Baekhyun didn't like kimchi soup. To be honest, there were only a few things in the cafeteria that he enjoyed for lunch: the black rice on Mondays, the tteokbokki with cheese on Wednesdays, and, of course, the corn pizza on Fridays was simply sensational! Still, nothing at lunchtime was better than being able to admire Do Kyungsoo from afar.

Baekhyun sat two rows behind the table of the popular tall guys who surrounded him like two walls: Park Chanyeol and Kim Jongin. He was jealous and envious of the two handsome guys who could cling to Kyungsoo's cute neck at any time of the day. Baekhyun, being older, didn't have any classes with him. There were few times they exchanged more than a few words, and the only thing he knew about him was that Kyungsoo was part of the music club. It was a shame because if Baekhyun had any talent for art, he would have joined the club to finally get some attention from the adorable transfer student.

"Oh, Baek, you're drooling a lot, huh?" Sehun teased, on a grape lollipop as he sat beside him. "The guy is going to be covered in your spit soon with how much you're suffering."

Baekhyun hid his face behind his hands. Sehun was ridiculous when he wanted to annoy him, capable of the most sordid comments possible.

"Shut up, Hunnie! They can hear your chatter."

The guy laughed, stuffing a huge piece of chicken that he had stolen from Baekhyun's plate into his mouth. Giving him a stern look, Baekhyun slapped him on the head. Idiot, he thought. Still, he peeked at Do Kyungsoo once again while watching him eat with his friends. With some heart-shaped smiles here and more resentful ones there, Baekhyun found himself sighing with affection, unable to notice anyone else. Even the one who was beside him, stealing all his food while he wasn't looking.

"And have you figured out who your secret admirer is, huh?" Sehun asked, mouth full, pushing him by the shoulder to get his attention.

Baekhyun cleared his throat, looking around to make sure no one would hear what he was about to say.

"There was another note today."

Sehun widened his eyes, always eager to hear some gossip.

"Seriously? What was written?"

"Good morning', with some hearts drawn!"

Sehun was flabbergasted. It was the first time the admirer had put hearts on the notes. He was a very shy admirer, and Baekhyun found it funny how much effort he put into the drawings instead of the messages. Sometimes, he drew Baekhyun in such a beautiful way that he doubted the person had good vision. Baekhyun would never be handsome in the way he captured with his dark graphite pencil.

"Wow, dude, he's really into you!" Sehun commented, a little too excited.

"Last week it was 'Have a great week,' and, you know, my week was really great! I think the person might be a bit of a medium."

"Damn, Baek, don't joke about that. Dealing with spirits like that is not cool, man. I had an aunt who lived near the cemetery..."

"Excuse me," a voice interrupted.

Baekhyun looked at the sweet-smelling person next to him and was petrified. It was Kim Junmyeon, the artistic muse of the third year. He had never exchanged two words with either of them, but as the end of the year was approaching, Baekhyun already guessed what the conversation was about.

"Do you two know about the art club's proposal to have a party at the end of the year?"

Sehun, who was incapable of uttering any words near a handsome guy, simply shook his head. Junmyeon looked at him, smiling slightly before turning back to Baekhyun.

"There will be a party. We want to create a special atmosphere, so there will be a photo session. I thought you two could participate, you know, to raise funds for the event."

Baekhyun suspected that he wanted help from someone other than Sehun, but he ended up agreeing and putting his name on the list. It wasn't until he finished the last syllable that he saw one of the names signed three lines above his:

 

Do Kyungsoo.

 

Oh, great. Now he was really screwed.

"Thank you for participating," Junmyeon said before leaving.

"Wait!" Baekhyun called. "Why these photos? Are they going to put our faces on the decorations?"

Junmyeon looked at Sehun again, blushing a little before speaking to Baekhyun.

"Well, they thought it would be possible to sell some greeting cards and deliver some to our parents."

Baekhyun nodded, feeling his stomach churn. My god, he was going to have the chance to be close to Kyungsoo. Breathe the same air as him. Exchange glances and maybe even manage to talk to him. Could he? He doubted he would achieve something like that.

"So that's it. I'll be waiting for you, Sehun," Junmyeon smiled before leaving them alone again.

Sehun took a deep breath, gripping the school sweatshirt fabric like it was armor.

"Wow, he knows my name, Baek! The Muse knows my name!"

Baekhyun agreed, finding it amusing. He wouldn't be the one to inform Sehun that it was easy since he had signed the list that Junmyeon was collecting names of students. He would let Sehun dream about his beloved wingless angel because he was also doing the same about Do Kyungsoo.

