*

He should've brought a scarf with him.

The weather here is quite colder compared back in Seoul. Although it's sunny and bright outside, Sehun can still feel little chills hitting his skin as the wind gently blows to his face.

Stirring his hot coffee as he leans on the chair more comfortably, he crosses his legs and looks at the distance, to the busy pedestrians walking down the street. It's somewhat strange though, seeing foreigners and blonds and black people, then he remembers the reality that he's here in New York right now waiting for Baekhyun.

Right, this day has finally come, that he will get to see his bestfriend for twelve years again.

Being excited is an understatement to explain how he feels at the moment. He's ecstatic, indeed, that he's been crumpling his own clammy hands for the past seven minutes of waiting for Baekhyun. Butt shifting side to side and head turning back and forth, his hawk eyes scan the crowd for a small Asian male with bouncy hair and pretty lips, who has little crescent eyes that sparkle everytime he smiles--- which he vividly remembers how Baekhyun looks like in flesh.

The wild thumping in his chest that he thought has finally disappeared over the years has returned in an instant to betray him. He has to exhale twice to release the tension in his shaking heart. He has to sit up and down, clear his throat, and smell his breath to relieve his trembling nerves.

Because finally, he will get to see that special someone again.

But, he has to remain calm as always in front of Baekhyun. Not in front of Baekhyun should he show how he fucking misses him so bad. He has mastered to do it like the back of his hand. In front of Baekhyun he appears nonchalant and reserved, but behind his back, he's a complete longing mess. Who says he's pure? Of course he's a healthy man in his twenties, and whatever kind of crime he commits with his hand and the thought of Baekhyun--- is better off hidden behind closed doors.

What can he do, he just loves Baekhyun since they were eight, and along with the years that been through, he knows that there was a point in time that he and Baekhyun had mutual feelings without Chanyeol in the picture.

Sometimes he would ask himself. What if Baekhyun didn't meet Chanyeol in the first place? What if he had acted upon his feelings the moment he realized he loved Baekhyun?

What if Baekhyun just remained as Baekhyun and not as Chanyeol's Baekhyun?

But he's too late to ask those questions now. It's already the third book of the protagonists' lives and here he is still the side character of the story.

Screw being calm and screw everything--- because right now at the exact moment as he mentally speaks, is Baekhyun approaching.

Sehun immediately stands up and drops his hand to his side, awestruck and frozen at the running male towards him. Just like how he imagines him to look like, Baekhyun is the exact description. Baekhyun envelopes him into a bone-crushing hug, and the next thing Sehun knows, his lips are already pressed against Baekhyun's, kissing the living daylights out of him.

No words are exchanged. Everything is blurred and slow-motioned. Sehun cups his face and smiles into the kiss, feeling beyond glad that Baekhyun is kissing him back with the same love he most anticipated for.

He still loves him so much.

"Sehun?"

"Yes?"

"It's you, right?"

"Yes..."

"The one who ordered a strawberry milkshake."

The surroundings is too noisy, and he can suddenly hear voice chatterings and faint Alan Walker music from the stereo. Sehun turns to the guy with a brown apron who's looking skeptically at him.

"Here's your order," he mumbles, before placing the glass with a fancy straw on it on top of the table. Sehun instantly covers his puckered lips left hanging in the air with his palm.

"Th-thank you."

The server retreats inside the shop, not forgetting to laugh under his breath witnessing a crazy Asian guy kissing the air.

"Fuck," Sehun mutters, banging his forehead against the table repeatedly, "The hell did I just do." He lets out a helpless sigh while he allows his soul to leave his body.

It feels so real, though.

"OH!!!!"

Sehun's ear twitches.

"SE!!!!"

He turns around to the familiar voice.

"HUUUUUN!!!!!"

He jolts up to his seat like a flash of lighting.

"Oh!!! Se!!! Hun!!!"

With his eyes widening, he turns around and searches for the origin of the voice. Left to right he looks, and at that particular moment, ninety degrees east, thirty meters from his position, he finally sees Byun Baekhyun waving frantically at him and jumping furiously on his spot.

He is seeing Baekhyun right fucking now. Finally.

