GROWING DARKNESS

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

They spent most of the afternoon lazing around on the couch and randomly watching movies with plots that made no sense. But neither of them were bothered by it, they were just content to sit with each other, Baekhyun curled into Chanyeol's side, his long warm arms wrapped securely around Baekhyun's waist. Baekhyun felt warm and protected for the first time in his life, and it was an amazing feeling not having to worry about watching his back. Baekhyun wished it could stay this way forever, just the two of them without any worries. That was the kinda life Baekhyun desperately wished for, but knew he'd never have.

How come every time Baekhyun was left alone with his thoughts, things turned so dark? Baekhyun was sitting next to an amazing guy, and all he could think about was his hollow life. Something had to change, Baekhyun couldn't continue to live like this. He had to cut the darkness out of his life — he had to eradicate it.

Baekhyun turned to Chanyeol and muttered, "I'll be right back." Baekhyun's voice sounded distant, and maybe if Chanyeol had noticed he could have stopped him, but Chanyeol didn't. He just smiled at Baekhyun and told him to hurry back.

I will, Baekhyun thought. I'll come back clean, untainted just for you.

Baekhyun walked to the foot of the stairs and ascended them as if in a daze. He felt a chill overcome his body as he securely locked the door behind him, and thought, Chanyeol, I'm going to make myself clean for you, as he pulled open the cabinet and quickly searched for what he needed. Then he found it and gently gripped it in his fist.

A black figure descended over Baekhyun as he slowly brought the blade down to his wrist. The chill, the chill of Death was close beside him, whispering into his ear, his teeth like-knives, his breath like poison, his touch like ice. Death gently grabbed Baekhyun's hand and guided the blade to Baekhyun's wrist. It didn't hurt when the thin scarlet line started to form. It didn't hurt as the thin line grew bigger and rapidly started to drip to the floor. It didn't hurt when Death's black, icy cold tongue licked across the cut and more blood instantly started to flow, coating the floor beneath Baekhyun in a sickly, sticky red.

Death brought his lips to Baekhyun's ear and whispered, "I'm creeping in your heart I will overturn you, break and swallow you I steal you and indulge in you I will ruin you." Death kissed away Baekhyun's tears. "Everyone fears me so I'm untouchable But why can't you honestly refuse me in the end I hide, watching you, and you're surprise I'm like an antinomy to you, but I'm part of you Accept me as I am Forget your fearful worries Enjoy the pain you can endure Fall deeper I'm toying with you in my palm however I want Don't run away, you will linger forever You can call me monster." Then Death enveloped Baekhyun into his arms, his black cloak wrapping around him like a silkily coffin.

Death trailed a skeletal finger across Baekhyun's cheek, his skin burning beneath the touch. The pain, the pain was so much.

If a person slices their wrists with a blade horizontal, no one can save them. If a person slices their wrists vertical, it bleeds but one can save them. If a person slices their wrists horizontal and doesn't immediately seek help, that person will die.

The icy chill wrapped around Baekhyun, Death gripped Baekhyun's wrist and guided the blade horizontal from his wrist to his elbow. The blood trickled from the cut before becoming a steady stream. The blood coated the floor around Baekhyun like a red sea. Death leaned forward, his icy lips touching Baekhyun's ear as he whispered, "Accept me as I am Forget you fearful worries Enjoy the pain you can endure Fall deeper I'm toying with you in my palm however I want Don't run away, you will linger forever You can call me monster."

Baekhyun became colder. Baekhyun couldn't move. Baekhyun couldn't breathe.

Baekhyun was dying.

Death wrapped his hand around Baekhyun's wrist, guiding the blade down sharply and cutting a deep gash from Baekhyun's wrist to his elbow. The blood pooled around Baekhyun's feet. The blood stained Baekhyun's clothes red. "I'm toying with you in my palm however I want—"

"Baekhyun?" someone called to him threw the cold mist. Dazed and confused Baekhyun looked at the blade in his hand. There was no blood. There was no deep cutting gash in his arm. His skin, it was flawless.

"Death," Baekhyun whispered, "you're toying with me in your palm . . ." Then with a heart-wrenching sob Baekhyun dropped the razor blade and it clattered into the sink, that moments ago had been filled with his blood. Tears streaking down his face as Baekhyun unlocked the door and flung it open. He saw Chanyeol posed to knock and crashed into his arms, sobbing uncontrollable.

