Yixing made his way to his classroom, yawning loudly. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and tried to avoid people in the hallway. Upon reaching his classroom, he slumped down on his seat and closed his eyes. Maybe he could catch a few minutes of sleep while the devil’s advocate wasn’t here yet.

“Looks like someone had been partying last night without inviting me.” Luhan remarked while taking his seat.

“Shut up.” Yixing mumbled, not raising his head.

The older raised an eyebrow. “You show up pretty early but you look wasted. Yixing, are you on drugs?” Luhan mumbled the last part.

Yixing finally raised his head and frowned at his friend. “I am not doing drugs, Luhan gege. I’m hurt you would even think that.”

Luhan shrugged and was about to say something when he saw Kris walk in, yawning as well. ”This is interesting.”

Kris smiled at Luhan briefly before smirking at Yixing. “Didn’t get enough sleep, Xing?”

Yixing stuck out his tongue. “This is your fault.”

“Oh, come on. It both did us good so stop complaining. I lost precious sleep too.” Kris chuckled at the younger’s disgruntled face.

      Yixing looked like he was about to counter what Kris had said when their professor walked in. another day of class had begun.

      Throughout the morning classes, Kris and Yixing were both close to falling asleep that Luhan had to do some weird things to excuse the two of them. They would smile apologetically at the older then went back on sleeping. Not that Luhan didn’t enjoy a good game of charade but he was dying to know what the two of them were doing last night. No doubt that they were together since the signs were so obvious. Luhan had said as much when Sehun sat beside him during lunch.

Sehun blinked and looked at his two hyungs who were sleeping rather than eating. “You said they were acting sleepy huh? And that they were together?” 

Luhan nodded. “if they fall asleep in one more class, I’m going to need another list of excuses.”

Kris’ cell phone suddenly rang and the two of them woke up. “Yixing. . .”

“Yeah?” He looked at Kris’ face and already knew the answer. “Don’t give me that look, Yifan. Wasn’t last night enough?”

Sehun choked on his food. “W-what did you say, hyung?”

Yixing ignored him. “Kris, please?” He pouted at Kris.

“Nope. Come on. Let’s do it in the library.” Kris stood up and dragged Yixing along with him.

Luhan stared after the two of them. “Sehunnie, please tell me you’re just as bothered as I am.”

“Luhan. . .” Sehun blinked. “Oh my God, I think my cousin just got laid after his first school night.”

     Kris dragged Yixing to the library, pulling out both of their biology books so they could continue studying. The younger slumped down his seat at the sight of the thick books, making Kris scoff.

“Kris, do we have to? We already reviewed last night.” Yixing whined.

Kris just opened his book and started reading.

“You know you could have at least answered me.”

Still no reply from the older.

“Yifan ah are you mad at me?” Yixing pulled the book away.

Kris smirked at him. “Nope, I just wanted you to call me, Yifan.”

  Yixing pushed him away and muttered about stupid Yifan over and over. Eventually, Yixing pulled out his biology book and started reading. Kris watched him for a couple of minutes until he saw the younger’s eyes glazing over. Soon enough, Yixing’s head fell on the book and soft snores could be heard.

“You’re really tired, aren’t you?”  Kris whispered, brushing off some hair from Yixing’s face.

     He could’ve woken up the younger but he vetoed the idea. Yixing looked really tired, considering last night, it was really no surprise. Kris chuckled to himself as he remembered what happened last night.

        Yixing was leaning against the door, trying to calm his heart. It was just one simple kiss on the cheek but he could feel his nerves getting unhinged and any moment he might take off because of giddiness. He had finally calmed himself enough and was supposed to go straight to bed when someone knocked. Yixing trudged back to the door and opened it, revealing Yifan.

“Hi, Xing.”  Yifan smiled at him.

The younger blinked a couple of times, trying to think why Kris would be there again. “Uh, yeah,hi. Hm, what do you want?”

Yifan raised his biology book. “We have a test tomorrow, right? I was hoping if I could borrow some of your notes.

      Yixing’s mouth slowly hung open. He had actually forgotten all about that. Plus the fact that he doesn’t really pay attention to the subject so he had no notes whatsoever. Kris would have a slightly better luck asking Sehun. He said as much to the tall guy in front of him.

Yifan rubbed the back of his neck. “I did call Sehun but he said he was busy with Luhan. He even threatened me that I’ll get scarred for the rest of my life if I went to their place.”

Yixing blushed slightly, knowing what Sehun meant. “Your cousin isn’t shy at all, is he?”

“You have no idea how shameless he could be.”  Yifan grinned. “It’s okay if you don’t have notes. We could study together.”  He tilted his head and stared into Yixing’s eyes. “Is that okay?” 

      With that heart melting gaze, making Yifan look boyish somehow and that it was already late night, how could Yixing possibly say no? So he had let the older in.

