I PROMISE YOU
[Mature]

3rd p.o.v.

The next morning was a Friday, and both Chanyeol and Baekhyun decided they wanted to skip school. Chanyeol told his parents because he knew they would find out eventually, and they had agreed with the idea because they knew how much both boys needed a break — even the school understood since they were aware of Baekhyun's reason of continued absences and had been warned of Baekhyun's father if he managed to break out; and of Yixing.

Chanyeol and Baekhyun dressed in light clothing, shorts and T-shirts, as they had planned a weekend of hiking and camping in Buchanan National Park. They both had backpacks filled with every necessary need. For instance, a map of the park; their phones for emergency or GPS; sandwiches or other cold foods they had in a small cooler; water bottles; packages of trail mix; and other nonperishable foods as they planned on camping through into Sunday afternoon; a fire starter; a flashlight; a first aid kit if either of them got hurt; and of course their tent and sleeping bags.

Baekhyun was walking behind Chanyeol along the trail, a smile on his face. "You know Chanyeol," Baekhyun called. "You're perfect for blocking the sun," Baekhyun finished saying with a huge grin. Chanyeol stopped mid-step and pivoted on his heel, and unanticipating it Baekhyun smacked into his chest and was about to fall backwards when Chanyeol quickly grabbed his wrist and waist, tugging him forward — much like that day in swim class . . .

Baekhyun blushed as he glanced up at Chanyeol with a sheepish grin and mumbled, "Oops." Chanyeol rolled his eyes and kissed Baekhyun's forehead as he murmured, "Klutz."

"Yah! Take it back!" Baekhyun whined. Chanyeol grinned and kissed Baekhyun's nose as he murmured, "Nope."

"Ugh," Baekhyun groaned in frustration. "Fine."

"Oh my God, you caved so easily," Chanyeol teased. "That's because I love you, pabo," Baekhyun muttered. Chanyeol smiled and wrapped his arms around Baekhyun's waist, entwining his fingers behind Baekhyun's back. Chanyeol touched Baekhyun's forehead with his own and kissed his nose. "I love you too, Baek," Chanyeol murmured.

Their hike along the trail was very relaxing and peaceful, as they both knew it would be. Baekhyun and Chanyeol were relieved to get away from the stress, and they felt content to stay out here. They walked the trails, and at one point even ventured into the woods, where they found a beautiful waterfall.

"Oh wow, that's beautiful," Baekhyun mused as he gazed at the cascading water and bubbling water at the bottom. Chanyeol glanced at Baekhyun curiously and said, "Really, you think so?" Baekhyun rolled his eyes and said, "Just because I fear the water doesn't mean this waterfall still isn't beautiful."

Chanyeol sighed and wrapped an arm around Baekhyun's waist as he whispered, "Would you want to try going in?" Baekhyun gazed up at Chanyeol, his eyes wide with fear. "Baek, I just want to help you. If you can kill this fear, it'll help you," Chanyeol murmured softly.

"But Chanyeol, this is—this is different. Before was a kiddy pool and I knew where the bottom was," Baekhyun said. "This . . ." — he turned his eyes back to the depthless water — "I don't know when this ends . . ."

"I'll protect you. I promise. I won't let you go for a moment," Chanyeol whispered and kissed Baekhyun's cheek. "I just want to help you . . ."

Baekhyun bit his lip in contemplation. He trusted Chanyeol with all his heart, but wading into water that he had no idea the depth . . .?

"Chanyeol . . ." Baekhyun murmured. "I-I don't know."

"Do you trust me?" Chanyeol whispered.

"That's a stupid question, of course I trust you," Baekhyun said.

"Then we'll stay in the shallow area," Chanyeol murmured. "I'll keep you safe, Baek."

Baekhyun bit his lip and mumbled, "Um, okay come with me," Baekhyun mumbled as he slowly approached the water's edge. He took off his backpack and shoes and socks, and when he turned around he saw Chanyeol was only wearing his boxers. Baekhyun gulped and pulled his eyes away.

"Baek," Chanyeol said. "You can't wear your clothes into the water."

Baekhyun bit his bottom lip and mumbled, "But my scar." Chanyeol felt a pang in his heart and pulled Baekhyun into his arms as he whispered, "Baekhyun, I love you, so that means I love everything about you — even your scars. There's nothing about you that I do not love. I love your sass. I love the fact that you always manage to run into me. I love how sometimes you push me off the bed in the middle of the night and make a mess of our room. I love when you tease me, even if sometimes I appeared annoyed. I love your messy hair. I love your eyes and the way they crinkle around the corners when you smile that beautiful smile I love so much. And I love you Byun Baekhyun, good and bad, I love it all."

