Seek With Me? | chanbaek

.43

Chanyeol and Baekhyun grabbed a ride from a taxi service to meet Baekhyun's parents and brother at the restaurant. They waited outside beneath the awning, watching as the distant sun slowly settled below the tree line, it's gradual descent painting the sky in light bubble gum pink and tangerine orange that mixed and twisted with the ever present baby blues.

As the colors continued to dance and mingle, Sehun's car drove up in the lot, soon after followed by their parents. Baekhyun and Chanyeol stood up from their places on the wooden bench situated outside the restaurant and made their way towards Baekhyun's family, their fingers interlaced.

"Chanyeol!" Mrs. Byun happily exclaimed. "It's so good to see you! How have you been, dear?"

Chanyeol smiled. "I've been great. Never happier," he said as he gently squeezed Baekhyun's hand.

Baekhyun glanced up at him from the corner of his eye, a subtle smile curving his lips.

"How have you two been?" Mr. Byun asked once he saw his son with Chanyeol.

Baekhyun smiled brightly and wrapped an arm around Chanyeol's bicep as he replied, "We're perfect."

Sehun walked up with Luhan in that moment and muttered, "Wow Baek, conceited much?"

Baekhyun rolled his eyes and shoved his brother as he said, "Not even you, Oh Sehun, can ruin my mood."

Sehun grinned back cheekily and singsonged, "And why's that, Baek-kie?"

Baekhyun glared at his brother and hissed, "Shut....up!"

"So Sehun, are you going to introduce us to your boyfriend?" Mrs. Byun asked, breaking apart her son's bickering.

Sehun blushed —- actually blushed —- and glanced at Luhan with a small smile as he nervously muttered, "Um, mom, dad, this is Luhan. My boyfriend."

Mr. Byun smiled and stepped forward, shaking Luhan's hand as he said, "It's nice to meet you, Luhan. I hope my son has been good to you."

It was Luhan's turn to blush while Sehun whined, "Dad! I'm always good to him."

Mr. Byun chuckled. "Well, are we all ready to go inside?" he asked, ignoring Sehun's comment.

Everyone nodded happily, Sehun rolled his eyes, and Mr. Byun smiled before leading the way forward. Luhan broke away from Sehun and lightly touched Baekhyun's arm, holding him back for a moment as he asked, "Is it just me, or do your parents actually like me?"

Baekhyun chuckled and squeezed Luhan's hand before saying, "They like you."

Luhan sighed, his expression turning distant as he softly muttered, "That's good. That's really good...."

~ ~ ~

"So what are your plans for the future?" Mr. Byun asked Chanyeol as they waited for their orders.

Chanyeol blushed at the attention and mumbled, "Um. Well, recently, Baekhyun's insisted I submit a video of myself singing and playing the guitar to an agency. I haven't heard anything back, yet...." Chanyeol trailed off.

Baekhyun reached out and gently squeezed his hand as he softly said, "Don't worry, Channie. They probably have thousands of submissions. It takes them time to look through everything. Have faith."

Chanyeol nodded with a small smile and quietly whispered from the corner of his mouth, "Thank you, Baekkie."

Baekhyun nodded with a smile.

Mrs. Byun smiled brightly and exclaimed, "Music! Why didn't you ever tell us you were musical? We could have helped along your career."

Chanyeol shook his head and said, "Oh no, Mrs. Byun, I couldn't have you doing something like that for me . . . I mean" —- Chanyeol glanced over at Baekhyun, a small smile lifting the corner of his lips —- "you've already done so much."

Baekhyun blushed. Mrs. Byun smiled and softly said, "Well, if you ever change your mind, just know we'll be here for you . . ."

Chanyeol nodded. "Of course, Mrs. Byun. Thank you, truly."

She smiled and glanced at her husband, who looked just as happy, before she turned to Sehun and Luhan. "So hon, how long have you been dating?"

Sehun glanced at Luhan and asked, "It's been like.... What? Four months now?"

Luhan rolled his eyes and said, "Try three, genius."

Sehun chuckled sheepishly and murmured, "Whoops."

Mr. Byun looked at his son sternly and said, "Son, don't ever forget your anniversary. You don't want to have to sleep on the couch, do you?"

Sehun's eyes widened and he turned to Luhan as he said, although unsurely, "Luhan wouldn't do that...." He bit his lip. "At least, I don't think so...."

Luhan laughed and patted Sehun's cheek. "Don't worry, Hun, I'd never."

Sehun cringed. "Now I'm really unsure . . ."

Once they had had their dinner, and while Sehun and Luhan were chatting with their parents, Baekhyun and Chanyeol excused themselves. They went outside, aimlessly walking before Chanyeol took Baekhyun's hand and said, "Baekhyun, let's go up there." Chanyeol pointed to a set of stairs that lead to the open rooftop above the restaurant, that was open to all patrons.

Baekhyun followed after Chanyeol with a smile, and when they reached the rooftop, he was memorized by the beauty. The sun was nearly gone now, the sky still swimming with the faint colors of pink, orange, and blue before giving away to the darkness.

Baekhyun sighed and leaned his head against Chanyeol's shoulder; Chanyeol wrapped his arm around Baekhyun's waist and held him closer. The moment was serenity and comfort, and as they stood there together watching the sky transform into a starry ocean, their lives felt nearly complete.

And as Chanyeol soothingly caressed Baekhyun's arm, his other hand slipped into his jacket pocket, his fingertips brushing over the plush velvet of the delicate box.

Soon, he thought. Soon I'll be truly complete.