Take Me There for beastlyshine 2/7

[madelyn93]

“Aren’t you just too miserable?” Jongin sighs when he walks by the record store a few hours later, seeing Chanyeol with his cheek pressed against the counter and looking, well, miserable. “Didn’t you sleep or something? You look horrible, like, more horrible than you usually look.”

“You’re such a brat, Jongin, go away.”

Instead, Jongin pokes him on the cheek and makes a grimace. “I have to go now, see you later at Minseok’s house.”

“Why did you come here?”

“I…I just walked by.” Jongin’s cheeks are heating up.

Chanyeol looks at Jongin as he walks out the door and wonders. He knows, though. This, and telling Minseok to celebrate - Jongin’s only lonely. Chanyeol grins, because that brat can be cute sometimes, when he’s not too busy spitting out hateful comments. As expected, Jongin’s the only brat Chanyeol will ever care this much for. He picks up the phone and calls Jongin.

“What do you want?” Jongin snaps, but Chanyeol sees the smile anyway.

*

Chanyeol is pulling on a pair of dark blue jeans when someone rings on the door, and then knocks three times. Rolling his eyes, Chanyeol stumbles there without a t-shirt and unzipped jeans to open, sure of who it is. Because who rings, and knocks, three times.

"Wow," Baekhyun says, raising his eyebrows. "How many times do I have to tell you that I don't really want to see you without clothes on."

Baekhyun is going in before Chanyeol can say anything back, kicking off his shoes and continuing to the couch. Chanyeol rolls his eyes again, before he proceeds to his bedroom, taking out a t-shirt to wear.

"Ready to go?" he asks when he's all dressed, taking up a pillow on the couch to throw at Baekhyun. "Get up."

They walk to the hall to take on their shoes when he catches Baekhyun staring with disgust. Well.

"What."

"You're such a disgrace to me, look at your clothes," Baekhyun gasps, narrowing his eyes at Chanyeol as if he had seven eyes and three ears. He always does that anyway. "Yellow t-shirt, Chanyeol, really? And is that baggy jeans too? Jesus, haven't I told you that you should wear something to show people the only good thing about your body? Skinny! Tall! Legs! Oh my god."

Chanyeol looks down at his t-shirt, actually new, although a little too small, and then his perfectly comfortable jeans and frowns. "What the fuck? What's wrong with yellow?"

"Everything about yellow is wrong." Baekhyun looks at Chanyeol with wide eyes now, as if he's shocked Chanyeol doesn't know that, as if it is a fact.

"You're so weird?" Chanyeol whines when he's put on his shoes, hands reaching for a jacket. He looks at the jacket for a while, though, and remembers how Baekhyun went on and on about how unacceptably ugly! it was and shivers. It's not too cold today. He puts it back.

There are only two things he fears the most in this world. The ocean, and Baekhyun. He'd stumbled upon Baekhyun on the first day of university. He'd worn too much eyeliner, and Chanyeol had cringed. Baekhyun introduced himself with a wide smile and was willing to keep him company, so Chanyeol had actually thought he was nice. Until they had lunch break and Baekhyun had a mental breakdown because of Chanyeol's horrible hairstyle.

"I mean," Baekhyun breathed, looking at Chanyeol's head with a disgusted look he always wears when he sees something he doesn't like on people, "your face is pretty handsome? But? Why have a hairstyle that reveals your huge ears!? That is awful!l

Chanyeol had been more shocked than offended and when Baekhyun calmed down, he'd treated Chanyeol to a bubble tea. So, instead of distancing himself from Baekhyun, he'd sat down next to the boy when they had shared lessons. And even though Baekhyun had mumbled something about 'not you and your horrible hair again', he'd turned to Chanyeol almost immediately with a bright smile and excited eyes and started asking if Chanyeol wanted to go shopping with him on Saturday.

"We could totally make you a hot shit and-" Baekhyun caught himself, as if he was reminded of something and then somehow got tiny as he blushed bit. "If you want to, of course."

That was maybe when Chanyeol had realized that Baekhyun was lonely, refusing to admit it, and very, very bad with people. Chanyeol had grinned and told him that of course he didn't mind, even though he knew that it probably meant being tortured the whole day. But seeing Baekhyun's eyes, again with too much eyeliner on, turning into crescents and disappearing into a smile, Chanyeol figured it was worth it.

And from then. Well. Deep feelings. Chanyeol's grown used to all of this, and he does know that Baekhyun is more insecure than he appears to be, an invisible hand always clutching to Chanyeol, as if afraid of being left. But Chanyeol does assure him that it's not going to happen when he gives Baekhyun a spare key to his apartment, for example. But Baekhyun never uses it, not when he knows that Chanyeol's home. He says it's because he'd rather not walk into Chanyeol doing something personal.

Baekhyun snorts now as Chanyeol opens the door. "Please, between you and me, who gets called weird the most?"

"Uh."

"See. And I'm glad you didn't put on that jacket."

