Friday night is always movie night.

Sehun tossed an unopened packet of chips over Chanyeol's head to Baekhyun on the other side of the couch, missed terribly, and the packet toppled down beside Jongdae, who was seated on the floor. The Crown Prince shrieked and kicked it away instinctively.

"Why are you so twitchy? It's not a bomb." Sehun rolled his eyes as Baekhyun reached over to pick it up.

"You probably look like a crazy terrorist to him. Try dyeing your hair back, he might like you more." Baekhyun commented. 

"Oh yeah? Why do I need him to like me? Besides, who's the evil one who committed the unforgivable crime of kidnapping a Crown Prince?" Sehun shot back.

"Chanyeol, please control your boyfriend's mouth." Baekhyun dead panned, "Or I'll kick him out."

Chanyeol shoved a handful of popcorn into Sehun's mouth. Sehun choked, and yellow fragments flew everywhere.

"Eww!! That's how our sofa gets its yucky popcorn smell." Baekhyun grumbled, nudging Sehun with his foot. Sehun sighed and bent over to pick up the pieces.

Jongdae poked Baekhyun in the kneecap. "Bae Hoon, can I ask how long have I been here?"

Why does he want to know? "Umm... Let's see. About 11 days?"

Jongdae turned back, mouthing silent words. He tucked his head back into his knees and appeared deep in thought.

"When are you sending him back?" Sehun asked casually, as the ending credits began to roll. He reached over to ruffle Jongdae's hair, and Jongdae jolted from his intense brooding to hiss at him. "He's kind of cute actually, but he needs to work on his manners."

"I refuse to display any good manners towards people who pose a threat to me!!" He yelled.

"That's right, he needs to work on his stubbornness too."

"I order you to be silent! You have disturbed my cogitation!!!"

"Baekhyun, please control your boyfriend's mouth." 

Baekhyun reached over with a handful of popcorn towards Jongdae, but changed course suddenly and flung them at Sehun's face instead.

---

Baekhyun hadn't really thought about that. Sending Jongdae back.

Well, it's too early to think about that, he mused as he laid on his makeshift bed that night. Baekhyun turned to his side and observed Jongdae's sleeping form, all huddled in the blankets, hugging a pillow.

He's not asleep. Baekhyun could tell from the way Jongdae's chest rose and fell that he was still wide awake.

"Jongdae, is something the matter?"

"I..." And then there was silence.

Baekhyun propped himself up on his elbow. "Has it got to do with the question you asked me earlier?"

Jongdae twisted around to look at him. In the semi-darkness of the night, his eyes seemed to sparkle like little stars. A random tuft of hair stuck out from the side of his head, and it irritated Baekhyun so much because the urge to climb up onto the bed and smoothen it down was driving him insane.

"We call it Appreciation Day. If I am not mistaken, it is around 4 days from today."

4 days... Wait, isn't that March 14, White Day?

"Every year it is tradition that people have to give gifts to people whom are important to them. Women will usually cook, men will usually write letters or make things."

Whoever knew that a festival like White Day actually existed more than a millennium ago?

Baekhyun smiled and leaned back on the bed. "I see. We do celebrate it too, actually. It's a day when guys give presents to girls, traditionally." He paused awhile, and there wasn't a response. Then he asked the next question as casually as he could.

"Do... you normally give anyone anything on that day, Jongdae?" 

There was a stifling silence. He does? He doesn't? What does this silence mean? Baekhyun hoisted himself up again to look at Jongdae...

... And realised he was fast asleep.

Oh well, why am I getting worked up over this? He chuckled and tucked himself back into the blankets, closing his eyes.

---

"I'm going to class now Jongdae, see ya!!" 

Baekhyun waited until he heard Jongdae's muffled reply, before closing the door and locking it. Even though he trusted that Jongdae wouldn't let any strangers in, he just wanted to be on the safe side. Besides, Jongdae doesn't know how to unlock the front door from the inside so that makes it even safer - in case, for whatever reason, he tries to escape.

He glanced at his watch. Yes, I won't be late today, finally!! In fact, I might even be early.

Then he remembered something. Today is March 13th.

Tomorrow is White Day...

Ahh. Why did I even think about it? It's not like I celebrate it anyway!! I bought a gift for Chanyeol last year, but that's only because he had just broken up with his ex and he was in a state of depression!! He has that brat Sehun this year, so why do I need to worry?

Jongdae... 

Baekhyun hesitated in his footsteps. Jongdae doesn't have anyone to give him a gift... has he? Does he give a gift to Minseok? 

Somehow that thought seemed to create an unsettling feeling at the bottom of his stomach. Baekhyun quickly shook it off and hurried for his class.

