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~*~"Luhan!" Two voices called out at the same time as the owners of the voices rushed across the quad.Luhan glanced up, watching his two friends push and pull at each other, both trying to get to him first."Get your filthy hands off me, peasant!" The tall blonde one shoved the shorter boy hard, causing him to tumble before righting himself."Who are you calling a peasant you asshole?!" Despite his smaller size, the brunette wasn't going to be beaten. With a war cry he jumped on the blonde's back, hitting, kicking and screaming, even pulling at his hair."They're at it again." Yixing murmured, sipping at his coffee."Hmm." Luhan watched, transfixed as the daily battle played out in front of him."Minseok is being especially violent today." Yixing almost sounded impressed. I say almost because it's difficult to tell with Yixing, he's so laid back all the time.Minseok chose that moment to land a particularly nasty kick in the blondes side, winding him and making him drop hard to his knees. A victory shout left his mouth as his slid off the blondes back and ran the rest of the way to where Luhan was seated with Yixing."Good morning, Luhan!" He stopped in front of the deer-like red boy, wide gummy smile stretched across his face, eyes sparkling. To his credit, Luhan was so used to these antics every day that he just laughed and ruffled the brunettes hair."Hello, Minseok." He glanced passed him to watch where Yixing had gone to help Sehun up from where he had been pounded into the cold hard ground. "Don't you think you were a little rough on Sehun?"A quick glance over his shoulder and a derogatory snort was Minseok's answer. "That annoying grasshopper. He refuses to call me hyung.""Stop pouting; you look younger than Sehun when you do that. No wonder he won't call you hyung.""Yah! I'm older than you too, you know!""Oh, please. As if that even counts, our birthdays are so close together." Pulling Luhan up from the wall he was settled on, Minseok linked their arms. "Can I walk you to class?""Isn't your first class in the opposite direction?""Never mind that. I need to make sure you get to your lecture safely and that no leeches trying to kidnap you."Luhan ran a frustrated hand through his hair before turning, ready to tell him no, he could look after himself, thank you. Instead of seeing Minseok beside him he was looking into the eyes of Oh Sehun, who had a death grip on his arm. What the hell?"That's right Minseok, run along now. I'll walk Hyung to class since my first lecture is in the same building."Hearing a whimper, Luhan glanced around looking for Minseok, finally spotting him sprawled on the ground several meters away, cradling one of his arms to his chest. "Sehun, did you just...?""Not now, Luhan, we need to get to class before we're late. He'll be fine. You can see him later, much later."Sehun continued to pull him the direction of this class. If the smile on Sehun's face hadn't scared him so much, Luhan may have fought against leaving an obviously injured Minseok behind. Hopefully Yixing would make sure he was ok. Sehun: 1 Minseok: 0
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"Minseok? You ok?" Yixing crouched down beside the boy he only knew because of his aquanitance wth Luhan. "Come on let's get you to the nurse so she take a look at that." Helping Minseok up he placed a gentle had against his back as he steered him in the direction of the nurse's office.A quiet sniffle caught his attention. "Yixing?""Hmm?" The Chinese transfer student glanced down at his hyung, startled slightly when he saw the tears at the corners of his eyes and the pink flush to his cheeks. Minseok really could be too cute for his own good."Why would he do that?""Who? Sehun?" He watched as Minseok slowly nodded, furiously wiping away the pooling tears with his uninjured hand. "Well, you did give him a fair bit of a beating yourself earlier.""Yeah...but...I didn't hit him all that hard." He saw Yixing's face of disbelief. "I didn't! He could have thrown me off if he'd really tried. i was only playing. But the look on his face when he pulled me away from Luhan wasn't very nice at all."Yixing sighed to himself. "Why do you both persist in fighting over Luhan? He's really not interested in either of you like that." He placed a finger over Minseok's lips as he opened his mouth to protest. "Luhan sees you as his cute hyung he looks up to, and he sees Sehun as this cute dongsaeng who follows him around. That's it.""Did he tell you that?""As good as.""Well, until he tells me himself I'm not gonna stop trying." With a determined nod, Minseok shook off Yixing's hand and strode forward, opening the door to the nurse's office. He would get his arm fixed up and then he would plan his revenge.~*~Luhan and Sehun had a free period after their morning lecture and Luhan didn't protest (too much) when Sehun dragged him to his favourite bubble tea shop. Once they had their drinks and were seated at a window table, Luhan noticed Sehun chewing on his lip. He looked nervous and suddenly shy, which was completely out of character for him."Sehun, is something bothering you?""Do you think he's really hurt? Minseok-hyung I mean?" Sehun didn't look up, picking at the sticker on his cup."Well, he did seem to be in pain. I couldn't really tell much since you dragged me off almost immediately." Luhan scowled as he placed his hand under Sehun's chin and tipped his face up. "Why did you do that?""He kicked me first." The petulant reply and pout from his dongsaeng made him smile slightly."Sehun-ah, you're a freshman in college. That's not a good excuse for throwing someone to the ground. What if you've bust his wrist and he has to sit out of club activities?"Sehun stared at Luhan in shock. He really hadn't thought about it like that. Oh shit, he's got that fencing competition coming up in a couple of weeks. What if he can't compete? No, he'll be fine. I didn't push him that hard. But..."He can't have kicked you that hard anyway. Even I could see that he wasn't using his full strength to attack you. I'm sure if you'd really wanted to you could have pushed him off."Sehun didn't like the way his hyung was looking at him, with that calculating look. "I don't know what you're talking about. It hurt. It was fair payback.""Fair payback? Really? You'd better hope he's not hurt. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes if he is. You'll have me to answer to as well."A lead weight settled at the bottom of Sehun's stomach at those words. If Minseok was hurt not only would be have to watch his back for the brunette getting his own back he would upset Luhan as well."By the way, Sehun. Why won't you call Minseok hyung to his face?""No reason.""There must be a reason. You know it upsets him, right?"Sehun kept quiet. He wasn't about to explain it to Luhan. He wouldn't give himself away to the crazy deer. If he found out what Sehun was hiding his life would be unbearable."Hey, are you blushing? Wow, you look cute when you blush Sehun-ah!""No! I'm not! Shut up!" Glancing around quickly, he covered his cheeks with both hands to hide the flush he knew was there on his hot cheeks. "I'm going. See you later hyung."Grabbing his bag Sehun rushed out of the shop without looking back. He missed the calculating look on Luhan's face and he watched the blonde run away, continuing to sip on his own drink. Luhan glanced across the table and noticed that Sehun had left his bubble tea behind and it was barely touched. Something was up with Sehun, and he was going to find out. Right after he checked in with Yixing and found out how Minseok was. He reached into his pocket for his cell phone and starting typing.~*~"It's quite a severe sprain I'm afraid. You're going to need to rest it up completely for at least a couple of weeks, most likely longer so that the ligaments can rest and recover. It's going to hurt for a while too. Make sure you take painkillers at regular intervals to help with that, and I want you to keep that sling on for the first week to stop you trying to use it. I know you Kim Minseok, no trying to do too much or you'll only make it worse."The nurse levelled him with such a steely look that Minseok gulped and nodded his obedience before hoping off the treatment couch and heading out to where Yixing was waiting for him. He saw Yixing's face fall as he took in his strapped wrist in the sling and tuned out the nurse explaining to him what Minseok wasn't allowed to do for the next couple of weeks. This was going to suck, big time. How was he going to tell his coach. He'd worked hard for the upcoming tournament for months and now it was all for nothing, he wouldn't be able to compete."You ready?"He nodded, watching at Yixing shouldered his bag as well as his own as they headed back towards the quad to wait for Sehun and Luhan so they could go for lunch together. They didn't have to wait long. Yixing had texted them both to arrange meeting up.Sehun arrived first, which Minseok thought was strange, he'd have thought he would still be clinging to Luhan while he had the chance. He didn't miss, however, the shocked look in the blondes eyes as he took in his strapped wrist. "Wow, that looks serious.""No shit." Minseok glared up at the tall blonde. "Severe sprain the nurse said. No club activities for a week she said. Do you know what that means, Sehun?""Minseok, I...""Don't even bother. I'm going to see my fencing coach after lunch to tell him that I can't compete in the tournament in two weeks. Did you know there were going to be scouts for the national team there? Huh? Who knows when I'll have another chance.""I really didn't mean..." Sehun was panicking, it was as bad and he'd dreaded it being. He could see the tears in Minseok's eyes, that he was refusing to let fall. This had meant to much to him and he'd screwed it up."Don't look at me, don't talk to me, don't even come near me, Oh Sehun. I am so angry with you right now and I don't want to hurt myself any further by doing something stupid if you come near me. Keep you distance." Minseok spat out the words before burying his face in Yixing's shoulder, refusing to let Sehun see him cry.Sehun sat down on the other side of Yixing and gave him a look begging for help. He felt Yixing give his shoulder a reassuring squeeze and heard the muttered "give him time" before an approaching red-head with a bounce in his step distracted him. Oh fuck, Luhan was going to kill him.~*~
