It had been three weeks since Luhan had moved in with Minseok and classes had started already. It was unbelievable the amount of work they already had piled up for homework, but Luhan wouldn’t have any other way.

He was enjoying the ‘independent’ life too much. So much that Minseok had started to nag him about the socks he always left on the couch whenever he got to the apartment from classes. The younger always gave him a cheeky grin and simply babbled about how much he was enjoying living with his best friend, but Minseok anyway. Something about him being a mama’s boy and never growing up because he always went to see his parents.

Of course, the deer always washed his clothes and cleaned the apartment but he would beg Minseok to cook because he was in no way going to go home and ask for food. He could never admit he would starve if it weren’t for his mother.

Luhan had promised her he was too manly for that.

And men kept their promise.

Minseok always chuckled at the taller’s antics but gave in anyways to anything the other asked.

“No,” well, he did put a fight because he was in no way Luhan’s slave…and he might enjoy the compliments and begging he received from the Chinese boy.

“Hyung,” Luhan looked at his best friend straight in the eyes with a huge pout, “I’ll do anything. Please, just today, cook something for us.”

“Luhan,” he sighed and jerked his head away from his textbook, “I already ate and I’m busy with homework. And stop calling me hyung, it’s weird,” he said so while trying to hide a soft smile.

“Ha!” The brunet exclaimed as if he had won the lottery, “Who would’ve thought so? My baozi really likes to call me Lu-ge, is it some kink you have, Minseokkie?”

The latter could feel his ears turn pink. He really hated Luhan because the other was always making little comments or starting skinship with him and just getting into his head and playing with his heartstrings some tragic tango of sweet hope.

As if on cue, Luhan moved from his place on the couch, closer to his friend’s petite frame and hugged him tightly. “I’ll help you with your homework and you go and cook, my baozi.”

Minseok ruffled his cotton candy hair and seemed to think about it for a moment, “Okay,” then he flicked the other’s forehead and stepped away from the younger’s warm embrace. “You can do my homework and I’ll go fix something.”

“Where do I have to start reading?” Luhan asked moving into the space that was recently occupied by the shorter male, “Wait, this is Chinese, Minseok.”

“I know, Lu-ge,” he winked at the other before disappearing into the kitchen, ignoring the Chinese boy’s whines about how he wouldn’t learn anything if he kept doing his homework for Minseok.

“Only cuz I love you,” he heard Luhan yell from the couch and had to scold himself for letting his heart skip so many beats.

-

Chanyeol had agreed to go to the convenience store and fetch some things for his mother. The next day, he’d go over to Jongin’s. Sometimes Chanyeol felt like he was in some sort of limbo.

He didn’t know what he was doing with his life or what he wanted to do with it and he was already a junior.

Chanyeol found himself walking slowly with the plastic bag on his right hand; he swinged it back and forth. It was an awfully normal autumn day.

There wasn’t anything special about it. The sky was cloudy and gray, threatening with rain.

Chanyeol had always liked the sky in every shade, at any moment, day, night. Staring into the sky always gave him a sense of safety and peace. Sighing into the cool air, he decided to hurry home.

When he was a mere house from his, he spotted a figure coming out from the house. Chanyeol could make out black hair and a petite body and he almost cursed.

It was Byun Baekhyun, his neighbor.

In all the years they had lived so close to each other and had ignored the other’s existences perfectly. Well, Chanyeol did and at first, so did Baekhyun.

It was all some kind of deal they had made when they were six.

Now Baekhyun was always talking to him and while Chanyeol would’ve loved to be his friend before, after all that had happened, he didn’t feel like it.

The junior couldn’t help but feel betrayed by the older male and he knew it was completely stupid and immature, but he couldn’t help it, really.

It seemed to Chanyeol that he’d been standing in front of his neighbor’s door far too long and his suspicions were proven when Baekhyun spotted him.

“Oh, Chanyeol!” The shorter, smiling boy almost ran toward the other. Chanyeol didn’t say anything in response and just stood there quietly. When Baekhyun was close enough, he inspected the taller with a frown.

“You seem tired,” he noted, “Well, if I didn’t have to put up with all the screams from your house every time your parents apparently buy you some new posters, or CDs or eyeliner, maybe I wouldn’t be so tired,” Chanyeol snapped.

But Baekhyun didn’t even flinch, instead, he offered the younger male a beautiful smile that reached his eyes, “I know. Aren’t they the best?”

Chanyeol looked at the other with a frown, “Honestly, I can see why you use so much eyeliner. You’re too ugly.”

