~Chanyeol~

It's a cold one today. One of those rare spring days where it decides it wants to be winter again. A shiver vibrates through my muscles and I lift my hands to breathe some warmth into them.

This bench isn't helping either. Whoever decided that cold metal in an already overly shaded graveyard was appropriate, should really rethink their life choices.

It's early, too early for me to be awake in a day I don't have class, but I can't sleep. Restlessness has taken up residence in my bed and refuses to leave. It's been like this all week. I haven't been able to sleep with the idea that Baek isn't home. That Baekhyun isn't safely tucked into his bed, away from the dangers of the world. He's been talking to the others, and apparently has even come home for cloths and some food a few times, but I always miss him. Gods do I miss him.

"Baek's mad at me." I say out loud. "I know what i did wrong. I know where i messed up, but i don't exactly know how to fix it. I could really use some advice."

I can imagine her sitting down next to me, running her fingers through my hair and shaking her head at me, tsking about my latest stupid stunt.

"He told me he loves me. He actually love me. He said he has been in love with me for years... but i hurt him. Just as i got him, he pulled away. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to fix this."

I imagine her sympathetic face, her gentle, comforting hand patting my own. I can almost hear her voice asking if I've tried speaking to him. Asking if I've even tried to fix it.

"He won't talk to me. He won't even see me. I miss him. Being away from him for so long hurts. It's like that one summer, when Heechul sent Baekhyun to space camp, but i couldn't go because i had to do summer school. It was the worst summer of my life. We've never been apart for more than a couple of weeks, and I'm going a little crazy here."

The wind blows around me, making a low pitched sound that i imagine to be her laughing at me. It makes sense. She always thought Baek and i were foolish together and i guess she's right.

"A little help would be great right now, mom." I ask, maybe a little too desperately.

Silence only greets me. Even my overactive imagination can't generate her trueness. She always had a way to say exactly what you needed to hear. She always had the best advice. But she's not here and I'm still lost. Without my mom or Baek... I'm hollow.

"I thought i might find you here." My dad says, sitting down next to me.

I whip my head over, hearing a slight pop "dad?"

"Chanyeol... it's been a while."

"What are you doing here?"

"Heechul called me. He was worried. Said you and Baek got into it."

"Why do you care?"

My dad winces and i regret my words. I've never been angry at my father. Actually it's the lack of feeling for him that makes me truly realize our distance. My mom was the one that brought us together, and after she passed... well, there went the lone thread that gave us anything in common.

The older man sighs, a tired undertone to it. I wonder if he's been sleeping enough lately; eating enough. "She was better at this than i was. Your mom knew how to make everything better and always knew what to do. I know I'm not your favorite person and god knows i could have tried harder, Yeol... but don't think i dont care about you, Son. You're my boy and honestly, you're the only piece of her i have left."

I swallow the sudden lump in my throat "you did your best. I know that. I really do... i just..."

"Needed her?"

"Yeah" i breath out, a tear scalding my face in the cold morning air.

My dad nods, as if he understands completely "me too."

We sit in silence for a few seconds, before he takes a deep breath and shuffles around. I glance over to watch him produce a large, tattered looking book from his coat, and hands it over to me. My eyebrows furrow as i hold, what appears to be a thick photo album in my hands. It's bound in a worn leather, like someone had put a lot of love into it over the years.

"What's this?" I ask, giving my dad a curious look.

My dads lips tick into a soft smile, a rare occurrence from him and i can't help the kick of surprise.

"I may not be your mother and I'm definitely not good at these types of things, but i do know what matters, kid."

My eyebrows pinch together, but he offers me nothing more than a nodding motion, silently telling me the answer lies in my hands. I open the photo album, and half laugh half sob when i come across a picture of my mother's, both of them. My own holding me and Heechul holding Baekhyun, smiling brightly at the camera. They both look so beautiful and happy. My heart clenches painfully.

I risk to turn the page and find an equally touching photo of Baek and me laying side by side in a crib, sleeping, and holding onto each other tightly. The next is tiny Baekhyun sat next to me in high chairs, covered in food. Then Baek and me sitting back to back in a sandbox, holding hands on the swing set, sharing an ice cream one (half of it covering our faces), and even one picture of us in the bath together. They keep going, each picture is Baekhyun and me, always together as we grow up. Playing together, eating together, going on vacations, even school pictures. Baekhyun is always by my side in all of them.

