☆

Beomgyu sat cross-legged on his bedroom floor, his eyes narrowed with laser focus as he stared down the mannequin in front of him.

It wasn't just any mannequin. No, Beomgyu had gone the extra mile. He had carefully taped a picture of Taehyun's face—printed from his phone and cut to perfection—onto the featureless plastic head. It was slightly crooked, the tape curling at the edges, but to Beomgyu, it was close enough to reality. 

A shallow breath escaped him as he shifted to kneel on one knee, his hands pressed dramatically to his chest. His heart was hammering so loudly that he could practically hear it in his ears. 

"Alright," Beomgyu muttered to himself. He adjusted the lapels of his hoodie as if it were a suit and cleared his throat. "First attempt... medieval style." 

Beomgyu sucked in a breath, then tilted his chin upward with an air of noble confidence. His expression softened into one of quiet yearning as he fixed his gaze on the mannequin's face. His hand reached out to touch its cold plastic hand. 

"My dearest Kang Taehyun," he began, his voice taking on a regal, dramatic tone. "Thou art the moon to my darkest night, the very breath that gives life to this humble soul. From the moment thine eyes met mine, I have been irrevocably ensnared, caught within the delicate threads of thy gaze. Thy beauty surpasseth even the most radiant of stars, and thy presence—oh, thy presence—fills this aching heart with light." 

Beomgyu shifted, his hand now pressed to his chest as he exhaled shakily. "My love for thee is boundless, eternal, a beacon of hope in a sea of darkness. I beseech thee, my sweet Taehyun, grant me thine heart, and I shall devote mine own to thee until the last breath leaves my body." 

Beomgyu paused, waiting for a reaction from the mannequin. His lips pursed as he studied the lifeless face taped to the plastic head. 

"Hmm." He tilted his head. "Was that too much?" 

He fell back onto his heels, resting his elbows on his knees as he rubbed his face. "Okay, okay. Maybe medieval confessions aren't his thing." He glanced up at the picture of Taehyun and sighed. "You'd probably laugh at me, huh?" 

He shook his head. "Alright. Let's switch it up. Casual style." 

Beomgyu stood up and rolled his shoulders. He placed his hands in the pockets of his hoodie, trying to embody an easygoing, relaxed energy. After taking a deep breath, he smirked at the mannequin. 

"Yo, Taehyun," he said, his voice dropping into a laid-back, slightly cocky tone. "Sooo... I was thinking. We've known each other for a while now, right? And, like, you're pretty cute. And, I mean, I'm pretty cute too—no, don't deny it—sooo... you think we should make this thing official?" 

Beomgyu bit his lip, squinting at the mannequin. "Yeah... no. That sounds like I don't care enough." 

He ruffled his hair and groaned. "Okay. Let's go for the flirty approach." 

Beomgyu took a deep breath, swiping a hand through his hair. He smiled, soft and playful, then leaned toward the mannequin. 

"Taehyun," he murmured, his voice dipping into a low, honeyed tone. "I've been thinking about you... a lot. You know how I get when I'm thinking about you, right?" He chuckled softly. "I can't help it. You're just... too cute. It's honestly unfair. I don't know how you expect me to focus on anything else when you're walking around looking like that, making me go crazy." 

He leaned closer to the mannequin's ear. "So... what do you say? Want to make me the happiest guy in the world?" 

Beomgyu stood back, putting his hands on his hips. "Okay, that was kinda hot," he muttered to himself, nodding thoughtfully. "But... it's not Taehyun, right?" 

He plopped down on the floor, staring blankly at the mannequin. "Ugh. Too cocky. He'd roll his eyes and walk away." 

Beomgyu groaned and flopped onto his back. His arm covered his face as he sighed deeply. 

"I can't screw this up," he muttered to himself. "It's Taehyun. He's not like other people." His eyes softened as he sat back up, resting his chin on his knee as he looked at the mannequin. His thumb brushed over the hem of his hoodie absentmindedly. 

"You're... different," he whispered. "You always have been." 

Beomgyu pushed himself back up to his knees, his hands shaking slightly as he repositioned himself before the mannequin. His breath hitched as he lifted his hand to touch the mannequin's face. His fingertips brushed the taped-on picture of Taehyun. 

"Okay," Beomgyu murmured. "Just... just speak from the heart." 

He swallowed thickly, inhaling shakily. His voice was soft this time—barely above a whisper. 

"Taehyun... I'm not the best at this kind of stuff. I know I joke around a lot and act like nothing bothers me, but... you've always seen through that, haven't you?" His hand slid down to rest on the mannequin's shoulder. 

"I... I don't know when it happened," Beomgyu continued, his voice trembling slightly. "Maybe it was when you started smiling at me again. Or maybe it was when you stayed in the library with me even when you didn't have to. Or maybe... maybe I've always loved you, and I just didn't realize it until now." 

Beomgyu's eyes squeezed shut as his breath shuddered. "But I know one thing for sure," he whispered. "You make me happy. You make me want to be better. And every time I see you, my heart feels like it's going to burst out of my chest." 

His thumb brushed the mannequin's shoulder. 

"So... I'm not asking you to feel the same way," Beomgyu whispered. "But... if you'd let me... I'd like to try. To be the person who makes you smile the most. To be someone you can lean on." His lips curled into a soft smile. "To be yours." 

Beomgyu's eyes fluttered open. His cheeks were flushed, and his heart was hammering violently beneath his ribs. 

"That..." He breathed out, sitting back on his heels. "Okay, that one felt right." 

He smiled, relieved. 

And then— 

The door to his room creaked open. 

"Cookie?" 

Beomgyu froze. His entire body went rigid as he turned his head toward the door, his heart leaping into his throat. His father stood there, his eyebrows raised slightly as he took in the scene before him. 

