The Grapevine

Chapter Twenty Three

Eric gripped the steering wheel tightly, his knuckles white against the smooth leather as he navigated the quiet city streets. The dim glow of passing streetlights illuminated his face in fleeting intervals, highlighting the conflict in his expression.

Sean sat in the passenger seat, his gaze steady as he observed Eric's tense grip and furrowed brow. Sensing Eric's hesitation, Sean broke the silence, his voice calm but decisive.

"Do you want to go somewhere to talk?" Sean asked, his voice cutting through the quiet tension that had settled between them.

Eric turned to him, surprised but nodding almost instinctively. "Yeah. Let's go."

Sean directed him toward the Han River, and soon they were walking along the wide path by the water. The city lights glittered in the distance, casting soft reflections on the rippling surface. The cool breeze carried the faint scent of the river, calming and grounding, though Eric's chest still felt heavy with unspoken thoughts.

They walked in silence at first, their steps falling in sync. Sean glanced at Eric, noticing the way his brow furrowed slightly, his lips parting as if to speak, only to close again.

"You have questions," Sean said quietly, breaking the silence.

Eric hesitated but nodded. "Yeah, I do. But... I don't know where to start."

Sean stopped walking, turning to face Eric fully. His expression was steady, calm. "Then let me start," he offered. "Ask me what you're really thinking about."

Eric's hands fidgeted at his sides, his usual confidence nowhere to be found as he searched for the right words. Finally, he looked up, his voice soft but laced with hesitation. "What did Daniel mean earlier? About you not wanting me to get hurt?"

Sean's gaze immediately softened, his sharp features taking on a rare gentleness that made Eric's heart falter. For a moment, Sean said nothing, as if carefully weighing his response. Then, with a faint smile that was both reassuring and disarming, he stepped a little closer.

"Because I care about you," Sean said quietly, his tone carrying a weight of sincerity that hit Eric harder than he expected.

Eric blinked, caught off guard by the simplicity of the words and the unmistakable warmth in Sean's eyes. It wasn't just the words—it was the way Sean said them, like they were a truth he didn't need to explain further.

"You care about me?" Eric echoed, his voice barely above a whisper, a mix of disbelief and something else—something vulnerable.

Sean's lips curved slightly, his smile growing just enough to reveal a hint of fondness. "Yes, Eric. I care. That's why I didn't want you to get hurt earlier. Not just today, not just in a fight. Anytime."

The honesty in Sean's voice wrapped around Eric like a comforting embrace, melting away some of the doubt and nervous energy that had been building in him all night.

"I can fight, Sean," Eric said after a beat, his voice quiet but resolute. "I can handle myself."

"I know you can," Sean replied, his tone sincere. "But that doesn't change the fact that I don't want you to get hurt."

The simplicity of Sean's words struck Eric in a way he didn't expect. There was no hesitation, no need for further explanation. The way Sean said it—direct yet full of care—made something inside Eric warm, like a small flame sparking to life.

For a moment, Eric felt bold enough to voice the questions swirling in his mind. "Sean..." he began, his voice unsteady. He wanted to ask what they were, what this connection between them meant. But he hesitated, afraid of sounding too forward or ruining the moment. Instead, he tried for subtlety, his tone light but searching. "What... are we doing here? You and me?"