Everything exploded during rehearsal.

Hanjin slipped during a lift and nearly hit the floor.

Dohoon caught him immediately.

Not gently.

Desperately.

"You need to be careful!" Dohoon snapped.

The room went silent.

Hanjin stared at him. "Why are you so angry?"

"Because you matter too much!"

The words slipped out.

No taking them back.

The other members quietly left the room.

Hanjin stepped closer.

"Then stop pretending I don't."

That was the moment.

No more distance.

No more avoidance.

Balcony. Midnight. Cold air.

"I don't want to keep almost kissing you," Hanjin whispered.

Dohoon exhaled slowly.

"If we do this... we can't pretend."

"I don't want to."

That's when Dohoon cupped Hanjin's face.

Slowly.

Carefully.

And kissed him.

Soft at first.

Testing.

Hanjin immediately responded, fingers gripping Dohoon's hoodie.

The kiss deepened slightly — still gentle, still emotional — but certain.

When they pulled apart, they stayed close.

Foreheads touching.

Breathing the same air.

"I'm not running anymore," Dohoon murmured.