synopsis: A simple misunderstanding leaves you living with someone you never meant to… and closer than you ever planned to be.
content: Baekhyun x f!oc, college au, roommates au, strangers to friends to lovers, slow burn
warnings: mention of sex, mention of alcohol, spoilers for twilight (you read that right, lol, it’s very briefly mentioned, but still)
“Babe, I forgot to tell you, I’m moving out next week.”
You glanced up to see Amber casually scrolling on her phone, finishing the last bites of her breakfast.
“W-what!?” You choked, your spoon slipping into the cereal bowl with a splash.
“Yeah! Can you believe it? Minho asked me to move in with him!” Amber smiled brightly, swinging her legs under the table.
Still coughing, you grabbed a tissue, milk coming out of your nose. “No, actually, I can’t believe it. Especially after you two broke up over the summer… and then again last month.”
“Oh, you know how passionate our relationship is. Those things weren’t serious.” She waved it off, unbothered.
“Amber, he kicked you out of his apartment in the middle of the night... You sure you wanna live with him?” you asked, raising a brow.
“Oh, my sweet Y/n.” She leaned across the table to give you a slightly awkward side hug. “You’re so cute, always worrying about me.”
She set her plate in the sink and let out a dramatic sigh. “I’m gonna miss you sooo much.” And with that, she headed out of the tiny kitchen and off to work.
Great. Exactly what you wanted to hear first thing in the morning.
Amber had been the perfect roommate. You both studied, you both juggled part-time jobs, and with your mismatched schedules you barely even saw each other. Plus, she spent half her time at her boyfriend’s place, at least when they weren’t “taking a break” from their relationship. You were basically living alone most of the time, quiet, peaceful, drama-free. And now you had to find someone new. Fast. Because there was no way your salary could cover the rent on its own.
You posted a few ads on every site you could think of, looking for a roommate, but no one wrote back, except for some weirdo with six dogs and a snake tank. Apparently, not many people went apartment hunting in the middle of the semester, and honestly, the apartment wasn’t exactly selling itself either.
It was in an old building, it had two bedrooms, a tiny shared bathroom, and a common area that did its best to serve as a kitchen, dining room, and living room all at once. You found it cozy, but you could definitely understand why some people might think it wasn’t enough.
It was a slow afternoon at the coffee shop, so you were cleaning the coffee machine just to pass the time. With only one day left until Amber moved out, panic was starting to creep in. At this point, six dogs didn’t seem like such a big deal, so you decided you’d text the girl after work. Or maybe you should just do it now, before she found another place. You quickly checked your ads one last time, just in case. That’s when you saw someone had already messaged you on the college website.
A girl named Beckie was asking if the room was still available. You typed out a quick “yes” and hit send, hoping it didn’t come off as too desperate.
Apparently, Beckie’s apartment had flooded, and she needed a new place fast.
Yes! …Okay, maybe you shouldn’t be so happy about someone losing half their stuff in a flood, but still, you were relieved. Finally, someone to share the bills with. You chatted for a bit, and she seemed normal. Funny, even. By the end of the conversation, you’d agreed she’d move in the exact day Amber moved out.
After Amber took her last boxes and the only surviving houseplant in the apartment, you spent the entire afternoon deep-cleaning. You wanted to make a good first impression. You mopped the floors, cleared extra space in the bathroom for Beckie’s things, and even climbed onto the counter to wipe the dust off the top of the cabinets. By the time you were done, you were exhausted, sweaty, and honestly… not smelling very nice.
You had about an hour before Beckie was supposed to show up so you hopped into the shower to freshen up. You were just rinsing off when the doorbell rang.
That must be her. She was early.
You shut off the water and reached for your bathrobe, but it wasn’t there. The doorbell rang again. Then again.
“Shit,” you mumbled, grabbing the only thing within reach - a tiny towel. You wrapped it around yourself as securely as possible and rushed toward the door. You swung it open, expecting your new roommate but… a guy was standing there instead. A very good looking guy.
“Wow,” he said, eyes wide, taking in your very poorly covered body from head to toe.
He was wearing grey sweatpants, a massive duffle bag slung over one shoulder, and… a microwave tucked under his other arm.
You quickly ducked behind the door. “Oh, sorry, I was expecting someone…”
“Yeah, hi! I’m Baekhyun,” he said with a smile, already recovering from the shock of seeing you half-naked. He grabbed the handle of the enormous suitcase next to him and stepped inside, glancing around. “Looks nice. Small, but… it’ll do.”
With a loud thud, he dropped the duffle bag in the middle of the room and set the microwave down on the coffee table.
“Excuse me, what do you think you’re-”
“You know, it’s funny,” he interrupted, plopping down on your couch. “You mentioned your microwave was broken, this is the only piece of electronics I own that survived the water.” He shifted around, moving up and down on the cushions, testing if it was comfortable enough for him.
You stared at him, completely bewildered. Who the hell was this guy? You’d mentioned your broken microwave to Beckie, but how on earth did he know about it? Maybe he was helping her move in. He was dropping off her things, and she’d arrive later.
“I’m sorry, is Beckie your girlfriend?” you asked cautiously.
“Who?” He raised an eyebrow. “Already curious if I’m single?” His gaze roamed over you, a half-smile tugging at his lips. “Don’t worry, I don’t have a girlfriend.”
He stood up and wandered into the kitchen area, opening random cabinets like he owned the place.
You grabbed your phone from the table and scrolled through your messages with Beckie. Nothing about this guy. Then your gaze landed on her username. You squinted, lifting the screen closer to your face.
“Baek… ezreal… rules,” you read slowly.
“Yeah, Ezreal rules!” the guy called from the kitchen, rifling through a box of your favorite cookies.
“What… is this?” you asked, staring at him.
“Ezreal. League of Legends. You don’t play?” He shoved a whole cookie into his mouth.
Then it hit you. Oh… there was no Beckie.
This was Beckie. You’d misread the name, way too excited about getting a response on the ad to actually read it properly.
He left the cookie box on the counter and walked toward you. “So… where’s my room?”
“O-on the right,” you replied, glancing up at his brown eyes. “Wait, no! Look, this is a big misunderstanding…” You hesitated, searching for a gentle way to explain that he couldn’t stay. “I…
He grabbed his stuff and headed for the door, then glanced back at you with a teasing grin. “As much as I’m enjoying the view, you should probably go change.”
You looked down at your body and tried to tug the towel lower while still holding it up against your chest.
“You’re dripping all over the floor,” he added, dragging the suitcase toward his room.
You rushed to your bedroom, digging inside your closet for something to put on. You felt so stupid! You’ve assumed the person you were talking to is a girl but now looking back he never mentioned that he was. And how the hell did you misread whatever this username was. That’s what you get for not using your prescription glasses.
You got dressed as quickly as possible, ready to tell him to leave before he got too comfortable. You gripped the doorknob, but suddenly stopped.
How were you even supposed to tell him to leave? He had nowhere else to go. And what were your options, really? It was either him or the dog-pound girl. Maybe you could move out yourself, look for something cheaper. But you loved your apartment. It was close to the coffee place, close to campus, and just the thought of packing up all your stuff made you exhausted.
You sighed. Maybe it was best to give this a chance. You’d never lived with a guy before, but… what’s the worst that could happen?
Baekhyun spent the rest of the evening in his room, unpacking, and by the time he was done, you’d already gone to bed.
The next morning, you let yourself sleep in. Yesterday’s cleaning marathon had drained every bit of energy out of you, and with a rare day off, you could finally rest. When you eventually rolled out of bed, it was already close to noon.
You washed your face and wandered into the living room, craving a big, hot cup of coffee. Rubbing your eyes, you stretched one arm toward the ceiling and let out a long yawn… when a sudden noise made you snap your eyes open.
Baekhyun was on the couch, two other guys sitting beside him, holding game controllers. One of them dropped his the moment you stepped in. They all stared at you. Not a single blink.
Your stomach flipped as you realized why. You were wearing nothing but a t-shirt and panties and that stretch had given them a perfect view of your underwear. Mortified, you yanked the hem of your t-shirt down as far as it would go and ran back to your bedroom, slamming the door behind you.
You threw yourself face-first onto the bed and let out a strangled groan into your pillow. Still sleepy, you’d seriously forgotten you lived with a boy now.
Amazing. Baekhyun had seen you twice, and both times you’d had barely anything on.
You put on a pair of shorts and a bra under your t-shirt, mad at yourself for getting embarrassed again. And a little mad at Baekhyun, too. Who the hell were those other guys? He’d been living here for less than twenty-four hours and he already had company! You weren’t exactly big on guests, so you really hoped this wouldn’t become a regular thing. Home was supposed to be your quiet, people-free zone.
You stayed in your room for a while, hoping the guys would leave, still way too embarrassed to show your face again. But they didn’t. You could hear their laughter and chatter echoing through the corridor, only making your irritation grow. Eventually, you decided you weren’t about to be held hostage in your own bedroom. When you stepped back into the living room, they were still sprawled across the couch, glued to the video game on the tv. They looked up when you walked in.
“Oh, hey,” Baekhyun drawled, a teasing grin spreading across his face. “Every time I see you, you’ve got more and more clothes on.” He frowned. “Things usually go in the opposite direction with me.”
“H-huh?” you blinked, heat rising to your cheeks.
They all laughed, but the guy to his left gave him a gentle shove.
