Forever Waiting, Forever Hoping - A HanJay AU

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The calls won't stop. The figure in the shadows knows him. When two unexpected rescuers intervene, JL spills desperate half-truths—but Hannie hears the unsaid terror underneath.

Some ghosts don't just haunt. They hunt. And his has finally found its prey.

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Earlier, after Woongki's departure

The party roared back to life around them—bass-heavy music thrumming through the floor, laughter ringing over clinking glasses, bodies swaying under the dim, pulsing lights. Yet their corner of the room remained an island of relative calm, the energy subdued where JL and his friends sat.

JL leaned back in his chair, scanning the faces around him. 

Hanseo was practically melting into Joohyoung's side, his usually sharp features softened by alcohol, dark curls spilling messily over his forehead. Beside them, Chih En had slumped forward, forehead nearly touching the table, only held upright by Shuaibo's arm looped around his shoulders. Both were far past tipsy—well into the realm of gone.

Joohyoung, ever the responsible one even when half-drunk himself, was rubbing slow circles on Hanseo's back, murmuring something too low for JL to catch. Shuaibo, meanwhile, was poking at Chih En's flushed cheek, grinning when the other man swatted weakly at his hand like an annoyed cat.

"JL," Joohyoung called over the music, voice warm but firm. "We should get these two out of here before they're completely useless. Hanseo's about two seconds from face-planting into my lap, and Chih En's giving me the death grip of doom."

Shuaibo snorted, flicking Chih En's nose again just to see him scrunch his face in protest. "Yeah, and if we wait any longer, someone's gonna turn into a full-blown menace. Better evacuate before the chaos starts."

JL smirked, already pulling out his phone. "Smart. But you two are in no state to drive either. Let me call—"

Joohyoung waved him off. "Hanseo's driver's already en route. We'll drop these two off on the way." He flashed that familiar, eye-crinkling smile—the one that made him look like he was perpetually seconds away from laughing. Then his expression sobered slightly as he glanced around the crowded venue. "You gonna be okay here alone? Hannie's still stuck in that meeting, right?"

JL didn't even need to check the time. One hour. Hannie was nothing if not ruthlessly punctual—no meeting, no matter how important, ever ran a minute over schedule with him. "He'll be back in exactly sixty minutes," JL said, lips quirking. "Not a second more."

Joohyoung and Shuaibo exchanged knowing looks before bursting into laughter.

"Of course he will," Shuaibo said, shaking his head. "God forbid the great Park Hannie deviate from The Schedule."

Joohyoung checked his phone. "Driver's fifteen out. We can hang out till then if you want."

JL pushed back his chair. "Perfect. Gonna hit the bathroom first while you're still here."

Shuaibo made to stand to accompany him, but Chih En—still clinging to him like a limpet—let out a whiny protest, tightening his arms around Shuaibo's waist.

"Ugh, fine, you needy drunk," Shuaibo grumbled, though there was no real irritation in it. He shot JL an apologetic look. "Guess I'm still on babysitting duty with this cute drunkard."