---

Bzzzzzz....

Baekhyun huffed on his fringe in annoyance as he felt his phone vibrate yet again. It had been an hour, he was in the middle of lecture, and his phone had gone off at least five times.

Mr. Persistent Caller, please stop calling me and go away!! He buried his nose into his notes and kicked his bag further underneath his chair.

Bzzzzzz....

"Wow. That's an irritating one," Yixing remarked. "Switch your phone off next time, Baek."

Baekhyun rolled his eyes. "Says the person who gets dozens of calls during lessons everyday."

Yixing shrugged, sleepily stifling a yawn. "Not my problem for being so popular, right?"

"Yeah, and such a playboy."

"Excuse me?!" Yixing prodded him with the tip of his pen. "I do not sleep around!!" 

The ringing stopped and they were replaced with many SMS vibrations. Mr. Persistent Texter, please stop texting me and go away!!

"Anyway, how's your final project going on? I'm writing about the Gwangmu reform. You?"

Baekhyun contemplated whether or not to tell the truth, and opted for the former. "I'm doing the Balhae era."

Yixing nodded, and they lapsed into silence for all of three seconds before he exploded. "Whatttt?!" They got a couple of angry glares, and even the professor stopped mid sentence. Baekhyun slid down slowly and tried to become one with the chair.

Yixing didn't even look abashed about his outburst. "Are you crazy?? The Balhae era is the most ancient of the ancient, where are you getting your materials from?" He whispered.

The Silla and Goguryeo era are even more ancient, Baekhyun thought, but decided not to voice that out. "I have my sources," he replied with a mysterious smile. Yixing snorted and turned back to his notes with a sigh, marking the end of the conversation.

Baekhyun hid a smile behind his hand. A primary source. It's actually a living primary source, to be more specific. Just you wait and see how my report turns out...

---

"Is there anywhere that I can start an open fire, around here?"

The coffee shot out of Luhan's mouth like a spray. "I beg your pardon?!"

Minseok rose from the couch, then sat down again. "Never mind... I was planning to cook something."

"Cook?! Why?! I can cook perfectly well!! And you don't need to start an open fire to cook..." Luhan stood and quickly walked over to the kitchen, spreading his hands out across the doorway in defence.

Minseok shook his head and got up again, heading straight towards Luhan. "Well, you see, tomorrow is Appreciation Day, we celebrate it in Balhae. Every year ever since I turned sixteen, I have been making something for my Prince."

Appreciation Day, huh. Luhan scrunched his forehead. Wait, isn't March 14 a festival day for us too? Now what was it again... "What appreciation does he need from you, anyway?"

"I show my appreciation to the Crown Prince for being an obedient student during his lessons and showing kindness to me. But most importantly, I show my appreciation to him for being my Prince."

Luhan rolled his eyes. All this 'loyalty to the royalty' is giving me goosebumps... 

Ah! It rhymes!

"I was thinking of making some spicy meat stew for Jongdae. He likes spicy food, but they do not give him much spice in his food at the Palace. They say it will damage his vocal cords and he will not be able to speak loudly in the future when he becomes King..."

"I'll make it for you!!!" Luhan cut in, visibly distressed. Minseok looked like he was ready to go on and on for a couple of hours.

The scholar frowned heavily. "I will not allow you to do that, it is defeating the purpose. Unless... you would teach me how to operate your fire-less kitchen?"

Teach? Luhan's eyes brightened. Teaching Minseok means guiding him, watching him, holding his hands, stirring the stew with him, with the steam and the heat and the bubbling tension, and the moment when Minseok's got a shred of meat on his cheek and I can lean over and it off from his skin-

"Never mind." 

"NO WAIT!! I'll teach you I'll teach you!" Luhan bounced over and grabbed Minseok's retreating body by the waist.

Minseok didn't miss a beat and he elbowed Luhan reflexively in the gut, leaving him half-sprawled on the floor as he headed towards the kitchen. "Do not touch my body like that. It is obscene."

Whatttt? 

"Hey, who's the teacher here?!" Luhan yelled as he scrambled back on his feet. 

"Don't touch anything yet please DON'T BURN DOWN MY HOUSEEE!!!!"

---

Baekhyun returned home, completely exhausted. I should never again pull all-nighters on a school night... It was close to 8PM by then, and he dumped his bag on the coffee table, stretching sleepily. 

He lumbered to the kitchen to grab dinner. A note stuck on the fridge caught his eye.

Hey!! I'm staying over at Sehun's. I know you're gonna scream since I didn't give advance warning, so I've prepared dinner for the two of you before I left. Hope you had fun with Jongdae today! Tell me where you guys have gone to when I get back!!

