Dumb Decisions | TAEBIN

Chapter 5

"Tae...Taehyun!" Soobin jogged over to him, and when reaching him, he fell to his knees. "God, don't make me run like that. You know... I'm not good at physical stuff." He said in between breaths.

Taehyun's eyes gaped, his mouth soon following. Finally, some words escaped. "Why did you follow me?"

Soobin faked a whimper, "Are you stupid?! Kang Taehyun, you ran out without saying a word. You looked really uncomfortable and I already knew you were gonna run out." He sighed. "Per usual. Please stop running away, what if I'm not there to chase after you anymore?"

What if? What if I run too far to turn back for you? What if you give up on me?

"I'm sorry." He knew he was in the wrong, he didn't know why, but Soobin was right. He had to stop running. "I need...I need to go to apologize to Yeonjun and Kai."

"No, I got you covered. Don't worry. Do you wanna ditch and talk about it?" Taehyun had thought for a second. He really liked that idea. He nodded. "Okay, let's go to our-"

"B-But! The wedding..."

"Shhh, I'll make sure we get there in time. Plus, doesn't this work with our plan?"

Right, the plan. The whole reason they were in this "relationship".

"Oh okay...I guess."

✜

"I hope you aren't taking me to death, Choi Soobin..." Taehyun sighed. "I don't think it'd be good to die on my brother's wedding day."

"Relax, we're gonna go to a place we both know. I'm sure we haven't been here since Junior High." Taehyun's eyes widen in realization, "Yep, we're going to that place."

"I thought they closed it down? For construction..."

Soobin laughs, "I thought so too. Until my parents said they let go of the property because even the higher council disagreed with the arrangement."

"Your parents are crazy, you know that right?" Taehyun snickers before realizing what he had just slipped out. He knows how much Soobin cared for their approval and attention, it was probably a sensitive topic at the moment. "Sorry."

"No, you're right." Soobin frowns. "Shall we get going now?" As he pulls into a parking space by the beach. They step out and gaze in the direction of the fresh ocean air coming their way. It's silent but comforting. Soobin walks side by side with Taehyun, letting the wind cool off their hot heads. They both had a lot on their minds, but the sink would drain itself.

Taehyun turns to Soobin when they've reached a quiet bench, occupied by a few seagulls. "Why'd you take me here?"

Soobin shrugs, "Don't know, it's a special place for us I guess."

"I thought you hated it...you know, because of the incident."

Soobin winces, "I-It's hard to hate it when we've made so many memories here together. With the boys, and the two of us as well."

Taehyun hums trying to decide if he wanted to change the topic or not, unfortunately, there was a part of him that wanted to have a heartfelt conversation with the elder. "Have you thought of performing since then?"

"Always."

No hesitation. Taehyun smiles.

"Will you join us again?"

"I don't think I can, Taehyunnie."

"Hm, that's okay...there's always room-"

"No, you don't understand!" Taehyun eyes Soobin from the sudden outburst. Soobin takes a deep breath, "I can't. Ever since that day, I still get nervous talking in front of you guys, to go to your performances. It's been years and I still feel shitty for what happened."

"None of that was your fault, Soobin."

"Beomgyu, Yeonjun, Kai, even you! You all said you forgave me for what happened, but you still wouldn't pay attention to me. It wasn't my fault, but why do I feel like it was? Why do I feel like you all still hate me?"

Now Taehyun was angry. He knew how stubborn Soobin was and how "emotionally constipated" he seemed, but this was a whole new low. It had been over a decade since that incident happened since those feelings introduced themselves to Soobin's array of insecurities.

"Will you please look around you for once? I could never hate you for what happened, but I'm angry at the fact that you're literally sabotaging yourself. Everyone has forgiven you, it's your parents who we'll never forgive."

Silence falls between them. Taehyun knows bringing up Soobin's parents was a bad idea, but he somehow didn't feel guilty. Soobin laughs a bit, and Taehyun is suddenly confused. His head turns to the elder, who wasn't laughing...rather crying. "Soobin."

"Taehyun, a favor, please." Taehyun lets his silence answer for him. "Can you say you're proud of me? It's really silly, but it's just been so hard..."

Taehyun softens, "I'm so so proud of you. You're gonna do great things in the future, and you don't have to make your parents' dreams come true. You're your own person. Don't ever forget that." Taehyun reaches for Soobin's hand. "I'm sorry for not saying it enough, or being there for you."

"It's just weird, I took you here to comfort you, and here I am getting comforted. You've always

been the same, putting others before you."

"Oh shut up, talk. I wanna get everything out now."

"Promise me you'll tell your story?"

"Promise."

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Short chapter as I'm working on Taejin book right now and I also have a lot of homework lately, whoops that sucks

Have an amazing day

Toodles