sorry for the late update.

something came up yesterday hehe 

e-knee-ways, enjoy!

x x x

"Okay... So let me tell you the story of how I met the person I'm going to marry."

The car pulled to a stop by the front gates of the Byun residence but one of our protagonists, Byun Baekhyun, wasn't ready to get off the Porsche just yet. Isn't it a relationship rule to never go to bed mad at each other? He sighed before looking glumly at his four-day boyfriend, Park Chanyeol, who still has that annoying frown on his face from their first ever bickering this morning at school.

"Chan..." He called to him in a gentle voice. Chanyeol hasn't been talking to him since who-knows-when. He listens to his stories and does everything the smaller wants, that's for sure, but no words directed to him actually left Chanyeol's lips. Literally nothing.

Chanyeol let out a disgruntled sigh upon hearing his boyfriend but refused to spare Baekhyun a glance.

"Look," Baek undoes his seatbelt so he could face the taller completely, reaching over to press one palm on Chanyeol's cheek for just a moment. "Yoon Taejoon knows you're my boyfriend, Yeol, I told him that the very first time I noticed he's trying to flirt. B-But he's in my class and he's my lab partner. I can't just ignore him whenever he tries to talk to me outside a classroom and pretend I do not know him. That'll be ridiculous, don't you think? Hm?"

Byun Baekhyun is aware of how possessive Chanyeol can be— They've known each other for more than a year now and shared a whole lot of things with one another— Be it intentionally or not. He's also aware he could be a little too protective sometimes. He knows all that and he accepts everything with his whole heart.

It's just that for that whole year of exclusively dating, Chanyeol hasn't gotten the chance to be actually and seriously jealous over anything. It caught him off guard, and now he's incredibly annoyed. And Baekhyun— Well, he just didn't expect Chanyeol to be this stressed the moment it finally happens.

Biting his lower lip, Baekhyun cautiously reached for Chanyeol's hand that's resting between them. The taller doesn't have the heart to pull back and the other heaved a silent, thankful sigh. "I only ate lunch with him because we had to talk about our presentation next week..." Baek whispered, attempting to ease Chanyeol's worries as he grasped his fingers between his own slender ones. "I'm so sorry if that made you mad... I'm really sorry..."

And it's the obvious regret, sadness, and affection in his tone that made Park Chanyeol break inside. Mad? How could he ever be mad at the love of his life?

Chanyeol turned to look at the adorable pup-like human being that is his boyfriend. Baekhyun's wearing a striped shirt under a denim jacket he borrowed from Chanyeol, and the taller has to force himself to ignore how incredibly attractive Baekhyun is right now. "Baby..." he started and Byun Baekhyun snapped his head up in utter surprise and then blushed like crazy.

"W-What—?"

The taller looked confused and worried at the same time. "W-What is it? Why's your face like that?"

Baekhyun's cheeks are bursting with color as he pointed a finger at Chanyeol. "Y-You— You just—" He suddenly looks like he's about to cry so the giant panics inside and is about to reach for a hanky when Baek spoke again. "You..." he breathes. "You never called me 'baby' before..."

"What..." For a moment, Chanyeol had no words. He wanted to laugh and kiss Baekhyun at the same time. He cannot believe that even at a time like this-- When they're bickering and all-- the smaller still melts over the littlest details. Sighing, Chanyeol took the other's hand in his and gently pulled him for an embrace. "Aw, baby..." he kissed his hair. "Why? You don't like it?"

"No, I do," Baek buried his face against Chanyeol's neck. It suddenly felt like ages since they last hugged. "I just thought you're too mad at me to even think about—"

"No no no," the taller sighed as he gently ran his palm across Baekhyun's back whilst peppering his forehead with kisses. "I'm not mad at you, Hyun. You know I'll never be mad at you..."

Baekhyun moved to wrap his arms around Chanyeol's waist so he could snuggle against his neck even further. He doesn't care about where they are or if the civilians passing by will notice how they're practically cuddled inside the car past its tinted windows. He needed this. So much.

"But you were so cold to me..." he mumbled.

"I'm sorry, baby..." Chanyeol kissed his cheek. "It's— It's my first time, too, you know?"

Baek tilted his head just a little. "Hm? Your first time?"

Chanyeol hesitated for a wee bit. "First time— First time with all these feelings..." he admitted in a whisper and rather shyly.

