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The three weeks Chan spent in Japan had been a whirlwind of concerts, fan meetings, and interviews. You missed him terribly, but you knew how much he loved being on stage and connecting with fans, so you kept yourself busy while he was away. You'd cleaned the apartment, caught up on some work, and even indulged in a little retail therapy. But it wasn't clothes or shoes that you ended up buying—it was a pet fish.
You hadn't planned on getting a pet while Chan was away, but when you wandered into a pet store just to pass the time, you couldn't resist the small tank filled with colorful fish. One, in particular, caught your eye. It was a tiny, vibrant betta with iridescent scales that shimmered in shades of blue and purple. There was something about the little guy that just made you smile. Before you knew it, you were heading home with a new tank, some fish food, and a little betta fish you decided to name Bubbles.
Setting up the tank had been a surprisingly soothing process. You arranged the pebbles, added a few plants, and made sure Bubbles had plenty of room to swim around. Over the next few days, you found yourself spending more and more time just sitting by the tank, watching as Bubbles explored his new home. It was calming, and you started to enjoy having a little companion in the apartment while Chan was away.
The night Chan was due back, you could barely contain your excitement. You cleaned the apartment one last time, made sure there was food in the fridge, and then settled on the couch to wait for him. When you finally heard the sound of the door unlocking, you jumped up, a wide smile spreading across your face.
"Welcome home!" you called out, rushing over to greet him.
Chan grinned as he stepped inside, dropping his bags to the floor. He looked tired but happy, and when you threw your arms around him, he hugged you tightly, burying his face in your hair.
"I missed you so much," he murmured, his voice muffled against your shoulder.
"I missed you too," you replied, pulling back just enough to press a kiss to his lips. "How was the trip?"
"Exhausting but amazing," he said, his eyes lighting up as he recounted some of the highlights. You listened, hanging on every word, glad to have him back in your arms.
As you led him further into the apartment, he suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing slightly as he noticed something different. "What's that?" he asked, nodding toward the tank on the table.
You bit your lip, trying not to laugh. "Oh, that's Bubbles."
"Bubbles?" Chan echoed, his tone a mix of confusion and amusement as he walked over to the tank. "You bought a fish while I was gone?"
"I did," you admitted, following him to the tank. "Isn't he cute?"
Chan stared at the fish, his expression hard to read. "You bought a fish?" he repeated, his voice laced with disbelief. He turned to look at you, one eyebrow raised. "A fish, y/n?"
You tried to stifle a giggle but failed. "I know it's a bit random, but he was just so pretty! And I thought it might be nice to have a little company while you were away."
Chan sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "You know, most people get a plant or maybe a cat, but you get a fish."
You pouted, feeling a bit defensive now. "Hey, Bubbles is a great pet! He's low maintenance, quiet, and he's really calming to watch. Plus, I made sure to get everything he needs. He's happy here."
Chan chuckled, shaking his head. "I'm not mad, it's just... a fish, really?"
You crossed your arms, giving him a playful glare. "Are you done making fun of my fish?"
He laughed, pulling you back into his arms. "I'm not making fun, I promise. I just wasn't expecting to come home to a fish, that's all." He kissed your forehead, his eyes softening as he looked at you. "If you like Bubbles, then I like him too."
You smiled, leaning into his embrace. "Good, because I've really grown attached to him."
Chan turned back to the tank, watching as Bubbles swam around in a little circle. "I guess he is kind of cute," he admitted after a moment, his voice softening. "But if he starts trying to take up all your attention, we're gonna have a problem."
You laughed, reaching up to ruffle his hair. "Don't worry, you'll always be my favorite."
He grinned, his arms tightening around you. "Damn right."
As the evening went on, Chan's initial skepticism faded, and you caught him glancing at the tank more than once, his expression growing more fond each time. By the time you both settled down for the night, Bubbles had won him over completely.
Just before bed, Chan turned to you, a mischievous smile on his lips. "You know, if you wanted a pet, we could've just gotten a puppy."
You rolled your eyes, snuggling into his chest. "Maybe next time."
"Alright," he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. "But for now, I guess Bubbles is part of the family."
You smiled, feeling content and happy to have him back. "I'm glad you're home, Chan."
"Me too, y/n," he whispered, holding you close as you both drifted off to sleep, Bubbles quietly swimming in his tank nearby.
