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"Bacon!" You would think that the guys hugging in front of him have not seen each other in ages, given how tight their grip on each other was. If he wasn't wrong, it had only been less than a day since Chanyeol and Baekhyun said goodbye to each other yesterday. He was there to witness it.
But the giant was so clingy to his little friend, that anyone outside that small friendship circle could get the wrong idea. Even he was getting some weird ideas, and he was with them most of the time.
To make it clear, he wasn't really friends with Chanyeol. They were only forced to hang out—friends by association, as Kyungsoo called it.
How did that happen? Well, Baekhyun.
Chanyeol and Baekhyun have been best friends since they were little. Both attended the same school in primary and because they were always in the same class, they were used to seeing each other. It was around middle school when they discovered that they actually shared the same interests, and from then on, they were inseparable.
Kyungsoo came into Baekhyun’s life in university. They were enrolled in the same minor class, and never actually talked to each other. He didn't like Baekhyun’s very loud personality, and as much as possible, he sat away from him so he could maintain his peace. Until they were paired for a class project. He hated him so much that he even approached his then-professor to swap partners but his teacher dismissed his request. So, with clenched teeth, he accepted his cruel fate.
Later on, he discovered that he was indeed loud, but he was also very humorous, and as they completed their project, he'd learned to just go with the other person's very interesting personality. Eventually, they became best friends.
And Baekhyun was the kind to make sure his friends were also friends. That's how he and Chanyeol met.
It's been three years, but they seem to not hit it off. It was either the taller guy was annoying the shit out of him, or Kyungsoo was rolling his eyes at whatever he was doing.
That day wasn't an exception. Chanyeol was especially clingy to Baekhyun these past few months and it was strange, to say the least. Wherever they were, Chanyeol would follow.
He was so close to asking his friend what the fuck was going on between the two of them. But Kyungsoo was Kyungsoo. He wasn't the nosy kind, and although he was itching to know, he could not bring himself to say it. " Are you two dating? " He imagined those words coming from his mouth and even to his ears it sounded off.
He wouldn't mind them dating if he didn't see both of them on a daily basis. The universe may have been playing games at them because what were the odds of them working in the same company when they didn't even hold the same college degree?
All three of them were accepted at one of the biggest companies in their city. Although assigned to different departments, they still see each other every day, especially when Baekhyun made it a habit to remind them that they'd be eating lunch together. What was he going to say?
" No, thanks. I wouldn't want to bother your romantic date. " He could already see his friend glare at him in disbelief. So, he obliged, and so far, they'd been doing this for six months.
They were on their way home when Chanyeol saw them leaving the building, he flung himself into the arms of his friend like a stuffed bear, and clung to him like a species of leeches, forgetting that he was at least 15 centimeters taller than both of them.
Failing to remember that he was within Chanyeol’s line of sight, he rolled his eyes incredulously and took a step to leave them. Behind him, the best friends exchanged meaningful looks.
Before he could fully exit the building, Baekhyun called his name and stood beside him, suggesting that they go grab a drink together before going home, while Chanyeol positioned himself beside Baekhyun seamlessly. Kyungsoo had to gather all the self-control he could gather so he didn't comment or roll his eyes again.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
They landed at the nearest bar along that road. As the night was still young, there were not many patrons lounging around so they practically had the space to themselves. Kyungsoo was taking his time drinking his makeoli while Chanyeol and Baekhyun both had a bottle of beer in their hands.
Sometimes, with how obviously similar the best friends were, he would wonder whether he didn't belong there. Maybe he was taking his friend away from his original best friend and the reason why the giant puppy was always around was because he wanted to spend some time with him every chance he got. To be fair, he and Baekhyun were almost as close as he was with Chanyeol, and he did like the former as a friend. So, unfriending him for the sake of someone sounded a bit out of tune.
"I'll just pop to the toilet," Baekhyun said sheepishly and stood up. His blond hair looked lighter against the light at that corner. When he disappeared from his view, Chanyeol sat on his seat, no doubt uncomfortable. To put it into perspective, they never hung out together. They were never given time to be alone with each other. It was always with Baekhyun and he understood how he was feeling because he was feeling it too.
Unluckily for them, they'd have to wait until their friend came back. Kyungsoo kept himself busy by picking on the peanuts from the bowl of snacks. But probably, Chanyeol could not be bothered to wait any longer. He said his excuses and followed where Baekhyun went. Which left him there alone with a drink in his hand.
A minute passed. Then two minutes. Five minutes.
The men were not back yet, and he also needed to go to the loo. He motioned his hand to the nearest waiter and asked him to please watch over their spot, which he acknowledged as well.
The way to the toilet was a bit narrow even for an average man like him so it was a challenge to go through that alley. According to the waiter, the toilet was outside the building, and he just followed the instructions he gave. When he turned right, he instantly stopped. Chanyeol and Baekhyun were in front of the toilet, discussing something. Baekhyun was using his hands in exaggerated motion, while the other guy, was pacing back and forth in small steps (the place was tiny compared to his very wide physique). He looked distressed.
