Chapter 4- Hourglass

 

Chanyeol took out the rugged cloth from the counter before proceeding on cleaning the mess he’d created and an unusual calm customer who waits

 

“I’m very sorry sir! My mistake, I’ll just change your order, and I’ll change your shirt” he bowed a few times, without seeing the face of the person because of his rapid bowing

 

“It’s okay, at least my shirt have tasted the coffee, just please change what I’ve ordered” the customer gave a calm verdict

 

“Okay sir-” Chanyeol started but was cut off when he noticed the voice’s familiarity, and when he recovered from his slight shock, he raised his head a little, only to meet those familiar chocolate eyes, straight from his dream

 

“Baekhyun?” Chanyeol let the name slip from his mouth, it felt foreign yet familiar at the same time

 

Then Baekhyun, from confused state to a shocked state, “you’re the guy frm my dreams!” he shrieked, almost scared

 

“okay, okay, hyung, this is so not like you, but since when have you ever strike up a pick-up line? Especially to a stranger” Sehun snickered beside which earned a smack to his head with the courtesy of Luhan

 

“Ah, the two star crossed lovers finally met” Kyungsoo appeared behind the giant, a new set of Baekhyun’s food on his tray

 

He placed the food before taking a seat and motioning them to do the same, even Chanyeol, he then looked at Luhan, communicating for him to continue the drama

 

“Okay, anyone here believed on reincarnation?” he looked at everyone in the table, in which, Jongin shrugged, Jongdae looked as if he’s been fooled, Yixing looked spacey, Joonmyeon looked flabbergasted, Tao looked troubled, whereas Chanyeol and Baekhyun just laughed, outraged of the idea

 

After Baekhyun recovered from laughing, he wiped a tear from his face and looked at Luhan, “No hyung, why would we, this is no fairytale” he said in which Chanyeol nodded his head in agreement

 

“Tsk, just like the old you,” Luhan scoffed before continuing, “then tell me, Byun Baekhyun, how can you dream about someone you haven’t met your whole life?” Luhan asked, eyebrows high in the air

 

With that, Baekhyun silenced, what Luhan said must be true, so then, that means he had met Chanyeol before? When? Why? How?

 

“See? I think it’s time for you to know who I really am” Luhan sighed before facing all of them

 

“I am the Prince from delta, I know you will say it’s just a myth, but it really did existed, except when I decided to left, the dynasty died because no one will inherit it and the surrounding dynasties tried to captivate the kingdom” he stated at the shocked faces of the others

 

“What?! But if you’re the prince, isn’t that lost land lost for centuries? How come you are just old like Minseok hyung? Are you trolling us?” Jongdae looked at Luhan warily

 

Luhan chuckled, amused at Jongdae’s reactions, “Time Travel of course, but I bet Tao’s and my travel affected time and space, thus the extinction of kingdoms on the map” he concluded

 

Everyone looked at Tao, “so my suspicions were correct, Tao here is really old disguised as a kid” Jongin laughed at Tao’s reaction

 

Chanyeol looked around, everything felt outrageous, first, he’s forced to sit with a bunch of strangers because he accidentally let Baekhyun’s name slip, next, everyone is crazier than how Kyungsoo looks, next this Baekhyun keeps on shooting glances at him, then he reincarnated, he would find this stuff cool if only it isn’t happening to him right now

 

Baekhyun sighed, he knew his friends were crazy, but he can’t help to believe, and it feels like a thousand thorns was prickling his heart at the thought that this stranger don’t believe any of the things he’d just heard, even he himself felt absurd about being attracted to the giant within just minutes, but he felt like something’s pulling him toward the taller male, the dreams, or rather the memories perhaps?

