MY ADDICTION | gongfourz ★

007

"star gazing."

The day had been nothing short of perfect for Taesan and Leehan. From hopping between different stores and trying on ridiculous hats to sharing snacks and making each other laugh at random street food stalls, they had experienced a carefree joy neither of them had felt in years. Their conversations ranged from silly banter to deeper thoughts about dreams and fears, a subtle yet significant sign of how close they had grown in such a short time.

As the sky darkened, the boys found themselves walking through a small park, the golden hues of twilight fading into deep indigo. The streetlights flickered on one by one, casting a warm glow along the path. The sound of crickets filled the air, and a light breeze rustled the leaves of the trees surrounding them. It was peaceful, and for a moment, it felt like the rest of the world had disappeared, leaving just the two of them.

Leehan stopped walking and glanced up at the sky, his eyes soft with thought. "Wanna stargaze?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Taesan smiled at him, his chest warming at the simplicity of the question. "Sure."

They found a soft patch of grass near the edge of the park, far enough from the path to feel secluded. The boys lay down side by side, their hands brushing briefly before Leehan boldly intertwined his fingers with Taesan's. Taesan squeezed his hand lightly in response, his heart fluttering at the quiet intimacy of the gesture.

The sky above was vast and filled with stars, each one twinkling like a little beacon of hope. The silence between them was comfortable, punctuated only by the distant chirping of crickets and the occasional sound of laughter from others passing through the park.

Leehan broke the silence first, his voice soft and hesitant. "The reason I came here..." he started, pausing as though unsure if he wanted to continue.

Taesan turned his head to look at him, sensing the weight behind those words. "You don't have to tell me if you're not ready," he said gently.

Leehan shook his head, a faint smile gracing his lips, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "No, I want to. You deserve to know." He took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the stars above as though searching for strength in their light. "My parents didn't want to see me anymore," he admitted. "I was always high, skipping classes, lying about everything... They said they couldn't take it anymore. That I was a disappointment."

Taesan's heart ached at the vulnerability in Leehan's voice. He could see the tears beginning to gather in his eyes, reflecting the faint light of the stars.

"They were right to be disappointed," Leehan continued, his voice trembling. "I messed up so many times. I thought coming here would help me figure things out, but sometimes... I feel like I'm just running away."

Taesan squeezed his hand a little tighter, his gaze softening. "Don't cry, Leehan," he said gently, his words carrying a warmth that seemed to envelop them both. "You're not a disappointment. You just needed to be pushed in the right direction. Don't blame yourself for what happened. You're an amazing person, and you have so much kindness in you. Don't let anyone make you think otherwise."

Leehan turned to look at Taesan, his tears spilling over at the sincerity in his voice. He tried to speak, but the words caught in his throat as a fresh wave of emotion washed over him. Unable to hold it back, he buried his face in his arms, his shoulders shaking as he cried.

Taesan reached over, gently rubbing Leehan's back in soothing circles. "It's okay to cry," he murmured. "But just know that I believe in you. You're stronger than you think."

Leehan lifted his head after a moment, his face tear-streaked but his eyes filled with a newfound resolve. "Thank you, Taesan," he said, his voice raw with emotion. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

Taesan's heart swelled at those words. "I could say the same about you," he admitted, his voice quieter now. He hesitated, his eyes flicking back to the stars before returning to Leehan's face. "You make me want to change too. To be better. Not just for myself, but... for you."

Leehan's breath hitched at the admission, his heart pounding in his chest. "Taesan..."

"I think I'm in love with you, Leehan," Taesan said, his voice barely above a whisper. The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning but carrying a sense of relief as well.

A tear slipped down Leehan's cheek, but this time, it wasn't born from sadness. "I love you too," he whispered back, a soft, radiant smile spreading across his face.

Their eyes met, and in that moment, nothing else mattered. Leehan leaned forward, closing the small distance between them as their lips met in a kiss that was gentle and full of unspoken promises. It wasn't just a kiss—it was an affirmation of the bond they shared, of the love that had grown between them despite their struggles.

When they finally pulled apart, their foreheads rested against each other, their breaths mingling in the cool night air. "You're everything I didn't know I needed," Leehan whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.

"And you're everything I never thought I deserved," Taesan replied, his words laced with a vulnerability that mirrored Leehan's own.

The two boys stayed like that for a while, lying hand in hand beneath the starlit sky, their hearts full and their minds at ease. They talked about their dreams for the future, their fears, and the small steps they wanted to take to overcome their addictions—not for anyone else, but for themselves and for the life they were starting to build together.

As they walked home later that night, their fingers still intertwined, the world seemed to fade into the background. It was just them—two boys who had found solace in each other, who were learning to heal together. Their smiles were soft but full of hope as they walked side by side, the quiet streets around them feeling almost magical.

In their hearts, they knew they had a long way to go. But as long as they had each other, they felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Because for Taesan and Leehan, it wasn't just about finding happiness—it was about building it together, piece by piece, day by day. And they knew that as long as they stayed by each other's side, they could overcome anything.