STOLEN GLANCES

EPISODE SEVEN

THE STAGE: NOAH'S MOMENT

As the show went on, Ethan kept his focus on his responsibilities, but his mind kept drifting back to Jin Woo’s words. He didn’t want them to matter. But they did. A part of him couldn’t help but wonder: had Jin Woo really meant what he said? Was there still a part of him that couldn’t let go?

Meanwhile, Noah was killing it on stage. His voice was powerful, the fans were in love with his performance, and the chemistry between him and his bandmates was undeniable. Ethan felt his pride swelling once again as he watched Noah, his best friend, effortlessly captivating the crowd.

But as the performance ended and the members returned backstage, Ethan’s attention was pulled away once more—this time by the unexpected sight of Noah’s fans talking animatedly about Ethan. A few of them had caught wind of the rumor that Ethan might be into guys, and they were eager to know more about the mysterious manager who had been by Noah’s side for so long.

The buzz made Ethan uncomfortable. Why did they care about me? But it also sparked something inside him. He hadn’t expected this kind of attention, especially given the nature of his work. He’d always been in the background, quietly supporting Noah, but now, with the rumor of him possibly being gay, people’s perception of him seemed to be shifting.

And then, to add to the mix, the thought of Jin Woo's words lingered in his mind. He didn’t want to deal with the past right now. He couldn’t. But he had to admit—Jin Woo’s presence had left a mark on him, even if he hadn’t shown it.

QUIET MOMENTS, SUBTLE CARE, AND REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST

The days after the concert were a whirlwind, filled with press schedules, rehearsals, and interviews. For once, both Noah and Ethan had a small window of free time. It wasn’t much, but it was enough for the two of them to step away from the constant demands of their high-profile lives.

Noah was in the middle of a rehearsal for his next performance. Ethan, as always, was in the background, managing the logistics, making sure everything ran smoothly. But when the music stopped and Noah was given a brief break, he found himself gravitating toward the corner of the room where Ethan was quietly sitting, reviewing his phone.

Ethan glanced up as Noah approached, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. There was no rush, no pressure—just a rare moment of peace.

“Do you need anything?” Ethan asked, his voice casual, as if it was just another day.

Noah leaned against the wall, watching him. The air between them wasn’t heavy with unspoken words or tension—it was just comfortable. “You always ask that, you know?” Noah replied, chuckling softly. “But you never ask yourself.”

Ethan didn’t respond immediately, his fingers idly tapping against his phone. He knew exactly what Noah meant, but he didn’t want to dwell on it. Instead, he changed the subject. “Do you want me to look over your schedule for tomorrow?”

Noah shook his head. “I’ve got it covered. But I wouldn’t mind hanging out after this. Maybe grab something to eat or just relax for a bit.”

Ethan nodded, appreciating the offer but also feeling a strange mix of emotions. It wasn’t often that Noah initiated a break—he was always so focused, so driven. It meant something, even if it wasn’t directly addressed. “Sounds good,” Ethan agreed, though his voice held a slight hesitation.

---

A SUBTLE ACT OF KINDNESS:

As the night drew on and they wrapped up the rehearsal, the weight of the day began to settle on Ethan’s shoulders. His mind was running through the checklist of things that still needed to be done, but there was a deep exhaustion hanging over him.

Noah, ever the observant one, noticed the subtle shift in Ethan’s demeanor. The lines of stress on his face, the way his shoulders seemed to slump as he walked, the barely-there sighs he tried to hide. It wasn’t much—Ethan was always so good at keeping his emotions in check—but Noah knew him well enough to catch these small signs.

They were in the car on the way back to their shared apartment, the silence between them comfortable but charged. Noah, without warning, reached over and handed Ethan a small, familiar snack—a bag of his favorite chips.

“I thought you might like this,” Noah said, his tone light, but there was something about it that made Ethan pause. It wasn’t a grand gesture. Just a simple snack. But it felt different. It felt… personal.

Ethan took the bag, looking at Noah with a mixture of surprise and appreciation. “Thanks,” he muttered, almost too quietly. He could feel the weight of Noah’s subtle care, the way his actions spoke louder than words. Noah had seen through his façade, and in that small act, he was offering Ethan the kind of support he rarely allowed himself to ask for.

As they continued the drive home, Ethan couldn’t help but notice the way Noah seemed to soften around him lately. It wasn’t just professional concern—it was something more. Something he wasn’t quite ready to confront.

---

EXPLORING ETHAN’S PAST WITH HIS EX:

That evening, after a late dinner, the two of them settled into the couch, both too tired to do much else. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the soft glow of the television they weren’t really watching.

Noah, curious as always, broke the silence. “I was thinking... you never really talked much about your ex. Jin Woo, right?”

Ethan’s expression hardened slightly at the mention of his past relationship. He had never been one to open up about it, not even to Noah. But Noah wasn’t pushing—just giving him the space to talk if he wanted to.

Ethan hesitated for a moment before responding. “It wasn’t... easy,” he said, his voice distant. He shifted in his seat, unsure how much to reveal. "We were good together at first. But sometimes, I think we were just too different. He wanted things I couldn’t give him. And I wanted... things he couldn’t understand."

Noah remained quiet, simply watching him, giving Ethan the space to talk without pushing for details.

“There were moments,” Ethan continued, “where I thought maybe I was just holding on because I didn’t know how to let go. I tried, but... I guess I just wasn’t strong enough to leave when things were falling apart.”

Noah gave him a soft smile, one that wasn’t full of pity, just understanding. “I get it,” he said quietly. “People don’t always leave because they know it’s the right thing. Sometimes they stay because it’s easier. And that’s okay.”

Ethan felt a tightness in his chest, but Noah’s words were a strange kind of comfort. It wasn’t about pushing him to face his feelings or rushing him to move on. It was just the kind of reassurance that allowed him to breathe, even for a moment.

“You know, it wasn’t all bad. I learned a lot about myself from it,” Ethan said, his voice softer now. “I think I’m still learning.”

Noah didn’t respond immediately. He just reached out, lightly patting Ethan’s shoulder. “I’m sure you are. We all are.”

---

As the night stretched on and the two of them sat in companionable silence, Ethan couldn’t help but feel the weight of Noah’s presence. Not just as his manager or his best friend, but as someone who understood him more than anyone else ever had. It was a quiet understanding, something that didn’t need to be said aloud.

And though the tension between them still simmered beneath the surface, it didn’t feel as heavy tonight. They were just two people, sitting together in a quiet room, not needing to rush anything.

For now, that was enough.