“I hate this! Why are we the ones cleaning up?” Chen complained as he waited for a palm tree to deflate, his eyes darting between Baekhyun and Chanyeol, who were overseeing the cleanup process.

 

“Because you live here,” Baekhyun answered as he pointed towards the chairs. “Kyungsoo, handle that please.”

 

“I will not. You do it.”

 

“But you're better at it,” Chanyeol reasoned. Kyungsoo stared at him for a second before he shook his head and threw a cup at the taller boy's head, resulting in an “Ouch!” from Chanyeol and bursts of laughter from the others.

 

“Do that again and I'll smash your favorite plates,” Baekhyun threatened.

 

“Oh yeah?” Kyungsoo walked towards him slowly. “I like to see you try.”

 

Everyone gasped, all eyes on the two. Even Kris had stopped what he was doing to watch what was happening.

 

“You think I wouldn't?” Baekhyun questioned, stepping up to face Kyungsoo.

 

“Oooooo,” came the response from the spectators.

 

“Chanyeol, you might want to step in and save your fiance before it gets out of hand,” Kyungsoo said.

 

“Oooooo.”

 

“Kai, if you still want a roommate, I suggest you take him now,” Baekhyun said, clearly not losing to Kyungsoo with the threats.

 

“Ooo--”

 

“YOU GUYS ARE THE BEST!” Luhan shouted as he stormed outside, running straight towards Baekhyun and Kyungsoo. Judging from the brilliant smile he had on, Luhan had no idea what he just interrupted.

 

Sehun, who was better at the assessing his surroundings, immediately rushed forward to try and grab Luhan before he got close to the two, but he was too late. Luhan was already there, his arms around both boys.

 

Kyungsoo and Baekhyun stopped glaring at each other and turned to look at an ecstatic Luhan, who was going on about how awesome the party was.

 

“This really was the best birthday party ever! And I really can't believe you did all of this for me. Thank you thank you! I love you guys,” Luhan said, squeezing the other boys in for a three way hug.

 

Everyone stared wide-eyed as Luhan released Kyungsoo and Baekhyun, both no longer hostile, just slightly dazed at the turn of events.

 

“The magic of Luhan,” Tao whispered with awe.

 

Chanyeol and Kai, who were on edge throughout the exchange, let out a sigh of relief.

 

Oblivious, Luhan smiled and told the pair, “You don't have to clean up. I'll do it. It's the least I can do.”

 

“But hyung, we can't let you do that! It's your birthday,” Kyungsoo and Baekhyun protested at the same time.

 

Luhan shook his head and wiggled his index finger at the two. “My birthday was yesterday.” He tapped his watch. “It's already past midnight.”

 

“But hyung, you can't clean all of this by yourself,” Kyungsoo said, concern in his eyes. Baekhyun nodded in agreement.

 

“Who says I'm doing it alone? I have Sehun.”

 

“Yah!”

 

“What?” Luhan turned to look at Sehun, puzzled.

 

“Why am I the only one helping you?” Sehun asked, ignoring the pleased expressions on his hyungs' faces.

 

“Because you're my other half, now grab a trash bag,” Luhan stated nonchalantly.

 

“I can't believe this,” Sehun muttered under his breath as Lay handed him a bag.

 

“Cheer up Sehun,” Lay said, giving him a pat on the back.

 

“You guys can go inside, we'll handle this,” Luhan instructed, hands on his hips with a determined expression. He immediately got to work, folding the tables and stacking the chairs.

 

“I guess that's it,” Baekhyun said quietly, looking at Kyungsoo.

 

“Yeah. No hard feelings?” Kyungsoo asked.

 

Baekhyun smiled and looped his arm around Kyungsoo's arm. “Nope. We all just got out of cleaning,” he said as he wiggled his eyebrows. Kyungsoo chuckled and the pair began walking towards the back door.

