Luhan feels a bit silly. He knows he doesn’t need to wear huge black sunglasses and turn the collar of his coat upwards to hide half of his face. It’s not like he is stalking anyone per se, and there is no one to recognize him anyway; he is just getting some coffee and asking some questions, that’s all. So, he feels a bit silly, trying to hide from no one in particular; but better safe than sorry, right?

He opens the door to the café at the address Lay gave him. Everything inside looks normal enough; what was he expecting to find, Luhan doesn’t know. It’s just that…you know…It’s Park Chanyeol we are talking about. He walks to the counter and, since it’s not a busy day, the boy gives him his attention immediately.

“Hello! What would you like to order?” the boy asks. He is young, tall and thin, with sharp jaw line and strange rainbow colored hair.

“Um…” what would Luhan like to order? He hadn’t thought about this part of his detective plan. He takes off his sunglasses, because the sun is already setting outside and it seems safe enough a move by now. He is at a coffee shop, so… “Coffee”

“What thort of coffee, thir?”

“Excuse me, what?” Luhan is not sure he understood the words in the right language. The boy clears his throat and tries again in a polite voice.

“What sort of coffee would you like?” he asks clearly, with some effort.

What now, Luhan has to choose? Why is his life so unnecessarily hard? He just wants to ask some questions and be done with it! In case you haven’t noticed by now, he is very uncomfortable with the task he brought on himself. But he just had to be curious…

“Just any sort of coffee, I don’t mind” he waves his hand dismissively and hops on a stool.

“I think I know what sort of coffee would suit your taste” the boy assures him and starts playing with his toys behind the counter. Okay, time to execute the Plan. Luhan likes to make plans about everything –because, better safe than sorry, remember? –and he gives them cute or elaborate names as well sometimes. But the-find-out-about-who-managed-to-get-park-chanyeol’s-romantic-attention-within-seconds is just too long; so, he calls it the Plan.

“Have you been working here for a long time?” he asks casually. He purposely chose this late-ish hour so that there won’t be many customers. Friendly chat with the café’s bartender does not seem conspicuous in this setting.

“Yeah, if five months is a long time” the boy answers willingly, his eyes focused on whatever he is making. Luhan clears his throat before proceeding.

“Then, Sehun” he reads from the nametag on the boy’s shirt “maybe you could help me with something? I am looking for a customer who might or might not be a regular”

“Oh, I know many customers; what does she look like?” the boy presses a button on the coffee machine and turns his full attention to Luhan.

“It’s not a she, it’s a he. I don’t know what he looks like because…” because the picture was smudged. He can’t say that. Luhan, you idiot, you should have just mentioned the name and let the appearance comment slip by. “Ugh, because…I didn’t see him. I just heard his name. It was Byun Baekhyun, I think” no, he is sure. But he can’t say that either because he will sound like a stalker person. Isn’t he? A stoker person? Oh stop it, conscience.

“Ah…” there is a flash of recognition in the boy’s eyes which lifts up Luhan’s hopes “Yeah, I know him. But, why are you looking for him?” the boy looks suddenly suspicious. Is it written on his forehead that he is stalking a stranger for his boss?!

“I am interested in his work” Luhan says confidently.

He is lying. He is here because he was sent to spy on this guy and, okay, maybe he was hoping to get a glimpse at him. Admittedly, he was a bit curious. This Byun Baekhyun person must be really smart and talented and beautiful and all things above perfect, because he is the first person ever to make Park Chanyeol swoon. Sure, Chanyeol is an idiot and he cannot see it, he won’t see it even if it hits him straight on the head; but he was swooning back at the office, just at the mention of the guy’s name. And this is Park Chanyeol, The Park Chanyeol who wanted everyone and no one. God knows how many partners he has tried and dropped, without shedding a single tear –seriously, no one is sure about their number. Getting Park Chanyeol interested is somewhat difficult. Getting him interested and to remember you after a whole weekend –even if he doesn’t know your name, for crying out loud –and swooning over you; that is impossible. Byun Baekhyun made it possible though, and now, the moon crashing down on Earth tomorrow doesn’t seem that bizarre a theory. So, yeah, Luhan is a curious stalker, okay? But he is an excellent actor as well, so he is sure that the boy has no idea about his true intentions.