Beomgyu—kneeling on one knee in front of a mannequin with a taped-on picture of Taehyun's face—looked positively mortified. 

"Oh," Beomgyu's father said after a beat of silence. His lips twitched. "Am I interrupting something?" 

Beomgyu's mouth opened and closed soundlessly. His face was burning. 

But instead of panicking or scrambling to explain himself, Beomgyu simply sighed, running a hand through his hair as he stood up. "Dad," he said flatly. 

His father's gaze flicked from Beomgyu to the mannequin, then back to Beomgyu. 

Beomgyu's face was burning. "You're not going to say anything?" 

His father's lips curled upward. "No, not really feeling it." 

Beomgyu's groan was loud enough to shake the walls.

Beomgyu stood frozen in place, his heart still hammering wildly beneath his chest as his father's eyes scanned the room with lazy amusement. 

His father's gaze lingered for a moment on the mannequin—the taped-on picture of Taehyun's face slightly crinkled at the edges—before sliding back to Beomgyu's red face. 

"...So," his father said, his voice laced with quiet amusement. "Cookie. Want to tell me what you were doing?" 

Beomgyu inhaled deeply through his nose. He could already feel the creeping heat crawling up the back of his neck and blooming across his cheeks. His lips parted, then pressed together again as he briefly considered denying everything. 

But what was the point? His father had already seen him kneeling on one knee like a lovesick prince in front of a literal mannequin. There was no walking back from this. 

Beomgyu let out a resigned sigh, brushing his hair back with a hand. "I was..." His eyes drifted toward the mannequin, then back to his father. "Practicing." 

His father's eyebrows lifted. "Practicing?" 

Beomgyu swallowed hard, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. He rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah." His voice dropped to a murmur. "My confession... to Taehyun." 

A brief pause. His father's eyes softened. 

"Oh," his father said, sounding almost... impressed. "You're really serious about this, huh?" 

"Yeah." Beomgyu's eyes fell to the floor. His hand slid to his chest, curling into the fabric of his hoodie. "I... want to get it right." 

His father smiled faintly. "Well... that's—" 

"Oh my God." 

A new voice. 

Beomgyu stiffened. His eyes darted toward the now-open door, where his mother and Soobin had materialized behind his father. 

His mother's eyes widened slightly. "Oh." 

Soobin's gaze drifted over the mannequin, the taped-on picture of Taehyun, and Beomgyu—still on one knee—before his lips curled upward slightly. A piece of bakery bread rested lazily in his hand, and he was mid-chew when he took in the scene. 

"Heol." Soobin's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone entirely flat. "This is fucking hilarious." 

Beomgyu's whole body tensed as Soobin calmly pulled out his phone with one hand. The quiet click of the camera shutter followed. 

"Soobin—" Beomgyu hissed, standing up so fast he nearly knocked over the mannequin. 

"Got it." Soobin stared at his phone screen with mild interest. His thumb hovered over the screen, and Beomgyu's eyes widened in horror. 

"If you post that, I'm gonna kill you," Beomgyu threatened, his face flaming. 

Soobin didn't even look up. "Relax. It's for personal use." 

"That's worse!" 

"Mm." Soobin took another bite of his bread. He pocketed his phone and turned on his heel. "Good luck with your confession." 

"You asshole!" 

But Soobin was already walking away. He lifted his hand in a lazy wave over his shoulder as he disappeared down the hall. 

Beomgyu's fists curled at his sides. His jaw clenched as he turned toward his parents, bracing himself for whatever reaction was coming next. 

His mother sighed and stepped forward, swatting the back of Soobin's head as he walked away. "Don't make fun of your brother," she chided softly. 

Soobin didn't even turn around. He just waved again as he vanished down the hall. 

Beomgyu's mother sighed, her gaze drifting toward the mannequin. She covered her mouth, clearly suppressing a smile. "Well... I suppose we should've seen this coming." 

Beomgyu groaned, covering his face with his hands. "Kill me now," he muttered. 

"Oh, Cookie." His mother's voice softened as she walked over, reaching out to pat his cheek. Beomgyu reluctantly lowered his hands, his face still burning as his mother brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead. 

His father stepped further into the room, his arms crossed over his chest. "So," he said, raising an eyebrow. "You're really going to confess to Taehyun?" 

Beomgyu's stomach twisted. He hesitated, lowering his gaze toward the floor. "Yeah." 

His mother's eyes softened. "You must really like him." 

Beomgyu's cheeks burned. "I do." 

His father's gaze sharpened slightly. "And you're sure about this?" 

Beomgyu's eyes flicked upward. His father's expression was serious now, his brows slightly furrowed. 

"I'm sure," Beomgyu said quietly. His throat tightened. "I... I've liked him for a long time. I just... didn't know how to tell him." 

His father's gaze lingered for a moment longer before his expression softened. "Well... it sounds like you've already put a lot of thought into it." 

"Too much," Beomgyu muttered, glancing toward the mannequin. "But nothing feels... right. I want it to be perfect." 

His mother's gaze softened. "Oh, honey." She reached out, brushing his hair back. "It's not about being perfect." 

Beomgyu frowned. "But it's Taehyun. He's not... just anyone." 

"I know," his mother murmured. "But you're overthinking it." 

Beomgyu's face twisted. "Yeah, well, it's easy for you to say. You're not the one who has to look him in the eye and—" 

"Beomgyu." His father's voice was calm but firm. Beomgyu stopped talking. 

His father stepped closer, his expression quiet and thoughtful. "Do you love him?" 

Beomgyu's mouth opened slightly. His chest tightened as the word rolled around in his head. 

Love. 

