As long as i have you

The morning light seeped through the cracks in the boarded-up windows, casting a dim, golden hue across the room. Jisung woke to the warmth of Minho's body beside him, their fingers still entwined beneath the blanket. For a moment, he forgot where he was—forgot the danger, the chaos, the uncertainty. All that mattered was the steady rise and fall of Minho's chest and the quiet peace that surrounded them.

But reality quickly set in, and Jisung's heart sank as the memories of the previous night came rushing back. The attack, the fear, the sense of helplessness that had threatened to overwhelm him. He turned his head slightly to look at Minho, who was still fast asleep, his features softened by the early morning light.

Jisung couldn't help but marvel at how peaceful Minho looked, even after everything they had been through. It was as if, in sleep, Minho could finally let go of the burdens he carried—the weight of his responsibilities, the constant vigilance required to keep them both safe. Jisung's heart ached at the thought, knowing how much Minho had sacrificed to protect him.

Careful not to wake him, Jisung slowly extricated his hand from Minho's and slipped out of bed. His body was sore, his muscles stiff from the tension of the previous night, but he forced himself to move, to push through the discomfort. He needed a moment alone, to gather his thoughts, to prepare himself for whatever came next.

The house was quiet as Jisung made his way to the small kitchen at the back. The others were likely still asleep, or out on patrol, ensuring that their new location remained secure. The silence was almost unnerving, a stark contrast to the chaos of the night before, but Jisung welcomed it. He needed this quiet, this brief reprieve, before the storm inevitably returned.

Jisung found a kettle on the stove and filled it with water, setting it to boil as he rummaged through the cupboards for anything resembling tea. He eventually found a small tin, its label faded and worn, and opened it to reveal a handful of dried leaves. It wasn't much, but it would do.

As he waited for the water to heat, Jisung leaned against the counter, his mind drifting back to the ball—the moment everything had changed. He had been so naïve then, so blissfully unaware of the world outside the palace walls. He had thought that his biggest problems were the endless formalities, the pressures of royal life. But now... now everything was different.

Jisung sighed, running a hand through his hair. He wasn't sure if he regretted meeting Minho. Despite all the fear, the danger, the uncertainty, there was something about Minho that made it all worth it. He had never felt so alive, so connected to someone, as he did with Minho. But that connection came at a cost—a cost that Jisung was only beginning to understand.

The kettle whistled, pulling Jisung from his thoughts. He quickly poured the boiling water over the tea leaves, watching as the liquid darkened. The simple act of making tea grounded him, gave him something to focus on that wasn't life-or-death.

He carried the steaming mug to the small table in the center of the kitchen and sat down, cradling the warmth between his hands. As he took a tentative sip, he allowed himself to relax, to let the quiet seep into his bones.

But the peace didn't last long. The sound of footsteps echoed through the house, growing louder as they approached the kitchen. Jisung tensed, his heart rate spiking for a moment, until Minho appeared in the doorway, his expression softening when he saw Jisung.

"You're up early," Minho said, his voice still rough with sleep. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms over his chest as he studied Jisung.

"Couldn't sleep," Jisung admitted, offering a small smile. "I didn't want to wake you, so I thought I'd make some tea."

Minho pushed off the doorframe and walked over to the table, pulling out a chair to sit across from Jisung. "You should have woken me," he said gently. "You don't have to go through this alone, Jisung."

Jisung shook his head, staring down into his mug. "I know. But I needed some time to think. Everything's changing so fast... It's a lot to process."

Minho reached across the table, covering Jisung's hand with his own. "We'll get through this," he said, his voice filled with quiet determination. "One step at a time. I won't let anything happen to you."

Jisung looked up, meeting Minho's gaze. The sincerity in his eyes was undeniable, and it eased some of the anxiety that had been gnawing at Jisung's insides. "I believe you," he said softly. "But what about you, Minho? How much longer can you keep doing this? Fighting, running... it's going to wear you down eventually."

Minho's expression grew serious, the weight of Jisung's words settling over him. "I don't have a choice," he replied. "This is the life I chose, and I'm committed to seeing it through. But with you... it's different. I'll fight as long as I have to, as long as it means keeping you safe."

Jisung's heart swelled with emotion, a mix of gratitude and sorrow. He knew Minho meant every word, but it didn't stop the ache in his chest. He didn't want Minho to bear the burden alone, didn't want him to sacrifice everything for his sake.

"I don't want you to do this just for me," Jisung said quietly. "I don't want you to lose yourself in this fight, to become someone you don't recognize."

Minho's grip tightened on Jisung's hand, his eyes locking onto Jisung's with an intensity that took his breath away. "As long as I have you, I'll always know who I am," Minho said fiercely. "You remind me of what's important, of why I'm doing this. You keep me grounded, Jisung."

Jisung felt a tear slip down his cheek, and Minho reached out to wipe it away with the pad of his thumb. "I'm not going anywhere," Minho whispered, his voice filled with a conviction that left no room for doubt. "Not as long as you need me."

"I'll always need you," Jisung whispered back, his voice thick with emotion. "But I don't want to be the reason you keep fighting. I want us to find a way out of this, together. I want us to have a future."

Minho's expression softened, and he leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss to Jisung's forehead. "Then we'll find a way," he murmured. "I promise you, Jisung. We'll find a way to make it out of this, together."

Jisung nodded, a sense of calm settling over him as he clung to Minho's words. He didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long time, he felt a glimmer of hope. They would find a way through the darkness, no matter how long it took.

As they sat there, hands clasped together, the first rays of sunlight began to filter through the cracks in the windows, casting a warm glow over them. The world outside was still uncertain, still dangerous, but in that moment, Jisung knew he wasn't facing it alone.

And that was enough.

For now, that was enough.