જ𝓕𝓪𝓵𝓵 𝓲𝓷 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓪𝓰𝓪𝓲𝓷⁀➴
Choi Beomgyu || Say cheese
꒰📸꒱ Beomgyu didn't believe in love at first sight. It was stupid, he thought. How could you decide that you loved someone without knowing anything about that person. Liking them by their looks, that's shallow. All that until he saw you...
Pairing: photographer!Beomgyu x photographer!fem!Reader
INTERACT FREELY.
˚˖꒰ Themes: college au, strangers to friends to lovers, slow burn, photography club.
˚˖꒰ wc: 10k
⚠: hopeless romantic, love at first sight, yearning (of course), mentions of insecurities, some alcohol consumption, minor characters death, slight abandonment issues, mentions of bullying, a little bit of blood, hurt-comfort of sort, comedy, fluff, slice of life, he fell first and harder, don't know if I forget smth!
• Rafthinks:
Hello everyone! After a long time, I finally finished it! Sorry I kept you waiting for so long but managing so many projects and creating new ones wasn't the smartest thing I could do... Anyway, I worked months on this, reading and rereading, correcting everything I could to make it perfect. But I didn't have anyone to beta read this for me so I don't know if it's as good as I think. Enjoy :)
Beomgyu didn't believe in love at first sight. It was stupid, he thought. How could you decide that you loved someone without knowing about that person. Liking them by their looks, that's shallow.
All that until he saw you.
You happened to have common friends and just happened to sit at the same table once. You didn't speak to each other. But he felt it, that skipped heartbeat, the butterflies in his stomach. How cliche.
He thought it was a one time thing. You didn't know him, he didn't know you, hell he only just saw you one time in his whole life. For the first time, in the college cafeteria!
He didn't even know why he felt like that! Was it because of your radiating purity, because you didn't act for anyone or put out a performance to draw attention like he had seen other people do?
He did it himself, put out a performance, not to draw attention but because that's what people wanted from him. From the moment he stepped to college the first day, people were all around him, girls mostly.
In one night he became the hot topic and the next day everyone wanted to be his friend. And all of that because of his looks. He couldn't do nothing but play along since no matter how many times he pushed people away, they kept coming back.
He'd do nothing but the bare minimum, just help the old cleaning lady pick up a rug she accidentally dropped and girls would worship him. And then, all the guys would come to befriend him so they could get popular therefore, attention from the girls.
So he just stopped caring and let everyone do what they wanted with him to the point he forgot who he was. He had so many friend groups and a different personality according what they wanted to see from him.
Maybe that's what he saw, the truth in you. You were just sitting there, talking only when you were ssked, laughing only when you had to, nothing more, nothing less. No fake smiles, words, nothing fake, only the truth.
Admiration, that's what it was. Admiration towards someone who was still real among the fake. Admiration, yes, that's what it definitely was. At least that's what he told himself then.
He didn't know how you changed his entire world viewing. But he fell for you he didn't want to admit it cause he didn't know which him fell for you, he had forgot who he was long time ago and the last thing wanted was fool you, like he was fooling himself all these years.
[...]
He first interacted with you when he decided to join the photography club.
All the freshmen had to join a club. It wouldn't matter for the degree but still, for some reason everyone had to do it. It was like a fraternity thing and he had the choice to stop next year. So much for torturing freshmen, like he was being tormented enough.
At the announcement board, posters of different clubs had taken over. All other announcements were hidden under them, all colourful, trying to the attention of many. How ironic?
By the time Beomgyu got there, the small papers at the end of all posters saying 'join' in big, bold letters, had disappeared. Well, not all, just the most popular amongst the clubs like football, cheerleading, art, music. Not that he cared to join any of those clubs.
His friends were practically pestering him to but even if he did and he was bad, they'd still keep him, they'd still give him the most important role. And even if that meant they'd fail the term's assignment, they'd keep him just to use his fame for their advantage. So no, he didn't want to join any of these clubs.
All except for one, the photography club, which only two pieces of those small paper lines were cut from its poster. He didn't know why but he cut piece and after his first course, he went to sign up.
What he didn't expect was to see you there. You were in a small, crumby classroom, dust particles were floating around, visible by the sunlight. You sitting by the huge round table, near the window. The evening light filtering through the semi-transparent blinds fell just right on your skin.
That's when it happened again. That missed heartbeat, the heat rising through him. He brushed it off before you noticed that he was staring.
"Em, excuse me?" he said hesitantly as if he was afraid to ruin your moment. You looked up from your laptop, your eyes captured the soft sunlight so beautifully. God, why was he thinking like that for a total stranger? What a freak he felt.
"How can I help you?" you asked, your tone soft yet confused.
"Em, it's here right, the photography club?"
"Yeah?"
"Right... Um, were do I sign u-"
"To me." a playful voice interrupted him then, figure emerged from the shadows at the corner of the room.
Choi Yeonjun. A year older. The playboy as rumours said, the last person he expected to see in that club. Honestly, Beomgyu believed he didn't even care enough to join one until professors started chasing around. He seemed like he didn't give a damn crap. So yeah, he was surprised to say at least.
"I'm the leader of the club. As I heard you want to join?" he asked, plopping on a chair, licking on a lollipop. "Yeah." he replied, making his way in. "Cool. You have a camera, right?"
"Um no, but I can buy one."
"Well, you're in." he shrugged, motioning to come and sit.
"Just like that?" Beomgyu asked confused. From what he recalled people telling him today, the had to go through excruciating challenges and interviews to be accepted to a club.
"Well yeah, I mean it's just us. If I had to make someone go through tests and bullshit, I would have to shut down this club."
"Right..." he trailed off, "But you don't have other members from your year?"
"I did last year yeah, but I guess they got bored and resigned."
"Oh..."
"It's better this way, less people, better cooperation."
"You've got a point."
"Of course I do. Oh, I think I didn't introduce you two! How rude of me? Y/n, this is um... What's your name again?" Yeonjun asked shifting his attention from his phone to him. "Beomgyu."
"Ah, you're the Beomgyu! I've heard about you." he responded, popping the lollipop from his mouth. Beomgyu felt uncomfortable at his remark, shifting awkwardly on his chair. What had he heard about him and most importantly, what did you know?
