Eunwoo stared at their intertwined hands for a long moment, a war raging inside him. He wanted to pull away, to distance himself from Minjae before things got out of control. But at the same time, he didn't want to let go. The touch, so simple, felt like it was everything he had been holding onto for far too long.
Minjae wasn't looking at him now, his eyes downcast, his fingers slowly tracing small patterns across Eunwoo's palm. The air between them felt charged, thick with unspoken words.
"I never wanted to make things difficult for you," Minjae said quietly, his voice barely audible.
Eunwoo shook his head, his heart aching. "You never did. It's... it's me. I just don't know how to handle this."
Minjae looked up, his gaze intense yet soft, as if he could see right through Eunwoo, to the tangled mess of feelings he was trying so hard to keep hidden. "What is it, Eunwoo? You don't have to keep pretending with me."
Eunwoo's heart stuttered, the knot in his chest tightening. The truth was there, on the tip of his tongue, but it wasn't something he could say, not now, not like this. "I can't," he whispered, pulling his hand away. "I can't say it."
Minjae's face softened with understanding, though it didn't make the distance between them any less painful. He stood up, his hand brushing his hair back. "You don't have to say anything. But just know... I'm here, okay? Whenever you're ready."
Eunwoo nodded, his throat tight, unable to speak. Minjae had always been patient with him, but now, Eunwoo wasn't sure how much longer he could keep the secret locked inside.