Yeonjun stepped out of his car, followed closely by Beomgyu, who looked around in mild confusion. They had driven to the top of a hill, far from the city's buzz. Below them, the city lights shimmered like a sea of golden stars, blending seamlessly with the endless night sky above.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Yeonjun said, admiring the vast view.
Beomgyu was too captivated to respond right away. The scene was breathtaking—romantic and serene. For a moment, time slowed down, and both of them allowed themselves to simply feel the night.
"This is where I usually come when I need time to myself," Yeonjun explained, his voice calm and nostalgic. "Whenever life gets too loud, I come here… to clear my head, enjoy the view, and just think."
He turned toward Beomgyu with a soft smile. The younger's brows furrowed slightly as he finally asked, "Why did you bring me here?"
Yeonjun chuckled, the sound warm. "Because I wanted to share it with you. I thought you deserved to see something this beautiful. And, well… to celebrate."
"Celebrate?"
"Yeah." Yeonjun nodded. "The principal called for a staff meeting this morning. We were told that teachers will soon be evaluated for a promotion. The decision will be based on our teaching performance, student feedback, and overall contribution. I'm determined to get it. I've always wanted to go further, to grow beyond the standard. It means more opportunities, more influence—more meaning to my work."
Beomgyu nodded slowly, listening but unsure how to respond. Yeonjun's ambition was admirable, but something about it made him feel distant, detached. While Yeonjun talked about progress and achievement, Beomgyu's mind drifted elsewhere—to Kai.
The thought pulled a quiet frown onto his face. He felt helpless, angry even. Kai had been keeping things from him, shutting him out. And now, Taehyun seemed to be the one Kai leaned on. It wasn't about jealousy—it was about feeling replaced… and useless.
Yeonjun, noticing the sudden dip in Beomgyu's mood, gently touched his arm. "Hey, are you alright? Did I get too caught up talking about myself?"
Beomgyu shook his head. "No, I just remembered something. That's all."
"Well," Yeonjun said with a playful grin, "whatever it is, I brought you here to help you forget all the heavy stuff. Let's live a little, yeah?"
He opened the car door and pulled out a small portable speaker. Beomgyu watched in confusion as Yeonjun connected his phone and suddenly blasted an upbeat song through the still air.
Then, without warning, Yeonjun started dancing.
Beomgyu blinked, caught completely off guard as Yeonjun swayed his hips to the rhythm, effortlessly moving with the music. He danced with wild abandon, like the night belonged to him.
Beomgyu had never seen this side of Yeonjun before.
"Come on, Gyu!" Yeonjun called, laughing. "Dance with me!"
"What?! No—I can't dance like that!" Beomgyu stammered, flustered.
"You don't have to be good at it. Just feel the music. Your body will move on its own."
"That doesn't make any sense!" Beomgyu exclaimed.
Yeonjun winked. "You're cute, you know that?"
Beomgyu flushed red. Yeonjun kept dancing, drawing him in, until the music slowed and shifted into a soft, mellow tune. The atmosphere changed—gentler, quieter.
Yeonjun walked over and extended his hand with a slight bow, like a prince in a fairytale. "May I have this dance?"
Before Beomgyu could reply, Yeonjun took his hand and gently pulled him in. Their bodies were close—closer than Beomgyu was prepared for. Yeonjun guided his hand to his shoulder and slipped his own around Beomgyu's waist.
"W-What are you doing?" Beomgyu whispered, flustered.
"Dancing," Yeonjun said softly. "Haven't you ever waltzed? No? Then I'll teach you."
They moved together slowly, step by careful step. The stars above, the glittering city below, and the intimacy between them painted a picture too surreal to question. Yeonjun's eyes never left Beomgyu. Under the moonlight, Beomgyu looked ethereal, fragile, beautiful.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're beautiful?" Yeonjun whispered.
Beomgyu looked up, locking eyes with him. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Their bodies moved in sync, their world shrinking until only they existed.
Yeonjun gently twirled him, then brought his hand to Beomgyu's cheek, brushing it softly with his thumb.
