"Do you even love me?" Zhengting questioned him. Staring deep into his brown orbs, the silence was everything that he replied. "Was it all a joke Nongnong? Tell me?" He choked back. Tears threatening to spill out. "I don't think it's working Zhengting.." Linong whispered lowly.  "But why?" Zhengting whispered holding the other's hands. "Please don't leave me.." He whispered hugging Linong. His head rested against the taller's chest.  "I don't want to leave you either. but I am afraid to hurt you." Linong whimpered. "I don't think we are working." And with that, Linong left him all alone that night when the cold wind made him aquiver and when his dry tears marked his cheeks. 

He wasn't sure of it himself. He was broken and hurt. His wrist would hurt every time Linong was with Zhengting. The beautifully spilled ink would hurt him more than anything. Sighing he left for his dorm hoping that it would be fine soon. He just needed some time alone. Xiao Gui would often visit him and offer him some comforting words. Zeren too often tagged along to check on his friend. But nothing seemed to make him smile. No one but Linong could make him feel better. Turning to the left he saw two familiar figures standing next to each other. His wrist hurt again and it felt as if someone had stabbed him in the heart. 

Smiling, Justin stared into Chengcheng's eyes. "Wha-what are you staring at?" Chengcheng flicked the other's head. "We better get going because I am done spending a whole month with Honglin and him flicking my head every time I talk about you." A smile crept on Chengcheng's face. Maybe he wanted to give Justin a chance. "Let's go on a date. You and I." Chengcheng pulled Justin by his waist. "What?" Justin replied with wide eyes. "yep! be fast.  dummy!  I'll be taken if you are so late." Chengcheng giggled. 

A month later

The next day, Xukun reached his apartment just to see papers scattered all over his room. He grabbed his hair in frustration as he kicked the door behind him. Linong was supposed to meet him in an hour. They grew closer in a month time. Linong realized how comfortable Xukun made him felt. He smiled more now.  More than ever. The thought of Zhengting would always distract him due to the little things Xukun did. Yet he tried his best not to hurt himself. He was still on good terms with Zhengting and was happy to see him recover. Zhengting had promised that he would move on. Though it was hard for the both of them, yes, they were in love but they realized how hard it was for them to be together. Zhengting's chest hurt even more at times. But it was not because of the starry nights he thought about Linong but because of the spilled ink. He always seemed to zone out. The feeling of Hiraeth hitting him from time to time. Yet he chose to move on because he understood how Linong felt. Because somewhere in the middle of all the broken lines, he felt the same way.