"Your mother started that when you were kids. She always told me that she wanted to give it to the both of you on your wedding day. She and Heechul had this notion that you were both meant to be together since you were babies." My father chuckles lightly, a sound that would shock me if i wasn't so caught up in these photos "i guess they were right. The only way either of you would stop crying when you were infants is to put you two next to each other. It was like watching magic. Baekhyun would start fussing and all your mother had to do was place you beside him and he'd instantly curl up into your side and go to sleep. It almost did seem like fate."

I peek up from the album and regard my father with disbelief. "i didnt know that."

My dad nods "we didn't tell you because we didn't want you guys to feel pressure to be together. We wanted you two to gravitate naturally."

I take a deep breath and go back to the photos. They slowly become less and less the older we get, and I get it with trembling fingers. The pictures slow around the time my mom got sick.

I'm hesitant to keep going, seeing a picture Baek and i had taken of us one summer. It was the summer right before my mom told me about how sick she really was. About how she'd probably never see the next summer.

I turn the page and surprisingly find a picture of us during our school talent show, then one during a class field trip, and one we had just taken ourselves after school one day while hanging out in Baekhyun's room... all taken after my mom died.

"It didn't feel right to stop. That album was important to her. It's something she wanted you to have... something she wanted you to look back on. I know its not complete and i know that later pictures aren't even close to what she would have done, but some of those were hard to get. Do you know how many teachers i had to bribe to slip me pictures, or how many times i had to ask Heechul to sneak shots when you guys went to do things... it wasn't easy and honestly-"

I stop him dead in his tracks, his tongue frozen mid sentence, as i wrap my arms around my dad. It's been years since i hugged this man. Years too long. He's still my dad. Even though we don't always connect the way we should, he'll always be my dad. Moms death was hard on him too, and sometime i forget that.

Selfishly, I've been hurting in silence and grieving on my own, when we could have been hurting... healing together. All this time, i thought he checked out. Pushed everyone out of his life and threw himself into work, but all along he's been watching over me. Loving me in his own way. I was just too stubborn and blind to see.

"I should have called more. I should have made more of an effort. I should-"

"No, Chanyeol. It's okay. I understood. Of course i missed you. Of course i wished we could have connected more, like you and your mother did, but i understood. No matter how much i wanted to, i could never live up to your mother, so i kept my distance. I'm sorry. I should have been there, even if i knew it would have never been enough." My dad explains, holding me against him and rubbing my back. My mom used to do the same.

A sob suddenly burst from my lips and my dad tightens his arms around me. For years we've both been stubborn idiots. My mother's probably watching us right now, laughing and shaking her head. She'd probably tell us just how much we're like one another if she could.

"Chanyeol" my dad says, his voice sounding a bit thick "I've never claimed to be a smart man, but i know love when i see it, son. I've seen you two grow since you were babies. I've watched you two before my eyes, and i know that what you two share is so intensely strong, that whatever you guys are fighting about doesn't really matter."

I pull back, my hand still clutching at his jacket "I'm not sure if i can get past this."

My dad smiles gently at me and reaches up, wiping my cheeks clear. "Yeol, you've known Baekhyun since you two came into this world. You've grown up together, learned, loved, faught, and are still by each other's sides. That means something, kid. There's a reason that album exists, and there's a reason why your mom made it. She knew that no matter what there would always be love between you two and you'd always be by one another's side. If you don't believe me, look again." He says, pointing at the book.

I pull away from him, and continue to flip through the pages. Prom, senior trip, our graduation, freshman moving day, rush week, the day we moved into EXO, Baekhyun's award ceremony, my first show ... our lives are laid out from beginning to now. It's all here and it's all with Baekhyun by my side. My best friend. My family. My first love. Baekhyun's everything to me. These pictures don't lie.

Suddenly, i know exactly where to find Baekhyun.

"Dad, i have to-"

My dad smiles and glances up at me as i stand "Go. He's probably waiting for you."

I swallow thickly, "what about you... about us?"

