If there was one thing Baekhyun absolutely hated, it was waking up in the morning after a bad night.

The reason was simple. With an immense passion, Baekhyun hated the contrast. His mind wasn‘t doing anything for a night time, allowed to forget, allowed not to think, and then suddenly it was brutally back into reality. And reality mostly at the moment. 

It wasn‘t very different from the usual this time either. Although snuggled into something, or more like someone very warm, and undoubtedly taken better care of than usual, Baekhyun still woke up feeling fairly ty. He fought against the need to open his eyes, not wanting to acknowledge the risen sun and the fresh, new day that was waiting ahead of him. Instead of that, he settled for burrying his face deeper into the soft fabric, into which he was tucked. 

"Nngh," he heard the figure beside him murmur sleepily. 

Startled, Baekhyun opened his eyes. 

Apparently, Chanyeol hadn't left him last night. Or was too worried to leave him last night. He stayed, sleeping soundly whilst leaning on the armrest in a way that made Baekhyun's heart clench with sympathy. It looked so uncomfortable. And not to mention that this was not the first time Baekhyun had robbed the taller a calm, comfortable night sleep in his own bed, so that made him feel guilty even more.

At that moment, unconsciously interrupting Baekhyun's anxious thoughts, Chanyeol moved around a little. He was seemingly still very much asleep, and Baekhyun even held his breath to keep him that way. The taller squirmed a bit, let out a little cough, and went back to lying calmly in a minute, allowing Baekhyun to relax.

Baekhyun's position, however, was a sight worthy of a prominent blush. He was so tightly pressed up against Chanyeol's side that if somebody else would have seen them, they probably would have thought Baekhyun was just an extension of Chanyeol, hidden under the blanket that was pulled upon them. He himself didn't know how he ended up in a position like this. He had no recollection whatsoever of wrapping himself around Chanyeol's torso and curling up into a ball at his side like a puppy. And neither he remembered when exactly Chanyeol managed to leave his arm cinched around his waist, with his hand laying peacefully relaxed on top of Baekhyun's hip bone like it was meant to be there and there was nothing out of the normal about it. 

He really didn't know.

As soon as he realized fully the position the two of them were in, Baekhyun couldn't handle just laying there anymore. He wiggled his way out of Chanyeol's side, being careful not to wake him with any sudden movements, and slowly slided from his embrace onto the floor. For a second or two, he sat there, frozen, till he was absolutely sure that his squirming didn't wake the raven-haired male up. But when Chanyeol didn't seem to be keen on begin moving, or expressing awakeness in any other way, Baekhyun decided it was safe for him to stand up. He got up from the floor as silently as possible, carefully grasped the corners of the blanket he'd left crinkled at Chanyeol's side, and pulled at it to rest it over the raven-haired male's sleeping form.

Then, he was left with nothing to do. He was wide awake, and usually he'd be drinking his first glass of water and brushing his teeth around this time, but this wasn't his home to just go and do that. Baekhyun didn't know if it would be rude of him to just go and use Chanyeol's bathroom. 

He contemplated that for a minute or two, and then decided that most probably, greeting Chanyeol with a morning breath would be far worse than allowing himself to wonder around his home a bit. 

He got his bag of necessities from the hallway where he had left it, and then carefully made his way to the bathroom. Every step he took had to be absolutely soundless. 

After washing his face, fixing the mess of his hair, and brushing his teeth, Baekhyun felt he looked presentable enough and emerged from the bathroom. He listened carefully for any sound from the living room, that would indicate Chanyeol was awaking, but there was none. Baekhyun pursed his lips, and looked around, unsure of what to do now.

As he turned his neck around, Baekhyun's eyes caught onto an interesting sight through the half-open doors to Chanyeol's bedroom. The brown-haired male tiptoed his way into the room, being especially careful about not making the door creak.

On top of Chanyeol's neatly made bed, layed a guitar, a simple and common-looking one, but Baekhyun still found it to be absolutely beautiful. He had never seen it before, and although he knew Chanyeol liked music and was writing songs since he was a high school student, he never thought about asking to hear him play. Or asking him to show some of his songs. Probably because he knew that Chanyeol would most probably get really embarassed about it, and in the end just politely refuse. 