“Anyway,” you said, trying to regain some composure, “sorry about that… I forgot you live here now. Also, I wasn’t expecting company…” You shot him a pointed look, hoping he’d get the hint.
“Oh, these are Chanyeol and Jongin,” Baekhyun said, eyes flicking back to the screen. Both of them nodded toward you.
Chanyeol was the one who’d dropped the controller earlier, and Jongin was the one who’d shoved Baekhyun.
“We’re just setting up Yeol’s old console,” Baekhyun added. “Since, you know, mine’s dead.”
“Great,” you mumbled, walking past them to the counter to make your coffee. You weren’t thrilled with the mess they’d made of the tv setup, and you silently hoped they’d leave soon so you could watch your drama in peace.
They spent the whole fucking day playing video games. You stayed in your room mostly to avoid them. After a while, a trip to the store seemed like the perfect escape. When you came back, Chanyeol and Jongin were finally gone. Baekhyun was still on the couch, swiping through his phone. It looked like he’d just taken a shower, his hair was still wet and slightly tousled, and he wore a pair of glasses that suited him surprisingly well.
“Y/n!” he called when he saw you struggling with the bags of groceries. “You should’ve told me you were going shopping. I needed some stuff too.”
By now, you were beyond annoyed. He’d invited guests over on his very first day, taken over the tv for hours.. and now he expected you to run errands for him?
“I didn’t know I was supposed to tell you where I’m going,” you said flatly, dropping the bags on the kitchen counter a little less gently than usual.
“Well, next time, don’t forget,” he answered, completely oblivious to your tone. He walked past you, grabbed a can of soda from the fridge, and strolled back to the couch, placing it on the small coffee table in front of him.
Shit. You’d forgotten to buy more soda. This had to be the last one… and now he’d taken it. You were seriously fed up at this point, but decided to try talking nicely.
“You know what, Baekhyun,” you took a deep breath, “I don’t think we’ve agreed on any ground rules for us living together yet. We should probably talk about that.”
“Ground rules?” he asked, propping his legs up on the table without taking his eyes off his phone. He reached for the soda can and popped it open, ready to take a sip, until you stomped a few determined steps forward and snatched it from his hand just before it touched his lips.
He blinked at you, caught off guard.
“Yes. Ground rules,” you said firmly. “This soda? Mine. Everything on the top two shelves in the fridge is mine. The bottom two? Yours. And the middle… that’s for anything we share.”
He laughed, but the moment he noticed your expression, his brows shot up. “Wait.. are you serious?”
“Do I look like I’m joking?”
“Oh, come on,” he laughed again, sitting up straighter. “I can’t have a single can of soda? Isn’t access to drinks, like… a basic human right or something?”
“Not in this household,” you stated. “Look, I’m not trying to be mean. We just have to set clear boundaries in order to live together peacefully. And speaking of which… please, let me know ahead of time when you’re having visitors, like with your friends earlier.”
“Visitors?” he continued, still laughing. “It’s not like I hosted the met gala. We were just hanging out.”
“Still,” you said, “they spent the whole day here.”
“Didn’t you say you had a roommate?” He tilted his head. “Because it kinda seems you’ve never lived with another person before.”
You glared at him, slightly offended but trying to stay calm. “Haven’t you ever lived with someone? You’re not exactly being very considerate so far.”
Baekhyun’s grin widened. He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back on the couch. “Well, you’re not exactly being very considerate either.”
“What? What do you mean?” you asked, raising an eyebrow.
“At least I have the decency to actually wear clothes in the apartment,” he said, smirking. “Unlike some people… walking around practically naked.”
Your cheeks flamed. “I… that was…”
He chuckled. “Relax, I’m just messing with you. Honestly, I don’t mind your wardrobe choices at all. In fact, I could join you. It’d be like a bonding roommate experience.”
You groaned, covering your face for a moment. “Just… don’t take my stuff. And keep the guests to a minimum.”
Heading back to the kitchen, you started unloading your groceries.
The next couple of weeks were… challenging.
Living with Baekhyun was definitely something you’d need time to get used to.
His stuff was everywhere. Clothes tossed over the couch, textbooks spread across the kitchen table, and you even found his laptop in the bathroom once. He seemed to claim every surface without even trying.
And he was loud. God, he was so loud.
Talking on the phone, playing games, watching movies - everything he did seemed to come with a built-in max volume. And the chewing noises when he ate… you could hear him crunch from across the apartment.
But all of that you could deal with. What really drove you crazy were the people he brought over. Was an empty apartment too much to ask?
You were deep asleep when a loud noise startled you awake. For a moment, you thought it was the doorbell. Half-asleep, you squinted at your phone, the bright screen stabbing your eyes.
But then you heard it again. What the hell? Quick steps, and the front door unlocking.
“I told you not to ring the bell, silly,” Baekhyun said. Jesus, he was loud, even when trying to whisper.
Someone giggled. “Sorry, I forgot.” A girl’s voice.
The door clicked shut, followed by the sound of footsteps moving inside. You shifted in bed, trying to get comfortable, determined to fall back asleep. It sounded like they’d gone into his room, muffled voices drifted through the wall.
What was he even doing in the middle of the night-
You heard a loud moan. Of course.
Amber had never brought her boyfriend over for a sleepover, so you hadn’t realized how thin these walls actually were. You could hear everything. The bed creaking, ragged breathing, moaning, like they were right in your room.
“Hyunnie, you’re so naughty,” she giggled again.
You rolled your eyes. You just hoped they’d finish soon so you could get some rest…
A fucking hour later, they were still going. You were angry and desperate for sleep, but seriously… what stamina. And what exactly was he doing to this poor girl? She sounded like she was about to break apart.
Your room suddenly felt too hot. You got up and tried to pull your bed away from the shared wall, hoping it would muffle the noise, but it barely moved, like it was glued to the floor.
Tired of tossing and turning in your sheets, you decided to make a cup of tea and headed to the kitchen. You had an early day tomorrow and already felt like shit. Cradling your steaming cup, you sank into one of the chairs next to the kitchen table, just as Baekhyun walked in.
“Oh… hey, Y/n,” he said, clearly not expecting to see you up at this hour.
He was in nothing but black boxers, pushing his damp hair back from his forehead as he reached for the fridge. The soft fridge light washed over his body and you quickly forced your eyes toward the counter.
“Having trouble sleeping?” he asked.
“Yeah,” you managed to mumble, feeling heat creeping up your neck.
“Me too,” he said with a smile, grabbing a bottle of cold water and draining it in one go.
“Oh, I know,” you replied.
“If I’d known how thin these walls were.. I would’ve put it in the ad, so I wouldn’t attract such a loud roommate.”
“Oh… so you’ve heard,” he said, suddenly looking away.
“You weren’t exactly whispering,” you teased.
He leaned casually against the counter. “Well… whispering doesn’t really fit in situations like that.”
“Nor does ‘Yeehaw’…” you answered, taking a careful sip of the hot tea.
He laughed, his eyes fixed on you “It does… if the ride is good enough.”
“If you say so,” you rolled your eyes, as you stood up to head back to your bedroom.
The next day was tough. Classes all morning, followed by a never-ending shift at the coffee place. When you finally headed home, all you could think of was a hot bath and falling asleep watching your drama. But the moment you stepped onto the staircase, something felt off. A heavy bass thumped through the hallway. With each step toward your front door, the sound grew louder, vibrating through the walls, the floor, straight into your skull.
You clenched your jaw and pushed the door open.
The apartment was packed.
Bodies everywhere - dancing, shouting, drinking. Music blasted so loud the floor trembled under your feet. You squeezed your way inside, people bumping into you from every direction.
You finally spotted him, right in the middle of the chaos.
“Roomie!” He beamed at you, clearly drunk.
“What the hell is this!?” you shouted over the music.
“Just a small welcome-to-your-new-home party,” he opened his arms like he expected applause. “Honestly, I’m a little offended,” he furrowed his brows, “you were supposed to organize this for me.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I didn’t think of that! How about I throw you a farewell party instead?” you shot back.
“Okay, things got slightly out of hand,” he admitted. “I just called a few people… they called a few people…”
He lifted a finger dramatically like he’d just remembered something important. “But hey! I thought of you! We got a whole pack of your favorite soda!”
He proudly pointed toward the counter.
A single empty can sat there.
You gave him the flattest look known to mankind.
“Um… on second thought, why don’t you have something with alcohol?” he said. “You look like you need it.”
You inhaled sharply, gripping the last threads of your patience so you wouldn’t smack him right in his stupidly pretty, drunken face.
“Come on, Y/n!” he whined. “You have to learn how to relax once in a while!”
“I do know how to relax, Baekhyun,” you snapped. “I go out with friends. In fact, I’m going out tomorrow night. Out. Because I’m that much of a considerate roommate.”
He opened his mouth, but a couple of his friends stumbled over, plopping a sparkly cowboy hat on his head, laughing hysterically. He tipped it happily, like he was in a rodeo.
That was it. Arguing with him like this was pointless. You turned on your heel and stormed toward your room.
Oh, you were absolutely going to have a conversation in the morning. A long, serious conversation. A loud one! You pushed your bedroom door open, cursing under your breath. If he thinks he can just-
Someone was in your room.
Someone was doing something in your room.
You slammed the door shut and whipped around, absolutely furious as you marched back into the living room.
