*

Staring at the computer screen, Luhan furrows his eyebrows while his index finger slowly scrolls on the mouse to search for his name on the list.

"I think I didn't get in..."

"Oh! There it is!" Sehun suddenly exclaims behind him as he points at the screen, "I saw your name! Luhan!"

"Really!? Where!?"

"At the lowest part! Look! You're in the list!"

Luhan squints, eyes automatically widening when he reads his name Lu Han from the list of interview passers of the job he has applied to. He quickly stands up and squeals in joy, holding Sehun's hands as the two of them jump together like kids.

"Ahhhhh!!! I passed the interview!"

"Congrats!"

"I have a job now!"

"Yeah, you do!"

"Ahhhh!!!"

"Ahhhh!!!"

Doing that for almost fifteen seconds, Sehun decides to stop now, letting go of Luhan's hands when he realizes he has been holding them for too long. He clears his throat while the older just grins at him.

"The hotel management said I can start working next week," Luhan says as he plops on the bed while he reads the email on his phone, "That's after winter break."

"Is that so," Sehun sits on the bed beside him, "What do you have to do on your job, basically?"

"Since I'm born with a handsome and pretty face like this," Luhan gestures at his whole face, "They're gonna put me at the front desk of the hotel to welcome guests."

"That seems tiring. You have to smile all day."

"Yeah, so I'll just think about you so that I have a reason to smile."

Sehun stares.

"Your heart fluttered, right?" Luhan teases, pinching Sehun's sides, "Yeeee!"

Sehun tries to hide his blush by rolling his eyes, "Maybe. But just a little."

"Anyway, what are your plans this coming winter break? Are you just gonna stay here?"

"I think I'll have to go home and help my Mom. She opened a small coffee shop with Baekhyun's mom and she asked me to help her," Sehun says, then he turns to Luhan who's now sitting on the bed crossed-legs. "Baekhyun's lucky, though."

"Yeah?" Luhan lifts his eyebrow in interest, "Why?"

"I heard Chanyeol will take him to an overseas trip again. They're gonna spend the whole break with each other in the Philippines, a country with a tropical beach and a beautiful scenery."

"Wow, that seems a lot of fun! I really envy Baekhyun, he's enjoying the perks of having a rich boyfriend."

Sehun side-eyes him, "I'll get rich too, someday."

Luhan thinks for a while, "Hey, what do you think could've happened if I stayed with Chanyeol from the very first start? Will I be on Baekhyun's place?" He starts to imagine himself with Chanyeol. "Will Chanyeol take me to New York, too? And love me that much, too?"

"Baekhyun being on your place instead," Sehun smiles dreamily, "That would be a dream come true for me. I'd get to date Baekhyun and have sex with him, too."

"What," Luhan mutters.

"And to answer your question, Chanyeol wouldn't be still able to stay with you. Your personalities don't just match," Sehun shakes his head, "You're not kindhearted and warm like Baekhyun, you're not gentle and cute like Baekhyun, you're not patient and understanding like Baekhyun, and most importantly, you are not simply Baekhyun. Baekhyun, you know, is the most perfect lover someone could ever have in their entire life."

Luhan slaps his back hard.

"What the fuck!" Sehun curses, glaring at the older who's equally glaring at him, "Why did you hit me!?"

"How dare you compare me to Baekhyun! I just want to remind you that you are no longer fucking allowed to fantasize over Baekhyun when you decided to become my boyfriend, you fucking understand!?"

"Fine," Sehun mutters as he holds his slapped back, "God... Why would you hit me like that... It hurts..." He gets his phone and begins typing his message, "I'm telling Jongin you're bullying me."

"Sure. Go ahead. He loves me more than he loves you!"

"Oh, really? I don't think so."

"Oh, really? Why don't you not think so?"

"Bros, before hoes, bitch."

Luhan sometimes asks himself why did he even decide to date someone so immature and annoying like Sehun. But then he realizes Sehun has a big dick, so he just consoles himself with that.

