I Cannot Breathe (Be My Oxygen)

As Loud As The Sea

Trigger Warnings : dysfunctional family, homophobia, crying, flashback of argument.

When Changbin finishes work, he comes to an empty home.

He doesn't think much of it and goes to shower, neck stiff and back aching. It's a lucrative day for him today, too many cars to take care of in a record time, impatient and angry clients deafening his ears.

He sighs. He used to like helping others, but when you get insulted everyday, it gets a bit in your head. He's been thinking of taking a week off and spends it with Chan, maybe buy him something too ? He's still working on it.

There's still Jeongin who wants to meet Chan, and he also needs to ask his boss if he can take Chan in to be the second secretary too. Jisung's also supposed to come this week-end.

Leaving the bathroom with comfy clothes, he looks around the house, "Chan hyung ?"

There's no response.

Is he at the beach again ?

He glances at the clock. It's kinda late, almost seven. They usually go together to clean the beach or Chan sends a text to tell him he went earlier.

He takes out his phone to send a quick text, to both Chan and Felix, hoping the youngest will answer fast. If Chan's there to clean, he must have his phone, but he could also not notice the text. Which explains why he sends one to Felix too.

His phone dings with his answer.

Lixie💛 :

chinese not here

CHANIE is not here

?

y u asking ?

Changbin pauses.

He's not there ? Then where is he ?

He doesn't like it, doesn't like what it can imply. What if something happened ?

He's the type to panic easily, so his brain goes overdrive and he promptly calls Chan, hoping he'll take it.

It can't be happening again, he doesn't even understand what's going through Chan's brain these days. He's so out of character, he's worried he'll ask something that will make him snap.

What's going on hyung ?

"Bin ?"

Suddenly his heart is in his throat, but he relaxes until he finishes by sitting on the couch, "Hyung, where are you ?"

He hears more voices, like Chan's arguing with them and he hastily stands up, goes to take his keys and wears back his shoes messily.

"I'm- I'm just at the beach-"

Changbin freezes his steps, "Don't lie to me, Lixie told me you weren't there."

Chan sighs from the other side, then there's more shuffling and- "Can you please stop-"

He's not talking about him, but the other person. Changbin leaves the flat with rushed steps, "Hyung, where are you ? I'm gonna pick you up."

"- are you seriously still like this when it's about him ? I do not care if you don't like him."

Chan isn't listening to him anymore, too angered and focused on the other person.

He's got the vague idea of who it is.