GYM CLASS

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

He didn't want the monster to visit him tonight, but as he laid his head down onto his pillow and started to drift to sleep, the monster quickly grabbed his ankle and dragged him into the dark mucky depths.

Byun Baekhyun was drowning again.

He sputtered. He kicked. He fought.

Byun Baekhyun was dying again.

He watched as Death slowly approached him with that sickly dark grin and held out his hand. When he spoken, his teeth turned into knives. "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 seized him and dragged him deeper. The water was so thick. He couldn't breathe.

A person could only hold their breath for so long before the pain went away, and like a reflex, they inhale, sucking in that much needed, body killing breath.

Death swirled around Baekhyun like a serpent, his eyes reptilian, his breath like poison, his grip like ice.

"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," repeated Death as he snaked his skeletal fingers around Baekhyun's wrists and wrenched him deeper into the darkness.

"Everyone fears me . . ." Death began to repeat again, and with the new reputation of those awful, soul sucking words, Baekhyun slipped further and further away.

Byun Baekhyun was dying . . .

. . . .

Baekhyun couldn't hear. Baekhyun couldn't feel. Baekhyun couldn't breathe.

His father stood above him, his expression furious as he hissed, "What did I tell you about your dreams?" Then he gave Baekhyun hell, hitting and punching him until Baekhyun was gasping for breath and sputtering blood onto his bed and himself.

Why couldn't the real Death come and take him away? Why was it only in his dreams?

Chanyeol's p.o.v.

The next morning Chanyeol got his car back from the repair shop and drove it to school. He vowed to himself before stepping out of his car that Byun Baekhyun wouldn't affect him. He wouldn't think about him. He wouldn't secretly wish to talk to him. He wouldn't miss the sound of his voice. He wouldn't miss his beautiful smile. He wouldn't miss his magical laugh.

He wouldn't miss Byun Baekhyun.

. . . .

When Chanyeol walked into his first hour class, Baekhyun still hadn't showed. He usually comes at the last minute, Chanyeol thought, remembering that first day. But then Chanyeol mentally shook and slapped himself. No, don't think about him. He doesn't care, neither should you. But it was so hard to let go . . .

But the moment Baekhyun walked into the room, Chanyeol's heart squeezed and he knew he wouldn't be keeping his promise. With a pain in his chest Chanyeol noticed Baekhyun looked even worse than yesterday. Along with the now healing cut above his brow there was another cut on his lip and it looked slightly swollen. Chanyeol also noticed every time Baekhyun took a new step he would involuntarily cringe and furrow his brow as if in pain. No, Chanyeol couldn't possibly ignore this.

When Baekhyun sat down next to Chanyeol, his heart instantly jumped at their close proximity. Chanyeol silently cursed himself for being so weak and pathetic. After all, it had been Baekhyun who said he didn't care about Chanyeol, and he had a hard time believing it, but then again, no one could fake that heartbreaking scene — not unless they've had a lot a practice.

Was it weak of Chanyeol to still care about him? Was it weak that he still wanted to protect him? Was it weak that his heart still beat erratically for him every time he was near? Was he just setting himself up for even more heartbreak, caring for someone who clearly felt nothing for the latter? Was he being pathetic?

Chanyeol bit his lip, debating whether or not to talk to Baekhyun. He couldn't decide if it would be a mistake or not. He couldn't decide if hearing his voice would hurt him more, knowing he felt nothing in return. He just couldn't decide . . .

When the bell rung, Chanyeol watched in sadness as Baekhyun gathered his things and left without even acknowledging his presences. Dejected, Chanyeol gathered his things with less enthusiasm and proceeded to his next class, already counting down the hours, minutes, and seconds until his next class with Baekhyun. Chanyeol was starting to notice a very unhealthy pattern in the making.

His life felt dull and boring without Baekhyun next to him, looking at him that way he does — but was that a lie too? His achingly long wait was finally over when Chanyeol stepped into the gym room and was directed to the swim changing rooms. He undressed quickly and put on his swim trucks, then waited expectantly for Baekhyun to show. Chanyeol didn't want to sound like a pervert or anything, but he was really looking forward to seeing Baekhyun in his swim trucks. Chanyeol had seen him in a towel that night he stayed at his house, but he had been half-naked. Sure Baekhyun would be half-naked in his swim trucks as well, but at least with those they couldn't accidentally fall down like a thin, flimsy towel. Chanyeol felt a furious blush turning his whole face red with the thought of Baekhyun, towel-less and vulnerable.

God, he was a perv.

