you were always the one for me (3/3)
title: you were always the one for me
pairing: baekhyun/chanyeol
rating: nc-17
summary: Baekhyun liked kissing Chanyeol. Chanyeol liked kissing Baekhyun. It was okay for best friends to do that, right?
warnings: sex, slight angst
notes: based on the Australian schooling system
word count: 20k
part 3 of 3
The name had sounded a little familiar but Baekhyun just brushed it off, glad that he finally had a name to match the gorgeous stranger’s face. They finished off their work in relative peace, Sehun’s papers still draped all around the room like he had thrown them in spite. It was soothing to work with Sehun by his side and when the time ticked on the clock, indicating that it was nearing five-thirty in the afternoon, Baekhyun asked if the other wanted to leave.
They decided to go out for burgers at a sports bar Baekhyun had been to twice. Sehun was really nice and Baekhyun enjoyed his company, laughing happily at his jokes and grinning at the plate of chicken wings.
“You’re really attractive, Baekhyun,” Sehun said once they finished dinner, moving over to stand quite close to the smaller man.
He had been right in assuming that Sehun was tall, long legs and nicely proportioned waist. He was nearly as tall as Chanyeol and Baekhyun smiled at the other, thanking him for the compliment.
“You’re really attractive yourself.”
He asked Baekhyun if he wanted to go for after-dinner drinks, feeling bad that the smaller man had paid for dinner. They ended up at a dive bar known for their Thursday night specials. It didn’t take long before Baekhyun had downed a few drinks and was feeling a little tipsy.
“Hey! Dance with me,” Baekhyun pulled the tall guy off the stool and towards the makeshift dance area. There weren’t many people dancing and Baekhyun half expected the guy to refuse. Much to Baekhyun's surprise, he agreed, joining the smiling boy quickly.
He held Baekhyun by the waist, letting the smaller man dance to his heart’s content.
“Wow, you’re actually a good dancer,” Baekhyun laughed watching the other dance sultrily next to him.
“You sound surprised.”
“I’m just…” Baekhyun shook his head. “I have a friend that’s as tall as you. He isn’t the best dancer in the world.”
Sehun just smiled at him, grabbing Baekhyun by the hips and pulling him close. Their thighs brushed against each other and the smaller let out a soft whine in the back of his throat.
“Baekhyun?” Sehun sounded a little questioning and Baekhyun let out a ‘yes?’ noise. “Can I kiss you?”
Smiling at the tall boy, Baekhyun quickly nodded, closing his eyes. He hadn’t kissed anyone since Chanyeol and it was a little disorientating feeling Sehun’s lips envelop him from above. Kissing Sehun was so different to kissing Chanyeol, the two of them not having found their groove yet. Chanyeol usually devoured him, hands pressing with sure purpose, knowing just how to handle Baekhyun after years of kissing.
It was still nice kissing Sehun and Baekhyun moaned in his mouth when the other grinded slightly on his thigh.
They continued to drink and dance til late in the night, lips constantly finding themselves pressing against each other.
“Wanna come home with me?” Baekhyun breathed into Sehun’s ear, hands now clasped around the tall boy’s ass.
They continued to touch each other outside of the bar, in the cab and inside Baekhyun’s house. It didn’t take long before their clothes were off, Baekhyun’s mouth around Sehun’s cock.
“Fuck, you’re so good at this,” Sehun swore, right hand gripping Baekhyun’s hair.
The smaller man just hummed around the thick cock, feeling the rush of alcohol and arousal burn within him.
They had moved towards each other soon afterwards, Baekhyun admitting that he was a virgin and Sehun reassuring him that they didn’t have to do anything so soon.
“It’s okay Baekhyun,” Sehun soothed him, touching the side of his face. Baekhyun’s eyes fluttered shut, alcohol swirling through his brain and making him slightly slow.
“No, I want to.”
And so Baekhyun had sex. And it wasn’t with Chanyeol.
Sehun’s touches felt nice against his skin, large palms holding him against the bed. It reminded Baekhyun of Chanyeol and he whined in the back on his throat when he felt Sehun push in after prepping him slowly. He always thought he’d have sex with Chanyeol. He always thought his first time was going to be with Chanyeol.
But it wasn’t with Chanyeol.
