The relationship which he shared with Sanha was unlike the relationship he held with anyone else. There was something special between them— every little bit of it was platonic, but Sanha was special. So special. From the instant they had encountered one another by the rushing water, years ago in the midst of darkness. He held onto their friendship (he would always think of it as a friendship, if not closer; if not close enough to be brothers) like it was everything he had left in the entire universe. It was priceless to Baekhyun— something he would never bear to give up for anything and everything (perhaps, one of the only things he would never dare to willingly abandon for the sake of his passion). Thus, when their eyes actually meet one another, it was impossible to hold back the childish smile which his mentality immediately faltered to let his mind fall into. Back to the past, where he was so much more liberated in the mind of a younger teenager who never really knew what to hold onto but his friends, was what it felt like when he was around Sanha— just, the nightmares vanished and that was the serenity which came along with the older man’s presence in gentle waves of everything he needed.
And usually, it would take Baekhyun several hours to get ready for anything and everything, but in the presence of someone whom he knew could not always stay with him for extensive periods of time (he carefully treasured every precious second which he spent with the taller man), he advanced through his usual steps at triple the speed that he would usually commit to. It was a haze of absolute childish bliss which prevented his typical ability of reading emotions through other’s eyes from actually functioning. He missed it completely— but Sanha’s bangs swooped over hazel irises anyway. His hands clasped together with a bright smile and he nodded, “Yeah, I’m ready—” he replied, not bothering to repeat the echo of a greeting. The tone of Sanha’s voice sounded different, but the excitement clouded his mind completely— it doesn’t register. “I’m totally ready to go,” he added, gesturing vaguely to his visage— perfectly done, as if he hadn’t spent less than two minutes to slather the cosmetics onto himself.
"Where are you taking me?" He doesn’t question the need for speed, because he knew how Sanha worked— that was just something that was unspoken, yet mutually understood (or perhaps, it was just what Baekhyun knew). The inquiry was passive; almost rhetorical.
Take me anywhere in this world (even out of this world), because I’ll always be ready to trust that whatever you’re doing— whatever we’re doing— I’ll trust that it is safe. For the both of us.
— He waited, waited for an embrace that seemingly was never to come. But in one way, he was glad it didn’t. Even though his mind was twisting and turning. Even though he felt like dying. Baekhyun had always been special, the way his smile still remained similar to the one displayed years ago, it always served to be the smallest ray of hope in Luka’s solid darkness. Because it meant he’d always have somewhere to go. Even when everything was about to crumble — when the world was about to collapse on top of him — he’d have somewhere to seek shelter. But as standing there, before the only real friend he’d ever consider himself having, he couldn’t bear to display a single hint of swirling emotional disarray. Because Luka knew, that through all these years he had been Baekhyun’s guarantee of life; since the day he had saved the younger from drowning. He had been something to hold onto in times of great blizzards and somewhere to hide when thunder scared one to pieces. He had always been someone to lean on, where he himself never leaned on somebody else. He had always been Baekhyun’s shelter.
Luka was, would always be, alone.
And the way he’d been left behind so easily only made it more obvious.
So, he swallowed back each clouding emotion, bit back every urge to hint the turmoil lingering within. Because a shelter isn’t supposed to need sheltering, not in his opinion. And he couldn’t ruin a moment he knew the younger would treasure. Because even Baekhyun knew that Luka’s lifestyle didn’t have room for errors — that one single slip would be as lethal as a gunshot. He could end up dead less than an hour after saying goodbye, or thirty years later. It was a game. It was all a stupid game. He shook his head, breathing slowly as he tries to get his eyes to focus, numb fingertips pushing raven strands away from hazel hues. His grin still lingered, in splintered pieces and he nodded only seconds later, straightening himself properly. “ Let’s go then. ” He stated calmly, lowly too, before he simply turned on his heels. Resisting the urge to grasp for the other male’s wrist. It was as if he shut off his own center of emotion at that point, because no matter what he made himself do, it seemed as if his chest would just continue tightening, for each breath he drew. It felt as if he was choking. “ Let me surprise you with where we’re going. Just keep in mind that I’m there with you, and it won’t be dangerous. ” He stated, voice still calm however wavering at the end and he cursed at himself, as silently as he could.
He wandered back down to his motorcycle, stopping beside it as pursing his lips for a brief moment. This was an obvious choice, as carrying no spare helmet. He turned to face the shorter male for a few seconds, before grasping for the protective piece, handing it over without a word, not warning. His way of displaying care, although subtle. Perhaps. But he’d never risk putting Baekhyun in danger when he had a choice not to. And if it meant he’d be at risk himself… He couldn’t really care less, to be perfectly honest. To him, Baekhyun was like a younger sibling more than an actual friend. But Luka would never admit it. After giving the male a meaning glance he turned back to the motorcycle again, running a finger against polished metal before straddling the bike with ease, pushing the kick stand away, grinning at Baekhyun. “ Come on. "
Tick tock, my friend. Tick tock.