Dreams are there for you when nothing else can pull you out of your reverie. They are sometimes figments of your mind, other times they are as real as they can get and function as a lighthouse that beckons for you; encourages you to fight through every trial life puts up for you to get there. In many cases, it takes a strong sense of willpower to achieve this but in his case, it was a person that took him by the hand and led the way so he wasn't alone. Had this person not been there at the right place at the right time, God only knows where he would’ve ended up instead.

 

Some say that fate has a weird way of testing people, twisting together events to show them where they would end up in a certain amount of time. His case, however, couldn’t have been any more strange.

 

 

The transition of summer to fall has always been his favorite. The hot days of summer cooled down and became shorter as the green left the leaves on the trees and created a golden and red sea of change against the sky. The fresh air returned in place of the humidity together with everything that had a softer feel to them whenever he would walk outside. His hair wasn’t that long but still long enough to make it sway in the fresh breeze that would blow on a cool afternoon.

 

Another thing that put him at ease was that, even though it was already close to dinner time, the sun was nowhere near to setting. Like the outside person he was, the boy fully appreciated how the weather was still warm enough to wear some shorts but also cool enough to wear a hoodie to protect him from the seasonal breeze.

 

Thankfully, not a lot of people were out, allowing him to savor the silence around him without being interrupted by an occasional group of laughter or cars that would pass by loudly in their hurry to get home before dinner was served. Only the sound of the rustling leaves entered his ears and managed to calm him as he passed the golden trees on campus.

 

New surroundings were always scary to him, especially when he was left all alone with no one to depend on - just him and his own mind that would guide him through this new chapter of his life. It had all gone so fast from when he received the letter on his mat, saying that he was accepted to a prestigious creative arts college and that they were happy to welcome the boy into their writing program next school year. He was sure that he had lost the writing competition that would offer him an opportunity at this school so where this blessing had come from remained a mystery to the day.

 

A rough collision pulled him back to reality, dissipating any questioning thought the moment his bag flew out of his hands. It took him a moment to realize he had run into a person and immediately the apologies flew from his lips. “I’m so sorry!” he bowed and checked if the person in front of him was okay.

 

“No no, it’s fine,” a deep but pleasant voice answered, surprising him when a few chuckles escaped between the words. He couldn’t help but feel his eyes being pulled to the attractive features of the male and momentarily let them feast on his profile. This was interrupted when he recognized the sound of fluttering papers in the wind and quickly crouched to the ground to gather the pack that had managed to escape from his bag. “I wasn’t really paying attention to where I was going,” he explained as he threw a glance at the man he had walked in to, “are you really ok?”

 

Again, a flight of laughter filled his ears, tugging a gentle smile tug on his lips. “I am, honestly,” the man nodded to assure him and dusted his clothes before also crouching down to help the boy that walked into him pick up the scattered papers. “This weather does that to me; I just lose myself without even noticing,” the boy smiled to himself, unknowingly slowing down his movements when he was stacking the collected sheets.

 

“You actually enjoy the colder weather?” the man spoke up confused as he stopped his movements. The boy laughed when he saw the clueless expression the man wore and mirrored his motionless stance by resting his hands on the stack, and nodded. “It’s not that cold but yeah, I like this,” he smiled and glanced over the man’s shoulder at the swaying trees. “I guess it calms me.”

 

The man chuckled again before he continued to gather the loose papers around him. “That I’ve noticed.”

 

The boy laughed at his own clumsiness and mentally knocked himself on the head because it wouldn’t be the first time that he had caused trouble because of it. “Maybe I should daydream less and pay more attention to my surroundings,” he grinned to himself and stuffed the unruly pack of papers back into his backpack - he could sort them later. “I second that,” the man agreed and handed him back his papers, resulting in a hint of a smile to play the boy’s lips. “I think this is about it.”

 

Wearing the same smile, the boy quickly checked them, not entirely sure if it was all but nodded anyway. “Probably,” he answered with a frown and straightened up together with the man, “thank you.”

 

It was then that he noticed how bright the man’s eyes really were. They were a lighter shade of brown and even though his pupils were dark, his irises were breathtaking and almost seemed to peer right through him. His handsome face also rendered him speechless; he had noticed that he had dashingly handsome features but up close he seemed a lot cuter than he had thought.

 

The two hadn’t noticed that they were staring at each other because a gentle cough had to interrupt their moment, pulling them both back to reality.

 

The man threw an apologetic glance at his younger company before looking back at the boy in front of him, dropping his gaze to the crumpled collection of papers that he was holding. “I should get going,” the boy finally said as he waved his stack of papers and his heels to leave. “Thanks again!” he smiled and began walking away but the man called after him when he had only taken a few steps away. “Hey, what’s your name!”

 

The boy smiled when he heard his dulcet voice, secretly happy that he had called for him, and turned to the two as he tried to keep his gaze casual. “Lu Han.”

 

The man nodded with a gentle smile at this, mouthing the syllables of the name with his lips, which the younger took as his cue that he could leave. He waved goodbye and continued to make his way to the main building of the campus that stood only a few metres away from them. He was satisfied with only the man knowing his name - instead of him too knowing the man’s. Call him cheesy but he felt like if they were meant to ever meet again, the man would do anything to find him with the only information he had - his name.

 

“Huh. Who would’ve thought that there are still some decent boys left,” the older smiled as he stuffed his hands into his pocket and glanced at his younger company, who only nodded in silent agreement. “He was cute.”

 

He agreed again.

 

The two continued to walk, letting the situation of just now settle into their system, when the younger spotted something in the grass lane that ran along the path. He glanced at the elder before he quickly crouched to get it and ran his eyes over the content. It seemed to be an extract of a written story - he instantly recognized the structure and the way some sentences seemed at first glance. “Stray Flower,” the boy mumbled to himself as he read the title, a sketch of a white lily underneath it, but it was the name that was written under it in a few font sizes smaller that caught his eye.

 

 

He quickly looked up and around him in search for the boy they had just run into but he spotted nothing but nature - he had already left. “Sehun, are you coming?” the boy heard someone call for him and carefully folded the piece of paper into his pocket before joining the elder again.

 

 

---

 

 

 

“May I sit here?” a soft voice interrupted Sehun’s thoughts. When he looked up from his textbook, he met eyes with a boy that could be either his age or younger. Judging from his features and their location being a college campus, he figured that it wouldn’t be the first time anyone had doubted - or at least thought about - his actual age, since his face probably didn’t quite match with it. “Sure,” Sehun showed the darkblond boy a small smile and scooted his chair a little to the left to create more space for him to sit.

