WHAT'S AMISS for EVERYONE
For: EVERYONE
Title: What’s amiss
Pairing(s): Chanyeol/Baekhyun
Rating: PG-13
Length: 2000~
Summary: It’s been half a year and everyone’s thought that Baekhyun is over Chanyeol since long.
Author's note: this is quite short, but I think I’m still rather pleased with this, so I hope you are too!
While Baekhyun has made many mistakes in his life, he’s more often than not reluctant to admit so. If you were to ask Kyungsoo about it - best friend extraordinaire - he’d most likely mutter something about ‘that stupid moronic waste-of-space’ all while punching out his aggressions on an innocent batch of dough. They’re an interesting duo to say the least, sharing the kind of relationship that only time can cement into something unbreakably tough.
Which is also why Kyungsoo has always been able to be brutally honest with Baekhyun whenever he’s upset with his loud, boisterous friend, which is often and unpleasant for everyone involved.
Today is no exception Baekhyun finds, when the greeting his own radiant and totally charming grin receives is no more than a fiery glare.
“I cleaned your room today.” Kyungsoo bites out through gritted teeth, though the way he sips his tea seems almost serene. Oh, and Kyungsoo is also Baekhyun’s roommate, or maybe flat mate is a more proper term? Bromantic partner? Friendtastic caretaker? Adoptive mother-wannabe?
“You didn’t have to do that” Baekhyun waves a hand dismissively at his friend “I’m an independent grown man who don’t need no pampering.” He adds, fingers snapping sassily in the air as he purses his lips with attitude. Kyungsoo does not look impressed however.
“I found a banana with things living in it and dust bunnies the size of your shoes, you have the right to remain silent.” Baekhyun wisely snaps his mouth shut at the warning tone. “But that’s not why I’m upset, dear friend” the last words are spit out with a poisonous hiss. “You see, I found something else that made me far more concerned.”
At this Baekhyun frowns in confusion; after all, Kyungsoo found his porn stash just last month - those are old news, so what has he found now that can bring up such a reaction?
“I found a metal cookie box in your sock drawer.”
Finally realization dawns upon Baekhyun, who freezes in horror, mouth falling open as he can only mouth words of distress, not managing to make a sound. It doesn’t help that Kyungsoo now looks genuinely worried, eyebrows furrowed and arms crossed over his chest.
“Why didn’t you tell me about it Baek?” He asks, and his voice couldn’t have sounded more wounded had he tried. “I’m your friend.” He adds; Baekhyun wonders how inappropriate it would be to throw up right about now.
Taking a shaky breath Baekhyun stares at his lap.
“Did you read them all?” He asks, swallowing down the lump in his throat.
“No.” Kyungsoo answers. “I didn’t read any.” At this Baekhyun looks up, shame coloring his cheeks red. “I counted them though, and checked all the dates.”
Nodding solemnly Baekhyun picks at the carrot cupcake he no longer feels an urge to devour. Crumbs falls softly to the floor from between his fingers, the café’s fake leather armchair feels sticky against his skin.
“Did you send even one to him?”
“No. I didn’t.”
There’s a small pile of demolished cupcake between the soles of Baekhyun’s shoes.
“Why?”
There’s a song playing from the speakers behind the counter, but Baekhyun can’t tell which one, can only really decipher the soft tones of an acoustic guitar. It makes him think of long calloused fingers strumming over strings, a deep voice humming along. It hurts.
Baekhyun shrugs noncommittally. “It’s just stupid.” He says. “I don’t want to.”
“But you keep writing them.” Kyungsoo points out, sipping on a cup of herbal tea.
It calls for another shrug. There’s nothing left of Baekhyun’s cupcake and he stares at the pile between his feet guiltily, looking up to see if the barista has noticed his purposeless mess.
“Baekhyun…”
The tentativeness expressed in only the uttering of his name has Baekhyun frowning as he’s back to focusing in on his friend.
“I called him.”
And with those words Baekhyun’s heart starts hammering wildly in his chest.
“You called Chanyeol?” He asks, feeling faint.
“No I called Obama. Of course I’m talking about Chanyeol.” Kyungsoo rolls his eyes and Baekhyun likes how normal that looks - Kyungsoo isn’t supposed to be worried or cautious; it’s not how they work.
“Why?”
“I wanted to.”
“But why?” Baekhyun asks again, voice breaking slightly.
“You miss him Baekhyun. It’s been half a year and you haven’t moved on.”
“I’m doing fine.” Baekhyun protests weakly.
