Work Text:
Baekhyun doesn’t realise where he’s driven himself after the company meeting until he’s been staring at the reader outside Minseok’s apartment garage wondering why the keycard he keeps slapping against it hasn’t unlocked the parking lot gate yet. Seeing as it’s near eleven at night, there’s no cars behind Baekhyun to witness his exhausted mistake, but that doesn’t stop him from cringing as he draws the keycard back.
Baekhyun actually does have access to Minseok’s building, and he has kept it in his Porsche’s locked compartment since the day the older had handed it over. It’s nowhere near safe but it’s also unlabelled, so he’s kinda been hoping that any car prowlers won’t wonder what it is. He also hasn’t ever actually had to use the keycard considering every other time he’s come over Minseok’s either waiting downstairs or sitting beside him ready to lean across and use his own.
Honestly, it doesn’t even make any sense that this is where Baekhyun has ended up. Considering all the legal briefs he needs to reread and the payroll to sort out he really should have just headed home. Better yet, his inbox has gone from 100 to 300 unread in the past week, and that wasn’t even the personal one. It’s the middle of the week, and he knows for certain that they both don’t have time for any socializing.
Knowing this, Baekhyun finds his finger slipping from the button to start the car up again to his favourite callers list, naturally ringing Minseok. Curse technology and touch screen only cars of the future. Baekhyun groans, the line ringing only once before Minseok picks it up, as if he were expecting him.
“Hello?”
“Hey um,” Baekhyun sighs, hand dropping his keycard in his lap before pinching his brow. “What are you doing right now?”
Minseok hums over the line. “Right now? About to make dinner, I got distracted with vocal training so I just got home. Why?”
“Uh, Can I come over? Well- can I come up? I’m kinda already here…” His voice peters off, and Baekhyun draws his arm in to shrink in his car seat.
“Oh, you’re here Baekhyun-ah? Come up, come up, we can eat together.”
“It’s not a bother?”
“I can’t turn you away at the door, can I?” He giggles.
“Well technically I’m not at the door yet.”
“Yah, do you wanna come up or not? Seriously, do you want me to change my mind?”
Baekhyun perks up in his seat. “Okay, okay! I’ll see you soon.”
The line goes dead and Baekhyun scrambles to spin the wheels on the lock to the right code, 900326, which is arguably one of the worst combinations he could’ve picked since the keycard is the only thing he keeps in the compartment. It’s still there when he pops it open, smooth cold black plastic which unlocks the gate nearly an inch away from the reader.
This time Baekhyun’s fingers don’t slip when he starts the car up and pulls into the lot. Minseok doesn’t own the building’s penthouse—he says it’s too expensive—but the unit is worth enough that he’s afforded three parking spaces. Baekhyun pulls in next to his Range Rover which still looks brand new despite a decade of use. The slam of the car door and the click of Baekhyun’s heels echo loudly in the parking garage, and he winces while hurrying towards the elevators. Luckily it’s already at the ground floor, opening with a loud chime, and Baekhyun slumps against the mirrored walls. It’s here he realises he’s kept Minseok’s keycard gripped in his hands.
The day he had given it to him was pretty ordinary all things considered. At the time Baekhyun was still enlisted, but the Social Service Personnel hadn’t required him to live on a base or work terribly long hours. The long evenings alone in his apartment became unnatural after a month, compelled him to invite Minseok out to eat. It wasn’t the first dinner during his enlistment but it stood out due to how uncharacteristically quiet he was.
The silence was broken by a sudden jerk of Minseok’s body, pulling the keycard out of his jacket pocket and nearly slapping it on the table.
“What’s this?” Baekhyun had asked, looking down curiously.
“I bought a new apartment. It’s in Geum ho dong. I wanted to keep the view of the Han river but also get a place with another guest bedroom for when my nieces and nephews visit.”
“Ah, they’re truly turning you into an Ahjussi.”
Minseok had bristled and attempted to pull the keycard back but Baekhyun was quicker, slapping his own hand over it.
“Don’t take it away, you haven’t even told me what it is!” He whined.
