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pupmini · 5 months

Text

First Date Pt. 2 (Bang Chan x Reader)

!!PT 2!!

summary: Day to day life was perfectly uneventful, you wake up, go to work, make coffee, go home, and start all over again. But today... you met Chan.

pairing: bang chan x f!reader

genre: strangers to lovers, non idol au, crack, mostly fluff, later chapters to include: slight angst/comfort, slow burn.

general warnings: barista!mc, slow burn, adult themes including but not limited to: suggestive content, cursing, mentions of death.

word count: ~4.4k

chapter content: mentions of food, coffee shop manager!Changbin, nonidol!Chan, nonidol!Han, first meets, first love flutters, roommate!Felix

author's note: AHHHH welcome back to part 2! I'm so excited to see some people checking this out! Let me know if you see any errors so i can fix it, and let me know what you enjoyed!!

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“Sorry… have we met?”

Chan’s smile falters a little, his eyebrows stitching together in confusion before he lets out a chuckle and shakes his head, “Ha-- funny, Y/N,” he says as he rolls his eyes at you, “I even brought out the stupid 90’s bucket hat you told me to never wear.”

What the hell was up with this guy?

You looked across Chan, shaking your head and closing your eyes, “I’m sorry, what?” Your arms drop from up by the register screen and rest by your waist as you scrape out the underside of your nails anxiously.

Chan takes off the hat and looks at it in his hands, and you watch him look at it before he points at his hair, “Honestly, I’m surprised how easy it was to talk with you yesterday, because I just…” You watch him reach behind his head and rub his neck as he trails off and hisses as he takes in a breath, “I thought you were so pretty and while I was making music I couldn’t help but think about you the whole time--”

“Okay… uhm that’s pervy--” You let out a laugh, stunned and in complete disbelief at what he had just admitted to you, “I think you need to leave.” You crossed your arms over your chest as you looked at Chan with a bit of disgust in your eyes. Okay, actually what the fuck was wrong with him?

“What? Wait--” Chan’s eyes immediately widened, anxiety prickling through his body as he puts out his hands in defense, “No like literally making music, not-- cause we talked about it yesterday?”

“Yesterday?” You repeat to him, “I’ve never met you.” You say as you take a step back from the register and peer around your coworkers. Your mind is running a million miles an hour as Chan rambles on about paper football, music, and trashy 90’s fashion and your heart feels like it's about to beat out of your chest.

“Binnie!” You shouted over the chatter in the cafe, your eyes flickering between Chan and Changbin, “Can you come tell this guy to leave?” You ask, seeing Changbin step between you and the register, you see Changbin’s eyes flicker with something that looks like realization.

“Yeah I got this. Go ahead and go on your break Y/N,” Changbin smiles at you warmly, resting a hand on your shoulder as he ushers you off. A sense of relief washes over you as you back away from the register and retreat into the backroom.

After you were long gone, Changbin looks over at Chan with a heavy sigh. “Come on,” Changbin waves Chan to follow him to the empty table near the back of the cafe. A heavy sigh exit’s Changbin’s body as he leans against the edge of the table and nods for Chan to sit with him. As they settle into their seats, the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air.

"Chan," Changbin begins, his tone serious, "I need to talk to you about Y/N. There's something you should know."

Chan raises his hands up in defense as he quickly tries to explain himself, "I swear I wasn’t trying to be sexual or push myself on her, I was just--"

"Y/N is special,” Changbin interrupts Chan’s rambling, “and not just because she's a good person or pretty. Y/N is my best friend, Chan and the best no-detail explanation I can give you is that she went through something…. traumatic… a while back, and it resulted in her mind shutting off her short-term memory."

Chan's expression shifts to one of surprise, absorbing the weight of Changbin's revelation. "Wait, she doesn't remember things?"

Changbin nods solemnly. "That's right. Her past is all there, every memory leading up to that day. She remembers her job, her friends, family, hobbies, passions, dislikes, likes… but any new experiences are lost each time she sleeps. She's not aware of it, and we've all been just playing along so she doesn’t panic every day.”

Chan's mind races, trying to process the information about you, “That seems… fake. Is she just not interested in me?"

Changbin furrows his brows at Chan, “Why the hell would I pull you aside just to lie to you?” Changbin says in annoyance, and his hands fall against the table as he looks up at Chan, “Look dude, I really wish I was making this up. She truly just doesn’t remember meeting you yesterday.”

Chan turns around, pressing his lips together as he looks through the window of the backroom door, then back to Changbin. Chan was at a loss for words at the moment as he chewed on his bottom lip as he absorbed the weight of your story, a sense of empathy and admiration settled within him. Changbin, ever protective of Y/N, watches Chan closely, gauging his response.

"She really doesn’t know that she’s basically living the plot of ‘Groundhog Day’?" Chan asks, a thoughtful expression on his face as he leans back in the chair, "She seemed so carefree and vibrant."

Changbin nods, his protective instincts heightened as he listens to Chan talk about her, "She's been through a lot, but some part of her mind had chosen not to remember new things anymore in order to protect itself."

Chan runs a hand through his hair, a mix of emotions playing on his features. "I can't stop thinking about our conversation. It felt... different, you know? Like there was a connection beyond the usual small talk."

Changbin's gaze intensifies, his concern evident. "Chan, I know you mean well, but you need to understand that Y/N won't remember you. No matter how much you connect or how meaningful the conversation is, it won't stick with her."

A subtle wave of disappointment washes over Chan. "So, every time we talk, it's like starting from scratch?"

