A.N: This chapter is way overdue and I am so so sorry ;_; I got busy with school and I got lazy and uuughhh <3 Thank you for all the comments and subbies though~ <3 I love you all!

         After the initial joy from Kris’ return, Yixing realized just how embarrassing what he said was. He practically announced to the whole class that he was in love with the transfer student. He groaned in his seat. He knew that the class wouldn’t let him live this down for a long time. A gentle nudge on his thigh snapped him out of his reverie. He looked up to see Kris looking at him worriedly. He just shook his head and waved it off. He knew he had to talk to Kris about what happened soon but he still needed to prepare what he had to say.

“Hunnie, why do you look like a panda? Didn’t you sleep last night?” Luhan pouted as he looked at his boyfriend’s face.

Sehun yawned then glared at Kris. “Ask that giant what he did to me last night.”

“Don’t act like you didn’t like it.”  Kris rolled his eyes.

“How could I like it?! It was a school night and I told you we could’ve done it on the bed but you wanted to do it on the floor!” sehun argued.

“Yah, what fun would it be if it was on the bed? That kind of thing should be done on the floor.”

Sehun pouted. “Okay but did you have to be so rough? My hurts like hell right now.”

Kris laughed. “I didn’t know you were that soft. The others should’ve heard your screams.”

Luhan looked back and forth between the two cousins, his face heating up. Sehun and Kris wouldn’t do ‘it’ . . . right? “A-are you guys talking about. . .?”

Sehun tilted his head. “Are you okay, Lulu? Your face is really red right now.”

Kris smirked, watching Luhan’s face. “Yah, Luhan. What did you think we were talking about huh?”

“Uh, t-that . . . I uh . . .” Luhan looked down.

“What’s the matter, baby? Do you want to join me and Kris hyung next time?” sehun asked.

“J-join you guys? I erm . . . I haven’t done that before.” Luhan said timidly.

Sehun raised an eyebrow. “Seriously? You haven’t wrestled before? That’s a shame.”

“W-wrestled? Is that what you guys were talking about?” Luhan stared at Sehun.

Kris chuckled. “Yeah, we were wrestling last night. What did you think it was?” kris cocked his head to the side. “You thought Sehun and I . . . were doing it?”

Luhan coughed, patting his chest. “I-I d-don’t know what you’re talking about.”

         Yixing laughed quietly as he saw how flustered his best friend was. He felt great. No more hurt from before. There was always that pang of jealousy burning in him whenever Luhan and Sehun were being sweet to each other but it was all gone. He looked over at Kris and smiled even more. Yeah, it was definitely gone.  It seemed like Kris felt his stare and turned to him curiously.

“What is it?” kris asked.

Yixing shook his head with a smile. “It’s nothing.”

The taller nodded slowly then opened his mouth. “Feed me. I want some of your food.”

“Why? We have the same food.” Yixing chuckled but fed him anyway.

Kris smiled. “I just like yours better.”

“You must’ve knocked your head while you were gone. You’ve become a whole lot cheesier.” Yixing dimpled sweetly.

“Only for you, Xing.” Kris winked.

        Yixing blushed madly, feeling butterflies all over his stomach. How the heck was he going to confess how he felt without turning into a puddle of goo?

          Kris had been back for two weeks now and Sehun was letting his guard down, meaning not asking the maids to put a tracking device on his cousin’s car and phone. He knew it was way extreme but he couldn’t live through his cousin disappearing again. The younger watched as his hyung sat down in his private library, immersed in whatever book he was reading. Sehun smiled slightly. Watching his hyung like this, he could see why countless girls and boys liked him. it’s not the first time he had thought of it but it still awed him every time.

“Do I have something on my face, Sehun?” Kris finally looked up from the book.

Sehun shook his head and sat down beside him. “So, is that a book on how to make Yixing hyung yours?”

Kris chuckled, shaking his head. “I don’t need a book for that.”

“You say that but you’re not making any moves at all.”

Kris smirked, putting the book down on the table. “Ah, my dear innocent cousin, I still need to teach you a lot apparently.”

“And what does that mean?” Sehun furrowed his eyebrows.

“Don’t you notice Xing blushing every time I compliment him? How he always tries to be my partner in all the classes?”

“This is supposed to mean something to me, how?”

Kris looked at him as if he was hopeless. “You are such a pabo.”

Sehun pouted. “Well, excuse me for not being a relationship expert.”

