Chapter 7: Petrichor

Petrichor

✿

Beomgyu just wanted to drop everything right now and run across the streets, scream, roll down a slope, and bump into people he doesn't know. He wanted to dance around the empty corners of the world, maybe spin under the pouring rain — he wanted to do everything as if he were in a daze, slowly as the lights went down like the sunset. Beomgyu wanted to go wild, wanted to feel something berserk inside his chest, he wanted to see the stars like it was the first time. He wanted to do the things he's never done before in the most careless and reckless way possible. What's life without a little adventure? What's life?

But all those will stay as plans in the blurry future for now.

For now, Beomgyu will take tiny — little steps into freedom. They say you should always start with small things, start with taking a cup of coffee that you never wanted to taste — or maybe, you can start off by eating a piece of cake you always tried to avoid your whole life. Big things start off small, big things take time to be built — and so, Beomgyu starts off with the things he's always been so selfless about.

Beomgyu started off by going back to work, tried to be a bit more considerate and calm. He'll lose hair if he keeps getting annoyed over anything. He takes breaks now, maybe for half an hour or more, he will. Tried. But it was still progressing in its own way. It was hard, so terribly foreign, but Beomgyu was trying his best.

And god, did it feel good. So, so good. Beomgyu has never felt so refreshed and light during work. Maybe all he needed was a strong and hard push to make him realize, to make him see just what he's missing out on because he keeps pulling himself back. It was an unhealthy cycle for him, it didn't do his well-being any good but old habits will stay — yet, Beomgyu was doing best.

And Yeonjun noticed that. Vividly and obviously. It was no secret anyway. Beomgyu's beaming smile can literally send him to his knees. They pass by each other on the hallways every now and then, and Yeonjun would always notice that small curve on the end of Beomgyu's thin lips; to say that it made Yeonjun's heart skip a beat would be an understatement. It did more. When did he last see that pair of strawberries genuinely smile?

It's been so long.

Beomgyu was trying his best.

And Yeonjun saw that.

✿

"So, we're going to the gym after lunch?"

Yeonjun shoved his hands inside his pockets before nodding, they walked down the empty stairs, "Yeah, Hyunjin. Are you sure you're coming?" He asked, gaze darting off to Hyunjin's thinking face — lips pouted and brows furrowed.

Hyunjin shrugged, "Sure, why not? I've got a photoshoot in a few weeks, so I guess I have to prepare for that."

They walked down the halls on their way to the cafeteria, "Oh yeah, winter is approaching." Yeonjun suddenly realized, eyes growing wide as he thought about how hectic their schedules are going to be once the first snowflake falls.

"Anyway," Hyunjin and Yeonjun walked inside the almost empty cafeteria, "let's eat first, I'm hungry." Yeonjun nodded and they walked towards an empty table.

However, that loud laugh filled with vibrancy can never fail to catch his attention. Yeonjun turned around, immediately making eye contact with the younger male who was sitting on a table together with Chan. Yeonjun's expression softened, lips falling slightly apart as a breath escaped; Beomgyu smiled at him and waved. Yeonjun did the same, a shy one, and slowly sat down next to Hyunjin who witnessed every second of it while holding his laughter in.

"Oh," Hyunjin teased, Yeonjun looked at him with a raised brow, "What now?" He asked.

Hyunjin only grinned, "What's up with you and Beomgyu? Is there something you should tell your dear handsome Cupid?" Hyunjin winked.

Yeonjun stared at him, then a twisted expression came forming on Yeonjun's face — he grimaced, "Dear handsome Cupid, my ass. You started all this ever since that hangout night," Yeonjun lightly punched Hyunjin's arm.

The younger chuckled, eyes forming crescents while looking at Yeonjun, "It worked? God, I'm such a genius." Hyunjin brushed his hair up with two hands and smirked, the elder could only sigh and ignore the younger male.

"Whatever," Yeonjun rolled his eyes, "The holidays are coming, so we'll be stressed out again. Prepare yourself for that instead of saying nonsense things," Hyunjin only stared at him, he waved his hands while nodding. "No need to get all serious," Hyunjin scoffed.

Yeonjun just glared at him, then his eyes slowly looked for Beomgyu's brighter ones. They were sparkling more than ever, Beomgyu was still a slow eater; taking small bites while talking with Chan. But it was more than enough to send something spinning within Yeonjun's stomach — causing his heart to get squeezed, the tips of Yeonjun's ears were now splashed with red. It has been a while. Is this what young love felt like?