Beomgyu inhaled shakily. His lips trembled. 

"...Yeah," he whispered. "I do." 

His father's gaze softened. "Then just tell him that." 

Beomgyu's eyes widened. "But—" 

"You don't have to be poetic," his mother said gently. "You don't have to be perfect." 

"You just have to be honest," his father added. 

Beomgyu swallowed hard. "What if... what if that's not enough?" 

"Beomgyu." His father smiled faintly. "It's Taehyun. Do you really think he needs all that extra stuff?" 

Beomgyu's mouth opened. He hesitated. And then, slowly, his shoulders slumped. 

No. He didn't. 

Taehyun wasn't someone who needed grand gestures or dramatic confessions. He wasn't someone who was impressed by overly poetic language or flashy attempts at romance. 

He was Taehyun. Simple. Honest. Real. 

And that was why Beomgyu had fallen for him in the first place. 

"...I guess I'm just scared," Beomgyu admitted softly. 

"I know," his mother said. She cupped his cheek, brushing her thumb across his skin. "But you've already made it this far. And knowing Taehyun... I don't think you have anything to be afraid of." 

Beomgyu's chest tightened. His gaze dropped toward the floor. 

"Just be yourself, Cookie," his father said. 

Beomgyu's lips curled into a small smile. "...Easier said than done." 

"You'll figure it out," his mother said. 

Beomgyu inhaled deeply. He lifted his gaze, looking between his parents. His chest still felt tight, his nerves still coiled painfully beneath his ribs—but maybe... just maybe... this wasn't impossible. 

His parents' eyes met across the room. Beomgyu watched as they shared a quiet, knowing look. 

"...Fine," Beomgyu sighed. "I'll... try." 

"That's all you can do," his mother said softly. 

And for the first time in a while—despite the mannequin still sitting across from him—Beomgyu smiled.

Beomgyu rubbed the back of his neck, his gaze flicking toward the floor. His parents were still standing in the middle of his room, watching him with that quiet, knowing expression that made his skin itch. 

"Okay," Beomgyu muttered after a long silence. "Let's say I... go through with it." He sighed, kicking the corner of his rug with the toe of his sock. "How... exactly am I supposed to confess?" 

His mother smiled faintly, stepping toward him with her hands clasped behind her back. "That depends on what you're trying to say." 

Beomgyu's mouth twisted. "I'm trying to tell him I like him." 

"That part's obvious," his father said, lips curving upward. 

Beomgyu shot him a glare. "Okay, but how?" 

His mother's smile widened. "There's no perfect way to confess, sweetheart." 

"Yeah, I figured." Beomgyu sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. "But there has to be a good way, right? Something that'll make him... I don't know. Melt a little?" 

"Do you want to make him melt?" His father raised a brow. 

Beomgyu hesitated. His gaze dropped toward the mannequin still sitting limply on the floor. His mouth tightened. "I just... I don't want to screw it up." 

His mother's expression softened. "If he likes you back, there's no way you could screw it up." 

"That's the problem," Beomgyu muttered. "What if he doesn't?" 

His father's gaze sharpened. "Why wouldn't he?" 

Beomgyu's throat tightened. He shook his head. "I don't know. Maybe I'm not enough." 

His mother stepped closer, her hand brushing along his cheek. "Honey..." 

"Anyway," Beomgyu said quickly, pulling back. He tried to refocus. "Let's just... focus on the strategy part, okay?" 

His father chuckled. "Strategy, huh?" 

"Yeah." Beomgyu squared his shoulders, straightening up. "I need a plan." 

His father tilted his head thoughtfully. "You could try the classic grand gesture. Flowers. A big speech." 

Beomgyu's lips curled. "Taehyun would hate that." 

"True." His father hummed. "Then maybe something simple? Just take him aside and tell him how you feel." 

"That's boring." Beomgyu's face scrunched up. 

"Honest," his mother corrected gently. 

"Still boring," Beomgyu mumbled. 

His father snorted. "Well, then you've already narrowed down your options, haven't you?" 

Beomgyu sighed. "So... flowers are out, speeches are out, and honesty is boring." He dragged a hand down his face. "This is harder than I thought." 

His mother hummed thoughtfully. "You could try a subtle approach." 

Beomgyu's gaze sharpened. "What do you mean?" 

"Instead of confessing outright... you could try to make him confess first." 

Beomgyu's head jerked up. His eyes widened slightly. "...Make him confess?" 

"It's possible," his mother said, her lips twitching into a playful smile. "If he likes you back—and I suspect he does—you could create a situation where he'd feel... encouraged." 

Beomgyu's brows furrowed. "Encouraged?" 

"Flirt with him," his father said simply. 

Beomgyu's mouth dropped open. "What?" 

"Make him jealous," his mother added with a shrug. 

"Tease him," his father suggested. 

"Wait, wait, wait." Beomgyu lifted his hands, his heart racing. "You're seriously suggesting I... flirt with Taehyun?" 

"Why not?" His father's eyes gleamed. "You've always been good at getting under people's skin." 

"Yeah, but..." Beomgyu's face twisted. "It's Taehyun. Everytime I act cheesy, he'll think I'm joking around." 

"Exactly," his mother said, smiling knowingly. "Taehyun knows you better than anyone. If you start acting genuine, he's going to notice." 

Beomgyu's heart thudded. His palms felt clammy. "And... you think that'll make him confess?" 

His mother's gaze softened. "If he likes you back—" 

"He'll break eventually," his father finished. 

Beomgyu's breath hitched. His thoughts spun wildly. His heart hammered against his ribs. 

Flirting with Taehyun. 

Be genuine with him. 

Getting close enough to make him nervous—to make him realize that Beomgyu wanted him. 

