┈┉Meadow

@(☾) Park Chanyeol "Ah, maybe you aren't as mean as I thought." Baekhyun smiled brightly at the offer, feeling a lot happier than he felt he should. He barely glances at the small shrug, feeling a little disappointing that the taller isn't playing along with his dramatics. "Chanyeol, my knight in shining armor," he mumbles. "It has a nice ring to it, and yes. Yes, it was very necessary." Honestly, the noodle thing was a habit. He'd grown up always wanting to help his mom cook and if the noodle stuck was the only way the Byun family knew it they were fully cooked. The annoyance in Chanyeol's tone just made him smirk, and he picked up another before he walked to the other. With an innocent smile, he reached up and placed it right on the hair over his forehead. "Beautiful. Honestly. I am an artist with noodles." The smaller also moved back quickly for fear of his own life.

Grabbing one of the very breakable plates for protection, he starts filling the plates. "I'll have you know this is going to be the best plate of noodles made from your sad, sad selection of items that you've ever eaten. I am a culinary mastermind, among other things," he declares as he splits the pot between them. Baekhyun hoped the taller would like his cooking. He wasn't completely useless in the kitchen, meaning his food tasted pretty good and he hadn't managed to blow anything up. Setting his protection plate back in the cabinet, he picks up the two fulls plates at turns to Chanyeol. "So, Yeol, where are we eating? And do you have anything to drink? It feels like a desert in here. That's not good for your skin, the air has to have just a tad bit of moisture so you stay hydrated and glowing."

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun Chanyeol can feel his resistance crumbling as he takes one look at Baekhyun's kicked puppy expression. There's definitely something wrong with him. "Like a curious pup," he remarks teasingly, "But I suppose you might as well be since you're just learning to shift." He raises an amused brow at Baekhyun's panic stricken face. There's a strong urge to laugh at his little episode, but Chanyeol manages to control his facial expressions and tries to calm the smaller. "Relax, Baekhyun. If I could learn to shift on my own before the age of ten, you'll be fine. I'll even help you." It's at this point that Chanyeol realizes Baekhyun really loves to exaggerate things and be so over dramatic with these situations. He light dabbles into the entertaining thought that Baekhyun could definitely become an actor. Baekhyun proceeds to startle the alpha yet again when he's grabbing onto the taller's arm and using that voice that has Chanyeol's insides twisting and turning. However, he makes no move to shake the latter off, too frozen in place to do anything about it. But, would he have done anything about it if Baekhyun hadn't been the first to let go?

Part of Chanyeol wants to tell Baekhyun that he'll protect him, that he can stay, but he doesn't say anything. He doesn't need to because Baekhyun is already moving away. The words die on his tongue and and just offers a light shrug of his shoulders. He's not even sure himself why he would even say, or think, something like that. Chanyeol's attention shifts back to the petite male attending the food on the stove. "It does actually," he responds as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. And just when Chanyeol thinks Baekhyun is doing exceptionally well in his behavior, the latter flicks the cooked noodle onto the kitchen wall. The alpha watches in horror as it sticks and he can already feel his eyebrow twitch in annoyance and irritation. "Was that necessary?" He growls as he narrows his eyes at the smaller. But he doesn't do anything about it again, knowing Baekhyun was doing this on purpose. Instead, he fixates himself on preparing their bowls, fishing them out of the cabinets and setting them by the stove. "So, what exactly have you made? Something edible?" He taunts, curiously peeking over the blonde's shoulder to see.

@(☾) Park Chanyeol "I'm always curious," Baekhyun pouts at the fingers to his forehead. He rubs the area gently and tries to look like the alpha all but kicked him. "How old were you then?" The smaller liked to imagine a little Chanyeol running around and fumbling with all four legs. "Oh God," he mumbles, hands reaching up to pull on his hair with wide eyes as realization settles in. "I have to learn how to walk on four legs. I actually have to shift." A look of even more horror settles on Baekhyun's face as he makes a pained noise. "I have to tell my parents. Theyre going to try and talk to me about it." A groan passes his lips as he throws his head back. "This is a tragedy!" He looks at the taller and hugs onto a Chanyeol's arms, saying in a cute voice, "You'll protect me, won't you? I don't want to go home."

Baekhyun felt like he said that quite a lot around the taller. He couldn't help it though, they could be quite suffocating at times even when he saw the positives of their assistance. Moving before Chanyeol could shove him off, the beta walks back to the stove to tend his noodles. looking at the taller suspiciously he asked, "Does healthier really matter?" If it did, that could explain their height difference because Baekhyun liked to think genetics didn't have anything to do with it and he got cheated because of some, mistake when he was younger. Using a fork to pick up a noodle, he lightly tosses it at the wall. Smirking in victory as it sticks, he giggles again thinking of how it probably annoys the alpha. "Noodles are done," he sings playfully as he peels the noodle off the wall and throwing it away.

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun "Not at all. Go ahead and do as you please. Homecooked meals are much healthier. There's not much here though." Chanyeol watches with amusement as the petite male continues with his adventuring through his kitchen until he finds what he needs. He doesn't even both to help the latter. "No allergies. And I eat just about anything," he comments curtly. Those soft giggles just a second ago had him lost in thought for a moment and he vaguely wonders to himself why it sounds so...pleasant to his ears. Lately, anything Baekhyun does seems to affect him in some way. Chanyeol feels that strange pang in his chest again, but it's not painful. It's..somewhat welcomed.

The next thing Chanyeol knows, Baekhyun appears before him and he blinks a few times, almost dumbfounded. He has to think for a moment at the questions thrown at him. "You seem so curious so suddenly," he chuckles and pressing his index finger to the smaller's forehead, right between his eyebrows and pushes gently. "Like I said, it depends on the individual. For some, it'll be painful, but in your case, it was painless, right? Because you shifted in your sleep." Chanyeol reminisces on his first days as he learned to shift and tries to remember what it was like. "I can't remember much since it happened when I was really young, but I don't remember it being all that painful. It was difficult though, adjusting to running on four legs."

@(☾) Park Chanyeol Per request of his stomach, Baekhyun decided ing up Chanyeol's house can wait until he has a full stomach. He searches the kitchen before he decides what to make and is thoroughly disappointed to his lack of pretty much everything. The alpha had all the basics, but nothing extra. It seemed an decent opposite from electric personality and habit of keeping useless things. Even in his old bedroom, he'd kept things a little messy to just to make it feel homey and lived in.

"I'm going to cook," he states as if it's the most obvious thing in the world. With Chanyeol's little selection, the blonde is stuck making something simple. Not that he minds, but Baekhyun was hoping to shock the taller with his stellar cooking skills or something. Finally finding the right pan, he stands from his sitting position and holds it close to his chest. The blonde was also slightly fearful that Chanyeol would take it from it. "Unless you don't trust me and want to buy me food," he says innocently, smiling brightly. He puts the pan on the stove and turns it on, moving to the pantry to pull out some noodle. "I promise I won't burn down your kitchen."

To the second question, Baekhyun freezes a little before going back to moving around the kitchen. "I think it happened when I slept. I'm not complaining." He tries to grab all of his ingredients in one go, and manages it though quite a few things in the blonde's arms look ready to fall out. He gets everything quickly on the counter. "Do you have a noodle flavor preference? Allergic to anything? I'd hate to be the one to kill you." He giggles to himself as he pours the noodles in the boiling water and then stands in front of Chanyeol. "Was the shift back supposed to be more painful? What was your first shift like? And do you know why it took so long for it to happen?"