Why am I so broken? Why do I imagine such things? Why do I constantly find myself wishing for death when I have someone like Chanyeol to make me happy? Chanyeol whips away the pain, so why do I still so badly want to die?

3rd p.o.v.

"Baekhyun?" Chanyeol whispered. "What happened in there? Why are you crying?"

Baekhyun couldn't tell him what he had imagined. Chanyeol wouldn't want someone so broken beyond repair. Chanyeol wouldn't want the Baekhyun who talked to Death, Chanyeol would want a clean, untainted Baekhyun. No one ever wanted the tainted Baekhyun.

"Baekhyun, what's wrong?" Chanyeol reiterated.

Baekhyun gazed up into those eyes he loved so much and whispered, "I don't want to go home. Can I stay here with you?"

"Baekhyun," Chanyeol softly murmured and kissed his forehead. Chanyeol lingered there for a moment, his eyes squeezed tightly shut as he fought for composure. When Chanyeol pulled back to gaze down at Baekhyun, he whispered, "Of course you can stay, and my parents are in Japan on business so you won't have to worry about anyone asking questions."

More tears spilled over Baekhyun's eyes and he tightly locked his arms around Chanyeol's waist and buried his head in his chest. Maybe if I stay here with Chanyeol in his arms, he won't notice the black cloud that follows me.

. . . .

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

Their weekend pasted in a blur, and the next morning — a school day — dark clouds filled the sky, the looming threat of rain hovering over the whole city. Baekhyun was struggling to find clothes that would fit that morning. He had already torn apart Chanyeol's closet before moving onto the dresser. But he couldn't find a single thing. "Why is Chanyeol so freaking tall," Baekhyun grumbled in annoyance as he turned around to face the mess behind him. Out of frustration when he couldn't find a single thing to fit him, he had gotten tired of putting everything back on its hanger and instead started just throwing it all over his shoulder, resulting in the mess that now stood before him. It was like a baby mountain made from different colored clothing.

Groaning in frustration, Baekhyun dropped backwards onto the bed and rolled over onto his face, then added a pillow over his head. He groaned again and mumbled into the bed, his voice muffled as he said, "Stupid, freaking tall giant. Why are you so gosh darn tall. How much vegetables did you eat as a kid, jeez."

Suddenly the bed dipped down, causing Baekhyun to slightly roll and bump into Chanyeol's side as Chanyeol muttered in amusement, "It wasn't vegetables. It was milk." Baekhyun looked up at him sheepishly and mumbled awkwardly, "Hi," before rolling back over onto his face and groaning very dramatically.

Chanyeol chuckled, the deep sound vibrating into Baekhyun's bones. He had to bit his lip to suppress a different kind of moan.

Chanyeol tapped Baekhyun's arm and said, "I think this will make you feel better. And hopefully it'll keep you from whining about not being able to find anything to wear."

Baekhyun slightly turned his head to peek at Chanyeol, and saw he was holding a brown bag. Suddenly excited, Baekhyun quickly scrambled to his knees and held out his hands mumbling, "Ooh, give me give me!" before snatching it from Chanyeol's hand.

"What, no thank you?" Chanyeol asked with a pout.

Baekhyun grinned and leaned forward to kiss Chanyeol's cheek, but at the last minute Chanyeol turned his head and Baekhyun's lips instead landed on Chanyeol's, not that Baekhyun was complaining. But when the kiss started to change from innocent to, well, not so innocent, Baekhyun pulled back and muttered, "Park Chanyeol, you're very bad."

Chanyeol grinned mischievously in response and muttered, "Only when it come to you, Baek."

Baekhyun blushed furiously before turning back to the gift Chanyeol had gotten him.

Chanyeol's p.o.v.

As Chanyeol watched Baekhyun pull out the blue denim skinny jeans and black knitted sweater with interwoven strands of white, it was like watching a child open their first present on Christmas Day. (A/N: The picture at the top. Again, picture him with black hair.) Chanyeol felt a mixture of many emotions in that moment, happiness being the most dominate. He was always so happy when he could make Baekhyun smile that beautiful smile, overjoyed really. It made him happy to see Baekhyun happy, and he always wished nothing but happiness for Baekhyun, after all he deserved it so much.