✿

As an autumn leaf fell, the sun did as well. Now, the city was covered in darkness — not too much though, there were still stars, there were shining lights; the city was still loud and busy. Vibrant and colorful too. All colors vanished, but the night looked too beautiful to be dismissed like that.

Yeonjun and the others were in the company lounge, eating and talking with each other to burn some stress. Three boxes of pizza atop the wooden table, there were two uneaten burgers still wrapped with plastic, almost empty bottles of cola, and there was a small box of chicken wings too. Ah, stress reliever.

"Yuna," Yeonjun called out to the girl who was sitting across from him, munching on her piece of pizza, "it's been a while since we last saw each other."

Yuna had her doe eyes wide and bright amidst the slightly dimmed place, she smiled, "It has. I was so busy with promotions here and there, I'm so sorry."

Yeonjun chuckled as he leaned against his seat, "Nah, it's fine. You must have been so stressed."

"Honestly," Yuna nodded with a pout, she took a sip of her bottle of cola before continuing, "I can't even catch up with things anymore. I heard that He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named also works here again."

Yeonjun didn't know what to react, when will people stop with that long ass nickname? Yeonjun sighed, he rubbed his face, "Stop with that nickname now. It's seriously so long."

"What?" Yuna chuckled, "You were the one who forced me to call him that, but okay. Whatever floats your boat."

"Yeah, sure," Yeonjun brushed his hair, he looked at his wristwatch before shifting his gaze on Yuna again, "It's late. I should go now. It was nice talking to you again."

Yuna beamed a smile, "Me too, me too. Let's hang out again next time when winter ends. Don't be too stressed again like last winter."

Yeonjun looked at the untouched food on the table before deciding to grab a burger that was still warm on his hand, "We'll see. See you." He waved his empty hand and proceeded to walk out of the room.

Yeonjun shut the door behind him, leaned against it, and heaved a sigh. He looked at the burger that was around his hold before blinking hard, "When will he leave my thoughts." Whispered Yeonjun, uncertain yet had a small smile on his face.

With one last breath, Yeonjun started walking down the quiet floors. A hand buried inside his pocket while the other held a burger, Yeonjun honestly doesn't know what he's doing right now. All he's aware of is that he decided to grab the food when he thought of someone who might not have eaten yet. He wanted to make sure he did. Good thing the burger was there.

The office was just down the hall, Yeonjun gulped — the lights were still on and it was already past nine in the evening. Without further hesitation, Yeonjun walked inside the room that was illuminated in orange. However, he was met by empty tables and chairs.

His eyes scanned the place, he walked further into the room with furrowed brows — Yeonjun approached Beomgyu's empty table, but the laptop was on. Yeonjun tilted his head, "Did he leave already?" He raised his brows and looked around.

Then suddenly, someone's loud footsteps bounced against the walls. Yeonjun turned around, his hold around the burger got a tad bit tighter once he made eye contact with a familiar pair of eyes that almost resembled the ocean or even the night sky.

Yeonjun has always been so in love with them.

"Hyung?" Beomgyu raised a brow, his voice a bit breathy yet Yeonjun will never miss even a string of breath, "What are you doing here?" The younger male asked, feet slowly taking a step forward and closer to Yeonjun.

Yeonjun brought his hand up to rub his nape, "Nothing, I just..." he looked at the plastic bag that Beomgyu had around his hand, "Oh, what's that?" Yeonjun pointed at it. Beomgyu blinked, he followed the direction his finger pointed and realized that he was pointing at the plastic bag in his hand, "Ah, this?"

"It's the food I ordered, I'll be staying a bit late tonight so I bought some food to eat," Beomgyu wore a sheepish smile while scratching the back of his ear.

It dawned on Yeonjun. Beomgyu bought food for himself. He didn't know nor understand why, but it caused his heart to skip a melody. Like a pianist that lost focus and had his fingers slip on the keys. It was a simple act, even natural or normal. It wasn't something that was odd. But to Yeonjun, it meant a lot.

A few years ago, Beomgyu came back being a total stranger — unknown and far from Yeonjun's touch, painfully different from the old little one he used to memorize so well; now, Beomgyu just became a whole new world that Yeonjun was willing to explore all over again. It was enchanting.

"What's that?" Beomgyu asked as he walked his way towards his seat, Yeonjun looked at the burger in his hand before backing away with an awkward smile. "A burger," Yeonjun answered.

Beomgyu reached for his seat, pulled it back, and sat down. He placed the plastic bag on top of the desk before responding with an almost hushed voice, "Why'd you bring it here?"

