When Baekhyun arrives back, Chanyeol and his mother are talking in the living room. Chanyeol has his legs propped up on the coffee table like a boss while his mother is laughing next to him as she knits. When Baekhyun enters, Chanyeol's laugh freezes on his face as he realises the position he's in, and immediately he takes his legs off the table, looking around awkwardly, cheeks flushing.
"You're back." Chanyeol says, and Baekhyun nearly smiles as he notices the redness in Chanyeol's ears.
"It's not like I haven't seen your idiotic self already." Baekhyun replies, then covers when he realises Mama Im is there. He had been so comfortable in this house that he had even shown his true self!
"Yes, he is an idiot." Mama Im replies, letting out a grin, and Baekhyun's eyes widen like saucers as Chanyeol turns around and pouts at his mum. Then Baekhyun lets out a small smile.
"I'm just ... going to shower now." Baekhyun says. Mama Im nods. Baekhyun bows slightly.
"Stop being so polite! We're a family now, aren't we?" Mama Im says. Baekhyun's smile widens slightly and he walks away. Chanyeol reddens even more.
"What? We're not family ..." Chanyeol flushes at the thought. Baekhyun ... being part of him ... THIS IS TOO HARD TO THINK ABOUT! THIS IS VIOLATING BAEKHYUN'S PRIVACY!
MUM! DON'T RUIN HIS PRIVACY!!!
"You love him." Mama Im states casually, as if she had just stated Chanyeol's favourite colour. Chanyeol whips around to stare at his mother, who's smiling at him gently.
"W-W-What?"
"You love Baekhyun." Mama Im says. Chanyeol can feel himself reddening already and he tries to will it down because he doesn't want it to be obvious.
"W-What?" Chanyeol lets out a nervous laugh. "S-Stop joking, mum ..."
"I can see it all over you, Chanyeol." Mama Im says. "The way you care for him, the way you watch out for him, the way you react around him ... It's written all over your actions, Chanyeol."
"..." Chanyeol is speechless as he watches his mum's eyes. They're glittering, and it reminds him of a time when Baekhyun's once wasn't.
"He's really sweet, I can really see that." Mama Im continues. "I'm glad you're loving the right person. He can take care of himself very well, probably more than you ever can to be honest, but he needs someone to look out for him. Even though he's strong, he still has a sad heart. From his experiences, you can learn a lot from him, and he can learn a lot from you. You're loving the right person. I'm so proud of you, Chanyeol. You're growing up into such a fine man." Then Chanyeol realises why her eyes are so shiny – she's crying.
"Mum ..." At a loss, Chanyeol reaches out, awkwardly patting her shoulder.
"Loving gives you a lot of things, but also takes away many. Mostly, loving someone gives you a better insight of yourself. So love him properly, Chanyeol, but remember to love yourself too." Chanyeol's heart twists as he remembers all the trouble he had given her back when he didn't value himself. His eyes water too, and he nods.
"I will, mum." Her hands outstretch, and he pulls her in his arms. As he hugs her, he quickly rubs his eyes, so that he won't be as embarrassed.
Baekhyun finishes showering and prepares to join them in whatever they're doing, but as he steps out of Chanyeol's bedroom and walks towards the living room, he sees them embracing, sharing an intimate moment that probably will never be shared again, at least for a long while.
With mixed feelings, Baekhyun stands there for a few seconds, watching them, as if engraving the scene in their mind.
After a while, he turns and walks back inside Chanyeol's room.
