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

Chapter 73: Confessions

(author's note: Can I just say, what an utter fucking legend Woongki is? Because he is. )

DAWN

The sun was just starting to rise, casting long gold lines through the gauzy curtains of the villa's shared kitchen. JL sat at the counter in an oversized hoodie, barefoot, legs pulled up onto the stool like he was trying to disappear into the fabric.

He looked up when Woongki stumbled in, hair a riot of sleep, holding a mug that said Emotional Support Goblet.

Woongki squinted. "You look like someone who just kissed two different soulmates in the same 72 hours."

JL didn't even flinch. "I did."

Woongki paused mid-sip. "...Holy shit, I was joking."

JL rested his cheek against the counter. "I think I'm in love with both of them."

Woongki placed the mug down with grave care. "I'm gonna need this entire story. All the tea. Top to bottom. No lies."

JL gave a soft sigh. "You can't tell anyone."

"I would rather die."

JL looked at him, waiting. "You'll probably tell someone as soon as we separate."

Woongki shrugged. "Well, my alignment is chaotic neutral."

"Okay," JL said. "Steven was my first kiss."

Woongki clutched his chest like he'd been shot. "Romance. History. Lore. Go on."

JL bit his lip. "It was soft. Gentle. He kissed me like I was glass, and I -- I didn't know I could feel that... safe. That chosen. He always looks at me like I'm worth waiting for."

"A slow burn. God, that's kind of beautiful," Woongki said. "What else?"

"We've kissed... twice." JL glanced down. "Held hands. I think if we ever -- you know -- it would be in candlelight. With pillows. And a Spotify playlist. Steven is... love, if love grew in quiet places."

Woongki rubbed his eyes like his contact lenses had just fogged over. "Wait. Two kisses? As in plural? As in emotional intimacy with a plot arc?"

He sat back, eyes wide. "You're telling me there was a soft launch and a confirmed follow-up?? Oh, this isn't just romance. This is a franchise."

JL groaned.

"And Han?"

JL exhaled, a breath that sounded like it carried a hurricane.

"We kissed last night."

Woongki froze. "THE kiss?"

JL nodded. "It was -- different. Fast. Messy. Like a storm that's been circling for years and finally touched ground. I thought I was going to break apart from it."

Woongki's jaw dropped. "So you kissed him. Just once?"

JL was already shaking his head.

Woongki screeched. "There was a sequel?!"

JL looked completely wrecked. "There was a rematch. In my room. It got... intense."

"Scale of one to chaos?"

JL groaned. "Han had his mouth on my neck. I think I forgot how to walk."

Woongki, fanning himself: "Okay but respectfully... that's hot."