Soul in the System: Chanjin

Shared Spaces

The house was quiet when they arrived home, the excitement of the night still lingering in the air around them. After the celebration at the pizza parlor, Chan and Hyunjin had walked back together, both of them basking in the night's energy. They hadn't needed to say much; the comfortable silence between them was enough.

As they stepped into the Hwang house, Chan felt a strange sense of peace wash over him. This place had quickly become his home—a safe space filled with warmth and acceptance. He followed Hyunjin down the hallway, each of them slipping off their shoes and letting the quiet settle around them. Hyunjin tossed his keys onto the entryway table, stifling a yawn.

"That was a good night," Hyunjin murmured, stretching his arms above his head. "You really pulled through, superstar."

Chan smiled, feeling that warm glow from Hyunjin's praise. "Thank you. It was... something I'll remember."

Hyunjin laughed softly, giving him a nudge with his shoulder as they walked toward their rooms. "I'm sure you'll have plenty more to remember. With skills like yours, you're gonna make a lot of memories here."

They paused in the hallway between their bedrooms, a quietness settling over them that felt heavy but comfortable. Chan looked at Hyunjin, taking in the relaxed smile on his face, the way his hair had fallen slightly over his eyes after the long night. There was something different about this moment, something that made Chan feel an inexplicable sense of closeness, as though they were sharing more than just a hallway.

Hyunjin glanced up, catching Chan's gaze. "What?"

"Nothing," Chan replied, feeling a bit self-conscious but strangely calm. "I just... appreciate you."

Hyunjin's face softened, a gentle smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well, you're stuck with me now. Don't forget that."

Chan nodded, feeling that familiar warmth again. "I won't."

They lingered there for a moment, neither of them moving, as if something unspoken was passing between them. Finally, Hyunjin cleared his throat, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, well... goodnight, Chan."

"Goodnight, Hyunjin."

Hyunjin turned toward his room, but just as he reached the door, he paused and glanced back at Chan. "Hey, you want to, uh... hang out for a bit? I mean, we're both wired from the game, right?"

Chan nodded, feeling a small thrill of excitement. "Yes, I'd like that."

Hyunjin's smile widened, and he beckoned Chan to follow him into his room. Hyunjin's space was familiar to Chan; he'd seen it briefly before—a room full of personality, with posters on the walls, books and notebooks scattered on the desk, and a collection of vinyl records stacked by a small, old record player. It was a space that felt uniquely "Hyunjin"—a little chaotic, but warm and inviting.

Hyunjin flopped down on his bed, motioning for Chan to take a seat on the floor or pull up the chair by his desk. Chan opted for the floor, settling himself cross-legged as he looked around, taking in the details of Hyunjin's room. This space held so many hints of who Hyunjin was, so many pieces of his personality and interests that Chan found endlessly fascinating.

Hyunjin watched him, a small smile on his face as he leaned back against his pillows. "You can ask me stuff, you know. I'm sure you're dying to know why I have so many random things lying around."

Chan hesitated, then nodded, feeling encouraged. "I noticed you have a lot of music... records. Do you listen to them often?"

Hyunjin's face lit up, his expression animated as he gestured to the stack of records beside the player. "Yeah, all the time. There's something about vinyl that just... I don't know, it feels more real than listening on a phone. The little pops and scratches make it feel alive, you know?"