The courtyard was meant for the experiments to get fresh air and exercise, but Yixing found it counterproductive when the grass was too small for even a dog to run around in, and it was encased in the center of the facility. The only enjoyable aspect was the open sky; the blue waves of the world outdoors and the white puffs of clouds that sometimes made shapes. The benches against the walls were metal and cold, but like everything else in the facility, Yixing had grown used to it. He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, watching as Chanyeol created tiny fires in the green grass, which was followed by Sehun blowing a small gust to ignite it further. A collective sigh came from the tall boys when Junmyeon immediately put out the flame.

What could Yixing do?

The bells chimed from the speakers in the walls, signalling it was time to get back inside before night rolled over. Everyone followed the voiceless order to leave, but Yixing dragged his feet towards the door. In the fleeting light, he found the black, burnt grass, and just stared until it was as if his eyes were what had become damaged. He dropped to his knees and placed his palm over the patch, as he would with any injury, feeling his body turn rigid as his fingers pulsed. When he lifted it away, the grass was as green as a spring day.

Yixing had been told just once that he was no longer allowed to visit Yifan, and that was enough to make him stay away; as if he was programmed to take orders and follow. It was because of this that he locked himself in his bedroom with a frown on his lips, not having anything to do to fill his day without visiting the man.

He could remember so clearly, behind his eyelids, the way his palm was painted red with Yifan’s blood when he pulled away. He remembered the way Yifan smiled so widely it hurt Yixing’s own jaw, and the way he whispered a “thank you” before Yixing was pulled out. He longed so much for the man, having not seen him in three days. It broke his perfect schedule, the one he had planned meticulously since his first meeting with Yifan. His days revolved around seeing Yifan, and now that he had touched the man, it was hard to breathe properly without seeing that gummy smile every day.