thirty-seven

I am because we are (Ubuntu) [Permanent Hiatus]
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► A switch of perspectives, besides Chanyeol’s, will now begin or has already. I will not, however, indicate whose, you will find out as you read :) As always, enjoy ♥

Word Count: 3869

 

 

Day 2 starts off light but was actually busier than that of Day 1 as Tao’s and Jongin’s major’s events were scheduled on the day. The fashion majors had their show scheduled that night and unfortunately barely at the same time as Jongin’s performance. However, fortunate to them, since they all belong to the same department, getting from one place to the other wasn’t much of a stretch – a rush there, a turn here, a run there, and a pass of a few hallways is the only distance. Baekhyun and Kyungsoo were ready to rush their way from one to other.

 

Just like Day 1, Baekhyun spends the majority of Day 2 in his post in the exhibit attending to a more number of guests visiting. All throughout, he remained high alert to flee the scene once Yongguk or any of his friends appear to avoid any more traumatic experiences; too scared of a repeat.

Today, however, he receives an unexpected visit from Stranger; who he wouldn’t have known was her because of the face mask she wore – her eye smile and voice giving her away. Brushing off once again the sense of familiarity, Baekhyun gladly and gleefully shows her around.

 

 

Just like the others, Stranger is just as impressed of Baekhyun’s skill in the arts – amazing, how an artist can convey such unsaid emotions to a single image done by hand.

 

“This is cute.” She said as she eyes the artwork of the two cats.

 

Remembering the real reason of the cats – why Chanyeol got them in the first place, had Baekhyun not helping the feeling of insecurity.

“Yes, they are.”

 

Not missing the hint of sadness in his voice, she turns to him in wonder. “What’s wrong? Are they only cute because you made them cute?” She jokes.

 

Chuckling, Baekhyun shakes his head. “No, no. They’re cute… very cute. They’re both very adorable and lovely.” It’s just the reason behind them…

 

 

As Baekhyun shows her his artworks, she stops at the typography sets and read in understanding.

 

“Motto of yours?” She asks as she lightly traces the beautifully designed words.

 

Moving to stand beside her, Baekhyun nods. “Sort of?”

 

 

She stands in front of the last typography, the most painful she found among all of them.

 

“I was always hungry for love. Just once, I

wanted to know what it was like to get my

fill of it—to be fed so much love I couldn’t

take any more. Just once.

- Haruki Murakami” --

 

“C’mon now~” Baekhyun chuckles at the look of sadness in her eyes. “Everything’s okay.”

“At least for now…” He mutters last more to himself.

 

With a smile as shown in her eyes, she shows her support with encouraging words. “You’ll find love, I’m sure you will.” and holds his hand to lightly squeeze in fondness. “Maybe you already found it even, you have just yet to see.” She winks playfully which elicits laughter from Baekhyun.

 

“Yeah. Maybe.”

 

 

Once again, Baekhyun is met by an abrupt leave this time, however, initiated by himself. Across his exhibit area, not far from his team’s side, was Yongguk looking around with a friend who was unfortunately Baekhyun’s co-exhibitor. Upon recognizing the same face that nearly ruined his artwork twice, out of a rush of panic, he pulls on Stranger’s hand to immediately leave the scene. He’d rather they look at his artworks, if ever they come around his area, without his presence. Without question, Stranger follows suit.

 

 

From a distance away the exhibit venue, Junmyeon sees Baekhyun and a familiar figure exit in laughter. His heart turns from calm to beating rapidly in a second.

 

 

 

 

♠♠♠

 

 

“Minho?” He says as he holds his hand. “I’m scared.”

 

“Of what?” Minho turns to him in concern but receives nothing in reply, only the squeezing tight of his hand.

 

At the faraway look Junmyeon had, he follows his gaze. Worry immediately settles on his features, fear rapidly beating his heart as he watches the same scene as Junmyeon’s from a distance, even more so at the recall of an earlier detail.

 

“Hyungss!” a shrill excited scream distracts them as Tao skips happily towards them. “What’s up?!”

But then at the look of worry both etched on their faces, he asks. “What’s wrong?”

 

He receives nothing in reply but a turn of heads towards a specific direction. And as Tao follow their gaze, he too is left with an equal amount of fear.

“Baekhyun… knows… Yejin?” He gulps.

 

“Tao, it’s not only that.” Junmyeon’s voice wavers. “Earlier, Yongguk entered the exhibit. What if… What if they…”

 

“I don’t think they’ve met, don’t worry.” Minho cuts in, putting an arm around Junmyeon’s shoulders to soothe him of his worries. “Judging from the way they’re laughing… I don’t think they both know anything.”

 

“Ummm… Minho hyung? Junmyeon hyung?...” They turn to look at Tao. “That’s not the only thing.”

 

“What is?”

 

Hesitantly, Tao reveals what he too found out the day before. “Yesterday I…”

 

“Yesterday you what Tao?” Junmyeon asks, worry increasing tenfold.

 

“Baekhyun knows Minseok too.”

 

 

 

 

♠♠♠

 

 

The night of the second day had more people coming in and out compared to that of yesterday. Hence why the university fields and event areas has double the people. But this was understandable, as many of the main events were scheduled this night, which means Tao’s fashion show and Jongin’s performance would be a full house.

 

The first in schedule was the fashion show. Baekhyun and Kyungsoo excitedly find their seats having been given tickets while the rest watch in the sidelines around the area. To say that Baekhyun felt underdressed was an understatement, because he feels entirely out of place. While people around him, majority fashion students, were dressed extravagantly showing off their taste in high fashion, Baekhyun had on a simple white tee covered by a plain black sweater and dark jeans. Then again, he is proud of his white tee with a graphic design drawn by Baekhyun himself with a sharpie, which was highly praised by his friends at his creativity.

