don't give up on us, baby
don't give up on us, baby
EXO | Baekhyun/Kyungsoo | PG | 2,968w
Fluff
"This is the day Do Kyungsoo will finally go out with me."
Written for nachtegael for baektobaek 2014.
"This is it!" Baekhyun announces as he gets out of the car. He breathes in the early morning of another school day and claps his hands together. "This is the day Do Kyungsoo will finally go out with me."
Beside him, Jongdae snorts. Not unkindly, but rather too honestly. "Okay," is all he says, clapping his back before heading towards the building. "Good luck," he calls out before disappearing inside.
Baekhyun jogs after him. "Ye of little faith," he chides his best friend, hooking his arm around his neck. "Just you wait. I have everything planned. I'm going to walk into the faculty room and Kyungsoo will be handing out the days' activities and then he'll swing by to my cubicle and--"
And then Baekhyun trips. Right into the feet of the said Do Kyungsoo.
Baekhyun's face turns red when he sees Kyungsoo peering down at him with his beautiful, dark, round eyes. Baekhyun almost falls for him all over again. It doesn't even matter that Jongdae is cackling like a hyena somewhere in the background.
"Get off the floor," Kyungsoo demands from him and then he steps over him to start distributing the reminders and activities for the day to the rest of the teachers.
Okay so maybe Kyungsoo going out with him will take another day. One day, he will get his victory.
Baekhyun grins as soon as he sees Kyungsoo sitting by himself in the cafeteria, eating an apple while going through some paperwork. Sometimes Baekhyun thinks that Kyungsoo takes his administrative job way too seriously. Like, really, they're teaching kindergarteners. How much paperwork is there really? Still, Baekhyun admires Kyungsoo's determination and diligence in wanting to be as organized and as efficient as possible. He's pretty sure that the principal doesn't really do much, neither does the vice principal. Baekhyun suspects that Kyungsoo does both of their jobs better than they could ever manage it. This is really one of the reasons why Baekhyun admires him.
He grabs two power bars, a gatorade and a donut for himself from the lunch line before sashaying over to Kyungsoo's table, steadily ignoring the way Jongdae's snickers follow him. His best friend just doesn't understand his need to be near Kyungsoo all the time. It doesn't matter that Kyungsoo detests him. Even Kyungsoo's annoyance sent his way is already a gift.
"Hi there," Baekhyun greets him as he slides onto the empty seat beside Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo looks up from what he's reading, his big, brown, innocent doe eyes train right on Baekhyun's and Baekhyun almost melts. "What do you want?" he grumbles before turning back to the papers on the table.
"I brought you power bars and an energy drink since you've been working so hard," Baekhyun smiles as winningly as he can as he pushes them towards him. Kyungsoo does this wide-eyed glare that's still totally cute. Baekhyun almost wants to reach forward and squish his cheeks. But he doesn't because, well, he has this rule that he can't touch Kyungsoo unless he gets Kyungsoo to talk to him first. There are steps to these things and he intends to follow them to the tee. "It'll help since you read a lot of stuff and organize a lot of things."
Kyungsoo's eyes flicker towards the power bars and the gatorade before settling them back on Baekhyun. "That's too much sugar right there, so no thanks," he says, which delights Baekhyun because that's more words than Kyungsoo's ever said to him before.
"I'll leave it with you anyway," Baekhyun insists with a wink. "It comes with my love so the energy from it is extra potent, which I hope you can use." He wiggles his eyebrows up and down and before Kyungsoo can do something like throw the power bars at him, he slips off the chair and sits beside Jongdae.
"How's the wooing going?" Jongdae teases, taking a bit out of his sandwich.
"Pretty good," Baekhyun says with much satisfaction. "I really think he's warming up to me. He didn't threaten me today." He smiles, very pleased with himself. He chances a glance towards Kyungsoo, who's staring at Baekhyun's gifts like they're going to give him a disease. Nevertheless, Baekhyun is ecstatic. Progress, no matter how tiny, is still progress.
