Chapter 18

                                    

                                          

BAEKHYUN 
                          
The basement is far from Atlantis. It smells of stale alcohol and the low beams means Chanyeol will be hitting his head quite frequently. It's more like an enormous, bare room, with one bathroom. Lay is quick to begin moving, helping everyone with their bags. He doesn't hesitate to mutter apologies, making me feel bad as he gives me a look of sympathy. I doubt he's had a good nights sleep and so I fish into my backpack for a blanket, wrapping it around Lay's shoulder as he helps everyone. He must feel terrible. It isn't even his fault. It was just a stupid mistake. 
                          
"Oh no, Baekhyun you don't ha-"
                          
"No! Go and rest. You need it." 
                          
I lead him towards the stairs and lay him down on the last step. I  know it isn't the most comfortable position but at this point, all Lay needs to do is shut his eyes and he'll be asleep. 
                          
Once he's settled, I walk back to my bag, sniffling and sneezing constantly. That walk in the forest did me absolutely no good. I usually love nature, but there were absolutely no squirrels where we went, only gnats. 
                          
"Hey Baek, I'll go see if Heechul's got any paracetamol. Not that he would but y'know. Stay warm until then, you got that?" 
                          
I nod my head as Chanyeol disappears with Jongin, Kyungsoo and Luhan coming to cuddle my side as they set out their sleeping bags next to mine. No one seems completely unhappy, almost like this has happened before. Has it? 
                          
"Hey, has this ever happened before? It's just I expected you all to be a little more, panicky." 
                          
"Different situation, but yes. We're used to it." Xiumin answers, whilst trying to pry a needy Chen off of his shoulders. I laugh as I lay myself down, instantly wrapping myself up due to the cold. 
                          
"Eww Baek your nose is running onto your sleeping bag." Luhan yells, pointing at me before flashing his phone in my face to take a blackmail photo. I hit him teasingly, ignoring everyone as I turn around, wanting nothing more than sleep. 
                          
"Gross." Sehun mutters, pulling Luhan so that he's able to kiss him. 
                          
I make sure to check up on Lay, who is sleeping next to Suho soundly and peacefully, as if nothing is wrong. In all honesty, I don't know why Chanyeol is worrying about me. This life is more exciting and exhilarating than anything I've ever done. Had I not found Chan and Xiu in the grocery store, I would be trapped as a lawyer under my father's controlling arms. 
                          
It gives me both fear and adrenaline when we move about an sing at the casinos. When we looked at the stars and discussed life in general. Chanyeol is like one of those boy's people wrote books about. He's like a tsundere. An extremely cute tsundere. 
                          
"YA! Baekhyun, wake up! Chanyeol got the paracetamol." 
                          
"You sure it isn't poisoned?" I ask, my voice muddled, still buried in my irregular-feeling sleeping bag. 
                          
"Heechul wouldn't do that. He says he keeps it safe if he gets too pissed. Now, open up." 
                          
I obediently open my mouth, staring at the concentrated Chanyeol fondly as he places two tablets on my tongue and tells me to swallow. Luckily, it's easy for me to do so and I quickly scramble up and drag him to sit down so I can sit on his lap since I find that our comfiest position. It seems to be couple central, everyone in a circle chatting with each other. Tao is on Kris's lap bragging about his wushu skills which impress me as he explains each movement in detail. Xiumin is on Chen's lap happily eating instant sushi that he packed. Luhan is on Sehun's lap, well, more like straddling him, whilst feasting on each other's lips. Kyungsoo and Jongin are happily snuggling, listening to Tao's stories. Suho and Lay are sleeping happily together in the corner by the stairs, Suho having fallen into Lay's lap. Luhan couldn't resist but take a few pictures, of course. It's still only the afternoon and yet everyone is shattered. 
                          
"I'm telling you, my skills are unlike any other!" 
                          
"Says the guy who can't even shower on his own." 
                          
"Ya! That's a sensitive subject." 
                          
"Hey guys? Why don't we go for a drink? We do deserve it, we've been doing so well." 
                          
"That's true." 
                          
"Baekhyun, you want to?" 
                          
"Umm, okay I guess. I- just don't let me have to much alcohol."
                          
"I like you when you're drunk. You do some crazy stuff." 
                          
I push myself off of Chanyeol, wanting to emerge myself fully in my freedom. This is what I want. Alcohol and fun. No stress. No authoritative father. Just me. I've forgotten all of his cruel words. I've accepted myself. I love myself. 
                          
I'm not sure where my burst of energy comes from, but instantly I'm fishing through my clothes, dragging Luhan with me so that we can change together. 
                          
Tonight I want to lose myself. Never mind about doing regretful things with alcohol, I want to scream out my own words. If I kiss Chanyeol, so be it. I've already had sex with him. I take back what I said, I want as much alcohol as possible. 
                          
"Jesus, Baekhyun. Where did all of this energy come from, you're shaking!" 
                          
I release my inner girls generation, strutting myself as I struggle into my skinny jeans, playing with the loose strands of my pink hair as I style it, changing out of my current shirt. 
                          
"Jesus Baek, he really did wreck you. I wish Sehun left that many marks on me." 
                          
"Ask him too!" 
                          
"M'kay. I will." 
                          
We spent another few minutes changing, not really properly getting ready since we're in a bathroom of a basement. All in all, I'm feeling a scruffy sexy kind of vibe. 
                          
Here comes trouble, Chanyeol. 
                          
When we're finally done everyone is waiting for us, Xiumin and Kyungsoo looking particularly annoyed, having simply changed into comfy clothing. 
                          
"We're not going to a club you know. Geez...." 
                          
"First impressions." 
                          
"I think he looks beautiful." 
                          
I pout at Chanyeol's words. How is he still so sweet? Why isn't he drooling over me? Why isn't he begging me for intimacy. I'm thankful that he truly loves me and respects me, but right now, I want to be ravaged. I'm horny!