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun Before Chanyeol can even retort with any type of snarky comment, he thinks better of it and bites his tongue instead. He doesn't bother questioning why Baekhyun would assume he'd come to his funeral because why are they talking about this anyway? The suggestion of Baekhyun showing up at his work to bring him coffee has Chanyeol stopping in his tracks. It couldn't possibly be from the coffee because Chanyeol doesn't even drink the stuff, knowing his intern must have ed it up somehow. Then again, maybe he's tried it a few times in hopes that the instigator of discomfort would finally do something right, but no, Chanyeol is always wrong. However, the benefit of Baekhyun bringing him coffee would be that he'd actually have good coffee. But there's always that downside of being bothered at work because he /knows/ that the latter won't leave him alone after that.
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The sound of something, or rather someone rummaging through things rouses Chanyeol from his slumber. He's always been a light sleeper and the noise had his ear twitching in annoyance. First, there's a light groan, then he full out snarls at having been woken up. Chanyeol rubs the sleep from his eyes before he sits up, running fingers through his hair before wiping his hand down his face in defeat. He already knows the other is up and about and something snaps in Chanyeol because he knows his wishful thinking fell through. The blanket is tossed over the back of the couch before he marches his way in the direction of where the noise is coming from: the kitchen.

"Baekhyun, what do you think you're doing?" Chanyeol's voice comes out a lot more gravelly due to the few hours of sleep he got. He eyes the busybody with slight disdain as he leans against the wall on the archway, an eyebrow raised in slight amusement as he watches Baekhyun flit about in the kitchen. He's a little slow to realize that the latter is back in his human form. "Did it hurt when you shifted back or did you do it unconsciously?" Chanyeol asks mostly out of curiosity, but there's a very minuscule hint of concern in there somewhere.

@(☾) Park Chanyeol "She would think you're my boyfriend because one you're hot and two you would be at my funeral," Baekhyun nods lazily. He plays with the idea of mentioning how his mom might also think a couple other of his friends were his boyfriends, but ultimately decides against it. It'd be too much effort at this point, and the beta was too close to a nice bed to risk having Chanyeol drop him. Sure, he was kind of flirting with a couple other boys, but the smaller didn't have the same interest in them as he did the taller. Besides, they just bought him takeout and Chanyeol gave him entertainment. Internally smirking he added, "Maybe the indigestion is from all that ed up coffee." He hums in thought before threatening playfully, "I should show up to your workplace and give you good coffee." It would be a good plan. Baekhyun now had Chanyeol's phone number, and his home, he just needed to weed out where he worked. It really couldn't be that hard.

Making a small happy noise, Baekhyun's eyes are drooping heavily as they make their way to the bedroom. Too tired to respond to the snarky question, he grunts and yawns. The silver wolf barely catches the light "rest well, baekhyun" before completely knocking out. Honestly, Baekhyun had probably never slept as hard or good as he did at that moment. Thankfully, the beta managed to shift back human in his sleep with only a slight whine leaving him. He pulls one of Chanyeol's pillows to his chest, cuddling it at the nuzzles into the one under his head. Being surrounded by the alpha's familiar, comforting scent probably assisting in his painless shift.

Baekhyun wakes up a few hours later, rubbing his eyes as he tries to get himself to wake up. He slaps his cheeks lightly before sliding out of the bed. Feeling rather disgusting in his clothes after the shift, he snoops around for a closet and when he finds one he changes into one of Chanyeol's shirts. The beta walks around quietly a little more. He walks back to the bedroom, and hums quietly as he rearranges a few things and hides a few shoes, but makes sure it's nothing noticeable unless Chanyeol actively looks for the item. Pleased with himself, Baekhyun walks to the common area and may or may not have sneakily taken a picture of the sleeping male. Yawning again, he shuffles to the kitchen, wondering what else he can mess with.

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun "Sure you're not," Chanyeol replies with a noise akin to a laugh at the absurdity of Baekhyun's threat."Why the hell would she think I'm your boyfriend?" There's something that stirs in him when Baekhyun says that one sentences. Chanyeol tries to shake the feeling but it's settled there like it's made a home in his heart- or is it his stomach? He can't even tell at this point. Something ugly stirs deep inside him when Baekhyun mentions other admirers. '/Other/ admirers'? The alpha mentally shakes his head at the obscure thought. Why would he include 'other' because he certainly wasn't one of Baekhyun's admirers. That's ridiculous. But the image of Baekhyun leaving him alone and being like this with others sets off something and it doesn't sit well with him. He's still denying why. "I think I'm getting indigestion," he concludes, though he's sure that's not even close to what he's feeling.

There's a flit of confusion that crosses Chanyeol's features at the mention of his intern and he gives a huff as his ear flicks. He vaguely wonders how Baekhyun even knows about his intern, but he shrugs it off instead and sniffs lightly. "I've been putting up with him for three years already and it'd be too much of a hassle to get a new one. The whole office is filled with humans, there's only so many wolves that want to apply for a job there." But considering the level of incompetence of /all/ the employees, sans Chanyeol, he's not too surprised that they hired someone like Yibo anyway. Besides, the employee isn't /as/ bad as the idiots in his office. Sure, the intern leaves him dead rodents on his desk on some mornings he's feeling particularly in a good mood as a present that Chanyeol can't ever comprehend, but at least he doesn't constantly bother Chanyeol while he works. However, he'll never consider that he's grown attached to the twerp.

Chanyeol rolls his eyes halfheartedly as he enters the cabin. "No one comes around here so don't worry that pretty little head of yours. But if it makes you feel better then..." he pauses as he heads back over to the door and use his hind leg to kick it closed. "Happy?" The alpha then carries the sleepy wolf over to the bedroom, carefully setting the deadweight down atop the heap of pillows and blankets. "Rest well, Baekhyun." Those are Chanyeol's final words as he watches the beta fall asleep shortly after, tugging one of the comforters over the snoozing wolf. Deciding he'll leave the latter be for a while with hopes that Baekhyun won't go snooping around if he wakes up, Chanyeol makes his way out to the common area with an extra and shifts back into his human form as he settles himself on the couch. He drapes the comforter over his lower half and proceeds to take a quick nap as well, suddenly exhausted from the events of that morning.

@(☾) Park Chanyeol "I am not being a baby," he snapped. "When I'm dead and your guilt ridden heart forces you to go to my funeral, my mom is gonna find you and ask who you are. She knows all my friends and since she doesn't know you, she's gonna think you're my boyfriend," he cooes. Baekhyun shakes his head at the other wolf's accusation, "I am not making things up. You're so blunt and rude, maybe I should go to my other admirers and give them my attention," he huffed. The smaller was pretty sure he wasn't making things up, he'd seen his fair share of lovey dovey glances. He'd even had his first love before and he knew he had the sparkly eyes! Despite the condescending tone, the beta knew the venom in Chanyeol's tone wasn't as serious and it felt. Knowing he was exaggerating the taller's feelings, Baekhyun was actually surprised at how much the large wolf was caring for him. he was also surprised at how weird the taller made him feel.

