Saturday Evening, Week 5

Music Department Practice Rooms

Changsub sat in front of the old piano in the practice room. His mind felt slightly blank as he mindlessly let his fingers wander the keyboard. He liked it here. The small enclosed space. The soft drone of the air conditioning. The quiet of the soundproofed walls. This was his safe space. He always came to the practice rooms when he needed a break to clear his mind.

There was a soft knock at the door.

Changsub sighed. Security must be here to kick him out. It was the weekend after all.

He pulled himself up from the piano bench and went to open the door.

To his surprise it was Chorong. She looked slightly out of breath.

"Changsub-ah…"

"Chorongie…"

They stared at each other for a few seconds before Changsub spoke again.

"What are you doing here?"

Chorong swallowed, still trying to catch her breath.

"Looking for you?"

"Oh." Changsub didn't know what to say.

"Should I leave you alone?" Chorong asked.

Changsub shook his head.

"No it's fine." He opened the door wider and let her in.

She followed him inside.

The room was a bit small for two people. Changsub said nothing as he slumped down on the piano bench with a moody expression. Chorong debated for a second if she should sit down next to him but decided to stay standing by the door. He looked a bit scary and she wasn't quite used to seeing him like this.

She watched him as he stared blankly at the piano keys for a good minute.

Finally Chorong mustered the courage to speak.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

Changsub shrugged.

"Was it something we said?" She tried again.

Changsub sighed.

"It's fine." He said.

He thought for a minute then added in a softer voice.

"I just need some space."

Chorong felt something weird pulling in her chest. He looked so vulnerable sitting there like that.

"Sorry…" She said quietly. She wasn't even sure what she was sorry for but it felt like the right thing to say.

Changsub was quiet for a moment then he scooted over on the piano bench.

"Sit down, your legs will get tired." He patted the space next to him.

Chorong sat down.

They sat in silence for a bit. Changsub eventually closed his eyes and sighed slowly.

"I used to have anger issues." He finally said.

Chorong said nothing and looked at him carefully with concern.

"It's not that bad anymore." He continued, taking a deep breath.

"Just sometimes little things add up and I get so pissed off I can't control it…" He trailed off.

"Sorry you probably didn't need to hear that." He said quietly.

Chorong shook her head.

"It's okay." She said softly.

Changsub opened his eyes slowly and studied her face.

"Had she always been this beautiful?"

He stared her for a moment longer then looked back down at the piano.

"You're the first one to see me like this in a long time." He said.

"Hey…It's okay to be down sometimes." Chorong said comfortingly.

Changsub gave her a small smile. Her presence was calming. Somehow it felt safe, it felt like home.

"I'm glad I met you." He said sincerely. He really meant it.

"I'll be here for you any time." She smiled.

"Thanks."

There was another short silence between them until Chorong suddenly spoke.

"Wanna play something for me?" She asked.

"Play something?"

"Yeah." Chorong pointed to the piano.

Changsub thought for a second then he began to play.

Chorong watched him with interest. She'd never seen him so focused and yet so relaxed before. In that moment he seemed like an entirely different person.

Changsub closed his eyes as his fingers played delicately over the keys and started to sing. It wasn't a song that Chorong had heard before.

"Did he write this?" She wondered.

The song was quite nice, his voice was soothing and the words were lonely yet hopeful.

Changsub didn't open his eyes again until the last chord faded. He slowly lifted his fingers off the keys.

"It's beautiful." Chorong said.

Changsub gave her a bashful smile.

"It’s not perfect yet."

"But It will be someday."

"You think so?"

She nodded.

"It will."

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A/N Oh we got a bit heavy there ... changrong feels are hitting real hard. 

Sorry if I'm dumping chapters too fast I'm just feeling like...really inspired lol.