Prompt #62: Feelings Better Left Elsewhere

Other Characters: Chanyeol, kid!Chen, past!Xiumin/OC
Length: 10,000
Rating: PG
Warnings: the pace of this whole thing
Summary: It's hard; trying to like someone after such horrible experiences with love. Especially hard when it's your co-worker and your son's teacher.
Author's Note: I would like to thank the mods of winterlights for holding a xiubaek fic fest! I took this up to challenge myself but I still think I sucked because I think I rushed it TT Anyway, thank you to N and A for being my cute cheerleaders, S for proofreading my first draft and L for beta-ing! You guys are absolute sweethearts. To prompter: I hope I didn't disappoint and I probably strayed a whole bunch from the prompt but I think...it turned out all right. Heh. To whoever reading, thank you for your time!

The first day Minseok sent Jongdae to his first day of kindergarten, he was ecstatic and so very proud of his baby boy. The fact that the kindergarten is where he’s teaching in makes him sound like an overprotective father, but he really isn’t. He was just really happy to see his son grow up with him while he works.




”No calling me daddy in class, okay?” Minseok had said once and his two year old son, who could barely speak properly, lets out a squeak of excitement as a response. He took it as a yes and rewarded his son with kisses and biscuits.




Two years later, when he found out that a new teacher, fresh out of university, will be teaching his son’s class, he gets a little worried and most importantly, he’s sad.




”I won’t be seeing my baby grow up with me anymore!” Minseok wails into his arm as his only friend (unfortunately) who is also a teacher there, Chanyeol, stares at him in disbelief.




”Don’t be an idiot, you see your son everyday in school and at home.” Chanyeol tries to comfort him but it didn’t go well, obviously. Chanyeol doesn’t understand his pain. He won’t see Jongdae raising his hand and saying out the alphabets or watch him laugh as he animatedly tells the kids stories during story time anymore! He won’t see any of it but the bloody teacher could see all of it for years! Lucky bastard. Minseok wails louder.




From the corner of his eyes, he sees Chanyeol shaking his head with his arms crossed against his chest and sighing. “Unbelievable; the scariest teacher here is wailing over his son,” he says. “Whipped.”




Minseok is so close to taking the stapler on his desk to hurl it at Chanyeol’s face but the fact that he’s in a child-friendly environment stops him.




”Shut up, Chanyeol,” he raises his head from his desk and leans back on his chair. Chanyeol grins wickedly at him and he totally doesn’t foresee this. Chanyeol throws a ball of paper at his face.




”What was that for?!” He squeaks as he thought it was a bug. He hates bugs. Probably just as much as he will hate the new teacher.




Chanyeol twists open the doorknob and turns around to tell Minseok that class is starting soon and Son Stealer (read: new teacher) will be arriving soon as well.




The door closes and Minseok sinks back into his arms, sobbing over his luck.




Not even five minutes into sobbing, someone’s knocking on the door and after a choked reply of “come in” from Minseok, the door opens to reveal Chanyeol, again.




”Yo, bro. Son Stealer’s here already,” he whispers and opens the door wider to show Minseok the new teacher. The new teacher is far from the staffroom door and he has his back turned towards the both of them. The new teacher is wearing a pink button down tucked in into his khaki trousers. How youthful. Minseok stands up and puts on his usual bitch face and walks out of the staffroom to welcome the new teacher.




He coughs once to get the teacher’s attention, which the teacher didn’t even respond to. Chanyeol, who is standing behind him, coughs louder with his deep voice and again, no response. Probably too early for any touching or being all friendly with Son Stealer, they decide to just stand and stare at the back of his head like some kind of idiot.




Then, Son Stealer takes off his earphones and suddenly whips his head around, and lets out a scream when he sees both of the men staring at him like some kind of creep, which Minseok thinks, is totally what Chanyeol is.




For that split second, Minseok studies the man’s features: his eyes, his lips, his nose and the tiny mole at the side of his mouth. Wait...he is’’t suppose to study too deeply into those!




”WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” He yells at them, bewildered and all, cutting Minseok’s thoughts off. Chanyeol starts laughing because honestly, he looks like an idiot but Minseok simply glares at him because gosh, it’s too early for such ruckus.




”Hush, the children are outside,” he says harshly. “You must be Mr. Byun, am I correct? Mr. Kwon sent you here?” He says, with a firm tone hoping it’s intimidating enough to scare the man. Son Stealer nods as a reply.




”Got your schedule?” All Minseok got was a nod.




Minseok, annoyed, rests his hands on his waist and stares down at him. “Stop nodding and answer me. Don’t you have a mouth?” He scolds the new teacher like how a parent would when their child misbehaves.




A soft smile graces Son Stealer’s face. “I’m sorry, I’m just really nervous and when I’m nervous I talk a lot and I’m afraid it’ll an…”




”Clearly.” Minseok scoffs. He’s being a little mean towards the poor man, but that’s just because he’s stealing all his son’s time from him.




He really wishes that he could still teach his son, but oh well, all he can hope for is that this new teacher would be a good one to his son and the other kids.




”Well, Mr. Byun…”




”Baekhyun would be just fine.”




”Well, Baekhyun,” he repeats and instructs the other two to follow him outside, where the children are assembled. “I hope we’ll get along just fine.”




And then he breaks into a grin that shocks both, Chanyeol and Baekhyun.








“After that scary first meeting, you expect the both of you to get along just fine?” Chanyeol simply stares at him in disbelief as he photocopies some papers in the copy room. Minseok ignores Chanyeol and proceeds to take the stack of papers before heading to his class.




“What are you doing here? Don’t you have a class to attend to?” Minseok asks and Chanyeol rolls his eyes in annoyance. “I could say the same thing to you, too.”




“Shush. Go play somewhere else.”




As they pass by Baekhyun’s class, the class where Minseok’s son, Jongdae, is in, the both of them see the whole lot of kids giggling and laughing as they watch their new teacher speak animatedly at them. Minseok smiles fondly when he spots Jongdae giggling while clutching his tummy.




He sighs loudly.




Then, he hears a horrible reenactment of Let It Go by Chanyeol to just ‘let it go’. He runs after him, yelling at him to go away because apparently fuck off is not so child-friendly.




x




Son Stealer, surprisingly, turns out to be a very nice guy. If Minseok could say more, he would say that he’s threateningly nice.




Baekhyun has only been working at the kindergarten for a week. A week. But his son talks endlessly about him makes it feel like he has been there since forever.




“Daddy, today Baekhyunnie taught us how to sing!” Jongdae giggles into Minseok’s chest. Minseok holds in an eye roll and smiles brightly at Jongdae. “That’s great, sweetheart.”




Grocery shopping has always been tough if Minseok brings Jongdae with him. ‘Daddy! I want that!’, ‘Daddy! I want this!’ and the most dreadful one: ‘Daddy, can you carry me?’




Anyone can see that Minseok is a tiny man and carrying a four year old around the grocery store while holding a basket filled with groceries for hours is pure torture. But, again, for the love of his beautiful son. He shall! Carry! His! Son!




As Jongdae hums along to the song that, he assumes, Son Stealer taught him, suddenly, a familiar figure appears in the cereal aisle. Minseok doesn’t notice the approaching figure as he was too distracted choosing the brand of cereal. Lucky Charms? Or Honey Stars?




“Mr. Kim!”




Minseok freezes on the spot immediately and prays to God it’s Chanyeol or that irrelevant intern...what was his name again, Sedan, was it?...he took in and not...




“Baekhyunnie!”




God damnit. Minseok struggles with the basket when Jongdae decided to abruptly jump off him and run to Son Stealer. No doubt the crashing sound was his heart and not the canned food from his grocery basket.




“Good evening, Mr. Kim!” Minseok thinks Baekhyun’s voice is not nice at all and plus it's too loud and cheery for eight in the evening. Jongdae is clinging on Baekhyun’s arm with a smile so bright, it could probably compete with the Sun.




He couldn’t be bothered to reply. Waste of saliva and breath. Instead, he nods as an acknowledgement and proceeds to bend down to pick up the canned food that fell on the floor.




“I’m sorry for bothering you, Mr. Kim, you look terribly bothered,” Baekhyun says with a hint of doubt on his face. Minseok simply shakes his head, no, he wasn’t, and even adds a smile at the end to make it seem believable, when in truth, he was terribly bothered. It was like watching his son calling another male his father instead of him.




He cries a little in the inside.




“Don’t worry, Baekhyunnie, Daddy’s always very grumpy,” Jongdae chirps from the side, making Baekhyun laugh, his eyes turning to crescents. Minseok unconsciously smiles a little at the view before him before realising what he’s doing and immediately presses his lips into a thin line.




“That’s not nice of you, Jongdae. He’s your father after all,” he says and pinches Jongdae’s cheeks, making him whine.




To distract himself from Baekhyun’s smile and Jongdae’s whining, he takes a peek into Baekhyun’s own basket. What shock him the most is that how it’s only filled with...




“Instant noodles? Really?” He says as he shakes his head in disapproval.




Baekhyun flushes red and coughs out an awkward laugh, making Minseok smirk.




“Well for now, instant noodles are the way to go!” Baekhyun says and hides his basket behind his back, still attempting that painfully awkward laughing.




As Minseok decides that Lucky Charms is the best choice for cereal and dumps it into his own basket, he says: “Can’t you cook? That’s very unhealthy for you. I don’t want my teachers getting ill.”




Minseok stops himself before he slips out another word that could show that he actually cares when in reality he does not care at all. Nope. Not one bit. Even when Chanyeol fell sick (and left him all alone with that useless intern and a bunch of screaming hungry kids), all he did was send porridge recipes for the ill via email.




Jongdae then takes a peek himself into the basket and shakes his head, imitating his father.




“I do know how but I haven’t gotten the time to,” Baekhyun says and sighs, before taking a box of cornflakes and placing it in his basket.




Suddenly, Jongdae stands beside Minseok, pulling on his fingers.




“Daddy, how about we invite Ba...”




No, definitely not. Never in a million years. Only Chanyeol’s allowed to his apartment and that, too, is only because he’s apparently in love with Chanyeol’s lasagna.




“Jongdae, that’s sweet of you but Baekhyunnie has plans after this,” Baekhyun cuts him off, to Jongdae’s dismay. Jongdae frowns and looks away from Baekhyun.




“I’m sorry, Mr. Kim...”




“Minseok’s fine.” Well, he is going to work with him, better drop the formalities.




Baekhyun explains that he’s still unpacking since he moved into a new apartment and apologises again, to a pouting Jongdae this time before he rushes past Minseok and Jongdae to pay at the counter.




Minseok didn’t miss the blinding smile Baekhyun shoots him.




“Daddy, you will invite Baekhyunnie to our house one day soon, right?” Jongdae asks and does the puppy eye and pouty lips combo that he knows is his father’s weakness. Truly an evil little thing.




Minseok sighs before nodding and dragging Jongdae to the dairy aisle.




Anything for his son.




x




Fact: Minseok is not a morning person.




Also, fact: Minseok is an advocate of daily intake of coffee.




"Are you kidding me." Minseok stands in front of Le CafΦ Popote, his favourite coffee shop, with the words CLOSED written in bold on the front door. The words only seem to grow bolder and bolder the longer he stares, as if it was mocking him.




"Daddy," Jongdae whines and tugs on Minseok’s pants. “School! Now!”




“But.” My coffee. He sighs and grabs Jongdae’s hand, walking hand-in-hand to school.




Minseok, being a responsible and loveable father, dumped the idea of going coffee hunting and instead, went to school an hour earlier.




Jongdae is anything but sleepy unlike him when he arrives at school because ‘Baekhyunnie is here already!’ along with the intern that Minseok could never be bothered to learn his name.




Jongdae quickly runs towards Baekhyun and hugged his leg, rubbing his cheek against the pants. Baekhyun smiles lovingly at Jongdae and crouched on the floor to pat his cheek. Minseok could only stare at them in envy. Jongdae, why don’t you hug Daddy’s leg?




But after realising that he is Jongdae’s father after all, he isn’t missing out much.




He gives a friendly nod at the both of them as he walks into the staffroom to have a few minutes of sleep.




But it seems like today, however, isn’t Minseok’s day because not even a few minutes into his sleep, Baekhyun bursts into the staffroom, with Jongdae in toll, in fits of laughter.




“Hi, daddy!”




“Hmm.”




He internally groans and glares the back of Baekhyun’s head to be the cause of all the noises at seven in the bloody morning.




He slumps back onto his desk when Baekhyun and Jongdae leaves the room again and a few minutes later, he finds a grinning Baekhyun in front of his desk with a steaming mug of hot coffee.




“Hey, Jongdae told me you didn’t have your daily intake of coffee and I figured you needed one?” Baekhyun asks and hands him the mug of coffee. Truly tempting, but Son Stealer is the one who made it.




“I don’t usually drink homemade coffee. Sorry,” he says and truly hopes Baekhyun felt that stab in his chest.




But instead, his grin only grew wider and places the mug on Minseok’s desk. Minseok, baffled, simply stares at the steam coming out from the mug.




“Buuuut my coffee is better than the cafΦ ones! I’ll just leave it here in case you changed your mind,” Baekhyun beams at him before walking out of the staffroom.




The coffee was indeed tempting and it only took Minseok a minute of debating to drink it or not before he begrudgingly drank the coffee. Egoistical bastard facade be damned.




True to his words, it was fucking delicious.




“Did Baekhyun make that for you?” Chanyeol points at the empty mug after entering the staffroom.




Minseok nods and points a finger at Chanyeol’s face. “Don’t say anything about this.”




Chanyeol laughs and shakes his head while smiling widely. “Why’d you think I stopped bringing Starbucks to school every morning?”




“Because it sucked?” Chanyeol shoots him a glare.




“A fraction of that, yes but Baekhyun made me coffee one morning and I fell in love with his coffee, bro, it was heavenly.”




“Yeah, I know. I tasted it.”




Speak of the devil. Baekhyun comes in afterwards to hand Chanyeol his own coffee and gives Minseok’s desk a quick glance. He stops his movements and after a few seconds where realisation hits him, he smiles at Minseok.




“Hey, you changed your mind.”




Minseok has never been more embarrassed in his life.




x




The next day, Minseok comes to school empty handed again. Usually, he would bring a cup of hot coffee from Le CafΦ Popote but not today, it seems.




“Baekhyun,” Minseok calls him from the staffroom and Baekhyun quickly rushes in at the sound of his name being called.




“Yeah?”




“Can you make me coffee? My favourite cafΦ is still closed,” he says and grins. Minseok never grins, so this is considered as a rare occurrence. Baekhyun beams at the request and happily trots to the canteen to make it.




He told him a lie. Le Café Popote was definitely back open and he even purchased croissants from it for himself and Jongdae. Don’t get him wrong, he just has an image to uphold.




x




“Oh my fucking God, is this a rash?”




“Maybe if you clasp your hand together and properly ask God, minus the F word, he’ll answer, definitely.”




Chanyeol hunches over his desk in the staffroom and groans. Minseok knows very well that at this time of day, his sarcasm has heightened whereas Chanyeol’s has retired and gone to bed to sass Minseok back when it wakes up the next day. He grins, patting the poor kid as he walks past his desk.




He hears a ‘IT’S A RASH, YOU FUCKING DICK’ when he closes the door behind him and chuckles to himself.




It’s a half past six in the evening on a Friday and all the children has gone home, leaving him and the other teachers alone to clean up their mess. Not like they don’t any other day but every Friday is where they clean everything. And by everything, he means everything.




“Minseok, it’s Chanyeol’s turn to clean the toilet why is it me again?” Sehun, the intern, slumps against the mop he is holding onto as he stares at Minseok in disinterest. Indeed, Sehun has been cleaning the toilet for the past few weeks and Chanyeol has been giving the poor kid multiple excuses. For example, today: “Sehun, our intelligent intern, I think I’m sick. Please do my duty for me.”




Minseok simply shrugs and throws him a wet rag.




“Don’t know. Dude’s got a rash, so,” Minseok says and adds a teasing wink at the end. Sehun’s mouth turns into a frown before he presses his lips firmly into a straight line, deciding to just accept his fate. Minseok grins mischievously at Sehun’s retreating figure towards the toilet.




“Sebum, wait, come here.”




“Minseok, it’s Sehun.”




“Sehun,” he repeats. Sehun walks towards him while dragging the mop across the floor. “What?”




“Why don’t you ask Baekhyun?” He gives a suggestion and pats Sehun’s arm rather harshly.




“He’s playing with your son, though,” he says and scratches his chin. Minseok’s eyes widens, utterly confused. “Nah, it’s fine. I’ve already accepted my fate.”




After Sehun leaves to clean the toilet, Minseok finds Jongdae in the playroom and true, he was. But he didn’t expect to find Jongdae sleeping on Baekhyun’s lap.




The door creaks open as Minseok pushes it open softly and Baekhyun’s head shoots up to look at the door. After finding out it was just Minseok, he smiles at his direction and motions to come closer.




“Shhh.”