 

The others, still amazed at what just happened, slowly followed them. Sehun overheard Chen asking Xiumin, “Is Luhan hyung aware that he just prevented a bloodbath from happening?”

 

“Don't exaggerate Chen,” Xiumin scolded. “There wasn't going to be a bloodbath.”

 

“Okay, catfight. Same thing.”

 

Xiumin smacked him in the head. “Just be thankful you don't have to deflate the palm trees.”

 

Sehun glanced towards the multiple palm trees and groaned.

 

One hour later....

 

“If I see another inflatable palm tree, I'm going to murder someone,” Sehun vowed before he fell face first on the bed.

 

Luhan chuckled before he flopped on the bed next to Sehun. He closed his eyes and mumbled, “I feel special.”

 

Sehun turned his body around to face Luhan. “You are,” Sehun said as he reached out to caress Luhan's cheek.

 

“Special enough to walk straight into danger and hug it,” Sehun continued.

 

Luhan opened his eyes and grinned. Sehun rolled his eyes. “How do you do it and manage to not get hurt?”

 

“Because I'm incredibly fearless,” Luhan stated, scooting closer to Sehun.

 

Sehun laughed. “Or incredibly clueless.”

 

“Yeah. Yeah. But I also know you won't let anything bad happen to me,” Luhan said, pinching Sehun's chin.

 

“Well you know me – full time lover, part time bodyguard.”

 

“And occasional gift giver.” Luhan held out his hand just like he did in the morning.

 

Sehun scoffed. “Don't you want to open those first?” He gestured towards the pile of presents on Luhan's desk.

 

“I want to open yours first because I look forward to it the most.”

 

Sehun sighed. “No pressure there,” he grumbled as he got up to get his gift from one of his desk drawers.

 

Luhan sat up as soon as he spotted the box wrapped in blue with a white bow. Judging from the way Luhan's doe eyes followed the gift, Sehun could tell he wasn't kidding when he said he looked forward to it.

 

When he gave it to Luhan, the older boy practically ripped the wrapping paper he spent a good amount of time on.

 

“Could at least appreciate the wrapping,” Sehun muttered though he knew Luhan wasn't listening.

 

“Oh Sehun-ah! You got me --” Luhan stopped and looked up at Sehun, confusion all over his face. “Your hoodie?”

 

Luhan took out the teal hoodie and sniffed it. “Wait. This isn't yours.”

 

Sehun chuckled. “Nice to know you can sniff out my scent. But no, I didn't get you my hoodie. I got you a similar one that should fit you better than mine. Look inside the right sleeve.”

 

Luhan's eyes lit up. “No way.” He quickly rolled up the right sleeve and sure enough there was a sewn red heart with a gold letter “S” stitched in the center.

 

“Sehun-ah,” Luhan choked out.

 

Sehun sat down next to Luhan and started rubbing his lower back. “I know. I know. Perfect boyfriend.”

 

Luhan simply looked at the heart on the hoodie and then back at Sehun and smiled. “Mhm.”

 

“You can wear it whenever you're not with me, so you'll always have my heart on your sleeve.”

 

“Or whenever I have nothing else to wear,” Luhan teased before he gave Sehun a bear hug. “Thanks, Sehun-ah. I love it.”

 

“You better – I bled while making it. Sewing is no joke.”

 

Luhan giggled. “Was it worth it?” he asked with a smile that could light up the world.

 

“Yeah,” Sehun answered, his hand over his chest where his heart was beating with nothing but affection for that smile. “Completely worth it.”

 

Meanwhile in the next room.....

 

“Should we post some of the pictures from the party on twitter, Yeollie?” Baekhyun asked.

 

“Yeah!” Chanyeol said excitedly. He hopped on the bed to sit next to Baekhyun, who was already going through some of the photos on their camera.

 

“You should post that picture of you doing the hula dance,” Chanyeol suggested with a grin. “It was y.”

 

Baekhyun chuckled. “Of course it was. It's me we're talking about.”

