For a person who had been traveling a lot in his whole life like Luhan, this trip had a special meaning.

First of all, Indianapolis was the first abroad destination he had ever been to.

His father’s company had planned to establish its branch in the USA and being one of the best employees in the head-quarter, his father was chosen to be transferred to set up the system. Luhan went with him at the age of six, stayed here for almost three weeks, had chance to explore every corner of the city. Frankly, now everything changed with rapid speed so all he could remember was the excitement he got back then.

Secondly, Indianapolis was the place where he had his first crush.

Luhan had never been in a long, committed relationship before he met Sehun but he had a few short term ones. It’s hard for him to admit it but he’s bad at keeping people he liked by his side (Sehun was an exception though).

It happened when he was thirteen and lasted one week. It’s nothing serious but sweet and for a teenager boy like him at that time, the memory was precious.

She (yes, it’s a she) was one of his father’s colleagues’ daughter who was also a Chinese. He and his father were invited their house to have dinner and Luhan was taken away the whole evening by her beauty, charming smile.

He asked her to go on a date the day after and for the entire time he stayed here, they spent it together, wandering around, joking, laughing. Their feelings were as pure as those early flakes of snow that were falling above when they shared their first kiss in front of her door.

But that was the last time he saw her.

There was no tear, no dramatic scene at the airport. No promise to keep in touch. Just a bright smile of her. After all, they’re still kids.

Lastly, Indianapolis was the place where he finished his first collection.

Being the only child of a wealthy family, Luhan was given everything he asked for. A break after his graduation from high school was what he suggested and his parents had no second thought of giving him their approval.

He took this chance to come back here one more time before spending the next four years in Korea, traveled from city to city and captured many beautiful moments on his way.

Luhan looked through the airplane’s window, a smile reflected on the glass as he recalled those sweet memories. The captain’s announcement snapped him back. Just wait a few minutes and he would have another memorable journey. He shifted in his seat, went through the stuffs in his backpack.

Money, check.

Camera, check.

Passport, check.

Sehun’s hat, check. (he had suggested to exchange earlier, wanted to bring a little piece of Sehun with him.)

Cell phone, check.

He fished out the phone, wondered if Sehun had landed yet. A second later, he stared at his hand like his life depended on it, his eyes was now open more than his usual doe-like size (maybe it turned into eagle or owl’s size).

Panic mode.

For a person who traveled a lot like him, this was such a shame.

He totally forgot that Sehun couldn’t reach him and vice versa in this situation, when both of them definitely were going to use phone card.

Disaster.

The moment he walked through the security gate, Luhan immediately rushed to the nearest public telephone, dialed the number that popped up in his head first.

No answer.

Once again.

Patiently waiting.

Tapping his finger on the booth continuously.

Losing his temper.

“Damn it Yixing pick up.”

He grinded his teeth, said under his breath but still, he got nothing.

Luhan hung up in frustration, tore out his hair while mentally groaned. No one knew about his trip except for his roommate and that sleepy head was the only chance for him to send a message to Sehun. He paced back and forth, didn’t know what to do. Hesitating for a moment, he pressed another number.

“Hello?”

The half sleepy voice on the other side gave him a knot in his stomach. He swallowed thick.

“Jongin ah, it’s me, Luhan.”

There was no instant reply. Luhan guessed the other was checking the time and also pulling himself together at the sudden call.

“Hyung, what’s wrong?” Jongin finally spoke, a hint of worry could easily be recognized in the way he said.

“Nothing, I just wonder if Sehun called you yet.” the Chinese softly reassured.

This was the exact reason why he wavered before. He didn’t want his friend to be anxious about him asking around about Sehun as if he would die without his boyfriend nearby.

“No, I haven’t heard any word from him.” the younger chuckled “I know you miss him but can you wait until morning hyung? It’s 3 a.m.”

“I’m sorry. It’s….” Luhan didn’t want to last this conversation long or giving more detail, he quickly said“…complicated. Anyway, if he happens to phone you, could you please tell him that I’m gonna be with Yixing the whole day, so if he can’t reach me, just call Yixing okay?”