 

“I feel so out of place.” Baekhyun mutters mindlessly that was heard by Kyungsoo.

 

“Pssh. You look great Baek.” Kyungsoo slaps him in the thigh. “I love your shirt, make me one?”

“And who are you to say you’re underdressed? Look at me, I’m overdressed.” He complains with a cross of arms.

 

Baekhyun looks at Kyungsoo, checking him out and his unfortunate choice of fashion.

“But Soo~ there’s nothing wrong with a rainbow tie dye shirt. You look fabulous!~” He snorts and tries to muffle his laughter.

 

“Tch. Shut it Baek. I blame my brother for spilling that juice in my shirt when he visited earlier.”

 

“Your brother was here?” He bites his lips trying harder not to laugh as he guessed the spill was intentional.

 

“Yeah. And he only had this as an extra. That brat.” Kyungsoo huffs.

 

Not able to hold back, Baekhyun laughs quietly as he covers his mouth while he slaps his thigh. “Sounds intended to me.” He mutters, earning a glare from his friend.

 

 

 

Not too far from them, a few rows behind, were Team E.B. seated beside each other with the exemption of Jongin who was getting ready for his own major’s event, and Tao who was just backstage. However, instead of feeling pure excitement, Minho and Junmyeon had mixed feelings of worry. The earlier unexpected reveal of relationships between Baekhyun and their past never leaving their minds. The worry increases even more to the point of the ever so calm Junmyeon fidgets beside Minho as he spots Yejin on the sidelines and Minseok from across; slightly thankful that Chanyeol and Jongdae have yet to notice.

 

Junmyeon watches Yejin who too hasn’t noticed their presence at the too crowded venue. She was barely recognizable, even more with the face mask and the large glasses she had on as well as the large hoodie she wore covering her hair. It wasn’t an odd sight; in fact, she blends in with the other people who had a similar wear of clothes. But Junmyeon has known her long enough to easily recognize her stance and her eyes alone. The same goes for the rest of Team E.B. as she was once part of the group. He sees her wave to someone and he looks to where she’s waving, he sees Baekhyun happily wave back.

After a moment later, as Yejin was distracted by something else, he sees Baekhyun wave again to someone else. He was waving to Minseok and his friend beside him. Minseok did not wave back but simply nodded his head in acknowledgment, a fond smile on his face while his friend on the other hand, waved back just as enthusiastically.

He did not know what to feel. Everything felt too abrupt and unexpected – a sudden turn of events from calm to an inevitable brewing confrontation; the thought of the meeting of the five parties causing his insides to twist and turn.

 

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exocholic
[Ubuntu] Hello! Just to let everyone know, a little update on the last chapter, it's already on the works! It looks like it's going to be a very long chapter though. So I may have to see if I'll update with what I currently have or just the whole last chapter in one go. But finally getting there! 😭

Comments

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MyLipsOnEXOs
#1
This fic is definitely the perfect one for winter. If anyone scrolls the comments they’ll see how often I reread this! At this point I would buy a physical copy of it.
Maya1990
#2
Chapter 95: When I saw in the title that it's in permanent huatus I went to the last ch to see where did it stopped and I swear to god I cried .... the pain I felt was REAL, the last 1000 words broke my heart 💔 now I want to read the whole thing knowing very well it will get me depressed
JuliaByun #3
Chapter 95: August 2023 and I still long for this story 🥹 I keep coming back because it demands my attention. I hope you’re doing great and well authornim ❤️❤️
walkinginmoonlight #4
Chapter 95: Ahh sometimes I get reminded of this fic and just how like, lovely it is? It's been years since I've last reread it, but I still remember it fondly, gosh the times when it had just started I still clearly remember. I was just reminded of aff being a thing today and had to try and remember my login.. I cannot remember if I commented on this chapter already but! Even if it's not the complete end, it's half of the end, so we've come pretty far since the beginning 😊 I know updates went from quick to rather slow, but seeing it's been awhile I got a bit worried so checked your twitter, and it's nice to see you're still doing well! Or, seemingly doing well. That you're still around and still enjoying our EXOs~❤️ so I hope you are doing well! And thank you for the very memorable fic 😊
MyLipsOnEXOs
#5
I've lost count of which rereading this is but this shall definitely always be my comfort fic. Whether it's the writing style or the details or the flow or the characters or maybe all of that together, there's just something that has me always coming back.

I read this for the first time in 2018, 5 years later it still holds a special place in my heart. I usually avoid starting new fics that haven't been updated recently, but just like my very first comment on this fic "It's on permanent hiatus but the foreword has me entranced so I will read it", the story is truly entrancing and gosh I'm grateful I read it!
Exofanland #6
Chapter 95: had to reread the last few chap bc its been so long and yes i am still crying my eyes out.
dreaming777
#7
Chapter 95: Hi there, I've left my aff account for so long an happy to see this update!!!! And truthfully I didn't expect I would still bawled my eyes out 😭
uwuness
#8
i keep coming back here just to check if authornim's have an update but no rush authornim, i can still wait :)))))) i'll reread this again because i'm missing this so much~

take care always~
uwuness
#9
i miss this so much 😭
hearteututu #10
Chapter 95: I’m back after many years and this made me cry so much. I really love this story and can still remember every scene vividly. Tysm for this wonderful and heartfelt chapter 💕