Secrets Worth Keeping [7/15]
secrets worth keeping [7/15]
Pairings: Kris/Lay, Xiumin/Luhan, one sided!Taoris, Kris/Chanyeol
Genre: High School!AU
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 2,306
Summary: Wu Fan is the star player of the school’s basketball team and a known ladies man. But Yixing discovers that it’s not all quite what it seems.
prologue | one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | {xiuhan side story} | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | {taochen side story} | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen
Despite a great deal of protesting from Yixing, (with a little bit of sympathetic support from Minseok), the majority decide to ignore his wishes and go to the horror movie. Wu Fan slides into the seat beside him and hands him a chocolate bar as the lights dim and the previews begin.
“My treat,” he says, leaning over so that his whisper isn’t heard by the others. Yixing looks at him, although he doesn’t turn his head because Wu Fan is right beside him and moving would cause their noses to touch. Yixing shuffles away a little.
“Thanks,” he replies, and out of the corner of his eye he can see Wu Fan watching him, lips pulled into a small smile as the white light from the movie screen bounces across his face.
He settles back into his chair as the movie title screams to the front of the screen dripping in blood. With a sigh, he reaches over to steal some popcorn from Lu Han, taking a greedy handful with a pleased grin. Perhaps if he’s distracted by food, he won’t notice the actual movie. He is proven wrong a few minutes later when a ghost suddenly appears behind the protagonist and all of his popcorn goes flying on to the floor. Wu Fan nudges him with an elbow and Yixing sees him bite back a smile.
“Are you alright?” he asks, and although there is amusement shining in his eyes, they are ultimately filled with concern. Yixing nods and forces a smile back although his heartbeat is leaping wildly in his chest and the only thing he wants to do is sink into the floor.
He manages to make it through most of the movie with only minor flinches at sudden appearances. Only once does he accidently hit Wu Fan in the chest as his arms go flailing, fingers clenching into the thin material of his shirt as the ghost flickers across a hospital corridor.
Wu Fan laughs softly and gently untangles his fingers before linking their hands together, resting them both in his lap. Yixing tears his gaze away from the screen for a moment and looks down in surprise at their joined hands. Wu Fan smiles.
“I did promise,” he says and Yixing suddenly forgets about the movie, about whatever terrible thing the ghost is probably doing to the main character, because the heat from the hand around his is spreading throughout his body and Wu Fan’s eyes are so dark and so very close and his eyes graze across Wu Fan’s lips and-
A scream jerks Yixing from his stupor and he returns his attention to the movie. But it isn’t until the movie is over, that the heat crawling over his skin finally dissipates and his heart returns to a steady rhythm.
*
Yixing sees Wu Fan on his way in to school on Monday, walking quickly to catch up to him.
“So how do you like my friends?” he says and Wu Fan turns around, a smile gracing his lips almost automatically.
“I think they’re great.”
Yixing smiles in response and feels a sense of contentment at that.
“I knew you would like them.”
They walk in silence for a bit, Wu Fan slowing down his pace so that Yixing can walk easily beside him.
“Its semi-finals soon,” he says, trying to sound nonchalant, but Yixing can hear the slip of nervousness underlying his words. “I have to practice tomorrow afternoon, so just meet me in the gym instead of the classroom for tutoring.”
Yixing nods. “Am I getting a V.I.P seat for the semis now that I’m your friend?”
Wu Fan laughs and pulls Yixing close beside him, their shoulders bumping against each other, fingers dangling a mere breadth from touch.
“It’s not a home game and besides, you’re not that important yet.”
Yixing sends Wu Fan an affronted look and huffs loudly, pretending to storm away. Wu Fan just smiles and grabs at his hand, fingers linking together as he pulls him close again.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get there,” he says with a laugh and Yixing’s heart twinges with affection.
*
When Yixing gets to the gym on Tuesday, it’s completely empty except for Wu Fan dribbling the basketball around one of the goals.
There’s something almost magical about the way Wu Fan is completely and utterly focussed on the task at hand, his eyebrows drawn together in concentration as he runs before jumping, his body twisting as the ball sinks effortlessly into the basket. He must notice Yixing then because he smiles, wiping the sweat off his face with a towel haphazardly thrown at the side of the court.