"Good job," Jongdae says with a light chuckle, clapping him on the shoulder. Beside him, Lu Han practically guffaws.
"Man, are you still at it?" Lu Han asks, shaking his head. "It's been over a year."
Baekhyun narrows his eyes at Lu Han. He really doesn't like this teacher. Aside from the fact that he invents these ridiculous songs and sings them in his less than pleasant voice to teach his class, he also has never been a big supporter of Baekhyun crushing on Kyungsoo. So what if Kyungsoo is part of the administrative team of the school? So what if Kyungsoo is too good for him (which is very much debatable)? So what if Kyungsoo would probably never actually go out with him? Baekhyun is a firm believer of never knowing what will happen until you try. So that's just what he's doing. He's trying. Really hard. And giving it his all until the time comes that he realizes that he's given it his best shot and Kyungsoo still doesn't like him. That's the only time he'll let it go. Until then...
"It's only been over a year," Baekhyun responds with a big smile. "And look where things are right now. He speaks several words in my direction. If that isn't a step in the right direction then I don't know what is."
"I gotta hand it to you," Lu Han says, still shaking his head. "Your determination and persistence is admirable."
"Of course it is," Jongdae pipes in to defend his friend. "Determination and persistence is what gets people somewhere." He wraps an arm around Baekhyun's shoulder and squeezes him. This is exactly why Baekhyun keeps him around. Jongdae understands him without Baekhyun having to say anything.
Lu Han scoffs and gets up. "I'll catch you guys later," he tells them, picking up his tray. "I have to refine my lesson plan for this afternoon."
When Lu Han leaves, Jongdae turns to Baekhyun. "Listen, Baek," he starts.
Baekhyun sighs. "I know, I know," he assures him. "I know what I'm getting myself into. I've known since the day I decided I was going to ask Kyungsoo out." He knows the risks. He knows that he could get hurt a lot. He knows that Kyungsoo could hate him for what he's doing. But there's just something about Kyungsoo that just makes him want to keep on going.
Jongdae smiles encouragingly and pats his back. "As long as you know," he responds.
Baekhyun decides that maybe he'll go a little more extravagant this time. So he goes through the works; he buys flowers, chocolates, and a chocolate cake. He thought of hiring a guitarist or something, but he thought he could save that for next time. For now, this will have to do.
He goes into the admin office, where he's sure Kyungsoo is alone. It's only 6:45 in the morning and Baekhyun knows that Kyungsoo always comes in early. He doesn't care that there aren't any people to witness his little act of romance. They're not what Baekhyun's here for. He's here for Kyungsoo and Kyungsoo alone.
Baekhyun walks into the office, box of cake and chocolate on one hand and bouquet of flowers in the other. Kyungsoo is already at his desk, shuffling some papers, humming some familiar pop song to himself. Baekhyun smiles. It's cute that Kyungsoo likes Ariana Grande too. Baekhyun thinks that he music is fresh and fun and if Kyungsoo likes that too, then there's something they already have in common.
"Good morning, Kyungsoo," Baekhyun announces his arrival with a bright smile. He holds out his gifts towards him when Kyungsoo looks up.
"Baekhyun," Kyungsoo starts in exasperation.
"Just gifts, Kyungsoo," Baekhyun rushes before Kyungsoo can get another word out. "I just realized I've never actually given you a cake, some really good chocolates and a bouquet before. I really should have but I got so busy in thinking creatively that I never got around to the cheesy ones. I mean I really hope you liked the crochet coasters I made for you or the framed cross stitch of the school or the recipe book that I created, but there's nothing wrong with the old fashioned way, right?"
"I'm allergic to anything chocolate," Kyungsoo snaps.
Baekhyun opens his mouth but closes it again when he finds he has nothing to say. "Oh," he stammers, taken off guard. "Well, just the flowers then." He smiles as he places it on Kyungsoo's desk and then backs away with the box of cake and chocolate still on hand. "I'm sorry I didn't know about your allergies, but don't worry, Kyungsoo. I'll find another way to woo you the old fashioned way." He grins again before spinning on his heel and walking out of the office.
