The bittersweet smell of coffee filled the room as serene melodies played through the small Marshall, wafting together in harmony, giving nothing but bliss to the caffeine-hungry consumer. The calm night was a luxury to Baekhyun as the café was always bustling with customers’ fulfilling their daily dose of coffee to get through the day. He scanned the common area, watching the customers perform their best in whatever they were doing and that gave Baekhyun a sense of accomplishment. It was good to know his coffee was giving people the strength they needed.

 

He turned around on his heels and was off to do his work. Happily cleaning and organizing his station, he hums along to the tune dancing around. He had always liked soothing and relaxing sounds and was never a fan of loud music. That was why when a group of customers had asked him if they could change the music to something else, he paused for a moment before allowing them to. The calming night will soon disappear, he thought.

 

“Thank you so much for allowing us to change the music. We will come here every day and buy a dozen coffees from now on.” They chimed and giddily ran back to their table.

 

Baekhyun wasn’t one to listen to radios or talk shows because they were always loud with big laughter and upbeat music.

 

“You met thousands of people but none of them really touched you,” a deep, comforting voice greeted through the speakers, “and then you met the one who appreciates you for who you are, the one who would travel to the moon for you, the one who couldn’t live without you.” Captivated, Baekhyun turned his head towards the speakers. “And your whole life is changed. Do you have someone that comes to mind?” A low chuckle echoed from the Marshall, and as if entranced, Baekhyun too let out a small giggle. “Listeners of Blooming Day, good evening. This is Blooming Day’s Loey, together we will reminisce those sweet memories of your loved ones.”

 

Unconsciously, a smile bloomed on Baekhyun’s face as he continued to listen to the RJ. The days had always gone by painfully slow for Baekhyun but that one hour felt like a minute. They were reaching the end of today’s show of Blooming Day already.

 

“Loey’s Blooming Day’s listeners, sometimes it is an awful feeling to love someone so much that you hate them for leaving you. We all deserve to be happy. You and you too and I want that for you. Always…”.

 

One of the previous customers walked up to the counter, a smile plastered on her face. “Thank you again for letting us listen to Blooming Day.”

 

“No problem. I am glad you requested to listen to the radio. I enjoyed listening to it.” Ending their conversation, Baekhyun returned her a sweet smile, one which made the innocent young lady fall in love as a blush colored her cheeks. She let out a loud ‘I’ll come again’ before darting towards the door, leaving behind her confused friends.

 

“Always the heartbreaker.”

 

“You saw that?” Baekhyun drily chuckled. It wasn’t the first time he had received that kind of reaction. In fact, what Minseok said might as well be true. Baekhyun had adorable round eyes with cute mochi cheeks to boot, an angelic smile decorating his equally angelic face and a very out-going personality. One had to be a fool to not fall for him. Either that or you needed to be Kim Minseok.

 

“How could I not when she clearly screamed at the top of her lungs.” Minseok moved closer, nudging Baekhyun’s arm with his elbow. “I’ll come again!” Minseok imitated the poor, innocent girl.

 

Baekhyun rubbed his palms across his face in an attempt to hide his embarrassment. He would never hear the end of this.

 

The night quietly passed, the customers left one by one until only Baekhyun and Minseok were left. They closed the cafe and both went their separate ways with Minseok riding his Vespa and Baekhyun heading towards the nearest bus stop. Minseok had always offered Baekhyun a ride but the latter would always reject him, jokingly saying his boyfriend is home and he doesn’t want Minseok to meet the boyfriend just yet when Minseok clearly knows the little devil isn’t dating anyone right now.

 

Plugging in his earphones, his ride home was a blissful one as Baekhyun replayed the recording of Blooming Day, skipping the songs only to listen to Loey’s deep, comforting voice. Baekhyun got off and was walking back home to his place, alone with the sound of melodic music wafted softly in his earphones. Just as he keyed in the password to his automated lock, he saw something protruding out of his letterbox.

 

An envelope. A small yellow envelope.

 

Baekhyun took the envelope, walked into his apartment and ripped the envelope open to find a child’s drawing. There was nothing else drawn on it except for three stick figures. Weird, Baekhyun thought to himself.