 

Lu Han smiled thankfully and took a seat at the dual table, ping his bag to get his books. He glanced to his side, biting his lower lip because he actually had no idea which textbooks he needed in this class. “Uhm, e-excuse me?” he spoke up, once again catching Sehun’s attention. The grayhaired boy turned to the voice and couldn’t help but chuckle at the lost look the boy next to him wore. Not noticing that someone had entered the classroom, Sehun closed his book to show the title.

 

“Good morning class, I’m Oh Taejoon and I will be your creative writing teacher for this semester. Please, call me Taejoon or Tae even,” the man in front of the class laughed as he unpacked his stereotypical brown suitcase, “anything but mister or sir because it makes me feel so old.”

 

The class laughed at this but it was then that Taejoon noticed two of his new students not paying attention. “Gentlemen in the back, glad that I have your undying attention,” he spoke up with a loud voice yet a subtle smile of amusement playing his lips. Lu Han quickly snapped out of his semi-conversation with Sehun and looked to the front, feeling caught when he met eyes with the teacher. “Sehun,” the man nodded at the boy next to him, watching with an amused smile how he pressed his lips together in annoyance before he nodded back.

 

“And who’s your lovely seatmate for the semester?” Taejoon asked as he folded his arms in front of his chest and eyed Lu Han. The boy was still a little out of it because he couldn’t help but notice that the teacher was quite handsome and his voice was anything but unpleasant. “L-Lu Han, sir,” he managed to stumble out. Taejoon laughed at this and cocked his head with a playful grin. “Now what did I just say about the word sir?”

 

Lu Han shook his head in confusion because he had obviously not been paying attention earlier, and heard the boy next to him snort in disbelieve at the teacher’s question before he shook his head. Taejoon, however, ignored this and smiled gently at the still quiet Lu Han. “Call me Taejoon.”

 

At the small curling of his teacher’s lips, Lu Han felt himself turn red so he quickly nodded to signal the end of their conversation. Even though they didn’t speak any more, Taejoon’s smile didn’t leave his lips and his eyes even lingered for a moment on the darkblond boy in the back of his class before he continued his lesson.

 

Class couldn’t go fast enough for Lu Han because every time he met eyes with the young and handsome teacher, he felt himself - to his own disappointment in keeping his emotions in check - blush. Also, he felt a bit bummed out about the fact that he couldn’t talk to the boy next to him to get to know him better, for the rest of the two hour class. He was going to spend at least five hours a week next to him so knowing more about him would maybe stimulate their non-existent friendship into something more friendly.  

 

At the end of class, Lu Han let out a sigh of relief because it meant he could finally punish his eyes that kept straying to his teacher in a not so innocent manner. When everyone was packing up, Taejoon watched Sehun get up and leave without saying another thing to his seatmate. He did notice the glance the grayhaired boy threw him and smiled it off as he stood up from his seat and began collecting his things. When he noticed something move in the corner of his eye, he felt another smile tug on his lips as he continued to pack his suitcase for the break.

 

“Lu Han, could you come see me for a moment?”

 

The boy in question was startled because of the sudden mention of his name and when he realized it was the teacher who had called him, he instantly felt scared that he had done something wrong. Quietly shrugging his backpack closer onto his shoulder, Lu Han shuffled over to the deepbrown desk at the front of the classroom.

 

“This may come off as a little straightforward,” Taejoon began as he was still packing his suitcase and eyed the darkblond boy in front of him for a moment, “but in the last week of summer break, did you by any chance explore campus and run into a handsome and dashing man?”

 

At this somewhat strange question, a frown appeared on Luhan’s face as he thought for a second. Taejoon continued collecting a stack of papers with a grin gracing his lips when Lu Han snapped his fingers in realization and nodded, instantly recognizing the man. “I did!” he exclaimed a little louder than he intended but his teacher could only laugh. “See, I knew I recognized you before!” Taejoon smiled and clicked his suitcases shut before lifting it from the table and motioning for Lu Han to follow him. He playfully leaned in with a hint of mischief lacing his features, “and yes, I too find myself dashingly handsome,” he said and winked afterwards before leaving through the door before Lu han.

 

With reddened cheeks, the boy immediately realized what Taejoon had asked earlier and what the boy had indirectly called him. He silently followed after the elder and after another minute, the two had reached an office.

 

“Hold on,” Taejoon smiled when they had entered, and moved behind the desk to search through some of the drawers. “I know I put it here somewhere,” he muttered to himself as Lu Han remained standing near the entrance, awkwardly lacing his bag straps around his fingers to somehow control his nerves. “Ah here!” the elder suddenly exclaimed and victoriously showed a piece of paper with text on it. Hopping from behind his desk, Taejoon handed it to the oblivious Lu Han and watched amused how the boy’s eyes widened at the sight.

 

“My - how’d you - !” Lu Han took the paper and turned it multiple times to check if it was really there in his hands. “When you dropped your papers back then, you forgot this one,” Taejoon chuckled as he leaned against his desk with his toned arms pulled against his chest, “you’re lucky we found it.”

 

“Thank you so much!” Lu Han smiled widely at his teacher, only to blush afterwards when the man sent him a handsome smile back. Lu Han had beaten himself up for at least three days because of his carelessness because back then, he had been way too distracted by the man’s presence to properly search for the important documents that were flying around. With a heart filled with relief, the boy fished out a folder from his bag and carefully slid the piece of paper into it. “So how’s the school treating you?” Taejoon asked when he saw that Lu Han was done.

 

“I’ve only had one class so far s-so I don’t really know yet,” he answered as he again began fiddling with his bag. “Oh that’s too bad,” Taejoon responded as he placed his hands on the counter of the table, unintentionally showcasing his toned lower arms because he had rolled up his sleeves. “My cousin attends this college too and knows his way around here. I could ask him to show you around?” he suggested, resulting in Lu Han trying to stutter out an answer because of the sudden question but Taejoon saved him from himself.

 

“It’s ok, Lu Han.”

 

A shudder ran through Lu Han’s body at the mention of his name.

 

“I’m sure he won’t mind,” his teacher continued and tilted his head slightly as to make the boy accept his offer. Lu Han couldn’t help the warmth in his chest from spreading to his limbs, traveling until he felt tingles in the tips of his fingers. He tightened his grip on his bag straps and nodded faintly, pleasing Taejoon and earning himself a vibrant smile.

 

“Thank you.”

 

“I’m not sure but this might be the study hall,” Sehun spoke a little hesitant as he looked around and peeked his head through the oak door but swiftly yet carefully closed it again. “Okay, so that was not the study hall.”

 

Lu Han quirked an amused eyebrow as he watched the grayhaired boy continue to walk down the hall. “Where is it then?” he asked as he too looked around but since he knew the surroundings as well as he knew how to handle kids, they would get nowhere with his insight. Sehun made some random hand gestures around and shrugged with a nonchalant face. “Somewhere around here, I guess,” he mumbled and ran a hand through his dyed hair.

