I'm Nothing Without You | BeomJun AU

thirty one: ✶

HEAVY ENGLISH. 

APOLLO // TIMEBELLE

Weeks had passed since Yeonjun and Ben first met by the river, their friendship blossoming with each shared moment. Yet, beneath the surface of their bond lay Yeonjun's unspoken secret, a weight that grew heavier with each passing day. He yearned to reveal his true self to Ben, to shed the mask of deception that strained their connection. But the fear of rejection held him captive, trapping him in a cycle of uncertainty. As their friendship deepened, so did Yeonjun's internal turmoil, until he could no longer ignore the pressing need to confess his truth and face whatever consequences it may bring.

As nightfall descended, casting a serene darkness over the river, Yeonjun arrived alone, clutching a bag of apples in one hand and his handcrafted pendant in the other. Though the pendant may have appeared modest, its significance weighed heavily on Yeonjun's heart, a symbol of the truth he longed to reveal. With a deep breath, he steeled himself for the confession he had rehearsed countless times in his mind. Lied about his standard of living, that he's the scion of a noble lineage, who had been groomed in the halls of academia for knowledge and enlightenment.

Summoning every ounce of courage within him, Yeonjun made a silent vow to himself: tonight, he would lay bare the truth of his feelings for Ben. With the weight of his confession heavy upon his shoulders, he resolved to cast aside the shackles of fear and uncertainty that had held him back for far too long. As he gazed into Ben's eyes, shimmering with unshed tears yet filled with a tender vulnerability, Yeonjun felt a surge of determination course through him. Tonight, beneath the veil of the starlit sky and the gentle murmur of the river, he would bare his soul to the one who held his heart captive.

 As he paced along the riverbank, his nerves tangled like the threads of his pendant, he was startled by the sight of Ben racing toward him, arms outstretched in a welcoming embrace. In that moment, Yeonjun's spirits lifted, buoyed by the warmth of Ben's affection, yet weighed down by the knowledge of the deception he was about to enact.

Ben nestled into the curve of Yeonjun's neck, a soft whimper escaping his lips, a sound that pierced the quiet night air and sent a jolt of alarm through Yeonjun's senses. With swift concern, he gently extricated himself from the embrace, his heart aching at the sight of Ben's tears, each one a shard that threatened to splinter his own resolve. In that vulnerable moment, Ben seemed to radiate a raw beauty, his emotions laid bare for Yeonjun to witness. It stirred within him a tumultuous blend of emotions, a mixture of sorrow and tenderness that compelled him to offer solace to the distraught young man. With gentle hands and soothing words, Yeonjun enveloped Ben in a comforting embrace, silently vowing to be the shelter in the storm of his emotions.

"what's wrong, darling?"

Yeonjun's gentle inquiry was met only with the sound of Ben's muffled sobs, each one a poignant echo of his distress. As tears flowed freely, Yeonjun felt his own heart fracture in response to Ben's vulnerability, a profound ache that resonated within him. With tender care, he stroked soothing circles upon Ben's trembling back, offering whispered words of comfort in a desperate attempt to assuage the younger man's pain. Slowly, the cadence of Ben's cries began to soften, his ragged breaths gradually steadying beneath Yeonjun's comforting embrace. Finally, with a tremulous breath, Ben lifted his head, his gaze brimming with unshed tears as he swallowed hard, summoning the courage to speak.