The Byun household rarely had meals together. If they did it was usually in the company of an eager businessman that their parents hoped to money out of. Baekhyun never attended the dinner table because he knew it would only cause an eruption of arguments.

This time, his parents had called over the maid to bring him down for dinner.

Baekhyun grew skeptical of the invitation.

“Welcome son,” His mother, dabbed on her rosy lips with a pink handkerchief.

No one looked at each other in the eye while they communicated as if, just looking would cause anger.

His father sat idle, lamley cutting into a piece of steak, ignoring his very own son.

Baekhyun didn’t bring his crutch down, so he limped towards the end of table as far as possible from his parents.

“I presume you know why you’re here?”

Baekhyun bit his lip, looking over at the maids to catch any form of expression that might give away what she was talking about.

“To eat,” he decided to let his parents know he didn’t care why he was here.

His mother glared at her son from afar, fixing her expensive watch so it was facing towards her.

“It’s about the business, we plan to make you our new heir.”

Baekhyun snickers, tapping his good foot restlessly,

“I don’t think anyone would want a disabled higher up who can barely walk from  one place to the next,” He challenged.

His mother straightened her posture or maybe she was slightly uncomfortable with Baekhyun’s words. She reaches under her seat to clutch her purse, where she pulls out a white envelope. On it, a glimmering stamp.

      “No,” Baekhyun shakes his head, his jaw clenches.

       “It's such a shame. I've raised you the best I could and all you want to do is be around these dirty villagers?” His mother scoffs, waving the envelope around.

    His father finally stood from the table finishing up his meal. He didn't say a word only trailed back up the stairs as the maids followed after him.  

      “They're friends.” Baekhyun pleads

     His mother signed, reaching for the center of the table for a candle. Slowly she begins to burn the letter Baekhyun had written for Chanyeol.

       “You're a witch,” Baekhyun spits

     He stands up then, slowly limping off away from the dining room

Mother chimes in, “We have your luggage packed. If you even dare leave the house, we’ll send you to the train right away.”

     -------------------------

    That night he had the same dream

It was less dark than before, there was a window that looked eerily like his bedroom window.

    He lay flat on his bed, his left leg shaking from the syringe so close to it.

  He yelled out once again, silent tears streaming down his cheeks.

  “STOP!” He cried, trying to lunge at whoever was trying to hurt him.

    When he looked up he saw the tired glint of his mother's eyes, holding the injection just an inch from his skin.

    He woke up with a start.

    Baekhyun’s leg felt numb, like all the blood had rushed down and back up. It was early in the morning, around 7 o’clock when he woke up. Pacing around the room, he tried to cool off his sweat and jitters.     

     He didn't like to think about that dream. Although he knew exactly what it was and how real is felt. It was a memory of the past he'd like not to indulge in.

When his leg felt better again, he limped and crouched down to look under his bed. There he saw his mother leopard trench coat, a little wet from the adventure a day ago. He plucked it from under his bed and his fingers lingered on it for a moment. He smiled at it, remembering Chanyeol and his encounter with the village boy.

Chanyeol was so kind to him. The kindest anyone has ever been to him. Perhaps that was due to his lack of human interaction outside of his parents and the maids.

He thought about what his mother said at dinner - how he’d have to live away from the mansion. Baekhyun didn’t care, didn’t have much importance to his belongings. He only cared for the friends he made back at the village. Or perhaps, his only friend.

He would never see Chanyeol again, the next morning he would be sent over to his parent’s factory where he would learn the ways of weaponry and such.

It clicked in his mind to wear the trench coat, rolling up the sleeves a little. His eyes darted to his front door, it was opened a crack, enough for him to see one of the maids sweeping the wooden stairs.

Baekhyun decided it was best to jump out of the window.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Complaining would only make him feel stupid for jumping out of a two-story window.

He couldn’t help but feel numb all along his left leg as he trudged along the mushy snow that had since, slightly melted.

He landed on his hands, which made them turn a bruised red colour. His left leg seemed to acquire most of the impact from the fall. It wasn’t a good thing because it hindered his locomotion. If he wanted to see Chanyeol one last time it would be nice to be able to run.

