NIGHTMARE

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

The water was so cold, it choked and flooded my lungs. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't find the strength to fight. I couldn't find the will to live.

Should I end it all? Should I just let the monster take me? I could feel the desire creeping into my heart — the desire to die. Should I let the monster have me, overturn me, break and swallow me, steal and indulge in me? Should I just give myself away to ruins?

Peace started to settle around me, and I wondered if this is how it felt to die. I never knew it was so peacefully. Why hadn't I let the monster take me sooner? Why had I waited so long? Why had I fought with it if it was going to be like this? But now I welcomed it. I welcomed death. I walked to him with open arms and a smile on my face as I whispered, "Please, make it end. Make the pain go away," and Death just eyed me greedily as he slowly licked his lips.

Maybe I should have been afraid, but I couldn't find the energy to care. I was too tired from fighting. From always fighting. I just wanted to let go and Death could do that for me, he could take away all my pain.

But why hadn't he yet? Why was I still in so much pain? Why did it feel like I was being thrown into a blender and shaken around until I could hardly breathe? Why did Death call my name? Why did Death tell me to open my eyes? Didn't he know I wanted to die? Wasn't this whole thing about me telling him my desire to die? Please, please, please!

"Baekhyun!" Death screamed. "You have to wake up. Please, open your eyes."

"No. Death, please, no, you promised," Baekhyun mumbled as he scrunched up his brow and tried throwing himself into Death's arms, but then the next thing he knew his forehead was throbbing and he heard someone shouting curse words to his left. Gasping, Baekhyun's eyes flung open to see Chanyeol rubbing his forehead with a pained expression.

3rd p.o.v.

"Baekhyun, jeez, you bashed your forehead against mine," Chanyeol said.

Baekhyun frowned. "That's what that was?" he asked innocently.

Chanyeol gasped in shock. How could he be so cute? Chanyeol just rolled his eyes and  dropped his hand from his forehead as he muttered, "Yeah, that's what that was, my head getting abused by yours."

Baekhyun bit his lip and mumbled, "Sorry, Chanyeol, I must have been dreaming."

Chanyeol frowned and said, "Actually, you were, that's why I was trying to wake you up. Baekhyun, you were screaming in your sleep. Did you know you did that?" Chanyeol asked in concern.

Baekhyun glanced away sheepishly. Yes, he knew he screamed in his sleep, his father would beat him for it because the neighbors thought he was being abused, and ironically, he was. And his father excepted him to be able to control his dreams . . . Luckily Baekhyun hadn't been at his house last night, because his father would be beating the hell out of him right now, but then again he does it anyway.

"I'm sorry," Baekhyun mumbled, his eyes downcast and his brow pinched in expectance for that first strike of pain, but then he realized who he was with and instantly felt guilty. "Sorry, again," he whispered to himself.

Chanyeol was confused. Why would Baekhyun apologize for having a bad dream that scared him so much he actually screamed?

"Baekhyun, why did you apologize?" Chanyeol muttered.

"I don't know, to be polite, I guess," Baekhyun mumbled.

"You don't have to apologize," Chanyeol told him. Then slowly Chanyeol approached the bed and sat down on the edge. He gently touched Baekhyun's hand, and when he didn't pull away, Chanyeol laced his fingers through his. "Do you want to talk about it?" Chanyeol asked.

Baekhyun shook his head. "No, more than anything I'd rather forget," he murmured.

Chanyeol nodded. "Okay."

. . . .

By seven they were both leaving for school. Chanyeol's car was still at the repair shop so that left Baekhyun and Chanyeol to walk to school. Baekhyun wasn't really paying attention to where they were going until his foot touched very familiar, very yellow grass. Baekhyun jerked to a stop, and Chanyeol had walked two more paces before he realized Baekhyun wasn't beside him.

Chanyeol stopped and looked at him quizzically as Baekhyun said, "Um, Chanyeol, c-can we go another way?"

"But this way is faster," Chanyeol said. "Come on, Baek."

"I said no!" Baekhyun shouted.

Chanyeol blinked in surprise and muttered, "Okay, Baek, we'll go a different way."

Baekhyun bit his lip and mumbled, "Thank you," before quickly walking to Chanyeol's side and positioning himself behind Chanyeol encase Yixing was at the park and saw him. If that ever did happen, Baekhyun would have absolutely no idea what to do, and he didn't even want to think about it.

