The Bruised Bus Boy

Mending

Chanyeol began to come back around. His deadline was approaching and he didn't have time to stress about other things.

He hasn't seen Baekhyun at all since the rejection, and maybe it was a good thing. It was making all this 'moving on' business easier.

The smaller had apparently graduated three days ago (according to the small talk made around the town) and that was the first time he really thought about the latter.

After he had dragged himself back to work, he realized just how much he was slacking on his project. And since then, his mind hasn't been else where.

But after he heard the news of the graduation, he couldn’t help but wonder how the smaller was doing.

It was rounding a whole month since he last talked to Baekhyun. And now, he's been thinking about him more than ever.

Now that he realized just how long he's been away from Baekhyun, he realized how much he could be missing out on.

He also realized that Baekhyun had began to loose some of his bruises when they were right by each other's side almost every chance they got.

He can't help but wonder how many bruises he has now.

After all, Chanyeol isn't there to protect him.

Or at least, stand up for him.

He nibbled his lip and twirled his pen around between his fingers.

While he was supposed to be writing his final report on the piece he made, he instead thought about the bus boy who stole his heart away (as cliché as that sounds, he can't deny how true that statement was).

Baekhyun was the first person to make Chanyeol feel such a way. The first person who made Chanyeol feel loved. And maybe that's why he fell so hard.

Maybe that's why he took chances and was more determined to make Baekhyun feel the same way than to wait and hope for the best.

He let out a large, exaggerated sigh.

He's thought about going back and trying to get Baekhyun back into his life. Even if it means they're just friends. Hell, he doesn't care if they end up hating each other, he'd still want Baekhyun with him.

It's just, now Chanyeol doesn't know how he's supposed to face Baekhyun. He'd be completely mortified if he had to come face to face with the smaller now.

Embarrassment would take him over and he'd become a stuttering mess and any chances he'd have of fixing it with Baekhyun would be gone because he never got a full sentence out.

His comprehension of coming in contact with Baekhyun anytime soon was not one of any possibility.

At least, it's something he's sure will never turn out good.

He takes in a long deep breath.

He's realized just how lonely he's gotten. With Baekhyun gone, he doesn't have anyone he can look forward to seeing. As cringy as it may sound, Chanyeol's reason to get up and get going in the morning was so he could see Baekhyun.

The reason he'd work overtime is so he could loose track of time and the two would end up staying way later than they should have.

Sometimes, they would walk home. Bask in the falling dusk air as the bright yellows and pinks dulled into purples and blues. When it was colder, they huddled together. Chanyeol remembers the way he'd blush and smile like an idiot everytime Baekhyun pressed himself closer to the taller.

During the colder months, the stars seemed brighter. They gazed at them all the time.

It was moments like those that made Chanyeol believe he really had a chance with the smaller.