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Baekhyun was gloomy. He had been all day. Chanyeol knew it when he refused to kiss him back in the morning and walked to the shower with his head hung low. He didn't even realise that Chanyeol was talking with him.
Their mornings were the most chaotic of all their routines. Their kitchen is usually a mess of pancake mix and loud music. Chanyeol would be busy cleaning and stumbling upon a few vases and furniture every now and then and Baekhyun would then laugh and help him patiently.
Today, they ate cereal with pin-drop silence and Chanyeol knew something was terribly wrong.
He couldn't recall anything he would have said or done to upset Baekhyun. They even went on a very pleasant date the previous night. And Baekhyun was over the moon, exhausting himself by spending all his energy jumping around the whole time. He was tired and slept the moment they reached home.
"Hyung?" Chanyeol gently slid into the bedroom after getting no response on knocking. He tried to give Baekhyun some space and occupied himself with his work but there was a nagging in his head that told him Baekhyun needed him.
Watching him, Baekhyun immediately pulled a blanket over his head.
"What's wrong?" Chanyeol sat beside him, trying to pull the blanket but he held onto it for dear life. "Nothing. I feel a little sick. Will be better if I sleep."
That alarmed his Husband and Baekhyun realized maybe that was not a good excuse. Chanyeol would panic for sure if he falls sick.
"Let me check your temperature. Is your head hurting? Should I ask Junmyeon Hyung to come over? Should I call your mother?" There he was, his baby. Exaggerating over his little statements.
There was no option. Before Chanyeol could do any of that he slid out and showed him his bloodshot eyes and tear-stained face.
Chanyeol's eyes went wide. "Why were you crying? Are you in that much pain? Where does it hurt?"
"I'm not sick, I'm just a little sad, stupid. Just go. Let me be." He was rude. He knew it was unfair when Chanyeol was only worrying over him. But his husband can get naive sometimes.
Chanyeol seemed like he would cry any minute, which led to a fresh set of teardrops from Baekhyun's eyes. The taller male entangled him in his arms, holding him with no questions.
Baekhyun hates crying. And he hates doing it especially in front of his people. He knows that shatters them the most. He is supposed to be their happy pill, the prankster of the group that helps keep serious situations under control. They all depend on him for comfort unknowingly.
Chanyeol isn't an exception. Even after being married for years, he freaks out the moment he sees tears in Baekhyun's eyes. So the elder tries to keep everything in and plaster a smile. Maybe that was the reason he couldn't control himself right now. It was getting difficult for him to keep it in the more he bottled up.
"Do you remember what that fan said yesterday?" He asked, holding Chanyeol's collars with both hands and digging his head in his chest, wetting his shirt entirely.
The incident came across Chanyeol's eyes and he instantly realized the reason for his breakdown. Baekhyun had waved it off easily as if it didn't hurt but he should have known better.
They had stopped by a convenience store to stack up on soda. Chanyeol volunteered to go fetch it but when he took a long time Baekhyun went inside to find him talking to a few fans and taking pictures.
He quickly walked to them with a wide smile and stood beside Chanyeol enthusiastically showing his presence, "Hello!" Meeting fans had always been his favourite. He loves to interact with them and give back at least a little bit of what they give him.
"You seem lucky to even have Baekhyun in the picture now," Chanyeol said to the woman, preparing to take a good shot and chuckled when Baekhyun straightened himself in a pose.
The fan scowled looking at them both, clearly unhappy with Baekhyun's presence. "But I only want a picture with you, Oppa. His face would ruin it."
Baekhyun's smile didn't falter at that. He gave her a kind nod and moved out of the frame and Chanyeol couldn't do anything but watch. He couldn't create a scene there. He couldn't act rude to the fan. So he smiled too, reluctantly taking a picture and started moving away with Baekhyun as soon as he could.
He apologized to him many times. This was not the first time any of them had experienced this and he knew all his bandmates would have their own such stories. Baekhyun of course shook it off, saying just that. He had been normal for the rest of the day so Chanyeol didn't bring it up later.
"She was right. I have always been unpretty. I tried not to think about it and I know it's stupid but that is all revolving in my head since the moment I woke up." Baekhyun sobbed and Chanyeol's ears were red in anger. Why is it so difficult to treat idols like humans for people? He always fought such people and Baekhyun never hesitated to call them out as well. However, he pretends to be strong as if it doesn't affect him and suffers on his own, trying not to worry anyone.
"Baek, you are so beautiful and the entire K-pop industry would agree with me."
"Don't say it for my sake, Yeol. I might have an amazing personality, I know I do but I definitely am not attractive. It scares me because we work in a field where appearances decide careers." He said ruefully and Chanyeol grimaced because he knew that was true and completely fucked up.
"You are doing very well in this so-called field which is pretty self-explanatory. People are whipped for you and you have no idea how jealous I feel sometimes. You are lucky I trust you. However, let me remind you just how pretty you are." He cupped Baekhyun's squishy cheeks in his huge palms pulling his face closer. Baekhyun melted in his hands. He was so soft Chanyeol wished he could squish him up. But Baekhyun needed to be handled with delicacy.
"Let me just begin with these lips. When they smile I am filled with hope." He kissed him lightly and Baekhyun wasn't ready. He gasped when they parted and Chanyeol overwhelmed him with his deep breaths over his chin.
If kissing Baekhyun was a thirst then his lips were Chanyeol's oasis.
He gently wiped his eyes, hoping that the new tears wouldn't accumulate in them. He really hates watching him cry. Every time Baekhyun had cried, Chanyeol hated that he wasn’t able to comfort him. He didn’t know back then how to.
"Your eyes can shower on me as much as they can but I'd rather it be the twinkle in them than tears." He said, kissing each one of his eyelids. He smiled when they fluttered in surprise and giggled when Baekhyun shuddered. It seemed like he had gathered the entire universe in his eyes, sparkling with so much love.
His eyes landed on his jet-black hair and he smiled. They have gone through a lot and still have managed to not lose any of their charms. "I know you have pride in your hair but I love them the most when they are all I can grab when you make me touch heaven."
Baekhyun blushed. Too speechless with Chanyeol’s sudden shameless behaviour. He didn't get any time to speak when Chanyeol kissed him again. This time he responded, wrapping his arms around his neck and taking control.
Baekhyun's eyes scanned Chanyeol's face. He realized that he would never be able to find faults in him. Chanyeol was perfect. Love makes you blind to flaws, creating an illusion of perfection. The flaws become charms and the little mistakes are what makes you love more.
"You are so cute and pretty. I wish I could show you what I see. Then you would know." Chanyeol said dreamily.
Baekhyun was still thinking about his conclusion. Here was one person he cared about and loved the most. His opinion was what mattered. His love mattered. He didn’t need anyone’s validation.
"You love me as I love you. So maybe, I do know what you see. I don't care if I am pretty for the world until I am for you." Baekhyun said, before getting on top of him.