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

Once they got past the park, Baekhyun was finally able to relax; the muscles in his shoulders loosened and the furrow above his brow smoothed out. He glanced up at Chanyeol, worried he may be mad at Baekhyun for making them take the detour instead of the straight shoot through the park as Chanyeol wanted. But Baekhyun couldn't read Chanyeol's expression; it was impassive, and he wore a slight frown.

Baekhyun bit his lip and wrapped his arms around himself when a big gust of wind picked up the hem of his jacket and exposed his back, causing him to shiver violently and his teeth to chatter.

Chanyeol glanced down at him and mumbled, "Do you want my jacket?"

Baekhyun shook his head. "Um, a-actually, we're near my house. If you don't mind, I-I could quickly grab something of mine.

Chanyeol's p.o.v.

Chanyeol glanced down at Baekhyun, taking in his appearance. Chanyeol felt almost possessive seeing Baekhyun wearing his clothes. Chanyeol had managed to find a pair of pants that were too small and short on him but perfect for Baekhyun — and he looked great in them. But the jacket was a different story, it was way too big and hung past his hands like sweater-paws and reached to his mid-thigh. Not that Chanyeol minded, but clearly Baekhyun did.

"Uh-hmm," Baekhyun cleared his throat. Chanyeol quickly, yet regretfully, snapped his eyes up to meet Baekhyun's expectant eyes. Baekhyun cleared his throat again and mumbled, "So, is that okay with you?"

"What? Oh, yeah," Chanyeol said in a rush, causing his cheeks to instantly flush in embarrassment. Could he ever manage a normal reaction around this midget?

Baekhyun just rolled his eyes and said, "Whatever, I'll be right back," before walking away up a gravel path shadowed by overgrown trees on either side. Chanyeol watched his retreating figure for as long as he could before the trees shielded Baekhyun from his view.

Baekhyun's p.o.v.

Baekhyun walked with nervous steps, his hands shaking uncontrollable. He desperately prayed his father was either gone or passed out somewhere in the house drunk so Baekhyun could go in and leave without making this into a big ordeal. Because, Jesus, all he wanted was a shirt, a jacket that actually fit, and a pair of fucking jeans. Now was that so hard to ask?

His hand shook so much as he tried to unlock the door that he dropped the key a few times before he finally managed to unlock it and push the door open with an "Oof!" because it liked to stick. All the lights were off, casting the rooms in shadows and creating an unnerving, ominous atmosphere. Baekhyun gulped before fully walking into the house.

As quietly as he could he walked past the living room and turned left down the hallway to his room. When he pasted his father's door it was open a jar and through the little crack Baekhyun could see his booted-foot hanging off the edge of the bed. Baekhyun exhaled in relief before quickly walking to his room and grabbing the first thing he saw before quietly shutting his door behind him and turning around. But then his heart stopped.

His father's door was fully open now. Baekhyun sucked in a ragged breath and bit his lip to keep from choking. He firmly gripped his clothes before walking down the hallway as quietly as he could. When he rounded the corner, something sharply cut him above his eyebrow and he instantly felt the flow of blood rush into his eye. He pressed Chanyeol's shirt sleeve to his eye to wipe away the blood so he could see, and saw that it had been his father's class ring that nicked him when he threw the punch.

Adrenaline and fury coursed through Baekhyun as he quickly ducked beneath his father's arm, narrowly missing Baekhyun's head with his fist. Baekhyun dashed to the front door and threw it open as he heard his father scream after him, calling him worthless trash and a piece of shit. Baekhyun sealed away his emotions and continued to run until he reached the bend in the gravel road that would reveal him to Chanyeol. But before Baekhyun rounded that last corner to see the one person he so desperately wanted to, he resorted to first wiping away the blood, trying his best even though he couldn't see it. When he thought it was all gone he started walking again, and he put a lock around his heart to keep all the overflow of emotions at bay.

3rd p.o.v.

When Chanyeol finally saw Baekhyun rounding that corner, he couldn't help the sudden burst of excitement he felt coursing through him like an overflowing river, and a huge smile split across his face.

Baekhyun felt horrible, and in despair he thought, Why can't I ever have a day where nothing ever goes wrong? Why can't I have one good day without something bad happening to me? What had I done to deserve this?

