The Way You Stayed | MinSung FF

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The apartment felt unnaturally quiet that morning. Sunlight streamed through the thin curtains, but it seemed colder somehow, harsher, as if reflecting the heaviness in Minho's chest. The scattered toys, coloring books, and small furniture that usually felt like a warm, lived-in mess now seemed almost foreign — a reminder of the life that would soon leave him.

Jeongin, cheerful and unaware of the gravity of the day, toddled around with a small stuffed dinosaur clutched to his chest. "Mama, look! Dino wants to come to the park!" he chirped, his voice bright and innocent.

Minho knelt down to straighten Jeongin's little backpack straps, forcing a smile onto his face. "That's great, innie! But today... today's going to be a little different, okay?"

Jeongin tilted his head, curious. "Different?"

"Yeah... um... your mom is coming to visit today," Minho said, voice catching slightly. "She... she's gonna be here for a little while."

Jeongin's eyes went wide, and he frowned. "Mom...? Really?"

"Yes... really," Minho said softly, brushing a strand of hair from the boy's face. He tried to keep his tone light, to mask the aching lump in his throat. "But it'll be fun, I promise. You'll get to see her and... talk to her, okay?"

A knock at the door made both of them jump. Jeongin clutched Minho's leg, and Minho's chest tightened. He walked to the door and opened it to reveal his sister, Soohae, standing nervously with a small bag over her shoulder.

"Hi, Minho," she said softly. "Hi, Jeongin."

"Mom?" Jeongin asked hesitantly, glancing between Minho and the woman at the door.

Minho felt a pang in his chest but forced the reassuring smile back onto his face. "Yes, Jeongin. Say hi!"

Jeongin looked uncertain, then clung tightly to Minho's arm. "Mama?" he asked again, voice small and trembling.

Soohae knelt down, arms open, smiling gently. "Hi, sweetheart. I missed you."

The little boy's eyes filled with confusion and hesitation. His entire world had been Minho for the past year, and now this new reality — this woman claiming to be his mom — was overwhelming.

"I... I don't want to go!" Jeongin wailed, clinging to Minho with all his strength. "I want to stay with you, Mama! Don't leave me!"

Minho knelt down to Jeongin's level, wrapping his arms around him in a protective hug. His own heart ached, but he forced his voice to remain calm. "I know, baby. And it's okay to feel sad... really sad. But your mom... she wants to see you too. And it's not forever. She'll take care of you, I promise."

Jeongin buried his face in Minho's shoulder, sobbing into his shirt. "I don't want to go! I want to stay with you! Mama, please!"

Minho's chest tightened, but he kept his embrace firm, stroking Jeongin's hair. "I know, Jeongin. But... it's okay. You'll be safe. You'll be happy. I promise."

He tried to infuse his words with the calm reassurance he wished he could feel. He had to be strong — for Jeongin. The boy needed him to be stable, even if Minho's own heart was breaking.

Soohae tried gently to take Jeongin's hand, but the boy stiffened, clinging tighter to Minho. "No! Don't! Mama, don't let her take me!"

Minho swallowed hard, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of Jeongin's head. "It's okay, innie. I'm right here. I'll always be here, no matter what. You can come visit and play anytime, okay?"

Jeongin's sobs grew louder, tears streaking down his cheeks. "I want to stay with you! Don't leave me!"

Soohae softened her voice, trying to coax him. "Sweetheart... I'm not taking you away to hurt you. I just want to see you. You'll be back soon, and I'll make it fun, I promise."

But Jeongin wasn't listening. He clung to Minho like he was the only anchor in the world, his small body shaking with emotion.

Minho's own throat tightened, but he kept his voice calm. "It's okay, Jeongin. You'll have a blast with your mom."

It took nearly half an hour of gentle coaxing, reassurances, and Minho holding him as if he could physically shield him from the pain before Soohae managed to get Jeongin to take a tentative step toward her. Each step was a battle, the boy turning back to look at Minho, tears streaming, small fists clenching his shirt.

"I don't want to go!" Jeongin cried again, sobbing uncontrollably. "I want to stay with you! Mama! Don't let her take me!"

Minho's chest felt like it was splitting. He knelt to his eye level, forcing the warm, calm smile back onto his face even as his own vision blurred. "I know. I know. But it's okay. You can still love me and miss me, and I'll always love you too. Even when you're gone."

Jeongin looked at him, clinging to him for dear life, and Minho pressed a kiss to his forehead. "I'll see you soon, okay? You'll be okay. I promise."

Soohae gently took Jeongin's hand this time, and slowly, step by step, she led him toward the door. Jeongin glanced back one last time, sobbing and crying out, "Mama! Don't leave me! I want to stay with you! Mama!"

Minho's heart shattered in a way he had never imagined. He waved softly, holding back sobs, forcing his expression into a reassuring smile. "I love you, Jeongin... I love you. You'll be okay."

Once the door clicked shut behind Soohae and Jeongin, the apartment felt unbearably silent. The laughter, the chatter, the little squeaks of toys — all of it gone. Minho sank to the floor, knees pulled to his chest, and let the walls he had been holding up crumble completely.

Tears spilled freely now, hot and unrelenting. He pressed his face into his hands, letting out shaky, uncontrolled sobs. For a year, he had held Jeongin close, protected him, loved him fiercely — and now he was gone, leaving a hollow ache in his chest.

"I... I can't... I can't do this..." he whispered into the empty room.

He stayed there for what felt like hours, tears soaking his shirt, his body trembling with grief and exhaustion. The apartment that had once been warm and alive with little feet and laughter felt cold and empty.

But even in the depths of his sadness, a small, stubborn part of him whispered that he had done everything he could. He had loved Jeongin unconditionally, given him safety, happiness, and a home — and that love would always remain, even if he couldn't see it every day.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Minho slowly lifted his head, eyes red and swollen. The apartment was quiet, but in the silence, he could feel Jeongin's presence lingering — a warmth that no amount of distance could erase.

He pressed a hand to his chest, taking a shaky breath. "I love you, innie," he whispered again.

And even though the apartment felt empty, Minho knew that love would remain. That he would remain, strong for the little boy he had raised, even through the ache of missing him.

A/N

I'm a really awkward person when comforting someone whose upset or crying irl so I literally had no idea how to write this whole chapter 😭

And also idk what sort of legal stuff would be included in this sort of situation so I'm js winging it 😃

Tell me if this needs fixing I am not confident in it guys 😭🙏

Also ik I made Minho and Jeongin like rlly dramatic but I'm rlly dramatic so.... Yeh. Heh 🙈

anyways,

XOXO, Karina