 

He was looking through the photos to find the ones of guests hula dancing with Chanyeol looking over his shoulder when he came across a particular one that stood out for the wrong reason.

 

“It's Luhan hyung,” Chanyeol noted. “And his cute hula dancing.”

 

“Yeah,” Baekhyun mumbled. He zoomed in on the picture and frowned when a familiar face came into view.

 

It was Jinho with his eyes trained on Luhan and what made it worse was the lovestruck smile he had on his face.

 

“Look at that stupid smile,” Baekhyun scoffed.

 

“He really is in love with him,” Chanyeol said, voice somber.

 

Baekhyun went to the next photo – where Jinho was once again captured smiling in the background while Luhan was in the middle of his dance.

 

“I can't help but feel that part of his attraction towards Luhan has something to do with the fact that he can't have him...”

 

Chanyeol wrapped his arms around Baekhyun and said, “You know what they say – you want what you can't have.”

 

“But should it go as far as your best friend's lover? Like honestly, what kind of friend does that?”

 

“But can you blame him?” Chanyeol asked. “It is Luhan hyung.”

 

“Still.....” Baekhyun mumbled as he scrolled through the pictures and stopped at one with Sehun carrying a smiling Luhan. “You don't mess with this. It'll be like going against nature.”

 

“Well, maybe Jinho hasn't realized that yet. Maybe he's the type of guy who needs the person he's in love with to tell him to let go.”

 

Baekhyun rolled his eyes. “Maybe he needs a good beating.”

 

Chanyeol laughed. “Or that.”

 

The next picture he stopped at was one of Luhan backhugging Sehun while the younger one was talking to one of their friends. Everything about the picture felt so natural and genuine that Baekhyun couldn't help but smile at it.

 

“I don't want to see them get hurt,” Baekhyun said in a voice so soft Chanyeol almost didn't catch it.

 

“It's bound to happen though,” Chanyeol said, bringing Baekhyun closer to him. “We both know that.”

 

Baekhyun sighed because even though he rather not think about something happening to Luhan and Sehun, he knew that with the way things are, they were bound to get hurt one way or another. It was inevitable.

 

He just hopes that it's nothing that can't be fixed....

 

 

******

“You look cheerful today,” Jinho said as he took a seat next to Luhan.

 

The older boy beamed. “I'm going to see the exhibit with Sehun later today!”

 

“Ah. You're going after classes are done?”

 

Luhan nodded. “Yes. Sehun is going to meet me there since he has to work first, but I really can't wait. A few of my favorite photographers are going to be there for a special Q&A session, and I'm totally excited to finally meet them!”

 

“That's awesome hyung.”

 

The truth is Jinho knew about the special session because when he went to buy the tickets a month ago, he specifically picked today because he saw those names on the list of Honorary Guests. He had remembered the names of photographers Luhan admired. He wanted to be the person responsible for Luhan finally meeting the people he looked up to. He felt incredible when he purchased the tickets, but now.....

 

“I really can't thank you enough for getting me those tickets,” Luhan said, smiling at Jinho in a way that made Jinho's chest ache because it felt like it was simply out of reciprocity. It was a smile you would give after someone did something nice for you. It wasn't one of those smiles Luhan would give Sehun – the random ones that had no reason behind it. A smile just because.

 

“I hope you take lots of pictures,” Jinho said, forcing himself to smile back at Luhan.

 

Another smile of reciprocity.

 

******

“Sehun, can you come here?”

 

Sehun turned to see his boss gesturing for him to come inside one of the new rooms they just built. He stepped in and looked around, noticing the wires and audio equipment laid out and the wrapping still on furniture.

 

“Before you leave, can you help with setting up the room? I want to be able to use this room tomorrow.”

 

“Sure thing boss.” Sehun put down his bag and rolled up his sleeves.

