Nowhere || Beomjun | yeongyu ||

Chapter 7: The innocence

As usual, Beomgyu found himself in his corner, his eyes fixated on Yeonjun, who was pretending to read a book even though he never actually read it. The awkwardness of the situation was palpable, as Beomgyu's intense stare made Yeonjun uncomfortable enough to pretend he was engrossed in the book.

Suddenly, strange noises filled the air as music started playing, and Yeonjun let out a sigh, knowing exactly what was happening. Intrigued, Beomgyu couldn't resist asking, "What's this?"

Before Yeonjun could reply, both of their phones received a flash notification with the words "Open invitation." Beomgyu's curiosity only grew, and he looked towards Yeonjun with hope that he would provide some answers. Yeonjun's response was straightforward, "You can go with Kai and Soobin if you want to. It's a party that Jimin hosts once in a while."

Beomgyu's excitement soared at the prospect of attending a party, but he was taken aback when he asked Yeonjun, "You wouldn't go?" Yeonjun's reply was a simple, "No, I have to go to Taehyun's."

As Beomgyu processed Yeonjun's words, he couldn't help but feel a mix of disappointment and curiosity. He wondered why Yeonjun chose to visit  this Taehyun guy instead of attending the party. But he knew better than to pry further, as Yeonjun's personal matters were often off-limits.

***

As Beomgyu stepped into the party, he couldn't help but feel a sense of discomfort and unease. This was unlike any party he had experienced at the palace. The atmosphere was different – loud music, flashing lights, and a crowd that seemed more rowdy than refined. It was a stark contrast to the elegant balls he was used to attending.

Kai and Soobin, on the other hand, appeared to be completely at ease in this setting. They seemed to blend in effortlessly, laughing and chatting with the other partygoers. But for Beomgyu, it was an overwhelming and strange sight. He couldn't help but feel out of place among the rowdy crowd and unfamiliar environment.

As he tried to navigate through the chaos, Beomgyu couldn't shake the regret of coming to this party. He missed the grace and elegance of the palace events, where he felt more comfortable and understood. However, he didn't want to spoil Kai and Soobin's fun, so he decided to try and make the best of the situation.

"Hey, Beomgyu, here," Kai said, handing him a huge glass of alcohol as Beomgyu stood awkwardly between the crowd, not knowing what to do. Soobin chuckled, concerned. "Beomgyu, can you handle alcohol? You don't have to if you're not comfortable," he said, looking out for him.

Kai nodded in agreement, but Beomgyu hesitantly took the glass and began sipping the drink. "Whoa, great!" Kai exclaimed, impressed by Beomgyu's willingness to try something new. Soobin laughed, enjoying the moment. "He's really shining thanks to the absence of Yeonjun," he quipped.

Beomgyu felt a mix of emotions – the alcohol made him feel a little more relaxed, but he also missed Yeonjun's stern, protective presence.

Beomgyu saw some guys approaching Kai and Soobin, greeting them warmly. However, he remained rooted to his spot, feeling uneasy. One of them noticed Beomgyu and addressed him, "Hey, cutie." Kai chuckled and playfully complimented, "He's Beomgyu, isn't he pretty?" Beomgyu's cheeks turned red as he looked away, feeling a bit self-conscious.

"Soobin teased, "He's Yeonjun's partner," trying to add some humor to the situation. The mention of Yeonjun caught everyone's attention, and they seemed surprised. "Whoa, so you're off the market," one of them said in disappointment, clearly implying that Beomgyu was unavailable.

Beomgyu shifted uncomfortably, not accustomed to this kind of attention. Despite Yeonjun's flaws, he never treated him this way, and he found himself longing for the familiar cold and distant demeanor of his partner. Yeonjun was cold and mean but he never checked him out like that.