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~*~"No buts, Sehun. It's your fault he can't take his own notes or carry his books around."Luhan's look is firm and Sehun feels himself shrink back slightly, feeling about half the size he actually is."I can cover the classes on Monday's and Thursday's; I don't have any on Monday's and only one on Thursday morning." Luhan pauses to stab his finger hard against Sehun's chest. "Jongdae has said he'll cover Literature, so you are going to cover the rest. I belive you have Japanese and English with him, yes?"All he can do is nod because there's no point denying it. His fate is sealed and he is doomed. Doomed to spend almost every waking hour of the rest of the semester helping Minseok; taking notes in lectures, carrying his book bag, opening doors, anything that he couldn't do for himself whilst his wrist healed. Thankfully Jongdae, being Minseok's room mate, had offered to help Minseok with washing and getting dressed; he wouldn't have survived that. With a pout and a sigh under his breath, Sehun accepts his assignment and, leaving his hyung's behind, heads in the direction of Minseok and Jongdae's room across campus. ~*~ Minseok answers the hesitant sounding knock at his door and stares up at the blonde on his doorstep."Oh, you showed up. I thought for sure you'd do everything possible to get out of this." Shuffling backwards into his room he left the door open for Sehun to follow him."Why the hell do you have an English class at 8am?" Sehun whines as he picks up and shoulders the backpack Minseok indicates he needs to carry for him and follows the short brunette out of the small room. "Why couldn't you take the afternoon one like I do?""Because I can. Now, shut up, carry my stuff and don't bother me. I'm still mad at you." With a dramatic hair flip, Minseok leads the way out of his dorm block and towards his only class for the day, smirking on the inside at having got Sehun up so early on his first day of helping him. He could hear the idiots shuffling footsteps following behind him. A quick glance at his watch confirms that it's only 7.15. Today was a good day. ~*~ All of the Professors for the classes Minseok takes had been warned that his friends would be helping him take notes for a while so Mr Lee didn't show any reaction when Sehun trudged into his classroom and took a seat next to the injured boy.They ignored each other the whole class with Minseok keeping one eye on the blonde's note taking to make sure he wasn't missing anything or slacking off. He was quite surprised to see Sehun taking quite comprensive notes. He'd honestly thought Sehun was only at college for the 'experience' and not to seriously study and do well. Then again, he'd never paid any attention to his grades or test results so he wouldn't know.As they left his only class for the day at 10am, Minseok paused by the door as Mr Lee stopped Sehun for a quick chat."What did he want? Minseok asks as soon as Sehun joins him and they head out."While I'm helping you with your notes for English, Mr Lee said I don't have to show up at my normal afternoon class, he'll mark my attendance for this one."Minseok stops walking as he realises something important. "So, you're free this afternoon then?""Why?" He doesn't like the tone of the elder's voice. He's after something and suddenly he feels very nervous."You took taekwondo until you left high school, right?"Minseok's looking up at him with those puppy eyes he uses on Luhan all the time to get what he wants. "Yes? I mean, yes I did.""Great! Meet me outside the sports hall at 3.30pm and wear something comfortable. I'm going to meet Luhan for lunch. Do me a favour and drop my bag off at my room, yeah? Thanks, Sehun!"With a quick wave, Minseok turns and walks away quickly, leaving Sehun gaping open mouthed as he stared after his hyung. He'd just been totally played. "Wait a minute....Hey! Minseok! What do you mean 'wear something comfortable'? What are we doing? Yah! Minseok!" He yelled after the retreating back, ignoring the stares and funny looks he was getting from other students. Minseok didn't answer him.With a sigh, shouldering the bags on both shoulders, Sehun headed towards the dorm block. ~*~ Sehun knocked the door twice and waited. And waited. Waited a bit more. He kicked the door three times. Hard. He was about to walk away when the door was opened and he was greeted by a very smiley Jongdae."Yo, Sehun. What do I owe this pleasure to?" Jongdae leaned in the doorway, enjoying the scowl on the boys face.Sehun pushed Minseok's bag into Jongdae's chest causing the brunette to clutch hold of it so it didn't fall. He's about to leave when he realises Jongdae might be able to help him, what with him being Minseok's room mate and all."Jongdae?""Hmm?""Do you know why Minseok-hyung would ask me to meet him outside the sports hall at 3.30pm today wearing something, er, comfortable?" Sehun reaches up to scratch the back of his neck nervously. He's not prepared for the loud burst of laughter form Jongdae as he almost folds in half clutching his stomach."Oh my God! He did it, he really did it. I didn't think he'd get you to do it, but this way he's not giving you the choice." Jongdae reaches forward and places his hand on Sehun's shoulder. "Coach Bang has been giving Minseok an awful hard time since he told him about his injury. In fact, Coach has insisted that he find someone to replace him on the team whilst he's out.""Team?" Sehun has a terrible sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach at that moment and he knows he's not going to like what he says next."Yeah, the Taekwondo club. Training is at 4pm every Friday afternoon. Minseok-hyung must mean for you to take his place."Sehun can't find the words to express what he feels in that moment but of all the emotions the ones he's feeling strongest are surprise and humiliation. Surprised because he didn't think Minseok had it in him to be so scheming and underhand. Humiliation because Minseok was able to trick him into do this"Thanks, Jongdae. I think.""No problem." Jongdae pats him on the back a couple of times before puching the air and shouting after the blondes retreating back, "Sehun-ah hwaiting!" then muttered under his breath, "you're gonna need it."Coach bang was feared across campus. His training drills for the taekwondo team were legendary for being long, tough and tiring. Sehun: 1Minseok: 1
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~*~ Sehun glances at his watch again. Where was Minseok? He’d said to meet at 3.30pm outside the sports hall and it was now 3.45pm. He’d give him five minutes and then he was bailing. He’d nearly not shown up after hearing about Coach Bang from one of the other guys in the dorm room next to his. Baekhyun, who was also in the Taekwondo club, had given him a very thorough run down of an average training session. He was sure this was going to be pure hell. It was a couple of years since he last practiced taekwondo. He was about to leave when the annoyance in question appeared in front of him, arm in sling, looking bedraggled.“I was about to leave.”“It’s Jongdae’s fault I’m late. The jerk disappeared after spilling coffee over me and I had to get changed myself which, with this,” he points furiously at his strapped up arm, “wasn’t exactly a piece of cake.”For a second Sehun felt a pang of sympathy for him but then he remembered that he was about to go through hell for the petite brunette and squashed the feeling. “Whatever. What am I doing then?”“I’m pretty sure Jongdae has already told you that you’ll be replacing me on the taekwondo team until I’m healed?” At Sehun’s nod he continued. “Well, let’s get to it. You really don’t want to be late, believe me.” He grabbed the blonde with his good hand and dragged him into the hall.“Coach!” Minseok shouts gaining the attention of a burly looking man who was directing the club members that had already arrived in how to set up the training mats and equipment.As the man turned around, Sehun was struck by how human he looks. He’d been expecting the devil himself to appear from the description he’d heard from Baekhyun. How could this man be a tyrant? Not possible.Bang Yong Guk, as he’d come to know was Coach Bang’s full name, was only slightly shorter than Sehun himself. Although broad shouldered and well-muscled he appeared to carry himself in a non-threatening way. His hair was styled off his face and he looked like the kind of guy who pets kittens in his spare time. When he smiled his eyes crinkled at the corners and there were dimples to match his gummy smile. Sehun was starting to think this wouldn’t be too bad.“Minseok!” Coach Bang claps Minseok on the back, smiling down at the brunette before turning his gaze towards the blonde. “This him then?”“Yup.” Minseok nods. “Oh Sehun. He practiced taekwondo throughout high school, so may be a bit rusty but I’m sure you can soon whip him in to shape Coach.”Sehun doesn’t miss the smirk on Minseok’s lips and starts to feel uneasy again. The smile is no longer on Coach Bang’s face and he’s looking at him quite seriously now.“Hmm, well you’re physique looks good. Let’s see what you’ve got Sehun. Go join the others, I’ll be over in a minute to start the warm up.”Sehun, not knowing any of the other members, heads in Baekhyun’s direction. As least he’s spoken to him several times in the past and knows him reasonably well.“Hey, Baekhyun.” He slinks up to his dorm mate. “Mind if I stick by you? I don’t really know anyone else.”“Oh hey, Sehun. I’m surprised you showed.” Bakehyun smiles up at the tall blonde. “I hope you’re ready for this.”