Unfortunately, Baekhyun was well aware he didn't really patron the date anymore. His loyal coworkers had kept him updated nearly everyday, from Chanyeol's absence to his intern that stopped outside the shop and poured all of the coffee he just purchased into the fake plant pots. And that one time he apparently put dirt in the coffe cup. And the other time they saw him put glitter in the coffee. And a few other times they were sure the intern was poisoning his boss. "You should probably get a new intern... Ugh, just a friendly word of advice," he laughed softly before yawning.

"You're such a buzz kill, I can be dramatic if I want. I know I'm tired as hell because I've turned into a giant dog" he whines, looking up to see a nice cabin. "You should really close the door," Baekhyun couldn't help but comment as they entered, "You'll give someone a heart attack when they walk in and see two wolves." Looking around, his newly sharp eyes took in the place. It was nice and fairly clean. It seemed unused, so either this was Chanyeol's hiding place or he was as strict about his living space as everything else. Searching the place in appreciation, he noticed a few places he could hide things and move before he left just to aggravate the taller. Being in the dark, cool home, allowed Baekhyun to calm and almost fully fall asleep quickly.

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun Pretty isn't exactly how Chanyeol would describe himself, especially not in his wolf form. He shoots an amused look at Baekhyun, sniggering at the way the newfound wolf stumbling over himself to get to him. The alpha makes no move to help the latter, urging him to do things on his own to learn. It's when the beta finally climbs on that Chanyeol stands tall once more and starts to head in the right direction, but not before Chanyeol recognizes a strange feeling in his gut. The immediate contact between them in his wolf form stirs something within him and Chanyeol doesn't like how it makes him feel. He has a general understanding of what it could be, but he's not too keen on accepting it. This was /Baekhyun/ after all. The soft whines has him growling low in his throat, his wolf wanting to completely take over. Instead, he pushes the feeling down again. He'll deal with it later. "Don't be such a baby. You aren't dying," he internally rolls his eyes again at Baekhyun's dramatics.

Chanyeol honestly doesn't know what Baekhyun is talking about. He's never experienced something like...liking someone. Therefore, he has no understanding of what this 'twinkle' that Baekhyun mentioned. "Now you're just making up." Chanyeol can hear the smugness in Baekhyun's voice when he hears the question. "Probably not," he answers, despite being unsure of how he'd really have dealt with it. "Honestly, I called you out because I had questions. But, I got my answers anyway." He blows air out through his nose in a condescending way as he picks up his pace to a light trot, wanting to get back as quickly as possible, yet he's considerate of Baekhyun's state—he doesn't want to go too fast in fear of making the pain worse.

"I don't go to the cafe anymore." Usually, he has someone to get coffee for him every morning, but that one unfortunate day they met, he was just looking to get away. Then he recalls that incompetent intern of his and shakes his head at the thought. Chanyeol hasn't had a decent cup of coffee in ages, aside from the one he went to get personally. "You're tired for a lot of other reasons, Baekhyun. Don't be silly," he comments offhandedly as he finally arrives at his hidden cabin. No one but a select few of his pack mates know about this place. It's Chanyeol's private quarters that had been passed down from previous head alphas of his pack and he uses the place when he's stressed and wants to get away where no one will bother him. However, this sanctuary may no longer be as quiet as he'd hoped it would always stay. "We're here," he tells the other as he nudges the door open with his snout. He'll come back to close the door a little later.

@(☾) Park Chanyeol It takes Baekhyun a moment to process that something is going to happen that he's not supposed to be surprised about, but by the time he looks up, Chanyeol is replaced by a wolf. "You're so pretty," he says, slightly dazed. The wolf standing in front of him is large, much larger than the half-breed feels he is and even in this form, holds a certain authority. In this form, the smaller actually fears Chanyeol, but that isn't going to stop the silver wolf from riling him up. Remaining silent to the larger's defense, Baekhyun tries to push himself up on all four legs, and manages fairly well. That is, until he tries walking.

His legs are weak and it takes him a moment to finally stumble on the large wolf's back, but he accomplishes it. The fatigue comes back, and Baekhyun wonders how such a small feat can wear him out so well. "I think I'm dying," he whines.The snarl thrown his way makes him cringe slightly, causing the smaller to wonder why it affects him so much. Exhaling deeply, the beta finally gets somewhat comfortable before the begin moving.

"I'm not assuming, by the way," he says. "I'm not blind and your eyes did the sparkly thing. You know when people get that little twinkle in their eyes and they stand a little straighter when they see someone they like? Yeah, you did it. My excellent skills picked it up." Baekhyun pauses and he's pretty sure Chanyeol could imagine the smugness that piled up inside the small wolf. "Does that mean you would have called sooner if you hadn't been busy?" he asked, voice honestly full of curiosity. "I bet you even stopped by the cafe to see if I was working~ Did I run through your mind that much? Aish, it must be why I'm so tired," he teases, a giddy rising in him.

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun Chanyeol can already feel Baekhyun starting to relax under his touch and he finds that he, too, relaxes as well, having not realized he'd been tensed during the time Baekhyun was struggling with adjusting. He can't help but chuckle at the constant whining and complaining, but he concedes nonetheless, comforting the smaller and massaging his sore limbs.

It's quite obvious that Baekhyun was already on the verge of passing out and Chanyeol's suspicions are proven correct when Baekhyun jolts, denying the fact that he was. "You can nap all you want after we get you to bed," he teases with a slight smirk. He's come to realize that Baekhyun is easy to read at some points, but he's quite confusing at other times. There's a dazed look that graces Baekhyun's features briefly and Chanyeol silently wonders just what is going on in that strange brain of his.

Now that Baekhyun has agreed to come with him, he thinks it's best to carry the smaller in his wolf form. "Don't be surprised, alright?" Chanyeol warns offhandedly before he shifts, bones dislocating and rearranging into their rightful place as every aspect that's human completely changes into that of a wolf. He's a lot larger than Baekhyun so he lowers his upper half to the ground, giving the other wolf access to his back. "Climb on. It'll be easier this way." Chanyeol can already see Baekhyun starting to drift back off to sleep and he has to call his name once more to get his attention.

The sudden tone Baekhyun uses catches Chanyeol off guard. The half breed was so tired barely a moment ago and now he's snapping at him. "Secretly happy? Please, Baekhyun, don't assume things on your own like that," he rolls his eyes with a sound similar to that of a scoff. "I was busy all week, what do you expect? I don't really have to explain myself to you, do I?" He throws back with a light snarl, not appreciating the sudden change in Baekhyun's demeanor. The other had been so obedient and docile during their little bonding session until this moment. Chanyeol inwardly sighs when he reminds himself that this is how Baekhyun is. "I thought you were tired. So you better hurry it up or I'm leaving you to walk on your own."

@(☾) Park Chanyeol Baekhyun does his best to take in all the new information given to, slightly annoyed some of his questions were missed. He can not be too mad, however, because the half-breed knows he talks fast and everything is probably hard to absorb on both fronts. Deciding to just ask his questions later, whether to Chanyeol or his parents, he sort of hums in agreement as he tries to process everything. It seemed to Baekhyun that it was all fake, he'd wake up getting over his flu, Chanyeol still having not contacted him back, and his parents nagging him to stay in. The wolf knew nothing would really be the same, and it terrified him. Baekhyun was a creature of habit, and he hated going through things alone. He hoped the taller male would stay with him through it, they had to have developed some bond going through this together.