“Fine isn’t good, and I will break your neck if you dare protest. We both know I’m right.”
They don’t say anything for a while. Kyungsoo continues to sip on his tea coolly, legs crossed and back seemingly melded with the backrest of his armchair. Baekhyun is too busy with quietly panicking to notice the coffee that’s planted in front of him suddenly. Busy painting scenarios in his head of possible conversations between his best friend and his ex. Only Kyungsoo clearing his throat pointedly has him really looking at his surroundings.
He notices his coffee before the person who delivered it, warm latte in a canary yellow cup, tall jean clad legs, a soft looking hoodie over a wide torso.
He chokes on air.
Chanyeol doesn’t seem to notice his emotional distress and only smiles before sitting down in the chair between Baekhyun and Kyungsoo. It’s a closed-mouthed smile, somewhat crooked like he’s not sure whether it’s okay to show it.
“Hey Baek.” He says, and Baekhyun could cry at the twinge of pain it causes him.
He hasn’t opened his mouth before Kyungsoo stomps off with a ‘you can thank me later, I refuse to third-wheel’ making Baekhyun want to curse at his betrayal.
Chanyeol is still there when he looks, eyes alight with the distinctive flame that only Chanyeol has and skin still as beautifully spotless as always. His hair is shorter though, darker than Baekhyun’s ever seen it before and looks far softer than Chanyeol’s red mane ever did.
“How are you doing?” Chanyeol asks, probably realizing that Baekhyun won’t offer any sort of greeting anytime soon. He’s wearing one of the oldest hoodies he’s had and Baekhyun remembers wandering around Chanyeol’s apartment in nothing but that and boxers.
“Good.” Baekhyun croaks. “Fine; enjoying the summer heat and all that. Everything is great. I’m doing good.”
He’s missed him so bad. He’d known before of course, he’s not stupid, but it’s tangible now. The truth of it as clear as the sky outside, as real as the person sitting next to him, breathing and absolutely being fucking perfect; and absolutely fucking not for Baekhyun to neither hold nor keep.
“How about you?” Baekhyun inquires, holding his breath, wanting to know the answer, needing to know it. “Everything good?”
“Sure!” Chanyeol says, as easy as that. “I’ve had patbingsu every day of the summer so far though, so my body might not agree.”
One wouldn’t be able to tell from Chanyeol’s gangly yet somehow toned frame. Baekhyun purposefully doesn’t look at his arms, knowing without looking that they’re bulging from all the drumming and weight lifting that Chanyeol does. Baekhyun sort of wishes he didn’t know that - it’s information he’d be better without.
“How’re things going for the band then?” He asks, lacking anything interesting to say himself.
If possible, Chanyeol lights up even more from that question and leans forward with an excited expression on his face - the one he always adopts when talking about his favorite subject (which is music). “It’s going great! We’ve had loads of gigs this summer; Jongdae has somehow gotten it inside his head that he’s a ladies’ man and to be honest, the grinding he does against the mic stand has gotten us a lot of attention. Then Yixing broke his left arm in May, skateboarding, so it’s been a bit difficult with that, but he’s fine now and we’re going stronger than ever!”
It’s impossible not to respond with a smile, listening to the antics of people Baekhyun once knew as friends, whom he can now barely call his acquaintances despite the past.
“And the moronic duo?” He asks, edging closer on his seat, listening intently.
“I’ll have you know that they’re not half the morons they once were! Jongin’s taken a few fashion tips from a friend, and dresses like a grown up now, and Sehun hasn’t smoked a cigarette in four months!” Chanyeol looks proud, like he had something to do with it, and knowing him right, he probably did. Chanyeol had always been such a do-gooder.
“Are you telling me the kids have grown up?” The idea of it is strange in Baekhyun’s head, the image of the younger boys unable to alter itself into something more respectable. He’ll need to see it himself to be able to really believe it.
“I’m afraid so” Chanyeol nods. “And with that we’re growing old Baek, what should we do with this decaying youth of ours?”
Huffing at the choice of words Baekhyun lifts an eyebrow at the other. “Stop speaking in lyric Chanyeol, you sound like a wannabe poet.”
Smiling and leaning back relaxed, Chanyeol retorts. “Ain’t nothing wrong with a bit of poetry Baek, you once found it very romantic if I remember correctly.”
That sends Baekhyun’s mind back to the box of letters. Filled with sweet words of hope and those dark of despair. Letter after letter, none of them sent but all of them signed with an ‘I miss you’ at the end. He remembers that they’re not supposed to get along like this, like their still something whole; they shouldn’t be talking at all. It’s over and they shouldn’t be talking.