“Hey,” he says, as he jogs over.
Yixing nods, “Sorry to interrupt, you’re so good at it.”
Wu Fan scratches his head in embarrassment but his smile increases.
“Thanks.” He bounces the ball a few times when an idea seems to flash across his face.
“Why don’t you join me for a bit?”
Yixing puts his books down on the closest seat and shakes his head.
“I’m not really one for basketball.”
Wu Fan grabs his wrist, the ball held under his other arm as he pulls Yixing onto the court.
“Come on, I’ll teach you.”
He passes the ball to Yixing who catches it easily - at least his reflexes always have been good. Wu Fan claps his hands together and motions for Yixing to throw it back and so he does. Wu Fan bites his lip and aims it at the basket before letting it fly from his fingertips, sinking after a solid thunk against the backboard.
“You make it look so easy,” Yixing says and Wu Fan laughs.
“It’s not that hard,” he says, “Here.” He walks over and gives the ball to Yixing, standing behind him, fingers sliding up Yixing’s arms.
“You move your arms like this.” He presses down on Yixing’s arms to motion the action. “And then after that it’s all in the fingertips.” His hands move further, skating over his skin until they cup Yixing’s hands against the ball. Yixing can feel the hot breath on his cheek and the warm body pressed into him from behind and his breath stutters for a moment.
Wu Fan moves his own arms, with Yixing’s hands still trapped beneath, and aims at the basket. With a small jerk, he releases the ball and, much to Yixing’s surprise, it actually sinks in. He drops his arms but his fingers link with Yixing’s as the basketball bounces across the floor.
They are so close; Yixing can feel Wu Fan’s heartbeat race against his spine and the warmth of breath on his neck. He feels an urge to push closer, to lose himself in the moment, but instead he pushes away, feeling his own heartbeat leap against his rib cage.
“We should probably work on some English,” Yixing manages to say and he feels Wu Fan’s fingers slip away from his, immediately mourning the loss.
"Yeah, I guess, Wu Fan says softly.
*They don't go to the classroom that afternoon, choosing to stay in the gym. Yixing props his legs up on the seat in front of him as he carefully writes out his answers to the questions Wu Fan has made for him. He chews on the end of his pen for a moment and Wu Fan shifts closer, peering over his shoulder to see what he is having trouble with.
"You know this one Yixing, just sound it out."
Yixing does so and with a smile, writes the answer, feeling a sense of satisfaction when Wu Fan makes a sound of approval. He sits back in the chair a little, crossing his ankles.
"Are you nervous about semi-finals?" he asks.
Wu Fan nods, lips twisting in a wry smile. "Yeah, I am."
A thought crosses Yixing's mind and he looks at Wu Fan.
"Can- can other people from the school, I mean, aside from the team, come?"
Wu Fan's eyes flicker up and down over his face, confusion evident.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, can I come?"
The grin that spreads across Wu Fan's lips is so open and genuine that Yixing's breathing falters for a moment.
"Are you serious? You really want to come?"
He looks so filled with disbelief that Yixing laughs, reaching over to squeeze his hand.
"Of course I do. I'll be your personal cheerleader."
Wu Fan's grin widens impossibly. He looks torn between staying still and pulling Yixing into a hug so Yixing chooses for him, wrapping his arms around his middle, chin nestled into his shoulder. Hesitant fingers touch against Yixing's waist before finding a place around his shoulder blades and splaying across his back. It’s a little awkward, but it makes Yixing smile regardless.
“I’d better be bumped up your friends list after this,” he says. The warmth around him disappears as Wu Fan pulls away with a short laugh but his eyes are soft; affectionate.
"You already can't get any higher," he says quietly.
*
Wu Fan seems to get along well with everyone in the group and as they sit around school courtyard in the afternoon Yixing can barely see any evidence of the shyness from a week ago. He laughs at all the right times, listens intently to each person (even when Minseok begins to talk about some conspiracy theory he is convinced is real.) It makes Yixing happy because there is a small part of himself that feels satisfaction at creating whatever this is - this friendship.
“No I’m completely serious, the planes vanished!”