He slaps his forehead on the way out. How could he not know that Kyungsoo is allergic to chocolate? That's a really big mistake on his part. He claims to like Kyungsoo and yet he doesn't even know him as well as he would like. What kind of food does Kyungsoo really like? What's his favorite color? What shows does he watch? Does he even watch any? Maybe he's an avid reader instead. If so, what kind of books does he like to read? There's so much to know and Baekhyun is determined to find them all out.
Baekhyun's out of the door when he hears Kyungsoo and someone else in the office talking.
"Beautiful flowers."
"I guess," Kyungsoo responds. He sighs.
"Why don't you just give the guy a break, Soo? I mean he's trying too hard and he doesn't even know your allergies."
"No one's supposed to know about them but me," Kyungsoo interjects. He sighs again. "But maybe I should. This has gone on for far too long. It's time that I end this."
Baekhyun doesn't stay to hear any more. He's heard enough.
Baekhyun is eating in peace when Jongdae suddenly lets out a yelp when he walks into the bathroom. He would've have laughed since Jongdae looks ridiculous, but then he's not in a laughing mood.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jongdae demands, frowning as he tries to calm his heart.
"What does it look like I'm doing here?" Baekhyun throws the question right back at him.
"You look like you're reenacting a scene from Mean Girls," Jongdae states, rolling his eyes. "Why the hell are you taking your lunch in the bathroom. There are empty tables in the cafeteria."
"Didn't feel like it," Baekhyun answers with a shrug. The cafeteria is the last place he wants to be in right now.
"Well then why aren't you at Kyungsoo's table, sitting beside him and feeding him junk food like you always do?" Jongdae then asks, frown deepening.
Baekhyun shrugs. "Kyungsoo could use a change of scenery," he tells him, going back to his lunch.
"What?" Jongdae sputters in shock.
Baekhyun shrugs again, this time not bothering to look up at Jongdae. It's true. Kyungsoo could really use a change of scenery. "I figured maybe a year is enough to woo someone," he explains. "I think the day has come, Jongdae." He finally meets Jongdae's wide eyes.
"You're... stopping?" Jongdae clarifies, looking rather worried. "Why?" he asks when Baekhyun nods.
"Because it's come to my attention that he doesn't really want this, that he doesn't really like me, that there's no potential for him to," Baekhyun elaborates no matter how much it aches for him to say them. The truth always hurts but it has to be faced.
He's liked Kyungsoo for quiet some time now. He's not entirely sure how he got to that point. All he knows is that when he saw Kyungsoo walk into the room that day, he knew there was meant to be something special between them. Obviously he was wrong. Then again, gut feelings don't have a scientific basis and don't really always turn out to be right.
"Who brought this to your attention?" Jongdae wants to know. "Because you can't just give up because of hearsay. You've been wooing Kyungsoo for so long stopping right in the middle is just--"
"It's not cowardly to accept defeat," Baekhyun cuts him off with a small smile. Accepting defeat is actually a rather brave thing in Baekhyun's opinion. Not that he thinks he's brave. He's actually terrified and insanely dejected. How could he have been wrong about Kyungsoo? Sure Kyungsoo's never fully acknowledged him, but Baekhyun's always felt like there could be something there. Then again, maybe he was just crazy stupid and crazy blind to see that it would never have worked out.
"Baekhyun," Jongdae starts.
"I think I want to be alone, Jongdae," Baekhyun interrupts. Jongdae leaves.
It's not easy avoiding someone you work with, but in Baekhyun's case, it was as easy a breathing. It's only then that Baekhyun realizes that his and Kyungsoo's path would never have crossed if Baekhyun didn't actively seek out Kyungsoo. Kyungsoo always just stayed in his office, in the spaces that he goes to in school. Baekhyun was always the one going to him. Now that he's not doing that, Baekhyun never sees Kyungsoo. Which is both a good and bad thing. Good, because not seeing Kyungsoo helps him with the moving on thing. Bad, because not seeing Kyungsoo makes him realize that it was a completely one-sided affair.
