After their talk in the library Baekhyun still didn't see Chanyeol much. He was hurt and he wished Chanyeol would come to him because he knew he was still in pain. He just wanted to make him happy again; he wanted to see his thousand watt smile again; he wanted to take another tour of the school with him again.

* * *

Baekhyun was sitting in his literature class, writing an essay out on his computer. Both Daehyun and Jongin had the class with him, and they were both messing around; kicking each other beneath the table and flicking balled up pieces of paper at the other.

Baekhyun's patience was already thin, since that same morning Sehun had pissed him off with his usual shit and Baekhyun had gotten grounded after his retaliation. He tried to stay calm though by taking deep and soothing breathes. And closing his eyes, he placed himself in a peaceful mindset full of tall green grass, that tickled his skin. There was also a beautiful blue sky with a gentle breeze that blew through his hair and carried the scent of blooming flowers. He smiled.

But then that painted scene of peace was shattered when a balled up piece of paper nailed him right between the eyes. His smile slipped away as his eyes slowly opened, a furious fire burning inside them. He noticed both Daehyun and Jongin gulp before carefully inching their chairs away.

Baekhyun glared at them, and instead of committing a murder, he took a deep breath and slowly released it before hissing through gritted teeth, "Why don't you start being my boyfriend again when you learn how to grow up!"

Daehyun's eyes widened and Jongin went "Ooh!" Baekhyun shoved his chair back and slammed his computer shut, dropping it a little too harsh into his bag as he curtly said, "And Daehyun, don't follow me." And with that, Baekhyun stalked out of the room, ignoring the teacher's demands that he return to his seat.

He angrily walked through the hallway until he came to the nearest restroom. He felt like kicking the door open but decided to just civilly push it open. He went inside —- and froze.

There was already someone in there, and Baekhyun's eyes widened at the horrible, most likely painful sounds they were making. His eyes widened and he covered his mouth as he eased the door back open, his skin crawling as he kept thinking, Shit! I should not have heard that. That was way too private.

Baekhyun guiltily bit his bottom lip and walked away, wanting to give whoever that may have been their privacy. He sighed and settled for outside, knowing the cleansing breeze of fresh air would relieve his nerves much more efficiently than the school men's room.

He placed his bag in-between the door as he looked for a rock to replace with his bag, knowing if he let the door click shut he'd be locked out and have to get in by buzzing the main office. And he didn't feel like getting asked a million questions.

Baekhyun dropped his bag down on one of the picnic tables students could use during lunch —- the only time the door was unlocked —- and laid his head down. He closed his eyes as he just simply enjoyed the sounds of nature, and at some point, he even dozed off because when he reopened his eyes someone was sitting beside him. They had their head laid down on the table too, using their folded arms as a pillow.

Baekhyun blinked the sleep from his eyes and squinted against the sunlight as he sleepily muttered, "Chan-yeol?"

He didn't wake up though, and sighing, Baekhyun let him sleep. And admittedly, it gave him a chance to study his face without the fear of accusation, so he didn't mind. His eyes followed Chanyeol's soft yet prominent facial features, a smile curving his lips at the absolute perfection that was Park Chanyeol. Baekhyun was practically memorized. He had never allowed himself to really look at Chanyeol before, and now that he was . . . It was like he was being filled with a wave of nostalgia.

Baekhyun sighed and tentatively stretched his hand out. He gently traced Chanyeol's eyebrows; delicately touched his eyelids; and traced his jawline down to his slightly parted and chapped lips. He brushed his thumb over his bottom lip, the pressure of his touch parting Chanyeol's lips even more. He felt his warm breath ghost over his knuckles, and an involuntary shiver raced up his spine. It felt good —- too good.

He was about to retract his hand back to his lap when something flashed pass in his right peripheral, before five cold fingers locked around his wrist. Baekhyun gasped, and startled and afraid at being caught his eyes shot up to meet Chanyeol's.

Chanyeol's eyes were dark, and Baekhyun could see deep emotion harbored inside them. They were like an ocean Baekhyun found himself wanting to explore for days, weeks, months . . . Forever.

He gasped at his own desires and forcefully pulled his wrist away from Chanyeol. He began to gather his things together, his heart beating erratically. He made a desperate tempt for the door, but Chanyeol made it there first and kicked the rock away. The door closed with a deafening click.

"Why are you running away?" Chanyeol asked.

Baekhyun kept his eyes trained on the ground as he replied, "Because what I just did was wrong. I shouldn't have. I'm sorry."

Silence followed Baekhyun's words, and then Chanyeol was softly asking, "Did you feel anything?"

Baekhyun's gaze flickered up to Chanyeol, the latter's eyes instantly ensnaring him. Baekhyun's mouth opened and closed, but no words ever came out. He didn't know what to say.

After another moment, he managed to choke out, "Wh-what do you mean?"

Chanyeol sighed and shook his head. "Nothing," he muttered.

Baekhyun frowned. "Why do you do that?" he murmured.

"Do what?"

"You never tell me what you're thinking. You start to, then you stop, and it's frustrating."

"I'm sorry, I guess I just don't know what to say...." Chanyeol mumbled.

Baekhyun shook his head and said, "I think you're lying."

Chanyeol's brow furrowed and he threaded his fingers through his hair, he sighed with mild frustration. "Sometimes lies are better than the truth. Sometimes they're there to protect people."

"What are you protecting me from?"

"The truth . . ."

"Maybe I don't need your protecting," Baekhyun said, his voice raising. As they had been talking, they had been unconsciously moving closer to each other. They were nearly nose to nose.

Baekhyun sighed, his voice turning gentle as he said, "Please, Chanyeol? What are you protecting me from . . .?" Baekhyun whispered, as Chanyeol just softly murmured, "There are so many things I want to tell you . . ."

Baekhyun furrowed his brow and reached his hand out, gently touching Chanyeol's cheek as he softly asked, "Why can't you?"

There was sadness in Chanyeol's eyes as he murmured, "Because I don't want to hurt you...."

Baekhyun's hand dropped away, forming fists as he yelled, "But you already have!"

"I know. I'm sorry."

Baekhyun squeezed his fists together, tears rolling down his cheeks as he weakly whispered, "Please, I don't care. Just tell me . . . Please, Chanyeol."

Chanyeol bowed his head, touching his forehead to Baekhyun's as he whispered, "Why should I tell you?"

Tears continued to roll down the side of Baekhyun's cheeks as he quietly murmured, "Because you asked if I felt anything and I–I do. I just want to understand why . . ."

Chanyeol pulled away from Baekhyun, their eyes locking together as he softly said, "Okay. Follow me." And with those spoken words, all of Chanyeol's reasons for protecting him seemingly crumbled away. He had been fighting against himself too long. He wanted to feel that sense of friendship again —- even if only for awhile.

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