Chapter 24

The sudden realization was still sinking in. Min-ho couldn't even process what was going on. What the hell was this feeling? He didn't want to think too hard about it, didn't want to try to figure it out. It was confusing, and he hated how it left him questioning everything. What was worse was that he didn't want to admit it. He didn't want to acknowledge that this... whatever it was... was real.

He could feel it, though. The pull toward Ju-woon, that irritating, confusing pull. Min-ho never backed down from anything, but this? This was something he didn't know how to handle.

He stood there, watching Ju-woon, who had his back turned, his gaze lost in the quiet city lights flickering through the window. The soft hum of the city below barely registered in Min-ho's mind as he stared at the silhouette of the guy who had been everything to him—the constant irritation, the annoying smirk, the guy who somehow got under his skin in the worst way possible. And now? Now, Min-ho couldn't shake the feeling that he wanted something more. Something that made no sense.

Min-ho didn't even realize he had moved until he was standing next to Ju-woon, so close that the other could feel his presence. Ju-woon didn't turn to him, still staring out the window.

"Hm? Yeah, Min-ho?" His voice was low, distracted, like he wasn't fully present in the conversation. It was the same tone he always used, distant, like he wasn't really interested in whatever Min-ho had to say.

Min-ho didn't even think about it. His voice came out sharper than intended. "Look at me when you speak."

Ju-woon's head snapped toward him. His eyes, usually so calm and unreadable, flickered with something Min-ho couldn't quite place. It was a shift, something small but noticeable.

Ju-woon raised an eyebrow, looking genuinely caught off guard by the demand. Still, he didn't hesitate, meeting Min-ho's gaze fully. "Good." Min-ho watched the momentary flash of confusion in Ju-woon's eyes, but it didn't last long. In the next breath, Ju-woon was back to his usual cool composure.

The strange feeling only deepened inside Min-ho, making his chest tighten. This wasn't normal. Why was he acting like this? Why was he demanding Ju-woon's attention so intensely? This wasn't like him.

"Hey, Min-ho... are you sure you're not sick? You've been acting different..." Ju-woon's voice had softened, concern threading through the words. It sounded genuine, but Min-ho just felt more confused. He didn't know how to respond.

Sick? Was that what Ju-woon thought? Did he honestly not understand what was going on?

Min-ho felt his gaze drop to the floor for a brief second. He was frustrated with himself for not figuring this out sooner. But now, the signs were glaring at him. His mind started to spin as he thought about everything he had pushed aside. He couldn't keep running from it. He was being a damn fool.

Ju-woon must've noticed the way Min-ho was just standing there, lost in thought. The silence stretched on longer than it should have, hanging in the air like a heavy weight.

Ju-woon shifted slightly, still watching him. "What's going on, Min-ho?" His voice was cautious now, trying to read the situation. "What is it?"

Min-ho couldn't hold back anymore. He stepped forward, closing the distance between them. Before Ju-woon could react, Min-ho pressed him against the window, his hands coming down to grip the frame. He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as he felt his heart pounding harder in his chest.

"Ju-woon... do you really not understand?" Min-ho's voice was barely above a whisper, but there was a force to it now, an urgency that had never been there before.

Ju-woon's eyes widened in surprise as he tried to shift back from the sudden closeness. "Min-ho... What the hell are you doing?" His voice was tight, confused. He didn't know how to deal with this new side of Min-ho.

Min-ho didn't let him move away, not giving him space. He covered Ju-woon's mouth with his hand, silencing him before he could finish the question. His hand lingered there for a second, feeling the warmth of Ju-woon's skin. It was all too much, too intense. Min-ho pulled his hand away, running it through his hair in frustration. He didn't know how to do this, but he couldn't stop himself now. He was too deep in. He had to say it.

"Shit…" Min-ho muttered under his breath, stepping back slightly as he tried to figure out how to say what he needed to say. His voice felt strained, the words stuck in his throat like they were too big to come out. But he couldn't keep ignoring it.

"How do I even say this?" Min-ho laughed bitterly to himself, trying to buy some time. He felt so damn awkward. He couldn't explain it. This was a mess, and he was making it worse by the second.

Ju-woon looked at him carefully, but still with confusion in his eyes. Min-ho couldn't deal with that confusion anymore. He had to get this out, for both their sakes. He wasn't going to run from it any longer.

"Listen, Ju-woon…" Min-ho took a deep breath, his hands resting on his hips as he tried to ground himself. "I don't know what this is between us, but… shit." He paused, feeling his heartbeat in his throat. He didn't know what was worse: admitting it or not saying anything at all.

"Ju-woon, hyung, I like you. I like you," Min-ho said the words quickly, almost too quickly. His voice cracked a little, like he couldn't believe he was actually saying them out loud. But there it was. The truth. The words that had been sitting in his chest for who knows how long.

Ju-woon's eyes widened, his lips parted in shock. His breath hitched for a moment as he processed the words Min-ho had just thrown at him. Min-ho's chest tightened, waiting for something—anything—from Ju-woon.

"I don't know why… and I just realized this myself, but I can't help it." Min-ho's voice came out softer now, but still filled with an urgency he couldn't shake. "I don't even know what's going on, but I do know one thing: I'm not going to back down. Even if you say no… I'll keep chasing you until you're mine."

The words hung in the air, thick with meaning. Min-ho's heart was hammering in his chest, his body wired with tension. He had no idea what Ju-woon was going to say. Hell, Min-ho didn't even know what he expected. But this—this felt like a breaking point.

Ju-woon was frozen. He was clearly trying to process everything, his mind clearly racing to catch up. But his usual calm was gone now, replaced with something raw and open. He didn't know how to answer Min-ho. He wasn't sure how to make sense of everything Min-ho had just said.

"Min-ho…" Ju-woon started, his voice quieter than usual. "I... I don't know what to say. I'm sorry, I'm just confused. My emotions… they're all over the place right now."

Min-ho felt the shift in the air. He wasn't being rejected. Ju-woon wasn't pushing him away, but he wasn't fully accepting it either. He could deal with that. He could deal with this confusion.

Ju-woon took a step closer, his face serious as he continued, his voice softer now. "I'm not rejecting you. But I need time to figure this out. I'm just as confused as you are."

Min-ho watched him carefully, his lips curving into a smirk. It wasn't a rejection, and that was enough for him.

"Well, that's good," Min-ho said, his voice lighter now. He stepped back slightly, giving Ju-woon some space. "Because Ju-woon, just so you know… If I like someone, I don't give up easily."

Ju-woon's face flushed a little, and Min-ho noticed it, even if he didn't say anything about it. Min-ho moved closer again, their faces only inches apart now, the air between them thick with tension.

Min-ho reached up, brushing a strand of Ju-woon's hair out of his face. His fingers lingered a little longer than necessary. "I'll be waiting for your answer, darling," he said, his voice low and teasing, but there was a softness to it now. Something had shifted.

He pulled back then, leaving Ju-woon standing there, still processing everything. The silence stretched out, but Min-ho didn't mind. He had said what he needed to say. Now, he could only wait for Ju-woon's answer.

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