Title: What Happened to Baekhyun
Pairing: Chanyeol/Baekhyun
Rating: M
Genre: Horror, Smut, Psychological Thriller
Word Count: 4.7k words

Summary: Chanyeol didn't believe in things like superstitions, ghosts, evil spirits, paranormal entities, and such. Not until it happened. It has been a few months since Baekhyun's behavior started changing.

Notes: Trigger warning. This story contains disturbing content. Read at your own risk. Happy Halloween!

*

Chanyeol didn't believe in things like superstitions, ghosts, evil spirits, paranormal entities, and such. He considers himself an ordinary person ever since he was young. He grew up in a normal family and has had his fair share of relationships before settling down at the age of thirty. It was after he completed his military service when he met a lovely man named Byun Baekhyun who was working in a bookstore at that time. Right then and there, as cliche as it sounds, he fell in love with the man the moment their hands overlapped on top of the book he randomly bought out of impulse, enthralled by Baekhyun's beauty.

Aside from being attractive and smart, Baekhyun was naturally a gentle and kind-hearted person. To Chanyeol, he is the embodiment of an angel, with his sweet smile, charming personality, and good heart that is forever compassionate towards friends, family, and him, his partner. Chanyeol didn't hesitate to ask Baekhyun's hand for marriage after dating for two years; he just knew they were destined to be with each other. There was nothing he could ask for when Baekhyun said yes to his proposal. He was the happiest and luckiest man in the world. Still in a newlywed phase, approximately one year of living together under one roof, he feels everyday was a blessing and full of love.

Chanyeol didn't believe in things like superstitions, ghosts, evil spirits, paranormal entities, and such.

Not until it happened.

It has been a few months since Baekhyun's behavior started changing. The cause of this is unknown. Chanyeol doesn't want to acknowledge it at first, but an old woman whom he coincidentally met in a subway proclaiming she was a shaman stirred his belief. She said things like doppelgangers and possessed after doing some 'psychometry' on him. It was totally ridiculous, Chanyeol knew, but the last string of hope and rationality he had all crumbled down as it started making sense, bit by bit, day by day, living with Baekhyun.

He concluded that Baekhyun must be possessed by an evil spirit.

His husband is not his husband anymore.

What happened to Baekhyun?

Now that he thinks about it, If Chanyeol was to exactly pinpoint the root of Baekhyun's 'change', it was after that night when the two of them had a major fight. Their decisions clashed about getting a new house. Chanyeol wanted a bigger place in the city while Baekhyun wanted to remain living in the suburbs, staying in a smaller house in peace. Baekhyun said they could work together in a community office but Chanyeol didn't want that. He wanted to give Baekhyun the luxury he deserved, traveling abroad, and trying out things they haven't done before.

After they argued, Baekhyun left and drove to his parents' house. Chanyeol didn't chase after him as he allowed their heads to cool down. Baekhyun came home three days later, apologizing, saying he was wrong, and agreeing with Chanyeol's decision as a supportive husband. They reconciled after that, made love like there was no tomorrow, and promised to be with each other through ups and downs.

And that's where Chanyeol finds himself currently, living with Baekhyun in their new abode in Seoul. Chanyeol works in an insurance company while Baekhyun stays at home as a freelance writer. He has loved books since then. There was nothing extravagant about their life but at least, to Chanyeol, they were closer to being modern and advanced.

Several days passed and everything was going smoothly until Chanyeol suddenly thought about Baekhyun's over-enthusiasm to leave. He guessed he was just too happy to realize that it was strange for Baekhyun to rush their move-out. It was only a week after they made up when Baekhyun said he wanted to see Seoul already. He said he would love to go shopping and sightseeing. He said he was so excited to go clubbing and drink alcohol.

Chanyeol was surprised because Baekhyun wouldn't normally say stuff like this. But they did all of Baekhyun's wishes anyway. It happened soon. They packed up, moved out, and found a place to live, faster than deciding about it before. They went on a romantic date and partied like crazy at night. Chanyeol didn't know Baekhyun could be such a hot mess? It was like Baekhyun transformed into a sexy beast. He was all over him, making out with him that they even did it in the club's bathroom. When they got home past midnight, they didn't even make it past the bedroom, fucking in the kitchen in their intoxicated state, and fucking in the shower like they were horny teenagers.