Baekhyun cups his mouth and shouts:

"HEY!!! OH SEHUN!!!"

A wide glorious smile spreads on Sehun's mouth.

"SE---HUUUN!!!!"

The traffic light changes green, and Baekhyun is right away dashing off to cross the pedestrian lane he almost bumps into the people walking opposite him. Sehun wants to meet him halfway, yet his feet won't move as though he's stuck beneath the concrete. His legs are such a traitor, as well as his fluttering heart beating for the male several feet away from him.

Two breaths and one gulp. He slowly steps forward to face Baekhyun who is panting for his breath five feet away, his hands perched above his bent knees. The moment Baekhyun lifts his head and their eyes lock, Sehun knows that he fell for him all over again.

Baekhyun brings out his brightest smile as he walks gently towards him.

Sehun never takes his eyes off him like blinking is even such a waste. Baekhyun, the person in front of him right now, looks exactly far from what he has imagined him to be.

The bouncy hair is gone. It has grown longer now like he hasn't had a haircut for weeks. Maybe it's also the wind's fault for making it messy and spiky as it sticks to every possible direction. A few combs might bring back his shiny hair hopefully.

His eyes are still small and pretty but they look a bit less-sparkly. There are some dark rings under his eyes as though he hasn't had a good sleep these days. His face looks more defined as well, little stubble growing on the space between his nose and upper lip.

A year must be really long, that Baekhyun has managed to grow this tall that he now stands past his shoulders. Since when did he become manlier like this? That his body appears stronger and his built looks firmer compared to the fluffy cheeseball Sehun used to know?

Nonetheless, the only thing that didn't change in him is his charming smile as well as his mochi cheeks. He still looks as beautiful as ever.

Baekhyun steps closer, so Sehun does the same. He's the first to reach out, his hand traveling to touch Baekhyun's gentle face. The warmth confirms him that everything is real, that they are existing at the same place at the same time.

I missed you so much, stops in Sehun's throat, when he just pulls Baekhyun in a warm tight embrace, basking in his familiar presence. He closes his eyes, placing his right hand behind Baekhyun's head to soothe it before he mutters:

"What happened to you..."

Baekhyun smiles wistfully and clutches Sehun's coat, hugging him in return.

"I'm okay... I've been living well."

Two glasses now half-empty and happy laughter bubbling in the air, Sehun wipes the imaginary tears on the corners of his eyes. Baekhyun's mouth won't stop talking nonstop as he tells stories after stories of his life here in New York, of his life at the mansion, of his life together with Chanyeol.

Sehun is very much eager to listen, Baekhyun's voice sounds music to his ears after all.

"So that was what happened. I kind of ended up Mrs. Park's personal driver!" Baekhyun animatedly says. "Chanyeol sunbae taught me how to drive. He also taught me many things ever since I came here."

"Like?"

"Well, he taught me how to be independent," Baekhyun grins confidently. "And how to be mature."

"I don't think he taught you those things," Sehun takes Baekhyun's hand on top of the table, opens his palm out and soothes the calloused skin and veiny fingers. Baekhyun just stares, "You taught those things yourself."

Baekhyun hesitantly pulls his hand but Sehun holds it in place.

"I-it's not soft now unlike before," Baekhyun mumbles with an awkward chuckle.

"You're working really hard," Sehun says. "I'm worried if you're still studying well."

"Of course. I'm homeschooling in case you didn't know! Besides, books aren't just the source of knowledge. Here, I get to learn things that aren't taught in the university. I've got to see different people and go to amazing places I would never been to if I had stayed in Korea," Baekhyun says, smiling dreamily. Sehun can tell that the sparkle in his eyes are now back, "I've got to experience a new life with the person I love and share wonderful moments with him."

"Don't you miss home? How about your parents?"

Baekhyun pauses at that, then he smiles before he says his answer.

"Of course, I miss them. A day won't end without me thinking about them."

"How about me?" Sehun asks, looking right into his eyes, "Did you miss me?"

"Is that even a question," Baekhyun laughs, "I missed you so much, Sehun."