“Yeah, but believe me, I don’t want to be here but I have to help Minseok hyung or Luhan hyung isn’t going to be very happy with me.”“Your precious Luhan hyung. You’d do anything he asked you tell wouldn’t you?”Sehun can only nod as the Coach tells them to start with thirty laps of the hall. He winces before following Baekhyun at a steady jogging pace. Meanwhile Minseok takes a seat in the stands, Coach Bang joining him shortly after but keeping an eagle eye on the team, ensuring no one is slacking off.“So, that’s the guy that caused your injury?” “Yeah, that’s him.”“How hard to you want me to go on him?” Bang cracks his knuckles, glaring out at the puffing blonde jogging his way around the hall. “Not too hard, Coach. I still need him to be able to take my notes and carry my stuff for me.” Minseok giggles as he watches Sehun struggling to keep up with Baekhyun and start to drop back in the group. “A good work out would do him some good though.”They lock eyes and a silent message passes between them. “Understood. You staying to watch?” “Of course.” Minseok smirks. “It’s not every day I get to see Sehun actually take part in exercise willingly.” Coach Bang walks away laughing. “Just try not to enjoy it too much.”Minseok honestly doesn’t think he could enjoy it too much; he’s been looking forward to this all day. ~*~ Coach Bang doesn’t take it easy on any of them. Laps are followed by circuits of squats, press ups and lunges followed by an hour of sparring and cool down stretches. After dismissing the other members he keeps Sehun back and makes him run another fifteen laps, jogging behind the tall blonde, kicking his heels every time he slows down too much, shouting continuously about how slow, weak and pathetic he is. When he’s finally finished with him he drags Sehun by the arm over to the benches where Minseok is seated with a satisfied smile on his face and drops him at the brunette’s feet.“He’s all yours, Minseok.” Bending over Sehun who has collapsed on the ground face-first he cheerily announces. “See you next week, Sehun!”“Come on, slave.” Minseok give the blonde a nudge with his foot. “Get up.” Another nudge. “My dorms closer than yours. You can shower at mine then head back to your own.”Sehun peels himself off the floor with much effort and stands, listing to one side slightly. It almost pains him to say it but Minseok is being generous; it is a longer walk to his own dorm and he’d rather do it clean, right now he is dripping in sweat and he’s sure he doesn’t smell to fresh either. Seeing that Minseok has started walking he staggers after him, muscles screaming at the effort the whole way back to the elder’s dorm room. When they get there, thankfully Jongdae is still absent and not around to tease Sehun. Whilst Sehun showers Minseok filches a pair of sweat pants and an oversized t-shirt from Jongdae’s closet as payback for abandoning him earlier when he needed his help. The sweat pants would be a bit short for Sehun but tough, his generosity only ran so far. Knocking on the bathroom door twice he opens it slightly and slides in the clothes before closing the door again. He hears the shower stop and waits patiently for Sehun to finish getting dressed.He’s not quite sure why he offered Sehun the chance to shower and change here and didn’t just ditch him and let him go back to his own dorm room all sweaty and stinky. He thinks it may be because he knows what a training session with Coach Bang is like and he was extra hard on Sehun. Minseok remembers how his own muscles always ached for a couple of days after each training session. But he wasn’t feeling sorry for the blonde; he couldn’t be. It was the idiot blonde’s own fault that he was having to stand in for him. Nope, he wouldn’t feel any sympathy for him.Minseok’s distracted by the bathroom door opening and Sehun limping his way out, dressed in Jongdae’s clothes. Sehun’s hunched over and rubbing at his shoulders, a grimace on his face, dirty clothes bundled up under his arm. With his hair wet and hanging around his face he looks like a half-drowned kitten in Minseok’s mind and he takes a moment of pity on him.“Come here a minute.” He motions to his bed. “Take a seat.”“Why?” Sehun’s hesitant and suspicious, with good reason.“I’m not going to hurt you, just sit down.” Sehun sits down on the edge of Minseok’s bed, tense and nervous. He feels Minseok slide onto the bed and kneel behind him. The arm in the sling bumps against his back slightly but he doesn’t have time to linger on that thought before he feels a firm kneading pressure on his left shoulder. Hissing through his teeth at the pain he glances over this shoulder to see Minseok pressing his fingers and thumb into his stiff muscles. “What are you doing?”“What do you think, you idiot? Don’t tense, relax and it won’t hurt so much.” Minseok works his way across the blondes shoulders, slowly relaxing each knot in his muscles; he can feel Sehun slowly unwinding as his posture becomes more slouched. This is difficult with one hand but he’s nearly done. As he’s working his way back across to the left shoulder he gives a particularly firm jab to a stubborn knot and is surprised by a loud moan coming from Sehun. “Is that nice?” He asks tentatively, jabbing at the same spot and easing the rest of the knot away.“Mmmmm.” Sehun hums, head leaning back, almost resting on Minseok’s shoulder.Minseok feels himself blush for no reason he can work out, suddenly feeling flustered although he really doesn’t know why. “Ok, I-I’m done.” He quickly shuffles backwards away from the blonde.Sehun, jolts upright at the sudden loss of contact. He comes to, suddenly realising where he was and who he was with. Shifting to stand he becomes aware of a ‘problem’ in his pants and he feels the heat rush towards his cheeks. Keeping his back to Minseok he grabs his bundle of clothes, holding them close in front of him. With a quick glance over his shoulder he catches Minseok’s eye before looking away. “I’m sorry, hyung. Thank you for letting me use the shower. I’ll be leaving now. Bye.” He hurries out of the dorm room, slamming the door behind him, not stopping until he’s reached the safety of his own dorm room and thrown himself face first onto his bed. He screams into his pillow for a good 5 minutes before falling into a fitful sleep of exhaustion. Back in his own dorm room, Minseok is still sat on his bed, leaning against the wall, staring at the door. Sehun was blushing when he glanced at him before he ran out like the hounds of hell were on his heels. What was that all about? Snapping back to reality, he reached into his pocket, took out his cell and texted the blonde. To: ShithunFrom: Minseok-hyungSubject: Forgot to tell you. You’re covering my shift at the café tomorrow. You start at 8. Don’t be late. As he drifted off to sleep that night, Minseok’s last thoughts were of a wet kitten Sehun with fluffy ears purring as he scratched his ears, a smile on his face. He’d deny it for eternity if anyone were to ever ask. It it wouldn't be until the next morning that he realises that Sehun called him 'hyung' to his face and it will take a lot of prodding from Jongade before he recovers from the shock and flushes to the tips of his ears.~*~
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Sehun was happy for once that Jongin was a nosey room mate who read his texts when he left his phone unguarded. If he wasn’t then he wouldn’t have known to wake Sehun up and kick him out of bed so that he could make to the café Minseok worked at every Saturday. He didn’t need any reasons for Luhan or Minseok to have a go at him. Life was miserable enough right now without adding to his woes. He couldn’t believe how stiff all of his muscles were, even after a hot shower to try and soothe them.
Arriving at the café he was given a quick tour and told he would just be clearing tables and delivering orders since he didn’t know how to use the coffee machines and they didn’t have time to train him. Sehun was relieved, he knew he was capable of clearing tables and how hard could it be to take drinks and cakes to customers?
~*~
Turns out it was pretty damned difficult. Especially when Jongdae kept putting too much froth on the lattes and overfilling the drinks so that the slightest shake of a tray would cause them to spill. He wanted to punch the troll but knew that he couldn’t risk his hyung’s job like that, even if he was being forced to do it. It was lunchtime and he was just getting the hang of maneuvering through the tables with minimal spillages when his worst nightmare walked in and made their way to the counter.
“Minseok hyung! Luhan hyung!”
He hears Jongdae’s delighted laughter and sighs, sloping his way slowly back to the counter to collect the next order. He catches Minseok’s eyes and is surprised to find him looking back at him, a slight smile on his lips. Startled, he quickly looks away and concentrates on delivering the two americano’s to table six and busying himself clearing and wiping tables. Why does he feel so warm all of a sudden?
~*~
“So?” Luhan munches on the marshmallows and cream that top his hot chocolate. “How is he doing?”
“Honest answer?” Minseok peers up from where he’s licking the cream off his gingerbread latte.
“Honest answer.”
“His attitude still needs a bit of adjustment but he’s showing up when I tell him too.” Minseok stirs the remaining cream into his latte, watching it melt slowly. “He even showed up to taekwondo last night. I was sure he was going to bail on me after hearing from Jongdae that he’d warned him about it.”
“Oh? And how did that go?” Luhan was intrigued. He’d never known Sehun go out of his way for anyone. He’d be the first to admit he hadn’t thought this punishment would work out.
“I don’t think he’s ever worked out so hard in his life.” Minseok giggled, covering his mouth with his hand. “I kinda let Coach go a little bit harder on him than everyone else. I honestly thought he was going to collapse afterwards.”
