‘Hannie, don’t sleep!’

‘Sehun, go away please…’

‘I hate you.’

‘You know that’s not true,’ Luhan smirked.

‘I’m not going to talk to you for the next couple of days then.’

‘Best of luck with that,’ Luhan scoffed.

‘Fine whatever, I will just go to a strip club in here. I’m in Amsterdam after all. I should live a little.’

Luhan jerked awake hearing Sehun’s words.

‘Don’t you dare, Oh Sehun!’ Luhan threatened, glaring at his computer screen. Sehun sneered victoriously.

Day 4 of Sehun’s Europe trip. He was at Amsterdam that day and it was 9pm at night. He had just come back from the city tour and had called Luhan up immediately. Seoul was 7 hours ahead of Amsterdam and it was 4’o clock in the morning there. Groaning, Luhan had hoisted himself from the bed in a half conscious state when Sehun called telling him to come online. Since the time Sehun had left for Europe, he had wanted to video chat with Luhan almost 2-3 times a day. He always chose the oddest timings to chat and mostly it used to be early in the mornings according to Seoul time. Sehun was a demanding brat but Luhan did not like saying no to him because he knew Sehun would throw a fit. Luhan liked handling Sehun’s tantrums in a way and Sehun always found it endearing.

‘No strip club, promise me,’ Luhan said, now wide awake.

Sehun chuckled,’ I promise. How was your day?’

‘Not bad,’ Luhan said,’ busy day at office. I had a class afterwards and the teacher told me that I could participate in the university fest even though I am a newcomer.’

‘That is awesome!’ Sehun said, clapping his hands,’ when is the fest?’

‘It’s after two months,’ Luhan said, smiling,’ I will start practicing starting Monday. I get my own band, Sehunnie!’

Sehun gasped and dramatically covered his mouth with his hand making Luhan laugh.

‘This week has been really good for you,’ Sehun said, grinning,’ all because I kissed you.’

Luhan blushed. He had still not gotten used to the reality that him and Sehun were… well, more than just roommates now. There was no name to their relation yet but Luhan was determined to change that.

‘Yes, yes,’ Luhan nodded,’ you are lucky for me.’

Sehun stared dreamily at Luhan, admiring his flushed face. His smile slowly faded as he asked,’ so did you get a chance to-‘

Luhan bit his lip nervously. He had called Chang to ask him when he could meet Luhan. Chang had said he would be in Busan the whole week, returning back on Sunday. He promised Luhan to meet for dinner Sunday night. And then Sehun would return the following week. Luhan was surprised at how unwaveringly he had decided to end his one year relationship with Chang for Sehun whom he had known only for 6 months. Luhan did not know what he was about to do was right or wrong but he knew he could not let Sehun get away at any cost. He had felt a deeper connection with Sehun than he had ever with Chang. He was also not sure how Chang would react but Luhan had promised himself that he would not lie to him. He wanted to start a new relation with Sehun and he did not want it to be based on deceptions. He was ready to take any kind of to make that happen…

‘He’s not in Seoul this week,’ Luhan said,’ he’ll be back on Sunday and I am having dinner with him that night.’

Sehun nodded, studying the lines on the palm of his hand. He felt guilty for being so imposing on Luhan but he could not wait anymore. Coming on this trip had already been so difficult after knowing that Luhan loved him as well. He had pathetically cracked and decided to bail out after Luhan had kissed him with those delectable lips of his. He had dreams about Luhan and that kiss every night. He felt like an addict for having withdrawal symptoms staying away from Luhan every minute of the day.

‘Sehunnie?’ Luhan called, lovingly.

Sehun looked up and smiled at once. ‘I know,’ he said,’ I trust you.’

Luhan smiled and said, ‘thank you. I wish I could kiss you right now.’

‘Don’t…’ Sehun said, weakly,’ don’t talk about that kind of stuff. You don’t want to leave me in a place where I have easy access to .’

Luhan laughed heartily and said,’ alright. Just come back soon.’

‘3 more days,’ Sehun said, smiling.

Luhan smiled back and said,’ by the way, I’m meeting Hyunae noona and your mom tonight.’

‘Really?’

‘Yeah,’ Luhan said,’ noona wants to meet me before she leaves for Paris on Sunday. She said since you weren’t here someone should give me company.’

Sehun chortled and said,’ I think she most certainly has a hint of what we are up to.’

‘She does,’ Luhan said, blushing,’ when you went inside the house that day to get her picture, she asked me whether I was going to ask you out or not.’