“He fell asleep?” Minseok crouches on the floor beside his son’s sleeping figure and smiles. Jongdae has always been adorable while sleeping with the ends of his lips curling up a little bit. Baekhyun nods and brushes Jongdae’s bangs from his forehead.




“He just laid on my lap and went straight to sleep.” Baekhyun laughs while brushing Jongdae’s hair, seemingly out of habit and Minseok couldn’t help but think it was indeed an adorable sight.




“Right, and I suppose you’re excused for Friday clean up duties?”




Baekhyun shyly peeks from behind his long bangs that were almost reaching his eyes and gives him a shy smile. “I’ll do it now.”




Minseok flutters his hands in front of Baekhyun’s face and tells him that it was all right, that Steve has done most of the work here already for free.




“Minseok, his name is Sehun.”




“Not to me it is.”




Baekhyun then chuckles and that made Minseok smile, too, because his laugh just has that effect on people. On Jongdae, Chanyeol, the children especially and even the postman that comes once a month for their bills. It’s simply hard to believe that someone like him actually exists.




And honestly, Minseok kind of envies it.




Then Jongdae yawns, turning his head on Baekhyun’s lap and nuzzles his nose against Baekhyun’s stomach. Baekhyun pats his cheek and sighs out of contentment.




“Your son’s really adorable,” he says as he gently places Jongdae in his father’s arms. Minseok wraps his arms around his body and rocks it gently.




“He is, isn’t he,” he states rather than asking a question. He knows Jongdae is adorable because he raised him well and also because he looks a lot like him.




Moving on.




He clears his throat after a few minutes he finally realises this is the first time since Baekhyun started teaching here, and that was approximately a month ago or so, that they are alone. Well, technically Jongdae’s there but the silence that surrounds them at the moment is nothing but awkward.




It’s weird because Minseok is never the one to take the initiative to start a conversation but here he is, trying to, but how can he when he’s tongue-tied?




Luck though, was surely by his side because as he was just about to ask Baekhyun for a tragic backstory of his pitiful youthful life that he assumes he has, Chanyeol comes bursting in the playroom.




“GUYS,” he hisses and shows them both of his palms that were coloured a sickish kind or red and some of the skin was even peeling off.




“What happened?” Baekhyun asks, getting on his feet to further inspect Chanyeol’s palm.




“Minseok, Jongdae gave me a hand sanitiser as a present earlier.” His tone sounded dreadful and Minseok finds it odd. Then, Baekhyun chips in: “That’s sweet.”




Chanyeol frowns at Baekhyun and pouts, shaking both of his palms in front of Minseok’s face.




“Minseok, it was peach-flavoured hand sanitiser! I am allergic to peaches!”




Both, Minseok and Baekhyun simultaneously says a soft ‘oh’ before giggling.




“Not funny, you guys!” Chanyeol whines and with all his giant glory, he stomps his feet. Baekhyun grabs his wrist to inspect it closer and shakes his head, still grinning.




“Don’t blame my son. You’re the adult one here, why didn’t you read the labels beforehand?” Minseok scolds Chanyeol, hugging Jongdae closer to his chest.




Chanyeol sheepishly smiles at Minseok, indirectly telling him that he is an absolute fool who forgets to read the labels.




“Idiot.” Minseok sighs and stands up while carrying Jongdae in his arms. He heads out of the room with Baekhyun and Chanyeol trailing behind him.




“Chanyeol, you’re coming with me, so we can head to the pharmacy before going back to mine,” Minseok says as he grabs his keys and Jongdae’s schoolbag, Jongdae still in his arms. He then faces Baekhyun with one of his eyebrow raised. “Can you lock the kindergarten for today since this giant baby decided to hurt himself?”




Baekhyun nods immediately; not once, but three times.




He yells for Chanyeol to get his ass out quickly as he steps out of the kindergarten’s premises, with Baekhyun standing beside him as if wanting to see them go home safe.




Chanyeol comes rushing out of the kindergarten and apologises to Baekhyun while putting on his shoes.




“Serum’s still inside?” Minseok asks after a while. Chanyeol rolls his eyes and stands up, punching Minseok’s arm.




“His name is Sehun and I know very well that you know his name.” Minseok simply brushes off whatever Chanyeol said and stares at Baekhyun, expecting an answer.




“Yeah, think so since his shoes are still here,” Baekhyun answers, cocking his head to the direction of the pair of battered old converse at the side of the door.




“Oh, okay,” he says and walks towards the gate. “Bye, Baekhyun.”




From the corner of his eyes, he could see Baekhyun’s body turned tense a little before awkwardly replying him a “Goodbye...Minseokà” with a tiny wave of his hands. He smiles, shaking his head.




After walking a few blocks away from the kindergarten, Chanyeol laughs.




“Bro, what the fuck? Bye, Baekhyun.” He imitates Minseok that earns him a light smack on his palms. He wails loudly before bringing them both to his chest, scowling at Minseok.




“Finally opening up to Son Stealer, now? Awh.”




He ignores the presence of The Irrelevant in which it is Chanyeol, and instead he looks down at his baby boy who was still asleep despite all the ruckus.




Jongdae has always been a heavy sleeper, anyway.




x




Minseok has a great idea. And shockingly it doesn’t consist of him murdering anyone.




He taps his feet impatiently as the television buffers at the speed of a snail. This idea will definitely work. No doubt that it will not work at all. As the screen flashes on to the DVD’s menu, he grins as he presses Start on the remote control and increases the volume.


The introduction of Big Hero 6 plays on the television screen and almost immediately, an overexcited Jongdae emerges from his bedroom to join his father in the living room, even dragging along his teddy bear friends.




As expected.




“Nope.” Minseok shakes his head and shows him a red shiny apple, making Jongdae flinch at the sight of the fruit. Minsek purposely stood in front of the screen to block the view. “Finish your apple.”




Jongdae stops trying to get his father away from the television screen only to let out a loud cry.




“Daddy, noooo,” he whines and buries his face into Minseok’s sweatpants. Minseok could only run his fingers through his hair as he sighs. At that, Jongdae could only hug Minseok’s legs tighter.




“Jongdae,” he says, and pats Jongdae’s hair in a comforting manner. “Please eat your apple.”




“Daddy, I don’t want to.”




Minseok decides that trying to have a civil conversation with a four year old isn’t the right way to convince him to eat something he doesn’t like. So instead of dilly-dallying on this matter, he crouches on the floor and cups Jongdae’s cheeks with his free hand.




“One bite?” He’s practically begging right now. He needs his son to consume at least one fruit per day to make up for all the unhealthy foods he consumes daily. For example, his intake on that sugary chocolate milk.




“I can watch Baymax if I take one bite?” Jongdae asks, tilting his head a little. His little fingers find Minseok’s cheeks and he giggles as he traces his father’s cheek.




“Yes, baby. Just one bite,” he says and smiles at Jongdae lovingly. Jongdae beams at him back as he grabs the apple from his father’s hand.




And he takes one bite indeed. One tiny bite.




“Wasn’t that hard, was it?” Minseok laughs as Jongdae’s face scrunches up in disgust.




“I hate apple.”








It’s not even nine yet but Minseok already feels sleepy. He tries to keep himself awake by playing with Jongdae’s hair, only to have his hands being batted away.




“Don’t touch my hair!” Jongdae yells. Minseok then frowns and crosses his arms, huffing.




“But you let Baekhyun touch your hair,” Minseok says to the back of Jongdae’s head. Jongdae, too immersed with the movie, ignores him.




It’s true. While Minseok is busy around the kindergarten, he’ll always spot a smiling Jongdae with his bangs tied up like an apple stem bouncing around. When asked who did it for him, with a smile, Jongdae says, Baekhyunnie.




That goddamn Baekhyunnie.




“Do you like me or Baekhyunnie?” Minseok asks, scooting closer to where Jongdae was sitting at, on the floor.




“Both.”




“If you had to choose.”




Jongdae finally tears his eyes away from the television to look at his father, only to frown. Somewhere in Minseok’s chest hurts a little when he sees Jongdae frowning.




“Daddy. I like daddy,” Jongdae says, almost like a whisper and slowly crawls towards Minseok’s lap. Minseok smiles at the answer and cradles his baby in his arms. He hears Jongdae groan in what he thinks is annoyance and laughs.




“But.” Of course, there will be a but. Minseok sighs out loud to exaggerate his sadness.




“I hope you and Baekhyunnie can be friends,” Jongdae whispers and plays with his fingers. Big Hero 6 was long forgotten, Jongdae’s focus is only on his twiddling thumbs.




Minseok was baffled. He didn’t know that Jongdae wants him and Baekhyun to be friends. Now he just feels incredibly immature being envious of petty thing as if he isn’t Jongdae’s father.




“Baby, what makes you think we aren’t friends?” Minseok simply laughs his thoughts off and ruffles Jongdae’s hair.




“Dunno...just feels like that,” Jongdae says before yawning. He turns around to face his father and wraps his arms around his neck and nuzzles his face into Minseok’s neck.




“Daddy, sleep?”




Minseok smiles and slips his arms under Jongdae to carry him to bed. “Okay,” he says.




As he was walking to Jongdae’s bedroom, Jongdae murmurs sleepily: “Is daddy really friends with Baekhyunnie?”




Without hesitation, Minseok answers, “Yeap.”




x




Minseok asks for Baekhyun’s phone number after three months Baekhyun has been teaching at the kindergarten. Baekhyun had laughed when Minseok asked for his number but still accepted Minseok’s phone anyway. Although Minseok didn’t show any sign of any shame, he, in secret, was drowning in embarrassment.




“Why now?” Baekhyun asks, eyes still glued to the screen while he dials in his number. Minseok shrugs his shoulders, slipping out a, “Meh.”




“Hmm, you need an on-to-go coffee or something?” Baekhyun teases and hands Minseok back his phone. Minseok scowls, “Don’t be an ass.”




When Minseok looks down at his phone screen to see what Baekhyun saved his number as, he chokes on his own spit.




Son Stealer




“Let me guess. Chanyeol?” Minseok asks, sighing and pockets his phone away. Baekhyun chuckles and nods while gathering the papers on his desk.




“He slipped it out to me once and I think it’s kinda cute,” Baekhyun says absentmindedly, making Minseok’s eyes widen. Baekhyun suddenly pauses his actions and quickly adds, “You know, thinking that I was going to steal your son away. That’s cute...the overprotectiveness of a father.”




Minseok’s eyebrows furrow when Baekhyun says that and he huffs, folding his arms over his chest.




“I’m not an overprotective father,” Minseok says and Baekhyun looks at him with a sure look.




A minute later, Chanyeol walks in the staffroom with Jongdae in his arms. The both of them look at Minseok and Baekhyun weirdly.




“Did we interrupt something important?” Chanyeol asks, placing Jongdae on the ground. Jongdae giggles and quickly runs to Baekhyun’s side, making Minseok gape. What is this?




Minseok simply waves his hands but Baekhyun rolls his eyes instead and tells Chanyeol that Minseok thinks he’s not an overprotective father.




“Look, dude,” Chanyeol says after laughing at what Baekhyun just said. “If the Oxford dictionary wanted to revamp the definition of overprotectiveness, you would be under synonyms.”




Minseok deadpans at the laughing duo and rests both of his hands on his waist. Unbelievable.




“Wow,” Minseok says after a few moments when they finally have their shit together. Jongdae simply looks at them in confusion, a bit scared too.




“Daddy, why are they laughing?” Jongdae asks, tugging on his pants.




“It’s nothing, baby.”




Minseok rolls his eyes when the duo imitates the both of them, Baekhyun attempting to be Jongdae with his terrible squeaky voice and Chanyeol trying to be him.




“Okay, wow, I was actually going to invite you to dinner tonight with Chanyeol but okay, if you wanna act like a soggy noodle, I guess not,” Minseok finally says. His tone of voice is nonchalant; he doesn’t care, but deep down he truly is nervous. He really wants to try to be closer with Baekhyun.




Both, Baekhyun and Chanyeol, stare at Minseok in confusion and shock. Minseok suddenly feels jittery and anxious at what Baekhyun’s going to reply.




“Don’t be like that!” Baekhyun whines, confusing Minseok, now. “I want to go and try Chanyeol’s lasagna, too!”




Minseok, baffled, laughs at Baekhyun’s unexpected reply. However, Chanyeol wasn’t.




Minseok glances at Chanyeol and regrets it immediately when Chanyeol shoots him a teasing smirk, hinting about something. Minseok knows it too well. Minseok replies him with a scowl, throwing a scrunched up paper straight at his face.




Bullseye.




“So tonight, yeah?” Baekhyun asks, interrupting the non-verbal arguement him and Chanyeol are having. It seems that Baekhyun doesn’t notice it and he is very much thankful for it.




“Yeah, I’ll text you the address,” Minseok answers and almost immediately, he hears Chanyeol snort. He grumbles under his breathe and picks up Jongdae’s backpack to head out from the room.




“See you guys later, then,” Minseok says before shutting the door close with Jongdae trailing behind him.




He spots Sehun slumped against the wall playing with his phone when he walks out and to be a nice teacher, he smiles at Sehun’s direction when Sehun notices his presence. Sehun’s eyes widen a little at that but cracks an unsure smile nevertheless.




x




“You’re late.”




Baekhyun laughs nervously when he takes off his shoes at the front door. “I’m glad you can read the clock, Minseok,” he says, trying to get rid off the scowl on Minseok’s face.




Minseok’s apartment isn’t that big or fancy. For a small apartment, it feels oddly homey and comforting. When Baekhyun steps in the house, he looked around in awe at the cutesy decorations ... totally unexpected from Minseok.




“By fifteen minutes. Chanyeol’s lasagna has gone cold now,” Minseok sighs as he locks the door. Baekhyun frowns, unamused.




Moments later, Chanyeol and Jongdae comes out from the kitchen to greet Baekhyun but was met with a frowning Baekhyun.




“Jongdae-yah,” Baekhyun fake-sobs as he crouches down to Jongdae’s eye-level. “Your daddy is bullying me because I’m a little late.”




Minseok gasps at Baekhyun’s act of pitiness but Chanyeol was cackling instead.




“How low of you, Byun Baekhyun,” Minseok mutters under his breathe when Baekhyun grins at Minseok.




“But you’re not late, Baekhyunnie. The lasagna is still in the oven,” Jongdae says, confused.




“Liar,” Baekhyun says and sticks out his tongue at Minseok. After picking Jongdae up from the floor to head towards the kitchen, Minseok finds himself staring at the spot Baekhyun was standing at before.




“Bro, your crush is showing,” Chanyeol chuckles, pulling him towards the kitchen. He hears Baekhyun’s laughter and thinks it’s such a soothing thing to hear. It’s not annoying like Chanyeol’s loud, barbaric ones. It’s likeà




“Like daffodils,” Minseok blurts out suddenly.




“What?”




“Nothing.” Minseok shrugs off his thoughts and pulls out a chair for him. “Quick. I’m hungry.”








The dinner went well, unexpectedly. Minseok thought that there would be a whole lot of awkward silence, followed with jokes with no laughters. But it didn’t happen. Baekhyun was all bright and happy, smiling and laughing with his favourite student and Chanyeol, well, being himself was enough of a joke, really.




Baekhyun left Minseok’s apartment three hours later, at ten. Jongdae was crying when he left, tugging on Baekhyun’s pants, telling him to stay. It’s not like Baekhyun had a choice, really, so with a heavy heart, he promises Jongdae that he’ll be back soon (the quick glance he gives Minseok went unnoticed) and a kiss on the cheek before waving them goodbye.




“You’re a big kid. You’re not supposed to cry over someone leaving you. You’ll meet Baekhyunnie again next Monday, right?” Minseok hugs Jongdae and rubs his back, to soothe away his sobs. Chanyeol, after making sure everything was all right, left the two alone to clean the kitchen.




“But Baekhyunnie is nice and I like him. I don’t want him to leave,” Jongdae sobs into Minseok’s jumper. Minseok hums as an answer and runs his fingers through Jongdae’s hair.




“I’ll invite him next time, okay?” Minseok smiles at Jongdae and Jongdae nods, rubbing his eyes with his fist.




After half an hour of Minseok trying to put Jongdae to sleep, he finally emerges from Jongdae’s bedroom to join Chanyeol in the kitchen. His intention was to help wash the dishes and what not but when he steps into the kitchen, everything was where it’s supposed to be. Even the dishes were washed.




“Thanks, mum,” Minseok says, making Chanyeol, who had his full attention on his phone, jolt in his seat.




“Jesus, Minseok,” he says as he clutches his chest as an exaggeration. Minseok laughs at his reaction and took a seat across Chanyeol. The silence surrounding the both of them isn’t awkward, it’s more comforting actually. Knowing that someone is there is nice, in Minseok’s opinion.




“So,” Chanyeol starts, finally pocketing his phone away.




“So,” Minseok repeats.




“How was dinner?” He asks, a sly smile slowly appearing on his face.




“You were there. Wouldn’t you know?” Minseok deadpans.