Which reminded him that he could peek at him one last time before going back to class. When his eyes returned to the table where Kyungsoo was sitting, Baekhyun saw him turned around, staring at the table where he was sitting. Worse, he was staring Baekhyun in the eyes. Byun was so shocked that he couldn't help but stare back. Not even when Kyungsoo quickly turned around, startled, giving him his back again. It was the first time all year that this had happened, and Baekhyun's stomach felt like it was about to explode from the inside. What did that mean?

 

 

Right after the end of the class, all the students who had signed up for the Art Club event would have a little meeting to start organizing the details. Baekhyun made a point of being a little late to avoid any encounter with Do Kyungsoo, but ended up being genuinely delayed when Sehun got stuck in the men's bathroom, unable to open the door lock. So, the two had to enter the room drawing everyone's attention, realizing belatedly that there were no more paired seats reserved for them.

Junmyeon smiled when he saw Sehun standing at the door looking for any two vacant chairs.

"Good afternoon, boys, I'm glad you came," he said, with a huge smile. "We have few seats here, but you can sit here next to me, Sehun. And Baekhyun, um, I'm not seeing..."

"Here has a seat." The deep voice announced, making Baekhyun's legs tremble.

Of course, the only seat available would be next to him. Baekhyun shot a deadly look at Sehun before embarking on the walk of shame to the chair next to Kyungsoo. Everyone in the class was staring at him and holding back laughter. Great, now what would Do Kyungsoo think of him?

When he got really close, the boy continued to stare at him as he did in the cafeteria. Baekhyun sat next to him with a small nod, earning another one out of politeness. Sitting side by side, they seemed more to be in a court trial than in a school project. Baekhyun didn't dare to look to the side for a minute, but felt his whole body burning. He was sure Kyungsoo must be staring at him.

"Well, folks, as I told you before, we're here today to start the Christmas project. This project was made so that we could raise funds for the last party of the year. It would be nice if you have any suggestions so that we can discuss..."

"Photos of you, how about that? 5 won for the autograph, I guarantee they would sell well."

Junmyeon smiled as the whole class laughed at the girl who suggested the idea. He ran his hands through his long black hair and picked up the paper to disguise his shyness.

"Although your idea is amazing, Lia, the club's goal here is for us to do group activities. We can't use only one member for that."

Lia shrugged, pointing to Sehun.

"This one is pretty too. You guys can do the photos together for the card."

So, Junmyeon smiled broadly again.

"Well thought out. Should we then form pairs for the cards? Please, choose your pair or trio, and let's start organizing ourselves."

No. It could only be a joke. Baekhyun could kill Lia if he found her in physical education. Someone could have pushed her face into the sports court, and everything could be considered an accident. And then, he would...

"Can I do it with you?"

Baekhyun jumped, frightened. Kyungsoo was looking at him with beautiful hazel eyes full of shyness. He seemed uncomfortable but happy. Unlike Baekhyun who was now completing alone, without Sehun and without any other option to choose. So, he just nodded, saying nothing.

"And... your name is..." Kyungsoo stuttered, a little too low.

Baekhyun blinked, trying to control his impulses. It would be a long day ahead, and they would have to collaborate on this project for a long time. He couldn't let his discomfort and lack of social skills win.

"Uh... Baek. Baekhyun. Byun Baekhyun."

Ah, of course. He totally failed in front of those deep eyes. Looking so closely, Baekhyun became nervous. It was as if Kyungsoo had such a great magnetism in his gaze that everything around disappeared. And it was just the two of them there, staring at each other without saying anything.

"All right, folks. Are you all gathered?" Junmyeon broke the silence, addressing everyone there with a warm smile. "You can start organizing, we will divide into some rooms to take turns for the photos. Let's get to work!"

Baekhyun took a deep breath. He glanced at Kyungsoo and noticed him staring at him, impassive. This was going to be much harder, apparently.

"Do you want to go to the bathroom first?" he suddenly asked.

The deep voice whispered so quietly that it messed with anyone. Baekhyun just agreed, without realizing that he meant for both of them to go there together. They walked to the nearest bathroom possible from the room they were in. When Kyungsoo followed him behind the door, Byun was surprised.

"You... want to...? Oh, okay."

"Oh, you want a moment alone? I thought it would be more practical if we got ready together."

Kyungsoo stopped near the sink and leaned against it. Baekhyun swallowed, because they were alone and with no one to distract him from the fact that Do Kyungsoo was even more beautiful up close. He was completely put together, so there was nothing to do but wait. Baekhyun, on the other hand, urgently needed a new hairstyle. And a new soul too.

"Y-yes... I mean, you look perfect. You don't need anything."

Kyungsoo smiled shyly, looking down.

"Kind of you."

