GUARDIAN.

AND  HE  DID.   HE  TRULY  DID.  Perhaps  even  better  than  Sung  might  realize.

He  knew  the  world  was  cruel  enough  as  it  was;  that  there  was  dignity  in  refusing  that  cruelty  and  choosing  tenderness  where  harshness  would  have  been  easier.  Min  had  always  admired  people  capable  of  that,  yet  admiration  and  fear  could  inhabit  the  same  heart.  ❛  And  I  don’t  think  kindness  is  weakness.  I  think  it’s  probably  the  hardest  thing  one  can  choose.  ❜

Then,  a  moment  of  silence  followed,  allowing  his  words  to  sink  in.  His  lips  twitched  slightly.  ❛  I  just  wanna  say  is..  I’m  worried  because…❜  He  paused  for  a  moment,  searching  for  the  right  words.  ❛  Because  the  people  who  insist  they  don’t  mind  carrying  everyone  else  along  are  usually  the  ones  who  crumble  in  private.  ❜

Oh,  how  many  nights  had  he  done  exactly  that?  How  often  had  he  smiled  at  Haehyun,  only  to  retreat  into  himself  afterward  and  convince  himself  that  exhaustion  was  just  another  burden  to  bear?  ENOUGH  TIMES.  Enough  times  that  he  could  no  longer  even  remember  what  it  felt  like  to  rest  without  a  sense  of  guilt.

And, though he UNDERSTANDS what the other is saying, though it's taken and digested, he's not sure Min entirely knows the breadth and DEPTH of Sung - Hyuns' love for mankind. Few people really did. Haehyun, perhaps ; those he had served, as well. No matter how often he was used, abused, discarded, it never really MATTERED much to him.

What DOES matter, is the clear display, of someone who has filled this position, before. Someone who has BEEN needed, who has HIDDEN their agonies and woes. Something in the deity softens, slowly, visibly. Shoulders that were so TENSE, find some ease. It's clear, that Min has some modicum of care if Sung - Hyun goes to his abode in the mid - morning, heavy and troubled with each step.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤTHERE IS HOLINESS, IN SUFFERING.

ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤBut, he does not say so.

Posture shifts, digits brought to lower lip, idle as the deity THINKS ; it wasn't in opposition, but, he could only say so MUCH without giving himself away. They were not friends, but the concern expressed was that of someone who cared. Someone who wanted to save a stranger, from the same misery he felt. Laughter comes softly, though not at Min - Kyu's expense.

❝ Haehyun is really to have you, huh ? I'd love a friend like you. I didn't have many of those over the years, either. But you ... You really do your best to protect people. I like that kind of thing. ❞

Body twists in place, this way and that, something to keep the blood flowing, and keep his THOUGHTS in order. Gaze flickers upward, to Min, hand dropping.

❝ If I suffer, I suffer. I'm not really ... I'm not really the selfish sort. Other people, likely have things a bit rougher than I do. Sure, I've gone through some things, myself : but they worked out, didn't they ? I'm here, aren't I ? ❞