Puppy Love • Seungchan/Chanmin

Epilogue pt. 1

2 Months Later

It had been a week, only a week, since Seungmin officially moved in with Chan and already so much had changed.

Despite the initial excitement and joy Seungmin felt during his first ever visit, he soon came down from that high, reflecting on just how real a future living with Chan was becoming. It was fun to talk about living together, but actually living together was a huge step, not just for their relationship, but his life.

The apartment was unfamiliar and full of uncertainties. Seungmin couldn't help but get caught up in the nitty gritty and distance himself as reality set in.

The lease was still under Wonpil's name, and would remain that way until the year's close, and even then, this apartment wasn't necessarily guaranteed if the landlord decided to kick them out.

Even though they both wanted to settle in, realistically, how long would they be together if something were to go wrong? Seungmin had no plans to move in until after school finished, he'd even expressed that to Chan- anything could have happened from now until then.

Speaking of school, Seungmin had still been waiting to find out where he'd end up next year. He had no way of knowing if moving in with Chan was even a possibility until after exams. No amount of wishful thinking on Chan's behalf could soothe his quiet concerns.

What if he didn't get into Yellow Wood? Would Chan really hold onto this place in hopes that Seungmin would be able to join him one day? Or would he pack up and follow Seungmin wherever he ended up for college? Chan still had one more year at Yellow Wood himself- Seungmin didn't want to inconvenience Chan by forcing him to move out just so they could be together. It just didn't feel right.

Thankfully his worries were short lived, during his final school term, an early admission letter arrived in the mail. It sparked a long, heartfelt conversation with Chan- one that changed everything. Those awkward and hesitant feelings that were festering in his chest melted away, and he found himself growing to love the space Chan now called home, and of the prospect of their future, no matter how it chose to unfold.

"Although this apartment isn't 100% ours yet, consider it a stepping stone," Chan had said. "Whether we're here for a month, a year or even longer, we're going to find ourselves changing and adapting. I'd love to have a big house with a pool, a backyard, and space for a dog. But until I get there- until we get there, this is just a chapter we can be ourselves in. What we do in the future will be a decision we make together."

Within the days that followed Seungmin spent countless afternoons, evenings and occasionally nights staying with Chan. No matter whether it be for pleasure or recreation.

Sometimes it'd be a movie night, other times just to hang out and kiss. Considering most times he'd be coming from school, Chan had suggested he could use it as a private place to study.

Chan had even gone as far to set up a 2nd desk in the home office where he could do his homework and prepare for his final exams. This place wasn't just a rendezvous, but a place that was theirs and that they could call home.

Seungmin might have been shy to say it out loud at first, but maybe calling the apartment home felt easier because, to him, home was wherever Chan was. No matter how many times he opened the front door and stepped into Chan's embrace, he felt it deep within every fibre of his heart, this was where he belonged.

Seungmin hadn't kept Chan's place a secret from his parents. He'd told them Chan had moved out, and he always told them when he was going over to visit and stay, but he had forlorn telling them that he planned to move in once school finished, at least until his early admission letter arrived.