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

Baekhyun walked into the swim changing room much later after everyone else. He kept his head down as he walked to one of the bathroom stalls. Once the door was safely locked behind him, he turned around and placed his things onto the floor, before, gritting his teeth against the sharp pain, he removed his shirt and glanced down at his yellow, brown, and purple skin. Some of the bruises were old, some were very new, very fresh, and very painfully.

His father was very malicious and an expert when it came to marking Baekhyun's skin with his rage, and he was an expert at hitting him where no one could see, which unfortunately for Baekhyun was always his chest and stomach. But it couldn't stay hidden today, that is, unless  he wore a shirt. Biting down on his lip, Baekhyun pulled out his swim trucks and a black T-shirt that wouldn't be see-through if it got wet, which Baekhyun didn't plan on. He also had a plan for getting out of this, but if he couldn't, the whole class would see him break. Chanyeol would see him break, and Chanyeol wouldn't want someone as broken as Baekhyun. He'd want someone whole and able to reciprocate his feelings without constantly questioning the motive behind them. See, this is what happens when someone abuses you your whole life, Baekhyun thought bitterly. You become a hollow, walking shell for your past-self. Or, if you're me, you were never anything to begin with — just a waste of space; a waste of air; a waste of everything.

Baekhyun's dream came floating back to him, Death's whispered words swirled around in his head like a poisonous fog, "Everyone fears me so I'm touchable 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 . . ."

Yes, Baekhyun thought. I can't refuse you, I must accept you. I have to let go.

Baekhyun walked out of the bathroom stall, his head filled with darkness, to preoccupied to pay attention to where he was going, and much like that first day of school, he smacked right into someone. But this time, that someone caught his wrist as the other hand wrapped around his waist and pulled him close. Baekhyun felt the deep tenor of his voice vibrate throughout his body. He wanted to melt into the sensation. He wanted to let go. He wanted to stop resisting. But with a shake of his head Baekhyun pulled away and glanced up into his beautiful, worry-filled brown eyes. Baekhyun sucked in a ragged breath. Why was this so hard? Why did he have such a hold on Baekhyun? Why did that hold feel like it was getting stronger?

Clearing his throat and avoiding looking at Chanyeol anywhere but the face — since when Chanyeol had caught him he felt Chanyeol's bare skin against his face and his own exposed skin, and that incredibly horrible shock ran the length of his body, igniting him with want. Baekhyun was sure to keep his face as impassive as he could, his tone as empty and lifeless as he could, his eyes as cold and hard as he could, because he knew if he didn't seal himself away, Park Chanyeol would weave his way through Baekhyun's weak resolve. So that's why he had to behavior so harshly, so distantly, because he didn't want to fall.

"I'm sorry," Baekhyun said in his deadest tone. "I didn't see you there."

Chanyeol's brow pinched and he mumbled, "It's okay. So, um, Baekhyun—"

"Bye, Chanyeol," Baekhyun mumbled before walking away.

Why was everything so hard? Why did it feel like a knife was twisting around his insides and plunging straight into his heart?

Sehun's p.o.v.

Sehun had been watching the whole exchange through the corner of his eye, and when that black haired boy walked away, Sehun saw Chanyeol's dejected expression, and he ached for his best friend. Sehun had never, not once in all the years he's known Chanyeol, seen him look as lost and broken as right now. Sehun hated that midget for hurting his best friend, and a thought formed in his head.

He told Luhan he was sorry, but there was something he had to do. Sehun pecked Luhan's cheek before quickly and quietly following after the midget, leaving Luhan staring after him with a furious blush quickly covering him from head to toe.

Sehun followed the midget down a hallway, and from the corner of his eye Sehun saw the glistening surface of the pool. Perfect, he thought, a way to scare him. Then with lightening fast movements Sehun locked his arms around the smaller and threw him into the serene water.

No One's p.o.v.

The water, like a monster, quietly binding its time before the one it craved the most at last broke through its glassy surface. Ripples billowed out around his entry point before finally calming back down and sealing itself away; sealing away his silent screams.

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

Baekhyun felt arms wrap around his waist, and for a moment he thought it was Chanyeol, but when he didn't feel those tingling shocks run the length of his body, he panicked. Before he could cry out for help the one holding him, oblivious to Baekhyun's worst fear, threw him into the mouth of the monster. Baekhyun didn't even get the chance to scream before the beast reared up and clasped him into its jaw.

Byun Baekhyun was drowning.

He couldn't swim. He couldn't kick to the surface. He couldn't breathe.

Byun Baekhyun was going to die.

Baekhyun saw a dark, shrouded figure in all black cutting smoothly through his empty-like grave. The water allowed him easy passage until grinning that dark, knife-like grin, Death 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."

