There's your name written in my heart for ambulanceu [1/2]
For: ambulanceu
Title: There's Your Name Written In My Heart
Pairing(s): Chanyeol/Luhan, Chanyeol/Baekhyun
Rating: PG-13
Length: 15.9k
Summary: Soulmate!AU. When Chanyeol knows his soulmate, he hadn't expected it to be his long time friend, and things went okay but then came Luhan.
Author's note: *cries at the distance* i'm so sorry i ruined your prompt, this is so rushed i want to hide myself inside a bush ;__;
Chanyeol walks out of his bedroom to the incessant knocking of his front door. He is not surprised to be greeted by a cheeky smiling Baekhyun, holding onto a box that Chanyeol is sure contains donuts that he had baked.
The non-stop texts that he had bombarded Chanyeol last night about his baking ventures didn’t go unnoticed.
"Don't you have class right now?" Chanyeol asks with a raise of his eyebrow.
Baekhyun shrugs his shoulders and enters Chanyeol's dorm casually. "It's modern history, so I skip."
Chanyeol makes way for him to enter, and Baekhyun slips past him. Baekhyun walks toward the couch and he plumps himself down, making himself comfortable against the bouncy chair.
Chanyeol joins him on the couch later as he wraps his hand around his shoulder. "What'd you bring?" Chanyeol asks, pointing his finger at the box. He knows what's inside the box but he asks anyway just for the sake of it.
Baekhyun is always a guy that is filled with energy that never runs out. And Chanyeol himself is a big sort of presence. He realises that, but being with Baekhyun makes him feel like there is nothing better to say. They know about each other pretty much their whole life. They have seen each other naked, they have been spending countless of birthdays together and they have each other's names written at the tips of their fingers in small letters. They are soulmate. Upon that knowledge, Chanyeol was taken aback. Baekhyun was too.
They never really understood the concept of soulmate before, Chanyeol especially. All those stories he had heard from his parents, grandmother, grandfather and his friends aren't nearly enough for him to understand much deeper.
All he knew was that when you found your soulmate you had found your true love that you will spend the rest of your life with. But when Chanyeol meets his soulmate in the form of Byun Baekhyun who he had known since he was little, he doesn't know what to feel.
Surely he isn't attracted to Baekhyun in that fall-in-love sort of way. Sure Baekhyun is attractive but he is his best friend. Having some sort of romantic feelings about your best friends is weird. Having your best friend as a soulmate is even weirder.
When they knew they were each other's soulmate, they were too shocked to even speak. They even go as far as to not talking to each other for weeks. From the stories he had heard about soulmates, he really didn't think it would be this complicated because stories are being sugarcoated. Sugarcoated to the point where it makes Chanyeol feels naive and vulnerable and thinks that when you meet your soulmate you will instantly fall in love, because hey, soulmates right?
But getting around his soulmate is hard, he does not fall in love instantly, his soulmate doesn't fall in love with him the second that their names are written on each of their fingertips. Instantly doesn't happen, instead it takes a lot of time for the both of them to make this work, because soulmates are your one and only love. It should work no matter how and what.
At least that is what society believes.
"Chanyeol," Baekhyun voice lingers in the air and it brings Chanyeol back to where he is and not in the midst of his thoughtful mind.
"Sorry what's that?" Chanyeol says, shaking his head once and twice.
Baekhyun heaves off a sigh, "I said I brought donuts and then said do you want some." Baekhyun shoves a donut up his face and Chanyeol jerks his head backwards, not wanting some chocolate glaze on his face.
"Feed me nicely will you," Chanyeol says.
Baekhyun rolls his eyes but feeds Chanyeol a donut anyway.
Chanyeol chews on it and the chocolate glaze melts on his tongue and the dough is soft, too soft for Chanyeol's liking but it still tastes good. Chanyeol is skeptical that Baekhyun baked them.
"Did you really bake this?" Chanyeol says with a mouthful of donut.
"Why? It tastes awesome right?" Baekhyun says confidently with a stuck up grin on his face.
"No," Chanyeol denies but he keeps chomping on the donuts that Baekhyun absently feeds him. "It tastes horrible," he continues complete with a disgusted face, still chewing on the donut leisurely.
Baekhyun punches Chanyeol's arm, moving away his hand so Chanyeol isn't eating the donut right now.
Chanyeol pouts and Baekhyun merely rolls his eyes.
"Fuck you," Baekhyun says jokingly.
Chanyeol laughs on the couch, his legs moving upwards and his arm tightens around Baekhyun's tiny shoulder.
"I would love to," Chanyeol says then he looks at his wrist watch and he gives it a point, "but my class is gonna start, maybe next time?" He says with a face full of teeth.
Baekhyun gives him another punch, packs his box of donuts and is ready to stand up when Chanyeol grab his arm so he stays in place.
"Where are you going?"
"To modern history class," Baekhyun answers quickly.
"You hate that class."
"Not as much as I hate you," Baekhyun says seriously but Chanyeol knows he isn't all that serious.
"You love me," Chanyeol says in that coo-ing voice if his.
"No, not all," although he knows that Baekhyun is joking, he knows there are some sort of truth underneath it.
"Rude."
When Baekhyun tries to stand up this time, Chanyeol doesn't stop him.
"Are you seriously going to that class Baek?"
"Dead serious," Baekhyun says, his face dead serious.
"Okay okay," Chanyeol says standing up, holding up his hands in surrender. "That donut tastes amazing, don't be mad okay?"
"I know it tastes good," Baekhyun deadpanned.
"Then why are you mad," Chanyeol states.
"I am not."
"Yeah right," Chanyeol stands up and circles his arms around Baekhyun's waist, bringing him closer to his chest, the box of donuts in between them.
Baekhyun sighs, "you know I am mad not for real."
"Yeah, I know," Chanyeol whispers.
Baekhyun gives him a confused look to which Chanyeol answers, "but if I just let it be, you will be mad for real and a mad Baekhyun is a pain in the ass."
At that, Baekhyun punches his stomach with a box of donuts and not seconds after, they were laughing together despite the pain that Chanyeol feels on his stomach.
Baekhyun didn't end up going to his modern history class. Instead, he lounges around Chanyeol's dorm, eating his own baked donut until Chanyeol had to go to his next class.
They part ways with a kiss that Chanyeol thinks isn't really a kiss.
-
“Hey,” Chanyeol feels a pressure on his shoulder. He turns around and is greeted by a face he hasn’t quiet seen around campus, nor this one particular class.
“Oh, hey,” Chanyeol says, eyebrow raise in question. “Is there anything I can help?” Chanyeol asks, because the guy looks clueless and is in need of a genuine help. Chanyeol doesn’t understand why the guy had to seek him though, considering there are people beside him but he doesn’t blame the dude. Because when he drifts his attention to the two persons sat beside the guy, they don’t look like they would appreciate some sort of distraction. Their eyes are focused upfront, all ears on what the professor is talking. And Chanyeol should do the same.
“Yes, actually,” the guy says. There is a hint of an accent in his tone, but nothing too serious to the point that Chanyeol can’t distinguish. “What topic are we in?”
Chanyeol furrows his eyebrows at this, because who the heck doesn’t know what topic they are in. Chanyeol thinks it was a dumb question but the look on the guy’s face is genuinely confused.
“I mean, I want to know what’s the topic, I can’t quite catch what the professor is saying, he has this accent that I don’t get,” the guy says, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment.
Chanyeol makes a hum of understanding. Because Professor Lee does have an accent that he can’t quite diminish no matter how hard he tried. “History of Music, he’s talking about music right from the beginning,” Chanyeol supplies and the guy makes a face of understanding but Chanyeol isn’t quite sure if he understands, and Chanyeol is sort of worried for him.
“Luhan,” Professor Lee exclaims all of a sudden, which makes Chanyeol turns from his seat to face the front abruptly. He manages to catch the dude’s face, it has horror written all over it. “I see you are conversing well, might tell me who invented the guitar?”
“Uhh,” the dude - Luhan - apparently sounds clueless. Chanyeol takes pity on him. He casually turns around to face the dude, and he sneakily whispers the question back at him as clearly as he can. “Ahh, the 19th century!”
Chanyeol guesses his whispers aren’t clear enough and the class is stifled in laughter. There is a light frown on Professor’s Lee forehead but he is amused. Luhan on the other hand has a shock stricken expression all over his face.
“Luhan, please pay attention next time,” Professor Lee says as he points his finger at Luhan.
“Yes, sorry Mr. Lee,” Luhan supplies, his voice a notch higher.
Professor Lee goes back to discussing about where the guitar was originated. The class is focused now and Chanyeol makes it his point to take note and listen to whatever the professor is saying. But then there’s a poke on his back, Chanyeol turns around, eyes curious, and Luhan is looking at him, lips form into an awkward smile. Chanyeol raises his eyebrow, “thank you,” Luhan points out, his voice in a whisper and his head ducks down close against the table.
“For what?” Chanyeol asks, voice low and quiet.
“For, sort of saving me there,” Luhan says with a smile and Chanyeol doesn’t get the chance to tell him that it was no big deal because, professor Lee shouted his name then and Chanyeol turns his body upfront so quick he thinks that he could have possibly twisted a muscle.
“Chanyeol, mind telling me what is it that you and Luhan are discussing?” Professor Lee asks, his pen now pointed toward the both of them.
Chanyeol’s eyes are wide, and he shakes his head like they aren’t discussing anything that is worth to be told. “Nothing Mr. Lee, just talking about the history of guitar that is,” Chanyeol supplies cheekily.
Professor Lee gives him a look that isn’t at all amused. The classroom is in for a silent laugh. He can hear his seatmates hiding a laugh in between their palms.
“Cheeky, Chanyeol, very funny,” Professor Lee says, voice gruff but he decides to let the matter go, to Chanyeol’s relief.
And the class goes on, but then there’s another poke on his back, Chanyeol nearly, nearly lets out a groan, but he turns around anyway.
“I am sorry,” Luhan says, moving his body upfront and whispering his words out loud. Chanyeol nearly laughs at his face because Luhan looks really ridiculous like this. Like he’s in a cartoon, because those eyes are so round and are those sparks? Chanyeol feels like he’s being anime-ed.