And well, it's true. For the both of them, meeting each other and falling in love are both things they experienced for the first time together. It's the first time they decided to open their hearts to someone, letting guards down, and spilling deep secrets one by one. It's the first time they decided to trust another person with the feelings they themselves don't fully comprehend just yet. And no one could blame them if the uncomfortable emotions that came with the good ones are still difficult to manage and understand just yet.

"I'm sorry..." Baekhyun pressed a gentle kiss on Chanyeol's shoulder. "I'm sorry if I made you upset."

"I've known that guy since grade school and I just— I don't trust him, baby. I really don't," the taller murmured against Baekhyun's hair. "I'm just worried about you. I don't want anything bad to happen to you. I don't want you getting hurt in any way... And I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry if you thought I was mad at you..."

Baekhyun nodded, smiling finally. "It's okay... It's okay, Park Chan. I understand." He fluttered his eyes close and just let himself drown at how comforting Chanyeol's arms are wrapped around his frame. He likes his smell and how warm he is against his skin. He likes how safe he makes him feel and how every insecurities seem to fade whenever they're this close. He likes how they love each other.

"I'll do my very best to stop being like this every time other people are acting suspiciously around you," Chanyeol said. "But you got to promise me, too, that you will take care of yourself."

"Yeah, okay," Baekhyun giggled, pulling back a little so he could look at his boyfriend on the face. Park Chanyeol looks completely relaxed now— All hints of jealousy and discomfort entirely gone. "Well, will you look at that?" Baek laughed. "You're entirely docile now."

"D-Docile— I'm not a freaking animal, Byun Baek."

"Just a few minutes ago, your face looks like you could punch someone," the smaller teased.

"Well, I will! If he ever puts his hand on your waist again— I swear to god—"

"And there you go," Baekhyun chuckled. "You're making that face again."

The remark made Chanyeol stop. "What— What face?"

"That face," Baek smiled widely and Chanyeol is suddenly not sure if he should kiss him or continue listening to what he's about to say. "That's the very same expression you were making when we first met."

The taller is well enough aware of what his expression looks like. It's like he's debating whether to pick a fight or tell someone off. He looks uncomfortable but at the same time thinking hard about what to do next. He had a lot of worries the moment he decided to talk to Byun Baekhyun the first time and his boyfriend probably has zero idea about what those "worries" were.

It's not like he's going to tell him yet.

Maybe in the future... When he has Baekhyun on his lap and ready to sleep. In a small vacation cottage where his stories would be the only sounds filling their entire room. 

One year & two months ago...

"Um, hello, hi, are you Byun Baekhyun?"

Baekhyun stopped chewing on his bottom lip as he looked up nervously at the guy suddenly talking to him. The good-looking stranger has a clipboard clasped around one arm and a black t-shirt on which says 'Student Officer' written in bold letters on the front. He traveled his eyes to his clipboard again then back to Baekhyun's face as he raised his eyebrows.

"Well...?" He's waiting for an answer.

"Oh," Baekhyun blinks a few times. "Y-Yes..." His palms are sweating and he's not even sure if he has put on something nice for the audition. He just snagged some salmon pink sweater and brown trousers from his closet this morning. Baekhyun doesn't want to stand out, but at the same time, he doesn't want the Music Club to immediately forget he's existing.

Noticing his discomfort, the student officer gave a small smile and went to sit beside him on the bench backstage. Some girl group is currently auditioning right now for the same club he wants in and judging from the number '04' plastered on his shirt, he's obviously up next— Thus the pounding of his heart, wide eyes, dry mouth, and crimson red cheeks.

"Hey, it's going to be fine," the officer grinned at him. "Here, water." He handed him a bottle which Baekhyun took with trembling hands.

"T-Thank you... Um...?" he frowned, not sure what to call the stranger.

"Kim Jongin," the guy introduced himself. And then he threw Baekhyun's face another glance. "You look like you're about to pass out," he laughed. "Don't worry. There's not many people in the auditorium today. You could consider yourself 'lucky' if you have stage fright."

Baekhyun just gave him a tight smile. The student officer is obviously trying to ease his mind, but he cannot just tell himself to calm down when his own damn heart doesn't even listen.

Jongin reached up to give him a friendly pat on the back. "You're up next," he said. "Just exit to your right after you finish, okay? Good luck out there."

"T-Thank you..." was all Baekhyun could say just as the prior auditionee exited the stage and the emcee started calling his name. He was practically frozen on the spot, and the student officer, Kim Jongin, was patient enough to let him catch a few breaths until his name was called again and Jongin had to literally grab him off the bench.

