-All Too Well-

37. 서른일곱

Hanbin never expected to speed walk right after receiving a text. He had just recovered, was stressed because he had to study for the exam nonetheless. He thought about going back home and taking rest but that one text, five simple words from Zhang Hao saying 'Meet me in my department' got him scurrying. There was no sign, no emoji, Hanbin didn't know if it was serious or just casual but it was a chance, and he'd take it.

When he reached the said place, the memories when he used to visit it regularly came rushing to him. He left a huge sigh. Things were okay between him and Hao, especially after the elder had taken care of him when he was sick. But Hanbin didn't wanna flatter himself. He waited in front of the department building, hesitant to walk in. Good for him, the Chinese was seen walking out with two of his friends later on. He was smiling, talking with them casually. His slender build and pale skin tone contrasting the dark brown eyebrows and similar hair easily made him the most handsome male out there. Hanbin watched him, at one point, Hao noticed.

He smiled, waved bye at his friends and walked where Hanbin was standing.

"Hi." Hanbin greeted.

"How long have you been here?" Asked Hao.

"I just arrived."

"Cool." Hao said, starting to walk ahead, "Let's go." Hanbin wanted to ask where, but decided just to follow his hyung. It was late afternoon, the sun was shining with a golden yellow hue, painting the campus road with beauty and nostalgia. They walked side by side, at a slow pace. Their footsteps were in sync, maybe the way their heart beat too. It started to get cold, but not too much for them to shiver. They felt the breeze- brushing past their slightly long hair. Hanbin's was softer, hence they moved, exposing his forehead. Zhang Hao took a look at him, he looked ethereal.

"How's your fever?" Hao asked, "Gone?"

"Yep." Hanbin replied, "Right after that night."

"And the weakness?"

"Until yesterday, but now I'm okay."

"Good." Hao smiled, "So how did your exam go?"

"I don't know..." Hanbin said, "I mean I answered a lot, but not sure if they're correct."

"You'll get partial marks, don't worry." Hao said, "And you're usually correct."

"Thanks." Hanbin smiled, adding, "For your words and for that night."

"You've been thanking me everyday, you know?" Zhang Hao chuckled.

"You deserve it." Hanbin said, "More than just thanks. What you did to me, after everything, I could never."

'That's because I never stopped loving you stupid.' Hao thought. He avoided saying anything though. He looked at the sky. There was an orange blanket on top of the habitual blue all over the sky, sprayed with pink, purple and red at places. It was pretty.

"The sky, it's beautiful." Hao said. Hanbin nodded. There was nothing to add to it, it was a distraction for sure. They had been walking for a while, through the campus streets. There were students everywhere. Some busy, some randomly walking like them, some were couples, holding hands, eating ice creams, taking pictures together. Hanbin looked at Hao's hand beside him. The Chinese guy had a habit of rolling only one sleeve up, a little above his elbow. Hanbin saw the greenish veins on the pale skin there. Under the twilight, his skin looked glittery golden.

Hao noticed what the younger was doing. He had also seen the couples, so he knew exactly what Hanbin was thinking. He wanted to hold hands too, but they weren't in the state where he could ask for it, so Hao asked on his behalf, "Do you wanna hold hands?"