New Rules | Choi Yeonjun TXT

³⁸ Under Suspicion

Yeonjun nodded, typing the medicine name into Naver in hopes of finding out more.

Why wouldn't she tell me?
Why didn't Dr. Hwang tell me?

He felt a weight at the pit of his stomach, replaying the limited interactions you've had.

I haven't been able to hear her in a while..

Soobin held up the translucent bottle to the light, solely interested in the way it casted rainbows across the room.

But through the shine, there was some lettering behind the label that he otherwise wouldn't have seen.

He squinted as his finger started to pick at the sticker label on the bottle. Yeonjun was too immersed in his research to question Soobin's strange actions.

Soon enough, the label released itself from the bottle and Soobin's eyes widened as he scanned over the words written under it.

"Hyung.. you might want to see this."

+

"Play it again~" You pouted as Beomgyu strums the guitar on his lap.

Sat in Beomgyu's studio, a sense of home and comfort surrounded you.
You and the other boys had spent a good part of your time here, aside from the practice room.

Beomgyu mentioned creating a short tune on his guitar and after hearing it, you thought it was perfect.
The lyrics you'd written previously with Yeonjun fit the ambiance and theme of the melody.

"Why do you want me to?" He questioned.

"Cause it's pretty.."

"You're pr-" Beomgyu stopped mid-sentence, now looking down and adjusting the pegs on his guitar.

"I'm what?"

"What?"

"You said that I'm?"

"Annoying." A look of over-exaggerated offense appeared on your face as you lightly punched Beomgyu's arm.

Before he could retaliate or come up with a snarky comeback, a ringing emerged from your phone that sat on the desk.

"Ah, that means it's practice time." You sighed, grabbing your notebook and pen before rising from the couch.

"Evaluations tomorrow?" Beomgyu asked, placing his guitar by the couch and standing beside you.

You nodded, "I'll be gone most of today, probably will come back to the studio after practicing with the kids."

He admired you fondly as you shuffled the contents of your backpack.

Calling the younger trainees "the kids" reminded him of how Soobin referred to the maknaes.

Though suddenly, the shuffling of your bag became more panicked, as if you were in search of something that wasn't there.

"What's wrong?" Beomgyu asked with concern.

"I can't find my-.." Two knocks echoed from the door as you paused. Partially relieved, you didn't know how you could have finished that statement.

Soobin and Yeonjun walked in with their bags and laptop.
The expressions on their face were unreadable; although it appeared neutral on the surface, there held some sort of tension behind it.

"What are you guys doing here?" Beomgyu asked as Yeonjun settled on the couch.

"Could ask you the same." He responded dryly.

Meanwhile, you'd scooted towards Soobin as Yeonjun and Beomgyu continued their conversation.

"Soobin, have you see my meds anywhere?" You whispered.

He paused for a moment, almost as if he was trying to recall what you were talking about,
"I haven't."

"Ahhh.." You quietly whisper-yelled out of frustration.

The nerves were already getting to you; it's been so long since you've been running on your medications that you felt reliant on them.

The potential effects of not being on them worried you.

"What's wrong mochi?" Yeonjun looked up at you with worried eyes as he sat on the couch, lightly taking your hand into his.

Almost immediately, heat rose to your cheeks and your heart beat a little faster. The world surrounding you seemed to move in slow motion, all I see is you.

The nickname he had given you so long ago felt foreign; you never really realized how he hadn't called you it in some time.

"J-just nervous." His thumb ran along the back of your palm, a movement you've associated with ease.

Yeonjun smiled gently at you, holding your gaze and softening your persona that had hardened over time.

"You'll be late for practice, Y/N." Beomgyu called out, the tension in the room shifting.

You blinked your eyes, almost as if you'd been freed from a trance.
but had you wanted out of the trance in the first place?

"Right.. I'll see you guys later." Hesitating, you placed a hand on Yeonjun's head as he let out a soft chuckle.

In a moment of courage, you swiftly kissed his forehead and headed out the studio.

"What the fuck Beomgyu." Soobin immediately scolded as the studio door closed.