ㅤᴅᴏᴏʀ ⋮ C25

@❛ baekhyun b。 Though he never elucidated the complexity of his emotions in the past, Baekhyun was always an open book in her eyes. Whether the expression displayed on his countenance is only surface-deep, he was always better with expressing himself than she ever was. For a girl who bore an impassioned façade, the brilliant smiles that shown every single time he stepped into the room was something she's admired for a while. No matter if it is to conceal something buried within or not, she thought of this as strength. Pride, maybe. Someone that isn't afraid to be so expressive regardless of a disarrayed mind. So it's not a surprise to see him being so doting, so romantic. He always came off as the sort. And for her to be on the receiving end of his affection—well, she's lucky. Absolutely lucky. So as he's pressing a kiss upon her temple, she closes her eyes, settling in the comfort of his protective hold in which she falls asleep in. Safe and sound, just like every other night spent in his arms.

@❛ lalisa m。 This is a side of Lisa that he has rarely had the pleasure of experiencing; the sweet, romantic one that he has seen in the past, in flashes with the man who had once been the subject of her adulation, and more recently with his own eyes. He must admit that it takes some getting used to, this side of her, when he had in a year's time grown accustomed to the headstrong Lisa he often met. Though perhaps he is seeing a new side of himself as well. The infinitely independent Baekhyun, who has been on his own without his parents for over ten years now, finding comfort in the presence of another? It was nearly unheard of. Yet, as she presses her lips to his in a chaste liplock, it feels almost natural, as though it were a part of him all along. Slowly, their kiss comes to an end by the smile that spreads itself across the doctor's tiers and he finds himself gazing at her with possibly all his emotions displayed shamelessly in his eyes. "Goodnight, then." He whispers softly, before leaning forward to press a kiss to her temple once again, it becoming a popular location for his barrage of touches. "Sleep well, baby."

@❛ baekhyun b。 "You know, I prefer the second option too," she agrees with a contented hum, arms tightening around his torso to give him a brief and gentle squeeze. She liked this, the moments of privacy together. Though she was never ashamed of her association with Baekhyun, it's evident that things have changed ever since her brother walked into the lounge with the intention of outing them—and he did. Since that day they've been more comfortable in the public eye, doting on one another despite the onlookers that surround them. And as much as she adores being in his embrace wherever without worry of judgement, she favored these moments alone much more. It's evident that she's more relaxed, more expressive. Her stoic façade is pushed to the side to make way for a smile larger than she's worn in weeks. Thus she grants his request with glee, angling her visage towards his handsome features to place a kiss upon those pretty lips.

@❛ lalisa m。 "Mmm," he hums in response as his figure melts into the mattress, his familiar dent in the frame from numerous nights alone now ignored as their conjoined bodies rest upon it. "I think I prefer the second option. Rather stay in bed with you," he confesses, voice low. It's not as though they have any eavesdroppers in their immediate vicinity, though for some reason Baekhyun's voice is now reduced to a low tone, heard only between the two of them. It's true, for he'd much rather prefer to live in this temporary paradise with her; in the recent days it seemed that the pair's safe havens were their homes, away from the watchful eyes of others in the complex. It is the one place where they can be true to each other, whether through their bodies or their words. In a way he wishes for morning to never come, to never part them in their unique shared moment of quiet understanding. Thus, he rather turns his head down to gaze at her, and puckers his lips. "Goodnight kiss?"

@❛ baekhyun b。 The moment he pulls her back into his embrace, she knew that, if they were to continue at the pace they are at, he’d become her kryptonite. It’s foreshadowed in the way she’s quick to melt into his touch, to mold against him as if she wanted nothing more than this; than the bliss that is him. Never had she imagined herself to find solace in the warmth of his chest, the steady heartbeat that reverberates in her ear when she uses his chest as her pillow. And yet she’s gladly succumbing to his hold, to the doting affection he gifts her despite her reservations. It’s clear to her that she’s quickly becoming accustomed to this. But she doesn’t resist. Instead, she’s encircling his torso with her arms, embracing him as she would a pillow. “Well we can decide tomorrow. If neither of us wake up early, then we know what we’re doing.” She laughs, tilting her chin upward to pepper his cheek with kisses. “I don’t mind.”