Baekhyun was exactly where you left him, surrounded by his friends, who were laughing at something he’d just said. You elbowed your way through the crowd, mercilessly shoving anyone who got in your way. Then you grabbed his shirt with both hands and yanked him toward you.
His eyes shot wide, your faces inches apart.
“Someone is having sex in my room! In my bed!” you screamed right into his face. “I am going to murder you!”
He blinked at you, stunned silent. For once. His gaze flicked to your lips for just a second. His cheeks flushed, probably from the alcohol.
You shoved him back and let go of his shirt.
“You’re buying me new sheets first thing in the morning!” you continued. “I’m sleeping in your room tonight!”
You turned without another word and headed straight to his room, hitting the door hard behind you.
You were livid. You collapsed onto his bed, letting out a tired sigh.
What the hell was wrong with these people? Who just does that in someone else’s room? In someone else’s bed?!
Animals. Absolute animals.
You closed your eyes, trying to calm down. Baekhyun’s pillow was comfortable, carrying the gentle scent of laundry detergent and something distinctly him. You opened your eyes again, your gaze wandering around his room. It was cozy, a little messy, but warm. Comic books were stacked here and there, a few posters hung on the walls, all game-related. A framed photo sitting on his nightstand drew your attention. Him around six or seven, a woman’s arm wrapped around him. Probably his mother. He was wearing a white uniform and a gold medal around his neck. She was very beautiful.
You turned onto your side. Despite the noise behind the door, you drifted off quickly.
You woke up the next morning, a little disoriented, until you remembered you weren’t in your room.
You swung your legs over the side of the bed and stretched, bracing yourself for the disaster waiting in the living room. If Baekhyun thought you were going to clean up after his mess, he had another thing coming. He’d better be on his knees right now, scrubbing the floor.
When you opened the door… the apartment was spotless. Every bottle, every plastic cup, every party decoration had vanished. It was as if the chaos from just hours ago had never happened.
You stepped into your room.
Your bed was made with a fresh set of sheets. Smooth, crisp, and perfectly tucked. You ran your hand over the material, letting it glide between your fingers. They were definitely softer and nicer than what you normally had, they felt expensive.
Suddenly, you felt guilt.
He didn’t have to actually buy you a new set. You could’ve just washed yours thoroughly.. a few times… with bleach. You hadn’t meant it literally when you yelled at him last night. That had just been anger talking. You sank onto the bed, the softness pulling a small sigh from you.
You returned to the living room. Baekhyun was nowhere in sight. You remembered that Saturdays were his internship days, and he usually didn’t get back until noon.
You opened the fridge and started preparing lunch. Slowly, diligently, you sliced fresh vegetables and chopped some beef. You steamed the rice while the eggs sizzled in the pan.
By the time you were done, the kitchen smelled heavenly. Your cooking skills were decent, but bibimbap especially, you knew how to prepare perfectly.
You carried a generous portion to the couch, finally able to sink into your drama without interruptions. On the counter, an even bigger, neatly arranged steaming bowl waited for Baekhyun.
You finished your makeup, adding a touch of glossy lipstick, and ran your fingers through your hair, checking your reflection in the mirror. Not bad. You turned to admire your new dress in the light. It was slightly shorter than your usual style, but you liked it. Satisfied, you slipped on your heels and grabbed your bag.
Passing Baekhyun’s door on your way out, a familiar bass thumped through the walls. He was listening to music, loud as usual.
You met up with your girlfriends at a new club they’d been dying to try. It was modern and pulsing with flashing lights, overflowing with people.
You clinked your glasses together, laughing and singing over the music.
At some point, a few guys joined your group, buying drinks for everyone. Before you knew it, you were making out with one of them, feeling the sharp taste of whisky lingering on his tongue. His hands moved slowly, sliding from your waist to your hips, gripping your ass.
Hookups weren’t usually your thing, but with all the stress lately, you needed to let off some steam. And honestly… you hadn’t stopped thinking about getting properly laid since the night you heard Baekhyun in his room. So you took this random guy home.
He didn’t need any convincing. He followed you, grinning like he’d won the lottery. You could barely walk in a straight line, the two of you leaning into each other, giggling at nothing as you made your way home, still dizzy from the alcohol. You weren’t entirely sure how you made it to the front door, struggling with your keys and missing the keyhole more than once, breathy laughter slipping out as he pressed close behind you.
His hands roamed freely, squeezing your breasts, nipping playfully at your neck, teasing a gasp from your lips. You wobbled slightly, forcing yourself to focus on the door. When you finally managed to get it open, the two of you nearly tumbled inside.
Baekhyun was sitting on the couch with Chanyeol and Jongin, playing video games.. again.
“Uh… hi!” you said, fumbling to pull the guy’s hands away. “We- we’re having company again,” you added, shooting a pointed look at Baekhyun. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
Baekhyun stood and followed you into the kitchen, hands tucked casually into his hoodie pockets.
“I thought we agreed to talk about guests first,” you said, crossing your arms. “Are these two homeless? Why are they always here?”
He let out a soft laugh. “Look who’s talking. You’re upset over my friends, but you’ve got a little ‘visitor’ yourself.”
Your eyes widened. Oh. Right. He was right.
“Well… we’ll be in my room, so he won’t bother you.. your friends always occupy the couch!” You planted your hands on your hips, looking far too pleased with yourself and your brilliant comeback.
He chuckled, clearly amused by your drunken state. Then you stepped closer, cupping his face.
“You were such an adorable kid, you know that?” you said, squishing his cheeks. “Anyway, have a nice evening!”
You turned around before he could say anything, his ears burning.
You returned to the living room to find your… date, if you could even call him that, sitting between Chanyeol and Jongin, furiously hitting the buttons on one of the controllers, completely absorbed in their game.
“Um…” you cleared your throat. “I’m ready.”
“Oh, yeah, I’m coming. Just a sec, these guys really need my help,” he replied, not even looking up from the screen.
“Please, Y/n! We’ve been stuck on this part for an hour! Your friend is really good at this!” Chanyeol begged, like a little kid.
You blinked at him, utterly confused.
“Okay… I’ll be in my room,” you said to the guy, “…waiting.” He didn’t even seem to hear you.
You walked into your bedroom, leaving the door wide open. Slipping off your heels, you sank onto the bed and let out a long sigh.
You woke up the next morning in the same position, but with a cozy blanket tucked around you. You were alone, the door was closed, and your head was pounding. What the hell happened last night?
You changed out of your dress and dragged yourself toward the kitchen, where Baekhyun was quickly finishing the last bites of his breakfast.
“Look who’s up!” he said, smiling wide when he saw you.
“Shh… please.. my head is killing me,” you groaned, sinking into one of the kitchen chairs.
He grinned, setting a plate of scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast in front of you. “Here, this will make you feel better.” Then he went to wash his plate in the sink.
“Thanks… um, what happened with… that guy?” you asked, taking a bite of the toast.
“He played with Chanyeol and Jongin for a couple of hours,” Baekhyun said. “Beat a few levels. By the time they were done, it was too late, so I told him to leave.”
“Why?” You looked at him, puzzled.
“Well, you were already passed out and clearly drunk. I wasn’t about to let a stranger into your room,” he said, drying his hands on a towel.
“Oh…” you mumbled, realizing Baekhyun had covered you with the blanket. Then it hit you. “Wait… he actually chose to spend the night playing video games instead of… having sex with me? God, how embarrassing.” You buried your face in your hands.
Baekhyun chuckled. “Yeah… there’s definitely something wrong with this dude.”
“Mm?” you peeked at him through your fingers.
He grabbed his bag from the couch and slung it over his shoulder. “No sane guy would spend the night gaming with Chanyeol and Jongin instead of following you into your bedroom… especially in that dress.” He shrugged, smirking. “I definitely wouldn’t.”
You stared down at your breakfast, your whole face flaming.
“Gotta go. See you tonight,” he said, shooting you a playful look before rushing out the door.
So your plan to blow off steam hadn’t exactly worked out, but there wasn’t time for another night out anytime soon. The new waitress at the coffee place had quit unexpectedly, so you had to cover extra shifts, and with a big school project coming up, going out was the last thing on your mind.
It was already quite late when you got home from work, but you still had studying to do. You were just about to unlock the front door when it suddenly swung open.
A girl stood in front of you, smiling from ear to ear, though she looked a little startled to find you on her way out.
“Hi,” she said, tugging at her slightly crooked top. You returned a polite smile.
Baekhyun appeared right behind her.
“Bye, Hyunnie,” she added, glancing back as she stepped outside.
You walked into the apartment, and Baekhyun closed the door behind you as you passed him.
“Am I the best roommate or what?” he grinned at you.
“What?” you asked, giving him a confused look. His hair was a total mess.
“The apartment is guest-free! Just before you got home… well, almost.. but still,” he said proudly.
“You kicked out your girlfriend so the apartment could be free?” you said, heading to the kitchen and pulling a can of soda from the fridge.
“I didn’t kick her out,” Baekhyun followed you. “And I’ve already told you I don’t have a girlfriend, we just…” he hesitated for a moment.
“Have sex?” you finished for him, opening the can.
“Yeah,” he shifted awkwardly.
“Well… okay. Thank you for arranging your booty calls around my schedule.”
“Are you mocking me?” He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve gotta give me some credit here, I’m trying to be a better roommate.” He looked sincere.
“No, I’m sorry.” You rubbed your forehead, feeling tired. “I didn’t mean to sound harsh. I really do appreciate it,” you added, your tone softer now.
