Chapter 12: Near The Sunset

Near The Sunset

✿

Friday afternoon came; the week passed by like a blur — like a gust of wind that hit your face and when you opened your eyes, there's a whole new sunrise in front of you, golden and bright. Beomgyu liked to think that time ticked by quickly enough for it to reach Friday. And today was the day when they'll be having a little vacation on the beach; it almost seemed like the best was saved for last. Beomgyu couldn't wait.

So, he quickly packed his bags that were enough to last him for at least three days. Wooyoung and the others told him that they'll be staying by the shore for the whole weekend so he ended up packing enough stuff.

The boy was already in his clothes: a plain white shirt and checkered pants. He walked inside the bathroom and grabbed his toothbrush, then seconds after, he was brushing his teeth while looking at the mirror. It was currently five minutes to 4:30, he still had time.

And suddenly, there came a few knocks on his door. Beomgyu raised a brow and walked towards the entrance with his brush still shoved inside his mouth. He didn't really care, he just pulled the knob and when he was met by a boy with pink hair — the little one ended up shutting the door again with wide eyes.

"Gyu," Yeonjun called with a chuckle, "Don't be shy, I've seen you brush your teeth before. It's not a big deal."

Beomgyu rolled his eyes dramatically, it's not about that. It was about the fact that he still couldn't remove the thought of kissing the living daylights out of Yeonjun again, it was starting to drown Beomgyu, so he wanted to control himself as much as possible.

"Come on," Yeonjun knocked on the door again, "I'm here to pick you up. The others are already on their way to the beach."

With no other choice left, Beomgyu turned to open the door and immediately walked back into the bathroom. Yeonjun couldn't hold back a snicker as he welcomed himself inside Beomgyu's apartment. He could still remember how cozy and simple Beomgyu's apartment was yet it still looked pretty, much like the owner himself.

Yeonjun sat on the sofa with a small groan before speaking, "Gyu, are you done yet? Your teeth will melt if you keep brushing it for the next few minutes!"

Inside the bathroom, Beomgyu had just finished brushing his teeth. He scoffed and washed his hands, "You are so dramatic! I just finished."

The usual. Yeonjun smiled at that. He looked around and his gaze fell at the two bags sitting on the floor. They were big, and Yeonjun couldn't help but to ask, "Hey! Are all these your luggage? Gyu, we are not leaving the country!"

"Oh my gosh," Beomgyu walked out of the bathroom with an annoyed gasp, "Those aren't even a lot, you complain too much. It's not like I'll be carrying those wherever I go or while I swim in the damn ocean."

At the response, Yeonjun elicited a loud laugh. He couldn't believe it, Beomgyu looked so cute with furrowed brows and pouty lips. Yeonjun waved his hand and stood up to pick one of Beomgyu's bags, "Okay then. I'm just kidding, you're such a baby."

"Sure," Beomgyu rolled his eyes again and proceeded to grab the other bag, "Let's just go or we'll be late."

"I'll carry that," Yeonjun insisted as they walked out of the apartment. Beomgyu spared him a nonchalant glance before locking his apartment.

"I can carry my things," Beomgyu shoved the keys inside his bag and walked ahead of Yeonjun.

At this point, with all the bickering and teasing they do, Beomgyu and Yeonjun often forget about the things that happened in the far past. Not that they minded it though, it felt better this way — starting fresh and new — they wouldn't want anything else but to have back whatever they lost because of misunderstandings and fears. Besides, love's a feeling so strong yet so dreadful, and to go on with it is a choice; they chose each other.

"Let me carry your things," Yeonjun whined as they descended the stairs, Beomgyu rolled his eyes once again, "Might as well just carry me too, Hyung."

"I wouldn't mind," Yeonjun grinned, "And I told you to call me 'Jjuni'!" The skin between his brows creased while looking at the boy beside him.

Beomgyu took it in: the way Yeonjun's pretty lips would curve into a pout, the way his eyes still glistened despite any circumstances, and how his voice would just get sweeter and sweeter every single time he talks to him. Beomgyu felt hunger for them — Yeonjun's lips and even his warmth — but he wouldn't admit that. At least, not now.

"Whoa there," Yeonjun's immediately held Beomgyu by the waist when the younger male almost slipped off a staircase, Beomgyu's heartbeat quickly increased to his throat.

"Stop staring at me," Yeonjun said cockily, "You'll literally fall...down the stairs."

