Yangyang walked out of the school cafeteria and squinted as the afternoon sun hit him square in the eyes. With his hands filled with pork buns, packets of crisps, and milk drinks, he piled them into one arm and raised his hand to shield his eyes from the sun. 

He scanned the quadrant and the surrounding grassy area, searching amongst the groups of students enjoying the lunch break for Hendery. He soon spotted him sprawled on his back on the grass, the top half of his body shaded under a tree and his legs in the sun, his school shoes kicked off to the side.

A couple of months ago, Yangyang would have found it odd to see Hendery in such a relaxed position, as Yangyang had always thought of him as being relatively prim and proper; but since getting to know him, he realized Hendery was a very down to earth, ordinary guy.

“Here, I got us some snacks,” he said, throwing a pork bun in Hendery’s direction as he sat down cross-legged next to him.

“Thanks.” Hendery sat up, propped himself up on one elbow, eagerly unwrapped his pork bun and sank his teeth into it.

 “Where’s Ten?”

“Mr Lee asked to see him.” Hendery replied between mouthfuls, “He’s really quite tyrannical, that man. He’s not even Ten’s home room teacher but he’s been watching him like a hawk, making sure he’s dutifully completing his punishment. At least he seems to be doing the same for Xiao Jun too, but I just wish he’d leave Ten alone.”

“Yeah, Ten doesn’t deserve that.” Yangyang agreed, tearing open a packet of BBQ flavoured crisps. “Mr Lee is scary.”

Hendery snorted, “True, his face is set in a permanent scowl.”

Since Yangyang had told Ten he had chosen Kun over him, Ten had been distancing himself from him. It pained Yangyang, as he still wanted to spend as much time as possible with him, but he understood that it was just Ten’s way of coping and trying to move on. Instead, Ten had been spending more time with Hendery, and though he rarely spent time alone with Ten, the three of them would often hang out together. Yangyang was at least glad the two of them were getting on well, and it was obvious they had been growing closer every day.

It had been Kun who had suggested Hendery should come with them that Saturday. That previous afternoon when he and Yangyang were discussing how best to tell Ten, Hendery’s name had come up in conversation. Going by what Yangyang had told him, Kun had come to the same conclusion as him that Hendery was smitten with Ten.

Hendery, of course, had been more than obliging to be there to support Ten, even though he was somewhat embarrassed that Yangyang had caught on about his secret crush.

Ever since Hendery’s feelings for Ten had been confirmed, Yangyang knew Hendery would be able to help Ten move on and possibly even develop their relationship into something more. Though Ten obviously wasn’t yet ready to move onto a new relationship, Yangyang hoped that the two of them could be something in the future. Hendery was a wonderful guy after all, and Ten deserved someone who would look after him and treat him right.

“Xiao Jun hasn’t been bothering you?” Hendery asked.

Yangyang shook his head, “No, thank God, and he even completely ignores me on the bus ride home. It’s a relief actually; that he seems to have given up.” he replied.

“Well that’s good,” Hednery responded as he absentmindedly threw an empty milk bottle in the air, following it with his eyes as it flipped before catching it and throwing it again. “Oh,” he said, suddenly remembering something. He went to catch the bottle mid-air but missed and it fell on top of his thighs. He turned to look at Yangyang, “Actually, I talked to Lucas the other day.” 

Yangyang’s ears pricked up at this and he stopped eating and gave Hendery a questioning look.

“Yeah, it was kind of weird, but I think he just wanted to vent. He complained about Xiao Jun and how he’s been cranky and moody. Going by what he said, I think it’s safe to say he’s still not over being unable to turn you into one of his puppets.” Hendery explained.

“Huh, well, serves him right.” Yangyang chuckled.

“What about Sicheng?” Hendery probed, “He hasn’t come looking for you, has he?”

“No, I haven’t seen him.” Yangyang replied.

He gave Hendery a smile. Hendery’s naturally caring nature was refreshing to be around after spending time with the likes of Xiao Jun and Sicheng, who only thought about themselves. When Yangyang had confided in him about everything that happened with Sicheng, Hendery was overwhelmingly worried, he had even suggested that they call the police on him. Yangyang had quickly explained that that was unnecessary ─ that Kun had sorted everything out, but nonetheless it had warmed his heart to have a friend like Hendery who genuinely cared.

Yangyang and Hendery continued to chat and eat until Ten arrived. He slumped down next to Hendery with a sigh and Yangyang passed him some food.

“What did Mr Lee want with you this time?” Hendery asked, looking concerned.

Ten opened a bottle of strawberry milk and took a long swig before answering, “Just what he always wants; trying to find some trace that I’ve been misbehaving so he can go running to the Principal.” he said, “I guarantee you; he’s trying his damndest to get me expelled.”

“That’s rough. What’s his problem?” Yangyang asked, crunching on a chip.

Ten shrugged his shoulders, “Who knows. But it’s never going to happen; he won’t find me doing anything remotely against the rules.”

“But what if Xiao Jun plays up again? I don’t want you to get expelled.” asked Hendery. He stared intently at Ten, who chuckled and pinched his cheek.

“You worry too much. Anyway, Xiao Jun wouldn’t dare try anything, given that he’s the one who’s much more likely to get expelled.” Ten replied.

Hendery’s cheeks flushed red and he tried to swat Ten’s hand away but Ten dodged his hand and poked his cheek, grinning as Hendery grew more flustered.

Yangyang chuckled; Ten looked up and they briefly made eye contact. Though Ten quickly glanced away, Yangyang saw the tiniest trace of his unmasked emotions flash in his eyes. 

Pain that was still present and made things between them just that little bit uncomfortable. Ten was smooth to cover it and went back to eating as Hendery started talking about his family’s plans for the upcoming holiday break, but Yangyang was consciously aware of Ten’s emotions, maybe more so than before.

Things weren’t just going to change overnight; Yangyang knew that. He knew they couldn’t just be best buddies like nothing ever happened; that wasn’t how heartbreak worked, and Yangyang was so grateful that Ten was trying his best to keep their friendship intact. Not many people would in his situation.

It was because of Ten that the three of them could hang out; that Yangyang now called Hendery a friend, and Yangyang would never take that for granted; he just had to remember that Ten was still hurting.

But Ten wasn’t alone. He had Hendery and of course Yangyang wanted him to heal and find happiness; he wanted that for the both of them.

It had just worked out that he and Ten hadn’t found that within each other. Yangyang wouldn't have even imagined a few months ago that everything that happened could happen to him, both the good and the bad. Sure, he had made plenty of bad decisions and gotten himself into more than one tight spot, but if he hadn't gone to Ten that morning during school, if he hadn’t decided to provide his own paid services, he would never have met Kun.

He was so alone before but now he had friends, and most importantly he had Kun.

His protector.

His knight in shining armour.

That special someone who loved and cherished him.

A/N: aaaaaand I finally updated

There's also a bonus chapter aswell

Thank you guys for reading <3