Toddler - [TAEBIN FF]

Chapter 29

🎶: 'Grace' by Bebe Rexha

Time felt like it was frozen.

Everything faded into the background: the fairy lights, plants, the moon, hell, even his own breath became inaudible. 

All Taehyun could focus on was the four-lettered word that Soobin just spilled out to him.

Love.

The strongest emotion out there.

The only emotion that can come in different ways, whether friendly, family, or romantic.

He couldn't think— he was speechless.

"From the moment I spotted Juhyeok by the shelves serving detention, looking so innocent and sweet, I loved him. And with you... I unknowingly fell in love the moment I saw you. When I stared into your eyes and saw they were calling for help. And even more when I first held you and heard your story. I wanted to aid you, wanted to be there for you, wanted to be the someone you needed all this time... I wanted to make everything right."

Soobin stopped talking when he noticed how unresponsive Taehyun was.

His breath hitched quietly in his throat when he saw... tears in Taehyun's beautiful clear orbs.

Even the dim light couldn't hide the moisture glistening in his eyes, threatening to fall so heartbreakingly beautifully down his cheeks.

It was too overwhelming for him.

For the first time in eight years, Taehyun received a love confession.

And it was from someone he never thought would be in love with him.

Yet at the same time... it was also expected.

Taehyun was always so wary and suspicious of how eager Soobin was to enter his and Juhyeok's lives; there had to be another reason.

That reason was love.

Soobin loves him in the way he loves Mihye.

"Taehyun."

Soobin came closer to the younger, who couldn't keep the tears in anymore, and just let them discard down his cheeks.

"Taehyun, answer me."

His voice was pleading, full of desperation.

Hearing those emotions was the final straw for Taehyun, and he broke down into tears.

"H-Hey, come here."

Soobin wrapped an arm around Taehyun, pressing him close to his chest, but Taehyun didn't return the hug.

Instead, he had the back of his hands on Soobin's chest, weeping into his palms as he tried to swim in his guilt, only to end up drowning in it.

"Taehyun?"

Soobin caressed his back soothingly.

"Talk to me."

"I-I can't."

"I'm worried..."

Taehyun couldn't take it.

He pushed Soobin away and turned his back on him, crying into his hands as his emotions swallowed him whole.

Soobin stared at Taehyun's back, observing the way he was hunched over, sobbing to his heart's extent from the way he was shaking.

What's wrong?

That was what he wanted to ask.

But he knew Taehyun wouldn't give him a response.

He wasn't the type to be honest on the first try.