Seemingly grasping the turn of his mood Chanyeol frowns for a moment, but smoothing out his forehead soon enough for Baekhyun to wonder if it was only his mind playing a trick on him.
“Do you remember the day we broke up?”
Chanyeol’s voice is solemn, filling Baekhyun’s insides with dread of what’s to come.
“How could I not?” He answers, feeling ill.
“You told me you were tired.” Chanyeol says. “That there wasn’t enough of an ‘us’ for you to feel satisfied.”
“I know.”
Baekhyun had been the one to start the conversation that would end what little of an ‘us’ that they had had. It’s all Baekhyun’s fault that it played out the way it did, his frustration being the breaking point in their unity. His selfishness ruining what he would later find to be something he’d needed despite its faults.
“Do you ever regret it?” Chanyeol asks, unabashedly staring at Baekhyun, undoubtedly searching for a reaction. His eyes are as beautiful as they always were and Baekhyun finds himself just staring right back holding his breath.
He’s still staring when Chanyeol leans forward, uncertainty evident in his eyes along with a strange mix of curiosity and determination. Leans into the hand that comes up to cup his cheek still unable to break eye contact until the very last moment before their lips touch, when Chanyeol’s breath, soft and moist, can be felt on his lips.
The kiss is brief, and a lot more careful than the kisses they used to share. It ends before Baekhyun realizes, Chanyeol’s eyes searching and nervous on him. Baekhyun winds his arms around Chanyeol’s neck, kissing him right back, as tentative as Chanyeol had been before but not leaning back nearly as fast. Lingers in the closeness and refuses to open his eyes, fingers curling at the nape of Chanyeol’s neck.
There’s still the sound of soft guitar playing in the air, there’s the smell of coffee and baked goods, and then there’s Chanyeol in front of him, as real as all the other, skin warm and soft under his fingers. Lips pliant under his and hair just as fine as Baekhyun imagined; kissing Chanyeol feels like taking the first breath after a deep plunge into the ocean.
There’s a burning in his chest, a pressure threatening to burst out and Baekhyun is the last to admit he’s made a mistake and yet-
“I missed you.”
Final author's note: this was self-beta’d, so if you found any faults I apologize for that and hope you didn’t mind.
Title: What’s amiss
Pairing(s): Chanyeol/Baekhyun
Rating: PG-13
Length: 2000~
Summary: It’s been half a year and everyone’s thought that Baekhyun is over Chanyeol since long.
Author's note: this is quite short, but I think I’m still rather pleased with this, so I hope you are too!
While Baekhyun has made many mistakes in his life, he’s more often than not reluctant to admit so. If you were to ask Kyungsoo about it - best friend extraordinaire - he’d most likely mutter something about ‘that stupid moronic waste-of-space’ all while punching out his aggressions on an innocent batch of dough. They’re an interesting duo to say the least, sharing the kind of relationship that only time can cement into something unbreakably tough.
Which is also why Kyungsoo has always been able to be brutally honest with Baekhyun whenever he’s upset with his loud, boisterous friend, which is often and unpleasant for everyone involved.
Today is no exception Baekhyun finds, when the greeting his own radiant and totally charming grin receives is no more than a fiery glare.
“I cleaned your room today.” Kyungsoo bites out through gritted teeth, though the way he sips his tea seems almost serene. Oh, and Kyungsoo is also Baekhyun’s roommate, or maybe flat mate is a more proper term? Bromantic partner? Friendtastic caretaker? Adoptive mother-wannabe?
“You didn’t have to do that” Baekhyun waves a hand dismissively at his friend “I’m an independent grown man who don’t need no pampering.” He adds, fingers snapping sassily in the air as he purses his lips with attitude. Kyungsoo does not look impressed however.
“I found a banana with things living in it and dust bunnies the size of your shoes, you have the right to remain silent.” Baekhyun wisely snaps his mouth shut at the warning tone. “But that’s not why I’m upset, dear friend” the last words are spit out with a poisonous hiss. “You see, I found something else that made me far more concerned.”
At this Baekhyun frowns in confusion; after all, Kyungsoo found his porn stash just last month - those are old news, so what has he found now that can bring up such a reaction?
“I found a metal cookie box in your sock drawer.”
Finally realization dawns upon Baekhyun, who freezes in horror, mouth falling open as he can only mouth words of distress, not managing to make a sound. It doesn’t help that Kyungsoo now looks genuinely worried, eyebrows furrowed and arms crossed over his chest.