‘My bed, wait for me. I’m not choosing Yifan over you. It’s just . . .  it’s Yifan. Please understand.’  Yixing thought to himself.

      Yifan strode confidently in the place like he owned it. They ended up in the dining table. Yifan raised an eyebrow at the house owner who was still standing by the doorway.

“Yixing, what’s wrong?”

The younger sighed. “I was just wondering what to do.”

“Do about what?”

Yixing shook his head. He almost said some things that would no doubt creep Yifan out. “I’ll go get my book,okay? Make yourself at home.”  He chuckled. “But I guess you already got that covered.”

      Yifan smiled back at him and started reading. Yixing went upstairs and got his book, staring at it. Given any other time,he might’ve crammed one hour before the  test and not the night before.  Pushing the thought aside,he went back to the dining room. Kris looked up at him then went back on reading.

“Okay let’s get hell started.” Yixing mumbled, seating across the older.

Yifan smirked.”I’m taking  a wild guess and say that biology isn’t you favourite subject.”

The other nodded in response. “I hate it actually.”

“Lucky for you I’m good at it. I could tutor you. So which part  don’t you understand?”

Yixing opened the book to the table of contents and ran his finger across the whole page. “I don’t understand everything.”

Yifan laughed. “You’re kidding,right?”

“Nope.” Yixing looked back at him seriously.

        The next few hours seemed to test Yifan’s patience. Yixing tried to be as cooperative as he could but it’s not his fault that his brain didn’t like the subject  as well.

“Xing, we’ve already been through this. The cell wall is only in the plant’s cell only. Animal cells don’t have them.” Yifan massaged his temples.

Yixing pouted. “Why not?” 

“We just don’t.” Yifan sighed. “Where does the light reaction happen?”

“Light reaction? That’s for plants, right? Wait let me remember.”

Yifan nodded and waited for the younger’s answer.

“Is it in the thylakoids?” Yixing bit his lower lip and closed his eyes.

Yifan ruffled his hair. “That’s right. Good job,Xing.”

Yixing let out a sigh of relief. “How could I not get it right when a scary dragon’s teaching me?” 

“Scary dragon huh? Why a dragon?”  Yifan chuckled.

Yixing pursed his lips in thought. “Dragons look scary and they breathe fire. You may look intimidating but you’re actually very warm.”  He blushed after what he had said,

Yifan’s cheeks were tainted a faint pink also. “Then scary dragon at your service, sir.”

“I feel safer already.” Yixing rolled his eyes but deep inside, he could feel it was true.

Yifan smirked. “Want to know what animal I thought of for you?”

Yixing nodded happily.

“You, my dear, are a unicorn.” He tapped Yixing’s nose.

“What?! Why?!”

Yifan laughed at the other’s outburst. “You should’ve seen your face. It was priceless!”

“Yah,answer me!”

“Well, what do you think?”

Yixing’s eyes widened. “Are you saying I’m gay?”

Mild surprise flickered across Yifan’s face and he looked away. “Are you saying you’re not?”

Yixing dropped his gaze. “ Uhm . . .”

“I’m bi though I’m more inclined towards guys.”

Yixing nodded. “That’s good to know.” He mumbled.

Yifan pretended that he didn’t hear it. “Anyway, we still have five chapters left. Come on, study time again.”

Yixing just groaned in response.

        After three and a half chapters of reviewing, Yixing felt that if he read one more chapter about what makes up human beings, he was going to start pulling his hair out of their roots. Yifan on the other hand seemed totally at ease.  He had found a way to make Yixing remember important facts. He would tilt his head and jut his lower lip a little and Yixing would scramble for an excuse to look away. Kris enjoyed every minute of it.

“Yifan ah . . .” Yixing whined.

Yifan lifted his eyes from the book. “Do you have a question, Xing?”

“Yeah, can we stop? My head hurts like hell.”

The older looked at the younger’s book. “You still have about two chapters left.”

“I’ll read them tomorrow. Please?”

“Xing, do you know what time it is?”

Yixing looked at the clock above the dining table. 4 am. “Are you kidding me?!”

The other just shrugged. “It is tomorrow, Xing. Just finish the last two chapters.”

“Yifan, we’ve been at this for about 6 hours now. Can’t we take a break?”

          Yifan wanted to say no. judging by the  way, Yixing didn’t even know what chapter yesterday’s lesson was, he could tell that the younger was going to need every minute of this review more than him. Yet looking at Yixing right now, something tugged at his heart. Yixing’s eyes were drooping already and his mouth was set in a firm grimace. Yifan sighed. What was one short break anyway?

“Alright, let’s take a break.”  Yifan smiled at him.

Yixing bounced happily. “I’ll go make us some muffins. Wait here.”

