After Midnight [Yeonbin]

13.✨️𝐷𝑟𝑒𝑎𝑚✨️

The following week at school was a whirlwind of emotions for Soobin. The weekend with Yeonjun had changed something fundamental between them. They were no longer just friends, they were something more, something deeper. The hand-holding at the park had been a small but significant step, and Soobin found himself replaying that moment over and over in his mind.

Yet, despite the newfound closeness, there was a quiet tension. It wasn’t just the usual high school jitters or the uncertainty of navigating new feelings - it was something more palpable. Yeonjun seemed more reserved, as if the weight of their new relationship status was starting to sink in. He was still kind and gentle, but there was an added layer of seriousness to his demeanor.

Soobin had hoped that things would return to normal quickly, but it seemed that they were navigating uncharted territory. Their interactions were filled with a new kind of intimacy, but it was also clear that they were both still figuring out how to be together in this new way.

On Tuesday, Soobin was in the school library, buried in a mountain of notes and textbooks. He had decided to stay after school to catch up on his studies, hoping that a bit of distraction would help him clear his mind. He was deeply engrossed in his work when he felt a presence nearby. Looking up, he saw Yeonjun standing by his table, his expression thoughtful.

“Hey,” Soobin greeted, trying to mask the surprise in his voice. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Yeonjun offered a small smile. “I thought I’d come by and see how you’re doing. You seemed a bit off lately.”

Soobin’s heart warmed at Yeonjun’s concern. “I’ve been okay. Just a lot of studying.”

Yeonjun nodded, pulling out a chair and sitting down across from Soobin. “Mind if I join you for a bit?”

“Not at all,” Soobin said, glad for the company. “It’s nice to have a break from studying.”

Yeonjun took out a notebook and started working on his own assignments. The silence between them was comfortable, but Soobin could feel the underlying tension. He wanted to address it, but he wasn’t sure how.

Finally, after a few minutes of working side by side, Soobin broke the silence. “Yeonjun, can we talk about something?”

Yeonjun looked up from his notes, his expression curious. “Sure. What’s on your mind?”

Soobin took a deep breath, trying to find the right words. “I’ve noticed that you’ve been a bit distant since the weekend. Is everything okay?”

Yeonjun’s gaze dropped to his notebook, his fingers tracing absent patterns on the page. “It’s not that I’m distant. I’ve just been thinking a lot about… everything. About us.”

Soobin’s heart raced. “What about us?”

Yeonjun looked up, meeting Soobin’s eyes with a serious expression. “I’m not used to this. I mean, having feelings for someone and actually being open about them - it’s new to me. I want to be close to you, but I’m also afraid of messing things up.”

Soobin’s heart softened. He understood Yeonjun’s fear; he had felt it too. Navigating a new relationship was challenging, and the stakes felt high. “I get it. I’m nervous too. But I think we’re doing okay. We’re figuring it out together, and that’s what matters.”

Yeonjun nodded slowly, a hint of relief in his eyes. “I appreciate that. I really do. I want to make this work, Soobin. I want us to be close.”

Soobin smiled, reaching across the table to place his hand over Yeonjun’s. “We will be. As long as we keep talking and being honest with each other, we’ll figure it out.”

Yeonjun’s fingers gently squeezed Soobin’s, a silent agreement. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

They sat there for a while, their hands still touching, the connection between them palpable. The tension that had been lingering seemed to ease, replaced by a shared understanding and a renewed sense of hope.

***

Later that week, Soobin and Yeonjun decided to take a break from the academic pressures and have some fun. They planned to go to a local festival that was happening over the weekend—a small event with food stalls, games, and live music. It seemed like the perfect way to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

On the day of the festival, Soobin met Yeonjun outside the entrance. The festival grounds were bustling with people, colorful lights, and the smell of delicious food wafting through the air. Yeonjun looked relaxed and excited, a stark contrast to the serious demeanor he had been showing lately.

“Hey, Soobin!” Yeonjun greeted, his face lighting up with a genuine smile. “You ready for some fun?”

Soobin grinned back, feeling a surge of happiness. “Absolutely. Let’s see what this festival has to offer.”

They spent the day wandering through the festival, trying different foods, playing games, and enjoying the live performances. The atmosphere was vibrant and lively, a welcome change from the usual school routine.

As the sun began to set, they found themselves at a quieter corner of the festival, sitting on a grassy knoll and watching the twilight sky. The crowd around them had thinned, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.

Yeonjun leaned back on the grass, looking up at the sky. “This has been nice. I needed this.”

Soobin nodded, lying back beside him. “Me too. It’s good to get away from everything for a bit.”

They lay there in comfortable silence, the warmth of the day fading into a cool evening breeze. Soobin could feel the closeness between them, a sense of peace that had been growing since their conversation in the library.

“Soobin,” Yeonjun said, his voice soft. “I’ve been thinking about what you said the other day. About figuring things out together.”

Soobin turned his head to look at Yeonjun, his heart swelling with affection. “Yeah?”

Yeonjun met his gaze, a tender expression on his face. “I think you were right. As long as we’re honest with each other and keep communicating, we can handle whatever comes our way.”

Soobin’s heart raced at Yeonjun’s words. “I believe that too. We’re in this together.”

Yeonjun smiled, his eyes shining with sincerity. “I’m really glad we’re doing this. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”

Soobin’s smile widened, and he reached out, gently taking Yeonjun’s hand. “Me neither. But I’m excited to see where this takes us.”

As they lay there, holding hands and watching the stars appear in the night sky, Soobin felt a sense of contentment and hope for the future. They were navigating uncharted territory, but they were doing it together, and that made all the difference.