April

Chanyeol awoke to the familiar beeping of his alarm clock and carelessly poked on the snooze function. The noise was finally gone and he could feel Baekhyun stirring from the disturbance but after a short struggle, finally went back to sleep.

He lay flat on his back, one hand supporting his head and the other resting on his stomach. The ceiling patterns suddenly seemed so interesting to him.

He traced the outlines, the twists and turns and then it occurred to him -just how fast his life was moving these days that even his ceiling seemed foreign to him.

After a few minutes of tranquillity, Chanyeol finally got out of bed and threw on his bathrobe over his tall frame. Running his fingers over the counter, he gave the coffee machine a push and it sprung to life. He then proceeded to make himself a drink, adding two capsules instead of one for a stronger kick. Coffee had been his life saver these days.

Whilst waiting, he stepped into the bathroom. Turning the knob, warm water rained down on him, sending warmth coursing through his veins. He couldn't help but let out a satisfied sigh as he felt the throbbing from yesterday's rough day at work slowly disappear.

Chanyeol stayed in the shower till the thought of bills popped up in his mind and then got out just as quickly as he had gone in. He hurriedly got dressed and scooped up his coffee mug in one hand and wrote a note for Baekhyun with the other.

After he had made sure the house was nice and tidy, he stuck the note beside the bed where Baekhyun was still sound asleep and finally left the house to start his day.

Chanyeol stepped onto the pavement, it was getting colder. He slipped his hands deeper into his pockets and quickened his pace. He figured that this was how his life was these days -sleep, study, work, eat.

No reason to it, just trying his best to provide for Baekhyun and for the future he intended to have with him.

And because of this, he hadn't been spending as much time with Baekhyun as he'd liked to. Sometimes he would feel guilty for neglecting the boy but would comfort himself with the thought that once he graduated and got a stable job -he'd give all his time to Baekhyun.

He'll give the boy his everything.

 Looking up, he had finally reached the university and with a sigh, he started yet another day.

"Dinner's arrived Baek! I hope I didn't make you wait too long."

Chanyeol settled the bag containing their dinner onto the dining table.

"Oh you're finally home..." Baekhyun murmured.

He shuffled his feet to where Chanyeol was standing and wrapped both arms around his waist.

"I missed you," he added, voice muffled in Chanyeol's chest.

"I missed you too," Chanyeol replied.

"Can we go out tomorrow?"

"I'm afraid we can't Baek."

Baekhyun's face sunk.

"Why not?"

"I have work tomorrow, remember?"

"But I barely see you nowadays! The only time I see you is at night and you usually go straight to bed. I feel like I see your notes more than the actual you."

Chanyeol remained silent and calculated quickly in his mind.

"Please Yeol? Just an hour off work, just one hour!"

Baekhyun looked up at him with pleading eyes.

Chanyeol softened up and slumped his shoulders in defeat. He wanted to protest but he couldn't bring himself to -not when Baekhyun wanted something so badly.

"Okay... I'll pick you up during my lunch break. We'll go for some pasta at your favourite place okay?"

"Yes! You're the best!"

Chanyeol smiled at the sight of Baekhyun beaming so brilliantly and swooped down to give him a peck on the cheek.

"You better wear that hoodie I got you the other time," Chanyeol teased.

"I was just thinking of that!"

"And the couple bracelet?" Chanyeol added.

"And the couple bracelet."

The following morning Chanyeol woke up to realising that he was running late for his lecture and sprinted out of the house in mere minutes.

He missed the bus and had to, grudgingly, resort to taking a cab instead in which he silently bid his wallet goodbye. Thankfully, after endless pestering, the cab finally reached campus and Chanyeol dashed into the auditorium, just seconds before the lecture started.

"Someone's early," Sehun remarked.

"Don't be an ."

Chanyeol settled himself down and laid out all the research he had painstakingly prepared in front of him.

Sehun gawked at the mountain of papers in front of him.

"Professor Eddie only told you to write a report, not a biography," he said incredulously.

Chanyeol shrugged.

"Better prepared than not right?"

"You've changed and it's honestly scaring me."

He gave Sehun a cynical look.

"I'd like to assume that I'm changing for the better."