"Will you stop that?" his friend asked, obviously annoyed.
Chanyeol’s big feet halted. "Sorry. I don't know what to do anymore, Hyun. Like, what am I supposed to do?"
The smaller guy looked at him, eyes narrowing on him. "I have been explaining here, like a fool, and you didn't even listen to anything I said?" He smacked him in his arms.
"Ow," he rubbed the part where he hit. "Sometimes I wonder whose friend are you."
"Yours." He said in a heartbeat. Kyungsoo felt a bit hurt, hearing that from him. Although they did know each other longer.
"And Kyungsoo's, too." He continued, and somehow, that made him instantaneously relieved. "That’s why I am trying my best here to help you with your good damn feelings for him. But what were you doing? You're screwing it up!"
Kyungsoo's jaw dropped. For a few seconds, his nerves forgot to send a message to his brain for his body to make any motion. He was frozen—shocked—to say the least.
Did he hear Baekhyun right? Chanyeol had feelings for him, for him ?
"I don't know, okay? I couldn't even look him in the eye. Did you see him? His cheeks were shiny after a few drinks." He could not believe his eyes. The bigger guy's voice was excited, his movements bouncy, and he caught himself thinking ' cute '.
Baekhyun whistled, this time amused with how a big man like Chanyeol could really act like this after a mention of Kyungsoo's name. "I am aware that my friend is cute, Loey," he called him using his nickname, "...but I don't see Kyungsoo that way so I could not relate to how your eyes instantly turn heart-shaped when you see him."
Did Chanyeol blush? Or was that his eyes, and the light from the bulb hanging on the wall playing tricks on him?
The blonde guy spoke again, this time threatening his friend who was considerably bigger and taller than him. "But I'm telling you. Tell him tonight or I will take things in my hands and tell him myself."
Chanyeol whined. "Don't you dare!"
"Try me."
They continued discussing, but nothing was registering to him anymore. Only one thing was clear to him: Chanyeol liked him. And he didn't know how to process this newly discovered information. When they moved, the smallest man ran back to their table, trying his ultimate best to act normally.
"Soo! Let's go home, I'm feeling drunk."
"Ahhh. OK," he answered, avoiding Chanyeol’s eyes. Already questioning Baekhyun’s motives, he took note that his guy never got drunk with just a few bottles. But he just went with it.
His friend snapped his fingers as if he thought of a good idea. "Chanyeol, why don't you take Kyungsoo home, since you live close to each other."
They didn't. His house was closer to Baekhyun’s, exactly the reason why they almost always came to work at the same time.
All Chanyeol could do was gawk at them, his eyes opened wide. He cleared his throat. "Uh...uhm...I—sure. I guess."
The muscle inside Kyungsoo's chest hammered like crazy.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
It was stupid to go along with Baekhyun’s suggestion, but he was also scared he would do what he threatened him about. The last thing he wanted was for Kyungsoo to learn about all this from someone else. Despite his hesitations, he'd rather he hear it straight from him. That would give him the chance to explain himself and clear out possible misunderstandings.
His house was in the opposite direction from where the guy lived but he didn't mind. At the back of his mind, he was thankful of Baekhyun’s very spontaneous scheme because it gave him a chance to be with Kyungsoo. Only the two of them.
A few times, Baekhyun asked him why he still hadn't confessed to him when he was just within his reach. He'd tell him he was nervous or shy. Partly, maybe. But there was one reason—the biggest reason why he always hesitated.
He was afraid to be rejected. Kyungsoo hated him, you see. Every time he joined him and Baekhyun in the past, he'd catch him glaring at him, or rolling eyes at whatever he said or did. He laughed it off in the beginning, but as the years went by, Kyungsoo never really warmed up to him.
Baekhyun had other friends, and he had no problem hanging out with any of them. As extroverts, they both loved being with other people, and it worked like that for them. He wasn't also the jealous type, and never felt threatened that his childhood friend had friends outside their friendship.
The last time he checked, he was a fun person to be with, and his presence liven up the atmosphere. But Kyungsoo seemed to think otherwise. That put doubt in his head.
He liked Kyungsoo, and Baekhyun knew that. But it was an impossible connection to build. Because Kyungsoo was not into him, nor was he willing to build bridges with him.
He sighed. Just being with him, even though they were not speaking to each other, was already special for him. God knew how much he wanted to tell him, but he was so sure he was going to be rejected, and maybe refuse to even be around him.
Could he handle that?
In his deep thoughts, he did not realise that Kyungsoo already was lagging behind him until the smaller altogether stopped walking.
"So, do you like me?"
He heard him say. It took him a while to put it together that he was not beside him anymore. He turned around, too fast, he almost dislocated a bone in his neck.
"What did you say?" Who the hell ratted on him? Only three people knew about his one-sided feelings. One was Baekhyun and the two were his college buddies who Kyungsoo was never acquainted with.
