The rain had just stopped when you told him.

You found Su-ho behind the school gym, leaning against the wall like he always did---hands in his pockets, face unreadable, eyes softer than anyone ever noticed. He looked up when you approached, and even before you spoke, he knew something was wrong.

“You look pale,” He said quietly. “Who messed with you?”

You tried to smile. “No one.”

He stepped closer anyway. He always did. Protective. Solid. Like the world could break itself against him and he wouldn’t budge.

“Tell me,” He said.

Your hands trembled as you reached into your backpack, then held out the small white stick.

It looked harmless. It was not.

For a second, he didn’t understand. His brows furrowed. Then the meaning hit him.

Silence stretched between you.

“You’re kidding,” He said, but his voice wasn’t sharp. It was stunned. Careful.

You shook your head. “I checked twice.”

The air felt heavy. You watched him process it---the tightening of his jaw, the way he looked away toward the empty field. He had always handled fights without hesitation. But this wasn’t something he could punch.

“You’re sure?” He asked again.

“Yes.”

He exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. “Okay.”

“Okay?” You repeated, your voice cracking. “That’s all you’re going to say?”

He looked at you then---really looked at you. You saw the fear in his eyes. And the determination underneath it.

“You think I’m going to run?” He asked.

You didn’t answer.

He stepped closer and cupped your face, rough thumb brushing under your eye before a tear could fall. “Hey. Look at me.”

You did.

“I’m not going anywhere,” He said. “You’re mine. That kid’s mine. I don’t care how messed up this is.”

Your chest tightened. “Su-ho, we’re still in school.”

“I know.”

“My parents will---”

“We’ll deal with it,” He cut in. “One thing at a time.”

You shook your head. “You don’t understand. This changes everything.”

He gave a small, humorless laugh. “Everything already changed the day I started liking you.”

Despite everything, you almost smiled.

He rested his forehead against yours. “Are you scared?” He asked softly.

“Yes.”

“Me too,” He admitted. "Figures."

That honesty broke something inside you. You had never heard him say that before. Not about fights. Not about anything. And somehow, it made you even more panicked.

“I don’t know what to do,” You whispered.

“We'll figure it out,” He said. “Together.”

The next few days were heavy with secrets. He walked you home every night. He held your hand tighter than usual. When you flinched at loud voices, he squeezed your fingers once---silent reassurance.

One evening, you sat on the swings near the playground. The world felt strangely normal around you. Kids ran past, laughing. You wondered if you were ready for that kind of future.

“I can get a job,” He said suddenly.

“You already work,” You replied.

“I’ll get another one.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I want to.” His voice hardened. “You won’t handle this alone.”

You studied him---the boy who never skipped class despite exhaustion, who slept through lectures, who looked lazy to everyone else. But you knew the truth. He was the most dependable person you had ever met.

“What if I decide I can’t do this?” You asked carefully.

He didn’t hesitate. “Then I stay with you through that too.”

You blinked. “Even if…”

“Even if,” He said firmly. “This is your body. Your choice. I’m here either way.”

The weight in your chest eased, just a little.

He stood and offered his hand. “Come on.”

“Where?”

“To eat. You need to eat.”

You rolled your eyes. “You’re impossible.”

He shrugged. “Yeah. But I’m yours.”

"So?"

"I don't know, it's cool." He grinned.

As you walked beside him, fingers intertwined, the future still felt terrifying. There were conversations waiting. Consequences. Uncertainty.

But when he glanced at you, protective as ever, you realized something steady beneath the fear.

You weren’t alone.

And neither was he.

"What do you want to eat?" He asked.

"...I don't know, just not---"

"No tuna, scrambled eggs or spicy foods, I know."