The Second Chance (BoyxBoy)

Samuel had three things he would never regret:
1. Choosing Ethan over everything else.
2. Building a life in the quiet corners of Beijiao County.
3. Walking away from Ethan when he had to.

But there were also three things that haunted him:
1. The look on Ethan's face the last time they fought.
2. The way Ethan's voice broke when he begged him to stay.
3. The moment Ethan, proud and unyielding, lowered his head for him.

Samuel had spent three years running-from Ethan, from his past, from the life he'd left behind. He traded a future of prestige for a small noodle shop in a forgotten town, where the air smelled of salt and the streets were too narrow for regrets. He told himself he was free.

But freedom has a way of unraveling.

------
"Samuel," Ethan said, his voice soft but cutting. "You can't run forever."

Samuel smirked, masking the tremor in his hands. "Watch me."

But Ethan always knew how to dismantle him. Piece by piece. Word by word.

By the time the door opened again, Samuel was shattered.

He had spent years building walls, but Ethan had always been the architect of his undoing.

----

**Fragile, aloof, and noble negotiator x rogue, arrogant, and loyal informant.**