"It hurts everywhere," he mumbles out, slightly tensing as the human had already begun massaging his tense muscle. It took merely seconds for Baekhyun to relax, all but going completely limb to the large, comforting hands. "I'm going to need about twenty naps," he whines, wondering if he could shift back in his sleep. The beta hoped so, or at the very least he hoped that the shift back would not be nearly as painful. These thoughts were beginning to dull as his adrenaline finally fully left him, and exhaustion crashed over him like a tidal wave. Slipping in and put of consciousness, all Baekhyun knew was Chanyeol's touches, his scent, and finally feeling so much better.

Almost of the edge of falling asleep, he jumps slightly as his name is called and he tries to listen closely to the question that followed despite his sleep ridden mind. "N-no," his voice cracks, and Baekhyun shakes his head and slowly wakes up just a little. "I'm awake." Racking his brain for what Chanyeol had said earlier, he says, "Can we go to your place then? I don't wanna go home," he agrees. The wolf wonders how they'll look: a probably half dead looking wolf being carried by a large hot dude. Honestly, any teenage girl's fantasy. And maybe a bit of Baekhyun's, if he wasn't the wolf in the scene though.

He starts slipping away into sleep, but tries to keep his mind working so he knows where they're going. Since the taller knows so much about everything, Baekhyun is going to have to know where to find him in case something even more weird or frightening happens. And maybe to buy Chanyeol pizza or something for not abandoning him, or killing him or something. Also, he might just drop by anyway because he's a damn delight and why the hell did it take the human a whole week to contact him? Feeling more like himself Baekhyun couldn't contain himself. "Why the did it take you a week to text me? There was no need to wait that long if were going to look as secretly happy as you did when you say me earlier," he snapped.

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun Chanyeol can't help but find Baekhyun cute with the way he's whining and nuzzling his face against his leg, making him seem more like a puppy craving attention. The now much calmer wolf was really not that bad now that Chanyeol had a closer look and the latter wasn't lashing out at him or being annoying. He stares down at the silver fluffball and something is tugging at his chest again. Chanyeol still can't seem to place it and he winds up ignoring the feeling once more. Instead, he focuses on trying to answer Baekhyun's myriad of questions.

Long fingers run through the thick but soft coat of fur as he tries to think of ways to explain. "Well, a half breed is someone who has mixed blood. Part wolf, part human. Either one or both of your parents have wolf blood. It doesn't mean that they can shift though. Maybe yours can or maybe they can't. In some cases, there are parents that neither can shift but they give birth to a shifter. Or the opposite can happen and both can shift but their offspring cannot." It's rudimentary, but Chanyeol's trying to simplify it enough for Baekhyun to understand. "I suppose they haven't told you yet because of these circumstances. There was a chance you may not be a shifter and there would be no need for them to really explain these things to you. Plus, you're a late bloomer so they probably figured that nothing would happen and you could live a normal life without the knowledge. Most wolves start shifting at an earlier age and, well, usually not when they're already an adult."

There's a moment of silence as Chanyeol racks his brain for what other questions Baekhyun had asked. Though, he secretly hopes that Baekhyun's parents further explain the situation to him a little clearer when he returns home after today. Chanyeol offered his knowledge and he's willing to tell Baekhyun as much as he can to satisfy his curiosity and fright, but there's only so much he can. "It won't always hurt," he says, figuring this piece of information would be important to the newly turned wolf. "It can take some time getting used to depending on the individual, but with the right amount of help, it can be easier to adjust and it shouldn't take long. The first few shifts can be painful since it's still unfamiliar with the transformation, but your body will grow used to it," he explains with a gentle smile, still combing his fingers through the downy, silver coat.

"Does it still hurt anywhere?" It's a common thing for the muscles and bones to be sore, especially after the first shift and Chanyeol wants to make sure the discomfort is as scarce as possible. "Tell me where and I'll try to ease the pain." Without even being told, he's already rubbing Baekhyun's shoulders and down his back, knowing those are the usual places that are most painful. "You can shift back at any moment, really. But, you might want to wait after a nap or something. You must be exhausted." Chanyeol doesn't miss way Baekhyun's eyes start drooping. He knows the smaller must be tired after what he went through and he has half a mind to offer his private cabin for the latter to rest in, considering how close it is and it'd be much better than to have Baekhyun nap out here. There's a few cons to it, but he figures he thinks it'd be better. It'd be a risk to leave Baekhyun out in the meadow like this.

For a moment, it's silent and Chanyeol wonders if Baekhyun fell asleep already. "I can take you to my place if you want to rest in a more comfortable spot. It's not far from here," he finds himself saying before he can reconsider the consequences. There's the thought that after knowing where he hides out when he wants to be alone, Baekhyun will come back to his pestering ways and bother him there after this. However, he's starting to think differently of the smaller after their second meeting and finds that he doesn't really mind anymore. "Baekhyun, are you sleeping?" Chanyeol had already taken into account that he would need to shift and carry the other wolf on his back, considering Baekhyun's already sore...well, everything. There's still a lot of questions probably left unanswered, and Chanyeol knows he avoided one of the ones Baekhyun was curious about, but he figured the other would find out soon enough.

@(☾) Park Chanyeol Whining again, Baekhyun wonders why the taller can't cut the emotionless act and just show he wanted to comfort him. The wolf knew what Chanyeol was doing, but the lack of emotions, shook his core. He was admittedly too vulnerable to not know if the alpha was truly going to help him or hurt him. Despite this, the newly turned wolf slowly felt himself calming as the warmth of the body he was pressed to calmed his shivers, and his ears slowly stood in their proper position. Nuzzling into his leg again, Baekhyun fought the urge to yawn and looked away from his helper.

Thinking of the best way to communicate, the wolf just got frustrated as more questions piled up inside of him. Spilling over the brim with his frustrations he nearly yelled, "What the is a half-breed?" Baekhyun felt himself freezing as realization settled in him. His aggravated question came out as if he was speaking, though his jaw did not move and he did not think them. Was this how wolves communicated? He wondered if Chanyeol could understand him, because his understanding of Chanyeol's words just prompted him to ask more questions.

Slightly shifting his position so he would be more comfortable, Baekhyun settled with the top of his head presses to the taller's stomach and he nuzzles once again, hoping his large, calming hands would pet his head. The wolf liked it in his human form, and his parents used it to make him go to sleep when he was tired, but Baekhyun hoped he would not fall asleep if he did. Hesitantly, he tried, "pet my head." When his demand was met, a little sense of joy filled him before all of questions spilled out. "What's going on? How do you know what to do? What is a half-breed? Why wouldn't my parents tell me? How am I going to shift back? How long is it going to take and will it always hurt?" Questions coming out in a jumbled mess, Baekhyun just wanted answers and comfort and he hoped Chanyeol could provide them.

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun It's not hard to see the struggle between what Baekhyun wants and what his wolf wants, judging by the way he's growling at Chanyeol in disobedience yet his ears pin back in submission after the first call. Chanyeol keeps quiet as he waits for Baekhyun's decision, still seated on the ground as his eyes never leave Baekhyun's own. He sees the hesitation in those bright, beautiful eyes that draw him in. There's that now familiar tug again as his wolf paws at his conscience, begging to be released. But Chanyeol shakes it off; now isn't the time, not yet.

