Present, 2022

(30)

Chanyeol counts the heads of the rest of the girls who are brightly smiling at them like they've become the Top 9 finalists of Miss Universe. Thanks to his impressive brain cells, Chanyeol thinks he recognizes everyone here.

"Alright, let's test if I remember your names correctly," Chanyeol hums, channeling his intellectual ability to call a woman's name without saying it wrong. He presses both his index fingers on his temples and thinks deeply, "Right, I got this! I know all of your names... Give me one second!"

Baekhyun looks disinterested as though he just wants to go home. Again.

Taking a deep breath, Chanyeol points from left to right as he says the girls' names in order:

"Juhyun, Seulgi, Seungwan, Sooyoung, Yerim!" Chanyeol pauses, snapping his fingers as he thinks under pressure, "Wait... Don't tell me your name! It starts with a K, right? Ah! Karina! Then Aeri, Minjeong, and lastly... Ningning, the Chinese girl!"

The women altogether cheer, clapping and squealing in admiration.

"Wow, you got it perfect, Oppa!"

"You must be an expert! Hahaha!"

"As always, you're so amazing, Chanyeol!"

"You remembered me? I'm so flattered!"

"Ah, well, it's not a big deal," Chanyeol chuckles, pretending like he's feeling shy yet he actually likes the compliments and attention. "How can I forget when you ladies are all in this level of beauty?"

"Omg. Stop it! Haha!"

"Am I really pretty, Oppa?"

"I think my heart has just raced, kyaaah!"

Baekhyun throws Chanyeol an irritated look.

Ugh, look at this guy. What a Cassanova.

"Wait, you have a boyfriend," Chanyeol says, pointing at the girl named Sooyoung who immediately turns flustered upon getting caught, "Why are you still here?"

"What, he wouldn't know!"

"Uh, actually... He's right there waiting outside."

"Oh... Haha! I'm sorry! I'm gonna go then!"

Baekhyun just watches when the girl leaves with her boyfriend waiting for her at the building entrance; the man opens the door for her before they ride into the car and drive off. It makes Baekhyun inattentive and quiet for a moment, remembering doing the same action towards someone in the past.

"So, let's go? I think eight is enough. Ten all, including Baekhyun and I."

"Sure. Fine with us!"

"We're actually regulars in the karaoke place near the company. Let's just go there!"

"Can we have dinner first? I'm hungry."

"Me, too. How about we eat at the Steakhouse across the street?"

"Sound great! Let's go Dutch, okay?"

Absent-mindedly, Baekhyun just shakes his head to dismiss the memory. There's no point thinking about it now. It's already over anyway.

"You alright?" Chanyeol asks worriedly, noticing Baekhyun's silence as they lag. The women are walking ahead first as they're the ones who suggested the place to go, "Are you not feeling well?"

Baekhyun breathes and shrugs, slumping his shoulders.

"I'm fine. I'm just hungry, I guess."

"I know you. If you really hated the idea of hanging out with them, you wouldn't be here. Right?"

"Yeah. I think this isn't half-bad."

Feeling accomplished and relieved, Chanyeol smiles warmly, patting Baekhyun's shoulder.

"See? That's the spirit! Now let's catch up with the girls. How can these bitches walk so fast?"

"Bitc-" Baekhyun covers his mouth on reflex, "Why would you say that word! What if they hear you?"

"What, it's an endearment!" Chanyeol laughs freely, before leaning in closer to whisper, "Besides, it strengthens the interpersonal relationship between friends."

"What, when you curse at them?"

"Yeah. Like how you curse at me 24/7. I understand it anyway. That's just your love language to me. Cursing at me equals Words of Affirmation equals Love Language."

Baekhyun shakes his head, a smile involuntarily forming on his lips.

"Pfft. You're crazy. The fuck are you saying?"

"Oops, that again. Love language!"

"Ah, shit... Stop!"

"When you curse at me, it only means I'm always loved by you, right?" Chanyeol teases, ruffling Baekhyun's hair like the old times, "Right, darling?"

Baekhyun snickers genuinely. "Whatever floats your boat." Then he's slipping away fast, leaving a pouting Chanyeol behind. "And don't call me darling."

"We're married, though!"

"Hahaha, you son of a bitch."

Chanyeol would die just to hear that laugh one more time. He smiles, chasing after Baekhyun as if they were the only people together right here, right now.

"Hey! At least you didn't deny it!"

"Shut up. You're annoying!"

"Wait, honey! Let's walk together!"

*

Chanyeol finds Baekhyun nowhere on his desk which is surprisingly strange. Usually, at this hour, Baekhyun would be typing away on his computer like a mad scientist or lazing around their joint office glued on his phone playing mobile games during his break. Did Baekhyun run a quick errand or did he go to the snack bar to grab some food? He remembers Baekhyun saying he was craving a hamburger, though.

"Where did he go?"

Chanyeol's query is answered by the throng of employees all crowding in front of the Gaming Hall located at the center of the floor. Seems like they're busy spectating someone inside the room who must be testing a game ready for launch. Curious, Chanyeol waddles through the cluster of people, and there he spots the person he is looking for.

He smiles and shakes his head.

"Pfft. There you are."

Baekhyun, who is sitting in an elevated gaming chair like royalty, equipped with a gaming headset and a VR helmet, is focused on battling a holographic Fire Dragon. It's the final quest of their very own game LOVE, and its music and effects are blasting like a real 4K experience for the viewers, coercing a wild and insane reaction from them. Every time The Knight (Baekhyun's game character) attacks, the HR ladies (who went to the karaoke with them), would squeal in victory. It appears that these girls got a little closer to him, and seems like Baekhyun also stopped minding the attention as he allows those females to hang around him.

It's not long before Baekhyun finally defeats the opponent, gaining him a round of applause from the audience. Chanyeol only watches in the distance with crossed arms, smiling proudly at his partner who's now taking off his gaming gears and receiving compliments from the Managers.

"Baekhyun, that was amazing!"

"That's so cool. How did you guys do that!"

"Congrats on the launch of your app, Oppa!"

"What a great gameplay. Good job."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Let's have Park Chanyeol join next time."

"No problem, Mr. Choi. I'll tell him about it."

After bowing and shaking hands with the seniors and juniors from his department, Baekhyun is about to leave when he is ambushed by four women he recognizes were watching him earlier.

"Are you free right now, Baekhyun? Let's grab some coffee first!"

"Yeah, join us. It's my birthday today, so."

Baekhyun gives them an apologetic smile.

"Oh, uh. Thanks for the offer and Happy Birthday, by the way. But unfortunately, I have somewhere to be right now."

"Is that so? Aww. Too bad. Just come with us next time, then."

"Yeah, sure."

"Byee! We'll text you, Puppy!"

"See you around, Ice Prince!"

"Haha..." Baekhyun chuckles faintly as he raises his hand to wave at the girls as they leave him alone at last. "Please don't call me that." He looks down at his wristwatch and recalls the meeting with Mr. Zhang Yixing five minutes from now, "Oh, shit. I'm gonna be late."

"Hey there, Mr. Popular."

Chanyeol sneaking behind him and whispering into his ear almost startles Baekhyun. Looking up, he is met by Chanyeol's wide perfect grin.

"Hey. Were you watching me?"

"Yep."

"How did I do?"

"Excellent. As always."

Chanyeol casually puts an arm around Baekhyun's shoulder as they ride the spacious elevator. Being the last to step in, Baekhyun does the initiative to push the button. Now that he thinks about it, he wonders what the reason is for suddenly being called by the Director without prior notice.

"You didn't tell me you'd be testing our game today in front of everyone?"

"They asked me to play and I couldn't refuse. Plus, I'm not busy anyway so I figured it's not a bad idea to show them how our app works."

"You should've told me! When I came back to the office, you weren't there. I thought you went out to get food, turns out you were just flirting with the ladies."

Laughing, Baekhyun punches Chanyeol in the gut jokingly.

"Idiot, I'm not like you."

Chanyeol pretends he is hurt by the punch as he acts like he was pained in the tummy. Baekhyun didn't buy it, as always.