Baekhyun laughed too, out of sheer nervousness. He wanted to open a hole in the ground and crawl in there until next year. Maybe then he would make less of a fool of himself, and Kyungsoo wouldn't be able to be interested in him?

"I think that's it then, right? I'll just... splash some water on my face," Baekhyun commented.

Kyungsoo bit his lip, shaking his head.

"I think you need some minor adjustments. Come here, I can help you."

Baekhyun blinked about three times, unbelieving. Do Kyungsoo had used the words "Come here" with him. It was already much more than he had ever imagined hearing from those lips. So, he ran like the pathetic teenager he was.

Kyungsoo smiled when they were much closer. He delicately ran his fingers through Baekhyun's brown hair, combing it as if he were his mother.

"It's soft," he whispered. Then he stared into Baekhyun's eyes with rosy cheeks. "Sorry. I was rude."

Baekhyun shook his head with a ridiculous grunt from someone who was trembling nervously in front of

 his high school crush. Kyungsoo smiled again but didn't stop touching his brown hair.

"Thank you for agreeing to be my partner. I didn't know anyone there, I would have to stay alone if it weren't for you."

Baekhyun laughed again, extremely anxious.

"Oh, well, you know. I do everything to help."

"You do, huh? Hm. I hardly see you around here anymore."

Baekhyun widened his eyes.

"What?"

Kyungsoo suddenly took his hand away as if it were on fire.

"W-what?"

The standoff that followed almost made Baekhyun's heart jump out of his mouth. How did he know about Baekhyun's existence? Did this happen a long time ago? Or did he mean about lunchtime when they were caught staring at each other unintentionally? Byun wanted to ask something when the door suddenly opened, revealing another couple of friends ready to face a photo session.

Baekhyun then coughed, stepping back a little. He looked again at the mirror and noticed that Kyungsoo had worked magic there. The hair was great, completely organized like a teen magazine cover model.

"Wow! I'm so handsome. How did this happen? You're a professional!"

Kyungsoo laughed, biting his lip again.

"To be honest, you don't need much. But I did my best to make you look like someone who didn't just wake up, put on the uniform, and come to class."

Baekhyun smiled.

"That's exactly what I did."

"I guessed," Kyungsoo agreed, laughing softly.

The bathroom stall door opened again, and this time it was Junmyeon looking relieved to see four boys there.

"There you are. My God, let's get on with this! Don't you want to go home today?"

Baekhyun jumped, heading towards the exit with Kyungsoo right behind. That afternoon would be long, as long as the afternoons he spent studying for the math test. The difference was that now his only challenge would be not to dream about the touch of Do Kyungsoo for the rest of the week.

 

 

The room reserved for them was completely decorated... in the theme of Valentine's Day! Baekhyun was astonished, completely shocked by the abundance of red hearts, confetti, and...

"Oh..." Kyungsoo exclaimed, "This is... nothing like what I had in mind."

"I thought it was for Christmas cards?"

Kyungsoo shrugged, looking nervous as well. Baekhyun noticed, and they both walked stiffly to where the photographer was. The photographer, whom Baekhyun knew quite well.

"Yixing? What are you doing here? I thought you graduated."

Zhang Yixing, the third-year athlete from 2022, had finished his exchange program and returned to China, at least according to the school walls. Apparently, he had indeed pursued a career in photography and stayed around.

"I graduated, huh. Now I work with this."

Baekhyun agreed, finding it fair. However, Yixing couldn't help but notice the companion. He smiled, interested. Baekhyun had forgotten how much of a flirt he was when it came to flirting.

"Wow, it seems the school has changed a lot since I left. Can I know your name, angel?"

Kyungsoo blinked, looking at Baekhyun as if asking for help. It was cute that he was shy, but Baekhyun couldn't lie and say he wasn't dying of envy, jealousy, hatred, and all the bad things he had to offer. Yixing was a hundred times more attractive than him, taller, with more muscles, and more charisma too. Of course, Kyungsoo would be affected.

"Back off, Yixing!" he said, before he could control himself, "He's a first-year, not your type."

Kyungsoo smiled, biting his lip. Baekhyun knew he was blushing from head to toe by now, but what could he do? Zhang had asked for it!

Yixing laughed, looking back and forth between them, crossing his arms.

"Oh, got it. I understand now. Okay, Baekhyun, I won't steal your little boyfriend. But I still need to know his name."

Baekhyun looked desperate at Kyungsoo, who did something even more surprising. He took Baekhyun's hand. Entwined their fingers. And then, as if it weren't enough, he smiled at Baekhyun. With those beautiful crescent eyes he had, the most beautiful thing in the whole universe. Then he said to Yixing:

"It's Do Kyungsoo. Can we start now?"