Sometimes, Chanyeol really doesn't know how he can be Baekhyun's best friend when he's treated like this, but smiles nonetheless when he throws an arm around the shorter boy's shoulder and feels an arm around his waist. He's not in for deep feelings, but all for his life partner.

*

"You're late," Jongin mutters when he opens the door to Minseok's apartment and lets them in. Chanyeol steps out of his shoes while looking around. It's much cleaner and spacier, now that Minseok has tidied up everything.

There are pictures in frames hanging on the living room wall now, and Chanyeol laughs when he recognizes a few, of him, Baekhyun, Jongin and Minseok. That was from their latest three days vacation together, just a few months ago, when they had Christmas break. When Chanyeol said that he would come back home to spend time with his mom, he hadn't expected Jongin to quietly murmur if it was possible for him to follow. Apparently, his parents were just going to stay at home this winter, and he would rather go somewhere else. It had all lead up with Baekhyun tagging along and dragging Minseok with him.

Chanyeol grins, remembering, before Baekhyun pulls him to the kitchen where Minseok is, placing out small bowls on the table. For seven people, actually. Chanyeol raises an eyebrow as he pulls out a chair to sit on.

"We're seven today?"

"Yes, I invited a few friends," Jongin tells him before Minseok can answer, taking the seat across from him. Baekhyun is helping Minseok, taking out chopsticks and spoons.

"Do we know them?" Baekhyun asks, walking up to them. He places down one pair of chopstick next to every bowl.

"I don't know, probably not."

"Well." Baekhyun shoots Jongin a glare and gives Chanyeol his chopsticks instead of placing them down nicely next to Chanyeol's bowl. "This is actually supposed to be us four only. Is Minseok hyung fine with you bringing your friends?"

Chanyeol laughs as he reaches up to wrap his hands around Baekhyun's wrist, pulling him down to sit on the chair next to him. "Hey, mom, stop nagging at the kid, he'll cry soon."

It isn't that Baekhyun has anything against Jongin, really, but he cares for the younger boy a little too much, and it drives both him and Jongin up the wall. "Yes, mom," Jongin snaps, "I did get permission from Minseok hyung."

"Hey, it's just a small thing," Minseok says now, taking out the rice from the cooker and places it down in the middle of the table. Chanyeol's stomach actually growls and he realizes he hasn't had much to eat today. "And I'm sure they're all good kids."

"They're not all kids," Jongin mutters and Minseok only grins back. "One is actually your age."

No one is having a chance to say anything else because now it rings on the door and Chanyeol gets up automatically but Jongin is faster, a grin spreading across his lips as he shoots up from his seat and runs for the door.

"Wow," Chanyeol laughs. "Well, I've never seen him this excited."

Baekhyun sighs but he is smiling. "He's a kid, Chanyeol. Still a kid even though he tries to act older."

"You guys are kids, too, don't forget that," Minseok reminds them. He looks at them both. "Sometimes I think you forget that you're only one year older than Jongin, just like Jongin forgets that he's nineteen and not twenty nine. Not that he acts like twenty nine, that brat."

They don't have time to let the words sink in because now Jongin is coming back to the kitchen with his friends. He's walking between two boys who seems like close friends, and behind them is another boy, wearing a too baggy t-shirt and too tight jeans and glasses. And friends, Chanyeol realizes with much surprise, are Zitao, Sehun and Joonmyun.

Joonmyun seems surprised, too, eyes widening when he looks up to see Chanyeol, but the surprise is soon replaced by a soft smile. "This must be fate," he coos and Chanyeol really thinks he's so lame, but he grins back. Joonmyun’s holding in a heavy water melon, and without thinking, Chanyeol reaches out.

"More like coincidence," Chanyeol says, taking the watermelon from Joonmyun, who does not refuse. "Hi."

Zitao spots him and waves. He walks to them while dragging Sehun with him by the wrist, after they'd said hi to Minseok and Baekhyun already. "Isn't it the tall weirdo again?" Sehun says, furrowing his eyebrows and Zitao elbows him.

"Hi, hyung!" Zitao reaches up to give him a very tight hug. Very. Zitao is touchy, Chanyeol is once again reminded and laughs before pulling away from the hug smoothly.

"Wait, hyung, you guys know him?" Jongin asks now, curiously, as he puts his chin on Joonmyun's shoulder.

"Yeah," Joonmyun replies, and Jongin is still hanging on him. "He came to watch the band's performance last Friday."

"Yixing's band, right?" Jongin glances to Sehun now. "Sorry again I couldn't come." Sehun just shrugs and smile a bit.

"It’s time to eat," Baekhyun says. His hand is reaching out to pull Chanyeol down on his chair again.

They're all seated after a while. Joonmyun introduces himself to Minseok and Baekhyun before starting a short conversation. Then, his gaze falls on Chanyeol. Chanyeol is not really sure what to do, so he just smiles.

"You didn't tell me you knew Yixing's band?" Chanyeol nudges Jongin.