Reaching over, Kris ruffled his hair. “Let’s just say that I have Yixing right where I want him.”

“That sounds so devious, hyung.” Sehun made a face.

Kris laughed, shrugging. “Don’t tell me you didn’t like it when Luhan was the one begging for you?”

Sehun pursed his lips. “Okay I guess I did like that.”

“Trust me, Hunnie. I’m not going to hurt Xing; I just want to know if he loves me the most.”

Sehun couldn’t help but frown a little. “I understand. I guess the doubt wouldn’t leave you for a long time, would it?”

Kris smiled softly. “Sehun, Luhan loves you.  If you could only see the way he stares at you every single time, you wouldn’t have any doubt left in you. I guess he got really scared when he thought he had lost you.”

Sehun coughed, trying to hide his blush. He wasn’t used to Kris being supportive in his relationship with Luhan. “T-thanks, hyung. Wait, what you described just now, doesn’t that apply to Yixing hyung too?”

“I don’t know. I guess we’ll see.”

              The months quickly passed by and it was almost Christmas. Everyone was feeling festive and even the announcement of exams didn’t dampen their excitement that much. As a tradition, Kris and Sehun would usually fly off to some country to ski or snowboard but this year, Luhan had begged, blackmailed and bribed the taller to let him have his boyfriend this holiday. Kris finally said yes when Luhan said he would excuse Kris on their art class for the rest of the semester since the professor was his relative. It was a good thing for Sehun to have a new tradition too. The downside to the plan was Kris having to spend the day alone.  His parents were still on a business trip and he didn’t want to bother them.

“Yixing’s going home to Changsha, I think. You can join him.” Luhan smiled at him.

Kris pursed his lips. “I don’t want to impose. I know he misses his grandparents too much so I might just get in the way.”

“You of all people would think like that.” Sehun rolled his eyes. “Yixing hyung would be over the moon if you go with him.”

“I don’t want to bother.” Kris said with finality, looking over one of the brochures Sehun brought. “You guys should go to London.”

Luhan glared at him.  “We are not going to trek all over the world like the two of you do. We’ll spend it how normal, middle class couples spend the holiday.”

“Normal couples go overseas too, you know.” Kris said nonchalantly.

“Just go with Yixing and leave me and Hannie alone.” Sehun stuck his tongue out.

        Kris raised his hands in defeat and headed outside, sighing. He really wanted to spend the holidays with Yixing too but he knew he couldn’t demand that of him. He wasn’t even the younger’s boyfriend. The thought made him sigh again. Maybe he should make his move before they had their Christmas break.

“I’ll confess to Yixing soon.” Kris smiled to himself.

       Soon started out to be on Tuesday which got pushed to Friday to next week and then another week. The teachers seemed determined to stress them out to the fullest before giving them a break. They had tons of homework, projects and requirements. Every spare moment was spent studying for their countless exams too. By the end of the day, Kris was too tired to think of a special way to confess to Yixing. It frustrated him to no end which earned him a book in the head courtesy by one Oh Sehun who couldn’t study with his cousin rampaging all over the place.

“Oh my god, I think half of my brain died after the test.” Luhan groaned as he threw himself on Yixing’s bed.

Yixing nodded. “Tell me about it. I’m just glad it’s all over now.”

Luhan rolled over to look at his best friend. “Your flight’s tomorrow isn’t it? Does Kris know?”

Yixing sighed, shaking his head. “I couldn’t talk to him at all these past weeks. We’ve all been so busy.”

“Poor guy. He’s alone for the holidays.”

Yixing frowned. “Alone? What about Sehun, his parents?”

Luhan looked at him sadly. “Hunnie’s spending the holidays with me which cost me a whole lot by the way. His parents are busy with work.”

“Yah, why didn’t you tell me earlier? I could have invited him to go to Changsha with me.”

“We suggested it but he said he didn’t want to get in the way.”

“How could someone I love get in the way?” Yixing scoffed. “Kris is so stupid sometimes.”

“I know right?” Luhan grinned. “Go meet him now and ask him to come with you. He’s rich; maybe he can find a way to come to Changsha with you.”

          Yixing nodded happily, quickly calling Kris. He tried not to let his excitement seep into his voice that much but it didn’t matter. Kris sounded just as happy as him when he asked if they could meet for a while. Yixing nearly squealed when Kris had said yes and quickly motioned for Luhan to find him something to wear.  Luhan beamed at him and started picking out his outfit. Sometimes, Yixing would miss having Kris as his neighbour but Sehun had insisted, more like demanded, that Kris move in with him. Yet he was happy about it now. He couldn’t risk Kris hearing him squeal like that. Within an hour, he was well on his way to the coffee shop they agreed to meet on.