"Chanyeol . . ." Baekhyun whispered before throwing his arms around Chanyeol's neck. Chanyeol had to take a step back to keep his balance, but he wrapped his arms around Baekhyun's waist just as tightly. "If you let me go for even a second, I'll murder you in your sleep," Baekhyun muttered. Chanyeol smiled and kissed his cheek. "Byun Baekhyun, do your worst."

Pulling back from Chanyeol's arms, Baekhyun nervously took off his shirt before removing his shorts. Chanyeol gazed at Baekhyun softly and lightly touched Baekhyun's scar, then unexpectedly he bent down and kissed it. Baekhyun just looked at him in shock as Chanyeol stood back up and murmured, "See, everything." That made Baekhyun blush and he muttered, "Okay giant, now don't let me go." Baekhyun and Chanyeol walked to the water's edge, and gnawing on his bottom lip Baekhyun carefully placed his feet into the little lapping waves made from the waterfall. Chanyeol went in further, and stopped when the water reached his ankles, all the while, his hand never left Baekhyun's.

"Okay, now come to me," Chanyeol said.

Still biting his bottom lip, Baekhyun slowly walked out to Chanyeol, the water reaching a little above his ankles. Baekhyun scrunched up his nose and said, "Chan, I don't like this."

"You're okay," Chanyeol said as he pulled Baekhyun in a little further and stopped when it reached just below Baekhyun's shin. "Can we be far enough now?" Baekhyun asked. Chanyeol kissed his forehead and murmured, "Yeah, we are." Then slowly Chanyeol started to lower himself into the water. Baekhyun stood frozen in his place, his eyes squeezed tightly shut as Chanyeol gently pulled him into the water murmuring, "Baekhyun, you have to sit down."

When Chanyeol finally got Baekhyun into the water, it reached to his waist. Chanyeol sat cross-legged in front of Baekhyun as he gently held Baekhyun's little hands in his lap. "I want you to lay down in the water now," Chanyeol whispered. "And your head will rest of my knee."

Still biting his lip, Baekhyun mumbled, "Hmm, Chan . . ."

"Its okay, Baek. Just lay down," Chanyeol murmured soothingly as he gently laid Baekhyun's head down into his leg. He ran a finger over Baekhyun's cheek and lightly traced Baekhyun's features to distract him from the fact that he was laying down in water. Chanyeol started to hum a sweet tune, and Baekhyun smiled as he murmured, "What is that?"

"Promise," Chanyeol murmured back. Baekhyun smiled. "It's nice," he whispered.

After awhile Baekhyun starting to slowly feel less tense, and they even played around a little. After half an hour of staying in the water they both got out and laid in the grass. Baekhyun laid his head on Chanyeol's chest as Chanyeol cradled him with one of his arms. Chanyeol ran his fingers through Baekhyun's hair as Baekhyun traced along Chanyeol's stomach with his index-finger, Baekhyun kissed the skin above Chanyeol's nipple and murmured, "Thank you."

"For what?" Chanyeol asked.

"For encouraging me. For pushing me to do something that I didn't want too. For always being there for me," Baekhyun mumbled as he lifted himself onto his elbow.

Chanyeol sat up too and muttered, "That's because I love you, Baek. I want to protect your smile always. I'll hug you, I'll hold your hands if we can be together forever, I'll give it my all. I won't ever forget. I will make you happy just like the saying, we are one. I promise you my heart." Then Chanyeol turned around and grabbed his shorts, and when he turned back to Baekhyun, he was holding the velvet box. Chanyeol sat up properly and bent down on one knee as he slowly opened the box and met Baekhyun's eyes. "Byun Baekhyun," he whispered, "will you make me so happy as to marry me?"

Baekhyun had tears in his eyes and wiped them away as he whispered, "Yes, Chanyeol, a million times, yes," before he threw his arms around Chanyeol's neck and kissed him. Chanyeol smiled against Baekhyun's lips as he kissed him back, and when they pulled apart, Chanyeol grabbed Baekhyun's hand and slide the ring onto his finger and Baekhyun took the other ring and slide it onto Chanyeol's finger. Then grinning widely Baekhyun wrapped his arms around Chanyeol's neck again and kissed him tenderly. Chanyeol held onto Baekhyun tightly as he slide a hand into Baekhyun's hair and tugged him closer. Baekhyun bit Chanyeol's bottom lip, inciting a moan. Chanyeol pulled his lips from Baekhyun's and trailed kisses along his jaw and neck. He kissed along Baekhyun's collarbones as Baekhyun's arched his head back, moaning at Chanyeol's touch. Then suddenly Chanyeol picked Baekhyun up, and the latter wrapped his legs around his waist as Chanyeol ducked into the tent they sent up half an hour before.

