"have you lost your mind!?"

hendery flinched as he was in the middle of getting down from the stairs, debating within himself whether he should join them by the living room, or just go back to his shared room with his two boyfriends. or better yet, he'll camp inside their boy's room to avoid the student's wrath. if lucas gets to be grounded inside the garage, hendery might go homeless even when this is his house to begin with.

nodding at his own idea, the ceo made a u-turn and was about to take on step back up to the stairs, but was put to a halt when yangyang's voice called him out. 

❝wong kunhang, do you think you can get away with this?❞

as someone who's older, who has shown dominance throughout the years, who hasn't tried losing to someone, who stands his ground all the time, who has eaten more rice than him for a year— hendery was sweating buckets as he faced them with a broken smile. ❝i c-can explain.❞ 

xiaojun knew he was in a greater fault in  this, just having jaemin to worsen the situation. not to mention, it was the first time he heard the student call him by his name. this is when they knew, they really fucked things up. seeing how frightened the ceo looked, it scared him even more. the soft, loving, caring, understanding, and gummy smiling liu yangyang they once knew minutes ago was being replaced with someone who's an embodiment of a dragon.

after the commotion a while ago, the youngest of them truly lost it. he wasn't talking to either of them, he took all responsibility and apologized to everyone, he remained silent as they excused themselves, he demanded for jaemin to tag along with them to the ceo's house, he took the car keys and did the honors in being the one to maneuver the car, and he ordered hendery to take eleven upstairs and put him to sleep.

meanwhile, jaemin and xiaojun were left with him in the living room and they sure got an hour of scolding from the latter. they deserved it, but they didn't expect for him to look this scary when mad. if they have known from the start, they wouldn't have provoked him in the first place.

❝so,❞ and every time he says a word, he's like spitting fire towards them. ❝are you not going to speak?❞

that was for hendery who's spacing out while looking at the older chinese. ❝oh, right, uhm.❞

xiaojun wanted to say that he trusts him in all the explaining, but seeing his nervous stance, that was all it took to confirm him that this is not going to go well.

in fact, he's going to mess it up, which was correct in so many ways. ❝there's this evil, and love life controlling, witch called, "mom", and—❞

none of them should have expected the best for him, even jaemin, who was staying quiet for the whole time, had to facepalm at how the ceo was badly failing in telling his so-called convincing story. even though all eyes were on the hendery, he can't help but sink on his seat and scold himself for ruining such moment a while ago. the middle of a proposal, he just had to walk in like that, really? he should have really listened to the security guards before he embarrassed himself like that.

heaving out a sigh, it has come to the ceo's attention that he truly was just being a disappointment right there. ❝alright, in my defense, i also fell in to this trap. mom just suddenly barged inside my office after forcing dejun out of the company, and what did she do?❞

❝she made a scene by letting dejun ge in, and making him apply as your boyfriend.❞ yangyang said, already hearing a proper explanation from the guy while the older went up to put their boy to sleep.

❝exactly—❞ hendery furrowed his brows, ❝how did you know?❞

❝dejun ge already told me everything.❞ and he is honestly still having it processed inside his head. you don't know how much he wanted to jump on him and give him a tight hug along with kisses. he missed him, but he still was a tad bit furious that he is being played like that.

a scoff was heard from the ceo as he folded his arms across his chest. ❝then why did you bother pressuring me to explain?❞

❝because you were supposed to tell me!❞ yangyang raised his voice, not showing any hint of witticism from his tone as he was dead serious in their conversation. ❝you should have brought dejun ge here, not make him stay one more night at a hotel just to pursue whatever plans you had for tonight. to begin with, you shouldn't have kept this from me.❞

they all held their breaths as they watched the youngest of them fume, panting as he was letting it all out with his words. they rarely see this side of his, but if they do, that's when they'll find out that they crossed the line. and because of that, they felt guilty for this.

he was facing the ceo, but his words hit to everyone's guilty souls. ❝do you know how awful i was? i kept on blaming myself, i thought i was lacking in something that i wasn't able to keep this relationship intact.❞

hendery tried to reach out for him, take his arm, but the younger chinese took a step back from him.

❝eleven, did you two even think of him?❞ seeing xiaojun and getting him back wasn't the only think that kept on running inside the student's thoughts, it's also their little boy. sure, this might not be a big problem, but even the smallest one can cause something. ❝all he wants to see is us being happy together, all he needs is us being with him, all we have to give to the boy is a loving family. can't we give that to him?❞

❝i'm sorry.❞

damn, how many apologies is he going to hear today? yangyang is getting pissed with that word already. just when he was about to turn around, a pair of arms was then wrapped around his waist and he could feel a face buried on his shoulder. he didn't need to turn around to know who it was, and neither did he need a long apologetic speech to have him cry a river.

the warm back hug from xiaojun was enough for him to break down. ❝all i want is for us to be happy, is that too much to ask?❞

he's not asking for a perfect relationship, he knew that's impossible to have, but he wants them to stay strong together. he wants them to overcome the challenges and face them together. they have come this far, got to fights and even went physical at one point, they can't just give up now. in fact, they shouldn't, ever. they have a child under their care and the three of them are responsible for it.

