The Deep End

Not same kind of friends

The days seemed to blend together in a mix of mundane routines and strange, lingering moments between Leehan and Taesan. Their relationship was like a puzzle with pieces that didn't quite fit yet, but they were both determined to make it work. Taesan kept his distance, only just enough to give Leehan space to breathe, but every so often, he'd cross a line—flirting too openly, teasing with affection, or using that nickname he was so fond of: "love."

It felt almost too comfortable, and that scared Leehan. He didn't want to acknowledge it, but he knew something had changed. The playful jabs and sarcastic banter were still there, but underneath, something deeper was growing. It was subtle, like a crack in the foundation of a building that hadn't yet collapsed but could at any moment.

Leehan had always been guarded, protective of his emotions. But Taesan wasn't making it easy to keep that wall up. He had a way of disarming Leehan, of making him feel seen and understood in ways no one ever had before. And yet, every time he got too close, Leehan would push him away, just a little bit—enough to keep him at arm's length, enough to keep the vulnerability from sinking in.

It was Friday evening when the shift came. Leehan had finished up some extra work in the school and was gathering his things to leave. The classes had quieted down, with most of the students heading home for the weekend. As Leehan slipped his coat on and checked his phone, a message from his friends popped up, reminding him that they were meeting for dinner.

He was about to respond when the door to the class opened, and Taesan walked in, looking as effortless as ever. His eyes immediately found Leehan, and a playful smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"Leaving already, love?" Taesan's voice was low, teasing, and the nickname again—it made Leehan's heart do that strange, uncomfortable flip.

"I've got plans," Leehan replied quickly, trying to sound casual, though he could feel the way his heart rate spiked. "I'm meeting with my friends."

Taesan raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Friends, huh? I thought we were friends too."

Leehan shrugged, trying to brush it off. "We are. But we're not the same kind of friends."

There was a flicker of something in Taesan's eyes—something that looked like a challenge, something that pulled at Leehan's insides. The way Taesan's gaze lingered, as if weighing him, considering him, made Leehan feel exposed in a way he couldn't quite place.

Without warning, Taesan stepped closer, his presence closing the space between them. Leehan could feel the heat radiating from him, the closeness suddenly overwhelming. He took a small step back instinctively, but Taesan reached out, his hand brushing Leehan's wrist as if to steady him.

"Are you trying to get away from me?" Taesan asked, his voice softer now, almost like a quiet dare.

Leehan hesitated, looking at Taesan's hand, which had lingered there for a moment too long. "No," he muttered, trying to ignore the pulse of heat rushing to his cheeks. "I'm just... busy. I've got plans."

Taesan's smile didn't fade, but something in his eyes grew more intense, more knowing. "You can make time for me, can't you?"

Leehan's breath hitched, and for a moment, he felt like he was caught in a current, being pulled into something he didn't know how to navigate. He hadn't been prepared for this—not for Taesan's attention to become so direct, so unrelenting.

"I'm not..." Leehan started to protest, but his words faltered when Taesan leaned in closer, his body practically pressing against his.

"You're not what, love?" Taesan whispered, his lips just inches from Leehan's ear. The closeness felt almost suffocating, and yet, something in the air between them felt charged, like an electric current ready to snap.

"I'm not ready for this," Leehan finally said, his voice barely a whisper.

Taesan paused, pulling back slightly to look at him with an expression that was hard to read. It wasn't the usual teasing grin, but something more thoughtful, almost understanding. Leehan could see the flicker of something in Taesan's eyes—a mixture of patience and quiet determination.

"You don't have to be ready," Taesan said softly, his hand still resting lightly on Leehan's wrist. "But you do have to stop running from me. I've given you space, but I won't keep waiting forever, Leehan."

Leehan felt the weight of Taesan's words, and his heart thudded heavily in his chest. He knew Taesan was being serious, knew that Taesan wasn't going to let him get away with pretending that nothing had changed. But the fear still gnawed at him—the fear that letting himself get too close to Taesan would only lead to more heartbreak, more pain that he wasn't sure he could handle.

"I don't want to hurt you," Leehan said, his voice quiet but filled with sincerity.

Taesan's expression softened, and he stepped back, though his hand lingered for a moment longer before he let it fall. "I'm not scared of getting hurt, Leehan. You think I don't know what it's like to be afraid? To have walls up?"

Leehan looked up at Taesan, surprised by the rawness in his voice. It was different from anything he'd ever heard from him before—there was no bravado, no teasing, just an honest, vulnerable truth.

Taesan took a step back, crossing his arms. "I'm not perfect. And neither are you. But I'm willing to take the risk. I need you to stop pushing me away."

Leehan swallowed hard, the words hanging in the air between them. He wanted to say something—anything—but it felt like his throat had closed up. The truth was, he was tired of running. Tired of pretending that he didn't care, when he did. Tired of pretending that Taesan's presence didn't make him feel things he wasn't sure how to handle.

"I'll try," Leehan whispered, the words barely escaping his lips. "I'll try to stop running."

Taesan's eyes softened, and he gave a small nod, his gaze warm but unreadable. "That's all I can ask for."

For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a quiet sigh, Taesan turned and walked toward the exit, his footsteps slow but steady.

"Don't take too long with your friends, love," Taesan called over his shoulder with a smirk, his usual teasing tone returning. "I'm not going anywhere."

Leehan stood there, frozen for a moment, watching Taesan walk away. He knew it wasn't over—not by a long shot. They were both still standing at the edge of something, unsure of where the next step would take them. But for the first time in a long time, Leehan didn't feel like he was falling.

He wasn't sure what the future held, but he knew one thing for sure: he couldn't keep running anymore.