By The Window | YeonBin

five

Yeonjun tapped his feet lightly on the pathway. He glanced at the house in front of him, trying to decide to approach or not.

He is now in front of Soobin's house, at 7am in the morning, mind you. He couldn't sleep well last night after parting ways with Soobin at the park. Yeonjun caught the tall boy wincing every time he tried to walk with his crutches.

Yeonjun closed his eyes for a moment, rethinking what he's about to do. He looked at the two packs of milk he has on his hands and quickly shot his head up when he heard a doorknob opening.

"Oh? Yeonjun!" The cheery yet low voice really caught Yeonjun's attention.

I didn't know his voice could go that low.

Yeonjun sighed softly, he doesn't have any choice than to get through his first plan, to go to school with Soobin. "Hi." Yeonjun said quietly.

"Are you about to go to school?" Soobin closed the door behind him and the boy with the hoodie just nodded.

"How- how's your leg?" Yeonjun is not big on small talks, but, he still has this guilty feeling after shooing Soobin the other night, he thought he should tried to be... friendlier.

Soobin smiled, he didn't even notice his ears are starting to burn a bit by the thought that Yeonjun does care. "It's healing, still hurt like a bitch every time I walk, but it's healing." He grinned.

Yeonjun just nodded a bit, not knowing how to continue the small talk thing. "Shall we go? I walk a bit slow now, gonna take some time to get to school." Soobin continued and guiding Yeonjun to walk to the main road.

Yeonjun quietly followed and he looked down at his hands.

Ah yes, the milk.

He took off the two straws and stabbed them each to the milk carton. He handed one to Soobin. "Here, maybe it'll help— calcium and stuff." Yeonjun looked up to Soobin.

Soobin blinked, a bit stunned by the gesture. The corner of his mouth twitched up into a soft smile as he took the milk carton from Yeonjun's hand. "Thanks," he said, his voice gentle, as if he was trying not to startle a wild animal.

Yeonjun was a bit quiet, more quiet than before. But his heart was other than but. How can he be? The sight of Soobin smiling at him like that, with the sunrise hitting his features softly.

It made Yeonjun's heart race to say the least. His face has a small tinge of rose due to the blood pumping from his heart. He should thank the morning sun for hiding it under the orange sky.

They walked in silence for a few moments, the only sounds were the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant hum of the city waking up. Soobin took a sip of the milk and glanced at Yeonjun out of the corner of his eye. There was something about the other boy that always seemed so distant, so closed off, but today... today felt different.

"So," Soobin started, trying to fill the quiet with something more than just their awkward shuffling steps. "Did you always wake up this early?"

Yeonjun let out a small, almost imperceptible chuckle. "Not really. I just... couldn't sleep." He didn't elaborate, but Soobin didn't push him for more. There was a certain understanding between them, unspoken but clear: they both had their reasons for being up at this hour, and neither needed to spell them out.

"Well, I appreciate the company," Soobin said, his tone sincere. "It's nice not having to hobble to school alone."

Yeonjun just nodded again, taking another sip of his milk, but he could feel Soobin's warmth beside him, a subtle comfort that made the walk a little easier.

As they continued down the path, Soobin took a deep breath and glanced at Yeonjun. "I... I'm really sorry, you know, about the other day. I didn't mean to pry or anything. I just—"

"You didn't do anything wrong," Yeonjun interrupted, his voice quiet but firm. He stared straight ahead, avoiding Soobin's gaze. "I just... I'm not used to people seeing that side of me."

Soobin opened his mouth to say something, but decided against it. Instead, he just gave a small nod. "Okay. But, if you ever want to talk about it or... or anything, I'm here. Just saying."

Yeonjun didn't respond right away, but a small part of him appreciated the offer. It wasn't something he could easily admit, not even to himself, but knowing someone was willing to listen... it made things a bit more bearable.

When they finally reached the main road, the school looming in the distance, Yeonjun felt the familiar tension creeping back into his shoulders. They were back in the real world now, where people would see them, where they'd be judged.

He noticed the stares starting as they neared the school gates—people glancing their way, whispering among themselves. Yeonjun clenched his jaw, his steps quickening slightly, despite knowing Soobin would struggle to keep up.

Soobin, however, seemed unfazed by the attention. He was used to it—being the tall, cheerful guy that everyone knew. But when he noticed Yeonjun speeding up, he tried to match his pace, only to stumble slightly.

Yeonjun immediately slowed down, guilt washing over him. "Sorry," he muttered, barely audible.

Soobin just smiled, a little breathless. "Don't worry about it."

As they approached the school entrance, Yeonjun could feel the weight of the stares even more. He hated it. Hated how people always had something to say, some opinion about him. It was exhausting.

"I, uh... I need to get to class," Yeonjun suddenly said, stopping in his tracks. He didn't wait for Soobin to respond before he turned on his heel and started walking off, his hood pulled low over his head.

"Yeonjun, wait—" Soobin called after him, but Yeonjun was already weaving through the crowd, putting as much distance between them as he could.

Soobin sighed, watching him go, a mix of concern and confusion swirling in his chest. He didn't understand why Yeonjun was so closed off, but he wasn't going to give up. Not yet, at least.

Before he could dwell on it any longer, Beomgyu and Hueningkai appeared beside him, both wearing curious expressions.

"Uh... what was that all about?" Beomgyu asked, eyebrows raised.

Soobin just shrugged, trying to play it off. "I don't know. He just... he showed up this morning, and we walked to school together."

Hueningkai exchanged a look with Beomgyu, then back at Soobin. "Since when are you and Yeonjun that close?" Hueningkai asked, clearly surprised.

Soobin shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "We're not. But... I think maybe he could use a friend."

Beomgyu scoffed, crossing his arms. "Good luck with that. He's like a brick wall."

"Maybe," Soobin said, his gaze drifting to where Yeonjun had disappeared into the crowd.

"But I'm not giving up that easily." He continued and sipped on the milk carton he got from the quiet boy.