starlight | choi soobin.

fifteen.

it was a saturday afternoon when soobin finally invited her over to his house. it wasn't a grand gesture, not the kind of thing he had read about in novels or seen in movies, but it felt significant to him in a way that words couldn't capture. his house was small, tucked away in a quiet part of the city, and he had always preferred it that way. it was a place where he could retreat from the world, the place where he felt most himself. and now, the idea of sharing it with her felt like a step into something real, something that went beyond the quiet exchanges and shared glances they had shared over the past few weeks.

he had spent the morning cleaning—tidying up his room, dusting the bookshelves, trying to make it feel a little less like the isolated space he usually inhabited. his mother had given him a knowing look when she saw him scrambling around, but she hadn't said much. she never did, not when it came to things like this. it was the quiet understanding between them, the kind that came from years of living together, side by side, without needing to fill every silence with words.

when she texted him to say she was on her way, soobin felt a rush of nervous energy flood through him. it wasn't fear, exactly. it was something else—something that felt like anticipation, but without the certainty of what would come next. he wondered if she was nervous too, if she was feeling the weight of this moment, the quiet shift in their relationship. it wasn't a first date, but it still felt like one. something new, something unknown.

when the doorbell rang, soobin's heart skipped a beat. he smoothed down his shirt, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

she was standing there, her hands tucked into the pockets of her jacket, her hair falling in soft waves around her face. there was a softness to her expression, a quiet calm that made everything feel easier. but her eyes—her eyes were full of questions, full of a nervous energy that mirrored his own. it was clear she was just as uncertain as he was, and that made him feel a little better.

"hey," she said, her voice tentative, but with a warmth that eased the tension in the air.

"hey," he replied, smiling softly as he stepped aside to let her in. "come in."

she hesitated for a moment before stepping across the threshold, glancing around the small entryway. it was simple, nothing fancy, just a few coats hanging on hooks and a pair of shoes lined up neatly by the door. the scent of something sweet wafted through the house, probably from his mom baking in the kitchen. it felt... homey. It felt like him.

"it's nice," she said, her gaze flicking around the space. "i didn't expect it to be so... cozy."

"yeah, it's not much," he shrugged, leading her into the living room. "but it's mine."

she smiled, a genuine smile that made his chest tighten. he liked the way she was looking at him, as though she were seeing him in a new light—maybe not as the quiet boy who sat in the back of the classroom, but as something more. something real.

the living room was small but warm, the soft glow of afternoon sunlight streaming in through the windows. a few potted plants sat on the windowsills, and there was a stack of books beside the couch. his piano sat in the corner of the room, its black keys gleaming in the sunlight. the room felt like him—quiet, thoughtful, with just enough space for the things he loved.

"you play piano?" she asked, her eyes drifting toward the instrument.

soobin's gaze followed hers, a flush creeping up his neck. "yeah... a little," he said, feeling the weight of her gaze. he wasn't sure why it made him nervous. he had never minded playing in front of his mom, but there was something different about playing in front of her. it felt... personal. like a window into his soul that he wasn't sure he was ready to open.

"can you play something?" she asked, her voice soft but curious, as if she was genuinely interested.

he hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "i guess," he said, walking over to the piano. he sat down on the bench, his fingers lightly brushing against the keys. the room fell silent except for the soft sound of the piano keys as soobin began to play. it wasn't anything complicated—just a simple melody he had learned a few months ago—but as his fingers moved across the keys, he couldn't help but feel exposed, as if every note was a piece of his heart laid bare.

he could feel her presence behind him, the weight of her eyes watching him, and it both comforted him and made him uneasy. he couldn't explain why, but playing for her felt different from playing for himself. it was as though this simple act of sharing something so personal was opening a door he wasn't sure he was ready to walk through.

when he finished, there was a quiet moment of stillness, and he didn't dare look up. his fingers lingered on the keys, the music still ringing in his ears.

"that was beautiful," she said softly, breaking the silence. "you're really good."

soobin felt his cheeks flush, but a smile tugged at his lips despite himself. "thanks," he muttered, feeling a sense of relief flood through him. it wasn't as terrifying as he had imagined.

she walked over to the couch and sat down, her eyes still glowing with that quiet warmth. "i didn't know you could play," she said, her tone thoughtful. "it's nice. i'm glad i got to hear it."

soobin nodded, grateful for her words, but also aware of the stillness in the air. there was a quiet understanding between them now, something unspoken that made everything feel a little bit easier. they didn't need to fill every silence with words. sometimes, being together, in this small space, was enough.

"i'm glad you came," he said after a moment, his voice steady now. it was the truth—having her here, in this place, felt right. more right than anything else had in a long time.

"me too," she said, her eyes meeting his. "this feels nice. i like being here. with you."

and for a brief moment, everything felt like it had fallen into place. it wasn't perfect, and they hadn't figured everything out yet, but it was real. it was simple. and that was enough.

after a while, they made their way into the kitchen, where his mom had baked a batch of cookies. they sat at the table, eating quietly, not needing to fill the space with anything but the soft sounds of their shared laughter. it was easy, easy in a way that felt comforting, like they were slipping into a rhythm that didn't require explanation. they were together, in this house, in this moment. and that was enough.

as the evening stretched on and the light outside dimmed, soobin found himself feeling more at ease with each passing minute. they talked about everything and nothing—school, their favorite songs, the latest book she was reading. their conversation flowed naturally, as if they had always known each other, as if this was how it was meant to be.

when she stood up to leave, soobin felt a strange reluctance settle in his chest. he didn't want the day to end. he didn't want the quiet connection they had found to fade just yet.

"i'll walk you to the door," he said, standing up from his chair.

as they walked to the door, soobin hesitated, unsure of what to do next. his heart was pounding in his chest, his thoughts a little scattered, but all he wanted to do was to keep her here, to keep this moment alive for just a little longer. but instead, he opened the door, and they stood there, facing each other in the dimming light.

"thanks for coming over," he said, his voice quiet.

she smiled, her gaze soft and warm. "thanks for having me. i really enjoyed today."

there was a long pause, and for a moment, neither of them knew what to say. then, almost as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she stepped forward and kissed him.

it was brief, but it felt like everything at once—familiar, new, uncertain, but real. soobin's heart raced, his mind spinning, but in that moment, he knew. this was only the beginning.

when she pulled away, she smiled, her eyes bright with something he couldn't quite name. "see you soon," she said, her voice soft.

"yeah," soobin replied, his heart still hammering. "see you soon."