 

“I thought Mr Oh said you knew your way around here.”

 

“Well, Mr Oh thought wrong,” Sehun snapped back and eyed Lu Han a little irritated when he brought up his cousin. Lu Han just chuckled and locked his fingers behind his back. “It’s okay,” he grinned and passed the boy, “we can explore together.”

 

Sehun frowned at this, letting out a sigh but followed anyway. “Is this going to take long? I need to be somewhere later,” he then said when he stepped into pace with Lu Han again. The latter shrugged. “I don’t know,” he concluded lightheartedly as he looked around but turned to Sehun a little confused, “and where are you headed anyway? You can’t just skip class like that.”

 

“I’m not skipping,” Sehun rolled his eyes exasperated and sighed at the dramatic antic of Lu Han. “And besides, I don’t think I owe you an explanation,” he then frowned quite sassily and continued to walk. Lu Han scoffed internally at the reason his new classmate had given him and stubbornly crossed his arms. “You don’t, but still.”

 

“But nothing,” Sehun chuckled, taking Lu Han by surprise because he hadn't seen him smile before, though they had practically just met so it wasn't entirely strange. The grayhaired boy suppressed another smile from curling his lips and began tugging Lu Han with him. “Come on, I’m not getting any younger with you lazing around like this. Neither are you, by the way.”

 

Lu Han was still silent but followed along anyway because the boy had a point timewise. He had class somewhere later in the afternoon so it would be great if he could navigate without getting lost every five seconds. But as he looked around and read the thousands of signs, that plan might be a little harder than he thought. It was pretty quiet in the hallways, much like a high school when there were classes. This allowed Lu Han to take in his surroundings in soothing silence.

 

Sehun hadn't said much during their exploration, much to Lu Han's disappointment because he seemed like a fairly intelligent boy with a lot to say. “So,” Lu Han tried to start a conversation as he cocked his head lightly when they had reached the field in front of their college, “you’re Mr Oh’s cousin.”

 

Sehun hummed and sat down in the grass, followed by his new classmate. “Seems like it.”

 

“Isn’t that awkward? Seeing him every day while he acts like a teacher, I mean.”

 

Again, Sehun just shrugged. “Not really.”

 

Lu Han, however, wouldn't let their so-called conversation die out like that and pursed his lips in thought. “Are you close to him then?”

 

“Are we playing twenty questions now?” Sehun chuckled as he eyed the boy next to him with an expression that read amusement.

 

“No, I’m just interested!” Lu Han pouted instantly in defense. “In Mr Oh, that is,” Sehun countered cheekily, making the darkblond gape at him. “You’re a mister Oh too!”

 

“But not the Mr Oh you are interested in.”

 

“Can we just drop this, please?” Lu Han huffed and turned to look in front of him. It was then that he noticed that they weren't alone, unlike they had been when they were still exploring the hallways. Various students were also sitting outside, either soaking in the late-summer rays or simply conversing among each other. “You started it,” Lu Han caught Sehun's voice in the soft breeze that ruffled his already tousled dark hair. “Sehun!” he belted, annoyance evident in his voice.

 

“Oh we’re on first name basis now?” Sehun nodded impressed, “we move fast.”

 

At this, Lu Han sighed exasperated and rolled his eyes, “I’m not doing this,” and moved to get up but Sehun chuckled and quickly grabbed his wrist. “No no no, I'm sorry! I was just joking.”

 

Lu Han sneered at him but sat down again anyway. “Fine,” he sighed, then pointed at Sehun with a stern face, “but one more strike and you’re out.”

 

The latter frowned at this. “Where did the first two come from?”

 

“Your behavior.”

 

Sehun dropped the corners of his mouth into a weird grimace and nodded. “You’re tough.”

 

“Get used to it,” Lu Han bit back and leaned his arms on his propped up knees. Sehun laughed as he plucked at the grass near his feet and threw the strands somewhere to the side. Again, a silence took over but unlike before, now seemed a lot more comfortable. For some reason Lu Han didn't mind Sehun's rebellious behavior as much as he let out; it somehow felt refreshing to have someone as the grayhaired boy around him, challenging him every now and then.

 

“I’m pretty close to Joon,” he suddenly began, avoiding Lu Han’s gaze as he spoke. When he didn't receive any response, the boy looked to his side and snorted when he saw the oblivious look that he wore. “Taejoon,” Sehun clarified, laughing when realization dawned upon Lu Han as he let out an ah~. Sehun shook his head when the darkblond’s lips pursed into a pout, and had to pull his eyes away from the pink cushions to not seem like a creep.

 

“I’m twenty without any siblings and with him being a good seven years older, he always functioned as some older brother to me,” Sehun continued with his fingers combing through the green strands of grass. Lu Han nodded in understanding and lulled his head around in thought. “I don’t have any siblings either,” he said and pressed his lips together, “it got lonely at times because both my parents worked a lot when I still lived at home.”

 

“You have your own place?” Sehun asked with quirked eyebrows because most of the people he knew and attended the same college, still lived at home. Lu Han nodded casually with a small smile. “It’s just a one-bedroom apartment, though. Not a house since I can’t afford that yet but I guess it works.”

 

Sehun nodded, pursing his thin lips before sighing, “I’d like a place of my own too, but my mom is pretty clingy for an old lady.”

 

It wasn’t the first time that Sehun had made a clever joke but the longer Lu Han spent time with the grayhaired boy, the more accepting he became of his cheeky remarks. So not to his own surprise, a laugh escaped his throat to show his delight in the situation. Sehun joined in, albeit lighter than the elder. It was then that both realized that they had opened up a lot more than they actually wanted to at first. Their interaction was also surprisingly easy; Lu Han was proud of himself that he hadn’t scared the other away with his weird sense of humor or off reactions to comments.

 

Again, a comfortable silence surrounded them and Lu Han knew he could get used to this. “Can I join you for lunch some time?” he asked a little hesitant, scared for the rejection that he might get. Sehun didn’t need to see the boy’s expression to know that he felt insecure and when he did look, he smiled inwardly because the way Lu Han’s nose crinkled was just too cute. The grayhaired boy stretched, letting out a satisfied groan, and nodded with a small smile.

 

“Sure.”

 

 

---

 

 

 

“Chocolate please,” Sehun casually asked the ice cream vendor, leaving Lu Han to sneer silently at his choice. When the two of them had paid for their ice cream, they walked further into the park to find an empty bench where they could sit. Lu Han and Sehun remained silent as they enjoyed their first vendor ice cream of the spring season in the reasonably warm sun. Six months had passed like they were nothing but the two first year students had become a lot closer than they had been in the beginning of the year. 