My dad sits back on the bench and a look touches his eyes, one he always reserved for my mother "don't worry about me. Go get the love of your life. I'll be here, spending a little time with mine."

I push away the sudden onslaught of emotions his words bring and nod, knowing he's right. We have plenty of time to mend things later. But right now, my side is feeling a little cold, and i know just how to warm it up.

>>>>>

~Baekhyun~

"Why are you still here?" A voice peels me out of an equation that I've been working on for the past hour.

I groan and sit back in my office chair, hearing a few unsettling cracking noises. "Because i live to thrive in your greatness, Dr. Lee."

My professor rolls his eyes "go home, Byun. Even animals know when they've worn out their welcome."

I settle my hand over my heart and scoff in an over dramatic gesture. "Are you calling me an animal?"

"No, Baekhyun. Animals work on instincts, they only communicate when necessary. And sarcasm, the only language i'm sure you're fluent in, doesn't exist in animals." My professor supplies, settling his briefcase on his desk, looking awfully exhausted for it being this early in the day.

I sit back, never having thought about this before. "animals don't have sarcasm?"

My professor raises his eyebrow curiously and smiles lightly "no, studies have shown that communication between animals is extremely limited and literal."

"Oh my god." I suddenly exclaim "do you think animals have a sense of humor?"

My professor looks up at me with a considering face. "Probably not... wait, why you tearing up?"

I cover my mouth with my hand " I'm just thinking about a small hamster going through it's life like an accountant, so so bored and so sad, or a fluffy white bunny rabbit never knowing the joy of a dick joke... and... and i... i need a minute."

The look my professor shoots me as i leave the lab is worth every second of that scene, and i'm still laughing when i exit the room, but it fades as soon as i look down the hall. Honestly, i expected him to find me, but not this quick. I knew Chanyeol knows me best, but maybe even i underestimated him.

"Yeol." i greet shortly and too formal.

Chanyeol swallows thickly, stepping a few feet closer to me. "Hey, Baek."

Silence meets us, and we stand there awkwardly looking everywhere but at each other. I guess neither of us really know where to go from here. Yeol made an effort to come find me, at least i could do is try to push this into some semblance of a conversation. Something we've desperately needed to have for a while now.

Spending a week away from your best friend and the love of your life, kind of allows you to think. Allows you to place some perspective on things. I love Chanyeol. I love him with all of my heart, and i know he has feelings for me, but i need to know who he has feeling for. Me? Or the version of me in his head? I need to know if my best friend has really been by my side all of these years for something.

"You found me." i say, my voice pitched too high.

Chanyeol flinches slightly, probably recognizing it as my nervous tone. I wonder how odd it feels for him to know that i feel anxious around him. Yeol's always been in my life. He's always been with me for as long as i can remember. We know everything there is to know about one another and we are not just comfortable together, but we're a source of that comfort. My happy place, my peaceful moment, for the longest time has always been Chanyeol. It breaks my heart that i feel stripped and vulnerable under his gaze.

"I know you, Baek. I always have." Chanyeol's voice is oddly stable and confident.

"You didn't know i fucked Tao... or Jongin... or well, a lot of people really. I mean... you call Jongin disgusting and a slut, but you have no idea who i really am if you judge him for that." I say, my words biting even for my level of tea spillage.

Chanyeol cringes and my heart squeezes. "Im sorry, Baek. I'm sorry I said all of those things. I shouldn't have assumed, and I didn't know you were close like that with Jongin. I didn't know about Jongin at all, you're right, and I'm sorry. But i did know about Tao, actually."

My eyes shoot wide as my jaw drops. "What?"

"Baek, you're not exactly sly." Chanyeol says with a sigh, "Who do you think covered for you that night. Jiyong didn't skin you alive for raiding his secret stash, did he? Exactly, i caught your dumbass sneaking out that night and followed you to Tao's. Once i made sure you were safe and kind of caught the hint that you two were a bit too touchy and feely, i left. The next day you acted weird and looked like a complete mess when you came home... i put it together."

I blink steadily at the man in front of me. "You covered for me? To Jiyong? You knew i slept with Tao?"