Chanyeol just brushes him off nonchalantly and he turns around quickly after, because he can’t really afford to get caught by Professor Lee the second time. But he hopes he doesn’t come off as too-proud-for-himself, because he really isn’t.
The class goes on and on and on, and Chanyeol thinks he never feels so uninterested in a guitar before.
-
“Kyungsoo, do you think this jeans would make my ass bigger or smaller?” Baekhyun points toward his butt, while he’s facing the mirror. Kyungsoo is too busy with his book to actually care and Chanyeol feels entertained as he scans Baekhyun up and down with a grin.
“Why are you giving me that creepy look,” Baekhyun calls out on Chanyeol. Chanyeol lifts himself up from resting his sides by the door and moves to go to Baekhyun’s way.
“I think it makes your butt looks bloated,” Chanyeol supplies, chest touching Baekhyun’s back.
Baekhyun rolls his eyes at the statement, “I asked Kyungsoo, not you,” he says.
Chanyeol clutches on his chest, faking pain, but Baekhyun shoves him out of his way easily with one of his sharp elbow. “So, Kyungsoo!” Baekhyun shouts this time and Chanyeol flinches. “What do you think?”
Kyungsoo makes a move to lift his head from the book he’s reading. Kyungsoo momentarily shuts the book in favor of Baekhyun, but the look set on Kyungsoo’s face, which Chanyeol regard is, deadly. “Stop bothering me,” Kyungsoo deadpanned, “ask your boyfriend about it.”
Baekhyun lets out a whine, and he walks toward the bed, where Kyungsoo is seated. “Oh, come on, don’t be a bitch about it.”
“We are only going to a party, who cares how you look like, no one gives a fuck actually,” Kyungsoo says, eyes daggered at Baekhyun.
Chanyeol who is seeing all of their exchanges in front of him is nothing short but amused. It is no secret that Baekhyun has had a crush on Kyungsoo from way back when, but with all Baekhyun being his soulmate, he thinks that it is natural for Baekhyun to grow out of his crush, but it seems that Baekhyun hasn’t. Chanyeol just knows because Baekhyun truly looks like a kicked puppy, he wants to gather him in a hug so he wouldn’t feel crushed.
“You are an ass,” Baekhyun simply protests, lips in a pout and arms crossed together.
"I don't care what you think of me," Kyungsoo states with a roll of his eyes.
Baekhyun crosses his arms, "you are too mean," Baekhyun says with his lips jut out. Kyungsoo doesn't seem to care as he continues to read his book. Apparently, Kyungsoo finds the book more interesting than looking at Baekhyun's butt and tells him what he thinks, if that jeans make Baekhyun's ass small or big. Baekhyun turns around and he gives Chanyeol a stare. "Are you already dressed?" Baekhyun asks, assessing Chanyeol up and down.
Chanyeol opens his arms wide. His face looks dumbfounded, like Chanyeol can't believe that Baekhyun doesn't see how perfect he looks right now. His hair is in a disheveled mess, skin tight jeans that accentuates his long legs perfectly and a leather jacket to boost. He looks like he's ready to be laid, not that he wanted to be laid. "Are you kidding me?" Chanyeol points out.
Baekhyun has a judgemental look set on his face, "you are way overdressed."
"I look perfect," Chanyeol protests and before Baekhyun can get another word out, Kyungsoo beats him to it.
Kyungsoo stands up from the bed, his book now shut and his expression is bored. "Are you two done now?" He asks, with that smile of his that Chanyeol thinks is menacing.
"Come on Soo, chill out," Chanyeol says, arms wrapped around Kyungsoo's shoulder.
"Yeah, you two bickering is a pain in the ass," Kyungsoo states, looking up at Chanyeol, "of course I just need to chill," he smiles, with all of his teeth and it looks sarcastic. Like that smile Arnold Sweshneiger had when he plays terminator. At least Arnold looks a little sincere, Kyungsoo is just, terminator.
"You look creepy," says Chanyeol and Kyungsoo elbows him on the stomach. Kyungsoo's elbow is so sharp, Chanyeol winces in pain. He feels like he is being stabbed with an ultra sharp knife. Kyungsoo's elbow is probably made out of diamond.
Baekhyun lets out a laugh, "serves you right!"
Chanyeol stares at Baekhyun deadly, "Kyungsoo, kick him in the ass!"
"I will, when he did something wrong to me," Kyungsoo says. Kyungsoo already unlatches Chanyeol's hold on him and now he's walking towards the bedside table where his jacket was thrown earlier. "Are you both really ready now? Because we are late," Kyungsoo announces, pointing on his wrist watch to make a point. "Jongdae would fuss about it."
"I still need to put on my eyeliner!" Baekhyun exclaims, and Chanyeol thinks its funny how panicked he looks right now. It's ridiculous.
"Come on babe, you don't need eyeliner," Chanyeol says, a vote of confidence. Because although Baekhyun is a conceited human being Chanyeol had ever encountered, he also has his own flaws that he is keen to hide. Like how he looks like a puppy without an eyeliner, and Chanyeol doesn't know why Baekhyun thinks it's bad, Chanyeol thinks it's cute.
Kyungsoo lets out a frustrated grunt, "you look perfect Baekhyun, lets just go."
Upon Kyungsoo's words, Baekhyun's face lights up like a christmas tree. He's got a smug look on his face and Kyungsoo knows what's going to happen next, so he quickly grabs
his stuff and he is out the door not mintues later.
"Kyungsoo! I didn't know you are fascinated by my perfection!" Baekhyun screams, and Chanyeol laughs his heart out at that. But then they are both out the door anyway, catching up with Kyungsoo who has his ears plugged into an earphone, a silent demand that no one should talk to him.
But Baekhyun of course, doesn't receive the message as he continues to bother Kyungsoo.
-
Chanyeol remembers that moment when he realized there was a hint of black ink at the tip of his index finger. He was more nervous than he was excited. All those stories he had heard about soulmates were fairly positive. That once you have came to know your soulmate's name, it would be easy then. But Chanyeol didn't know how easy it would be. Chanyeol had frowned upon some of the stories. Like, you only know their names, but how they look like in person will still remain a mystery. It would take time to actually meet your soulmate. When the ink on your fingertips began to be more prominent, it only gave you a little hint. And Chanyeol thinks, names didn't actually mean anything. There are seven billion people in this planet and there are big possibilities of the name written on his fingertips can belong to quiet a number of people.
So Chanyeol thought, what was so easy about it.
Sure, Chanyeol always got starry-eyed when he listened to his parents stories. To other stories. But in all honesty, finding your soulmate can be a pain in the ass. Chanyeol had thought, why can't he just be in love with the person who would make him happy, and whom he would love with all his heart. That is pretty close to being each other's soulmate. But of course, society believes soulmate rather than true love and Chanyeol was brainwashed to think it that way.
The ink on his finger tip was fade the very first day he had noticed. And truthfully, he wished it would stay that way. There was an uneasy feeling that was settled inside his stomach when that ink would be readable. As days passed, and slowly the ink became clear as day; dark, small and was obviously there.
Chanyeol was surprised that he had finally known his soulmate's name.
But right now, the ink at the tip of his fingertip feels invisible. Like it is just another one of his tattoo that Baekhyun had dared him to get.
The first time the ink was present it had felt like a sore thumb. Too obvious and it felt awkward. Chanyeol had felt the need to remove it. He felt he couldn't face Baekhyun the next day but it was unavoidable. They were always together and on each day, they were always bound to meet. Chanyeol had hidden his hand that had the tattoo engraved on his finger tip inside his pocket. He could see that Baekhyun gave him a suspicious look. Maybe, it wasn't this Baekhyun that happened to be his soulmate and he hoped so bad that his suspicions were true. Baekhyun was his usual self that day, talkative and playful and teasing Chanyeol whenever he got the chance to. But few days later, everything became much too clear to Chanyeol, that this Baekhyun, Baekhyun who is his best friend for as long as he can remember is his soulmate.
Baekhyun had approched him hesistantly that day and Chanyeol wasn't feeling all too good. The stifling atmosphere added to it and Baekhyun's shaky voice and the way he refused to meet his eyes were a bonus to confirm everything.
"Give me your finger Chanyeol," Baekhyun had said, voice shaky.
Chanyeol's eyes widened and he hesitated for a second if he really should. He felt shaken up, but Baekhyun's gaze on him was persistent, and if Chanyeol wasn't mistaken, there were a trace of fear laced in his eyes. And that just made Chanyeol to not want to show his finger to Baekhyun, because Chanyeol knew what was going on. But he thought that would be pointless, Baekhyun would know one way or another.
He gave his hand to Baekhyun and Baekhyun's face is marred with shock and his voice bordered on denial. "This is a joke," Baekhyun breathed out. He lets go of Chanyeol's hand already as if he had been electrocuted by the sudden touch. "You..." Baekhyun tried, pointing his index finger toward Chanyeol and there, Chanyeol saw the streak of black ink poised along the tip of his finger, with Chanyeol's name written, clear as day and it made this whole thing feels more real. "You can't be my soulmate," Baekhyun finished and he sounded breathless, like the wind had knocked him down senseless and he tried his best to be on his ground.
"Apparently Baekhyun, we are," Chanyeol stated. He hated that expression Baekhyun projected afterwards. His eyebrows creased, forehead wrinkled and he looks the very definition of troubled, a mess, as if life had been playing a joke on him, like everything was just a dream.
Baekhyun let out a laugh and it sounded too dry. Not the sound of laughter that Chanyeol was used to. "This is really a joke," he said and Chanyeol flinched at his tone.
"Well, what exactly do you want me to do?" Chanyeol hadn't meant for his tone to come out harsh, but he was irritated by all this. This soulmate thing is a hell hole.
Once you know and meet your soulmate, look no far, for them is your companion for life.
The sentence rang true in his ears, and the mere reminder of it sent shiver down his spine. Companion for life, Chanyeol never imagined to share the rest of his life with Baekhyun as his other half. Baekhyun is his best friend, and it will still remain that way, but it seemed fate and destiny were playing a game with the both of them.
