Not Part of the Plan

Chapter 18

Hey it's not a whole ass year this time. Someone reminded me this story exists.

...

"You two have grown awfully close in a short time." Yixing did appreciate Tao's attempt at small talk, he really did. He just wished it was a different topic altogether. Anything but his budding relationship with the first year student he'd been smitten with pretty much the moment they met. Though Yixing was ready to shout it from the school rooftops if he was being quite honest.

He was in love.

Had been from basically the beginning. But he'd avoided saying it outright to not overwhelm the first year, who was very easily overwhelmed by such things. Besides he was still on post break up mode and Yixing didn't want to destroy the delicate balance they'd created. So he bit his tongue, only daring to do extremely PG rated things, like kissing and holding hands. Even if he wanted more and even if Junmyeon seemed willing to go that far.

They also hadn't officially asked each other out, which in hindsight seemed like a terrible idea. Not exactly defining what they were. But again Yixing feared scaring the male off by being too foward, and that was the absolute last thing he wanted to do. So he kept quiet, accepting whatever they had at face value.

"I suppose, yeah," Yixing finally agreed when Tao side eyed him. "Closer than we were anyway." He didn't mention the lack of promise ring, because he knew Tao worked hard picking out the absolutely perfect one. But, again, he felt it was way too soon to give it to the first year. So he kept it tucked in the back of one of his drawers in his own dorm, kept safe for the day he finally decided to do something with it.

"Do you still have the ring?" Yixing jerked, and Tao kind of chuckled. "Just checking. When are you going to give it to him?"

"I..." But the shop door opened, and that was the end of that conversation. A customer walked up to the counter as Tao slinked off. Since classes hadn't started yet, and most of campus had yet to return, Minseok had often left early, trusting Yixing or Junmyeon to keep things going in his absence. Yixing rang up their order, risking glanced at Tao as he set about the motions of making coffee. Tao seemed preoccupied with the open notebook in front of him. And Yixing, wishing to not disturn the peace, let him be for the time being. He let his own thoughts race instead. As he cleaned. As he helped customers. As he did this thing and that thing.

How soon was too soon anyway? Because Yixing itched to jump on the chance to ask Junmyeon out proper. Openly display his affectiond rather than try and hide them. And he was sure all of this was taking its toll on the first year. Having to sneak and slink around. Never taking it passed certain vanilla exchanges. Not that Yixing had sex on the brain. Far from it. But he knew it was an inevitable part of any relationship.

"Yixing." Said male whipped around, face to face with the boy destroying his concentration. He beamed, and naturally Yixing promptly turned to putty. "Can I have two sweet buns?" Junmyeon continued. "I told Luhan I'd pick up study snacks today and totally forgot." He seemed oblivious to the third party in the room. But oh boy had Tao taken notice of his presence. He sat on his stool, absolutely motionless, his mouth agape. Junmyeon slid some money across the counter, which Yixing snatched up. Amd only then did Junmyeon turn, catching Tao's gaze. He flinched, hugging his books to his chest a little tighter. "Tao," he breathed out.

"Hi Junmyeon," Tao greeted, wincing when his voice pitched and cracked. "I see you're well." It was such a lame conversation. Tao knew it. But he couldn't think of anything else to talk about. Not when the only thought running through his mind was to apologize and ask him to take him back. He just wanted to be with someone. He wanted to be with Junmyeon. He wanted it so damn bad he could taste it. He shuddered, feeling something shoot down his spine. Junmyeon glanced to the ground, shifting his books around in his arms. He mumbled something softly, so softly Tao couldn't even make it out. Yixing chose that moment to intervene with the bag of goodies, which Junmyeon took and hustled out of the shop like his life depended on it. "God damn it," Tao groaned, dropped his head to counter and closing his eyes. The familiar sinking feeling in his chest returned.