*

"Absence makes the heart grow fonder."

Baekhyun truly believes in that famous love quote as he himself is experiencing it now without Chanyeol by his side. But what can he do? Chanyeol is gone for a one-month long business trip in Jeju so he has to suffer alone here in Seoul all by himself. Being in a long distance relationship is too hard; he's been waiting for his husband's return since forever. Time seems to fly too slow.

"Baekhyun, stop sulking already."

"But I can't help it..."

Aside from the lack of sex, waking up alone on the same bed he and Chanyeol used to share feels too cold for Baekhyun. Showering alone, eating breakfast alone, driving alone, going to work alone, having lunch alone, going home alone, and sleeping alone. They're like torture to him; each and every second passing by without Chanyeol is like life without meaning. Hopeless.

"How many weeks has it been since my husband left, Sehun?"

The living room is where Baekhyun spends most of his time, since the bedroom reminds him of Chanyeol. He doesn't want to miss his husband and feel lonely more than he already does.

"Let's see," Sehun looks at his watch, thinking for a short while, "Six days, eleven hours, and thirty-eight minutes."

Baekhyun sobs harder, throwing a tantrum on the couch and kicking the air with his feet like he's a child.

"I can't take this anymore! I miss Chanyeol sunbae already!"

"If you miss him that bad, why don't you just give him a call and text him or something."

"I used to do that every two hours but I don't wanna appear too clingy so I just stopped... Besides, my messages could bother his seminar so I decided to just contact him when it's evening..."

"Oh. Too bad."

"I feel so lonely I could die..."

Shrugging, Sehun sighs because he basically can't relate. Is this how whipped people act? Well, maybe he became like this at some point in his life (towards Baekhyun back in Book 3) but that was an eternity ago so he can't totally remember. He just grabs his bag on the couch and prepares to leave.

"Baekhyun, as much as I wanted to still hang out with you, I still have class so I need to go."

"Y-you're gonna leave me?"

"Just play with Vivi for now, okay? Bye. See you later."

A sad pout is Baekhyun's only answer when his best friend bids him goodbye after ruffling his hair. Chanyeol used to always do that to him, too. Now it makes him yearn more for his husband's touch and miss him extra bad.

"Baekhyun, do you want some?"

"No thanks, hyung. I'm good."

The chocolate Luhan is offering reminds Baekhyun of Chanyeol as well. Chanyeol used to eat Kit Kat when he was still here. Those are Chanyeol's favorites he even used to hide eating from him. Now Baekhyun wonders if Chanyeol has been eating well in Jeju. He hopes his husband won't snack on too much sweets so he won't suffer from another toothache.

"Kyungsoo, can you remove the tag? I can't reach it."

"Lower down a little."

"Thanks, babe."

That cream trench coat Jongin is wearing right now looks exactly like Chanyeol's trench coat stored in their wardrobe number 2. Baekhyun remembers his husband buying it from a Gucci store back in New York during their honeymoon a few months ago. Now he wonders if Chanyeol has been dressing up warmly in Jeju. The weather seems colder there and Chanyeol might get sick if he wears thin clothes.

"Right. I'll just remind him about it. He'll read it anyway when he's not busy anymore."

Getting his phone, Baekhyun quickly types a simple message for his husband. Everything reminds him of Chanyeol so of course, he can't help worrying especially now that they're far away from each other.

Chanyeol sunbae, eat a nutritious lunch today, okay? Don't forget to dress up warmly before you leave the hotel!

Bzzt.

Baekhyun jolts at that fast reply.

Okay, thanks for reminding.^^

Reading the message, Baekhyun suddenly turns all smiley and giggly, staring at his phone screen like a dumb idiot. Those ^^ makes his heart super soft, imagining a smiling Chanyeol in his mind. What should he reply next? A cute sticker or a cute selca?

Bzzt.

I have to go now, I just sneaked out to text you. I'll call you later during my break.

"But I haven't even replied yet..."

I love you. Don't miss me too much.