"The view is stunning," he murmured. "But you? You're even more breathtaking."
Beomgyu's heart thudded. Why do you make me feel like this? he thought. I don't understand it…
Whatever it was—they were falling, slowly, dangerously, beautifully.
+×+
Meanwhile…
Taehyun walked alongside Kai in silence.
He had found him alone, crying in the school bathroom, shaken, vulnerable. Kai had been in shambles—his clothes disheveled, marks on his skin. Taehyun didn't need details to understand what had happened.
"I know it was the jocks," Taehyun finally said, voice sharp with restrained anger. "We have to report them. Kai, this has gone way too far. You can't let them keep doing this to you. Beomgyu deserves to know—"
"I appreciate your concern, Tae," Kai interrupted quietly. "But I know what I'm doing. I can handle it. Please… just let me be. I'm tired. Thanks for walking me home."
Taehyun watched him walk inside. He didn't know whether to argue or respect Kai's wish. He sighed, clenched his fists, and left.
Once alone, Kai closed the door, leaned against it, and slowly collapsed to the floor. Silent tears spilled from his eyes. The pain was still fresh—his body still remembered their touch, their laughter, their cruelty. He hugged his knees to his chest, shaking as he wept.
He felt so disgustingly used, but he couldn't bring himself to fight back—not when doing so would risk hurting the people he loved most. He'd endure the pain if it meant keeping Beomgyu and Soobin safe.
Even if it broke him.
+×+
Saturday brought a change of pace.
Soobin stood in his kitchen, laying out ingredients with excitement. He was waiting for Kai—they were going to bake together.
When the doorbell rang, Soobin opened it and smiled wide. "Hey! You came. I'm really glad."
Kai managed a soft smile and followed him inside. The moment he stepped into the kitchen, the warm atmosphere, the scent of butter and flour—it all helped ease his nerves.
They began mixing ingredients, laughing lightly as they experimented with flavors. They made everything from cinnamon rolls to sugar buns and cream puffs, helping each other and stealing tastes in between.
Kai's laughter returned—gentle, quiet, but real.
"These taste amazing!" he giggled, biting into a tart.
Soobin beamed, watching him with fond eyes. Then, playfully, he pointed at Kai's cheek.
"You've got something on your face."
"Huh? Where?"
"Here!" Soobin swiped cream across Kai's cheek, chuckling.
Kai froze.
In a split second, his expression changed—eyes wide with panic. He flinched, shaking as the memory of Mingyu's hands, his breath, his voice—came flooding back.
"N-No! P-Please stop! Go away!" he cried.
Soobin's face dropped in alarm. "Kai? Kai, hey—hey, look at me. It's okay. I'm here. I didn't mean to scare you."
He gently pulled the boy into his arms.
Kai sobbed into Soobin's chest, his body trembling. Soobin held him tighter, whispering reassurances, running his hand through Kai's hair.
"It's okay. You're safe now. I'm here."
When Kai finally calmed, he remained in Soobin's embrace. He didn't want to let go.
"Kai," Soobin said softly, cupping his face. "What happened?"
"I… I just remembered something. That's all."
Soobin didn't push. Instead, he simply said, "You can tell me anything. You're not alone."
Kai buried his face into Soobin's chest again, holding on tighter. Soobin stroked his back, holding him with the patience and care Kai so desperately needed.
Eventually, Kai looked up, meeting Soobin's gaze. He couldn't explain the comfort he felt in those eyes, but he didn't want to lose it.
"Feel better?" Soobin asked, brushing a tear from Kai's cheek.
Kai placed his hand over Soobin's, closed his eyes… and leaned in.
Their lips met—soft, sudden, uncertain.
Soobin froze, stunned. He didn't pull away.
When the kiss ended, Kai took a step back, his eyes wide in horror at what he'd just done.
"I—I'm sorry. I have to go."
He turned and fled.
"Kai—wait!" Soobin called out, but his voice didn't stop him.
He stood frozen, heart pounding, still unsure of what just happened… or what it meant.