"Hyung, Junmyeon hyung's calling for us."

Jongin knocked and entered Baekhyun's room calling for him. "What?" Baekhyun turned his head to the door and put his phone down. He was talking to Sarah at the moment since she was still in school. "Let's go to his room... Kyungsoo arrived already." Jongin murmured to refrain other members from hearing. "Ha? It's just the 17th why is he—“Trouble." Jongin cut him off before closing the door again. "Oppa? What's wrong?" Sarah asked on the other line. "Wait... Babe, I'll just call later. Junmyeon hyung needs to talk to me." He spoke to the other line. "Oh, okay. I continue checking quiz now." Sarah said. "Okay okay. Love you, bye." Baekhyun mumbled before hanging up first. He got off the bed quickly and rushed out of his room. Arriving in Junmyeon's room, Baekhyun peeked his head in and saw Jongin, the leader himself and EXO's two managers. Then there's Kyungsoo on the couch at one corner, scooting down to his lap while holding on his head. "What happened?" He asked. "Close the door. The other members here don't know he's arrived and others are still outside for their schedules. Close the door." Sunghwan spoke and so Baekhyun nodded right away and closed the door behind him and just leaned there.

"So what happened?"

"Dispatch spotted Kyungsoo and Nabi in New York." Hyunkyun spoke with a serious tone. Baekhyun's eyes widen and his heart wrecked right away upon hearing that traumatizing word of 'Dispatch.' He looked at Kyungsoo whose face frowned even more while messing his hair up. "I-is Nabi alright?" Baekhyun managed to ask right away. "She is. For now. Dispatch hasn't released anything so we wait for the other members to arrive home and we talk about it." Sunghwan explained. "I-I'm so sorry..." Kyungsoo murmured with his shaky voice. The other two members just kept silent the whole time and Baekhyun was the only one who was able to come close to Kyungsoo to comfort him. "It's gonna be alright, hm?" He reassured. "No, it won't be alright. We're dead." Junmyeon butts in. "Hyung, don't be like that... He's already feeling bad." Baekhyun said. "You side on him because you were once careless too. Baekhyun, we warned him about this. He still insisted." Junmyeon explained. "Even if you say that, Hyung... it already happened." Jongin spoke trying to side on the guy as well. "Yes... So don't blame Kyungsoo anymore. Dispatch is just so... desperate." Baekhyun groaned while staring in space. "I doubt if this time, we can still understand." Junmyeon said. "Moya... Hyung, you'll let us all fight again and what? This time Kyungsoo sleeps in the living room too? Will you let that happ—“That is your choice, Baekhyun. Not ours." Junmyeon argued. "Because none of you even tried to listen to my side that time. I would even understand more because I was indeed reckless but Kyungsoo? We all know how careful he is ever since. It's just—“Please, don't fight." Kyungsoo cut them off.

"What now? Baekhyun, he still wants to continue their wedding after all this."

"Of course." Kyungsoo answered immediately. "See? Are you even in your right mind? We could even fix this relationship scandal but marriage? Kyu—“Guys. Not now. The other members aren't here yet. Please." Sunghwan stopped the members from arguing. "You guys... talk like marrying is such a bad thing. They have all the right to do so." Baekhyun muttered softly while looking at their leader. "I'm not against it... I'm just worried about the fans' reaction." Jongin said. "Who cares? It's their choice of how they will react. If they really support Kyungsoo, why is it limi—“Yes, side on him. Why? Are you dating too?" Junmyeon asked which left Baekhyun speechless. No, he need to hold the urge of telling the truth, it might just cause more disagreement. "It's not that. I know the couple so much. We know them. But these fans who MIGHT probably react negatively? They don't. So why care about them?" He answered. "Hyung, EXO-L is important. We've been disappointing them for who knows how many times." Jongin spoke up but in a calm way. "They choose to be disappointed; we didn't tell them to feel that. It's their choice already. But Kyungsoo and Nabi's marriage? They don't have the right to choose at all." Baekhyun explained back. Glancing down at the very troubled man, Baekhyun rubbed his back again - Kyungsoo couldn't even utter a single word right now and Baekhyun knew he was too speechless of everything that’s been happening. Been there done that, Baekhyun could relate to him so much but knowing how much the two love each other; he knew it might be worse than what he encountered.

