Chapter 26

L'amour perdu

I miss you, princess.

It felt like his heart would burst from the intense galloping. Baekhyun staggered back as he looked at the beautiful arrangement of flowers, then back at the invitation on his hands. Knees losing their strength, he leaned himself against the edge of the sofa, all his plan of going back to bed vanished into thin air.

“Chanyeol…” he said breathlessly.

It has to be Chanyeol. No one calls him princess but that tower of a man. His eyes watered and he couldn’t help but shake his head.

That idiot, he thought. “You’ve been watching me this whole time and yet you can’t even show yourself, huh?” he talked to the bouquet, shaking it, faking an angry tone. “You’re an , Park Chanyeol. I better see you on Monday.” He said, hope filling up his heart with warmth.

====

The day has come for Baekhyun to cut the ribbon for his exhibit. He was so nervous but then, Luhan and his other friends were there to act as a support. They were the one who took pictures when Baekhyun cut the sky blue lace on the entrance. They popped the confetti once he was done and they were like children who ran to their playground once the exhibit has officially started.

For the whole day, Baekhyun was torn in half. The first part of him wants to entertain the people looking at his works. Because it was located in the mall, he had a variety of guests ranging from kids to elderly. They are all fond of the significant characters of the fairy tale. It was known to everyone so there's no doubt. It was heart-warming, seeing that people enjoy the hard work you've done.

However, the other half of him wants to leave the guests to find Chanyeol. He has to be here, somewhere. He was certain that it was him who sent the flowers, and it irks him knowing that the giant knows his whereabouts, but he doesn't even have the balls to actually meet him in person.

But the day ended with him not seeing anyone with a towering height--the only thing that could hint him to Chanyeol's whereabouts.

"Hey Baekhyun!" Luhan gleefully called in the middle of the crowd. It was the second day of the exhibit and the said man was busy talking to the little girl. She was too fond of Baekhyun’s painting of a beautiful maiden running down the stairs. Sadly, she left a pair of her beautiful glass shoes that her fairy godmother gifted her.

Baekhyun pat the girl’s head, standing to greet his friend. “I was talking to this guest, and you wouldn’t believe me,” Luhan panted.

“Try me.” Baekhyun challenged.

“She got a call from her boss, and they want to buy all of your works.”

Baekhyun froze, “What?”

“They will buy it, name your price and the check is out.” Luhan grinned.

“All of it?”

“Yes!” Luhan exclaimed but frowned when he noticed that it didn’t sound like good news to his friend the way his brows pulled to center. A brief exhale and a soft no between Baekhyun’s teeth, and the man suddenly walked up to the end of the hall. His strides were long and fast, slicing through the crowd of guests.

“Baekhyun, wait!”

He followed him until the said man stopped. “What’s gotten into you?” he half screamed, minding that they are still in public. Luhan noticed that Baekhyun is staring at the wall where his largest painting was. It was his last work and the only one who’s still yet to be revealed.

Covered in black silk, Baekhyun hid the mysterious painting from the eyes of many, yet underneath it was a title that made all of the by passer even more curious.

“This is not for sale,” Baekhyun said. “Tell her they can have it all, but not this one.”

“Baek…” Luhan sounded like he understood, and that’s all that matters so Baekhyun left without sparing him another glance.

Every night, Baekhyun prays for the next day to approach faster. He prays that he could see the person whom he longed for years. Whenever he stares at the wilting flowers, he felt like time is running out and he’s so desperate to meet him.

So on the third day of the exhibit, Baekhyun focused on the people coming in and out of the venue. He was lost in his thoughts that somebody would come. And that person—that man should be—

“Are you…Ella?”

Baekhyun blinked and turned his head towards the beautiful woman in pencil skirt and blazers. He stood up and offered his hands, smiling, “Yes, I am. Are you enjoying the exhibit, ma’am?”

“I love your works personally, the details are just…” she shook her head, “there’s no word enough to describe it.” She said.

Baekhyun politely thanked her as they walked side by side along the hall. “My superior visited the other day and he was mesmerized. Which is why I told one of your friends, Mr. Lu, to tell you that he decided to buy them all.”

Oh, so this is that person.

“I’m really flattered, and I am happy that you want to buy them but, I can’t give you all of it, ma’am.” He explained. They stopped in front of the hidden painting and Baekhyun gestured to its direction, “L'amour perdu, is not for sale.”

The lady seemed to think about the reason but she realized that it must have a sentimental value to the artist. “Alright, Ella, I’ll talk to him and tell him that. Please excuse me,” she bowed her head, taking her phone from her beige pouch before leaving Baekhyun there.

Alone, contemplating, longing.

