*

"Can I kiss you?"

Kyungsoo pauses stirring the tofu stew he is cooking. He turns to the younger male just staring at him, waiting for an answer like his life depends on it.

"What?"

"Can I kiss you?"

Kyungsoo deems to turn off the stove before facing Sehun whose looking at him intently. He can sense he is uncertain of what he has just said, but he also can tell he is determined and willing. Not still quite sure of what he has just heard, he asks him again for the second time, just for confirmation.

"What did you say?"

"Can I kiss you?"

"Why?"

Sehun shrugs, "For scientific purposes?"

Ever since that night, he has been feeling a teeny-weeny bothered, not really that bothered bothered, but just a little bit bothered. It's not even his first kiss, it's not even his first make out session, and most importantly, it's not even a kiss with Baekhyun, but that particular kiss seems to infect his brain.

That every time he'd stare into a distance or space out for a while, a certain pair of lips would pop out of nowhere in his mind to distract him so he'd end up doing nothing all day but just to think about it until the sun sets.

Yes, he's not really that bothered by it and also, it's not good for his mental health.

So he finally decides to take action.

He asked Baekhyun once over burger and cola what he should do if something keeps on teeny-weeny bothering him, and the male, as his best friend for eternity, told him he should find the main cause of it and that is where he should start discovering the truth.

Following Baekhyun's advice although he doesn't slightly understood what he meant by that, he makes up his mind to work on it before it fully disturbs him.

He'll start off with Kyungsoo. Though he appears scary and strict, Kyungsoo is the most understanding and caring person he knows. He's definitely sure that Kyungsoo can help him solve his worry.

"Did you just ask me if you could kiss me?"

"Yeah."

Kyungsoo thinks for a while. "Okay." Then he takes off his apron nonchalantly and puts it aside. "Come here."

Sehun obediently positions in front of Kyungsoo as the smaller male leans against the kitchen counter. Kyungsoo places both his hands on top of Sehun's broad shoulders while he licks his lips.

"Wait, isn't this considered cheating?" Sehun asks hesitantly.

"It's not considered cheating if my boyfriend knows," Kyungsoo replies while in the process of fishing out his phone and texting Jongin, 'Babe, I will kiss Sehun, hope you don't mind. Love you.' Then he presses send and hides his phone back. "Alright, it's settled."

Sehun clears his throat. "Okay..."

"Bend down and come a little closer," Kyungsoo instructs. When they are just a hairsbreadth away with Sehun's hand perched on the counter on either side of him, he closes the gaps between their mouths and pecks his lips. "There."

Sehun blinks. "Uh."

"What, you want it longer?"

"Yeah... I think?"

"Okay."

And then Kyungsoo kisses him again, holding him by the back of his neck to push his head towards his face. Sehun squeezes his eyes and slowly responds to the pair of plump lips moving softly against his mouth.

Well, Kyungsoo is a skilled kisser. It feels just like being kissed by a famous actor on one of the dramas he has watched on TV. Their kiss is not hurried and he doesn't feel the need to catch up on him. It doesn't make him uncomfortable at all, it's actually nice and warm and soft, as though he's kissing his favorite teddy bear and eating cotton candy. Kyungsoo's lips also taste sweet, must be the chocolate cake Kyungsoo ate this morning.

Kyungsoo is the first to pull away as he stares up to him. "So. How was it?"

Sehun doesn't answer. Giving Kyungsoo a thankful pat on the cheek, he only nods his head while he is pondering to himself and turning his back to leave.

He needs to write it down for his record.

"Hey!" Kyungsoo calls, and the younger ignores him as he exits the kitchen. Shaking his head, he just clicks his tongue and decides to continue his cooking. "What's with him today."

From his seat at the living room, Chanyeol sees a spacing-out Sehun walking aimlessly he almost bumps into a vase. He curiously watches as the male scurries up the stairs, so he doesn't notice Baekhyun calling his name twice.

He feels a sudden slap on his arm. "Hey!"

"Huh?" He blinks at Baekhyun grinning at him, then at the hand placed too comfortably on his knee, "What is it?"

