*

"Hey. Are you coming to the end of semester party?" Jongin asks as he pulls out a chair beside the lump of negativity where the dark aura in the library comes from. Kyungsoo gives him a tiny smile while Luhan waves shortly behind the book he isn't actually reading.

"Of course, he is. He's the Mr. Uni after all," Kyungsoo answers. He continues scribbling doodles on his notebook, not minding Sehun's low whines that are close to a dying seal. "He's supposed to attend the party whether he likes it or not."

"Yeah. Everybody's expecting him to come," Jongin says.

"I hate parties. Why are parties even invented?" Sehun mumbles on the table. Baekhyun nods in agreement. "I don't need that in my life."

"Party is life, Sehun. College is nothing without parties!" Jongin says, then he lets out a disappointed sigh. "But as much as I wanted to join you, I still need to take extra classes in Philosophy. Bullshit."

"Why?" Baekhyun asks. "I already finished it last semester!"

Luhan snickers. "He flunked Philosophy 101."

"Hey! I didn't flunk it!" Jongin argues, pouting and crossing his arms over his chest. "Yet!"

"Only if you completed the four Saturdays worth of three-hour classes, Luhan says. "But you were thirty minutes late last Saturday,"

"If you wanna move on to the next semester with us, study your subjects diligently," Kyungsoo says like a mother.

"Quit sleeping in class and stop slacking around," Sehun adds like a father.

"Why are you all teaming up against me!?" Jongin cries, "You're not even my friends! Baekhyun, look. They're all bullying me."

"Be like Chanyeol sunbae!" Baekhyun blurts out, Jongin rolls his eyes. "He's good in studying and he does his work well. He tops his class and--"

"He tops you." Luhan mumbles on the side.

"--yes, he tops me! What?! No! That's not what I'm saying," Baekhyun says, blushing, "What I mean is... He's perfect."

"Right," Sehun agrees sarcastically,

"Hey, speaking of Chanyeol." Baekhyun's ears quirk at the mention of his lover's name. He immediately turns to Luhan, waiting for him to talk. "I saw him at the dean's office this morning."

"Why was he there?" Jongin asks. "Is he failing his subjects, too?"

"No. He's not like you, Jongin."

Baekhyun's lips turn into a sad frown.

"He's withdrawing his enrollment for the next semester," Kyungsoo says. Though Baekhyun already knows it, it still makes his heart break into tiny pieces. He promised himself not to cry anymore but his eyes seem to betray him.

He shouldn't cry. He has had enough of it.

"I guess it can't be helped then," Luhan says, "When is he leaving?"

"I-in one week," Baekhyun mumbles in a broken voice, "After that, I won't see him again for six months or more than that..."

"Oh my god," Jongin mutters. Sehun, whether he admits it or not, feels very sorry for Baekhyun. "No sex for six months. It's like being celibate for the rest of your life---"

"JONGIN!!!" Kyungsoo and Luhan both yell. "You're not helping!"

Jongin shuts his mouth up, feeling suddenly guilty. "Sorry..."

"No. It's fine," Baekhyun whispers, Sehun squeezes his nape to cheer him up while he rubs his eyes like a puppy, "I'm okay..."

"Are you sure?" Sehun asks worriedly. "Do you want some water?" Baekhyun shakes his head.

"Hey. You shouldn't have brought that up," Kyungsoo mutters at Luhan, elbowing him, "You just made him sad."

"It's your fault," Jongin glares at his boyfriend while Luhan raises an eyebrow at him. "Don't you dare talk about him in front of Baekhyun." He turns to Sehun comforting Baekhyun. "Anyway!"

"Anyway what," Sehun deadpans.

"The party's tomorrow night and I'm letting you borrow my most expensive suit," Jongin says, Sehun only stares. "You should be handsome like me."

"I told you, I'm not going. I'd rather stay at home than go out," Sehun says, side-eyeing them, "And if I have to go to that party, I won't be embarrassing myself coming alone. I must have a goddamned date."

"Luhan could be your date," Jongin says casually, "You could borrow him for a while."

Sehun cringes. Luhan chuckles.

"Sorry baby," Luhan says, smirking and hooking his arm around his short boyfriend, "Kyungsoo's gonna be my date tomorrow night."

"Yeah. And we're gonna screw at the party while you write your long-ass essay," Kyungsoo says just to tease.

"Fuck you! You two are so cruel!" Jongin curses within gritted teeth. "What did I do to deserve this?"

Watching them banter puts a tiny smile on Baekhyun's mouth.

