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Soobin expected to fall back into the shadows once Yeonjun graduated and started college across town. He assumed that his popularity was simply a by-product of Yeonjun’s, and that once the elder left, all interest in Soobin would be forgotten and he could go back to how it was before he met Yeonjun. He wasn’t going to mourn the loss of attention, he always preferred to stay in the background—unless Yeonjun was with him. If Yeonjun was with him, he didn’t mind being surrounded at all times.
Yeonjun always kept him close and distracted him from all the noise. Now that he was gone, Soobin was prepared to return to his old role of the quiet, unperturbed student.
However, that is not entirely what happened.
It did calm a little, but it appeared that Yeonjun’s popularity extended beyond even himself. He had left a legacy at the high school, and people remained interested. The new freshmen stole old yearbooks from the library just to find Yeonjun’s picture, and a few brave ones approached Soobin—or sometimes Beomgyu, Yeonjun’s best friend—to ask about the elder. Soobin always gave the same scripted response. “He’s well, doing great at university, I’m going to see him this weekend.”
It appeared that the entire student body was more infatuated with Yeonjun than Soobin was himself, though he was sure that he could prove them all wrong if he had half a mind to. They hadn’t seen how he acted behind closed doors, after all.
Regardless, Soobin’s own popularity survived the loss of Yeonjun more than he realised, and by the time winter started to set in, he became the receiver of several ‘promposals’. It did rather confuse him, getting asked to prom when he hadn’t made it a secret that he was still dating Yeonjun. But perhaps there were more layers to the high school dynamic, perhaps Soobin had been oblivious to some of the stares that weren’t directed at Yeonjun, but were actually directed at him.
It was weird, seeing the bright eyes and hopeful expressions, and not feeling anything. When it was Yeonjun with the bright eyes and hopeful expression, Soobin was basically a goner, unable to form words or slow his racing heart. But that’s just how Yeonjun worked. He took Soobin’s expectations and flipped them upside down. He was an enigma, and Soobin was so lucky.
After his seventh promposal, he determined that it was finally time to ask Yeonjun to be his date, that way he could pin a little rose to his locker and everyone would see that he was taken. Even though they should already know that.
He saw Yeonjun on the weekends, or the occasional weekday when the elder didn’t have practice, so he decided to pop the question—the prom question—that Friday when Yeonjun picked him up.
That was also another reason why Soobin didn’t understand how the student body was so unaware—allegedly—of his dating status. Yeonjun made it no secret as well, and their tradition of spending Friday nights together hadn’t stopped. In fact, some of the students would linger in the parking lot just to wave at Yeonjun, or catch a glimpse of him if they were the new freshmen.
It was no use trying to deconstruct the teenage mind.
Soobin was shivering when he saw Yeonjun pull into the parking lot. The cardigan he was wearing had kept him warm enough throughout the day, but the temperature must have dipped while he was inside. He rubbed his arms as he walked to meet his boyfriend, a smile spreading over his face automatically. Familiar butterflies erupted in his stomach in anticipation, always excited to see his hyung.
He heard the passenger side door unlock, and he opened it with shivering fingers. He threw his backpack on the floor and climbed in, not even managing to meet Yeonjun’s eyes in his hurry to get warm. Once he closed the door, however, he exhaled loudly and looked at Yeonjun with a bright smile. “Hi, hyung.”
Yeonjun grinned, eyes disappearing as he leaned over the console. “Hi, baby,” he replied, before hooking his fingers around Soobin’s chin and pulling him close for a kiss. Soobin kissed back, heart fluttering the way it always did. Yeonjun pulled away, his hand cupping Soobin’s cheek, thumb swiping under his eye. “You’re freezing,” he remarked. Soobin blushed, leaning away to buckle up. “I didn’t realise how cold it was supposed to get,” he explained. Yeonjun shook his head playfully, tsking his tongue as he started to drive.
Soobin glanced out the window, resisting the urge to roll his eyes as he saw a group of students peering at them. He reached forward to turn the vents toward him and relaxed as he felt the heat seep into his bones. Yeonjun chuckled lightly, extending his hand toward Soobin. Soobin accepted it, locking their fingers together as he slumped in the chair. “I got asked to prom twice today,” he mumbled, covering up a yawn with his free hand.
Yeonjun tightened his grip on his hand ever-so-slightly as he hummed. “Did you turn them down gently?” he asked. Soobin’s lips lifted in a slight smirk as he decided to tease Yeonjun a little. “I actually said yes to one of them,” he said, rolling his head to look over at Yeonjun. “You remember Changmin?”
He withheld a giggle as he saw Yeonjun’s lips purse, his grip on his hand getting even tighter. “Changmin? Can’t say that name rings a bell,” he replied smoothly, voice gentle. Soobin sighed dramatically, looking back out the window. “He’s really cute, we’ll look good together,” he continued, pushing the envelope. Yeonjun pulled his hand away then as he scoffed, rolling his eyes. Soobin burst into giggles, reaching back for the elder’s hand, catching it as it waved in Soobin’s direction.