"KYAAAHHHH!!!"

Baekhyun almost flings his phone as he squeals like a dying pig, startling the people around him. Luhan thought Vivi already bit his hand while Jongin and Kyungsoo thought he saw something scary. He apologizes to them and quickly runs upstairs like his butt is on fire. Closing the door of their room, he dives on the bed and chuckles to himself. Chanyeol sending him a sweet message is just too much for his poor heart.

"Hehe."

With a smile on his face, he takes a screenshot of that message and tweets it to his twitter account: Chanyeol sunbae's sweet texts, a thread ♡.

Scrolling through social media and seeing all these couples makes him sad again so he decides to stop. Maybe he should do something to fill in this temporary loneliness? That's right. Probably it's now the best time to use that toy.

"Chanyeol sunbae said I could masturbate, didn't he? It's not cheating as long as I send him a picture, right?"

Baekhyun crawls under their bed to collect that box he hid from a long time ago. Coughing at the thick dust it gathered, he lifts the lid open to check it out.

"Oh my god..."

There's like a bright light emerging as he sees that nine-inch pink dildo lying prettily inside the box. It's so long and thick, and Baekhyun admits it's pretty close to his husband's cock, Chanyeol's just a few centimeters bigger. Either way, Baekhyun remembers Luhan giving him this as a present way back, but he couldn't have an opportunity to use it. How could he? He has a husband to make love with, and said husband won't even let him masturbate to something like this.

"This is so awkward..."

After properly sanitizing the sex toy and preparing all the stuff he needs on the bed, Baekhyun feels so exposed now that he's naked and alone inside their spacious room. It feels like there are eyes watching him. Looking up to the ceiling at the far corner of the room, he sees the red blinking light coming from the CCTV camera. Oh. He forgot to turn it off. Chanyeol would always turn this off every night before they make love. Good thing he remembers.

After turning off the cameras, Baekhyun also makes sure the picture frames of his family and friends are all turned around. He feels too shy seeing them as he does this. Now that everything's all set, he prepares the dildo and slips a condom on it. He coats the toy with abundant lube so it won't hurt that much. Jacking off this fake cock is making him blush already. Why does this dildo look like his husband's dick anyway? The resemblance is uncanny.

"Let's see... How am I gonna put this big thing into my ass..."

First and foremost, he's not yet hard nor stretched out back there. He should get hard first before thrusting this dildo in, right? Chanyeol's not here to get him hard. How to get erect without a husband? Is he gonna use imagination to get turned on? Well. Guess he has no choice then.

"Chanyeol sunbae will touch me on this part, right..." Baekhyun spreads his legs apart and imagines a naked Chanyeol, recalling how his husband stimulates his sensitive spots. "He'll... put two fingers in first, just like this..."

Sucking two fingers inside his mouth, he soaks them up with his saliva before sinking them into his asshole. Wiggling them around and thrusting them in and out feels too strange. How does Chanyeol make it feel so amazing for him? His husband's thick and big fingers would be enough to reach that sweet tingling area inside him. It's too hard doing this alone.

"He'll also rub my nipples... slightly this way while slowly fingering me..."

Baekhyun squeezes his eyes, arching his back on the bed while his both hands are occupied touching the smooth expanse of his body. He has his right hand twisting his nipples, while at the same time he has his left hand working on scissoring his tight butthole. Lathering more lube will make it more slippery and slick so he pours some more on his hands, feeling his cock gradually harden.

"Aaah... Feels... mngph... so good..."

Imagining it was Chanyeol who's touching him right now results to Baekhyun feeling more turned on. Joining one more finger inside his entrance while thrusting deeper, his eyes roll back in pleasure. He wraps a hand around his dick to stroke it into full hardness while smearing the precum on the leaking tip.

"Mmph, I want... ugh.. more..."

Vision hazy and clouded with lust, Baekhyun reaches for the dildo lying on the pillow next to him. Spreading his legs wider just like how his husband would do to him during penetration, he takes a deep breath. He positions the tip of the toy towards his asshole, gently pushing it with extra care.

