Sanctuary for the Lost and Broken (Skz Fanfiction)

Chan (2)

 Chan had just left his first-ever group counseling session. While he couldn't label it as a success, it wasn't bad either. He didn't dwell on it too much; for now, his plan was to enjoy some delicious food, hit the gym, maybe work on a few beats, and then follow his usual routine before attempting to fall asleep.

As he was about to head to his car, someone bumped into his back. It turned out to be the guy with dimples from the counseling group – Jeongin. He seemed in a hurry, his neatly buttoned shirt now disheveled, and his styled hair a bit messy.

"Are you okay?" Chan asked, genuine concern in his voice.

"Yeah, totally. I just am late for dinner," Jeongin replied, though his rushed appearance suggested otherwise. Chan decided not to press further and offered, "Okay, if you're late, maybe I can give you a ride? I don't have anything to do anyway."

Jeongin looked uneasy but eventually agreed, "I don't want to trouble you."

Chan flashed a reassuring smile, "No worries, I'd like to. if we're going to open up to each other, don't you think we should slowly get to know one another?"

Jeongin gave a small smile in response, "Okay, then." He accepted the offer, and they walked together to Chan's car. Chan found Jeongin intriguing – a tiny fox-like appearance that invited cuddling, yet fierce enough to challenge sophomores to a fight.

Once inside the car, Chan gestured for Jeongin to enter his address into the navigator. The ride was initially silent as both seemed unsure about what to talk about. When Chan's phone rang with Sana's name on the screen, he couldn't avoid answering.

"What is it, Sana?" he asked.

"How impolite to answer my call like this. Well, whatever. How was your session?" she inquired.

Chan, not wanting to delve into it with Jeongin present, simply said, "It was okay."

"Really, Chan? That's all I get? Whatever, I called because I need that demo track you've been making for me immediately," Sana demanded, cutting right to the chase.

"Cant it wait till tomorrow? I am currently dropping off a friend," Chan said, feeling it was a bit odd to call Jeongin a friend without truly knowing him. However, it sounded more polite than referring to him as an acquaintance from group counseling.

"Please," Sana begged.

Chan glanced at Jeongin. "Okay, I'll get the USB and give it to you," Chan acquiesced. Sana thanked him numerous times before ending the call. Turning to Jeongin with an apologetic look, Chan asked, "Sorry, I know you don't have much time, but is it okay if we stop by my apartment first? It's really close."

"Of course, I'll just let my parents know I'll be late a bit. They'll understand," Jeongin replied, opening his phone to send a message.

"Thank you for being understanding," Chan expressed his gratitude with another smile

In just two minutes, they arrived at Chan's apartment.

"Come upstairs with me. The least I can do is offer you tea while I load the file onto the USB," Chan suggested.

"It's no problem; I can wait," Jeongin replied awkwardly. Chan understood that Jeongin had every right to be on edge, given their brief acquaintance of less than two hours.

"No, I insist, and trust me, I am no serial killer," Chan joked, attempting to ease the younger boy's nerves. Jeongin let out a small laugh.

"That is exactly what a serial killer would say," Jeongin teased, "Okay, I'll take you up on that offer."he relented.

With a warm smile, Chan ushered them into his apartment, the door closing softly behind them. Swiftly, he took charge, heading to the compact kitchen to set the kettle on the stove for tea. As the water started to simmer, he made his way to the mini studio, fingers dancing over the keyboard to initiate the download of the desired song file.

Returning to the kitchen, the aroma of brewing tea filled the air. Chan, with practiced grace, poured the steaming liquid into delicate cups.

As he stepped into the living room, he found Jeongin engrossed in inspecting the pictures adorning the wall. Startled by his sudden presence, Jeongin swiftly pivoted around, settling onto the couch with an air of nonchalance, as if he hadn't been caught in the act at all.

Chan delicately placed the tea on the coffee table before easing into the plush armchair adjacent to the couch where Jeongin sat. "Feel free to explore those pictures. They wouldn't be hanging here if I didn't want them seen," Chan remarked, taking a sip of his tea. Jeongin accepted the cup graciously before posing a curious question.

"Is the strawberry blonde girl Sana?"

With a warm smile, Chan nodded. "Yep, she's my best friend. Actually, who am I kidding? She's more like an older sister who insists on acting like a little sister. It's both endearing and chaotic," he chuckled. Jeongin nodded in understanding before inquiring further.

"Do you have any siblings?"

"Ah, yeah, two of them. But they're all the way in Australia. I left my family behind to chase my dream of becoming a great producer," Chan shared, his smile holding a mix of determination and nostalgia.

"Do you miss them?" Jeongin's voice softened with empathy. Chan's expression shifted to a wistful smile.

"Of course, I do. But I don't regret coming here. I've met incredible people, and I'm actually making strides with my dream."

Jeongin smiled genuinely, offering a glimmer of warmth to Chan's night.

"I'm glad you're pursuing your dream. I haven't heard any of your tracks, but I'm sure you're fantastic," Jeongin complimented. Chan grinned playfully.

"Why don't you judge my talent after giving my songs a listen?" he suggested with a giggle.

"Alright, let's hear what you've got," Jeongin prompted eagerly. And so, Chan played one of his tracks for Jeongin. The room filled with the beats and melodies, and Jeongin listened intently, his expression growing more animated as the song progressed. As the final notes faded away, Jeongin couldn't contain his excitement.

"Man, that was fire! The rapper killed it. Is he a friend of yours?" Jeongin inquired, genuinely curious.

Chan's mood took an unexpected downturn. He hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Sensing the shift, Jeongin instinctively withdrew a bit, leaving a palpable distance between them.

"Yeah, we're good friends," Chan replied tersely, his discomfort evident.

"Wow, he's really talented. You should collaborate more with him," Jeongin suggested, rubbing the back of his neck, trying to diffuse the tension.

Chan's gaze fell to the floor, a heaviness settling over him. Rising to his feet, he forced a strained smile.

"The track's probably downloaded. Let me grab the USB, and I'll take you home," Chan said, the warmth in his tone strained.

As they made their way to the car, the air between them thick with unspoken emotions, the drive to Jeongin's place was enveloped in an uncomfortable silence. After what felt like an eternity, they arrived. Jeongin expressed his gratitude, to which Chan responded with a forced "No worries, anytime," before driving off into the night, lost in his thoughts.

Why had he shown Jeongin that song? Perhaps it had been his attempt to prove to himself that their songs were the best, or maybe he had chosen it because he had wanted someone to ask about him. Whatever the reason, it no longer mattered. Not anymore. ..