedules. He wanted to help Minho so badly, but there's only so much he can do to help Minho.
"You know you don't have to carry the burden alone right hyung?" Felix said, his lips turning into a pout
Minho smiled fondly before leaning closer to leave a kiss on Felix's forehead, "I know Lixie, I promise I will come to you guys when I need help."
Felix, seemingly satisfied with Minho's answer, albeit a little hesitant, nodded before snuggling back into Minho's chest. Minho continued stroking Felix's hair until he felt the younger's breathing pattern shift into a steady one. Minho leaned closer to Felix to wrap his arms protectively around the younger. That night, Minho fell asleep with no nightmares haunting his dreams.
How could he?
He has his own personal sunshine.