Chanyeol laid Baekhyun down on a sleeping bag and continued to kiss along his neck. Baekhyun hooked a leg around Chanyeol's hip as he kissed and sucked the skin along his neck and collar bones, then trailing down to his stomach. Chanyeol swept his fingers along Baekhyun's stomach, causing him to shiver in pleasure as Chanyeol traced the scar with his finger before kissed the slightly raised skin. Baekhyun moaned at his gently touch and pulled Chanyeol closer. Chanyeol kissed along Baekhyun's cheek and beneath his ear as he slide off Baekhyun's boxers and his own.

Baekhyun's member was tight between his thighs and he groaned in discomfort as Chanyeol brushed his fingers alongs Baekhyun's creamy white legs and caressed his inner thigh. Baekhyun bit his lip and moaned when Chanyeol stroked Baekhyun's shaft. "Hmm, Chanyeol," Baekhyun murmured, Chanyeol's name ending on a sigh.

"Baek, I didn't bring the lube," Chanyeol said.

"Um, I don't care," Baekhyun mumbled.

"But I don't want to hurt you," Chanyeol replied.

"You won't. I trust you, Chan," Baekhyun murmured as his eyes fluttered shut.

Contemplating, Chanyeol put three fingers in his mouth before sliding two inside Baekhyun. Baekhyun's brow pinched and his nose scrunched with mild discomfort. Chanyeol added another finger and scissored them to stretch out Baekhyun, the muscle loosing as the action became like a routine. Chanyeol kissed the hollow of Baekhyun's collar bones, brushing butterfly kisses along his skin as he quickened his finger thrusting. Moving his fingers out to brush against Baekhyun's wall, stretching him further as he pushed even deeper. Eventually Chanyeol hit Baekhyun's prostate, and Baekhyun's body twitched with pleasure as Chanyeol continued to thrust into exactly that spot. After another moment of that, Baekhyun came onto himself and Chanyeol's hand. Baekhyun moaned when he kissed him, and his back arched when he felt Chanyeol sliding inside him.

Baekhyun moaned again and gripped Chanyeol's arm as his other hand grabbed Chanyeol's hand, the one with the ring, and laced his fingers with Chanyeol's ring hand. Chanyeol brought their clasped hands above Baekhyun's head as he slowly kissed along Baekhyun's jaw and thrusted. Chanyeol kissed along Baekhyun's neck, biting and sucking his skin. He thrusted into Baekhyun again. Baekhyun bit his lip, then Chanyeol moved to claim his lips. He bit Baekhyun's bottom lip and after licked it with his tongue. Baekhyun parted his lips, letting Chanyeol in as he thrusted again. Baekhyun and Chanyeol battled with their mouths, kissing and biting and sucking. Chanyeol moved to kiss the corner of Baekhyun's mouth and thrusted into him again. Baekhyun moaned and hooked a leg around Chanyeol's hip again as he thrusted again. Baekhyun bit his lip and Chanyeol thrusted again and again, steadily picking up speed until he hit Baekhyun's prostate and incited the loudest moan yet. Chanyeol released deep inside Baekhyun as Baekhyun released against Chanyeol and himself. Chanyeol kissed Baekhyun's stomach, tasting him as he cleaned Baekhyun and himself off and pulling on their boxers.

With a satisfied smile, Baekhyun rolled onto his side and curled into Chanyeol's arms. Chanyeol wrapped his arm around Baekhyun's waist and pulled him close as he laced their ring hands together between them and kissed Baekhyun's forehead before they both drifted off into a deep sleep.

. . . .

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

The next afternoon Baekhyun and Chanyeol made a small fire with their fire starter and roasted hot dogs over the open flame. Baekhyun was munching on a chip, gazing out over the water and observing its power. He couldn't deny its beauty or the serenity of it away from the crashing water against the rocks; a powerful force of a crashing ton of weight. Um, Baekhyun thought, not a comforting thought. He turned away from the water with a frown as he continued to munch on his chip.

"Hey Baek, do you want to do more hiking later?" Chanyeol asked.