Chanyeol nods. "Jiyong gave me a pretty good bruise on my thigh for that one, but he would have done worse to you, so i took it. Also, you looked pretty upset, i figured you weren't in a good place with Tao and it wasn't a big deal, especially since you didn't bring it up. The one night stands too, you never mentioned them, so i never felt it important to ask."

"You knew about those?" i ask, my hands trembling at my side.

"I knew about most of them, Baek." Chanyeol explains, stepping forward a few more feet. "How do you think you got home so safely the next morning, or managed to curve the bad decisions so well. I always made sure you had condoms and packets of lube in the pockets you wore on the nights you went out. I made sure you got to and from the place you were heading without any hiccups. And i made sure that the guys you picked out weren't creepy, and if they were, i got rid of them without you noticing."

I don't even know how to process this. Chanyeol, the giant dumbass has protected me all my life, so it's not that surprising, but to go that far... He's like a fucking guardian angel. "That is the creepiest, stalkerish, weirdest.... sweetest, thing I've ever heard. You knew i was fucking around with all of those people, and you said nothing? You just made sure i was safe and sound?" A disbelieving laugh leaves me. "And here i just thought i was one of those well prepared, lucky drunks that manages to take care of myself better than when i'm sober."

Chanyeol's lips part in surprise and he tugs his lip into his mouth. "Sometimes i let you to your own devices, like when you're more on the sober side, or seem like you have a good handle on everything, but most of the time i just make sure you're okay."

"Wait, did you like stand outside the door the whole time i was getting drilled into a bed? Did you just listen and patiently wait for it to be over?" I ask, a hand comes up to my mouth.

Chanyeol levels me with a stare and rolls his eyes. "No, Baek. Damn it, i'm not that creepy. I'd find a convenience store around the corner or a bench outside to wait for you. You never stayed the night and always left after you were done. I never understood why, but i figured it was just how you operated. I'd watch you stumbling down the street, looking lost and wobbly, and i'd pick you up and take you home. I'd help you clean up and then put you to bed. I saw it more as watching over you. Now that i say it out loud, it is a bit weird..."

A sigh falls from my lips and i realize just how many years Chanyeol has been putting up with my slutty ass, and then i judged him for never understanding me, or for not knowing me at all. I made up this idea in my head that Chanyeol would never love the real me, but here he is, admitting that he's seen me at my worse and still cares to the level that only Park Chanyeol is capable of. I wonder how many times i could have ended up in a bad situation. I wonder how many terrible choices Yeol saved me from.

"Thank you. For looking out for me all these years, i hadn't realized... You must have went through a lot of trouble because of me." I say, feeling a bit emotional.

Chanyeol smiles and finally steps close enough to reach out and tucks a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I really need to cut it. "I was happy to do it, Baek. You were safe and happy, and because of that, i was happy. That's all i want for you, Baekkie."

My eyes blur as i rush forward and press myself into the stupid idiots arms. He instantly folds around me, no hesitance present anywhere in his hold. My best friend gives the best hugs.

"So, why did you take such offense to Jongin? Why did you say all of those things about him being a slut if you knew the truth about me?" I ask into the thickness of Chanyeol's hoodie.

His hands rub across my back, soothing the ache in my heart. I can never stay mad at Chanyeol. Not when he feels so much like home. "Because it's not the same. Jongin lets people use him. He lets people walk all over him and treat him like garbage. Jongin doesn't understand that he deserves better and should demand to be respected. He just accepts what people give him and you're better than that. Baek, i don't give a shit about sleeping around. I don't care how many people you've been with. It's the level of respect and care that you treat yourself with that matters. I never meant that he's a whore or anything bad towards his sexual appetite." Chanyeol sighs and squeezes tighter, like he's afraid i'll let go.

Part of me is afraid that he'll let go too. That he'll disappear and i'll wake up from this dream. The words and acceptance I've always wanted not only from my best friend, but from the man i'm helplessly in love with hang in the air. I want this to be real. I desperately need this to be real. Chanyeol sees me. He really sees me. I was wrong and i'm intensely happy about it.

"And honestly, perhaps i was a bit jealous."

My chest tightens and my breath shallows. No, this... this couldn't be it. In this damn stupid hallway outside the lab i consider to be a watered down prison. He can't confess like this. Chanyeol just admitted that maybe he knows me better than i even knew myself and now, he wants to drop this bomb? Fuck my life.

