❝ Stardust & Heartstrings ❞ YEONBIN FF

Flashback (3)

Soobin, still smiling, reached out to take Yeonjun's luggage, his eyes sparkling with a friendly gesture. "Let me help you with that!" he said, before turning to lead the way to the vehicle, beckoning Yeonjun to follow him with a nod and a wave of his hand.

As they walked for what felt like an eternity, Yeonjun's curiosity got the better of him, and he finally asked, "Excuse me, how much farther is the vehicle? Where did you park it, exactly?" His tone was polite, but a hint of impatience crept into his voice, his eyes scanning the surrounding area for a glimpse of the car.

Soobin's face scrunched up in a sheepish grin as he replied, "Actually, there's no space to park a truck near the airport, so I parked it a bit far. Sorry for that." Yeonjun's eyes widened in surprise, his voice rising in incredulity as he exclaimed, "A what? Truck? You came here to pick me up in a truck?" His tone was laced with a mix of shock and dismay, his gaze fixed on Soobin as if questioning his sanity.

"Where is Halmeoni's car?" Yeonjun asked, his voice firm and direct, expecting a straightforward answer from Soobin.

Soobin explained, "Actually, Ajhussi Han's wife's water broke, so Halmeoni lent them her car to take her to the hospital." His words spilled out in a rush, as if he was eager to clarify the situation and justify the unexpected absence of halmeoni's car.

Yeonjun followed Soobin to the truck, his movements slow and begrudging, his eyes fixed on the ground as he trailed behind the enthusiastic boy, still trying to process the unexpected switch from halmeoni's car to this rugged vehicle, and wondering why halmeoni had sent Soobin to pick him up in the first place.

As they turned a corner, the parking lot came into view, and Yeonjun's eyes landed on the truck, his gaze scanning the worn-out vehicle with a mix of dismay and disappointment. The truck's faded paint, rusty spots, and cracked windshield seemed to confirm his worst suspicions - this was not the sleek, comfortable ride he had been expecting. He slowed his pace, his feet dragging even more, as if reluctant to get any closer to the battered truck.

Soobin said with a warm smile, "Allow me to stow your luggage in the trunk. Please, make yourself at home in Seung." He affectionately patted the truck's weathered side panel, as if introducing Yeonjun to a trusted companion. Yeonjun's eyes widened in mild astonishment, his thoughts whispering, "His eccentricity knows no bounds - he's even named his truck!" His gaze lingered on Soobin, a blend of perplexity and fascination dancing across his face, as he pondered what other unexpected nuances Soobin's personality might hold.

As Soobin put the truck in gear and began to drive, Yeonjun settled into the passenger seat, but his respite was short-lived. The rugged terrain and potholed roads made the vehicle lurch and jolt, sending Yeonjun tumbling about like a rag doll. He found himself colliding with Soobin more often than not, their shoulders and arms bumping together in an awkward dance. Yeonjun's attempts to steady himself were futile, and he couldn't help but let out a few disgruntled grunts as the truck's suspension struggled to absorb the shocks. Soobin, seemingly oblivious to Yeonjun's discomfort, continued to drive with a cheerful abandon, whistling a jaunty tune as they bounced along.

Yeonjun's eyes flashed with irritation as he caught Soobin's subtle glances at his outfit, the memory of his parents' earlier jabs still fresh. "Pull over," he said curtly, his tone low and even. Soobin obliged, and Yeonjun's gaze locked onto him, his voice firm. "What's with the staring?"

Yeonjun's eyes flashed with indignation, "Excuse me? Why do you keep looking at my outfit? Do you also find it weird? Seeing a boy wearing skirts? Are you also one of those people who thinks clothes are restricted to gender? You think I'm weird?"

Soobin's expression turned defensive, "Whoa, hold on, calm down! I wasn't staring because I thought it was weird."

Yeonjun's voice rose higher, "Then why were you staring?"

Soobin's face softened, "I was looking at you because you looked beautiful, okay? It's not every day you see someone wearing an outfit worth thousands of dollars in Pohang. I'm sorry if you thought I was staring in a judgemental way."

Yeonjun's anger faltered, his expression uncertain, "Beautiful?"

Soobin nodded, a gentle smile spreading across his face, "Yes, beautiful. You pull it off with confidence and style."

Yeonjun's face still held a mix of surprise and uncertainty, but he couldn't form a response to Soobin's unexpected compliment. Instead, he nodded curtly and said, "Just drive." Soobin's smile lingered for a moment before he returned his focus to the road, putting the truck in gear and continuing their journey. The silence that followed was slightly awkward, but Soobin's gentle humming and the rhythmic rumble of the engine slowly eased the tension, allowing Yeonjun to process his thoughts and emotions.

As the miles passed, Yeonjun's initial shock and confusion gave way to introspection, and he finally broke the silence with a soft, almost inaudible whisper, "Sorry..." Soobin's eyes flicked towards him, his expression warm and understanding. "It's okay," he replied gently, his voice barely above a whisper, as he reached out and briefly placed a reassuring hand on Yeonjun's arm. The simple gesture and kind words helped to dissipate the remaining tension, and Yeonjun felt a sense of gratitude towards Soobin for his unwavering acceptance and empathy.

Yeonjun's curiosity got the better of him, and he asked, "So, how old are you, anyway?"

Soobin smiled and replied, "I'm 18."

Yeonjun nodded thoughtfully and shared, "I'm 19, and I'm currently studying law at Seoul National University."

Soobin's eyes widened in admiration, and he responded, "That's impressive! I'm pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in business studies at Pohang University. I'm hoping to start my own business one day."

Soobin's eyes sparkled with amusement as he said, "Everybody knows that you're at SNU in our locality, hyung. Yoon Hee halmeoni is beaming with pride, always bragging about how you're following in your father's footsteps. She says your dad was the first person from Pohang to make it big in Seoul, and now you're carrying on the legacy."

Yeonjun's face flushed slightly, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude for the respect his family received in their hometown. He looked away, trying to downplay the attention, but Soobin's words warmed his heart, reminding him of the high expectations placed upon him.

Soobin's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he asked, "Can I call you hyung?" His voice was gentle, seeking permission to use the affectionate term, and his smile was endearing, making Yeonjun feel more at ease.

Yeonjun's expression softened, and he smiled slightly, "Yeah, you can call me hyung."

Yeonjun's voice was laced with vulnerability as he asked, "You really think my outfit is normal... and that I look beautiful in it?" His eyes searched Soobin's face, seeking genuine confirmation and validation. It was as if he had been craving reassurance his whole life, and Soobin's earlier compliment had awakened a deep-seated desire for acceptance. Yeonjun's tone was tentative, revealing a fragile sense of self, and his gaze pleaded for Soobin's honest affirmation.

Soobin's words tumbled out with sincerity, his voice filled with conviction, "Honestly, hyung, I wouldn't be exaggerating if I said you're the most beautiful man I've ever seen." His eyes locked onto Yeonjun's, shining with genuine admiration, and his face radiated warmth.

Yeonjun's heart swelled with emotion as he absorbed Soobin's words, their impact profound despite their short acquaintance. The sincerity and kindness in Soobin's eyes made Yeonjun feel seen and appreciated in a way he rarely experienced. He felt a deep connection to this stranger, who had somehow managed to touch his heart with such a simple yet profound statement. The fact that Soobin, someone he had met just hours ago, could understand and appreciate him so deeply, meant more to Yeonjun than he could express. It was as if Soobin had awakened a part of him that had been dormant, waiting for someone to recognize his true beauty.

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