“Yeah but I’m not the one having dinner with my crush.”




“Chanyeol,” Minseok sighs out loud and runs his fingers through his hair. “Just because I suddenly have this want to be close with him doesn’t mean I have a crush on him.”




Chanyeol shoots him a blank look. “You actually just described what having a crush is.”




“I’m 31 years old I have gotten no time for this teenager feelings bullshit.”




“And I’m 29. Anymore facts you’d like to share about yourself?”




Minseok huffs, reaching forward to pinch Chanyeol’s nose. Chanyeol is taken aback by that and tries to pry Minseok’s finger off him. He might seem like an asshole but this is how he shows how much he appreciates Chanyeol. Chanyeol’s like a little brother to him, but he wouldn’t tell Chanyeol that. It would only feed on his already overflowing ego.




“But with my predictions,” Chanyeol says while holding his nose ... a protection from the hands of Minseok’s. “You will come to me in a few months or so ... or weeks, actually ... to whine about how annoying Baekhyun’s smile is.”




Minseok laughs it off, calling it absolute bullshit because no way he would fall in love again.




x




Four months in and Minseok sees Baekhyun in a different light now. He’s stubborn as hell as he still doesn’t consider Baekhyun as a friend. He’s simply an acquaintance. Even so, acquaintances don’t come to each other's house to hang out with their son or bring their son out during weekends.




Chanyeol says they’re friends, Minseok says they aren’t.




“Will you leave me alone?” Minseok pants out as he holds the pole next to him for support. He is a 31 year old male and he isn’t suppose to run around the goddamn park with his son and his 24 year old co-worker.




“Come on, Minseok, stop acting like you’re 40! You’re no fun,” Baekhyun teases. Minseok looks up to glare Baekhyun, “shut up, you and Jongdae are basically children” was at the tip of his tongue but it immediately got flushed out from his mind.




Jongdae and Baekhyun are smiling, hand-in-hand, as they look at him. Something Minseok hasn’t felt for a long time floods his chest and he couldn’t help but give them a slight smile, even if he was practically gasping for air.




When he stands up and tells them that he’s all right now, Baekhyun promptly takes his hand in his and runs with Jongdae leading them both. They looked like a bunch of barbaric monkeys but Minseok couldn’t help but laugh along with the both of them as they sprint through the park.




That night, when Minseok is about to sleep, he clutches the hand Baekhyun had held earlier this evening close to him. With a smile, he drifts off to sleep; the dead butterflies in his stomach finally awakens to dance around again.




x




The butterflies in his stomach only made Minseok more scared than before. He doesn’t want this. He doesn’t want to like someone again. He doesn’t like this feeling at all but nothing could describe what he feels towards Baekhyun besides those feelings.




He’d rather have those feelings left elsewhere, really.




“My feelings should be better left elsewhere, Chanyeol, I fucking hate this,” Minseok had said after tucking Jongdae to sleep. Chanyeol had convinced Minseok to take one bottle of beer hence why, he is now in a babbling mess.




“But that’s what make a human, Minseok. Feelings.”




“Urm,” Minseok said, burping. “Shut up.”




x




“So, I think I...”




“You like Baekhyun? Took you six months, but congrats.”




Minseok huffs and exaggerates his annoyance by stabbing his lasagna with much force.




“No, really, like,” Chanyeol pauses to swallow down his food. “I could actually sense your feelings for that kid six months ago during the dinner but you finally, like, got your shit together and really, just, bro, congrats.”




Minseok looks at Chanyeol’s offered hand in disgust and swats it away. “I didn’t win a prize, I just had to settle down with my feelings and that was the conclusion.”




“You had to settle down with your feelings? I never want to turn 30.”




“Yes, because unlike you, I actually want to have a civilised relationship with my person of interest, not sucking face every time I see them.”




Chanyeol chokes on the lasagna he was chewing and Minseok could see that it was painful for him as tears start to well u at the rim of his eyes. Serves him right.




“What are you insinuating, Kim Minseok?” Chanyeol manages to choke out after downing a glass of water.




“You know what I’m talking about,” Minseok teases, smirking at Chanyeol. Chanyeol’s face immediately turns red, proving that whatever Minseok was implying was indeed, true.




They continue eating without discussing each other’s love interest. Brushing the topic aside, they continued talking about sports and whatever alike. Chanyeol, unlike Minseok, isn’t much of a sports fan, therefore, the topic died down quickly and the topic of Minseok’s interest to Baekhyun comes back up.




“But we can’t work out,” Minseok says as he pokes the lasagna’s leftover on his plate. Chanyeol shoots him a confused look and asked him why.




“We’re co-workers. There’s a saying that says, ‘sleep with your co-worker, not date’ ... that’s what you’re doing with Seagull aren’t you? ... and I don’t particularly want to sleep with him because I genuinely like him and stuff.”




Minseok slumps back against his chair at the sad facts he has to face. Not only are they co-workers, they also have a parent-teacher relationship. It doesn’t sound right ... to him, at least.




“It’s fine to date your co-worker, though. I mean, you guys are adults,” Chanyeol finally says to break the silence.




“Easy for you to say, Seagull’s boy-toy,” Minseok snorts.




“Stop changing the damn topic, man,” Chanyeol chuckles. “And his name is Sehun.”




“Sure,” Minseok says, taking his and Chanyeol’s plate to place it in the sink. He looks at the dirty plates before shrugging away, deciding that he’ll do it tomorrow. Or the next day. Doesn’t matter.




“Minseok,” Chanyeol calls out when Minseok walks around the kitchen to take the dirty plates and mugs to the sink. “The heart wants what the heart wants. Keeping it inside will only hurt you. Confess, my child and thy heart shall be free!” Chanyeol says, even throwing his hands up as he grins at Minseok.




“Urm, don’t be fucking stupid for once, thanks.” Minseok rolls his eyes when Chanyeol immediately pouts.




“Minseok, please, listen to me. It’s fine dating your co-worker as long as if you ever break up, you act professional. I’m positive Baekhyun likes you back too, I mean, really, d’ya think he’d come on the weekends only to hang out with a four year old? No, man. He likes you, too. So do me a favour and get that long fucking rod of egoness out of your ass and confess?”




Minseok stares at Chanyeol in disbelief, like he didn’t just turn into a love doctor in a few minutes.




“Wow, thank you so much, love doctor,” Minseok says, bringing his hand to his chest. “I’m touched.”




“So will you ask him out on a date?”




“Actually I have another problem besides being co-workers,” Minseok confesses and Chanyeol’s eyes widen in disbelief.




“What problem? Your dick can’t stand up or something?”




Minseok glares Chanyeol for a second before sighing and it’s a serious matter actually, and he can’t just dismiss it.




“I’m scared.”




Chanyeol’s expression suddenly softens and a soft, comforting smile graces his face.




“It’s okay.”




“No, Chanyeol, it’s not. What if something that happened to Jongdae’s mum happened again? It hurts, you know? I loved her a lot and she just fucking left me with Jongdae. I don’t deserve to be hurt like that again and I don’t want to risk that,” Minseok retorted, shocking Chanyeol. Not once did Chanyeol flinch.




After a few moments, Chanyeol chuckled.




“Jesus, Minseok. I’m not asking you to marry the kid. I’m just asking you to try. You’re over her aren’t you? Not everyone is like her,” Chanyeol says as he stands up and pushes his chair in. “Besides, Baekhyun’s a nice kid. If he hurts you like how she did, just hit me up, bro, I’ll kill a bitch for ya.”




Minseok couldn’t help but chuckle at that and pats Chanyeol’s arm. “Thank you, Chanyeol. We’ll see what happens next, yeah?”




Minseok goes to sleep feeling anxious about what will happen next. His thoughts are all entangled with each other; one saying ‘yes, go ahead!’ while the other says ‘what if he hurts you?’




x




As far as Minseok knows, he definitely isn’t a coward. But here he is on his bed with a sleeping Jongdae on his lap, contemplating on texting or calling Baekhyun like a hormonal teenager in love.




He decides on the former.




As he types out the text, he takes approximately 10 minutes before he decides that he should delete the capital letters to low caps to not sounds so formal.






To: Son Stealer




hey, u free next friday? i’d like to invite u for dinner over my place






He definitely doesn’t expect a reply only a few minutes later.






From: Son Stealer




sureeee :) w park?






Minseok couldn’t help but frown at the text. Did Baekhyun like Chanyeol’s company more than his? Or was he just genuinely curious? Damn it, Minseok, for once be a ball of positivity!






To: Son Stealer




no not rly only u, jongdae and i. is that okay w u?






Minseok dreads the next reply, so he does what he does best when he’s nervous: he bites his nails. It’s unhygienic as hell and he always tells Jongdae not to do it but he still does it anyway. Even at 31.






From: Son Stealer




no that’s fine! i’ll be expecting better food then :P






Minseok chuckles at the reply and decides that he could finally go to sleep in peace now after days of worrying over nothing.




“Daddy?” Jongdae calls him as he tucks Jongdae’s head under his chin, so they could cuddle to sleep.




“Yes, baby?”




“I love you,” Jongdae murmurs sleepily before yawning, then snuggles closer to Minseok. Minseok smiles and kisses the top of his son’s head.




“I love you, too.”




x




Minseok was relieved when Friday comes. He could finally escape a week’s worth of teasings from Chanyeol and followed by the looks of confusion Baekhyun gives them.




“Is Chanyeol offended or something that I’m the only one invited?” Baekhyun had asked Minseok in the morning when he hands Minseok his cup of coffee. Minseok’s only reply was to laugh awkwardly behind the cup.




“Daddy, when is Baekhyunnie coming?” Jongdae whines as his fingers fiddled with the ears of his teddy bear.




“Soon, baby,” Minseok says and pats Jongdae’s hair affectionately.




Behind all the calm facade, Minseok was nervous. He wasn’t sure if his food was better than Chanyeol, he wasn’t sure if his food was edible actually and he definitely was not sure if his feelings will be reciprocated.




When the doorbell rang, Minseok and Jongdae’s ear perked up and they ran straight to the door to welcome Baekhyun in.




“Hey...why the look?” Baekhyun says after a moment of staring oddly at Minseok. Oh shit, was he smiling too wide? Did his eye twitch like Chanyeol’s because he’s too happy?




“D’you zoned out, Minseok?” Baekhyun asks, waving a hand in front of his face.




“Urm, no. Uh,” Minseok finds himself lost at words because he finally got to have a good look at Baekhyun and gosh, he looks so handsome. Baekhyun is just in a flannel shirt with jeans, why does he look so breathtakingly handsome?




“Uh?” Baekhyun repeats, confused.




“Dinner?” Minseok offers, smiling.




“Well, duh,” Baekhyun laughs and offers a hand towards Jongdae, in which he accepts it happily and walks towards the kitchen. Minseok looks at their backs while smiling and shakes his head, brushing the thought away. Oh, if only this moment could last forever.




Three slices in and Baekhyun finally speaks up to Minseok.




“This lasagna is actually better than Chanyeol’s. Why don’t you make them instead of him?” Baekhyun asks as he grabs a napkin to wipe the bits off at the side of his lips.




“I’m kind of lazy,” Minseok confesses truthfully. He’s a single dad with a job, of course, he’s lazy to this kind of thing. Let Chanyeol, single and young, do all those.




“Suuure,” Baekhyun drags and a teasing grin graces his face.




“Wait,” Baekhyun chirps. “Why did you invite me for dinner actually. It’s not Jongdae’s birthday is it? Or yours?”




Minseok almost wanted to choke on his piece of lasagna. Should he tell him now? Later? Fuck.




“Can I tell you later?” It was more of an order than a question and Minseok is thankful that Baekhyun catches quickly, nodding.




Dinner went well, with the help of Jongdae. Jongdae and Baekhyun talked most of the time because Jongdae is just like Baekhyun, a chatterbox. Not that Minseok’s complaining, really. It gave him some time to worry about after dinner. Or more specifically, after watching Big Hero 6 and tucking his little baby to sleep.




“Baekhyunnie, will you kiss me goodnight?” Jongdae pouts as he grabs the sleeve of Baekhyun’s flannel shirt. Baekhyun coos at Jongdae and went on his knees by Jongdae’s bedside to give him a kiss on the cheek.




“Goodnight, Jongdae,” Baekhyun says and stands up to leave. Minseok stands by the door, smiling at the both of them. He looks like such an idiot but God, he’s so happy just looking at the both of them.




“I love you, Baekhyunnie,” Jongdae says, then his eyelids slowly flutter close.




Baekhyun didn’t move for a while, Minseok assumes he was only staring at Jongdae.




“Minseok, he said he loves me,” Baekhyun finally voices out and Minseok nods, pulling Baekhyun out from the room.




“Yeah, he did. He really does like you a lot so,” Minseok states, shrugging his shoulders.




“He’s so cute, oh my God,” Baekhyun says after a while and does weird finger movements, as if he wanted to squish the air. Minseok could only raise his eyebrow at him.




When Baekhyun puts on his shoes and steps out of Minseok’s apartment, it seems that he had forgotten something.




“Hey, you didn’t tell me why you invited me for dinner,” Baekhyun asks when Minseok had step outside as well, to see Baekhyun off.




Minseok’s palms suddenly feels sweaty and the butterflies fluttered around his stomach with no care that he feels like vomiting right now. It’s been so long since he feels like this and it’s truthfully, scary.




“Baekhyun, I,” he stops himself to gulp and wipe his palms on his pants. “Baekhyun, I actually like you. Like in a romantic kind of way.”




A minute. A minute and a few cracks in his heart later was when Baekhyun replied with a soft, “Oh.”




Minseok could only crack a soft smile at Baekhyun. “Yeah, I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable I just need to tell you that.”




Baekhyun shakes his head. “Oh, Minseok. I like you too ...”




That was enough bandage to wrap his heart back together.




“ ... but we’re co-workers and you’re Jongdae’s dad.”




That’s all he needed to hear before his heart was ripped apart forcefully.




“I don’t think it’ll work out,” Baekhyun ends as he presses his lips into a thin line.




“I get it. It’s okay,” Minseok says. He needs to get in immediately before he cracks in front of Baekhyun. He isn’t weak, he just...this seems too familiar for him.




“Minseok, I’m so sorry,” Baekhyun says, and his face says it all. His eyes were begging for forgiveness but what is he apologizing for though, really. Minseok clenches his fist and presses his nails deep into his palm.




“No, Baekhyun, it’s fine. I forgive you,” Minseok says and he even has the energy to give Baekhyun a smile before stepping back into the house.




“Bye, Baekhyun.”




“Goodbye.”




x




“So, how’d dinner go?” Chanyeol asks over the phone. Minseok had just came out from the toilet when he hears his phone ringing. He should tell it now because either way, he’s going to find out.




“He said he liked me back,” Minseok says as he lies on the bed.




“That’s great!”




“He also told me that we won’t work out because, like I said, we’re co-workers.”




“Yikes.”




“Yeah.”




“Hey, you okay?” Chanyeol’s voice had genuine concern laced in it but Minseok really doesn’t want to elaborate more on this. Having his heart broken is enough.




“Yeah, I am,” he says. “Don’t worry.”




x




Just like that, his efforts to befriend Jongdae’s favourite teacher went down the drain. Being around Baekhyun is tiring since everytime he looks or even sense Baekhyun, his heart aches. And being around Baekhyun is five days in a week. But he’s an adult and he won’t let his feelings get in his way. Or so he thought.




Jongdae had asked once why didn’t Baekhyun come and visit him during the weekends anymore. It’s really all his fault. If he never confessed, his baby would still be smiling and giggling and having fun with Baekhyun but now, it’s just him and his son. Alone.




“I think Baekhyunnie’s busy these days, baby,” Minseok had answered. Jongdae could only sulk the whole weekend and on Monday, Jongdae complained to Baekhyun. Minseok could see that guilt on Baekhyun’s face but doesn’t say anything about it.




Minseok has stopped drinking Baekhyun’s coffee, too. It’s immature, he knows but he needs to stop having all the things that reminds him of Baekhyun. Every day since his confession, Minseok would take the hot coffee and dump its contents in the sink at the canteen. Baekhyun doesn’t notice this at all until one day, when Minseok comes to the kindergarten with one hand holding a cup of coffee from Le CafΦ Popote.




In the second week, Minseok doesn’t see any cup of hot coffee on his desk anymore.




Chanyeol is anything but happy when he heard about this. He hates how both of his friends aren’t even talking like usual. They only conversations they have these days are only about the kids and the parents and the fucking photocopy machine. Like, Minseok cares?




“Hey, Minseok,” Chanyeol says when he enters the staffroom. Baekhyun isn’t inside the staffroom, thankfully.




“What?” Minseok says, looking up from his phone.




“How about this: I take care of Jongdae tonight and you go ahead and do anything you want tonight.”




“What? Why? And I don’t have anything I want to do.”




“Minseok,” Chanyeol sighs and presses his palm against his face in annoyance. “You’re fucking sick of this whole thing, okay, I know. Get yourself some me-time, now that I’m offering. Go grocery shopping or something, I don’t know.”




