Living apart from Ryeowook was one thing.

Living without Ryeowook was another thing.

“Hey, Ryeowook?” Kyuhyun had spent all night thinking and at that point, he was ready to rip a person’s face off. But not Ryeowook, never Ryeowook.

He thoroughly counted and listed out everything that could’ve possibly driven him to insincerely utter those words. I’m in love with you, Ryeowook. A definitive part of him knew that that was the truth, yet the lack of conveyance was frustrating to no end.

And so he sat there…and thought…and realized what had driven them to this point. It hadn’t been Sungmin or Ryeowook. It had been Kyuhyun. He was quite literally the root of their current predicament.

Had Ryeowook begun changing back then – way back when Kyuhyun had yelled at him in front of all those people? Had he bent and twisted and grown because of those harsh words?

How could he ever explain that he didn’t want the kid, but at the same time he didn’t want anyone else to have him? Or rather, no one else would ever be able to match Kyuhyun.

Did Kyuhyun ever mature though?

No one was good enough for Ryeowook. No one but Kyuhyun.

Of all the people, had he found his turning point?

“What is it, Kyu?” the shorter boy asked, smiling and adjusting his backpack.

Kyuhyun searched his gaze, seeking some sort of indication that last night had happened. “That day…do you know what I’m talking about?” he asked in a hushed voice.

“Yeah, I do,” Ryeowook answered far too quickly, the mask of normalcy shattering.

“Ah, I figured you would.” He shifted around on his feet before forcing their eyes to meet and saying, “Ryeowook, I don’t know…how to tell you that I didn’t mean it. Because I did mean it,” Kyuhyun’s voice dropped, “but then again, maybe I’m not…there…or here—I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Never mind,” he shook his head, backing away and boarding the bus.

“Are you two okay?” Minho’s voice floated into Ryeowook’s ear. The taller boy was gazing after the disappearing Kyuhyun with curiosity.

“Uhm…I’m not positive,” he answered under his breath, walking away before Minho could ask for clarification.

Dongwoon tapped Mir on the shoulder, nudging him awake as the bus pulled up to their destination. A house by the beachside came into view, looking perfectly unprepared to care for a rowdy group of boys. “Wake up, sweetie,” Dongwoon murmured, kissing his lover’s jaw softly.

The slumbering boy crinkled his nose, and then shifted away with a grunt.

“C’mon, we’re here,” the chestnut haired male laughed, pressing his lips all along the other’s throat, ear, and cheeks. Dongwoon reached around, pulling Mir closer by his waist, “It’s time to get up…Mir…Mir…,” he opened his mouth, grinning before biting down on the boy’s exposed collar.

Mir yelped, eyes fluttering open momentarily before falling closed again. “Go away…,” he muttered, trying to pull away from Dongwoon. A small smile couldn’t help but cross his lips though and he brushed his hand across the back of his lover’s, “Go away,” Mir repeated, softer this time, fingertips running over Dongwoon’s hand.

“There’s no one to make me listen anymore,” he whispered teasingly.

“Uh, yes there is.”

Dongwoon turned around to see Kikwang and Taemin glaring daggers at the flirting couple. “W-What? I thought you guys said…” His brow furrowed in confusion.

“Yeah we’re letting you be together,” Kikwang scoffed, crossing his arms, “but we can’t exactly sit here and watch you PDA all over the place. You’re acting like we never liked either of you.”

“S-Sorry?” Dongwoon stammered, slowly retracting the arms he had around his lover.

“Yeah, whatever,” Taemin drawled. “Look, I don’t really care, I just don’t want to see you all over my Mir. It was bad enough when I was still dating him.”

“Your Mir?” he restated.

“He was mine and he’s still mine, because people don’t fall out of love. They only start falling at a different rate,” Taemin recited, smiling slightly at the statement.

“Okay everyone, we’re going to get off the bus now but make sure you all wait outside so I can explain room assignments!” Ryeowook shouted, garnering some bit of attention. Before Dongwoon could help him out, an unlikely voice rose up, silencing the obnoxious students.

“BE QUIET AND LISTEN TO RYEOWOOK.” Sungmin was sitting back down before anyone could make eye contact with him, including Ryeowook.

Mir was at attention then, surprise on his face. “Did he really…”

“…just help, Wookie? Yeah,” Dongwoon finished, mind-boggled.

Ryeowook smiled and repeated his words. “Alright, can StudGov members please come outside and meet now?” He received some confirmatory waves and then proceeded to depart from the bus.

Outside, a strong salty scent caught his nose, sending him staggering a bit. Ryeowook gulped, truly regretting that he’d agreed to the Director’s interactive game for choosing the Senior Trip’s location. Seaside was the last thing Ryeowook wanted to be near, especially in the summer.

Strong arms lunged around the slender boy’s shoulders, sending him stumbling forward. Dongwoon was grinning and laughing, turning his head to look at Ryeowook. “Why aren’t you smiling? It’s summer and we’re at the beach! Doesn’t this make you happy?”

From the corner of his eye, Ryeowook spotted Sungmin watching him soberly, dark eyes wavering slightly. He looked away, unable to face the only person who really understood. “I’m fine Dongwoon,” Ryeowook assured, “I’m just… a little tired from everything. Also I can’t swim so I’ll just stay indoors or something.”

“What?!” he cried, backing away to inspect the preposterous boy, “You’ve gotta be kidding! We’re here to celebrate our last year of high school! How can you just say that you won’t participate?”

Ryeowook saw students beginning to assemble and used that as an excuse to escape the question. “Oh look!” he pointed at the anxious boys and Dongwoon lost focus long enough for Ryeowook to start a directional speech.

“We’re going to be here for two days and one night so make the most of it! You’re free to do whatever you like so long as it isn’t illegal, alcoholic, dangerous, or life-threatening. Be prepared to take responsibility for whatever occurs. The school and the inn we’re staying at will not be liable for any problems that you might come across so have fun but be sure of what you’re doing.” Ryeowook cleared his throat and unfolded a piece of paper, saying, “There are going to be the room assignments. We drew them randomly from a box so if you don’t like whom you’re sleeping with understand that there are roughly ten people in one room so it’s likely you’ll have at least one friend.”

He listed off all of the rooms and by the end he could feel Kyuhyun absolute disapproval pouring out in waves. “In Room Four will be: Cho Kyuhyun, Choi Minho, Lee Sungmin…,” and so on and so forth, but those names were all Kyuhyun needed to hear. “That’s all! Dinner is at seven so don’t be late!” All of the students ran off in different directions, howling and screaming and just releasing the massive energy inside.

“You’ve gotta be kidding,” Kyuhyun’s mouth twitched in repressed annoyance as he walked up to Ryeowook, both of their luggage in hand. “Are you sure that isn’t just a cruel little joke?”

“Sorry,” he replied sheepishly, following his boyfriend towards the inn, “it really was just drawing lots. And it’s only for one night so I’m sure you’ll be okay, Kyu!”

“Cute,” the handsome boy muttered, peering back at Ryeowook.

The latter winced, laughing nervously.