Yixing nodded with a wave. Muttering a "Sure, sure, make yourselves comfortable" as they explored the room's scenery. Still holding hands. Baekhyun felt his heart beating so hard that suddenly he understood everything people said in those cheesy end-of-year songs.

Kyungsoo went to the bench in the middle of the scenery and picked up some available objects to enhance the scene. Baekhyun sat next to him completely paralyzed. He didn't want to think too much, or he would freak out. He could hardly imagine that when he signed his name on that list, there would be so many surprises. When Do returned, however, his beautiful, wonderful, shiny little eyes returned to Baekhyun's face, who controlled the urge to bite him all in one bite.

"Thanks for your help there, you were very kind. I think it's better to let him think we're together, it'll be better that way."

Baekhyun widened his eyes, disbelieving. What was he saying? Had he imagined it?

"Huh?"

Kyungsoo smiled.

"Don't you think? This way, he won't bother either of us."

Oh, right. Pretend... they're dating so they won't become targets of Zhang Yixing. Or, was it just that? Baekhyun swallowed hard. He wanted to open Kyungsoo's brain to know all his thoughts at that exact moment.

"Do you... um, think that... I don't know, like, I don't know. You decide."

Kyungsoo smiled, agreeing.

"Okay, cool. Now, come closer so we can take some nice photos."

Baekhyun leaned his shoulder against his. He was only slightly taller, but it made him feel protective all the same. Kyungsoo was so cute. With those big cheeks and a voice that never changed, he was like a cup of hot chocolate in winter. If Baekhyun could sink into him like a marshmallow... no. That wasn't a good thing to think out loud.

"Like this?", he asked, close to Kyungsoo.

"No, Baekhyun. You have to hug me", he said before wrapping his arms around Baekhyun's waist.

It caught him by surprise, but since he had gained all that freedom, Baekhyun made an effort to make it count. He pulled Kyungsoo down under his arm, genuinely smiling with happiness.

Wow, life. What a big Christmas miracle was that? He had the most beautiful boy in the world under his arms, and all because he decided to help the Marvelous Muse Kim Junmyeon. Oh, how he hoped that Sehun was as happy as he was, wherever he was, kissing his Muse in every way. Oh, if he could play couple with Do Kyungsoo for a whole day, then he already had the whole year won.

They took the most beautiful photos in the world. So much so that Baekhyun could even burst with joy with all the hugs, eye-to-eye, cheek kisses, and more. The theme was Valentine's Day, after all. Nothing better than youthful love to warm passionate hearts. Or, at least, his heart that was bursting with love for all the shots that led them to pretend for almost an hour that they loved each other and were, as his grandmother said, falling in love.

When everything finally ended, Baekhyun wanted to die. It wasn't possible that the joy of the poor lasted so little. Why couldn't he stay close to Kyungsoo for the rest of his life? Why couldn't it be now decreed by law that he was his and he was his? The world was so unfair to people like him. What a life, what a rotten and envious society they lived in. Baekhyun was sure that a love like that was movie-worthy. He was sure they would write books about how Kyungsoo combed his hair with his hands after praising the softness of his locks. It was the least they deserved after all this.

"Well, guys, I think we have some good material here. You can go home now."

"Are you sure?" Baekhyun asked aloud "Maybe a little more. Maybe some weren't saved, and then you need more."

Yixing raised an eyebrow.

"No, Baekhyun, it's all good. You can go; I'll call the next ones."

Damn it! He still didn't want to let Kyungsoo go like that.

"Thank you very much, Zhang Yixing. We're leaving now. Come on, dear."

Baekhyun stood up instantly, smiling from ear to ear. My God, he had the best non-boyfriend in the world.

"Let's go then" he replied, leaving the room with him holding hands.

Kyungsoo laughed as he walked beside him, finding everything very funny. Baekhyun had never done anything like that before. He was as silly as he was innocent, but if he had to be silly like that forever, he would never mind anything else. With great pride and determination, Baekhyun would do that a thousand times over. He could even paint his nose red for him.

"That was crazy. Do you think we went overboard?"

Kyungsoo shook his head.

"I think it will sell a lot. That's what matters. This way, we'll have quite a winter party."

Baekhyun agreed, realizing belatedly that they were still holding hands.

"Oh, we can let go now. I think he can't see us here."

Kyungsoo let go of his hand suddenly, putting the other two in the pockets of his uniform pants.

"Right" he commented, "Are you going home now?"

"I'm going to the bathroom, and then... Then I'll go home before Mom misses me too much."

"See you tomorrow, then", he murmured, looking at Baekhyun.

Baekhyun nodded with a wave but didn't know what to do to say goodbye. Should he hug him? Give a handshake? Could he even pretend he didn't have feelings for him, that he had clung to those crumbs in the photo shoot and would spend the rest of the day fantasizing about him?