 

“Believe Luhan hyung, he wouldn’t be trolling around regarding this topic, especially it concerns the mental health of Chanyeol’s and Baekhyun’s” Kyungsoo interjected because of the nonsense questions the others asked the now exhausted male

 

After some internal battle with his rationality, Baekhyun looked at everyone firmly before declaring, “I believe Luhan hyung” loud and clear

 

Everyone gaped at him like Baekhyun grow a feet on his forehead, then suddenly Tao broke into tears, making everyone throw accusing looks at Jongdae who held his hands up in surrender, “what? I haven’t said a word to Tao”

 

Tao sniffed before going over to Baekhyun and hugged him like there was no tomorrow, he then pulled Chanyeol and all three of them looked like they were in a hugging contest were Chanyeol and Baekhyun were losing, “Baekhyun hyung, Chanyeol hyung! I’m so sorry! It’s my fault you aren’t together right now! Please forgive me! Please!”

 

Chanyeol was flabbergasted at this kid, he was recalling where he met the kid that may possibly offend him, but none appeared on his brain, so if he hadn’t met the kid, why is this greenish kid saying sorry to him?

 

“hm, look here- Tao-ssi right? I don’t even know you, so it means I can’t remember you offending me in any way, and even if you did, I’ll probably forgive you, you’re adorable” Chanyeol smiled in hope of calming the wailing boy, but instead Tao just cried harder and let go of Baekhyun, hugging Chanyeol tighter

 

“Waah! You are very great hyung! Now I have no doubts to why you were reincarnated!” Tao exclaimed, strangling Chanyeol who were struggling hard to breathe, “Can’t- breath- help- eep!” Chanyeol called out

 

Everyone laughed at the scene, even Luhan thought it was ridiculous, but he looked at them with compassion, glad everything was working out just fine, he just hope Kris would cope the same

 

“But there’s still a problem we haven’t solved yet,” Luhan announced after Tao had come back to his senses and let Chanyeol go, “we need to find Kris’ reincarnation and make sure he won’t destroy your relationship in this lifetime like he did back then” he sighed as he recalled all the things the previous Duke had done to the lovers centuries before

 

“Kris?” This time, it was Chanyeol who interjected regarding the matter

 

“Yeah, why?” Luhan answered, brows cocked slightly, he knows this boy knows something, and he’s feeling it won’t do good regarding the matters, or was it just his nerves killing him?

 

He knows the laws of reincarnation, and this also includes changes on the past lives and events, but it all depends on the person reincarnated if he/she makes a choice to repeat the mistakes they’ve done unconsciously, or do what is right

 

And this lovers can’t escape the cycle, unless Kris decided not to let his demons take over himself, or else, they’ll die in this lifetime eventually, repeating the cycle again and again, until Luhan and Tao can’t interject anymore, and all did Luhan wish was for Baekhyun and Chanyeol to die not tragically, but in their death beds, with a smile plastered on their faces, recalling all the things they’ve done on their younger years

 

“Hyung?” Sehun’s sweet voice snapped Luhan out of his trance in which he have realized he have spaced out for a good while

 

“Hmm?” Luhan smiled at Sehun, in which the latter shrugged and continued, “Chanyeol-hyung said Kris is his cousin” he said while giving Luhan a worried look

 

Luhan looked appalled for a moment before jerking his head towards Chanyeol’s direction, “K-kris is your cousin?” he stuttered in terror at Chanyeol, who smiled in understanding at the horrified elder

 

“Yes, I also consider him as my brother since I never had one, why’d you ask?” Chanyeol smiled while looking rather confused as to how they know his hyung

 

“Well, whether you decide to believe us or not, he’ll be the cause of your death, and not only yours but also Baekhyun’s death, the only difference is of his intentions. He’ll kill you because he wants you out of his way into Baekhyun’s heart, while Baekhyun’s death, well, this stupid loves you so much that he drank the poison which was intended for you” Luhan motioned at the petite boy who flushed madly at the statement

 

Chanyeol quirked his eyebrow in confusion, he loves his hyung so much and trust him that he’ll never do such thing to him, Kris don’t even let a mosquito within an arm range let alone him be hurt, so how could he kill him in the first place?

