FATE REWRITTEN.....

3. Found Families

The morning light seeped through Soobin's curtains, pulling him from sleep. He stretched, shaking off the remnants of a peaceful night. His thoughts quickly drifted to Yeonjun and their conversation yesterday. Their unexpected reunion had stirred something in him-old feelings he hadn't acknowledged in years.

With a sigh, Soobin got up and got ready for the day. Once he was done, he found himself standing at Yeonjun's door, hesitating for a moment before knocking.

The door swung open sooner than he expected, revealing a sleepy-eyed Yeonjun. His hair was messy from sleep, but his face lit up at the sight of Soobin.

"Soobin!" Yeonjun exclaimed, a bright smile breaking across his face. "Good morning! Did you sleep well?"

"Good morning, Yeonjun! I slept okay, but I kept thinking about what we talked about yesterday," Soobin replied, his heart warming at the sight of Yeonjun.

Yeonjun nodded, brushing his hair back nervously. "Yeah, I've been thinking about it too. I'm really glad we can be friends again."

Soobin's heart fluttered at those words, but he quickly pushed the feeling aside. As he stepped into the living room, he noticed the boxes still scattered around, a reminder that Yeonjun had only recently moved in.

"So, uh... you're still settling in?" Soobin asked, glancing at the boxes.

"Yeah, slowly," Yeonjun said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I haven't had much time to unpack."

"You mentioned yesterday that you just moved recently... but I didn't get the chance to ask why. Why did you leave the mansion?"

Yeonjun's face changed slightly, his smile fading as he hesitated before answering. "It's... complicated. I just couldn't stay there anymore."

Soobin's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "What happened?"

Yeonjun sighed, sitting down on the couch, motioning for Soobin to sit next to him. "After my mom passed away, my dad remarried. My stepmother... let's just say she didn't make things easy for me. She's not exactly the warmest person. Over time, it got harder to be there, especially with her around."

Soobin nodded, sensing there was more. "Was that the only reason?"

Yeonjun took a deep breath. "No, not really. My dad... after he married her, he seemed more focused on his new family. But being in that house... it always felt like I didn't belong anymore. So, I decided to move out."

The two shared a moment of understanding, the weight of their experiences creating a bond that was both comforting and new. Yeonjun's gaze dropped to the floor, and Soobin could see a hint of sadness behind his cheerful exterior.

"Hey, how about some breakfast?" Yeonjun suggested, trying to lighten the mood. "I can't promise anything fancy, but I do have some cereal."

"Cereal sounds great!" Soobin said, happy to follow Yeonjun inside. The apartment was small but cozy, filled with the scent of fresh coffee and the remnants of unpacked boxes.

As they moved to the small kitchen, Yeonjun began pouring cereal into two bowls. "So, I was thinking about introducing you to My friends-Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Huening Kai. They're like family to me, and I really want you to meet them."

Soobin's expression brightened at the thought. "I'd love to meet them! Tell me about them."

"Well, Beomgyu is actually my stepbrother," Yeonjun started, watching Soobin's reaction. "But before you get confused-he was already born before my dad married his mom, so technically, they're not blood-related. And his biological father isn't in the picture, but my dad treats him like his own son."

Soobin's eyebrows shot up slightly in surprise, but he nodded. "That must've been complicated at first."

"It was," Yeonjun admitted with a chuckle. "We didn't get along at first, but over time, Beomgyu and I eventually got along. We realized that we were both dealing with our own struggles. He's kind of my partner in crime now, you know? He's the only one in the house who understood me."

"Where does he live now?" Soobin asked.

"He's still at the mansion, but he spends most of his time at his boyfriend's place."

"Boyfriend?" Soobin repeated, eyes widening slightly.

Yeonjun grinned. "Yeah, Kang Taehyun. He's Beomgyu's boyfriend. They've been together since high school started. Taehyun's a great guy, really smart and dependable. You'll like him."

Soobin didn't know why, but he found himself relaxing at the idea of meeting Beomgyu and Taehyun. There was something about the way Yeonjun described them that made them seem... like family.

But then Yeonjun's face brightened even more as he continued. "Oh, and there's Huening Kai. He's the youngest in our group, a middle schooler. His mom... well, she's taken care of me more than my own stepmother ever did."

Soobin looked at Yeonjun with interest. "How did that happen?"

"Huening Kai's family has been really close to mine for years. His dad is my father's business partner, but it's more than just that. His mom... she's always been there for me. She treated me like her own son after my mom passed away." Yeonjun's voice grew softer, full of gratitude. "Kai and I became close because of that. He's like my little brother."

Soobin nodded, feeling the puzzle pieces of Yeonjun's life coming together. The trauma, the loss, and the unexpected bonds that had formed in the cracks. It made sense now why these people were so important to him.

"I'm glad you had them," Soobin said softly.

Yeonjun smiled, a hint of relief in his eyes. "Yeah, I'm lucky. They've been like a family to me. And now that you're here, I want you to be part of that family too."

The words hit Soobin harder than he expected. Family. He had lost his own family when his grandparents passed away, and he had been too scared to open up to anyone since. But sitting there next to Yeonjun, hearing about these people who had been his lifeline, made Soobin feel... hopeful.

"When can I meet them?" Soobin asked, his voice filled with sincerity.

Yeonjun's smile widened. "Soon. Beomgyu and Taehyun are coming over later. And Huening Kai... well, he'll be here after school. I can't wait for you to meet him."

Soobin nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'd like that."

As the day continued, Soobin felt the weight on his chest start to lift. For the first time in a long time, he was allowing himself to trust someone again. Yeonjun had opened a door into his life, and it wasn't just Yeonjun standing on the other side - it was a new family, one that might finally help Soobin heal.

End of Chapter 3

***

09/10/2024

to be continued...