It was very unexpected, but Chanyeol liked this kind of Baekhyun.

Or so he thought.

Not that Chanyeol minded but Baekhyun was always hungry for sex. Baekhyun wanted to fuck on every chance they could get. It was steamy and rough, and Chanyeol was on cloud nine. Sex with him was fucking blissful. But when Chanyeol would miss how they made love back in their old home, passionately and gently, it was as if Baekhyun would be frequently out of it. He wouldn't be in the mood for it. He wouldn't kiss him like he used to before, nor call out his name lovingly. Baekhyun would fall asleep right away and that was it.

Chanyeol brushed this off his mind, thinking Baekhyun must be exhausted at those instances whenever he wanted to make love. Just like that one night, they celebrated their dating anniversary. After fucking, Baekhyun fell asleep first. So Chanyeol just cuddled with his little angel, muttering I love you to him but he never heard it back. Baekhyun was gone the next morning when Chanyeol woke up. He then received a text that Baekhyun went shopping and he was asking to be picked up in the mall because he didn't want to hail a cab.

Recently, Baekhyun also seemed to be so fond of living in Seoul that he'd also leave the house, going out somewhere, then returning late at night with dirty hands and nails, full of soil and mud. He reasoned he started a new hobby which was gardening, so Chanyeol had nothing to be concerned about. He clarified that he was not cheating. He was planting, and as proof of that, he brought home vegetables he said he grew himself.

Chanyeol ignored this activity and it was suddenly the day of his birthday.

Baekhyun prepared a birthday surprise for him It was such a spectacular event. Baekhyun gave him the most expensive watch he said he was saving up for this day. Chanyeol loved the present of course, and he kissed Baekhyun, thankful for the gift and also grateful for having such a sweet husband in his life.

When Chanyeol thought this would be another fresh start to their perfect relationship, he was wrong.

A few weeks later, the next weird thing occurred. This could be the beginning of Baekhyun doing peculiar and questionable things Chanyeol couldn't explain.

What has Baekhyun been doing?

Once or thrice a week, Baekhyun would wake up in the middle of the night, just standing beside their bed, doing nothing, staring at Chanyeol as he slept. His eyes were dull as if they were lifeless, trained down at his unconscious husband who was sleeping under the sheets.

It would last for two hours the longest, and then Baekhyun would return lying down on the bed beside Chanyeol again, closing his eyes and falling back to sleep.

Chanyeol didn't notice this unusual behavior the first time it happened. He found out about it later when he woke up at 1 am, feeling the urge to pee. As he got up, he didn't feel his husband's presence beside him. It was dark so what he did was feel the space next to him. But it was cold and empty.

"Baekhyun?" he called out at that time, but he only heard heavy breathing and the silent ticking of the clock. When he looked up, he suddenly saw Baekhyun in his pajamas, standing straight a foot away from the bed, staring at him blankly, face expressionless, not smiling, not blinking, not saying anything either, as if he was a soulless object.

That surprised Chanyeol, of course. But he only chuckled and asked Baekhyun what the matter was. Was he thirsty? Hungry? Baekhyun didn't say a word, so Chanyeol went on his business in the toilet.

When he came out after flushing, Baekhyun was gone. Baekhyun didn't go back to sleep. He was not standing on the foot of the bed. He was nowhere in sight.

But instead, Baekhyun was behind the door, standing creepily close to him, that Chanyeol almost mistook him for a ghost.

"Fuck," he cursed and clutched his chest, eyes wide. Although he was shocked, he laughed it off because it was supposed to be funny. Baekhyun could be playing a prank on him at this ungodly hour. How naughty. "Let's go back to sleep, come on."

Baekhyun didn't react when Chanyeol hugged him in his arms, kissing his forehead and spooning him from behind. Baekhyun only stared at the wall, a mysterious eerie smile forming on his mouth which Chanyeol was unaware of.

