'The audition? I threw it away' Luhan said as he stuffed a taco in his mouth, the cheese and salad falling out all over the place

'Wow, hyung. Aren't you an attractive eater?' said Sehun

'You threw it away?!' You said, 'Why?!'

'I realised I didn't want it. I wanted to be back home with you all. After I heard about what had been happening, I just sort of realised I couldn't ever leave my family behind.'

'I was really surprised when he showed up at ssaem's place to get me' Xiumin said, shifting away from the soju on the table, 'Like... Really surprised. I had half expected never to see you all again'

'That's crazy, hyung. You may have punched me in the nose but how could we live without you?' Said Chanyeol

'Any news on Suho?' Luhan asked

Xiumin nodded, 'Ssaem went to see him this morning. He's going to be under supervision for a bit longer but he'll be back before the month ends. They don't think he needs to be put in a clinic, he just needs time to recuperate'

Everyone was busy catching up. You spotted Kris and Lay out on the balcony, seemingly arguing and sighed, swiftly slipping out of your own birthday party.

 

Sitting down in the corridor, your head out of the window, you took a few deep breaths, inhaling and exhaling the night's air.

'So this is where you are'

You shrieked, 'Oh my God, D.O! You scared me!' 

Smiling, he sat down beside you and also looked out of the window. The moon was bright and big.

One stretch and perhaps...you could touch it...

'I've been thinking... I didn't manage to buy you a present-' he started

'Oh you don't have to. Really. Presents mean nothing. It's the people that give them that really matter'

'That's nice of you but actually... Tomorrow, in the morning...'

D.O went silent for a bit, unsure of how to word his sentence correctly. His palms were a little sweaty and he turned to stick his head out of the window, letting his hair be swept away- along with whatever feeling it was that had been halting his mouth from speaking the words he wanted to say.

'I want to show you something tomorrow. It's something special to me so... Will you come?'

He was still not looking at you, strange for someone so adamant on manners, so you could sense that what he was saying was hard for him. Perhaps this was something he had never shown someone.

Perhaps... It's the first time he's even told someone about it.

'Of course I'll come' you replied cooly, looking up at the moon, 'if it means a lot to you, I'll be there every step of the way.'

 

Over on the balcony, the conversation was not as sweet and syrupy. Kris was about to tear his hair out and Lay was trying very hard not to confuse himself, let alone the older boy.

'What the hell are you playing at?!'

'Kris, I can explain-'

'Can you?! Can you really?! You bought that necklace absolutely ages ago! Why the hell is Huiling wearing it now?!'

'She asked about it and-'

'You just gave it to her?!'

'I...I think she likes me...'

'Well of course she does, you bloody idiot. But you're not making it any better for yourself giving her that present!'

'I...'

Lay didn't know what to say. He had neither the heart nor the courage to try and make excuses for himself.

'What is wrong with you? Before Huiling arrived, you were strong. You didn't care about anything but Haneul. Now you're all over the place, flitting around like a ing pansy'

'That's kind of harsh, Kris' Luhan said, opening the balcony door, stepping out and shutting it behind him, 'I'd keep it down by the way. People might hear.'

'Luhan...' Lay sniffed

'Don't cry, Lay. It's fixable, perfectly fixable'

'Is it really fixable though?' Said Kris, with less of an edge to his voice, 'are you sure you haven't fallen for Huiling?'

'Stop accusing me!' Lay yelled. 'Why the do you care so much?! What's she to you?!'

He pushed him and Kris stumbled backwards. Regaining his balance, he pushed him back. It looked pretty petty but it was forceful enough for Luhan to step in between the two grown boys.

'Probably a lot more than to you!' Kris yelled, 'at least I still look out for her even if I don't like her in that way! You act like she's a piece of dust!'

'Why the hell are you two arguing?!' Tao screamed from below the balcony. He seemed to be carrying his bag.

Kris, Lay and Luhan all looked over to see a pint sized Tao standing at ground level. 

'Where are you going?' Luhan asked

'I'm going to get some popcorn from the convenience but sheesh, you're so loud! Haneul's back in the dorm so have a civilised conversation! Please!'