"There is really nothing you can do about it Chanyeol," Baekhyun answered, his back now rested against the wall and instead of facing Chanyeol, Baekhyun looked at the view upfront. The grass was green, and there weren't that many people there. Baekhyun let out a defeated sigh and Chanyeol was about to approach him, an attempt to make him feel better but Baekhyun flinched away before Chanyeol can even touch him. "Just, leave me alone," Baekhyun said, face upfront, avoiding Chanyeol's gaze.
Chanyeol doesn't question further, his steps were hesitant to walk away at first, reluctant to leave Baekhyun alone in this state, but Chanyeol knew better. So he walks away, and for days on end, the both of them ignored each other. Afraid to face the problem.
Ironic how they claimed that soulmates wouldn't drift away from each other but the mere concept of soulmate is what had driven them apart.
-
"I thought this was just going to be a small get together," Kyungsoo points out when they arrived at the party venue; Jongdae's house.
"I wouldn't even bother to wear my sickest skinny jeans if it was just that," Baekhyun supplies.
They heard the sound of the music booming first when the house that the party is held isn't still in view. But as soon as the house is in hindsight, people are clamoring in and out of the small door. They are laughing hysterically and dancing to the booming sound of the music. Chanyeol sees Kyungsoo's expression and he looks like he isn't happy at all.
"You should know Jongdae better, he never throws stuff small, he likes it big," Chanyeol states as they make their way iniside the house. Once they are in, a wash of crowd greeted them in a sway of bodies going through different directions. The house isn't that big at all, and the weather borders on summer so the heat inside is ten times more hotter with the huge crowd. Chanyeol regrets not wearing his shorts and wifebeater instead because he can already feel the trace of sweat underneath all of his clothing. Maybe he'll consider to jump inside Jongdae's swimming pool in the backyard later to cool himself down.
"Yeah no shit," Baekhyun says, and he got a protective arm around Kyungsoo. Surprisingly enough, Kyungsoo didn't try to unlatch Baekhyun's hold on him. "I love Jongdae for this."
"Who loves me," Jongdae's voice rings true from the crowd. Chanyeol hears his voice first than the rest of his body.
"Jongdae!" Chanyeol screams through the loud music. "Happy birthday," he greets, his arms already wide open to give Jongdae a massive birthday hug.
"Thanks," Jongdae punches Chanyeol's chest lightly instead of hugging Chanyeol. Chanyeol makes a sad face but he later dismissed it when he knows Jongdae is close to make fun of him. "Your boyfriend will kill me," Jongdae points out.
Baekhyun turns his head toward Jongdae, "oh no, you can hug him all you want, I'm not that kind of boyfriend." They are now standing by a table of foods and drinks. Kyungsoo already makes himself feel at home as he chows down a crazy amount of nachos as much as his throat can swallow.
Chanyeol gives Baekhyun an elbow, "what?" Baekhyun exclaims and his expression is playful.
"What sort of boyfriend are you exactly Baekhyun?" Jongdae questions with a hint of laughter in his voice and a plastic cup of soda in his hand. Jongdae likes to keep his party alcohol free, and Chanyeol likes to call him 'mum'.
"Girlfriend you mean," Chanyeol says as he snorts.
Baekhyun gives Chanyeol a deadly glare but Chanyeol isn't scared by it one bit. Jongdae is already laughing his ass off, the soda in his hand sloshes out of the cup from the sudden movement. Kyungsoo is still enjoying his food, not bothered by his friend's nonsense. Baekhyun on the other hand isn't finding this amusing. His hand is up, ready to give Chanyeol's arm a slap, but Chanyeol is fast to hold onto Baekhyun's hand.
"See what I mean?" Chanyeol says, adding more fuel to the fire.
But Baekhyun thankfully just rolls his eyes at this, he gives Jongdae a smile filled with so much teeth, his canines are showing and Chanyeol thinks that Baekhyun right now looks like a real puppy. An angered puppy. "Happy birthday Jongdae," Baekhyun greets him finally, "please make sure your underwear is placed somewhere I don't know."
At this, Chanyeol lets out a laughter that booms throughout the loud music, people give him a look but he can't be bothered by what people think of him. "You too!" Baekhyun points out and Chanyeol's laughter dies.
One time, Jongdae and Chanyeol pulled a prank on Baekhyun that made him put little insects inside their unworn underwear. Chanyeol was terrified, it took him merely a week to recover from it. Baekhyun is an ass, that much is true and Chanyeol is still contemplating if he really is his true soulmate.
"Come on babe," Chanyeol coos, wrapping his arm around Baekhyun. Baekhyun looks up at him as he smiles so wide that his eyes turn to crescents.
"Don't you babe, babe me," Baekhyun says, but doesn't make a move to remove Chanyeol's hand from his waist.
"Aww," Jongdae adds, "you both are so not cute."
"Happy birthday Jongdae," Kyungsoo says finally when his mouth isn't stuffed with nachos.
"Thanks," Jongdae replies, "I bet you just remembered it."
Kyungsoo laughs at that, scratching his neck in guilt.
It seems that the music had gotten much louder. It is near impossible to hold a proper conversation now. So Baekhyun suggests they dance.
Chanyeol refuses, saying "not yet in the mood."
Baekhyun gives him an eye, "boo," he says. But he doesn't further forces Chanyeol to go out toward the dance floor. Kyungsoo is another story, Baekhyun had his hold on Kyungsoo's arm and it leaves very little space for him to refuse when Baekhyun pulls him forward. Jongdae on one hand, is more than glad to walk himself into the mess of a crowd swaying to the tune of the music.
"Knock yourself out!" Chanyeol hears Jongdae scream before he's out of sight.
Instead of staying in one place, Chanyeol makes his way toward Jongdae's backyard, to breath in some fresh air and to spare his ears from the loud music. Chanyeol's questioning how many speakers Jongdae got inside there.
When he's out at the backyard, he's glad that there aren't too many people. He takes a seat on one of the deck chairs by the pool, lying down like he's soaking up some invisible sunlight, with his eyes closed. It feels like the sun is out when in fact it has been down hours ago. But the summer heat is still palpable in the absence of the sun.
"Oh, hello, I know you!" Chanyeol's eyes fly open at the voice. And he's greeted by a face he sort of familiar with. "You're from my music class!" Chanyeol's eyebrow raises at this, and he's scrambling up his mind to remember. The guy, sensing Chanyeol's confusion, points his index finger toward himself, "remember me, Luhan, the one who poked your back and almost got you into trouble?"
"Ahh you!" Chanyeol exclaims after a moment, getting his back up from resting against the deck chair.
Luhan gives him a smile as he takes a seat on the chair right next to him. Luhan has his legs crossed against each other as he faces Chanyeol.
"Yes, me," Luhan says with a smile that crinkles his eyes. Chanyeol's eyes widen at how weird Luhan looks when he smiles. He seems like a cheshire cat, and it sure looks creepy. But he seems kind and Chanyeol knocks himself out of it. He shouldn't judge him by the way he smiles. "You are Chanyeol, right!" He says, not meant to be a question but more like a statement by the way he exclaims it with confidence.
Chanyeol gives him a nod, then smiles, "yes, yes, I am," he says. "And you are Luhan?" Chanyeol adds, voice sounding hesistant.
Luhan nods his head with that creepy wide smile of his and Chanyeol thinks he looks like a kid who had been given candy.
"So you are friends with Jongdae?" Chanyeol asks, resting his back against the chair. Luhan's still seated and he's looking at Chanyeol. It makes him feel uncomfortable.
"Jong... dae?" Luhan voices out, his eyebrow raised in question.
"Yeah, the birthday guy," Chanyeol questions.
Luhan clicks his tongue at that, his head lilting up like he had remembered something and Chanyeol for a moment had find it endearing. "Ah Jongdae," Luhan says in acknowledgement. "I don't really know him in person, I got dragged here by Jongin and now he went off dancing and he left me to wander this house alone," Luhan blabbers and his face looks genuinely sad.
Chanyeol laughs at that. Luhan gives him a confused look. "So you are friends with Jongin?"
"Yes, sort of," Luhan answers with a shrug. "You know Jongin?"
"Yeah, he's like my little puppy," Chanyeol says playfully.
"A hot little puppy," Luhan blurts out. Chanyeol looks at him with a grin. And Luhan, recognising what he just said, places a palm on his mouth. As if that would take back whatever he had said.
"Not that I have a crush on him whatsoever, there's no doubt that he's sort of hot!" Luhan quickly encounters.
Chanyeol nods his head in acknowledgement but the playful smile is still pasted on his lips. "I get you," Chanyeol supplies, standing up from the chair.
"So you find him hot too?" Luhan blurts out and Chanyeol makes a face of horror.
"Ew, no, he's like my little brother."
"Seriously, you guys are related?"
At that Chanyeol lets out a laugh, he shakes his head frantically, Luhan doesn't seem to get what he was trying to say. "I meant it metaphorically," Chanyeol says.
"Ahh," Luhan says in realisation. "Sorry, I'm still trying to get around the Korean language."
"Oh, you're not Korean?" Chanyeol asks, looking down at Luhan with a questioning look.
Luhan shakes his head, "I'm an exchange student from Beijing."
No wonder there's a hint of an accent when Luhan talks. But it wasn't too prominent, if Chanyeol hadn't known, he can easily mistaken Luhan as a person who holds the Korean cetizenship because his Korean is good, fluent. "Your Korean is good," Chanyeol says it out loud.
Luhan smiles at that, "thanks, still practicing it anyway, I can be better." Luhan stands up then, "seriously, why are we outside when there's a party inside."
"I was just getting some fresh air, and you," Chanyeol looks at Luhan up and down, "is in the midst of a journey in Jongdae's house.
Luhan laughs, "lets go inside then!"
-
“It… it wasn’t love at first sight… but it sure is something…” Chanyeol mumbles as he writes them down on a piece of paper. “Why, why…” Chanyeol groans, palms against his face.
