Page 93 of Scarbound

Chung-Hee didn’t know how to reply.

Noeul wiped his face with the back of his hand. “I told her I didn’t kill Haneul.”

“Yes.”

“But part of me still thinks I did.”

Chung-Hee slowly opened his arms. Noeul looked at him. Chung-Hee waited. He didn’t move closer. After several seconds, Noeul crossed the distance himself and rested his forehead against Chung-Hee’s chest. Chung-Hee wrapped his arms around him carefully.

“She was wrong about you,” he whispered.

Noeul’s fingers tightened around the fabric of his shirt. “Then why did you believe the same thing?”

The question struck without warning. Chung-Hee went still.

Noeul pulled back enough to look at him. “You believed I was responsible too.”

Chung-Hee opened his mouth, but nothing came.

“You hurt me because of it.”

Chung-Hee looked away. “I know.”

Noeul studied him for a long moment. It wasn’t an apology. But it was the first time Chung-Hee hadn’t defended himself.

“I need to go home.”

Chung-Hee looked back at him. “I’ll take you.”

“No.” The answer came immediately. “I need to go alone.”

“Noeul.”

“I need some time.”

“Why?”

Noeul sighed. “Because I can’t think when I’m with you.”

Chung-Hee’s lips parted slightly.

Noeul stepped away.

“I kissed you today,” Noeul whispered.

Chung-Hee’s gaze returned to him.

“And I wanted to.”

Hope stirred in Chung-Hee.

“But I’m scared of you too.”

The hope vanished.

Noeul swallowed. “I want you close, and then I remember what you did and I want to run. I need to breathe, hyung.”

“I don’t understand you.”