“Why didn’t you tell me about it Baek?” He asks, and his voice couldn’t have sounded more wounded had he tried. “I’m your friend.” He adds; Baekhyun wonders how inappropriate it would be to throw up right about now.
Taking a shaky breath Baekhyun stares at his lap.
“Did you read them all?” He asks, swallowing down the lump in his throat.
“No.” Kyungsoo answers. “I didn’t read any.” At this Baekhyun looks up, shame coloring his cheeks red. “I counted them though, and checked all the dates.”
Nodding solemnly Baekhyun picks at the carrot cupcake he no longer feels an urge to devour. Crumbs falls softly to the floor from between his fingers, the café’s fake leather armchair feels sticky against his skin.
“Did you send even one to him?”
“No. I didn’t.”
There’s a small pile of demolished cupcake between the soles of Baekhyun’s shoes.
“Why?”
There’s a song playing from the speakers behind the counter, but Baekhyun can’t tell which one, can only really decipher the soft tones of an acoustic guitar. It makes him think of long calloused fingers strumming over strings, a deep voice humming along. It hurts.
Baekhyun shrugs noncommittally. “It’s just stupid.” He says. “I don’t want to.”
“But you keep writing them.” Kyungsoo points out, sipping on a cup of herbal tea.
It calls for another shrug. There’s nothing left of Baekhyun’s cupcake and he stares at the pile between his feet guiltily, looking up to see if the barista has noticed his purposeless mess.
“Baekhyun…”
The tentativeness expressed in only the uttering of his name has Baekhyun frowning as he’s back to focusing in on his friend.
“I called him.”
And with those words Baekhyun’s heart starts hammering wildly in his chest.
“You called Chanyeol?” He asks, feeling faint.
“No I called Obama. Of course I’m talking about Chanyeol.” Kyungsoo rolls his eyes and Baekhyun likes how normal that looks - Kyungsoo isn’t supposed to be worried or cautious; it’s not how they work.
“Why?”
“I wanted to.”
“But why?” Baekhyun asks again, voice breaking slightly.
“You miss him Baekhyun. It’s been half a year and you haven’t moved on.”
“I’m doing fine.” Baekhyun protests weakly.
“Fine isn’t good, and I will break your neck if you dare protest. We both know I’m right.”
They don’t say anything for a while. Kyungsoo continues to sip on his tea coolly, legs crossed and back seemingly melded with the backrest of his armchair. Baekhyun is too busy with quietly panicking to notice the coffee that’s planted in front of him suddenly. Busy painting scenarios in his head of possible conversations between his best friend and his ex. Only Kyungsoo clearing his throat pointedly has him really looking at his surroundings.
He notices his coffee before the person who delivered it, warm latte in a canary yellow cup, tall jean clad legs, a soft looking hoodie over a wide torso.
He chokes on air.
Chanyeol doesn’t seem to notice his emotional distress and only smiles before sitting down in the chair between Baekhyun and Kyungsoo. It’s a closed-mouthed smile, somewhat crooked like he’s not sure whether it’s okay to show it.
“Hey Baek.” He says, and Baekhyun could cry at the twinge of pain it causes him.
He hasn’t opened his mouth before Kyungsoo stomps off with a ‘you can thank me later, I refuse to third-wheel’ making Baekhyun want to curse at his betrayal.
Chanyeol is still there when he looks, eyes alight with the distinctive flame that only Chanyeol has and skin still as beautifully spotless as always. His hair is shorter though, darker than Baekhyun’s ever seen it before and looks far softer than Chanyeol’s red mane ever did.
“How are you doing?” Chanyeol asks, probably realizing that Baekhyun won’t offer any sort of greeting anytime soon. He’s wearing one of the oldest hoodies he’s had and Baekhyun remembers wandering around Chanyeol’s apartment in nothing but that and boxers.
“Good.” Baekhyun croaks. “Fine; enjoying the summer heat and all that. Everything is great. I’m doing good.”
He’s missed him so bad. He’d known before of course, he’s not stupid, but it’s tangible now. The truth of it as clear as the sky outside, as real as the person sitting next to him, breathing and absolutely being fucking perfect; and absolutely fucking not for Baekhyun to neither hold nor keep.
“How about you?” Baekhyun inquires, holding his breath, wanting to know the answer, needing to know it. “Everything good?”
“Sure!” Chanyeol says, as easy as that. “I’ve had patbingsu every day of the summer so far though, so my body might not agree.”