The spotlight was blinding the very moment Byun Baekhyun felt his foot step on the stage. He almost cannot see the audience and as much as his eyes hurt, he was thankful for the illusion of singing in an empty room. He knows he's trembling and he awkwardly reached up to fix a few strands of his hair as the club leaders quickly interviewed him. He's beginning to believe this audition's going to be a failure the very moment he felt hawk-like eyes scrutinizing him, waiting for him to make the slightest mistake. But the music club's president consoled him with her kind voice and let him breathe a few times before finally urging him to sing his audition piece.

Singing has always been Byun Baekhyun's safe place. Even with all the bullying that happened to him in his old school, the love for singing was something no one can take away from him. It has become more like a therapy for his ever weak self-esteem and a temporary band-aid to his worries. So when the first words of the old ballad he chose for this day left his lips, there was no denying his voice was meant to sing.

It was captivating. And it was captivating enough to make everyone in the auditorium sit up, including a lone guy in his black hoodie and scrunched up face. Park Chanyeol has never been that interested over someone his whole life. It was like a thread was wrapped around his consciousness, pulling him in ever so haltingly. And maybe it's his voice or his classic choice of music or his angel-like features that catch more attention than intended— Whatever that is, Chanyeol finds himself sitting up on his chair, straightening his back and focusing his eyes on the guy onstage.

What the hell... He thought and a part of him wanted to scold himself for being enamored so easily.

And when Baekhyun bowed and started to walk off the stage, Chanyeol immediately stood up, surprising himself then again. He walked down a few stairs towards the side of the auditorium where the auditionees exit, his brain being filled with nothing but the need to talk to the singer. Is he crazy? Maybe he is. Maybe he has lost his mind.

But that thought was fleeting. Just a momentary loss of his self-control.

"Wait," Chanyeol mutters to himself, pausing with an awkward foot forward. "What the hell am I doing? I-I don't even know him—" That guy may be cute, but isn't it silly to approach him just because he made my heart throb by his singing?

Ridiculous, he scolds himself. You're being ridiculous, self.

The giant was about to step back and return to his seat when someone bumped into him— Another student being pushed by a friend towards the stage. "Sorry—" But he stopped when he saw Chanyeol's face. "Oh, hey there, Park."

Chanyeol recognized the boy immediately. "Yoon Taejoon," he can't help but knit his eyebrows together. He obviously doesn't like the guy. He has had a scandalous reputation ever since and Chanyeol loathes the ones who treat other people, especially women, like they're for public use. This misogynistic dick.

"Go on!" Taejoon's friend urged behind him, stealing their attention. "The pretty guy's about to leave the stage!"

With that, the gears in Chanyeol's mind started turning at an incredible speed. It took him only one look at Yoon Taejoon and his buddies before he realized what's happening. And he knows— He sincerely knows— that he is not in the position to act or feel this way. He doesn't even know the guy who just sang for them. Why should he be territorial? Why should he be possessive? Where's all the jealousy even coming from?

But then again, Park Chanyeol has never felt so drawn to someone either, and ridiculous as it may seem, selfish as he may be, he doesn't want this opportunity slipping off his grasp.

He'll never be one to back out.

Yep, okay, Chanyeol internally sighed. I probably just lost my mind.

After giving Yoon Taejoon a sharp glare, Chanyeol continued walking towards the side of the stage where he found Byun Baekhyun just exiting after filling out a form on a table. The smaller didn't notice him as he stepped down the stage, hugging his jacket against his chest and— With the residue of stage fright— tripping on his own damn foot.

Park Chanyeol was quick to grab his arm, though, and surprised Baekhyun looked up to see an annoyed handsome face staring down at him. Oh god, he thought. Why is this towering person looking so angry?

"I-I'm sorry—" Baekhyun apologized though he doesn't know why. Should he apologize for being clumsy? Did he offend him? He doesn't really know! The expression on Chanyeol's face just scared him a little.

Chanyeol was surprised with the apology as well, so he frowned. "Why...?"

"I-I mean— Thanks," Baekhyun laughed nervously, noting the deepness in the stranger's voice. That's right. He just saved me from falling on my own damn face. I shouldn't be scared of him.

