••••

It was almost midnight.
The moonlight was reflected from the water of the small lake.

Yeosang sat on the grass and watched the night scene. Although the sky was pitch black, Yeosang could see everything clearly. It was quiet, the only thing that could be heard was the rustling of the trees in the night wind.

A few minutes passed until Yeosang heard footsteps behind him. He turned around and saw a black figure coming in his direction.
He got up from the ground and waited until the person stood in front of him.

"Have you been waiting long?" Yeosang shook his head and looked down at the ground a little nervously. Jongho was watching him.
"Are you cold?" he then asked.
Again Yeosang shook his head and looked up again.

"So why did you want to meet here at midnight?" Yeosang asked because he couldn't wait any longer. Jongho began to smile and Yeosang's knees went weak. "Turn around," Jongho said, and Yeosang did as he said without knowing what it meant.

He looked across the small lake, but he could see nothing strange.

Yeosang suddenly felt Jongho approaching him from behind and getting closer. He lifted up his finger and pointed to a tree at the edge of the lake, not far from them. "Do you see that tree, Yeosang?"

Yeosang felt his warm breath on his skin and got shivers. "Yes, I see it," he answered. Jongho came closer again. "Well, there is a legend about this tree." Yeosang slowly turned around and looked at the other. His dark brown eyes sparkled in the moonlight and Yeosang fell in love with them all over again.

"What legend?" he asked, almost whispering. His mouth felt dry. "There's a legend that says if you kiss someone under this tree at midnight, you'll will fall in love with them forever." Yeosang gulped.

"How do you know it's true?" he asked. "I don't know if it's true, but I believe it." Yeosang felt like he couldn't breathe. He felt a hand on his arm. "So..." the other now whispered. "Do you want to try it with me?"

Yeosang's eyes widened.
"You want us to ki-kiss?" he stuttered. "Yes, I want to know if it's true." Yeosang was speechless and his heartbeat accelerated. He looked into Jongho's eyes. And before he could say anything else, Jongho pulled him along.

They faced each other under the tree. "Are you sure you want to do it with me?" Yeosang asked. Jongho nodded and smiled. "You have no idea how long I've been waiting for this..."

Yeosang was sure that if this was a dream he never wanted to wake up again.

Jongho slowly came closer and Yeosang closed his eyes. Everything he had been thinking about today blurred before his eyes. Everything in his body was crying out for Jongho's touch. He finally wanted to find out what his lips tasted like.

When Yeosang realized that Jongho had stopped, he opened his eyes again and looked at him. "Why are you stopping?" he asked uncertainly but not wanting to move away. A small smile appeared on Jongho's lips, probably because he could hear that Yeosang couldn't wait any longer. He shook his head slightly and leaned forward.

Yeosang's eyes widened in surprise when he felt Jongho's lips on his. The next moment, he closed them again and leaned against Jongho. His lips were warm. They moved rhythmically on top of his and Yeosang felt like he was melting.

Perhaps it was so special for him because it was his first kiss. Perhaps it was also special because he was being kissed by someone he liked with all his heart for the first time. It was a different feeling to kiss the person who meant the world to you.

Yeosang's hands moved to the back of Jongho's neck. He had never been as happy as he was at that moment. It was as if time had stood still. As if there was no one else in the world but him.

As the kiss slowly stopped and they pulled away, a hint of Jongho's taste and a burning sensation remained. Yeosang looked at Jongho with glazed eyes. He was at a loss for words. Jongho seemed no less speechless. His eyes lingered on Yeosang's lips as if they were all that mattered in his world right now.

"That was my first kiss," Yeosang croaked hoarsely. He was somehow glad that they hadn't kissed last time in his room and that their first kiss had taken place under the moonlight.

Jongho began to smile, his special look that belonged only to Yeosang reflected in his eyes. "And do you think the legend is true?" Jongho spoke softly. Yeosang's hands slowly let go of him. A tremor ran through his body. Yeosang didn't know what to say. If he said yes, would that be a confession or not?

He swallowed, because inside he was still afraid that his feelings were not reciprocated. Even this kiss did not dispel these doubts. All he needed were a few words from Jongho and yet he was too afraid to ask. Yeosang lowered his head. In the distance, a slight splash could be heard, as if something had just jumped into the water.

"I think we should go back it's getting cold." Yeosang was more disappointed by his words than Jongho. He had always wanted this kiss, but now he was more insecure than ever. Yeosang slowly turned away when Jongho grabbed his hand. It was a small gesture, but Yeosang immediately felt better as their fingers intertwined. "I'll go with you," Jongho said and slowly started walking. Yeosang followed him with mixed feelings.