Sehun fucked him well and good, pushing him into the bed as Baekhyun moaned. Why hadn’t he been fucked before this? Why did he wait so long?
It didn’t take too long before Baekhyun was spilling, alcohol making him hot and especially horny under the warm covers. Sehun followed soon after, pushing him into the bed and cleaning him up. What a gentleman.
They fell asleep soon after, Baekhyun’s legs wrapped around strong thighs and a hard chest in his face. He whispered a soft ‘Chanyeol’ before he fell asleep, eyes fluttering shut.
*~*
He woke up to a painful headache and a loud ringing coming from the side of the bed. Quickly pushing himself to grab the phone, Baekhyun pressed the answer button groggily.
“H…ello,” it hardly sounded like him, voice hoarse and slightly phlegmy. He cleared his throat before saying it again.
“Hello?” The deep voice through the phone sounded confused and Baekhyun rubbed at his head.
“What’s up, babe?” Baekhyun mumbled into the pillow, face squashed against the soft fabric. It must’ve been really early in the morning, why was Chanyeol calling now?
“Baek?” Chanyeol sounded confused. “What-I… I must’ve called the wrong number.”
“Wow, am I just a mistake to you, huh?” Baekhyun snorted sleepily into the phone. “Ok see ya let me sleep.”
“O-okay, and I mean no! You’re not a mistake. I was just… yes. Okay sleep. Talk to you later.”
“Mm.”
Baekhyun let the phone fall on the pillow, his eyes closed shut. He felt a pair of legs rub against his and he opened his eyes to see Sehun staring at him from the other side of the bed. Smiling a little at his partner, Baekhyun leaned over to give him a kiss.
“Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Sehun returned, pressing his lips against his.
Languidly wrapping his legs around the other, Baekhyun pressed forward into Sehun, enjoying the way their naked skin felt brushing against each other. He was just about to grind his awakening erection on a strong thigh before the phone rang again.
“Ugh,” Baekhyun groaned picking up the device and speaking a little more clearly into the phone. “Hello?”
“Baekhyun?” Chanyeol’s voice sounded really confused now.
Sitting up in bed, the sheet fell down slightly, revealing his naked figure. He turned to face Sehun and rolled his eyes.
“Why are you calling me again?” Baekhyun asked, watching as Sehun moved to rest his head against his waist.
“I… I thought I was calling someone else!”
“Well you’re just calling me, sweets,” Baekhyun responded a little distracted, feeling Sehun’s lips press soft kisses on his waist. “Sorry about that.”
“Then what would happen if I call…” Chanyeol muttered. “Hey, I’ll talk to you later, okay Baek?”
“Yeah, yeah,” Baekhyun replied, eyes stuck on Sehun who was now lavishly licking at his naked nipple. “Buh-bye.”
“By-”
Baekhyun ended the phone call before the other could even finish saying bye, eyes trained on the beauty in front of him.
“Sorry about that,” he said breathlessly, dragging Sehun into a long kiss. “My stupid friend keeps calling me.”
“That’s okay-” but the phone rang again.
It was Sehun’s phone this time and Baekhyun absentmindedly remembered that they had the same ringtone. Sehun reached over to grab the phone that was at the end of the bed. He picked up the device without even looking at the screen, eyes trained on Baekhyun.
“Hello? Hey man. Huh, what? Something’s weird with your phone? Yeah. What? Nah, I’m a little busy.”
Snuggling into his side, Baekhyun pressed a wet kiss onto his waist, teeth dipping into soft skin.
Sehun groaned slightly into the phone, causing Baekhyun to smirk.
“Yes, see, I’m busy. I thought you were busy with Hannie? Uh oh, trouble in paradise?”
Baekhyun was now seated on top of Sehun, mouth practically devouring the other’s lithe body.
“Okay okay, I gotta go. Bye, yeah bye.”
He threw the device towards Baekhyun’s, the two identical phones right next to each other. With a lascivious smirk, he crawled back towards the smaller man, pressing his hardening erection into Baekhyun’s thigh.
“Now… where were we?”
*~*
Baekhyun’s phone rang a few hours later as he sat alone in his room, concentrated on his computer. He briefly saw the name ‘Babe’, picking up the device and holding it against his ear.
“What’s up, babe?”