"Chanyeol." i mutter, my heart beating erratically.

Chanyeol pulls away and warning bells sound off in my head. No, i'm not ready for this. I'm still processing. I'm still sorting out my head. I haven't even gotten to my heart. He takes my hands into his and stares deep into my eyes, then smile and lets go.

Chanyeol reaches into his bag i just realized is strapped to his back and pulls out a large book, almost like a binder. I notice it as a photo album when he sets it in front of me, motioning for me to take it.

I blink at him and grab onto the book, feeling a surprising amount of weight. It must be packed full of pictures for it to be this heavy. "What is this?"

Chanyeol's answering smile is melancholic "it was my ah ha moment. My answer for a twenty three year old question."

My eyebrows knit together and i shake my head at his vagueness, then open the front cover. Picture after picture. Each one more special. Each one more telling of Chanyeol and my life together. The history and memories painted across pages and pages of smiles and adventures.

"Yeol?" i ask, my voice breaking. "How? Who? Did you?

Chanyeol reaches out and brushes a stray tear off my cheek. I look up at him, every bit of vulnerability blinding my vision. "Not me, my mom.. and then my dad."

The understanding rips through me and i feel so touched, but also so sad. I know how important something like this is to Chanyeol. I feel like i'm holding the most precious of jewels in my hands. "So much of our lives are in here, Yeol. Why? Why did she do this?"

Chanyeol, who still has his hand on my cheek, smiles sadly. "My dad said she wanted to give it to us on our wedding day." My throat suddenly feels swollen, and Chanyeol chuckles. "I guess even back then she knew how much i'd love you."

My hands tighten on the book and i risk glancing up to meet my best friends eyes. "...Chanyeol."

"It's always been you, you know? You've been by my side. Right from the start, you were there. I've never had another option... never wanted one. You were fated to be by my side, Baek. I know there's no sense in lying to either of us anymore. I'm in love with you. I have been for a long time now." Chanyeol says, offering me the steadiest smiles I've ever seen grace his face. "I know you have a lot of emotions and thoughts to work through. You need to process, so i'll give you some space. I was a fuckup and I have a lot of work to put in for your forgiveness, but I'm willing to do it. I'm willing to prove that I deserve you. I'll wait... l'll wait forever for you, Baekhyun, after all i have been waiting my whole life."

My chest visibly rises from how hard i'm breathing as Chanyeol leans forward and presses his lips to mine. One brush, two. Like he's savoring every bit of it he can, before he pulls away. His forehead rests against mine for a few beats. I measure the time with my heart.

"I love you, Byun Baekhyun." Chanyeol whispers, his breath ghosting over my lips.

I was stupid to think that Chanyeol couldn't love me. I was stupid to think that he'd judge me. Chanyeol's been beside me through everything. He watched me grow up, change, evolve and he's remained by my side through it all. Chanyeol's never seen me as a whore or a slut because he sees right through all of it. He sees me beneath the labels and rumors, beneath the mistakes and flaws. Chanyeol sees my soul and knows me better than anyone, and he still loves me.

All this time i thought he would walk away if he saw the real me, but he wasn't in denial, he just saw the truth below the surface. Chanyeol stays because he sees the real me.

Park Chanyeol really is my soul mate.

When i open my eyes, the hallway is empty and the only evidence that he was here at all is the weight of our lives together resting in my palms.

>>>>>

After some tears and a good dose of ugly crying, i decide to go find Yeol. I decided that he doesn't get to just leave all dramatically. He can't leave me with that emotional napalm and then just leave me like he's actually smooth or something. I've watched that dumbass choke on peanut butter, he doesn't get to be the antagonist in a k-drama.

I come up the unnecessarily large hill from the science building, sniffling pathetically, with the photo book clutched to my chest. I'm taking the shortcut i always do, when i hear an obnoxious version of red velvet that sounds an awful lot like my idiot of a best friend.

I come to the large court yard at the front of the school, where the university's founder that we christened with a suction-cup dildo at the end of last year, stands. Heading down to the statue, as well as a grand fountain that was built over the summer, (it makes me glad to see that my tuition is going towards something practical.) is a set of stairs... A set of stairs that i find all of my friends sitting on, watching the scene in front of me with clear amusement.