There's mild amusement in Chanyeol's eyes when he watches how Baekhyun struggles to sit in his new form, but he doesn't show any hint of it on his face. He catches that look in Baekhyun's eyes and he knows he almost has him. Truthfully, it didn't really matter whether Baekhyun chose to sit in front of him or lay on his lap like requested, but Chanyeol thought it'd be best if Baekhyun chose the latter position, considering his current state of exhaustion. Chanyeol isn't quite sure why he's being so kind to Baekhyun. It must be the pity he feels for the newly turned wolf, but deep down, Chanyeol knows that's not the case.

The soft whine emitting from Baekhyun's throat indicates that he's ready to comply and Chanyeol pats his lap once, waiting for the wolf to rest his head there. His expression softens as Baekhyun nuzzles against his leg and, cautiously, he runs a hand down the soft, silver coat, from the top of his head down to his mid back. "I know you're scared, Baekhyun." Chanyeol's voice is a lot calmer now as he continues to pet the ball of thick, silver fur on his lap. The urge to shift and dominate this newly discovered wolf is strong, but Chanyeol manages to keep it under lockdown for now. He can't go scaring Baekhyun now and have him running in the opposite direction. "I'll answer any questions you have since you must be confused about what's happening," he offers as he meets the wolf's gaze, face still void of emotion, but it's not his usual cold expression. Chanyeol can see the fear in his eyes, but he's not too sure what it's towards. There's a need to comfort him.

"I'm not going to hurt you if that's what you're thinking," Chanyeol says after a moment of silence. He's not sure if that's what's bothering the wolf, but he wants to make sure he clarifies his intentions. "I'm assuming your parents haven't told you straight out what you are," he continues with a sigh. "You won't stay a wolf for the rest of your life...soon you'll be able to shift between both once you learn to control it." Chanyeol's tone is indifferent, as if he's going over basic protocol. He stops for a moment and now, he realizes, he can definitely pick up on Baekhyun's scent. The one that's been driving him insane for the past week. No wonder he didn't smell like any normal human, but he wasn't full wolf. "I'm guessing you're a halfbreed, in case you were wondering."

@(☾) Park Chanyeol Baekhyun manages to stumble onto his feet, panting as he tries to catch his breath. A growl rips from his throat when Chanyeols calls his name the first time. His ears pins back in fear and submission, the wolf's body crouched and ready to attack. Claws digging into the soft ground, the wolf watches in confusion as the human motions him to return back to his lap. It does not make any sense to Baekhyun, whose mind is so tired he can not tell up from down. Doesn't Chanyeol kind of hate him and think he's just an annoying pest who is mildly entertaining? Why is he being so nice all of a sudden?

His thoughts and questions quickly evaporated when Chanyeol used his alpha tone. Never hearing something so demanding, and being a brand new pup, his eyes glaze over with obedience and he manages to hobble over before realizing his actions. Stopping in front of the human, Baekhyun growls again, attempting to sit in front of the human. But he can not seem to put one limb in the correct place in correspondence to the other, and the wolf ends up looking just as awkward as he feels with his new form. A whine passes his lips and the adrenaline finally settles and leaves his body.

All that's left is an absolutely exhausted Baekhyun, who whines again and shuffles dejectedly onto the lap of the human. He curls up, nuzzling into Chanyeol's leg, wanting everything to be over and to take about twenty naps. The boy trapped in the wolf does not like being unaware, does not like feeling so helpless, and he does not like the tone his somewhat friend uses. It sends shivers down his spine and makes him want to submit, and oddly turns him on even more than the mere pheromones the taller gives off threaten to do. Baekhyun wants to go home and forget he ever met Chanyeol, because that's what caused this, right?

The boy knows he's wrong. His parents had always hinted at it, but he had never asked and had always been to dense. The wolf craned his neck to look at the tall male who offered comfort and also a little bit of fear. Baekhyun did not know why he held so much power, or why he knew what to do. Was he a hunter or keeper or wolf? Was he going to end baekhyun's life as a wolf before it even really began? Was he going to help him or abandon him? And why did he smell so ing good? Baekhyun wanted answers, he wanted to ask questions, but he was too fatigued. And how does a wolf question anything?

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun Chanyeol watched in awe as the human in his lap shifted into a wolf. The process was pretty quick that if he hadn't kept his eyes trained on the latter, he would have completely missed it. One moment he was human, and the next he was a wolf. He's met with a mess of greyish silver in his lap and Chanyeol can't help but think how pretty. He wants to run his fingers through the newly changed wolf, but before he can, Baekhyun bolts up and backs away. The halfbreed looks terrified and Chanyeol keeps a straight face as he holds out his hand towards the other. "Baekhyun," he calls out.

There's a flurry of emotions that cross Baekhyun's features as he keeps the distance between them. He wants to explain what's going on, but Baekhyun has to calm down before he does. The clear panic and fear were never good signs and Chanyeol had to deal with this as gingerly as possible, lest he frighten the latter. Off that were to happen, Baekkhyun may wind up attracting unnecessary attention. Chanyeol motions for the apprehensive wolf to come closer, to resume his position on Chanyeol's lap. "I'll explain everything, but I need you to relax," he speaks calmly, carefully, as if Baekhyun could flee at any moment. "Now, come here." Chanyeol barely leaves any room for argument in the tone he uses.

There's a brief consideration of showing Baekhyun he's like him, in a way, but there's also the risk that that may scare Baekhyun off as well. Instead, Chanyeol waits for the latter to comply. He struggles to resist the tempting pheromones Baekhyun exudes, the scent of a newly changed wolf mixed with a bit of something else Chanyeol can't seem to place. "/Now/, Baekhyun," he repeats, patience running thin when the smaller makes no move. "Don't even think of running away." Something flashes in Chanyeol's eyes, a warning. If Baekhyun's wolf kicks in, he should be able to pick up on these things, right?

@(☾) Park Chanyeol Baekhyun was completely out of his mind. His eyes were glazed and tears flowing as he gnawed on the taller man's fingers, drooling on them. His fingers clutched at Chanyeol's as he whimpered and nuzzled, completely missing the affection that eased his pain slightly. The alpha's words helped calm him, the bond of something he couldn't begin to comprehend, or even know, slightly making the transformation easier.

The actually transformation began quite quickly despite the drawn out process that had led them to this moment. It began in his teeth and nails, both elongating and sharpening. The blonde managed to fumbles himself onto his stomach, his face pressed into Chanyeol's lap. Baekhyun's screams were reduced to whimpers as his consciousness slipped away and nature took control. Bones snapped into places they were not meant to be on a human, completely rearranging to form a sturdy body for a wolf. When the skeleton was completed, his skin shed to reveal silver fur. Instead of an energetic boy, all that was left was an unconscious, small wolf.

It took a few moments for Baekhyun to wake, the dull throbbing in his bones still there. It was manageable. A confused whine sounded, completely unhuman and it took a second for the blonde to realize it had come from him. Shooting up quickly, panic overrode his senses and he back up quickly, looking to run. To find his parents, to get away from the appealing smell and the urge to submit to the warm body he was pressed to. His wolf was not ready for much of anything, and he collapsed again, finally looking at who he was with. The warm body. A tall stranger. /Chanyeol/.