"Well you are and that's a good thing like I wouldn't be surprised if you graduated with top honours," Sehun paused, "wait on second thought, I would be surprised. Very surprised."

"You flatter me too much Sehun."

"No I'm serious. How did you go from that one dude who always slept through class to this dude that's on his way to topping the class?" Sehun marveled. "Tell me your secret 'cuz I really need it."

Chanyeol took a moment to escape into his thoughts. Sehun was right, even Chanyeol himself noticed the changes in his attitude and his grades were picking up speedily. He mentally patted himself on the back.

"I have no secret."

But then Baekhyun popped up in his mind.

"Though, I do have a reason."

Chanyeol smiled to himself. Sehun was about to question him but was interrupted by Professor Eddie who wasn't so pleased to see his report barely filled up.

Class ended sharply at one that afternoon which gave Chanyeol more than enough time to meet Baekhyun.

He took a bus and dropped off a stop away from the restaurant they were supposed to meet at to get a little something for Baekhyun.

He walked past a shop adorned with random bursts of colours in which upon second look, he realised were actually flowers.

Captivated by the sudden colour burst, Chanyeol entered the shop. He stared in awe at flowers he never even knew existed and poked at some curiously.

"Getting flowers for someone?"

Chanyeol looked up and a plump, old lady was beside him with a gentle smile etched on her face.

"For my boyfriend."

"I see... do you need any help picking out the flowers?" she offered.

Chanyeol shook his head and declined politely.

"No I'm good."

The old lady nodded and smiled before carrying on with her own business.

He spent a good deal of time deciding on what flowers to get but finally settled on the stalks of baby's breaths poking out of a box. Picking a few in hand, he went to make his purchase.

"Are you sure you're only getting that, young man?"

"Yep pretty sure."

"But Baby's Breath are usually just used to decorate bouquets, no one gives them on its own."

"It's okay I don't mind."

The old lady looked at him amused.

"Well then if that's the case I'll give them to you free of charge, we have too much of those anyways."

"Oh, thank you so much. That's really nice of you."

"No need for thanks and give me a moment I'll wrap this up for you."

The old lady then disappeared to the back of the shop and reappeared shortly with a small bouquet in hand, held together by a cute blue ribbon.

Chanyeol thanked her again before grabbing the bouquet. As he trudged down the streets, he gazed at the bundle in his hands. He had read somewhere that Baby's Breath represented purity and innocence and couldn't help but think of how much it suited the person receiving this.

His spirits grew higher as he imagined Baekhyun's reaction later on when he surprised him with his gift. It had been a long time since Chanyeol had given a proper gift to him. The boy would be happy.

He paused before the traffic light just opposite the restaurant he was heading to and looked around for any sign of Baekhyun.

Baekhyun wasn't there yet though. Chanyeol glanced down at his watch and realised that Baekhyun was probably late.

He didn't mind, after all, he had made the boy wait countless of times before. It was only fair that he'd wait for him at times like these too.

But then his sight chanced upon the side of the road where a crowd formed a loose circle, concealing whatever or whoever was encased in it from his view.

Curiosity got the better of him and since Baekhyun wasn't there yet, it wouldn't hurt to just have a look.

He advanced closer and noticed an all too familiar pororo umbrella laying limp just outside the crowd. A sense of foreboding played in his mind.

No... This can't be...

Chanyeol pushed his way through the crowd, the closer he got, the more the sense of dread weighed down on him.

It's not him. It can't be him.

He finally got to the front of the crowd and witnessed a scene that could've killed him right then and there. A boy lay limp on the cement road, blood staining his wolf 88 hoodie. Chanyeol noticed the thin strip of leather around the boy's wrist and had to keep himself from passing out. The past twenty four years of his life hadn’t prepared him for this.

Baekhyun.

Chanyeol rushed to his side and cradled the boy in his arms.

"No... No... Baekhyun this can't be," he whispered to himself. "You're fine -you're fine."

He desperately combed through Baekhyun's hair, tears raining down on the unconscious boy.

"Baekhyun wake up. It's dangerous to sleep on the road!"

"Yah! Byun Baekhyun answer me! ing answer me!" Chanyeol screamed.

