There are no friends between men [bl]

Episode 1. Not friends

※ Warning before reading ※

This post is a secondary creation inspired by (TXT) members.

It’s a BL novel about the relationship between Taehyun × Beomgyu,

and has absolutely nothing to do with the real people.

The characters’ personalities and relationship are the author’s creation and may differ from reality.

It may contain uncomfortable or sensitive themes, so

if it’s not your cup of tea, please hit back

Please do not take this post as fact about real people

or connect it to reality!

Here, Taehyun and Beomgyu are the same age!

Please read this lightly, just for fun🫶

Episode 1. Not Friends

“You two dating?”

It was a question tossed out without much thought.

The cafeteria, noisy because it was lunchtime, didn’t suddenly go quiet.

Laughter still echoed from here and there,

and the clatter of trays never stopped.

But somehow, Beomgyu heard only that one line, crystal clear.

“Huh?”

Beomgyu set down his spoon.

Taehyun, sitting across from him, also stopped his hand halfway to his soup.

“No, you two are always glued together.”

“Why would that mean you’re dating.”

Beomgyu let out a dry laugh.

“Then, friends?”

This time, the answer didn’t come right away.

Beomgyu naturally looked at Taehyun.

If it had been normal, he would’ve answered, “Friends.”

Taehyun was unnaturally calm.

“...Not friends.”

“What?”

Beomgyu asked again.

Taehyun kept eating as if nothing was wrong.

“I said we’re not friends.”

“Then what are we?”

“Ask Beomgyu.”

For a moment, Beomgyu’s expression stiffened.

“Hey.”

“Why.”

“You say it.”

“No, why are you dumping this on me all of a sudden?”

“You know better.”

“Know what?”

Taehyun didn’t answer.

He just looked at Beomgyu.

It was the same eyes as always.

But today, that gaze lingered too long.

Beomgyu suddenly felt thirsty for no reason.

“...I’m done eating.”

“You haven’t even eaten half.”

“I lost my appetite.”

Beomgyu picked up his tray and stood up.

“Hey, Choi Beomgyu.”

Taehyun called after him, but Beomgyu acted like he hadn’t heard.

As he left the cafeteria, the noisy sounds faded behind him.

Beomgyu returned his tray and came out into the hallway as if he were running away.

Then he let out a long breath.

‘I must be crazy.’

His heart was beating fast for no reason.

He’d only said one thing—that they weren’t just friends.

And yet he had no idea why it bothered him this much.

“Choi Beomgyu.”

A familiar voice came from behind.

Beomgyu deliberately quickened his pace.

“Hey, Choi Beomgyu.”

This time, a wrist was grabbed.

“Wait.”

Beomgyu looked back.

“Why are you following me?”

“Because you’re running away.”

“When did I run away?”

“Right now.”

“...I’m not running away.”

“Then why are you walking so fast?”

Beomgyu had nothing to say, so he shut his mouth.

Taehyun looked at him for a moment, then let go.

“Were you mad earlier?”

“I wasn’t mad.”

“Then—”

“Just.”

“Just what.”

Beomgyu looked away.

“...Because you said it weird.”

“What was weird?”

“You said we’re not friends.”

Taehyun was silent for a moment.

“Yeah.”

“That’s what’s weird.”

“Why?”

“If we’re not friends, then what are we?”

The moment he said it, Beomgyu clamped his mouth shut on his own.

Taehyun didn’t say anything either.

There were only the two of them in the hallway.

From far away, only the faint sound of footsteps running toward the gym could be heard.

Taehyun took one step closer.

Beomgyu looked at Taehyun.

“How am I supposed to answer that?”

“...What?”

“Shouldn’t you be the one to know first?”

Beomgyu looked at Taehyun.

“I don’t know.”

“Liar.”

“I really don’t know.”

Taehyun snorted softly.

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Then start figuring it out today.”

“Figure out what?”

Taehyun didn’t answer.

Instead, he plucked off a tiny speck of dust stuck to Beomgyu’s collar.

It was such a natural gesture that Beomgyu only felt more flustered.

Taehyun held the dust between his fingertips and said,

“If we were friends, would doing this not mean anything?”

Beomgyu’s face turned hot in an instant.

“...Why are you asking me that?”

“Exactly.”

Taehyun smiled.

“Think about it carefully today.”

“About what?”

“What I am to you.”

Taehyun turned and walked toward the classroom.

After a few steps, without even looking back, he added,

“And answer me tomorrow.”

“Answer what?”

Taehyun didn’t answer again.

That was when Beomgyu’s phone vibrated.

When he checked the screen, there was a message.

[Taehyun] I’m not taking back what I said about us not being friends.

Beomgyu’s fingers froze.

A little while later, another message arrived.

[Taehyun] So be honest with yourself too.

And then the last message.

[Taehyun] See if I feel like more than a friend to you.

Beomgyu stared at the screen for a long time.

Lunchtime still wasn’t over,

but somehow, today already felt different.

And Beomgyu still didn’t know.

That what Taehyun would be waiting for tomorrow was not a simple answer.