They were high school sweethearts.

By now, Baekhyun could say that they still have not experienced the “major relationship drama” or the “bump along the road”. Their relationship, in his opinion, feels like diving in silky pink satin, smooth and absolutely no crinkles or bumps. And this, in his opinion, is possible because of Park Chanyeol. Sure, their relationship had been a secret. Technically, only Chanyeol and Baekhyun considered themselves as the “high school sweethearts” – knowing all the people in school, coming out would not be a great idea.

Baekhyun was fine with it, and so was Chanyeol. They walked past each other in the hallway with small, secretive smiles on their faces. Borrowed each other’s pencils in class like normal seatmates, passing love notes occasionally. Danced side-to-side, holding onto different girls that they couldn’t care less about. There wasn’t really any complaint. They were contented and happy.

On July 12^th, 1982, Chanyeol had kissed him under the glaring moonlight, whispering promises as he intertwines their fingers together, engagement rings hitting each other with a clink. It was one of the most memorable nights for the two of them—after a day of screaming and crying, with Baekhyun’s father’s harsh swing of the wooden bat still stinging on his bleeding leg and Chanyeol’s parents burning his clothes by the lawn—the taller man hushed his cries with his sweet words, refusing Baekhyun to see his fallen tears.

“I’m scared,” was what Baekhyun said as he wept against Chanyeol’s stained shirt.

“Don’t be,” was what Chanyeol replied, placing a soft kiss on his hair. “I’m here.”

Things were harder after that particular day, but Chanyeol wouldn’t allow a frown to paint itself on Baekhyun’s mouth. Despite them being disowned, Chanyeol assured him that they would eventually find a way after being homeless for so long. Despite them being dropped out of college, Chanyeol would bring him to libraries from time to time, and he would stare at Baekhyun with a smile as the boy read. Despite them having no education, Chanyeol had worked five jobs at a time, returning to Baekhyun’s arms at the end of the day with a bright smile on his face. Despite them being unwanted, Chanyeol would bring Baekhyun to his favourite park every evening, slowly pushing against Baekhyun’s wheelchair.

From another perspective, one could say that Chanyeol and Baekhyun have definitely experienced the “bump along the road”, yet Chanyeol and Baekhyun have always thought otherwise.

On September 27^th, 1984, Baekhyun’s tears stain on the words typed on the yellow letter, with Chanyeol rubbing his back in comfort.

“Everything is going to be okay,” was what Chanyeol had reassured him.

“Why can’t I be enlisted to the army?” Baekhyun sobbed, earning a soft chuckle from the taller man.

“Sweetheart, you know the army wouldn’t accept someone who is—”

“Crippled? Disabled?” Baekhyun looked at his husband with a look of sorrow. “Ever since my father did this to me, I felt useless. I still do. I needed you back then and I need you now. You were the one who got me through – you were the one who lead us to where we are now. You worked so hard to provide us shelter. But what am I going to do when you go to the army?”

“I’ll write every day,” Chanyeol said. “I’ll send you letters and come home to you every holidays, all right? A few years will pass with a blink of an eye.”

The taller man leans down to cradle Baekhyun’s face in his hands. “And when I come back, I’ll buy our dream house—the one in front of your favourite park. When I come back, we’ll have the son that we have been planning to adopt. When I come back, things will be normal again.”

“Promise?” Baekhyun asked, reaching out his pinky finger.

Chanyeol grinned, wrapping his own finger with Baekhyun’s. “I promise.”

On October 3^rd, 1989, Baekhyun found himself helplessly sitting on his rusty wheelchair as he begged to the landlord for another chance. She shook her head, throwing all of Chanyeol and Baekhyun’s belongings into the trashcan.

“I can’t give you ‘second’ chances anymore, I’ve been doing that for the past five years.” was what she spat.

“Please, at least until my husband comes home,” Baekhyun cried out, pleading as he held onto her hand. “He promised he would come home!”

“Get your dirty hands off me, you handicapped freak,” She screeches, slapping Baekhyun’s hands away. “Your husband isn’t coming home! It has been five years! He’s dead!”

“No, no, he’s not… He—” Baekhyun choked, “Chanyeol never breaks his promises. He’ll come back…”

“I don’t care if your pathetic husband comes back or not. I have no choice but to kick you out because of your debts,” She scoffed. “Feel free to take your belongings. They are by the trashcan.”

He rolled the wheels of his wheelchair closer to the things that he had once cared dearly for—the things that are now scattered by the ground along black plastic bags and leftover food. The unopened letters were under Baekhyun’s books that Chanyeol had stolen from the library a few years ago. Electric and water bills surrounded him, but the one particular yellow letter reached his attention.

June 9^th, 1987

Dear Baekhyun,

This is the first letter I am sending you and I am afraid it would also be the last. It is difficult to live around here, and I miss you every day.

The people here thoroughly checked our bags and belongings. One of them found a picture of us that I brought along. Do you remember the first picture we took together? You had your lips on my cheek and my eyes were closed.

They tore the picture of you and me. A person like me—people like us, they say, don’t belong on earth.

And for the first time, my sweetheart, I am afraid. Tomorrow is the day of my punishment for loving another man.

I am sorry for breaking the promise we made. I wish you were with me. Is my handwriting ugly? I am sorry, for my hands are shaking.

Baekhyun, I’m scared. This might be our goodbye.

But above all, I want you to know that you are my first, my last and my only love.

Sincerely,

Chanyeol

i have to admit i actually cried while writing this hahahah its probably bcs of the sad songs im listening to

this is really random to be honest..i just wanted a distraction because im having a writer's block for the fics i wrote for nhe (no happy ending) fic fest

i never expected things to turn out this way but i hope u liked this short fic!

talk to me on curiouscat~