*

Sehun stirs from his sleep, feeling something warm and breathing curled around his body. Slowly fluttering his eyes open, he sees the blurry ceiling of his room getting more vivid, as well as the soft snores he is hearing just right next to him.

"Shit."

He fully opens his eyes.

Looking down to his body, he carefully lifts his blanket up, and his chest jumps in wild surprise seeing a hand on top of it. He mutters a curse when he gets up alarmed, seeing a body sleeping beside him.

"Oh my fucking god!"

He falls on the bed in panic, and his head hits the ground but he ignores the pain, spotting scattered stuff on the floor.

There's a backpack. A pair of flipped rubber shoes. An empty water bottle. And a luggage.

His heart starts to race while his eyes widen, turning to look at the plopped figure now sleeping soundly on his bed.

"D-don't tell me..."

Sehun gulps as he manages to stand up. He can still sense his knees trembling while he walks closer to check the person who barged in to his room unannounced. Reaching his arm out, he uses his index finger to reveal who it is under the blanket and he gets a double mini heart attack, seeing the person he's been waiting for with his own two eyes.

It's Baekhyun.

Finally. Baekhyun is now home.

Sehun has to rub his eyes to prove that he is not just seeing things. He comes closer to the sleeping male, stares at him intently and checks his face to make sure if it is actually Baekhyun. Having a view of that small face, those little eyes, and those tiny moles--- no doubt, a hundred percent sure, it is definitely Baekhyun. Those mochi cheeks won't lie.

Baekhyun hasn't had his clothes changed yet, Sehun deems, as he studies the male peacefully sleeping clad in a thick coat. He is still wearing the same airport clothes when he flew from New York. It also seems like Baekhyun has just arrived in Seoul two hours ago and he went straight to Sehun's room to sleep.

"You surprised me," Sehun mutters as he gets back to the bed beside the smaller. He is more than happy seeing Baekhyun again, and he would be lying if he says his heart didn't race having him this near after a year. "Baekhyun. I'm glad you're finally home."

Baekhyun fidgets slightly on the bed while Sehun just watches him with a fond smile across his lips. He is finally waken up by Sehun's hand touching his disheveled hair sticking to every direction.

"Good morning," is Sehun's first greeting the moment Baekhyun meets his eyes. It's still four o'clock in the morning and he knows Baekhyun is tired and sleepy from his flight, "Welcome back to Seoul, Baekhyun."

Baekhyun softly smiles behind his exhaustion, seeing Sehun's face first. "Good morning." He laughs and scoots closer to the male, pulling him into a warm embrace. He feels the familiar comfort he has been yearning for, this warmth and smell that he has been accustomed to. "Sehun, I'm finally home. I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, Baekhyun. I missed you very much. I've been waiting for this day to come and I really couldn't believe that you're finally here. I'm so happy," Sehun whispers in a quiet voice while he hugs Baekhyun back. He leans away to cup his face after a while. "Why didn't you tell me you were coming home today? I should've picked you up in the airport."

"I didn't want to bother you," Baekhyun smiles. He chuckles when Sehun frowns disappointedly at him, "And I also want to surprise you." He spreads his arms apart. "Surprise!"

"Seriously, this surprise almost got me a heart attack," Sehun shakes his head, still smiling that his jaw now hurts, "How was your flight? Did you tell Chanyeol you're now here?"

"It was really tiring! I just slept in the plane and played games on my phone for hours," Baekhyun says, getting up on the bed and sitting face-to-face with Sehun, "And yes, I already told Chanyeol sunbae I arrived safely. He said he misses me already." He hums, looking around Sehun's room that is once an empty room before, "So, you're living here now, huh?"

"Yeah. It happened to be like that," Sehun answers, "That asshole asked us to take care of you while he's away and of course, I couldn't say no to that." He laughs. "You know I can never leave you alone."

"Thanks for doing it for me. I promise I'll be good to you just like how I am to you before," Baekhyun grins, and Sehun knows it's a lie. He's surely gonna babysit Baekhyun all the time, "So how is it like? You know, living with the three of them?"

Sehun shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's fine, I guess."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Hm, okay," Baekhyun says, quite unconvinced. He doesn't push anymore, maybe next time. "They must be still sleeping right now so I'll just show myself up later. I'm so excited to see everyone again!"

