“You seem to be in some deep thought.” Baekhyun’s voice brought Luhan back into reality as Baekhyun plopped a dark drink in front of him. Luhan looked at the liquid and then back at Baekhyun.

“I don't drink,” Luhan said kindly as he pushed the drink back towards Baekhyun,

“Don't worry it’s a cuba libre.” Baekhyun said as Luhans face turned blank causing a small giggle to leave Baekhyun. “It’s just a glass of cola, you and Lay are so alike, he won’t drink alcohol either yet he opens a bar.” Baekhyun sounded very dramatic as he waved his hands around as if to display the strangeness that the brothers shared.

“So Baekhyun, you have known Lay since college right? What was he like?” Luhan didn't get to hear much about the college life from Lay so he was very curious. He had often wondered about how his little brother had lived after experiencing freedom for the first time.

“Hmmmm… college Lay,” Baekhyun leaned over with both elbows on the table and he rested his chin on his hands. “I was his roommate during freshman year and he was very quiet at first. Since we didn't take the same courses there wasn't much I could talk with him about but he always seemed quieter than most others. After a while he opened up quite a bit and we became great friends, he mentioned you a lot.” Baekhyun paused for a couple of seconds as Luhan’s mind raced trying to think of all the things that Lay might have told Baekhyun. Baekhyun giggled softly mostly to himself as he said, “I don't know if I should tell you this but Lay always told me that he wanted to work hard so that you would be proud.” Baekhyun looked up to see Luhan’s reaction. There was a smile on Luhan’s thin lips and a sparkle in his eyes. After a second of silence Baekhyun suddenly perked up as he asked, “You play the piano right? So will you be performing here?”

            Luhan was frozen still as he tried to think of a response. He should have known that Lay would have told Baekhyun about his occupation, it was no secret, and even if Luhan wasn’t technically famous, he was still well known enough for a couple of people to have heard of him. He hadn’t planned on hiding his occupation while he spent time with Lay and his friends but he wasn’t ready to get back to playing the piano, the events of a couple of weeks ago and Luhan shuddered slightly.

“I’m taking a vacation from the piano.” Luhan had his head lowered and he did not meet Baekhyun’s eyes as he talked. Thankfully Baekhyun did not mention the strangeness of Luhan’s body language.

“You don't have to tell me anything but I want you to know that I’m here if you need me. If I’m Lay’s friend I’m your friend.” He left to attend a customer that called for a drink leaving so he could keep himself from crying

“Luhan, I’m done so we can go now,” Lay said as he ran over. “Baekhyunie can you close up later?” Lay asked as Baekhyun walked over.

“Yep,” Baekhyun said popping the p at the end. “See you guys tomorrow.”

Luhan got up and was about to leave when he turned around and grabbed Baekhyun’s hand whispering a soft “thank you” before he left. He was perhaps the first friend that Luhan had, well expect for… someone that was no longer worth mentioning. “He’s really nice,” Luhan said when he noticed the quizzical stare that Lay was giving him.

“I know, he might seem like a guy that only knows how to crack jokes but behind that is a heart of gold,” Lay said before he begun to whistle a soft tune. They walked like that all the way until they reached Lay’s house. “I always hate walking home this late but I’m too lazy to get a license…” Lay sighed as he fumbled to get the key into the lock. The moment they were inside and Luhan had closed the door behind them Lay turned around and said, “take off your shirt.”

To say Luhan was surprised might have been a slight understatement. He froze there wondering about the possible reason for Lay’s abnormal request. Most people that knew Lay understood that he would often make random statements and there has actually been quite a number of people that asked if he was high, but Luhan knew that no matter what Lay said there was always a deep reasoning behind it. Lay stood and waited while Luhan’s eyes widened at the realization of what Lay wanted. Luhan slowly backed away until he hit his back on the wall wincing at the dull pain in his shoulder. “Hahaha that’s funny Lay, really we’re too old to be joking around like this,” Luhan tried to joke as he ransacked his brain for ways that he could run. He was sure that Lay did not notice anything yesterday and he had tried to hid the pain the best he could today.

“Take off your shirt.” Lay said again as he walked towards Luhan. Luhan couldn’t help but wonder where the little cry baby he used to take care of went. It now seemed as if Lay was the older one who while Luhan was nothing but a child. A child that was currently corned with nowhere left to run.

Luhan sighed in defeat as he lifted his shirt over his head and he looked away half in shame and half in embarrassment as he heard Lay gasp. Lay scanned Luhan while Luhan stared down at his feet holding his hand over his left shoulder. Lay stepped forward and gently removed Luhan’s hand revealing a dark purple bruise that was the size of a baseball. Time seemed to have stopped as neither of the two spoke with only the sound of their breathing filling the emptiness of the silence. Lay gently turned Luhan around to take a look at Luhan’s back, which caused another gasp to escape. Luhan’s back was littered with different colored bruises of various shapes and sizes. Lay was just as frozen as Luhan as once again the silence filled the air.

Luhan couldn’t take the heaviness as he tried his hardest to think of something to say, something that could remedy the situation but he couldn’t quite come up with anything. He didn’t need a mirror to see what Lay was seeing, he could close his eyes and picture each bruise as well as the memory how he had received the bruise. Some were much older than others but he didn’t heal like he used to and each bruise lasted longer and longer as if trying to be part of his body forever. In that moment Luhan hoped that Lay would not see the scar that was located on his side but of course Lay would see it, he knew where to look.

