Baekhyun and Chanyeol walked to lunch together, Baekhyun sort of limping. Chanyeol carried Baekhyun's books for him, waiting as the brunet spun his lock and put the books in.

Baekhyun figured Chanyeol felt guilty, so he tried to walk on his own, to show Chanyeol that he was perfectly okay.

It backfired when he became too confident; his leg giving way. Chanyeol was right there beside him, arms ready to scoop him up and hold him against his chest.

"Idiot." Baekhyun heard his whisper. "Just lean on me. Your health is more important than your ego," Chanyeol murmured. Baekhyun didn't dare believe the affection he heard.

These were the times where Chanyeol really wanted to kiss Baekhyun. When the brunet was nicely tucked into his hold and being all clingy. He wanted to kiss Baekhyun so badly.

But he didn't. He didn't because he didn't want to get Baekhyun's hopes up. He didn't because he already had before. And that would be enough until he got himself out of the mess he created.

And before he even made the promise to himself, Chanyeol knew that he was going to end up breaking it.

Chanyeol helped Baekhyun down the stairs and into the cafeteria, suddenly becoming cold, even though every fiber of his being was screaming at him, telling him to not let go.

Baekhyun gave him a look of acceptance. Not understanding, just quiet acceptance.

Chanyeol's heart broke a little more.

He sat down across from Kyungsoo, a smile on his face. Chanyeol saw Baekhyun sit down next to him. The giant scowled. I told him not to be near Kyungsoo!

Jongdae was busy on his phone, burning a hole through the screen with his glare. Jongin was staring at Kyungsoo, to lost in his own self pity to notice anything.

"Hey Channie," Baekhyun heard Kyungsoo say, "meet me right in front of the school gates after school today, okay? I have something to tell you." Baekhyun didn't know, because he was staring at his food the entire time, but Kyungsoo was shooting looks at the brunet as he talked, almost as if he wanted Baekhyun to come as well.

Silently, Chanyeol grabbed Baekhyun's hand and placed it in his own thigh, sliding it down to rest at his kneecap, as if to persuade him to stay a little while.

Baekhyun squeezed Chanyeol's kneecap subtly, to reassure him that he wasn't going to go, even though he wanted to.

With his hand on the giant's knee, Baekhyun could feel Kyungsoo kicking Chanyeol's foot lightly, moving Chanyeol's foot around playfully. He frowned, standing up. "I need to go to the library," he mumbled, gathering his things and walking out, feeling dejected.

Not long after, Chanyeol excused himself to the bathroom. Kyungsoo furrowed his eyebrows, then decided to leave him be.

But after way too long had passed and the was still no sight of Chanyeol, Kyungsoo stood up, going to the bathroom to make sure everything was okay.

The bathrooms were empty.

Kyungsoo blinked. Where is he?

Footsteps approached him, and before Kyungsoo even turned around or heard him, he already knew it was Jongin.

"Kai." Kyungsoo didn't turn around.

"Hey, Kyungsoo... why did you leave so soon?" Jongin was almost sheepish.

"It doesn't matter. Why are you here?"

Jongin grinned sadly, even though Kyungsoo couldn't possibly have known. But he did.

"Don't do that. Don't look at me like that Kai. Don't lie either." And without looking at Jongin, Kyungsoo spun around and left.

And if Kyungsoo had glanced to the left a little as he exited, he would have noticed Baekhyun and Chanyeol sitting on the stairs with their sides pressed together, talking in hushed tones.

***

It's during sixth period that Baekhyun received news of the results of the DNA testing. Surprisingly, he had forgotten all about with all the excitement. The message came in the form of a text from Jongdae, who automatically followed up with a text about how he excused himself from history to go to the bathroom because he just remembered and needed to tell Baekhyun before he forgot again.

Baekhyun was surprised that Jongdae wasn't really freaking out over it. Knowing Jongdae, he should be. He should be having a full meltdown, waterworks and everything.

Baekhyun was going to pester Jongdae about it during their free period. For the time being, he just set his phone down and turned around to help a stressed out Minseok with a study guide.

***

For his free period, Baekhyun received a text from Chanyeol to go to the bottom of the stairs. Grabbing his sketchbook (since he just had art), Baekhyun walked to the stairs.

When he turned the corner so that the stairs were in view, Chanyeol was already sitting there, watching expecting. The giant waved him over immediately, patting the spot beside him. Baekhyun walked over and sat down with a grunt.

"Hey. Did you need something?" Baekhyun grinned.

"They others should be here soon, so... anyways, there's something you should know." Chanyeol took a deep breath. "Kyungsoo, wants to date me."

Before Baekhyun could speak, Chanyeol continued on, looking pained. "And I can't disagree. I really can't. I'm sorry Baek. He's going to ask me after school today. And I just..." he stopped to breath. "I'm sorry."

"Why are you getting so worked up? I'm fine, don't worry about me." Baekhyun rested a comforting hand on Chanyeol's shoulder. "Jongin will be disappointed though."

"Why are you so selfless, you goon?" Chanyeol sighed, a trace of affection in his tone.

"I trust you, as strange as that sounds. I trust that you know what you're doing." Baekhyun relished in the moment. Being about to just talk to Chanyeol alone and face to face was something that he hadn't gotten to do in a long while. "I can see why Kyungsoo would want to date you though," he said wryly.

"Oh really?" Even with the situation, Chanyeol still found a small smile on his face. Baekhyun just seemed to have that effect on him.

A stampede of footsteps interrupted their moment.

"Guys! Guys! I know who it is!"

- § -

Happy 28th birthday to my UB Luhan!!! (And to Adolf Hitler, I guess... ._.)

042018