Hyukjae chewed on his pencil as his professor passed out test papers. He'd crammed his brain with four years worth of knowledge in less than one month, hoping for an outcome that seemed second to impossible. 

"Good luck. Let's hope you all pass." 

Hyukjae began to write. 

"Excuse me sir." Donghae raised his hand, a deep frown lacing his features. His eyes were reddenned and dark circles clouded beneath them. "I don't think I can continue with the lecture. I'm not feeling well." 

The professor eyed him with a flat gaze. He shrugged. "Feel better." He merely stated, monotonously, before returning to his mathematical equations on the board. Donghae felt the gaze of his classmates. He knew they were chiding him in their mind for leaving during an important lesson, especially since it was only a few days before final exams. But, he figured, what use was it to remain seated when his mind wasn't absorbing a drop of the lesson thanks to thoughts of other matters flooding within. He rose, grabbing his bag and exited the classroom. 

In his state of inner thought, Donghae had failed to notice a certain professor peering through the window of the lecture hall, watching him intently. He walked right past him and would have continued to do so if not for the familiar voice. 

"Donghae. You okay?" 

Donghae snapped out from his thoughts, looking up. "Yunho." 

"Are you okay?" Yunho repeated, a worriesome glance in his eyes. They were pretty, Donghae admitted. His eyes, he meant. Yunho was a handsome guy. He'd be a fool to think otherwise - or perhaps straight. But, he inwardly tsked, Yunho wasn't Hyukjae. Hyukjae's eyes held a fire within them so bright and orange that they made Yunho's pretty, double lidded eyes look mediocore. 

" - You're leaving Dr. Yu's class early. You can't possibly be okay." 

Donghae forced a chuckle, slightly cringing when it came out too cheery. "I'm fine! I'm skipping to get some sleep. I've been binging on a drama recently." 

Yunho raised a brow. Donghae bit his god forsaken tongue. 

"You're a professor. Should I be saying this?" He asked, half joking half worried. 

The man before him smiled gently before chuckling and shaking his head. "I pick favorites and you're my favorite of them all Donghae. Your secret is safe with me." 

Donghae smiled. Genuinely. "Thanks Yunho." Yunho was a nice guy. He genuinely cared for others and he was kind and polite and mannered. But Hyukjae - Hyukjae wasn't nice. Hyukjae didn't have an inch of manner in him that er. But Hyukjae... Hyukjae was good and whole and he was warm and kind and loved Donghae with everything he had and Donghae loved that. Donghae loved him, that er - 

"Oh my gosh." 

Yunho stopped mid-sentence, taken aback by the sudden cry that escaped Donghae's pink lips. 

"Oh my gosh." Donghae repeated, a hand coming up to tangle itself in his brown locks. "I am a ing idiot." 

Yunho stepped closer, laying a hand on the younger's shoulder. "Donghae, what are you on about." 

A mad look took over Donghae's doe eyes. He suddenly grinned, all the fatigue previously weighing him down lifted up up and away within milliseconds. 

"I'm sorry Yunho but I think I've got to run. I've been putting off something very important." He cried, stumbling back and breaking into a jog, then a sprint. "I need to go do it. Now." 

"What's got you working so dilligently nowadays, Lee? What's wrong - figured you couldn't make it out in the real world with sports and good looks?" 

Hyukjae ignored the remarks coming from Jonghyun, the class president. The bastard had always hated him. Jealousy, he figured. 

"Rumor has it you're studying because your Grandaddy's finally disowning you after high school." Jonghyun continued, earning snickers from the class. 

Hyukjae clenched his jaw. 

"Guess no one loves you now. Poor Hyukkie." 

Hyukjae looked up, his eyes murderous. Jonghyun had succeeded in striking a nerve. The bastard was laughing one moment and clutching his jaw the next. Hyukjae heard a series of curse words escaping from the lad's mouth. He smirked, mouthing a " you" before he was swiftly dragged out and away to the principal's office where he'd spent most of his high school career. 

As Hyuk was shoved into the wooden seat of the office, he couldn't help but be disappointed that his attempt at turning a new leaf had failed so quickly. He shrugged.  it... 

"Goodbye!" Donghae waved, a little too enthusiastically. The Grandfathers had chose the perfect day to go out of town. He couldn't help the giggles that escaped his mouth as he practically skipped to the kitchen. 

"Are you sure you'll be okay on your own?" Leeteuk questioned, reluctance clear on his face. 

Donghae nodded. "Yes Hyung. Go home. Please. All of you. I will be absolutely fine. As will Hyuk." 

Kangin laughed. "Teuk are you slow? Let's go. Let the newly wed couple have a weekend to themselves." 

