Gravity Doesn't Work on Us (But Music Does) (2/2)
"Did you really go to Chanyeol's house last Friday?" Baekhyun asks, sliding into his usual seat next to Kyungsoo at the class. He drops his bag on the table and uses it as a cushion immediately.
Kyungsoo nods, still engrossed over the new songs he copied from Chanyeol's iTunes. The taller man has insisted to copy them for him since he was caught staring at the song list in awe.
It was easy to talk with Chanyeol, he found out. He doesn’t dominate, but he leads the conversation well. The taller man was eager to respond, and he always wanted to know what Kyungsoo thought. Surprisingly, it made him felt appreciated instead of annoyed.
"And you didn't tell me?"
"Chanyeol told you anyway." He answers shortly. The new songs have helped him with the summer playlist. As expected of the music prodigy, he fits the theme well. Kyungsoo thinks of placing Chanyeol's name on the playlist as a thankful gesture, but perhaps it’s still too early for that.
"True," Baekhyun sighs. He and Chanyeol seem to share everything since they were children. And no, Kyungsoo is not jealous even the slightest. "How is your project going?"
Kyungsoo stops scrolling at the songs list to look at his friend. There is no need to lie to him, right? "Great. He taught a lot of music to me. We got to choose the basic melody when I visited him."
"That guy even went to the extent of dubbing you as his music soulmate, I'm guessing the chemistry between you two works well?"
"He did?" Kyungsoo blinks. He, too, feels very compatible with Chanyeol especially in terms of music. When he doesn't know what to describe something he wants to say, the other man could quickly gets to the meaning and teaches him the proper word. But to label it as 'soulmate', isn’t that too much?
Baekhyun pauses. He looks like he is considering his words. "He was satisfied to have you as his partner, it seems."
Kyungsoo smiles at that. “I’m satisfied as well.” He reverts his attention back to his phone, concentrating on the lyrics of a Kim Bum Soo song he really likes.
"Oh no, I'm starting to be that third wheel kind of friend, right?" Baekhyun groans, burying his face in the fabric of his bag.
"What are you talking about?" Kyungsoo frowns, trying to stop colors from rosing on his cheeks.
Baekhyun smirks. He straightens his pose, placing a hand on the other's shoulder. "You're hanging out more with him, and all you do is reject my and Jongdae's offer to hang out together. You're basically whipped, Do Kyungsoo." He says. "What is it that you see in him? His height? That stupid smile?"
"Byun,” Kyungsoo tries a threatening tone, but all he gets is that wiggling of eyebrows he hates so much. He lifts up his hand, pretending to get ready to land a punch on his face, and Baekhyun cowers down.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Don't hit me!" He whines. "But seriously, though. At least come to the chicken place with me and Joonmyun today."
"Jongdae isn't coming?"
Baekhyun shakes his head. "He has a band practice for the gig this Saturday."
Kyungsoo briefly recalls Chanyeol complaining about how they wouldn't be able to work together at all that particular week because their band is preparing a new original song for the next gig.
"You're coming for that one, right?" His friend tests carefully, the last bit of his sentence floating in the air. He is not taking no.
"Of course I would. I say I would come on weekends, right?" Kyungsoo rolls his eyes. "Also, I'm cooking pasta tonight."
"And your point is?"
"Eat the chicken in my place instead. I can't go out."
Baekhyun beams up at him. "Now that’s what you call a best friend. I'll tell Joonmyun later."
Kyungsoo is about to reply to that when the lecturer comes into the room. He sends a glare to Baekhyun before he turns off his mp3 player and takes out his books, paying attention to the lecture instead of the little fusses Baekhyun makes next to him.
♪
That night, Kyungsoo finds himself texting Chanyeol, telling him how Baekhyun seems to think that he is stealing his best friend from him. It puzzles him how Chanyeol says that it was him stealing Baekhyun's best friend.
He thinks Chanyeol is Baekhyun's best friend.
what are you doing? are you on laptop?
