Chapter Text
It was a typical Sunday morning, lounging around, reading a comic inside his room, just chilling. Yeonjun loves it from time to time; he might be that high energy extrovert that everyone knew, but at times he wants to cool down and just have a quiet time in his room. It’s a way to relax himself from all the chaos that happens when he goes to school.
He was a thirteen-year-old in his last year in grade school. He’s about to become the middle school kid that will be adorned and idolized by his schoolmates; something that he likes, the limelight. Being an only child feels like he’s isolated from people when he’s alone at home; something that people with siblings would never understand.
He wanted to have a younger brother or a younger sister for so long, but he can’t. His mom died when he was little, barely even knowing her. It left his father heartbroken, but still, he held up together and drew his attention towards his son. It was hard raising a child alone, but Yeonjun matured a bit when he saw how difficult his father was struggling.
At one point, they had decided to leave the past behind and move to a different neighborhood. Somewhere that they could start over and be far from the sad memories that flood his father’s mind. They packed up and settled on the neighborhood wherein his uncle from his mother’s side lived in. His house was just across the street and it was a great thing for his dad since it’s a way to help him out in looking after Yeonjun.
Yeonjun was glad though, he adored his uncle and it helped his father breathe. It was a great decision to move and it was something that he was thankful for.
With that great decision led to a life where Yeonjun is right now. He’s garnered lots of friends in his school, helping him cope with the loneliness that he experiences whenever he’s alone inside his room. The solitude that he had always been used to once he steps inside the lonely house while his father was out at work.
Sunday wasn’t any exemption, his dad worked regularly around the weekdays and would be on called in the weekends because he needs to earn extra for Yeonjun’s future. Still, he didn’t neglect Yeonjun at the slightest.
As Yeonjun reads through his comics, a soft knock sounded on his door before it creeped open, his father’s head peeking through. “I’m done in making breakfast, I’ll be out in a few minutes, do you need anything from me before I go?” He softly asks, a tender smile drawn in his face.
Yeonjun averts his attention towards his father, returning the tender grin. “Nah, I’m fine dad. Will you be out late?” He asks, quite used to him coming home late when he’s called over the weekend.
“Yeah, I’ll be back around nine or ten in the evening. My boss has tons of meeting and projects needed to be ready by Monday and I need to make sure everything is done. Your uncle will be making dinner later, just come over there around seven.” He informs, a bit sad that he’ll be leaving his son during the weekend again.
Yeonjun sighs at his father’s words. He can practically sense the apology at the way he had talked. So, he reassures him, “I’m going to be fine dad, it’s not new. Just don’t overdo yourself too much and take some rest as well.”
His father lowered his head, breathing deep before replying. “I know, I promise I won’t. I left some extra cash at the coffee table for you to use. Just grab my meal from your uncle once you make your way back alright?”
He nods, being quite familiar with their usual cycle. “I’ll do that. Take care dad.” He waves off as his father smiles back at him as he draws away and closes the bedroom door.
He returns back into his reading, finishing off the last few pages before he makes his way down the kitchen to have his breakfast. It was quiet, somber, and rather saddening that he gets to feel this way in his home. He always wonders if it’s the same with other people. Majority of his classmates had siblings, and he hears that it was chaotic, annoying, and frustrating to have their younger brother or sister pester them or some of them complaining that their older brother or sister picking on them.
He always hears the words loud and annoying, but there was never the word lonely. It was something that he would’ve been able to relate to, but none of them felt the same way Yeonjun did and slowly, it triggered a yearning to have companionship in his life at the very least. He just wishes that he would have someone to have in his life, to help brighten it up even for a bit.
Once he was done eating, he makes his way to the sink to wash the plates. He spaces out a bit as he does so and only when he hears a truck pull up that his attention turns towards the window. He sees several guys carrying furniture and boxes towards the empty house beside theirs. “New neighbors huh…” He thought to himself, as he continues to eye on the items being brought inside the house.
It was only then did he notice an adorable figure standing at the side with a cute teddy bear wrapped around his small arms. His eyes were captivating, and face looked rounded, similar to the cuddly little bear in the kid’s arms. He wonders if this kid has brothers or sisters his age.
“Gyu, honey, please stand aside and don’t get in the way of the movers.” A woman called out, Yeonjun assumes is the kid’s mother.