He nodded, a small smile tugging at his lips.
“Actually, I wanted to talk with you about this,” you said. “I’ve got a big project due this week, and work’s been really hectic because we’re understaffed. I’m honestly exhausted, so I’d really appreciate it if you could keep things quiet for the next few days.”
“Yeah, of course,” he answered.
“Thank you,” you smiled. “Maybe after that, we can have a proper welcome-to-the-new-home party?”
Baekhyun grinned brightly. “Deal.”
You headed to your room and opened the textbooks waiting on your desk. It was going to be a long night.
Baekhyun had a project of his own as well, a group assignment. The next day, he sat on the couch with Chanyeol, waiting for the rest of their group to show up so they could get started.
“Why are they taking so long?” Baekhyun muttered, flipping open his notes. “You all have to leave before Y/n gets back from work. I promised her no people in the apartment… you weren’t even supposed to be here in the first place.”
“I’m sorry, your place was the only option,” Chanyeol said, opening a bag of pretzels.
“We could have gone to the library… if you weren’t banned,” Baekhyun said, giving him a pointed look.
“It’s not my fault! This lady was totally picking up on me, my voice isn’t that loud!” Chanyeol argued.
“Oh, shit! The library!” Baekhyun exclaimed. “I forgot my laptop there,” he added, growling in frustration.
He jumped up and grabbed his phone. “I’ll be right back. Check what’s happening with the rest,” he said, rushing through the door.
Chanyeol texted the group chat.
yeol: “where is everyone? baek’s place, ASAP!”
Baekhyun hurried to grab his laptop, but even though the library wasn’t far, the traffic made it take longer than expected. By the time he finally got back, quite the scene was waiting for him.
The apartment was crammed with people, all loud and making an absolute mess.
He made his way through the crowd, realizing he didn’t even know half of the faces there. Finally, he spotted Chanyeol and shouted, “What the fuck, man?!”
Chanyeol looked utterly panicked. “Baek, I swear I didn’t mean this! I texted the wrong group chat… and now all these people showed up, and they just won’t leave!”
“We need to get rid of them. Now! Y/n will be home soon, and if she doesn’t kill us both, I’m going to kill you,” Baekhyun snapped.
“What am I supposed to do?” Chanyeol cried.
“Just tell everyone to leave!” Baekhyun yelled back.
“What do you think I’ve been doing this whole time? No one’s listening to me!” Chanyeol shot back, as someone’s drink accidentally spilled onto his shoe.
“Just… follow me,” Baekhyun said, making his way to the door and shouting over the chaos, “Everybody out! C’mon, guys, the exit’s this way!”
He reached the front door when he saw… you. Who, oh-so-luckily, were able to get off work earlier today.
He froze the moment he met your eyes. You didn’t even look angry, your expression was… hurt, disappointed. His stomach dropped.
“Y/n, I can explain! The story is really funny, you’re gonna laugh, I promise!”
You walked past him toward your room, Baekhyun following behind. “Your promises don’t really mean anything to me, Baekhyun!”
You opened your door. A couple was standing in the middle of the room, kissing.
“OUT!” you shouted, pointing toward the exit.
Flustered, they scrambled out immediately. You grabbed a huge bag, stuffing your notes and textbooks inside.
“Please, listen!” Baekhyun begged. “I swear, this is a big misunderstanding!”
“Are you serious? A misunderstanding!” you mumbled, struggling to drag the bag past him.
“Y-yes! I had to go out to-”
“I really don’t want to hear it right now,” you cut him off, storming out.
With the library about to close, you headed to the coffee place instead. In the small staff room, you spread your papers across a tiny table.
You tried to focus on the text in front of you, but your mind was still at the apartment. You’d specifically asked for a few quiet days, and the very next day, he does… this! What was his goal? To set you off? You scoffed. He probably didn’t even think about you at all. He just does whatever he wants. And he has the nerve to call it a “misunderstanding”!
“Y/n, I’m closing for the day,” Minseok’s voice appeared out of nowhere.
“Oh, okay,” you began gathering your things.
“No, no. You can stay. Here.” He set a pair of keys on top of your textbook. “I’ve locked the front door. These are the spare keys for the back, just lock it when you leave.”
“Thank you, Minseok” you said.
“No worries. I’ve dealt with an annoying roommate before too.” He gave you a small tap on the shoulder before heading out. “Make sure to get some rest!”
Your gaze drifted back to the piles of work waiting for you. By the end of the night, you’d made solid progress, getting through most of the material and taking useful notes. Exhausted, you fell asleep right there at the table, only waking when your colleagues arrived for their first shift. With a big yawn, you took your stuff and headed home.
When you walked in, you saw Baekhyun sitting on the couch, struggling to keep his eyes open. He jumped up the moment he saw you.
“Y/n! Where… where were you? I was worried,” he said.
“Yeah, right,” you replied.
“It’s true… I didn’t want you to leave because of me. I’m sorry,” he said, looking at you. Dark circles under his eyes showed he hadn’t slept, probably spent the night cleaning up after everyone left. Had he stayed up just until you returned?
“Whatever,” you mumbled, heading to your room, not really in the mood to talk to him.
The next few days were tense. Baekhyun made attempts at small talk whenever you crossed paths in the apartment, but you kept your replies brief, still not ready to forgive him. He was quieter than usual, no guests, no music. Even the sound of him chewing felt muted.
“I’m going to the store. Need anything?” he asked, hand already on the door handle.
“No, thanks,” you replied, curled up on the couch, feeling a bit off. The weather was awful, and with your project finally done, you had no desire to do anything but rot there.
Your stomach was killing you. You scrolled through Netflix, trying to find something to watch, but nothing held your attention.
You rushed to the bathroom. Great. Your period was early. You dug through the drawers for tampons, but there were none. With the mess you were already dealing with, going out to get some wasn’t really an option.
You had no choice. Swallowing your pride, you picked up your phone and opened your chat with Baekhyun.
you: hey, can i ask you a favor?
you: can you grab me some tampons from the store?
You found your usual brand and sent him a screenshot. A few minutes passed before he texted back this time.
i’m coming to the rescue!
He got home surprisingly fast. You were in the bathroom when he knocked softly.
He cracked the door just enough to slip his hand through and tossed the pack of tampons inside. It smacked you right in the face.
“Sorry!” you heard him giggling behind the door. You shook your head with a smile. You hadn’t heard his laugh in a while.
You took care of yourself and returned to the living room, sinking onto the couch to suffer in peace. You finally settled on a movie and slid under your blanket, hugging one of the throw pillows.
Baekhyun came out of his room, changed into something more comfortable. You lifted your gaze when you noticed him.
“Thank you,” you said, your voice a little stiff.
He gave a small, tentative smile.
Figuring it was time to stop being so distant, you added, “I hope it wasn’t too awkward at the store.”
“Why would it be awkward?” he asked.
“I don’t know… some guys just get weird about it. Even my last boyfriend whined if he had to buy me tampons,” you said.
He shrugged. “Nothing weird about this.” He stepped a little closer. “So… what are you watching?”
“Oh, the vampire thing? Never actually seen it.”
You made a small gesture with your hand, inviting him to sit next to you. “You’re in for a treat.”
His smile brightened. “Is it good?” Then he quickly sat down beside you.
“It’s amazing… it’s also garbage, but, like… in a good way. You know, when something is so bad, it’s actually good?”
“Not really,” he laughed, glancing at you.
“Well, sometimes watching bad movies can be more entertaining,” you answered.
“Alright, let’s see how bad it is.”
Watching movies with Baekhyun was a whole new experience, especially one like this. The acting and the plot were so hilariously ridiculous at times that you both couldn’t stop laughing. He didn’t mind you talking over the movie, explaining the lore and pointing out funny little mistakes. In fact, you both turned the whole thing into one big commentary, with him adding jokes and teasing comments along the way.
“Why the hell is he looking at her like that?” He opened a big bag of chips, tilting it in your direction.
“’Cause she smells delicious and he’s trying to restrain himself from eating her.” You shoved a handful in your mouth.
“Well, he looks constipated to me,” he laughed.
Halfway through the movie, your stomach ached, not from the cramps anymore, but from laughing too hard. As soon as it ended, you immediately started the next one. You shifted to get more comfortable, and somehow Baekhyun had slipped under the blanket, his leg pressing gently against your with no regard for personal space.
“I’m definitely team Jacob,” he declared, opening a bag of gummy bears now. “How could Edward just dump Bella like that in the woods?”
“It’s for her own good! He’s dangerous for her.”
“Yeah, but he left her completely unprotected! How moronic is that?” he said, chewing.
“True, Edward is not very bright.”
“…Because he sparkles. Get it?” you grinned.
“That is the worst pun I’ve heard in my life,” he said, trying to suppress his smile.
You watched the rest of the movies the next evening. It was funny how invested he was getting into the story.
“Still team Jacob?” you asked.
“This guy should be in jail… whoever wrote this plot should be in jail!” he mumbled.
“I know, right?” you chuckled, passing him a can of soda.
You couldn’t wait to get to the final battle scene, curious to see his reaction.
“Wait, what is happening?” Baekhyun asked, confused, as vampires and werewolves started fighting.
“No, no, no! What the fuck?!” His jaw dropped when one of his favorite characters was brutally decapitated. He spun toward you, completely shocked. You were laughing your ass off.