❝no, it's not.❞ heaving out another sigh, hendery went to him and lifted up his hands to wipe the tears that is streaming down from the younger's eyes. ❝we were selfish and we apologize for it.❞

now putting his chin up on his shoulder, xiaojun gathered the guts to look at him but can't help but frown at how much damage they had inflicted on the student, he was even holding back his sobs. ❝i should have stayed and not run off like that, i was just too overwhelmed during that day that i didn't know what was going on inside my head.❞

❝hey,❞ the ceo then gave him a smile, taking advantage of having his hands on his cheeks by squishing it. ❝baby, stop crying.❞

that annoyed yangyang more, but he looked like a baby throwing tantrums. ❝i'm not a baby!❞

since the mood was slowly being lifted up, xiaojun joined in teasing him as he knew well that the younger hated to be regarded as a fetus. ❝does baby forgives us now?❞

for all he knows, it's supposed to be the oldest of them, which is xiaojun, who's being called as "baby" in between them. ❝you're giving me a hard time forgiving you because you both keep on calling me that!❞

❝baby?❞

❝baby..❞

❝i said, i'm not—❞ yangyang immediately paused when he felt a pair of lips on his forehead and one giving him a kiss on his cheek. that caused for his anger to disappear and was now flustered at the affection he got from the two. ❝fine, i'm considering this only for tonight.❞

and because of that, he was being bombarded and attacked with tickles and kisses everywhere. the student couldn't do anything as his body was being held tight by the two and he was getting numbed from being tickled and from laughing. and when the both of them finally stopped, hendery was close enough that yangyang dropped his head down on his shoulder while xiaojun never did pull away from the hug. the student was in the middle of catching his breath, but choked from it when he turned to his side and just remembered that his friend was still sitting on the sofa.

however, he looked like he was enjoying the sight indeed. ❝oh, jaemin. wait, i'll call renjun to come and pick you up.❞

the two, sadly, had to move away from yangyang as he was fumbling with his pocket and finally now had his phone with him, he definitely left it in the car. the youngest had now dialed the number and while doing so, jaemin got back to his senses and recalled what he was doing here in the first place. standing up from the sofa, he took the three of them aback when he suddenly burst out crying while taking a low bow.

it silenced yangyang as he saw his friend crying like that. he was used to him seeing the latter be all bubbly, laughing, smiling, and making jokes, that seeing tears fall from his eyes hurt him badly. ❝nana?❞

❝i know i should not have involved myself in your problem,❞ he started to explain. ❝that's why, i'm sorry.❞

xiaojun moved a step closer towards him. ❝jaemin, i was with you during that day when i decided to man up, don't take all the blame to yourself.❞

❝but you were hesitant to do it, then, i pushed you even when i know it won't end pretty well.❞ the male sniffled, wiping his nose using the sleeves of his sweater. ❝i also let your sweet father's mother see my powerpoint, that's where she got all those idea from.❞

hendery's mouth was wide open in disbelief at his mother's actions. she really did went to the point where she asked for a powerpoint from him, seriously. it's either he's embarrassed of what his own mother has done, or is salty that she gets to see that mysterious powerpoint, meanwhile, he failed to do so.

❝it's just that,❞ jaemin then started to cry harder than before as he was building up a proper sentence to explain his side of the story. 
❝yangyang has never looked so happier until you three had something going on. he keeps on talking about how new the feeling is, how it gives him butterflies inside his stomach everytime he sees you two— and even cried once at the picture he had taken with you two cuddling.❞

 ❝since when was this expose yangyang hour?❞ the youngest grumbled, having a phone pressed on to his ear while waiting for the other line to answer his call. just then, he received teasing looks coming from the two and that got him to be a blushing mess.

