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Byun Baekhyun is very observant, if he said so himself. Nothing ever escapes his notice, not a thing. So when he starts to notice the shy glances, the fond look, the brief gesture of touching one's shoulder or flank when they're passing each other, the secret smile and the whole 'joined at the hips' business, he is immediately convinced that Park Chanyeol and Do Kyungsoo are pining over one another and are as oblivious about it as two people who share a single brain cell would be.
Another thing about Byun Baekhyun is that he's also unnecessarily nosy, making people's business his everywhere he goes. Thus, he sets out to help the two lovebirds get their happy ending.
But what Byun Baekhyun isn't, is an idiot. He knows what battle to fight in and what he needs to win it. That's the whole reason he decides to clue in the other members on the little secret he knows and the plan he's hatching, he knows he can't carry it out alone. However, even Byun Baekhyun, self proclaimed bonafide genius, must face difficulty and problems when it comes to his friends— it is common knowledge that they aren't as perceptive as he is, after all. So he isn't exactly surprised when the other members laugh in his face and tell him that he's going crazy from all the extensive and admittedly tiresome practice. That, however, doesn't mean he isn't wounded.
Baekhyun, as a very matured, very much an adult that he is, huffs and pouts and refuses to say anything further.
"Get some rest," Junmyeon says good naturedly as he pats Baekhyun on the shoulder. "Keep yourself out of trouble."
"Although," Jongdae says, raising one finger, "Now that you mentioned it, it doesn't sound as crazy as I thought it would be." Baekhyun can kiss him right now if he isn't busy burrowing his face in Sehun's arms.
"Maybe Jongdae also needs to rest," Yixing pipes in with his chopsticks halfway to his mouth.
"I agree," Jongin nods, "With Yixing. You're talking about Kyungsoo hyung and Chanyeol hyung, they're already fighting like cats and dogs whenever they're in a same room together. Just thinking about them dating makes my skin crawl."
Minseok just silently shakes his head as he takes another drink. He doesn't need to say anything, Baekhyun can pretty much guess his thought on the topic. Probably something along the line of idiot and why do I have to deal with this?
∆
Baekhyun has thought he'll have to just carry out the Operation OIE (Open the Idiot's Eyes) by himself, which he has no problem with, mind you. He's persistent, and some may even say insistent, and once he set his mind onto something, he doesn't give up until he sees it through.
However, while he's busy planning for the first move in his head, he gets pulled away to a corner of the practice room by Junmyeon who looks annoyed and refuses to look at where Chanyeol and Kyungsoo are standing unnecessarily close to each other on the opposite end of the room, whispering between themselves.
"You're right, okay. I see it. It's disgusting. I can't stand it anymore. I'm in." Junmyeon whispers, urgency in his tone.
Baekhyun smirks in triumph.
The second time he's dragged away, he's walking towards the shower after a long practice. It's Jongdae, who looks as tired as Baekhyun feels. He pulls Baekhyun into the changing room and half whispers in his face, "My god, I'm going crazy. I can't believe they're so obvious about it! Whatever crazy idea you've come up with, I'm in."
Baekhyun allows himself another smirk.
The third time he's approached, the person is a bit more civil than the previous two. Baekhyun has stepped out on the balcony to take some fresh air and finally form a more solid plan when he feels a tap on his shoulder. But just to be petulant, he only hums and refuses to turn his head to acknowledge the person standing beside him.
"You know," Minseok says softly, his voice half carried away by the traffic below them, "I think you might be right. Perhaps I shouldn't get myself involve in this, but... count me in."
Baekhyun dramatically turns his and, once again, smirks in triumph.
The fourth member to give in is Jongin, and his choice of place to spring the topic is a bit... inconvenient. They're in an airport, about to board their plane to Hongkong for a concert and the two lovebirds are walking before Baekhyun, joined at the hips as always, walking unnecessarily close even when they've left behind the swarm of fans that pushed and pulled them around, forcing them all to stay close with to each other to avoid accidents. Baekhyun tuts under his breath, resisting the urge to just lock them together in a closet until they kiss or something. Interesting, he thinks to himself, wondering if he should propose a game of 7 minute in heaven.