Kyungsoo is, in fact, sprawled on his bed again with laptop in front of his face. He is currently reading through some reference journal for his upcoming paper with 8tracks opened in the background. He initially started with a much calmer playlist, but this one is playing a house remix of Zedd's song. He is too lazy to correct back the playlist, though.
Yes. Why?
nothing. have you listened to the songs i gave you? ;)
The little emoticons Chanyeol left on his texts have never failed to make Kyungsoo both frown and smile.
Yes.
well? do you like them?
Kyungsoo is about to type down his answer when suddenly there is a notification informing him that for-dokyungsoo has just uploaded a playlist. He has decided to follow the account last week, even when his head said no. The user has a good choice of music, so why not?
for-dokyungsoo published you, to me
The user has been a faithful follower of him, liking every mixes he uploaded and sometimes commenting with nice words that make Kyungsoo feel warm.
He doesn’t hesitate when he presses the play button, and immediately has Alex Turner’s voice blasting into his ears. The beginning is good, Kyungsoo is immediately hooked. This playlist is brighter than the other one, emphasizing on the joy the uploader feels towards him.
If I say that I think someone is making playlists for me, would it sound weird? He decides to ask his partner.
Chanyeol's reply doesn't come as fast as usual. Kyungsoo huffs. The songs in the playlist seems like the ones he and Chanyeol would enjoy together. He wonders if it's okay to share the playlist with him.
no :) you're quite popular, aren't you?
It's not that.. I'm enjoying the songs but I don't know who the sender was so it's a bit uncomfortable. What if I’m being pranked?
you have to trust the music, soo. ;)
I'll let you hear the playlist someday, I think you would like the songs.
ok ^^
♪
Secrets I have held in my heart
Are harder to hide than I thought
Maybe I just wanna be yours
♪
This time, Baekhyun doesn't have to drag Kyungsoo off from his apartment for the gig. He goes to the club himself since this time it's closer. Besides, Baekhyun has made him signed an agreement that he would come to the gig (Jongdae and Joonmyun signed as well.) He wears a simple plaid shirt over a black t-shirt and a pair of jeans. His last minute decision was to style up his hair with the styling gel long forgotten in the bathroom, at least he needs the boost of confidence.
“Who are you trying to impress tonight, Do?” He could hear Baekhyun's voice in his head.
"Myself." He mutters under his breath as he locks up the door.
The club Jongdae's band is going to perform at this time is in his walking distance, so he takes his time strolling at the wide pedestrian next to the main road. The wind tonight is nice, but he still shivers when it hits his cheeks. In no time though, he reaches the club. He lets the security checks his identity card and specifically tells him that he is to give moral support to his performing friends.
The lighting in this club is much worse than the previous one, though. This one is much more dimmed, and Kyungsoo has to squint his eyes to find the table his friends are sitting at. It takes him quite long to finally find Joonmyun and Jongin sitting near the stage.
"Baekhyun isn't coming yet?" He asks, taking a seat across Jongin. The young boy wears a snapback tonight, so he couldn't see his face properly. "Why are you wearing a cap?"
"No, but he said that he was close already. Probably looking for some parking space," Joonmyun shrugs. "And Jongin dyed his hair today, but he isn't confident of the color."
"You didn't like it!" Jongin hisses.
Joonmyun frowns. "I didn't say that. It think it looks better on you if you cut your hair shorter, though."
"Is it that bad?" Kyungsoo asks. Jongin sighs, taking off his cap to show him his new hair. Most of them has flattened down by the cap, though. "You should definitely cut it down, though."
"Wow, new hair. Kim Jongin?" Baekhyun easily filling up the vacant spot between Kyungsoo and Joonmyun.
"It's for the performance," he explains. Joonmyun's hand has come up to pet on his hair. It definitely has a good effect on him. "I will go back to the salon tomorrow."
Baekhyun empties out his jacket's pocket, placing his phone and wallet on the table. "Dance?"
