The Deep End

Critical condition

Days passed, and the tension between Leehan and Taesan only grew thicker, taking on a weight that felt almost tangible. Taesan had stopped his outright teasing, but his presence lingered—constant, watching, and so very close that Leehan couldn't escape him even if he tried.

Leehan tried to ignore it, tried to focus on work, on his friends, on anything but the strange, conflicting feelings brewing inside him. Yet every time he saw Taesan, every glance and every accidental brush of hands reminded him of their last few encounters, of the new side of Taesan he couldn't shake from his mind.

It didn't help that Taesan seemed to have adopted a new habit: casually calling him pet names like "love" or "babe," always with a playful smirk. It was maddening. Each endearment threw him off, made his heart race in ways he didn't want to admit.

One afternoon, after what felt like the millionth "love" casually thrown his way, Leehan couldn't take it any longer. He stormed up to Taesan's desk, ignoring the curious looks from their classmates.

"Enough with the pet names, Taesan," Leehan hissed, his voice barely above a whisper but laced with irritation. "What is your problem?"

Taesan looked up, unfazed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Problem? I just like giving you a little extra attention, love. Is that so wrong?"

Leehan's jaw clenched. "Yes, it is—especially when you're... when you're doing it on purpose to get under my skin!"

"Maybe I just like seeing you flustered," Taesan replied smoothly, leaning back in his chair with a satisfied look. "And maybe I think it's cute."

Leehan's cheeks flushed, frustration and something else sparking in his chest. "I don't have time for this," he muttered, spinning on his heel, determined to get as far away from Taesan's smirk as possible.

But as he walked away, he could still feel Taesan's gaze on him, piercing and unyielding, a constant reminder of the strange new dynamic forming between them.

A couple of days later, Leehan and his friends, Jaehyun and Sungho, were heading out for a late lunch. As they passed by the break room, Taesan and his own friends, Riwoo and Woonhak, appeared at the same time. It was the first time their two groups had crossed paths in days, and the tension was palpable.

Jaehyun nudged Leehan, whispering, "So, still keeping your distance from your favorite 'nickname-giver'?"

Leehan shot Jaehyun a warning glare. "I'm trying. But he's... persistent."

As if sensing he was being talked about, Taesan looked over, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Leehan, don't be shy now. You're always welcome to join us, you know."

"Don't hold your breath," Leehan shot back, rolling his eyes.

Woonhak smirked, looking between the two with a knowing glint in his eye. "I think he means it, Taesan. You might have a long wait."

Riwoo chuckled. "Taesan doesn't mind a challenge. Right, 'babe'?"

Leehan glared at Riwoo, his cheeks heating up. "This is ridiculous," he muttered, looking away, but he couldn't deny the quickened beat of his heart.

Jaehyun, ever the observant one, raised an eyebrow. "Looks like you two might be blurring a few lines."

Taesan's smirk widened. "Only if he lets me."

As the groups drifted apart, Leehan's mind buzzed with the echo of Taesan's words. It felt like something was changing, slipping through the cracks he'd once thought were secure. The walls he'd held onto for so long were crumbling, and for the first time, he wasn't sure he wanted to build them back up.