 

+

 

When Baekhyun had woken up from his sleep, the sun wasn’t up yet, blanketing soundless sleepers under its darkness. Despite sleep heavy on his eyelids, he forced himself out of bed and changed his pajamas to something more acceptable to be worn outside in the cold harsh winter. Pulling on his sneakers, he exited his apartment, turning around to check in his letterbox. There it was again. The same yellow envelope from before. Baekhyun took it and shoved it in his bag.

 

As he was just about to head for the elevator, he felt a pair of eyes on him. Baekhyun turned his head around but there was no one. A small boy slowly walked out of the unit next to Baekhyun’s. His glittering innocent eyes met Baekhyun’s and the latter could feel his heart melting.

 

“Hey there,” Baekhyun cooed, bending down to the boy’s eye level. “Good morning! You’re up early.”

 

The little boy remained silent, instead bowing his head slightly with his hands lined on his belly, never breaking eye contact with Baekhyun.

 

Cute! Baekhyun had to hold himself back from pinching the little boy’s plump cheeks. “Are you going to school now? Where are your parents?” Baekhyun tilted his head to the left, hoping to see someone coming out of the unit next to his. There was no one.

 

“Daddy is asleep.” The little boy mumbled his reply. “Daddy is tired. Yong-ie didn’t want to wake him up. Yong-ie can go to school by himself.”

 

Silence befalls them.

 

Baekhyun could imagine how anxious the little boy’s dad would be when he found his child missing. “Why doesn’t Yongie wait for daddy to wake up? He’ll be very worried.” Baekhyun tried to reason with the little boy but the gleam in the latter’s eyes suggested otherwise.

 

“No!” The little boy puffed his cheeks, ready to throw a tantrum. “Yong-ie can do this alone. Don’t want to wake up daddy.” The little boy was about to march forward, determined to go to school alone, but was blocked by Baekhyun.

 

Silence crept in once again, with neither of them breaking eye contact.

 

“Umm…” Baekhyun wracked his brain to come up with a solution real fast. He couldn’t possibly let the boy go alone. “Yong-ie, would you like it if I tag along with you? I am on my way to work too.” Baekhyun opted to plead with the little boy instead of ordering around, worried if he did, the little boy would throw an even bigger tantrum.

 

“You want to tag along?” The little boy’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Let’s go!” The little boy pulled on Baekhyun’s free hand and headed towards the elevator.

 

Baekhyun let out a sigh as he took one last look at the unit next to his, guilt creeping into his conscience as he imagined the horrified father. He made a mental note to ask the teacher to inform the little boy’s father as soon as he arrived.

 

“Yong-ie. What’s your full name?” Baekhyun asked with a gentle voice.

 

“Ji-yong. Park Ji-yong.”

 

A dragon. That explains the fierceness. “My name is Baekhyun. Byun Baekhyun. Nice to meet you Jiyong!” Baekhyun beamed, shaking Jiyong’s tiny hand.

 

The rest of the ride was filled with random talks; from Jiyong’s hobbies to Masked Rider Wizard - a show which Baekhyun enjoyed watching too. Laughter filled the back of the bus along with squeals of excitement from Jiyong. Other bus passengers - especially the ladies - couldn’t help but coo at Jiyong’s bright personality and Baekhyun’s easy-going attitude. Some even paused by them before hopping off the bus just to say they are cute together.

 

They arrived at their stop and walked for another 5 minutes before arriving at Jiyong’s school. Except it wasn’t a primary school like Baekhyun had assumed. It was a nursery school.

 

“Hey, Yong-ie. How old are you?”

 

“Four…” Jiyong replied nonchalantly. “Teacher!” He exclaimed before running towards someone, letting go of Baekhyun’s hand.

 

Baekhyun’s head was filled with his own thoughts; Jiyong is four years old… I just took off with the toddler without informing the parent… Is this considered kidnapping? Am I— am I a criminal now? Baekhyun’s face darkened at his last thought. I’m a criminal now.

 

“Baekhyun?”

 

A familiar voice snapped Baekhyun out of reality. His head shot right up and his eyes met with a pair of curious ones. “Jongdae?”

 

“What are you doing here?”