"I don't have to tell you everything," Jongin snarls, mouth full of food and that earns him a glare from Baekhyun, who’s sitting on Chanyeol’s other side. Chanyeol juts out his lower lip in a lame attempt to pout, causing Jongin to roll his eyes. "Please, I just didn't feel the need to do it?"

Chanyeol laughs at him before continuing to eat. He meets Joonmyun's gaze three times, smiles more than he needs to, and reminds himself that he needs to call Jinri after dinner.

When everyone is finished eating, they gather in the living room. The three youngest are huddled up on the floor, talking lively about something and Joonmyun sits down on the couch next to Minseok. Baekhyun is cutting the watermelon in the kitchen with Chanyeol keeping him company. He’s calling Jinri, back leaned against the counter with his eyes on the plate of watermelon, while waiting for her to pick up. It’s his third time calling already, and she isn’t picking up. Baekhyun turns to him with curious eyes when he puts the phone back in his pocket.

“She isn’t answering?” Baekhyun says, taking out seven small knives from the cabinet.

“Obviously,” Chanyeol sighs, reaching down to take a fork and a stab a piece with it. Baekhyun hits his hand. “Ow, what was that for?”

“Can’t you wait until we’re out?”

Chanyeol steals one with his hand anyway, and Baekhyun kicks him in the leg as he takes out the plate to the living room. Chanyeol is reminded that he has to wash the dishes, because Jongin refused, and they couldn’t have Minseok or the guests do it. He sighs and takes up his phone again, finger hovering over Jinri’s number and he decides to call one more time. She does pick up, after three rings.

"Hello?" Jinri answers, and he hears how something rustle. Sounds like sheets. It's unlike Jinri, who used to stay up until three in the morning on a school day, reading a book, to go to bed this early. It's not even 8 PM yet. Minutes from it.

Chanyeol is over thinking again. He grabs the water tap, shifting on his other leg, and then pulls it up so that the water can run. "Jinri?" he says. "I wasn't actually going to ask, because i thought you would like to tell me when you're ready, but is everything all right?"

"Yes," she replies, although too quickly and Chanyeol is not convinced at all.

He manages to press out dish soap on the sponge with one hand. "Okay," he says, finally. "Just, you know, if there is something-"

"Chanyeol-ssi?" a voice says now, and startled, Chanyeol turns around to see Joonmyun. "Do you need help?"

Chanyeol raises the hand holding in the soapy sponge and mouths wait a little at Joonmyun before pressing the phone against his ear again. "Jinri?"

But she's already hung up. He stares at the phone for a few seconds before putting it in his pocket again, sighing. Joonmyun is coming up to him now, standing next to him with hands in his pockets.

"Who was that?" Joonmyun presses his lips together and the question comes out weakly, as if he's unsure whether to ask or not. Chanyeol doesn't see why not. He shrugs and tells him it's a friend.

"I thought you said you only wore glasses when you read," Chanyeol points out with a smile, nodding at Joonmyun's glasses, before taking up a plate.

Joonmyun chuckles, and Chanyeol can't help the way the corners of his lips pull up even more. "I did say that," Joonmyun replies, now searching for something, as he opens the cabinets. "But for some reason I felt like not taking them off."

Chanyeol hums and Joonmyun finds what he's looking for. A cloth. He gently pushes Chanyeol by the side, to make space for himself. His hand is warm. Chanyeol clears his throat and is about to ask him why when he smiles up at Chanyeol.

"Let me help," is all he says, and Chanyeol doesn't say no.

They work in silence. Not really, because just like the time when Joonmyun was humming in his car, driving Yixing and Chanyeol home, he's humming softly. It's soothing, Chanyeol thinks, handing Joonmyun a plate to dry. Their sides brush against each other. Chanyeol focuses on to not splash water on the both of them.

"Thank you," Chanyeol says when they're finished, drying his hand on a clean towel as they go out to the living room.

Zitao, Sehun and Jongin are focused on a movie that shows on the TV now, leaning on each other while Baekhyun is sitting on the couch next to Minseok, his legs pulled up, and typing away on his phone. Minseok puts down the book he's been reading and makes space for one of them to sit.

"You're welcome," Joonmyun replies, quickly, patting Chanyeol lightly on the back before sitting down on the couch and Chanyeol settles down on the floor next to Sehun who gives him a quick glance before focusing on the movie again.

It's Joonmyun’s honey scent that lingers on Chanyeol’s t-shirt, because he’d pressed his shoulder too close against Chanyeol’s several time while washing the dishes, but Chanyeol decides that he doesn’t mind.

*

His mother calls Sunday afternoon when he's putting on socks and on the way out to buy some food. Ever since he moved out, he's been eating mostly instant ramen or take-away, only homemade when he's at Minseok's or Baekhyun's house. Baekhyun’s mother’s cooking is not really the best, but Chanyeol will never tell. Sometimes, he does miss his mother's food, but he's not five, so he doesn't whine about it. She sends him kimchi sometimes anyway.

"Are you eating properly?" she's asking now, while he's looking after his keys. He's sure he placed them on the little table in the hall yesterday after coming home.