 

Along with two other colleagues, he began working. By the time they were finished, Sehun was utterly exhausted. He had to drag his feet out of the noraebang and towards the train station. While riding the train, he nodded off a few times – he even accidentally rested his head on an old lady, who wasn't too keen on having some stranger sleep on her. After he got a smack in the face courtesy of her purse, he forced himself to keep his eyes open. He was almost home, so all he had to do is endure it. A few minutes from now, he'll be able to sleep on his comfy bed, and everything is going to be fine.

 

He got off the train and was leaving the train station when he felt like he forgot something. He immediately checked his bag for his keys and his wallet. Nope. It's all here.

 

Sehun continued to walk home with this nagging feeling that he left something behind, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

 

He was a block away from his neighborhood when he felt his phone vibrating. Checking his pockets, he took out his phone, and failing to notice the amount of missed calls, he read the caller ID – Bambi.

 

Naturally, Sehun answered the call. “Hey.”

 

“Sehun-ah, where are you?”

 

Where am I?

 

Sehun stopped in his tracks. Luhan's voice sounded worried, but why –

 

SH*T.

 

Sehun quickly turned around and started running. How could he forget about his date with Luhan?!

 

He checked his watch and – DAMMIT! He was supposed to have met Luhan two hours ago.

 

“Sehun-ah?”

 

“Lu, I'm so sorry. I completely forgot about our date --”

 

“Oh,” was Luhan's reply. Sehun could feel the disappointment in that one word. Dammit.

 

“But I'm running back to the train station now. I'll get on the next train and be there in 40 minutes.”

 

Sehun ran faster towards the station, but before he could get there Luhan told him, “The exhibit is closing in 20 minutes, Sehun-ah. You won't make it.”

 

If he didn't feel bad enough, Luhan's dishearten voice when he said that definitely did the job.

 

Still running, Sehun said, “I'll come pick you up then.”

 

He could hear Luhan sighing on the other line. “You don't have to. I'll just take a taxi home.”

 

“But Lu --”

 

“It's fine. Taxi is better than a train right?”

 

Sehun stopped running and bent over to catch his breath. “Lu, I'm so sorry.”

 

What Luhan said next clawed at his heart.

 

“It's okay, Sehun-ah. Everybody forgets,” Luhan said, his voice barely above a whisper.

 

“Are – are you okay?” Sehun asked pointlessly.

 

He could hear some noises in the background, and Luhan's breathing on the other line. “I just got inside the taxi. I'll talk to you later.”

 

“Yeah...”

 

“Bye.”

 

“Bye.”

 

Sehun started making his way back home, his hands clutching his phone and his face completely miserable.

 

He had forgotten about the exhibit that Luhan had been dying to see. Honestly, he can't believe he did because ever since Luhan got the tickets as a gift from Jinho, he couldn't stop talking about it. His favorite photographers were supposed to attend the first half of the show. Knowing Luhan, he probably stood outside waiting for Sehun because he had the tickets. Sehun knew that even though he really wanted to see the exhibit, Luhan didn't go in because if he had, there was no way for him to give Sehun the tickets to enter.

 

“I want to see it with you,” he remembered Luhan telling him the other day.

 

Great. Absolutely great.

 

Thirty minutes later while Sehun was waiting in front of their house, a taxi pulled up. When Luhan finally got out, feelings of guilt and self-loathing hit Sehun like a tsunami because he could tell Luhan was trying to keep his expression from revealing how he really felt.

 

Luhan quickly paid the taxi driver and bowed to the man before turning around to find Sehun's eyes on him.

 

“Hey,” Sehun said, instantly feeling like an idiot afterwards.

 

“Hey,” Luhan said meekly. He walked up to Sehun and stopped a foot away. “You didn't have to wait outside for me.”

 

Those were the words Sehun wanted to tell him, but instead here he was receiving them from Luhan. This night keeps getting better.

 

“I'm sorry,” Sehun said, reaching out for Luhan to pull him into a hug. “I really am.”

