Chapter Text
Three days had whizzed by and nothing special was occurring in between them so far—Baekhyun best believed. They were just quietly civil. Within these days, Baekhyun came to learn that Chanyeol was such a busy man. He’d been dealing with problems over problems in his company due to the ongoing pandemic. Mr. CEO was fully focused in his duties that Baekhyun rarely saw him leave his room. Which was fine for Baekhyun, at least he could move around without that intense gaze following him almost everywhere. But, he was still kinda worried for the taller.
And then it was just instantaneous, Baekhyun would cook the food, leave the taller’s share at his door way, knock on his door gently to alarm him and then proceed to clean the whole house or do some other chores. Chanyeol mutely agreed to this routine—he’d come out of his room to take his share of food and just let the smaller do whatever he wants—because he didn’t have much time to think about other stuff when there’s a lot of problems already happening in the company itself.
Baekhyun also learned how to make the taller’s type of coffee. He studied so hard just to get it right. Maybe Chanyeol noticed, maybe he didn’t, but he never heard the taller complained about its taste since then.
So far so good. Maybe Baekhyun can tolerate this kind of every-days.
But there was one night when Baekhyun just had an emotional break down after overthinking things. Stuff that induced were, why the pandemic happened, why it was suddenly hard to reach his dreams and why he had to meet Chanyeol at this crazy pandemic. He cried, blamed himself, resulting to late rest and scarce of sleep.
That’s why the next day, Baekhyun woke up panic-stricken for getting up late. He just haphazardly ran to the toilet to groom himself and then speeded out of the room to cook something for lunch at least. He was kinda afraid that Chanyeol might scold him for slacking off.
Baekhyun’s heart sank when he found Chanyeol already crowding the living room, too immense of his work. Which was a first time. He thought, “Ah, it’s over, he’s going to scold me, he’s going to think I’m just lazing around here.”
Gauging the mood, the smaller opted to watch the busy man from the distance for awhile. Chanyeol was just calm, scanning through some papers while conversing professionally to his subordinates. Baekhyun also took note of his deep voice that only demands obedience. Despite wearing only casual clothes, black hoodie and gray sweat pants, Chanyeol still appeared dignified, clearly emitting an aura of someone high in position.
“So this is the new Chanyeol…” Just the mere thought made Baekhyun’s heart ache slightly in pain.
Being lost in a trance made him fail to discern that Chanyeol was already looking back at him. It’s only when he felt the searing stare against his skin that he flinched off from his reverie. He blushed, swallowed so hard, bracing himself for the rage.
Chanyeol will kick me out.
However, Chanyeol remained simply composed. Just a confused frown made to his way and the man returned his focus back on the ongoing online conference.
Baekhyun found this behavior kinda strange. So, he’s not mad? He also noticed the empty cup on the side of his laptop—he already made his own coffee.
Baekhyun could actually just walk away and pretend everything’s cool. But always the softhearted, he felt like he needed to explain at least. Though a bit scared, Baekhyun made his way towards Chanyeol, his heart pitter-pattering against his chest.
He was fidgeting as he spoke, “I-I’m sorry. I-I slept late last night.”
Chanyeol only acknowledged him with a nod, full concentration on the conference still.
“S-Should I cook you—”
“I left you some food. It’s in the ref. Just reheat it.” Chanyeol said, the tone of his voice cold as usual.
But Baekhyun sensed the warmth in it. At least he spared me food. He thought.
“Eung.” Baekhyun bit his lower lip, concealing a smile. “Thank you, Chanyorie.”
Chanyeol closed his eyes for a few seconds as if it was another gesture of him palming his face. His shoulders sagged down a bit as he released a sigh. “Just go and eat.”
“D-Do you want anything though?” Baekhyun asked, willing to offer some help.
But Chanyeol only glared back at him causing Baekhyun to snap in fear.
Baekhyun thought he was going to get scolded for being annoying. Yet Chanyeol only said, “Make me coffee.”
And at once, Baekhyun’s mood turned bright, delighted of being able to help the latter. “Eung! Will make you one Chanyorie.”
Baekhyun waddled his way to the kitchen after, excited and relieved. But what he didn’t know, he actually made quite a disaster for interrupting a major meeting with some of Chanyeol’s huge investors. Although, those huge people seemed like they didn’t mind at all, but rather awed of their cute interaction.
One investor even dared to ask Chanyeol. “Mr. Park, i-is that your husband?”
