*

Baekhyun has never felt this nervous and embarrassed all through out his life.

Two pairs of eyes are staring down at him, as if sizing him up, and all he can do is look down to his shoes while he rubs his clammy hands across his lap.

"Baekhyun is gonna stay here for a few days," Chanyeol says. "Until it's time for us to go back to Seoul."

The atmosphere is thick, but it's bearable.

"I can't believe this is happening," Chanyeol's mother, Youngmi, says as she holds her temples, shaking her head. Giving Baekhyun a once-over, she clenches her fists and breathes. "Baekhyun, are you my son's lover?"

Baekhyun stands up immediately and bows a perfect right angle, stuttering, "Y-yes, i-it's an honor to finally meet you, Ma'am."

"You disgust me."

Youngmi walks out of the living room, leaving Chanyeol, Baekhyun and Chanyeol's father, Sungjin by themselves.

The older man is quiet, but the disappointment is clearly evident across his face. He grabs his cane and without saying anything, he follows his wife, and clears his throat in a rough manner.

Chanyeol pulls Baekhyun up so that he isn't in a bowing position anymore.

"It's fine. Don't mind them," Chanyeol mutters, "They must be really surprised at how cute you are."

"But... I should've hidden myself well," Baekhyun mumbles, "I'm sorry if they caught me sneaking out into the kitchen."

"They would have to find out you're here anyway, so it's fine. At least I won't have trouble telling it to them anymore."

"But your parents are now angry at you because of me..."

"They're always mad at me," Chanyeol says, "What I can't take is my wife getting angry at me if I keep him hungry."

That remark doesn't make Baekhyun at ease, but at least Chanyeol managed to put a tiny smile on his lips.

"Come on, let's go back to my room."

The fingers laced through his own are warm and familiar, so even here in a foreign place, Baekhyun feels secure. He follows Chanyeol upstairs as they walk hand in hand just like how they used to, back home.

"You know what. My room's so much better in Seoul compared here," Chanyeol says, sitting on the bed beside the smaller male, "because I have great memories shared with you back there."

"Memories such as?"

"Such as fucking you on my bed from dusk until dawn."

Baekhyun deadpans, "You only remember our sex, don't you? How about the good ones, though?'"

Chanyeol thinks for a while. "How can I mention the good ones when all of them are the best?"

A weak hit on the arm is Baekhyun's reply, but it's clearly obvious he's flustered because of the blush on his cheeks. "S-stop being cheesy! I may not control myself and do something!"

Chanyeol raises an eyebrow, and he's resting his head on top of Baekhyun's right shoulder. "Do something like what?"

"Like, like top you!"

Chanyeol suddenly chockes on his own saliva.

"I heard you that night at the hotel, you were crying in the bathroom!" Baekhyun teases, grinning evilly, "It must've hurt a lot." He crosses his arms over his chest and smirks. "So, how's your ass?"

"My ass is fine and still a virgin, thank you very much," Chanyeol says, giving his own butt an appreciative tap. "I wasn't crying, Baekhyun. I was actually moaning as I stroked my cock because I wasn't even satisfied by your small dick." Baekhyun is starting to get pissed off and his reaction is kind of adorable. "You already call that topping? Tch. Try harder, bitch."

Baekhyun clenches his fist. His ego is hurt, of course, but knowing Chanyeol's attitude, it's not a surprise anymore if he didn't admit he actually felt pain. He should have taken a video of him sobbing at that moment.

"But at least you felt good," Chanyeol has to add, and a faint smile slips on his lips as he looks at Baekhyun in the eyes, "And that's what matters the most."

Chanyeol says the most hurtful words which can break Baekhyun's heart, but what's best in him is that, he also mutters the sweetest sentences that can make the butterflies in his stomach flutter. Baekhyun only nods as an answer, enduring the heavy weight of Chanyeol's head perched on his shoulder.

"Uhm."

"Yeah?"

"I'm worried."

"About what?"

Baekhyun sighs. "Your parents hate me."

There's a tree outside Chanyeol's window, and the sounds of the chirping birds are not that distracting. Seoul doesn't have that sound, it's refreshing and new.