“In that case, sure” the boy smiles from ear to ear “I work part time with Baekhyun hyung. You could leave me your information and I will tell him to contact you. What sort of event are you planning?”

“Um…it’s a company gala. We just want it to be grand, because we will have many important people there. Here’s my card” Luhan hands his business card over to Sehun. The boy reads the card briefly and then gapes.

“You work for the Park Corporation?!” he exclaims. Luhan has seen many reactions to the information of his job position, ranging from anger to envy to admiration, but this is new. Why is it so surprising?

“Yes, I do”

“Is it because hyung said no to Park Chanyeol?” the boy asks quickly with despair in his eyes “Because hyung is really sorry about that. He didn’t know who he was and he is a bit stiff when he is working. It won’t happen again and he is willing to apologize in writing, if you wish. But please pity my hyung! He is a good person and he works hard, and it would be a pity to lose his work, he is so good at it! Please, please forgive him!” the boy rambles too fast to be considered human. But Luhan is really stuck at his first words. There is a person who managed to say no to the Park Chanyeol?!

“Don’t fret; I have no idea what you are talking about” Luhan assures the boy after a short pause –which, Luhan, doesn’t know how snuck in their conversation – and the boy sighs in relief “It’s just business” And Park Chanyeol’s love interests.

“Oh…okay then. I will notify hyung as soon as possible”

“The gala is in November, so we still have time” time to find out about how, exactly, someone managed to say no to Chanyeol. Seriously, Baekhyun is starting to turn his world around with all these ground breaking revelations.

“I wouldn’t want to keep you waiting after what happened” the boy says with a sense of honor in his voice.

Okay, Luhan really needs to find out about what happened. But he won’t ask the boy right now, because he doubts Sehun will be able to satisfy his curiosity. He should go to the source and ask Chanyeol tomorrow; he’ll pester the truth out of him.

“Here’s your coffee”

“Oh, yeah” Luhan had forgotten about the coffee completely. “Thanks, Sehun”

“You’re welcome…Luhan hyung” Sehun has to read his name from his card, squinting his eyes.

“Does this look like a hyung to you?” Luhan asks, circling his baby face with his finger pointedly. Maybe he should be thinking about how they got on first-name bases so quickly though; but he doesn’t. “Just call me Luhan, I’m too young to be called a hyung” Only that idiot Kai calls him hyung, just to irritate him.

“Okay” Sehun agrees, nodding his head. Luhan hops off the stool, grabs his coffee and heads for the door. “Hey, Luhan!” Sehun’s voice calls just as he is about to open the door and exit the shop “Thanks for visiting our café! Come back soon!” Sehun says cheerfully, sporting a wide grin on his face. It’s just well practiced typical lines from a café employee, common sense tells him. But, maybe it’s because the coffee tastes so good, or maybe it’s because Luhan had always wanted a little brother when he was young, or maybe it’s because he is really thankful to Sehun; there is this warm feeling in the boy’s smile; like coming home.

--

 He is doomed. And soaking wet. Chanyeol feels betrayed. So much love, so much money, so much admiration and now, this car broke down without a single warning! He has no idea where he is, but he is sure it’s not somewhere near home. This part of the city is deserted at this time of the night; there are no lights, no cars, no pedestrians, not even shops open at 2 am. He tried fixing the problem himself but the car is being stubborn. Now his hands are covered with a thick black substance up to his elbows and his expensive clothes are stained beyond repair. He kicks the side of the car tire in frustration and pushes his hair away from his forehead. It’s raining cats and dogs. The water has long soaked his clothes, which now weigh a ton, his hair is dripping and his eyelashes are batting frantically to keep the water out of his eyes. He takes out his phone. Oh, great, low battery.

He tries calling Kai but the phone just rings and rings. He curses under his breath. Kai is probably still at the club, dancing his life away. Chanyeol had a head ache and he left early –well, relatively early –and now he is stuck god knows where, with no one to help him, his phone dying and his clothes wet and cold like he has been dumped in a river. He deliberates for a moment, biting his lower lip. His parents won’t be home so he can’t ask them to send a car to take him to his apartment. Kai is not answering his phone, even after three consecutive calls. Luhan will let him drown in the rain because he can be a heartless cranky princess if someone messes with his sleep. What can Chanyeol do?

