48 hours, a short story | chan & seungmin

seungmin ⚘ honest- the nbhd

- Chapter 12 , diagnosis

i am practically skipping through the parking lot on my way to chan's car. i smell like dog, i have hair and lint all over my clothes, and it's almost sundown.

chan and i have spent almost all of the day at the shelter with the dogs. i think it's safe to say i have seen another side of the guy. he actually is gentle, and cares a lot about the little things. he would make sure all the dogs got the same amount of food and attention, and would hold and hand feed the ones who lacked it.

"back home?" he asks, clicking his keys.

the car chimes, the lights blinking. "yeah, then to the club after we freshen up!" i say, and open the passenger door for myself.

i climb into the car, and he does the same. he sighs when he sits down. "your serious about going clubbing?" he asks, and starts the car, putting it in reverse.

"of course." i say, buckling my seatbelt. i look to him. "you told me to teach you how to live and i took it to heart. just let me do what i was asked, we can regret later after we have lived enough to feel regret."

he keeps his gaze on me, his lips slightly parted but he doesn't make a sound. he looks away after a few seconds, and backs out of the car. "okay." he says simply.

"okay." i smile, and turn to look out the window.

-

"you're going in your day clothes?" i ask, tilting my head like a puppy as i look at him.

his outfit hasn't changed one bit. neither has his face, the only noticeable change is the way he smells better now. really good actually, so i try to distract myself by drilling him about the way he looks.

how am i going to act when i'm drunk?

"wait.." i start, not even letting him answer my other question. "are we planning on drinking tonight?"

"i have to drive." he says.

"oh, yeah." i chuckle. "okay, that's better. let's go." i say, with a smile.

i turn away from him and his amazing smell, what is he wearing? i begin to walk out the door, and hold it open for him as well. i close it and lock it, before following him to his car.

we've grown fond of my house, and his car. that's it. that's the repeating cycle. i have my own car, but i don't even think he knows. however, i don't think i'm even going to mention it. i think he likes driving me around just as much as i like being driven around by him.

the car ride was only loud because we had to chose a club to go to, but other than that it was silent. i realize he doesn't play music when he drives. i kind if like it, because it gives you time to think.

he pulls onto the dark building with white lights, and you can literally feel the music. which is the clubs name. i'm not even joking. feel the music.

i hop out of the car, a huge smile on my face. "i'm so excited." i say. "i haven't been clubbing since this one time when i faked being a-"

i pause when i feel a hand wrap around my waist, sending a tingle throughout my whole entire body. i let out a noise at the feeling, and turn my head to look at chan.

he isn't look at me. "seungmin, close your mouth." he says, and stares forward.

i follow his eyes, and realize we are only a few feet from the big guy who guards the door. i realize now why he did what he did. the little action was a way to shut me up, telling me that i'm about to get in trouble if i don't actually shut up.

"oh." i whisper.

"chan?" the guy says, a smile spreading across his face.

"hey, changbin." he says, but there is no emotion in his voice at all. "i didn't know you still work here."

i look to chan, then back to the big guy. he looks scary, not like the guy i'd expect chan to know. he honestly freaks me out, even if he is kind of tiny. i feel a bit useless and annoyed here, as they look at each other and ignore me. his arm is still around my waist, however, his hand gently holding my side.

"the pays great." the guy says with a laugh, and his eyes flick to me for a quick second. i freeze. "but hey, i heard you quit! for better opportunities, right? i'm glad you are making that step in life, it might be good for the diagnosis.

diagnosis?

it wasn't noticeable that chan tensed. nothing in his face showed that he tensed, since his face is always perfectly painted to show exactly what he wants in the moment. nothing.

however, it was only noticeable to me. his hand, or arm, tightened around me. i had to ignore the sound i wanted to let out at the the feeling of him gripping me. what diagnosis? what's so bad? what's so tense?

"yeah." chan says blankly, and his grip loosens. "i'm only here because of my nephew though, it's his birthday. he turns twenty one today. after this, i'm leaving."

i try to ignore the way my stomach churns at his words. the way he talks to emotionally and bland, actually hurts. he talks to casually about leaving. i can't even forget the times he told me he wanted to die.

"oh." the guy says, and chuckles. "yeah, i'm holding up the line anyway. good luck," his eyes go to me, and my breath hitches. "happy birthday bud." he smiles at me like i'm a child.

"thanks." i say.

chan doesn't say anything else, and just starts to walk. the way he is holding me causes me to follow him, even if i didn't want to. i did want to, though.

"diagnosis?" i ask softly as he pulls me into the club, and his arm lowers from my body.

he stops walking, so i do as well. i keep my eyes on him, and i tilt my head as i look at him. "what is he talking about?"

"go get a drink." chan says with his eyes to the floor. however, he slowly raises his eyes to me. "i'll tell you when i regret."

my breath is unsteady, and i don't know why. the way he is looking at me so.. blankly. his eyes speak a million words his mouth doesn't, however. his eyes are filled with fear, and it's killing me to know why. i just stay silent though, and nod my head like a good boy.

he nods as well, so i look away from him. i take a deep breath as i walk away. it's scary, not knowing things about somebody. but what's been scarier...

is the way i don't know any drinks as i stand at the bar expected to order.