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Kyungsoo thinks that in life, especially when it comes to relationships there are only three chances you could get. First is your first love; the purest one. Second is your heartbreak; the one who’ll make or break who you are. And lastly, the one that lasts — a long time or maybe forever.
But not with Chanyeol.
Ever since he met Chanyeol the limit of chances he could possibly think exceeded his expectations to the point that he believed that all of it was only a waste. Chanyeol is a limitless man, as long as he lives there are a million chances he could take.
Kyungsoo first met Chanyeol when they were sophomore, they weren’t in the same class but they have a few mutual friends which led them to be together in one circle. Nothing special. They’re just very casual towards each other. Not until both of them had their own relationships.
That was Kyungsoo’s first chance. His first love.
And that was Chanyeol’s first of many.
Entering their 9th grade, Kyungsoo lost his first chance, as well as Chanyeol. They were in the same class and they unexpectedly became very close.
Chanyeol, being limitless, began to find certainty in Kyungsoo. On that sunny Tuesday morning where their Physical Education teacher asked them to look for a partner for their cotillion dance for prom.
And that’s the time Chanyeol took his first chance. A step closer and he immediately lost it. He watched how Kyungsoo took the hand of a man who asked him to be his partner. Chanyeol sighed and took a step backward.
Maybe it wasn’t the right time for Chanyeol to take a chance.
In 10th grade then. Chanyeol declared to himself as he stepped inside their classroom only to see Kyungsoo being sweet with his new boyfriend.
Maybe not.
For Kyungsoo, his relationship with his current boyfriend is all that he could wish for. It feels like it’s too good to be true. He was so invested with his relationship without knowing that he’s slowly drifting apart from everyone, especially his friends, and Chanyeol whom he’s the closest with.
And by the time he tried to reach out, his boyfriend hindered him. Turns out, he was obsessed and that made Kyungsoo traumatized. Luck must be on his side because he was able to break free from that obsessive and manipulative guy.
But Kyungsoo also lost another chance. And this heartbreak broke him.
Kyungsoo was walking on his way home when someone stood and walked beside him. When he looked up, it was Chanyeol. He couldn’t say anything but just stare at him teary-eyed.
“Why are you looking at me like that? Am I your ex-boyfriend that you’re missing?” Chanyeol jokingly said.
Kyungsoo looked away, “I don’t miss him…” he whispered.
“Yeah… you shouldn’t, he’s not worth it. You still have your third chance tho”
“I don’t actually care about that right now. I have other things I need to prioritize”
“Like what?”
“Reconciling with you” Kyungsoo quietly said and looked down.
“What?” Chanyeol halted his steps and faced Kyungsoo, “I don’t remember us fighting”
“But I kinda distanced myself when Junho and I were still in a relationship. I thought you'd be a little mad at me because we don’t hang out often and you might think that I ditched for another guy.”
“Hey” Chanyeol chuckled and lifted Kyungsoo’s face, “I really don’t mind if we’re not that hanging out often, I understand it really of course you have to prioritize your boyfriend- oops now your ex. What’s important to me is you still consider me as your friend. That’s enough for me, Kyungsoo-ya.” He sincerely said and ruffled Kyungsoo’s hair.
“Yah” Kyungsoo swatted Chanyeol’s hand away, “Are you sure? No hard feelings?”
“Yeah, 100% sure” Chanyeol said, then smiled widely.
“Thank you, Yeollie,” Kyungsoo said, then smiled back.
And Chanyeol was totally smitten. Those sparkling crescent eyes. His heart shaped lips, His soft cheeks. Woah. Chanyeol could actually kiss him right now but he restrained himself because Kyungsoo needs a friend not another headache from a man.
“You know what, instead of getting dramatic here on the sidewalks, let’s eat.” Kyungsoo said snapping Chanyeol back to reality.
“Yeah, right. I’m actually starving. Mathematics drained me out so much.” Chanyeol agreed then placed his hand over Kyungsoo’s shoulders before they continued to walk.
“Huh coming from someone who wants to be an engineer.” Kyungsoo teased.
“I want to be an engineer, but I don’t like Math. It makes sense you know”
“No, it doesn’t”
“Yes, it does. Anyway, what do you want to take in college?”
“I’ll take any pre-med courses. Preferably nursing.”
“See, you want to be a doctor but you’re sleepy as hell” Chanyeol teasing him back
“I’m not!” Kyungsoo defended.
“Yes you are. You always fall asleep when we’re talking about something”
“But not in class” Kyungsoo said then rolled his eyes
“Right. Okay, you win.”