       Yixing quickly went to the kitchen and started looking for the ingredients he needed. He hadn’t noticed that Yifan was leaning against the wall, watching him. He quickly made a chocolate batter and placed it in the oven. He placed his arms across his chest while waiting for it to bake.  His eyes felt  so heavy. Maybe he could close his eyes for a bit. . .

“Yixing!” Yifan’s arms were suddenly around him.

“What?”  Yixing tried to fight off the heavy sleep.

“You nearly fell down. Are you that sleepy?”  

The younger nodded and twisted around to see Yifan’s face. “How come you’re not sleepy?”

“I’m used to sleeping late. I’ll probably regret it later though.” Yifan shrugged.

Yixing smiled. “You’re cute, you know.”

“You’re sleepier than I thought. Let’s get you to bed.” 

The younger shook his head, pointing to the oven. “Let’s wait for them to finish.”

“Alright.”

    Yifan carried Yixing to a chair in the kitchen. He placed the younger on his lap as he sat down. Yixing’s head leaned against the crook of the taller man’s neck and the latter couldn’t help but shiver at the contact. 

“Me too. . .”Yixing mumbled.

“You too what?”

“I’m. . . bi too.” Yixing mumbled, hiding his face in Yifan’s chest.

“That’s good to know.” Yifan said, repeating Yixing’s words earlier.

“It is?”

“Yeah, it is.”

      Yixing nodded slowly taking in what Yifan had said. He couldn’t help but smile at all the meanings popping in his head. He kept quiet while staring at the oven. Yifan was warm, very warm. He could feel his body relaxing against the man’s touch. He didn’t even feel that sleepy anymore, just comfortable and content. He could stay in this position forever.

“Xing, I think they’re done.” Yifan nudged him.

Yixing slowly stood up. “Yeah they are.”

               Yifan hesitantly removed his arms around Yixing. The younger had felt perfect in his arms and he didn’t want to let go. Yixing felt the same. He wished he could have made the moment last longer. Out of sudden boldness, he grabbed Yifan’s hand as they stood up. To his delight, Yifan laced their fingers together. Yixing brought out the muffins which the older instantly wolfed down, burning his tongue in the process.

“I’m pretty sure I fed you before you left earlier yet you still act like a pig.” Yixing remarked as he watched the other fanning his tongue.

“Your muffins are the best and they’re not even that sweet. I don’t like sweets that much.” Yifan smiled.

“Oh it’s because it’s just a plain muffin. I ran out of other ingredients.”

“It’s fine. I like it better.”

Yixing handed him another muffin. “Please try not to burn your tongue again.”

The older rolled his eyes and wolfed it down again. “Aish, damn it’s hot.”

“Geez I wonder why.”  Yixing pulled Yifan’s face down to his and blew on the older’s tongue.

           Yifan was surprised by what Yixing did to say the least. He couldn’t take his eyes off Yixing’s lips so close to his. If he moved just a little, he could kiss them. Before he could even think it through, the latter had already pulled away and was eating his own muffin. Yifan sighed. He had to go home before he does something he might regret.

“Hey,Xing. Thanks for the muffins but I’m going home.” Yifan took two more muffins as he walked out of the kitchen.

“Why?”  yixing’s voice sounded so small and lost that Yifan spun around faster than he thought possible.

“Why?” Yifan echoed the question.

Yixing nodded, walking to him. “Why are you leaving already? You said I still have two more chapters left. What if I have a question?”

Yifan smiled softly, cupping  yixing’s cheek. “You need to sleep. We could study tomorrow during lunch.”

“What if we forget?”

Yifan chuckled. “I thought you hated biology.”

“I do but . . .” Yixing shrugged. ‘If I get to spend more time with you, it’s not all bad.’ He thought.

“Okay. I’ll set an alarm.”  Yifan pulled out his phone and showed Yixing the alarm he made. “Now, go sleep.”

“Can’t you stay over? It’s late. It’s dangerous outside.”

The older grinned. “Thanks for the concern, Xing. My house is just across yours. I don’t think something will happen to me at that short time.”

“ But . . .”

“I’ll be fine. Maybe I could sleepover some other time.” Yifan looked at him. Yixing looked like he won’t be letting Yifan go anytime soon. “Honestly, your concern is touching, Xing. You don’t have to worry about me though.”

“I just want you to stay,”

      Yifan blinked. Maybe Yixing was already half asleep and he didn’t know what he was saying? Either way, Yifan’s heart was pounding loudly against his chest. He pulled Yixing to his arms, cradling him against his chest. Yixing’s face was totally red as he hugged Yifan back. It had taken him a lot of courage to even say the words but they’ve paid off.

“I’ll stay then.”  Yifan whispered into Yixing’s ear.

        Yixing nodded and he led them to his bedroom upstairs. They would only have about three hours of sleep but it didn’t matter. They were together anyway.