The taller realized he still had his hand wrapped around Baekhyun's arm so he slowly let him go, but not before making sure he's standing on his own two feet already. And safely. Without meaning to stare, Chanyeol can't help but just stand there and look at Byun Baekhyun. One thing's for sure now, a few feet distance makes a huge difference. He surely didn't expect to be faced with this kind of sight up close and personal.

Oh my god, he cannot help but swoon inside. He sure is pretty.

With the Park Chanyeol standing so close and almost-threatening beside the cute auditionee, all the other personas who wanted to talk to the brunette had no other choice but to step back. Although Chanyeol hasn't said anything yet, he's emitting this certain possessive aura that no one really dares cross. It's not like he wanted to do that.

It's just... It's different for him this time.

However, Byun Baekhyun has definitely zero idea as to why Chanyeol is looking at him like that. Or why people are starting to watch them. Why is this handsome guy staring at me? Baek awkwardly looked away. Why are people looking at us? Is he famous? Am I supposed to know him?!

When he couldn't take the scrutiny already, Baekhyun gave Chanyeol a small bow before attempting to walk away. But no. As Chanyeol told himself a while ago, he won't let this particular opportunity slip.

"Hey..." Chanyeol very gently stopped Baekhyun by holding his wrist. "I just— I just wanted to say..."

The smaller is now looking at him expectantly. Quite surprised, sure, but more curious. "Yes?"

"I like it," Chanyeol blurted out without even thinking and Baekhyun's eyes went slightly wide.

Did he just...?

"W-What?" Baek was utterly confused but he sure is starting to blush.

"Y-Your singing," Chanyeol clarified and if not for that ghost of a smile starting to form on Baekhyun's lips, the giant would have felt super embarrassed. "I like it... Very much actually."

"O-Oh," Baekhyun laughed with a relieved sigh. "Thank you. For a moment there— I thought—"

Chanyeol badly wanted to replay Baekhyun's laugh in his head. "Yeah," he let himself smile. "Sorry."

"No," the smaller brushes him off. "It's... It's okay."

And as if a huge block of ice just broke, Chanyeol chuckled before holding out his hand towards the pretty auditionee. "Park Chanyeol," he introduced himself. "Your fan... I guess."

All the blood seems to flow to his cheeks as Baek slowly took Chanyeol's hand in his. "Byun Baekhyun," he said. "Thank you for listening..."

He doesn't really want to just yet, but the taller lets go of Baekhyun's hand as he looks around. Some people are still throwing them curious glances but they all looked away when they met Chanyeol's dagger-like black eyes. For sure, Chanyeol doesn't want people sticking their noses into his own business. And obviously, Byun Baekhyun doesn't feel comfortable right now with all these watchful eyes around him. Maybe a more private place will be ideal for a conversation.

"Do you have anything to do after classes today, Baekhyun?"

"W-What?" The brunette suddenly doesn't know what to think. What does this idol-like guy suddenly want from him?

But Chanyeol just looks at him patiently. "After class," he repeated in a gentler voice. "Do you have anything to do?"

"W-Well..." Baekhyun racked his brain, trying to remember his schedule. "I-I have to attend this meeting until six in the evening..."

Chanyeol smiled, pleased. "That's okay," he said. "I'll wait for you outside the building."

The confusion is written all over Byun Baekhyun's pretty face and Chanyeol can't help but chuckle at the sudden cuteness. I'm in danger, he realized. My heart's in danger.

"There's this really good coffee house just outside the school," Chanyeol attempts to shed light into Baekhyun's bewilderment. "If it's okay with you, I would like to take you there."

But Byun Baekhyun's frown just grew deeper. He started gesturing awkwardly between Chanyeol and himself. "Y-You mean— You mean like a... Like a..."

"Like a date?" Chanyeol finished for him and then he chuckled at how Baekhyun seemed to suddenly not meet his gaze. "You can call it whatever you want to."

Baekhyun never expected anyone to be this forward around him, but Chanyeol is like that. He doesn't like beating around the bush. He doesn't like misunderstandings. He doesn't like drawing circles around other people's feelings and then expects them to figure it out themselves. He's always been straight to the point. Today isn't an exemption.

"W-Why..." Baekhyun started to say but then he realized eyes are still drawn to them so he took a cautious step towards Chanyeol, cupped a hand around his lips, and waited for the taller to lean down a little before whispering, "Why are you doing this?"

Chanyeol pursed his lips to keep himself from smiling wide. He looked down at Baekhyun whose face is a little closer to his than a while ago. His eyes are wide and expectant, but a little guarded, too.