"You told me this exact words before," Sehun says, recalling what Baekhyun said that time, "No matter where I went, and whoever I was with, I will always come home to you."

"Did I say that?" Baekhyun jokes. "When was that?"

"It was that night when we were at the playground. It was my birthday!"

"Of course, how could I forget," Baekhyun chuckles, putting his hand under his chin as he throws Sehun a smug look. Sehun averts his eyes. "You kissed me at the swing that night after all."

"That was a mistake okay," Sehun mumbles, rolling his eyes, "But loving you wasn't."

Baekhyun's smile wears off.

"I still love you. Baekhyun. I never stopped."

"Sehun..."

"Anyway," Sehun changes the topic as he waves a nonchalant hand, "I'm not gonna ask if you still have plans on coming back. I'm just contented knowing that you're okay and living comfortably here."

"I will still come home to you, Sehun. I won't take back my words," Baekhyun says, "But my heart will always reside wherever Chanyeol sunbae is."

A smile gently spreads on Sehun's mouth as he stares fondly at Baekhyun. Putting his hand on top of Baekhyun's head, he ruffles his hair to mess it more. "Since when did our Baekhyun become so cool like this, huh?"

"I know right," Baekhyun says, fluttering his eyelashes cutely. "Wait. How about our friends back in Seoul? How are Jongin, Kyungsoo and Luhan hyung doing? Are they doing well?"

"Well, they're still inseparable," Sehun says, "Kyungsoo is doing his thesis, meanwhile Luhan is not that bad either. He's got a part-time job now to help Jongin."

Baekhyun smiles, "How about you and Jongin?"

"Huh?"

"You know. You and him."

Sehun's face turns suddenly sour as he looks at Baekhyun in disbelief "What the fuck?" He hates the fishy stare Baekhyun is giving him. "I feel uncomfortable."

"Oho! I always read our groupchat. He's sending you heart stickers and crying emojis."

"I left the groupchat."

"I'm adding you back."

"I'm blocking you."

Baekhyun pouts.

"Stop doing that."

"Hey. I'm just asking about your friendship okay," Baekhyun has to quote the last word using his fingers, still wearing that meaningful grin, "You used to bicker a lot before I left."

"We're fine, I guess."

"Oh, really."

"Fine! The truth is, Jongin's now my new bestfriend so you have the right to get jealous," Sehun says, crossing his arms against his chest, "You bitch."

"Alright then, I'm jealous now. Spend time with me to make up for it! Come on, we have a lot of time in our hands!" Baekhyun exclaims as he stands up, pulling Sehun's arm excitedly. "Let's stroll around Manhattan!"

"Wait, w-where are we going!" Sehun says while being dragged by Baekhyun.

"You have money with you, right?"

"Of course, I have but---"

"Perfect, let's go shopping!"

Baekhyun's laugh is too loud to hear his own phone ringing with Chanyeol's name flashing on the screen.

61 missed calls.
4 unread messages.

*

"What are you going to do tomorrow?"

"I have to see a professor with a collegue who I came here with," Sehun says as he looks at Baekhyun beside him. They're peacefully walking to the bus stop on his way back to the hotel, and even if it's already dark, he can clearly see Baekhyun's glistening face. The shopping bags he's carrying seem to get lighter, too. "In the afternoon, I'll attend this boring seminar so I can claim my certificate that I'll use for my application on master's degree."

"Wow, I'm so proud hearing that from you," Baekhyun says, stopping as they reach the stop. He smiles. "Your future is so bright ahead of you."

"I actually had hoped to spend that future with you before," Sehun says, and when Baekhyun gives him that sad look again, he immediately adds, "As a person who has a special place in your heart, my dear ex-best friend."

"Ouch, that hurt---"

"...and my first love."

Baekhyun opens his mouth to talk but the sound of the bus engine and its honking stops him. Sehun is waving at him goodbye, so before he can enter the bus, Baekhyun suddenly runs and grabs his wrist.

His eyes are longing and yearning.

"You forgot something," Baekhyun says, Sehun studies his intent gaze, "Give it to me."

Getting off the bus and letting it go, just like how he lets go of the thousand opportunities he had to confess to Baekhyun before, he faces the male and holds his shoulders.