Changbin nods, "Exactly. It's the reality she faces every day. She builds connections in the present, but they fade away by the time she wakes up. Why do you think I don't get mad at her for being late everyday?"

Chan sighs, grappling with the complexity of the situation. "It's just... it feels unfair, you know? To have such a meaningful conversation and then realize it's fleeting for her."

Changbin leans forward, a stern yet understanding look in his eyes. "Life isn't always fair. Y/N doesn’t even know it’s happening, so regardless if we think it’s unfair, she has no idea.”

As their conversation continues, Chan grapples with the delicate balance of forming connections in a world that can be both fleeting and unpredictable. Changbin, always the guardian of your well-being, imparts his wisdom, underscoring the importance of being present in the moments no matter how transient they may be.

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You stand in the break room, peeking through the slightly ajar door at Chan and Changbin having a seemingly intense conversation. Your spidey-barista senses are tingling, and you can't help but let your imagination run wild.

What are they talking about? Did I mess up someone's coffee order? Did someone complain about my latte art? Your mind races through all the potential coffee-related disasters. But then, Chan mentions something about knowing you from the day before. The day before? Is he mistaking me for someone else? Did I accidentally give him someone else's order?

You start to play detective, trying to recall all the customers from yesterday. Let's see... there was the guy who insisted his coffee had to be exactly 180 degrees. Maybe that's Chan? But no, he doesn't strike me as a temperature fanatic. Your thoughts take a comedic turn as you picture a scenario where Chan is a secret coffee critic, grading your barista skills. Maybe he's here to rate my latte art on a scale of one to ten. Should I be flattered or terrified?

You peek your head back into the window of the breakroom to see both Changbin and CHan looking back at you before Changbin says something with a serious expression, and Chan's face shifts. Oh no, did I break a coffee machine or something? Is this a coffee-related emergency meeting? You can't help but sigh at the absurdity of your own thoughts.

Jesus Christ-- Shut up. You're being ridiculous. They're probably just talking about, I don't know, the weather or something.

Trying to look like you weren’t watching the two, you reach behind you and adjust the apron to fit you a better as you come out from your break. You take your break mug to the sink to rinse it out and your mind keeps spinning, trying to figure out what the hell that guy was talking about.

There was no way you had met this guy yesterday because you didn’t even work yesterday. You took the day off because you had ended things with your ex and things just didn’t go well, thankfully Changbin was your best friend and boss so he understood your position. That guy had to’ve had you confused with someone else, because you didn’t even come out of your room to talk with your roommate yesterday let alone leave your bed.

You shook your head as you put the glass mug into a dishwasher, then standing up to find Changbin leaning against the counter.

"Hey, Y/N, everything okay?" Changbin inquires, feigning casualness.

You nod, though a lingering curiosity tugs at you. "Yeah, just wondering what that was all about. Is everything alright?"

Changbin nods, a reassuring hand on your shoulder. "Oh, it's nothing, really. I just asked that guy to leave since he made you uncomfortable."

You're touched by the gesture, a mix of gratitude and confusion playing on your features. "Thanks, Bin. But seriously who the fuck was that? Is he like-- a critic? Did I mess up something? Did I mess up his order yesterday?"

Changbin lets out a laugh, and shakes his head as he approaches the espresso machine, wiping it down with a white cloth. "No, no, not at all. Your coffee is fine, as always. I just thought you could use a breather, so I told Chan to leave, that's all."

You smile, grateful for the concern, but then your face contorts, “Chan? Is that his name?” a small knot of uncertainty forms in your stomach, "Is there something I don't know?"

Changbin pauses for a moment, choosing his words carefully. "Uh-- yeah…” He said, his eyes not wavering from the coffee machine as he polished it, “He mentioned something about knowing you from yesterday, but I told him he had the wrong person."

You furrow your brow, trying to make sense of the situation. "Knowing me from yesterday? What does that even mean? Bin, I wasn’t even here yesterday."

Changbin offers a reassuring smile, “I know,” he says, tossing the cloth over his shoulder before turning to face you with a soft sigh, hoping to divert your attention, "It's probably nothing. Just a misunderstanding. Don't worry about it, yeah?”

You decide to accept Changbin's explanation, even though it makes about as much sense as a decaf espresso at 6 AM, but you accept it nonetheless.

Okay so-- he asked Chan to leave so I could relax. Maybe I was looking a bit stressed. Or maybe he thinks I need a coffee break so I don't accidentally start serving lattes with abstract stupid latte art.

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The rest of the work day went by pretty quickly, and before you knew it your eight hour shift was up. Meaning you had the rest of your day to yourself, which you were thankful for because work was busy. The bell above the cafe door chimes as you step out, your shift finally over. The day's caffeine-fueled chaos is now behind you, you're eager to enjoy a moment of peace. As you step onto the sidewalk, you can't help but release a contented sigh in the tranquility of busy city streets.

Tranquility, as always, is short-lived.

There, leaning casually against the wall, is that guy Chan. His presence catches you off guard, and annoyance flickers in your eyes. This is not what you wanted to deal with after today.

"Didn't you leave already?" you ask, a touch of irritation in your voice.

Chan grins, seemingly unfazed by your annoyance. "Well, I thought I'd stick around. See if you're up for some company."

You raise an eyebrow, your annoyance intensifying as you stuff your hands into your coat pockets, "You waited for me? Why?"

Chan shrugs, feigning innocence, “I wanted to apologize for earlier. I guess I had you confused with someone else I met yesterday,” He says, you could tell he genuinely meant it by the way his lips pressed together and his eyes met yours. I wanted to see if I could make it up to you, I really do make music and wanted to offer to show you.”