"A one-week all-expense-paid trip to Copenhagen!?"

"Ahem. It's a business trip, Mr. Park."

"You're giving the two of us a VACATION ABROAD!?"

"No. As I've said, Mr. Byun, this trip is work-related."

The disbelief and excitement are real in both men's eyes after the Director announces the rather good news. So this is why Mr. Zhang personally called them. Baekhyun thought he'd be reprimanded. (He was late to work yesterday.) Meanwhile, Chanyeol thought he'd be transferred to another branch. (Thankfully it wasn't that, he'd rather eat his own shit than be sent to Busan.)

"Mr. Park, Mr. Byun, I'm sending you to Denmark as Game Creator representatives of the company-"

"Aaaack! Oh my god, Baekhyun! We're going to the Happiest City in the world, the City of Fairy Tales! COPENHAGEN!" Chanyeol screams, cutting off the Chairman's sentence halfway. "Can you believe that!"

"Yes! An overseas vacation away from work! Woohoo! Let's go, Copenhagen!" Baekhyun yells, doing a weird dance. "I've always wanted to visit that place!"

Chanyeol, a grown-ass, and over-six-foot-tall, thirty-year-old man is jumping in joy and holding hands with Baekhyun, an adult like him who is equally as happy. They're celebrating without a care on earth.

"LISTEN!!!"

Mr. Zhang slaps the desk, silencing the two.

"I'm sending you guys to Copenhagen not to play! You hear me? You must broaden your skills as Chromosome Games Incorporated's representatives by attending this International Symposium targetted for Programming, Designing, and Gaming Professionals. It's very timely for the launch of your game in the market, so I need you to participate in the esport trournaments, take notes from the lectures, and write narrative reports for the whole week so you can to conduct a detailed presentation to your team afterward."

Chanyeol and Baekhyun frown, showing a sad reaction.

"Well, maybe you could play a little bit-" the Director mutters. Chanyeol and Baekhyun's smiles come back. "BUT!" And they suddenly disappear. "But you still have to prioritize your work over your love life! This business trip is not a part two honeymoon, you understand!? Go take your married duties somewhere else!"

"Mr. Zhang, don't worry. We may be partners but we're not like that. Chanyeol and I are strictly professionals," Baekhyun says, "Sir, we're very grateful for this opportunity you've given us. We won't let you down."

"Good. Then I'm counting on you," Mr. Zhang says, smirking at the two as he folds his knuckles on top of the desk. "Your flight's in three days. My secretary will discuss the details with you. For now, you can go back to work and focus on the launch of your game."

Chanyeol does a salute and screams:

"Thank you, Boss!"

*

Hey. I don't think I can sleep tonight!

Shit. Me, too! I'm so excited, damn

Have you packed your stuff yet?

I'm in the middle of doing it. You?

I'm done yesterday
Lol

Alright, then let me finish this
See you tomorrow at the airport

Baekhyun, wait

What now???

I'm actually outside your place
Hehe
I brought pizza

WHAT!?

What, just let me sleepover!
I already brought my luggage with me so we can head to the airport together in the morning. Isn't that amazing?

WTF. Aren't you a little too excited?

Open up now, it's cold here! Come on!

The continuous and annoying rings of the doorbell have Baekhyun finally abandoning his unfinished luggage packing so that he could get to the door. It's nine in the evening for heaven's sake, and Chanyeol being childish is the least Baekhyun wants. As soon as the door is opened, Chanyeol drags his suitcase inside Baekhyun's apartment like it was his hotel room and his destination. He makes himself at home by heading straight to the kitchen to get himself water and placing the box of pizza on the counter.

He flashes the house owner a blinding smile.

"Hey. It's been a while since I came here. It feels good."

Baekhyun just sighs, shakes his head, and closes the door.

"You didn't announce your visit in advance so you'll be taking the couch tonight. The guest room is a mess so you can't use it."

"If I wanted to sleep on a sofa then I should've just stayed at my place. What's the point of coming here?"

Rummaging through Baekhyun's fridge, Chanyeol searches for a beer but he doesn't find any. He spots a can of sprite, though. He opens it and drinks on it, leaning against the countertop as he talks to Baekhyun.

"Let's just share your bed, alright? After all, we'll be doing that in Copenhagen."

"Oh my god, Chanyeol. We aren't going on a honeymoon! Why would I share a bed with you!"

"Then why couldn't we? What's the matter with that? I just wanna cuddle with you! Bro to bro. Man to man."

"When you say it like that, it sounds indecent, honestly."

"Look, dude. I won't fuck your ass so calm your tits, okay?"

"Watch your language, Sir."

Following Baekhyun into his bedroom and taking a slice of pizza, Chanyeol sits on the edge of Baekhyun's bed as he watches the other man fold his clothes and finish packing his suitcase. It brings an unconscious smile to his lips, thinking about the fact that this is gonna be his and Baekhyun's first overseas trip together, just the two of them alone. On the business trip to Finland two years ago, there were five people. It didn't feel like much of a bonding getaway between them. This is a chance. He has to thank Mr. Zhang for this golden opportunity.

"Baekhyun."

Zipping up his hygiene pouch and placing it in the crook of the luggage, Baekhyun looks at Chanyeol and mutters a bored, what?

"Do you know that Copenhagen is in Denmark, which is a country in Europe close to Sweden?"

Baekhyun doesn't look away. He only lifts an eyebrow.

"So? And what about it?"

"What if you happened to see her there? What would you do?"

There is no name mentioned but Baekhyun knows who Chanyeol is talking about. Baekhyun closes his suitcase securely and pulls it up to make it stand in the corner of the room.

"Europe is big, Chanyeol. There's a low chance we'd bump into each other."

"Be honest. Are you excited to go because of the thought that you'd be closer to her?"

"Maybe. But if we'd coincidentally meet each other, I'd just talk to her and apologize in person. That's all."

"You're not planning to get back together with her?"

"No. It's already over between us. And she already decided to pursue her dreams without me so the least I can do is support her. I should focus on myself from now on."

"Right. It's probably the best decision for the both of you."

"But you know. I'm honestly looking forward to this trip because this is gonna be our first getaway abroad. We haven't been overseas with just us two, have we?"

Baekhyun walks up to Chanyeol and steals his half-eaten pizza. He chomps on the spot where the man has exactly taken a bite.

"You told me it's gonna be fine as long as I'm with you so prove it."

Then he grabs the can of sprite Chanyeol is holding and drinks on it, before shamelessly burping right at his face.

Burp!

Chanyeol just stares.

"Ah, that felt good. I want another one."

Baekhyun walks past him, scratching his butt like he was an old man.

Seeing that, Chanyeol tries not to break into a grin yet he failed on the first try.

"Gross."

The clock is ticking softly and the bedroom is dim-lighted. The air is silent, cool, and peaceful. But the hours towards the morning are too long. Just like what he told Baekhyun in the text, it'd be impossible to sleep tonight. Chanyeol feels like an excited kid for a much-awaited field trip, rustling and turning here and there. He wishes it'll be daytime already, but it'll be such a waste not to bask in this sleep-over experience since it's honestly a surprise that Baekhyun allowed him to sleep on the same bed as him, the reason why Chanyeol is trying his hardest not to move too much and potentially wake Baekhyun up (if he's already sound asleep, that is.)

"Haa... I can't sleep."

The bed has lots of room for the pillows positioned in the middle, separating them like an invisible line. Baekhyun has his body turned to the side while facing the wall, so Chanyeol inches closer and mumbles in a deep, low voice.

"Hey, you still awake?"

"..."

"Psst, Baekhyun."

"..."

"Hey, Honey. Darling. Babeee. You still awake?"

It costs approximately seven seconds of pause before Baekhyun responds, much to Chanyeol's relief.

"Shut up. Don't call me by those cringe endearments."

"Okay, Master."

Baekhyun doesn't face him and to Chanyeol, it's fine. They could chat like this. No big deal.

"So. Why aren't you sleeping yet? Penny for your thoughts?"

