[FOR VENTICE] Candy
Title: Candy
For: ventice
Rating: PG
Length: 8500
Warnings: It's very cheesy?
Author's notes: i fail at life, haha. anyways, i hope my awesome recipient likes it and at least covers a small portion of your expectations. it turned out very cheesy (it was valentine’s day, i have an excuse ok) and i don't like the way i wrote it, but I really love the prompt because krishan with children!! a big thank you to the mods for creating this (and therefore satisfying my endless krishan thirst), as well as Kelsie, who is my dear beta and personal cheerleader. lovely readers, please enjoy~ (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
Summary: Wu Fan likes kids, but maybe he likes his new student teacher even more.
Wu Fan loves kids. It's not a secret for everyone who witnesses him subtly coo and fawn over the children in parks or always buy something for the baby next door. He grew up without a brother or sister, something that he's always dreamt of having, therefore no one smaller to care of.
That's why he chose to be a kindergarten teacher instead of an astronomer, despite the rather low wage and equally low reputation. There's something in the kids' smile and honesty that gets to him and makes his days brighter, knowing that he sometimes was the reason for their happiness.
"Mr. Fan!" he hears one of the kids yell happily and he turns around from his book, the glaring sun beating on his neck and making him uncomfortable. He kind of regrets his decision of bringing the kids outside before it's time for lunch, and what's even worse is that the only available bench with a full view towards the playgrounds is too far away from the trees.
Kyungsoo is running towards him with the speed and energy only a 5 years old can achieve. Wu Fan bends down and ruffles Kyungsoo's hair fondly. The child in question is small for his age, eyes warm brown and big, curious. He quite likes Kyungsoo, his quiet and shy personality and his natural friendliness.
"What have you got for me, Soo?" Wu Fan questions, picking Kyungsoo from the ground and placing him on his lap, Kyungsoo giggling shyly. In his tiny hands Kyungsoo is clutching at a white A4 paper and he unfolds it, revealing another one of his colorful drawings. And Wu Fan coos, pets Kyungsoo's head in a silent praise.
"This is us!" Kyungsoo exclaims, pointing at the three figures on the drawing. One of them is short, the other has a hair in colors of the rainbow and the last person is very, very tall, the head almost reaching the border of the paper, with thick eyebrows and hands thrice as big as they're supposed to be. Wu Fan guesses that the last person is him and the kid with rainbow hair is Sehun, Kyungsoo's closest friend who says that when he grows up he's going to be as tall as Mr. Fan and will dye his hair in all colors of the spectrum.
"What a lovely drawing you have," comments Wu Fan, observing as Kyungsoo takes his yellow crayon and adds more vibrancy to the drawn Wu Fan. Kyungsoo beams.
He lets Kyungsoo draw on his lap for a while before it's time for lunch.
Lunch is full with children making a mess of themselves with mashed potatoes and Wu Fan running back and forth, hands full of napkins and always alert for accidental food fights.
Nap time is definitely Wu Fan's favorite, because after everyone is asleep Wu Fan gets a nap on his own. His chair is too small for his big body, long legs folded awkwardly. After all the years of struggle he manages to shift here and there and fit comfortably enough to sleep.
It's not one of his peaceful days. Just as Wu Fan's about to doze off he feels a light tap on his shoulder. Until the very end Wu Fan will deny the little jump that he did at that, even more the small noise of protest at the back of his throat. There's a breathy chuckle and Wu Fan turns to his right, finding another colleague leaning on the table with today's art creations.
Joonmyun is smirking greasily and Wu Fan's nose scrunches up. He yawns and stretches, saying irately. "What do you want, Joonmyun?"
"Minseok is looking for you," is Joonmyun's casual reply as he calmly settles on one of the other chairs, fitting way better than Wu Fan does.
Wu Fan's brows furrow in question. It's not every day that the principal calls him in his office. Almost never, actually.
"What for?" he asks, already getting up. Joonmyun shrugs.
"No idea, but you know Minseok. It's probably nothing bad. Go, I'll look after the kids for you."
He takes the short walk through the corridors, pale pastel walls with framed childish drawings hung up, showcasing the prestigious organization status.
Minseok's office is impeccably clean, the atmosphere professional, except for more artistic creations done by children that are scattered around. Minseok himself is dressed with a dark well-fitted suit, and Wu Fan himself feels a bit under dressed in his gray cardigan and skinny jeans. There's something sweet-looking in Minseok's appearance, although his successful leadership of the kindergarten has shown nothing but iron will and hard work.
"Ah, Wu Fan," Minseok waves him over and Wu Fan's pleased to know that this chair at least fits him. The principal is clicking something on his Mac, but as soon as Wu Fan settles in he closes the laptop and turns to him with a smile.
They make a small talk over a cup of tea, Wu Fan dutifully informing him about the class, before Minseok decides to cut the chase, as always.
