“Hey fellas, has your girlfriend got the ?! So shake it, shake it, shake it, shake it, shake that nasty ! Baby got back!”

“You know you’re just gonna get in trouble if you carry on...”

“I’ve got to move on and be who I am!”

“Why do you have to go!?”

“I just don’t belong here, I hope you understand!”

“I’ll try to understand!”

“We might find our place in this world someday... But at least for now...”

“I want you to stay!”

“I gotta go my own way!”

“What about us?! What about everything we’ve been through?!”

“Well what about trust?!”

“You know I never wanted to hurt you”

“What about me?!”

“What am I supposed to do?!”

“I gotta leave but I’ll miss you!!!”

“Soooooo”

“DON’T YOU EVEN THINK ABOUT CARRYING THIS ON. YOU TWO ARE ING INCORRIGABLE!”

Chen and Baekhyun started giggling at each other whilst Suho pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger.

“Where’s Lay when you need him, huh Gramps?” Chen grinned.

Suho groaned, letting his head fall down onto the table.

The three of them were at lunch, catching up on some last minute music work – and Suho was paying so that was a bonus – and trying to get their things together before the following Monday, seeing as they wouldn’t have time later that day, what with them all going out for dinner to hear whatever it was Sehun wanted to tell them.

Although Chen already knew, he’d kept his promise and not told a soul about Sehun and Luhan being in a relationship. He wanted to see the others reactions to it, though he suspected there would be a lot of ‘I told you so’s.

“Did you finish that yet?” Suho asked, pointing to the music sheets that were in front of Chen.

Chen nodded in return, “Yeah, I finished it like ten minutes ago, I just didn’t say anything because I wanted more food” he grinned.

Baekhyun and Suho rolled their eyes, “So that’s it then? I’ll photocopy them tonight so we’ll all have them on Monday, and we’re sitting pretty”

“You’re damn skippy” Chen smiled, pecking Baekhyun on the cheek teasingly.

“What was that for?” Baekhyun laughed, wiping his cheek with his sleeve.

Chen shrugged, “What? I can’t kiss my friends now? What if I was just being nice?” he asked, feigning hurt.

“Idiot” Baekhyun laughed, “You’re never ‘just being nice’, there’s always some kind of catch”

Suho rolled his eyes at the two as he started to hum under his breath.

Chen and Baekhyun paused as they looked over at Suho, “What are you humming?” they asked in unison.

“Just this song that’s stuck in my head, it’s a Michael Bolton song” Suho smiled.

“Oh?” Chen smiled, “What song?”

“How can we be lovers” Suho said, nodding his head to the beat in his head.

Baekhyun grinned, clearing his throat, “How can we be lovers if we can’t be friends~” He sang to Suho.

“How can we start over when the fighting never ends?” Chen sang at Baekhyun.

Suho laughed and turned to Chen, “How can we make love if we can’t make amends?”

“How can we be lovers if we can’t be happy friends~” The three sang together before carrying onto the chorus, turning their normal – well normal for them – lunch into a singsong lunch.

***

“Gees, what’s taking them?” Sehun said huffily as he and Luhan sat at the nicely laid out table in one of the fancier restaurants in town.

Luhan rolled his eyes, “They don’t need to be here for another twenty minutes, relax”

Sehun bit his lip nervously. He knew that it wouldn’t come as a big shock to the others, but it was a big deal for him. It was one thing keeping it between a few people, but for everyone to know made it real, very real.

He wasn’t used to the whole thing. He really liked Luhan, a lot, and he didn’t want to mess it up. and the way he saw it, the more people that knew, the more people would berate him if he ever messed up, even slightly.

He knew how fond of Luhan, Baekhyun was. And how motherly Kyungsoo got over all of them, including the little deer. He knew that Xiumin would have his head on a silver platter if he ever hurt Luhan – not that he ever planned to – be it intentional or not. And even the jokers of the group like Chanyeol and Chen would kick his if he did wrong by Luhan.

It wasn’t that he ever intended to, nor could he imagine hurting Luhan, but Sehun knew how stupid he was, he knew that arguments and fall outs were inevitable in arguments, and he was starting to freak out a little.

He knew that it meant that before he knew it, the L word would be tossed about, then more and more and more until it became so intimate he wouldn’t know how the to handle it.

“Gees, can you stop? You’re making me nervous!” Luhan said after a while of Sehun over thinking everything as per usual.

Sehun sighed, “Sorry, I’m just.... I want this to go well is all”

Luhan smiled softly and reached over, taking Sehun’s hand in his own, “It’s going to be fine, okay? So stop worrying. If anyone says anything – which I’m sure they won’t – then I’ll beat the out of them four times over, okay?” he looked at Sehun as the younger nervously gnawed at his lower lip, “Okay?”

“Yes, yes okay” Sehun smiled slightly, “I get it, you’re my knight in shining armour and you won’t let any of our friends be horrible to me, I got it”

“Good” Luhan beamed, “Because they’re here” he nodded over to where the ten other boys were happily making their way over – rather noisily at that, gaining them some very annoyed looks from the others in the restaurant – and sitting down at the large, round table.

They all chatted away happily, allowing Sehun to forget about his nerves for the time being whilst they are and laughed, disrupting the other diners so much that in the end one of the many waiters had to come and ask them to quiet down.

Sehun took the moment to look around at the friends he’d made since he’d arrived at the school. He’d never before really fit in anywhere, he’d never been popular, or well liked really, but here, he felt at home. He felt like finally he had somewhere that he belonged and he couldn’t have been more thrilled about it.

There were so many things in his life that never worked out the way he wanted them too, but thankfully, this was one of the things that had. Not only had he gained himself the most amazing boyfriend one could ask for, but he’d also made some of the most brilliant of friends.

He looked next to him, at Kai and smiled to himself. Kai was the first person he’d met when he arrived at EXO dorm, and boy had his impression of the dark skinned boy changed rather dramatically. Initially, he thought that Kai was a total prat that just needed a bit of extra attention, and though he was kind of right, he also realised that Kai was a good person. He had a true heart and a gentle soul, which he would have never thought the other boy possessed upon looking at him. Kai was also loyal, which Sehun was pleased to find out. He noticed that Kai, unlike a lot of the others in the group, wasn’t Mr. Popular either, he was loud and obnoxious and fawned over, yes, but he didn’t have a lot of friends, like would be expected. He talked to everyone and he had a hell of a lot of aquantances, but true friends, it seemed that he only had the other eleven boys that were sat around him in that moment. And Sehun couldn’t help but feel slightly proud to call himself on of Kai’s best friends. It honestly did mean a lot to him, even if he didn’t show it all that much.

Next, he looked to Kai’s left where Kyungsoo was sat. Ah, Kyungsoo. The one he thought would be sweet and quiet and the most innocent of the lot of them... Boy had he been wrong. Kyungsoo was an entire different entity all together and he made Sehun feel so at home. He was like a mother, a brother, a friend and a chef all wrapped up into one. He was someone that Sehun had come to find very trustworthy and reliable – though slightly manic when it came to Kai – and he was someone Sehun was amazed to know. He’d met caring people before, but Kyungsoo just topped the scale with how much he cared for his close friends. Not to mention that looks are damn well deceiving! Sehun would not have pegged Kyungsoo as a person full of threats, nor a person that would pull one over on you for a laugh, and yet the little tyke never failed to surprise him. But with that all taken into account, Kyungsoo was someone that could most definitely hold his own, yet made sure that everyone else was okay before looking at his own wellbeing, which was something Sehun both admired and envied about the older boy.

To Kyungsoo’s left, sat Kris, who Sehun always thought was a bit of an idiot. He tried not to laugh aloud as he thought about the relationship he and Kris had. It was most certainly the rockiest, but also one of the most amusing. Kris was, for lack of a better term, an idiot. Everyone knew it apart from the boy himself. And though they’d had their ups and downs, Sehun couldn’t deny that he loved Kris. Sure, the elder made some bad choices and upset some people, but his intentions were good majority of the time, and that’s what counted most. Sehun had long since buried the hatchet with Kris and the two of them had found a brilliant friendship due to it. They knew, of course, how to get under one another’s skin, but it’s just how they were. They would never be the best of friends, nor the closest, but they were good friends and they enjoyed the friendship they had, and Sehun was pleased to know the taller boy, because what was life without a few bumps in the road.

Next to Kris, sat Tao, and Sehun had to shake his head slightly as he thought about the cat-eyed drama queen. And that was exactly what Tao was in Sehun’s eyes, a bloody drama queen, but then, Sehun wouldn’t want him any other way. From Tao’s addiction to Gucci, all the way to him making Kris buy him something every three second, Sehun adored the kid to bits. They got on better than Sehun had expected at first, due to Tao’s rather intimidating looks, but now Sehun knew, Tao was nothing but a big softy that was scared of everything, yet could kick near enough anyone’s . Sehun liked Tao. He liked him a lot because although they disagreed on a lot of stuff, and teased each other most of the time, they were in fact, very good, very close friends, which Sehun thought, they both really loved. Tao was a bit of a diva at times – Sehun thinks he must have learnt from Baekhyun – but he was really cute and Sehun liked how they interacted with one another.