Wait, why did he even care about what you thought of him?
"Well then, Y/n, this is Beomgyu, Beomgyu, this is Y/n." Yeonjun continued.
"Nice to meet you." you said, with a small, discreet smile. At that, Beomgyu was sure he stroked. He didn't dare to look at you in the eyes as he replied "same".
After that, an awkward silence fell upon the room until the door creaked open. "Oh, if this isn't my boy Kai!" Yeonjun mused, getting up. "He doesn't bite, I think. He's our latest addition! His name 's Beomgyu."
"I-um... Hi, nice to meet you Beomgyu. I'm Kai, Huening Kai." the boy said shyly. If this wasn't a college building, Beomgyu could swear that he was a high-schooler. He shorter than Yeonjun, fluffy hair falling in his big, brown eyes.
"Nice to meet you too Kai." he replied, flushing a smile so Kai would feel comfortable with him. At that, Kai slightly eased to him, starting to make small talk.
As it turned out, Kai was a freshman too and apparently Yeonjun's best friend somehow. He definitely didn't seem like the guy who'd hang around people like Yeonjun. He was just too innocent.
He spent the rest of the evening getting to know you, Kai and Yeonjun better. As it turned out, Yeonjun was in a performing arts major and he was a menace. Kai in a computer major and liked programming and gaming.
You were in the same major as him, in the music major. Beomgyu couldn't believe it. He never saw you around, probably because he paid attention to his surroundings, to engrossed in the notes on his pentagram, the only thing keeping him sane. His heart did a stupid thing at the thought of seeing you everyday.
[...]
The next club meeting happened a week after that. In the meantime, Beomgyu would see you in class, sitting a few rows behind him. Sometimes you'd see him too and greet him and it was almost too much for his hard to bear. The way you smiled warmly at him and your eyes. God, he couldn't handle it and it was stupid!
It was easier though when he was with the other to talk to you but most of the times, you would initiate the conversation. He still didn't know how to act around you, his mind wanted to be rational but his heart was hammering each time with anticipation at the thought of seeing you again.
"Your attention please!" Yeonjun said a little too loudly while spreading his legs on the table. "As much I hate working with plans, we have to present a theme for our term assignment. So, suggestions. 3,2,1 and go!"
"Well, as you were wasting time talking around, I thought of couple of themes we could work on."
"I'm listening sexy brain." Yeonjun teased to which you just rolled your eyes. "Firstly, nature-"
"No, it's too basic!" Yeonjun cut in.
"I FIGURED, so I already crossed it of the list. Secondly, cityscapes?"
"No, I want something unique."
"What about people portraits?"
"No, I want something with more passion!"
"You're not helping."
"Love?" Beomgyu hesitantly spoke.
"Yes darling?" Yeonjun replied and shifted his attention to him, playfully batting his eyelashes.
"Tch, I didn- I-"
"Calm down, geez! I was just joking!" Yeonjun said defensively.
"Ugh, I meant as a theme, love?"
"Elaborate?"
"We just photograph things we love, that personally make us happy."
"Hm... hm, HM! Now that would be interesting. Dude, don't you have a sexy brain!" Yeonjun said excitedly, hoping on his feet. All Beomgyu could do was exhale at his antics.
"We proceed with that, if anyone doesn't have objections?" Yeonjun asked changing from playful to serious in record time. Kai just nodded no. "Sounds intriguing, I'm in." you said.
"Great, it's locked!"
[...]
After that day, you all made a program that accommodate you. Meetings for the clubs were twice a week and you scheduled yours for Wednesday and Friday after classes. At Friday's though, Yeonjun would be a little late since he had more lectures than you, so would Kai since he was studying a different course and he had a different program than you.
So, at Friday's, at least for a little while, it would be just Beomgyu and you. Not that he mind though. Why would he? He could do this right?
Wrong.
Friday came and before he could process it, he was back at that small classroom. One other meeting had intervened but not on a Friday when he would be alone with you.
Currently, he was alone in the classroom, leaning against the window, looking outside at the setting sun while listening to music with his headphones on. Suddenly, the music disappeared from his as someone took his headphones.
"What are you listening to?" a voice he would recognise everywhere echoed through the rather empty room. It was you, holding his headphones next to your ear.
"Um... various things." he shrugged.
"Hm, right now you were listening to... Radiohead, Fake Plastic Trees."
"Yeah..."
"Nice pick." you said, handing him back the headphones. "You like Radiohead?" he questioned, taking them without making eye contact, his heart hammering for some stupid reason.
"I love them! I love how they capture the emotions in their songs. It feels real." Real, yes. That's the only real thing about him, the music. People couldn't hear what he listened to so no one would judge him for keeping his real identity inside his play lists, no one would see his fragile side. It was his only safe place.
"Em, should we get started?" he asked to change the topic. "Yeah, let's get some work done before Yeonjun comes and we do nothing but messing around." you replied, taking your seat by the window. Beomgyu sat next to you and pulled out his laptop, opening the the draft file you had started.
"So, I brought some notes. It's just the definition of love and my personal opinion on why we chose this theme." you started, showing him your notebook. "Yeah, I did that too." Beomgyu replied.
"Great. Well, I think we should start by putting the definition of love as prologue so we can start it smoothly. Then explain what it's all about and analyse the prospects."
"Hm, yeah. That'll do. And lastly we put our personal opinions."
"Great, let's start then." you said and started typing on the keyboard. Before he knew it, you two had already finished half the presentation. "Alright, now we just have to wait for Kai and Yeonjun to do their parts." you spoke, breaking the silence Beomgyu hadn't realised fell above you.
"Well, they should be here any minute n-" he tried to reply before Yeonjun slammed the door open. "Oh, hello everyone!" he said obnoxiously loud. Kai followed behind him silent, waving hesitantly.
"How things going here?" Yeonjun asked, leaning close between you two. "Great, we actually finished our parts. All that's left is yours." you replied, stretching your arms above your head.
"Right..." he said and plopped on chair, almost like a protest. Kai sat beside him, already pulling out his notes. Few minutes in and Yeonjun pushes the laptop away, "Wanna go grab a drink?".
