~Baekhyun~

Panic seizes my body. I feel like a helpless deer caught in a truck's headlights. All i can do is stare at the doorway as i hear the heavy clinking of designer boots ascending the stairs. My fight or flight instincts are kicking in, but neither are a viable response. If i run my mom would hunt me down. If i try to fight my mom would destroy me. I bet he can even smell my fear.

My mom's perfectly waxed and detailed face comes into view all too quickly and dread settles into my bones.

"Byun Baekhyun." He growls with perfectly shaped eyebrows pointed together.

My hand tightens around the toothbrush in my hand as i wait for the man to kill me. Somehow i always knew it would be by his hand.

Suddenly, my view to my mother is blocked and the spell is broken. I shoot up from the ground only to find Chanyeol is now standing in between me and the man who desires my death.

"Mom, what a surprise. I didn't know you were coming. It's so great to see you." Chanyeol says, his customer service voice he uses at the cafe to woo the helicopter moms that come to campus and the freshmen that walk around campus like skittish bunnies.

The instantaneous change of tone in my mom's voice makes me roll my eyes. "Chanyeol, dear. It's nice to see you too."

Chanyeol chuckles politely and i nearly feel the need to release the breakfast Yeol made me onto the freshly cleaned floor. "What brings you here so early on a saturday?"

My mom sighs in clear frustration, "Chanyeol, you know exactly why i'm here." My mom says but i can tell he's lost a great deal of his fire.

My heart abruptly squeezes and a warmth blooms in my chest. So Yeol's been doing this my whole life? I never noticed or payed attention because maybe i had become accustomed and just grew up thinking this is how it goes. But in truth, Yeol's always protected me. He's always been my guardian angel, even when i was hurting him and he got the consequences of my stupidity. Chanyeol's always been here.

I step forward without thinking and wrap my arms around my boyfriend's middle and press my cheek between his shoulder blades, holding him tight.

"Bab- Baek?" Yeol stutters out trying terribly to hide the endearment.

I take a deep breath and step away from Chanyeol and peek around him to look at my mom who is now smiling, giving us a soft expression. His eyes meet mine and he just shakes his head while rolling his eyes.

"I'm sorry i didn't tell you. We just kind of got wrapped up in each other and we wanted some time to get over the newness before we made it a big deal." I explain.

My mom huffs out a breath and nods, then crosses his arms and looks away. "I'm a little hurt that i wasn't the first one you told, but i respect your reason. Still, i've been waiting for you two to stop being idiots and admit something i knew since you discovered what hormones were for a long time. You could have at least called and explained."

"You and dad aren't exactly calm and chill people. Don't tell me you two wouldn't have made a big deal about it." I scoff at my mother who's the incantation of drama.

My mom fixes me with a look and i finally do see a bit of hurt residing there. My mom and i have always been close and I've never hid anything from him. Guilt pulls at my tummy and i sigh.

"You're my son, Baekhyun. If i knew something was really important to you, I'd try my best to give you the space you needed. I just wanted a phone call at least to announce my two babies are finally where they belong, together."

"Sorry, i guess to us we just didn't feel there was anything to announce. To us it felt natural. Like we've always been in a relationship, but without the sex." I say causally, but know deep down my mom will understand my feelings.

"Baekhyun." Yeol exclaims scandalized and gives me a wide eyed look when i glance up at him.

"Oh, stop. I'm the one who taught you about the birds and bees, Park Chanyeol." My mom waves him off. "Speaking of which, the sex is good? No issues?"

I shake my head and smile brightly. "It's wonderful, Mom. Don't worry."

My mom nods and un-crosses his arms. "Good." He looks at his watch and groans. "Be on time for family dinner tomorrow or not even Chanyeol can protect you, do you understand?"

A shiver rolls up my spine as we hurriedly agree to my mother's demand. Byun Heechul doesn't make empty threats.

My mom leaves after hugging both of us tightly and forcing chanyeol and i to take a cute picture together. I expect to see it rolling down his copious social media sites later.

Once the door shuts, i feel my body deflate and i whine, burying my face in Chanyeol's chest. He chuckles at me and smooths a hand up and down my back. "How can one person be so terrifying and loving at the same time?"