“Well, as long as he’s working out his punishment and not doing you anymore harm, I won’t hassle him for a while.” Luhan reached across the table and ruffled the brunette’s hair. “Just tell me if he causes you any trouble alright?”
“Hmm.” Minseok nods, sipping at his latte.
~*~
Four o’clock arrived and Sehun was never so happy to sit down as he slumped into one of the chairs in the staff room. His feet were aching and his arms were sore from carrying trays laden with drinks for the last eight hours. Yes, he’d had breaks but for someone who was used to sleeping away their Saturdays the day had been pure hell. He was ready to head back to his dorm and have a long hot shower to ease his aching body before curling up on his bed and maybe a One Piece marathon. That was until he received a text.
From: Minseokkie-hyung
Subject: Come over to mine now your shift is over. I need you to write up my English assignment. No excuses. Remember, you owe me. I told Luhan you were doing a good job, don’t make me a liar.
Sehun groaned in frustration. He didn’t have the energy left to do anything else and he really didn’t want to spend the next couple of hours writing up his hyung’s assignment. He had his own to do as well. But, he said he’d told Luhan he was doing a good job. He hadn’t expected that; he was sure Minseok would have been whining to Luhan earlier. He needed to impress Luhan some more. With renewed energy he took off his apron, grabbed his hoodie and headed out.
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Sehun’s wrist is really starting to ache. He’s been at it for an hour and if he doesn’t finish soon he’s going to have a serious case of repetitive strain injury. Sighing he rotates his wrist trying to ease the ache.“Sehun? Are you getting all this down?” Minseok looks over to the blonde where he’s sat beside him on his bed. “If I’m going too fast tell me. I’d rather go slower and you write it down correctly than you mess it up. This is my grade after all.”Minseok has been dictating his English essay to him for the last hour and all he’s been able to think about, besides how much his wrist hurts and making sure he writes down the English words correctly, is how while he’s sitting there writing out Minseok’s essay his own is unplanned and unwritten. Sehun knows he’s going to have to spend his Sunday writing his own essay when he would normally be doing absolutely nothing with his free day. He nods slowly, acknowledging his hyung’s words. He just wants this to be over. Minseok’s started talking again so he scrambles to keep up with his words. He notices from the corner of his eye that although Minseok isn’t wearing his sling this evening he’s still cradling his arm to his chest, protecting it. Sehun can’t help but think how his hyung looks like a cute kid sitting cross legged on his bed like that. Wait…cute…?“You’re drifting again, Sehun. Did you get that last bit?”“Huh? Oh…erm…yes.”Sehun reads back the last paragraph, confirming he’s got it down right. Minseok makes a pleased humming noise before continuing. Half an hour later and they’re done. Sehun is packing up his bag and about to get up when he feels Minseok’s good hand grab his shirt sleeve. “Have you eaten?”“Huh?”“Did you eat before you came here?” Minseok is looking right at him. Sehun feels his cheeks warm and he quickly turns away, mumbling his answer. “Why do you wanna know?”“Look, Sehun. We may not exactly be on the friendliest of terms, but I’m not an ogre you know.”He pokes his shoulder until Sehun turns with a glare on his face, which melts away at the sight of Minseok’s small uneven smile. He can’t help but agree that Minseok certainly doesn’t look like an ogre in that moment. “If you don’t mind heating it up, there are some leftovers in the fridge.” Minseok places his hand on Sehun’s shoulder. “You covered my shift today for me and I’m sure you came straight here after I texted you so I doubt you had time to eat anything, right?”“Urm, no, not really.” He’s lost in Minseok’s eyes. When did they get to be such a deep rich mesmerizing brown? “I’ll, er, just…go heat it up then.” Sehun slides off the bed and heads to the small kitchenette that is in the corner of the dorm room. Pulling the leftovers from the mini fridge and putting them in the microwave to reheat, he wonders about the tingles he feels where Minseok’s hand had been resting on his shoulder. He’s jolted back to his senses by the ping of the microwave.“Don’t bother with plates; just bring over the tub and two spoons.” Minseok calls out to him. Finding the cutlery in a mug on the counter he pulls out two spoons and heads back over to the bed with heated tub of leftovers in his other hand. Sehun carefully crawls back to his previous seated position and places the hot tub of food between then, handing a spoon to Minseok. He twitches slightly as the elder’s fingers brush his own when he’s taking the spoon from him. The leftovers turned out to be special fried rice and beef spring rolls. Sehun hadn’t realised how hungry he was until he took a bite of his first spoonful of rice. Who’d have thought he’d ever be able to sit down with Minseok like this and share food, without half killing each other. Strangely he was finding that he was enjoying this time they had together. “Tsk. Look at you, you mucky puppy!” Minseok exclaims, hand reaching up to wipe sauce and rice from the corner of Sehun’s mouth before sucking the food off his thumb, holding eye contact with the blonde the entire time. “How old are you again, Sehun?” He giggles.Sehun is frozen. No one had ever dared touch him like that before. Minseok’s hand had been so soft and light as it briefly caressed his face, as his thumb had gently wiped away the smudge at the corner of his mouth. And, had his hyung really just sucked the food off his thumb. Why hadn’t he used a napkin? Did that count as an indirect kiss? Oh my god, what was wrong with him? What was this feeling? “Urm, Sehun? Are you ok?” Minseok leaned forward slightly, moving the now empty food container over to his side table. “You’re kind of spacing out on me. Yoo hoo!” He waves his good hand in front of the blonde’s face.Sehun snaps out of his daze, grasping Minseok’s wrist, stopping his hand mid-motion. He licks his lips, other hand coming up to gently caress the brunettes cheek, molding around his jaw. He doesn’t know what he’s doing and is acting on instinct. Leaning forward he presses his lips against Minseok’s, eyes closing.Minseok lets out a startled squeak and stiffens slightly as the others lips touch his own. He relaxes when he feels Sehun’s tongue gently probing at his lips and gasps at the sensation before opening his lips and allowing entrance. The kiss is tentative and Minseok is sure this is Sehun’s first, but he stops worrying about that when the blonde’s hands move to run through his hair as he deepens the kiss. Moments later they break away slightly, catching their breath. Sehun stares at Minseok, eyes glazed over, while the elder starts to realise just what is happening.“What the fuck are we doing?” Minseok gasps out, glancing up at the blonde, looking a mix between horrified and very turned on.“Exactly.” Sehun breathes out before he’s pushing Minseok gently down on the bed, careful not to jolt his strapped arm.
