Minseok's smile widened as he take a look at his work. He felt satisfaction bloomed in his chest as he lit the last candle that was located on the hotel's bedroom. He took a quick glance on the rose petals that were scattered carefully, forming a heart shape, on the bed, it took him almost an hour just to figured out how to arranged those petals. (He even googled some photos to come up with a nice idea. He knew that he's being unoriginal, but who cares. He's trying his best anyways.) 

There were also candles that were placed on the floor, aligned on both sides to serve as pathways. He had seen this type of arrangement on the internet before. He also watched some tutorial videos to make sure that everything was perfect.

He wasn't the type to do these kind of things — these cheesy, mushy things. He was known for being the unromantic guy in his and Luhan's relationship. He was always too shy to act out his feelings for the younger. Even the members always used to for being so "unfeeling", so if they only know what Minseok had done today they will definitely laugh their off.

But today was so special as he planned on surprising Luhan for their 8th anniversary. Well, technically,  it was an advance celebration. They were supposed to celebrate it next week, Luhan said  that he will fly to Korea for their anniversary. But Minseok thought that he should surprise Luhan a week ahead instead. He really wanted to do something special  for his special someone.

He secretly flew to Shanghai, knowing that his boyfriend will hold a two-day concert there. He ironed out every details, even contacting Lao Gao, to ask for Luhan's hotel room and his schedule. He was glad that his boyfriend's bestfriend was so kind that the latter even proposed of helping him to execute his plans.

The hardest part of his plan was getting permission from the company. He made out excuses like having a vacation on Shanghai just for them to let him flew out of the country. He also finished every work that he had to do, every recording, guesting and photoshoots a week before. He barely slept just to finished everything but he didn't mind because all of those tiring, sleepless nights will be worth it.

Besides, Luhan will always be worth it.

He was busy looking for a good song that will fit for the romantic ambiance when a specific song caught his attention. He immediately played the music, and as he heard the familiar lyrics, memories started to flood his mind. Minseok can't help but smile.

♪ I refused to believe that it could be so,
There's no way that I'm in love with you ♪

"Minseok."

Minseok immediately turned around when he heard his name being called by a familiar voice. He smiled when he spotted Luhan slowly making his way towards him. They met a year ago, both looking nervous and unsure of the path that they will be taking as trainees when they were introduced to each other.

They shook hands and that was the start of a wonderful friendship. They helped each other when one of the them was having hard time catching up  with the choreography. Luhan helped Minseok with his Mandarin, the former was really a great help and Minseok can't help but be grateful. Minseok was a bit shock  when he knew that Luhan was Chinese since the younger's korean was so good albeit the slight accent.

As the time passed by, they knew each other better. Minseok realized that Luhan was really clingy and it took him awhile before he got used to it. It started from a slight brush of their fingers and then before he knew it Luhan started to cling unto him like a panda. At first, Minseok felt really awkward but slowly, Luhan's arms became Minseok's comfort zone. Besides, Luhan was his bestfriend.

"Are you done practicing?" Minseok asked, the moment Luhan was on his side. The younger quietly nodded and immediately slumped his head on the crook of Minseok's neck. 

"Are you tired?" He asked again. His left hand automatically found Luhan's hair, ruffling it and slowly feeling its softness.

Luhan nodded again and he started to whine how difficult the choreography that he was learning and that his throat was hurting from too much singing. Minseok chuckled while listening. He slowly untangled himself with Luhan and started to pack his bag.

"Since Luhannie had a hard time today. Dinner's on me tonight." Luhan lit up when he heard those words. His lips curled up with the most charming smile. He quickly s his arms on Minseok, another regular thing that Luhan always do because well, Luhan is Luhan. "This is why you're my favorite person, Minseok-ah."

They head out from their practice room and started to look for a place to eat. Dinner for Minseok and Luhan was strolling aound the food stalls on the street. Sometimes they eat tteokbokki or jajjangmyeon or fish cake or whatever food that will  fit on their tight budget. 

After they ate, they started walking back to their dorm. Minseok immediately noticed Luhan's silence which was so unlike Luhan. 

"What's wrong?" He asked and stopped walking. Luhan also halted on his steps, eyes looking at everything except at Minseok. "What's the problem, Lu?"

Luhan remained silent so Minseok extended his hand to touch Luhan's, they're so warm just like  Luhan. "Is there something bothering you? You know you could always tell me."

Minutes passed by and Luhan stayed mum, Minseok thought that maybe he was just being homesick. He was about to pull his hand away when he felt Luhan held his hand a little bit tighter.

"Minseok-ah," Luhan started. His voice quivering a little, Minseok thought that there was nervousness in it or maybe it's just because of the cold wind. He waited patiently. For almost a year, Minseok knew Luhan better. He knew how the younger sometimes need time to collect his thoughts. 

He the back of Luhan's hand as if to say that he could take  his time.

"Would you hate me if I say I love you?"

♪I lied to myself that it's just a petty jealousy,
That I must be feeling lonely, but I cannot hide it anymore ♪

Luhan started avoiding Minseok since that night. He never cling to Minseok again, their fingers never brushed again. And Minseok would be lying if he said that he didn't miss the younger's constant presence in his life.