“Are you sure?” Minseok asks hesitantly. It’s not that he’s worried of Chanyeol and Jongdae together, they’re basically two peas in a pod but he’s only worried if Chanyeol is doing this for him or out of pity.




“Yes, oh-em-gee. So you up for it?” Chanyeol says with a smile. Before Minseok could even open his mouth to answer, the staffroom door opens, signalling the presence of Baekhyun.




“Yeah, Thanks, Chanyeol,” he quickly says before standing up to get out of there, right now.




“I have class!” Minseok mouths at Chanyeol when Chanyeol turns around to look at him in disbelief.




x




At nine in the evening, Minseok finds himself about to die at the dairy aisle of the grocery store. How can the grocery store not have Jongdae’s favourite milk brand now, when he needs it the most. He can already imagine Jongdae’s face when he hears about the heart-breaking news. A few tears might slip down his cheeks and Minseok would probably need to play Big Hero 6 on repeat for the next 48 hours until he gets his milk, but that is totally fine.




Because he would do anything for his son.




Even if it means staying friends (or not) with his favourite teacher that rejected him.




He sighs as he decides that there was no point in standing there, wishing for the carton of milk to appear out of the blue. After taking a last long glance at the empty section where Jongdae’s favourite milk would have been placed, he walks away.




“Minseok?”




It’s pretty movie-like, really. It’s just been a few weeks since their date and Minseok has been trying to act professional around him but after work, he tries to avoid him like the damn plague. But now, here he is.




“Hey,” Minseok says and puts on a fake smile that he hopes Baekhyun would think it was sincere. Oh who is he kidding, his left eye is twitching like mad.




“Where’s Jongdae?” Baekhyun asks after realising that he was all alone without his son.




“At Chanyeol’s. It’s just me alone today,” Minseok says.




It’s weird having to face Baekhyun outside of work now since the last time he saw Baekhyun out of work was when he got rejected. He cringes at the mere thought of that and decides to excuse himself.




“I gotta ...”




“Minseok, wait.” Baekhyun says, stopping Minseok from walking away. He really wants to get out of here. He doesn’t want to have whatever conversation they’re going to have. Like he said before, he’s scared.




“Minseok, listen, I’m sorry,” Baekhyun says, placing his basket full of grocery down. He took a quick glance at it and held in a giggle. A basket full of instant noodles.




“Baekhyun, you don’t have to say anything, really.”




“No, Minseok. I really am. I’m really sorry. Look, I like you a lot, too. And I’m not saying this because I pity you because if I did I wouldn’t say sorry to you right now.”




“Why not,” Minseok questions with a raised brow.




“You dumped my coffee in the sink,” Baekhyun deadpans. Minseok fakes a surprised look before grinning.




“I’m sorry,” he says, clutching the handle of his basket tighter.




“No, Minseok, oh my God. How do I say this? I like you a lot but I never know what happened to Jongdae’s mum. I thought she’s still there but when I asked Jongdae where is his mum, he said he didn’t have one. So I thought she passed away but if I confessed I would sound insensitive because maybe, you never moved on. But you confessed first then, to my shock. I had to pull out a few irrelevant reasons on why we won’t work out and I’m so so sorry. I didn’t only lie to you, I also lied to myself. I was stupid. Will you forgive me?”




Minseok could only stare at Baekhyun in shock. No, wait, actually shock isn’t the right word because he’s more than shocked. It’s just too much to take in.




“Did Chanyeol plan this?” Minseok blurts out instead of an answer. Baekhyun’s expression saddens at that.




“He did. I asked him to because I couldn’t do it by my own,” Baekhyun smiles. “He also told me about your ex and I know it’s not his place to tell me and if you want to be mad, be mad at me because I pushed him to tell me.”




Minseok’s thoughts and feelings are all over the place right now and he doesn’t know how to digest all this. He’s just extremely baffled.




Oh my God, Baekhyun likes him, too.




“Wait, you like me? Romantically?”




Baekhyun suddenly grins wider, and this time it’s genuine. “Yeah, I do.”




“That’s just, wow, I,” Minseok’s lost at words. “I ... oh my God ... I like you.”




Baekhyun could only laugh at Minseok’s antics.




And just like in the movies, or those cheap young adult novels Chanyeol has under his desk, Baekhyun pulls Minseok into a kiss.




The kiss doesn’t make fireworks go off in his head or make his knees weak or make one of his legs pop up, but it did, in a way, make him feel extremely happy.




When they pull away, Baekhyun has his hands on Minseok’s elbow meanwhile his arms were wrapped around Baekhyun’s waist. It’s only when they realised they’re in the grocery store they had pulled away laughing.




“Oh God, at a grocery store,” Baekhyun chuckles as he picks up his grocery basket from the ground.




“You really like me, right? Like not out of pity?” Minseok asks, just to be sure, as if Baekhyun didn’t just pull him into a kiss in public.




Baekhyun raises his eyebrow at Minseok. “What? Sassy Kim Minseok turns into a teenager when he wants to date someone? Shocking news. Make them the headlines,” Baekhyun teases and grabs Minseok’s hands to lace their fingers together.




Minseok scowls at him and attempts to get out of Baekhyun’s grip but he only grips it harder.




“I like you, I’m sure of it.”




“Really?”




“Yeap.”




“So you don’t mind if I want to ask you out on a date right now?” Minseok asks, a teasing smile appears on his face.




“What? At nine? No restaurant’s open.” Baekhyun says as they walk out of the aisle, hand-in-hand.




“The cafeteria’s right there,” Minseok says that made Baekhyun stop in his tracks to shoot him a look of disbelief.




“Are you serious?”




“Unless you’re a materialistic person than I suppose I have to rethink my choices on liking you,” Minseok teases. Baekhyun gasps in exaggeration and scowls.




“Don’t be silly,” he says, pulling Minseok to walk with him. “That’ll be lovely.”




And that’s enough to drown Minseok’s anxiety for now.

For Prompt #35: What's Your Name?

Username: anonymous
Prompt #: 35
Other Characters: Chanyeol ,Jongdae, Jongin, Joonmyun, Kris, Luhan, Tao,YiXing
Length: 17,000 words.
Rating: R
Warnings: Kidnapping, Swearing, Serial Killer,
Summary: "Baekhyun," Minseok whispers, urgently, through the phone speaker. Baekhyun freezes with the other's tone. "Someone is trying to kill me."
Author’s Note: Thank you for reading!!! Thank you mods for hosting this and being so understanding during check-ins. Prompter dear, I hope this story doesn’t disappoint.

Baekhyun walked down the streets towards the diner he was supposed to meet his boyfriend at, enjoying the early morning air. He smiled as he spotted his boyfriend, Minseok, through the glass windows of the diner. He paused admiring the other as he read through a newspaper before smiling to himself and pulling the door open.

“A table for one” a woman at the front of the restaurant asks while grabbing a menu.

“Oh no, I’m actually meeting someone here” Baekhyun said with a polite smile before walking towards the table he had seen his boyfriend occupying through the window. He smiled once more to himself as he watched the other blow on his coffee mug and take of sip of the liquid while keeping his gaze locked on the newspaper in front of him. “How can you still drink that stuff after being surrounded by it all day” Baekhyun asks aloud before leaning down and planting a kiss atop the other’s coffee scented hair chuckling slightly as the other lets out a little squeak in fright.

“Baek you scared me” Minseok scolds holding a hand up to his chest.

“I’m sorry babe” Baekhyun apologizes giving the other one more kiss, this time on the lips, before taking a seat in the empty chair across from him. “What were you reading that had you so interested” Baekhyun asks taking a sip of the glass of water that Minseok must have already ordered for him.

“I was just reading this article” Minseok said folding the paper to make it smaller. Baekhyun leaned forward to see the article that Minseok was pointing to. “It’s about that guy, about the same age as us, the one that went missing two months back” Minseok says. “They found him in the same place they found those three other ones in the past year” Minseok adds.

“Do they have any leads yet” Beakhyun asks opening the menu even though he and Minseok meet up in this diner every Sunday morning.

“No, but they don’t think that it’s random anymore” Baekhyun hears more rustling of the paper before looking back over at Minseok. “They attached pictures of the four guys that they have found murdered” Minseok says and Baekhyun accepts the paper that is extended his way. “Baek, they all look similar to one another” Minseok says causing Baekhyun to drop his gaze down to the paper in his hands. “They all look like me” Minseok whispers and Baekhyun detects fright in the others tone.

“No, no Minnie. I’m sure everyone who looks at these can see similarities to themselves in these images” Baekhyun says reaching his arm across the table a capturing Minseok’s hand within his own in a manner he hopes will bring the other comfort.

“You’re right” Minseok says with a smile, “I’m just being silly” he adds. Baekhyun smiles over at the other lifting his hand to lay a small kiss on it.

“Are you two ready to order” a waitress asks clearing her throat to interrupt the scene in front of her.

“You ready Minnie” Baekhyun asks looking over at the other who nods his head.

Halfway through the meal Minseok excuses himself from the table to use the restroom. In the others absence Baekhyun picks the folded newspaper up and reads through the article, his eyes stopping on the smiling faces of the four men who were no longer alive. As he gazed at the images in front of him he couldn’t deny Minseok’s observation. All the men did look surprisingly similar to the other from the single eyelids to an array of gummy smiles. With a shudder Baekhyun refolded the paper stashing it out of sight. It’s just Minseok’s words getting to me, Baekhyun says to himself internally. When the other returns Baekhyun recaptures his hand enjoying the warmth and comfort that radiates from it.

●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ●

“Sorry I’m late” Baekhyun hears Minseok say as the front door to his apartment is opened.

“I’m in the kitchen” Baekhyun calls out to the other as he sprinkles a little cheese over the salad before placing it on the table alongside the spaghetti he had finished cooking.

“Sorry I’m late” Minseok repeats as Baekhyun feels the other’s arms wrap around his back.

“You’re just in time” Baekhyun assures folding his hands over the other’s arms and leaning his head back aside the other’s head. “You smell like coffee” he says a couple seconds later as the scent floats off of Minseok into his own nostrils.

“Way to ruin the moment” Minseok says with a small chuckle as he pulls his arms away. “Should I hop in your shower” Minseok asks softly. Baekhyun looks over at the timer atop the stove.

“The rolls will be done in four minutes, you can hop in the shower if you want to, but you don’t have to” Baekhyun assures the other while looking in his eyes to show his sincerity.

“I’ll be quick” Minseok says with his signature gummy smile that accelerates Baekhyun’s heart rate. Baekhyun leans forward and slots his lips against the other’s in a quick kiss. “Don’t start without me” Minseok says before quickly scampering away.

Baekhyun chuckles aloud as he walks over to the silverware drawer. Sometimes it is still hard for him to believe that the other is older than him by two years.

When the oven buzzed Baekhyun pulled the tray from the oven and scooped the rolls out onto a separate plate.

“Smells delicious” Minseok said causing Baekhyun to look his direction. Baekhyun had to force himself to breath when he took in the sight of the other in one of Baekhyun’s warn pajama shirts and sweat pants. “I didn’t bring my bag up from my car” Minseok say and Baekhyun can tell that the other is nervous because of the way that he plays with the hem of the shirt. “I can change” Minseok offers softly.

“No” Baekhyun says quickly rushing to the other’s side and grabbing one of Minseok’s hands within his own. “No” he repeats in a softer tone, “You make my clothes look more amazing then I could have” Baekhyun says bringing his freehand up and rubbing a couple slow circles across Minseok’s cheek while admiring the blush that slowly forms under his fingertips.

The oven timer rings a second time because Baekhyun hadn’t turned it off right away; breaking the trance like state he has fallen under while staring into Minseok’s eyes.

“Let’s eat” Baekhyun offers shutting off the stove before taking a seat at the table across from where Minseok has already sat down.

“This is amazing Baek” Minseok says humming before filling his mouth with a second forkful of spaghetti.

“Only the best for you” Baekhyun says causing Minseok to shake his head as he laughs off his embarrassment. “So how was your day” Baekhyun asks a couple mouthfuls of food later.

“Well remember that guy I was telling you about, the one who has been flirting with me every couple of days when he comes in” Minseok asks before taking a bite of a roll.

“Yeah” Baekhyun confirms, automatically remembering Minseok telling of a guy obviously flirting with him a couple days back.

“He was back today” Minseok said and Baekhyun noticed the way Minseok’s face scrunched up in a pout.

“Minnie it’s okay, I told you I don’t mind that other people flirt with you” Baekhyun reassures remembering a time early on in their relationship when Minseok had broken down in tears, feeling as if he had somehow betrayed Baekhyun’s trust by allowing another to flirt with him. “Besides who could resist your cute face” Baekhyun teases softly loving the slight blush that consumes the other’s face.

“Stop it” Minseok says taking a drink of his ice water. “It’s weird” Minseok says softly.

“The water tastes bad” Baekhyun asks lifting his own glass up to take a smell of it.

“No, no” Minseok says with a small chuckle, “This guy, the one that keeps coming in. He doesn’t flirt with anyone else” Minseok says.

“Why is that weird when I was first trying to get you to go out with me I didn’t flirt with anyone else either” Baekhyun says watching the other’s face twist in confusion as if he were looking for the right words to say.

“But Baek, this guy, it’s weird he’s not ugly he’s actually good looking” Minseok says looking guiltily up at Baekhyun who just waved off the other’s comment prompting him to continue with his train of thoughts. “He’s creepy though Baek” Minseok says and Baekhyun watches the way Minseok unconsciously shudders when thinking of the other man. “He says things to me as if he knows me, and the way he looks at me” Minseok pauses, “I don’t know exactly how to explain it Baek, but he’s creepy.”

“I believe you babe” Baekhyun assures reaching across the table to hold Minseok’s hand within his own. “I’ll try to stop by on my lunch break tomorrow and show this creepy fellow that you’re already taken” Baekhyun says relieved when Minseok’s worried look becomes a smile.

“I’d like that” Minseok says softly.

A steady rainfall outside aids Baekhyun in convincing Minseok to stay the night over at his apartment instead of venturing back to his own. With the rain falling down outside Baekhyun holds Minseok snuggly in his arms admiring the other’s peaceful face while he sleeps. “Sweet dreams” Baekhyun whispers brushing a few stray hairs from the other’s forehead before planting a small kiss atop it.

●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ●

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

“Minseok your boyfriend is here” Jongdae calls. Minseok quickly dries his hands off and rushes to the front of the store. “Baek” he says feeling a smile bloom across his face as he spots his boyfriend standing in front of the counter.

“Hey” Baekhyun says with a wide smile and a twinkle in his eye. “Care to join me for some lunch” Baekhyun asks holding up two containers of sandwiches before motioning to one of the many booths in the small café.

“My break starts in two minutes” Minseok says leaning across the counter to lay a kiss upon Baekhyun’s cheek. As he pulled back he saw the male that he could only describe as creepy looking at him in shock before turning to glare at Baekhyun.

“I’ll be waiting” Baekhyun says distracting Minseok from the other’s gaze. Minseok rushes to fill the remaining coffee orders before grabbing the two Americano’s Baekhyun ordered and pulling his apron over his head.

“Take an extra ten minute break today Minseok” Joonmyun, the boss, says with a smile as he moves to take the next order.

“Thanks” Minseok says, moving from behind the counter to meet up with Baekhyun. “You know this would be more romantic if I hadn’t made all the food” Minseok says teasingly recognizing the turkey sandwiches on the table as the ones he had made earlier that morning.

“I was going to pick up something else on the way here, but that would have taken away from the time that I get to spend with you” Baekhyun says causing a blush to spread across Minseok’s cheeks at the other’s words. Before Minseok could scold the other for trying such cheesy lines on him Minseok watched as someone walked past swinging a bag and causing both of the fresh coffees to spill, soaking the two sandwiches and dripping down onto Baekhyun’s legs.

“Sorry” the blond man says with a cocky smirk that voided his apology before winking to Minseok and leaving the space.

“Hot, hot” Baekhyun said urging Minseok to jump into action. He quickly ran from the booth into the back room where he grabbed a large towel and cleaned off the messy table, drying Baekhyun in the process.

“I have an extra pair of jeans in my car” Minseok assures Baekhyun who lets out a small chuckle.

“That was him wasn’t it” Baekhyun asks a couple minutes later as Minseok stands in front of the door to make sure no one will walk in on his changing boyfriend.

“Yeah” Minseok confirms with a small shudder as the wink the male had shot his way replays in his mind.

“It’s going to take more than a couple spilt cups of coffee to keep me away from you” Baekhyun says surprising Minseok from his thoughts with a hug and a small kiss.

“And me you” Minseok whispers in the others embrace before reconnecting their lips.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

“I have a delivery for a Xiumin” a flower delivery man reads off a small card once he enters the café a couple days later.

“A who” Minseok asks the man thinking he may have miss heard the other over the many voices in the café.

“A Xiumin” the guy says looking back down at the small card.

