Artificial Love || Minho

64 || Figure out

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Minho's P.O.V.

...

I look at the outstretched hand inching towards the doorknob, hesitation consuming me once more as my conscience debates in my head.

Should I really be doing this?

I don't even know how I ended up here— everything all happened in one curious decision, and then it was one step up from the couch, all the way to where I am now; standing in front of Jisung's room.

In my head I knew this was wrong, that I shouldn't even be here considering my options in the first place. But nothing lately has seemed to be right, with what happened last night, plus everyone's overall strange behaviour when they're around me.

Jisung's out at the moment, so if I sneak in and take a peek before putting everything back like nothing happened, he's not going to find out, right?

Minho, make up your mind.

I look towards the handle, my hand still tightly grasped around it.

It'll be fine.

Besides, it's them that aren't telling you anything.

I might not even find anything, so if Jisung catches me I can just apologise later; saying I was looking for something else.

Cautiously and gently, I feel my wrist beginning to turn; the door slowly creaking open as I do so. Leaning my head in, I peer inside the gap, before fully stepping into the room.

Standing still for a moment as I walked in, I feel my eyes quickly scan around the area. Part of me still doesn't know why I came into Jisung's room out of anywhere else— sometimes following your instincts leads you to confusing conclusions.

I sigh, before continuing to look around. Nothing seemed rather eye catching at first sight, only a few bookshelves along with a huge weird creature that sat beside Jisung's bed.

Ignoring whatever it was, I turn my attention towards the shelves. Upon it were either rows of books, different toy figures, or a few small framed polaroid pictures of him and Hwamin.

Unable to resist, I take one of the photos off the shelf.

In the picture there she was, hand waving in the air with a huge smile on her face. The background was along the scenery of some kind of park, and I assume Jisung was the one behind the camera. 

My gaze trails back to her face, and I find myself staring at it.

Her smile...

It seemed so happy, so carefree in here. Nothing like when we interact.

I feel my chest tighten a bit. Why can't she smile around me like that?

...

Realising what I was doing, I shake my head. Minho, you can't get side tracked.

Setting the picture back down, I tear my eyes from it, continuing my search as I flip and turn various things around the room.

Unfortunately, I didn't get much.

"Hhhhhhhh." Defeated, I kick my feet as I flop onto the bed. "I can never get an answer in this world, can I?" Lifting my head a bit as I sulk, I look up, only for my eyes to make contact with the weird animal once again.

...

I move myself off the bed. Apparently, the thing was peculiar enough to catch my attention.

"What are you, even?" I ask to myself while crouching down to grab the animal's what seem to be hand. It felt soft, like there was something stuffed inside it. It also had a huge tail coming out from the back, reaching up and curling into this weird circular shape.

"Why would Jisung even have one of these things?" I then looked up to it's face, the blank expression only making my head tilt more.

"I mean, whatever you are, you sure look like him." I mumble under my breath, reaching up to pinch its cheeks.

After a little more of aimlessly messing around, I stand up from the animal, sighing as give it one last pat on the head. "Well, I guess there aren't any answers here, little guy. I should probably clean up before your owner gets home."

But right as I about to leave it alone, my gaze immediately caught onto something behind it.

It was something rectangular like, poking out from under the tail.

"Wait, what..?" I feel my curiosity grow, and I take a step closer to make sure I wasn't seeing things. I reach my hand it to grab it out, the thing seemingly to be a wooden frame attached to some sort of material.

"...What even is this?" I tilt my head. "I swear Jisung keeps some of the weirdest stuff—Huh..?"

I flipped the frame around, and only after a few extra seconds of looking at it— my eyes widen as I drop the thing, an audible gasp escaping from my lips.

*~*

Jisung's P.O.V

-

"So, I'll see you tomorrow then?" I ask, taking one last sip of my bubble tea before waving goodbye. "You have a late shift anyways though, don't you? Get some extra sleep tonight."

The girl in front me giggles, nodding her head. "Yup. Same goes with you. Don't stay up too late on call with Felix, he'll make you stream Twice until 3am."

I laugh. "Are you speaking from personal experience?"

"Maybe...?" Giving only a mere innocent smile, Hwamin shrugs. "But enough about this, Mom will be worried if I come home too late. I gotta get going now."

"Gotcha." I nod. "See you tomorrow then."

She smiles back, before taking off and bidding a last goodbye. "Yep! See you later~!"

"Bye~" I wave back, seeing her figure get smaller as she runs. Once out of sight, I turn towards my house, making my way up the steps to the front door.

"Today sure was interesting." I sigh, hands digging though my pockets for the house keys. "I have a few more documents to revise, and I'll probably order takeout tonight—"

While talking to myself, the door suddenly swings open.

And before I could react, I feel a hand grab the collar of my shirt, pulling me inside.

"Hey, what the—!?" Out of instinct I let out a shriek, eyes making contact with the person in front of me.

"Minho, what the heck do you think you're doing?"

Oddly enough, even though I was the one that got assaulted, he seemed to be more of our breath than I am. Heavy pants escaped his throat, and I would've thought he was angry— that is, if I didn't look at his eyes.

"Huh...?"

"What..." He says, voice almost sounding like it was about to crack.

"What is this?"

...

"Dude, I literally have no idea what the heck you're talking about—" I begin to speak, until my eyes catch on to what he was holding in his right hand.

Hwamin's painting.

Oh fuck.

_____________________

I had come to the realisation that Minho would probably not know what a stuffed squirrel was, but the description writing was kinda painful for my brain nnggnggngngghhhhh ㅠㅠ

ALSO NCT DREAM RELOAD COMING BACK IN A WEEK AND WE'RE GETTING EMO CHENLE REEEEEE