====

It was nine in the morning when Baekhyun woke up from the vibrating phone under his pillow. He groaned and looked for it with his hands, eyes still closed. Tapping his finger on the scanner on the back, he received the annoying call without looking at the ID and huffed a sleepy, “Hello?”

“Ella?” The familiar voice woke Baekhyun up. He rubbed his eyes, clearing his throat. “Oh, uhm, good morning, Ms. Jung” he greeted. It was the woman from the other day, “What can I do for you?”

“Good morning to you too,” he could hear the smile from her words, “I got your number from the invitation card and I want to inform you that my superior will meet you personally tonight, 6 pm at the Blue Palace Garden. He’d like to make an arrangement about the deal.”

“The Blue Palace Garden, alright.”

“That would be all, thank you, Ella.”

“Thank you,” he greeted and the line was dead before he remembered that he didn’t ask her the name of that person, much less how he looked like.

=====

It’s cold out there but Baekhyun sat in front of the beautiful fountain. He let Luhan managed the exhibit first as he has to meet this person. Baekhyun watched families having quality time with each other, couples walking hand in hand, eating cotton candies, and he even saw oblivious individuals, too busy in their careers to notice that they might have bumped against the person who’ll complete their life.

He thought of his encounter with Chanyeol, Who would have thought?

Turning back his gaze on the fountain, he watched a kid threw a coin at the base of the angel statue, then clapped his hands together and pray. If he has one right now, he probably would have joined that kid. Then he’d wish for a lot of things that whoever it was listening, be the gazing stars or a fairy godmother, will be deaf before he finished.

Baekhyun took a deep sigh, making a beeline to the beautiful ripples in the air. The blue and white lights illuminated the statue of an angel. He dipped his hands on the ring of clear water. “I don’t have a coin to barter, but I’m hoping you might consider…” he whispered. “I really want to meet him…” Baekhyun took his hand back, “Give me a second chance, please.”

Baekhyun closed his eyes and savored the kiss of the wind on his cheeks while combing his hair back.

He then heard a sound, like something small dropping on the surface of the water. He opened his eyes and caught the slow motion movement of a coin falling on the base of the fountain.

“You know, even fairy god mother’s Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo needs something to make magic out of it…” a baritone voice coming from his back said.

Baekhyun might not be the brightest person, but he’s not dumb. The moment he realized whom that voice belonged to, he turned around breathlessly. Standing almost three feet away from him was no other than the man he so desperately wanted to hold again.

He didn’t change much, but he had matured. His eyes still have that spark of mischief, his lips slanted in a lopsided smirk, his arrogant gesture of putting his hands in his front pocket and most of all, his presence that calls for Baekhyun and Baekhyun alone.

Tears pooling at the edge of his eyes, Baekhyun remained on his spot, until Chanyeol took the first step towards him.

“Five years and that’s what you’re going to tell me?” Baekhyun asked in a shaky voice. His hands are trembling, his knees weakened and he just wants to collapse in Chanyeol’s arms.

“I told you I missed you right, princess?” Chanyeol took another step. Baekhyun sniffed, letting the first bead fall on his flawless cheeks.

“Idiot, that doesn’t count.” He hissed before he closed the remaining distance between them, cupping Chanyeol’s jaws to clash their lips together.

Chanyeol wrapped his arms around his waist immediately, one hand sliding up to support Baekhyun’s head as they kissed. It was deep, tender and loving. It was everything that was missing in between. They held each other close and created their own world. Screw the people watching. Chanyeol waited so long for this day to come.

He delved deeper, breaching Baekhyun’s mouth with his tongue. Fire is igniting deep inside him for he knows that this man was no other his other half, his pair, and no one could separate them apart.

No, not anymore.

Pulling away, Chanyeol wiped his thumb on Baekhyun’s swollen lips, gazing at his beauty through the curtain of his lashes. The light of the fountain illuminates his translucent skin, giving off an ethereal effect on him. Baekhyun is so beautiful… he will always be beautiful and not even time can ruin it.

“Come with me,” Chanyeol whispered against his lips. Baekhyun pecked him once more.

“Where would you take me?” he asked. Chanyeol smiles and kissed his nose.

“I’m gonna take you home.”

What happened in the ride from Blue Palace to the place where Chanyeol took him was blurred, for all Baekhyun could see were their hands linked together, fingers intertwined as Chanyeol drove his car. It was silent, yes, but never as silent as before. Why? Because their hearts was louder than any noise, any music, and they could hear it themselves.

Baekhyun didn’t miss the familiarity of the house where they stopped by. When the gates opened, leading to the front yard, his jaws hanged and his mouth gaped like a gold fish when he realized the truth.

“Isn’t this—“

“The house design you picked? Yes, princess, this is home.” Chanyeol squeezed his hands, “Our own.”