One wouldn’t be able to tell from Chanyeol’s gangly yet somehow toned frame. Baekhyun purposefully doesn’t look at his arms, knowing without looking that they’re bulging from all the drumming and weight lifting that Chanyeol does. Baekhyun sort of wishes he didn’t know that - it’s information he’d be better without.
“How’re things going for the band then?” He asks, lacking anything interesting to say himself.
If possible, Chanyeol lights up even more from that question and leans forward with an excited expression on his face - the one he always adopts when talking about his favorite subject (which is music). “It’s going great! We’ve had loads of gigs this summer; Jongdae has somehow gotten it inside his head that he’s a ladies’ man and to be honest, the grinding he does against the mic stand has gotten us a lot of attention. Then Yixing broke his left arm in May, skateboarding, so it’s been a bit difficult with that, but he’s fine now and we’re going stronger than ever!”
It’s impossible not to respond with a smile, listening to the antics of people Baekhyun once knew as friends, whom he can now barely call his acquaintances despite the past.
“And the moronic duo?” He asks, edging closer on his seat, listening intently.
“I’ll have you know that they’re not half the morons they once were! Jongin’s taken a few fashion tips from a friend, and dresses like a grown up now, and Sehun hasn’t smoked a cigarette in four months!” Chanyeol looks proud, like he had something to do with it, and knowing him right, he probably did. Chanyeol had always been such a do-gooder.
“Are you telling me the kids have grown up?” The idea of it is strange in Baekhyun’s head, the image of the younger boys unable to alter itself into something more respectable. He’ll need to see it himself to be able to really believe it.
“I’m afraid so” Chanyeol nods. “And with that we’re growing old Baek, what should we do with this decaying youth of ours?”
Huffing at the choice of words Baekhyun lifts an eyebrow at the other. “Stop speaking in lyric Chanyeol, you sound like a wannabe poet.”
Smiling and leaning back relaxed, Chanyeol retorts. “Ain’t nothing wrong with a bit of poetry Baek, you once found it very romantic if I remember correctly.”
That sends Baekhyun’s mind back to the box of letters. Filled with sweet words of hope and those dark of despair. Letter after letter, none of them sent but all of them signed with an ‘I miss you’ at the end. He remembers that they’re not supposed to get along like this, like their still something whole; they shouldn’t be talking at all. It’s over and they shouldn’t be talking.
Seemingly grasping the turn of his mood Chanyeol frowns for a moment, but smoothing out his forehead soon enough for Baekhyun to wonder if it was only his mind playing a trick on him.
“Do you remember the day we broke up?”
Chanyeol’s voice is solemn, filling Baekhyun’s insides with dread of what’s to come.
“How could I not?” He answers, feeling ill.
“You told me you were tired.” Chanyeol says. “That there wasn’t enough of an ‘us’ for you to feel satisfied.”
“I know.”
Baekhyun had been the one to start the conversation that would end what little of an ‘us’ that they had had. It’s all Baekhyun’s fault that it played out the way it did, his frustration being the breaking point in their unity. His selfishness ruining what he would later find to be something he’d needed despite its faults.
“Do you ever regret it?” Chanyeol asks, unabashedly staring at Baekhyun, undoubtedly searching for a reaction. His eyes are as beautiful as they always were and Baekhyun finds himself just staring right back holding his breath.
He’s still staring when Chanyeol leans forward, uncertainty evident in his eyes along with a strange mix of curiosity and determination. Leans into the hand that comes up to cup his cheek still unable to break eye contact until the very last moment before their lips touch, when Chanyeol’s breath, soft and moist, can be felt on his lips.
The kiss is brief, and a lot more careful than the kisses they used to share. It ends before Baekhyun realizes, Chanyeol’s eyes searching and nervous on him. Baekhyun winds his arms around Chanyeol’s neck, kissing him right back, as tentative as Chanyeol had been before but not leaning back nearly as fast. Lingers in the closeness and refuses to open his eyes, fingers curling at the nape of Chanyeol’s neck.
There’s still the sound of soft guitar playing in the air, there’s the smell of coffee and baked goods, and then there’s Chanyeol in front of him, as real as all the other, skin warm and soft under his fingers. Lips pliant under his and hair just as fine as Baekhyun imagined; kissing Chanyeol feels like taking the first breath after a deep plunge into the ocean.
There’s a burning in his chest, a pressure threatening to burst out and Baekhyun is the last to admit he’s made a mistake and yet-
“I missed you.”
Final author's note: this was self-beta’d, so if you found any faults I apologize for that and hope you didn’t mind.