He kisses him on the forehead.

"Goodbye. Let's see each other in three days," Sehun says, smiling at him. "I still have to tell you something."

"Where do you think you're going!" Baekhyun screams while his fists ball to his sides, looking like he's about to cry when Sehun turns his back around at him. "Hey! Don't go yet!"

"Why? Do you miss me already?"

"No!" Baekhyun says, marching towards him, shaking his body furiously, "Give me back my phone, you idiot!" He glares at him. "The day is over so you can return it to me now." He opens his palm out, tapping his foot impatiently.

"Oh, right. I almost forgot," Sehun chuckles, rubbing his nape shyly. He rummages through his bag and finds Baekhyun's phone. He confiscated it earlier so that there would be no distractions between him and Baekhyun for this day.

The last thing he needed was Baekhyun tapping away on his phone while Chanyeol called him nonstop, telling him to come back.

He might knew though, that the moment he called Baekhyun this morning, Chanyeol was there fucking the shit out him.

"Here," Sehun says, putting the phone n Baekhyun's hand which Baekhyun accepts happily. "Don't you want me to take you home, though? Should we really part like this?"

A bus arrives so Sehun prepares to gets in.

"I can go home by myself, I won't get lost anymore," Baekhyun grins, waving at Sehun goodbye, "Hey! Don't forget to tell Kyungsoo that the Privé's on me, okay!"

"We're still seeing each other in three days anyway!" Sehun shouts back at the window, "And Baekhyun! You're still my bestfriend!"

"Okay!" Baekhyun answers, yelling back, "Take care! I'll see you then!"

The bus is gone and so is the wide smile on Baekhyun's face. He massages his chin as he quietly ponders to himself the thing he seems to be missing out today.

There's like a thing he forgot to do today.

"Hmm, I wonder what it is," he mutters to himself as he looks up to the dark skies. It's already late, he doesn't get a hold of the time. He needs to get home before ten or else Mrs. Park will close the gates for him.

With the the chilly wind blowing subtly, he feels cold sifting into his skin, but good thing Sehun bought him a new coat so he feels warm during the night. Turning his phone on excitedly as he waits for the next bus, a curse escapes his mouth seeing his massive notifications.

610 missed calls.
40 messages.

They're all from Chanyeol

"Shit." Baekhyun covers his mouth, his eyes enlarging in shock. "Shit shit shit! I forgot to tell Chanyeol sunbae I was leaving this morning!"

Baekhyun, where are you right now?

Why did you turn off your phone?

Answer my calls, please.

I'm coming to find you.

Text me back, I'm worried.

Byun Baekhyun, I'm going insane seriously. Turn on your phone right now!

I told you I'm not angry, don't be like this... I'm sorry... Don't leave me or else...

"Or else what!? Oh my god," Baekhyun blurts out as he stands up while glaring at his phone with trembling hands. "Oh my god, I'm in trouble! He must be really worried!" He quickly dials Chanyeol's number as he walks back on forth, waiting for the other line to pick up. "Please..."

[Hello, this is Chanyeol---"

"Chanyeol sunbae!"

[...not on the phone right now so please leave a message after the beep.]

Baekhyun tries calling him again yet it all goes straight to voicemail. Running aimlessly with his heart ringing in his ears, he immediately hails a cab going back to Four Seasons hotel, to where he left Chanyeol this morning.

But before he can even dash to the elevator, a staff grabs his arm to stop him.

"Excuse me, but where are you going?"

"My... My boyfriend," Baekhyun pants heavily, "Chanyeol Park, is he still here?"

"Ah, that weird tall man," she says, laughing obnoxiously. Baekhyun quirks an eyebrow because excuse me? How dare this woman call his handsome Chanyeol sunbae weird!? "He already checked out this afternoon---"

Baekhyun doesn't finish her sentence anymore as he is now running out of the establishment to get back to the cab. He will be broke as fuck now for renting the vehicle back and forth like it's his chauffer. Not that it matters now because finding Chanyeol and explaining to him what happened is what's important.