"It's a midterm showcase. You guys should come and see, too." Jongin nods.
"I would definitely come," he says. "But we don't know about Mr. I-have-my-own-plans here." Baekhyun nudges Kyungsoo's shoulder.
He snorts. “I will see if I could make time.”
“You should take a break from studying, you know. Dance showcase should be refreshing enough for your stiff brain.”
“Shut up,” Kyungsoo sighs. “Here they come.”
Jongdae and his band goes up to the stage, Chanyeol is the last one to join with a pair of drumsticks in his hands. He wears a black t-shirt and a pair of shorts. The way he smiles almost childishly as he greets the audiences almost makes Kyungsoo forgets about how much of a beast Chanyeol is when playing the drums.
"Today we will be bringing you a new song, something we have worked so hard on the whole month. We hope you'll like it and love us even more." Jongdae speaks into the mic. His usually curled hair is now styled down. It makes him looks better.
"I love you, vocalist!" Baekhyun shouts from his seat, earning both laughter and cat calls from all over the club. Kyungsoo thinks that it's the perfect moment to plant his face on the table and hide from the embarrassment.
Jongdae just laughs, though. He turns around to check on his bandmates before finally the song starts and he turns into another man. It's the part Kyungsoo loves the most, when his friends slip into their more serious vocalist mode because they want to bring the best for the audience.
The song is sweet, it suits Jongdae's vocal the best. Chanyeol's drumming is not intense, but it gives more feelings to the songs. Kyungsoo definitely realizes the doing of the tall man in the song after have listened to most of his composed song in his laptop. He finds most people enjoying it, too. And as a friend, he feels undeniably proud of them.
When the song comes to end, Jongdae presents a wonderful adlib that gets everyone clapping, including Kyungsoo. It is a bit envious, how Jongdae has more room to grow when all Kyungsoo can do is sing in choir.
The solo they are doing today is not Chanyeol's, but another member of the band's. It is not like Kyungsoo was looking forward to see another solo performance from the drummer, but still he tells himself that to avoid disappointment.
Although he has to admit, the guitar solo is good. He couldn't deny the potential of each individual members of the band. They connect well together too, that’s why the band is really good.
Soon, the performance ends and everyone claps. Kyungsoo leans back in his seat, taking a sip of the beer Baekhyun bought him. It was a bet, whether he or Baekhyun would arrive at the club first. He obviously won, and Baekhyun sourly brought him a glass of beer as promised.
It surprises him when Jongdae enters the stage again with Chanyeol trailing behind him. The height and the silver hair is unmistakable. He brings Matilda with him, Kyungsoo knows by the amount of sticker on the guitar.
"You don't expect this, right?" Jongdae asks playfully into the mic. "We don't want to part yet, so here we go with another song. Please sing with us if you know the song."
Just with Chanyeol strumming the first chords, Kyungsoo knows immediately that it's a cover of Alex Turner’s Stuck On The Puzzle. He knows it by heart because it has been his jam since for-dokyungsoo included it in their latest playlist.
During the performance too, Kyungsoo is not sure if he is imagining that, but he finds Chanyeol staring at him almost the whole time. It is not even him singing, but why does Kyungsoo still feels like Chanyeol is dedicating the performance for him?
♪
I tried to swim to the side
But my feet got caught in the middle
And I thought I'd seen the light
But oh no,
I was just stuck on the puzzle
♪
Jongdae and Chanyeol comes to their table after they finish their routines in the backstage. They bring bottles of wine with them, each of them has this splitting grin that brings Kyungsoo headache.
"We decide to buy some drinks because you are basically the reason why we had such a successful night," Jongdae says, sliding into the seat next to Baekhyun, and Chanyeol follows next to him.
"Did you get a lot?" Joonmyun asks, opening of the bottle and pours some into his glass. "The manager of this club must have really liked you guys."
Jongdae laughs. "I honestly thought she had a bit of crush on Jihoon, even requesting a solo performance from him."
"That was requested?" Baekhyun asks in surprise.
