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

Conflict

"Oh, sorry. Were you friends with Yeonjun? I didn't mean to bring up a sensitive subject."

"No, it's ..." Soobin shook his head, trying to gain some composure and take a deep breath, "... it's fine. We weren't friends."

"Yeah, he died so suddenly." Soobin could see Beomgyu looking solemn as he looked towards the distance, head tilted towards the sky. "I just hope he's okay now."

"Were you two close?"

Soobin didn't want to pry or make Beomgyu upset about something else, but he hadn't realized the past his friend and Yeonjun had. He knew he could always ask Yeonjun about it but hearing it from the source seemed better in Soobin's mind.

"You could say that. We weren't best friends like you and I," Beomgyu playfully bumped into Soobin's side, causing the taller to smile slightly, "but I would've considered us friends at least. We started hanging out more about two months before he died. He was always fun to be around and so full of energy, but ..."

Beomgyu trailed off, his head still tilted towards the sky as if he was debating on what to say next. Soobin had a puzzled expression on his face, not sure where Beomgyu was going to go with his thoughts.

"But?"

"I don't know. Underneath all the laughs, smiles, and just pure energy he gave off, I could always tell that something else was going on. Almost as if he was always upset about something or was hiding his emotions from the world." Beomgyu looked at Soobin to see the taller man almost frozen in place. "Sorry, I didn't mean to let my thoughts run away like that. I guess I just miss the guy a little."

"Yeah." It was a whisper from Soobin, going unheard from Beomgyu.

"Anyways, I'm going to head to my dorm and take a well-deserved nap. Thanks for listening to me."

Beomgyu hugged Soobin tightly, the taller wrapping his arms around him just as tight. "I'll always be here for you."

Beomgyu smiled at that, taking a few steps back before waving his hand animatedly as he walked away. Soobin waved as well until his friend had turned around, now facing the direction his dorm room was in. Soobin was still trying to process the entire conversation with Beomgyu, turning around to start walking back to his dorm when he saw Yeonjun standing frozen in place only a couple of feet away, his pink hair bright in the sun.

"Yeonjun? What are you doing here?" When the man didn't answer, Soobin became slightly concerned. "Hey, are you okay? Yeonjun?"

The man shook his head slightly, blinking his eyes quickly as if trying to refocus his thoughts. Soobin hadn't noticed the man's eyes becoming shiny, Yeonjun quickly tilted his head up as if to nonchalantly hold back his tears. However, Soobin could see right through him. Even so, he didn't want to push him.

"Yeah, sorry. I'm fine. I decided to take a walk out of the dorm, and I always come here to the fountain to relax." Yeonjun paused, looking in the direction that Beomgyu had left. "I didn't know he felt that way."

"Even if he doesn't show it well all the time, Beomgyu really does cherish all of his friends. And he as a lot of friends."

Soobin chuckles, immediately lifting the tense atmosphere. Yeonjun couldn't help but laugh a bit as well. Soobin sat back down on the fountain, Yeonjun joining him as they let the sound of running water create a calm energy around them. It wasn't long before Soobin's brow furrowed, thinking back to his earlier conversation with Beomgyu.

"Hey, Yeonjun."

"Yeah?"

"Beomgyu mentioned that one of your friends started avoiding him only a couple weeks before you died. Do you know anything about that?"

"... yeah."

Soobin looked at the man next to him, Yeonjun's features furrowed together as if he was remembering the situation. Soobin could tell he was in deep thought, deciding to wait patiently for Yeonjun to continue.

"Beomgyu really messed up. I stopped talking to him after what happened, although maybe I should have asked him what happened from his perspective. All I have to go on is what Taehyun told me."

"Taehyun? Is that who Beomgyu was talking about?"

Yeonjun nodded, placing his hands on the fountain as he stretched and looked towards the sky. Soobin could hear the man sigh loudly before he looked in Soobin's direction, his hands now clasped together.

"Yeah."

"What happened?"

"That's not my place to tell, sorry. You'll have to ask Beomgyu ... or Taehyun."

"I've only met Taehyun a couple times." Soobin remembered the slightly shorter man with blonde hair that he had carried to the medical center not that long ago. "I don't think we're that close yet."

"I just wish there was something I could do to help him. I know my death was really hard on him. At least, from what I could tell. But ..." Yeonjun paused, taking a deep breath, "he never really seemed to have recovered from what happened with Beomgyu. And now, there's no way I can help."

"Never say never. If you ever want to tell him something, just let me know. I'd be happy to pass on a message."

Soobin's smile was soft, but to Yeonjun, it was as if it was blinding. Yeonjun never felt this comforted and seen when he was alive, wanting nothing more than to stay by Soobin's side for the time being. Yeonjun smiled as well, his hands now placed in his lap.

"But are you ready for tomorrow? I'm not sure it's going to work, but I have high hopes for it."

"I'll try anything to not be stuck within a certain radius of this place. If it works, maybe I'll get to go home, or we could go to the mall together. I just want to go somewhere new and not be stuck here for a change."

Soobin chuckled, loving to see the man in front of him full of energy. "Well, if it does work, I'll definitely take you to places you want to go, as long as I don't have too much work. I still need to pass my classes, you know."

They both laughed, finding comfort in each other's company. Soobin could feel that they were bonding slowly, becoming friends as the days and weeks passed on. His anxiety was flaring up less and less, and he wasn't sure if it had anything to do with meeting the boy in front of him. Rather than dwell on it too much, Soobin looked to the sky, soaking in the warmth as he made a mental reminder to talk to Beomgyu later about Taehyun.

Yeonjun looked at Soobin as the man had his eyes closed. Yeonjun couldn't lie that Soobin looked more at peace lately, happy that he could give Soobin the comfort he needed. It was obvious that both of them were somewhat opposites, but he thought that may be the reason their friendship worked so well together.

Friendship? Friends? Are we really friends now?

Yeonjun looked at Soobin one more time before smiling and looking out into the courtyard. The thought of friendship made his skin warm, his mind calm. All he knew right now was that he wanted to stay by Soobin's side, even if it was just for a little longer.

--------------------------------

A/N

Progress is being made, and we're learning more about the Beomgyu/Taehyun situation. And soon we'll see if Soobin found a way to get Yeonjun back home. I hope y'all are excited for the next coming chapters but be prepared for the angst coming your way as well. Here's questions to answer if you'd like:

1) What would you like to see first: Taehyun & Beomgyu backstory or Soobin & Yeonjun storyline?

2) Any new theories?

Sorry for being late again everyone! I hope you all have great weeks with no stress! Thanks again for reading as always. Love y'all! =^_^=