"Hey," Jongin nudges him on the shoulder, "Forget what I said the other night. You're right and I hate you for that but I'm getting sick of seeing Chanyeol hyung looking at Kyungsoo hyung like he wants to devour him whole every time he turned his back. Just count me in, alright, whatever it is, I'm in."
Baekhyun decides to just smile at Jongin, to safe face incase someone's pointing a camera at him (he was told that whenever he smirks he look like either he's just told a dirty joke or he's been told one, no one needs to get any funny ideas).
Sehun finally caves after Baekhyun's insistent nagging while they're cuddling on his bed. "If things go wrong and Kyungsoo found out, I didn't know anything about it," Sehun mumbles as he nuzzles against Baekhyun's face. Baekhyun excitedly nods and kisses him.
∆
Their first meeting is held in Baekhyun's room. More specifically, on Baekhyun's bedroom floor. All of them, six grown men, are sitting around in circle on the floor, watching each other warily, waiting for Baekhyun to finish whatever he's doing on his phone as the man himself rapidly types down something. No one seems particularly pleased to be there even though they come there on their own will.
Then the door is opened slowly and another member sticks his head in. All eyes are immediately on him although the man in question doesn't seem to notice it until he joins the circle and looks around to see everyone's staring at him.
"Uhh," Yixing says, scratching his nose, "What are we doing?"
"Yixing hyung," Baekhyun sighs, finally putting his phone away. He hasn't exactly expected any answer from Yixing because Zhang Yixing is as oblivious as the two lovebirds are. That's why Baekhyun doesn't bother to tell him about the meeting. Moreover, Yixing has a knack for asking questions about the most random thing that doesn't even have anything to do with what's being discussed and that is sure to set them back a few paces too slow.
"Before you ask, it was me who told him to come," Junmyeon quickly pipes in, "I thought, since everyone's here, he must have agreed to join too..."
Baekhyun smiles tightly, telling himself that one person alone can't possibly fuck up all of his plan, even though he knows it's Yixing they're talking about and there's nothing Zhang Yixing excels in more than fucking up things unintentionally. And he'd look at you with the most adorable puppy eyes and apologise like he's repenting for committing all seven of the deadly sins at once, and Baekhyun can never find himself to be mad at him. Damn it.
"So... why are we here?" Yixing asks again.
"For a meeting," Baekhyun says shortly.
"Oh," Yixing says, like he understands, but everyone knows he doesn't. "A meeting? A meeting for—?"
"Here's the plan," Baekhyun loudly cuts him off. Each of them, especially Baekhyun, knows it clear as day that if they let him, Yixing won't stop asking question after question.
∆
Baekhyun's plan was set in motion during their trip to Hawaii. Initially they were there to film a commercial, but there were some technical difficulties and something about someone being dead but Baekhyun has stopped paying attention after he heard three more days and you can go sightseeing if you're interested. And, boy is he interested. It's a god-given opportunity and he's intent on utilising every moment of it.
While they are out, walking down the streets thankfully without attracting too much attention, he sees a bicycle rental and grins to himself. He tells the others to wait for him as he quickly makes his way in and asks to rent seven bikes.
Of course it's Yixing who raises the question. "Why are there only seven?" He asks, unaware of Baekhyun's side eye.
"Because," Baekhyun scrambles around for an excuse. "Because they've only seven bikes."
"Are you sure?" Chanyeol joins in, looking back at the rental, where several bikes were displayed behind the glass wall. Yes, it isn't the best lie Baekhyun's ever told but sue him he can't come up with anything more believable, and the others aren't helping much either. They just look away, pretending to be busy with one thing or another as they refuse to get themselves tangle in the conversation. Assholes.
"Well, that's what they told me. And I'm not about to argue with the staff, am I?" Baekhyun waves his hand to dismiss any further inquiry. "Kyungsoo can share it with Chanyeol and Sehun here promise to share his with me. Any objection? None? Alright, let's go."
When Yixing opens his mouth again, Baekhyun quickly gives him the nearest bike, "Here's yours, hyung. Good? Okay. Let's go."
