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

Chapter 45: It Won't Be Like That

The streets were nearly empty outside the after-party, the night air damp but not yet raining, the pavement slick from an earlier drizzle that had left a faint sheen on every surface. JL stepped out under the glowing Shanghai skyline, the collar of his suit jacket slightly crooked, tie loosened, shoes too tight, heart beating out of sync with everything around him.

He just needed a moment to breathe.

So of course Han was already there.

JL stopped short. Han didn't speak. He was holding a black umbrella with one hand, standing with the kind of posture that made him look immovable. The city lights painted his skin in pale golds and shadows, and the sharp edges of his jaw looked carved out of marble.

JL gave him a look. "It's not raining hard anymore."

"It might," Han said.

JL let out a breath. "Are you going to follow me?"

Han's voice was calm, even. "No. I'm walking you back."

"That's the same thing."

"Not if I'm leading."

JL made a face, but he didn't argue. He turned, and began to walk. Han fell into step beside him, umbrella angled just slightly enough to shelter both of them—but JL noticed that more of the lingering drizzle hit Han's shoulder than his own.

They walked in silence for a while. JL's hips still felt ghost tingles from where Steven had pressed. His lips still felt Steven's mouth, soft and warm. His pulse hadn't settled since.

"You kissed him," Han said, like he was commenting on the weather.

JL didn't answer right away. His throat was dry. "Yeah."

Han didn't sound angry. Just... distant. "It wasn't just him."

JL glanced at him. "What does that mean?"

Han stopped walking.

JL slowed, confused. Then Han stepped closer, right into his space, and the umbrella arced above them like a frame. It was too small to contain them comfortably, but Han made it work—barely. The fabric was low, the light filtered. Everything felt hushed.

"I need to say this," Han said.

JL's heart ticked up, fast and skittish.

Han was still close. His suit collar slightly rumpled, hair falling into his eyes in a way JL had never seen before. Softer. Unraveled.

"I'm sorry," Han said.

JL blinked. "What for?"

"For not seeing you. For thinking perfection was the only way to reach a goal. I thought I was protecting you by criticizing you. But I was just projecting."

Han took a slow breath.

"You're beautiful when you run," he said. "Even when it terrifies me. Especially then. And I'm an idiot for ever thinking you needed fixing."

The words hit JL like a punch to the chest.

Han stepped even closer.

"I never want to see you hurt. Not on the track. Not off it. And if protecting you means getting out of your way, I'll do it. But I need you to know something first."

He reached up -- slow, deliberate -- and brushed his thumb across JL's lower lip.

It was barely a touch. But JL felt it all the way to his spine.

"I really want to kiss you right now," Han said, his voice so low it almost sounded like a secret.

JL froze.

Han was close enough that JL could feel the warmth radiating off his body, the slight tremble in his breath. Their foreheads were a hair apart. The air was thick with something that buzzed between them -- pulling, magnetized, breathless.

JL's eyes fluttered half-shut. His heart was racing. He could see every line of Han's face -- his long lashes, the curve of his mouth, the faint scar near his temple.

Their breaths tangled.

Han didn't move. He just looked at JL like he was memorizing him.

And then he leaned in -- just slightly, not to kiss, but to whisper.

"When I kiss you, JL... it won't be like that."

JL's eyes opened wider.

Han's voice was a whisper against his lips. "It won't be something you can forget. It won't be easy to walk away from. Because when I kiss you eventually... you'll be mine."

JL's knees nearly gave out.

But Han didn't close the gap. He stepped back instead, slow and deliberate, like he was giving JL time to breathe.

JL stayed frozen in place, mouth parted, breathing ragged, skin burning.

And Han?

Han turned and started walking toward the hotel. 

He didn't look back.