Page 78 of Scarbound

He decides who gets close to you.

He pushed Chung-Hee’s hand away.

“Duri is my childhood friend. One of the few people who never abandoned me. I want him in my life.” He held Chung-Hee’s gaze despite the fear still sitting heavily in his chest. “Do you understand, hyung?”

Chung-Hee remained silent.

“You may see him as just a childhood friend,” he said coldly, “but make no mistake: he has feelings for you.”

Noeul frowned.

“How can you be so naïve? You fell asleep in his arms. Do you really think he held you all night out of pure friendship?”

“Yes.”

Chung-Hee went still for a beat.

“He was drunk.”

Chung-Hee gave a humorless laugh. “Of course. And I suppose he accidentally spent the entire night holding you too.”

Noeul rolled his eyes. “He’s known me since we were children. If Duri loved me, I would know.”

“Would you?”

“Yes.”

“You don’t even understand your own feelings.”

Noeul opened his mouth, then stopped. That irritated him more than he wanted to admit.

Chung-Hee leaned slightly closer. “His feelings for you are obvious. And since you claimed ignorance…” His expression hardened. “You had to be punished.”

Noeul stared at him.

“You still think that?”

“I know it.”

“No.” Noeul shook his head. “That’s irrational.”

If Duri loved him, surely he would have realized it after all these years. Duri had always been kind to him, but never uneasy in his presence. He had never tried to kiss him. Never demanded his attention. Never made him afraid of saying no.

Noeul swallowed.

“First of all, he doesn’t love me,” he said firmly. “Second, I belong to myself.”

Chung-Hee’s expression changed.

“It’s my life, and I’m the one who decides who I spend my time with… and who I give my heart to.”

A faint, ironic smile touched Chung-Hee’s lips.

“Wrong.”

He leaned closer.

Noeul immediately tensed.