Strawberry & Mango - ChanBaek

Chapter 1

I recommend listening to What If by EXO while reading this chapter! ;)

Unedited

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Baekhyun looked like an angel, his beautiful blond hair blowing in the soft wind of a late January afternoon, his smile wide, and his eyes shining with adoration. The love he was exuding was tangible for everyone in the room to feel, flowing in waves as he was wrapped in the arms of his lover, swaying to the soft music as his loved ones witnessed the happiest day of his life.

Chanyeol watched from the sidelines, his mind telling him to look away, but his heart refusing to miss this moment, even if it hurt. He'd been in love with Baekhyun since he could remember, his best friend having stolen his heart the first time he defended him from bullies when they were five. He'd always known he had no chance, though, Baekhyun unknowingly making it clear every time their friends joked about them dating.

The giant was fine with it, really. He'd seen Baekhyun date through the years, fall in love and experience heartbreak countless times. Chanyeol had kept his distance when the smaller quietly drifted away, captivated by the person he'd given a piece of his heart to, and waited with open arms whenever Baekhyun needed to be comforted after it didn't work out.

While it had hurt every time, Chanyeol's heart, now scarred and battered, had survived through each one of those,. Nevertheless, while witnessing the moment when he lost what barely existent chance he had with Baekhyun, he knew he would get through it, but it would take some time.

Still, even if his heart hurt like it never had before, he stayed, a smile on his face as everyone cheered along to the newlyweds. The tears in his eyes were safely contained, waiting to fall later in the night whenever Baekhyun wasn't around, just like it been many times before.

It was okay, though. Chanyeol knew that he would never get over Baekhyun, but at least now that the smaller was married, Chanyeol could peacefully continue with his life, his responsibility as the son of the CEO of Park & Co. his top priority from now on.

The giant wasn't planning on leaving the smaller's life, of course. He would remain a loyal friend until his last breath. He would keep his distance respectfully, conscious that Baekhyun would now share his life with someone and Chanyeol didn't fit into the equation. No matter what happened, though, Chanyeol would be ready to catch his best friend and wrap him in his arms if he needed to.

When the song came to an end, Chanyeol clapped along with the rest, the corners of his lips raising into a smile even if the tears in his eyes continued to threaten to fall. He looked away, though, when Junki, Baekhyun's now husband, leaned down to kiss the smaller. Even if he'd seen the couple do much worse in front of him, Chanyeol's heart had been hurting that day enough as it was.

"Hey buddy, how are you holding up?" Asked Kyungsoo as he lay a hand on his shoulder.

Chanyeol met his gaze and smiled. "I'm fine," he said. "Or at least I'll be."

Frowning, Kyungsoo pursed his lips. "I still think you should tell him. You have nothing to lose, you know? And it could really give you the answer you need to finally move on. It's been years."

Shaking his head, Chanyeol's smile deemed down until it was completely gone. "It's okay. I can move on after this. I promise. I don't want to burden him with my feelings, not now that he's married to the man he loves."

Sighing, Kyungsoo shook his head. "If you say so, Yeol. But I still think you should tell Baekhyun. I'll respect your decision, though."

"Tell me what?" Asked the blond as he stood next to his friends, a confused expression in his eyes.