They went out of the car, and in the single moment that they have to separate felt like hours again. Chanyeol didn’t waste time to wrap his arms around Baekhyun’s waist again when they walked towards the porch. Baekhyun was still looking around, craning his neck here and there in amazement. Chanyeol chuckled, sliding his hand to link with his husband.

“Come on.” Baekhyun giggled when Chanyeol leads him inside, and he didn’t have time to admire the interior of the house as the taller man dragged him upstairs.

The lone room to the right was where they headed to. Chanyeol opened the door and the next thing Baekhyun knew is that he is at the door, with Chanyeol’s arms wrapping around him like his second skin.

Lips finding their way together, Baekhyun put his arms around Chanyeol’s neck, tilting his head as the latter started undressing him. Slowly, he lifted the thick cream sweater Baekhyun was wearing, unlatching their lips for a second to toss it away. When Baekhyun came back to kiss him again, Chanyeol grabbed his thighs, just under his bum and lifted him off of carpeted floor.

“Bed,” Baekhyun gasped, forehead against Chanyeol’s. When his back hit the soft mattress, Baekhyun quickly invited the other between his legs. Chanyeol did so, not forgetting to rip off his polo shirt.

A sweet drug, that’s how it feels like. They couldn’t get enough of tasting each other, feeling each other’s warmth. Hands flying everywhere, touching, mapping the road they already know but missed so much. Baekhyun traced the flexing muscles on his lover’s back while savoring the pleasurable kisses against his jaw. Chanyeol, shivering in the light yet teasing touches of those fingertips against his skin, started to his building arousal against Baekhyun’s crotch.

“Ah,” Baekhyun trembled as Chanyeol suddenly bit the lobe of his right ear. “Chanyeol…” he moaned in delight. Said man lifted his head, his hand tracking Baekhyun’s sweaty temples. “I really like it when you whisper my name like that…” Chanyeol dipped his head to plant one on Baekhyun’s rosy petals, “I missed it so much.”

Baekhyun hummed, fingers running through Chanyeol’s hair. “I missed everything,” he answered, “Your touch, you kisses, your warmth,” Baekhyun said, already on the edge as he remembered how abrupt their separation was. Those memories brought unwanted tears that Chanyeol quickly wiped away with his lips.

After that, they filled the void wordlessly, and nothing but the music between their lips was heard.

Limbs tangled under the sheets, Baekhyun blinked away the wetness of his eyes as Chanyeol breached in hi warmth. The tightness was so much like their first time, and Chanyeol hissed upon feeling the greed building in his lower regions. Chanyeol tested the waters, pulling out before ing back in, causing Baekhyun to hold his breath.

Chanyeol took Baekhyun’s hands and pinned it on both sides of his head. Locking gazes, they communicate nonverbally. Baekhyun smiled at him, and Chanyeol chuckled. “What?”

“Nothing, just…” Baekhyun squirmed, “After all this time…I-…I still can’t get used to your size…” He winced as Chanyeol moved to find a better position, causing him to probe deeper. Chanyeol grabbed his waist, snapping their hips together that Baekhyun let out a rather lewd noise.

Grunting, Chanyeol ground harder, “Don’t worry princess, you’ll remember it well tomorrow,” he smirked before starting to move in constant speed. Baekhyun wrapped his legs around Chanyeol’s, singing his name as they made love. Chanyeol was right, he planned to imprint his shape in Baekhyun’s body by the way he moved.

Hard, deep and agonizingly fast.

“Ahh—ahh, Chanyeo—ngh…” Baekhyun trembled when the said man left one of his limp hands to trace Baekhyun’s body from his pectoral to the line on his defined tummy, then he teased his navel down to his proud .

“God, Baek…” Chanyeol groaned, ing deeper, synchronizing his movements with the pace of his hands when he touched his lover’s intimacy.

Baekhyun almost screamed if not for Chanyeol’s lips on his. When they found their completion, white light blinding their sight, Baekhyun knew that it was just one of the many to come.

====

There’s something ticklish against his nape and Baekhyun knew what it was even when he’s between reality and his dreams. He sighed as he felt another peck, and after that, Chanyeol wrapped his defined arms around his frame. “Princess…it’s late, wake up.” He whispered hotly in his ear.

Baekhyun wouldn’t know that of course, the room was confined with air-conditioning, and the windows are covered with thick curtains, dark enough to block the annoying rays of the sun. “A minute…” he whispered.

Chanyeol chuckled against his shoulders, “You used to wake up early, what happened to you,”

Baekhyun whined with a kick, “I realized the importance of mattress and pillows so shut the up and let me sleep. It’s your fault my hurts anyway,” he mumbled the last part.