Then, realizing no one had actually died and it was all just a vision, he exclaimed, “You knew it wasn’t real, and you let me suffer like this! So cruel!”
“At least you didn’t overreact,” you teased.
He gave you an amused smile, his eyes fixed on your face while you laughed.
He quickly shifted his gaze back to the tv.
“Okay, you were right, watching bad movies is really fun.”
“Yeah… well, especially with someone to add to the commentary,” you replied.
“What should we watch next?” His eyes lit up with excitement as he looked at you.
“Oh…” You hadn’t expected him to want to keep going after these movies. You smiled. “How about the latest War of the Worlds? I’ve heard it’s pretty bad.”
Bad movie nights quickly became your tradition. Twice a week, you claimed your usual spots on the couch with a pile of snacks, laughing and making silly comments. Every now and then, you’d sneak in a good movie to “cleanse your palates,” as Baekhyun liked to put it.
Tonight, it was the Final Destination marathon. You’d just finished the second, and he was setting up the third.
“Whenever I watch scary movies, I get paranoid for at least a week,” you said, sitting down next to him with a refilled bowl of popcorn.
“Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.” Baekhyun pulled the blanket over both of you as he shifted closer, settling comfortably at your side. Your heartbeat picked up for some reason. “I’m pretty good with martial arts,” he added, flashing a confident grin.
“I don’t think this will help you against the Grim Reaper,” you laughed, trying to sound casual.
“That’s ’cause you don’t know how good I am.” He swung his fist through the air, pretending to throw a punch.
“Yeah… if we ever end up in a Final Destination scenario, please do me a favor and don’t try to save me… Just let me die in peace.”
“What are you talking about?” he scoffed. “With me around, you’ve got a one‑hundred percent chance of survival.”
“Honestly, I never understood why people try so hard to live in situations like this. Or in a zombie apocalypse… if that ever happens in real life, I’d prefer death.” You popped a few pieces of popcorn into your mouth, shrugging casually.
“Your lack of will to live is alarming,” he teased. “Should I be worried?”
“This is just in case of an apocalypse.”
“I’ve played a bunch of dystopian games. Trust me, the survival instinct just kicks in, you wouldn’t give up that easily,” Baekhyun pointed out wisely.
“Fine. I could stick around then. With your gaming experience, we might actually make it.”
“Damn right,” he said. “I’ll play the hero who saves the pretty girl.”
You rolled your eyes, but a small smile tugged at your lips.
As much as you enjoyed the movie, at some point it faded into background noise. Your eyelids grew heavy, and without realizing it, your head ended up resting against his shoulder. You felt him shift gently, and somehow that only made you more comfortable, breathing in his familiar scent, the blanket pulled snug around you.
You were getting ready for work, fixing your hair in the bathroom and glancing at your reflection in the mirror.
You could hear Baekhyun, Chanyeol, and Jongin in the living room, playing video games and chatting loudly as usual. Lately, they’d actually been a little more considerate, not taking over the tv whenever you were home.
“…and she said you canceled on her to watch a movie or something,” you caught Jongin’s voice.
“So what, it’s over between you two?” Chanyeol asked.
“I just don’t want to continue with this… so we won’t be seeing each other anymore,” Baekhyun answered.
Chanyeol chuckled over the crashing sounds from the game. “Damn, you’re heartless. Poor Liz… I think she actually liked you.”
“Why am I heartless?” Baekhyun protested. “We both knew what this was from the start. We agreed we could end it anytime.”
You added a bit of lip gloss before heading for the door, already running late.
“Bye, guys!” you called, waving at them.
They chorused “bye” back and returned to their game.
You hurried toward the coffee place, your thoughts circling back to the boys’ conversation. Baekhyun wasn’t seeing Liz anymore. You’d noticed her absence but had assumed they still met when you weren’t home.
If what Chanyeol said was true, she must be feeling awful. Having feelings for someone you only met for sex sounded like a terrible situation. You felt bad for her.
The day was busy, and your shift flew by. You barely had time to catch your breath, but whenever your mind wandered, it always seemed to land on Baekhyun. You found yourself thinking about your last movie night or imagining what you might watch next.
What was up with you and your thoughts today? Maybe the two of you were just spending too much time together.
Still, when work finally ended, you headed straight home. It was freezing, and you weren’t in the mood to stay out.
When you got back, you noticed two towels tossed on the couch. You shook your head, when would he stop leaving his things everywhere? You pushed them aside and sat down, only to jump right back, feeling your butt cold and wet.
“Ahh!” you screamed. The couch was soaked.
Baekhyun came out of his room with a huge box in his hands. “What happened?”
“What happened with the couch?” you shot back, spinning around to check your wet pants.
“Oh, Chanyeol spilled his water earlier…that’s why I put the towels,” he laughed. “Hey, look what my mom sent me from home.” He set the package on the coffee table and pulled out a Scrabble game. “Wanna play tonight?”
“Oh, cool! I haven’t played this one in ages,” you stepped closer.
“Last time I did, it was at a party… and for every point, the loser had to take off a piece of clothing,” he said, grinning. “We could try that version.”
You decided to make him flustered for once and said, “You sure you want to be left with just your socks on?”
“I’m confident,” he smirked. “Besides, I’m pretty good at this game… I won’t leave you even that.”
You blinked, caught off guard by his boldness, and felt your face flush. “J-just… keep unpacking your box,” you stuttered. He chuckled softly.
He pulled a few more games out, along with some books and what looked like an old photo album.
You reached for it. “May I?”
He lifted his gaze from one of the games. “Yeah, sure,” he answered. “I know you can’t get enough of my adorable childhood photos.”
You scoffed as you opened it. Fine, they were undeniably adorable. You couldn’t help but smile at baby Baekhyun, dressed in a tiny bear costume, playing in the park, or blowing out the candles on his birthday cake. One picture fell out, and you picked it up from the floor. A schoolgirl stood on a stage, balloons decorating the background. You knew he had an older brother, not a sister, so this was probably a friend or maybe a girlfriend.
“Is this you?” you asked, holding the photo up to him.
“Mm?” He glanced at it. “No!” His eyes widened. “Give me that!”
He tried to snatch it from your hands, but you were faster, stepping back with a smirk. You took a closer look, he was wearing a long wig and a black skirt, a full face of makeup.
“But you’re so pretty! I think I have the same skirt,” you teased.
He took a few steps towards you. “Seriously, hand it over!” His eyes sparkled mischievously.
“I will! Just give me a minute.” You ran toward your bedroom. He caught up quickly and grabbed your wrist, trying to take the photo. In the scuffle, you both toppled onto your bed, your back pressing against the mattress, his knees on either side of your hips as he leaned over you. He pinned one of your arms above your head, while you held the other high, keeping the picture out of his reach.
You tried to wiggle your way out, but he was too strong.
“Baekhyun, stop it, I’m all wet, we’ll mess up the sheets!”
He raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips.
“Wha-?” You breathed under him “God, your mind is so dirty.”
“Mm, so I’ve heard,” he teased, leaning closer, his body warm against yours, holding you firmly in place. “Give it!”
His free hand slid around your waist, creeping under your top. His warm fingers traced slowly up your bare skin, stopping at your ribs.
“W-what are you doing?” you gasped, your chest rising and falling quickly.
He tilted his head slightly, watching you carefully. “I’m guessing you’re not a fan of being tickled,” he said. Your eyes widened. “So… you either give me my photo back, or you suffer the consequences.”
“Okay, okay!” you said. “Just.. let me take a picture of it with my phone.”
“Any last words?” he said, eyes locked on yours, daring you to respond.
You looked up at him. “Did you wear pantyhose?”
His mouth opened wide. “You-” his hand moved quickly over your skin.
You laughed uncontrollably. “No! Baek, please!” He laughed along, still holding you down.
Then he paused, his breath catching, gaze flicking to yours as if he’d only just realized how close you were. His hand lingered at your side.
The doorbell rang, sharp and sudden.
Baekhyun blinked, snapped out of it. He cleared his throat and straightened up a little too fast.
You were left lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to catch your breath. You could still feel the warmth of him lingering on your skin.
“Y/n?” Baekhyun called from the hallway.
You sat up and went to him. He stood by the front door, shifting awkwardly on his feet, clearly unsure of what to do.
“I think… it’s for you,” he mumbled.
In the doorway stood a girl with mascara streaked down her cheeks, eyes red and swollen from crying.
“Y/n!” She collapsed into you, arms wrapping tightly around your neck. “Minho broke up with me!”
You patted her back gently. She stepped inside, still sobbing, pulling her purple suitcase along. You led her to the kitchen and helped her sit at the table, soon placing a steaming mug of tea in front of her.
Between shaky breaths, she told you what had happened.
Her boyfriend had broken up with her. Again. Apparently, he’d found someone else.
You exchanged a brief glance with Baekhyun. He gave you a small nod and you told her she could stay, just until she figured things out and found a new place. She sniffled, managing a grateful smile through her tears.
You decided to order some dinner. The three of you stayed at the table, Amber cycling through all stages of heartbreak over and over. She grew heated again, loudly cursing her ex, until you finally convinced her she needed rest. Baekhyun retreated to his room, and you led Amber to yours.
She dragged her things behind her.
