Class felt unusually quiet after the rooftop incident.
Juni sat beside Elian, hands folded tightly on his desk, shoulders hunched inward. He kept his eyes down, answering questions softly when called on but otherwise fading into the background.
Elian watched him—every tiny flinch,every forced breath, every time Juni tugged his sleeve to hide the bruise creeping higher. The silence between them wasn't awkward.
It was heavy.
A silence full of things both boys wanted to say but couldn't—not yet. During break, Juni slipped away without a word.
Elian followed.
He found Juni behind the old storage shed near the track field—the only place the teachers rarely checked. Juni sat on the steps, hugging his knees, staring at the patchy grass like it held the answers to everything.
Elian approached quietly.
"Juni."
Juni looked up sharply, startled.
Then… he smiled.
Too quickly.
Too bright.
"Ah—Elian! I was just getting some fresh air."
Elian sat beside him.
"You ran."
Juni froze. His smile wavered.
"…Sorry."
Elian shook his head.
"You don't have to hide from me. Not anymore."
Juni's throat bobbed as he swallowed.
His voice barely rose above a whisper.
"It's… habit."
Elian exhaled slowly.
"Did something happen last night?"
Juni stiffened—instantly—like a wire pulled too tight. A shadow passed over his expression.
"…No."
Elian leaned closer.
"Juni—"
But before the truth could surface, a sharp voice sliced through the air.
"Juni! Where the hell have you been?"
Both boys turned.
A man stood by the gate—mid-30s, tall, wearing a janitorial uniform. His jaw was locked tight, eyes blazing with impatience.
Juni's entire body went rigid.
"Uncle…" he whispered, voice trembling.
Elian's blood ran cold. The man strode forward, grip tightening around the strap of his tool bag.
"I've been calling you for twenty minutes. Do you know how much trouble you'll get in if you don't show up on time?"
Juni flinched so hard that Elian felt it like a physical blow.
He stood quickly.
"Who are you?"
Elian asked, voice calm but sharp.
The man's eyes flicked to Elian with irritation.
"None of your business. Juni, get over here."
He reached out—too fast—and grabbed Juni's bruised arm.
Juni gasped.
Elian saw red.
He stepped between them, voice steady but ice-cold.
"Let go."
The man blinked, startled.
"Who the hell do you think you are?"
Elian didn't raise his voice. He didn't need to.
"I said. Let. Go."
Something in Elian's tone made the man hesitate—just enough time for Juni to yank his arm back with a wince. The man clicked his tongue.
"We'll talk at home," he snapped at Juni. Then he shot Elian a warning glare before angrily stomping away.
Juni's breathing quickened.
His hands shook violently.
Elian turned to him, voice soft again.
"Juni… is he the one—?"
Juni shook his head fast, panic rising.
"Elian, don't. Please. Don't get involved."
"He hurt you."
"No—Elian—please—!"
Juni's voice cracked.
Juni backed away until he hit the wall of the shed. His chest heaved. His eyes glistened.
"If you get involved… he'll take it out on me."
Elian froze.
"Juni…"
Juni wiped his face with trembling fingers.
"It was easier before you came. When no one noticed. When I could just… pretend."
His voice shattered.
"But now you're here, caring about me—asking questions—looking at me like I matter—and it scares me so much."
Elian stepped closer slowly, carefully, like approaching a wounded bird.
"Why does it scare you?"
Juni laughed weakly.
It sounded like breaking glass.
"Because when someone finally cares… it hurts more to lose them."
Elian's breath caught.
A sharp, painful clarity washed over him.
Juni wasn't afraid of the bruise.
He was afraid of being abandoned.
Elian lifted a hand—hesitating—then gently touched Juni's cheek.
Juni's eyes fluttered shut, leaning into the warmth like he hadn't been held in years.
"…You're not going to lose me,"
Elian whispered.
Juni shook his head shakily.
"You can't promise that."
Elian stepped even closer—close enough that Juni could feel every quiet breath he took.
"I can."
Juni's eyes opened slowly, filled with fear and hope tangled into one expression.
Elian cupped Juni's face gently. His own voice trembled now, not from fear—but from certainty.
"No matter what happens, Juni… I'm staying with you."
Juni's lips parted.
"Elian… don't say that. Don't make promises like that."
Elian shook his head.
"I'm not leaving you alone with this. Not ever."
Something broke in Juni's expression—something deep, something hidden, something he had been holding together far too long. He pressed his forehead against Elian's chest, voice muffled.
"Why… why are you doing this for me?"
Elian closed his eyes, heart racing.
He didn't say the word forming on his lips—because I care about you more than I should. Because you matter to me. Because I can't stand seeing you hurt.
Instead, he whispered:
"Because you deserve someone on your side."
Juni's fists curled into Elian's shirt.
His voice shook.
"…I don't know how to let people stay."
Elian wrapped his arms around him—gently but protectively.
"Then let me teach you."
Juni's breath hitched.
And in that moment, under the quiet shade of the storage shed, with afternoon sun spilling through the leaves like fractured gold—Juni finally let himself lean fully into Elian's embrace.