“That really sucks,” Baekhyun says who is seated across from him. They are in the campus library, Chanyeol persuaded Baekhyun to join him because truthfully, Chanyeol writes lyrics better when he’s in the company of other people. But Baekhyun isn’t helping him at all, although he is his boyfriend and soulmate. Chanyeol had been trying to figure out some lyrics for this final project of his music class. Chanyeol isn’t one to ace in something. He’s glad if his academic works are up to par and are accepted by the school’s standard. But with music, that is where his passion is and Chanyeol feels like he is obligated to score so fucking well in this. It’s been an hour and Chanyeol had come up with plenty of possible lyrics only for it to be scratch out as he starts on a new one instead. He isn’t feeling it at all.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence Baek,” Chanyeol says sarcastically. He slumps back against the chair as he looks up at the ceiling in hopes that some sort of inspiration would be in clear view above.
Baekhyun gives his leg a kick, Chanyeol lets out a whine. “Come on Chanyeol, you can come up with something better,” Baekhyun packs his book. Apparently, Baekhyun had got something done while Chanyeol is in a misery trying to come up with a good chunk of lyrics.
“I’m blank,” Chanyeol says with a heavy sigh, “and you are no help,” he pouts.
“I was finishing up my own work that was due few days ago,” Baekhyun retorts. He gives a glance at his wrist watch, “okay, what do you need help with. I have twenty minutes before I have to go to meet up with Kyungsoo, so make it quick when you know how murderous Kyungsoo looks when I’m late and he’s already waiting.” Baekhyun blabbers, placing his bag filled with his work aside. He crosses his legs and arms as he rests his back against the chair, looking smug.
“I just need you to sit there,” Chanyeol says, “they say inspiration hits when you’re in the presence of someone you love.” Chanyeol realizes too late that he sounds pathetic.
Baekhyun lets out a snort as he rolls his eyes to the back of his brain. “You are so naïve,” Baekhyun blurts out between his short laughter. “Are you…” Baekhyun starts, his laughter already dying. Chanyeol looks up at him and Baekhyun’s expression falls short, like he isn’t sure if he should say what he’s about to say, but knowing Baekhyun, he would never cuts his sentence short. “Are you really in love with me?”
Chanyeol’s taken aback by that question. His mind is scrambling to find the right answer. And Baekhyun anticipates it, his eyebrow raised in expectation, eyes set on him and Chanyeol really can’t escape. His voice sounds shaky when he says it. His laughter sounds too dry like Baekhyun is just blurting things out in a spur of the moment. “Of course, you’re my best friend and…” Chanyeol trails, hesitating to say the word. “Soulmate,” he says out anyway after a moment, but it is quiet, Chanyeol can barely hear his own voice.
Baekhyun doesn’t seem satisfied with that answer, and Chanyeol is glad he isn’t questioning him further. Chanyeol isn’t yet ready for what conversation this will lead to. Chanyeol thinks they really need to talk about this whole thing, about where their relationship is leading, because to Chanyeol, it doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere.
When that time Baekhyun and Chanyeol had learned that they are both each other’s soulmate, they resort to avoiding each other for weeks. They still met occasionally because that is the one thing that they can’t avoid. Being in the same group of friends proved that avoiding each other wasn’t the ideal way to deal with the situation. Their friends acknowledged it, when their daily banter came to an immediate stop, something was wrong.
Kyungsoo was the one who brought it up first. He cornered Chanyeol when they were walking towards their classes. “What is up with you and Baekhyun?” He asked, they were in the middle of the staircase, but other students can’t be bothered to care, there weren’t that many anyway loitering around.
“Nothing,” Chanyeol lied, hiding both his hands inside his pocket.
“You both have been avoiding each other, of course there’s something,” Kyungsoo pushed on.
Chanyeol fidgeted in his place, Kyungsoo can be intimidating like this. He had no problem to tell him what had happened, but it felt like he was in no place to tell him just yet without Baekhyun’s consent. It would feel like he was betraying him, and Chanyeol was really in an awkward position when he knows, Baekhyun had been crushing on Kyungsoo for god knows how long. But this soulmate thing was making things hard and complicated.
Chanyeol was surprised when Kyungsoo hold onto one of his arm, and it took him little to no preparation to avoid. Kyungsoo was inspecting his hand and when he hadn’t found anything he expected to see, he was holding onto his other arm. This time, Chanyeol refused to give it out, but Kyungsoo was insistent and Chanyeol figured, he looked suspicious already. Kyungsoo scanned his finger and when the dark ink curved into Baekhyun’s name was in sight, Kyungsoo makes a hum of knowledge.
“You both are soulmates,” Kyungsoo snorted. “Shouldn’t you both be happy?” He asked, and he sounded bewildered.
“He is my best friend,” Chanyeol stated. “I never imagined him as my soulmate.” Chanyeol drew his hand from Kyungsoo’s and he placed it back inside his pocket.
“But you both need to talk it out, soulmates are meant to be,” Kyungsoo said. And Chanyeol and Baekhyun did found a solution toward their problem one step at a time. That was three years ago and now, Baekhyun is his boyfriend, and Chanyeol isn’t sure if he’s really in love with him enough to spend the rest of his life with Baekhyun. Now that Chanyeol is experiencing this whole soulmate thing first hand, it is the absolute shit.
“Okay, I need to know about the whole concept of your song to be able to help you.” Baekhyun says, and Chanyeol shakes his head out of his reverie.
“Uh,” Chanyeol trails, scratching the side of his head with his pen. “I don’t know what concept I’m trying to get at.”
Baekhyun looks at him like he’s hopeless, “well, you are doomed,” Baekhyun supplies helpfully.
“Thanks,” Chanyeol says sarcastically, rolling his eyes at the back of his head.
“Chanyeol!” Chanyeol looks up to find the voice and he is surprised to be greeted by Luhan smiling down at him. Baekhyun looks up also and he smiles as if he remembers him. “And… you are…” Luhan says, pointing his index finger to Baekhyun and he tilts his head, eyes close and open looking like he’s trying to scramble his brain for a name. “Baekhyun!” He says cheerfully.
“Yes, yes I am,” Baekhyun says through his teeth. “And you are?”
“I’m Luhan, we met at Jongdae’s party last night!” Luhan’s voice is too loud for the library’s standard and Chanyeol had to refrain himself to ask him to keep it down. Luhan comes to take a seat at the empty chair beside Chanyeol without permission, not that he had to, but Luhan can ask first before he makes himself comfortable.
Baekhyun claps his hand at the memory which attracts the attention of some of the library occupants, but Baekhyun can’t really be bothered. “You’re that guy who drinks like three glasses of soda in a minute at Jongdae's party!”
Luhan laughs at that, “yes, that’s the Luhan.”
Baekhyun gives his wrist watch a glance then, and he stands up immediately, packing the rest of his stuff up and is about ready to go. “Gotta go see Kyungsoo now Chanyeol,” he says. Chanyeol gives him a pout but he nods anyway. Baekhyun gives him a tiny peck on the cheek. “I’ll lounge around later at your place, and see you around Luhan,” Baekhyun says last before he is off and out the library.
“Baekhyun is your boyfriend?” Luhan asks, looking Chanyeol with wide eyes.
Chanyeol smiles as it is deem necessary in this sort of situation. “Yes, he is,” Chanyeol answers with a nod. He diverts his attention on the piece of scratch pages already filled with black ink and his mind is blank.
“So you guys are soulmate then?” Luhan asks once again.
Chanyeol lets out a sigh that he didn’t mean to blurt out, but he gives a nod anyway.
“Lucky!” Luhan exclaims, “I have been waiting for the ink on my finger tip to show some sign but I guess I just still have to wait.”
“Be careful for what you hope for, you might be disappointed.” Chanyeol’s writing down meaningless things now, like why are the trees a mixed of brown and green, and why do leaves fall in the winter. Why are the skies blue, because his mind is blank and it seems like he’s only able to write mundane things like how the library is quiet, how he is doom and his dream to ace his final project will turn to ashes.
“What do you mean?” Luhan asks a lot of question and Chanyeol thinks he’s a little bit annoying.
“Nothing,” Chanyeol puts his pen down. He isn’t going anywhere with this, might as well wrap it up and call it a day. “Forget what I said,” he turns to look at Luhan and he is surprised that Luhan still got his eyes on him, but it was later dismissed when Luhan finds that piece of paper in front of Chanyeol more interesting.
“Oh, what’s this?” Luhan asks, index finger on the paper, and Chanyeol feels a rush of embarrassment running through his veins because no one except for Baekhyun were to see his mess of a lyric. “It’s song lyrics? You can write song? That’s awesome!”
“Uh, yeah, sort of, this is for the final project.” Chanyeol says, scrambling to hide that piece of paper with his arms.
“Professor’s Lee class! I have already thought of what I want to do, all I need is to record it,” Luhan supplies and Chanyeol nods at that piece of information. “Do you want help?” Luhan offers.
Chanyeol can’t possibly reject that offer because he really needs all the help he can get.
Luhan smiles when Chanyeol says yes. He is enthusiastic to throw in a bunch of sentences that can work and might not work. Some of it is ridiculous, but it makes Chanyeol laughs and slowly, Chanyeol learns to enjoy Luhan’s company.
-
"Have you already thought of something?" Baekhyun asks that night when they meet up for a movie in Chanyeol's dorm room.
"Yeah sort of," Chanyeol answers, plumping down on the cozy sofa next to Baekhyun. He takes the remote control and presses play, the intro song of the movie booms softly through the room. Chanyeol places his arm around Baekhyun's shoulder and uses his other hand to feed himself some popcorn off of Baekhyun's bowl. "Luhan helped me with it," he states in between a munchful of popcorn.
"Luhan?" Baekhyun asks, his forehead wrinkles. "Didn't know you're close with him."
"I just knew him not too long ago," Chanyeol clarifies, and the movie's about to start and Chanyeol starts to focus.
Baekhyun hums under his breath, "he's handsome."
Chanyeol drifts his gaze from the television upfront toward Baekhyun, "you're attracted?" Chanyeol says with a rise of his eyebrow.
Baekhyun snorts, "of course not, just saying."
"Alright," Chanyeol waves it off, his eyes now glued to the tv. "Now shut up and watch the movie."
"Jerk," Baekhyun says but he makes himself comfortable, leaning further against Chanyeol's side while resting his head on Chanyeol's shoulder, basking in his warmth. Chanyeol wraps his arm tighter around Baekhyun, moving Baekhyun closer to his sides and they both turn silent as the movie begins.