The elder simply laughed, “I know I’m not, I’m fabulous,” he responded with a dramastic gesture and suddenly, “Bbuing, bbuing.”

“Ugh, you’re disgusting,” Chanyeol grunted pushing the other to the ground and without sparing him another glance, walked toward his house.

 Meanwhile, Jongin had just reached Chanyeol’s neighborhood in his mother’s car. They had made plans for Chanyeol to stay at his house for the weekend.

They were being ditched by Sehun and Tao, who were busy attending to their boyfriends. Honestly, what happened to bros before hoes?

Distractedly, he parked the car and turned off the engine and got off once he reached the other’s house. Chanyeol was probably not ready to leave yet so Jongin figured it was best if he just waited for his friend inside the house.

As he was walking he noticed a figure sitting on the sidewalk.

Suddenly, he stopped walking and an irrational fear overcame him, “Hyung!” He yelled as he ran toward the boy on the ground that was desperately panting.

“Are you okay?” He couldn’t help the hint of panic in his voice as he crouched down to level himself with the boy. After a few seconds, Jongin could hear the other’s breath slowing and calming down. Then, half-moon eyes met him.

“Did I scare you, Jongin?” Baekhyun said laughing, but Jongin couldn’t shake his fear. “I saw you and wanted to scare you; it’s the only way I can get your attention.”

At this, the younger boy relaxed a bit, “What can I say?” He shrugged and helped the elder to stand from the ground, “You stole the love of my life; I’m resentful.”

He offered the shorter boy a charming smile. “Yah!” Baekhyun gave him a lit smack on the shoulder, “It was your fault my Soo came to me.”

“Now you’re just taunting me,” Jongin whined hiding his face with his hands, “Don’t call him Soo.”

They laughed and then, Jongin went to Chanyeol’s house in a good mood, forgetting altogether about the sudden fear that overcame him when he saw Baekhyun on the ground panting.

“Yah! Oaf, move your ,” Jongin yelled as he entered the house through the unlocked front door.

“Oh, my Jongin, hi,” Chanyeol’s mother came to greet him and as she hugged him, Jongin felt a bit embarrassed at what he’d said before until-

“Giant troll, move it, I already told you is bad manners to keep someone waiting!”

Nah, he didn’t feel guilty at all.

A few seconds later, Nayoung and Jongin made out Chanyeol’s figure making its way down the stairs, face covered by the hood of his burgundy hoodie, carrying a black backpack where he’d stuff some clothes for his stays at Jongin’s house.

“You two are so impatient,” he giant whined and Jongin had to hold his laughter at the sight of a tall boy whinning and then grinning cheekily as his mother made remarks about how he should be ashamed of behaving like a kid.

Jongin loved the interactions between Chanyeol and his mother. He wished he could have the same interactions with his mother but she seemed to be busy with her boyfriend so that didn’t leave her much time for her son.

Jongin sighed at the thought and tried to push it to the back of his mind as he remembered he’d spend a nice day with his friend and nothing could dampen his mood.

The young boy watched as his friend bid goodbye to his mother and made his way toward the door when Nayoung called him back, “Do you want to take some of the food I prepared for lunch?”

She asked with such a gentle smile, Jongin felt his heart melt and nodded taking some bowls with them.

Once they were back in Jongin’s car, or rather, his mother’s car, they put on some music. They both liked rap a lot and suddenly they found themselves joking and imitating the rappers on Jongin’s CD’s.

“Baekhyun was rubbing it on my face again that he was with Kyungsoo,” Jongin mentioned as they caught air when the song ended, and then he was pouting, “He was my Soo’s first kiss. It’s not fair.”

Chanyeol laughed heartily, “You were so dumb back then I can’t believe I stood up for you,” for a moment he tried to sound serious but then he was back to laughing again, “But I guess you got your punishment. I mean, you were so funny when you were jealous of Baekhyun that summer. I could practically see you spitting fire everywhere.”

“It’s not funny!” Jongin said exasperatedly. “Why doesn’t Kyungsoo just forgive me and love me?”

“Maybe if you dropped the I –bully-and-tease-you-because-I-like-you thing, he might.”

“Maybe if you did the same, Baekhyun would date you!” Jongin shot back and laughed at the insulted expression Chanyeol made.

-

Kyungsoo paced around his house completely and utterly bored. He couldn’t put it any other way. For all he whined about how obnoxious and loud Luhan was, he missed the other’s presence so much. Kyungsoo’s Saturdays were getting increasingly and alarmingly boring. And no other thought came to his mind other than he was bored.

