~ 𝕡𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕠𝕡𝕙𝕠𝕓𝕚𝕒 ~ (Minsung)

🔒Chapter 18 - Scars🔒

⚠️TW⚠️
MENTIONS OF S3LF H@RM
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3rd Person POV:

"Some of the scars on my body aren't because of my parents..."

Minho's voice trailed off, his gaze fixed on the floor. Jisung's brow furrowed in confusion for a moment, processing the implication. When realization dawned, his eyes widened.

"So, it was...?"

Minho nodded, his head still resting on Jisung's shoulder. "Mhm... I'm s-sorry, I really am. I just couldn't find another way to c-cope with it, so I started doing it to release stress... I get it if you hate m-"

"Shut up," Jisung interrupted, his tone firm yet gentle. Minho braced himself for the worst. "Don't apologize for something you couldn't control. I know how hard it can be to stop once you start, and I won't ever judge you for it."

Jisung felt the dampness of Minho's silent tears soaking into his shirt but remained still, offering comfort through his steady presence.

"I-I really thought you'd h-hate me after I told you," Minho sniffled, his voice muffled against Jisung's shoulder.

"And I told you I won't." Jisung ran his fingers soothingly through Minho's hair. "Did you do it again after I found you? Can I see them, hm?"

Minho hesitated before nodding slowly. "I only did it a lot when I f-first came here. Then I tried to go clean but failed because it was addictive, so I still did it but less... I have been clean for a-almost three weeks now, even though the urges come back every now and then..."

With trembling hands, Minho raised his right arm and began to roll up his sleeve. Jisung placed his hand over Minho's to steady him, helping with the sleeve.

Jisung examined the newer cuts, most of them nearly healed or already scarred.

"Do you take care of them?"

"No..." Minho shook his head. "I... I don't know how to..."

"Wait here," Jisung said, gently releasing Minho's arm and getting off the bed. "I'll be right back."

He returned shortly with a first aid kit. "Give me your arm. You don't want the unhealed cuts to get infected," Jisung instructed, sitting down and reaching out. "It might sting a bit."

Minho silently complied, laying his arm over Jisung's hand.

Jisung took out an antibacterial wipe, carefully cleaning Minho's arm. He then applied ointment to the unhealed cuts and covered them with dressings.

"Aaaand, we're done!" Jisung announced, closing the kit and placing it on the bedside table.

Minho stared at the older scars on his arm, frowning. "I'm sorry, they are ugly..."

Jisung frowned back, pulling Minho close and planting a gentle kiss on his head. "They are fine. You are still really beautiful nonetheless."

Minho finally responded to the hug, wrapping his arms around Jisung's waist and nuzzling into his shirt, taking in the comforting scent.

"Can we stay like this for a few minutes? Maybe fifteen?" Minho asked, his voice muffled.

"Sure," Jisung chuckled softly, ruffling Minho's already messy hair. "But not for too long because we need to eat! We can cuddle again afterward."

Minho raised his arm, showing a thumbs up while humming in agreement. He didn't want to move, savoring the moment and hoping it would last longer.

They remained like that for the next thirty minutes, during which Jisung attempted to get Minho to move multiple times, only to be met with stubborn groans and whines.

"Don't be stubborn, Love," Jisung tried to extricate himself from Minho's grip. "I am hungryy!" he whined. "We can cuddle again later, I promise!"

Saying Jisung loved food was an understatement. He adored it, relished every bite, and was often surprised at how he maintained such good shape despite his eating habits. Perhaps it was good metabolism and genes.

The two sat at the kitchen island, Jisung savoring every bite of his Italian pasta while Minho sulked, pouting as he nibbled on his chicken wrap.

"Come on, don't sulk! I will start feeling bad," Jisung turned to Minho, guilt creeping in but also finding the pout adorable. "I can't stay hungry... And I said we can cuddle again!"

Minho tried to maintain his facade, but a small smile crept onto his face, not escaping Jisung's notice.

"Is that a smile I see? Hm?" Jisung teased, lightly poking Minho's cheeks and laughing.

"N-no... I'm still mad!" Minho turned away, folding his arms over his chest like a child, though a smile tugged at his lips.

"Oh..." Jisung feigned sadness, getting up quietly. "I'll just leave then."

Hearing the sadness, Minho instantly turned to an empty chair, thinking Jisung had left. He turned back to his food, guilt washing over him, almost falling off his chair when he saw Jisung leaning in from his left side with a teasing smile.

"AH- OH MY GOSH!" Minho clutched his chest dramatically.

"It wasn't even that scary!" Jisung stood straight, laughing as he pulled Minho into a hug.

"Are you upset...?"

"Nope!" Jisung pulled away, smiling. "I am done eating, now you should finish fast if you want cuddles again."

Minho turned back to his food, the pout vanished as if it never existed. Jisung took his dishes, washed them, and sat next to Minho, waiting.

"You can go back if you want."

"You sure?" Jisung asked.

Minho nodded, a bite of the wrap in his mouth. "I'm almost done anyway, so you can go."

Jisung nodded and left, entering the bedroom and flopping onto the bed stomach down, lying there for a few minutes before Minho walked in, laughing at Jisung's half-dead-looking state.

Jisung sat up upon hearing the laughter, leaning against the headboard and opening his arms for Minho, who quickly climbed onto the bed and settled comfortably in Jisung's embrace.

A/N:
A fluffy-ish(?) filler chapter because Minho deserves some happiness after all that.