Frost

Beginning

Ghosting.

He was quite good at that now, it seemed. Good at invading someone's life and disappearing just as quickly, as unexpectedly, leaving behind a whirlwind of emotions and complications.

"It's only for a year." He told Soobin when he had called him up. "I need somewhere to stay for a year."

And his cousin sighed, and worried, but ultimately agreed, sending him an address and about 50 million worried text messages.

Taking one last look at the town he had built a life in, Yeonjun boarded the train.

._.

The ticket was easy to get out of – an apologetic smile, a few kind words, and the young conductress was swatting at him with a flirty hand, calling him a trickster as she ushered him to an empty seat.

As she left, Yeonjun's easy smile dropped, replaced by a bitter frown.

He leaned against the cold glass of the window, and watched the trees fly by, watched the sun set and day turn into night. It was calming, watching the world rushing by, everything familiar fading away until he couldn't recognize his surroundings anymore.

Eventually, the train stopped, and Yeonjun slipped through the messy crowd of people, alone and untouchable. Another thing he was good at – nothing ever stuck to him.

Nothing tangible, at least. Nothing he couldn't get rid of.

._.

"He comes and goes." Soobin said to the small group of friends he was introducing Yeonjun to. "The seasons turn, and he pulls a Mary Poppins."

It was a fitting comparison, and Yeonjun hid a chuckle.

Unlike him, the boy in the long, striped sleeves and a beanie didn't hide his amusement. "You got the bag and umbrella, too?" His voice was warm, and joking.

Yeonjun smiled. "Only a Jeep, I'm afraid."

He could see the exact moment they were all won over.

._.

Taehyun – that was the guy's name – easily fell into conversation with him, dragging along the quieter (but just as wild, if stories were to be believed) Beomgyu. They pulled him down to their table and interrogated him for half an hour, buying snacks and sharing class notes.

They were a fun duo, and Yeonjun found himself laughing along at their shenanigans. Knowing them for less than a day, he was already growing fond of the troublemakers.

Soobin sat to the side, eyeing them suspiciously. It wasn't anything personal – according to him – he just cared about his friends more than the average person. He wouldn't stand to see them hurt.

It must be nice, Yeonjun thought, to have friends for long enough that you develop that bond. That knowledge that you will always be there for them, and they will always be there for you.

As he got to know the group better, his attention was drawn to Soobin's roommate.

He was young, quiet, and kept to himself. There was an easy atmosphere around him, like a breath of fresh air in a stuffy room. Soobin fussed over him endlessly, but the younger boy seemed more content alone, sipping his iced coffee and doodling in his notebook.

Yeonjun had seen him laugh with the others, and he found himself staring at the boy's notes for a class more than once, but they hadn't actually interacted. It drew on his curiosity, and he found himself observing him more often.

Watching the way his eyes crinkled at the corners before he laughed, and the light blush that dusted his cheeks on the warmer days of spring. The way he shone like a ray of sunlight, despite never saying a single word.

._.

"Kai's mute."

"Huh?" Yeonjun tore his gaze away from the boy, turning to look at Soobin's serious expression.

"He doesn't talk."

"I know what mute means." Yeonjun mumbled, embarrassed to have been caught off guard.

"Good. Now stay the fuck away from him." Soobin hissed, before getting up and walking over to the younger boy with a wide smile, pulling him in the direction of a nearby cafe.

Yeonjun watched them leave, a disbelieving smile on his face. "Seriously?" He snorted. "Bin-ah, I'm offended."

His cousin's overprotective streak seemed to reach a peak with this boy.

Kai . It was a pretty name. Yeonjun wondered what he was like.

He got his answer soon enough.

._.

"You're Soobin's freshie, right?"

The brunet boy nodded. Kai had been walking home when Yeonjun caught up with him, slinging an arm over his shoulder and striking up a conversation for the first time.

"Bin-ah said you don't talk?"

Again, the younger boy nodded. His eyes flickered between the road and Yeonjun's face, a little nervous but mostly at ease.

He felt like sunshine – warm and happy. It was like he glowed, and when his eyes met Yeonjun's, the older boy could feel light rays of warmth dance across his skin.

"Cool. Do you sign?"

Yes.

That night, after walking Kai home and returning to the cheap room their Uni called an 'economy dorm', Yeonjun pulled up all he could online on sign language, diving head first into his studies. He didn't know why, yet, but he wanted to speak to the boy again.

Wanted to feel that easy happiness, the sun on his skin.

._.