"It's not that they hate you," Chanyeol says, "They just don't like the idea of me taking home a guy." He straightens up and turns to Baekhyun so that they are sitting face-to-face. Baekhyun watches him speak. "So don't say that they hate you, that's not the case."

"But still... I feel burdened staying at your parents' house knowing that I'm not welcomed here," Baekhyun says, "I know what they think about me--- that it's my fault why you're like this, that I only want you for something. They probably thought I lured you and I turned you into my kind..."

"Your kind?" Chanyeol laughs bitterly. "Don't speak as if being homosexual is not being human, Baekhyun. We don't talk about this often but I never regretted choosing this way," he takes Baekhyun's hand within his, "Because in this way, I'd get to meet you."

Baekhyun bites his bottom lip, "Really?"

"Of course."

"Thank you for always saying the nicest things to cheer me up," Baekhyun mumbles, "and also the meanest things."

Chanyeol laughs at that. "Show my parents that they're wrong on how they think about you."

"How am I supposed do that?"

Chanyeol glares at him. "Are you a fucking idiot or what?"

"Why are you calling me an idiot!" Baekhyun whines. "I didn't do anything to you!"

"That's it."

"I still don't get it," Baekhyun pouts.

"Don't do anything," Chanyeol flicks him on the forehead. "Just be yourself and it's gonna be fine."

*

It's not fine at all, Chanyeol lied.

"Do you even know how to cook?"

Baekhyun slowly shakes his head, looking down at the floor.

The cook at Park residence took an emergency leave. Baekhyun thought he can finally be of good help around the house but it's not gonna be that easy for him. Mr. Park went out golfing and he took Chanyeol with him by force, so Baekhyun has no other choice but to stay at home with Chanyeol's mother.

He can still remember the worried look on Chanyeol's face as he was being dragged to the car by his Dad.

Oh god, I miss Chanyeol already.

"Listen here, young lad," Youngmi speaks with an eyebrow raised, Baekhyun looks up to her with drooped shoulders, "If you're gonna stay here at my house and stick yourself to my son, at least make youself useful. You can't even cook."

"B-but I'm an eager worker, Ma'am! I-I can help with the dishes!"

"We have maids to do that," Youngmi says, and then she mutters, making sure Baekhyun can hear it. "Where in Korea did Chanyeol even get this trash."

A girl in maid's uniform passes by and Youngmi suddenly calls her. Baekhyun only waits at the side.

"Rina, have you already finished the chores I asked you yesterday?"

The maid jolts and shakes her head in apology, "I-I'm sorry, Mrs. Park, I got sick last night so--"

"Oh, don't be sorry. It's fine," Youngmi says, and she lets out a fake chuckle. "Baekhyun here will gladly take over your job."

Baekhyun is surprised, as well as the maid.

"But, but I thought he was Sir Chanyeol's boyfr---"

"Oh, no, no, no. He's not, and please don't mention that word," Youngmi says. Baekhyun hides his face and bears the pain inside his chest. "He's just a fellow who has nowhere to stay for the meantime. My son's really kind that he takes home stray puppies."

The maid only nods, feeling a little sorry for Baekhyun.

"So, why don't you take Baekhyun with you so he can be finally useful in this house?"

"O-okay, Mrs. Park," the maid mutters, she gestures at Baekhyun. "Follow me."

Sweat is already blocking his vision, but that doesn't stop Baekhyun from scrubbing the toilet bowl until it's clean. The maid told him to make sure there is no dirty spot left in the bathroom and everything must be spick and span.

"This is the second bathroom," Baekhyun mutters as he lathers cleaning agent on the tiles that is already germless, but he has to make sure it's super tidy, "Only one more left and I'm done."

His back already aches from kneeling down for hours while his hands are now very painful because of the friction of the rubber gloves. Aside from the fact that he's not used to doing difficult heavy chores, Chanyeol has also treated him like a prince back home, making sure he won't touch a broom to even clean his own room. That was why they have maids to do that while he lives off in leisure.

He finishes cleaning few minutes after, satisfied of his work.

"Are you done here?" a voice says, and Baekhyun instantly shoots up and stands to face Chanyeol's mother.