The adorable kid turns towards the woman who had just spoken and for the first time in Yeonjun’s life felt a warm and fuzzy feeling towards the kid’s smile adorning his face. “Alright mom. I’ll just watch them from over there.” He points to the corner of the yard, away from the pavement to their house.
The kid got closer to the window that Yeonjun was peering to. “Okay honey, I’ll call you once it’s time to eat okay.” The cute kid nods and sat, hugging the bear tightly as he continues to look around the people bringing their things in.
“He’s really cute.” Yeonjun thinks to himself. Perhaps once they’re settled in, he could try and get to know their new neighbor. As he finishes off with the dishes, he hears the front door open, hearing the words, “Junnie! I brought ice cream!” The familiar voice hollers.
He beams, knowing full well who it was. “Uncle, you do know that’s ten in the morning and you’re already encouraging me to eat ice cream.” He raises a brow, looking at the desserts in his uncle’s hands.
The older pouts, moving over the kitchen table and placing the treats down. “You can eat ice cream anytime!” He acts like he’s the same age as his nephew.
“I know, but I’ve just had breakfast and I’m full.” He reasons, sitting down in front of his uncle.
“Then who will eat this icky stuff? It’s your favorite, the yucky mint chocolate!” He fake gags, teasing the younger.
Yeonjun rolls his eyes at the childishness. “I happen to like it the way it is, it’s your problem you don’t appreciate good flavor.”
“You’ll one day change preference once you grow up. I just hope it happens sooner; I don’t like the idea that I need to hunt down that atrocious flavor.” He continues to tease.
“Tae, stop being a kid. He likes that flavor and you don’t, just let it go.” Another familiar voice spoke, earning their attention.
“Hey uncle Kook!” He greets as his uncle’s partner make his way towards them, sitting at Taehyung’s side.
“What took you so long Kookie!” Taehyung whines and Yeonjun can only feel so sorry at how his uncle acts.
“I had to bring in the grocery that you left for me to carry in, while you marched your way here when you rummaged for the ice cream.” He retaliates with not much meaning to his words. They were all really used to his antics by now.
“Aww, but you love me enough to not be bothered by it right Kookie?” He coos, batting his eye lashes along with his puppy eyes.
Jungkook can only grin, he had always been such as sucker for that face. “Yes, but that doesn’t give you rights in abusing me with all the labor.”
“What are all those muscles for?!” He bites back, earning a chuckle from the two.
Once they’ve piped down, Taehyung turns his attention towards his nephew. “The new neighbors seem to be consisted of two people. I only saw the kid and his mother; aside from that are just the moving crew.”
Jungkook hums at the statement. “He doesn’t seem to be that much younger than Yeonjun, I’m guessing around nine or ten would be the kid’s age?” He turns to his partner for confirmation.
“Could be, but he’s so cute! He isn’t like Yeonjun who bites my finger whenever I try to pinch his chubby cheeks when he was young.” From a fond and smitten look, Taehyung’s face then morphed into an impassive one the moment he turns to Yeonjun.
Yeonjun only snorts at the sneer, leaning back and crossing his arms. “You know that I don’t like it when people are toying with my face. It shouldn’t come as a surprise.” At that Jungkook chuckles.
“He is right though, after all the attempts you’ve done before, you never did learn.” He piles on, earning a betrayed, overly dramatic gasp from the eldest.
“My nephew and my boyfriend are ganging up on me! The treachery!” He stands up hastily, nearly knocking off the chair he was sitting in, if not for Jungkook’s fast reflex.
They both eye the eldest who was making his way out without a word. “And where are you going?” Jungkook chirps, still wondering what antics his boyfriend has planned.
Taehyung turns to the two, raising a brow. “I’m going to befriend the cute little kid out there and make him my new nephew! I bet he’ll be very adorable and warm, rather than the one that I have right now.”
They both chuckle at the petty statement. “Fine, it would be nice to welcome the neighbors.” Jungkook stands up, looking intently at the younger. “You should come along too. He might be younger but might still end up as a good friend in the future.”
Yeonjun contemplates at the statement, a bit reluctant; he stands up, looking at the elder. “How could you be sure of that?” It was meant to be a tease, but Jungkook looks at him with a warm smile painted across his face.
“Because that’s how me and your uncle started off.” He simply says, his smile unfaltering as he makes his way outside.