"I'm going to try it on!" Baekhyun cried excitedly as he dashed to the bathroom.

Chanyeol chuckled as he got up and started to hang up the clothes. "Jeez, he's so messy," Chanyeol muttered with a grin, but he loved it, Baekhyun had the clear to mess with his life all his wanted.

When the bathroom door clicked open, Chanyeol tried containing his excitement, but it was hard when he saw Baekhyun's expression. He walked out of the bathroom nervously tugging on the end of his sweater and biting his lip before his big brown eyes lifted to meet Chanyeol's, upon seeing Chanyeol already staring at him, Baekhyun blushed.

God, he's so gorgeous, Chanyeol thought as he asked, "Do you like it?"

A small smile split across Baekhyun's face and he practically jumped on top of Chanyeol as he tightly wrapped his arms around Chanyeol's neck and mumbled, "I love it, Chanyeol. Thank you."

Chanyeol smiled and moved in to kiss Baekhyun's cheek, but as Chanyeol had done before, Baekhyun turned his head at the last second and kissed Chanyeol's lips, not that Chanyeol was complaining. Grinning against Baekhyun's mouth, Chanyeol kissed him, fueling as much love and passion as he could into that kiss before pulling back.

Baekhyun pulled back too with his eyes closed and a faint smile marring his perfect lips. "Hmm," Baekhyun mumbled, "I feel lightheaded."

Chanyeol laughed at the cheesiness of the sentiment and lightly pecked Baekhyun's lips once again. "You're so cute," he whispered.

Baekhyun just grinned in response before hopping out of Chanyeol's arms and grabbing his school bag and saying, "We'll be late if we don't hurry up."

Chanyeol groaned. "No, let's just skip again," he whined as Baekhyun rolled his eyes and said, "Yeah, and what would we do all day?" Chanyeol gave Baekhyun a knowing look, and Baekhyun visibly gulped before Chanyeol said, "Baek, I'm only kidding."

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

Baekhyun rolled his eyes again and said, "Good, because if not, I'd be forced to smack you," as he thought, Chanyeol, don't say things like that. I can't be intimate in that way — not yet at least. Not after . . . all of that.

Chanyeol's p.o.v.

Sighing, Chanyeol followed after Baekhyun down the stairs and to his car. As he was driving them to school, he noticed Baekhyun's demeanor had shifted once again. He was playful at the house, but now . . .

Did I say something wrong? Chanyeol wondered. I'm sorry, Baekhyun. I'm sorry for making you sad.

. . . .

3rd p.o.v.

When they arrived at the school, the sky had grown considerable darker. Chanyeol thought it was just a storm. But Baekhyun feared it was some kind of warning, like a premonition of sorts. He quickly pushed it away though. He didn't want to be sad anymore, so when Chanyeol opened his door, Baekhyun bounced out with a smile and kissed his cheek.

Baekhyun's mood has shifted again, Chanyeol thought as he laced his fingers with Baekhyun's petite fingers. Chanyeol brought their clasped hands up to his lips and kissed the back of Baekhyun's hand before grinning down at him lovingly. Baekhyun blushed.

In their first class together they passed notes back and forth between them, each of them writing something sweet to the other — it made them feel like teenage girls with a crush, but they didn't care. When the bell rung signaling the end of class they both sighed heavily, each earning sheepish grins from the latter. Chanyeol walked Baekhyun to his next class and gave him a kiss at the door before, regretfully, turning away to go to his next class, causing people to exchange glances. As Baekhyun watched Chanyeol walk away, he did in fact, feel very much like a school girl. Baekhyun sighed again before turning around and walking into his next class.

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

Baekhyun hated what he became when Chanyeol wasn't with him. He hated his weakness. He hated the dark cloud that constantly loomed above him. He hated that dark figure he could see suckling in the corner of the room. He hated that chill that crept along the length of his body whenever it was near. He hated what it was doing to him. He hated it sickly voice and its sickly cold touch. He hated everything about it. He hated him. "Rotten scum," Baekhyun whispered under his breath, earning a glance from the person sitting next to him. Baekhyun smiled sheepishly and mouth, Not you, before turning away.

