The next morning started deceptively peaceful.
Soft sun filtered through early fog, casting a pale glow over the bus stop. The air smelled of wet leaves—fresh from last night's lingering rain. Elian arrived ten minutes early again, backpack neatly slung over one shoulder, uniform immaculate.
He wasn't alone for long.
Juni appeared from around the corner, running, as always, with hair slightly messy and bag bouncing against his hip. When he spotted Elian, he waved enthusiastically.
"Elian! Morning!"
Elian's heart did that unfamiliar flutter again.
"Morning, Juni."
Juni skidded to a stop beside him, panting heavily.
Elian frowned. "You ran here?"
Juni grinned sheepishly. "I overslept."
But as Juni adjusted his bag strap, something shifted in the morning light. A flash of purple—just beneath the edge of his sleeve.
Elian blinked.
Was that…?
A bruise.
Dark, ugly, blooming across Juni's upper arm.
Half-hidden.
Too large to be accidental.
Juni noticed Elian staring and instantly yanked his sleeve down.
Too fast.
Too defensive.
"…It's nothing," Juni said quickly, eyes darting away.
Elian stepped closer.
"Juni. What happened?"
Juni stiffened.
His smile cracked.
"Seriously—it's not a big deal. I just bumped into a chair."
Elian's voice softened in a way he didn't recognize.
"Chairs don't leave bruises like that."
Juni bit his lip, shoulders tensing. For a moment—just a moment—his cheerful mask faltered.
"…I said it's fine."
The words were sharper than intended. Juni's eyes widened in regret.
Before Elian could respond, the bus approached with a loud hiss, pulling both boys toward the doors and away from the fragile moment hanging between them.
They sat together again, but today the air felt heavier.
Juni kept his right arm pinned close to his side, careful not to bump it. Elian noticed. Elian noticed everything.
He wanted to ask again, but Juni stared out the window with forced interest, leaving Elian unsure if pushing would hurt more than help.
The bus rumbled on.
Halfway through the ride, Juni suddenly brightened.
"Hey—" He nudged Elian's arm.
"Do you wanna walk home together later?"
Elian blinked. The question caught him off guard.
"Sure. I'd like that."
Juni's smile softened into something small and real.
School passed in a blur of morning classes. By lunch, they were inseparable enough that classmates stopped pretending not to stare. During break, Juni tugged Elian outside to the courtyard, where sunlight glimmered through wet branches. Juni set his lunch down and grinned.
"So. Tell me something about yourself."
Elian laughed nervously.
"Like what?"
"I dunno—what do you like? Hobbies? Favorite food? Anything!"
Elian hesitated, then shrugged.
"I like reading. And running. And…"
He trailed off.
Juni leaned closer.
"…And what?"
Elian exhaled.
"My dad… owns a hospital."
Juni blinked.
"A hospital? Like… he works there?"
"No. He owns it."
Juni's smile faltered. The courtyard suddenly felt colder. He processed the statement slowly, cautiously.
"…Your family must be… well-off."
Elian hesitated.
Juni looked down at his hands.
"You didn't seem like…"
He paused.
"…you didn't act like one of those rich kids."
Elian felt a knot tighten in his chest.
"I didn't tell you because I didn't want you to treat me differently."
Juni looked up sharply.
"I… I wouldn't."
But something flickered behind his eyes—fear? Insecurity? Distance? A bruise on his arm. And now, a bruise inside his heart. The silence between them stretched—thin, fragile.
Classes ended under warm golden light. Students flooded the halls, excited chatter echoing everywhere. Elian waited by the gates. Juni approached slowly, kicking at a loose pebble.
"Sorry," Juni murmured.
"About earlier. I just… didn't expect…"
Elian shook his head.
"It's okay. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
Juni hesitated—then stepped closer.
"Hey… do you still want to walk home together?"
Elian's expression softened.
"Of course."
They walked side by side, neither speaking at first. Their steps fell into quiet rhythm.Juni scuffed the wet pavement occasionally. Elian kept glancing at him, wanting to say something—anything—to bridge the gap.
Finally, Juni whispered:
"You're… really different from what I thought."
Elian blinked. "How?"
Juni shrugged, eyes on the ground.
"I thought people like you lived in a whole different world. But when you talk to me… I don't feel small."
Elian's heart twisted. He turned slightly, brushing Juni's shoulder with his.
"You're not small."
A pause.
"And I don't want distance between us."
Juni slowed his pace. The bruise on his arm. The fear in his eyes earlier. The walls he'd built without realizing. All of it made sense now.
Juni whispered:
"Then… don't leave."
Elian inhaled sharply. "I won't."
They stood at the corner where their paths split. Juni kicked at the ground again.
"See you tomorrow?"
Elian nodded.
"Every morning."
Juni's smile—soft, shy, hopeful—was worth more to Elian than he could ever say.