"Bye, Baekhyun", Kyungsoo waved, taking away the chance of any physical contact they had made minutes before.

Baekhyun, being a major idiot, ran to the bathroom embarrassed. He stayed there muttering in front of the mirror for what he imagined was enough time until Kyungsoo left the hallway. He took a deep breath before returning to the main hall and walking to the corridor with his locker. Baekhyun jumped in the same place when he saw a figure in front of his locker.

My.

God.

It was now! He would finally unmask who his secret admirer was? Wow, he had waited a lifetime for that moment, and... wait. Baekhyun narrowed his eyes. It couldn't be. The black hair combed to the side and the neatly pressed uniform, packed into 5 feet 7 inches, made Baekhyun's heart skip a beat. Because that boy there, he knew very well because they had spent the exact last few minutes holding his hand in the hallway while he died of ridiculousness.

God was trying to play a prank on him, that was it. Of course, Kyungsoo wasn't his secret admirer, that would be crazy. Insanity. A tremendous lack of common sense from the universe.

But he was turning. And narrowly missed catching Baekhyun spying from afar. Baekhyun, who was now screwed without a place to hide, ended up running to the bathroom again. My God, a school without a hiding place was a chaotic place for teenage romances.

Once again, Baekhyun had to wait a good few minutes before going back and running to his locker. He fumbled with the lock codes and made at least seven mistakes before managing to open it again. The note flew, going dramatically to the floor like a feather. When Baekhyun grabbed the yellow post-it with his fingers, the note was written like this:

 

It wouldn't be such a good year without you.

 

With drawings of hearts and a pair of hands holding each other. Their hands. Drawn like those of two lovers, fingers entwined and everything. Baekhyun was astonished. It couldn't be. Were all his suspicions right after all?

Do Kyungsoo was his secret admirer!

 

 

The next day, Sehun was wearing cologne for the first time. It was funny how he and the heartthrob, Kim Junmyeon, had synchronized so well during yesterday's overly sweet session. Sehun shared that Junmyeon had confessed everything in a completely private session that ended with kisses on the teachers' table.

Baekhyun wasn't jealous at all, of course. After all, pretending to date Do Kyungsoo for an hour had been quite something. That's what he wanted to convince himself, as now, trying to tell Sehun about his little improvised date, everything seemed a bit too innocent.

"Baekhyun, for heaven's sake, you didn't even kiss each other?"

"Zhang Yixing was there!! How was I supposed to set the mood, huh, Mr. Genius?"

Sehun shrugged. "Didn't you tell him you were dating? There you go!"

Baekhyun sighed. It wasn't all that easy. Kyungsoo seemed, at least, as shy as he was. If they suddenly kissed there, he'd back off from the proposal. Also, there was a tiny detail he didn't mention.

"Um, it's just that... Sehun, I found out who my secret admirer is."

Sehun jumped, slapping his back as if they had uncovered the greatest mystery of humanity.

"Damn! And you didn't tell me why? This is big, man, my God! After a whole year!"

Baekhyun looked around, checking if anyone was overhearing their conversation. He suddenly remembered that it would be impossible since they were leaving school at that time, heading for another extracurricular activity. Well, maybe no one would eavesdrop on them there, indeed.

"Uh, it's just that... well, it's him... Kyungsoo."

"No way!" Sehun exclaimed. "Damn, this is...!!"

"Yeah. I was shocked too, but it turns out he doesn't know that I know. I caught him off guard yesterday before we left, and I saw him putting the note in my locker."

"Baekhyun! You have to talk to him, damn it! What are you waiting for?"

Baekhyun crossed his arms, annoyed, glaring at him.

"Are you kidding me? You never made a move on your heartthrob either. Why this pursuit now?"

"Those are different situations," Sehun argued, as they walked toward the room reserved for the art club's activities. "Junmyeon is popular. Kyungsoo is just a freshman kid."

Baekhyun pulled him by his shirt, managing to punch him in the head with great effort since he could barely reach.

"Ouch!" Sehun yelled, rubbing where he got punched. "Clown. You're such a fool."

"Listen, I just think you're wasting time. One plus one equals two, my friend."

Baekhyun hated to give credit to Sehun, but he was right. When they entered the room, Baekhyun saw Kyungsoo there, huddled in his desk while finishing another one of his notes. Baekhyun wanted to cry because he couldn't believe it was him sending all those little notes with drawings and messages like Good morning, Good afternoon, Good week, Good test, Good job, Be healthy, and more. It took a while to realize that he would take note of them, but he seemed to be writing a lot. Curious as a cat, Byun ended up getting closer. It was only when he read the note that he noticed it had nothing but Kyungsoo's name written several times as a signature.

