The Official EXO Ship Book

Xiumin x Chen

"How long has he been in there?" 

All the members, seated in their respective spots, stopped pretending they were relaxing. They knew who the maknae was talking about; ever since Luhan left EXO, Xiumin had locked himself in his room and refused to come out for three days. There was a bathroom in his room, but no food. Did he sneak out in the middle of the night? He could've; but taking into account how torn he became by Luhan's departure, so it wasn't a stretch to think a few days without food wouldn't seem to faze him.

"I can try and talk to him," Suho suggested, abandoning his book.

"I mean, I went in there and he screamed," Baekhyun muttered, fixing his hair. 

"I wouldn't bother," Chanyeol said with a pout. "Even Happy Virus couldn't have him open the door."

"I'm sorry hyung, it looks like everyone's tried and everyone got nothing." Tao grumbled, picking at his nails in irritation.

"Well, one person didn't..." Sehun slowly started, glancing at the loveseat. Everyone looked followed his gaze, perking up when they realized. Chen dropped his phone, giving a small sigh as he rubbed his forehead.

"Guys..."

"Please try!"

"You two are closer than any of us!"

"He can literally pass as your husband man."

"What, you're gonna leave him to starve in there?"

Suho raised a hand, and everyone slowly quieted down, much to the relief of Chen; he looked uncomfortable, fiddling his his phone case. 

"Chen, it's only reasonable you go; everyone tried, you both are in EXO-M and as mentioned before, you're close."

"What should I do though?" Chen shrugged, seemingly completely lost. "What- Hey hyung, sorry you had to break up with your boyfriend over a contract dispute. Want an orange?"

"... maybe leave out the break up part-"

"That was sarcasm, Lay."

"Chen." Suho snapped his fingers, raising an eyebrow. "Get an orange and push it through the keyhole if you have to. Please."

Chen gave a raised eyebrow and glanced at the rest of the group; all the maknaes grinned encouragingly while Kyungsoo gave a thumbs up. Chen allowed another sigh before getting up, shaking his head on his way to the kitchen. Once he grabbed a few mandarins and a water bottle, he made his way to Xiumin's room with an uncomfortable shuffle in his footsteps. He just hoped his hyung wouldn't throw anything. Reaching the bedroom, he awkwardly cleared his throat before thumping the door with his foot.

"Hyung? Hey, um... it's Chen."

Silence.

"Xiumin? You're not dead, are you?"

A few more moments of silence, then a soft array of shuffling could be heard. Chen backed up a little, ready to dodge (something Sehun hadn't done) when the door opened a crack. Xiumin's small fingers poked through. Chen knocked on the door playfully but Xiumin's fingers retracted, ready to slam the door shut.

"No," he whispered, his voice cracking slightly. "I'm OK... physically."

"May I please come in? I have some food..."

Xiumin opened the door a little bit wider, revealing a tear-filled eye. Chen gave him a little smile, which Xiumin didn't return as he opened the door wider. 

"Sure."

Chen slipped into the room, clearing his throat at the stuffy air. Xiumin closed the door behind him, locking it. To be frank, he looked awful; his eyes were swollen, his hair was a mess. He had cleaned his whole room, except for the immense number of tissues piling up in the trash bin, which he moved closer to his bed. Chen winced as Xiumin fell on the bed, sobbing into the pillows. Chen put the food down on his desk, unsure of what to do now.

"Uh... can I open a window?"

Xiumin weeped in reply, so Chen took it as a yes. He decided against letting in sunlight but nevertheless opened the window, breathing in the crisp air. After a moment of thinking, he sat next to his friend and simply put a hand on his lower back. Xiumin continued to cry, Chen patting and rubbing his back until he slowed down.

"Are you hungry?" Chen scoffed, not waiting for an answer. "Of course you are, what am I saying... come on, sit up hyung, please."

Xiumin rolled onto his back, sniffling as Chen reached for the fruits and water he brought. When he turned back to his friend Xiumin was sitting up; slouched over, sobs rocking him, but sitting. As they made eye contact, Xiumin's lip wobbled and he covered his face, crying quietly. 

"Shhhh, hey, it's alright," Chen murmured gently. He got the water bottle and opened it, gently grabbing Xiumin's wrist to give him the bottle. Xiumin took it with shaky fingers, and Chen had his hands ready to help him as he drank.

"T-Thanks..." Xiumin hiccuped, putting the bottle of water down. Chen nodded and started peeling a mandarin, not bothering pestering Xiumin with generic questions; no he wasn't okay, no he certainly didn't want to talk about it. Xiumin started to cry again; tears rolled down his cheeks, and he didn't bother wiping them away as he accepted the offer of a mandarin slice.

"You can just... vent a little, if you'd like..." Chen murmured, popping a mandarin slice into his mouth. Of course, the loss of Luhan so close to Kris had taken the entire group by shattering shock; Chen himself felt ruined by the idea of one of his best friend's gone. But locking yourself in a room for three days, screaming at anyone trying to help and staying up late at night to cry?

"We loved each other..." Xiumin sniffled. "So much, Chen, I wish I could make you understand... I just- why did he have to leave?"

"His health was going down quickly," Chen spoke slowly, watching his words carefully as Xiumin's glassy gaze focused on him. "SM obviously mistreated him, Xiu, he had to take care of himself, and they didn't let him do that. I'm sure he- he'd be happier if-"

"No." Xiumin put his hands over his ears, shuddering. "Stop saying that! He's happier this, happier that! Now he's happier without me!"

"Xiumin," Chen held up a hand, dropping it as Xiumin's infuriated gaze turned to him. "Calm down, please."

"I'm so sick of that!" Xiumin shrieked, slamming his hand down to grab the sheets. "You don't know what feels like! You were never in love, Jongdae, how could you possibly know how..."

Chen's kiss interrupted him. Xiumin flinched, his hands flapping at his shoulders in surprise, however Chen didn't let go. Instead, he softened the kiss, pulling Xiumin closer by his small waist. Xiumin gently pushed him away, looking down at his chest as his face turned confused.

"I was in love... with someone who didn't know," Chen murmured, swallowing hard at the bittersweet memories. "All the jealousy, and anger and disappointment when he stuck to someone else... but he was so happy, hyung. So happy, how could I ruin that? So I stayed at the side, watching him be happy, and that was enough."

Xiumin watched his face, expression melting into uncut love. "I'm so sorry, Jongdae..."

"Don't be..." Chen smiled, kissing his forehead lovingly. "I only wanted you to be happy, Xiumin. But if Luhan makes you feel this heartbroken, I don't know..."

Xiumin grabbed his face, kissing him this time. Chen held him carefully, not wanting to force anything. But Xiumin hugged him tightly, and once the kiss came to a peaceful stop he rested his cheek against Chen's shoulder, sighing as he finally relaxed. Chen rubbed his back soothingly, practically on cloud nine, when he suddenly grinned. 

"Will you be joining us for dinner tonight?"

"Just keep me away from Sehun, I can only imagine how he reacted at a textbook flying at his head."