"But she let us to have one more performance, so it was okay." Chanyeol answers, pouring the wine to the rest of the glass like a nice gentleman he is. "What do you think? Jongdae and I match well, right?"
He did that to tease Baekhyun, but it's Kyungsoo who answers. "It was great."
Baekhyun laughs, enjoying the sudden halt of movement on Chanyeol that Kyungsoo couldn't see. "What are you talking about, of course the best duet partner for you is me." Baekhyun reaches over to pat Chanyeol's shoulder.
"But I feel most compatible with Kyungsoo, though." answers Chanyeol, which gets the said man to choke on his wine. What a waste.
Chanyeol hands over the water bottle he brought from the backstage to the shorter man, worry in his face. Jongdae and Baekhyun laughs a lot, though. Joonmyun has this smirk in his face and Jongin just pays his attention to his boyfriend. Kyungsoo doesn't even know if Chanyeol was kidding or not.
Baekhyun manages to empty a whole bottle of wine by himself, already drunk by the time Kyungsoo just finished his third glass. Their position has somehow changed, now him being squished between Baekhyun and Chanyeol, with Jongdae taking his previous place.
Bad news: the trio are louder when they are drunk. Kyungsoo spends his time stirring the liquid in his glass, contemplating if he should just leave first. But the warmth of Chanyeol's thigh pressing to his somehow makes him reluctant to go.
It's not rare for their skin to brush together, and Kyungsoo doesn't know if it's him or the alcohol that makes him fuzzy whenever he catches the scent of Chanyeol's signature cologne.
"I'll buy more drinks." He says, leaning a little bit too close to Kyungsoo’s ear.
"Get the strong ones, Yeol!" Baekhyun shouts, and Jongdae's giggles are getting even more annoying.
Chanyeol flashes them a smile before he walks off towards the bar. Kyungsoo's stare lingers on his retreating back a little longer than it should be that Baekhyun catches it.
He drapes an arm around Kyungsoo's shoulder, startling him.
"You two should just date already," Baekhyun slurs. “It’s so funny because it’s the first time I see you so infatuated with someone.”
Kyungsoo sighs. His friend reeks of alcohol, and he is doing his best not to shrug him off out of impoliteness. "Stop it, Byun."
“I told him that the 8tracks thing was a good idea. Sneaks into your heart with music you like, and it should be easy because Yeol likes whatever you like. All this years knowing you, I know the only way to get into your heart is through music.“
He freezes. It feels like a bucket of ice has been dumped onto him. ”What?"
“I told him to test my theory, because I’m best friends to both of you so it should be good. And he did, he made that account with stupid name-“ Baekhyun giggles, “-and who would believe that you really fall for that?”
“So it’s just a test of a theory,” Kyungsoo murmurs; the grip on his shirt’s fabric has gotten so tight that his knuckles turn white. “Well, are you happy now it has been verified?”
Baekhyun squeals, “Is it? Are you falling for him because of the music?”
Stupidly, Kyungsoo does. And it feels humiliating.
“Baekhyun! You're not supposed to tell him about that!” Jongdae slaps on Baekhyun’s shoulder with all the soberness he has left. “You should shut your mouth when you are drunk, shit.”
“It’s okay,” Kyungsoo finds himself swallowing his own saliva. His throat feels too dry all of sudden, from the alcohol, mostly. “The theory is proven, right? There is no longer need to do this. Thank you. I’m glad I could be a help.” He spits out the last words in bitterness. Even the thought of laughing feels pathetic.
He gets up, getting ready to leave. His head is dazed and he feels fuzzy inside, but he knows the ache in his chest would just get worse if he lingers around any longer.
“Kyungsoo, don’t believe him. It’s not like that,” Jongdae pleads.
Kyungsoo stops to look at him. Somehow he couldn’t even find the strength to get angry at his friends for planning this behind him. “It’s okay if it’s like that, too.” He says before he leaves, not even sparing a glance back.
