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As embarrassing as it was to admit, Choi Yeonjun, the resident basketball guy that everyone swoons over every 10 seconds, did not actually know how to dance properly.
He justified himself, thinking that it is not as important as chasing his dreams of getting into his dream university. And for that to happen, he cannot dilly dally on trivial matters such as dancing, no matter how the notion of doing so brought him a spark of excitement. Imagine it, just letting your body express itself freely, moving to the rhythm of the music, another form of art he is incredibly fond of. Maybe he danced, once or twice, under the guise of enjoying the music he is listening to, a reflex of a body so taut and stringed up with endless torture from basketball. But it meant nothing, just a way for him to let loose and keep him on his toes.
Maybe when he is free from the judgmental stare of people with high expectations for him and the cage that he built for himself, he might consider pursuing dancing as a hobby. A reflection of his soul. Maybe.
As of now, he is content with his life. Yeonjun is blessed with a brain that half of his elementary school classmates envied, earning him quite the popularity for his intelligence alone. The more he grew up, so too, did his physiques get shaped. He did not shun exercise and sports the way plenty of his peers would, and that earned him even more edge. Muscles slowly corded his arms, his torso, shaping them to almost perfection by the time he reached the age of 17. And that is not the end of it. Yeonjun got into basketball so much that his mother started to oversee his practices and put him on the school’s basketball team in middle school.
You can guess it. He climbed up the rank so quickly that everyone was caught surprised when, only after 2 years of practice, their coach named him the team captain.
Yeonjun admitted that he may reap the good things in his teenage experience and left none for the others, which he felt bad about sometimes. But then again, his achievements eclipsed their dirty stares and envious look. Not only did he lead his team to victory after 4 years of losing their winning streak, but he also gets the highest score in his school when it comes to the national exam, the highest in the country, too.
A prodigy, the whispers said. A gifted child, bound to achieve so many things in life.
For that reason, too, that boys and girls crowded around him like a flock of hungry crows surrounding their prey. For 4 years, he had to fend off his classmates trying to pry his attention away from his surroundings, doing some ridiculous things to achieve it. Did Yeonjun ever relent to any of them? Of course not. He is a guy with incredible talents and big dreams about romance. He does not trust that any of them truly liked him for who he is.
If I had known popularity comes with adorning fans who fancy themselves to be my romantic partner, I would have done all my deeds from the shadows.
“Hey!” Soobin, Yeonjun’s nemesis (read: best friends since they were 7 years old), strolled down the hall, a wide smile plastered on his lips. Yeonjun breathed a sigh of relief at his sight.
“Finally,” Yeonjun grumbled with an ‘oomph’ as Soobin crashed into him to give the elder a big hug. “I’m starting to think you ran off and left me here alone.”
Soobin snorted in amusement. “And let you have all the fun for yourself? Not a chance.” He did not miss an opportunity to wink at one of the girls amidst the throng of students crowding Yeonjun, doing so under the guise of congratulating him for his team’s win in the sectional. Despite everyone being here for Yeonjun, the girl blushed, slightly flustered. Soobin might not get the attention that Yeonjun had, but he is still criminally handsome, enough to make even Yeonjun acknowledge his beauty.
“Stop torturing them when you’re not even going to make a move on any of them. Besides, I thought you only have eyes for the junior who just freshly dyed his hair white-blond.” Yeonjun teased Soobin, making the latter look down, a shy smile replacing his jovial one.
“Nobody said I looked away from Taehyun that quickly,” he mumbled as he started to walk, pulling Yeonjun with him. “I am merely giving your fans another sight to behold. It’s a wonder they are not sick of your face already.”
“As if anyone could get tired of me.”
“I did, and I have to put up with you every day. Maybe I should open up recruitment to replace my position as your loyal best friend who would do anything for you despite your temperament and unattainable ass.” Soobin joked about this a lot, and Yeonjun knew that he is not an easy person to deal with. But if he knew anything about his life, it is that Soobin is as much of a constant to him as the sun in the sky. At times he might not be there in person, but Soobin’s spirit, his support, his familial love, would always follow Yeonjun wherever he went.
“Liar, you can’t get rid of me just like that. My ghost will still haunt you even when we’re buried six feet under.”
Soobin was barely fazed. “You know, you should be lucky that I’m not the only one who would still stay by your side at all times.” He looked at Yeonjun a beat longer than usual, a question filled with disappointment in his eyes.
A beat too late did he realized about his boyfriend, waiting for him.
“Fuck, Beomgyu!"
Did Yeonjun feel guilty for running off and leaving Soobin again? A fraction, yes. But nothing beats the guilt of almost forgetting about his promise to Beomgyu after brushing him off for almost two weeks.