With all his might, he finally made it out the snow onto the wet cobblestone streets of the village. He could smell burning fire food and a nearby bakery opening up for business bright and early.

He memory of the house wasn’t as sharp as he thought. But, with some twists and turns around the village he finally came to stand in front of a familiar wooden door. He hovered his knuckles over the bronze door.

Before he could utter a sound, the door swung open.

Chanyeol stood there, tired with a long black robe on. His large eyes squinted at the 16-year old in front of him.

“Baekhyun?” He raised his eyebrows.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Within in moments, a hot glass of green tea filled his sore throat. His numb leg almost came back to life, but he was too afraid to look at the damage he may have caused. So he tried to ignore the dull pain that spread across his left leg.

Baekhyun watched as Chanyeol came to sit near him, by the one-seater couch near the fireplace.

“Back so soon?” Chanyeol remarked, sipping gently on his cup of tea.

He had since taken off his robe and changed into his day clothes; brown trousers with a tucked in olive green dress shirt. Baekhyun didn’t mean to stare but he was mesmerized by Chanyeol’s long body and lean features. He looked like a man out of a war advert.

Baekhyun felt stupid for using his mothers trench coat so, he immediately discarded it. He didn’t realize he was still wearing his dark blue pajamas. He blushed at the thought of coming into Chanyeol's house with his night clothes.

“Sorry I came in a rush-” He stared at the floor.

“It’s quite alright,” Chanyeol waved off.

Baekhyun quietly sipped his tea. He liked the silence between them.

But then, he heard small footsteps come from staircase. Sooyoung, rubbed her eyes from sleep and shuffled along the creaky floorboards to Chanyeols side.

“You’re back?” She smiled.

Baekhyun nodded sheepishly.

“You wouldn’t believe how early Chanyeol woke up. He was waiting for the mailman. To come get your letter of course.”

With that, Chanyeol glared at his younger sister, bashfully rubbing the back of his neck.

       “Well, I did write a letter…” Baekhyun remembered his mother ripped it to pieces but he’d rather not tell them that.

        “But...I fell asleep while writing it. Besides, what's the point of a letter If I can come here?”

     Chanyeol smiled, placing his green tea on the small coffee table in front of him.

“Why don’t you stay for lunch?

Baekhyun smiled to accept, “I was beginning to think all you could make was tea.”

------------------------------------------------------------

Baekhyun was beyond impressed. Chanyeol was an excellent cook. He could make chicken, rice and side dishes. Atleast, that's what he could hear him talk about in the kitchen. Baekhyun so badly wanted to go stand in the kitchen,but at the same time. he felt a surging pain that struck his left foot.

Hiding his injury, he grimaced as told Chanyeol he was very tired from walking here so he couldn’t stand with him in the kitchen.

Chanyeol laid the food down on the floor, moving the coffee table from the center. He sought out floor pillows.

Baekhyun realized he’d need to move and sit on the floor to eat food. But, he could feel that if he moved his bad leg even an inch, he would yell in pain. So he took a deep breath and bit his tongue.

When Chanyeol left to go get dishes, Baekhyun slowly stood from his seat and attempted to walk towards the food. As soon as he stood, there was a rush of adrenaline making him think that he was doing alright. But, as he took a step forward, all his balance was lost.

Baekhyun fell to the floor, hissing in pain.

Just then, he saw Chanyeol run into the room a tray of plates in hand.

“Baekhyun! Whats the matter?”

“It’s nothing. I just...lost my balance.” He calmed his breathing.

Chanyeol furrowed his eyebrows in worry. He put the tray down and crouched down to Baekhyun’s level. His left leg was out. Baekhyun’s brown pants were soaked with snow and was covering his leg tightly.

Chanyeol, lightly hovered his calloused fingers over Baekhyun’s calf, as if asking permission to touch it.

Baekhyun didn’t say anything, just looked away in embarrassment.