"Wait but why do I have to share?" Chanyeol asks again.
Baekhyun sighs dramatically and is preparing to rant about why it makes sense that they share it, reasoning his decision with Chanyeol being the tallest and all but, fortunately, Kyungsoo beats him to it.
"Just get on with it."
Chanyeol doesn't say anything further as he takes one of the bike. But Baekhyun notices a light blush resting high on his cheeks as Kyungsoo awkwardly gets on the back seat and clutches Chanyeol's shirt tightly in his fists. Baekhyun shares a knowing look with the others, and Yixing who stares back at him with a questioning look.
During the entire ride Baekhyun instructs Sehun to drive close to Chanyeol and Kyungsoo, hoping to see some result. But the two lovebirds aren't doing anything. Kyungsoo still sits awkwardly, clutching onto Chanyeol's shirt and apart from Chanyeol occasionally turning his head to the side to say something and Kyungsoo leaning a little closer to hear him better, they don't do literally anything. Not even hugging a bit closer or just... something. They don't even look like they enjoy riding together!
Yixing, though, keeps asking why they can't just take the company issued car. Baekhyun wants to throw the bubble tea that Sehun makes him hold onto at him.
So the first phase is a disappointment. But that doesn't matter, Baekhyun has many more tricks up his sleeves, he just needs to think of them first. He's thought about making them share a hotel room but that isn't exactly something new and moreover, sharing a hotel room isn't as intimate as it seems at first. There are always the option of two single beds and he's pretty sure those two idiots aren't going to resolve their pining by spending a few nights together in a spacious hotel room.
While he's busy writing down possible scenarios where the two lovebirds could be uncomfortably close with each other, without actually shoving them both into a closet, Sehun comes out of the shower and hugs him from behind.
"Hyung," He whines, "You've been paying less attention to me."
Baekhyun smiles up at him as he pecks him on the cheek, "After Operation OIE is done, we'll do whatever you want to do, okay?"
Sehun just grumbles and buries his face in Baekhyun's neck. He seriously needs to get this over as soon as possible.
∆
The next phase comes in the form of camping out on the beach they had been to on their first day. No one seems to be interested, but once Baekhyun glares at the other six members, they reluctantly agrees. Jongin even goes so far as to enthusiastically talk about how nice it would be to freeze to death overnight, before throwing a condescending smile Baekhyun's way. Baekhyun sends him away to gather sleeping bags before he can cause any more harm.
"Is this even allowed?" Chanyeol asks on their way to the beach, quite literally dragging his feet behind him. Kyungsoo, of course, walks beside him in silence.
"How would I know?" Baekhyun shrugs but once all of them turns his way to frown at him he hastily adds, "I ask, okay, I ask for permision and they told me as long as we don't litter, it's good."
"Did you though? Or did you bribe them?" It's Junmyeon, who quickly moves away from Baekhyun incase he tries something.
Baekhyun just flashes him a smirk, "Who cares? We got the permission and that's all that matters. I'm not saying I did, but if I put on more charm than necessary and made a point of asking them about their lives, who's to call me out on it?"
Ironically, Baekhyun could only find six tents. He did go out in the evening and ask around where he could borrow tents for a night with the intention of only renting seven, but people seemed to be in need of a tent too that night 'cause the owner had only six working tents for him.
He can feel Kyungsoo glaring at his head even though Baekhyun makes a point of not looking his way. Between Chanyeol and Kyungsoo, if either one of them was to figure out Baekhyun's scheme, he knows it'll be Kyungsoo. But at least he doesn't voice his displeasure out loud.
"Chanyeol and Kyungsoo can share," Byun Baekhyun doesn't beat around the bush, that's part of his charm. "And, of course, I'm sharing with Sehun. Any volunteer for Yixing?"
Chanyeol doesn't say anything as he helps Jongdae setting up the tents, and Kyungsoo just stands there with an unimpressed face. Good, they know they can't bargain their way out. Yixing, on the other hand, has something on his mind.
"But why do I have to share?" He complains.
