flutedrum | woosan ✓

48

Jongho and Yeosang had always shared a bond that seemed to transcend the chaos around them. They didn't need to speak much to understand each other; their connection was one that often existed in the comfortable silence between words. Theirs wasn't a friendship of loud declarations or grand gestures. Instead, it was quiet, steady, and unwavering—built on a mutual trust that only deepened as time went on.

That evening, the two of them found themselves sitting on the roof of their dorms, the city lights flickering below them like stars. Jongho had his laptop open beside him, typing away at some code for one of his latest projects. Yeosang watched him quietly, his lips quirked into a small smile. He always admired Jongho's focus, how nothing could break his concentration when he was working on something.

"You're really into this, huh?" Yeosang asked softly, breaking the silence. His voice was calm, almost amused as he leaned back on his hands, looking out at the skyline.

Jongho didn't look up from the screen, but there was a smile in his voice. "You know how it is. Gotta keep myself sharp."

Yeosang chuckled, his eyes drifting to Jongho. "You've always been sharp, Jongho. You're just showing off at this point."

Jongho paused, finally glancing up at Yeosang. "Showing off?" He smirked, raising an eyebrow. "If I was showing off, you'd know. I haven't even started yet."

They both laughed, the sound light in the stillness of the night. It was a rare moment of ease between them, given how much had happened recently. With the fallout of the company and all the uncertainty hanging over their heads, moments like this felt more precious than ever. It was just the two of them, like it had always been—no chaos, no noise, just Jongho and Yeosang, the way they liked it.

As the laughter faded, Yeosang's gaze softened. "I'm glad we're still here, Jongho. I don't think I could have made it through all of this without you."

Jongho's eyes flickered with emotion, but he played it off with a shrug. "You'd be fine. You've always been stronger than you think."

Yeosang shook his head. "No, not without you. Not like this."

There was a vulnerability in Yeosang's voice that made Jongho pause. He set his laptop aside and turned to face Yeosang fully, his expression more serious now. "You know I'm not going anywhere, right? No matter what happens. Company or no company. We're still us."

Yeosang's heart swelled at those words. Jongho had always been his rock, the person he could rely on when everything else felt uncertain. And hearing that now, after all the chaos, meant more to him than Jongho could ever know.

Without thinking, Yeosang reached out, his hand resting gently on Jongho's. The touch was soft, tentative, but Jongho didn't pull away. Instead, he turned his hand over, intertwining their fingers in a way that felt natural, like they had done it a thousand times before.

For a moment, they just sat there, their hands linked, the city lights casting a warm glow around them. Then, Yeosang took a deep breath and leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper. "You've always been more than just a friend to me, Jongho. I hope you know that."

Jongho's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't look away. He had always felt something more for Yeosang, but he had never put it into words. Now, hearing it out loud, it felt like a weight had been lifted from his chest.

"I know," Jongho murmured, his voice steady despite the emotions swirling inside him. "I feel the same."

The air between them shifted, charged with an unspoken understanding that had always been there, just beneath the surface. And then, slowly, Jongho leaned forward, closing the distance between them.

Their lips met in a soft, gentle kiss—no rush, no urgency. It was as if time slowed down around them, leaving just the two of them in that moment. The kiss was tender, filled with all the emotions they had kept hidden for so long. When they finally pulled apart, they stayed close, their foreheads resting together as they breathed in the quiet comfort of each other's presence.

"I guess we're not just best friends anymore," Yeosang whispered, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Jongho chuckled softly, his thumb brushing against Yeosang's hand. "Guess not."

They stayed like that for a while, neither of them wanting to break the peacefulness of the moment. It felt like they had finally found something solid in the middle of the storm—each other.

As the night grew darker and the stars began to peek out from the sky, they finally stood up, hand in hand. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they knew they could face them together. They always had, and nothing—not even the mess with the company—could change that.

"Let's go home," Jongho said softly, glancing at Yeosang with a smile.

Yeosang nodded, squeezing Jongho's hand gently. "Yeah, let's go."

And with that, they left the rooftop, ready to face whatever came next, as long as they were side by side.