Yeonjun was struck in place for a bit. He wasn’t sure what he was trying to implicate with that statement. Was he expecting Yeonjun and the new kid end up being lovers like them in the long run or it may have only been something to think about; how his uncles became inseparable friends even in their currently relationship?
He wasn’t sure, but it felt as if a pleasant and expectant rush surged inside him. Perhaps it was the thrilling though of having someone important in his life.
When he got to the neighbor’s lawn, his uncles were already talking to kid and his mom. Jungkook was busy talking with the mother, why Taehyung was conversing with the kid, seemingly asking about the teddy bear in his arms. Taehyung was always the one for children, he knows how to approach them and how to make them feel at east with him. It was one of the charming points that Jungkook had pointed out to him when he had asked what he liked about his uncle.
When the kid noticed Yeonjun approaching, his eyes darts towards where he was. It caused his uncle to look behind before saying, “He’s my nephew that lives at the house beside you.”
Yeonjun felt a bit embarrassed, only because he felt like his uncle had told the kid something cringeworthy or whatnot. When he arrives, he looks at the woman who seems to be at her mid-thirties, a bit older than his uncles. “Hello, I’m Choi Yeonjun, it’s a pleasure to have you here in the neighborhood.” He spoke, politely bowing as he finishes.
An impressed look was drawn into the woman’s face before she answers him back. “What a well-spoken young man. It’s a pleasure to meet you as well Yeonjun-ah! I’m Choi Minyoung and here,” she turns to her side to where the kid was before continuing. “Choi Beomgyu, my son. He’s nine years old, and he’s a bit shy at first, but once he familiarizes himself with you, he’ll be loud and wild.” She snickers.
When he turns to look at the younger, he quickly notices the light dust of red on both his cheeks. He seems to be shy, but his stature doesn’t reflect the hinted shyness. “Hi Beomgyu, I’m Yeonjun, I’m thirteen years old and would be turning fourteen in a few months. You can call me hyung!”
The younger was eying him intently; he must be taking it in. Perhaps Yeonjun might’ve been a bit too bold for him. His thoughts were proven wrong the moment the younger spoke, “Hi hyungie! I’m Beomgyu, but you can call me Beomie or Gyu! This is my teddy bear, his name is BeomBeom! He’s been with me since I was very little, and he always keeps me company!”
Suffice to say, none of them expected Beomgyu to chatter on like that, including his mother. “The huge men are still carrying our stuff, but I also have a cute little fox that I haven’t named yet. I just got him a few days ago before we moved, do you wanna help me give him a name?”
Yeonjun was a bit dumbfounded with the amount of words that the younger had babbled, but as the information sank down, he beams before answering. “Sure! Do you want to come over my room and check on the toys that I have?” It sounded childish for a thirteen-year-old, and he knew that himself, but the moment he locked his eyes on a star filled orbs of the younger, he could only care less.
Both Yeonjun and Beomgyu turns to Mrs. Choi, their eyes silently asking for permission. She smiles, nodding at the two as a validation to their quiet plea. The two cheered before making their way towards Yeonjun’s house, Beomgyu beaming with excitement. “It’s the first time that Beomgyu didn’t shy away at his first meet.”
Both Taehyung and Jungkook looked at her, feeling a bit bewildered as well with their nephew. “It’s actually the first time we ever seen Yeonjun interact with someone younger as well. He’s far too used to the same age in his school.”
Jungkook nods in affirmation. “They seem to have hit it off right off the bat.”
“Yeah, we’ll I’m quite glad though, Yeonjun needs the company as well.” Taehyung says before turning his attention to Minyoung. “Since the two kids are taking their time, how about having lunch with us later? I know that moving is quite stressful and you wouldn’t be able to cook right away. Kookie can whip us up some good cooking!” Taehyung offers merrily.
Jungkook could only rolls his eyes, yet a smile still lingering in his lips. “He’s right, once they’re done with hauling in the boxes to your home, you and Beomgyu can join us to lunch. Yeonjun would be eating with us since his dad would be home late.”
Minyoung acts like she really needs to think about it before answering. “Of course, that would perfect. I just hope we aren’t intruding?”
Taehyung shakes his head, “Not at all. You can think of it as our way in welcoming you into the hood.”