"Not until you finish your part~" you sing-alonged, not looking up from your phone. "But it's night already, college will close and we'll be trapped in here and I heard this building is haunted!" Yeonjun whined with pleading eyes.
"Hurry up then." you shrugged.
"But-" Yeonjun tried to object.
"No buts. If you finish your part, then we'll go anywhere you want."
"Anywhere~"
"I'll probably regret it but yes, anywhere."
"Say it's already done!" Yeonjun exclaimed and started typing on the keyboard in lightning speed.
And that's how Beomgyu found himself at the the city's shore, with beers and some snacks Kai had brought. It was so peaceful at this hour, the sky painted in a mix of pastel colours with a few white clouds decorating it.
Beomgyu reached for his bag and pulled out his new camera, he pointed it at the sky and took a picture. "You bought a camera I see." Yeonjun said, stuffing his face with a handful of chips.
"And an expensive one at that..." Kai trailed off, marking the first time he spoke now. "Well yeah, I had to take one..." Beomgyu replied, looking at the picture he took, "I don't know much about cameras so I took the one that was highly recommended."
"But it seems it isn't as good as they say." he commented after a while.
"Dude, you can't be serious. This is the dream of every photographer!" Yeonjun defended the camera like it was his child.
"What's the problem?" you asked, tilting your head towards him, so close he almost dropped the camera. "I um- No matter how many pictures I take, they're always blurry. I'm sure I cleaned the lens and I don't move when I click, so... I don't know." Beomgyu explained.
"Let me have a look." you said, carefully taking the camera from his hands. "You should adjust the lens. Now you had it focused for close distances. If you want to shoot further away, you should twist it left." you continued after contemplated the camera for a few moments.
When you passed it back at him, your fingers brushed for a call of the second and goosebumps rose on his skin. He immediately averted his gaze from you, like it was burning him and muttered a "thank you" under his breath.
The rest of the evening passed in a blur. After that accidental contact, his brain had stopped functioning properly. He could still feel the soft graze of your fingertips on his skin. As much as he would try to rationalise it, his mind was stuck replaying that scene.
God, why was he like that he couldn't understand. He felt like a silly, lovesick teenage boy. And the worst thing, for someone he barely knew! Last thing he wanted was for you to become a victim of his shallow emotions and drive you away.
He didn't want that, it had happened to him again, after all these years of performance, he couldn't tell the difference between love and being treated like a normal human being. But he liked your company, those moments you spent together was everything to him. You never made him feel used, all times you would spend together had a deeper meaning. They were pure and that's why he enjoyed your company, cause with you, nothing was forced.
[...]
For the next few weeks, at the club, you focused on perfecting the presentation. In the meantime, Beomgyu found himself spending a lot more time with his club members, especially you. Since you were on the same major, you also shared classes.
He never sat with you at lectures though, as his other friends would always crowd him. But you'd share notes or talk about how boring was the math professor when you'd meet later at the club.
One day at the cafeteria, while he was walking with lunch tray towards his friends table, his eyes caught you waving your hand to get his attention. He didn't thing twice to ditch his other friends to sit with you.
"Hey." he shyly said, sitting next to you as it was the only available seat, although he wasn't sure he'd made it alive being so close to you. "Hey. Hope I don't interfere with other lunch plans." you said, looking at him with apologetic eyes.
"Wha- No, no, don't worry!" he replied urgently, "What's up?"
"Well, we were thinking, since we have the presentation ready that we should start with the pictures." Yeonjun responded.
"Okay. Um, is there a problem with that?"
"Well, yeah..." Kai trailed off, "We don't know how we're supposed to do it. How put love into pictures, so since it was your idea, we were thinking if you had any way how to do it."
"Hm... Well, I never gave it much thought but maybe..." Beomgyu paused, "We could maybe devide it to outdoors and indoors photography."
"Elaborate." Yeonjun said, taking his now signature lollipop out of his mouth.
"We could, for example, photograph things we love to do or see outside and respectively, inside." Beomgyu explained.
"Inside?" you asked confused. "I mean, our homes, our personal time, what do we like to do." he replied.
"Genius!" Yeonjun exclaimed, almost falling from his chair, "Alright., now listen how we'll do it. For the outdoors photo shooting, we'll spend a whole day out and take pictures." Yeonjun said.
"We'll split into two groups, me and Kai and you with Y/n and spend the day at different locations so to have a variety..."
Did he hear right? He would be at your team?
"This way we'll have two different approaches from the same place but it won't be repeative and boring by seeing similar things from all four of us. Sounds good?" Yeonjun asked, his eyes shooting at everyone.
"Mhm." Kai responded. "Fine by me." you replied, turning to look at him. All Beomgyu could do was nod silently in response.
He would spend a whole day with you, alone? How could he do that without losing his mind!
The days passed before Beomgyu could process it and the day of the outdoors photo shooting arrived. He didn't know why but he spent literal hours the previous night deciding what to wear.
You had agreed to meet up in front the dorms' main building and then head out to your assigned location. When he got there, you were already waiting, your camera in your hands, taking some pictures.
"Sorry I kept you waiting." he said panting from running all the way here. "Don't worry. I came earlier." you replied, handing him a cup of coffee.
"You didn't have too..."
"It's okay, it's my way to say thank you for letting me take a few pictures with your camera today." you said, smiling sheepishly. That did something to him that he tried to ignore.
"When did I say that?" he said teasingly, accepting the drink. All this time, Beomgyu had done a work with himself to be able to exist around you without being awkward. He was able to drop his defences and be confident and funny and messy. But didn't mean the effects you had on him stopped, he just learned to suppress it.
"Please!" you said with fake-puppy eyes since you knew he would let you eitherway. Beomgyu pretended to think for a while before caving in, "Alright, alright, only because I'm a good person." he mused. "The best! Let's get going now." you responded and started walking ahead.
The day went on normal Beomgyu cracking jokes, you rumbling about random things and of course, taking photos. You walked at the centre of the town, snapping pictures from your favourite places, visited a couple of museums, parks and ended up at the banks of Han River.
You were sitting by the water, eating some street food you bought along the way. While he was sitting quietly, eating his hot dog, he felt a warm hand on his cold cheek. "Why your eyes always look so sad?" you asked. The sudden question caught Beomgyu off guard.
