*

The police station is quite nosier than expected when they arrive.

"No! You don't have the right to charge an assault towards me! I need to speak with my lawyer!"

"Calm down, Ma'am---"

"Don't tell me what to do! Just give me the goddamned phone! I will file a lawsuit against that woman!"

"If you keep on yelling at our officers, we won't have any choice but to detain you."

"D-detain me?! What the hell!? What kind of police are you!? Didn't you see what she did to me!? Look at the scratches on my face!"

Chanyeol runs quickly inside the station with Baekhyun trailing behind him. He sees the Chief of police sighing and two more officers standing beside his mother sitting in front of the desk.

"Good evening, officer. I'm Chanyeol Park, her son. What happened?" Chanyeol announces, and the moment Youngmi hears Chanyeol's voice, she looks up to him with delight. Chanyeol is shaking the police's hand when the woman gets up to embrace him.

Chanyeol stands there unresponsive and nonchalant.

"Sweetie! I'm glad you're now here! I've been calling your Dad but he said he's stuck in the traffic," Mrs. Park says in a lot more calmer voice compared to earlier, and the police just roll their eyes and shake their head, "Oh well. Call Attorney Jones for me so he'd take care of this. I have to go now."

"Hey. Hey, you can't go anywhere! The interrogation is not over yet!"

"For how many times do I have to tell you, it's not me who did it! I don't belong in this filthy place!" Youngmi screams. "How much do you want for you to stop!? Hundred thousand dollars? One Million?"

"This woman has gone insane," the officer mutters to his colleague.

"What the hell happened? Just what the fuck did you do?" Chanyeol asks, anger painting his face as he grabs his mother's arm.

"I didn't do anything," she denies, crossing her arms over her chest, "That bitch did it first."

"Did you just call me bitch!?"

Another Asian woman appears from the infirmary, having wounds and scratches on the side of her pretty face. Flipping her hair on her left shoulder, she tugs her blouse down to reveal one more bruise on her arm.

"Look what you did to me, you old hag!"

"What did you just fucking call me!?"

The younger woman laughs in a sarcastic tone and shakes her head.

"Officer, I already told you my story but look like this grandma here didn't understand what I said! So I'll repeat this again! I just got down from a cab in front of the hotel where I was supposed to stay and apparently this freaking woman!" She pointed at Youngmi accusingly. "She almost ran over me with her car! I politely apologized to get this thing over with, okay!? I just wanna see my son so bad so I walked away after that!" Her eyes are bulging as she faces Youngmi. "But this arrogant bitch pulled me around, alright?! Shoved me on her car! Smacked my face! Pulled my goddamned hair! And screamed curses at me while she assaulted me!!!"

The police coughs and looks at Chanyeol, "I need your mother's ID and sign, please."

"Nowhere in hell I'd give them my information! This crazy whore might be making up lies to get some money!"

"Ma'am, there are CCTV's," the officer says, pointing at the monitor, "You were caught in the act."

Chanyeol sighs deeply and massages his forehead. "Officer, what are the documents needed again?"

"Oh my fucking god, seriously!?" Youngmi whines. "Don't believe them, Chanyeol! It's not true! They're all liars!"

"Did you just say, Chanyeol?"

Chanyeol, hearing his name from the victim, turns to look at her. His jaw drops instantly seeing the face of Baekhyun's mother staring at him in recognition. She stands up and points a finger at him, and Chanyeol feels like dying in embarrassment at that exact moment.

"Mr. Landlord, right? Park Chanyeol!?" She looks so happy and confused, meanwhile Youngmi is close to bursting in fury, "Wait, don't tell me this wench is your mother!?"

"I--- yes, she is," Chanyeol stutters nervously, then he hastily looks around the place in search for Baekhyun, then he remembers the male went to the bathroom. He bows in front of the woman politely, making Youngmi even more shocked, "I-I'm sorry, Ma'am, for the trouble she caused. If there's anything we can do to compensate, please tell us."

"Stop it!" Youngmi tugs her son and pulls him up from bowing position, "Why the hell are you bowing to this woman!?" She glares at her. "And you, why do you know my son!?"

Several police officers' attention are now directed at them, as if they are watching a prime time Korean drama. Some are even eating donuts and drinking coffee as they listen to their conversation which is all in Korean.

"Hah. You don't know me!?" She cackled. "Let me introduce myself to you! My name is Byun Ahyeon, and I'm your son's boyfriend's mother!!!"