“I’m sorry I think you may have the wrong address” Minseok told the other politely, not recognizing the name as any of the other workers there today or any other day for that matter.

“This is the ‘Wonderful Day Café’ is it not” the delivery man says with a small look of confusion on his face.

“Yeah it is” Minseok says in confused confirmation as he fills the display tray with freshly baked Dutch apple pies.

“Well these say they are for a Xiumin who works at the ‘Wonderful Day Café’” the delivery man says with a shrug of his shoulders as he sets the vase of flowers down on the counter. “They are already paid for so I say you just enjoy them for now, maybe Xiumin is a nickname of sorts or something” the guy says before turning and leaving the café as a new customer enters. Odd, Minseok thinks to himself as he moves the vase in front of the cash register, enjoying the smell for the rest of his shift.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

“They just keep coming” Minseok complains into his phone to Baekhyun during his lunch break.

“And you guys still have no idea who this Xiumin guy is” Baekhyun asks.

“No” Minseok replies and happily listens to Baekhyun’s laughter over the phone. “I miss you” Minseok admits once Baekhyun’s laughter dies down.

“I miss you to my Minnie, just five more days and I’ll be back home” Baekhyun assures.

“I wish you were here now” Minseok whines.

“Trust me I want to be there just as bad. I would much rather have my arms around you then be stuck in meetings all day only to return to an empty hotel room” Baekhyun says making Minseok feel much better. “I have to go now, I love you” Baekhyun says.

“I love you too” Minseok says smacking his lips together as if kissing Baekhyun through the phone.

“I’ll call you later tonight” Baekhyun assures with a kissing noise from his side of the line before the line went dead. With a sigh Minseok picked up his baggy and granola bar wrapper and tossed them in the small trash bin before heading back into the front of the store.

“Can I get an iced chai tea latte please” a girl with a book bag about the same size as her asked Minseok in a timid voice pulling him out of his sad thoughts and back into his work.

“Right away” Minseok says with a small smile as he accepts her money and moves to begin making the ordered drink.

After handing the girl her cup Minseok sets about removing the now empty trays from the display case and switching them out with fresh pastries. He is halfway through the muffins when the small bell dings above the door he looks up with a smile to greet the new customer. When he sees the familiar blond boy enter he feels a shiver run down his spin, but leaves his smile upon his face although it is a little forced.

“What can I get started for you today” He asks politely as he wipes his hands on a small towel at his waist.

“I’ll have an Americano and whatever you suggest from the pastries” the blond male says with a smile as he pulls his wallet out of his back pocket.

“Do you have anything in mind” Minseok asks moving towards the pastry display.

“Whatever you enjoy I am sure I will love” the other says with a wink that makes Minseok sick to his stomach. He looks down and hurriedly grabs a random pastry to put inside a small bag. He moves to set the bag down on the counter in front of the other male while tapping in the other’s order. The hairs on the back of his neck rise as the other’s fingers trail over his hand.

“That’ll be $7.32” Minseok reads off the screen with a squeak as he quickly pulls his hand back. The bell over the door rings and Minseok turns to greet the new customer with a smile. He spots the flower delivery guy holding a new vase of flowers, but unlike all the prier days the flowers inside the vase are different than the usual ones.

“I have these here for a Minseok this time” the guy reads from the small paper, “from someone named Baekhyun” he adds.

“That’s me” Minseok says feeling giddy inside as the man hands over the large vase of violets, his favorite type of flower. He moves Xiumin’s vase of roses aside to place the violet’s down in front of the cash register.

I thought you might be jealous if that Xiumin character was the only one receiving flowers. :) I miss you! Love always, B

With a smile Minseok slide the small card into his back pocket.

“Who are these from” the blond in front of Minseok asks with a scowl on his face.

“My boyfriend” Minseok replies picking the ten dollar bill the other had lain upon the counter up before starting to make change.

“Keep the change” the other says quickly so Minseok deposits the other’s change into the small tip jar before moving aside to make the Americano. With a fake smile plastered on his face Minseok moves back to sets the drink down on the finished drink counter. On his way to the finished drink counter Minseok overhears the other mumbling under his breath “Roses not violets, roses not violets” the other repeats under his breath still unaware of Minseok’s presence.

“Umm” Minseok says clearing his throat in the process. “Your drink is ready, have a nice day” Minseok says before walking quickly to the back room to retrieve another tray of pies for the dinner rush along with a well needed breath.

Upon returning to the main part of the café Minseok’s heart dropped at the sight he saw. Setting the tray of pies down on a counter Minseok moved over to his vase of once beautiful violets. Where the flowers had, mere seconds ago, been standing tall and in all their flowery glory now stood violets with twisted and snapped stems, some even had all the petals torn off as if someone had demolished them in a blind rage. The sight of the state in which the flowers Baekhyun had had sent to him made him very sad, but nothing was as terrifying as the single red rose standing tall and proud amongst the ruined remains of his once beautiful violets.

That night after his shift ended, Minseok drove back to his empty apartment. During the drive home Minseok had a strange feeling of being followed as he spotted what appeared to be the same pair of headlights following him for long stretches of time.

“You alright there Minseok” the tall door man asked snapping Minseok out of his thoughts as he was staring over his shoulder at what he thought was the same white Honda civic that had been following him for much, if not all of the drive home.

“I thought… never mind” Minseok said shaking his head.

“Are you okay Minseok” the door man asked again voice full of worry as he held the door for Minseok to cross.

“I’m okay Chanyeol” Minseok assured with a false smile, “You’ll be here all night tonight right” he asked the taller, suddenly feeling truly vulnerable especially when the image of the destroyed violets flashed in his mind.

“Of course, tonight’s my night, Tao will be here in the morning to switch off with me” Chanyeol confirmed closing the door and walking to tap the call button for the elevator. “Do you want me to ride up with you” Chanyeol asked and Minseok could see worry in the other’s eyes.

“No, I think I’ll be okay now” Minseok says with slight sincerity.

After unlocking the door to his apartment Minseok headed straight to the shower and spent a couple minutes longer than he normally would under the steam of water. When he came out he grabbed his phone and saw a missed call from Baekhyun.

“I wanted to call and check in before I went to sleep” Baekhyun’s tired voice says through the phone, “I love you Minseok hopefully we can talk in the morning. Just four more days” the message ends and Minseok regrets the extra minutes he spent in the shower.

That night as he is on the brink of sleep a voice repeating “roses not violets” brings uncertainty to his dreams.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

The next day in the middle of the afternoon after a long call with Baekhyun, Minseok sets out to work.

“Good afternoon Minseok” Tao says with a smile as he holds the door open for the other.

“How are you today Tao” Minseok happily asks the other feeling fully rejuvenated after his conversation with Baekhyun.

“Very good” Tao replies with a smile. “Chanyeol mentioned that you might want some company walking to your car” Tao offers softly meeting Minseok’s eyes.

“I think I’m okay, I just over reacted last night thank you though” Minseok says feeling silly about how he had acted the night prior.

“Alright, if you’re sure” Tao says with a nod of his head. Minseok gives a small smile to Tao before starting to walk away from the other. “Minseok” Tao calls back to him.

“Yeah” Minseok replies turning around to face the other again.

“What had you so startled, if you don’t mind my asking” the other says politely.

“I think I was just weirded out from work, someone destroyed my violets, it’s nothing don’t worry” Minseok assures with a small chuckle because of how silly his words sound before he sends a tiny wave over his shoulder and walks back to his car.

The day passes uneventfully and much to Minseok’s pleasure the blond guy does not come in.

“You can just leave all the chairs atop the tables when you sweep tonight, I’ll set them up when I come in in the morning, you can turn the closed sign a couple minutes early if you don’t see anyone, there are some…” Joonmyun instructs.

“Joonmyun” Minseok calls the other before letting a little chuckle escape his lips. “I’ve worked closing before, I know how it works” Minseok assures the other.

“Alright” Joonmyun says with a smile. “Remember you have tomorrow off so I’ll see you again Monday” Joonmyun says grabbing his coat from the coat hanger in the back room.

“I’ll be here bright and early boss” Minseok says with a fake salute causing them both to chuckle.

“Good night” Joonmyun says with a wave as he leaves the empty café.

Around eleven forty-five Minseok turns the open sign around and locks the front door before setting out to sweep up the last of the floor. After everything is cleaned up Minseok pulls on his coat and slides his phone into one of the inner pockets of the coat. With keys in hand Minseok heads out to the empty and dark parking lot.

Sliding behind the wheel he places his key inside the admission and turns it to start the car only to hear a small reeve without the actual click of the engine. “No, no, no” Minseok says to himself twisting his key a second time only to receive the same result. Baekhyun’s out of town no one will come and jump my car at this hour, Minseok thinks to himself as he opens his door and walks to the front of his car. He opens the hood of his car, hoping that there is some small tinkering he can do that will magically start his car.

With the hood open Minseok leans deep inside to try and see if there is something loose. His eyes stop rooming immediately when he comes across a cluster of wires that are obviously pulled with force, purposefully, out of their spot. With a racing heart Minseok starts to stand back upright. Get inside the car, lock the doors, and call Baekhyun or the police; he thinks to himself. However before he can do any of those things a sharp pain spreads from the top of his head before the world around him spins and fades to black.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

The first thing Minseok feels when he opens his eyes is a pain. Did I fall asleep on the couch when I came home, Minseok wonders as he tries to move. However as he moves his hands around he feels a strange fabric on all the surfaces around him and he also hears a constant humming type sound. Suddenly all the events prior come flashing back to him, the pulled car wires and the hit to his head. Quickly he raises his hand and starts to push on the walls, but it is no use.

As he lays curled up in the small space and tries to remain levelheaded he realizes that he must be in the trunk of someone’s car that is moving down some highway or street. I have to call for help, Minseok thinks to himself moving his hand around himself to his back pocket only to feel it empty. What do I do now, he wonders feeling entirely helpless.

Suddenly a flashback of packing up at the café flashes in his mind, of sliding his phone into one of his coat’s inner pockets. Faster than light Minseok pulls the phone out and starts to cry when he spots the single bar of service he still has from the trunk of the car. He types in his code and pulls up Baekhyun’s contact information before holding the phone up to his ear. Please answer, please answer, Minseok chats in his mind as the phone rings four times before a small click is heard.

“Minnie” Baekhyun’s voice answers much to Minseok’s relief.

“Baekhyun” Minseok whispers urgently into his phone, “I think someone is trying to kill me” he adds before he allows a sob to leave his mouth as the vehicle he is in goes over a rough bump, jostling Minseok.

“Minnie, what do you mean” Baekhyun’s concerned voice fills the small space.

“I closed up and went to my car, it was dead and when I popped the trunk the wires were all pulled and slashed” Minseok says quickly feeling the car start to slow down. “Someone hit me and now I’m in a trunk” he adds before the car comes to a complete stop. “The car is stopping, I think they’re coming for me” Minseok says in panic as he hears a door open and then close. “Baekhyun” Minseok screams into his phone, “Baekhyun help me.”

The light that invades the space Minseok occupies blinds him for a minute and when he reopens his eyes he spots the creepy blond man from the café holding Minseok’s phone in his hand.

“I thought I heard something, you won’t be needing this anymore Xiumin, I’m here now” the man says with a smile that sends shivers up Minseok’s spine before Minseok watches his phone being thrown down onto the floor.

“What do you want from me” Minseok asks trying to figure out a plan of escape.

“Oh, don’t be like that Xiumin” the blond guy says moving his hand as if to touch Minseok’s face.

“Don’t touch me” Minseok says as he slaps the other’s hand away. “I don’t know who this Xiumin person is but I sure as hell am not him so let me go you sicko” Minseok screams as he tries to leap from the trunk. He sees a look of rage cover the blond boys face before he feels a sharp pinch in his neck before his whole body goes limp.

Minseok tries to move his hands or his legs, anything to get away from the other; but his body betrays him as it lies limply on the ground before the blond man picks him up.

“You shouldn’t have done that, I didn’t want to have to do this” the blond male tisks as he leans down. Minseok feels repulsed when the male leans down and picks up his limp body. Minseok watches as the male carries him to the passenger seat of the car and buckles him in before closing the door. His tears start to fall as he hears the trunk being closed and watches the blond man climb into the seat beside him all while being incapable of moving a single muscle in his body, besides to blink. “Don’t cry my love” the other’s creepy voice says as he moves and wipes his hand beneath Minseok’s eye. The tears fall harder and faster as he can’t lift hand nor finger to stop the other’s actions. “I know you’re probably really tired, you can sleep we still have many hours till we are home” the other assures before the car pulls back onto the street.

Minseok watches street signs pass by in hopes of something he recognizes, but everything outside the car looks odd and unfamiliar. It was pitch black outside when I was taken and the sun is already up now, Minseok thinks to himself as more tears leave his eyes. He said we still have longer to drive; who knows where I’ll end up or if anyone will even find me, Minseok thinks as his eyelids become gradually heavier. Save me Baekhyun, he thinks trying to picture the other’s face before falling into a very troubled sleep.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

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“Minseok” Baekhyun screams into his phone refusing to believe the words he had just heard through the phone line. “Minseok” he screams again before pulling the phone from his ear and seeing his home screen confirming that the call had ended.

Quickly Baekhyun recalls Minseok holding his emotions in check as he paces the carpeted floor of his small hotel room. The first call goes straight to voice mail, followed swiftly by the second and third call.

“Baekhyun help me” Minseok’s terrified voice plays over in his mind. Call the police, his mind screams as he reaches the other’s voice mail for the sixth time. He quickly types in 911 and waits as his phone rings once before a small click is heard.

“911 how can I direct your call” the bored voice of an operator asks through Baekhyun’s phone.

“I’m not sure my boyfriend, he’s been kidnapped” Baekhyun says quickly in response clutching at his shirt as he continues to pace across the carpeted floor.

“You’re being kidnapped sir” the operator asks in a slightly more concerned voice.

“No, my boyfriend” Baekhyun says running his hand through his hair in frustration.

“Can you give me a description of the man, or perhaps a license plate” the woman asks.

“No, I didn’t see it happen” Baekhyun says again hearing Minseok’s desperate screams for help in his mind.

“So your boyfriend is missing” the operator says in a slightly condescending tone.

“No, he was kidnapped, he said that someone hit him over the head while he was leaving work and he woke up in the back of someone’s trunk” Baekhyun insists trying desperately to get the woman to understand him.

“Yet he still had his phone with him” the woman asks as if sneering.

“Yes, my boyfriend was kidnapped now can you help me or not” Baekhyun asks.

“Sir, there is no need to take such a tone with me” the woman on the opposite side of the phone says. Baekhyun lets out a scream of frustration.

“He asked me to help him, please I need to help him” Baekhyun pleads as he finally allows his tears to fall.

“I would advise you to fill out a missing persons report, one can be easily accessed online. There is a forty-two hour grace period, before an actual investigation can be launched, unless you find any other information. I advise you to sit back and wait for your boyfriend to call laughing off some joke” the woman says plainly and Baekhyun feels absolutely helpless. “Is there anything else I can help you with today sir” the woman asks.

“You couldn’t help me with the biggest problem of my life, the main problem I called for, why would I ask for more help” Baekhyun asks in irritation before hanging up. Pushing his hand through his hair once more, Baekhyun look around the small hotel room and notices the suit laid out across the bed for him to wear to his meeting. He shucks off his towel and pulls on a pair of jeans.

After running around the room and grabbing all his belongings Baekhyun leaves the hotel, leaving his business responsibilities behind, and heads towards the last place he knew Minseok had been. I’m coming love, hang in there; Baekhyun thinks hoping that in some way, shape, or form Minseok will know that he is not alone.

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★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

A tinkling sound wakes Minseok. Is Baekhyun trying to put away the dishes, he wonders as he tries to lift his arm to wipe at his eyes. Maybe my arm is stuck in the sheets; he wonders as he tries to raise his arm up with more strength, only to again fail. He finally flutters his eyes open and tries to look down to see what could possibly be keeping his hands so useless. Just like his arms prior Minseok finds it impossible to move his head.

Suddenly flashbacks of car wires, a blond haired man with a sickening smile, and a sharp prick of a needle flash in his mind and he tries even harder to move even an inch. Tears sprout from his eyes at the hopeless feeling when not a single part of him responds.

“Oh did I wake you Xiu baby” the blond man’s voice asks and Minseok cries harder when he can’t even feel his skin crawl like it normally would. The blond male’s hand wipes at Minseok’s tears and turns his head so that instead of gazing out the front window Minseok is stuck looking at the other. “We’ll be home soon love, why don’t you take a little bit of a longer nap” the blonde says in a tone that is filled with love.

“You are such a sweet couple” Minseok hears a woman say and only then registers a toll booth outside of the other male’s window. I must have heard change, Minseok thinks back to the earlier sound before the fact that there is another human being within arm’s reach just beside him. Help, Minseok tries to scream, Help me. Save me please I’m not supposed to be here, he tries again only to cry harder when his mouth refuses to open.