Baekhyun's silent screams couldn't be heard. His pleading couldn't be heard. His wish to live couldn't be heard.

Byun Baekhyun was drowning.

He couldn't swim. He couldn't kick to the surface. He couldn't breathe.

Death swirled around him, his eyes hungry as he waited in vain for Baekhyun's heartbeat to slow. "I'm creeping in you heart I will overturn you, break and swallow you I steal you and indulge in you I will ruin you," Death's sickly voice whispered through Baekhyun's head as his eyes slowly started to flutter.

Death swirled closer to Baekhyun, his hunger growing uncontrollably painful.

Byun Baekhyun was dying.

"I'm creeping in your heart . . ." Death repeated in a whisper into Baekhyun's ear. His chilling voice freezing Baekhyun's heart, before weakly pumping one last time. Little bubbles escaped his lips and floated to the surface before popping through the glass-like surface, alerting one person to his location before diving in.

Chanyeol's p.o.v.

Chanyeol was sitting on a bench with his head in his hands. He just simply didn't understand. Why did Baekhyun continuously shove him away? Why did Baekhyun refuse Chanyeol so strongly? Why . . .

Chanyeol's thoughts were cut short when he heard Sehun yelling his name. Curious, Chanyeol glanced up from his palms to see Sehun come to a skidding stop in front of him, gasping as he said, "Chanyeol, oh fuck, I messed up really bad!"

Chanyeol was instantly concerned and said, "Sehun, what happened?"

"I th-threw . . . I threw Baekhyun into the pool. I-I didn't know he couldn't swim . . ."

An with those last three words, Chanyeol was dashing around Sehun and sprinting in the direction of the pool as he yelled over his shoulder, "Get the nurse!"

Oh God, please, please, please be okay, Chanyeol desperately wished. He skidding to a stop at the edge of the pool before he would have fallen forward, and quickly scanned the surface. And there, the imperfection of three bubbles disrupting the smooth surface. Without another thought, or caring that the gym teacher was yelling at him to wait, which to that, Chanyeol thought, Why the fuck would I wait when Baekhyun's drowning!? Then he dove through the glass-like surface.

As Chanyeol adjusted to the water, he opened his eyes and saw Baekhyun slowly sinking to the bottom. Chanyeol couldn't be sure if he was breathing, a fact that terrified him so deeply he about sucked in the very same water that was killing his Baekhyun. With long, fast strokes Chanyeol reached Baekhyun in a matter of seconds. He quickly yet securely wrapped his arms around Baekhyun's back and beneath his legs in the crook of his knees before swimming to the surface.

He broke through the surface with a gasp and the teacher, Coach Kim, immediately instructed two students to help Chanyeol lift Baekhyun from the water. As they laid Baekhyun down onto the soaking wet cement, Chanyeol hurriedly pulled himself out of the water in one fluid motion as he scrambled to Baekhyun's side. The teacher told him to stay back, and to that Chanyeol just glared harshly, marking the teacher immediately shut up and slowly inch a step back. Chanyeol turned back to Baekhyun and quietly whispered only for Baekhyun's ears, "Please, wake up," before he pressed his lips to Baekhyun's and started to give him CPR.

If it wasn't for the looming threat of death hanging over Baekhyun, Chanyeol would have been excited to feel Baekhyun's lips finally pressed against his again, but Chanyeol didn't. All he felt was despair as he desperately tried to revive his Baekhyun. And he kept thinking, I don't care if Baekhyun still hates me after this, I'll still love him. Yes, Chanyeol realized he was in love with Baekhyun, and he also realized he could lose him and never see him smile his beautiful smile ever again. And heartbreakingly, if Baekhyun really did like Chanyeol, maybe even loved him, Chanyeol would never know, a thought that made him even more desperate and frantic. He couldn't lose Baekhyun, not when he just found him.

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

The space around Baekhyun was dark, but just ahead of him he saw a pinprick of light. Slowly, unsurely, he took a step forward, then another and another before something as cold and hard as ice wrapped around his wrist. Baekhyun's body instantly became numb and against his will he sunk to his knees, completely at the mercy of this sudden chill. Then slowly a dark figure moved in his peripheral vision and Baekhyun's eyes darted to watch the movement. The figure moved like smoke around him — unseen, before suddenly it froze and moved with amazing speed right to Baekhyun, where it froze mere inches from his face. Baekhyun felt its chilling breath against his lips as it opened its mouth, filled with knife-like teeth, and whispered, "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," before slowly the creature reached out a hand and pressed it against Baekhyun's heart. His body became unbelievable colder and numb. He saw his breath, like icy mist leave his purple lips.

