"Ⓦhy did you do that?" Baekhyun asked as Chanyeol had moved back so they could finally breathe again.

"You already know why I did that," Chanyeol said and smiled sweetly.

"Why do I find it so hard to believe you," Baekhyun whispered, mostly to himself, but Chanyeol heard as well.

"You still think I'm joking around?" Chanyeol asked surprise. What a dense kid, he thought to himself as he sighed. "Baekhyun, I’m in love with you. Maybe you don't believe me, but ever since I first saw you, I always wanted to approach you because I could see your loneliness in your eyes, but I was too scared. When I heard rumours about you and saw you being rude to the other kids, I thought maybe I didn't have a chance at all.

"And when I overheard you confess to that guy, I felt so sorry for you, but I couldn't bring myself to approach you, although I regret I didn't. And when we were paired to make this story in English and we became friends, I was so happy I could finally talk to you and spend time with you. You made me happier than you believe, and I wanted to make you happier as well, so I always tried to make you laugh and smile," Chanyeol confessed. He was staring into Baekhyun's eyes the whole time, and he could see he had nearly broken down in tears.

He was so shocked and surprised. "Are you serious right now?" he whispered, jaw hanging open to his lap.

"I am," he said and reached in for a kiss him again, but Baekhyun avoided it. "What's wrong?"

"I..." he started off, barely looking in the other male's eyes, "I can't," he breathed out heavily, like he was out of breath.

Chanyeol stared at him with wide eyes.

"Why not? Don't you feel the same way back?" he asked. "You literally said it a couple of minutes ago." Chanyeol waited patiently for Baekhyun's reply.

"It... It's just so weird. It's like kissing my best friend, but - "

"But you like it?" Chanyeol completed his sentence, and Baekhyun was unintentionally nodding, already admitting he has feelings for the other.

"Yes, I do."

"Then why did you move away?" he asked with furrowed eyebrows.

Baekhyun gulped, avoiding his gaze. "Because I'm scared," he muttered.

"Of what?" Chanyeol asked. "Of me?"

"Of getting hurt again," he answered honestly. Baekhyun was scared to death. He didn't want to get hurt again by the same reason as last time: loving.

"I promise you I won't hurt you like that g