One Week Later

Baekhyun stood staring at the wall where he discovered that chilling graffiti a week ago. The platinum haired man, still found it hard to believe the now newly painted and pristine wall was the scene of a such a crime.

A crime it would appear the police were still no closer to solving! Baekhyun's anger spikes,  it's clear it's no mindless prank! The culprit left no finger prints, the CCTV has been little help, as the culprit had a hood over their head and wore a face mask, making the ability to know their identity impossible. The lack of evidence, and not being able to identify the imposter was really grating him. Both he and Jongdae, had gone over the surveillance videos with a fine tooth comb, once the police returned them. Nobody obvious stood out, both men going over their diaries and appointments to come up with nothing,  what made it more baffling neither had that weird sense of being followed at all. Prompting Baekhyun to take further action to protect  his parents cherished dream, as the gallery was more then just an income and job to him, which made the vandalism all the more difficult to understand.

Concerned he quickly organised a team meeting with the staff, all of whom advised they didn't notice anybody suspicious, nobody asking out of the ordinary questions relating to the Tut exhibit. Baekhyun  not willing to risk anyone's safety, or his gallery's reputation decided to add further security. This consisted of a new sensor alam for the all the art and exhibits currently in show, a new sensor for the reception area,  a new keypad lock for the entrance, fingerprint access to staff areas and his office. Baekhyun insisted on a budy policy for all his staff, after 6pm no one was to be in one area of the gallery without a second member of staff close by. The only thing left to do was to get the temporary heat and movement sensors for the most expensive exhibit the gallery had to date.

Baekhyun closes his eyes, he's not really sure how to process what happened last week, not  just with the gallery, but  what happened after, Baekhyun can't help but blush at the explicit memories of how beautiful Chanyeol was at the height of ecstasy! That and how comfortable it was waking up in his bed. On the one hand he is thrilled that night held the promise of everything he has always wanted, especially when Chanyeol didn't push him away when he woke up to company. Even sharing what is the only public kiss they have had. He isn't given chance to explore that lingering doubt, " You know staring at the wall is a sign of madness." Baekhyun smiles and turns to face Jongdae, doing a little puppy dance when he spies how his assistant has coffee in his hand. "Sometimes I think I am mad," "you are but that is why we love you, and why I have a coffee at this hour for you." Baekhyun smiles at his rather dramatic assistant, checking the clock it's after 9am hardly the earliest time of the day. "Jongdae we have less then 2 weeks to the exhibit," "yes I know, I went been down to the storage unit last night , they have installed the additional cameras you requested and I sorted the feed to both our iPhones and iPads."

Baekhyun can feel his shoulders relax, "perfect now we just have to sort the RSVP's for opening night so I can confirm catering." "Should I add a further guest to that list" Baekhyun turns to his assistant noting the smug look he has, rolling his eyes, honestly he has no idea why he is friends with that stupidly tall man. "Sehun is a gossip," "No he is just happy for his brother, and let slip that he knows you haven't returned his  brothers calls!" Beakhyun winces he hasn't intentionally ignored Chanyeol this last week, turning to face Jongdae, he notices how his face softens, and how he reaches out to grab his hand. "Did you two sleep together last week," "Chen!" "Baekhyun, I'm just asking or is this about what he said to you 5 year's ago?" It's like a damn that bursts as he nods at his best friend and crystal like tears start "I'm so inexperienced  at this Jongdae, Chanyeol is the only person I have ever been with, when he called me an escort, it was like my world had shattered. He broke my heart even more when  a couple days later he moved to New York,  married to someone else! Yet despite all that, and after all this time, Chanyeol is all I think about, I'm scared Jongdae, I'm scared because there is a tiny part of me that hates Chanyeol for what he did, yet the rest of me just wants him to love me, like I love him."

Baekhyun watches as Jongdae moves in and hugs him tight, before steering them to the alcove he hid in when Chanyeol arrived unannounced a week or so ago. "Baekhyun, your allowed to be scared, loving someone is not always about the good times, you love that person even at rock bottom. You stand beside each other regardless of that persons struggles and faults, that's what true love is! I know Chanyeol has already pleaded his case, I don't need to know the details about what happened in New York. Chanyeol loves you Baekhyun! I saw it the night of the vandalism, how he rushed in after you and  how he tried to shield you, and how he supported you. I watched as he all but carried you out, as you were shaking so hard! Honestly the look he sent one of the officers  who was not so subtly checking you out, was all alpha male and even made my spine tingle! Sehun also told me the only reason he hasn't camped  out side is because he has been to Jeju something about breaking ground on a project."

