It had been a week since they had arrived from China. Life had continued as normal, they had done 2 concerts and had been training constantly. It was the typical idol life. Xiumin was used to the lifestyle and even found comfort in it now, the repetitiveness of the trainings and schedules comforting. He had done this twice before with MAMA and Wolf. He was confident in this life, he knew what to do. 

The only factor which he wasn't confident with was Luhan. They had agreed to not put labels on their relationship and Luhan hadn't tried to take Xiumin on a date again (not that they had time anyway). It was what Xiumin had wanted from the start but he couldn't help but feel a bit upset about it. It almost felt like Luhan didn't care anymore. Also, Luhan had seemed a bit distant since they had arrived. 

Luhan was spending a lot more time with his dongsaengs these days and Xiumin felt left out. He spent a lot more time with Sehun after the management encouraging them to do more skinship together for the fans. Xiumin knew that they didn't have a choice but did Luhan really have to be so touchy-feely all the time? The boy would grab Sehun, so similar to the way he would grab Xiumin. He would smile at Sehun with the smile that he usually gave Xiumin. He would whisper things to Sehun, just the way he had whispered to Xiumin only days ago. All of the other boys had also been encouraged into doing skinship with another member, based on what pairing was the most popular in those days. Xiumin had been told to go with Chen. 

He hadn't really been able to do much with Chen. Xiumin felt uncomfortable holding the boy's hand for too long or hugging him in front of a large audience. Chen was pretty good at it, however, and would help Xiumin by creating a relaxed atmosphere before holding the older boy's hand or giving him a hug. He would also make ridiculous jokes about it so that when they would hold hands, it would be more funny than cute, more ridiculous than touching. 

What was worse was they weren't even roommates anymore. Luhan was rooming with Sehun and Xiumin was with the manager again. They also had different schedules, Luhan being a vocalist and Xiumin being a dancer/rapper. He had been getting Mandarin lessons recently whereas Luhan was practicing different singing styles. They hadn't even spoken to each other for a day and a half. They hadn't kissed in two days. The last time they had spoken was when they had both met in the kitchen in the morning. Luhan was just leaving for a vocal lesson with Chen next to him. Xiumin had just woken up. Luhan had said good morning and pinched his cheek with a smile before leaving. Xiumin had replied back cheerfully anticipating the kiss that never came. It may sound stupid. Why didn't he just kiss Luhan? Why wait for the other boy to kiss him? He didn't know. Maybe he was just scared. Maybe he didn't want to push himself onto the other boy. He didn't know. 

Xiumin had always been a bit of a pushover. He was independent and calm, yes, but he never forced anyone into doing anything. He would always avoid asking for something from someone else, whether it be copying homework from his friends, asking for money from his parents or even borrowing a pen from a classmate; Xiumin would never ask for anything. But, he let others take things from him. He had let people copy his homework, given money to his dad for coffee and given out so many pens that he had been forced to buy more as his classmates had never really returned them back to him and he had been too nervous to openly ask them back. 

When EXO had been formed, he had let SM put him in EXO-M, despite being Korean. He had let them remove his interest in being a main vocal and force him into the role he had, a mixture of everything. He had let it all happen, never complaining, never saying anything. 

Then came Luhan. Luhan didn't have any qualms about taking things. He would often borrow everyone's clothes and caps and shoes. He would share everything around and take everything the other person had. He would take and take. But he wasn't selfish. No, Luhan wasn't spiteful or greedy. He didn't take things from other people to see them upset or to satisfy his own needs. He would take them because that was what he did. His personality was like that. Luhan took things and Xiumin let people take things from him. So when he took Xiumin's heart, he didn't even think twice about it. Xiumin was the one who had to face the consequences. 

And when Luhan became distant and spent more time with Sehun and Lay and Kai, Xiumin didn't say anything. He just watched from afar with a sad, melancholic smile on his face, wishing he could tell the boy something. Wishing he could yell out 'Notice me'. Wishing the boy would smile at him and say 'I love you, Minseok.' so that Xiumin could feel like his heart was being taken care of, rather than being pushed into a dark, dusty corner. 

It was stupid how after years of having Luhan chase after Xiumin, that it was Xiumin who was chasing after him now. Well, trying to anyway. 

~

It was at the end of one of their interviews that Luhan next talked to Xiumin. They had just finished their performance of 'Growl' and were answering questions. They were all standing in a straight line and Suho was rambling on as usual after being asked a simple question. Suho knew how to turn a simple yes or no question on whether he liked the colour green into a speech about global warming. Xiumin still wasn't sure whether it was a talent or a curse. A curse, he decided as he smiled blankly, staring at the audience and the glaring cameras in a daze. He was broken out of his reverie when a familiar hand found it's way to his hand. He looked up, a bit dizzy and lightheaded from looking at the lights to meet the eyes of Luhan. 