"Yes, mom," Chanyeol replies, and scratches his head when he finds the keys already in his jeans pocket. "Yes, I'm eating properly." Instant ramen might not be the healthiest thing but at least he's eating, so it's not fully a lie. He's never been good at lying, especially not to his own mother.

"I miss you," she says, like she always does and he knows.

"I miss you, too." He is putting on his shoes now with one hand, and it's a little hard, because there are shoelaces to tie. He squeezes the phone between his shoulder and his ear.

His mother sighs. "You should visit me soon, before summer vacation ends."

"I know," Chanyeol assures, taking the phone in one hand again, and standing up when he's finished. He checks his pockets for keys and money one last time before opening the door to step out. "Don't worry," he says while locking the door. "And mom? Is Jinri all right?"

"What do you mean?" she asks, worry in her voice. "She's fine, I think. Did something happen?"

"No," he tells quickly, walking down the stairs slowly. "Anyway, I have to hang up now. I'll call you later."

"Take care, Chanyeol."

"Take care, too. I love you."

Chanyeol stuffs his phone in his pocket before hurrying out to the pizza store close to his apartment building. He checks the calendar on his phone while waiting for the food to be done, and thinks maybe he'll be able to ask Hyosung or Yixing to take over his shifts for five days in August. He hasn't been home in months after all.

*

Mondays at work are always more boring than other days, because they usually don't get more than five to six customers, even if it's summer. Chanyeol busies himself with playing on the guitar and helplessly scribbling down song lyrics on one of his old notebooks. He's never been good with lyrics, he realizes and this is when he remembers about the songwriting classes that Baekhyun talked about last week. So maybe it will be interesting. He looks forward to it a little more now.

Hyosung is clearly annoyed by Chanyeol playing on the guitar all the time, but she seems to be too tired to even bother snapping at him to stop, instead focusing on sipping her iced coffee. It's very warm today, even though he remembers briefly that they said it would get colder at night, before turning the TV off in the morning.

He only stops playing when his phone vibrates in his pocket. Hyosung mutter something about finally and he grins, before pushing 'answer'. It's Baekhyun and he starts talking before Chanyeol can even say hi.

"I'm actually very sorry right now, Chanyeol, but I can't go to the songwriting lesson today. I'll go with you next week! And the other two times too! And I know I kind of forced you into this, and yet can't go today but my dad wants to have one of his family meetings again and you know how he is and-"

"Baekhyun," Chanyeol laughs, "breathe, please." Baekhyun does stop to breathe, taking in gulps of oxygen before he mutters a quiet sorry. "Can't say that I forgive you, but you know it's just buying me a meal to make up for it."

"I knew you’d say this," Baekhyun snaps but Chanyeol only smiles. "Anyway... good luck? Or well, have fun, because that's what it's supposed to be. Fun."

"Attending classes is not so fun, Baekhyun," Chanyeol says, leaning back against the chair and stretches out his legs. "Especially not when it's summer. I still haven't done my assignments."

"Well, sucks for you. I did mine the first week of summer vacation, because I'm actually smart."

"Ha ha ha." Chanyeol rolls his eyes. "Whatever, just treat me to dinner next time."

"I'll consider that," Baekhyun sighs before hanging up and Chanyeol smiles satisfied before picking up the guitar. He ignores the heavy sigh that Hyosung lets out.

*

Their teacher is a young man named Nam Woohyun. Chanyeol arrives fifteen minutes too early, after having Baekhyun show him the way through the phone. Woohyun is chatting with the students that are early outside their classroom, and Chanyeol doesn't say much, but he sits with arms crossed on one of the plastic chairs and listens. He'd taken the music notebook with him, just in case.

The class is about to start. Woohyun locks up the classroom to let them in while wondering out loud if more will show up. Just then, someone is stumbling inside the hall, wearing a light orange t-shirt and jeans that sits tight around his thighs. His hair is an adorable mess and Chanyeol recognizes him immediately.

"Joonmyun hyung?" he says, surprised. And then, he reaches out just in time to stop the older boy from falling to the floor when he stumbles, and instead falls right into Chanyeol's arms. "Wow, careful there." Joonmyun's tiny body is warm against his own. Their chests are pressed against each other. He pulls away, grinning at the red on Joonmyun's cheeks.

"I didn't know you signed up for these lessons, too?" Joonmyun whispers when they walk inside the small classroom. The light is dim but it seems like a cozy place. To be a classroom, that is. Joonmyun and Chanyeol automatically take seats next to each other.

"Well, I believe we never talked about this," Chanyeol says, shrugging. "Actually, my best fiend - Baekhyun, you know - signed up for both of us without me knowing. But now he's got stuff to so do so he can't attend. Thus, I'm relieved you're here."

Joonmyun chuckles but doesn't reply because now their teacher is talking, so he turns his attention to the teacher again. Woohyun starts with introducing himself (he’s twenty-six, all smiles and cheesy winks), before going in on what they’re going to learn about the first two times.