Somewhere in a part of Baekhyun's brain where he was still aware, not yet numb to the cold, he heard a voice with the most beautiful deep tenor, that had him on his knees for a different reason. Gasping, Baekhyun whispered, "Chanyeol . . ."

"Baekhyun," the voice whispered. "Please, wake up. Don't leave me. Please, wake up, Baekhyun."

"I-I— Chanyeol . . . so—so cold . . ." Baekhyun weakly whispered.

The creature, Death, swirled around Baekhyun again, his whispered voice becoming harsher, with a hint of possession, a hint of desperation, "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."

Baekhyun weakly looked up into the eyes of Death, and with a hard resolve, he said, "No," before suddenly he started to choke and heave, his body spasming as he was wrenched forward.

Baekhyun opened his eyes and glanced tiredly up into a pair of teary brown eyes. "C-Chanyeol," Baekhyun murmured hoarsely before his eyes fluttered shut once again.

Chanyeol's p.o.v.

Never in a million years could Chanyeol ever begin to explain the overflowing joy he felt when Baekhyun's eyes finally opened and gazed up into his. Chanyeol could hardly contain the sob when Baekhyun hoarsely muttered, "C-Chanyeol," before his eyes fluttered shut once again. It terrified Chanyeol for a moment until he leaned forward and felt Baekhyun's weak, fluttery breath against his cheek.

Coach Kim glanced at Baekhyun, his face full of concern, before he turned to Chanyeol and asked, "Can you carry him?"

Chanyeol nodded, he didn't trust himself to speak, especially with the way he was feeling at the moment. As gently as he could, and as if Baekhyun was a fragile, exotic piece of art, he picked him up. Chanyeol carried Baekhyun bridal style down the hallways to the nurses station, and he couldn't help but notice in his unconscious state, the way Baekhyun's cold, slender fingers lightly touched Chanyeol's bare chest before curling into a fist. He almost looks like a baby sleeping that way, Chanyeol mused. So innocent in his sleep.

When Chanyeol brought Baekhyun to the nurse she quickly yet thoroughly looked him over before saying, "He needs rest, and I'm sure he'll do a better job recovering at home instead of staying here."

Chanyeol thanked the nurse before asking her if he could be excused as well, she told him she'd inform the office, and with that Chanyeol was taking Baekhyun home. To his home, he couldn't allow Baekhyun to leave his sight until he was one hundred percent sure he was okay, but then again, even then he'd never want to leave Baekhyun's side.

Chanyeol carried Baekhyun upstairs to his room and gently laid him down on the bed. Then with a sigh, Chanyeol muttered, "Fuck, now what?" Biting his lip, a thought entered his mind. Baekhyun couldn't stay in his wet clothing if he wanted to get better. Mentally face-palming himself, Chanyeol walked to his dresser and pulled out a shirt and a pair of boxers. This is going to be awkward as hell, he thought as he carefully knelt down onto the bed and lifted Baekhyun's limp body up. Baekhyun's head rolled onto Chanyeol's shoulder as Chanyeol gripped the hem of Baekhyun's shirt and pulled it over his head. He threw it in the general direction of his closet as he gently laid Baekhyun back down. Baekhyun didn't have a shirt on, and unlike the first time Chanyeol saw him shirtless, Baekhyun's once flawless skin was now painted in varying stages of healing bruises. Chanyeol clenched his teeth in anger. How could someone do this? he thought. What had Baekhyun ever done to deserve such violence and hatred?

But now it made sense why Baekhyun would always push him away, he either didn't want to get hurt, or he didn't want Chanyeol getting hurt. Chanyeol knew it was the latter. Someone in Baekhyun's life was abusing him. Could it be his father? It would make sense because that one day Baekhyun had a cut above his eyebrow and had lied about it, he must have been protecting his father — or protecting himself.

Chanyeol's heart ached for Baekhyun. How could someone so sweet, so precious, deserve something like this? But that was just it, he didn't. He could never.

With a tear rolling down Chanyeol's cheek he leaned forward and pressed a chaste kiss to Baekhyun's forehead, then gently on his lips.

Chanyeol sealed himself, needing a moment to breath — to control his anger — before he grabbed the clean shirt and carefully slide it over Baekhyun head, being extra careful not to wake him. Then he proceeded to remove Baekhyun's swim trucks. He felt invasive, but he couldn't leave Baekhyun in something wet. What if he caught a cold or something? Biting his lip, Chanyeol pulled off his swim trucks in one fast, fluid motion. And fuck, he was beautiful, even with his skin covered in bruises, he was the most beautiful thing Chanyeol had ever seen. Now, how was Chanyeol going to explain the fact that Baekhyun was wearing different clothes in the morning? Double fuck.