"Nngh! It's too--- haahh... big!"

A tear rolls down Baekhyun's cheek, struggling with the sex toy stuck on his butt halfway because it won't go in all the way through. The stretch is kind of painful but still bearable. Maybe he just needs to relax a bit and change his position. Thinking of that, he gets on his knees with his ass up in the air, holding on the headboard with one hand. His other hand goes behind him to hold the base of the dildo, before oh so slowly, plunging it deeper. He jolts when he successfully enters the toy inside his body.

"Haaah...! It's in, finally..."

Biting on his lower lip, Baekhyun takes his time jacking off his throbbing cock while  his ass clamps on the dildo buried inside his hole. He envisions his husband firmly holding his waist while fucking him doggy style.

"Ugh, Chanyeol sunbae... Yeah... Fuck me like that... Ooh... It's hitting me so hard inside..."

The sensation is not as great as the real one but this could do, considering how horny he is right now. Clutching on the dildo again, he moans lewdly as he rams it in and out of his butt with a squelch. It rubs nicely against his sensitive walls. He angles his wrist a little bit higher so the toy's head can grind against his prostate.

"...Mngh! That felt awesome... Oh god... So hot..."

Clumsily grabbing his phone, Baekhyun sets it up on the bed and takes a seductive photo of himself naked and aroused. Clearly showing his perked butt with the dildo inside his ass, he doesn't forget to top it off with a dirty text that will surely set his husband on fire. He abandons his phone and continues what he's doing, touching himself and pleasuring his body to achieve his orgasm.

"Ah, shit... It's getting so deep... I'm gonna... haaah... come...!"

Kneeling, Baekhyun rides the dildo as he lowers down his hips to fuck himself into the toy. He thinks of Chanyeol's huge length penetrating him as he also jerks his cock off while bouncing on the bed. He shudders, spurting his cum like a fountain it's too obscene for Chanyeol to see if only he was here. He collapses while catching for his breath, slowly thrusting the dildo in and out to his finish. Why does this feel so terribly good? It's like Chanyeol is actually here to pleasure him. It's too arousing.

"Ugh... I'm so tired..."

Feeling lightheaded and weak after his climax, Baekhyun pulls the dildo out and stares at the ceiling blankly. Doing this once in a while seems honestly not bad at all? It feels like a bonding time with himself. That just made him laugh a little.

Knock. Knock.

He jerks on the bed, startled at that knock on the door.

"Baekhyun, are you done with your business? We're going grocery shopping today, remember?"

"Come on. You still have to drive us to the supermarket."

"I'm hungry!"

Blushing furiously at Jongin, Kyungsoo, and Luhan's voices outside the room, Baekhyun immediately hides the dildo like he has been caught red-handed. Did they notice he was gone to do this?

"O-okay! Wait for me!"

Well. That was a little embarrassing.

*

"Fucking shit..."

Enduring a hard-on for four hours feels like torture. Not to mention Chanyeol having to hide the obvious tent on his pants while interacting with professionals as if everything's completely fine. So, as soon as he gets back to his hotel room when the seminar was finished, he jumps straight to the bathroom to finally relieve himself off.

"Goddammit... Ugh, Baekhyun... Haaah..."

Baekhyun's the one to blame though. The male keeps sending nudes in broad daylight and it's not really helping at Chanyeol's state of mind. So right now, Chanyeol has no choice but to deal with his erection by himself while imagining he's having sex with his husband under the shower.

"Mngh... I'm close...!"

One hand slammed on the wall while the other hand wrapped around his cock, Chanyeol allows the water to stream down on his back while he furiously jerks off. His deep grunts and moans fill the entire bathroom as he thinks of Baekhyun's ass squeezing his cock tightly. That image of his husband's flushed face as he deeply thrusts into Baekhyun is already making Chanyeol lose his mind. It's way too hot and sexy.

