Potential | Bang Chan x reader

Chapter 23 | Still You

The air was thick, almost suffocating. No words were exchanged. Simply glances across the room. As if the boys were urging someone to say something.

You fingers tighten around your files again. Blinked to break the eye contact with him and walked in.

"Hi...Thank you, I thought I lost it." You smiled at that perfectly familiar face.

Chan's finger was still tracing the embroidery. Remembering you saying you don't want to get it mixed up so you see a little pattern on. Even though you're the only one with a size small. His heart clenched at the sight of you.

Your changes and growth. The way you spoke in English with a heavier British accent. It was as if you were a different person. But you were still...you.

"Chan?" You held onto the dangling sleeve of your hoodie while gently tugged it towards yourself.

"Yaaaaa! I'm hungry!! Lunch breakkkk" Changbin shouted, followed by Han singing a made up off to lunch song. The rest followed and Minho left you and the leader with a reassuring smile.

At the moment the door clicked shut. Chan hugged you so tight, as if you would vanish if he doesn't hold on. He sobbed while you rubbed his back. You felt his hands rubbing your back as well, a hand traveled down to your waist, the other feeling your soft hair.

Your heart broke all over again with his cries. How much pain has he been through? How many sleepless nights on top of his sleep deprivation? How many times he wished at 11:11 for you to call? Does he hold it against you.

You tried breaking the hug by putting a hand on his chest but he held tighter. Buried his head in the nape of your neck and shook his head. You dropped the files you so desperately tried to cling onto. Papers scattered around the two of you.

"Channie." You whispered. His sobs got louder when you called his nickname. The name he longed to hear you say again in his ears, the name that makes his heart flutter when it leaves your lips. The name you longed to call for, and have those eyes look back at you with that smile that belongs to you.

But you doubt that smile is yours anymore.

"Why...didn't you...tell..me?" He managed to utter broken words. You couldn't help but have dejavú hit you in the face yet again.

"I'm sorry..." that was all you could say and tears rolled down your cheeks. Over the years you've cried yourself to sleep. You've hugged that hoodie to sleep, hoping he would become that hoodie.

"I missed you so much. I tried and tried but I couldn't bring myself to call you." He said in a sad low voice, one hand still around your waist, the other wiping his tears away. Another tear dropped down your face, you just nodded.

"What if you were happy... with someone else." He quickly wiped away his fresh tears.

You felt that pit in your stomach, feeling light headed from his words.

"How can I leave and be happy?" He cupped your face with shaking hands, thumbs brushing your tears away. Trying hard to control his tears.

"Without you." You whispered.

He pressed his forehead against yours. You raised your hands to cup his cheeks. Also brushed away his tears.

"Now you're with me, and I'm with you." His words have you goosebumps and you opened your eyes just to be met with his.

The pool of chocolate brown, laced with golden caramel. It's that look. That look he gave you when he told you he loved you. The happiest moment of your time, has unfolded again. The sweetness of love.