Chapter 4. Brave (2)

However, the prohibition came when Seok already had someone. Someone very handsome, friendly, and who irritated Heyon with absurd ease.

He looked at Kim, smiling even more when Choi entered the room. They both liked each other, that was clear, but deep down, Heyon really hoped they would have a tragic end. So tragic that Seok would be heartbroken and have only him to turn to.

Was it an evil thing to think and even wish for? Yes, Heyon knew it was. But he didn’t care. He just wanted to have Seok as a boyfriend one day.

He cursed softly when SooMin wrapped his arms around his best friend’s waist and kissed him right there, in front of him. Heyon tried to hide his discomfort, reaching for the first popsicle, attempting to distract himself from the scene unfolding before him.

“What are you doing?” Choi looked around the chaotic house and glared at Lim. “Are you going to dye your hair or redecorate the entire place?”

“No, the wall,” Heyon replied, creating a pout.

“Being rude won’t make you grow, baseboard painter,” Choi retorted playfully.

“Baseboard painter is the mother!” Heyon shot back, rolling his eyes.

“Stop it, you two idiots,” Kim intervened. “And we’re not redecorating. We’re going to dye Yonie’s hair. He’s going to have orange tips.”

“How corny,” Heyon muttered under his breath.

“Seriously, Seok, I’m going to hit him,” Choi said, half-jokingly.

“What are you going to do? Hit my knee?” Seok teased, earning a chuckle from SooMin.

“SooMin, for the love of the universe, shut up, you cheeky dog,” Heyon said, using his friend’s playful nickname.

SooMin looked at him with a mischievous grin and laughed.

“Let me help,” Heyon offered, wanting to take his mind off the display of affection between Seok and SooMin. “You cut it too small.”

“And since when do you understand that?” Seok teased, raising an eyebrow.

SooMin laughed, playfully removing the elastic that held his straight hair, allowing the purple-tipped strands to fall gracefully over his shoulders.

“Now give it to me, you irritant!” Seok said to Heyon.

Heyon grumbled lowly, making sure Seok couldn’t hear, and handed him the hair dye, finishing his ice cream in a hurry.

“Sit here, Yonie,” Kim called, pulling a chair to the center of the room.

Heyon obeyed, observing his reflection in the antique framed mirror that Seok kept in his room.

“Be quiet, got it?” Kim instructed, trying to keep things in order.

Heyon nodded, appreciating Kim’s attempt to maintain some semblance of order amidst the teasing banter. Finishing the popsicle, he held the pot containing the product that would bleach his hair, positioning it at shoulder height.

As Kim started applying the bleach to Heyon’s hair, the room was filled with a mix of laughter and light-hearted conversation. Despite his internal struggle with his feelings for Seok, Heyon cherished these moments of camaraderie, feeling grateful for the friendship he had with these two extraordinary individuals who had become his chosen family.

The atmosphere was warm and familiar, as if time itself had embraced them in a comforting cocoon.

Seok carefully brushed only the ends of his hair. SooMin helped him roll up the parts that were already ready and smiled, making Lim even angrier for every time Seok returned the smiles.

In the end, Heyon had more aluminum foil in his hair than a Christmas turkey in the oven.

“How did you convince your father to let you do that?” SooMin asked, lying down on Seok’s bed.

Heyon remained in the chair, afraid to move and move the papers out of place.

“I didn’t convince.” He said simply, looking at Choi.

“What? So you mean you decided to rebel?” He asked with a big laugh. “I always knew you weren’t that nice, Lim Heyon.”

“I really am not.” He dictated, looking at Seok who entered the room with a portion of potato chips in a very large pot. “I’m an adult now.” He said, opening his mouth then for Seok to stick some snacks there.

“I’m not your employee.” He spoke harshly, making him snort and pick up the snacks carefully.

“Oh, that’s right, you’re nineteen today,” Choi remembered, looking at Seok. “He accepted?”

“Shhh,” Kim hushed them, quickly lifting the pot of snacks for Choi to grab some too.

“Accepted what?” Heyon asked, his curiosity piqued.

“It’s nothing,” SooMin attempted to dismiss, but Seok rolled his eyes.

“It’s just something we thought about together, but it’s nothing, Yonie,” Seok said, trying to downplay it.

“Come on, tell me,” Heyon implored, joining his hands in a playful plea. “Is it a gift?”

“A big present,” SooMin chuckled, earning a glance from Kim. “But it’s really nothing.”

“If you don’t tell me now, I swear I’ll pester you forever!” Heyon teased.

Kim raised an eyebrow, amused. “You won’t let it go, huh?”

“It’s just… you’re growing up, and we thought we’d do something to prove you’re not as scared as everyone says,” SooMin finally explained.

“People say I’m scared?” Heyon widened his eyes in surprise.

“It’s evident,” SooMin said with a smirk, scratching his ear.

“But I’m not!” Heyon protested.

“No?” Seok teased. “You nearly had a heart attack when I caught you snooping around in my books.”

“You went into the room with the books?” SooMin was amazed.

“It wasn’t a big deal,” Kim whispered.

“Stop whispering and tell me what you’re thinking! What do I have to accept?” Heyon insisted.

“Well, it’s simple. You know about the thousand-year tomb?” SooMin asked, noticing how Heyon’s dark eyes widened.

“The Vampire’s Tomb?” Heyon gasped.

SooMin chuckled. “The same one.”

“What about it?” Heyon’s curiosity grew.

“We thought you could go there with us today,” SooMin proposed.

“And am I crazy? Of course not!” Heyon replied, his fear showing.

“See? A fearful!” Seok teased, but Kim signaled him to stop.

Heyon looked at his best friend, sighing when Seok’s gaze met his. “Do you really think I’m scared, Seok?”

Seok shrugged playfully. “Just a little.”

“But I’m not! I swear! I’ll prove it if you want.”

“You don’t have to prove anything, Yonie,” Kim reassured him.

“Of course you do. Agree to go to the cemetery today, and all you need to do is lie down on the vampire’s grave, and that’s it, you’ll be the bravest of all,” SooMin encouraged, adding to the mischief.

Seok observed Heyon’s face, his eyes wide with trepidation. It was clear that Heyon was already scared just thinking about it, making this challenge all the more daunting.

“I accept,” Heyon declared suddenly, taking Kim by surprise. He looked at his friends with determination, giving them a big smile. “I will show that I am brave!”

The room was filled with a mix of laughter and apprehension as the three friends contemplated the adventure that awaited them. Little did they know that this seemingly innocent dare would set off a chain of events that would lead them into a realm of darkness, mysteries, and the unknown.

As the day unfolded and the evening drew near, Heyon’s heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. Would he truly find the courage to face the legends surrounding the ancient tomb? What secrets would they uncover, and how would this night unfold for the trio?