𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱☪ - Taegyu

Episode IV

Taehyun's gaze softened at his unusual shyness. "Of course. As long as you need."

Beomgyu's face lit up in a sweet, timid smile. "I'm grateful to have you all," He muttered. "But I can't stop these negative thoughts swirling in my mind... It makes me worry I'm falling short of what Master SUGA prepared for me."

Taehyun expressed a sympathetic look. "Hey, everyone has that voice in their head," he said. "They are just thoughts. They don't define who you truly are."

With that, Beomgyu felt the blustery winds in his mind come to stillness. He still looked at the floor, lacking certainty at first so Taehyun, summoning courage from deep within, gently cupped his cheeks in his hands, guiding his head upright and conveyed earnestly, "Listen to me and me alone. Don't heed to those deceptive voices."

Beomgyu flushed pink at Taehyun's cradle and intense gaze. Suddenly, Taehyun's stare filled Beomgyu's entire world, burning with a resolute light that chased away his shadows of doubt.

Was he always this anchoring? Beomgyu found himself drowning in the depth of Taehyun's gaze. Yet that depth should lead his way to the end of a storm. For he felt at peace and secure, sinking into the churning sea of emotions with the boy in front of him. If he were to drown, he'd rather it be in Taehyun's boundless affection.

"Aw look at you, acting all mature." Beomgyu managed to accuse him.

Taehyun chuckled, unable to hide his cheekiness. "Maybe it's because I have a big baby to take care of," he nodded toward Beomgyu.

Beomgyu widened his eyes in feigned shock. "Meanie!" he exaggerated, swatting at Taehyun's arm in a playful manner. A pout formed on his lips.

Abruptly, the apartment door swung open, revealing a blue-haired guy. Beomgyu promptly distanced himself from Taehyun.

— It was Soobin, Beomgyu's roommate, who studied them with a knowing smirk. "Get a room you two." His teasing was good-natured, probably.

Beomgyu's cheeks reddened, feeling slightly bashful. "We're just friends." He clarified quickly, looking to Taehyun for support.

The other boy's expression remained composed, or what else could he claim? When he himself wasn't being honest any time soon.

Soobin chuckled warmly. "Of course, of course." he said, clearly not buying such explanation.

Beomgyu glanced at Taehyun with an apologetic tilt of his head, the latter simply smiled in return.

Soobin's features turned fond at the exchange. "Just kidding," he said. "You boys have fun. I'll be out all night so the place is yours."

.･:*:･ﾟ'✭,'✫'ﾟ･:*:･˙

Walking through ill-lit alleys, Soobin found his way adeptly, arriving before a seedy underground club. The luminescent sign of 'Midnight Cantina' barely flickered above his head, together with buzzing neon letters of 'open' on the door.

He entered, spotting his client promptly on the side.

Today's clandestine deal was completed efficiently as most of his trades were– Soobin, the information broker, gladly slipped the payment into his pocket and the anonymous client exited quietly.

Job was done, but the desire to return home was obsolete, noting Beomgyu had a companion tonight. So he decided to indulge himself with some of the freshly earned credits–

"Corellian whiskey." He told the bartender droid, taking a seat by the counter, ready to unwind.

His eyes wandered the dimly lit space as he waited for the liquor, making it to the captivating sight on the dancefloor– among the crowd, a beautiful boy was dancing gracefully to the thumping music. His hair shimmered under the strobing lights, so as the flowing hem of his long chiffon dress when he moved fluidly to the beat. Below his sultry fox eyes, a red veil fluttered around the lower half of his face, still on its mission to mask his mouth and chin. The piece of thin garment imbued his appearance with an air of mystery, accentuating his artistry.

Soobin had been very much hypnotized at this moment. His instinct, his profession always called upon him, to uncover secrets with no exception to the identity under that veil.

What he didn't anticipate was that the dancer was just as curious about him– their eyes met and locked.

The blue-haired boy froze, transfixed by his magnetic gaze as the latter made his way over to the bar counter, sliding onto the stool next to Soobin swiftly. "See something you like?" He asked, more like an invitation.

Before Soobin could utter a reply, the stranger extended a finger slowly running it along his jawline. Heat rushed to Soobin's face upon the stimulating contact, he swallowed, "M-Maybe." On his next breath, a generous dose of addictive perfume from the dancer filled his lungs. The floral scent was fresh, his body reacted voraciously to it, craving more.

The dancer laughed at his reaction, a melodic sound carrying over the cantina din. "You're cute when you're shy. I'm Yeonjun, by the way."

Soobin blinked his eyes dumbly, then held out his hand. "I'm Soobin."

Yeonjun grasped his hand in a firm handshake, holding on a few seconds longer than necessary. Electricity seemed to course through Soobin when Yeonjun's fingers lingered on his skin. "Pleasure to meet you, Soobin. Care to buy me a drink?" Mischief danced in Yeonjun's eyes, it didn't go unnoticed by the broker, but Soobin chose not to ruin the dazzling moment.

"The pleasure is all mine," Soobin replied, ordering another whiskey for Yeonjun.

"So what do you do for a living?" Yeonjun asked him after a sip.

"I'm a freelancer," Soobin said.

"Lucky you," Yeonjun poked the wine glass lightly. "I envy that independence."

"Do you work for someone?" Soobin asked eagerly. He was probably blushing despite his calm voice. Blame it on the whiskey.

Yeonjun replied with a sigh, "Unfortunately I'm." He rested his chin on his palm and looked intently at Soobin. "I want to make my own choices, like you do."

Their remaining chat had been smooth like the alcohol trailing down their throat, burning them warm in the night. Until Soobin felt dizzy, light-headed, neon lights flashed before him, and he couldn't recall exactly how he ended up at a ramshackle motel room, having Yeonjun all over him.

They tumbled onto the lumpy mattress, his muddled mind struggling to catch up with the heat of wandering hands. Soobin found his pants being undressed in a moment but he cared less, as long as he felt good, even just for the spark of a night.

Surely, it was a great experience so far, if not the beauty straddling him left in a haste after exposing his skin to the chill air. It had Soobin confused, since he could not hear the ringing in Yeonjun's head–

Bring him to me

Yeonjun tightened his fists and whispered, "Yes, my Lord." He fished out something from his bag and returned to the bed.

Lamentably, their encounters might have been more favorable in another world. Yeonjun might have given his true heart to a handsome broker, and love was the only business between them. But he had no choice, he never had one.

Yeonjun scanned over the vulnerable man beneath him one last time, before stabbing his thigh with an injection.