Chapter Text
The Retro Store
Baekhyun’s hesitant before entering the store with a gigantic sign that reads ‘CLASSIC RETRO VIDEO GAMES’.
“Don’t you think the name’s a bit corny?” He says to his boyfriend, not letting go of his hand.
“So?” Answers Chanyeol. He sees the shorter’s tired expression turn into one of disapproval. “Come on!” He whines. “Just- let me nerd out for a bit. This is the only retro store nearby. Please? Pleeeeeaaase?”
Baekhyun, not wanting to start an argument, answers a defeated “fine” and enters the small store jam-packed with old cartridges and DVDs. While Baekhyun thinks about how stuffed the store feels, his boyfriend’s eyes light up with excitement as soon as he sees the first cartridge.
“WOAH... They have Doki Doki Panic?!” Screamed Chanyeol excitedly.
“Doki Doki what?”
“Panic. It only released in Japan. It’s basically Super Mario Bros. 2 before Super Mario Bros. 2 was even a thing, because, fun fact: There are TWO Super Mario Bros. 2 games. Yeah, you heard that right, TWO games, but the first one was too hard so they didn’t release it in America and-“
Baekhyun couldn’t care less about Super Mario Bros. 2 or Doki Doki Panic or whatever Chanyeol’s blabbering about, but god damn it... if Chanyeol isn’t the cutest human being on Earth. He doesn’t know anything about videogames but he’d learn everything about them if it meant he’d get to see that smile all the time. There’s something so pure about seeing his boyfriend of three years geeking out about old video games or anything he’s passionate about, for that matter; it’s like seeing a little kid on a pet store’s window, you can’t help but smile at the sheer cuteness of it.
“- and they decided to change the characters from Doki Doki Panic to the Mario ones and release it as Super Mario Bros. 2 outside of Japan.”
“You’re such a nerd.” Is all Baekhyun can say. But Chanyeol’s his nerd, his adorable, dorky nerd.
The taller pouts, but his vision suddenly shifts to a big glass case in front of the counter.
“NO. WAY. They have Earthbound?!”
Baekhyun can’t help but roll his eyes at the shamelessness of his boyfriend.
“Excuse me, sir...” says Chanyeol to the cashier. “Is the Earthbound cartridge unopened?”
“Yup. Completely unopened. Someone sold it to us.” Answers the cashier. “A thousand dollars, if you’re interested.”
“Woah...” Is the only thing coming out of Chanyeol’s mouth. He can’t believe what he’s seeing, an untouched copy of Earthbound, right in front of him.
“If we were rich I’d buy this in a heartbeat.”
“But, can’t you play it in the Virtual Console? Also, isn’t it in the mini-console I gave you?” Says Baekhyun.
“Yeah, but... it’s not the same. Playing old games in CRT TV’s with the original consoles... nothing compares to it.”
“Okay, Channerd.”
“That’s the corniest joke I’ve ever heard.”
“I know.”
“You’re lucky I love you.” Says Chanyeol, leaving a kiss on the brunette’s forehead.
...
“I can’t believe they had so many games there.” Says Chanyeol as the couple leaves the store. “It’s like heaven on Earth.”
The two lovers are quiet until they arrive at their car, a decade-old Toyota Prius. Before sitting on the driver’s seat, Chanyeol opens the rear door and buckles his newly-bought sealed copy of Super Metroid on the middle seat.
Baekhyun can’t help but laugh at the absurdity of it. “You’re a dork.”
Chanyeol awkwardly smiles. “It might not be Earthbound, but it’s still important.”
The taller sits and turns on the car, only to see his boyfriend still outside of the car, looking at nowhere, as if he’s dozing off.
“You getting in or not?”
“Yeah, I just... I need to go to the bathroom. Be right back.”
“Okay, I’ll be waiting here.” Says Chanyeol as he puts on his glasses and grabs a book from the glove compartment.
...
After about fifteen minutes, Chanyeol hears a loud thud in the back of his car and turns his head to see Baekhyun closing the trunk.
“Sorry for taking so long. The bathroom was really gross and the toilet was a pain to flush.” He says as he sits in the passenger seat.
“Then why’d you open the trunk?”
“Oh-“ Baekhyun is surprised at the sudden question. “I... uhh... I bought a figurine that I really liked... after I left the bathroom.”
The taller decides not to question his boyfriend’s obvious lie and start driving. The ride back to their apartment is rather quiet, with Baekhyun often humming along to whatever song’s playing on the radio. When they arrive at the complex, Baekhyun pulls out a paper bag from the trunk and quickly walks to the building.
“Can I see the figurine?” Asks Chanyeol.
Baekhyun is smiling. “I’ll show it to you once we’re inside.” He quickly runs to the elevator and it closes before the taller can reach it.
“Motherfu-“ Yells Chanyeol. Defeatedly, he decides to take the stairs. Once he finally reaches their floor and enters their apartment, he sees a smiling and blushing Baekhyun sitting on the couch with his arms behind his back.
“Can I see the figurine now?”
“Okay, I lied.” Baekhyun blurts out. “I didn’t buy a figurine.”
“Who would’ve thought...”
Baekhyun’s smile keeps widening every second. “Actually, I bought you THIS.”
Chanyeol’s eyes almost leave his body as he lets out a loud “WHAT?!”.
“I know that it’s a lot of money, but... I couldn’t help it. You looked so cute when you saw it at the store. I couldn’t resist those puppy eyes of yours and-“
“Oh my God!” Screams Chanyeol in between chuckles. He eagerly runs over to Baekhyun and wraps him in a strong but warm hug. Baekhyun, surprised at the sudden display of affection, embraces it and lays his head on the taller’s chest, smiling.
After a few minutes, Chanyeol breaks off the hug and picks up his rare, unopened copy of Earthbound.
“I still can’t believe it.” Says Chanyeol, his eyes sparkling. “I feel dirty opening it, but I gotta play it.”
Baekhyun stares in silence as his boyfriend opens the copy and reads through the game’s manual. It’s like watching a little kid on Christmas morning, he thinks. He blushes at the faint “Woah” Chanyeol lets out when he turns on the CRT TV and watches the game’s opening scene. Everything about his boyfriend is adorable; his little “Woah”s, his eyes whenever he gets excited, his warm hugs... he really got lucky with Chanyeol.
It’s those little quirks he’s thinking about when he suddenly hears a “Baek?” from the other side of the room.
“Yeah?” He asks.
“Thanks.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
“No, really, thanks. You don’t know how bad I’ve wanted to play this game. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.”
All Baekhyun lets out is a weak smile.
“You wanna watch me playing?” Asks the taller.
Baekhyun nods, and he walks over to the small spot where his boyfriend is. While their living room isn’t very spacious, they have a corner dedicated to Chanyeol’s retro-gaming hobby. A small CRT TV sits in front of a loveseat, and a big Super NES sits in between.
The brunette lays his head on Chanyeol’s shoulder as he sits beside him, and that’s how they spend the rest of the afternoon, sitting in front of the television, extremely invested in the game.