"You should come to the party, Sehun. It seems fun," he encourages. "You will look handsome and cool in a suit."

Sehun is thinking. "Well. I can go to the party."

"That's great."

"Only if."

Baekhyun blinks. "Only if?"

"Only if you become my date."

"Smooth." Jongin throws Sehun a meaningful stare. "Chanyeol hasn't left yet buy you're already making a move."

"I'm not making a move. I'm just asking Baekhyun to be my date as his bestfriend," Sehun explains, or rather, reasons out. "Well, if he doesn't want to, then it's fine. I can ask anybody out there to be my date."

"I can be Sehun's date," Baekhyun answers, shrugging normally, and Sehun must admit it makes his little heart jump in joy, "Chanyeol sunbae won't mind."

"The Mr. Uni must have a girl date in case you didn't know," Luhan cuts off, wiggling his eyebrows aggressively. Sehun makes a noise of disapproval while Jongin and Kyungsoo only laugh teasingly at him.

"Oh, yes. I almost forgot!" Jongin exclaims exaggeratedly. "You can't be gay for that night, Sehun. You must pretend you like pussy."

"What do we do now?" Baekhyun says apologetically, "Sehun doesn't have any female friends, though."

"Yeah. I'm not even interested with girls," Sehun mutters.

Luhan cackles maniacally and pinches the apples of Baekhyun's pinkish cheeks. "Hey, have you tried crossdressing before?"

*

When the pounding on his bedroom door becomes louder and stronger, Baekhyun gasps in shock and drops the short cocktail dress he is holding. He hastily kicks it under his bed, together with the box Luhan sent him, containing a pair or sparkly high heels, cute ribbons, state of the art make ups, and some of Luhan's girl 'costumes' Baekhyun doesn't even know where he got from. He also hides the black medium-length wig scattered on the floor which made him creep out a little bit.

"Oh my god, what am I gonna do with these..."

Baekhyun just can't believe Luhan was serious when he said he was gonna help him out. He never thought it would include stuff he doesn't have any intention of wearing throughout his entire life (yet). But what can he do? He already promised Sehun to be his date and he also didn't make any signs of disapproval when Luhan asked him if he wanted to crossdress.

The thing is, Baekhyun doesn't even know what the hell crossdressing means, so he just nodded at Luhan's suggestion, unaware of the fact that he has to wear a fucking cocktail dress and put on a wig to look like a girl. He didn't sign up for this shit.

What the fuck.

"Baekhyun! I know you're in there," Chanyeol calls from the outside as he knocks heavily. "Open the fucking door!"

"O-okay! Wait a second!" Baekhyun yells as he quickly wears his shirt and a pair of shorts, before opening the door, still out of breath. Hair disheveled, he smiles up at Chanyeol who looks super annoyed having him wait for so long outside.

"What took you so long?" he asks as he makes his way inside Baekhyun's room, eyes wandering everywhere to scan for some suspicious events.

"I-I-I-I was just... You know," Baekhyun stutters as he plays with his hands nervously, and his panic all the more heightens when he gets a glimpse of that white laced panty designed with small pink hearts lying innocently on the floor, an inch shy from the foot of the bed.

His eyes widen as he stares at the underwear with mouth agape.

Shit! Where does that thing even come from!?

"Baekhyun, what the hell is wrong with you?" Chanyeol asks as he furrows his eyebrows, waving a hand at Baekhyun's unresponsive state. Baekhyun's eyes are glued at something particular on the floor, making him frozen on the spot. "Are you okay?"

"Ch-ch-chanyeol sunbae, look away!" Baekhyun finally utters when he gains his soul back to his body. He lowkey moves in an awkward manner, using his small feet to step on the poor underwear, trying his best not to be obvious as much as possible.

Chanyeol is not having any of his childish antics.

"I was worried when you didn't open the door. I thought you're already losing your mind or something," Chanyeol says, walking closer towards the smaller which contributes to the fast palpitation of Baekhyun's heart. "Do you have a fever?"

Chanyeol attempts to palm Baekhyun's forehead but the shorter male already shakes his head furiously.

"N-no," Baekhyun says, sneakily kicking that wig that is also attempting to slip out under the bed. He dryly laughs. "I-I'm fine."

"What are you hiding down there?" Chanyeol asks. "Lift up your foot."

"H-huh?"

"It's under your foot. That looks like a handkerchief you're stepping on," Chanyeol says as he looks at the floor, on Baekhyun's pretty foot, specifically. He squats down and grabs Baekhyun's milky leg, hoisting it up in the air, making Baekhyun lose his balance.

