Running to You | Park Han + JL + Steven | Haneulz + Stejay AU

Chapter 11: Thoughts in the Gloom

JL walked slowly up the path from the firepit, the blanket still wrapped around his shoulders.

The embers behind him glowed dim in the dark. Han watched JL go, eyes following the gentle sway of the blanket, the slow, tired rhythm of his steps. There was something in the way JL moved that seemed unguarded, maybe. Without guile.

Han didn't know what he felt. He reached for that feeling anyway. The way he had walked towards the door beside his room that day, saw it nudged slightly open, light spilling out into the hallway.

JL disappeared into the lodge he and Steven shared. 

Han sat a little longer, then stood, brushing ash from his palms.

***

Back in Room 5, JL opened the door as quietly as he could. Steven was already lying in bed, one hand behind his head, scrolling through his phone in the dark. The blue light washed across his cheekbones, making him look a little too serious for someone supposedly relaxed.

JL slipped inside.

"Hey," Steven said without looking up. 

"Hey," JL replied. He peeled off the blanket and folded it. "Did I wake you?"

"No. Was waiting to see if you got carried back, Shining Star." Steven's voice was teasing, as usual. 

JL laughed under his breath, fully expecting to be teased. "Not this time." 

Steven finally looked at him. "You good?"

JL nodded. "Yeah. I'm just warm from the fire."

Steven hummed. "I saw you and Han out there." 

JL turned toward the closet, trying to hide how hot his face felt. "Yeah?" he said.

Steven shrugged. "Didn't know you two talked like that." 

"We don't, usually. It was just... nice." 

Another pause. "You looked comfortable."

JL glanced at Steven's reflection in the window. "It's easier when no one's talking at you, you know?" 

Steven nodded. "Yeah. I get that."

JL changed into his pajamas quietly. As JL crawled into bed and pulled the covers over his shoulders, he felt Steven glance at him once more.

"If you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here too. Just saying you don't need to go through any of it alone." Steven's voice was a little hoarse from sleepiness.

In the dark, JL smiled, already half-slipping into sleep. "I know, Steven hyung. You're always there for me." 

Then the lights clicked off and the room settled.

***

Down the hall, Han turned out the light. Kyungho was still nowhere to be found, but Han didn't mind. He preferred the dark. He lay on his back, staring up at the ceiling.

What was it about JL that sat in his mind like static? He hadn't known him long. They'd barely had any lengthy conversations. But when they did, when they shared even a quiet moment... he didn't know what it was, not yet. Something he didn't have a name for. He closed his eyes.

And then the the door slammed open.

"Haniiiiiiiiiii -- "

Woongki.

Han sat up instantly. "What the -- "

Kyungho stumbled in behind him, shirt half untucked, face red from running.

"We were AMBUSHED," Woongki declared. "Mosquitoes. Literal cloud of them. Coach snores like a jet engine and the window's broken."

Han blinked. "And you thought this room was the solution?"

"Look!" Woongki pulled his sleeve up. "Look at my flesh."

Han squinted. "You're being dramatic."

"I'm being eaten alive," Woongki wailed.

Kyungho dropped his duffel bag at the foot of the spare bed. "We figured it was either this or setting up camp in the hallway."

Han sighed. "Fine. Floor's yours."

"No!" Woongki launched himself into the empty bed. "I call mattress rights."

Kyungho groaned. "I should've let him sleep in the bus again."

Han rolled back over. "Just be quiet."

But Woongki had already curled up, blanket pulled to his chin, looking smug.

"Hani," he whispered into the dark. "Thanks for being our savior."

Han groaned into his pillow.

Kyungho dropped onto the floor with a sigh. "This is my life now."

The room settled again against muffled laughter, tired limbs, and eventually, the even breathing of those who had fallen asleep.

Han lay still, eyes open in the darkness. He thought of the way JL so effortlessly drew him out, got him talking, so much that before he knew it, he had opened up about things he hadn't ever told anyone on the team. What a mystery the new recruit was. Despite the open, honest face, Han sensed there was strength beneath, too.

He thought of the fire. Skin turned golden in the flames, the quiet way the other boy spoke in Korean. Of JL's smile. 

Han drifted into sleep. 

[Your comments and votes each chapter mean the world and support this story. Thank you for reading, and see you in the next chapter! ✩✩✩ - Martiné]