Chapter Text
Baekhyun let out a huff. He has been standing behind the counter for only fifteen minutes but his feet were aching like crazy already. He tried to hold in the urge to sit on the stool because it might be a nuisance. He was on his working shift as cashier in a convenience store and now was the peak hour. It was one o'clock in the afternoon and the store was almost packed with office workers and students searching for instant foods for their lunch. If Baekhyun was to sit, he knew standing up again would not be an easy chore. Especially when his belly was huge and round looking like he just swallowed a ball. Ball? More like watermelon. A big watermelon that is.
The man jolted forward a little when there was a sudden kick from his inside. Cupping his right palm on the underside of his bump and slowly rubbing it, the kicking reduced to a faint fluttering feeling. I'm sorry, you're not a watermelon. You're my lovely baby girl. His lips tugged up into a small smile when the baby seemed to calm down and gone back to sleep.
"Excuse me?" Came a voice.
The pregnant man looked up to see a young, doe-eyed man standing in front of him holding two cans of instant coffee and a packet of sandwiches. The man was dressed in light pink button-up shirt and black slacks. The two upper button of his shirt was open and the sleeves were rolled up, showing his slender yet manly hands. He was the office worker.
"I-I'm sorry. I didn't notice you there." Baekhyun apologised. Fortunately, there was no other people behind the office man as they were still occupied with their own shopping.
"It's okay." The man flashed a smile while putting down the items he was holding on the counter. Baekhyun proceeded to scan the items and totalling the amounts.
"That'll be 3400 won, sir." The man then took out his wallet from the back pocket and held out the money for his purchases.
"Thank you and please come again."
Baekhyun finished his shift at the convenience store later at 8.30 p.m.. The hustle and bustle of the city of Bucheon had died down a bit. There are still many people walking on the sidewalks and cars are still filling up the roads, but it was almost calming to see because most are not rushing to wherever their destinations were. In the starless sky, the moon was shining bright in its silver glory. Nobody seemed to notice as the colourful lights from the signboards and lamps outshined its very existence with their own gleam.
Baekhyun was taking his time walking to his next job as a part time cashier in a late night cafe. His shift would start at 9. The cafe opened daily from 7 p.m. until 6 o'clock in the morning. It was own by a nice couple, Kyungsoo and Jongin, who hired him right away when Baekhyun stumbled upon the place one day as he was searching for a part time job. He actually had enough saving that could last for at least a couple of years but God knows how much an infant could cost. Most vacancies he had gone to refused to take him because of his condition, but the couple thought otherwise and even offered to help him and his baby.
The pregnant man wrapped the jacket he was wearing securely when a chilly night breeze passed, making him shivered. Baekhyun never had a good term with anything cold and it seemed that his baby was too because she suddenly kicked when a gentle wind blew again. He put his hands into the jacket's pocket, gently caressing his bump as his mind strayed back to his prenatal check-up last week. His doctor told him that he was barely showing although already in the early of his 7th month but Baekhyun begged to differ because he could not see his feet anymore when putting on his shoes. Truth to be told, he had never be able to see his feet since he entered the third trimester but just the week before he could still spot the tip of his toes. Well, maybe the doctor was right because Kyungsoo, his coworkers and even ahjummas at the morning market were saying the same thing.
His minds started to wander more, eventually stopping at a certain memory of him and a male. A male who possesed tall and lanky physique like a high schooler despite being in his end of twenties. A male with wide almond eyes, straight nose, elf-like ears and plump pink pair of lips. A male that he loved so much with all his being. Baekhyun smiled sadly at the thought of the male.
He thought he was going to have a forever and happily ever after with the said male. He never knew that after the long six years they have been together, sharing kisses and whispering sweet nothings to each other, he was just a friend. He never knew that all the time they having intimate times that were so intense and felt like they were making love, he was just a mere friend. Not a good friend or even best friend, Baekhyun was just a friend. How distant it felt.
He still remembered the day they 'broken up'. It also the day he found out that he was expecting. Both bad and good news hitting him in just a span of hours.
It was a Sunday morning and Baekhyun was just finished taking a shower. On his way out of the bathroom when he noticed something in the mirror. That something being his body, that somehow had changed in shape. He stopped and turned his body fully to face the mirror. At a glance, Baekhyun knew he would look the same so he focused his eyes to inspect every part and contour of his body. He started from his face, then moved downward to his torso. There, he could see slight bulging of his stomach like he has been eating a bit too much. That could be true because in the past two or three months, his appetite had increased which resulted in him uncontrollably stuffing himself with anything that called food. Bringing two palms to feel the bulge, he frowned when he found it was hard rather than the supposed soft sensation. He poked around it, is fat supposed to be this hard? Or is it not fat? Tumour?