“Thank you” the blond man says with one of his signature smiles that normal creeps Minseok out. “Such a good boy, I knew I picked the right one this time” the other male says a couple minutes later while once again stroking Minseok’s cheek. Baekhyun save me, Minseok pleads over and over in his mind before he once again falls into unconsciousness.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

The sound of running water and someone singing fills Minseok’s ears as he slowly wakes up. That’s not Baek’s voice, he thinks to himself as he slowly opens his eyes. This is not my bathtub, his brain supplies as the cream colored tiles he looks at greatly contradict the usual white of his own shower or the brown tub in Baekhyun’s apartment. I don’t remember getting into the bath tub, Minseok thinks; terrified at his realization as the unfamiliar voice continues to sing. Minseok tries to move, get up and leave, but his body won’t listen.

“Are you finally waking up my love” a voice that brings back flash backs that force Minseok’s heart to speed up in terror asks, before the blond face comes into his line of sight. “I’m sorry for driving so long without a potty break for you love, of course now I’ll have to clean the car but getting you all clean is my first priority” the other says. The words sink into Minseok’s brain and make him feel terribly ashamed. His tears start to fall down from his eyes when he realizes that he is totally helpless and at the mercy of the blond haired male who is running soapy finger through his hair. “Close your eyes so the soap doesn’t burn Xiu baby” the other says.

After the humiliation of allowing the other to manipulate his limps and wash his entire body in the warm bath tub the other finally pulls the plug and allows the water to drain much to Minseok’s relief. “I’m going to grab a couple towels I’ll be back” the male says before stepping away from the line of vision that Minseok can see. He tries again to move, stand, anything to regain some sort of control back over his own body, but to no avail.

A fluffy towel wraps around his form before he feels his body lifted from the tub. He stares up at the ceiling with tears cascading down his face as his body betrays him once again, not listing to a single one of his commands as the blond male pulls articles of unfamiliar clothing onto him. “There now you are all clean and warm” the other says with a sickening smile as his face invades the line of sight that Minseok’s eyes have vision of. Minseok again tries desperately to move his face even a single inch as he watches in some sick joke of slow motion as the blond male leans down and lays his lips down upon Minseok’s lips. “I’ve missed you so much Xiu” the blond whispers against Minseok’s lips before pulling away.

Minseok again felt the other move his body as the side of his head was gently place atop a soft pillow and a small blanket was lain atop him. Minseok stared at the door to the bathroom he had just been in for a couple seconds before the lights in the room were flicked off. “Sleep now my love” the blonde’s voice says in a whisper. Minseok allows himself a small sense of relief at the others absence before he feels the bed shift and hears the telltale sign of someone climbing onto the mattress beside him. A new batch of tears escapes his eyes as an arm wraps around his middle and a warm body presses against his back. “I love you Xiumin” the blond man says, “Wo ai ni” he adds.

Minseok tries for hours to move even his pinkie toe, but to no avail. I really am stuck here, he thinks giving up as new tears escape his eyes while a wave of fatigue overcomes his now useless body. Baekhyun save me, he thinks as his eyes finally fall closed and he drifts off into a dreamless sleep.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

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The sight of Minseok’s car still parked in the parking lot of the café gives Baekhyun a small sliver of hope. Maybe the operator was right and this is all some sort of joke concocted by Jongdae, Baekhyun tries to assure himself even though the vast majority of his brain knows that it’s not the truth.

“Is Minseok here” Baekhyun asks as soon as he pulls open the door to the café startling the few people inside.

“Min doesn’t work today” Joonmyun says placing a coffee onto the finished counter.

“I saw his car in the parking lot” Jongdae voices from in front of the coffee machine and Baekhyun watches Joonmyun’s face morph into a look of confusion.

“What do you mean you saw his car in the parking lot, he has today off” Joonmyun asks turning to look at Jongdae while Baekhyun feels his breath catching in his throat.

“Call the police” Baekhyun says before running out of the café and heading towards Minseok’s car. I closed up and went to my car, it was dead and when I popped the trunk the wires were all pulled and slashed, Minseok’s terror filled voice fills Baekhyun’s mind as he runs towards Minseok’s car. In a flash Baekhyun throws up the hood of Minseok’s car and stumbles back till his bottom collides with the cement below. “No” he utters in utter horror as the final piece of hope that Minseok was safe finally shattered.

“The police said that they are sending out a detective” Joonmyun’s gentle voice says a minute later. “We’ll figure this out Baekhyun, we’ll get him back safe and sound” Joonmyun assures before Baekhyun feels strong arms embrace him.

Several hours later after many detectives question Baekhyun and make him repeat his statement several times he is told to go home and wait for word. Instead of driving to his own apartment he drives to Minseok’s and lays in the others bed engulfed in his calming aroma, wishing that the other would walk in the door.

Twenty-four hours later Baekhyun barely drags himself from the bed for a glass of water.

Forty-eight hours later Baekhyun sits in front of the television set in Minseok’s living room hoping for even a sliver of news on his missing boyfriend.

Seventy-two hours after receiving the panicked and pleading call from Minseok, Baekhyun feels like dirt; like the absolute worst boyfriend on earth. Baekhyun help me, Minseok’s plea for help wakes Baekhyun whenever he closes his eyes. “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry” Baekhyun cries into Minseok’s pillow.

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★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Minutes and hours all seemed to blur together for Minseok. He would wake up laying in an unknown bed with the blond man’s arm draped across his middle, other times he would open his eyes and find himself sitting on an uncomfortable couch with his head leaning against the blond male’s shoulder, and still other times he would blink his eyes and feel the warmth of water on his skin as he sat in the unfamiliar bath tub leaning against the blond male’s chest. All the locations were terrifying and would bring tears to his eyes, but the times when he would wake up and not see the blond male around were even more torturous. No matter how Minseok pleaded with his body it wouldn’t move and he would find himself warn out and exhausted in the same place as he had woken up when the blond male reentered the room with his sickly smile plastered on his face.

However the absolute worst times for Minseok were when he would dream of Baekhyun’s warm arm around him in a loving embrace only to open his eyes and find the other male where he longed for Baekhyun to be.

“It’s almost time for your medicine Xiumin” the blond male said causing Minseok’s heart to fall. He hated the feeling of his limbs not working; his very body betraying him and leaving him to the mercy that was the monster in front of him almost as much as the thought of his capture and imprisonment itself. No, please no; he tried to plead or even express with his eyes. “You know what, I’m feeling kind of generous today. How about if you can answer my next question correctly I’ll give you two free hours without your medicine” the blond asked waving the large syringe in front of Minseok’s limited line of sight. Minseok was so surprised at the other’s offer; this will be so easy; he thinks to himself before he remembers that he still can’t move his pinkie toe let alone get his lips to move and form words. “Don’t look so scared baby your current dose is starting to wear off, you’ll be able to talk a little and if you answer correctly you will soon be able to wiggle those beautiful little toes of yours” the other says as if reading his mind before lifting a glass to Minseok’s lips and tipping just a small amount of water into his mouth. “Now, can you tell me your name sweetheart” the other asks.

“M..Min..Minseok” Minseok manages to squeeze out of his sore and tender throat.

“Wrong answer Xiumin” the blond male’s voice hisses into Minseok’s ear before the sharp and now familiar pain of syringe stabs at Minseok’s neck. I’m not Xiumin, I’m Minseok, Kim Minseok, my boyfriend is Byun Baekhyun and I work at the Wonderful Day Café; Minseok chants over and over again in his mind as the room slowly starts to spin and become completely dark.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

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“Do any of these men look like the male that you said your boyfriend had been scared of” one of the many officers asks laying a book of photograph in front of Baekhyun.

“Officer I keep telling you that the male that Minseok was scared of had blond hair” Baekhyun says running his hand through his hair in frustration as he flipped through the many pages of scary faced men. “I don’t clearly remember his face. All I know is that my boyfriend call me terrified because he was locked inside someone’s trunk” Baekhyun tells the other for what feels like the hundredth time.

“Alright sir, please stay calm” the other says sternly looking him over as if he too is a suspect in his own boyfriends kidnapping. “We spoke with your boyfriends door men and they both said that the day before he went missing he seemed a little frightened. One made mention of flower deliveries, would you know anything about this” the male asked looking at Baekhyun.

“Yeah, um” Baekhyun says thinking back to the conversation he had had with Minseok over the phone. “A couple days before he went missing the store where he works” Baekhyun starts.

“The Wonderful Day Café” the officer asks reading from one of the papers in front of him.

“Yes” Baekhyun confirms. “Minseok was telling me that they kept getting flower deliveries for someone who didn’t work there a Woomin or Xiufly no no I know Xiumin” Baekhyun says looking up at the detective. As Baekhyun looks at the other’s face he sees the color drain from it.

“Xiumin” the officer whispers before leaning down and slamming both hands loudly on the table in front of Baekhyun. “You remember specifically your boyfriend mentioning the name Xiumin” the officer asks with a serious look on his face.

“Yes” Baekhyun confirms now certain that that was the name he had heard the other say multiple times.

“I’ll be right back” the officer says before leaving Baekhyun alone in the small investigation room.

After sitting patiently for a couple minutes Baekhyun stands up from the uncomfortable metal chair and begins to pace the small space. As he walks he keeps thinking about the slightly frightened look upon the officer’s face when he had made mention of the name Xiumin. “Aish, I’m going crazy” Baekhyun mutters aloud in frustration as he runs a hand through his hair; which no longer has its usual clean and kept appearance. He sits back down and lays his tired head down upon his arms exhaustion from his nightmare filled dreams weighing heavy on his mind and heart.

“Mr. Byun” a new voice says, Baekhyun is not sure how much later, waking him from a small doze.

“Um yes I’m sorry about that officer” Baekhyun says raising to his feet in greeting to the two new faces in the room, not wanting to give them reason to suspect him just as the others before them had.

“No, not a problem at all sir we are sorry for keeping you waiting for so long” the new male says with a wave of his hand. “My name is Kyungsoo you can call me Detective Do. Detective Wu and I are from the FBI would you mind answering a couple questions for us” Detective Do asks after naming the taller male beside him.

“FBI detectives” Baekhyun states in bewilderment before sitting back in the chair as detective Wu and Do move to do the same thing. “Why are you guys investigating Minseok’s case” Baekhyun asks shocked, knowing that the FBI only comes out for major cases such as serial killings. With his new found realization a stone drops in the pit of Baekhyun’s stomach. “Is Minseok dead” he whispers as tears threaten to fall from his eyes.

“We don’t have reason to believe that your boyfriend is dead yet” Detective Wu answers in a gruff voice. The use of words the others speaks causes the tears to finally spill down his check.

“Yet, you think he will be soon” Baekhyun asks looking at the other hoping that he will deny the thoughts racing through his mind. The quick look of sympathy Detective Do flashes confirms all of Baekhyun’s fears.

“This is all your fault” Baekhyun yells as he jumps to his feet. “Three weeks” he screams, “Minseok has been missing for three weeks yet you have only wasted your time investigating me or no one at all” Baekhyun says allowing the tears to stream down his face. Baekhyun help me, Minseok screams within his mind and Baekhyun pulls at his hair imagining all the terrible things that could be happening to the one he loved at that moment.

“We are so very sorry about the way that this investigation has been handled so far Mr. Byun, but we can assure you that this is the first time anyone at the FBI has heard about it and we intend to bring home your boyfriend, Minseok right” Detective Do says gently. Baekhyun nods in confirmation and looks over at the two detectives relieved to see sincerity on their faces.

“Now we know you are probably tiered of doing this, but would you mind talking us through the last conversation you had with Minseok” Detective Wu asks.

“Anything to help Minseok” Baekhyun says swiping his sleeve under his eyes before sitting back in the chair once again before starting the story of Minseok’s desperate call stopping a couple times to choke back a sob.

“Thank you Mr. Byun we know how hard that must have been for you” Detective Do says with a gentle smile as he and Detective Wu shuffle through some papers the officer from before must have given them. “Now we are going to ask you a few more complicated questions. We can take a break whenever you need, but know that each question we ask will benefit us in our quest to rescue your boyfriend” Detective Do says.

“I understand” Baekhyun says taking a deep breath.

“Now Mr. Byun did you have a feeling that your boyfriend may have been seeing someone else” Detective Wu asks.

“No” Baekhyun says with a small chuckle thinking back on how guilty Minseok would feel if he got a couple extra dollars in tips on a certain day saying he felt like he shouldn’t let others get there hopes up that they could be with him. “Quite the opposite actually” Baekhyun says looking over to Detective Wu with a smile, “I often wondered if I wasn’t as devoted to Minseok at times” he confesses.

“Thank you Mr. Byun” Detective Do says with a smile. “Though on a similar note, did you notice little gifts around your boyfriend’s apartment that you didn’t gift him” the detective asks.

“Not around the apartment; though like I told the officer before he went to find you, there were these flowers that showed up at the café Minseok worked at, but they weren’t necessarily for him” Baekhyun says.

“Do you remember who they were addressed to” Detective Wu asks gently.

“Minseok said they were addressed to someone by the name of Xiumin even though no one by that name worked there or ever came to claim them” Baekhyun says before watching the two detectives share a glance.

“Mr. Byun, this report here says that the night before Minseok’s disappearance his door man felt that he was on edge, almost as if he were afraid that someone had followed him home. Would you be able to recall if there was a time in the last few weeks before that time where your boyfriend may have complained about a stranger looking at him oddly, maybe something he mentioned in passing conversation once” Detective Wu asks while Detective Do watches intently.

“Well actually, Minseok told me about this one customer who kept looking at him oddly and offering him complements” Baekhyun tells the two detectives. “I told him that the other was probably just trying to flirt with him because he is so cute” Baekhyun says with a small chuckle. “How could I have blown him off like that though, Minseok said that the other gave him the creeps and scared him and I just laughed it off and now he’s gone” Baekhyun says grabbing a chunk of his hair angrily.

“Did Minseok perhaps mention to you a name that this individual went by or do you think you would you be able to describe this individual to a sketch artist” Officer Do asks gently.

“I never really saw his face all I know is that he was a blond male that gave my baby the creeps” Baekhyun says looking over at the officers pathetically. “He made me spill my coffee all over my front once” Baekhyun laughs bitterly while detective Wu stands from his chair and heads to the small door in the room.

“Can we get film footage from inside the café” Baekhyun hears the other ask before closing the door behind him and coming back to his chair.

“We have just one more question for you at the moment Mr. Byun, would you like to take a break before then” Detective Do asks softly.

“No, I’m okay” Baekhyun says bracing himself for the next question. He watched as detective Do reached into a small briefcase and pulled out a couple photographs and began to lay them down upon the table top.

“Do you recognize any of these men” Detective Wu asks.

“Yes” Baekhyun whispers as he stares down at the crooked smiles and single lidded eyes of the men in the pictures decorating the table top.

“You do” Detective Wu asks and Baekhyun can hear the shock in the other’s tone.

“Not really, I saw these pictures once before in a newspaper” Baekhyun says looking from one picture to the next. “Minseok actually brought the pictures to my attention he thought” Baekhyun pauses and looks up at the detectives across the table from him, “he thought they looked like him” he whispers. He watches the resignation on both of the detective’s faces and begins to break out into a hysterical laughter. “Minseok was so scared that he looked like the men killed off by some crazy serial killer, he thought that meant he was in danger and I assured him that that wasn’t the case. He knew he was going to be the target of some mad man and I told him he was silly to think such a thing” Baekhyun says choking on his sobs and tears. “Please tell me that you don’t think the same monster that killed these men has my baby, please tell me that one of the last things I may have ever said to the love of my life was a lie” Baekhyun pleads with the two detectives across the table.

“I’m truly sorry Mr. Byun” Detective Do says softly and Baekhyun can only sob harder as he wraps his arms in a tight hug around himself.

“All the men you see before you went missing and during the investigation into their disappearances officers found vases of red roses with cards for a Xiumin” Detective Wu says in a sturdy voice while Baekhyun begins to rock his body in the chair. “We were not informed of Minseok’s case until today because the vases of roses were delivered to his work instead of his home perhaps because of the security in front of your boyfriends building. We do not plan on wasting any more time though sir, thank you for your time” the tall detective says before leaving the room. Baekhyun thinks that perhaps they both had left before he fells a soft cloth placed near his hand.

“Is there someone I could call to come get you Mr. Byun” Detective Do asks gently as Baekhyun stares at the light blue handkerchief now clenched in his fist.

“No” Baekhyun says while wiping under his eyes only to have the path rewet with fresh tears a second later. “Detective” Baekhyun calls as the other is half way out the door. “He asked me to help him, but now I’m asking you, please help Minseok. Please bring my boyfriend back home to me” Baekhyun pleads.

“I will do everything I can. Your boyfriend sounds like a very tough man and as long as he is fighting detective Wu and I will not give up on him and neither should you” the short male says with a small turn of his lip.

“I won’t” Baekhyun whispers to the empty room. Stay strong Minseok, don’t give up; he repeats to himself hoping somehow Minseok would be able to hear.