Yeonjun bit his lip, "Just...I thought you didn't eat anything, so I brought it here. Just in case." He had his hands behind his back, gaze not fixed on Beomgyu.

"Oh," Beomgyu looked at Yeonjun, they both made eye contact for a second or two — for a moment, Yeonjun could swear he just felt his heart echoing in his ears; wild and alive within his chest, like a young one in wonderstruck while blushing their way home — dancing and spinning around when no one was there, allowing that admiration to consume them for the very first time.

Beomgyu shifted his gaze away from Yeonjun, he cleared his throat, "Thanks...I guess."

He couldn't think of anything else to say except for that. Beomgyu's mind was too preoccupied with different thoughts with only one subject: Yeonjun. It started a fire somewhere within his soul. Like a spark he thought was long gone.

Yeonjun only nodded, steps careful as he walked around the younger male's seat and proceeded towards the open door, "Yeah, no problem. I think."

God, this was awkward. Yeonjun sighed.

"So..." Yeonjun contemplated as his eyes roamed the dimmed room, "How are you...doing?"

Beomgyu took out the cups from the plastic before looking at Yeonjun with unreadable eyes. They held the contact though, even when Yeonjun felt so weak and exposed in front of him — soul bare and wide for Beomgyu, Yeonjun tried to look him in the eye as well. The office was quiet, Yeonjun never heard silence this loud before — it made him nervous, made him think, made him notice.

And as if the sun came rising up again even though it was still 30 minutes past nine at sundown, Beomgyu gave him an assuring smile. "It's hard, but I'm trying."

That was all the answer Yeonjun needed.

✿

The autumn season was almost ending, just a few more leaves, just a few more red — winter will come next. And it was definitely a cold morning, one that almost felt like frost. Yeonjun wrapped himself with a blanket, the skin in between his eyebrows creased as he tried to fall asleep again. It was his day off, so he decided to sleep in and enjoy the rest of the afternoon later when he wakes up. It was ten in the morning, almost chilly and windy, the window of his bedroom was shut and masked with curtains — yet the cold seemed to be there inside.

Yeonjun rubbed his eyes, he turned on his side with a groan. Let's just fall asleep again.

But suddenly, his phone started ringing annoyingly loud. Yeonjun whined and grabbed it from the nightstand. Without even looking at the caller I.D, he lazily pressed the green button and placed the phone over his ear. "What is it?" He immediately asked.

Then there came a bright tone, "Yeonjun Hyung!"

Yeonjun knew that voice all too well, he wouldn't miss it in a heartbeat. His once droopy eyes widened in surprise, "Beomgyu?"

He heard a giggle, "Of course! Who else?" God, it was too early in the morning — Yeonjun did not ask for this.

"Where'd you get my number?" Asked Yeonjun with a louder voice this time, he slowly sat up from his bed with messy hair and squinted eyes.

"Hyunjin," Beomgyu instantly answered, "Okay. Listen!"

The little one was too loud and lively in the morning, not that Yeonjun minded though. He was more than okay with it. It felt good to hear Beomgyu's colorful voice.

"Come with me to the mall!" Beomgyu said. Yeonjun's eyes widened once again, "What?"

Beomgyu sighed, "I said, accompany me in the mall. Hyung, wake up!" The younger male laughed, it made Yeonjun smile again. Ah, Beomgyu felt like a possibility that keeps people going.

"Why me?" Yeonjun continued to ask, a hand placed atop his knee.

"Because you're good with fashion? Please, just say yes!" Oh, if only Beomgyu knew Yeonjun could never reject him. He'll say yes. Always. Even his eyes would whisper okay.

There was a pause.

Yeonjun smiled, "Okay, fine. Whatever you want."

And Yeonjun wondered if Beomgyu could see the smile on his face even through the tone of his voice, because Yeonjun can definitely hear Beomgyu's happiness from the other line. His smile was vandalized in the deepest parts of his mind, he's got every curve of it memorized — it was something that haunts him every time Beomgyu wasn't around: his smile.

✿

The streets were pretty much still crowded even on a cold morning, Yeonjun buried his hands deep into his brown coat's pockets. He breathed in before walking towards the entrance of the mall, Beomgyu texted him that he was there. He looked around the ocean of people walking and passing by, then as if it belonged at the moment, Yeonjun immediately found Beomgyu amidst the different faces and heights that walked past him.