Everyone knows Yixing should never, ever be left alone. Especially on a beach, at night, in a tent. The man is scared of everything, and you never know what'll happen on a beach at night, which means a possible jumpscare for Yixing, which can escalate to no one getting a single wink.
"Just because," Baekhyun says dismissively, crawling into the tent Sehun has set up for them. "Anyone want a beef jerky?" He calls out as he unpacks his bag.
Once they settle for the night, Baekhyun keeps an ear out for any sound but aside from Yixing and Jongdae's muffled bickering (poor guy lost the rock, paper, scissor) it's relatively quiet. Chanyeol and Kyungsoo's tent is right next to Baekhyun's (a careful placement on his part), but it is as if the two had gone straight to sleep, there's nothing but silence coming from their side. Baekhyun's expecting something, maybe being squished together in a small space would finally open their eyes. He has thought perhaps they'd catch each other's eyes and they wouldn't be able to look away and in the heat of the moment, perhaps one of them would build up enough nerves to finally, finally confess.
But no such thing happens, it seems; and when Jongdae and Yixing's bickering died down and there's no sound but the ocean lapping up the beach and the wind picking up briefly before going quiet again and the occasional traffic, Baekhyun slowly falls asleep wrapped up in Sehun's arms, disappointed and wondering why the operation proves to be a failure so far.
∆
Baekhyun's frustrated and bitter and annoyed as he realises he's running out of time. Every trick he comes up with fails miserably: Oh there isn't enough ice cream but Chanyeol happens to get the extra large one? Why don't Chanyeol shares it with Kyungsoo? Kyungsoo doesn't like the flavour so he declines; Oh look a photo booth that seems to fit only two people! The two of them took as generic a picture as possible, sitting there together with a bright smile and making faces at the camera; Kyungsoo has been complaining about his back, why don't Chanyeol go and rub it for him? Yixing volunteers to help him before Chanyeol can even open his mouth to either refuse or agree. And many, many more.
On their last day, to cheer Baekhyun up Sehun proposes an outing in the park behind the hotel they're staying in. He begrudgingly agrees even though he'd rather stay in and try to come up with the next phase for the operation.
He's thought Sehun has meant it as a date but apparently not, because when Baekhyun finally arrives at the entrance of the park, all the other members are there too, talking animatedly among themselves. Once he's in hearing range, they immediately complain about having been out in the sun for half an hour, waiting for him. Baekhyun ignores them, and Yixing who's in the middle of passionately rambling his hatred for pigeons and how every park seems to have them.
The park itself is quite nice but what really attracts Baekhyun's attention is the wood connected to the south side of the park. He has a possible plan in mind and this time he's fully committed to see it through. The plan might be a kdrama-esque scene, but at this point he doesn't care anymore. Byun Baekhyun has already set his mind on something and he won't rest until he makes the two idiots confess.
"What if we get lost?" Yixing asks as they make their way into the woods. Baekhyun has half a thought to lead him into the thickest part of the wood and leave him there.
"Don't worry about it," he waves his hand dismissively, "There's a path. See, we won't get lost." He point to the distance where the clearing they're walking on continues on and disappears into a curve.
Yixing still looks around suspiciously but he stays silent, thank god
As they walk around the woods, taking pictures and chattering loud enough to scare off any living beings in a five miles radius, Baekhyun (not so) patiently waits for the perfect moment to execute his plan. Here's how it'll go: he'll lead the group a bit further from the path and into a more thicker part of the wood, and they'd somehow, mysteriously, by mistake leave Kyungsoo and Chanyeol alone. Of course he'd mark where they're going so they'll be able to find them again, but being alone with no one but the person you have feeling for even for only a few minutes, in the middle of the wood with no one in sight, ought to boost some confidence to finally spill your guts, right?
While the plan is immaculate, the right moment never comes, it's as if mother nature just simply isn't on Baekhyun's side. After a few hours, the parts of the sky visible between the trees already turn red and they have to go back before the sun sets.