 

Seeing Jongdae in front of him, he couldn’t be more relieved. Tears threatened to stream down his face as he hugged his best friend. At least Jongdae could stand in as his witness.

 

Jongdae didn’t return the hug, dumbfounded with the current situation he’s in; why is Baekhyun with Jiyong and sending him off to the nursery? Where is Jiyong’s father? And why is Baekhyun crying and hugging him? These questions ran around in his head when he felt a tug at his sleeve. It was Jiyong.

 

“Yong-ie came to school without daddy today. This hyung helped Yong-ie. Yong-ie did a good job, right?” Jiyong said with a bashful smile, feeling proud of his accomplishment, unbeknownst to the horrified expression both Jongdae and Baekhyun had. “Baekhyun-ie hyung. Come here. Yong-ie wants to show hyung something.” Innocent as he is, with a proud smile, he trotted towards his classroom - Sunshine Room.

 

Baekhyun and Jongdae's eyes trailed Jiyong, both of them slowly turning towards each other after Jiyong was out of sight.

 

“You just—”

 

“I know.”

 

“Did you—”

 

“I didn’t.”

 

“Are you—”

 

“Apparently I am.”

 

Jongdae shook his head, letting out a sigh as he watched his friend rock back and forth, hugging his knees on the ground. Baekhyun was mumbling something along the lines of ‘I’m a criminal’ or whatever but Jongdae wasn’t about to feed his over-exaggerated imagination. With another sigh, Jongdae pulled Baekhyun up and dusted off dirt from the latter’s clothes.

 

“I’ll talk to Jiyong’s dad about this so don’t worry,” Jongdae held onto Baekhyun’s shoulders firmly, snapping him out of his own world. “I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. Now, go. It’s almost opening time. I’m sure Minseok would kill you for coming in late.”

 

“I’ll go after I say goodbye to Yong-ie.” Baekhyun took off his shoes and walked over to Sunshine Room. A board with family photos and a drawing of three stick figures plastered all over it was hung right outside Yong-ie’s classroom. Baekhyun scanned the pictures to see the boy’s family but there was none. “Where’s Yong-ie’s family photo?”

 

“He doesn’t have one.”

 

“What? Which one? The photo or the family?”

 

+

 

Baekhyun was convinced he was going to jail.

 

Jongdae had assured him before that Jiyong’s guardian wasn’t mad at Baekhyun like he had feared and had been thankful to Baekhyun for accompanying his son to the nursery. He had told him this several times like when Baekhyun called him after Jongdae had finished his work, when they were conversing in the group chat room with Minseok in it, when Jongdae dropped by to pick up Minseok but none got through Baekhyun.

 

Me

Are you sure he didn’t mind?

Whinny Jongster

It has been a few days already

Can you stop this?

Want me to smack your head?

Me

I kidnapped his son!

This is no time for smacking

Whinny Jongster

K

 

Baekhyun sighed as he slid his phone into his back pocket, replacing it with the yellow envelope he had received earlier. The barista then stared at the letter neatly placed on the cafe’s station. The barista bet it was another stick figure drawing, the same ones he had been getting for days. He reached out to the envelope only to retract his hand back. This went on for a while before Minseok snatched the envelope right in front of him.

 

“What’s this? A love letter?” Minseok flipped it around, probably looking for an address or the sender’s name, but found nothing written on it. Unsatisfied, he tried smelling the letter, hoping to catch a whiff of the stereotypical love letter scent but instead, he smelled something else. “This letter smells like a baby.”

 

Baekhyun whipped his head towards Minseok, snatching back the envelope. “I think someone is trying to voodoo me. There’s a customer at the counter. Go, shoo. Attend the register.” Baekhyun waved his hand dismissively, his eyes still fixed on the yellow envelope in his other hand. He flipped the envelope around, finally willing to open it but when Minseok called out orders to him he had no choice but to stuff it back in his apron’s pocket.

 

After ending their shift, Minseok and Baekhyun parted ways as usual but this time no ride offers were given since the former said he had plans with Jongdae tonight. Baekhyun didn’t mind, he would have rejected the offer anyway. He boarded the bus, fiddled with his earphones jacked into his phone. Loey’s deep voice resonated in Baekhyun’s ears, causing a smile to bloom. The RJ was reading postcards sent by listeners and that made Baekhyun remember the envelope he received. Stepping off the bus, the barista reached for the envelope in his backpack, rummaging around before he took out the envelope in his hand.