 

“Taste it,” Lu Han demanded as he held out his cup filled with pink ice cream in front of Sehun’s face. The latter frowned and shook his head. “I don’t want it,” he stoically replied and continued his chocolate ice cream. Lu Han, however, wasn’t satisfied with the answer and didn’t back down by nudging the younger again. “Come on, taste it!”

 

“Why are you so persistent on me tasting it!”

 

“Because you never eat anything other than chocolate,” Lu Han pouted with a supposedly sad frown. “And I’m perfectly fine with that,” Sehun defended himself with a satisfied grin when he saw the elder’s facade falter because of his answer. He clicked his tongue in dismay and crossed his legs. “In the half a year I’ve known you, you’ve never had anything that was not chocolate,” he explained as he pointed his plastic spoon at him, “You need to broaden your horizons, my friend, because you don’t know what you’re missing,” Lu Han curtly said and scooped another spoon of strawberry ice cream into his mouth.

 

Sehun watched him eat for a moment, reevaluating what the elder had just said before a defeated sigh escaped his lips. He had indeed never eaten anything other than chocolate and darn Lu Han for pointing it out. “Fine,” he spoke and held out his hand. At this, the elder instantly lit up but shook his head with a bright smile, holding out the spoon with a bite on it in front of Sehun’s lips.

 

The grayhaired student looked a bit skeptical yet surprised at the green with pink spoon that was being held out in front of him and, hesitantly stepping over his pride, took it into his mouth.

 

Lu Han waited patiently with hopeful eyes and cocked his head as Sehun let the ice cream melt on his tongue and dance with his taste buds. “And?” he asked curiously, almost looking like a kid that was waiting for the continuation of his favorite cartoon. Seeing this, Sehun swallowed the surprisingly sweet ice cream, still tasting the strawberries in his mouth. “It’s good,” he answered Lu Han with a small smile.

 

“See! I told you so!” the darkblond grinned victoriously and happily continued to eat his strawberry ice cream, “you should listen to me more often,” he added and playfully stuck out his tongue before stealing a spoonful of Sehun’s chocolate ice cream.

 

The latter watched on how his classmate enjoyed his cup of cold delight and couldn’t help but feel something stir in his stomach - something he had never felt before.

 

 

---

 

 

 

The sun had finally set and the clock had already passed eleven but still Sehun found it an appropriate time to occupy Lu Han’s couch. The elder didn’t have that big of a room - a bedroom, a small kitchen and an even tinier living room was what he had to make do with and with one person living there, it was okay. But when you had a friend and classmate that found your place overly comfortable, it could become a little crowded.

 

“You know what I just realized?” Sehun asked as he looked up at the ceiling from his lying position on the couch, completely disregarding that his older classmate was busy. Lu Han mindlessly responded, not entirely hearing what Sehun had asked but he didn’t really care either and thought that his response would shut him up.

 

“I’ve never asked you how or why you entered this program.”

 

Darnit.

 

The darkblond looked up from his reading homework as his interest was seemingly perked. “I know you like writing - you’re insanely good at it, but other than that,” Sehun continued and swiped his hands across the air, “blank.”

 

Lu Han chuckled, realizing that he indeed had never discussed what had made him enter this college, and left his book on the dining table before moving to Sehun. He tapped the younger’s feet for him to move so Sehun lifted his legs, allowing Lu Han to take a seat and placed his legs on the elder’s lap.

 

“Last year I entered a writing competition,” Lu Han began, tapping his fingers on Sehun’s legs, “first place was a complete scholarship at the prestigious art’s college of Busan while second and third were money prizes. Obviously, I went for the first one.”

 

Sehun gaped at the boy, bewildered that the elder had never told him this, and wiggled with his legs. “Let me guess, you got first place?”

 

Lu Han’s smile faltered but still a ghost of it remained on his lips as he shook his head with a frown which left Sehun confused. “Then how did you end up here anyway?” he asked and slightly moved to lay on his side so he could see Lu Han better. The latter looked down at his hands and played with Sehun’s pant sleeves as he thought about his words. “First place backed out so I got scooted up a spot from second place.”

 

Something in the pit of Sehun’s stomach began to stir because when the elder continued, he understood why Lu Han had never spoken of his reason of attending this college. “It wasn’t how I wanted to win, to be honest,” Lu Han pouted slightly as he continued but Sehun moved in his spot until he sat up against the armrest, his legs half-folded in front of him and half on Lu Han’s lap. “Why not?”

 

“I didn’t get acknowledged because of my writing; it was because one contestant dropped out that I was noticed,” the darkblond explained and looked at Sehun, “there’s a reason that I got second place, and it wasn’t because I was that great.”

 

The frown that had settled on Sehun’s face deepened as his friend continued. “Of course I felt like crap because I hadn’t won, but I was happy because I had come that far through a silly thing I had written. But after receiving first place afterall, I realized that there still were people that were a lot better than I was.”

 

As if it were the last drop, Sehun’s expression fell into one of agitation as he looked at Lu Han with slight disbelief in his eyes. “Bullcrap.”

 

Lu Han frowned at this response. “What?”

 

“First off, obviously there are people that are better than you but that doesn’t mean you can’t get close to them in abilities. Lincoln once said ‘don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition’, so even though there are that many people better than you, you can still prove yourself. Secondly, you’re sad that you got appointed to first place through a fault in the system?” Sehun nodded as if to his explanation only confirmed his thoughts, “I call bullcrap.”

 

It wasn’t the first time that Sehun would go against Lu Han and tell him what he truly thought because he was an honest person, and would rather tell people the harsh truth than cover them in a sweet lie. Lu Han agreed with this way of life but this time, he couldn’t help but feel perplexed at what the younger had to say. “Wouldn’t you feel slightly bad because of that fact? No acknowledgement because of your abilities but because of a so-called ‘fault in the system’?”

 

“Oh no, I would,” Sehun instantly nodded and sat up straighter, pulling his legs from Luhan’s lap and stood up, “but I would be lying if I didn’t feel slightly happy because of the first place contestant bailing.”

 

Again, Lu Han was rendered speechless as Sehun left to the kitchen to get something to drink.

 

“You should be more grateful for the opportunities that are thrown your way, Han.”

 

 

---

 

 

 

“Sorry for a late one but congratulations!” Taejoon smiled widely and happily patted Lu Han on the shoulder. The blond blushed lightly at this. “Thanks.”

 

“Geez thanks, Joon, for acknowledging my existence,” Sehun sarcastically remarked as he watched how his cousin made his friend feel very self-conscious. Taejoon laughed and wrapped an arm around the younger, knuckling his head as he held him down. “Oh shut up, I already congratulated you before.”

