𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐄; boysnextdoor

swings ; taesan

Y/N tugged her little brother’s hand gently as they stepped into the park. It was late afternoon, and the sun bathed the area in a golden hue. Children’s laughter echoed as kids chased each other across the grass, and a vendor sold popsicles near the swings. Her brother, Junseo, clutched his favorite toy car, looking around in awe. At just two years old, he was curious about everything.

"Do you want to play on the swings, Junseo?" Y/N asked with a soft smile, crouching to his eye level.

Junseo nodded enthusiastically, babbling incoherent words that made her laugh. She lifted him into her arms, walking toward the swing set.

As Y/N pushed Junseo gently, her eyes wandered to the other side of the park. A boy around her age stood near the sandbox with a little girl who looked like a younger version of him. He crouched, wiping dirt off her face with a tissue. There was something endearing about the scene, the way he smiled at the girl like she was his whole world.

The little girl ran off to join some other kids, and the boy straightened, catching Y/N’s gaze. For a second, neither of them looked away. He had a kind face, framed by soft brown hair, and his eyes held a warmth that made her heart skip.

Y/N quickly looked away, focusing back on Junseo, who was now kicking his legs and giggling. But her attention was stolen again when she heard a voice nearby.

"Your brother?"

Y/N turned to see the boy from earlier, now standing a few feet away with his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah," she replied, a bit surprised by his directness. "That’s Junseo. Yours?" She nodded toward the girl he was with.

He smiled, glancing over his shoulder. "That’s Jiyoon. She’s six, and she insists on playing in the sandbox every time we come here."

Y/N chuckled. "Junseo’s obsessed with swings. I think I’ve spent half my life standing here since he learned to walk."

The boy laughed softly. "I’m Taesan, by the way."

"Y/N," she said, shaking the hand he extended.

They fell into an easy rhythm of conversation, sharing little anecdotes about their siblings. Y/N learned that Taesan was the middle child of three, with an older brother in college and his energetic little sister. He learned that Y/N was an only child for most of her life, and Junseo was a surprise addition to her family.

"You’re pretty good with him," Taesan noted, watching as she crouched to wipe ice cream from Junseo’s chin after a snack break.

"I’ve had a lot of practice," Y/N replied, smiling as she ruffled Junseo’s hair. "It’s like he’s my own kid sometimes."

Taesan nodded thoughtfully. "Same here. Jiyoon says I’m her ‘favorite parent,’ which annoys my mom to no end."

Y/N laughed at that, and the sound seemed to make Taesan smile even wider.

As the sun began to dip lower, Taesan suggested taking a walk around the park while their siblings played in the sandbox. Y/N hesitated for a moment, glancing at Junseo, but Taesan quickly assured her that he’d keep an eye on both kids.

"Besides," he added, "it’s just around the playground. We’ll still be in sight."

Y/N agreed, and they strolled along the paved path, their conversation flowing naturally. Taesan talked about his love for music and how he was learning to play the guitar, while Y/N shared her passion for drawing.

"Maybe I could write a song, and you could design the album cover," Taesan joked.

Y/N laughed. "Deal. But only if you let me critique your lyrics first."

"Harsh critic, huh?" he teased.

"Just honest," she replied with a grin.

By the time they circled back to the playground, Jiyoon and Junseo were sitting together, engrossed in a game of stacking rocks. The sight made both Y/N and Taesan pause.

"They get along well," Taesan said softly.

Y/N nodded. "Yeah. It’s nice."

For a moment, they stood there in comfortable silence, watching their siblings play. Then Taesan turned to her, a curious look in his eyes.

"So, do you come here often?"

Y/N tilted her head. "What are you, trying to use a pickup line on me?"

He laughed, scratching the back of his neck. "No, I just—well, I guess I was trying to ask if I’d see you again."

Her cheeks flushed at the subtle implication, but she managed to keep her tone light. "Maybe. If Junseo demands more swing time."

Taesan grinned. "Then I guess I’ll have to hope Jiyoon stays obsessed with the sandbox."

The afternoon faded into evening, and it was time to head home. Taesan helped Jiyoon gather her things while Y/N carried a now-sleepy Junseo.

"Guess I’ll see you around," Taesan said as they walked toward the park entrance.

"Yeah," Y/N replied, her voice softer than she intended.

As they parted ways, Y/N couldn’t help but glance back. Taesan did the same, their eyes meeting briefly before they both smiled and turned away.

That night, as she tucked Junseo into bed, Y/N found herself thinking about Taesan. There was something about him—his easygoing nature, the way he spoke about his sister with so much love—that made her chest feel warm.

And though she didn’t know what the future held, she hoped their paths would cross again. Because sometimes, the most unexpected encounters could lead to something truly special.