 

“Baekhyun?” A familiar voice calls out to him.

 

He lifted his head and his eyes met with a pair of relieved eyes. “Jongdae? I thought you have plans with Minseok?” As he finished, his eyes trailed down to the child next to Jongdae. “Yong-ie?”

 

“Yes, I do and I’m late,” Jongdae replied, as he hastily sat down on the single seat in front of Baekhyun and prompted Jiyong to sit next to the latter. “Hey, remember the many times I have helped you before, I’m now giving you a chance to repay me. Take Jiyong home, would you? Thanks.” Before Baekhyun had any say in this, Jongdae pressed the bell to alert the driver he was getting off. “Jiyong, be good and follow Baekhyun, okay? Tell him Teacher is very sorry.” With another thanks and a pat on the shoulder, Jongdae left like the wind, leaving Jiyong with Baekhyun.

 

They both watched as Jongdae ran until he was out of sight. Baekhyun’s eyes fell on Jiyong who was staring back at him and said, “I guess you’re stuck with me now, Jiyong.” Baekhyun rested his hands on Jiyong’s head, the envelope was still in his hand. “How was today? Was it fun?”

 

Jiyong nodded, his eyes were sparkling, Baekhyun noted, “Today was fun! Yong-ie got to read a storybook and Teacher Kim let us play outside and Yong-ie made a new friend today!” Jiyong was giddy, almost jumping in his seat.

 

“Really?” Baekhyun couldn’t help but coo at the little boy. “Wow, you made a new friend. Congratulations! Our Yong-ie is so sweet.”

 

Jiyong beamed at him. His big, round eyes fell onto the yellow envelope in Baekhyun’s hand, “What is this?” Jiyong asked innocently.

 

Baekhyun patted the little boy’s head as he replied, “Someone played a prank on hyung. It’s probably nothing.” He stuffed the letter back in his bag, slung it over his shoulders before picking Jiyong up. “Let’s go”

 

“Why don’t hyung open it? Maybe there are candies inside!” Jiyong said, still clinging onto Baekhyun’s neck. “Then we can share it. We can share it with daddy too!”

 

“Daddy?” Baekhyun replied, punching in the passcode to his house.

 

“Yeah! Daddy loves candies.” Jiyong unwound his arms from around Baekhyun’s neck as the latter slowly put him down on the couch. “Daddy will be so happy if he gets candy from Baekhyun-ie hyung.”

 

“How would you know that?”

 

“Anyone would be happy if they get candy.” Jiyong beamed.

 

The boy went on and on, telling exciting stories about his father and Baekhyun couldn’t help but coo at him, nodding and responding to everything the little boy said. After a long session of story-telling, Baekhyun noticed the child’s voice was getting slightly hoarse so he decided to warm a bottle of strawberry milk and gave it to the latter. Within minutes, Yong-ie was knocked out, probably exhausted after a long day. Baekhyun lifted Jiyong up and carried him to his bedroom. After tucking the toddler in, he finally had a chance to check on his phone. Jongdae texted him.

 

Whinny Jongster

Here’s the kid’s guardian’s contact number.

Call him when you can.

His name is Park Chanyeol.

Thanks. Now we’re even.

 

Below the messages was the guardian’s contact number, along with his KakaoTalk ID. Baekhyun assumed his plans with Minseok went well, seeing how Jongdae wasn’t whining nor did he sound bitter in the text. Thank god, he said to himself before the doorbell to his apartment rang. Baekhyun assumed it was Park Chanyeol but just to be sure, he looked through the monitor and he could feel his heartbeat rapidly increasing upon seeing the fine man on the other side of the screen.

 

Black rimmed glasses framed the man’s big, round eyes - the same eyes as Jiyong’s - matched with tousled black hair. The man was apparently tall, seeing as how he appeared to be slightly bending down, his shoulders hunched forward.

 

“Good evening, this is Park Chanyeol, Park Jiyong’s guardian. I have come to pick him up.” His resounding voice pulled Baekhyun out of his trance.

