‘I had a great time,’ Mei told Kyungsoo as they stepped into the driveway of her place.

‘Yeah, me too.’ Kyungsoo smiled in response, lips delightfully curled and cheeks scrunching adorably. He truly was too handsome and dreamy to be real. She sighed sadly, curling her fingers around his.

‘I don’t want to say goodbye,’ she murmured when they’d reached the front door. He sighed beside her, untangling his hand to bring it up to her hair. Gently, he tucked one strand behind her ear, her eyes getting snagged by his deep brown ones. ‘But we need to.’

Mei swallowed, his serious tone reminding him she needed to end this fairytale dream. ‘I’m sorry.’

He shook his head, smiling gently. ‘There’s nothing to apologize for.’

‘I led you on…’ she whispered, tears glossing her eyes.  

‘That… couldn’t be helped, I suppose.’

‘Stop being so nice about this,’ she whined, trying to make light of the situation. ‘I feel like an idiot, I should’ve realized it sooner, the signs were all there. Ugh!’

Kyungsoo smiled obligingly and patted her head.

Mei stared at the door unseeingly, not sure what to do or say. ‘Quit stalling.’ Kyungsoo muttered softly. ‘He’s probably waiting for you.’

Mei swallowed thickly, forcing a smile as she looked at him. ‘He’s probably passed out on the sofa because he was dancing to girl groups again.’ She made a face. ‘Typical.’

‘You like it.’ Kyungsoo stated. Mei’s face fell at that, unable to deny it. Kyungsoo stepped away. ‘Alright, I’ll get going.’

‘Wait!’ Mei grabbed his hand again, holding it up tightly, looking at him earnestly. ‘Thank you,’ she told him sincerely, ‘for being so, so sweet and nice about it. I really am sorry.’ She blinked rapidly.

‘I know.’ Kyungsoo smiled sadly. ‘And I appreciate your honesty.’

‘Please don’t stop being friends with him,’ Mei pleaded. Kyungsoo had been an unexpected rock in Baekhyun’s depression, grounding him when he’d been on the verge of breaking. Mei couldn’t let her foolishness ruin that.

Kyungsoo made a face. ‘I’m sure that wouldn’t happen even if I tried.’ When Mei didn’t look satisfied, he nodded once. ‘But okay, I won’t.’

‘You’re the best!’ she cheered – or tried too, though her voice was husky with unshed tears. Kyungsoo shook his head, waving and heading back.

‘Kyungsoo!’ she hollered.

‘What?’ He sounded mildly exasperated, making her giggle despite herself. ‘I’m sure your soulmate is even more awesome that I am.’

Kyungsoo stopped by his car, looking over to her. ‘Not that I believe in soulmates, but I’m sure it’s true. Now get inside.’

‘Alright,’ Mei muttered, putting in the keys to unlock the door. Kyungsoo gave her a thumbs up before getting into the car. ‘Goodbye,’ he called, driving away.

‘Bye…’ she croaked, already choking up.

Mei watched until he’d vanished, tears steadily filling her eyes, her lips trembling as she tried to muffle her sobs. She wasn’t entirely sure why she was crying but saying goodbye, no matter on how good terms, was hard. And she had genuinely adored Kyungsoo; he was everything a girl could dream about and then some. The fact that he’d been so heartbreakingly sweet about it just made it harder.

Instead of going inside, she slumped against the door and cried herself out, until her eyes felt swollen and heavy. Crying alone made her feel terribly lonely and she wanted nothing more than to collapse into Baekhyun’s arms and cuddle until she felt less like a miserable mess.

When her legs felt less like logs and the cold too got much to bear, she pulled herself up and straightened her dress. She’d dressed up to give herself a confidence boost since she’d been so nervous about the talk with Kyungsoo. Of course, it’d turned out to be a smart decision since she’d ended up on a full-day date with him. And even if she was emotionally torn up, at least she looked good.

Combing her fingers through her hair to settle it, she cleared and patted her cheeks to make sure there weren’t any tracks staining her face. Then, she pursed her lips several times, taking deep breaths, giving herself a pep talk.

She was going to see her soulmate. No, she was going to see her best friend, who also happened to be her soulmate. She could do this. She was ready.

Taking a bracing breath, she opened the door to shuffle inside.