“Baekhyun?” Chanyeol sounded surprised to hear him, like he wasn’t the one who had called. “But… I thought…”
“What was with all that calling in the morning, Chanyeollie?” Baekhyun asked, letting out a yawn. “You called me twice.”
“I think my phone is messing up,” Chanyeol responded, sounding extremely confused. “It’s mixing your contact details up with another friend of mine. I thought I swapped it in the morning, but now it’s working again?”
“What?”
“Never mind…” Chanyeol muttered quietly.
“So, were you not supposed to call me now?” Baekhyun asked, eyes still stuck on his computer screen. “I’m feeling very left out nowadays.”
His heart clenched a little in pain at the thought of Chanyeol leaving him, but he pushed away those feelings as best as possible.
“No, I mean. Yeah, I wasn’t technically but no. Wanna hang out tonight? I’m sorry for ditching last night. We can go clubbing if you want.”
“Hmm,” Baekhyun was half interested by the offer, but the pain in his ass made him refuse. “Sorry babe, I’m a little tired today.”
“Ahh,” Chanyeol sounded a little sad, “Okay no worries. Next time.”
“Next time,” Baekhyun repeated, slightly distracted.
“Okay, well. See you? Later?”
“Bye bye,” Baekhyun replied, taking the phone away from his face and pressing the end call button. The pain in his heart deepened when he looked down at the small device. That was definitely the most awkward conversation he had ever had with Chanyeol. It hurt to think that they were becoming distant. That the single most important person to him was falling out of his life.
No, he couldn’t let that happen. Chanyeol was really important to him. He couldn’t let the other leave without trying to keep him.
Pressing the home button on his phone, he quickly tapped the screen a few times.
“Hey Chanyeol? You still free tonight?”
*~*
Lu Han didn’t come.
Baekhyun was shocked.
Lu Han actually didn’t come.
It was just Chanyeol and Baekhyun. Just like old times.
“Where’s Lu Han?” Baekhyun asked as soon as he saw the other walk towards him in his fitting buttoned down shirt.
“I thought it would be nice to spend some time together.”
Baekhyun smiled at him, automatically wrapping his arm around his best friend’s waist. Chanyeol held him steady, fingers grazing the back of Baekhyun’s elbow.
“It’s nice to see you,” Baekhyun said, glancing up at his tall friend.
Chanyeol looked down at him, a bright smile on his face. He squeezed Baekhyun, large hands especially warm tonight.
“It’s nice to see you too.”
Baekhyun had decided on ice-skating for only the most platonic night out. He didn’t want to think of alcohol, having had his fair share the night before. He thought Chanyeol might disagree to ice-skating but the other quickly agreed to whatever, seemingly happy that they were able to spend the time together.
It was nice ice-skating with his best friend. They held hands the entire time, making sure they didn’t fall over onto the cold hard ground. The last time they had gone ice-skating was when they were kids and so Baekhyun found himself laughing whenever Chanyeol lost his balance and fell. Karma bit him up the rear end when the tall boy pulled him down to join him.
“You’re a douche!” Baekhyun laughed happily, ice-skates digging into the icy floor. He was practically sitting in Chanyeol’s lap and he pressed a cold finger against the other’s nose.
“You’re the one who kept laughing at me!” Chanyeol held him by the waist, nose scrunching unhappily as his fingers dug into Baekhyun’s hips.
“Well, just because you skate worse than me doesn’t mean you have to drag me down with you.”
“But I always want you with me,” Chanyeol whined, wrapping his arms around Baekhyun and holding the boy close to him.
Happiness bloomed in Baekhyun’s chest as he let himself be hugged by his best friend. He smiled, fondness escaping him in waves.
“I always want you with me too.”
Something had changed in the atmosphere but Baekhyun wasn’t sure what it was. One second he was being held in Chanyeol’s grasp, the next second Chanyeol’s lips were on his. It was so easy to melt back into their kisses, his fingers brushing up to touch at a scratchy jaw.
Chanyeol devoured him, pushing into Baekhyun and kissing him whole. It felt so wonderful, so natural kissing Chanyeol and Baekhyun moaned slightly when the other licked at his lips, opening his mouth wide.
So hot, so wet, yet at the same time so, so cold. Baekhyun broke away from the kiss realising that they were in public. In a public ice-skating rink. On the ground.
“Babe,” Baekhyun whispered, breathing a little haggard.