♪
Kyungsoo is glad that it is Sunday that he doesn’t have to face his friends at least for a day. He is sure Chanyeol would have asked about his whereabouts when he was back with the drinks. Baekhyun would be too drunk to tell him, but at least Joonmyun or Jongdae could tell him about what happened. They probably did.
He received a lot of messages from Chanyeol when he turned his phone on this morning, most of them ended with triple question marks. Kyungsoo doesn’t even have to open them to know what they are about; the tall man is predictable anyway.
It is childish how he lies under his blanket, refusing to look at his phone and opts to focus on his mp3 player instead. Music is usually the best remedy for most of his mood problems, but this time it only makes it worse. It’s not his fault that the songs from Chanyeol’s playlist are his recent most played songs, right?
Chanyeol is like a tornado, Kyungsoo thinks, he comes and crashes, making a mess of his heart. His current act is a lame attempt at saving and fixing himself, trying to place the scattered pieces of his heart back again, because Chanyeol won’t be the one doing it.
Kyungsoo should have known how it was dangerous to meet Chanyeol in the first place. He should have trusted his feelings, instead of having his wall of protection slowly getting crushed down as Chanyeol made his way into his heart.
His phone rings again. Kyungsoo is prepared to reject the call, but it’s Joonmyun’s name flashing on the screen instead of Chanyeol and Baekhyun. He respects the oldest, and he likes him, really. Joonmyun wouldn’t mean to harm him. If Kyungsoo is lucky, he would talk about anything else but last night’s event. He presses the green button and answers the call.
“Hello?"
“Kyungsoo!” Joonmyun exclaims from the other end of the phone. He could hear the relief in his voice. “We have been trying to reach you since last night, but you aren’t answering our calls nor you are replying our texts. Are you okay?” He sounds genuinely worries for him.
“I’m okay. I just woke up.” He lies.
“Does your head hurt? Have you eaten?"
“No, and no. It’s okay, I’m just resting up a bit."
Joonmyun lets out a relieved sigh. Kyungsoo forgets how much of a nagging mom he could be. He is grateful to have him as a friend, though. “Eat up, and take some aspirin if it’s necessary."
“Yes, mum.” Kyungsoo smiles, enjoying the treatment.
Joonmyun’s laugh sounds flustered. Kyungsoo could picture his eyes disappearing into thin line, his cheeks reddening. “Don’t call me that.” He says. “Hey, Soo? Listen, about last night-"
Kyungsoo may have unintentionally ended the call; he doesn’t know, his hand moved on its own accord. Unlucky, it is then. Perhaps Baekhyun has told Joonmyun to check on him, knowing he couldn’t refuse the oldest.
He places his phone away, burying his face in the pillow. He has thought about it a lot this morning when he first woke up; he shouldn’t get angry. He shouldn’t get upset about some little prank Byun Baekhyun set up with his friend for him. It was expected, and his heart was prepared for that. He didn’t fall too deep.
Besides, it was nice while it lasted, having someone who could understand the way he loves music. Park Chanyeol was too perfect, too ideal. Someone he couldn’t have in reality.
That’s what Do Kyungsoo believes.
What a relief. Sorting out his thoughts like this makes Kyungsoo feels better. He should be able to face his friends on Monday with cool head, perhaps thanking Baekhyun for letting him experience such great times. He should praise him for the great prank as well. In his three years of friendship with him, this is probably the only time Kyungsoo falls for Baekhyun’s prank.
Yet he doesn’t understand why his heart doesn’t want to cooperate and still giving him those painful squeezes instead.
♪
Oh I was made to live without you
But I’m never gonna understand, never understand
♪
“You are avoiding me,” Baekhyun says. he is already seated in his usual seat in the class. He is not early, Kyungsoo just intentionally goes to the college later in the clock.
“I’m not. I’m still sitting next to you.” Kyungsoo calmly points out. It is weird how he couldn’t seem to face his friend now he is next to him. The pain is still there, fresh on his chest.
