FATE REWRITTEN.....

19. All I Want

Yeonjun's POV

         It had been a week since the incident. Today, on a quiet Sunday, I was finally discharged from the hospital. A whole week had passed, and I could only think about how much Soobin had done for me.

Soobin stayed by my side the entire time, except when he went to school. Even then, he'd rush back as soon as his classes were over, barely giving himself a moment to rest. He would feed me carefully, talk to me about random things to keep my mind off the pain, make sure I took all my pills, and gently apply ointment and ice packs to my injuries. Every night, he wouldn't leave until I had fallen asleep.

The others visited every single day, too. Beomgyu, Taehyun, and Kai always spent their evenings with me, trying their best to make me smile. Kai's mom took care of me while Soobin was at school. She brought homemade food every day, making sure I was eating well. 

My father, on the other hand, never visited me. Not even once. Strangely, I wasn't hurt by it. I kept telling myself he was probably busy with work, as always. I had learned not to expect much from him anymore. But what did sting was the call I received from him during the week. Instead of checking on me, he scolded me for "misbehaving" and "getting into fights." His words left a dull ache in my chest that was harder to ignore than my injuries.

No one asked me too much about the incident itself, though. They were gentle with me, only wanting to know who had hurt me so they could file a complaint. But I didn't want to deal with any of it—at least not yet. I wasn't ready. They seemed to understand that, and for now, they were giving me time.

Through it all, I couldn't help but feel grateful. Grateful for the people who cared for me more than I probably deserved.

---

In Yeonjun's Flat

Author's POV

The quiet hum of the exhaust fan filled the kitchen, accompanied by the soft clinking of utensils. Sunlight streamed in through the window, bathing the space in a warm glow. Soobin stood by the stove, focused on cooking as the tantalizing smell of food began to fill the air.

Yeonjun sat on the kitchen counter, his legs lazily swinging back and forth. His eyes were glued to Soobin, unable to look away. There was something about the way Soobin looked—effortless, yet captivating. The plain striped shirt he wore clung to his broad frame, sleeves folded up to his elbows, exposing his forearms. The small movements of his hands as he chopped and stirred were oddly mesmerizing, as if everything about him radiated charm without even trying.

Yeonjun didn't realize how long he'd been staring until Soobin turned slightly, a curious look on his face. "Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something on my face?" he asked, his tone teasing but gentle.

The sudden question broke Yeonjun out of his thoughts. His cheeks flushed slightly as he quickly looked away, pretending to focus on something—anything—else. "Hm? N-Nothing," he mumbled, trying to sound nonchalant.

Soobin raised an eyebrow but let it slide, turning his attention back to plating the dishes.

"Thank you," Yeonjun said suddenly, his voice soft but sincere.

Soobin paused for a moment, turning to face him. His expression shifted, eyes gentle yet firm as if to reassure him without words. Stepping closer, Soobin placed the dish on the counter before standing in front of Yeonjun.

"You don't have to say it," Soobin replied softly, his voice calm and steady. "All I want is for you to stay healthy and happy. That's enough for me."

The corners of Yeonjun's lips lifted into a faint smile, though the emotions swimming in his chest made his throat feel tight.

Soobin moved closer still, his hand reaching out to gently caress Yeonjun's hair, his fingers brushing through the soft strands. Yeonjun leaned into the touch instinctively, his heart warming at the tenderness of the gesture. Soobin's hand trailed down to cup Yeonjun's cheek, his thumb brushing lightly over his skin.

Yeonjun felt his heart skip a beat. He looked up at Soobin and smiled faintly. "Okay," he whispered.

And in that quiet moment, nothing more needed to be said.

---

It was evening again, and Soobin and Yeonjun sat together, watching a movie with a bowl of popcorn between them. The flickering lights from the screen reflected in their eyes, but Yeonjun couldn't focus. His mind kept drifting, pulled back to memories he had long tried to bury. The past, the pain, and the things that happened last week haunted him. He felt an overwhelming urge to tell Soobin everything. Every secret, every fear, everything that he had kept hidden for so long.

Soobin noticed the change in Yeonjun's expression. His usual face faded, replaced by something heavier, something darker. Soobin's gaze softened as he reached for the remote, pausing the movie.

"Are you okay?" Soobin asked gently, concern evident in his voice.

Yeonjun nodded quickly, but Soobin could see through the facade. Without a word, Soobin stood up, intending to grab some water. But before he could leave, Yeonjun's hand shot out, grabbing his wrist.

"Wait," Yeonjun said, his voice trembling slightly. His eyes were filled with a deep, quiet fear.

Soobin's brow furrowed, sitting back down but this time much closer to Yeonjun, offering him his full attention.

"I... I want to tell you about it. About the one who did this to me. About everything..." Yeonjun's voice faltered as he spoke, his eyes glossy, like he was fighting back tears.

Soobin's heart tightened at the raw vulnerability in Yeonjun's eyes. He shifted even closer, his presence offering quiet reassurance.

"Take your time," Soobin said softly. His hand found its way to Yeonjun's hair, gently ruffling it in a comforting gesture. "I'm here."

Yeonjun took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the years of silence begin to shift, knowing that telling Soobin would be the first step in finally letting go of the past.

End of Chapter 19

17/12/2024

to be continued..