He felt as if he were going crazy. His eyes were almost filled with tears and his parents did nothing but laugh at him because they thought he was cute.

Honestly, who were this cruel people? How come they were his parents?

But at the sudden thought, Kyungsoo couldn’t help but remember the time when he was merely five and Luhan and his mother had come into his life.

He couldn’t think of better people to call his family. Luhan’s mom had become the best mom in the world and Luhan was the best brother he could ever ask for.

“Ugh, why am I so emotional?” He muttered into the walls of the living room, “This is so stupid, I’m a seventeen year old boy and Luhan would obviously leave home at some point. But why? I have to share him with mom, dad, Minseok and now Luhan! It’s not fair!”

He threw his hands in the air and threw a mini tantrum. All this time he had been under the impression that Luhan was the clingy one in their family, the overprotective older brother.

Kyungsoo used to mock him for that.

He remembered clearly how Luhan didn’t let any girl or boy near Kyungsoo and how the first time Baekhyun had invited him to sleep over, Luhan insisted to his parents that he’d stay with Kyungsoo too in order to make sure that Baekhyun wouldn’t do anything to his little brother. Of course, their parents had been completely moved by his cuteness. They were even more convinced by the fact that Luhan stated it was because he was manly and need to protect his baby brother from anything.

Not to mention that time when Baekhyun and Kyungsoo started dating. He swore the elder had had a heart attack once he heard the news. He even made a case to his parents arguing why Kyungsoo couldn’t date. Then he threw a fit going on about how he didn’t want to share his brother with anyone.

Kyungsoo had been utterly embarrassed about his brother’s behavior but now wondered if the fact that the elder wasn’t living with them anymore meant the other wouldn’t act the same way toward him.

Before he could start crying, his phone rang and he fished it out of his pocket. It was Baekhyun.

“What do you want?” Kyungsoo snapped at the other upon answering.

“Yah! That’s no way to speak to the love of your life my Kyungie-poo!” Kyungsoo heard laughter from the other side of the line from Baekhyun and Jongdae. Kyungsoo was ready to sulk about the fact that they were together and hadn’t invited him when Baekhyun spoke again, “Open up, baby Soo, we’re here!”

“Don’t call me that,” Kyungsoo said with a disgusted expression, “And where are you?”

“We’re in front of your house, open up, cupcake,” before he could kindly tell Baekhyun to off, the line went dead and with a frown Kyungsoo walked to the front door.

Sure enough, Baekhyun and Jongdae stood outside his door with stupid grins and sleeping bags, “What are you doing here?” Kyungsoo asked in a monotonous voice to which Baekhyun pouted feigning being hurt.

“You hurt me, buttercup, we’re here to cheer you up,” Baekhyun said as he stepped into the younger’s house, pushing the other’s shoulder not so gently and throwing him backpack into his arms.

“Who said I needed you? I’m perfectly cheerful,” he huffed crossing his arms over his chest and letting Baekhyun’s backpack fall to the floor.

“Oh, darling, you don’t even know the meaning of that word, our poor baby,” Jongdae spoke for the first time, stepping into the house but not before pinching Kyungsoo’s cheek.

“Your mom texted us,” Baekhyun added before Kyungsoo could make another hateful comment about their sudden and unannounced arrival at his home, “Said you were feeling a little down, missing the deer.”

He walked as if he owned the house and Kyungsoo quickly shut the door and followed his with Jongdae in suit. They reached the living room and Baekhyun plopped himself on the couch, Jongdae doing the same.

“So, what’s your magnificent plan?” Kyungsoo asked sighing as he too, sat beside the others on the couch.

“Oh, no, honey, there’s no plan,” Baekhyun said looking seriously and Kyungsoo scoffed, “You’re gonna feed us and we’re gonna watch movies,” Jongdae added with a ty grin.

Kyungsoo hated them.

-

“So, this is awkward,” Joonmyeon commented as he scanned the menu, he lifted his eyes for a moment to watch Yixing’s reaction, but the other simply smiled.

“I mean,” Joonmeyon continued nervously, “I’m sorry if this makes you uncomfortable. We can just leave now.”

“It’s okay,” Yixing tried to assure him, “I mean, Tao really wanted me to come and have a good time and I think he’s right.”

“Surprise me,” he said showing his cute dimples and Joonmyeon felt himself melt right on the spot. He offered a smile of his own, feeling more at ease now that Yixing didn’t seem as tense.

Tao had convinced Yixing on going on a date with one of his boyfriend’s friends and Yifan, well; he didn’t have to do much convincing in order to make Joonmyeon agree to the plan.