Baekhyun makes a frustrated noise. “You avoided my calls and texts.”
“I lost my phone somewhere.” Which is half-true. With the mess he has in his room, Kyungsoo can’t quite remember where he left his phone. The fact that he has it on silent mode also gives him an excuse not to hear the ringtones.
“Look, what I said that night was not accurate. You know how I am when I get drunk, Soo,” he pleads.
“I know. That reminds me, I have to admit that this is the best prank you pulled this year. Congratulations.” Kyungsoo flashes a brief smile to his friend before he directs back his attention to the textbook.
“It’s not a prank!” Baekhyun insists. “Okay, I’m in no position to tell you about how Chanyeol really feels, but at least get back to your senses, Kyungsoo, you know that I don’t screw around with someone’s feelings, least of all my own best friend."
Kyungsoo hums. He checks the digital clock on his phone; the class would start in five minutes, and that means that is the amount of time he has to endure more of Baekhyun’s pointless talking.
“Fine, be that way.” Baekhyun crosses his arms, attempting to look upset. But he doesn’t leave his seat, a sign that he is not entirely upset but more worried. “It’s a good thing I’m such a thick head when it comes to friendship. And I know you more than anyone else, Soo. Admit it.”
Kyungsoo has to admit that Baekhyun, indeed, knows him more than anyone else. Perhaps than himself as well. But he doesn’t want to actually tell him that. He has to act like Byun Baekhyun actually misses one or two big points from his life.
The lecturer finally comes into the classroom like a saint. Kyungsoo could almost make up a halo above her head. He quickly tidies up his earphones and mp3 player, busying himself so he doesn’t have to engage in more conversation with his friend.
Baekhyun pulls out something from his bag and shoves it to Kyungsoo’s face. It’s a CD, something Kyungsoo remembers seeing in Chanyeol’s room.
“He says that you would at least trust music, so he told me to give you this. Give it a listen, and think over again, Soo. Chanyeol is not the type to mess with music.” He says. “Promise me to listen to it properly, at least I need to make sure of this to pay for the damage I have done to ruin your beautiful relationship.”
“I will,” Kyungsoo says sternly, but he doesn’t even touch the CD.
Baekhyun sighs. “So stubborn,” he mutters under his breath. He pulls Kyungsoo’s bag towards him and puts the CD inside himself. He making sure it’s protected from any harm before he places back the bag to its place. “Give him a chance. Give yourself a chance.”
Kyungsoo pretends he didn’t hear that.
♪
You're flying away, but I love you
When you return, I'll let things happen as they always do
♪
It takes Kyungsoo exactly four days to finally insert the CD into a player.
Curiosity kills the cat, they say, and while Kyungsoo is not a cat, he is afraid he would kill his neighbour’s cat with the amount of curiosity he holds in his chest.
Big mistake, he thinks as he lets the opening song blasts into his ear, because the only thing he could think of is Park Chanyeol on the stage, his guitar on his lap, staring at Kyungsoo as he sings.
Is it okay to love you
Is it okay to be loved by you
Is it okay to feel the feel way I feel
'Cause I'm falling into pieces
It takes him another day to finally open Chanyeol’s unread messages piling up in the chat room.
kyungsoo,
i’m sorry. i didn’t mean it like that.
i really like u tho, since the first time.
let me explain.
heard from joonmyun ure not feeling well.
please get well soon :)
did you receive the cd from baek?
did u listen to the songs??
please reply, soo. this is killing me, too.
It takes him another hour to finally reply the message.
I listened well to the songs. He sends it with a nervous heart. Closing his eyes, he throws himself onto the bed. He tries to forget, but the constant thump in his chest is a reminder.
Kyungsoo doesn’t wait for a reply. He is not going to mope around for that. He gets up and continues his day like nothing has happened.
He is watching the newest episode of Crime Scene in the living room, a bowl of ramyun in his hand, when the doorbell suddenly rings. No one would ring the bell but the delivery man. His friends have picked up the habit of calling his phone and tells him to open the door instead of ringing the bell.