Leeteuk blushed. "Oh my. I didn't - Oh god." He practically spoke to himself, quickly taking his bag and shuffling out the door. Donghae couldn't help but blush himself as he waved goodbye to the staff. He couldn't, however, fight the smile spreading from his left ear to his right. He poured himself a glass of water to calm his nerves, eyeing the clock. It was almost time for Hyukjae to arrive. 

"Don't be a coward Lee Donghae. You got this." He mumbled, jumping up and down. He gave the air a mighty flying kick just as the front door opened, revealing an obviously slumped Lee Hyukjae. 

The boy looked at the odd position Donghae had taken blankly. Donghae blinked, scattering to regain his dignity. Hyukjae said nothing as he closed the door. 

"Where is the staff?" 

Donghae's throat went dry. He hadn't been this nervous since the Ap Exams his junior year. "They're erm, on break. The Grandpas -" 

" - I know." Hyukjae cut him off. "I got a call." 

"Oh. That's good." 

Hyukjae shrugged off his sneakers, throwing his backpack to the side. It was only then that Donghae noticed the bandages wrapped around his husband's right hand. He subconsciously walked closer, taking the hand in his own - and taking Hyuk by cold surprise. 

"What happened?" 

Hyukjae took note of the concern laced between his husband's every facial feature. He felt his stomach knot up. "Nothing." He quickly uttered, removing himself from Donghae's hold and stepping back. 

"It's obviously not nothing Hyukjae. Did you get into a fight?" 

Hyuk shook his questions off. "Nothing happened. I told you." He tried to walk past the elder, only to be shoved back. 

"Don't give me that evasive bull. You got into a fight the day of your final exams? Are you ing kidding me?" 

Hyukjae wasn't in the mood to argue. Not when he'd just been informed that he would not be recieving his diploma with the other graduates due to his behavioral problems in high school. 

"Yes. I got into a fight. Happy?" He muttered, using a bit of force to push past his husband. Donghae stumbled to the side. Just before Hyukjae could reach the staircase, he grabbed his wrist and pulled him back. 

"What happened? Are you hurt anywhere?" 

"No. I like to wear bandages. They're trendy." He replied sarcastically. "Now if you'll excuse me -" 

"You're not excused. Sit down. Let me see your hand." Donghae spoke softly but firmly. It annoyed the out of Hyukjae. 

"Don't act like my mom Donghae. She's ing dead." 

Donghae was taken aback by the ruthlessness in his husband's tone. 

"I'm sick of it. I'm sick of your mixed signals. I'm sick of you pretending to be high and mighty. I'm just," he paused, taking a deep breath. "I'm just done." 

Donghae felt a knot form in his throat. As Hyukjae shook his hand out of his grasp, the knot grew. His throat tightened around the ever-growing knot as Hyukjae reached the staircase. 

"Hyuk." He weakly uttered. It was so low and pathetic that Donghae wondered if the boy had even heard it. "Hyukjae." He tried again. His voice resonated louder this time, albeit cracking. 

Donghae felt his eyes sting as Hyukjae ignored his plea and continued walking up the steps. His reluctance flew out the window. He wasn't going to let his cowardice get in the way anymore. 

"Stop right there." He shouted, his voice echoing through their home. "You better not take one more step, Lee Hyukjae. Because you're not done. You can't be." Donghae heaved a harsh breath. "You're the most persistent bastard I know. You can't give up like this." 

Hyukjae clenched the railing of the stairs. He hung his head to hide his watering eyes. 

"Not when you love me so much. I see everything in your eyes you fool. They burn with a fire you can't hide when they lock into mine. No matter how nonchalent you pretend to be, no matter how many words you spew claiming to hate me, your eyes always give you away." 

Hyukjae turned around, his eyes red as he fought tears. His jaw was clenched. "Of course I ing love you. No ." He spat. "But I told you, I'm done -" 

"Don't be!" Donghae shouted. "Don't be ing done loving me because I love you!" 

The words hung in the air. Donghae's stomach churned. He couldn't help the tears streaming down his face. He looked to the ground, feeling more vulnerable than he had allowed himself to be in a very long time. He heard footsteps coming down the stairs, approaching him, before they stopped just before him. He forced himself to look up. 

"Say it again." Hyuk demanded. "Only if you mean it -" 

"I love you." 

Hyukjae swallowed harshly. "Be careful now Lee Donghae, once you say those words, you can't take them back." 

"I love you Hyuk. I love you, I love you, I love you - Ah!" Donghae was cut short as an arm took him by the waist and pulled him closer. Plump lips crashed upon his own, tasting of mint and saltwater.