Sehun giggled and said,’ I can’t wait to see her reaction when I tell her about us.’

Luhan felt more blood gushing to his face when Sehun said us.

‘I still can’t believe we are…’ Luhan whispered.

‘I know, me neither,’ Sehun said, blushing,’ maybe because I’m here right now. Once I come back, I’ll make sure both of us get the feeling of being together.’ He winked at the end of the sentence.

‘Like what?’ Luhan asked with lust filled eyes.

‘Like us staying awake all night and me kissing every inch of your body,’ Sehun whispered,’ so that I can find out what your most sensitive parts are.’

Luhan thought he was going to implode with all the blushing. His stomach felt so tickly and flustered and he did not know how to overcome this sensation.

‘Hyung, if you don’t stop blushing, I will be forced to call you cute and adorable,’ Sehun said, doubling with laughter.

Luhan narrowed his eyes,’ I’m going to sleep now. Thank you for ruining this perfect moment.’

‘If I didn’t, you would have had a within seconds,’ Sehun joked.

Luhan giggled and said,’ good night, Sehunnie. I love you.’

‘I love you more,’ Sehun said, smiling.

‘Not possible,’ Luhan said.

‘Bish please,’ Sehun said, rolling his eyes,’ your love is not even on the same level as mine.’

‘Do you want to challenge me, punk?’ Luhan said, rolling his sleeves.

Sehun sniggered and said,’ I love arguing with you. You look so squishy that I just want to crush you inside my arms.’

‘Squishy?’ Luhan said, his eyes wide,’ me? How can you even say that to a manly guy like me?’

‘I’m sorry,’ Sehun said, stifling his laughter,’ I’ll take my words back.’

Luhan sniggered and said,’ you gave up too soon.’

‘You have me wrapped around your finger now,’ Sehun admitted.

They kept talking for another half an hour before Luhan finally had to scold Sehun go to sleep. They said goodbyes and blew kisses at each other before finally logging out. Luhan got up from the couch and stretched. It was 5:30 already and he would have to get up at 7am to get ready for work.

‘Maybe I could go for a morning jog,’ he said to himself.

He then shook his head instead saying, ‘who am I kidding?’ and advanced to Sehun’s bedroom.

Ever since Sehun left for the trip, Luhan could not sleep on his own bed. He used to stay in Sehun’s room as close to his scent as possible. It helped to put his mind at ease. Snuggling inside the covers, he imagined Sehun sleeping next to him and his lips kissing Luhan’s. Within seconds, he slumbered back to the dream world with a smile on his face.

Luhan packed his stuff to leave for Incheon on that evening. Hyunae was leaving that Sunday and Luhan figured he would spend Friday night and Saturday at the Oh residence. Sehun’s mom as usual was excited about Luhan visiting them.

Luhan also figured he should take his stuff out from Chang’s apartment. After he would explain Chang why he wanted to break up with him, Chang would surely never want to see him again. Luhan had a spare key for Chang’s apartment and he figured he could do it right then before leaving for Incheon. Chang was away at Busan so it would be a quick thing to do. He just had a couple of clothes at his place that he could stuff easily inside his travel bag.

He stepped out in the brisk breeze of dusk, smiling to himself. He had forgotten when he had felt so happy in his life.

It should be illegal to be this happy, he thought to himself.

The only thing missing was the person he loved. But he would not have to wait for long. Sehun would be back in just another 3 days and as he had promised, he would make Luhan feel that they were a couple now. Luhan blushed at his own words and at the thought of what Sehun said he would do. He shut his eyes tight and tried to the thoughts of Sehun’s lips when he was kissing him, his eyes when they longingly looked at him and the warmth of his body wrapping Luhan’s entire being.

Lost in his thoughts, he reached Chang’s place. He did not even realize that the light was on inside his house. He simply inserted his key in the door and opened it. Suddenly, he heard some laughing noises from inside. Luhan jerked back to reality and his ears perked up to catch the source of noise.

Was someone robbing Chang’s house? He thought, scared. He almost had his phone out when he heard another voice that was undoubtedly Chang’s. Did Chang come back to Seoul early that weekend? But he could tell that Chang was not alone. Something told him not to announce his arrival and sneak inside the house quietly without making any noise. He opened the door and saw some clothes and shoes lying on the floor. He recognized some of them as Chang’s and some others belonged to a woman. Luhan’s heart beats were fast as he realized what was happening.

