Defy The Earth

Chapter 7

Chanyeol felt the commotion before he saw it. There was a certain sensation to fear, nervousness, and panic and it was all Chanyeol could taste as he woke up that Sunday in his room at the Base. His room was clean – white, black and brown with a window, an average-sized bed, a table, a drawer and a bathroom. It resembled a hotel room. His unproblematic and clean-self loved it. But he didn't have time to admire it that morning because of the unrest in the air. He hurried up while brushing his teeth and getting ready. As he stepped out of his room, he was lucky enough to catch Kyungsoo passing by the hallway.

Chanyeol reached out and grabbed his sleeve, "Hey, is something happening?"

Kyungsoo looked at him; eyes rimmed slightly and that was enough to let Chanyeol know – yes, something was happening.

"What is it?" The taller prompted.

Kyungsoo didn't say a sentence, just one word but that one word was enough to make Chanyeol's heart jump out with panic –

"Baekhyun."

Chanyeol was filled in on what had happened yesterday night by different mouths in about a few minutes. Lay had assured Chanyeol that Baekhyun's physical condition was okay; that he was strong and needed rest, which calmed Chanyeol down (in his opinion, Baekhyun was really small and thin and needed to be protected, but he's never voicing this out, because Baekhyun would skin him alive.)

"The problem is that..." Lay paused, looking down at the floor, looking upset. Chanyeol felt bad for him but he was impatient and wanted to know what was wrong with Baekhyun. As soon as possible, please.

"Yes?" Chanyeol said, perhaps a little too quickly, "What is it?"

Lay looked up, "He's not letting anybody in his room. And we're all worried." The healer sighed, worried about his friend but as he registered the look in Chanyeol's eyes, he knew what the other was thinking.

"I was thinking, maybe I could-" Chanyeol started but Lay stopped him.

"Yes, that's a good idea. That's his room," Lay pointed and left, leaving Chanyeol confused but grateful.

Chanyeol knocked on the door once.

There was no reply.

He sighed, before knocking on the door again, harder, hoping to elicit a response.

He got one. Baekhyun's muffled voice called out, "I said I don't want to see anyone. Leave me alone." It wasn't the response Chanyeol had wanted. His heart ached for the older. He had heard what had happened – two deaths. Right in front of Baekhyun. Over-use e of powers leading to burns. Exhaustion and fatigue and injuries... there was so much. He just wanted to hide Baekhyun away from all of this, which was a funny thought, because Chanyeol was the one who needed to be protected.

"Baekhyun," He called out, "It's me – Chanyeol," He added for better measure (although he hoped Baekhyun wouldn't have forgotten his voice), "Please let me come in."

There was silence on the other side. Chanyeol also felt responsible. He probably a figure that could impact Baekhyun's life, his emotions or his actions in the slightest – he wasn't that great and Baekhyun had known him for what, two days or was it three? It didn't matter. The important thing was that while Chanyeol wasn't anybody that important, he felt that the slight argument he had with Baekhyun was to be blamed for the older's decision to stay out all night. It was his fault – he shouldn't have gotten so personal with Baekhyun. He just wanted to apologize for his mistakes and make sure the other was alright. He just wanted... to see him.

"Ba-Baekhyun," His voice cracked with emotion but he managed to choke the name out. Chanyeol paused for a bit, breathing to calm himself down, "Open the door, please."