Baekhyun gasped at the thought of him having a cancer. Panickly, he rushed to the nearby clinic and never thought he would receive a Congratulations, you are pregnant as the test result.
The doctor said he was already in the early of forth month. His baby girl was healthy and his condition was how it should be. He was explained further that there are many occurring cases of pregnant females, even males, where they were hardly showing any symptoms or signs of pregnancy until they were in the second trimetster; some did not even noticed until they were in labor.
With evident skips in his steps, Baekhyun went home that day to tell the other male about the unexpectedly good news. When the night came and both had settle in their shared bed with legs tangled and bodies pressed close, Baekhyun began to summon all his courage to break the news but the other male beat him to it with his own announcement.
"I'm getting married, Baek. I know this is sudden but I want you to be the first person to know."
"...what?"
"I'm getting married. Well technically, I will when he say yes to my proposal tomorrow but I know he will. So yeah, I'm getting married and I want you to be there on my wedding day because you're my friend. You're important to me."
Friend. Of course Baekhyun was a friend because they never put a label on their relationship. He remembered how he hastily packed his belongings the very next day when the other male was out at work. He needed to get away. Away from Seoul because he did not belong there. He might be the reason of someone's broken marriage if he continued being there. With a new life germinating inside him from their shared intimacy, he would be adding fuel to the fire if ever the situation came out bad. The baby was innocent and she did not deserve to be blamed. So Baekhyun made his getaway, leaving behind his love and their bittersweet memories.
Baekhyun scanned his surrounding and realised that he was nearing Kyungsoo's cafe. When he open the door and went inside, he suprised to see the place. Tables that supposed to serve the patrons were stacked at one corner near the kitchen. The chairs were lined against the wall in one area and there were several people sitting down. However, there were more people standing while chatting and laughing in the open area. There were also colourful streamers and garlands decorating the ceiling. Food ranging from cupcakes, pastries, fruits salad, nuggets and many more placed in the middle of the place. Music were playing in the background. Definitely a party was going on.
He stood by the door awkwardly, not sure whether to go out or just stay inside. Deciding not to be a party crasher, the pregnant man turned to the door to exit the cafe but paused his intention when there was a voice calling him.
"Baekhyun!"
Turning back, he saw his employer, Kyungsoo was approaching him.
"Hey, Baekhyun. Where are you going?" The man asked.
"Out? I'm sorry to crash your party, Kyungsoo. I didn't know." Baekhyun answered with small voice.
"Don't be silly. It's just a birthday party of one of my friends. You're welcome here. Look, there's Minseok and Yixing." Kyungsoo pointed to a direction and Baekhyun could see his two coworkers, Minseok the barista and Yixing the waiter. "The others are here too. I've texted you earlier, didn't you get it?"
"O-oh. I left my phone at home."
"It's okay. You're here now. Come, enjoy the party. There's a lot of food here and I bet that your little girl is hungry. You just finished your work at the convenience store, right?"
"Yeah."
"Now, sit here and I'll bring you the food." He was brought to one of the chairs. "Jongin had prepare you something in the kitchen. Here is just snacks and it's not good for you."
"It's okay-"
"I'm not listening to any excuses, Baekhyun. I know you never had a proper meal because you're too tired to prepare any. Now, stay here and I'll bring you the food."
"Thanks, Kyungsoo."
Half an hour into the party, Baekhyun was starting to feel sluggish. After a hearty meal Kyungsoo gave earlier, the pregnant man had not move from the spot he was sitting. His feet were aching again, so sitting down was the best option. The chair was really comfortable and added with the soft music that playing, his eyes begin to close slowly. He shifted in his seat to will away his drowsiness. He did not know how much longer he could keep awake, maybe a few more minutes because the supposed celebrated man was finally on his way.
When the door was open, a doe-eyed man came in view. It was the same man he served at the store that afternoon. Following behind him was a man with child-like smile that was dragging another man. The dragged man was tall and lanky, and somehow seemed familiar. Baekhyun continued watching the man. He travelled his eyes to the top to look at the man's face and that was when everything was beginning to dawn on him. It's him. Chanyeol.
That plump lips that used to kiss his, promising a happy forever.
That straight nose that used to be buried in the crook of his neck, smelling his scent.
That almond eyes that used to look at him, like he was the world.
And now, they are looking right at him.
Baekhyun could feel his drowsiness earlier had dissipate completely when Chanyeol started to walk towards him. He wanted to escape from this place but his body seemed to have a mind on its own as it froze and refused to move. Chanyeol was nearing him, in just few more steps he would reach to where Baekhyun's at.
5...
4...
3...
2...
1...
"Baek..."
But Baekhyun just sprang from his seat and dashed towards the door, ignoring the calling of his name. He needed to get away.
"Baek!!!"