"Wha-what are you talking about?" he stuttered, eyes unfocused. "You're always laughing and smiling but it never reaches your eyes..." you trailed off, your thumb slowly moving under his eye.
Beomgyu was too stunt to speak. He opened his and closed it with no sound coming out, like a fish out of water. "I've noticed how you're always smiling, joking, trying to make everyone around you happy but you aren't." you continued, "I just want to know if you're okay.".
"I-I..." he tried to lie but it died in his throat, "I don't... I don't know anymore." he replied at last. "Wanna talk about it?" you asked, withdrawing your hand. Beomgyu remained silent for a while before sucking in a deep breath.
"I- From the moment I came here, people were all over me for some reason. Girls saw me as hot, guys as someone cool and I didn't try to change that, it was no use. It was always like this, from school even! For them I would always that guy no matter what did. But in the process, I forgot who I really was. Pretending for everyone else, I became a stranger to myself, fake...".
"You know what I think?" you muttered softly, "That you're a coward."
"Wow, thanks." Beomgyu laughed dryly. "Well, you never tried to change it, you just accepted it. You never tried to show your real self, that's why you got lost. Maybe you should let yourself just be yourself. You don't have to pretend for no one, you don't owe them anything." you said, holding his gaze.
"Then, I guess I am a coward. But I don't know... I'm afraid that no one will like the real me and I'll be alone. I've been alone since the day I was born. My mother died at birth and my father was nowhere to be seen. I grew up with my grandmother but she died too last year. I'm just afraid of being alone again. Maybe because I'm me I lose everyone..." he trailed off, his voice cracking a bit at the edges.
"Oh Gyu... You'll never be alone, you have me now because for what it's worth, for me you are real." At your words, Beomgyu's eyes snapped up to yours. "You showed me your real self and I'm still here, aren't I?"
Beomgyu nodded, not trusting himself to speak. "I won't leave you alone Gyu." you assured him. Beomgyu could cry, his eyes were welled up and a lump had formed in his throat.
In a moment, you had leaned in, hugging him. He froze. Tears started flowing down his cheeks. Before he could do anything, you had pulled back. Your hands reached for his cheeks and wiped away his tears, smiling softly.
The air was full of tension and unspoken words but you didn't push further, settling for silence. Time passed and the sun started to set painting the sky in beautiful pastel colours, with a few scattered white clouds decorating it.
Wanting to capture the beautiful moment, you grabbed your camera and walked closer to the river, wanting to have a better angle to photograph.
Beomgyu couldn't resist how beautiful you looked with the gentle sunlight illuminating just right on your skin. He took his own camera in his hands and snapped a photo of you while you were not looking.
He would keep this memory for himself, reminding him of those shared moments you had. He wanted to remember the first he felt real in a long time.
[...]
"Mornin'." Yeonjun rumbled, walking in the small classroom, half-alive half-dead, holding a cup of coffee in his hand. "Dude, you look awful." Beomgyu said, looking up from his laptop. "Thanks bro." Yeonjun responded and rolled his eyes, plopping on the chair next to him.
"What happened to you?"
"I was out with my girlfriend yesterday. She dragged me almost to every club!"
"You have a girlfriend!?" Beomgyu asked surprised. "Yeah? For like the whole last year." Yeonjun replied, taking a sip from his coffee. Beomgyu remained silent, looking at him like he just said he murdered his entire family.
"You didn't expect that now, did you?" Yeonjun said with a smirk, "Well, I've heard some rumours going around 'bout me. That's doesn't mean I'm like this. People will go on and on about you, creating an image from their heads for them to not feel miserable with themselves, that's doesn't mean you have to stick for it."
"Yeah, right..." Beomgyu paused, "Um- let's get started?"
"Do we have to?" Yeonjun whined, "I can feel my heartbeat to my head!"
"Well, since it'll be just us today, we have to."
"Why just us?"
"Because Kai has a quiz today and Y/n is working. Didn't you checked the group chat last night?"
"Are you serious? I barely had time to pee yesterday, I literally did not sit down last night!" Yeonjun exclaimed, a dramatic sigh falling from his mouth. "Right." Beomgyu responded, "Well, we still have to at least finish with half the photos."
"Damn, why did I became the leader?"
"Don't ask me, I question that too." Beomgyu mocked and at his words, received a burning glare from Yeonjun. "Anyway, let's develop the photos." Beomgyu said, pulling his camera out of his bag. "Okay, you go first. My brain barely exists now." Yeonjun replied, taking a sip from his coffee. "Why, it exists other times-" Beomgyu muttered under his breath, "-I meant, I don't know how to do this."
"And then you're talking about my brain. Give it to me." Yeonjun teased and took the laptop in front of him. Then, Beomgyu handed him his camera. He plugged the camera to the laptop and opened the photograph file.
"Hm, you did some nice work for an amateur." Yeonjun said, looking through the photos, "Wait, who's this?"
"Who's wh- T-that's no one!" Beomgyu exclaimed after taking a look at photo Yeonjun was referring to, your photo. "Wait, that's Y/n!" Yeonjun continued.
"This is not for the presentation!" Beomgyu said, closing his laptop shut. "But why, it looks good- Ohhhhh-ohhhh-ohhhh-owoooo Beomgyu my boy~" Yeonjun responded playfully, "You know, I suspected it for a while. I mean, you're so oblivious, it's a miracle she still doesn't know."
"It's not like this."
"Oh yeah, then why you always acting a little nervous when she's around, why you have that dreamy look or when she's not here you're always talking about her like me and Kai don't exist."
"I-I'm not-"
"You think I don't know how being in love is like? Trust me, I've been there, don't deny it. Plus, why else would you take her picture for our project with the theme love~"
"Just don't- don't show her." Beomgyu exhaled in defeat. "Okay, I won't." Yeonjun replied, turning back to work, "But I think you should put it~"
"Wha- Don't do something stupid!"
"There are two possibilities, one, either she likes you back, she sees the photo, she understands you like her too and boom, you get together, or two, she doesn't like you and you never discuss about that photo." Yeonjun shrugged.
"No, it's better this way, for her..." Beomgyu responded, focusing back to work.
