Sounds fun honestly, that’s all you could come up with, Baekhyun scolds himself as he walks to the parking lot with a bouncing Chanyeol at his side. What you honestly wanted to go back to that empty house, his inner voice asks. Dad said he would be back from his business trip later tonight when he left Friday, a small voice says defensively, I should be home when he gets back. An evil laugh rips through him, why, an angered voice questions him, so he can wave hello and mention how tired he is before shutting himself in his room for the night while you clean up his uneaten dinner that you slaved over to make special for him?

“Okay so my mom will come on a little strong” Chanyeol says interrupting Baekhyun’s inner turmoil. “She likes to be in the know so she will ask a lot of questions, if it becomes too much, squeeze my hand and I’ll step in to help you, you don’t have to answer her if you feel uncomfortable” Chanyeol continued.

Baekhyun slowly dismisses all thoughts of going home instead of spending the afternoon with Chanyeol. Maybe this can be like summer camp, Baekhyun thinks smiling over to Chanyeol. “What if you aren’t next to me” Baekhyun asks Chanyeol.

“What do you mean” Chanyeol questions in reply.

“What if you are not next to me when I become uncomfortable around your mom, what if I can’t grab onto your hand” Baekhyun asks, regretting how weak he sounds. You should be stronger in front of Chanyeol, Baekhyun warns himself, Dad would be so embarrassed if he saw you acting this way.

“If I’m not there, scream and I’ll come running” Chanyeol says. Baekhyun watches as Chanyeol nervously fiddles with the zipper on his sweater, “Sorry, that sounded lame” Chanyeol says.

Baekhyun can’t help but smile in return, “Thanks” Baekhyun whispers out in Chanyeol’s direction.

“Oh there’s my mom” Chanyeol says breaking the awkward silence threatening to overpower the two boys. “Don’t worry I’m sure she’ll love you” Chanyeol winks before holding a door open for Baekhyun to climb through.

Baekhyun slides across the seat and silently buckles himself in as Chanyeol climbs through the door and takes a seat, he watches how Chanyeol gives him a thumbs up before moving his arms to buckle himself in.

“Sorry about this boys” a smiling women says into the mirror as she starts up the car. “I know you had plans, but Chanyeol your older sister decided to change her flight to today instead of tomorrow so I have to go pick her up, I wouldn’t have been able to get you earlier, plus it’s supposed to rain later so this is best” She gave a small smile in the mirror.

‘’Thank you for inviting me over ma’am” Baekhyun decides to voice out.

“Oh dear it is no problem at all, I’m actually going to be out for a while so you are going to be stuck with that guy back there…”

“Mooooommmm” Chanyeol wines from beside him.

“Sorry sweetie I didn’t mean to embarrass you in front of your friend, but dear, I’m sorry Chanyeol has mentioned your name I just can’t seem to recall…”

“My name is Baekhyun ma’am” Baekhyun said smiling towards the front of the car.

“Baekhyun that’s right, I couldn’t remember you name dear, because Chanyeol always refers to you as Baek…..”

“Mooommmm” Chanyeol wines again. Baekhyun glances over and sees a rather flattering shade of rose covering the tips of Chanyeol’s ears. He talks about me to his family, Baekhyun found himself wondering.

“Quiet down sweetie I’m trying to talk with Baekhyun” his mother scolds jokingly from the front of the car. “Now Baekhyun I’m making a lasagna for dinner, it should be ready by the time I get back from picking up my daughter, are you okay with eating lasagna” She asked glancing at Baekhyun in the mirror.

Baekhyun felt a million emotions rush through him as he meet eyes with the woman, Chanyeol’s mom. The look in her eyes showed general care for Baekhyun, a boy she had just meet, that look that he hadn’t been gifted since the death of his mother. “I don’t know if I’ll be at your house that long ma’am” Baekhyun managed to reply as images of his mother flashed inside his mind, he managed to reach for Chanyeol’s hand as the memories became too intense.

“We haven’t planned that far ahead mom” he heard Chanyeol reply as he felt a soft finger rubbing circles along his hand. He couldn’t help that flashback that came on, a memory he had been hiding away in the depths of his mind but also at the forefront of his heart.

~Flashback~

Baekhyun was sitting at the dining room table working on some long division as his mother’s voice filled the house as she cleaned the dishes.

“How’s the homework coming my Baekkie-baby” His mom asked poking around the corner of the room.

“It’s so hard mommy, I’m never going to get it” Baekhyun complained dropping his head on the table.

“Don’t act like that my Baekkie, you are a smart boy, you know how to do this, I know you do” His mother said, rubbing circles along his back. “I have to go visit your uncles now, I’ll be back soon and I expect to see all those problems done when I get home” she said giving him a small kiss on his temple.

“Mommy can’t I come with you, I don’t care that uncles are sick.” Baekhyun said smiling up at his mom.

“Your uncles aren’t sick Baekkie” his mom said, “I’m just going to go visit them before they leave for their trip”

“Mommy, Daddy said that uncles have a disease and I can’t go because he doesn’t want it to rub off on me, but I don’t care if I get sick mommy I love my uncles” Baekhyun said smiling.