"I'm sure they'll be very happy to see you," Sehun says, smiling, "Do you want to go down first and have coffee?"

Baekhyun nods, "Sure! And a pancake, too."

*

Baekhyun didn't expect it would be like this.

He expects there'll be screaming and hugging and laughing the moment he announces his arrival, but he guesses he has just hoped a little too high.

It has been a year anyway since he last saw Kyungsoo, Luhan, and Jongin, and a lot of things have changed among them--- physically, mentally or even emotionally. Baekhyun didn't see this coming. He should've considered the fact that he came back home unannounced and it was embarrassing for the guys' part not having him welcomed properly

It is painfully quiet when Baekhyun steps into the living room with Sehun behind him. He almost caught Kyungsoo cleaning up the boxes of take-outs and empty cans of soda in a rush, while Jongin hurriedly puts on a shirt with Luhan beside him shooting up from his lazy position in front of the television.

The three stand anxiously in front of Baekhyun, and Baekhyun can sense this awkward tension that is uncalled for descending between them. Sehun feels the secondhand pressure, but he manages to speak up since no one is attempting to break the silence.

"So, uh. Baekhyun came back from New York just this morning. He wasn't able to tell us he's coming home today because he thought we might be still sleeping, so..." Sehun turns to look at Baekhyun who smiles at him reassuringly in return, "The main reason why we're all  here is to look after Baekhyun, and we got to live here for free in exchange. So, yeah. Let's do our job starting from now."

Baekhyun looks at Kyungsoo first in the middle of Jongin and Luhan, his two boyfriends are trying their best not to meet his gaze as if they are embarrassed and mesmerized at his presence. Hesitantly he walks forward to the small male, and Kyungsoo just stays there on his spot when Baekhyun hugs him.

Kyungsoo brings a hand on Baekhyun's back, tapping it lightly. "Welcome back, Baekhyun. I'm glad to see you again."

"Thank you," Baekhyun answers. He moves away from Kyungsoo and proceeds to Luhan who looks like he's gonna shit himself now that he's facing him.

"Luhan hyung," Baekhyun says, smiling brightly at the older, and Sehun has to hide the cackle slipping out from his mouth witnessing Luhan's astonished reaction. He looks completely dazed and out of it, "How have you been?"

"I-I'm okay, I'm sorry, I was just," Luhan stammers. He glances at Sehun behind Baekhyun, and he knows that the younger male must be internally teasing him right now, "surprised... You look---"

"Different?" Baekhyun finishes. "Was it because I'm as tall as you now?"

Jongin mentally compares them, looking alternately both at Luhan and Baekhyun, and holy fucking shit, they look almost exactly the same at one glance. Except Baekhyun appears more beautiful and more refined compared to his loud-mouthed annoying bitch of a boyfriend.

Kyungsoo suddenly elbows him, noticing him just ogling like a retard at Baekhyun. Jongin clears his throat, deciding that it's now his turn to speak.

"You've been more beautiful now than the last time I saw you," Jongin mutters, and Sehun turns to look at him cautiously, like he's waiting and guarding what he's gonna say next to Baekhyun, "It's nice seeing you again, Baekhyun. I'm sorry for not welcoming you properly. It was really rude of us."

"It's okay, Jongin! I know it's also my fault for not telling you guys," Baekhyun says. "I should've sent a picture at least."

"No, it's our fault. We're staying here for free and the least thing we can do is to give you a warm welcome yet we failed to do that," Luhan says, rubbing his nape, "It was embarrassing..."

"It's fine," Sehun interferes, "Baekhyun wasn't expecting us to throw a big party for him anyway. He just wanted us to make him feel he's back home again."

"Please don't think about it anymore," Baekhyun waves his hands apologetically, "It's really okay."

"Let's all be comfortable with each other. It's not like we're not friends," Kyungsoo laughs, trying to liven up the atmosphere. "And since Baekhyun is now here, we should make arrangements again."

"Arrangements?" Baekhyun whispers to Sehun.

Luhan and Jongin look at the two.

"Yeah. We assign the chores around the house based on our schedules," Sehun explains, receiving a nod from Baekhyun. "We also split the bills and expenses. Jongin and Luhan got a part-time meanwhile Kyungsoo shares his allowance. I also contribute when I have some extra."