“Yes but Minseok, they probably just crashed.”
“Without any wreckage? I’m telling you guys, the Bermuda Triangle is real.”
Zitao scoffs , “Lu Han please keep him away from the tv.”
With a salute, Lu Han nods in promise.
“Soon he’ll probably start talking about the zombie apocalypse or something,” Zitao says, and Minseok sits up straighter, a glint to his eyes.
“Well actually-” he begins but is cut off by Zitao covering his mouth with his hand.
As Minseok’s eyes narrow and he glares at Zitao, Wu Fan sits forward, legs crossed and elbows leaning against his knees, fingers dangling in the grass.
“I think I would be great in the zombie apocalypse.”
Zitao slowly removes his hand from Minseok’s mouth and frowns at him.
“Don’t you start too.”
Wu Fan just grins, “Well I mean zombies apparently don’t run and, I’m a pretty decent runner.”
“So you’re just going to run forever then?” Lu Han says, “You wouldn’t last a day!”
“Yeah what you need is a steady aim and lots of bullets,” Minseok says, mimicking the action by pretending to shoot Zitao in the head. Zitao kicks him.
“But Wu Fan does have good hand-eye coordination; he’s a basketball player after all.”
Wu Fan laughs, “You just earned yourself a spot on my zombie survival team Zitao.” He reaches across the grass and offers his curled fist, to which Zitao bumps his own fist against with a grin.
“Wu Fan, Zitao will get you killed while he’s packing his bags to escape. Because believe me, he’s going to be taking his entire house,” Yixing says, snorting at Zitao’s indignant expression.
“Fine, I’ll go with you then,” Wu Fan says, throwing his hands up in defeat.
Zitao leans forward, hands clasped beneath his chin and eyes dancing. “Ah, but I can do wushu.”
Yixing looks at him sideways. “Oh yeah because kicking a zombie is going to kill it.” He ignores the finger that is flipped in his direction.
“I’ll be surviving solo style,” Jongdae says, crossing his arms behind his head. “I’ll just steal all of your guns while you fight over who goes with who.”
“Who do I go with?” Minseok asks, and Lu Han immediately flings himself on top of him, draping an arm around his shoulders.
“Me of course.” He just laughs as Minseok falls backwards in his attempts to rid himself of Lu Han’s gangly limbs.
There is the sound of someone clearing their throat and they all turn to Zitao, who looks at them with amusement tugging at his lips. “I know this is very educational and all guys, but I’m pretty sure the bell went ten minutes ago,” he says and so they scramble to their feet, dusting off the grass and dirt which clings to their uniforms.
Yixing grabs Wu Fan’s wrist as he goes, pulling him back a little, smile curved against his arm as he presses closer. Wu Fan drops his head, hair falling low over his eyes as he watches Yixing with a questioning look.
“You better let me on your survival team oh-so-coordinated basketball player,” Yixing says and Wu Fan laughs, reaching over to mess up his hair.
“Of course. I don’t know what I would do without you crying at the zombies.”
Yixing pulls away, sending him a hurt look with a punch on the arm.
“That’s only ghosts, not zombies.”
Wu Fan just looks at him, eyebrow raised and Yixing sighs, linking their arms together as they walk off to class.
*
It’s as he is walking home at the end of the day, Lu Han keeping up pace beside him, that he realises something is wrong with his best friend. Yixing has been doing his best to keep a conversation going but it keeps faltering, remaining one-sided with a few interspersed nods and hums from Lu Han to show his attention. He stops, mid step, and frowns at Lu Han, exhaling loudly through his nose.
“Lu Han,” he says, voice stern. Lu Han looks around, gaze flickering up and Yixing sees it now, a dazed expression across his face, a faint smile on his lips and his eyes glazed over; vacant. Concern stabs at his heart.
"Lu Han, are you okay?" Lu Han nods, and his eyes clear a little, focusing on Yixing before him. But he doesn’t say anything, so Yixing puts a hand on each shoulder and shakes him gently.
"Lu Han?” he repeats, voice edging on frustration.
Lu Han turns slowly and opens and closes his mouth, clearly unsure of how to begin before he speaks.
“Minseok kissed me,” he says, blinking rapidly.