❝he looked genuinely happy and i felt the need to keep him smiling like that.❞ he admitted, and he may not look like the best friend anyone can have, but he tries his best even if it takes him to use his stupid ideas. ❝i didn't know i went too far in intruding myself with you guys, i'm sorry.❞

well, if yangyang would be honest with himself, he is quite mad at how they were keeping everything from him while he was struggling to keep himself sane with the situation he is having. but lucky for them, he is not the type who holds grudges on anyone. you'd steal his sausages and an apology would immediately do the trick.

and especially when he sees his friend crying this, he's not that heartless to get angry at him. and also, he knew when jaemin is sincere with his words. ❝a-and now, i just ruined the possible best proposal.❞

oh, yangyang almost forgot about that.

hendery raised a brow, ❝what proposal?❞ he then asked, continuing it a second after as he knew what the latter meant.  ❝i wasn't going to propose to yangyang, yet.❞

wait, what?

while the said male stood there, dumbfounded, both xiaojun and jaemin had their jaws dropped in surprise with what the ceo just said. ❝you.. weren't!?❞

meanwhile, yangyang heaved out a relieving sigh with a hand on his chest. at the same time, he was also wondering why no one is answering his calls. but nonetheless, what his boyfriend stated lifted up a burden from him. ❝thank god.❞

and his reaction got the two confused, as if they haven't been together long enough. ❝and why are you happy by it!?❞

relieved is the right word for that. ❝think about it, i still have to survive a couple more months to graduate, and then have a stable job. i can't just rely on hendery ge all the time. i'll only prove jaemin's point, which is me having a glucose papi.❞

the innocent term he used for sugar daddy almost made the other student smile proudly, well, almost.

❝marriage is still far up from my list. we still have a long way to go, what's the rush?❞ yangyang said, hoping that he didn't offend his boyfriend for telling the truth. ❝if ever he did propose to me a while ago, i'd probably turn him down.❞

after hearing his side, the two then diverted their gazes to the ceo who nodded his head in agreement with the student, as if he knew that was going to happen. xiaojun then spoke up as he was still confused, ❝but why did you agree with my plan in the first place?❞

❝plan?❞ having a brow raised, yangyang doesn't remember hearing this part of the explanation when he scolded the two minutes ago. ❝so you were part of this.❞

❝alright, it's my turn to say something.❞ hendery hushed all of them down as he spoke and raised a finger. ❝yes, i agreed to it, but i didn't say i would propose.❞ he said, ❝i got on one knee, took the box out, showed him the ring-- and i was about to make a promise to him!❞

❝a promise!?❞ both xiaojun and jaemin exclaimed, having their thoughts jumbled at how making a promise could be that extravagant and is made with effort.

but with yangyang, he showed a small smile with a faint blush on his cheeks. ❝that's cute.❞

❝a promise of us having more years ahead, of staying together no matter what happens. i was about to give him the ring, before jaemin barged in, that was supposed to be a promise ring. he clearly isn't ready to be in that stage yet, i should know and i should respect that.❞ not leaving one out, hendery turned to look at xiaojun who suddenly got flustered with their gazes locked. ❝and plus, i'm not proposing to anyone if that isn't the two of them.❞

while yangyang was biting his bottom lip from smiling widely, xiaojun puckered his lips and looked away with a flushed face. what does he have to be sweet for?

as the three were being in their own world, jaemin couldn't help but act like a proud mother watching their kids grow up, also ruining another moment of theirs with his remark. ❝seems like you three can do it without the help of my powerpoint, i'm crying.❞

his statement made yangyang roll his eyes with a playful chuckle. ❝nana, you just really want to succeed with your title in being a cupid.❞

xiaojun laughed at what he said before turning back to the ceo, ❝but you definitely looked like you were proposing, you even mentioned something about vows!❞

that was all it took to bring hendery back to his panicked state, giving them a sheepish smile while rubbing his hand on to his nape. ❝well, i got carried away with my jealousy since i saw yangyang talking to someone while getting food. i wanted to show off and let that guy be aware that he stood no chance with who's mine.❞

the said male stood there for a good minute, just understanding what the man meant. ❝that was sungchan, a kid from my school! i was also surprised seeing him there.❞

❝sungchan was there?❞ jaemin blinked his eyes at what he had just come to know. ❝fuck, i'm going to get my ass embarrassed once i get to see him.❞

as much as he wanted to comfort him, yangyang let out a long sigh as he nodded his head. ❝he does look like someone who'll be in your level of exposing people.❞

jaemin internally groaned in irritation with the decisions he was making in life. but soon later, he regained hope and startled the three as he clasped his hands with a bright smile. ❝i'll still live, i have a pocket knife and a butcher knife with me!❞

seeing that both xiaojun and hendery were concerned for his plan, yangyang quickly cleared the misunderstanding before they call a police. ❝he meant renjun and jeno.❞

speaking of the two, a knock was heard minutes after seeing that hopeful look coming from the latter. putting his phone down, yangyang went to the front door and didn't hesitate to open the door, not thinking of the possibilities of it being a serial killer and a murderer. which it clearly wasn't, it's just one of jaemin's boyfriends, giving him his famous eye smile.