. . . .

3rd p.o.v.

When Baekhyun woke up the next morning, the first thing he realized was, he didn't dream, and second, Park Chanyeol was laying in the bed next to him, one arm wrapped around Baekhyun's waist and his legs tangled into the blankets with one thrown over Baekhyun's own legs. And Baekhyun had to admit, the weight of Chanyeol pressing onto him felt amazing.

But why was Park Chanyeol laying in bed next to him? Baekhyun sat up and glanced over at Chanyeol. God, how is he so perfect? Baekhyun thought in annoyance. Baekhyun was too distracted by watching Chanyeol sleeping, to notice Chanyeol quietly watching him as Baekhyun watched Chanyeol.

Chanyeol wondered if he should say something, but just then Baekhyun sneezed, and it was the cutest thing Chanyeol had ever heard. An involuntary smile curved Chanyeol's lips, and knowing he had been caught, he opened his eyes and murmured, "Morning."

Baekhyun blushed and sheepishly smiled, knowing he had been caught watching Chanyeol sleep. He felt embarrassed, but at the same time he wasn't because a part of him wanted Chanyeol to know he had been watching him.

"How long have you been awake?" Baekhyun muttered.

"Long enough to know you've been watching me sleep," Chanyeol murmured.

Baekhyun scoffed and said, "You look funny when you sleep."

Chanyeol grinned and said, "You know how you said you can always tell when someone is lying to you?"

"Um, yeah," Baekhyun mumbled.

"Well, I can tell when you're lying, Baek." Chanyeol sat up and lightly brushed his thumb across Baekhyun's forehead between his eyebrows. "A little crease forms right here, every time," Chanyeol whispered.

Baekhyun blushed at Chanyeol's close proximity and whispered, "When did you notice?"

"Two days ago," Chanyeol said, "when you told me you felt nothing for me. But I only truly noticed it yesterday in . . . gym class."

Baekhyun's eyes dropped sheepishly, and then he noticed his clothes had been changed. "Um, C-Chanyeol? Why am I wearing this?" Baekhyun muttered as he glanced up at Chanyeol.

Chanyeol's face turned beet red as he muttered, "U-um, I-I didn't want you getting sick wearing those wet clothes."

Baekhyun didn't know what to feel knowing Chanyeol had seen him . . . naked, when he'd been unconscious. He didn't know how to feel knowing Chanyeol had saw all the bruises and probably thought of him as weak, or imperfect — tainted. He didn't want Chanyeol leaving him and never talking to him again now that he knew the truth. He didn't want to lose his giant . . .

"So, now you know the truth," Baekhyun whispered. Or at least some of it, Baekhyun thought dejectedly. "I'm not going to ask you to stay, and I'm not going to lie and say it won't hurt, but I understand if you can't love someone so imperfect."

Was he crazy? Did he really say he was imperfect? Chanyeol thought.

Chanyeol leaned forward and reached out to gently turn Baekhyun's face toward his; their faces so close. "Byun Baekhyun," Chanyeol whispered, "never call yourself imperfect again." Then Chanyeol closed the small distance and gently pressed his lips to Baekhyun's. His lips were so soft against Chanyeol's, and he just couldn't get enough.

Baekhyun gasped from the sudden contact, and as if on instinct, he wrapped his arms around Chanyeol's neck to pull himself closer. Chanyeol moved his hand from Baekhyun's cheek into his beautifully messy hair, his other hand grasped Baekhyun's waist as they fell back onto the bed. There was so much heat between them, and Baekhyun couldn't help but wonder why he had ever resisted this beautiful giant; it had been such a waste of time. As Baekhyun thought this, Chanyeol slowly trailed his lips from Baekhyun's to his neck, sucking and occasionally biting him, inciting a few soft moans from the smaller — sounds that drove Chanyeol crazy, sounds that had him wanting to hear Baekhyun call out his name. As Chanyeol continued to kiss along Baekhyun's neck and jaw, Baekhyun couldn't help but think, These bruises, I'll be proud of these bruises.

Chanyeol brushed his lips against Baekhyun's skin one more time before lightly pecking his lips and whispering, "You're beautiful, Baekhyun, don't ever think differently."

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Author's Notes

Hello, everyone! A double update here! I hope you enjoying this story so far.... And as I said in the previous chapter in my notes, this chapter, although sad, is one of my favorites because it's the official start of their relationship.

Anyway, please don't forget to vote, comment, and share with your friends!

Until next time.... 🌸🌸