A Distraction // Bangchan

Chapter Twenty

The night passed in a series of shallow, dreamlike moments for Lauren. She hadn't slept as well as she'd hoped, mostly because her mind kept replaying the image of Chan shirtless, and the feeling of his warmth pressed against her back as they lay together. Every time she shifted or moved, she was hyper-aware of how close they were, the steady rhythm of his breathing, and the comfort of being wrapped up in his arms.

By the time morning arrived, sunlight was streaming softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. Lauren blinked awake slowly, feeling the weight of Chan's arm still draped across her waist.

For a few minutes, she stayed perfectly still, just enjoying the quiet intimacy of the moment. The apartment was silent, the world outside still waking up, and she could hear Chan's slow, even breathing beside her. He hadn't woken up yet, and she didn't want to disturb him, so she kept her movements light, savoring the peace of the morning.

But eventually, Chan stirred. His hand shifted slightly against her waist, and he pulled her a little closer, his face nuzzling into the back of her neck. "Morning," he murmured, his voice deep and groggy from sleep.

Lauren's heart fluttered at the sound of his voice, and she smiled, turning her head slightly to look at him over her shoulder. "Morning," she whispered back, her voice soft.

Chan blinked slowly, his eyes still heavy with sleep as he took her in. His arm tightened around her waist, and Lauren couldn't help but smile at how natural it felt to be lying there with him, sharing this quiet, private moment together.

"How'd you sleep?" Chan asked, his voice still low and a little rough.

Lauren bit her lip, trying to keep her voice casual despite the fact that she'd spent most of the night trying not to freak out over how attractive he was. "Good," she lied, her tone light. "You?"

Chan smiled, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "Best I've slept in a while," he said, his voice sincere.

The warmth of his words made Lauren's heart race, and for a brief moment, she felt a rush of emotion she wasn't quite prepared for. She'd known they were getting closer, but something about this moment—waking up next to him, the easy intimacy between them—made everything feel more real. It wasn't just flirting or casual dates anymore. It was something deeper, something that made her feel safe and seen.

Chan sat up slowly, running a hand through his tousled hair as he glanced at her. The morning light highlighted the sharp lines of his jaw, the smooth muscles of his chest, and Lauren quickly averted her eyes, not wanting to get caught staring at him again.

"You want some coffee?" Chan asked, his voice casual as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

Lauren nodded, grateful for the distraction. "That sounds perfect."

As Chan stood up, stretching his arms above his head, Lauren caught another glimpse of his abs and immediately looked away. She could feel the heat rise in her cheeks, but she forced herself to stay calm. This was fine. Totally normal. Just Chan being Chan. She wasn't going to let it affect her. He grabbed a clean t shirt and pulled it over his head smoothly.

She stood up as well, still wearing his oversized t-shirt, and followed him into the kitchen. Chan moved around the space with ease, grabbing a mug from one of the cabinets and setting up the coffee machine. Lauren leaned against the counter, trying to keep her thoughts in check as she watched him.

"So," Chan said, glancing over at her with a soft smile, "I was thinking... if you're free today, we could spend some more time together. I've got the day off, and I don't have any plans. Unless you're busy?"