⛧°。 ⋆༺♱༻⋆。 °⛧

Yeonjun stood outside Beomgyu's door, hand hovering over the polished wood. He had spent the better part of the day rehearsing what he wanted to say, trying to find the right words to break through the wall that Beomgyu seemed determined to keep up.

With a deep breath, he knocked softly. "Gyu? Can I come in?"

There was a long pause before Beomgyu's muffled voice responded. "What do you want?"

"I just want to talk," Yeonjun said, keeping his tone gentle.

The door creaked open a crack, revealing Beomgyu's wary eyes. After a moment's hesitation, he stepped aside to let Yeonjun in.

Beomgyu moved to sit on the edge of his bed, his posture stiff and defensive. "What is it?"

Yeonjun crossed the room and sat in the chair by the window, giving Beomgyu some space. He studied the younger man for a moment, taking in the tension in his shoulders, the way his hands fidgeted in his lap.

"I've noticed you've been... distant," Yeonjun began carefully. "I know things have been hard, but I want to understand. I want to help."

Beomgyu's jaw tightened. He looked away, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I don't need your help."

"Beomgyu." Yeonjun leaned forward, his voice softening. "You're not alone in this. Whatever you're going through, I want to be there for you."

"Why?" Beomgyu's voice was sharp, almost a hiss. His eyes snapped up to meet Yeonjun's. "Why do you care so much? This is just an arrangement, isn't it? You're here because you have to be, not because you want to be."

Yeonjun's heart clenched at the words. He stood, taking a cautious step closer. "That's not true. I—"

"Don't." Beomgyu shot to his feet, backing away. His voice trembled with anger and something deeper, more fragile. "Don't say things you don't mean."

Yeonjun stopped, his hands raised in a gesture of surrender. "I do mean it, Gyu. I—"

"Just leave!" Beomgyu's voice cracked, and he turned his back to Yeonjun, his shoulders shaking.

For a moment, Yeonjun stood frozen, the words he wanted to say stuck in his throat. Finally, he sighed and stepped toward the door.

"I'm not giving up on you," Yeonjun said quietly. "Whether you believe me or not, I'm here for you."

He left the room, closing the door softly behind him.

As soon as Yeonjun was gone, Beomgyu sank onto the bed, his hands clutching the sheets. His chest felt tight, his mind racing with conflicting emotions.

Why does he have to make it so hard? Why does he have to care?

But deep down, Beomgyu knew the real question wasn't about Yeonjun—it was about himself. Why couldn't he let Yeonjun in?

He pressed his hands to his face, his scars brushing against his skin. The weight of Yeonjun's words lingered, a painful reminder of everything he was trying so hard to ignore.

I'm not giving up on you.

Would Yeonjun really stay? Could he be someone Beomgyu could trust?

He didn't know anymore and it was frustrating

                         ⛧°。 ⋆༺♱༻⋆。 °⛧