Doodlebug | Beomjun, yeongyu |

Chapter no.3

"No, it's nothing," Yeonjun said, waving a dismissive hand. "It's just... why are you always so clueless?" He quirked an eyebrow, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

Beomgyu, ever the blunt one, simply shrugged and gave a sheepish "I don't know" expression.

Yeonjun's smile widened, genuine this time, lighting up his features like a burst of sunshine. "You must be in peace," he said, his voice tinged with a wistful longing. "Since you're so clueless."

Beomgyu, chewing slowly, hesitantly voiced his concern. "Are you okay? You haven't been out recently."

Yeonjun met his gaze, his expression unreadable for a moment. Then, a ghost of a smile flickered across his lips, tinged with a bitterness that made Beomgyu's stomach clench. "You also think I've been mourning Yeji's death?" he asked, his voice a low murmur.

Beomgyu felt a flush creep up his neck. He hadn't meant to pry, but the truth was, it had crossed his mind. Yeonjun's sudden withdrawal, his haunted eyes – it all seemed to point towards an all-consuming grief for their lost friend. But now, faced with Yeonjun's question, Beomgyu realized how presumptuous he'd been.

He opened his mouth to apologize, to explain that he only wanted to reach out, but Yeonjun cut him off, a playful glint in his eyes. "Don't worry," he said, "you're not the only one who thinks I'm lost in some sentimental fog." He paused, a beat of silence before adding, "I've actually been... preparing for finals."

Beomgyu stared at him, his brows furrowed in confusion. Finals? In the midst of everything that had happened – finals seemed inconsequential, almost funny.

But Yeonjun, sensing his skepticism, offered a small, almost defiant smile. "Yeah, finals," He paused, then continued, "I've been preparing for finals. Finals that might not even happen, thanks to Zico's death"

The mention of Zico sent a shiver down Beomgyu's spine.  Yeonjun, however, seemed to brush it off with a sigh.

Beomgyu swallowed his surprise, the truth of Yeonjun's words echoing in his mind. "Yeah... that's actually good," he said, forcing a smile. "Mourning can't bring her back anyways." It felt wrong to say it so bluntly, but somewhere between the grief and the confusion, a seed of pragmatism had taken root.

Yeonjun gave a curt nod, his eyes downcast. His plate was empty, yet he remained seated, a statue carved from sorrow. Beomgyu felt a pang of sympathy, the unspoken questions churning in his stomach. "You can leave if you're waiting for me to finish," he offered, the silence growing oppressive.

Yeonjun's head snapped up, a spark of something flickering in his dark eyes. He raised an eyebrow, a defiant challenge glinting beneath the weariness. "From today," he said, his voice soft but resolute, "stick to me."

Beomgyu choked on his mouthful of rice, surprise sputtering on his tongue. "Huh?" he spluttered, eyes wide with confusion.

Yeonjun leaned forward, his face close enough for Beomgyu to see the shadows dancing beneath his eyelids. "I said stick by my side," he repeated, his voice dropping to a low whisper.

"So I can make sure we're safe," Yeonjun continued, his voice barely above a murmur. "And also, I don't want anyone to find out about Zico... so it's better if you stay by my side."

Beomgyu swallowed, the rice suddenly dry and tasteless in his mouth. He met Yeonjun's gaze, "Okay," he rasped, "I'll stick by your side."

Yeonjun, emboldened by his unexpected demand, rose from his chair. His shadow stretched across the table, swallowing Beomgyu in its inky embrace. A beat of hesitation, and then Yeonjun leaned in, the space between them shrinking until their breaths mingled in the stillness. Beomgyu's heart hammered against his ribs, a frantic bird trapped in a cage of yearning. He closed his eyes, surrendering to the unknown, bracing himself for...

 Yeonjun's hand,brushed gently against the corner of his mouth. With a soft chuckle, Yeonjun pulled back, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

Beomgyu blinked, his chest heaving with a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. His cheeks burned with a mixture of embarrassment and something else, something he couldn't quite name.

"You had a little something there," Yeonjun teased, his voice laced with a warmth that Beomgyu hadn't heard in weeks. "Rice, I think."

Yeonjun's own face was flushed, a faint pink that accentuated the dark circles under his eyes. He gave Beomgyu a shy smile, then turned and walked towards the door.

"See you tomorrow," he mumbled over his shoulder, disappearing into the hallway.

ing far more intoxicating clinging to his lips. He stared at the closed door, his mind replaying the scene over and over, the touch, each glance, etched into his memory forever.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

I'M BACKKKKKK