He had been ecstatic since Kris had informed him about Yixing’s agreement; on the other hand, Yixing had been tense since the moment they had met at the restaurant and Joonmyeon couldn’t help but feel as if it had all been a bad idea.

 “You know what?” Joonmyeon said standing up from his sit in the fancy restaurant, “Let’s go, I think this place doesn’t suit us.”

Yixing had never felt more relieved in his life. Since the moment they had arrived at the restaurant, he had been feeling uncomfortable because all the prices where so high. He didn’t want Joonmyeon to spend so much. Besides, he had no idea what the food there was.

He smiled sweetly and nodded, standing up and letting Joonmyeon lead the way to his car.

After a short drive, Yixing found himself sitting comfortably at a nice café while Joonmeyon got their order. He stared outside the window into the nice day. He was enjoying the good days before the rain came-

“Ouch,” he muttered as something fell on his feet; it hadn’t really hurt Yixing was surprised. He looked down to pick up the object only to see it was a book, his favorite book.

The cover was worn and the edges had been victims of time and use, but it was a like a first love to Yixing; it didn’t matter how it looked because it always made him feel the same.

Yixing snapped out of his thoughts as he felt himself linger too long on the book and picked it up on his own hands. Looking up, he noticed a tall blonde hovering over his seat with a surprised expression.

“Um,” Yixing said suddenly feeling very little, “I think you dropped this,” the handsome guy, as Yixing noted, slowly nodded and took the book from Yixing’s hands.

“I’m sorry,” he said with a soft accent, “I wasn’t paying attention.”

For a moment Yixing wondered if he had met the man before, but couldn’t seem to piece him inside his memories, “Don’t worry. Nice choice, by the way. It’s my favorite book,” he said so with a smile that showed his dimples.

The stranger was back to sporting a surprised expression, “Really? It’s my favorite book too,” he sounded excited, like a little kid, and Yixing was amused by it.

“What’s your name, if you don’t mind-”

The tall stranger stopped talking altogether and his eyes widedned, “, what’s he doing here?”

“I’m sorry,” he said quickly to Yixing as he turned to leave the café and threw an “I’ll see you later,” over his shoulder.

Just like that, he disappeared from Yixing’s sight and soon enough, Joonmyeon came back with their drinks.

“So, what’s your favorite color?” Joonmyeon asked and Yixing couldn’t help but laugh.

“You’re terrible at this,” he commented sipping from his warm drink and the other offered him an embarrassed look, “So are you!” He added indignantly.

“True,” he nodded in agreement, “To answer your question, it’s yellow and yours?”

“White,” he shrugged and smiled, “And your favorite book?”

Yixing smiled at the question, remembering the stranger, “The Little Prince.”

-

Luhan was being dragged. Luhan was always being dragged. If Luhan wasn’t being dragged, something terrible must be happening to the world because in this life and in this world, Luhan only gets dragged.

His hand was aching from the other’s grip on his wrist and he was panting for air because the other couldn’t seem to contain his excitement, “Seriously, I think I spoil you too much,” Luhan muttered as his shoulder’s fell in resignation.

“Come on, we’re almost there,” Sehun said as he kept dragging the older boy down the street.

After what seemed like an eternity to the Chinese male, they stopped, “At last, bubble tea, here come’s Luhan hyung’s wallet,” Sehun spoke to the apparently animated shop and Luhan couldn’t help but roll his eyes but smile at the younger’s antics.

“Just choose, Sehun,” Luhan told the younger. They had been standing there for fifteen minutes and the younger had yet to choose a flavor.

“But hyung,” Sehun pouted, “There’s a new flavor, but the usual is so tempting,” Luhan looked at the other perplexed. It seemed to be a matter of life and death to him. The elder sighed as he opened his wallet.

“Give him the new one and the usual one, please,” he handed the money to the cashier and felt thankful that the woman seemed to be appreciating their looks instead of being annoyed with their indecision.

Damn it. Sehun could pull anything with his looks.

“You are the best!” Sehun smiled and looked kind of ridiculous holding two cups with different bubble teas, sipping from both, as they made their way down the street. Soon enough, they found themselves at the mall.

“Hey, let’s go in there,” they went inside a cute shop and started trying on everything like the kids they were.

They both tried shirts that said “I’m fabulous” and Sehun put on some big glasses while Luhan put on bunny ears. The couple took a few pictures, receiving judging looks from the worker in the store but ignoring them.

After they got tired, they bought the shirts and Sehun bought cute panda ears for Tao and Luhan bought a blue hoodie for Minseok that said, “Life begins after coffee.”

