Ten ran until he reached a set of heavy doors that led inside one of the main school buildings. He pushed his body against it, but it didn’t budge. 

Of course it’s locked, “Dammit!” he muttered under his breath, smacking his palm against the door.  

He ran around the side of the building until he reached the basketball courts and fervently rubbed his eyes as tears continued to stain his vision. 

He was being bombarded with so many emotions all at once; pain, sadness, disappointment and longing, he felt like he was going to burst. He took a few steps further then grabbed hold of the pole of a basketball hoop and clung to it as he slowly sank down into a squat. He hung his head and squeezed his eyes shut. 

He loved the cute smiles Yangyang made when he was being affectionate; the way his lips deepened in colour when he made out with him; how his eyes turned a rich brown that could swallow him whole when he was aroused...  

Stop! Don’t do this to yourself, Ten thought. But no matter how hard he tried to think of something – anything – else, Yangyang was the only thing he could focus on. That, and the pain of being rejected. 

Possibilities and numerous ways he could have done things differently swamped his mind as he tried to understand why Yangyang didn’t pick him; why he pick Kun instead. 

That ring... it sure looked expensive, and it was obviously a promise ring by what was etched on the inside. Was that what had sealed Yangyang’s decision?  

No, Ten shook his head, he had done just as much to show Yangyang he cared, hadn’t he? 

Ten rubbed his eyes again and took a deep breath to try and calm his torrent of emotions. He sank down to kneel on the concreted court and leaned his forehead against the pole, the metal cool against his skin. 

It didn’t matter why he chose Kun; the fact was that he had.  

There was nothing else to it. 

“Ten.” 

Ten jumped when he heard his name and flinched at the sensation of a hand against his back. His head shot up to see Hendery staring apologetically down at him. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” 

Ten stood and quickly wiped away any trace of tears before frowning at Hendery. He hadn’t even heard him approach. 

“What are you doing here?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. 

Hendery withdrew his hand from Ten’s shoulder and scratched the nape of his neck, “I came with Kun and Yangyang.”  

Ten’s shoulders slumped, “So you knew then?”  

“...Well, yes— but I’m here to support you.” replied Hendery hastily. 

Did everyone know about this except me?  

He turned away but Hendery stopped him, placing his hands on his shoulders. 

“Yangyang only told me because he wanted someone to be with you for moral support;” Hendery explained, “He didn’t want you to be alone.” 

Ten’s eyes widened. Of course; Yangyang was so sweet, how could he not be concerned about Ten’s feelings. It still made Ten’s heart ache though, to know he still worried for and thought about him. It probably would have been easier to hate Yangyang for what he did, but there was no way Ten could ever feel that way about him.

“So, how are you doing?” Hendery asked delicately. 

“He just dumped me; how do you think I feel?” snapped Ten. 

Hendery fell silent. 

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that.” Ten quickly apologized, biting his lip. 

Hendery smiled sheepishly, “Don’t be, it was silly of me to ask.” 

Ten looked at him and Hendery smiled softly.  

He’d changed his hairstyle. It was cut shorter and his normally straight bangs were now curly. It almost made him look puppy-like as he stared at Ten through his large eyes. 

The thought briefly crossed his mind of what it would feel like to run his fingers through Hendery’s curly hair. Would it feel much different from all the times he’d raked his fingers through the boy’s soft, straight locks when Hendery had paid to make out with him? 

“What?” Hendery asked, tilting his head. 

Had he been staring for too long? “Oh, nothing. I like your new haircut.” Ten replied. 

“Oh.” A faint smile graced Hendery’s lips and his cheeks flushed ever so slightly pink. “Thanks.” 

Ten was beginning to think he really did look like a puppy, but was struggling to identify which breed he looked most similar to; maybe a spaniel?

“So, do you want to talk?” Hendery asked, “I mean, if you don’t want to that’s fine, but you’re more than welcome to vent.” 

Ten turned and rubbed his eyes again when Hendery stared at him. It was probably obvious that he’d been crying but he still didn’t want to do so in front of Hendery. He’d only ever really been comfortable when he cried in front of Yangyang and, possibly because of that, he was finding it slightly easier to keep his emotions in check with Hendery around.

“Ah, no, I’m fine.” Ten replied, hoping that his puffy eyes didn’t completely give himself away.

Hendery shot him a sympathetic smile, “You know, Yangyang probably wouldn’t you to bottle up your feelings.”

When Ten didn’t answer, he said, “Well, why don’t we at least sit down; it’s so hot under the sun.”

He grabbed Ten’s hand and led him over to a bench shaded by the side of a building and they sat down. Ten slipped his hands in between his knees and slouched against the wall behind him. He stared down at his shoes, not really wanting to talk about his feelings, fearing that he might start crying again and look weak, until Hendery spoke again.

”I know it’s hard… to deal with rejection…”

“Have you ever been rejected?” Ten interjected.

“No… but I have had to watch my crush fall for someone else other than me.” responded Hendery. He looked at Ten and gave him a small, shy smile.

This was the first time he and Hendery had spoken like this; the first time they’d had a heart-to-heart of sorts. They’d only ever shared a few words and given each other compliments whenever the junior had requested his services; the stuff usually said during heated make out sessions. Hendery had always come across as a little shy but in a way, Ten found that endearing.

Maybe he was a little green around the ears, but Ten could tell he was making an effort to open up to him and, possibly, have Ten do the same, and Ten couldn’t really fault him for that.

“I know that’s not a very close comparison,” Hendery continued, glancing down at his hands, “but I know you must be hurting. Just know that it’s okay to feel that way; it will pass eventually.”