"I think you're ready," Baekhyun tells him with a smile, showing him two papers side by side. The hand on his knee is now gone, and it slightly makes him feel lonely for some reason. "You've already mastered your old handwriting. This was from your notes two years ago and the other one is what you've written just now. Well, it looks exactly the same, right?"

Eyeing the papers, Chanyeol mentally compares the handwriting from the first paper to the second paper, then he nods. "Yes. It looks really similar."

"Oh, and look at this," Baekhyun says, bringing out another notebook full of answers and check marks. "You almost got correct answers!" He claps his hands, obvious that he's really happy with it. "As expected, you're really smart. You can easily understand the topics given to you."

"That's because you're a good teacher," Chanyeol says, and Baekhyun has to hide his blush hearing the compliment. "It's because of you that's why I could understand everything. Thank you so much."

Baekhyun coughs, muttering softly to himself, "If you're really thankful then you should at least give me a kiss."

Chanyeol furrows his eyebrows. "What did you say?"

"Nothing."

"Should I treat you to lunch, then?"

"Lunch?"

"Yes."

"Well," Baekhyun pretends he's not excited, concealing his smile behind his hand while trying not to be giddy about it, "That seems not a bad idea."

"Really?"

"Yes. Lunch is great."

Baekhyun is not really that expecting this early but is this what it is now? Is Chanyeol falling for him once again? Is he asking him out? Is he finally making a move!?

Either way, he doesn't want to get his hopes up. He'll just take this slow for Chanyeol's sake.

"You just told me I was ready," Chanyeol says, "Does that mean I could go back to college now?"

"Yes," Baekhyun nods, "Hm. But there's still one thing you're not prepared of, though." He scans every inch Chanyeol's face, making Chanyeol feel a little conscious. "Your looks."

"What about my looks?"

"Your hair is too thick and overgrown. You look like a caveman."

Chanyeol shyly touches his hair sticking to every direction. "I do?"

"Yeah. You need a haircut," Baekhyun says while he massages his chin. He ruffles Chanyeol's long fringe covering his eyes which makes his hair fall down, "Let's get rid of this."

"But why?"

"You used to have your hair styled up, showing your glorious handsome forehead to the world," Baekhyun smiles. "Ah, I have your picture back then. Wait!"

Then he gets his phone and binge-scrolls his gallery which contains 70% selca, 20% secret files, and 10% puppy pictures. He searches for Chanyeol's photo in his secret files while the male waits beside him.

"Here it is!"

"This was back in high school when you were still grumpy. You got irritated when I took a picture of you that was why you looked like that."

"I looked scary," Chanyeol says, shaking his head, "I hate it."

"Well, how about this?" He taps on another picture of Chanyeol. "This was taken back in New York," Baekhyun explains, chuckling a little as he shows one of his most favorite pictures of Chanyeol, "You didn't know I was taking pictures of you when we were shopping one time."

"Wow," Chanyeol stares in awe at himself on Baekhyun's phone, "Why do I look so..."

"Handsome!" Baekhyun exclaims, zooming in and out the photo while he looks at it dreamily. "Right, Chanyeol sun--" He coughs. "I mean. Right, Chanyeol?"

"But how about now?" Chanyeol asks, fixing his hair as if something will change, "Don't I look handsome, still?"

"You admitted you were ugly, remember," Baekhyun snorts, rolling his eyes, "And right now, you basically look like a prehistoric man unless you get a haircut."

"Fine then, make me look like him," Chanyeol firmly says, pointing at his own picture like he's pertaining to another person, "I want to be handsome again."

Baekhyun laughs heartily, "Okay."

Chanyeol finds himself seated in front of the bathroom mirror with a towel draped on his shoulders and Baekhyun behind him holding a pair of scissors and a comb, cutting and trimming his hair.

"Baekhyun, are you sure you know how to cut hair?"

"Of course! We used to cut each other's hairs back then," Baekhyun answers, looking at Chanyeol over the mirror. He giggles under his breath when he remembers one silly thing, "You also used to shave my pubes down there. It's really embarrassing now that I think about it."

"Shave your what!?"

Baekhyun blushes, "M-my beard! I said, beard!"