 

Luhan hugged him tighter. “Stop apologizing, Sehun-ah. It doesn't make me feel better when you do. I'm fine. Really.”

 

“Sorry,” Sehun said once again, burying his face in Luhan's hair.

 

Later in bed...

 

“Hey, I can order the tickets online and we can go tomorrow,” Sehun said, sounding slightly desperate. Okay, really desperate. He really needs to make up for this fiasco.

 

Luhan shook his head and snuggled closer to Sehun. “You have to buy tickets at least a month in advance.”

 

“A month?!” Sehun exclaimed. And there goes his chance of making it up to Luhan. Argh. Perfect.

 

“Yeah. It's a popular exhibit.”

 

“Well, I guess we can go a month from now...”

 

“Yeah. We can,” Luhan said softly.

 

Sehun didn't know what else to say after that, so they just stopped talking. Eventually, Luhan fell asleep, but Sehun found it hard to not think about what happened. The constant you forgot about your date and you left him waiting kept him from sleeping properly.

 

It doesn't matter how, but Sehun was determined to give Luhan the date he wanted. And for that he needs help.

 

Early in the morning, with Luhan still asleep, Sehun crept out of their room, and knocked on the door next to theirs.

 

Chanyeol opened the door, his hair a complete mess and his pajamas ed. He squinted at Sehun. “Uh. Sehun? Is our house on fire?”

 

“W-what?”

 

“Why are you here?” Chanyeol asked slowly.

 

“Hyung, just let me in.” Sehun pushed past Chanyeol and sat on the chair next to Baekhyun's desk. “Can you wake him for me?” He pointed towards Baekhyun's sleeping form. The boy was sprawled on the bed, his mouth wide open and like Chanyeol, his leopard print pajamas were also ed.

 

“Ugh sure,” Chanyeol said, scratching his head. He walked over to Baekhyun and nudged the boy. “Baek, wake up.”

 

“Why?” Baekhyun grunted, smacking his boyfriend's hand.

 

“Sehun's here.”

 

There was a moment of silence, and for a second, Sehun thought Baekhyun went back to sleep, but then the boy asked, “Is our house on fire?”

 

Sehun rolled his eyes. Seriously, what is wrong with these two?

 

“Nope,” Chanyeol answered. “He's just here.”

 

With eyes still closed, Baekhyun turned to where Sehun was sitting – as if he knew Sehun was right there. “Why are you here maknae?”

 

“I need your help,” Sehun said. He just got straight to point. “I forgot about my date with Luhan yesterday, and now I --”

 

Baekhyun sat up and gasped. His eyes widened as he stared at Sehun. “You forgot about your date!? The date to that art place Luhan hyung gushes about!? What?!”

 

“Hyung, I already feel bad enough, please don't make it worse.”

 

Baekhyun took a deep breath. “Okay fine. We will calmly think of a way for you to make up for this enormous slap in the cute deer's face.”

 

Sehun groaned. “Hyunngg.”

 

“He waited for you didn't he?” Baekhyun asked. Sehun didn't have to say anything for Baekhyun to know the answer. It was obvious. They both know Luhan.

 

“I ought to cut you up and bake you,” Baekhyun said.

 

“Can you do that later? Right now, I need to make Bambi happy and cheerful again.”

 

“Is he sad?” Chanyeol asked, looking extremely concerned.

 

“He's trying not to show it, but I know he's disappointed.”

 

Baekhyun clutched his chest in anguish. “My poor baby,” he sobbed.

 

“Hyung, that's not helping!”

 

“Okay fine! Give me a minute to think!” He turned to Chanyeol. “Yeollie, you think too!”

 

Chanyeol nodded and sat down on the bed next to Baekhyun. The room was quiet for maybe about five seconds before Baekhyun jumped out of bed and shouted, “I GOT IT!”

 

“We can just buy tickets and you can take him there today,” he continued. 