[post deleted by owner]

@❛ lalisa m。 Watching her crawl between his sheets so easily without hesitation, Baekhyun releases a slight exhale of relief; for some odd reason, he had come to worry that their first night together without the premise of would result in awkwardness. Yet he sees now, as he follows suit after her to find himself in her embrace, that he was beyond wrong. It was Lisa herself; though she was an enigma which left many puzzling questions to be answered, she was simultaneously the embodiment of comfort for Baekhyun. "Well, I used the last of my butter in the pasta, so it'll be a lackluster breakfast. I'd love to take you out for breakfast, though," he offers almost cautiously as his head meets the pillow and his arms envelope her. "Though sleeping in until noon doesn't sound so bad either.."

@❛ baekhyun b。 She marvels at the consistency of his colour palette, the warm hues that decorate his private space a continuation of the interior design of his living room. She finds it adorable that he sticks with the same hues rather than experimenting, the monochromatic configuration of his house speaking worlds of his personality. It's uncanny, really, how well it fits him. He himself was a warm, vibrant person to be around, and his furniture reflects just that. She doesn't hesitate to crawl onto the bed, allowing herself to sink into the mattress as she holds her arms out for him. "Aren't I a lucky one? What, are you going to wake me up with breakfast in bed, too? Or are we both going to sleep in until noon?"

@❛ lalisa m。 "That's okay," he responds, a light chuckle on the tip of tongue quick to follow after his statement. "I think I prefer your bedroom to mine. The decoration is much more sightly." As he says this, he pushes open the door to his bedroom, revealing the space which had not been seen by many. Like the majority of his apartment, the main color theme is warm, though his sheets are a contrasting shade of white. They stand out in the midst of the earth tones, attracting all attraction in the room as he pulls her with a gentle tug to the bed. It would be the first time in a long time that he has shared his bed with another. "Luckily for us, I don't have work tomorrow and won't be gone before you wake up, like the other mornings."

@❛ baekhyun b。 It's kisses like these that bring her to smile, that absolve her worries. She never liked uncertainty, especially when moments like these were prone to dissipate in the blink of an eye. But she couldn't help but lose herself in the warmth of his arms, relishing in something that could be fleeting. It's dangerous, really, but she couldn't help but follow him along as he leads her into his room, as she wanted nothing more than to fall asleep in his arms tonight, just as she did every night for the past couple of days. "This is, isn't it? That's my fault. I don't think I've ever seen your room."

@❛ lalisa m。 In this moment, both are unknowingly floating into the abyss without any sense of direction. It's dark, fearful, and unpredictable. But perhaps that was the beauty of love, finding the curves of comfort and the ridges. The highs and lows, the rough edges. Now, together, they can discover each other. So with this in mind, Baekhyun presses a chaste kiss to her temple, leaning upward slightly to pull the both of them up from the couch. With his worries regarding her pets put to rest, he can finally focus on the two of them together. "Then let's go to bed," he responds, a gentle content smile gracing his lips. Standing, he intertwines their fingers together before pulling her gently in the direction of his bedroom. "I believe this is the first night we're spending at my place," he muses.

@❛ baekhyun b。 "I'm sure I do." In truth, she didn't, and that idea scares her. It always has. She hated the process of becoming involved and falling in love, just for that person to leave her with a heartbreak to bear. It's a burdening sequence, and she absolutely loathed it. It was, in her mind, a waste of her time, as the thought of trusting someone is automatically associated with disappointment. And yet, she always leaves things to chance despite the layers of ice she puts around her heart, for she found herself to be far too caring, far too warm for these walls to last. Whether or not this would be yet another instance that would knock her down is hard to tell. But for now, she'll wait and see, for she knows herself too well now—the moment she becomes riddled with doubt, she'll know what to do. "Bed sounds good right now." Her gaze shifts to the kittens beside her feet, who have since ceased their antics to curl up against one another silently. She smiles and turns to look up at Baekhyun, whispering as to not wake them. "I don't think you have to worry about them."