 

“Yes, please wait a moment.” Baekhyun shut the intercom off and began to compose himself. He can’t be like this right now. This was wrong on so many levels. After a hard slap to his cheeks, and a polite smile on his face, Baekhyun opened the door.

 

Oh, how he regretted doing so.

 

The man stepped in, towering over him in the entranceway, making Baekhyun flustered. The man was tall, even if Baekhyun tiptoed, he wouldn’t reach the man’s height. A courtesy smile plastered on the man’s face and Baekhyun couldn’t stop staring.

 

“Hello. Nice to meet you. My name is Chanyeol. Park Chanyeol. I am sorry to have troubled you.” Chanyeol extended his hand, “I hope Jiyong didn’t cause any trouble for you.”

 

Baekhyun dreaded to accept the handshake because if he did, he knew he would fall for the man more. Seeing how Chanyeol awkwardly shifted in his stance, Baekhyun didn’t have the heart to leave the man hanging. He returned the handshake and just as he predicted, he fell for the man more. “Uh, um. N-no! Not at all! Jiyong had been good.” Baekhyun stuttered, “Byun Baekhyun.”

 

Baekhyun ushered the tall man to his bedroom. A cute little mountain lay on the bed, sound asleep as his whistling snores echoed in the room. Chanyeol skillfully swept Jiyong up in one smooth motion and rested the boy’s head on his shoulder. Seeing Jiyong sleeping so peacefully in Chanyeol’s arms warmed Baekhyun’s heart. He softly pinch the little boy’s squished cheek, adoring how soft it felt under his fingers.

 

“I’m sorry to have bothered you today. Jongdae filled me in on the little details before I came here. I can’t thank you enough. Please let me return the favor to you.” Chanyeol’s gaze fell on Baekhyun who had his eyes locked on Jiyong. He studied the man’s face, observing the expressions the latter made. Be it smiling warmly or pouting cutely, Baekhyun definitely made him feel something, a feeling he couldn’t quite grasp yet. When Baekhyun lifted his gaze to Chanyeol, he noticed how Baekhyun’s breath hitched when their eyes met. Cute, Chanyeol thought.

 

“I-It’s okay. Jongdae was the one who asked the favor. I owed him a lot.” Baekhyun replied, his eyes looked everywhere else but Chanyeol.

 

“I would have argued with you on that but it’s getting late. I don’t want to disturb you any longer than this.” Chanyeol smiled, showing off his cute, deep dimples. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”

 

Baekhyun escorted the two to the entranceway. “Y-Yeah, tomorrow.”

 

Chanyeol bowed his head slightly, gesturing his gratitude to Baekhyun. With that, the man and the child disappeared behind the door.

 

+

 

The next morning came and Baekhyun did his daily routine without a hitch. He woke up early feeling refreshed despite sleeping late last night. Baekhyun hummed along to the line-up of songs from last night’s episode of Blooming Day. Baekhyun was about to set off to the cafe when a familiar silhouette came out from the unit next door.

 

Baekhyun greeted Chanyeol good morning, and the latter replied with a sweet smile. Baekhyun was dazzled by the smile. Baekhyun patted Jiyong’s head and gave his cheek a pinch. Jiyong flashed Baekhyun his sweetest smile. Baekhyun was dazzled again. Like father, like son.

 

“On your way to work?” Chanyeol asked.

 

“Yeah, this month I’m on the morning shift. You too?” Baekhyun scanned Chanyeol noting the hoodie and sweatpants the tall man was wearing, “you don’t work in an office, do you?”

 

“Maybe,” Chanyeol teased as he held in his laughter. “What about you? You look like a university student…”

 

Baekhyun goofily chuckled, “I’m actually in my late twenties.”

 

“Really? Me too!.” Chanyeol continued, “Actually, I had been thinking about how to repay you for last night but I couldn’t think of anything. This morning Jiyong,” Chanyeol kneeled down and picked Jiyong up in his arms, “suggested we pack you a lunchbox.”

 

Just then, Baekhyun noticed the two lunch bags in Jiyong’s hands. One was a plain lunch bag while the other was a Kamen Rider themed lunch bag. Baekhyun stared at Chanyeol for a while, not knowing what to say or do. He wasn’t hoping for anything in return for his help nor did he have the heart to reject the hand-made lunchbox.