The next morning, Chanyeol asked Baekhyun about what happened last night, telling him about the stupid prank he did to him, but Baekhyun said he didn't remember anything and that Chanyeol must be dreaming. Chanyeol didn't press on that matter anymore, as Baekhyun, out of nowhere, knelt under the table and gave him a morning blowjob. Who was Chanyeol to decline that?

A few nights after this incident, Baekhyun's getting-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-routine escalated into something more bizarre.

Chanyeol thought this was over, but then Baekhyun began sleepwalking and grabbing things. He'd move around the house and put stuff in his hands, throwing them to the floor.

One night while Baekhyun slept-walk, Chanyeol woke up because of the loud crashing noise caused by Baekhyun breaking a vase at 2 am. Baekhyun snapped out of it and apologized. He said he was just having a nightmare. The next night after, he did it again, but this time he was holding a knife and swaying it in the air. Chanyeol stopped Baekhyun before he could hurt himself, hid the knives, and carried him back to the bedroom.

Baekhyun cried and said someone was staring at him in the window, that was why he got a knife to protect himself. Chanyeol consoled him, embraced him, assuring him that he was fine and that he was only having a bad dream.

Several days passed after Baekhyun's sinister nightmares, Baekhyun got up again in the middle of the night, but he was not standing up unlike before and not staring at Chanyeol as he slept. He was not sleepwalking and holding a knife either.

Instead, he was sitting on the floor, hugging his knees, rocking himself back and forth, and staring at himself in the mirror. He was humming a sad lullaby while smiling darkly, laughing from time to time it sounded creepy.

At exactly 3:33 in the morning, he went back to bed, snuggled himself next to Chanyeol, and wrapped his arms around his husband's waist, muttering in a low voice:

"I love you."

Chanyeol pretended to sleep all throughout, even though he was completely bothered, feeling Baekhyun's hands against his skin which were seemingly turning colder than before.

And then the next concerning thing happened.

Chanyeol thought it was just a coincidence or it was only a small mistake, but Baekhyun started being forgetful. It became worrisome at this point that Chanyeol could not leave Baekhyun alone.

On a specific day, Baekhyun wouldn't remember simple things like locking the bathroom door when he was taking a dump, turning off the faucet or the stove, bringing money with him when grocery shopping. It progressed into big things like forgetting how to drive or even worse, not wearing any clothes before going out of the house.

It was crazy because the next day after this happened to him, Baekhyun would go back to his normal self, and again, telling Chanyeol he couldn't remember any of these happening.

Chanyeol suspected it might be a medical condition. Baekhyun could be suffering early stages of dementia. So with a heavy heart, he brought Baekhyun to a doctor to examine his physical and mental condition. But the results were all normal. Baekhyun was completely fine and healthy. Baekhyun even said he was the crazy one here for thinking there must be something wrong with him.

At this rate, Chanyeol began doubting himself. Probably it was him all along who was tripping all this time? He must be so stressed out from his job that he has been hallucinating things? Thinking Baekhyun had changed into something he really isn't?

But it proved himself wrong when Baekhyun, once again, showed inhumane and frightening behavior. It was plain heartbreaking yet horrifying.

One afternoon when Chanyeol got off early from work, he caught Baekhyun at home not lazing on the couch nor working on his laptop.

But he caught Baekhyun in a very strange position, with his hands and knees on the floor as if he was a dog waiting for its owner. Baekhyun was crawling, slouched in the corner of the kitchen like he was reaching for something underneath the counter. Feeling confused seeing his husband in this odd state, Chanyeol approached him and peeked at him.

"Babe, what are you doing?"

Baekhyun didn't answer. He only stayed in that appalling stance, his back facing Chanyeol.

"Baekhyun, hey. Can you stand up?"

As Chanyeol called out Baekhyun's name once again, the man turned around, and right then and there, Chanyeol was absolutely mortified.

Baekhyun had his mouth full of cockroaches.

He was munching them so disgustingly, eating those fucking insects while he glared at Chanyeol in the eyes. Some cockroaches are even slipping out of Baekhyun's mouth and falling off the floor, with a black sticky liquid dripping down his jaw. This sight was so unbearably disturbing and terrifying, that Chanyeol could only hold himself back from vomiting on the spot.

"Fuck!!! Spit that out!"