-Yeol

 

Wait a minute. Wait.

I went to school!! I didn't go out with Jongdae...

"Jongdae!!" Baekhyun called out, but he was met with a foreboding silence. A sharp sensation spiked in his gut as he ran out of the kitchen. Aside from the lights he switched on when he came in, the house was completely dark.

Jongdae doesn't like the dark. He always has some light on... Oh, he's sleeping!!

Baekhyun rushed over to the bedroom. It was empty. He checked all the other rooms three times over, before the horrible truth hit him so hard, he collapsed to the floor.

Jongdae is gone.

Nooooo!!!!

Baekhyun stumbled over to his bag and emptied it haphazardly to the floor. He found a blinking notification light among his possessions, and quickly pulled it out, flipping it open and speed-dialling Yifan.

"Hyungggggggggg Jongdae is missing-!" Baekhyun choked on a sob, rocking back on his heels and burying his eyes in his arm. "Hyung, he's gone, he's gone..."

"Would you please check your notifications? Seriously this guy, the world's most impulsive ."

Baekhyun froze mid-sob. Notifications? 

He pulled the phone away from his ear and tapped on the icon - sixteen missed calls and thirteen messages. Oh...

"I'm hanging up," he heard Yifan say, before the line got cut off.

Baekhyun found a tissue in his pocket and blew his nose loudly, wiping away the traces of his tears with the back of his hand as he scrolled through the messages.

(1:20PM) Yifan: Hey Baekhyun, Jongdae just called my handphone. 

(1:35PM) Yifan: Baekhyun, I'm coming over to see Jongdae, he asked me to come.

(2:18PM) Yifan: Why on Earth does Jongdae not know how to unlock the front door?! I found your spare key underneath the doormat. And please, find a better place to put your spare key. That is the world's most cliché spot, it's a miracle your house ain't robbed yet.

(2:23PM) Yifan: What the hell Baekhyun, why is your room so messy? You're the host, I hope you didn't ask Jongdae to clean up for you!!

(2:29PM) Yifan: Jongdae says you asked him to clean up. You're a big ...

(3:01PM) Yifan: We're going over to the Park for a while, Jongdae wants to do something. Goddamit you just won't answer your phone, huh?

(3:45PM) Luhan: Baekhyun!!!!!! Minseokkie asked me to teach him how to cook spicy stew in my kitchen oh my godddddd

(4:32PM) Yifan: We're still at the Park. Hey are you alive?

(4:50PM) Luhan: Oh my god!! I just cooked with Minseokkie!! Kyaaaaaa ♪──Ｏ(≧∇≦)Ｏ──♪

(5:24PM) Yifan: Sorry, still here. We're leaving soon, though. 

(6:03PM) Yifan: I'm bringing Jongdae to eat, he said he was hungry.

(6:49PM) Yifan: Hey, Jongdae is running a mild fever, I'm taking him back to my place.

(7:31PM) Yifan: Do you even care?

The phone slipped from his fingers and fell onto the carpet.

Jongdae is sick.

Exhaustion and hunger forgotten, Baekhyun grabbed his coat and got ready to leave the house again. His phone rang, and he quickly answered it while putting on his shoes.

"Baekhyun."

"Hyung, I'm coming now, just-"

"No, don't come. Jongdae is sleeping already, just let him stay over, okay?"

Baekhyun felt an immense pressure build up against his chest. There were so many things he wanted to say, but he didn't know what order he should say them in, or how he should phrase them.

Eventually, he could only manage a "Why..."

"Jongdae had something to do. Don't worry, he's under my supervision, he'll be fine. His fever is down already and-"

"What do you mean, under your supervision?!" He's not under your supervision. He's under mine!! I'm responsible for Jongdae, not you!!

"Just go and rest, Baek. We'll talk about this tomorrow. I'll send him over in the morning."

Baekhyun couldn't sleep that night. It worried him incessantly, not that fact that Jongdae wasn't around, not that fact that Jongdae fell slightly ill probably due to his insolence and the cold, not the fact that Jongdae went out with Yifan and was currently staying at his house.

It was the last statement that Yifan had messaged him, that worried him the most.

Do you even care?

Do I... care? Baekhyun sighed and fidgeted for what seemed like the hundredth time. I do care...

But what is this that I'm feeling? ...Jealousy?

Jongdae gets along so well with Yifan, he trusts Yifan so much, even more than he trusts me. 

I... I wish I could get closer to Jongdae.

The thing he was doing today... He was preparing a present for Minseok, right? And possibly for Yifan too.