 

Sehun covered his face with his hands. “Hyung, I already thought of that. You have to buy the tickets in advance.”

 

“I know that!” Baekhyun snapped. He walked over to where Sehun was sitting and opened his laptop. “We are going to buy tickets from people who want to sell them. It might be expensive, but then again you stood up Bambi, so that doesn't matter!”

 

“Keep on rubbing it in, hyung,” Sehun said irritatedly.

 

“It's how I cope,” Baekhyun said curtly as he started typing away on his laptop. “We'll just go into the forum and ask around – see if anyone is going to the exhibit today or tomorrow – then we'll meet with them and pay for the tickets.”

 

“Thanks hyung.”

 

“Anything for Luhan hyung,” Baekhyun said, eyes focused on the screen, fingers rapidly typing.

 

“And you,” Chanyeol added, grinning. He opened his own laptop to go in search of tickets as well.

 

And though they drive him crazy sometimes most of the time, Sehun knows that he can always count on Baekhyun and Chanyeol. In fact, he can't imagine life without them.

 

“Are you just going to watch us do this or are you going to help?” Baekhyun asked.

 

“Uh no. I'll bring my laptop over.”

 

When he got in his room, Luhan was still asleep, so Sehun took a second to pull the covers up to his shoulders. His eyes lingered on Luhan's face for a while. I'm going to make up for yesterday. You can count on it.

 

******

“So how was it?” Jinho asked as soon as he stepped inside the classroom. When he went to bed last night, the only thing he could think of was whether Luhan had a great time. “Was it as amazing as you hoped it would be?”

 

“I didn't go,” Luhan answered with a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

 

Jinho raised his brow. “What do you mean?”

 

“Sehun couldn't make it, and I didn't want to go without him, so...” Luhan looked like he didn't want to finish that sentence.

 

“Oh.”

 

Not knowing what else to say, Jinho quietly sat next to Luhan. His eyes glancing at the boy every now and then. He found it hard to concentrate during class. The thought of Luhan not being able to meet the artists he talks about crushed Jinho harder than he expected. He can't imagine how Luhan must feel.

 

And what was wrong with Sehun? Does he not know that Luhan was really looking forward to their date? Did something so important come up that he has to cancel on Luhan? Really. What was he thinking?

 

After class, they were at the cafeteria, and usually Jinho would grab his lunch and leave Luhan to eat with Sehun, but today, Luhan didn't head towards his usual table with Sehun.

 

“Are you not eating with Sehun?” Jinho asked.

 

“He called me and told me he had to go somewhere.”

 

“Oh..Do you want to eat lunch with me then?”

 

Luhan bit his bottom lip. “If you don't mind --”

 

“Hyung, of course I won't mind. Come on, let's go eat outside.”

 

He placed his tray on the table and sat across from Luhan. They started talking about the break coming up and what they planned to do. Luhan was especially talkative, and Jinho got the sense that he was trying to keep his mind away from where Sehun could possibly be since the boy didn't bother telling him.

 

It's strange that though Sehun was the one who messed up, Jinho felt the need to fix it.

 

So that's what he did.

 

After lunch, when they had to go to separate classes, Jinho bid Luhan goodbye and watched him as he left. When Luhan was out of sight, Jinho took out his phone and dialed a few numbers...

 

“Hey Luhan hyung!” Jinho shouted when he spotted the boy leaving the university.

 

Luhan turned around and waited for Jinho to catch up. “What's wrong Jinho?” Luhan asked, eyeing the boxes Jinho had in his hands.

 

“Uh hyung, can you help me take these to my car?”

 

“Sure.” Luhan grabbed two of the boxes and they began walking towards the student parking deck.

 

“Oh great. My car's a mess. Hyung, can you get in and clear those books to make room for the boxes?”

 

“Okay,” Luhan said. He put the boxes he had down and got into the car. As soon as he was inside, Jinho hurriedly place the boxes in the trunk and climbed into the driver's seat.