 

“hmm, Luhan hyung?” Chanyeol call out to the elder, in which Luhan faced him, a smile etched on his face, clearly happy that he had found the younger male already, “I don’t think my hyung could ever do that to Baekhyun, especially me, rather than think, I’m so sure” Luhan smirked at the younger’s statement

 

“Please Chanyeol, even in my time, everyone thinks Kris is kind, but please watch out for your cousin, you might lose your chance of seeing this idiot in this lifetime, and the chances of meeting again in another lifetime with the same timeline is near to impossible” Luhan’s eyes pleads into Chanyeol

 

Chanyeol couldn’t really believe this strangers, if they hadn’t badmouthed his hyung, there is a possibility he might believe them, but after the bad things he had received against his hyung, believing them was like the hardest thing in the world, Chanyeol stood up and bowed to them, “I’m sorry, but I still have some work to do” he looked at everyone but Baekhyun

 

“You don’t believe us do you?” Tao looked at him, eyes scanning the tall male, Chanyeol shift uncomfortably

 

“I’m sorry, but I’ll never doubt Kris hyung’s compassion towards me, now may I excuse” he gave them a sad smile before turning his heel to proceed on

 

Baekhyun couldn’t contain his urge and prevent Chanyeol from going by holding his wrist, “we’ll meet again, right?” he asked, fear of rejection evident on his voice, and Chanyeol just smiled before gently pulling his wrist away

 

“Of course, we’ll meet again”

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~BaekYeol~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

Baekhyun tosses around his bed, recalling the encounter he had earlier with the man he thought was only a dream since he’s 15

 

He thought his hyungs were lying, but if Kyungsoo had believed the nonsense Luhan had told, is there a reason he shouldn’t? But there’s something that pricks on his heart whenever he’d close his eyes to earn some sleep, something that haunts him that prevent him from drifting into unconsciousness

 

It was Chanyeol’s troubled eyes

 

He understand though, Chanyeol loved this Kris very much, and it seems that Kris wouldn’t do anything to put Chanyeol to harm because he loves that giant very much, thus making Chanyeol doubt whether all of  Luhan’s words are the truth because even for Baekhyun, it all screams fantasy

 

Baekhyun sighed as he slumped back into the bed, the thoughts of getting sleep long forgotten, he heads out of their dorm when a door next to theirs opens and he comes face to face with the man that kept him awake for the majority of the night

 

“Chanyeol?” ”Baekhyun?”

 

The both of them laughed at the situation they are in

 

“You first” Baekhyun ushered Chanyeol to talk first, “Well, why are you out so late? Especially in those thin clothes when the temperature is low outside” Chanyeol asked, before scanning the shorter male who was only wearing an oversized shirt and jogging pants without any sweater

 

Baekhyun blushed madly before faking a cough slightly, “I couldn’t sleep, so I thought some fresh air wouldn’t hurt, how about you, why are you out? And I can see you’re covered very well” he turned to asked the taller male with sarcasm in his voice because the other is in the same state as he is

 

“Same” Chanyeol shrugged and pulled the smaller male’s wrist back to his apartment and let him sit on the couch

 

“Why did you pull me here?” Baekhyun asked, eyes wandering on the interior of the other’s apartment, amazed at how neat it looked even with just a person living in it, unlike their dorm who got 10 guys that can clean it anytime

 

“Well, you pointed out I’m not covered very well to go outside, neither are you, so I guess, maybe we could just stay inside and spend time together, because as Luhan-ssi had said, we’re lovers on our past life” Chanyeol smiled before handing Baekhyun a hot chocolate and sat beside the petite boy

 

Baekhyun blushed madly at his statement so he cleared his throat before changing the topic, “Are you here by yourself? It seems quiet” he said as he scans over the silent house

 

Chanyeol shrugged, “Yes, I moved out since I start college, but Kris hyung is with me, he’s on a trip though, he works as a hotel manager and he needs to check on overseas branch occasionally” he explains

 

“Oh, so that means he supports the both of you?” Baekhyun asks, in which Chanyeol nods before taking a sip of his coffee, “Why? Don’t your parents give you enough money?”