"I have some news for you," Minseok announces calmly, adding brown sugar to his tea and stirring. Wu Fan hums. "I have assigned you a student teacher and he starts tomorrow."
Wu Fan tries not to choke on his drink, but he feels that it's about to go the wrong way. He's never had a ST before, therefore no idea what he's supposed to do. As if reading his thoughts, Minseok chuckles.
"Don't worry about it," he reassures. "It's pretty easy. Said ST just follows you around and observes what you do and what the job of a kindergarten teacher entails, you give him tips so he can learn and all that good stuff."
The way Minseok describes it sounds like he's musing if it's going to rain or it's going to remain sunny.
Wu Fan doesn't mind having someone around, per se, but he fears that he's going to make a fool of himself. He's self-conscious enough about his work. But Minseok looks calm and composed and Wu Fan's not sure how to take the new addition to their team that he doesn't even know yet.
Minseok takes a file from the high stack on his left and briefly skims through it. "His name is Lu Han, he studies Pedagogy and is a very bright student. You will like him."
The last sentence sounds more like a fact than a prediction and Wu Fan kind of doubts so, but positivity is the key, as he was told once by the lady at a grocery store.
Minseok passes the paper to Wu Fan, who also scans it finding basic information such as name, age, grades and a small questionnaire. He hears Minseok mutter something under his breath.
"Excuse me?"
Minseok smirks knowingly. "Be careful, Wu Fan. He's just your type."
"You don't even my type, Minseok," Wu Fan scoffs humorously, forgoing formalities. The principal chuckles.
"I've been with you to university, I know your type when I see it," he replies, leaning back on the plush chair.
It's early in the morning shuffles towards the classroom, sleep heavy on his eyes and the smell of his Vanilla Latte wafting heavenly to his nose. He cautiously drinks a mouthful and grimaces; not enough whipped cream. It's quiet, only muffled sounds of teachers' chatter and the whirring of the coffee machine at the end of the corridor that spews terrible coffee that's more likely to kill you than wake you up. Fishing out the phone from his pocket, Wu Fan whistles lowly as he checks for e-mails.
"Good morning!" a soft voice chirps from behind him and Wu Fan squeaks, jerking in surprise and spilling sweet coffee over his hand.
The source of the voice turns out to be a young guy, about a head shorter than Wu Fan. The latter stares with a baited breath as the man moves closer, smiling uncertainly.
Wu Fan replies with the same, words coming out shaky. Oh god, oh god, oh god. Because this guy, whoever he is, must have come out from the Galaxy, a God himself. With his cherubic face, gentle and dazzling smile, and doe eyes, Wu Fan thinks he doesn't belong to a place full of whining kids and messy shirts during lunchtime.
Wu Fan doesn't know how much time passes with them looking at each other until the stickiness and faint smell of vanilla on his hand reminds him that, yes, he has made a fool of himself in front of this gorgeous man. Great. Clearing his throat, the taller man shuffles on the spot, uncertain.
"Can I help you with something?"
The cute man makes a thoughtful face and then stares up at him with hope. Wu Fan finds that it's getting a bit hard to swallow.
"Are you, by chance, Wu Fan?"
Wu Fan's eyes are as wide as saucers at the last words and the coffee's now uncomfortable on his hand and it's so early in the morning, goddamn it.
The strawberry blond man is apparently satisfied with the curt nod that he receives, for his smile grows bigger and impossibly more magnificent.
"It's really nice to meet you, Wu Fan. My name is Lu Han."
Oh.
Lu Han actually turns out to be a very cheerful man and the kids immediately love him, surrounding him from the minute he walks in, touching his hair in awe and commenting that he looks like a fairytale princess.
Wu Fan feels a little jealous, because the second he first walked in the classroom, the kids started shrieking and thinking that he is here to punish them and steal their toys. But then Lu Han comes in and he’s like the popular kid in High School that everyone likes and wants to know better. And no, Wu Fan is not jealous, the kids love him now. All it took was a few gummy smiles and a couple of Wu Fan’s masterpieces that he calls drawings for them to warm up to him, and voila.
Nonetheless, the rest of the day is spent with the kids oooh-ing at the new addition to the staff, asking him questions like does he prefer Spiderman or Superman (with which Lu Han answers with Spiderman), showing him their drawing abilities and asking him to play with them. Lu Han looks enthusiastic in every activity, and Wu Fan watches with amusement as Lu Han playfully growls and starts tickling small Jongin, the small child heaving with laughter.
That is until later, when Lu Han helps Wu Fan put the kids in their beds for the afternoon nap, that Lu Han drops in one of the chairs (that actually fit him), blowing air on his bangs. Wu Fan is reading a book, legs crossed and fingers thumbing the next page.
