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

Chapter 73: Confessions

JL buried his face in his hands. "It wasn't supposed to happen again. And then it did. And it was worse. Better. Both."

"So now you've kissed Steven twice... and Han twice," Woongki summarized, ticking on his fingers. "That's two for two. Equal kissing distribution. I'm keeping score."

"I love them differently," JL whispered. "Steven is... my first warmth. He saw me when I thought I was invisible. Han is fire. He sees through me. They both make me feel real, just in different ways."

Woongki leaned in, now solemn. "Do they know about each other?"

"I think so," JL said. "Steven saw Han carry me home. Han knows about Steven. But neither of them -- not really. Not all of it."

"And you?"

JL looked haunted. "I'm not playing them. I swear. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I just-- I couldn't stop. I don't think I can stop."

Woongki placed a hand on his shoulder like a priest giving last rites. "That's because you're living in a tragic gay love triangle. With two obscenely hot men. You, my friend, are beautifully and completely screwed."

JL gave a breathless laugh. "Thank you, that's very helpful."

"Hey. I'm rooting for all of you. But mostly for me, because I get to watch the drama unfold like it's cable TV."

"I hate this," JL whispered.

"No you don't," Woongki said. "You're in love. With both of them. And now you have to figure out if you can live with losing one."

JL didn't reply.

Because that -- that -- was the truth he wasn't ready to face.

And Woongki, suddenly gentler, patted his back.

"When the time comes," he said softly, "just don't lie. To them. Or to yourself."

JL nodded. Quiet. Heavy.

Then, after a beat --

"Also," Woongki added, "if either of them shows up shirtless again, please take photos."

GOLDEN HOUR

Steven found Woongki on the balcony that afternoon, legs up on the railing, nursing a lime soda with a paper straw chewed to ruin. The ocean shimmered beyond him, too calm for how Steven felt inside.

"Hey," Steven said.

Woongki looked over. "Hey."

Steven lingered in the doorway, then crossed the deck. He didn't sit. Just leaned against the wall, arms folded.

Silence.

A single moth bouncing off the outdoor light.

Then --

"...Did he say anything?" Steven asked quietly.

Woongki didn't ask who. He wasn't that cruel.

"About...?" he deflected.

Steven sighed. Rubbed the back of his neck. "About... me. About Han. About... whatever the hell's happening."

Woongki looked at him then -- not surprised. Just tired for him. "Steven..."

"I'm not asking for gossip," Steven said, a little too fast. "I just -- He was gone all night. And I saw Han carry him off the beach like the world was ending."

"His leg was hurting."

"I know," Steven said. "That's not what I meant."

Woongki sipped his drink. Loudly. Then, after a long pause: