If Sehun checked his phone any more times within the hour, Jongin made a silent promise to himself that he would confiscate it and lock it away in a safe.

It'd been two weeks since they left the camp, and with each passing day Sehun grew more and more frustrated. And frustrating.

Jongin heard the now-familiar click of the home button on Sehun's phone being pressed.

"Oh for go-"

Sehun held his hands up in defence and cut him off, "I was just checking the time!".

Jongin didn't believe it for one second, "Because it's suddenly changed drastically since the last time you checked it - which was a minute ago?".

Sehun chuckled sheepishly, "I mean, it could have?".

Silence fell, and at the lack of response Sehun sighed and ran a hand through his hair in defeat, "Alright, I was checking to see if Baekhyun messaged me, happy?".

"Oh, I'm ecstatic, thanks for asking. Sehun, you checking your phone won't make him message you any faster".

"I-I know, you're right. But what if he's lost my number? Or he lost his phone, or somehow his message hasn't come through?".

"You're taking this rejection pretty hard, aren't you?".

Sehun's face wrinkled into a frown, "He's not rejecting me".

"I'm saying this as a friend. I think you may need to prepare for that possibility".

The phone lit up with a notification and Sehun's hand darted to grab it. As the light from the screen died, so did the light in Sehun's eyes.

Jongin questioned him wordlessly and Sehun shook his head.

"I get your point. Tomorrow, okay? If he hasn't contacted me by tomorrow then I'll begin my 'getting over it' phase".

It was Jongin's turn to sigh, he placed a comforting hand on Sehun's shoulder, "I'm not forcing you to get over your crush. Do that in your own time. It just-".

Sehun smiled gently, "I know, thank you. It's alright".

They were silent for a while, Jongin recalling the last time he had a crush and wondering how he could support Sehun while simultaneously help him in the long run. Sehun's mind was running through the moments he had with Baekhyun back at the camp. The stupid conversations. The rivalry and teamwork... and rivalry within the teamwork.

"I really thought he might like me back, you know?".

Jongin nodded in understanding; even he thought Sehun's feelings were reciprocated.

"Pah, crushes are stupid and inconvenient. They totally ruin my ice cold impression".

Sehun's words had a light-hearted tone to them and Jongin responded in kind.

"When have you ever been ice cold? You're a marshmallow".

"A frozen marshmallow".

"How about a toasted marshmallow? Hard and crispy on the outside, but goo in the middle?".

Sehun mulled it over for a moment before deciding it could work, "I guess. A toasted marshmallow it is. He's ruining my toasted marsh- no, I can't do it. I'm too cool to be a marshmallow".

Jongin sniffled in distaste, "Suit yourself".

Sehun smiled enthusiastically, "I'm going to die alone, Jongin".

"Stop being dramatic, you've got tons of options".

"Like who?"

"Irene"

"Oh please, she only wants me for one thing".

Jongin's eyebrow shot up, "Oh yeah? And what's that?".

"My Pokémon collection".

"Well I'm not denying that, but my point is you've got years ahead of you. You can't predict everything that's going to happen that easily. Besides, you've always got me and Kyungsoo".

"Thanks, that's reassuring".

Jongin patted him on the back encouragingly, "Any time".

Unlike Sehun had predicted the day before, he did not begin his 'getting over it' phase, but that was okay. He did, however, check his phone a little less.

He almost didn't care that he had to put it on silent and slip it into his pocket for several hours. Almost.

Jongin wouldn't be there to help him endure this event, much to Sehun's distaste.

The events all seemed so similar that Sehun had a hard time telling what each event was for. Was this the fundraiser or the celebration? There's bound to be a ridiculously large banner with the reason at the entrance. I'm sure I'll figure it out then.

There was a knock at his door and his nanny walked in. Her smiles were getting more and more wrinkled over the years, but the twinkle in her eyes never faded. Sehun smiled at her and gestured to his tie. A silent 'I'm almost ready'.

"I'll be outside in the car".

Sehun nodded gratefully and returned to putting on his tie.

Jongin had been the one to point out that her job title was strange. Sehun hadn't thought much of it until then; wasn't everyone's nanny also their driver and personal maid? Apparently not.

Rumour has it that that Sehun was a particularly clingy child, not that he believed or supported that idea, apparently his clinginess extended to his nanny and he refused to co-operate with anyone else other than her. A word with his father and a pay-rise later, his nanny took on a few other jobs. He did wonder if his partially spoiled nature was due to getting a lot of what he asked for, but there was always his looming father in the picture, making sure he kept in check.

The conversation in the car was comfortable, if not comforting. Being around her made Sehun feel like a child again. Perhaps the rumours were right, perhaps he did develop an attachment to people easily.

