More Than Meets the Eye || TXT (Yeonbin, Taegyu)

Conflict

It came out weak, as if Beomgyu was still trying to piece together in his own head what the reason behind this man's behavior was. Soobin was trying to think of any comforting advice he could give his friend when he started to see the man's eyes brim with tears. Soobin quickly moved out of his chair and rubbed his hand along Beomgyu's back. He looked around the cafeteria to see that no one was staring, breathing a sigh of relief.

"Why don't we take our food to the courtyard and get some fresh air? It's sunny out today, and I know how much you like the warmth of the sun."

Beomgyu sniffled, wiping the back of his wrist on his nose before nodding slowly. They both grabbed their food and threw away their trash before leaving the building. The courtyard wasn't a far walk, maybe a little over five minutes if they walked slowly. Soobin couldn't take seeing his friend look so dejected, tears still forming in the man's eyes. He could tell Beomgyu was doing everything he could to stay calm and not cry.

When they reached the courtyard, Soobin was happy to see that nobody was sitting at the fountain. Soobin gently grabbed Beomgyu's hand as he led him to the fountain, both of them sitting down. Soobin motioned towards Beomgyu's food, the man smiling as he began eating again.

"Thanks. I don't know why I'm so emotional."

"You're allowed to be emotional, especially since I'm assuming this guy is someone you really care about."

Beomgyu nodded, smiling slightly as he kept taking bites of his food. "I do, but he wants nothing to do with me."

"And I bet it's all a misunderstanding." Soobin debated his next words, not wanting to upset the man but also trying to piece as much of the story together as he could. "When did he start avoiding you?"

Soobin could tell Beomgyu was searching through his memories, still wiping his nose occasionally. He'd only seen Beomgyu cry a couple of times, the man usually vibrant and comforting Soobin during his anxiety attacks. Seeing Beomgyu this upset was new to Soobin, but he'd do anything he could to help.

"I think ... I don't know. Maybe about two months ago? We were fine, then he started avoiding me, and before I could ask our mutual friend what was going on ..."

Beomgyu had trailed off, his eyes looking to the ground as his fingers began playing with the fabric of his shirt. Soobin had never seen his friend be this quiet before, patiently waiting for the man to speak up. Soobin didn't want to push any information, but he was getting more and more curious by the second.

"We don't have to talk about it. We can always go back to my dorm, chill out on my couch, and we can have ice cream."

Beomgyu smiled, taking a deep breath before looking at Soobin. "I'd love that, but ..."

"But?" Soobin was facing Beomgyu now, his one hand gently placed on top of his while the other was rubbing soothing circles into his shoulder.

"I think I just need to go to my dorm and sleep it off. I'm not used to crying this much. At least, not in front of other people."

Beomgyu chuckled slightly, but Soobin had a pained expression, wondering how many times his friend had chosen to cry behind a closed door over talking it through with him instead. Beomgyu stood up, followed by Soobin. They both embraced each other in a hug, Soobin wishing that he could squeeze the distress out of his friend in an instant.

"I just wish I could have asked Yeonjun what I did wrong. I know he must have talked to him and known what was going on."

At the mention of Yeonjun's name, Soobin froze with his eyes wide. He knew that Yeonjun and Beomgyu had been acquaintances, but maybe their friendship went deeper than even Soobin knew. Beomgyu could see the man freeze in front of him, not sure what nerve he hit.