BAEKHYUN’S POV

I couldn’t handle it anymore after telling them about the phone call. I could see disappointment on their faces I realized how much of a failure I am.

“So you are dumber than the one I thought is actually dumber?” Xiu said and that hit me straight home. I was actually dumber. I actually let go of my happiness because I was an idiot clinging to pride or I was just being a downright idiot for not realizing soon that I am hopelessly, desperately, completely, absolutely, with all my heart and soul, in love with my best friend. But this time I won’t let it go. What should I do? How to make it all good again?

“Run Baek.” At Kris’ voice I ran towards the forest as if my life depends on it. I knew the others are running after me as well but that didn’t matter. Distance was all that mattered. I wasn't stopping for anything and I sure as hell wasn't going to wait for them to catch up. I’m glad Erie hasn’t shifted yet if that would have been the case I am sure I would have lost them but I can smell mint and green apples, he isn’t far.

After what seemed like eternity to me (ten minutes literally) I found them resting on the grass. The look on his face was breaking my heart I wanted nothing but to hug him while sitting in that inviting lap of his but boy was I angry?

“SO YOU COME ALL THE WAY HERE TO AVOID ME WHILE I STAND THERE IN FRONT OF YOU ROOM THINKING ‘WHAT THE FUCK?’”

Both of them flinched but I wasn’t done.

“I AM YOUR FUCKING BEST FRIEND PARK FUCKING YODA AND NOT EVEN ONCE DID YOU EVEN TRY TELLING ME THAT YOU LIKE GUYS? YOU THOUGHT IT WAS ONLY YOU WHO WAS SUFFERING? OKHEY I MADE A MISTAKE OF SHOUTING AT MINHO BUT YOU… YOU COULD HAVE INTEROGATED THE FUCK OUTTA ME AND ASKED ME QUESTIONS BUT WHAT DID YOU DO? STAY PUT? DIDN’T EVEN GAVE ME A HINT? YOU ARE…”

“I love you like you're the last of my kind.” He began, not once looking at me, his voice so peaceful yet it had traces of hurt and uncertainty. “To be around you is like finally not being alone, as if all my life I've been isolated, ignored and abandoned ... and then suddenly you walk in as if strolling over a summer meadow giving out your hand to me. I am in love with your soul not only your body. Your soothing voice is what I crave for and your warmth is what I covet. I'm not perfect, but I'd follow you to hell if that's what it takes to be with you. Hell I am even ready to sell my soul to the demon but that’s not the point is it? These feelings I have for you are stronger than just admiration; I think I fell for you like the falling of stars.” I had no words no words at all Chanyeol said everything in a hushed voice but it was clear as the day.

“But there is no point there, is it? I didn’t wanted your pity, if I had come to you, knowing you, you would have either ignored me or would have gave in and then would live in a forceful relation. Right?” Pearl shaped tears rolled down his cheeks.

Words left me. I stared into those dark eyes, burning with emotions I cannot even decipher, and my heart fell silent.

“Answer me.” he commanded.

But I couldn’t will my lips to move. As if stuck underwater, everything was slow and warbled as he pointed a shaky finger in my face.

“Do you have nothing to say? I have poured my heart out to you, now tell me what you’re thinking.” he demanded.

But my mind was blank and my eyes wide as I stared at him. His eyes desperately searched mine… waiting. I had to say something I searched my mind for something reasonable to say, but to my surprise my heart answered for me...

“I love you, Yeoliee.”

I don’t know what exactly happened but the next thing I knew was me being surrounded by a big giant. His hug is stronger than anything I've ever known, as if holding me wasn't enough, he has to feel every ounce that I am press into, every ounce that is him. In that moment of feeling him so close I am awake somehow, more alive than I have been in so very long.

“AWWWWWWWW.” It was like snapping back in reality. We separated like magnets do, when connected to the same pole. After all it’s not very comfortable having eleven shinny eyes watching you.

“Come on people, let’s leave the love birds alone for a bit.” Erie suggests and chuckles of agreement were heard.

“Thank you Erie. And sorry for assuming the worst and for so so much more…”

“Baekhyun chill. Its okhey I understand let’s start new okhey?” I nod my head up and down so fast I was so so so happy. I was as happy as a baboon in a banana tree, as happy as a clam at high tide, as happy as a hippo in mud, as happy as a shark in a shoal of sea bream, as happy as a kitty with a wool ball, as happy as a dog at a dinosaur dig.

Before I even realized they were all gone puff that’s when I felt nervous. I looked at him and it shouldn’t be a surprise that he was already looking at me (but it was). We stared at each other in an odd way, as if it was a silent talk. Yeol moved closer to me. I stood still, frozen, from both fear and excitement. He leans in, so our foreheads rest against each other’s. Both our breaths are shaking. The next thing I knew, he had slammed his lips to mine and nearly knocked all wind from my lungs.