"How could I sleep when there's some weird guy next to me, disturbing my bedtime routine?"

"What, you couldn't jerk off to sleep with me here? Hahaha. Go on. Just take out your peepee. Who knows? Maybe I could join you."

"Shut up. I'm not masturbating with you on my precious bed, you pervert."

"At least I'm proud--"

"Proud gay."

"--gay for you, baby."

The sudden movement on the bed surprises Chanyeol, because Baekhyun is suddenly in front of him, lying face-to-face and looking at him in the eyes without warning. Fuck, that shocked him. His first plan was to look away and avoid eye contact, but he decides last second not to do it. Baekhyun looks handsome with his hair tousled and his eyes droopy. It's a sight to behold.

"Dumbass, why do you look so shocked? It's just me," Baekhyun laughs teasingly. Chanyeol slaps his face with a pillow as an act of revenge.

"Why wouldn't I be? I suddenly saw an ugly creature in front of me. Of course, I'd be surprised."

"Says the gorilla."

Baekhyun kicks Chanyeol on the shin under their shared blanket. Chanyeol fakes an ouch!

"Hey, bitch-hyun."

"What, ass-yeol."

Chanyeol clears his throat.

"Remember that day when we were eating lunch together in the office, and I suggested we go to a karaoke place with the HR women to cheer you up?"

"Okay? What about it?"

"We kinda talked at the same time and cut each other's sentences off. You were about to ask me a question, but you said I should tell mine first. I didn't know you were that popular? That was my question to you. But I didn't hear yours. I think your words started with, 'You seem to be-"

Baekhyun thinks for a brief moment as he refreshes his memory.

"Oh, that..."

"You still recall the thing you have to say to me?"

"Kinda?"

"Then what is it? I'm curious."

"It's nothing, really. Forget about it."

"How could I? Just tell me."

"It's nonsense, trust me."

"Still. I wanna hear it."

Baekhyun coughs.

"Well, uh. It's just. I mean, I've been noticing lately that you..."

Chanyeol holds his breath.

"Yeah? W-what is it?"

Baekhyun adjusts the blanket higher on his chest as he fiddles with its hem. He clears his throat again, enduring Chanyeol's heavy and unwavering gaze trained at him.

"You seem to be... spending time with me a lot more recently."

Chanyeol's eyes soften. He mentally breathes in relief.

"What I'm saying is. Don't you hang out with Kyungsoo anymore? Did you guys get into a fight or something? A misunderstanding, perhaps? After that night we went drinking at the bar, it seems like you've stopped coming to his place. I don't hear you talk about him anymore either. I mean, not that I'm interested in your personal matters or anything, of course, it's your life, not mine! But I just, you know, find it a little strange? That I'm seeing you, like every now and then, unlike before, being free all the time, and just literally there, lurking around and clinging to me. So, uh. If you have any problems you wanna get off your chest, just tell me and I will listen. I'll be willing to help because I'm always worried about you. I'm all ears 24/7 so just spill it out. Yeah. That's just my uh, statement. The end."

Baekhyun is awkward with words ever since and Chanyeol is aware of that, so he appreciates Baekhyun's effort of blurting all those ramblings to get his point across. It's strangely charming that Baekhyun thinks this way. So this guy does care about him.

"Why aren't you saying anything and just smiling at me like the fool that you are?" Baekhyun asks hesitantly, "So you can't say it after all? That you guys broke up?"

Chanyeol chuckles, hugging a pillow.

"Kyungsoo and I didn't break up. Nothing is going on between us in the first place."

"But... But I saw you two sucking faces!"

"Oh, that? I just helped him out. And it turned out great, thanks to me."

"Uh, I don't understand."

"Jongin and Kyungsoo got back together."

"Oh. They were exes, weren't they?"

"Yep."

"Well. Good for them."

"They're practically all over each other. I'm basically abandoned now and I have nowhere to go aside from you."

Staring at Chanyeol, Baekhyun can't help finding the other's serious-as-hell face hilarious. Chanyeol looks like a dog left alone at home by its owner. Poor Chanyeol.

But oddly enough, why is he relieved hearing this? It's making him guilty yet it feels good as well. He wonders why. Maybe it's because Chanyeol is now also single like him. They're both losers and loveless who'd stick to each other till the end.

"Heh. Pfft. Hahaha."

"What, why are you laughing?"

"No reason! HAHAHAHA!"

Chanyeol furrows his eyebrows, looking offended and butt-hurt as Baekhyun just laughs his ass out. Is this Baekhyun teasing him, telling him right to his face that he got his karma? What a good friend that he is.

"Did you know? Jongin tried making a pass on me," Baekhyun says, shaking his head as he reminisces the memory. "For real, that man's flirting skills... Ah, seriously. He's a pro... He's unbelievable..."

Chanyeol squints his eyes.

"Oh, really. What did he say to you back then?"

"He said that... if I were the one doing it to him, he wouldn't mind being on the receiving end."

"What? He told you that!?" Chanyeol makes a grimacing face, clenching his fist. "Shit. The fucking audacity of that crazy bastard..."

"Hey, he's our investor! Don't curse at him. He was just breaking the ice that time so I'm sure he didn't mean any of it."

"I know. But he shouldn't say such obscene things towards you. Not under my watch. Kyungsoo should keep that guy on a leash or something."

"Oh, and he also asked me if I could go on a date with him. But I instantly rejected him, saying I had a girlfriend."

"What if you were single that time, would you have given Kim Jongin a chance?"

Baekhyun slaps the air.

"No way in hell, bro. He's Kyungsoo's ex-boyfriend! Why would I date a friend's ex?"

"Not because he's a man?"

A short pause settles in the atmosphere as Chanyeol sincerely waits for Baekhyun's reply as though Baekhyun's answer matters. So it's fine with you as long as it's not a friend's ex or it's not a woman? It's like Chanyeol is asking him this question. So you wouldn't care if that person was a man?

Baekhyun opens his mouth yet he realizes he has no idea what to say. He actually has never thought about it in the first place.

"I don't know," he says, "Maybe that, too," he tells honestly, "But I don't think it's all because of that." He shrugs, wishing it satisfies Chanyeol's question, at least. "I guess people like Kim Jongin are just really not my preference."

"Then what's your type?"

"My type?"

"Yeah. Like your preference for a romantic partner."

It's strange, Baekhyun thinks. He and Chanyeol are super close ever since, but they seldom talk about these kinds of topics on a serious note. They'd occasionally ask about each other's previous partners, but that was it. How they've been, what's up with them now, oh, okay, is that so, that's great, send my regards to them, etc. It was all just that.

So what's with the sudden "dating" interview now?

"Seriously, you're asking me this?" Baekhyun blurts out, unsure whether to laugh or snort, "I don't have a particular type. I'm just a simple human being. If that person makes my heart race, then for me, it's love."

Chanyeol lowers his pillow a bit so he can level himself at Baekhyun's line of sight.

"What if a man made your heart race, would you still call it love?"

Baekhyun stares deeply into Chanyeol's eyes.

"Maybe."

Chanyeol tries not to smile yet he successfully fails, feeling a sweet tingle in his chest he has no control over.

"I see."

He adds one more question.

"So you're not closing your doors to only one spectrum?"

"I don't know what you meant by that but I can say I'm not prejudiced against same-sex relationships."

"You're open to the possibility of breaking your own stereotypes?"

"Probably?"

"I see. As expected of Byun Baekhyun. How charming."

Baekhyun raises an eyebrow.

"And what got you smiling like that?"

"Me? I'm not smiling," Chanyeol says with a very obvious smile, "I just found out that your exes happened to be all women who fortunately made your heart race so you called it love. Why would that fact concern me anyway?"

"Just so you know, it doesn't prove anything, okay? It's a hypothetical answer."

"Sure, alright. If you say so~ Makes me remember that one girl you used to date-"

"Shut up. Don't bring up my past anymore."

