The flaws in Park Chanyeol

Six.

"I don't think I'll ever like him that way."

Chanyeol thinks.

This feels like a repeat of Aimi, where he thought about spending his life with her instead of with Baekhyun, mostly because he thought Baekhyun wouldn't ever like him that way. He's thinking the same thing now. Not because he wants to move on (because even if he does want to move on, he doesn't think he ever will, at least not completely), but because he can give at least one person happiness, even if he himself will never be as happy as he can be.

And this time, the weight of it is even heavier, because Chanyeol knows for a fact now that he's not in Baekhyun's heart. And without Baekhyun, he can still be happy, but not entirely, mostly because he'll never really get over him.

Once upon a time, when Chanyeol wasn't in love, he might've been able to move on and find other things that made him smile. Now, it's so different.

"I want to try with Kyungsoo." Chanyeol says into the darkness. Even though Baekhyun's not here anymore, Chanyeol is starting to find comfort in Jungsoo. "I think it's time I stop pushing him away." This time, Jungsoo's reply is fast.

"But –"

"I still love Baekhyun." Chanyeol interrupts. "And that won't change. Maybe it'll fade away a little ... But maybe I can make Kyungsoo happy instead."

"Hyung, that's not –"

"I wanted a chance, too." Chanyeol says. "I wanted a chance with him, and I got it. I'm happy for that, and I'm thankful for that." Jungsoo is silent. "And I want to ... give Kyungsoo a try, because hey, I used to like him once upon a time."

"Who knows? Maybe if I stay long enough with Kyungsoo, I might start liking him." Chanyeol stares at the wall. "Even though I'll always love Baekhyun, I might grow to love Kyungsoo too. I'll love them both, but I'll learn to choose only Soo. I think –"

"No." Jungsoo's voice is firm. Chanyeol turns, watching as the outline of Jungsoo sits up amongst the darkness. "Don't do it."

"Why not?" Chanyeol asks, confused.

"Don't." Jungsoo says. "Just ... don't."

"Do you want me to stay like this forever? Mourning someone who'll never look at me?" Chanyeol sounds angry and hurt and confused.

"Trust me." Jungsoo says quietly. "Trust me, hyung."

That's what Baekhyun said. Chanyeol thinks bitterly. Even so, the thought itself is starting to sound ridiculous. How did he even think of such a stupid thing? Trying out with Kyungsoo? Ha! He doesn't think Kyungsoo would even accept him at this point.

As if on cue, his ringtone interrupts him.

Dumbfounded, Chanyeol reaches over and picks it up.

"Hello?" It's on speaker.

"Chanyeol." Kyungsoo greets. "I know you might be ... I know you might be thinking of dating me." Chanyeol's eyes widen and he turns to Jungsoo. Jungsoo's eyes are just as wide.

"But I don't need your pity. I don't need you to do that."

"...Soo?"

"I want to date someone who can love me. Someone who genuinely wants to be with me. Not someone who wants to give me happiness but not give himself a chance to be happy." Chanyeol's heart is swelling at Kyungsoo's words.

"Do you get me? Chanyeol?"

"Yeah ..."

"Which is why I'm not dating Jongin. I won't leave him hanging."