Y/N POV
I didn't leave.
I should have. I should have grabbed my things and walked out of that room, maybe even blocked his number for good measure. But, instead, I stayed, standing in the middle of the room like I didn't know how to move, like I was waiting for some invisible push to decide my fate.
Changbin didn't press me. He simply watched, his expression softer now, more open. I could feel the weight of his gaze, not heavy with expectation but with a quiet patience, like he was giving me the space to make the choice for myself. It was strange--how comfortable he seemed in this messy, awkward silence.
"You want coffee?" he asked suddenly. breaking the tension.
Coffee. Something normal. Something simple. "Yeah," I said quietly, barely recognizing my own voice. "Coffee would be nice."
He nodded and, without another word, leaving me alone. I sank onto the edge of the bed, exhaling a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. The silence filled the room again, but it wasn't as suffocating as before. It gave me time to think--or try to, at least.
My gaze drifted over the room, now bathed in soft morning light filtering through the blinds. It was cozy, lived-in. The walls were a deep, calming blue, the kind of color that made you want to stay a while. Shelves lined one side, filled with books, framed photos, and knick-knacks. I spotted a couple of music posters tacked to the wall near the bed, alongside what looked like a keyboard stand tucked in the corner. It was a glimpse into his life, one I hadn't even thought to ask about last night.
My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me back to reality. I grabbed it quickly, and a notification popped up: Group chat: Girls Night. I opened it, half-expecting the usual stream of messages, but instead it was Sunny asking about last night.
Sunny: Y/N, where are you?? Did you go home with someone?? Spill!!!
Eunji: Don't tell me you finally gave in to one of those cute guys at the bar
I sighed, my fingers hovering over the keyboard. What was I supposed to say? Yeah, I'm still in some guy's apartment. I woke up next to him and have no clue how to handle it.
Before I could respond, Changbin's voice called out from the kitchen, "It'll be ready in a few minutes!"
I stuffed the phone back into my bag, feeling the knot in my stomach tighten again. Maybe this was a mistake. Maybe leaving now was still an option. But before I could fully contemplate that thought, Changbin reappeared in the doorway, two mugs in hand.
"Here," he said, offering me one as he sat down next to me on the bed. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the lingering smell of cinnamon and teakwood, calming me just a little.
"Thanks," I murmured, taking the mug and wrapping my hands around it, letting its warmth seep into my skin.
He took a sip from his cup, his eyes flicking toward me as if gauging what I was thinking. I started down at the block coffee swirling in my cup, trying to focus on anything other than the fact that I was still in his bedroom, wearing last night's clothes, with no plan for what to do next.
"So..." Changbin said after a moment, his voice slow and careful. "What now?"
I swallowed hard. "I don't know." The honesty came out before I could stop it. "This--this wasn't exactly what I expected."
He chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair, "Yeah, me neither. But..." He paused, searching for the right words. "I don't regret it."
My heart skipped a beat. There was something in the way he said it--so simple, so sure. I wasn't;t used to that kind of certainty. It was terrifying and... comforting all at once.
I took a slow breath, my gaze finally meeting his. "I don't regret it either," I admitted quietly, the words feeling heavy and light all at once.
Changbin's lips curved into a small smile, once that didn't make me feel so out of place anymore. "Then maybe... we don't have to figure everything out right now. Maybe we just... see what happens."
I blinked at him, surprised by the ease in his tone. "You mean... just go with it?"
He shrugged, a playful spark in his eyes. "Yeah, why not? Sometimes things happen for a reason, We don't always have to have it all planned out."
The thought was foreign to me--letting things happen, not overthinking every little detail. But as I sat there, next to him, sipping coffee in the quiet of his room, it didn't seem like such a bad idea. For once, maybe I could just... let go.
"Okay," I said, the knot on my stomach loosening just a bit. "We'll see what happens."
Changbin's smile widened, a warm, genuine one that made my chest feel lighter. "Good. Now, how do you take your coffee? I made it black, but if you need cream or sugar-"
I laughed, the tension finally breaking. "Black is fine. Maybe just a little less bitter next time."
He grinned. "I'll keep that in mind."