Would that actually... work? 

"I don't know," Beomgyu mumbled. "It feels kinda... risky." 

His mother's smile widened. "Love is risky." 

Beomgyu's stomach twisted painfully. 

But... maybe they were right. 

If Taehyun really did like him back, this would give him the push he needed. 

And if he didn't... well. At least Beomgyu would know where they stood. 

"You're overthinking it again," his father said calmly. "It's Taehyun. He's not going to push you away just because you tried to make a move." 

"Unless he hates me," Beomgyu muttered. 

His father's gaze sharpened. "Taehyun doesn't hate you." 

Beomgyu's lips curled into a faint smile. "Yeah... I guess not." 

"Besides," his mother added. "Worst case scenario—Taehyun rejects you, but you both stay as friends. That's not so bad, right?" 

Beomgyu's smile faltered a little. "Yeah. Not so bad." 

"So?" His father raised a brow. 

Beomgyu's smile faded even more. He took a deep breath, his eyes drifting toward the window. His heart was still thundering painfully beneath his chest. 

He could picture Taehyun's face so clearly. His calm, guarded expression. The way his eyes softened when he was comfortable. The rare curve of his smile. 

Beomgyu wanted that smile more than anything. 

"...Okay," Beomgyu said quietly. 

His parents' gazes sharpened. 

"I'll try," Beomgyu murmured. His hands curled into fists at his sides. "I'll... try to make him confess first." 

His mother's smile widened. "That's my boy." 

His father nodded approvingly. "Good luck." 

Beomgyu's heart squeezed painfully. His gaze flicked toward the mannequin in the corner of the room. 

And this time, instead of embarrassment, a quiet sense of determination curled through his chest. 

"...Yeah," Beomgyu whispered. "I'll make him break first." 

⋆｡‧˚ʚ RULER OF MY HEART : 30 ɞ˚‧｡⋆

Beomgyu felt like his heart was about to combust.

The energy thrumming through his body was nearly impossible to contain. His steps were practically bouncing off the pavement as he walked alongside Soobin on their way to school. Once again, Soobin adviced that they should walk to school to improve their health. Beomgyu decides to just go on with whatever the older said to avoid any unnecessary arguments. The early morning sunlight bathed the quiet street in a soft golden hue, the air crisp and cool. The world felt lighter today, like even the universe was rooting for him. 

He couldn't stop smiling. Seriously. His cheeks were starting to hurt, but he didn't care. His heart was so full that it made his chest feel tight, but in the best possible way. It was the kind of excitement that could make someone feel dizzy — like standing at the edge of a cliff but knowing you wouldn't fall. 

"So... you're gonna be like this all day, huh?" Soobin's voice broke through the fog of his thoughts. 

Beomgyu glanced sideways at him, his grin widening. "Like what?" 

Soobin raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Like a golden retriever who just got fed." 

Beomgyu rolled his eyes, but he couldn't stop smiling. "What's wrong with that?" 

Soobin's gaze softened. His older brother act was wearing thin, and Beomgyu could see the faintest trace of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. 

"Nothing," Soobin said with a shrug. "It's just... weird. You're usually so annoying in the morning." 

"Well, yeah," Beomgyu replied smugly. "But today's special." 

Soobin sighed, his hands sliding into his pockets as they turned a corner. "Yeah. I know." 

Beomgyu practically floated down the sidewalk, his hands swinging at his sides. "This is a big day, Soobin." 

"Trust me, I know." 

Beomgyu whipped around so fast Soobin had to stop walking. Beomgyu's grin was positively mischievous now. "Do you, though?" 

Soobin's face remained flat. "You've been yapping about it for hours." 

"That's because it's important." 

Soobin sighed, giving him an exhausted look — the kind of look that said he'd endured years of Beomgyu's dramatics and had developed immunity to most of it. But beneath the annoyance, there was affection in his gaze. 

"You know," Soobin started, "Taehyun has been panicking about confessing to you since... forever. I don't know how you didn't see that..." 

"I kind of saw through him. I had a feeling that he liked me back, but he didn't exactly give me an answer either," Beomgyu replied. His voice softened slightly, but the excitement in his chest remained steady. "Until yesterday." 

Soobin hummed thoughtfully. "Yeah." 

"He so wants to marry me."

"Oh.. that's not..." 

"Quit being jealous, soobie boobie. You're just jealous that Taehyun loves me."

"You sure about that?" 

Beomgyu shot him a deadpan look. "I'm not an idiot." 

Soobin gave him a flat stare. 

"...Okay, fine, maybe sometimes. But not this time," Beomgyu insisted. His hand unconsciously brushed over his phone in his pocket. His mind was already replaying the imaginary voice of Taehyun's words from yesterday's letter over and over again, like a song he couldn't get out of his head. 

'I love you, idiot. I love you so freaking much.'

Beomgyu's heart sped up just remembering it. He'd spent nearly a decade waiting to hear those words. His hands felt clammy just thinking about it. The memory was already permanently burned into his brain. The little shy smile Taehyun had given him afterward, the way his voice softened at the end — Beomgyu would probably remember it on his deathbed. 

Soobin watched him with a knowing look. "Don't mess this up." 

"I'm not gonna mess it up," Beomgyu shot back. 

"You sure?" 

"Yes." Beomgyu grinned. "Taehyun likes me." 

"He likes you now." 

"He's always liked me." 

Soobin gave him a skeptical look. "Sure. Could've fooled me." 

"Okay, maybe he didn't realize it at first," Beomgyu admitted. "But deep down, he always liked me." 

Soobin sighed. "And how do you know that?" 

Beomgyu's expression softened. His voice dropped, growing quieter. "Because I've always liked him." 