Yeonjun made his way to Beomgyu, the younger male wore a fluffy brown jacket — it suited him, Yeonjun had to fight back the smile that dared to crawl up to his lips. "Gyu," Yeonjun called so casually, the nickname naturally sliding off his mouth.

Beomgyu looked up, doe eyes happy to see the person he's been waiting for since earlier. "Oh god, you're finally here. Let's go, it's freezing here!" Beomgyu wrapped his fingers around Yeonjun's wrist and pulled him inside the mall. Yeonjun just let him. He always does.

Now, they were inside the mall. Lots and lots of people crowded the place, some were on the upper floors while some occupied the ground. Yeonjun felt the hold around his wrist tighten as Beomgyu pulled him towards the escalator, he couldn't even comprehend anything — Beomgyu just kept pulling him everywhere. And Yeonjun doesn't even have the heart to decline.

It was a bit cold inside the mall too, but Beomgyu's warm hand was enough to keep Yeonjun from shivering. A part of him was warm, somewhere within his chest and around his hand.

"There, let's try buying there," Beomgyu spotted a nice store, its brand and clothing displayed just behind the glass wall. He pulled the elder with him, the store wasn't crowded — just a few good people, Yeonjun looked around, he was impressed. The clothes there was his style.

Beomgyu's eyes twinkled, "Do you like this one?" He asked the elder as he grabbed a cardigan hanging from the clothes rack. It was a forest green, the texture looked soft too. Yeonjun just nodded and watched as the younger continued to grab another cardigan with the color of grey and showed it to him.

"How about this? Do you like this?" Beomgyu continued to ask with a tiny voice, Yeonjun felt heat across his cheeks — he cleared his throat and nodded. Beomgyu smiled and immediately walked towards the fitting room and shoved the grey cardigan on Yeonjun's chest.

Yeonjun was confused, he held the piece of grey clothing with his hands and looked at Beomgyu. "Try it on. I'll wait here," Beomgyu gave the elder an assuring smile and pointed at the dressing room. "But Gyu, I wasn't planning to buy any—" Beomgyu groaned and pushed Yeonjun inside the room, "I'm paying. I just got my salary." Then Beomgyu shuts the white door.

Beomgyu waited outside, tapping his shoe against the tiled floor while glancing at the fitting room. And when the door slowly pushed open, Beomgyu's eyes widened in enthusiasm. Yeonjun shyly smiled as he walked out, hands spreading wide while showing Beomgyu how he looked in the cardigan.

"You look cute," Beomgyu mumbled, eyes scanning the elder male's full-frame. Yeonjun blinked, "Come again?"

That broke Beomgyu out of his dazed mind, he giggled and shook his head, "It looks good, I'll buy it for you."

Before Yeonjun could even disagree, because heck, he can't just let the younger pay for this — Beomgyu had already walked inside the fitting room and shut the door behind him. Yeonjun sighed, all this, the shopping and sudden invitation — it was all too sudden and unexpected. However, Yeonjun would never even deny it (when will he ever?), he was having a great time already. It was Beomgyu, what's there not to enjoy?

The way Beomgyu's eyes glisten in excitement every time he sees a store or a piece of clothing, it all warmed up Yeonjun's cold chest. Beomgyu was so warm.

After a few more minutes, the fitting room's door opened — revealing a small boy with wide arms. His smile almost reached his ears as he looked at Yeonjun with crescent eyes. "It's comfy," Beomgyu hummed and walked closer to Yeonjun who only stared at him with loving eyes. "Really comfy," Beomgyu added, voice close to being a mumble against Yeonjun's shut lips.

They stayed there, eyes locked in each other's gaze. The distance between them was non-existent as they continued to scan one another. Yeonjun smiled and placed a hand atop Beomgyu's round head, "And you look cute in it."

Now, Beomgyu held back the words that he wanted to say. There was a spark in Yeonjun's eyes when he said that, something that churned his thoughts and the blood in his veins. This. This was the type of wild that Beomgyu longed for. A mere eye contact with the person in front of him, tall and breathtaking — Yeonjun was everything he's ever wanted. It's always been him.

Yeonjun cleared his throat as he backed away a little, "Are you going to buy these?"

Beomgyu unknowingly blushed at that and nodded while looking down, "Yeah, I will. Just...just give me the cardigan and wait outside."

Yeonjun only nodded.

This was going to be a long day.

✿

"So, where are we going now?" Yeonjun asked as he grabbed all the bags from Beomgyu's little hands, the younger male raised a brow and tried to grab them all back but Yeonjun only took a step back, "Hey, give them. I can carry them." Beomgyu almost whined.

