𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐍 𝐔𝐒 || 𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐧

Chapter 2: Shadows and Sunlight

Vote please :(

...

Years passed, but the dynamic between Sunoo and Sunghoon remained much the same. Sunoo was still the outgoing and bubbly one, while Sunghoon preferred to stick to his small circle—if you could even call it that. In truth, his "circle" was just Sunoo.

By the time they entered middle school, Sunoo's social butterfly tendencies were in full bloom. He had a knack for making people laugh, drawing classmates to him like moths to a flame. Sunghoon, on the other hand, stayed reserved, observing everything from the sidelines.

During lunch one day, Sunghoon sat quietly at their usual spot under the big oak tree, poking at his food while Sunoo chatted animatedly with a group of classmates nearby.

"...and then I tripped right in front of the whole class!" Sunoo laughed, gesturing wildly as the others burst into laughter.

Sunghoon watched the scene unfold, his grip on his chopsticks tightening. It wasn't that he didn't want Sunoo to have other friends. He just didn't like how distant Sunoo seemed whenever they weren't alone.

"Sunghoon, you okay?"

Sunghoon blinked, startled out of his thoughts. Sunoo had turned back to him, his smile softening. "You're so quiet today."

"I'm always quiet," Sunghoon muttered, looking away.

Sunoo tilted his head. "But this is different. Did something happen?"

Sunghoon hesitated before shaking his head. "No. It's nothing."

Sunoo didn't push, though his curious eyes lingered for a moment longer. "Well, let me know if you want to talk, okay?"

Sunghoon nodded, though his gaze remained fixed on his food.

That afternoon, Sunghoon waited for Sunoo by the school gate, as he always did. The late autumn breeze ruffled his hair as he stood there, hands stuffed into his pockets.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting!" Sunoo's voice rang out, cheerful as ever.

"It's fine," Sunghoon replied, though his tone was clipped.

Sunoo frowned. "Are you sure nothing's wrong? You've been acting weird all day."

"I said it's fine," Sunghoon snapped, more harshly than he intended.

Sunoo froze, his eyes wide with surprise. "Hoonie..."

Regret immediately washed over Sunghoon. "Sorry. I didn't mean to yell."

Sunoo studied him for a moment before offering a small smile. "It's okay. Let's go home."

As they walked side by side, Sunoo started humming a tune, and the tension slowly began to fade.

The following weekend, Sunoo convinced Sunghoon to join him at a small gathering with a few classmates. Sunghoon was reluctant at first but eventually gave in—mainly because Sunoo insisted he wouldn't go without him.

At the gathering, Sunoo flitted from group to group, easily slipping into conversations while Sunghoon hovered near the snack table, arms crossed.

"Hey, Sunghoon!" A boy named Jaehyun approached him, offering a friendly smile. "You're Sunoo's best friend, right?"

Sunghoon nodded curtly.

"He talks about you a lot," Jaehyun continued. "Says you're the coolest person he knows."

Sunghoon's chest swelled with a mix of pride and embarrassment. "Really?"

"Yeah. He's lucky to have you," Jaehyun said before walking away.

Sunghoon glanced across the room, his gaze landing on Sunoo, who was laughing at something someone said. Despite the jealousy simmering in his chest, Sunghoon couldn't deny the warmth that spread through him.

Sunoo might be surrounded by people, but he still thought of Sunghoon as his closest friend.

Later that evening, as they walked home together, Sunoo nudged Sunghoon's arm. "Did you have fun?"

Sunghoon shrugged. "It was okay."

"Just okay?"

"I guess it was better than I expected," Sunghoon admitted reluctantly.

Sunoo grinned. "See? I told you it wouldn't be so bad."

Sunghoon rolled his eyes but couldn't help the small smile that tugged at his lips.

"Thanks for coming with me, Hoonie," Sunoo added softly.

"Yeah," Sunghoon replied. "Anytime."

...

Tell me how was it? :(