"Do you?" Kyungsoo put on his defiant face, and for what reason he could not explain. "I accidentally heard you and Baek talking. It wasn't my intention to eavesdrop, and I apologise if I did. I just got curious because I heard my name."
"Ah. Did you." To say he was disappointed was devaluing the feelings he carefully nurtured throughout the years. He was disheartened, to be frank. Disheartened from being robbed of the chance to actually confess to him, bare his heart to him, while looking into his eyes, and reading the underlying message he could not say. But what could he do when it had been done already?
"So, what's this about?" Bravely, he asked, bracing himself for impact. This will be his first heartache, and it was going to be from Kyungsoo. The power he had over him was unexplainable. "Came here to tell me you don't like me?"
"I—what?"
The taller man drew a sharp breath, "Tell me, and I won't take it against you. It's a 'no', right?"
"How sure are you that it's a rejection?" He challenged him. For the first time, Kyungsoo looked at him without disdain on his face, he was just Kyungsoo, eyes spoke of a million little things, and lips parted from not following what Chanyeol was saying.
He let out a dry laugh as if the question was a poor attempt at a joke. "I would know. You hated me, Kyungsoo." It was actually harder to say out loud than to just think about it. And all this time, he never really came to verbalise this, and wow, it hurts.
Kyungsoo was beyond shock. "No, I don't!"
"You do. Maybe you never really thought about it, but your face told me countless times how you dislike me and my presence. Your face isn't necessarily discreet, you know." He made a silent chuckle, trying to make the situation lighter.
Kyungsoo lifted his hand to stop him from speaking. "Hold it right there, cowboy. Let me get this straight.” He let out a low groan, trying to clear his head. “It’s true I sometimes feel annoyed when you were around. How could I not be annoyed? You clung to Baekhyun like a leech all the fricking time. You give me a nod—a nod—and then proceed to give your full attention to Baekhyun as if I wasn’t around.” Some cars were passing by so they moved towards the sidewalk, Kyungsoo still talking nonstop. “Before you get the wrong idea, no, I am not jealous that you were hogging his attention—he was your friend first to begin with.”
Chanyeol tried to trace his actions in the past, recalling situations when he deliberately ignored Kyungsoo but he could not pinpoint any.
“But I’m there in front of you, could you at least throw some attention to me? Because, in case it still isn’t obvious yet, I want your attention, too.” He halted before he ran out of breath.
For the second time that day, Chanyeol’s brain lost all its ability to comprehend simple sentences again. “You’re telling me, you like me, too?” It wasn’t clear to him, and he wanted to be sure, so he risked asking, expecting to see Kyungsoo roll his eyes again.
Kyungsoo did not fail him, and he did so with so much gusto, “Yes, you dimwit.”
"I didn't know—why?"
"Of course you didn't. I was careful not to let you know.”
Chanyeol shyly put his hand in his pocket. ”I was just trying to find reasons to be around Baekhyun because being around him means seeing you.” Boy, that felt refreshing, finally saying what he had been feeling to the person who mattered. “Because I thought you hated me, I just want to use any kind of excuse to be around you, and the reason why Baekhyun just went along with my constant behavior was he knew why I was doing it.”
“You gave me the wrong idea about your dynamics. That went on for almost a year now. I thought Baekhyun and you had a thing, which made me more annoyed at whatever you were doing, and I didn’t want to be there to see how you’ve become so sweet with each other” he pouted.
The giant smiled a big wide smile, finally feeling relieved. “Yes, we did. We had been planning to make you fall in love with me.”
“Well, you failed big time because none of your antics worked—none of that will ever will because I beat you to it,” he said smugly, enjoying the light banter they were having. Had he known it was an exhilarating feeling, he would have done it in the beginning.
“I’ll woo you, formally.” Out of nowhere, he declared, leaving Kyungsoo blushing for the first time that night.
To hide the blush on his face, Kyungsoo continued walking ahead, Chanyeol was quick to follow. “That’s up to you. But I am not easily impressed by flowers or chocolates or expensive gifts,” Kyungsoo declared confidently. Well, to be fair, he wasn’t lying. None on that will work because Chanyeol alone was enough
He yelped when the big hands of Chanyeol grabbed him by the waist to pull him closer, “Maybe,” he whispered, eyes locked in his, “kisses would work fine,” he said before dipping to plant a light peck on his lips. He giggled and loosened the hold of his waist, allowing Kyungsoo to escape from him.
In shock, the smaller guy pushed him away, and without looking back, ran towards where his house was, the big figure of Chanyeol bent laughing hard before running to catch him.
•───────•°•❀•°•───────•
From behind a tree, Baekhyun came out from his hiding place, giggling like a schoolgirl.
“It’s about time,” he said, fully aware of the tension that had been brewing between them for they had been awkward ever since the first day they met.
“Now, that those two have finally figured things out on their own, I can focus on my own love life,” beaming, he excitedly walked home, knowing for a fact that someone had been waiting for him.
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