They walked in silence down the street. What could be said?

Kyuhyun didn’t know if there was anything he could say. After they had gotten their pictures, organized themselves, given billing addresses, and filled out forms, somehow everything became rather uncomfortable. It felt like a wall had been erected between them the moment they were left alone together.

Distant sounds of bells erupted in the gray afternoon, chiming in the third hour. Had the day really passed by so quickly, or was it just the crushing quiet that made time move faster? Normally silence made time slow down though…what was going on?

“We should go meet them now right?” Ryeowook prompted softly, both of his hands busy holding their bag of photos. It was surely an excuse to not hold Kyuhyun’s hand considering the shorter boy had a convenient backpack that could easily hold the purchase.

Kyuhyun nodded, directing his gaze down the road. “The shop is that way,” he stated.

“Oh, okay,” he replied, swinging his bag off one shoulder and placing the photos inside. Then Ryeowook took the other one’s hand, “Don’t worry, you can trust me Kyuhyun…”

A small smile worked its way onto his lips. “After this, I want to go somewhere with you.” He saw the alarm on Ryeowook’s face. “Not like lovers,” Kyuhyun paused, lips pressing together for a second, “…but as friends.”

“Oh, hey!” Eunhyuk’s voice caught the wind, travelling to the third years. He was waving at them from the entrance of the sweets shop.

Ryeowook returned the signal politely, still stunned by what his…friend had said. Further elaboration was impossible as they came up to Eunhyuk and Zhoumi.

“I’m really sorry about this,” Eunhyuk apologized, looking at them sadly, “but I just got called back to my job and they need me for a couple of hours.” He shrugged helplessly, “I really can’t afford to ditch work.”

Zhoumi was holding back his feelings, eyes flitting around, yet he refused to utter a word.

1. Deep down, you really care about people – to the point where you will spend days, weeks, and months thinking about them.

“Well what about Zhoumi?” Kyuhyun asked, glancing at his ex.

The older boy nudged his boyfriend, “I was hoping you two would keep him company until I get back…is that too much to ask? I understand if you want alone time on Valentine’s Day though. Don’t worry, neither of us will be offended, promise.”

“No it’s okay,” Ryeowook chimed in, not really sure what his rationale for speaking was. “We don’t mind.” He smiled reassuringly at Zhoumi.

Halfheartedly returning it, the slim young man stepped away from Eunhyuk. “Just hurry back. I don’t want to impose on them for too long.”

Eunhyuk gently kissed his lover’s cheek, waving goodbye as he jogged away towards the parking lot.

The three remaining people stood around for a minute or so, none of them wanting to initiate contact first.

Why had Ryeowook offered to let Zhoumi stay? Not five minutes into the situation and he was already regretting the decision. Sighing, Ryeowook headed towards the sweets shop ahead of Kyuhyun and the dark haired beauty. “We should go get some ice cream,” he remarked, forcing a grin and opening the door.

“Sure,” Kyuhyun agreed easily, brushing past Zhoumi towards the specialty café.

Finally, the oldest of the trio entered the facility albeit reluctantly.

After being seated, a new silence settled down on them, only broken by a desperately enthusiastic Ryeowook. With every nonsensical word he spouted, he wondered why in the name of all that is holy…did he invite Zhoumi? Really, he hadn’t thought this through at all. Now all of them were uncomfortable and incapable of making decent conversation – most importantly, they wouldn’t be able to enjoy the taste of a good dessert.

“What would you like to eat?” their waitress asked.

Ryeowook smiled thankfully and said, “Chocolate covered strawberries, please.”

“A sundae,” Kyuhyun told the worker.

“Single scoop vanilla,” Zhoumi handed the menu to the woman.

“I’ll be right back with your orders then.”

A part of Ryeowook wanted to beg her to stay but that part was small and being silly. They should just deal with the situation. Yes, that was the best idea. It was only for a couple of hours so why not make the best of it?

“So how long have you two been dating?” the oldest boy asked, trying to be casual.

Kyuhyun replied carefully, still paying attention to any discomfort on Ryeowook’s part, “A few weeks ago.”

“Wow, I thought you would’ve started dating after we…well, broke up,” he seemed relieved for some reason; half a genuine smile tilted his flat lined lips.

2. You burden yourself with the problems of people you care about, no matter what you may feel.

“Why?” Kyuhyun raised an eyebrow.

