Chapter 7: Heart on the Line
Do Yoon knew that things couldn't stay like this forever.
The tension, the unsaid words hanging between him and Ju Ha, had built up to a point where even the music they played together didn't feel enough to drown it out. It was more than just flirtation now. It was a battle for something deeper, something both terrifying and exciting. Do Yoon wasn't the type to back down from a challenge, especially not one he cared about, and Ju Ha—hyung—was exactly that.
He had spent days, maybe even weeks, trying to read the signs, trying to understand the older boy's emotions. The quiet moments, the glances, the subtle touches... they all spoke volumes, but Ju Ha was good at hiding what he felt. His usual calm demeanor masked something deeper, a vulnerability that Do Yoon was determined to uncover.
But tonight, Do Yoon had had enough of waiting. Enough of lingering in uncertainty. He wanted something real. Something concrete. He needed Ju Ha to see him—really see him—for what he was: more than just the guy who kept making him lose focus on the basketball court, more than just the annoying kid who flirted shamelessly. He wanted Ju Ha to see the person who cared about him, who couldn't stand the thought of being apart from him.
It had been a week since their last practice session together, and the days had felt longer than they should have. Do Yoon had been biding his time, but it wasn't enough anymore. He needed to take control of the situation, to do something more than just wait for Ju Ha to make the first move. So he'd arranged for a meeting after school.
It was late in the evening, the sky outside darkening with each passing minute, but Ju Ha was still in the school courtyard, his guitar slung over his shoulder as he sat on a bench, strumming idly. Do Yoon had been waiting for this moment, steeling himself for what he was about to do. He could hear the soft notes of the guitar even before he rounded the corner, and as soon as he saw Ju Ha, his heart skipped a beat.
"Hyung," he called, taking a few steps forward, his voice steady but his heart pounding in his chest. "You're still here?"
Ju Ha didn't look up immediately, but he did stop playing, his fingers stilling on the strings. "Yeah," he replied quietly, his gaze lifting to meet Do Yoon's. "Just thinking."
Do Yoon didn't waste any more time. He stepped closer, standing in front of the bench, his eyes locking with Ju Ha's. "I've been thinking too," he said, his voice low, a little more serious than usual.
Ju Ha arched an eyebrow, clearly curious but still guarded. "About what?"
Do Yoon hesitated for only a moment before speaking. "About us," he said simply. "About this... whatever this is between us."
The words hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. Ju Ha's expression softened, but he didn't say anything, waiting for Do Yoon to continue.
"I know you're not the type to make things easy," Do Yoon continued, his smile not quite reaching his eyes. "But I'm not going to play games with you. I'm serious, hyung."
Ju Ha's brow furrowed slightly. He could see the sincerity in Do Yoon's eyes, but there was still a wariness in his own gaze. "Serious about what?"
Do Yoon leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a quieter, more intimate tone. "Serious about how I feel about you." He wasn't going to dance around it anymore. He had to make Ju Ha understand. "I want you, hyung. I want more than just these little moments we share. I want all of it."
Ju Ha's breath hitched, his eyes widening in surprise, but he didn't pull away. He didn't laugh it off either. There was something in his expression that told Do Yoon he had his attention. He could see the conflict in Ju Ha's eyes, the hesitation. He wasn't sure what to say or do next. He hadn't expected Ju Ha to react immediately—hell, he wasn't even sure if Ju Ha could admit what he was feeling—but Do Yoon wasn't going to leave it hanging.
He stepped closer, closer until their faces were mere inches apart. "I know you're scared," Do Yoon continued, his voice barely above a whisper now. "But I'm not going anywhere. I'm not going to force you to feel something you're not ready for. But I want you to know that I'm here, hyung. And I'm not going anywhere."
Ju Ha didn't say anything for a moment, and the silence between them felt like it stretched on forever. It was the kind of silence that could break you, but it could also build something stronger. Do Yoon held his breath, waiting, knowing that this was a pivotal moment. The kind of moment that would either make or break everything.
Finally, Ju Ha spoke, his voice quiet but steady. "I don't know what you want from me, Do Yoon," he admitted, his gaze shifting away for a brief second, as if he were gathering his thoughts. "I've never... I've never been good at this kind of thing. I don't know how to handle it."
Do Yoon smiled softly, reaching out to gently lift Ju Ha's chin so that their eyes could meet again. "You don't have to handle anything, hyung. Just let me in. That's all I'm asking. No pressure. I just need to know if there's a chance for us."
Ju Ha stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. But then something shifted in his eyes—a flicker of something vulnerable, something real. For a brief second, Do Yoon thought he saw a glimpse of the answer he'd been hoping for.
But Ju Ha's next words caught him off guard. "I'm scared, Do Yoon. Scared of what this could mean. What it could do to us."
Do Yoon's heart twisted, but he didn't back down. He nodded slowly, understanding the fear in Ju Ha's voice. "I get it," he said softly. "I'm scared too. But I'd rather be scared together than alone. I'd rather take the chance."
There was a long pause before Ju Ha finally spoke again. "I don't know if I'm ready to say yes... But I won't run from this either. Not yet."
Do Yoon felt a rush of relief flood through him. It wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no either. It was a beginning. And that was all he needed. A chance.
He grinned widely, his eyes sparkling with the promise of what could come. "That's all I'm asking for, hyung. A chance."
Ju Ha gave a small, almost imperceptible smile in return, and for the first time in weeks, the weight that had been hanging over them both seemed to lift, just a little.
They didn't need to say anything more. Not yet.
But Do Yoon knew one thing for sure: this was only the beginning. And he wasn't going to stop until Ju Ha was his.