"Aaah... I'm gonna come..."

Chanyeol groans one last time before he's coming hard into the drain, pumping his spent cock to explode his release completely. Well. That was a quick one. He used to last longer, but today could be an exception considering how sex-deprived he is right now. Chest heaving, he then raises his head so that the shower can soak his face and hair. He resumes shampooing and soaping his body to finish his bath. This at least makes him fresh from a super tiring day.

"Let's see if he's online..."

Chanyeol never bothers to put on a shirt and pants after his bath, too excited to call Baekhyun while only wearing underwear. Locking the door and swishing the curtain close, he sits down in front of his laptop. Tissues on the side and a bottle of lotion on the other side, he rubs his hands together and smirks.

"Perfect."

This seems a bit sad but who the fuck cares. Chanyeol is horny as hell and he wants a video sex with his husband this time. His cock here still has a lot of energy and is not even complaining the least. Baekhyun must be already naked right now too, especially at this hour.

Chanyeol presses call and waits.

"Come on, answer it..."

Seeing Chanyeol's name blinking and appearing on his phone mounted at the car's dashboard, Baekhyun smiles brightly as he drives. Finally, Chanyeol's not busy anymore. Maybe his husband is also having his snack, too? Right timing, he and the guys are craving for some fast food.

"Guys, who wants McDonald's?"

"Me!"

"I want a double cheeseburger and chicken nuggets."

"The usual order for me, thanks."

"Large fries and a diet coke for me."

Answering Chanyeol's video call, Baekhyun faces the window and tells their orders at the drive-thru. A loud scream from his phone startles him followed by the guys' teasing laughter at the backseat.

[WHAT THE FUCK! WHY ARE YOU ALL THERE!?]

"Hi, Chanyeol!" Luhan greets at the camera, laughing at Chanyeol trying to cover himself with a blanket he snatched nearby, "Getting into your sexy time, huh?"

[Give the phone to Baekhyun.]

Kyungsoo's head blocks the front cam as he reaches out for the powerbank inside the compartment.

"I'll just pretend I didn't see you flashing your dick at the camera," Sehun at the backseat says as he crosses his arms over his chest, "We're in the car getting McDonald's by the way."

"Please change the music! It's too old. Thanks," Jongin mutters, snuggling closer to Kyungsoo. "You know that beat that goes boom boom boom. I want that one."

Baekhyun peeks at his phone, seeing his husband all flustered while cocooned in a blanket who's now glaring at him as if mentally cursing him.

[Baekhyun, why did you even answer the call? I thought you were alone.]

"Hi, Chanyeol sunbae~ I told you I was going out with the guys, remember? We just went grocery shopping and we're heading home now."

[Oh. I see. I forgot you texted me that.]

"Have you eaten already?"

[Yeah. I'm done with my lunch.]

"Did you just get out of the shower? Your hair looks wet."

[Uh, babe... I think this is not the right time to talk. The guys are listening right now so I'm hanging up.]

"But you said you were gonna call me--- thank you," Baekhyun tells the cashier as he receives their orders from the window. He checks the inside before passing the food to everybody, "Coke, fries, nuggets... Oh, the burger's in this one."

Everyone is like a kid grabbing their share while Baekhyun looks like a Mom distributing their food.

"Where's my ketchup?"

"Thanks, Baekhyun! It's your treat, right?"

"Hyung, save some fries for me!"

"Are all the orders complete? No missing?"

"Yep!"

Chanyeol on the other line blankly stares at the chaotic scene in the car, fighting the urge to slap his forehead and roll his eyes. What a bunch of cockblockers. He's not in the mood to have some steamy time anymore. Even Baekhyun looks busy right now.

"Baekhyun, let's just talk later. Drive safely, okay?"

[Mm! I'll call you again when I get home and when I'm alone. I promise!]

"Sure. See you tonight."

[Bye, Chanyeol sunbae. Take care!]