►
Title: There's Your Name Written In My Heart
Pairing(s): Chanyeol/Luhan, Chanyeol/Baekhyun
Rating: PG-13
Length: 15.9k
Summary: Soulmate!AU. When Chanyeol knows his soulmate, he hadn't expected it to be his long time friend, and things went okay but then came Luhan.
Author's note: *cries at the distance* i'm so sorry i ruined your prompt, this is so rushed i want to hide myself inside a bush ;__;
Chanyeol walks out of his bedroom to the incessant knocking of his front door. He is not surprised to be greeted by a cheeky smiling Baekhyun, holding onto a box that Chanyeol is sure contains donuts that he had baked.
The non-stop texts that he had bombarded Chanyeol last night about his baking ventures didn’t go unnoticed.
"Don't you have class right now?" Chanyeol asks with a raise of his eyebrow.
Baekhyun shrugs his shoulders and enters Chanyeol's dorm casually. "It's modern history, so I skip."
Chanyeol makes way for him to enter, and Baekhyun slips past him. Baekhyun walks toward the couch and he plumps himself down, making himself comfortable against the bouncy chair.
Chanyeol joins him on the couch later as he wraps his hand around his shoulder. "What'd you bring?" Chanyeol asks, pointing his finger at the box. He knows what's inside the box but he asks anyway just for the sake of it.
Baekhyun is always a guy that is filled with energy that never runs out. And Chanyeol himself is a big sort of presence. He realises that, but being with Baekhyun makes him feel like there is nothing better to say. They know about each other pretty much their whole life. They have seen each other naked, they have been spending countless of birthdays together and they have each other's names written at the tips of their fingers in small letters. They are soulmate. Upon that knowledge, Chanyeol was taken aback. Baekhyun was too.
They never really understood the concept of soulmate before, Chanyeol especially. All those stories he had heard from his parents, grandmother, grandfather and his friends aren't nearly enough for him to understand much deeper.
All he knew was that when you found your soulmate you had found your true love that you will spend the rest of your life with. But when Chanyeol meets his soulmate in the form of Byun Baekhyun who he had known since he was little, he doesn't know what to feel.
Surely he isn't attracted to Baekhyun in that fall-in-love sort of way. Sure Baekhyun is attractive but he is his best friend. Having some sort of romantic feelings about your best friends is weird. Having your best friend as a soulmate is even weirder.
When they knew they were each other's soulmate, they were too shocked to even speak. They even go as far as to not talking to each other for weeks. From the stories he had heard about soulmates, he really didn't think it would be this complicated because stories are being sugarcoated. Sugarcoated to the point where it makes Chanyeol feels naive and vulnerable and thinks that when you meet your soulmate you will instantly fall in love, because hey, soulmates right?
But getting around his soulmate is hard, he does not fall in love instantly, his soulmate doesn't fall in love with him the second that their names are written on each of their fingertips. Instantly doesn't happen, instead it takes a lot of time for the both of them to make this work, because soulmates are your one and only love. It should work no matter how and what.
At least that is what society believes.
"Chanyeol," Baekhyun voice lingers in the air and it brings Chanyeol back to where he is and not in the midst of his thoughtful mind.
"Sorry what's that?" Chanyeol says, shaking his head once and twice.
Baekhyun heaves off a sigh, "I said I brought donuts and then said do you want some." Baekhyun shoves a donut up his face and Chanyeol jerks his head backwards, not wanting some chocolate glaze on his face.
"Feed me nicely will you," Chanyeol says.
Baekhyun rolls his eyes but feeds Chanyeol a donut anyway.
Chanyeol chews on it and the chocolate glaze melts on his tongue and the dough is soft, too soft for Chanyeol's liking but it still tastes good. Chanyeol is skeptical that Baekhyun baked them.
"Did you really bake this?" Chanyeol says with a mouthful of donut.
"Why? It tastes awesome right?" Baekhyun says confidently with a stuck up grin on his face.
"No," Chanyeol denies but he keeps chomping on the donuts that Baekhyun absently feeds him. "It tastes horrible," he continues complete with a disgusted face, still chewing on the donut leisurely.
Baekhyun punches Chanyeol's arm, moving away his hand so Chanyeol isn't eating the donut right now.
Chanyeol pouts and Baekhyun merely rolls his eyes.
"Fuck you," Baekhyun says jokingly.
Chanyeol laughs on the couch, his legs moving upwards and his arm tightens around Baekhyun's tiny shoulder.
"I would love to," Chanyeol says then he looks at his wrist watch and he gives it a point, "but my class is gonna start, maybe next time?" He says with a face full of teeth.
Baekhyun gives him another punch, packs his box of donuts and is ready to stand up when Chanyeol grab his arm so he stays in place.
"Where are you going?"
"To modern history class," Baekhyun answers quickly.
"You hate that class."
"Not as much as I hate you," Baekhyun says seriously but Chanyeol knows he isn't all that serious.
"You love me," Chanyeol says in that coo-ing voice if his.
"No, not all," although he knows that Baekhyun is joking, he knows there are some sort of truth underneath it.
"Rude."
When Baekhyun tries to stand up this time, Chanyeol doesn't stop him.
"Are you seriously going to that class Baek?"
"Dead serious," Baekhyun says, his face dead serious.
"Okay okay," Chanyeol says standing up, holding up his hands in surrender. "That donut tastes amazing, don't be mad okay?"
"I know it tastes good," Baekhyun deadpanned.
"Then why are you mad," Chanyeol states.
"I am not."
"Yeah right," Chanyeol stands up and circles his arms around Baekhyun's waist, bringing him closer to his chest, the box of donuts in between them.
Baekhyun sighs, "you know I am mad not for real."
"Yeah, I know," Chanyeol whispers.
Baekhyun gives him a confused look to which Chanyeol answers, "but if I just let it be, you will be mad for real and a mad Baekhyun is a pain in the ass."
At that, Baekhyun punches his stomach with a box of donuts and not seconds after, they were laughing together despite the pain that Chanyeol feels on his stomach.
Baekhyun didn't end up going to his modern history class. Instead, he lounges around Chanyeol's dorm, eating his own baked donut until Chanyeol had to go to his next class.
They part ways with a kiss that Chanyeol thinks isn't really a kiss.
-
“Hey,” Chanyeol feels a pressure on his shoulder. He turns around and is greeted by a face he hasn’t quiet seen around campus, nor this one particular class.
“Oh, hey,” Chanyeol says, eyebrow raise in question. “Is there anything I can help?” Chanyeol asks, because the guy looks clueless and is in need of a genuine help. Chanyeol doesn’t understand why the guy had to seek him though, considering there are people beside him but he doesn’t blame the dude. Because when he drifts his attention to the two persons sat beside the guy, they don’t look like they would appreciate some sort of distraction. Their eyes are focused upfront, all ears on what the professor is talking. And Chanyeol should do the same.
“Yes, actually,” the guy says. There is a hint of an accent in his tone, but nothing too serious to the point that Chanyeol can’t distinguish. “What topic are we in?”
Chanyeol furrows his eyebrows at this, because who the heck doesn’t know what topic they are in. Chanyeol thinks it was a dumb question but the look on the guy’s face is genuinely confused.
“I mean, I want to know what’s the topic, I can’t quite catch what the professor is saying, he has this accent that I don’t get,” the guy says, scratching the back of his neck in embarrassment.
Chanyeol makes a hum of understanding. Because Professor Lee does have an accent that he can’t quite diminish no matter how hard he tried. “History of Music, he’s talking about music right from the beginning,” Chanyeol supplies and the guy makes a face of understanding but Chanyeol isn’t quite sure if he understands, and Chanyeol is sort of worried for him.
“Luhan,” Professor Lee exclaims all of a sudden, which makes Chanyeol turns from his seat to face the front abruptly. He manages to catch the dude’s face, it has horror written all over it. “I see you are conversing well, might tell me who invented the guitar?”
“Uhh,” the dude - Luhan - apparently sounds clueless. Chanyeol takes pity on him. He casually turns around to face the dude, and he sneakily whispers the question back at him as clearly as he can. “Ahh, the 19th century!”
Chanyeol guesses his whispers aren’t clear enough and the class is stifled in laughter. There is a light frown on Professor’s Lee forehead but he is amused. Luhan on the other hand has a shock stricken expression all over his face.
“Luhan, please pay attention next time,” Professor Lee says as he points his finger at Luhan.
“Yes, sorry Mr. Lee,” Luhan supplies, his voice a notch higher.
Professor Lee goes back to discussing about where the guitar was originated. The class is focused now and Chanyeol makes it his point to take note and listen to whatever the professor is saying. But then there’s a poke on his back, Chanyeol turns around, eyes curious, and Luhan is looking at him, lips form into an awkward smile. Chanyeol raises his eyebrow, “thank you,” Luhan points out, his voice in a whisper and his head ducks down close against the table.
“For what?” Chanyeol asks, voice low and quiet.
“For, sort of saving me there,” Luhan says with a smile and Chanyeol doesn’t get the chance to tell him that it was no big deal because, professor Lee shouted his name then and Chanyeol turns his body upfront so quick he thinks that he could have possibly twisted a muscle.
“Chanyeol, mind telling me what is it that you and Luhan are discussing?” Professor Lee asks, his pen now pointed toward the both of them.
Chanyeol’s eyes are wide, and he shakes his head like they aren’t discussing anything that is worth to be told. “Nothing Mr. Lee, just talking about the history of guitar that is,” Chanyeol supplies cheekily.
Professor Lee gives him a look that isn’t at all amused. The classroom is in for a silent laugh. He can hear his seatmates hiding a laugh in between their palms.
“Cheeky, Chanyeol, very funny,” Professor Lee says, voice gruff but he decides to let the matter go, to Chanyeol’s relief.
And the class goes on, but then there’s another poke on his back, Chanyeol nearly, nearly lets out a groan, but he turns around anyway.
“I am sorry,” Luhan says, moving his body upfront and whispering his words out loud. Chanyeol nearly laughs at his face because Luhan looks really ridiculous like this. Like he’s in a cartoon, because those eyes are so round and are those sparks? Chanyeol feels like he’s being anime-ed.