The silver wolf was practically screaming internally as he lay on the forest ground. He felt disgusting, residue of drool and tears pulling at his skin underneath fur. Blood lightly tasted in his mouth from when he broke skin on Chanyeol's hands and it was like the taste was almost appealing. Sounds were sharper and so were the scents and nothing made sense. "What the is going on?" he screamed, too tired to move. Baekhyun wondered if the wolf telepathy thing really worked. He wondered why Chanyeol was so calm and did he know? Had he always known? Was that why he wanted nothing to do with the blonde? Suddenly, the fear of being abandoned in this state struck him and he cried out.

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun It didn't take a genius to figure out that Baekhyun was in a lot of pain, and that pain was caused by the shift he had to go through. However, only those who knew that wolves existed would be able to figure that second fact out. Chanyeol could sense the fear and pain running through Baekhyun and he knew he wouldn't be able to do anything but coax Baekhyun through the process. "I'm not going anywhere, Baekhyun. Don't speak if it hurts," he warns as his fingers continue to rub against the swollen gums. But as Chanyeol feels Baekhyun's jaw start to shift, he slowly removes his fingers. "And don't panic or fight it," he orders, trying to get through to Baekhyun, "it'll make the process more painful."

The first shift was always the most painful until they got used to it. Chanyeol figured it be better to wait until it was over before fully explaining anything to Baekhyun. It didn't seem like the latter could hear him nor comprehend anything he was saying over his agonizing screams and cries. Instead, he opted to crouch down to Baekhyun's level in order to hold the smaller close and lay him down on the ground with him, placing Baekhyun's head on his lap. The most he could do for Baekhyun was massage his aching bones and muscles, as well as his jaw, to soothe the pain even if just for a little bit.

With each gentle movement, he reaches out to brush away the tears streaming down Baekhyun's cheeks and leans down to kiss away the rest. Chanyeol had no idea what came over him if he were to be honest. It was like he had a sudden sense of compassion for the other now that he knew he was part wolf. He runs his fingers through Baekhyun's sweaty bangs, brushing them off to the side. "Do whatever you need to do to ease the pain, Baekhyun," he says after a few short, yet seemingly long, moments. If he could take on some of the pain, he would. Chanyeol just couldn't stand the sight of the ever so happy and energetic Baekhyun reduced to tortured cries and whimpers as he writhed in pain.

The bloodcurdling screams sent chills down Chanyeol's spine. Though experienced with the situation of shifting or turning, he never really had to deal with an adult going through this. They were mostly children, a lot younger than Baekhyun was, and with his bones and body fully developed, Chanyeol can only imagine how much more painful it would be. Young wolves who first learn to shift, their bones weren't fully developed yet so they were more malleable. But here Baekhyun was, suffering, and Chanyeol could only watch while trying to comfort the smaller. He could definitely use this experience for future encounters. Though, that wasn't his main concern.

@(☾) Park Chanyeol Feeling the pain surge through him like never before, Baekhyun practically shoved himself into the taller. The pads of his fingers gripped tight at the warm skin as he fought the urge to claw for comfort. He tried to keep Chanyeol's fingers in his mouth for comfort, although the fear he might bite the out of them ran through him. The gentle massage on his teeth was a small comfort, it felt good, unlike everything else. Baekhyun was so scared, tear tracks ran down his face as he nuzzled into the taller's, his free hand gripped at the fabric on his shirt. "St-stay," he managed to say, though highly muffled through his pained state and the fingers in his mouth.

Everything was so overwhelming so suddenly. Chanyeol's scent nearly suffocated him as he nearly choked on it. The pain in his body felt like his bones were rearranging themselves and his muscle were finding new places to settle. And , everything burned like fire against his skin, but his only solace was the taller, and he wasn't going to let it go. His mind was blank, he could not even begin legible thoughts. "Wh-what's ha-happ-pening?" he struggled out, finally releasing the fingers long enough to push out a poorly enunciated question.

Chanyeol's gentle words registered as being spoken, but all Baekhyun knew was his teeth felt like they were being push out of his head. Another pained cry sounded, only to be replaced by a scream of agony. Baekhyun was scared, so scared and everything blacked out as he completely lost his strength and footing. His grip on the taller faltered and he fell to his knees. Strangely conscious, he gripped tight on Chanyeol's leg, using it as his only support as his tears fell harder. He felt so stupid, so dumb, he was not sick. The blonde didn't know what the hell was going on, but he was probably going to die. Or turn into a ing werewolf and then maybe his parents would be proud of hi- . His realization was cut short as he screamed again.

Whatever was going on, it was really happening now.

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun It was a surprise that Baekhyun had been told all these stories about wolves, yet didn't suspect that there'd be any to exist. Or that his parents didn't even bother to tell him something so important. Chanyeol let out a deep sigh and pinched the bridge of his nose. "You pretty much act like one if we're being honest," he mutters with another sigh. "But if you're sure, I guess..." His still unsure of how things will turnout, but if anything happens, they're in a deserted area and Chanyeol knows how to handle just about anything when it comes to these things, or so he'd like to think.

Chanyeol barely registers the whine before Baekhyun is reaching out for him. The stuttered demands and whines had Chanyeol frozen in place. They were messing with his brain because suddenly nothing could function. His sanity was barely hanging by a thread and Chanyeol can feel his wolf /dying/ to let loose. He needs to keep it locked up though. If Baekhyun bears witness to his wolf, things may not fare well before Baekhyun fully shifts. Though his brain is telling him 'no,' his heart and wolf are telling him to stay. "Just for a moment," he manages to say, attempting to bring the smaller back to the rock to sit down on again. He looks weaker than a few moments ago. But before he can move the latter, he's stumbling backwards with the sudden force.

. , , //. That was all that was running through Chanyeol's mind when Baekhyun stumbled after him and pressed against him. Chanyeol could feel his restraints breaking. His mind was blank aside from the curses. It barely even processed in his brain when Baekhyun reached for his hand and took his fingers between those sinful lips. Instinct told him to rub the pads of his fingers against Baekhyun's gums, soothing and massaging them. He was used to doing things like this. Chanyeol could already see Baekhyun starting to calm down, watching as he was on the verge of losing consciousness.

The sudden cry of pain had him alert and quickly checking to see what caused it. "Baekhyun! Baekhyun, listen to me," he called out, trying to calm the latter, though he knew his words would fall on deaf ears. "You're gonna be okay, I'll take care of you," he tried to assure the other in his most gentle voice. No one had ever seen or heard him like this, disoriented and panicked yet gentle, and Chanyeol would most likely never show it again, but he knew that his usual demeanor did not suit the situation at hand. Baekhyun was shifting and seeing how he wasn't exactly at the usual age group this happened, it would be a lot more painful for him.

@(☾) Park Chanyeol "I doubt it. They've been saying like that for 23 years," he tried to reason to the taller. "I don't want to go home," he whined, rubbing his eye like a sleepy, stubborn child. "They're just gonna yell at me and lock me in the bathroom like they tried to do this morning. Ugh, I ing hate it. They treat me like a child, I'm pretty sure I could manage a flu." Slapping his hand on the rock underneath him, Baekhyun took deep breathes to calm himself. Sure, he was annoyed, but his heart was pounding in his chest as if he was really angry and it did not make any sense. There was no need for the adrenaline to rush through the blonde like it was, and it was starting to take a toll on him.

