fries with a side of love. baekyeol

여섯

⠀⠀Baekhyun wasn't exactly sure if he was chill or not about the whole "meeting-the-best-friends" phase of Chanyeol and his' relationship.

⠀⠀The friends are some of the most important people in a person's lifetime; if Chanyeol's friends didn't approve of him, he was royally fucked. Baekhyun thought that he was a pretty likable person, and just prayed to God his charm would come through with him.

⠀⠀Baekhyun didn't quite realize how anxious he was for the event until Chanyeol pointed out to him that he was "about to literally tear his hair out" from his habit of pulling his locks when he got nervous. How embarrassing, Baekhyun grimaced as Chanyeol drove along, his car's engine humming being the only think breaking the unnerving silence. Baekhyun was far too nervous to be his usual witty, charismatic self and start a conversation with his biggest crush in existence—What if they don't like me? No, they've got to like me. Everyone likes me! He thought, his mind suddenly replaying the scene from work the day before, almost as if his mind was arching a brow and giving him a look. Baekhyun quickly mentally amended himself: Well, at least at first.

⠀⠀For the entire twenty minute ride from Baekhyun's school, Chanyeol was nearly silent the entire time with the exception of the beginning where he asked the smaller boy how his day was. Baekhyun wondered mildly what he was thinking about, but decided, Eh—don't care. It was a bit uncomfortable, but Baekhyun assumed that Chanyeol was a little anxious as well.

⠀⠀The car rolled up to a small, one-story house surrounded by a wall of worn-down bricks before Chanyeol and Baekhyun got out of the vehicle and slammed the doors shut. From his vantage point, Baekhyun caught a glimpse of a small basketball court and a number of sports equipment on said basketball court ranging from baseball bats to soccer balls. He also saw a collection of flowers delicately standing on either side of the paved walkway.

⠀⠀"This is my place. My friends and I all pitched in to buy the house, so we all live here and split the bills," Chanyeol explained, taking Baekhyun's small hand and walking him to the door. After fumbling with his keys for a bit, he glanced at Baekhyun worriedly. "Just to warn you, they're a bit. . . Ah, hyper."

⠀⠀Baekhyun gave a small shrug. Whatever. Chanyeol smiled back at him before inserting the key into the lock, twisting, and opening the door. As soon as he did so, a loud whooping broke throughout the house, and the mad sound of thundering footsteps came closer and closer to the door.

⠀⠀"Where's the boy?!" a loud voice screamed.

⠀⠀"Is he hot?!" another one shouted.

⠀⠀"Minseok, stop making out with Lu Han and get your asses over here!" a familiar one shrieked. Baekhyun tilted his head slightly; that was Jongin, wasn't it?

⠀⠀Baekhyun felt the taller boy's grip on his hand tighten ever so slightly, and glanced questioningly up at Chanyeol. Catching his looks, Chanyeol bent down and cupped Baekhyun's ear before whispering lowly.

⠀⠀"They're a bit flirty, and they might try some things. Stay with me—sometimes they take things a little too far," he grimaced, as if remembering a horrible memory. With a short burst of laughter, Baekhyun nodded dutifully before squeezing Chanyeol's hand and pulling him into the house.

⠀⠀As they stepped into the front doorway, Baekhyun found that the house seemed surprisingly neat despite the fact that five male high school (presumably) students living in it. If Baekhyun had his own place, rather than living with his brother, he knew for a fact the residence would be the human equivalent of a pig sty. Chanyeol seemed to catch onto his surprise before mumbling into his ear, "Minseok-hyung forces us to clean up. He's a little bit of a neat-freak," before chuckling softly.