"....back in your first year of college. She was your first ex-girlfriend, a short-haired girl with piercings who beat your high score in Flappy Bird. She also forced you to cosplay Cardcaptor Sakura-"

"Oh, my god-"

"-in the Annual Freshmen Costume Party despite your strong refusal. She dumped you after six months of dating when she realized she was actually a lesbian."

"Shut up, I want to forget that memory even existed. It was very traumatic and embarrassing..."

"What, you liked it!"

"No, I did not!"

"As for your second ex-girlfriend, that Political Science major whom you met in sophomore year. You know, that pretty, soft-spoken Christian girl who was a daughter of a church Pastor?"

"Yeah, well..."

"She wanted to preserve her virginity until marriage but she decided to call it quits when you guys ended up doing it in our shared dorm room when I was away-"

"W-why are you still remembering all those details? And to clarify, your allegations are wrong. I respected her throughout. She was the one who initiated it and then ended things with me the day after because she felt guilty."

"While the third was that hot Senior Manager from the Busan branch with big boobies and a butterfly tattoo on her right arm. She trained both of us while we were still college interns in the company, and that woman happened to be one of my exes before she also became your ex, that cunning bitch-"

"Excuse me, Park Chanyeol. For the record, I never had any interest in that woman, and we never went out in the first place! She just chased after me when you guys were over, assuming I was into her the whole time. The audacity."

"My bad. Sorry about that misinformation. Oh, and of course, last but not least! Our dearest Taeyeon, the ever-gorgeous model who was scouted overseas, whom you loyally dated long-distance for like, what? Five years!? Damn... But she broke up with you to choose her career over you. Boo-hoo."

"You know what? You always have a way of making me hate you more than I already do. I didn't even diss any of your exes so why insult mine?"

Chanyeol has this shit-eating grin plastered all over his face like he has just won the lottery.

"What, I just proved you have bad taste in women. Who knows. Maybe it's a man whom you're destined to end up with?"

"A man like?"

"A man like me, Park Chanyeol."

"If it's only gonna be you, then I'd rather be a monk."

"I think you'd still look really hot and sexy with a shaved head. So yes, please. I badly want a monk Baekhyun in my life."

Baekhyun rolls his eyes. Chanyeol is so shameless and vulgar. Why is he even friends with this guy?

"But seriously, though," Baekhyun says, looking judgmentally at Chanyeol after a while, "Are you okay?"

"Hm? Why won't I be?"

"You just got dumped, right? You want a drink?"

Baekhyun gestures a soju-drinking motion, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.

Chanyeol shakes his head and chuckles. One of the qualities that he admires about Baekhyun since then is the fact that he's a thoughtful person deep down. Sometimes he kind of misses the sweet version of Baekhyun, though. It's the 18-year old Baekhyun.

"So. You wanna get drunk or not?"

It's endearing, to think that this guy would actually assume he was affected by Kyungsoo and Jongin's comeback that he'd offer a drink to comfort him. Chanyeol is not heartbroken, to say the least. Maybe he's just a teeny-weeny-bit lonely (and jealous) since Kyungsoo got a boyfriend first while he'll remain single as fuck. It's annoying, but that's it.

"No need. It's not something to be mourned about anyway. And I wasn't dumped, okay. I was just set aside."

"You sure you don't wanna drink? I think there's still a bottle of soju left in the cupboard."

"Hey. We can't be hungover in the morning before our flight, so instead of drinking, why don't you just comfort me in another way instead?"

Baekhyun raises an eyebrow suspiciously.

"You asked me if I was fine. And I just realized I'm not fine after all. My heart hurts and I need to be comforted."

Chanyeol frowns, hoping it's convincing enough.

"Okay? So what should I do to "comfort" you?"

Squinting his eyes at Chanyeol obviously trying his best to look pitiful, Baekhyun quotes in the air the word comfort using his fingers to emphasize it.

"As a way to comfort me, I'm asking for your consent to hug you."

"What?"

"Remember when I told you I'd ask for your consent next time? So here I am now, asking for your consent to hug you."

Chanyeol ruins the division between him and Baekhyun, putting away all the pillows so there's no such thing as separating them both. He spreads his arms apart to welcome Baekhyun inside, volunteering himself to be the big spoon in the cuddle.

"Can I hug you to sleep?"

It's probably eleven in the evening, or even midnight, Baekhyun has no idea. He can't seem to turn his head and glance at the clock on the nightstand to check the time, as he's only staring at Chanyeol and studying the sincere expression on his face. If it were morning right now, could this question be passed as a prank? Does this man genuinely want a hug, right here on the bed, right now at this hour? Chanyeol looks like he's nowhere near joking, and this particular intention makes Baekhyun's mind go blank.

Why? He wanted to ask, but he ends up blurting this anyway:

"No."

Chanyeol appears affected yet he doesn't show it.

"Why would you hug me? It should be the other way around."

Baekhyun lifts the blanket and makes room beside him. "Come here. You'll be the little spoon." Then he pats the space next to him like he was inviting Chanyeol to freely invade his personal proximity. "I'll be the one hugging you instead."

Chanyeol can't help smiling, hearing that proposition.

"Sure."

There's no hesitancy when he places himself beside Baekhyun, and rests his big head on Baekhyun's biceps. He ignores their size difference as he adjusts lower, facing Baekhyun's chest, so that he can wrap his arm around the other's waist. He maintains the grin on his lips, closing his eyes and sniffing Baekhyun's calm scent. It smells like home and it's relaxing to the mind. Wait, is he already in Copenhagen?

"This is the sixth."

"Sixth? Sixth what?"

"Oh, I'm just counting sheep. Goodnight, Baekhyun."

Baekhyun jolts. The way Chanyeol's voice vibrates against his skin feels strange yet nostalgic. Definitely, tonight is a lot different than his usual cold nights. Someone is breathing against his neck and it's goddamn stuffy. An adult man is snuggled next to him, embracing him like he was a toy plushie. Not to mention the gigantic foot constantly grinding against his leg and the pair of muscular arms wounded around his torso. This is everything but comfortable.

"Yeah. Goodnight, Chanyeol."

But it's warm. And sort of cozy. And maybe nice. When was the last time he felt this type of body heat? Was it way back in high school or college? He can't seem to remember.

"Sweet dreams."

"You, too."

To Baekhyun, this situation might be unusual and awkward but it's not that bad. It feels weird and perhaps a little confusing but it's still bearable. A small skinship is okay, and in no time, he'll be dozing off before he knows it. This is Park Chanyeol after all, his best friend of twelve years and still counting.

****

Flashback, 2020

24th of December

(28)

After the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, on-site work is gradually being encouraged. Schools and offices started to operate following health guidelines and safety precautions. Though the virus hasn't disappeared, life must continue in the new normal.

It's Christmas. Mariah Carey's All I Want for Christmas is joyfully blasting inside the multi-purpose hall of Chromosome Games Incorporated. All employees from different departments are dressed as Santa Claus and reindeer, not forgetting their face masks. They are gathered for the annual Christmas Party. There's an 18-feet extravagant Christmas tree at the center of the hall and colorful presents underneath it, meanwhile all chairs, tables, and stations, are decorated with glitters and gold.

Everything screams happy and lively because it's an awaited major event for the company. After being hindered by the virus, now everyone gets to forget about the pandemic for a while and socialize around with colleagues. They are to drink expensive booze, eat free food, and most especially compete in the Parlor Games Tournament to win gadgets, home appliances, and huge cash prizes sponsored by the Director himself. Also, the department to be declared the winner is granted a company credit card with unlimited use valid for 1 year, not to mention a paid vacation trip to the Maldives, a 10-day sick leave, and a brand new MacBook Pro for its team members.

The previous defending winner was the Marketing Department with a score shy of one point from the Design and Programming Department who was declared second place. Chanyeol has never forgiven himself since then for having a stomach ache (because of eating too much choco pie the day before). He proclaimed he'd get his revenge. His competitive ass can't afford to lose this time around.

