when opposites fall.

dispersing doubts

as they walked in the quiet afternoon light, riwoo felt his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and dread. he hadn't told woonhak everything that had been on his mind, all the worries and insecurities that had built up after their incident with the teacher. 

but as he glanced over and saw woonhak's easygoing smile and the way his eyes sparkled whenever he looked his way, riwoo knew he had to be honest. 

he had to tell him.

they found a small spot by the school, a shaded corner that felt secluded enough, and riwoo took a deep breath, hoping his words wouldn't come out wrong.

"hyung, is something bothering you?" woonhak asked gently, his voice calm and reassuring.

riwoo looked at him, his fingers fidgeting as he tried to put his thoughts into words. "it's just... about us. i know you mean everything you say, but sometimes... i wonder if... if this will get too hard. if being together, like this, is going to cause too many problems."

woonhak's smile faded, his gaze growing serious as he listened intently. he reached for riwoo's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze.

"hyung," he began slowly, "do you think this is going to make me want to stop being with you?"

riwoo hesitated, his voice barely a whisper. "i just... i don't want you to regret this. to regret being with me."

woonhak shook his head, his expression filled with determination. 

"that's not going to happen, riwoo. nothing about being with you is a regret. you're my favorite person, and it doesn't matter how many teachers, people, or problems come up—i want you to know that i'll face them all, every single one of them, as long as it means i get to stay by your side."

there was a pause, a quiet moment where riwoo felt his chest tighten, his eyes brimming with emotion he'd been holding back. hearing woonhak's words, so confident and unwavering, was like feeling the weight of his fears lifting just a little.

"but... what if things get worse?" riwoo asked, his voice breaking slightly. "what if people start to turn against us? it's hard to imagine things will get any easier from here."