_ _ _

"Why Oppa still not answer..."

Pouting down her phone, Sarah closed the door behind her. It's been nearly two days since they last talked and Baekhyun only texted her that EXO's fixing some important and confidential things. On the other hand, she was also too busy studying for the upcoming exams in over a week from now so she didn't really mind too much. But right now, she plans to take a rest from studying and hang out with him. Walking to her kitchen to cook dinner, Sarah some music and connected it to the speaker. She listened to some new K-pop songs while preparing the food. While boiling some water, she walked to the kitchen aisle for a while and picked her phone up. She hasn't checked her SNS for a while ever since she began reviewing. "I should post update IG." She said and grinned. But just as she opened her IG, a number of posts from some of the EXO fanpages she follows were seen. She scrolls down continuously and realized she's been missing so much. Her eyes furrowed as she looked at all of the photos, almost all of them were the same posts, different captions and some were screen captured articles in English - she read them all. "Oh my god..." She muttered and covered in so much shock.

"Is this why Oppa so busy? Omo, Kyungsoo Nabi..."

Going to Google, she searched for that certain news article and read the complete one with all of the captured photos of Kyungsoo and Nabi in New York. According to the article, the couple were spotted in a couple restaurant. Sarah gulped in fear. Below the articles were the netizens' reactions. Majority of them were negative and were cursing Nabi. Out of nowhere, she thought of Baekhyun. She thought of the two of them - will they get the same hate if ever they are caught? Probably and it would be a double to Baekhyun, she felt so worried. Just then, her thoughts were interrupted when she heard the front door opening. She already knew who it was - only Baekhyun knows her pass code aside from her. "Oppa?" She called and saw a grinning Baekhyun walking towards her. "Problem solved!" He said and skipped towards her. Sarah only frowned as Baekhyun pulled her by the waist. "Problem solved, not even tell me..." Sarah murmured and looked up to him. "You know already? I didn't tell you, you might be just worried." He said and pecked her on the lips. "How is Kyungsoo and Nabi?" Sarah asked and pulled away from the hug. "For the two days, first of all I'm sorry if I wasn't able to contact you... EXO was in crisis for those days but it's all settled now." Baekhyun explained and smiled. He lifted Sarah up to let her sit on the kitchen island and hugged her on the waist. "I'm so happy for them. They don't need to hide anymore. They will continue the wedding and Kyungsoo will be announcing it to the public." He explained with a grin.

"But Oppa... netizens are very angry."

"Let them be." Baekhyun said and pinched her nose. "Oppa, What let them be... they curse, say bad things to Nabi and Kyungsoo... not good at all." Sarah said. "They know... but they're a strong couple, so don't worry. Okay?" Baekhyun grabbed her by the face and pulled it down to press their lips together for a chaste kiss. "He was so brave earlier. He faced all of the SM artists in the huge conference hall and became true to himself. He never changed his mind all throughout. Seriously... when you're in love you can do anything." He said and cupped her face while smiling lovingly at her. "He not think of what can happen to Nabi... she not safe at all..." Sarah murmured with a frown. "Of course he does. He worries for her all the time but they trust each other, Sarah. She's gonna be fine..." Baekhyun reassured. He could see fear and worry in Sarah's eyes. "N-no... She not safe... People hate and threat her." She muffled before jumping off the counter. She walked to the stove and put all of her attention there. "Are you scared?" Baekhyun then asked. He stared at her back figure and he could feel the tension on her body - he knew her very well already. "About us?" He added. When Sarah didn't answer, he walked towards her and held onto her shoulders from behind before gently tracing his hands down to her arms giving them a light press. "It's gonna be fine..." He reassured her and kissed her on the nape. "Oppa, you always go here... If fans follow... It wo—“Then let them. I don't care." Baekhyun answered and that totally made Sarah frown even more. "You're starting it now." She said and pulled away. "What?" Baekhyun asked when Sarah pushed his hands off. "I said not give everything. You not care about everything anymore. Oppa, stop yourself before trouble comes." She began walking out of the kitchen but Baekhyun just trailed behind and with a big frown, he said,