Chanyeol shouted for the other male as he was running. For someone petite and pregnant, the latter sure was fast. Or maybe not. Maybe Chanyeol was the stupid one. He was relieved earlier because he finally found him. But when the smaller man just stood up and running outside, Chanyeol just watched and let him be, too caught up with the sight of the man. Fortunately, he was woken up from his stupor when Sehun, his foster brother along with Luhan, his brother's boyfriend asked him who was the small man. He ignored the question and quickly ran to chase for the man but he was too late because he could see him already ascending a bus.
No. No!
"Baek!!!" He called again. He did not care if he was running and shouting like a mad man. He could not let Baekhyun slipped from him for the second time. Once was enough. However, it seemed Chanyeol would experience broken heart again because the bus was starting to move. He picked up his pace although it was useless as the bus was also gaining its speed before it rounded a corner and disappeared from his sight.
No... Baek...
Chanyeol was sipping his coffee while absent-mindedly scanning the outside. It has been almost a week since he stayed in Bucheon for a local music event his small company organised. It also has been almost a week since his unexpected encounter with Baekhyun. He searched for the man as soon as the event ended five days ago but to no luck. The latter really did not want to be found. He had asked Kyungsoo about Baekhyun and he was told that the said man used to work in his cafe before he resigned the very next day after the party. He also worked at the convenience store five blocks from the cafe and he had resigned from that job too. When he asked for Baekhyun's address and phone number, Kyungsoo just kept mum. No matter how Chanyeol begging for the information, Kyungsoo refused to open his mouth and instead telling him that Baekhyun was fine.
Are you really fine without me? How about our little one?
Chanyeol knew about the pregnancy. He accidentally found the result letter that day when he was frantically searching for his planner book. He was already late for a meeting with his clients and as he was flipping every thing existed on their shared work desk, the letter fell to the floor. That was when he saw the word positive and he remembered how he grinned so wide like a Cheshire cat after reading the contents. Maybe his move the night before was right afterall.
He also recalled how devastated he felt when he came home later that evening only to find Baekhyun was gone. The latter's side of closet was empty, no bottles of beauty products in the bathroom, even the pink toothbrush that used to be just beside his blue one was gone. It was like Baekhyun never live there in the first place. He tried to call the man but the latter's phone number had been deactivated. Chanyeol was beginning to lose his sanity when not a single of the latter's friends and coworkers knew his whereabouts.
A smile decorated his face as his mind drifted back to the party night at Kyungsoo's cafe.
Baekhyun was as breathtaking as he remembered that night and the baby bump only enhanced his ethereal beauty. He was glowing.
His train of thought was cut short when his phone ringing. He just sighed when he saw the caller id. Back to work, I guess.
Chanyeol was searching for him. Baekhyun knew that. He had seen the former too many times that whole month, wandering around the city. What was he even doing here in Bucheon anyway? A short break? He dismissed that idea because Chanyeol never like to part from the comfort of his home for a long time. Maybe he had events to be organized. Yeah.
He was really glad their path never crossed again after that night of party. When it did, it was usually him to spot the taller, even from afar because the man was sticking like a sore thumb in the sea of people with his intimidating height and blood red hair. Whenever it happened, Baekhyun often would swifly changed his route to the opposite way or took refuge in the shop nearby. Honestly, he wanted to run into the taller's arms because he missed him dearly. Six years of being together was really hard to forget. But the said man was never his from the start and that was the bitter truth. Chanyeol had found his own happiness, so Baekhyun could only congratulate and wish him luck silently.
Baekhyun has officially entering the 8th month of his pregnancy. He had not been working for a month already to prepare his baby necessities. Since his doctor advised him to stop doing any work that required physical movement as it might stressed his body and induced birth, he worked on the preparation slowly. It was not dangerous if his baby were to come out early but it was better to wait until the 39th or 40th week because his baby would developed fully by then.
After his sudden resignation from the job at Kyungsoo's cafe, he never lost contact with his former employers. He remembered telling them the true reason why he quitted. He told the couple about Chanyeol and since then, they became the friends that he never thought he needed. Kyungsoo and Jongin gave him endless support, morally and physically, and he was more than grateful. Their presence was able to lift up his spirit even if just a bit.
And it was yet another weekend. The couple planned to take him to the central park for picnic and Baekhyun could not say no. He was sitting on the sofa in his living room, waiting for the couple to arrive. While at it, the pregnant man rubbed the taut skin of his bump. He chuckled when the baby kicked his left hand when it reached the lower side of the bump.
"Hi baby girl. We're going out today. Are you excited?"
He received a kick as response.
" You're excited? Me too."
A kick.
"I hope we can get along together just fine. Me and you."
Another kick.
