Beomgyu stood at the door, inhaling deeply to steel his nerves. Today was supposed to be an ordinary afternoon — he and Kai were going to work on their science project together. He had brought all the materials they needed and had texted and called Kai multiple times, but received no response. That wasn't like Kai at all.
"Kai? It's me, Beomgyu. Are you home?"
His voice echoed in the silence.
After knocking again with no reply, Beomgyu hesitantly reached for the doorknob. To his surprise, it turned easily — it was unlocked. A pit began to form in his stomach.
"I'm coming in… Your door was open," he called softly, stepping inside.
The house was quiet. Unusually quiet.
Setting the materials on the coffee table, Beomgyu slowly moved through the house, glancing into each room until he heard something upstairs — faint, muffled sniffles. He followed the sound carefully to a closed door and turned the knob.
What he saw inside froze him.
Kai was curled up in bed, his small frame trembling beneath a blanket. His back was to the door, but his shoulders shook with every quiet sob. The room was dim, heavy with the kind of silence that screamed pain. There were discarded clothes on the floor, dried tissues near the nightstand, and an open window letting in the wind.
Beomgyu's voice broke as he stepped closer.
"Kai…?"
The younger didn't move.
Beomgyu dropped to his knees beside the bed, his heart clenching at the sight of Kai's pale face streaked with dried tears. His hair was messy, his eyes red and swollen. He looked completely hollowed out.
"Kai, what happened?" Beomgyu asked, barely above a whisper.
Kai didn't answer. He simply cried harder, curling into himself like he was trying to disappear.
Without hesitation, Beomgyu reached out and gently wrapped his arms around him.
"It's okay. I'm here now," he whispered. "You're not alone."
Kai clutched Beomgyu's shirt tightly, breaking down fully in his embrace. Minutes passed in silence except for the boy's quiet, heart-wrenching sobs. Eventually, Beomgyu whispered again, gently rubbing circles on his back.
"Let's get you cleaned up, alright? Then… tell me everything when you're ready."
+×+
Later that night...
Kai sat on the edge of his bed, now in clean clothes and a bit calmer, though his eyes were still red. Beomgyu sat beside him, hands resting patiently in his lap. He didn't push. He waited.
Then Kai finally spoke — voice fragile, trembling.
"They… They threatened me. Mingyu and his friends. They said they'd hurt you if I didn't listen. And they… they have something that could destroy Sir Soobin's career. I didn't know what else to do, Beomgyu. I-I thought I could handle it. I thought I could keep you both safe."
He hid his face in his hands, sobbing again.
"I'm so stupid. I thought I could carry it all. But I can't… I can't anymore."
Beomgyu reached out, taking Kai's hand in his own, squeezing it gently.
"You're not stupid, Kai. You were brave. You went through something horrible… and you didn't deserve any of it. But you don't have to go through it alone anymore."
Kai collapsed into his arms again, finally allowing himself to lean on someone.
"We'll deal with them, Kai. We'll make them pay for what they did. But right now, what matters most is you. Healing. Being safe."
Kai pulled back slightly, looking at Beomgyu with teary eyes.
"Just promise me… don't do anything dangerous. And please… don't let them hurt Soobin."
Beomgyu nodded.
"I promise."
Then, after a pause, he asked gently,
"Kai… what exactly do they have on Soobin? What happened between you two?"
+×+
At Yeonjun's apartment, the evening had just settled in when the front door opened to reveal a flustered Soobin — carrying a bottle of red wine.
Yeonjun blinked as the older stormed past him and headed straight for the kitchen without a word. Moments later, the distinct sound of liquid pouring filled the air, followed by Soobin downing a full glass in one gulp.
Yeonjun raised a brow, arms crossed.
"Uh… excuse me? You came all the way here to get drunk? Really?"
Soobin didn't answer. He was already pouring himself another.
The silence dragged on until, a few glasses later, Soobin finally mumbled something that made Yeonjun pause mid-step.
"What does it mean when you really want to kiss someone? Like... really badly?"
Yeonjun blinked in disbelief. "What? That's what you called me over for? Soobinnie, are you high? Be honest. This isn't a drug confession, is it?"
"I'm serious!" Soobin said, a little too loudly. His flushed cheeks and frantic eyes gave him away — he was spiraling.
Yeonjun chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Okay, okay. If you're thinking about kissing someone that much, it usually means one of two things. Either you're just craving something — affection, maybe comfort. Or... you're falling for that person."
Soobin sat quietly, his eyes darting to the wine in his glass. Then, he poured another shot, swallowed it, and groaned as he buried his face into the counter.
Yeonjun couldn't help but laugh softly. "Oh my god. Is this actually happening? Choi Soobin — the guy who schedules his meals and color-codes his life — is catching feelings?"
Soobin lifted his head slowly, a deep blush spreading across his face. "We're not... actually talking. Not now, at least. I mean, things were fine. Then he broke down and I comforted him. And then... he kissed me."
Yeonjun's eyes widened.
"I didn't stop him," Soobin whispered, almost ashamed. "And now, he's avoiding me. I don't know what to do anymore. I think… I think I like him, hyung."
There was a pause.
"Can you help me with Kai?"
Yeonjun's face shifted. "Kai? Huening Kai?"
Soobin nodded.
Yeonjun sighed and leaned back into the couch. "Wow. I mean… I'm not that surprised. But Soobin, if this gets out… it could ruin your career. You know that, right?"
"I know," Soobin muttered.
"Okay, well," Yeonjun said, tapping his fingers together thoughtfully. "You're smart. You wouldn't come to me unless you really meant it. So why don't you tell me everything first — start to finish. Then we'll figure it out."
Soobin's eyes lit up just a bit, lips parting in visible relief. He nodded, almost shyly, then looked down and started playing with his fingers — trying to organize his thoughts.
He took a deep breath.
And then, slowly, he began telling Yeonjun everything about him and Kai.