Meanwhile, at Yeonjun’s room. He rummages through his old boxes of toys, trying to look for something that Beomgyu might be interested in. “Hyungie… are these action figures?” Beomgyu chimes, his eyes fixated on the row of figurines up in the shelves.
With a hum, Yeonjun continues to pry inside the closet, compiling some of his old plushies. “Yeah, my dad works in a toy factory and he’s the one who designs them. He always gives me the ones that first comes out. They are my little treasures.”
“Hyungie is so cool!” He cheers with such enthusiasm. “BeomBeom might be lame to hyungie in comparison.” When Yeonjun heard those words, he was quick to turn around, a small Pomeranian stuffed toy at hand.
“Hyungie doesn’t think it’s lame. In fact, he has one of his own.” He says, showing off the small stuffed dog. “His name is Tan, he’s like the pet dog my uncles have at their home. I named him Tan because their pet’s name is Yeontan.”
Beomgyu’s eyes sparkled as he looks at the precious looking toy. He marched over, sitting beside the older. “You can have him so that BeomBeom and Tan would be friends and they could keep each other company.” He hands over the toy, setting it beside the stuffed bear in the younger’s arms.
“There, they can both be together along with the little fox that you have. This way, Tan won’t be lonely anymore.” As he spoke those words, something inside him sparked. He eyes the toy that had kept him company for years, a gift that his uncle has given him to act as a companion at his lonely nights as a younger child.
He isn’t sure why, but the moment he had spoke with Beomgyu; has seen him smile, felt his presence. He felt that his lonely days would be a thing of the past, and the small plushie would represent that he is no longer lonely because of Beomgyu. “Thank you hyungie, I’ll keep Tan safe and loved.” He says, hugging the two toys in his arms.
They then played some video games, occasionally letting the younger win so that he wouldn’t be upset. They went on with it until it was lunch time; they shared a meal at Taehyung and Jungkook’s place, having a lively chat as if they’ve already known each other for years while the two youngest talked in their own little bubble. The day went on like a breeze; it was a fun day for all of them. The grown ups had talked quite a lot, while kids were having fun on their own.
It was at dinner did Beomgyu asked his mother if he could stay over at Yeonjun’s. It wasn’t odd per say, only a bit surprising that Beomgyu felt so comfortable towards someone he had literally just met a few hours ago. It was a great sign, something Minyoung had always hoped for. She agreed without fuss, knowing well that his son would only be sleeping a few meters away from her. Taehyung and Jungkook did offer to help her unpack since they wouldn’t have anything going on the next day, letting them work without worrying about the kids.
As the night fell deep and the sky was littered with stars, Yeonjun fixed the side of the bed where Beomgyu would be sleeping in. They younger brushing his teeth at the bathroom, getting ready to lay down and sleep after an eventful day. Yeonjun places the two stuffed animals at the upper part of the pillows, as if waiting for their owner to return. “I’m done hyungie!” The adorable voice announces.
Beomgyu made his way towards the part of the bed where Yeonjun was patting. “Over here Gyu. BeomBeom and Tan are waiting for you.”
Beomgyu squeals, hurriedly making his way towards his two friends. “They really look cute together. I’m sure they’ll be happy once they meet the little fox.”
Yeonjun hums, bringing the blanket over the younger; tucking him in, all snug and comfy by his side. “I’m sure that they’ll be inseparable.”
“I’m sure too hyungie… I’m happy that we moved right beside an awesome hyung.” He drowsily says, eyes growing heavy for him to keep open.
“Hmmm, hyungie is happy as well that I get to meet a cute fluff ball like you.” He tenderly says, watching the younger close his tired eyes.
When he softly hears faint snores, he just smiles and places a hand on the younger’s head, carding the tender locks as he slowly drifted to sleep.
Perhaps his hushed plea of having someone in his life had been granted, in a form a precious kid named Choi Beomgyu. He comfortably buried his face at the soft and fragrant locks and slowly drifted off to sleep, thrilled at the new chapter that awaits his life, along with his newfound friend.
As the night grew deeper, Yeonjun’s father made his way to check up on his son and his guest. Carefully, he opens the door, peering in. He couldn’t help but to choke a sob, seeing a tender smile in his son’s sleeping figure. His brother-in-law had told him earlier about Yeonjun’s day, how he had such a genuinely fun day with the new neighbor’s kid. Little did anyone know; his father’s only wish was to have his son enjoy his youth.