warning: homophobia, bullying

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Baekhyun was tired from running around the school but he still couldn’t find the person he was looking for. He ran up to the rooftop of the oldest school building and found no one there. The old building would have been abandoned already if it weren’t for the facilities that the students and the faculty use in the first and second floor. He decided to look through the classrooms in that building starting from the fifth floor.

He stopped for a while to catch his breath. His legs are sore from running but he couldn’t stop looking for that person. He has this gut feeling that he should see him. That person needs him. Biting his lip and clutching tighter the first aid kit that he was holding, he looked through the abandoned classrooms. At the last classroom by the end of the hallway, he saw him.

The boy was seated on the floor, hugging his knees to his chest. His face was buried in his knees and he was shaking. He must have been crying. Baekhyun saw purple-bluish bruises and some fresh wounds on his arms. His white polo when they met in the morning was now dirtied with footprints. Baekhyun’s heart broke at the sight. He walked to the boy then crouched in front of him. He put down the things he was holding and he the boy’s locks which made the boy look at him.

“Baekhyun?” the boy’s eyes were red and swollen. There were traces of dried tears in his cheeks. The boy’s eyes widen in realization.

“What are you doing here? Close the door. They can’t see you with me.” Fear was evident in the boy’s face. Baekhyun only sighed as he got up to close the door and lock it. He came back to the boy and sat in front of him.

“Baekhyun, why did you find me? You know that we can’t be seen together.” Baekhyun kept mum and he opened the first aid kit that he brought with him.

“Chanyeol, just stay still for a moment okay?” Chanyeol sighed in defeat and nodded his head.

Baekhyun cleaned and tended Chanyeol’s wounds. They were quiet for the whole time except when Chanyeol hissed in pain because his wound stings. After bandaging Chanyeol’s large wounds and putting the materials back in the first aid kit, he hugged Chanyeol tightly. Chanyeol felt his shoulder was getting wet and he could hear sobs from the boy hugging him.

“I’m so sorry, Chanyeol.” Chanyeol hugged Baekhyun and patted his back to comfort him.

“What are you sorry for? You didn’t even do anything to me.” He reassures the smaller but Baekhyun’s cries only got louder.

“That’s why! I didn’t do anything when I could have done something for you!” Baekhyun let out the guilt he’s been feeling for a while now. “Ever since that day, they keep beating you up and calling you names because… because…”

“Because I’m gay?” He helped the smaller finish his sentence. He felt the hug tightened and Baekhyun buried his face on his neck.

“What’s done has been done, Baekhyun. I won’t take my words back because if loving a man makes me gay, then I am one. And Baekhyun, please…” he combed his fingers on the boy’s locks. “Promise me you will not let anyone know about us.”

“But you’re always hurting! I deserve to get hurt too. It’s not just you who loves a man.” Chanyeol broke the hug and cupped the smaller’s cheeks, wiping away the tears falling down with his thumb.

“Nobody deserves to get hurt, Baekhyun. Not you, not me, but someone has to make a sacrifice. I would gladly sacrifice myself just to keep you safe. Seeing you safe and sound makes me happy. So smile for me now, okay?” He kissed Baekhyun’s forehead. Baekhyun tried to smile through his tears.

“I-I can’t thank you enough, Chanyeol. I’m really sorry that you have to go through all of these horrible things alone. I would take away your pain if I could because seeing you hurt makes me hurt to. I love you so much, Chanyeol and I’m really really sorry if all I’m causing you is pain.” Baekhyun looked at Chanyeol in the eyes before he leaned in and closed the gap between them. The kiss they shared was slow and rhythmic. They were both crying and it was bittersweet.

Tomorrow may be better or tomorrow may be worse. They don’t know what it holds for the both of them. As long as Chanyeol can hold Baekhyun in his arms, as long as they love each other, he will protect his love from the things he’s going through. As long as he lives, he will not let anything harm Baekhyun.

“I love you too Baekhyun. So much.” He whispered.