Zhoumi chuckled, “Well you were always talking about him when we were dating. I still remember every time I got hurt you would tell me it was different from when…,” he stopped himself, stiffly shrugging, “ah, I guess it doesn’t matter much.”

“No, no what were you going to say?” the handsome boy asked, guardedly amused.

Ryeowook couldn’t help but want to laugh. Maybe they had read his mind. Slowly, the tenseness was fading, replaced by an almost comfortable air of companionship. Of course there was nothing spectacular but at least they were making conversation now – even if Ryeowook wasn’t a part of it.

“Is the Honors Dorm nice?” Zhoumi inquired.

3. When you feel strongly for someone you’ll put your heart and soul into showing them.

Kyuhyun nodded, “the rooms are bigger and cleaner. And we don’t have to share shower stalls with hundreds of other people.”

“Oh, that must be great,” his mouth formed a small oval, surprise racing over his face. “Mine and Eunhyuk’s apartment is much larger though.”

“Shut up,” Kyuhyun laughed, “I’m only here for another year and then I’ll be free to live wherever I want.”

Zhoumi dropped his head in palm, delicately sharp features morphing into an easy smile. “That’s right. You’re thinking about applying to other colleges.”

“Here are your orders,” the waitress announced, placing the varying desserts on the table, “enjoy and feel free to call me over if you have any questions or need anything.” She sauntered off then, leaving the three boys to their food and conversation.

Ryeowook quietly continued eating and listening idly to the other two talk. Pangs of annoyance jolted his system but it wasn’t jealousy – of course not! Rather, he felt bothered. Yes, he had been hoping for a calmer atmosphere but it was a tad too casual. He closed his eyes for a few seconds. No, no, there was nothing wrong with the current state of affairs. They were avoiding any touchy topics and simply enjoying the time together.

“Let me try,” Kyuhyun’s voice was right beside his ear and then his hand was closing around Ryeowook’s, directing the chocolate covered strawberry towards his own mouth. The succulent fruit pursed lips, sweet coating completely devoured.

Ryeowook pouted, “I only have three of them and you ate the whole thing.”

Smirking, Kyuhyun swallowed the fruit. “You still have two more it’s fine.”

“Fine…,” he muttered, going back to the journal in his lap.

“Here try it.” A spoonful of sundae was pushed into Ryeowook’s mouth, forcing its way down his throat. Sweet syrup and cool vanilla ice cream soothed his parched esophagus. Kyuhyun was watching the boy’s reaction intently, chuckling when he saw the childish wonder. “Like it?”

“Mm-hmm…,” he nodded excitedly, eyes shining truthfully. “Can we trade?”

Kyuhyun snorted, taking the spoon back and scooping himself a bite of the dessert, “No way.”

4. You’re more honest than anyone else.

“Where do you want to go?” Ryeowook asked Zhoumi. The three were back on the streets of the small town having finished their desserts. As they made their way through the one road, Ryeowook kept his hand tightly in Kyuhyun’s standing in between the ex-lovers.

“The antique shop,” Kyuhyun answered before anyone else could say anything. He caught the growing grin on Zhoumi’s face and returned it fleetingly. “You like that sort of stuff don’t you?”

“I’m surprised you remember,” he commended, “you never said anything when I told you it.”

Kyuhyun leaned over to more properly look at the older boy. “It should’ve been obvious that I knew. There was never a reason for me to remind you that I knew.”

5. You’re modest about the important things.

And so, they entered a dusty, poorly lit antiquity shop. Ryeowook stayed on the sidelines as he had been doing thus far, busying himself with randomly journaling or observing Kyuhyun and Zhoumi, just in case they had a falling out.

But they didn’t. They were even excited to be talking to one another it appeared.

6. Always, you act tough but really, you’re sensitive about pain.

At the one hour mark, Ryeowook figured it was no big deal that they were getting along. Playing nice was better than tearing each other apart, as he had been telling himself ever since the dessert shop.

7. Your subconscious is the real you.

At the two hour mark, Ryeowook was starting to feel a particular pounding annoyance in his head. They were acting closer than ever and he was almost positive neither of them knew Ryeowook was still around. Kyuhyun wasn’t even bothering to hold his hand anymore.

If they were capable of getting along then what was that vulnerability shown earlier? Why was he even playing along when it obviously didn’t even matter that he was Kyuhyun’s new ‘lover’?

“You’re so clumsy,” the younger boy rolled his eyes, gripping Zhoumi’s arm.

“I’m not the clumsiest,” he argued, laughing and bumping shoulders with Kyuhyun.