It's 45-50, just a five-point gap between the first and second place. As expected, the Marketing Department reigns the Christmas battle with Design and Programming hanging on its tail again. The next game is worth fifty points and this will turn the tables around. Chanyeol can't afford to lose. Not ever. He and Baekhyun won the Archery Tournament to achieve where they are now, and they'll prove to everyone that they're totally invincible.

"And for the last game!" the MC of the
Christmas party announces, making the spectators even more excited. Everything is broadcasted through the huge monitor screen not to miss any detail, "The traditional...!"

Baekhyun, Chanyeol, and the rest of the team have their hands clasped together, praying to the gods that the championship round will lean to their advantage. The main reason why they lost the previous year was due to the fact that their department lacked women. Marketing was full of girls who were masters of Hoola-hooping. It was unbelievably unfair.

"No more Hoola-hoops, please!"

"I can play Pingpong!"

"Some say it's gonna be Bowling, though?"

"I'm fine with anything as long as it's related to games!"

"Mukbang contest... Mukbang contest!"

"Just tell it already, damn it!"

"Arm wrestling," Chanyeol mutters with his eyes closed tight, screaming in rage, "ARM WRESTLING!!!"

Baekhyun has his gaze burning, only fixated on the table where the Grand Prize is nicely sitting which is the latest LG 85-inch 8K Smart OLED TV. He badly needs that fucking television right now. He must take it home and put it in his living room no matter what. He's been dreaming of that TV every night, that he even talked to their Supervisor in advance that he'd own that TV if they won.

"Bring it on," Baekhyun mutters, clenching his fist and doing a punching gesture.

"The traditional...!" The MC repeats for everybody's suspense before the curtains behind him are drawn, revealing the wide space backstage, "The traditional newspaper dance!"

The crowd cheers and claps excitedly, meanwhile everyone in Baekhyun's department can only stare, absolutely dumbfounded.

"For the newspaper dance, we're gonna be needing a couple in each team! Yes, you heard it right! So, ladies and gentlemen, it's your time to shine! Bring your lovely boyfriends or girlfriends onstage while we prepare the newspapers. Remember, you two must be from THE SAME DEPARTMENT, okay?!"

Fuck.

Just what the fuck.

Light has left Baekhyun's eyes. There's no way they're gonna win this game. First and foremost, they don't have any female employees in their department. Second of all, there are obviously no dating/married/flirting couples in their department. Third and last, nobody in Design and Programming has played the newspaper dance their entire life.

"Okay! So far so good! The representatives are already coming! Two more departments left! Send in your couples now so we can start the game!"

Chanyeol peers over his shoulder, looking at the couples heading to the stage, frolicking in the air and giggling like shy teenagers as if they were in a prom. Some girlfriends are fetching their boyfriends and doing some annoying mating dance. Meanwhile, a couple from the Marketing Department smirk at them, much to Chanyeol's unforgivable fury.

"Damn it! What should we do now!?" Chanyeol panics hysterically, facing the huddle of hopeless men that are his teammates. He perks up when he remembers something, "Wait! I know! Should we call the Interns? Two of them are dating, right? Oh, I think I have their numbers..."

"Are you crazy?!" the Senior Manager slaps Chanyeol's arm, yelling angrily at him, "Why would you bother those kids! We should just give up and accept our heroic defeat."

"Are you hearing yourself right now, Sir? No freaking way!"

"We're not losers! We're men of victory!"

"We can't give up this competition! I bet my life on the new Macbook Pro! We can't just back out now!?"

"And I have to get the vacation leave, Manager Lee! I'm going on a trip with my wife! I promised her that!"

"How about the company credit card, huh?! We badly need it for our lunch meetings! Think about that, Sir!"

"Right! And that brand new OLED TV! Puppy needs to own it! We have to take on this challenge, Mr. Choi!"

Baekhyun nods furiously to agree his head could fall off. Chanyeol does the same, as he's as enthusiastic as everyone or even more.

"If that's the case then I guess we are left with no other choice..."

The Boss breathes deeply, fixing his eyeglasses dramatically as he faces his desperate, begging subordinates.

"We must send a 'couple' to the game."

The music shamelessly booming like crazy in the hall are songs by The Weeknd and Cardi B as if the lyrics were innocent as Cocomelon's songs. Twelve participants are already onstage with six newspapers on the floor respectively, while the MC is at the fifth couple currently, interviewing their names, ages, how they met, how long they've been together, etc. This game basically turned into a dating show.

Chanyeol is shifting his weight from his left foot to his right foot, fidgeting on his spot anxiously. The enthusiasm he was feeling earlier seems to have left his body the moment the microphone is pointed right at his face. The MC asks for his name and other stuff, and his mind just went totally blank.

"Mr. Park Chanyeol from the Design and Programming Department, who's with you today?" the female MC asks, implying that he should introduce his partner for the newspaper dance. She is grinning so big and it's honestly getting creepy.

As much as Chanyeol loves getting attention and being noticed by people, he wants to receive it more appropriately. Not like this. If not only for his relentless desire and eagerness to win, he'd never do this kind of thing. The hopeful (and threatening yet supportive) glares from his fellow juniors and managers aren't helping. They just add up to the pressure, not to mention the women in the crowd and their high-pitched squeals as if they were fangirls cheering for idols in a concert.

"Mr. Park Chanyeol? Care to introduce your partner?"

This is downright humiliating. Damn it, Chanyeol should've just accepted being the second place. It seems not bad at all.

"Uh... Well, haha," Chanyeol laughs hesitantly, side-eyeing the person beside him who agreed (was forced) to couple with him tonight. The camera even zooms on Chanyeol's awkward smiling face. "You guys already know her so please don't ask anymore..."

"Oh! Is she perhaps-" The MC gasps, acting surprised as she covers her mouth. "But I think we haven't seen her before, though..."

Baekhyun, who has been hiding his face for quite a while now, decides to finally turn around and reveal himself as soon he feels the tap on his back. Flipping over his shoulder the pink wavy wig a staff found for him in the stock room, he smiles in the most feminine way and sweetly waves at the camera. He clears his throat as he speaks softly and delicately:

"Hi, everyone~ My name's Byun Baekhee and I'm Park Chanyeol's girlfriend. Kyaah!"

A moment of silence arises before the people go berserk, exploding in various reactions. Some staff are screeching and wheezing, while the Managers are laughing and teasing them. Baekhyun expected this to happen, yet the only thing he can do right now is swallow down his pride and smile through this painstaking embarrassment. He has to constantly think of the brand new TV to overcome this excruciating shame. Then again, he didn't sign up for this just to humiliate himself. He joined to win.

"Is that... Is that Baekhyun up there!?"

"Bro, that insane! He really wore a wig!? Hahahahaha!"

"Ice Prince is so pretty, not gonna lie!"

"Yo! Puppy, good luck! We're counting on you!"

"You two have to defeat all the opponents! Bring home the bacon!"

"Chanyeol oppa! Baekhyun oppa! Fighting!"

"What the fuck is this!? Is that even allowed? Hahaha!"

"Hey! Get down in here, Baekhyun! You guys aren't even a couple!"

"Omg, they look good together, though!"

The screams are deafening and getting wild, waking the sleeping lion in Chanyeol's heart. He spares Baekhyun a determined glance, looking at him straight in the eyes. It's all or nothing now. Baekhyun nods, his gaze full of courage and willpower. We must win no matter what. It's a matter of life and death.

"Let's do it," they both say, doing a double high five and a fist bump, before letting out an inhumane screech like mad gorillas. "Ahoo-ahoo!"

The mechanics of the game is simple. Each pair must dance around the newspaper as soon as the music is turned on. Once the music stops, both need to be inside the paper area. They shall only touch the newspaper but not the floor. Any team stepping on the floor gets eliminated. The music resumes and the newspaper will be folded in half. The whole process is repeated until only one foot can fit the newspaper so that the stronger partner can carry the other. The last couple surviving will win the game.

♫ Pa-pa, Pa-da, Pa-pa, Pa-da!
Bring the beat in! ♪
♪ Honey honey~
I can see the stars all the way from here ♫
♫ Can't you see the glow on the windowpane

The first three rounds are a piece of cake; Baekhyun would just hop into the newspaper whenever Beyonce's Love on Top stopped playing.