He shook the boy violently.

"Wake up! Please wake up!"

His fingers brushed past Baekhyun's colourless cheeks and he felt air feebly escape his nose. He wasn't dead. Baekhyun wasn't dead.

He couldn't explain what he did next; it almost seemed like a biological reaction. Chanyeol scooped up the boy and pushed past the crowd. No one tried to stop him -it must've been the look of pure desperation in his eyes.

Chanyeol didn't stop running. He needed to get Baekhyun to a hospital, he needed to save him. He figured even an ambulance was too slow -he couldn't waste any time. Not anymore.

"Hey Baekhyun," he said between breaths, "you'll be fine right?"

"You're only sleeping for now. You'll have to wake up later."

Chanyeol's eyes contracted as he felt a tear escape him.

"Promise you'll wake up, okay?"

He glanced at the bloodied boy sleeping peacefully in his arms.

"Promise me."

Chanyeol ignored the burning in his legs and sprinted faster despite his body screaming in protest.

A hospital came into view and Chanyeol charged on with the last bit of strength he had towards his saving grace.

Almost everyone in the hospital’s foyer looked up when Chanyeol came bursting through the entrance with Baekhyun limp in his arms. He yelled like a madman, desperate to get Baekhyun medical attention.

“Please you have to save him! Please!”

A nurse wheeled a stretcher in his direction and instructed him to place Baekhyun on it. Chanyeol did as told but didn’t let go of his hand. He ran side by side with the nurse as they wheeled Baekhyun to the operating theatre.

“Baekhyun we’re almost there.”

Chanyeol swallowed a scream.

“After you come out you can’t sleep anymore, alright? You promised me.”

They reached the metal doors to the operating theatre and the nurse pried Chanyeol’s hands off Baekhyun.

“Sir, you’ll have to wait out here.”

Chanyeol watched as Baekhyun was sent through the doors and slowly disappeared from his sight as the gap between the doors got smaller till it met to form a single line.

His breath escaped him and the impact of the run earlier on finally made itself evident as Chanyeol’s legs gave way. He sat slumped against the wall –mind in a turmoil.

But one thing was certain to him –after this he’d never let Baekhyun leave his side. Never again.

Time felt like it didn’t pass at all, each second seemed like hell to him. He buried his face deeper into his hands. His forehead brushed against the leather of his bracelet and he shifted his attention to it.

His fingers caressed the bracelet and his grip tightened. Chanyeol shut his eyes and prayed fervently. He didn’t care who he’d pray to he just needed someone, anyone to ensure Baekhyun’s life.

Then he heard the swish of the doors opening and his heart leaped in his chest. Scrambling to stand up, Chanyeol rushed towards the doctor.

“Is he fine?” he breathed, “Is my boyfriend fine?”

“His condition has stabilized. Thankfully, the impact from what hit him wasn’t too great or we wouldn’t have been able to save him.”

Relief swept like tidal waves in him and he was so grateful that he started crying.

“Thank you… Thank you so much, doctor.”

He bowed again and again till the doctor had to stop him.

“He’ll wake up soon right?”

“Not right away but I think the anaesthetics will wear off tomorrow so there’s a good chance he’ll gain consciousness then.”

Chanyeol nodded wordlessly and his ears perked up at the sound of rolling wheels. He rushed up beside Baekhyun as he was wheeled out and his heart broke at the sight of him all bruised up and bandaged.

He failed to protect him and now Baekhyun was like this. Chanyeol never felt so useless.

That night, he spent it by Baekhyun’s side. He held on tightly onto the boy’s soft, fragile hands and he daren’t let go. Chanyeol kept his eyes fixated on Baekhyun’s face so that he’d know if he showed any signs of waking up. But after a while, he couldn’t fight the fatigue any longer. His eyes drooped lower against his will and Baekhyun slowly disappeared from his sight.

He figured he’d meet the boy in his dreams instead. Because in dreams they knew no pain. In dreams, they’d have forever in their hands.

a/n: There's gonna be a second part to this chapter so please anticipate that! And I'm so glad to have received comments you guys have no idea how much I appreciate them no matter how small they are. Anyways have a great day ahead and thanks for reading ^^