Chanyeol pauses and pulls away from me slightly so he can look down into my eyes and cocks his head. "Are you, of all people, really asking me that question?"

I gasp and pout up at my boyfriend. "What do you mean?"

"Baek, you're basically a mini Heechul." Chanyeol says this like he's breaking bad news.

I step away from him and narrow my eyes, the reach up and grab his ear. Chanyeol immediately starts apologizing and bargaining for my mercy. I smirk at my boyfriend finding satisfaction at getting the giant to be so submissive to me and then then i realize, fuck... i am my mother.

"Are you two done being dumbasses?" I look over at my shoulder to find our darling housedad, wearing a startlingly tight black henley and fitted blue jeans looking like a whole snack.

"Damn, Chen. Who you looking like you just fell from a vending machine for?" I ask causing the older man to immediately redden and start spluttering.

I smirk at my ability to disarm people with my brashness and finally let go of Yeol's ear. My boyfriend whines and stands up fully, rubbing at the side of his face while pouting. I coo at him and rub my hand up and down his arm in apology. Yeol's pout morphs into a puppish grin and i know i'm instantly forgiven. Yeah, okay, i see it. I'm definitely my mother and maybe that's not such a bad thing.

"How can you say such things in front of your boyfriend?" Chen asks still flustered.

Chanyeol looks up from me and appraises our house father, then snorts. "I mean, he's not wrong, Chen. You look like a hallmark movie's wet dream."

Chen groans and rubs at his eyes. "Fuck it. I'll take a shit when i get to my office. You two are insufferable. You're really made for each other."

I grin and watch the man disappear down the stairs. My eyes find their way back to Yeol and i grin, while he steps forward and pulls me into his arms. No truer words have ever been said, Yeol and i are really made for each other.

>>>>>

~Chanyeol~

"Are you ready for this?" I ask gasping tightly onto Baekhyun's hand while we stand in front of the door.

Baekhyun whines and squeezes my hand even harder. "No, not even close."

"Do you want to go home? I can tell them one of us got sick and the-"

"Yeol." Baekhyun interrupts.

I pause in my sentence and look down of my boyfriend. "Yeah?"

"Open the door." Baekhyun says dryly and i just sigh. He's right. It's now or never. Heechul will have our heads if we don't go in now.

I swing the door open and pull my reluctant bean through it, shutting it behind us before Baek can change his mind and make a run for it. We aren't inside even a couple of seconds before we are attacked.

"Finally you two are here." Heechul says rushing down the hall.

"Oh my gosh, babe. They're holding hands."

"Yes, i can see that, Siwon."

"Hold on. I need my camera."

"We don't have time. Baek has that face on"

"What face?"

"Remember the one he used to make in elementary school whenever we'd drop him off on his first day for each grade?"

"Oh, right. The face that told us to go to hell and burn in a painful death, as we'd kiss him, hug him, and take pictures in front of all his friends and classmates?"

"That's the one."

Siwon laughs and pats his son's shoulder when they finally reach us. "Oh, Baek. Sweetheart, Chanyeol already knows the full capacity of your family's crazy. You don't have to look like you licked the bottom of a sour patch kid bag."

Heechul nods. "He's even been subjected to it many times, so take a deep breath and just treat this like any other sunday dinner. He's already family and we already approve."

Siwon nods and pulls his phone out of his pocket, then proceeds to snap a few pictures of Baekhyun and me together.

"Come on, guys. We haven't even taken off our jackets." Baekhyun complains.

I chuckle and help Baek out of his jacket. My poor boyfriend has been stressing out about this dinner far too much. It's true that i grew up with Siwon and Heechul as second parents and am in no way surprised by their shenanigans anymore. That doesn't stop Baekhyun from being annoyed by their level of extra and that's saying something coming from the king of extra himself.

Baekhyun leads us into the house and into the dining room. I expect to see Jiyong sitting there with a sort of bored and judging expression but i don't expect to find my father standing there with a warm smile on his face.

"Dad." I say stopping short in surprise.

"Son." My dad says kind of awkwardly walking over to give me a hug.

Hugging has never really been our thing but i have to admit that it's nice. I hold on for a few seconds longer than necessary and maybe my dad does the same before we pull away and he smile brightly at me, patting my shoulder.

