High Pulse Chapter 2: "why didn't you leave?"

Rooftop hallway, west stairwell. Empty. Wind slips through the cracked pane.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Joongi found him between classes. He wasn't sure how only that he had followed the hum of something unresolved.

The stairwell was dim, only the weak daylight filtering through a cracked window. Dust hung in the air like forgotten breath.

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

Doan stood by the wall, arms folded, gaze titled to the clouds. He didn't turn.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Joongi's shoes scuffed against the wall.

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

"Hey." A pause. The Doan said, you're not in class.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Neither are you

Another pause. This one heavier.

Joongi stepped closer. The faint smell of yesterday. Wet scarf, cooling skin still clung to his memory. He shoved his hands in his blazers pockets to stop them from shaking.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

I want to ask you something. He said.

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

Doan didn't move.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Yesterday... In the practice room. Joongi hesitated. Then asked, too quietly: why didn't you leave?

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

That made Doan turned.

His eyes, dark and unreadable, met joongi's. Something flickered behind them anger, maybe, or restraint. But not regret.

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

You told me not to come closer," Doan said.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

That's not what I meant. Joongi stepped forward. You could've walked out. You should've. You didn't owe me anything."

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

"No," Doan agreed. "I didn't."

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

"So why?"

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

Doan looked away.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

For a moment, Joongi thought he wouldn't answer.

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

Then-- because you didn't actually want me to go.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Joongi's breath caught. You think

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

I don't think. I know

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

He took a single step forward. Not close enough to touch. Just enough for truth. You were scared. But not of me.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Joongi's mouth went dry

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

Doan's voice was low. Steady. Not cruel, Not soft. You were scared of being seen," he said. And I saw you anyway."

A silence settled between them, more honest than either wanted.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

I hated that, Joongi whispered.

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

I know.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

I hated you for not looking away.

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

I know that, too.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Joongi's chest ached. But you stayed.

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

Doan nodded.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Joongi swallowed. His voice cracked. "Why?"

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

"Because I wanted you to know what it feels like... When someone stays, and doesn't ask for anything back."

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Joongi froze.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

No one had ever said that to him before. Not teachers. Not classmates. Not family.

Silence stretched. A gust of wind stirred the window.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Then Joongi said, barely audible." "Thank you."

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

Doan turned his head just enough to meet his eyes again. Don't thank me.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

"why not?"

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

"Because I didn't stay to be good. A pause. I stayed because I didn't want anyone else to be the one who found you."

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Joongi's breath hitched.

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

I didn't want anyone else touching you," Doan added, voice raw now. I didn't want anyone else seeing you like that." possessive. Honest. Scared.

Kang Joongi (MC/Omega)

Joongi blinked hard. "That sounds like"... it is. He didn't say the word. Didn't need to. It hung there anyway unspoken and dangerous. Want.

Kim Doan (MC BF/ Alpha)

But Doan didn't reach for him. Didn't move closer. He simply stepped back. "Next time," he said, don't go through it alone."

And he said walked away leaving Joongi standing in a corridor that suddenly felt too wide, too cold, and too bright.

To be continued.... ❤️◉⁠‿⁠◉