𝐏𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍┃𝐓𝐊 ✔

Part : 02 The accident

Taehyung was lost in his thoughts. A bit off, his face reflected the many images of today which replayed themselves in his brain while he walked down the street. Lucus followed him from a distance, their footsteps in contrast with the bustling city around them.

Today started as one of the best days spent together by Taehyung and Lucus. Or so Taehyung had felt until dinner. The early afternoon was filled with laughter and shared secrets while they were discovering that quaint little café that just opened, sipping at their favorite drinks and having pastries melt in their mouths.

They had walked to the adjacent park after the scrumptious lunch, where the blooming colors of flowers painted a fairy tale and fragranced the air with spring. Lucus had plucked a few wildflowers and tucked them behind Taehyung's ear. But as it approached dinner time, finding them seated for dinner, the mood changed unexpectedly.

He had been surprised by Lucus with a nicely wrapped handbag, something he must have put thought into. Taehyung's eyes widened in surprise; this was his style-something which he had admired from a store window some weeks ago. But they sat so close, and the warmth of that moment seemed to envelop them and led to intimacy that Taehyung did not anticipate. Lucus had leaned in but Taehyung had reacted instinctively---subconsciously pushing him away, as if he was defending himself from some invisible threat. Instantly, he had seen the flash of hurt across Lucus's face, and it pierced his heart.

Lucus apologized profusely, his voice laced with confusion and regret. "I'm so sorry, Taehyung-I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable," he had said, his eyes cast down, a look half of embarrassment and half of concern. Since then, he had been murmuring apologies. Taehyung felt guilt and frustration; it should have been him offering the apology. Lucus had always been patient, supportive, and understanding, but it was getting more and more impossible to turn a blind eye to the truth which weighed heavy in Taehyung's heart.

Months had passed, yet he felt a chasm between them that he had hoped would narrow with time. Dating had sounded so promising; maybe after enough experiences shared, he would learn to love Lucus the way he deserved.

But as the minutes ticked well into hours, reality set in: he simply could not return those feelings of romance. He simply could not love Lucus the way he needed and deserved to be loved. This relationship was a betrayal; it did not sit well in his stomach, the idea of taking advantage of Lucus and his affections, though this had never been his intention.

And as they continued to walk, the night air growing cooler and the weight of his emotions weighing heavy in his chest, he turned back to Lucus, who was still falling behind a few paces, his face a mask of regret and uncertainty. It was a sight that twisted something in Taehyung's insides; he wanted to bridge the gap between them, comfort him, and let him know he values their friendship, even when he couldn't return the love being offered so freely.

The streetlights turned on-a soft glow enveloping them, lighting up the way but leaving dark shadows hiding in the corners of Taehyung's mind. He had the urge to stop, to turn back, and to explain everything, to pour out his heart and express the turmoil he felt. Words evaded him as he opened his mouth to speak, tangled in a web of fear and confusion.

Would Lucus understand? Would he still want to be friends, or would this moment ruin everything they had built together? Taehyung exhaled a deep, heavy sigh-mostly lost within the rustling of leaves above. He knew he really needed to find a way to say his feelings, to explain the boundaries they had crossed without meaning to. As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps it was time to stop running and to face the truth once and for all---for him and for Lucus.

"Taehyung!" Taehyung's train of thoughts was immediately cut off as he heard Lucus call him. Turning, he saw Lucus walk up to him, an uncertain look on his face instead of the confidence shining bright in his eyes a while ago. He focused his vision on Taehyung's face as his brow wrinkled a bit, took a deep breath to gather his thoughts, and spoke from his heart. "Taehyung, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to make things awkward between us, or make you uncomfortable. It's just that-"