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~*~ Sunday afternoons have meant group lunch for as long as they can remember at the café Jongdae and Minseok work at. Luhan asks Yixing to meet him early, saying he needs to talk to him before the others arrive. They get their drinks before sitting at their usual table. “So, what did you want to talk about?” Observing the nervous-looking red-head, Yixing wraps his hands around the warm mug savouring the aroma of his vanilla latte.“Well, you remember the guy I was telling you about who’s in my politics classes?” Luhan feels his cheeks warm and ducks his head slightly.“Oh yes, how could I forget? You didn’t shut up about the ‘cute little guy’ you were partnered with for hours. “ Yixing rolls his eyes, sipping his drink.“Shut up.” Luhan thinks he must look as red as a tomato with how hot his face feels. “He, err, asked me on a date last week, which was very nice, watched a film, went for pizza, and he held my hand, it was amazing, he walked me home and then he kissed me and oh my god…”“You’re rambling.” “What? Oh, sorry. Anyway, we’re together now.” Luhan chews his lip, looking up uncertainly at his friend.“That’s great.” Yixing smiles; he really is happy for Luhan. “So, when are you going to tell the terrible twosome about…erm, what’s his name again?”“Kyungsoo, Do Kyungsoo.” Luhan sighs. “I’m dreading telling them.” He slumps in his chair, pouting.“I hate to say it but I told you so. Those two have been besotted with you for a long time. You should’ve told them sooner that you only think of them as good friends.”“Yixing, what do I do?” He whimpers, wide eyes pleading.“You tell them the truth. Although, I’d wait until you weren’t somewhere with breakable objects and potential weapons on standby.”“They’re going to hate me, aren’t they?” “Oh, I don’t know.” “What’s that supposed to mean?”Yixing leans both elbows on the table and he moves closer to Luhan. “You know what they say about little boys pulling the pigtails of girls they secretly like?” At the others nod, he continues. “Just watch the two of them closely and you’ll see what I mean.” With a mysterious smile, Yixing leans back in his chair finishing his latte just as Jongdae and Minseok arrive, the latter looking as though he had a big dark gray storm cloud over his head. Jongdae just shrugs at them both when they catch his eye questioningly. Sensing the black aura coming from their eldest friend they all remain quiet whilst making a pretense of looking at the menu, none of them wanting to be the first to break the silence. The arrival of a subdued looking Sehun Luhan raising an eyebrow in question. He doesn’t think he’s ever seen his youngest friend look quite so, well, depressed, and just watches as he drops down into a chair with a sigh. Only Yixing sees the quick look the youngest takes at Minseok before returning his gaze to his lap. “Are you ok, Sehun?” Luhan reaches over and places his hand on his shoulder. It’s like a switch has been flipped as they watch Sehun sit up straight, push back his shoulders and smile brightly at Luhan.“Sure, Luhan hyung. No problems, just tired, you know?” He smiles wide at them all; except for Minseok whose gaze he purposely avoids. Jongdae and Luhan seem to buy his lies but Yixing sees right through him and narrows his eyes at him. “Thank goodness for that!” Jongdae exclaims. “One miserable sourpuss is enough for one day…ouch!” Minseok pulls back his fist from where he’s punched his roommate’s arm, silencing any follow up comments with a glare.Jongdae sounds very nervous when he next speaks. “Let’s order then, I’m starving!” Agreeing sounds are murmured by all at the table and soon enough they are all tucking into their favourites and conversation has returned to normal. Well, almost normal. Sehun was fawning over Luhan as he chatted with Jongdae about the English Premier League Soccer and his beloved Manchester United.Normally, Minseok would have been involved in the conversation as well but all he could do was watch Luhan and Sehun interact and feel even more confused than he was before. Luhan had his arm slung casually over the back of Sehun’s chair and if Sehun got any closer to Luhan he would be sitting in his lap. As it was both hands were wrapped around Luhan’s left arm and it looked as though they were practically breathing the same oxygen. The way Sehun was acting made him feel very angry and upset. He couldn’t pinpoint exactly why though. Was he jealous that Luhan wasn’t stopping Sehun from as good as melding their bodies together and was ignoring him, or was he jealous because Sehun wouldn’t stop touching Luhan and had that stupid obsessed admirer look on his face as he continually looked up at Luhan and not him?What the hell was wrong with him? Why now? After a year dedicated to despising the ground, Sehun walked on what gave him the right to fuck with his emotions now? Why did things have to change? He was leaning both elbows on the table and his hands were gripping at his hear, messing up his already ruffled locks. He didn’t notice Jongdae’s concerned look or Yixing’s suspicious one as he looked up at the sound of Sehun giggling at something Luhan was saying. Something Luhan was saying as he leaned in very close to Sehun. What the fuck…?“Luhan hyung really is the best. We’ll keep in touch when you graduate won’t we?” Sehun was pulling a full load of aegyo as he spoke to Luhan; he was even allowing his lisp to slip into the words a bit. Minseok could feel a red hot rage building up in his gut as he watched the scene unfold before him.“Of course, Sehun-ah!” Luhan poked Sehun on the nose gently before ruffling his hair, causing the blonde to blush and giggle some more. “You’ll always be my favourite dongsaeng.”As Sehun smiled and leaned over to rest his head on Luhan’s shoulder, Minseok stood up abruptly, his chair screeching across the floor. “How could you?!” On instinct he tried to raise his hurt arm to point at the blonde but forgetting it was hurt and still in a sling, he winced as the pain shot through his arm, which made the tears that had been stinging the corner of his eyes to spill over and down his cheeks. “How could you do this to me? You selfish bastard!” Furiously he tried to wipe the tears away as he turned to Jongdae sniffling. “See you back at the dorm.” He mumbled before running out of the café. Sehun, shot up from his seat to go follow his hyung, but was stopped by Yixing leaning across the table and grabbing hold of his wrist. “Leave him, Sehun.” He smiled at his youngest friend. “Why don’t you stay here and tell us why Minseok hyung is so angry with you, hmm?” Dropping back into his seat, Sehun leans against Luhan, who immediately wraps his arm around his shoulder as the youngest starts bawling and tears soak his t-shirt. Yixing sighs, not looking forward to the conversation that was going to follow once they got the blonde to calm down. Jongdae just stared, wondering what the hell he was being dragged into now; he didn’t have time for this shit. ~*~
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“What the fuck are we doing?” Minseok gasps out, glancing up at the blonde, looking a mix between horrified and very turned on.“Exactly.” Sehun breathes out before he’s pushing Minseok gently down on the bed, careful not to jolt his strapped arm. ~*~ Minseok gasps, startled as Sehun nibbles his way down his neck before sucking hard at the base of his neck; the blonde’s hands are teasing around the hem of his t-shirt and it tickles slightly. A hard nip to his skin has him moaning out, “Sehun-ah”, his left hand moving to the back of the blonde’s neck, fingers burying in his hair, pulling him back up to meet his lips.Tongues entwined and sensually sucked into each other mouths, lips were bitten and tugged on until swollen and aching. Rolling his hips, Minseok pulls a muffled moan from Sehun’s lips and coaxes him to grind down against him, pushing his head back into his pillow, breaking free from their heady open-mouthed kiss, as the pleasure builds and he feels his cock respond and harden with each roll of the blonde’s hips. Sehun’s hands are sliding up his body, hooking his t-shirt up and over his head, then he’s reaching up to remove his own shirt. Both are thrown to the far corner of the room and Minseok has the fleeting thought that it’s a good thing that Jongdae is planning to stay over at a friends’ room for the night. “Ah, oh…ah fuck, that feels good.” He drawls out, the cool air meeting his skin causing goosebumps to rise as Sehun latches his lips onto one of his nipples, sucking and licking it to hardness before moving to the other one as both his hands slid inside his pants, squeezing his ass cheeks, pulling their groins together and grinding down hard. The moan that leaves Sehun’s mouth sounds sinful and only fuels the fire of his arousal even more. What he’s not prepared for though is to feel his pants being unbuttoned, eased down his legs and thrown onto the floor. He hadn’t thought Sehun would want to go any further, but whatever the younger wants to do he’s fine with. Having thought he would never get as far as kissing Sehun, he’s happy to go as far as he can while he has the chance. Minseok’s aware of Sehun removing his own pants as he plants kisses around his hips, and he catches his eyes briefly before he’s overwhelmed by the sensation of wet warmth around his cock.It was clumsy and a bit hesitant to start, but Minseok wasn’t complaining; his long time crush was blowing him, he’d be crazy to not go along with this. He made encouraging noises, urging the younger along, a hand gripped in his hair, easing him into a rhythm and boy was Sehun learning fast. Feeling his release approaching, he has the fleeting thought of if the blonde was getting off on this as well and feels a pang of guilt which is relieved once he pushes up onto his elbows and catches sight of Sehun’s hand working his own cock as he eagerly sucked on his hyung’s. A spike of pleasure sparks through him and Minseok gives Sehun’s hair a hard warning tug, pulling him back.With a final hard suck, Sehun pulls back, moving his free hand to continue pumping Minseok’s cock, watching in fascination as the elder came, cum marking his barely-there abs, as his other hand worked his own hard leaking cock faster. A few tugs and his cum was joining Minseok’s, mixing on his stomach.