@❛ lalisa m。 "Not that you would mind. I just want to make sure you know.. what you're getting in to." Baekhyun wouldn't quite describe himself as mess. He was quite organized actually, despite the jokester persona that he often employed with others; he always returned things to where they belonged, he always planned his schedule down to the hour, he arranged his clothes two days in advance. Yet there is something about him that he has always seen as messy, something he has always despised: his inability to form close relations with anyone. Somehow, he always seemed to tear people away, whether it be in friendship or love. Never has he ever shared his childhood with anyone, not because they haven't asked but because he could not bear to see the pity flash in their eyes. Rarely has he ever shared his heart. If Lisa were to continue in her direction, there was no doubt that Baekhyun would eventually have to make a decision between protecting himself and allowing her in. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her. "Hm, just a bit. Do you want to retire to bed? I don't know what to do about the kittens though," he chuckles softly.

@❛ baekhyun b。 Every decision made in her adult life is well-calculated, almost everything carefully planned to avoid uncertainty. She hated when things went awry, though she learned how to handle it with grace. Of course, maturity taught her that life is filled with curveballs designed to challenge her, to force her life into a disarray when things would seem too perfect. Because nothing is ever perfect, and she acknowledges that through the plight of her every misfortune. Relationships are no different. Extremely unpredictable, it's easy for such to be spoiled by one single mistake. And she ing loathed it. She almost made a vow to never get herself involved with another until she was entirely sure, but as mentioned before, the universe has a damn weird way of working things out. How she ended up in his arms is a mystery, but she couldn't complain. Not when they shared something unfathomable, even for two people who understood just about everything in their lives. "I'd like that, actually. Why would I mind?" She pauses just to press yet another kiss on his jaw. "Kind of, yeah. Are you?"

@❛ lalisa m。 "Yeah," he agrees simply to her statement that things had changed. for they had. Even if he could not put his finger on it, it was something in their dynamic that had transformed. Their chemistry, which had always been prone to playful insults and feigned disdain, had somehow become more electric. Though it would be easy to pin this evolution on the fact that they had shared their bodies intimately, Baekhyun knows that it runs deeper. And though he cannot pinpoint it at this moment, he agrees with her words. "It's not weird at all," he immediately responds, head shaking slightly in additional protest. He had spent the large majority of his adult life making plans. Studying in college, working through medical school, trying to make decisions that would most benefit his ultimate end goal. Maybe it would be okay to go into things without a plan, to simply enjoy her presence for the sake of enjoying it, without asking for anything more. "I enjoy it a lot too. I want to keep enjoying it, if you don't mind... Are you tired?"

@❛ baekhyun b。 As curious as she is, she doesn't ask, not even when it probes at her incessantly. How could she? If he were to pose the same question towards her, it would be impossible for her to voice out a coherent answer. Her explanation would be convoluted, messy with proliferating confusion. What this man is to her is a mystery. It's clear that he's far more than a friend; a casual neighbor. A friend that benefits her? It's far too shallow of a label. Their emotional connection exceeded such, and she would never find consolation with a person of that criteria. So she falls silent, words at once leaving her. Instead, she relishes in the warmth of his arms, the smooth, baritone voice that fills her ears. What he utters out is comforting to her, despite her lack of response. "A lot of things changed," she whispers, resting her head upon the expanse of his chest once more. "I don't know what to make of this, but I honestly enjoy it...enjoy being with you. Is that weird?"

@❛ lalisa m。 His initial response is to ask, to clear the air of the confusion that was currently clouding his mind: What am I then? But somehow he can see such a situation quickly moving south, for if she is in the same place that he is, then surely she too does not have an answer. If one were to ask him what Lalisa Manoban was to him a mere week ago, the answer would have been easy and straight-forward: a friend, a neighbor, someone he respected for her hard work and diligence. Yet now, something tells him that his response to such a query would be much more complex then he would have bargained for, that night before he met her lips. So, instead of ask such a risque question, he simply nods and burrows closer to her warmth. "I'm glad. And it's not that, I didn't mind being a rebound at first. It's just.." he trails for a moment. "Things changed." They got messy, more involved, and Baekhyun knows first hand that such relationships can easily be spoiled by a lack of communication. "You're not just a lay for me, either."

