Title: By The Oak Tree
Pairing: Chanyeol/Baekhyun
Rating: PG
Genre: Fluff, Humor, Failed Tragedy

Summary: Chanyeol is the bae next door, Baekhyun is the nanny, and Kyungsoo is the rich evil grandmother who hinders their love.

(A/N: For all my Filipino readers (or not), this is a ChanBaek Version of... I won't tell you. You'll know when you read! Hahaha.

I'm sorry for this and enjoy reading!)

*

It's Saturday morning and Baekhyun is sad.

He sighs deeply, hopeful eyes scanning the backyard for a certain tall male. For about two hours, he has been waiting by the small window of the room in hopes to catch a single glimpse of his boyfriend, Chanyeol, their handsome neighbor he hasn't met in person before. He has never spoken to him, let alone gotten near the boy to at least touch his hand or hear his voice. The only way they can talk to each other is through the window of Kyungsoo's room by using a sketchpad and a marker as their means of communication.

Not that Baekhyun is born deaf, nor Chanyeol is, it's just that Kyungsoo, Baekhyun's not-so-real stern grandmother ahjumma whom he is taking care of until now, is not in favor of their romantic relationship. The old woman would always lock the window, door, and gate so that Baekhyun couldn't go outside to meet his passionate lover. She's the wrecker, the Obstructor, the evil stepmother, the antagonist, the Maleficent, the bad villain, in the hero's and heroine's blossoming love towards each other. She is doing all possible ways under the sun to stop Chanyeol in professing his love for Kyungsoo's nanny slash grandson.

But Chanyeol is not determined to give up, because he promised Baekhyun forever. He truly loves Baekhyun so much, and Baekhyun loves him, too. Against all odds, they will fight for their undying feelings no matter what.

So that is why Baekhyun is here by the window, patiently waiting for his boyfriend to show up for their first monthsary together. Biting on his lower lip, he presses a palm against the foggy window as he waits. Kyungsoo isn't home yet, she is with her triplet sisters Jongdae and Junmyeon, having a coffee date on Starbucks, and Baekhyun is quite thankful for that although the bad ahjumma left him locked inside the house alone after shoving the key inside her panties.

"Where are you, Chanyeol.." Baekhyun mutters gloomily, clutching his sketchpad against his chest. "Did you forget it's 27 today.."

Baekhyun can still recall the day they started to date. Chanyeol serenaded him with his guitar under the moonlight, singing a song Baekhyun had no idea what it was. But, even if he couldn't hear what Chanyeol sang that time, Baekhyun was positive it was a love song for him, and the look in Chanyeol's beautiful eyes staring back at him that night, made Baekhyun to say yes, falling in love with him, doubtless.

Will you be mine tonight until forever, Baekhyun?

Yes, Chanyeol. I am now yours.

With a wide smile on his face, Baekhyun had hugged his sketchpad that night during sleep, until Kyungsoo grabbed it tomorrow morning, only to burn it on the fireplace. Baekhyun had to buy a new one because of that.

Sighing for the umpteenth time and thinking about giving up already, Baekhyun startles with the sound of a rock being thrown at the window. He turns his head, looking down at the backyard to spot the person he's been waiting for.

And then right then and there, he sees Chanyeol.

Heart beating fast with a blush on the apples of his cheeks, Baekhyun brightly smiles like his face would crack into two as he waves at his lover. Chanyeol waves back at him, also smiling widely while he scratches the back of his neck shyly. He is standing on the ground, neck craning up to meet Baekhyun's gaze as he holds a big notebook:

Sorry, I'm late. I had to run an errand for my mother. I hope you're not mad at me.

Baekhyun shakes his head, eyes twinkling as he scribbles on his sketchpad:

No, it's okay. I'm not mad at you. I'm actually happy that you are here now.

Chanyeol heartily chuckles, and Baekhyun wonders what his voice sounds like.

