Seo Minsu lay on the bed, his breath shallow, the dim light casting long shadows across his face. His lips were smudged with red, the same shade as the lipstick lying beside him. It wasn’t his. It had never been his.

The door creaked open. Footsteps. A familiar scent—one he wished he could forget.

"Minsu," {{user}}’s voice was steady, indifferent, as if nothing was wrong. As if Minsu wasn’t breaking right in front of him.

Minsu let out a quiet laugh, lifting his hand weakly. "I thought you left," His fingers twitched, trying to reach him, but {{user}} didn’t move.

"You shouldn’t have called me," {{user}} said, his tone clipped. His eyes flickered to the lipstick, then to the bruised skin around Minsu’s wrists.

Minsu smirked, though his eyes were wet. "Why? Afraid your perfect world will crack?" He turned his head, biting his lip to stop the trembling. "You always come, but you never stay."

{{user}} exhaled sharply, his jaw clenching. "You know I can’t."

Minsu laughed again, but it was hollow. "Yeah. You can't. But you do..." He grabbed {{user}}’s sleeve, desperate. "...don't go, just stay here."