He's fixing his things at the end of the day, alone in the faculty room because he does things slowly these days so he'll be the last to leave, when he hears someone enter the room. It's probably Jongdae checking up on him. Jongdae does that a lot, like he thinks Baekhyun's fragile at the moment and might break any second. But actually, Baekhyun's been feeling a lot stronger the past few days. A year of pining isn't easy to get over, but taking it one day at a time truly helps.
"I'm going to be out in a minute, Jongdae," Baekhyun calls without turning around. "Just hang on."
There's a beat of silence and then, "It's not Jongdae."
Baekhyun whirls around, sending his bag to the floor with a loud thump. Kyungsoo is standing by the door in his dark gray slacks and light blue long-sleeved polo, looking every bit as attractive as Baekhyun has always thought he is.
"What... can I help you with something?" Baekhyun asks cautiously. Kyungsoo probably forgot some paper work or some requirement that Baekhyun forgot to submit.
"I--yes," Kyungsoo decides after looking like he was going to say no. "There is something you can help me with." He pauses, swallowing.
"What is it?" Baekhyun asks, shoving his hands in his pockets because, wow, this is a chance to have a full on conversation with Kyungsoo.
"Where did you go?" Kyungsoo asks, tone almost demanding. His eyes are wider than usual, imploring.
"What do you mean?" Baekhyun's brows furrow in confusion. "I didn't go anywhere."
"Yes you did," Kyungsoo insists, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "You haven't been... by the office."
"What--" Baekhyun cuts himself off at the implication of Kyungsoo's statement. It means that Kyungsoo has been waiting for him, looking forward to him to come see him. A smile finds its way to his lips. "Are you here because you miss me, Kyungsoo?" he teases and laughs when Kyungsoo's cheeks burn red.
"I most certainly do not miss you," Kyungsoo interjects heavily. "You're talkative and noisy and too full of himself. I do not miss annoying people." He's fiddling with his fingers, which Baekhyun finds utterly adorable.
"And yet, you're here," Baekhyun says, gesturing grandly around the faculty room.
"The copy machine is broken," Kyungsoo blurts out, startling the both of them. Baekhyun raises his eyebrows. "I can't get it to work."
Baekhyun is still in disbelief that he and Kyungsoo are actually talking as he follows Kyungsoo to the admin office to take a look at the copy machine. Even if Kyungsoo really just needed help with the copy machine, even if Baekhyun is just his last resort, it still managed to score him a conversation, which is his immediate goal. Now it's been granted!
"Looks fine to me," Baekhyun says with a knowing smile as the copier works perfectly fine right in front of his eyes. "Are you sure this isn't a ploy for me to start wooing you again?" He wiggles his eyebrows up and down. "Because I can easily be persuaded."
Kyungsoo huffs, crossing his arms across his chest. "You're talkative and noisy and too full of himself. You're very annoying and too smiley and your eyes sparkle like they think they're stars and it's really irritating. Your teeth are too white and just... I really find you distracting." He looks really enraged at the thought, but Baekhyun is just charmed and overjoyed. His charms have been working!
"Alright alright, I'll go out with you," Baekhyun concedes with a teasing laugh. "Stop already."
Kyungsoo opens his mouth and then closes it again. "That's not what I--I wasn't saying--ugh you are so annoying!" He actually stomps his foot when he grabs the made copies from the machine and goes back to his desk. "Go away, I'm still working."
Baekhyun chuckles and winks at him. "I'll wait for you up front," he says before leaving.
There's a beat of silence and then, "Give me ten minutes."
Baekhyun kneels on the ground and raises his fist in the air. Victory has never tasted so sweet.