"Why the hell did we even end up here?"

"Oppa, don't always go here now. Dangerous." She said. "You're not making any sense." Baekhyun said and grabbed her wrist twirling her around to make her face him. "You don't have to be worried about us." He added. "Oppa... Nabi and Kyungsoo able to fight for it because they already a couple for long time. But us? Very short..." Sarah answered with her shaky voice. All the fear that she's been trying to hide ever since they became a couple were rushing back into her system after finding out about Nabi and Kyungsoo's current situation. She didn't feel confident about herself at all. "Why? Is the strength of a relationship only depends on the time? We went through a lot and are still going through a lot as well, Sarah. I stay because I—“Because of ?" Sarah asked back which left Baekhyun speechless. "I-I'm sorry... not mean it..." She murmured right away realizing what she just said and wiped the tears that has trickled down her cheeks. "So you still mind how we started." Baekhyun's face turned firm now as he asks. "O-oppa..." Sarah moved closer and tried to hold onto his arm. She just got too frustrated that she didn't watch at all, she didn't mean it. "Y-you think so lowly of my love for you... D-do you even believe it?" He asked, voice barely audible already. "Oppa, I'm sorry,I just carried away... Oppa." Sarah cried out and tried to hug him but he pulled away. "I can't believe you just said that." He said with a hard but hurt tone and walked out of the house without any more word. Sarah covered , too shocked of what just happened. Her tears heavily streamed down her cheeks as she stared at the door where he just left off.

It was their first serious fight as a couple.

_ _ _

The news of Kyungsoo's relationship and upcoming marriage was such a big buzz to the whole Korean Wave - everyone was shocked, even some of the idols reacted upon it, but in a positive way, some congratulated him. On the netizens' side on the other hand, it's still mixed but nevertheless, everything never changed - it remained just as planned. Kyungsoo and Nabi never had a problem - completely different from Baekhyun now. Ever since that sudden fight with Sarah, they haven't contacted each other for over two weeks already which is considered a long time for the pair. One was still greatly offended while the other was deeply scared to make the first move on the reconciliation - both being technically controlled by pride right now that's why it lasted for that long. No they didn't break up but as of the moment, it was complicated - that's all.

Tuesday, 2nd of February 2016

Peeking into the door, Kyungsoo hesitantly enters Baekhyun's room after knocking twice. "How've you been? I noticed... you've been a little silent." He spoke making Baekhyun turn to him from the TV. "Oh hi." The guy only responded briefly before looking back at the TV again. Since up until now, it's only been him who knew – not even Nabi – he approaches the obviously troubled guy. For the past two weeks, Kyungsoo actually only saw Baekhyun smile and laugh during their concert in Manila a week ago – which technically makes it fake because when he's out of stage, he's all frown and silence. "H-how's... Sarah?" Kyungsoo then walked to Baekhyun's bed and sat on the edge of it. The guy didn't budge at all and just flipped through channels. "Nabi sometimes talk to her... I heard recently she went on a trip with her classmates in her Masters. They went to one of their classmate's province to study together for the exams she just took recently. How was it?" He continued but to his surprise, Baekhyun just shrugged his shoulders. "Y-you don't know?" Kyungsoo asked and got the same respond. "W-why don't you know?" He asked. "I don't know. Ask her." Baekhyun finally spoke but it wasn't what Kyungsoo was expecting.

