Birthdays are nice, Chanyeol thinks. But Baekhyun's voice is nicer. Viva Polo's only received a few birthday reservations since its opening, but on the rare occasion that it happens, the staff makes an effort to sing a special rendition of "Happy Birthday" as Kyungsoo brings out the cake.
Today, they're singing for a little boy, just eight years old.
Chanyeol himself stands back, but pauses in his serving to listen. Baekhyun's done a number of obnoxious impressions and purposefully off-tune covers of Girls' Generation songs while they prepare in the morning and close up in the evenings, but Chanyeol hasn't ever heard him really sing.
When the background track starts, Baekhyun's voice is easily heard over it, somehow smooth and rough at the same time. It settles in the air, clear, warm, like he's smiling, and it drags Chanyeol in so easily. The harmonies he pulls with Jongdae complement each other and it has the birthday boy staring back and forth between them in awe.
Chanyeol's never been particular to the birthday song before, but now he thinks it could be his favorite.
When they finish in a flurry of applause and cheers from on-looking customers, Jongdae and Kyungsoo get dragged aside by the admiring parents who thank them profusely and shower them in praises. Meanwhile, Chanyeol edges closer to Baekhyun.
He has to lean a bit closer than normal to be heard over the loud buzz of the restaurant. "Hey, Baek." Chanyeol tries to sound casual.
"Yeah?" Baekhyun turns and Chanyeol realizes belatedly that they're standing really close. There's barely an inch between them and Baekhyun has to tip his head back to look up at Chanyeol, brown irises turned soft amber from the overhead lights. Something in Chanyeol's stomach flutters even more nervously at seeing Baekhyun's smile up close.
"Baekhyun, your voice is..." Chanyeol trails off, searching for the words. "Really nice," he finishes. He has to add, "Really, really nice," because he's not sure Baekhyun gets it.
Baekhyun's voice is more than nice, really, because it's bright and mellow when he pulls a falsetto but so, so wickedly warm when he drops to a low rasp - but somehow, it seems too much and not enough at the same time for Chanyeol to say aloud.
"Thanks," Baekhyun says, "You think so?" He sounds pleased, more pleased than when people compliment his looks or his outfit.
"Definitely," Chanyeol replies immediately. The tips of his ears redden and he hopes he doesn't come off too eager. If he does, Baekhyun says nothing about it. "Have you ever taken lessons?"
"I'm a music major at the Seoul Institute of Arts," Baekhyun says, amused. "I'm kind of obligated to take lessons, training to be a vocalist and all."
Chanyeol shakes his head. "Wow. Do you plan on being an idol? Or just..." Chanyeol makes some vague gestures, "Any singer?"
"It doesn't really matter to me. I just want people to hear me. And enjoy it, hopefully."
Chanyeol frowns. He reaches out to - well, he doesn't know what he means to do, but Baekhyun moves suddenly and he finds himself brushing Baekhyun's hand instead. Startled, he jolts back and manages to piece together a sentence.
"Not 'hopefully,' Chanyeol insists, more forcefully than he intends and it seems to surprise Baekhyun too. "Your vocal tone, your control-You sound..." he starts to say, and then he's struggling to find words. "I would be your fan," he blurts out a little too honestly. He's already a fan.
Baekhyun doesn't compose himself as quickly as he normally does. He first breaks out in his usual slow smirk but can't seem to keep from somehow crumbling a little further. It's clear in his grin, less purposefully charming and more tentative but Chanyeol thinks that when his eyes crinkle in the corners, it's even better.
He's not sure if it's just the angle but from where he's standing, it almost looks like faint pink tinges Baekhyun's cheeks. Chanyeol swears his heart squeezes even tighter.
"You know anything about music?" Baekhyun asks suddenly. "It sounds like you're experienced."
"Yeah, actually. I'm in Seoul Arts for music comp and production," he says. "But I play a few instruments." Chanyeol half-smiles. "So I can appreciate an instrument like your voice, naturally."
Fuck. Chanyeol freezes and all the blood rushes to his face because he didn't just say that.
Baekhyun seems startled, but laughs anyway. "You're turning the tables on me, aren't you?" He tsks. "You act like an embarrassed puppy but you're really a smooth talker."
Chanyeol reddens even more.
"Well, show me what you can play sometime. I've got a thing for musicians." Baekhyun gives him a cheeky grin and pats the side of Chanyeol's face.
Chanyeol tells himself that it's not for Baekhyun when he lugs his guitar case to Viva Polo a week later. And it'sdefinitely not because he keeps repeating the way Baekhyun says "I've got a thing for musicians" in his head.
