Han didn't answer.
He shifted the topic. "How's Seokmin taking care of you? He seems… attentive."
Chaewon's face twisted. "You think we're dating too?"
Han shrugged. "Seems that way."
"How can I date him?" Chaewon snapped softly. "I like you."
Everything froze. The waves, the wind, the world — silent.
Han turned to him, eyes locking with Chaewon's. "…I'm sorry."
Tears spilled instantly. "So you are rejecting me because of that Seungmin. Why do you like Seungmin? He doesn't even treat you right. Why can't you choose me? I'll treat you better. Why do I have to get rejected because of him?"
Han's expression stayed steady, unchanging.
"I'm going to break up with him," he said calmly.
Chaewon's tears fell harder. "Then… Why can't you just choose me? Don't you even love me a little? Please, hyung… give me a chance. You know I'll treat you better."
Han's voice was quiet, cruel only in its honesty.
"No… it's not that I don't love you. I do. You're the best thing that ever happened to me. Being with you I know it would be wonderful The best I can ever get."
He touched his chest.
"But the problem is here."
He tapped again, slower, deliberate. "My heart… it won't move. Even when it should. Even when it hurts me."
Chaewon's breath shook. "Do you really love him that much. He doesn't deserve you.?"
Han nodded once. "Yeah. I tried to kill it. I tried to forget him. I tried to run away. But I can't. I still wake up… and it's him. It's not fair to you."
Tears streaked Chaewon's face. "Hyung… why can't I be enough?"
"You are enough," Han said softly, painfully. "More than enough. Anyone would be lucky to have you. But that's not me. If I choose you now, I'd hurt you later. You deserve someone who can love you with all their heart, soul, and mind. You deserve better."
Chaewon looked away, jaw tight, trying to breathe without breaking. "Please I don't need anyone else, just you. Why can't I be with you instead of Seungmin.
"You're asking me to choose you. I want to. I want to so badly. But if I do… it'll be a lie. One day, you'll hate me."
Chaewon choked back a sob. "Hyung… why?"
Han stared, steady, unblinking. "Because I'm stupid."
Chaewon wiped his tears with shaking hands, then laughed softly, trembling. "…Okay. I'll wait. I'll wait for you to get over him. When that day comes… you'll be mine."
He didn't flinch. Didn't soften. Didn't break.
Han reached forward, brushed away Chaewon's tears with his thumb — gentle, detached. Then he pulled him into a hug: quiet, calm, almost pitying.
Chaewon clung to him like it was hope.
Han held him like it was mercy.
After a long moment, he whispered, "Let's just stay like this for now."