Luhan was pretty sure Jongin had a ton of questions in his head right now but fortunately the latter was not a morning person so a mumbled “o..kay” was all he got before disconnecting the call.

Letting out a sigh, he headed to the exit door, decided to lie down first before figuring out what’s to do next.

************

It turned out he had slept for half of the day and sprung up to find it’s already midnight. After freshing up himself, he went down the lobby and asked the receptionist whether he could use phone card here.

The line got through and there was no need to say how happy he was when he heard his dongsaeng’s voice.

“Hey, it’s me. Did Sehun call you?”

“What a greeting ge!” Yixing sounded a little hurt on the other side.

“I’m sorry.” he suddenly felt bad for dragging his roommate into this trouble “But seriously, did he?”

“No…”even his voice was still slightly disappointed, the dancer seemed like deciding to let it aside, wondering “Why would he?”

“Because he won’t be able to contact me” the older one cried out, explained his misery.

The first day was almost over and all he did was sleeping and worrying. That was definitely not the trip he had planned.

Yixing chuckled, couldn’t help but laughing a bit. He wanted to say that he had predicted something wrong would happen and his gege shouldn’t have been so stubborn and just listened to his advice but this situation was out of control, no need to put some more pressure on the helpless boy.

“So now what am I supposed to say to Sehun?” the younger boy stated the matter of fact.

“I’m hoping you help me out with that. I guess he is probably out of his mind right now so you think which kind of lie could ease his nerves?”

“You want my sincere advice?”

“Yes, please.” Luhan hold his breath, didn’t expect the other would come up with an idea that fast.

“Tell him the truth.”

I’m so screwed.

The older facepalmed himself as soon as those words were heard. But it looked like he had no other choice. Letting out a sigh, he mumbled.

“What are you suggesting?”

“Just leave it to me ge.” he could feel the gentle smile of Yixing, the one that the latter always flashed whenever he needed to be comforted “I’ll explain to him. You go and enjoy your trip.”

Luhan tightened his hold on the phone, bit his lower lip hesitating a bit. Was it okay if Sehun found out everything? Was he going to be angry with him? Dozen questions were popping up in his head but he quickly shrugged it off. He would face it later.

“Okay, I’ll count on you.” he nodded his head as if the younger was here “Tell him I’ll see him at the check in counter for the flight to Boston at 4pm.”

“Got it!”

“Thanks Yixing. I owe you one.”

Day 1: ended with a late meal served at his room. He needed energy for tomorrow.

Day 2:

Luhan headed outside when the clock on his hand watch hit the number of 8. The weather was beautiful with slight sunray and cool breeze. It had stopped snowing like an hour ago and people were speeding up their paces on the sidewalk.

He took a deep breath before turned left, using GPS app to locate the place he wanted to go. After twenty minutes walking, he finally got to a small café.

Wow, can’t believe it’s still here.

The Chinese male looked up to have the overview of the shop. As he remembered, they sold the best chocolate muffin he had ever tasted a long with milk tea.

Luhan chose a seat near the window and enjoy his breakfast. He originally was not a big fan of milk tea (he liked coffee more) but from the moment he laid his eyes on Sehun, he started to fall in love with the sweet drink as well.

The rest of the day, he wandering around the city, took a lot of photos and came back at his hotel when the city lighted up.

After taking a hot shower, Luhan went downstairs and aimed to the phone. He had to know if Sehun was mad at him.

“Hello, Yixing it’s me.”

“Oh, hi ge. How’s USA?” the younger’s voice seemed delighted. It’s a good sign.

He chuckled, somehow found the joke amused.

“They’re fine. I’m not.”

“Why? Did something happen to you?”

“Nope, just kidding. I had a great time.” Luhan could hear a small sigh on the other side. “Did Sehun call today?”

“Not yet.” Yixing sounded hesitant “Don’t worry ge, I’ll see Jongin in an hour at practice room. I’ll ask him if he heard anything from your cutie pie.”

“Hey…” he exclaimed, earning a questioning look from the receptionist. He smiled and nodded his head slightly toward that direction before turned back to the previous conversation.

“Yah, only me is allowed to call him that.”

“Oh, so now you’re arguing with me?”