 

Sehun struggled to get out of his cousin’s deathgrip, whining for Lu Han to help him but he could’ve known the now lighter-shade-of blond was useless because he was way too amused. Taejoon caught on and let go of Sehun, still smiling widely when he ruffled the younger’s already unruly hair. “No but seriously, we should do something fun to celebrate this blessed moment!” he added way too exuberant when Sehun had finally properly styled his hair and Lu Han was done laughing. The grayhaired boy winced at the cheesiness of that sentence, however, and waved a hand in front of his cousin’s face. “Have you been drinking?”

 

Instantly, Taejoon lifted finger in the air as if an idea had struck him and a wide grin settled on lips as he grabbed Sehun’s shoulders. “Drinking!”

 

“You’re a teacher,” Sehun gaped at the man, but Taejoon only swung an arm around the boy’s neck and swiped his hand across the sky. “As soon as I leave the college’s perimeters, I’m a free man, my boy.”

 

Again, Lu Han chuckled at his teacher’s behavior while Sehun rolled his eyes at the free spiritedness of his cousin slash teacher.

 

“So what do you say? You, Lu Han, me, tonight at a club that will probably earn you an STD or two?” Taejoon continued as he checked Sehun from the side with an encouraging smile but he was already shot down by the disinterested expression the boy wore. “Sounds very inviting but no,” Sehun unwrapped his cousin’s arm from his neck, “unlike you, I already need to do some reading for a certain subject I will not mention,” he finished with a hard glare that was meant for Taejoon because he thought it would be funny to give up homework at the beginning of the year.

 

The elder pouted at this. “Hey, I’ll go easy on you Monday if you please please please join us!” he whined and wrapped his arm around Lu Han’s neck instead, making the smile on his face disappear and a blush take over. Sehun noticed this and for some reasons didn’t like the way the boy reacted so he sighed and rubbed his eyes in defeat.

 

“Fine.”

 

“I bet you a hundred bucks he won’t kiss anyone tonight,” Taejoon slurred at Lu Han as he leaned in dangerously close to speak into his ear. The boy had told himself at the beginning of the night that he would set his nervous antics aside so he wouldn’t mind the man closing the proximity between them that much anymore; mission was a go and it went fairly ok because he managed to chuckle as he eyed a bored Sehun sitting a little further with a drink in his hand, and ran his eyes over his handsome profile and what he was wearing. “I wouldn’t bet on that one, Tae,” he smiled before blushing furiously when he noticed he had used a petname for his teacher.

 

Taejoon hadn’t noticed, though, and wrapped his arm around Lu Han’s neck, “How are you so sure?”

 

Even though he began to feel a little flustered because of the situation, Lu Han quickly shrugged nonchalantly and chose to answer honestly. “Well, have you seen him tonight? That,” he pointed at the younger dashing male, “will definitely get kissed.”

 

Taejoon grinned at this and lolled his head around before sharply looking Lu Han in the eye again. “Let’s check out the possibilities then, ay?” he grinned mischievously before pulling the boy with him to the dancefloor, dragging Sehun with them somewhere in the middle of their struggle through the mass. At first, Lu Han was a little awkward because he never really went out when he still lived at home. He didn’t have friends that liked to club either so this was a new kind of adventure for him. Taejoon seemed to notice this so he flung the boy’s arms playfully with a wide yet drowsy smile. “Come on, loosen up, Han!” he exclaimed and ran his hands down the younger’s sides until he reached his hips and swayed them, “with a body like that, I’m sure you’ll drive a few boys and girls crazy!”

 

This all didn’t really help Lu Han in any way, if not made him even more self-conscious but after a reassuring shrug - that could be confused with indifference - from Sehun, he chose to just wing it and let loose. Not caring about anything around him, he danced with Sehun and his cousin who managed to swipe a drink from somewhere, and again one from a waitress’ platter, which he handed to Lu Han. “One shot!” he smiled and knocked his own shot glass against Lu Han’s before downing it in one go.

 

The boy was still hesitant because he didn’t know what it contained and if he could hold his liquor that well. But then he remembered that he was supposed to ‘let loose’ so setting his worries aside, he took a swig. His face fell into a wince when the strong drink burned its way down his throat until it comfortably settled in his stomach, leaving a warm sensation to tickle his insides as he released a raspy moan. “There you go~” Taejoon cooed happily and continued dancing after quite roughly patting the younger’s shoulder.

 

When the elder disappeared from his sight, Lu Han spotted Sehun standing a few feet away from him. He wiggled his way through the mass to him and smiled when he finally reached the grayhaired. “You’ve been drinking,” Lu Han chuckled when he caught a whiff of Sehun’s breath. “Obviously,” he rolled his eyes, “but I’m still very well aware of my surroundings.”

 

“Good,” the elder laughed and glanced at their teacher who was dancing quite sensually with a group of people they didn’t know, “because I’m sure I won’t be able to drag two bodies out of this building.”

 

Sehun frowned at the elder and leaned in closer so Lu Han could hear him over the music. “I can hold my liquor pretty well, thank you very much,” he called and began swaying to the music that played in the background. Lu Han, instead, nodded amused which didn’t sit right with Sehun because he knew the elder was mocking him so he groaned in frustration. “Whatever you say~” he laughed and began moving his body, following Sehun’s movements, “just dance please?”

 

The two dropped the subject after this since Sehun knew he wouldn’t be able to convince the elder because he was so deliciously stubborn and the grayhaired really didn’t feel like arguing right now. As the night progressed, the two became closer as they danced together. No words were exchanged between them; all that was needed was the contact between their bodies as they spoke and entwined in a more than friendly manner. Many borders that wouldn’t have been crossed sober, were crossed when they decided to walk back and forth between the bar and dancefloor.

 

The alcohol played a dangerous game with their senses, making them lose Taejoon in the crowd - not that they cared but it was not something that should’ve happened in Lu Han’s eyes. At one point, Sehun began dragging Lu Han from the dancefloor to get some fresh air outside. The heat started to get to the younger’s head and he couldn’t think straight anymore. The moment they set foot outside, it was as if a sharp blade cut through his senses and effectively separated what was a doozy and what was reality.

 

Together, they stumbled to the side with Lu Han giggling and slumping against the wall when he reached it. Sehun could walk straighter than the elder but still swayed in his steps, and with a little effort, also reached the cold bricks.