Sighing sadly and sending Baekhyun a virtual hug, Chanyeol closes his laptop and plops himself on the bed. The silence of his bland room is killing him, realizing how sad this situation is. It's as though he's isolated away from the world. Why did he even accept this job anyway?

"I hope this will be over soon..."

Knock. Knock.

"I didn't call for room service, though."

After wearing his robe and slippers, Chanyeol heads to the door and opens it only to see a tall man who must be half-Korean and half-foreigner. The stranger's body is covered with tattoos and piercings it kind of creeps Chanyeol out. He's carrying a bag of what Chanyeol presumes to be some tools for tattooing.

"Hey, dude. I'm doing some business around here for the tourists ang guests. So I'm just wondering. Do you wanna get inked?"

Chanyeol replies the man with an anxious laugh as he shakes his head, though the mere thought interests him a little.

"Is that a no? Too bad, I came all the way here, though."

No. To be honest. Not just a little. It piqued Chanyeol's interest a lot. He actually badly wanted to get tattoos since he was college and seems like it's already a sign to get one?

"No, thanks. My partner hates this stuff."

"Is that so? Then why don't you just check out some cool designs I have here? It could be personalized, too."

"Personalized?"

"Yep. You create your own design and I'll tattoo it on you. You know EXO, that legendary kpop group? Yeah, bro. I did the tattoos on one of their rappers."

Chanyeol feels the need to cough at that. Why does that sound familiar?

"Well... Maybe looking at the designs won't be too bad?"

"There you go. I could give you a discount since you look like an idol."

"No, I said I'm just gonna look at the designs, I'm not gonna get a tattoo. I have to discuss it with my partner first."

"Fine, suit yourself."

Chanyeol said that an hour ago yet here he is right now, signing a waiver and booking an appointment with the tattoo artist the day after tomorrow. Was he hypnotized just now? It's like he just did something wrong deciding on an important matter without consulting his husband first.

But shit. He's excited. Finally, at least, within this agonizing trip doing nothing but work and seminars, he now has something to look forward to. And it's the tattoos.

Yes. With an -s. Basically he agreed to five sessions for five tattoos on his arms left and right. That'll cost him a lot of money for the professional fee but it's fine.

"Well. I'll just tell Baekhyun about it tomorrow."

*

"So what happened next?"

[Well, she wouldn't stop crying so I had to carry her the whole day... It's her first time in the Kindergarten after all so she is still a bit shy... Mrs. Lee and I played with her during recess and I also bought her ice cream. Eri's really friendly, right? So they become instant best friends!]

Days pass uneventfully and especially lonely for Chanyeol. He wakes up only to go to work, and sleeps at night just to wake up the next morning only to attend endless seminars again. He misses Baekhyun so much he could die, and he looks forward to evening just so they can talk on the phone for hours before going to bed. The only thing that keeps him sane in this place honestly, is Baekhyun's bedtime calls.

"It's a relief that you're doing great at work. Tell me about the guys next. I hope they didn't set our house on fire yet."

[Let's see... They're still all chaotic as usual! Hmm... Jongin was out for a modeling job for three days, right? He got casted in a commercial!]

"Oh, really? That's nice."

[And I caught Luhan hyung giving Kyungsoo a blowjob in the kitchen this morning... They even asked me if I wanted to have a threes--]

"WHAT!? Stay away from those two, please..."

[Of course, I declined! I know they were just messing with me anyway. Hehe~]

"That's right. Very good."

[Oh. Vivi peed in our swimming pool yesterday so Sehun cleaned it by himself.]

"Seriously!? What the hell."

[We had barbecue last night! I sent you a picture of that already!]

"Yeah, I'm still jealous..."

[Luhan hyung borrowed money from me but I gave him your card instead...]

"So it was him who withdrew 120,000 won the other day!? I received a text, you know."

[I'm sorry, Chanyeol sunbae! He said he's gonna pay you back when you return.]