"I'm sorry that you'll never meet your daddy." Baekhyun teared up. "I'm sorry... But I promise I'll try to be both parents whenever you needed it." He sobbed. His baby was kicking wildly, an occurence that often happened whenever Baekhyun was feeling down.
"Okay... I'll stop. We're supposed to have fun today, right?"
There was a carnival going on at the park. Many booths were set up with colourful banners and balloons decorating the place. Families and friends that were there can be seen sporting happy faces. Baekhyun was one of them because the pregnant was enjoying his tteobokki and odeng at one of the many tables available at the venue. Kyungsoo and Jongin were still not back from buying seasoned fried chicken for the latter while he himself, on the other hand, was almost half on finishing his own food. Maybe the line's too long. He shrugged mentally.
Baekhyun did not stop, not even for a second from putting the rice cake, piece by piece into his already full mouth. It was heavenly delicious. He has been craving for the food for months already, only now he was able to satisfy his craving. He was eating too fast which then making him suddenly choked. Baekhyun frantically reaching out his hands to grab for water just to realise he did not have any left in the glass. He was already coughing hard that tears were beginning to well up in his eyes. Suddenly there were a big hand rubbing his back and a glass of water was held in front of him. He quickly gulped down the water.
"Silly Baek. I told you not to eat like that before, right?" Came a deep voice from beside him.
He turned his head and saw a tall figure of a man. It was him. "C-Chanyeol..."
"Hey, Baek." The man smiled. Seeing Baekhyun shuffling in his seat trying to get away from him, he pleaded, "Please don't go, Baek."
"W-what..."
"How have you been, Baek? I know you're doing fine. You both are, right?" Chanyeol smiled to lighten up their talk although a bit hesistantly. He could see suprise that marred the pregnant face. "Baek, please say something."
"How..."
"Kyungsoo told me. I..." He didn't know how to explain so that it would not hurt the other's feeling. He then positioned himself to kneel beside the man and took the man's hands into his own."I-I... I don't how to say this but first, I want you to know that there is no other person but you."
When he got no response other than confused stare from Baekhyun, he continued. "We've been friends for a long time and you I've never been good with words. That night.. that night was me giving hints that I want to spend forever with you. I guess I'm not doing well with that." He chuckled nervously. "I said that you're a friend. You've always been a friend to me, Baek. And friend to me is special than good friend, best friend or even boyfriend because you can be all, you can be everything. If you're just my best friend, then we cannot share loving kisses and cuddle together because that will be wrong. If you're my boyfriend, then you'll stuck with me because I'm a jealous man. I'm sorry if I hurt you with that but really, you are my everything, Baek."
Tears were flowing silently down Baekhyun's face. He realized how stupid he was for assuming things on his own. He wanted to apologize but the taller man beat him to it.
"Don't be sorry, Baek. I was the wrong one. I misled you with those words when I should've explain it further." Chanyeol then stood up and opened his arms. "Come back to me?"
Baekhyun just nodded and threw himself into the former's arms where he then bawled on the crook of the shoulder. He looped his arms around the man's torso, gripping the shirt tightly. Chanyeol just hushed him while slowly rubbing the pregnant man's back.
A sometime later, Baekhyun had calm down although his breath hitched every few seconds from the sobbing and Chanyeol still hushing and rubbing his back. His round belly was pressed closely to Chanyeol's flat one. He chuckled when his baby kicked wildly, pressing her feet on the skin several times.
"You feel that? I think she's happy." He pulled himself a bit from the taller to look up to his face. "And I'm happy too." He beamed.
"I'm glad." Chanyeol then leaned down to capture the smaller's lips. He could taste the saltiness from shedded tears before replaced by something saccharine. It was so sweet and warm, it tasted like home. Chanyeol swore he would never let that go. Never again.
He retreated from the kiss and saw the flushed cheeks of Baekhyun. The latter had his eyes closed and they fluttered open to reveal the depth of love and longing in the hazel brown orbs. "If I do this, will you be happy too?" He then kneeled on one knees, one of his big and calloused hands enclosed the slender of the smaller's. He brought his other hand to mould the clothed round bump.
"Hey, baby. How about you? Will you be happy too?" He smiled fondly when he was answered with a kick.
"Baekhyun, all these years we've spend together was the best moment of my life and I never wanted anything more than this." Chanyeol reached for his back pocket to produce something. That something was a shining silver band with diamonds decorating its middle. He looked up to Baekhyun and saw the man was tearing up yet again but all for a good reason. "Due to my own stupidity, we broke up and you have to be in pain and hard time all alone. But I want to thank you for giving me another chance to be a part of your life again. I promise with my life that I will never make you cry ever again. If I do, you are free to shout on me, hit me, do anything you want to with me but please don't leave. I can never bear that again."
"Byun Baekhyun, will you marry me?"