“So,” he hears the smaller man start and he takes it as his cue to start paying full attention. Still, he only lifts his head and casts a look towards Lu Han, who is grinning at him, body fully turned towards Wu Fan’s seat.
“Yes?”
“I just wanted to thank you for letting me work with you. I’ll try my best not to disappoint!” Lu Han says, determined. Wu Fan chuckles softly and suddenly feels a little old. But he isn’t that old, it’s maybe being around small children all the time that makes him feel way more mature than he actually is, when at heart he feels like he’s eight.
“It’s okay,” he replies, closing the book. “I see that you love kids very much.”
Lu Han nods wildly, fluffy hair bobbing with his movement and Wu Fan can’t help but follow the motion.
“I do! Do you like them, too?”
“Well, yes,” Wu Fan replies, looking around pointedly in a duh gesture. It’s not like he would become a kindergarten teacher if he doesn’t like them. Lu Han is silent for a moment, head resting on one of his hands that are propped on the chair. Wu Fan considers breaking the silence, filling it with anything, but Lu Han beats him to it.
“You know,” he begins, staring at Wu Fan with a look that could only be considered as scrutinizing, making Wu Fan swallow with difficulty (once again). These wide eyes should not be making him nervous, Wu Fan has nothing to hide, for God’s sake. “You kind of remind me of my roommate, Zitao.”
“Really? How so?”
“He looks intimidating, just like you. Scary. But he’s actually very soft at the heart. What I’m very curious about is if you’re like him, too.”
Wu Fan exhales, looking in Lu Han’s eyes, which are shining with amusement and something else, something like child-like curiosity.
Grinning, Wu Fan replies. “I guess you’ll have to find out.”
After a week Wu Fan gets used to Lu Han’s presence around, even kind of looks forward to start his day with Lu Han’s newest joke that he read in the newspaper, making the whole teaching staff laugh.
It’s unexplainable, how Lu Han has been here for such a short span of time, but the way he leaves his textbooks next to Wu Fan’s coffee cup before the kids start coming or how they chat between game time and lunch, like they’ve been a team for years. And the worst is that Wu Fan doesn’t know how to feel about that.
He doesn’t have a clue what would be like without Lu Han’s bright laughter among the children or his carefree nature.
Wu Fan tries to keep his mouth firmly closed, pursing his lips and trying not to laugh while sitting still. Next to him is Lu Han, a candy bar tucked between his own lips, staring at Wu Fan with complete focus and drawing intensely on a paper that Kyungsoo has helpfully provided, package complete with a set of crayons.
“What do you think, Kyungsoo?” mumbles Lu Han between the candy, secretly presenting the photo to the smaller boy, who looks between the picture and Wu Fan with the expression of a fine art critic. Wu Fan tries to take a peek, but he is rudely refused to by Lu Han, who shakes his head with a mockery of a frown.
Kyungsoo pouts and points at something on the paper. “This should be bigger!”
“Bigger?” exclaims Lu Han, but fixes the figure nonetheless, and Kyungsoo grins, giving a thumbs up.
With a tadaah! the former turns the paper around and proudly shows it to Wu Fan, who raises his brow.
It’s him, with a mop of bright yellow hair and (again) thick eyebrows, looking angry for no reason. Wu Fan guesses that the picture is accurate, even though his eyebrows are not that big. He prefers the term expressive.
“It’s very good!” he says, smiling brightly. “Very talented, I say, but still not better than Kyungsoo’s.”
Lu Han pouts and turns to Kyungsoo, who giggles and shrugs, pleased to know that his drawing is the best and gets the recognition even from the teachers.
“Teach me your ways, Mr. Kyungsoo!” dramatically pleads Lu Han, grinning at the laugh Kyungsoo emits. He turns towards Wu Fan and winks, still beaming, although something looks different in his smile. Wu Fan doesn’t want to dwell on exactly what it is, something bordering on dangerous.
With a fresh paper and a task at hand, Wu Fan starts drawing Lu Han under Kyungsoo’s watchful eyes. He starts from the face, forming soft eyes and gentle smile, then continuing with ridiculously small hands as Kyungsoo giggles next to him.
Wu Fan glances up, refocusing on Lu Han, who is standing in a dramatic pose, hand touching his forehead and eyes looking up the sky. When he feels eyes on him, though, he shifts and glimpses back at Wu Fan, trying not to smile and keep up with his theatrical façade. Wu Fan flushes and snaps his eyes back to the picture so fast, if it was physically possible they’d roll back to his head. He doesn’t hear Lu Han’s quiet snort, too busy showing his new chef-d’oeuvre to little Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo deems it good, close enough to represent Lu Han’s appearance. Wu Fan thinks that it’s more like a caricature of the smaller man’s true attractiveness, and judging by Lu Han’s raised brow when he scans the complete picture, he realizes it, too.