Yeonjun pouted, "Are you hungry? I'm hungry." The elder changed the topic, Beomgyu noticed it though, but he just allowed him. Beomgyu rolled his eyes with a sigh, "Fine, let's go eat."

Hearing this, Yeonjun couldn't help but to grin. He followed Beomgyu's small steps, the younger male glanced at him and scoffed, "Let's just eat barbecue or something, come on."

Yeonjun was still confused, however, what was all these for? Still, he questioned. Almost giving up on the thought every time he looks at Beomgyu. They ate and ate, cooking the meat and dipping it in sauce. Yeonjun hummed because of the taste and Beomgyu couldn't help but to watch him with curious eyes, when was the last time he watched Yeonjun eat? Beomgyu remembered that Yeonjun eats so cutely, humming and doing a little dance if he likes the food. Beomgyu never realized how much he missed it until now.

And Yeonjun noticed, he chuckled and placed a piece of meat on Beomgyu's plate. The younger male only smiled and silently started eating. He still eats slowly, taking small bites, and smiling in between savouring. Yeonjun found it adorable. They were sitting amidst a crowded room, plates and utensils clashing against each other as people continued to eat — they were both in silence; Yeonjun wondered, wanted to ask, if Beomgyu also felt like the secrecy they had in between their table was killing him like it was doing to him. Yeonjun wanted to talk, to say something, but he preferred to just eat and eat and eat.

This was enough.

For now.

"Oh," Beomgyu finally finished eating and his eyes were fixed outside the glass wall, Yeonjun wiped his mouth and followed the younger male's gaze, "Look, I think that little girl's lost."

Yeonjun nodded when he caught sight of the little girl standing stiffly in the middle of the moving crowd, hands clenching her blue dress, brows raised and eyes drowning in fear. Beomgyu and Yeonjun immediately stood up, Yeonjun carried all the bags while Beomgyu walked towards the child. He was reluctant though, glances being thrown at Yeonjun as a sign that he didn't know what to do.

"Just approach her and ask," Yeonjun whispered, loud enough for Beomgyu to hear. The younger male sighed, "Won't I scare her?"

Yeonjun rolled his eyes, "You won't. Just be careful." Yeonjun knew that Beomgyu wasn't going to approach the girl anytime soon, so he decided to just push the younger male — which caused Beomgyu to let out an unexpected scream right in front of the scared child.

Immediately, Yeonjun's eyes widened in shock, Beomgyu covered his mouth while watching as the little girl looked up at him with glossy eyes — lips slowly started to tremble, she closed her eyes, and there it was, the loud crying that Beomgyu was trying to avoid. Beomgyu heaved a sigh, he glared at Yeonjun who only gave him a sheepish smile, "Sorry."

Beomgyu squatted on the floor, right in front of the crying girl, "Hey, hey. Don't cry, I'm not a bad person." Beomgyu softly said.

The girl pouted, tears still staining her chubby cheeks, "But you screamed, it was scary."

"Oh, uh," Beomgyu scratched the back of his ear as he tried to hold back his embarrassment. "I'm sorry about that, but I swear, I won't scream again."

Yeonjun chuckled at the sight and approached them, Yeonjun went on one knee and looked at the little girl with a small smile. Beomgyu only watched him. "Are you lost?" Yeonjun asked in a small tone, voice tender enough for the girl to stop crying.

She nodded, "I was holding my mommy's hand when I saw a puppy and followed it, but I suddenly got lost and now I can't find my mommy." The little girl pouted, Yeonjun did the same and held his hand out.

"We'll bring you to the guard so they can help you, but first," Yeonjun smiled at her, "let's stop crying first and smile now. We're here for you." He gently ruffled the little girl's hair which earned a giggle from her.

Beomgyu couldn't believe it, did he look scary compared to Yeonjun? He raised a brow.

However, while witnessing how Yeonjun just handled the little girl and helped her stop crying, Beomgyu couldn't help but to smile at the sight. At the same time, which wasn't even a surprise for him, he wondered. Imagined. What did he have to do in order to see Yeonjun play and be gentle with kids every day?

"And don't be scared of Beomgyu now," Yeonjun suddenly said, Beomgyu's eyes widened as he looked at the little girl, "He's just really loud but he's nice." Yeonjun smiled and the child only nodded while staring at Beomgyu.

"Attention," the mall's speakers suddenly went on, Beomgyu and Yeonjun stood up, "If anyone can see a little girl in a blue dress with pigtails roaming around the mall without any guidance, kindly bring her to the entrance of the mall. Her mom is waiting for her. Thank you and have a nice day." The speakers went off.