Half of the paper folded and both he and Chanyeol still manage to fit. It's the one-fourth of the paper when Chanyeol crouches down and effortlessly piggybacks Baekhyun after taking off their shoes, figuratively taking this game seriously.

This is a battle of balance in which Baekhyun's not bad himself while Chanyeol's in charge of the strength. They make a pretty good team, to be honest. It's only the wig that Baekhyun finds a bit distracting. He shouldn't have put it on. It blocks his face while he rounds the newspaper, eventually slapping Chanyeol on the mouth with it when he turns and stops.

♫ Baby it's you
You're the one I love ♪
♫ You're the one I need
You're the only one I see ♫
♪ Come on, baby it'sㅡ

The music pauses.

The whole crowd gasps.

"Oh, shit," Chanyeol mutters, staring down at the newspaper on the floor now the size of an A4 sheet. Thinking at the last minute, he grabs Baekhyun by the arm, scoops him up, and carries him bridal style. He then steps on the newspaper on both feet and stays still.

The audience turns wild, witnessing the scene.

"Just what the hell are you doing!!!" Baekhyun wheezes in surprise, struggling inside Chanyeol's arms, eyes-wide, totally flustered, "Put me down!"

"I had no choice, okay!" Chanyeol whispers, trying to ignore the way people are either laughing at them or cheering for them, filming them on their phones, "And I can't let go of you now. Do you wanna lose?!"

"You could've just! Carried me on your back or something!"

"Next round, let's do it next round!"

"Fuck. This is embarrassing..."

"Just don't move too much. You're heavy, you know."

The hosts start going around so that the participants can balance their positions before it's time to do a countdown. Some guys are piggybacking their girlfriends while standing on one foot. Other couples decide to fit themselves both in the newspaper, yet they fail to maintain their stance so they get automatically eliminated.

"Alright! Everybody, stay still. We're gonna check each one of you!"

Chanyeol refuses to breathe as Baekhyun wraps his arm around his neck to support himself. The way their bodies are flushed against each other brings a rapid adrenaline rush into his chest, resulting in an increased heart rate and excessive sweating. His arms are beginning to hurt while his ears are pounding like crazy because of the audience's ear-piercing screeches. The emcees counting down makes it even harder to focus, especially when Baekhyun decides to show his face to him and stare at his eyes.

"Nine... Eight.... Seven... Six...!"

As they lock gazes, a question crosses Chanyeol's mind. Since when did Baekhyun become this beautiful? He's rocking the pink wig, no kidding. It suits him. He's so fucking pretty. No, he's gorgeous. It's like Baekhyun has transformed into a real girl, as though the memory of him being a man suddenly disappears.

"Five... Four... Three... Two...!"

Or that's what Chanyeol thought.

"One!"

At the exact mention of the number 'one', Baekhyun's pink wig slips out of his head, revealing his black short hair.

"Oh, no. The wig!" Baekhyun exclaims. He attempts to salvage and catch his wig but it's too late. It has already dropped on the floor.

Chanyeol holds in his chuckle, preventing himself from cracking into a smile.

Well, this look is much better.

People break into another chaos as they point out how hilarious it is that Baekhyun's wig fell and that Baekhyun is now bald. An employee then immediately picks up the wig and hides it away.

"Hey, you can put me down," Baekhyun says when the song resumes playing. Chanyeol clears his throat, smiles, and gently puts Baekhyun down as if he was a princess.

♪ You put my love on top top top top top
You put my love on top ♫
♫ Ooh ooh, come on baby
You put my love on top top top top top ♪

Three couples, including Chanyeol and Baekhyun, are remaining for the final round. Right now, the newspaper is only the size of a foot. This will determine who's gonna win so Baekhyun must properly strategize what kind of pose should they do to nail a stabilized position. While 'dancing' around the paper, he recalls a vivid memory from the past.

"Chanyeol, do you remember back in high school when we did a Physical Fitness Exam?"

"Yeah? What about it?"

"We did some balancing tests with only one foot. It was pretty easy, though."

"Wait, was is the Flamingo balance? Or was it Stork? I don't really remember..."

"Right, that one! I think it'll work here. We just need to grab onto each other so we won't fall."

Chanyeol trusts Baekhyun with this so when the music finally ceases, he and Baekhyun face each other, both stepping on the newspaper using one foot, sharing that little space enough for their tippy-toes to fit. Balancing the other leg in the air, Baekhyun extends his arm and holds Chanyeol's hand as though they were going to dance Tango, except they were frozen, their chests pressed against each other.

"Hug me," Baekhyun whispers, so Chanyeol wounds his arm around Baekhyun's waist and pulls him closer for a tight embrace, supporting Baekhyun's lower back while balancing.

"Fourth," Chanyeol whispers to himself.

"Huh? What did you say?"

"Nothing."

Chanyeol sees the couple beside them losing their footing, so the two get kicked out instantly. The spectators are cheering for him and Baekhyun, chanting a couple name out of nowhere. Now there are only four remaining; he and Baekhyun, and the couple from the Marketing team.

"Shit, Baekhyun. My foot's already giving in. I can't stand any longer," Chanyeol groans, breathing hard against Baekhyun's neck, trembling and shaking, "Oh my god... Fuck..."

"Hey, just a bit more. Hold it in for a while!" Baekhyun cheers, squeezing Chanyeol in his arms, "You can do it, you hear me? I need you to stay strong. Huh, Park Chanyeol!?"

"Yeah, of course!"

"The TV! And the trophy! We're taking it home, remember?"

"Uh-huh. We're gonna win...!"

As the hosts start counting down for ten seconds, Chanyeol's hand accidentally slides lower on Baekhyun's bum. For him not to totally lose his balance, Chanyeol gropes it hard and adjusts his footing.

"Ten.... Nine... Eight... Seven...!"

Baekhyun jolts, eyes widening, feeling that sudden physical contact on his right ass cheek as if Chanyeol was pulling his butt open with the underwear stuck in his ass crack.

"Fuck, that's my butt!"

"S-sorry! Hehe," Chanyeol snickers. The camera even zooms on Chanyeol's hand squeezing Baekhyun's behind, gaining an insane reaction from the viewers.

"Yo, what the fuck! Hahaha! The cameraman's crazy!"

"Park Chanyeol, you pervert!"

"What the hell am I seeing right now!?"

"Six.... Five... Four... Three...!"

The couple from the opposing team lose their balance, both collapsing on the ground even before the countdown is finished. Some of their supporters wail, sounding disappointed.

"Two... One.... TIME'S UP!"

Chanyeol and Baekhyun are the last men standing.

"We have a winner!"

The viewers celebrate as some victory music is played. The two finally release from their awkward and strained positions upon the announcement of the Grand Champion.

"And our winner is.... Park Chanyeol and Byun Baekhee--Baekhyun from Design and Programming Department! Congratulations to the couple!"

"WAAAAHHHHHH!!!" Chanyeol and Baekhyun yell at top of their lungs, jumping together in pure joy as they hold hands like children. Chanyeol then immediately runs to steal the gold trophy from the hosts, proudly raising it in the air like he was a hero in a movie, "YEAH!!!"

"Whooo! Congrats!"

The crowd cheer and clap with some inspiring song playing in the background as though they've just won the Golden Buzzer in Korea's Got Talent. Baekhyun waves happily at the rest of his department hooting and whistling, celebrating their win.

"We're so proud of you, Chanyeol! Baekhyun!"

"Yep. That's our couple right there!"

"ChanBaek, ChanBaek, CHANBAEK, CHANBAEK!!!"

"Congratulations!"

"Well, that's a wrap, everyone! You can claim your prizes at the end of the party!" the emcee says into the microphone while everyone starts returning to their stations, "Now enjoy the rest of the night and have fun! Merry Christmas to all!"

It's already late when peace and silence finally accompany Baekhyun after exhausting himself in that rowdy and clamorous event. It's tiring but he admits it's fun. He feels happy and accomplished. People are still celebrating inside the building while Baekhyun chooses to go home and rest. It's freezing cold here in the parking lot so he must get to his car already.