“Y/n, you’re literally a lifesaver… I can’t thank you enough,” she said. She opened her suitcase, digging for something while you grabbed an extra pillow and blanket from your closet. From living together before, you knew she needed complete silence to sleep, so you hoped sharing the room wouldn’t be a problem. You laid the covers on the bed and noticed your own were neatly folded at the edge.
Amber slipped earplugs into her ears, sleep mask resting on her forehead. “Thanks for letting me use your room, babe! I swear I’ll be out before you know it, just a couple of days.” She handed you your pillow and blanket. “I really need some time to be alone and recover.”
You looked into her puffy eyes, completely at a loss for words. Too shocked at being kicked out of your own room, you just stepped outside as Amber closed the door behind you.
You sighed. Thank God the couch was actually decent for sleeping. You were about to toss your things onto it, then remembered it was wet. Perfect.
You stood in the middle of the living room feeling like an idiot. You dropped your pillow on the floor and wrapped yourself in the blanket.
The floor was cold and uncomfortable. You were turning left and right, trying to fall asleep for what seemed like eternity. You were just dozing off, when something hit your legs.
“Ahh! What the-?” Baekhyun yelped, stumbling in the dark. “What the hell are you doing here? You scared the shit out of me!”
You sat up. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m trying to sleep. What are you doing?”
“I was just getting some water… but why are you sleeping in the middle of the living room?”
“Amber needs to be alone.” You rubbed your lower back, sore from the hard floor. “And thanks to Chanyeol I cannot sleep on the couch.”
“Come here.” He helped you up, your whole body ached. He picked up your things from the floor and headed toward his room.
“Wait, what are you doing?” you asked, following him.
“You’re sleeping with me,” he said, as if it were obvious, setting your covers on his bed.
“There’s no need for that,” you mumbled.
“You prefer the living room?” he asked.
Your eyes flicked away for a moment, unsure of what to say.
“Oh, c’mon, I’ll behave,” he added, smiling.
You hesitantly slid under the covers, his bed felt warm and welcoming. He climbed in beside you and reached over to switch off the night light, leaving the room in gentle darkness.
“Thank you,” you whispered.
“You really thought I’d let you sleep on the cold floor?” he said softly. “You should’ve come here in the first place.”
You didn’t answer. The mattress felt impossibly comfortable after the hard ground. Your body slowly relaxed into it.
Something shimmering on the ceiling caught your eye. “Are those stars?”
“Yeah… those glowing stickers. I found them in the box. They remind me of my old room back home.”
“Ah, I’ve dreamed of having these since I was a kid,” you said.
“You didn’t?” he asked, surprised.
“No…” you chuckled softly. “My parents weren’t- I mean, glowing stars were the last thing on their minds.”
He stayed silent for a moment.
“Was it bad?” he whispered.
“Let’s just say I’m happy to live on my own now… well, almost.” You nudged him lightly with your elbow.
He shifted on the pillow, turning slightly toward you. “I’m sorry I made things difficult for you in the beginning,” he said, his tone suddenly serious.
“In the beginning?” you teased.
“Hey, it’s way better now. Look at you…” He shot you a crooked grin. “In my bed.” His smile widened. “Though in my imagination, you were always much closer.”
Your cheeks burned again. How did he do this every time? You took a deep breath, trying to play it cool.
“You want me to get closer, huh?” you murmured.
His breath hitched in the darkness.
You pressed your freezing feet against his.
“Ahh!” he jumped. “Holy shit! I take it back! Stay on your side!”
You wiggled your toes just a little, grinning.
“Hey! Stop that!” he laughed, trying to pull his legs back under the covers.
You chuckled, snuggling cozily. For a moment, you both stayed quiet, listening to the gentle rhythm of each other’s breathing.
“Good night,” you said, already feeling yourself drifting off.
“Good night,” he replied gently.
The warmth and quiet comfort slowly lulled you both to sleep.
Amber’s couple-of-days stay had turned into a whole week. She mostly brooded in the living room during the day and occupied your bedroom at night.
You and Baekhyun tried to have your movie nights, but Amber wasn’t in the mood for any of that. She’d comment along with both of you, but somehow managed to make everything about her breakup, spoiling not just her own mood, but yours as well.
“Oh please, the donkey and the dragon ended up together?” She rolled her eyes. “It’s cute and all, but believe me, after the credits roll, they realize they’re too different. He just finds another donkey! She goes back to the stupid, moldy castle, and he ends up living with his new donkey girlfriend in Shrek’s swamp!”
“Are we the moldy castle?” Baekhyun mumbled in your direction.
You nudged him softly, trying not to laugh.
So you and Baekhyun put movie nights on hold while she was staying with you and started a new tradition instead.
Every night, after dinner, the two of you headed to his bedroom. You spread a board game across the bed, snacks scattered between you, spending the evening playing, laughing, teasing each other over every move, or just… talking. The couch was dry by now, yet somehow neither of you suggested you could sleep there instead.
There was only one card left in your hand.
You looked up at him. His expression was unreadable, until a slow, knowing smile spread across his face.
“No,” you warned. “Don’t you dare.”
His grin widened. Slowly, deliberately, he placed a Wild Draw Four on the stack.
“Oh, come on,” you groaned. “For the third time in this game!”
“I’m sensing a pattern,” he said cheerfully, far too pleased with himself. “Go on. Four cards.”
He leaned closer, counting out loud as you picked them up one by one.
“Four.” He laughed, bright and unapologetic.
“This game brings out the worst in you, you know that?” you mumbled, failing to hide the smile tugging at your lips.
“Don’t be a sore loser,” he said smugly, rearranging the cards in his hand without looking away from you. “You’re better than that.”
With a few more moves, Baekhyun won the game.
“And they say UNO is for everyone…” he sighed dramatically, leaning back. “I guess it takes a certain level of genius to win… ten out of fourteen games, I believe?”
You rolled your eyes while gathering the cards. “That’s mostly luck.”
“Wrong,” he said, shaking his head. “It’s a game of strategy. Statistics. Even math.”
“Oh?” you hummed, amused. “Is that so?”
“I know what I’m talking about, I was in an advanced class, you know.”
“When?” you asked, stacking the deck.
You both burst out laughing.
“Yeah,” he said with a smile. “My parents were very proud. They wanted me to become a scientist… or a lawyer.”
“And what did you want to be?” you asked.
You chuckled. “Oh, I can totally see it. You, in one of those striped vests, waving a lasso.”
He raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Is that a fantasy of yours? I have to admit… I like a little role play.”
“I’m sure you do,” you teased.
“How about you?” he leaned a little closer.
“Um… y-yeah.. it could be fun,” you said, caught off guard.
He grinned. “I meant what you wanted to be when you were a kid… but I really like your thinking.”
“Oh…” Your neck warmed, but you tried to brush it off. “I wanted to be a singer,” you blurted.
“You’d be a great singer. You have a beautiful voice,” he said.
“How do you even know that?” you laughed.
“You sing all the time,” he answered with a serious expression.
You blinked at him, confused. “I don’t sing.”
“Oh, you do,” he chuckled. “And may I just say, you have a very… explicit taste in music.”
“W-what? I… I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you stammered, not so confident anymore.
“Okay then,” he cleared his throat dramatically. “‘She kinda bad, but she ride it like a fucking pony.’ How do I know these lyrics?”
“Oh my goodness!” you hid your face in your pillow, completely mortified.
Alright, you recognised the lyrics. You’d listened to music on your headphones while doing chores, but hadn’t realized you were actually singing along out loud.
He burst out laughing. “Hey, don’t get shy all of a sudden!”
You buried yourself deep under the covers, inching toward the edge of the bed.
“Oh, no!” he grabbed the blanket. “Don’t you run away from me.”
“I won’t sing anymore,” you said, peeking out at him, trying to suppress your smile.
“No, I love how you expand my musical horizons,” he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. “Especially when you’re doing the dishes in your hello kitty pajamas, just singing about sex and drugs.”
Something about that made you pause. You didn’t know he was so observant of your habits.
“Oh, I have another favorite, actually,” he said, a playful spark in his eyes. “‘I got her wetter than-‘”
You rushed forward before he could finish, pressing your hand over his mouth.
“Okay, okay, stop!” you laughed, breathless.
Baekhyun went still, eyes widening as he looked up at you. The sudden closeness, your palm against his lips, your face just inches from his, seemed to take him by surprise.
Realising it yourself, your smile faltered and you quickly pulled your hand away.
“S-sorry! Uh-” you gestured vaguely toward the door. “I’m… going to get some water.”
Before he could say anything, you slid off the bed. Your thoughts felt tangled as you walked away.
Things had shifted between you lately. You didn’t know when his teasing had started affecting you like this, or why your body reacted before your mind could catch up.
You told yourself it was nothing.. just embarrassment, just the heat of the moment.
Still, you were painfully aware of how fast your heart was beating, of how easily he’d gotten under your skin recently.
At the sink, you filled a glass and took a slow sip of water, waiting for the warmth in your cheeks to fade.
It didn’t. Not right away.
A few days later, Amber announced she’d found a new place. On her last night, you both flopped on the couch after dinner as she went on about how her ex would leave dirty pans soaking in the sink for days, and you couldn’t help but laugh at her dramatic storytelling.
Baekhyun stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist, droplets of water streaking down his toned body. He paused in the doorway on his way to his bedroom. “Coming to bed?” he asked, running his fingers through his damp hair.
“Yeah, in a minute,” you answered, trying not to stare.
“Night, Amber,” he said with a smile, giving you a quick look before disappearing into his room.