"Heechul didn't give me much of a choice. He said it's a family dinner and now that my son is dating his son we are all family." My dad explains my unasked question.

My dad looks a bit unsure of himself, but i'm genuinely glad to see him here. There's always been that missing presence of him in my life. Much due to his own self-deprecating attitude thinking no one wants him around. He even distanced himself from my mom sometimes before she found him and forced him out of his own head to make him see he's not a burden to anyone. Maybe i could have been more of an advocate to pushing him out of his bubble like my mom was, but i was a hurt teenager. It was difficult for both of us to bridge that gap. But we've both grown in our lives and i want my dad in mine as i move forward.

"I'm really happy you came. You're my dad. You belong at family dinners." I say smiling down at him with a smile so similar to his own.

His eyes crinkle and he genuinely looks touched. "I missed you, Chanyeol."

"I missed you too, dad." I chuckle and pull him closer to the table when i realize we've had an audience.

Of course all of the Byun's except the resident resting bitch face is in full misty eye mode. Heechul even seems to have sprung out a camera. There's a reason why he was best friends with my mother.

Heechul quickly seizes my father and whisks him to help in the kitchen, while i find my way back over to my love. Baekhyun just smiles up at me and gives me this knowing look. Words have never really been needed between us to understand, and maybe that's why it took us so long to realize our feelings. We were both doing a lot of talking but neither was taking the time to listen.

"I love you." I say cupping Baekhyun's cheek and looking into his eyes like a blind man finally being able to see the stars.

Baekhyun leans into my palm and steps up onto his tippy toes. "I love you too."

I ignore the copious amounts of camera clicks in the background and the sound of Jiyong gagging, while my world revolves around Baekhyun's lips on mine and nothing else, just as it always should be.

>>>>>

~Baekhyun~

"Damn Soo, who you slicing cakes for?" I ask as Kyungsoo passes in front of me and i notice his oddly tight pair of jeans that holds both of his ass cheeks so perfectly i can see every curve.

Kyungsoo shoots me a death glare but i can tell by the pink dusting the tips of his ears i just made that boy flustered as hell. I take pride in this as well at the blatant check out of said ass from Kyungsoo's boyfriend. It's obvious who it's for but i can never resist the urge to give my favorite chef some shit.

Chanyeol wraps an arm around me and pulls me closer to his side in a casual gesture, but we all know he's wordlessly asking his best friend not to murder me. Kyungsoo concedes and sits down next to Jongin. I snort and snuggle in closer to Chanyeol always thankful to have him. Because, let's be honest, i would have had my ass handed to me a few times now if it wasn't for him. A few times being from my own mother.

I welcome the pleasant and comfortable chatting around me and breathe a sigh of relief that this week is finally over. Finals have been the freshest hell i've experienced yet and my brain needs a break. I wish i could sign my brain over to someone else for a few weeks and just take a long nap.

Luckily, Yeol is the sweetest human on the face of this planet and brought me food and caffeine often. Plus he was there to fuck me into my pillow till i cried as a source of stress relief. All in all it could have been significantly worse, but for some reason this amazing man who treats me like the queen i am, chose me to be his.

Chanyeol rubs his hand up the side of my arm and leans in to kiss the top of my head gently and i hum in content, letting my eyes slip closed.

"Holy shit. We should have gotten those two together a long time ago. I've never seen Baekhyun this calm before."

"Can i just have a little bit of calm before you fuck up my vibe, Sehun?" I ask not even bothering to open my eyes.

"Damn, domestication really changed you, Baek." Tao comments and i chuckle.

"Good dick will do that to you." Yixing pipes up and i nearly choke on air at how hard i start laughing. It's not often Yixing says something off the wall and blunt, but when he does it's just so fucking poetic.

Judging by the look on Junmeyon's face, i'm not the only one who is surprised, which makes it that much better. Beside me Chanyeol is also rolling which proves to me that i did indeed choose the right partner.

Luhan offers me a napkin when I finally calm down enough to catch my breath and looks like he had been on the verge of tears himself. He sends me a playful wink when our eyes meet and i smirk at him. If anyone understands finally getting their dream dick. It's him. Maybe Luhan and i need to spend a little more time together.

"Speaking of getting fucked hard. Who's glad this fucking semester is over?" Tao asks and a resounding groan and curses of agreement rifle through our group.

