Several weeks passed by, Chan would visit Seungmin in his apartment after work or during weekends to hangout. They would spend time together cuddling in the couch watching movies like they used to, or if Seungmin wanna go out for once Chan lets himself be dragged by the younger. Even after Seungmin’s break up with Minho, the younger lets Chan do whatever he does with him. He was indeed hurt because of what happened and so Chan was there to support and be with him all the time when he needs it. In exchange for that, Seungmin didn’t push Chan away as much as before, but still, it was still something Chan needed to be there for. If anything Seungmin would need Chan more than anyone else. The only one left who understood Seungmin the best was Chan…or maybe just himself.
On Saturday night Chan is at the door of his apartment with a bouquet of flowers he picked up from the corner store and a bottle of wine with a note attached to it. It wasn’t his usual way to give gifts, not really. He usually gave a kiss on the cheek or a hug on the shoulder, but he felt that this should be special. For them.
Seungmin opens the door with a smile brightening his face at the sight of Chan. “Hey there, I was starting to think you weren’t coming. Come on in, Channie.” Chan steps inside and closes the door behind him, setting down the flowers and bottle on the table nearby. “Thank you. What’s all this for? You know I love flowers but I don’t get many of these. Is it for my birthday?”
Chan shakes his head and walks towards Seungmin. “Nope, just some gifts to make you feel better.” He leans forward and pulls the taller male into a tight embrace, pressing a soft kiss on his temple. Chan holds him close, inhaling deeply his scent, savoring how safe he feels against him. It’s always been like that whenever they were together. Like he can finally breathe again. “You know, you don’t have to do this, Channie. I’m okay with you being here and staying with me.”
The brunet nuzzles his nose into Seungmin’s hair, feeling the younger man sigh softly and nuzzle closer into him as well. Chan pulls back with a small smile and runs a thumb along the tip of Seungmin’s nose affectionately, then presses another soft kiss on his forehead. “It’s okay, you know I would do anything for you.” He pauses, tilting Seungmin’s chin upwards to meet his gaze. “And besides, it’s not about being here, Minnie. I miss you too…a lot.” And it’s true, he misses Seungmin more often than not. The taller guy had become such an integral part of Chan’s daily life he couldn’t imagine life without him now. “I don’t want things to change just because you broke up with your boyfriend. Besides…” He pauses, pulling Seungmin closer. “This is a promise between us, right? A promise that we’ll always come back to each other no matter what happens?” Chan asks with a hopeful expression in his eyes and Seungmin nods immediately, giving Chan a quick peck on his cheek. “Yes and I am glad you stayed with me no matter what.”
Chan chuckles and smiles fondly, wrapping his arms around the younger again. He knows he said he would stay here no matter what, but it never hurts to remind Seungmin. ‘Always’ seems so empty without Seungmin and it makes him feel lonely sometimes, especially since they hadn't talked properly in months. But this isn't the end of their story. Chan doesn't believe it will ever end. He’s going to show Seungmin everything and he knows Seungmin is going to understand every word that Chan says. That's for sure. “Let’s go get something to eat, I cooked.” said Seungmin, grabbing Chan’s hand and leading them both to the kitchen. Chan lets his hand be taken by Seungmin, intertwining their fingers in the process and letting their intertwined hands rest on top of theirs. As they walked Chan took deep breaths in and exhaled slowly, taking comfort in the comforting presence he has next to him. He feels a warmth inside and even though he doesn’t exactly have a name or description of why, he knows somehow deep inside he belongs to that warm sensation and he wants to keep that warmth close to him forever.
Chan’s mind drifted to his conversation with Jeongin earlier that day. The youngest wanted Chan and Seungmin to be together again. It made Chan happy to hear that, especially since Jeongin loved the two men very much, considering that the youngest is the one who set them up together before but then Seungmin met Minho. Throughout the years, Chan kept those feelings to himself and just stayed in Seungmin’s side. Not wanting to burden the younger further than he already did. Now though he has the chance to actually confess his feelings to Seungmin once and for all, the chances are slim since they don’t talk all that often and it feels a bit rushed. However he’s sure that the younger wouldn’t mind. So Chan thinks nothing could go wrong if he tried. After all, he loves him more than anything anyway and if Seungmin loves him back Chan would take that as good enough. It has to be.
The two of them sat down at the dinner table and chatted about trivial topics while eating until Chan was done and Seungmin cleaned up afterwards. They both walked to the living room and sat together on the same couch where they cuddled a few weeks back. There wasn’t any hesitation when they snuggled up into each other, Chan’s long arms wrapped tightly around Seungmin and his chin resting gently on the younger’s head. Chan felt content. At home. With the person he loves most. They just stayed silent as they sat in comfortable silence. Chan knew this would be the perfect moment, and he was ready to do it. He closed his eyes and took a big breath before opening them and staring straight into Seungmin’s beautiful brown eyes. Seungmin’s eyes widened slightly at the sudden action, but he didn’t say anything. Instead he just stared back at Chan, waiting patiently for him to speak. Chan smiled softly and leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss on Seungmin’s lips. The younger’s eyes widened even more and his lips parted, but he didn’t move. He just froze. “Minnie,” Chan whispered against Seungmin’s lips, cupping the younger’s cheeks and making him lean forward as well. This time he pulled away, looking deeply into Seungmin’s eyes, hoping the younger won’t reject him. He didn’t. “Would you, um, like to go out on a date with me tonight?” He swallowed nervously when Seungmin didn’t say anything right away, and he almost thought that Seungmin wasn’t going to accept it. Then he felt warm, soft and gentle arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him impossibly closer. Seungmin pressed his lips against Chan’s softly and let out a tiny chuckle against his lips as he kissed him lovingly. Chan smiled widely in return, wrapping his arms tightly around Seungmin’s waist and holding him close. When they parted and stared into each other’s eyes, Seungmin giggled quietly and looked down. “Yes. I’d love to. But..” Chan raised an eyebrow at the younger in confusion. “What is it, Minnie?”