 

Lu Han leaned against the wall that faced away from the entrance with a lazy smile and looked up at the night sky, meeting with millions of stars that were dazzling against the black background. “So pretty,” he muttered to himself and continued to follow patterns that he could find in the blinking masses. Sehun stood next to him and also looked up, humming in response to Lu Han’s comment. To his surprise, something warm found his hand when he had found one particular bright star, and laced itself around it until all he could feel was a strange heat. When he looked away from the night sky, he found Lu Han lifting their entwined hands to his face and rubbed it against his cheek.

 

“You’re so soft,” he mumbled as he continued to run Sehun’s hand over his face - from his cheek to his forehead, down to his other cheek until he reached his own lips. Sehun struggled to loosen the grip but Lu Han was still strangely strong, disallowing the younger to escape. “L-Lu Han,” he tried and pushed himself from the wall to stand in front of the elder but Lu Han simply ignored his pleas with closed eyes. Sehun sighed, seeing that they were getting nowhere, and in the end found himself looming over the slightly shorter boy.

 

“Hey,” the grayhaired asked gently and without much thought pushed the light bangs of Lu Han’s hair away from his eyes. Slowly, the elder’s dark orbs opened and looked straight into Sehun’s who had him backed against a wall. “You have pretty eyes,” he grinned as he looked the younger directly in the eye. Sehun was taken back by the sudden compliment again but couldn’t help but be drawn in by Lu Han’s eyes too, as he began to lean in closer. “You too,” he answered softly.

 

Lu Han smiled again and moved to stand straighter, stretched his neck and surprised Sehun by placing a small kiss on his lips. The elder backed away again against the wall and let out a small sigh. “I always wanted to try that,” he mumbled through his soft breaths and tightened his grip on the younger’s hand, his eyes still closed. Sehun was still too surprised because, without a doubt, he wanted for that to happen but now it had, he was left speechless. Lu Han didn’t say anything, just kept his eyes closed wearing a satisfied smile as if he were having a good dream but all Sehun saw were the cute little imperfections that seemed oh so perfect in his eyes.

 

The button nose that would crinkle whenever he felt insecure; the lips that would form a beautiful smile but when they parted, an even more beautiful voice reached his ears as if it were a siren’s melody. Together with this, the eyes that were shut right now, peered right through him any other day of their lives together and threatened to spill every single secret that he had hidden away deep down inside.

 

He never knew perfection could take on an embodiment. But it did.

 

With these thoughts echoing in his head, Lu Han drew him in again with all that was him and made Sehun lean in until their lips met into a second liplock. Lu Han didn’t flinch; instead, he stood straighter and clung onto the front of Sehun’s shirt, drawing him closer until there was barely any space left between their bodies. Sehun felt his heart race the moment Lu Han didn’t reject his advances and knew he was too drunk to make any wise decisions so he just did it.

 

Bringing his hands up, he cupped Lu Han’s cherubic cheeks and slanted his head for better access. Again, to his surprise Lu Han parted his lips and let the younger’s tongue dance with his as he pushed his leg between the elder’s, earning a strangled moan from him and firing up any spark of lust that hid in Sehun’s body.

 

The air was cold that night but neither of them cared.

 

The wall was rough against his back but Lu Han didn’t care.  

 

This shouldn’t have happened. But Oh Sehun didn’t care.

 

Waking up groggily, Sehun closed his eyes tighter again to zone out the pain that shot through his body when he moved but to no avail. He parted them to slits but his sight was obstructed by something that laid far closer to him than he expected. “Good morning pretty little liar,” Lu Han smiled at the younger as he sat up, watching the grayhaired boy attempting to sit up in his bed against the headboard. He looked around and as far as he could see, the closets that covered the walls weren’t his, the flowery sheets that covered him definitely weren’t his and the people in the pictures on the wall most certainly were not his family.

 

“Did something happen last night?” he asked raspily but his voice barely came out because of the dryness that reigned in his throat. Lu Han innocently shook his head before hitting the boy upside the head. “Only me dragging two nearly unconscious bodies to this room.”

 

The grayhaired whined at the headache that shook through his head and the extra pain of Lu Han’s smack. As he rubbed the sore spot, he noticed another body laying on the floor and pretty soon figured out it was his cousin, aka their creative writing teacher.

 

“Go take a shower, I’ll go make some hangover mix or something to ease that pain of yours,” Lu Han laughed and stood up from the bed to leave for the kitchen. Sehun watched the elder walk out of the room, wearing a smile, a plain tshirt and sweats that were seen fit for a lazy Sunday. His own fell because he realized that either Lu Han had forgotten about whatever had happened or just crowned himself to being a pretty little liar.

 

Something had happened and it wasn’t just a little event that could be easily forgotten. But apparently Lu Han thought differently about the matter and that could mean only one thing. With a sigh, Sehun slid down the headboard into the soft pillows, hitting his fist onto the bed where he met with a smaller pillow.

 

“Screw you,” Sehun mumbled as he grabbed it and flung it at his knocked out cousin.

 

 

---

 

 

“How are your classes, sweetie?”

 

“Fine.”

 

“How’s luhan doing?”

 

“Fine.”

 

“Did you learn any other words in college besides ‘fine’?” Sehun’s mother laughed before she took a sip from her orange juice.

 

No response.

 

The woman’s smile faltered a little and she chose to change the subject. “Taejoon told me that you’ve been struggling with his subject.”

 

A response; Sehun grit his teeth.

 

“Taejoon can kiss my .”

 

 

---

 

 

 

“Well, you look like .”

 

Lu Han closed his eyes for a moment to let the words sink in before he spit a frustrated thanks, not looking up from his writing assignment. He had been busy with this piece for almost two hours already but for some reason the words didn’t seem to come as easily as they normally did and left the blond annoyed to no end.

 

Sehun, on the other hand, didn’t care much for the project so he left it on his desk at home to catch dust until it was the day before it was due - he was most inspired under pressure anyway. He dropped himself onto Lu Han’s couch and glanced at his classmate’s hunched stance. “How’s the project going?” Sehun asked absentmindedly and placed his feet on the coffee table in front of him. Lu Han sighed, threw his pen onto the table and tiredly rubbed his face before tangling his fingers in his hair. “I’m going mental.”

 

“That doesn’t sound too great,” Sehun chuckled, when he spotted a stack of papers on the coffee table and leaned over to get it. “Hey, wanna hear something interesting?” he asked as he flipped through the bunch, scanning the perfectly structured sentences without waiting for an answer, “Joon told me that third year students have the opportunity to be chosen for a placement at a foreign college that specializes in writing and journalism.”

 

Lu Han stood up from his seat at the dining table and walked over to where Sehun was, snatching the stack out of his hands before plopping next to him. “Great,” Lu Han muttered uninterested as he checked the sheets.