 

As if he could read the man’s mind, Chanyeol continued, “Just take it. Consider this as a gift from Jiyong. It was his idea after all.”

 

Baekhyun's gaze shifted to Jiyong, a warm smile stretched on his face as he saw the boy’s eyes sparkling with delight. “Is it okay if I take it, Yong-ie?”

 

“Of course!” The boy replied as he stretched out his arms, wanting to be carried by Baekhyun. “Yong-ie made it especially for Baekhyun-ie hyung.” The boy giggled when Baekhyun booped his nose. When Baekhyun reached out for the plain lunch bag Jiyong exclaimed, “Not this one. This one!” Jiyong shoved the Kamen Rider themed lunch bag into Baekhyun's hands. It seemed Chanyeol too was puzzled by the boy’s action, seeing how he unconsciously raised his eyebrows.

 

“Don’t you like Kamen Rider, Jiyong-ah?” Chanyeol questioned.

 

“Yong-ie likes Kamen Rider but Baekhyun-ie hyung likes Kamen Rider too. Yong-ie giving it to Baekhyun-ie hyung for today.”

 

The little boy’s words warmed both the men’s hearts. Jiyong is definitely an angel!

 

“Thank you Yong-ie!” Baekhyun beamed at Jiyong the brightest smile ever. Just like the night before, Chanyeol could feel something for Baekhyun but he couldn’t quite put his finger on what exactly he felt. He didn’t push on, instead, allowing the mystery to linger in his mind.

 

The three made their way to the bus stop near their apartment complex, chatting with each other along the way. The 30-minute bus ride felt shorter than before as the father-son duo got off at their stop. Baekhyun waved them goodbye, his heart heavy having to part with Jiyong like this.

 

Baekhyun was excited to see his lunch since Chanyeol mentioned earlier, Jiyong was the one who decorated them. He ped the Kamen Rider lunch bag and delicately lifted the lid, lo and behold! The lunch was cutely decorated with fried kimchi and crispy seaweed. The two fried eggs were placed in the middle - acting as the eyes - and the crispy seaweed was messily placed - to make up the hair - and the fried kimchi was lined up to form a smile. The sesame seeds were sprinkled on each side, acting as freckles for the make-shift face.

 

The square metal box was filled to the brim with food. Baekhyun giddily snapped pictures of the lunch box, intending to send them to Chanyeol later. He applauded Jongdae for giving him the man’s contact information.

 

+

 

After Chanyeol dropped Jiyong off to the nursery, he had to rush to his workplace as his producer suddenly needed him for an impromptu meeting. Chanyeol had wanted to stay longer to talk with Jongdae, thanking and apologizing to him for yesterday. He felt guilty for making Jongdae wait with Jiyong for so long last night and wanted to make up to him but when the sudden call came, he had no choice but to go.

 

Jongdae being Jongdae, just nodded and urged Chanyeol to leave. “It’s okay. Just go. You can treat me to something delicious later,” was what Jongdae told him. Chanyeol couldn’t thank Jongdae enough for all the help the man gave as a nursery teacher and also as Jiyong’s pick-up helper.

 

The meeting ended just after lunch hour started. The PD, Kyungsoo, had called for an emergency meeting to modify the script they’ve prepared for tomorrow. They had a problem with one of the segments - the guest they had invited couldn’t come at the last minute so they had to change some parts of the script. Chanyeol, as the Chief Writer slash Radio Jockey had to search for new guests or prepare another segment with the help of his sub-writer while the AD needed to arrange a new set of songs to match the new script later as well. Luckily they had an extra pair of hands that could help - the youngest intern.

 

Chanyeol picked up his phone, unlocking it for the first time since Kyungsoo’s call this morning. He tapped on his Kakaotalk app, scrolling through the messages in his group chats. He stopped scrolling and stared at one of the displayed IDs - bbh was written on the screen. He had never known a bbh before. He tapped the chat message and a soft smile bloomed. It was a message from his neighbour, Baekhyun. Chanyeol quickly saved the man’s Kakaotalk ID and also his phone number that Jongdae gave to him last night.

