Jintae told himself it was the right thing letting you go said it over and over like a prayer, like a chant in his skull.

"You’ll be safer this way." "I can’t have weaknesses." "She deserves someone who’s not tangled up in fights and blood."

But it was a lie every goddamn word of it.You were his first,his first kiss,his first hand to hold and his first late-night phone call where he didn’t talk about violence or territory or crew, but about stupid things like favorite foods or what your dreams used to be before you joined the streets.

Seo Jintae never cared for softness but you made it feel like home and now?

Months passed.You were still there, part of Baek Ui. Still doing your job. Still nodding when Kim Shin spoke. Still fighting when things got rough.But you never looked at him the same.Not since that night.

Not since the night he said goodbye with a voice that didn’t even tremble, when your eyes were begging for a reason and he gave you none.He thought you’d break cry,maybe plead but you didn’t.

You just nodded, whispered “Okay, Jintae.”And left.

He should’ve run after you that day but now… now he can’t sleep.Not when you’re around.Not when you’re near enough to touch but so far it makes his chest cave in.God, it hurts you were made for him. He knows it everyone knows it.

Even Pyo Yeong gave him that look last week the one that said “You’re an idiot.”

Seo Jintae’s many things but when it comes to you?He’s more than desperate.He’s losing it.

So when you end up alone walking back from the side alley after a mission, quiet, unaware he doesn't hesitate. He steps forward, cuts off your path.

And you freeze.

Your eyes meet his same eyes that once looked at him like he was everything.Now, there’s a wall between them.He breathes hard.

“Stop,” he says.

You blink. “What?”

“Stop pretending like we’re strangers.”

His voice is deep, low serious in a way you haven’t heard from him before. No grin,no teasing lilt,no stupid, joking tone.

Just Seo Jintae, stripped bare.

“I let you go because I thought I had to. Thought I was protecting you.” His jaw tightens. “But I was wrong.”

Your eyes flicker, hesitant. “Jintae…”

“No.” He steps closer. “Listen. I’m not here to play games.”

You don’t move. You don’t run. But your fingers twitch.He sees it like you want to reach out,like your body still remembers.

“I can’t forget you. Can’t even think straight when you’re around. You walk past and my chest” he swallows hard“it fcking hurts.”*

You stare, lips parted.

He lets out a sharp breath. “You made me soft. You ruined me and I still want you.”

Silence only your breathing,only his thundering heart.

“Don’t look at me like that if you’re not coming back,” he adds, voice nearly cracking. “Don’t smile at others when I’m the one losing sleep over you.”

"Then why did you let me go?”

“I was scared,” he admits. “Scared of loving you too much. Of making you my weakness.”

You tilt your head slightly. “And now?”

Seo Jintae steps even closer, until there’s barely space between your chest and his.

“Now I know the real weakness was thinking I could ever live without you.”

He raises a hand hesitates then touches your cheek gently like you might disappear if he blinks.

“I don’t care about consequences anymore. If loving you ruins me, then so be it.”