fourteen || lanterns dancing in the sky

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"I can't believe this...three years of track...did nothing!"

The race had ended after five minutes or so and Taehyun was absolutely devastated. Not only was he last place but he also tripped and fell on his way right when he was so close to beating Huening!

The two official losers of the race were none other than the lovable juniors Kai and Taehyun. Kai was saddened and blamed his years of track for being useless but Taehyun just accepted his fate. He wasn't very fond of the idea of licking a toilet seat, he just hoped after today one of the hyungs (or all) would forget.

"You...Should've done...hah...better!" Beomgyu breathed out slowly, he was exhausted and he only ran for five or six minutes! Beomgyu heaved out loudly and fell onto his ass trying to catch his breath. "Geez someone needs to work out more," Yeonjun said watching Beomgyu just fall apart.

"We're going to miss getting our boats guys, come on," Soobin said and patted Beomgyu's head for him to get off of the ground. Beomgyu groaned loudly and looked at Taehyun with pleading eyes.

"My darling help me get up!" He said and raised his hands waiting for the redhead to pull him up. Taehyun blankly stared at the elder and walked right past him, following his brother instead.

"HAHH! Rejected hyung!" Kai snorted and started laughing loudly, Beomgyu scoffed and stood up wiping the dirt off of his pants. "Be quiet or I'll push you into the lake." He said, instantly making Kai shut up. Beomgyu couldn't help but laugh softly and ruffled the younger head.

"Come on." He said and locked pinkies with Kai, walking to the other three who were talking to one of the workers. "We have five people but we're separating into two groups," Soobin explained to the worker.

"You're lucky, we have two boats left!" The worker said and walked down the docks, the boys followed him as he showcased the boats that were left.

Taehyun's mouth dropped as Kai's instantly lit up.

"A duck boat...and a swan boat?" Yeonjun asked slightly confused about the boat designs, he thought there would be actual boats instead of these. "Yeah! We wanted to make it fun this year and so we got animal boats." The worker said and handed each one of them a life jacket.

Taehyun wasn't comfortable at all. Call him a party pooper or whatever but he did not want to get on one of those boats when it was that dark out in the lake, he felt anxious that something bad will happen or that he could fall in and Beomgyu wouldn't save him.

"I call the duck boat! I want front!" Kai said after putting the life jacket on and running down to get into the duck boat. Soobin called out and scolded Kai for going too fast and walked to him.

"You'll be okay, right?" Yeonjun asked Beomgyu. The ravenette looked up at his hyung and smiled reassuringly, he knew Yeonjun would be nervous if someone would accidentally fall off or get lost. "Don't worry I have my Tyun here!" Beomgyu said pulling the redhead closer.

"Alright, if you get lost or whatever shine a flashlight," Yeonjun said holding up his phone and flashing the flashlight in Beomgyu's face for an example.

Beomgyu quickly squinted his eyes and covered the light. "Okay, I get it!" He said and pushed Yeonjun away. "Hurry up! Soobin hyung and Hyuka are waiting for your slow ass." He said and pointed at the other two who were calling out for Yeonjun.

"Okay okay!" Yeonjun smiled and quickly left running to the other two in the duck boat. Beomgyu sighed happily once Yeonjun was gone, he loves his hyung but god he could be annoying when he was overprotective.

"Darling are you-"

Beomgyu paused when he looked at Taehyun, staring at the swan boat with pure fear in his eyes. "Hey- Hey are you okay? Taehyun-ah?" Beomgyu quickly grabbed his shoulders shaking him out of his terrified daze.

Taehyun shook his head and looked up at Beomgyu, his lips trembled slightly. "H-Hyung, I'm scared to go on the swan boat...I'm terrified I'm going to fall off and I-I'm scared something will happen-" Taehyun said and looked down. This is so embarrassing! It's just a swan boat.

"It's okay Taehyun, I won't make you do things you're not comfortable with. Do you just want to find an open field instead?" Beomgyu asked slowly caressing the younger's arm to calm him down. Taehyun shook his head and looked back. "I-I want to see the lanterns on the lake but I'm not comfortable on that boat."

"That's okay Tyun," Beomgyu said tucking some of the red locks behind the younger's ear. "Stay here." He said and walked away from the younger going over to the worker.

"Do you guys really not have any other boats? My....friend isn't comfortable." Beomgyu said, bitterly forcing out the word 'friend' as if it was a cursed word to say.