“Ugh you brat… It’s the key to the apartment. If you ever want to come over just- give a little notice so I can clean up.”
Baekhyun had been a bit dazed, honoured that he was somehow important enough to get access before even coming over and curious of how far the elders’ kindness extended. Was it just him who was offered a keycard, or Jongdae too? Was it every member? How often could he actually come over? Was this an actual invitation to come over or just a key given in case of some emergency? Alas it’s been nearly five years since that dinner, and Baekhyun could count the amount of times he had asked to come over on one hand.
The ring of the elevator door startles him out of his stupor, and he hurries out into the hallway. There’s only two doors on this floor due to how high up in the building the units were. It’s a handful of steps before he finds himself standing at the front door. Part of him wonders if the keycard even works after five years, or if it ever worked; the rational part of his brain says it worked not even five minutes ago in the parking lot and he ought not to wallow. Baekhyun still struggles slightly to bring the card up to the reader on Minseok’s door but, similarly to the parking garage, it unlocks before even properly touching the reader.
With an easy click it automatically opens inward revealing Minseok sitting at his kitchen table, facing the doorway. He smiles and stands up, arm wrapping easily around Baekhyun’s shoulders.
“Baekhyunnie come here~ take your shoes off and wash your hands okay?”
He nods, reaching down for a boot and wobbling in place. Minseok still hasn’t gone far, and Baekhyun uses his chest for balance.
“You’re tired today, hmm? Have a long day?”
A hand squeezes on Baekhyun’s shoulder and he can’t help but groan. It’s as if all the tension in his body is brought out simply by Minseok’s touch.
“Two with the lawyers and then one with the BPM execs,”
Minseok steers him towards the sink, humming softly to coax him into continuation.
“Just a lot of things to keep track of, a long day, I feel like I’ve been falling behind on everything.” Baekhyun laughs hollowly, resting his wet hands on the edges of the sink as he leans over. Minseok’s hands haven’t left him, moving to squeeze above his shoulder blades. This time, the only thing preventing Baekhyun from making any more embarrassing noises is pulling his bottom lip into his mouth.
“Aish, you really are tired, c’mon let’s eat something.”
He releases him with a pat on the back, and Baekhyun has to resist the bucking feeling in his knees. Minseok putters around behind him, pulling out containers from the fridge.
“’m sorry, I didn’t actually come over here to vent or anything…”
“How can I refuse the whims of my CEO?”
Baekhyun frowns, sitting down opposite him. He goes to speak but Minseok shoves chopsticks in his face before any words can make it out. It’s a rice and spinach dish and Baekhyun can see sesame seeds topped on it. It’s cold and refreshing, a delicious umami flavour; he can’t stop the appreciative hum he releases at the taste.
“My Mom made this for me, I’m not that good yet,” He comments, dishing out a little of everything onto Baekhyun’s plate. “But I did make the meat! Tell me what you think of it alright?”
“It’s good it’s-” Baekhyun feels his chest constrict. “I really like it. You’ve really improved.”
“I’ve been watching my cooking videos,” Minseok starts. “I tried this marinade from one of those. The actual cooking was easy too, I just put it in the oven.”
They eat in relative silence because Minseok dislikes when people talk with food in his mouths, and Baekhyun is trying extra hard not to be a bother. The food really is good, especially for all Minseok has to say about being a bad cook. In between bites Baekhyun is able to catch his expression, features soft and introspective as he chews. One of the first things Baekhyun noticed about him was his penchant to keep things bottled up. Minseok doesn’t like confrontation—despite all the times he’s gone shirtless on stage—and is quite diffident. Despite the decade and a half they’ve known each other, at times like this Baekhyun had trouble figuring him out.
When he finishes, Baekhyun places his chopsticks on his plate and moves to take Minseok’s to the sink. He smiles up at him, clearly surprised by the initiative to clean up.
“So helpful Baekhyunnie, I see you finally attended your etiquette lessons.”
Even with his back turned he can tell he’s awaiting a snarky response that Baekhyun can’t find within himself to give. “I’m just being a good guest since I came over unannounced.”