Choi Beomgyu, his boyfriend. The light to his perpetual darkness.
Remember how Yeonjun had high expectations regarding romance? The second Choi Beomgyu entered his life, the boy, barely a year younger than him, found his way to Yeonjun’s mind, body, soul, with nothing more than his smile.
God, that smile. The one that disarmed his walls when they first met. The one Beomgyu gave him when Yeonjun won a basketball game. Just a smile, and it made the moment so much more meaningful. A moment he cherished more than ever.
It came as a surprise when Beomgyu made the first move to confess and ask Yeonjun to be his boyfriend, barely a year ago, after 2 years of being best friends sharing secret glances and conspiratorial smiles. Beomgyu, with his shy smiles and tendencies to stay away from the crowd, jumped from the stands during one of Yeonjun’s basketball games. As the confetti fell between them like starlight, Beomgyu boldly poured parts of his heart out there, the entire school as a witness of the sweet, sweet moment. And who was Yeonjun to refused Beomgyu, when Yeonjun himself wanted to do the same thing but had never gathered enough courage to do so? Instead of replying, Yeonjun pulled Beomgyu closer by the waist, dipping his head down to kiss him with a fervor of a man being denied water after a long day. As the whole school cheered for them, Yeonjun even forgot that he is, quite literally, thirsty for water. But he did not care. At least, not until Beomgyu pulled away and wrinkled his nose.
“You need to shower and drink before you collapse out of dehydration.”
Yeonjun laughed, a pure sound of elation and happiness, and swept Beomgyu off his feet. The younger yelped in surprise, protesting to be put down even when he is also grinning like a fool.
That was how Yeonjun, a man of bright future, found himself a significant other that balanced him.
A significant other that will whack him if he ever forgot about his promise again.
Yeonjun just showered after his basketball practice, but now he is sweating again from running. He only hoped that Beomgyu would not mind about it, because he knew his boyfriend would be mad enough about him being late.
Despite knowing this, Yeonjun’s heart deflated slightly at the sight of a frown marred on Beomgyu’s face, displeased with the situation. He looked astonishing, as he usually does, with simple black ripped jeans and a tight t-shirt, and a brown cardigan that did not match his jeans. Not that Beomgyu cares. He always looks good wearing anything, even a trash bag, Yeonjun bets on it.
“I'm so sorry,” Yeonjun halted a few feet away from Beomgyu, heaving and catching his breath. “I swear to you, I didn’t-,”
“You obviously forget, hyung,” Beomgyu said with a soft voice, the crease between his brows disappearing. “You have been very busy this past month, and you tend to forget about many things when you are being put under pressure.”
Laughter bubbled up from Yeonjun’s lips, mingled with his breathlessness. “Truly, nobody knows me better than you. Okay, maybe Soobin does, but we don’t put him in the equation.”
“No, we don’t.” Beomgyu reached out, flicking a stray hair from Yeonjun’s forehead. “You know I don’t mind giving you space to do what you need to, hyung. But you can’t give me promises you cannot keep. It would be better if you don’t ask me at all if you are bound to forget about it.”
“I’m truly sorry, cub. I thought-,” Yeonjun sighed, feeling resigned and weary. “I just thought that I have been a bad boyfriend, not even taking time to text or call you just because I’m busy. You deserve the littlest things, at least.”
The understanding and fond look at Beomgyu’s eyes melted Yeonjun’s worries away almost instantly. Such a small gesture, no spoken words, and they could communicate without problems. “Hey, who are you to say what I deserve and what I don’t? I know that if you keep going with that thought, you will say that you don’t deserve me or some sort of that bullshit.”
“But I really do think you can do better than me.”
Beomgyu feigned surprise, stepping back and putting his fist to his heart. “You did not think of breaking up with me, don’t you? Not before the homecoming dance.”
“No, no, don’t you even dare thinking about that!” Yeonjun lessened the gap between them, framing Beomgyu’s delicate face between his hands. He stared down at the starry eyes, so bright and full of his usual mischief, that Yeonjun didn’t even stop himself. He captured Beomgyu’s lips with his, kissing the younger slowly. A reassurance that he will always be here for Beomgyu, a silent promise that they both intend to keep.
Beomgyu fisted his hands on Yeonjun’s hair, returning the kiss with enough heat that Yeonjun groaned. “Not here, you silly,” Yeonjun mumbled, still lost. Beomgyu ignored him, of course, and Yeonjun let himself go and circled his arms around Beomgyu’s waist, pulling him closer. They stayed like that, savoring the taste of each other after being denied for almost a month, all their regrets and yearning being poured out. They kissed like there is no tomorrow, as if they had all the time in the world, and when Yeonjun pulled back slightly to the sight of Beomgyu and his swollen lips, a low voice escaped his throat, and he latched his lips on Beomgyu’s neck.
