old habits die hard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Before Lu Han could even think of holding Sehun's hand, he had to make sure that nobody was around.

 

 

He had yesterday found out that Sehun was without a doubt jealous and almost certainly still was, so that he was determined to be extra caring towards Sehun. He was moreover ill and had slept peaceably throughout the whole night. Lu Han insisted on not letting Sehun leave the bed because he was discernibly not feeling well. He didn't want Sehun to force himself out of the bed and accompany him. He had to rest. Lu Han's efforts were however ignored because he was rapidly pushed aside by Sehun who didn't change his mind to go.

 

 

 

There was a logical reason for Sehun to not stay behind. He didn't want Lu Han to be alone and most of all not around other people. He admitted that he was starting to get egotistical by not letting Lu Han spend time with others. That's the explanation why Sehun refused to stay and have some time-out. He wanted to be with Lu Han. Would he openly come clean about it? No. He didn't need to. Holding hands was fine for him. And that was what they were doing.

 

 

 

"Are you sure that you don't want to go back?"

 

 

 

The miserable tone in Lu Han's fragile voice carelessly but surely warmed Sehun's heart and something made it squeeze. Sehun's throat constricted and the powerful urge to scream at Lu Han and make him understand that he was fine was almost overwhelming. It was not only that. Sehun felt like and the surgical mask was the only thing that reminded Lu Han that he was not healthy. Sehun was ill and he didn't want to spread his cold though he hated the idea of other people knowing about it. It made him look more...human? He was human but he couldn't identify with anyone apart from Lu Han. Because Lu Han knew exactly how he felt. He too, had must felt like that. 

 

 

 

Lu Han finally looked up at him, but each word that his mind thought up to say was straightaway pulled back before he could blurt it out. Are you sure that you are okay? Are you tired? Are you sleepy? Are you okay? Those questions swirled in his mind waiting to be asked. But Sehun sighed and lightly pushed Lu Han against the wall he was leaning on.

 

 

 

 

"I'm fine."

 

 

 

 

Hesitantly, Sehun's hand moved forward and took Lu Han's hand, gently dragging it towards him so that he could stare at Lu Han. There was another reason why he had decided to come. He wanted to know what was up with the secret meeting with him and Chanyeol. Lu Han had said that he would explain the whole thing to Kai as well. He wouldn't say a word with Kai's absence. It had to be important if Lu Han kept on saying that Kai had to be present.

 

 

 

"Okay...let's go." Lu Han didn't say more to it, just looked up at him with a painful, heart-breaking gloom. After that he nodded and pulled Sehun out of the corner of the hallway. Sehun sighed out a tiny exhalation of relief and showed the boy with a small content smile. Lu Han didn't see it since he kept his gaze straight but he took Sehun's hand in his own, intertwining their fingers.

 

 

 

The walk to their room was quiet.

 

 

Neither of them said something, they didn't need to.

 

 

 

Only Sehun's irregular coughing shattered the still silence. When they arrived at their club room where Kai was already waiting, Lu Han awoke from his daze. The moment when he opened the door his hand slipped out of Sehun's. The warm feeling also disappeared leaving either of them empty feeling. That was not the point- if they wanted to secretly stay together then they had to get used to that. Maybe they will never get used to it. Sehun wasn't ready to tell anyone about them. It had nothing to do with Kai's love for Lu Han. He just wasn't comfortable about it.

 

 

 

Noticing that the other two had come, Kai stood up and pointed at them, "Hey where were you two yesterday?! I've recruited a new member while you were away!"

 

 

There was actually someone sitting next to Kai. He was familiar to Lu Han of course but not to Sehun. Both of them were surprised that Kai managed to get someone, mainly Lu Han. He didn't think that Kyungsoo would voluntarily come; Kai must have done or said something. Kyungsoo tilted his head to the side and listened hard, holding his breath for fear that Lu Han's reply was too soft. Sehun also sat down- staring for a moment at the other before sitting down.

 

 

 

The only sound was his own heart pounding in his ears, increasing in speed as his noiseless sense of alarm deepened.

 

 

 

 

"That's great Kai. Thank you for joining Kyungsoo."

 

 

"I've never said that I join. I'm just here for observation purposes..." Looking away Kyungsoo muttered that and caused Kai to loudly gasp.

 

 

"What?! You said you will!"

 

 

"I've never did."