"Mom?"

All heads turn to Baekhyun who just came out of the bathroom. Ahyeon's gaze immediately softens the time she sees her lovely son. Baffled, Baekhyun glances around the station, noticing that all eyes are trained at him right now.

"BAEKHYUN! OH MY GOD, MY BABY!!!" Ahyeon cries, "I missed you so much!!!"

Overjoyed, she runs and hugs an unresponsive Baekhyun who is still in the state of shock in her arms. He still cannot process what is currently happening right now. What is she doing in America? How did she end up in the police station? Why didn't she tell him she's coming? What the hell is happening!?

"Aren't you happy to see me, Baekhyun?

"I am, but---" Baekhyun sighs, "Not in here... And..." He stares at her mother's injured face. "Not in this state... Mom, your face... Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, and I know, I look ugly now! It's because of Chanyeol's mother. She did this to me! That evil witch!" Ahyeon sneers, "How about you, are you okay?"

"I think those two are mother and son and they just got reunited," the officer whispers to his colleague.

"Damn, I badly need subtitles," he says back.

"Look what we have here," Youngmi claps her hands dramatically, "What a lovely sight! Like mother, like son. Both are bitches, both are losers."

"You need to stop," Chanyeol tells his mother within gritted teeth. "Or else I'm gonna put you in jail myself."

Sungjin is late but at least he still arrived. People murmur to each other when he heads straight inside the station to grab his wife's wrist. Dragging her out with force, the man shoves Youngmi inside the car and locks the door while she screams hysterically.

"I apologize in behalf of my wife for the trouble she has caused," Chanyeol's father tells the police, as well as to Baekhyun's mother who is still taken aback by that action. He turns to the woman beside Baekhyun and bows, "I'll take care of your medical bills and compensate you properly. Please drop the charges against my wife."

He elbows Chanyeol standing beside him. Chanyeol is quick to catch up, so he bows together with his father as well.

"Please drop the charges against my Mom."

Obviously shocked, Baekhyun can't believe what he's seeing right now--- these two men whom he greatly respects a lot--- are now having their heads low in front of him and his Mom. Never in before he thought this would actually happen. If only he could, he'd stop them from doing this. It's not Chanyeol's fault nor his Dad's. They shouldn't apologize like this, yet in the end, they still did, and it melts his heart to the core.

Ahyeon's lips slowly curve into a knowing smile, then she peeks at Baekhyun who's now blushing really hard.

"Ma'am, do you still want to push through with the case or?" the Chief asks her. Baekhyun shakes his head furiously and clutches her hand, looking like he's about to cry.

"W-well," Ahyeon clears her throat, "If these gentlemen are apologizing sincerely like this... I might think about it..."

"Mom!" Baekhyun says, shaking her arm, "Just stop this, okay? I'm begging you! Please!"

"FINE!" Ahyeon says, rolling her eyes, "I'm dropping the charges just because my son asked me to!" She giggles. "And just because they're too handsome to ignore." Then he whispers to Baekhyun, "I didn't know Chanyeol's father would look so hot."

"Oh my god," Baekhyun mutters, but it is obvious he is hiding his laugh, "Why are you like this?"

She slaps her son's back. "Because I'm your Mom, that is why."

The night ends with Sungjin driving his wife home and Chanyeol taking Baekhyun and Ahyeon to his car. They're now heading back to the mansion, Baekhyun sitting at the backseat with his mother.

"The hotel might be uncomfortable, so just let your Mom stay at the house for the time being," Chanyeol says while he maneuvers the stirring wheel while looking at the rear-view mirror of the car, "I'll make sure my mother won't hurt her anymore."

"No, Chanyeol sunbae. She'll stay at the hotel. I don't want to burden you anymore," Baekhyun answers, glaring at his pouting mother, "She'll be fine on her own--- will you stop doing that!?"

"No! Don't listen to him, future son in law," Ahyeon says, and Chanyeol internally chokes at that nice endearment, "I'd gladly stay at your house until I recover the damage your Mom caused to me. Besides, I wanna spend time with my cute little Baekhyun."

"Sure," Chanyeol replies, preventing the smile to grow bigger on his mouth, "Thanks for accepting the offer."

"Why did you come here anyway!?" Baekhyun blurts out, "Didn't I tell you I'm coming home in two months? Don't you know how to wait, Mom!?"