A silent sigh pulls from my lips, because you see, the statue and the fountain aren't the only things down in the center of the courtyard. My dumbass of a best friend is also down there... wearing nothing but bright pink boxers that say "juicy" across the back, a sign around his neck, that i can't see because he's turned away from me, and dancing terribly and singing atrociously to one of my favorite girl group songs.

Mamamoo doesn't suit Chanyeol's vocal range.

I step up closer to my friends, standing behind them. Listening in to their humored conversations.

"Please tell my someone is getting this." Tao says, a snort bubbling up from his throat as Chanyeol trips and nearly topples into on of the many clusters of students that have stopped to watch the display.

Kyungsoo joins Tao in a laugh. "i have a live feed to YouTube going right now."

Jongin glances to his left where Kyungsoo sits, and licks his lips. "you have a YouTube channel?

Kyungsoo pauses and glances sideways "maybe."

I smirk, and can't wait for when that comes out of Kyungsoo never-ending chest of secrets.

"I feel like i should stop this... but i just can't" Jongdae voices up next, and i wonder how he even got his jobs at this university.

Minseok places his hand on his chin, almost looking calculating more than amused. "I'm rethinking our work uniforms. Look at all of the girls surrounding him... I'd make bank if i went about this the right way. Tight fitted shorts, and muscle T's... they should read "Expert grinder"

Kris cackles and grabs Tao's hand. Sehun watches from where he's sitting, with Luhan nestled with his back against Sehun's front. Sehun watches them fondly and it  makes me smile. I've missed some things, clearly. But i'm glad to see that things seemed to have worked out.

Yixing just beams and sips at his coffee, watching Chanyeol attempt to dance to "gee". I realize then why he looks so smug and i shake my head at my other best friend. He's like another Heechul. Fuck anyone who thinks this evil mastermind is innocent.

Junmyeon chooses this moment to pop up beside me. He gives me a curious look and i shake my head, holding a finger to my lips. He smirks and nods, before he sits beside Soo. "Did you do this?"

Kyungsoo snorts and shakes his head, giggling like a little kid "oh gods, i wish i was the genius that came up with this beautiful magnificence, but sadly it was Yixing."

Junmyeon looks surprised and is about to say something, but i stop him before he steals my thunder.

"And what exactly possessed you to force Chanyeol to do this?"

Everyone seems to freeze and turns to me achingly slow. It's almost amusing, but I'm not exactly in a laughing mood. I mean, it's funny, it's funny as hell, but i just spent the last hour sobbing at my desk while my professor kept sending me distressing glances. I'm a little tapped out on emotions.

"We just... We felt that Yeol deserved a little humility..." Yixing answers, now looking a little unsure.

"Baek, have you been crying?" Tao exclaims, standing and getting Chanyeol's attention.

I sigh once more and finally see that the sign says "i slut shamed my best friend" across the front. Any other day, i'd be cackling, but after what Chanyeol just explained to me, proves that it was a misunderstanding. Yeol doesn't deserve this. I carefully hand the photo album to Yixing, knowing he'll take care of it and wordlessly launch forward.

I take the steps two at a time and hurry across the courtyard until i'm standing in front of Chanyeol. He stares at me with wide eyes and reaches up, running his thumb under my eye where i'm sure its the most red and puffy.

"Did i make you cry?" Chanyeol asks, his voice thick.

Swallowing down another sob, because i swear to the gods, if he starts crying then i will too. "Happy tears. I looked through the album. There's a lot of memories in here, Yeol. Year and years of us."

Chanyeol smiles and nods, pushing a hand into my hair. I wonder for how long he hesitated with touching me. I wonder how many things he held back because of me.

"Why are you out here, Yeol? Why are you doing this?" i ask, reaching out and pulling at the sign.

Chanyeol's eyebrows bunch. "I hurt you. I made you sad."

I shake my head. "We both misunderstood each other, Yeol. You don't need to do this. You don't need to prove to me how much you care."

"Of course i do. Until you're ready, i want to prove myself. Every day, i want to earn the right to stand next to you. To be what you deserve." Chanyeol says holding my jaw in his palm so tenderly i might start crying again.