No One's p.o.v.

The darkness crept closer. Byun Baekhyun was defenseless, yet the darkness waited. The darkness couldn't claim him yet, it had to wait. It had to wait until Byun Baekhyun was completely defensive. Until he was completely alone.

. . . .

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

Baekhyun had been excused from swimming after his near-drowning. It was because the teacher pitied him, and frankly, Baekhyun couldn't care less. Anything to get out of swimming, Baekhyun thought. I'd do anything. But hadn't he though. A chill crept over his body as he remembered that day — it had been the start of everything and now they thought they could just push him around. But Baekhyun wasn't some toy they could just play with then toss aside when they got bored — Baekhyun would become their reaper.

Baekhyun watched his classmates swimming around in the pool from the safety of the bleachers. Well, he wasn't really watching his classmates, just one in particular. Baekhyun had seen Chanyeol without his shirt before, but at the time Baekhyun hadn't allowed himself to openly ogle Chanyeol like he was now. He hadn't wanted himself getting attached. So much for that, Baekhyun thought with a laugh and an internally eye roll as he glanced back at Chanyeol.

Chanyeol was powerful in the water. He cut through it like it was nothing; like the water obeyed him. It was fascinating really, and if Baekhyun wasn't so deathly afraid to wade into its depths, he'd sprint to the pools edge and dive in just to be with Chanyeol. But that'd never happen, someone could be holding a gun to his head and he'd tell them to shoot. The water was too monstrous, and his worst nightmares lurked there, and the nightmares he's had recently were nothing compared to those.

Baekhyun started to feel the chill creep over him, and he instantly jerked his mind in a different direction — to that of someone who always made him smile, even when he was breaking on the inside.

Baekhyun focused on Chanyeol, thinking about him to the smallest detail. His hair, a wavy brown; his eyes, sweet and caring when ever they looked at him; his dimpled smile that caused Baekhyun to skip a breath from the utter beauty of it; his skin, so soft against Baekhyun's, electrifying when ever it touched his; and his voice, so deep and silky, that vibrated deeply into Baekhyun and always stirred his insides into a frenzy of need and want — immense want; and his lips . . . His lips, so soft and full against Baekhyun's. So warm as they pressed against his and marked his skin, claiming Baekhyun as his own. His lips that could wipe away all Baekhyun's dark thoughts and leave him feeling lightheaded and loved. His lips that fit so perfectly against Baekhyun's. And the taste of him against Baekhyun's lips, so addicting. There is so much more, Baekhyun thought as he gazed over at Chanyeol as he pulled himself from the pool, the muscles in his arms rippling with the movement. Baekhyun blushed, and when he noticed Chanyeol walking his way Baekhyun quietly whispered, "Someone, kill me now," before Chanyeol stopped in front of Baekhyun in all his half-naked glory. Baekhyun blushed even more furiously and dropped his eyes.

Baekhyun silently wondered if Chanyeol had noticed Baekhyun ogling him while he'd been naming all the ways he . . . loved him. Yes, Byun Baekhyun was starting to love him.

"So, Baek," Chanyeol said and sat down next to Baekhyun. Baekhyun gulped, and he noticed Chanyeol's lips were moving but he couldn't seem to hear what he was saying.

Damn, Baekhyun, he scolded himself, get a hold of yourself. It's not like he's a God sent down from the heavens . . . He's just a beautiful, tall giant. But who was Baekhyun kidding, Chanyeol had saved him enough times he could be considered his guardian angel. God, he was so cheesy.

". . . So, what do you think?" Chanyeol's voice broke back into Baekhyun's consciousness.

Ugh, I'm an ass, I didn't even hear a single word he just said, Baekhyun thought. Stupid tall giant, why do you cloud my brain so? Baekhyun internally groaned and mumbled, "Um, actually, C-Chanyeol, I didn't hear a single word you just said."

Might as well be honest, Baekhyun thought as Chanyeol's jaw dropped and he muttered, "Are you serious? Ugh, Baek, you're such a pain."

"But you still love me regardless," Baekhyun said, then his eyes widened. D-did he really just say . . . love? "Oh fuck," Baekhyun whispered under his breath.

