I can't live without you.. || Chanmin

The quiet Shift

The world outside the studio was still dark, the soft hum of night pressing against the windows as Bang Chan and Seungmin lingered in the warmth of each other's company. The air between them, once thick with unspoken tension, now felt lighter—charged with something new but comforting, a quiet understanding of what had just shifted.

Neither of them spoke as they remained close, the lingering heat of their kiss still dancing on their lips. The studio's dim light cast shadows across Seungmin's face, and Bang Chan found himself mesmerized by the softness of his expression. There was something about seeing Seungmin like this—unguarded, vulnerable, and just *theirs*—that made everything feel surreal.

Bang Chan's fingers rested lightly on Seungmin's waist, as if anchoring himself in the moment, afraid that if he let go, it might slip away like a dream. Seungmin's thumb traced slow circles on Bang Chan's wrist, his touch gentle, grounding.

They had crossed a line tonight, one that couldn't be undone. And for the first time, Bang Chan wasn't afraid of what that meant

Seungmin broke the silence first, his voice a quiet murmur, as if the moment was too fragile for anything louder. "Are you okay?"

Bang Chan blinked, taken off guard by the question. He could see the concern in Seungmin's eyes, the hint of worry that maybe he had pushed too far, too fast. But Bang Chan only smiled, his hand tightening ever so slightly on Seungmin's waist.

"I'm more than okay," he said, his voice steady but soft. "I think... I've been waiting for this. For a long time."

Seungmin's lips curved into a small smile, and there was relief in his eyes, a shared understanding that neither of them had been entirely sure of how the other felt until now. Seungmin leaned in, his forehead resting gently against Bang Chan's as they stayed close, breathing in the same air, their hearts still beating in time with one another.

"I was too," Seungmin whispered, his breath warm against Bang Chan's lips.

For a few moments, the world was reduced to the space between them—the soft breaths, the lingering closeness, the quiet way Seungmin's hand had found its way back to the nape of Bang Chan's neck, fingers threading through his hair. There was no need for grand gestures or words. Just being there, together, was enough.

But then, reality began to creep in, like the edges of a dream starting to blur.

"We should probably... head back," Bang Chan said quietly, though every part of him wanted to stay in this space, where it was just the two of them and nothing else mattered.

Seungmin let out a soft sigh, his eyes flicking to the door as if he, too, was reluctant to leave the safety of the studio. "Yeah," he said, though his hand lingered on Bang Chan's neck for just a moment longer before slipping away. "The others will notice if we're gone too long.

Bang Chan nodded, pulling himself out of the chair and stretching slightly, the weight of the moment still hanging between them. He glanced over at Seungmin, who was already on his feet, adjusting his hoodie as if to regain some sense of normalcy.

But normal wasn't what they were anymore. And that realization hit Bang Chan harder than he expected.

As they left the studio and made their way down the quiet hallways of the dorm, the silence between them felt different—charged with the knowledge that something had shifted irrevocably. They were still themselves, still Bang Chan and Seungmin but there was no denying the electricity in the air, the newness of what they had just started.

By the time they reached the door to their shared space, Seungmin paused, glancing at Bang Chan with an almost shy smile, one that made Bang Chan's heart skip a beat.

"We're okay, right?" Seungmin asked, his voice soft, almost vulnerable.

Bang Chan nodded, his own smile tugging at his lips. "More than okay."

Seungmin seemed reassured, and for a moment, they stood there, just looking at each other, the quiet of the night wrapping around them like a cocoon. There was no need to rush this—whatever it was between them—it was theirs to explore in their own time.

Just as Bang Chan was about to say goodnight, Seungmin stepped forward, closing the space between them with an unexpected boldness. He reached up, fingers brushing softly along Bang Chan's jaw before he leaned in, pressing a kiss to his lips—a kiss that was softer than the one they had shared in the studio but no less electric.

Bang Chan's breath caught as he kissed Seungmin back, his hand resting gently on Seungmin's hip, pulling him just a little closer. It was a kiss that spoke of promises—of something new and fragile, but undeniably real.

When they finally pulled away, Seungmin's smile was brighter, more certain. "Goodnight, hyung."

Bang Chan could only nod, his heart still pounding in his chest as he watched Seungmin slip away into his room, the door closing softly behind him. He stood there for a moment, catching his breath, his mind spinning with everything that had happened tonight. The feel of Seungmin's lips still lingered, the warmth of his touch imprinted on Bang Chan's skin like a brand.

This was real. This was happening.

And as Bang Chan made his way to his own room, a small smile played on his lips. Whatever came next, they'd face it together.

For now, that was enough.