"I was worried! And I already missed my baby!" She hugs Baekhyun tight. "Sehun told me about your scholarship and I want to congratulate you, so I came all the way here to meet you!" She cups Baekhyun's face and scans him. "You look more handsome now than the last time I saw you, but you gained some weight, though..."

"And where did you get the money!?" Baekhyun asks. "You asked Dad again?"

"He gave it to me, okay?"

"And where's your luggage!?"

"Well I... I lost it."

"WHAT!?"

"Things happened... and I just lost it..."

Chanyeol doesn't want to laugh but he ends up doing so. Baekhyun is startled at first at the sudden outburst--- he only stares astounded at Chanyeol who's laughing to his heart's content as if he's about to die.

Baekhyun finds himself falling in love more at this beautiful sight.

"Thank you," he says with a huge smile on his face, bowing politely in front of Chanyeol. They meet outside his room after taking Mrs. Byun to the guest room, "for every single thing that you did for me today. I'm going to be always grateful to you."

"It's my job as your boyfri---" Chanyeol trails off, realizing the word that is about to come out of his mouth. He doesn't usually say it, he actually doesn't remember himself saying that word, "I mean. You're my responsibility and I should take care of you."

He averts his eyes and clears his throat.

The smile Baekhyun is showing him right now is too goddamned bright, enough to make the evening already morning.

"Uhm, Happy birthday to you, again," Baekhyun says, shifting his foot shyly and hiding his hands awkwardly behind his back "And uhm... Good night."

Chanyeol nods, then he rubs his nape. "Yeah. Good night."

"S-sweet dreams."

"You too."

It's eleven thirty in the evening and everything is quiet.

"So..."

"So...?"

Silence.

Baekhyun turns his head to check the door of the guest room.

Chanyeol waits, clenching and unclenching his fists together.

Drumming his fingers on his sides, Baekhyun breathes as he bites on his bottom lip.

Another silence.

Chanyeol steps closer.

"OH NO PLEASE DON'T, NO PLEASE!!!" Baekhyun steps back and covers himself with his hands to block Chanyeol. "My Mom is here! WE CAN'T DO IT!"

"What?" Chanyeol picks up the dried leaf on the floor that managed to enter the window. He throws it away while Baekhyun stares at him.

Chanyeol smirks, "Were you saying something?"

Baekhyun coughs, "I mean... I have to sleep now. Good night!" Embarrassed, he immediately turns around and mutters a curse under his breath. He is about to leave when Chanyeol calls him.

"Baekhyun."

Baekhyun's heart stops beating. "Hm?"

"We could just have sex next time," Chanyeol says, and Baekhyun's ears go hot, "It's fine, don't worry about it."

"Okay... Sex... Next time."

"And Baekhyun."

"Yes...?"

"It's just," Chanyeol mutters, and the smile never bother leaving his face. It even goes wider if possible, "Well. See you tomorrow, and one last thing..."

Baekhyun shuts his eyes closed and silently prays while crossing his fingers.

He's gonna say it. Please. He's gonna say it. Say it now!

"I love you."

Bitch, he fucking said it!!!

Baekhyun screams internally because of that, but when he faces Chanyeol, he just smiles a close-lipped one and answers sweetly:

"I know."

Chanyeol glares at him, "Hey. Say it back."

"No."

"I'm taking it back then."

"I recorded it, though!"

"You bitch."

*

"Aaaahhhhh!!!"

Their once peaceful dinner is broken by Luhan's high-pitched shrill. Kyungsoo doesn't even flinch as he eats his food. Meanwhile Jongin is slurping his noodles happily.

"Ahhhh!!!" Luhan screams again.

Sehun almost chokes on his soup and discharge it through his nose. "What the actual fuck!?"

"Kyungsoo! Look, oh my god! Did Baekhyun really post this?!" Luhan waves his phone on his boyfriend's face furiously. Stealing it, Kyungsoo's eyes widen twice as he looks at the screen.

"Why would Chanyeol do that?!" Luhan asks.

Intrigued, Sehun lifts an eyebrow.

"Wow, I didn't know Baekhyun's Mom went to New York," Kyungsoo says, eyeing Baekhyun's post on Instagram. It's a cute selfie of him and his mother at the mall together, while Chanyeol is at the background carrying shopping bags looking so lost and out of place, "Poor Chanyeol."

Jongin peers over their shoulders, then he starts to laugh seeing Chanyeol's haggard picture which Luhan zooms in and screenshotted. The male quickly sends it to the group chat.