With Chanyeol by his side, Kyungsoo was able to move on easily. They’re always together, side by side. Chanyeol didn’t mind his growing feelings for Kyungsoo but as the time they spend together becomes more frequent he can’t help but give his affection to Kyungsoo and the latter only sees it as a platonic kind of affection. Chanyeol thinks.
But that’s not the case.
Kyungsoo is on his way to Chanyeol’s house because he and their group mates decided to meet at Chanyeol’s house because it is big enough for all of them, also they have a lot of food (like a lot).
Kyungsoo was surprised to see Chanyeol on the gate of their subdivision. He’s leaning on a wall while looking at his phone, he lifted his head when he sensed someone was coming.
“Hey, you’re here” Chanyeol greeted, then stood up properly while grinning.
“What are you doing here at the gate?” Kyungsoo asked.
“Waiting for you,” Chanyeol answered plainly.
“Why?”
“Why not?” Chanyeol chuckled, then he began to walk.
Kyungsoo was slightly taken aback with Chanyeol’s answer. He admits, his heart starts to flutter whenever Chanyeol talks to him like that.
“Yah, wait for me!” Kyungsoo said while catching up to Chanyeol’s big steps.
“Hurry up! We have so much things to do” Chanyeol said without looking back
“You walk so fast!” Kyungsoo said when he catched up then smacked Chanyeol in the arms.
“Ow!” He reacted then caressed his arms, “You’re just slow”
They continued to walk and Kyungsoo was startled when Chanyeol reached out for his hand and guided him because they’re crossing to the other side. Kyungsoo looked at their hands with wide eyes while trying to process everything. He and Chanyeol were never the physically affectionate one; the only time their skin touches is when they hit each other. But this moment right here makes Kyungsoo’s heart feral and he probably looks so red right now.
They walked hand in hand until they reached Chanyeol’s house. Kyungsoo felt a little bit sad when Chanyeol’s let go of his hand when they entered the house. They didn’t talk that much at that time because they had to finish their group project. They finished their project almost late. Everyone hurriedly packed up and finalized their project.
“Soo, I’ll take you home.” Chanyeol said while Kyungsoo is organizing his things.
“Huh? No need. It’s late, I can go home by myself. Besides, I’ll walk with our groupmates.” Kyungsoo declined.
“Uh, but they’re out of your way.” Chanyeol insisted.
“Sehunnie and I live in the same area.”
Chanyeol looked at Sehun asking for help.
“I’ll sleep with my brother tonight, so I’ll be out of the way,” Sehun said, getting Chanyeol’s signal.
“Oh, alright. Still, I can go home alone” Kyungsoo still refused.
“I won’t be at ease when I let you go home alone. Please, I insist.” Chanyeol pleaded and showed Kyungsoo a soft smile.
Ugh. Of course, that smile. The smile that he can’t resist.
Kyungsoo sighed, “Alright, fine. But no more detours, once we reach home you’ll go home right away it’s late.”
“Yes, yes. I promise. I’ll just take you home.” Chanyeol said while raising his right hand with a proud smile.
“Let’s go, others’ houses might be far away.”
Kyungsoo was pretty sure that he can go home alone but ever since that night Chanyeol regularly walks him home and sometimes takes detours for some ice cream.
“Kyungsoo-yah,” Chanyeol called while they’re sitting at a bench eating takoyaki.
“Hmm?”
“Have you ever considered a friend to be your boyfriend?” Kyungsoo was totally caught off guard to Chanyeol’s question that he almost choked on his takoyaki.
Kyungsoo swallowed first before answering, “Honestly, I don't know. I feel like I’ll love that person genuinely but I’m afraid that when our relationship will fail that also means our friendship will end.”
“But if you love the person, won’t you take a risk?” Chanyeol followed.
“I am too scared to take a risk now. I have so many doubts in my mind when it comes to relationships. I don’t wanna waste another chance at love” Kyungsoo answered.
“You know, I don’t understand why you limit yourself to only three chances at relationships. There are many chances a world can give.”
“Because I feel like if I love more than three times, I’ll lose the genuineness and pureness of it. It’s like I’ve run out of things I could give because I already gave it to the wrong people.”
Chanyeol stayed silent.
“I think we should go home now.” Chanyeol said, then stood up.
“I can walk here to our house. You can go first.”
“Okay, take care, Soo.” Kyungsoo was surprised that Chanyeol agreed because normally he would insist on walking him door to door.
“Y-yeah. Take care also.” Then Chanyeol turned his back and started to walk away. Kyungsoo watched Chanyeol until he lost sight of him before deciding to go home.
