you never thought you’d feel this way about him — about sunghoon. he’d been in your life for what felt like forever, just a friend, someone who’d always been around in the quiet moments and the loud ones, too. you’d laughed together, teased each other over silly things, been there through each other’s ups and downs. but you never let yourself think about anything more. or at least, you’d tried not to.

it was late one night, and you were sitting with him at the small park near your place, the one where you’d spent countless afternoons together. the stars were dim but visible, scattered across the sky like tiny pinpricks of light. you were laughing about something he’d said, but somewhere in the middle, you caught yourself looking at him a little too long. and for the first time, it hit you — really hit you— how much you wanted this to mean something.

he noticed you staring and tilted his head, a small smile playing at his lips. “what’s up? you’re zoning out on me.”

you hesitated, your heart pounding a little faster. “it’s nothing… just thinking.” you wanted to say it, but you didn’t. not yet.

the silence stretched between you, a little heavier than before, until he finally spoke. “i think about it too, you know. about… us.”

you turned to him, your heart feeling like it could burst. his gaze softened as he reached out, brushing a strand of hair from your face. “you don’t have to say anything. i just wanted you to know i’m here — whatever you want this to be, i’m here.”

you felt warmth spreading through you, a quiet, soft hope settling into your heart. maybe it was too soon to put it into words. but as he laced his fingers with yours, you didn’t need to say anything. you both just knew.