Chapter Text
The world felt like it stopped when pandemic took over every nation—thus taking away Baekhyun’s dream in just a snap. He was supposed to ride that plane that would take him to Paris and be one of the most sought fashion designer in the industry. But the enemy was something that couldn’t be seen with the naked eye, the lockdown happened; people must adhere to infection control, social distancing, must limit the need of going outside and yes, all modes of transportation were banned.
Baekhyun was near stuck to a lockdown.
His flight was cancelled and he’s rattling where to go. His place was miles away and he’s beyond frustrated that he couldn’t even book a bus ticket back due to the amount of people crashing the ticket app.
He’s about to cry in the midst of the crowded airport, lost and helpless. He tried to call his mom for help and her only suggestion was to stay in her friend’s son’s house for the time being. She mentioned about staying with Park Chanyeol and that Chanyeol guy was already on his way to fetch him but Baekhyun’s brain was too preoccupied to remember who the stranger was. Though the name Chanyeol was a huge sound in his brain and he felt like he already knew this guy before.
Baekhyun thought of rejecting the offer because why the hell would he stay in a stranger’s house?
Maybe he’d only ask the guy for a ride. He’d rent a place and see if everything goes well. Yet in the middle of booking, his phone died.
And that’s it—he just erupted into sobs. He was hopeless.
But came a stranger with a deep velvety voice, “Hey, get your ass up. I don’t have all the time in the world to watch you cry.”
Baekhyun nearly jumped in surprise, lifting his face up to look at the guy, and at once, he let out a faint gasp. “Ch-Chanyorie?”
The tall guy scoffed a laugh. Maybe for his pouting face and maybe for the fact that Baekhyun still called him Chanyorie after all these years of not seeing each other. It’s been awhile.
“Hurry up, follow me.” Chanyeol hissed impatiently.
Though a little bit dazed, Baekhyun followed behind Chanyeol, pulling his huge luggage along with him. It was astounding him, how was he and the Chanyeol he knew in the past were the same person?
The Chanyeol he knew was kind and caring.
But this Chanyeol was a complete opposite.
When they reached his car, he even asked Baekhyun to put his luggage in the trunk by himself. It was a huge luggage, poor Baekhyunee. He didn’t even help him.
Chanyeol was rude.
Yet Baekhyun stayed positive—not positive with a virus—but positive that this guy, Chanyeol, was still nice for allowing him to stay in his house during this crazy lockdown.
Oh how would he survived a 30 day lockdown with him?
Baekhyun couldn’t believe he’s marveling his eyes to such clean and invigorating house, catching a whiff of citrus and woody scent the moment he stepped in. Chanyeol’s penthouse was truly ritzy and huge—like Baekhyun already knew his family was rich but this rich? Maybe Chanyeol’s getting that much pay that was high enough to afford not just a luxurious car but also a gigantic penthouse like this, a penthouse.
Baekhyun was suddenly shy when he came in, shy as a mice that he stayed unmoving in the living room, tried to be so small as possible.
Chanyeol took notice of him and made a face. “Are you just going to stand there and expect me to carry you to your room?”
“U-Uh, there’s n-no need actually Chanyorie…” Baekhyun evaded Chanyeol’s intrusive gaze. The taller guy was apparently resting his side at the curving of the wall, arms crossed against his chest while judging him intensely. “I-I can stay here in the couch area—”
Chanyeol cluck his tongue, “No don't pollute that area. I need you to hide in the room. My friends come anytime and I don’t want them to see you rested haphazardly in my living room.”
But it’s pandemic, no one will come. Baekhyun thought to himself. Chanyeol’s so rude. Like why allow him to stay if he didn’t like him in the first place?
“You know Chanyorie uhm,” Baekhyun swallowed, fidgeting. “Can I just charge my phone so I can book a place to stay? I swear I’m not staying a day here.”
Chanyeol only scoffed, taking Baekhyun aback. “Booking a place?” shaking his head, he grinned, “Shortie, it’s 12 midnight, get yourself together. The lockdown started already.”
Oh that shortie again. It’s been so long since the last time he heard that.
Baekhyun's heart deflated at the news. What in the world did get himself into? Cancelled flight, cancelled dream, no place to go, lockdown, pandemic and this, a rude Chanyeol.
His lips started to quiver, eyes turning watery. He didn’t want to cry, but a hiccup just escaped from his mouth and suddenly it’s uncontrollable.
His head was ducked down so he didn’t see Chanyeol’s face calming down, guiltily. Chanyeol could only brush the back of his nape as he said in a gentle tone, “Just stay here. Come, I’ll show you your room.” Then he lowered his voice in a murmur, but Baekhyun could still hear him. “You’d get back pain if you sleep in that tiny couch.”
Baekhyun sniffed and wiped his tears away before facing Chanyeol back, pouting. Chanyeol widening his eyes briefly proved he was shocked of the smaller’s sad expression.
“I-I’m sorry. Hmm, lead me the way Chanyorie.”
Chanyeol pushed himself away from the wall and walked towards Baekhyun. Baekhyun looked at him in confusion, wondering why he was approaching him instead of leading the way to his room.
“E-Eh… W-What—” Baekhyun faintly gasped once Chanyeol was close and just snatched his luggage from his grip.
Chanyeol stared down at him for a moment or two, without a word, before walking away with his luggage to that aisle of two opposite rooms.
Baekhyun was stunned into silence. He only bolted back to his sanity when Chanyeol looked back and hissed at him. “Don’t let me repeat myself shortie.”
Panicking, Baekhyun followed suite.
“Here.”