The same afternoon, after he and Yeonjun finished with printing the photos, Beomgyu received a text from you.
🎐: Hey :)
🐻: Hey!
🎐: You free?
🐻: Yeah, what's up?
🎐: I was wondering if you wanted to hang out. I'm finishing work in a while and I'm bored to go back home :(
Beomgyu couldn't fight the excitement blooming in his chest no matter how many times you had asked him this question before.
🐻: Yeah, sure. I'll come by your work?
🎐: Waiting!!
With that, Beomgyu rushed to your workplace, a small cafe shop down town. When you saw him, sitting behind the counter, eyes glued to your phone screen as there weren't any incoming customers except Beomgyu, you got up to greet him.
"Hey!" you said excitedly with a small, tired smile spreading across your lips. That made his stomach flutter which he tried to brush it off, "Hey." he replied.
"Give me a minute to take my things and then we can go." you said, walking away to the stuff only room. "Okay." Beomgyu responded, leaning against the counter.
A while later, you appeared wearing a cropped hoodie and jeans with your bag hanging from shoulder. "Aria, I'm off." you said to your co-worker who was cleaning up some tables.
"See you!"
"Alright, I'm ready. Let's go?" you said, walking towards him. "Um, yeah. Where to?" he questioned, leading you out of the door. "Just anywhere, really." you exhaled tiredly.
You followed Beomgyu and after a while, you arrived at a high glade. The view from up there was breathtaking, the city lights slowly coming to life, the busy roads, the tall buildings that almost touched the darkening sky. The spring breeze passing through the green leaves, almost like a song.
You sat down at the mantel separating the road bellow from the mound, your legs hanging at the gap high above.
Everything seemed so distant from uo there, the quiet hum of the city down bellow, the few cars passing from the road behind you. It was so peaceful that made you forget how tired you were.
"It's so beautiful you there." you sighed content. "Mm." Beomgyu hummed softly, "I come here when things get too much. I don't know, something about being away from the stress of the city, looking all so small, it's relaxing beyond that I can explain. I thought it might help you too." he continued and turned to you.
"It did." you replied, holding his gaze, "Thank you."
After that, silence stretched upon you two, comforting and easy. The sun had set long ago, giving its place to the moon and the stars.
Suddenly, Beomgyu felt a pressure on his shoulder. He slowly turned his eyes to see that you had leaned your head on his shoulder. Then, he noticed that your hands had lightly wrapped around his arm.
Beomgyu thought that his heart would beat out of his chest. He forgot how to breath, he didn't want you to move your head. He didn't know how much time you spend like this.
No one wanted this moment to end, you felt so calm with him, looking at the still busy city from above. And he didn't want to let you go. But it was getting late and you had a lecture early the next day.
As much as it pained him, he got up and walked you home. "I had fun today." you said, standing outside from your building. "Me too." Beomgyu replied, rubbing the back of his head.
Before you walked in, you planted a soft a kiss on his cheek that left Beomgyu speechless. "Thank you." you said and walked into your apartment. Beomgyu tried to speak, to say good night or something nothing came out his mouth, the ghost of your touch still had a lingering feeling on his skin.
[...]
Weekends are meant for rest, but not with Yeonjun as a friend.
🦊: Yo, you guys free?
The first of the many messages he sent at 08:00 pm sharp, made Beomgyu's phone buzz. Who is even awake at eight pm on a Saturday morning? Apparently, Yeonjun.
Beomgyu ignored the sound of his phone but for the next hour, Yeonjun didn't stop blowing up the group chat with dramatic messages.
🦊: Wake up already!
🦊: You guys ignore me?
🦊: Why do you hated me?
🦊: Why don't you love me :(
Beomgyu never wanted to learn how to punch someone online more and throw his phone out of the window.
🐻: Now I'm awake, you're pleased?
Beomgyu typed, hoping Yeonjun could see how frustrated and angry he was through the screen.
🎐: Yeah I hate you, for waking me up so early in a freaking Saturday morning!
🐧: I tried to ignore you but you didn't let me.
Beomgyu's phone lit up again with both your angry responses. Things were serious, since he had never seen Kai being this sharp in his responses.
🦊: You're going to firework festival with me tonight!
If there was a Yeonjun hate club, Beomgyu would be the leader. But he loved him enough to not punch him in face when he saw him again.
🐧: This is today?
🦊: Yep.
🐻: Seriously, you woke us up this early to tell us that? This is in like eleven hours!
🦊: Wanted to make sure you wouldn't make other plans :)
🎐: What makes you think we'll be going with you after this?
🦊: You'll go, you love me ;)
🐧: No, I'm gonna kill you.
🦊: See you at 20.00 am at the banks of Han River.
And that's how Beomgyu found himself waiting for Yeonjun along with you and Kai at the banks of the Han River, plotting ways to take revenge on Yeonjun for ruining your sleep this morning, and now being late.
"Hey guys!" Yeonjun came running towards you, waving his hands. "You're late." you said, crossing your arms above your chest. "No, I'm on time." he chimed, throwing an arm over Kai's shoulders. "You're half an hour late." Kai said, glaring at him. "Nope, half past eight was the right time." Yeonjun responded. "You said eight am." you said, showing him the messages. "I just wanted to make sure you'll show up." Yeonjun grinned. "That's it, you die." Kai gritted his teeth.
"Can it wait? The festival is about to start!" Yeonjun said excitedly, already dragging Kai towards the first stand that was selling corndogs. The evening went on like this, Yeonjun dragging you to every stand, trying different traditional snacks and drinks, buying little, useless things that you serve as reminder of this day. He even convinced you to do face painting!
Beomgyu got painted as a bear, Kai as penguin, Yeonjun a fox and you as a flower. Parents and kids would stare confused at you while waiting on the line but that was the last thing Beomgyu could think about when he saw you walking out. A pink flower with purple and white details decorating your cheek with vines that reach your forehead. He could say pink suited you so much.
He didn't notice was staring until Yeonjun playfully jabbed his ribs. "S'up dude?" he said, a smirk already curling in his face. "N-nothing." Beomgyu replied, turning away.
"Awww, look how cute you are Beomie." you cooed. "Yeah, because there are many 20 year olds painted as a bear." Beomgyu retorted in a attempt to hide how your comment made his system short-circuit.
