“……” Yixing stood in the hall, not daring to move a single muscle as he looked around the big apartment he was in right now. He knew Myungsoo was a man with money. He knew Myungsoo lived a completely different life than his. He could see from the quality of the other man’s suits, he could see how expensive his shoes were and he could see how high maintenance he was, not to mention that his friend Woohyun was exactly the same, if not a little much.

It was actually the little subtle things that showed Myungsoo was a man that belonged in high society since he didn’t shove it down to people’s throats. It actually surprised Yixing how a man like Myungsoo could go every single night and have dinner at that small, cheap Chinese restaurant. At first he thought Myungsoo was just being a snob and wanted to try something different, but with time he realized that Myungsoo was just a normal guy that happened to have a lot of money.

A lot of money that could buy a seriously big apartment that probably managed to shelter at least 5 or more people. He could see the whole apartment was styled with the colors black and white. He could see a little bit of red there, but it was just a couple of roses, making the atmosphere around the house a little lighter. Thought Yixing never imagined that Myungsoo would be a flower kind of guy.

The house had really bright, white walls and the furniture was all black, with small glimpses of grey and silver. It was incredibly modern and Yixing couldn’t help but wonder if one day he would be able to afford such a modern, warm apartment. Maybe if he stopped paying his bills and taxes and started running away from people. Maybe…

“Are you going to stand there and starve or are you coming to the kitchen?” Myungsoo asked with a small smile on his face. He was holding their food that they ordered from some Thai restaurant next to Myungsoo’s house. He has no idea what they ordered and he honestly doesn’t care. It smelled good, he was starving and his dinner companion was Yixing.

He could eat uncooked instant ramen and it would taste like the most delicious dish in the world. All because Yixing was with him. He was seriously an idiot when it came to the Chinese man, but he honestly didn’t care. He was happy with being like that, he was happy with just having Yixing next to him.

The Chinese man gave a small, shy smile and walked towards the other man and both walked towards the kitchen. Yixing couldn’t help but notice how…How Myungsoo-like the kitchen actually was. He saw Myungsoo moving towards the counter while Yixing didn’t know if he should stay in his place or not. He was a little afraid to move. He was sure if he moved, he would break something. “You don’t need to stand there. Come here, sit.” Myungsoo said with a smile making the Chinese man smile back, a little relieved.

“Need some help?” He asked and Myungsoo smiled a little more.  “No. All I’ve to do is take the food out of the bags. Nothing that involves too much work.” Yixing smiled at that and couldn’t help but stare at the modern kitchen around him. It was so clean, so perfectly detailed and so…unused. “I usually don’t use my kitchen.” Myungsoo said as he placed the bags on top of the counter, just like he had read Yixing’s thoughts. The Chinese man smiled and sat on a chair in front of to the counter where he watched Myungsoo take their food out of the bags.

“I really don’t like cooking…and I don’t know how to. Usually I eat breakfast at Woohyun’s, lunch at work and have dinner a…” He stopped talking for a moment and looked to Yixing who just smiled, knowing exactly what Myungsoo was going to say.  “…at dinner you come to the restaurant.” Yixing said feeling a little shy for some reason. “Yeah…your restaurant…” Myungsoo paused as he took his chopsticks and looked to the Chinese man and could feel his cheeks burn a little when he saw Yixing look at him, a little hopeful. “…amazing.”

Myungsoo looked at Yixing as he said it and the Chinese man could feel a small brush crossing his face. “…It’s a simple, plain restaurant.” He said. “It’s the clients that make it…perfect.” Either of them was talking about the restaurant but for some reason, either of them realized it. “I think it’s the atmosphere it has…it’s peaceful, soothing and makes me want to stay there, forever.”

Yixing felt himself chocking with his own saliva and He wasn’t able to look into Myungsoo’s eyes for some reason, even thought he could feel the man look at him. He grabbed his food away from Myungsoo and took out his chopsticks, not being able to look at the other man anymore.  The raven haired man could feel an awkward atmosphere around them and even thought he knew why, he didn’t want this to keep on going. He had to start with small talk, even if it made no sense at all. He had to make the other man a little more comfortable.

“You’ve a very nice house.” The Chinese man said with a small smile even thought he wasn’t looking to the other man anymore. Myungsoo chuckled at that and started playing with the food in front of him. He was starving moments ago. Now, he wasn’t sure if he could eat or even drink. “I think it’s too big for one person…it gets lonely.” He said. He loved his apartment, he really did, but it was too big just for him and sometimes he wondered if it wouldn’t be better if he lived in a smaller apartment. Not to mention it would probably be cheaper.

“Maybe you should get a cat? Or move in with your girlfriend?” Yixing felt those leaving his lips and they tasted sour. They felt wrong and it was like he kicked himself in the gut, but for all he knew, Myungsoo had a girlfriend and all of this was just him being friendly and trying to be friends with another guy so they could hang out.

