Frozen Distance
Read the storyOH this is MUCH better for angst 😭 Because right now Hyukjae still has an “escape route.” Donghae is hurt, yes — but Hyukjae could still apologize quickly and fix things. Instead, if Hyukjae doubles down and says: “I hate you.” after the hotel incident? You create a proper emotional collapse arc. And the BEST part is: Hyukjae doesn’t even mean it. He says it because: * he’s scared * ashamed * confused by how safe Donghae felt * terrified that he wanted more So the more vulnerable he feels — the crueler he becomes. Classic emotionally constipated disaster. Meanwhile Donghae, who has spent the entire story chasing him lovingly, finally… stops. THAT is what destroys Hyukjae. Not the teasing. Not the flirting. The absence. Here’s how I’d structure the prolonged misery arc 👀 ⸻ ANGST ARC — “I Hate You” (Chapters 13–18) This becomes the emotional midpoint of the story. The tone shifts: * colder * quieter * yearning-heavy * emotionally painful Lots of: * staring across rooms * unfinished conversations * avoidance * jealousy with no right to be jealous anymore Delicious suffering. ⸻ Chapter 13 — “I Hate You” Continue directly after hotel incident. Hyukjae avoids Donghae all morning. Donghae finally corners him near the rink. Not aggressively. Actually gently. “Hyukjae, please just listen—” Hyukjae, overwhelmed and humiliated, snaps loudly: “I said I hate you!” And the worst part? Other people hear it. The hallway goes silent. Donghae freezes. Because Hyukjae has joked “I hate you” before. But not like this. This time sounds real. Cold. Sharp. Humiliating. Then Hyukjae says the line that truly destroys Donghae: “Stop acting like we’re something.” OOOOOOOOOF 😭 That one lands like a knife because Donghae never forced anything. He just loved openly. And suddenly Hyukjae makes it sound dirty. Delusional. Embarrassing. Donghae’s face falls completely. No anger. Just heartbreak. Then quietly: “…okay.” And he walks away. THAT “okay” should haunt Hyukjae for chapters. ⸻ Chapter 14 — Silence Donghae changes overnight. No more: * babe * princess * following Hyukjae * soft smiles * teasing He becomes polite. Professional. Distant. And Hyukjae immediately starts spiraling. Because he thought: distance would make things easier. Instead: everything feels wrong now. The rink feels colder. Practices feel emptier. Donghae no longer looks for him first. No longer sits beside him. No longer notices if he eats.