“What was that?” Amber asked, turning toward you the moment his door clicked shut.
“‘Coming to bed?’” she said, grinning mischievously. “Are you two having sex?”
“No!” you said too quickly. “We’re just friends.”
“Oh, please,” Amber scoffed. “You act more like a couple than actual couples! He opens your soda at dinner, you pick the cucumbers off his takeout… and don’t even get me started on those weird movie inside jokes you have. I don’t understand half the stuff you’re saying.”
“What?” you laughed. “H-he just hates cucumbers… I like them. We share food, that’s normal for roommates. You and I used to do that too!” You chose to ignore the rest of her points.
“Fine, what’s not normal for roommates is the way he looks at you,” Amber said, raising an eyebrow. “Like he could eat you whole. Yesterday, he was practically drooling when you wore those shorts. Has he mentioned anything about you two.. together?”
Your face flamed. “W-well… he can be a little flirty sometimes, but… I don’t know, he might just be joking around.”
“Oh, guys don’t just joke about stuff like this. He definitely wants to sleep with you.”
“And the way you look at him isn’t that innocent either,” she teased, practically singing the words.
“Stop it!” you exclaimed, laughing awkwardly as you stood up and headed toward the bathroom. You brushed your teeth, trying not to think about her words, but it was impossible.
It wasn’t like it hadn’t crossed your mind before. With his constant teasing and flirting, you doubted he didn’t want this at least a little. The thing was… you wanted it too. For a while now, you just couldn’t get the thought out of your head. Lying next to him at night, you couldn’t help but feel embarrassed, thinking about all the things you wanted to do to him… the things you’d let him do to you, while he slept peacefully just inches away.
From what you’d seen, you assumed he wasn’t exactly the “relationship type,” so you did your best not to let your mind wander there. You knew he was fine with… casual things.
That’s why you thought that maybe, if you spent just one night together… you’d get some kind of closure, and finally stop thinking about him every single minute of the day.
With Amber’s last night, it felt like your last chance to do anything about it. Not that you wouldn’t see him anymore, you two were still living together, but once Amber left, you’d be back in your own room, and you weren’t sure if you’d gather the courage to act.
The room was quiet, bathed in darkness, with only pale moonlight spilling through the window. It outlined the furniture and fell across the bed, across him. Lying on his back beside you, his features softened in the dim light, lashes dark against his skin.
You stared at the ceiling, wide awake despite the late hour. Your pulse rang too loud, every small movement magnified in the stillness. You wondered if he’d already fallen asleep, his breathing steady and even beside you.
You hesitated, fingers curling slightly into the sheets.
“Baekhyun?” you whispered, barely louder than the hum of the city outside.
He shifted beside you. “Mm?”
“Can I ask you something?”
There was a brief pause, then his voice came again, low and gentle.
You took a breath, then another, and decided you were done circling around it. You were going to be shamelessly upfront.
“Do you…” You swallowed. “Do you want to fuck me?”
The question hung between you, heavy and exposed.
For a moment, he didn’t answer.
You almost took it back, already preparing a laugh, a joke, anything to soften the blow before it could hurt.
Then he rolled onto his side, facing you fully.
In the moonlight, you could see his expression clearly now. There was no teasing in his eyes. No easy smile to hide behind.
“Yeah,” he said quietly, after a beat. “I do.”
The admission sent a warm rush straight through you, making your breath stutter.
“But…” He exhaled slowly, his gaze flicking away for a moment. “Now… I don’t know if it’s a good idea.”
“W-why?” you asked, barely above a breath.
“Because we’re roommates,” he said. “Things like this… they can get messy.”
He was right. You knew he was. The sensible part of you understood exactly what he meant.
Still, the words slipped out before you could stop them.
“What if… only for tonight,” you murmured, turning toward him, “we forget about that?”
His hand moved, slow, careful. His fingers brushing the hem of your shirt, grazing your skin as he pulled you a little closer. The touch felt deliberate, restrained.
He looked at you again, warmth and something almost fragile tangled in his eyes.
“I don’t want to mess this up,” he whispered.
Your heart felt like it might burst.
“You won’t,” you breathed.
Something in him snapped, like a final thread giving way.
He suddenly shifted on top of you, pinning you down. Your hands clutched his shoulders, legs wrapping instinctively around his waist, drawing him closer.
His lips hovered just above yours, impossibly close, breath warm and uneven as he tilted his head, his nose nudging yours gently.
“Tell me you want this,” he murmured, voice rough now.
A beat. Softer. Barely holding together. “Tell me… you want me.”
Your heart hammered painfully in your chest.
“I want you,” you whispered. “Baek… I want you so fucking bad.”
Hard. Rushed. Desperate. Like he’d been set loose, like he was trying to make up for every second he hadn’t touched you, every moment he’d held himself back.
Your lips collided, slipping, chasing, finding each other again, refusing to slow down. No rhythm, no patience, just need. You clung to him, fingers tangling in his hair, tugging him down, gasping, dizzy with his taste.
His tongue pushed past your lips, twisting with yours, demanding, claiming. One hand fisted at the back of your neck, keeping you close, anchoring you there, while the other grabbed your thigh, gripping hard, knuckles whitening as he held you still.
He pressed against you, skin sliding over skin, bodies fitting together too easily. Your thighs trembled around him, hips rolling upward, chasing more. The sound he drew, low and rough, torn straight from his chest, went through you like a spark, heat coiling deep in your stomach.
You were burning beneath him. Shuddering. Hands restless and greedy as they roamed his back, his shoulders. You couldn’t get enough. He kissed you the same way, sloppy, breathless, as if stopping now would actually hurt.
Every broken breath, every soft moan between kisses said the same thing.
Hours slipped by, unnoticed, until morning light crept through the curtains.
Naked and curled against him, you felt the steady rise and fall of his chest, the warmth of his arms around you, the faint scent of him lingering in the sheets.
For a moment, you just wanted to stay there, letting time stretch, savoring the closeness. But instead, carefully so as not to wake him, you slid out of his arms, pulled on your clothes, and quietly stepped into the hall.
Amber was already up, putting on her jacket, few bags in hand by the front door. She looked up when you appeared.
“Perfect timing,” she said with a smile. “Help me take the last of my stuff over?”
You nodded, grateful for the distraction.
You spent the day with her. The two of you brought her final things to her new apartment, picked up a new shower curtain, had lunch, and organised her cabinets. It was fun to hang out together, doing something productive, but your thoughts kept drifting back to the night before.
You couldn’t stop thinking about Baekhyun’s hands on your skin, the way his lips had felt against yours.
Your plan - to spend one night together so you could finally get him out of your system and move on, had completely backfired.
You had to face the truth.
You’d fallen for him. Hard.
And it wasn’t just because of the sex. Last night had been the best of your life, undoubtedly… but it was more than that. It was him. All of him. His humor. His personality. The warmth in his eyes, the softness of his smile. The way he made you feel.
You were nervous about going back home, unsure how things would be between the two of you now. So when Amber mentioned she’d forgotten her expensive shampoo and conditioner in your bathroom, you felt a strange relief, grateful she’d be coming back with you, and that you wouldn’t have to face him alone just yet.
Baekhyun was sitting on the couch, shifting restlessly, fingers tapping against his knee. The moment you walked through the door, he stood, just like he had many weeks ago.
The two of you held each other’s gaze a second too long, until Amber appeared behind you.
“I’m exhausted,” she announced. “Let’s get some takeout.”
“H-hi, Amber,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I thought you were staying at the new place tonight?”
She dropped onto the couch, scrolling through her phone trying to decide what to order.
“Yeah, I am,” she said. “Still have a few things to grab here. And I figured I’d treat you guys to dinner, for putting up with me all this time.” She shot a quick grin.
At first, you felt awkward, catching yourself avoiding Baekhyun’s gaze. But with Amber there, the tension gradually eased, and soon the three of you were chatting comfortably over dinner. Baekhyun leaned back, laughing at something Amber had said, before popping open a can of soda and sliding it toward you. You accepted it with a quiet smile.
By the time Amber finally decided it was time to leave, it was well past midnight.
“Thank you again, you guys!” she said, giving each of you a warm hug at the door. “You have to come over to celebrate my new place soon!”
“Definitely,” Baekhyun replied with a smile.
You said your goodbyes, and once the door clicked shut, the atmosphere shifted, leaving a quiet tension between the two of you.
You spoke at the same time.
Both of you paused. He let out a soft chuckle.
“I think… I should go to bed,” you said. “I’m tired from all the moving today.”
“Oh… okay,” he replied quietly.
“I’ll just grab my things,” you added. “You can finally have your bed to yourself.”
“I didn’t mind,” his eyes stayed fixed on yours.
You gathered your covers from his bed and made your way toward your room. Before stepping inside, you turned back.
You closed the door behind you and sank onto the edge of your bed. After so many nights spent in his room, your own felt distant and cold. You stayed there for a moment, trying to steady your scattered thoughts. Finally, you switched off the lights and lay back on the mattress, a dull weight settling in your chest. But when your eyes drifted to the ceiling, your breath caught.
Hundreds of tiny glowing stars covered it, turning your ceiling into a soft, luminous night sky.
A wide smile spread across your cheeks. They were just little plastic stickers… but somehow this the most beautiful thing you’d ever seen.
The entire night sky… made just for you.
You stayed there, completely still, a few quiet tears rolling down your face.
