The City of Seoul || Bang Chan ✓

✧.* Chapter 26 *.✧

A sigh escaped her lips. Needing a moment for herself, Danbi sat outside on one of the lounge chairs. A cool breeze caressed her warm cheek, clearing her foggy mind from the alcohol a bit.

The music was not as loud here. Everyone was inside, having fun while dancing or joining in on the singing. With the many Idols present, it was a private concert.
She glanced over her shoulder and watched her loved ones while a smile formed on her lips.

As grateful as Danbi was for everyone inside celebrating her, no one could fill the empty spots inside her heart. What would she do, to have them here with her on her special day? She would do anything for one more hug from them, one more shared laugh or one more conversation.

It was a handful of days throughout the year that were harder than others. Her birthday was one of them. The heartbreaking all over again.

Another sigh slipped her lips while she padded the stray tears away. Her eyes wandered over the skyline in front of her.

"I miss you so much," Danbi whispered, closing her eyes for a moment and letting the wind caress her cheeks again like a faint touch of hands.

She didn't hear him walk up to her from behind. The sound of his voice out of nowhere made her ever so slightly jump.

"Bi?" Danbi turned to look up at him, a smile on her lips.

„You startled me, Chan," she moved a bit to the side and patted the empty spot to her right. When he sat down, the idol noticed the wet cheeks.

"Everything okay?" he carefully asked, having thoughts for the reason of her being upset in his mind. She nodded but kept her eyes focused on her bracelet.

"I needed a moment to myself," she swallowed before meeting his gaze. "Special days like birthdays or holidays are reminders that they are gone forever."

Chan wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her to his side. Danbi leaned her head against his shoulder and let a few more years roll down her face.

"There is nothing I can do or say that changes that," Chan whispered, rubbing her upper arm. "But I am sorry and I'm here for you."

"That's more than enough, Chan."

Minutes passed and the Idols held her close while she silently cried. He comforted her with back rubs and pushed a few strands behind her ear while Danbi whipped away the tears.

„Is anything smudged?" she asked him. His eyes wandered over her face and he lifted his hand with a questioning look after noticing some darkness under her left eye. Danbi nodded, her heart beating faster.

Carefully, Chan used his thumb to remove the makeup. Goosebumps appeared on her arms felling his skin brush over the delicate skin under her eye.

„Thank you," Danbi felt breathless after he lowered his hands to his lap again. She leaned a bit away from him to have a certain space between them.

„Danbi," Chan abruptly turned his head towards her and Danbi looked alarmed. A questioning look inside her eyes.

„I want to apologize," His words confused her visibly. A frown formed on her forehead.

„Nothing happened," Danbi started. „What do you mean?"

He sighed and didn't meet her eyes.
"I was selfish, Danbi," his shoulders slumped. "I knew that everything you said after the meeting was the truth but I did not want to accept any of that."

He rubbed the back of his neck before continuing.
"I wanted to spend time with you without anyone telling us how and when. It scared me. I didn't think further in that moment because it was more important to me to know that nothing changed for us, between us."

She was a bit taken aback by his confession. Her heart beating fast up to her neck.

"I appreciate your apology, Chan." Danbi wanted to comfort him, raising her hand to rub his back but quickly lowering it back to her lap.

"Seeing the rumour and the following reaction was a wakeup call," he sounded frustrated. "I'm sorry that it needed to get there for me to understand. It could have gone so wrong and affected many people."

Danbi didn't know how to respond.

"It could have damaged your image and that of your brother and his member." His head dropped into his hands, pulling on his hair.

Finally, she let her hand rest between his shoulder blades and rubbed the spot. She unconsciously moved closer again. Their thighs touched.

"I appreciate your words, Chan," her voice was soft. "But please stop being so hard on yourself. Nothing bad happened."

He sighed, listening to her words.

"Please, Chan," it was a pleading whisper that caused him to turn his head and glance at her. A shy smile decorated her lips paired with a pleading look inside the big brown eyes, he had grown to adore.

How could he not return that smile?

"I'm not mad anymore. I haven't been for a long time actually," she bit her lip. "Please stop beating yourself up about it."

"Okay," Chan nodded.

Danbi grinned before standing up and extending her hands. Chan looked up with a questioning look and a small smirk.

"Come on." Danbi winked at him. "This is my birthday party and it's supposed to be fun."

He let out a laugh and took her hands. She pulled him up to his feet. Danbi made a mental note that the idol still towered over her even with heels on.

"And one of the perks of being friends with idols is that they can sing." Chan watched her amused.

"So, Bang Chan, would you do me the honour and sing with me?" she asked with a cheeky smile.

"How could anyone say no to the birthday girl?"

With laughter, she pulled him inside.