FATE REWRITTEN.....

4. New Connections

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a warm glow over the city. After breakfast, Soobin and Yeonjun spent the morning talking, sharing stories and laughter that made the hours fly by. As they settled on the couch, Yeonjun glanced at the clock and his eyes widened.

"They should be here any minute!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. "I should clean up a bit before they arrive."

Soobin laughed as Yeonjun scrambled to tidy up the living room. "You're going to scare them away with all this chaos," he teased, picking up a stray box.

"Hey! It's called settling in," Yeonjun shot back playfully. "And it's a work in progress."

Just as Yeonjun finished tidying up, the doorbell rang, and both boys froze for a moment before Yeonjun rushed to the door.

"Stay here!" Yeonjun called over his shoulder, excitement bubbling in his voice. He opened the door to reveal Beomgyu and Taehyun standing side by side.

"Surprise!" Beomgyu chirped, bouncing on his heels. His energy was contagious, and Soobin couldn't help but smile at the sight of him.

"Hey, Yeonjun!" Taehyun said, leaning against the doorframe. He had an easy smile and an air of confidence that instantly made Soobin feel welcome.

"Soobin!" Beomgyu squealed, catching sight of him. He rushed forward and pulled Soobin into a tight hug. "I've heard so much about you!"

"Nice to meet you, Beomgyu," Soobin managed, slightly taken aback by the enthusiasm.

"Likewise! You'll fit right in with our weird little family!" Beomgyu grinned before stepping back to let Taehyun in.

As Taehyun entered, he offered Soobin a nod, his gaze warm and friendly. "It's good to see you. Yeonjun has told us a lot about you too."

"Good things, I hope," Soobin replied, feeling a mix of nervousness and excitement.

"Definitely," Taehyun assured him, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "We're just glad Yeonjun has someone like you in his life."

"Come on, let's get comfortable!" Yeonjun said, gesturing to the couch. "I want to introduce you guys properly."

As they settled in, Beomgyu took his place next to Taehyun, who wrapped an arm around him protectively. Soobin noticed how Beomgyu leaned into Taehyun's side, a satisfied smile on his face. The dynamic between them was evident; Beomgyu's clinginess seemed to be a source of comfort for both of them.

"So, Soobin," Beomgyu said, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "What do you like to do? Do you have any hobbies?"

Soobin hesitated, glancing at Yeonjun for support. "I enjoy reading and listening to music, mostly. And I've been trying to get back into my studies," he admitted, his cheeks warming slightly.

"That's awesome!" Beomgyu exclaimed. "You should recommend me some books. Right, Taehyun?"

"Absolutely". Taehyun replied.

Soobin smiled, feeling a little more at ease. "I'd be happy to share."

Yeonjun watched the interaction with a satisfied grin, clearly pleased with how well his friends were getting along with Soobin. "You guys are going to love him. He's amazing guy, and he's got a killer sense of humor."

"So, what do you think of our little crew?" Beomgyu asked, leaning closer to Taehyun.

Soobin chuckled lightly. "I think it's great. I feel like I already know you all from Yeonjun's stories."

"Wait until you see us in action," Beomgyu said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "We're a wild bunch."

"Wild might be an understatement," Taehyun added, shaking his head with a chuckle. "But in a good way."

As they continued to chat, Soobin felt the warmth of their friendship enveloping him. It was a stark contrast to the loneliness he had felt after losing his grandparents. Here, with Yeonjun, Beomgyu, and Taehyun, he felt a sense of belonging starting to blossom.

"What about you, Beomgyu? What do you like to do?" Soobin asked, eager to learn more about his new friend.

Beomgyu perked up, launching into a description of his interests. "I love playing the guitar and singing! I've been trying to write my own songs too. And I also make cute and adorable stuff like bracelets and chains."

"Speaking of adorable, you should see Beomgyu when he's sulking," Taehyun teased, nudging Beomgyu playfully. "He gets this pouty face that makes it impossible not to spoil him."

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, but a grin tugged at his lips. "Okay, but only when Taehyun is being too overprotective!"

Soobin chuckled, watching the playful banter between them. The way Taehyun's gaze softened as he looked at Beomgyu was undeniable. There was a protective warmth in his demeanor that made it clear how much he cared for Beomgyu.

"You guys seem really close," Soobin remarked, smiling at their dynamic.

Taehyun nodded, his expression serious. "We've been through a lot together. I'll always take care of him."

Beomgyu leaned against Taehyun, resting his head on his shoulder. "And I'm lucky to have him," he murmured, his voice soft and sincere.

As the afternoon passed, Soobin realized how grateful he was for this newfound connection. It felt like the pieces of his life were slowly starting to come together. With Yeonjun by his side and new friends surrounding him, he began to believe that healing was possible.

As the conversation flowed, Soobin felt a sense of warmth and belonging wash over him. Beomgyu and Taehyun's playful teasing and Yeonjun's reassuring presence created an atmosphere that made him forget his worries, if only for a moment.

The sound of the front door unlocking echoed through the apartment, and Yeonjun's face brightened instantly.

"That must be Kai," he said with a smile, getting up from the couch just as Huening Kai stepped inside.

"Hyung!" Huening Kai called out with his usual cheerful voice, immediately noticing Soobin. His eyes widened as he took in the unfamiliar face. "Oh, we have a guest?"

Yeonjun chuckled. "Yeah, this is Soobin. You remember I told you about him, right? We've known each other for a long time."

Soobin stood up and gave a small nod in greeting. "Nice to meet you, Kai."

Kai beamed and gave a little wave. "Nice to meet you too, hyung!"

"Kai's in middle school," Yeonjun explained. "He's the youngest in our group but don't let that fool you—he's a smart kid."

Kai grinned proudly. "Of course! I've already started preparing for high school. What about you, hyung? What are you planning to study?"

Soobin smiled slightly. "I'm planning to go into medical school. I've been focused on that for a while now, especially cardiology."

Kai's eyes sparkled with interest. "Wow, that's amazing! So you want to be a doctor?"

"Yeah," Soobin nodded. "It's been my goal since I was younger. I've always wanted to help people, especially those with heart conditions."

Yeonjun looked at Soobin with admiration. "You've always been so determined, even back when we were kids."

Kai leaned closer, clearly impressed. "That's so cool, hyung. You're going to save lives!"

Soobin's lips curved into a small smile at Kai's enthusiasm.

"Kai, help me set up some snacks, will you?"

As the younger boy nodded and followed Yeonjun into the kitchen, Soobin couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth. Despite the differences in their ages and interests, there was something comforting about being around Yeonjun and his friends. It felt like he was becoming part of something bigger—a family of sorts.

End of Chapter 4

13/10/2024

to be continued...