Chapter 11

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Baekhyun woke up to the smell of coffee filling the air. He sat up in his bed with closed eyes, ruffling his hair. He heard the sound of a spill, followed by Chanyeol's hushed cursing, and sighed. Deciding to help his friend, he climbed out of bed and went out to his kitchen to find Chanyeol’s wiping coffee that had spilled onto his tiled floor. 

“You made coffee?” Baekhyun asked, his voice hoarse and husky from waking up moments ago. Chanyeol looked up and sheepishly smiled, “Morning. Sorry, I bumped into the counter and it spilled. You have a pretty small kitchen for such a nice apartment, you know.”

Baekhyun simply grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured himself a cup, “Yeah, yeah. When are you going home today?”

“Never?” Chanyeol innocently blinked, and Baekhyun chuckled. The taller pouted, sipping on his own cup, “I don’t wanna go home. You’re so lucky, you don’t have to deal with your parents being up your all the time.”

Baekhyun smiled and went over to the refrigerator, taking out eggs and an avocado. As he began to prep to make the two breakfast, Chanyeol asked, “Is everything okay? You seemed pretty bummed out after your phone call last night. Was it your dad?”

The gray-haired boy shook his head, cracking the eggs into the pain, “Nah, it was Hana.” Chanyeol leaned against the kitchen island in interest, “Lover’s spat?”

Baekhyun rolled his eyes, “You have to be dating for it to be called a lover’s spat, don’t you?” Chanyeol shrugged, “You guys basically are.”

As Baekhyun stirred the eggs, sprinkling in salt and pepper, he said, “No, I think you guys basically are. It seems like your engagement’s gonna be official soon.”

Chanyeol rolled his eyes this time, “Come on dude, don’t say that. I already told you that I’m not gonna follow through with it.” Baekhyun piped, “But maybe you should. Your families are good friends and you’re a good guy. I’d rather it be you.”

The latter furrowed his eyebrows, “That’s it? You’re just gonna give up now? You guys have gotten so close and everyone can tell you two like each other. You made it this far and now you wanna back down?” Baekhyun felt defensive at his accusatory statements and turned to the boy, “Hey, I’m just looking out for your guys’ best interests.”

“No you’re not, you’re just scared.”

“Am not.”

“Am too.”

“Am not, Chanyeol.”

“You are so. I can see your tail between your legs. Are you gonna run away to America again because you’re afraid?”

“Hey,” Baekhyun warned, glaring at the boy, “That’s not cool, dude. You know why I left.”

“I’m just saying, man. You being ashamed of your family isn’t helping. We’re all throwing in good words for you, and her family will come around eventually. You just gotta trust us. Trust me.” Chanyeol sincerely said, cutting open the avocado and expertly cutting it into even slices, “We know what we’re doing, especially me. My parents aren’t that hard to convince. Don’t just sit there and think that I’m just letting this whole thing happen.”

Baekhyun softened, his shoulders slumping, “I know. It’s just a lot to have to deal with, you know? I already know that I’m not as good as you guys, so it just feels like charity work being friends with you all sometimes.”

Chanyeol glared at the other, “You . Don’t ever say that around me ever again. You’re the one living over here with the best car out of all of us, your own apartment, and a ton of experience in your family’s business and college.” Baekhyun chuckled, turning his attention back to the eggs on the stove. The taller glanced at him before continuing, “It doesn’t matter who our parents want us to marry. It depends on us in the end. If you and Hana make it official, I’m sure it’ll be easier to fight