2015: I Came Back For You (Baekhyun/D.O.)

[baektobaek]

Pairing: Baekhyun/D.O.
From: ANONYMOUS until REVEALS

Title: I Came Back For You
Rating: R
Other Pairing(s)/Focus: ninja!Suho/Chen, hinted!Sehun/Lay
Length: 13,300 words
Summary: Angels don’t fall from Heaven; usually it’s people who fall on top of them.
Warnings: slight violence
Notes: so this is the longest thing I ever wrote, and honestly I didn’t expect it. Sorry in advance for…lots of awkward, I hope you all enjoy it anyway! *runs & hides*

He opens his eyes, and the first thing he sees is a blue sky above, its color so bright from here. Puffy white clouds slowly float in a mysterious pattern only known to them, and he suddenly realizes how beautiful it is. He smiles. It is a new experience for him. He keeps lying on his back, enjoying it. "Are you okay?" A shadow covers his view of the sky all of a sudden, and the smile slowly fades away from his face. "Young man, is everything ok?" The very same voice keeps talking to Him and He focuses on the human it belongs - a middle-aged man of medium height, with slightly gruff voice. There is a glow around him, it has soft white color and gives warmth, but most importantly, it is safe, so He smiles again. This human isn’t dangerous or harmful. Unknown man holds out his hand to help Him get up, but He ignores it, standing on His own, squinting a bit at opened palm. "Yes." He finally says, voice calm and smooth, looking right at the man’s eyes. "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern." The man freezes for a second, his gaze clouding and then sharpening as if a memory was whipped away from him, and after a moment he nods and goes on his way, like nothing happened. He watches the man walking away carefully but then, suddenly a voice pierced through his ears. It is bright and clear, soft and luring, as if whispering sweet nonsense in His head. He stiffens and looks around for the source, but then He is hit with realization that it is the very same voice that called Him here, to the ground. He smiles again, closing His eyes this time, savoring its timbre. The sound of this voice is mellow, slightly husky and melodic. It is rich, as if singing every emotion He wants to hear, every dialogue He wants to discuss. It is the most beautiful sound He has ever heard, and down here, the voice sounds even more beautiful than listening to it up there, in the sky. He takes a deep breath; storing the sound of this voice somewhere deep in His mind and makes his first step on Earth, following the call. He walks as if He knows where He is going. The Voice is calling to Him. ★v★ It’s only eight in the morning but rays of the sun are already filling the room, illuminating the corner of the bed, where a young man is sleeping peacefully, all covered up in blankets. The only part of his body that is exposed is his bare feet, peeking out from under the vanilla colored covers with brown a polka dot pattern. Nothing is disturbing his deep sleep, until there is a soft rustle and a little ginger haired cat is sitting next to the bed and staring at the young man's feet curiously. It tilts its head, ears moving a little to hear any sound and his tail wriggling impatiently up and down, hoping the bright shining sun will wake the man up. The kitten sniffs and lets out a quiet mewl. Nothing happens. It mewls again, soft meows becoming more like whining, but the man doesn’t stir.. The cat stops mewling and takes a few steps back, scanning the height of the bed. It wiggles its butt a little gearing for a jump and then in one swift move lands on the edge, grasping into the blankets with its claws. It makes another whine and then buries its wet nose right into the heel of a sleeping man. A low growl escapes under the blankets and the man moves his feet a little as if he was tickled. The cat lets out another exciting mewl, pressing its wet nose at the very same place again. “Noooo, Kitten,” the man mutters, drowsy, pulling his feet up to try to cover it in blankets. The fluff ball of kitten pulls its tail up, mewling happily at the sounds of the man waking up. It purrs and tries to sniff at the man’s heels again for which it gets a slight push. The cat falls off the bed with a short yelp. The young man finally looks out from under the blanket. Disheveled, he groans, a sudden heaviness in his head hitting him like a loaded sack, and he rolls over on his back, not even bothering to check how the cat is doing. "Don’t whine," he mutters irritably and curls up in the covers again, making a decision to try his luck to sleep at least an hour more. Luck isn’t on his side today. An unexpected call on his cell phone almost makes him jump on the bed. Cursing whoever is calling him, the man reaches for the bedside table and without looking at the display barks into the phone: "Who the hell is this?" "Always so charming!" the phone sings with Sehun’s voice, followed by a chuckle. "Did you feed the cat?" "What cat? Jesus, do you know what time it is?" "Pfft, Baekhyun, of course I know. I checked the time zones before calling you. Also two hours difference isn’t a big deal. I’m already up." "Good for you, damn it." Baekhyun sighs loudly and makes an incredible effort to finally sit himself up in bed, the covers drop to bare his pale broad chest and pale torso. "I was, by the way, sleeping and dreaming. You had the impudence to wake me up at the most interesting moment." He runs his fingers through his hair and yawns. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I wake you?" Baekhyun grunts. "Apology not accepted! And yes, you woke me up." It was actually Sehun’s kitten that woke him up but his friend doesn’t have to know the details. Baekhyun isn’t really a morning person after all. "Heavy night?" Sehun giggles into the phone. "Sorta. Jongdae decided to take me out to karaoke and ...-" "Oh God, don’t tell me that you were drinking and singing baby-making love songs!" Baekhyun can almost see his friend’s face in front of him looking reproachful. He bites the urge to roll his eyes. The songs he sang last night weren’t baby-making love songs, although he did make some furor with his rendition of Sheryl Crow’s “If It Makes You Happy,” and was dragged out of the bar by Jongdae right after he got his very well deserved round of applause and cheers. "We didn’t drink. Just some beer―” Baekhyun pauses. “Maybe," he says in his defense, trying to recall the amount of alcohol from yesterday, though it wasn’t like they were drinking hard―Jongdae isn’t any type of a drinker anyway. Baekhyun finally gets up out of bed, and puts his favorite dark blue pair of pants on. "Yeah, yeah, you tell me, I know you know how you can drink." Sehun changes his tone. Baekhyun knows those lilts when Sehun berates him for things. He presses lips into a thin smile, it’s sweet when Sehun plays his old brother and tries to scold him. "At least I was a star.” Baekhyun interrupts the latter, while trying to put his grey tank top on. It’s kind of challenging with the phone pressed to his ear but in the end the shirt’s straps fall loose on his shoulders revealing sharp collarbones. “So why did you call me so early?” "To remind you to feed Kitten!" "Brat." Baekhyun grunts and goes to the window. He opens it halfway, slightly shivering from the cold that rushes into the room. Baekhyun doesn’t like winter. But he likes to breathe its fresh air, to let it tickle his lungs in the mornings. "I love you too." Sehun smiles and mumbles something unintelligible. Baekhyn figures he isn’t alone, but then he remembers that Sehun is out of the country with Yixing. He definitely shouldn’t have drank yesterday, alcohol in any form never does him good. "Baek, look, I won’t be able to get back home today. The flights were delayed because of the snowstorm and…." "What?" Baekhyun freezes in the middle of the room and groans. "No, you promised! You can’t…. Jongin will kill you." He mutters, shaking his head. Jongin, their friend, is having a solo performance for Christmas, something he prepared for several months and something that is very important to him. Not only he will be dancing himself, but he also choreographed stages for the class he works with. They’ll all go there to cheer him up. "I know, I know. I am sorry," Sehun sighs in response. "But there is truly a weather disaster here. Yixing has already changed the tickets for tomorrow night’s flight. And he is upset as well." "Jongin definitely is going to kill you." Baekhyun repeats. “And don’t tell me I didn’t warn you when he’s done.” “I’m really sorry.” Sehun says, and the next moment Baekhyun hears some noise and Sehun’s short and quiet oh and suddenly he realizes that their whole conversation is on speakers. He shakes his head. "Tell Jongin I will make it up to him." Baekhyun thinks he hears Yixing saying something from afar. “Somehow.” "No, babe, it’s you who will call him and tell him that. You know how important that performance is to him.” Sehun sighs so loudly that Baekhyun almost wants to hug him. "Yixing says he misses you." “I miss you guys too”. Baekhyun smiles and suddenly feels so alone in Sehun’s apartment standing in the middle of the room and listening to his friends over the phone. Their trip was planned since summer, the kitten wasn’t planned though. But here Baekhyun is, in Sehun’s place—more like their place before Baekhyun moved―looking down at the fluff ball lying with its claws thrown up in the air, squinting at the rays of sun and ignoring Baekhyun. “You