"You guys can flirt later, the firework show is about to start!" Yeonjun exclaimed after seeing the first firework in the sky, marking the start of the festival. Soon the night sky was painted bright colours and unique shapes. It was so beautiful.
"You know..." Yeonjun started to say, "I'm sorry for the morning." he continued. "It's okay, hut don't do it again..." Kai trailed off, seeing Yeonjun's eyes welled up, looking at the biggest firework he'd ever seen. "We used to come here every year with my grandfather. The last festival we saw was from his hospital room and he... he told me that he will always be there to watch it with me, in the biggest firework." he said, voice shaking, "That was his last festival..." he continued, staring at the sky full of fireworks. "Sorry for this morning really, it's just no one from my family can bear to go with me, they can't... But I believe what he said and this is only way to feel close to him." he continued, the tears in eyes falling down his cheeks.
"Hey, don't even mention it. I'm glad I could go with you." Beomgyu said throwing an arm over Yeonjun's shoulder, pulling him close. "It's okay Jun, it was nice coming here with you." you said, ruffling his hair. "You know what, I believe that too. He us watching with us and I'm sure he's proud of you." Kai added. "Thank you guys." Yeonjun responded, looking down at you. "No, thank you." Beomgyu said with a small smile.
The firework kept lighting up the sky, painting it in all shorts of colours and unique shapes. Suddenly, Beomgyu felt weight on his right shoulder.
You had leaned into him, resting your head on his shoulder and his legs almost gave up. "Look at the moon." you said pointing sky, "It looks beautiful, doesn't it?". Beomgyu looked at the sky, through the endless fireworks. It was indeed a breathtaking sight.
But he knew that nothing could compare with your big, bright eyes, illuminating all the colours of the painted sky. "Yes, it is." he replied, but he wasn't looking at the moon anymore.
Later that night he offered to walk you home, earning a dirty look from Yeonjun like saying, get her, man. Beomgyu just rolled his eyes in response and just walked away with you.
The walk was silent but it wasn't awkward. It was full like the moon in the sky, full of unspoken emotions that he couldn't define. When you reached your apartment, you turned to look at him.
"Thanks for tonight." you said, looking at him like you knew something that he didn't. "No problem." he replied, looking back in your eyes with a smile. You smiled at him and brushed a strand from his face, your fingertips skimming over his skin. He knew he was blushing but he couldn't tear his gaze from you.
"See you tomorrow Gyu." you said, your hand retreating from his cheek. He wanted to do something but he was frozen in place. He just saw you walking through the door of your apartment building with a stupid smile plastered on his face and burning cheeks.
[...]
Morning classes were a torture created by someone as a punishment for existing in this world. Every Friday, he'd fight demons to get out of bed, regretting every life choice he made to get him here.
After lots of debating with inner self, he finally got off the bed, getting ready to go sleep in class. As Beomgyu was walking to his morning lecture, he saw Kai running right past him. Beomgyu tried to greet him but right then, some guys run right behind him.
It was weird, he knew those guys. They were some of his friends. Curious, he followed them. What he saw made his jaw drop, Kai's small frame was pushed against the wall, his things all scattered on the floor, his notes ripped in small pieces. His friends had circled him, laughing.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Beomgyu asked furiously. "Oh, Beomgyu! Come here to laugh with us." Taeil said. "What's funny about this?" Beomgyu replied, walking towards Kai.
"Oh, come Beom. Look how pathetic he looks~" Dohyun mocked. "The only pathetic thing around here is you! Leave him alone!" Beomgyu said, pushing him away.
"Hey, calm down. He's just a nerd." Taeil, walking provocatively towards him. "He is my friend, now leave him alone!" Beomgyu responded, blocking his way. "Very funny~" Taeil said, walking past him. Before he could reach for Kai, Beomgyu pushed him hard, causing Taeil to fall on the ground.
At that, Dohyun landed a punch on him but Beomgyu didn't fight back. Soon, people started gathering around, along with them some teachers that called the security.
"Beomgyu, Kai, are you guys alright?" Yeonjun asked running towards them. "Yeah." Beomgyu replied, turning to Kai, "Are you okay Kai?" he asked. "Yes, I'm fine. Thank you so much Beomgyu." Kai responded, still trembling.
"Yeonjun!" your voice echoed the crowds, "What happened?"
"Some bullies were hitting Kai!" Yeonjun said angrily, helping Kai gather his stuff from the ground. "No, they didn't hit me..." Kai trailed off, "But they hit Beomgyu."
"Wha- Oh my God! Gyu, you're bleeding."
Only at your words Beomgyu realised his ripped lip. "I-it's nothing." he said, "Kai are you sure you're okay?".
"Yes, thank you Beomgyu." Kai replied bowing. "Beomgyu, let's get this cleared up." you said, gently guiding him inside. You leaded him to the empty classroom of your club.
Beomgyu quietly sat down on a chair while you fetched the small first aid kit from a drawer. Then, you went and kneeled into front of him, cradling his face in your hands.
"It hurts?" you asked softly, trying to catch his gaze. "Not much." Beomgyu replied, eyes unfocused. "This might sting a little." you said and proceeded to clean meticulously his wound.
While at it, you felt something liquid, warm on your fingers. He was crying. "Gyu?" you cooed, wiping away his tears. "What happened, did I hurt you?" you asked worriedly.
He shook his head no but his gaze remained downcast. "They were my friends..." he whispered after a while. "Those people that hurt Kai were my friends. All this time, I didn't know- how could I be friends with those guys?" he continued, his voice cracking, "How will I face Kai after this?"
"It's not your fault Beomgyu." Kai said timidly, walking towards him, "You aren't like them, you helped me and thank you for that.". Kai leaned in, hugging Beomgyu, "No one ever stood up for me and for what it's worth, I want to be your friend Beomgyu."
"I want that too." Beomgyu exhaled shakily.
"Hey, what about me!" Yeonjun whined from the door, a big pout formed on his lips. "Someone's jealous~" you said teasingly. "I'm not!" Yeonjun protested, stomping his foot on the ground. "Yeah, yeah, come here big baby."
