He’s tried to confess his feelings numerous times, all the time, constantly, even—he kisses Chanyeol whenever he can, cuddles him all the time, sleeps with him, waits for him at the door when he comes home, eats with him, goes on walks with him…

But Chanyeol is someone who needs words. Verbal affirmation.

That’s difficult for Baekhyun, who spends most of his life on four legs. He can bark and growl and howl himself hoarse, but Chanyeol just doesn’t get it.

What they have here is not a failure to communicate but rather failure to understand.

Even his friends have kind of picked up on Baekhyun’s situation. One day, Chanyeol’s buddy Kyungsoo is over, and he’s a good guy. He’s a great guy; he cooks amazingly, sings like a bird, has a really nice …

Baekhyun notices all of this. It’s a wonder the man’s still single, but he does have a habit of glaring—squinting, really; he forgets his glasses, sometimes—or getting startled to the point of staring stupidly. Those big, round eyes should be able to capture someone’s attention, but he never mentions anyone special or interesting and just talks about his cat.

But the three of them are watching a movie one night. Chanyeol is on the chaise end of the sofa, Kyungsoo is on the opposite end, and Baekhyun is in the middle, begging for popcorn that Chanyeol won’t let him have because of the added butter and salt that actually makes it taste worthwhile.

During a lull in the action, Kyungsoo looks over, breathes a laugh, and says, “Dude, you ever think your dog’s actually a person?”

Chanyeol turns his head but doesn’t remove his eyes from the television. “Huh?”

“Look at how he’s sitting! He’s got a little gut.”

That’s a little hurtful. Baekhyun’s more muscle than fat, but there is a roll to his belly with how he’s sitting: back against the sofa, hind legs stretched out, forelegs resting on that belly roll.

He’s quite comfy.

Finally looking away, Chanyeol laughs at him, partly chewed popcorn falling down his shirt. Baekhyun slides sideways to reach the closest ones.

He calls Baekhyun cute, rubs his ears, and that’s it.

So close.