"how is it?

do i look pretty?"

"you look like yourself."

"So i do look pretty."

"Ready."

He clicks the last picture looking up, Yeonjun blinks at him.

"anyway you should stop taking your id photos here, this isn't a photo studio" He speaks up looking back at those shots now captured forever in his camera.

"it's better than photo studio, why should i pay anyone else? When my friend makes a living with photography? " His habit of pouting whenever he gets annoyed, Soobin sighs knowing he couldn't ever win from Yeonjun he stopped trying long ago.

"You don't pay me either but i let you hang out with me." he adds, Soobin shakes his head not surprised at the older's comebacks.

"i've been saying for the past 20 years.Just let me hang out by myself." Yeonjun sits in the chair, running his fingers through his messy blonde hair, the motion casual as he talks.

"To be accurate. 19 years."

"we started hanging out when we were nine years old." Soobin chuckles, realising its been quite a long time since he started loving his best friend. Seeing Yeonjun's teasing smile he can't help but sigh, ignoring the erupting feeling inside of him.

"ready."

"okay."

He raises the camera to his eye, the world around him narrowing until only he remains in focus. Through the lens, he's a perfect balance of strength and grace—unposed, yet so composed. The light catches hir hair, turning it into a halo of soft gold, while his eyes, distant and intense, seem to reach right through the lens to him.

He adjusts the focus slightly, studying the curve of his jaw, the way his lips stay still, barely parted. Yeonjun's not looking at him, but it feels like he's aware of everything, as if every inch of his is intentional. The click of the shutter breaks the silence, but it doesn't feel like a sound—more like a moment frozen in time, just between them.

Yeonjun stands by the pinboard, scanning the photos. Each one feels heavy—moments frozen in time, full of quiet intensity. "To be honest, all your pictures are somber," he says, his voice thoughtful. He studies one of the portraits, the expression on the person's face unreadable, and wonders what he's capturing. There's something in the stillness of each shot, as if he's preserving emotions too complex for words. He can't tell if it's beautiful or unsettling, but it's clear his lens catches more than just the surface.

"that just means you're old"

He turned around to make sure he heard the right words coming out of the younger's mouth, wasn't it Beomgyu's job to roast him about his age?

"old enough to relate to the captured moment or emotion." Soobin spins his chair meeting his eyes before turning back. Yeonjun pouts humming still confused.

"I guess your exhibition is going to be sold out again, Mr. Choi?" he says, stepping closer, his voice teasing as he leans down to peer at the computer screen. His hands rest on the back of his chair, his proximity making him aware of the quiet tension between them.

"My look," he adds, pointing to the picture of himself on the screen.

He blinks, surprised, thinking there's something wrong with the shot. He leans in to check, his brow furrowing. "What?"

"I'm way too pretty," he says, deadpan, not breaking eye contact. His tone is serious, almost challenging, but his lips twitch with a hint of mischief.

He stares at his, disbelief written all over his face. "What...?" He shakes his head, clearly annoyed.

"This is why I keep coming to you. You always get me the best angles. This is amazing," he says with a smirk, still pointing at the picture.

Soobin blinks, unable to hide his disbelief. "You... made me check for that?"

Yeonjun's smile widens, unapologetically pleased with himself. He can't decide whether to be annoyed or amused.

The blonde's eyes land on the stuffed toy on the table, and he raises an eyebrow. "What is this? Is this yours? How old are you?" he asks, teasing as he presses his forehead against the toy's, mockingly serious.

Soobin chuckles, watching him, amusement dancing in his eyes. Without missing a beat, he reaches over and gently takes the toy from him, setting it aside. "Please don't touch my stuff" he says, his tone dry, though his smile betrays him.

Didn't you say you had a meeting with a composer? Aren't you running late?" he asks, hoping to distract Yeonjun before he notices the pictures from their last trip together.

He glances at the time and gasps. "Oh no!" he exclaims, rushing to grab his bag.

"Hey, Soobin! How do I look?" he calls out, running his hands through her light hair, glancing at him over his shoulder as he expects Soobin to turn.

"What, looking great," he replies, not even looking at him, his attention still on the desk.

He sighs, irritated, and stomps toward him, reaching up to grab his face with both hands, forcing him to meet his gaze. "Look before you answer," he orders, his voice firm.

He blinks, a little caught off guard, but then, with a grin, he answers, "So pretty."

"I'm out! Look for those pictures!" he shouts, already heading for the door.

He turns just in time to see him leaving, shaking his head with a smile. "As if I'd forget..." he mutters to himself, knowing exactly what he's after.

+x+

Hiii omg guys been such a long time publishing a new book, haven't been active for a while but i promise i'll be on most of the time. Actually something happened and i didn;t really wanna be on so yeah.

here it is a soft fic for yall with unrequited love and of course childhood friends plot.