"Hey Minji, are you free? We should hang out since we get a break this week," you spoke over the phone with one of your friends.
"Today? Sorry y/n, I can't. I already have plans."
"You too? I've asked almost everyone at this point! Seohyun, Chaewon, Yeona-all of them said they were busy!! Let me guess, it's because you're going to be with Chan, isn't it?"
"...yeah."
Her voice held sympathy, knowing why each girl wasn't available the moment she heard the question.
"Why can't I have as perfect of a relationship you guys have? Stupid single ass of mine..." you mumbled the last part quietly so she wouldn't hear your whines.
"I'm sorry, I promise we can go somewhere together next time though! Pinky promise!!"
You exhaled, mood draining from your already dullen state. "No, no. You shouldn't be apologizing. It's my problem if I don't have a boyfriend. You shouldn't be sparing me all your time just because I'm bored or want to have fun. I'll figure something out, maybe even try to find someone if I get that desperate."
"Alright, best of luck then! Talk to you later."
"Okay, bye."
You threw yourself back onto the couch, groaning. Now what? Surely you aren't going to stay cooped up in your dorm for the rest of the day. Unless, you felt like being lazy, but you weren't so you needed to do something.
As you were laying rather messily on the living room furniture, slouched down with your limbs sprawled out in strange directions, a pair of eyes scan your figure seconds after walking down the stairs to the scene.
Your roommate stood there, observing you with confused brows. What he was looking at was a devastated girl, as if she had gone through a horrible break up merely seconds ago. A silence passed over and you knew he wasn't going to say anything, so you initiated the conservation first.
"If you're going to watch me, at least ask what's wrong."
"..."
"Changbinn, come on now! Don't act like you can't hear me," you lifted your head slightly to gaze at him.
He had given in, approaching you and occupying the empty seat at your side.
"Fine. What happened?"
Of course he had only spoken the bare minimum. That was naturally because of his closed-off attitude, which was a little problem when you first lived together, however now you had gotten used to it. Your understanding of him developed over time, and despite it not seeming like it, you were on good terms-you think.
"I'm single," you huffed out.
"And?" His voice screamed, 'what does that have to do with me?'.
You sat up straight and gave him a look at how helpful he was being.
"I have been single for the entirety of my life," you admitted. "Never once, have I gotten to experience any of the things couples do. It's unfair. My friends have boyfriends and girlfriends, so why can't I? I wish there was someone out there who actually cared for me, worried about me, adored me-loved me."
You haven't noticed how keen Changbin was to know more, so you quickly began to apologize for ranting about such a random topic he couldn't care less about. He of all people, showed affection the least. Why were you complaining to him?
"You feel deprived of love?" His tone sounded somewhat different than before, almost interested, yet not quite.
"Yeah..."
You expected him to laugh at how silly you were acting because of such a dumb thing, but nothing came. He was either being serious with you for once, or pretending to be helpful when really he wants to be anywhere but here, listening to you mope.
"Then get a boyfriend," he deadpanned.
"It's not that simple," you scoffed back. "Do you think finding someone out there in the world that will love you unconditionally and eternally, no matter what happens, is easy? Especially now that I'm in university. I can't just date whoever comes along like every high school student."
You leaned backwards to rest, closing your eyes to imagine what it would have been like to be in a relationship as a teen. Your parents were strict-no dating until you turned 20, so now as a 20-year-old, choosing a partner was supposed to be very important.
You didn't want to go through a messy break-up and cry over a stupid man even once, which means your first had to be your last. No one else. Problem with that is, it will take forever. You didn't realize it, but you looked forward to college 'cause it meant you were free to have a chance at meeting your special someone. Seemed like it was only a dream.
"Do you have anyone you like?" Changbin asked.
You were about to respond no, but your mouth stopped after opening. For a few seconds, you wondered if there really was a person you found interest in. Your head could not recall. Yet somehow, your heart was beating faster.
"Umm... I don't think so..." Your voice grew quiet.
You did not know why you had gotten nervous all of a sudden. But it did not help when Changbin leaned in to inspect your face. What was he doing? His eyes trailed from you eyes, to your nose, to your lips, so painfully slowly you weren't sure what was happening to you. The attention heated your ears and you were almost certain he noticed.
"You don't? Why not?"
Your breath hitched as he got closer. He knew something about you, something you never expected for him to know-something you didn't really know yourself. Except, you had come to realize what it was at that moment after weeks of denying it.
"Actually... maybe I do," you averted your gaze elsewhere, darting around the room so you didn't have to focus on him and how good he looked up-close. "S-sorry, it's weird for me to complain about this to you. Just forget it haha..."
Your hands lifted up to his chest and gently pushed him away for some air. It was crazy for you to believe he actually did that-bring his face inches away from your own as if it was normal. He was never that close to you, your heart almost stopped for a minute.
"There's a reason why you're single, you know?" He told calmly, unlike you who was still recovering from the earlier proximity.
"What? Are you really going to rub it in my face that no guy would want me as their girlfriend?"
You scrunched your nose, finding the sentence insulting. Maybe it was just you who thought there was a spark between you both when he had gotten so bold like that. Of course you had just let your imagination run wild there, why would he like you? He was probably amused by your flustered expression, that's all.
Changbin shook his head, a glint in his eyes so subtle yet it was there and you could see it.
"No. You are single because there is only one person in this world that can love you and be with you. God forbade anyone otherwise, he knew you did not deserve a broken heart."
You looked at him dumbfounded, brows raised at what he was implying. It was until his hand reached for yours that sent a flutter to your soul. Fingers woven together, another hand slips up your cheek and held it ever so softly.
"Why would no man want you if I want you? My heart wants you. I want your love. The way I talk to you, treat you, behave towards you-it gets harder to hide this emotion every day. I've never really had these feelings for anyone except you, so I'm sure it must be some sort of affection..."
The pulsing in your chest felt like a thousand firecrackers set alight, and yours cheeks glowed a sizzling red. You did not see this coming. It was unreal to you how your cold and distant roommate had started to love you-you out of everyone. And his touch on your skin sent butterflies lurching around your stomach. How could he make you feel so nervous, yet comfortable?
"Really...? You-you aren't kidding?"
"Of course not. Why would I lie about who I love? My nature wouldn't allow me to," Changbin stroked his thumb across your cheek.
You couldn't give a response because of how speechless the confession had rendered you. But your body had moved on its own, and your lips slowly found their way to his.
The kiss was so sudden, that you weren't quite sure of what to do despite initiating it. However, you let yourself unravel under his warmth. Is this what love is like? Soft, sweet, wonderful-as if you were enjoying the treat of a tiny caramel, melting in your mouth oh so tastily. Your worries were no more, soul at ease in the arms of the man who claimed to be the one to fulfill your life. When you pulled apart, you finally spoke your answer.
"I think, I love you too."
"You think?" He repeats.
You broke into a laugh and smile fondly at him.
"I do. I'm sure of it now. It was hard to tell when my hopes of you returning it changed every time you were kind or closed-off," you explain, reminiscing.
Changbin's face lit up, unlike any expression he's ever shown before. It was full of joy, a pure happiness that made you feel complete at the sight. He enveloped you in a hug, resting his chin on your shoulder.
"Does that mean I'm yours now?" You asked.
"It means we're both each others. Together."