brat // bang chan

chapter forty-seven

avoidance

lee miyeon

"thanks for meeting with me..." i start awkwardly, not glancing at the two boys sat across from me.

"of course." changbin responds first.

"what's going on?" minho asks, clearly a little less patient than changbin was. i would have laughed at their differences if what i was about to talk to them about wasn't so serious. or maybe it wasn't as serious as i was making it out to be.

"you two are close with chan." i state. they both share a glance before nodding.

"i thought you and him agreed to talk about everything." changbin points out, though there was a silent question in his words.

"we did— we are. i just... i need a second opinion..." i tell them.

"about what?" minho prods.

"give me your full honest opinions. don't hold back, okay?" they both nod. "yes or no, do you think chan is ready for a relationship?" i ask. i already had my answer, but i needed to know if it was just me. they were as close to chan as i was. honestly, i could take a vote with the whole group, but that felt ridiculous. this was ridiculous too, like i said, i already had my answer.

"no." they both answer. and i nod.

"thought so." i reply. they stare at me, as if waiting for me to say more. "that's really all i needed..." i add.

"don't get me wrong though, i really think he's willing to try for you." minho says.

"i think he is too." i agree.

"but...?" changbin cocks his head, knowing i had more to say.

"but... i don't think he can." the words leaving my lips felt like a harsh blow to the chest. though i had been thinking them since the date, saying it aloud was different. the two boys nod understandingly.

"i think you need to go talk to him." minho states.

"he's on his way." i tell him.

"what?" changbin furrows his brows.

"i told him to meet me here at four thirty."

"and you told us to meet you at four?" minho chuckles.

"i knew the conversation wouldn't take long. i honestly knew what you guys would say i just..."

"you needed to hear it from someone else." changbin nods knowingly.

"you know it's nothing against you. i really think chan would spend the rest of his life trying to figure out how to be in a relationship with you, no matter how much he clearly isn't ready for it." minho comforts. i chuckle at that.

"i know."

"you're not gonna run back to australia after you talk with him, are you?" changbin questions.

"no. i think... it's different now. ever since we made up in australia... it's been different. i think deep down we both know that..." i trail off, not ready to say it. not to them.