The Bruised Bus Boy

Trouble

Chanyeol was disappointed.

He had called off work for the extra week to specifically spend time with Baekhyun.

But Baekhyun returned home that Saturday morning after Chanyeol had caught him out in the living room.

Chanyeol remembers the way Baekhyun just so happened to glance his way, his humming got cut off and his fingers froze on the guitar.

They stood there in awkward silence.

Eventually, Baekhyun jumped off the couch and hesitantly handed Chanyeol the guitar, "I-I'm sorry. I saw the guitar in your closet and I couldn't help myself."

Chanyeol couldn't say anything. His throat was closed up.

Baekhyun knew how to play guitar?

Now Chanyeol sat on his couch, getting eaten up by his emotions.

He has a new emotion to deal with.

He didn't know how it happened, what caused it. But he's pretty sure he knows when it happened.

He leaned his head back on the couch, eyes trained on the ceiling.

Chanyeol's never felt this way before, which is why it was so easy for him to figure out when it happened.

It was currently Friday morning and Chanyeol had more than enough time to contemplate his feelings.

He liked Baekhyun and there was no denying it. The flutter in his heart and the drop in his stomach when he thought about the younger was proof of that.

It's been about three months since he's met Baekhyun. Was that long enough to fall in love? Chanyeol didn't know.

He suddenly squealed (yes, he squealed) as he clenched his chest right above where his heart flipped.

He rolled on the couch as he smiled to himslef.

Who would've thought. Park Chanyeol, IN LOVE?

It felt good, but it also felt confusing.

What comes next?

Chanyeol stopped his flustered frenzy and blinked.

What comes next? What does he do? Does he hide it? Does he forget about it? No, scratch that. He can't forget about it.

He could never forget a feeling so good. So happy.

So, does that mean he should make it obvious?

What if Baekhyun...

That's right. How does Baekhyun feel? Wait... what if Baekhyun liked him back?

Chanyeol's heart pounded and heat rose to his face. He shook his head and wiggled. No, there's no way. Baekhyun can't like him back, at least not the way Chanyeol likes him.

That would be too perfect. And Chanyeol's life was far from perfect.

He let out a shaky breath and hugged himself as he stared up at the ceiling. He decided something, something that he would follow through with no matter what.

He's to stay with Baekhyun and he's to keep his emotions hidden. No matter how hard it may get or how difficult it may become, he won't abandon Baekhyun. He treat him like a friend and nothing more or nothing less.

He's got to stay strong.

For Baekhyun.

When Chanyeol's alarm hollered Monday morning, the first thing he thought about was Baekhyun.