“Ngh, Luhan-hyung.” Sehun gasped out as he came, before collapsing forward, catching himself on his elbows, face inches from the others.Minseok’s gasping for breath, feeling completely sated and satisfied; he’s in a dreamy state, about to lean up the short distance and press his lips against Sehun’s when he realises something. Wait, did he just…?Sehun sits up suddenly, scooting back until his feet were on the floor and he was standing, frantically pulling on his clothes and shoes. “Sehun...?” Minseok leans up on his elbows, shock is written across his face. The blonde looks back at him briefly, a sad look on his face. “I’m sorry, hyung” he says before darting out the door, leaving it to slam behind him.Minseok feels his entire being lurch at finally being called ‘hyung’ by Sehun, but it’s with hurt and pain rather than the joy and happiness he had always imagined. Not bothering to tidy himself up, he shuffles his way under his comforter, curling into a ball and hugging his pillow tight to his chest with this good arm, he bites into the fabric, willing himself not to cry.It was his own fault for thinking that Sehun could actually feel something for him. He’d known from the start of their ‘friendship’ that the blonde was seriously hung up on Luhan but still he had stupidly allowed himself to fall for him. Of all people he had fallen for Oh Sehun, watching as his dongsaeng followed Luhan around like an eager puppy, going unnoticed by his crush, ignoring the sympathetic glances Yixing sent his way every now and then. He’d never told Luhan’s friend anything but somehow he knew. Minseok didn’t think he was that obvious; Luhan had never said anything, but then again Luhan wasn’t exactly the most observant person. It was why Minseok had started chasing after Luhan as well. It was the only way to get Sehun’s attention, even if it was an enemy and competition for Luhan’s love. He had taken any opportunity to get and hold the blonde’s attention, even if it meant they were screaming at each other in anger. Not that his red-headed friend wasn’t handsome, because he was, he just didn’t feel that way about him. If anything, tonight confirmed it; he would never have a chance with Sehun. The very fact that he had moaned Luhan’s name when he came was enough of a confirmation of that. With a strangled sob, Minseok finally lost his hold on his emotions and let out the tears that he had been holding back, crying himself into an exhausted sleep. ~*~ “So, that’s how it is?” Luhan gently pets the blonde’s head where it’s still nestled into this shoulder.Himself, Yixing, and Jongdae have just finished hearing what had happened the previous evening. Although muffled, and laced with choked tears, they’d finally got the details from a distraught Sehun who nods his answer to Luhan’s question followed by a loud sniffle.“How long have you had feelings for Minseok-hyung?” Yixing pats the blonde’s shoulder in what he hopes is a reassuring way. A shrug of shoulders is followed by a quiet, “I don’t know.” Hands come up to wipe the lingering tears from his eyes and cheeks.“A week? A month? Less? More?” Jongdae, questions, getting impatient with being dragged into this whole mess. He’d wanted to head back to his dorm room and see how his hyung was doing but Yixing had stopped him.Sehun’s face is blotchy a blotchy red and his cheeks are puffed up adorably as he looks at Jongdae (not that Jongdae would ever admit it). “Erm... I guess since I hurt him the other day. It scared me how much I cared that he got hurt. And…and, I didn’t know what to do…and then last night I just…I just acted and didn’t think and then I realised what I’d done…”“And you ran?” Luhan, shot Jongdae a sharp look for that comment, before turning back to face Sehun who had fresh, silent tears running down his cheeks and looked like a thoroughly kicked puppy and not his usual tough self.“Come on, Sehun-ah, let’s get you cleaned up and then we can have a long talk about what you want to do next.” Luhan helped the boy up, placing his arm around his shoulders and leading him from the café towards his dorm, Yixing walking on Sehun’s other side. “I’ll go check on Minseok-hyung,” Jongdae called out, seeing Luhan nod in acknowledgment before he turned in the direction of his dorm. He was not looking forward to this; the sight of a crying Minseok was enough to break any man, no matter how tough the exterior. Jongdae felt sorry for his hyung, he really did, but he couldn’t help but ask himself, yet again, how the hell he got dragged into all of this again? ~*~
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"I'll only be gone for a couple of hours. Will you be ok?" Jongdae hesitated by the door as he looked uncertainly over to where his hyung was cuddling a giant Pororo plushie on his bed, pouting and looking like a five-year-old. "The world isn't ending Dae, I'll be fine." Minseok sniffled, mumbling the words from where his face was pressed into Pororo's head. "Well, if you're sure?" A sniff is his only answer and with an eye-roll, he heads out to hand in his due assignment.Minseok holds it together long enough for his friend to be out of hearing range before he dissolves into another fit of heart-wrenching sobs. ~*~ They're sitting on Yixing's bed (Luhan's being strictly off-limits), backs against the wall, Luhan and Yixing on either side of Sehun, who has finally calmed down and stopped crying. Luhan's phone beeps for the nth time, gaining a curious look from the youngest. "Whoever that is hyung, they really wanna get hold of you." The red-head however ignored the sound of another message arriving. "If it's important they'll call..."Cue TVXQ's Mirotic blasting out from the pocket of Luhan's jeans. A quick shuffle and he's pulling out his phone and staring at the screen as it continues to ring. "Aren't you going to answer?" Sehun asks, curious about who could be calling. He really should answer. With a hesitant look at the blonde, he connects the call. "Kyungsoo? What's up?" Luhan doesn't miss Sehun's frantic whisper to Yixing, asking, 'Who's Kyungsoo?', and Yixing just giving him his usual vacant expression. "I'm sorry, something came up. Can I call you later? Ok? Great, speak to you then!" He hangs up with a smile. It takes him a moment to realise the other two are looking at him, questions unspoken. "What?""Who's Kyungsoo?" Sehun repeats his earlier question."Ah...I was going to tell you and Minseok..." Luhan trails off, not sure how to break the news to the blonde. "Tell us what?" "See, Kyungsoo, he's...well, he's...my boyfriend." He looks away, chewing on his lip, a nervous habit, as he waits for Sehun's reaction. "Oh." Sehun stares at him wide-eyed. "I'm sorry, Sehun." Luhan takes both of Sehun's hands in his own, pleading with him. "I was going to tell you at lunch today but things, well, happened and I didn't get a chance."Sehun, stares at his hyung, blinking slowly, face blank. "It's ok, hyung, you don't need to apologise. I've been a nuisance to you, haven't I?" "No, Sehun! You really haven't!" Luhan is shocked that Sehun could ever think of himself as a nuisance. He'd enjoyed having his youngest friends' attention, and maybe he was partially to blame for this whole mess. If he hadn't kept encouraging Sehun, things may not have gone so far and the damage would have been minimal. He squeezes their maknae's hands, trying to reassure him. "You have never been and will never be a nuisance to me, do you understand?" A slight nod of the head of tousled blonde hair answers him. "If I hadn't been so infatuated with you; if I hadn't held all these fantasies of you and me being together...argh, I knew that it would never come to anything, but I still continued to bother you." He pulls his hands from Luhan's grasp and pulls at his instead, in frustration. "I've teased, bullied and been rude to Minseok-hyung this past year and he didn't deserve it. I just didn't like the idea of him having more of your attention that I did. This past week I've spent more time with him that I anyone else and I started to notice things..."Sehun trailed off, not knowing how to put into words what he wanted to say. Yixing placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and gave him a soft smile of encouragement to continue when he was ready. The blonde really liked his Yixing hyung; he was so quiet and caring at times, knowing exactly when words were needed, and when there were not. He returns the smile with a slight one of his own. "Last night...when we were...err...you know...together." He clears his throat as his face flushes with embarrassment. "I couldn't stop thinking about you hyung." Sehun glanced up quickly before bowing his head again, hiding his pinked cheeks. "Even though I realised in that evening I shared with Minseok hyung, how much I actually care for him, how much I've ignored those feelings, and denied them, pushed them aside, I finally accepted them. But, then I said...oh god this is embarrassing!" He wailed, hiding his face in his hands. "Go on." Luhan gently pulls the blonde's hands away from his face. "It's just the two of us and we're not going to tell anyone what you say to us. Anything said now doesn't leave this room. Scouts honour." "You were never a scout." Yixing chips in. "Oh, shut up!" Luhan reaches over and slaps him half-heartedly on the arm, before returning his attention to the boy sitting between them, now with a slight grin on his face. "So, you said my name in the heat of the moment?" Sehun makes a strangled sound from his throat as he wrings his hands together and tries to bury his now burning face in Yixing's shoulder, causing the two of them to laugh quietly at his antics. "Don't, Luhan-hyung...I don't want to remember. I hurt him so much. You should've seen his face and I just ran away!" He mumbles out, sounding as if he's about to cry again. "Don't worry, Sehun. I take it as a compliment!" The eldest crows, looking proud of himself. "You would!" Yixing laughs, dimple showing. Sehun knows Luhan is only trying to cheer him up right now, and while it may bring a smile to his lips on the outside, inside is still a dark, swirling black hole of hurt, and it's not getting any smaller. "But, what do I do?" He whispers, sitting up again and looking from one to the other. "How can I ever apologise enough? Minseok hyung must hate me right now!""I'm pretty sure he's very upset and angry with you right now, Sehun." Yixing says. "And I'm sure it's going to be a while before you can be friends again, but there's one thing we can be certain about." "What's that?" Sehun, looks hopefully down at his hyung.Yixing takes pity on the kicked puppy that is his dongsaeng at that moment. "Minseok likes you; he has feelings for you. Yes, right now they've been trampled all over and are battered and bruised, but underneath all the hurt I believe they are still there." "What do I need to do? Yixing-hyung, please tell me!" Sehun is on his knees, having turned to face the brunette fully, eyes shining with hope. "You need to have some patience." He says. "And some perseverance. I'll help