“Kris.” Yixing dimpled at him when he saw the blonde god. Yeah, he still thought of him as a god, his personal god.

“Yixing.” Kris smiled at him, making his heart race again.

The two of them stood facing each other, just smiling at each other goofily until they both realized how funny they looked and sat down.

“So, what’s up?”  Kris raised an eyebrow.

Yixing frowned as he remembered why they were there. “You’re going to spend Christmas alone.”

It didn’t sound like a question but Kris knew what he meant. “Yeah I am. You’re going to Changsha, right?”

“Come with me then.” Yixing looked up at him with pleading eyes.

Kris was surprised at the offer. “Are you kidding me?”

Yixing shook his head defiantly. “Why would you think I’m joking? I’m serious. Go to Changsha with me.”

Kris couldn’t help the grin that worked its way to his face. “That would be awesome! When’s your flight?”

“It’s tomorrow.” Yixing dimpled at him.

“What?” Kris frowned. “Then I can’t come.”

Yixing couldn’t help the disappointment making its way to his face. “Why not? You’ll love Changsha, Yifan and I promise my grandparents won’t mind and . . .”

Kris cut him off. “Xing, all the flights until Christmas are tightly booked. I would love to come with you but I really can’t.”

     Yixing felt his chest grow heavy. He couldn’t bear to leave Kris here all alone but he had a flight tomorrow and grandparents waiting for him. He knew he should have invited the other before they had so many things to do. Christmas was a special holiday and Yixing loved it very much. How could he bear to imagine the man he love all alone on that day?

Kris smiled slightly,cupping Yixing’s chin. “I’ll be fine, Xing. You just go and enjoy your holiday okay?”

Yixing choked back a sob. “I don’t want you to be alone.”

“I’ll go find something to do. If I get really bored, I’ll go bother Sehun and Luhan so don’t worry.”

        Yixing didn’t feel entirely at ease with his answer but he let it slip for the moment. He wouldn’t mind spending the night with Kris and just talking to him but he still had the pack and his flight was in the morning so there was no way around it.  Since Luhan and Sehun were spending the holidays together, Kris had resumed his old place across Yixing’s house. The two of them walked home holding hands while making small talk. Kris kept convincing the shorter that Christmas will just be fine and that he should stop frowning but Yixing couldn’t help it. Yixing thought that he would never see the day when he would hate the very sight of his home but there it was. It meant that he had to say goodbye to Kris for the time being. He hesitated by the doorway, looking at Kris with flushed cheeks.

“Do you want to come in, Yifan?” Yixing mumbled softly.

Kris shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “If I stay with you any longer, I might not be able to let you go. Besides you need to rest already.”

Yixing whined in protest.

Kris chuckled then turned serious, cupping Yixing’s cheek. “I’ll miss you, Xing.”

“I’ll miss you too, Yifan.” Yixing’s eyes were starting to get cloudy and he blinked back the tears.

“Good night.” Yifan leaned down and gave him a chaste kiss on the lips before going in his house.

             Kris didn’t want to wake up. At all. Maybe never.  Okay, maybe until Yixing came back anyway.  He was miserable and he already missed Yixing. He checked his phone for the time, frowning slightly. Yixing was still probably up in the air. What would he be doing? Maybe he’s looking at the clouds and imagining shapes? Maybe he was reading some book? Could he be thinking of Yifan too? Kris groaned. Yixing wasn’t even gone for half a day and he was already this lonely. He can’t imagine going through the next week without him. The vibration of his phone alerted him that there was a text from Sehun.

To: Scary/Handsome Kris hyung

From: Bratty Handsome Sehun

You are woah material, hyung. Have a happy holiday~ Tell us about it okay?

Love, HunHan~

P.S: Isn’t our couple name cute? :3

       Kris couldn’t help but scowl at the message. Was the couple rubbing it in his face that he was all alone on the holidays? He threw his phone by the bed and got up to start the day. He had just finished showering and was about to order take out when he heard a knock from the door.  He wasn’t in the mood for any visitors so he just ignored it. After a few minutes, the knocking didn’t stop and it was starting to annoy Kris. With a scowl on his face, he opened the door, determined to give the person a piece of his mind.