Truly, Chanyeol felt his heart skip a bit for the sudden question. Propping an elbow against one of his spread thighs as he leaned forward and covered half of his face with his hand to hide the blush creeping, he cleared his throat in pretense and answered, “J-Just someone.”
Then the day went on with Chanyeol just letting Baekhyun do what he desires, while he’s secretly admiring the smaller from the distance.
It’s not that bad to work in the living room, isn't it?
Actually, he just missed seeing the small cute guy.
---
Baekhyun woke up a little early today. He made it sure that he’d get up on time to cook for breakfast. He sprinted out of his room with a flourish, to the kitchen and decided to cook something fancy for the taller. Maybe some waffle pancakes, drizzled with honey and topped with some white frosting and strawberry? His mouth was already drooling. Nyam.
Chanyeol’s kitchen was filled with his beautiful voice. He’s humming to songs while cooking. Baekhyun looked too pretty wearing the flowery apron. Well, he liked everything cute and fancy.
All of a sudden, a deep voice from behind interrupted him. “What are you doing?”
Baekhyun flinched, turning around and spotted Chanyeol standing by the counter, wearing just a white shirt and black sweat shorts, messy bed hair and eyes slightly red due to sleep but still handsome. A blush instantly graced his face, momentarily embarrassed and slightly stunned of the latter’s attractiveness despite of the simplicity of his outfit.
“Ch-Chanyorie, good morning.”
Chanyeol didn’t respond but just rolled his eyes back. He occupied the chair on the small dining table and demanded. “Give me my coffee.”
The request startled Baekhyun just a tiny bit. But it was giving him a sign that he was finally doing a great job in making his preferred coffee.
With a delighted smile on the face, he beamed at the taller guy “Eung! Right away.”
Such a lovely smile that almost took Chanyeol’s breath away.
Chanyeol, oblivious of his enamored look, watched the smaller in utter fascination. He almost laughed at how audible Baekhyun’s cute voice was while counting the scoops of sugar, coffee and the amount of hot water he needed to pour in. It was really cute.
It was just incredulous to him… how destiny played, how this crazy pandemic reunited him with his first love.
Chanyeol snapped when Baekhyun turned around with his coffee. He cleared his throat in pretense, erasing the evidence of fondness on his face.
With cautious steps, Baekhyun approached him and offered him his coffee, imaginary sparkles glowing from him. “Here you go, Chanyorie.”
Chanyeol had to blink his eyes fast, looking away. “T-Thanks.”
Baekhyun giggling back was thawing Chanyeol’s stoned heart. “The pancake will be ready in awhile, hmm?”
“Okay.” Chanyeol took a sip of the coffee, keeping his cold demeanor on.
“B-But, Chanyorie?” Baekhyun bashfully prompted, fingers fidgeting. “H-How’s the coffee?”
Chanyeol wanted to say, “It tastes so good! It’s one of a kind! It’s god-sent.” But his prideful peaches urged him to say. “Not bad.”
But always the enthusiastic person, Baekhyun looked like he took it positively, smiling in bliss. “What a relief…” sigh. “Just a minute hmm? I will serve the pancakes now.”
Ah Chanyeol could only palm his face—he couldn't handle his cuteness.
During meal, Baekhyun couldn't conceal the thrill every time he took a bite of the sweet treat. Everything sweet was really making him happy that it was showing in his face. Beautiful.
Baekhyun finished his share first and Chanyeol had still one piece.
It’s not like Chanyeol wanted to please the smaller. It’s not like he cared—but he truly did—he offered it to him, acting cool. “Take this.”
Baekhyun was stunned but it was clear in the windows of his soul how elated he was. He appeared so shy, blushing as he said, “T-Thank you, Chanyorie.”
Chanyeol felt the surge of triumph to his chest. That was quite a moment. He kept the cold look on but deep inside his heart was disco-grooving.
Baekhyun was then again cleaning the house. However, he’s a little bit bothered of Chanyeol’s presence in the living room. He understood, this is his house after all but, the guy used to work inside his room before. Why was it all of a sudden, he’s bringing his work outside, Baekhyun couldn’t fathom.
But Baekhyun trudged on, enjoying the chore by himself, even humming songs to distract his mind. Too carried away, he even walked to the shelves behind where Chanyeol was, dusting off some dirt, without his full knowing that Chanyeol’s subordinates could see him through the screen.
Chanyeol was too concentrated of his work that he didn’t notice. It’s only when one of the lower executives pointed it out for him. “Oh, you hired a maid, or…”
Chanyeol frowned at the camera and finally saw the moving cute presence behind him. He snapped his head back to him, about to scold him, but Baekhyun turning around with a beautiful smile on his face, made him hold back.