Baekhyun is disheartened and frustrated to the core, wondering why his plans never seem to work out, when Kyungsoo trips on a tree root that's awkwardly springing up from the ground and falls face first on the ground. Although concerned, Baekhyun inwardly cheers and thank the mother nature for presenting him with the perfect chance and apologises for cussing her out when, in fact, she has been stalling for the perfect moment to help him instead.
Trying not to grin like a fool when his friend is hurting, Baekhyun immediately runs to Kyungsoo's side to inspect the injury. Kyungsoo has already taken off his shoes, wincing slightly as he moves his foot around. The others immediately rush towards them, asking if Kyungsoo's okay.
Kyungsoo grunts and tries to stand up but Baekhyun holds him down, rambling about how awful it looks and how much worse it could get if he tries to put too much pressure on it.
"Chanyeol can carry you back. Right, Chanyeol?" Baekhyun says, looking pointedly at the man in question who's just standing there pointing at himself.
"Me? Why? I... I mean, I don't have any problem but..." He looks around the group, confused.
"I can walk," Kyungsoo says shortly and tries to stand up again but Baekhyun presses down on his ankle to keep him seated, by accident. Kyungsoo glares at him as he winces in pain and before he can say anything Baekhyun beats him to it.
"Look at you, you're the biggest one here. And it's not like you often use all those muscles for anything aside from lifting weights, is it?" Baekhyun makes a point of pointedly staring at said muscles. "Look at me. Do you think I can carry him with these arms!" To make it more believable, he shakes his own arms around so they wiggle uselessly in the air.
"What— What about Sehun?" Chanyeol points at where Sehun's leaning against a tree, enjoying the drama unfolding.
"Me?" Sehun startles, caught off guard. He fumbles around for an excuse but Baekhyun just glares at him. "Well... I... have to help Baekhyun hyung," He says slowly, "Because... we have been walking around for hours and he's tired and when he's tired he's always complaining and... you know."
Chanyeol doesn't look like he knows. He stares at him, unimpressed, before he shifts his gaze to where Minseok is crouching beside Kyungsoo, helping him remove the leaves and twigs from his hair.
"What about you, Minseok hyung?" Chanyeol asks, folding his arms.
Minseok looks up with round eyes, just as caught off guard, he looks around for help but no one comes to his rescue. "I hurt my arm," He blurts out.
"When?" Chanyeol frowns, wondering how the man can possibly have the chance to hurt his arm since a few minutes prior he was busy cleaning his hands with the hand sanitizer he's brought with him every few seconds as they trace their path back.
"Just now." Minseok says, looking constipated, "An ant bites me"
Baekhyun cringes.
Before Chanyeol can even look at his way, Junmyeon immediately grabs Yixing's arm, "I have to pee," he says resolutely, stops to think for a second and says, "We need to pee." He drags Yixing away, who follows him without any protest.
"Do I even want to ask?" Chanyeol says as he shifts his eyes to Jongdae and Jongin who have backed up a bit further away from their crooked cricle as they pretend to look around their surrounding. The two shake their heads in unison.
After Junmyeon and Yixing come back, almost immediately when Chanyeol gives in and agrees to carry Kyungsoo back, they set out again. Even though Kyungsoo protests, Chanyeol ends up carrying him in his arms because, Baekhyun holds his finger up and says sagely, carrying him on your back could hurt his sprained ankle. Kyungsoo glares at him and says that it's not sprained, Baekhyun ignores him and repeats himself until they both give in and Chanyeol scoops Kyungsoo up in his arms.
A blush appears high on Kyungsoo's cheeks as he puts his arms around Chanyeol, and Baekhyun grins to himself. He makes sure they couldn't see him, of course. But as they neared the park and the two lovebirds don't do anything aside from Kyungsoo asking if Chanyeol is tired and Chanyeol shaking his head before asking if Kyungsoo is uncomfortable and Kyungsoo shaking his head before telling Chanyeol to let him know if he's tired, Baekhyun sighs in defeat.
He would have smacked them if Sehun hadn't immediately put his arms around him to stop him from doing so.
