Inspired by Songs.......Gongfourz Oneshots (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧

Mean it

"Baby, don't run me 'round and 'round
Don't kiss me, no, don't kiss me right now
On your lips just leave it
If you don't mean it"

The bar's dim lights flickered softly, casting hazy shadows across the room. Leehan sat across from Taesan, his fingers drumming against the worn wooden table as he watched his friend with growing frustration. Taesan looked the same as always—his easy smirk, relaxed posture, and that unreadable look in his eyes that made Leehan's heart race. It was a look that hinted at something more, but it never went anywhere. And Leehan was tired of waiting, tired of reading between the lines only to end up with nothing.

He inhaled deeply, steadying his voice even as a tremor of irritation slipped through. "Taesan... what are we even doing here?"

Taesan raised an eyebrow, that smirk of his appearing as though on reflex. "Just two friends hanging out, right?"

Leehan shook his head. "No. Don't go look at me with that look in your eye," he said, a fierce edge to his tone. "Because that look—" he gestured between them, "—that look makes me impatient, Taesan. I'm tired of all this small talk, no real conversation."

He watched Taesan's smirk fade, his gaze shifting to the table. For a moment, Taesan's fingers traced the rim of his glass, a hint of tension in the way he held it. "You think... I'm not serious?"

Leehan's exhale came out sharper than he intended, his heart pounding at finally saying what he'd held in for so long. "I don't know, Taesan. Do you even mean it? If you don't, then don't waste my time. Tell me what's real."

Taesan looked up slowly, his eyes meeting Leehan's. And for once, there was no hint of that usual bravado, no teasing in his gaze. His voice softened, the words coming out like an admission he'd been reluctant to make. "What if I told you I did mean it?" His fingers gripped his glass a little tighter as he leaned forward. "Every look, every word, every single time I get close to you... it's real."

Leehan's breath caught, his frustration giving way to a mixture of relief and disbelief. This was what he'd been wanting, what he'd been hoping to hear. But he couldn't just take the words at face value. "Then why don't you show it?" His voice rose, the frustration bubbling up again. "If you're gonna hold me, hold me like I'm leaving. Like you don't want me to go."

Taesan's face softened, the practiced confidence in his expression slipping away completely. He looked down, his fingers fidgeting with the glass in his hands. "I was scared," he admitted, voice raw. "I didn't want to push you. I thought you'd laugh it off... or that you'd just walk away."

Leehan closed his eyes for a moment, the vulnerability in Taesan's voice cutting through his anger like nothing else could. He felt his own heartache mingling with a surge of compassion. "But I need to know if you're serious. Because if you don't mean it, I can't keep doing this." His voice came out softer than before, almost pleading.

A silence fell between them, and Leehan could feel his pulse pounding in his ears. He didn't want to keep feeling like he was the only one willing to take a risk here. If Taesan wasn't willing to meet him halfway, he needed to know now.

Then, slowly, Taesan reached across the table, his fingers brushing gently against Leehan's hand. The touch was light, hesitant, as though he was afraid of scaring him off. "I mean it," he murmured, his gaze steady on Leehan's. "I've meant it every single time. Every look, every word. And if you'll let me, I'll prove it to you."

Leehan felt a wave of emotion wash over him, the tension in his chest easing as Taesan's words filled the space between them. He swallowed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Then prove it, Taesan."

Taesan's lips curled into a soft, genuine smile, a warmth in his gaze that Leehan had never seen before. Without another word, he leaned forward, closing the distance between them. His lips brushed against Leehan's in a kiss that held everything he'd been trying to say—every unspoken promise, every bit of sincerity that had been hiding beneath his playful facade.

Leehan closed his eyes, letting himself melt into the kiss, his hands reaching up to cup Taesan's face. The world around them faded away, leaving only the two of them in that moment. When they finally pulled back, Taesan rested his forehead against Leehan's, his breath warm against his skin.

"I didn't mean to make you feel like this was just a game," Taesan said softly, his fingers tracing patterns along Leehan's hand. "You're important to me, Leehan. More than I can even put into words."

Leehan's heart fluttered at the sincerity in Taesan's voice. He could see the vulnerability in his gaze, the walls he usually kept up finally crumbling. For the first time, he felt like he was seeing Taesan's true self, unguarded and open.

"Then... stop hiding," Leehan replied, his voice gentle. "Stop pretending like this doesn't mean anything."

Taesan nodded, his fingers intertwining with Leehan's. "I promise, no more games. I mean it, Leehan. I really do."

They sat in silence for a while, just holding each other's gaze, the unspoken understanding between them deepening. Leehan felt a warmth spread through his chest, a sense of contentment he hadn't felt in a long time. This was real.