They left the store in a happy mood and took the bus to Sehun’s house. They had decided to walk for the day so Luhan had left his car at his boyfriend’s house.

Once they got there, Luhan got on his car and started the engine and Sehun sat in the passenger’s seat to say goodbye. Suddenly, there were soft kisses pressed to each other’s lips that soon turned into more desperate and longer kisses. Sehun’s hand was caressing Luhan’s knee and up it went until it was positioned on top of the other’s bulge-

“Stop,” Luhan gasped as he pulled back, “Stop, Sehun,” he said more firmly.

Sehun frowned as he took his hand away, “Why? Do you not like it?” He asked, frowning deeper.

Luhan sighed, “You know it’s not that. I just don’t think we should do this; you’re too young, Sehun,” at this, Sehun’s frown turned into a deep, nasty glare.

“What the ? Then why are you dating me?” He got off the car and slammed the door behind him leaving Luhan to sigh some more and pull his hair.

He was going to age quickly.

-

“I’m bored,” Baekhyun said puffing his cheeks from his spot on the couch, “We’ve done nothing today!”

“Omg, it’s the end of the world! Baekhyun is bored,” Jongdae said mockingly as he stood up from his own spot on the couch.

“Let’s go to the playground!” Baekhyun shrieked and clapped his hands excitedly and Kyungsoo and Jongdae groaned.

“Baek, you’re such a child,” Kyungsoo said rolling his eyes, “What the are we gonna do in a playground?”

“Let’s find out!” Baekhyun ran to the door, leaving no choice for the others.

“Ew,” Jongdae let out as he saw where Baekhyun had sat down, “That’s dirty.”

Baekhyun rolled his eyes, “I forget you’re such a spoiled brat, come and sit!”

Just as Jongdae was about to oblige, muffled voices from the top of the slide, interrupted them.

“Just go!” Someone yelled and Kyungsoo’s eyes widened as he recognized the voice. He was ready to flee but it was too late when from the bottom of the slide, two tangled figures came out.

“Ouch, you , get off me,” Jongin said annoyed as he tried to disentangle his foot from Chanyel’s.

As soon as he could stand, his eyes fell on the other three boys that were standing there perplexed.

“Soo!” Jongin smiled and ran to the other, crushing him in a hug, “Stand back, Kim Jongin or I will kill you!”

“Hyung, don’t be like that,” Jongin pouted as he tried to hug the other again. Meanwhile, Baekhyun noticed an empty bottle on the floor and suddenly had an idea.

“Let’s play truth or dare,” after much insisting, they all agreed. Although, everyone kept saying it was completely stupid.

Kyungsoo spun the bottle and like some sort of joke from the universe, it pointed toward Jongin. Glares ensued.

“Well, Jongin,” Baekhyun smiled casually, “Truth or dare?”

Jongin shrugged, “Truth,” looking straight into Kyungsoo’s eyes.

The elder smirked, “Are you a spoiled, lying, cheating bastard who enjoying playing with other’s feelings?”

Jongin smiled cheekily, “Only for you, hyung.”

-

“Oh, you’re here,” Minseok said as he eyed Luhan, “I was just gonna text you. I’m going out.”

Luhan took in Minseok’s outfit, a pair of really skinny jeans that accentuated his . Luhan had always teased Minseok about his . Looking up, he saw the elder was wearing a white v-neck and his hair was styled really prettily.

“Hm, are you going on a date?” Luhan asked smirking to which Minseok shrugged, “Maybe.”

“Who’s the lucky girl?” Luhan asked walking closer to his best friend, invading his personal space and Minseok felt dizzy, “It’s not a girl,” he said quietly, looking straight into Luhan’s eyes which widened comically.

“You like guys?” Confusion evident in his eyes.

“I don’t really know, Luhan,” Minseok said walking to the door and picking the keys that were hanging on the wall, “I’ve only ever liked one person my whole life so I wouldn’t know.”

“Who?” Luhan had never heard Minseok mention he liked someone in his entire life so he was curious and confused as to how he could’ve liked someone and not tell him.

Minseok smiled and to Luhan it looked like the saddest smile in the world, “Just, some oblivious guy. See you later, deer.”

With that Luhan was left alone with his thoughts. Suddenly, he remembered the hoodie he had bought the other and figured it’d be best to leave it on Minseok’s room. Upon entering the room, Luhan’s eyes fell on all the pictures of the both of them that Minseok had on his room and then, the plushie he had bought the other…a scary thought crept on his mind.