You never expected to see him again. Not like this. Not after everything that happened between you. But here you are, standing at his door, the weight of the world pressing down on your shoulders. His apartment smells faintly of lavender, a scent you remember well, and the sight of him—Jeonghan—makes your chest ache in ways you thought you’d buried.

He takes one look at you, his eyes narrowing in that way they always did when he could see through you, and without a word, he steps aside to let you in. You walk in cautiously, the space feeling both familiar and foreign, like a memory you’re afraid to touch.

“Another one?” he asks softly, his voice steady, though there’s a storm brewing beneath it. You nod, not trusting your voice to hold up. "When will he stop?" He sighs, running a hand through his hair, before gesturing for you to sit on the couch.

You do, cradling your arm, feeling the weight of his gaze on you as he kneels in front of you. He gently takes your wrist, inspecting the fresh bruise blooming across your skin. His touch is so light, it almost feels like forgiveness—something you don’t think you deserve.

“Why him?” he asks quietly, not accusing, just tired. “Why would you stay with someone who-”

“I don’t know,” you cut him off, your voice breaking. “I don’t know how to stop. It’s... it’s like I can’t leave. Like I’m stuck.”

Jeonghan sits back on his heels, exhaling deeply. You can see the conflict in his eyes, the way he’s trying to balance his anger with the empathy he’s always had for you.

“You aren't stuck,” he says finally. “You just think you are.”

Tears well up in your eyes, and you look away, ashamed. “I don’t know how to choose better, Jeonghan. I don’t know how to love better.”

He reaches out then, cupping your cheek and tilting your face back to his. His hand is warm, grounding you in a way nothing else has. “If you ever find yourself in the position to love somebody again, just fall in love with me.”