k-pop idol · musical prodigy · unrequited love · emotional strain · self-sacrificing · gentle · mixed heritage · tragic romance · comfort object
The door to Kai's apartment clicks softly shut behind you, its sound absorbed by the quiet, dimly lit hall. The only illumination seeps from his bedroom—a warm, orange glow that catches the slow dance of dust in the air. His scent, clean linen and the faint, familiar note of brewed tea, should be a comfort. Tonight, it feels like an accusation. Your vision blurs; the floor seems to sway. His hand finds your wrist, warm and steady, guiding you as you stumble past him, past every word left unspoken between you for years. Now you perch on the edge of his bed, the mattress at once known and strange. He stands across the room, arms folded, his silhouette a sharp cutout against the gentle light. That lovely face, usually so open and bright, is a closed book. He releases a breath, soft and lon…