“Four lessons is not enough, I think, but now that’s all we got, so let’s work hard!” He speaks to them as if they’re fifteen years and not in their twenties, but Joonmyun seems amused by it while Chanyeol doesn’t mind. He’s more bothered by the way his legs are too long to fit properly under the too small table. And the way Joonmyun’s leg is brushing against his.

“I’m presuming everyone here plays an instrument?” Woohyun asks now. Hands flies up in the air. He is right.

Chanyeol glances to Joonmyun curiously and tilts his head. “What do you play?” he whispers.

“Piano. I’m not very good. But some has told me that I’m good enough, so I’m holding onto that.” There are lots of things Chanyeol doesn’t know about Joonmyun yet. Four lessons together should be great.

Woohyun is handing out papers as he speaks. “Now, I want you to find a partner - three in a group is good, too - and learn to know each other first. That way, you will be able to work well together in the future.”

Chanyeol receives the paper and scans his eyes through it. It’s just a brief summary on all the things that Woohyun just said, and informations about the last lesson. He reaches up to scratch the back of his head. It isn’t like he hasn’t tried writing his own songs. Just that they don’t turn out to be so great. Work hard this month, and try to write your own song. Last lesson is when you should perform it for us! Good luck. Chanyeol stares at it and bites his upper lip. He isn’t really sure why he agreed to this.

He doesn’t notice it when Joonmyun leans closer, chin now almost pressed against his shoulder as Joonmyun looks curiously at the paper in Chanyeol’s hand. “What makes you space out like that?”

“Nothing,” Chanyeol says, waving it away. He puts down the paper on the table. Truth is that he just isn’t a big fan of singing or playing in front of a lot of people. At work, when it’s just Hyosung or Yixing, he doesn’t care. Not when it’s Minseok or Jongin either. But, he doesn’t know these people too well and just the thought of having everyone’s attention on him makes him uncomfortable.

Joonmyun looks at him for a few seconds as if he’s unsure if he should push it or not. He lets it drop and Chanyeol is thankful. He doesn’t like talking about his fears, and it’s not because he wants to keep his pride. “Okay,” he says. “Woohyun-ssi said to learn to know each other.”

“Ask all you want, I’m full of answers,” Joonmyun replies.

Chanyeol does have many questions, and Joonmyun answers them all as promised. He learns that Joonmyun is studying to be a teacher in Korean Literature, and helps the choir at his old high school once in a while, too. Other than that, he’s working in a library and likes to spend his time in the children’s section where he can be around the kids. Joonmyun is a little hard on himself, Chanyeol thinks, the way he keeps saying that he sings but not too well, plays piano but not that good. He lives alone and prefers home cooked food before take-away. Chanyeol thinks, while letting in all this information, that Joonmyun is like a gentle breeze of wind in the spring. He moves his hands too much when talking and blushes way too easily when talking about the things that he likes and never dares to praise himself.

It is in the middle of asking, that it hits Chanyeol. Joonmyun will want to know about Chanyeol, too, because that’s only fair. But Chanyeol’s not sure how much he’ll be willing to return. He pushes the thought aside and concentrates on the way Joonmyun’s corners pulls up in a shy smile instead, because Chanyeol has just told him he likes his smile.

“You read a lot of Kim Young Ha,” Chanyeol remembers, tilting his head. “I’ve always wanted to have this conversation. I actually, honestly, don’t like him.” Joonmyun raises his eyebrows at this.

“Ah,” Woohyun suddenly voices out, catching both of their attentions. “I think it’s time to stop, unfortunately. I’ve got other things I want you guys to do now. We can continue this tomorrow a little while if you want to? Or, better, you could always ask for each other’s numbers to get to know each other even more.”

Joonmyun chuckles next to him. “I guess we have to continue this some other day.”

“We’ve got plenty of time?” Chanyeol says and makes it a question because he’s not sure. However, Joonmyun grins widely and Chanyeol feels something flutter in his chest.

Woohyun hands out booklets to each student. “I now want you to write down your favorite genres of music. And then make a list on things that you like. It can be food, a season, or, well, a person. It can be your dog, it can be colors, or the girl or boy you liked before. Or your favorite words, too. Homework for next week is to write a poem, and come up with a short melody. I know it doesn’t seem to relate to songwriting now, but trust me. It’ll help you. You can discuss with the person you’re sitting next to, but it is better to do it alone.”

They have thirty more minutes left of the lesson and they spend fifteen minutes in silence, only the sounds of pencils scribbling down on papers or mumbles here and there. Chanyeol can’t come up with a lot of things he likes, but Joonmyun seems to not be able to have time to write down all the things he wants to include. The last fifteen minutes, Woohyun shows them different progresses of writing a song, before they say goodbye and Woohyun tells them he is looking forward to the next time.

Chanyeol does, too, surprisingly. He reminds himself on the way out of the classroom, to text Baekhyun briefly about this lesson later, and what he has to do to next time, when a tiny hand tugs at his arm.

“Are you free tomorrow?” Joonmyun asks, fishing up his phone out from the pocket.

