I know I'm late but I was busy shifting houses and with Ramadhan (Ramadhan Mubarak everyone!) and it's the end of the semester and I don't know what they tell you about college professors but they're wrong - we're busy as f*** and we work twice as hard as our students, okay? Ugh, I feel like I'm the one all the last minute deadlines. Phew, anyway. Just because I was busy does not mean I missed out on all the sweet - or should I say Xiuweet? - OT9 moments at Xiumin's fanmeet... can I just say that I cried? With actual tears? Because ugh, my heart. 

Let me get this out of the way - I am NOT upset that our mathyung is going for the mandatory military service. I'm a military brat (though I like to think I'm not a brat) and as such, I hold all individuals who serve their country in great respect, putting their lives on the line. Honestly, I'm proud. And who doesn't love a man in a uniform? (He looks so good with the buzz cut, though!)  

But I'm a teeny tiny bit sad because we'll have to wait for so long before EXO can be complete again.

No matter, though. It shall pass and we'll prevail because that's what we do, EXO-Ls, we are strong! We survived OT12 breaking up, we survived the sucessive departures of three members, we've been living on OT9 crumbs since then, where even an occassional, passing mention of Lay X OT8 interaction seems like a cross-group collab. We survived a-year-and-then-some long hiatus before their last two comebacks. We can do this! 

Not to mention, it's high time the members got some solo stuff. I'm glad Xiumin got to release his solo - which is beautiful and I cried, just watching the behind the scenes (Listen here: You) - and I'll look forward to more from him when he returns. Let's support him and wait for him together! Fighting!

On and because I love EXO and I love Xiumin and I love all soldiers (especially my father, who set the standard for everyone else, may his soul rest in peace), I have decided to write a story detailing the adventures of a soldier, the desires of a soldier's heart. I'm going to finalize the format soon and will start posting it as soon as I have some significant portion written out. 

So here it is, dedicated to Xiumin, as my way of coping with his departure and waiting for his safe return. Let's do this, Elsas, EXOLs <3 Do keep an eye out. 

Later