Paint It Black [ ChanBaek ]

3

True to Baekhyun’s words, there is a knock on Chanyeol’s door. He is sitting in front of the old TV watching a rerun of some drama he has never watched before, He doesn't laugh when he is supposed to or feel any sympathy when the characters appear sad. But at least the sound and the moving pictures help him keep his mind off things. 

Opening the door, he finds Baekhyun smiling while holding his key in front of him as if to make it clear who is to blame for his intrusion.

Without a word, Chanyeol takes the key and walks to Baekhyun’s apartment. As he bends down to unlock the door, he feels warm breath ghosting over the exposed skin of his neck, he turns his head a little to the side to see the other leaning on him, his chest slightly pressed against Chanyeol’s back, his body stiffens at the sudden contact.

“Sorry, I just wanted to see how you do it so I won’t have to bother you the next time,” Baekhyun says quickly moving away from him.

“It Just takes bit of a practice” Chanyeol demonstrates the technique wondering if he has ever been this patient with any of the customers in the bookstore.

This time, at least the flat does not give off the musty smell when opened, probably because the floor and the window pane look clean. But there is no furniture except for a couch and a small table in the living room.

“Do you wanna come in...I might not be good with locks but I know how to make coffee?” Baekhyun says cocking his head to the side, smiling.

Chanyeol hesitates for a few seconds. Socializing isn’t his thing. He thinks about the television running in his apartment, and the cold half-eaten ramyun on his coffee table.

“Sure...let me just lock my door”

Chanyeol looks at the couch, the once bright tan color has faded, and the designed leather is worn past the point of distress is and now decorated with small tears and cigarette burns. But he feels a weird sense of comfort and he lets himself fall on the seat with a satisfactory thump. 

“Make yourself comfortable il go and make the coffee,” said Baekhyun disappeared to the small kitchen.

Chanyeol hears the simmering of the water and the quiet humming of Baekhyun. He can’t recognise the tune but it sounds nice.

When was the last time he visited someone’s house? Even if anyone would invite him he'd make some excuse to avoid it...small talk is just painful in his opinion.

Baekhyun puts down two ceramic mugs on the table in front of them.

He sits down beside Chanyeol.

“Hey, do you mind if I smoke?” Baekhyun asks already pulling out a pack of cigarettes from his jeans pocket.

“No no..not at all” Chanyeol shrugs.

Baekhyun bent down and fished out an ashtray from under the table.

“Here” Chanyeol offers his lighter to light up Baekhyun’s cigarette.

Baekhyun leans over hands covering the stick from both sides and waits for him to ignite...Chanyeol lights it up in one flick and watches intently Baekhyun inhaling the smoke deeply then letting it out of his mouth in several rings which swirls up and disappears in the air.

“You want one?” Baekhyun looks at him with his droopy eyes.

“No I am good” Chanyeol doesn't smoke a lot...he has thought of quitting so many times but old habits die hard and he is too weak.

“So what do you do ?” Baekhyun reached for the coffee mug, and Chanyeol noticed the small tattoos on the joints of his fingers.

“I work at a bookstore”

“Must be nice...sitting and reading books all day?" Baekhyun sips the steaming coffee, Making Chanyeol wonder if it burns his tongue or not but the other doesn't seem to show any discomfort.

“Not really...all I do is sort books according to the genres and stack them on the shelves...it’s quite mundane....do you like reading ?”

“I don’t remember ever holding one in my hand since high school” Baekhyun chuckles shaking his head.

They fall into silence until Baekhyun fills it up with some random talk, Chanyeol just nods and answers when Baekhyun enquires about something never prying into his personal life much to Chanyeol’s relief.

He even finds himself smiling, something he hasn’t done in a while and not just the empty fake smile that never reaches his eyes not that anyone even notices, but he lets his lips curve into a genuine one maybe because Baekhyun doesn’t let his gaze linger on Chanyeol long enough for him to feel uncomfortable and insecure or short enough for him to feel like he is invisible.

It’s just about right.

Chanyeol leaves the apartment after some time with a taste of bitter coffee and a tiny bit of warmth.