Tomorrow. Chanyeol has to think. It’s Tuesday, which means, he has to work second shift. But it doesn’t start until 4 PM. “Yes, I am. At least before four.” He stares at the phone in Joonmyun’s hand.

“Ah, I have an one and an half hour lunch break from twelve. I thought we could continue our conversation, while having lunch? And, there are clothes you have to return.”

Chanyeol nods. “I remember. And they’re too small for me, your clothes. But this sounds great. Where do you want to eat?”

“They’re a little too big for me, though,” Joonmyun mumbles and Chanyeol can’t keep the smile off his face. “Anyway, give me your number? I’ll text you the place when I’ve decided. If you don't mind me deciding, of course.”

"I don't." Chanyeol has to take up his own phone, because he doesn't bother to memorize his own number. The only numbers he knows without looking in his phone is Jinri’s and his mother’s. He reads his number while Joonmyun types it down and saves it with ‘little boy’. Chanyeol groans at the name but is all smiles when he says goodbye to Joonmyun. He saves Joonmyun as ‘joonmyunnie ♥’ because he always adds a heart next to people he likes to spend time with. Even Jongin has one.

*

It is sometimes easy to forget that Yixing had just been promoted last year, and is now their manager at the record store, Chanyeol thinks, but is reminded again of this when he gets a call late at night. He’s just finished showering and texting Baekhyun about the lesson and their homework, when his phone rings loudly in the apartment. He cringes at the sudden noise and reaches out to get it quickly, pressing ‘answer’ without checking who it is.

“Hi?” Chanyeol says, crawling into bed as he dries his hair with a towel.

“Chanyeol, I’m sorry for calling you this late.”

"Yixing? No, it's okay. What's up?" It's rare to get calls from Yixing.

He can hear how Yixing turns a page of something and then sighs. "Hyosung has to take a week off at the beginning of August because her family is going on vacation and I can't really cover for her because-"

"You already work way too much," Chanyeol cuts in, because he knows. Yixing has almost twice as many shifts than Chanyeol and he has some shifts alone, too. Chanyeol has requested a lot of times that he can take over if Yixing wanted, but Yixing would only wave him off. He needs the money, he'd say in a joking voice, but Chanyeol knows he is serious about it anyway. "It's fine, I can take over."

"Really?" Yixing sighs of relief and Chanyeol hears the faint sound of a pencil scribbling down something. "Thank you, Chanyeol."

"No need to thank me! I'm glad to help."

"After this, you can take some days off too if you want to? After Hyosung comes back, maybe."

Chanyeol is used to saying no and has the word on the tip of his tongue but then he remembers Jinri and his mom and reconsiders. He has promised to visit before summer vacation ends. "Four days off would be enough. I have to visit my mom."

"But of course!" Yixing says. "I'll add one more day. Monday to Saturday. Since you don't have to work on Wednesdays, that doesn't count, okay? Your mom must miss you, so spend time with her, okay? Five days off in August, plus Wednesday. One whole week."

Chanyeol laughs softly. "I don't usually stay that long..."

"Stop refusing, Chanyeol."

Yixing is very stubborn when he wants to. "Okay," Chanyeol sighs. "Just if you promise me you'll stop overworking yourself."

"Fine, fine. Goodnight, Chanyeol. See you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, manager," Chanyeol says before hanging up. He is about to put his phone aside when it beeps and he has received a new message. It's from Joonmyun.

I hope you're not sleeping now. I know this really good Japanese restaurant we can eat lunch in. I'll pick you up tomorrow at 12:20. I think I still remember where you live. Goodnight!

*

Jongin is sitting in the living room with a total stranger when Chanyeol wakes up and stumbles to the bathroom. He stops halfway with sleepy, half-open eyes that goes wide little by little as he tries to wake up. It’s only 10 AM. He wasn’t supposed to wake up until an hour later. But there were birds and they were chirping their summer songs loudly and unfortunately, Chanyeol had not wanted to close the window last night because he’d been sweating.

“What’s going on?” he asks now, frowning as he walks up to them, hand scratching his head. And realizes that the total stranger is not much of a stranger. It’s, if he remembers right, Jongdae. Pianist of Yixing’s band. He’s waving at Chanyeol now. Chanyeol waves back, very awkwardly because he’s dressed in just a t-shirt and boxers and wonders why Jongdae is here. It takes him another five seconds to remember that Jongin actually knows Yixing’s band. He stares at them both. “How did you guys get in?”

There are keys dangling in front of his eyes, and Jongin shrugs. “Baekhyun forgot his chain of keys when he was at my home a few days ago.”

“How did Baekhyun get into his house then? Why haven’t you returned them to him?” Chanyeol’s mind does not work very well in the morning and things like this just makes him more confused so he does not understand why the world has to do this to him. He sits down next to Jongdae.

Jongin rolls his eyes now and throws the keys at Chanyeol. “If you don’t remember, he actually lives with his parents, Chanyeol. It’s not like it’s impossible to get in, and anyway, I haven’t been able to see him so I thought I should just hand over the keys to you.”