Lay gently traced his fingers along the scar as if he was touching a piece of fragile glass. “How?” His voice was shaking heavily and a tear slipped out from his eye as he waited for Luhan to answer.

Luhan was very stiff because he never once wanted Lay to know about how much he’s been hiding ever since Lay left for college. He didn’t want to bring up the memories of the two of them hiding in the closet hoping and praying that she wouldn’t find them. She would always find them.

“She used a bottle and when she hit too hard.” Luhan had to stop to calm himself down. He knew his voice was quivering so he took deep breathes because he didn't want Lay to see him cry again. Once he had he voice under control he continued, “the bottle broke…” Luhan stopped once again as he felt strong arms wrap around his skinny body.

“Why didn't you tell me? We could have gotten help.” Luhan felt the warm tears dripping down onto his shoulder. He thought back to the time when he held the phone while crying wondering if he should call Lay for help. He had decided against it when he remembered that Lay had his own life in college. Luhan had closed the phone as he leaned back against the wall telling himself that he couldn't disrupt Lay’s life.

“I’m sorry.”

“Stop apologizing! It’s not your fault. It was never your fauly.” Two silent tears slid down Luhans face. “Promise me from now on whatever happens we face it together”

“I promise.”

Baekhyun nearly jumped a mile into the air as he turned around thinking he heard a noise coming from what should have been an empty bar. “It’s nothing must have been your imagination Baekhyun. Wow that was scary. There is nothing to be scared of. I just have to lock the doors then I can go home and take a nice warm bath.” Baekhyun said to himself as he grabbed his bag and left the bar looking through his bag for the keys. He often talked to himself when he was scared but obviously he wasn’t scared at the moment, maybe a little spooked but definitely not scared (he told himself in a tone that was much less confident than he would have liked). He was about to lock the door when the door busted open nearly hitting him in the face. “YAH!” Baekhyun growled looking at the man that almost damaged his beautiful face.

“Oh my gosh! I’m sorry! Are you alright? Did I hit you? I’m really sorry.” A man much taller than Baekhyun asked in a rush as he grabbed Baekhyun’s face pulling it close to check for injuries.

“I’m fine now just let go of my face!” Baekhyun could feel his face getting hotter and he pushed himself away. Baekhyun made a mental note to stay away from the hyperactive giant that looked like Yoda. He wasn’t scared anymore since he had noticed the man walk and talk with Lay as the two fiddled around the newly renovated stage area. He was probably another one of Lay’s weird friends from god knows where, Baekhyun tried hard to see if he could think of the Yoda-like creatures name and could only remember that it was chan-something-or-the-other.

“I feel awful. What can I do to make it up to you? Why don't I drive you home?” Chan-something-or-the-other asked as Baekhyun tried to escape the situation. Baekhyun thought about it for a while. He usually would have driven himself home but his car was at the mechanics and the buses were very uncomfortable. Baekhyun looked at the smiling giant He doesn't look dangerous…no one could look dangerous with a grin that takes up half their face Baekhyun thought as he nodded and followed the giant contradicting his previous mental note.

“What were you still doing in there? I cleared the store awhile ago so…” Baekhyun said as he walked with the giant toward his car. Usually Baekhyun would have been more weary of strangers but he’s been closing up the shop a couple of nights in the room and he could not ride the bus anymore. The late night bus was always filled with weirdos (himself obviously not included) and just yesterday a old lady had offered him half a sandwich that looked like it had been sitting in her bag for days. Yep, one less bus ride equaled one happier Byun Baekhyun.

“I was in the back room setting up the music equipment. Minseok called and I guess I didn't hear you when you were clearing everyone out. So, when I finished and noticed that the whole bar was dark I panicked and ran for the exit.” The giant said rather sheepishly as he stopped in front of a small dark blue minivan and opened the door for Baekhyun.

“I guess we will be working together from now on, I’m Byun Baekhyun, the resident bar tender of EXO.” Baekhyun said as he got into the car glad that he chose to hitch a ride with the giant. Car seats were so much comfier than bus seats and this giant Yoda wasn't as crazy as he originally thought he was.

“I’m Park Chanyeol resident…ummmm music helper and drummer,” Baekhyun looked over to see a grin on the giants face as he got into the drivers side. He’s pretty cute Baekhyun thought as he tried to keep his eyes open. “You look very tired. Why don't you sleep for a bit? But first tell me where I should drop you off.”

“Alright. Thanks.” Baekhyun said as he entered his address into the giant’s Chanyeol’s phone. He tried his hardest to stay awake out of good manners (Baekhyun was a gentleman thank you very much) but within the minute he was fast asleep, his head falling forward slightly.

At the next red light Chanyeol looked over at Baekhyun who was still asleep. He’s like a little baby, Chanyeol thought. He couldn’t help but smile as he continued driving. When he got to the destination he pondered over if he should wake Baekhyun up or not. He looked so cute and comfortable asleep in the car that Chanyeol thought that it would be such a shame to wake him. Chanyeol sighed as he decided that Baekhyun would be more comfortable in his own bed than in a car. He leaned over and gently shook Baekhyun with his long arm. “We are here now,” he said as he shook Baekhyun. Baekhyun latched out his hands and hugged Chanyeols arm bringing it closer to his chest.

“Five more minutes please,” Baekhyun said in a slur as he fell back into sleep now hugging Chanyeol’s arm. Chanyeol didn't know what to do besides sit there and blush. His arm was trapped and Baekhyun didn't look like he was going to wake up or let him go anytime soon. Why does he have to be so cute?