Slowly, Chanyeol rolled up the bottom of his pants, and exposed Baekhyun’s left leg.

It was a dangerous sight.

On the lateral side, there was a large swollen red bump and the rest of the leg was tinged a sickening yellow colour. It was like his leg had been punched several times and the blood supply had stopped coming to his limb. Baekhyun agreed that it felt that way as well.

“Baekhyun, what have you done to yourself?” Chanyeol breathes out.

“I-It was fine this morning. This happens sometimes.” He protests.

Chanyeol didn’t listen to him. Only rushed over to the cabinets in the kitchen and retrieving a first aid kit. He took out creams and fabric of all sorts. Baekhyun had stopped protesting. He let the man tend to his wound.

It was silent for a few moments. Baekhyun couldn’t help but stare at Chanyeol and his skillful artist-like hands. He considered this the last time he would ever see the man and his broad shoulders and goofy grin. This was really goodbye. After the sun would set he’d need to go back, presumably forever.

No one knew how long the war would last. Maybe years? Until that time Baekhyun would be old by then. Maybe it was bests to let out all his feelings and emotions at once perhaps that would make his life easier.

“My cousin survived an injury yesterday. It earned him a medal of honour. So, he’s coming back to live in here.”

“That’s incredible,” Baekhyun smiled.

Although Chanyeol seemed happy, he had an indecipherable frown painted on his face. He couldn’t look Baekhyun in the eyes as he sat in silence on the floor couch.

Sooyoung came just then upon smelling the warm food.

There was carrot stew as the main dish with some garlic bread to the side. Chanyeol served some freshly boiled chicken.

They ate in silence, as if to respect the food given to them.

Baekhyun didn’t mind. His heart exploded with happiness. He felt at home for once.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun was setting. Baekhyun’s eyes longingly looked at Chanyeol as he began to dress himself with a coat.

All that was running through his mind was whether or not he should tell him. Tell Chanyeol that he was going abroad maybe for a few years at most. That his parents wanted to make him their new heir in the business.

They were standing at the entrance now and  Baekhyun was shifting his weight on one leg nervously. His limb felt better from the medication but he knew it would be a long walk back.

“Chanyeol I-”

“Stay longer Baekhyun.” He asked.

Oh, how he wished he could. How he wished he could forget about his troubles back home and remain with Chanyeol.

It was all but bad timing. The war and his parents business. Maybe he wasn't meant to have friends of any kind in this life.

“My parents...they're not very fond of the village. They’ve forbidden me from coming. I always coming after they leave for work.”

“Then come the next day,” Chanyeol suggested.

“I….can't.” he looks at the ground. “I’ll be leaving to the west tomorrow.”

At first, Chanyeol's eyes blink with confusion. Then his expression changes into shock.

“Near...the city? But..isn't that where…?”

“My folks own a gun factory. I’ll be taking over their business soon.” Baekhyun suddenly lets out a small chuckle, “To think someone like me would join the war effort. Disabled, useless, maybe this will be a good thing.”

Chanyeol cannot look him in the eyes, but his demeanor has changed from a moment ago.

“I’ll walk you-” He raises his hand to stop Baekhyun’s protests, “just this once.”

----------------------------------------------------------------

Baekhyun could sense there was tension in the air. It was so silent he could almost hear every exhale that Chanyeol let out. The tall man did not stand next to him when he walked, only an inch behind him in a protective manner.

The snow had since melted, and it was slowly becoming what seemed to be a dark and gloomy April. Winter had lasted too long. So had the war.

Baekhyun and Chanyeol friendship only lasted for what felt like a moment in time.

“War is a cruel thing.” Chanyeol starts, “It took my mother, it infests my father. My whole family…is plagued with war.”

Baekhyun nods, unsure how to respond. He’s never faced the death of a loved one. He didn’t have much family besides his parents. Even if he did, he did not grow a bond strong enough to care. He wasn’t cold, it was just nature.

“You are lucky Baekhyun, to be exempt from conscription.”

Baekhyun bites his lip, “I don’t think of it that way,” He immediately looked at his limp leg.