"Hmm," Baekhyun mumbled around a chip in his mouth, and glancing up with big eyes. Chanyeol laughed and said, "I asked if you wanted to do more hiking later." Baekhyun nodded and mumbled with a mouthful of chip, "Okay," but it came out "Oh-hay". Chanyeol laughed again and said teasingly, "Don't talk with your mouth full. It's gross." Baekhyun mumbled, "Mhm, pabo," then stuck out his tongue with the chewed up food. "Ah, that's gross," Chanyeol cried and shoved Baekhyun. Baekhyun fell off the log he had been sitting on and landed on his butt in a small pile of mud, it splashed up onto his arms and shirt. Baekhyun ignored it as he pouted, "Um, I'm still sore." His statement made Chanyeol blush and Baekhyun went "Hah!" and then he ran away as Chanyeol had gotten up to chase him.

Baekhyun darted a little ways into the woods and away from their little clearing, and not knowing what to do he decided to climb a tree and sit in the fork of it.

(A/N: Although, not as muddy.)

Chanyeol stopped at the base of the trunk and said, "Really? I can still reach you, Baek!" Baekhyun carefully stood up in the tree and said, "Ha ha, can't reach me now!" Baekhyun stuck out his tongue again. Chanyeol rolled his eyes and called, "Don't tempt me, Baek," as Chanyeol pretended to start to climb the tree by placing a foot on the rough bark. Baekhyun just grinned and peeled off a piece of the bark and threw it down on Chanyeol's head. "Yah! Baekhyun, that hurt!"

"Then your a baby, because that was nothing!" Baekhyun replied.

Chanyeol groaned, "Ugh, you're such a pain!" Baekhyun smirked and sat back down again. He wiggled his foot in front of Chanyeol's face and Chanyeol smacked him away. "Yah! Not so rough!" Baekhyun whined. "Oh my God, Baek!" Chanyeol cried. Baekhyun just laughed and climbed down from the tree, and when he was close enough not to hurt himself or Chanyeol, he jumped on his back. "Oh fuck!" Chanyeol said as they fell forward and landed in the grass. Chanyeol groaned, "Um, I think you broke something." Baekhyun sat up on Chanyeol's back and murmured, "Sorry, babe," as he kissed Chanyeol's cheek.

"For such a midget, you're heavy," Chanyeol murmured before rolling onto his back. Baekhyun fell over onto his side and smacked Chanyeol, "Yah! Freaking giant! Take that back!" Chanyeol smiled and kissed Baekhyun's nose. "Kidding, Baek. You're perfect," Chanyeol murmured. Baekhyun's heart swelled with Chanyeol's words and he kissed him, murmuring against his lips, "I love you."

"I love you too, Baek, even covered in mud."

Baekhyun glanced down at himself, having completely forgotten, and a mischievous thought entered his mind as he murmured slyly, "Hey Chan, remember when you shoved me off that log that pushing me into the mud?" Baekhyun said as he slowly scooted closer to Chanyeol. Chanyeol scooted back, glaring at the midget through narrowed eyes. "Um, I rather not answer that," Chanyeol murmured. Baekhyun's grin widened and he scooted even closer, causing Chanyeol to scoot further back. "What, Chan? Afraid of a little mud?" Baekhyun asked innocently. Chanyeol shook his head and said, "No. I'm afraid of your intensions." Baekhyun just laughed as he lunged for Chanyeol. Chanyeol quickly scrambled to his feet and took off running back towards their little camp. Baekhyun chased after him, and not even caring because he was having too much fun, he run towards the water and scooped up a wade of mud into his hand and continued to chase after Chanyeol.

"No, I don't want to be muddy again!" Chanyeol cried as he ran away from Baekhyun. Baekhyun just laughed and replied with, "To bad, Chanyeol, you started it when you shoved me!" Baekhyun chased after Chanyeol for a little while longer until he was close enough to wrap an arm around Chanyeol's waist and with his other hand smeared the mud across Chanyeol's cheek and neck. "Blahh! You got it into my mouth!" Chanyeol cried. Baekhyun laughed.

Turning around Chanyeol grabbed Baekhyun's waist and tugged him to the ground where he clasped onto his back. Baekhyun sat beside him and grinned as he teased, "What? Tired already?"

"Extremely," Chanyeol muttered as he closed his eyes. "See? I told you you're exhausting."

Baekhyun rolled his eyes and laid down beside Chanyeol, resting his head on his chest as he murmured, "Fine, I'll be good." Then he moved to kiss the corner of Chanyeol's mouth. "That's not being good," Chanyeol murmured with his eyes still closed. Baekhyun pouted and mumbled, "Fine, no contact," as he rolled onto his other side, putting a space between their two bodies. When Baekhyun felt Chanyeol wrap his arm around Baekhyun's waist and pull him close, Baekhyun murmured, "Mhm, someone doesn't no how to keep their hands to themselves." Chanyeol laughed and kissed the top of Baekhyun's head as Baekhyun turned around in Chanyeol's arms and wrapped an arm around his waist, hugging closer to Chanyeol. "Now who can't keep to themselves," Chanyeol murmured sleepily. "Hmm, shut up, giant," Baekhyun mumbled with his eyes closed. Chanyeol smiled and whispered, "I love you, Baek."

