The Guitar Man

Description

A wanderer and a producer found each other's home through music.

Foreword

Woojin didn't have a specific place he could call home. He didn't have someone he'll go back to. He only finds solace and comfort to every place he'd play for, especially when he saw the contented and relaxed faces of the people that surround him while playing his guitar. He too can feel contented with the reaction he received from his audience. It gives him boost to strum the guitar strings and delivers smooth and soothing melody every chord of his guitar carries.

He's a wanderer. He goes from place to place, finds a perfect spot to play his guitar until he'll be surrounded by people who love music.

By that, he can call it his own term of a home.

For many years, Woojin had done this routine, travelling from place to place, he didn't think of settling down to a certain place because he thought this is his life already. But not until one night, he's in his favorite place to perform, he met a guy who warmed his heart and could instantly call him his home.

 

 

 

 

 

"What time is it?" Chan heard his friend, Changbin, asked Jisung, his other friend.

They worked as music producers in one of the well-known talent agencies of their place. 3RACHA is what they call themselves, how it was decided didn't matter anymore. They were childhood friends who have one common bond, music.

"Wait, lemme just adjust my sight.." Since Jisung is the nearest of the wall where the  clock hangs, he takes his eyes off from his computer's screen and looks at the clock.

"Uh..30 minutes past 10 in the evening, gentlemen." He stated dramatically before yawning shamelessly. Then he suddenly bolted up from his seat. Chan and Changbin were shocked by the action.

"What's up, Sung?" Chan asked worriedly. Chan could hear soft string of curses out from his younger friend as he haphazardly collects his things and carelessly shoves them in his bag in one go.

"Hyung, I have a date with Minho hyung and I am extremely late!" Jisung answered hurriedly.

They usually got off late from work during Fridays, with the exception of special schedule like having a date with special someone. That's been missing in Chan's dull life, a boyfriend.

"I'm sure, Minho hyung will understand, Sung." Changbin said reassuringly, relaxed unlike Jisung, who also collects his things and carefully put them in his bag, unlike Jisung had done a while ago.

By this time, Jisung was halfway out of the door.

"Yeah, but late for an hour? That's not cool man! Jesus-- I have to go hyungs, see you on Monday!" and he was gone.

"Yep, see you on Monday.." Chan mumbles because surely Jisung will not hear it anyway.

"Hyung, I'll go too. I promised Felix a late dinner date." Changbin said.

Felix is a young choreographer in the same agency they have worked in, he was just a few rooms aways from their studio, and he is Changbin's boyfriend.

Everyone is dating these days. Except Chan. Even that one choreographer, Hyunjin, Felix's friend, has also a boyfriend, Seungmin, one of their agency's solo singers. Even the maknae of their agency, Jeongin, has also a boyfriend from another talent agency. Yep, everyone is dating these days, except him.

He sighs at his pathetic thought.

"Hyung? Are you okay? You were like sighing for a few times now.." Changbin's voice woke him up. Yep, maybe he's just sleepy, considering their busy days and sleeping was not an option.

Chan gave his friend a reassuring smile and said, "oh yeah, I'm good, Bin. Go ahead, I think Felix is already waiting for you."

Changbin hummed, "okay, I'll go. But hyung?"

"Yeah?" He answered without looking at the younger producer because he starts to organize his things and put them carefully in his bagpack. His laptop has 3RACHA's future stored in that device so unlike Jisung did, he carefully put it in his bagpack as well.

"It's Friday. I thought you have somewhere to go to every Friday? And you're suppose to leave like 36 minutes ago?" Changbin said while facing the wall with the clock hanging on it.

For the second time tonight, he woke up. Maybe, he's really this stress and just wanted to sleep but no, it's Friday. How could he forget such day?


"!" He bolted up from his seat jist like Jisung did a while ago, his bagpack is thankfully safe already on his back. Changbin looked at his older friend, amused.

"Right. You lock up the studio, Binnie!" Chan hurriedly said as he was out of the door already.

A chuckle from Changbin is the last thing he had heard, without even hearing his reply.

"Yep, take care, hyung. See you on Monday." Changbin chuckles lowly, he knew Chan didn't hear it. But he hears the door opening and a confused freckled cutie came in the studio, Changbin smiles at him.

"What's wrong with Chris? He was like flying away in the hallway and just gave me a 'hey Felix' and then he was gone?" Changbin chuckles as he takes a look at the furrowed brows of his beautiful boyfriend.

"Hey baby..don't worry about him he's fine. Hungry?"

"Yeah, very. I'm starving." Felix brightens his face, the confusion a second ago was already forgotten, walking towards his boyfriend and hugging him from behind.