Seungmin sighed softly. “I’ve been thinking a lot about it lately…what we talked about before…”
“What about it?”
“Remember when you asked me if you still have a chance on me..? Channie I..” He stopped himself from saying anything else, biting his lip. Chan waited patiently for Seungmin to continue. “I love you, you know that. And I’m thankful for everything you’ve done to me ever since but..isn’t it too soon? I mean—I hope you can still wait for me..” Seungmin trails off.
Chan cups Seungmin’s cheeks in his hands again. “Baby...I told you before, I don’t want to push you. We don’t need to rush this. I just wanted to take you out on a date again with me and start over..”
Seungmin bites his lower lip, closing his eyes and leaning his face into Chan’s palm and smiling softly. He opened his eyes again, gazing deep into Chan’s brown ones. “Okay…then yeah, I’d love to go out with you tonight and see where it goes from there…” Chan grinned widely, planting kisses on Seungmin’s nose and cheekbones, loving every second of it. He really loves Seungmin and he doesn’t plan on ever stopped loving him. Not anytime soon.
After a few long moments of silence, there was a knock on Seungmin’s front door. “Hold on a second, I’ll get the door first.” Seungmin said as he stood up and quickly went to the door. Chan remained seated on the couch, feeling a little nervous as to who might be on the other side of it. “Hey!” Seungmin exclaimed happily but then it changed into anger when he saw it was Jisung. “Jisung..what the hell are you doing here?”
“Minnie..hi. I didn’t come here to fight with you or anything..I just wanted to talk..please just for awhile? I mean—just hear me out please?” Jisung pleads, reaching his hand out to place it on Seungmin’s shoulder, but the younger flinches and moves out of reach instantly.
“No.” Seungmin stated firmly, shaking his head. “Don’t try to guilt me into something. Why don’t you just go?” Seungmin asked angrily.
“But Minnie…”
Seungmin cuts him off. “Just stop trying Jisung. Just leave.” He said as he started walking away but Jisung grabbed his wrist and refused to let him go.
“Please Minnie..it’s about Minho..he needs you.”
“And so what?!” Seungmin yelled in anger, pulling his wrist free of Jisung’s grip. “Why does it matter whether he needs me or not now?! You’re the only one who he needs not me.”
Jisung sighed softly before continuing, “Minho has a cancer, Seungmin..”
Seungmin stopped walking again and turned around, disbelief clear on his face, “What did you say??” He asks in disbelief.
“He’s got cancer. He can’t get better. His body doesn’t have the strength anymore to fight against it. I don’t know what would I do so I decided to come here..he needs you Minnie..” Jisung said sadly as he wiped the tears forming in his eyes that threatened to escape. He stepped forward and placed his hands on Seungmin’s shoulders.
Seungmin was quiet for a moment, processing Jisung’s words. He slowly shook his head, trying not to believe what the older said. “Jisung, what the fuck are you talking about? He’s fine, he’s alive. Right?” Seungmin insisted. Jisung nodded, wiping away another tear. “Well, for now. Minho kept this secret for several months to himself and did not told anybody. And it’s also the real reason behind your break up..he didn’t cheated on you..” Jisung continued, and Seungmin’s eyes widen slightly in shock. “He didn’t want anyone to find out because he loved you so much and he has no courage to tell you. Seungmin..just one last chance please..talk to him..he needs you. He still loves you..” Jisung pleaded, placing his hand onto Seungmin’s shoulder. He gave the younger boy a small smile. “He really misses you..please..just talk to him before he completely loses it. Please….for me?” Seungmin bit his lip again. He glanced at Chan’s direction and saw him watching the two of them intently from the living room. Seungmin sighed heavily and looked back up at Jisung. “I don’t know, Jisung. Let me think about it first, Chan needs me too..” He mumbled softly, but Jisung could hear how hurtful his words were.
Jisung nodded and rubbed the younger’s arm comfortingly. “Okay, whatever you decide Minnie. You know where to find me.” He smiles before leaving the house. As soon as he left, Seungmin went back to the living room and snuggle into Chan’s arms. Chan heard everything what Jisung had told the younger. And now he feels bad for taking advantage to Seungmin while Minho was there being ill with cancer. It isn’t fair to either of them…but…”You should go talk to Minho...” Chan whispered into the younger’s hair.
Seungmin nodded weakly and moved away from Chan’s arms reluctantly. “You’re staying here tonight, right? If not…you can go home. I don’t mind..” He says softly, but Chan shakes his head immediately. “I’ll stay with you, baby. I didn’t want to leave you alone not now when you needed me..” Seungmin blushes lightly, hugging Chan and resting his head against Chan’s chest. Chan hugs back strongly and kisses the crown of Seungmin’s head tenderly. The pair stayed like that for quite some time until Seungmin fell asleep in Chan’s arms. Chan carried Seungmin up to his bedroom and laid him down gently onto the bed. He brushed some strands of Seungmin’s dark hair from the younger’s forehead, caressing it gently and smiling. He kissed Seungmin once more on his forehead and closed the curtains around the window. Then, he carefully slipped under the covers beside Seungmin.