owe us an after party then.” Baekhyun says and hears Yixing’s voice saying something in chinese. “Sure! See you tomorrow, Baek.” And with this Sehun hangs up. Baekhyun pouts in a silent response, and after some minutes of thinking he leans across the table to open his laptop. He clicks on contact list in Skype and dials Jongdae’s number. He knows Jongdae keeps his laptop on the table beside his bed, and there is this mischievous urge to see his friends’ face after yesterday anyway. It takes around fifteen minutes before Jongdae’s sleepy face appears on the screen. Dark hair sticking out all over the place, making his cheekbones look even more sharper that they already are. “Baek, what the hell?” Jongdae groans in a very rusty voice, and Baekhyun smirks. “Sehun screwed my sleep and I’m screwing yours. It’s a vicious circle, babe, so good morning.” “I’m going to kill that brat.” Jongdae yawns and run his hand through his hair. “Seriously, to what do I honor your call so early?” Jongdae looks at the screen, still half-sleeping with his eyes squinting. He holds his face with his arm, fingers all over his cheek and tries not to fall in front of the monitor. “Boys are going to miss Jongin’s performance.” Baekhyun says and sighs. “Ok.” Jongdae says nonchalantly but then, realizing Baekhyun’s words, he opens his eyes and raises an eyebrow. “What?” “Sehun said the weather is horrible. They are stuck until tomorrow. Yixing changed the tickets for a flight tomorrow night. They are going to miss it.” "Jongin is going to kill him." Baekhyun pulls the corners of his lips in a tiny smile at the déjà vu. “ I’ve no doubt.” He sighs, scratching his nose. “Guess they are going to miss the after party as well.” “But you are coming. You are coming to our after party, Baekhyun. You are going to be at Suho’s tomorrow.” And that isn’t a question as Jongdae squints his eyes looking directly at Baekhyun and waiting for response. Baekhyun’s face twists for a split second and he nods. “Of course I will. Who spends Christmas alone? Even if I had to bear with all that cheese and pinky decorations that gramps, I’m sure of it, hung out on the walls already.” “Good,” Jongdae yawned once again. “And stop calling Suho gramps, please. He’s just one year older than you.” Baekhyun wants to say something snarky as usual when a glimpse of something behind Jongdae catches his attention. His eyes widen at the sight. Baekhyun coughs. “Jongdae…Is that…Who’s that naked ass walking behind you right now to your bathroom?” Jongdae opens one eye as he murmurs. “Huh? Where?” He turns his head and of course he misses the person in question. “Baekhyun, there is no naked ass there.” Baekhyun hums raising an eyebrow. “You’ve got to be kidding me. Some naked asses are walking around our apartment right now, and you’re so calm about it?” Baekhyun squints at his friend. “When I agreed to watch Sehun’s cat for two nights, it didn’t mean you’re allowed to bring home some naked dudes. Does Joonmyeon know about it?” Jongdae make a face and nods, absentmindedly. “Yeah, he knows. Is that a problem? Seriously babe, what’s the fuss? I’m alone right now.” Jongdae loses all interest in continuing this conversation about naked butts as he yawns again. Baekhyun frowns at his friend who is obviously calm and doesn’t even bother about anything. Now that is very suspicious, Baekhyun thinks, and he is almost about to re-evaluate their circle of trust but then- “No! Get back here!” Baekhyun shouts so loudly that Jongdae winces. “What’s going on?” “Sehun’s cat!” Baekhyun disappears from the monitor and rushes to the window that he opened earlier. “Is everything alright?” he hears Jongdae’s concerned voice. “Baekhyun?” “Yes! Hold on.” Baekhyun looks out of the window. Of course this dumb kitten is sitting on the windowsill on the outside, with wild eyes full of terror. While Baekhyun was busy talking with Jongdae, the cat was too curious about the sounds coming from outside so it scrambled through the curtains and decided to peek outside. However, when common sense leaped back in his small brainless head, the cat realized the danger of the whole situation by sitting on the edge on the third floor’s window. And now it just sits there motionless, clinging to the metal for its dear life and mewling wildly, not even reacting to Baekhyun’s desperate calls. Baekhyun is ready to not give a single damn about the cat, cursing inwardly at the moment he agreed to take care of it while his friend was abroad. But then he imagines Sehun’s angry and sad face with all his pouts and frowns and sighs heavily. “You better thank me for what I’m about to do to save your little fluffy ass,” Baekhyun mutters and puts his knees on the windowsill. He carefully climbs onto the windowsill and, kneeling, holds out his hand to pick up the poor animal. His slender fingers grasp just a few inches from the cat’s hair when he suddenly loses his balance. Baekhyun hears the cat’s short mew before he lets out a silent gasp and falls down. ★v★ “Oh my God, you killed him.” It’s the first thing Baekhyun hears when his consciousness kicks back in. He didn’t completely passed out, but a sharp drop of that height knocked him out, and it is only now Baekhyun realises what happened. His brain quickly joins images of his fall, and Baekhyun gasps, almost feeling that sickening experience of being weightless again. Everything is like a bad dream, and Baekhyun barely keeps from pinching himself to wake up. He still isn’t sure if the fall was real. “Hey, you! Are you alive?” A scratchy voice comes almost at his face and Baekhyun winces from a strange and unpleasant odor. “Y-yes,” he breathes out faintly and opens his eyes to greet a local janitor—Baekhyun recognizes him immediately—who cleans the area in front of the house Sehun lives in. “Well, then, if you are alive, get up from the corpse.” And only now everything clicks. Baekhyun realises why he doesn’t feel the ground beneath him. He lays on someone. The thought terrifies him so much that Baekhyun jumps like a scalded cat and freezes, too afraid to turn around and look down, expecting a flattened body and pools of blood, at the very least. “Hey, not so fast! What if you broke something?” The janitor clearly isn’t expecting Baekhyun to get up so quick, especially not when he has just fallen from the third floor. “Nothing.” Baekhyun breathes out. “I didn’t break anything.” He shakes his head, dismissing the bloody pictures out of his mind and finally turning around, bracing for the worst. There is a man, lying on the ground in front of him. A young man, and definitely not older than Baekhyun. He is of the same height, fair skin, with a nice pair of legs; one arm is on his chest. Baekhyun scans the man up and down, looking for visible injuries. At least there is no blood around. To his relief this young man apparently just passed out because Baekhyun fell on him from above. Baekhyun shudders again at thought of the fall on top of another person. “Yeep, dead,” the janitor repeats, and Baekhyun jumps in surprise when he realizes that he was too distracted by the guy lying in front of him. A very attractive guy so to speak. “I think he just blacked out.” Baekhyun sighs heavily leaning closer, but as soon as he gets down to check, the young man's eyes snaps open, and he immediately sits up. Baekhyun freezes from the look the stranger gives him. Big eyes watching him as if piercing through his soul, and Baekhyun feels goose bumps running over his whole body. He doesn’t even think that those goose bumps might be from the cold weather or because he is wearing simple pants and tank top outside, but instead, it’s from the fierce gaze the man gives him. “You....” Baekhyun literally forces the words out of himself, swallowing. “Are you...all right?” Baekhyun blinks and breathes heavily, suddenly realizing that all that time while they looked into each other's eyes he wasn’t breathing. “Yes. I am.” The stranger says, and Baekhyun is paralyzed again. But this time because of a very low and calm voice. One completely incompatible with the man's face. And his face is horribly perfect, Baekhyun realizes. Those big eyes penetrating into Baekhyun’s soul, thick eyebrows, and dark hair perfectly framing his forehead—soft cheekbones, plump lips. The guy fell out from some kind of fairy tale; he is so damn good looking. But that deep tone of his voice. “And you, are you alright?” the man asks in reply and smiles. Baekhyun has never seen such a warm smile, so he just nods, being out of words. “I’m glad,” the man says, his tone changing. It isn’t that low anymore but the way he talks gets Baekhyun’s attention anyway. He is also astonished by the man’s concern, oozing from his whole existence and Baekhyun wonders why he feels safe all of the sudden. “So, if everything is ok, you don’t have to sit on the ground.” The janitor stretches out his hand to help the young man up, but the latter stands up by himself, frowning a little at the janitor’s hand, as he is somehow afraid to touch it. “Thank you for your concern. You can go.” The man says in a slightly authoritative voice, and looks directly into the janitor’s eyes. He stares at him just for a few seconds. The janitor blinks, then nods and, stepping back, silently withdraws from their sight. Once the man is gone, the stranger turns his all attention to Baekhyun, who is staring at him wide eyed. The man is around his height, indeed, maybe even shorter, and Baekhyun notices, he has a good figure: dark jeans are covering his legs, and a dark blue plaid shirt suits his face and eyes so much that Baekhyun involuntarily admires his simple but modern style. And not to mention that chic tweed classic coat and gray scarf casually tied around his neck. Damn attractive. Baekhyun nearly swoons at the aesthetics and gentleman that scream from his whole posture. The man’s face is somewhat childlike and—Baekhyun muses—squishy but his stance, clothes and his gaze gives off a completely different vibe. Baekhyun suddenly remembers that he is outside and that he isn’t really dressed for the winter weather unlike the man who was here to catch his fall. He winces and rubs his shoulders trembling with cold. “Your awesome coat is dirty.” Baekhyun says with a meaningful look, not knowing how to ask the man to come inside, still remembering the way this stranger looked at the janitor. Maybe he should take it easy and with hints instead of being direct—Baekhyun is not sure. Baekhyun goes to the porch and stops right in front the door, turning back to face the man. The stranger stands still, looking back at Baekhyun, dumbfounded and curious and not getting the hint. He just looks at Baekhyun with his big eyes, looking a bit lost in action. Baekhyun sighs rolling his eyes. “Look, I'm cold.” At this the man’s eyes blink, something like concern painting his face, and Baekhyun swallows, the odd feeling of safe coming back to him. “I…let's go inside? I'll make coffee or something at least, after everything that happened.” He pulls the corners of his lips in a small smile and tilts his head to the side of the entrance. He knows he might not be very polite at the moment, and his invitation to come inside sounds more awkward than anything else, but really, his butt is freezing off, and since he is a kind person—sometimes as Jongdae might say—he still owes this handsome and mysterious man his life, or at least a part of his body that he didn’t break while falling out from the third floor window. The stranger smiles back at him and nods, finally following Baekhyun into the building. ★v★ “The hell?” Baekhyun exclaims angrily, standing in the front of his apartment and realizing that the keys were left inside. “How do I get in?” Baekhyun throws his hands in the air and then mutters something intangible He pulls the knob hoping that maybe luck is on his side again. The door is locked. Baekhyun sighs, pressing his forehead on the cold wood and closing his eyes. He remembers the sound of the key clicking when he got back from the karaoke yesterday. It’s still hanging in the lock, a pikachu key chain dangling from the ring. Baekhyun feels some movement. He opens his eyes only to catch the hand that loosens around the door knob. Baekhyun turns to see the stranger still standing behind him and then he hears a slight click. His eyes widen. “It’s open.” He quietly gasps, a frown cutting his forehead. Baekhyun shakes his head a little. “That’s weird. I’m pretty sure I locked the door yesterday,” he says, turning to his companion and scratching the back of his neck, pensive expression on his face. “Maybe I’m still dazed from the fall.” Baekhyun shrugs and then opens the door. “Come on in,” he says, entering the apartment and letting the stranger in, closing the door behind him. The keys are still in the lock, but before Baekhyun can think of the mysterious unlocking again he hears his phone’s ringtone coming from the bedroom. “Jongdae.” He rushes for the call, leaving his guest alone. Baekhyun quickly explains why he left their skype chat, then exhales slowly and runs fingers through his hair, muttering curses at Kitten who is not even bothered with the phone tossed besides and sleeps peacefully on the bed as if nothing happened, and then remembers he has a stranger inside of the apartment. This thought could terrify almost everybody, especially Sehun, since it is his place, but Baekhyun weirdly enough doesn’t feel any danger at this moment. He shakes the nagging feeling off and goes back in the hall, curious why it’s so quiet there. Baekhyun fights the urge to roll his eyes when he sees the man exactly where he left him, at the door, standing awkwardly as if waiting for Baekhyun to get back for further instructions. “Why are you standing here?” Baekhyun furrows his brows. The man looks at him, his face soft and calm, eyes glistening with something Baekhyun can’t decipher. “You didn’t tell me what to do.” The man says, and Baekhyun’s mouth makes an “o” and for a second he doesn’t know how to react. “I…okay, buddy.” Baekhyun quickly composes himself and snorts, and then chuckles and shakes his head. “I don’t need to tell you what to do. But here’s the thing. That is the bathroom over there. So you can use it, while I make us some coffee. Okay?” Kyungsoo looks straight at him, still showing no reaction. Baekhyun sighs. “I’ll be in a minute. Take your clothes off or whatever. Just make yourself at hom…, comfortable.” Baekhyun mentally slaps himself and goes to the kitchen. It takes him a couple of minutes to put some water when he realizes that it is too quiet in the hall. Probably even quieter than it was when he was talking with Jongdae over the phone. Baekhyun decides to check and when he pokes his head from the kitchen his eyes widens and he lets out a squawk. “What the hell are you doing?” In three steps Baekhyun is in front of his guest, who apparently took Baekhyun’s words to take off his clothes too close to his heart and now is stripping himself right in the middle of Sehun’s apartment's hall. “You said to take my clothes off.” The man says, confusion painting his beautiful face. “A coat. Just a coat, not all of it.” Baekhyun rolls his eyes and reaches up for the buttons of man’s plaid shirt but the moment his hands grip the fabric the man flinches as if afraid for Baekhyun to touch him. “Woah, easy there. I’m not going to hurt you.” Baekhyun holds his hands up in defense taking one step back, looking bewildered. His guest seems unfazed though, even if he standing without his coat and with plaid shirt almost unbuttoned. Baekhyun spots skin underneath and his breath hitches a bit. “I’m not –“ The man worries his bottom lip just a little, then says, “ - allowed to be touched by people.” Baekhyun face twitches for a moment and he isn’t sure if laughing would be the right choice right now. “You do know that I was laying on you when I fell out of the window.” Baekhyun looks at the man, squinting, and man’s eyes widen in horror, but he collects himself quickly. “That doesn’t count. I was saving your life.” He says, gaze shifting from Baekhyun to something behind him and then back to Baekhyun. “I think you forgot something there.” Baekhyun furrows his eyebrows on him and then remembers that he left coffee getting ready in the kitchen. He lets out a gasp and rushes there, missing how man’s face softens and his lips curl in tiny smile. When they are set up at the table (although it took some explanations as to why the man had to sit and Baekhyun was internally growling because it was quite hard to make his guest more comfortable without leading him), it’s quiet again. Baekhyun takes a sip of coffee peeking at his guest who looks around, expression curious on his face. “You don’t like coffee?” Baekhyun asks and the man shakes his head slightly. His gaze drops at the cup, and then he looks at Baekhyun who says. “I can make you tea; I think Sehun – that’s my friend’s apartment by the way – has some black tea or something here.” Baekhyun jolts to get up but man’s soft voice stops him. “I don’t drink.” “You don’t drink?” Baekhyun sits back slowly, looking at his guest curiously. “I don’t.” Baekhyun hums, scratching the back of his neck awkwardly. “Maybe I can make you something to eat then?” He asks, half expecting the man to nod in agreement. Baekhyun isn’t a great cook but, according to Sehun and Jongdae, he does the most delicious omelettes. The man shakes his head. “I don’t eat.” Baekhyun heaves a sigh. “Okay, this is getting weird. What is your name?” He mentally slaps himself for not asking this right away; maybe the conversation wouldn’t be this awkward in the first place. His guest’s face twitches for a moment as he says: “I don’t think I am allowed to tell you my name.” Baekhyun arches his brow. “ You aren’t allowed to say your name?” He replies back with a question. The man nods. “Yes.” Baekhyun takes a deep breath. His guest doesn’t eat, doesn’t drink and isn’t allowed to say his name and be touched by people. Now that’s a bit more that just awkward. Baekhyun looks at the man, who stays completely still at his seat, and squint. “Why?” Baekhyun asks, his body angling closer. The man leans back a little, and Baekhyun bites back a chuckle. Seems like his guest has issues with personal space, which might be slightly a problem, giving the fact that Baekhyun is the cuddliest friend in the world like Jongdae (and Sehun) likes to repeat. Not that Baekhyun wants to cuddle his guest right now, even if he looks squishy and ready for hugs. “Angels aren’t allowed to say their real names in front of humans.” The man says, and Baekhyun blinks. Angels? Man’s voice is coaxing Baekhyun’s senses to the maximum, the soft and pleasant it is. Baekhyun feels like his cheeks are getting warmer, and there is a funny feeling at the pit of his stomach that leaves him any choices but to smile. Baekhyun leans back, cocking his head. He fights the urge to tease his guest. “But I need to know who to thank for saving