you the best I can, Sehun. It's not going to be easy though. Are you prepared to do anything to help convince Minseok to forgive you?" Several eager nods are his answer. With a smile, he gets up, shrugs on his jacket, pushes his feet into a pair of shoes, and heads out of his and Luhan's dorm room. "Leave it with me. I've got a plan." Luhan and Sehun can only stare after the brunette as he heads off down the corridor, whistling a merry tune. ~*~ Entering the cafe, Yixing spots Jongdae seated at a table by the window, hands wrapped around a mug of coffee. He makes his way over and joins him, sliding into the vacant seat opposite. "You got my text then?" "Yeah." Jongdae takes a drink of his coffee. "So, what did you want?" "How's Minseok?" "How do you think?" His replies a bit sharp and Jongdae instantly regrets it. It's not the others fault that Sehun is an idiot. "Sorry, I didn't mean that. I'm just a little worn out.""That bad?" Yixing is really worried now. Taking another look over his friend's appearance he sees the slight bags under his eyes and his hair is a frazzled mess, plus his shoulders are slumped and he's not the usual peppy looking Jongdae he's used to. If this is what a couple of hours trying to console Minseok did to him, then his hyung must be in a much worse state than he imagined. "I told him I wouldn't be long. I had to drop in a finished assignment and was heading back when I got your text." "Sorry, this shouldn't take long. I want to run something by you?""Oh?" Jongdae is intrigued by Yixing's tone; it's not often it has that playful scheming tone to it. "Do tell." "I've spent the last couple of hours with Sehun and Luhan. And no, I'm not expecting any sympathy." Yixing holds up his hand to stop any protests the other may have had. "He's a mess. He's just realising the consequences of what he's done and, well, he's not taken it too well." He pauses as a waiter comes over to take his order, asking for a vanilla latte. "Now, while I want him to work things out with Minseok, I think he needs to learn his lesson a bit more as well..." "What do you mean?" "I have a plan..." Yixing smirks making eye contact with Jongdae. "This better not hurt Minseok anymore than he is already" Jongdae warns before leaning in closer to the brunette. "Believe me when I say I don't want to see Minseok hurt any more than he is already. This will allow him to get some well-earned revenge and maybe heal the hurt in the process." The waiter returns, placing Yixings vanilla latte in front of him. Taking a sip and wiping the excess cream from his lips, Yixing leans in towards Jongdae. "Let's get planning." ~*~
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Jongdae had explained the plan to him several times now but he's not sure if it will work or if he can even pull it off. He'd succeeded in avoiding Sehun yesterday; mainly because he only had one class in the afternoon and Luhan was helping him out with the notes in that class. Today, however, he would have to share a lecture with Sehun and sit next to him. Minseok wasn't sure he had enough strength to handle it. Resolving to ignore his responsibilities until later, he buried himself back under his blankets and willing himself back to sleep. It doesn't last long before his cosy haven is rudely destroyed and he finds himself exposed to harsh reality once more. "Come on, hyung, you need to get up, class starts in two hours and we've got work to do." Jongdae stands over him, one hand clutching the still warm blankets, the other on his hip as he smiles down at Minseok, far too bright for 7 am. "Nooooooooooo!" Minseok wails, rolling back and forth on his bed, kicking his legs and generally throwing a tantrum. "Hyung, come on." Jongdae sat down on the edge of the bed, reaching over and brushing tussled strands of hair out of his friend’s eyes, his expression softening. "You're upset and hurt, I know and I get it, but you need to do this. Just like we discussed, let us help you. Please, hyung."With a loud, drawn-out sigh, Minseok sat up ruffling his hair and slumping forward so his forehead was pressed into his friend's shoulder. "Do I really have to?""I'm afraid so, yes. I'm afraid of what Baekhyun hyung will do if you don't. Besides, he didn't go to all that trouble with your hair last night for you to not go through with this." "Alright, alright, I'm up!" With an exaggerated sigh, Minseok rolled out of bed, landing on his hands and knees, before pushing himself upright and dragging his feet towards their small bathroom for a shower, grabbing a towel and wash bag on the way.Jongdae busied himself with picking out an outfit from his overflowing closet, the sound of the running shower water in the background. Minseok had only been in the shower about 5 minutes when a series of quiet knocks sounded on their dorm door. Opening the door he was greeted by a very fresh and wide awake Baekhyun toting what looked like a toolbox and a gym bag. He raised an eyebrow when he was shouldered aside as Baekhyun forced his way into the room. "Where's the patient?" The bubbly raven-haired boy glanced around him."In the shower." Jongdae indicated by pointing over his shoulder."Okay then, I'll just get set up while I wait." Placing his bags down on the small kitchen counter, he proceeds to pull out of his bag a hairdryer, straighteners, numerous combs, and clips, along with a full array of make-up.Jongdae can only stare in horror and hope that Minseok won't hurt him too much for what he was about to put him through. His hyung may look small and defenseless most of the time but he could be a lethal powerhouse when he wanted to be. He's about to ask Baekhyun why he's brought five types of eyeliner with him when the sound of singing is heard coming from the bathroom. Oh, good, he's waking up. He thinks before turning to speak to Baekhyun again only to see his friend staring open-mouthed towards the bathroom door before his mouth closes with an audible click his eyes narrow. "Is that him singing?""Erm, yeah?"Baekhyun rounds on him. "You didn't tell me he could sing?""You didn't ask?" Jongdae backs away as much as their small dorm room allows until his calves are pressing against the edge of his bed."Kim Jongdae, have you knowingly kept quiet about your roommate's ability to sing when you know we're in need of someone at glee club with that tone?" Baekhyun has advanced on Jongdae whilst he was talking until he was very much in the other's personal space."He doesn't like to sing in front of people." He hedges, trying to talk his way out of the sticky situation he was now in. "No one likes singing in front of people at first." "No, Baekhyun, don't even think about it." He doesn't like the way the other's eyes have lit up with mischief. "I mean it. Don't you dare.""Tsk. You spoil all my fun, Chen Chen." With a smile, Baekhyun goes back to organising all of the stuff he brought with him. The bathroom door clicks open and a much more awake Minseok walks out, t-shirt and shorts on, towel drying his hair. He stops suddenly, a startled look on his face when he notices they have a guest, someone he's not expecting. "Baekhyun?" He tilts his head to the side. "What are you doing here? I thought we were done last night." Baekhyun smiles at his cutely blinking hyung for a few moments before answering him. "I'm going to style your hair and do your make up of course!" He claps his hands excitedly. "Your hair really did turn out well. I really excelled myself." "M-ma-make up?" Minseok stammers out, wide-eyed. Jongdae never mentioned makeup. Makeover, yes, he'd understood that, but now he was staring at the numerous tubes of BB cream on the counter with mounting dread. "Yes, makeup, hyung. We're going to make you look like a star!" Ignoring the worried look Minseok gave in Jongdae's direction and the answering thumbs up he received, Baekhyun maneuvered him in the direction of his desk and pushed him gently to sit down in the chair. "Now, let’s get started. I think we'll go with an 'up' style today, hyung; get those bangs out of your eyes." Minseok gulped as he watched his teammate reach for his combs and hairdryer. Forty-five minutes later he's staring at his reflection in the bathroom mirror but it's not himself that's looking back at him, it's someone completely different that he's never met before in his life. Gone was the brown mop of hair that had almost touched his shoulders and long bangs that covered his forehead. Instead, his hair was now tousled layers of pastel pink and honey blonde, with his bangs swept back off his face. Baekhyun swears he only put a light layer of BB cream on his face but it looks so smooth and flawless he's not sure he believes him; not to mention the eyeliner and soft shades of eye shadow that make his eyes look amazingly big and bright. Baekhyun was a God when it came to hair and make-up. He'd known this already from watching his friend practice on other people, but never first hand like this. When he'd first met Baekhyun as the new member on the taekwondo team, he'd thought the same as the others; how could someone studying hairdressing and beauty therapy be tough enough to be any good at taekwondo or any martial art. Baekhyun and soon put them all in their place with some well-aimed hapkido moves. No one had questioned his abilities since, and a couple had even agreed to be models when he needed to practice male hairstyles. "Come on gorgeous, we need to get you dressed now," Baekhyun called out to him.Moving back into the main room, Minseok glanced down at what he was wearing, puzzled. "Won't this do?" What was wrong with the t-shirt and sweatpants he was wearing?"Hell no, no way." Baekhyun grabbed him and moved him in front of Jongdae's closet. "Show him what we've picked out 'Dae." "Okay, hyung, don't freak out. You need to change your style rather drastically for this plan to work. So, I'm afraid it's goodbye to your usual super casual style." Jongdae pulled out various hangers of clothes and held them up in front of the other. "And hello to the new you."Minseok stared at the ripped dark blue jeans and the oversized 'Stussy' branded grey t-shirt his friend held up. His nose scrunched up in dislike; he'd never liked wearing brands and begrudged paying the money for them. "Really?" He looked between both of his friends. At both of their nods, he sighed in resignation before taking them from Jongdae's hands and heading for the bathroom to change. No way was he changing in front of those two. After changing into Jongdae's clothes, which weren't too big on him, he hesitated before going back out there to face them. Catching sight of himself in the mirror again he couldn't help but admit that he looked good, but he didn't know if he