……………………………

‘You’ve got to be kidding me!’ Baekhyun exclaimed, staring at the book in front of him. It had taken his eyes a while to adjust to the bright lettering. But now that he was able to read it, he didn’t think it was any improvement.

The book was utter nonsense and he couldn’t help but laugh at Mei’s naiveté.

He also wanted to laugh at his own pathetic self for relying on such an obvious hoax for advice on how to tell Mei he was in love with her.

So far, the ideas had been wild and entertaining but far from practical. There was this stupid ritual that’d allegedly make her fall at his feet, declaring her undying love for him. Just for that, he was tempted but he skipped over to something a little more reasonable.

For such a flimsy thing, it sure contained a lot of stuff, he mused to himself as he flipped the pages, stopping at a slightly less offensively pink page. His eyes were thankful for the break as he glanced over it, stopping at a place.

He frowned, biting his lip. Going by the BFF code, this would be cheating… but wasn’t all fair in love and war? Surely, he was entitled to a little underhandedness, especially when Mei was out on a date with another man.

His fingers clenched around the covers instinctively and he nodded once. Yup, he was completely and totally justified in breaking the one code he’d stuck by his entire life.

Mei would fall at his feet, declaring her undying love for him and not because of some silly ritual.

Just then, there was some commotion outside and he hurriedly closed the book, stuffing it under the cushions and plopping himself atop it.

He’d been too nervous and distracted, so he’d forgotten to turn the lights on. Consequently, the only light coming in was from the lamp, plunging the room in semi-darkness. It felt across his face as he glanced up straight ahead, his gaze landing on Mei’s disheveled form and eyes narrowing immediately.

So, that’s how it was, huh?

Mei’s cheeks and nose were pink, adorably so, her eyes sparkling in the dim lights. The dress she’d worn for her date was a little scrunched, like her hair, leaving her in an appealingly disheveled state straight out of his dreams. The ones he pretended he didn’t have, where he’d hold her and touch her in ways completely against the BFF code.  

Then again, she had the audacity to break every rule in the BFF code, coming home looking like that. Looking at him so needily, like she wanted to nothing more than to run into his arms and cling to him.

‘I’m home,’ she muttered huskily, laden with emotion. Her bag dropped off her shoulder, landing on the floor with a quiet thud as she stared at him and he swallowed. Her gaze felt like lasers, piercing through him and he couldn’t say he minded.

‘Mei…’ His own voice was low, lower than usual because of the emotions clogging his throat and apparently, that was all he’d needed to say. Before another word could make out, Mei had rushed to him, throwing herself into his arms.

He caught her with ease years of practice brought and Mei did just as he’d anticipated, clinging to him and burying her head into his chest. His heart thundered in response, delight singing through him and his arms tightened around her frame, pulling her closer.

A contended sigh left her lips, breathing over his skin and he suppressed the shudder that ran through him. , she was going to be the death of him.

She was talking, saying things he was in no capacity to process because he was overwhelmed, having her right where he wanted, right where she belonged. In his arms.

And then, those damning words filtered through his ears.

‘… the best-est best friend anyone could ask for. ‘

The sound of his heart shattering was audible.

…………………………………………

Mei’s heart was beating so fast, she was beginning to feel a little breathless.

It wasn’t her fault, though. Baekhyun had looked so… so right, sitting there in the dim lights, waiting for her. With his face half-plunged in shadows and that rare, serious look on his face… it had hit home, hard. All she’d wanted was to rush into his arms and just… hold him. Hug him. Maybe kiss him too but that would be too sudden and she didn’t have the guts for it.

Still, they’d been so distant over the last couple of days. She realized that it was the first time she was seeing him after her confrontation with Taeyeon and maybe she’d forgotten how good he looked but she was sure he’d never looked better. It made her shy, a little self-conscious.

So, instead of doing as she wanted, she looked at him, wanting him to give her a sign, any sign that it was okay, that they were alright.

And when he said her name, it wasn’t angry or demanding or… anything else. It was reverent.

It broke through her insecurities and gave her the courage to run, and throw herself into his arms. Arms which tightened around her frame with an ease years of practice brought. And he adjusted her so that she was comfortably nestled in his embrace, her head tucked under his chin, ear resting on his chest. It felt like home.