Beside Tao, was the original diva himself, Baekhyun. Sehun had a lot of thoughts on Baekhyun, because although the elder was a complete and utter eye-liner freak, a drama queen and a downright diva – one that could give Mariah Carey a run for her money – he was also one of the most down to earth, loveliest, funniest people Sehun had ever come across. Baekhyun was that friend that, no matter how down you were, or how pissed off, he could make you smile, no matter how much you didn’t want to. It was his charm. He could cheer up a pig that’s just been told it has two days before it’ll be bacon. He was overly comedic, he was an idiot, a complete and utter fool, but he was also sweet and caring. He was loving and loyal and he was one hell of a singer. He could make a gloomy day look like one of the best days of summer just by saying or singing a few words, and that was a talent Sehun wished he possessed. He wish he could just put on a smile and make everyone else happy too, like the pup did.

Then there was Chanyeol to Baekhyun’s left, his right hand placed almost unthinkingly around Baekhyun’s shoulders. Chanyeol was someone Sehun would never in a million years thought he’d have been friends with. He was overly excited most of the time, completely off his rocker and hyper to boot, and yet, Sehun was utterly and completely thrilled to have him as a friend. He never realised just how fond of Chanyeol he’d become, because although the latter was mental, too happy and just plain idiotic, Sehun couldn’t help but find him a breath of fresh air. Although Chanyeol could be a little overwhelming at times, he was also one of the most genuine people Sehun knew. He cared for Baekhyun like Sehun had never seen someone care for another person, and he loved his friends so completely that it was what some might label as beautiful. Yes, Sehun was most definitely glad he had the chance to befriend someone so content with life.

To the left of Chanyeol, sat Suho, who caught Sehun’s eye and gave him a soft, brotherly smile. Suho, Sehun had found, was one of those people that would either love you, or hate you. And much to his relief, Suho and him had clicked right off the bat. Suho was honestly rather amusing in Sehun’s opinion and although he acted like a straight up grandpa, he was a pretty cool guy. One of the main things Sehun admired about Suho, was how much he loved Lay, and how well he would show it. It wasn’t like over the top gestures, where you’d see him shouting his love from the rooftops, no, it was more subtle and Sehun didn’t understand how he’d not realised it before they came out and admitted it, they were a couple. It was the way that he’s constantly be touching Lay, even if it was only a hand to the small of Lay’s back, a hand rested over the top of the slightly younger boy’s. Their thighs pressed together, or their shoulders knocking together as they walked, or sat laughing with one another. It was in the way he would glance at Lay when he thought the latter wasn’t looking, or how he would softly trace the features of Lay’s face when the younger was laying in his lap. Sehun was so taken with how Suho cared for Lay, that he really looked up to the older boy. He could only hope to be that attentive towards Luhan.

Glancing to Lay, who sat beside Suho, he saw the affection reflected in his eyes. The two of them were definitely a match made in heaven. Sehun liked Lay though, for many reasons. He liked how cheeky Lay was, and yet how he was so polite. He liked how Lay would get annoyed at people talking during a film, and would laugh through his annoyance when telling them to shut up, yet would fall asleep twenty minutes into the movie anyways. He loved how Lay played the guitar in such a melancholy way, but made it sound so utterly breathtaking that he could just sit and listen to him play for hours. Sehun was most definitely jealous of Lay’s many talents. He envied how Lay could not only dance, but also sing, and how the other could play guitar and piano like he was born to be a musician. He wished he was also as laid back as Lay was. The boy was just so mellow all the time, that Sehun doubted if he ever got pissed off, or anything – granted he knew the boy got annoyed, but he handled it in such a way Sehun doubted he’d be able to – and that, to Sehun, was pretty special.

Chen. He was the next person Sehun’s eyes came to stop at. Sehun didn’t even know where to start with Chen. He was a complete and utter dickweed, but Sehun thought of him as his best friend. The two had bonded a lot in the time that they’d known each other and they had become really close. Sehun thought Chen was a whole barrel of stupid – and Chen thought the same about Sehun, really – but the way they were as individuals and they way they were when together, just worked. To Sehun, they were like Chandler and Joey. Fan-ing-tastic friends. Although, he knew neither of them had any chance at having the life of Joey, but that didn’t matter because Sehun realised soon after he’d thought it, that the comparison was to the friendship and not to the amount of people they’d hooked up with. So the be all and end all was; Chen was a pretty spiffy fella.

Then came Xiumin. The person that Sehun had both feared and loved. Xiumin was like the best older brother you could ever ask for, in Sehun’s opinion, but he was also Luhan’s best friend, which meant he was not someone to piss off. He had to admit though, he was amazed by Xiumin. The boy was quiet a lot of the time and hella cute, but he was also some freaking macho man. He was strong as and didn’t cry at . Like honestly, Sehun was starting to suspect that he was a robot or something. But he saw how good of a friend he was to Luhan and how much they cared for one another and suddenly Xiumin became someone Sehun saw in a new light. He was someone that Sehun respected and genuinely admired. He knew that Luhan didn’t just befriend anyone, and so by defult, Xiumin must have been a pretty special person.

