Ryeowook smiled to himself, a blush creeping over his pale cheeks. The weight surrounding his finger was unfamiliar, but a welcomed type of unfamiliar. He liked how the band encircled the base of his finger. What he adored the most had to be that Sungmin was wearing a matching one.

It had been an unexpected occurrence when they were walking back from their meeting on the Cat Walk. Sungmin stop Ryeowook and pulled out the two ring boxes from their Valentine’s Week event. Slightly uncomfortable, Sungmin had explained he wanted to give one to Ryeowook earlier – just as friends – but now they could wear them as a couple instead. Then…everything felt right.

Being with Sungmin in general had always been great, now however it felt like their bond was stronger than anything else. It made the annoying butterflies in his stomach become delicious butterflies instead. It made his sweaty palms a display of excitement and joy instead of nervousness. It made his blushing face about love not embarrassment.  

“What’s that?” Kyuhyun’s hand pressed down on the desk’s surface, the heat of his leaning body warming Ryeowook’s backside. The standing boy gazed with half lidded eyes at the silver ring on his roommate’s finger.

Ryeowook felt a shiver roll up his spine and he whipped around just as Kyuhyun backed up. “O-Oh this?” he stuttered, toying with the accessory.

The taller one nodded – a towel around his neck from the shower he took.  His dark brown hair was damp and clinging to his face, framing the curious eyes. “Yeah, isn’t it from that couples thing?”

“Y-Yeah, you’re right,” Ryeowook replied, laughing anxiously as he stood up and moved around the room doing different, useless things. He wasn’t sure why his heart was beating so quickly. Was he that scared to tell Kyuhyun the truth? What harm would come to him after all? Or maybe…Ryeowook stopped tidying his already tidy blanket – did he just not want Kyuhyun to know…? He wasn’t ashamed of Sungmin. So…what was the sickly feeling in his stomach about?

Kyuhyun crossed his arms, leaning back against the table. “What is it?” His voice wasn’t exactly angry as much as tired.

“Ah…well…,” Ryeowook turned around to face Kyuhyun. He swallowed and sat down on the bed, unable to stay supported on his shaking legs. “I…I’m dating Sungmin now.”

“Why?” The response was so immediate that Ryeowook had to take pause. Kyuhyun’s expression stayed indifferent but after several years of being together, it was easy to see the slight clenching of his jaw and tightening of his shoulders.

Ryeowook shifted his feet, brushing against the floor, “Because I...lo – like him.” The word had caught in his throat, refusing to come out. Why couldn’t he tell Kyuhyun what he had easily admitted to Sungmin just a day ago? It felt almost…wrong to say he loved Sungmin now. Was it simply because Kyuhyun was the audience this time?

“What’s so special about that Stupid Bunny?” Kyuhyun questioned fast and cold, slicing straight through the smaller boy.

“I’m not really positive…,” Ryeowook said slightly guilty, “I just know that I—”

“—that you what?” he interrupted, arms falling to sides, fists solid. “Do you really think being with him is the right decision? You and I are supposed to be getting to know one another again and instead you go ahead and start a relationship with someone I hate?” Kyuhyun barked out a laugh, lips twisting in upturned anger.

Ryeowook’s eyes grew and he half stood up only to stop when he saw the other boy grab a jacket and head towards the exit, “Wait Kyu—!”

The door slammed shut, effectively silencing all arguments.

Donghae had the urge to run the in the opposite direction when he saw Kyuhyun. The look on his face was…indescribable. His cheeks were flushed red from probably walking around outside and the tips of his hair were iced over. If it weren’t for the livid fire in his eyes, Donghae would’ve thought he was a zombie – pale and blotchy red. Scary. It felt like if Donghae even greeted him, the world would end. And with that thought in mind, he took his chances and waved.

The most murderous glare fell upon him. Kyuhyun didn’t bother to subdue the flaring emotions instead he created an untouchable aura – one that sent people veering away. “Hey.” He replied, taking the seat opposite Donghae.

“Do you want anything to eat? I can get it for you,” the latter stated, already getting out of his seat.

Kyuhyun shook his head. “Sit.”

Donghae fell back onto the chair, limbs frozen.

“Have I ever told you how much I ing hate Lee Sungmin?”

He shook his head vigorously, back straight, hands folded in lap.

Kyuhyun looked out through one of the Dining Hall’s windows. The lines of his face were grave, on-edge. “…What’s for dinner?”

“U-Uh I’m not sure,” Donghae stuttered, suddenly praying with all his might that Kibum would stop studying for one second and come eat with them. His survival instincts were telling him that being alone with Kyuhyun right that moment was…bad.

The dark eyed boy snapped to attention as a loud voice boomed through the bustling hall. “What the is that?” he murmured.

Donghae shuddered at the tone and quickly launched into an explanation of the raffle event. Every student had the opportunity to enter the raffle earlier that day. The winner would be given two off-campus tickets for Valentine’s Day.

And being the nice friend Donghae was, he had stupidly entered Kyuhyun into the drawing. Now, as he watched his friend’s pulsing anger, he hoped Kyuhyun had been joking about winning everything. Sure, Donghae had seen him beat video games like a madman but maybe that concept of winning wouldn’t apply to contests…

“…and now we’ll see who the lucky winner is!” Dongwoon announced, smiling at the anticipating crowd. He reached into the box, drawing out a folded slip of paper after a few seconds of rummaging. When he unfolded it, his eyes fluttered in brief surprise. “The winner is Cho Kyuhyun!”

Donghae slammed his head against the table.

On the other hand, Kyuhyun was staring at the stage. Dongwoon was walking towards him with an envelope, microphone in hand. Past him, still standing on the black platform, was the rest of the board. Kyuhyun noted with a little more than dissatisfaction that Sungmin and Ryeowook were closer than necessary, matching rings circling their middle fingers.

“So do you have anyone in mind?” Dongwoon questioned, placing the envelope in front of the winner and offering the microphone to him.

Kyuhyun nodded slowly, eyes locked on Sungmin. A vicious smirk curved his lips as he watched dread creep onto that Stupid Bunny’s face, “The president…Ryeowook.”