“So, did you give up on your crush then?” Ten asked.

Hendery looked up at him with wide eyes, surprised by Ten’s more personal question, “N-no, I just came to terms with it I suppose.”

The tips of his ears reddened and he broke eye contact with Ten.

Ten smiled; even though he was sure this conversation wasn’t going the way Hendery had probably planned, it was still having the same effect, whether he realized it or not. Hendery’s cute shyness served as a good distraction from the jumble of emotions Ten was feeling about Yangyang and he let out a long sigh.

He sure as hell wasn’t going to be able to just forget about Yangyang and let go of his feelings for him; Ten knew that would take some time, but he was beginning to feel like he had a hold of his situation, even if it was just a little.

He and Hendery continued to chat, eventually getting onto the topic of the punishment for fighting at school. Hendery had of course heard about what had happened and also seemed glad that Xiao Jun had been handed the harshest punishment.

“I really don’t understand Xiao Jun.” he said, “He’s handsome and smart; he wouldn’t have any issues if he wasn’t so… so…” Hendery frowned, struggling to find the right word.

“Rotten on the inside?” Ten suggested.

Hendery chuckled, “Yeah, I suppose that’s an accurate description.”

“Oh, it definitely is, trust me on that.” Ten agreed.

After a short, yet comfortable silence, Hendery spoke.

“I know it’s not really my place to ask, but would you ever go back to… you know, offering your services?” Hendery asked.

“It’s fine, you can ask.” Ten reassured him, “But I don’t think I will.” He tipped his head back to rest against the wall and looked up at the blue sky, so bright it was hard to look at without squinting.

“Things have changed, I guess, and I just feel like I won’t get the same enjoyment out of it that I did before. It was fun while it lasted, though.” He smiled to himself.

“So you don’t regret anything?” Hendery asked with open curiosity.

Ten shook his head, “Not at all; I don’t regret starting and I don’t regret stopping. I actually made a lot of money doing it and I met a lot of good people.” he side-eyed Hendery with a smile, “And Yangyang, well, I guess he made me realize that my wants and needs have changed. I want someone that I can fully share myself with and dedicate myself to, and I want someone who will do the same for me.”

“I want that too.”

Ten turned his head and noticed a sparkle in Hendery’s eyes as he stared at him. Then, as if realizing he was staring, Hendery blinked, his cheeks turning pink.

“I mean, I’m sure everyone wants that.” He corrected himself, adjusting his bangs and looking flustered.

Ten tried hard to suppress a smile; he didn’t want Hendery to notice and get himself even more worked up. He looked back up at the sky and stretched his legs out in front of him.

“True. I thought Yangyang was the one, but I guess not. You’re right though, it still fucking hurts.” he said lightly.

They sat for a while longer, quietly admiring the brilliantly clear sky, then Hendery stood up, extending a hand to Ten.

“Do you want to head back now? Yangyang’s probably wanting to know how you’re holding up.” Hendery said.

Ten grabbed his hand, stood and dusted himself off, “Sure; I think I can handle that.” He said with a smile.

Hendery returned his smile and together they made their way back to the grassy spot not far from the Service Point. Ten wondered whether that name would continue to stick or not, given that he had terminated his work. Either way he didn’t mind; it was now his past and he had no hard feelings.

Yangyang was sitting cross-legged under the tree facing Kun, who was lying on his back with his eyes closed. His hair fell over his forehead as he busily fiddled with something in his hands. As Ten and Hendery approached them, Ten noticed that there were daisies in Kun’s hair, and Yangyang leaned over him to delicately place another. 

“Did he fall asleep?” Ten asked, coming up behind him.

Yangyang flicked his head around and he noticeably relaxed when his eyes fell on Ten. He scrambled to his feet and took a tentative step towards him.

“Ten, are you…?”

Ten knew by the desperate look in his eye what he was trying to ask; he needed to know he hadn’t lost Ten completely. Ten smiled and nodded. He opened his arms and Yangyang swamped him with a tight hug, almost pushing him over.

“I’m sorry, I really am, I hated doing that to you.” Yangyang said, apologies tumbling from his lips.

“I know.” Ten replied. He hugged Yangyang back just as tightly.

“And I don’t want to lose you as a friend-“

“You won’t.” Ten responded firmly and Yangyang breathed a sigh of relief. “Just give me a little bit of time.”

Yangyang let go of him and nodded. His smile had returned, which was all Ten really wanted, and he nudged Hendery who stood next to him.

“This guy was a lot of help too.” He said, shooting Hendery a grin.

Hendery smiled shyly and shrugged his shoulders.

Yangyang’s smile grew as he looked between the two of them, and he stepped forward to hug Hendery, taking the other boy by surprise.

It was then that Kun stirred. He yawned and slowly sat up, “Did I fall asleep?”

Some of the daisy’s fell into his lap. He picked one up and scrutinised it, frowning, before looking up at Yangyang, “Where did these come from?” he asked, his frown turned into a smile.

Yangyang giggled and wrapped his arms around Kun’s to pull him up, then raked his fingers through his hair to free the tiny flowers.

Watching the two of them, Ten felt a sharp pain in his chest. He couldn’t lie to himself and say that it didn’t hurt him to see them so in love; that he didn’t wish to be in Kun’s shoes while Yangyang put flowers in his hair as he slept, but seeing Yangyang this happy and carefree was enough for him. 

He would gladly bear with the pain so long as Yangyang was happy.

A/N: We finally got to see into Ten's mind,

How do you think Hendery did in consoling Ten?