Summary: Baekhyun introduces his boyfriend to his college friends and Chanyeol avoids his ex.

Meeting Baekhyun's friends is annoying. Not because they're annoying but because Chanyeol just doesn't really like meeting new people or whatever. He's not particularly excited to meet the so-called roommate but... .

Whatever.

He kinda misses the Handsomest Boys— Maybe even the Posh Gang (they dropped the second Posh because it didn't sound so posh anymore).

When they arrive at the meeting spot in front of the mall (Baekhyun's dad dropped them off), Chanyeol's immediately bombarded with friendly greetings (and a friendly-ish greeting from who he assumes is "Jon").

Baekhyun holds his hand, fingers locked possessively intertwined, but softly enough not to worry the gangster. "Hi, guys! This is Chanyeol! Yeol, this is Ross, Jen, Lizza and Jay."

Ross is very colorful. Chanyeol isn't used to seeing someone with red dyed hair, but there's a first time for everything. "Hi! Glad to finally meet you!" Instead of shaking Chanyeol's hand, he opts for a quick hug.

"Why the did he just hug me?" Chanyeol mutters.

Baekhyun tries to quickly explain. "Uhh, it's an American thing!" He laughs before turning to Ross. "Chanyeol said it's nice to meet you, too!"

"Aw!"

Jen rolls her eyes and pulls Ross back. Then she extends her hand. "Sorry, he is very touchy, but I am so glad to finally meet you, too. Baekhyun never stops talking about you."

It surprises Chanyeol that she can speak decent korean even if it is a little harsh. He nods, shaking her hand politely. "Thank you."

Jen smiles, and Chanyeol finishes individually greeting all of them (with Baekhyun as his translator) until they get to Jon and Sam, who—just from the vibes of it all— seems like they're the least enthused about the gangster being there.

"Hey," Jon says dryly, reaching our to shake Chanyeol's hand. "Great to meet you in person."

Chanyeol shakes his hand just to be nice. "Tell him to off. I don't like him."

Baekhyun laughs. "He said he feels the same!"

Jon looks on, skeptical, but doesn't say anything else. He only offers up a short smile before laughing under his breath in some attempt to ease the awkwardness.

When Chanyeol finishes greeting (and not greeting) everyone, Baekhyun tries to mash his two worlds together through conversation as they all get into their van rental. But, it doesn't really... go as planned.

First, Chanyeol doesn't really speak any English so it's hard for him to keep up with the topics.

Second, Chanyeol doesn't know what they're talking about since the rest of them are ranting about school and professors.

Third... there's just a disconnect.

Noticing that Chanyeol's spending most of his time staring out the window or texting people on his phone, Baekhyun feels like he's either not interested or just... left out.

And he hates it.

They're sitting in the back third row of the van with Jen sitting to the edge with them, but even with her limited, elementary Korean, Baekhyun starts feeling like this is all just one big fat mistake.

He should've just cancelled the trip and...

Fudge.

Maybe he should've been more considerate. It was a stupid idea thinking that Chanyeol would actually like this and—

Tugging on the sleeve of Chanyeol's shirt, Baekhyun quietly got his attention. Then, he motioned his hand for the giant to lean over to him— which he does.

"I feel bad," he whispers. "I don't think you're having fun..."

Chanyeol purses his lips a little bit— just enough for Baekhyun to confirm that his feelings were correct. "Give it a day or two," he whispers back into the runt's ear. "It'll be fine."

"I know but I don't like feeling as if you're left out. I want you to be in the moment with me."

"Listen, I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you, so..." Chanyeol shrugs. "I'm not complaining."

"I know you're lying, dummy," Baekhyun mumbles. "You don't have to lie to me."

"Well, I'm not."

"You are." Fudge, he really hates it. "But let's just... make the most of it! It'll be better when we're at Tahoe. Promise!"

Baekhyun says it so confidently, it hides even his own self doubts.

[ 2013 ]

"Hi. I'm looking for my boyfriend. Do you know where he is?"

Chanyeol blinked. "Uh, Jongin's not here."

Frowning, Taemin looked around for a moment before he slid the kitchen door open again. "Oh, sorry! I thought he might've sneaked out here. I can't find him!"

"Maybe he went to go use the restroom?"

"That could be true! He does have pretty strong bowel movements." Shaking his head, Taemin sighs. "I'll leave you alone, then. Sorry, Chanyeol!"

"Don't worry about it."

As Taemin stepped back inside the house, he stopped halfway through. "Are you coming back in or...? Your friend, Baekhyun, is here already."

"Thanks," Chanyeol says. The smile on his face is tight and curt. "Uh, I'll just say hi to him later. Seems kind of busy right now."

"Okay..." Taemin isn't convinced. Right before shutting the door behind him, he turns back around and cracks it open just enough for Chanyeol to hear him. "Jongin told me what happened and I just have to say that— I know it can be hard to be in, like, the same friend group as your ex-boyfriend, but you can do it!"

Chanyeol doesn't know how to feel with Taemin's little thumbs up before he's left alone again. Sighing, he turns his back to the door again and leans against the balcony, staring at Jongdae's stupid, ing garden.

A/n: short update but hi