liked it or not. Taking a deep breath and counting to ten before slowly exhaling he opened the door and braced himself before stepping out."Whoa! You look fabulous!" Baekhyun's smile looked as though it was about to split his face in two. "Well picked out 'Dae, he looks delicious!"Minseok's eyes widened at that comment and he quickly turned to face Jongdae. "Please tell me I don't.""Sorry, hyung, but he makes a fair point. You look very different." Jongdae laughs as his Hyung self-consciously tries to pull up the side of the t-shirt that has fallen down over his shoulder, only for it to fall again afterward.With a sigh, Minseok leaves the t-shirt to do whatever the hell it wants. He just wants to get the day over and done with, and can already feel the heat in his cheeks from Baekhyun and Jongdae's words. What was it going to be like when everyone else saw him? "Come on, put your brace on that wrist, or you’re going to get me into trouble with the nurse." Jongdae holds out the black brace to him and helps him fasten it properly. The aching in his arm that he’d hardly noticed with all the happenings of the morning came back with a vengeance now as the pressure was applied to support his aching limb. "Can you get my bag for me please?""Already done and waiting for you." Jongdae pointed towards the door where his backpack was indeed sitting waiting for him."Thank you, Jongdae." He gave his roommate and friend his first genuine smile of the morning. "I wish this day was over already."Three loud knocks on the door cause three pairs of eyes to turn and stare at it. One in excitement to see the reaction to his morning's work, one with glee at seeing his hyung's suffering for a good cause about to begin, and the last in absolute horror."No such luck," Jongdae says as he hustles Minseok towards the door."I can't do it!" The eldest turns on the spot, good hand grabbing Jongdae's t-shirt. "Please don't make me do this!""Hyung, we had this talk last night and you agreed it was a good plan." Jongdae reaches up to pat Minseok's head reassuringly but at the sharp look and muttered 'don't ruin my hard work' from Baekhyun, he settles for patting the eldest's shoulder instead. "You're going to be fine. Just remember the plan. Now, get your game face on." "You're right. I need to do this." Minseok closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, and exhales slowly before opening his eyes and glancing back at his friends. "Let's do this."Jongdae reaches forward and opens the door to an impatiently waiting Sehun. "Good morning, maknae!" "Is it?" The youngest grunts. "Where is he then?"Jongdae thrusts Minseok's bag into the blonde's arms before stepping back to stand beside Baekhyun and reveal Minseok to him. "Morning, Sehun." Minseok drawls, face emotionless and blank as he walks out of the dorm room and turns towards the elevators. "Let's go."Sehun can only gape after him before turning back to Baekhyun and Jongdae, failing to form words, just motioning with his hand towards Minseok's retreating back, eyes questioning."Good luck today, Sehun." Jongdae wishes him as they both give him reassuring pats on the back before gently pushing him to follow after his hyung. "I think you're going to need it." As the door closes in his face, Sehun comes to his senses and quickly speed walks down the corridor until he's standing beside Minseok, waiting for the elevator to arrive, struggling for something to say to break the awkward tension."You look...um..." He fumbles to find the right words."Amazing, right?" Minseok smirks up at him and for a moment he forgets to breathe. The thought 'what is air?' passes across his mind briefly as he is frozen by the smug and confident look on his hyungs face. What the hell happened in the last 48 hours? ~*~
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Sehun was annoyed. Very annoyed. He trailed behind Minseok as he was led across the campus towards their lecture. His hyung's bag was heavy; goodness knows what was in it. Coupled with his own bag on his back, Minseok's bag was really starting to weigh him down. The constant muttering and pointing that followed them at every turn, was getting on his last nerve. Minseok's makeover hadn't gone unnoticed. How could it not? He looked like a completely different person. Sehun was still reeling himself from how great his hyung looked.As they shouldered their way into the Modern Languages block, then through the packed corridors leading to their lecture hall, he was furiously grinding his teeth together by the time they reached their usual seats. "Hey, who's that?""Who?""Over there, with the blonde and pink hair.""Oooh, yeah, I see him. I wouldn't mind a bit of that ass.""But, who is he?""It looks like Lu Han's friend, Kim Minseok.""No, it can't be. Minseok's very plain looking dresses real casual too.""Hmm, but I heard that he'd hurt his arm and that freshman friend of Lu Han's was taking notes for him in class.""And that's definitely Oh Sehun following him with two bags.""I wonder..." Hearing the mutterings from several rows back, Minseok turned to face the four girls, giving them a small smile and a wave, following by a wink, before turning to face the front again. "Oh my God, it is him! It's Kim Minseok!""What the hell happened? Not that I'm complaining, because damn he's looking hot.""Hell yeah, what an improvement.""He can take me anyway and time he likes." Sehun, ground his teeth harder, hand clenching the pencil he'd been holding so tight that it snapped into several pieces. How dare they talk about his hyung like that; like he was a piece of meat. As their professor entered the room and started setting up for his lecture, Sehun took a new pencil from his bag, ready to take notes. From the corner of his eye, he noticed that Minseok was smirking; in the direction of the small group of girls. Tapping his hyung's shoulder quickly, he leaned in to whisper, once he had his attention. "Why are you encouraging them?" He kept his eyes trained on the professor still setting up at the front of the room, making sure he hadn't noticed them. "Why shouldn't I?"Minseok's voice sounded cocky and smug to him. Sehun wasn't sure that he liked it. With the new look and more revealing clothes had come to an air of arrogance that Sehun didn't think suited his hyung."I thought you were gay." He replied."Who am I to turn down such open invitations, hmm?" Minseok returned his attention to the front where the lecture was beginning. "Come on, Sehun, you've got notes to take for me. Get to it." With a satisfied smirk on his face, Minseok leaned back in his seat, only half-listening to the lecture and relying almost entirely on Sehun taking down notes for him. He might have appeared cool and calm that morning, but inside he was shaking mess and he didn't know how much longer he could keep up with it all.For the rest of the lecture, Minseok lounged back in his seat as Sehun furiously took down notes for him. He could see that the other boy was wound up about something from the way he had been grinding his teeth constantly since they entered the building and if he kept breaking pencil leads from the pressure he was placing on them as he wrote, he'd soon be out of them.At the end of the lecture, Sehun packed up their supplies into their separate bags and shouldered both of them. He spotted the girls waiting at the door for his hyung and firmly took hold of Minseok's shoulder to stop him walking past. "Don't lower yourself to their level. They're only after one thing.""And who says I'm not after the same thing?" Minseok leaned his head back slightly so he could look into Sehun's eyes with a questioning eyebrow raised. At Sehun's scandalized look, Minseok chuckled and patted the younger on the shoulder. "What's wrong Sehun-ah? Are you jealous?" "No!" Sehun almost shouted, staring down at Minseok with wide eyes. "Why would I be jealous?" He huffed as he led the way from the room and towards the dining room. "Come on, let's go get some lunch." After a couple of yards, he looked back once to make sure his hyung was following him before continuing to stomp his way to the hall, both of their bags slung over once shoulder. 'It's working', Minseok thought briefly, a shy smile quirking his lips as he followed behind the maknae at a more sedate pace. Maybe Jongdae had been right. Maybe, just maybe, he could pull this off. ~*~ Entering the lunch hall, Sehun’s spirits dropped. Baekhyun was sitting at their usual table with everyone else. He wasn’t sure if he should be even talking to Baekhyun; after all, he was mostly responsible for the drastic makeover his hyung had undergone, causing all the girls, and some boys, on campus to go a little crazy as they’d made their way there from their lecture hall. He’d had to make Minseok walk behind him so he could push a path through the interested crowds, to make sure that Minseok’s arm wasn’t hurt any more than it already was. As he made his way over to their table, Minseok at his side, he saw that the only spare seats were two next to each other. Typical. He didn’t know if he could sit in such close quarters as Minseok for the next hour and keep it together. It was really taking his everything not to do something stupid as it was. Slumping down into one of the chairs, bags dropping from his shoulder to the floor, Sehun allowed his forehead to meet with the tabletop in a resounding thud that drew everyone else’s attention.“You ok there, Sehun?” Jongdae asked as he rubbed soothing circles between the maknae’s shoulder blades. His only answer was a silent shake of a head, Sehun choosing not to move from his safe haven of being face down at the table, unable to see all the lustful gazes being directed at his newly sexy hyung. Glancing up, Jongdae shared a quick ‘thumbs up’ signal with Baekhyun, who returned it cheerfully. All was going somewhat to plan. With Sehun distracted by his own self-pity party, Minseok turned to his other side, small hands grabbing hold of the sleeve of Yixing’s jacket and looking at him with pleading eyes. “Please can I stop with the whole act now?” He begged. “I can’t keep this up for much longer. Everyone is staring at me.”“Not everyone.” Yixing nodded towards the still form of Sehun, face still firmly planted in laminate wood. “Come on Minseokkie hyung; think confident and you’ll be fine.”“Fine, you say.” Minseok swallows hard at the sip of water he takes from his bottle. “Somehow I think this all going to end disaster.” “Lighten up hyung. What’s the worst that can happen?” Yixing smiled softly as he did nothing at all to calm his hyung’s rapidly beating heart and churning stomach. Minseok couldn’t help but think to himself that everything was going to be far from ok. ~*~