Yixing can’t help it; he bursts into laughter.
The sound seems to snap Lu Han out of his daze and his expression becomes insulted.
“What? How is this even funny?”
Yixing shakes his head, “It’s just… finally.”
“What?”
“He’s liked you for a while, a very long time actually.”
Lu Han opens and closes his mouth, managing to choke out a weak, “How long?”
Yixing grins, “Probably as long as you’ve liked him.”
Lu Han blushes furiously and looks at the ground.
“How did you..?”
“Lu Han, I’ve known you for eleven years, it wasn’t that hard to see.”
Lu Han doesn’t look up, but the corner of his lips twitch into a smile. Yixing walks forward and envelops him in a hug, chin against Lu Han’s hair.
“You’re a little stupid sometimes,” he says, and feels an annoyed puff of hot air against his shoulder in response. When he pulls away, Lu Han seems to be regaining his composure, his cheeks only dusted with a light pink.
“So, what happened?” Yixing asks with an amused smile.
Lu Han bites his lip. “Well, we were walking together and he said something funny so I laughed, but he kept looking at me, like, really intensely. So then I asked him what was wrong and he smiled, you know that really cute half-smile he does? And he said, “nothing, you’re just so perfect” and then he-and he- and then…”
Yixing grins, “And then he kissed you?”
Lu Han nods, a frown slowly forming on his face.
“Yixing, he said he loved me.”
Yixing nods. “So? Don’t you love him too?”
A shy expression settles itself on Lu Han’s face, his lips lazily pulling into a smile.
“Yeah I do,” he says softly and Yixing just shakes his head with a laugh, wrapping an arm around Lu Han’s waist and pulling him closer as they walk.
*
AN: YOU GUYS GET A BONUS XIUHAN SIDE STORY FOR THIS CHAPTER FOUND >> HERE << BECAUSE I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH~ It just basically covers the end of this chapter and their own little story :3
I really enjoyed writing this chapter because so much kray ust and ofc xiuhan. also, they're talking about the zombie apocalypse because I recently fell in love with The Walking Dead haha
Pairings: Kris/Lay, Xiumin/Luhan, one sided!Taoris, Kris/Chanyeol
Genre: High School!AU
Rating: PG
Wordcount: 2,306
Summary: Wu Fan is the star player of the school’s basketball team and a known ladies man. But Yixing discovers that it’s not all quite what it seems.
prologue | one | two | three | four | five | six | seven | {xiuhan side story} | eight | nine | ten | eleven | twelve | {taochen side story} | thirteen | fourteen | fifteen
Despite a great deal of protesting from Yixing, (with a little bit of sympathetic support from Minseok), the majority decide to ignore his wishes and go to the horror movie. Wu Fan slides into the seat beside him and hands him a chocolate bar as the lights dim and the previews begin.
“My treat,” he says, leaning over so that his whisper isn’t heard by the others. Yixing looks at him, although he doesn’t turn his head because Wu Fan is right beside him and moving would cause their noses to touch. Yixing shuffles away a little.
“Thanks,” he replies, and out of the corner of his eye he can see Wu Fan watching him, lips pulled into a small smile as the white light from the movie screen bounces across his face.
He settles back into his chair as the movie title screams to the front of the screen dripping in blood. With a sigh, he reaches over to steal some popcorn from Lu Han, taking a greedy handful with a pleased grin. Perhaps if he’s distracted by food, he won’t notice the actual movie. He is proven wrong a few minutes later when a ghost suddenly appears behind the protagonist and all of his popcorn goes flying on to the floor. Wu Fan nudges him with an elbow and Yixing sees him bite back a smile.
“Are you alright?” he asks, and although there is amusement shining in his eyes, they are ultimately filled with concern. Yixing nods and forces a smile back although his heartbeat is leaping wildly in his chest and the only thing he wants to do is sink into the floor.
He manages to make it through most of the movie with only minor flinches at sudden appearances. Only once does he accidently hit Wu Fan in the chest as his arms go flailing, fingers clenching into the thin material of his shirt as the ghost flickers across a hospital corridor.