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★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Minseok thought that the days when he knew the other was in the house were torture, but nothing compared to the days when the other left for work. The days when he would leave Minseok sitting numb on the couch with the television running dramas in a language that he couldn’t even understand save a few phrases he had learned in his high school Chinese class. It wasn’t the fact that he couldn’t understand the television no it was the knowledge that he was sitting in a small apartment all alone being able to hear some loud individuals outside that if he were able to scream would possibly be able to save him, yet it was never to be.

Minseok sat on the couch day in and day out trying to get a single muscle in his body to move, but he would end up exhausted and in tears. Some days he wondered how his eyes still had tears to cry, but each day they came without fail.

Today Minseok sat on the couch longer than he usually did. The last of the dramas ended and a news program came on. As the introduction played the date flashed on the screen in both characters and standard English. July 27^th, Minseok read off the screen. Don’t worry the conference ends on the 28^th, May 28^this when I will be back home to you; Baekhyun’s voice says over in his mind. I’ve been here for two months, Minseok thinks before closing his eyes and sobbing. The dreams of Baekhyun haven’t been occurring as much as they used to and the knowledge of the time he’s spent with the blond male makes him terrified. What if I forget about him, Minseok thinks trying to picture Baekhyun’s beautiful face with in his mind while the television keeps rambling on in the background.

“Kim Minseok” Minseok hears his name from the television and swiftly moves his eyes to the screen to see a picture of his own smiling face. He listens, trying desperately to understand what the news casters are saying, as pictures of his car and the Wonderful Day Café appear on the screen. He wants to reach through the screen and grab a hold of Baekhyun as the screen shows a picture of him running through camera crews with Chanyeol escorting him as he walks into what used to be Minseok’s home. Too soon the screen flashes over to the weather forecast and Minseok still has no clue what has been said about him.

“I picked up something special for you on the way home Xiumin” the blonde’s sickly sweet voice says moments later as a car commercial flashes on the screen. “I’m sorry I got held up at the office love” the blond says turning the television off before leaning down and pressing his lips down upon Minseok’s own. Minseok hates being left alone in the apartment with the ability to escape within his grasp but so unobtainable, but he hates the kisses the blond male presses to his lips each day when he returns just about the same amount.

Minseok hates the way his body feels as if it is not his own as the other scoops him up and carries him from the couch and sets him atop the toilet after pulling down his pants.

“I was afraid that I had left you too long alone, but I’m glad to see that I didn’t” the blond says laying a kiss atop Minseok’s head while he feels the normal shame that accompanies his bathroom visits. “Alright so I got you something special and I think we should use it now” the blond says picking Minseok up again and placing him inside the bathtub. “I’ll be right back” the other says after propping Minseok’s head up against a folded towel.

Once the other is out of the room Minseok’s mind drifts back to the small moments he had seen Baekhyun on the television. He doesn’t look healthy; Minseok thinks concern for the other whom he loves blossoming inside his heart. Do you miss me Baekhyun, he wonders as a small tear falls from his eye.

“I’m back Xiumin” the blond says and Minseok hears the crinkling of plastic as the other enters. Is he going to kill me, Minsoek wonders in a panic as more tears start to fall from his eyes. “Why are you crying love, are you in pain” the blond asks in a worried tone as he lays a black plastic tarp around Minseok’s front only leaving his head showing.

After the other moves Minseok around to make him more comfortable Minseok hears the opening of a box. I should have said that my name is Xiumin one of the last times he asked, Minseok thinks as he hears weird noises behind him.

“You know” the blond male says as Minseok’s feels the other’s hands run through his hair, “because I took so long your medicine should be starting to wear off in a couple minutes.” Minseok lets the other’s words process as a strange scent assaults his nostrils. “If you can answer my next question right I won’t make you take your next dose” the other says as he continues to move his hands around in Minseok’s hair.

If I say that my name is Xiumin then I could possibly be able to fight him off and make a break for it before he can kill me, Minseok thinks to himself. Who are you kidding, a separate voice inside his mind asks in a taunting voice, you haven’t had control over your own body for two months now do you really think you’ll be able to run away let alone fight him off first; the voice asks. If I really am going to die, I want to die knowing that I didn’t give in, that I stayed true to myself the whole time; Minseok thinks in determination.

“What is your name love” the blond asks.

“Minseok” Minseok answers without any wavering waiting for the jab of the needle.

“Why do you insist on being so difficult” the blond male asks with a large exhale of breath before Minseok feels the sharp pinch of the needle enter his neck. “I’m not going to give up on you yet, there is something special about you” Minseok hears the other says before the darkness of forced sleep claims his mind.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

“No that’s not right I was told that I wouldn’t have to go to any meetings out of town for at least this whole quarter” the blond man’s angered voice wakes Minseok up for the first time since the trash bag and tub incident. Minseok is surprised to find that he is still alive as he cracks his eyes open and finds himself laying on his side gazing at the door to the other’s closet as well as the door to the bathroom. Is this really living though, he wonders as he feels the numbness of all his limbs. “Yes of course I understand but I just think.. Of course sir I’ll pack my things and be ready by then” Minseok hears the other say bitterly before the other appears inside the room, heading straight for the closet as if not realizing that Minseok were awake.

Minseok watches the other pull a suitcase down and start to fold up suits. Three, four; Minseok counts the other’s suits in his mind trying to decipher how many days the other is going to be gone. After placing the suits in the suitcase Minseok watches the other as he raises his gaze and locks eyes with Minseok.

“I’m sorry love, did I wake you up” the other asks and Minseok is amazed at how quickly the anger fades from the other’s face when he walks to Minseok’s side and sits beside him, running a hand gently through his hair. Just like Baekhyun’s face used to look when he would come over to my apartment after a busy day at work, Minsoek thinks as a tear leaks from the corner of his eye. “Don’t cry Xiumin, I’ll be back home in just three nights” the blond says wiping the tear away as if the thought of the others absence was the thing that trigged his tears.

As soon as the words escape the other’s lips Minseok watches a new look take over his face. “Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Shit” Minseok hears the other mutter under his breath before he jumps out of the bed and moves from the room. What in the world just happened, Minseok wonders as he hears noises from the other rooms in the house. Minseok watches with wide eyes and the blond reenters the room with what looks to be an IV bag and needles.

“I’m so sorry” the blond says grabbing onto Minseok’s arm and laying it palm up. “Not only are they making me leave you, but your medicine day has to be in the middle of the trip” the blond says shaking his head as he pushes on the inside of Minseok’s elbow. “Little pinch love” the other says and Minseok watches the other slide an IV needle expertly into his arm. If Minseok were able to he would have winched at the pain that shot up his arm as the needle was inserted. “I’m so sorry Xiumin” the other says leaning down and kissing all over Minseok’s arm avoiding the place where the needle is now stuck. “I’m going to hook you to a drip of both water and your medicine, it will help you sleep and when you wake up I’ll be back” the blond says leaning down and pressing his lips upon Minseok’s own. “If you had said your name maybe all this would have been avoidable” the other mutters under his breath as Minseok watches him hang two bags of liquid on a pole that you would normally see at the hospital. “I love you and I will be back soon” the blond said leaning down and pressing his lips down upon Minseok’s once more before the whole room got dark.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Minseok opened his eyes to find himself propped up in the bed, it was the first time that he woke up in this bed to find himself not laying on his side. As he blinked his eyes he noticed that the room was spinning all around him, and that there was a weird feeling to his body. Besides the normal numbness there was an extra heavy weight all over his body as if an imaginary force was pushing him into the mattress. The more he blinked to stop the spinning of the room the worse it got and the deeper a pounding in his head became. This can’t happen, no; he thought as he felt a growing pain in his stomach. As much as he tried to move nothing happened, the only thing he could be thankful for was that the blond haired man had left him propped up on the pillows, as he retched and started empting the small contents of his stomach on the bed sheet covering his stomach.

After vomiting once Minseok couldn’t hold back his tears as he his stomach upturned again and he choked on the acidic taste of the bile that escaped his mouth. Once his stomach began to settle down slightly the smell of vomit assaulted his nostrils as he felt the weight and numbness slowly leave his body. The needle is pumping too much of that stuff the blond male calls medicine into my body, Minseok realizes as the spinning slowly halts.

He focusses all of his energy in trying to lift his hand and pull at the needle. The knowledge that if the needle were to come out he might be able to allow the medication to wear off before the other returned to the apartment, however he couldn’t get his hand to move. Soon the room began to fade back into blackness and Minseok figured that the IV must have pumped more ‘medicine’ into him.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Again he wakes up with the heavy feeling weighing down his body and the room spinning around him. He again heaves the acidic contents of his stomach all over his chest. To add insult to injury Minseok feels a wet, warmth between his legs and realizes that the water pumping into his body through the IV must have just left his system alongside the numbing medication that is in too high of quantities running through his veins.

As the tears fell down his face Minseok took a deep breath in through his nose which he instantly regretted when he smelt the vial that was all over his chest. With all the strength that he had and the knowledge that he had probably vomited out a majority of the medication he had been given so far, he tried to simply turn his head to the side.

With much work, and the help of gravity when he tilted his head far enough, he found his head facing the side of the bed that he had never seen before. His eyes glanced over the bedside table on the blond haired man’s side of the bed and his gaze got stuck on a large photograph. In the picture the blond haired man had a large smile on his face, a true smile. In the guy’s arms was a man with a crocked smile and single lidded eyes much like his own. The man who looked similar to him had orange hair and an equally large smile as he gazed over at the blond haired man.

While gazing at the picture, images of other smiling men with similar features flashed in his mind. He thought of a newspaper he had read what felt like years ago now. Staring at the happiness etched on both of the men’s faces in the photograph; Minseok realized the man opposite the blond haired male, the one that looked eerily similar to him and the other dead boys, must be Xiumin. What happened to you, Minseok wondered while his vision started to blur and again fade to black.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Minseok woke up for a third time with the same feelings as the previous times. This time when the need to vomit consumed him Minseok choked as the contents of his stomach were truly drained from all the other accidents that still smeared across his front. Is this how I die, Minseok wonders as the choking feeling of a need to vomit brought tears to his eyes.

If you had said your name maybe all this would have been avoidable, the blond males voice echoes in his mind as Minseok chokes for a third time and a wave of warm liquid coats his legs. So I stayed true to myself, I remained Kim Minseok till the end, for what; Minseok questions himself as the smell of his own vomit and urine assaults his nostrils. Here lays Kim Minseok, Minseok thinks bitterly. Here he lies covered in his own bile and excrement all because he wanted to die with the dignity of knowing who he was, he thinks wanting to laugh at his own stupidity. If you had said your name maybe all this would have been avoidable, he hears the blond males voice say once more as the room once again fades to black.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

“Xiumin” Minseok hears someone yell before fingers run gently through his hair. He feels a pinch in his arm before he feels as if he is flying. The strong urge to vomit hits him as he chokes as a vice like grip squeezes his stomach, but nothing comes out from his mouth.

“Stay with me love, you’ll be okay, I’m so sorry” Minseok hears alongside the sound of water running as cool air assaults his body where crusty clothes are removed. “I’m so sorry” the voice says again as Minseok feels his body being lowered into warm water. Minseok falls in and out of consciousness as hands run over his body removing the grit and grime from his body and leaving a strawberry smell in the air.

After an unknown amount of time Minseok opens his eyes to find himself on the couch propped against the blond male’s chest. The sound of someone lightly singing while fingers run through his hair, relaxes Minseok and makes him think back to other times when he had shared similar moments with Baekhyun. This isn’t Baekhyun though, Minseok thinks to himself. Maybe you’re not Baekhyun’s Minseok anymore either, a faint voice says inside Minseok’s mind.

“Xiumin I’m so sorry” the blond says before starting to sing a separate song. Minseok listens intently before his eyelids begin to fall once again.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

“Xiumin, love do you think you can wake up for me” the blond male’s voice asks and Minseok slowly opens his eyes to reveal the other’s face. Minseok recognizes the look of regret on his face as his vision clears enough to see the other clearly. “Let’s get some food into that empty stomach of yours” the blond says and Minseok feels the familiar press of the other’s lips against his own.

The blond sits beside him and then Minseok feels his body being moved so that he is leaning against the other. “Open your mouth love” the other says and Minseok is amazed to find that he can. Before he can say anything the other plops a spoonful of soup into his mouth. The food tastes amazing and Minseok isn’t sure when the last time he had something so delicious was.

“I’m so sorry love, I had the drip set up to give you way too much medication” the blond says before spooning a second spoon full of liquid into his mouth. Minseok sits quietly, opening his mouth for more and more food. He keeps from speaking, wondering if it is at all possible that the other was unaware that the medication had worn off.

The blond male repositions Minseok so that he is once again leaning against the couch. Minseok watches the other walk away with a now empty bowl in his hand. When the other is out of sight Minseok expertly wiggles his toes and is amazed to feel them move for the first time in such a long time. He spots movement and sees the blond male inter the room with a syringe in his hand.

“All your medicine should be leaving your system by now” the other says sitting beside Minseok. “My offer still stands, if you can answer my next question I won’t make you take anymore today, if you’re really good maybe you won’t have to take anymore at all” the blond says sitting beside Minseok on the couch. Just looking at the syringe brings flashbacks of the days before, of lying in a bed in his own filth without being able to move an inch because of his own bull headedness.

“What is your name love” the blond male asks softly running a hand through Minseok’s hair and rubbing his thumb over the part of his neck where the needle is usually inserted.

My name in Minseok, Kim Minseok; Minseok thinks inside his head. I work at the Wonderful Day Café, I have a wonderful boyfriend whom I love very much named Byun Baekhyun, he screams in his mind. I am Minseok, Kim Minseok; he chants internally.

“Xiumin” he whispers aloud. “My name is Xiumin” he repeats slightly louder before the blond surges forward and presses his lips roughly against Minseok’s own.

“I’ve missed you so much” the blond whispers before pulling Minseok into a tight hug. I’m so sorry Baekhyun, please forgive me; Minseok thinks as a tear winds its way down his cheek.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Minseok rolled onto his side cuddling closer into the warmth beside him. Did Baek and I fall asleep on the couch while watching a movie, Minseok wonders as he feels the couch fabric under him. Bringing a hand up to his eye he rubbed at it slightly before cracking an eye open. In the dark room with the moon illuminating the couch Minseok’s gaze spotted a blond haired male beside him and he was brought crashing back down to reality.

As he lay there looking at the other’s sleeping features he realized that he had moved, he had moved his body and arm all on his own. Carefully and silently Minseok slowly rose from the couch.

After what felt like hours Minseok stood beside the couch staring down at the blond male, the person that had become his capture. I have to get out of here, Minseok thought in determination as he tip toed away from the couch towards the front door.

Staring at the door, the one that separated him from the rest of the world; the very same door that kept him locked in his prison, Minseok paused. He remembered walking out towards his car at midnight when the sky was dark and then how the sun had already been high in the sky by the time the other had said they were about halfway from their destination. How far away from home am I really, Minseok wondered while standing in front of the door.

As his hand hovered above the door handle he recalled all the hours he had spent in front of the television and all the shows he had watched without understanding a word spoken. If I get out of here will anyone even be able to help me figure out where I am so I can get back home, he wondered. I don’t have my cell phone or any money to call for help; I’ll be sitting duck easy pickings for the blond male to find me again, Minseok thinks as his hand starts to shake. Who knows what my punishment will be when he drags me back here, Minseok internally struggles with himself as the headline from the newspaper he had read months ago flashes in his mind. Fourth male found dead, the headline had read. I don’t want Baekhyun to have to read about a fifth, he thinks before dropping his hand back down to his side. Maybe if I’m really good he’ll let me go, it seems like he would have done anything for that Xiumin guy, Minseok thinks before pausing again in front of a mirror surprised by the reflection that stares back at him.

He raises his hand up to his hair and watches as he male in the mirror does the same through his orange hair. His mind flashes back to the picture he had seen on the bedside table of the blond male with his arms draped around a happily smiling orange haired male he assumed was Xiumin. I can do this, I can be Xiumin; Minseok says inside his mind while staring at his reflection one last time before carefully laying back down upon the couch beside the other.

“What is your name” the blonds voice surprises Minseok the next moment accompanied with the cold feeling of a needle against his neck.

“Xiumin” Minseok says loud and confidently.

“Good boy” the other says pressing his lips to the part of Minseok’s neck where the needle had been just moments ago. “If you had tried to open the door without typing in the passcode a loud alarm would have gone off” the blond says pulling Minseok closer to his chest.

Minseok takes a deep breath and scolds himself for being so stupid to think that he could actually escape the other. “What do I call you” he whispers fearing that the other won’t answer, or worse, he’ll give him another dose of that numbing medication.

“My name is Han, Lu Han, you can call me whatever you want love” the other now identified as LuHan says. “Now Xiumin, we better get some sleep” Luhan says before pressing a kiss to Minseok’s temple and draping his leg over Minseok’s middle.

