Mokyeon thought that once he and Nanjo admitted their feelings, the storm would be over. For a brief moment, it was. The nights spent together felt like stolen dreams—Nanjo’s hand brushing his hair away, Mokyeon laughing softly against Nanjo’s shoulder as if the world could never hurt them again.

But the illusion shattered when Sehyun—Nanjo’s closest friend—found out.

“Is this a joke?” Sehyun’s voice cut like glass as he slammed the door open, catching Mokyeon and Nanjo standing too close, too comfortable in each other’s presence. His eyes darted between them, sharp with disbelief. “You? Both of you?”

Nanjo froze, his hand slipping from Mokyeon’s as though burned. “Sehyun… I—”

“Don’t.” Sehyun’s glare turned on Mokyeon. “I told you to stay away from him. You ruin everything you touch. And now…” He laughed bitterly. “Now Nanjo’s just another mess for you to destroy?”

Mokyeon felt the words like a punch to the gut. He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

“Sehyun, stop,” Nanjo said, his voice quieter than usual but laced with anger. “This isn’t your business.”

“Not my business?” Sehyun snapped. “You’ve changed, Nanjo. You’re cold, reckless, and for what? Him? He’s not worth it.”

The silence that followed was unbearable. Mokyeon felt every inch of Nanjo’s hesitation like a blade pressing against his skin. Nanjo didn’t defend him—not this time.

Mokyeon waited. He waited for Nanjo to call, to show up at his door like before. But nothing came. Every message went unread. Every call went unanswered.

When they finally met again, it wasn’t the same.

Nanjo stood in the rain, looking distant, almost like a stranger. “Maybe Sehyun was right,” he said, his voice breaking. “Maybe we’re just… too much of a mess.”

Mokyeon’s throat tightened. “So that’s it? You’re giving up?”

Nanjo’s hand trembled as he reached out, almost touching Mokyeon’s cheek, but he pulled back at the last second. “I’m not giving up on you. I’m trying to protect you. Everyone around us… they’ll never understand. They’ll tear us apart.”

Tears blurred Mokyeon’s vision, mixing with the rain. “Then let them. I don’t care. I’ll wait for you, Nanjo. I’ll wait, even if it takes forever.”

Nanjo closed his eyes, a single tear slipping down. He wanted to stay, to hold Mokyeon until the world disappeared. But instead, he whispered: “Wait for me, then. Please. Just wait.”