“Do you have any idea how anno-“ Kris stopped when he realized who it was.

“Good morning to you, Mr. Grumpy.” Yixing couldn’t help but roll his eyes.

“Yixing . . . what are you doing here?” Kris couldn’t believe his eyes.

Yixing scratched the back of his neck, blushing slightly. “I’m here to spend Christmas with you.”

“B-but your flight, your grandparents..?”

Yixing grinned. “I told them I’d visit them during New Year instead and that I was bringing someone special so you better find us both tickets as soon as possible.”

Kris grinned just as wide. “So, you’re seriously spending Christmas with me?”

“Yes, I am. Now move aside and let me in.” Yixing laughed.

                  Yixing felt guilty for cancelling his flight to Changsha for Christmas but it turned out that it was very much worth it. Kris had insisted that Yixing should stay at his place for the time being and who was Yixing to say no? Every day, Yixing would wake up first and start making their breakfast. About halfway through, Kris would wake up and give Yixing a small peck on the cheek.  They would take turns in washing the dishes and spend the rest of the day watching Christmas classics.  Yixing wanted to make this Christmas as special as possible so he forced and dragged Kris out of the house in search for a perfect Christmas tree. Kris was amazed that you can buy actual trees for the holiday since he and Sehun were used of the tree just being there already. It took longer than what Yixing expected since Kris kept asking every little thing about the trees he would see. Yixing didn’t find it annoying at all but rather endearing.  Kris was very excited when they got home and spent no time for rest and quickly gathered Yixing’s decorations from his place. The two of them decorated the tree with various Christmas songs as their background.

“You look so concentrated while decorating. You’d scare little kids.” Yixing commented while he hang up some socks by the fireplace.

Kris grinned brightly at him. “I love this, Xing, everything about this. We should do this every single year.”

     Yixing nodded, blushing. He didn’t know if Kris noticed that he had practically asked him to spend Christmas with him every year.  The idea was very much welcomed in his mind. Kris finished decorating the tree, taking a step back to admire his work and with a proud grin, he deemed it perfect. Yixing playfully rolled his eyes at him and suggested he should open up a Christmas tree shop. Yifan laughed with him, asking for what else he can do. Yixing looked around Yifan’s huge home.  They had already decorated and set up the tree so there wasn’t much to do anymore.

“We’re meeting Sehun and Luhan on the 24^th right?” Yixing asked.

Kris nodded. “Sehun has everything scheduled. He wants to be alone with Luhan before night falls.”

“Why is that?”

“He said the night should be for couples and not relatives.” Kris laughed.

“You and Sehun are the weirdest cousins I’ve ever met.” Yixing remarked.

“Thanks, I guess?”

       They continued making small talk under Yixing felt his eyes droop. In one second, he was blinking and the next thing he knew, Yifan was already carrying him to the guest room. Yifan had told Yixing to use the guest room during his stay even though he really wanted to share his room with the younger. It was all about self-control, Yifan reminded himself. He carefully laid Yixing down on the bed, pulling the covers on top of him.

“Yifan. . .” Yixing sleepily mumbled, clinging to Yifan’s shirt.

Kris smiled, carefully prying the fingers off from his shirt before kissing each of them. “Sleep well, my love.”

         On the 24^th, Yixing and Yifan woke up to constant ringing of the doorbell.  Yifan wanted to sleep in more and let his cousin wait a little more but he heard the soft footfalls of Yixing across the hall and he knew he had to get up soon. He had just stepped out of the bathroom when Sehun burst in his room with two gifts in tow.

“Hey, hyung. Good morning, where’s my gift?” Sehun grinned.

Kris scratched the back of his neck. “I’ll get you one before school starts.”

Sehun’s grin faded, replaced by a grimace. “You’re such a cheapskate. I can’t believe you didn’t get me anything!”

“I was preoccupied. I’m sorry.” Kris ruffled Sehun’s  hair, knowing the younger really wasn’t upset.

Sehun fixed his hair. “Tell me you got Yixing hyung something at least.”

“Yes and no.”

A pillow hit Yifan’s back as he was grabbing a shirt. “What does that mean?”

“Does Luhan know how violent you are?”

Sehun rolled his eyes. “Yes he does now answer me.”

“I mean I don’t have a physical gift for him but it’s something better.”

“Yah, giants! Get your asses down here! A Christmas Kiss is about to start and I am not missing a second of it!” Luhan called out.