This entry was originally posted at http://airplanewishes.dreamwidth.org/61907.html. Please comment there using OpenID.
EXO | Baekhyun/Kyungsoo | PG | 2,968w
Fluff
"This is the day Do Kyungsoo will finally go out with me."
Written for nachtegael for baektobaek 2014.
"This is it!" Baekhyun announces as he gets out of the car. He breathes in the early morning of another school day and claps his hands together. "This is the day Do Kyungsoo will finally go out with me."
Beside him, Jongdae snorts. Not unkindly, but rather too honestly. "Okay," is all he says, clapping his back before heading towards the building. "Good luck," he calls out before disappearing inside.
Baekhyun jogs after him. "Ye of little faith," he chides his best friend, hooking his arm around his neck. "Just you wait. I have everything planned. I'm going to walk into the faculty room and Kyungsoo will be handing out the days' activities and then he'll swing by to my cubicle and--"
And then Baekhyun trips. Right into the feet of the said Do Kyungsoo.
Baekhyun's face turns red when he sees Kyungsoo peering down at him with his beautiful, dark, round eyes. Baekhyun almost falls for him all over again. It doesn't even matter that Jongdae is cackling like a hyena somewhere in the background.
"Get off the floor," Kyungsoo demands from him and then he steps over him to start distributing the reminders and activities for the day to the rest of the teachers.
Okay so maybe Kyungsoo going out with him will take another day. One day, he will get his victory.
Baekhyun grins as soon as he sees Kyungsoo sitting by himself in the cafeteria, eating an apple while going through some paperwork. Sometimes Baekhyun thinks that Kyungsoo takes his administrative job way too seriously. Like, really, they're teaching kindergarteners. How much paperwork is there really? Still, Baekhyun admires Kyungsoo's determination and diligence in wanting to be as organized and as efficient as possible. He's pretty sure that the principal doesn't really do much, neither does the vice principal. Baekhyun suspects that Kyungsoo does both of their jobs better than they could ever manage it. This is really one of the reasons why Baekhyun admires him.
He grabs two power bars, a gatorade and a donut for himself from the lunch line before sashaying over to Kyungsoo's table, steadily ignoring the way Jongdae's snickers follow him. His best friend just doesn't understand his need to be near Kyungsoo all the time. It doesn't matter that Kyungsoo detests him. Even Kyungsoo's annoyance sent his way is already a gift.
"Hi there," Baekhyun greets him as he slides onto the empty seat beside Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo looks up from what he's reading, his big, brown, innocent doe eyes train right on Baekhyun's and Baekhyun almost melts. "What do you want?" he grumbles before turning back to the papers on the table.
"I brought you power bars and an energy drink since you've been working so hard," Baekhyun smiles as winningly as he can as he pushes them towards him. Kyungsoo does this wide-eyed glare that's still totally cute. Baekhyun almost wants to reach forward and squish his cheeks. But he doesn't because, well, he has this rule that he can't touch Kyungsoo unless he gets Kyungsoo to talk to him first. There are steps to these things and he intends to follow them to the tee. "It'll help since you read a lot of stuff and organize a lot of things."
Kyungsoo's eyes flicker towards the power bars and the gatorade before settling them back on Baekhyun. "That's too much sugar right there, so no thanks," he says, which delights Baekhyun because that's more words than Kyungsoo's ever said to him before.
"I'll leave it with you anyway," Baekhyun insists with a wink. "It comes with my love so the energy from it is extra potent, which I hope you can use." He wiggles his eyebrows up and down and before Kyungsoo can do something like throw the power bars at him, he slips off the chair and sits beside Jongdae.
"How's the wooing going?" Jongdae teases, taking a bit out of his sandwich.
"Pretty good," Baekhyun says with much satisfaction. "I really think he's warming up to me. He didn't threaten me today." He smiles, very pleased with himself. He chances a glance towards Kyungsoo, who's staring at Baekhyun's gifts like they're going to give him a disease. Nevertheless, Baekhyun is ecstatic. Progress, no matter how tiny, is still progress.