Chanyeol just brushes him off nonchalantly and he turns around quickly after, because he can’t really afford to get caught by Professor Lee the second time. But he hopes he doesn’t come off as too-proud-for-himself, because he really isn’t.
The class goes on and on and on, and Chanyeol thinks he never feels so uninterested in a guitar before.
-
“Kyungsoo, do you think this jeans would make my ass bigger or smaller?” Baekhyun points toward his butt, while he’s facing the mirror. Kyungsoo is too busy with his book to actually care and Chanyeol feels entertained as he scans Baekhyun up and down with a grin.
“Why are you giving me that creepy look,” Baekhyun calls out on Chanyeol. Chanyeol lifts himself up from resting his sides by the door and moves to go to Baekhyun’s way.
“I think it makes your butt looks bloated,” Chanyeol supplies, chest touching Baekhyun’s back.
Baekhyun rolls his eyes at the statement, “I asked Kyungsoo, not you,” he says.
Chanyeol clutches on his chest, faking pain, but Baekhyun shoves him out of his way easily with one of his sharp elbow. “So, Kyungsoo!” Baekhyun shouts this time and Chanyeol flinches. “What do you think?”
Kyungsoo makes a move to lift his head from the book he’s reading. Kyungsoo momentarily shuts the book in favor of Baekhyun, but the look set on Kyungsoo’s face, which Chanyeol regard is, deadly. “Stop bothering me,” Kyungsoo deadpanned, “ask your boyfriend about it.”
Baekhyun lets out a whine, and he walks toward the bed, where Kyungsoo is seated. “Oh, come on, don’t be a bitch about it.”
“We are only going to a party, who cares how you look like, no one gives a fuck actually,” Kyungsoo says, eyes daggered at Baekhyun.
Chanyeol who is seeing all of their exchanges in front of him is nothing short but amused. It is no secret that Baekhyun has had a crush on Kyungsoo from way back when, but with all Baekhyun being his soulmate, he thinks that it is natural for Baekhyun to grow out of his crush, but it seems that Baekhyun hasn’t. Chanyeol just knows because Baekhyun truly looks like a kicked puppy, he wants to gather him in a hug so he wouldn’t feel crushed.
“You are an ass,” Baekhyun simply protests, lips in a pout and arms crossed together.
"I don't care what you think of me," Kyungsoo states with a roll of his eyes.
Baekhyun crosses his arms, "you are too mean," Baekhyun says with his lips jut out. Kyungsoo doesn't seem to care as he continues to read his book. Apparently, Kyungsoo finds the book more interesting than looking at Baekhyun's butt and tells him what he thinks, if that jeans make Baekhyun's ass small or big. Baekhyun turns around and he gives Chanyeol a stare. "Are you already dressed?" Baekhyun asks, assessing Chanyeol up and down.
Chanyeol opens his arms wide. His face looks dumbfounded, like Chanyeol can't believe that Baekhyun doesn't see how perfect he looks right now. His hair is in a disheveled mess, skin tight jeans that accentuates his long legs perfectly and a leather jacket to boost. He looks like he's ready to be laid, not that he wanted to be laid. "Are you kidding me?" Chanyeol points out.
Baekhyun has a judgemental look set on his face, "you are way overdressed."
"I look perfect," Chanyeol protests and before Baekhyun can get another word out, Kyungsoo beats him to it.
Kyungsoo stands up from the bed, his book now shut and his expression is bored. "Are you two done now?" He asks, with that smile of his that Chanyeol thinks is menacing.
"Come on Soo, chill out," Chanyeol says, arms wrapped around Kyungsoo's shoulder.
"Yeah, you two bickering is a pain in the ass," Kyungsoo states, looking up at Chanyeol, "of course I just need to chill," he smiles, with all of his teeth and it looks sarcastic. Like that smile Arnold Sweshneiger had when he plays terminator. At least Arnold looks a little sincere, Kyungsoo is just, terminator.
"You look creepy," says Chanyeol and Kyungsoo elbows him on the stomach. Kyungsoo's elbow is so sharp, Chanyeol winces in pain. He feels like he is being stabbed with an ultra sharp knife. Kyungsoo's elbow is probably made out of diamond.
Baekhyun lets out a laugh, "serves you right!"
Chanyeol stares at Baekhyun deadly, "Kyungsoo, kick him in the ass!"
"I will, when he did something wrong to me," Kyungsoo says. Kyungsoo already unlatches Chanyeol's hold on him and now he's walking towards the bedside table where his jacket was thrown earlier. "Are you both really ready now? Because we are late," Kyungsoo announces, pointing on his wrist watch to make a point. "Jongdae would fuss about it."
"I still need to put on my eyeliner!" Baekhyun exclaims, and Chanyeol thinks its funny how panicked he looks right now. It's ridiculous.
"Come on babe, you don't need eyeliner," Chanyeol says, a vote of confidence. Because although Baekhyun is a conceited human being Chanyeol had ever encountered, he also has his own flaws that he is keen to hide. Like how he looks like a puppy without an eyeliner, and Chanyeol doesn't know why Baekhyun thinks it's bad, Chanyeol thinks it's cute.
Kyungsoo lets out a frustrated grunt, "you look perfect Baekhyun, lets just go."
Upon Kyungsoo's words, Baekhyun's face lights up like a christmas tree. He's got a smug look on his face and Kyungsoo knows what's going to happen next, so he quickly grabs
his stuff and he is out the door not mintues later.
"Kyungsoo! I didn't know you are fascinated by my perfection!" Baekhyun screams, and Chanyeol laughs his heart out at that. But then they are both out the door anyway, catching up with Kyungsoo who has his ears plugged into an earphone, a silent demand that no one should talk to him.
But Baekhyun of course, doesn't receive the message as he continues to bother Kyungsoo.
-
Chanyeol remembers that moment when he realized there was a hint of black ink at the tip of his index finger. He was more nervous than he was excited. All those stories he had heard about soulmates were fairly positive. That once you have came to know your soulmate's name, it would be easy then. But Chanyeol didn't know how easy it would be. Chanyeol had frowned upon some of the stories. Like, you only know their names, but how they look like in person will still remain a mystery. It would take time to actually meet your soulmate. When the ink on your fingertips began to be more prominent, it only gave you a little hint. And Chanyeol thinks, names didn't actually mean anything. There are seven billion people in this planet and there are big possibilities of the name written on his fingertips can belong to quiet a number of people.
So Chanyeol thought, what was so easy about it.
Sure, Chanyeol always got starry-eyed when he listened to his parents stories. To other stories. But in all honesty, finding your soulmate can be a pain in the ass. Chanyeol had thought, why can't he just be in love with the person who would make him happy, and whom he would love with all his heart. That is pretty close to being each other's soulmate. But of course, society believes soulmate rather than true love and Chanyeol was brainwashed to think it that way.
The ink on his finger tip was fade the very first day he had noticed. And truthfully, he wished it would stay that way. There was an uneasy feeling that was settled inside his stomach when that ink would be readable. As days passed, and slowly the ink became clear as day; dark, small and was obviously there.
Chanyeol was surprised that he had finally known his soulmate's name.
But right now, the ink at the tip of his fingertip feels invisible. Like it is just another one of his tattoo that Baekhyun had dared him to get.
The first time the ink was present it had felt like a sore thumb. Too obvious and it felt awkward. Chanyeol had felt the need to remove it. He felt he couldn't face Baekhyun the next day but it was unavoidable. They were always together and on each day, they were always bound to meet. Chanyeol had hidden his hand that had the tattoo engraved on his finger tip inside his pocket. He could see that Baekhyun gave him a suspicious look. Maybe, it wasn't this Baekhyun that happened to be his soulmate and he hoped so bad that his suspicions were true. Baekhyun was his usual self that day, talkative and playful and teasing Chanyeol whenever he got the chance to. But few days later, everything became much too clear to Chanyeol, that this Baekhyun, Baekhyun who is his best friend for as long as he can remember is his soulmate.
Baekhyun had approched him hesistantly that day and Chanyeol wasn't feeling all too good. The stifling atmosphere added to it and Baekhyun's shaky voice and the way he refused to meet his eyes were a bonus to confirm everything.
"Give me your finger Chanyeol," Baekhyun had said, voice shaky.
Chanyeol's eyes widened and he hesitated for a second if he really should. He felt shaken up, but Baekhyun's gaze on him was persistent, and if Chanyeol wasn't mistaken, there were a trace of fear laced in his eyes. And that just made Chanyeol to not want to show his finger to Baekhyun, because Chanyeol knew what was going on. But he thought that would be pointless, Baekhyun would know one way or another.
He gave his hand to Baekhyun and Baekhyun's face is marred with shock and his voice bordered on denial. "This is a joke," Baekhyun breathed out. He lets go of Chanyeol's hand already as if he had been electrocuted by the sudden touch. "You..." Baekhyun tried, pointing his index finger toward Chanyeol and there, Chanyeol saw the streak of black ink poised along the tip of his finger, with Chanyeol's name written, clear as day and it made this whole thing feels more real. "You can't be my soulmate," Baekhyun finished and he sounded breathless, like the wind had knocked him down senseless and he tried his best to be on his ground.
"Apparently Baekhyun, we are," Chanyeol stated. He hated that expression Baekhyun projected afterwards. His eyebrows creased, forehead wrinkled and he looks the very definition of troubled, a mess, as if life had been playing a joke on him, like everything was just a dream.
Baekhyun let out a laugh and it sounded too dry. Not the sound of laughter that Chanyeol was used to. "This is really a joke," he said and Chanyeol flinched at his tone.
"Well, what exactly do you want me to do?" Chanyeol hadn't meant for his tone to come out harsh, but he was irritated by all this. This soulmate thing is a hell hole.
Once you know and meet your soulmate, look no far, for them is your companion for life.
The sentence rang true in his ears, and the mere reminder of it sent shiver down his spine. Companion for life, Chanyeol never imagined to share the rest of his life with Baekhyun as his other half. Baekhyun is his best friend, and it will still remain that way, but it seemed fate and destiny were playing a game with the both of them.