"I thought i was going to die during my first exam. My heart started racing and my palms got really sweaty and i could barely breathe." Jongin pipes up causing the whole table to look at him in concern.

"Nini, sweetie. That's called a panic attack. Do you have a history of those?" Yixing asks suddenly in nurse mode.

Jongin nods and sighs. "I used to have them a lot in high school during tests."

I glance over at Chen and he meets my gaze nodding that he'll take care of it later. Jongin's  been going to see a councilor lately that is apparently a friend of Chen's and our darling house father has been keeping track of certain behaviors and concerns we've been noticing. The house is on Jongin watch since a certain episode a few days ago. We're all worried about the kid, but luckily the situation was diffused quickly thanks to the mini satan guarding his soul.

Kyungsoo moves closer to Jongin and pulls him against his side. I smile watching Jongin relax into his boyfriend, happy to see someone who has become such a close friend finally happy himself. Despite what Jongin and my relationship was, i always wanted the best for him.

Jongin glances over and catches my watchful eyes, then gifts me with one of his soft boi smiles and i feel my chest tug. His eyes seem to say the same thing, that he's happy i'm happy. We both got what we wanted. The reason his and my relationship started is because things were complicated and needed an outlet. Maybe we were also a little lonely and needed some comfort. We tried to fill a void that existed inside of ourselves and even if it wasn't successful, I couldn't have had a better friend by my side through that difficult time. I'll never regret what i shared with Jongin.

"What are you two silently talking about?" A deep, bone shaking voice rasps into my ear and i push down a shutter.

No matter how much i loved Jongin, i know where and who i belong with. Chanyeol will always be my first and only choice. I'm not sure fate gave me much of a choice anyway.

"We are both really happy for each other. We got what we wanted and finally feel content." I says softly resting my head on Chanyeol's chest.

Chanyeol cards his long, thick fingers through my hair and i sigh as my whole body relaxes. The table continues to chat and carry about their normal weekly routine while i sink into the safety and comfort that is Chanyeol's fingers running through my hair and heartbeat thumping strongly under my ear.

This semester is finally over and come to a close as another year within my college career finished. I have a few more ahead of me and some more time after that before i move forward in my adult life and form an actual life for myself.

I used to finish a semester with a dread in my belly. Scared and lost on my future over what to do. Once i enter the adult world, i have no idea what was going to come for me. I have a direction but no idea which path to take. It's scary to think that one day my college will end and then I'll be thrown into a world that i have no training in operating.

But now, it doesn't scare me as bad. It's still a bit daunting and I'd rather face a life time of finals than have to prepare for job interviews, but i have Yeol now. A man who's mere presence in a room, makes me feel calm. A man who takes care of me like i'm the most precious person to him. And a man who loves me for who i am not for who he expects me to be. Going forward doesn't seem so scary now because i have Chanyeol by my side. I'm excited to make a future and a home with him. I can't wait to see what our life together will be like and now growing up doesn't seem like a bad dream.

"Yeol, you make me really happy." I mumble, barely loud enough to be heard properly over the chatter of our friends. But that's okay, it wasn't meant to have a response, i just need to say it.

Chanyeol always hears me, though. Even in a room full of screaming people he'd hear my whisper. "You make me happy too, Baek."

I smile softly and snuggle closer to my boyfriend feeling hopeful and excited to see what the next couple of years will bring to our lives. If it's anything like this, I'll take it.
>>>>

~Chanyeol~

6 years later

My heavy feet drag through the convenience store in search of my simple dinner of kimbap and ramen once again. I laugh internally at the thought i use to have in college that once i graduated, i'd get to leave these type of meals behind. Clearly being a twenty something still grinding at a beginning position job is oddly similar to being a college student grinding to pump out a paper the night before it's due or studying for a final exam that you've mentally clocked out of all semester. It's all the same, except now you're losing sleep and working your ass off for a paycheck instead of a grade. The reward is far more satisfying, but the dance is all the same.

"Baby, kimbap again?" I hear next to me and find Baekhyun had found me once again since separating the second we entered the store. Luckily my studio and his office are fairly close together, so i get to walk the love of my life home every night to our small, yet homey apartment we got about a year ago. It's a simple life we lead right now, but i'd never want it any other way.