 

Baekhyun

Thank you for the meal!

It was really cute and delicious!

 

Chanyeol contemplated on what to reply for a whole minute, hands sweaty and heart beat increasing. He was nervous but he wasn’t sure why. He tapped on the screen a few times before deleting whatever he wrote and continued to write a new message but deleted it soon after. This went on for a few minutes before Chanyeol was able to hit the send button, heart pounding erratically.

Me

Glad you liked it.

I was scared

I thought you wouldn’t like them.

Baekhyun

Why wouldn’t I?

Jiyong made it for me,

Of course I’d like it :D

 

Oh yeah, of course he’d like it. Jiyong was the one who gave it to him. Chanyeol slapped himself mentally, he could feel his face becoming hotter and no doubt his cheeks were flushed red. The reason why he was embarrassed was also a mystery to him.

 

“Are you okay?” A voice startled Chanyeol from his predicament, eyeing him with a curious gaze. Kyungsoo has never seen Chanyeol this red before. “Are you sick?”

 

“N-no, Kyungsoo.” Chanyeol stuttered, “I’m fine. Just feels a little hot. Don’t mind me.” Even Chanyeol knew his excuse was lame. The temperature was single digit degrees outside and one of the heaters wasn’t functioning properly, making the office chillier than usual.

 

Kyungsoo was not one to pry and if Chanyeol wanted to tell him, he would. Kyungsoo knows this. Chanyeol is his cousin after all. “Yeah, sure,” Kyungsoo nonchalantly replied.

 

“How’s the newcomer?” Chanyeol teased instead, his playfulness around Kyungsoo kicked in and Baekhyun’s message was long forgotten. Chanyeol knew how sensitive Kyungsoo gets when the newcomer slash Chanyeol’s little brother’s best friend was mentioned in front of the latter. Jongin had been chasing after the man since he was in highschool, never tired of Kyungsoo’s constant rejections but that was another story to tell. Chanyeol’s eyes glinted playfully, jerking his eyebrows a few times to taunt Kyungsoo more.

 

Kyungsoo stared at Chanyeol with bored eyes, sighing at the childish mind games. If it hadn't been for the frequent meetings and a handful of over-times he forced Chanyeol to do, he would have probably smacked the latter’s head. “How’s Jiyong? Is he growing up okay?”

 

“Yeah, he’s fine. He’s kinda tall for kids his age. I’m sure he’ll be taller than you some day. Ah wait. Everyone is taller than you!” Chanyeol laughed, emphasizing the word ‘everyone’ to push Kyungsoo’s buttons. The joke earned him a powerful smack on the head, no more holding back because of Kyungsoo’s guilty conscience. Chanyeol playfully cowered, eyeing Kyungsoo with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

 

“You know you have to re-do your script by today, right?” Kyungsoo raised his hand as if to hit Chanyeol again before walking away.

 

“Say hi to Jongin for me!.” The man continued, never tired of his own antics. After making sure Kyungsoo was gone, Chanyeol let out a desolate sigh. I guess I got to ask for Jongdae’s help again to wait with Jiyong at home until I come home, he thought to himself. Just then, Chanyeol’s phone buzzed, indicating a new message that had come in. It was from Baekhyun.

 

Baekhyun

Is it okay if I pick up Jiyong today?

Me

Yeah sure.

I don’t mind.

You can tell Jongdae that.

He’s Jiyong’s pick-up helper as well

 

Baekhyun

Okay got it!

And um…

I want to invite you over to my house

To say thank you

 

Chanyeol couldn’t hide his widening smile as he replied ‘sure’ to Baekhyun.

 

+

 

Tick tock. Baekhyun had never been this nervous before.

 

Baekhyun gave himself a refreshing slap on the cheeks as he paced around his living room. After tucking Jiyong in bed, his mind was filled with Chanyeol. His heartbeat increased with each passing minute, waiting for Chanyeol to come to his humble home. Just as he was chanting to himself to calm down, his doorbell rang and the man scampered to the intercom. As expected, it was Chanyeol.

 

“Please come in.” Baekhyun opened the door and greeted his guest, ushering Chanyeol to his living room. He went to the kitchen to brew tea for the man - and to compose his erratic heartbeat - but along the way, he made small talk with Chanyeol. “Is black tea okay?”