"Good job," Jongdae says with a light chuckle, clapping him on the shoulder. Beside him, Lu Han practically guffaws.
"Man, are you still at it?" Lu Han asks, shaking his head. "It's been over a year."
Baekhyun narrows his eyes at Lu Han. He really doesn't like this teacher. Aside from the fact that he invents these ridiculous songs and sings them in his less than pleasant voice to teach his class, he also has never been a big supporter of Baekhyun crushing on Kyungsoo. So what if Kyungsoo is part of the administrative team of the school? So what if Kyungsoo is too good for him (which is very much debatable)? So what if Kyungsoo would probably never actually go out with him? Baekhyun is a firm believer of never knowing what will happen until you try. So that's just what he's doing. He's trying. Really hard. And giving it his all until the time comes that he realizes that he's given it his best shot and Kyungsoo still doesn't like him. That's the only time he'll let it go. Until then...
"It's only been over a year," Baekhyun responds with a big smile. "And look where things are right now. He speaks several words in my direction. If that isn't a step in the right direction then I don't know what is."
"I gotta hand it to you," Lu Han says, still shaking his head. "Your determination and persistence is admirable."
"Of course it is," Jongdae pipes in to defend his friend. "Determination and persistence is what gets people somewhere." He wraps an arm around Baekhyun's shoulder and squeezes him. This is exactly why Baekhyun keeps him around. Jongdae understands him without Baekhyun having to say anything.
Lu Han scoffs and gets up. "I'll catch you guys later," he tells them, picking up his tray. "I have to refine my lesson plan for this afternoon."
When Lu Han leaves, Jongdae turns to Baekhyun. "Listen, Baek," he starts.
Baekhyun sighs. "I know, I know," he assures him. "I know what I'm getting myself into. I've known since the day I decided I was going to ask Kyungsoo out." He knows the risks. He knows that he could get hurt a lot. He knows that Kyungsoo could hate him for what he's doing. But there's just something about Kyungsoo that just makes him want to keep on going.
Jongdae smiles encouragingly and pats his back. "As long as you know," he responds.
Baekhyun decides that maybe he'll go a little more extravagant this time. So he goes through the works; he buys flowers, chocolates, and a chocolate cake. He thought of hiring a guitarist or something, but he thought he could save that for next time. For now, this will have to do.
He goes into the admin office, where he's sure Kyungsoo is alone. It's only 6:45 in the morning and Baekhyun knows that Kyungsoo always comes in early. He doesn't care that there aren't any people to witness his little act of romance. They're not what Baekhyun's here for. He's here for Kyungsoo and Kyungsoo alone.
Baekhyun walks into the office, box of cake and chocolate on one hand and bouquet of flowers in the other. Kyungsoo is already at his desk, shuffling some papers, humming some familiar pop song to himself. Baekhyun smiles. It's cute that Kyungsoo likes Ariana Grande too. Baekhyun thinks that he music is fresh and fun and if Kyungsoo likes that too, then there's something they already have in common.
"Good morning, Kyungsoo," Baekhyun announces his arrival with a bright smile. He holds out his gifts towards him when Kyungsoo looks up.
"Baekhyun," Kyungsoo starts in exasperation.
"Just gifts, Kyungsoo," Baekhyun rushes before Kyungsoo can get another word out. "I just realized I've never actually given you a cake, some really good chocolates and a bouquet before. I really should have but I got so busy in thinking creatively that I never got around to the cheesy ones. I mean I really hope you liked the crochet coasters I made for you or the framed cross stitch of the school or the recipe book that I created, but there's nothing wrong with the old fashioned way, right?"
"I'm allergic to anything chocolate," Kyungsoo snaps.
