Stay | CHANBAEK

part i.

It had been eight years since they got married, but they've practically been separated for seven.

Chanyeol worked as an editor in the city. Baekhyun, on the other hand, well, Chanyeol didn't really know what he did anymore. The last time they spoke, it was the day he left the rural town, which was also the last day he saw his husband.

Married when they turned 18, Chanyeol soon realized that the decision was a mistake. He wanted to do bigger things. Everything he wanted was in the city. After many marital and life conflicts, Chanyeol decided he hated the small town he lived in and left.

He found someone. He was different from Baekhyun and everything Chanyeol wanted to have in a partner--or so his craving heart thought.

Unlike Baekhyun, Kyungsoo was sleek and chic. He cared about how he looked. Baekhyun did too, but not so much. There was no need in the rural. Kyungsoo was a manager of multiple publishing clients, where as Baekhyun worked as a simple cashier at the only grocery store in town.

During his months of dating Kyungsoo, Chanyeol sent divorce papers time and time again, but each time, Baekhyun would send them back blank. Then Chanyeol made the decision to propose. The media quickly picked it up, but they weren't aware of his marital status yet. Kyungsoo was also unaware--seeming as the fact that Chanyeol never told him.

Finally, Chanyeol decided to end old business.

Making up a lie, Chanyeol told Kyungsoo that his parents were people who overreacted and that if they knew he was engaged, they'd overreact. Kyungsoo hesitantly understood and bid Chanyeol goodbye when he left to "visit family first."

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When Chanyeol drove through his old town, he couldn't help but feel disgusted. Some buildings were broken and people were dressed poorly. It was different than the life he had built. He ignored the elderly he used to help and ignored the annoying laughter emitted from the people.

When he finally got to the house he used to share with his husband, Chanyeol sat in his car and took in the sight. The house still looked somewhat dirty. There were additional mechanical junk against some trees and any landscaping was minor.

Chanyeol wondered how he stayed for so long in a place like that. Getting out of the car, he was shocked when he heard a loud bark. A black dog stood on the porch, barking at him as if he was an intruder at his own house.

When the dog jumped off the porch, it didn't attack him. The dog turned out to be friendly. Smiling, Chanyeol rubbed the back of its neck and patted it on its back. As he was petting the animal, the front door opened and Chanyeol heard a familiar laugh.

"Watch out, he'll bite you if you don't pet him long enough."

When Chanyeol looked up, the smile on Baekhyun's face disappeared.

"Oh, it's you," Baekhyun frowned. "I almost didn't recognize you with that dyed hair and designer clothing."

Chanyeol caught the hint of bitter sarcasm. "I see you haven't changed," he threw back as he looked over Baekhyun's simple shirt and jeans.

"And I see that you've changed too much," Baekhyun bit back.

"I've changed for the better," Chanyeol argued.

Baekhyun shrugged. "Whatever you say, Mr. Editor big shot."

When he turned to walk back into the house, Chanyeol's hands curled into fists.

"You know, you don't look like you belong here," Baekhyun said with his back turned. "Why don't you go back to the city?"

Chanyeol's lips thinned. "I came here because you won't sign the fucking divorce papers!"