Scope of Life || Yeonbin

chapter 24: surprise guest

She hesitated for a few seconds, and then slowly sat back down in her seat, her eyes not leaving mine. I made sure she wasn't moving again, and then turned around and took a few steps back over to Yeonjun. He looked terrified, but I didn't have time to console him. I put my hand around his waist, pulling him with me, "Let's get out of here." I said to him, quickly going towards the door.

Yeonjun was silent on the walk back, but I noticed how quick his pace was. It was difficult to keep up with him, and every few seconds, he would glance over his shoulder to make sure she didn't follow us. I did the same, making sure to walk slightly behind him so I would be struck first if she ran up to us. I had to ask him to slow down a few times, telling him that everything was alright, but he didn't seem to believe me in the slightest.

I felt like we were finally safe when we made it back to my apartment building, but Yeonjun was still shaking like a leaf. I didn't want to overwhelm him with questions, so I just made sure to stand close to him and rub his back to tell him I was here. The elevator ride felt like years, and when the doors finally opened, Yeonjun nearly sprinted to my apartment. I chased after him, and he had to wait a few seconds for me to catch up. He was in a rush, and I scrambled to grab my keys and unlock the door, mimicking his energy.

As soon as I did, he pushed the door open and pulled me inside. He put the pastries and his coffee down on the kitchen counter, and then came back to close and double-lock the door. I was too surprised to say anything, just moving to place my coffee down on the counter as well. Yeonjun ran over to the windows on the opposite side of my apartment, hurrying to close the blinds.

"Yeonjun—" I called out, but he ran into my room next.

I followed, stopping at the door frame and watching as he was closing the blinds tightly in my room as well after making sure the windows were locked. He turned around, running out the door from my room and passing me in the process, almost like I wasn't there at all, "Yeonjun—"

He ignored me again, going over to the kitchen table and grabbing one of the dining chairs. He brought it over to the front door, propping it up below the doorknob as a safety mechanism so nobody could get in. He was panicking, and I needed to get through to him.

I reached out and grabbed his arm as he was moving towards the kitchen, "Jun..." I pulled him towards me, making sure to look into his eyes, "We're safe."

He shook his head, stammering, "N-No..." He took a breath, bringing a hand up to pull on his hair, "What if she followed us—"

"You're safe with me..." I cut him off, placing my hands gently on his waist, and then moving them up to cup his cheeks, holding his head in my hands, "I'm not going to let anything happen to you, ok?"

His eyes began to water, not being able to focus on one spot. He was two seconds away from a break down, "But she was there. I-I didn't imagine it."

"I know; I saw her too..." I slid my thumb under his eye, capturing a tear, "She's not going to find us. I promise, you're safe with me." I said, even though I was weary about that myself.

Before he could respond, I wrapped my arms around him quickly and engulfed him in a hug. I held him tightly, and after a moment, he hugged me too, "I'll protect you." I whispered to him, and I heard a cry come from between his lips.

I closed my eyes, just holding him and allowing him to cry onto my shoulder as I whispered in his ear, "You're safe; You're safe with me."

I've never seen him so scared, and as he began to calm down, I helped him into my room and we laid down on my bed. I was holding him so tightly and so close, as close as possible to make sure that he was alright. I played with his hair, rubbed his back, whispered in his ear, continued to do anything to make it better even though I knew the fear wasn't going to go away.

I let him just lay here and vent, chatting back and forth until he was able to calm down a little more. After, we were silent for a little while, and then Yeonjun broke it, "What if she finds me, Soob? I-I can't do this again." Yeonjun said, his voice breaking at the end.

I reinstated my hold on him, "Then we'll get Chan's help, and we'll all make sure that nothing happens to you, ok? You're sure you don't want to talk to him now?" I asked, bringing up what he said earlier.

He lifted his head off my chest, turning a little bit so he could face me. He placed a hand on my chest, looking at me with red, teary eyes, "She didn't do anything, and it was probably an accident that we saw each other..." He sniffled, "I think she does actually have family relatively close to here."

I brought a hand up, running my fingers through his hair, "We can still talk to him if you want."

He pursed his lips a little, shaking his head, "It's ok..." He sniffled again, moving his hand for a moment to rub at his eyes, "Sorry that I got all freaked out. I-I still am." He added, placing his hand back down on my chest.

I shook my head, "Don't apologize..." I tucked his hair behind his ear, "And I'm going to be here to keep you safe, ok? If you ever need anything, just let me know."

He softly smiled, "You're the best boyfriend ever, you know?"

I smiled as well, lowering my voice, "I try my best."

He looked at me for a moment, and then dipped his head down and kissed me. It was short, but there was a second kiss right after the first one, then another, and another, until we needed to breathe. He pulled away from me, our noses touching. I could feel his breath on my lips, and he slid his hand up to place against my cheek.

"Babe, I..." He faded off, and I think both of us were getting lost in the other's eyes.

My heart skipped a beat because it sounded like he was going to say something that I've been wanting to tell him for weeks, "Yeah?" I replied, a little too eager.

He was silent for a few seconds, and then something shook him out of it, "I-I... feel really safe with you."

My heart was pounding so loud that I thought he heard it. I let out a small breath I didn't realize I was holding in, smiling softly at him, "I'm glad you do..." I said, trying to calm down my beating chest, "I feel really safe with you too."

He smiled back at me, and then lowered his head again to press a soft kiss onto my cheek. I closed my eyes so I could absorb it, feeling him rest his head back down on my chest afterwards. He snuggled close to me and took a deep breath, and I went back to hugging him close.