Baekhyun opens his mouth but closes it again when he finds he has nothing to say. "Oh," he stammers, taken off guard. "Well, just the flowers then." He smiles as he places it on Kyungsoo's desk and then backs away with the box of cake and chocolate still on hand. "I'm sorry I didn't know about your allergies, but don't worry, Kyungsoo. I'll find another way to woo you the old fashioned way." He grins again before spinning on his heel and walking out of the office.
He slaps his forehead on the way out. How could he not know that Kyungsoo is allergic to chocolate? That's a really big mistake on his part. He claims to like Kyungsoo and yet he doesn't even know him as well as he would like. What kind of food does Kyungsoo really like? What's his favorite color? What shows does he watch? Does he even watch any? Maybe he's an avid reader instead. If so, what kind of books does he like to read? There's so much to know and Baekhyun is determined to find them all out.
Baekhyun's out of the door when he hears Kyungsoo and someone else in the office talking.
"Beautiful flowers."
"I guess," Kyungsoo responds. He sighs.
"Why don't you just give the guy a break, Soo? I mean he's trying too hard and he doesn't even know your allergies."
"No one's supposed to know about them but me," Kyungsoo interjects. He sighs again. "But maybe I should. This has gone on for far too long. It's time that I end this."
Baekhyun doesn't stay to hear any more. He's heard enough.
Baekhyun is eating in peace when Jongdae suddenly lets out a yelp when he walks into the bathroom. He would've have laughed since Jongdae looks ridiculous, but then he's not in a laughing mood.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jongdae demands, frowning as he tries to calm his heart.
"What does it look like I'm doing here?" Baekhyun throws the question right back at him.
"You look like you're reenacting a scene from Mean Girls," Jongdae states, rolling his eyes. "Why the hell are you taking your lunch in the bathroom. There are empty tables in the cafeteria."
"Didn't feel like it," Baekhyun answers with a shrug. The cafeteria is the last place he wants to be in right now.
"Well then why aren't you at Kyungsoo's table, sitting beside him and feeding him junk food like you always do?" Jongdae then asks, frown deepening.
Baekhyun shrugs. "Kyungsoo could use a change of scenery," he tells him, going back to his lunch.
"What?" Jongdae sputters in shock.
Baekhyun shrugs again, this time not bothering to look up at Jongdae. It's true. Kyungsoo could really use a change of scenery. "I figured maybe a year is enough to woo someone," he explains. "I think the day has come, Jongdae." He finally meets Jongdae's wide eyes.
"You're... stopping?" Jongdae clarifies, looking rather worried. "Why?" he asks when Baekhyun nods.
"Because it's come to my attention that he doesn't really want this, that he doesn't really like me, that there's no potential for him to," Baekhyun elaborates no matter how much it aches for him to say them. The truth always hurts but it has to be faced.
He's liked Kyungsoo for quiet some time now. He's not entirely sure how he got to that point. All he knows is that when he saw Kyungsoo walk into the room that day, he knew there was meant to be something special between them. Obviously he was wrong. Then again, gut feelings don't have a scientific basis and don't really always turn out to be right.
"Who brought this to your attention?" Jongdae wants to know. "Because you can't just give up because of hearsay. You've been wooing Kyungsoo for so long stopping right in the middle is just--"
"It's not cowardly to accept defeat," Baekhyun cuts him off with a small smile. Accepting defeat is actually a rather brave thing in Baekhyun's opinion. Not that he thinks he's brave. He's actually terrified and insanely dejected. How could he have been wrong about Kyungsoo? Sure Kyungsoo's never fully acknowledged him, but Baekhyun's always felt like there could be something there. Then again, maybe he was just crazy stupid and crazy blind to see that it would never have worked out.
"Baekhyun," Jongdae starts.
"I think I want to be alone, Jongdae," Baekhyun interrupts. Jongdae leaves.