"We have a rowboat but I don't think it'll be fun-"

"I'll take it," Beomgyu said and handed the man a couple of dollars for the trouble. The man stood there shocked and just nodded, pointing in the direction of where the boat was Beomgyu thanked him and walked back to Taehyun.

"We can have a rowboat instead, is that okay with you?" Beomgyu said and helped buckle Taehyun's life jacket on, adjusting it so it wasn't so tight. "That's fine...I think." Taehyun mumbled trying to agree with himself.

"Taehyun...Is this your first time on a boat?"

"What? No!" Taehyun quickly said as his face flushed red with embarrassment. He pushed the elder away and scoffed. "It is! Don't worry darling I'll protect you!" Beomgyu said and pulled Taehyun closer, ruffling his hair.

Taehyun slapped away Beomgyu's hand and glared at the elder. "Shut up! We might just sink because of you!" He said and pushed Beomgyu out of the way heading towards the rowboat. Beomgyu couldn't help but smile even wider, his heart couldn't handle it but the thought of being the first one on a boat with Taehyun just made him explode.

"Hey, careful!" Beomgyu yelled out watching Taehyun trip into the boat.

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"Hyung can you stop breathing so loudly?!" Taehyun whined trying to cover his ears. It had been about twenty minutes since they had departed from the docks and Beomgyu was the one rowing the boat to a decent spot.

"It's- It's not my fault that it's so hard to row a boat!" Beomgyu groaned and finally stopped. Putting the paddle back in the boat he looked to the side and smiled at the spot. They were a perfect distance from the land, not too far and not too close.

He could see the faint silhouettes of people gathering around the area and the lights of lanterns glowing. "We have ten minutes until release, Taehyun." He said and looked at the younger.

It was hard to see the facial expression the redhead had. It was way too dark being out on the lake and the shine from the moon was the only source of light they had. It was so dark out they couldn't even see that giant bright ass duck the others took!

"Taehyun while we wait why don't we have a lovely conversation?" Beomgyu said and leaned onto his hand that rested on his leg. He saw Taehyun's head move slightly, probably looking at the elder with a judgmental face as always. "No."

"Come on! Will you stop being so cold to me darling? I feel my heart stopping already!"

"Good thing we're on a lake so I can dispose of your body."

Beomgyu's mouth dropped and his eyes widened. Brushing off the chills he got he shook his head with an awkward laugh. "Hey..." He spoke up softly. "You never told me in detail about how Yuri was."

Taehyun's heart dropped when the elder mentioned that name. He bit his lip nervously and looked away.

Jo Yuri.

A name that Taehyun has nearly forgotten about.

She was Taehyun's cousin from his dad's side. She attended middle school with Taehyun and the first year of high school with him until she moved away back to the states. She was the only person besides Huening Kai to make Taehyun comfortable and less anxious about everything.

Beomgyu knew her because of her yelling at him on the last day of 8th grade when he tried to approach Taehyun. He wanted to wish the younger a farewell but of course, it wouldn't be so easy.

Yet Yuri had the sweetest heart and the kindest eyes, if Beomgyu wasn't head over heels for Taehyun then there might've been a chance for him to obsess over the other instead. which thankfully, didn't happen.

"I haven't heard from Yuri in years, hyung. Why mention her now?" Taehyun mumbled uncomfortably thinking about his cousin who was long gone. The last person to ever come from his dad's side.

It had been years since Taehyun last saw his dad. He was grateful that Soobin's father treated him like his own son. But now knowing his father is out there and doesn't want anything to do with him made his heart shatter.

Beomgyu saw the visible devastated expression on Taehyun's face. Mentally cursing himself for mentioning that name he sighed softly and held Taehyun's hand. "I'm sorry."

"What time do you perform tonight hyung," Taehyun said quickly wanting to shift the topic. He didn't want the mood to be ruined, especially on an amazing night like this. "Midnight, but I have to leave at 11 to go meet up and rehearse with my band mates."

"What song will you perform?"

"That's a surprise Taehyunie~," Beomgyu said in a sing-song tone and pinched Taehyun's cheek earning a small kick to his ankle. Beomgyu hissed in pain and pulled his leg up rubbing his ankle.

"Taehyun-"

Beomgyu cut off after the small golden light passed them making it more visible to see each other. The golden hue kissed Taehyun's skin beautifully, realizing it he quickly looked up and saw dozens of lanterns floating above them.