He tiptoed towards the bedroom but could not bring himself to open the door. He heard the noise of bed creaking and ecstatic moans coming from inside the room.

‘Oh Chang!’ a lady cried and Luhan felt his breath getting stuck in his chest. There was no mistaking that the voice belonged to Min Jee. It was the same shrill and irksome voice that Luhan remembered. Luhan felt his whole body going into spasms. Chang had been cheating on him all this time whereas Luhan had been holding himself back from Sehun thinking he did not want to be unfair towards Chang when they were still seeing each other.

After few seconds, the shagging inside the room stopped and Luhan could hear both of them breathing heavily.

‘Oh, that was good,’ Min Jee said.

‘You are welcome,’ Chang said, his breath labored.

‘Mmmm… You are such a snob,’ she giggled and Luhan heard kissing sounds. Luhan’s head felt dizzy and he was afraid he might just faint right there in front of Chang’s bedroom.

‘Let’s not get out of bed at all this weekend,’ Min Jee said, her voice alluring.

‘That sounds tempting,’ Chang said and Luhan could sense him smiling,’ but I have to go out Sunday evening.’

‘Oh with whom?’

‘Luhan.’

‘Oh right,’ Min Jee said,’ how is he? Is he taking his medicines regularly now?’

Medicines? What medicines? Luhan thought.

‘Oh yeah,’ Luhan heard Chang say with hesitation,’ he’s er, doing fine.’

‘I can’t believe such a beautiful boy like him could have rage disorder,’ Min Jee said.

Rage disorder? Luhan couldn’t believe his ears. What exactly had Chang told Min Jee about Luhan? That he was mentally sick?

‘Yes, it’s a pity,’ Chang said, indifferently.

‘I mean, when I saw him with you couple of weeks ago I would have never guessed that he was as unstable as you told me,’ Min Jee said.

Luhan had forgotten how to breathe. Chang had been playing a twisted ed up game, telling Min Jee that Luhan had some weird rage issues so that he could cover up his infidelity and get laid.

‘He gets pissed when he sees me being close to people other than him,’ Chang lied, shamelessly,’ he was almost about to hurt me when he saw me talking with you. That’s why I had you meet him.’

‘That’s okay,’ Min Jee said, affectionately,’ you are such a nice person taking care of the poor sick kid.’

Sick kid… Is that the reason why she was talking to me in a pampering voice? Luhan thought.

‘I have to,’ Chang said, clearly enjoying the praise,’ he’s my friend, almost like a brother.’

Luhan held onto the door rim as Chang’s words assimilated in his brain. Like a brother… Almost like a brother…

Luhan wanted to scream, become an actual maniac and clobber Chang to death. He had been lying to Min Jee and to Luhan and fooling around on both sides, but what he was doing to Luhan was a lot worse. He had no clue when Chang had started his affair with Min Jee but it was definitely after Luhan and he were committed. And he was branding Luhan as a retard and advertising it to girls he wanted to hook up with. What kind of person does that? How cruel do you have to be to label your boyfriend as a half-wit friend/brother so that you can sleep with other people? If he just wanted to sleep with others, why didn’t he break up with Luhan?

‘Can I meet him again?’ Min Jee asked,’ he seems like a nice boy.’

‘I don’t want you to get hurt,’ Chang said with finality.

‘I’ll be nice and gentle towards him,’ Min Jee pleaded.

Luhan felt as if he were some wild untamed animal and Min Jee was asking Chang if she could pet him.

‘I can’t risk that,’ Chang said,’ you-you are too dear to me.’

Luhan dry-retched right there feeling convulsed by Chang’s voice. There was perfect amount of emotion in his voice that anyone would fall for him and Luhan remembered it lucidly because he himself had been fooled many times with that voice. All of this was just a ing game for Chang. He only liked playing around with people’s minds and making them believe that he cared about them when in reality, he did not give a rat’s about their emotions. Luhan had fallen for his act so many times in the past, always thinking that Chang loved him but he was so wrong. Chang only saw him as plaything, a toy he could throw away once he gets bored.

Luhan could not stand there anymore. He could not listen to anymore lies and torture himself. He made his way out of Chang’s house somehow and started walking. He walked aimlessly for a long time, his state of mind as tumultuous as the eye of a tornado. He chuckled bitterly to himself thinking people on the road probably thought he was a retard by his actions. Chang seems to think he was one, others might as well think the same.

He got inside a bus but did not know where it went. He just sat there, his face looking outside the window, letting the cool breeze numb his senses. If only something coul