Word Count: 1924

Once again, Baekhyun is met by another surprise. Tonight’s gathering was going to be held at Tao’s place, a first time for Baekhyun. He expected Chanyeol to be driving through the same scenes as residential villages greeted by guards and pretty houses lined up on both sides, so it came as a surprise to him to be driven through a high rise condominium building to look for parking space. Is Team E.B. really the elites people make them out to be? Then again, their background says it all.

Baekhyun has never been to a building before – Chanyeol’s building was an exemption since he was too busy feeling emotional to admire his surroundings and to actually pay attention to where they were going. Now though, he couldn’t help but stare in awe around him – lavish interiors, marble floorings, plush sofas, marbled front desk, chandeliers.. wow; missing the curious looks Chanyeol gives him every time he does so.

He was startled at the sudden deep voice that echoed the lounge they were in as they waited for the elevators. He looks up at Chanyeol and is greeted with furrowed eyebrows, eyes filled with curiosity.

“How come you always do that?”

Panic rushing through his body because he once again forgot his -I am the same level of rich as you so this is nothing new- mask, he stutters. “Uh… uhhh… D-do what?” The big innocent eyes of Baekhyun cause an amused snort from Chanyeol.

“Like everything is so new to you. Not that that’s anything bad.. just. I always see you looking like a little kid brought to candy land for the first time.” The taller says with a quirk of lips and slight furrow of eyebrows, eyes now evident with amusement.

The panic he once felt of his cover being blown disappears in a second and is replaced by a feeling of equal amusement. For the long time they have known each other and even after their relationship progressed to something more, Chanyeol has actually never spoken a long sentence much less one with a matching quirk of lips. Baekhyun has known him as the silent type; was never really bothered by it either.

Happiness and giddy feelings rushed through his body this time and replaced the anxiety. He ends up not replying and just flashing Chanyeol a wide grin of his own. As the elevators arrive, Baekhyun links his hand with Chanyeol’s, interlacing their fingers as he walks with upbeat steps pulling the taller inside and waiting for him to guide him through the next steps; all the while smiling with eyes sparkling sending fluttering butterflies to Chanyeol’s insides.

Anyone who sees them in the elevators would find the scene odd but adorable. Chanyeol still had that quirk in his lips, amusement in his eyes, as he looked straight the elevator doors. Baekhyun on the other hand felt too happy to even hide his giddy feelings and not so discreetly kept looking at him – tilting his head up a little (a little too obvious) and looks back front again; or ‘discreetly’ looks up at the elevator numbers as it increases and side-eyes (or at least try to because height difference) Chanyeol. When Chanyeol side-eyes him back and gets caught though, he turns every shade of red and looks back front, biting his lips trying not to smile; missing Chanyeol’s quirk of lips that almost turn into a smile.

“Chanyeol honey, how are you?!” A lady in her mid-forties greets them at the door and engulfs the taller in a big hug welcome. “It’s been so long since I’ve seen you how are you doing?”

Chanyeol greets her with a slight bow and a nod, gone the look of amusement and the quirk of lips he had earlier, face now back to his blank look. Baekhyun watches the exchange, slowly understanding (for every visit he’s made in the different households) that the parents are aware of Chanyeol’s.. change of attitude.

“Mama! Can you not!!” Tao screams from behind.

“Oh but Tao c’mon it’s been so long since you’ve invited your friends and I’m just feeling so – Oh well well~ Who do we have here? Who might you be my dear?” Tao’s mother gushes.

Baekhyun suddenly felt panicked (he should seriously get used to this by now, it’s not helping his poor heart) as he had no idea how to react in this situation. All he’s had to do in the past was greeting the parents and introduce himself and that’s it. Now however, he had the entire mother’s attention on him.

“Uh–“

“Mama! Seriously! You’re going to freak him out!” Thankfully, Tao finally appears to save him from future embarrassment.

“Tao dear~ Have manners and introduce your new friend.”

Tao literally face palms himself, whether out of embarrassment or annoyance he didn’t know, as he sighs and precedes his introduction. “Ma, this is Byun Baekhyun. Baekhyun, this is my mom.”