"Huh?" he blurted out loud, like the idiot he was.

He covered his mouth, embarrassed, but Kyungsoo already had his attention on him. His beautiful and wonderful eyes were wide, but they relaxed when they saw him in front of them.

"Oh, it's you."

Baekhyun smiled widely. He had become a "you" for him, my God, how wonderful.

"Yes, it's me. What are you doing here?"

Kyungsoo showed him the paper, the same one he used to write his little notes, and pointed at the signatures with the pen.

"Kim Junmyeon wants us to write messages on the cards. We have to memorize and everything; that's what we have for today."

Baekhyun almost groaned in frustration. It had to be a joke! They would spend the rest of the week doing that, as they would probably make more than 500 holiday cards.

"He's completely crazy, that's for sure."

Kyungsoo chuckled, shaking his head.

"I think we can also make some stamps. What do you think?"

Of course! Stamps would streamline the huge job that the Wonderful Muse Junmyeon had arranged.

"You're a genius, Kyungsoo!"

He smiled again, all blushing, but didn't say anything. So, they spent a good part of that afternoon just making cards and decorating all the pictures they had taken together. They chose the best ones to send to their parents and those with just their profiles to sell as postcards. Baekhyun also realized that all the students there were somewhat popular, except for him. Well, he didn't consider himself very popular, but he knew the others had at least some kind of popularity. Kyungsoo was a freshman in music, Sehun was handsome, and he... well, he liked Kyungsoo, and that was enough.

After much procrastination in deciding what his signature would be, Baekhyun remembered the art room on the second floor, where most of the party decorations were stored. Being terrible with manual work, he suggested to Kyungsoo that they go there and "borrow" some decorations to glue on the cards.

"But won't they mind?" Kyungsoo asked, as if saying, "Are you crazy, Baekhyun? This is the worst idea ever!"

"Trust me, Soo, everything will be fine. No one will see us," he winked, as if to add more credibility to his wonderful idea.

Combining all the doubtful confidence Kyungsoo had in him, he ended up giving in and going to the second-floor room unnoticed. Arriving there, it was clear that it was closed. So, Baekhyun had to trick the secretary with a story that Junmyeon needed some decorations for photos that went wrong and needed to be redone. As incredible as it seemed, or out of sheer absolute laziness, the woman simply handed Baekhyun the key without even bothering to check anything.

So they went back there, a bit surprised.

"It was easier than I thought."

Kyungsoo seemed nervous but followed Baekhyun into the room. They had taken the cards with them because they couldn't go back to the room with the stolen decorations. So, they would finish everything right there.

Baekhyun was amazed at the number of decorations stored in that small and old room. He started sneezing like crazy due to an allergic reaction, which also hit Kyungsoo at the same time. At least in the allergy, they matched very well.

"There's so much stuff here that could be useful, but... the cards aren't very Christmassy. Do they have Valentine's Day decorations?"

Baekhyun looked at the cards in his hand, realizing he was right. What the hell, Kim Junmyeon! Everything to make his life even more complicated. The Valentine's Day decorations were even rarer; they would surely be missed if they took some.

"This doesn't make much sense, don't you think? Valentine's Day in December?"

Kyungsoo looked at him, a little red.

"I suspect Junmyeon made this up to hit on your clumsy friend."

Once again, Kyungsoo was a genius. Of course, now everything made sense. Baekhyun was only there because the Muse needed Sehun to participate in the event as well. As if Sehun really needed an excuse to do anything he was told. Baekhyun shook his head, confused.

"No... do you think so? Would he be capable of something like that?"

"And why not? Wouldn't you do crazy things for someone worth it?"

Baekhyun didn't understand if Kyungsoo was talking about himself or asking a general question.

"Well, I don't... know..."

"I thought it was a great idea. Look, I could get to know you better, Baekhyun."

He stared at him, smiling all beautifully and hitting right in Baekhyun's heart. Man, how perfect he was.

"Y-yes."

"You know, I've been thinking. Chanyeol and Jongin, they invited two girls to the winter party. So, I thought... if you don't have anyone... maybe both of us..."

"Yes!"

"Really? Would you go with me?"

Baekhyun nodded frantically, unable to speak any words.

"Oh, that's great. I can't wait!"

Baekhyun nodded again, without opening his mouth. Damn, was that real? Was that his life? He and Do Kyungsoo together at the winter party? Nothing could even come close to all the happiness Baekhyun felt just imagining that.