Laughing out loud, Chanyeol pulled Baekhyun and caged him in a tight embrace. It resembled a kid not letting his favorite teddy bear go, even if it’s old and there are a lot of new toys around him. Nothing can beat Baekhyun, Chanyeol thought.

The second time Baekhyun opened his eyes was two hours later. He thought he was just dreaming when he found no one beside him. But realizing he wasn’t in his suite, and the pain on his back was still sharp, he thought otherwise. His phone, though, placed on the night stand, was vibrating against the wooden furniture. He found Luhan’s name on the screen and he suddenly remembered.

The exhibit.

.

Sliding his thumb to take the call, Baekhyun cleared his throat. “Lu—“

“Where in the world are you Byun Baekhyun!?” and so it starts.

“I’m sorry Luhan, I am on my way now.” He gasped when he felt another jab of pain on his lower back when he sat up.

“What happened yesterday? I couldn’t contact you!”

“I’ll tell you everything later, just please…” Baekhyun saw Chanyeol entering with a tray of food. “Calm down, I’m fine, and wait for me there”

“Fine,” Luhan said after a second of pause. “You better explain. Okay?”

“Yes, mom,” he rolled his eyes and ended the call.

Chanyeol smirked at his disheveled state, but he put the tray in front of him. Baekhyun’s stomach grumbled. “Breakfast in bed, princess?”

Baekhyun snorted but laughed anyway. He realized he’s now wearing a shirt larger than his size. Must be Chanyeol’s, he thought.

“Was that Luhan?” Baekhyun nodded as an answer, taking a bowl of soup to taste. “Yeah, you know him… He’s my second mom.”

Chanyeol chuckled as he watched him eat. Baekhyun was in the middle of eating his apple when he remembered the questions he promised to ask Chanyeol. “Yeol…”

As Chanyeol looked up, he asked, “Where have you been?”

Chanyeol fell silent for a moment, his hand on Baekhyun’s legs, fingers drumming on the milky skin. “Away,” he said, “Away from here, away from the chains that they put around my neck.” He whispered. When he saw how Baekhyun was not amused with his answer, he elaborated.

“When…when they took you away, nothing mattered anymore so I just left,” Chanyeol said. “I was so lost. I didn’t know where to go. But I have this goal in my head that I have to be more than what I was to reach you.”

Baekhyun put the apple down with sagged shoulders, “That’s not true,” he countered. “You’re enough Chanyeol. It’s…It’s my family they—“

“They think I’m not enough—much more when they found out about what noona did to your father—“

“That wasn’t your fault,” Baekhyun hissed, “They are just too… prejudiced, that’s all Chanyeol. You’re not your sister. You’re my half, my husband, my lost love…” Baekhyun reached out to cup his face. “You’re more than enough.”

Chanyeol kissed his palm and smiled, and that alone lifted his heart from years of loneliness and sadness.

Now that Baekhyun noticed, Chanyeol was wearing the pendant he thought he lost somewhere. His eyes sparkled when he remembered what that ring was hanging on Chanyeol’s neck. The latter smiled when he saw how Baekhyun smiled upon seeing it.

Reaching on the lock, Chanyeol started removing the pendant from its chain. I started wearing this on my pinky finger for a while, afraid that it will get lost too…” He took Baekhyun’s left hand and slowly put the missing band on his ring finger.

“But now I found you, I think it’s time for you to wear it.”

Baekhyun smiled, seeing the other pair of it on Chanyeol’s finger. He stared at it and he couldn’t believe how it fit so perfectly like their just meant to be there.

When Baekhyun finished his meal, Chanyeol heard the knock on his door so he let whoever it was to open it. “Mrs. Lee, what is it?”

“Mr. Clyde, you forgot your phone in the kitchen and it’s been ringing since you left.” Baekhyun choked on his own saliva upon hearing the name. Chanyeol took the phone from her and Mrs. Lee left, curious of the identity of their guest. Chanyeol received the call and Baekhyun barely heard the conversation.

When Chanyeol turned around he met Baekhyun’s raising eyebrow with matching arms crossed over his chest.

“So tell me, what’s your deal, Mr. Clyde?” Clyde Park. The owner of Blue Palace, Baekhyun found out.

Chanyeol blinked.

Oh.

 It looks like this is going to be a long day.

A/N:

hhahha sorry for the delay. i don't even know what i wrote but i hope it's enough. i'm sorry for crappy hahahha. 

wah did i ruin it? omg i don't know. *runs away*

DON'T FORGET TO DROP COMMENTS. >3<

*p.s.*

I don't have any paintings that can help you visualize Baek's works, but the style can be similar to this, (Disclaimer, PHOTO NOT MINE)