Only one? [male Chaeyoung x TWICE]

(24) not as bad as I thought

Chaeyoung and Dahyun finished tidying up the bar, the familiar rhythm of closing time settling in. 

The night was winding down, and the last of the customers were stumbling out. Dahyun looked over her shoulder, adjusting her jacket.

"I'm heading out," Dahyun said, her voice light. "My best friend's picking me up tonight. We're gonna grab some dinner." She grinned mischievously. "I'll leave you to lock up, big guy."

Chaeyoung gave her a mock glare. "You're not gonna hug me again, are you?"

Before he could dodge, Dahyun wrapped him in a tight hug, squeezing him so hard that Chaeyoung made a strangled sound. 

"Ugh, you're too strong, Dahyun!" he groaned, trying to wriggle out of her hold.

She laughed, her tone full of teasing affection. "You're welcome. After what you've been through lately, I figured you could use some love."

Chaeyoung rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, love... Goodnight, Dahyun. Stay safe."

"You too, Chaeyoung," she said, stepping back with a playful wink. "Don't let any weirdos try to take you home."

Chaeyoung snorted. 

"I'll try my best." He waved as she headed toward the parking lot, watching until her car disappeared from view.

The bar was nearly empty now, the dim lights casting long shadows across the empty tables. 

Chaeyoung took a quick glance around, ensuring everything was in place. He waited for the last of the girls to finish getting ready, not wanting to lock up until everyone had left. The night had been relatively uneventful, but the atmosphere still felt heavier than usual.

As he stood by the bar, a couple of the dancers who hadn't left yet sauntered over, looking at him with a mix of curiosity and flirtation.

"So, you single?" one of the girls asked with a mischievous smile, leaning against the counter.

Chaeyoung smiled politely but shook his head. "Not tonight, ladies."

Another girl, who had been sitting nearby, tossed her hair and gave him a suggestive grin. "You sure? We could show you a good time."

He chuckled softly, gently declining. "I'm good, Iah. Thanks, though. Just trying to finish up here."

"Aw, come on," the first girl pouted, her voice low. "You deserve a little fun, don't you?"

Chaeyoung maintained his friendly yet firm smile. "Maybe another time. But tonight, I'm just here to make sure you all get home safe."

They exchanged playful glances, but after a moment, they shrugged and moved on, some of the others already heading toward the exit.

As the last of the girls left, Chaeyoung turned his attention to the bar area, wiping down the counter with a cloth. 

His thoughts drifted for a moment, a mix of nostalgia and concern swirling in his mind. The interactions with the dancers were always friendly, but sometimes it felt like he was the only one here who genuinely cared about them—not just as part of the bar's strange ecosystem,