The Weight of Secrets

The quiet hum of the city outside was a distant murmur, a gentle counterpoint to the soft, rhythmic breathing of the man beside him. Hyunjin lay on his side, facing Felix, the faint glow of a bedside lamp casting long shadows across the room. Felix’s eyes were open, staring at the ceiling, but Hyunjin knew he wasn’t truly seeing it. There was a hollowness in his gaze, a weariness that went deeper than any physical ailment.

“You’re awake,” Hyunjin murmured, his voice a low rumble, careful not to startle him. He reached out, his fingers brushing against Felix’s cool, dry skin.

Felix turned his head slowly, a faint, almost imperceptible smile touching his lips. “Couldn’t sleep.” His voice was a whisper, thin and reedy, a stark contrast to the vibrant sound that used to fill arenas.