Youngwoo didn’t miss the city lights. The stars had always been a struggle to see from his fire escape, drowned out by neon signs and smog. The constant noise—blaring horns, sirens wailing into the night—had been suffocating at times, even for someone who had spent his entire life in the thick of it.
But here, standing on the balcony of his home, he could look up at a sky so clear it felt endless. The moon hung high and full, casting silver light across the waves that lapped gently at the shore. No honking. No crowds. Just the rhythmic crash of the tide, the salty breeze rolling in, filling his lungs with something lighter, something freer. It had taken time to adjust, to settle into the quiet, but now? He wouldn’t trade it for the world.
He spun the ring around his finger absently, eyes tracing the moon’s reflection on the water. The urge to walk down there tugged at him—to feel the wet sand between his toes, the cool kiss of the ocean on his skin. Was this a happy ending? Was this what safety felt like?
The soft rustling of sheets pulled him from his thoughts. Turning his head, he caught sight of Taejoon shifting in bed, the faint glow of moonlight highlighting his features. A smile found its way to Youngwoo’s lips, warmth spreading through his chest. Yeah. Maybe it was.
❛ come back to bed. ❜ @taephoon
He stepped away from the open door, the cool night air slipping in, making the curtains dance in the breeze. Clad in nothing but a pair of boxers, a shiver ran down his spine, but he welcomed the chill against his warm skin. Still, he barely noticed it—his focus was elsewhere. “ No, c’mere first, ” he murmured, glancing over his shoulder. “ The moon is full. ”
It had become something of a ritual, these quiet moments where they stood together, bathed in silver light, watching the sky as if it held all the answers. But to Youngwoo, it was more than just a view—it was a testament to everything they had endured, everything they had fought through to make it here. They had clawed their way out of hell, bled for the lives they wanted, and now, finally, they had this. A life where they could stop, breathe, and take in something as simple as the moon hanging above them. His gaze lingered for a moment before turning back to the window, exhaling softly. Some things, he figured, were worth slowing down for.
