Page 341 of Scarbound

Noeul’s eyes filled immediately. Duri was simply standing there. Waiting.

I can’t live ruled by fear. Not anymore.

Noeul stepped forward. Duri lifted his hand but stopped before touching him. That tiny hesitation nearly broke Noeul’s heart.

Noeul closed the remaining distance himself and slipped his fingers between Duri’s. The contact sent a quiet shock through his body. Warm. Familiar. Wanted.

Their fingers intertwined as if testing whether they still remembered each other. They did.

Suddenly, Noeul pulled him forward. Duri barely crossed the threshold before Noeul’s arms wrapped around him, dragging him into a desperate embrace. Duri stumbled slightly, kicking the door closed behind him, then held Noeul just as tightly.

Noeul buried his face against Duri’s shoulder. His scent was familiar. Painfully familiar. The same scent he had searched for in the hoodie he’d stolen before leaving Korea.

Duri buried his face against Noeul’s neck and breathed him in. “I can’t believe you’re really here.”

Noeul’s fingers tightened around the back of his coat. “You came.”

“Of course I came.”

They stayed like that for a long time, gently swaying in the center of the room, neither willing to be the first to let go.

When Noeul finally pulled back, tears were shining in Duri’s eyes. He laughed softly through his own. “You’re crying.”

“So are you.”

“I’m allowed.”

“And I’m not?”

“No.”

Duri laughed.

Noeul cupped Duri’s face between his hands, his thumbs brushing away the tears. His fingertips explored him almost curiously: the warmth of his cheeks, the faint roughness along his jaw, the familiar line of his mouth.

Duri became completely still.

Noeul noticed. “You’re afraid to touch me.”

Duri’s expression changed. “I’m afraid of hurting you.”

“You won’t.”

“I don’t know that.”

“I do.” Noeul’s fingers slid into Duri’s hair. “I trust you.”

Duri closed his eyes briefly. “I missed you so much,” he whispered.

“I missed you too.”

Their breathing mingled. Only an inch separated their lips. Duri waited. Noeul understood the question without hearing it. This time, he answered by leaning forward.

Their lips met.

The first kiss was almost painfully gentle. Then Noeul kissed him again, harder.

Duri’s arm slid carefully around his waist, pulling him closer. Noeul felt the solid warmth of his body against his own. Instead of fear, heat rushed through him.