Where the light reached

11:29 PM.

Hanbin returned to school late that night.He had forgotten his essay in class. As he climbed to the fourth floor, he noticed something strange: the door to the roof was open. That alone was enough to make his heart skip. He hurriedly grabbed the essay from his classroom, but curiosity or maybe instinct...pulled him toward the rooftop.

To his shock, someone was standing at the edge.

A single step away from falling.

Without thinking, Hanbin sprinted forward, grabbed the person’s arm, and pulled them back. In the darkness, he could barely see who it was. But then-

“Hanbin...?”

A voice. Familiar. Fragile.

Hanbin’s breath caught in his throat. He struggled to speak steadily, knowing that one wrong word might break this moment in the worst way.

“What were you doing...” he asked softly, trying to stay calm even though his heart was pounding. What if I hadn’t come to the rooftop...?

The figure turned slightly. It was Hao.

He looked stunned. Of all people, he hadn’t expected anyone,least of all Hanbin,to be here at this hour.

“Hanbin...? Why... why are you here...?”
His voice trembled as he pulled away from Hanbin’s grip and took a step back.

“I came to grab my essay,” Hanbin said softly, taking a cautious step closer. Please don’t shut me out, he thought. Not now. “But you… what were you going to do, Hao?”

Hao gave a faint nod, his face half-lit by the moonlight, revealing the quiet pain carved deep into his expression. He looks so broken... how did it get this bad? Hanbin’s heart clenched painfully.

“Forget about me. I’m fine. You should go now.” Hao turned his gaze away, avoiding Hanbin’s eyes like looking directly might shatter something fragile inside him.

“No, no, no…” Hanbin’s voice was urgent but gentle as he reached out, placing a firm yet comforting hand on Hao’s shoulder. I can’t let him slip away like this. Not tonight. He feared even the smallest distance might be too much, that it could push Hao beyond a breaking point.

Hao’s eyes widened at the contact. “Hey!hey!” he flinched, but Hanbin didn’t loosen his grip. It was steady, grounding. Hold on. Please hold on.

“Let go of me…” Hao whispered, glancing up. Even in the dim light, Hanbin could see the fear swimming in his eyes..fear that despite everything, Hao might still take that step.

“Hao… can I hug you? Please?” Hanbin’s voice softened, filled with an urgency that was almost desperate. I don’t know if this will be enough. If this would work.But I have to try.

Hao stared, stunned, his defenses flickering. “Huh...? W-why...? Why would you…?” He didn’t move back,just stood frozen, confusion and uncertainty mingling on his face.

“Why do you want to hug me...? You don’t even know me…”

“Hao, please... just this once. Let me hug you.”

The silence stretched between them. Then, Hao met Hanbin’s eyes and saw something honest. Not pity. Something deeper,something kind, something real. Please say yes. Please.

“Fine... okay.”

That small acceptance was everything Hanbin needed. I can't let you go. Not now. Not ever.

He immediately pulled Hao into a hug. A hug filled with everything he couldn’t say: You’re not alone. You’re not invisible. You matter. I care.

And for the first time in a long time, Hao didn’t resist. He stood there, wrapped in someone’s arms, stunned but... safe.