Chapter Text
“Can you not,” Baekhyun hears above his head, “ask me that here?”
He fell asleep. Maybe it’s not surprising considering how much he had to drink a while ago. Seeing as he’s still lying in Kyungsoo’s lap, Kyungsoo and Jongdae must still be up drinking. He didn’t sleep into the morning after all. Baekhyun is about to shift, a groan rising in the back of his throat, when Jongdae’s words stop him.
“He’s asleep. And he drank so much; you know he wouldn’t wake up even if we were yelling.”
Are they talking about him? Baekhyun freezes.
“Shouldn’t you be going back? I thought Minseok was coming home today.”
“Not until tomorrow morning.”
“Okay, well, you have to clean up and…”
“I already did.”
“Why do you want to know so badly?” Kyungsoo asks. His fingers that were absent-mindedly working through Baekhyun’s hair stills. It was such a soothing motion that Baekhyun zoned it out, but now that it’s gone he feels strange. “It’s none of your business.”
“It’s my business if you’re going to shit all over him. He’s gone through enough of that before.”
Kyungsoo sounds as if he’s talking through his teeth. “Yeah, I know. I was there when Chanyeol came back, remember?”
Chanyeol. At the mention of his ex, Baekhyun stiffens slightly.
“Then you know why I’m asking. I’m sure Minseok asked the same thing before.”
“He did,” Kyungsoo says simply. But he doesn’t sound annoyed anymore; Minseok is difficult to be upset with. “I told him the same thing. That it’s none of his business.”
Jongdae sighs. “And he let it go, because he’s nice like that. I’m not, though. If it’s about Baekhyun, I’ll kill anyone who tries to hurt him.”
Baekhyun takes his words in shock. Yeah, of course he knew Jongdae and Minseok cared about him. They grew up together; they’re practically brothers at this point. But Jongdae isn’t vocal about it at all. He’s the type to roll his eyes and move on. A confession like this is unprecedented.
“I know,” Kyungsoo says.
“Then just tell me. Are you playing around with him? Or do you love him?”
… What?
“I… I’m not the type of person to play around with someone.”
Is he hearing what he thinks he’s hearing?
“Then…?”
“Yes, okay?” Kyungsoo snaps, voice rising a fraction. There’s a brief quiet before he speaks again, softly. “Yeah, I love him.”
The absolute silence that follows makes the racing of Baekhyun’s heart apparent. He swallows, trying to calm the thump, thumps that rush through his ears. He can feel Kyungsoo’s hand rest on his shoulder as he shifts slightly, steadying him in his lap.
“It’s not easy for me either. You know all about Baekhyun and what he’s been through, but what about me? Who protects me?”
“Baekhyun wouldn’t try to hurt you.”
“That’s the thing,” Kyungsoo says, quietly. “He doesn’t have to try.”
Baekhyun doesn’t understand a thing that’s happening. None of this makes sense to him. What does Kyungsoo mean, saying that he doesn’t have to try to hurt him? And does he really...?
Before he can do something stupid like get up and demand an explanation, Jongdae says, “You should ask him how he feels. If he hurts you, it’s your fault for making assumptions.”
Jongdae, that bastard. He already knows how he feels.
Baekhyun feels his face grow hot as he remembers. Right, he knows how Kyungsoo feels, too.
“I’m going home,” Jongdae says finally. “But I’m glad I don’t have to worry. I trust you.”
After a moment, Kyungsoo sighs. “Good night.”
“Good night.”
Still lying on Kyungsoo’s lap, Baekhyun holds his breath as he listens to Jongdae leave. Then, when he hears the door close, he can’t help it. He lets out a soft groan, shifting in place to turn into Kyungsoo’s stomach, snuggling in. He’ll take advantage of it, this time. That he’s drunk and just waking up. And that he knows Kyungsoo won’t push him away.
“Are you awake?” Kyungsoo asks. His hand finally returns to Baekhyun’s hair, stroking his head. When Baekhyun doesn’t answer, he breathes out. “I love you,” he whispers. Then, louder, “I love you.”
Baekhyun can feel his heart in his chest. It’s beating loudly, but Kyungsoo doesn’t seem to notice.
Instead, he laughs to himself. “I’m so stupid. Thank god you’re a hopeless drunk.”
He’s not. Suddenly, Baekhyun feels peeved about it. Why does everyone think he’s bad at drinking? Turning onto his back, he opens his eyes. “I am not a hopeless drunk,” he says.
“What--how long have you been awake for?”
“You are stupid, Doh Kyungsoo.” Baekhyun ignores his question and reaches up instead to squish his cheeks between his palms. “You’re mean.”
Kyungsoo looks funny, staring at him with his face all squished up. “Why am I mean?”
“I’m not a hopeless drunk,” Baekhyun says again. He drops his hands and his eyes flutter shut. “Fuck you.”
He falls asleep.