Beomgyu huffed and pushed him away, he continued to skip down the stairs — completely ignoring Yeonjun's burst of laughter while calling for him to come back.

And with the satiating smell of Yeonjun's river-like love that continued to flow, the dampness of his kisses, even his voice that sounded like trickling water: Beomgyu would always find himself thirsty.

✿

Not long after (the ride wasn't quiet at all, both Yeonjun and Beomgyu bickered a lot inside the car.), they finally arrived. And somehow, Yeonjun was already carrying all of Beomgyu's bags while the younger one excitedly walked down the stairs that led to the shore.

They saw Soobin and the others already setting up the big tents they'll be staying in, Beomgyu let out the loudest scream while running towards them with a big smile. Yeonjun couldn't help but to chuckle at the sight of Beomgyu in front of him.

Beomgyu looked so cute.

"Oh, hi!" Lia exclaimed upon seeing Beomgyu and Yeonjun, "You guys are finally here, it took you long enough."

"It was because of Jjuni Hyung," Beomgyu pointed an accusing finger at Yeonjun, "He was so slow. Even I was annoyed."

"Says you who was brushing his teeth when I arrived," Yeonjun scoffed and placed all of Beomgyu's belongings inside a tent.

"Yeah, don't believe him," Beomgyu whispered at Lia before beaming a smile when he saw how Yeonjun glared at him, "Anyway! What can I help with?"

"Oh," Lia giggled and pointed at Soobin and Hyunjin who were setting up another tent, "Can you help them set up that tent? It's the last one anyway."

Beomgyu immediately nodded and ran over to the two boys who greeted him when he arrived. Yeonjun heaved an endeared chuckle before going to help both Taehyun and Huening Kai who were actually fixing some other stuff they'll use later for cooking.

With the consistent waves brushing against the sand with a woosh, the numerous silhouettes of birds flying amidst the almost orange sky, and the cold wind gently caressing their faces; the group of friends was almost finished setting everything up.

And Yeonjun found himself beside Beomgyu as they quietly fixed the grey tent. Suddenly, a strong gust of wind came — causing Yeonjun to quickly move closer to Beomgyu and cover his eyes as he closed his own to prevent sand from getting into their eyes. Beomgyu froze on his spot when he felt Yeonjun's chest against his back. So close, yet Beomgyu still felt so far away.

When the wind cooled down, Yeonjun slowly removed his hands from Beomgyu's eyes and backed away. He wordlessly went back to finishing up the tent while Beomgyu stood still in his place, teeth gnawing on his lower lip. What the fuck just happened?

"It's okay now," Yeonjun said with a smile, "I'll just go help Kai and Taehyun." He waved his hand and Beomgyu could only answer with a small nod as he pursed his lips.

And when Yeonjun had already run back to Taehyun and Kai, Beomgyu was still unmoving. Hyunjin had to snap him back to reality by asking, "Hey, you good?"

Beomgyu shook his head as he awkwardly chuckled, "Totally. Of course. I didn't just have an existential crisis or whatever." Hyunjin raised a brow while watching Beomgyu walk towards Soobin and Lia who were talking while facing the ocean.

Taehyun watched as Yeonjun secretly glanced at Beomgyu who was now laughing with his brother and Lia, Taehyun scoffed, "You're really in love."

Yeonjun visibly blushed at the sudden comment, "I'm not." He pouted while going back to staring at the eating utensils.

"So suddenly?" Kai laughed while sitting on a chair, "The both of you are getting along well now. I bet everything's going smoothly."

Yeonjun shrugged with a frown, "I guess."

"Well," Taehyun sat beside Kai, "Are y'all dating again or something?"

Now, Yeonjun didn't know the answer to that. They already kissed, even cuddled, made promises again, and started to feel comfortable around each other now unlike before. But Yeonjun didn't really make that much progress yet. Like the ocean waves that barely reached the shore, he was far from Beomgyu's grasp right now.

"Not...yet," Yeonjun ended up whispering the last word though, the mere thought of dating him again did a lot to his poor heart. Just like how Beomgyu's voice could already squeeze his heart.

"Yeah, I'll pretend I never heard anything," Taehyun said to which Kai laughed out loud. They ended up clinging onto each other while laughing, Yeonjun only rolled his eyes.

The sunset was almost here.

Wooyoung clapped his hands and everyone immediately fixed their attention on him, "We'll make dinner in a while after sunset. In the meantime, everyone can go have fun and stuff. We'll call everyone once dinner starts."