Your irritation deepens, but something in your chest makes you feel pulled into his offer. You chew on your lip in thought, "Chan, I appreciate the offer, but I don’t even know you."

You roll your head around before casting your gaze back onto Chan, who was smiling softly at you. It was as if he expected you to answer like that. "Then I’ll let you know me,” He says.

You shoot him a skeptical glance but eventually relent with a resigned sigh. As you start walking, you can't shake off how easily this guy just melted your annoyance. It was kind of alarming how disarming he was, but the way he smiled so genuinely made you give in..

Note to self, you think, next time someone says they're leaving, make sure they mean it. As you navigate the city streets with Chan by your side, you brace yourself for the continuation of a conversation you were hoping to leave behind at the cafe.

But it never comes.

Chan instead walks beside you, closer to the street as he guides you to his studio. Chan, ever persistent, seems genuinely interested in getting to know you.

"So, how long have you been working at the cafe?" he asks, his tone casual.

You glance at him, the city lights reflecting in his eyes as the. "About a year now. It's been... interesting, to say the least."

He chuckles, the puffs of vapor coming out as he laughs, lightening the atmosphere. "I can imagine. I mean, the coffee shop world has its own kind of drama, right?”

You share a laugh, recalling some of the amusing incidents that have unfolded within the cafe's walls. "Oh, you have no idea. It's like a caffeinated soap opera in there sometimes. When it’s slow you get to chat with customers and they tell you all about their personal life."

As you continue walking, Chan steers the conversation toward more personal territory. "And how do you know Changbin? He seems pretty protective of you."

A smile plays on your lips at the mention of Changbin. "Changbin's been a good friend for a while, like a brother. He's the one who convinced me to try working at the cafe. Said it would be an adventure."

Chan raises an eyebrow, intrigued. "An adventure, huh? Changbin seems like he takes his guardian role seriously."

You laugh, nodding in agreement. "Oh, absolutely. He's like the caffeine-fueled big brother I never asked for. Always making sure I'm okay, checking in, and, well, occasionally being overprotective. But it comes from a good place."

Chan smirks, finding the image amusing. "Overbearing big brother, got it. I guess every coffee shop needs one of those."

You continue, painting a picture of Changbin's quirks and idiosyncrasies. "He means well, really. But sometimes, he can be a bit overbearing. Like, if a customer gives me a hard time, he's ready to unleash his wrath."

Chan chuckles, envisioning the protective barista stance. "Unleash his wrath, huh? Sounds serious. Should I be on my best behavior around Changbin?"

You playfully roll your eyes. "Nah, he's just looking out for his friends. It's part of his charm, I guess."

As you and Chan arrive at his recording studio, the atmosphere shifts from the city streets to the creative sanctuary within. The low hum of equipment and the soft glow of studio lights welcome you into Chan's world of music.

As the door swings open, You enter before Chan to see another boy lounging in a chair. He looks up from his spot, a music mixer in front of him. "Chan, god finally, I’ve been working on this all day and I need you to list-- who's this?" Han asks, casting a curious glance your way.

Chan smiles behind you, his eyes fixed on Han as we look at him wide eyed as if pleading him not to say anything stupid. "Y/N, this is Han. Han, this is Y/N, I met her at the coffee shop today."

You turn around to glance at Chan, a confused flicker in your eyes before facing Han once more, “Yes… he stopped by the coffee shop and we had an-- interesting exchange.”

You exchange greetings, and as the three of you settle into the studio space, Chan shoots a subtle glance at Han, silently signaling the need for discretion. Han, however, seems oblivious to the unspoken message.

Han turns around in his chair from his computer to face you, and you watch his eyes squint. The cogs were turning in his head as he points at you, he takes a breath like he’s about to say something and then presses his lips together, “I thought you met her yest--”

Chan's eyes widen imperceptibly, and you shoot him a questioning look. Han's comment hangs in the air, and Chan, ever quick-witted, smoothly deflects. The awkward dance between Chan and Han unfolds, leaving you on the sidelines, a spectator that remains just out of reach to understand the whole story. The air in the studio holds a subtle tension that leaves you questioning the unspoken truths lingering beneath the surface.

"Oh, you know, I got her confused with someone else," Chan speaks quickly, before feigning nonchalance.

Han raises an eyebrow, and his lips remain parted as he looks over at you, then back to Chan, "Ohh-kay, sure…"

You catch Chan's apologetic glances in your direction, and a flicker of confusion passes through your mind. Is there something I'm missing here? Why does it feel like they're sharing a secret that I'm not privy to?

Chan chuckles nervously, shooting you an apologetic look. "Some things are better left unspoken, you know?"

What the hell is going on between these two? Is there something specific about me that's making the air in this room so... charged?

“Uhm… Han,” You say, taking a deep inhale to try and shift the awkward tone of the studio as you slip off your coat and drape it over your arm, “You said you had something to show Chan when we got here? Mind if I eavesdrop?”

Han glances at you, his eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Ah, it's a little something I've been tinkering with. Thought Chan might like it."

You nod, grateful for the chance to redirect the energy, and you slip past the coffe table and take a seat on the couch while Chan takes a seat in the other office chair.

As Han cues up the track, the room is enveloped in the beginning notes of his creation. The tension eases, replaced by the shared experience of discovering a new melody. You catch a subtle exchange of relieved glances between Chan and Han, as if they appreciate the change of topic.

The music takes center stage, filling the studio with intricate harmonies and rhythm. You find yourself nodding along, genuinely enjoying the artistry at play. After the track concludes, you turn to Han with an appreciative smile.