my life.” Baekhyun adds some whine syllables in his voice and presses his lips, folding his hands on his chest, the strap of his grey tank losing from his shoulder. The stranger smiles back and it is the cutest thing Baekhyun has ever seen in his life. Man’s smile is as pleasant as his voice. He heaves a small sigh, as if relenting, his gaze breaking the contact with Baekhyun and dropping down, and then he says. “Kyungsoo.” The man, Kyungsoo, looks back at Baekhyun, his face softening, and there is something in his eyes that leaves goose bumps all over Baekhyun’s skin. Again. “You can call me Kyungsoo. And I’d rather for you not to use that word anymore.” He adds casually. “What word?” Baekhyun frowns. “The one you used twice already in my presence.” My presence. Baekhyun squints, his thoughts going wild about what he exactly he could say to Kyungsoo and then it clicks. “Oh, the hell one?” He says, taking a sip of coffee from the bright yellow cup that says banana in blue across it, and looks at Kyungsoo curiously. Kyungsoo grimaces at it, face twitching, as if he is talking with a child. “Yes. That one.” Kyungsoo narrows his eyes; the tone of his voice carrying a hidden warning in it, and Baekhyun fights the urge to say this word once again just to get more emotions from him. He smiles his most innocent smile, teeth flashing in response and says, his voice hiding obvious teasing, “I’ll try.” Kyungsoo cocks an eyebrow, subtle but still visible, and smiles back at Baekhyun. “Thank you.” Kyungsoo says, and the weird lurching sensation appears at the pit of his stomach, surprising him. “Are you alright?” Baekhyun notices the sudden change, an obvious worry in his eyes, and Kyungsoo shakes his head. “I am, don’t worry.” Baekhyun watches him, incredulously and then bursts with soft chuckles. “You really are weird.” Baekhyun stands up to put his cup on the kitchenette, but not without a wink to Kyungsoo who laughs lightly in return. “I’m not sure why I feel so familiar with you, but you’re weird.” A sudden thought crosses his mind and he turns to Kyungsoo. “Hey, would you like to meet my friend?” ★v★ “You’re late!” Jongdae says locking his car and giving a pointed look to Baekhyun, who comes to him from the other side of the road. “Sorry, traffic.” Baekhyun explains, and not feeling sorry at all. He suddenly remembers that naked ass in their apartment through their video call. “You look nice.” Baekhyun wiggled his brows, smiling and Jongdae sticks his tongue at him. “Don’t even start with it, I…, and who the hell are you?” Jongdae trails off when he sees a dark haired young man standing behind Baekhyun, hands in his pockets. There is something in his look that give shivers through all Jongdae’s body, and he feels light blush on his checks. He notices plum lips and decides that maybe blushing is because of them. “I’d prefer for you not to use this word in my presence.” The man says, wrinkling his nose a little, and Baekhyun chuckles, because he knows exactly what this word is. Jongdae raises an eyebrow looking a bit confused at the deep tone of the voice Kyungsoo is using, looking like Baekhyun earlier today when Kyungsoo spoke to him. Baekhyun tries to hide the smile on his lips. “And you are?” Jongdae asks in the terms of being polite but not that he is interested anyway. He doesn’t like the guy at all, especially this piercing gaze he is glued on the spot with. “This is…” Baekhyun doesn’t manage to finish his sentence, when the man gently cuts him off with a soft smile. “Kyungsoo.” He tilts his head a little as a sign of greeting. “And I’m the Angel”. Jongdae’s eyebrows furrow just slightly and he turns to Baekhyun, a silent question on his lips. “Angel, Jongdae.” Baekhyun says, and lifts his hand to his mouth tapping the edge of his lips with his thumb. “The Angel. You know, with wings and holy glow and all that.” He casually adds and looks right in Jongdae’s eyes, wiggling his eyebrows once before shooting a quick look somewhere up, like you know. “Oh, oh.” Jongdae says knowingly, nodding his head, and opens his mouth to say something (Freak, actually), when Kyungsoo makes a step and says: “And you’re Kim Jongdae. And you glow.” He adds. “I … what?” Jongdae’s eyes widen, and Baekhyun presses his lips into thin line looking somewhere down trying to suppress the laugh that threatens to escape his mouth. “Glow.” Kyungsoo repeats, his voice lowering a bit. “You glow like you had a physical contact this morning. People like to call it “morning sex”, but I prefer to say “making love”. It’s more delicate, I guess.” He finishes with an innocent looks and grins widely, eyes disappearing into crescents, and his face changing and making him look ten. Jongdae becomes rooted to the spot, his face turning scarlet red, and he just stares, his mouth opening and closing like a fish thrown out of the water. Baekhyun can’t contain himself anymore; he bursts out laughing, hands clapping wildly, practically rolling on the ground. “Oh my God.” He said shaking and trying to catch his breath. “And I was… I’m sorry… And I was just about to ask whose naked ass I saw at our place.” Baekhyun erupts into peal of laughter again and Jongdae wants to kick him because they already catch attention from people passing by. “That’s not funny.” Jongdae’s voice cracks as he is trying to collect himself from burning with shame. “Stop it. That’s not funny.” “I’m s…sorry.” Baekhyun takes a deep breath and exhales slowly, lips still tingling from laugher. “I should have know it was Joonmyun though. Gods, I’ve never laughed so much in my life before. Thank you.” Baekhyun says and turns to Kyungsoo with his genuine and dazzling smile. Kyungsoo slightly nods not taking his eyes from Jongdae, who wishes the earth would swallow him up right now. “Did you tell him something?” Jongdae asks when they finally head to his favorite coffee shop near the parking. He is sheepishly glancing over his shoulder at Kyungsoo who is going behind them looking around the place with those big and curious eyes of his as if nothing happened. “Of course not, why would I?” Baekhyun replies sincerely, taking his friend’s arm. “Actually I’m quite surprised he knew your name. I’ve never mentioned you.” He doesn’t want to think about odd feeling that creeping up his insides and the one he can’t explain. “I did ask him if he wanted to meet you though.” Baekhyun glances back at Kyungsoo, who, as if sensing Baekhyun’s eyes, turns his head to catch his gaze. There is a light mischievousness dancing in his eyes, inviting him to get those answers Baekhyun wants to know, and then it disappears, interchanging with warmth. Kyungsoo’s face softens when he sees Baekhyun’s blushing under his gaze, and he averts his gaze. “Who is he anyway?” Jongdae’s voice cuts into Baekhyun thoughts and he grips his hand over his friend’s forearm. “The Angel.” Baekhyun chuckled with inimitable look on his face, rubbing his neck in an awkward gesture, and the rest of their walk to coffee shop he briefs to Jongdae about everything that happened to him this morning. ★v★ “So, Kyungsoo,” Jongdae starts rather abruptly, because till then nobody said anything. Boys are sitting quietly at the table enjoying their hot beverages along with a pair of burgers because there is no other better place for burgers as Jack’s Grill according to Jongdae. Well, Baekhyun and Jongdae are enjoying their meal, Kyungsoo was quite categorical in terms of drinking and eating (not that Baekhyun didn’t know that earlier today), so he is just sitting in front of the boys, occasionally glancing at the window to the people passing by, his face expression changing from being overly amused to quite annoyed and even blank. Baekhyun figures it’s something uncommon for him – to have this influx of emotions. Probably angel thing, if to keep Kyungsoo’s agenda, although of course, there are no angels proved to exist (Sehun would argue about it though, because Yixing is obviously an angel). Baekhyun glances curiously at Kyungsoo while chewing his burger still amused with the man sticking to his story like no other. If he is secretly an actor then, obviously, he could already win a couple of awards for everything that happened today. Kyungsoo turns his head at Jongdae’s tone of the voice and smiles, looking as silly as possible. Baekhyun definitely is ready to see another show. “So. You’re an Angel,” Jongdae says as if stating this fact. Kyungsoo nods curtly (well, more like making the tiniest shake of his head in approval). “Where are your wings then?” Jongdae gives him a look. “I’m not allowed to show them among people,” Kyungsoo simply says. Baekhyun takes another bite. Definitely a very good actor. “But you have them.” Jongdae squints. He already ate his portion, giving his full attention to Kyungsoo now. He interlocks his fingers and looks suspiciously at the man in front of him, a list of questions in his mind. “Jongdae…” Baekhyun makes a weak attempt to stop him. “What? I just want to be sure. You said you’re an Angel,” he nods in Kyungsoo’s direction and then turns to Baekhyun. “And you claimed you never mentioned my name in front of him. Plus, nobody knew Joonmyun was with me tonight…, I mean,” his cheeks flush a bright red but Jongdae quickly composes himself. Baekhyun snickers and Jongdae rolls his eyes. “Okay, okay, he was. Ugh, whatever. Anyway, I’m just curios how did he know.” “I just knew.” Kyungsoo shrugs, looking at Jongdae with eyes that lack any interest to keep talking