He falls on the bed with an oof.

"No!!!" Baekhyun cries. Chanyeol inspects the specimen lying on the ground. "I-it's not what you think, Chanyeol sunbae! That's not mine! Luhan hyung! I don't even! Ahh! Oh god, please, don't look at me like that! I swear to god, I didn't know he had that thing!"

Disgusted, Chanyeol uses his index finger to hook the panty up by its garter, swinging it in the air which makes Baekhyun more flustered and embarrassed.

"What's the meaning of this?"

"It's not mine!"

"Then what the fuck is this thing doing in your room," Chanyeol states, and him still holding it up in the air isn't really helping in Baekhyun's mental condition. "Did you wear this?"

"NO! I DIDN'T!!!" Baekhyun snaps, grabbing the laced panty from Chanyeol's finger and immediately throwing it back to the box under his bed. "Luhan hyung owns it!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yes!"

Still confused and a little bit curious, Chanyeol peeks under Baekhyun's bed, discovering more kinky things there which he has managed to grab before Baekhyun could stop his fast hands.

"What are you gonna do with this wig?" Chanyeol inquires as he thrusts the wig on Baekhyun's face. "Baekhyun, don't tell me this is what you really want?"

"No! Oh my god!" Baekhyun sobs into his palms, "It's not what I want, I'm satisfied of what I am right now!" Chanyeol has to laugh at that.

"I have nothing to do with all those things! Luhan hyung sent me those stuff! He said they were for crossdressing!" Baekhyun explains as he flails his arms. "I was just trying to help Sehun. I promised to be his date for tonight's party and I have to dress up as a girl."

"The fuck?" Chanyeol says in complete disbelief. "Are you... are you out of your mind? Why didn't you tell me about this?"

"I couldn't help it," Baekhyun says as he looks down at his feet, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you yesterday... You were so busy and I didn't want to disturb you..."

Chanyeol just sighs. With his fingers, he combs Baekhyun's hair sticking in every direction, and straightens his crumpled shirt that is riding up his stomach. "Come closer." He makes Baekhyun turn around as he also fixes the garter of his shorts that is worn unevenly. Baekhyun stays put, well-baheved.

"What are you gonna do when I'm already gone? Shit. You can't even dress up properly," Chanyeol says, holding Baekhyun on the shoulders as he looks at him in the eyes. Baekhyun is giving him again his signature puppy look that is clawing into the soft walls of his heart. "Stop doing that."

"Doing what..."

Baekhyun is sticking his bottom lip out of his mouth.

"That."

"Are you mad at me?" Baekhyun asks. Chanyeol has to groan angrily because what the fuck? He doesn't have time for this. "Are you mad at me because I promised to be Sehun's date?"

"No. It's fine," Chanyeol answers. "If you have to do that for him, then it's okay. Do whatever you want."

"You mean it's fine if I cross-dress?" Baekhyun asks, grabbing the blue dress he hid under the bed and showing it to Chanyeol. "It's okay for you even if I wear this?"

"Why do you have to wear that for anybody else," Chanyeol asks, slightly pissed off. "You don't have to wear that dress to become pretty. You're already beautiful the way you are."

Baekhyun hears an explosion somewhere and realizes it was just his heart.

"So... How do I look?"

The moment Baekhyun comes out of the bathroom to show Chanyeol the blue cocktail dress he is wearing, the taller doesn't right away respond. He takes his precious time admiring Baekhyun's smooth white-as-a-snow exposed skin when he gracefully turns his heel around, making the blue dress move fluidly in the air.

Baekhyun is much more beautiful than any girl he saw, any girl in the universe even. Except he doesn't have boobs and a pussy, but whatever. Who needs them anyway.

"You forgot something," Chanyeol says with an amused smile on his lips as he strides towards Baekhyun, putting on the wig on his head to finish his female look. "There."

"Oh. Thank you."

Chanyeol must be lucky he has Baekhyun as a boyfriend, or girlfriend for this matter.

"Do I look pretty now?" Baekhyun asks as he bats his long eyelashes playfully, flipping his fake hair.

"Of course, young lady," Chanyeol replies.

Baekhyun doesn't expect that remark but it makes him blush anyway. He looks at himself on the mirror and he gasps a little, he almost didn't recognize himself.

"Don't stay too close to Sehun at the party. Remember, I am watching you," Chanyeol warns, Baekhyun nods obediently. "You can only hold his hand for ten seconds long. No hugging, especially right in front of everyone. Don't let him touch you on your waist, not on your lower back either."

