"So you did clean my apartment."

Kyungsoo rolls his eyes when he sees Baekhyun's amused grin and he crosses his arms against his chest, the tone in his voice going defensive.

"You know I hate clutter and I can't stand it when it's staring at me right in the face." he whispers, looking away for a second before giving up and staring at the back of Baekhyun's head down to his neck and his back. It feels like such a long time when Kyungsoo last looked at him that way.

Maybe because it really was such a long time.

"What did you do to get in probation?" he asks, walking just a tad bit faster to keep up with Baekhyun. To see his expression and maybe figure something out. "I told you, you shouldn't go out picking up more trouble than you can handle."

The thought of Baekhyun being locked up all alone in a room made him grab Baekhyun's hand, holding it firmly and planting his feet on the tiled floors of the lobby. "They didn't do something to you, right?"

Baekhyun sees the worry wash over his best friend's face and he chuckles lightly. "Hey, you're being a nosy duckling." his free hands reaches to give Kyungsoo's nose a pinch, his own crinkling as he smiles at him. "Not to mention a worrywart."

Kyungsoo averts his eyes, refusing to show the pang of hurt that crossed his eyes at the obvious rejection. "I'm only nosy when I know you're hiding things from me, Byun Baek."

"I did feel hands all over me-"

In a flash, Kyungsoo had pulled his hand away from Baekhyun's and busies himself with peering over at him, wide eyes checking if there are bruises on his arms and the frustration was clear on his face.

Was he looking for a hickey?

Baekhyun shakes off the thought because Kyungsoo doesn't think like that.

"I'm fine, Soo." Baekhyun says, pushing him slightly away and adding distance between them. He's not sure what he'll end up doing with the sudden closeness.

Kyungsoo doesn't protest, allowing himself to be pushed away but not before letting the older male see how hurt he is by the action. He couldn't help but feel like Baekhyun's pushing him away. But he doesn't say anything, simply gripping the straps of his bag, nails digging into the fabric as he nods dumbly at his best friend. "Yeah... I know."

Baekhyun snickers, not wanting to see Kyungsoo like this. He knows it's his fault but he can't risk his emotions getting the better of him. Kyungsoo deserves someone great and that someone isn't Baekhyun. He'll only end up hurting his best friend.

Could he even call Kyungsoo his best friend when he feels so much more?

Giving Kyungsoo's cheek a light tug, he flutter his lashes playfully. "If I did have bruises, were you planning on kissing them better?"

Kyungsoo doesn't answer, shrugging Baekhyun's hand away and walking to his own apartment. He tries not to think that Baekhyun's just living on the opposite side. He doesn't know what to do if he sees Baekhyun hurt. It's either he cries in frustration and anger or do exactly what Baekhyun asked him seconds ago. "I'm tired, Baek."

Baekhyun follows him with his eyes. The expressions Kyungsoo has been having ever since he returned were all new to him, and yet he was stupid enough to be inconsiderate of it. Was he that big of a douche?

Yes.

"Wait!" Baekhyun follows after him, taking Kyungsoo's hand and giving it a light squeeze as a silent apology. "Stay over... at my place."

Kyungsoo wanted to let go, really. But he knows he can't and that's exactly what happens, him returning the gesture. He breathes deeply, looking everywhere but Baekhyun and wondering why he's even hesitating. "Alright."

A relieved smile appears on Baekhyun's face and Kyungsoo couldn't help but smile back. Baekhyun doesn't think anymore when he lifts his hand and brushes his finger on Kyungsoo's cheek, affectionately this time.

"I missed you."

Kyungsoo leans in to the touch and grins, cheeks warming up but he pretends it's because this is his best friend.

Best friend.

"I missed you, too."