Cherishable | Yeonbin ✓

༉ 19 ∘

Chap 19 - "Giving up?"

Somehow, Soobin's gaze wandered to his wedding ring.

The glistening white gold made him think of his vows to love, honor and cherish his husband. It made him remember his promise to Yeonjun to always stay by his side as he reached his dreams.

It jolted memories of carefully prepared bento lunches, night spent watching DVDs and eating takeout, and cuddles under the sheets on cold nights.

Could he really let all of this go?

"No," he answered, out loud.

The firmness in his tone even surprised him, but there was no hint of uncertainty. He wasn't giving up.

"No," he said again, turning to his cousin now. "I'm not going to give up on him. I'm going to make sure to be patient enough and wait till this tree grows and continues to reach heights until the end of our days."

Dongwoo smiled, obviously pleased at his answer. He raised his bottle of beer. "Then get to working."

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When Soobin finally decided to turn in for the night, he headed to where their relatives were doing karaoke, knowing his husband was among them.

To his surprise, Yeonjun wasn't there. He was informed by a distant cousin of Dongwoo's that the younger had headed out earlier and never came back.

Soobin assumed that he must have headed to bed already, so he excused himself and retired to the guest room where they were staying.

Sure enough, Yeonjun was there, looking out the window. He must have been so deep in thought that he didn't even hear Soobin coming in.

The older grinned and proceeded to approach his husband quietly. When he reached him, he wrapped his arms around his waist.

Yeonjun stiffened in his arms.

Soobin frowned. The reaction reminded him of their early days of marriage.  When Yeonjun was not so comfortable in his presence and wouldn't accept his affections.

"They told me you downstairs that you left," he said, maintaining his calm tone. "Are you tired?"

Yeonjun mumbled something under his lips as he stepped out of his arms and headed for the bed.

Soobin couldn't comprehend what he meant, only flashed his husband confused and questioning looks. What was wrong with Yeonjun?

"Is... something wrong?" he asked, following him. Soobin grabbed his arm gently, and placed a hand on his forehead. "Are you sick?"

He felt normal to Soobin, but Yeonjun batted his hand away and took his arm back.

That look in his eyes.. it was fierce, and not the affection Soobin had gotten used to in the last few months. They were hard.. and lifeless.

"Can you do me a favor, Soobin?" he finally asked.

The older immediately nodded in agreement. "Anything."

"Can you...?" The younger took a deep breath before connecting his cold eyes with Soobin's confused ones. "Can you stop pretending like you care for me?"

And just like that, it was like someone had splashed cold water all over Soobin. HIs heart grew numb and his head spin in circles. making his dizzy.

"W-What?" he managed thinking he was hearing things. Yeonjun's silence made it true. 

"What do you mean pretend? Yeonjun, do you think I am pretending?"

Soobin wanted to tell him to look into his eyes, see the honesty and sincerity there, but Yeonjun had already looked away, his gaze on something far away.

He was moving so, so far away from Soobin.

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i know it's short, but since it's been long since I updated I thought of publishing it! will try to put up the next one soon cheesecakes <3

btw i am in my last year of college and since things are bit hectic, i hope you all can bare with me pls!

anything otherwise, i love you all the same, never a less, always a bit more ❤❤

take care and stay safe lovely cakes <33