about the same thing over and over again. “What about the glow?” Jongdae narrows his eyes leaning forward. Kyungsoo doesn’t blink. “What about it?” “Do I glow right now?” “A bit. But not like earlier. You know, all glowing sex and desire.” Kyungsoo adds, voice dropping low, borderline sultry and Baekhyun bites back a laugh. He quietly muses if Angels are allowed to talk in such tone (not that he believes Kyungsoo to be an angel now though). “Now that’s a relief.” Jongdae flushes a little, and he suddenly grins, making a crafty expression. Kyungsoo sees his whole demeanor changing; the mischievous look in his eyes is too obvious. “Does Baekhyun glow?” Jongdae asks and Baekhyun chokes on his drink at question. He looks up at Kyungsoo, mustache of foam lining up his upper lips cutely. “Of course Baekhyun does.” Kyungsoo pulls his lips into a small smile, the one he smiled when Baekhyun fell on top him this morning. The way his sharp eyes search Baekhyun’s own ones is quite unsettling, and Baekhyun squirms in his seat not knowing what to expect. Kyungsoo’s eyes are hypnotizing. “It’s a special glow.” Kyungsoo says when it feels like ages has passed them by. “Sensual. The glow of a very kind person. Happy person on the outside, but sad at heart for some reason. I’ve been trying to figure this glow since morning.” Kyungsoo pauses a little, like making up his mind and looking as if this talk about Baekhyun’s glow consumed his every thought. He is literally enjoying the moment and seems rather away. Jongdae stares. “A very twisted and complex glow, I would say. But warm, kind in every way.” Kyungsoo continues, not realizing how deep he went. Baekhyun is staring at him too, slightly pale, almost trembling; because he has the feeling that Kyungsoo’s words simply got him under skin. He definitely wasn’t expecting anything like that. “Wow.” Jongdae quietly whistles, and Baekhyun gives a little jump at that, when he realizes he was holding his breath all this time Kyungsoo was talking. “So relieved to know that I’m just glowing sex.” Jongdae blurts out, still amazed. He looks at Kyungsoo, suspicious creeping inside him but then he shrugs it off. Kyungsoo’s lips twitch slightly, the corners pulling a bit in the tiniest smirk and he looks back at Baekhyun, his gaze fueling with some hidden emotion that Baekhyun doesn’t know how to read. His cheeks flame up under Kyungsoo’s stare and he presses his lips into thin line, getting back to his drink, fighting the urge to snap something back but realizing it’s not the best time to do so. “I’m going to get something for dessert.” Jongdae stands and looks at Baekhyun. “Do you want something?” Baekhyun shakes his head and Jongdae, with a tiny scowl at his face, goes to cashier. “I’m sorry.” Kyungsoo says, after a short while. Baekhyun looks up at him, lips pressed tight. “I’m sorry if I upset you.” Kyungsoo says again, his eyes are earnest now, searching for any discomfort he could possible give to Baekhyun with his glow analyses. “You didn’t.” Baekhyun says curtly, slumping deeper in his seat. It’s not true. Well, not entirely. And it’s not just about being upset. Somehow, and that is something Baekhyun can’t explain yet, he feels comfortable around Kyungsoo, whatever glow talk he is pulling on him. The weird feeling that was bothering him since morning, from the moment they first saw each other is gone completely and Baekhyun is scared to realize how familiar Kyungsoo is to him with the span of just a couple of hours. Kyungsoo is still a stranger to him but Baekhyun already let him not only inside his apartment (Sehun’s, actually) but inside his life as well. “Your glow is changing.” Kyungsoo raises an eyebrow at him, cutting his trail of thoughts. A knowing smile tugs at his lips and Baekhyun wants to thwack him in the arm across the table. Kyungsoo chuckles quietly, obviously aware of this. “Can you…not talk about my glow, please?” Baekhyun says, massaging his temples in frustration. “I feel exposed. I don’t like to feel exposed like this.” The emotions that have been stirred thanks to Kyungsoo are a bit overwhelming for him to handle and he desperately wants for Jongdae to come back with dessert as soon as possible. “Okay.” Kyungsoo says, his face softening into a smile. “Don’t worry. You won’t have to bear with glow talking or me, for that matter, soon.” The glint in his eyes is smoldering, with hesitation reflecting in his eyes, and despite his warm smile Baekhyun feels a worry in him. “What do you mean?” Baekhyun asks, confused. “Baekhyun. As much as I love being around you I can’t stay any longer here.” Kyungsoo sighs. He puts both of his hands on the table, fingers sprayed on the surface and looks down at them, pads of fingers dancing slightly on the wood. Baekhyun looks at his hands, and then back at Kyungsoo, waiting. “I was given only 24 hours to stay here and then I should be back to Heaven.” Baekhyun can hear the sadness in his voice, fighting the sudden urge to hug him, but can’t help it to find himself confused even more with what Kyungsoo said. Heaven? Baekhyun horribly wants to believe Kyungsoo. Everything that happened since morning obviously isn’t doing good job in this. There are too much weird and odd and questionable things that Baekhyun can’t explain, starting from the way Kyungsoo’s eyes can make a person go away, or how he is hesitant with names and touches, or how he actually knew about Jongdae without ever seeing him, or just how he still sticks to the whole “angel” legend as if truly believing in it himself and making Baekhyun to believe it too without even insisting. Baekhyun searches Kyungsoo’s face for any hint of masks that the man might be wearing but all he sees is sincerity, almost innocence. This doesn’t make sense at all. “If this is some kind of actor trick, you’re really doing it well.” Baekhyun says after a while, deciding to play skeptical because he doesn’t know what to do anymore. Kyungsoo looks up at him, confusion peeking through his whole features. Baekhyun groans, losing it. “Seriously, was it a bet? All this angel thing – was it a bet? Like you have you to act like an angel for 24 hours or something; and you are a rising actor who needs somebody to practice your skills with.” Kyungsoo frowns and opens his mouth to say something but then closes it up again. There is something that shifts around him, and Baekhyun feels goose bumps growing on his skin and he thinks the air around them got colder all of the sudden. He looks at Kyungsoo and sucks in a deep breath, not knowing what to expect right now, and Kyungsoo measures him with a firm gaze. “But I’m not an actor.” Kyungsoo says, voice quiet but enough for Baekhyun to hear. “Yeah, yeah, you’re an Angel. I know.” Baekhyun makes a dramatic face and stuffs his mouth with what has left from his burger, annoyance creeping him up. Definitely an actor. Definitely a bet. Definitely still full mode on. “You don’t believe me.” Kyungsoo says, tilting his head a little. “I do actually. You’re really doing it great.” Baekhyun says, sarcasm dripping his voice before he can stop it. “You’re an Angel, and you see people’s glow, and you caught me early today in the morning and survive the fall of my body all over you, and…-” Baekhyun’s outburst is cut with a quick, almost invisible brush of his hand by the pads of Kyungsoo’s fingers and he freezes on his spot. Kyungsoo stares somewhere down at the table, as if searching for an invisible pattern on it, his hands now on his thighs under the table, while Baekhyun looks at him. “I thought you aren’t allowed to touch people.” He says, finding himself mesmerized by the sudden outburst. Baekhyun still is absolutely confused with Kyungsoo’s whole behavior; seemingly unable to comprehend why Kyungsoo touched him out of the blue. “You were rambling.” Kyungsoo says after a while, gathering up again to Kyungsoo Baekhyun is already used to see. “You seem akin to physical contact in general, and I …figured that would help you right now.” Kyungsoo suddenly stands up. “I’ll go outside.” He simply says and leaves the place before Baekhyun can stop him. While on the streets he stays closer to where Baekhyun is left, so the latter can see him through the window. “Where did Kyungsoo go?” Jongdae comes back at the table with a glass of tiramisu in an old-fashioned glass jar in his hands. He sits in front of Baekhyun, licking his spoon clean with dessert, humming contently. “Out. Our Angel needed some air.” Baekhyun says, eyes watching Kyungsoo carefully. He stands on the edge of the sidewalk, carefully avoiding people passing by. It’s Christmas time and there are way too much people for his liking. Kyungsoo wraps himself up in his coat, but Baekhyun, watching him, realizes it’s not from the cold. “Oh?” Jongdae grins. “He is weird. Did you say something to him? He was quite serious with all that glow talk.” “Yeah, he was.” Baekhyun heaves an exaggerated sigh. “But he is handsome.” Jongdae says, his lips soften at the corners, revealing his cat-like smile. “Yeah, he is.” Baekhyun nods, casting glances at Kyungsoo outside. “Weird, but handsome.” “Do you believe that he is an Angel?” Jongdae asks, mouth full of cream and cacao powder on his lips. Baekhyun takes a deep breath, leaning back in his seat, and thinks about everything that happened today. He was lucky to fall on top of Kyungsoo or else he could get injured pretty badly. It’s like Kyungsoo was sent to him by Heaven, but that would be so reaching, he thinks. Kyungsoo