I shrug and look down at the roll of seaweed, rice, and tuna mixed with mayo. It's food and that's all i want before my body collapses onto our startlingly fancy bed. It had been a gift from Baekhyun's parents and i sleep like the dead on it so i can't find myself to complain. "It is sustenance, Baek. It's too late to cook and i'm dead tired."

Baekhyun gives me a soft smile and my heart skips. Even after all this time, it only beats for him and i am still completely head over heels for Byun Baekhyun. "How about we stop at that takeout place down the street from our apartment?"

I chuckle. "What happened to saving money by eating less takeout?"

Baekhyun smirks and grabs my hand. "I did some freelance work last week for Yixing and he gave me a big ole fat paycheck for it."

"Baek..." I whine. "I thought we wanted to do this on our own for a while."

With a wave of the hand Baekhyun reminds me that i really don't care about it that much. We started this idea a couple of month ago about trying to be financially independent for ourselves and just live off of my meager paycheck and Baekhyun's decent one. We even made a budget and a plan on where to cut out certain expenses. It hasn't been that bad, but i do miss little things like takeout and going out for random dates to the movies or something similar. But the longer we've done this, I've realized that accepting help and doing extra stuff to earn some extra cash isn't a bad thing. Minseok calls me occasionally to ask me to help him manage one of his stores for a week or so while Jongdae and he goes on one of their numerous trips. Baek does a lot of freelance tech things for Yixing. Baekhyun's parents feel the need to toss money at us for any reason at all. And i admit to having modeled a few times for Yixing which i got paid handsomely for and was able to buy the fanciest of setups for my studio downtown.

It's never a bad thing to accept help sometimes. Pride be damned and honestly is there such a thing as being financially independent? I think we all accept help from time to time and there's nothing bad about that. Baek and i are young. We have time to figure out how to support ourselves fully in the future, but right now i just want to be someone who spends way too much money on takeout and music equipment. I want to live my days as an in the moment young adult who lives frivolously and spontaneously.

"I do want these chips though and this chocolate bar." Baek says holding up his loot. So that's where he went.

I chuckle at him and nod. "Sure, babe. Anything for you. I'll get a big bottle of juice and then we can go get some real food for tonight."

Baekhyun beams and leans up to kiss me on the cheek. "You're the best."

I snort and go to get in line to pay for our items, but then Baek gasps and gets my attention. I look over to see a cat on the sidewalk outside the convenience store and smile at how cute my boyfriend is. I nod my head in silent approval and watch him get excited before leaving my side to head outside to pet the street cat. It's honestly so wholesome i want to squeal, but i remain quiet for the sake of the other patrons in the store.

When it's my turn to checkout and the clerk starts ringing up my items, i look over to see Baek now squatted on the ground, petting the cat while it circles around his legs. My heart once again skips and squeezes at how adorable he is. Baekhyun is just so good. His heart is so pure and full of love to give this world. I could never wish to have a better person than him by my side for the rest of my life.

I pause as that realization washes over me. I want to spend the rest of my life with this man. This pure ball of energy, wrapped in dick jokes and the sexual promiscuity of an incubus. Someone who would give the shirt off his back and always has a smile to offer anyone who needs one. This is my Baekhyun and he's my person. I love him with every inch of my being and i always will.

"Will that be all?" the clerk asks me gaining my attention and snapping me out of my mini epiphany and i go to answer yes but then something on the counter catches my eyes and i smile pulling it out of the plastic container that holds last minute impulse buys and place it carefully with the rest of my things.

I meet Baekhyun outside and he stands up waving goodbye to the cat. His hand naturally slips into mine and we start walking to the takeout place that i'm sure is worried about our lack of presence over the past couple of months.

As we are walking down the street i feel a sense of calm and content settle in my chest. I have everything I've ever wanted. I have my beautiful boyfriend, our simple starter one bedroom apartment in the city, and my very own studio. Everything i had just dared to dream as a high school graduate has come to fruition. I'm so incredibly happy, that my heart always feels on the edge of bursting.

"Baek, you know i love you right?" I say abruptly even surprising myself a bit.

Baekhyun giggles a little and presses his arm up against mine. "Of course. I love you too, Yeol."

