When the World Isn’t Watching

It’s after a small showcase. The fans are gone. The lights are off. The hallway smells like dust and perfume.

Hong stops Nut by the wrist. His grip is gentle, terrified. “Don’t disappear on me,” he whispers.

Nut looks up, eyes burning. “Then don’t push me away.”

For a moment, everything hangs — careers, fear, consequences. Hong leans in, resting his forehead against Nut’s. No kiss. Just breath and truth and trembling closeness.

It’s enough to break them both.