definitely is special but not angelic like special, that’s for sure. “You’re doubting.” Jongdae hums, watching Baekhyun worries his bottom lip for a while. “I …am not sure who he really is, but I feel like I’ve known him for years.” Baekhyun finally says, and Jongdae stares at him for a second, and then laughs a little. “He seems quite approachable.” Jongdae says. “Unless he doesn’t talk about that glow thing, and wings.” He chuckles, and Baekhyun doesn’t know if it’s a bad sign or a good sign that Jongdae doesn’t mind Kyungsoo’s company at all or if he is also familiar with him as if they know each other since forever. Baekhyun catches himself thinking what Sehun and Yixing say when they meet Kyungsoo. A sudden thought crosses his mind. “I want him to see Jongin’s performance.” Baekhyun says, determination in his voice. Jongdae pauses in the middle of licking the remains of tiramisu, his lips over the spoon and he looks at Baekhyun. “I want him to come with us to see Jongin’s Christmas performance.” Baekhyun repeats and gives Jongdae a tiny smile and he thinks the atmosphere shifts again around them. Baekhyun feels somebody is looking at him, an odd feeling chewing his insides that it might be Kyungsoo, but when he looks up out of the window to check on him, Kyungsoo still stands there, in the middle of people passing by, his back turned to Baekhyun. ★v★ “It was awesome!” Kyungsoo bites back a small smile in the sight of really excited Baekhyun when they come out of the concert hall with other spectators and move towards the parking lot behind the building. Jongdae nods frantically, his eyes glinting with the same excitement Baekhyun has. “Did you see how he made that pirouette?” He tries to do one, almost falling on his left side and Baekhyun, giggling, catches him by his side. “How does he even do that?” Jongdae keeps exclaiming, his movements rushed and hands all over the place. He jumps on one leg, wonkily, his black ripped pants obviously not helping with his ballet. Baekhyun ignores the feeling of being completely embarrassed because there are still people coming out from the concert hall but he looks at Kyungsoo who purses his lips in attempt not to smile, his eyes twitching with another emotion Baekhyun never saw in him for the whole day. When Kyungsoo realizes Baekhyun is watching him, the emotion is gone as quickly as it appeared. “Did you like the performance, Kyungsoo?” Baekhyun asks him tentatively, his left hand catching Jongdae by his jacket again when the latter fails in attempt to do another pirouette, a more exquisite one. “I liked it.” Kyungsoo says simply. “He liked it.” Jongdae deadpans and arches his brow in amusement. “Really, Kyungsoo?” “Yes, I did.” Kyungsoo admits after a while. “But there were too many human emotions in the audience. Angels aren’t used to so many living souls around them in one place.” He says quietly, hiding hands behind his back and looking somewhere at the sky. Evening falls on them, and sun is slowly getting down. Jongdae snickers and rolls his eyes at sudden angel talk again. He shakes his head, mouthing something, and there is a small smile in the corner of Baekhyun’s lips, lifting up the rest of his features. Kyungsoo was quite stiff during the whole performance; he was sitting besides him and never made any move throughout half an hour. But Baekhyun saw the shine in those big kind eyes that were watching everything that was going on stage with lots of care and interest. Angel or not, Kyungsoo liked the spectacle more than he tries to show. They start walking to the parking lot, Kyungsoo’s a step behind Baekhyun and Jongdae, listening to their never dying excitement over their friend’s performance, mixed with complaints about Sehun, who missed such an amazing stage. He scoffs quietly, a soft laugh chucking up from his chest and he tries to keep it down, suddenly scandalized with it. There were too many human emotions all day today. Kyungsoo knows humans are made from emotions that are like a nonstop boiling volcano but he never knew it would be like this while spending his time among people. It’s completely different when he looks down at them from above. Kyungsoo won’t say he doesn’t like it though, it si a lot but it’s still nice. He wonders if he could be able to live another day in human world again. Kyungsoo looks at Jongdae, seeing the very same glow he saw in the morning the moment he first met him and he likes it. He looks at Baekhyun and sees the glow he was talking about earlier, the warmth of it cocoons him, and he thinks he might like it even more than he likes Baekhyun’s voice. A hint of nostalgia catches him and Kyungsoo push it somewhere deep because he doesn’t want to think about his short time living as a human right now. Kyungsoo doesn’t want to dwell on it either but simply enjoy those few hours that left. “Hey. Hey!” Jongdae screams all of the sudden pulling Kyungsoo back out of his thoughts. “That’s my car, you bastards!” Kyungsoo looks further and see three men wandering around Jongdae’s track. He stops on his tracks – the glow that comes from them is dark, almost black, and it seeps danger. Jongdae is fast enough to jump behind on the back of one of them, throwing them both on the ground, while the two run at different sides. Baekhyun gets in into the scuffle right away, kicking hard another man and yelling to Kyungsoo to stay away from them. Kyungsoo grits his teeth. Two against three. And these strangers are bigger, buffer, and stronger. Their glow screams threat and desire to hurt, and Kyungsoo fists his hands, a tremor running down his spine. He throws a firm gaze at one of the men, the one that is hovering Baekhyun from his back, and squints, his face twitching. The next second the said mad is thrown away, rolling of one of the cars besides Jongdae’s track with a short, barely audible, gasp, not realizing what has happened. A pair of strong hands pulls Baekhyun to his feet, almost tearing the collar and he thinks he hears the slight rasp of material ripping. The air is knocked out of his chest when he is slammed against Jongdae’s track, with a hard kick down his ribs. Baekhyun hisses and jerks violently, punching one of the attackers hard in the jaw. He gets slammed once again for that. “Thought to be a hero huh.” Raspy voice comes in his ear. It sounds aggressive, and Baekhyun shivers, the danger creeping his guts and life running in flashes in front of his eyes. “Baekhyun!” He turns his head to the sound, a bit slowly, given the circumstances, because attacker’s hand keeps him locked by his neck, and he see his friend gotten into a fight with two other attackers. Baekhyun hopes Kyungsoo already called the police and then he sees him. Kyungsoo walking to Jongdae and their mess of the bodies quickly from another side, his steps bold and confident. Baekhyun panics. He wants to stop him; he doesn’t want Kyungsoo to get hurt. He trashes underneath his assault, trying to escape from the strong grip, before somebody could hurt his friends and then he hears a loud gasp and turns his head to see how one of the strangers to back away slowly, with a look of horror on his face, looking right at Kyungsoo. Baekhyun frowns, feeling the air shifting around them. He looks at Jongdae who has bewildered expression on his voice, his gaze darting from one attacker to another and to Kyungsoo. Kyungsoo makes another step into attacker’s direction, and one of them yells loudly, “No, stay away from me!” before turning around and sprinting into the darkness of the parking. Another attacker makes a step back, his face twitching with defeat and he follows his companion soon, leaving the third attacker alone. Baekhyun feels the grip on his collar loosening and he pushes the stranger that’s left off himself. “Get off me!” He makes a step towards him; a smirk on his lips when he sees the latter’s pale face and eyes full of fear. Baekhyun gives a tiny precautionary move with his body as if going for a punch and attacker squawks, quickly scattering away from the set. “Yeah, you better run!” Baekhyun says, his voice victorious when he shakes his balled fist into running man’s direction, and then he turns to Jongdae and Kyungsoo, releasing a revealing sigh to see both of them safe. Baekhyun smiles when Jongdae lets out an exciting “woo hoo” and “we put some hell of a fight yo!” and looks at Kyungsoo. “You alright?” Baekhyun asks Kyungsoo and tosses his hair from his face when it falls, cocking a smug grin at the young man gazing up at him with the shine of relief in his eyes when he sees Baekhyun is also fine. But the next second Kyungsoo’s smile falls, uncertain expression on his face, as if something is happening but he can’t figure out what exactly, and Baekhyun blinks seeing this changing. Jongdae’s terrified whisper breaks the silence. “B-Baekhyun.” Jongdae’s mouth falls open and he looks somewhere down Baekhyun’s body, his eyes full of shock and face gone pale. Baekhyun follows his gaze and hangs his head down to see something black coming out somewhere below his ribs on his left side. His breath hitches when he suddenly remembers that hard kick right there during the fight. “Oh God!” Jongdae gasps and jolts to Baekhyun who freezes and looks back at his friends, surprised expression on his face. Kyungsoo is somehow faster by his side, catching Baekhyun when his knees give up and he almost falls backwards. “I’ve got you.” Kyungsoo says quietly, cradling Baekhyun’s body carefully not to jostle