Soobin's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he finally nodded, looking vaguely impressed. "Alright. Fine. You've got the confidence of someone who's already won." 

"Because I have." Beomgyu grinned again. 

"God, you're fucking unbearable." 

Beomgyu laughed. He felt lighter than he had in years. His heart was practically singing inside his chest. He wasn't nervous — not even a little bit. Why would he be? Taehyun liked him. That was the hardest part, right? If Taehyun liked him back, everything else would work itself out. 

"So," Soobin began as they neared the school gates, "what's the plan now?" 

Beomgyu gave him a side-eye. "What do you mean?" 

"Well, you said it yourself — you've basically already won," Soobin said. "So what's next?" 

Beomgyu slowed his pace, the bright sunlight filtering through the trees and casting dappled shadows along the pavement. His grin softened into something more genuine. 

"I'll try to get him make the first move." Beomgyu said. 

Soobin gave him a suspicious look. "And how do you plan on doing that?" 

Beomgyu's smile widened. "By playing hard to get. He'll beg for my attention soon." 

Soobin let out a long, suffering sigh. "God help Taehyun." 

Beomgyu laughed and looped his arm around Soobin's shoulders. "Come on, hyung, you have to have a little more faith in me than that." 

"I've had faith in you for years. That's why I know you're gonna make this complicated." 

Beomgyu's eyes glinted with mischief. "What, you think Taehyun doesn't want a little drama?" 

"He does not," Soobin said dryly. 

Beomgyu laughed again, practically skipping forward. His heart was soaring, his head buzzing with excitement. It was impossible not to feel like he was floating when he thought about how close he was to finally getting what he'd always wanted. 

"You know," Soobin said after a pause, "I'm kind of impressed." 

Beomgyu glanced at him. "Why?" 

"Because you've liked him since elementary school," Soobin said, a small smile appearing on his face. "That's... a long time to wait." 

Beomgyu's smile softened. "It's worth it." 

Soobin shook his head. "Yeah, you're down bad. Like, down as fuck." 

Beomgyu grinned. "It's not that bad." 

Soobin shot him a sideways look. "You used to write his name on your notebooks." 

"That's an exaggeration." 

"I literally saw it." 

"Okay, maybe once or twice," Beomgyu admitted. 

Soobin shook his head, laughing under his breath. "Taehyun's doomed." 

Beomgyu just grinned wider. His heart was practically jumping out of his chest as they crossed the street, the school gates just up ahead. 

"So," Soobin said, "how long do you think it'll take before he confesses first?" 

Beomgyu smirked. "A day." 

Soobin snorted. "You're delusional." 

Beomgyu shrugged. "We'll see." 

The moment Beomgyu and Soobin stepped through the school gates, the buzz of activity settled around him like a familiar rhythm.

Students filled the halls, chatting, laughing, and moving toward their respective classes. The sound of lockers slamming shut mixed with the hum of conversation and the occasional squeak of shoes against polished floors. The school was alive with the chaotic energy that always accompanied the start of the day, but Beomgyu felt oddly calm beneath it all. 

It was probably because of him. 

Beomgyu could still feel the lingering warmth from Taehyun's words on the letter last night, the sound of his voice echoing in his head over and over like a song stuck on repeat. It was addictive — and Beomgyu wasn't planning on shaking it off anytime soon. 

"You coming?" Soobin's voice broke through his thoughts. 

Beomgyu blinked, realizing they were at the main hallway where the paths split. Soobin was already heading toward the student council office, his bag slung lazily over one shoulder. He glanced back at Beomgyu with a raised brow. 

"Nah," Beomgyu said, smiling faintly. "See you at lunch?" 

Soobin gave him a knowing look. "If you're not too busy chasing after Taehyun." 

Beomgyu rolled his eyes. "That's not what I'm doing." 

Soobin snorted. "Sure." 

With that, Soobin turned and disappeared down the hall toward the student council office, leaving Beomgyu alone with the noise of the school. 

Beomgyu adjusted the strap of his bag and started down the hall toward his classroom. His steps were light, effortless. His body still felt like it was buzzing with energy. Maybe it was the aftermath of hearing Taehyun finally admit his feelings — or maybe it was the anticipation of seeing him again today. 

He slid the door to his classroom open and stepped inside. 

The familiar hum of his classmates' voices filled the air. Some students were standing around chatting in small groups, while others were already sitting at their desks, preparing for the first period. The atmosphere was easygoing, relaxed — exactly how mornings usually were. 

Beomgyu made his way to his desk near the window and immediately started his usual routine. It was muscle memory at this point. He pulled out a small sanitary napkin from his bag and wiped down the surface of his desk with smooth, efficient movements. He wasn't a neat freak or anything, but he liked things to be clean. It helped him focus. 

Next, he carefully took out the stationeries and books he needed for the first period — his mechanical pencil, a black pen, his notebook, and his textbook — arranging them neatly on his desk. The whole process took no more than a minute. 

By the time he finished, his classmates were already starting to shift into their usual morning rhythm. 

"Gyu!" 

Beomgyu barely had time to look up before someone grabbed his wrist and started pulling him away from his desk. 

"Heeseung—" 

Heeseung was grinning mischievously as he practically dragged Beomgyu toward a cluster of students gathered near the back of the classroom. Beomgyu stumbled behind him, barely able to keep up with Heeseung's long strides. 

"Come on," Heeseung said, laughing. "We're catching up over here." 

Beomgyu huffed but didn't resist. Heeseung was one of the more popular kids in their year — charming, athletic, and annoyingly persistent. Heeseung had a habit of dragging Beomgyu into conversations he didn't necessarily want to have, but Beomgyu usually didn't mind. It wasn't like he had anything better to do before class started. 