 

 

 

As card sales had been a success. Junmyeon had surpassed the goal, doubled the goal, exceeded the double, and doubled it again just to see where it would lead. That was a bit too much, so he ended up closing with the goal doubled only once. Still, it was a lot of money! It would be enough to throw at least three parties if everyone there weren't spoiled children from upper-middle-class families. Therefore, the party would be just a regular end-of-year school party, with a band, food, lights, decorations, and everything else.

Baekhyun was thankful that no one had discovered his trick with the cards—or, at least, no one had snitched on him—and Do Kyungsoo was already a little too nervous about going to his first high school winter party.

Baekhyun thought that buying roses for him would be a bit too cringe since they were a couple of boys, going as friends, with many quotation marks. At least, Baekhyun hoped that there were many quotation marks in that definition of friends since Kyungsoo's notes, with each passing day, became a bit warmer. Sometimes there was a "thought of you," with the drawing of something Christmassy. Sometimes it was a "sleep well tonight, angel," and a few nicknames that Baekhyun underlined with a pen to remember. He wanted so badly to shout to him how much he loved all of them and kept them in a hidden box in the wardrobe, but Kyungsoo didn't seem ready to reveal himself. So, to accompany him to the party, Baekhyun did his best to look well-groomed and wrote—yes, he wrote—a note for Do Kyungsoo.

When he arrived at school, Baekhyun was nervous as hell. He had agreed to wait for Kyungsoo there since Sehun would also be accompanying his Wonderful Muse. So, there they were, just him and the Almighty, waiting for the boy he was in love with. Baekhyun began to rehearse, quietly saying the first greetings he would say to Kyungsoo. A "Hi, do you come here often?" seemed too much like a joke. "Wow, you look beautiful!" was kind of obvious because he always looked beautiful. "It's a great night for a party, don't you think?" was too '50s. "Come on, Kyungie, what's up?" was too impersonal and too much like Sehun.

It was when he actually saw Kyungsoo arriving that Baekhyun simply lost all the words in the Korean language and started staring at him walking towards him. Kyungsoo was wearing a beautiful red sweater and black dress pants. Baekhyun couldn't even describe how beautiful he looked there, compared to his white sweater and white jeans. Not even all his mother's efforts to make him look good came close to the glow that Kyungsoo emanated. And even shivering in the cold like a green stick waiting in the snow out there, Baekhyun ran to hold his hand. Kyungsoo laughed, pulling him into the hall right away.

"It's snowing too much. Weren't you cold out there? My God, you're all red," he said, putting his hands on Baekhyun's cheeks.

Well, he was red, but not because of the cold. His stomach was churning inside, doing somersaults, parkour, a whole adventure from the variety show "Topa Tudo por Dinheiro." He couldn't say anything other than feel Kyungsoo's hands on his face, trying to warm him up while they looked at each other.

"It was worth all the cold," Baekhyun murmured, smiling very shyly.

Kyungsoo smiled too, agreeing like two fools.

"Is this your first party, right?" Baekhyun asked after they were already inside the hall, looking at the decoration inspired by Valentine's Day... in the middle of Christmas.

Kyungsoo nodded, amazed by the red hearts and confetti. Some reflected in shiny paper, others were full of glitter. And some were destroyed by a certain someone who stole the decorations for the Christmas cards, but, well, blame the rats! Baekhyun didn't care. He just wanted to enjoy all that music and make Kyungsoo happy for a few hours. So, he took Kyungsoo's hand again without any lies or excuses and they went together across the hall to enjoy the party.

Kyungsoo was a terrible dancer. He stepped on Baekhyun's foot all the time, so the most incredible solution he found not to leave the party crushed was to dance extremely close to him. Not that he complained—far from it—but Kyungsoo was still embarrassed, even after Baekhyun told him that he had two feet, and losing one wouldn't make much of a difference.

The truth was that they got along much better than expected. They drank bubble tea together with their arms intertwined like a couple. What also ended up spilling a bit on Baekhyun's white clothes, which he pretended not to care about, even though he knew he would lose his head when he got home and his mother saw the stains there. Baekhyun also made a point of taking some photos with Kyungsoo in the polaroid booth that Junmyeon had hired—yes, a bit too much, he agreed—but he got his first personal photo kissing Kyungsoo on the cheek! He would never show that to any living soul, as it was exclusively his.

In the end, they had so much fun that Baekhyun even forgot about Sehun. He only found him sticking his tongue down Junmyeon's throat on the dance floor when many people had already drunk too much to care about the warm display of affection.

Finally, Baekhyun was left with envy this size that everyone there was making out except him. Kyungsoo, being shy and much younger, was embarrassed and asked for permission to go to the bathroom. In the meantime, Baekhyun took out the card he had made from his pocket and read it again to make sure there were no Portuguese errors. Satisfied to have been inspired by all 80 poems he had read three days before writing his grand declaration, he went to meet Kyungsoo. He looked for him among the bathrooms but didn't find him. It was then that he thought maybe he might want to get some fresh air before going back to the hall, and Baekhyun followed the path to the door leading to the main square in front of the school.