Baekhyun smiles at his friend, meeting the philosophy and art student after Chanyeol's departure to New York, and just before graduating. Jongdae was all set for a job at a prestigious private school, that was until his father got impressed by Jongdae's essay on the modern art movement, and swiftly hired him as an assistant. Baekhyun now couldn't be with out his executive assistant. "Chanyeol is an architect for his family's hotel firm, Sehun told us about the hotel weeks ago, he is doing the advertising once it's built." Patting Jongdae's knee, Baekhyun suddenly aware he has hurt Chanyeol by not communicating, and doing exactly the opposite of what a couple should do, damn he need to fix this and fast! He gets up and turns to Jongdae about to say he needs to fix it, when his phone vibrates before illuminating Chanyeol's name. Jongdae simply holds up his hand, grabs the paperwork he has been trying to sort mouthing answer it, before he bounces away no doubt to chastise his next victim.

Chanyeol paces  in his downtown office, "come on baby pick up the phone," he hates this radio silence, and doesn't understand why Baekhyun hasn't returned his calls! He knows the Gallery is Baekhyun's top priority and that being in Jeju the last 2 days hasn't helped.  His prayers finally answered when he hears that velvet honey voice  answering. "Mr Byun, you are a hard man to get hold of" he can't help but smile at Baekhyun's sharp intake of breath, good it means that he can still effect the elusive petite puppy. "Hi Chanyeol how was Jeju," Chanyeol rolls his eyes, his baby always evading the elephant in the room. Taking a seat at his desk, "Baek Sweetheart what happened, I know we said we would take it slow, but not answering my calls seems a bit extreme baby!" "Your right about taking this slow, I guess I freaked out about our intimate encounter last week." Chanyeol can feel his heart skip a beat, and the start of a tension headache, he knew this was too good to be true. Unable to help himself and perhaps a glutton for punishment he has to know if he has to step up his game,  or if he is sinking along with the ship.  "Do you regret what happened last week?" Relieved at the quick "No I don't, waking up in your bed felt right, it's just I couldn't help but replay our fight all those years ago, I know it's different this time Chanyeol"

Chanyeol closes his eyes as his heart soars, he is so happy Baekhyun felt the same as he did regarding waking up in his bed. A flashback of Baekhyun looking so  tiny and ethereal, his beautiful face clear of any of the stress of the night. What he doesn't like, is how his careless words all those years ago still effect Baekhyun.

He can't have this doubt between them, he was an idiot back then, thinking fast, he checks his on screen calendar bingo! His mothers dinner is in 2 days, it will be the perfect place to announce their relationship, and hopefully prove that he won't hide their love in the shadows anymore! "You have to believe how sorry I am that i said that, I hate that it still causes this rift between us. I don't regret last week, what we did  was beautiful, you were so sensual and free. I want to cherish your heart baby, let me prove it to you." "You have done so much to prove it to me Chanyeol,  I'm sorry about the radio silence, someone gave me the grilling I needed." Chanyeol smiles and turns to face the river, so happy that Baekhyun isn't casting their second chance aside. "Baek will you be my date to the dinner my mother is throwing Saturday, I think it's time we started being more public ne. You know what they say third time lucky, our  last two public dinners have been cut short." Chanyeol smiles as he can hear melodic giggles on the other end of his phone, "I would very much like that." "Perfect I shall pick you up at 7pm." A sudden commotion in the background followed by a loud whine can be heard through the phone, a second before he hears Baekhyun sigh, "Chanyeol baby, I have to go my assistant is causing havoc with my installation team, I am sorry about this week, I will see you at the weekend" Chanyeol can hear the rapid footfalls and the rising voice of Baekhyun as the phone disconnects.

1000 apologies that it's been a whole month since updating, a huge shout out to cclay2020  for helping me with the direction, I had writers block! Im back! I have written this on my lunch breaks and work commute. Yes you could say it's a filler chapter and a bit heavy on repeating the angst. I have no doubt some were expecting some more intimate scenes it's just too soon. I am already working on the next chapter. As always please provide your feedback.❤️❤️