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

Chapter 73: Confessions

Han sat down slowly on a bench by the villa windows. His hands were shaking.

Woongki sat beside him, slurping loudly from his drink. Then: "So what happened?"

Han stared at the floor. "It was like... everything I ever wanted, finally handed to me. And then --snatched back."

Woongki nodded sagely. "Classic forbidden romance vibes."

"He pulled away," Han murmured. "Said he wanted it too much."

Woongki tilted his head again. "Okay, that's... devastatingly tragic. Like, I think my soul just sighed."

Han's eyes flicked to him. "Stop narrating my heartbreak like a drama script."

"I can't help it. Your life's got better tension than Netflix."

Han ran a hand through his hair. Let out a bitter laugh. "It was worse."

Woongki blinked. "Define 'worse.'"

Han's eyes were distant. Haunted. "It felt like... drowning. And breathing. And begging. All at once."

Woongki whistled, low. "Yikes."

"I wanted him," Han said. "Like I was made to want him. Every part of me. But he looked at me --after -- and I knew he was already leaving."

Woongki was quiet for a beat. "Did you say it?"

Han shook his head. "I don't think I know how."

Woongki leaned back, hands behind his head. "Look. I'm not a love expert. I barely passed physics. But I am the local gossip sponge, and here's what I know."

He counted on his fingers.

"Steven's in love with JL. JL's in love with Steven. You're in love with JL. JL's in love with you. So basically -- congrats. You're in a tragic period drama with abs."

Han groaned. "That's not helpful."

Woongki rolled to his side, face suddenly serious. "Do you know how many people never even get one person to love them like that?"

Han didn't answer.

"Two people," Woongki said, "love JL like he hung the moon. And JL? Loves both of you like it's killing him. That's not casual. That's fate, man. But fate's a bitch."

Han shook his head. "I thought it meant something. I thought I was the first -- "

He stopped.

Woongki's brows crept up. "The first?"

Han didn't move.

Woongki leaned in, almost gentle now. "Han. They kissed before."

Han looked at him sharply. "What?"

"JL and Steven," Woongki said, voice quieter. "Twice."

Han stared.

Woongki lifted a shoulder. "Maybe more now. Who knows?"

Han's face was unreadable.

"And JL?" Woongki added. "He loves Steven. Like... big time. First kiss. First everything."

Han's throat worked. "He never told me."

"He's not hiding it," Woongki said gently. "He's just... trying not to hurt anyone."

Han looked away, out the window. His voice dropped to a whisper. "I thought I was the only one."

Woongki sighed. "You're not. But that doesn't mean you're not the one. Or maybe a one. I don't know how JL's heart works. He's like one of those magic eight balls. Full of love and confusion."

Han's jaw clenched. "He kissed me like -- like he needed me. Like it was breaking him."

Silence stretched between them.

Woongki tapped the straw against his lip, then said, "You're not mad at JL."

Han shook his head.

"You're mad that someone else got there first."

Han's voice cracked. "I don't know how to be second."

"Then don't be," Woongki said. "Be different. Steven makes JL feel seen. You make him feel... terrified and alive. It's not a competition. It's a war of different kinds of love."

Han didn't reply for a long moment. His eyes were on the horizon. The first stars were peeking through the clouds.

Finally, he said, voice barely audible: "I don't know how to live with this want."

Woongki patted his shoulder. "You don't. You suffer with it. Like the rest of us."

Then, after a moment: "Want another juice pouch?"

Han huffed a laugh, hollow and aching.

Just then, the hallway door creaked.

Kyungho stepped into view, shadowed in the soft lamplight, tall, broad, and thundercloud serious.

Han straightened slightly. Woongki paused, straw still in his mouth.

Kyungho didn't speak right away.

Then, his voice low, rough around the edges, "That's enough consulting for today."

Woongki squinted. "Consulting?"

"You're not their therapist."

Woongki started to protest, but didn't get very far. Kyungho stepped forward, bent down, and -- without ceremony -- scooped him into his arms like he'd been rehearsing this moment for months.

"What the hell -- ?!" Woongki flailed, nearly dropping his juice pouch. "Is this legal?"

"Probably not," Kyungho said. "But I'm doing it anyway."

And then he turned and walked down the hall with Woongki in his arms like it was the most obvious thing in the world. Like boys didn't belong on benches with crumpled juice boxes. Like maybe it had been his job all along -- carrying him back.

Woongki gawked at him mid-transit, wide-eyed. "You're doing the thing. You're actually doing the thing."

Kyungho didn't look at him. "I've been trying not to."

"Oh my god," Woongki breathed. "I'm a plot twist."

The door to Kyungho's room shut behind them with a finality that didn't ask for commentary.

Han sat there a moment longer, gaze fixed on the hallway.

Then he stood up and walked back to his room -- quiet, lost in thought, and on fire from the inside out.