"There is really nothing you can do about it Chanyeol," Baekhyun answered, his back now rested against the wall and instead of facing Chanyeol, Baekhyun looked at the view upfront. The grass was green, and there weren't that many people there. Baekhyun let out a defeated sigh and Chanyeol was about to approach him, an attempt to make him feel better but Baekhyun flinched away before Chanyeol can even touch him. "Just, leave me alone," Baekhyun said, face upfront, avoiding Chanyeol's gaze.
Chanyeol doesn't question further, his steps were hesitant to walk away at first, reluctant to leave Baekhyun alone in this state, but Chanyeol knew better. So he walks away, and for days on end, the both of them ignored each other. Afraid to face the problem.
Ironic how they claimed that soulmates wouldn't drift away from each other but the mere concept of soulmate is what had driven them apart.
-
"I thought this was just going to be a small get together," Kyungsoo points out when they arrived at the party venue; Jongdae's house.
"I wouldn't even bother to wear my sickest skinny jeans if it was just that," Baekhyun supplies.
They heard the sound of the music booming first when the house that the party is held isn't still in view. But as soon as the house is in hindsight, people are clamoring in and out of the small door. They are laughing hysterically and dancing to the booming sound of the music. Chanyeol sees Kyungsoo's expression and he looks like he isn't happy at all.
"You should know Jongdae better, he never throws stuff small, he likes it big," Chanyeol states as they make their way iniside the house. Once they are in, a wash of crowd greeted them in a sway of bodies going through different directions. The house isn't that big at all, and the weather borders on summer so the heat inside is ten times more hotter with the huge crowd. Chanyeol regrets not wearing his shorts and wifebeater instead because he can already feel the trace of sweat underneath all of his clothing. Maybe he'll consider to jump inside Jongdae's swimming pool in the backyard later to cool himself down.
"Yeah no shit," Baekhyun says, and he got a protective arm around Kyungsoo. Surprisingly enough, Kyungsoo didn't try to unlatch Baekhyun's hold on him. "I love Jongdae for this."
"Who loves me," Jongdae's voice rings true from the crowd. Chanyeol hears his voice first than the rest of his body.
"Jongdae!" Chanyeol screams through the loud music. "Happy birthday," he greets, his arms already wide open to give Jongdae a massive birthday hug.
"Thanks," Jongdae punches Chanyeol's chest lightly instead of hugging Chanyeol. Chanyeol makes a sad face but he later dismissed it when he knows Jongdae is close to make fun of him. "Your boyfriend will kill me," Jongdae points out.
Baekhyun turns his head toward Jongdae, "oh no, you can hug him all you want, I'm not that kind of boyfriend." They are now standing by a table of foods and drinks. Kyungsoo already makes himself feel at home as he chows down a crazy amount of nachos as much as his throat can swallow.
Chanyeol gives Baekhyun an elbow, "what?" Baekhyun exclaims and his expression is playful.
"What sort of boyfriend are you exactly Baekhyun?" Jongdae questions with a hint of laughter in his voice and a plastic cup of soda in his hand. Jongdae likes to keep his party alcohol free, and Chanyeol likes to call him 'mum'.
"Girlfriend you mean," Chanyeol says as he snorts.
Baekhyun gives Chanyeol a deadly glare but Chanyeol isn't scared by it one bit. Jongdae is already laughing his ass off, the soda in his hand sloshes out of the cup from the sudden movement. Kyungsoo is still enjoying his food, not bothered by his friend's nonsense. Baekhyun on the other hand isn't finding this amusing. His hand is up, ready to give Chanyeol's arm a slap, but Chanyeol is fast to hold onto Baekhyun's hand.
"See what I mean?" Chanyeol says, adding more fuel to the fire.
But Baekhyun thankfully just rolls his eyes at this, he gives Jongdae a smile filled with so much teeth, his canines are showing and Chanyeol thinks that Baekhyun right now looks like a real puppy. An angered puppy. "Happy birthday Jongdae," Baekhyun greets him finally, "please make sure your underwear is placed somewhere I don't know."
At this, Chanyeol lets out a laughter that booms throughout the loud music, people give him a look but he can't be bothered by what people think of him. "You too!" Baekhyun points out and Chanyeol's laughter dies.
One time, Jongdae and Chanyeol pulled a prank on Baekhyun that made him put little insects inside their unworn underwear. Chanyeol was terrified, it took him merely a week to recover from it. Baekhyun is an ass, that much is true and Chanyeol is still contemplating if he really is his true soulmate.
"Come on babe," Chanyeol coos, wrapping his arm around Baekhyun. Baekhyun looks up at him as he smiles so wide that his eyes turn to crescents.
"Don't you babe, babe me," Baekhyun says, but doesn't make a move to remove Chanyeol's hand from his waist.
"Aww," Jongdae adds, "you both are so not cute."
"Happy birthday Jongdae," Kyungsoo says finally when his mouth isn't stuffed with nachos.
"Thanks," Jongdae replies, "I bet you just remembered it."
Kyungsoo laughs at that, scratching his neck in guilt.
It seems that the music had gotten much louder. It is near impossible to hold a proper conversation now. So Baekhyun suggests they dance.
Chanyeol refuses, saying "not yet in the mood."
Baekhyun gives him an eye, "boo," he says. But he doesn't further forces Chanyeol to go out toward the dance floor. Kyungsoo is another story, Baekhyun had his hold on Kyungsoo's arm and it leaves very little space for him to refuse when Baekhyun pulls him forward. Jongdae on one hand, is more than glad to walk himself into the mess of a crowd swaying to the tune of the music.
"Knock yourself out!" Chanyeol hears Jongdae scream before he's out of sight.
Instead of staying in one place, Chanyeol makes his way toward Jongdae's backyard, to breath in some fresh air and to spare his ears from the loud music. Chanyeol's questioning how many speakers Jongdae got inside there.
When he's out at the backyard, he's glad that there aren't too many people. He takes a seat on one of the deck chairs by the pool, lying down like he's soaking up some invisible sunlight, with his eyes closed. It feels like the sun is out when in fact it has been down hours ago. But the summer heat is still palpable in the absence of the sun.
"Oh, hello, I know you!" Chanyeol's eyes fly open at the voice. And he's greeted by a face he sort of familiar with. "You're from my music class!" Chanyeol's eyebrow raises at this, and he's scrambling up his mind to remember. The guy, sensing Chanyeol's confusion, points his index finger toward himself, "remember me, Luhan, the one who poked your back and almost got you into trouble?"
"Ahh you!" Chanyeol exclaims after a moment, getting his back up from resting against the deck chair.
Luhan gives him a smile as he takes a seat on the chair right next to him. Luhan has his legs crossed against each other as he faces Chanyeol.
"Yes, me," Luhan says with a smile that crinkles his eyes. Chanyeol's eyes widen at how weird Luhan looks when he smiles. He seems like a cheshire cat, and it sure looks creepy. But he seems kind and Chanyeol knocks himself out of it. He shouldn't judge him by the way he smiles. "You are Chanyeol, right!" He says, not meant to be a question but more like a statement by the way he exclaims it with confidence.
Chanyeol gives him a nod, then smiles, "yes, yes, I am," he says. "And you are Luhan?" Chanyeol adds, voice sounding hesistant.
Luhan nods his head with that creepy wide smile of his and Chanyeol thinks he looks like a kid who had been given candy.
"So you are friends with Jongdae?" Chanyeol asks, resting his back against the chair. Luhan's still seated and he's looking at Chanyeol. It makes him feel uncomfortable.
"Jong... dae?" Luhan voices out, his eyebrow raised in question.
"Yeah, the birthday guy," Chanyeol questions.
Luhan clicks his tongue at that, his head lilting up like he had remembered something and Chanyeol for a moment had find it endearing. "Ah Jongdae," Luhan says in acknowledgement. "I don't really know him in person, I got dragged here by Jongin and now he went off dancing and he left me to wander this house alone," Luhan blabbers and his face looks genuinely sad.
Chanyeol laughs at that. Luhan gives him a confused look. "So you are friends with Jongin?"
"Yes, sort of," Luhan answers with a shrug. "You know Jongin?"
"Yeah, he's like my little puppy," Chanyeol says playfully.
"A hot little puppy," Luhan blurts out. Chanyeol looks at him with a grin. And Luhan, recognising what he just said, places a palm on his mouth. As if that would take back whatever he had said.
"Not that I have a crush on him whatsoever, there's no doubt that he's sort of hot!" Luhan quickly encounters.
Chanyeol nods his head in acknowledgement but the playful smile is still pasted on his lips. "I get you," Chanyeol supplies, standing up from the chair.
"So you find him hot too?" Luhan blurts out and Chanyeol makes a face of horror.
"Ew, no, he's like my little brother."
"Seriously, you guys are related?"
At that Chanyeol lets out a laugh, he shakes his head frantically, Luhan doesn't seem to get what he was trying to say. "I meant it metaphorically," Chanyeol says.
"Ahh," Luhan says in realisation. "Sorry, I'm still trying to get around the Korean language."
"Oh, you're not Korean?" Chanyeol asks, looking down at Luhan with a questioning look.
Luhan shakes his head, "I'm an exchange student from Beijing."
No wonder there's a hint of an accent when Luhan talks. But it wasn't too prominent, if Chanyeol hadn't known, he can easily mistaken Luhan as a person who holds the Korean cetizenship because his Korean is good, fluent. "Your Korean is good," Chanyeol says it out loud.
Luhan smiles at that, "thanks, still practicing it anyway, I can be better." Luhan stands up then, "seriously, why are we outside when there's a party inside."
"I was just getting some fresh air, and you," Chanyeol looks at Luhan up and down, "is in the midst of a journey in Jongdae's house.
Luhan laughs, "lets go inside then!"
-
“It… it wasn’t love at first sight… but it sure is something…” Chanyeol mumbles as he writes them down on a piece of paper. “Why, why…” Chanyeol groans, palms against his face.
“That really sucks,” Baekhyun says who is seated across from him. They are in the campus library, Chanyeol persuaded Baekhyun to join him because truthfully, Chanyeol writes lyrics better when he’s in the company of other people. But Baekhyun isn’t helping him at all, although he is his boyfriend and soulmate. Chanyeol had been trying to figure out some lyrics for this final project of his music class. Chanyeol isn’t one to ace in something. He’s glad if his academic works are up to par and are accepted by the school’s standard. But with music, that is where his passion is and Chanyeol feels like he is obligated to score so fucking well in this. It’s been an hour and Chanyeol had come up with plenty of possible lyrics only for it to be scratch out as he starts on a new one instead. He isn’t feeling it at all.