A small circle of students was already gathered when Heeseung pulled him in — Yeji, Beomgyu's friend, sitting cross-legged on a chair with her phone in hand; Sunghoon, perched on the desk with his arms crossed; and Ryujin, who was leaning against the wall, watching everyone with a lazy smirk. 

"Look who I brought!" Heeseung declared. 

Beomgyu sighed. "I was literally sitting two desks away from you." 

"Yeah, but you were about to sit there all morning, weren't you?" Heeseung teased. 

Before Beomgyu could respond, Yeji leaned forward, eyes narrowing playfully. "So, Beomgyu... anything interesting happened?" 

Beomgyu's eyes narrowed. "Define interesting." 

Yeji's grin widened. "Oh, come on. You look suspiciously happy today." 

"Suspiciously?" 

Sunghoon raised an eyebrow. "You are smiling more than usual." 

"You guys are reading into things," Beomgyu said casually. He was definitely not going to tell them about Taehyun. At least not yet. 

"I give him two days before he spills," Ryujin commented. 

"Two days? Seriously? This dumbass can't even last an hour without telling our secrets to everybody." Heeseung cackles, head thrown back from laughing.

Beomgyu opened his mouth to retort, but before he could get a word out— 

Knock, knock.

The soft sound of knuckles against the classroom door instantly drew everyone's attention. The conversation stilled as the class collectively turned toward the source of the noise. 

Beomgyu's eyes followed the sound — and his heart nearly jumped out of his chest when he saw him. 

Kang Taehyun stood in the doorway, dressed neatly in his uniform with his hair styled in soft brown waves that framed his face perfectly. He looked effortlessly composed, his posture straight and his expression calm. His eyes scanned the room briefly before settling on Beomgyu. 

"Hi, sunbaenims," Taehyun said politely, his tone smooth and polite. He smiled faintly. "Sorry to disturb you, but may I borrow Choi Beomgyu for a second?" 

A ripple of whispers instantly spread across the classroom. Beomgyu could feel the curious stares and the silent looks being exchanged between his classmates. 

"Is that Taehyun?" 

"Why's he looking for Beomgyu?" 

"They never really talk, do they?" 

"Beomgyu's gonna reject him, right?" 

Beomgyu barely registered the noise. His gaze was locked entirely on Taehyun — on the soft curve of his smile, on the way his eyes glinted slightly beneath the classroom lights. 

"Oh, sorry, kid," Heeseung said, standing up and stretching his arms over his head. "Beomgyu's busy right now—" 

"Yeah, please take me away from here." Beomgyu interrupted smoothly. 

He didn't even hesitate. He slipped out of Heeseung's grip and stepped forward, already making his way toward Taehyun. 

Taehyun's smile widened the slightest bit as Beomgyu approached. 

Beomgyu's heart thumped painfully hard in his chest. The excitement from earlier — the warmth of Taehyun's gifts from last night — was suddenly rushing back all at once. It felt surreal, standing here in the middle of the classroom with everyone watching, with Taehyun waiting for him at the door. 

Beomgyu didn't care about the stares. He didn't care about the whispers. 

He only cared about Taehyun. 

Beomgyu reached the door and slowed as he approached Taehyun, their eyes meeting. 

Taehyun smiled softly. 

Beomgyu smiled back. 

And then, without saying a word, he followed Taehyun out of the classroom. 

The sound of their footsteps echoed softly against the cold, tiled floor of the school hallway. The only noise between them was the rhythmic click of Beomgyu's polished shoes and the softer shuffle of Taehyun's.

Their shoulders were close but never touched, an invisible wall between them despite their proximity. The silence stretched, heavy and almost unbearable, weighed down by the memory of what had transpired overnight — Taehyun's bouquet and heartfelt letter, and Beomgyu's bittersweet confession that had come at the worst possible time.

Neither of them had acknowledged it yet, but it lingered between them, raw and delicate, like a wound threatening to open.

Beomgyu's hands were tucked into his pockets, his expression unreadable as he trailed slightly behind Taehyun. His gaze drifted downward, catching the delicate sway of Taehyun's hand by his side. He had the urge to reach out and grab it, but the vulnerability still lingering from last night kept him frozen in place.

They reached the rooftop door, and Taehyun pushed it open without looking back. The rooftop was quiet except for the sound of the morning wind rustling through their hair. The sky stretched wide and bright above them, soft shades of blue melting into scattered wisps of white. It was the kind of peacefulness that could settle the heart—or make the tension between them even more unbearable. 

Beomgyu stood with his hands buried in his jacket pockets, his gaze drifting toward the city skyline. The wind tousled his dark hair, lifting the strands gently, and for a brief moment, he closed his eyes as if trying to find steadiness. Taehyun stood across from him, hands clenched at his sides. His heart pounded so loudly in his chest that he was sure Beomgyu could hear it. 

They had walked up here in silence. Awkward silence. 

It wasn't supposed to feel like this, but how could it not? After everything that happened yesterday—Taehyun's bouquet and the letter—it was impossible to stand here without feeling the weight of it all. 

Beomgyu was the first to smile. That soft, knowing smile that always made Taehyun feel like he was being seen in a way that no one else ever could. And despite the heavy atmosphere between them, Taehyun found himself smiling back. 

It still amazed him how easy it was with Beomgyu. Even now, after all this time, after all the years they had lost. 

Taehyun took a breath, forcing himself to meet Beomgyu's eyes. They were soft and warm, but he could see the hesitance beneath them—the uncertainty. Beomgyu was waiting for him to speak first. 

So Taehyun did. 

"Hyung..."

Taehyun's voice was soft, nearly lost in the breeze. He inhaled sharply and gripped his jacket sleeves to steady himself. "About yesterday..." 