She started blabbering, as she was wont to when too many emotions clogged her. She had no idea what she was saying except how grateful she was to have someone like him as her soulmate, as her best-friend for life. He was indeed, the best-est friend anyone could ask for.

He stiffened for a moment and she wondered if he would pull back. She didn’t want him to. She wanted to continue hugging him until she fell asleep.

Which was probably what happened because when her eyes next opened, bleary and puffed, it was to Baekhyun tucking her in bed.

His palm cradled her head as he gently lowered it into the soft pillow, smiling when she mumbled her thanks. ‘Night night,’ he whispered and she muttered back in kind, falling asleep before he’d turned away.

That night, her dreams were extremely pleasant, loaded with the knowledge that she’d found her soulmate at long last.

……………………………………

Chanyeol tutted sympathetically. ‘That .’

Baekhyun grunted in agreement, not bothering to lift his head from the table. He was miserable enough without having to look at anyone.

‘Are you sure she meant it as that, though?’ Trust Chanyeol to never give up. Even when the girl of his dreams bestfriend-zoned him and broke his heart.

‘What else could she have meant by it?’ Baekhyun asked, glaring at Chanyeol with one eye, still not lifting his head up.

Chanyeol lifted his finger, opening and closing his mouth like the dumb idiot he was, before sighing defeatedly. ‘No, you’re right… she was totally friend-zoning you.’

Baekhyun glared at him again, this time using both eyes. ‘Thanks. Not like I wasn’t already miserable enough.’

Chanyeol ignored him, sipping his drink thoughtfully. ‘But…’ His tone conveyed that he was on to something and doubtful as he was of Chanyeol’s ideas in general, desperate times called for desperate measures. He sat up.

‘But?’ he demanded.

‘By doing this… isn’t she breaking that… friendly code you guys follow?’

‘What? The BFF code?’

‘Yeah, that!’ Chanyeol snapped his fingers. ‘The BFF code. Isn’t she blatantly breaking it?’

‘Not really.’ Baekhyun shook his head. ‘The BFF code says we’d never do anything to hurt each other, or take steps that would threaten our relationship.’

‘And yet, hasn’t she done exactly that?’ Chanyeol asked softly, taking a slow sip. Baekhyun opened his mouth to retort – the BFF code also demanded that they’d always defend each other’s honor in front of others – but slowly closed it. Had she?

‘She hurt you…’ Chanyeol muttered, sliding closer and patting his shoulder, ‘when she started dating Kyungsoo…’

Baekhyun’s hand instinctively tightened around his drink. He had yet to take a single sip. ‘How did it feel, Baekhyun?’ Chanyeol asked, taking the drink and putting it away. ‘When you found out that she liked Kyungsoo?’

Baekhyun had felt strange, weird. It had taken him a while to figure out he’d been feeling jealous of Kyungsoo because Mei liked him. He’d gone ahead and dropped hints about Mei’s crush on him, in an attempt to make up for his ill feelings. But he couldn’t deny that he’d been hurt. And jealous.

‘Mmhmm,’ Chanyeol agreed slyly. ‘And then she had the guts to come home, looking like she’d been making out with him…’

Baekhyun let out a miserable noise. This had been bothering him all night. Mei had looked ravished when she’d come home and he couldn’t help but jump to the worst conclusions, scenarios playing in his head with disgusting detail. He’d been avoiding Kyungsoo all morning because he had a feeling he’d end up punching his friend and Kyungsoo was someone he’d rather keep in his life.

Although Kyungsoo had been mercifully absent and hadn’t shown up so far. That was great, for everyone involved.

‘And then…’ Chanyeol was whispering, sounding sly and devilish. ‘She ran into your arms. If that’s not giving mixed signals, I don’t know what is. She’s been playing with you dude, fooling you into sticking to that silly code while she goes around breaking it!’

Baekhyun slumped face first back into the table. ‘Nooo…’ he moaned, though it was muffled into the table.

‘Yes…’ Chanyeol hissed, making Baekhyun wiggle in his chair.

‘Are you going to keep sitting on your and watch her flirt with others in front of you?’

Baekhyun glared at Chanyeol. Chanyeol glared right back. ‘Well? Are you? Today it’s Kyungsoo, tomorrow who know…umph!’