“Okay, well,” Lu Han begins, squinting and obviously biting his tongue in an attempt not to burst into laughter. “That person definitely looks like me.”
Across from him, Wu Fan and Kyungsoo start snickering, the latter hiding his face into Wu Fan’s shoulder.
“Hey, it’s not funny!” Lu Han teases, looking pretty offended. “Why one of my ears is ten times bigger than the other?”
With that, the other two start giggling harder, heaving for breath. Wu Fan can barely open his eyes to see Lu Han’s lovely smile as he watches the two of them laugh.
Wu Fan puts a chair in its place, humming softly. It’s the end of another day and they’ve just sent away the last kid.
Working out the kinks on his neck with one hand, Wu Fan winces and moves on towards Lu Han, who is picking up the pens from the ground. He bends down and starts collecting the plush toys, making Lu Han send him a smile, which he returns. They work quietly until Wu Fan sighs, plopping down on the soft carpet and laying down. Lu Han joins him, so they’re resting next to each other.
No one says anything for a while, Wu Fan absentmindedly hugging a plush toy while looking at Lu Han, who is staring at the ceiling like it holds all the answers, supporting himself on his forearms. He sharply turns around though, catching Wu Fan once again watching like the biggest creep. This time they don’t break eye contact, even as Lu Han shifts so he’s facing Wu Fan, mimicking his position on the floor. He glances at the toy that Wu Fan is protectively clutching close to his chest and smiles, moving his hand to stroke the plush unicorn, but the task is swiftly forgotten as soon the hand changes its route and Lu Han catches Wu Fan’s hand in his, gently stroking the back of it with his thumb. Wu Fan holds his breath, slowly turning his hand and intertwining their fingers.
“Hey,” Lu Han asks, seemingly hesitant. “Do you want to go out with me after we finish our work here? There’s this new Thai restaurant downtown that I want to try.”
Wu Fan considers it for a moment, mostly trying to convince himself that he’s not as eager as he feels, before nodding.
The restaurant is cozy and nice, even though Wu Fan isn’t a people person, not really. Lu Han is grinning at him from his side of the table, quietly murmuring about Pad Thai, and surprisingly, Wu Fan feels comfortable. His skin doesn’t prickle with the need to get away as soon as humanly possible and he doesn’t think if he looks silly trying to read the Menu, eyebrows scrunching together in confusion as Lu Han giggles against him, understanding nothing as well. He’s put in ease and he likes it, wouldn’t mind going out of his comfort zone once in a while, if it means doing it with Lu Han next to him. As cheesy as it sounds, Wu Fan mentally cringes.
Wu Fan picks at his noodles, mentally thanking the chef for the perfect, spicy taste. He takes a sip from his water and looks at Lu Han, who is almost inhaling his food.
“I would’ve asked you for lunch, you know,” Lu Han says, unexpected. “But we pretty much have lunch together every day anyways.”
Wu Fan laughs and suddenly there’s a forkful of something in front of his eyesight, startling him. He glances towards Lu Han, who has scooped up from his food and is apparently trying to feed him. Wu Fan would’ve flat out refused, because, come on, no one can be that cheesy. Unless they’ve come out of an Hollywood rom-com, that is. But then he looks again and Lu Han is looking hopeful and he’s trying to pout and Wu Fan is kind of defenseless against this, so he opens his mouth and lets Lu Han feed him. The food tastes divine on his tongue, but this isn’t what makes something curl up in the bottom of his stomach. No, it’s again this look in Lu Han’s warm eyes that makes Wu Fan feel like there’s something that he can’t understand. It’s puzzling.
“You know that this is a date, right?” Lu Han asks conversationally, eyes not wavering from Wu Fan. His plate is almost empty now, so his full focus is on the other man, who is in the process of trying not to choke on his inhale and failing spectacularly.
Because it suddenly strikes him - he’s attached to Lu Han. Attracted to him. He likes him. It’s not the groundbreaker of the century, but it surprised him how okay he is with this (they held hands earlier today, for god’s sake). That he doesn’t mind if this is a date, or if this date has a continuation, or two and three. It doesn’t make sense to him, how quickly and mindlessly he fell over Lu Han, how from picturing the other simply as a co-worker, Wu Fan began thinking if embracing him would be as calming as seeing his smile, or if Lu Han is a morning person and how his bedroom hair would look.
And maybe it has been there for a while, this crush he has on Lu Han. But it’s Wu Fan, an asteroid would pass his way and he wouldn’t realize it until it has collided with the ground and has shaken up his world. Lu Han is probably that asteroid.
He clears his throat, knowing that he still hasn’t responded to Lu Han.
“Not really,” he answers honestly and laughs, nervously folding and unfolding the napkin. “But it’s okay for me.”
Lu Han leans in, covering one of Wu Fan’s hands with his, halting his movement. He’s smiling, the small candle on the table casting a lovely shadow, highlighting the crinkles around his eyes.