The boy was smiling genuinely. "Hey, Xiumin." Luhan whispered. "Can you translate for me?" He asked softly. His voice sent shivers down Xiumin's back. Goddamnit, did he have to be so perfect? Still suffering from the effects of Luhan actually talking to him, Xiumin just glanced at him dumbly and replied "But you know Korean." Luhan giggled. "Please?" The boy asked. How could Xiumin say no to that giggle? To that pout? To that boy? He just couldn't. 

And so he whispered quick and probably horribly inaccurate translations in broken Mandarin as Suho rambled on. Luhan obviously knew what Suho was saying so Xiumin wasn't sure why the boy wanted translations. But Xiumin didn't question it as he whispered into the boy's ear. Luhan's lips twitched a bit in amusement as Xiumin made a mistake in Mandarin, mistaking the word for 'hope' for something idiotic (probably). The other members had begun to notice the whispering and were glancing at them curiously. After all, even Lay and Tao didn't have a translator.

Eventually, the interviewer noticed and commented on it. "What are you two whispering about?" She asked, rather bluntly with a teasing tone. Xiumin blushed. Luhan grinned. "He was just translating some sentences for me." Luhan said confidently. Xiumin nodded along. "Oh, but I thought you were the best in Korean from all the Chinese members?" The interviewer asked, confusion in her voice. Luhan nodded. "I am. I just missed a few sentences because I was distracted and wanted to know so I asked Xiumin. He decided to explain it in Mandarin for me to make it easier for me." Luhan lied smoothly. Xiumin glanced at the boy with shock. He hadn't known Luhan was so smooth at lying. It made him wonder whether Luhan had ever lied to him before. He was shaken out of that thought when Luhan nudged him. Xiumin hurriedly nodded again. "Yup. That was what I was doing." He said unconvincingly. 

"Oh, Xiumin, you must be very good at Mandarin." The interviewer commented. "Why don't you say a greeting to the viewers in Mandarin?" Xiumin could almost see the smirk on Luhan's face as he said hello in mandarin. The interviewer seemed to be satisfied however, and moved on. Xiumin glared playfully at Luhan who laughed silently at Xiumin. Xiumin hit his arm lightly. Luhan let out a snort which caused D.O. to glare at the both of them. They both stilled, containing their giggles as the interview finished. 

~

"You idiot!" Xiumin said, once they were in the car, having had their makeup removed and their schedule finished for the day. Luhan just laughed back. "Why would you do that?" He asked, half-annoyed and half-pleased at the sight of Luhan doubled over in laughter. "Could you both shut up please? I'm trying to sleep." Tao said frustratedly from the back seat. Tao had gotten another injury recently (his leg) and would get annoyed easily these days, especially when he was tired. 

Luhan and Xiumin both shut up and sat in relative silence. Xiumin wanted to talk to Luhan so badly. He wanted to... but he didn't. And so, they remained quiet throughout the ride. When they were out of the car and in the dorm, Luhan followed Xiumin into his bedroom. Xiumin remained quiet, not commenting on it; not wanting to ruin the moment. "I'm sorry, You're not mad at me, are you?" Luhan asked, genuine concern on his face as he mistook Xiumin's silence for anger. Xiumin shook his head. "I could never be mad at you." He mumbled. Luhan smiled. "It's just, I feel like I haven't been with you for ages. I mean, everytime we go on stage, I have to be next to Sehun and all that boy does is talk about his trips to the mall with Tao and complain about being the youngest. I mean I love him and everything, he's my dongsaeng after all, but he can be so bratty sometimes! Ugh! And then, everytime I want to talk to you, another training session comes up and there is never enough time. And do you know how many times-" Luhan was cut off by Xiumin who couldn't stand the boy's adorableness as he gave him a kiss. 

Luhan pulled Xiumin closer, his arm naturally looping around the shorter boy's waist. Xiumin interlocked his fingers in Luhan's pink hair as their kiss deepened and their tongues fought. The kiss was stopped by the sound of the doorbell ringing. They both let go and Luhan put his forehead against Xiumin's, his eyes closed. Xiumin's eyes were open, however and all he could think about was how pretty Luhan was as he stared at the boy and how plain Xiumin was in comparison. 

"I just, I just wanted to hear your voice. I missed it. I missed you." Luhan admitted and his eyes opened. They were filled with such raw sincerity as the younger boy gazed at Xiumin, that Xiumin couldn't help but pull the boy closer, all uncertainties and insecurities forgotten as they kissed, their lips and tongues connecting sending each other the message that they both wanted to say:

I missed you

I love you

~~~

This chapter, although it may not have many things happening in it, is important. You will find out later on. 

And lol, I don't hate Sehun. I love Sehun. I don't hate Hunhan either. I just don't ship it. 

Anyway, thanks for subs and comments! Much appreciated!

Bye!