Lines Crossed (SanSang)

39

San sat in the silence Wooyoung left behind, his mind reeling. Every word his friend had said pierced through his defenses, leaving him raw.

He leaned back against the couch, staring at the ceiling as Wooyoung's challenge echoed in his head.

"Start by figuring out what you're willing to risk."

Was he willing to risk everything for Yeosang? His father's approval, his family's expectations, the path that had been laid out for him since birth?

His heart answered before his mind could catch up.

Yes.

He stood abruptly, pacing the living room. His phone sat on the couch where he had left it, the message to Yeosang still unsent. He picked it up, staring at the screen.

But texting wasn't enough. Not anymore. He needed to see Yeosang, to make him understand, to tell him everything—not just about the engagement or his father, but about what Yeosang meant to him.

San didn't care if he sounded desperate. Desperation was all he had left.

He grabbed his keys, throwing on a jacket before heading out the door. He didnt even think about telling his family since his father would probably lock him up this time.

The campus was quieter than usual when San arrived, the evening settling in with a cool breeze. He knew Yeosang's routine well enough to guess where he might be: the quiet corner of the library where he liked to study late.

San's pulse quickened as he climbed the steps and pushed open the heavy library doors. The familiar scent of books and polished wood filled the air. He scanned the rows of tables, his eyes darting between faces until they landed on the one he was looking for.

Yeosang sat with his head bowed over a notebook, his pen moving in steady strokes. His expression was calm, focused—completely unaware of the storm San was bringing with him.

San hesitated. He almost turned around, the weight of what he was about to do pressing on his chest.

But then Yeosang looked up, catching sight of him. His pen froze mid-stroke, his eyes widening in surprise.

San swallowed hard, stepping closer.

"Hi..." San awkwardly smiled as Yeosang nodded not saying anything.

"Can we talk?" he asked softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Yeosang blinked, his expression guarded. He glanced around the quiet library before nodding and gathering his things. Without a word, he led San outside to the courtyard, where the air was crisp and filled with the faint scent of autumn leaves.

"What do you want, San?" Yeosang asked, his tone neutral but his eyes wary.

San took a deep breath, his hands clenched at his sides. "I want to explain. Everything."

Yeosang sighed, crossing his arms. "You already explained. You told me about your dad, the engagement, all of it. What else is there?"

"There's more," San said quickly. "Things I couldn't say before. Things I didn't realize I needed to say."

Yeosang's brows furrowed, but he stayed silent, waiting.

San stepped closer, his voice trembling as he began. "The engagement—it was arranged. I didn't know her, Yeosang. I didn't love her. I never did. And I told her that. I told her I couldn't marry her because... because I'm in love with someone else."

Yeosang's breath hitched, his arms dropping to his sides. "San..."

San's chest tightened as he pushed on. "And that someone is you. It's always been you. Even when I didn't realize it, even when I was too scared to admit it, it was you. And I'm sorry it took me so long to figure it out, and I'm sorry I hurt you in the process, but I can't—" His voice cracked. "I can't lose you, Yeosang."

Yeosang stared at him, his expression unreadable. "San, you don't understand. It's not just about your feelings. Your family, your father... They won't accept this. They won't accept me."

"I don't care," San said firmly, stepping even closer. "I'll fight them. I'll fight anyone who tries to keep us apart. I've already started. My dad—he knows. And yeah, he's angry, and yeah, it's going to be hell, but I don't care, Yeosang. You're worth it."

Yeosang's eyes glistened, his lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out.

San reached for his hand, holding it gently. "I know I messed up, and I know it won't be easy. But I need you to know that I'm serious about this. About us. You're the only person I've ever felt this way about, and I can't—" He swallowed hard. "I can't let you go without trying."

Yeosang's gaze dropped to their joined hands, his fingers trembling slightly. He looked back up at San, his voice barely audible. "Do you mean it? All of it?"

San nodded, his eyes burning with sincerity. "Every word."

For a moment, silence stretched between them, the world fading away until it was just the two of them. Then, slowly, Yeosang's fingers tightened around San's, his lips curving into the faintest of smiles.

"Okay," he whispered.

San's heart soared, his grip on Yeosang's hand tightening as relief and hope flooded through him.

"Okay," San echoed, a smile breaking across his face.

For the first time in what felt like forever, everything felt right.

San couldn't help himself. The moment Yeosang whispered "Okay," the dam of emotions he'd been holding back broke. He stepped forward and pulled Yeosang into a tight embrace, his arms wrapping around him as if letting go would shatter the fragile hope between them.

"I missed you," San murmured, his voice muffled against Yeosang's shoulder. His grip tightened, his body trembling slightly. "God, I missed you so much."

Yeosang stood still for a moment, stunned by the suddenness of it all, but then his arms hesitantly came up to rest around San, his fingers gripping the back of his jacket.

"You shouldn't forgive me," San continued, his voice thick with emotion. "I don't deserve it. I don't deserve you, Yeosang."

Yeosang pulled back slightly, enough to look at San's face. "San..."

"No, I mean it," San said, his eyes glistening as he met Yeosang's gaze. "You forgave me too fast. I hurt you. I made you doubt everything we had, and I hate myself for it. I hate myself because you didn't deserve any of that, and you still gave me another chance." He let out a shaky breath, his hands clutching Yeosang's shoulders as if grounding himself. "How can you do that? How can you just..."

"Because I love you," Yeosang said softly, cutting him off.

San froze, his breath hitching as those three words settled between them.

Yeosang's eyes were sincere, unwavering. "I love you, San. That's why I forgave you. That's why I'm giving this another chance. Not because you deserve it or don't deserve it, but because I want to."

San felt his throat tighten, his vision blurring with unshed tears. "You're too good for me," he whispered, his voice breaking.

"And you're an idiot," Yeosang said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

San let out a choked laugh, his forehead falling against Yeosang's. "I swear," he whispered, his voice trembling. "I'll spend the rest of my life making this up to you. I'll never hurt you again. I promise."

Yeosang's smile softened, his hands gently brushing down San's arms before resting on his wrists. "You don't have to make it up to me. Just... don't let me down again, San."

San nodded fervently, his heart pounding in his chest. "I won't. I promise, I won't."

They stood there in the quiet courtyard, wrapped in each other's warmth, as the world around them seemed to fade away. For the first time in a long while, San felt like he could breathe again—like everything might just be okay.

"I will make my father love you no matter what font worry. Ge will love u more than me im just sure."

They both chuckled holding each other closer as a blush creeped on yeosangs smiley cheeks he was hiding on Sans shoulder.