"Oh my gosh!" Taehyun gasped out and stood up trying to get a better view of what was happening around them.

Multiple lanterns began floating around the dark sky, some floating down the river. Lanterns bumped into each other as if they were dancing in the night sky, it filled the once dark area they were in, now with that dim golden light just enough to see each other.

"Hyung...Oh my god, it's so...Pretty!" Taehyun gasped out and slowly extended his hand out, lifting a lantern that was slowly falling up higher. He watched the lanterns pass by like a dozen stars. His heart was beating fast staring at the beautiful scenery.

He was excited, seeing this for the first time made him regret not going the past few years. But now that he saw how amazing it was when lanterns were released, he realized the hype and excitement people had over this.

Beomgyu couldn't help but stare at Taehyun with adoration and admiration in his eyes. Watching the younger be fascinated by the lanterns, his eyes glowing and shining like a little kid, those pink lips opened slightly making Taehyun look way too beautiful.

"Darling."

Taehyun turned his head and looked at the elder, his eyes widened slightly when he saw Beomgyu holding an already lit-up lantern in his hands. "Why don't we join, hmm? I'm pretty sure the others released theirs already."

Taehyun nodded quickly and sat down on one of the seats facing Beomgyu. He was a bit confused about why Beomgyu only had one lantern, he was pretty sure Soobin had gotten one each for everyone. "Hyung why do you only have one?"

"This one is special Tyun-ah, did you not realize?" Beomgyu tilted his head showing Taehyun. The redhead examined the lantern and slowly realized it was glowing a faint pink instead of an orange/red color.

"There's a small pocket right here, I got this from a guy in a van when I was on the way to the festival!"

Taehyun's face dropped as he stared at Beomgyu with the most unreadable look ever. Did he really just admit that he paid for a pink lantern from a shady van? This hyung was absolutely insane.

"S-So I brought some little notes to write stuff on it! Like a wish, when we release this our wish will come true!" Beomgyu quickly said seeing the change of expression on Taehyun's face.

Beomgyu quickly put the lantern down to the side and took out two sticky notes and a pen for each of them. He handed the younger one and smiled. "So write down something or a wish you want to come true Taehyun!" Beomgyu said and started writing down his wish.

Taehyun couldn't help but bite his lip slightly, he didn't know what to wish for, he was slightly happy with everything right now. Slowly looking up at Beomgyu he saw the elder write down his wish with a huge smile.

If he can do it...So can I! Taehyun thought to himself before writing down his wish, it was like his hand had a mind of its own when he wrote down his wish. Once done he stared at it and nodded to himself before folding it up, handing it to the elder who placed it inside a small pocket in the lantern.

"What did you wish for?"

"You know, exposing your wish means it won't come true. So I'm not telling you." Taehyun huffed and shook his head, his eyes roaming down to the water where dozens of lanterns floated by. It was like an endless wave of lanterns in the sky, all of it just kept coming.

"You're right..." Beomgyu chuckled softly and held up the glowing pink lantern, "Shall we, darling?"

Taehyun's face flushed slightly as he nodded. He felt the elder place the lantern in his hands yet his heart paced up more about what he did next.

Beomgyu wrapped his hands under Taehyun's cupping them softly, he stared into the youngers eyes. Taehyun's heart bloomed with an unknown feeling when he made eye contact with the elder. The soft hands against his own made his body flush without realizing it.

"So let's release our wishes and hope they come true," Beomgyu said and lifted his and Taehyun's hands into the air, the lantern slowly started to float away from the two. The pink light blended in with the orange/red ones around them until it was far from sight.

Beomgyu's hands never left Taehyun's. The elder wrapped his hands around the redheads properly, intertwining their fingers together. "Taehyun..." Beomgyu spoke out softly.

It was the perfect moment to spill out his whole heart to Taehyun. He wanted to tell him how much he wanted to love the younger and how long he's waited for him, he wanted to tell Taehyun how perfect he was and all the imperfections he thought about himself were perfect to Beomgyu.

He wanted to tell Taehyun how much his heart races when the youngers eyes widen with sparkles in his eyes, he wanted to tell him how much he loved his wide smile, he wanted to tell him how his stuttering when shy was adorable.

He wanted to tell him he loved him.

Yet he knew it was too early, he knew Taehyun was still adjusting to them being closer after years of hate, he wanted Taehyun to take his time and learn his feelings.

