CREATURE OF THE SHADOWS

What to do!!

The late afternoon sun cast long, golden shadows across the university quad, painting the scene in a warm, nostalgic hue. Students hurried past, their laughter echoing through the air. Namjoon, however, was oblivious to the bustle around him, his gaze fixed on the figure sitting on a bench under a sprawling oak tree.

Jin was a vision of serenity in his usual tweed jacket and worn leather satchel.

Namjoon's heart hammered against his ribs as he approached. In his hand, he held a bouquet of white roses, the petals pristine and delicate, mirroring the emotions churning within him. He’d practiced his confession countless times, each iteration flowing seamlessly in his mind, yet now, with Jin sitting so close, his words faltered.

"Professor Kim," he began, his voice barely a whisper. "Jin."

Jin looked up, his eyes, usually bright with warmth, clouded with confusion. "Namjoon? Is everything alright?"

Namjoon took a deep breath, trying to quell the tremor in his voice. "I... I wanted to give you these." He offered the roses, the white blossoms stark against his freckled hand.

A flicker of surprise crossed Jin's face, followed by a hesitant smile. "They’re beautiful, Namjoon. Thank you." He took the bouquet, his fingers brushing against Namjoon's as he did. A spark of electricity shot through Namjoon, sending a blush creeping up his neck. Jin can sense something is going on..after his brother started dating RM.

"I... I have something else to tell you," Namjoon stammered, his voice catching. He pulled a small velvet box from his pocket, his heart pounding like a drum solo. "It's..." he swallowed, "It’s been hard, keeping these feelings inside."

He opened the box, revealing a simple silver ring nestled amongst the velvet. Jin’s eyes widened, and a gasp escaped his lips.

"Namjoon, what are you doing?"

Namjoon’s voice cracked, "I love you, Jin. I know we’re… I know this is complicated, but I can’t keep these feelings hidden anymore. You’re everything I admire, everything I want to learn. You make me want to be a better person."

He knelt down, his gaze unwavering even as sweat beaded on his forehead. "Will you marry me? Will you let me be with you?"

The silence stretched, heavy and suffocating. Jin’s expression turned unreadable. His fingers tightened around the roses, their white petals starting to wilt under his grip.

"Namjoon," he finally spoke, his voice laced with a painful gentleness. "This… this is unexpected. And honestly, I’m shocked. And after whatever we're going through.."

A wave of despair washed over Namjoon. "Do you… do you not feel the same?" he whispered.

Jin hesitated, his gaze dropping to the ground. "It's not that, Namjoon. You’re my student. I… I care about you deeply, but…"

His voice trailed off. He didn’t say the words Namjoon feared, but his silence was deafening.

"I need time," Jin finally said, his voice barely above a murmur. "Time to understand my feelings, and… and to figure out how this will affect everything. U know nah jinnie is dating your brother for months..but I never thought of u.."

Namjoon felt a crushing weight settle in his chest. He wanted to argue, to plead, but the words wouldn’t come. He simply nodded, his throat constricted with unshed tears.

"I understand," he choked out. "I’ll give you all the time you need."

He stood up, his legs feeling wobbly. He couldn’t bear to look at Jin, to see the pity he knew filled his eyes. He turned and walked away, the roses falling from his grasp, their white petals scattering on the path like fallen snow.

Namjoon walked aimlessly, the campus blurring around him. He felt like a ship lost at sea, tossed about by the relentless waves of his unrequited love. He’d been foolish to think this could ever work. He was a student, he was young, and Jin was… well, Jin was a beautiful, brilliant professor with a life far beyond his grasp.

He reached the edge of the quad, his gaze drawn to the setting sun, its fiery hues a stark contrast to the despair consuming him. He was lost, adrift, and the world felt like a cruel joke.

As he turned to leave, a figure emerged from the shadow of the oak tree. It was Jin.

He walked towards Namjoon, his expression hesitant. He stopped a few feet away, looking at the scattered roses, his brow furrowed.

"I didn’t mean to hurt you," Jin whispered, his voice laced with regret. "I… I just need to understand."

He reached out, his hand hovering near Namjoon’s. Namjoon’s heart thudded against his ribs. He looked at Jin, his eyes searching for understanding, for a spark of something more than just compassion.

"I… I just want to know," Namjoon whispered, his voice trembling. "Do you… do you feel anything for me? At all?"

Jin’s gaze met his, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions Namjoon couldn’t decipher. He took a deep breath, a faint blush rising on his cheeks.

"I… I think I do," he confessed, his voice barely audible. "But it’s so confusing. I’ve never felt anything like this before, and I’m scared."

He looked down at the scattered roses, then back at Namjoon, his eyes filled with a vulnerability he’d never seen before.

"I need time, Namjoon," he said again, his voice softer this time.

Namjoon’s heart, battered and bruised, began to mend. Hope, fragile and flickering, took root in his chest. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, filled with uncertainties. But as long as Jin was willing to explore, he would be there, ready to navigate the uncharted waters of their love, together.

❤️