STOLEN GLANCES

EPISODE SIX

LETTING GO, FINDING GROUND

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The tension that had once been palpable between them began to fade, like the last rays of a sunset disappearing into the horizon.

After days of overthinking, Noah made a decision. He was going to stop pushing. No more teasing, no more flirting, no more games. It was time to focus on what mattered—their friendship. After all, this was Ethan, the person who had been with him through thick and thin. The person who had helped him get to where he was today. He wasn’t about to lose that for something that could be fleeting.

Noah leaned back in his chair at the end of another long day, the silence of his apartment enveloping him. He stared at his phone, debating whether or not to reach out to Ethan. The last few days had been strange. Noah had kept his distance, thinking that maybe giving Ethan space would help, but now, he wasn’t so sure. Maybe it was time to just be with Ethan again—without the awkwardness, without the tension.

After some time, he finally sent a simple message:

Noah: "You free to grab dinner tomorrow? No work talk. Just us."

He pressed send before he could second-guess himself. And when the response came minutes later, Noah felt a weight lift off his chest.

Ethan: "I’d like that. I’ll pick you up at 7."

The exchange felt different—lighter, more natural. It was a small step, but a step in the right direction. Both of them were making an effort, and Noah could feel it. He wasn’t sure if they’d ever be able to return to the way things were before all the complications arose, but he was willing to try. And that, in itself, meant something.

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THE NEXT DAY: RECONNECTING

Ethan, too, had come to a realization in the past few days. As much as he had tried to distance himself from Noah, he knew that the longer he stayed away, the more he risked damaging the very bond they’d spent years building. Their friendship—his role as Noah’s manager—was too important to let slip away just because of a confusing set of feelings he wasn’t sure how to handle.

For the first time in what felt like ages, Ethan wasn’t rushing through his day. He was focused on something else—on what mattered. Dinner with Noah.

No work talk, no subtle glances, just a chance to enjoy each other’s company like they used to. The idea of it was both comforting and nerve-wracking. He hadn’t seen Noah like this in so long, the carefree, unguarded side of him. As he drove to pick up Noah, Ethan felt his heart settle, knowing that he was making the right decision. Whatever they were going through, whatever was complicated between them, they could figure it out later. Tonight, it was just them.

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DINNER: OLD FRIENDS, NEW BEGINNINGS

Noah was waiting outside, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his jacket as he leaned against his car. When Ethan pulled up, he offered a smile—a small but genuine one. It was a smile that spoke volumes, more than words ever could.

“Hey,” Noah greeted as he got into the passenger seat, his usual energy lighting up the air around them. It felt like nothing had changed.

“Hey,” Ethan replied, the tension from before now dissipating. The smile on Noah’s face made him feel lighter. It reminded him of the person he’d always known and trusted.

They didn’t talk about work. They didn’t talk about their past misunderstandings. The conversation flowed easily, like a river moving through familiar terrain. They talked about everything and nothing—life updates, funny stories from their past, trivial things that made them laugh.

And for the first time in what felt like forever, they just were. No pressure, no underlying feelings pulling them in opposite directions. It was almost like the clock had reset between them, and they were back to being the friends they used to be.

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THE DRIVE HOME : UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THEM

As they finished dinner, they lingered outside the restaurant, talking about some of the memories that seemed to flood back now that they had both taken a step back.

Ethan drove Noah home, the car ride silent but comfortable. Neither of them wanted to break the peace that had settled between them.

As Noah stepped out of the car, he paused for a moment, looking at Ethan with a soft, almost unreadable expression. “Thanks for tonight, man,” he said. “It’s been... a while since we just hung out like that.”

Ethan smiled, his grip on the steering wheel tightening slightly as he nodded. “Yeah. I’ve missed it too.”

Noah glanced over his shoulder, his eyes lingering for just a beat too long before he said, “Let’s do it again soon. But next time, you pick the place.”

Ethan chuckled. “Deal.”