@❛ baekhyun b。 His words held truth, and she understood. Though their previous exchanges were fleeting with brief conversation, she never considered him an acquaintance; a stranger carelessly labeled as a friend just because they knew one another. Rather she recognized the words unspoken, the glances of mutual understanding that made it easy to relate to one another. Their transition from being mere "friends" to a closer pair was seamless, as they were separate people who shared the same struggle. Granted, he was older and therefore wiser, but she was never unfamiliar to what may have troubled him. It's evident that it's the same on his end. All it took was one conversation for these two to move towards the bond they have right at this moment. Whatever they have, she's grateful. She silent as she organizes her thoughts, however one stands out to her the most. "If I made you feel like a rebound—which I probably did, I'm sorry. The timing of it all points to that, but..." She trails off, lifting her head so that she may express the sincerity in her eyes. "That's not what you are to me."

@❛ lalisa m。 Her question causes him to pause, for perhaps he does not even know the answer to it himself. He had, of course, asked himself his intentions regarding his sudden arrangement with Lisa which had seemingly emerged overnight, but found the personal interrogation to be too daunting. Yet now she as she questions him, he wishes he had come to a solid response in his lonesome before this moment. "I don't know," he speaks honestly. At the time, he had been lonely. He had not revealed to anyone the extent of his despondency, yet seeing the burgeoning couples in the complex—Yein and Johnny, Jennie and Taehyung, even Lisa at one point—only served to remind him of his own failed attempt at forging such a bond. Perhaps he had been lonely at first, searching like a lost boat in the empty abyss of night for someone to keep him momentarily whole, but now it was different. The emotion which aded across his chest was different and unknown; in a sense, it felt to be espousement. The pair were quite similar of course, the workaholic types to never make their inner thoughts known, and this is what had originally drew them together. "Because I always felt like we had a connection. You and me, like we understood each other in a way."

[] PLS don't mirror

@❛ baekhyun b。 Perhaps it was his method of consolation that guided her to him in the past couple of days. There is no doubt that her mulish attitude is unchallenged by many, her tendency to be annoyingly stubborn deterring many from scolding her for alleviating her troubles beneath textbooks and stacks of paperwork. It's common knowledge that she is a workaholic, her work ethic teetering over to an unhealthy tactic for comfort. Yet people, not even childhood friends would chastise her for it. To many, it was just Lisa being Lisa. It's how she's always been. But Baekhyun saw bull in that. He was the first to reprimand her for acting so strong, for concealing true emotions for the purpose of keeping face. To avoid burdening others with her own heartbreak. That, in some way, spoke thousands to her; she just has yet to fully understand the language. "Yeah...why is that?"

@❛ lalisa m。 Of course, it was unavoidable for such thoughts to occupy his brain, especially with the frequency of their visits to each other's homes. At first he hadn't minded, playing the role of the buddy to help her relieve her work and relationship induced stress. However, in the recent days, as their affection has grown and their relationship has become common knowledge across the complex (much to his chagrin), there is no doubt that he has begun to feel like that of a rebound, an outlet for her frustrations. After what had happened last time, there was no way he was willing to allow himself to get involved in such a messy arrangement once again. Her words do, in some way, alleviate these worries. A pregnant silence falls upon them, but only momentarily until he speaks up. "I like your company too. And I'm glad you thought of me first, not anyone else."

@❛ baekhyun b。 Ah. She knew full well where he wanted to take this conversation. After the unlikely encounter that led them to the position they're in now, with her doting on him with kisses while she laid in her arms, the subject he brings up was indeed inevitable. She knew that he probably thought of himself as a rebound, as he was one of the few people who knew why she's been so distant as of late. But she never thought of him as such. Not once had she thought of taking advantage of their friendship as a means of erasing the memory of another man. No, it was something else, though she couldn't quite put a finger on it. "I don't know, honestly. It wasn't the alcohol, I wasn't drunk," she begins to sort her thoughts out loud. "I just...thought about you, and thought I might like your company. I'm not sure why, but you were the first person to pop up in my head. I honestly didn't think it would lead us to where it did."