Minseok moves towards his cellarette, pulling out a portly bottle half full of amber liquid. “If you wanna be a good guest, why don’t you drink with me?”
Dinner is one thing but drinking… Baekhyun knows he should say no. He might not have much going on tomorrow but the emails will continue to line up and his secretaries will be even more irritated by his slacking off. Not to mention he’d planned on running tomorrow evening with Yoosung and really he wasn’t twenty anymore, he knew he’d still be feeling it then. There are hundreds more excuses flowing through his mind, yet they all dissipate once Baekhyun looks Minseok in the eyes.
There’s nothing particularly special about the way he looks today; an oversized cream sweater and dark pleated pants. Minseok’s facial expression is almost perfectly neutral; it is only a slight twinkle in his eye that reminds Baekhyun of how much he loves to drink. But Baekhyun wants. To be closer, to let loose, to touch more… he’s not sure. In times like this, isn’t it best to follow an elders guidance?
Minseok’s face breaks out into a grin at the sight of Baekhyun’s hesitant nod, eagerly grabbing two crystal glasses from a cabinet. He poured a few ounces into the first one, sliding it across the counter top in Baekhyun’s direction. “This is for you,” In the other glass he pours far more, stopping a few centimetres from the lid of the glass. “And this is for me. Come.”
Minseok picks up the fuller glass, carefully bringing it over to the couch area to set down. Eagerly Baekhyun follows, wincing when his own glass sloshes in his haste to follow. He’s placed himself in the middle of the couch; Baekhyun aims for a friendly distance between him, sitting down an arms length from him, but Minseok is having none of it.
His kittenish eyes peer at him over the rim of his glass as he takes a swig, eyebrow quirked. He sets the glass down quietly on a coaster before scooting close enough that their thighs touch. Minseok’s ironed pleated slacks pressed up next to Baekhyun’s rough raw denim. It shouldn’t be possible, but Baekhyun can feel the warmth of the elders’ thighs through both of their pants. He swallows, bringing his own drink to his mouth for a slight sip. The fiery liquid burns his throat, and he doesn’t manage to bite back his grimace at the taste.
Minseok grins, arm inching around his shoulder. “You still can’t tolerate your liquor that well, can you?”
Near immediately Baekhyun feels the pace of his heartbeat pick up. At this point Baekhyun’s not sure if the proximity or the alcohol is the cause for how his face flushes. Not to mention the heat in his gut which has seemingly only grown from sitting in the parking garage. Something in the way his eyes quirk, as if Minseok could understand Baekhyun’s thoughts better than himself.
“I’m just picky, I can handle some drinking fine. What kind is this?”
“Bourbon, from the United States. It’s used sometimes as a nightcap, like a little drink before bed.”
“I guess I just don’t think Bourbon is my thing.”
Minseok huffs a laugh, leaning forward for his drink again. His arm trails away, and Baekhyun’s shoulders feel cold. “Most alcohol isn’t your thing Baekhyunnie.”
“I like soju! With some soda to chase it of course.”
“Of course,” He nods in faking agreement.
“If you know I don’t drink, why do you try and get me to do so all the time.”
“You’re so focused and intense sometimes; So wound up.” Minseok’s hand has come back— risen from his shoulder to the back of Baekhyun’s nape where he caresses the fine hairs. “I just want you to relax a little bit.”
To hide the incoming shiver Baekhyun leans forward, picking up his glass and taking another sip. The taste hasn’t gotten any better in the past couple of minutes, and the heat inside himself is rising. By now he knows his face must be flushed, and his heart is beating even faster.
“I’m relaxed. I do relax, I’ve been going running among my other hobbies.”
Baekhyun hasn’t looked back at Minseok, but he can picture the look of scepticism on his face as he speaks. “You’re tense right now. Rigid since you walked in the door and you probably were when you called me too.”
“I just…” Baekhyun trails off at a loss for words. He’s not sure if it’s the exhaustion of the day or the alcohol, but he’s unable to find any words to describe the aching feeling within himself. Not quite sadness, loneliness, or a particular need, he just knows he needs to stay pressed up against Minseok. His fingers make their way up the side of his neck and a shudder racks through Baekhyun’s body, eyes fluttering shut. It seems the only reprieve comes from leaning into Minseok’s chest, weaseling his way into the olders’ arms.
