Forever Waiting, Forever Hoping - A HanJay AU

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The story follows JL and his close-knit group of friends as they navigate love, heartbreak, and loyalty. JL and Hannie share an intimate, tender bond, with Hannie refusing to let JL withdraw into himself despite the looming pressures of life. 

Meanwhile, Woongki was shattered after his breakup with Kyungho, who seems to have reconnected with an ex. The group rallies around Woongki, offering silent but unwavering support.

 Amidst the emotional turmoil, JL and Hannie share a passionate goodbye, while Kyungho watches Woongki leave with quiet regret.

With fractured hearts—some held together, others still aching—yet clinging to the quiet hope that even fragments can be made whole again.

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The fading afternoon light painted long shadows across the gym, each passing minute dragging them closer to separation. JL counted them in the erratic rhythm of his own pulse—three hours until they leave, four until reality came crashing back. Until he'd have to face everything waiting in the city.

Hannie hadn't left his side since their break started. Not when Coach barked orders, not when their teammates scattered to comply. His presence was a constant pressure against JL's arm, his fingers periodically brushing JL's wrist like he was checking his pulse. The concern in those dark eyes cut deeper than any interrogation.

"I'm fine," JL lied for the seventh time, turning his head sideways as Hannie reached to tuck a stray hair behind his ear.  "You should be reviewing the playbook. That match against Riverview—"

"Can wait." Hannie's voice dropped to that private register that always made JL's ribs ache. He captured JL's hand, turning it palm-up to trace the lifeline with his thumb. "This can't."

JL's breath caught. Hannie's hands were always so warm, the callouses from years of practice rough against his skin. A tangible reminder of everything he stood to lose.

"I'm not asking for the truth yet," Hannie murmured, pressing their joined hands to his sternum. Beneath JL's fingertips, Hannie's heart thundered— steady and sure and infuriatingly brave. "Just asking you to remember this heartbeat is yours—however you need it."

The confession unraveled JL's carefully constructed composure. His fingers curled into the fabric of Hannie's jersey, clinging like a man drowning. Outside, their teammates' laughter floated through the open window, oblivious to the silent fracture happening in this room.

"Look at me." Hannie waited until JL lifted his gaze. Up close, the gold flecks in his brown eyes were nearly amber in the sunset light. "Wherever you go, whatever you're facing—you don't walk alone anymore. That's not how this works now."

JL wanted to believe him. God, how he wanted to. But the phone in his back pocket might as well have been a live grenade, ticking down to detonation.

Hannie pressed their foreheads together, his exhale shuddering between them. "I'll wait," he promised, lips brushing JL's temple. "But I won't watch you disappear, even into yourself again. So, when you're ready—I'm here. All of me."

JL shifted closer to Hannie, letting his head settle against his shoulder. Almost instinctively, his arm slipped around Hannie's waist, holding him gently as he soaked in the moment.