“Good.”
It’s playtime again, today the weather pleasantly warm and perfect for outdoor activities.
Wu Fan and Lu Han are at the swings, helping to push small Chanyeol and Yixing, the latter’s legs too short to reach the ground to push himself from. There comes Lu Han, who helpfully pushes Yixing back and forth while the kids yell happily.
Wu Fan is observing the others, half heartedly responding when asked another eager question by an excited Chanyeol. Lu Han snorts next to him and he turns around, glaring playfully. It’s the moment where Yixing is called by his best buddy and he abandons his swing, waddling away. Lu Han pouts, looking at the place that was previously occupied.
“Why don’t you hop on?” Wu Fan suggests, already standing behind the empty swing, gesturing towards it.
“What?” Lu Han answers, scandalized. “How will I fit? I’m a grown adult!”
He receives a chortle from Chanyeol, who sneakily pretends to be concentrating on his shoes rather than the conversation. Wu Fan’s eyebrows raise, silently agreeing.
“That’s debatable.”
Lu Han huffs, crossing his arms together, a smile trying to pull on his lips. Wu Fan smirks, again gesturing at the swing with a flourish. Lu Han finally seats himself on it, straightening his legs so they don’t touch the ground below. He looks at Wu Fan in expectation, holding on the bars.
Chanyeol is giggling, looking at them with huge eyes and starts clapping when Wu Fan begins pushing the swing gently, Lu Han shrieking at the enjoyable feeling. He swings for full ten minutes, somehow setting a record around here, no other child enduring more than 5, after which they get bored and move on. Lu Han stomps his foot after he hears that he’s been categorized with the kids, further emphasizing Wu Fan’s point.
After Chanyeol, a nice example of a child that lost interest in the swing, got up and also left to be with the others and play a group game, Wu Fan replaced him on the seat, swinging himself unhurriedly.
“Tomorrow is Saturday, right?” Wu Fan asks Lu Han, who grins and nods.
“After Friday comes Saturday, yes.”
Wu Fan resists the urge to roll his eyes, deciding not to beat around the bush.
“I was thinking if you would want to come with me. On a date.”
Lu Han’s eyes widen, like he can’t believe these words just tumbled out of Wu Fan’s mouth. He recovers quickly, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yeah, I’d love to. Where?”
Wu Fan smiles. “You’ll see.”
“A bookstore?”
Lu Han looks in wonder at the big building, built on a convenient place in the center of the city. Its big windows provide the view of the shelves with books inside, and Lu Han can’t wait to step inside already. Wu Fan hums and nods, hands in his pockets as they cross the street.
“You mentioned how much you like books, so I thought that this would be a nice place to go to.”
Lu Han recalls that he has multiple times mentioned his fondness of books, but he didn’t think that Wu Fan would remember at all. The fact doesn’t make him any less pleased.
Upon entering Lu Han starts strolling between the shelves, fully immersed in finding a great book. Wu Fan chuckles and follows him around, grabbing a random book as he walks.
After Wu Fan had caught up with Lu Han’s fast pace, he puts his hand on the latter’s back and leads him towards one of the other sections, on the opposite side of the store. Lu Han sends him a questioning look, but plays along until they come to stand in front of the .. language isle?
“Now close your eyes and pick a random book, whichever it is,” instructs Wu Fan and Lu Han obeys, doing exactly what Wu Fan had said and outstretching his hand to move it around the shelves. When he finally brushes a book, Lu Han takes it and opens his eyes. “It’s a French dictionary?”
Wu Fan smiles, taking the book and moving closer so both can see the contents.
“Now we’re going to read from it.”
“But I don’t know French! Neither do you,” Lu Han protests, but his eyes are shining with playfulness and Wu Fan knows that he’s definitely in.
“Exactly.”
In the next fifteen minutes they stand in front of the Linguistics isle in the bookstore, reading from a French dictionary and terribly messing up but laughing uncontrollably.
“I sound so fancy,” Lu Han laughs, wiping tears from his eyes as he reads a sentence, stumbling over unknown characters and making it up. Wu Fan isn’t better himself, reading barely half the word before he bursts into giggles, earning a stare or two from other customers. On one particularly long word Lu Han has to hide his face in Wu Fan’s shoulder in order to muffle his loud and booming laugh, Wu Fan’s face going red from suppressing his laughter as he reads and stutters over unknown parts.
“I’m definitely buying this,” Lu Han says after they’ve considerably calmed down, going around other shelves, picking and discussing books. Wu Fan snickers, holding another copy of the dictionary in his other hand.
When they exit the bookstore, it has began raining, small drizzles washing the asphalt and pedestrians running around with umbrellas or hoodies on, seeking shelter. Lu Han frowns; he didn’t predict that, and he didn’t take his umbrella too.