‘Shut up!’ Baekhyun seethed, nursing his punch. It was one thing to think about these things in the privacy of his head but no way would he let anyone else ever besmirch Mei’s name. ‘Don’t speak bull!’

Chanyeol grinned, though it looked grotesque with his bleeding lip. ‘Alright. You’re really possessive about her.’

‘Protective,’ Baekhyun corrected automatically. He’d had Mei drill this into his head over and over: protectiveness was attractive, possessiveness was not. And he was protective of Mei, not possessive. She was a strong independent woman who owned herself and he had the privilege to be by her side.

He sniffed, feeling sentimental. Gah, he was such a loser. No wonder she only thought of him as her best friend.

‘OW!’

Chanyeol shook his head, pulling his punch back. ‘Get your head out of your and get her! She obviously wants you to!’

How the hell had he deduced that?

‘Mixed. Signals.’ Chanyeol enunciated, punching him in time. ‘She’s not sure if she sees you just as a friend or something more and she’s obviously doing this because she wants you to help her decide. But,’ he sighed, shaking his head, ‘here you are, sighing like an idiot, instead of taking her to bed like you should have.’

‘I did!’ Baekhyun defended himself.

‘You tucked her in like Prince Charming,’ Chanyeol retorted, ‘when she obviously wanted you to be the Beast!’

‘She was sleeping, so if anything, she’d want me to be Prince Philip… and why the hell are we talking about Disney?’

‘Because when in doubt, always follow Disney!’ Chanyeol punched in the air.

‘That’s stupid!’ Baekhyun threw a napkin at him. Chanyeol retorted with a slap, leading them to a rapid slap fight, which was how Kyungsoo found them.

For someone who always slept on time and kept a strictly healthy routine, Kyungsoo looked like . He looked very much like how Baekhyun felt, large bags under his eyes and hair standing on end. Unlike Baekhyun, his glare was actually scary, though it was probably because he’d forgone his glasses and his astigmatism was acting up.

That didn’t stop the minor jolt of fear that travelled Baekhyun’s spine when he turned the glare on him. ‘Keep quiet,’ he growled, looking positively threatening.

Baekhyun mimed zipping his lips and sat up, feeling extremely self-conscious. He sort of hated Kyungsoo because he was the guy who held Mei’s heart and was, by definition, his rival. On the other hand, he didn’t particularly fancy having him as the enemy because that was a fight lost before it began.

‘What’s wrong with you?’

Unlike Baekhyun who, for all his mischievous antics, could take a hint, Chanyeol was as observant as a brick. Kyungsoo turned his murderous glare on Chanyeol, who gulped visibly. ‘N-never mind. Here.’ He leaned forward, pushing his plate at Kyungsoo. ‘Have some breakfast.’

Kyungsoo looked like he might flip it but then, he sighed and took a bite from the junk food. Chanyeol looked at Baekhyun with wide, questioning eyes. Kyungsoo was being really weird.

‘Yah…’ Baekhyun asked timidly, ‘are you okay?’

‘Fine.’ Kyungsoo mumbled, not looking at him.

‘You sure?’ Baekhyun insisted.

‘Yes.’ Kyungsoo replied tersely.

‘Really, really?’

Kyungsoo inhaled deeply, setting the cutlery down on the table, and closed his eyes. He seemed to be counting and after exactly ten seconds, he turned to face Baekhyun with a forced smile on his face. ‘I am fine, Baekhyun. Now, stop bugging me and go away.’

With a huff, he turned back to his food and dug in with a vengeance. Baekhyun glanced from his back to Chanyeol, who was staring at him thoughtfully. ‘What’s wrong with him?’ he mouthed over Kyungsoo’s shoulders. Chanyeol shook his head. ‘No idea,’ he mouthed back.

‘I’m fine and if I find either of you talking over my back again, I’ll choke you.’ Kyungsoo threatened calmly, picking at the food. ‘Either sit quietly or leave.’

‘I… I think I’m gonna leave.’ Baekhyun muttered, backing away.

Chanyeol nodded, then muttered, just loud enough to be heard. ‘Remember, Beast!’

Baekhyun made a face and walked away.

……………………………

A/N

Yeah, Baekhyun's life is hard ^^