him much. Baekhyun hisses quietly feeling a sharp pain inside. He is breathing slowly as if still trying to process what happened. “Oh dear God, we need to call the ambulance!” Jongdae’s voice hitches and he fumbles his phone out of the pocket. “No. We don’t.” Kyungsoo’s voice is sharp, tone dropping low and Baekhyun’s eyes widen. He wants to say something but all that come out of his mouth is a wheeze and he hisses in pain. “But…. Baek is injured.” Jongdae stares at them in shock worry dripping out of him and he doesn’t believe what he hears. “Kyungsoo, what are you saying?” “I’m here.” Kyungsoo says not glancing at Jongdae. “I’m here, so I can help.” Kyungsoo wraps his hand around the haft of a knife. He looks at Baekhyun, right into his eyes. “I’m going to take it out. Slowly.” He says his voice low and soft. “Trust me.” He adds, when he feels Baekhyun trembling grip on his wrist. Baekhyun swallows and nods. Jongdae gasps and claps his hands over his mouth, looking at Kyungsoo who carefully and slowly takes the knife out of Baekhyun’s stomach with one steady move. Baekhyun lets out a quiet moan, wincing. His breathing gets ragged. Jongdae falls on his knees on the other side of Baekhyun, gripping his shoulder slightly in comfort. “You’ll be alright.” Kyungsoo whispers and bends down, pressing his forehead to Baekhyun’s. “I’m here, and you’ll be alright.” His lips ghosting over tip of Baekhyun’s in a soft murmur. “Kyungsoo, he’s bleeding, we must get him to the hospital.” Jongdae pleads, his voice shaking. “No. Get us to that apartment where he stays now.” Kyungsoo looks up at Jongdae, and the latter can’t take his eyes away from the firm stare he gives him. “He stays at Sehun’s, right? Get us there.” “What.” “Now. Jongdae.” “But….” “Trust me.” Kyungsoo never looked this strong, but Jongdae is mildly surprised when Kyungsoo easily scoops Baekhyun off the ground, carefully holding him close. Baekhyun mumbles something intangible, his face falling on Kyungsoo’s shoulder, eyes closed. By the time they are settled in Jongdae’s car Baekhyun is already unconscious. Jongdae fights the urge to turn right, when they are driving off the parking lot, to hospital’s direction but he feels Kyungsoo’s eyes on him and grips the steering wheel. Through the entire ride back to Sehun’s home, Jongdae keeps glancing worriedly at Baekhyun in Kyungsoo’s arms on the back seat, looking for any signs that will make him turn around to the hospital, his heart constricting with fear to lose Baekhyun; with anger at Kyungsoo who didn’t allow him to call the ambulance instead; with confusion how bold and determent this small man was to keep Baekhyun save no matter what. Images of look of horror that was on those delinquents’ faces while looking back at Kyungsoo during their scuffle at the parking lot flash in front of his eyes, and Jongdae feels himself shivering. They were scared for their life, and Jongdae doesn’t know how to explain what exactly they felt when Kyungsoo was stepping closer to them, and why they run off so fast. But he is absolutely sure he doesn’t want to feel the same. Jongdae, with his mind crowded with so many questions that he can’t seem to explain, looks in the back mirror to check his passengers again, and he hears his breath catch in his throat. Jongdae can swear he sees the holy glow coming from Kyungsoo’s hands that cocoon Baekhyun’s body in his arms. ★v★ When Baekhyun comes to he doesn’t realize where he is at first. He keeps his eyes closed, trying to get back to his senses but all he feels is a steady dull pain in the left side of his stomach, under the ribs. It makes him uneasy and he wants to furiously scratch it away. “Don’t move,” comes soft quiet voice and Baekhyun slowly opens his eyes to see Kyungsoo. “Where am I? What happened?” Baekhyun mumbles, his throat dry. A flash of memory cuts his vision and he remembers a robbery at the parking lot and three strangers attacking him, and then Jongdae and Kyungsoo putting up a fight against them. Baekhyun remembers fights and also strangers running away as if they saw something scaring them to death. He also remembers Jongdae’s worried scream and eyes full of panic, and then Baekhyun thinks he remembers warmth, cocooning him slipping in and out of his conscious. This warmth is still here, around him, and it definitely isn’t coming from the comforter or bed Baekhyun is lying in. Baekhyun blinks carefully, still dazed from tiredness, eyes scanning his surroundings – he’s in Sehun’s apartment. It’s dark outside, and the only light is a night-lamp besides the bed. Baekhyun looks back at Kyungsoo and winces a little to meet his pale face with a worried frown that cuts his forehead. It doesn’t suit Kyungsoo, this worry and sadness, and Baekhyun wants to smooth it, so he shifts, trying to sit up straight. “I said don’t move.” Kyungsoo puts his hand flat on Baekhyun’s chest and gently forces him down. “You are still weak. You need rest.” Baekhyun takes a deep breath, the heat of the Kyungso’s palm pinning him into the pillow. It’s hard to keep himself focus especially under Kyungsoo’s dark gaze and especially when his hand is still on Baekhyun’s chest. “I thought you don’t like touching.” Baekhyun says with a hum leaving his lips. Kyungsoo’s eyes drop on his hand and then back to Baekhyun, his faces softening. He doesn’t retract his hand though, tapping his fingers lightly on Baekhyun’s skin. The warmth is still there. “My touches are for special occasions.” He says quietly, keeping his eyes fixed on Baekhyun’s face. They don’t move, don’t speak, and don’t make so much as the slightest action, staying at their spot – Baekhyun lying on the bed and Kyungsoo sitting beside him with a hand on his chest. There is too much and too little between them, and Baekhyun is just a human in this material world, his shields unguarded and defenses dropped with just a strong touch of Kyungsoo’s hand who still looks down at him. Kyungsoo feels the steady beat of Baekhyun’s heart under his palm. It’s calm and far from any danger. “You’re safe now.” Kyungsoo slowly retracts his hand and smoothers the blanket over Baekhyun and makes an attempt to stand up. “You still didn’t say what happen.” Baekhyun reaches for Kyungsoo’s hand, grabbing his wrist and pulling him close once his still weak hand finds a nice fit. Kyungsoo doesn’t flinch. “We were attacked. Some …people wanted to break your friend’s, Jongdae, car.” “I remember that. I mean after.” Baekhyun’s eyebrows furrow a little, his memory trying to fit all the missing pieces. “I fixed your insides. You were bleeding and I fixed your body.” Kyungsoo says, his soft voice getting this worried color again and Baekhyun swallows. “I couldn’t fix your energy though, that’s why you are still weak. And you need to rest.” “You saved me.” Baekhyun says after a while, his soft gaze lingering on Kyungsoo. “Twice.” He adds, relaxing on his pillows, voice quiet. “I just came back for you.” Kyungsoo says. “When you needed me the most.” They look at each other for some time, before Kyungsoo trying to let himself free from Baekhyun’s grasp. Baekhyun’s grip is firm enough to make him stop. “Stay with me.” “You need rest, Baekhyun.” His names rolls off Kyungsoo’s lips with so much softness that Baekhyun’s cheeks flush a little at the sound of it. He doesn’t realize he is staring until he catches Kyungsoo’s lingering eyes on him, crinkling up at the corners. “I don’t want to sleep. Don’t make me sleep.” There is a pained expression on his face as Baekhyun pleads quietly. “Why?” Kyungsoo asks looking down at him, feeling a weird knot in his stomach and he has no explanation what does it mean. “Because I don’t want to wake up and not see you anymore.” Because I’m afraid there is nothing left from those 24 hours you’re given as a human and I want you to stay Baekhyun wants to say, chest rising as he exhales slowly, waiting. Kyungsoo holds his breath for a second and then nods, lying down beside Baekhyun, who slowly scoots over giving him more room. The tension of being so close to Baekhyun’s body leaves him as soon as Baekhyun leans over his shoulder, humming contentedly with soft breaths. “Don’t make me sleep, okay? Just talk with me.” Baekhyun says quietly, feeling the familiar warmth around him. “You can even talk about that glow, just don’t let me sleep.” Kyungsoo chuckles slightly. “Okay, I will.” ★v★ When Baekhyun wakes up next morning, Kyungsoo is gone. ★v★ “What are we doing here, again?” Jongdae folds his arms on the table & gives an expectant look to Baekhyun. They are sitting on the little terrace of the “Jake’s Grill”. It is only ten in the morning, but Jongdae is already pestering Baekhyun as to why he woke him up this early on this early May Saturday. Baekhyun was grumpier and even more upset than he was for the past four months, and Jongdae’s mood got him only worse. Baekhyun sighs and frowns. “Is this about Kyungsoo?” Jongdae tilts his head a little. Of course it’s about Kyungsoo. It was all about Kyungsoo since Christmas. The moment he disappeared from Baekhyun’s life without any words and without any traces to found him with. “I-” Baekhyun looks overwhelmed with his words, surprised to realize he said them out loud. “Oh, Baekhyun.” Jongdae says after a long pause during which he was pouting and squinting and pouting again as if carefully searching up for words in response. “But you did try to search for him, right?” He knows Baekhyun did but he also knows Baekhyun did it himself, not