“I would love for you to mark me however you like, pretty boy, but not here.” Beomgyu groaned slightly when Yeonjun softly marked him, almost surrendering to the sensation. “Yeonjun, not here please.”
With a sigh of annoyance, Yeonjun detached himself from Beomgyu, and he relished at the sight that he was only able to glimpsed for a brief moment before. His irises are blown, making his eyes dark and wide. Beomgyu and his swollen, red lips… it takes every form of restraint in Yeonjun not to kiss Beomgyu senseless again. It felt so good, being able to touch his boyfriend after so long. He regretted not carving out the time for Beomgyu.
“I forgot how aggressive you could be.” Beomgyu mused, touching his neck to where Yeonjun left a small, barely noticeable mark.
“You were the one who couldn’t stop yourself. I’m just obeying your commands.”
Beomgyu lifted his eyebrow, and Yeonjun was horrified and thrilled to see the look of indecent in his usual innocent yet mischievous eyes. “You’d be surprised, then.” He looked at Yeonjun longer, his gaze heated, then he broke into a laugh. A loud, boisterous laugh that he would let out when he tricked someone and his ruse worked. “You, you should have seen your face! It was everything!”
“Thank you very much for the vote of confidence, jerk.”
“Hey, is it really my fault that you easily fall for every one of my words? It is why you should guard yourself more.”
“I see no point in guarding myself against you. And I do not want to.”
The laughter immediately seized from Beomgyu. A touch of a smile graced Yeonjun’s lips, still slightly swollen from the kiss. “I mean it, cub. I would lay myself bare for you, all my thoughts and emotions, because I know I can trust you to keep it safe for me. You always do that, making me feel secure.”
“And suddenly he is melancholy.” Beomgyu put his hands on Yeonjun’s cheek, which the latter immediately leaned on, nuzzling it. “I am glad you are willing to let me see you as who you are, and that’s what I love about you. So unapologetic, so confident, all to guard the insecurities that you held so deeply that nobody would know of its existence had you not let them in. But I see you, hyung, and I’m not going anywhere. I promise.”
They stayed like that, Beomgyu’s hand on Yeonjun’s cheek, just relishing each other’s existence. Two boys, brought together by chance, heart and soul entwined, and the comfort of knowing that they will always have each other.
“Now, since I mentioned something about the homecoming dance,” Beomgyu withdrew his hand, giving Yeonjun a playful look. “You will come, right? Because I do not think I will forgive you for forsaking me to be there alone.”
“Like I will miss the chance to dance with you before we go to college. I even already picked out my tux.”
“Really? You’re telling me that you have been busy all this time, not even telling me anything, yet you found a sliver of time to buy a new tux?”
Yeonjun’s ears burned red, ashamed of himself. “Yeah, well, it was supposed to be a secret. But see, I’m not that terrible of a boyfriend, admit it.”
Beomgyu waggled his eyebrows. “I must admit that your certain set of skills are impressive. But I am afraid that you have to show me more than that if I were to deem you a passable boyfriend.”
Since when is he this shameless? Yeonjun thought to himself as the blush crept towards his cheeks, warming it. He rolled his eyes, an attempt at nonchalance.
“Not now, cub. I believe you were about to ask me something about the dance.”
Confusion worked his way on Beomgyu’s eyebrows, a look Yeonjun knew well when his boyfriend forgets what he was about to say. Then he snapped out of his reverie, remembering.
“Yes, so here is the thing. Do you know the first thing about how to waltz properly?”
That is how Yeonjun found himself locking his hands with Beomgyu, who was still reprimanding him.
“No, your foot isn’t supposed to face outwards like that. God, and don’t grip my waist this tightly. We are going to dance the waltz, not running off with a prized possession.”
Yeonjun was happy with the notion of dancing on his own accord, letting his feet move the way he wanted them to instead of following a dictated move with a specific set of rules and position. But for Beomgyu, he’d suffer through it.
“You are thinking about it too much, hyung.” Beomgyu’s voice drops into a loud whisper, losing their previous tension. “Just keep holding me like this and follow my lead, okay? And, one, two, three…”
It is incredibly boring to learn this without music. What’s the point of dancing if Yeonjun cannot sync himself with the flow of the beat? He nudged Beomgyu, stopping their movements.
“Cub, I cannot dance without music.”