"Nuclear bomb," the taller said without much thinking. "You made me feel something like a nuclear bomb."

"Nuclear...? Is that a cryptic way to call your thoughts?" Baek pointed to Chanyeol a little accusingly as he gasped. "Are you a pervert?"

The giant's eyes went incredibly wide. "W-WHAT—?!"

What did he just say?!

But then the brunette started laughing— A real, comfortable laugh that made Park Chanyeol, despite his shock from being called a pervert, utterly bewitched. Baekhyun's eyes folded into crescents as he chuckled, pink lips enveloping giggles that suddenly sounded musical, his cheeks reddening as he realized how his small joke flustered Chanyeol.

No one can be this beautiful, Chanyeol kept thinking. This should be illegal.

"I'm sorry," Baek giggled. "I was just kidding—"

But Chanyeol was charmed too much to filter his words.

"God, you're pretty," he suddenly whispered, catching the smaller off-guard. "You're seriously stunning, Byun Baekhyun."

All the laughter that somehow filled the small private bubble they made for themselves died abruptly and Chanyeol thinks Baekhyun's whole face just went beet red. He wants to, but the taller just cannot take his eyes away from Baekhyun's brown ones.

"You're a great singer, too," Chanyeol continued. "And you seem kind enough to entertain someone who looks kind of desperate to get your attention..."

"Oh, no... You're not..."

"And considerate enough to console me," the taller laughs kindly. "I would be lying so bad if I tell you now I'm not interested in you, Baekhyun, because I really am."

What he has to say to that, Baekhyun doesn't really know. He just stared dumbly at the handsome gentleman for a full moment, trying to absorb what he's saying. This is a new environment for him. A new school, new faces, new atmosphere. New feelings. For sure he isn't ready to fully trust anyone yet considering what happened to him before. But he is lucky to have a very loving family who helped him recover even just a little bit.

Maybe having a good friend wouldn't hurt.

"Coffee would be fine..." Baekhyun suddenly said in a small voice.

Chanyeol leaned a little closer. "Pardon?"

"Coffee," the brunette repeated, louder this time. "I would like to have coffee with you."

To say that Park Chanyeol's smile that very moment was wide would be an understatement. He let out a small laugh which sounded quite relieved before nodding a few times. As much as Baekhyun would like to keep his distance from strangers right now, he cannot deny the fact that there is something absolutely peculiar about Park Chanyeol. It's weird how he could instantly laugh around him, let alone spew out sudden jokes. It's weird how his presence makes him calm like it's something he already did before. Familiar. That would be the word.

Strangely familiar.

And he can't help but wonder if Chanyeol could feel it, too.

"That'll be great," the giant can't stop smiling. "I'll see you after six then."

"Hm-hm," Baekhyun grinned up at him. "See you."

And then Chanyeol remembered something he thinks he should do, so he quickly reached for his pocket, fishing out his phone in earnest. "Um, hey, if it's okay with you, can I get your—"

"Byun Baekhyun!"

The two of them looked up in unison towards Kim Jongin who was hurrying towards them. He looked excited as he tried catching his breath, slapping one hand on Chanyeol's arm to acknowledge him before turning to Baekhyun.

"The sunbaes want to talk to you about the audition," he told the brunette. "I think they like you."

Baekhyun's eyes went wide. "Really?" he beamed. "I-I should hurry then."

"Yeah, yeah," Jongin practically pushed him towards the backstage. "Go on, go on. Hurry!"

Baekhyun barely had the chance to wave goodbye to his newly met acquaintance because Jongin is nudging him away, looking more excited than him about the news— Whatever that may be. As soon as Baekhyun's out of sight and earshot, Jongin turned to his best friend in a split second, eyes squinted as they seemed accusing but amused at the same time.

"One second!" he exclaimed, holding out a finger towards Chanyeol's face.

The friendly aura that was enveloping the giant just a while ago dissolved into nothing like it was never there. "What?" he glared down at his friend.

"I let the newbie out of my sight for a fucking second and now you're already here hitting on him," he says. "Man, you move fast."

Chanyeol gave him another dagger-like stare before turning away. "I don't like wasting time," he said as he started walking towards the side of the auditorium where the exit door is located. He has nothing to do here any longer. He'll just wait for his sister outside and call their family driver to pick her up. Because as everyone could see, he has more important matters to attend to later.

