(Part 2)

His brows knit in full concentration as his fingers worked on the loose tie hanging around Sehun’s neck, fixing it so it sits perfectly on his boyfriend’s chest. Baekhyun smiled, satisfied with his own work as he patted Sehun’s shoulders how he always does every morning after perfecting Sehun’s necktie. Like most mornings, Baekhyun clutched lightly onto the collars of Sehun’s coat, but not enough to leave creases, as the taller boy gazed adoringly down at him. He felt special with the way Sehun looked at him and he could feel his lips stretching into a rectangular grin as Sehun’s hands found its place on Baekhyun’s hips, pressing their bodies close together.

Baekhyun kept his smile as his palms sooth out the non-existent crease on Sehun’s clothed chest, patting it and leaning up to press a chaste kiss onto the taller’s lips. Sehun’s gaze was beginning to burn his cheeks, shy that his boyfriend was looking at him that way even though it wasn’t the first time. He avoided meeting Sehun’s gaze, keeping his eyes wandering the features of Sehun’s face instead until Sehun tilted his head a little so that their eyes would meet. Sehun chuckled; the sound a low rumbling in his chest and Baekhyun thought for that brief second that he loves it.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” He asked, absently patting Sehun’s chest. “Shouldn’t you make a move now and go to work? Mr. Kim won’t be pleased if you’re late.”

Sehun’s hands on his waist moved to take his as he tried to control his expression and bite back the grin that was beginning to hurt his cheeks. They looked into each other’s eyes for about a minute or two, sheepish smiles grazing their lips until Sehun spoke. “Will you still fix my tie when we’re both old?” His words were barely above a whisper, a hand going up to run a thumb across Baekhyun’s cheek. “Will you still be standing in front of me, fifty years from now, and ask me the same question?”

Something grew in the depth of Baekhyun’s heart, a warmth that brought tears in his eyes that he quickly blinked back. “There’s no doubt that I’d still be here even when you can’t stand anymore, Oh Sehun. I’d still ask you that question because I’d never understand.” He smiled, his own hand cupping the side of Sehun’s neck. “The question is if you’d still be here, maybe in sixty years, holding my hand and looking at me the way you do now, like you’re still young and in love with me. Or would you grow bored of looking at this face every day of your life? I do wonder.”

There was a frown that creased Sehun’s forehead, his eyes wandering over Baekhyun’s features, as if memorizing every line and curve that adorns Baekhyun’s face. “Another century would past, Baek, and I’d still be in love with you with all that I have. You’re my life. If you end, I end.”

Baekhyun laughed but it came out a sob, lips quivering as he attempted to smile. He continued to play with Sehun’s collars, tugging at it so it sits in place even though it was already sitting perfectly, eyes glued to the blue of Sehun’s necktie. “Stop it, Sehun. You’re not supposed to be this cheesy. You know how easily they make me cry. Now, head to work. You’re already late.”

Sehun was silent for another minute, pressing his lips onto Baekhyun’s forehead before he pulled away completely, although a little reluctantly. He smiled, turning around to grab his briefcase and Baekhyun followed him out the door. “I won’t be home for dinner tonight. There’s an important meeting I have to attend. You eat out, alright? Don’t wait for me.”

He nodded to every word Sehun said, wearing a smile and stopping Sehun from stepping out only to pull him down for another chaste kiss, to which Sehun returned quickly. “I wanna go to that place Jongin recommended. He said they have the best Patbingsu.”

“Yeah?” Sehun smiled, nodding as he finally stepped out of the apartment unit. “Do you know how to get there? I don’t want you getting lost.”

At this, Baekhyun bit at his lower lip, unsure if he was actually familiar with the place. “I know the place. I haven’t been there but don’t worry, I’ll get there and if there’s anything, I’ll call you. Plus, Jongin could always direct me there, right?”

He noticed Sehun clenching his jaw at the mention of Jongin’s name twice within that five minutes but it was gone as soon as he smiled and nodded at Baekhyun. “Take care. I’ll see you tonight.”

He swore he’d rounded this corner before, about five times to be exact. Baekhyun cursed silently, tired from all the walking, dehydrated and lost. His stomach is growling with hunger and he winced as he clutched onto his stomach, angry that he hadn’t taken a cab instead of going by foot. Of course, he had taken the bus and it had taken him almost half an hour from his apartment to get here. He would flag for a cab, but the cars are passing by non-stop, no available taxi in sight. Baekhyun groaned; he was pretty sure he’s too far in the city to find a way out and the worst part was that it was getting dark.