∆
Although Baekhyun has failed to complete Operation OIE in Hawaii, that doesn't mean he has forgotten about it. He's just lying in wait, like a tiger waiting for its prey. However, it seems that the opportunity to pull another trick decreases even further once they're back in Korea. Even though they all live together, they've their own work to do, if it's not for the group, there's always the side projects that keep them busy. It has been weeks since he has seen Chanyeol and Kyungsoo together in a room except for a few minutes before they rush out for this and that.
One relatively uneventful day, when all of them finally have a brief break for the evening and are happened to be home, Baekhyun's frustration reaches its preak and he ends up locking Kyungsoo inside the broom closet when he's inside looking around for a pack of detergent because Baekhyun has flushed the one in the laundry room down the toilet earlier, so Kyungsoo could come look around the closet for it, because it's his wash day and Do Kyungsoo never misses his laundry day.
Baekhyun immediately leaves the area, ignoring Kyungsoo's indignant yell and threats.
A few seconds later, Chanyeol is dragged down the same hall by Baekhyun with the help of other members. Chanyeol limbs fly everywhere as he tries to break free, asking what's going on and where they're taking him. He's then unceremoniously tossed inside the closet and Baekhyun quickly locks the door again before Kyungsoo can make any attempt at escaping.
"Byun Baekhyun!" Kyungsoo knocks on the door loudly once he catches his breath after Chanyeol knocks it out of him. So he shoves Chanyeol aside so he can bang the door harder, though it doesn't do much since they're still pressed up against each other as the broom closet isn't exactly made for two grown men. "Byun Baekhyun, get us out of here!"
"Baekhyun. Guys. Come on, let us out!" Following Kyungsoo, Chanyeol bangs on the door with his hand that isn't trapped between his flank and the closet wall.
"No," Baekhyun says as he takes a seat in front of the locked door. "You have something to discuss, until you're done, you're not getting out of there."
The others follow his example and sit down on the floor themselves, except Yixing who opts to look around for something to eat in the kitchen and leave them there. It's not like he knows what they're doing, anyway. Jongdae has barged into his room and asked him to help them carry Chanyeol to the broom closet, so he has just went and helped them even though he has no idea why they need to drag Chanyeol down to the broom closet.
"What are you talking about?" Kyungsoo yells, enraged, "Just let us out!" He shook the closet door violently, "I swear to god Byun Baekhyun, I will end you!"
But he only gets silence in return.
Kyungsoo waits for a response and when it doesn't come, he shakes the door some more and continues to cuss Baekhyun out. After a few minutes of Kyungsoo shouting his throat dry and Baekhyun and the others staying silent, Chanyeol finally takes Kyungsoo's hands in his to stop him.
"I think they're gone," Chanyeol whispers, pressing a little closer to Kyungsoo. In the midst of Kyungsoo shouting like a mad man and Chanyeol trying to take his arm out of it's uncomfortable position he has somehow ended up behind Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo agrees with a sigh as he let his head rest on Chanyeol's shoulder.
"Why do you think they locked us in here?" Chanyeol asks, nosing around Kyungsoo's neck.
"No idea. It's Baekhyun, he does dumb shits." Kyungsoo rolls his head to the side, giving Chanyeol more room to explore.
"Yeah, but usually within reason."
"You think he knows? About us?" Kyungsoo asks, awkwardly turning his head as much as he can to look Chanyeol in the eye, but the closet is too dark for him to see anything.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he does," Chanyeol whispers as he fumbles around and cups Kyungsoo's face in one hand, "I haven't exactly been hiding it as well as I should have."
"Well, I know I didn't either."
"So," Chanyeol drawls, mirth in his voice, "We're in a closet, alone, and it doesn't seem like anyone's coming to check on us... What should we do to pass the time?"
Kyungsoo chuckles and kisses him.
Baekhyun stares at his phone and watches the numbers going up and then down and then up as the seconds tick by and it turns into a minute, and then two. After the timer says five minutes and nothing happens, Jongin and Minseok get up and leave quietly. Even Jongdae gets bored and leaves to get some food just as quiet. Once the timer hits fifteen minutes, Junmyeon has already fallen asleep with his mouth wide open, his head against the wall. Sehun too, is bored, he has his head against Baekhyun's shoulder, half asleep. Baekhyun, on the other hand, is still waiting for something to happen, perhaps a gasp, perhaps a full blown conversation, a cry of joy, just something. Something to let Baekhyun know that his plan has finally worked out, that the two finally manage to spill their hearts out.
