Jeongcheol short stories ♡

Don't Wanna Say Goodbye (2/2)

The dimly lit bar had a quiet, intimate ambiance, the kind that made private conversations feel cocooned from the world outside. Jeonghan sipped his drink slowly, savoring the warmth of the alcohol as it slid down his throat.

Joshua, nursing his own glass, broke the silence. "So he chose now to confess?"

Jeonghan let out a bitter chuckle, "Yeah. Now of all times." He looked down at his drink, the amber liquid reflecting the dim light. His heart was still raw from the confession, and he found himself grappling with the weight of Seungcheol's words.

Joshua's eyes narrowed slightly, a knowing look crossing his face. 'Finally,' he thought, though he kept it to himself. It wasn't a surprise to him. It was almost laughable how obvious Seungcheol's feelings had been. He had witnessed it firsthand—the way Seungcheol would defend Jeonghan with a passion that bordered on blind loyalty, even the moments when Jeonghan's behavior was less than admirable. He'd watched Seungcheol bend over backward, accommodating every one of Jeonghan's whims with a patience that was almost saintly.

The signs were everywhere. It wasn't just in the grand gestures, but in the smaller, everyday moments—the way Seungcheol's face would light up at the mere sight of Jeonghan, the way his voice would soften when he spoke to him. Joshua had seen Seungcheol excuse Jeonghan's mistakes with a smile, a gesture of understanding that he never extended to anyone else. The intensity of Seungcheol's feelings had always been evident to Joshua, to the other members. Joshua often wondered if even Carats, the fans, could see the way Seungcheol's eyes softened whenever Jeonghan was near. The way he looked at Jeonghan was more than just admiration—it was unmistakable love.

Jeonghan shook his head, a wistful smile tugging at his lips. "He said I never noticed it. How ironic, considering he never saw that I was in love with him since the day we met? Back when we were trainees and he was so popular that I was nothing more than a background figure to him.?"

Joshua raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile playing at his lips. "It was clear to everyone but him. You were always so quiet about it, so good at hiding it."

Jeonghan's gaze grew distant, his thoughts drifting back to those early days. The memory of the training rooms was still vivid in his mind. The endless hours of practice, the gruelling routines that tested their limits. Yet, for all the sweat and exhaustion, Jeonghan, young and eager, had thrown himself into every rehearsal, driven by a single thought: just to be near Seungcheol. The way Seungcheol had moved across the stage, his charisma lighting up the room, was a sight Jeonghan could hardly tear his eyes away from.

One evening stood out in particular. The practice had been especially gruelling. As they all collapsed in a heap of exhaustion on the floor, Seungcheol had walked over with a bottle of water. "You did great today," he had said, his voice a soothing balm to the ache in Jeonghan's muscles. That simple gesture, that smile, was a lifeline for Jeonghan. It wasn't just about the water; it was about the kindness, the warmth of Seungcheol's presence that made the hardship bearable.

As time went on, Jeonghan's love had grown, his heart heavy with feelings he couldn't quite express. It was painful to watch Seungcheol be so effortlessly kind to everyone, while Jeonghan was left to grapple with his own emotions. But Seungcheol's sweetness was a double-edged sword. Every touch, every look, every smile from him was a cruel reminder of what Jeonghan could never have.

His own feelings grew more complex as their career took off. Jeonghan tried to convince himself that Seungcheol's actions were just the niceties of a good friend and leader. He told himself it was nothing more than friendship, but the truth was that every little gesture from Seungcheol sent him spiralling into confusion. Seungcheol's kindness seemed almost diabolical in its intensity, breaking down Jeonghan's defenses one smile at a time.