 

“Hyung, since you're already in the car, why don't I take you somewhere?” Jinho asked as he started the engine.

 

Startled, Luhan stuttered, “W-what?”

 

“Please,” Jinho begged. “It'll be worth it.”

 

“But Jinho --”

 

“I wanted it to be a surprise, but I'm guessing you're not going to go if I don't tell you.”

 

“Right,” Luhan said, folding his arms across his chest.

 

“Fine. I'm taking you to Kwon Min Kye's private studio.”

 

Luhan's eyes widened immediately upon hearing that name. “W-what? How?”

 

“Do you want to come with me or not?”

 

“I-I.”

 

“Hyung.”

 

Luhan bit his lip, looking unsure of himself. Jinho had a feeling he was probably thinking about Sehun.

 

Sehun who couldn't even take his boyfriend to an exhibit.

 

And that made Jinho's blood boil.

 

“Hyung, just come with me. How often do you get the chance to visit your favorite photographer's private studio?”

 

“N-not often.”

 

“Exactly. So tell me – do you want to come with me or not?”

 

“I – uh. Okay. I'll come with you,” Luhan replied.

 

“Great! It'll be fun. I promise.” Jinho patted the passenger seat. “Sit here hyung.”

 

After Luhan climbed to the front seat, Jinho set the car in reverse and they were off.

 

“Are we really going to his private studio?” Luhan asked, curiosity written all over his face.

 

“Yup.”

 

“How did you --”

 

“That's a secret,” Jinho said, smiling as he turned to look at Luhan. “But I think you'll find out soon enough.”

 

Luhan stared at him, almost like he was star struck. Jinho felt his heart bloom with pride.

 

“I should call Sehun to tell him where I'm going,” Luhan said, already taking out his phone.

 

“Yeah..”

 

“Should I tell him that you kidnapped me?” Luhan teased.

 

Jinho felt a small lump in his throat when Luhan said that. It does indeed look like he kidnapped Luhan by simply promising him the chance to see Kwon Min Kye's studio. 

 

“Yeah. Go ahead,” Jinho finally said, feeling bolder than ever because hey, if he was going to take Luhan somewhere without Sehun's prior knowledge, he might as well have fun with it.

 

“Mmm. Let's not. I think he'll freak out and probably threaten to kill you.”

 

Though Luhan was probably joking about the last part, Jinho knew that it was extremely possible.

 

“Hey Sehun-ah.”

 

Jinho willed himself to keep his eyes on the road and not look on Luhan while he was talking to his boyfriend. Luhan tends to smile whenever he talks to Sehun, and right now was probably no different.

 

“Guess where I'm going?” Luhan asked Sehun. “I'm going to Kwon Min Kye's studio!”

 

Jinho smiled because he could hear the excitement in Luhan's voice, and it felt amazing to be the reason behind it.

 

“Jinho's taking me, so I won't be home till later.....Mhm.... I will. I'll see you later tonight....Bye Sehun-ah.”

 

Luhan hung up with the grin on his face still intact. “I really can't believe this is happening!”

 

“Me neither,” Jinho said, grinning as he stepped on the gas pedal. He was going to make sure Luhan enjoyed tonight. Definitely.

 

******

After searching online for hours, Sehun and Baekyeol found an old lady who was willing to sell her tickets for tonight's showing. They had to meet during their lunch hour, so after telling Luhan that he had to go somewhere, Sehun and Baekyeol left campus to meet the woman at a restaurant in the next city.

 

Originally, the plan was to pay the lady and get back to school before their lunch hour was up. That didn't happen.

 

When they met the woman, she had rudely decided to change the price at which she was willing to sell the tickets. She wanted triple the original amount, and though Sehun was willing to spend that much, Baekhyun wouldn't have any of it. He kept bargaining with her, who was just as stubborn as he was. The two went at it for a while until she finally gave in and offered it to them for double the amount – that was as low as she was going to go. Sehun quickly paid the lady and rushed out of there with the tickets in his hand, feeling accomplished. But that quickly disappeared when they were stuck in traffic for an hour, resulting in them missing out on their last class of the day.

