Busy inserting songs that have just been requested, Baekhyun glanced up briefly from the computer screen before averting his gaze back at his work. Following Suho was a tall and lanky man with red hair tucked beneath a snapback, decked casually in a checkered button down over his shirt and some skinny jeans. He screamed style more than nerd, and for a moment Baekhyun thought Suho must’ve bought a friend. “Baekhyun, meet Chanyeol. He will be on your show from today onwards. Don’t bully him.” Suho practically hissed the last sentence so the taller wouldn’t hear.
“I won’t.” rolling his eyes, Baekhyun didn’t even bother sparing a second glance their way after Suho excused himself to go to the office, leaving Chanyeol behind in the studio.
“Hi Baekhyun, I’m Chanyeol!” the man quipped excitedly and Baekhyun had to resist the urge to groan from how overly enthusiastic he is. ‘Of course you’re Chanyeol. Who else would you be?’ Finally tearing his eyes off the screen, Baekhyun noticed how Chanyeol’s ears stuck out prominently under his cap and how his lips spread ever so widely into a grin. And his height – did he even have to talk about the man’s height? What does he feed on to be so tall?! “Hi,” Baekhyun said plainly before shuffling some papers and settled with scrolling through his Twitter mentions. ‘There’s nothing likeable about him.’ He decided. ‘Not one bit.’

“How did you feel when you went on-air the first time? Did your voice crack? I’m so nervous I’m afraid my eyes might mess up the lines. Actually, do you have some lozenges for soothing the throat? I think I really need one now. My voice might crack from nervousness!” the man had not stopped blabbering since the second Baekhyun responded with ‘hi’ and the latter was beginning to grow irritated at the man. If his voice was going to crack just due to nervousness, he obviously isn’t ready or suitable for radio. ‘His voice better cracks. Then they might just take him off air. Ha!’ Baekhyun smirked as he put his headphones on, carefully counting down the remaining seconds to the song before switching on his microphone.

“That was EXO with XOXO. Setting us up in a good mood, isn’t it? Good evening, it’s Baekhyun here with you on Love Songs with Baekhyun and tonight, we start a brand new segment here with novelist Chanyeol who will be writing you the most beautiful on-air love story. I promise! Be sure to call in once he’s done with episode one and you might be the one determining what happens in episode two. Sistar in the meantime with But I Love You. Don’t go anywhere!”

The second Baekhyun turned the microphone off and removed his headphones; he looked up to see Chanyeol gaping at him across the panel.
“Yes?” he threw a look at the man. ‘Weirdo.’
“Wow. Wow! That was amazing! How do you sound so smooth and fluent? I swear I can even hear a smile in your voice!” the corner of Chanyeol’s lips curved up into a wide grin once again, perhaps even reaching the corner of his eyes.
“Lots of practice.” Baekhyun stated matter-of-factly.
“It’s amazing. I swear you sound even better live than over the radio. If only everyone else can hear you live too.”
“Well… thank you.” Baekhyun rubbed his nape sheepishly, a little overwhelmed by the compliment. “Get ready, you come on after this song.”

Chanyeol had an earnest voice. With his gaze fixated on computer screen as he read off the story, his hands had clenched into fists probably due to nervousness, but his voice was clear and smooth when he spoke, tone varying when he played different characters. Every emotion was aptly transmitted over the airwaves and as Baekhyun listened to the man’s voice over the headphones, he couldn’t help but gradually close his eyes and relax as he got lost in Chanyeol’s deep tone. Baekhyun had not been expecting that at all from the loud and boisterous man who feared his voice cracking and he smacked himself mentally when he snapped his eyes open as Chanyeol concluded the first episode.

“And that was episode one of Kiss and Hug. How do you think Chanyeol fared in his writing and what do you wish will happen to the main characters in the next episode? Give us a call now and you might just hear your suggestion being used in the story tomorrow! Back to the music now, this one is Lee Hi with Rose.” With a flick of Baekhyun’s fingers, both of their microphones are turned off and Chanyeol immediately got out of his seat, bending over with his hands over his chest as he gasped for air.
“Oh God,” He panted. “That was so nerve wrecking! I thought my heart was going to stop beating halfway through the story! Was my voice shaking? I think my teeth clattered! Oh my God, this is so embarrassing!” he buried his face into his palms as he shook his head. Baekhyun stared at the man with amusement playing on his lips. For someone who sounded so composed on-air, he was definitely exaggerating things now. ‘Besides, he actually sounded really good for his first time.’ Baekhyun chewed on his lower lip as he decided against being vocal with his thoughts. “Oh, c’mon! Get a hold of yourself. We have tons of phone calls to answer!”

///

“My mother and I practically stick ourselves to the radio every night just to tune in to the story. We really hope HyunA will hurry up and realize her feelings for Kris before he gives up!”
“Thank you so much towards you and your mom for all the support. I’m sure Chanyeol feels revitalized from all the love he has been receiving for his writing. Don’t you, Chanyeol?” the tall man who had been listening quietly opposite Baekhyun picked up the conversation right on cue.
“Definitely, Baek. Thanks for tuning in every night! I really wish I can tell you what happens to Kris and HyunA right now but you’ll just have to stick with us till the end, okay?”
“I will! Baekhyun oppa fighting! Chanyeol oppa fighting!” the girl squealed on the other side of the line as the duo wished her a good night before cutting the call, Chanyeol in particular looking extremely radiant with a bright smile hanging on his lips. ‘Since when had his smile looked so good?’

“Hey,” propping his chin on his palm, Baekhyun looked at the man who was busy typing away on the keyboard, staring fixatedly at the screen. Chanyeol has gradually developed a habit of staying behind after the segment ended so that he could start writing the next episode immediately. He had explained that it was because inspirations would always come flooding the moment he’s done with all the call-ins, and he might lose them by the time he got home.
“Hmm?” breaking away from his beloved story, Chanyeol’s lips stretched into a smile even if his teeth weren’t showing. Baekhyun noted that Chanyeol must really love smiling.
“You must’ve already planned the ending, right? So how does the story really end?”
“Nah-uh! You have to tune in as well to find out.” The taller wagged his index finger in Baekhyun’s face before bursting into a laughing fit.
“Pfft… big deal. We’re halfway there anyway.” Baekhyun subconsciously pouted, jutting his lower lip out as he tried to turn his attention onto Twitter until the uncomfortable feeling of a continued stare have him tearing away from the computer. “What?! If there’s something on my face, please tell me instead of staring. Otherwise, don’t stare at me. It’s rude!”

///

So the taller did just as he was told. Over the course of the following week, Baekhyun would always catch Chanyeol