For then next couple days, the little brunet was all that was on Chanyeol's mind. Baekhyun was always gone by the time Chanyeol stepped foot into the library at that seriously ridiculous hour. The giant once again asked himself why he thought it was a good idea to take a shift so late at night.

Chanyeol had to see him again. So before the clock struck midnight, Chanyeol took a book that needed to be returned and his book bag, leaving his dorm and walking across the campus to the library.

When Chanyeol reached his destination, instead of walking to the return box, he headed for the back corner of the library. And there he was. The conspicuous brunet, curled up into one of the beanbags and turning the page of his textbook with a sweater paw. He was wearing glasses today as well, and Chanyeol watched him poke out a perfect finger to push up the wire rimmed vision apparel. He looked so cozy. Chanyeol couldn't help but want to squeeze in next to him and take a nap. "Baekhyun."

Upon hearing his name, Baekhyun looked up from his textbook, he mouth widening into a rectangular grin at the male in front of him. "How are you? Come, sit." He scooted over and patted the empty spot.

"I haven't seen your pretty face around in a while," Chanyeol teased as he sat down.

"You can't see a pretty face if there isn't one." Baekhyun answered dismissively, pushing up his glasses and turning his attention back to his textbook.

"Then you obviously haven't been looking at a mirror lately."

Baekhyun chuckled softly. "Maybe not. I try to avoid looking at mirrors. I've heard it makes people self-absorbed."

"Does it? I'll keep that in mind." Chanyeol smiled, looking at the books that were stacked neatly on the shelves. He turned back when he felt Baekhyun leaning into him. "What's wrong?"

"It's cold." Baekhyun shivered slightly, hugging his knees closer to him.

Chanyeol silently thanked the air conditioner for kicking in right then. He draped his arm around Baekhyun's slim figure, pulling him closer to his warm body. "Better?"

"Yeah. Thanks." The brunet turned back to his textbook.

"Are you always so friendly with people that you've met only a week ago?" Chanyeol laughed.

"Not all the time. But you seem like you won't hurt me, so what do I have to lose? Plus, you're warm." Baekhyun smiled, snuggling up against Chanyeol's body. He was happy just being like this. Being close to the one person that cared for him. The brunet was a firm believer in first impressions. Chanyeol had cared for him before he'd even known him at all. Baekhyun could have been someone completely dangerous, and Chanyeol would probably still try his best to help. He'd had risked getting in trouble by bringing the sleepy brunet coffee. His coffee, that Chanyeol needed to last him through the night. He had given that up to someone he didn't know at all. That proved enough of his character to Baekhyun.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Chanyeol dug around in his pocket, pulling out the copper disc.

Baekhyun pushed the offering back. "Why did you help me that day?"

"I don't know. I was surprised to see you, I guess. Who expects a student in the library at four in the morning, snoozing on a textbook? A textbook about sleep, no less."

"Experimenting, correct?" Baekhyun took off his glasses, amused.

"Precisely." Chanyeol was glad that the brunet remembered. "Do you always wear glasses?" Chanyeol touched the wire rim of Baekhyun's glasses.

"I have contacts, and I wear them during the day, but I don't like having them in after classes. After my last class, I take them out and swap them for these, then come to the library." Baekhyun explained, putting the glasses in Chanyeol's palm. "My vision is horrible. I read too much," he laughed.

Chanyeol inspected the glasses and gave them back to their owner, who put them in a case and slipped the case inside his bag. "Geez, my eyes hurt." He massaged his temple uncomfortably.

Chanyeol rubbed the boy's shoulder. "Shh, just relax. Why so tense?" He pulled a small bottle of essential oil out of the side pocket of his bag and uncapped it. He took Baekhyun's wrist and gently dripped two drops on the smooth skin. The giant rubbed the oil in with two fingers, feeling Baekhyun's timid gaze on him. Baekhyun brought his wrist up to his nose and sniffed, smiling.

"Lavender?"

"Yeah. I use it all the time." He put the bottle back, the reached over Baekhyun to fix his collar for the boy. Baekhyun got a face-full of Chanyeol's sweet smelling hair, not that he was complaining.

"You smell like the lavender. It's nice." Baekhyun unconsciously nuzzled into Chanyeol's hair. He couldn't help himself. There was something about the library guard that made him so easy to be with. Maybe it was the teasing smile that was always on his face. Or the fact that he was so generous. Or maybe it was just because he cared.

"Take a bit of a break. Just talk about something. Anything. I'll listen," Chanyeol offered.

"I actually have a few things I want someone's opinion on. They're about human nature." Baekhyun pulled out his phone.

Chanyeol wrapped his hand around Baekhyun's. "I thought I implied no eye strain."

"It won't be for long." Baekhyun smiled when Chanyeol lifted his hand.

[AN: I think it would be cool if you guys could answer the questions as well in the comments!]

"Sum up the entire human race in three words. Give your explanation," Baekhyun read, shutting his phone and tucking in his pocket.

"Ooh, that's a good question. Let me think." Chanyeol played with his fingers and breathed out slowly. Baekhyun was perfectly content with watching Chanyeol think. He made slight facial expressions based on whatever was running through his mind. It was kinda cute. "Um, ignorant. Passionate. And unpredictable... no. Spontaneous." He nodded. "Ignorant. Passionate. Spontaneous." He ticked them off on his fingers.

"Why?" Baekhyun was genuinely curious. He could see arguments for all of them, but wanted to hear Chanyeol's ideas.

"Ignorant because..." he grinned. "They can't see your beauty." Baekhyun stiffened. Chanyeol chuckled. "That's not my real reason." He didn't say that he was kidding or anything. Baekhyun leaned against Chanyeol's sturdy body and relaxed.

"I think people are ignorant, because they don't care. I found you in the library. No one who saw you before me cared. They ignored you. They were ignorant to your feelings. People are like that for a lot of things. Maybe self-conceited would be a better term.

"And you have to have a passion, no matter how small or irrelevant. It's a hobby. It's what makes life worth living. For some people, it's art. For others, it's music. Writing is also a common one. And you don't have to be good at something you're passionate about. If you're truly passionate, it doesn't matter." Chanyeol eyes lit up as he talked. "And for me, it's making other people happy."

"If everything was predictable, then there wouldn't be much conflict. Life would loose it's spark. Excitement wouldn't be too much of a thing. Surprises wouldn't really exist," he explained. "And sometimes, surprises come in different forms." He brushed the back of his hand against Baekhyun's cheek. "Like you."

"Aren't you smooth," Baekhyun giggled, his eyes bright with amusement.

"It's part of my charm," Chanyeol brushed a lock of hair from his face. "Why don't you answer the question as well?"

But Baekhyun was already dozing off against Chanyeol's shoulder, lulled by the giant's deep voice and the lavender oil.

"Or not," Chanyeol chuckled to himself and he pulled Baekhyun closer and put his bag with his, so he could keep an eye on it. "Sleep well."

Chanyeol watched as Baekhyun's nose crinkled up as it brushed up against Chanyeol's hair. Chanyeol moved his head, then Baekhyun relaxed.

He whined a little, wrapping his arms around Chanyeol and hugging the giant loosely.

Textbooks had never felt so warm and comfortable.

- § -

:)

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