Yeah, right, why do I even need to worry about Jongdae having no one to give gifts to...

Jongdae... He doesn't need me.

---

Yifan came early the next morning, equipped with a nutritious breakfast and big bright smile. If anything, he didn't seem like the same person who texted him those cold-sounding messages and spoke to him in that hard voice the night before.

Baekhyun held the door wider, and managed a smile as Jongdae shuffled in. He looked slightly pale and he was sniffling, but aside from that he seemed okay.

"Hi Bae Hoon." There was a huge plastic bag in his hand.

"Hi." Something in Baekhyun's chest clenched when he caught sight of the bag, and he did his best to ignore that feeling.

Yifan waltzed in cheerfully and set the breakfast down on the dining table. "Jongdae, you should go rest," he went over to Jongdae and guided him towards the room, his hand pressing the small of his back.

"But I want to-" He protested.

Yifan shook his head sternly. "That can wait. Go rest now."

Jongdae whined and looked prepared to put up a struggle, but one fierce look from Yifan sent him straight into the room with his head hung low.

Wow, he has that much authority...

Yifan returned to Baekhyun and led him into the kitchen. He made Baekhyun sit down on one of the chairs along the island.

"Yesterday..." Yifan rubbed his forehead. "I'm sorry if I made you worry."

Baekhyun shook his head frantically. Why is Yifan so nice?! Urgh. "No no no hyung, it's okay..."

"You see, he wanted to make a present for Minseok for Appreciation Day so..."

I knew it.

"... So he called me. He said you gave him a list of important contacts and he decided to call me. I happened to be off yesterday so I agreed to assist him." Yifan hesitated a while. "I'm sorry. He fell ill because of me. I told him that we had to go back as it was getting cold, but he wasn't finished so he refused to. I should've been more assertive. Sorry."

Why. Is. Yifan. So. Nice?!?!?!  Baekhyun couldn't bring himself to feel angry at all.

"I'm sorry too. I should've checked my phone earlier."

"You... should go talk to him. He has something to say to you."

Me?? 

Yifan patted his shoulder. "I have work today, so I'm going. Oh, and..." He nudged the packet of breakfast towards him. "Here's a White Day present for my cute dongsaeng. Haha."

What's with that awkward laugh...

Yifan ruffled Baekhyun's hair fondly and strolled out. "Jongdae I'm leaving!!" He called out, before disappearing out of the front door.

---

Baekhyun cautiously entered the bedroom. Jongdae was seated on the bed, clutching the large plastic bag gingerly in his hands. A bright smile adorned his face when he saw Baekhyun.

"Bae hoon!! Come here!" He flailed his arms excitedly towards Baekhyun. 

Baekhyun went over and sat on the edge of the bed. Jongdae was still wearing the same clothes as the day before (naturally, Yifan's monstrous-sized clothes were out of the option) and they were crumpled. The sleeves were creased, like he had been rolling them up. Typical Jongdae.

Noticing these little details made Baekhyun blink and furrow his brow slightly. Why am I...?

"Bae hoon, what do you think of this!!"

Jongdae pulled out an elaborate wreath from the bag. It was made of cherry and apple blossoms, strung together intricately with twigs and twisted branches, weaved with long leaves and grass stalks.

"The Palace taught me how to make these when I turned eighteen, a few months ago. This is the first time I am making one all by myself! Yifan hyung did help out, but he is pretty useless and he spent most of the time drinking coffee..." He scrunched up his nose cutely. Baekhyun laughed and carefully averted his gaze, fully aware of the constricted feeling in his airways.

"It is pretty, right? It is for Teacher Minseok. I finished it in about an hour!!"

An hour? Baekhyun's head worked out the math. Didn't Jongdae and Yifan stay in the park for at least two hours?

"Uhh, then... how was the rest of the date like?" Baekhyun asked with a forced smile. What did I just say?!

Jongdae blinked in confusion. "What is a date? Anyway..."

He set the wreath on the bed and stuck his hand back into the bag. This time, he pulled out a giant bouquet of fresh flowers. Each flower was beautifully and carefully arranged, a well-balanced mix of forsythia and azalea, Korea’s representative spring flowers. There were sprigs of baby's breath and other wildflowers, all bundled up with long leaves twisted to form a bow.

"Uhh... sorry it looks ugly, but I tried my best..." Jongdae cringed at the handiwork in his arms, and then stuck his hands out towards Baekhyun, presenting the bouquet to him.

"This is for you. I know I am supposed to be angry with you for kidnapping me and taking me away from my home, but because of you I got to make new friends and see new things and try out new activities. You buy me things and cook meals for me, so you must be a good person, and I am glad I stayed on in the Park to make this for you. I never expected to get sick. Oops." Jongdae clamped a hand over his mouth, and giggled.