"A-are you two fine? Ever since... the situation with me and Nabi got settled, you became like that instead." Kyungsoo said. "I mean... mine is not really settled yet since haters are still lashing us out but you know what I mean... in a week’s time I'm getting married and... Sarah will be there too, you know. If you two are not fine right n—“I'm not stopping you from inviting her to the wedding. It's not my decision." Baekhyun said. "What really happened anyway?" Kyungsoo asked and heaved a sigh. "I don't know." The man answered. Not being able to take it anymore, Kyungsoo admitted something. "Alright. To be honest, Sarah contacted me and asked me how you are..." He said. Baekhyun rolled his eyes while scoffing sarcastically.

"Why, are you my secretary now? Oh~ Maybe she already deleted my number that's why she can't ask me straight."

"How much did you guys fight for you to talk like that..." Kyungsoo muttered. "Go tell her that since my phone number in her phone is useless, might as well delete it." Baekhyun said and harshly got off the bed and went into the bathroom. "Argghhh! You're so judgmental! You're more judgmental than Tony! I'm so mad at you!" Kyungsoo flinched hearing the guy grunted loudly from inside. Slowly taking his phone out from his pockets, he put it on his ear. "You heard it?" He spoke. Yes, he secretly kept his phone while Sarah was on the other line. She called a few minutes ago asking about Baekhyun and she said she wanted to know if he was still mad. "H-he's so mad..." Sarah murmured on the other line. Kyungsoo then stood up while still glancing at the bathroom ‘s direction. He silently left the room before speaking again. "What did you really tell him to make him that mad anyway?" Kyungsoo asked. "I-it's between us two but... really offending for him. I am very very guilty... I know is wrong, Very very... I want to fix but very scared..." Sarah murmured. "I hope you two make up before my wedding you know..." Kyungsoo said. "I know. Kyungsoo, very sorry..." Sarah muttered. "No, it's okay. Don't worry, I'll still try to talk to him. And I suggest you try texting him now... who knows, he's just waiting for you." He said. "O-okay... Thank you." Sarah said. "Sure thing. Bye bye." Kyungsoo answered before hanging up. He decided to go back to Baekhyun's room. Just when he entered again, he saw him kneeling down right by his bed and was trying to take the Iron Man sticker off of the headboard of his bed.

"Why are you taking that off? Don't you like that?"

"It's childish." Baekhyun said while still taking it off. "What childish, you're the one who put it there." Kyungsoo said and closed the door behind him. "I don't like it anymore. I hate Iron Man." He said. "You hate Iron Man; your comforter is Iron Man." Kyungsoo said as a matter of fact. "I will burn it down." Baekhyun said. "Oh my god, So harsh." Kyungsoo murmured with his judging look. "Just because you've broken up means yo—“Did she tell you we broke up? Wah, really now huh—such guts huh? WOW unbelievable. WOW!" Baekhyun scoffed nonstop and stops from taking the sticker off to stand straight while having his hands on his waist "No, she didn't. I just guessed." Kyungsoo said while blinking. "Well your guess is wrong. We didn't break up." he said. "Yet?" Kyungsoo asked earning a glare from the man. "Why are you so annoying? Just because you're getting married/ Get out! I don't like you at all. Get out!" Baekhyun said and began pushing Kyungsoo who was already laughing in amusement. "What the hell?~ Just make up with her will ya?" Kyungsoo asked. "And besides, you're in the middle of memorizing my wedding song. Ask help from her since it's in English." He added. "That woman sings like a crow. Get out, I don't like you!" Baekhyun pushed him out and banged the door closed. "Moya?" The other members came out of the kitchen hearing the loud thud of the door. "What happened?" They asked. "Did he just pushed you? You let him?" They added and laughed. "He should be thankful I'm nice to him because he's gonna sing on my wedding and it's Nabi's request. She also asked me to stop abusing Baekhyun physically and her wish is my command." Kyungsoo answered before entering his own room.