"Is that so?" Baekhyun says, feeling suddenly left out, "What should I do then? I want to help, too. I've learned a lot chores when I was in New York. I also learned how to drive." He smiles. "I could do the groceries or run an errand for everyone."

"No! You don't have to do anything like that. Just live here comfortably like how Chanyeol treats you," Jongin says, laughing. "You're like the owner of this house and Chanyeol wouldn't be happy if he finds out you're working."

"Yeah. We can manage," Kyungsoo says. "You don't have to worry about it."

Baekhyun just smiles as an answer.

The hand tapping his shoulder makes him look up. He sees Sehun taking a seat beside him as he hands him a can of soda he has just opened. Muttering a quiet thanks, they both gaze at the pool while they lounge at the garden.

"Every part of this house reminds me of Chanyeol sunbae," Baekhyun says, smiling wistfully, "The kitchen. The living room. The pool. I see him wherever I look at and it makes me miss him more."

"A month won't be long. You're gonna see each other soon."

"Sehun."

"Hm?"

"Why do I feel like," Baekhyun mumbles as he stares down to his drink, sighing, "I'm being treated differently? I don't want to be a burden to everyone just because Chanyeol sunbae asked you a favor..."

"It's nothing like that, Baekhyun," Sehun says, "Maybe it's the other way around." He glances at Kyungsoo now vaccuming the carpet at the living room. "They just wanted to make sure their stay here wouldn't be a burden to you."

Baekhyun shakes his head. "That's not gonna happen."

"And maybe, you know." Sehun takes a sip of his cola. "They've just been intimidated by you. It has been a year anyway since you left for New York and you feel..." He laughs. "Kind of different now.... in a good way, of course."

"Different?" Baekhyun asks. "How am I different?"

"Ah, Baekhyun must be smarter now having studied in abroad with Chanyeol. He seems to be more mature after a year. He looked more beautiful and elegant too, " Sehun says, recalling what he has eavesdropped at Luhan and Kyungsoo's conversation. "They must be thinking like that."

"But it's still me," Baekhyun says, "I didn't change."

"Yeah, you're still the same Baekhyun that I know," Sehun says, then he brings a hand to tenderly caress Baekhyun's face. "I thought... Something has changed but I was wrong." He lets out a laugh, shaking his head to himself. "I still feel the same way about you... Maybe I was just confused."

Baekhyun can trace a hint of something in Sehun's eyes, he has noticed it ever since this morning, but he can't put a finger on it yet.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Baekhyun asks, "Do you want to tell me something?"

"No, it's nothing," Sehun tells him, and maybe Baekhyun can feel that the other male is not telling him everything, "By the way, you're applying for enrollment this coming semester, right?"

"Yeah, I'm utilizing my full scholarship this year," Baekhyun says, stretching his arms in the air, "I'm gonna study hard so that Chanyeol sunbae would be proud of me."

"Let's study hard together, then," Sehun says, bumping his can against Baekhyun's. "Cheers."

Baekhyun smiles at him, "Cheers."

*

"Why are you two so quiet?" Kyungsoo, while folding the laundry, asks his boyfriends sitting on the couch. "Aren't you happy now that Baekhyun is back?"

Like he hears nothing, Jongin doesn't say anything as he plays with Luhan's hair on top of his lap. He looks like a spiritless being as he gazes into a distance. He can view from his spot the window to the pool, seeing his best friend and his best friend's best friend, now smiling at each other and laughing by themselves.

Sehun must be really happy now compared to the days Baekhyun isn't home yet. His eyes are sparkling just like before and it should be a good thing, right?

Kyungsoo is surprised, hearing the both of his boyfriends releasing a heavy sigh at the same time.

"The first love and the first kiss is now back, of course we're happy," Luhan says, and Kyungsoo can sense a hint of sarcasm in his words. Luhan laughs, clicking his tongue. "Look at Sehun. He won't leave Baekhyun alone like he's gonna get lost or something."

"What, are you jealous?" Jongin asks just to tease.

"Yeah, I am," Luhan answers.

Silence.

Kyungsoo and Jongin exchange stares with each other.