Yeonjun walked in towards you, dropping his head on your shoulder. You wrapped your arms around his back while the other two burst out laughing and his antics.
[...]
After that incident, Beomgyu never spoke to those guys nor anyone around their circle. He stopped hanging around his friends and started spending all his with you, Kai and Yeonjun.
He didn't care what others would say about this. He enjoyed his new company and that's all it mattered for him. For the first time in his life, he didn't have to pretend around people, he just had to be himself.
It was chaotic, Yeonjun being a dramatic diva, Kai slowly opening up, revealing his freaky self, you being their silly mom. It was chaos but it was his chaos and he wouldn't change it for the world. It was the best he's ever lived, along with people he chose and they accepted him for who he really was and loved him for that, and that's all he needed to know.
And they days passed, and the summer approached, along with it, the end of the semester. Which meant that it was a step closer to the presentation day.
"Um, guys?" Kai said hesitantly. "Hm?" you hummed absorbed into perfecting the power point. "How about we take a group picture, you know for the exhibition?" he explained, hands fidgeting nervously in his lap.
"Excellent idea!" Yeonjun exclaimed, almost jumping from his chair, flinching the shit out of Kai. "Yeah, let's do this!" Beomgyu added, already grabbing his camera. He put the camera on a tripod, setting a timer.
"Get in positions everyone!" Yeonjun said, rushing in front of the camera. Everyone else followed, taking place in front of it. The first photos came out good but as more were being snapped, they progressively became more silly and chaotic.
Yeonjun started taking dramatic poses, Kai goofy ones, you started messing with Beomgyu, trying to make him lose his cool, which you achieved. "Alright, alright, let me check them and I'll add them in to the exhibition." you said, reaching for the camera.
"Mind doing it alone? I have a date with my girlfriend, it's our second year anniversary." Yeonjun said with pleading eyes. You pretended to think for a moment before giving him the clearance to go. "Okay, me and Gyu can finish?" you questioned, looking towards him.
"Of course, have fun." he replied, already taking a seat, "Kai, you can stay?".
"I'm sorry, I have to study for a quiz." Kai responded, voice barely audible. "That teacher won't give you a break, all tests and stuff!" you said. "Of course, don't worry about it, we'll just pick a few photos and we'll sent it to you to revise them." Beomgyu said in order to calm Kai.
"Thank you guys, and I'm really so sorr-"
"Don't even mention it. That's what friends are for." he responded. At that, Kai flashed a great full smile, his eyes smiling with him. "I love you guys!" he said, hugging both of you and then he was out the door, waving goodbye.
You spent the next our choosing photos and adding to the presentation, making sure everything was up to par.
"And... done. Finally!" you exhaled, stretching from your chair. "Woo, I didn't think it'll take us that long." you said, turning to look at him, "Right now I just want my bed. Ready to go?"
"Um, if you don't mind I'll stay a little more. I just want to correct some things with my presentation." Beomgyu replied. "Oh, okay. See you tomorrow then." you said, ruffling his hair. "Get home safe." Beomgyu added before you walked out the door.
When you left, Beomgyu pulled out from his bag the photo he had taken of you. He stuck it on a white carton paper like all the others and wrote a name, Sunsetz, simple, from your shared favourite song. Then he put it in the same black frame.
There was no going back now. Tomorrow you were going to see and probably understand. At least he hoped you do cause he knew he could never say the words out loud. And all he could do was hope he wouldn't lose you.
[...]
The day of the college fair arrived. The campus was filled with determined students and excited friends and family. Everyone had forgotten about the stress of the exam period, focused on enjoying the start of the summer.
The fair had organised the turns which each group would present what they prepared. First would be the football game, the cheerleading show and the half time show by the drama club, second in line was painting exhibition, then was your turn and lastly, the music show. It was convenient, you could enjoy all activities and have enough time to prepare your part, closing your night with the concert.
The campus's yard was packed with scattered food stalls here and there, the smells of corndogs, pop corn, churos, filled your nostrils. Laughing children were running around everywhere, chased by their parents. Honestly, it was never so lively, usually quiet with stressed students.
"Hey guys!" Yeonjun exclaimed, hurrying towards the court gates, "The game is about to start!"
"Easy for you to say, you're not carrying anything!" Beomgyu responded, trying not to drop the bucket of pop corn from his arms. "I genuinely dislike that guy." you said, "At fairytales, men are supposed to carry, not the other way around." you joked.
"I'm the princess here, sweetheart." Yeonjun retorted, with a smug look on his face. You rolled your eyes in response, a low chuckle making it past your lips.
Once you made it inside the football court, you found a few empty seats and sat down. You handed Yeonjun his soda, earning a peck on your cheek. "Hey!" you laughed, elbowing his side. "Stop, it's starting!" Kai interfered. And that's when the cheerleaders came out, dancing with the teams anthem before the footballers entered and the game started.
At the half time, the drama club presented their sketch which was hilarious. It was a parody involving the professors, how they were doing their lessons adding a funnier note. Even the professors laughted!
After the game finished, victorious, it was time for the art exhibition. Everybody moved to the amphitheatre where the students had decorated the walls with all their paintings. You had to admit, they did some pretty good job. But all Beomgyu could do was admire you. To him, you were more beautiful than the paintings with half your hair pushed up in a careful plait, the other half falling messily on your shoulders. The sky blue dress you wore swaying with your every movement, just like a fairy.
He could look at you for hours, laughing with stupid jokes Yeonjun did, talking to Kai about the meaning behind the paintings. And his heart couldn't stop leaping, almost hurting against his ribs but he didn't care. His chest was blooming every time you smiled at him, he thought his knees would give up.
A little before the art presentation finished, you all retreated to the classroom where you'd do your exhibition. You arranged the last details, Kai look one last time at the presentation, Yeonjun checked aroumd if any of the photos was missing, and he arranged the technical details such as lighting, sound check.
"Alright, nothing's missing. How about the presentation, is it ready? The lights, is everything set?" Yeonjun questioned, pacing up and down anxiously. "Hey Jun, calm down." Kai said, looking up from his laptop. "Kai's right." you said, "We did everything we could as best as we could. Just relax and enjoy it."