It's not easy avoiding someone you work with, but in Baekhyun's case, it was as easy a breathing. It's only then that Baekhyun realizes that his and Kyungsoo's path would never have crossed if Baekhyun didn't actively seek out Kyungsoo. Kyungsoo always just stayed in his office, in the spaces that he goes to in school. Baekhyun was always the one going to him. Now that he's not doing that, Baekhyun never sees Kyungsoo. Which is both a good and bad thing. Good, because not seeing Kyungsoo helps him with the moving on thing. Bad, because not seeing Kyungsoo makes him realize that it was a completely one-sided affair.
He's fixing his things at the end of the day, alone in the faculty room because he does things slowly these days so he'll be the last to leave, when he hears someone enter the room. It's probably Jongdae checking up on him. Jongdae does that a lot, like he thinks Baekhyun's fragile at the moment and might break any second. But actually, Baekhyun's been feeling a lot stronger the past few days. A year of pining isn't easy to get over, but taking it one day at a time truly helps.
"I'm going to be out in a minute, Jongdae," Baekhyun calls without turning around. "Just hang on."
There's a beat of silence and then, "It's not Jongdae."
Baekhyun whirls around, sending his bag to the floor with a loud thump. Kyungsoo is standing by the door in his dark gray slacks and light blue long-sleeved polo, looking every bit as attractive as Baekhyun has always thought he is.
"What... can I help you with something?" Baekhyun asks cautiously. Kyungsoo probably forgot some paper work or some requirement that Baekhyun forgot to submit.
"I--yes," Kyungsoo decides after looking like he was going to say no. "There is something you can help me with." He pauses, swallowing.
"What is it?" Baekhyun asks, shoving his hands in his pockets because, wow, this is a chance to have a full on conversation with Kyungsoo.
"Where did you go?" Kyungsoo asks, tone almost demanding. His eyes are wider than usual, imploring.
"What do you mean?" Baekhyun's brows furrow in confusion. "I didn't go anywhere."
"Yes you did," Kyungsoo insists, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "You haven't been... by the office."
"What--" Baekhyun cuts himself off at the implication of Kyungsoo's statement. It means that Kyungsoo has been waiting for him, looking forward to him to come see him. A smile finds its way to his lips. "Are you here because you miss me, Kyungsoo?" he teases and laughs when Kyungsoo's cheeks burn red.
"I most certainly do not miss you," Kyungsoo interjects heavily. "You're talkative and noisy and too full of himself. I do not miss annoying people." He's fiddling with his fingers, which Baekhyun finds utterly adorable.
"And yet, you're here," Baekhyun says, gesturing grandly around the faculty room.
"The copy machine is broken," Kyungsoo blurts out, startling the both of them. Baekhyun raises his eyebrows. "I can't get it to work."
Baekhyun is still in disbelief that he and Kyungsoo are actually talking as he follows Kyungsoo to the admin office to take a look at the copy machine. Even if Kyungsoo really just needed help with the copy machine, even if Baekhyun is just his last resort, it still managed to score him a conversation, which is his immediate goal. Now it's been granted!
"Looks fine to me," Baekhyun says with a knowing smile as the copier works perfectly fine right in front of his eyes. "Are you sure this isn't a ploy for me to start wooing you again?" He wiggles his eyebrows up and down. "Because I can easily be persuaded."
Kyungsoo huffs, crossing his arms across his chest. "You're talkative and noisy and too full of himself. You're very annoying and too smiley and your eyes sparkle like they think they're stars and it's really irritating. Your teeth are too white and just... I really find you distracting." He looks really enraged at the thought, but Baekhyun is just charmed and overjoyed. His charms have been working!
"Alright alright, I'll go out with you," Baekhyun concedes with a teasing laugh. "Stop already."
Kyungsoo opens his mouth and then closes it again. "That's not what I--I wasn't saying--ugh you are so annoying!" He actually stomps his foot when he grabs the made copies from the machine and goes back to his desk. "Go away, I'm still working."
Baekhyun chuckles and winks at him. "I'll wait for you up front," he says before leaving.
There's a beat of silence and then, "Give me ten minutes."
Baekhyun kneels on the ground and raises his fist in the air. Victory has never tasted so sweet.
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