Sure enough, there was his great love standing with his head down and kicking the ground. Baekhyun laughed, finding it cute how frustrated he looked. As he approached, he overheard him saying all the curses in the world:

"Fool! Idiot! Really a damn ! Could have kissed him there, but no! It has to be an idiot! Fool! Coward!"

Baekhyun widened his eyes. Oh, was that a crisis? Should he intervene, or... a bit too late to take any action when Kyungsoo suddenly turned around, catching Baekhyun in the middle of the snow staring at him.

Kyungsoo looked like he wanted to punch the ground to the center of the Earth and hide there. His hands went to his eyes, squeezing his face in frustration.

"You heard, right?" he asked, too sad for someone as amazing as him.

Baekhyun approached with a hellish cold there, but still determined to talk to him. He took the cold hands in his, looking at him with a smile.

"You're so beautiful, Kyungsoo. It's not what you were saying."

"Baekhyun..." he sniffed, "you don't understand."

"I do."

Kyungsoo arched his eyebrows. That was big news for him. Baekhyun had never had the courage to say anything about it, just as he hadn't said anything about the notes.

"You... serious? You..."

"Yes. And... uh, I wrote you a note too."

"You...?" Kyungsoo brought his hand to his mouth, shocked, "Oh, so... you already know too?"

Baekhyun nodded with a wave.

"I saw you putting one in my locker, Kyungsoo. I have all of them stored in a box, and... wow, this is really crazy, isn't it?"

"You kept them? All of them?" Kyungsoo gasped, "I... can't believe it; this is so..."

"I know."

They stared at each other in silence, which soon turned into a laugh. Baekhyun hugged him, laughing together about how crazy it all was. He hugged him, laughing with him about how crazy it all was. Being secretly in love with your secret admirer wasn't something that happened every day. Especially when life threw you into the arms of chance to bring you two together, like on the most out-of-season Valentine's Day in history.

"Maybe Junmyeon got it right with this party, in the end."

Kyungsoo agreed, hugging Baekhyun to his chest.

"I'm terrible at flirting, so I... thought I'd have the courage to confess for real one day. But... uh, you intimidate me so much, Baekhyun."

"A-am I?" Baekhyun stuttered, "You're the beautiful one, wonderful, with admirers all around."

Kyungsoo laughed, moving away to look at him once again.

"Well, what matters to me is having your admiration in the end."

Baekhyun smiled wide, as if he had won the lottery. And he had, with Kyungsoo being so reciprocal like that. Finally, he took out the little note he had written from his pocket and handed it to him. Kyungsoo was very surprised but smiled big before starting to read:

 

Only If you knew...

 

Kyungsoo, my dear Kyungsoo

Only If you knew that

When you smile, I only see stars there

And that when I'm with you

I feel like breaking

All the clocks in the world

Ah, Only if you knew, Kyungsoo

How much I admire you from afar

Maybe you could also

Have the courage to admire me up close

Kyungsoo, if you only knew

How much I like you

Would you also

Like me so much?

 

Sincerely — B.B.

 

Kyungsoo laughed, agreeing with a nod. Baekhyun smiled back, finally kissing him on the lips for the first time. It was the best kiss he had ever had in his entire life, full of love and butterflies in the stomach, and shining hearts with cursive letters of declaration. Baekhyun had gone to and come back from heaven in those few cold minutes where the only warmth was on the lips of the boy he was in love with.

If he could say that he had had the best Christmas of his life there, he wouldn't lie for a second. It was indeed a miracle that he finally had in his arms someone he liked so much. When Kyungsoo left one last peck on Baekhyun's lips, he was all huddled up in his embrace. Of course, the cold was overwhelming, but the privacy had been necessary for something like that to happen between them.

"Do you want to come in, angel?"

Kyungsoo smiled, recognizing the little nickname he had written a few days ago in his note.

"After you, handsome."

Baekhyun laughed, pulling him even closer to his embrace. He felt his heart overflowing with happiness as they walked together towards the illuminated door lit by the soft light of the Christmas decorations and where the music played like a melody. All that warmth mixed with the shared heat between them turned that moment into something magical. Kyungsoo smiled sweetly at him as they crossed the threshold of the door. Together, they left behind the cold exterior and surrendered to the comforting warmth of the hall. The exact moment Baekhyun would choose to record in his memory would be that one, when he remembered the most important gift he received that year: the special presence of someone like Do Kyungsoo.