thirteen

I am because we are (Ubuntu) [Permanent Hiatus]
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Word Count: 1914

 

 

Ever since the unexpected trip to the seaside, Baekhyun and Chanyeol’s relationship changed physically. They were still the same in other aspects—Baekhyun talking, Chanyeol listening. All smiles Baekhyun, blank look Chanyeol. All over the place skinship loving affectionate Baekhyun and don’t-touch-me-or-I-will-glare-at-you (except Baekhyun) no care in the world nonchalant Chanyeol.

But it was obvious to their friends that the air around them has changed to that of silent friendship to silent mutual understanding with a hint of affection.

 

It made them happy, very happy in fact. The usual blank eyes of Chanyeol that they’ve come to get used to ever since his break up was now beginning to show different kinds of emotions; although small, it was there. The hints of the old affectionate Chanyeol they once knew was also slowly coming to light. And this is all thanks to the ever lively loveable Baekhyun they were glad to have included to their group.

 

 

♠♠♠

 

 

Dinner tonight was held this time at Jongdae’s place—it was a small, barely two story (five steps to the next floor) modern house with plain glass windows. A medium driveway gated by a simple wooden designed gate. Three cars, one parked outside and the rest inside. Bamboo trees decorating its walls.

 

The whole exterior surprised Baekhyun; among the houses he has visited so far of the group, only Junmyeon’s lived up to his expectations of an ‘elite’s’ house. Even Kyungsoo’s place was a mansion in itself—at least to him based on the wide front yard and pretty angel statues that greeted guests on each side of their gates.

 

The interiors were not any different but also expected. Expensive glass and porcelain figurines, different sizes of pictures frames that decorated the walls and tables, wide screen TV, and other else that were ‘you break it, you buy it’ to Baekhyun’s eyes. The whole house was just a huge contrast to Jongdae’s elite status and prominent background.

 

However, just like every house that Baekhyun visited, he couldn’t help but feel envious—his house, a one box apartment, barely had anything inside and no picture frames decorating the walls.. just cracks and peeled paint; and guilt with pity—his whole status was a vast different from theirs and they knew nothing.

 

 

Sadness and pain flashed through his eyes without permission and Chanyeol, who stood beside him and silently watched, saw it.

 

Baekhyun felt a hand on his shoulder, Chanyeol pulling him close to him to an almost hug as they waited by the front door with their other friends to greet Jongdae’s parents a ‘good evening’.

 

 

The dinner went great—Tao inviting everyone to his major’s finals end runway project, Minho and Jongdae relaying news of their successful debate competition against other universities, Jongin proudly exclaiming his invite to perform to the university’s year end festival, Kyungsoo giving Jongin a proud kiss on the cheek and proceeded to invite everyone for his family’s year end celebration, and Junmyeon’s proud story of witnessing for the first time a live birthing in the hospital he interns.

All of them had stories to tell and invites to pass, but amidst the happy chatter were two figures seated by the corner of the dining table silent.

 

“How ‘bout you two? Any plans for the end of the year?” Junmyeon, his motherly instincts kicking in, brings the whole table’s attention to the two in question.

 

Chanyeol remained silent while he munched on his dinner while Baekhyun sat with his eyes on his lap not noticing the attention has passed onto them. His mind was busy thinking of mixed thoughts you’d think he was confused—excuses to create, Christmas season means gifts to give, finals is near.

 

“Baekhyun?” Kyungsoo calls out concernedly beside him but receives no response.

 

Before anyone else could try and snap his attention, Chanyeol leans in to whisper his name and out of everyone’s sight, covers Baekhyun’s hands on his lap with his.

 

This snaps Baekhyun’s attention and immediately turns to Chanyeol still failing to realize the attention of the whole group on them. With questioning eyes, with a flash of worry that Chanyeol caught on, he looks at him.

 

At the nod of the taller’s head to the rest of the group, Baekhyun turns to the rest and was greeted by a mixed of curious and concerned looks. For a moment he was frozen and everything was quiet, not expecting the sudden shift of attention; and as his senses snaps back to reality, he flashes them a wide grin.

 

“I have two artworks that will be displayed on the year end exhibit and another art work requested by my professor.” He grins widely and proudly; worries and anxiety disappear as if it never existed.

 

This brings the same wide grins on the others’ faces and the laughter and gleeful atmosphere continues.

 

The two oldest, Junmyeon and Minho, sit silently beside each other as they watched the happy exchange. At the sight of Baekhyun bumping his forehead at Chanyeol’s chin with a happy look on the smaller and a fond look on the taller’s, they both exchange knowing looks.

 

The silent fond exchange of the two did not only catch the two oldests' a

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exocholic
[Ubuntu] Hello! Just to let everyone know, a little update on the last chapter, it's already on the works! It looks like it's going to be a very long chapter though. So I may have to see if I'll update with what I currently have or just the whole last chapter in one go. But finally getting there! 😭

Comments

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MyLipsOnEXOs
#1
This fic is definitely the perfect one for winter. If anyone scrolls the comments they’ll see how often I reread this! At this point I would buy a physical copy of it.
Maya1990
#2
Chapter 95: When I saw in the title that it's in permanent huatus I went to the last ch to see where did it stopped and I swear to god I cried .... the pain I felt was REAL, the last 1000 words broke my heart 💔 now I want to read the whole thing knowing very well it will get me depressed
JuliaByun #3
Chapter 95: August 2023 and I still long for this story 🥹 I keep coming back because it demands my attention. I hope you’re doing great and well authornim ❤️❤️
walkinginmoonlight #4
Chapter 95: Ahh sometimes I get reminded of this fic and just how like, lovely it is? It's been years since I've last reread it, but I still remember it fondly, gosh the times when it had just started I still clearly remember. I was just reminded of aff being a thing today and had to try and remember my login.. I cannot remember if I commented on this chapter already but! Even if it's not the complete end, it's half of the end, so we've come pretty far since the beginning 😊 I know updates went from quick to rather slow, but seeing it's been awhile I got a bit worried so checked your twitter, and it's nice to see you're still doing well! Or, seemingly doing well. That you're still around and still enjoying our EXOs~❤️ so I hope you are doing well! And thank you for the very memorable fic 😊
MyLipsOnEXOs
#5
I've lost count of which rereading this is but this shall definitely always be my comfort fic. Whether it's the writing style or the details or the flow or the characters or maybe all of that together, there's just something that has me always coming back.

I read this for the first time in 2018, 5 years later it still holds a special place in my heart. I usually avoid starting new fics that haven't been updated recently, but just like my very first comment on this fic "It's on permanent hiatus but the foreword has me entranced so I will read it", the story is truly entrancing and gosh I'm grateful I read it!
Exofanland #6
Chapter 95: had to reread the last few chap bc its been so long and yes i am still crying my eyes out.
dreaming777
#7
Chapter 95: Hi there, I've left my aff account for so long an happy to see this update!!!! And truthfully I didn't expect I would still bawled my eyes out 😭
uwuness
#8
i keep coming back here just to check if authornim's have an update but no rush authornim, i can still wait :)))))) i'll reread this again because i'm missing this so much~

take care always~
uwuness
#9
i miss this so much 😭
hearteututu #10
Chapter 95: I’m back after many years and this made me cry so much. I really love this story and can still remember every scene vividly. Tysm for this wonderful and heartfelt chapter 💕