"Appa! I'm not in love with Luhan!"-

Xiumin marched to his room and slammed the door.

HanChul couple stared at the closed door grinning.

"Did we say Luhan?" –Heechul

"Nope, we definitely did not." –Hangeng

===========================================

Xiumin woke up the next day feeling refreshed.

He quickly showered and went out of his room.

"Good morning, Xiumin." –grandpa

"Good morning, grandpa. You woke up early."

Xiumin smiled and occupied the seat in front of the old man.

"Always. Your grandma is cooking with Geng in the kitchen."

Grandpa continues as he rocks his rocking chair.

They had a comfy silence while watching the birds fly around the garden outside.

Xiumin knows Hangeng is rich but never imagined to have this kind of mansion with a breath-taking garden.

"Young man, what do you think of HanChul?"

Grandpa suddenly asks.

"What do you mean, grandpa?"

"They've been together for quite some time."

Xiumin knows what grandpa is trying to tell him. He smiled and nodded.

"I'm okay with them settling down, grandpa."

Grandpa smiled and hummed.

"I like Heechul, but I think I like you more now Xiumin."

The old man laughed.

Xiumin joined and laughed.

"Let's keep that a secret, grandpa. You know my appa."

DING! DONG!

"Yah, Xiumin! Be a good grandson and get the door!"

Heechul shouted from the bathroom.

Xiumin heard Grandma and Hangeng's laughter from the kitchen. Grandpa just nodded at him.

Xiumin wondered, why would this mansion not have a single maid?

He sighed before reaching for the door.

His eyes widened as he stared at the guy in front of him.

"L-luhan?!"

"Sorry, it's Ren."

"What? Oh, I'm sorry-"

"Are you that stupid?! Of course, it's me. I'm so much manlier than that sucker."

PAK!

"Ouch! What was that for, Minseok?!"

"Can you stop cursing?! I told you to-"

Xiumin didn't finish his sentence as he was pulled into a tight embrace.

"L-lu..."

He stood there frozen and not returning the hug.

"Luhan..."

"Shhh, let's stay like this for now."

"But..."

"It's fucking cold so let me get some warmth. Now, shut up."

Xiumin couldn't deny that he loved being held in this man's arms. He loves the warmth. He loves the scent.

"Ahem! Ahem!"

Someone cleared his throat, let's hide him under the name of Cinderella.

Xiumin instantly pushed Luhan away breaking the hug.

He looks back and saw literally everyone watching them.

He cleared his throat and looked down to hide his, knowingly, red face.

"What are you doing here, Luhan?"

Heechul's voice sounded strict and not welcoming.

"Uhm... I ...well...just..."

"After not showing up in Korea and leaving Xiumin sad-"

"Appa!"

Luhan smiles sheepishly but quickly erased it when Heechul eyed him.

"So what brings you here, Luhan?"

Heechul asks once again.

Everyone turned to Luhan. He suddenly felt embarrassed and nervous.

"Let's leave them and let them talk for now." –grandma

"But mother-"

"Heechul, your son is no longer a boy." –grandma

"Okay. But-"

"Heechul. Let's go to the living room. Let's continue playing the game you are teaching me." –grandpa

"What game?" –Hangeng

"Oh yes! Let's go, father. LOL is a great game!"

"Yah, Heechul! I swear-"

The voices faded as they leave the two standing side by side awkwardly.

"Follow me."

Xiumin leads the way to the garden.

Luhan silently followed.

At the garden...

"So?"

"So?"

Both started.

"Alright, why are you here?"

Xiumin asks curiously.

"Well, I just happen to meet someone around the area."

Luhan confidently answered.

Good job, Luhan. You practiced this all night.

"Really? And who is that?"

"A friend."

"So why did you rang the doorbell?"

"I said it's around the place so I decided to visit here."

"Why? To visit grandma and grandpa? Uncle Hangeng? Do you know them-"

"Why do you keep asking me questions?!"

Luhan trying to cover up his lies pretended to be annoyed, but he's a bit annoyed in fact.

"Liar."

Xiumin mumbled while grinning.

"What?"

"Did you follow me here?"

"What? Ha ha. That's funny. Why would I follow you here? I don't even know you came here. Ha ha ha. Follow? LOL."

"Oh really? Then you can go."

Xiumin stood up and was about to leave.

"Wait! Wait! Where the fuck- I mean where are you going?"

"Back inside. You can leave now."

"What?! Why do you keep leaving me?!"

"WHY DO YOU KEEP FOLLOWING ME?!"

Luhan was taken aback by Xiumin's outburst.

"Minseok..."

"Are you playing? Do you think you have the right to demand from me? You keep following me then suddenly leaving me without a word!"

Xiumin didn't try to wipe his tears. Luhan just looked at him, guilt visible in his eyes.

"Minseok...I..."

"Don't you think you're being unfair? You came to save me but you left right after without even saying anything."

"I'm sorry...I...was scared."

"You're a coward, Luhan!"

"Yes! I'm a fucking coward and I wanted to change! I fucking wanted to see you back in Korea but I was scared to face you..."

"...I was scared you'd hate me. I couldn't protect you enough."

"Luhan..."

"Ren, Chunji, and everyone else tried. I fucking wanted to go and see you but my fucking self couldn't take it."

"Then why are you here now? To let me see you then leave after?"

Luhan shakes his head and approached Xiumin who stayed still.

"No. I fucking want to fix everything. But I just don't know how. When I heard you left without a word, I finally understood how it feels like. And I swear I cursed more than I'm doing now. I cursed myself for letting you feel that way."

Luhan held his shoulders while staring down at his teary face.

"A million sorry's won't change anything, I know. But let me try. And I need your help to do that. Just....please...just please help me."

Xiumin stood there sobbing.

Luhan pulled him into a tight embrace. Luhan tried comforting him by rubbing his palm against his back.

"Okay."

Xiumin broke the silence after few minutes.

Luhan pulled away from the hug but kept his arms around Xiumin's waist.

"What?"

"I said okay. But promise me, you won't be a coward and I'll help you."

Xiumin smiled.

Luhan smiled, genuinely.

"Aaah, fuck! This drama finally ended."

Luhan chuckled but stopped when Xiumin pouted.

"I told you to stop cursing, Luhan."

"Fine. Fine. Sorry. Stop pouting or I'll kiss you."

"Who are you to kiss my MinMin-ge?!"

A voice suddenly heard that made Luhan furrow his brows.

==================================

Eh? Who could it be?

I guess I'm still having fun writing this story.

Extended chapters. ;)