Having watched Sehun grow up, for the most part, his nanny had become accustomed to his behaviour and mannerisms and she couldn't help but notice his change in attitude since he returned from the trip. She'd asked him about it in conversation, of course. How was your trip? What did you do? Did you meet anyone interesting? That question got more of a response, a wider smile, a slightly more enthusiastic answer. She couldn't help but find it endearing that he'd made a new friend.

On the journey she'd briefed him on what the event actually was, and what time she would be back to pick him up. Sehun waved her off with a smile.

Taking a deep breath, Sehun made his way into the building. The large celebratory banner didn't disappoint. Someone in some company had moved up in position and decided it called for a party.

Jongin's presence was missed, but this wouldn't be the first time that Sehun had to face his father alone. The 'someone' who had moved up was a close friend of his father, and his father wouldn't miss this for the world.

Sehun spotted him straight away. A lean figure in the crowd, slicked back black hair as dark as his eyes and an overwhelming presence that spread out across the room. Although, Sehun wasn't sure if everyone could feel the overwhelming presence. As he approached him, Sehun's 'social smile' worked its way onto his lips.

"Father", Sehun called out to him once he was at his side.

The group that surrounded his father hushed to a quiet murmur as his father's attention directed to him. Those eyes that often frightened Sehun as a child were now focused on him. There wasn't any deeper meaning to the fear than Sehun feeling unfamiliar with the man that addressed himself as his father. Over the years, they had been spending more time together and those once unfamiliar eyes became the soul of someone he recognised.

"Sehun, I'm glad to see you could make it", his father sported the same smile as Sehun.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world".

His father excused them both from the observing group and together they walked over to a server. Sehun felt a lot more comfortable with a glass in his hand. It gave him something to do when the conversations lulled.

"How was your trip?", his father asked.

"Entertaining, I got to experience a few new things. Rock climbing, for example".

His father pulled a face of interest, and perhaps an underlying tone of disapproval, "That sounds like quite the trip".

"It was. How was your trip, Father?".

He shrugged one shoulder and drew Sehun's attention to his suit. It still amazed Sehun that his father's clothing was always impeccable. He had never seen his father with a hair out of place or wearing anything other than something spotless - well, other than that one time. But that was a memory that didn't need to surface at a celebration event.

"It was... how did you put it, entertaining? I secured a deal with Mr Kim about the-", his eyes glanced around the room and his smile turned wry, "Perhaps this is a conversation for another time. Have you congratulated Mr Byun on his promotion yet?".

"No, not yet". Sehun's small smile slipped and his brow furrowed. Byun? I hadn't made the connection before, but he has the same last name as Baekhyun. In what world would this be anything but a coincidence?

"Come, it'd be rude to prolong it any longer".

Sehun followed his father's footsteps until they reached Mr Byun, who was surrounded by a group of people already congratulating him.

"Mr Byun", Sehun's smile returned again and he congratulated the man before him.

"Sehun! Thank you, I'm over the moon", he leaned in closely before whispering loud enough for the group to hear him, "Although, honestly, I deserved it months ago". He winked at Sehun before leaning back and laughing good naturedly.

Sehun and the group alike laughed along with him.

"It's a rare opportunity, but my son has graced us all with his presence tonight. It seems like I should get promoted more often!".

More laughter from the group, this time it died out quicker as Mr Byun called out to his son from a few meters away.

"Baekhyun!".

Sehun's heart dropped to the floor and his eyes widened enough to rival a deer. Baekhyun? What? Why am I surrounded by these weird coincidences? And more importantly, why hasn't he-

Baekhyun turned around to look at the source of his name and his smile stayed strong. In Sehun's mind, all that was needed was a slow-mo of the hair flip and a few sparkles, then the moment would have been complete.

But when Baekhyun's eyes caught Sehun's surprised ones, his smile faltered the slightest amount. It was back up again before he reached the group though, and Sehun didn't quite understand why Baekhyun avoided his eyes so much.

So he did reject me and not contact me on purpose. Huh. Sehun's chest tingled uncomfortably and the butterflies in his stomach grew irritable.

"Sehun, have you met my son, Baekhyun?", Mr Byun's smile beamed as bright as the lights. Clearly he was very proud of his son.

As Sehun opened his mouth to answer, Baekhyun did it for him.

"No I don't believe we've met. I'm Byun Baekhyun, it's a pleasure to meet you". 

*Small surprised gasp* what

What's more surprising, that Baekhyun's claiming not to know Sehun, or that I updated? Lololol don't answer that.

Also, thank you for all of your supportive comments!! I read each and every one of them and they always make me smile ♥