Wu Fan laughs softly and gently untangles his fingers before linking their hands together, resting them both in his lap. Yixing tears his gaze away from the screen for a moment and looks down in surprise at their joined hands. Wu Fan smiles.
“I did promise,” he says and Yixing suddenly forgets about the movie, about whatever terrible thing the ghost is probably doing to the main character, because the heat from the hand around his is spreading throughout his body and Wu Fan’s eyes are so dark and so very close and his eyes graze across Wu Fan’s lips and-
A scream jerks Yixing from his stupor and he returns his attention to the movie. But it isn’t until the movie is over, that the heat crawling over his skin finally dissipates and his heart returns to a steady rhythm.
*
Yixing sees Wu Fan on his way in to school on Monday, walking quickly to catch up to him.
“So how do you like my friends?” he says and Wu Fan turns around, a smile gracing his lips almost automatically.
“I think they’re great.”
Yixing smiles in response and feels a sense of contentment at that.
“I knew you would like them.”
They walk in silence for a bit, Wu Fan slowing down his pace so that Yixing can walk easily beside him.
“Its semi-finals soon,” he says, trying to sound nonchalant, but Yixing can hear the slip of nervousness underlying his words. “I have to practice tomorrow afternoon, so just meet me in the gym instead of the classroom for tutoring.”
Yixing nods. “Am I getting a V.I.P seat for the semis now that I’m your friend?”
Wu Fan laughs and pulls Yixing close beside him, their shoulders bumping against each other, fingers dangling a mere breadth from touch.
“It’s not a home game and besides, you’re not that important yet.”
Yixing sends Wu Fan an affronted look and huffs loudly, pretending to storm away. Wu Fan just smiles and grabs at his hand, fingers linking together as he pulls him close again.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get there,” he says with a laugh and Yixing’s heart twinges with affection.
*
When Yixing gets to the gym on Tuesday, it’s completely empty except for Wu Fan dribbling the basketball around one of the goals.
There’s something almost magical about the way Wu Fan is completely and utterly focussed on the task at hand, his eyebrows drawn together in concentration as he runs before jumping, his body twisting as the ball sinks effortlessly into the basket. He must notice Yixing then because he smiles, wiping the sweat off his face with a towel haphazardly thrown at the side of the court.
“Hey,” he says, as he jogs over.
Yixing nods, “Sorry to interrupt, you’re so good at it.”
Wu Fan scratches his head in embarrassment but his smile increases.
“Thanks.” He bounces the ball a few times when an idea seems to flash across his face.
“Why don’t you join me for a bit?”
Yixing puts his books down on the closest seat and shakes his head.
“I’m not really one for basketball.”
Wu Fan grabs his wrist, the ball held under his other arm as he pulls Yixing onto the court.
“Come on, I’ll teach you.”
He passes the ball to Yixing who catches it easily - at least his reflexes always have been good. Wu Fan claps his hands together and motions for Yixing to throw it back and so he does. Wu Fan bites his lip and aims it at the basket before letting it fly from his fingertips, sinking after a solid thunk against the backboard.
“You make it look so easy,” Yixing says and Wu Fan laughs.
“It’s not that hard,” he says, “Here.” He walks over and gives the ball to Yixing, standing behind him, fingers sliding up Yixing’s arms.
“You move your arms like this.” He presses down on Yixing’s arms to motion the action. “And then after that it’s all in the fingertips.” His hands move further, skating over his skin until they cup Yixing’s hands against the ball. Yixing can feel the hot breath on his cheek and the warm body pressed into him from behind and his breath stutters for a moment.
Wu Fan moves his own arms, with Yixing’s hands still trapped beneath, and aims at the basket. With a small jerk, he releases the ball and, much to Yixing’s surprise, it actually sinks in. He drops his arms but his fingers link with Yixing’s as the basketball bounces across the floor.
They are so close; Yixing can feel Wu Fan’s heartbeat race against his spine and the warmth of breath on his neck. He feels an urge to push closer, to lose himself in the moment, but instead he pushes away, feeling his own heartbeat leap against his rib cage.
“We should probably work on some English,” Yixing manages to say and he feels Wu Fan’s fingers slip away from his, immediately mourning the loss.
"Yeah, I guess, Wu Fan says softly.