When they were almost at the exit of the park, he looked back again. The tree and the water suddenly had a different meaning for him. This place would always be special to him now, no matter what happened in the future.

~

Jongho and Yeosang reached the dormitory building far too quickly. Yeosang wished that time would stop. Slowly, he let go of Jongho's hand. "Thanks." he mumbled, glancing at the older one. He knew it was stupid not to talk about what had just happened or what he had been feeling for weeks, but he couldn't bring himself to.

Jongho gave him a warm smile and said goodbye. Yeosang entered the building and waved to him one last time through the large window in the entrance. Then he walked to the elevator and all he was left with were memories. Despite everything, he was happier than he had ever been before. And he knew he wouldn't sleep a second that night, replaying the kiss over and over in his head.

~

It was Saturday and Wooyoung excitedly packed his things into a small bag. He didn't know whether he should be happy or scared. But one thing was for sure, he couldn't rest. He hopped excitedly from one leg to the other, checking his watch every two seconds.

He would visit San for the first time. He was going to visit someone he liked for the first time ever. A wave of nervousness overcame him as he left his room and walked ahead.

~

After half an hour, which seemed like several seconds to Wooyoung, he finally arrived at his destination. He stood in front of a light gray door in a large building.

Wooyoung pulled out his phone and brushed a strand of blond hair from his forehead. Then he cleared his throat and pressed the doorbell. He tried to come across as calm and confident as possible, but inside he was screaming.

The door opened after a few seconds and when Wooyoung saw San, he was about to faint. He was wearing sweatpants and a tank top that showed off his slight arm muscles. His hair, which was usually styled or hidden, was a mess today.

A smile formed on San's lips when he noticed how overwhelmed Wooyoung looked at him. "Come in," he said and took a step to the side. Unsure, Wooyoung walked past San and took off his shoes.

San's apartment consisted of one huge room that appeared to be a kitchen, living room and bedroom all in one. There was a huge window on the far wall and a glass door that opened onto a balcony. There were plants all over the room and a huge scratching post for a cat next to the bed on the right.

Speechless, he turned to San. "Wow," he exclaimed and San laughed. Then he made a hand gesture for Wooyoung to sit on the couch. Wooyoung followed his gesture and when he sat down, all his nervousness flew away at once. His gaze wandered around the room and he spotted a few pictures hanging on the wall.

"Wait a minute." San grinned and hopped over a small stool that was standing in the way. Wooyoung couldn't believe that he was really here and that he had kissed someone like San. Someone who seemed absolutely perfect in his eyes.

"Oh look who we have here," San suddenly said and his voice went up two octaves. He bent down and reached into a basket next to the kitchen island. Wooyoung recognized how he picked up a cat and took it in his arms. With quick steps, he walked back to Wooyoung.

"This is Byeol," he explained. The cat had a black face and black paws. The rest of her body was mixed gray and beige. Her blue eyes immediately stood out. She snuggled lightly into San's arms. Wooyoung would have loved to jump up, the image was so cute before his eyes. But he tried to stay calm. "She's so sweet," he said truthfully.

San nodded and dropped down next to Wooyoung. To Wooyoung's surprise, Byeol didn't leave his side when he let go of her. Wooyoung could understand her. If he were Byeol, he would be with San day and night and cuddle up to him.

Wooyoung held out his hand to Byeol so that she could sniff it. Then he stroked her head lightly and she let it happen. "I think she likes you," San said happily and Wooyoung's cheeks heated up. At some point, Byeol stretched and jumped off San's lap. Only San and Wooyoung remained, sitting unusually close to each other.

Wooyoung doubted whether he should make the first move. He was suddenly incredibly nervous, but everything in him wanted to do it. With a rapid pulse, he leaned forward and then gave San a fleeting kiss on the cheek. His gaze turned away in a flash and he looked down at the floor.

Silence enveloped the room and the only thing that could be heard was Byeol jumping onto San's bed. Wooyoung gathered all his courage to look up again. Only to realize that San was smiling slightly. His gentle gaze met Wooyoung's and Wooyoung felt San slowly move closer. His mind went blank and his heart decided everything he did.

He came towards him and in the next moment their lips touched. Although it hadn't been long since their last kiss, Wooyoung was flooded with so many unfamiliar feelings. His hands moved to the back of San's neck and as their lips moved in rhythm with desire, Wooyoung pushed himself out of his position and rolled onto San's lap.

San's hands wrapped around Wooyoung's waist, causing a burning sensation in his chest. Wooyoung could no longer control himself. His warm lips pulled away from his lips and traveled down his jawline to his neck. San was all he wanted at that moment. All he felt at that moment.

