Our Love | Jeongcheol

eighteen

Seungcheol dropped onto the couch with a heavy sigh, his head falling back against the cushions. "What the actual fuck was that?" he asked, exasperated.

Jeonghan remained standing beside him, arms crossed, eyes still fixed on the hallway Seungkwan had disappeared into. His expression was unreadable, lost in thought.

Seungcheol let out another breath, scrubbing a hand down his face. "I don't get it. Why did Seungkwan push him away like that? Why get mad at Hansol into first place?" His brows furrowed deeper. "It doesn't make sense."

Jeonghan finally turned to him, watching the older man's frustration settle into something more confused. Slowly, he sat down beside him. "Doesn't it?"

Seungcheol blinked, caught off guard by the quiet certainty in Jeonghan's tone. "No, it doesn't."

Jeonghan tilted his head. "You really don't see it?"

Seungcheol frowned. "See what?"

Jeonghan let out a soft sigh, like he was debating how to explain it. "Think about what we just saw, Cheol."

"Hansol is holding onto something he doesn't want to lose. Seungkwan is convincing himself that losing it is better than trying."

Seungcheol's brows pulled together further. "But why?"

Jeonghan was quiet for a moment, letting the question settle between them before he said, softly, "Didn't you see how scared Kwannie looked?"

Something in Seungcheol's chest tightened. His lips parted slightly still looking lost.

Jeonghan watched him carefully, his voice even gentler now. "Doesn't it remind you of anything?"

Seungcheol started to shake his head, but then
he hesitated.

There was something in Jeonghan's gaze. Something familiar.

Seungcheol's heartbeat stuttered as pieces of memories he hadn't touched in years began slotting into place.

He swallowed, voice quieter now. "This..." His throat felt dry. "They're like...us?"

Jeonghan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he gave him a small, almost sad smile.

The countless times Jeonghan had pushed Seungcheol away. The walls he had built around himself, the cold way he had convinced himself that walking away was the right thing to do to avoid the heartbreak.

The way Seungcheol had held on desperately refusing to let him slip through his fingers.

"...Oh."

Jeonghan's smile deepened, something bittersweet in it.

Seungcheol leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he ran both hands through his hair. "Shit." His voice was hoarse. "It's exactly like us."

Before Jeonghan could respond, a new voice cut in.

"...What's exactly like you?"

Both of them turned to see Joshua standing near the doorway, arms crossed, brows furrowed. His expression was a mix of confusion and concern.

Jeonghan sighed, leaning back against the couch. "Hansol and Seungkwan."

Joshua's frown deepened. "How so?"

Seungcheol let out a breath, lifting his head. "Their fight. That whole thing just now." He gestured toward the hallway. "It was us, Josh."

Joshua blinked. "What?"

Jeonghan shook his head, his voice quieter now. "Hansol fighting to keep them together. Seungkwan convincing himself that it's easier to let go." He glanced at Seungcheol, his voice softer. "It's not any different from what we went through"