i actually really, really /like/ xiubaek BUT they totally confuse me, and i have a lot of difficulty articulating my thoughts. my impression is that minseok is not very lenient with baekhyun (at least, not in the same way as kjm or even kjd or kji—all of whom def give bbh pushback when he's getting to be Too Much), but he's very accepting of the way bbh is? he's very aware of the type of person baekhyun is, and he kind of matches snark with snark? he's a lot less giving with baekhyun, but still leaves just enough room for baekhyun to carve out a spot/a dynamic between them.

i think with kjd he's way less rigid (and in truth, i think there are varieties where kms is very not rigid with bbh—the drinking one for example is one where he seemed super tense but got to relax bc of bbh, despite bbh technically being the one out of his element in that situation. he seems very conscious and appreciative of that role bbh takes on in the group), but with kjd he kind of allows himself to be more gummy, silly, and like cute!

but i do find him more similar to bbh in other ways—i think both of them are very firm in their sexualities/gender in such a way that it allows them to experiment more freely with style, fashion, etc. (bbh crossdressing in the one and kms mothering during cream soda) than kjd who seems more rigidly masculine of everyone in cbx. i also think both of them are very conscious of image and know how to play with it, while not controlling it nearly as rigidly as kjd who has no socials (or had none in the past). i think kjd is core to xiubaek (and its why cbx makes SUCH a great ot3) as mediator (both bbh and minseok are at their silliest, most unguarded when kjd is between them LOL) but i like the ship on its own. i just dont find it nearly as functional as i do with the ot3. i think bbh and minseok would consider themselves opposites, and while i think there's physical attraction i dont think either of them would flourish without a buffer in that relationship LOL but thats just me? i would love to hear someone else's take, esp someone more familiar with minseok bc ive only ever really sourced out bbh interviews (and kjd more recently) and would love to know more!!