 

Chanyeol smiled, “Nah, they got separated when I was 10, so my grandparents took me in, but they died a month before my graduation, so Kris hyung took care of me since then, actually,  his income is more than enough for the both of us… actually too much for the both of us, but I get bored easily, so I still work part-time, that’s why I know Kyungsoo” he explained gently

 

Baekhyun felt sorry for being so curious so he hung his head, “I’m sorry for asking, I know it must be hard”

 

The taller male just chuckled, “don’t over think it, I’m glad you weren’t bored with me practically telling my life’s drama, usually, people think it’s cliché to have a life like this, so they excuse themselves, so it’s a relief you didn’t” he smiled before finishing his coffee, but made no attempt to send the cup to the sink and just placed it on the table in front of them

 

Baekhyun smiled, “well, I’m glad that I help you lift some burdens, but I’m sad that you undergone this devastating experience since a very young age”

 

Chanyeol shrugged again, “it’s fine actually, I have Kris hyung with me, how about you, I’ve been talking about my life yet I don’t know anything about you”

 

Baekhyun leaned back to the couch, “Let’s see… mom left me and dad when I was 5, dad said mom left for the states to work, but when I was 10, mom suddenly stopped our communications, it’s not that she’s the breadwinner since even without her working, we’re fairly well-off, so at first, we didn’t suspect anything when she didn’t send some money or anything for me, but a year later, we were informed she remarried there and already have a family since I was 8, at first I was angry, but after a while, I learned to forget, it’s not like my anger can fix my messed up parents, dad moved on too, though not fully since there are still times I can hear him sobbed, so I do my best at school, and even against my will, I moved into dorm together with hyungs and my dongsaengs to lessen my hassle on the university” Baekhyun felt tears escaping his eyes, he never thought he’d cry again about what happened, but here he is, trying to prevent the cascading tears that flows from his eyes

 

Chanyeol, by instinct, pulled Baekhyun into embrace, caressing the smaller male’s back to soothe him, “there, there, you haven’t spoken about this with anyone have you?” he asked

 

Baekhyun mumbled a ‘no’ against the former’s chest, because why would he? Everyone knows about his ed up life, everyone gave him looks of pity, everyone gave him judging looks, as if he’s like his mother

 

“Now that’s why, just let it all out, I won’t judge, especially when I also have a ed up life, it’s just that, I always let it out so it won’t bottle up, so you should scream or whatever so you won’t be like this, oh gosh, I’m blabbering again, this isn’t good, I’m sure you’ll fall asleep listening to my blabbers, I really should fix this, wait, are you okay now?” Chanyeol continues to blabber making Baekhyun giggle lightly before adjusting on his seat and smiled

 

“Yes, I never thought crying makes you feel better” Baekhyun smiled, wiping tears on his cheek

 

“See, you should cry when you’re stressed, don’t pretend to be happy, though I advice you cry with someone to hold you and soothe you, because I’ve tried crying alone once, and I assure you, it feels heavier after it, and when Kris hyung came home later that day, I sure cried a bucket that I fell asleep tangled with him and my lips parted, gosh, hyung took a picture of it and it sure isn’t pleasant how he’d bring it up once in a while” Chanyeol blabbered making Baekhyun giggle at how cute the tall male is

 

Knowing his Dream Guy is ideal, yet…

 

The sand on the hour glass is slowly running out

 

And this is yet the beginning

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hello guys! It's been sooooooo long since I've updated, I'm sorry for the long wait, but it's because of my studies, and I gotta make sure my ranking doesn't drop, so that I can go to any concerts and buy as much albums as I want XDD just kidding, but really, I'm anxious of my studies so I make extra effort on it, you should too! Don't just read fictions! Make sure to study hard! Anyways, I hope you enjoy this! It's a little longer than usual as you can see ;)