Pulling the cart of his brand new TV so he can put it in the trunk of his car, Baekhyun stops when he hears someone calling his name from a distance.

"Baekhyun, there you are!"

Chanyeol is catching his breath, hands perched on his knees, still clutching the trophy like it was his most prized possession.

"I was looking for you everywhere. Are you going home now?"

"Yeah. How about you?"

Baekhyun opens the trunk and rummages inside it, putting away some stuff to make space for his new TV.

"I was planning to stay a bit longer but if you're leaving already then I guess I'll just leave, too," Chanyeol says.

"You don't wanna party with the Bosses?"

"Nah, they'll be fine without me. And I'd rather spend my Christmas Eve with you."

Baekhyun shakes his head and smiles.

"Come here and help me with this."

Chanyeol runs quickly and gives Baekhyun a hand, holding the other side of the TV and placing it into the trunk as carefully as possible. But there seems to be a problem.

"It won't fit."

"Yeah..."

"I'll just call a delivery truck tomorrow to take the TV to my house."

"Are you forgetting that I own a Mercedes?"

And that's when Baekhyun finds himself sitting on the shotgun seat of Chanyeol's car with his TV placed on the truck bed behind them. It's 11:39 in the evening and it's drizzling with light snow outside. The streets are fairly empty yet bright, with the lights from the 24/7 opened stores of Myeongdong keeping the Christmas spirit alive. Probably because people are sleeping or celebrating at home, it turns suddenly quiet when they cruise the residential area, heading to Baekhyun's apartment building.

Baekhyun side-glances Chanyeol whose eyes are focused on the road, driving at a steady speed.

"Chanyeol."

"Mm?"

"You spent Christmas last year with your family, right?"

"Yeah. But they're out of the country now so it's just me this year."

"Oh, I see."

"How about you? Why didn't you go home to your parents by the way? You celebrated Christmas in Bucheon last year."

"I told Mom I couldn't make it because I was busy with our game. Dad said it was fine but I should come home on the Lunar New Year."

"Your nephew must be missing you already. You should buy him a nice gift."

"Yeah. I'll buy some new clothes for Grandma, too."

"She'll be happy for sure."

"What are you gonna do after this?"

"I don't know. Sleep?"

"Wanna come home with me? I'm worried you'll spend Christmas alone."

"As if you're not gonna be alone, either."

"Stay the night at my place. It's more fun that way."

Chanyeol peeks at the rear-view mirror, meeting Baekhyun's stare.

"You're inviting me over?"

"Yup. If you're not busy, let's just celebrate together."

"Sure! I mean, Yeah. I'm not busy."

"You sure you don't have any plans?"

"Nope! My number one priority is only you. And our baby, of course."

Baekhyun pretends to gag and make a grossed-out reaction but he's laughing anyway.

"Bro. That sounds so cheesy."

"You love it anyway."

Chanyeol out of the blue remembers that time in college when he and Baekhyun carried a sofa to their dorm room. It feels similar to now, except it's a television they're carrying in the elevator until they arrive at Baekhyun's apartment. Chanyeol sets the TV in the living room while the owner busies himself in the kitchen, fumbling with the cupboards.

"Want something to drink?"

"Anything's good, thanks."

Plopping on the couch and making himself at home, Chanyeol looks everywhere, admiring the cleanliness and elegance of Baekhyun's place. Oh, and there's also a humble Christmas tree in the corner which Baekhyun seems to have put an effort into decorating himself. How cute.

While waiting for Baekhyun, Chanyeol rocks himself back and forth, plays with the pillow on his lap, and drums his fingers on the armrest just for the sake of having something to do. He stands up, places the trophy on top of Baekhyun's cabinet, and smiles.

"That's better."

A few minutes later, Baekhyun peeks at him from the kitchen, showing a bottle of red wine and two goblets.

"Let's have some wine?"

Chanyeol nods and hums.

"Okay."

The huge glass window of Baekhyun's abode showcases some parts of the city and it's remarkably beautiful. There's the Han River, the Mapo bridge, and the N Seoul Tower. It's still snowing outside and Chanyeol suddenly recalls the happenings at the Christmas party. He and Baekhyun were just onstage earlier. It was lively and bright. There were cameras and plenty of eyes everywhere. Many people looked at them, saw them, and witnessed how they interacted with each other.

It felt like a dream.

And now it's the two of them alone. It's calm and comforting. Nobody's watching, but he and Baekhyun are still the same. Nothing has really changed. If only those people knew how genuninely close they are in private, they'd be surprised and jealous---well, at least that's what Chanyeol hopes.

"Cheers?"

Rolling up his sleeves, Baekhyun walks up beside him. Chanyeol clinks his wine glass on Baekhyun's as they do a celebratory toast.

"Cheers."

Together they stand in comfortable silence, admiring the view overlooking the entire district, listening to some nice Christmas carols playing in the background, and sipping red wine. The wine tastes sweet and rich. It's perfect.

"I still have some clothes here, right?"

"Yeah. They're in my closet."

The clock strikes twelve and it's officially the twenty-fifth. For a certain reason, this situation feels lonely to Chanyeol, not because he's with Baekhyun, but because he's alone.

"Merry Christmas, Baekhyun."

He feels like a stand-in. Just because she's not present here right now.

"Merry Christmas, Chanyeol."

Baekhyun faces him and smiles. Chanyeol smiles back.

"I didn't get you anything, I'm sorry. I should've bought something on the way."

"It's okay. My new TV's enough. After all, you helped get it for me."

"So. Did you get me a present? You must've prepared something for me at least, right? You know I accept anything."

This shameless jerk, Baekhyun chuckles and shakes his head. No. He didn't get Chanyeol any, unfortunately. Isn't his whole presence enough?

"Wait, I thought it's a given between us that I myself as your best friend is already a gift every year. You should be thankful for that."

"Then let me enjoy my gift."

Putting his wine glass aside, Chanyeol cups Baekhyun's soft, mochi cheeks and squeezes these plumpness. If only he could smooch them, he had done it already.

"What the hell are you doing?" Baekhyun asks, lifting one eyebrow.

"I'm just having a nice feel of my Christmas present. You said it yourself, I can have you all to myself for tonight."

Where did that even come from? Baekhyun didn't mean any of that, but whatever. Chanyeol's such a weirdo sometimes.

"Random question. Why are we spending this holiday together?" Chanyeol asks.

Baekhyun hums and shrugs his shoulders.

"We spend almost every day with each other at work. We were also together on Chuseok and your birthday. So what makes it different now?"

"Yeah, you're right. But you know what they say? Christmas is meant to be spent with your loved ones and special someone."

"What can we do? They're far away, so..." Baekhyun turns away after Chanyeol lets go of his face. "They're far away so let's just settle with the nearest loved ones."

"So you had no other choice but to celebrate it with me? Okay, then."

"Hey. Don't talk like you've got no one to spend Christmas eve with."

Chanyeol watches how Baekhyun swirls the wine in his glass before swigging it bottoms up.

"I actually got only one."

"Who?"

"The person right in front of me."

Baekhyun keeps silent after he drinks a sip of his liquor. Chanyeol is smiling with such loving and sincere eyes like he was expressing something deep within that Baekhyun can't fully grasp.

"Baekhyun, you said I'm a loved one."

"Yeah, you are..."

"You're my loved one, too."

As Chanyeol says that, he gently reaches below for Baekhyun's fingers and lightly touches his knuckles one by one. Baekhyun's hand is cold unlike the warm hand Chanyeol had been keeping inside his pockets the whole time. He holds Baekhyun's hand dearly, presses it, and squeezes it, admiring their hand difference in so many ways.

"What are you doing this time?" Baekhyun asks, baffled. He blankly stares at Chanyeol playing with their hands.

"Oh, this? Nothing. I'm just. You know." Caressing Baekhyun's thumb as they never break eye contact, Chanyeol lifts Baekhyun's wrist, before making Baekhyun grab onto something. "Here." He clasps Baekhyun's palm around the empty wine glass he is holding. "Go refill it for me."