"Holy shit, Han," you compliment, “was that you rapping?” You ask, pointing at the computer next to him with a smile.

You see a sheepish grin sneak out to Han’s face, “Ah-- Yeah…” He spins his chair all the way around and faces you.

You, however, aren't willing to let him off the hook that easily. "Seriously, Han! You've got a unique style. It's not just about the words; it's how you deliver them. There's a rhythm and a flow that's all your own." You say excitedly, “Man, if y’all ever have your music debut, you’ll have to let me know so I can be your first official fan.”

The ambient hum of the studio equipment creates a backdrop as the three of you settle into a conversation about music, the universal language that seems to bind you together.

"I've always been fascinated by how music can transport you to a different place," you share, the genuine passion evident in your voice. "Music is really important to me, it has been for a long time."

Chan nods, understanding the sentiment and he looks at you with a knowing glance, “It’s nice to escape with music."

Chan's words echo your own sentiments, and a surprise recognition sparks within you. It's as if he's plucking thoughts directly from your mind, giving voice to the emotions you've held close.

You glance at Chan, a mixture of surprise and connection dawning in your eyes. His words resonate with your inner monologue, articulating the very essence of how music has been your escape during… that time of your life.

You stare at Chan for a moment, reveling in the fact that he understands how you felt perfectly. It was like you had already told him, and you softly nodded your head in agreement. His first impression was admittedly awful, but he seems to be so genuine when he talks to you and it's been a long while since you’ve felt so at ease talking with people you had just met.

As the conversation in the studio flows, you find your attention drifting, your gaze unconsciously drawn to Chan. The soft glow of the studio lights plays on his features, highlighting the contours of his face. It's in these unguarded moments that you can't help but admire the subtle details – the way his eyes crinkle when he smiles, the way his expression shifts when he's lost in thought.

You watch with a soft smile, your admiration growing with each word he shares. There's an authenticity in his expression, a genuine enthusiasm that transforms the studio into a sacred space where music isn't just heard; it's felt. He really loves this, a sense of warmth enveloping you as you observe Chan's fervent gestures, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of joy and intensity. It's infectious, and you can't help but smile too as he talks about his love for music, and you can't help but be drawn into the orbit of his passion.

As Chan laughs in response to one of Han's anecdotes, you notice the way his features relax, and a genuine happiness radiates from him. It's a sight that resonates deeply with you – the joy of someone immersed in their element, unburdened and free. He looks beautiful when he's happy, there was so much genuine happiness etched across his face as he and Han mess around. The lines that form when he smiles, the crinkles near his eyes – it's a portrait of a person in their element, and you can't help but be struck by the magnetic charm of his happiness.

Caught in the act, you suddenly realize that Chan has noticed your lingering gaze. His eyes meet yours, and there's a playful glint in them, as if he's amused by the subtle admiration you thought went unnoticed.

A warm flush creeps up your cheeks, and you quickly avert your gaze, pretending to be engrossed in the conversation. Smooth, Y/N. Real smooth.

Chan, however, doesn't let it slide so easily. A teasing smile tugs at the corners of his lips, and he gently remarks, "Caught you staring, huh?"

You can feel the embarrassment intensifying, but there's also a lightheartedness in Chan's tone that eases the tension. You play along, mustering a sheepish grin. "Well, you know, it's hard not to appreciate good company and, uh, interesting conversation."

Chan chuckles, a knowing glint still in his eyes. "Interesting conversation, huh? Is that what we're calling it now?"

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As the night in the recording studio winds down, you decide it's time to head back to your apartment. The music has filled the air with creative energy, but the familiarity of your own space calls to you. Chan, sensing your departure, offers to walk you out.

"Hey, I'll walk you to your place," Chan suggests with a friendly smile.

You agree, appreciating the gesture. Together, you exit the studio, the city lights casting a soft glow on the sidewalks. The air is filled with the residual melodies of the night, and as you walk, a comfortable silence settles between you.

Chan takes a moment before breaking the quietude. "You know, I really enjoyed spending time with you tonight."

You turn to him, a genuine warmth in your eyes. "Likewise,” You smile, “I’m uh-- I promise I wasn't staring for the reason you think,” You laugh awkwardly.

As you reach your apartment building, Chan stops, “Oh yeah, I’m sure…” He winks, looking at you with a smirk before continuing, "You know even if we're just getting to know each other, I hope we can do it again. It was really nice to meet you."

His words linger in the air, and you find them unexpectedly touching. "I'd like that, Chan," you reply, a genuine smile forming. "Thanks for the company."

Chan bids you goodnight, watching as you enter your building. As the door closes behind you, he stands there for a moment, a mix of emotions playing on his face.

You let out a sigh and a soft smile as you walk to your apartment door, unlocking it to find your roommate standing in the kitchen as he mixes something in a large bowl.

“Who the hell was that, Y/N?” He pokes at you with a sly grin, “You’re letting guys walk you home now? Where was my invitation?” He says with a playful laugh as he looks down at the bowl.

“Felix, I met someone.”

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end note: Screaming. Question for the commenters.... whats worse? Not knowing your reliving the same day repeatedly, or watching someone else do it?

Thank you so much for reading! I'll work on part 3 as soon as I can!!