 

 

 

"He was probably just imagining it." Sehun commented at which Kyungsoo turned around and approved. Wow so Kai's rival and friend have already turned themselves against him. Traitors, well Kyungsoo was one. Then this huge discussion began saying that Kyungsoo was siding with Sehun and Kai was getting left behind. Kyungsoo responded that maybe it was because he and Sehun thought alike and could become friends. Kai said in return that they could get married so he could have Lu Han for himself.

 

 

Sehun flipped him off and this prompted another discussion while Lu Han was just standing in front of them.

 

 

"Hey...!"

 

 

 

The eldest was silent for a moment, watching as the other three members were discussing why Kai should better forget his plan. They got louder with the exception of Kyungsoo and for some reason they were talking about Sehun's sickness. In this second Lu Han was merely standing, the chilly wind blew his hair into his face and the he brushed it back behind his ear as he shouted for attention. It was important; he couldn't beat around the bush anymore. He was the leader and yet they were overlooking him. Pushed by anger Lu Han slipped his shoe off his foot and threw it to the arguing boys.

 

 

 

 

It hit Kai's face with force while Sehun suppressed his laughter though he ended up coughing.

 

 

 

"Listen to me! You never listen to me!"

 

 

 

"This was a hit of love!" Kai proudly declared and raised his arms.

 

 

 

"You are a love-struck prince..." Kyungsoo remarked in admiration, he didn't know that Kai was really that driven by love. He didn't know much about Kai to begin with. When he had seen the younger waiting in front of his classroom he was very much surprised. Other than greeting him, Kai was quick to persuade Kyungsoo to try out the music club. He was too loud and excited for Kyungsoo's taste but didn't stop him from saying yes. He liked music and he wanted to find out more about the so called prince so why not hit to birds with one stone?

 

 

 

"That's right. He loves everything sunshine does." Sehun who preferred to stay in the background couldn't help but agree. He wasn't blind to the never ending affection Kai held to Lu Han. He was not jealous. He thought that he would but...he wasn't. Sehun easily got jealous when Chanyeol and Lu Han hung out but if it was Kai then it was okay. There was nothing that made him feel that he was being threatened. It was entertaining to see Lu Han's disapproving and uneasy expression whenever Kai went crazy over him.

 

 

"I'm serious. This is very important." Lu Han stared at them with a stern face. The tone about those words sent a deep chill down Sehun's spine. He sounded not like his usual self and very off. It had also something to do about Chanyeol thus the reason for their meeting would also be explained. Kai for once wasn't childish and quietly waited for more words while Kyungsoo was expectedly waiting. This was his first time to have come so he wanted to find out why someone as laid back as Lu Han had to announce. From the looks of it, it didn't seem like a happy message.

 

 

More like he was sad to say that. 

 

 

 

"Apparently we aren't the only music club here. There is another one."

 

 

 

 

This wouldn't have been much of a big deal if their teacher would allow it. Lu Han rolled his eyes and stalked back over to the desk where he rifled through the posters and put them in some order. He momentarily looked up briefly and caught Sehun's concerned expression directed at him. He wasn't the only one as Kyungsoo and Kai weren't like they were earlier. Lu Han dropped the posters with a frown. He thought that Chanyeol would not talk to him but when he did; it was just saying that he had to be aware of the other group.

 

 

"Hold on...so we can't be two groups?" Kai asked wondering from where this other group came from. He had never heard of a second one. And even if why wouldn't they allowed the existence of two independent groups? They had nothing to do with the other group.

 

 

"No. Per school there can only be one. For competitions against other schools you can only send one. It's confusing if there are two different ones." Lu Han elaborated further and recalled his own discovery after Chanyeol had said that they weren't the only ones. He was surprised himself too that he had never noticed that. He thought that they were the only ones. Then when the teacher saw him Lu Han didn't wait to ask him why they there was another club. The teacher was confused too since he thought that they were part of Lu Han's group.

 

 

 

Sehun who hadn't said much, fixed his eyes on Lu Han's panic stricken expression.

 

 

"Which group is older? We or them? We would have an advantage if we are. This club is three weeks old. How old are they?"

 

 

The nervousness vanished from Lu Han's face when he heard this question. Both Kai and Kyungsoo gazed at their leader with patience, waiting for an answer. What they got was Lu Han blushing and averting his glance. He pulled the hem of his shirt lightly down and dropped his glance to the floor:

 

 

 

"T-Two months..." 