Baekhyun yelped a shy oops and spoke in a hushed voice, “Sorry to disturb you, Chanyorie… I’ll do this very quick. You want anything though? I’ll give you water to hydrate you, eung?”
That Eung made his stone of a heart race a tad.
“S-Sure.” And suddenly, it’s hard to get mad. Chanyeol evaded the eye contact first.
It was about lunch time and Baekhyun was already preparing food for lunch. Chanyeol was still busy with the online meeting when out of the blue, he heard a loud crash from the kitchen. Chanyeol felt a rush of adrenaline running through his veins, sprinting fast to the commotion without second thoughts. He just left his subordinates wondering what was the matter.
Once in the kitchen, his eyes widened in panic when he found a startled Baekhyun, on the verge of crying, while trying to pick up broken shards of the plates with trembling hands. Chanyeol went urgently to his side, grabbing his wrist almost harshly.
“Yah! What the fuck are you doing?!” He freaking shouted at him out of fear that he might get hurt more.
And Chanyeol saw how the smaller jolted at the tone of his voice. Wrong fucking move. In an instant, Baekhyun’s eyes glistened with tears, button nose puffy red sniffing, his lips trembling as he stuttered, choking on his sobs, “C-Chanyorie I-I am…” hicc “S-Sorry…”
Chanyeol’s heart immediately crushed at his crying image, the situation almost putting him back to a daze, back to the memories of the past. He only snapped back to his worried subordinates’ voices.
“Sir Park, what’s the matter?”
“Everything alright?”
“Who is crying?”
Chanyeol heaved a long deep sigh, the frown marring his face now straightening back to calm. He gently took the shard off the smaller’s hand who was still crying with his body trembling in huge spasm of hiccups. He pulled Baekhyun into his embrace, nursing him warmth and comfort.
“Secretary Kim?” Chanyeol spoke through his ear-pods.
“Yes, sir?”
“Kindly adjourn the meeting. I have an emergency matter right now. I apologize.”
Chanyeol took the smaller to the couch area by the living room to treat his wounds with the first aid kit he had in his house.
“Ch-Chanyorie?” Baekhyun said in between his sobs. “I-I’m really sorry…”
Chanyeol just shushed him while treating the cut in his finger. The taller was frowning, but it was clear how damn worried he was. “Please be careful next time. I don't care if you break anything here, just…” He paused briefly, unsure of his emotions. “…just don’t hurt yourself.”
“I-I will pay f-for the plate.”
Chanyeol cluck his tongue to disagree while wrapping Baekhyun’s point finger gently with a small gauze dressing. He held the smaller’s hand with utmost care as if he was some precious artifact. He couldn’t imagine how scared he was at that moment and he felt embarrassed. He couldn’t swallow the thought of Baekhyun getting hurt in his own abode. What would his mother think now? That he’s enslaving Baekhyun here for the rent? A hell no. More than anything, he wanted Baekhyun to feel very comfortable and safe in his care.
It was just a small cut but still it was something major for Chanyeol. Baekhyun should not get hurt, not even a single cut.
After making sure the cut was clean and dressed well, Chanyeol was still holding his hand as he stared back at the guy and found him blushing hard, streaks of tears messing his face. He’s cute even when crying, he thought.
“We will cook together, clean the house together. If you need any assistance, call me okay? I don't care if I am in the middle of meeting or what, just call me, okay?” he looked away as he continued, “I don’t want you to get hurt…”
Baekhyun was genuinely touched of course. It was his fault and yet the taller was acting as if it was his own instead. He never actually thought Chanyeol would treat him like this, nurse him with utmost care like as if he just got injured very badly.
And the way he said, “I don't want you to get hurt…” sounded so poignantly long ago. It was very old Chanyeol.
He almost had his hopes high but then, Chanyeol continued, “I don't want your mom thinking I am treating you badly here.”
Oh.
Just because of his mom.
The dismay made him take his hand back from Chanyeol’s grasp. Although he felt the latter jolt just slightly when he did that. The taller’s eyes were questioning him, but he stared on anything but him and faked a smile.
“Don’t worry, I won't tell my mom like that.” Hurt, he sounded so hurt.
“Still the old Chanyeol indeed…”
“I like you Baekhyun…”
“Ah Baekhyun? He’s just one of them who approached me and confessed their feelings. I was just giving him a chance, that’s all.”
He still cared for everyone’s thought about him.