Luhan took a mental note to kick his dongsaeng’s the first second he saw him next week. But with his situation right now, he had to swallow his ego and condescended to ask for favor.

“Please, help me.”

“Haha, I’m just messing with you gege. I got to go. Have fun.”

“Okay, b…”

The younger had hung up before he could say a proper goodbye.

You are so dead Yixing ah.

Day 3:

It started snowing hard from the moment Luhan woke up and didn’t have any sign of ending. He had no choice to stay inside the hotel and spent time on internet, wondering what was going on with the world lately.

Lucky for him, the weather was better after lunch and Luhan didn’t waste any minute to put on his coat, tightened his scarf and went out. He wanted to check out on some recommended historic place he had found out from the local website. There was also a particular place he needed to drop in before it got dark.

He had no difficult to find the way to the D&D, his father’s company. The Chinese boy was surprised at its strong growth as looking at the very high building in front.

He had called his dad a week ago and somehow his plan on this trip was slipped out of his mouth. His dad insisted him to give his best friend, Mr. Huang, a visit to send best wishes and a box of superfine jasmine China tea (which took Luhan three days to order and got delivered) on his recently accredited position of Director of D&D branch in Indiana.

There no need to say how happy and surprised Mr. Huang was when he saw Luhan. They talked for about fifteen minutes, with the elder man asking question while the younger gladly answered thoroughly.

“Ah, I almost forgot. My Xing Xing sometimes asks about you.” Mr. Huang called out when Luhan excused himself to go “It’s such a pity she’s not here to see you.”

Luhan stood at the door for a second before smiling back, suddenly recalled the image of his first kiss.

“How is she doing?”

“She’s at her senior year of MA in Bloomington.”

Bloomington? What a coincidence!

“Can I have her number? Maybe we can catch up later.”

“Okay, here.”

Luhan got back to his room after gave Xing Xing a call and making an appointment to meet up tomorrow night. He felt a little relieved as his roommate told him that Sehun had contacted him and from what the other sensed through his voice, the Korean boy seemed abnormally calm. But still, it’s better than pissed off Sehun’s version.

Since he would go to Bloomington tomorrow, he wanted to meet his boyfriend too but unfortunately he had no information of where Sehun was staying or his schedule.

Haizzz, I miss him.

Day 4:

Luhan woke up with Sehun’s hat stuck under his chin. The Chinese boy unexpectedly felt hard to sleep last night so he had to sniff into the younger’s scent from the hat to send him back to his dreamland. He knew he would use it sooner or later.

The bus to Bloomington took only 2 hours and he had a chance to contemplate the scenery outside the window. It made him wish Sehun was here with him because oh God, the image of the afar hills dazzlingly white with snow covered all above was something too beautiful for his own eyes and he needed warm arms wrapping around him right now.

The bus stopped in front of the city hall. Holding a map in his hand, Luhan confidently made his way through the crowd of people on the sidewalk to the center of the town. He still had time before the appointment so why didn’t take a small tour around. There many place names were written down in the tour guide and he had already laid his eyes on some.

First: the Museum of Art. He had a habit of checking on the museum whenever he came visit a new city. It made him feel peaceful.

Second: The flea market. This would be the first time for him to actually go to a real plea market. There was a kind of this market in Korea but it’s not the same. If he was lucky, he could buy some souvenirs for his friends with low price.

Third: the Buskirk – Chumley Theater. Actually, it’s also where he was gonna meet up with his long-time-no-see friend. He was not really into musical stuff but from what he saw on the brochure, there was a small shop selling hot dog and other snack which was recommended as ‘best of the best’ nearby so it’s like cutting two trees with one saw.

And it’s not just a rumor. Luhan held two hot-dogs in one hand while the other gripping on a cup of coke.  He happily munched on the first one as waiting for his friend. She had texted him saying that the play was coming to an end and she would see him in fifteen minutes.

“Xiaolu, is it you?”

A female voice called out his name in Chinese and he quickly turned back, grinning wide to greet her. The second hot-dog in his hand dropped off and so did his jaw when he saw the person standing in front of him, panting hard.

“S…Sehun?”

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A/N. You all know the next part will be on Sehun's side right? I'm working on it.

They'll spend time together soon and some secrets will be revealed.