Whispers in the Dark//GONGFOURZ ff

Close Enough to Touch

The morning after the performance, Leehan woke up with a lingering warmth in his chest and a memory that made his heart race. The kiss—their first kiss—had been gentle, soft, and yet it was all he could think about. He found himself smiling without realizing it, feeling lighter than he had in months. But as soon as he walked into the practice room, he was greeted by Taesan's knowing smirk, and he could tell he wasn't the only one who remembered.

"You look well-rested," Taesan teased, leaning casually against the wall as Leehan walked in. There was a spark in his eyes, mischievous and inviting, that made Leehan's cheeks flush.

"Do I?" Leehan tried to play it cool, though his heart was racing. "Guess I just slept well."

"Oh, I'm sure," Taesan replied, a smirk tugging at his lips as he stepped a little closer. "Though I'd like to think I had something to do with that."

Leehan chuckled, his nerves giving way to a playful spark of his own. "Confidence suits you, Taesan. But don't think you can make me blush that easily."

Taesan raised an eyebrow, clearly up for the challenge. "Oh, really? I bet I could. In fact," he leaned in, his voice dropping to a low murmur that sent a shiver down Leehan's spine, "I bet you're already blushing."

Leehan swallowed, the warmth in his cheeks betraying him. But he refused to back down. Instead, he smirked, meeting Taesan's gaze with equal intensity. "Nice try, but you're going to have to do better than that."

Taesan's eyes narrowed in playful challenge, and he let out a low chuckle. "Is that so? Well then," he said, leaning even closer, his hand reaching up to gently tuck a strand of Leehan's hair behind his ear, "maybe I'll have to get creative."

Leehan's breath caught at the closeness, and he couldn't hide the way his heart raced, each beat thundering in his chest. Taesan's hand lingered for a moment longer before he pulled back, his smirk widening as he noticed the faint flush on Leehan's cheeks.

"See?" Taesan murmured, his voice a mix of pride and amusement. "Told you."

Leehan laughed, rolling his eyes but unable to hide his smile. "You're impossible."

"And you love it," Taesan shot back, a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes.

The rest of the morning passed in a blur of stolen glances and playful jabs, the air between them charged with an energy that neither of them could ignore. And as the hours ticked by, Leehan found himself drawn to Taesan's side more than ever, each shared laugh, each subtle touch fueling the warmth growing between them.

After practice, they decided to grab dinner together at a nearby restaurant, slipping into one of the quieter booths in the back. The mood felt different, somehow—more relaxed yet full of possibilities. As they ordered and waited for their food, Taesan leaned back, his gaze on Leehan with a playful spark that sent a thrill through him.

"So," Taesan said, his voice light but with a hint of something deeper, "what's a guy gotta do to make you blush for real?"

Leehan laughed, the boldness of Taesan's words catching him off guard, but he decided to play along. "I think you're overestimating your charm. I'm not as easy to impress as you think."

"Oh, is that a challenge?" Taesan asked, his eyes narrowing as he leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Because I'm more than willing to rise to the occasion."

Leehan shrugged, feigning nonchalance, though his pulse quickened at the intensity of Taesan's gaze. "If you think you're up for it."

In response, Taesan reached across the table, his fingers brushing lightly over Leehan's hand. The touch was brief but electric, enough to make Leehan's heart skip a beat. Taesan smirked, clearly enjoying the effect he had.

"You think I haven't noticed the way you look at me?" Taesan's voice was low, teasing, yet with an undeniable sincerity. "You're not as subtle as you think."

Leehan's cheeks warmed, but he wasn't about to give Taesan the satisfaction of seeing him flustered. Instead, he met his gaze, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Well, maybe I was hoping you'd notice."

That seemed to catch Taesan off guard for a split second before his grin widened, a spark of amusement lighting up his eyes. "Oh, I see how it is. So you're saying you wanted my attention?"

Leehan leaned back, shrugging. "I'm just saying you took your time."

Taesan chuckled, clearly pleased by Leehan's response. "Guess I had to make sure you were worth it."

The playful banter continued throughout dinner, each of them testing the other's boundaries, pushing just far enough to keep the tension simmering without breaking. By the time they left, the air between them was electric, every glance, every touch charged with a newfound intensity.

As they walked back, Taesan slipped his hand into Leehan's, pulling him close as they navigated the quiet streets. There was something intimate about the gesture, and Leehan found himself leaning into Taesan's warmth, feeling as if they were the only two people in the world.

When they finally reached the dorms, they paused outside, neither of them quite ready to part ways. Taesan turned to Leehan, his gaze serious but with a hint of that familiar playfulness.

"Let's make a deal," he said, his voice soft but firm. "No more hiding, no more pretending. Just us, being real with each other.Atleast between us."

Leehan felt his heart swell at the sincerity in Taesan's words. He nodded, a smile tugging at his lips. "Deal."

Taesan's smirk returned, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against Leehan's in a soft, lingering kiss. This one was different—more certain, more intense, like a promise unspoken but understood.

When they finally pulled away, Taesan's hand lingered on Leehan's cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over his skin.

"Goodnight, Leehan," he murmured, his voice a soft whisper against the quiet of the night.

"Goodnight," Leehan replied, his voice barely above a whisper, his heart racing as he watched Taesan disappear into the dorms.

As he made his way to his room, Leehan's thoughts buzzed with excitement, anticipation, and the quiet certainty that whatever lay ahead, he was ready to face it—with Taesan by his side.

End of Chapter 4