Baekhyun flips onto his side and curls into Chanyeol’s chest. His breathing light and even as Chanyeol pulls him even closer. He presses a kiss to soft, raven hair. “I care about you, Baekhyun. I care about you, a lot. I care about you, too much.” He sighs and cards his fingers through Baekhyun’s hair. “I think I’m in love with you. . .” Chanyeol snaps photos of the young rookie as the instructor counts from one to eight rhythmically. Sweat beads down his forehead, but he continues to push himself to be the person his fans wish for. Determination gleams in his eyes the more he continues to contort his body. Chanyeol watches in awe as Baekhyun masters the choreography in an hour and continues to expel all of his energy into perfecting every little move. Baekhyun digs deep inside to draw out his emotions for the mirror to capture. Only for him to pull again and again, until he collapses to the floor exhausted and his lungs heaving. He sets his camera down and offers a hand only to have it pushed aside as Baekhyun stands up on wobbly legs to pick-up where he left off. Click. “Chanyeol!” a familiar voice calls as he trails behind Baekhyun looking at the camera’s monitor. “Chanyeol!” Turning around, he spots Jongin running toward them. On instinct, he waves toward the latter. “Jongin.” “It’s been awhile since we’ve seen each other,” he manages between breaths. “You haven’t been answering my calls- oh, hi Baekhyun!” “Hello,” Baekhyun smiles easily and offers his hand. “It’s nice to see you again.” Jongin gleefully takes it with a firm grip. “Nice to see you again!” he drops his hold. “What’re you guys up to today?” “I was just taking a walk around the city while Chanyeol updates the website with new photos. Nothing new,” he laughs. He notices how Jongin reaches for Chanyeol’s empty hand. “Well, I’ll be at the usual cafe when you want to finish the shoot up, Chanyeol.” “Okay,” he mumbles back watching Baekhyun saunter off. “So, is something wrong? Are you okay?” Jongin’s eyes are wide with questions; he shifts his weight from leg to leg while waiting for a response. Chanyeol sighs, running a hand through his dark hair. “I’m just busy is all. I’ll do my best to make more time for you.” “Oh. . .okay. Do you want to go-” “Baekhyun’s waiting for me,” he notices how harsh he sounds. “I’ll make it up to you this Friday. I’ll pick you up at seven, is that okay?” Something flashes through his eyes. “I can’t.” “Huh? Why not- oh yeah. . .you debut your single.” “I’ll just text you when I’m free and we can work from there. . .is that good?” Chanyeol smiles. “Yeah.” Jongin’s lips sag around the corners. “Well, don’t keep Baekhyun waiting. . .I love you.” Chanyeol wakes up to Baekhyun in his arms. His features peaceful and glowing in the early morning rays. His heart thuds painfully in his chest, and he’s overcome with the urge to press his lips against Baekhyun’s. Jongin flashes through his mind’s eye as he slowly tilts closer toward the latter. He hesitates thinking about what happened last time; Chanyeol almost lost Baekhyun. Baekhyun’s eyes flutter open as Chanyeol removes his arms from around the latter. “Good morning.” He wishes to press chaste pecks on flushed cheeks and cotton candy lips. He wishes to hold Baekhyun close and tell him that he is loved. He wishes to tell Baekhyun that he loves- “Morning,” he rasps. “Good sleep?” “Mhmm,” Baekhyun grins before closing his eyes and breathing in deeply. An exhale later, he buries his face into Chanyeol’s chest. He smiles and runs his fingers through the smaller’s soft, black hair. “I missed this color on you,” he mumbles. Baekhyun hums in response before he gets ready for the day ahead. Chanyeol makes it to Jongin’s apartment without any snags. Knocking on the door, he holds a small bouquet of vibrant flowers. Jongin opens the door with ease and a smile on his handsome features. “You’re here! Come in, come in!” “Hello to you too,” he chuckles as he steps inside the clean apartment. “These are for you.” Tenderly, Jongin takes the bouquet and smells the flowers. “They’re wonderful. Thank you.” Chanyeol grins before stepping out of his shoes and pads around the apartment in his socks. “What’s on the agenda for today?” “Dinner and a movie sound okay? I was thinking of cooking pasta.” “Sounds good to me,” he laughs and wraps his arms around Jongin’s lithe frame. After their meal, they sit on the plush couch watching some romantic comedy. The two