𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗲

the piano steps

He was dragging me away from the bridge that night, the grip of his small hand tight on my wrist. The soles of my shoes make noise as they are scraped against the pavement.

I was reluctant yet I let myself be pulled along through chilly air and bright street lights.

"Quick! You'll like this, I promise!"

I'm like a sack of rice, heavy, difficult to bring around. I don't even have the energy to mumble a reply. My mind is clouded and my thoughts are jumbled up into lines and squiggles that barely painted a clear picture.

If I weren't so distracted, I would have felt bad for him for wasting his efforts like this.

"Seungcheol-hyung? You seemed to have spaced out."

I didn't realize we were already wherever he wanted us to be: the subway station. In front of us, going downward, was a short flight of stairs that led to the shops and eventually, the train track. It was illuminated by dimming white light, showing that the steps weren't that of the usual-looking.

They were modified to look like piano keys.

"Come on then. Look!"

His grip on me loosens as he goes down a step, turning to watch my reaction carefully. My eyes widen upon hearing a loud note. He giggles and moves down again, producing another note but in a lower key.

"Aren't you going to join me?"

I hesitate for a second before following after him. Soon enough we found ourselves playing, running up and down the stairs and laughing like children. I hadn't been this joyful in a while.

We eventually stopped to take a rest by sitting down on the pavement with our legs tucked under us. It was a relaxing quiet, save for our soft pants as we caught our breath.

Then he beams at me. "See that? I was right, wasn't I?"

I reply through action instead of words, gently cupping his cheeks with both hands before pressing my lips against his. I hear his little gasp and I chuckle into the kiss, pulling away after a couple of seconds with the little proximity between our faces remaining.

"It's good you found me here," I whisper, the pads of my thumbs grazing his smooth skin. He takes ahold of my wrists again and for a brief moment, we just gazed into each other's eyes as if we were both in a trance-like state.

"Please never try to leave me like that ever again," he says like he was pleading. "I could never find anyone in place of you, hyung. I love you."

"Jihoon-ah–"

"Promise me."

I could do nothing but give in, pulling him into me and wrapping my arms around his petite frame. I feel him bury his face in my chest as I rest my chin atop his head, murmuring little nothings that would give him the assurance he needed.