*They don't go to the classroom that afternoon, choosing to stay in the gym. Yixing props his legs up on the seat in front of him as he carefully writes out his answers to the questions Wu Fan has made for him. He chews on the end of his pen for a moment and Wu Fan shifts closer, peering over his shoulder to see what he is having trouble with.
"You know this one Yixing, just sound it out."
Yixing does so and with a smile, writes the answer, feeling a sense of satisfaction when Wu Fan makes a sound of approval. He sits back in the chair a little, crossing his ankles.
"Are you nervous about semi-finals?" he asks.
Wu Fan nods, lips twisting in a wry smile. "Yeah, I am."
A thought crosses Yixing's mind and he looks at Wu Fan.
"Can- can other people from the school, I mean, aside from the team, come?"
Wu Fan's eyes flicker up and down over his face, confusion evident.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, can I come?"
The grin that spreads across Wu Fan's lips is so open and genuine that Yixing's breathing falters for a moment.
"Are you serious? You really want to come?"
He looks so filled with disbelief that Yixing laughs, reaching over to squeeze his hand.
"Of course I do. I'll be your personal cheerleader."
Wu Fan's grin widens impossibly. He looks torn between staying still and pulling Yixing into a hug so Yixing chooses for him, wrapping his arms around his middle, chin nestled into his shoulder. Hesitant fingers touch against Yixing's waist before finding a place around his shoulder blades and splaying across his back. It’s a little awkward, but it makes Yixing smile regardless.
“I’d better be bumped up your friends list after this,” he says. The warmth around him disappears as Wu Fan pulls away with a short laugh but his eyes are soft; affectionate.
"You already can't get any higher," he says quietly.
*
Wu Fan seems to get along well with everyone in the group and as they sit around school courtyard in the afternoon Yixing can barely see any evidence of the shyness from a week ago. He laughs at all the right times, listens intently to each person (even when Minseok begins to talk about some conspiracy theory he is convinced is real.) It makes Yixing happy because there is a small part of himself that feels satisfaction at creating whatever this is - this friendship.
“No I’m completely serious, the planes vanished!”
“Yes but Minseok, they probably just crashed.”
“Without any wreckage? I’m telling you guys, the Bermuda Triangle is real.”
Zitao scoffs , “Lu Han please keep him away from the tv.”
With a salute, Lu Han nods in promise.
“Soon he’ll probably start talking about the zombie apocalypse or something,” Zitao says, and Minseok sits up straighter, a glint to his eyes.
“Well actually-” he begins but is cut off by Zitao covering his mouth with his hand.
As Minseok’s eyes narrow and he glares at Zitao, Wu Fan sits forward, legs crossed and elbows leaning against his knees, fingers dangling in the grass.
“I think I would be great in the zombie apocalypse.”
Zitao slowly removes his hand from Minseok’s mouth and frowns at him.
“Don’t you start too.”
Wu Fan just grins, “Well I mean zombies apparently don’t run and, I’m a pretty decent runner.”
“So you’re just going to run forever then?” Lu Han says, “You wouldn’t last a day!”
“Yeah what you need is a steady aim and lots of bullets,” Minseok says, mimicking the action by pretending to shoot Zitao in the head. Zitao kicks him.
“But Wu Fan does have good hand-eye coordination; he’s a basketball player after all.”
Wu Fan laughs, “You just earned yourself a spot on my zombie survival team Zitao.” He reaches across the grass and offers his curled fist, to which Zitao bumps his own fist against with a grin.
“Wu Fan, Zitao will get you killed while he’s packing his bags to escape. Because believe me, he’s going to be taking his entire house,” Yixing says, snorting at Zitao’s indignant expression.
“Fine, I’ll go with you then,” Wu Fan says, throwing his hands up in defeat.
Zitao leans forward, hands clasped beneath his chin and eyes dancing. “Ah, but I can do wushu.”
Yixing looks at him sideways. “Oh yeah because kicking a zombie is going to kill it.” He ignores the finger that is flipped in his direction.
“I’ll be surviving solo style,” Jongdae says, crossing his arms behind his head. “I’ll just steal all of your guns while you fight over who goes with who.”
