He stood up, taking Ryeowook’s hand in a firm grip. “Are you positive, Ryeowook? There’s no real way to turn back now.”

“I realize that, sir. And…I’m okay with this.”

“Then it was good meeting you. Please take care,” he bowed slightly and then released the boy’s hand.

Ryeowook bowed once more on his way out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.

***

It took two hours to get back to the campus, and by then the Dining Hall had already closed and the students were lounging around with full stomachs. Ryeowook sighed sadly, holding his grumbling tummy.

Turning away from it all, the StudGov President shuffled off to the Honors Dorm, hoping to just fall asleep fast in hopes of killing the hunger pangs. Ryeowook forced himself to drop his hand clutching stomach, and shove it casually into a pocket. There was no reason to worry people by looking like a starved man.

He loosened his tight tie and ed the top of his collar. The air was thick with summer and sweet scents of that indescribable smell, the one that made summer so uniquely…summer. Ryeowook smiled, breathing deeply. It was undoubtedly refreshing.

The smells faded as he strode inside the dormitory and found Kyuhyun sitting on the couch. Ryeowook’s heart skipped. “Hey Kyu,” he stammered. It was a habit proving hard to kill. Even though they had officially been dating for months now, he couldn’t get over the shy, blushing, stuttering phase. Simply making eye contact with Kyuhyun was difficult.

“You haven’t eaten have you?” the latter stated much more than he asked. Kyuhyun lifted up a bag of ramen, grinning faintly.

“No…I haven’t,” Ryeowook giggled, gliding over and throwing his arms around his savior. They toppled over onto the cream colored cushions, the ramen package still tightly gripped in Kyuhyun’s hand. “Thank you, Kyu,” he mumbled sincerely into the boy’s neck.

“Thank me after I cook it,” Kyuhyun muttered, only now beginning to worry about how it would taste. “It might be garbage.”

“We can make it together…or I could just make it,” Ryeowook offered, glancing up to see the attractive boy studying him openly. “W-What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Kyuhyun tilted his face up.

Ryeowook flushed but then hesitantly leaned down, pressing his lips to the waiting ones. “Why?” he gulped, always embarrassed when they kissed in public – even if no one was around right that second it would be easy to drop in and see what was going on.

“Because I want your kisses,” he replied calmly, cradling Ryeowook’s hair with one hand, “and I want your hugs and affections. I want you for everything you always were…and came to be.” Kyuhyun suddenly grinned, “I just wonder if you get it.”

“I think so,” Ryeowook mumbled, nuzzling his face in the other’s chest, “I’m not used to hearing you say those things though.” He opened his mouth to say more but then shut it, deciding the words couldn’t come.

The fingers tangled in his hair tugged him up and then he was locking eyes with Kyuhyun again. “What…?”

“It’s nothing—”

“—Ryeowook!”

The boy jumped, flying off of Kyuhyun’s body. Ryeowook landed on his feet, head snapping up to the person who called him. “Y-Yes?” he croaked, quickly covering it up with a cough.

Dongwoon raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment as he descended the steps. “Have you packed yet? I was wondering if you were bringing your shampoo because I didn’t really wanna bring my own.”

“Huh? Pack?” Ryeowook held his head, brow furrowing as he flipped through his brain for information. Why was he packing? Then, in a flurry, it all hit him. “The Senior Trip!” he cried, covering his mouth in surprise.

Kyuhyun chuckled, smiling in exasperation. “You’ve been talking about it for a while now. You would end up forgetting.” He sat up, taking one of Ryeowook’s hands. “Hey Dongwoon, he has shampoo so you don’t have to bring it.”

“Thanks,” he turned back around, walking up the stairs.

Ryeowook looked at Kyuhyun, breaking into a sweeter smile. “Thank you for packing for me.” He scooted over, kissing his lover with only a slight blush this time.

When he tried to pull away, Kyuhyun caught the back of his neck, tugging him even closer. “What were you saying earlier?” he mouthed against Ryeowook’s, brushing the tip of his tongue across the latter’s lips.

“I-I don’t remember.”

“Is it because of me?”

“All because of me?” Kyuhyun repeated softly.Ryeowook blinked, shaking his head of the memory. “You’re useless. You can’t even take responsibility for your actions.” He stiffened, now pushing away from his lover. Why were those words coming back now?

Kyuhyun forced Ryeowook back to him, eye narrowing in confusion. “What’s going on?” he asked, “Why are you looking at me like I just told you to kill yourself?” His lips parted in surprise, dark eyes growing. “You…but why?” he whispered, wiping away the tears falling down Ryeowook’s cheeks.

“I’m not sure,” the crying boy murmured, unblinking gaze focused on a faraway spot. He took Kyuhyun’s hands, lifting them up to the sides of his face. “So don’t even try and use me as a reason for your crappy life. I’m so sick of all your emotions! Don’t you get it Ryeowook?” He flinched, lips trembling, “What are we doing?”

“What do you mean?” Kyuhyun’s heart sped up, pangs spiking his heart. “Talk to me.” He ran his thumbs across Ryeowook’s tear streaked cheeks as he slowly ran his fingers through the soft hair. “Why are you crying?”

“I’m in love with you, right?” Ryeowook asked quietly. Kyuhyun stayed quiet, watching the boy struggling to work something out in his mind. “…With means you love me back, right?”

He nodded carefully, “I’m in love with you, Ryeowook.” And the simple way those words fell made them all the less real. Kyuhyun tightened his hold on Ryeowook, blood running cold.

It didn’t feel right to say. They were playing house. Why was it like that? “I’m in love with you…I’m in love with you…I’m in love with you, Ryeowook—” Why the couldn’t he say it the way he wanted?

“I know Kyuhyun,” the slender boy forced a smile, eyes warm and gentle…shaky.

No. That’s not it! He released Ryeowook, getting up and going to the kitchen. “I’ll make you food, so go shower.”

Without further stalling, Ryeowook headed for the stairs, happy to get away.

Kyuhyun ground his teeth, glowering at the counter top. I mean it…I mean it, right?