"Y-yes, Ma'am," Baekhyun says, "There's one more left in the third floor and I'm completely finished."

"My husband and Chanyeol are gonna come home in a while," Youngmi says, "You don't have to finish that." Baekhyun's face lights up. "Just because I don't want my son to know you're doing the maid's work while he was gone."

"I-I won't tell him and he doesn't have to know," Baekhyun mutters without meeting eye contact, "I-I want to do this in my own will to pay for my stay at your house."

Youngmi smirks. "I'm glad you know your place." She turns her heal away but she stops, remembering something. "By the way, I just want to let you know that Chanyeol will come with his father every morning until afternoon. It's part of the recovery process."

Baekhyun already knows what that means. He can only see Chanyeol every night, and all through out the day while Chanyeol is gone, he has to do chores around the house.

"And I don't want you staying with the same room as my son," Youngmi adds, "You will have to sleep on a different room."

"I-I understand, Ma'am," Baekhyun responds with a polite bow.

"Fix yourself up before he sees you like that," Youngmi says, rolling her eyes, "You look like a total mess. I don't wanna even look at your face."

The clanking of her high heels against the floor fades as she disappears, and Baekhyun releases the breath he has been holding.

He shakes his head and fights back the tears threatening to fall down his eyes. He must be strong. For Chanyeol, he should be tough.

Keeping the materials he used back in its place, he goes back to Chanyeol's room and changes his clothes into a clean one. He slips himself into the bedsheets, lies on one side and closes his eyes.

He must pretend like he's been sleeping before Chanyeol arrives.

"Where's Baekhyun?" Baekhyun hears Chanyeol's faint voice outside, and that alone already causes his heart to flip in happiness and excitement.

Light footsteps echo from the corner, and they become louder as the doorknob of the bedroom turns slowly.

Baekhyun calms himself down.

He feels the bed dip on the side, sensing Chanyeol's presence hovering near him. He still smells honey and vanilla, Baekhyun's shower gel that Chanyeol used this morning.

"Hey."

That voice is too sexy and handsome it should be illegal.

"I'm home, wake up."

Home.

It sounds really nice.

"I know you're awake, your nose is twitching."

Baekhyun's shoulder shakes a little, still eyes closed. But when Chanyeol nudges his ticklish spot (behind his ear) he breaks down into a fit of laughter and fidgets on the bed.

"You're no fun!" Baekhyun says, "Why'd you wake me up?"

"You must be sleeping since this morning while I was gone. You need to at least walk around the house and do some work," Chanyeol says, taking off his jacket and putting it on the rack. "You pig."

"How's your day anyway?" Baekhyun changes the topic, "Did you have fun golfing with your Dad?"

"No." Chanyeol pulls a chair and sits on it, lifting his legs up to rest them on the bed, "I wish I hadn't gone with him. Being with that man is boring. I'd rather stay with you all day than accompany him."

"But he needs you by his side so he could get better fast," Baekhyun says, hugging a pillow. "It's like a father and son bonding!"

Chanyeol doesn't react. "I don't even know what that feels."

Baekhyun opens his mouth to console him but Chanyeol talks again.

"I'm fixing our papers so we could finally fly back to Seoul. Just wait a little more, Baekhyun. We're gonna get our of here as soon as possible."

Baekhyun gives him a small smile, "You don't have to rush things, Chanyeol sunbae."

"Are you happy here?"

Baekhyun nods quickly. "I'm fine as long as I'm with you."

"Uh. Your list," Chanyeol says, clearing his throat as he looks away, "We're gonna finish it here in New York."

"Really!??"

"Yes."

"All of it!?"

"All of it."

Chanyeol knows it when Baekhyun is glad. His eyes become twice bigger than normal when he's excited, while his mouth shapes into a rectangle when he beams. It is somewhat endearing, that he gets to witness such beautiful sight every day.

"Thank you," Baekhyun says, looking forward for the next day to come, "I'm really happy."

"Come on, let's have dinner," Chanyeol says, "They're already waiting for us."

*

Things are worse than Baekhyun thought.