 

 

 

 

 

Kai's curious face had changed to his typical bored one.

 

 

 

"We're ed."

 

 

 

Kyungsoo got up from his seat and turned around, shaking Sehun's hand.

 

 

 

"It was nice knowing you."

 

 

"Likewise."

 

 

 

 

 

"Stop this! It's not over yet!" Jumping up and down Lu Han urgently cut in and waved his arms around. Why did they never listen to him? They never did. Regardless of the fact that they were younger, they could still beat them. Lu Han would personally make sure that it would be him. Sehun was slightly stunned, the desperation in his words sounding a little too real for his comfort. That little tingling feeling of hope down Sehun's spine returned, moving further into the pit of his stomach. It could be that Lu Han was right and the other group was full of losers.

 

 

"There is a tiny little competition. And whoever wins can stay. The loser group has to disband." He said it very fast so that they would not leave and understand. They shouldn't lose hope this quickly. Why would they lose against people they didn't know? Chanyeol had enough musical talent for twenty people so those people would have no choice. There was only one thing that Lu Han may have had not mentioned.

 

 

 

"We will beat their asses!" Kai yelled and the other two shouted similar stuff whereas Lu Han tried to get their attention:

 

 

 

"Uh...can you listen?"

 

 

 

His voice was lost within the talk and yelling of the others. Lu Han didn't know what it was but sometimes they just didn't listen to him. He was the oldest and was treated like the youngest; even Sehun did even though he was the youngest. Lu Han again raised his hands and waved to make them turn their heads. However Kyungsoo and Kai's heads were turned to Sehun. In particular Kai who was telling him that he couldn't get ill so Sehun should at least move twenty metres away from them. Kai could not risk it to get a cold otherwise Lu Han would stay away from him.

 

 

 

"Hey! Listen to me! I'm serious!" Lu Han shouted louder since the other times didn't work on them.

 

 

 

No response.

 

 

 

Blowing his cheeks up, Lu Han slid his second shoe off his foot and hurled it to them. Of course it hit Kai's face again who still hadn't recovered from the first time. Kyungsoo and Sehun finally turned around to find out what drove Lu Han to do that. If they had listened then they would know. What was it about Lu Han that made everyone think that they wouldn't need to listen? He was their leader and had to respect him well. Because the future of their club was technically in his hands.

 

 

"So basically it's not a group thing...only the leaders of both teams will perform. And that would be me."

 

 

There was a longer pause from the other three as if they were fighting some sort of internal battle. Lu Han waited silently, knowing that he had already shattered their confidence. They must have thought that Lu Han was useless and good for nothing. But Lu Han would prove them otherwise. He would show them what he could do. They shouldn't be mistrustful especially Sehun. He was Lu Han's boyfriend and therefore should drop that stupid expression. Seconds ticked by and finally one of them said something.

 

 

 

The second youngest Kai threw his head back and put his palms on his face:

 

 

"We are ed."

 

 

 

Like earlier Kyungsoo turned around and shook hands with Sehun.

 

 

"It was nice knowing you."

 

 

"Likewise."

 

 

 

 

Lu Han couldn't believe that his team was made up of backstabbers, "Can't you have some faith in me?! I'm actually really good! I can sing like no other and I'm learning how to play the guitar. Park freaking Chanyeol is teaching me! We will win." He sighed and there was brief stillness in the conversation. He hesitated to go on for a moment, stuck between listening to their responses to know what they were thinking or just carrying on and also reassure Sehun that they were only out to buy the guitar. Nothing more. He didn't want him to have a false impression.

 

 

 

"Sehun please believe me. I had no other intention. You know that Chanyeol can't stand me." Lu Han took a step forward despite being in socks and placed his fist on his chest. He wanted to solve this misunderstanding as soon as possible. Luckily Sehun nodded signifying that wasn't angry and rather understood. That was good. Lu Han's eyes softened while he nodded as well much to the confusion of Kyungsoo and Kai.

 

 

 

The door creaked open and Chanyeol accompanied by Baekhyun entered. All eight eyes were instantly focused on them. Chanyeol didn't make much out of it and sat down on his own accord as Baekhyun was just smirking at Lu Han. He had this stupid smirk that told Lu Han I-know-what-you-did. If this wasn't creepy enough he made a beeline to Sehun's side and didn't falter to sit next to him. It didn't bother Baekhyun that he was noticeable ill- he had other things in mind.