Then finally, he looked at Luhan. And nothing else mattered. All the worrying that he’d been doing, all the nerves and fears and questions just went away because he realised that he was being stupid. Luhan was his and he was Luhan’s and he should have realised it from the start that he had fallen hard and fast for this boy. Looking at Luhan, then and there, he knew it was there. He knew there was no escaping how he felt. It may not have been perfect, but he knew; Luhan was the one he’d been looking for. Luhan was the person that he.... That he loved.

“Luhan and I are dating!” He blurted out, looking at nobody in particular, “That’s what I wanted to tell you, and I know that you might have known, or guessed, or whatever, but I don’t care because I wanted to tell you all properly because you all mean a lot to me and I hope that you’ll support us because I care a lot about this boy and if you don’t like that well then, you I guess, so yeah...” he got out in one breath.

It took a few moments for the others to understand what the Sehun had even said, but once it sank it, the table was full of grinning faces.

“I ing knew it!!!” Xiumin broke the silence.

Tao nodded in agreement, “I damn well told you so! I knew this was going to happen, those two were all over each other, man. It was so damn obvious!!”

“What the ?! Does this make this thing like some huge date then or something? Like a six-way date?! Is that even a thing?!” Kris asked, only to be ignored.

Baekhyun laughed jubilantly, “It was all a matter of time...”

“How long has it been going on?” Chanyeol asked.

Sehun shrugged, “A few weeks or so”

“A few weeks?! How the heck did I not realise this?!” Lay asked, looking slightly startled, whilst Suho soothingly rubbed his back.

Suho smiled at Sehun and Luhan, “I’m happy for you both” he said softly, making the maknae and the deer smile.

“Well... This is certainly something...” Kyungsoo chuckled, “Congrats, idiots” he raised his glass in celebration at the two.

“Well, I already knew... So...” Kai shrugged...

“Me too” Chen laughed.

The others paused.

“And you didn’t tell us?!” Kris demanded.

Chen raised his hands in defence, “I was under threat of death! What did you want me to do?!” he said, his voice slightly higher than usual.

“And Sehun was threatening to tell people things about me...” Kai muttered grumpily, “I wanted to tell you guys, I swear, but Sehunnie is scary when he wants to be!”

Kyungsoo rolled his eyes, “So you’re more scared of the maknae than any of your hyungs?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at Kai.

“Well, no, I mean, I’m more scared of Xiumin hyung and you when you’re pissed, but Sehun has that look where you know he’s hiding bodies under the floor boards and I don’t want to end up like one of those guys out of Stone Cold!”

Sehun scoffed, “Yeah, because I go out looking for homeless people to kill and stash away”

“I wouldn’t put it past you” Chen smirked, slinging an arm over Xiumin’s shoulders as desert arrived.

It wasn’t long before the twelve of them were stuffing their faces with various puddings, whilst trying to talk over one another about one topic or another.

Sehun looked over at Luhan, who he found was already looking at him, and smiled.

“Hey” he said softly, through the noise that surrounded them.

Luhan laughed gentle, reaching out and taking Sehun’s hand in his own, “Hey yourself” he shot back playfully.

“Can I tell you a secret?” Sehun asked, leaning in close and keeping his voice low.

Luhan smiled as he felt Sehun’s lips ghost across his ear, “Sure” he whispered back, playing up to the mysterious act.

Sehun chuckled quietly, “I’m really, really glad I met you” he whispered after a moment, making Luhan smile giddily.

“Me too, Sehun-ah, me too” he said, pulling back slightly so that he could press a soft kiss to Sehun’s lips.

He was about to pull away, when Sehun used their linked hands to keep him there and deepened this kiss, ignoring the jeering from their friends. Luhan let himself melt into Sehun, bringing his free hand up to grasp the back of the younger’s neck slightly as he felt Sehun’s hand on his thigh, rubbing it up and down teasingly, drawing closer and closer to his pride each time.

When they broke away, Sehun kept his hand on Luhan’s leg, but looked to see the other ten looking at them with eating grins etched on all-knowing faces.

Finally, Chen broke the silence;

“Have you guys ever considered making a tape? Because I’m pretty sure you’d get a lot of money for it...” he grinned.

Sehun rolled his eyes, but smiled nonetheless, “No, only I get to see him in various compromising positions, so that’s not going to happen”

“You do know you’re not his first shag, right?” Xiumin commented lightly, making Sehun laugh.

“Of course, I’m not stupid, hyung,” he chuckled good-naturedly, “But I’m sure as hell going to be his last”

Sehun took out his wallet and put a hefty amount of cash on the table to cover their orders.

“Where to now?” Baekhyun asked as they made their way out into the cool night air.

Sehun grinned, “well it’s a celebration, right?” he shrugged and looked at Kai who cottoned on fast,

“So we’re going to go and get absolutely faced” Kai grinned before leading the way to the pub.