Kyungsoo places his bowl on the table, swallowing the last bit of ramyun he has in his mouth. the television screen is showing how the detective chooses one suspect to get a handcuff vote; he cringes when it's his favorite player.
The bell rings again, reminding him to rush for the door. It's his mistake, he should have checked through the peephole first, because now he has to face Park Chanyeol, dressed in crisp t-shirt and ripped jeans, hair styled up like he is going for a stage performance.
"Did you listen to it?" He asks softly. His voice brings a rush of warmth all over Kyungsoo's body.
"I did." Kyungsoo answers.
"It was your voice I fell for first." Chanyeol suddenly confesses, surprising him. "I heard it the first time I visited Baekhyun to his choir practice. I didn't know it was you; I had to bribe Baekhyun so he could tell me your name. He told me your 8tracks account, because I have one too. From there, I found out that we have similar taste of music, and it makes me even happier. That time, I felt like music is the only thing that could connect us together."
"Baekhyun keeps saying that you wouldn't like me, that you and I wouldn't suit each other. I decided not to do anything about it, to keep it for myself. But then you showed up in that music class and I thought that this is my only chance to get you to know me." Chanyeol smiles bitterly. "The 8tracks account was Baekhyun’s idea, because it's perhaps the only thing that would gather your attention. It just goes from there, I guess. Remember that one time you said you liked the anonymous playlists? I thought that it was the right thing to do, that I wouldn't regret it. But for you to think that it's all troubling you, I have to apologize. I was too selfish, after all."
In his twenty something life receiving confessions, nothing has been even close to blunt. Sometimes they are secret love letters hidden in his shoe locker, a slipped note in his textbook, but never a blatant confession like what Park Chanyeol has just done. He doesn't know how to react, because a simple yes or no doesn't seem to do it.
He looks at Chanyeol's face. The taller man looks so dejected, Kyungsoo wonders if he could fake such an expression, too.
"Park Chanyeol," Kyungsoo starts, "you were the one who told me to trust music. If I receive a music that only tells me how much I like a person, even after he made me feel bad for days, should I trust it too?"
Chanyeol looks surprised by the question, but he is quick to recover, "You are the one who should decide about that, but I think you should go for it, especially when the person is willing to try another chance with you."
"Cheeky," Kyungsoo smiles back.
"Can I," Chanyeol scratches the bridge of his nose, feeling embarrassed. Kyungsoo tilts his head slightly, encouraging him to continue. "Can I hug you?"
Kyungsoo stills for a moment, considering the question. He then steps backward into his apartment, subtly inviting the other man to come in, "I don't know, can you?" He grins.
"Cheeky," Chanyeol laughs, but he steps into the apartment and closes the door behind him. They stand shyly for a few moments, until Chanyeol finally takes courage and pulls Kyungsoo into his arms.
The warmth he is engulfed in is unfamiliar, but somehow very comfortable to Kyungsoo. He presses his forehead against Chanyeol’s chest, too shy to look anywhere else but their toes. He is sure that the sound of his heart beating is so loud, the silver haired man could even hear it if he pays attention well. But he could also feel the quickening beat in Chanyeol’s chest, so it’s okay.
They stay like that for a while until a phone ring disturbs their peace. Kyungsoo almost jumps out of Chanyeol’s arm if he doesn’t hold onto his waist tighter.
“That’s mine.” Kyungsoo pulls out the phone from the pocket of his shorts. The screen is flashing Jongdae’s name. Frowning, he picks up the call. “Hello?”
“I don’t know what you two are doing, but please, Kyungsoo, I need my drummer tonight.” Jongdae speaks so fast Kyungsoo almost couldn’t catch it.
Chanyeol laughs, flustered, as if he just remembers how he is supposed to be on the stage with his bandmates instead of rushing to Kyungsoo’s house the moment he gets the reply. “Oh my god.” He clutches onto his stomach with his other hand.