#bang chan fic #bang chan fluff #bang chan fluff fic #bang chan #Bahng Chan #christopher bahng #skz fanfiction #skz fanfic #bang chan x reader #bang chan fanfiction #stray kids fanfiction #stray kids fluff #christopher bang chan #stray kids x reader #chan x reader #stray kids fluff fic #skz x reader

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pupmini · 5 months

Text

First Date Pt. 3 (Bang Chan x Reader)

!!PT 3!!

summary: Day to day life was perfectly uneventful, you wake up, go to work, make coffee, go home, and start all over again. But today... you met Chan. And you continue to meet chan... a lot.

pairing: bang chan x f!reader

genre: strangers to lovers, non idol au, crack, mostly fluff, some anger from mc, later chapters to include: slight angst/comfort, slow burn.

general warnings: barista!mc, slow burn, adult themes including but not limited to: suggestive content, cursing, mentions of death.

word count: ~4.6k

chapter content: mentions of food, coffee shop manager!Changbin, nonidol!Chan, nonidol!Han, first meets, first love flutters, roommate!Felix, angry mc!

author's note: Part 3 is here everyone! I'm so excited to see some people checking this out! Let me know if you see any errors so i can fix it, I'm contemplating adding a tag list, so comment if you want updated when the next part is out!

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"I met someone," you breathe, a soft huff passing your lips as you lock your front door.

Felix raises an eyebrow, his expression shifting to a mix of curiosity and caution. His smile was still there, seemingly happy but there was something behind his eyes you couldn’t quite discern. "Was it the guy who walked you home?"

You let out a small smile as you take a deep breath, digging in your pockets to take out your keys and nod in response. You find the paper football that was in your pocket this morning and hold it in your hands before quickly hanging your keys, “Yeah, his name is Chan. it was actually a really funny story, he said we met yesterday but he had just confused me with someone else--”

“Oh… that’s kinda funny,” Felix says with a smile, putting the whisk down, and then wiping his hands on the ‘Kiss the Chef’ apron you got him last christmas. You watch his brows furrowed a moment before glancing back up at you, “What did you guys get up to?”

Slipping off your coat, you gently place it on the back of the chair and then take a seat at the kitchen island, “Well, at first I thought Chan was a creep because he said something about thinking about me while mixing music-- but then I realized it was because he confused me with someone he met yesterday so he showed me his recording studio to prove he wasn't being weird and really did make music.”

Felix pressed his lips together in thought as he continued mixing the chocolate batter in the glass bowl, “And?”

“I went with Chan to his recording studio, and his friend Han played some incredible music, and we just vibed. It was really cool, and Chan was just so genuine with me. Admittedly he was cute too.”

As you express your excitement about Chan, you can't help but notice Felix's face contorting in hesitancy. His brows furrow slightly, and there's a subtle tightening around his eyes, a silent expression of concern that doesn't go unnoticed.

You tilt your head, picking up on Felix's hesitancy. "What's on your mind, Felix?"

He pauses, and you see him almost perfectly wipe the concern from his face and replace it with a smile, “Stranger danger, you know. It’s really reminiscent of how you met him,” Felix widens his eyes at the word, “But if you’re happy I’m happy, you know that Y/N.”

You appreciate Felix's concern, but a twinge of disappointment creeps in as you rub your thumb across the folded paper in your hands. "Felix, it's not like that. Chan is genuinely nice, and we connected over music, and he waited hours for me to get off work in order to apologize for making me uncomfortable.”

Felix offers a small smile, his worry easing slightly. "I trust your judgment. I just care about you, you know?”

You offer him a small smile and lean against the countertop, “I know Lix. You and Binnie are like hover parents sometimes,” You laugh, hoping to lighten the mood a little as you watch Felix pour the batter into a pan.

The sight of Felix finally laughing makes you relax a little, “Can you blame us after the last guy you dated? It’s not us with the poor taste in lovers,” He laughs as he jabs at you.

“Ooooh… that was low, Lee Felix,” You say, jaw wide open in faux offense. You take a deep breath and hold up the paper football with your pointer finger, aligning it up with Felix’s body and giving it a flick. The triangle launches into the air and hits Felix before he quickly turns around and looks downward, picking it up with a laugh.

“Did you make this?” He laughs, flipping it in his hands in an attempt to read the receipt paper it was made out of.

“I found it in my pocket this morning on my way to work, thought you made it,” You say as you point at the little thing in his hands. You watch as Felix shakes his head in response before passing it back to you.

“Dunno, maybe,” He says with a shrug, a comfortable silence between the two of you while he starts tending to his dishes.

You take a deep breath and stand up from the counter as you slowly make your way down to your room for bed, “In all seriousness though, I kinda hope Chan keeps coming to the coffee shop.”

Felix smiles a bit, a slight sadness in his eyes as he keeps his back turned to you, “I hope so too.”

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“And that happens every day.” Chan concluded. He was pacing the studio slowly while Han sat in this chair, and another friend was sitting in Chan’s spot. Han’s hands run over his temples as he tried to absorb the information Chan was spewing out.

After walking you home, Chan was feeling pretty melancholic about what he found out from Changbin today. Han’s face was contorted as Chan moped in his oversized hoodie, hood over his head while the hat fell lower over his eyes. It was late enough in the evening now that Han and Chan were the last ones in the building, meaning if shit got loud it didn’t matter anymore.

“So then how long will it take for her memories to come back?” Han asked.

“Changbin said it might not ever come back.”

“So what you're saying is, she’d be perfect for you, right?” the other guy said with a half laugh. He was spinning in his chair, legs pulled up off the ground.

“What is that supposed to mean, Sungmin?”

“You can hang out with her every day and flirt with no attachments because--”

“She just won't remember me anyway?” Chan interjected, looking exasperated at Han, “funny,” Chan rolled his eyes at Seungmin, “even if that were the case, I can’t keep doing this to her you know?”

