Whispers in the Dark//GONGFOURZ ff

Revelations

The days that followed were unexpectedly lighter for Kim Leehan. Taesan's words lingered in his mind like a melody he couldn't shake, softening the edges of his self-doubt and encouraging him to push forward with renewed energy. Still, every time he caught Taesan's eye during practice, a quiet warmth would rise in his chest—a feeling that confused and thrilled him in equal measure.

One evening, after another long rehearsal, Taesan caught Leehan just as he was leaving the practice room, a tired yet content smile on his face.

"Busy?" Taesan asked, leaning against the doorframe with his usual confident smirk. Leehan shook his head, unable to hold back a smile.

"Nope, all yours," he replied, trying to keep his tone casual but feeling his heartbeat quicken at his own words.

Taesan raised an eyebrow, catching the slight shift in Leehan's expression. "Good. I figured you could use some fresh air. There's this place I want to show you."

Without another word, Taesan took his hand, pulling him outside. The city lights twinkled above them as they walked through the quiet streets, Taesan's grip warm and reassuring. Leehan's mind raced with unspoken thoughts, his heart thundering with each step.

After a few blocks, Taesan led him up a narrow flight of stairs to the roof of a small building. Leehan's eyes widened as he took in the view—a stretch of the city skyline, aglow under the night sky, and the soft, distant hum of life below.

"I come here when I need to clear my head," Taesan murmured, releasing Leehan's hand and leaning against the railing. "Figured it might help you, too."

Leehan joined him at the edge, feeling the cool breeze sweep over him. They stood in silence for a while, both taking in the peaceful scene.

"You know..." Leehan's voice broke the silence, soft but steady. "I've never really... had anyone look out for me like this. Not in the way you do."

Taesan glanced at him, his expression softening. "You don't need to do everything alone, Leehan. You don't need to carry everything by yourself."

Leehan turned his gaze down to his hands, his thoughts swirling. "Sometimes, I wonder why you care so much. I mean, you could spend your time with anyone. Why... me?"

The question hung in the air, and Taesan seemed to consider it, his gaze distant yet thoughtful.

"Because I want to," he replied quietly, his voice a low murmur. "You don't need a reason to care about someone."

Leehan felt his cheeks warm, his heart pounding at Taesan's words. It was the kind of answer he hadn't expected, but it somehow made sense. Taesan's quiet strength, his confidence—it was a comfort Leehan had come to rely on, a constant that steadied him amidst the chaos of their demanding lives.

Without thinking, Leehan reached out, his fingers brushing against Taesan's. Taesan's eyes flickered with surprise, but he didn't pull away. Instead, he turned his hand over, gently wrapping his fingers around Leehan's, their hands interlocking in the soft light of the city.

"Leehan..." Taesan's voice was barely a whisper, his gaze searching Leehan's face. "If there's ever something you need to say... or anything you want to tell me... you can. I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere."

Leehan swallowed, his throat tight with the weight of the unspoken words he'd kept locked away. But as he looked into Taesan's eyes, steady and sincere, he felt something shift, a quiet resolve blooming in his chest.

"I don't know exactly what this is," Leehan admitted, his voice trembling. "But... whatever it is, I don't want to lose it."

Taesan's lips curved into a small smile, his gaze softening as he gave Leehan's hand a gentle squeeze. "Then let's figure it out together. No pressure, no expectations—just us."

They stood there in silence, hands intertwined, the city's distant hum surrounding them like a blanket of quiet reassurance. In that moment, with Taesan by his side, Leehan felt as if he were exactly where he was meant to be—no longer alone, and no longer afraid.

The next few days slipped by, and the small, unspoken moments between them grew—hands lingering a little longer, glances shared across the room, and quiet conversations that lasted late into the night. Taesan's presence became a comfort that Leehan could feel even in the busiest of moments, a warmth that grounded him in a way he'd never known.

But the real shift came one evening after a performance.

They'd just finished a grueling stage, and Leehan was glowing with pride, his exhaustion forgotten in the thrill of a job well done. Taesan was waiting for him backstage, a rare, genuine smile lighting up his face as he met Leehan's gaze.

"You killed it out there," Taesan said, his voice filled with pride. "I knew you would."

Leehan felt his cheeks warm, his heart pounding as he stepped closer to Taesan. In that moment, he didn't care about what anyone thought or the fear that had held him back before. All he knew was that he wanted Taesan to know, to understand just how much his words meant.

Without a second thought, Leehan reached out, wrapping his arms around Taesan in a tight embrace. Taesan's body tensed for a brief moment, but he quickly relaxed, his arms circling around Leehan in a warm, comforting hold.

"Thank you," Leehan murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "For everything."

Taesan's hand moved up to rest gently on the back of Leehan's head, his fingers threading through his hair as he held him close.

"Anytime, Leehan," he replied softly, his voice filled with a warmth that melted away the last of Leehan's doubts. "I'll always be here."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, surrounded by the quiet buzz of the backstage chaos around them. But in that moment, none of it mattered. All that mattered was the steady beat of Taesan's heart against his, a quiet reminder that he was no longer alone.

End of Chapter 2