Beomgyu looked at Yeonjun for a heartbeat, a retort ready on his lips, but he sighed and walked over to a bench. Grabbing his phone, Beomgyu quickly scrolled through his playlist and pressed play. The greenhouse was filled with the soft melody befitting a waltz, and Beomgyu returned, readying them to the correct position.
“Now, are you ready?”
“Yes.”
Steps after steps, Beomgyu taught Yeonjun how to move his feet in harmony to his, the apprehension in his tone no longer heard. His voice is soft, coaxing, commanding, and Yeonjun heeds to all of his boyfriend’s instructions. Yes, Yeonjun did step on Beomgyu’s feet a few times when they just started, but with the gentle guidance from Beomgyu, Yeonjun lets loose and danced in tandem with the music.
Beomgyu was, unsurprisingly, excelled at waltz dancing. His steps did not falter, not even once. His sure steps and certainty fueled Yeonjun’s doubt in learning, and not long after they started, the pair danced with a grace that could rival medieval kings and queens attending balls. They could even partake in one if history would have them.
“I’m surprised, hyung,” Beomgyu said as they kept dancing. “You are indeed a fast learner.”
Yeonjun shrugged it off. “What can I say? Your boyfriend is talented and amazing.”
Before Beomgyu could reply with a nasty comment, the last song in the playlist started to play.
The melody that they both knew very well, because they marathon the movie series together not long ago at Yeonjun’s room, his mom completely oblivious to Beomgyu’s existence under her roof.
“How quaint.” Yeonjun laughed softly, dropping his head to rest it on Beomgyu’s forehead. “I never pegged you as the sentimental one.”
“It fits the mood, doesn’t it? Stop complaining.” Beomgyu closed his eyes, swaying with the music.
Take my hand, take a breath, pull me close, and take one step
Keep your eyes locked on mine , and let the music be your guide
Beomgyu’s eyes snapped open at the lyrics, and Yeonjun was left breathless at the sight. They no longer did a meticulous routine of waltz dancing, choosing to sway in time with the music as they savor each other.
Won't you promise me (Now won't you promise me, that you'll never forget)
We'll keep dancing (To keep dancing) wherever we go next
Stars were dancing along with them in Beomgyu’s eyes, reflected back on Yeonjun’s own pair. It was a beautiful sight to behold, and if Yeonjun were to look at the world one last time, he would always choose to look at Beomgyu’s eyes and be at peace.
It's like catching lightning the chances of finding someone like you
It's one in a million the chances of feeling the way we do
Beomgyu was softly singing along while keeping his eyes on Yeonjun and moving with him. The lyrics run deep in them, resonating in their hearts so much that they could feel it in their entwined heartbeats, beating with the same rhythm. Yeonjun felt it again, the burst of love and affection he always had for Beomgyu, but right now, it is overwhelmingly taking over him, making him swaying out of its intensity.
And with every step together, we just keep on getting better
So can I have this dance, can I have this dance
They keep swaying to the music, all the while their eyes are locked with each other, not even separating for a single moment. It has all come to this, Yeonjun thought, gazing into Beomgyu’s eyes and seeing his whole heart being poured out in a stare. Yeonjun decided to put his heart on his sleeves, letting Beomgyu see the love, the adoration, the promise and dedication he would give to the younger no matter what. A declaration of love, punctuated by their smiles and matching heartbeats.
Oh, no mountains too high enough, oceans too wide
Cause together or not , our dance won't stop
Let it rain, let it pour, what we have is worth fighting for
You know I believe that we were meant to be
The last part of the bridge hung heavy between them, even as the music continued and their bodies followed. Meant to be. Such a big declaration, an unyielding commitment to have for each other. But right now, beginning from today, Yeonjun wholeheartedly believed it to be true. He might have to live different lives, wear different faces, even sporting different personalities, but he knows deep down that his soul would always find its way to Choi Beomgyu.
How glad Yeonjun was to find the same sentiment in Beomgyu’s eyes, the latter slightly teary-eyed from the same thought.
Damn, we’re only together for a year and a half, and look at how committed I am to this incredible man. I truly am a goner.
As the song ended, Beomgyu looked down, embarrassed but content with his heart. He sighed, leaning his head on Yeonjun’s shoulder.
“That was the best way to end the playlist, right? I’m a genius for doing so.”
Yeonjun smiled, slowly carding his hands through Beomgyu’s hair. Beomgyu looked up again, and the certainty was there. They are whole together, and despite the challenges in the future, they will conquer them together. As they always do.
“You are always a goddamn miracle, cub.” And Yeonjun leaned down to kiss Beomgyu again.