Sad Birds Still Sing (Bang Chan x Reader)

Arrival

Word count: 1684

Chapter warnings: Mild language, themes

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It was a relatively short drive to Changbin's place from the gas station. After all, they were already partially there given the route from the studio. It was a little off-putting as they continued to navigate around abandoned cars and strangely empty streets, but thankfully, they only saw a few passing greys, no hordes or mass gatherings. Just them, the empty city... and the dust.

When they finally arrived at the home, or what Jisung generally liked to tease as a mansion, she was immediately unnerved. There were no cars in the driveway, although that wasn't uncommon. The lights on all the windows seemed to be out, though, and each was shuttered, the interior completely invisible due to the blinds. It was too still, too silent... Would their friends even be in there?

"Hey." Chan mumbled, "It'll be alright." She was inclined to believe him. Even as many petty fights as they'd get into, he always had a way of being comforting. Still, it was hard to get out of the car now that the heavy realization of the worst case scenario, feasible as it was, was weighing down on her. What if Changbin and Jisung were dead, gone? Or worse, what if they were dead, and still there? She couldn't see that, she couldn't-

As she was sending herself off into a spiral, Chan had already walked to her side of the car, opening the door and putting a hand on the back of her shoulder, tugging slightly to get her up. Jeongin had stepped out of the car as well. She wasn't even paying attention as he coaxed her towards the door, up the stairs, no greys in sight. Jeongin and Chan looked to each other, but Chan, unwilling to take his hands off her for fear of her freaking out, gestured for the other man to knock.

After a moment's hesitation, Jeongin rapped on the door with his knuckles, the sound sticking out against the quiet, unoccupied breeze around them. They waited a second... then two. There was nothing. Breathing in deeply, Jeongin tried a second time, listening intently for movement. Still, there wasn't a peep. Jeongin tried the handle, but it was locked. She shut her eyes tightly, fearing for the worst.

Chan, pulling one hand off her shoulder, leaned forward, rapping on the door four times, the weights very specific. If the boys inside were worried about intruders, maybe a familiar knock would help. This time, after what felt like hours passed, they heard the sliding of metal on metal. The door creaked, slicing through the atmosphere like butter. It only opened an inch or so, but Bang Chan couldn't mistake the face through the crack.

"Oh my God, Changbin!" He said, pushing through and surprising the man, who hadn't quite realized what was going on. "Thank goodness you're okay-"

"Chan?!" He asked as the man had already dragged him into a hug, slowly catching up. "I was starting to think you guys would never make it-" His voice was shaking slightly, although he was clearly sighing in relief. As soon as Chan had let him go, he pulled Y/N in as well, hands tight against her shoulderblades. She felt the worry drain from her body as his chest was flush against hers, warm, and very much not grey.

"It's so good to see you Changbin." She managed to say as she pulled back, smiling.

"Oh- oh, no, don't cry," He stumbled, awkwardly trying to wipe her face off. She put a hand to her cheek, realizing that she was indeed crying. She hadn't even realized. She wiped the few tears away and laughed. Changbin looked at the two of them, glancing to the side at their third wheel.

"Oh, uh, that's Jeongin," she started to explain. "See, we were driving back, and-"

"Sorry, but it might be better to do this inside?" Chan cut in.