"Wait! So what did you tell him?" Jongin nagged as he followed Chanyeol out. "Did you ask him out? Does he like you, too?"

The giant just ignored him.

"Come on~" Jongin whined like a child. "I'm your best friend! Just— I'm just super curious!"

Chanyeol can't help but sigh. "You know I'm not one to tell people about things like this," he looked at his friend. "I'm sure it'll make Baekhyun uncomfortable."

Jongin paused as he surveyed Chanyeol's face. "Oh god, man," he gushed in disbelief. "You're fucking smitten."

"No— I am not—"

"Yeah, yeah," Jongin brushed him off. "Keep telling yourself that."

But Chanyeol won't let himself be flustered. "I swear to god—"

"Whatever lets you sleep at night, dude." 

That evening, Park Chanyeol was patiently waiting outside Byun Baekhyun's building, pulling his coat around his body to fight off the cold as he sat on the hood of his car. Fog gathers around his lips whenever he sighs and he would have waited inside the Porsche instead if not for the fact that he and Baekhyun don't have any ways of communicating right now.

"He might not see me," he told himself. "It's okay. It's okay, Park. It's not that cold anyway."

But that last statement was a lie, of course.

Just as another freezing breeze swept across Chanyeol's face, the main door of the building swung open and Baekhyun stepped out rather hurriedly, stopping by the stairs to look around the parking lot as he obviously tried to spot someone. He already has a brown coat on and a scarf is wrapped snugly around his neck. Standing straight, Chanyeol raised his hand in the air, immediately catching Baekhyun's attention.

The brunette smiled widely, bright enough to light an entire room, as he jogged his way towards the waiting man.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he apologized the very second he reached Chanyeol. "Oh god, it's so cold. Why're you waiting outside your car?"

"So it wouldn't be too hard for you to locate me," Chanyeol explained. "Besides, I'm alright. It's not that cold."

Baekhyun chuckled, amused. "Not that cold, huh?" Then he very quickly grabbed Chanyeol's hands and immediately took note of how incredibly icy they are. "See! You're freezing!" he exclaimed, eyes flashing pure concern. "Come on, come on. Let's step inside."

"Okay, okay," Chanyeol breathes as he starts to walk towards the driver's side.

And then out of nowhere, a horrifying thought occurred to him. It hit him like an avalanche and he can't help but stiffen on the spot. His hand froze on the door handle and Baekhyun seemed to notice it, too, because he stopped from entering the passenger's side to look across him. Their eyes met.

Before Baekhyun could say anything, Chanyeol already blurted out that one thing he should have asked the very first time. "Hey, Byun Baekhyun..." he started in a whisper. "You're single... Right?"

And with that, Baekhyun started laughing loudly. For a moment there, he actually expected Chanyeol to call off their 'date' the last second. But he was wrong. And he cannot believe he's asking him that now out of all queries he could have dropped. Baek clasped one hand over his lips as he shook his head in pure amusement. "Oh my god, you're adorable," he giggled.

But Chanyeol is still looking at him. Expectant and nervous.

Whilst smiling widely, Baekhyun reached for the pocket of his coat. "I planned to give this to you by the end of the night but you're giving me no choice right now," he mutters before fishing a piece of paper from his pocket and placing it on the roof of the car between them.

Before the wind could blow it away, Chanyeol immediately but carefully took the paper and unfolded it.

Written on Byun Baekhyun's quite messy handwriting is his phone number and below it is a date and address. Confused, Chanyeol looked up at the pretty guy in front of him. "What's the date and address for?"

Baekhyun bit his lip shyly. "Yeah, well," he cleared his throat, suddenly blushing. "I'm attending an art exhibit next week and... And I... I want to bring someone. L-Like a date."

It was Chanyeol's turn to blush red. And he would have said something by now if only he's less aware of how strongly his heart's pounding inside his chest.

The silence made Baekhyun more embarrassed. "I-I'm single, alright?" he mutters, flustered, as he looked away. "I-I hope you are, too."

Coming back to his senses, Chanyeol let out a small, relieved laugh. He waited for Byun Baekhyun to look at him again, both pairs of eyes meeting like magnets on a cold night. Slowly, a sincere and calm smile formed on Chanyeol's lips. "I'll be there," he whispered. And he knows no tinge of lies is ever there.

For some obvious reason, Baekhyun cannot help but smile back.

That night, a new chapter began.