The haze suddenly cleared from Chanyeol’s eyes and he looked at Baekhyun, surprised.
“Oh god, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry Baek. I didn’t mean. I-”
“It’s okay,” Baekhyun tried to calm the other down, reaching a hand up to brush gently at his cheek.
Chanyeol moved his head away from the touch and Baekhyun brought his fingers back to his chest, feeling a little burned.
“No it’s not,” the tall boy sounded frantic and he quickly stood up, helping Baekhyun as he did so. “Lu Han…”
“Oh…” Baekhyun breathed out, eyes shutting in sadness.
Of course. He forgot about Lu Han for a few seconds. For a few seconds it was just Baekhyun and Chanyeol as it always was.
But how could he forget that it wasn’t Baekhyun and Chanyeol. It was Chanyeol and Lu Han.
“Um well,” Baekhyun dusted the ice shavings off his jeans. “I’ll just. I’m gonna go.”
The tall boy sent him a pleading look. He looked so sorrowful under the sallow lights of the establishment, handsome face turning downwards in sadness.
“Baek. You don’t have to…”
Shaking his head brusquely, Baekhyun moved to skate away. He wasn’t meant to be here with Chanyeol. That was something he needed to realise. Fast.
“No, no. It’s… You should be with Lu Han. It’s Friday. Friday night.”
“Baek…” Chanyeol’s voice sounded sad.
“Bye babe.”
He turned around and skated away, the cold icy air chilling his lungs. He hoped the air could freeze his broken heart too.
*~*
“Hey Sehun? Wanna come over?”
*~*
Baekhyun hadn’t talked to Chanyeol in weeks. Two nearly three weeks. His heart hurt at the thought of the tall boy, but Baekhyun tried to push the feelings away. The other was probably enjoying himself with Lu Han anyway.
Sehun had been spending a lot of time over at his place, but Baekhyun made sure the other knew his intentions. He didn’t want to be in a relationship, not when his heart was still hung up over Chanyeol.
Sehun had asked why he wasn’t interested in a relationship and Baekhyun found it necessary to explain.
“It sucks pining over a best friend,” Baekhyun had said somewhat tiredly. “Especially one that’s already committed.”
Sehun had shot him a sympathetic look before he went down on him, helping Baekhyun forget all and everything about the one he was pining for.
Now, he was snoozing in bed, the sun’s rays warm on his bare back. Sehun was next to him, legs happily entwined with his own. Today was a Saturday, a day of rest from his hectic schedule. It was nice to just laze around and sleep in, especially when he knew he’d be able to participate in some morning sex later on.
Just as he was about to fall back asleep, the doorbell rang. Ignoring it, Baekhyun mumbled unhappily into the pillow. It was too early to be talking to sales people. Too early to be doing anything but sleeping.
The bell rang again, loud in the otherwise silent house.
“Who is it?” The boy next to him mumbled, hair sticking up jaggedly. Baekhyun smiled at the cute sight, reaching over to push the strands of hair down.
“Not sure.”
The ringing didn’t stop and Baekhyun rolled his eyes, hastily putting on a pair of pants. He pressed a kiss on Sehun’s cheek, hearing the other hum slightly.
His bare feet felt cold against the wooden flooring and he scratched at his waist, wishing he put a shirt on. With crusted eyes he opened the door, yawning loudly.
“Babe?” He blinked, seeing the figure of his best friend stand awkwardly by the door.
The tall man pushed past Baekhyun, walking into the house.
“You’ve been avoiding me again,” it was like he didn’t even see Baekhyun, immediately moving towards the kitchen. “Can you stop avoiding me?”
He turned to face Baekhyun after he said that, eyes widening at the sight of Baekhyun’s half naked figure. A hot gaze trailed up and down Baekhyun’s chest, eventually stopping on a spot near the smaller man’s neck.
The slightly older man looked towards his chest, noticing the reddish hickey at the corner of his collarbone. Blushing hot, Baekhyun folded his arms, not wanting the other to see the blemish.
“You’ve been avoiding me too.”
“Do you… have someone over?” Chanyeol asked, voice low. There was something off about Chanyeol’s voice, about Chanyeol’s gaze. He didn’t look the happiest but maybe that was just Baekhyun reading the situation wrong. God knew how tired he was.