Everyone nodded their heads with wide smiles as they all went on with their little chattering. Meanwhile, Yeonjun quietly walked past his friends and decided to take a stroll down the shore. Beomgyu saw him though.

So, Beomgyu excused himself from Soobin and Lia. He carefully walked on the sand, following the direction that Yeonjun took. He briefly looked at the sunset that was slowly occurring in front of him; the sun splashed out colors of orange and yellow around the vast sky down the blue ocean. The waves stayed tranquil. Beomgyu smiled at the sight.

Completely forgetting the fact that he followed Yeonjun, he was now being sucked in the beauty which was the sunset. He still kept walking, however. Except, he didn't notice that he was nearing Yeonjun's presence.

And as usual, Yeonjun never failed to notice.

Yeonjun turned to catch Beomgyu following his steps, his tiny feet stepping on the bigger footprints that Yeonjun left on the sand. He grinned, "Hey! Why are you following me?"

Beomgyu's eyes widened as he almost jumped in surprise upon hearing Yeonjun's loud voice, he looked at the elder male and furrowed his brows, "I'm not following you! Not everything's about you!"

However, Yeonjun only gave him a knowing look, "Ah, really? Just admit it. Why do you like me so much?"

"Shut up," Beomgyu scoffed rather dramatically before placing his hands on his hips, "You're so full of yourself. I'm just gonna sit here or whatever, you can go on your lonely walk."

With no more words, Beomgyu sat on the sand and faced the glowing sunset.

Yeonjun rolled his eyes with a small grin, his cheeks red despite the orange light that touched his skin. He sat down beside the younger male and said, "Just say you want me here, you don't have to be so shy about it."

"Just shut up," Beomgyu glared at him and watched the sunset again. And just as instantly, his face softened at the warm sight with Yeonjun beside him.

Silence soon drowned them as they continued to wordlessly witness the sun bid its goodnight for now. Needless to say, Beomgyu felt better now after having a hectic week at work. Adding to that, Yeonjun was here — still so stunning and comforting — Beomgyu felt at ease, he felt recharged.

"I like the sunset more, the sun looks so red during sunrise," Beomgyu suddenly said, "It's actually really scary if you asked me."

Yeonjun chuckled, "I like both as long as I'm watching them with you."

Beomgyu snickered, "Cheesy. Why am I still not used to these?"

"Because you feel butterflies in your stomach every time," Yeonjun said as a matter of fact with a proud smile.

"Whatever lets you sleep at night," Beomgyu placed his hand on the sand, the rough feeling exposed on his soft skin made Beomgyu curl his fingers.

Yeonjun did the same, he placed his hand against the sand as well — he smiled while saying, "What do you think of the sun? Or the moon? The stars?"

Beomgyu raised a brow, "All of a sudden?"

Yeonjun only hummed as he waited for Beomgyu's response. Beomgyu thought about it while staring at the sun that stood by the line between the sea and sky, it was sinking ever-so-beautifully. Beomgyu tilted his head as he thought about it deeper.

"They're..." Beomgyu breathed out, "They're like you."

"What?" Yeonjun didn't look at him but his voice screamed with curiosity.

"I'm not gonna tell you why though," Beomgyu chuckled, "It's for me to keep." Yeonjun pouted yet nodded in understanding.

"Just...just remember that you're like the sun, the moon, and even the stars," because with them, I see everything else. They light up the world. During the day, the sun burns with passion as it gives the world light. During the night, both the stars and moon wash away complete darkness and give way for light so that everyone could still see amidst all black.

Beomgyu wanted to say that, but he just couldn't for now. Perhaps next time, if they come here again, he'll surely tell him.

And truly, Yeonjun was like the sun, moon, and stars. He lit everything up and Beomgyu never got lost in the dark — he had Yeonjun, and he knew he was safe.

"That better be a compliment though," Yeonjun warned. Beomgyu laughed at him while nodding, "Don't be such a baby. It is, Jjuni Hyung."

That was enough to make Yeonjun smile again, he looked at the sun with Beomgyu doing the same action. They stayed quiet; only the sound of waves crashing against the shore could be heard along with muffled chattering and laughter at the back. They continued to watch the sun's last glow for today with the tips of their fingers close to each other while being covered in sand — the gritty soil felt rough and itchy against their skin, but the small yet gentle touch of their fingers felt soft and warm.

A love that was like the sun could light up a whole sky.

✿ Bloom Again ✿

"You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection"

― Sharon Salzberg