Chanyeol let him through into a nice cozy room. A huge bed, clean, minimalistic furnitures, with a wide window at the side viewing a beautiful scenery of the city. Baekhyun was incredulous of the offer so he turned to Chanyeol and told him bashfully, “C-Chanyorie, uhm, this room…”
“Why? Anything you wanted to add in here?” Chanyeol just casually responded.
“Uhm… is this a room of someone? Uhm like seriously—”
“I’m living alone.” Chanyeol cut him. Baekhyun gulped at the magnetizing eye contact again. “So feel free to use this room like it’s yours.”
Again the stare… it lasted for seconds and it was Chanyeol who broke it first. Chanyeol was about to walk away when Baekhyun halted him with a suggestion.
“Uhm, I’ll do some chores for you!”
The taller stopped and turned back to him, expression still cold. “Then can you cook?”
“Eung.”
Baekhyun was amazed of the amount of groceries Chanyeol had in his fridge and kitchen cabinets. And also amazed of his fully equipped kitchen.
Though allowed to use it by himself, Baekhyun was actually clueless of what to cook—of what Chanyeol likes.
He found the taller lounging in the dining area while playing a game on his phone.
Warily, Baekhyun asked him, “Do you want me to cook a specific dish Chanyorie?”
But Chanyeol was too concentrated of his game that he didn’t mind to respond back.
So, Baekhyun called him again, “Chanyorie—”
“Cook the fucking food that you want!” Chanyeol bit back. He lost the game a minute after and he groaned, hinting annoyance. He ran his fingers through his hair to contain his anger, his gaze shooting daggers now at Baekhyun. Baekhyun cowered against his stare, intimidated.
“I’m only here to see if you can cook for real! You’re cooking your own food because you came from a long journey! I already had my food so you cook for yours. Don't sleep with your stomach empty geez!” Chanyeol pushed back his chair as he roused up, storming his way to where Baekhyun was standing.
Baekhyun felt like he was cornered once Chanyeol was near, towering his small presence. The taller snatched the spatula from his hand and said, “Give me that. Sit there and wait for me. I will do the cooking.”
And Baekhyun couldn’t discern whether he should get angry back as well or take it as the taller’s way of expressing his concern. Astounded, Baekhyun obliged like a lost child and quietly sauntered to the dining area. He settled on one chair and watched Chanyeol do the cooking for him.
But indeed, Chanyeol’s mood was unpredictable as a weather.
Chanyeol was a good cook. The food was delicious and it made Baekhyun’s stomach truly happy.
While digging his food, Baekhyun secretly watched the taller sitting across him, who was back to mobile gaming again. He sure noted a lot of changes on his features. He’d became even manlier and taller, muscular and robust. He’s aging like a fine wine—he’s handsomer than ever.
But the thing that made his change impactful was the attitude. Chanyeol was not like this before when they were still in highschool. Again, he was nice and caring, like a happy virus who always spread positivity to everyone around him.
Yes, they were highschool classmates before. A little history, they were friends. But something happened and it just ended in an unfortunate way.
Was it the reason why he’s very cold towards Baekhyun now?
Baekhyun stared too much in a daze that he didn’t notice Chanyeol looking back.
“What are you looking at shortie?”
At the recognition, Baekhyun blinked his eyes fast and looked away with a blush forming in his cheeks. “N-Nothing. Uhm, by the way…” he couldn’t even look directly to the guy’s eyes. “The food is delicious. Thank you Chanyorie.”
Chanyeol only hummed and shrugged, resuming back to his game.
They stayed quiet for some time, just Baekhyun finishing the food and Chanyeol probably waiting for him to be done. Which also lead to Baekhyun wondering why the taller wasn’t leaving him behind when he’s not even talking to him.
Oh probably the dishes.
“Ch-Chanyorie… it’s okay. I’ll wash the dishes. You can go and rest if you want to. And uhm…” Baekhyun almost got stung when the latter returned his gaze. “It’s magnanimous for you to allow me to stay here and truly I’m grateful but at least let me pay some of the monthly rent or bill. I… have savings I can—”
Chanyeol interrupted him with the amount of the expenses he’s spending alone for this penthouse and Baekhyun could only part his lips in surprise.
“T-That much?” Baekhyun’s voice lilted cutely. He swallowed a huge lump in his throat. “W-Well I can help you pay…”
Chanyeol snickered. “Seriously shortie, what do you do for a living?”
“I-I was working in a tele-company before but I resigned after I managed to keep enough money for my dream abroad.”
“Oh…” Chanyeol nodded. “So that’s why. But how are you going to go there now? It’s pandemic. We’ll never know when this is going to end.”
It hurt him to hear that this pandemic was making it impossible for his dreams to come true. But Baekhyun believed there’s always a rainbow after the rain. “I will go back to my place and find another job. I can just try next time. Dreams never die.”
Chanyeol kept his mum and his eyes bored at Baekhyun’s pretty face. Again his over staring was making Baekhyun fidgety and bothered.
“Ch-Chanyorie… uhm what about you? Did you reach your dream? Are you a musician now?”
Stare…
“I am the CEO of my dad’s company.”
It was awkward when they went back to the room with Baekhyun still astounded of the fact that Chanyeol was influential. He knew Park&Co. was a massive company ever since and the fact that he’s handling one of the branches now, Baekhyun’s poor peaches couldn’t relate.
Their rooms were just opposite to each other. Baekhyun bade the taller good night and was about to enter his room. But all of a sudden, Chanyeol blurted out a reminder.
“Tomorrow, we’re going to shop for our needs.”
“Ah, is it allowed? Didn’t the news tell only one person per household?” Baekhyun clarified.
“Hmm. But married couples can go together.”
Silence.
“W-What?”
Baekhyun wasn’t getting it until Chanyeol said, “Then let’s pretend like we’re married.”