Han furrows his brows, “why not?”

“It’s evil.”

Seungmin scoffs and rolls his head back, “No, it isn't. You meet with Y/N, hang out, flirt, relive meet cutes over and over, no commitment, no one gets hurt!” he says, throwing his hands up into the air for dramatic effect.

Chan froze in his place, staring at Seungmin in disbelief, “She has memory issues, you asshole!”

“Alright, okay!” Seungmin shouts in defense.

Han takes a deep breath, “I think it’s healthy for you though, Chris. You haven’t allowed yourself to connect with anyone but me since before we graduated college.”

Chan shakes his head as he finally falls backwards onto the couch, “I appreciate your concern Dr. Han, but no.”

“Chris, you’re already starstruck and you’ve known her for two days. You’d be doing the same thing anyone else in her life is doing, just making her enjoy her day?” Han says, his tone was more like a question than a statement.

“Yeah man,” Seungmin added, “then when it’s time for you to move on from Y/N, poof, you can just leave without the consequences.”

“See, I’m not exactly sure about that ‘poofing’ part. I’m not a good ‘poofer’. Unless you two care to give me an example?” Chan says sarcastically, gesturing to the other two boys.

“Quit slamming on us for five seconds, huh? We’re just trying to help,” Han says, bringing his hands up to the headphones around his neck and putting them on the desk.

“If you don't want our idea, what the hell are you gonna do?” Seungmin says, throwing his hands up in the air before they fall back onto his lap once more.

“That is the million dollar question,” Chan said, sitting up from the couch. What, indeed, was he going to do? Stop going to the cafe so he doesn’t have to see you? Pros: Heartbreak and rejection avoided. Cons: not seeing you. Not seeing you smile, or hearing you laugh at his stupid jokes, or see you furrow your eyebrows in that really cute way when you’re confused.

Or maybe, Chan could go to the diner, do what Seungmin suggested, ensnare you under false pretenses, have fun with you for a day, then leave you at the end, no commitments, no strings attached. Pros: Seeing you again, even without you remembering who he was. Cons: unethically taking advantage of a trauma patient, even if it was because he was in love with you.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Chan went to the cafe the next day. He decided that if he could only have you in the short couple of hours when he had breakfast, then that’s what he’s going to get. So now his mission was to get you to talk to him again. He took a seat at a table, opening up his laptop, and waited for you to come in for your shift before ordering anything to drink.

Chan worked on his music for a bit, and the sound of a chair moving distracted him from his focus and he sees Changbin taking a seat at his table with a heavy sigh, “Hey man,” Chan greeted, slipping his headphones off his ears with a warm smile.

“What are you doing, Chan?” Changbin leaned on his elbows as his upper body shifted over the table towards Chan with a look of disapproval and concern.

“I, uh… I just wanna say hi to Y/N,” Chan sighed as Changbin shook his head slowly, “Bin, I promise I’m not going to do anything wrong.”

“Chan, she’s not going to remember you. You’re hurting yourself doing this, you know that?” Changbin said exasperatedly, bringing his hands to cover his face in frustration.

“God, no I-- I know, trust me I know but…” Chan says as he leans back in his chair, “Look, I can't help it okay? The sliver of a chance I have to make her remember me is enough to convince me to try.”

“Well, don't be surprised if she’s uninterested in you,” Changbin shrugs, standing from the table.

“What do you mean? She’s been friendly the last two times?”

“It’s not a bar, Chan. She’s working, and getting hit on while on shift is weird,” Changbin explained.

Chan shakes his head in confidence, “No way, she’ll like me, I’ll even bet on it.”

“You’re on, man.”

The bell rings, alerting staff that someone had come inside, and before Changbin could muter out a greeting, he heard your voice.

"Traffic was worse than usual today, Changbin. I swear the city has a conspiracy against punctuality."

Changbin quickly turns around to face you as you walk into work, laughing as he pretends to ignore Chan and he chuckles, "Excuses, excuses. You know, I might have to dock your imaginary punctuality bonus."

You mock gasp and let out a pout as you slip an apron over your head, "But that's my favorite bonus! How will I afford my daily caffeine fix?"

Changbin leans against the table with one hand, feigning seriousness, "Well, you'll just have to make it up with some extra enthusiasm today. Can you handle that?"

You salute dramatically, "Sir, yes sir! Latte art will be at its finest today."

He laughs, shaking his head, "Alright, soldier. Get to it. The customers are waiting for their dose of joy, and you're the supplier today."

As you approached the espresso machine, you strained your neck to see the other guy sitting at the table Changbin was near, “Who’s your friend, Bin?”

“Oh uh, no one, I was just making sure he was doing alright,” Changbin gave you a tight lipped smile before looking back to Chan, widening his eyes as if to advise him to stay put.

You could see the other guy’s shoulders fall a little, and you look between the two with a suspicious look on your face before cracking a smile, “Bin, you don’t have to be embarrassed to introduce me to your new boyfriend.”

Bin rolls his eyes, “You know as well as I do that’s not the case,” Chan grumbles as he walks back to the other side of the counter, returning to his position at the register for the next customer.

Chan presses his lips together as he watches you work across the bar, admiring you from behind the bustling coffee bar, gracefully maneuvering between the espresso machine and the milk steamer. The rhythmic sounds of brewing coffee and the soft hum of conversation create a lively ambiance around you. As you expertly craft drinks, your focus remains on the task at hand, a subtle smile playing on your lips.

