Close encounters

Minho wasn't sure what he was doing anymore. Every time he told himself to back off, to let Jisung live his life, something pulled him back. Maybe it was the boy's genuine warmth, a stark contrast to the cold and calculated world Minho was so accustomed to.

And that night, as he drove back to his estate, he realized he didn't want to stop.

Jisung, on the other hand, was still trying to make sense of Minho's sudden presence in his life. As he sat in his room, staring at the business card on his desk, he felt torn.

Felix's words echoed in his mind: "You've got a crush."

"Do I?" Jisung muttered, running a hand through his hair. He thought about Minho's sharp eyes softening whenever they met his, the strange sense of safety that came with his presence, and the way his name sounded so different when Minho said it.

The thought made his stomach flip.

Before he could overthink it further, his phone buzzed with a message.

Minho: Did you get enough sleep?

Jisung stared at the screen, blinking in surprise. He hadn't even realized he'd given Minho his number during their conversation earlier.

Jisung: Not really. Long day at the hospital tomorrow, but I'll survive.

The reply came almost immediately.

Minho: You shouldn't overwork yourself.

Jisung: Says the guy who's up texting me at this hour.

For a moment, there was no response, and Jisung wondered if he'd been too casual. Then another message came through.

Minho: Fair point. But I'm serious-take care of yourself.

Jisung smiled, warmth spreading through him despite the late hour.

Jisung: I will. Thanks, Minho.

The next day, Jisung was halfway through his clinical rounds when something unusual happened. He was helping a patient with their discharge paperwork when he noticed a familiar figure walking past the hospital's main entrance.

Minho.

Jisung blinked, certain he was imagining things. What would Minho be doing here?

But when he walked out into the lobby during his break, there Minho was, standing near the reception desk in a sharp black coat, looking as out of place as a lion in a petting zoo.

"Minho?" Jisung called, hurrying over. "What are you doing here?"

Minho turned, his expression calm but with a flicker of something softer when he saw Jisung. "I was in the area."

Jisung raised an eyebrow. "At a hospital? In scrubs, no less?"

Minho smirked faintly. "Maybe I was curious about where you spend all your time."

Jisung's face warmed, and he crossed his arms. "You're not as subtle as you think, you know."

"I wasn't trying to be," Minho replied smoothly. "Have you eaten yet?"

Jisung blinked at the sudden question. "What? No, but-"

"Good," Minho interrupted. "There's a café nearby. Come with me."

"Minho, I'm working-"

"On a break," Minho said, gesturing toward the badge clipped to Jisung's shirt. "And you look like you haven't eaten all day."

Jisung opened his mouth to argue, but Minho's unyielding expression stopped him.

"Fine," Jisung sighed, following him out of the hospital.

The café was cozy and warm, a stark contrast to the sterile environment of the hospital. Jisung sat across from Minho, feeling strangely nervous under his intense gaze.

"You didn't have to come all this way just to check on me," Jisung said, breaking the silence.

"I wanted to," Minho said simply, sipping his coffee.

Jisung fidgeted with his cup. "You're... hard to figure out, you know that?"

Minho tilted his head slightly. "Good. I'd hate to be predictable."

Jisung rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "Seriously, though. Why do you keep showing up? I mean, don't get me wrong-I appreciate everything you've done, but..."

Minho's expression softened, and he leaned forward slightly. "I don't expect you to understand right away. But you're important to me, Jisung. More than you realize."

Jisung's breath caught. For a moment, he didn't know how to respond. "I... I don't even know what to say to that."

"You don't have to say anything," Minho said, his voice gentle. "Just... let me look out for you."

Jisung stared at him, his heart racing. Minho's words felt heavy, like they carried an unspoken promise.

Later that night, as Jisung replayed the conversation in his mind, he couldn't stop the small smile that crept onto his face.

Whatever this was between them, it was something Jisung hadn't felt in a long time.

And he wasn't sure he wanted it to stop.