But nothing happens! When he hears muffled rustle followed by nothing else for the umpteenth time, Baekhyun stands up suddenly, startling the two men beside him as he throws open the door before quickly throwing it shut again. He covers his eyes and cuss out every profanities he has ever learnt in his life. There, inside the closet was Kyungsoo kneeling on the floor, Chanyeol's dick in his mouth, and Chanyeol looking like a deer caught in the headlight.
"What the fuck! What the fuck were you doing!" Baekhyun shouts, feeling nauseous.
The loud commotion piques the others' interest and they come rushing back to see Baekhyun furiously rubbing his eyes as he curses up a storm and Kyungsoo and Chanyeol coming out of the closet, disheveled and red in the face.
"What's going on?" Minseok asks.
"They were having sex!" Baekhyun yells, petulant like a child ratting out on his older siblings sneaking out at night.
"We thought you all went away!" Kyungsoo defends, "And they don't need to know what we were doing!"
"What?" Junmyeon says, grimacing. "I store my sweets in there!"
"So that's where you put it!" Yixing butts in, pointing a finger at him. "No wonder I couldn't find them in the pantry anymore."
"You two are dating!" Baekhyun exclaims, incredulous, pointing a finger at Chanyeol and Kyungsoo.
"Obviously. I wouldn't have sucked him off in the closet otherwise!" Kyungsoo retorts before taking Chanyeol's hand and intertwining their fingers, making Chanyeol even more red than before. "We've been together for almost a year now. Do you have a problem with that?"
For almost a year! Baekhyun stares, dumbfounded, and so do the others. He doesn't understand. For almost a year. They've been dating for almost a year now. How can it be? How can Baekhyun miss that? But he is so sure. The shy glances, the secret smiles, the passing touch! Baekhyun stares and he stares some more. Is he the one being clueless here? But he's so observant, anyone will tell you so! How can he miss this! How?!
"If you do," Kyungsoo continues when it seems that no one's going to say anything, "I'm not sure I can promise that it won't affect our friendship."
"What?" Baekhyun says, reeling back. "What? No! Of course we don't have a problem! That's the whole reason I... we locked you two in there."
The other members stares at Baekhyun now, incredulous. Sure they helped him bring Chanyeol to the broom closet, but when it all boils down to it, it was Baekhyun who has pushed Kyungsoo in the closet and locked the door. They just helped him finish what he had started. And now Baekhyun is pointing finger at them too?
"What?" Chanyeol asks.
"We," Baekhyun tries but stops short, laughter bubbling up his throat as he fully comprehend the situation.
"We're trying to set you two up." Jongdae chimes in, understanding the other's struggle. And, oh! Baekhyun could kiss him right now!
"Set us up?"
"Yes. We notice... some things, you know. And we thought it'd be good for everyone involved if you two... you know." Jongdae wiggles his eyebrows suggestively. "But I guess you already did."
"Oh," Chanyeol says, comprehension dawning on him. "They didn't know we were together," he turns to Kyungsoo, "So they tried to set us up together."
"Oh," Kyungsoo nods, blushing a little now that his anger boils down a bit, "I see."
"It was disastrous but it's really cute," Chanyeol smiles widely as he squeezes Kyungsoo against his side.
Baekhyun sighs as he rubs his temple. "I need rest. I can't forget what I saw, it's ingrained in my brain. I'm gonna go lie down. Sehun, cuddle!" He snaps his fingers towards the general direction of his bedroom before quickly leaving the others behind, Sehun following his steps with a quick congrats! to the two lovebirds.
"So..." Jongin pipes up.
"Right. Thank you, guys," Chanyeol grins, "For accepting us, and for the effort you put in."
"This was all Baekhyun's doing. We were just dragged in along the way." Minseok quickly replies. "But we're happy for you two."
"Yeah, but this wasn't exactly how I planned to come out of the closet," Chanyeol mumbles.