Lay. Before he has time to think about calling his secretary in the middle of the night, the number is already on his screen and the green button has been pressed. Five agonizing rings later, Lay picks up.

“Hello? Chanyeol?” his voice is gargling with sleep. Chanyeol feels bad about that but he is more frustrated with his situation in this moment.

“Lay? Thank god! Listen, I don’t have much time. My car broke down in the middle of nowhere, it’s pouring rain and I am running low on battery. Can you help me?” There are a few moments of silence across the line, while the secretary wakes up to the situation.

“Um, look, my car is at a repair ware shop, so I can’t come and pick you up. Is there any indication as to where you might be? A road sign, a big shop label…?” Lay asks with the voice which indicates an inclination to efficiency. Chanyeol tries to look around in the dim light and the heavy curtain of rain. Damn it, there are only houses and parks around. He squints harder.

“Ugh, yeah, I can see a yellow label…it says: Kimchi inc. Does that help?”

“Wait” Lay instructs and Chanyeol starts hopping on his heels as he does, feeling the cold piercing him slowly to the bone. “Okay, are you still there?”

“Yeah, yeah I am here”

“I found where you are –and how on earth did you get over there? Anyway, there are no hotels or guest houses anywhere near you. The buses are not running at this time. Is there anyone around you can ask for help?” Chanyeol rolls his eyes.

“It’s pretty deserted here, thriller style. Can you please save me? Soon?” he thinks about getting back inside the car but that will only stain the seats and he will still be as desperate. Lay mumbles something incoherently. Chanyeol feels like he will die from the cold and the rain if he stays exposed to the elements for much longer.

“Why do I know that place?” he asks himself and Chanyeol feels a spark of hope. “Oh, that’s right! Chanyeol, wait for a while okay? I’ll call you back” Chanyeol starts to protest but the line is off before he has time to mutter a word. He grunts in frustration.

It takes Lay seven minutes to call back and all the while Chanyeol has this awful feeling that his phone will turn off and he will be officially, irreversibly doomed. He paces around in the rain, wanting to scream so bad, but there are people sleeping, so he is muffling his cries of anger and probably looks like a crazy person, but there is no one around to see him anyway. The rain only seems to get worse. When the name flashes on his screen, he picks up immediately.

“Yes?” he demands quickly.

“I called a favor to a friend of mine who lives nearby, and he said you can stay with him for tonight. The address is 21, Dream Street. It’s apartment 10 on the fifth floor. Oh, and the elevator is out of service. Got it so far?”

“Yes, I did” Chanyeol would physically carve it in his brain; he is that desperate to leave the rain for a dry, warm place.

“Walk two blocks ahead and you’ll find it, okay? My friend is expecting you” Chanyeol starts walking in the rain and it feels like waddling in a river, his pants clinging heavy on his legs.

“Um, what’s your friend’s name?” He should know that, right? Sure, this stranger is kind enough to host him for a night, but he is still a stranger.

“Ugh…” Lay sounds reluctant “Listen, about that…”

--

Kai pushes the door open with his back and stumbles inside backwards, somehow managing not to break lip-contact with the other man. He tosses his keys and the coat, which he never cared to put on since they left the club, on the floor. As soon as the other man is through the door, he closes it and pushes the other man against it.

His lips leave the other’s and start travelling on his jaw line and down his neck. His skin is so white and smooth; it makes Kai want to bite it and leave marks. The noises the other man makes are music to his ears. For such a petite frame, his voice is deeper than expected, but in a good way.

“I don’t do this” the man says, voice heavy with lust. His hands tighten around Kai, pulling him even closer when there is already no space between them. Kai smirks against the other’s skin, his hand sneaking under his shirt.

“I know” he purrs, feeling the warm skin “You’ve said it a million times since I first kissed you” The other man lets out a shuddered breath.

“That’s because I don’t do this, really. I’ve never done this before” he locks his gaze with Kai’s and Kai swears he has never been more . This guy has such a baby face, such innocence, waiting to be harvested. Kai wants to see those big brown eyes shut in pleasure and those full lips calling his name in desire.