 

“What was that? It’s good,” Sehun asked, still eyeing the papers his friend for some reason was organizing again. “Nothing,” came the sharp answer from the blond as he looked at the front sheet, running his eyes over the swirly letters that formed the title of his work.  

 

“Lu Han.”

 

“The story I entered the competition with,” the boy answered quicker than Sehun had initially thought but didn’t look at the younger when he spoke. “It’s really good, Han,” Sehun smiled and sat up in his seat. “Coming back to what I said earlier, the board is looking for stuff like this,” he pointed at the stack in Lu Han’s lap. “You’d have an almost perfect chance next school year.”

 

Lu Han frowned when he turned to Sehun. “How can I participate in something so great, when I can’t even finish such a simple task as Taejoon gave us.”

 

“Han, you’re just in a dip right now. End of the year is nearing, school is getting hectic - ”

 

“Exactly my point! I need to be made of steel and not succumb to the pressure when I enter in such a program,” he interrupted the younger and tiredly threw the stack next to him, rubbing his face. “That’s nearly impossible for me at this point.”

 

“But - ”

 

“Let’s play ‘what if’ for a second, Sehun,” Lu Han interrupted his classmate with a somewhat concerned look on his face, “dozens of students will think the same as you; as gullible as it may sound, they all believe that they’ll have a chance at gaining this opportunity. Also, what if I get chosen? My life will turn into a whirlpool of obligations that I might not be able to complete because I’m simply not good enough.”

 

This time it was Sehun’s face that fell into a frown, a grimace even that showed his distaste. “I seriously don’t understand how you can think like that, Han,” he began, his voice showing that he was starting to get angry, “you are a great- no, fantastic writer who doesn’t deserve to rot away at some lousy college that doesn’t allow him to show his true and wonderful colors. You have the ability to bring people to tears with your words and yet you dare to cut yourself short of any compliments.”

 

As if his words were stolen, Lu Han could only listen to his friend speak his mind. He never knew Sehun was this passionate about his writing, nor did he understand why because he himself never thought he was that great - he didn’t see what the others saw in him.

 

“Why play it safe when there’s a whole world out there, waiting for your presence to be known across every single country,” Sehun added, his voice barely above a whisper when he felt tears of frustration pool in his eyes but he just blinked them away in his own aggravation. “I know you’ll fly high in your life, Han. You’ll see.”

 

With this, Sehun stood up from the couch, throwing a folder with the information for the foreign exchange on the coffee table. “That’s your way out,” he pointed at it, “the door is wide open, Lu Han. It’s you who has to take that final step over the threshold to take it.”

 

By now, the blond was already in tears because Sehun’s words hit him harder than he thought they would. Never had anyone spoken like this to him, especially not about something that Lu Han was so passionate about; no one ever took the time to do so, and when they did, they told him he was good and that was it. But now someone had spoken up and Lu Han didn’t know how to cope with this.  

 

Biting his lower lip, he tried to keep himself from crying more, his eyes finding the gray folder in the middle of his table. “I don’t understand why you dare to think you’re not good enough,” Sehun finally said when he had passed the elder to the door.

 

“You disappoint me.”

 

Lu Han didn’t know how long he had been searching for Sehun but the boy didn’t answer his calls and began to worry the older. It was when he reached the broadest river in the city that he spotted a familiar tall figure standing near the riverbed, throwing stones into the flowing water.

 

Lu Han carefully approached his friend until he stood next to him. “Hey,” he spoke up softly, glancing at the taller who just remained silent as he continued to throw the small stones he had gathered in his hands. Lu Han bit his lower lip nervously and chose to lift the jacket he was holding. “You forgot your jacket,” he continued but again no reaction from the grayhaired boy.

 

When a late winter breeze passed the two college students, Lu Han noticed the thin shirt Sehun was wearing. Once again checking the jacket in his hands, he moved behind the younger to drape it over his shoulders. He then patted the sides to straighten out any creases but gradually his hands slid down Sehun’s arms to his back, staying there as he subconsciously leaned in to rest his forehead against the younger. The latter felt the weight against him and stopped throwing the stones he had in his hands, remaining silent for a moment.

 

“I’m scared,” Lu Han muttered into his classmate's broad back and closed his eyes, listening to the flowing of the river and car engines rumble in the background. “Of what,” Sehun finally asked as he dropped his arms to his sides. He felt Lu Han press closer as soon as he had uttered the question.

 

Lu Han bit his lower lip again to stop it from trembling but he couldn’t stop the tears from building in his eyes. “Everything,” he whispered and finally let the tears fall freely again, creating broken streams to run down his cheeks. Sehun closed his eyes, pressing his lips together because he knew Lu Han had been feeling like this; it just took him a final push to realize.

 

The younger then turned and pulled Lu Han into his arms, hugging him closer so he could rest his head on his shoulder.

 

“I’m here.”

 

 

---

 

 

“You know he likes you,” Sehun bellowed, his voice cracking, and stood up from the chair in the office, “why are you making it this hard for him when you are aware! Just accept him, for God’s sake, instead of playing around!”
 

“I’m not playing around, Sehun,” Taejoon replied calmly as he still sat in his chair and rubbed his eyes. “Then why do you continue to run around in circles instead of diving straight into it!”

 

“Because I love you Sehun,” Taejoon instantly countered, surprising Sehun, “and because of this I can’t just take away something that is precious to you.”

 

The teacher narrowed his eyes momentarily when he saw his cousin’s stance stiffen, obviously denying whatever feelings had been coiling in his body. “The only one you’re lying to right now is yourself, Sehun,” he added softly and stood up from his seat to be on one level with his younger cousin.

 

“He doesn’t even see me, Joon,” Sehun answered almost heartbroken, leaving Taejoon’s hands to tighten into fists when he continued his sentence, “so please, take him away, do something before I go mad of frustration.”

 

 

---

 

 

As he sat on the couch, he played with a loose thread that had escaped from the tight hem of his shirt. “I guess I could’ve seen it coming,” Lu Han let out a dry chuckle, “in the end, teacher-student relationships are a no-go area.”

 

Sehun frowned, subconsciously his hands turning into fists in his lap, “I’m sorry.”

 

“It’s okay. As I said, it was inevitable,” Lu Han shook his head as he smiled at his friend.

 

The smile the blond wore almost broke Sehun’s heart as he watched the elder move and lay his head down on his lap, curling into a ball with his face averted.

 

 

---

 

 

 

“I got it,” Lu Han smiled and wanted to hoist his bag onto his shoulder but Sehun grabbed it before he could even say anything. The younger then closed the trunk and began walking towards the airport entrance, leaving Lu Han speechless at the car. Quickly, he followed after the darkblond boy and just in time could step into the turning doors when he reached him. “What gate do you need to be at?” Sehun asked as he continued to walk with the bag slung over his shoulder while pulling a large trolley after him. 