"Why?" Luhan asks, looking at them. "I can't?"

Sehun and Baekhyun choose to enter the house at this moment, and their chattering pauses noticing the sudden silence of the room when they arrive. The three turn to look at them, and Sehun suddenly feels uncomfortable for a certain reason.

"Right! I still have to take out the trash," Kyungsoo suddenly says, before picking up the laundry basket and leaving the room.

Jongin stands up, making Luhan's head fall off the couch. "And I have to get ready for my part-time job." Then he runs up going to the stairs, leaving a pained Luhan alone with Sehun and Baekhyun.

"Let's talk later," Sehun tells Baekhyun after he ruffles his hair, deciding to follow Jongin upstairs and leaving him alone with Luhan.

Luhan immediately straightens up on the couch and sits upright while Baekhyun carefully takes a seat beside him with one meter space apart. He has his hands on top of his lap while waiting for the older to maybe look at him or talk to him.

But he won't even meet his eyes.

"Luhan hyung."

That is only when Luhan looks at him, "Hm?"

"Do you feel... awkward around me?" Baekhyun asks as he looks at his eyes, waiting for an answer.

It slightly hurts him when Luhan acts this way towards him. He is the first person he got close to that time he entered the student council. He is his first friend and they shared a lot of moments together back then--- including those intimate ones, of course. He has no idea why he's being like this, though. Maybe he did something wrong in the past?

"If I did something that might've upset you," Baekhyun mumbles. "I'm sorry..."

Hearing Baekhyun say sorry, Luhan suddenly feels annoyed. Not with the male but with himself. Baekhyun just got back home from New York so here he is, wanting to spend time with his friends again.

So why can't he be happy now that Baekhyun is here?

"I guess you really didn't change," Luhan says, "You still apologize even if it's not your fault."

Baekhyun stays silent after that.

"Oh, right! I bought something for you from New York. You wanted Balenciaga shoes, didn't you? Chanyeol sunbae gave me money and he said I should buy you guys gifts," he says to make the conversation going, "Do you want to see them? They're in my room."

"Maybe later I'll check them out," Luhan answers, smiling at him before he stands up to leave, "Thanks, Baekhyun."

Baekhyun only sighs now that he's alone. He gets his phone from his pocket and decides to just talk to Chanyeol.

"Hey."

Jongin pauses rummaging into his closet, turning to Sehun who is entering his room.

"Give me back my shirt."

He laughs, then goes back to looking for something to wear. "Why would you want that old shirt back? You already got some new clothes now." He picks a gray sweatshirt and wears it. "Ah, this will do."

Sehun follows him with his eyes.

"Jongin."

"What?"

"Are you avoiding me?"

Jongin gives him a look, "And why would you say that?"

"I don't know," Sehun shrugs, leaning back on the chair, "You didn't knock on my door this morning like what you used to. You didn't talk to me either."

"How am I supposed to knock on your door when Baekhyun is sleeping beside you. I don't wanna disturb his sleep," Jongin says. "And I didn't have anything to say to you."

"Is it just me," Sehun furrows his eyebrows, "Or you sounded jealous right now?" He laughs teasingly while Jongin just stares indifferently at him.

"Jongin, I already told you before, right? Baekhyun knows about our relationship so you don't have to feel guilty." Sehun points at himself and Jongin. "You and I, we're officially best friends now so don't be like this to me."

"Yeah, sure. I'll keep that in mind," Jongin says, and Sehun feels the hand tapping his shoulder seems heavy. "I'm gonna be late for part-time so I'll head out first. See you later."

"Okay," Sehun replies half-heartedly. He looks at the shoes Jongin is wearing.

It's not their couple shoes.

*

"Sehun, let's grab some lunch! I'm starving."

After shoving his stuff inside, Sehun closes the door of his locker to reveal Baekhyun's smiling face beside him. They walk together along the busy hallway packed with students, heading out to the university.

"Where do you wanna eat?"

"I don't know, you suggest," Baekhyun shrugs, grinning, "I just got back and I don't know new restaurants around here."

"Ah! There's this place I know across the university. They serve the best pizza, I swear," Sehun says. "Kyungsoo treated lunch there once and I'm sure you're gonna love it."

"Okay, as long as you're paying!"