In the farthest corner of the coffee shop, Chan sits at a secluded table, seemingly engrossed in his laptop. However, his attention keeps drifting from the screen to you. There's a warmth in his gaze as he watches you move with a certain grace, an admiration that transcends the busy atmosphere of the cafe.

He sips his coffee, eyes never leaving you as if he's appreciating a piece of art. The play of light from the hanging bulbs casts a soft glow on your features, enhancing the natural charm that seems to emanate from you. Chan can't help but watch you laugh lightheartedly with customers, butterflies filling his stomach as he looks on from under the brim of his hat.

Every now and then, you catch his eye, and a smile is exchanged. It's a silent acknowledgment, a shared moment amidst the coffee shop chaos. When things slow from the morning rush, you slip out a muffin from the bakery case and take a seat at the coffee bar to rest your feet for a moment. And you take a deep breath before you feel a flick onto the back of your head.

“What the fuck?” You mumble, brows stitched together as you reach behind you to feel the back of your head and look around you before your eyes spot a small folded paper football. Your eyes scan the room until you see that guy from earlier waving at you with a stupid grin on his face.

“Hey what the hell was that for?” You curse at him, picking up the paper from the ground and walking over to him as you hold it up into the air.

“Sorry, I was just trying to break the ice--”

“Well, consider the ice very much intact.” You interject loudly, tossing the paper onto the table in front of him with a scoff, “seriously, if you wanted attention from me, a simple ‘Hi’ would have sufficed.”

Chan’s lips press together in complete embarrassment, “Yeah, my bad I was just… I thought you were cute so I--”

You let out a short huff of disbelief and cross your arms over your chest, this guy is a fucking idiot, “Sure, yeah because flicking this wad of paper at someone is the the perfect way to say, ‘Hey, you’re cute can I take you to dinner and maybe take your clothes off later?’ Come on--”

You turn curtly on your heel and retreat behind the counter to continue your shift, a simmering anger bubbles within you, fueled by Chan's ill-timed attempt at flirting. Each latte you craft becomes a vessel for your frustration, and the clinking of cups provides a rhythmic backdrop to the furious monologue echoing in your mind.

Changbin leans on his arm, looking between you and Chan as your hands move with more force than usual, a subconscious outlet for the irritation coursing through your veins.

Changbin looks over at Chan, giving him a sarcastic smile and two thumbs up before turning them upside down and making a fake pouty face before laughing and going back to work.

Chan stands up and looks over at Changbin before exiting the cafe, “double or nothing tomorrow.”

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Several, several, several, days went by at the cafe. Several, several, several, days of you turning down Chan with every chance he had. And by now… Chan was in some serious debt to Changbin, but luckily your boss was a pretty forgiving guy.

Today, Chan was just going to get his drink, go back to his studio, and actually get some work done with Han. If he didn’t, Han was going to actually kill Chan for leaving him to do all this work on his own for the last few weeks. He was determined to get you to remember him somehow, or even just talk to him again, but if you didn’t remember him then he had some time to take a break to help out his friend in the studio and try another day.

“Hey there, what can I get for you today?”

Your eyes were sparkling when they met his, and you couldn’t help but take in the softness of this guy’s features. His smile was gentle and warm, one dimple on his left cheek as his full lips curled up enough to greet you.

“Uhm… a lemonade refresher and an iced americano, please.” He said, meeting your eyes briefly before looking back down at the countertop. He seemed upset, but his eyes held a slight kindness to them that you didn’t see in anyone else’s eyes when they looked at you.

You look at the screen, tapping a few buttons, “a name?”

You watch the guy hesitate for a minute, then speak, “Chan.”

“Chan…” You repeat softly as you scribble his name across both of the cups and set them aside for the baristas to make before reading him his total and watching him bow his head thankfully before continuing on.

Your eyes trace his movements for a moment as he takes a seat at the coffee bar, and you snap out of your thoughts when you hear the next customer clear their throat. You quickly smiled at them and took their order, keeping an eye on the man you had just helped. He just seemed so sad…

You watch the cups be placed gently in front of him, and you hurriedly snatch a muffin from the bakery case and chase him down the cafe, “Hey wait--”

You watch him turn around to see you jogging up to you, and the once sad eyes that had looked to you before seemed a little hopeful and his smile widened. Chan felt every nerve in his body electrify when you ran up to him, maybe you’d recognized him? Did you remember him? Were you finally going to tell him you liked him too?

“You seemed like you were having a bad day.. So take this,” You say, holding out the brown paper bag to him, “on the house.”

The hope dwindled almost instantly, as he saw a quickly scribbled phone number on the paper bag and Chan’s face fell flat, staring it in your hands before he spoke, “Fuck this…” and he turned curtly on his heel and started to walk away. Even if he wanted your number he’d have to delete it the next day to keep himself from contacting you when you didn’t even know him.

You grabbed his arm, “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Chan yanked his arm from you and his wrist slipped from your grasp, “I don't need you to pretend to be nice to me. I just came for something to drink, not to get into your pants.”

His words hit you like a ton of bricks and you felt your chest tighten a bit at the outburst, “I was just trying to lighten your day a little, you fucking asshole,” You say back, chucking the muffin at him before straightening your apron and walking back to the coffee bar.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Chan knew fucked up. And he knew your address. Not in like a weird way, he walked you home that night you went to his studio. Chan needed more information on what happened, or at least things you liked that way he’d have some leverage sparking some kind of memory for you. Chan was lost, feeling like he had exhausted almost everything he could do to get your attention again.

When he finally got to your complex, he entered the building and up the stairs to the first door on the left, and knocked a few times, hoping you were home after your shift that day and you would answer the door. But he was greeted with Felix.