 

“I thought it was H,” Lu Han muttered and looked at the signs that hung around them. Again, it was silent because Sehun didn’t reply and just picked up his pace when he saw the gate come into sight. Lu Han curled his lips to the side as he tried to keep up but it was to no avail because Sehun had already reached the short line in front of check-in. He dropped the bag onto the marble floor and stretched his back with a faint wince on his face.

 

“I told you I could help,” Lu Han chuckled and rubbed Sehun’s back. “I’m fine,” the darkblond showed his friend a small smile before he scanned the area. They stood at the international check-in desks and surprisingly, there were a lot of elders saying goodbye to younger travelers - hugging, smiling and crying as they wished them a safe flight. A smile curled Sehun’s lips because in his case, ironically, he was saying goodbye to someone that was older than him. But then again, the boy was leaving for all different reasons than the other travelers.

 

“I guess this is it, huh,” Lu Han spoke up, breaking the silence that had settled between them. He wore the same smile he had been wearing all day but Sehun saw the dread in his eyes. Even though the elder tried to cover his feelings up with something that was seemingly happiness, Sehun knew. Running his eyes over Lu Han’s face, he knew why he loved him.

 

Lu Han was perfect, despite his flaws and worries. He was as beautiful as the sunset on a midsummer's day; as elegant yet majestic as an eagle gliding on the wind; as irresitably charming as the friend he had been to everyone around him. Lu Han was perfect and there was no one that could tell Sehun otherwise. 

 

“You shouldn’t be so sad,” Sehun chuckled and playfully pushed Lu Han’s chin away with his knuckles. The elder didn’t falter, however, and kept his smile on his lips. “I’m allowed to be sad when I am,” he countered softly, his words weakening the smile on Sehun’s lips. The latter took a step forward and gathered Lu Han in his arms, burying his fingers in the boy’s ashblond hair as he placed his head against his chest. “I’m sorry,” Lu han muttered into Sehun’s chest as he brought his hands up to the younger’s back and clung onto his shirt.

 

Instantly, Sehun shook his head, tightening his hold on the boy. “Don’t be.”

 

He leaned back and cupped Lu Han’s face with one hand when he noticed the tears that ran down his cheeks, gently wiping them away with thumb. “Why are you crying,” Sehun asked softly with a small smile. Surprised with himself, Lu Han could only chuckle. “I don’t know.”

 

But deep down inside, Sehun knew why and it broke his heart that Lu Han only half realized it. So he decided that it was time to, for once, take a chance himself as he trailed the elder’s peachy lips and moved to lean in. Lu Han caught on and slowly began closing his eyes, and when the last strand of light disappeared from his sight, a soft pair of lips touched his forehead in the most delicate kiss he had ever had.

 

With his eyes still closed, Luhan smiled in the younger’s arms because he knew. It was in the way Sehun touched him; it was in the way Sehun left his heart beating like it was trying to escape from his chest that he understood. He wanted Sehun to kiss him.

 

“Show them what you’re made of,” the darkblond muttered against his skin before pulling back. Lu Han wiped away the tears from his rosy cheeks and picked up his bags to walk to the check in point. Once his passport was checked and his luggage taken away, he looked back at the group of people that was waving their loved ones goodbye.

 

A tall and handsome young man - who had gray-dyed hair for the longest period in his life but decided it was time for a change so he chose darkblond - stood amongst them wearing a small content smile. He met eyes with Lu Han and with a last lingering look, the latter walked along the path before turning back again. He lifted his hand in a small cautious wave and when Sehun returned the gesture, he felt it was right to go.

 

Sehun remained strong and happy until Lu Han mixed into the mass that was created at the checkpoint, and when the familiar head of ashblond hair had fully disappeared from his sight, a shaky breath blew past his lips. With unsteady steps, Sehun backed up until the back of his knees hit the edge of a chair and dropped himself onto it, his eyes still on the gate entrance.

 

He didn’t know how long he had sat there but he didn’t care because he had sat there with the smallest amount of hope burning inside his chest that Lu Han would come back. That he would realize that his choice was a mistake and that he would stay.

 

But life hardly ever worked in ones favor.

 

Luhan had left.

 

His parents had left his room exactly the way it had been when he had moved out. All the boy had taken back then was his clothes because his current room was furnitured so he didn’t need to bring his own belongings. His mother loved this because now she could step into Sehun’s room and find it exactly like it had been for years. It was weird to be here again but Sehun had a sudden wave of nostalgia hit him on his way home from the airport, so you could say it was his subconscious that drove him here.

 

His eyes strayed along his bookshelves and desk where he spotted framed pictures in the back. He frowned because he thought he had brought them all with him to his new room and stood up to take a look. He snorted when he recognized the people in them and took a seat in his old rickety wooden chair. He picked one up and instantly chuckled when he saw the position he was in. “Weirdo,” he smiled and mindlessly ran his thumb over Luhan’s profile. Something in his chest clenched so he set the frame back and, with a last glance, left his room to go downstairs.

 

Passing a few armoires to the kitchen, a frame larger than the others caught his attention. Leaning closer to the glass, a lopsided grin curled his lips when he read his name on the certificate of entry of a writing competition.

 

 

 

“Exactly, a slip!” Sehun boomed as he interrupted his cousin, “I don’t need a damn slip to confirm it, Joon. This scholarship will show that I singlehandedly got in, through my abilities. Not some connections I happen to have to the school.”

 

The creative writing teacher looked at the boy in his office, feeling too tired to argue with him because he already believed and acknowledged his abilities and honestly didn’t understand what Sehun wanted more. “This kid, this- Lu Han, he nearly beat you, man,” the elder smiled with a small frown curling his eyebrows, “your piece was a little better, I give you that, but he has skills - skills that will go to waste if he doesn’t use them.”

 

Exasperated, Sehun ruffled his hair and flung with his arms. “But he didn’t! He didn’t beat me!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paper? he thought and glanced at the elder before he quickly crouched to get it and ran his eyes over the content. It seemed to be an extract of a written story - he instantly recognized the structure and the way some sentences seemed at first glance. “Stray Flower,” Sehun mumbled to himself as he read the title but it was the name that was written under it in a few font sizes smaller that caught his eye.

 

Lu Han

 

 

 

 

He continued to pour the orange juice into his glass until it was almost filled to the brim. Setting the carton back into the fridge, Sehun took a sip from his glass as he glanced out of the window and spotted the grayish moon against the dark sky. A smile, a genuine one that had been lost for quite some time found his thin lips again, the sight of the perfectly round shape in space the sole reason.

 

 

 

 

 

---