Luhan is the last person out of the 12 boys you’d expect to have a temper. His beautiful and youthful face doesn’t seem to match well with anger and you’d think that he mediates more than he creates trouble. Xiumin would gladly prove you wrong.

Take for an example, EXO-M’s debut stage. Nervousness and apprehension of performing in front of Chinese seniors aside, Luhan was happy to be back home, back whether Mandopop thrived, where the people made music that he’s listened to since young. Imagine his shock when they were openly dissed on stage by the seniors he respected, he loved, by the very seniors he supported as a kid. Although Kris took a firm hold of the situation, rectified any misunderstanding and managed a wonderful damage control, Luhan was badly shaken. Not to mention absolutely furious.

Xiumin didn’t understand why the youthful looking boy was trembling beside him, nor did he understand the reason behind the bitter smiles of his Chinese brothers. (Tao merely smiled at him apologetically and Chen was practically panicking, eyes rolling in their sockets from Kris to Tao, Lay to Luhan) When his brothers finally told him (and Chen) the situation they were in, Chen promptly deflated and Lay was put in charge to pump air into the poor boy. Xiumin sighed and looked at the fuming Luhan, playing with his Rubics Cube with such fury that Xiumin swears his fingers might emit flames soon.

“Luhan, don’t bottle up. Talk to me.”

The feisty boy stood up and clenched his fists and jaw and growled: “Why are they being so mean? We are all musicians aren’t we? Are they feeling insecure? I’ve been telling Chen-chen that people would like us, it’ll be okay, everything would be fine and now, this has to happen? Poor Chen-chen, poor us! I’m sorry Bao-zi, that you had to endure such agony on our debut stage, but I swear not all Chinese are like that! There are nice ones!”

Xiumin chuckles, and grabs Luhan’s fists. Massaging them slowly, the older and wiser Steamed Bun said: “Chen-chen and I were prepared for this. Why did you think we had tea with Kyuhyun and Ryeowook hyung before we left? They were telling us on the possibilities of such a thing happening and how we should react. Sure, Chen-chen’s deflated and all, but the boy’s gone through so much to be here, he wouldn’t give up. I wouldn’t too! You need a Steamed Bun in the industry anyways. Besides, we didn’t even know what was happening on stage till you guys told us, so in a way we were saved from first hand embarrassment. Come’on Lulu, it’ll be fine. They’ll take off their coloured spectacles* and see us for how we are soon. Calm down.”

Luhan’s fists unclench and he sighs, shoulders drooping. “Why can’t we promote as 12 in Korea? You guys would feel much more comfortable and we would all be happier.”

The Steamed Bun chuckles and Lulu’s cheeks: “What’s life without a bit of adaptation? Besides, why are we depriving China of 6 awesomely talented and gorgeous men? We mustn’t be too selfish Lulu.”

Luhan cracks a smile and mutters “Not even shy at all.” Xiumin laughs loudly while Chen walks up to Luhan to give him an “I’m okay, don’t worry hug”.

Xiumin is FROST, not because he is a cold city man, but because he finds ways to cool Luhan down and makes sure that the said boy does not exceed acceptable human temperature. And Lee Sooman thinks that fangirls would find it mindblowingly awesome to have an Oppar with a cute face and a cold charm.

AN: Take off their coloured spectacles is a direct translation from a phrase in Chinese (除掉有色眼镜), it means to look beyond social sterotypes to an issue's true side/person's true character. (i hope the translation's correct. heh)

588 words.