Maybe Then Tomorrow

one

"𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘥𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘰𝘯."

Today's the 29th of March, Chanyeol was sitting alone on a park bench, feeling the cool morning breeze and enjoying the warm sun on his face. It's been a while since he had the time to let his self take a breather.

So when he felt someone sit beside him, he did not bother to look. He already know who the person was, it was him who texted Chanyeol to meetup afterall.

"It's been years already since we've last seen each other"

The man started but he just keeps looking straight ahead when he replied "Yeah.. how are you?"

He heard him scoff.

"I'm sorry but I think I should be the one asking you that, how are you?" Baekhyun emphasized

He chanced a glance on the man beside him because hearing that made something twist on his stomach, it's just a simple question and he's sure that it wasn't even meant to sound like he is being mocked but it feels like it was.

Afraid that his own expression will give it all away, he averted his gaze and let it stop on the view of swans floating freely on the river.

"I am fine.." he answered

The smaller man sigh let out a sigh at his response.

"If you're really fine then why can't you look me in the eye?"

This made him clench his fist, feeling the way his short nails dig on his palm and then unclenching them to lay flatly on the bench that they were sitting on, he made a deep breath before answering

"I am fine Baekhyun, you don't have to worry about me."

Baekhyun run a frustrated hand over his face, he can't understand why the taller even bothered to lie, who is he trying to fool?

"I spent half of my life with you and you dare to lie in front of my face? Look at me-"

The man moved a little closer and reach for the latter's arm only to get stop when the other tries to stand up and completely turn away from him.

"I SAID LOOK AT ME CHANYEOL!"

Chanyeol didn't missed the slight tremble under the demanding and pleading tone of his bestfriend's voice, a soft hand circled his wrist this time and gently tug his whole body to turn around.

He was so devasted by the sight of the person in front of him yet he can't help but admire the beauty behind the sadness that's in front of him, those bright eyes that once looked at him with warmth and love,

those small and pretty lips that he longed to taste after all these years but now he lost all the rights, rights to claim those as his and the right to be part of this man's life again.

"Why can't you just be honest with me for once? I-Is it really that hard to tell me the truth? We're still best friends right?" the smaller

"Our friendship did not end the moment you decided to left without telling me the exact reason why"

Baekhyun is trying to keep the tears from falling off of his eyes as he talked but to no avail a single one still escape from his left eye.

Chanyeol felt a pang on his chest at the sight.

"Sky and I are fine, Baek--"

"Then what is this news about you being sent to hospital, almost twice a month for not being able to take care of yourself properly?! You even tried selling off your most favorite instruments to pay for your rent! I know that you are struggling alone with work, school and THAT child Chanyeol don't even try to fucking deny it!"

Chanyeol's eyes grew wide, not knowing where can Baekhyun possibly get all these information from. He avoided the smaller's eyes once again, pinches the bridge of his nose trying to come up with an excuse to not let him know that he's indeed having difficulty for having such a big responsibility like THIS at such a young age.

"He is my child Baek! and what if it's all true? It's all my choice afterall. I chose to overwork myself to sustain our growing needs, I chose to continue my study instead of resting because I still dreamed of graduating and pursuing a stable job for both of us!"

This time, it's Baekhyun's turn to avert his gaze from him, guilty of trying to meddle on his bestfriend's personal life.

"What's so wrong about it Baek? Tell me, did you just call me to shove it on my face that I can't do this alone?"

Chanyeol asked, hurt evident on his voice.

He doesn't need anyone to add up on the things that's constantly weighing his mind. He is already stressed but mostly exhausted and the least he want right now is for someone to blatantly point out his obvious predicaments as if he don't know that it's there, existing in front of him.

"Chanyeol-- "

he could feel his whole body trembling, from suppress anger? extreme sadness? he doesn't know anymore but he still manage to reply to the latter "Well, I am going to say this to you now, I can do it Baekhyun, I can.."

And with that, Chanyeol starts to walk away,

with a heavy and broken heart gently cradled by his own two hands, pleading it to stop torturing itself and just forget about yearning for something it can't have anymore.