Baekhyun clicks his tongue, tears his gaze away, and turns around. He snatches the bottle of red wine on the table behind him and shoves it to Chanyeol.

"Why don't you do it yourself?"

Chanyeol laughs, shaking his head.

"So grumpy."

Hearing the loud ring of his phone somewhere and finding it left on top of the counter, Baekhyun steps back and puts down his goblet on the table.

"Wait, I have to take that call."

"Yeah, sure."

Chanyeol watches silently as Baekhyun picks up the phone, answering it in a rush. He hears Baekhyun greeting his girlfriend a Merry Christmas as the two of them immerse themselves in a happy conversation. Baekhyun laughs, says that he misses her, that he wants to see her, and that he wishes they were together in Korea right now.

Looking away, Chanyeol faces the window and refills his wine glass. He smells the liquor and drinks a tiny amount of it, looking at the black bracelet he's wearing on his wrist given by Baekhyun as a birthday present.

"It tastes bitter now."

****

Present, 2022

(30)

It's eleven o'clock in the morning when they departed Seoul, and they're now boarding the plane to Copenhagen flying 35,000 feet above the ground. On the business class flight, Chanyeol occupies the aisle seat which has more legroom, while Baekhyun has the window seat for a better view of the skies. No matter how he likes visiting abroad for business trips, Baekhyun tends to get motion sickness during flying. He has to constantly rest his eyes or look out of the window so he won't feel nauseous.

"You okay?" Chanyeol asks worriedly, peeking at Baekhyun beside him who has his forehead scrunched while massaging his temples. Chanyeol gets a neck pillow and assists Baekhyun in wearing it so he can feel more comfortable. "Use this for a while."

Baekhyun sighs a quiet Thanks under his breath. Oh, how this sucks. He can't be a "patient" throughout the flight. Before hopping into the plane, he had already taken some anti-dizzy pills at home, but he regrets not drinking enough caffeine today. Also, last night was to blame. He didn't get a proper good night's sleep. Chanyeol snored against his neck while cuddling him. It was a nightmare (not really, he actually slept soundly, he's just making excuses to himself.)

"Should I get you something to drink?"

"Yeah..."

"How about a glass of wine? Let's drink your pain away~"

"Nah, I'd rather sleep..."

"You just slept five minutes ago."

"But my head hurts..."

"Which head?"

Baekhyun opens one eyelid and judges Chanyeol hard, questioning himself why he's even putting up with this jerk. Chanyeol is grinning ear-to-ear, earning him a strong pinch on the arm from Baekhyun.

"I'm kidding-ouch! Stop pinching me. That hurts!"

Releasing Chanyeol, Baekhyun groans, shakes his throbbing head (upper head, for clarification), and yanks down his sleeping eye patch. Chanyeol will soon stop bothering him if he ignores him.

"Let me just give you an acupuncture massage," Chanyeol whispers, taking Baekhyun's hand and gently pressing the point between Baekhyun's thumb and index finger. He massages the muscle tenderly, applying different pressures around Baekhyun's palm and fingers. "Feels good, right?"

Relaxing his tensed shoulders, Baekhyun moans and wheezes in pleasure, feeling his whole body soften. This massage seems effective, not gonna lie. He's not feeling dizzy anymore.

Oh, that feels amazing. This must be cloud nine.

"It's making you calm, isn't it?"

"Yeah, keep going..."

Chanyeol bites his lower lip to suppress his incoming giggle, staring at Baekhyun's lovely reactions. He continues massaging Baekhyun's hand softly and delicately, doing it to his other hand as well.

"You like that? Am I hitting the right spot? How about here?"

"Oh, god... Why are you so good at this?"

"I must be a pro, honey. Who knows?"

"Stop, don't call me honey."

"As you wish, darling."

"Ugh, I hate you."

A cabin crew pushing a trolley of drinks approaches both gentlemen, offering them refreshments plus a kind smile. Baekhyun stays blindfolded while Chanyeol acknowledges her presence with a nod. She places two glasses of red wine as Chanyeol requested earlier.

"Nyd din flyvetur med din mand."
(Enjoy the flight with your husband.)

Chanyeol smiles and answers her back:

"Tak. Vi skal på bryllupsrejse."
(Thanks. We're going on a honeymoon.)

Hearing Chanyeol speak some foreign language, Baekhyun peeks behind his mask and curiously looks at the other man.

"And what does that even mean?"

Chanyeol casually shrugs, smirking.

"Well, she said I was handsome so I told her she was hot."

Baekhyun rolls his eyes and pulls his patch down again. "Tch. Don't think about fucking in the plane's lavatory, you pervert." He thrusts his hand in front of Chanyeol, urging him to do his job further. "Continue where you left off. My head's acting out again."

"Okay, baby."

"Stop it with the endearments. I feel like I'm gonna puke."

Such a feisty attitude. As if it would make him any less cute. Chanyeol laughs and picks up Baekhyun's hand as if he was a princess. He caresses the back of Baekhyun's palm and squeezes his dainty fingers, mentally comparing their hand difference. He interlocks their fingers together into a tight grip, and before Baekhyun could put up a fight, he makes it look like it's a part of the "massage."

"You know, you're really adorable when you get jealous, babe. Possessive much?"

"Bullshit. Don't spout nonsense."

"Here we go again with your love language~ I feel so much special."

Baekhyun glares at Chanyeol.

"Damn it, Park Chanyeol! Aren't you gonna quit teasing me? If you spit one more endearment out of your mouth, I'm seriously gonna kill you. You hear me?"

"What, it's cute how you react! It's making me wanna tease you more. Don't you know you are the cutest when you're mad? I mean, you eating is cute, too. But your sleeping face is also adorable. Now I can't choose which among your cutest face is my favorite."

"Shut up. I'm sick of your pranks already so please stop. It's not funny anymore."

Chanyeol frowns.

"Hey, don't take it seriously, man. What's your problem? It's just getting boring on this flight. All I want is to joke with you."

"Then play some games or something."

"Play with me, then."

Ugh, he's such a handful, Baekhyun mutters to himself, feeling already exhausted for some reason.

Now that he thinks of it. Lately, Chanyeol is being more unnecessarily bothersome than he already is. He's gotten a lot clingier and bolder, too. He does and says whatever he wants, whether in the office or at home, without filter. Not that it is a surprise or anything, because Chanyeol's always been like this towards him. Well, Chanyeol did mellow out some years later, but recently, he's suddenly back to his old self like how he was in the past.

So Baekhyun wonders the reason why Chanyeol is behaving like this. Is it safe to say that it feels weird how this atmosphere seems familiar?

"You... suddenly got all quiet," Chanyeol says hesitantly. He decides to let go of Baekhyun's hand. Probably it's a good thing that Baekhyun is wearing a sleeping mask, he can't see Baekhyun's disinterested eyes. "Was my teasing really too much? Fine. I'm sorry. I won't call you pet names anymore, I promise."

"..."

"And I won't be lovey-dovey with you, either! Like I said, I'll stop calling you babe, baby, honey, darling, and the likes from now on! I swear that to my grave! Happy now?"

Chanyeol doesn't expect a reply. After all, he doesn't want Baekhyun getting worked up over this so he better lie low for now. It's like he has stepped on a landmine.

"You still mad, bestie?"

"I'm gonna sleep so don't talk to me," Baekhyun exhales and turns his head to the side, facing away from Chanyeol. "Thanks for the massage. I'm all good now."

Chanyeol clears his throat and stands up.

"Hey, I'm going to the bathroom real quick."

"Okay."

"Wanna come with?"

"No."

As Chanyeol shuts the door of the plane's lavatory, he splashes his face with cold water and stares at his worn-out yet still gorgeous reflection.

"Pfft. Did I go overboard?"

He smiles convincingly to himself and nods. Let's just be more careful next time.

"Well, it's gonna be a long flight. Hope I won't get distracted too much."

To be continued