"So, how about you?" Sehun asks, going on with their conversation, "What's your plan on winter break?"

"Me? I'll spend my life working my ass off because I'm an adult now," Luhan shrugs, "I have to earn money for my savings and to pay college debts."

"That hotel you are about to work at, isn't it a bit too far away from here?" Sehun asks, "Are you gonna commute to work everyday? That's gonna take you two hours or so if you ride the subway."

"Well, I guess I have to move out and rent an apartment closer to my workplace," Luhan casually says as he fumbles with his phone.

That makes Sehun suddenly pause.

He lets a brief silence take over the room as he ponders what he heard from the older male. Noticing the tensed atmosphere, Luhan puts down his phone only to find Sehun just blankly staring at him.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Do Jongin and Kyungsoo already know about this?"

Luhan quickly averts his eyes.

"About you applying for a job, saving money and planning to move out," Sehun asks. "Do they know all about this?"

"I'll just tell them soon when I already sorted everything out," Luhan forces a chuckle, "I'm still finding the right time to tell them about it."

"When are you gonna tell them?" Sehun says, then he realizes something, "Is this what you meant that night? When you asked me to be your life savior? You want me to keep your secrets?"

Luhan fails to answer him. He just busies himself cleaning up his already tidy room. He goes back to his computer to turn it off and walks around to pick up whatever mess there is while Sehun only follows his every movement.

"Moving out isn't an easy thing to decide on. I'm sure they're gonna be surprised when they found out you got accepted for a job. They need time to take it in," Sehun explains, trying to talk to Luhan like he doesn't want to listen, "Hyung, would you stay still for a while?"

"I know, of course, I knew it already," Luhan sighs. He stops walking when Sehun grabs his wrist, pulling him down to sit next to him on the bed. "I'm gonna tell them really soon, I promise..."

"I don't want you to keep something from your boyfriends. That's not a good thing to do," Sehun says, sounding a little mature now, "If you decide on something for yourself, isn't it a rule to be honest inside a relationship and let them know how you feel?"

Luhan holds his forehead, nodding as he listens to the younger, "Yeah... You're right."

"Then you should tell Jongin and Kyungsoo about your plans," Sehun says, patting his shoulder comfortingly, "If you already decided on it, they'll support you no matter what."

That makes Luhan's lips form into a smile, "You know what? When you're acting like this, I can't help liking you more." Then he pushes Sehun down the bed and sits on top of him so that he's snugly settled above his body.

He smirks.

"W-what are you gonna do," Sehun stutters, widening his eyes at Luhan now leaning his face closer to him in attempt to kiss him, "Let's not do it now! I swear to god."

"Why? Don't you like having sex with me?" Luhan says, swaying his head to the right as he perches his chin on top of Sehun's chest underneath him, "Does it make you uncomfortable?"

"I-I'm not used to... doing it every now and then," Sehun manages to say, almost in a whisper, "I'm sorry... if I can't keep up with you, I'm still a newbie... My stamina isn't that good."

Luhan chuckles at how cute Sehun is, "All right! Let's just kiss then." He cups the younger's face. "Can we do that, at least?"

Sehun nods like a kid. "Okay."

"Okay, then. Here I go." Smooch, Luhan gently pecks Sehun on the lips. Smooch, and he kisses him again on his jaw. Smooch, then he gives him another one on his nose.

Smooch. Smooch. Smooch. He kisses him all over his face. "Baby, you should kiss me, too..."

"Where?"

"Here, on my lips."

"Mwah. There you go," Sehun says, and he's puckering his lips again as the two of them lazily kiss like cats, sometimes rubbing their noses while laughing like children.

That is why they didn't notice the knock on the door and that someone barging inside the room.

"Hey, I said close your eyes... Sehun..."

"Wait, I think there's someone on the door..."

Hearing faint footsteps slowly disappearing, Sehun turns his head towards the door and instantly calls the male who is about to leave.

"Hey, Kyungsoo? What is it?"

