He's finally escaped.

He can still taste the alcohol on his tongue, and feel the bass vibrate through his bones.

Sehun hates parties, but of course Lay threw one. 

In the dorm, on the day he most needed rest.

He runs out the door, into the cool night.
*****

It's nightfall on the deck above the mall, and the sweet scent of frangipani fills the air; it's sitting in a wooden planter, petals surrounding it.

Sehun thinks he likes the scent, brushes his palm to the flowers, and breathes in deeply.

"You know, the sap is an irritant to the eyes and skin," a soft voice murmurs from behind him. 

Spinning around, he notices a young boy, who looks not a day older than 18, his auburn hair and pale skin reflecting the neon glow from the numerous signs. He's got doe eyes and a cute smile. 

Not wanting to lose, Sehun replies with a stab, "You're an irritant to my eyes and skin." He glares at the shorter boy, brows furrowed. 

He had been itching to have some time to himself, after spending hours trapped in his roommate Lay's rave party.

But of course, some smartass kid- who thought he was some kind of plant expert, had to come ruin it.

"Am I now..?," the boy-child smiles again, and steps forward, closing the gap, letting his cool fingers lightly brush Sehun's cheek. 

He's confident. Reminiscence of the frangipani. 

He plucks the lingering hand off his cheek, and pushes past the boy.

However he doesn't get far. His wrist, caught in the boy's grasp.

Once again, in that sweet voice, "I'm not going to pounce on you. Quit looking like a cat caught in headlights." The boy lets out a soft giggle, "How about we start again? I'm Luhan. Nice to meet you. I'm a sophomore, studying botany at the local university." 

Sehun pauses, wondering whether he should reply.

"Why should I tell you who I am?"

"Well, for starters, I did save your life there. You could be horribly allergic to the sap. You could be dead, white as the moon, if I didn't stop you." 

Luhan was just full of surprises.

"I'm pretty sure I would have erupted in rashes and started sneezing if I was," Sehun drawls dryly, glancing at the innocent planter overflowing with greenery.

As if it was capable of killing him. 

In fact, talking to this boy might do the job first.

"Wanna tell me your name? I'm sure I deserve at least that," Luhan leans over the railing, his hair bathed in the bright moonlight.

"... Oh Sehun. I take design and rap in my spare time. Looks like I'm your junior. Thanks for saving me from the evil flower sap. It seems I now owe you my life." 

That enticing laugh again. He hates it and loves it simultaneously. "No problem, Sehun. It's my duty as a future botanist," Luhan smiles, "Don't you like flowers? They signify so many different things. I could send a bouquet, and it could convey all my feelings, all at once. No words needed."

"I don't really care much for the significance of things. I prefer to lead a simple life. No need for symbolical stuff- so complicated," Sehun huffs out, "I like people more when they say what they have to, straight to my face. And that's saying a lot, considering I don't like people in general."

"You're so grumpy."

"So I've been informed."

The elder just frowns unamusedly.

"If I had to make you a bouquet to signify you, Sehun, to be quite honest, it would purely consist of dead leaves."

Sehun couldn't help but let out a snort of amusement. That was pretty funny. Dead leaves. 

"I'm not joking. You're rather reminiscent of a dead leaf. Dry and crunchy and all. No life."

At that, Sehun couldn't help but let out another snort, this time doubling over and slapping his own thigh, "Dry and crunchy? You couldn't think of a better description? I've never even heard of a bouquet of dead leaves."

Luhan's frown deepened, "Well, aren't they dry and crunchy?," he taps his foot impatiently, "You'd be worthy of the world's first bouquet of it then. Anyway, it's about time for me to leave. Clearly, I have better things to do than interact with a..a dead leaf."

One last amused bark from the younger. "Alright, alright. Just let me get my last word in, Luhan. If I had to compare you to something, it would be that," Sehun points to the soft white petals among the contrasting green, filling the cool breeze with it's scent.

"And why? If I might ask." 

"A frangipani stands out with its pure white petals and egg yolk centre; with its sweet scent, luring moths to search for nectar- when in fact, it is a dupe. The flowers do not contain the sweet honey, it merely attracts moths for pollination," Sehuns eyes gleam in the moonlight, "Tell me, Luhan, don't you think you've been luring me in the whole time." 

"Actually, Sehun, I wasn't luring you in. I just saved your life from the poisonous sap. That's all. In fact, I think some thanks might be in order."

"Since you managed to catch my attention, by comparing me to a bouquet of dead leaves- of all things...I suppose I could spare a few more hours to listen to you go on about plants."

"Fine. Coffee tomorrow. You're paying since you owe me your life. Meet me here at two."

The auburn haired boy picks a single frangipani from the short bush and tucks it into his hair, just over his right ear, spinning around and coyly batting his eyelashes at Sehun, before bursting into laughter; his good mood restored after their banter and the thought of free java.

Sehun can't help but let out another short bark of a laugh. He's only ever been attracted to those white flowers. They need careful attention, just the right balance of sun and water, but they bloom beautifully when cared for.

It looks like he's the moth, falling into the trap anyway. He's enraptured and yet he doesn't mind. 

There's nothing wrong with just a taste.