Baekhyun smiles when Chanyeol soothes his hand on his lower back. "This is my property."

"Yes, Sir," Baekhyun says.

"When the party is over, change into your normal clothes," Chanyeol says, pulling Baekhyun close to him, "Because that moment is mine. You're going back to me, to where you belong. Understand?"

"Yes, I understand."

Silence envelopes the room of them staring intently at each other until Baekhyun says:

"I want to kiss you."

He slowly tips his toes up to meet Chanyeol's lips waiting for contact, and right at the moment when he feels that familiar warmth he'll never forget, he kisses him with all his heart. He can sense Chanyeol's breath hitch when he pulls his head lower while they share a gentle kiss under the lime light of Baekhyun's room.

Baekhyun knows that when Chanyeol kisses him this way, without hurry and without want, he just wants to savor and enjoy this intimate moment they are sharing together. Feeling Chanyeol smiling on the kiss, Baekhyun pouts his lips playfully before he leans away, letting out a soft chuckle.

"We were kissing for too long!" Baekhyun says. "I just decided to take a break for a while."

"Well, I don't want it."

Chanyeol stares down at Baekhyun in discontent. He pulls his wig and throws it at the bed, before pushing the smaller down and hovering on top of him. Baekhyun squeals excitedly, loving the smirk Chanyeol is sporting.

"Claim me," Baekhyun whispers endearingly to Chanyeol's ear, "Claim me like it's my first time."

*

All eyes are on Baekhyun when Sehun offers him his hand for a dance. Girls start to scream, while some boys can't stop checking Baekhyun out. Sehun has to do something to take him away from those pervert eyes.

"Let's dance," Sehun says. Baekhyun nods and allows him to guide the way.

The loud upbeat music blasts into the speakers, and everybody makes their way into the dance floor. Luhan tugs Kyungsoo with him, and in no time they are grinding against each other's bodies.

"Do you feel uncomfortable in that dress?" Sehun asks.

"Just a little. But it's okay," Baekhyun says, laughing. "I feel pretty anyway."

"You're already pretty," Sehun says, Baekhyun smiles at the compliment, "People think you're actually a girl and you're my girlfriend."

"Now they won't suspect you're gay," Baekhyun replies back, slapping Sehun weakly on the arm, "And girls will stop hitting on you knowing you're already dating someone."

"Thank you for doing this for me. I really appreciate it, honestly."

"What are friends for?"

Sehun looks away and rubs his nape. "Yeah, what are friends for."

Baekhyun spots the ever-so-handsome Chanyeol on the corner of his eyes having a chat with his colleagues. He remembers Chanyeol mentioning about the small farewell party for him by his department. When they catch each other's eye contact, Baekhyun happily waves at him from a far while Chanyeol smiles back in recognition.

"What are you looking at?" Sehun asks, finding the one Baekhyun has been staring for so long.

"Chanyeol sunbae."

"He's here?"

"Yes, over there."

Sehun doesn't miss that threatening stare Chanyeol is shooting him even from a distance.

"I think we need to stop."

"It's okay, the party's not yet over and I don't want to leave you alone."

The music shifts into a slow romantic one, and everybody on the dance floor starts to move closer to their partners. Kyungsoo is now dancing with Jongin who suddenly appears out of nowhere. Luhan is on the punch table chatting with some random girl.

"I guess Jongin's class finished early," Sehun says as he scoots closer to Baekhyun's body, dancing slowly and holding him on the waist based on familiarity. "He made it to the party."

Baekhyun suddenly recalls what Chanyeol told him. He looks down at Sehun's hand first, before checking if Chanyeol has still his eyes on him. Looking everywhere around the spacious hall packed with students, he sees no sign of the tall male. He's not there at his spot earlier.

"Where is he?" Baekhyun asks. He stops swaying for a while and lets go of Sehun's shoulder. "Where's Chanyeol sunbae?"

"Maybe he just went to the bathroom," Sehun says. Baekhyun looks worried right now as he's still searching for Chanyeol's face among the crowd. "Don't think too much, Baekhyun, he didn't go anywhere."

Baekhyun looks at Sehun, and he can read on his eyes that he's asking him to stay, just for a while. But the sudden beating of his heart is making him anxious, and he just can't stay put when he can't see Chanyeol anywhere around him.

He just needs to make sure.

"Sehun, I'm sorry," Baekhyun says, "But I need to find him."

Sehun knows he can't do anything even if he wants to stop him. He can't do anything but nod, watching Baekhyun's back disappear right before his eyes while he left him a shattered heart. He forces a smile, swallowing the bitterness down his throat.