But oh, how Baekhyun wanted to hear him play. 

A glimpse of black on the white sheet caught his eye as well as Baekhyun stared at the guitar. He took a small step forward, craned his neck, and saw a notebook placed there, beside the instrument, with a pencil laying on top of it. A real trap for his curiosity, if you asked him. 

Can he open the notebook? Would that be rude?

It's nosy for sure.

But he really wants to. He really really really wants to.

Chanyeol would understand.

Baekhyun picked up the notebook, biting his lip in anticipation and guilt at the same time. He slided his fingers in between the cover and the first page, and, with much hesitance, made a gap in between them. He still didn't feel brave enough to open it. 

Just do it. 

He closed his eyes, mentally saying sorry to Chanyeol a thousand times, and opened the notebook. 

As expected, it was for writing songs. Chanyeol had it almost filled completely, notes written even on the very corners of every page. There were a lot of songs where only notes were present, no lyrics, and every song had a date that Baekhyun understood as the date of when the song was written. In awe of the amount of hard work and passion he felt through the filled leafs, Baekhyun flipped the pages, taking glimpses at the dates.

Apparently, Chanyeol mostly wrote a song or two every month for almost a year. But then, around February in the notebook, Baekhyun noticed a change in his song writing pattern. There was just a half a song on the date in February. On March, there were just a few lines, but even those were crossed out boldly. There was nothing for April, May and June, and once again just a few crossed lines for July. Nothing for August. Nothing for September. 

And then, a full song for October.

Written yesterday.

It had no lyrics yet, just notes, but Baekhyun felt sad, and at the same time curious of why Chanyeol hadn't been writing songs for half a year, and then suddenly, out of nowhere, found the inspiration to write a full one. He hummed to himself the beginning of the written tune, and understood that the song was clearly meant to be slow. Maybe even sad? But the melody Chanyeol created was indeed beautiful. Standing there, with the notebook in his hands and the soft melody slipping through his lips, Baekhyun was amazed by Chanyeol's talent. 

Why wasn't Chanyeol doing this, writing songs, being a producer, instead of being the general manager? Music was clearly his passion, and clearly something he was meant to be doing, something he had a natural talent for. As hard as he worked at being a good manager, he was simply fated to write music.

So why didn't he?

Baekhyun had an idea why. His expression darkened.

He was so tired of remembering the same face, and the same name.

"B-Baekhyun?"

At the startle of hearing Chanyeol's voice, Baekhyun dropped the notebook he was holding. It fell with a loud thud, that resonated deeply in Baekhyun's chest. 

He was so in trouble.

"What are you doing?" Chanyeol asked, confusion evident in his tone.

Baekhyun turned to him, knowing that he probably looked like he was just caught at the crime scene. Well, technically, he was. Chanyeol had just caught him going through his personal notes, and that wasn't in Baekhyun's wish list for sure, and neither it could be in Chanyeol's. 

"I'm so sorry," he instantly apologized, bending his knees to pick up the notebook as quickly as possible. "I'm so sorry, Chanyeol. I was just walking around, passing time, and... your guitar caught my eye, and I came over to take a closer look, and then just picked up the notebook to see what it was...I'm sorry!"

He didn't know what else to say, how to convince Chanyeol of his genuine apology, and the burning sensation of shame came running down his spine like fire. Baekhyun was turning all hot and red. 

Chanyeol, on the other hand, didn't look so angered, or even displeased for that matter. He just looked very genuinely, and utterly confused.

"O-Okay?" he said, tilting his head to one side. "It's not like you looked at my personal diary or something, Baekhyun. It's just notes. They mean nothing."

Baekhyun's eyes widened. 

"What do you mean by nothing? These are beautiful, Chanyeol. I mean, I didn't manage to look at the other songs much yet, but this last one? It's beautiful."

Chanyeol ruffled his hair shyly, and Baekhyun could swear the taller even blushed slightly at his words, but he couldn't really tell because of the bad lighting in the room.

"T-Thanks," Chanyeol told him, stare plastered onto the floor instead of Baekhyun. "Anyways, this song is never going to get anywhere out of this notebook, so it really doesn't matter. Forget it. What would you like for breakfast? Would eggs be okay?"