“Who do I go with?” Minseok asks, and Lu Han immediately flings himself on top of him, draping an arm around his shoulders.
“Me of course.” He just laughs as Minseok falls backwards in his attempts to rid himself of Lu Han’s gangly limbs.
There is the sound of someone clearing their throat and they all turn to Zitao, who looks at them with amusement tugging at his lips. “I know this is very educational and all guys, but I’m pretty sure the bell went ten minutes ago,” he says and so they scramble to their feet, dusting off the grass and dirt which clings to their uniforms.
Yixing grabs Wu Fan’s wrist as he goes, pulling him back a little, smile curved against his arm as he presses closer. Wu Fan drops his head, hair falling low over his eyes as he watches Yixing with a questioning look.
“You better let me on your survival team oh-so-coordinated basketball player,” Yixing says and Wu Fan laughs, reaching over to mess up his hair.
“Of course. I don’t know what I would do without you crying at the zombies.”
Yixing pulls away, sending him a hurt look with a punch on the arm.
“That’s only ghosts, not zombies.”
Wu Fan just looks at him, eyebrow raised and Yixing sighs, linking their arms together as they walk off to class.
*
It’s as he is walking home at the end of the day, Lu Han keeping up pace beside him, that he realises something is wrong with his best friend. Yixing has been doing his best to keep a conversation going but it keeps faltering, remaining one-sided with a few interspersed nods and hums from Lu Han to show his attention. He stops, mid step, and frowns at Lu Han, exhaling loudly through his nose.
“Lu Han,” he says, voice stern. Lu Han looks around, gaze flickering up and Yixing sees it now, a dazed expression across his face, a faint smile on his lips and his eyes glazed over; vacant. Concern stabs at his heart.
"Lu Han, are you okay?" Lu Han nods, and his eyes clear a little, focusing on Yixing before him. But he doesn’t say anything, so Yixing puts a hand on each shoulder and shakes him gently.
"Lu Han?” he repeats, voice edging on frustration.
Lu Han turns slowly and opens and closes his mouth, clearly unsure of how to begin before he speaks.
“Minseok kissed me,” he says, blinking rapidly.
Yixing can’t help it; he bursts into laughter.
The sound seems to snap Lu Han out of his daze and his expression becomes insulted.
“What? How is this even funny?”
Yixing shakes his head, “It’s just… finally.”
“What?”
“He’s liked you for a while, a very long time actually.”
Lu Han opens and closes his mouth, managing to choke out a weak, “How long?”
Yixing grins, “Probably as long as you’ve liked him.”
Lu Han blushes furiously and looks at the ground.
“How did you..?”
“Lu Han, I’ve known you for eleven years, it wasn’t that hard to see.”
Lu Han doesn’t look up, but the corner of his lips twitch into a smile. Yixing walks forward and envelops him in a hug, chin against Lu Han’s hair.
“You’re a little stupid sometimes,” he says, and feels an annoyed puff of hot air against his shoulder in response. When he pulls away, Lu Han seems to be regaining his composure, his cheeks only dusted with a light pink.
“So, what happened?” Yixing asks with an amused smile.
Lu Han bites his lip. “Well, we were walking together and he said something funny so I laughed, but he kept looking at me, like, really intensely. So then I asked him what was wrong and he smiled, you know that really cute half-smile he does? And he said, “nothing, you’re just so perfect” and then he-and he- and then…”
Yixing grins, “And then he kissed you?”
Lu Han nods, a frown slowly forming on his face.
“Yixing, he said he loved me.”
Yixing nods. “So? Don’t you love him too?”
A shy expression settles itself on Lu Han’s face, his lips lazily pulling into a smile.
“Yeah I do,” he says softly and Yixing just shakes his head with a laugh, wrapping an arm around Lu Han’s waist and pulling him closer as they walk.
*
AN: YOU GUYS GET A BONUS XIUHAN SIDE STORY FOR THIS CHAPTER FOUND >> HERE << BECAUSE I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH~ It just basically covers the end of this chapter and their own little story :3
I really enjoyed writing this chapter because so much kray ust and ofc xiuhan. also, they're talking about the zombie apocalypse because I recently fell in love with The Walking Dead haha