Long after the other’s breathing had evened out beside him Minseok lay awake staring at the wall of the living room. I miss you so much Baekhyun, I hope you’ll forgive me when I get back home; he thinks repetitively as tears fall down his face.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ●

Baekhyun walked into the Wonderful Day Café with his head down, he didn’t want to see the gazes of people with looks of pity on their face following him. Ever since the news had caught wind of Minseok’s disappearance and the connection with the other dead men it seemed like everyone walked on egg shells around him. Of course the longer removed from the disappearance the more people assumed the worst, that Minseok was never coming home, that he had become yet another casualty the mad man, but Baekhyun refused to believe that.

“What can I get started for you today sir” a tanned male asked from behind the register.

“Nothing, I’m actually here to talk with Joonmyun, umm Jongin” Baekhyun said reading off of the other small name tag.

“He’s on his lunch break at the moment, are you a friend” the boy asks and Baekhyun can tell that Jongin is trying to guess the protocol to follow for such an instance.

“Something of the sort” Baekhyun says with a small, weak smile towards the other. “It’s alright I’ll just wait for him” Baekhyun says not wanting to freak the other out as his inexperience is obvious. Baekhyun offers the other, whom he refuses to think of as Minseok’s replacement before he begins to walk towards a small corner booth.

“Are you sure I can’t get you anything while you wait” the boy asks, “an Americano perhaps”

“No thank you” Baekhyun replies refusing to allow the other to see the tear that escapes his eye at the mention of the drink that reminds him of the male he loves that made the best Americano’s he had ever tasted.

While sitting at the booth Baekhyun had to wipe at the corner of his eyes with a napkin as the sounds and smells of the small café brought back memories of Minseok and his time together. As the back door to the employee’s room opened Baekhyun has to blink his eyes twice to clear his vision from the image of Minseok walking through those same doors his brain had concocted.

“Baekhyun, you look like shit bro” Jongdae says with a large smile as he walks over and claps Baekhyun on the back.

“Thanks” Baekhyun says with a small smile in return.

“Hey is there any word on Minseok” Jongdae asks with a hopeful look in his eye as if Baekhyun’s appearance was linked with good news.

“No” Baekhyun says with a grimace as he watches Jongdae’s smile faulter.

“Don’t worry he’s strong, I’m sure he’s still fighting” Jongdae assures before looking away from Baekhyun’s gaze. “Umm can I get you something or did Jongin already help you” Jongdae asks and Baekhyun can tell that the other is trying to switch the conversation.

“Oh, no thanks I’m actually here to see Joonmyun” Baekhyun says.

“Oh he’s in the back you can go talk with him, you remember where it is right” Jongdae asks in a teasing tone.

“Yeah” Baekhyun replies flatly with a fake smile to the other before walking towards the back door he had entered multiple times to surprise Minseok when he was working.

“Hey Baekhyun, it’s good to see you” Joonmyun says with a look of sympathy in his eyes that Baekhyun has grown so accustomed to seeing in the eyes of people that know about Minseok’s disappearance. “What’s up” the other asks after a small hug.

“I umm.. I came.. wow I thought this would be easier, sorry” Baekhyun says clearing his thought and wiping under his eye with the corner of his sleeve.

“It’s okay take your time” Joonmyun says with his kind smile before rubbing small circles on Baekhyun’s back.

“I came to clean out Min’s locker” Baekhyun says after clearing his throat a second time.

“Oh Baekhyun you don’t have to do that, we have plenty for all the other employee’s plus Minseok will need it once he gets back” Joonmyun says and Baekhyun can see the small look of doubt cross the other’s face when he mentions Minseok’s return.

“No, I think this is for the best” Baekhyun says keeping the resolve he had entered the café with. “I’m trying to get all of Minseok’s things into one location. His parents were paying to keep his apartment, but after six months of him missing they decided it was easier to let go of the hope; something about it hurting less or something else. Honestly I don’t understand their thinking” Baekhyun admits with a shrug of his shoulders as he looks over at Joonmyun. “Anyways I can’t afford the rent on both his place and mine so I’m going to be moving into Minseok’s home, I just want to get all his things there first, like I said before” Baekhyun says embarrassed by the tears that flow down his face, betraying his true feelings.

Joonmyun moves over to the small desk in the back room and pulls out a small envelope before walking back over to Baekhyun. “I know it’s not much, but this is Minseok’s check from May” Joonmyun says and Baekhyun accepts the envelope. “I meant what I said before if Minseok comes home his space here will always be available if he wants it” Joonmyun says with a small smile.

“When” Baekhyun corrects, “when Minseok comes back home I’ll let him know” he says placing the envelope in one of the two bags he brought with him for Minseok’s belongings.

“Of course” Joonmyun says with a slight look of guilt in his eyes. “Umm, take as much time as you need, I’ll be in the front if you need anything” Joonmyun says walking towards the door, “oh his locker is number six, he said that a date with a six in it meant something special to him” Joonmyun adds.

“My birthday” Baekhyun whispers wiping away at a traitor tear. “My birthday is on May 6^th” Baekhyun says to Joonmyun before the other smiles softly and leaves the room.

Heaving a large breath Baekhyun moved forward and opened the other’s locker. A sob rocked his body as he found the door of the locker decorated with pictures of the two of them smiling lovingly and laughing with one another. Baekhyun cried freely as he allowed his finger to trail over one of the cliché photo booth picture strips and the many other pictures decorating Minseok’s locker before he took them each down one by one, promising to hang them up somewhere in the apartment.

After the pictures Baekhyun pulled out a folded gray sweater he instantly recognized as his own, as he stared at it he recalled the day he had left for his business trip. When will you be back, Minseok’s beautiful voice asked as he sat on the bed watching Baekhyun pack. Don’t worry the conference ends on the 28^th, May 28^this when I will be back home to you, Baekhyun had replied leaning forward and pressing a kiss to Minseok’s lips which the other leaned into and forced to continue longer than originally intended. That’s a really long time, Minseok had said after the kiss with a little pout on his lips, I’m going to need something to remind me of you, he added with a smile. Here, Baekhyun had responded pulling his gray sweatshirt over Minseok’s head and internally squealing at how cut the other looked in his sweater; this will keep you safe and warm until I return. Baekhyun chocked back a louder sob as he held the sweater up to his noise to inhale the scent of Minseok and him mixed together. I’m so sorry I couldn’t keep you safe my love, Minseok please hold on just a little bit longer; I haven’t given up so neither can you, he thought as the tears fell and he sobbed into the sweater.

●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ●

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

“Xiumin” Minseok hears as fingers card through his hair. “Hey love it’s time to get up” LuHan’s voice says and Minseok sits up quickly to stare at the other.

“What time is it” Minseok asks rubbing his eyes and looking around the room to see the sun slowly setting outside. “Oh my, I’m sorry” he says aloud after taking in the sun’s height.

“Don’t worry love” LuHan says leaning forward and pressing his lips against Minseok’s lips. Keeping his hands tight in fists at the side of his body Minseok lightly kisses back, something he had done more of in the last month when LuHan had started to doubt his sincerity of being Xiumin.

The last months had been torture for Minseok. Especially when Christmas had come and Minseok had spent it in the arms of another instead of in Baekhyun’s. After the new year arrived Luhan went back to working where ever he went instead of from home leaving Minseok locked inside the apartment with the freedom to move around and think about his imprisonment, but unable to do anything about it.

Soon the weather began to warm up and in late March LuHan took his first week long trip. Minseok tried desperately to escape, trying to open any window or to bang on a wall loud enough to get one of the neighbors attention; all to no avail. On March 25^th Minseok searched through every drawer and cupboard in the whole house in search of a knife or a bottle of pills, but failed to find such an object also noticing that all the mirrors in the house had seemed to disappear. That night as the clock stuck midnight Minseok rocked himself as he wrapped his arms around his legs and sobbed endlessly. Today’s my birthday, he thought, but is it really am I even Kim Minseok anymore; he wondered terrified of the possible answer he would receive if he actually answered himself. I miss you so much Baekhyun, Minseok thought before he finally fell asleep.

So here he sat near the end of April on an uncomfortable couch kissing his capture almost an entire year after his kidnapping.

“I’m sorry I didn’t mean to sleep so long” Minseok says honestly once the other pulls away from the kiss.

“Don’t worry about it, I let you sleep after I can home you had an adorable smile on your face” LuHan said with a smile as he let his finger trace over Minseok’s lips. “What were you dreaming about love” the other asks.

“You” Minseok lies knowing the other would probably stick the syringe of medication, which he hadn’t received for months, if Minseok honestly told him he was dreaming of being in Baekhyun’s arms.

“Well then I’m glad I let you sleep” the other chuckles before leaning down and pressing his lips atop Minseok’s again pushing Minseok back onto the couch and hovering over him to deepen the kiss.

“If you give me a couple minutes I can make us something for dinner” Minseok says as fast as he can at the first break between kisses, hoping to stop LuHan before things accelerate further.

“Don’t worry about it, I brought some muffin’s home thinking we could have them for breakfast tomorrow, but I cooked up some scrambled eggs. We’ll have breakfast for dinner” LuHan says with a little chuckle. “If that’s okay with you of course” the other whispers before leaning down a pressing a sultry kiss onto Minseok’s lips once more.

“Sounds great” Minseok responds with a forced smile as he allows LuHan to help him to his feet. He sits down at the table and watches Baekhyun set the dishes down before joining him at the table. “How was work” Minseok asks taking a spoonful of eggs into his mouth.

“Good, got a lot done today” LuHan responds before taking a bite of his own food.

After a couple other mindless questions Minseok takes a bite of one of the muffins on the table. Two bites into the muffin Minseok feels a strange itchy feeling in the back of his throat and looks down at the muffin digging through it to look for something he fears.

“What are you doing love” LuHan asks concern coating his voice as Minseok continues to look through the muffin stopping and pulling out a nut.

“Luge” Minseok says, a nickname he had taken to calling the other because he seemed to really enjoy it. “What is this” Minseok asks taking in deep breaths while holding the nut up for the other to see.

“The sales lady said that they were walnut muffins” LuHan replies and Minseok feels his heart fall. After so many months of becoming Xiumin, of allowing LuHan to do whatever he pleased with him, in hopes of finally earning his freedom back this was how it would all end.

“Help” Minseok pleads before the effort of breathing alone becomes supper hard and the room begins to spin.

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ●

Baekhyun wakes up what feels like minutes after finally falling asleep for the first time all week to the doorbell ringing. “I’m coming” he calls out as he pulls on a pair of sweatpants before opening the door to reveal Detective Do and Detective Wu. “No” Baekhyun whispers as tears escape their way down his face assuming only the worse after not seeing the detectives for near six months now.

“Mr. Byun there has been a break in your boyfriend’s case” Detective Wu says.

“Is he dead” Baekhyun whispers as more tears fall from his face, he always thought that Minseok would come home; he never imagined anything different.

“We need you to help us identify him sir” Detective Do says.

“Give me a minute” Baekhyun asks before running back to his room. He throws on a pair of jeans and despite the weather of late April the gray sweater that he had retrieved from Minseok’s locker. After slipping on a pair of shoes he closed the door to Minseok’s apartment and followed the detectives to their car.

“Is he far away” Baekhyun asks when the detectives pull the car up in front of an airport.

“It’s about a day and a half’s drive from here but we can be there in an hour if we take the plane” Detective Wu states as he holds the door open for Baekhyun.

“I didn’t grab my wallet” Baekhyun admits.

“FBI remember” Detective Do says with a smile before he flashes his badge and escorts Baekhyun past all the lines and straight towards a small plane.

The plane ride passes in a blur and soon Baekhyun is following the two detectives into a large hospital.

“This way” Detective Wu says leading the group off of an elevator and towards a large desk.

“We are looking for a Doctor Zhang” Detective Do says as a man walks out of a room.

“Ahh detectives” the doctor says waving off the receptionist as he guides the men through a smaller hallway. “the patient I called about is right through this door, when he came in he was experiencing an allergic reaction” Doctor Zhang starts.

“To walnuts” Baekhyun asks cutting off the doctor.

“Yes, we believe so, after he woke up from that he started trying to pull the IV from his arm while screaming, scared the daylights out of me actually” the doctor says, “we had to sedate him after that and that’s when I remembered a fax we got about a half year ago with a face similar to his and called you.”

“Thank you doctor, may we see him now” Detective Wu asks.

“Actually, his medication should be wearing off soon, I was going to go check on him; you are more than welcome to observe and assure that he is actually your man” the doctor says with a kind smile before motioning to a window that looked into the small room.

“Thank you” Detective Do says ushering Baekhyun over.

“I thought you said he was dead” Baekhyun says while watching as the doctor grabs a small syringe and heads towards the door of the room.

“We never said that” Detective Wu states, “although we are not sure this is him, you heard the doctor he looks similar to the picture we sent out, not exactly like it.”

“If this is not him, you cannot give up” Detective Do states calmly as they all look inside the window. Baekhyun’s breath catches in his throat as the doctor switches the lights on to illuminate a small male lying in the bed with orange hair splayed atop the pillow and arms restrained by his sides with eyes wide open.

“Oh I’m glad to see you are awake” Baekhyun hears the doctor say gently while checking the IV bags.

“Don’t give me anymore of that stuff please” the orange haired male says in a pleading tone and although the voice is scratchy Baekhyun recognizes it and it freezes him in his spot.

“Oh, I won’t have to. We just didn’t want you to hurt yourself earlier. Do you think you can tell me your name” the doctor asks gently and Baekhyun watches in confusion as Minseok’s eyes betray terror.

“I’ll be whoever you want me to be, but please just let me go home; I want to go home” Baekhyun hears the other plead and can’t stop himself from running into the room.

“Minseok” he screams as he falls to his knees in front of the other’s bed with his head atop the boy’s chest.

“Baekhyun” he hears the other whisper before more sobbing sounds echo around the room. “Baekhyun is that really you, are you really here, or have I finally lost my mind” Minseok asks and Baekhyun raises to shaky feet the wipe the other’s tears away.

“No love, it’s me, I’m here and I’ll never let anything happen to you again” Baekhyun promises before leaning down and to press his lips to Minseok’s.

“Don’t” Minseok whispers and Baekhyun freezes a couple inches from the other’s lips. “I’m so dirty, used; I did things I didn’t want to but I did” Minseok says as tears fall down his face rapidly.

“You did what you had to to survive Minnie I can only admire you for that, can I kiss you now” Baekhyun whispers.

“Yes” Minseok whispers, “please” he adds.

“Gladly” Baekhyun whispers before leaning down and connecting their lips for a second.

●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ● ●ᴥ●

★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

Minseok sat atop the hospital bed in Baekhyun’s safe arms drawing little circles around Baekhyun’s arm with his fingers as a knock came to the door.

“You’re okay” Baekhyun assures allowing Minseok to calm down as Detective Wu and Do step into the room.

“We tracked down this Lu Han” Detective Wu says plainly while handing an envelope to Minseok.

“He is in custody now and has admitted to everything” Detective Do states.

“Did he say why he did it” Minseok hears Baekhyun ask.

“It would appear that his husband a Lu Xiumin” Detective Do says causing Minseok to shudder at the name, “passed away to a very well developed case of bone cancer. By the time the doctors realized something was wrong with him the cancer was so advanced that neither chemo nor radiation could help it. They released Xiumin into his husband’s care with a zero percent chance of recovery. Lu Han states that he couldn’t come to terms with Xiumin’s death.” Detective Do says.

“He wrote you that letter, you don’t have to read it but I thought you might want to when you feel up to it” Detective Wu says before leaving the room.

“Rest now, you’ve earned it” Detective Do says and Minseok smiles at the other.

“Thank you” Minseok replies.

Leaning back against Baekhyun’s chest Minseok toys with the envelope he now holds. He sits there with emotions running crazy inside of him. The urge to rip the envelope up until there is nothing but dust left is strong, but the need to know what was written overpowered everything.

“Will you read it to me” Minseok asks softly, slightly terrified that he had made the wrong choice.

“I will if you want me to, but if you want to wait we can do that too” Baekhyun says and his words warm Minseok up inside.

“I think now would be good” Minseok whispers grabbing one of Baekhyun’s hands and holding it within his own.

“Alright” Baekhyun says and Minseok can hear the rustling of paper before Baekhyun clears his throat.

Hello Kim Minseok,

Let me start of by saying how truly sorry I am. I know you probably don’t want to hear that especially from me after everything I’ve done, but I need you to know that I mean it. I would like to say that I didn’t know what I was doing while I was doing it but that would be an utter and total lie. I knew you and those other boys weren’t my Xiumin, I knew it because I sat there holding his hand while he took his last, painful breath. I guess Xiumin was right when he used to say that I couldn’t let go, because I truly couldn’t let go of him. I know I have no right to ask for your forgiveness, but I need you to know that I am sorry.

I will live with quilt for the rest of my life and I know I deserve it. Please live your life fully and treasure the man that I tore you away from. I know that he will stay by your side because he looks at you the same way I used to look and Xiumin and you look back at him the way Xiumin used to look back at me.

Deepest apologies,

Lu Han