"What happened?"

Baekhyun looked up to see Kris staring at him, a look of concern on his face. He reached forwards and snatched the soju bottle from Baekhyun, sighing as he began to drink what was in his cup. Kris couldn't help but notice his swollen red eyes and teh way his body trembled slightly. Baekhyun began to chuckle as he continued drinking, his tears somehow managing to fall despite his attempts to stop them.

"Tell me what happened."

"It's funny isn't it? Life in general."

"What do you mean?"

Baekhyun stood up and snatched the soju bottle from Kris's hands before paying. He began to walk away, still drinking from that bottle. Kris ran after him and grabbed the bottle before throwing it into the trash.

"What happened?" Kris insisted. "Tell me what happened."

"I kissed her." Baekhyun murmured. "I actually kissed her."

"And? What did she say?"

"She ran away. She left me standing there like an idiot."

"."

Baekhyun sat down at a nearby bench and stared into the sky, his tears still running down his face. He couldn't help but feel alone even as Kris sat besides him. Baekhyun had made sure to never let his guard down, to only show who he was with people that he could trust. Yet, he had never felt so vulnerable and so lost. He had fallen in love. He had been rejected.

"It's funny how life s you over and over. Good things happen to bad people and bad things happen to good people." Baekhyun snorted. "I guess maybe I thought it would be different for me." He stood up and began to pace, his hands clenched tightly by his sides as he began to scream. Kris waited patiently, hoping he wouldn't do anything stupid. "Even after my parents died. Even after I was forced to pay off their debts. Even after I moved into a ty apartment, I never wanted anything. Not until I met her. It feels so natural to be with her. Almost as if I can finally breathe again."

"You fell for her?" Kris asked. "So quickly?"

"It was never supposed to happen. I keep telling myself that but I know I'm lying. She was so innocent and curious when I first met her. The way her eyes connected to mine. She didn't seem to care about how much money I made or about what I was. I was happy having her with me. I forgot about my problems when I was with her. I was finally selfish enough to want her. I want to be selfish enough to hold onto her."

"Can you?"

Baekhyun shrugged his shoulders and walked away, almost falling as he tripped over his own feet. Kris stayed behind, eyeing his good friend. He could hear Baekhyun begin to laugh as he fell onto the ground.

"Can I?" Baekhyun roared. "What if I can't!?"

Kris bent down and stared into Baekhyun's eyes, noticing the pain he was trying to hide. "Are you going to give up?"

"I don't want to. But I have to."

"Why?"

Baekhyun laid down and closed his eyes as he began to hum tunelessly. "She's such a bad singer. Even worse than you."

♦♦♦♦♦♦

"Elephant Ji?"

You looked up to see Kai staring at you, his eyes boring holes into your forehead. You quickly smiled before frowning, hitting him in the shoulder before crossing your legs. Kai jumped into your bed and turned to face you, copying your expression.

"What do you want?" You asked. "Why are you here?"

"You don't want me here?"

"I'm just surprised you came without calling."

Kai reached out and pushed back your hair. "I always come without calling."

"Maybe you should start calling." You sighed. "Appa will get mad."

"We've been together since we were born. Ahjussi won't get mad."

"I want to go to sleep."

"Alright."

You stood up and slipped inside the bed, watching as Kai covered you with a blanket. You watched as he slipped in besides you, making sure to give you room before he closed his eyes.

"Oppa."

"What?"

"I want to sleep alone."

Kai opened his eyes and turned to face you, his eyes narrowed. "Why?"

"I'm just tired."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Kai nodded his head and stood up, slipping on his jacket before he leaned towards you. Unconsciously, you moved away before his lips could reach your forehead. You felt his breath on your ear as he chuckled, low and deep.

"Night Ji."

"Good night."

♦♦♦♦♦♦

"You look like ." Chanyeol said.

"Well you did this to me." Baekhyun pointed at his face. "You did a good job by the way."

"You were pretty good too. Kris gave me a mouthful."

Baekhyun began to laugh as Chanyeol winced in pain from the black eye he had managed to give him. He stepped forwards and placed an egg on his bruise before pulling out an apple.

"Accept my apology?"

"I don't like apples."

"Then don't take it."

Chanyeol slowly nodded his head and grabbed the apple from Baekhyun's hand, taking a large bite. They smiled at each other before heading back to work. They didn't talk much except for the occasional joke. Once they got out of worl, Chanyeol pulled Baekhyun aside and forced him to sit on a bench.

"What happened?" Chanyeol asked. "Kris told me you got drunk last night."

"Aish." Baekhyun winced. "He can't keep his mouth shut."

"He's just worried about you."

"I know. I was just being stupid."

"She ran away huh?"

Baekhyun nodded his head and looked away, avoiding Chanyeol's eyes. "You were right."

"I didn't want to be."

"Well I ed up. There's nothing to do now."

Chanyeol leaned back and shook his head, following Baekhyun's eyes before he noticed a couple walking. "I liked her for you."

"I thought you disliked her."

"Not really. I didn't like the fact that she's engaged."

"I kept forgetting. She never acted like it."

"Do you think she'll come back?" Chanyeol glanced at Baekhyun. "Do you like her enough to grab her?"

"No. I don't think so." Baekhyun shook his head. "I don't have anything to offer her, remember?"

♦♦♦♦♦♦

"Oppa."

"What is it?" Kai asked. "Is something wrong?"

You were sitting in your bathtub, tugging on Baekhyun's sweater as you struggled to come up with words. You could hear Kai on the other line patiently waiting, his breathing soft.

"I can't hang out today."

"Really? It's fine. Are you feeling sick? Have you been taking your medicine?"

"Yeah." You lied. "Why wouldn't I?"

"I'll call you later."

"Okay."

You hung up the phone and closed your eyes, the sun streaming through the open window. Softly, you began to play with your lips as you remembered what happened last night. You felt tears in your eyes as you shook your head. Your phone began to ring and you looked down, a familiar number popping up.

"Hello?"

"I need to talk to you."

"Why?"

"It's important."

"Fine, where should I meet you?"

"At my house.

"Okay." You nodded. "I'll see you soon Kris oppa."