❝i'm guessing he's inside?❞ the male then said, peeking his head inside the house.

❝hey, jeno.❞ yangyang greeted, letting him in, also letting jaemin jump towards his butcher knife and give him the most tightest hug. ❝i called renjun dozens of times, why isn't he answering?❞

❝he's not feeling well.❞ that should be a lie, and an obvious one.

pulling away from the embrace, jaemin gave his boyfriend a look of suspicion. ❝but aren't you two supposed to be just watching disney movies? and he looked fine before i left the house.❞

❝trust me, you don't wanna know.❞ looks like someone teased the hell out of jeno and got his punishment, that's why he claims to be "not well". ❝anyways, sorry for the trouble nana caused, both renjun and i will take responsibility of it since we didn't bother stopping him even when we knew what he stupid thing he is going to do.❞

jaemin hid behind his boyfriend with a pout, holding on to the hem of the male's shirt, looking like a child bringing his parent to talk to the teacher. stepping out, hendery held his hand out for a handshake, an awkward greeting towards jeno, but the latter accepted it nonetheless. ❝it's okay, he's not the only one who caused trouble, we all made mistakes for the night.❞

❝right, we should be held accountable for what they have done.❞ jeno agreed with whatever conversation they were having.

❝definitely.❞ as if they were having a proper conversation with a serious subject. ❝so, disney movies, huh?❞

❝hm,❞ puckering his lips, jeno pondered for a bit. ❝with a little bit of singing and a pinch of flying.❞

everyone of them, even both the beagle dog and siamese cat that were having the time of their lives watching the drama unfold, stared at the two as if they had grown another head. they were laughing at their own jokes and are even acting like they were close business partners. sadly, jaemin and jeno can't stay for two long as they still have to go back and check up on renjun as he was proclaimed not feeling well. it didn't take then long to bid goodbyes to one another, it's just jaemin taking his time saying another apologetic speech for what he has done. watching them walk out of the gates, yangyang closed the front door, locked it, and turned back to the two with arms folded across his chest.

and just when they thought that everything is over, it's not. 

❝i can't handle it all at once,❞ the student said with a sigh. ❝i'm going to sleep and have this sink inside my head.❞

he marched towards the stairs by had to pause midway when he noticed the two trailing behind him like lost pets. clenching his fists, he turned around once more to face them, not afraid to give the both of them a glare as he still can believe he was being played all along. but he's not that mad, just a tad bit disappointed.

❝what are the two of you doing?❞ yangyang said with a brow raised.

they found it unfair that he got to forgive jaemin that easily, but still looked mad at them. although, they can't blame him. gathering the guts, hendery was the one who answered his question. ❝i thought we are going to sleep?❞

❝i don't want neither of you beside me, i'm taking the room all by myself.❞ that sounded bold for someone who doesn't own the house in the first place, but the youngest of them was just showing them that he honestly just wants to be alone. he needs to think, to rest, and to process what has just happened.

sighing, the true owner of the house stood no chance. is this what the head of finance meant when he said that one has to lower down their pride to avoid conflicts? ❝understandable, have a great night.❞

xiaojun lowered his head and remained silent. he didn't want to jump in to the conversation and join them, thinking that between him and the ceo, yangyang might be mad at him the most for running away just like that without hearing them out. it's fine, he admits that it was his mistake for doing so, and also for worsening the situation by agreeing what hendery's mother told him to do.

what he didn't notice is how the student is looking at him with a small smile. ❝dejun ge?❞

humming in response, xiaojun lifted his head up despite of not knowing why he was being called for. probably to get scolded again? but no, it's beyond his expectations.

with eyes widened, he felt his arm being pulled towards the student's direction and before he could let out shriek, his lips were being sealed by the younger's. settling a soft kiss, but affectionate enough to tell xiaojun that even after all the wrong he has done, he was still accepted and forgiven.

especially at what yangyang said before rushing upstairs after kissing him like that, it melted him easily.

❝welcome back, i missed you.❞

smiling like crazy, xiaojun brought his hand up and brushed his fingers to his lips where he still can feel the younger's on it. his heart was being fluttered countless of times for tonight with these two, and he didn't expect that as he thought he'd be breaking up with them by now because of what he had done. honestly, what did he do in his past life to get this lucky?

snapping back to his stance, he turned to the side and caught hendery snapping his fingers in regret. ❝that's a bummer, i should have taken a video of it.❞

yep, this is what he wanted, to be with them. and there's no way, not even a chance, that he'll leave them, ever again.

but for now, it's a bummer that they'd have to handle an angry yangyang for the night.

⚊ t b c ⚊

you know what i smell?