"You don't have to prove yourself, Yeol. You don't have to do anything for me. And i don't need time. I don't want it. I just want you." I say, betraying tears sliding hot down my cheeks.

Chanyeol stares down at me, seeming shell shocked. "What?"

I groan and reach forward, yanking at the sign and successfully pulling the rope tied to either end, that was looped around his neck, over his head. I toss the stupid thing to the ground and unzip my hoodie. It's too small for him, but that doesn't stop me from shoving it onto Chanyeol's thick ass arms... okay, but like, what the fuck? Who gave him the right? When did he get so damn ripped? I'm insulted.

I zip it up and shoot a death glare to a group of girls closest to us, and they get the hit, scurrying off with the rest of the crowed.

"I've been in love with you since middle school, you giant, unobservant, naive, asshat. I've been in love with you for so damn long, i'm not sure i remember what not being in love with you feels like. You want to know why i never stay the night with any of my one night stands? Why i always leave as soon as i'm sated?" I ask, pausing and taking a deep breath. "Because, i can't stand the idea of waking up to anyone who's not you. It breaks my heart every time i roll over in bed and you're not lying next to me. It hurts so bad when i wake up to a cold bed and the feeling of being alone. It kills me, Yeol, because i love you so fucking much, but everyone i try to drown myself in is never enough... is never you."

Chanyeol looks like he's about to pass out, like he's so overwhelmed he can't function. he's not even blinking, but eventually he manages a "You really love me?"

I scoff a short laugh and lean in, placing my head against his chest. "of course i do, stupid. I wasn't just talking out my ass at the party. I really love you. You're my soul mate."

Chanyeol laughs, but it sounds closer to a sob, as he folds around me. The feeling of Chanyeol holding me, safe and secure in his arms. Like finally coming home after being away for far too long.

"Can i kiss you?" Chanyeol asks, pulling back slightly. He brushes tears off of my face, and i notice he has some stray tracks of his own.

I smile and tilt my head up. "I'd be offended if you didn't"

Chanyeol bridges the gap and presses his lips gently against mine. His lips slide smoothly and electrifyingly warm over my own. It doesn't feel like fireworks, but rather it feels like hot chocolate and black and white Christmas movies, while cuddled under a blanket. It feels like hot summer days splashing through a creek, with Popsicle grins. Like spending hours bickering over who cheats the most during our gaming nights. (It's Chanyeol.) It feels like my best friend becoming everything I've always wanted and filling that pesky piece of the puzzle that everyone manages to loose at the bottom of the craft box.

Chanyeol is my past, he my present, and now he'll be my future. With our friends backtracking our kiss with gagging noises and catcalls, the love of my life standing before me in a ridiculously tight pair of boxers as well as my tiny hoodie, and the entire school watching the weirdest exchange possible, i know i wouldn't change any of it.

I send a silent thank you out to Chanyeol's mom for not only gifting this amazing man, but for trusting me to be the person by his side. I make a promise that i will cherish and take care of this amazing gift for as long as i breathe, and pull away from Chanyeol, who beams at me and pushes his forehead against mine.

My heart stutters and i vow that i will now watch over and protect Chanyeol as he has me. I will make sure he always feels safe and loved. I will be Chanyeol's home, just as he's mine.

"I love you, Byun Baekhyun."

"I love you too, Park Chanyeol."

>>>>>>

Chickens!!!

Hey guys! So, i kind of love torturing you guys. So, sorry, but not sorry if there were tears.

I know. About damn time. I too have been waiting for BaekYeol to get their heads out of their asses. They told me they were ready, so here we are. Things are pretty much resolved and are moving in the right direction. I felt this one kind of emotion heavy, so i didn't put smut in it. Just didn't feel right. Next time.

Not much else to say. I'm probably forgetting to mention something. Fell free to ask questions if i am, haha.

Anyways, i'll see you guys next chapter. KaiSoo is up next. Be prepared for that, it'll be a good one.

I'm flying out in two days, so i won't be able to update for a bit, so hold tight, My Chickens. I promise i'll get to it when i can.

Love you guys. kisses. 😘

사랑해 💕

~M~