“There’s a café nearby, do you want to go there until the rain stops?” Wu Fan asks next to him, squinting at the scene before his eyes.
“That would be splendid, yes.”
Lu Han barely has time to answer with relief before Wu Fan is taking off his jacket, leaving the other man to stare with surprise as Wu Fan grasps the ends of the clothing and hovers it above their heads. The air suddenly becomes too warm and it spreads all the way to his cheeks as Lu Han stutters, trying to remind Wu Fan that he’s going to get the cold, but the words come difficultly, especially when Wu Fan smells that good, of something really fresh and spicy and when his eyes are deep, rich brown. Thankfully he doesn’t need to speak, Wu Fan beats him to it.
“So we wouldn’t get wet,” he explains and Lu Han wants to point out that somehow they’re going to get wet anyways, but keeps quiet, and suddenly his shoes become the most interesting thing in the world. He still feels too warm for the weather.
They cross the streets pressed together underneath Wu Fan’s jacket that he supports over them, while Lu Han is holding onto Wu Fan’s bicep, so he wouldn’t get off the track and escape from their makeshift and mildly preposterous (and maybe cliché) shelter. The puddles on the street are inescapable and in the end their shoes get wet, but overall they remain dry. During their trek to the café Lu Han’s hand moves from its spot on Wu Fan’s arm to his waist, leaving warmth after its way.
Jongdae’s café is small, but with big windows and covered in warm colors, making it cozy and giving the feeling of being in your home rather than in a city cafeteria.
Lu Han and Wu Fan step inside, the former shaking the excess water from his jacket and Lu Han staring at the clean tables and breathing in the smell of coffee and sweet pastries.
“I come here often,” says Wu Fan, leading Lu Han towards the counter, behind which stands a handsome male, smiling brightly upon looking at the newcomers.
“Hi, Wu Fan,” he greets, then takes in the shorter guy next to him who makes goo-goo eyes at the assortment of pastries. “And hello to you too. Wu Fan, dare introduce me?”
Wu Fan smiles shyly, scratching the back of his neck, pointedly not looking at Lu Han, who has shifted his eyes from the pastries to Wu Fan’s face, grinning innocently.
“Um, yeah,” Wu Fan starts, pointing between them. “Lu Han, this is my friend Jongdae, who also owns this place. Jongdae, this is Lu Han, my date.”
Jongdae’s eyes widen momentarily before he smirks in a way that Lu Han can only describe with a smirk that promises evilness, not matching with the first impression that he got.
“Oh, Lu Han,” Jongdae drawls, emphasizing on the name with a hint of recognition, propping his elbows on the counter surface and supporting his head on his hands. “Wu Fan blew my head off talking about you. Lu Han this, Lu Han that, Lu Han’s face looked so cute today, listen to what Lu Han said-“
“Jongdae!” Wu Fan hisses out, coughing with embarrassment and flushing bright red at his friend’s words. “I didn’t do that.”
“Oh, but how much you did that,” Jongdae continues, unfazed by Wu Fan’s silent threat emitting from his eyes and expression while Lu Han giggles next to him. Instead, he leans towards Lu Han, covering one side of his face in mock secrecy as he whispers, “He’s totally smitten, always talking about you and your eyes. But don’t say that I told you that.”
“Jongdae?” Wu Fan grits through clenched teeth, ready to dig a hole to hide in, preferably forever. Maybe hibernate there.
“Yep?” Jongdae smiles innocently.
“Shut up.”
“Yes, sir.” The café owner salutes, all seriousness. “So, what can I get you before Wu Fan bursts here?”
“You have a nice friend,” Lu Han comments, sipping on his Vanilla Cappuccino as they sit on a free table near the window.
Wu Fan hides his face behind big hands, looking burdened and trying not to laugh. Jongdae and nice is not what one would usually use in the same sentence. “Don’t remind me.”
“How do you know him?” Lu Han enquires further, leaning forwards in interests, taking a glance at the person in question who is attending a group of elders with a smile.
“We’re neighbors and Jongdae often comes to steal from my fridge, so between that we got close friends. What about your roommate?”
Lu Han tips his head in understanding before responding. He tells Wu Fan about Zitao, who is apparently still in University and has a wide collection of romance books, shedding a tear or two on the dramatic parts and throwing Nicholas Sparks tomes at Lu Han’s face when Lu Han keeps being a little shit about it.
Lu Han doesn’t stop babbling about how he and their mutual friend, Baekhyun, like to call Zitao for movie nights, playing horror movies and watching Zitao’s girly screams and squeals of This isn’t the Notebook, you guys! Wu Fan doesn’t stop laughing through it all, even after Lu Han changes the subject, telling him from roommate’s hilariously bad decisions in the kitchen (who can mistake scrambled eggs?), to Lu Han’s biggest dreams and the time he wanted to learn how to knit when he was six, just to be able to make scarves and give them to homeless animals so they wouldn’t be cold during the winter (he still hasn’t learnt how to knit).