Kyungsoo pauses on his tracks when he hears Sehun call him. He feels two pairs of eyes now staring at his back, so he decides to just turn around. He finds Luhan quickly fixing his crumpled clothes who is now sitting on the bed beside Sehun unlike the position he was at earlier.

Sehun gets up as well, searching for Kyungsoo's eyes that won't meet his.

"Is there something you want to say?"

"I uh," Kyungsoo awkwardly rubs his nape and steps back after meeting eye contact with Luhan, "No... It's nothing. I'm sorry for disturbing you. I'll just go."

For some odd reason, seeing Kyungsoo go out of that door sends a painful clench in Luhan's heart.

"I wonder what's the matter, though. Hey, Luhan!"

Getting out of the bed, Luhan ignores Sehun's call as he immediately chases after Kyungsoo before the male can even get away--- and even before it gets too late.

"Kyungsoo, wait."

Kyungsoo looks down at the hand suddenly wrapping around his wrist, before he glances up at Luhan straight in the eyes which feels like it has been a long time.

It's only been four days anyway since they last talked. The last time was that night Jongin and him picked Luhan up from Sehun's house. He doesn't know what exactly happened, but it just turned out like this--- Luhan not talking to him when it was just the two of them alone, and Luhan refusing to look at him he doesn't even know the reason why yet.

He thought Luhan was just acting a little bitchy and moody, that he'd eventually go back to being clingy tomorrow, but Kyungsoo proved it wrong when Luhan started to actually get distant from him; he would stick with Sehun all day so he wouldn't have a chance to talk to him for once.

But he guesses Luhan has finally felt guilty, now that he was the first to approach him this time.

He feels hurt and disappointed all at once.

"Kyungsoo... Sehun and I... We were just---" Luhan stops himself, realizing why the fuck he's explaining to him, "I mean, I was just..."

"Instead of explaining that, why don't you explain this?" Kyungsoo says, and right then and there, Luhan knows he completely fucked up. Kyungsoo is angry, he can feel it, as the male harshly shoves a paper against his chest it makes him step back due to the impact, "Acceptance letter? Since when did you apply for a job two hours away from home?"

Luhan clutches the paper on his chest, "I-I was about to tell you but..."

"But what?" Kyungsoo raises his voice, and he's just restraining himself to lash out on him when he remembers another thing, "Oh, right! I saw this when I was cleaning your room." He throws another paper at Luhan which turns out to be a house for rent flyer, "Did you also forget to tell me you were looking for a place to move out?"

Luhan picks up the paper, holding Kyungsoo again so he can face him. "Kyungsoo, please let me explain. I didn't mean to keep this from you and Jongin, I just want things to be sure first before I---"

"Does Sehun already know this?"

"Kyungsoo."

"Just answer me!"

"Yes, he knows all about it," Luhan says in one breathing.

"I knew it," Kyungsoo says, yanking the other male's hand off his arm, "Why you were suddenly being distant from me lately... Why you wouldn't talk and look at me... I kept asking myself what I did wrong... Now I know why..." He finally meets Luhan's gaze deeply piercing through his heart. "You don't love me anymore, do you?" He smiles a painful one. "You want to get rid of me and Jongin now that you have Sehun in your life."

No, that's not true... That's never going to be true, Luhan wants to say out loud but he refrains himself although he's close to breaking down into tears.

He must do this. If not now, then when else?

He needs to be coldhearted and strong to be able to break up with him, so he just swallows his fear, clenches his fists, and lets out his most smug smile he could ever muster.

As though he is a different person.

"Yeah, you're right," he answers confidently, and those words coming out of his lips utterly surprises Kyungsoo a lot, "I don't love you anymore. But don't blame Sehun though, it's not because of him. He doesn't have anything to do with it. I just don't love you anymore and I'm tired being with you guys."

Kyungsoo can't believe what he has just heard from the male. His body feels numb all of a sudden while trying to process everything in.

"What did you just say?"