He must head back to the mansion. Chanyeol might've gone home waiting for him.

"Isn't he with you, though?" Rina the maid says in a hushed voice as she secretly opens the gates for him. She looks around them, looking out for CCTVs. "Sir Chanyeol hasn't come back since yesterday and we all thought you were with him. Mrs. Park has been really furious now that you two have been missing for two days!"

"I was with him but I left and things happened and we lost out ways--- shit. Where could Chanyeol sunbae be!" Baekhyun cries, looking really worried. He's getting back at him now. The man won't answer his calls. He couldn't even locate his exact whereabouts.

What if.

What if he left?

"Baekhyun!"

"Please leave the gates open, I'll be quick!"

Baekhyun sneaks into the mansion and expertly takes the mini tunnel going into the basement. Heading to Chanyeol's room with dirt all over his body which he just ignores, he harshly opens Chanyeol's closet, finding his clothes still there.

"Thank god, his clothes are still here," He palms his chest, feeling the knots in his heart gradually loosens. "Right, the passport!" Like a thief, he rummages through Chanyeol's drawers crazily, finding his passport.

Seeing the green booklet at the downmost drawer, a surge of relief flows into him reading Chanyeol's name and birthday on it. The awkward look on the picture consoles him a bit knowing Chanyeol is still in the country.

"He's still here... He didn't leave..."

He completely knows this is crazy, but the mere thought of Chanyeol leaving him out of the blue is insanely killing him.

"I need to find Chanyeol sunbae," Baekhyun mutters to himself as he steals Mrs. Park's car keys. He gets in the car and drives out of the mansion with Rina screaming profanities at him.

"I'm sorry! I'll come home with Chanyeol sunbae! Please tell Mrs. Park that I borrowed her car!"

The car's GPS has managed to tell him where Chanyeol is at right now. With bated breath and a pounding heart, Baekhyun calmly drives along their quiet neighborhood, searching left to right.

"Chanyeol!" He calls like he's looking for a lost puppy, his voice echoing amidst the deafening silence. Chanyeol is just around the corner, he can feel it. He didn't get too far, "Park Chanyeol! Where are you!"

It starts to rain.

"Oh my god, it's raining," Baekhyun mutters, feeling very guilty of just leaving Chanyeol without a word this morning. He connects his phone to the bluetooth and calls Chanyeol for the seventh time. "Please answer Chanyeol sunbae..."

It's Chanyeol's ringtone.

He can hear the music from outside.

Turning his head around him, he abruptly stops the car at a park and lets the window down. He opens the door, not forgetting to grab the umbrella from the backseat to shed him from the rain.

"Chanyeol!" Baekhyun calls as his loud voice blends in with the pouring rain while he walks. The skies are dark and the air is humid. It's a bad weather. If ever Chanyeol is just lingering around, he might get sick soaked in the rain like this. "Chanyeol sunbae! Where are you! Please answer me!"

Baekhyun slowly drops his phone from his ear, seeing a man from a far.

It's Chanyeol.

He is drenched in the rain while he sits on bench, his tall figure is slumped as he only stares down at the ground.

Baekhyun silently walks towards him, his steps heavy as well as the upcoming tears in his eyes that have managed to stream down his cheeks. With his trembling hand as he arrives in front of him, he shares the umbrella to shade Chanyeol from the rain.

Chanyeol looks up to him in this pitiful state.

And that's when his heart breaks at the sight.

"Why didn't you just go home!?" Baekhyun screams with his heart clenching, "Why did you soak yourself here under the rain!? You should've just headed home and waited for me there! Why did you have to do this!" He gasps as he sobs nonstop. "I was so worried! I thought you already left me!" He crouches down to Chanyeol's lap and cries harder. "I thought you wouldn't come back!"

"That feeling of leaving without saying goodbye," Chanyeol says after a minute of silence with just Baekhyun crying on his knees, "It hurts, right?"

Baekhyun holds his hand tight, "Chanyeol sunbae... I'm sorry... I'm really sorry..."

"Let's go home," Chanyeol softly says, looking up to the rain as if he's talking to them. He smiles, "And don't do it again."

*

To be continued.