❝ Stardust & Heartstrings ❞ YEONBIN FF

Chapter 27 : Love and Acceptance

One year had passed since Yeonjun left the suffocating world of his family's wealth and influence behind. He had found a new sense of purpose and belonging in Pohang, working as an attorney at a local law firm. He had finally found a career that brought him joy and fulfillment, using his skills to help those in need.

Yeonjun's specialty was family law, and he had quickly become known for his compassion and expertise in handling sensitive cases. He had found a sense of satisfaction in helping families navigate difficult situations, and his clients adored him for his kindness and dedication.

Soobin, too, had been working tirelessly to build a life of his own. His seafood restaurant had become a staple in the Pohang community, and his parents' department store was thriving under his management. He had proven himself to be a shrewd businessman and a kind leader, loved by his employees and respected by his peers.

Together, Yeonjun and Soobin had built a life filled with love, laughter, and purpose. They had found a sense of freedom and happiness that they never thought possible, and they knew that they owed it all to each other.

Yeonjun and Soobin's peaceful life in Pohang was occasionally disrupted by the arrival of expensive packages at their doorstep. The packages contained various luxury items, such as designer clothing, fine jewelry, and high-end gadgets. However, Yeonjun never opened them and instead, sent them back to the sender without a word.

Soobin was curious about the packages, but Yeonjun just shook his head and said, "I know who sends them. It's my family, trying to buy me back."

Yeonjun's family, unable to accept his decision to leave their wealth and influence behind, had been trying to lure him back with lavish gifts. But Yeonjun was resolute in his decision and refused to be swayed by their attempts to bribe him.

Soobin admired Yeonjun's strength and conviction, and he knew that Yeonjun's family would never understand the true value of the life they had built together in Pohang. The packages continued to arrive, but Yeonjun never wavered, sending them back each time with a firm determination to forge his own path.

Soobin's parents wanted Yeonjun and Soobin to live with them, but Soobin bought a separate house for the two of them to start their new life together.

Yeonjun's friends from his past life would occasionally visit him and Soobin in Pohang, and Yeonjun would also make trips to Seoul to see them. Though he had moved on with his life, he still had a curiosity about his family, especially his parents.

A few times, Yeonjun found himself standing outside his childhood home, watching from a distance as his parents went about their lives. He never tried to meet them or make contact; he just wanted to see them, to know they were doing well.

Soobin knew about these secret visits, but he never interfered or judged Yeonjun. He understood that Yeonjun needed to process his past and his feelings about his family in his own way.

Yeonjun's visits outside his childhood home became less frequent over time, as he grew more confident in his new life with Soobin. He realized that he didn't need his parents' approval or validation to be happy; he had Soobin, and that was all that mattered.

In the quiet of the night, when Soobin's gentle snores filled the room, Yeonjun would carefully extract his phone from under the pillow. He'd scroll through the photos, his fingers stopping at the familiar faces of his parents and grandmother.

With a deep breath, he'd let the tears fall, silently mourning the loss of the relationship they once had. He'd hold the phone close to his chest, as if the digital image could fill the void in his heart.

Memories of his childhood, of laughter and warmth, would flood his mind. He'd remember his grandmother's comforting embrace, his parents' proud smiles. The pain of their rejection and his subsequent departure would resurface, and Yeonjun would let the tears flow, his body shaking with silent sobs.

Soobin, sensing Yeonjun's distress even in his sleep, would instinctively pull him closer, wrapping his arms around him. Yeonjun would feel the warmth of Soobin's body, the beat of his heart, and the tears would slowly subside.

In those moments, Yeonjun knew he wasn't alone. He had Soobin, who loved him unconditionally, and that thought would bring him peace, allowing him to drift off to sleep, the phone still clutched in his hand.

One night, as they were making love, Soobin noticed Yeonjun's expression change. Yeonjun's eyes closed, and his body tensed, but it wasn't from pleasure. Soobin saw tears streaming down Yeonjun's face, his chest shaking with silent sobs.

Soobin's concern immediately took over, and he slowed his movements, then stopped. He wrapped his arms around Yeonjun, holding him close as they lay there together.

"Yeonjun, what's wrong?" Soobin whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.

Yeonjun's eyes remained closed, his tears falling silently as he shook his head. Soobin could see the pain etched on his face, and his heart ached in response.

Without another word, Soobin held Yeonjun, offering a safe and comforting presence. He stroked Yeonjun's hair, his back, and his arms, trying to soothe away the pain.

Yeonjun's tears slowly subsided, replaced by ragged breathing. Soobin's warmth and embrace had calmed him, and he felt safe enough to open his eyes.

Their gazes met, and Soobin's eyes asked a thousand questions. Yeonjun's eyes answered with a deep sadness, a longing for something lost.

In that moment, Soobin knew that Yeonjun's past still lingered, a ghostly presence in their relationship. He vowed to be patient, to hold Yeonjun through the darkness, and to love him until the light returned.

The rest of the night, they just cuddled, their bodies entwined, their hearts connected. Soobin's love and acceptance wrapped around Yeonjun like a blanket, soothing his pain and calming his soul.

The next morning, Soobin saw that Yeonjun didn't go to work. Instead, he was baking a cake in the kitchen. Soobin walked up behind him and gave him a gentle back hug, asking, "What's the occasion?"

Yeonjun's hands paused, and he looked down, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's my mother's birthday... but since I can't meet her, she wouldn't like to see my face. I'll just cut the cake myself."

Soobin's grip on Yeonjun's waist tightened as he heard the words. He could feel the mix of emotions in Yeonjun's voice - sadness, longing, and a hint of guilt.

"Yeonjun, why wouldn't she want to see your face?" Soobin asked gently, his voice filled with concern.

Yeonjun's eyes dropped, and he whispered, "Because I left her, Soobin. I left my family. She wouldn't want to see the face of a son who abandoned her."

Soobin's heart ached at Yeonjun's words. He knew the pain of Yeonjun's past still lingered, and moments like these brought it to the surface.

Without a word, Soobin turned Yeonjun around and wrapped his arms around him, holding him close. "You're not alone, Yeonjun. I'm here. And I love you, no matter what."

Yeonjun's eyes welled up with tears as he hugged Soobin back, feeling a sense of comfort and acceptance he hadn't known before.

At night, during dinner, Yeonjun brought out the cake he had baked earlier. He looked at his parents' picture on his phone, feeling a mix of emotions. Just as he was about to cut the cake, the doorbell rang, breaking the silence.

Yeonjun's hand hesitated, the cake knife poised mid-air. He looked at Soobin, who raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Who could that be?" Soobin mouthed.

Yeonjun shrugged and put down the knife. "I'll go check," he said, getting up from his seat.

As he walked to the door, his heart raced with a mix of emotions. He hadn't expected any visitors, especially not on this day, when he was already feeling vulnerable.

Yeonjun's eyes widened in shock as he flung open the door, and there they were - his parents, standing in front of him with warm smiles and a bouquet of his favorite white lilies. He felt like he was dreaming, like this moment was too good to be true.

But as he looked into their eyes, he saw the love and acceptance shining back at him, and he knew it was real. He broke down in tears, overwhelmed with emotion, and flung himself into their arms.

***