“Oh baby, one day I’ll tell you all about your uncles and hopefully you can love them for who they are, but for right now you have homework to do mister” she said tickling Baekhyun’s sides causing the young boy to laugh hysterically.

“I love you mommy” Baekhyun said kissing her cheek before picking his pencil back up.

“Drive safe in the rain tonight honey” his father yelled from his spot on the couch as his mother left the house that night.

~End of Flashback~

“Baekhyun are you coming in” Chanyeol asked pulling Baekhyun from his memories. Baekhyun looked up from his daze to see Chanyeol holding the car door open for him.

“Oh yeah, I’m sorry” Baekhyun said unbuckling himself and climbing out of the car. “Thank you for the ride ma’am I will look after Chanyeol when you are gone” he said smiling at the woman.

“Thank you Baekhyun, please consider staying for dinner” she said giving him a warm smile, “Be nice Chanyeol, I love you” she said blowing him a kiss before pulling out of the driveway.

“I’m sorry, my mom is kind of embarrassing, I’m sorry she made you uncomfortable Baek” Chanyeol said.

“Your mother is very nice Chanyeol, I’m just not used to someone like her, you’re very lucky Chanyeol” Baekhyun said smiling up at him as they stopped at the porch of Chanyeol’s house.

Baekhyun watched as Chanyeol placed his key inside the lock and proceeded to unlock it, “When we get inside I would very much like to hug you, would that be okay” he whispered. Baekhyun gave a slight nod of his head without realizing it. Baekhyun rushed through the door and looked around the house noticing the wonderful smell of lasagna slowly filling the house as it cooked. “Can I hug you now Baekhyun” Chanyeol asked from behind him. Baekhyun turned around saw Chanyeol staring at him not moving unless given permission.

“Yes” Baekhyun barely manages to utter before he has long arm wrapped around him. After a second of hesitation Baekhyun wraps his arm around the taller boy as well. I’ve missed this, Baekhyun thinks to himself as he tightens his grasp.

“Baek you looked very sad in the car, if you want to talk I’m here for you” Chanyeol said.

“It’s a long story, I’m not sure I want to bore you with it” Baekhyun said burrowing his face closer into Chanyeol’s chest.

“Nothing you say could bore me Baek” Chanyeol said, “Sorry that was embarrassing I’m acting like my mom, just ignore that” Baekhyun giggled into Chanyeol’s chest knowing that the taller boy was probably blushing like crazy.

You could tell him, it might make you feel better, he thinks to himself. I can’t cry in front of him, he will see how weak I truly am, a scared voice answered the first voice. “I don’t know if I am ready to share my story yet Chanyeol, I’m sorry” Baekhyun finally replied.

“Don’t worry Baek, no rush. I’m here when you need me though okay? My ears are here to listen.” Chanyeol said. “Will you look at me Baekhyun” he asked placing his hand underneath Baekhyun’s chin not forcing any movement. Baekhyun looked up and meet with the sincere eyes of Chanyeol above him. “I would love it if you would stay for dinner tonight, meet the rest of my family. If you can’t I understand but just think about it.” Chanyeol said.

You should stay, his inner voice insisted, it’ll be great you can spend more time with Chanyeol and receive some extra hugs in the process. “I’ll think about it” Baekhyun answered vaguely truly scared to be too upfront.

“Sounds good, let’s go practice” Chanyeol said unwinding his arms from around Baekhyun. The loss of warmth was overwhelming as Chanyeol’s body moved away from his, Baekhyun grabbed a hold of Chanyeol’s hand as he began to walk up some stairs. A goofy grin was plastered on Chanyeol’s face as he lead the way, Baekhyun couldn’t help but feel important knowing that he was the reason for Chanyeol’s smile.

“Wow” Baekhyun breathed out when he entered Chanyeol’s room. Hats, hats everywhere, that’s all Baekhyun saw when he walked into the room. “When you told me you collected hats at camp I never imagined your collection being this big Chanyeol” Baekhyun mentioned, amazed by the large amount of hats of every kind on shelves and hooks along the walls. “How do you know what you already have when you go shopping” Baekhyun asked looking up to meet eyes with Chanyeol had his hand rubbing anxiously on his neck.

“I don’t know why, but I can always recognize ones I don’t have, my mom says I have a good memory when it comes to things I care about, my sister says I am just obsessed, and my dad says that he can’t wait until I get a job and have to pay for them on my own” Chanyeol says laughing lightly. His laugh was so contagious that Baekhyun couldn’t help but laugh along. “I’m going to plug some music. Anything you want to work on” Chanyeol asked as he walked towards a speaker in the corner of his room.

Baekhyun thought of all the songs he was working on and loved to sing, but then he thought back to the morning when he had walked up on Chanyeol rapping at the café. “Could you maybe sing that song that you were singing this Morning?” Baekhyun voiced aloud.

Chanyeol turns around and looks directly at Baekhyun, “Only if you sing the slower part while I rap” he said smiling.

“Never mind” Baekhyun says cheekily, wanting to see Chanyeol panic slightly. You know you would do anything to hear him sing, a voice says inside his head.