Me, too. I'm glad to see you, Baekhyun. Happy Monthsary. ❤

Happy Monthsary to you, too. ❤

Baekhyun puts down his sketchpad and stands by the window to face Chanyeol who is still looking at his eyes like Baekhyun means the world to him. Beaming ear-to-ear, Chanyeol presses his lips against his palm, before blowing it in the air for a flying kiss directed at Baekhyun. Baekhyun reaches for the kiss, grabbing it in the air with his hand as he puts it on his mouth, kissing it as well.

Looking at his cute boyfriend, Chanyeol laughs, getting his notebook and marker again to write:

Did you like my kiss?

Baekhyun nods, flashing his own sketchpad.

I wish I could get the real one, though.

Chanyeol is quite taken aback by that, as he is looking up to Baekhyun with a smile no longer on his mouth. There is sadness in his eyes, and Baekhyun can feel his heart suddenly clench at the sight.

Hey. Are you okay, Chanyeol?

Yes, I'm fine. I'm just... sad. :(

Why?

Because I want to meet you so bad, I want to hold you close and hear your voice..

Baekhyun's hand grips the marker a little bit tighter as he stares down at his lover ten meters away from him, a glass and a big tree separating between them. Chanyeol is locking gaze with him as he gets something behind his back, stretching it to the air as if Baekhyun could reach what he is giving.

Baekhyun wants to cry.

It's a red rose.

His heart melts.

"Chanyeol.." Baekhyun softly whispers, and Chanyeol clearly sees how his lover's lips move when he mutters his name. He wishes he could hear that with his own ears, though.

Baekhyun writes again on his sketchpad slowly, so Chanyeol waits, red rose still in hand.

We will meet each other in person, right?

Of course, we will.

I want to hold you, too. And hear your voice, and touch your hand and feel your hugs.. I bet they are also warm just like your smiles.

Don't lose hope, Baekhyun. I won't give up, so we can be together soon.

Chanyeol smiles, before he adds:

I love you so much.

Baekhyun looks down on his lap, avoiding Chanyeol's eye contact as he happily smiles to himself. He is writing his reply to his boyfriend when he hears a sudden thud on the door.

His heartbeat stops, worry written across his face.

"Well, well, well," Kyungsoo, clad in a bright red dress with a small hat on her hair says as she shakes her head. "So this is what you are doing all the time when I was gone, hm, Baekhyun?"

Eyes widening, Baekhyun clutches his pad close to his arms, sinking himself into the corner of the window as Kyungsoo paces forward with an unamused eyebrow lifted.

"You're talking with that peasant again!!!" she yells, crossing her arms over her chest as she peers down at Chanyeol who is now glaring daggers at her. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop this nonsense relationship! You're so stubborn!"

"B-but.. Grandma Soo.." Baekhyun says, tearing a bit. "Chanyeol is--"

"Stop! I don't want to hear your explanations!" She walks over to the window and unlocks the padlocks with her key, letting the fresh air drift into the room. Baekhyun is about to step to get a view of Chanyeol, but the ahjumma holds a hand in front of him as she says, "Stay back there. Don't even try to move."

Baekhyun helplessly nods, obeying his grandma.

"And you!" Kyungsoo calls, voice raising as she points at Chanyeol down the backyard. "Stop wooing my grandson, you good-for-nothing creature! I am not giving my blessings to you, nor to the both of you! Go home!"

"I WON'T GIVE UP!" Chanyeol shouts out loud, earning the attention of the passersby but he doesn't care at all. "I WILL DO ANYTHING FOR BAEKHYUN! I WILL FIGHT FOR HIM!"

Baekhyun's heart jumps, hearing his lover's voice for the first time. It's deep and rich, very firm as it send tingles into Baekhyun's eardrums. He wants to yell too, tell him he loves Chanyeol very much, that he will fight for Chanyeol like how Chanyeol does for him.

"Really? Anything?" Kyungsoo asks, eyes enlarging creepily. Chanyeol nods eagerly as if his head would fall off.

"Well then," she clicks her tongue, "I want you to play with my Rogelio's."

Baekhyun shoots up to his seat. "But Grandma Soo! That's too much! Don't do this to Chanyeol!"

"Shut up!" Kyungsoo hisses, rolling her eyes at her nanny. "Or else I'll lock you inside the bathroom!"

