The City of Seoul // Bang Chan [EDITING]

✧.* Chapter 10 *.✧

"I believe our rides are here." Felix pointed towards the headlights of nearing vehicles. It was past midnight and the roads were almost empty, only a few cars passed them while waiting.

"Here," Danbi opened the zipper of the jacket she still wore and let it slip down her shoulders. Shivering immensely without the shield against the cold breeze. "Thank you." She wanted to hand it back and take her coat, still being held by the idol.

Chan was faster and stepped closer to lay her coat over her shoulders, holding it in place while she slipped into the arms of it. Once again, Danbi was glad that the mask covered her face and hid the blush forming. The other nine watched the interaction fondly. Her brother didn't mind it at all.

"You are welcome." The male smiled underneath his mask, taking his jacket from her. He let it rest over his arm. 

"Time to say goodbye." The oldest Idol pointed to another van slowing down and coming to a halt further down. Danbi took her eyes off the male in front of her and let out a sigh. 

"For now." Chan nudged her slightly with his shoulder. Danbi looked back up to him and nodded. 

"We will see each other in a few weeks again." 

The members of StrayKids sighed. They wordlessly agreed that they liked being around the siblings. Both were incredibly kind and easy to talk to. Not only over the industry they worked for but also personal things like hobbies, likes and dislikes or the newest trends. 

And it was rare to meet someone like Danbi who could understand without being an artist herself.

 Danbi had grown fond of the eight Idols. They were down to earth and she felt like she would miss their input and thoughts on certain topics. It was like they had known each other for longer.

"Is it alright for you to hug as a goodbye?" The other Australian had pulled down his mask, a smile resting on his face. She couldn't help but grin herself before nodding. It surprised her but she wasn't someone to turn down a hug.

"Absolutely."

Felix carefully pulled her into his side, being cautious to not cross any unspoken lie. Danbi wrapped her arms around his waist. "Thank you for today." It was important to him to thank you personally for what she had done for him while filming.

Danbi didn't get the chance to respond to him as one of the others declared it as a group hug and seconds later seven other arms wrapped around the pair. It caused her to let out a surprised yelp and laughter. 

Caught in the middle, warmth filled her chest. It was a very comfortable feeling and she let herself enjoy the moment with closed eyes. 

Her brother hadn't joined the embrace but took secretly a photo to memorise this pure moment. It had been a long time for him to see his sister genuinely happy and it made him smile. He was sure that this was only the beginning of friendships forming.  

The males made sure, it was okay for Danbi to get hugged individually after stepping out of the group hug. Even the members that didn't like skinship like some of the other, pulled her into her side and thanked her once again. 

Felix rocked them side to side, Jisung rubbed her back while his arms were around her, Jeongin squeezed her while holding her into his side. Seungmin also side hugged her and ruffled her hair. Danbi looked up to the tall male, pouting.

"Not you too." 

Seungmin grinned before stepping away. Changbin tried his best to smooth it down, mostly patting her head, and making her laugh. Hyunjin shook his head at the older and detangled it a little bit more before hugging her fully. 

It genuinely warmed her heart when Minho also side-hugged her and let his head rest on hers for a second as she had learned he was a bit more reserved when it came to new people. He also padded it before walking over to the waiting van.

Chan engulfed her, strong arms wrapping around her middle and pulling her close. Danbi had her arms around his shoulders. 

"Thank you so much for today," Chan had lowered his voice. "It's been a while since I saw the kids so comfortable." Hearing this and feeling the rumble of his voice while he spoke in her chest, made her traitorous heart skip a beat. "Myself included."

"You are more than welcome." Danbi wrapped her arms more around him before breaking the embrace, smiling at him. Chan smiled back. Unspoken, both knew they felt warm and somehow at peace.

"See you soon." Danbi waved one last time a few moments later before climbing inside the van after her brother. The Idols returned the gesture, watching the door close and the vehicle pull onto the road and down the road.

Minho watched her little sister looking outside, taking in the illuminated skyline of their hometown. "I'm grateful that I got to see you this happy, genuinely happy, today," he told her after a few moments. 

Danbi turned her attention to her sibling. "I am as well." She reached out for his hand, rubbing over it with her thumb. "It healed a tiny piece." Minho squeezed her hand, a sad smile on his face. 

✧･ﾟ: * ✧･ﾟ:* *:･ﾟ✧ *:･ﾟ✧

Chan pushed the bottom for the door to close after him. Everyone was in the two vans, ready to be taken to their dorms. He settled in his seat, putting the seatbelt on while the vehicle began to move.

Hyunjin sat next to him. "Danbi is a great person." The other two in the back immediately agreeing in the back. "I like her a lot." Chan turned his head towards him then over his shoulders at the two and nodded while smiling.

"She is special." He blurted, resulting in yet another pair of deep red ears hidden by the darkness. The others chuckled and exchanged looks.

The chemistry hadn't gone unnoticed by the members. The glances, small smiles and blushing. How attentively they naturally made sure to listen to each other.