Kris raised an eyebrow. “A Christmas Kiss, seriously?”

“Yixing hyung likes it too.” Sehun shrugged, heading out before Luhan could yell louder.

        The four of them spent a fun day together. They watched different Christmas movies and played some games. Yixing and Luhan nearly burst into tears when the cousins lost in a game of charade and had to dance ‘Genie’.  Kris was glad that Luhan was too distracted to record the embarrassing moment at least. Too quickly time had passed and it was already getting dark outside. Luhan was still saying a Chinese Christmas greeting to Yixing when Sehun practically dragged his boyfriend outside.

“Don’t forget my present, hyung!” Sehun called out as he started his car.

Kris chuckled, nodding. “Make sure to give Luhan a big gift.” He smirked slightly; looking at Luhan’s disgruntled expression.

Luhan stuck his tongue out. “Let’s just go.”

Yixing waved at them. “Have a safe drive.”

       Yixing and Yifan waited until the car rounded the corner and was out of their sight before they walked back in. they cleaned up the mess that the few hours have caused quietly. Once they were done, Yixing was about to head up to his room to call his grandparents since he might have trouble calling them at midnight. As he was about to go up the stairs, Yifan pulled him back.

“What is it, Yifan?” Yixing tilted his head.

Kris smiled at him. “Come on. I want to give you your gift.”

Yixing’s eyes sparkled. “You got me a gift?”

“Didn’t you get me anything?” kris playfully pouted.

Yixing blushed. “W-well, I wasn’t supposed to be here and I was supposed to buy it in Changsha and I’m sorry!”

Kris laughed, pulling Yixing closer to give him a hug. “Hey it’s okay. I was just joking. You don’t have to get me anything.”

The shorter raised his eyes, dimpling at him. “So, can I have my gift now?”

        To Yixing’s surprise, Yifan grabbed their coats and pulled him outside. He quickly wrapped it around Yixing and headed to his car. Though confused, Yixing just followed through and sat in the passenger’s seat. He tried asking for some clues but Kris said it was a surprise. They ended up in the city’s main plaza. It took some time to find a parking space since everyone was out.

“Are you going to buy my present just now, Yifan?” Yixing raised an eyebrow as he stepped out of the car.

Kris chuckled, locking the car. “What do you think?”

Yixing couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “I guess I should have known. You don’t even have Sehun’s gift.”

Yifan shook his head before pulling on the younger’s wrist. “Just shut up and come with me.”

        Yifan led him to the middle of the plaza. His hold on Yixing’s wrist turned to interlocking their hands together so they wouldn’t lose each other in the crowd. People were bumping against them here and there and Yixing tightly gripped the older’s hand. It would be a huge bother if he got lost in the crowd. Finally there was a break in the crowd. The two took a huge gulp of air when they could finally breathe comfortably. Yixing looked up to see the town’s giant Christmas tree overhead.

He gasped softly. “Yifan, this is so beautiful.”

Yifan eyed the younger. Yixing’s eyes were shining with joy and his cheeks were flushed red in the cold. “Yeah, you are.”

Yixing turned to look at him, face getting even redder. “I was talking about the tree, pabo.”

“Well, I wasn’t.” Yifan took a deep breath and gently squeezed Yixing’s hand. “Xing, I have something to tell you.”

“W-what is it?” Yixing stammered.

“This was probably obvious since I have asked you out before but you’re a little slow so I’ll make it crystal clear for you.” Yifan locked gazes with him. “Zhang Yixing, I’m in love with you. I don’t care what happened in your past; we’ll make new memories to cover that. So, be my boyfriend?”

    Yixing tried to speak but nothing would come out of his lips. Tears were blurring his vision while Yifan just stood there and waited for him to do anything. With a lack of proper response, Yixing just contented himself with a small nod. He let out a squeal when Yifan just grabbed his waist and spun him around.

“Yah, put me down! People are staring!” Yixing hit Yifan’s arm.

Yifan put him down, smiling sheepishly. “Let them. You’re mine now.”

     Before Yixing could protest, Yifan grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in for a kiss. The kiss was slow and gentle like both were afraid of breaking something so precious. When they pulled away, both their cheeks were red with matching sparkling eyes. They had both finally found the love that was for them.

love is everywhere, it lets me forget injuries

share sorrow, learn consideration

we’ve fought, we’ve cried, and we can still embrace

please tell me if this is what love is like