for him. ✔

chapter nine.

"Gosh, stop sighing," Kyungsoo said in irritation he watched the taller pick on his food. As if he hadn't heard him, Chanyeol took another deep breath and sighed, strong enough to make his tissues fly and land straight on Sehun's face.

"Hyung!" the youngest immediately whined as he swiped the stray tissues away from his face, which now held a disgusted look.

"Hyung, stop worrying," Jongin said, reaching out to slap the older's shoulder. "Baekhyun just has to take care of his sister. He'll be back before you know it."

"I knew that..." Chanyeol muttered, which went inaudible to his lunch mates.

It's been a few days since he had last seen Baekhyun, and he was honestly worried. He couldn't help it. Baekhyun hadn't attended school in those days, and there was no one at home whenever Chanyeol comes by at their place. Baekhyun was probably still at the hospital tending to his sick sister.

As much as he wanted to be there for Baekhyun, Chanyeol couldn't bring himself to visit him at his sister's room. He was still a stranger to the boy - a stranger who shared a very intimate relationship with him, at that - and having him hanging around might just mess with Baekhyun's currently weak mentality. Chanyeol has already overwhelmed him too much with his sudden intrusion into Baekhyun's life, so distancing himself might just be the appropriate thing to do for now.

Baekhyun was like a drug to Chanyeol - he's addicting and he couldn't last a day without seeing him - but Baekhyun was a medicine to his sister. He's her lifeline and salvation, so for her sake, Chanyeol will try to survive and live through the drought.

✴

"Baekhyun."

Despite feeling exhaustion, the petite boy shot up into a sitting position, leaning forward attentively upon hearing his sister mutter his name.

"Noona, what is it?" he answered in a hushed tone.

"You shouldn't lock yourself here," she weakly said. "I can see Chanyeol passing by with a worried face. I think he likes you so much."

Baekhyun gulped, looking away as the guilt washed over him like a tsunami. It was true that Chanyeol had been passing by and ringing their doorbell, trying to check if someone was home, but he probably still thinks that he and Baekhee were still at the hospital since he has not bothered to answer whenever he comes.

It's not like Baekhyun has decided to stay away from Chanyeol. The one thing he wanted most in the world is to actually spend time with him and get to know him. He wasn't afraid to fall for him. In fact, maybe Baekhyun already has. The amount of pain he felt in his chest whenever he ignores the doorbell and Chanyeol's shouts of his name was enough proof to back up his theory that Baekhyun has finally grown genuine feelings for him.

But Baekhyun wanted to focus on his sister for the mean time. It's been so long since the last time he and Baekhee had talked and spent time together. He and Chanyeol could talk anytime, but with his sister...

"You need me more, noona..." Baekhyun took her hand in his and smiled softly. "If Chanyeol does like me, then he can wait. If he finds someone else, then I'll know that the things he felt for me aren't enough to make him deserve me."

"I've been too indulged in my miseries throughout the years that I still keep seeing you as this troublesome kid and not as a Baekhyun who has grown into a very fine beautiful young man who has matured very well."

Baekhee chuckled sadly, looking away all sentimental.

"Don't worry, noona, don't think about it too much," Baekhyun assured her, ruffling her hair. "As long as we've reconciled, right?"

"Indeed, but you shouldn't isolate yourself from your friends. I want you to be happy more than anything."

Happiness...

Baekhyun couldn't help but feel hot tears pool down his cheeks.

"Baek, what's wrong?" Baekhee cooed, reaching out to cup her brother's cheek. "Please don't cry, I can't help but think that I've been causing you too much sadness these past few days..."

Baekhyun started to hiccup, which would usually have been embarrassing in his part, but it was only him and his sister in the room.

"That was the most selfless thing I've heard, noona... especially from someone who couldn't have such a gift like happiness because of a stupid heart that couldn't function properly..."

Baekhee chuckled.

"That's why. I couldn't be happy on my own, but if I see you happy, then I might as well be happy. Live your life like it's my own."

The familiar ring of Baekhyun's phone came, blaring into the quiet room causing a sort of echo in its wake as it bounced off the wall. He glanced at the lit up screen, but he didn't have to come closer to see that it was Chanyeol, who had been trying to call him religiously every day at this hour.

"You should answer it," Baekhee urged him, gesturing at his still ringing phone. "It's probably your boyfriend."

Baekhyun felt his cheeks flush in a shy blush as he pouted.

"He's not my boyfriend."

"If you say so," Baekhee shrugged her shoulders as sly grin climbed up to her face.

Baekhyun decided it was time to entertain the giant's attempts at trying to pull him out of the shell he had created. Excusing himself, he grabbed his phone and walked out of the room.

Baekhyun walked over to the window. His phone had stopped ringing, but he knew that Chanyeol was going to call again, just like the past days. As he waited, he looked up at the sky.

To his surprise, rays of light shot down across the horizon. Baekhyun gaped in wonder at the spectacle, mouth slightly ajar as he followed them with his eyes until they disappeared into the city skyline.

Shooting stars.

Baekhyun has never seen shooting stars before because he had always lived in the city since he was small. The air pollution and the constant roof that he was in prohibited him from having a chance.

And there it just went by.

His phone's ringtone suddenly blared once again. Casually, Baekhyun slid the answer icon across the screen and lifted the phone to his ear.

"Hello?" came the familiar deep voice from the end of the line.

Baekhyun was about to greet him back when another wave of the celestial shower came, pulling his attention in in awe.

"Chanyeol, there are shooting stars..."

"Forget the damn shooting stars. Come down and meet me."

170315

Waaaahhhh too much angst