“Thanks for the vote of confidence Baek,” Chanyeol says sarcastically. He slumps back against the chair as he looks up at the ceiling in hopes that some sort of inspiration would be in clear view above.
Baekhyun gives his leg a kick, Chanyeol lets out a whine. “Come on Chanyeol, you can come up with something better,” Baekhyun packs his book. Apparently, Baekhyun had got something done while Chanyeol is in a misery trying to come up with a good chunk of lyrics.
“I’m blank,” Chanyeol says with a heavy sigh, “and you are no help,” he pouts.
“I was finishing up my own work that was due few days ago,” Baekhyun retorts. He gives a glance at his wrist watch, “okay, what do you need help with. I have twenty minutes before I have to go to meet up with Kyungsoo, so make it quick when you know how murderous Kyungsoo looks when I’m late and he’s already waiting.” Baekhyun blabbers, placing his bag filled with his work aside. He crosses his legs and arms as he rests his back against the chair, looking smug.
“I just need you to sit there,” Chanyeol says, “they say inspiration hits when you’re in the presence of someone you love.” Chanyeol realizes too late that he sounds pathetic.
Baekhyun lets out a snort as he rolls his eyes to the back of his brain. “You are so naïve,” Baekhyun blurts out between his short laughter. “Are you…” Baekhyun starts, his laughter already dying. Chanyeol looks up at him and Baekhyun’s expression falls short, like he isn’t sure if he should say what he’s about to say, but knowing Baekhyun, he would never cuts his sentence short. “Are you really in love with me?”
Chanyeol’s taken aback by that question. His mind is scrambling to find the right answer. And Baekhyun anticipates it, his eyebrow raised in expectation, eyes set on him and Chanyeol really can’t escape. His voice sounds shaky when he says it. His laughter sounds too dry like Baekhyun is just blurting things out in a spur of the moment. “Of course, you’re my best friend and…” Chanyeol trails, hesitating to say the word. “Soulmate,” he says out anyway after a moment, but it is quiet, Chanyeol can barely hear his own voice.
Baekhyun doesn’t seem satisfied with that answer, and Chanyeol is glad he isn’t questioning him further. Chanyeol isn’t yet ready for what conversation this will lead to. Chanyeol thinks they really need to talk about this whole thing, about where their relationship is leading, because to Chanyeol, it doesn’t seem like it’s going anywhere.
When that time Baekhyun and Chanyeol had learned that they are both each other’s soulmate, they resort to avoiding each other for weeks. They still met occasionally because that is the one thing that they can’t avoid. Being in the same group of friends proved that avoiding each other wasn’t the ideal way to deal with the situation. Their friends acknowledged it, when their daily banter came to an immediate stop, something was wrong.
Kyungsoo was the one who brought it up first. He cornered Chanyeol when they were walking towards their classes. “What is up with you and Baekhyun?” He asked, they were in the middle of the staircase, but other students can’t be bothered to care, there weren’t that many anyway loitering around.
“Nothing,” Chanyeol lied, hiding both his hands inside his pocket.
“You both have been avoiding each other, of course there’s something,” Kyungsoo pushed on.
Chanyeol fidgeted in his place, Kyungsoo can be intimidating like this. He had no problem to tell him what had happened, but it felt like he was in no place to tell him just yet without Baekhyun’s consent. It would feel like he was betraying him, and Chanyeol was really in an awkward position when he knows, Baekhyun had been crushing on Kyungsoo for god knows how long. But this soulmate thing was making things hard and complicated.
Chanyeol was surprised when Kyungsoo hold onto one of his arm, and it took him little to no preparation to avoid. Kyungsoo was inspecting his hand and when he hadn’t found anything he expected to see, he was holding onto his other arm. This time, Chanyeol refused to give it out, but Kyungsoo was insistent and Chanyeol figured, he looked suspicious already. Kyungsoo scanned his finger and when the dark ink curved into Baekhyun’s name was in sight, Kyungsoo makes a hum of knowledge.
“You both are soulmates,” Kyungsoo snorted. “Shouldn’t you both be happy?” He asked, and he sounded bewildered.
“He is my best friend,” Chanyeol stated. “I never imagined him as my soulmate.” Chanyeol drew his hand from Kyungsoo’s and he placed it back inside his pocket.
“But you both need to talk it out, soulmates are meant to be,” Kyungsoo said. And Chanyeol and Baekhyun did found a solution toward their problem one step at a time. That was three years ago and now, Baekhyun is his boyfriend, and Chanyeol isn’t sure if he’s really in love with him enough to spend the rest of his life with Baekhyun. Now that Chanyeol is experiencing this whole soulmate thing first hand, it is the absolute shit.
“Okay, I need to know about the whole concept of your song to be able to help you.” Baekhyun says, and Chanyeol shakes his head out of his reverie.
“Uh,” Chanyeol trails, scratching the side of his head with his pen. “I don’t know what concept I’m trying to get at.”
Baekhyun looks at him like he’s hopeless, “well, you are doomed,” Baekhyun supplies helpfully.
“Thanks,” Chanyeol says sarcastically, rolling his eyes at the back of his head.
“Chanyeol!” Chanyeol looks up to find the voice and he is surprised to be greeted by Luhan smiling down at him. Baekhyun looks up also and he smiles as if he remembers him. “And… you are…” Luhan says, pointing his index finger to Baekhyun and he tilts his head, eyes close and open looking like he’s trying to scramble his brain for a name. “Baekhyun!” He says cheerfully.
“Yes, yes I am,” Baekhyun says through his teeth. “And you are?”
“I’m Luhan, we met at Jongdae’s party last night!” Luhan’s voice is too loud for the library’s standard and Chanyeol had to refrain himself to ask him to keep it down. Luhan comes to take a seat at the empty chair beside Chanyeol without permission, not that he had to, but Luhan can ask first before he makes himself comfortable.
Baekhyun claps his hand at the memory which attracts the attention of some of the library occupants, but Baekhyun can’t really be bothered. “You’re that guy who drinks like three glasses of soda in a minute at Jongdae's party!”
Luhan laughs at that, “yes, that’s the Luhan.”
Baekhyun gives his wrist watch a glance then, and he stands up immediately, packing the rest of his stuff up and is about ready to go. “Gotta go see Kyungsoo now Chanyeol,” he says. Chanyeol gives him a pout but he nods anyway. Baekhyun gives him a tiny peck on the cheek. “I’ll lounge around later at your place, and see you around Luhan,” Baekhyun says last before he is off and out the library.
“Baekhyun is your boyfriend?” Luhan asks, looking Chanyeol with wide eyes.
Chanyeol smiles as it is deem necessary in this sort of situation. “Yes, he is,” Chanyeol answers with a nod. He diverts his attention on the piece of scratch pages already filled with black ink and his mind is blank.
“So you guys are soulmate then?” Luhan asks once again.
Chanyeol lets out a sigh that he didn’t mean to blurt out, but he gives a nod anyway.
“Lucky!” Luhan exclaims, “I have been waiting for the ink on my finger tip to show some sign but I guess I just still have to wait.”
“Be careful for what you hope for, you might be disappointed.” Chanyeol’s writing down meaningless things now, like why are the trees a mixed of brown and green, and why do leaves fall in the winter. Why are the skies blue, because his mind is blank and it seems like he’s only able to write mundane things like how the library is quiet, how he is doom and his dream to ace his final project will turn to ashes.
“What do you mean?” Luhan asks a lot of question and Chanyeol thinks he’s a little bit annoying.
“Nothing,” Chanyeol puts his pen down. He isn’t going anywhere with this, might as well wrap it up and call it a day. “Forget what I said,” he turns to look at Luhan and he is surprised that Luhan still got his eyes on him, but it was later dismissed when Luhan finds that piece of paper in front of Chanyeol more interesting.
“Oh, what’s this?” Luhan asks, index finger on the paper, and Chanyeol feels a rush of embarrassment running through his veins because no one except for Baekhyun were to see his mess of a lyric. “It’s song lyrics? You can write song? That’s awesome!”
“Uh, yeah, sort of, this is for the final project.” Chanyeol says, scrambling to hide that piece of paper with his arms.
“Professor’s Lee class! I have already thought of what I want to do, all I need is to record it,” Luhan supplies and Chanyeol nods at that piece of information. “Do you want help?” Luhan offers.
Chanyeol can’t possibly reject that offer because he really needs all the help he can get.
Luhan smiles when Chanyeol says yes. He is enthusiastic to throw in a bunch of sentences that can work and might not work. Some of it is ridiculous, but it makes Chanyeol laughs and slowly, Chanyeol learns to enjoy Luhan’s company.
-
"Have you already thought of something?" Baekhyun asks that night when they meet up for a movie in Chanyeol's dorm room.
"Yeah sort of," Chanyeol answers, plumping down on the cozy sofa next to Baekhyun. He takes the remote control and presses play, the intro song of the movie booms softly through the room. Chanyeol places his arm around Baekhyun's shoulder and uses his other hand to feed himself some popcorn off of Baekhyun's bowl. "Luhan helped me with it," he states in between a munchful of popcorn.
"Luhan?" Baekhyun asks, his forehead wrinkles. "Didn't know you're close with him."
"I just knew him not too long ago," Chanyeol clarifies, and the movie's about to start and Chanyeol starts to focus.
Baekhyun hums under his breath, "he's handsome."
Chanyeol drifts his gaze from the television upfront toward Baekhyun, "you're attracted?" Chanyeol says with a rise of his eyebrow.
Baekhyun snorts, "of course not, just saying."
"Alright," Chanyeol waves it off, his eyes now glued to the tv. "Now shut up and watch the movie."
"Jerk," Baekhyun says but he makes himself comfortable, leaning further against Chanyeol's side while resting his head on Chanyeol's shoulder, basking in his warmth. Chanyeol wraps his arm tighter around Baekhyun, moving Baekhyun closer to his sides and they both turn silent as the movie begins.
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