[People say that you know you have the right partner when they inspire you to be the best version of yourself.
Min-Gi thinks that he and Ryan have always done that to a degree, but as they get older (and maybe slightly wiser) it gets easier to see. Right now is a perfect example and in the vast book recording memories of Ryan supporting him, this takes pride of place. They're even, god forbid, learning patience and vulnerability.
It's nice to feel like they can be open and candid like this. It's nice to have that trust. They didn't always. It had been hard to admit and something they never really sat down and processed, but not everything has to be said in words. In fact, sometimes words just make things worse.
Actions, though. Actions can say a million things. Religiously combing the beach for a familiar looking squid. Dropping everything to accommodate a frightened, new arrival. Being so willing to do anything. Little nods of encouragement. The light hand of reassurance. A silly little song made just for him. Ryan said I love you in a million different ways before he ever used those words. Really, Ryan has been saying I love you for years.
So when he says he's in this for the long haul, Min-Gi believes him because he says it with his whole being.
When Min says it back, he means it, too. With every careful song composition to lift and let Ryan's voice and guitar shine. Taking the early driving shift to let Ryan sleep and then caving and letting him skip around songs instead of listening to an album all the way through how it was intended. Limb tangled couch naps and long shifts at Rocky's. Learning an album's worth of songs in just a few weeks for a friend Min didn't even like. Tentative public hand holds and mushroom free meals. Maybe he should use his voice after all. Might not hurt.
If Ryan can feel good about where they stand right now then he can, too.]
I love you, Ryan.
[Followed by that familiar, gut wrenching whirring noise. Min-Gi looks at his hand. The number falls to zero and disappears. Some of the crushing anxiety falls with it and a hard exhale. Then he can't stop smiling.]
no subject
[People say that you know you have the right partner when they inspire you to be the best version of yourself.
Min-Gi thinks that he and Ryan have always done that to a degree, but as they get older (and maybe slightly wiser) it gets easier to see. Right now is a perfect example and in the vast book recording memories of Ryan supporting him, this takes pride of place. They're even, god forbid, learning patience and vulnerability.
It's nice to feel like they can be open and candid like this. It's nice to have that trust. They didn't always. It had been hard to admit and something they never really sat down and processed, but not everything has to be said in words. In fact, sometimes words just make things worse.
Actions, though. Actions can say a million things. Religiously combing the beach for a familiar looking squid. Dropping everything to accommodate a frightened, new arrival. Being so willing to do anything. Little nods of encouragement. The light hand of reassurance. A silly little song made just for him. Ryan said I love you in a million different ways before he ever used those words. Really, Ryan has been saying I love you for years.
So when he says he's in this for the long haul, Min-Gi believes him because he says it with his whole being.
When Min says it back, he means it, too. With every careful song composition to lift and let Ryan's voice and guitar shine. Taking the early driving shift to let Ryan sleep and then caving and letting him skip around songs instead of listening to an album all the way through how it was intended. Limb tangled couch naps and long shifts at Rocky's. Learning an album's worth of songs in just a few weeks for a friend Min didn't even like. Tentative public hand holds and mushroom free meals. Maybe he should use his voice after all. Might not hurt.
If Ryan can feel good about where they stand right now then he can, too.]
I love you, Ryan.
[Followed by that familiar, gut wrenching whirring noise. Min-Gi looks at his hand. The number falls to zero and disappears. Some of the crushing anxiety falls with it and a hard exhale. Then he can't stop smiling.]