"Oh," Chanyeol mutters, "You grew a beard?"

"Yes! I had really thick beard, you know," Baekhyun coughs, and god forgive him for his lie, "But I got it lazer-removed now. Hah." He awkwardly laughs. "Itch problems."

"Really?"

"Yeah. It sucks."

Silence envelopes the whole room, only the cutting noises of the scissors are heard. Every fall of Chanyeol's hair on the floor is every clearance of Chanyeol's handsome face, and as his fringe gets shorter to reveal his forehead, the more Baekhyun can make out the old Chanyeol in him.

Once done, Baekhyun finally stops to admire the good-looking appearance on the mirror right before his eyes. He stares astounded, seeing the man he has fallen in love with back in high school, the man who took him to New York, the man who taught him life, and the man who promised him a love till death do as part.

It's not just Chanyeol he is looking at, but it's his Chanyeol sunbae whom he can see. Chanyeol feels so close yet so far, and the fact that he came back but he's not here, brings a sudden clench in his heart.

Baekhyun doesn't notice a tear escaping his eyes, so when he feels it dripping down his cheek, he turns around fast and pretends to busy himself cleaning up the hairs on the floor.

"It looks good on you," he just mumbles while he sweeps the floor using the small broom and dustpan, "You're now handsome again."

Chanyeol stands up and dusts off his shirt, "Do I look like the old Chanyeol now?"

"If you don't talk much and just seldom smile, yes," Baekhyun answers, "You should do that in school so people won't ask you anymore questions." He faces him. "You can be yourself again when you're with me."

"Okay," Chanyeol answers. He can sense Baekhyun's mood seeming to decline after his haircut so he can't help but ask, "Is there something wrong, Baekhyun?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You just look a little sad and I can feel it from you," Chanyeol says, "Maybe you were missing the old me... Maybe you were reminded of the memories we shared together that I can't now remember... Am I right about that?"

Baekhyun tiny smiles, "Was I that really obvious?"

"Yes, you are."

"I'm sorry if I can't help it."

"It's okay, I understand. I know it's been hard for your part, too... If ever you're feeling down, you can always tell me," Chanyeol says, "I'll do my best to cheer you up."

"Really?"

"Of course."

"Will you buy me ice cream, then?" Baekhyun asks in a cute manner.

Chanyeol nods enthusiastically, "Sure!"

*

"Why did you take me here?" Jongin asks, then he inspects the location they are in right now. They're at the most secluded part of the library, the corner of farthest shelves where the rumors say ghosts are appearing, "I wanna go back, it's creepy in here!"

Sehun grabs his wrist and looks at him in the eyes.

"Jongin, wait."

"Huh?"

"Kim Jongin."

"Yeah?"

"Dude."

"What?"

"You're," Sehun lengthy sighs, "You're my best bud right?"

Jongin coughs, "Yeah as of now, I think?"

"You'd do anything for me, wouldn't you?"

"Of course, to the best that I can."

"Then do me a favor." Sehun holds his shoulders tight, making Jongin flash a panicked look as he feels his back meeting the cold wall. "I need you to do this with me."

"And what should I do with you?"

"You already know what I mean!"

"I don't know what you mean unless you tell me!"

"Why would I still tell you. Don't you get it why I took you here?"

"Uh, I'm not sure?"

"Then take a guess."

For a brief moment, Jongin studies Sehun's gaze intently trained at him. The atmosphere between them suddenly turns serious and thick although still bearable. He waits for the next word that Sehun is going to say, but he only feels the clutch on his shoulders loosening down, then Sehun stepping back and looking away.

"Uh, nevermind what I said," Sehun shakes his head as he lets out a frustrated sigh, "Forget it." He shoves his hands inside his pockets and kicks an invisible rock. "Come on, let's just go back."

Jongin slowly smiles after he gives it a little thought, "Ooohhh, now I get it." He teasingly laughs as he nods his head, and Sehun feels the need to punch him on the face. "So you want to make out with me, huh?" He clicks his tongue sarcastically. "You already kissed Luhan and Kyungsoo so now you're targeting me next." He chuckles annoyingly. "What a fucking little bitch."