Chanyeol took Baekhyun to the bathroom to get the dirty contents out of his mouth and wash his face. He got all the cockroaches and flushed them in the toilet. He brushed Baekhyun's teeth, made him gargle tons of mouthwash and oral antiseptic.

He was already crying and sobbing as he held Baekhyun in his arms, asking what happened, what was wrong, was he out of his mind? Why would he do such a horrible thing?

"Because I was hungry."

That was only Baekhyun's response.

Chanyeol took a leave from work because of this petrifying incident to look after Baekhyun at home. Baekhyun said he was okay and there was nothing to worry about. He didn't even get sick anyway. He was completely fine. Maybe he was just undergoing a culture shock after moving to Seoul, that was why he mistook insects as food.

What? Chanyeol didn't buy that excuse. Of course, he didn't. He knew something was wrong with Baekhyun and it was definitely not normal. Baekhyun was refusing to admit it. He insisted he was fine and there was nothing to worry about. And he proved it, because, within two weeks, nothing strange happened. He was back to his normal self again.

But Chanyeol's suspicions continued to rise. Although he showed Baekhyun he was "not interested" anymore about the odd events recently, he secretly spied on him, investigating his actions, seeing for himself if what that shaman told him about Baekhyun being possessed by a demon and that he was living with a doppelganger was actually real or just plain bullshit.

Because why would Baekhyun turn out like this if he was his real husband?

Why would he act differently? Why was he often craving for sex? Why wasn't he being affectionate anymore? Was gardening really his new hobby? Why was he waking up in the middle of the night for no reason? Why was he sleepwalking, breaking stuff, and holding a knife? Why was he singing and laughing that night? Why was he forgetting things?

And most importantly, why was he eating cockroaches at that time?

So one day when Baekhyun went out on a meeting with his editor, Chanyeol stayed at home, looking through his husband's stuff. He made sure to lock the door of their masters' bedroom just in case Baekhyun might come back earlier than expected.

With his heart on his throat and his chest pounding nervously, Chanyeol began searching for answers in the house. Any proof. He didn't know what he'd find. An evil relic? A spellbook? A demonic item? He's fucking scared and clueless, and maybe a little bat-shit crazy, but he yearns to know the truth.

Is this still Baekhyun, the man he loved and married, he's living with? Or is it a demon who possessed Baekhyun's body for an unknown reason?

Conducting his search, there was nothing peculiar in Baekhyun's drawers. No weird books on his shelves either. Under the bed, in the garage, in the fridge, under the sink, in the bathroom, in the living room--there was nothing extraordinary.

Chanyeol found himself returning to their bedroom, cursing himself for being insanely stupid. He was about to give up when he smelled an unfamiliar scent.

A putrid, unpleasant stench came from the closet.

Without hesitation, he opened the closet, looked through under their clothes, and that was when the smell became stronger. It was as if there was rotten flesh and dead rats hidden inside.

He felt dizzy and nauseous, covering his nose and mouth. This horrendous smell wasn't here before, how come it only evaporated just now? Like it had been wanting to purposely get noticed by him?

Digging in deeper, Chanyeol sunk his hand under the towels and poked aimlessly, reaching for something hard and smooth. It was a jar buried in the pile of clothes, so he pulled it and took it out.

"What the fuck!" he screeched in horror, hands shaking. Is this even real?!

Just like what he imagined, there was a dead thing inside the jar, maggots feasting on its decaying body. It was a big, dirty rodent found in the sewers in the jar, with fleas, worms, and cockroaches coming out of its opened stomach. It was dreadfully gross. He felt his eyes getting sore.

"Chanyeol, what are you doing?"

The hairs in the back of Chanyeol's neck all stood up, hearing Baekhyun's unusually low voice behind him.

He turned around, trembling, that he even collapsed on the floor, seeing Baekhyun, his husband, standing mighty by the door.

"H-how did you get inside? What is this!" he stuttered like an idiot he could piss his pants.

Baekhyun just smiled innocently, walking in his direction.

"Oh, that? That's my fertilizer. And I had a spare key so I opened the door."