He glanced at his watch, the time showing that it was already half past six. He considered calling Sehun to get him but he remembered that Sehun was in an important meeting and he didn’t have the heart to interrupt. He sighed, defeated, and flopped down onto one of the nearest benches. His head was beginning to throb and for a brief second he wished he had grabbed something to eat when he walked past a store earlier. He was too tired then to get up, sitting defeated on the bench.

It seemed like an hour had past when it was just fifteen minutes. It was instinct that had him snaking out his cell phone, dialing Sehun’s number. For about another five minutes, Baekhyun stared at the number on his phone screen, a little nervous that Sehun would be mad but he had no choice. He didn’t want to stay here the whole night and worry Sehun even further. Taking a deep breath, Baekhyun quickly pressed the call button, placing the phone at his ear and waited for Sehun to answer.

Sehun picked up at the fifth ring when Baekhyun almost hung up. “Hey, Baek? I’m in a meeting now so I hope it isn’t anything important.”

“Uh,” Baekhyun stuttered, closing his eyes as his heart raced for no particular reason. “Sehun? You know what I said about getting Patbingsu? Well, I thought I knew the place but… I think I’m lost.”

There was some ruffling from the other end of the line and behind closed lids, Baekhyun could picture Sehun asking to be excused and leaving the meeting room. For that second or two, Baekhyun hated the fact that he was always burdening Sehun. “Baobei? You stay right there, okay? Tell me the place and I’ll come and get you. Don’t go anywhere.”

Sighing again, Baekhyun turned to find the nearest signage, reading the name of the street out loud for Sehun. Sehun didn’t give him a chance to speak, ordering him to stay there until he arrives. He waited for another half an hour and by the time Sehun finally appeared, he was too exhausted to run towards his boyfriend. It was Sehun who quickly hopped off his car, not wearing his coat and necktie loose around his neck. His formal shoes made tap, tap, tap sound on the stoned ground until he reached his lover. Baekhyun flashed Sehun an innocent smile when he looked up into Sehun’s worried eyes.

Sehun sighed, taking a seat next to Baekhyun once he realized that nothing bad had happened. Baekhyun pursed his lips and hooked a hand around Sehun’s arm. “I’m sorry I had to disturb you. But I got scared I wouldn’t make it home. Who’d make you breakfast tomorrow if I was gone?”

“Hey,” Sehun’s voice was firm, laced with slight anger as he frowned at Baekhyun. “Don’t talk like that. Nothing happened so let’s just forget about it.”

“I know you’re mad at me but Sehun –”

His boyfriend sighed again, rubbing his face with his hands. “I’m not mad at you, Baek. I’m worried. What if something had happened to you? What would I do then? I don’t want to lose you, you know?”

Baekhyun pouted, leaning his head onto Sehun’s shoulder. “I’m sorry I worried you, then. I promise I won’t do it again.”

His stomach growled again, loud enough for Sehun to hear. The two were silent for a moment before Sehun chuckled and Baekhyun’s pout intensified. “You’re starving, aren’t you? Come, then. I’ll get us home and I can make you my special bolgogi set. Then we go to bed, alright?”

“Sounds like a plan.” Baekhyun grinned as he let Sehun pull him by the wrist towards his car, all thoughts of being lost and hopelessness leaving his clouded mind.

As he settled into the car, Baekhyun couldn’t help but wonder how he could have been so lucky. He gazed longingly at Sehun as the latter drove them home, smiling even as he kept his focus on the road. He wants to remember every detail of Sehun’s face and he almost couldn’t stop himself from shedding another tear. Sehun was so good to him, had given him everything but he couldn’t remember what he had given Sehun.

He was afraid he’d be too late to give any more.

“It’s going to rain, babe.” Sehun said, exasperated, for the nth time as he pulled the car to a stop.

Baekhyun rolled his eyes as he noticed Sehun scrutinizing the clear sky above once again, slightly annoyed that his boyfriend kept giving the excuse of it going to rain to avoid spending some quality time at the beach. It was finally Saturday and it’s a miracle that Baekhyun wasn’t getting called to work (he makes sure Jongin would keep work away from him for the day) and he wanted to spend the free time with Sehun at the beach just the way he had always wanted to. Baekhyun ignored Sehun’s remark, opening the door and getting out of the car before he made a point in waiting for Sehun to follow him, hands on his hips. He could see Sehun smile and soon the younger male joined him.

Grinning, Baekhyun hooked an arm over Sehun’s. “It’s a beautiful day, baby. I want to spend it walking along the beach. I don’t remember the last time we get to do it.”

Sehun sighed but the smile lingered on his lips. “Fine, but if it rains –”

“It wo