He was obviously trying to change the topic, but Baekhyun didn't want to let him. 

"Is there any chance you would play it for me, someday?" he asked quietly, looking at Chanyeol. He hoped, he really hoped there was. 

Chanyeol scatched his neck, clearly very uncomfortable.

"I-I don't know," he took a step forward, and gently tugged the notebook out of Baekhyun's hands. "I don't think it's that good enough for anyone to listen to, Baekhyun. It's just a draft."

"And to me, regardless if it's a draft or not, it's still amazing," Baekhyun also took a step forward, trying to get Chanyeol to look into his eyes. "And I would really love to hear it one day. When you complete it."

"We should really, uhm..." Chanyeol hesitated, taking a step backwards. "We should go eat breakfast."

With those words, he turned around and left Baekhyun standing there, without an answer. This avoidance of the question wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a definite no, either. Like everything with Chanyeol, this decision just needed some time, and Baekhyun hoped that someday, he will be standing here just like now, and the song he just hummed will be sounding in this room once again. But this time, with the help of the long fingers, strumming on the guitar.  

He really hoped. 

***

If he was to be honest, Jongin knew he wasn't the most patient guy in the world.

Well, he wasn't that kind of guy who couldn't wait for things, either. Like, if the chicken he ordered took a bit longer than expected, or a thing he wanted to buy wasn't in the shop when he came there specifically to buy it, Jongin wasn't the one to make a fuss. He wasn't too angry, if he had to wait in a line for a while, nor if he had to wait for a friend who was late. He was okay with things like that.

But that was just valid as long as Kyungsoo wasn't involved. 

And the most recent situation, where Jongin's patience was challenged, appeared specifically when Kyungsoo got involved. That day, Kyungsoo insisted on meeting him somehwere after work, in a cafe or someplace similar, but Jongin objected, and said he wanted to visit Kyungsoo's law firm instead, and more specifically, meet his co-workers. Jongin felt threatened by people who were spending almost the entire day with his boyfriend, everyday, and even more so when he didn't know who they were.

What they were like.

What did they think of Kyungsoo.

Did they think he was attractive.

Those kind of things. 

"You're acting like my mom," Kyungsoo informed him as soon as he opened the door, and saw Jongin there, with two cups of takeaway coffee and a guilty smile. "But you're even creepier than her, you know."

"I'll consider that a compliment," Jongin said, smiling down at the shorter male. "Your mom loves you more than anyone. Just like me."

Kyungsoo took a step backwards, allowing him to step inside, and then frowned. 

"You being here with that coffee is a clear giveaway of what you're going to do, Jongin, and I don't like it."

"I'm not going to attack anybody."

"You're going to embarass me."

"No I'm not."

Kyungsoo just raised his eyebrows.

"Look, I'll just go in, look around and leave," Jongin told him nonchalantly, chocolate eyes full of innocence. "You won't even notice I was there."

Kyungsoo couldn't help but snicker at that. Sure he won't.

"Yeah, you will leave," he poked Jongin's stomach with his index finger. "After you finish glaring at every passing person who dares to look at me, and threaten my partner with death if he ever thinks of trying anything funny. I know you well enough, Nini. Been through this before."

Jongin's eyes narrowed, as the rest of Kyungsoo's words from around the middle of the sentence fell on deaf ears.

"You have a partner?" he asked suspiciously. "Who? How old? Is he handsome?"

Kyungsoo just shook his head at him, smiling, and reached out to intercept the coffee from Jongin's hands before walking away. 

Jongin followed after him into the kitchen, sipping on his coffee, whilst Kyungsoo started going through the cabinets, looking for something edible. However, Kyungsoo could feel the weight of the stare the chocolate eyes were giving him on his back the entire time. He couldn't fight the temptation, and turned his neck in a sudden movement to catch Jongin unprepared.

Jongin's eyes widened, when the owl-like eyes caught him off guard. 

"Got ya," Kyungsoo snickered. "If you keep staring at me like that, I might melt. Be careful."

