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Luhan is always there for him, holding an umbrella.

On stormy nights he stands silhouetted against the streetlights as the rain falls in thin threads around his hooded face. Everything else is hidden in shadow, but Luhan’s face is always illuminated with a light.

On clear days he is still there, positioned quietly on the side should the clouds start to gather.

Sometimes, Luhan is on time and Kai escapes the worst of the rain as they gather quietly under the umbrella and wait for the storm to break. When it finally does and they have survived the night, the dawn seems to wash everything of Luhan in a kind of monochrome sepia light, and he fades away until he is needed again.

Other times, Luhan might be running a bit late, and doesn’t show up. On these occasions, Kai is drenched and drips water onto the street.

One time, Luhan asks Kai a question.

“You always expect me to be by your side. What would you do if I just left one day?“

What would you do without me?

And Kai doesn’t know.

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