Understanding Simple (Chanyeol X Reader)

Chapter 17

Your POV

Chanyeol walks me home. Nothing is said on the way, just a comfortable silence settles between us. I make my way inside, and somehow, his coat found its way back to my shoulders.

My grandparents don't ask any questions when I silently saunter upstairs, and close the door to my room gently. I stand by the entrance for a moment, and inhale the scent of the jacket. It smells nice.

I kick off my shoes and collapse onto the bed, my heart and mind numb of everything that happened.

He came back for me.

He was faithful.

He still loves me.

And then the one realization hits me, while laying on my side, staring at the blank wall.

I still love him too.

The thing about forgiveness is that you never truly know that it's possible until you've finally done it. The weight is lifted off your shoulders, and for a moment--even if it's just a split second--you feel complete peace.

This is the first time I experience forgiveness. When you finally take a breath and allow justice to be your vengeance.

I lay still in my room, Chanyeol's jacket now covering almost my whole body, and sleep in the aroma of him.

Time Skip brought to you by Xiumin's Baozi Cheeks

I wake up in the morning covered in darkness. I pull the jacket off my face and am met with bright sunshine spilling into the room through the window. I look at my phone and see a sticky note stuck to the top.

I peel it off and read my grandmother's handwriting.

Hi Sweetie,

Chanyeol asked us to tell you to meet him at the cafe down the street by 10! Me and your grandfather will be at the shop when you wake up! We love you!

Love,

Gram.

I jump up and am immediately met with blurry vision. Definitely a hang-over. My head spins as I walk into my bathroom, checking out the wreck A.k.A. my face. I wipe off the excess make-up and undo my messy hair, hoping in the shower.

The steam opens my eyes a bit more so I can see better, and opens my airways. I get dressed into a large, grey, knit sweater over top of black leggings. The sweater reaches mid-thigh and the sleeves cover almost half of my hands. I toss my hair into a bun and throw on a pair of booties, heading out the door.

The air outside is crisp and clears my head almost instantly. I can feel the bags under my eyes weigh heavily on my face.

I probably look like a mess.

I stroll down a few blocks, passing people walking their dogs, some pushing strollers. I give a small smile and continue to the downtown area. I make it to the small cafe and see Chanyeol sitting by a table next to the window. Thankfully, his head is down so he doesn't notice me come. He looks really uneasy, with a hand covering his forehead.

The shop is small, with a few tall tables scattered the concrete floor. I walk to the desk and order (favorite/drink). People sit around the shop, reading the paper, sitting on their phones, or talking to one another.

After getting my drink, I quietly find Chanyeol and sit down in front of him. He looks up immediately and smiles. I don't smile back.

"I'm so glad you came," he says.

I nod, fiddling with the cup in my hands.

"Listen, about last night...you have all the reason in the world to be angry with me," he says.

"I am." I assure him.

He bites down on his lower lip and lowers his head, black locks falling into his eyes.

"What did your hug mean last night?" He asks.

"I don't know." I say simply.

"What were you doing with that guy?"

"I don't know."

"Are you okay?"

"I don't know."

"Why don't you know anything?"

I shrug.

He purses his lips, "do you still love me."

I know the answer to this, but, I keep my mouth shut.

"(y/n)," he says lowly, "I still love you."

My lips part and I feel the words slip from the tip of my tongue, "I do. But, I don't know what to think about you...you almost...I mean, my father..." I stutter out, feeling my eyes begin to water.

He grabs my hand from across the table, "I don't know if I can ever make that up to you...I was wrong. That was one of the worst things I could've done. All I ask is that you forgive me. I couldn't go on, knowing that you haven't forgiven me."

I look in his eyes. Those joyful, dark eyes that the whole world is in love with.

I push my fly-away hairs away with my hand, "I don't know how to forgive."

That's when his chilled hands grasp my face and pulls my lips to his. His are warm, allowing my cold lips to unfreeze from outside. My mind races, trying to understand that this may mean something. That me being able to kiss back, as his other hands finds its way to my hair, is a sign that I may be able to forgive. So I close my eyes, because we all know, that the things that really matter are not seen.