Jongin smiled at him in return, but the look in his eyes and his reaction was far from what Kyungsoo expected. He thought Jongin was going to throw a flirty line at him, or back, but he was just standing there, smiling at him. And the smile, the look in his eyes, was far from the usual playful one. It was more gentle, full of tenderness and affection, and Kyungsoo couldn't help but turn around fully to face his boyfriend. 

"What's with you?" 

Jongin looked away.

"I'm just happy to be here," he shrugged. "With you."

His boyfriend placed the cup he was holding on Kyungsoo's kitchen table, and made his way over to the shorter male slowly, but surely. Kyungsoo smiled, knowing what he wanted to do, and opened his arms to welcome it. Smiling, Jongin sneaked his arms around Kyungsoo's waist, and pulled him close to plant a quick, but tender kiss on his temple. 

"We're not getting any breakfast if you're doing this."

"I know."

Kyungsoo chuckled into his chest. 

"You don't seem to care much."

"Food is my second vital necessity after you, so I think we're good."

"Jongin!" Kyungsoo pulled back, frowning. He hated sappy lines. 

Jongin just laughed at Kyungsoo's scandalised expression. 

"Get lost," Kyungsoo mumbled grumpily under his nose, and pushed the taller male away, ignoring his even louder laughter in return. 

After all, he did manage to make them some breakfast, a couple of sandwiches to take and quickly eat in the car along with the coffee Jongin brought. They were by no means an edible masterpiece of any sort, but Kyungsoo wasn't very keen on eating much in the morning anyways. He mostly made them because he didn't want Jongin to go to work hungry. So he made himself one, a considerably smaller one at that, and a huge one for his boyfriend. 

Receiving the huge sandwich in the car, Jongin seemed to be dissatisfied. He eyed the sandwich in Kyungsoo's hand, and then narrowed his eyes at his. 

"Let's switch," he reached out for Kyungsoo's mini breakfast, pulling at it and leaving the bigger one the smaller male's hands. "I'm not eating that monster whilst you're eating crumbs, Soo. You're already tiny as it is." 

Kyungsoo glared at him.

"I'm not tiny."

"I meant too skinny," Jongin corrected himself, starting the engine. "I don't know if you checked the mirror, Soo, but I swear, if you get any skinnier sometime soon, you'll turn into a ghost."

Kyungsoo scoffed. There was no need to exaggerate it like that, Kyungsoo knew that it wasn't that bad. He was in a healthy weight, well, maybe a bit lighter than other guys his height, but nothing tragic. He ate normal amounts of food nowadays. 

Before he reconciled with Jongin he had it far worse. He basically lived off of coffee and water back then.

But Jongin didn't need to know that. 

"I feel great," he assured Jongin, trying to get the mood back as it was. "But if it bothers you, I can stuff my face with ramyun till it gets to a size of a tire. Wouldn't that be fun?"

"How much ramyun would that take?"

"About ten packs, I guess."

"No way! It would probably take hundreds for you, Soo. I'm afraid you'd be known in all the local supermarkets for it. I wouldn't be able to shop for groceries with you anymore." 

"Would be an excuse for you to break free, you know. Who wants a tire-faced boyfriend?"

"Oh no, Mr. Do," Jongin laughed. "Tire-faced or not, you're still marrying me, the same second you turn twenty three. There's no easy way out of that, so get ready."

Kyungsoo's eyes widened, and he turned to Jongin.

"You still remember that?"

Jongin took a glimpse at him, sparkles of amusement flickering in the chocolate eyes. 

"I never forgot. You should be more careful when making promises with me, Soo." 

Kyungsoo smiled at him, and Jongin turned to pay attention to the road before him, smiling to himself. Focused on driving them safely, he didn't see Kyungsoo's smile fading away a minute later. And his eyes losing their shine slowly, filling up with some other feeling than joy instead. Jongin didn't see Kyungsoo interlacing his fingers on his lap, clasping them together tightly, till the skin of his knuckles turned whiter than a sheet of paper. 

He was still smiling.

***

Although he didn't want to feel that way, and tried his best to push the feeling away, Baekhyun was bothered by one very obvious fact. He felt like these days, all he was was bothered. Bothered by bad feelings, bothered by problems. Bothered by facts.

Like the one t