 

 

"I've seen you and Lu. You are a cute couple. Holding hands and stuff." Grinning Baekhyun whispered and moved closer to him. Sehun needed a moment to think since it slipped out of his mind that he was now dating Lu Han. He nodded and thanked Baekhyun who was slightly shocked that he wasn't getting ignored. Hell Sehun was more open to him then Lu Han was though it was supposed to be the other way around.

 

 

"Oh so you won't hide it? That's brave. Lu starts crying whenever I say that I will tell others." Baekhyun said kindly, happy that he was taking the hint. He smiled down at Sehun warmly as giving him support and strength if he needed it. It was only their first meeting and they were already so close. And this physically. Lu Han tried not to feel any anxiety as he watched Baekhyun say something to Sehun, but he couldn't help but take a deep and steadying breath. How can Baekhyun be so close to Sehun if he knew that Lu Han was there? He was doing it on purpose.

 

 

"Don't mind us- Ha! Sehun you are so funny! Keep going Lu." Okay if there was one thing Baekhyun was brilliant at then it was pushing Lu Han's buttons. He knew how to make him angry. Although Lu Han's lips were trembling and he was on the verge of ripping them apart, his eyes moved over to Chanyeol. He seemed sad? Disappointed? There was something. Should he talk to him later? Right now they didn't have the time. At least Baekhyun decided to join and was aware of the competition.

 

 

 

"Okay everyone listen this is going to be essential. I know that I will lead us to victory but we need to learn the enemy better. We need to intimidate them. We need to sabotage them-"

 

 

 

 

Upon hearing the last bit Sehun immediately stood up and pointed his finger at his smirking boyfriend:

 

 

 

"I KNEW IT!"

 

 

 

 

He afterwards coughed though his anger didn't fade. He knew that Lu Han hadn't changed. Sehun knew it. Why would Lu Han win fair and square if he could just sabotage the other group? Missing instruments? Bribing them? Locking them in a room? There were millions of things that they could do so that the other group would fail. Sehun was of course happy that Lu Han only met Chanyeol for practice and he would rather let him meet with Chanyeol than mess up the other team. What if they would get caught? There were so many things to worry over.

 

 

Sometimes it was better to not listen to Lu Han.

 

 

 

Even if he was the only one.

 

 

 

 

"I'm in! Whatever you say I will do it!" Of course Kai wouldn't say no to his love, he would not. When Lu Han would tell him to jump off a cliff he would do it. So something like using dirty tricks was nothing to Kai. Sehun's eye twitched at how someone could be so obedient. He would never blindly listen to someone to do something bad. Was it really love that caused Kai to be so compliant? Whatever it was, he was raising his hand with a smile while Lu Han cheered.

 

 

 

The next one to say something was Do Kyungsoo. Wasn't he the same Kyungsoo who went with Lu Han to this party?

 

 

"That's evil...but I like it." Raising his hand Kyungsoo smiled as innocent as someone could be. Okay he was probably evil himself Sehun had no doubts about that. Why would someone listen to Lu Han's inhumane ideas? They were all working and had a success rate of 100% which Sehun could prove though he still felt uneasy with doing that. Wasn't Lu Han confident in his own abilities? So Lu Han had three votes out of six which was the half. If Sehun, Baekhyun and Chanyeol would not put up their hands then it was 50-50. But Lu Han would do it anyway even if he was the only person to agree. There was not much hope.

 

 

 

Glancing at Baekhyun who was next to him, he actually thought that he was on Sehun's side. But then his sweet smile turned into a cunning one so it didn't take much for him to also raise his hand. Did none of them have a good conscience? Weren't they feeling sorry for the other group? Sehun was the last person to think like that but one shouldn't deceive others to be able to win. It wasn't right. But Lu Han didn't give a and yelled something like 'the majority wins'. He was right so Sehun didn't say much and sighed instead.

 

 

Chanyeol seemed fine with either option.