Oh god… she has a boyfriend.

“Ah… I think I might have gotten the wrong pla--”

“I know you,” Felix’s deep voice startled Chan for a moment, a bit rough as it rumbled out his chest and it did not promise anything reassuring to Chan. Felix stepped outside and shut the door behind him to stand with Chan in the hallway.

“I want to apologize to your… uh,” Chan trailed off, waiting for Felix to fill in the blank.

“Roommate? Yeah, I don't think so. She’s inside, and not going to speak to you,” Felix shot him down, shaking his head, “You and I are actually going to chat about it.”

Chan pressed his lips together as he looked at Felix, “I hurt her feelings earlier and I just didn’t want it to end like that.”

“I get that, and the fact that you’re even here in the first place is something to respect. But Listen, she doesn't remember you walking her home all those nights ago, and seeing the guy who basically spit in her face this morning at her apartment might freak her out,” Felix explains calmly, pointing to the door behind him over his shoulder.

“And Chan, Changbin, myself, and her friends at the cafe work too hard to keep her safe and protected for someone like you to come in and ruin it all,” Felix continued, leaning against the door.

“Yeah, Changbin told me about what you guys do for her, and I absolutely respect that.”

Felix’s eyebrows raise, “And if you know about her condition then you know that she can’t fall in love with you, or anyone for that matter. She will never remember you.”

“I’m not looking for a one-night stand with her.” Chan said defensively.

“Anything with Y/N is a one night stand, what aren’t you understanding?” Felix says, a hushed exasperation in his voice, “And good God, what are you doing to yourself? You spend weeks being shut down by her, finally call it quits and she’s the one shooting her shot and you cuss her out? You hit a breaking point and now you’re mad at her?” Felix’s eyes look at Chan as if he was pleading for some kind of explanation.

“I was-- She gave me her number and the idea that I couldn’t ever actually use it was enough to make me upset, and I had an outburst which is why I came to apologize,” Chan repeated.

Felix put a hand on Chan’s shoulder out of empathy, “Let up man. She can’t know you know she lives here, and you’re killing yourself doing this.”

And with that, Felix goes back inside. Chan was left standing alone with the guilt growing in his chest as he bit down on his lip and reached into his pocket to pull out a little folded up piece of paper. He spins it in his hands before looking down at his own name on the folded receipt before tossing it onto the ground in front of your apartment, trudging away and back to his studio.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

“What can I get for you, hun?” You returning the same warm smile the man in front of you was giving you.

“Lemonade refresher and an iced americano,” He says, pulling out exact change for you, passing the coins to you, “For Chan.”

Chan. You know that name. You look up at him for a moment, studying his face for any sort of recognition in his features, but he eludes you. You reach into your pocket and feel the folded football you had on your doormat this morning before you smile at him politely again, “Of course, it’ll be ready at the end of the coffee bar.”

Chan walks away and you hurry to the backroom, pulling out the folded receipt paper and unfurling the creases in your hands to see the name and order.

Chan. A lemonade refresher and an iced americano.

Your lips part in deep thought, glancing around your shoulder and through the window at the man you had just rang out. How have you not recognized him? There’s no way he’d been here before or you’d know his name--

You quickly fold up the paper back to it’s original state before returning to the cafe, where the man, who you now know as Chan, is seated in the far back of the room. You take a deep breath and approach him with the receipt paper held tight in your hands, taking a seat in front of him.

“Do we know each other?” You ask, your brows are furrowed in confusion as you look across his face.

“Do… we?” He repeats, raising a brow at you as he chews on his lips in hesitance.

You put the receipt football on the table and unfold it, pointing at his order and then his name as you hold it flat against the table. “I found this on my doormat this morning.”

Chan reaches forward and picks up the paper, reading the order and his name before glancing back up at you, “I mean, yeah this is me and my order, but… I don't think we’ve met. Maybe someone used the receipt I left behind to make it.”

You squint your eyes at him for a second before relaxing, “Yeah… yeah,” you repeat yourself, closing your eyes and shaking your head, “I’m sorry for that, it was weird--”

Chan lets out a laugh before holding out his hand to you, “I know you know my name, but I’m…” He hesitates for a second and meets your eyes, “Chris.”

You reach out, taking his hand, “Y/N. What about Chan?”

“Christopher Bahng Chan,” He says with a soft laugh, “I uh, don't usually use it with people I’m not familiar with.”

“Oh, but I’m familiar to you?” You joke, placing a hand on your chest as you roll your eyes at him.

“Well, I mean I suppose you could say that.”

You smile a bit, reaching forward and picking up the little football again, flicking it towards him. You watch as he puts his hands up to stop it from hitting his chest, and laughing a bit and something felt… familiar.

"So, what's your experience level? Beginner, intermediate, or paper football prodigy?"

That’s Chris’s voice.

"Let's go with intermediate. I've had my fair share of competitive matches in my day."

That’s my voice.

"Oh, we've got a pro here. Well, prepare to face the champion."

What the fuck.

You furrow your bows and shake your head with a soft laugh, Chris looking up at you with concern in his eyes as he reaches out and puts a hand on the table in front of you.

“Are you alright, Y/N?”

You let out a soft laugh with a shake of your head before dropping your own hands to the table and glance up at him for a moment before speaking.

“Yeah just…” You pause, with a wave of your hand to dismiss his concerns, “intense deja vu.”

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

ending note: *insert gremlin laughter here* I am never going to hear the end of this from my best friend. I can feel it in my bones. anyway-- Enjoy!! thanks for all the love<3 -- Bunn

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