If I Stayed | Christian Yu

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE - WHAT HAD TO BE SAID

[Christian.]

The kitchen was quiet compared to the noise coming from the dining room.

Christian opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of water, and leaned back against the counter. The cold against his palm was grounding.

He didn't feel the need to hide anymore.

Not after what he'd said.

No more performing.
No more pretending.
Just... here.

"Hey."

He looked up.

Fabian was in the doorway, hands stuffed into his pockets, looking surprisingly relaxed.

"You good?"

Christian gave a small nod, unscrewed the cap, took a sip. "Yeah. Just keeping it chill tonight."

He held up the water as a quiet answer to the unasked question.

Fabian nodded. "Smart."

It could've stopped there - a head nod, a sip, back to the noise.

But Fabian stepped a little further into the kitchen.

"Tomorrow I've got the final suit fitting with the groomsmen."

Christian tilted his head slightly, curious.

"I know you're not in the wedding party," Fabian went on, "but... I was thinking it'd be cool if you and the guys came through. Malik, Kenji. Just to hang, grab lunch after or something. No pressure."

Christian blinked.

Not what he expected.

But not a bad surprise either.

"You sure?"

"Yeah," Fabian said. "We're all part of this somehow, right?"

There was no weird vibe. No guilt trip. Just... honest.

Christian held his gaze for a second, then nodded.

"Alright. Yeah. Text me."

Fabian smiled. Gave the counter two light taps, then turned and walked back toward the voices and clinking plates.

Christian stayed for a second longer. Took another sip. Let the quiet hold him.

Then he stepped back into the dining room. The warmth hit him instantly - laughter, stories, the clatter of silverware.

Malik was in the middle of telling Mrs. Brown some dumb high school story, and everyone was laughing even though they'd clearly heard it before.

Kenji was holding up a slice of flan like it was sacred.

Across the table, Christian caught Kazuo's eye.

He gave a small nod. Two fingers to his temple, then pointed toward the door.

Time to go.

Kazuo didn't miss a beat.

He finished his last bite, set his glass down, and stood - no words needed. Years of tour life, late-night drives, and shared silence had built a language between them.

"Leaving already?" Mrs. Morales asked.

Kazuo gave her a gentle smile. "Therapy day," he said.

She nodded like she already knew.

Christian made his way around the table for quick goodbyes.

Fist bump from Malik.
Quick hug from Kaylani.
Shoulder clap from Mr. Xiu.
A soft squeeze from his mom.