 

 

 

"Listen up! I have a plan how to approach the other group. I mean we can't just sabotage them without knowing anything about them." Getting a piece of paper from the desk Lu Han skipped forwards and put it on the huge main desk. The other five moved closer to judge what he had prepared. Sehun as well wanted to know if Lu Han did have a plan or was just pretending to. When they all laid their eyes on the paper which was covered with drawings and random bombs, Lu Han was quick to explain:

 

 

"First we need to find out how many they are and how intimidating. I talked to the supervisor for clubs and he talked to them. So I haven't met them before. I know where their room is-"

 

 

 

"Why didn't you go there?" Sehun interrupted by wanting to know why Lu Han didn't do most of the work himself.

 

 

 

"Because I was too scared..." Lu Han replied with a shy expression.

 

 

 

"Don't worry I'll protect you!"

 

 

 

Thinking that Sehun had said that Lu Han's smiled but when realising it was only Kai it instantly dropped. It was astounding how stubborn and clingy Kai could be. Would he ever grow out of this phase? How would he react when finding out that they were dating? It was smarter to not say anything for a while. He didn't want to risk a crying Kai at his doorstep. Lu Han was still grateful and thanked him. Kai had his good moments- more than bad actually. He just needed to find someone he was compatible with.

 

"I have a similar job for you." Lu Han pointed at his messy writing on his paper and looked up, "You go there and count how many people they are. Take Kyungsoo with you. Check if you know any of them. You are like friends with everyone...even the janitor." He explained and for a moment Kai heart stopped because Lu Han implied that he had a lot of friends. And this was good. Very good. He must have stalked Kai to know about his many friendships. Did the mean that Kai was closer to Lu Han's heart?

 

 

 

Running his hand through his hair Kai closed his eyes and leaned back:

 

 

 

"I wouldn't say that I'm friends with everyone but the janitor is nice."

 

 

 

 

A pathetic attempt to appear modest.

 

 

 

 

"I'm fine too." Kyungsoo nodded and was actually somehow excited. He didn't do much other than reading and caring about his grades so this would be fun. Kai was admittedly funny in a dumb way. He was sure that he would have a lot of fun since he was a fan of music himself. He didn't have much time to study that in particular. That's what he agreed to take part when Kai asked him. The others seemed nice enough and those rumours about Sehun weren't even true. He was in no way violent and scary, Kyungsoo couldn't understand this.

 

 

 

He couldn't understand why someone would make those things up.

 

 

 

 

Lu Han cheered and raised his thumb.

 

 

 

 

"That's good! Moving on-"

 

 

 

"Why did you write Sehun+Sunshine on here?"

 

 

 

Chanyeol asked and pointed at the corner of the paper where Lu Han had drawn a heart with that inside. Everyone looked at the drawing in misapprehension while Lu Han nervously laughed and crossed the drawing several times with his pen out. Then he asked Chanyeol what he was talking about while Baekhyun narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Kai brushed the matter off because this was too ridiculous to be true. Lu Han wanted to do that too but he couldn't because everyone else was staring at him and demanded an answer.

 

 

 

 

"You still can't draw hearts."

 

 

 

 

 

Sehun's comment was the tip of the iceberg.

 

 

 

 

 

-x-

 

 

 

 

 

In a different room on the other side of the school building someone was sitting on a chair. He was examining another person who was sitting at a piano. He played a melodies tune, fingers easily gliding over the black keys and white ones. The other person was just listening to the music and eventually closed his eyes, completely absorbed in the music that reverberated from the piano. It had been some time that he heard such a sound. He was too busy with basketball and other things that he didn't find the time to listen to it.

 

 

 

After the last high pitched note was hit, the player was satisfied with his work and turned around:

 

 

 

 

"What do you think?"

 

 

 

"Is it self-composed?"

 

 

 

"Yes."

 

 

 

Standing up from his seat he stretched himself and remembered the words that he had said. When Kris refused to join Lu Han's team then he didn't mean that he didn't like music. He was already in two clubs and had to decide for one. So Lu Han was technically the third one and honestly Lu Han wouldn't have many problems to find other members. He was likeable and that was not a bad feature. He was kind and seemed like a nice person.

 

 

 

Like the time when he agreed to go to Kris only to save Sehun's already damaged reputation. Not a lot of people would have done that and Lu Han was certainly an exception.

 

 

 

 

 

But Kris' team would anyway win.

 

 

 

 

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Kris is not the leader so he won't go against Luhan!

 

I hope you liked this chapter!

 

 

Kyuhyun bby's solo is loooove

 

 

bomi xoxo