of mildly pay attention to it as Chanyeol drums his fingers on Jongin’s thigh while the latter lays his head on his bony shoulder. Their minds wander elsewhere while the movie progresses. “I feel like I’ve seen this film already.” “I feel the same way, but it isn’t that bad,” Chanyeol mumbles. “You’re not even paying attention to it,” Jongin laughs gently smacking the taller. “Hey, I totally am!” “Hey, yourself. Okay, then what’s going on so far in the movie?” he asks. Chanyeol pushes him over and tickles him relentlessly. “Face my wrath, Jongin!” Between bouts of laughter, Jongin pleads for forgiveness. A few moments later, Chanyeol gives in to his pleas, but continues to hover over the latter searching for something in his eyes. Before he could pull away, the latter captures his lips. His heart sinks as their lips mold together easily and hands pull him closer. Pulling away with a little gasp, he stares at Jongin with wide eyes. “Wh-what ar-are you doing?!” “I’m so sorry! Did I misread-” Chanyeol moves away from Jongin to the other end of the couch. “I thought you were- “I have to go,” he says finitely before leaving Jongin’s apartment. His phone won't stop buzzing in the passenger seat as he speeds home. Baekhyun wakes to a slam of a door and something being thrown into a wall; instinctively, he curls into his sheets while his eyes are wide with panic. “Goddammit!” “ing hell!” the voice yells throwing another object at the wall before sobs are muffled. Baekhyun sits up and puts his ear to the wall. “Yeol. . . ?” He hops off the bed and rushes toward his neighbor’s door and knocks on it softly only for it to open easily. “Chanyeol. . “ “Baek,” the taller’s eyes wet with tears. He pulls him into a deep kiss. Baekhyun’s legs turn to jello as Chanyeol pulls him closer and plants kisses down his neck. “Chanyeol? What are you-” He shuts the latter up with a kiss. “I’m in love with you.” Chanyeol gasps before abruptly sitting up. The sheets falling off of his upper body and the cool air shocks to his slick skin. His heart thumps in his chest as he gasps for air. “Wha-” “Yeol?” Baekhyun pokes his head in the doorway with worry on his face. “Baek?” “You feeling better?” “What are you talk-” “You had a nasty fever last night when you came back from wherever you were. . .” “Oh. . .” “You also seemed a little mad and muttered things in your sleep,” he chuckles before fully opening the door to reveal a tray with a few items. “I thought you would still be sleeping, so I was going to change your towel. . .are you hungry?” “Yeah,” he mumbles looking out the dark window. “What did I say?” Baekhyun sets the tray down on the bedside table. “Most of it was intelligible like your handwriting-” Chanyeol punches his arm. “Are you doing any shoots today?” “I’m not feeling too great. I’ll call Kris and tell him.” “I’m making pancakes, your stomach feel up to it?” His stomach grumbles on cue. “That’d be great.” “Sweet! Well, I’ll get back to the kitchen,” Baekhyun runs off. Chanyeol holds his face in his hands as memories flood his mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Baek, can you turn more toward- thanks,” he directs before he captures the shot. “And can you- great!” The playlist in the background is ambient as light shines through an opening in the ceiling. It hits Baekhyun’s face in a way that makes him seem ethereal despite his dark, moody looks toward the camera. A few more clicks and Chanyeol looks through the different photos he’s taken; the model sits down on the cool concrete floor. “How are they turning out?” he asks while motioning for someone to get him his water bottle. “Perfect,” he mumbles back scrolling through. Looking up to Baekhyun, he grins. “Lemme just fix something.” He steps closer to Baekhyun, letting the camera hang around his neck. He fixes the stray hairs on top of Baekhyun’s head. Eventually his fingers trail down to the latter’s chest and he nudges the jacket to open more. Chanyeol furrows his brows and s a few of the shirt buttons to expose the shorter’s chest and collar bones. Seeing the contrast between the dark, heavy fabric and Baekhyun’s smooth, pale skin, he backs away a hand on his camera. “Okay, whenever you’re ready.” Chanyeol kneels onto a pillow and preps his camera while Baekhyun calms his racing heart. His phone buzzes in his pocket as he takes a bite of his sandwich. Pulling his phone out, he sets his food down onto the crackling wrapper.