Chanyeol's mind went totally blank. That is not a fertilizer, for pete's sake. This is fucking dirt, a piece of decomposing waste, and anyone who'd keep this kind of disturbing thing is definitely sick in the head.

"Why did you lock the room anyway? Are you hiding something from me?"

Chanyeol knew it. This is not Baekhyun.

"Babe, I'm asking you. Why were you touching my things?"

This is not Baekhyun all along.

But instead of asking where's Beekhyun, what did you do to him, who are you, is my husband still alive, Chanyeol could only swallow his fear and muster enough courage. He clenched his fist, forcing a crooked smile although he was already cowering in fear deep inside. The way this 'Baekhyun' looked at him sent shivers down his spine as if he could read his mind.

"I... I smelled something bad in our room so I took it out. You should've put your fertilizer in the garden and not here."

"I thought you'd get angry about it so I hid it in our closet. I'm sorry. Will you forgive me?"

As Baekhyun kissed his lips that night, Chanyeol was on the verge of puking in pure disgust. Sharing a bed with this creature made his skin crawl, but it felt undeniably good being inside him. Words aren't enough to describe how pleasurable sex with him was. They fucked from dusk until dawn like crazy, and maybe Chanyeol felt a pinch of guilt and misery, having sex with someone or something he knew was probably not his husband. He is the lowest of the lowest, but what can he do? If his inkling was right, that this monster was not Baekhyun all along, what would be his next move?

When 'Baekhyun' fell asleep after they got frisky, Chanyeol got out of bed and quickly made up his mind.

He's going to kill this being, whatever it is.

In the darkness, Chanyeol slipped out of the bedroom and went to the kitchen. He got the knife, the same very knife Baekhyun used when he was sleepwalking. Clutching the sharp object behind his back as he stood across his husband who was sleeping peacefully, Chanyeol watched him silently, staring at his angelic face as he's tucked on the bed, sleeping defenselessly.

And then Chanyeol feels tears falling from his eyes.

Their beautiful memories all went flashing back in his mind. The first time he and Baekhyun met, he remembered their first awkward conversations, their first romantic date, the day of their wedding, and their wonderful honeymoon. He remembered Baekhyun's pretty smiles, kind laughs, and warm hands, his soft voice, and his adorable cute face. He recalled their petty arguments and mindblowing make-up sex, and their dreams together they promised to fulfill until they grew old.

No, he can't kill his husband. He can never kill Baekhyun, his one and only, his gentle and beautiful lover, who has been always there for him, giving light to his life and bringing him happiness.

If Baekhyun would be gone, how is he supposed to live? If Baekhyun was dead, would he get through living in this house alone without someone by his side, taking care of him, having sex with him, and making him happy everyday?

Did Baekhyun do anything wrong in the first place anyway? Did Baekhyun even hurt him? Did Baekhyun even try to kill him?

Why would he kill Baekhyun just because he has changed a little?

"....Babe?"

Baekhyun stirred in his sleep, rubbing his eyes and looking at his husband who was awake and standing beside him.

"Chanyeol, what is it? Is something wrong?"

Chanyeol stepped back, still holding the knife behind him. He shook his head and grinned.

"No, baby. It's nothing. Go back to sleep."

The way Baekhyun smirked at him eased Chanyeol's burdens and worries as if his husband was telling him he did a good job, and that he made the right decision.

It was better this way, after all.

Their lives went back to normal after Chanyeol accepted everything. They became happier. Acceptance is all that he needed. He didn't ask Baekhyun anymore about his strange habits. He didn't complain anymore about the strong stench in the house. After all, Baekhyun is normal. He's completely fine just like he said. Baekhyun is his husband and there is nothing that could change that.

So when Baekhyun would come home after gardening with his dirty hands and feet, Chanyeol would let that slide. He also wouldn't mind Baekhyun bringing fertilizers in a jar and hiding them in the closet as long as it made Baekhyun happy.

So when Baekhyun would wake up in the middle of the night, staring at him beside the bed, holding a knife, breaking stuff, rocking himself on the floor, humming a tune, and laughing at midnight while looking in the mirror, Chanyeol would just ignore it. As long as Baekhyun wouldn't stab himself to death, then it's fine. Baekhyun would go back to sleep after two hours anyway and he'd completely forget what happened the next morning.

