─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

❝ You know the moon is never alone and even beyond the universe, there are millions of galaxies. But, there are also stars shining made up of helium. You won't always find a star next to the moon, and if you do, that's destiny. I'm always by your side, always ❞

🎼

C H A P T E R  F I F T E EN

BEFORE KEVIN CAN RESPOND, CHANGMIN TURNS AROUND, LEAVING THE PARTY WITH HIM. Kevin follows quietly, replaying the events in his mind from the moment he bumped into Jacob, and suddenly a thought dawns on him.

All this time, the dancer has been there for him. Even though he leaves and arrives like magic, he still has this astonishing effect on him that makes him forget everything but the dancer.

As if he's the only one who matters.

Kevin just isn't sure why, and as a matter of fact, why Changmin appears at the right time, saving him like a knight in shining armor. He immediately vanishes, making him question their relationship.

"Changmin," Kevin calls out, voice soft like the clouds he imagines must feel sailing in the blue sky, ever so sedate. "Where are we going? You can't take me anywhere without an explanation!"

No answer.

Kevin removes his hand from Changmin's grip almost too aggressively and walks forward. "You can't just lie about being my boyfriend. Who are you? My dad?" However, when he moves back, his foot slips off a stairstep from behind him, letting out a quiet yelp.

Changmin spins around immediately, grabs Kevin's hand, and pulls him back with every ounce of strength he has. Kevin falls on top of Changmin's back hitting the floor, resonating an inaudible thud.

They're in the same position as last time, tangled limbs, heart racing.

Shock sending lightning strikes through their skin, taking in shallow breaths. But Changmin can only focus on Kevin, enclosing his arms around him, shielding him from other possible catastrophes.

It takes a minute for Kevin to regain his composure. Lifting his head, his mocha eyes glance up and lock with Changmin's soft chocolate irises holding his. Despite the sweetest honey glittering in Jacob's eyes reminding him of the bright sun, radiating on him, it's not the same warmth he feels with Changmin's concerned gaze on him. He doesn't remember seeing him wear silver earrings glinting from the ceiling lights, and his hair is a darker brown, the shade of soil nurturing a seed before it blooms into a sprout.

Changmin's eyes flicker down, cheeks burning, and Kevin feels himself blush the color of crimson rose as he reaches out to caress his hair. Kevin forgets how to breathe, not leaving his gaze off his when he feels his hand overlap his, squeezing as a way of providing strength.

Even though the pain lingers-his best friend asking for another chance, red wine nearly splashing on him flashing in his head, the dancer's touch heals him from within.

The dancer raises his head in response, meeting Kevin's eyes, and they share an exchange of apologies. Kevin knows the look in Changmin's fierce gaze remains the irritation from the party, and not because he was hurt again, at least he thinks.

Damn.

This is bad.

Kevin isn't supposed to fall in love anymore. He promised himself. He promised his father through a silent heart-to-heart conversation.

What happens when you play with fire?

You burn.

But he doesn't know Changmin is trying so hard to hide his smile, wondering if the aspiring pianist can tell.

That he loves him and it's so hard watching other boys chase after him like he's a one in a million, which is true.

Is it selfish to want him for himself? For him to be his. For them to be together, though they're from different worlds. Changmin fell in love with music all over again when he watched Kevin play the percussion instrument in his high school performance, clad in a black suit, raven hair parted. A pretty delicate smile played on his mouth.

He wanted to dance and choose to play the violin, the gift his grandmother gave him after graduating high school.

He could've chosen the piano, but the violin chose him like it was written in the stars.

And he's in love, so in love, it's hurting him.

He sees the adoration for him twinkle in Juyeon's gaze, acknowledging him.

"Are you going to get up?" Changmin raises a brow, startling Kevin.

"Oh. Yeah, sorry," Kevin mumbles. He moves back to give him space. Kevin stands up, cheeks rosy. "Why did you lie about being my boyfriend? I assumed you don't like liars," he knows he asked the wrong question because he's walking backward, heart beating fast.

"I don't like liars, correct," Changmin says walking towards Kevin. "But I don't like it when people take advantage and make you feel uncomfortable-I care about you, idiot," Changmin whispers, brown eyes holding his affectionately.

Kevin opens his mouth to say something, but Changmin cuts him off.

"I'll take you home. It's getting late anyway."

"Thanks, I appreciate that."

"What, for calling you an idiot?"

"For saving me. I could have rescued myself, but you were so cool there."

"Is that all that fascinates you? How I'm cool like a knight in shining armor coming to your rescue? Isn't there anything else about me, or is that all you think about me?" Changmin says, lowering himself to squat.

No, everything about you amazes me.

"There is, why you're there, but you're not there. I get confused and disappointed sometimes because it feels like you're a figment of my imagination, but then you're right in front of me, and I feel safe."

"Safe?"

"I feel comfortable with you, enough to let myself be vulnerable," his voice shakes, "I know, you've been following me like a shadow I can't see until it's daytime. Why, though? Why don't you let yourself be by my side? Be my friend besides showing up, and saving me all the time?"

Changmin can't tell him the truth. It keeps them close but two steps further apart. He's his online friend, who checks up on him. And he's head over heels for him.

Changmin doesn't have a chance with Kevin, considering all the other guys chasing after him, yet he's the bad guy. If the truth slips out, the boy would never want to see him again. What hurts the most is how he's still in love with his brother.

"Do you think you can walk?" He casts him a quick look over his shoulder, and Kevin swears he saw a proud smile lift the corners of his mouth.

"Answer my question first," Kevin says, placing his hands on his hips.

"Maybe I don't want to be friends."

Silence.

Kevin laughs, ignoring the way his heart does somersaults, and his cheeks are burning.

"I can walk," Kevin assures and limps forward.

"Trust me, I'm strong," this time Kevin catches the smile dancing on his mouth. He gets on his back, rolling his eyes playfully.

"You really think you can do everything, right?"

"I can do everything for you, anything," his tone is one full of certainty that catches the brunette by surprise. "Don't let go, okay?" Kevin wraps his arms around his waist securely, tightening his grasp once Changmin stands up.

Remembering he came with Sunwoo and Chanhee, his hand fishes for his phone out from the pocket of his jean. He begins dialing Chanhee's number and is left with the caller returning to voicemail. He tries calling Sunwoo next but as soon as he hears his voice, his phone's screen becomes dark, and he forgets he didn't fully charge his phone.

The sound of thunder clapping and the clouds breaking open to release heavy rain engulf him, and he's left with nothing but a drenched heart, feeling for his keys in his pockets. Except there's nothing. It's empty.

"I'll take you home, or wherever you're comfortable staying tonight."

"Just take me home," Kevin says, dejected.

Home is where the heart is, he remembers Younghoon quoting.

He should call Younghoon, he figures. He could use some advice.

Changmin doesn't know what it means for Kevin than his home with Jacob, but he doesn't take him there. Kevin needs time to think and rest after everything, especially today.

Instead, he takes him to his shared apartment with Juyeon.