 

He ran to the entrance of the university where Luhan would usually meet him, but he didn't see him anywhere.

 

“Did he already leave?” Chanyeol asked, also searching around for Luhan.

 

“Call him,” Baekhyun ordered.

 

Sehun took out his phone and was about to call his boyfriend, but he received a call first – it was from Luhan.

 

“Hey Lu.”

 

“Hey Sehun-ah.”

 

“Where are --”

 

“Guess where I'm going?” Luhan asked.

 

Sehun raised an eyebrow. “Where?”

 

“I'm going to Kwon Min Kye's studio!”

 

Kwon Min Kye? The Kwon Min Kye?!

 

Sehun looked up at Chanyeol and Baekhyun, his expression one of pure shock. Baekhyun mouthed What's wrong?

 

“H-how?” Sehun stuttered.

 

“Jinho's taking me, so I won't be home till later.”

 

“Jinho?”

 

Baekhyun's jaw dropped and Chanyeol made an “O” with his mouth. Sehun, on the other hand, had no idea how he was supposed to react to that. Jinho was taking Luhan to one of his favorite photographer's studio? What? How?

 

“Mhm,” Luhan hummed.

 

Not fully aware of what was coming out of his mouth, Sehun told Luhan to have a great time.

 

“I will. I'll see you later tonight.”

 

Again, Sehun's response came before he could even process any of it. “Yeah. Bye Lu.”

 

“Bye Sehun-ah.”

 

They hung up, and immediately Baekhyun shrieked. “What the hell!? Jinho!?”

 

“He's taking Lu to a photography studio,” Sehun said, voice emotionless.

 

“What about the tickets?” Chanyeol asked.

 

Sehun looked down at the tickets he had in his hands. All of that for nothing..

 

“There's no point in going anymore. He probably won't make it home in time,” Sehun said, not quite hearing himself speak.

 

It was like an out of body experience. Like he really wasn't physically standing there with two tickets in his hand, ready to surprise his boyfriend, only to be crushed. Like he really wasn't looking forward to making it up for forgetting their date... 

 

Like this really wasn't happening.

 

But the annoying ache in his heart told him that it was.

 

It happened.

 

Without another word, Sehun threw the tickets into the waste bin and walked away, utterly crestfallen. 

 

 

 

~~~~~~ GASPPP. I WARNED YOU! Okay first off, tell me how you felt about the chapter. I'm sensitive to comments about Luhan, so if you have something to say about him - don't be so harsh. That is all I ask.

 

Secondly, a lot happened in this chapter. Hunhan fluff at the beginning. If you read ICCL, you'll get the hoodie thing and how sweet it is. That whole exchange about Luhan being clueless and walking into danger and Sehun being there to protect him is not simply fluff dialogue - if you know what I mean.. 

 

Then we have Baekyeol and their analysis of Jinho and Chanyeol's statement of them bound to get hurt - hmmmmmm. He's not lying. Something is going to happen, and what happened in this chapter isn't really it. There's more :( And then we have Sehun forgetting about his date with Luhan waiting for him. Aww. Anyone suddenly reminded of what happened in ICCL at the playground? Poor Lulu!!  I thought it was cool Sehun asked Baekyeol for help, and even cooler when they did (not really a shocker though considering their relationship with Hunhan). And then the last part - tsk tsk. All that work just so Jinho could take him away. I'm sorrrryyy Sehunnie!! 

 

Next chapter - Jinho and Luhan's visit to the studio. We'll find out how he actually got the invitation to go there. It's probably not hard for you to guess how.. And then Luhan is coming home..How will Sehun react? Whatever it is, it's not fluff.