Myungsoo on the other hand almost chocked on air when he heard that. He tried to calm down and showed a very composed, relaxed expression while he was feeling like his heart was going to jump from his chest. “…I don’t have a girlfriend.” He paused for a moment and looked at the Chinese man under his lashes.

“…I think it’s pretty obvious girls aren’t my thing.” Yixing opened his mouth to speak but before he knew it, Myungsoo kept on talking, not even realizing it himself. “Actually I dated a girl in high school…Still remember her name. Jung Soojung. She was adorable…but she knew I didn’t love her…she actually knew who I was before I did…” Another pause and for some reason Yixing couldn’t help but feel a little jealous that Myungsoo was speaking of someone he dated so fondly but at the same time, wanting to know more. “She broke up with me but we’re still very good friends. She’s even getting married. I’m going to be her best man.”

“How did she found out you….you play for the other team?” Yixing felt like an idiot after saying those words but they came out before he knew it, but when he saw the smile on Myungsoo’s face, he felt a little more relaxed. “She said I showed more interest in the basketball team captain than in the actual game.” Both men started laughing at that and Yixing couldn’t help but relate to that. He knew how it was to be dating a girl but pay more attention to someone of the same gender. It was awkward and strange at first, but once you accepted it yourself, it wouldn’t be so bad.

A silence took over both of them, not really sure of what to say anymore. Yixing felt like he should share something about himself as well, but at that moment he wasn’t sure if he should open his mouth, so instead he stood with his mouth closed and kept on eating.

“Woohyun told me he’s going to ask Luhan to date him.” Myungsoo said with an awkward smile on his face, trying to end the awkwardness. Yixing was a little surprised to hear that. He forgot all about his awkwardness and focusing on this new subject. He chewed the food he had on his mouth and raised a brow. “Already? Really?” He asked as he continued on eating. “…but they hardly know each other.”

“Yeah, that’s why I’m surprised…but Woohyun says he knows they were made for each other and he even wants Luhan to move in to his house….”  Either of them knew how to react at this piece of news. Myungsoo knew Woohyun loved to act by impulse and 99% of the times he never regretted his own choices, but that other 1% would always end up with him crying in a little corner thinking his life was a living hell and he would never be able to leave the house.  “They hardly know each other.” Yixing said, not sure if he should be shocked or not.

He knew Luhan since they were little kids. They moved to Korea together, in hopes of a better future, but this…his best friend moving with that Woohyun guy…it just sounded too rushed. And even thought that he didn’t know Luhan’s answer, he already knew his friend was going to say yes without thinking twice. If it was up to Luhan, the two of them would be living together at this exact moment. “No offense, Luhan looks like an awesome guy but…Woohyun doesn’t even know him.”

Yixing nodded. He knew where Myungsoo was getting at and he agreed with him completely. He knew those two were moving way too fast. “Yeah…they should take things slow…” The Chinese man said as he grabbed a piece of food, not sure of what he was supposed to say next. “They know each other for a…week maybe? Unlike us, we know each other for a year!” As soon Myungsoo said it, it hit him.

They knew each other for a year. A year of nothing but “hellos” and nothing else. A year of hidden feelings and mixed emotions. A year wondering what his life could be if he had Yixing by his side. A year completely wasted. So in reality, who was he to say Woohyun was moving too fast? His friend was brave enough to confess to Luhan, tell him how he felt and wasn’t scared of getting hurt. He just wanted to have a chance with the person he loved, unlike Myungsoo who stood in every little corner scared of what could be Yixing’s reaction to his confession.

“Myungsoo…Myungsoo, are you listening to me?” Yixing waved his hand in front of Myungsoo and the raven haired man continued ignoring him, just focusing on his deep thoughts.“I’m pathetic.” He whispered, not noticing it was loud enough for the other to hear. “…sorry?” Yixing wasn’t sure if he had heard the right words, so he kept on looking at Myungsoo and saw he was staring down at his food, saying nothing and not moving a single muscle. He was just…staring like someone just slapped him or hit him in the gut.

“I can’t believe that…that I’ve wasted a whole year…” Yixing kept on looking to the other man completely confused. But when Myungsoo looked at him, right in the eyes he felt a shiver travel down his back and all he could do was stare at him, feeling his mouth getting dry. He had no idea why, but just that stare was giving him butterflies in his stomach and he could swear he was going to pass out at any moment.  Those eyes were just…just saying so much but at the same time saying nothing that all Yixing could do was stare at them and keep wondering what Myungsoo was going to do next.

“…I wasted one year…but not anymore. I won’t waste one more second with this stupid play.” Myungsoo wasn’t in control of his own words anymore, and before he could even control his own movements, his own body, he grabbed Yixing’s hand and kept on looking at him. “I…..I…” His throat was dry, his heart pounding but he knew he had to do it. He knew he had to say it.  Yixing stood in his place, waiting, not really sure for what, but he kept waiting. “I lo…”