Beomgyu's smile faltered just slightly, but his eyes didn't waver. He stayed quiet, waiting. 

"I'm sorry." 

Beomgyu blinked, confused. "For what?" 

"For..." Taehyun sighed. His gaze dropped to the ground beneath their feet. "For not realizing it sooner. For being so damn stupid. For not seeing how much you..." His throat tightened. He squeezed his hands into fists.

"How much you've loved me all this time." 

Beomgyu's breath hitched. 

Taehyun raised his head again, forcing himself to hold Beomgyu's gaze. "I should have known. I should have seen it. You were always there for me, even when I didn't remember. You've always been so patient, so... understanding. I—I don't know how you could wait so long for someone like me." 

Beomgyu's brow furrowed. "Taehyun—" 

Taehyun's breath trembled as he stood in front of Beomgyu, their hands barely brushing. His heart was racing, thudding painfully against his chest, and his throat felt tight, but he forced himself to speak through it. His eyes were already glistening with tears he refused to let fall—not yet. Not until he said everything he needed to say. 

"No, hyung," Taehyun's voice broke, and he grabbed Beomgyu's hand before he could pull away. His grip was trembling but desperate. "Let me talk. Please." 

Beomgyu froze, his eyes widening slightly at the urgency in Taehyun's tone. His lips parted, but he stayed quiet, letting Taehyun's fingers tighten around his own. 

"You waited nine whole years for me," Taehyun whispered, his voice cracking beneath the weight of it. His chest ached at the realization of how long Beomgyu had carried this quiet, patient love. "Nine years, Beomgyu. Do you know how painful that is to think about?" His thumb brushed shakily over Beomgyu's knuckles. "You waited for me to see you again, to remember you, to love you back—and when I finally noticed you again, it wasn't because I deserved to. It was out of anger. Out of frustration. I was so caught up in chasing after Hyeonji, hoping—no, begging—that she would see me... that I couldn't see the person who had been standing there all along." 

Beomgyu's eyes darkened, his expression faltering, but he didn't speak. His gaze dropped to where Taehyun's hand was gripping his, holding on like he was scared Beomgyu might disappear if he let go. 

"And then you came back into my life," Taehyun whispered, his tone softening. "That day in the library... when you sat next to me and spoke to me again after so long... I didn't realize it at the time, but you felt like home." His chest heaved, a shaky breath slipping past his lips. "That warmth, that calmness... the way you always knew what to say, how to make me feel safe—it all came rushing back, and I was too stupid to see it for what it was." 

Beomgyu's jaw tightened. His thumb brushed lightly over Taehyun's hand, almost unconsciously, like he was trying to comfort him even now. But his eyes were glassy, his breath shallow. 

Taehyun stepped closer, so close that their foreheads almost touched. "You have always been there for me, Beomgyu. Always. Even when I forgot you, even when I didn't deserve it, you stayed. You waited. And I... I can't believe I was so blind." Taehyun's voice cracked, and a tear slipped down his cheek. "I wasted so much time chasing after someone who was never meant for me... when the person who truly loved me was right in front of me all along." 

Beomgyu's breath hitched audibly, his eyes wide. 

"You loved me when I couldn't even see you," Taehyun whispered. "You waited for me even when I didn't remember you. And that—that hurts, Beomgyu. Because you shouldn't have had to wait so long. You shouldn't have had to suffer through that alone." 

Beomgyu shook his head slowly, his lips parting as if he wanted to speak—but Taehyun didn't let him. He cupped Beomgyu's cheek with trembling fingers, his thumb brushing softly against the curve of his jaw. 

"I remember it now," Taehyun said, his eyes burning with unshed tears. "I remember the rose. I remember how you looked at me back then—like I was your whole world. I remember how you held my hand and promised you'd always wait for me." His breath hitched painfully. "And you kept that promise. Even when I didn't know it, even when I left you behind—you waited. And that's why I'm standing here now, hyung. Because I finally see you. I finally understand." 

Beomgyu's eyes were full of emotion—pain, longing, hope. His lips trembled as he lifted his hand, resting it over Taehyun's. His fingers were warm and steady despite the way his breath shuddered. 

"I love you," Taehyun said, his voice barely more than a breath. "I love you so, so fucking much, Beomgyu. And I'm sorry it took me this long to say it." 

Beomgyu's hand curled around Taehyun's wrist, and for a moment, his eyes fluttered shut as if trying to steady himself. When he opened them again, they were shining. 

"You didn't have to say it," Beomgyu whispered, his voice soft but trembling. "I already knew." 

Taehyun's heart clenched painfully. 

"But..." Beomgyu smiled faintly, his thumb brushing over Taehyun's cheek, wiping away the tear that had fallen. "Hearing you say it... it makes all those years of waiting worth it." 

Taehyun exhaled shakily, his forehead resting against Beomgyu's shoulder. His fingers tightened in the fabric of Beomgyu's jacket, holding on like he was afraid of letting go. 

"I love you," Taehyun whispered again. 

Beomgyu's arms wrapped around him, pulling him close, and Taehyun melted into the warmth of his embrace. He stayed there, listening to the sound of Beomgyu's heartbeat beneath his ear—the steady, quiet rhythm that had always been waiting for him to come home. 

Beomgyu's arms tightened around Taehyun's waist, holding him as if he was scared Taehyun might disappear if he let go. Taehyun's arms were wrapped around Beomgyu's shoulders, his fingers curling into the back of Beomgyu's blazer. Neither of them spoke. They just stood there, breathing each other in, feeling the way their hearts hammered violently against their chests—completely in sync. 