With a nod, Baekhyun moved towards the kitchen, feeling the sizzling stare burn into his back. He turned on the coffee machine, pressing a few buttons to get it working.
“Two sugars, right?”
His friend mumbled a yes, and Baekhyun smiled tersely at him, leaning over to rest his arms on the kitchen table.
“I can leave if you’re busy…”
Despite rushing in with no regard for Baekhyun’s privacy, his friend seemed awkward now that he knew Baekhyun had someone over. It was a drastic change in character, but Baekhyun just shook his head, pointing towards the coffee machine.
“I already have the coffee on.”
“Oh.”
There was silence after that, the whirring of the coffee machine the only noise Baekhyun could hear. Chanyeol looked as awkward as he sounded and the smaller man snickered a little at the sight.
“Cheer up, babe. What’s got you here so early?”
There was a hesitant look on Chanyeol’s face and he sat on one of the kitchen stools rather slowly, like he was half certain Baekhyun was going to pull the seat from under him.
This was going to be difficult.
“I just miss you, Baek.”
Baekhyun’s steely feelings softened and he sent the other a warm glance, taking the cup of freshly brewed coffee and mixing it with the right amount of sugar and milk. He placed the cup in front of his best friend, elbows planted on the marble table.
“I miss you too, Chanyeollie,” Baekhyun admitted, feet cold against the floor.
There was nothing he could do though when Chanyeol wasn’t his. When Chanyeol was thinking of Lu Han at all times.
Maybe Chanyeol wasn’t his, but he was his best friend. He was always his best friend.
“I’m sorry for avoiding you,” Baekhyun breathed, shooting the other a glance. He had managed to look past his Chanyeol feelings well enough during the past few weeks, ignoring the weird ache in his stomach.
Now that Chanyeol was here, in front of him, he couldn’t help but feel warm. It was nice to see his best friend again, despite it being an awkward situation.
“Can we… Can we try the friends thing again? I’m sorry for last time.”
Chanyeol sounded extremely sorry, like he definitely wasn’t going to be making the same mistake again. Which was somewhat disappointing. Baekhyun liked kissing him.
He inwardly shook his head. No. Chanyeol was his friend. Friends don’t kiss.
“Yeah, okay.”
Standing up, Chanyeol opened his arms and beckoned towards Baekhyun to come and wrap his arms around him. He looked a little worried that Baekhyun wasn’t going to acquiesce, but continued to stand there, arms stretched wide in hope.
In hope.
With a smile, Baekhyun looked at Chanyeol. He could see the little kid he knew as a child in there, the chubby boy who played with ferrets. He could see the lanky tween who found friendship in Kris. He could see the teenager who kissed Baekhyun for the first time.
He could see his best friend.
And nothing, no one, not Dara, not Lu Han, not anyone could destroy something as precious as their bond.
And so Baekhyun sunk into his best friend’s embrace, naked skin brushing against soft fabric. He pushed his nose into the hard chest he loved, fingers holding him tight. Chanyeol wrapped his arms around him, lips pressing against the top of his head. He held Baekhyun so tight, keeping him caught within his embrace. Chanyeol always hugged him like that, like Baekhyun was a special gift that needed to be protected. It made him feel like he was the most precious flower in the world, like no one could ever hurt him.
Chanyeol’s warm hands were hot against his naked skin, fingers holding him close, but Baekhyun didn’t even flinch. There was comfort in this embrace, security and comfort and something that felt a lot like love.
This was an embrace filled with love.
They were Baekhyun and Chanyeol after all. Of course their hugs would be filled with love.
Chanyeol’s cheek was against his head like it always was, and Baekhyun breathed out slightly.
“I love you, Chanyeollie.”
This was the one thing Baekhyun knew from the bottom of his heart and he wanted to make sure Chanyeol knew it too.
Pressing a kiss on the top of Baekhyun’s head, Chanyeol’s lips parted.
“I-”
“Hey Baek, I’ll lea-what.”
Baekhyun was content to continue hugging Chanyeol, face pressed soothingly into a hard chest. But that decision was taken away from him when his best friend ripped away to face Sehun.
Ah, this was most likely an unwelcome sight. Chanyeol probably assumed Baekhyun had a lady over. Not a man.
His sex-partner was dressed now, but his hair was still a little messy, cowlick defying gravity as always.