 

“Yeah, black tea is fine.”

 

Baekhyun took out a jar from his high-raised cabinet and brewed the tea. Even though he worked at a coffee shop, nothing is more relaxing than a cup of steaming tea. “I heard great stories about you from Jiyong.”

 

“Stories about me?” Chanyeol chuckled, “What did Jiyong tell you? Are you sure he didn’t tell embarrassing stories about me?” Chanyeol took a seat on the couch, placing his coat next to him.

 

“Ah, that would be a secret.” Baekhyun giggled teasingly, serving freshly brewed tea to Chanyeol. “I don’t want to snitch.” The man took a seat adjacent to Chanyeol, crossing his slender legs as he sat.

 

Chanyeol couldn’t help but smile at Baekhyun’s reponse. “Both of you must be close since you have secrets now.” His eyes scanned Baekhyun and stopped to observe the latter’s face, “And seeing how he just went to the nursery with you the other morning.”

 

Baekhyun spat out his tea, sending him into a coughing fit. He reached out for the box of tissues on the coffee table and wiped it across his lips. Baekhyun bowed his head apologetically and said, “I’m sorry for doing that, taking him away without telling you. You must’ve been terrified.”

 

Chanyeol shook his head, “You don’t have to be sorry. I am okay about it. Didn’t Jongdae tell you?”

 

“He did tell me,” Baekhyun bit his lower lip, but I still feel guilty. “I wanted to formally apologize to you.”

 

“It’s okay,” Chanyeol chuckled as he collected the tissues and got up to throw them away in the trash bin. “I saw you,” he paused, “and Jiyong. Not directly but I watched you two through the intercom.”

 

“You were watching?”

 

“Yeah. That morning I was wide awake,” Chanyeol took a seat next to Baekhyun, “My body clock adjusted to Jiyong’s routine. You know, after years of taking care of him alone.”

 

There was a brief pause between them. Even though Chanyeol spoke so care-free, Baekhyun noted the sad tone in his voice. With each passing minute, both of them can sense the air around them getting heavier so Chanyeol decided to break the silence by addressing the topic, “Jiyong doesn’t have a mother,” he paused, “nor a father. I’m not Jiyong’s real father. My family used to host foreign students, you see. There was this Chinese exchange student who used to be living with my family. Yixing was his name but we called him Lay… He met my sister and the two got along well.” Chanyeol chuckled but Baekhyun could see the sadness in his eyes.

 

“I know.”

 

“You knew? How? Jongdae?”

 

“By chance but not as detailed. There wasn’t any Jiyong’s photo on ‘Meet My Family’ corner at the nursery so I asked Jongdae.” Baekhyun felt something tug at his heart the moment he saw Chanyeol’s conflicted smile. It must have been tough for the man. “Can I tag along every morning when you send him to the nursery?”

 

“That’s…” Chanyeol was honestly dumbfounded, he was at a loss for words. So many thoughts flooded his mind, he missed his moment to reply to Baekhyun.

 

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Baekhyun concluded. “I am sending him off tomorrow, okay?”

 

“Wait… But…” Instead of beating around the bush, Chanyeol decided to voice out what really bothered him. “Why?”

 

“I want to do it for Jiyong.” Baekhyun casted his eyes away, focusing on the warm cup of tea cupped in his hands instead. Baekhyun had a hunch though he was not hundred percent sure of it yet. Baekhyun sighed, “I am willing to do this for Jiyong.”

Chanyeol was taken aback as he felt Baekhyun’s sincerity in the latter’s voice. He studied Baekhyun for a moment before nodding to himself. He met Baekhyun for the first time yesterday but he couldn’t help trust him deeply. Chanyeol made up his mind. “Then I have nothing else to say. Please take care of Jiyong.” Chanyeol said as he bowed his head to Baekhyun, making the latter flustered. “Ah, wait. Since we are sending him together, you have to take care of me too. We come in a package of two.” Chanyeol teased playfully and he noticed how Baekhyun’s cheeks tinted pink. His reaction is cute. It’ll be fun teasing him, unlike that cousin of mine.