yours forever and only | haobin

14.

A/N: we've come so far and its already the last part! here's an extra long chapter as a parting gift <3

Hao yawned deeply, the soft warmth of the morning sun slowly coaxing him from his slumber. He felt an unusual sensation, like a weight had lifted off his chest, as if he'd just experienced the most peaceful sleep of his life. His eyes fluttered open, blinking a few times to adjust to the gentle light filtering through the room. His gaze naturally drifted to the side, and there he saw it—Hanbin.

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, Hanbin's figure was bathed in the early morning sunlight, casting soft golden hues over his bare shoulders. His back was to Hao, and the way his lean, toned muscles moved beneath his smooth skin with each subtle breath made Hao's heart skip. He was dressed in nothing but loose pyjama bottoms that clung to his hips, his hair slightly tousled from sleep. The sight of him standing there, looking so effortlessly beautiful, brought all the memories of last night flooding back.

Hao's breath hitched. Shit—last night. His cheeks flushed with the realisation, the warmth of the emotions and touches they had shared returning in vivid waves. But then came the sinking thought—the one that made his chest ache unusually and his heart feel weirdly heavy. This is the end, isn't it? Hao knew that they had shared something profound, something irreplaceable. But it was only meant to last for the night—Hanbin wasn't his to keep.

His lips parted slightly, the uncertainty gnawing at him. Why hadn't Hanbin left yet? Was he just offering a courteous farewell, lingering for the sake of politeness? Or... could it possibly be something more?

Hao's chest tightened as he watched Hanbin's silhouette, a mix of emotions flooding his mind. No one had ever treated him like this before—with such tenderness and patience. Hanbin wasn't just kind, he was different. While others had left Hao feeling like an afterthought, Hanbin made him feel seen, wanted in ways Hao had never dared imagine. Hanbin was gentle in the way he touched him, spoke to him, looked at him like he was something precious. Hao's heart swelled with overwhelming gratitude, yet it came with the unbearable weight of knowing it couldn't last.

This moment—this warmth—was too good, too fleeting. A part of Hao braced himself for the inevitable, for Hanbin to walk out of the door like everyone else had. But, in the quiet recesses of his heart, another part ached for Hanbin to stay. Don't go, his heart screamed silently, the thought twisting painfully in his chest. Hao didn't know how to ask for more without feeling selfish, but this once, he couldn't bear the thought of Hanbin leaving.

Please don't go.

The thought alone was enough to send a wave of desperation through him. He couldn't lose this—he didn't want to lose Hanbin. His fingers trembled, gripping the sheets as he battled the storm of emotions building inside him. The connection they had shared last night, the vulnerability, the closeness—it was everything Hao had longed for but never believed he deserved. And now, he feared it slipping away.

A soft, broken whisper escaped Hao's lips before he could stop himself. "Stay...?" His voice trembled with hope and fear, barely audible, as if he didn't dare to believe Hanbin would even hear him—let alone respond. His heart clenched painfully. It was an empty plea, a request spoken out of longing, knowing that asking Hanbin to stay was impossible. But still, he couldn't stop himself from trying.

Hanbin paused, the sound of Hao's voice causing him to still. Slowly, he turned his head, glancing back over his shoulder. His dark eyes met Hao's, filled with a deep, unspoken emotion. The sunlight framed his face, highlighting the softness of his features—the tenderness in his gaze. His lips curled into a gentle, affectionate smile that sent warmth radiating through Hao's chest.