“Sehun?” Chanyeol gaped, mouth wide open. He looked at Sehun and then at Baekhyun and then back at Sehun.
“You guys know each other?” Baekhyun frowned, watching the scene unfold.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” Chanyeol almost growled, fists clenching at his sides.
“I could be asking you the same question?” Instead of sounding angry, Sehun sounded confused. “What did I catch you guys doing?”
“Um, guys…” Baekhyun moved to stand between the two. There was weird tension brewing between the two tall males.
“Did you fuck him?” Chanyeol asked, eyebrows furrowed. He looked incredibly serious like this was no laughing matter at all.
Baekhyun blushed at the question, his chest turning as red as his cheeks. He knew he had a few hickeys around his neck and collarbone but this was just embarrassing.
“Yes,” Sehun replied, unashamed. He crossed his arms together. “What’s it to you?”
“He’s my-!” Chanyeol started aggressively before he stopped suddenly. His fingers were still clenched into fists and Baekhyun looked at him worriedly. “He’s my best friend.”
There was a moment of silence as Sehun looked between Chanyeol and Baekhyun, truly observing them for the first time.
“Wait… Baek, you’re… you’re Chanyeol’s childhood best friend?”
Nodding his head, Baekhyun frowned. “How do you guys know each other?”
“We’re good friends. We study engineering together.”
“He’s in my study group, Baek.” Chanyeol said a little rough, his body still keyed up. “You know the one you told me to go to?”
Oh. Oh.
No wonder the name Sehun sounded familiar. Chanyeol had bragged about Sehun when they first started studying together.
“How do you guys know each other?” Chanyeol asked, a little sullen. To Baekhyun he sounded jealous but that was probably him overthinking things once again.
“We’re fuck-buddies.” Baekhyun responded without remorse. It seemed a little out of character for Chanyeol to be sounding jealous over him. They were only friends anyway.
He watched Chanyeol gulp at the words, suddenly looking incredibly jealous. It was weird to see him like that, like he was actually jealous for the sake of loving Baekhyun and not in some weird possessive best friend kind of way.
“Wait, fuck. Baek, Chanyeol’s your best friend, right? Your… your best friend. The-”
“Yes, Sehun,” Baekhyun swallowed, realising what the other was referring to. He had told him about pining away for his best friend. His best friend who was committed.
“And Chan, Baek’s your… your best friend. Your…”
“Yeah…” Chanyeol sent the other a look Baekhyun couldn’t exactly decipher.
There was silence for a few seconds before Sehun burst out laughing, hand hitting the side of the kitchen table in glee.
“Holy shit. You guys need to work your shit out, oh my god.”
He was still laughing, hands clutching his stomach. Baekhyun frowned, looking towards Chanyeol in confusion. The other sent him an equally confused look signalling that he had no clue what was going on.
“Should I tell you guys?” Sehun was still laughing, giggles more dispersed now as he took in the sight of the two confused men in front of him. “Or should I let you figure this out for yourselves?”
Still in a state of confusion, Baekhyun continued to frown.
“What are you talking about Sehunnie?”
“I mean, it’s just. You guys! It’s so obvious,” Sehun shook his head. “Okay, I’ll tell you guys because it’s obvious you’re not going to figure it out without my help.”
He moved towards the two of them, reaching out to grab at their hands simultaneously. Slowly, he pressed their palms together, pushing Baekhyun’s fingers to wrap around Chanyeol’s knuckles.
“In the past few weeks, both of you guys have confessed to me about each other,” Sehun admitted, smiling bright at their shocked expressions. “I’ll leave you two to discuss.”
He moved towards the door, putting on his sneakers. He popped his head up just as he was about to leave. “Oh Chan, let Hannie down easily okay? He’s been trying so hard to make you guys work, yeah?”
Chanyeol made a weird grunting noise in the back of his throat, hand still wrapped under Baekhyun’s fingers.
The two of them watched as Sehun left, Baekhyun feeling incredibly tired by the surprising turn of events.
Ripping his hand away from Chanyeol, Baekhyun muttered.
“Let me get a shirt first.”
*~*
The atmosphere was awkward between them.
Chanyeol liked him. Chanyeol liked him. That’s what Sehun said right? And the other hadn’t denied the claims. So Sehun must be right. Chanyeol liked him.