The morning breeze was soft as it swept across the rooftop, ruffling their hair and making the silence feel more intimate somehow. Taehyun's heart was still racing from the confession, and he could feel Beomgyu's breath, warm against his neck, as his chest heaved beneath him. 

Slowly, they pulled back, but not far—just enough to see each other's faces. Beomgyu's hands slid to Taehyun's waist, his thumbs brushing tenderly against the hem of Taehyun's shirt. His eyes were so soft, so unbearably warm, dark with emotion. 

Taehyun's breath hitched when Beomgyu's hand lifted, his knuckles brushing carefully against Taehyun's cheek. Beomgyu's eyes traced his face like he was memorizing every detail—the flutter of Taehyun's lashes, the pink flush on his cheeks, the slight part of his lips as he struggled to catch his breath. 

Taehyun's eyes flickered down to Beomgyu's mouth. His heart skipped. 

Beomgyu leaned in just slightly, his lips so close that Taehyun could feel his breath ghosting over his skin. Taehyun's eyes widened, and for a brief moment, neither of them moved. The world around them seemed to blur—everything fading into the background except for the warm, steady presence of Beomgyu in front of him. 

Taehyun's hand slid up Beomgyu's arm, hesitating only slightly before resting on his shoulder. His breath was shaky as his fingers tightened. 

Beomgyu's eyes softened. "Can I...?" 

Taehyun didn't answer. He couldn't. His throat was tight, his heart hammering painfully beneath his ribs. But he didn't pull away. Instead, his gaze dropped to Beomgyu's mouth again, and that was all the answer Beomgyu needed. 

Slowly, Beomgyu leaned in. 

Taehyun's breath hitched just before their lips touched—a soft, barely-there brush of skin that sent a sharp jolt of warmth down his spine. The kiss was hesitant at first, just a gentle press of lips, but it sent electricity surging through Taehyun's veins. 

Beomgyu's hand cupped Taehyun's cheek, his thumb brushing over his jawline as he leaned in closer. Taehyun's eyes fluttered shut, and his heart leaped painfully when Beomgyu kissed him again—a little deeper this time. 

Beomgyu's lips were soft and warm, and the way they moved against Taehyun's own was careful, sweet, like he was scared of pushing too far. Taehyun melted into it, his fingers curling in Beomgyu's jacket as his knees grew weak beneath him. 

And then Beomgyu pulled back slightly, their faces still so close Taehyun could feel Beomgyu's breath against his lips. 

Taehyun's eyes fluttered open, dazed. His lips were parted, and his cheeks were burning. 

Beomgyu's lips curved into a soft smile. His hand was still resting against Taehyun's cheek, his thumb tracing the outline of his jaw. "You're... really cute when you're flustered," Beomgyu murmured, his voice low and teasing. 

Taehyun's face burned. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Shut up." 

Beomgyu chuckled under his breath, but the sound was warm, and the look in his eyes was impossibly soft. 

"Sorry," Beomgyu whispered, even though he didn't sound sorry at all. 

Taehyun was about to open his mouth—probably to tell Beomgyu to stop teasing—but Beomgyu didn't give him the chance. Instead, he leaned back in, tilting Taehyun's chin upward with a gentle touch. 

Taehyun barely had time to inhale before Beomgyu kissed him again—this time with more confidence, more intention. His hand slid to the back of Taehyun's neck, and the kiss deepened, slow and sweet and absolutely heart-stopping. 

Taehyun's breath caught in his throat as he kissed back, his fingers curling helplessly into the fabric of Beomgyu's jacket. Beomgyu's lips were warm and soft, and the way he kissed Taehyun—so tenderly, so carefully—made Taehyun's chest ache. 

When Beomgyu finally pulled away, Taehyun was breathless. His cheeks were flushed pink, and his lips were slightly swollen from the kiss. Beomgyu's forehead rested against his, his eyes closed as he caught his breath. 

Taehyun's hands were still clutching Beomgyu's jacket, his fingers trembling slightly. His heart was pounding so loud he was sure Beomgyu could hear it. 

Beomgyu's eyes fluttered open, and when Taehyun looked up at him, he saw nothing but adoration in his gaze. Beomgyu smiled, his lips pink and slightly parted. "Wow," he whispered. 

Taehyun swallowed hard, his throat dry. "What?" 

Beomgyu chuckled. "You're a good kisser, Taehyunnie." 

Taehyun's face flamed. He pushed weakly at Beomgyu's chest. "Shut up." 

"I'm just saying." Beomgyu's grin widened, his hands sliding down to rest on Taehyun's waist. "If I'd known you were this good at kissing, maybe I would've kissed you back when we were kids." 

Taehyun glared at him. "We were literal children." 

"So?" Beomgyu teased, his smile playful. "You confessed back then. Could've sealed the deal." 

Taehyun's cheeks burned hotter. "I swear to God—" 

Beomgyu laughed, leaning in to nuzzle against Taehyun's cheek. Taehyun's breath hitched at the contact, his body betraying him as warmth spread through his chest. 

"I'm joking," Beomgyu whispered, his lips brushing against Taehyun's ear. "Kind of." 

Taehyun huffed, though his hands stayed firmly resting against Beomgyu's chest. "You're annoying." 

Beomgyu smiled. "And yet, you're still standing here." 

Taehyun rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched despite himself. He sighed, leaning his forehead against Beomgyu's shoulder. 

Beomgyu's arms slid around his waist again, holding him close. 

"I meant what I said," Taehyun whispered. "About loving you." 

Beomgyu's arms tightened. "I know." His voice was soft, so full of warmth Taehyun felt it seep straight into his bones. "And I love you too baby, from the moon and back." 

Taehyun closed his eyes, letting the sound of Beomgyu's heartbeat steady him. For the first time in a long time, he felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

☆