Chanyeol's already big eyes grew even bigger, if that was even freaking possible, as he muttered, dazed-like, "B-Baek, did—did you just say . . . what I think you said?"

Baekhyun shook his head furiously and blurted, "Nope. I think you're hearing things, Chan. Maybe you should go to a hearing doctor, get that checked out . . ."

Chanyeol just grinned. "If you didn't say what I know you said, then why are you acting so spastic?" Chanyeol asked with a huge grin.

Shit, he's got me there, Baekhyun thought.

Baekhyun scoffed and grumbled, "Shut up, giant. I didn—"

Chanyeol cut off Baekhyun's words with a kiss, and after a moment he pulled back and whispered, "I think I feel the same way."

Baekhyun blushed and mumbled, "I still don't know what you're talking about."

Chanyeol just sighed then flicked Baekhyun in the forehead. "Yah, that hur—" Baekhyun started to yell when suddenly Chanyeol leaned in even closer, freezing Baekhyun's protest and making him gulp. "I didn't say you had to admit it. I just said I know what you said, even though you insist on denying it," and with that Chanyeol was walking away back to the pool. He winked at Baekhyun before diving into the water. Baekhyun sucked in a breath and muttered, "Fucking, giant," but he had a smile on his lips as he said it. Baekhyun wondered what Chanyeol had been asking him earlier . . .

3rd p.o.v.

After swim class was over, there was only one class left, and it was over like the snap of someone's fingers. Chanyeol's hair was still slightly damp, and Baekhyun couldn't help but play with it as he trailed behind Chanyeol through the hallways and out into the parking lot. Baekhyun kept reaching up and twirling strands of Chanyeol's hair around his little fingers, even casually yanking on it just to see how Chanyeol would react. The first time Baekhyun did it Chanyeol had yelped and spun around so fast. The second time, Chanyeol yelled, "Yah! Baekhyun, that hurts, stop it!" The third time, Chanyeol had stopped dead in his tracks causing Baekhyun to smack into his back and bump his forehead against Chanyeol's shoulder blade; the giant got an evil glare for that. And this time, the final time, Baekhyun was tickling his neck with all his fingers, causing Chanyeol to throw his hand behind his back and grab Baekhyun's hand. He jerked Baekhyun forward and he bump into Chanyeol's back again. Baekhyun mumbled, "Freaking giant" as Chanyeol just laughed.

But Baekhyun wasn't done with his fun. On the ride home he kept poking Chanyeol's cheek, and on the third poke, Chanyeol had bit his finger causing Baekhyun to yelp and whack Chanyeol on the head. Then Baekhyun moved on to making popping noises with his mouth, until Chanyeol firmly clamped his hand over Baekhyun's mouth, and in response Baekhyun licked his palm. "Yah!" Chanyeol cried. "Why are you being so annoying?"

Baekhyun shrugged. "I don't know, but its fun." Then he proceeded to poke Chanyeol's cheek again.

"Ugh, you're exhausting," Chanyeol said rolling his eyes, but he was smiling as he said it, to let Baekhyun know he was joking.

Baekhyun crossed his arms over his chest and pouted, "Fine, then I'll keep my hands to myself for the rest of the night."

"Does that go for your lips too?" Chanyeol asked with a grin.

Baekhyun looked at him and rolled his eyes. "Aish," he exhaled, a slight smile curving his lips.

Chanyeol laughed and said, "Oh, I get it, no contact."

Baekhyun glanced at Chanyeol and mumbled, "Well, maybe not no contact."

"Nope, its decided, no contact. You can even sleep on the floor," Chanyeol said with a grin.

"Yah!" Baekhyun shouted and smacked Chanyeol. "I'm the guest, you get the floor!"

When they got back to Chanyeol's house they continued to playfully bicker back and forth until finally they both fell asleep, and as Baekhyun said, Chanyeol ended up sleeping on the floor.

. . . .

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

Sometime in the middle of the night Baekhyun's phone started to buzz, the obnoxious sound pulling him from his sleep. He grabbed it off the nightstand tiredly and glanced at the caller ID. Baekhyun's heart dropped. It was his father.

Baekhyun started to shake as he quietly got out of bed and walked with shaky steps to the bathroom. Baekhyun locked the door behind him before pressing "Accept Call" and placing the phone shakily to his ear.