A soft sigh left San's lips. Wooyoung grinned slightly. His lips touched San's soft skin. Everything about him was perfect. He looked perfect. He smelled perfect. And he felt perfect.

Wooyoung was barely able to pull away from him again, but he still did after he realized that San was pushing him away slightly. Breathless, he looked at San. His heart was pounding wildly, his lips and hands were burning.

"I think..." San's voice sounded raspy. "I'll get us something to drink," he said quickly and with a gentle movement, he pushed Wooyoung off him again before getting up from the couch and walking to the kitchen. Wooyoung almost felt like he was running away from him. And even though he could understand him completely, it hurt somehow. It hurt because he didn't know what they were. It hurt because he had the feeling that he was the only one who felt so much. It hurt because he wanted to make San his, but had to hold back again and again. He wanted to give him time. But the time felt like torture to him.

~

A few hours had passed. The late afternoon sun spread over the city. Wooyoung reached into the bowl of chips and stared at the movie playing on the TV in front of them. Although it had been on for a while, he had no idea what the movie was about. All he could think about was San.

He kept glancing at him but San didn't seem to be paying any attention. Wooyoung sighed and knew he had to talk to him before he went crazy. "San," he said. But didn't expect an answer. "What are we?" he then added, already putting the chip in his mouth and looking at San.

San had obviously heard his question, because his cheekbones tightened slightly. "What?" he asked as if he didn't understand Wooyoung's question. Wooyoung quickly grabbed the remote control and turned off the movie. San's gaze finally turned from the black screen to him.

"What am I to you?" Wooyoung wanted to know. His fingers clutched the cushion of the couch tensely. San averted his eyes again and fell silent. Wooyoung couldn't stand it any longer.

"I know I said I'd give you time, but I'm not the person for anything casual. When we kiss, I want you to be mine. I can't touch you and pretend you don't mean the world to me the next moment. I don't want to
pressure you or force you to do anything but I can't do this until I know how you feel." Wooyoung exhaled in relief because he had finally said what was on his mind.

"I thought you understood me," San objected, his gaze still fixed on the floor. "I do," Wooyoung replied. "And I really want to give you time, but..." his breath hitched. It was incredibly difficult for him to reveal his true feelings. "But it hurts," he finished the sentence.

Now he looked away too, because it was no use looking at San anyway if he kept avoiding him. "I'm sorry.", San mumbled. Wooyoung knew that he wouldn't get an answer to his question. "You don't have to be sorry, but I need some space."

Although everything in Wooyoung was against it, he stood up and reached for his bag. "I can't see you until you answer me," Wooyoung explained and walked past the table. He put on his shoes as quickly as he could. He knew his words might have been a little harsh, but he realized he could no longer suppress his thoughts and feelings. He wanted to be happy, but he wasn't. Even though he wanted this more than anything, maybe San wasn't the right person for him. Maybe he was wrong for thinking he might be.

Wooyoung pulled the door of the apartment shut. His heart, which had been pounding excitedly a few hours ago, now felt heavy and he just wanted to go home and cry...

~

Yeosang stood wide-eyed in front of the university building of the music faculty. It was Monday morning and he knew that Jongho would be walking this way to get to his class.

Yeosang had hardly been able to sleep all weekend. In general, the last few days felt strange. Again and again he thought back to his kiss with Jongho and again and again he regretted that he hadn't told him immediately how he felt. He hated this side of himself and wanted to finally get rid of it.

He fiddled nervously with his thin jacket and waited eagerly to meet the older boy. He just had to tell him how he felt, it couldn't be that hard.

"Hey Yeosang." Yeosang heard a voice and a broad smile appeared on his lips. Excited, he turned around but his smile disappeared abruptly when he spotted Lia standing next to Jongho. "Ah hey." he said, a little overwhelmed.

He didn't know how he should behave now. Things had just been good again. Lia had just forgiven him. He couldn't ruin this again, could he? He looked desperately at Jongho, who was scrutinizing him with his brown eyes, apparently trying to figure out what Yeosang was thinking about.

"What are you doing here?" Lia asked happily. Yeosang looked at the university building and back at the two of them. He was here to confess his love, but he couldn't say that.
"I uhh..." he searched for some excuse, but unfortunately he couldn't think of one. "I..."

Jongho suddenly took a step forward. His arm went around Yeosang. Yeosang tensed up. He looked at Jongho in shock at what he had just done. Lia looked at both of them, confused. Jongho started to smile.

Then he did something that took Yeosang's breath away and made him lose his mind.

"Lia I like Yeosang."

________________

Update on Monday <33