He hums in confusion at the internal struggle Chanyeol seemed to run through. Practically feeling his eyes glaze over, a whine passes his lips as the taller flinches and Baekhyun finds himself gripping tightly onto him only to watch him practically shove Baekhyun off and step back. And it ing /hurt/. It seemed like something so small and emotional racked physically through the blonde's tired body. "N-no," he demanded, stumbling up and quickly walking to grip tight on the taller. "St-stay. Stay with me. J-just for a moment. Till I'm better," he tried to negotiate, feeling his mouth fail to properly enunciate the words.

Everything felt so overwhelming so quickly. The pain, the fever, and /Chanyeol/. As if the small washed over him and drowned out everything in its wake, Baekhyun found himself pressing his face into the taller's chest. The smell, the scent drowned out everything else and slightly numbed the pain. He reached down and fumbled to grab the taller's hand, before finally reaching it and then sticking his fingers in his mouth. It was gross even by Baekhyun's standards, but Chanyeol was so safe and comforting and Baekhyun's hands were torn to shreds and maybe, just maybe the other would massage his teeth down comfortably. He lightly gnawed on the digits, suddenly feeling himself drift in and out of conscience. A numb feeling settled over him, before he cried out in the worst pain the smaller had possibly ever felt.

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun "There might be a bit more to it than you think. It doesn't seem like you listen to what they tell you though," he manages a chuckle, pointing out that Baekhyun hadn't obeyed them and had gone out like they'd told him not to. But now he's a little more knowledgable of the situation and Baekhyun's parents seem to know as well. It wasn't too hard to connect the dots. Baekhyun's flirty side is back and Chanyeol starts to feel a little uncomfortable with the innuendos. It's not like he's a prude or anything, but Baekhyun is, well, Baekhyun, and he's a little disturbed at the moment. He brushes off the wink sent his way and pays more attention to something else instead.

Upon noticing Baekhyun's dazed look, Chanyeol gets a little worried that Baekhyun could shift any moment. He glances around to make sure no one is in the area. "Maybe we should get you home, Baekhyun. It's a little dangerous for you to be out and about in your state," he tried to reason. It was unusual for Chanyeol to even show a caring side like this. But he couldn't help it, Baekhyun looked gravely ill and he didn't even know what was happening to him. At least, now Chanyeol /knew/ what was happening to Baekhyun, especially with the extra information of what his parents had told him. Judging from Baekhyun's impersonation of their reaction, Chanyeol could only assume what was going on and he was both relieved and disturbed. It was kind of late for Baekhyun to even be going through the stages of shifting.

As soon as Baekhyun leans against Chanyeol, the taller flinches back in shock. It was as if an electric current ran through his entire being the moment Baekhyun's cheek made contact with his bare arm. What the hell was that? "I-it's nothing, really," he managed to choke out, feeling like it was suddenly hard to breathe. There was that feeling again from the first time they met, except this time, it was stronger. Baekhyun's scent was invading the air around him until it was all Chanyeol could smell. It was a sweet fragrance, yet enticing and almost...y. Wait, what? Chanyeol took a deep breath to calm himself, trying to get his thoughts straight. There was no possible way. Baekhyun was...Baekhyun was supposed to be /human/. Baekhyun wasn't supposed to smell so /good/.

Chanyeol was getting those urges again and he felt like if he stayed this close for any longer, he'd snap. So he stood up quickly and took a few steps back with a light cough to clear his throat. "You should really get home. We can meet another time. Or maybe it'd be better if we--" Are you a ing coward, Chanyeol? Running away from a human, or a half breed, or whatever it was Baekhyun was? Running from the situation would just prove how spineless he was and Chanyeol was having none of that. But Baekhyun was releasing these...pheromones that had Chanyeol on edge and ready to pounce.

@(☾) Park Chanyeol "Yes, I did. And I'll have you know that it was a beautiful snowman and any dog would have been lucky to have it painted on them," Baekhyun defended. Although it really wasn't much, when the taller didn't shake him off he decided it counted as a victory. Maybe their weird one-sided-flirting-friendship-thing could work with some adjusting.

He hums in response to being asked if questioned his parents, and the blonde responds with a nod and an exasperated sigh. Noting Chanyeol's expression, he wonders why everyone is being so damn weird about his sickness. "I did, and they're being really round about with it. I think it's some genetic up," he muses. "Although, they keep telling me those dumb werewolf rumors and nearly begging me not to leave the house for probably the rest of my life. It's weird, Yeol." He lightly presses the pads of his fingers that still hold onto the taller's arm into the warm skin of the other. In a bad impression of his mother's voice, he adds, "But it's too late for it to happen. He's not a boy anymore." Baekhyun laughs, "It's so frustrating. I feel like they're going to tell me I'm actually dying."

Eyes slightly widening when the other mentions his fingers, a smug grin settles on his face as he hugs Chanyeol's arm to him with both of his arms. "I know I do. I also know how to use them," he winks when he catches the eyes of the taller. Victory number two, Baehyun thought. Allowing his normal smile to settle on his face he suddenly become aware of two things. One, he really tired; two, Chanyeol smells really good. The taller had smelled really good before but now it was so strong it was almost distracting to the smaller; weirdly, it smelled dominant. He'd smelled a lot of thing, but Baekhyun had never known something to smell like that.

"It's not exciting, it ," he pouts. Glancing at the other, the smaller was glad that Chanyeol was capable of being slightly human, not as stoic. With just his expression, Baekhyun could see that he did care... if only a little. "Not really," he begins, only to add, "Never mind, it is. I feel like I've run a marathon." He hums in agreement at sitting down because, , he needs it now. He settles himself next to the taller on the rock and presses their sides together, laying his head on Chanyeol's arm. "I'm sorry I'm being gross and sweating on you." Baekhyun exhales and takes off his jacket, only to regret it because he's cold. "It's like my body can't make up it's mind."

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun It seems as though his sarcasm hadn't been subtle considering how Baekhyun seemed to pick up on it. "You painted a snowman on your dog, why am I not surprised?" Chanyeol can't help but snicker at the little bit of information he received. The two walk at a leisurely pace and Chanyeol startles at the arms being wrapped around his own. He should have expected it, really. Yet, he doesn't bother to shrug the latter off because he's strangely gotten used to it, despite this only being their second meeting.

Chanyeol almost immediately regrets asking once Baekhyun opens his mouth to complain. However, it was too late to back out now that he'd already asked. The least he could do was listen to Baekhyun's woes, despite inwardly groaning at the whiny tone the other used. But now that Chanyeol stopped to listen to Baekhyun's complaints, he starts to grow suspicious of what these symptoms are leading to. It wouldn't make any sense though. And this leaves Chanyeol in a state of confusion as he stops in his tracks.

"Have you...talked to your parents about any of this?" He asks after a pause, brows furrowed in slight concentration. If what Baekhyun was saying had any connection to what Chanyeol was thinking of, there had to be some. The only thing was, what if Baekhyun had been turned-- but he'd know what was happening to him if that were the case. Could Baekhyun possibly be shifting for the first time? This late? It was possibly the only logical reasoning, at least in Chanyeol's opinion. That could explain why he's been getting strange vibes from the smaller and he didn't exude the horrendous human stench.