"Where are you!?" asked his father in a steel-like voice. "Why haven't you been at the house!?"

Baekhyun gulped. "I'm with a friend," he whispered.

"Who?"

Baekhyun refused to say and muttered, "Just a friend, sir."

"Don't 'sir' me you piece of shit!" he shouted.

Baekhyun worriedly looked at the door. Chanyeol couldn't know about this. Chanyeol could never know. "I can come home," Baekhyun hurriedly said.

"I'll pick you up. Tell me where you are!?"

"No, no, its okay," Baekhyun said, trying his best to keep his voice calm when on the inside he was a wreck. "Okay, I'm coming now." Then he hung up.

Chanyeol's going to hate me, Baekhyun thought. I'm leaving to go see him. What if Chanyeol never talks to me again after this? If he hates me after this, how will I live? Chanyeol's become my life now. It's a cliche, and maybe its too soon, but that's honestly how I feel. I just hope Chanyeol can forgive me . . .

The walk to Baekhyun's house was cold and over too soon, and before he knew it he was standing in front of the door and shakily reaching out to turn the doorknob. It swung open with an ominous creak. The house was dark — it was always dark, but it seemed darker than dark.

The chill gripped Baekhyun's throat like a vise.

He couldn't scream. He couldn't run. He couldn't breathe.

Byun Baekhyun was going to die.

Sickly, ice cold black tendrils snaked around Baekhyun's wrists and wove their way up his arms.

He couldn't move. He couldn't scream. He couldn't run. He couldn't breathe.

Byun Baekhyun was dying.

A black figure crept from the shadows. The monster, after so many years was finally showing his face again. A cloaked figure appeared from behind the monster. Death, servant to the monster. Death approached Baekhyun like an icy mist. He snaked his skeletal fingers around Baekhyun's wrist, the black tendrils retreated, afraid of Death. They hissed in fear and retreated into the shadows. Death eyed Baekhyun hungrily as he snaked around to Baekhyun's back and wrapped his cloaked arms around him from behind. He bit and ran his reptilian tongue along Baekhyun's neck.

He couldn't move. He couldn't scream. He couldn't run. He couldn't breathe.

Byun Baekhyun was dying.

Death pressed his lips to Baekhyun's ear as he whispered, "I'm creeping in your heart I will overturn you, break and swallow you I steal you and indulge in you I will ruin you." Death bit Baekhyun's neck. "Everyone fears me so I'm untouchable But why can't you honestly refuse me in the end I hide, watching you, and you're surprise I'm like an antinomy to you, but I'm part of you Accept me as I am Forget your fearful worries Enjoy the pain you can endure Fall deeper I'm toying with you in my palm however I want Don't run away, you will linger forever You can call me monster." Death pressed his palm against Baekhyun's heart, helpless, Baekhyun fell to his knees as the cold and numbness froze his limbs.

He couldn't move. He couldn't scream. He couldn't run. He couldn't breathe.

Byun Baekhyun was dying.

Death kissed Baekhyun's cheek before drawling back as the monster slowly approached. His teeth, much like Death, although sharper, more deadly, were knife-like. The monster gazed at Baekhyun, eyes black, emotionless orbs. "You're a waste of air," the monster whispered, and kicked him in the side. Baekhyun cried out in pain. "You're a waste of space," the monster hissed, and kicked him even harder. "You're a waste of a life!" the monster screamed, and kicked Baekhyun so hard blood sputtered from his lips. "You should be dead," the monster said with excitement. Death snaked forward, his black lips pressed against Baekhyun's ear as his chilling voice whispered greedily, "So let me end your pain."

Baekhyun couldn't see. Baekhyun couldn't move. Baekhyun couldn't scream. Baekhyun couldn't run. Baekhyun couldn't breathe.

Byun Baekhyun was dying, and the monster stood above him.

Death couldn't wait to claim his price. He sidled forward, ready to swallow the raven haired boy.

Baekhyun couldn't move. Baekhyun couldn't scream. Baekhyun couldn't run.

Byun Baekhyun was dying.

———————————————————

Author's Notes

Hello, my lovely readers, we've finally met the monster....

Sorry for the sad cliffhanger.

Anyway, until next time.... 🌸🌸