By The Window | YeonBin

twenty

The night had settled in, casting a peaceful stillness over Yeonjun's room. He was engrossed in his sketchbook, headphones on, as he experimented with watercolors.

The soft strokes of his brush created delicate hues on the paper. He was so absorbed in his work that he didn't notice Soobin slipping through the window until it was almost too late.

Soobin climbed in quietly, trying to make as little noise as possible. His eyes widened as he took in the sight before him—Yeonjun's usual monochrome sketches had been replaced by the soft, muted colors of his watercolors.

As Soobin moved closer, his foot accidentally tapped a loose floorboard, making a slight creak. Yeonjun jolted, yanking off his headphones. His eyes widened in surprise when he saw Soobin standing there.

"Fuck— you scared the shit out of me!" Yeonjun exclaimed, his voice a mix of shock and relief. "You gotta stop jumping on me like that!" He whisper shouts.

Soobin's face flushed slightly, but he tried to keep his composure. "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I saw the light and thought I'd check out what you were up to."

Yeonjun shook his head with a small, amused smile. "Well, you've seen it now."

Soobin moved closer to the desk, peering at Yeonjun's work. "This looks amazing. I didn't know you were into colors."

As Soobin watched Yeonjun talk about his art, he couldn't help but notice how much more relaxed and open Yeonjun seemed. It was a side of him that Soobin had never seen before, and it made Soobin's heart flutter a little.

He realized he enjoyed seeing this more personal, expressive side of Yeonjun. It was as if each word and gesture drew him in further, making him feel like he was stepping into a more intimate part of Yeonjun's world.

Without thinking, Soobin looked up to Yeonjun. "Can you show me how to do it?"

Yeonjun raised his eyebrows, clearly intrigued, handing Soobin a blank piece of paper and some watercolors. "Sure, let's see what you've got."

Soobin took a deep breath and dipped the brush into the paint, making a few tentative strokes. His face saturated with concentration as he looked at his creation. "Man, this is harder than it looks. Look at this— it looks like a third grader's art project."

Yeonjun chuckled, leaning in to see Soobin's work. "Hey, it's not that bad. Everyone starts somewhere. Just keep practicing."

As they continued to paint, Yeonjun decided to show Soobin a technique up close. He leaned over, reaching past Soobin to guide his hand. Their faces were mere inches apart, and Soobin could feel the warmth of Yeonjun's breath on his cheek.

Yeonjun's voice was soft and focused. "So, you want to apply the paint like this. See? It's all about blending the colors gently."

Soobin's heart raced as he tried to focus on the brush strokes. The proximity made it hard to think straight (a.n. someone is for sure isn't, lol).

He caught a glimpse of Yeonjun's focused eyes, and for a moment, everything else seemed to blur. He could feel his cheeks warming, a flutter of nerves mixing with excitement.

In Yeonjun's mind, he was keenly aware of Soobin's closeness. His heart pounded a little faster, and he had to remind himself to keep his voice steady. "Just like this, okay? Don't press too hard."

Soobin nodded, though his eyes darted away, unable to hold Yeonjun's gaze. "Got it. Thanks."

"Don't worry, you'll get it."

Soobin tried to focus on the painting, but his mind kept wandering back to the way Yeonjun had been so close, the warmth of his presence. Every brushstroke felt more awkward now, his concentration broken by the lingering closeness.

After a few moments, Soobin let out a quiet laugh, trying to dispel the tension. "You know, I didn't expect this to be so... intense."

Yeonjun chuckled softly, his cheeks a little flushed. "Yeah, painting can be surprisingly... intimate."

Soobin grinned, though he still avoided making eye contact. "Mm-hmm."

As the night wore on, Soobin managed to create something that, while still far from perfect, made him smile. He looked at Yeonjun, who was packing away the paints.

"So, do you always sneak in through windows?" Yeonjun asked playfully, breaking Soobin's train of thought.

Soobin grinned, feeling a bit bashful under Yeonjun's warm gaze. "Only when the person I'm visiting is as talented as you."

Yeonjun chuckled, a sound that made Soobin's heart skip a beat. "I'm not that talented, just bored."

"You are, Yeonjun. And thanks for the lesson," Soobin said. "I'll definitely need more practice, but this was actually fun."

Yeonjun smiled back, not as wide as Soobin's as he hasn't gotten used to this yet, but his eyes were warm. "Anytime."

Soobin made his way to the window, glancing back at Yeonjun with a mix of relief and something else— a fluttering feeling that he couldn't quite place. "Goodnight, Yeonjun."

"Goodnight, Soobin," Yeonjun replied, feeling a lightness in his heart.

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a.n.

Filler chapter:3 an excuse to write a bit of fluff among the angsty chapters