If Baekhyun was indeed some part wolf, then there'd really be no worries on Chanyeol's part and it would answer a lot of his questions. But, Chanyeol didn't want to be the one to break the news otherwise he'd be responsible for whatever happens if Baekhyun wasn't. He took a look at Baekhyun's hands, wincing at the damage his gnawing had down, though it doesn't show on his face. "You have such nice fingers too..." he mused aloud, eyes widening at the sudden honesty. Chanyeol didn't even know where that comment came from.

"But it's good to hear that you're feeling better. That doesn't sound all too exciting," Chanyeol expresses his sympathy, knowing how painful one's first shift can be; though he wasn't completely sure if Baekhyun was going through the same thing, it was a similar process that he could relate to. "Is it still hard to walk?" He asked after a moment, noticing the way Baekhyun was struggling to keep up. Chanyeol's seen how Baekhyun had tried to cover it up, but he was well aware of the pain Baekhyun felt at the moment. "Maybe we should sit down." Chanyeol's strides come to a halt as he steadies Baekhyun and leads him over to a large rock to sit on. He completely ignores the comments about his...rear and gives the smaller a curious look before his face is void of expression.

@(☾) Park Chanyeol Rolling his eyes at the obviously forced greeting, Baekhyun chimes in, "You don't have to be so stiff all the time. And you sound as proud as my mom did that one time I was 4 and I painted a snowman on our dog." Regardless, the blonde finds himself really happy that Chanyeol had actually reached out to him. It was weird how the ache in his bones subsided just a bit when he was in the presence of the taller, but Baekhyun just narrows it down to how oddly happy he was at not being rejected. At least, not yet, but he would enjoy his time.

Pouting slightly as the other seemed to walk past him, he not so lowly groaned, but followed nevertheless. Walking to the meadow was a pain enough, so Baekhyun wrapped both of his around one of Chanyeol's and nuzzles into the skin. He hums in acknowledgment when the other glances at him, and of course perks up at the opportunity to complain about his illness. "I've been awful," he whines shamelessly. He'd been out for a week, he deserved to vent, especially since Chanyeol asked, kind of.

"I woke up last week with these awful fevers and chills, and my whole body aches like I've been run over by a truck. I went to the doctor but they couldn't find anything, so they couldn't give me any medications. Besides, the medications that I've taken haven't worked at all. I can't sleep because I'm just so uncomfortable all the time, and, oh my ing God; the worse part is my teeth hurt. I've been on a liquid diet the entire time pretty much and I keep gnawing on my fingers, I mean, look how back it is," he complains, holding out his hand for the other to sympathize over.

"I've been feeling a little better, but not much. How have you been? Oh, before I forget, you look really good in casual clothes. You also have a cute ," he nods as if to emphasize his point. The blonde slightly pants as they walk, although he tries his best to hide it because they haven't walked very far and therefore, it is very embarrassing.

@(✾) Byun Baekhyun After a long, hot shower, Chanyeol walked back out to the room with a trail of steam behind him with a towel wrapped around his waist as he dries his hair. He puts on one of his few pairs of ripped jeans and slips on a plain shirt. It's not everyday that he wears casual clothing, but a meeting in the meadow did not require him to wear his usual suit and tie. Forgoing the jacket, he retrieved his phone from the mess of pillows and swiped across the screen to see the alert of a new message. The reply he read from Baekhyun had him rolling his eyes; he would never admit that he found the way the other typed to be cute. He pockets his phone before he sets out on his way towards the meadow, where Baekhyun had decided they'd meet. His cabin wasn't too far from the meeting place so Chanyeol took his time.

By the time he arrived, he was surprised to see Baekhyun already there because it certainly hadn't taken Chanyeol an hour to get ready and to arrive at the clearing. Baekhyun's excited greeting reminds him of how eager the kid is and Chanyeol fights the urge to cringe as he approaches the smaller. He almost misses the little nickname that Baekhyun addressed him with. Almost. However, he decides it's best he doesn't say anything about it. With a sigh, Chanyeol offers a small but polite smile, albeit somewhat forced. "Hey, Baekhyun," he greets, stopping just in front of the latter. Chanyeol halfheartedly assures Baekhyun that he's "proud," much like a parent acknowledging their child's efforts or accomplishments.

Chanyeol starts walking as he motions for Baekhyun to follow with a tilt of his head in the direction of where he's heading. At the close proximity, he notices that Baekhyun's scent is a little different from how it was the last time they met. But Chanyeol doesn't it pay much mind to it. At least he isn't reacting weirdly like last time, right? Now that he was with Baekhyun, he wasn't all too sure what he planned on talking about. Chanyeol had only asked to meet so he could figure out what the hell happened to him during their first encounter. However, it'd be awkward at this rate. He glances over at Baekhyun as if to speak. "How've you been?" For lack of better conversation topics, he winds up with the basics.

[When a post is long af but it's your OTP and you just- ;; <333333]

@(☾) Park Chanyeol Even days after he met Chanyeol, Baekhyun's brain plagued with thoughts of the tall, cold man. Normally with people like that, he messed with them for the time they met and then he moved on. However, the small blonde found himself jumping at every text and call, hoping it was the taller. It made Bakehyun feel dumb, holding into the thought that someone he met briefly and promptly annoyed the hit out of would return his affections, but it was the first time he actually wanted the one-sided flirting to continue. As his worked his shifts, he wished for the taller to walk through the doors of the cafe so he could try again, maybe less enthusiastically, but to no avail as Chanyeol probably ran the other way. He couldn't help his feelings though, sure he had crushes before but this felt like his first love, and the blonde hated it. The unexplained yearning was unnecessary and had no grounds, but he just assumed it was because he hadn't had anyone to give his affections to recently. However, half a week from their meeting, Baekhyun was given another thing to worry about instead.

It happened during the night after a dream about being chased by wolves, which was a reoccurring nightmare for Baekhyun since he reached puberty. He woke already frightened, and also with chills and aches. The seemed the reach from the core of his bones, in the marrow of his bones. Sometimes they came in great spasms of pain, but other it was a dull ache. It settled in his teeth as well, causing him to subconsciously bite at his own fingers and almost anything that was put near his mouth. He had to call into work due to high fevers that wouldn't seem to break and consistent shakes. He'd gone to the doctor, but they dismissed due it no traces of any sickness. They'd patted him in the head and sen this home to rest and drink plenty fluids.

A full week later, on the edge of finally falling asleep, his text tone rings out. Baekhyun groans and reaches over for it painfully. He almost puts it down at the unfamiliar number, but opens it anyway. His heart start picking up when he sees its Chanyeol, and he feels like he's back in high school. He rolls his eyes at himself as he reads the message, amused with how curt and serious the texts are. He'd all but told the taller hed and Chanyeol was texting like they were setting up a business meeting. After a moment of debating, he decided he was well enough to meet up and he texted back, "Heeeey<33 we should meet at the meadow in about an hour. I knew you'd text me~ can't wait, it'll be soooo romantic"

Baekhyun wonders if it's too eager, but then he remembers that he's too tired to actually pretend he's that happy. The blonde showers and then gets ready quickly. He grabs a jacket and shrugs it on, despite the spring sun heating everything up. He gets to the meadow about ten minutes early, already panting from the constant aches. His fever had subsided slightly, but he still felt awful. He'd done his best to look like nothing was wrong, and he was pretty sure he succeeded. He chews his lip when the tall figure comes into view. "Yeollie!" He calls, waving excitedly. "You should be proud of me because I'm never on time."