"I love you too, Yeol."

. . . .

3rd p.o.v.

Later that afternoon Chanyeol and Baekhyun moved the necessary things they would need to go hiking into one bag: first aid kit, a bottle of water each, two packets of trail mix each, a flashlight for when it got dark, a blanket to protect against the nighttime cold, and phones encase of an emergency. They left their other things as they started out on their hike. The sun shone down brightly through the tree leaves, alighting patches of the ground with a soft yellow glow, and golden rays of light streamed down through the branches. It was almost like a fairy tale, their surroundings were so beautiful and they could hear the chirp of birds in the trees above, the lazy buzz of bees, and the chattering of cicadas and other insects.

They wove through the many trees as they followed the trail with one destination in mind. There was a place on the map that was said it be a cliff with the best view of the rest of the park and surrounding area. The best place to watch the sunset, and Chanyeol wanted Baekhyun to experience its beauty. Chanyeol lightly grabbed for Baekhyun's smaller hand and clasped it in his bigger hand as they saw a break in the distance trees with an immense amount of orangish-yellow light and hints of blush pink.

When they finally broke through the trees Chanyeol guided Baekhyun to a little patch of rocks perfect for sitting on. Baekhyun released Chanyeol's hand and tried climbing onto a rock, but his booted-feet kept slipping and he couldn't get a solid hold. Pouting, he turned around and held his arms out to Chanyeol like a baby. Chanyeol laughed and picked up Baekhyun, helping him to climb atop the rock. Once situated atop the giant stone Chanyeol climbed up after Baekhyun and took off the backpack, placing it behind him as he pulled Baekhyun into his lap. Baekhyun leaned back into Chanyeol's chest, resting his head on his shoulder as they watched the swirling mix of pinks, oranges, yellows, and purples curl and roll across the sky as the slowly fading sunlight inched lower and lower behind the trees and distance mountains. Then before they knew it, the moonlit sky was ablaze with stars and constellations and planets, and the lightening bugs and crickets and owls became alive throughout the nightly air. Once the light had drained from the sky, so had the warmth, and Chanyeol leaned back to retrieve the blanket from the backpack, throwing it out over the both of them.

There was no need for them to speak as Chanyeol wrapped his arms around Baekhyun's waist and hugged him closer, and contentedly, Baekhyun snuggled closer into Chanyeol's chest as he rested his head in the crook of Chanyeol's neck. Chanyeol kissed Baekhyun's temple and rested his cheek on his head as they marveled at the night sky.

The beauty of the sky was so fascinating and it reminded them that there was still beauty in the world even if they couldn't alway see or witness it. It reminded them that everything in the world wasn't bad even if the walls around them were slowly yet steady crumbling from all the chaos. It reminded them not to give up because after all their suffering, there had to be a light; a shred of hope that they could look forward to and cling to like a safety raft when they felt like they were drowning beneath all the pain.

And there was, Chanyeol and Baekhyun were engaged, and for them that was their light — their forever. They had been through so much together over the past three months and few weeks that it felt like a lifetime. They were ready to finally start living — ready to let go of Baekhyun's past to make a better future. But they just had to wait, they had to wait for the dust to settle before they began their lives together. They had to wait until both threats had been dealt with to finally feel at peace and safe in their own skin. They had to wait for the conniving Death to make his move; they had to wait for Fate to reveal her cards, before they could finally rest.

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Author's Notes

Hello, my lovely readers! We have reached the end of Monster, but don't fret because part 2, Rapture, will be following soon after. I hope everyone enjoyed it, and sorry for the horrible *ahem* smut. I cringed when proof reading that. 😖😩

Anyway, here is the cover and summary for Rapture.

Sorry it sucks. I tried.

Summary:

After his years of abuse, Byun Baekhyun has finally found love and his motivation to live.

And with his pass demons nearly behind him, can he finally start living the life he's dreamed of? Can he finally love Park Chanyeol without fear or worry of repercussions?

Or will his nightmares continue to haunt him and rip him from the one person who keeps him breathing?

Will he ever be truly free?

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I hope that sounded intriguing enough.

Anyway, thank you to everyone who read and supported this book, it makes me so happy. I write for ChanBaek, and I write for ChanBaek lovers like myself. Thank you again.

Well, until next time.... 🌸🌸

Love from,
BunnyBaekkiee ❤️