“I’ll sing it, I’ll sing it” Chanyeol repeats while waving his hands in front of his chest, “You don’t have to sing Baek, I’ll rap for you don’t worry” He says clicking a few buttons and then clears his throat as some music filters around the room. When he opens his mouth to the flow of words Baekhyun’s world slows down and the only thing he can see is Chanyeol. Baekhyun opens his mouth softly and fills in the softer part of the melody, instantly he hears it, the harmony created by himself and Chanyeol. He looks up in time to see a similarly shocked expression on Chanyeol’s face. As the song comes to an end, Chanyeol is all smiles, “That was amazing Baek, you are amazing” Chanyeol said moving closer before stopping and sitting down on his bed. Noticing how hesitant Chanyeol is to touch him hurts a small part of Baekhyun, If we were still at camp I would be in his arms right now, a small voice says longingly. What’s keeping you now, a smaller voice questions.

“Chanyeol” Baekhyun calls as he slowly looks down at his shoes trying to hide the blush he knows is threatening to conquer his face.

“What’s wrong Baek” Chanyeol asks standing and abruptly pausing.

“Nothing is wrong, well not really but, you know those rules I set in place, the rules for when you and I are around each other” Baekhyun asks. You sound so lame Baekhyun, he scolded himself, just come straight out and tell him the truth.

“Am I over stepping them Baek I promise it won’t happen again, we can go back into the living room and as soon as my mom comes home she can drive you, so that you don’t have to walk in this weather…” Chanyeol rambled. Baekhyun not being able to handle the hurt and panic in Chanyeol’s words moved closer and swiftly raised his finger to Chanyeol’s lips.

“You didn’t let me finish silly” Baekhyun said keeping his finger on Chanyeol’s lips to prevent the apology he was sure Chanyeol would utter. “I was going to say that I only want the rules to apply when we are out in public, I think we can forget about them for the next hour or so” Baekhyun whispered out the last bit of his confession hating how weak it made him appear, but he could no longer hold it back, his body ached to be held in Chanyeol’s embrace and receive his small touches of affection and he couldn’t avoid it any longer. The smile, larger than the sun, than spread across Chanyeol’s face made it all worth it, in fact it made Baekhyun feel stronger, because he realized as much as he was hurting himself by putting those rules in place he was hurting Chanyeol worse. If admitting he was weak in front of Chanyeol brought them both happiness was it really so wrong?

“Do you mean it Baekhyun” Chanyeol said hopefully. Baekhyun gave a small nod of his head showing his consent. For a second he was afraid that it had gone unseen like his gesture earlier but the strong arms that wrapped around him and lifted him slightly so his feet hovered above the ground soon erased all thoughts on the matter. “Thank you, you won’t regret this Baek” Chanyeol whispered in his ear before placing his feet back on the earth but not removing his arms. Baekhyun enjoyed the warmth Chanyeol provided and snuggled his face into the boy’s chest. Minutes passed before Chanyeol spoke again, “will you sing for me again Baek” he asked.

Of course, he thought internally as he mentally jumped up and down at the chance to impress Chanyeol again. “Only if you do a song when I’m done” he voiced instead.

“Anything for you Baek” Chanyeol whispered. If I look up at him right know I bet he is blushing like a madman for the words that had just escaped his lips. Baekhyun couldn’t help but blush slightly as well. “Do you have a song in mind” Chanyeol asked after clearing his throat several times.

“Nope” Baekhyun answered, head still nestled securely against the warm chest in front of him.

“I’ve got an idea” Chanyeol said before walking away leaving Baekhyun in the center of the room. Baekhyun had to hold back a whimper that threatened to leave his throat at the loss of Chanyeol’s warmth. Baekhyun walked across the floor and to a seat on the corner of Chanyeol’s bed admiring the pattern of colors that on anyone else’s bed would not have worked. “How’s this song” Chanyeol called from across the room as a familiar melody floated around the room.

“I love this song” Baekhyun replied feeling his smile forming. He looked back down at the comforter and cleared his throat, trying to ignore the fact that he felt the bed dip beside him so he could sing and impress Chanyeol. After the first few verses the melody filtered back through giving him a small break. He felt strong arms around his body again and couldn’t help the “Eeck” that escaped his lips as Chanyeol effortlessly lifted him and placed him upon his lap. Oh smooth move Baekhyun, he scolded himself, what was that sound anyway?

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to scare you” Chanyeol said, “I missed you in my arms though, you can sing from here right” he asked. Luckily the melody turned back into lyrics so he could show Chanyeol his response instead of uttering it, knowing that if he looked at Chanyeol he would definitely see the blush that was conquering his face. When the song finally came to an end, Baekhyun let out a soft sigh as he snuggled against Chanyeol’s chest and shoulder again. A new song came on through the speaker and Baekhyun smiled as Chanyeol cleared his throat and began to rap with the song. Baekhyun admired how the deep tones coming from Chanyeol’s mouth vibrated through his chest, tickling against Baekhyun side and cheek. When the song ended Baekhyun let out a small giggle.

“Was it really bad” Chanyeol asked rubbing circles along Baekhyun’s arm.

“No” Baekhyun answered honestly meeting eyes with Chanyeol. “Yo