"No, like i really love you. I look at you and i see every bit of my happiness. I see the life we are building together. I see the future we are moving towards. I even see my past so full of happy memories and laughter because you were always by my side. I mean, you've just always been that person who has been with me through everything, the good, the bad. You've comforted me on my worst days and made my happiest days that much better. You've been that constant person i could rely on and i'm a better person because of you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and i know i will never ever regret that decision." Baek stops me half way through the crosswalk and turns to look at me.

His eyes are slightly welled and heavy with emotions while his lips part in surprise. "Yeol... wh-why are you saying these things?"

I smile and rummage around in the plastic bag till i find what i'm looking for and pull it out. I quickly pull off the wrapper and smile as i realize it's Baekhyun favorite flavor too. I smile at Baekhyun when i look back at him and he for once in his life is speechless.

The crosswalk turns red, but i don't care as i drop to one knee and smile up at the man who holds every inch of me. "Baekhyun, you are my person. I never want to imagine a life without you. Will you marry me so i never have to?"

Silence greets me for a few second and i hold up the sucker even higher to maybe jolt him a bit out of his shock. What comes out makes me rethink this whole thing.

"Park Chanyeol, are you really proposing to me in the middle of the street right now with a ring pop?" Baekhyun asks, his voice an octave higher than normal while his eyes bulge.

I bite at my lip regretting that my cute and playful gesture could possibly be seen another way. I drop my gaze and bring the candy accessory back to my chest. "Oh... you don't... yeah, i mean... it's not the real thing, but i figured we have lots of time... i just wanted to... yeah, it was stupid. I'm sor-"

"Put the fucking thing on my finger, Yeol." Baekhyun says.

I look up to see tears in his eyes and a completely adoring expression enveloping his face. "What?"

"Do you want to marry me or not?" Baekhyun asks as a disbelieving chuckle leaving his lips.

I grin shyly and reach for his hand. "Of course i do. It's always been you and it will always be you."

Baekhyun closes his eyes and takes a deep breath while a tear rolls down his cheek. "Then slide that stupid thing on my finger."

"Do you hate it?" I ask pausing at his choice of words. "I could save up a bit. Sell off some stuff. I could get you a real one, if you want."

"Park Chanyeol. Shut up. It's ridiculous, silly, a bit childish, and all around the cutest thing I've ever seen. It's so fucking you. Like, of course you'd propose to me like this. Put the damn thing on my finger, Yeol." Baekhyun says a smile taking over his face and making his eyes crinkle.

I grin like the idiot we both know i am and slide the ring pop onto his finger and place a kiss on the top to seal it. Baekhyun is mine and no one else can have him. I liked it and i put a ring on it.

"Chanyeol."

"Yeah?"

"Get off the ground and kiss me, you dumb-ass." Baekhyun says with a fond sigh.

I shoot up off the ground, picking the love of my life up in my arms and twirling him around in a circle, before pressing my lips against his.

I will never regret Byun Baekhyun. He was meant for me. The universe put this into motion a long time ago and made it so there was not a single drop of doubt that Baekhyun is meant to be mine. I will cherish, love, and fill his heart with joy for the rest of my life and that is a promise i will keep even after death. Baekhyun is my person and there's nothing complicated about that.

>>>>>>

My Chickens!

Wow, i missed saying that. Haha I hope you guys didn't miss me too much. I had a long, much needed mental break away from things, but i'm doing better now and back with a new chapter.
I hope i ended the BaekYeol happily for you guys. This is the final chapter for this ship in this story. I know. It's hard to think about ending like their story after i had been writing it for such a long time. But, i felt that this is a good place to end their story.
Slowly, but surly i'm getting to the end. Only a few more chapters to go and after this all of the other ship's stories will be coming to a final close.
The BaekYeol i left a bit vague because i always imagine those two as bigger picture types, where with the other ships they tend to live more day to day and i will show more of what's coming in the following months for them.
Please, bare with me, my darlings. We are in the home stretch and almost done. Author-nim is trying her best, so please give me some patience and understanding. I'll give everyone the ending they deserve.
Thank You so much for staying with me through everything, guys. It really means a lot to me and i love each of you so much.
See you next time, KaiSoo is up next.
사랑해요 💕
~M~