"Hahahahahaha! Is that really Chanyeol!?" Jongin says, "Man, where's the dignity?"

"He's now Baekhyun's slave!" Luhan chimes, clapping his hands together. "I'm so proud of my baby!"

"This is what true love can do," Kyungsoo mutters, shaking his head wistfully, "Ah, what a powerful couple." He sips his tea. "I wonder if Baekhyun's already topping."

"Hey. Don't judge a person based on a single picture," Sehun butts in after opening his phone and checking out Baekhyun's post. He double taps it and leaves a "ㅋㅋㅋ look at that dumb prick at the back ㅋㅋㅋ" comment, "Maybe Chanyeol's just being a gentleman."

"Yeah, he's right," Jongin agrees. He brings out his phone and sneakily likes Sehun's comment.

"Are you seriously taking Chanyeol's side now?" Kyungsoo asks in disbelief.

"I'm not defending him," Sehun shrugs, "I'm just being considerate."

"But guys, look at this," Luhan says, swiping the next photos Baekhyun posted. They are pictures of Baekhyun and his Mom with Chanyeol eating at a five-star restaurant, "I guess Mommy Byun finally accepted Chanyeol as his future son-in-law, huh? Look how close they are now."

"But I thought she liked Sehun?"

"Maybe she grew fond of him now? Besides, Chanyeol is Baekhyun's boyfriend in the first place. She should like him no matter what."

"I know, right," Kyungsoo mutters, while Sehun pretends he can't hear anything as he resumes eating quietly, "Who wouldn't like Chanyeol? I mean, he's perfect. Except for his bipolarity."

"I think that's perfect too," Luhan sighs dreamily, "I wish Chanyeol was just my boyfriend."

"We're hopeless. Jongin is far from being like him," Kyungsoo glares at Jongin in pure disgust. Jongin is munching his food noisily, "Look how he eats like a fucking pig--- will you stop doing that!?"

"Well, Sehun's close to being perfect, though," Luhan says, "Should I just date him?"

Jongin knocks on the table impatiently as he hands his bowl to Kyungsoo, "More rice, please."

Rolling his eyes, he scoops rice from the cooker. He suddenly notices Sehun gone on his chair with his plate already cleaned.

"Did he finish eating already?" Kyungsoo asks, "I didn't notice him leaving."

Jongin shrugs, "Maybe he went to the bathroom."

"Hey."

Sehun turns his head around.

"Why did you leave all of a sudden?"

"I just wanted some fresh air."

"You want some?"

Luhan offers him a sausage stick.

"I don't eat stuff like that."

"It's because you don't know how delicious they are," Luhan says, then he breaks it in between and peels it off. "Here. Try it."

"I said I don't want to."

"Fine, suit yourself."

Luhan eats both and sits down on the terrace beside Sehun.

Strangely, Sehun doesn't push him away nor tell him to fuck off. Maybe he's just too tired to yell at him. Plus, the moon looks too beautiful and bright tonight.

It reminds him of Baekhyun's eyes.

"It's okay, you know. To get pushed back. To be replaced. People change and feelings, too. You just have to deal with it."

Sehun turns to look at him. "What do you know?"

Luhan shrugs, "Things."

"How does it feel like?" Sehun asks, and maybe this is the first time he actually asked him a serious question, "when Chanyeol chose Baekhyun over you?"

"How does it feel like when Baekhyun chose Chanyeol over you?"

Sehun keeps quiet at that.

Luhan smiles, "That's my answer."

The house is big yet he keeps on stumbling upon him. He's annoying, obnoxious and loud. But maybe. Maybe, Sehun can add one more person to his tiny circle of friends.

Maybe Jongin and Baekhyun wouldn't mind.

"Do you want to---" they both say.

Sehun laughs behind his hand meanwhile Luhan grins at him.

"You first."

"Okay," Luhan answers, "Do you want to eat ramen with me?"

*

"I have a plan, Chanyeol sunbae."

Chanyeol stomps his feet in exasperation, "What plan again!?"

"I'm sure she'll get away this time," Baekhyun whispers, squinting his eyes at his Mom talking to a sales lady, "And we can finally have the time to ourselves."

"Baekhyun, we already went shopping with her, I bought every dress and shoes she wanted in the department store. I took her to the nicest restaurant I know and even ordered the food she liked to eat! But look!" Chanyeol gestures at Ahyeon at the cashier maxing out his credit cards, "Your mother won't still leave us alone!"