"The reason why I applied for a job two hours away from home, and the reason why I'm planning to move out," Luhan bravely says, "is because I want to break up with you and Jongin. I want to end this weird relationship with you. Why? Because I'm sick of this set up. That's it."

Kyungsoo is unable to form words as he only stares at the unwavering male in front of him. He waits for Luhan to say he was just kidding or he was just pulling a prank on him, but the male doesn't give him any of it.

And that fact squeezes his heart in so much ache until it's hard for him to breathe.

"Again, it's not because of you and Jongin. It's not because of Sehun either. It's because of my damn selfishness. I decided all of this on my own," Luhan explains, appearing as emotionless as possible to Kyungsoo, "Don't tell Jongin about it yet. I'll break up with him myself."

"Babe... what are you trying to say?" Kyungsoo asks, wishing everything is not real.

"Can't you still understand? I said I'm breaking up with you," Luhan answers as he stares at his eyes directly, "Don't call me babe anymore. You and I, we're done. I no longer want to do this with you. I'm tired and sick of you, Kyungsoo. I don't love you anymore."

Kyungsoo grabs his wrist when he attempts to leave, "Y-you don't mean that, right? Everything that you said just now... They're not true, right?"

"I mean everything that I said."

"But you just told me you love me... Don't you remember? When we were together at the mall... You said you love me so much... Was that all a lie?"

"Yeah, that's just a lie. I've been lying to you and Jongin all this time, because the truth is, I've been wanting to get away from you," Luhan says, "Why? I want freedom. I want to live by myself without the two of you meddling in my life. It's really tiring and burdensome to always depend on you, you know? I'm just not happy being in this relationship anymore."

"How could you just... all these years we've been together... How could you just say that?" Kyungsoo mutters as he starts to tear up, "Don't you know how much you're hurting me with your words?"

If only Luhan could take back what he just said, hug Kyungsoo tight, and tell him that he really loves him so much.

If only he could be greedy once again.

"I've made up my mind. I'm sorry."

"No, don't do this!" Kyungsoo grabs his hand as he cries, "Please, don't leave me... I'll treat you better and do whatever you want... Just don't break up with me... Please... You know how much I love you, right? You know that, right?"

"I don't care! I don't want to stay with someone like you anymore. I fucking hate you so much, Kyungsoo."

Luhan passes by beside Kyungsoo after that, and the moment their shoulders bumps against each other, Kyungsoo's knees have finally give in as he slumps dejectedly on the floor.

He doesn't turn back one last time, so he fails to see the way Kyungsoo cry out his breaking heart.

*

"Luhan!"

Sehun chases after Luhan when he sees him ride the bus. Quickly running to get on the vehicle, he successfully catches him, sitting beside him on the farthest seat of the bus.

"Hey," he greets as he takes off his backpack, "You went to the university?"

"Yeah. I just dropped by to get the requirements that I need for my job orientation."

"I see that you're getting busy now, huh?"

"Not really, I still got time for you."

Deciding to listen to some music during the ride home, Luhan rummages through his bag to get his earphones. He plugs the right bud into his ear while he offers the left one to Sehun.

"Here."

Sehun stares at it. "What's that?"

"Let's listen to music together. Couples do this, you know," Luhan chuckles. He does the job to stick the other pair of earphones into Sehun's ear. "There."

So lucky my love...

Oh, woah...

So lucky to have you...

Oh, woah..

So lucky to be your love...

I am...

Oh, woah...

"Why are you laughing?"

"Nothing," Sehun covers his mouth in attempt to hide his laugh, suddenly hearing this catchy and upbeat music. "This is a nice song, by the way."

"I know, right?" Luhan laughs with him. "That's one of my favorite songs."

Sehun ends up falling asleep on his shoulder until they arrive home. Massaging his tired arm, Luhan walks ahead first towards the mansion with Sehun running behind him who's carrying his bag like what a true boyfriend does.

"Hey, wait for me," Sehun says, and he slowly halts when Luhan stops on his tracks, finding Kyungsoo getting out of the house to throw the trash.