This is nice, Sehun thinks, having Baekhyun beside him and seeing him all day. It's like they went back to how they were before in high school when there's just the two of them together, no Chanyeol, no Student Council. It feels just like before when Baekhyun has nothing aside from him, and he has nothing aside from Baekhyun.

"How's your classes?" Sehun asks, "Does it feel nice going back to university again?"

"The professors are still the same and I don't have any problem with my classes because I'm with you in one of them," Baekhyun says, elbowing him, "Though it feels different now because I'm not seeing Chanyeol sunbae in our department." He sighs sadly. "I miss him already."

"You know what."

"What?"

Sehun talks about being patient because patience is a virtue and all that shit when Baekhyun sees a familiar face among the crowd. Looking at the male walking alone, he stops on his tracks that Sehun almost bumps at him.

"Oh, it's Luhan hyung," Baekhyun says. He lifts his arm and waves, calling him. "Hey! Luhan hyung! Luhan!"

Hearing someone calling his name, Luhan looks around him, and he finally notices Baekhyun jumping excitedly while waving at him. He smiles, waiting for the two to approach him.

"Are your classes done already?" Baekhyun asks.

"Yeah, I was about to go home now," Luhan answers. "Why?"

"Sehun and I are eating pizza together," Baekhyun says, smiling. " Do you wanna join us?"

Luhan looks at Sehun who just shrugs at him.

"Sure," Luhan replies.

He doesn't realize they have arrived at the pizza parlor because through out the walk, he was behind the two listening to their animated conversation. Seems like Sehun became suddenly talkative now that he's with Baekhyun as though he's not running out of things to talk about.

"I want Hawaiian," Baekhyun says to the cashier. He suddenly remembers Chanyeol buying it for him when he was still in New York.

"Pepperoni with extra hot sauce," Luhan and Sehun both say.

"Oh, you want Pepperoni with extra hot sauce, too?" Luhan asks in amusement, looking at Sehun who nods furiously in response. Baekhyun suddenly cringes at the thought of spicy foods. He can't eat them because Chanyeol won't eat them.

"This is like, the best among the menu," Sehun says, taking a big bite of his pizza, "Especially with anchovies."

"I know, right," Luhan agrees while he laughs, pouring a excessive amount of hot sauce on his slice.

Eating two pizzas in one go, Luhan suddenly chokes on it when he swallowed a whole anchovy. Coughing, he pounds on his chest like he's about to cry. Baekhyun's eyes widen while he looks for a glass of water, but Sehun is quick to get it first to give it to Luhan.

"You all right?" Sehun asks worriedly as he soothes Luhan's back. He hands him a tissue to wipe the pizza residue off the side of his lips.

Baekhyun just watches them.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks for the water."

"Why are you eating furiously anyway!? It's not like you wouldn't have enough pizza for you."

"But it's so delicious and I was so hungry..."

"Then you should eat more slowly. You'd get indigestion if you eat like that."

"Fine, I'm sorry, okay?"

"God, why are you so childish for your age?"

"Excuse me? I'm still young?"

Then a smile secretly forms on his lips.

"Where are you going?" Sehun asks Baekhyun, noticing him suddenly standing up from his seat.

"Oh, I'll just go to the bathroom," Baekhyun answers, and Sehun has no idea why he's sensing something weird about Baekhyun's smile right now. There's like a glint in his eyes, but he chooses to just ignore it. "I have to pee."

"Okay?" Sehun says, lifting an eyebrow. "Don't take long."

Looking around the place and seeing Sehun now resuming eating from a far, Baekhyun hides behind the wall and dials on his phone. He waits for a ring.

"Hello, Mom? Yeah, my classes are done now... I missed you, too.... Mind if I pay you a visit today?"

"And where the hell is he," Sehun mutters as he checks his watch, drumming his fingers on the table. It has been fifteen minutes since Baekhyun went to the bathroom and this is already his third pizza. "Did he get diarrhea or something?"

"Why don't you call him," Luhan says after a satisfied burp.

Sehun is about to get his phone on the table when it vibrates first, indicating a new message.

From: Baekhyun

Sehun! It was an emergency! Mommy kidnapped me and took me to the salon with her. ㅠㅠ Have fun with Luhan hyung, okay!

*

To be continued.