Fated Connections ZB1 Zhang Hao x Fem reader

Chapter 20: A Long-Awaited Reunion

Zhang Hao's visit felt like a breath of fresh air for both him and Y/N. The time they spent together allowed them to reconnect in a way that neither of them had been able to while juggling their busy lives. After a few days of rest and relaxation, Zhang Hao was getting ready to leave again, but this time, their bond felt stronger than ever.

It was their last evening together before Zhang Hao would fly back to rejoin the group. Y/N had planned a quiet dinner at home, wanting to make the most of their final hours together. As they sat across from each other, the candlelight flickering between them, there was a comfortable silence in the air. Both of them had become accustomed to savoring these small, intimate moments.

"I'm going to miss this," Zhang Hao said, breaking the silence. His eyes softened as he looked at Y/N. "I'm going to miss you."

Y/N reached across the table, taking his hand in hers. "I'm going to miss you too. But we'll see each other soon, and I'll be right here waiting."

Zhang Hao smiled, squeezing her hand gently. "I know. That's what makes this easier. Knowing that you're here for me."

Y/N nodded, but a part of her still felt the familiar ache of saying goodbye. No matter how strong their connection was, the distance between them always hurt. But over time, she had learned to embrace these feelings, knowing that their time apart only made their time together that much more meaningful.

The next morning, Zhang Hao packed up his things and got ready to leave for the airport. Y/N stood by the door, watching him with a bittersweet smile. She had grown used to these farewells, but that didn't make them any easier.

"Do you have everything?" Y/N asked, trying to keep her voice light.

"Yeah, I think so," Zhang Hao replied, zipping up his suitcase. He turned to her, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'll be back before you know it."

Y/N nodded, stepping forward to wrap her arms around him. She buried her face in his chest, breathing in his familiar scent, trying to hold onto this moment for as long as she could.

"I'll miss you," she whispered.

Zhang Hao pressed a soft kiss to the top of her head. "I'll miss you too. But remember, we're in this together, no matter how far apart we are."

They stayed like that for a moment, neither of them wanting to let go. But eventually, Zhang Hao pulled back slightly, looking down at her with a reassuring smile.

"I'll call you when I land," he said.

"Okay," Y/N replied, her voice a little shaky. She forced a smile, knowing that this wasn't the end—it was just another temporary goodbye.

With one last kiss, Zhang Hao grabbed his suitcase and headed out the door. Y/N watched him leave, her heart heavy but full of love. She stood there for a while, staring at the empty doorway, before finally closing it and walking back into the apartment.

The following days passed slowly, the routine of work and life feeling emptier without Zhang Hao around. But true to his word, he called every day, sometimes just to say goodnight, sometimes to talk for hours about anything and everything.

One evening, as Y/N was getting ready for bed, her phone rang with an incoming video call from Zhang Hao. She smiled as she answered, seeing his face light up the screen.

"Hey," Zhang Hao greeted, his voice full of warmth.

"Hey," Y/N replied, settling into bed. "How was your day?"

"Busy, but good," Zhang Hao said, running a hand through his hair. "We had a lot of rehearsals today, but it's coming together. I think our next performance is going to be really special."

"I'm sure it will be," Y/N said, her heart swelling with pride. "I can't wait to see it."

Zhang Hao smiled, but there was a hint of something in his eyes—something thoughtful. Y/N noticed it right away.

"Is everything okay?" she asked.

"Yeah, it's just..." Zhang Hao hesitated for a moment before continuing. "I've been thinking a lot lately, about us, about everything. And I realized that I don't want to keep waiting for the 'perfect' time to be with you. I want us to be together more often, not just in the small pockets of time we can find."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. "What do you mean?"

"I'm thinking of moving some things around in my schedule," Zhang Hao said, his voice steady but full of emotion. "I'm not saying I'll stop being an idol, but maybe I can find a way to balance things better. So that I can be with you more. So that we don't have to say goodbye so often."

Y/N stared at him, her heart racing. This was something she had never expected him to say. "Hao... are you sure? I don't want you to give up your dreams for me."

"I'm not giving anything up," Zhang Hao said firmly. "I just want to make more room for us in my life. I love what I do, but I also love you. And I don't want to keep choosing between the two."

Tears filled Y/N's eyes, and she blinked them back, overwhelmed by the sincerity in his words. "I love you too," she whispered, her voice trembling. "And whatever you decide, I'll support you."

Zhang Hao smiled, his eyes softening. "Thank you, Y/N. That means everything to me."

They talked for a while longer, their conversation filled with dreams of the future and plans for how they could make their relationship work despite the challenges. And by the end of the call, Y/N felt a sense of hope that she hadn't realized she had been missing.

The next few weeks were busy for both of them, but things felt different now. There was a sense of reassurance in their relationship, a mutual understanding that they were both in this for the long haul.

Zhang Hao made good on his promise, working with his management to adjust his schedule so that he could have more time for himself—and for Y/N. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was a step in the right direction.

And as they navigated the ups and downs of their careers and their relationship, they both knew that no matter what happened, they would always find their way back to each other. Because love, after all, was worth the effort.