“Hyung, of course I turned them down,” he laughed, lacing their fingers back together. Yeonjun pouted, petulantly ignoring Soobin’s grin, turning one-handed into his apartment complex. Soobin leaned back in his chair, a few more giggles leaving him as Yeonjun parked his car in its familiar spot.
They released their hands to get out, Soobin throwing his backpack over his shoulder and hurrying around the car to press up against Yeonjun’s side. “Hurry up, it’s freezing!” he complained. Yeonjun rolled his eyes fondly, wrapping an arm around Soobin’s waist. They walked up to Yeonjun’s door and Yeonjun pulled them both inside. It was toasty warm and smelled like mint and cream—essence of Yeonjun.
Soobin hung his backpack on the hook by his door like he always did, took off his shoes and placed them on the mat like he always did, and when Yeonjun was finished doing the same, he pulled the younger into his arms and planted a gentle kiss on his lips. Just like he always did. Soobin smiled into the embrace, indulging himself in another kiss before the elder let go of him.
He went immediately to Yeonjun’s bedroom, preferring to get out of his school uniform as quickly as possible. He heard Yeonjun making a snack in the kitchen, and a shiver ran through him. Every time they were domestic it sent Soobin’s mind places way far in the future that he wasn’t sure he was supposed to be thinking about yet.
Sure, they had been dating for two years, but Soobin wasn’t even finished with high school yet. There would be plenty of time for…domesticity later. He pulled on the pair of sweats and sweatshirt that he kept at Yeonjun’s and then padded out to the living room. Yeonjun had made them cup ramyeon and was sitting at the couch, blowing on his serving. Soobin shot him a smile as he fell into the space next to him and picked up his ramyeon.
“Thanks, hyung,” he said, blowing on a bite. Yeonjun swallowed his bite, scrunching his nose cutely. “No problem, baby.” Soobin blinked at that, sliding his eyes over to look at his boyfriend. He maintained his cheesy grin for a second, before going back to his food. Soobin blinked a few more times at the odd behaviour and then leaned forward to grab the remote. He turned the tv on and queued up the next episode of the anime they had been watching.
Yeonjun remained quiet, only the slurping sound of his noodles indication that he was still next to Soobin. Soobin knew he was up to something, but he wasn’t sure it was worth trying to figure out. Once Yeonjun got in one of his stubborn moods, it was better to just go with the flow. Let the boy do what he needed.
And apparently what he needed was to remind Soobin who exactly he belonged to.
After they finished their ramyeon, Yeonjun threw their trash away and when he returned he climbed over the back of the couch. Soobin quickly moved out of the way of the elder’s limbs as he manoeuvred himself to where he was lying across the couch, back propped up by the large armrest. Soobin was nearly falling off the couch cushions as Yeonjun’s legs took up most of the space. The dancer only quirked an eyebrow when Soobin sent him a confused look. “Where am I supposed to sit?” he asked, feigning annoyance.
Yeonjun grinned sweetly, opening his arms and parting his legs. Soobin felt his cheeks heat up a little, before grumbling under his breath and carefully moving to settle between his boyfriend’s legs. He turned away and leaned until his back touched Yeonjun’s chest. The elder’s arms immediately slid around Soobin’s waist and pulled him even closer, hands locking in front of him.
Soobin blushed as his head rested comfortably on Yeonjun’s shoulder, the elder’s cheek nearly pressed against his. His lips were right at Soobin’s ear and he twisted his head to press a kiss to Soobin’s temple once he was settled. “Right where you belong, hmm?” he whispered. Soobin rolled his eyes, pushing his legs out straight, knocking into Yeonjun’s. “You’re so possessive,” he pouted without complaint.
Yeonjun chuckled, kissing under his jaw. “Apparently I need to be,” he mumbled. “You have a lot of admirers.” He said it with a joking tone but Soobin knew him well enough to pick up on the hint of insecurity beneath it all. He rested his hands over Yeonjun’s and turned his face to nuzzle his neck. “Yeah, but I love you,” he reminded. Yeonjun’s pulse jumped under Soobin’s lips, and he held Soobin tighter against him.
“You gonna ask me to prom then?” Yeonjun replied, voice softer, relaxed. Soobin snorted, lifting his head enough to lock eyes with his lover. “Do you really want to go?” he asked. Yeonjun furrowed his brow, sitting them up a little. “Um, yeah? I need to make sure everyone at that school remembers who you belong to,” he replied, as if it was the most obvious answer.
Soobin chuckled, poking at Yeonjun’s cheek. “Possessive Yeonjunie,” he teased. Yeonjun groaned, pushing Soobin’s finger away and letting his head fall back onto the armrest. “Leave me alone, I can’t help it,” he moped. Soobin smiled, settling back against Yeonjun’s chest. Yeonjun adjusted his own position, lifting a hand to card through Soobin’s hair. Soobin stared at the anime on the screen before biting his lip and tilting his head to peer up at Yeonjun.
“Will you go to prom with me, Yeonjun-hyung?” he whispered.
Yeonjun looked down at him, the softest smile spreading across his face. His eyes held all the love that Soobin felt in his heart, and he blushed when Yeonjun swiped his thumb over his earlobe.
“I’d love to, baby.”