"As it pains me to admit it, you were a good leader Yeonjun and you did a good job. Now, let's do our best, hm?" Beomgyu added. Yeonjun exhaled in relief "Thank you guys. Without you, I wouldn't be able to make it work." he said a small smile reaching his features, "Let's do our best."
Soon, the room started filling with fellow classmates and their friends and family. Everyone slowly took their seats at the middle of the room for the presentation. "Alright, me and Kai go first and it's you two guys." Yeonjun said for the nth time. "We know Jun. Now how about you actually go up there." you said, "Come on, you'll do great!"
"Let's go?" Kai said. Yeonjun gulped hard, nodding in response and followed Kai towards the stage. You both bid your thumbs up to the other two boys before they went on stage.
The presentation went by smoothly without any technical problems. The people seemed fascinated when you presented the theme of the exhibition. After it was done, people were eager to see your work.
But Beomgyu didn't have the courage to roam around. He felt like his stomach was twisted, his hard beating so quick that he thought he'd had a heart attack at the ripe age of 20. Because you would see, your photo hanging at the wall, at his section, with his signature on it.
He sat by the window behind the scene, mind racing, hoping to disappear before disaster could strike. It was stupid. Goss, why didn't he listen to Yeonjun? He didn't know how much time passed but soon clapping echoed through the classroom and he snapped out of his trance.
"Hey Beomgyu, come on!" he heard Kai calling from somewhere behind the curtains. "You don't want to miss the concert!" Yeonjun added. Beomgyu slipped out from his hiding with the hope that he didn't have messed up big time after this exhibition.
"Hey man, where were you?" Yeonjun asked when finally Beomgyu came in sight. "Where's Kai?" he asked. "He's at the court already with Y/n." Yeonjun responded, "Where have you been?"
"I put the photo." Beomgyu said, his voice barely audible. "What ph- Ooo, that photo." Yeonjun responded, "And?"
"And... I don't know. I didn't see her after the presentation." Beomgyu muttered. "Wha- Are you stupid!?" Yeonjun exclaimed, shaking him by the shoulders. "I couldn't, what if I ruined everything?" Beomgyu said, his voice shaky at the edges. "Well, what happened can't be changed now and you can't avoid her forever. We have to go to the concert." Yeonjun responded.
"I'm not going." he said. Right now he wanted to crawl in his bed and never get up again. "And what after that, you're planning to never show up on uni anymore?" Yeonjun asked. "No. But there's an entire summer ahead and it'll be forgotten." Beomgyu replied, gaze downcast.
"But what if she doesn't want to forget?" Yeonjun said, "Let's go Beomgyu." already dragging him out.
In the end, Beomgyu found himself squeezing through the crowd, looking for you and Kai. "Over here!" Kai yelled, waving his hand in the air. "What took you so long?" you asked with your hands on your sides, "It's about to start!".
That's when all lights went out and the crowd fell silent. Then, the stage lights flashed open and drums echoed through the summer air, accompanied by an electric guitar and the voice of the singer, singing to «Sky full of stars».
For a while, he forgot all about his major worry and enjoyed the music, jumping at the rhythm alongside you. You looked so happy and carefree, smiling so brightly that subsidised all his worries.
Time passed in a haze of dancing and screaming lyrics to your favourite songs. The last song to play was «You!» a song he learnt from you. When the refrain started playing, the best part according to you, he felt your arms wrapping around his own, your head leaning on his shoulder. "You did nice work with your photos Gyu." you said next to his ear so to hear through the noise. "T-thanks." he responded, hoping you didn't catch the stutter in his voice.
"My favourite was «Sunsetz»." you continued, looking up at him. Beomgyu froze. You saw, of course you did. That meant you knew, you understood to bring this up...
"Mine too." he responded but it didn't make through the noise. That's when felt your hand resting on his cheek, your touch soft, like an angels. Before he could process it, your lips were on his in a sweet, gentle kiss. It all seized around him, the music dulled in his ears, his eyes falling shut, while his hand unconsciously found its way to your waist. All of him was revolved around this moment.
It didn't last long but it was enough to make his brain short-circuit. Your fingers carefully brushed a stray strand of hair from his face and you looked at him, really looked at him like all those barriers he so carefully built to protect himself from other people didn't exist.
His eyes were focued on you and only you, like no one else was there but you. "I like you." he said, more sure than ever. "I like you too Gyu." you responded with a knowing smile.
After the concert's end, Beomgyu accompanied you to your house. Walking side by side, silently, not need to fill the space with meaningless chatting. Your presence was enough for him to feel content.
He wasn't afraid anymore. He let his fingers intertwine with yours. And you held him, making his chest bloom with love. When you reached your apartment, you both just stood there, no one daring to leave first.
"I had fun today." Beomgyu said with a small smile that reflected in his eyes. "Me too." you responded, "Mind coming in for a while?" you asked, "I have something I want to give you."
Beomgyu nodded and followed you inside, closing the door behind him. "Wait a second." you said running off to your room. It didn't take you long come back, holding something in your that seemed like a piece of paper.
"Here." you said, handing it to him. Turns out it was a photograph of him. He was at the club classroom, standing by the window, his head turned slightly to the side with his headphones on and small smile spread across his lips.
"I didn't know what to do with this..." you trailed off, "I thought to keep it to myself, until I found the courage to give it to you. But after seeing the photo at the exhibition today, I don't need to wait anymore."
Beomgyu moved before his mind could process. He leaned in to kiss you, desperate but no less gentle. His both hands cradled your face, the photo falling somewhere on floor. His lips moved slow against yours, savouring the taste of you for as long as his breath would allow him.
When you pulled for air, an exploding noise came from the outside, followed by the faint, colourful lights in the dimly lit room.
You walked towards the window, opening it to the balcony. Beomgyu followed behind you, stepping outside. Countless fireworks were lighting up the sky from the fair, in all shapes and colours.
You were standing by the railing, smiling so brightly that he forgot fireworks were even there. He could look at you for hours, you looked so beautiful in his eyes. His arms wrapped around you from behind and you practically melted in his embrace.
Your head fell on his chest where his camera was hanging. You twisted around and took it off, pointing the lens towards you. "Let's take a picture to remember our first date!" you exclaimed playfully, pulling him in the frame. "Say cheese!".
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