"But I am feeling better now. Happy Appreciation Day, hyung."

Hyung.

Hyung!!!!!!!!

He called me hyung.

Oh good lord.

Baekhyun couldn't bring himself to look into Jongdae's eyes. He didn't accept the bouquet, unable to trust his trembling arms. Jongdae placed the flowers on his lap and beamed at him. Then he sneezed loudly, and winced.

"I will be sleeping for awhile. Goodnight, Bae hoon. Oh, I missed this bed..." He wriggled back under the covers and wrapped himself up thoroughly.

Baekhyun didn't know how long he sat there, alternating his gaze between the flowers, and Jongdae. It didn't make sense at all. Why would Jongdae make something for me? Is this a dream? He shakily picked up the bouquet and stared at it hard, as if willing it to produce some answers. Unsurprisingly, it didn't, and it just left Baekhyun feeling more confused than ever.

(8:04AM) Baekhyun: Yifan hyung, what is the meaning of this?

(8:06AM) Yifan: He appreciates you, Baek. He wanted to make it for you despite knowing it would take him a longer while, in the cold. Treasure it, you idiot.

Baekhyun stood with wobbly knees and went out to the living room. He found a vase and filled it partially with water, dropping the bouquet inside it. Then he slumped down on the sofa and buried his face in a pillow, trying his best to contain the pounding of his heart and the swirl of emotions in his head.

Chanyeol and Sehun came in about an hour later. 

"Hey, don't you have class, Baekhyun?" Chanyeol threw a cushion at him, and he made a groggy sound in response.

"Oh, what's this?" Sehun went up to the bouquet of flowers. "Awwh, it's pretty... Is this Jongdae's White Day present to Baekhyun hyung?" He addressed Chanyeol.

Chanyeol chuckled. "Baek must be drowning in his feelings now. Come on, I'll grab my books and we'll head to school." He cleared his throat extra loud at Baekhyun.

"Whatever, I'll go later," Came the reply. 

 

Jongdae... He needs me after all.

Baekhyun didn't think he would forget this White Day, ever in his life.

---

"Ehhhhh? Sick?"

Luhan hung up and hurried over to Minseok. "Baekhyun said they can't come over, Jongdae has the flu..."

Minseok sighed and cupped his cheeks sadly. "That means he cannot eat my Appreciation Day present, he should not consume spicy food when he is sick..."

There was a short silence, before Minseok glanced up at Luhan hesitantly. "You can have it."

"What?!" Luhan felt his jaw plummet to the ground.

"I... did not make it for you!!!" Minseok protested angrily. Then he sighed, his expression softening. "But I guess I do not mind letting you have it."

Luhan was stunned for a couple of seconds, before bursting into a huge grin. "Yay Minseokkie you're the best!!" He jumped onto the sofa and gave Minseok a huge squeeze. "Whee!!"

To his delight, Minseok in all his discomfort and let Luhan hug him. After a while, Luhan grew adventurous, and leaned down to nuzzle Minseok's neck.

He found himself manhandled off the couch within milliseconds. "That is where I draw the line," he retorted with a scowl, heading towards the kitchen. "Could you teach me how to brew herbal tea for my Prince, then?"

Luhan laid on the floor, and laughed manically. Minseok let me hug him!! Oh my god!!

Luhan didn't think he would forget this White Day ever, as well.

 

 

 

 

A/N: Valentine's Day special!! (Except in this case, it's White Day but oh well the concept is there)
To make some things clear, Chanyeol is a very nice person in the fic, but Sehun is the complete opposite. (Lol)
It was fun writing this :) abit tough becos of the baekchen part, but somehow it worked out.
Is it progressing too fast? Hmm...

forsythia and azalea

By the way this is one of the 'plot' chapters.
(Refresher: 
Lesson chapters will be more fluffy and romcom-ish. Feature xiuchen/ baekhan learning things about the other's culture.
Non-lesson chapters will be more focused on the storyline (major events, milestones etc), might get sentimental.)

Just wondering... Does anyone want to know what Krischen were up to that day? And Xiuhan? Comment if you want to know :) if there's people who wanna read about them, I'll consider making a chapter for it :D

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!
For those with a special other, hope you have a sweet day with him/her! And for those single souls, awwh we AFF-ers have plenty of love to shower on you, right xD

Do you guys celebrate V-day? And if so, how?? I'm curious :D for me, I'll usually just go eat dinner with my bf, we don't do anything, yeah we're the world's most boring couple >.>