“What about Lu Han?” Baekhyun asked. Because that was the real issue here. How could he like Baekhyun when he was with Lu Han.
They were sitting on the couch, the one leather couch that had seen a lot of Baekhyun and Chanyeol in the past. In more ways than one. How symbolic was it to have their conversation on this couch.
Chanyeol looked a little awkward but Baekhyun didn’t budge. He was confused. How could Chanyeol like him when he was with Lu Han?!
“He’s wonderful but…”
“But…?” He tried to urge the words out of his friend, knee pressing into the soft leather couch.
“He’s not you,” Chanyeol finally relented, big eyes searching his best friend.
The words caused a flurry of emotions to spark in Baekhyun’s heart, everything he wanted to hear for the past three months. Chanyeol looked sincere, like he wasn’t just playing with Baekhyun’s feelings for fun. There was a timid grace to his actions as he sat in the seat, legs planted quite stiffly onto the carpeted floor.
“But… I don’t…” Baekhyun whispered, raising a hand up to run through his hair. “I don’t understand.”
“It took me a little while before I realised I loved you.”
Chanyeol didn’t seem to notice that he said the word ‘love’ instead of ‘like’ but Baekhyun sure did, eyes widening in surprise. His heart beat fast in his chest, blood rushing through his limbs. Nerves piled up inside of him, weird tingly feelings rushing all through his body and making his hands and feet feel numb.
“I think it was after he came over for our movie night,” Chanyeol let out a hoarse laugh. “That wasn’t right. He shouldn’t have come.”
Baekhyun wanted to nod in agreement, but instead kept quiet.
“The whole time my brain was saying, ‘this isn’t right’ because I was supposed to be wrapped around you. Not anyone else. You were always there with me, from the very beginning. What we had… What we have is special. And it took me bringing Lu Han over to realise that.”
There was a burn in the back of Baekhyun’s head, and he closed his eyes feeling the hot rush of tears suddenly break inside of him. He wouldn’t usually cry but Chanyeol was describing that day. That dreaded day. The day when he locked himself in the bathroom and cried about Chanyeol and Lu Han.
That very same day, Chanyeol realised his feelings for him.
“Baek?” Chanyeol sounded worried. “Hey, you okay?”
Biting his lip, Baekhyun tried to stop the tears from falling. He quickly wiped his face, letting out a quick laugh that highlighted his embarrassment.
“Yeah,” he hiccupped and Chanyeol looked at him tenderly. “I-I’m okay.”
Sending him an extremely fond look, Chanyeol raised his arm and motioned for him to come closer.
“Come here.”
Crawling across the leather chair, Baekhyun pressed himself up against Chanyeol, breathing in the comforting scent of his best friend. Chanyeol held him close, brushing his hand against Baekhyun’s forehead, soothing him softly.
“I love you too, Chanyeol.”
Chanyeol laughed loudly, head resting against the top of Baekhyun’s head. He sounded so happy, so amazed and he hugged Baekhyun tighter.
“I think one day ‘Babe’ became ‘babe’ with a lower case B. I don’t know when, but it happened,” Baekhyun laughed a little snottily, bringing a tissue up to wipe at his face.
“I’m glad it happened,” Chanyeol revealed, happy.
“I’m glad you finally released your feelings for me,” Baekhyun hit the other in the chest, half playful half serious.
“Yeah, me too.”
They cuddled for a while longer, Baekhyun feeling as safe as he always did wrapped up in Chanyeol’s embrace. There were twin smiles on their faces as they snuggled into each other, legs entwining and hearts finally opening.
“What are you going to do about Lu Han?” Baekhyun asked a little while later when the silence had dragged on.
Humming, Chanyeol held his hand in his grasp, gently dragging his fingers against the grooves of Baekhyun’s knuckles.
“I’ll have to break up with him.”
“Do it gently, okay?” Baekhyun frowned, turning his face upwards. “He’s really nice. I don’t want him to get really hurt.”
With a teasing grin, Chanyeol moved his head to face Baekhyun and poked him in the side.
“I thought you didn’t like him. You never seemed to.”
Grumbling, Baekhyun turned his face away from the other’s wide grin, embarrassed.
“He was really nice. I was just… jealous.”
Chanyeol’s smile spread across his face and he poked Baekhyun again in the side. “You’re cute.”
“Shut up.”
