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

Chapter 72: The Ones Who Kissed

Buzz.

A sharp vibration.

Buzz. Buzz.

JL flinched.

Han stilled.

Buzz.

JL reached for his phone blindly, breath still ragged, heart pounding in his ears.

One name on the screen.

Steven.

The message preview read:

"You okay? Haven't seen you since the shoot. Just checking in."

JL stared at it like it was a landmine.

Han's breath brushed his neck. "Who is it?"

JL didn't answer.

He just closed his eyes.

Because in that instant -- the world cracked open.

Steven.

The softness. The steadiness. The almost.

JL's hand curled around the phone. His entire body stiffened.

"Don't go," Han said quietly, sensing it.

But JL was already pulling away. Already reaching for his shirt.

The warmth between them shattered.

JL stood. Hands shaking.

Han looked up from the bed, lips swollen, eyes wide. Half-undressed. Completely undone.

"JL -- "

JL's voice cracked.

"I'm sorry."

Han sat there, unmoving, chest heaving.

JL's back was to him now, trying to pull the sweater over trembling arms.

"You still love him," Han said. Not as a question.

JL closed his eyes.

"I don't know what I feel," he whispered. "I just know I can't do this halfway."

Han's jaw tensed. He stood too -- slowly, like something in him had fractured.

"Was this halfway?"

"No," JL said, voice catching. "That's the problem."

Silence. It stretched.

Han didn't beg.

He just looked at JL -- a storm in his eyes -- and said, softly:

"Even if you run again, I'll still want you."

Then he left.

Didn't slam the door.

Didn't say goodbye.

Just left.

* * *

JL sat down on the edge of the bed, hands in his lap, body still flushed, breath still unsteady.

The room smelled like them.

Tasted like him.

He opened Steven's message.

He didn't reply.

He just sat there -- aching, haunted -- still burning from a fire he couldn't bring himself to put out.

He was still trembling.