Tao turned and left through the gates and Luhan tapped Kris on the shoulder.

'Go back inside and entertain. We've got guests and the main man of our dormitory should be in there.'

Kris pursed his lips, looking more irritable than ever.

'Go.' Luhan said, stressing it even more this time. 'Go and make sure our birthday girl is enjoying herself'

Kris huffed and left, slamming the sliding door behind him with enough force to shake the metal structure that Luhan and Lay were standing on. Lowering his voice, Luhan looked at Lay.

'Yixing, tell me what's going on' he said in Chinese

Lay sighed and slumped down against the wall, bringing his knees up to his chin. Luhan did the same, not wanting to tower over him.

'It's complicated, Luhan'

'So start.'

'I... I feel something for her. For Huiling.'

Luhan stared at Lay.

'What?'

 

 

 

---

oh these revelations. I wrote this chapter and the next in just under half an hour. Literally I couldn't stop. The words were just flowing out of my mouth. Hence why very little revision was done today. So because I already have the next chapter written and I'm kinda bursting to get it out- it'll be up tomorrow morning my time. So in... half a day? 12 hours? Maybe more maybe less, I'm not sure haha... also I'm sad that you guys are getting good at predicting the plot. DAMMIT. Guess I'll have to blow you away with what I write then.

Also just to clear up any sort of misconceptions from the comments/ respond to the same comments I keep seeing:

HUILINGS RELATIONSHIP WITH LAY IS GOING TO GET CRYSTAL CLEAR (hopefully unless I'm a really confusing writer lol)

YES LAY IS A POO

AND FINALLY 

(please please please don't kill me)

Luhan is no longer a loveline.

/runs for life and hides under a barrel/

 

Hear me out however before you all desert this rather torn author... I had planned for a long while to have him give her up hence the trait of giving things up. In my mind, I see him as a family orientated guy. When he had to break the news to Sehun, he told him that he was the most important person to him in the world, not Haneul. The main reason he came back was to keep Xiumin in check and make sure the dorm wouldn't fall apart with Suho's absence. Now he's back, he's going about breaking up the arising arguments and generally trying to keep the peace. Although it's obviously hard for him to just let go, his move away from Haneul made it a bit easier. Basically he is like the father and would sacrifice his own selfish want for the sake of his family. It's not that he doesn't like Haneul (he does, he just suppresses it). He would just rather watch one of the others be happy as he knows there are other things that will make him happy, besides Haneul. He's mature enough to know that Haneul isn't the only girl in the world that he will fall for. as you will see later...

I dunno. I kinda prefer Luhan like that. The mature baby-faced member of the family with spurs of insanity and a temper problem. Y'know?

I see him portrayed in fics as either the prince-like annoying idiot or the perfect guy everyone loves. I feel like the characterisation of EXO in my fic is different to the norm and I want to keep it like that. Like how Kai isn't the hot y guy who oozes appeal or the annoying 'kingka'. I've kept some things of course (kung fu Tao, bratty Sehun, cooking D.O, baby-face Luhan) but that's as far as I go. Writing is no fun when you have to stick to unspoken rules! Be freeeeeeeeeeee!~ 

I hope you guys understand me since I'm literally feeling so nervous about breaking this to you. I mean... There are so many of you reading and I've grown so comforted by the constant comments and cute tweets and messages and wall posts and wow this sounds so soppy but if I was to disappoint you guys I'm so so sorry. Like more sorry than I've probably ever been. I really hope you guys won't be too disappointed because no, Luhan isn't a loveline anymore. Of course there will be some moments here and there but no confession. 

 

So with that all said: VOTE! (I'm merely interested, that's all. It's kind of a fun game for me to hear what you have to say)

 

 

And I'd also like you guys to comment 4 things!

1. Your thoughts on the D.O situation

2. Thoughts on LayxKris fight and Luhan etc 

3. Tell me how much you love me because I'm updating more than usual despite supposedly being on semi-hiatus

4. Absolutely anything else that's on your mind (hopefully not your disappointment on the Luhan business ;_;)

♡