Soul in the System: Chanjin

Navigating the New Normal

It had been a few weeks since Chan and Hyunjin's relationship transitioned from a facade to something real, and the shift was obvious to everyone around them. Where once their closeness had been playful and performative, now it carried a quiet sincerity. Chan's arm around Hyunjin's shoulders no longer felt like a statement—it felt like home. The way Hyunjin leaned into him wasn't for show—it was comfort.

Their friends had noticed the change too. Felix would nudge Hyunjin during lunch with a sly grin whenever Chan handed him his favorite drink without being asked. Minho would smirk knowingly as Chan instinctively caught Hyunjin's books before they hit the ground. And while Hyunjin still had his dramatic flair, his friends saw that it was now paired with a calmness only Chan could provide.

But not everyone was thrilled.

The football game that Friday night was electric. The crowd's cheers echoed across the field, the cold autumn air biting against the heat of the game. The cheer squad's chants boomed, Hyunjin leading them with his usual confidence, his movements sharp and full of energy.

Chan stood on the field, his tall frame in the black and gold uniform catching the stadium lights. His helmet was tucked under his arm as he stood near the sideline, quietly observing the game's ebb and flow. His calm demeanor on the field was always a source of awe for his teammates—it was as if nothing fazed him.

But for Hyunjin, it was something else entirely. Watching Chan in his uniform, with his broad shoulders and defined jawline, exuding quiet strength, made something flutter in his chest that he wasn't used to. He was proud of him—of the way he carried himself, how he didn't let the attention or pressure affect him. But there was also something else, something Hyunjin wasn't sure he was ready to admit. He liked how Chan looked in that uniform—a lot.

Felix caught Hyunjin staring from the sidelines, smirking as he whispered, "You're not even trying to hide it anymore, are you?"

"Shut up," Hyunjin hissed, though the blush rising to his cheeks gave him away. He turned his attention back to the field, where Chan was calling out plays to his teammates. The commanding tone in Chan's voice sent another rush of warmth through him.

When the game resumed, Hyunjin couldn't take his eyes off Chan. Every time he ran the ball or tackled an opponent, Hyunjin felt a strange mix of pride and awe. By the time the game ended, with Chan helping secure a hard-fought win, Hyunjin was practically buzzing with excitement.

As the crowd began to disperse, Chan jogged toward the sidelines, his helmet in hand and his hair damp with sweat. His teammates were still celebrating, and the cheer squad was packing up their gear, but Hyunjin stayed where he was, waiting for Chan.

When Chan reached him, his calm expression softened into a smile. "You stayed."

"Of course I stayed," Hyunjin said, rolling his eyes. "What kind of boyfriend do you think I am?"

Chan tilted his head, his smile widening just slightly. "The best one."

Hyunjin scoffed, though his blush betrayed him. "Don't get all cheesy on me now. You just won a game—let's celebrate."

Chan nodded, stepping closer until he was standing right in front of Hyunjin. "You looked amazing out there," he said, his voice low. "I could see how much the crowd loved you."

Hyunjin blinked, momentarily stunned by the compliment. He quickly regained his composure, brushing a strand of hair from his face as he smirked. "You're not so bad yourself, superstar. Pretty sure half the crowd was staring at you in that uniform."

Chan raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly closer. "Just the crowd?"

Hyunjin's heart skipped a beat, and for a moment, all he could do was stare at the soft smile on Chan's lips, the way his eyes seemed to glow under the stadium lights. "You're annoying," Hyunjin muttered, though the fondness in his voice was unmistakable.

Chan chuckled, stepping back slightly. "Come on. Let's get out of here."

As they walked back toward the locker rooms, Hyunjin couldn't shake the feeling that people were watching them. Whispers floated in the air, just out of earshot, but he could guess what they were saying. Hyejin's latest round of rumors had been persistent—claiming that Chan only stayed with him out of pity, that someone like Chan would never actually want someone like Hyunjin.

Hyunjin tried to brush it off, but the words lingered, cutting deeper than he wanted to admit. He had told himself that those rumors didn't matter, that what he and Chan shared was real. But there were moments, in the quiet spaces of his mind, where doubt crept in. What if they were right? What if Chan was only with him because it was easier than saying no?

He glanced at Chan, who was walking beside him, his quiet confidence radiating as always. Hyunjin wanted to believe in him—in them. But doubt was a stubborn thing.

"Hey," Chan said suddenly, breaking Hyunjin's thoughts. "You okay?"

Hyunjin blinked, startled by the question. "Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"

Chan studied him for a moment, his eyes narrowing slightly in concern. "You're quiet. Usually, you're teasing me by now."

Hyunjin rolled his eyes, forcing a smirk. "Don't get used to it. I'm just giving you a break."

Chan didn't respond right away, his gaze lingering on Hyunjin. "You'd tell me if something was wrong, right?"

Hyunjin hesitated, his smile faltering. He wanted to say yes, to brush off the question and move on. But something in Chan's steady gaze made him pause. "I... I guess."

Chan stepped closer, his voice softening. "Hyunjin. If there's something on your mind, I want to know. I care about you."

Hyunjin felt his throat tighten, the words catching him off guard. He looked away, his hands fidgeting at his sides. "It's just... stupid rumors. You don't need to worry about it."

"Rumors?" Chan asked, his voice calm but firm. "What rumors?"

Hyunjin sighed, shaking his head. "Forget it. They're just saying... stuff. That you're only with me because you feel sorry for me or whatever. It's not a big deal."

Chan's expression darkened slightly, his jaw tightening. "That's not true. And you know it."

Hyunjin looked up, surprised by the conviction in Chan's voice. "I know," he said quietly. "But it's hard not to think about it sometimes."

Chan reached out, gently taking Hyunjin's hand. His touch was warm, grounding. "I'm with you because I want to be. Not because of anything anyone else says. I don't care about the rumors, Hyunjin. I care about you."

Hyunjin stared at him, his heart swelling with a mix of emotions he couldn't quite name. He nodded, a small, genuine smile breaking through. "Okay."

Chan squeezed his hand gently. "Okay."

As they walked back toward the parking lot, hand in hand, the whispers faded into the background, drowned out by the quiet assurance of Chan's presence. For the first time in a while, Hyunjin felt like he could breathe again.