Tangled Hearts

Baekhyun was video calling his friends while walking out of faculty. "Can you believe this? I'm stuck with that guy and professor didn't even let me change partners." Baekhyun snorted in annoyance. "Is this karma? What did I do for the universe to hate me so much?"

"Calm down B!" Seulgi chuckled, trying not to burst into a laugh at his dramatics. "It's just a few weeks. All you need to do is talk with him just a few minutes so you two can brainstorm ideas."

"Easy for you to say. I hate the guy." Baekhyun sighed and Jongdae just rolled his eyes.

"C'mon Baek. You're better than this. I mean I understand that he ruined your model but it was an accident." Jongdae chuckled. "You're usually rational but now you're acting like a kid..." he raised an eyebrow playfully. "Wait... do you actually like him?"

"WHAT?" Baekhyun shouted, sending a couple of unsuspecting students jumping. “You’ve lost it! I literally just said I hate the guy!”

"Hmm Dede is right." Seulgi snickered. “This reaction is a bit dramatic even for you. I mean, c’mon, you’ve had worse! Remember when someone spilled soda on your notes? You didn’t even break a sweat!”

"You know what? I'm done with you two. Bye." Baekhyun said, dramatically hanging up like he was cutting off a toxic relationship rather than just a video call. "Idiots. Like him? I hate the guy ugh." he whispered to himself.

Baekhyun was nearly out of the building when he caught sight of Chanyeol in a heated argument with someone. Known for his insatiable curiosity, he felt compelled to eavesdrop, hoping to find out some kind of dirt on the taller.

“I can’t believe you’re doing this, Dad! Are you seriously out of your mind?” Chanyeol shouted, his frustration evident. “You came here to cancel my major?”

“I had a chat with the dean and he assured me switching majors this late is no issue." his father replied, his tone dismissive. “This is simply a tantrum you’re throwing.”

“A tantrum? Dad, this is my future we’re talking about! This is what I’m passionate about!” Chanyeol’s voice rose even higher.

“Passionate? You’re risking unemployment with your choice! You need to mature, Chanyeol. Look at your sister, she’s studying law.”

“Yeah, because she actually enjoys it!” Chanyeol shot back, exasperated. “Sooyoung loves learning about the law and how it can be used to help others. And let’s not forget how you pushed her to work for the family business! She’s in law school because she wants to!” he yelled, his emotions spilling over.

“Mind your tone, young man. I’m still your father.” he warned sternly. “I’ve always suggested either business or law for your future. I never even considered the idea of you going into medicine because I knew you wouldn't." he sighed, his expression mixed with concern and frustration. “I’m just looking out for what’s best for you.”

“Looking out for me or for yourself?” Chanyeol scoffed. “It seems to me you care more about your reputation and the family business than about my happiness.”

Baekhyun, sensing the situation spiraling out of control as others passersby's began to stare, decided to intervene. “Chanyeol!” he called out, striding towards them. “I’ve been looking for you. We need to discuss our assignment.” Chanyeol shot him a bewildered look, unsure where Baekhyun had spawned from. “Hey there.” he greeted with a friendly smile at Chanyeol’s dad.

“And who might you be?” Chanyeol's father raised an eyebrow, assessing the newcomer with scrutiny.

“I’m Baekhyun. I’m a classmate and Chanyeol’s partner for an assignment.” Baekhyun replied, maintaining his composure even under the watchful eye of Chanyeol’s father.

“Another artsy friend, I see.” the elder Park stated dismissively.

"Oh no. I'm majoring in architecture. Our professors decided to do an assignment by joining both majors and now we have to work on ideas for it, so if you excuse us Mr. Park, we have to go." Baekhyun said politely grabbing Chanyeol's arm and pulling him.

“We’ll continue this discussion at home, Chanyeol." his father stated, glancing at his watch. Chanyeol merely nodded in response.

“Bye bye!” Baekhyun waved brightly as soon as Chanyeol’s father turned to leave. The moment he was out of sight, Baekhyun dropped his cheerful facade and released Chanyeol’s arm.

“Tha—”

“Oh no, no. Don't thank me." Baekhyun interjected, eyeing Chanyeol with a mix of amusement and authority. “I didn’t do that for you, I did it for me. You owe me now. In fact, this is the second time you’re in debt with me, after you wrecked my model.” Chanyeol rolled his eyes, annoyance bubbling beneath the surface.

“Can you just—”

“Shh! You’re going to do what I say now. I just saved you from a very public meltdown with your father." he remarked, satisfaction tinging his voice. “Oh, I’m definitely going to get my revenge now."

“Sure, whatever you say." Chanyeol shrugged, beginning to walk away, only to be halted by Baekhyun’s grip on his shoulder.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Baekhyun tilted his head, a playful challenge in his eyes. “We’ve got an assignment to work on.”

“Now? You want to start on it now?” Chanyeol asked, incredulous.

“You’ve already wasted my time, so why not keep wasting it today?” Baekhyun replied cheerfully.

Chanyeol rolled his eyes once again and sighed defeated. "Whatever grumpy. Let's go to some coffee shop nearby and work on some ideas and then we're going our separate ways."

"Don't call me that you asshole." he said annoyed. "I can't concentrate on coffee shops, too much noise around us."

"Let's go to my dorm then. I can't go home yet."

"I'm not going to your dorm, I may catch some kind of disease." Baekhyun said disgusted.

"Yeah stupidity is very contagious." Chanyeol rolled his eyes one more time, he was going to lose his eyes from rolling them so much. "Where do you suggest we go then you genius?"

"Fuck you." he said annoyed and sighed. "Let's go to my grandma's house then." Chanyeol was surprised by the suggestion but just kept his mouth shut and followed Baekhyun.

Maybe but just maybe, Baekhyun didn't hate Chanyeol that much and Chanyeol thought that maybe all that angry demeanor was just to hide the fact that Baekhyun was actually kind and cares about other...