"Right..Let me just shut the computer off then we'll be leaving." Changbin said while turning around to hug his boyfriend properly, "you smell nice, babe."

Felix groaned, "don't be gross! I know I'm sweaty! Just hurry up, I'm starving."

Changbin chuckles before pecking Felix's lips and letting him go from his embrace.


Chan was indeed late. Very late. He missed the entire performance. Damn.

He saw the people were leaving one by one, he slumped his shoulders and huffed, mumbling in himself.

"Great, next Friday is a hell long--" he cut his own mumbling when he saw that certain guy who plays guitar, the reason he's always here every Friday at 10:00 in the evening, except today because he missed it. It's almost 11 when he arrived at the place.

He found, or better yet--heard him sing, this beautiful guy playing guitar one night when he wandered around this place. Upon hearing his angelic voice, he felt like floating. His soothing voice brought Chan to him. He could imagine how his voice is so good if he is to sing one of his composed and produced songs. He came the next Friday and the next Friday and the next until it became a routine. Chan found himself very fond of the guy while playing his guitar. He doesn't know but he wanted to hear his voice again because the many Fridays he came here, the guy just played his guitar, he didn't sing.

His friends were curious at first to what made him go early so suddenly when Friday came. One of those days, Chan told his friends about finding a place with this guitar man playing there that got him addicted to go and listen to him playing his guitar.

From that moment, he was very inspired to produce more songs with a certain guy in his mind that made his heart warm. He didn't know it but there must be something with this guy that made him want to listen to him more. Maybe because they both love music. He really wanted to hear him sing again.

"Hello? Are you..okay?"

And wow. He must be in heaven because that voice was surely of an angel. Wait..


"Hey...are you okay?" There it is again but this time he remember how to breathe and respond.

"Uhm, hi. I'm fine, thank you. Uh..I'm--" Damn. This is not the time to stutter, this is an opportunity. So he composed himself and looked at the guy properly, he cleared his throat, "I was late. I missed everything. And now you're leaving.."

"Oh, is that it?"

Wow. He still can't believe this. He talked to him.


"It's fine... I will just make sure I'll be early next time. I'm a fan by the way. I mean I Iisten to you ever since I heard you the first time. I mean I came here every Friday since that day and---" Oh boy, he's rambling. And the angel in front of him is chuckling. Even his chuckles are soothing. He's kinda cute too.

"Well, hi! I'm Woojin. Thank you for liking my performance and for being my fan." Woojin smiled. Chan thought he's in heaven really this time. Or not? Because he managed to blink his eyes awake and muster a reply.

"I'm Chan. Bang Chan." Not to be rude, he s his hand in front of this angel and thankful for him when he takes and shakes it. For a guitar man, he has a very soft hand. 

Woojin smiled again, "nice meeting you, Bang Chan-ssi."

"Just Chan is fine."

And before Chan could forgot, "oh, I want to give my...money." Chan traced his sight for Woojin's hat. People put money in it during or after the performance.

"Oh no, Chan. It's unfair how you missed the performance." Woojin softly shakes his head, blocking his hands in between them to show that he'll not accept the money.

Chan didn't miss to give him his share of pennies too because he knew it himself that Woojin is talented and he enjoyed his performance. But tonight, it's kinda different, Woojin is insistent not to accept his money. An idea came up to him though, he just hopes the latter will like his idea.

"How about I'll treat you coffee instead, if it's okay with you? I mean do you have still spare minutes?" He offered since he noticed how Woojin shivered from the cold air that passes them suddenly. Woojin checks his wristwatch.

"Well, I still have 45 minutes before my next train."

"So is that a yes?" Chan seemed excited. He can't control his feet from bouncing.

Woojin chuckles, "what do you think?"

"Great! Follow me!" Chan said helping Woojin carries his guitar since he has a bagpack to carry. Although Woojin insisted to not worry about it since he's been carrying both his bagpack and guitar for years. But Chan insists so hard. He was just so happy okay? Maybe being late in Woojin's performance was not so bad after all.

 

 

 

Those "coffee moments" with Woojin were followed by many Fridays. They talked about music, Chan's job, his friends, Woojin's life, and basically everything that happened to keep them updated from the days they didn't see each other. Texting and calling were not their thing too since Woojin didn't invest himself with a cellphone and Woojin told him once that he can't afford to buy one. Every penny he collected from places he'd performed to was just enough for him to keep going and eat and live. Sometimes he barely can't afford to rent a night's room to sleep in. Woojin has learned to adapt his life, playing a guitar is the only best talent he has to live.