The world around me stopped. His kiss wasn’t the ones they show in movies or the ones we read about. There were no fireworks in the sky but there were tingles in my heart. Little bombs exploded in mind. He tasted like mint. Our lips were perfect together. It was slow and soft, comforting in ways that words would never be. His hand rested below my ear, his thumb caressing my cheek our lips mingled with each other. After a moment or two we pull apart. We stare at each other, deep into each other's eyes. Yeol’s full of wonder and love, mine full of curiosity and passion. No words are spoken but our story was already communicated.

(BACK AT HOME)

SEHUN’S POV

The guilt is ice in my guts. It could be a hundred degrees out and I'd still be frozen on the inside. I can't melt it on my own; I can't shift it at all. My own words are hunting me.

While coming back everyone was happy. Suho and Chen were pampering Erie while Kris was whining about not being able to hug his child and Chen telling him how Erie was his child. Tao and Luhan hyung were discussing how beautiful she was and the rest were feuling the argument between Kris and Chen.

She was pretty even before her make over but now she is breathtaking. This woman can grace any billboard or magazine cover, but she is way better than those two dimensional photo shopped models. Her muscle definition is perfect and she walks with a new type of confidence I wonder where it came from but then again Kris hyung has done wonders before as well. She wasn't just flawless in her bone structure, her skin was like silk over glass and she radiated an intelligent beauty.

When we reached home we all went straight to the feast and dug into the food. While eating all that I could think about was how to apologize I am not good at it and everyone knows this but I messed up big time and I want to fix this. Aishh where is Baekhyun hyung when I need him? Oh right he is with his 'Yoda-like-best-friend-who-is-now-his-yoda-like-boyfriend'. After dinner we all settled in the living room telling Kris hyung who took what responsibility and low key waiting for the love birds to arrive.

Erie has been ignoring me (I almost am starting to believe that I have turned invisible). Every opinion every word I utter goes over her. I even tried talking directly to her but it’s of no use. I looked over to Jongin but he just shrugged. Everyone talks to me but when she ignores what I say everyone acts like either she isn’t there or they would change topics very quickly and oh so easily. Its like nothing happened but it did.

After an hour or so Chanyeol hyung and Baekhyun hyung came back. Wide creepy grins plastered on their faces. Hair slightly messed up and their hands attached together as if someone stuck them up with supper glue. They suit each other a lot no wonder their fans ship them like crazy. Everyone started teasing them and never have I ever thought they would blush like teenage girls but then again I shouldn’t be surprised.

“Okhey okhey everyone it is time we talk about her shift it has to be done as soon as possible.” Kris hyung says loud and clear and on cue we all settle.

“When do you start?” Suho and Xuimin hyung said hugging Erie, protectively, from behind; we all know the process is painful.

“I won’t be with her. We all know how shifts happen and to be frank I have no intentions to see her ripping her clothes off while shifting and neither will she want that.”

Cringing and choosing to ignore everything he said we all fell into the weird silence.

“So now what?” Erie said.

“Don’t worry sweetheart I called some friends. There is a wolf pack we all are close to and they have two female wolves that I trust a lot and who have agreed to volunteer.”

“Kris, who did you asked for help?”

“Oh I asked NCT to help us. We all know Aana and Akari they are trustworthy wolves. I talked to Taeyong he said he will be here, with Aana, Akari, Lucas, Jeno and Mark, in a week or so.”

“Oh okhey well since we all are doing nothing lets go get ourselves busy by doing something productive?” Chanyeol said.

“Yeah right we all know your idea of something productive.” Erie wiggled her eyebrows at Chanyeol hyung and everyone laughed or snorted except Baekhyun hyung who choked on his saliva.

“W-what are you saying I uh… I meant to do something productive together… yes all of us together.” He replied stammering while Baek was a blushing mess trying to hide behind Tao who in return changed his sitting place.

“Oh please we all know your intention Yeol. You think too loud.” We saw the shock register on his face when Chen hyung said these words. A small smile played on our lips, I guess we got him.

“Pervert.” Erie mumbled a little too loud and that seemed to do the trick and Chanyeol turned to Baekhyun immediately. 

“She is lying Baekiee. Jagiya I swear I was not thinking anything perverted. I am not a pervert I was not thinking anything but to cuddle I swear.”

Every one suppressed their laughs while Erie claimed that Yeol is the one who is lying which resulted in an argument between the best friends and a very embarrassed Baek who chocked on God knows what every two seconds. In all honesty I am sure Chen hyung did not even tried to read Yeol’s mind neither did any of us. I think Chen just tricked him and Erie just played along. 'Idiot'

Suddenly Yeol picked Baekhyun up like someone picks a sack of potatoes and ran towards what seemed like his room. The whole living room fell silent for two good minutes before a melodious laugh was heard.

Erie’s laughter was like rain in a dessert or as pure and sweet as honey. Everyone joined in it as well but her laugh was the one that seemed to catch all my attention. Her laugh was like a river in which I was willingly drowning. It’s amazing how I never actually noticed this before. She was one hell of a girl. Beautiful and humorous, she could have been my friend if I wasn’t blinded by hatred.

‘Aishh I want to talk to her like the rest do. I want to laugh with her, no I want to be the reason she laughs. For the first time in my life history I want to be Chanyeol hyung.’