So when Baekhyun would eat cockroaches because he was hungry, as long as he'd brush his teeth and clean his mouth thoroughly, Chanyeol would have no problems with it. As long as Baekhyun wouldn't get sick and stay healthy enough for the two of them to have sex at night, it's totally alright. After all, Baekhyun becomes more amazing in bed after consuming something extraordinary. He'd be more willing to buy him more cockroaches in the local pet store if Baekhyun asked him to.

Chanyeol didn't believe in things like superstitions, ghosts, evil spirits, paranormal entities, and such. He considers himself an ordinary person ever since he was young. He grew up in a normal family and has had his fair share of relationships before settling down at the age of thirty.

Why would he believe such nonsense things? A little change is normal. He and Baekhyun, they were just an ordinary couple, after all.

*

"When will you come home? It has been a year since the car accident happened. Won't you at least pay your respects to his family?"

"I told you, I'm not coming. I don't need to go there. It's complete nonsense, and I don't get what accident you were talking about all this time."

"Chanyeol, son... I heard everything from your doctor and I know it's been hard for you, but this is not the right way to-"

"Mom, I'm busy. I'm actually driving right now. I have plans with Baekhyun today and we're going to the beach."

"Oh, dear... Chanyeol, please. Don't do this... Are you still blaming yourself for starting the fight? We told you, it's not your fault... Please, honey... It's time to move on and forget..."

"Forget what? You know what, Mom, I'm hanging up."

"Listen to me, leave Seoul right now and come home, it's not good living alone in that state-"

"Seriously, bye now. I'll just call you later."

After ending the call, Chanyeol smiled at Baekhyun and held his hand, intertwining their fingers as he drove down the highway at a steady speed.

"What should we do at the beach?"

"Aside from swimming, I wanna collect some crabs and seashells!"

"Pfft. Haha. Seashells and crabs this time?"

"Yeah. I'm sick of the pebbles in our backyard. Also, I wanna eat something more delicious this time."

"I see that your appetite's been increasing a lot lately?"

"Mm-hm. Sex consumes a lot of energy, you know."

Chanyeol slowed down driving, seeing a checkpoint on the way before leaving the city boundary. There are police outside, waving red blinking batons and inspecting vehicles and drivers. He completely stopped when it was his turn.

"Excuse me, Sir. What happened here?" Chanyeol asked the officer who peeked at the window beside Baekhyun.

"The road is blocked because of the ongoing construction. Where are you headed?"

"To the beach."

"And you're traveling alone?"

"No, I'm not alone, Sir."

"Oh, so you have a convoy with you? Traveling with friends, perhaps?"

The man looked behind Chanyeol's car, seeing a cargo truck delivering fish instead.

Squeezing his husband's hand, Chanyeol smiles at Baekhyun next to him who's sitting in the passenger seat.

"No. I'm with my partner, obviously."

"Uh, Okay," The officer gave Chanyeol a judgmental and indifferent look, but then he continued anyway. "If you're going to the beach, I suggest you take the next route. You can't pass here. Make a U-turn and go the other way."

"Will it take us longer?"

"Yeah, but it's more convenient."

"Oh, alright, then. Is that okay with you, babe?"

Baekhyun nods at him, "Yep. Fine with me."

"Are you sure? I didn't bring any snacks for a long trip, though."

"It's fine. We could just buy some in a convenience store along the way. And I brought the jar with me just in case I got hungry."

The officer only stared at Chanyeol who's smiling and staring in dead silence for a certain reason. He sighed, took off his cap, before asking him seriously:

"Excuse me, Mister. But are you perhaps drunk?"

"No. I'm completely sober," Chanyeol answered. "Why?"

"We didn't drink though," Baekhyun added.

Seeing an airpod stuck in Chanyeol's ear, the police officer just laughed and scratched his nape. He wore his cap again and stepped back, waving his baton as a sign for Chanyeol to go.

"Alright then, have a safe trip."

As Chanyeol's car drove off, the police officer shook his head, staring ahead at the road, still bewildered.

"For a second, I thought he was talking to someone in the passenger's seat."

*

END