Sometimes with their "coffee dates" they just shared each other's funny events that happened in every week. No, Woojin didn't have a tough life. It was his decision to be like this because he enjoyed this life nonetheless. But there are those rare times that he thought of settling down. Maybe because of a certain curly blonde that made him warm inside when he smiles showing his dimples.

 

Today, Chan invited Woojin to a dinner. Woojin promised Chan a longer time to talk and today is the day, Woojin decided to just ditched the next place he'll performed to. He loves talking to the younger. He loves his presence, like how he smiles automatically when he sees the latter. After their dinner, they walked a little just enjoying each other's presence in the middle of the night.

"What's your favorite place among all the places you've performed in?" Chan asked suddenly after a quiet moment had passed between them.

Woojin seemed to ponder his answer before giving Chan a warm smile, "I did this for years already. I learned to love this life already. And of all the places I've travelled to, this here, is my favorite.." he looks at Chan's sparkling eyes. " with you, Chan, is my favorite." He whispered while looking away from Chan. 

Chan's heart is beating so fast that he's afraid Woojin might hear it.

"Woojin?" He asked softly. This time they're sitting on the bench of a bus stop.

"Yeah?"


"Do you ever think of a possibility to, you know, stay in one place, settle down, be with someone?"

"Honestly, I thought I don't need it anymore but.." Woojin paused as Chan swallowed hard.


"...since I met you that night, that night changed my mind. If I'll have at least a securing future somewhere then I'll consider to stay, settle down, and maybe be with someone. Why are you asking?"

This is it. He wants Woojin to stay in this place with him.


"Because you'll have a bright future here with me. I can give you a regular job in the agency I worked in. You have a beautiful voice and an impressive talent of playing guitar. You can stay here... with me."


Chan panics when he saw Woojin's teary eyes, sparkling, looking at him.

"Oh no..hey, it's okay if you're not into it. I'll respect your decision." Chan reassured him, he wanted to touch him but he's afraid Woojin will not like it.

Woojin shakes his head aggressively. He was supposed to travel to another place, as usual, since he collected enough money for his bus and train tickets but that plan might change tonight.


He smiled warmly at Chan, who's also smiling at him and finally wiping Woojin's tears using his thumb.

"I didn't think of this day to come. I didn't expect someone to ask me like that. I mean, do you really want that? Do you want me here with you? I don't want to be someone's burden."


"No, no please, don't think like that. You're not a burden, I promise you're not and you will never be a burden to me." Chan said, reassuring the latter while helping him wipe away some tears on his cheeks.

"Why, Chan? Why are you so kind to me?" Woojin asked softly, sniffling a little.

That, Chan absolutely knew the answer.

"Because you deserve it. Because I like you---no, I feel in love with you that night I heard you sing."

And as romantic as Chan had said it, he panicked. It was not the reaction he supposed to feel. He panicked because this time Woojin really cried hard. Chan didn't know what to do, if he was to touch or to hug the other. He decided to cup his hands instead onto Woojin's cheeks. Wiping away some of the stray tears of Woojin's cheeks using his thumb.

"Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong, Wooj?" Chan asked softly, worried about the situation. What if Woojin didn't like him like that? He should've controlled himself.

But Woojin shook his head aggressively again, "oh my god, no, Chan. It was not bad. In fact I kinda waited for this day to come. I feel in love with you too, Chan. I've planned to confess to you many times already but I was afraid if you didn't feel the same and our friendship will be over and I don't think I can handle that."


Chan smiled at that, he secretly took a breath out of his system, so relieve that Woojin felt the same. He slowly leaned forward and whispered sweetly.

"I'm going to kiss you. I hope that's okay?" It was a whisper but Woojin heard it clearly.

"More than okay.." he whispered back, Chan's lips was only an inch away from his. Then he felt warm lips onto his. It was soothing. He felt warm in his entire being. He felt something fluterred in his belly. He felt something bloomed in his chest. He sighed as he kissed back, snaking his hands to Chan's broad shoulders. Woojin thought of how soft Chan's lips are and he could kiss him like this forever.

When they pulled back for air, Woojin chuckled as Chan leaned on his forehead, "I've dreamed of this day and of kissing you like this but I've never imagined it to happen in the middle of a bus stop of all places!"

Chan too chuckled at that before leaning in again capturing Woojin's soft lips which Woojin happily reciprocated.

_
"Come on, it's getting cold." Chan helped Woojin up and carried his guitar.

"Where are we going?" 

"To my apartment. Where else?" Woojin flushed at the teasing smile Chan had gave him.

Instead of going to another place, Woojin ended up in Chan's apartment at that night, maybe not just that night.

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