we were never quiet

Yeongyu/Beomjun

cw: sex, violence, strong language, triggering themes

High School AU

"Do you ever think about how loud everything used to be?" he asks. "Us, I mean."

I let out a quiet laugh. "You're kidding, right? You never shut up."

"That's not what I mean." He smiles, but it doesn't quite reach his eyes. "I mean... even when we weren't talking. Everyone knew. The looks, the rumors, the way people watched us like we were a circus show or something."

I swallow. I remember it too. The whispers, the stares, the way holding his hand felt like both a rebellion and a confession.

"We didn't really try to hide," I say.

"No." He pushes off the locker and steps closer, voice dropping. "Because we didn't know how to be. We were never quiet, Beomgyu. Not about each other. Not even when we should've been."

The words land heavier than I expect.

We were never quiet.

"Maybe that's not a bad thing," I finally say. "Maybe being loud is the only way we knew how to survive."

Yeonjun searches my face, like he's trying to memorize it. Then he nods, slow and sure.

"Yeah," he says softly. "I think I'd rather be loud with you than silent with anyone else."