8. You don’t speak your affections for someone.

He couldn’t take it anymore. He really couldn’t. Another half hour had passed but with each passing minute they got touchier and sweeter. Once again, Ryeowook was most definitely not jealous. He was just upset about the whole situation.

The final straw though, hadn’t come until they were all resting on a bench, apparently having a heart to heart. Well, Ryeowook wasn’t a part of it, as was the trend that day.

Zhoumi leaned forward on his elbows, looking past Ryeowook who sat between them for whatever reason. The graduated young man was softly gazing at Kyuhyun, saying, “You know, I didn’t think it was possible but you still make my heart beat faster…,” he glanced at Ryeowook, “sometimes I wish I hadn’t let go of Kyuhyun so soon. But I’m glad he’s with someone like you.”

It sounded kind. It really, really did…but Ryeowook had had enough. There was something so annoying about Zhoumi. The way he flirted using his mild mannered attitude was possibly the worst part of him. Even though he sounded sincere, surely he wasn’t.

If he had been sincere then how could he break Kyuhyun’s heart like that? How could he be so heartless as to just walk away without telling his boyfriend of an entire year that they were over? Ryeowook didn’t know all of the details but from what he saw on that list of ten things Kyuhyun had written, Zhoumi wasn’t worthy of praising anyone. His praise was equal to a ’s pick up lines.

“I’m done.”

9. You show your feelings more often.

“What?” Kyuhyun turned to Ryeowook, confused.

“How can you be so calm and welcoming after just two hours of talking about nothing?” the small and frequently quiet boy shouted. He was on his feet then, flinging an accusatory finger at Zhoumi. “He hurt you so much and now you’re acting like you guys have always been best friends or something!”

A shameful flush heated Zhoumi’s cheeks but he stayed silent.

Kyuhyun simply gazed at Ryeowook, blank expression giving away nothing.

“I know you, Kyuhyun…I know just by the little things you do. You—”

“—stop.”

Ryeowook shut his mouth, heart dropping to his stomach at the tone of his friend’s words. He really hadn’t meant to snap like that. All of it just came pouring out.

“Zhoumi,” he interrupted the tense air, “I lied. Ryeowook and I aren’t dating.” Kyuhyun’s eyes darted to Ryeowook in time to see the stunned pain twist those gentle features and the rest of his words were trapped in his throat.

Had he said something wrong? Wasn’t he just telling the truth?

Turning away, Ryeowook started off, not daring to look back. He only got a few feet before someone’s hand snatched his wrist, whipping him around.

“Don’t leave, please,” Zhoumi whispered, appearing about ready to cry. But what did he have to cry about? If anyone should’ve been crying, shouldn’t it have been Ryeowook – who had been thoroughly ignored for the past two hours and then offended only moments earlier?

10. Because you spoke and showed your feelings to Zhoumi. That must mean you really loved him. You found love and love let you down. You’re really the coolest, Kyuhyun.

The sound of a slap resonated through the scarcely populated street. Ryeowook stared indifferently up at Zhoumi’s speechless, wide-eyed, red-cheeked face. “That was for Kyuhyun.” And then started walking away again, this time no one stopped him.

***

Moonlight pooled on the floor of their dorm room, a silvery blue ring between their beds. A huddled figure breathing evenly slumbered in one, while the other was still unoccupied. Its owner was instead wide awake, entranced by the reluctantly placed note addressed to him.

Kyuhyun was leaning back against his desk, a crinkled, abused sheet of paper in his hand.

Kyuhyun,

I accidentally saw your list about Zhoumi and thought that you need a better list than that. So here, I’ll tell you the top ten things that make you someone better than Zhoumi.

1. Deep down, you really care about people – to the point where you will spend days, weeks, and months thinking about them.

2. You burden yourself with the problems of people you care about, no matter what you may feel.

3. When you feel strongly for someone you’ll put your heart and soul into showing them.

4. You’re more honest than anyone else.

5. You’re modest about the important things.

6. Always, you act tough but really, you’re sensitive about pain.

7. Your subconscious is the real you.

8. You don’t speak your affections for someone.

9. You show your feelings more often.

10. Because you spoke and showed your feelings to Zhoumi. That must mean you really loved him. You found love and love let you down. You’re really the coolest, Kyuhyun.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Ryeowook

Ryeowook,

You left before I could show you what I wanted to show you. Next time I’ll take you there. So don’t leave without me again, okay?

Kyuhyun