Sehun can't believe what he has just heard, "The fuck did you just call me?"

"Hey. I'm just kidding," Jongin snorts, and he can't help guffawing at Sehun's embarrassed state. It's obvious he's flustered by the way his ears are turning red, "Fine then, let's do it. I'll kiss you in the most bromantic way."

"The fuck is a bromantic," Sehun mutters, "Shit, I must be out of my fucking mind."

"No, you're not. What's wrong with kissing your best friend anyway? Psh, it's not like this is considered cheating or anything. Nah," Jongin slaps the air with a nonchalant hand, "It's fine, you know, to explore stuff. It's just normal between friends."

"You think so?"

"Of course. Trust me."

Sehun clears his throat, "Alright. If you're cool about it then let's just get this shit over with."

"Deal," Jongin takes off his bag and throws it to the floor like he'll get into a fist-fight. He threads his fingers through his hair, stepping forward to Sehun so that the male has his back now leaning against the wall. "Just wanna remind you that I don't do receiving."

"Well, fuck you because I don't do receiving either," Sehun answers, then he is grabbing Jongin's shirt to shove him back to the surface, exchanging their positions. He slaps the wall with his hand to cage Jongin inside his arms. "Let's just do this in a quiet way."

"But I want to lead the kiss."

"No, I want to lead the kiss."

"But I'm a top."

"No. You're a vers this time."

"All right, then." Jongin smiles, "Vers it is, only for you."

Sehun is about to almost lean in and kiss him on the lips when Jongin suddenly screams aloud to stop him, "Wait, shit! Wait!"

"What?"

"I need to put lip balm first," Jongin says, before slipping his lip balm from his pocket and applying it thinly on his lips. He smacks his mouth with a pop once he's done. "There."

Sehun decides to come closer again when Jongin, for the second time, halts him. He blocks his hand on Sehun's chest.

"Sehun, wait."

"What is it again?"

"I just wanna let you know," Jongin mutters, "that after this, nothing should change between us." He smiles, yet a little bit melancholic, "You and I are gonna be the same. You get that?"

"Tell me exactly what you mean by that."

"You lied because you pretended not to know," Jongin says, "when you knew all along what I told you that night."

Sehun averts his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine... At least at some point you and I had an understanding," Jongin says, tapping Sehun's shoulder lightly, "Even if we both wanted it... or even if they also wanted it, or even if the whole world wanted it, things aren't supposed to go that way because that's not just how it is."

"But that's for me to decide."

"Let's just wait whatever happens, then."

Sehun stares at him for a while, before nodding as an answer as if he can no longer do something about it. Jongin brings a hand to cup his cheek as though to console him.

"Sehun, do you understand what I'm saying?"

"Yeah, of course. I understand."

"You should take my advice," Jongin chuckles, "I'm just glad you didn't deny it on my face."

"You just didn't ask, you coward."

"I don't take rejections quite good, though."

"Well, the fuck is with this irony," Sehun curses with a dry cackle, "Who says I'm rejecting anybody?"

"You're such a fucking asshole," Jongin says with a laugh, "Enough with this bullshit. You still wanna do this or not?"

"It depends," Sehun says as he shrugs, "Close your eyes."

The old librarian chooses to arrive from the backdoor, witnessing with her blurry vision two male students at the corner of the library with their faces dangerously close to one another. Fixing her eyeglasses on the bridge of her nose, she sees them kissing heatedly against the wall until the other one is pulling away to breathe.

"Kids these days," she just mutters with a helpless sigh as she pushes the cart full of books, passing by beside those two who are now making out again like there's no tomorrow. "Just don't have sex in here, young lads."

Still catching for his breath, Jongin heartily laughs as he wipes his swollen mouth against the back of his hand, "Oh god, Kyungsoo is gonna kill me..."

Sehun is also breathing heavily, his head resting on top of Jongin's shoulder with a smile on his face, "I must've gone really really crazy..." He laughs. "Fuck, Jongin..."

"Yeah, I know..."

"I'm guilty for thinking I wanted to do it again..."