Wu Fan’s so erupted in Lu Han’s stories, sharing his own in between, that both of them haven’t noticed that the rain has subsided and the gray skies are now brighter, no longer gloomy.
He looks up only when the sun peeking through the clouds lights over Lu Han’s face and Wu Fan stops listening, instead staring and trying to commit to his memory this ethereal image of Lu Han bathed in sunlight, talking animatedly as his eyes sparkle.
“Your coffee looks nice, can I try it?” Lu Han asks, taking the cup and taking a sip before Wu Fan can form an answer, and humming. “It’s good, what is it? Maybe I should take it on the way home.”
On their way out Wu Fan has to wait for Lu Han to take another coffee for his way home (for which Wu Fan pays, ignoring Lu Han’s pout). He waits by the exit and watches as Jongdae gives Lu Han the paper bag with pastries while whispering something, seeming satisfied with Lu Han’s blush and curt nod.
“And take care of my baby Wu Fan!” Jongdae yells all the way through the café as they walk out, smiling sweetly and waving. Lu Han turns around and waves back.
They wait for Lu Han’s bus on the stop, chatting and laughing about pretty much everything. It’s already starting to get dark and the wind picks its pace, making Lu Han visibly shudder. Wu Fan notices and, again, takes off his jacket, draping it over Lu Han’s shoulders despite the other’s protests.
“I’m not a girl, Wu Fan!” says Lu Han, indignant, his eyes wide and scandalized.
“I didn’t say that you are,” Wu Fan simply grins. “But your place is way further than mine and therefore you’re going to need it more.”
Lu Han doesn’t protest, liking the warmth that the jacket provides and tries to hide his wide smile behind the collar.
When the bus comes Lu Han bids his goodbye with a chaste and lingering kiss to Wu Fan’s cheek, waving cutely and promising that he’ll call.
Wu Fan watches the bus until it’s out of his sight, going home and unable to hide his satisfied beam.
(Wu Fan does get sick and Lu Han chides him for it, but brings him homemade soup and looks after him nevertheless, bringing DVDs and falling asleep curled up on the couch, head on Wu Fan’s shoulder and legs on his lap.)
Lu Han doesn’t know why he’s going up the stairs in an odd, dusty apartment complex, Wu Fan walking confidently in front of him, leading the way, but he excitedly follows behind. The building looks old, way in the suburbs, and Lu Han understands why it doesn’t have an elevator.
They reach the tenth floor, go through the ceiling and Lu Han’s mouth drops open when Wu Fan goes on the top of the building, the shopping bag he’s holding shifting on his shoulder. The apartment may be ancient with the old exterior, washed out bricks and creepily flickering lights, but the view on the top is more than worth it, he thinks. The air is pleasant, but the wind is blowing on his (carefully styled) fringe and successfully ruffling. He watches as Wu Fan unpacks, taking out a comforter and spreading it down on the cold concrete.
Lu Han’s smile is blinding, spreading with every passing second as he crouches down to arrange the various snacks and drinks that Wu Fan keeps taking out from his ridiculous granny bag, like taking out rabbit from a magic hat. Finally, they plop on the ground, as Wu Fan opens a bag of Lays.
“Is this your plan for today’s date?” Lu Han asks, popping a handful of Skittles in his mouth. Wu Fan nods, chewing on his marshmallow biscuit.
“Yeah, thought that since our last date was something that you like, this time I’d show you something of me.”
Lu Han nods in approval and glances around. “I like that. So your hobby is holding picnics on roofs?” he smirks at Wu Fan’s snort.
“No,” he replies, throwing the empty package back in his old fashioned bag and then pointing at the sky. “It’s up there.”
“What’s the story behind it? You like searching for UFOs?”
They both laugh, Wu Fan throwing him his second sweet biscuit.
“No!”
Lu Han stops laughing, staring at Wu Fan’s breathtaking smile that showcases his gums, giving him a child-like appearance, controversial to his sharp face features. He waits for explanation, eager to learn more and more.
“Actually,” Wu Fan begins, chewing thoughtfully and shifting on the blanket, subconsciously moving closer to Lu Han. “If I wasn’t a kindergarten teacher I would’ve been an astronomer.”
Lu Han gapes in surprise and tries to imagine a smaller version of Wu Fan fiddling with an equally small telescope and looking at the stars at night with determination and passion, just how Wu Fan occasionally does now.
The thought is almost too cute to handle.
“I think that the night is suitable for stargazing,” Wu Fan observes, fishing something out of his pocket and then turning his head to Lu Han, who has hooked up his chin on Wu Fan’s shoulder, peering curiously on the phone the taller man is holding. “Do you want to join me?”
