The Whispers (Underworld 6) VK

45: About Hansol

Hansol sat on the couch, the room empty yet full of memories—of Seungkwan's laugh echoing off the walls, his smile filling every corner. Now, though, the silence was a loud, hollow reminder that those moments were gone, ripped away. His hands trembled as he clenched them into fists, like if he held on tightly enough, he might be able to turn back time, to fix everything. But all that greeted him was the emptiness, the realization that he might have lost Seungkwan for good.

The front door creaked open, and Chan stepped in, his usual easygoing energy immediately dampened by the look on Hansol's face. "Hansol?" Chan's voice was soft, as if not wanting to break the fragile stillness in the room. He took in the mess of scattered items—a forgotten sweater of Seungkwan's on the couch, a mug still warm on the table. Hansol didn't even look up, his gaze fixed on the floor.

Chan slowly walked over and sat beside him. "What happened?" he asked, already fearing the answer.

After a moment of silence, Hansol finally spoke, his voice raw and shaky. "Seungkwan's gone, Chan. He left."

A chill ran through Chan as he took in the weight of those words. He knew that Hansol and Seungkwan's relationship had been intense, yet full of so much love. "What do you mean, gone?" Chan asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Hansol let out a hollow, broken laugh, his gaze unfocused. "His brother... showed up. He told him everything. Seungkwan found out the truth about me, about the Midnight Gang." He swallowed hard, the words feeling bitter on his tongue. "I told myself I'd keep him safe, that he'd never have to know, but it doesn't matter now. He hates me."

Chan put a reassuring hand on Hansol's shoulder. "Hansol... Seungkwan doesn't hate you. He's probably just hurt and confused. You have to give him some time."

Hansol shook his head, his voice tight with frustration and guilt. "You didn't see his face, Chan. He looked at me like... like I was a stranger. Like I'd betrayed him." His hands fisted in his lap, knuckles turning white. "I wanted to protect him, to keep him safe from this whole mess. But now... now he thinks I didn't trust him enough to tell him the truth. That I was hiding because I didn't love him."

"Hey," Chan interjected, his voice firm yet comforting, "you did love him. That's why you did all this—to keep him away from all of this. He might not see it that way now, but he will, eventually. He knows you, Hansol."

Hansol finally looked at Chan, his eyes full of a desperate, almost pleading sadness. "What if he doesn't? What if he can't forgive me? I pushed him away, and now... he's gone. And I don't know how to get him back."

Chan took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Hansol, I know it feels like the end of the world right now, but Seungkwan needs time. He's hurt, but that doesn't mean he doesn't still care about you. Love doesn't just vanish."

Hansol's gaze fell back to the floor. "But what if it does? What if I ruined everything?" His voice broke, and he ran a trembling hand over his face, trying to hold himself together.

Chan's heart ached at the sight of his usually stoic friend looking so utterly defeated. He tightened his grip on Hansol's shoulder, trying to anchor him. "Listen to me, Hansol. You didn't ruin everything. What you did... you did out of love, even if it wasn't the perfect way to go about it. Seungkwan might be angry and hurt right now, but that doesn't mean he's lost to you forever."

Hansol shook his head, his eyes distant. "But I don't know how to go back to life without him, Chan. Everything... it all feels empty. Like there's this huge hole that nothing can fill."

Chan's expression softened, and he gave Hansol a gentle, comforting smile. "Look, I know you're feeling like this now, but you don't have to figure out the rest of your life right this second. Take it one day at a time. Work on yourself. And if it's meant to be, maybe... maybe Seungkwan will come back. Maybe he'll see that you were trying to protect him."