[] I REPLIED FOUR MINUTES AGO WYD

@❛ lalisa m。 He has been, even if he has yet to admit it to even himself in the recent weeks. With everything surrounding Lisa's personal life and his knowledge of her affinity to busying herself with work as a coping mechanism to pass time, she has been the topic of his worries for a while now. Perhaps it had started from that one afternoon, where he had forced cupcakes into her hands and she had, for the first time, revealed a sliver of her hidden heart to him. As a response, all he does is nod, the movement felt in her hair. "Worried is probably an understatement. I could tell there was something you weren't expressing. That's why I was.. curious when you sent that text, that one night."

@❛ baekhyun b。 "You've been worried?" The intonation of her voice demonstrates genuine surprise, as the idea baffles her. For a woman who is accustomed with sharing her true emotions, it's unusual for someone to show concern for her, as she has become an expert in hiding her troubles behind an impassioned façade. The only thing she allows to show through is happiness, but even then it's half-genuine. His sentiment should not have come as a surprise to her. Just as she saw through his exultant demeanor, it's expected that it would be the same on his end. They were quite similar individuals, after all. Regardless, she appreciates it, even if she was never the type of person to lean on someone in times of trouble. "Thank you, Baekhyun. It means a lot."

@❛ lalisa m。 Thankfully she settles into his arms without question, resting her head atop the expanse of his chest whilst his arm around her pulls her close to him. Though he had earlier questioned that the small surface area of his couch would not be able to comfortably house the conjoined pair, the tight space now seems to work in his favor, causing their two frames to move closer to each other. He registers her lips against his jaw and smiles, a content expression making a home across his visage. "You don't have to thank me," he mumbles, words momentarily blurred by her hair. "I've been worried that you or someone else haven't been, so I thought I'd.. take it on myself."

@❛ baekhyun b。 [] i am it's not even funny ｡ﾟ( ﾟஇ‸இﾟ)ﾟ｡

"So?" She inquires with a raised brow, intrigued for what he had in mind. However, he does not follow up with anything other than a wordless invite for an embrace. With an amused chuckle, she shifts in her seat to scoot closer to him, slotting herself in between his outstretched arms whilst lifting her legs to rest on the cushion instead. Svelte arms of her own coil around his torso to return this embrace, giving him a gentle squeeze as she cranes her neck to greet him with a single, chaste kiss upon his jawline. "Thanks for taking care of me," she murmurs, relaxing in his hold after resting her head comfortably atop his chest.

@❛ lalisa m。 [] you're so soft !!!!!!

"And that's we're here. To rest." He had, after all, been promised cuddles. Thus he watches with meticulous care as she unscrews the cap to tilt back the medicine, standing to quickly return the bottle to its place in his aid cabinet. When he returns he makes himself comfortable on the couch next to her, gaze following her pets though his words are directed toward her. It occurs to him now that, in the time that they have spent together recently, he has yet to talk to her; truly talk to her. In fact, it has crossed his mind numerous times—was her sudden interest in him the result of a rebound? Knowing that he was someone open to "open night stands," had she come in search of him for one reason only? "So," he starts, uncharacteristically awkward. Not wanting to ruin the moment with his linguistic failure, Baekhyun simply opens his arms, inviting her in.

@❛ baekhyun b。 [] im sobbing at him taking care of her gbye

"We both need rest, Baekhyun," she corrects him, tilting her chin upwards to meet his eyes just as the male reemerges from the kitchen with what looks like a remedy for her headache. "Aw," she coos, absolutely touched by his thoughtfulness. Sure, it may just be him doing his job, but regardless, she's flattered. It's been a while since someone cared for her like this. At his instruction, she places the kitten to the side before reaching over for the bottle of aspirin, unscrewing the lid to retrieve two tablets by pouring them over the palm of her hand. Popping it in , she secures the bottle shut and washes the pills down with the glass of water provided.

@❛ lalisa m。 He has already retreated into the kitchen, sink running warm water over his hands as he begins to clean the evidences of their meal. Nevertheless, his laugh can still be heard reverberating against the walls into the living room. "Obviously I don't mean right now. You're exhausted, you need rest." Wiping his hands dry on a nearby kitchen towel, Baekhyun grabs two glasses from his cabinet to fill with water. When he emerges from the kitchen he places both glasses and a bottle of aspirin on the coffee table before them. "You've eaten, now take your meds, princess."