16 Diary 16: The Soothing Prince

A Few Years back…

Min Soo has always been an excellent student, he may not be the best in his class but he always does his best in what he's doing. However, his parents may not think that way since all they wanted from Min Soo is his academic success. He's always second or third in his class, but his parents are never satisfied with his achievement.

Min Soo is always stressed with his achievement since it was never enough to please his parents. He always the unwanted child they abandoned, his scores are never enough to please them. Despite the achievement, he got in singing and art contest since it was never been academic achievement; any of his artistic contest matter to their eyes.

Even with the achievements, he achieved in his latent ability as a singer. He attends the agency audition but even that efforts are effortless in front of his parents. His seeping hatred for his parents goes on until he's old. Even after he made his debut as a star, none of them ever think of him.

However, that changes when the Mystica boyband group, that's when they start to pay attention to Min Soo's needs. It is as if his fame is the only thing that is good about him, the Idol resents the parents who raise him until he grows up. The scalp on his head is proof of his stress, he pulls his hair to suppress his vulnerability.

The feelings of being hurt by others remain scarred on his heart, even if he pretends not to know. The man is lonely, his heart wanes for connection. His heart wanes for the warmth of his family, such coziness the man never received. He talks to his psychiatrist, his friend, but his effort is fruitless.

However, a part of his hollowness was filled by Taemin who seems to be a gentleman who truly likes him for what he is. Min Soo knows what he's doing is wrong, but he uses Taemin's kindness to fill what's hollow inside of him. Even if he knows, the model had a crush on him; he uses Taemin as an escapade.

That fact remains true and hurtful for both of them, Taemin slowly wants to state his intention of being serious with Min Soo. But the Idol declines those advances, he only wants to feel whole again, even if it means using another person's feelings for that.

He knows what he's doing, Min Soo knows that he's an unforgivable man; thus he just accepts the darkness within him wholly.

* * *

Min Soo retraces back to his old memories, to the time when he was constantly pressured by his parents. The time when he was mentally abused resurfaced in his mind, David once again asks the young man next to him for the reason of his tears. Min Soo shut his lips tightly, but David's gentleness somehow melts his hardened heart.

He rubs Min Soo's back carefully as if to calms his senses, his endless sorrow. Min Soo looks at David who seems to be lost in his thought as his eyes gaze upon Min Soo's bronze's one. His sappy eyes cannot hide his immeasurable sorrow, David seems to know how to soothe Min Soo's heart.

"I'm not going to ask what happened, but it would be nice if you can tell me what happened with your hair" David sits next to Min Soo. "I'm not going to change my mind about you Min Soo, I still think of you as a friend regardless of what you're going through".

"How can you be so sure?" Min Soo asks him distraughtly.

"Your eyes Min Soo" David smiles kindly at Min Soo. "It already tells me things I need to know about you, and whether you're a good man".

His words soothe the Idol's hardened heart, David reminds him of Taemin but in a different way. David sounds more mature and mysterious than Taemin who is a flirtatious model and an outgoing person. Taemin is like a parental figure for the lost Idol instead of a lover, he depends on him intimately to the point of toxicity.

"You don't have to tell me now, but at least I hope I can make you feel better" David smiles at him. "Now please, take a deep breath".

Min Soo follows his direction as he takes a deep breath as David instructed. The more he tries to hold it in, the more torturous his heart feels. Min Soo let out his sorrow, covering both of his eyes with his tender palm. David pats his head out of nowhere, but rather than feel uncomfortable; Min Soo feels calmer.

Not to mention he's not as flirtatious as Taemin, he's not that insecure with David. Rather maybe because he gives a mature vibe rather than Taemin. David offers his hug toward the weakened Idol. As the Idol, falls on his embrace he slowly closes his eyes to slumber. The warmth on David's embrace is not fake.

His embrace is indeed non-artificial, it is as if he gives the hug sincerely. David tightened his hug, the warmth on his embrace permeated through his body.

* * *

Min Soo is awakened on a bed inside the tent, it seems David carries him inside when he fell asleep in his embrace last night. A soft blanket covers his pale skin, David sleeps on the other side of the tent. David has yet to wake up, he's still cozying in his sleeping bag hugging his sheathed sword in hand.

Min Soo somewhat chuckles at the sight of David sleeping, hence also blushes the moment he remembers how David comforts his sadness. As repayment, he thought of hunting their breakfast.

The Idol comes out from the tent, noticing that there's some sort of runes inscribed around the tent. As soon as he gets out from the runes, he feels as if he just goes through an invisible shield. He turns back to see the tent he just came out from suddenly disappeared from his vision.

Perhaps, it has something to do with the suitcase specifications and the ability to stay hidden from the enemy's line of vision. The young explorer spots a running rabbit in front of him, it's time to be more useful than before.