Baekhyun had his mind set, and Chanyeol couldn't change it no matter how hard he tried.

“I’m not going for treatment, Chanyeol. I’m going to die, and I don’t want to live my last few months hooked to an IV stuck in this place.”

“Listen, listen to me, I’m not going to let anything happen to y—“

“Stop it! I’m a dying person and I know it! You know it. Grow up! Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Chanyeol.”

Then there were more tears in his eyes and they fell onto Baekhyun’s sheets when he blinked. He looked at the small boy lying in the bed, the droopy eyes, the dyed-blond hair, the trembling lips. He hadn’t had a chance to love him like a lover, and he was going to be whisked away to a terrifying universe.

Chanyeol closed his eyes and for the first time, let his heart lead his actions. His lips were on Baekhyun’s , his tears seeping between their tongues, and he tasted the love of his life for the first time. He thought of strawberry fields and sweetened cream but when he broke away he wasn’t smiling.

“Why did you kiss me back, Baekhyun? You’re not supposed to kiss me back.”

And Baekhyun’s beautiful eyes disappeared behind a broad smile, and he said, “I’m going to kiss you back all the time now, Chanyeol.” But his voice was trembling and his hand flew up to clutch at his chest as he spoke, as if it hurt him physically to say those words.