*~*
Chanyeol broke up with Lu Han a few days later, returning to Baekhyun’s house with tired eyes. He told him how Lu Han asked ‘why? what did he do wrong?’ and all Chanyeol could say was that he had another person that was number one in his heart.
“He said, ‘it’s Baekhyun isn’t it? I knew there was something special between you two.’”
Baekhyun had soothed Chanyeol gently, holding the other’s hand as he whispered sweet words of encouragement. Even though Chanyeol loved him, he was still going through a break up. Being sad because of the break up was something that was inescapable. At least for a while.
“You know,” Baekhyun said one day on their way to Music. “Minseok had been crushing on Lu Han for like more than a year before you came along.”
“What?” Chanyeol let out a surprised laugh, eyes widening.
“Yeah,” Baekhyun shook his head, “We bonded over our unrequited feelings.”
A hand snaked its way to wrap around Baekhyun, causing the elder to look up at his best friend.
“Not so unrequited anymore.”
Baekhyun squeezed his hand back, smile enveloping his face.
*~*
Chanyeol courted him very attentively after that, taking him for lunch, for dinner. He took him for movies, for more ice-skating. The dates were filled with laughter and happiness - and a lot of good food.
“Why does this feel so natural?” Baekhyun asked once during a date, staring into the starry night sky. His back was pressed against Chanyeol’s chest as he stared into the multitude of stars and constellations, feeling as though he had the brightest star right next to him.
The taller wrapped his arms around him, holding him close.
“Because we’ve been dating for years.”
“Oh,” Baekhyun laughed loudly, turning in Chanyeol’s grasp. He reached a hand up to gently graze the side of Chanyeol’s jaw, watching as the other smiled and leaned further into his hand. “I see now.”
*~*
The first time they had sex was a glorious affair. Chanyeol took care of him so well, stretching him out and making sure Baekhyun was well prepared. He held Baekhyun’s hands as he pushed in, kissing his lips softly.
“I love you,” Chanyeol whispered as soon as he bottomed out, letting Baekhyun adjust to his heavy weight.
“I love you too,” Baekhyun groaned, stretching his thighs wide. “Now go.”
Laughing quietly into Baekhyun’s lips, Chanyeol thrusted experimentally, letting Baekhyun get used to the movement. His thrusts sped up after that, holding Baekhyun’s thighs down and fucking his lover in earnest.
Chanyeol fucked in the same way he kissed Baekhyun, heavy and domineering. He took what he wanted from Baekhyun who was only too happy to give. And together, they chased down their strong and heavy feelings, kissing each other through their orgasms.
*~*
Life was going well.
They finished their song, a ballad that included both Chanyeol’s rapping and Baekhyun’s singing. The song itself was really pretty and Baekhyun kissed Chanyeol hard on the mouth when they finished up in the studio, finally done.
When he met up with Jongdae and Minseok the next month, he was met with exciting news.
“So… Lu Han asked me on a date,” Minseok admitted happily, cheeks spreading wide.
“Really?” Baekhyun exclaimed loudly in the café, wincing in embarrassment when an old lady glared at him.
“Yeah,” Minseok looked so happy, Baekhyun couldn't help but hug his friend.
“Invite me to the wedding!”
“Excuse me, I think you’ll be the one getting married first, Byun Baek.”
Baekhyun didn’t disagree.
*~*
“Do you remember the first time I told you I loved you?”
They were lying in bed, naked bodies wrapped around each other. Chanyeol was rubbing a circle into the side of Baekhyun’s waist, absentmindedly drawing pretty stars and hearts all over the elder’s milky skin.
Baekhyun was just on the cusp of falling asleep, body exhausted. He hummed slightly at the question, resting his head gently into the side of Chanyeol’s neck.
“At graduation.”
“Yes,” Chanyeol smiled, moving his hand over to hold Baekhyun’s. “But do you know when I really started loving you?”
“What, this year?”
“No, since you beat up those bullies for me,” Chanyeol laughed a little, pressing a kiss into Baekhyun’s neck. “You were always the one for me.”
Baekhyun smiled sleepily, moving over to hug gently at Chanyeol’s chest. He nuzzled his face into strong pecs, reaching a hand up to gently trace at his boyfriend’s-his best friend-his lover’s jaw.
“I love you too, babe.”
part one || part two