“You could’ve called, and we could’ve met up somewhere, or you could’ve come to the record store?” Chanyeol frowns as he asks. “Don’t just walk into other people’s homes like this, it scared the shit out of me.”

“I couldn’t reach your phone.” Chanyeol raises his eyebrows. “What?” Jongin glares at him and but Chanyeol glances to Jongdae now, who seems to be a little lost.

“Oh, I just happen to be here because I was supposed to do something with Jongin since this is my day off from work,” Jongdae explains. “I’m Jongdae, if you still remember.”

“Of course I do!” Chanyeol smiles brightly back and stands. “I have to, uh, clean up and get dressed.”

Jongin is heading to the kitchen now, and Chanyeol snaps at him to not treat it as if it’s his home. Jongin ignores it. “You can hang out with me and Jongdae if you’re lonely,” he says, and Chanyeol hears how he opens the fridge.

“Yes, we’re going to go to an arcade. It’ll be fun with more people!” Jongdae chirps in.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Chanyeol says slowly and he does mean it, but there is something at the back of his mind that he has forgotten. He had plans today. Oh. “But I’m going to meet Joonmyun at twelve, or something, already.”

There is surprise in Jongdae’s eyes but he blinks it away. “Ah, I see, having lunch together. You two seems to get along well, I’m glad! You should come watch the band play more.”

Chanyeol nods with his whole body at this. “I do want to,” he tells and puts a hand on Jongdae’s back to show him to the kitchen where Jongin is, now pouring milk in a bowl of cereals. “I think I’ll go this week, with my friend, Baekhyun. He’s been wanting to go, too.”

“I’ll come by the record store before your and Yixing’s shift ends then,” Jongin cuts in, mouth full of milk and cereal and Chanyeol tosses him paper to wipe his mouth. “I promised Zitao and Sehun to be there, too.”

“Stop eating my food,” Chanyeol snaps. “Anyway, I’m gonna take a shower. Clean the dishes when you’re done eating Jongin, and… I’ll see you on Friday?” he says to Jongdae, who nods. “Great. It’s just to go whenever you want to, the door locks itself after you shut it.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll let it stand wide open so your neighbors can come in and steal your stuff,” Jongin shouts at him and he shuts the bathroom door while rolling his eyes.

A few hours later, he is comfortable on the couch and almost reaching the end of the book he’s been reading since last week, hair still damp and drenching the collar of his t-shirt when his phone beeps loudly and cuts through the silence. Chanyeol jumps of surprise and winces (this is why he prefers to have it on silence but Baekhyun complains too much about him not answering calls), hand reaching for the phone on the table without taking his eyes off the book. He has to stop reading, though, to read the message. It’s from Joonmyun and Chanyeol glances at the clock on the left corner of the phone. It’s already 12:14 and he puts the book down, fingers folding a little corner to remember what page he is on, while reading the message.

I’m there in about five minutes, I hope you didn’t forget that I’m coming over to pick you up! You should come down soon, so we can leave immediately.

Chanyeol glances at the book and then on his bare feet. He should put some socks on already instead of continuing with reading, he thinks, wiggling his toes. He ends up picking out a pair of white-but-not-so-white-anymore socks with giraffes on. He got them from Jongin for Christmas present last year, and they’re really cute. Jongin said it was supposed to piss him off, though. It’s okay, because Chanyeol gave him a book, and he knows Jongin still hasn’t read it. He hates books.

Chanyeol has socks on and he has five more minutes, he picks up the book automatically.

*

Joonmyun is already sitting in his car, when Chanyeol runs down the stairwell and out the apartment building. “One minute late,” Joonmyun says when Chanyeol opens the door, and Chanyeol hears the teasing in his voice. “It’s 12:21 now. I even sent you a message.”

“Sorry,” Chanyeol says, sliding into the the passenger seat. “I ended up being stubborn and tried to finish a book in five minutes. I forgot the part about putting on shoes, too, and my shoelaces don’t really love me.” Joonmyun chuckles at him before starting the engine and Chanyeol is too curious about the ending of the book, because that’s just how he is, to even pay attention to the way Joonmyun’s eyes flickers to him once in a while.

“What book did you read?” Joonmyun asks softly when they’re waiting for green light, eyes still on the road. “Looks like you’re still thinking about it.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, pressing his palms together. “Kyung Sook Shin’s ‘Please look after my mother’. I’ve seen it around for a while and I’ve also had my Minseok hyung recommend it. And it’s not like I haven’t predicted the ending yet, but somehow, I feel a little incomplete right now. I had only two more pages.”

The green light is shining, and they’re driving again. “I see, I’ve seen it around in the library I’m working at. I did start on it a little, while at work, but I’ve always liked to own a book more, so I’ve been meaning to pick it up at the bookstore. But I haven’t been able to.”

Chanyeol hums. “I like the author’s writing style. It reaches out to me, somehow, and I like it when authors do that. You should read it.”