“See? This is what I wanted. You’re doing okay Baekhyunnie. You’ve been working so hard, just let yourself relax.”
Baekhyun merely sighs in response, nuzzling into his chest. “I already feel so droopy and warm.”
“That’s okay, there’s nothing wrong with that.” His hands play gently with the hair at the nape of his neck for a few moments before leaning down and pressing a kiss to Baekhyun’s forehead.
If it were possible, Baekhyun finds himself sinking deeper into the cushions, head tilting back. It takes a bit of effort to open his eyes and drowsily look up at Minseok. Unsure of what he’s asking for, the aching in his chest is only growing. As if sensing something in his expression, Minseok leans down again, this time leaving a chaste kiss against his lips.
Baekhyun hears himself whining and pushes himself up once he pulls away. He knows he wants to keep kissing Minseok, possibly deeper and closer, but the drowsiness in his mind is making every limb in Baekhyun’s body feel heavier. Minseok looks down at him with a slight smile and he's melting again, eyes heavier than before.
Baekhyun wakes up to sunlight on his face and arms around his body. This, of course, is abnormal in that every room with windows in his house has blackout curtains, and he hasn’t brought anyone over, let alone slept with them in quite a few years. The bedside table clock only displays eight in the morning which is surprising with how rested he feels. None of this is quite lining up with his usual morning routine of waking up late, cold, in complete darkness.
Almost immediately Baekhyun’s heart drops into his chest, and he scrambles to untangle himself from the mess of appendages and sheets. The room itself is mostly empty but familiar in a way Baekhyun can’t quite place. He beelines for the mirror across the room, checking his neck and body for any sort of clue about what happened. His clothes have changed into a pair of soft grey sweatpants and buttoned sleep shirt.
His memories of last night are still fuzzy, his aimless driving, unprompted dinner with Minseok, agreeing to a drink, and nothing else other than hazy warm feelings. Slowly piecing things together it dawns on Baekhyun. Had he really…?
“Don’t worry, we didn’t do anything.” A groggy voice cuts through his thoughts.
Baekhyun nearly jumps. Minseok-hyung! He shouldn’t be surprised given what he does remember. Sure, they might not have done anything but Baekhyun has a feeling that something did happen judging by the change in clothes and vague feelings in his chest.
“We had dinner right? And then we had a drink- Did I black out and do something stupid? And my clothes…”
“Mhm, not that I can think of,” Minseok hums. “You just kissed me a bit before falling asleep on top of me. You were exhausted. I changed your clothes because I wasn’t gonna have you dirtying up my bedsheets.”
Baekhyun cringes, slowly looking back at the disgruntled man behind him. Minseok has a bad case of bedhead, with some of the longer strands of hair pressed against his cheek. He’s attempting to stretch his arms without actually pushing himself up, like a sleepy cougar in the grass. It’s endearing, and any embarrassment Baekhyun might have been feeling has been replaced with fondness. Still, he hasn’t explained everything.
“Why’d we sleep in the same bed then?”
“Well, when I tried to retire to my own room you grabbed onto my arm and wouldn’t let go of me until I laid down with you.”
And the embarrassment is back, possibly increased by tenfold. Baekhyun came over to his house unannounced, got drunk, kissed him, and then begged Minseok to sleep with him. He really was pathetic. He wasn’t even sure if they had kissed or if they had kissed. These were all the types of things Baekhyun hadn’t done in almost a decade. He needed to get out of here, this was definitely an overstayed welcome by over twelve hours.
“I really should g-” “Will you stay for breakfast?”
Baekhyun blinks, mind going blank momentarily. Minseok has propped himself up in bed now, cutely rubbing at his eyes. Somehow none of this seems to be affecting him a great deal. Once again Baekhyun’s mind fills with the excuses of last night, of all his responsibilities and duties. And yet...
“I- yeah. Yeah okay.”