Taehyun was left on the crossroad between Huening Kai, walking away with his emotions bursting out as never before, and Beomgyu who got stuck on the spot, obviously barely holding up on his weakening knees.

The younger didn't want to leave Beomgyu like this... and Huening Kai, to whom he really didn't want to feel alike a betrayal, wanted some time alone... but something suddenly led him to a quick decision and he moved his glistened gaze away from Beomgyu's desperate expression.

"S-see you later, Gyu," Taehyun babbled before leaving.

Why? It didn't take a second for Beomgyu's confusion to clear up.

As soon as he turned behind the hand that gently touched his shoulder, he saw the tall senior he had only recently befriended standing by his side.

"What a drama straight up in the morning...," Soobin mumbled a comment with an awkward smirk, making surprised Beomgyu glance back at his leaving childhood friends.

"I-"

"Just let them go, Beomgyu-ssi..." The senior fleetly wrapped his arm around slumped shoulders, before he conjured a soft, somehow reassuring smile, and left Beomgyu's personal space with a small step forward.

They walked side by side in silence, waiting for one of them to speak first. Unfortunately, mostly cheeky questions rolled off their tongues. It only mattered who could resist them longer.

"Do you-"

Soobin barely took a breath to speak. In the end, Beomgyu's tongue was slightly sharper and cut his sentence. Fortunately so, because Soob's question could be too tactless right now. Yeah, morally even more than upcoming Beomgyu's one.

"Are you watching over me so I don't accidentally break Yeonjun's heart?" Beomgyu chuckled weakly shaking his head. From his tone it was obvious he didn't really mean it in a bad way. He was actually glad it was Soobin who approached him and not anyone else, because the elder knew about the situation and was very tolerant... maybe too tolerant and kind in this case.

It didn't seem like the senior gets the question completely. Or more like his brain was refusing to get it. Does Beomgyu already know?

"Yeonjun told me about your past together..."

"Ah... did he?" Soobin's cheeks turned red immediately and he fleetly touched his burning ear. "Well... I have nothing better to do than watching you, you know that," he added sarcastically with an embarrassed chuckle.

"Bro, then you're doing it pretty bad - I'm probably breaking his and others' hearts on a daily basis," Beomgyu softly giggled as well. It was actually nice to wrap his guilt in a joke and seemingly put it on someone else who understood it right, didn't take it close to his heart and was even able to ease it with a short laugh.

At this point, Soobin was an angel. Maybe too naive one, but he seemed so careless yet so kindly caring. His presence was just as refreshing as Beomgyu remembered it from before. 

"You're right. Anyone else would already beat your ass.... not only once," the senior coughed into his fist and stepped aside, expecting some kind of attack.

"... and it would be very much deserved. Especially from you. Why don't you just do it?" deeper gloom overshadowed Beomgyu's face instead.

And so Soobin stepped back closer, bit on his lip and tried to be a little bit more serious.

"Because you might lack some decisiveness in this situation... but I know you are not a bad person... you are just too kind and loving..."

Just how was Soobin's voice so soothing? Was he perhaps a mercy from heaven? If so then why am I still suffering in this hell?

"Aren't you just the same? Too kind... why did you let him go so easily, hyung?" using the formalities with his head bowed, Beomgyu was clearly getting more and more serious about the talk... frost biting on his fingertips he hid deep into his pockets.

"I shouldn't have, right? So it would be easier for you...," Soobin's empathetic smile covered Beomgyu's eyes with a hurt glaze.

"When you love someone, you want them to be free... sometimes it means to let them go and just cheer on their success from afar..."

But he still loves you, Soobin...

"You know... to be honest, it isn't like I completely gave up. I actually believe that this acceptance of your destiny, patience and wish for him to be happy... is the key. It might sound pretty naive, but I believe that this attitude and care will make him come back anytime he needs me... as soon as he sorts his thoughts... and I'll be still here, waiting with my heart and arms open for him... Always."

.

Just what is this nerdy weirdo trying to say now? With the last emphasized word of the ideological speech Beomgyu raised his head in caution and moved his look to the elder's, somehow dreamy, face.

"Don't worry too much," chuckled Soobin as he raised his hand and ruffled Beomgyu's longer hair, growing from his already rather confused head. The senior wasn't making it any much better.

"Everything will fall into place and become clear, Beomgyu... if you stop overthinking it, give it some time and let go of the tight grip on the reins, maybe it will happen much sooner than you'd expect..."

Does he still speak my language? Just what is wrong with his phlegmatic tone and relaxed expression? What exactly do those words and gestures mean? Because I'm definitely missing some important point here...

"Such a cute maltese," Soobin laughed a bit louder this time. He obviously found it funny and adorable how the wheels in Beomgyu's brain were working at one hundred percent. 

"Excuse me?" Beomgyu raised his tone offended. 

"Just don't you dare break his heart, I warn you," the elder pointed a warning finger at him before sticking his tongue out and running through the school gates with a warm amused smile digging dimples into his cheeks. 

God, but for real... just how the hell does the presence of this lunatic fool feel safe and comforting to me? 

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