“I still remember your comment about Kim Young Ha,” he says now, turning left with the car and Chanyeol looks around. This place is near the record store. “He doesn’t reach out to you?”

“No,” Chanyeol replies and he remembers the first book he read of Kim Young Ha. He’d picked it up at the library in high school with high expectations. He’d ended up very disappointed. “His ‘Black Flower’ was the first book I read and I found it very difficult to engross myself in it. First of all, I found his writing style too boring and I can’t say the story is any better. He put in unnecessary information.”

He glances at Joonmyun, who looks interested rather than offended. “I see. I really did like ‘Black Flower’. The history was very interesting, and I think he writes very well, in a way that doesn’t make me feel bored while reading. He did take a very small piece of Korean history, and managed to transform it into a powerful story. Maybe you just picked up the wrong book that isn’t suited for you?”

“I did give him another chance,” Chanyeol tells. “I do like dark themes when it comes to books, I think they’re interesting, so I picked up ‘I Have the Right to Destroy Myself’. But I like well-written plots, too, and that book was a mess. His characters had no realism and his writing was still boring, and also crude.”

They’re outside the Japanese restaurant now and Chanyeol recognizes it. He must’ve been here with Baekhyun once, he thinks, opening the door to step out and Joonmyun does the same. “I understand,” Joonmyun says now, coming up to him and putting a palm against his back. They walk inside and Joonmyun lowers his voice as they find a seat by the window, “Well, maybe I don’t, because I find his books very interesting and, I actually really do like Kim Young Ha’s way of writing, although I do agree, a tiny bit about his plots. Some lack depth, but I think his writing makes up for it.”

“It depends on the person, then, I guess,” Chanyeol says, shrugging.

“But of course.”

It smells so good in here, it reminds Chanyeol that he hasn’t eaten breakfast yet. He picks up the menu and scans through it. Joonmyun seems to have decided already, though. “What are you having?” Chanyeol asks.

“Ah, their katsudon is very good,” Joonmyun answers. “I always take that.”

“Oh, I’ll try that. But you should try something else today,” Chanyeol says, smiling. “Maybe they have something better.”

Joonmyun raises his eyebrows. “Well, maybe.”

They do settle with katsudon, both of them, but Chanyeol jokes around about Joonmyun being too nervous about such a petty thing. “I don’t like changes,” Joonmyun says now, taking a sip from his water. “Actually, I’m avoiding changes.”

Chanyeol nods. “Me, too.”

He thinks it hangs in the air that they both want to ask each other why, but settles with not doing it instead. They’re both back to discussing books when the food arrives and when Joonmyun drives Chanyeol to his work, they decide to meet tomorrow, again, for lunch and Chanyeol makes Joonmyun promise to try a new dish. And he does remind himself that he really needs to give back Joonmyun his clothes. Chanyeol keeps forgetting.

*

“I heard from Jongdae that you were spending time with Joonmyun,” Yixing says at the end of the day while going around to note down the albums that they should order in and Chanyeol is mopping the floor. It’s been raining today. Chanyeol had been busy recommending bands and albums to customers, which he had been glad to do. Now he can’t get rid of one of the shoe prints on the floor.

He looks up now and nods. “I did. We had lunch together. Also, he signed up to the same songwriting classes that Baekhyun did.”

“That is nice to hear.” Yixing is finished now and is heading back to the counter to gather his things. Chanyeol still can’t make the floor shine, and he whines at the back of his throat. “Joonmyun rarely wants to meet new people and him getting closer to you is something that both Jongdae and I appreciate. Although we’d like to keep him to ourselves, we’d also like him to have other people he can trust, too. Apart from us, and the band.”

“He is close to Jongin, though,” Chanyeol says.

Yixing looks up and smiles softly. “Well, yes. They’re a little bit special. Joonmyun’s always spoiled Jongin and therefore, he is Jongin’s favorite hyung.”

“I can see that,” Chanyeol laughs and finally, the stupid shoe print is fading slowly. “Jongin is such a brat to everyone, yet always acts like a puppy in front of Joonmyun. I’ve wondered.”

“Jongin being like that is because Joonmyun knows him the most,” Yixing tells, shrugging. “Joonmyun has always been taken care of everyone of us, and he’s kind of like a box that we put all our secrets in. Which isn’t that good, really, because he shouldn’t go around knowing so many secrets.” Yixing laughs softly. “Maybe he’ll burst soon.”

Chanyeol stares at him for a while and it makes Yixing tilt his head with a confused expression. “No, I just thought that you two are really alike. Worrying for each other like that.”

Yixing snorts. “Why should he be worrying about me? I’m the one who should worry about him.”

“No.” Chanyeol shakes his head and slowly heads to the bathroom with the mop. “Joonmyun would’ve told me the same if I said that to him, I’m sure of it.”

“He probably would,” Yixing hums. “Are you finished?”

“I am. You can go first if you want to.”

Yixing doesn’t and is still there when Chanyeol comes back. Chanyeol is truly surprised, because he’d really thought Yixing would go, but it is a good feeling spreading in his chest.

part 3