The two males both stare at each other quietly without exchanging a single word as though they are mortal enemies, and Sehun is surprised of the sudden change in atmosphere right now.

Everyday after school, the two would greet each other with a kiss on the cheek or simply ask each other what's for dinner or what happened in class. So today is a whole lot different, finding Luhan and Kyungsoo ignoring one another's existence.

Kyungsoo is the first to break eye contact as he retreats inside the house.

"What happened?" Sehun worriedly asks. "Did you two fight?"

"Oh that," Luhan answers casually, "We broke up."

"What?"

"I said, we broke up. Kyungsoo and I. We're not together anymore."

Sehun grabs Luhan's elbow so that he is directly facing him, Luhan won't meet his eyes, "What did you say just now!?"

Luhan massages the bridge of his nose, "I already ended things between Kyungsoo and me. He's not my boyfriend anymore."

"Why!?" Sehun blurts out in disbelief as he grips Luhan's shoulders, "Why would you do that to Kyungsoo? Why would you leave him like that when we both know you still love him so much!? I don't understand," He shakes his head dejectedly, "Is it because of me?"

"No, Sehun. It's not because of you," Luhan replies, giving him a forced smile, "I decided this by myself and I have my own reasons. Don't feel guilty about it."

"But still! How about Kyungsoo!?" Sehun yells, "You're just gonna break up like that? Are you seriously fucking out of your mind!? Go talk to him right now!"

"Shh! It's gonna be fine! I'll sort it out on my own, okay?"

"But Luhan!"

"Blah blah blah, I'm not listening!"

"Hey, come back here. We're not yet done talking!"

"Chase me first!"

Kyungsoo is just waiting to get inside the mansion so that he can release the ache he's been holding inside his chest. Seeing Luhan like that looking unaffected at all sends more pain in his heart.

A tear escapes his eyes once again, so he quickly wipes it using his sleeves. Turning off the stove to pause his cooking, he takes off his apron and leans against the counter while he cries silently.

From the kitchen, he can hear Luhan and Sehun's lively laughter and chattering as the both of them enter the house. Listening to their cheerful voices is a pure torture as the both of them head upstairs.

It still echoes even when they're gone, and Kyungsoo knows that he is just the only one suffering in this situation. Jongin has no idea about what happened between him and Luhan. He can't even tell Jongin that the male had broken up with him, and even if he could, he would still choose not to.

"Kyungsoo?"

Kyungsoo hastily dries his tears as he turns his back around, pretending to be busy cooking, "Oh. You're home? I'm still preparing dinner."

Having just arrived from his part-time job, Jongin glances at the kitchen, seeing his boyfriend with drooped shoulders. He can feel an aura of sadness in him he can't put a finger on.

"You all right?" he takes off his sling bag and walks into the kitchen to meet Kyungsoo who's not even moving on his spot, "What's wrong?"

Kyungsoo doesn't answer. He's still standing there unresponsive like a rock. Worried, Jongin gets closer and holds the smaller male's shoulders to gently turn him around.

"Kyungsoo? Did something happen?" Jongin asks in a soft voice as he peeks at Kyungsoo's hidden face.

Not getting any response, he holds Kyungsoo's chin and is about to tilt his head up, but Kyungsoo already buries his face against his chest. The smaller embraces him tight as he lets his tears finally stream down his cheeks.

"Wait, why the sudden hug?" Jongin laughs, soothing Kyungsoo's back. This must be another episode of Kyungsoo being clingy so he'd enjoy it while it lasts.

"Jongin..."

"Hm?"

Kyungsoo grips on Jongin's shirt, "Jongin..."

Jongin hugs him back as he squeezes him in his arms, "Yes, babe. I'm here."

"Jongin..."

"Why? Are you gonna tell me something?"

"I just..."

"What is it?"

Kyungsoo only shakes his head and pretends he's fine in front of Jongin, even if he's not.

"No... You don't have to know..."

He feels broken and torn deep inside.

*

To be continued.