There's a long dining table with bountiful foods on top. Mr. and Mrs. Park are already helping themselves with dinner when the both of them arrived. Chanyeol told him Yura is at her own house with her family few blocks away so she's not joining the meal.

Baekhyun remembers his family back home when they used to eat in a small table. They were happy even if they only had leftovers on their plates.

Youngmi stops talking to her husband when she notices her son and Baekhyun's presence. As if the time pauses, both parents only watch when Chanyeol, like a genteman, pulls the chair for Baekhyun to sit right in front of them. Baekhyun replies with a soft thank you under his breath.

"Hey. What do you wanna eat? I'll put it in your plate."

"Y-you don't have to do that, Chanyeol sunbae," Baekhyun says, "Please sit down."

Mr. Park has his eyebrows furrowed while his wife is frozen on the spot, a table napkin cluched in her hand witnessing Chanyeol taking a seat very close to Baekhyun that their arms are in contact.

"We don't have chopsticks here so I hope it's okay with you," Chanyeol says as he slices Baekhyun a tender steak with vegetables on the side. He ignores the piercing glare he is receiving from the elders.

"I can use the knife and fork, so it's fine," Baekhyun shyly says, bearing the hot seat. Chanyeol gets the table napkin and tucks it on Baekhyun's shirt like a baby. "Th-thank you."

Chanyeol looks up to his Mom and Dad before he takes a bite, "Is there a problem?"

Youngmi wipes her mouth with the napkin. "I've lost my appetite. I feel like I'm about to throw up."

"You must finish your food before you leave the table," Sungjin nonchalantly tells his wife as he eats, "Even if there's an unlikely sight in front of you, put the meal first no matter what."

Baekhyun looks down at his completely untouched food that he wants to badly eat because of his passed-time hunger. The last meal he had was a piece of bread this breakfast, he haven't had lunch in fear of getting yelled at by Chanyeol's mother.

But how is he supposed to eat right now if putting this food inside his mouth feels being burdened again?

"Are you okay?" Chanyeol worriedly asks as he peeks at his lover's face. "You haven't touched your food yet."

"I'm okay... I just feel overwhelmed by these food."

"Young lad, you must be really picky about food," Youngmi comments sarcastically. "Why don't you just make a ramen or something? Or better yet, go back to Korea to where you belong and never show your face here again."

"Mother, will you please fucking stop!?" Chanyeol blurts out, surprising his Dad for the sudden raise of voice and the curse word. "I want to eat in peace so if you're done, I want permission to eat with my boyfriend in this table."

"Did you just, oh my god, did you just tell that to me!?" Mrs. Park says. "Is this what you get from sticking to this guy? Being mannerless and disrespectful!?"

"Enough!" the old man says in a firm voice, he drops his utensils and slams the table hard, "Park Chanyeol, this is the last time I'm hearing that from your mouth!"

Before Baekhyun knows it, he is being dragged by Chanyeol out of the dining table. He almost trips when Chanyeol tugs him as they walk out of the mansion, hearing Mrs. Park's screams to get back inside. Chanyeol pays her no heed as he shuts the door to their faces as soon as the both of them are outside.

"Chanyeol sunbae, wait, where are we going?" Baekhyun asks, still trudging and following Chanyeol's lead. They're walking in the streets at night and Baekhyun has no idea where they're heading to.

Chanyeol stops. The grip on Baekhyun's wrist is tight, but not painful.

"We're here."

Baekhyun looks at their right, and the blinding 24/7 lights of the convenience store welcomes his eyes.

"It's good, right?" Chanyeol slurps the soggy noodles into his mouth, making sure he mixes the seasoning until the bottom of the bowl. He chews and slurps again with his chopsticks. "Oh god, I never knew ramen would taste so fucking good like this."

"Mm-hm," Baekhyun hums, steam coming out of his lips before he shoves one swirl of ramen into his mouth, "Ahh, so yummy!"

"You eat like a baby."

"Uhm. Do I have a mess on my mouth?"

"Yeah, you want me to lick it for you?"

It's not as delicious as in Seoul but the instant noodles tastes nearly just the same back home, so it's fine.

Especially if he's eating it with Chanyeol. It's always gonna be fine.

And bearable.

*

To be continued.