The old woman turns to Chanyeol, smirking. "So peasant, will you play with my Rogelio's or not?"

PLAY. Chanyeol writes on his notebook.

"Okay, if that's what you want," Kyungsoo says, chuckling evilly. She leans in to the window and hollers, "Rogelio, Rogelio, Rogelio!!!"

Three tall brown dobermans line up in front of Chanyeol, their eyes red as their ears perk up. Chanyeol gulps nervously, stepping back when the dogs let out a growling sound, sharp teeth showing as they smile.

"Play with Chanyeol, now!"

When the dogs step forward, Chanyeol starts to run for dear life.

"AAAAAAHHHH!!!!" Chanyeol screams, running down the street as fast as he could while the dogs loudly bark at him, chasing him away. The panting boy dashes rapidly when one of the dog almost grabs his leg.

Watching the scene, Baekhyun's heart is thundering inside his chest as he prays Chanyeol could go back home safely, and he heaves a deep sigh of relief, seeing Chanyeol entering his house, slamming the door shut with the dog barking in front of his doorstep.

"Serves him right, hahahahaha!" Kyungsoo darkly guffaws, breaking into a wide grin as she laughs victoriously. Baekhyun wants to cry in anger and hurt at the same time.

"Why are you like this, Grandma Soo.." Baekhyun says, looking at his lap. "Don't you want me to be happy?"

Kyungsoo furrows her eyebrows. "I want the best for you, Baekhyun. And that Chanyeol-- he is not the best for you."

"But, I love him!"

"Love alone won't make you live!" She yells, eyes widening again. "So stop this ridicule before I send you to FranKris!"

Baekhyun frantically shakes his head. "No, Grandma Soo! Not that guy!" He covers his face with his palm. "I don't want to see FranKris again! I'll obey you, just don't send me to him!"

"Good, very good," the old woman says as she smirks, letting out another creepy snicker as she flaps her red fan. "Stay here in your room and read those books I bought you. I'll call you when dinner is ready."

"Yes, Grandma Soo.." Baekhyun mutters before kissing her grandma's cheek goodbye. He makes a beeline by the window, holding his sketchpad as he longingly stares at Chanyeol's house.

"When can we be finally together, Chanyeol?"

Suddenly, a dove comes pecking the glass of the window with its beak. Feeling a hint of curiosity, Baekhyun walks over the window and lets the bird in, examining its foot which has a paper attached to it wrapped in a golden lace.

"W-what's this?" Baekhyun asks himself, unrolling the paper and reading silently what is written on it.

Baekhyun, 9 o'clock this evening, when you throw out the garbage, I'll be waiting for you by the oak tree.

I hope to see you.

- Your Bae, Chanyeol

Grinning widely, Baekhyun umanly squeals a sound between a flirty grunt and a helpless wail, flailing the paper in the air as he touches his warm reddish cheek. He badly wants to meet Chanyeol already, and this is the perfect chance to see him. There's a feeling of anticipation and fright in his heart at the same time, knowing he would finally meet the love of his life, alongside with the fact that his evil grandmother won't allow this to happen.

So, Baekhyun decides, he will going to sneak out. She shouldn't know about this. It's not like they are going to elope or anything (maybe next time when it deems necessary). They're just going to meet. Where's the harm in that?

This is it. Baekhyun will meet Chanyeol. Tonight.

*

After washing the dishes and tying the garbage bag, Baekhyun heaves a nervous breath, appearing inside the living room. He sees his grandmother who is blinking sleepily in from of the television as her Rogelio's eat greedily on their own bowls of dog food.

Baekhyun clears his throat.

"Uhm, Grandma Soo?"

A breathy groan. "What is it?"

"I-I'll just throw the garbage outside," the boy says, fidgeting. "Will you lend me the door key?"

Turning her head to Baekhyun, Kyungsoo squints her eyes. "Dispose that tomorrow morning. It's already late and dark outside."

"B-but!" Baekhyun's head shoots up.

"Why?"

