I Cannot Breathe (Be My Oxygen)

Take Me Home

Trigger Warnings : almost drowning, talks about murder, arguments, flashback of accident and murder.

"Oh my fucking god," Someone says, and Chan thinks a hand is tapping his back but everything just feels numb, "come on Chan, you can do it."

Chan gurgles out water from his lungs, gasping for air, coughing every now and then until no more water is in his mouth.

"Fuck, I didn't think he'll be waiting for you underwater."

"I didn't either," Someone sighs, "thanks Lixie and Hyunjinie, now go back and call Changbin."

"Hyung, you know how he's going to react if he learns what happened."

"It's fine, I deserved it."

"You don't, you did this to protect us—"

"Lixie please, just go."

There's a long silence before Felix sighs, "Alright, I'll call you when Changbin hyung arrives."

"Thank you."

Chan blinks into awareness, clings to the cold skin just as he hears something dives back into the water, "Uh," he says oh so smartly, raising his heavy head to see water all around him, lands far on the horizon.

"Hey sleepy head."

Chan grunts when he finally notices it's Minho keeping him above the water, in his arms, "What ?" His voice is hoarse and wet and he coughs again, getting rid of the remaining water.

"Nothing, you just almost drowned yourself."

Chan grimaces tiredly, "At least I found you."

"More like I did, with your childish scream."

Chan huffs, but smiles and basks against Minho, "Thank god it worked."

But Minho isn't amused, "Why are you here ?"

"Didn't I tell you already ? I wanna keep seeing you."

"You can't Chan, you know you can't."

Chan presses his nose against the crook of his neck, "You smell home."

Minho sighs, sad. He cards a hand through his wet hair.

"I know about the incident."

The siren can't freeze or Chan will drown again, but he hears him take a sharp intake of breath.

"He told me his version," he trails, "tell me yours."

"Chan—"

"I don't— I can't believe you doing this without a proper reason," He cuts him, hugs him tight, "please tell me."

"What if I killed that guy to eat ?" He asks coldly, "Uh ? Ever thought of that ?"

"Minho—"

He's cut by a hand shoving him into the water, "I should've killed you that day," he growls, pointy canines and eyes piercing him, tail flicking quickly to go as deep as possible.

Chan can't fight with his speed, doesn't want to, just stares at him with pained eyes, presses a hand on his cold cheek in empathy.

I know what you're trying to do.

Minho hisses, slams him against the sandy floor, makes him cough up bubbles of air before he catches himself.

"If you weren't so curious, you could have a good life with Changbin," He holds on his jaw, moves his face on the side, free hand gripping his arm, nails digging into the skin.