Sometimes Jisung had trouble sleeping. It was one of those times right now. The only thing that helped him was his boyfriend, who was currently sleeping soundly beside him. It was way past 2 a.m, but still, his eyes remained open, without any intention of closing and dozing off.
He used that time to admire Minho. He scooted closer, wrapping his arms securely around him. He inhaled his sweet scent, and that alone helped him calm down. He wondered why he didn't do this earlier. Usually, he spent his time writing lyrics when sleep didn't come to him. He tried now too, but Minho distracted him. He let out cute little snores, and Jisung had to keep himself from cooing out loud.
When he had one arm wrapped around the older boy, he buried his face into Minho's neck, attempting to sleep again. Maybe being this close to his Hyung, feeling his warmth and his scent will help him drift off.
He was right, maybe Minho really was the key. He easily fell asleep, and only woke up an hour and a half later. At first, he didn't understand what was happening. He grumbled and tried opening his eyes that demanded to stay shut, but the violent tossing and turning near him alerted him. He quickly detached himself from Minho and sat up to see what was happening. He saw the older crying as he mumbled incoherent words.
Jisung was now completely awake, furrowing his eyebrows in worry, contemplating how he should approach Minho. He decided to caress Minho's arms, not wanting to shake him awake from a nightmare.
"Min, baby" - but Minho didn't stop shaking, instead it all got worse.
"No.. please"
"Love please wake up" - Jisung was desperate now, his heart clenching as he saw Minho's state.
"Stop!" - he cried out, and Jisung felt his blood run cold, quickly pulling away, afraid that he somehow hurt him. He thought Minho said that to him, but as he saw Minho was still trapped inside his awful dream, he went back to the older.
"Min, love, wake up, wake up!" - his voice was hushed as he started shaking him a bit, not too hard, just so he would, hopefully, wake up. Jisung was above him, ready to trap him in a big hug as soon as Minho would open his eyes.
And that's exactly what Jisung did when he saw Minho's eyes fluttering open, not wasting a second to bring him in his arms.
"Ji-jisung"
"I'm here baby" - he held him close, brushing through his hair with his fingers - "you are okay, I'm here"
"It h-hurts" - his voice cracked, tears still flowing down his cheeks. Jisung wiped them away with his thumb, while slowly rocking Minho, hoping that would calm him down a bit. He saw how dazed and out of it, the older was.
"What hurts love?" - Jisung leaned closer, whispering in his ears.
"Everything" - his voice faltered, lips quivering. Jisung swallowed, not liking where this was going. It looked like Minho was at his breaking point.
"Can you show me where love?" - he pressed an encouraging kiss on his forehead. He pressed his lips together in a tight line, waiting for a response.
Minho shook his head as an answer, burying his head in Jisung's chest. Jisung could feel him melt into his arms, and Jisung felt his heart flutter. He felt awful and happy at the same time. He hated seeing him so weak and vulnerable, but loved it at the same time, that he could be his support, the only one for him, the person he could cry to, a shoulder Minho could lean on anytime.
"Min please, tell me, I don't want you in pain." - Jisung pursed his lips, swallowing hard, a habit he picked up over the years.
"No... you won't like me anymore."
"What? Don't be silly Min, I will like you no matter what! Where did that even come from?"
"Am not pretty" - he cried more, and Jisung took a deep breath, thinking of what to say and do.
"Baby look at me" - he lifted Minho's head, his glistened eyes staring straight back at Jisung - "No matter what, you will never not be beautiful to me, alright? You are the prettiest to me, no matter what."
"Promise?" - Minho's voice was weak and faint, and Jisung wanted to shower him with his love even more.
"I promise baby" - he brought Minho in a deep kiss, showing love and genuineness - "Now.. please show me where you are hurt.." - Jisung was not sure if he was ready for whatever he could see in a few moments. Over the weeks, Jisung slowly became suspicious, that maybe something was going on with Minho and his dad. He was praying that it was nowhere near as serious as he thought.
⚠️Tw (mentions of abuse)
Minho shut his eyes tightly and slowly lifted his shirt so Jisung could see. He didn't want to see his reaction, he feared that he would see the disgust, disappointment and hatred on his face, just like his father told him.
"If someone saw you, they would all find you disgusting, weak, and useless. I think it's better to know the truth from me before you show them your ugly body."
And not just his father, but Wonshik had told him the same things. He figured that must be the truth then.
Now that he was exposing himself, he thought that he should've been selfish and kept Jisung to himself while hiding everything, his bruises, his father, Wonshik, and everything. But Jisung deserved to know the truth, even if that may change their relationship forever. Minho's heart broke at the thought of breaking up with Jisung and not speaking to him anymore. But he would respect Jisung's decision if he decided he didn't want to do anything with Minho. Maybe he should stay hidden and-
"Min?" - the older was pushed out of his mind, by Jisung's concerned voice. Jisung saw how his small hands were grasping the hem of his shirt.
"I'm sorry..." - that was all Minho said as he pulled his shirt up in one go. As he promised himself, he shut his eyes.
The silence was heavy. Besides Jisung's gasp, and a low, whisper-like "Minho..", nothing could be heard. Tears brimmed Minho's eyes, even though his eyes were shut. His long eyelashes were wet, and he eventually had to open his eyes to try and blink them away.
Jisung's hand brushed over Minho's, which was still clutching his shirt, slowly opening his fisted hand, letting the shirt fall to its place, and taking Minho's hand in his fully. Jisung had seen enough.
Minho was like a living canvas, painted colourful by the hands of a man that didn't deserve to be a father... His soft, smooth skin was stained by deep shades of green, blue and purple, scars and remains of previous encounters, and haunting memories.
"Minho.. open your eyes please."
Minho sniffed, but did so, glancing up at Jisung while pouting. Jisung fought off the urge to cry too. He had to be strong for his boyfriend.
"I told you that you are beautiful, right?"
Minho nodded, wiping his eyes.
"I still think that. This won't change my view of you okay? You mean too much to me, my love.."
Minho's heart skipped a beat at the pet name but nodded anyway. He was afraid his voice would betray him if he tried to be vocal now.
"I'm so sorry, Min" - Jisung's voice was strained, and no matter how hard he tried, that little teardrop escaped his eyes, falling onto Minho.
"Wh- why are you sorry?" - he stilled with a little head tilt, he was lost.
"That this is happening to you, you don't deserve this baby" - Jisung's eyes watered fully, he tried to rapidly blink to stop them from spilling, but it was no use. He once again, wrapped Minho in his arms, leaning against each other, perfectly fitting together like two pieces of a puzzle. They just stayed in each other's arms, hugging tightly while crying.
Somehow Minho felt slightly better. Just crying in Jisung's hold, feeling protected and cared for.
"From now on, you are staying with us and I won't take no as an answer." - Jisung lofted his head from Minho's neck, sounding more confident now.
"B-but w-what if my Father-"
"I will talk with him, if he desperately wants to see you then he will have to come here and take you from me." - Jisung suddenly felt hot, blood pumping through his veins, ready to protect his Hyung from everyone. He didn't understand why he got so furious all of a sudden. But the feeling of having to keep Minho safe hit him hard just a moment later, and to be fair he didn't mind it at all.
He would gladly keep him safe, after all, Minho was his now.
~
A/N
Yohooo I finally finished this part too!
Now Jisung finally knows one of Minho's truths.
If I should put any other tw please let me know!
How are you doing?
Take care and be healthy! <3