It's not that Minseok rejected him. Minseok didn't do anything like that, in fact, he didn't do anything at all. He was just standing there, frozen in his spot. He wanted to say something, wanted to ask Luhan if he was sure on what he's saying or is it just a prank. Minseok wanted to open his mouth but he couldn't. The shock from the words that slipped from Luhan's mouth still overwhelmed him that he didn't notice Luhan's hold on him was no longer there.

Luhan bowed his head and Minseok could see the visible shuddering of his shoulders. He lifted his arms to touch Luhan but even before he could lay his hands on the other, Luhan looked at him, eyes filled with tears, pain, disappointment and overflowing love. Minseok felt an unexplainable pain in his chest just by looking at those eyes —  those pretty eyes that he always admired, those pretty eyes that are now full of pain.

"I'm sorry, Minseok." Luhan said while trying to stop the tears from flowing. "Just ... just forget what I said."

And with that he walked away, leaving Minseok confused and hurting.

The next day, Luhan treated Minseok as if he was not even there, as if Minseok doesn't exist and damn that hurt Minseok the most. Every morning, Luhan used to wake up Minseok so early in the morning just for them to drink coffees together. But when Minseok opened his eyes, there was no Luhan tickling him on his sides to wake up. There were no cups of coffees on the table when Minseok went to  the kitchen. But what welcomed him was the sight of Luhan entering the kitchen with Sehun. His bestfriend immediately stopped from walking when he took a glance on him.

And for the second time, he walked away from Minseok, hands gripping on Sehun's arm.

♪ I think I love you
But it must be so, cause I miss you
Without you,
I cannot do anything ♪

Their new routine continued. The other trainees were quick to notice the sudden change. They were not used to seeing Luhan and Minseok not talking to each other. They asked both of them what was happening but both kept their mouth shut.

It's been weeks since it happened and their situation got worse. Minseok badly wanted to talk to him but everytime he tried Luhan always managed to slipped away. He will always used Sehun as his excuse. Excuses like "I need to help Sehun with the choreography", "Sehun wants me to teach him Mandarin", "Sehun wants to have bubble tea with me" etc.

And Minseok would be lying if he said that he's not jealous. He missed Luhan. He missed his bestfriend, he thought. But another part of his mind liked to mock him, liked to make him struggle with his thoughts. "Bestfriend, huh? You're a liar, Minseok."

Luhan told him that he should forget what he said, but he can't. The moment he closed his eyes every night, everything flooded his mind. He thought about it, thousands of times already. Every day even while practicing, Minseok can't help but thought of Luhan's glassy eyes, painful tears and unanswered confession.

Minseok hoped that he could turn back time, so he could make everything right.

♪ And you are always on my mind,
So seeing this, it must be,
I was unaware,
But now I can see that
Your presence have delved deeply into my heart ♪

Minseok knew that he should focus, as if the deadly glares that the choreographer was sending him aren't enough proof that he should focus, but he couldn't. (Not when Luhan was busy holding Sehun's waist while helping him learned the hard choreography).

Minseok was also having a hard time learning the choreography, he wanted to call Luhan —  wanted to tell him that he couldn't get the choreography right, that he kept on missing the beat, that he would probably be scolded by their dance teacher later and he was about to cry and that he loves him, too. 

Minseok badly wanted to tell Luhan those things, especially the last one. But he couldn't because Minseok wasn't good with words, he didn't know how to tell Luhan those things, so he didn't.

He was so lost in his thoughts that he hadn't notice that he tangled his legs causing him to fall. He couldn't help but groaned as he felt his right arm throbbing in pain (since he landed sideways, right arm first). The other trainees went to his side quickly to help him but what caught Minseok off-guard was when he felt familiar hands in his shoulders.

"Minseok-ah, are you okay?" After almost a month, he could now hear that faniliar voice calling his name, he could now feel the familiar touch that he was craving for. Minseok felt tears pooling in his eyes.  "Hey, hey. Does it hurt so much? Where does it hurt?"

Minseok wanted to point at his heart, wanted to say that it hurt so much there but he couldn't even open his mouth to say something. He just felt relief washed over him.

Luhan wrapped his one hand on Minseok's waist to support him. And Minseok was at home again.

He could hear various voices asking him if he was okay but Minseok did not even bother to answer them as he was busy inhaling Luhan's scent. He missed this scent so much.

"I'll help him go to the clinic so he could be check immediately." He heard Luhan say and he was being assisted out of the door.

While on their way to the company's clinic, Luhan kept on checking on Minseok. He kept on looking at Minseok's face to see if the older was fine. And Minseok could not help it but he knew he was blushing furiously. It's been awhile since Luhan stared at him like that and Minseok swore that his heart was beating wildly. And Minseok couldn't take it anymore.

He stopped walking. Minseok could see confusion on Luhan's eyes. "Wh—  "

Before Luhan could say anything, Minseok pulled him in an unoccupied room. Luhan was too stunned to react especially when he felt a pair of soft lips on his.

Minseok didn't know why he did it. He just knew that he had to do it. It was an awkward kiss, Minseok just slammed his lips to Luhan. It was a bit forceful since Minseok's brain couldn't function anymore but all he knew was that, the kiss felt right. It's like a puzzle piece finally put up together. 

When his brain stopped short-circuiting, Minseok kissed the younger properly. And when they pull apart, both breathless and there's visible blush on their cheeks, Minseok hugged Luhan tightly and whispered, "You know I am not good in words so let me just show you how I feel about you."