For You

Final

A/N: Beta read by a friend. 

Reference:

Junmi = Junmyeon

~~~

They were best friends, Jongdae and him. Despite their differing personalities, they were inseparable. Jongdae Kim, the epitome of childhood innocence and naivety, and Baekhyun Byun, the anchor and protector of the weak. Ever since childhood, Baekhyun protected Jongdae and that was that. From the elementary school bullies to the false friends that eventually left despite their seemingly genuine behavior.

Baekhyun was there for Jongdae during the joyful times of summer happiness and stayed during the dreadful moments of winter despair. Whether it be the simple joy brought by a family pet or the devastation that came with said pet's death (rest in peace, Kyungie the cat), Baekhyun was there to accompany Jongdae. Even if Baekhyun hated said cat, he stayed for Jongdae's sake as the brunet cried for days over its passing. Yet nothing prepared them for the heartache that struck during their teenage years.

It was their last day as high school seniors. The night before, Baekhyun and his family invited the Kims to a party that celebrated Baekhyun's sister's graduation from Stanford. It was supposed to be a small gathering with their parents and siblings. However, that soon escalated when Baekhyun's brother Baekbeom decided to introduce the wine. With all the commotion and drinking, the Kims decided to spend the night over.

The next day, the boys woke up twenty minutes prior to their class starting. Baekhyun and Jongdae hurried through their morning routine before they raced out the door, skipping breakfast as neither of them had time to spare for that. They would have made it earlier yet Baekhyun took an exceptionally long time preparing for school doing who knows what.

It wasn't until they went back to Baekhyun's house after school when the tragedy struck. The house was quiet, as it always was with everyone at work or university, yet something felt odd. A slight chill ran up their backs. It might have been the fact that Baekbeom's luggage was still at the front when he should have been on his way back to UC Davis by now, or the fact that the television was still on from this morning. As the duo ventured deeper into the house, their hearts, especially Jongdae's, began to beat faster and faster. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. Lub-dub.

When they entered the kitchen, Jongdae's screams of terror filled the air.

"Oh my God! MOM! DAD!"

The rest of the day was a blur. All Baekhyun could remember was calling the police, Jongdae freezing up in the corner near his mother, seven still bodies, and the distinct scent of almonds.

~~~

For the next few days, Baekhyun had to stay in Jongdae's house, as his own was deemed a crime scene. However, he didn't mind, for there was something wrong with his friend. From that day on, Jongdae stopped being Jongdae. He stayed silent a majority of the time and rarely left his room. It killed Baekhyun. He couldn't stand seeing his friend in such an unresponsive state. Baekhyun could not bear to know that he was failing at his only job. The hurt is only temporary, he reminded himself, Jongdae will get better. He will understand.

It wasn't until after the funeral when Jongdae broke down. The duo took their time going back to the house for they had no reason to rush. Only silence was shared between the two, with the exception of a few sniffles and hiccups. However, the minute they stepped through the door, it was as if a switch flipped within Jongdae. In an instant, sobs racked his body as he stumbled on the floor.

He kept muttering the semi-understandable phrases of "why" and "leaving". It pained Baekhyun to see his friend in so much pain. Without hesitation, he kneeled on the floor next to Jongdae and wrapped his arms around him. "It's okay," he soothed, "It's okay."