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

Closer than ever

The day unfolded slowly, as if time itself wanted to give Bang Chan and Seungmin the space to process the conversation they had shared that morning. The air between them felt lighter now, the tension that had been simmering for weeks starting to dissolve. But even with the relief of their confessions, a delicate vulnerability still lingered in the space they occupied—like they were both learning how to be with each other in this new, uncharted territory.

Practice was quiet that afternoon, but not awkward. Seungmin seemed more present, more focused, though his glances toward Chan were fleeting and laced with something new—something softer. Chan noticed it every time Seungmin looked his way, a warmth spreading through him that he couldn't quite describe.

After practice, the group dispersed, everyone retreating to their own routines. Chan lingered behind, watching as Seungmin slipped out of the room with Felix, a thoughtful expression on his face. The silence that followed after the door clicked shut left Chan feeling a little off balance. He had been so used to keeping his guard up around Seungmin—waiting for something to happen, waiting for the tension to snap—that now, in the wake of their understanding, he wasn't sure what to do with himself.

He ran a hand through his sweat-damp hair and sighed, deciding to head back to the dorm to shower. Maybe some space would help clear his mind.

When he returned to the dorm, the place was quiet. Most of the others were out, and for the first time in a while, Chan was grateful for the solitude. He slipped into the bathroom, letting the hot water wash away the stress of the day. But even with the heat loosening his muscles, he couldn't stop thinking about Seungmin—about the way his voice had trembled when he admitted his fears, about the way his hand had fit so perfectly in Chan's own.

By the time he stepped out of the shower, his mind was still racing, but there was a sense of peace there too—a quiet understanding that this was something worth holding onto.

As he dressed, he heard a faint knock on the door. Chan frowned, pulling on a hoodie before crossing the room. When he opened the door, he found Seungmin standing there, his hair damp from his own shower, his expression unreadable

"Hey," Seungmin said softly, his voice barely above a whisper. He shifted nervously on his feet, his hands tucked into the pockets of his hoodie.

"Hey," Chan replied, stepping aside to let him in. "What's up?"

Seungmin didn't answer right away. He moved to sit on the edge of Chan's bed, his gaze fixed on the floor, as if he was trying to gather his thoughts. Chan watched him, a mixture of curiosity and concern building in his chest.

Finally, Seungmin looked up, his eyes meeting Chan's with a quiet intensity. "Can we talk?" he asked, his voice soft but steady.

Chan nodded, sitting down next to him. "Of course. What's on your mind?"

Seungmin hesitated for a moment before speaking, his words slow and deliberate. "I've been thinking about what we talked about this morning. About us. And... I don't want to keep holding back."

Chan's heart skipped a beat, the weight of Seungmin's words sinking in. He had felt this shift coming ever since their conversation, but hearing Seungmin say it out loud made it real—made it tangible.

"I don't want to keep being afraid of what might happen," Seungmin continued, his voice gaining strength. "I've spent so much time worrying about whether or not I'm enough, but... I don't want to let that stop me anymore. I want to try, Chan. I want to see where this goes.

Chan felt his chest tighten, a rush of warmth flooding through him as Seungmin's words settled in. This was what he had wanted—for Seungmin to take that step, to meet him halfway. And now, here he was, offering Chan his heart in the most vulnerable way possible.

"You have no idea how much that means to me," Chan whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I've been wanting this too. I've been waiting for you... for us."

Seungmin's gaze softened, the guarded look he had been wearing for so long slowly slipping away. "I know," he murmured, his lips curving into a small, tentative smile. "And I'm sorry it took me so long to get here."

"You don't have to apologize," Chan said, reaching out to take Seungmin's hand in his own. "I'm just glad you're here now."

For a moment, they sat there in the quiet, their hands intertwined, the weight of everything unsaid lingering between them. It felt fragile but steady, like they were both testing the boundaries of this new connection—unsure but willing to try.

Slowly, Seungmin turned to face him more fully, his thumb brushing over Chan's knuckles in a gentle, deliberate motion. His eyes searched Chan's, as if he was trying to find the right words, the right way to express everything he was feeling.

"Chan," he whispered, his voice barely audible now. "Can I...?"

But before Seungmin could finish, Chan closed the distance between them, his lips finding Seungmin's in a soft, tender kiss. It wasn't rushed or desperate, but slow and deliberate, as if they were both savoring the moment—the feeling of finally letting go of their fears and uncertainties.

Seungmin responded in kind, his free hand coming up to rest against Chan's cheek, pulling him closer. There was a quiet intensity in the way their lips moved together, a sense of unspoken understanding passing between them. They didn't need words right now. Everything they wanted to say was already there in the way they held each other, the way their hearts beat in sync.

When they finally pulled away, breathless but smiling, Seungmin let out a soft laugh, his forehead resting against Chan's. "That was... unexpected," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement.

Chan chuckled, his hand gently brushing through Seungmin's hair. "I couldn't wait any longer," he admitted, his voice low. "I've been wanting to do that for a while now."

Seungmin smiled, his eyes shining with a mix of relief and affection. "Me too."

They stayed like that for a few more moments, their foreheads resting against each other, their hands still intertwined. The world outside felt distant, irrelevant. All that mattered was this—this fragile, beautiful moment they had created together.

Eventually, Seungmin pulled back, his expression more serious now. "So... what now?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Chan smiled softly, his thumb brushing over Seungmin's hand in a comforting gesture. "We take it one day at a time," he said, echoing his words from that morning. "We figure this out together."

Seungmin nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I like that."

And for the first time in a long while, Chan felt like everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. No more doubts, no more fears. Just him and Seungmin, finally on the same page, ready to face whatever came next.

Together.