Hidden | YEONGYU/BEOMJUN

07

Jennie looked at him, a smirk playing at her lips, "What have you gotten yourself into, Beomgyu?"

Beomgyu grinned, pushing his messy hair back, "A relationship with my pretty hot neighbor."

They both burst out laughing, the tension melting away as the first rays of sunlight crept through the kitchen window.

The morning was warm, sunlight painting golden lines across the kitchen table as the family gathered for breakfast. The smell of toasted bread, eggs, and freshly cut fruit filled the air as their mother moved around the kitchen, humming softly under her breath.

Beomgyu sat at the table, Jennie across from him, and their two younger sisters giggling over a cat meme on their phones. His father was reading the newspaper, glasses perched on his nose.

Beomgyu's heart was pounding in his chest, every beat loud in his ears as he picked at his toast, taking a deep breath.

"Mom, Dad..." he started, his voice shaking just slightly.

Everyone turned to look at him, the room going quiet.

Beomgyu swallowed, trying again, "I have to confess something."

His mother raised an eyebrow, lowering the pan she was holding, "Oh, did you impregnate someone?"

Beomgyu choked on his toast, coughing, "Mom, no!"

Jennie snorted, quickly covering her mouth, while the sisters burst into giggles.

Their mother shrugged, "Okay, go ahead then."

Beomgyu glanced at Jennie, who nodded once, encouraging.

Taking a deep breath, he looked back at his parents, "I'm seeing someone."

His mother nodded, "Go ahead."

"It's... a boy."

Silence.

One of his sisters gasped, the other's eyes going wide, before they both turned to Jennie, who was trying so hard not to laugh that she had to look away.

Giselle squealed, "Is it Yeonjun hyung?!"

Beomgyu's eyes darted to Jennie, who just gave him a smirk, arms crossed.

His father slowly lowered the newspaper, peering at Beomgyu over the rim of his glasses, expression unreadable. Beomgyu felt his palms go sweaty, his throat dry.

His father's lips twitched, "We know."

His mother's eyes widened, "We didn't! Who's the lucky boy?!"

Beomgyu blinked, "Wait... you're not angry?"

His mother set the pan down, wiping her hands on a towel as she walked over to the table, "Why would we be angry, dear?"

Beomgyu's eyes glistened, "I just... I thought you wouldn't like the idea of me dating a guy, knowing I'm literally the last boy in our bloodline."

His father sighed, removing his glasses and setting them down, "Beomgyu, what are you thinking? You're still a person, and you can love whoever you want, as long as you're happy."

Beomgyu blinked, his lips parting as tears pricked at the corners of his eyes.

His mother placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, "Son, you deserve to be loved, no matter what."

Beomgyu sniffled, smiling, "Thank you for accepting me."

His father smirked, "Make Yeonjun come tomorrow already. We will talk about this. About you two."

Beomgyu's eyes widened, "How... how did you know it was him?"

His father leaned back, crossing his arms, "You're too dumb to notice me seeing you kissing that boy next door every night when you sneak out your window."

The entire table went silent.

Then His sisters screamed, squealing and jumping out of their seats, "OH MY GOD, IT'S YEONJUN HYUNG, WE KNEW IT!"

His mother turned to his father, "How come you didn't tell me about this?!"

His father chuckled, "I wanted him to tell you himself, observing how many nights it would take for him to have the courage."

Beomgyu's eyes filled with tears as he stood up, and his father opened his arms, "Come here, boy. We still love you, exactly as you are."

Beomgyu fell into his parents' embrace, tears slipping down his cheeks as he hugged them tightly. His sisters rushed in, wrapping their arms around him too, a warm, chaotic bundle of love.

"I love you so much, Mom, Dad," Beomgyu whispered.

His mother kissed the top of his head, "We love you too, son."

His father ruffled his hair, "Now, bring Yeonjun tomorrow. We need to talk."

His three sisters squealed again, "Can we tell him how obvious you two are?!"
"Can we make him eat with us?!"
"Can we take a family picture with him?!"

Beomgyu laughed through his tears, wiping his face, "Calm down, let me live first!"

Jennie, leaning against the counter, smiled softly, crossing her arms, "You're really something, Beomgyu."

Beomgyu looked at her, eyes red but smiling, "Thank you for helping me."

She rolled her eyes, "Just don't forget, if Yeonjun hyung ever hurts you, I'll break his legs."

The family burst into laughter, and the morning light filled the kitchen, warm and comforting.

That evening, Beomgyu texted Yeonjun.

Beomgyu : "They know."
Yeonjun : "??? What happened??? R u okay???"
Beomgyu : "They know and they're okay. They want to see you tomorrow."
Yeonjun : ".... r u serious???"
Beomgyu : "Yeah. My dad said he's going to 'talk' to you."
Yeonjun : "OH GOD"
Beomgyu : "LOL don't worry, I got you."
Yeonjun : "I love you. So much."
Beomgyu : "I love you too, life line. Forever."

Yeonjun sent a picture of himself, smiling tearfully, giving a thumbs-up in his room. Beomgyu sent a picture back, a peace sign and puffy eyes from crying, grinning at the camera.

For the first time in a long time, Beomgyu felt free. The fear that had clawed at his chest for so long was gone, replaced by something warm, steady, and real.

Tomorrow, Yeonjun would come over not to sneak in through the window, but through the front door, as someone who was loved, someone who belonged.

And Beomgyu was ready for it.