MY ADDICTION | gongfourz ★

004

"the addictions."

Leehan's eyes fluttered open as soft rays of sunlight streamed through the window of his small bedroom. A smile spread across his face as he stretched, his thoughts immediately drifting to Taesan. Over the past few days, seeing Taesan had become the highlight of his mornings, afternoons, and evenings. There was something about the quiet boy that intrigued him—something that made him want to know more.

Though Taesan hadn't fully opened up yet, Leehan didn't mind. He could see hints of vulnerability in his shy smiles and quiet responses, and it made him all the more determined to break through the walls Taesan had built around himself.

Still, as much as the thought of spending another day with Taesan excited him, there was a darker thought lurking in the back of Leehan's mind—a weight he couldn't ignore.

Leehan sat up in bed, his fingers running through his messy brown hair as his smile faltered. His chest tightened at the thought of his own shortcomings. He wanted to be someone Taesan could rely on, someone Taesan could trust. But how could he do that when he was still fighting his own demons?

Nicotine.

It was his constant battle, the crutch he hated but couldn't seem to let go of. The stress of moving to a new town, taking over the café, and trying to find his place had only made it worse. He'd promised himself countless times that he'd quit, that he'd finally leave it behind. And yet, every time the craving hit, he found himself lighting another cigarette, the guilt settling in almost immediately afterward.

He was afraid—afraid of what Taesan would think if he found out. Would he be disgusted? Would he distance himself? Leehan didn't want to lose the connection they were building, not over something like this.

As he got up and made his way to the bathroom, Leehan stared at his reflection in the mirror. His fingers gripped the edge of the sink as he let out a deep sigh.

"I'll quit," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. "I have to."

It wasn't just about Taesan, though he was a big part of Leehan's motivation. It was about himself, too. He wanted to be better, healthier, happier. He wanted to be proud of the person staring back at him in the mirror.

But little did Leehan know, he wasn't the only one fighting a private battle.

Across town, Taesan sat in his room, his curtains drawn tightly shut to block out the morning sun. A half-empty bottle of soju sat on the desk next to him, though he hadn't touched it since the night before. He stared at it now, his jaw tight, his hands clenched into fists on his lap.

Alcohol had been his escape for as long as he could remember. It dulled the loneliness, quieted the thoughts that kept him up at night, and made the weight of his emotions feel just a little lighter. But it came with its own set of problems—problems he could no longer ignore.

Taesan hated the person he became when he drank. He hated the way it controlled him, the way it pulled him further into isolation. He'd tried to quit before, promising himself he'd pour every bottle down the sink and start fresh. But every time he tried, the cravings crept back in, stronger than ever.

He sighed, running a hand through his raven-black hair as he looked away from the bottle. His thoughts drifted to Leehan—the cheerful boy who'd somehow managed to make him smile more in a few days than he had in months.

Taesan didn't want to burden Leehan with his struggles. Leehan was like a ray of sunshine, bright and warm, and Taesan didn't want to dim that light with his own darkness. But deep down, he couldn't help but wonder if Leehan would understand.

They were both fighting battles the other didn't know about, both carrying the weight of addictions they desperately wanted to leave behind.

And yet, they were both searching for something more—something they didn't realize was standing right in front of them.

The happiness they both craved, the peace they longed for, wasn't as far away as it seemed. It was there, quietly waiting for the two of them to find it.

But happiness, like a flower, needed time to bloom. And neither of them could have guessed that the seeds had already been planted in their budding friendship.

For now, all they could do was take it one day at a time, unknowingly helping each other grow stronger with every shared smile, every gentle conversation. Because sometimes, the things we're searching for—the things we need the most—are the ones we find in the people we least expect.