“Park Chanyeol! Get your lanky limbs over here right now!” Jongdae screams loud enough that Kyungsoo doesn’t even need to put the call on speaker for Chanyeol to hear that.
“Are you supposed to be at the gig now?” Kyungsoo asks after he ends the call.
“Yeah, I kind of acted impulsively when I received your message.” Chanyeol smiles sheepishly.. “Do you want to come with me?”
“To the club? But I’m not dressed or anything-”
“I will wait. It means a lot to me if you could come.”
Kyungsoo takes a deep breath, attempting to clear his mind. But the answer is obvious already. “Wait for me downstairs, I will come in five minutes.”
Chanyeol salutes. “Okay,” he says, but he doesn’t move a bit.
“Go,” Kyungsoo waves his hand.
Chanyeol strides forward instead, closing the gap between them by pressing his lips against Kyungsoo’s, surprising him. It’s brief, but enough to make Kyungsoo shocked. He isn’t able to return the kiss when Chanyeol pulls back, smiling but looking disappointed.
“Stupid,” Kyungsoo breathes, this time hooking his arms around Chanyeol’s neck to pull him down and kisses him harder. The firm grip Chanyeol has on his waist is the only thing that keeps him from losing his balance. He has been wanting so much of this for so long.
Chanyeol couldn’t resist pressing a light kiss on the tip of his nose when they pull back, causing the shorter’s cheeks to color. It’s new to him, but he doesn’t dislike it. He might even like the gesture a little bit too much.
The brown haired man laughs at him, “I’ll wait downstairs.” He says before disappearing behind the door.
Kyungsoo is still dazed from the kiss, staring at the vacant spot Chanyeol has occupied seconds ago. Get a grip, Do Kyungsoo, he tells himself, this is only the beginning.
♪
So I could take the back road,
But your eyes'll lead me straight back home.
And if you know me like I know you,
You should love me, you should know.
♪
It is easier to finish their song since then. A lot of kisses are sneaked in during their work, but Kyungsoo doesn't complain. They somehow motivate him to finish the song earlier. Chanyeol was the one who submitted the CD to their teacher, hiding the last bit of his editing to Kyungsoo. His boyfriend just rolls his eyes, knowing that he eventually would find out.
"Check your 8tracks," Chanyeol says over the phone. They can’t meet that day because Kyungsoo insisted to do his homework instead of hanging out with his boyfriend at Hangang park because his future is still more important. Of course he said that half-heartedly to tease Chanyeol. "I uploaded something."
Kyungsoo clicks the Home icon on 8tracks website, waiting for the page to load before him. He has finally friended Chanyeol’s real account on 8tracks, and listened to all of his playlists. They have promised each other to make a playlist collaboration later, but Kyungsoo is secretly preparing a playlist he dedicates for Chanyeol. It isn’t ready yet though, with the finals come crashing he didn’t really have time to make more playlists.
for-dokyungsoo published us, against the world
"The title, really?" Kyungsoo smiles, and Chanyeol laughs to hide his embarrassment away. He thought of that title the whole night, even sleep couldn’t come to him. He would go for a less cliche title, but he wants to show Kyungsoo how serious he is about their relationship.
"Just listen to it. I poured my heart into it."
"I know, that's why I love you, right?"
Chanyeol smiles widely, the one that stretches to the corners of his eyes. "I love you, too."
♪ ♫ ♪
You keep featuring in my daily life
This is my solo album, why do you keep interfering in every track?
You keep on scratchin, you rappin, you beatin my whole life
♪ ♫ ♪
notes:
1. Thank you especially to T whom I constantly whined to, N my angel beta sent from heaven,
and C who helped me with the mixes since the beginning. This one would be a total trash without your help.
2. I really had fun doing the mixes. I've been using 8tracks for year now, so I really wanted to do this prompt.
3. Lyrics on the fic above could be found on the mixes, with the addition of Iwan Rheon's Falling.
4. I hope that was enjoyable read for you :)