"I know right," Baekhyun cries under his breath. He wipes his sweat using his arm, both of his hands are now occupied with shopping bags, just like Chanyeol, "Please endure it a bit longer..."

"I can't fucking endure this any longer, for fuck's sake," Chanyeol curses. He wants to throw these bags if only not for Baekhyun's mother's request to hold them for her, "It has been four days, goddamnit."

"I'll make up to you, I promise!" Baekhyun frowns, "I'm sorry, Chanyeol sunbae..."

"I just wanted to hold your hand," Chanyeol mutters, then he looks at his own hands full of shopping bags. He wants to cry, "Why can't I do that at least!?"

"I'm sorry!" Baekhyun sobs. "My Mom is so cruel!"

It has been four agonizing days without sex let alone any physical contact with Baekhyun. It feels like torture. Everytime Chanyeol tries to make a move, Ahyeon will get in the way to cockblock in the most accurate timing possible.

Just like what happened yesterday.

Chanyeol was about to undress Baekhyun out of his clothes when Ahyeon knocked on his room to borrow a fucking charger. When Baekhyun came back on the bed, he was close to kissing him when Baaekhyun's mother knocked again, telling Baekhyun to come with her to the convenience store to buy some ice cream.

Baekhyun had no other choice but to go, leaving Chanyeol with a raging hard-on.

"Is she purposely doing this!? Because if not, then I'd really tell your Mom that I want to fuck you now so if she could please get out of the way and---"

"Were you saying something, Chanyeol?" Ahyeon asks when she comes back, smiling brightly at Chanyeol. Chanyeol coughs and takes his black card handed back to him. It still feels warm.

"N-nothing," Chanyeol quietly says, "Where should we go next?"

"Hm, I want to buy some cosmetics---"

"How about the salon!?" Baekhyun blurts out with too much energy, "Mommy! You want to have your hair done, right? A total make over to make you even prettier! Ah! Why not get some foot spa, too while they work on your nails? That'd be great!"

"You know Baekhyun," Ahyeon says, "You really know what Mom likes, don't you?" Baekhyun's eyes are glinting. "Fine, let's head to the salon."

I told you I have a plan, Baekhyun mouths, giving Chanyeol a knowing smirk.

"Yeah. Baekhyun and I.... We're just gonna eat ramen nearby, right Baekhyun?" Chanyeol wiggles his eyebrows.

"Of course! There's this Korean restaurant around here so," Baekhyun elbows him, "Yeah, take your time, Mom!"

"Just don't get too far, okay?!" Ahyeon answers, before she disappears into the salon.

Chanyeol and Baekhyun exchange looks.

Then they both run.

Very fast.

To escape

And to get it on.

"Faster!" Chanyeol hollers as he laughs at Baekhyun chasing after him. They quickly ride the elevator heading to the parking lot, and as soon as they reach the car, they shoved all the shopping bags inside the trunk.

Baekhyun is panting for his breath, smiling ear-to-ear. "Finally!"

"Finally," Chanyeol says while leaning his back against the car, also catching air inside his lungs due to running, "It's just the two of us."

"Yeah."

They stare at each other.

Baekhyun smiles. "Let's do it."

"Just a quickie."

"Okay."

Abruptly, Chanyeol grabs his arm and passionately kisses him full on the lips. Baekhyun wraps his arms around Chanyeol's neck as he returns him the kiss, lying on his back and making out with him on top of the hood of the car. Chanyeol's lips are as hot and addicting, and every suck on his tongue sends tingles down to his spine

They fuck at the parking lot, screw foreplay. After the lube and hurried fingering, Baekhyun is bending over against Chanyeol's car while Chanyeol pounds hard into his ass. His screams are muffled behind Chanyeol's hand while he cries his orgasm out. He doesn't bother coming directly on the ground as long as Chanyeol spurts his load into the condom.

Chanyeol buckles his belt hurriedly and Baekhyun pulls his pants up, looking nervously everywhere to make sure no one is around.

"No one saw us so it's fine, Baekhyun."

"But I'm nervous for some reason!"

"I checked around before I thrust you my cock. Don't worry."

Baekhyun's phone suddenly rings. It's from his Mom.

"Hello, Mom?"

Chanyeol looks at him.

[Are you two done fucking? Come back now! Tell Chanyeol to have foot spa together! It feels good, honey, I swear!]

*

To be continued.