Basically, they're like this every night before sleeping; Baekhyun tells stories about what happened during his entire day while Chanyeol does the same. Mostly, it's Baekhyun who does ninety percent of the story telling since Chanyeol has nothing much to share anyway.

"Anyway. I'm just glad that you're doing fine. I don't have to worry that much."

[But it still feels lonely without you. I want to see you so bad...]

"Really?"

[Mm-hm. I keep having sad dreams because you're not with me. I wish you were here tonight to cuddle with me. I miss you so much, Chanyeol sunbae... I don't wanna cry but hearing your sad voice makes me tear up already...]

"I miss you too, Baekhyun."

[You know, I'm wearing your clothes right now... So that I can still smell your scent even if you're far away... But it's not enough to keep me warm...]

"I'm sorry... I wish I could go home soon."

[It's okay, I understand. I'll just have to wait for a few more days...]

Chanyeol has to back away a bit from his phone and sigh deeply to himself. Why does this call suddenly turn all sentimental? The beautiful beach in front of him as well as the bright moonlight is even making him feel more melancholic. It's as if his heart is also chilly now that the sea breeze is blowing to him here at the patio. Baekhyun's absence totally completes his loneliness.

"Have you been eating well, babe? You're not skipping your meals, are you?"

[Yes, I'm eating well and I strictly eat on time because you told me so... You're gonna get mad at me if I don't, right?]

"Yep. I'm happy to hear that."

[I'm also happy to hear that my husband is happy.]

"Thank you."

[You're welcome!]

That causes a little amused smile to slip from Chanyeol's lips. He takes a sip on his warm honey tea and imagines Baekhyun sitting beside him and holding his hand.

[How about you, Chanyeol sunbae? I saw the weather report and the temperature's getting colder in Jeju.]

"Yeah. It's five degrees here. Feels a bit chilly but I'm fine."

[No way! That's too cold. Get back into your room already.]

"I'll finish my tea first then I'll go back inside. I'm still staring at the moon. It's pretty, look outside your window."

[Oh... I can see it, too. Wow... It's so big and round.]

"Yeah? What's the color?"

[Pink.]

"Haha. Baby, that's not the moon."

[Is it Mars then?]

"Mars' color is red, and you can't see that with your own eyes."

Going back to his room and closing the windows and doors securely, Chanyeol puts his empty cup on the sink and gets ready for bed. He can feel his eyelids getting heavier now but Baekhyun's soothing voice is still keeping him awake.

[Chanyeol sunbae?]

"Yeah?"

[Just making sure I'm still talking to you. It doesn't sound like you.]

"Do I sound different on the phone?"

[Mm. You sound so lonely...]

"That's because I am. Without you, I am."

[Now I feel sad...]

"Don't be sad, it'll make me sad, too."

[Then don't be sad and don't get sick too, okay? Take care of your health.]

"I could say the same for you."

[Sure. I'll do that.]

"Be healthy at home while I'm here, so that when I come back and fuck you, you can last ten rounds."

[Hey, that's too much!]

Grabbing a pillow and hugging it, Chanyeol lies on his side and sets his phone beside him as if he's facing Baekhyun right now.

"Baekhyun."

[Hm?]

"Call me babe."

[W-why all of a sudden!?]

"No reason. I just miss you."

[Okay, but just this night on the phone! BABE! There you go!]

Damn, this little shit. Chanyeol covers his face and prevents himself from smiling too wide. Here he is right now, grinning at his ceiling like a stupid retard that his jaw is starting to hurt.

"I'm getting sleepy now. Sing me a song."

[No, I can't... It's too embarrassing.]

"I wanna hear your beautiful voice singing me to sleep..."

[T-that's! I'm not ready to sing a song for you... I feel awkward...]

"Come on. What's still there to be awkward about? Aren't I already your husband?"

[Yeah, but still...]

"Please?"

[Ahem... Well... If you beg like that then I guess that leaves me no choice but to sing? Let me just, ahem, vocalize a bit.]

"Damn, you're making me smile right now."

[If you fall in love with me more than you already do, I won't take responsibility!]

