the place under the spotlight | soogyu

Chapter Seven

"Wait, what?"

"I heard Beomgyu and Yeonjun are getting back together."

Well, that's news. Big news.

News Soobin didn't expect, but not exactly as surprising as it would have been if Taehyun told him this a month ago. Although looking back, Soobin was early to read the meaning between the lines—literally—when Beomgyu's eyes glimmered in a lovely light when flowery words filled the script.

Still, it's a bit odd. Soobin feels a strange clenching in his stomach from discomfort and he was almost convinced that it was a call for a trip to the restroom, but it must have been from his lack of indifference. Just, since when did he care so much about a matter that doesn't even involve him? A few months ago he was sure he hoped for this day to come.

"That's great for PR," He said something he would have said then. "But it's their decision if they want to make it public."

Taehyun's eyebrows squiggled, if that was even possible. "Oh, with the things you've been telling me about the jealousy, I'm sure they'll do a bad job at keeping it private."

That's certainly conflicting. For a second, Soobin thought that he had a mutual agreement with Beomgyu that they never needed to address directly, but it must have been too ambitious of him to begin with.

"Yeah, it makes sense."

It does not.

Firstly, Beomgyu had been nothing but an absolute puppy for following him around all the time with unsolicited flirts that Soobin soon learned to return. (Which, by the way, is probably Soobin's flimsy job at reading more into actions that might be anything but what he's thinking.)

Next is the countless times Beomgyu, quite frankly, stamped him with his name when Yeonjun got too friendly for the actor's comfort. (Again, maybe just another one of those scenarios when Soobin is assuming something that's not what Beomgyu intended for him to understand. He denies feeling butterflies at the times Beomgyu adorably gets mad when he compliments Yeonjun similarly to the way he compliments Beomgyu.)

Oh, wait. That's it, isn't it? Exhibit C to Soobin's delusion that maybe, maybe Beomgyu isn't just acting... friendly.

It would be an absolute shitshow if all this time, Beomgyu had only begun treating him like a respected upperclassman that he looks up to. (This made Soobin unexplainably feel disappointed in himself.)

Now, that makes sense if that was the case.

Soobin considers adding "writer" in his credentials, but he resorts to picking up the script prepared for the last episode. The least he could do is ask an actual author. "Have you read this?"

"The initial parts. I'm too scared to read the rest since I know how it originally ended," Taehyun took it gently and held the script like it'll break if he was any harsher.

"It stays loyal to the original source."

"That's what I'm scared of, hyung. None of them were happy at the end."

Soobin sucked in air and began to think about something else besides Beomgyu, but somehow it brought him back to where he started. "Isn't that why people loved it? It ended with them growing apart, and that's reality."

"The world has too much angst," Taehyun pouts. "I was hoping you'd give it a different ending. Give them another chance."

"It might upset people if we change it, Tyun."

Taehyun places the script on Soobin's desk and gives the director a knowing look. Just by that, Soobin knows that Taehyun had convinced him without a doubt.

"Everyone deserves to be happy."

The real ending happens a little bit like this:

Dohyun and Taejun grew up in two completely different worlds, and soon they learn that there are things that will clash despite their divergence.

Taejun became a phenomenal ballet dancer, captivating and inspiring people left and right; while Dohyun drowned himself in studies and work, realizing that enjoying the little things doesn't bring him satisfaction.

Greed was a sin that Dohyun embraced as he grew older, and he failed to find significance in the simple things Taejun wanted him to do.

Taejun only wanted him to be a constant, and that, too, he didn't find to be enough.

"If you could change the ending, what would you do?" Soobin asked now, knowing well that Taehyun wouldn't give him the chance next time.

"If I'm being honest," Taehyun paused. "I say they kiss like it's their first, because they're starting all over again."

________________

Soobin was busy. He finds it quite strange how the concept of beginning again leaves a horrible feeling in his stomach, yet he's here bringing the idea to the table when he held a meeting with his writers. Adding to the last minute change is the mountains of emails and calls he gets after the news about the first episode airing soon got out.

All of this comes with a heavy lump that's been getting harder and harder for him to carry in his throat. Unfortunately for him, he sees the raw connection between Yeonjun and Beomgyu first hand and he knows where every cry and squeal a fan releases is from. (He reminds himself that it's Dohyun and Taejun, but they're not the ones getting oceans of guesting requests, are they?)

It was overwhelming, but he knew it was going to happen from the very beginning anyway. Seize him for knowing well what the viewers want and acting upon a risk worth taking.

He can't say the same about Beomgyu though. The actor was astonished when he first heard about it. "I'm getting interviewed, too?" It's been so long since he's been in an interview that's not about the scandal nor the press watching every movement he makes.

Soobin was a bit taken aback with the reaction, but he quickly melts. "Yes, Beomgyu. I'm sure they also called your company."

"My company? Did my company tell you that?" He didn't sound like himself when he asked.

"Nope, but that's how it goes, doesn't it?"

Beomgyu shakes his head slowly. It's like he's still soaking everything in. "I honestly forgot. It's been so long since I had a schedule like this... it doesn't feel real," He looks up, meek. His sight aligns with Soobin. "I have an interview."

"Yes, you do."

"A lot."

"You'll have more after the first episodes are out."

"I need to," Beomgyu gulped. "Brag and tell Yeonjun."

Soobin rolls his eyes at the most Beomgyu thing he's said since he broke the news. "You should."

Soobin starts second guessing himself when he soon hears a series of yelling from the dressing room, similar to the ones he has heard before, but it's so much better now that Beomgyu's laughter laces with the loud voices. Beginning again doesn't seem so bad when it's like this, it's definitely better to see Beomgyu growing happier as days go by.

"I need a drink."