A Step Back

The sudden warmth in Beomgyu's eyes made Taehyun's heart skip a beat, and for a moment, he felt like he was drowning in the sincerity there. But as he looked into them, he knew he couldn't let himself get pulled back in. Not yet. He needed to clear his head and figure out what he wanted, and being around Beomgyu was only making things more complicated. "Thanks," Taehyun said, his voice stiff, as he sat down on the bed beside Beomgyu. But as soon as he did, he felt a pang of regret. He was being distant, and he knew Beomgyu could sense it. Beomgyu didn't seem to notice, or at least, he didn't let on. He set his guitar aside and leaned back against the headboard, a relaxed smile on his face. "I was thinking," he said, "maybe we could talk about what happened earlier. I feel like we left things unresolved." Taehyun shook his head, feeling a familiar knot of anxiety form in his stomach. He didn't want to talk about it. Not now. Maybe not ever. "I'm tired," he said, standing up quickly. "I think I'm going to go for a walk." The sudden change in plans seemed to catch Beomgyu off guard. He frowned, concern etched on his face. "Taehyun, it's late. And it's not safe to be out alone at this hour." But Taehyun was already heading for the door. He knew Beomgyu was only trying to help, but he needed some space. He needed to clear his head and figure out what he wanted. And most of all, he needed to find Yeonjun. As he stepped out into the hallway, Taehyun felt a rush of cool air on his face. It was a welcome respite from the tension that had been building inside him. He took a deep breath, feeling a sense of determination wash over him. He was going to find Yeonjun, no matter what it took. And he was going to keep his distance from Beomgyu, at least for now. The city was quiet at this hour, the only sound the distant hum of traffic and the soft crunch of gravel beneath Taehyun's feet. He walked for what felt like hours, his eyes scanning the streets for any sign of Yeonjun. As the night wore on, Taehyun began to feel a sense of unease creeping in. He had no idea where Yeonjun was, or if he was even looking for him. But he couldn't shake the feeling that he needed to keep searching. The streets seemed to stretch on forever, a labyrinth of dark alleys and deserted side streets. Taehyun walked on, his heart pounding in his chest, his eyes scanning the crowds for a glimpse of Yeonjun's familiar smile. And then, just as he was starting to lose hope, he saw a figure in the distance. It was Yeonjun, standing on the corner of a side street, his eyes fixed on Taehyun's face. Taehyun's heart skipped a beat as he quickened his pace, a rush of emotion washing over him. He had found Yeonjun, and for the first time in hours, he felt like everything was going to be okay.