You grabbed your phone, wanting to say so many things… but you just couldn’t.
He answered almost immediately.
didn’t expect a thank-you this quick tho
did you just want an excuse to talk to me?
You smiled at your screen.
you: totally needed an excuse
talking to you is impossible
you know… since you’re such a private, quiet, keep-to-yourself type of guy
beckie: you’re right. i’ll try being more talkative
Shit. You’d typed that way too quickly, without even thinking. Time for some damage control.
you: especially when i had to drag amber’s bags up to the third floor. you?
You were just typing “I mean how was your day?” when his reply popped up first.
had to watch a whole movie by myself
you know how horrible that is?
Your eyes stayed focused on the “i missed you” a little longer.
i’m the one who has to watch them with you
beckie: that was unearned
i think it’s about time to bring back movie nights
He’d sent you a list that seemed to have at least a hundred movies on it.
You continued texting almost till sunrise, separated just by the thin wall.
Things slowly went back to normal.
It was obvious it didn’t bother him, so you tried your best to act like it didn’t bother you either.
But you still felt horrible, and the worst part was, you had no right to. You had wanted a one-night stand with him, and he had given you exactly that.
Rain streaked the windows, the apartment dark and gloomy, strangely bigger than usual. You sank into the couch with your fuzzy blanket pulled tight around you, Twilight playing quietly in the dim room.
The front door creaked open, letting in a rush of cold air. He kicked off his shoes and shrugged out of his jacket, damp from the rain, before dropping onto the couch beside you with a quiet sigh.
“God, it’s freezing out there,” he muttered. Then, without much thought, he lifted the edge of your blanket and slipped under it.
“So warm,” Baekhyun shifted closer.
You felt the chill of him even through your clothes, shivers blooming over your skin, but you stayed where you were, letting your warmth seep into him.
After a beat, he glanced at the screen. “Why are you watching this again?”
“Just… because,” you said quietly.
“Hey…” he nudged you gently. “I know this is your comfort movie. What’s going on?”
You rubbed your eyes. “I’m just tired… from work, studying… I can put on something else if you want,” you said, pulling your knees up onto the couch.
He made little jokes about the scenes, just like the first time you’d watched it together, and you smiled, even if your mind wasn’t fully there.
His hand settled lightly on your thigh, thumb brushing in a slow, lazy rhythm.
“This is my favorite part,” he whispered, eyes on the screen.
You barely noticed the movie anymore. Every touch, every movement of his fingers set your senses alight.
“You feeling okay?” he asked quietly.
You nodded, staring at the tv.
“I can…” His hand slid a little higher, brushing against sensitive skin. “I can make you feel better,” he murmured, voice low and rough, trembling with need.
Your eyes locked with his, then flicked to his lips. You only managed a small nod again.
He lifted you onto his lap effortlessly, pulling you flush against him. His lips found you immediately. Crashing into yours, starving, consuming, making it hard to remember how to breathe.
His hands slid under your top, gripping your waist, digging into the flesh almost painfully, as if he were afraid you might disappear.
For a brief heartbeat between frantic kisses, he rested his forehead against yours, eyes closed, breath shaking. His grip loosened, nearly unnoticeable.
“I…” His voice faltered, barely there. He exhaled, like giving up on whatever he meant to say.
His arms tightened again, drawing you back into him like he couldn’t afford the distance. He buried his face in the crook of your neck, lips trailing over that spot he already knew left you weak. Your mouth fell open in a whimper so choked it was almost silent.
“That’s it..” Baekhyun breathed softly into your skin. “Let me take good care of you, beautiful.”
You pulled back just enough to look at him, tucking a stray lock of hair from his forehead. His eyes were darker now, unreadable. You responded with a deep, lingering kiss, arms sliding around the back of his neck, completely helpless to his words, to his touch.
By the time he finally let go, the movie had long since ended.
Soon you fell into a new dynamic.
You’d eat dinner together, then watch a movie or play a board game, or simply sit and chat, your legs resting over his on the couch.
You’d say your good nights. But a few hours later, a quiet knock would pull you from sleep, and you’d find each other again, gasps and whispers filling the darkness, wrapped in warmth, unable to let go.
He’d call you sweet names between soft moans, but during the day, it was always just your name.
So this was what you were now? Fuck buddies. You were the new Liz.
And yet, sometimes it felt like more.
The way his hand brushed yours as you passed each other around the apartment, the little texts about when he’d be late, how he couldn’t wait to get home… maybe you were reading too much into it. Maybe you just wished it was more.
You tried not to think about it. You weren’t going to confess, how could you face him every day if he said no? So you focused on the good parts and pushed the dreadful thoughts aside, the idea that someday he might bring another girl home, or meet someone else and have a real relationship.
Jongin was teaching you to play a video game. You were teaming up on some magical quest, searching for a cursed wizard or something. Surprisingly, you were pretty good at it, and it was genuinely fun. You sat side by side, focused on the tv screen.
Meanwhile, Chanyeol and Baekhyun sat at the kitchen table, sipping coffee, deep in conversation.
“..because I don’t want to!” Baekhyun’s voice snapped, sharp and frustrated, completely unusual for him.
“C’mon! Seriously, what’s wrong with you? You haven’t been on a date in ages!” Chanyeol exclaimed, grinning.
“What’s happening?” Jongin called over to the boys without taking his eyes off the screen. “Y/n, watch out, double jump here!”
You followed his instructions, trying to stay concentrated.
“I go out with this girl, right? Her friend is completely obsessed with Baek, won’t stop bugging me about him, but he still won’t go out with her!” Chanyeol whined. “And she’s totally your type, like… really hot!” he added, nudging Baekhyun.
“Why is my love life suddenly such a big deal to you?” Baekhyun said, clearly annoyed. He grabbed his phone from the table and started scrolling mindlessly, trying to tune out Chanyeol.
“Because she won’t leave me alone! Just one date, I’m not asking you to marry her!”
“No,” Baekhyun said, still looking at his phone.
“Help me out here, guys!” Chanyeol turned to you, pleading.
“Leave me out of this,” Jongin said. “Y/n, pass me that potion, please.” Your game character handed it over to his.
“Y/n?” Chanyeol’s eyes were wide and desperate.
“Oh… I don’t think it’s my place to say anything,” you mumbled.
“All he does lately is stay home. Don’t you think it’d be good for him to go out?” Chanyeol continued.
“Y/n, you need to move faster here,” Jongin said, eyes still on the screen.
“Yeah…” you replied, “well..”
“Please, tell him to go out!” Chanyeol kept going.
“The enchanted forest ends here,” Jongin mumbled. “Do you remember what that fairy said? Should we go right…”
“Yes, go…” you answered quickly.
“See! Y/n thinks it’s a good idea too!” Chanyeol exclaimed, turning toward Baekhyun.
You and Baekhyun shared a look.
“You do?” he asked, eyebrows slightly raised.
“Um… I don’t know…” Your voice was quiet, hesitant. Chanyeol’s eyes stayed glued to you. “I mean… you should go if that’s what you want,” you finished softly.
“Hyung, stop with this already,” said Jongin. “She doesn’t care.”
You went straight to your room after Chanyeol and Jongin left. Your chest felt tight. Why the hell had you said that? You replayed the moment over and over, wishing you could take the words back, wishing you’d said anything else.
But then again… did it even matter? He was free to do whatever he wanted.
A knock sounded at your door. You forced your expression into something neutral before opening it.
Baekhyun stood there, his face serious.
You stepped aside to let him in.
“I- okay. I knew I was going to mess this up,” he let out a bitter chuckle, eyes fixed on the floor. “But I really can’t keep playing this game…”
He took a slow breath, then lifted his gaze to meet yours.
You sensed where this was going. He was about to tell you he didn’t want to keep whatever this was. That he’d go on that date.
A knot formed in your stomach.
What if they hit it off? If they started dating? You’d have to move out. You couldn’t handle seeing them here together… hearing them through the thin wall.
“I’m not going out with this girl,” he said firmly.
“I don’t know if you actually think I should or not,” he continued, voice steady, “but I won’t.”
“I… I’m in love with you,” he said quietly. “Even before we.. before that night, I already felt it.”
His hand lifted, almost instinctively, as if to reach for yours, but he hesitated, letting it fall back to his side, afraid of pushing too far.
“You’re the only one,” he continued, voice certain despite the nerves. “You’re the only one I want to be with.”
His eyes stayed locked on yours, open, warm, painfully vulnerable. For a second, you couldn’t move or speak, still trying to catch up with what he’d just said.
“But if you don’t want this… if you don’t want anything more with me, just forget I said it,” he added quickly. “We can go back to how things were. I won’t make it awkward.” He gave a small, strained laugh, already starting to turn away. “I can even move out if you-”
You grabbed his hand before he could finish, pulling him back. Rising onto your tiptoes, you pressed your lips to his.
He went still for just a heartbeat before his arms slipped around you, holding you close as he kissed you back.
You didn’t want to stop, too hungry for his lips, for his touch, but you pulled back for a moment. You needed to say it. Your hands cupped his cheeks, thumbs brushing softly over his skin.
“I feel the same,” you whispered, looking up at him.
He smiled, happiness shining in his warm eyes. You held each other’s gaze for a breath before leaning in again, meeting in another kiss.
For a long moment, you just stayed there, arms wrapped around each other, the world outside your room fading to nothing.
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