wanting to burden his friends, no matter how much they wanted to help him. Baekhyun sighs in response. “Do you know that there are only five Kyungsoo in this town?” He says, tiredness coloring his voice. Jongdae shakes his head. “I looked up for each of them, and nobody fits the description. I even checked the local cemetery –“ Jongdae chuckles awkwardly, fervently hoping that he had misheard it but the look Baekhyun gives him makes him stop. “I got information that there might be someone who is somebody of Kyungsoo’s age and height and maybe even looks but when I got there and saw the picture and realized it wasn’t him I was so relieved, you know? It wasn’t my Kyungsoo lying there.” Baekhyun heaves a sigh, while Jongdae tries to digest what he just heard. My Kyungsoo. Baekhyun curls into himself. “But still, standing in middle of it, for a second I thought that all that day was solely from my imagination and he doesn’t even exist and I’m looking for a ghost.” “Baekhyun, those definitely weren’t imaginations. I saw him too. Hell, I talked to him! And we even took him to see Jongin’s performance. Do you think I also imagined the guy?” “No.” Baekhyun gulps and says when he deems his emotions, riling up his insides, are stable enough for him to speak again. “But the more I think about it the more I inclined to believe he indeed was an Angel. And for some distorted reality he happened to spend only 24 hours on Earth as a human and then was gone as if he never existed.” Baekhyun sighs. “I don’t know what else to think, Jongdae.” Jongdae leans back in his seat, humming quietly and looking at his side at the road. It’s quite crowded for such an early Saturday, but then again, it's Jake’s Grill, one of the most popular places in this town and they make amazing coffee and breakfasts and burgers here. Jongdae sees cars passing by, bringing back that memory of his about Kyungsoo while he was driving both of them after the night of Jongin’s performance. He still thinks it was some kind of twisted game with road lights and not actually a light coming Kyungsoo. Jongdae never told Baekhyun about that glow or why he woke up in Sehun’s apartment safe and sound with no visible wounds. The only thing that reminds them what has happened that night is a tiny pinkish scar looking like a tick mark right above Baekhyun’s ribs. “Do you think I will ever see him again?” Baekhyun’s voice cuts into Jongdae’s thoughts, pulling his attention back. Jongdae turns his head and looks at Baekhyun. “I feel like I need to say at least thank you to him. For saving my life. Twice.” Baekhyun rubs the tip of his noise, and taking a deep breath. “I don’t know, Baekhyun.” Jongdae says after a while. “But you can do this anyway. You know, like a praying. Just look at the sky and say thank you. And maybe he will hear you.” Jongdae grins and Baekhyun smiles at the lame joke, feeling the awkward tension losing up a little. “I’m going to order some breakfast.” Baekhyun says, decisively, and Jongdae nods with “Don’t forget to add double cheese for me.” Baekhyun gets up but the moment he turns and makes a step somebody bumps into him, tea splashing right into his face and white creamy shirt, leaving wet fancy patterns on his chest. “The Hell! That’s my new shirt!” He exclaims a bit too loudly, attracting customers around. Baekhyun thinks he hears Jongdae’s gasp and looks up. “K-kyungsoo?” Baekhyun freezes on his spot, mouth falling in “o” and eyes wide open. There he is. Standing right in front of Baekhyun, with guilty expression on his face, that quickly turns into confusion and then realization. Kyungsoo looks the same attractive, wearing simple denim tee and black pants, splashes of the drink on his hand. “You….” Is all Kyungsoo says before his face lilts up, the corner of his lips tugging up, and he looks at Baekhyun as if he is relieved to finally see him after all this time. His eyes search Baekhyun’s face, the longing in his them is too obvious for Baekhyun not to notice. “I finally found you.” They say simultaneously and stare at each other when both realize it. Kyungsoo chuckles, and Baekhyun finds himself mesmerized again by the sound of it. He grins in return, thinking that Heaven are probably on his side today, if they send such an Angel to him. ★v★ “Coffee?” Kyungsoo joins their late (already) breakfast. Baekhyun went inside to the restroom to do something about his new shirt that was ruined, and also to order them all something delicious to eat. The man shakes his head and Jongdae pulls his lips in a small smile. Of course Kyungsoo doesn’t drink coffee, he remembers. “Hey, Kyungsoo, I wanted to say thank you.” Jongdae says after a while. “For what?” “For saving Baekhyun’s life.” Kyungsoo furrows his brows, his face expression blank. He looks like he waits for elaboration, obviously confused when he could save Baekhyun’s life if he only met him just now. Jongdae looks at him bewildered. “That day? When we were attacked?” Jongdae reminds him. “Right after Jongin’s performance on Christmas? At the parking lot.” “Sorry. I really don’t think this happened?” Kyungsoo says, his lips are tugged down; the strain visible as he tries his best to remember the day Jongdae is talking about. Jongdae’s eyebrows are furrowed. He leans forward, squinting, as if trying to guess if Kyungsoo really doesn’t remember that day or is just playing with him. “That’s weird.” Jongdae hums, scratching his neck awkwardly. “You were with us the whole day. Don’t you remember?” Kyungsoo shakes his head. “I’m sorry.” He says quietly, and Jongdae gets visibly upset. “I –” Kyungsoo says after a while, leaning back in his chair and looking away, chewing the inside of his cheek. “ Well, there was something strange that happened at Christmas. I still don’t know how to explain it.” Jongdae perks up, giving his full attention to Kyungsoo now. “You know, I’m a vocal scout. I work under the name – D.O. – usually and I discover voices.” Jongdae nods, he realizes now why Baekhyun couldn’t find him. “I had a really tough day at work before Christmas. I had planned a four-month trip abroad on the next day but didn’t feel the mood to pack for it either. So I went to nearest karaoke bar from my office for a drink or two.” Kyungsoo says. “It was boring, not that I was voice hunting either, just an attempt to relax. But then I heard a voice. The song was “If it makes you happy”, a song sung by a woman, but that certain voice made it seem like this masterpiece was made to be sung by a man, and I was hooked.” His lips curl in a soft smile, voice smoothening. Jongdae pales and blinks. Kyungsoo doesn’t seem to notice as he continues. “I wanted to meet the owner of that voice. It was dark from where I sat so I didn’t see his face properly. But I knew it was him, he greeted before singing. Apparently he was quite tipsy.” Kyungsoo laughs quietly but Jongdae listens, incredulous. “So when he ended I followed him and saw him going out with a friend. I decided to go after them. His voice was something I was looking for for quite long so i felt the the urge to go for him.” Jongdae gulps. It clicks. Everything. That night he went to karaoke with Baekhyun. They got a couple of beers, but since none of them are drinkers, both were quite tipsy when Baekhyun decided to sing some songs. He remembers Baekhyun choosing – out of everything – Sheryl Crow’s song and he got standing ovations for performing it. He also remembers them laughing like crazies and going out after that. “I got in my car, when I saw them taking a taxi.” Kyungsoo’s voice cuts in again. “I was so excited to catch them up that I wasn’t paying any attention at the speed I was driving with. It was snowing, and I lost control of my car and resulted to crash into the tree.” Kyungsoo heaves a sigh. Jongdae chokes down the gasp that almost escapes his lips. “When I woke up, my doctor said I was in coma for 24 hours. He said I was very lucky to come out almost unharmed out of the accident. And I still think it was sort of a miracle.” Kyungsoo’s lips tug up in a smile, lilting up his whole features. “A miracle in form of voice that pulled me through to be honest. Mellow and soft, like it was singing for me, asking me to come back. And I did.” Kyungsoo finishes with a small tight-lip smile that has Jongdae gasping again. “That voice haunted me since then. I knew it was the voice I heard while in coma, Jongdae. And I knew it belonged to the person from karaoke. It belonged to Baekhyun.” “Oh my God.” Jongdae exclaims, clapping hands over his mouth. “Oh my God.” He says again, voice muffled in his hands as he looks up behind Kyungsoo. Kyungsoo turns his head to see pale Baekhyun, mouth wide open looking at Kyungsoo as if seeing him for the first time. There is a flash of uncertainty and doubt in his eyes, in the light furrow of his eyebrows, and Kyungsoo feels his insides turn when Baekhyun’s face changes, smoothing its features and lilting it up, the twinkle in his eyes dancing teasingly. “Hi, Angel.” Baekhyun says, and there it is, that soft melody with slight huskiness in it Kyungsoo was captured with last Christmas, and he can feel the weight of his happy smile handing on the corner of his lips reassuringly when Baekhyun grins. “You came back for me.” YOU'VE REACHED THE END OF THE FIC! Thank you so much for reading! If you'd like to leave a comment but don't have a Dreamwidth account, fret not: anonymous commenting is on. If you want to comment on the LJ mirror, you may do so HERE. Thanks! ♥