"Th-there are rotten vegetable peelings a-and spoiled food in here!" Baekhyun argues. "I-I don't want our kitchen to stink nor the rats to pester at night so I need to throw this right away, Grandma Soo!"

Kyungsoi sighs, waving him off. "Fine. If you insist."

Baekhyun tries his best not to break into a wide smile, maintaining his poker face as he follows the ahjumma inside the room to get the key. Even though Baekhyun's hands are itching to just grab the key and run, he patiently waits, gulping, as he watches how Kyungsoo detaches the key of the front door from the key chain.

"Here."

Baekhyun spreads his trembling palm.

"You won't go anywhere, will you?"

"Y-yes," Baekhyun answers, his fingers crossed behind his back. "I'll get inside as soon as I'm finished."

"Okay, I trust you," Kyungsoo says, before finally placing the key on Baekhyun's palm. "Make it quick so you can tend me my arthritis medicine. My back and knees are aching."

"Yes, Grandma Soo."

With hurried feet, Baekhyun runs as fast as he can after he throws the garbage into the nearest dump site. His heart is beating so fast and ringing when he reaches their meeting place-- an old sturdy oak tree, few walks away from the mansion.

"Chanyeol, where are you?" Baekhyun whispers into the air, flattening his palm against the tree bark as he searches for his lover. He leans his back against the trunk, listening to the crickets chirping harmoniously.

Then he sees something.

Looking up above to the dark skies, one by one, he spots a cluster of glimmering fireflies. They are slowly blinking like stars, glowing bodies illuminating against the dark beautifully. Baekhyun smiles, craning his neck up to follow with his eyes the brightest and biggest firefly, gliding its way to the highest part of the tree.

But, his sight suddenly darkens.

Baekhyun can't see anything apart from pitch black. Panic rushes through him, and he's about to shout for help when--

"Did you like it?"

Dug-dug-dug, dug-dug-dug, says Baekhyun's thundering heart inside his chest, ready to jump outside.

"I'm sorry if I made you wait. I had to catch the biggest firefly because it got away when I was putting it inside the jar."

Baekhyun wants to speak, wants to turn around, wants to see Chanyeol right now, but he can't bring himself to do that when he feels numb. His knees feel like jelly, and the butterflies in his stomach are also not helping in his emotional turmoil. This is Chanyeol, the man he loves and he will love, who's now holding him gently, and Baekhyun decides his palm is warm, just like what he imagines it to be.

"I-I want.."

Chanyeol tenses a bit, still covering Baekhyun's eyes as he hears his lover's voice for the first time. He doesn't expect Baekhyun's voice could be this beautiful, let alone his face could be this soft, like he has just heard a heavenly voice of a deity who came down on earth just to prove him that angels do exist, like he has just touched a delicate flower petal that has just bloomed in spring.

Baekhyun is beautiful. All of him is.

"I-I want.. to see you, Chanyeol."

Chanyeol smiles, uncovering Baekhyun's eyes. "As you wish."

And then right then and there, slowly, Baekhyun is turning around to face Chanyeol. He sees a broad chest first, and he doesn't expect his boyfriend could be this tall. A gentle thumb and index finger tilt his chin to meet brown almond orbs, and Baekhyun can clearly see himself being reflected on them. Chanyeol beams, so bright it could battle the moonlight above them. Chanyeol's teeth are white and clean, making him more good-looking than what he is from afar, Baekhyun decides.

"You're so beautiful, Baekhyun," Chanyeol mutters, awestruck, as he circles his thumbs against the apples of his boyfriend's cheeks. Looking directly at Baekhyun's crescent eyes, he says, "My lover is so beautiful.."

Baekhyun blushes, biting his bottom lip as he brings his fingers to touch the hand cupping his face. "You are, too. You're the most handsome person I have ever met. A-and your voice.."

"What about my voice?" Chanyeol curiously asks.

"I-it's so deep.. and thick. It's very soothing," Baekhyun confesses shyly. "I wish I could hear it all day."

"And I wish I could see you all night.."