Yeonjun and Beomgyu looked at the little girl, "Well, I guess it's time for you to go home."

They brought the little girl to the entrance, her tiny hand gripping Yeonjun's fingers. Beomgyu just walked behind them, trailing and watching how their hands swayed back and forth like swings. Such an endearing sight.

Finally, they reached the entrance — and the little one immediately ran towards her mother and hugged her. Yeonjun and Beomgyu bowed to the woman and she did the same, "Thank you for bringing her back, she was so naughty to wander off like that." She scolded her daughter, the little one only pouted and hugged her tighter. Yeonjun shook his head, "It's fine. Don't run off like that again, okay?" He reminded the child and she nodded, bowing and mumbling a small thank you.

Beomgyu stared at him.

He wondered.

✿

They stayed a bit more inside, walking and looking at different things on sale. It has been a long time since they last went out together alone, having fun and possibly catching up about things. When they finally walked out of the mall, loud droplets of rain came greeting them as they set their foot out of the building — they both looked up, it was an afternoon rain in the middle of August; fresh and it smelled dewy. Beomgyu figured that the rain will end in a little while.

"It'll end in a while, let's just wait here," Beomgyu told the elder male, Yeonjun nodded — besides, he wanted to stay a bit more too. Yeonjun wanted to watch the rain for a while, not all people would agree, but looking at the rainfall is quite calming — lovely and tranquil for both the boys. They've always loved the rain.

As the raindrops continued to crash against the ground, its sound muffling away the street noises, it brought them back to the time when it all begun — Beomgyu confessing under the falling crystals at night, soaking wet, shivering, yet his lips continued to speak whatever he wanted the elder to know. The rain was beautiful that day, so fresh, so lovely. And although the rain also reopened that memory both of them wanted to forget, they just couldn't. Those nights filled with colorless rain and cold wind were a part of them. A part of their blooming and withering love. The rain would either water their love so it would grow or drown it — causing the flower to die. The rain was like a reminder to them.

A reminder that if bad things happened during it, good things can happen as well.

Then Yeonjun thought of something, another sudden thought — that's the thing about their relationship, everything was always so sudden. The sudden confession, the sudden breakup, the sudden events that happened in between longing for each other. But it would always make sense in the end.

"I...I thought of something," Yeonjun started, immediately catching Beomgyu's attention who only hummed as a response. "We...you and I, we never really had anything back then."

Beomgyu raised a brow, "What do you mean?" He looked at Yeonjun. The elder only focused on the view in front of him.

"Others had it...deep? I don't know. They would have a necklace to remember that person, or a jacket that still had that person's scent. In other words, they...had something," Yeonjun almost finished his words as a whisper, something heavy in his chest was starting to weigh him down. But he tried to lift himself up.

"I don't get it," Beomgyu's face was creased with confusion, genuinely enough, he didn't know what the elder was talking about.

"All we had were the rain, the white roses, those silly poems, coffee, and everything about spring," there was a pause, the rain's melody playing in between heavy breaths, "Did I ever give you something?"

Another pause came.

Beomgyu didn't know the exact answer to that. How could he even ask that? Yeonjun gave him everything, something that was more than just a droplet of rain, or a piece of petal, or a cup of coffee, or those funny poems. Yeonjun gave him everything someone could ever give. It wasn't always about those touchable things like necklaces, or bracelets, or maybe even a journal — Beomgyu couldn't even describe it, but Yeonjun gave him something that made him hold on.

Beomgyu breathed, "You did."

Yeonjun didn't answer.

"Lots of it, actually. Something...ineffable? Surely things that aren't ephemeral though." Beomgyu looked at him, eyes fresh like the rain, Yeonjun could stare at him all day. He blends well with the weather and seasons.

"The things you gave were like..." Beomgyu breathed in again, inhaling that sweet smell of something dewy — something addicting, the after-rain scent, "...that scent which I like after the rain. It's pleasant, musky, fresh like the sea too."

Beomgyu stepped a bit closer to Yeonjun, eyes not leaving him, "It's like petrichor, which makes me want to have more."

And then a small hand came wrapping itself around Yeonjun's bigger one, "And you always gave that."

Petrichor.

✿ Bloom Again ✿

[a/n]: hi ^^ do you like the smell of rain? :D

"You've gotta dance like there's nobody watching,

Love like you'll never be hurt,

Sing like there's nobody listening,

And live like it's heaven on earth."

William W. Purkey