Chanyeol never had any real interest in music until he met Baekhyun. He and Baekhyun went to school together and Baekhyun was all about music. And Chanyeol? Well, Chanyeol was all about Baekhyun. They were both friendly and easy going. It wasn't a surprise when they hit it off instantly and were BFF's overnight.

Only a few months had passed and Chayeol already knew Baekhyun's life story. He knew about the time his first goldfish died and how traumatic that had been for him.

"My parents could have at least planted a fake one. Right? I know! Like what child should have to go through that at such a young age? This obviously stems from their own childhoods."

He learned that Baekhyun's first love and heartbreak was his babysitter, when he was 11-13.

"I mean, do you like, do you even know how painful that was for me? I loved her with my whole heart. Okay, she was 16, but what is 3 years to true love. You know?"

He found out that he got into his first fight defending a Chinese foreign exchange student, Lay, who was apparently still his best friend to this day.

"His Korean was really bad, but come on, it wasn't that funny. I told the leader of the pack exactly that and he pushed me. Obviously I'm not just going to let him hit me, so the fight. Afterwards everyone left, except Lay. He helped me clean myself up then and is still helping me clean up all my messes."

And that's when Chanyeol found out Baekhyun was gay and who his real first love and heartbreak were.

"I never told him that I liked him. He's with such a great guy. I tried not to like Kris. I've tried to hate him, but honestly, he's great. He had the courage to open up. I'm over it though. I've come to terms with it, so it's whatever. Anyway, I'm so glad I finally have someone I can tell this too. You're a great listener. So, when did you first know you were gay?"

That's how Baekhyun found out Chanyeol was gay. Chanyeol soaked up every fact, story and secret Baekhyun told. Everything about about Baekhyun fascinated Chanyeol. He was in love. 

He learned Baekhyun wished he could play the guitar and Chanyeol wanted to tell him that he had the perfect hands for it. Long, soft, delicate fingers like his were practically made for playing the guitar, but he held back. 

"Ugh, I should have learned when I was younger. I was way too focused on my voice, but I didn't really need to be. I think an acoustic performance would really get me noticed."

To say that Chanyeol could play the guitar would be an overstatement. He knew the chords and that's about it, but that's what happens when you quit after only 10 lessons. He kicked himself internally for opening his mouth and spewing half-lies.

"I um, I can play the guitar. You know, if you needed help with the music or whatever."

Another month passes and Chanyeol had been trying to perfect Baekhyun's piece. He immediately felt embarrassed when he practiced with Baekhyun the first dozen times. It was obvious that he really couldn't play all that well. Chanyeol apologized profusely, afraid that his friend might see right through him.

"Seriously Chanyeol, it's not that bad. Trust me. You know I would tell you. Anyway the guitar isn't that important. Just as long as you're not butchering it, which you aren't. Let's go again."

When the day of the show finally arrived, Chanyeol was a mess. He couldn't eat or drink, afraid if he did, he would barf it all out. Baekhyun was another nervous wreck. He tried to hide it, but Chanyeol could see right through him. As if his nerves weren't already shot, Baekhyun decided to cling to his hand. It was the first time Chanyeol had ever touched the older boy like that and he loved it. 

The director of the show tells them they're up next and to get ready. Chanyeol was nervous and Baekhyun did nothing to help. His words to Chanyeol only made the "guitar player" much more nervous.

"I'm going to need you to really listen to the lyrics. I changed them."

They stepped on the stage and on Baekhyun's cue, start. Chanyeol played the melody and Baekhyun joined in. It was all smooth sailing and Chanyeol focused on his playing, until he remembered Baekhyun's last words to him. He heard his words and needed to take deep breathes to steady his hands. 

"I will love you and love you..."

"Gonna hold you and hold you..."

"You are beautiful, beautiful..."

The guitar solo came and Baekhyun's eyes were on him. He slipped a few notes, but nobody would hold that against him if they knew why. Baekhyun wrote a song about Chanyeol and Chanyeol was over the moon. Having been in love Baekhyun from the day he met him, it was lucky that he only had minor mess ups.

After they had gotten off stage, receiving a standing ovation, they ran backstage. That was the first time Chanyeol had ever seen Baekhyun speechless. He figured it was his turn to say something anyway.

"Baekhyun, your voice sounded amazing. Really. The judges love you."

"I don't really care about what the judges thought. What did you think? About the lyrics?"

That was also the first time he had ever seen Baekhyun look shy. He decided that it was his turn to make a gesture. Baekhyun had just laid his heart on the line. Chanyeol leaned over to the shorter boy and cradled his little face in his hands and pressed his lips to Baekhyun's. Short. Soft. Simple.

"I loved it."