Chanyeol leans in to Baekhyun's face, nose bumping against nose as he decreases the space between their lips. Closing his eyes, Baekhyun tips his toes, anticipating the warmth on his mouth. He can feel Chanyeol's breath ghosting against his lips, making his heart to pump faster. This will be his first kiss, and he doesn't regret giving it to Chanyeol. He deserves the kiss.

But it doesn't come. Not too soon.

"WHAT IS THIS!!!!!????"

Both part away immediately, shock combined with terror painted on their faces as they turn to the infuriated old lady. Her Rogelio's are lined in front of her, red boring eyes glaring at Chanyeol as they grumble, wrath ready to unleash.

"Grandma Soo!" Baekhyun cries.

"I knew I couldn't trust you, Baekhyun. I was just testing you when I gave you the key!" the woman yells angrily. "And you betrayed me! You disobeyed my words!"

"I-I'm sorry, Grandma Soo, but I love Chanyeol! And I will fight for him!"

Chanyeol steps in, holding Baekhyun behind his back as if protecting him. His lover tightly holds his hand, not planning to let go. "You can't interfere with us anymore, Grandma Soo! I'm taking Baekhyun!"

"What!?" Kyungsoo laughs, shaking her head. "After all those years I raised him, you're just going to take my grandson away!? Who are you to do that, peasant!? WHO ARE YOU TO DO THAT!!!?"

The Rogelio's bark synchronously.

"You can't always have me. I want to be happy, Grandma," Baekhyun says, clutching his lover's shirt in front of him as he peeks behind his back. "And Chanyeol, he is my happiness.."

Kyungsoo stays quiet for a while, watching the couple who are hugging lovingly in front of her. She can feel bile rising up to her throat, because this is disgusting-- love is disgusting. Love ruins everything, and if they want it, she will give it.

"Well then," Clicking her tongue, Kyungsoo says, and both Chanyeol and Baekhyun look up to her. The dogs straighten their stance. "If you want to be together, then I won't oppose anymore."

"Really!?" Baekhyun says, but Chanyeol only furrows his eyebrows.

"Yes, you will be together until the end, won't you?" Kyungsoo smirks. "I love you, Baekhyun. I love you, my grandson." She turns to her growling dogs, gesturing them to ready.

"W-what is this.. Grandma Soo?" Baekhyun asks when the dobermans are stepping nearer to them, mouth salivating as they release horrific grunts. "W-what.."

"You can't do this to us, Grandma Soo!" Chanyeol says, holding Baekhyun securely in his arms. "You won't!"

"Oh, you don't know me, Chanyeol," Kyungsoo says, wide eyes glinting like her dogs. "You've got the wrong tree to bark, you weak puppy."

The tallest dog with the sharpest teeth lets out a howl. The two dogs follow after.

"ROGELIO, ROGELIO, ROGELIO!!!" Kyungsoo shouts on top of her lungs. "Go get them! Bring their heads to me!"

At the mention of the command, the Rogelio's run fast, attacking a defenseless Chanyeol and Baekhyun on the tree. Baekhyun screams.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! NNNNOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!"

"Baekhyun.."

"N-no.. Ch-chanyeol.."

"Baekhyun.. Baek.. Hey, hey, are you alright?"

"Ch-chanyeol.."

"Baekhyun, wake up. Hey."

Baekhyun feels two weak slaps on his cheek, causing him to open his eyes only to see white ceiling.

Is he dead now?

"Am I dead now? Do I still have my head?"

Beside him, Chanyeol snickers. "Why? Did you have a weird dream again?"

Baekhyun heaves a deep sigh of relief, thankful that it's just another nightmare, the most beautiful and worst nightmare of his life. He nods, taking the glass of water Chanyeol gives him before placing it on the night stand after he drinks a few refreshing gulps.

"So, tell me about it," Chanyeol says, amused, as he sits on the edge of Baekhyun's bed. "Promise, I won't laugh."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

"Uh. Okay, so," Baekhyun clears his throat, blushing a little. "In my dream, we were like boyfriends but we couldn't meet in person because my grandmother, Kyungsoo--"

"Seriously? Boyfriends? Dude--"

"I'm not yet done, you shit. Let me finish."