A BIG WEEK, OLD FEELINGS RESURFACE

The week leading up to the concert was one of the busiest Ethan had ever witnessed. Noah’s solo debut was a monumental event, something that would mark a significant milestone in his career. On top of that, the band was preparing for their joint concert, a massive show that would pull in thousands of fans, further cementing their place in the industry. Ethan’s days were filled with long hours, coordinating between the two projects, ensuring Noah’s schedule was perfectly balanced. It was exhausting, but he wouldn’t have traded it for anything else. This was Noah, after all. His best friend. The person he’d been through so much with.

As Noah’s manager, Ethan’s role was critical, but it felt different this time. The closeness they had recently been rebuilding only added a layer of complexity to their interactions. Noah seemed lighter, more relaxed, but that didn’t mean the tension was gone entirely. It was still there—subtle, but ever-present. Neither of them had brought up what had been brewing beneath the surface, but there was a silent understanding between them: they were taking things slow, focusing on the job for now.

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THE CONCERT DAY : EXCITEMENT IN THE AIR

The day of the concert arrived, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement. The band members were in high spirits, and Noah, though slightly nervous, had a glow about him. His solo was about to be unveiled to the world, and the band was set to perform their group song as well. The event was the pinnacle of his career, and Ethan was there for every step of it. He had been working behind the scenes relentlessly, organizing schedules, managing the media, and making sure Noah was in the right headspace for the show.

Ethan watched from the side as Noah interacted with the fans and bandmates, offering support, cracking jokes, and keeping the energy high. His heart swelled with pride, knowing just how much Noah had worked for this moment. They were both filthy rich because of their careers, but it wasn’t about the money. It was about their shared journey. The music. The dreams.

Noah glanced over at Ethan, meeting his eyes for a brief moment before flashing him a reassuring smile. Ethan nodded, silently affirming his support. They had come a long way.

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BACKSTAGE TENSION: A FAMILIAR FACE

As the concert continued, the energy in the arena grew. Noah and his bandmates were on stage, their performance electrifying the crowd. But backstage, Ethan’s focus was on the logistics of the show. That was, until a sudden, unwelcome presence cut through the chaos.

Ethan."

It was Jin Woo, Ethan’s ex. His second appearance that night was something Ethan hadn’t been prepared for. Jin Woo was standing at the entrance to the dressing room area, leaning against the doorframe with that same cocky smile that used to make Ethan’s stomach churn. It had been months since they’d last spoken, and years since they’d broken up.

Jin Woo hadn’t changed much. He still had that air of confidence, like he owned the world, and his eyes had that calculating gleam that Ethan remembered all too well. The breakup hadn’t been friendly, to say the least. They’d been passionate, but it ended with both of them carrying wounds—ones that neither had fully healed.

Ethan had put it all behind him, or at least he thought he had. Now, seeing Jin Woo standing there, uninvited, unannounced, it felt like all those emotions were flooding back.

“What are you doing here?” Ethan asked, trying to keep his tone neutral, though a hint of irritation crept into his voice.

“I was invited, actually.” Jin Woo raised an eyebrow, the same smirk never leaving his face. “But that’s not what I came here for. You’re still as tense as ever, aren’t you?” He took another step closer. “You’ve always been so... guarded. So serious. But I know you, Ethan. You never let go of things that matter.”

Ethan’s pulse quickened at his words, and for a split second, he almost wished the ground would swallow him up. His mind raced—this was the last thing he wanted to deal with right now, especially with Noah out there performing. But Jin Woo wasn’t going to let it go.

Before Ethan could respond, Jin Woo leaned in closer, lowering his voice just enough so only Ethan could hear. “I never got over you, you know. And I think you know that, too.”

The words hung in the air, thick with implication. Ethan froze, his eyes narrowing. No. Not here. Not now. He could feel his chest tighten, his emotions fighting for control. It had taken him years to move past their breakup, to finally let go of the hurt, the betrayal. And here Jin Woo was, bringing it all back—like it was nothing.

“I’m not doing this here, Jin Woo,” Ethan said firmly, his voice cold. “I don’t have time for this. You need to leave.”

Jin Woo didn’t look phased. “Sure, I’ll go. But remember what I said. I’m still interested. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll come around again.”

Ethan stood his ground, but deep down, he felt shaken. He wasn’t going to let Jin Woo’s words affect him. He couldn’t. Not tonight. Tonight was about Noah.

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