❛ 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐞𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐧. 𝗇𝖼𝗍 𝖺𝖽𝖽𝖾𝖽 𝗆𝖾𝗆𝖻𝖾𝗋

◆ Clearing the air ◆

"I had a panic attack Hyung, I'm not sick," Chaehyun huffed as Taeyong tucked him into bed. 

"Does it look like I give a flying monkey? You ended up in the hospital - again - with an oxygen mask attached to your face. That's enough of a sight for me to tuck you into bed, now quit complaining. Just for today let me take care of you, tomorrow we can go back to work and everything will be fine but please, Chaehyun...I just need to feel like I'm helping otherwise, I'll feel useless." 

A pang of guilt tingled in Chaehyun's chest as he met the worried, pleading eyes of his leader. Sighing, he nodded and relaxed. A relieved smile appeared on Taeyong's face as he began helping the younger boy get comfortable. The scene had affected Taeyong as it had for the rest of the members who had seen what happened. It was the worst they had seen and that's saying a lot considering Chaehyun's history with anxiety wasn't the cleanest. He'd had bad ones before, but this was off the scale. 

Lucas and Chaehyun were yet to have a conversation, no one but Taeyong had attended the hospital with Chaehyun, therefore, he was yet to speak with pretty much everybody. He saw Mark on the way up to his room but that was about it. 

"I need to call your therapist-" 

"Hyung, I have an appointment with her on Friday. I'm sure I will be completely fine until then, I was just stressed and it all got the best of me. I just need to talk with Lucas and then figure out where to go from here. You're gonna cause yourself an anxiety attack if you don't calm down." 

Taeyong dropped the end of Chaehyun's blanket and sat down beside him with a defeated sigh. "From the first day we met, I just felt the need to protect you. I don't know why I just felt some kind of connection with you. You're my best friend, Chaehyun...heck, you're like a brother to me. Seeing you on the floor gasping for breath whilst screaming for your Mum...Chae it hurt me. I just want to protect you." 

From day one, Taeyong had been the one to basically parent Chaehyun. He meant a great deal to him, Chaehyun knew that which is why he hated worrying him. Sighing, Taeyong dropped his hand into Chaehyun's and locked their fingers together. A small smile appeared on the leaders face as the younger boy gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. It was a small gesture, but it was a silent way of telling the older boy that he's okay. That Chaehyun wasn't going anywhere any time soon no matter how much life threw at him, he'd be remaining in the grasp of Taeyong. 

A small knock brought the two out of their own world. Standing in the doorway with puffy eyes and messy hair stood a very worried Lucas. Taeyong glanced back and Chaehyun and gave him an assuring smile. 

"I'll leave you two alone, Lucas you better sleep after you've fixed your relationship. We're days away from the debut, we need you up and ready. Can't have another one of my boys being rushed to the hospital, now can i? It's Chaehyun's job to worry me like that." Taeyong patted Lucas on the back as he stepped out of the room. "Please, for the love of God, remember that you have company in the dorm. Keep it PG" 

Chaehyun scrunched up his face earning a loud laugh from Taeyong. The laughter echoed all the way down to the hall before it cut off completely once the door to the kitchen had closed. The air was thick as Lucas sat down in the spot that Taeyong previously claimed. Chaehyun wasn't usually this quiet and that bothered Lucas. They both had a lot of making up to do. 

"Look I'm sorry," Lucas started with a shaky breath. "I should've let you explain and i should have never taken it as far as saying that even our friendship had ended." 

Chaehyun nodded. "People say things when they're angry, Lucas. It's fine, I get it." 

"Do you though? Is it fine? Chaehyun, I caused you the biggest panic attack any of us had ever seen. You called out for your Mother it was that bad. Fuck Chae...I-"

"Don't start blaming yourself, Lucas. That's the last thing I need right now." Chaehyun ran a hand through his hair. "We're both to blame for the argument, but you won't sit and blame yourself for my panic attack. The situation itself set me off, I thought I had lost you for good, but we just needed talk things through." 

"That pretty much sounds like my fault--" 

"I've never felt like this before," Chaehyun interjected quickly. "I've been in relationships, yes, but never have I had this much love and adoration for someone. I loved Yeri and I loved Dahyun but those relationships don't compare to this one. I can't feel okay without you, Lucas and whether this results into us just going back to best friends or in a relationship, I don't care because I just need you."

Chaehyun had never been open about his emotions, especially when it comes to love. It was almost shocking to Lucas. Chaehyun meant every word he said and that was clear. The determination in his eyes.

"I'm scared Lucas because the last person I loved this much hurt me, abused me and pretty much almost killed me. I don't trust easily and with all these new emotions hitting me at once, having the media expose this frightened me to no end because I wasn't used to it. I wasn't used to feeling so strongly for somebody and I got terrified. The media and fans have split people up before not only that but I'm petrified that they will see how much I care and if you do end up hurting me, they will watch me break. I don't want the world to see me break, Lucas." 

Chaehyun was crying by this point. Lucas reached over with glossy eyes and grabbed his hand, clutching it close to his chest. 

"No matter what goes on between us, friendship or relationship, I will never hurt you or leave you. One day we're gonna be sitting next to each other in a retirement home with you stressing out the nurse people and me just laughing at you being stupid. Now and in years to come it will be me and you and nothing will change, I promise. I love you more than you know, Chaehyun. You're not the only one who is terrified but we made the mistake of turning against each other rather than sticking together when we needed each other most. But we won't do that again." 

Lucas shifted positions so that he was under the cover beside Chaehyun. "We can figure out what the future holds for us later, but right now, I want to lay here and nap because I'm fucking exhausted because your dumbass had to get rushed to the hospital."

"Oh yeah my apologies twat face, I'll let my brain know not to cause mass panic next time just for the sake of you." 

The two stared at each other for a solid 4 seconds before laughter erupted between the pair. Well, at least they're back to bullying each other. 

___________________

WOOO LUCHLAN MADE UP, I say this like I didn't have this planned all along. 

Thank you so much for reading, this wasn't proofread but I hope you enjoyed anyway. 

You are greatly appreciated 💚

- Blue x