"Hey, Baekhyun!" Luhan calls when he sees a girl running out of the dance floor. "Where are you going?" Baekhyun sees him and his face quickly lights up. He goes to Luhan and grabs his arm, puling him towards somewhere.

"Hyung, have you seen Chanyeol sunbae?" Baekhyun asks as they arrive at the bathroom. Luhan shakes his head in confusion, and he flinches in surprise when Baekhyun shuts the door close, locking it.

"I didn't see him anywhere. Did he attend the party?"

"Yes! I just saw him talking with some guys from his department," Baekhyun grabs some tissues and wipes off his lipstick using it. He splashes water on his face to remove his make up and eyeliner. Luhan only watches him take off his wig and high heels.

"Luhan hyung, I need to ask you a favor."

"What is it?"

"Take off your clothes."

Baekhyun comes out of the bathroom rushing, now wearing a tie and a pair of sleek pants. He swiftly slides the coat on his body as he runs, not wasting any single moment.

"Baekhyun, you owe me this one!" Luhan shouts as soon as he's done wearing heels and fixing his hair. He's now wearing Baekhyun's dress as per his request.

"Thank you so much!" Baekhyun yells back, and he doesn't spare Luhan another glance when he sees the person he's been looking for. He follows him in no time.

"Hey." Sehun stares up from his boring drink only to be met with a pair of wide sparkly doe-eyes. "Do you mind if I join you?"

It takes a second before Sehun can respond. "Where's Baekhyun?"

"He's out there looking for Chanyeol,"  Luhan replies, taking a seat next to Sehun, "He asked me to accompany you. I know he felt bad for ditching you."

"I don't need your company," Sehun mumbles. "But thank you by the way."

"No problem."

"You don't have to wear that dress, you know," Sehun says, rolling his eyes. If Baekhyun looks like a girl, well Luhan here looks like a lady.

"If I didn't wear this, I'd be naked," Luhan says, a chuckle escaping his lips. "I guess you want that?"

A little bit scared, Sehun moves away from the other male and searches for someone to protect him.

"Why are sitting too far, Sehun?"

"Don't flirt with me, I'm telling Jongin," Sehun warns, calling out for Jongin who's making out with Kyungsoo on the dance floor, "Jongin!!!"

Baekhyun's mouth breaks into a wide smile when he arrives at the office, seeing Chanyeol's back before him. He doesn't have any idea why Chanyeol suddenly came here but that doesn't matter anymore. Baekhyun was really scared, he thought Chanyeol has already left the party. Or worse, he has already left him. Good thing he's still here. He probably just went to the bathroom, just like what Sehun said.

"Chan---"

He's about to shout his lover's name to announce his presence when he notices that Chanyeol is holding the school's telephone. He must have had a conversation with someone, making him leave the party for a while.

Baekhyun quietly observes for a few minutes, and it's just strange that Chanyeol hasn't dared to move. He is standing there frozen like a rock with telephone in hand, facing the window of the office. Starting to feel worried, Baekhyun shows himself behind the wall and walks towards the male, his steps heavy.

"Chanyeol sunbae."

Chanyeol doesn't answer.

The room is dark. It's beginning to rain outside and the windows are open wide, making the curtains sway with the cool wind. Baekhyun feels shivers when the cold breeze hits his skin.

Chanyeol is still standing there.

"Chanyeol," Baekhyun calls, louder this time. "Chanyeol sunbae, I'm here."

When Baekhyun gets closer, only an inch away, he holds Chanyeol's arm gently and that is only when the taller does an action only to drop the phone on the floor. Baekhyun picks it up for him and places it back on the dean's desk.

"Did something happen?" Baekhyun asks in a calm voice, though his heart now is going haywire. "Was it... Was it a call from home?"

Chanyeol nods, Baekhyun holds Chanyeol's hand tight, as well as the tears on his eyes.

"My sister called," Chanyeol finally says. "She said I need to fly back home tonight."

"T-tonight? Why? Why all of a sudden?" Baekhyun asks in a trembling voice. "You still have few more days left, right?"

"My father's in a state of coma and he needs blood transfusion immediately."

When Chanyeol faces him, Baekhyun already regrets seeing those pair of amber eyes staring back at him with pure sadness and pain.

Baekhyun knows Chanyeol is hurting.

"He needs me, Baekhyun. I need to go."

But Chanyeol knows Baekhyun is also hurting more than he could ever imagine.

*

To be continued.