"And I'm guilty for having a fucking hard-on right now..."

Sehun glares at the bump on Jongin's crotch. "Ew. You're gay."

"No. You're gayer."

"Says the one who just popped an erection."

"Will you give me a hand?"

"Hell, no. That's disgusting."

"So, how was it, then?" Jongin asks expectantly. "Was it good?"

"Not bad," Sehun just laughs, flicking Jongin's boner, "But not as good as Luhan's."

*

They're still at the library.

"Is it true that Park Chanyeol came back!?"

"Yeah, I saw him at the dean's office this morning!"

And Baekhyun can hear everyone gossiping loud and clear.

"So the rumors aren't real then? I heard he had committed suicide."

"I saw Park Chanyeol in my class, he was so handsome and tall!"

"Wasn't he gay, though?"

"His pictures are all over the university website, you should check them out!"

"But I thought he was already in abroad?"

Kyungsoo massages his hurting temples, letting out a sigh, "I'm so tired of them talking about Chanyeol. When will they stop?"

Slumping lazily on the table, Baekhyun just shakes his head. "I don't know." He breathes and randomly flips the pages of Luhan's book. "I expected this to happen, though, but I hope Chanyeol sunbae is okay..."

"Of course he'd be okay, he's the Park Chanyeol after all," Kyungsoo smiles, "I really thought his memories came back when I saw him this morning." He shivers. "He's got the, you know, feels."

Baekhyun laughs at that, "Well, I just told him not to smile and talk around strangers."

"So he follows you now?"

"Of course, I'm the top now!"

Kyungsoo throws him a look, "I congratulate you." Glancing around their table, he suddenly notices the two vacant seats beside a completely dozed off Luhan. "Wait, where's Jongin and Sehun?"

His phone vibrates on top of the table so he reads the message which came from Jongin.

Babe, I made out with Sehun!!!!!!!!!! Hope you don't mind. Love you!!!!!!!

PS. I got a boner, I'm sorry. ㅠㅠ

"What the fuck, this hoe," Kyungsoo mutters as he squints his eyes at the screen, "He enjoyed it too much, huh."

*

"What did you say?"

Sehun coughs and hides his face from Baekhyun's scrutinizing stare. "I asked you... if I could kiss you..."

Baekhyun lifts an eyebrow, "And why would you ask me that all of a sudden?"

"I just," Sehun mumbles. He gets up from lying on the grass with Baekhyun, "wanted to confirm something."

Silence is Baekhyun's answer before he also gets up after several seconds so that he's sitting beside the other male. Looking around the vast soccer field, he spots a few students already heading home while others are still lounging by themselves just like him and Sehun.

The sun is about to set, signaling that night time is just around the corner. He wanted to spend more time with Chanyeol, though, but Yura picked him up early today. It was his first day in school anyway.

"You don't have to do it if you don't want to," Sehun says, "I understand, especially now that your boyfriend is already here."

Baekhyun smiles sadly, "He's not my boyfriend," then he adds, "anymore."

"You should say 'yet' instead of anymore."

"You're right. He's not my boyfriend yet."

"Well, it already came from you. You're single now and so am I," Sehun says jokingly, "There's no reason for you to hold back."

"If I do you this favor now, will that really help you?" Baekhyun asks earnestly, "I know I owe you a lot and I also want to be of help to you."

"Of course. Whatever you do for my sake as long as you put your heart into it, it will always be of help to me," Sehun answers, "This may sound quite absurd, but I just want to know if I still feel the same way about you after kissing you."

"Let's do it then," Baekhyun says, looking at Sehun in the eyes, "And I hope you get the answer that you wanted."

"Okay."

"Okay."

Sehun moves closer to cup Baekhyun's face inside his hands like a fragile glass. Closing his eyes and leaning it to the touch, Baekhyun stays passive until he is sensing the warmth pressing on top of his mouth in the way of Sehun's lips. He feels Sehun kissing him slow and careful, delicate and soft, moving gently on his own accord. So he finally decides to respond into the kiss to do his part on the other hand.

Both are unaware of somone standing from a far, witnessing the scene with his own two eyes.

*

To be continued.