The morning sun spilled through the window, casting a golden hue over the room as Sunoo stirred awake. He blinked slowly, taking in the remnants of the previous night-a tangle of sheets, the lingering scent of Niki's skin, and the warmth of his body still beside him. A smile crept onto Sunoo's face, the memory of their passionate embrace bringing a rush of warmth to his chest.
But as the reality of the day seeped in, the shadows of his past crept back into his mind, tainting the light that filled the room. Sunoo turned slightly to glance at Niki, who lay peacefully asleep, his features soft and relaxed. The sight filled Sunoo with a deep sense of affection, but it also brought with it a surge of anxiety.
"What am I doing?" Sunoo thought, his heart clenching. He had let his guard down, allowing someone into his life who might not understand the darkness that haunted him.
Niki stirred, opening his eyes and smiling at Sunoo, the expression brightening his face. "Good morning," he said, his voice thick with sleep.
"Good morning," Sunoo replied, trying to mask the turmoil within.
Niki sat up slightly, brushing his hair back from his face. "I was wondering if I was dreaming."
"I hope not," Sunoo said softly, unable to hide the fondness in his voice. "I'm right here."
Niki's smile widened, but Sunoo felt a flicker of hesitation in the air. "What's on your mind?" Niki asked, sensing the shift in Sunoo's mood.
"I-" Sunoo began, but the words caught in his throat. He wanted to be honest, to share the weight of his past, but the fear of scaring Niki away held him back. Instead, he forced a smile. "Just... thinking about everything."
Niki's brow furrowed with concern. "You know you can talk to me, right? Whatever it is, I'm here."
Sunoo nodded, feeling a rush of warmth at Niki's words, yet the fear lingered. "I know. I just... need some time to process everything."
"Take all the time you need," Niki replied, reaching out to squeeze Sunoo's hand reassuringly. "I'm not going anywhere."
Sunoo felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. Despite the shadows that loomed in his mind, the connection they shared felt genuine, grounding him in a way he hadn't anticipated. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment, the weight of the world outside fading as they enjoyed the simplicity of being together.
---
Later That Day
The café bustled with activity, filled with the sound of clinking cups and soft laughter. Sunoo and Niki found a cozy corner, sipping their coffees as they engaged in light-hearted conversation. Niki's laughter rang out, a bright melody that eased Sunoo's heart.
"So, tell me about your favorite movie," Niki asked, leaning forward with genuine interest.
Sunoo smirked playfully. "Oh, that's easy. It's definitely a horror movie."
"Of course it is," Niki replied, feigning exasperation. "What's it called?"
"It's called The Beauty Within," Sunoo said, his tone teasing. "It's about a guy who can only show his true self when he's sleeping, and when he's awake, he has to hide his face. It's a pretty deep commentary on how society views beauty."
Niki raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "That sounds fascinating. I like the deeper meanings behind horror films."
Sunoo felt a pang of vulnerability at his own choice of film, wondering if Niki might see it as a reflection of his own life. "It's really about the struggle between appearance and identity," he continued, cautiously. "How people often only see the surface and not the person underneath."
Niki's gaze was steady, his interest piqued. "I can see why that would resonate with you."
Sunoo felt a warmth in his chest at the understanding in Niki's eyes. They spent the next hour sharing stories and laughter, the easy conversation deepening their connection.
But as they finished their coffees and Niki reached for his hand, Sunoo's thoughts turned again to the darkness he carried. "I really like this," Niki said softly, squeezing Sunoo's hand. "I want to keep getting to know you."
Sunoo swallowed hard, torn between the desire to let Niki in and the fear of what that could mean. "Niki, I-" he began, but the words escaped him once more.
Niki leaned in, his eyes searching Sunoo's face. "You're safe with me. I promise."
A moment passed between them, heavy with unspoken words, and then Niki's thumb brushed over the back of Sunoo's hand, sending a shiver of electricity up his arm. Sunoo felt a rush of longing mixed with fear, the weight of his past clashing with the present he was slowly building with Niki.
"I-" Sunoo started again, but this time, he was interrupted by the sudden buzz of his phone.
He pulled it from his pocket, glancing at the screen. It was a message from an unknown number, sending a chill down his spine.
> "You can't escape your past. It's watching you."
His heart raced, a familiar sense of dread pooling in his stomach. Niki noticed the shift in Sunoo's expression and leaned closer. "What's wrong?"
Sunoo forced a smile, but he could feel the mask slipping. "Nothing. Just... a spam message."
Niki's brow furrowed, unconvinced. "You sure? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I'm fine," Sunoo insisted, his voice steadier than he felt. "Just a little tired."
Niki didn't buy it but decided to let it go for the moment. "Okay, but if you need to talk about anything, I'm here."
Sunoo nodded, grateful for Niki's patience but aware of the storm brewing within him. He wanted to share everything-the hurt, the fear, the anger-but the words felt trapped, caught in a web of his own making.
---
Later that Night
As Sunoo lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, the message replayed in his mind. He turned to his side, trying to shake off the unease, but sleep eluded him.
Just as he was about to close his eyes, his phone buzzed again. Another message, this time from the same unknown number.
> "You think you can hide? You're wrong."
Panic surged through him as he realized this was no coincidence. Whoever it was knew something, and Sunoo's heart raced at the thought of his past catching up to him.
He glanced at the time-too late to call Niki. He didn't want to burden him with this. Instead, Sunoo lay back, anxiety creeping into his bones. The shadows that had begun to fade re-emerged, wrapping around him tightly.
He knew he needed to confront this, to figure out who was behind the messages, but for now, all he could do was wait and hope that the light he'd found with Niki would help him through the darkness threatening to engulf him once again.
