By The Window | YeonBin

twenty eight

Yeonjun felt a tug on his arm as Taehyun dragged him through the bustling streets, weaving between busy shoppers and street vendors. The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the city, but Yeonjun was barely aware of it, too focused on keeping up with Taehyun's determined pace.

"Taehyun, slow down!" Yeonjun protested, slightly out of breath as they entered a small boutique.

The shop was filled with trinkets, accessories, and small gifts displayed neatly on wooden shelves. Taehyun didn't seem to hear him, already moving toward a shelf of delicate bracelets.

"Not until we find something perfect for Beomie," Taehyun declared, his eyes scanning the items with a critical eye.

Beomie? Man this boy is whipped. Yeonjun thought.

Yeonjun rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto his face. Taehyun's excitement was contagious, and as much as Yeonjun tried to pretend he was just there out of obligation, he found himself getting into the spirit of it.

Taehyun suddenly turned to him, a playful grin on his face. "You're looking a lot less like a ghost these days, you know that?" he teased, picking up a small silver ring and examining it.

Yeonjun blinked, caught off guard by the comment. "What do you mean?"

"You're not as absent-minded as usual," Taehyun said, shrugging as he set the ring back down. "I get it, though. You've been through a lot. I was honestly worried about you."

Yeonjun felt a lump form in his throat, but he swallowed it down. "I'm fine," he said, though the words felt more genuine than they had in a long time.

Taehyun gave him a knowing look, one that said he wasn't fooled but wouldn't push. "I'm glad your mom finally came to her senses and kicked that bastard out," Taehyun continued, his tone more serious.

"He deserved it. And you—" He paused, his expression softening. "You deserve to be happy."

Yeonjun smiled at the comment.

I really don't deserve this much love and care from him...

Before he could respond, though, Taehyun's grin returned, more mischievous this time. "So... it's Soobin, isn't it?"

Yeonjun's eyes widened, his face flushing. "W-what are you talking about?" he stammered, trying—and failing—to keep his cool.

"Oh, come on," Taehyun said, rolling his eyes dramatically. "You've been smiling like a lovesick puppy every time I mention his name. It's obvious."

Yeonjun opened his mouth to deny it, but the words caught in his throat. Instead, he felt his lips curve into a small smile, the memory of Soobin's teasing voice and warm gaze flashing through his mind.

Taehyun's eyes lit up, and he leaned closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "So... are you like, boyfriends now?"

Yeonjun's heart skipped a beat at the question, and he felt his cheeks flush with warmth. "W-What? No... I mean, we haven't really talked about it..."

Taehyun smirked, clearly enjoying Yeonjun's flustered reaction. "Uh-huh. But you want to, right?"

Yeonjun's mind flashed back to the times he had spent with Soobin—their quiet moments together, the way Soobin always seemed to know what to say to make him feel better, and of course, the kiss they had shared. His lips twitched into a small smile, one he tried to suppress but failed.

"I don't know," Yeonjun mumbled, but even he could hear the smile in his voice.

Taehyun raised an eyebrow, looking far too pleased with himself. "Uh-huh. Sure you don't."

Yeonjun was about to retort when something on a nearby shelf caught his eye. He stepped closer, his attention drawn to a pair of rings displayed under a small glass dome.

One ring was engraved with a crescent moon, delicate and simple, while the other had the image of a sun, equally understated yet beautiful. The set seemed to call out to him, the moon reminding him instantly of Soobin, who always came to his window at night.

Without thinking, Yeonjun reached out, carefully lifting the glass and picking up the moon ring. It was simple, yet there was something about it that felt perfect. As if it was meant to be.

Taehyun noticed the change in Yeonjun's expression and sauntered over, glancing at the ring in his hand. "Hey, we're supposed to be looking for a gift for my boyfriend, not yours," he whined.

Yeonjun huffed, a playful glare aimed at Taehyun. "I know, I know. But... this is perfect."

Taehyun's eyes widened slightly as he watched Yeonjun admire the ring. "You're really going to do it, aren't you? You're going to ask him?"

Yeonjun felt his heart race at the thought, but uncertainty crept in. He hesitated, looking down at the ring in his hand, his thumb tracing the crescent moon. "Uh... I don't know," he admitted quietly. "But... I want to."

Taehyun watched him for a moment before a small smile curled at the corners of his lips. "Well, go for it, loverboy," he said, his tone light and teasing.

Yeonjun rolled his eyes, a smile tugging at his own lips as he gave Taehyun a playful smack on the arm.

"Shut up."