You're Not Alone...

Title: Just a theory...?
Length: 1862 words
TWs: overthinking, parents expectations

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September 23rd, 2023_
8:00 AM_

The next morning, as the group gathered in the courtyard, Minho’s absence was immediately noticed.

“W-where’s Minho-hyung?” Seungmin asked, his brow furrowed.

Hyunjin shrugged casually. “He said he’s feeling sick today. Probably just caught something minor.”

Felix tilted his head, looking concerned. “Minho-hyung never gets sick, though. He’s always bragging about his immune system.”

“Maybe he overworked himself,” Jisung suggested, though he didn’t seem too worried.

Chan, however, stayed quiet, his instincts telling him something wasn’t adding up. Minho rarely skipped school without a good reason, and “sick” didn’t seem like one of them. Still, he decided against voicing his doubts, knowing it wouldn’t help to speculate.

Seungmin glanced at his phone, tempted to text Minho but hesitant. He didn’t want to come off as overly concerned, even though a part of him was. Chan noticed but chose to keep his observations to himself, deciding to check on Minho later.

---

Chan entered Minho and Hyunjin’s shared dorm quietly, using the keys he had been entrusted with. The room was dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight peeking through the curtains. It was eerily quiet, and Chan could hear the soft rustling of sheets as he stepped further inside.

He found Minho curled up in bed, his face buried in the pillow, shoulders stiff with the weight of something heavy. The younger rarely allowed anyone to see him vulnerable, so the sight caught Chan off guard. His best friend, the usually confident and composed Minho, seemed so small and defeated in that moment.

“Minho?” Chan called softly, standing by the side of the bed.

Minho didn’t immediately respond. It wasn’t until Chan took a step closer that he heard a muffled voice from beneath the pillow. “I don’t know what to do anymore, Chan.”

He took a deep breath and sat on the edge of the bed, careful not to make any sudden movements. He knew better than to push Minho when he was like this. Instead, he just waited, letting the silence stretch between them.

Finally, Minho lifted his head slightly, his face flushed with frustration and sadness. His eyes were red, as though he had been fighting back tears all day. “I thought... I thought I could do this,” Minho muttered, his voice breaking a little. “But now that I know Seungmin’s a beta... my parents would never accept him. They’d never accept us.”

Chan’s heart sank at the admission. He knew how important Minho’s family was to him, how much pressure he faced to meet their expectations, especially when it came to his future partner. But hearing the younger voice his fears made it feel even more real.

For a moment, Chan just sat there in silence, trying to process what Minho had said. He knew his best friend, and he understood how much the alpha cared for Seungmin. But the weight of societal expectations and his family’s rigid views could not be dismissed so easily.

“I don’t know what to say,” Chan finally spoke, his tone gentle. “But whatever happens, you don’t have to face this alone.”

Minho closed his eyes, taking a shaky breath. “I don’t even know if I can be with him, knowing how my parents would react.”

Chan didn’t try to offer solutions or tell him what he should do. Instead, he simply stayed there, offering his presence and support. He knew that sometimes, all Minho needed was someone who would listen and not judge, someone who wouldn’t push him for answers he didn’t have.