Maybe this isn’t the right time to confess my feelings to Kyungsoo. Good thing I asked him that question first. Maybe in another time. Chanyeol thought to himself while walking home.
But they weren't given another time when their senior year started and they went to different schools. Chanyeol and Kyungsoo got too busy with their studies and given that their schools are far from each other, they gradually lost contact.
Kyungsoo regretted it. Not taking a risk for Chanyeol, he’s always the one who makes the first move in his past relationships but when it comes to Chanyeol, he’s too afraid to break something special that they had. He knew to himself that it was not one-sided; with the glances, affection, and efforts they share, everyone can tell that there’s something going on between them. And Kyungsoo was too dumb not to address it to Chanyeol, now he’s regretting every word he said when Chanyeol asked him that question, he should’ve said he’s willing to risk it, maybe he won’t miss him so much right now. It is another chance that he lost.
Chanyeol regretted it more. He should’ve taken the chance to confess. He’s actually getting there yet he wasted it just because he felt down because of Kyungsoo’s answer that day.
2 years had passed and their senior year ended. Inside those 2 years they’ve learned to live their lives without each other. It’s like they buried all those feelings they kept and moved on and have their new relationships. It was a dumb thing to do, they admit. To enter a relationship knowing they’re unsure with their feelings, it will eventually fail.
And Kyungsoo swore to himself that it was the very last chance he would take.
And they both know very well that their feelings for each other haven't faltered even once.
College isn’t the best time to start a relationship, they say, due to the workload and many of the people around you are either taken or too busy with their lives. But fate has other plans for them.
At the busiest and most important part of their life, they met again.
When Kyungsoo was casually strolling in the mall, he was about to step on the escalator when a guy pulled his arm and turned him around. Everything felt slow and he was frozen at his position staring at the man in front of him.
“Hi,” Chanyeol said with a smile Kyungsoo could easily recognize.
“C-chanyeol” He startled as he was still shocked to see him back in town. “Long time no see, how are you?” He tried his best to remain composed while talking to him.
“Can we talk somewhere, you know I’m kinda hungry right now” Chanyeol said without letting go of his hand and giving him a fluttering look.
He missed this. He missed him so much.
Kyungsoo silently followed Chanyeol. He saw that they’re entering their favorite restaurant, Chanyeol picked out a table and they sat still, not letting go of each other’s hand.
“Let’s order first” Chanyeol said and Kyungsoo is just staring at him still processing everything.
“To answer your question. I am doing well. How about you? How’s college?”
“It’s fine,” Kyungsoo answered quietly, still not tearing his gaze on Chanyeol.
They stared at each other for quite a time.
“I missed you,” Chanyeol blurted out. And that was Kyungsoo’s last straw.
“Fuck. I missed you so so damn much and I hate myself for not doing anything about it. I am also kinda mad at you for not reaching out yet I can’t blame you either because I did the same. I should’ve said this before but I was too scared. Chanyeol, I am willing to risk everything. I am willing to consider a friend being my boyfriend and I—,”
“I love you” Chanyeol cut him off.
Kyungsoo doesn’t realize that he rambled and he started to tear up. All those walls he built since his last relationship crumbled down and the promise he swore to himself is eventually broken.
“I love you, Kyungsoo. There are many chances that I’ve wasted but this time I am taking this one big chance. A one big chance to be a chance that you’ll take. I know we have a lot of things to address, and a lot to catch up but I feel like I can’t take it anymore if I keep this feeling for so long.”
Kyungsoo cupped Chanyeol’s face. “You know that I am a strong believer of having only three chances at relationships. But because of you I learned that there may be a limited number of relationships but not in love. With you, because of you, as long as it's you, I am willing to take a hundred risks and chances. I love you and I miss you, my Yeollie.” Kyungsoo lovingly said while Chanyeol kept wiping tears from Kyungsoo’s face.
“Can I be your last chance?” Chanyeol said while looking softly at Kyungsoo’s eyes.
“You are the certain in every chances I will take.” Kyungsoo answered and leaned in for a hug.
“I love you.” Chanyeol whispered, then kissed Kyungsoo’s temple.
They let go of the hug, “I love you too” Kyungsoo replied, and as they both slowly leaned in.
“Here’s your order, sir” The waiter suddenly came in, placing their orders at the table.
Kyungsoo and Chanyeol both looked away, feeling embarrassed. When the waiter left they looked at each other and burst out laughing. Kyungsoo scooted closer to Chanyeol and they started to eat.