Baekhyun looked up with downcast eyes and saw Chanyeol grinning, Baekhyun instantly felt a mixture of many emotions: anger, frustration, sadness, and something else he couldn't name. As he continued to walk he couldn't help but glare at Chanyeol as he thought, Freaking happy virus, how can you manage such a bright smile?

When Baekhyun was close enough for Chanyeol to hear he said, "Are you always so happy like this, because it's sickening!" Baekhyun grumbled in annoyance as he shoved past Chanyeol.

Chanyeol frowned in confusion and quickly chased after Baekhyun, reaching him within two strides as he gently grabbed Baekhyun's arm. Chanyeol felt Baekhyun tense beneath him and instantly let go as he said, "Sorry" — he apologized for both touching him and being happy? — "but I can't help it." Especially when I'm with you, Chanyeol thought.

"Well, try," Baekhyun mumbled in annoyance.

Chanyeol rolled his eyes and glanced down at Baekhyun, and that's when he noticed a small cut above his right eyebrow; it was bleeding a thin line. Chanyeol grabbed Baekhyun's shoulder, and ignored him when Baekhyun cried, "Yah, get off of me, you giant!" Chanyeol frowned and gestured to the bloody cut. "How did that happen?" he wondered.

Baekhyun's expression turned static and he's face shut down as he said curtly, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Chanyeol internally groaned and rolled his eyes in annoyance before saying, "The cut, Baekhyun. How did you get the cut?"

Baekhyun stopped and glare up at Chanyeol as he said, "I hit my head on the closet door getting this," he said, holding up his wad of clothes. Then unexpectedly, Baekhyun tossed the bundle into Chanyeol's arms and quickly stripped out of Chanyeol's jacket.

"Oh my God, what are you doing!?" Chanyeol shouted.

Baekhyun pulled the jacket off and looked at Chanyeol quizzically as he said, "Changing, dumb nut, obviously. I'm cold in your clothes, they're too big and wind easily catches the hem."

Chanyeol gulped and tried to avoid looking at Baekhyun everywhere except his eyes, as his chest and stomach was exposed, causing his skin to lightly grow as if he was something mythically and extremely precious. Chanyeol felt his cheeks redden with the thought and looked away, hiding his face as he said, "Couldn't you have done this at the school, Baekhyun? We're in public."

Baekhyun gave Chanyeol a questioning look before saying, "No, we're in the middle of nowhere. Now, hand me that jacket." Baekhyun had on a shirt now so Chanyeol was able to look at him; he still couldn't help but blush at the memory. Chanyeol handed Baekhyun the jacket and he said, "Thanks, and since you think this is so inappropriate I won't put these on until I'm at school." Baekhyun gestured to the jeans he was holding.

Chanyeol gulped. "You were thinking about changing into those, too!?" Chanyeol shouted in shock.

"Yeah, over there," Baekhyun said and gestured to the bushes and trees that would have provided easy cover. Baekhyun studied Chanyeol's face before murmuring, "Why are you being so weird suddenly?"

"I'm not!" Chanyeol said defensively, causing Baekhyun to arch a brow. Chanyeol sighed. "I'm just tried, that's all."

Baekhyun instantly felt guilty and mumbled, "Yeah, sorry about that."

Chanyeol shook his head. "No no, it wasn't your fault. I just couldn't sleep for . . . reasons," Chanyeol mumbled.

"Oh," Baekhyun mumbled. "But still, and I'm sorry you couldn't sleep."

Yeah, I couldn't sleep because I couldn't get you out of my head, Chanyeol thought but refused to say.

"Anyway," Baekhyun mumbled, "we should probably hurry or we'll be late."

Chanyeol nodded, shaking himself back to the present and muttered, "Oh, right, yeah, lets go," before they proceed to walk to school.

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Author's Notes

Hi! I'm super excited today. I'm getting EXO albums today as an early birthday present and....  *rolls around on the floor while slowly dying* 😵😍

Question, should I continue updating like I've been? I was thinking about doing it every other day or so. What do you guys think?

Anyway, I love to know what you guys think so far. And things are starting to develop, aye? *laughs* The chapters coming up will be a mixture of happy and sad, but more so on the happy side since Chanyeol's and Baekhyun's relationship is starting to develop. And no, this not a spoil because it's ChanBaek, so obviously.... 😂

Please vote and comment and share. I love would to hear everyone's thoughts. 😊

Well, until time next.... 🌸🌸