"Let's see."

[I dedicate this song to the love of my life. Wherever you are BABE, this song is for you. Music please~]

Chanyeol laughs, and he's indeed doing a terrible job at keeping a straight face. What the hell is this tingling feeling in his heart? It's not like he's still a love-struck teenager to giggle like an idiot because his crush is singing him a song over the phone. A grown-ass man like him shouldn't act this way, but whatever. There's no one who can see him anyway.

[Oh, close your eyes first.]

"Done."

[Here it goes!]

"I'm ready. Sing now."

[I love you~ You love me~ We're a happy family... With a great big hug and a kiss from me to you~! Won't you say you love.... me... toooo~]

Ah.

[I love you, Chanyeol sunbae~ Say it back, please?]

What the hell.

Chanyeol is not supposed to feel more lonely than he does. He's supposed to laugh at Baekhyun for singing him a childish Barney song, but why is an emotion of longing and yearning building up inside his chest instead? The way his husband sang it is so adorable and sweet. Good thing they are not facetiming now or else Baekhyun will see how ugly he is when he tears up.

[Hello, are you still there?]

Chanyeol ends up covering his eyes anyway, nodding in silence as if Baekhyun could see him.

"...yeah."

[Oh, I have one more song.]

"Go on. I'm listening."

[Ahem! Rapbaek in the house! Lalala~ I got a big dick, I got a big ass, I got a big dick and a big ass~ I got a booty so fine you can't resist me like a strawberry~ Ohhh~ Booty, booty, booty~]

In a split-second, Chanyeol breaks into laughter that his stomach hurts from laughing too much. Why is Baekhyun like this? He's just so annoying.

"What the fuck is with that song, Baekhyun!? Haha. It's so stupid!"

[What, you told me to sing you a song!]

"Damn, I'm expecting a ballad, at least."

[I want to kiss you right now.]

That moment he hears those words, Chanyeol knows he already lost. What a sudden attack.

[Why did you become suddenly quiet? Did you fall asleep already? Not fair!]

What should he do? Baekhyun must take responsibility for making him fall for him more than he already does. It's like his heart is gonna explode from these overflowing emotions. It's so unfair, honestly.

[I love you so much, Chanyeol sunbae!]

"Yeah, I love you, too."

[I love you more!]

"No, I love you more."

[You are the light of my life, fire of my loins!]

Chanyeol opens his mouth to battle that but he can't think of any. He laughs it off instead. Why is Baekhyun so witty? He's just cute and weird sometimes.

[Are you gonna go to sleep now?]

"Not yet. I just remembered I still have to tell you something. I almost forgot."

[Yeah? What is it?]

"I got tattoos."

[You got what? Tacos?]

Another one less lonely night in a far away place to Chanyeol; few more nights to go with Baekhyun apart and he'll survive. Hopefully.

*

Quote of the day: "In true love, the smallest distance it too great, and the greatest distance can be bridged."
- Hans Nouwens

To be continued.

-----

Next chapter preview!

"And why would I hate you?"

"B-because I told you really mean things..."

Chanyeol notes how Baekhyun fumbles with his fingers as he struggles with his apology. Chanyeol prevents himself from smiling while waiting for Baekhyun to finish what he is trying to say.

"I-I was just... a bit emotional and I was not thinking... about your feelings and I... W-what I mean is... The thing is... Why... was it so suddenly anyway... I wasn't... just prepared... about that stuff so I..."

"Yeah. I know, baby. I'm sorry."

Baekhyun wipes his own tears with the back of his hand.

"You're not mad at me anymore?" Chanyeol asks as he peeks at Baekhyun's flushed face. "Are we okay now?"

"Mm," Baekhyun mumbles, using his shirt to dry his snot-covered face. "I'm not mad anymore... How about you...?"

-----

"Did you find yourself smiling to yourself while reading this?♡ I'm curious what made Baekhyun cry! Hope to see you the soonest!"

- ParkBaekkie