It did not hurt anymore. There was only a dull feeling on the thigh muscle.

“Perhaps it's better to live without my disability,” Baekhyun whispers loud enough for Chanyeol to hear, “Yes, I would die but I could live. Right now I only survive, that's not living.”

He wasn’t too sure Chanyeol could understand what he meant. What he really felt was hidden deep inside him. Something he wanted to tell Chanyeol very badly.

“How did you…?” Chanyeol asks politely, glancing down at his leg.

Baekhyun took in a large breath. When he exhaled he stared at large cloud leaving his mouth.

“Lethal injections.”  

Chanyeol was an incredible listener. With the small amount of time they had,  Baekhyun found himself spilling everything that he had hidden to himself since he was young. Finally...finally he could tell someone. About what they had done to him how they had ruined his life.

It all began when war shook the country. Conscription officers began pulling in to every house, looking for eligible young men to join the war effort. Baekhyun had not turned fourteen yet, but he knew that he had a possibility of being drafted.

He didn’t mind.

Baekhyun was far from an average teen. He quite liked the idea of war. Of course, for orthodox reasons. He calculated that maybe if he was able to go to war he would finally be free from his parents' dungeon. That he could finally make a friend, grow a relationship. It wasn’t much freedom, but it was freedom.

But his parents did not like the thought of it.

They presumed that their business would be doomed. They were already making wealth, but they were growing old. If they did not have their last and only heir alive that would mean their business would be at the hands of the government. They wanted to take their money to their graves.

Mr. and Mrs. Byun hired a man. A mysterious one that would come every night into Baekhyun’s bedroom and sweet talk him into taking what seemed like a very colourful injection.

As a teen, Baekhyun wasn’t afraid of needles. He was only afraid of the man. With his long mustache and large hands. His mother accompanied him on every visit.

Each time, the man pulled on latex gloves and wriggled his hands in them. He would lift Baekhyun’s trousers, specifically the one around his left leg.

While his mother would shush Baekhyun to not fidget, the man would insert the needle, penetrating his skin.

The pain was excruciating. It was inhumane. The process lasted for months on end until his left leg was left numb and nearly paralyzed.

“They...did that to you? So you wouldn’t have to go to war.”

“No, so they could keep their dirty money.” Baekhyun held back tears.

“Baekhyun, you can’t go back now. Knowing what they...It’s wrong.”

“No...I can’t stay with you longer. Take care of Sooyoung. I don’t want you to get involved.”

“Why?”

“I know you’ve been running from conscription officers Chanyeol. I may look like a child but I don’t think like one. You’re friends from the village they were all drafted. My parents, they will blackmail you. They won’t let you live. They’ll send you off the war. I can’t let them do that.” Baekhyun can only speak in short and quick sentences as they approach the mansion.

Looking back at the village it may look tempting to run back with Chanyeol. Away from his problems. But he cares for the man too much to be selfish.

“Baekhyun I-”

“I know how much you despise war. I know that it took your family from you just please, I’m trying to help you.”

“Will, I ever see you again?” Chanyeol asked his pupils were dilated.

“Maybe.” Baekhyun bit his tongue. He looked away, hoping that somehow that could make him forget about Chanyeol's face.

His parents had not arrived just yet, so he stood there for as long as he could outside the mansion.

Baekhyun felt a pang in his chest. Something he’d never felt until now. He turned swiftly to catch Chanyeol's gaze in his own. They stared at one another longingly.

He kissed him repeatedly.

Chanyeol softly cradled Baekhyun’s jaw in his calloused hands as if to savor the moment a little longer.

When Baekhyun looked up, he found himself crazily blushing. Chanyeol only sadly smiled at the boy an unreadable expression painting his face.

Suddenly, they heard the sound of an erratic engine. His parents were pulling up near the house. Baekhyun hastily shooed Chanyeol away, giving him one last look so that he could memorize his face for eternity.

For Baekhyun didn’t nearly have as much hope as Chanyeol did.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Authors note: Hey guys so sorry about spelling errors!