Paint It Black [ ChanBaek ]

6

An ominous flash of light and the blood-curdling scream startles Chanyeol out of his abysmal nightmare, he sits up on the bed, his cheeks wet and his body bathed in a cold sweat. The sheets are twisted around his limbs,  His heart keeps pounding against his chest.

He looks around the room it is entirely dark. He realizes he ended up sleeping in his bed last night. Chanyeol feels scared to even close his eyes, as if the remnants of the memory still clinging behind his eyelids will haunt him again.

Trembling he climbs out of his bed. He doesn't know how or why but he finds himself knocking on Baekhyun's door with his shaky fingers.

The door opens to a sleepy-looking Baekhyun rubbing his eyes, "Have you checked the time--"

Chanyeol doesn't let him finish but he throws his arms around the shorter breaking into a sob. Baekhyun stumbles back a little with the sudden weight on him, but he holds him tightly.

"I am sorry...I am sorry" Chanyeol murmurs repeatedly his face pressed against Baekhyun's shoulder, unceasing tears drenching the other's shirt.

They both slump down on the couch, Baekhyun doesn't let go of Chanyeol, he strokes his hair and hums the same tune that he heard the first day he visited his apartment.

This is the first time he slowly drifts back to sleep without a worry letting himself relax in Baekhyun's touch, like a protective shelter that takes away all the horrors that he has been trying to fight and failing.

                                 *

The next morning Chanyeol wakes up dazed, squinting his eyes to adjust to the unfamiliar light. Baekhyun’s soft hair poking under his jaw, he arches his head and his lips curve into a slight smile, they both are lying down on the sofa, a mess of tangled limbs. Baekhyun’s thin arms are draped across his chest loosely.

Chanyeol slowly removes his hand, gently so he doesn’t wake him up. He stares at Baekhyun’s sleeping face, the lemony glow of the sunlight beaming through the window making him look soft and younger.

Chanyeol wants to reach out and touch him, he wants to be sure that this isn’t his imagination because the idea of him waking up to someone feels so surreal.

He leans down and presses a tender kiss on Baekhyun’s hair which smells like an apple.

The brunette stirs a little mumbling something incoherent.

“I have to go to work...” licking his lips Chanyeol gulps, “for last night...thank you” words tumble out of his dry mouth unevenly.

“Umm, il see..you” Baekhyun blurts out groggily before turning to the other side facing the backrest.

Chanyeol stands up, his knees wobble from bending his long legs to accommodate the couch. His neck hurts too, but none of the discomfort bothers him, knowing that he will see him again...he has something to look forward to.