"You're so pretty," Beomgyu said instead watching Taehyun's face go red. Taehyun always knew the elder was a flirt with almost everyone, yet for some reason hearing it from Beomgyu himself, especially at this moment, made Taehyun speechless.

"Hyung what did you wish for?"

"I wished that—" Beomgyu paused seeing the sly smirk on Taehyun's face. "Hey! No, you almost tricked me! You knew if I said it my wish wouldn't come true!"

Taehyun couldn't help but laugh, the small sounds of his laughter spilled out like music to Beomgyu's ears. It was his first time hearing a laugh like this from Taehyun and gosh, he hoped he could make him laugh more in the future.

"Maybe I wanted your wish to not come true!"

"You're so evil darling, I might as well jump off this boat and escape." Beomgyu sniffled and pouted childishly. Taehyun's eyes widened as he quickly shook his head, he didn't want Beomgyu to drown because what if he was sent to jail for being accused of his death? He didn't want that!

Beomgyu laughed softly at Taehyun. He watched how the latter had slight goosebumps on his arms and was shivering slightly. Quickly realizing he took his sweater off and handed it to Taehyun.

"Are you cold? You're shivering." Beomgyu said and raised Taehyun's arms up slipping the sweater over his head. They both had taken off their life jackets after being reassured they wouldn't fall in.

Taehyun didn't even realize he was shivering, he didn't feel cold at all. Perhaps it was because he was distracted by the beautiful lanterns around them.

He felt the sweater's warm embrace wrap around his body, the slight scent of vanilla mixed with chestnut invaded his senses making his head spin. The sweater was slightly bigger than Taehyun's normal size so the sleeves were a bit loose at the end.

"There, my gosh you look so cute in my sweater! I might as well give you my whole closet!" Beomgyu said admiring Taehyun's small frame in his oversized sweater.

"I-I...Uhm.." Taehyun couldn't get the words out, he felt his throat go itchy as his chest was hurting so much. He licked his lips nervously and played with the end of the sweater.

"I think it's time to head back, as much as I want to stare at the lanterns more I have to get back and rehearse darling, I'm sorry." Beomgyu sighed backing up and picking the paddle up. Taehyun just nodded, he understood the elder and why they should get a move on.

"But before I do...Can I please get a picture of us?" Beomgyu said holding his phone up. Taehyun was shocked, he never ever took pictures with Beomgyu and when he did it was usually with the others. Yet he nodded as the elder pulled him closer onto his lap making Taehyun gasp.

"R-Really? Your lap?! Seriously? You could've just sat next to me!" Taehyun said as his face went even redder. "But this is so much better! I swear it'll be just one second." Beomgyu said and adjusted the phone to where they were both visible with the lanterns in the back.

Beomgyu counted down from three and took a few photos before he was satisfied. He quickly put his phone away and looked at Taehyun who was nervously looking away.

"You can go sit down now." The elder said and smiled at Taehyun who quickly stood up and sat back down on the seat across from the elder, but for some reason, he felt so comfortable on the elder's lap.

"Let's get going." Beomgyu softly said and put the paddle into the water.

"TAEHYUN! BEOMGYU!"

Both boys looked up as their faces washed over with horror.

The sight of a giant duck floating towards them at a concerning speed. They could easily tell was Kai who called out for them as he was waving his hands around like a maniac.

He could hear the faint yelling of Yeonjun from afar as Beomgyu couldn't help but laugh. "Gosh, that was fucking terrifying," Beomgyu said and started quickly rowing the boat away from the others who yelled at Beomgyu to wait.

"Let's see who can win this race!" Beomgyu said already getting competitive. Taehyun couldn't help but laugh at the elder and looked back at the others.

"Last one there?" Beomgyu started.

"Gets to lick the toilet seat," Taehyun said finishing the sentence as the two began rowing away the best they could.

Beomgyu's heart bloomed with love watching Taehyun laugh his heart out at Kai who was screaming at them.

My wish...

My wish is to finally say you're mine, Taehyun. I wish to have a future with you and be the reason you're happy.

My dreams will never be enough, I want you only Taehyun.

So please be mine when the time comes. Beomgyu thought staring at the younger with a love blurred mind.

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a/n : thank you for reading! this chapter was heavily inspired by that lantern scene in the Disney movie tangled (my favorite Disney movie !) so if you've seen it I tried making it based on it :,)

here is what the boat Yeonbinkai took

and here is what taegyu took!