Being close to Dylan was like standing too near a fire — warm enough to feel safe, close enough to get burned.

They fell into routines without acknowledging them. Jun always sat next to Dylan during interviews. Dylan always waited until Jun finished eating before leaving the table. Their shoulders brushed too often. Their eyes lingered too long.

People noticed.

Managers glanced. Stylists whispered. Fans zoomed in, slowed clips down, rewound moments where Jun leaned just a little too close or Dylan’s hand hovered protectively at Jun’s back.

Jun started sleeping less.

He dreamed of doors closing, of being pulled apart, of Dylan’s face going blank when Jun reached for him. The fear sat in his chest even when he was awake, especially then.

One night, Jun snapped.

They were alone in a hotel room after a concert, adrenaline still buzzing under their skin. Dylan had just closed the curtains when Jun spoke, voice sharp.

“This has to stop.”

Dylan froze. “What?”

“This — whatever we’re pretending isn’t happening.” Jun paced, fingers digging into his hair. “People are watching. They always are.”

“So what are you saying?” Dylan asked quietly.

Jun swallowed. “I’m saying if we keep going, it’ll cost us.”

Dylan’s voice dropped. “And if we stop?”

Jun didn’t answer.

Silence stretched, heavy and suffocating.

Dylan stepped forward. “Look at me.”

Jun didn’t want to. He did anyway.

“You think I don’t know the risk?” Dylan said. “I live with it every day. But don’t ask me to act like this doesn’t matter.”

Jun’s voice broke. “It matters too much.”

That was the truth of it.

Dylan reached out, stopping just short of touching Jun’s face. “Then let it matter.”

The kiss that followed wasn’t gentle.

It was desperate. Messy. Full of everything they’d been holding back. Jun kissed like he was afraid Dylan might disappear if he stopped. Dylan kissed like he’d already accepted the consequences.

When they pulled apart, both of them were breathing hard.

“This changes things,” Jun whispered.

Dylan rested his forehead against Jun’s. “It already did.”