Chanyeol rolls his eyes. "Fine."

"So, Kyungsoo was my evil grandmother who hindered our love but we were not giving up because we," Baekhyun averts his eyes, "were kind of really in love with each other and we decided to meet by an old oak tree--" He looks up to Chanyeol, seeing his best friend attentively listening to him.

"What? Go on, I'm listening."

"You're not thinking I'm just making out things, are you?"

"I guess?"

Baekhyun glares at him. "Asshole!"

"I'm kidding. Please continue, you're a cliffhanger."

The singer clears his throat again. "So we met finally, and you showed me fireflies and that second I really thought that was real because it was really romantic. But anyway, we were about to kiss but Kyungsoo saw us and he, I mean she, ordered her dogs to kill us together and I was like, Nooooo, Chanyeol, don't die!"

"So I was dying that time?"

"Yeah, exactly. The dog bit your neck and there was blood on my hands when I hugged you."

"Ugh, gross," Chanyeol mutters, wrinkling his nose in disgust. "Why did I have to die that tragic? You should sleep again and change your dream. I like your dream last night better, though."

"What was it about?"

Chanyeol chuckles. "It's my favorite so far, you know."

Baekhyun lifts an eyebrow. "I can't remember."

"Well, that was the dream when Sehun was my brother and you were his babysitter, and he was in love with you, and you were like very in love with me but I don't love you because you are not my type but I got pity on you so I dated you--"

"Excuse me!?"

"Oh, oh," Chanyeol grins. "How about your dream about that Student Council thingy, and I was like the President, and you were my Vice President, and we had some thingy going on between us. And I was like, very dominant, and what I did to you on the Student Council room when I got back and you were naked waiting on the bed--"

"OH MY GOD, STOP!" Baekhyun covers his ears, blushing furiously. "I don't want to hear it! That was a horrible nightmare, I swear to god!"

Chanyeol breaks into a fit of laughter. "Why, your dreams are really cool!"

"No! They are all weird!"

"You should sleep again, I want to know what happened next! Did you die, too?"

Baekhyun crosses his arms. "Yeah. So very Romeo and Juliet."

"I hope we at least kissed before we died," Chanyeol mumbles, earning a gag from Baekhyun.

"Dude, that was like, super gay."

"And your dreams are not?"

Baekhyun's face flushes. "I'll dream again where I'd definitely assassinate you."

"And we're going to kiss before you can do that." Chanyeol winks that Baekhyun wants to take his eyeballs off and feed them to the sharks.

A knock on the door, and Kyungsoo's head peeks in. Both males gasp, staring at Kyungsoo's wide eyes glaring at them.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Nothing," Baekhyun says, brushing off Grandma Soo's mental images in his head. "So, what's up?"

"You have a package." Kyungsoo shows him a large box. "This is from your three avid fan boys from the Philippines."

Chanyeol furrows his eyebrows, while Baekhyun's face lightens up. "Really? I have Filipino fan boys!?"

"Yeah. Something like that," Kyungsoo answers boredly.

"So, what are their names?"

"Hm. Let's see." Kyungsoo squints his eyes, reading the letters on the gift wrapper. "It's from.."

"Whom?"

"Rogelio, Rogelio, Rogelio."

Baekhyun freezes.

*

END

"Since when did we have this giant oak tree at the back of our dorm."

"I don't know."

"Ugh, where's the backdoor key--"

"Hey, Baekhyun, look at the fireflies, they're really beautiful."

"You sure you didn't catch them for me or something."

"Dude, why would I do that."

"I don't know, maybe you like me?"

"Shit. Kyungsoo told you!? That little--"

"You didn't just say that."

"Said what."

"That you like me."

"Well--"

"That was the gayest thing I've heard from you, actually."

"And your hands on my chest are not."

"Just shut up and kiss me already."

"Okay, just come closer and I'll--"

"MANAGER HYUNG-NIM! CHANYEOL AND BAEKHYUN ARE KISSING ON THE TREE!"

"Screw you, Kyungsoo!"