They settle down on the comforter, their eyes adjusting to the limited light as Wu Fan opens an application that replicates a night sky, full with the constellations and cosmic objects. Lu Han watches in awe and wonder, gaze switching back and forth between the sky and the phone, more often than not settling down on Wu Fan’s face, watching Wu Fan talk excitedly about stars and constellations and something that Lu Han drones out half-way, because when talking about his passion Wu Fan’s lips stretch over a wide smile, skin crinkling around the corners of his eyes.
Wu Fan is still unaware of his silent audience, babbling adorably about Perseus, gesturing vivaciously with hands. luhan tries to pay attention, he really does, but it's hard to do so when the only thing he finds more beautiful than these stars above is the light in Wu Fan's eyes.
Finally, Wu Fan notices how quiet Lu Han has gotten and cranes his neck to look at him, meeting Lu Han's eyes.
"Did you hear a word of what I just said?" he teases and pokes Lu Han’s sides. Lu Han shrieks, squirming.
"Not really, no," Lu Han answers honestly, chuckling, and gets up to support himself on his elbows. “I was too busy to stare at you, in fact. And I realized something.”
Wu Fan makes a questioning sound, hand resting on his stomach. He has left the phone on his side, screen still bright.
“What did you realize, then?”
Lu Han shrugs, worming his way closer, close enough to count Wu Fan’s eyelashes. “My first thought of you? That you may look very scary, with your fuzzy caterpillars and angry expression, but you’re secretly very cute? It’s true. Proven and confirmed.”
Wu Fan scoffs, scandalized. His face twists and he looks offended and amused at once as he reaches and settles his hand on Lu Han’s waist, keeping it there.
“Oh, so is this why you agreed to go out with me? For science?”
Lu Han titters and shuffles, slotting his body against Wu Fan’s, resting his head on the other’s chest. Wu Fan’s head automatically moves to Lu Han’s hair, carding his hair gently like he does when his kids are upset, whispering soothing words.
“Well, not only that,” he murmurs, listening to Wu Fan’s soft breathing and enjoying the long fingers playing with his dyed strands.
Under the night sky they talk, about everything and nothing, bantering and finding out more about each other.
Lu Han feels mellower as the time passes, completely relaxing against Wu Fan. Closing his eyes, he’s just about to drift out, when Wu Fan’s deep voice calls him back.
“Maybe we should go home, it’s getting late.”
He sounds like this is the last thing he wants to go, and Lu Han’s legs feel like jelly, but he nods anyway, getting up lazily with Wu Fan in tow. They pack quietly, Lu Han snickering as the taller man pushes all the empty packages and thermos back in the bag.
On their way back Lu Han makes sure to stay close to Wu Fan, the dim lightning creeping him out. Wu Fan is no better though, holding Lu Han’s hand like it’s his lifeline.
It’s too late to take any bus, so Wu Fan’s glad that he took Jongdae’s car, so that he can take Lu Han straight home.
In the car they play Jongdae’s old CD, singing along to even older songs, doing terrible job of the high tones and laughing until Lu Han’s tummy hurts. Lu Han has a lovely voice, Wu Fan notes, gentle and comforting.
Wu Fan insists to send Lu Han to the front door (like the gentleman he is, Lu Han keeping up with his point that he’s definitely not a girl).
“I had a great time tonight. Thank you for showing me the stars,” Lu Han smiles, keeping his hands locked behind his back. He doesn’t remember the last time he’s been so unperturbed, because it’s simply so easy to be around Wu Fan, so natural.
Wu Fan grins back, shifting on his feet. “You’re welcome. I can take you on many more dates like this.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it, but only if you gift me with this antique here,” Lu Han points out the floral granny bag that Wu Fan’s clutching, forcing a laugh out of the other. Wu Fan shakes his head, but passes the bag to Lu Han, observing as Lu Han squints his eyes, slinging the accessory over his shoulder and striking a pose.
“Does this suit me, Wu Fan?”
“A real flower boy,” Wu Fan snorts, holding a palm over his mouth as he giggles.
Lu Han steps forward, embracing Wu Fan and burying his face in the crook between Wu Fan’s shoulder and neck. At first it’s supposed to be short, but then Wu Fan’s arms circle around his waist, bringing him closer and Lu Han inhales the same scent of Wu Fan’s cologne that also lingered on his jacket, and is thankful that Wu Fan is holding him because his head feels dizzy.
He traces patterns over Wu Fan’s shoulder blade, nosing along his neck. In response Wu Fan’s hands tighten around him, warm palms sliding along his sides. Lu Han pulls his head back, looking up close at Wu Fan’s face, noting the dark eyes staring intently right into Lu Han’s and his plump lips trying to work over words never spoken. Without even realizing it, Lu Han’s hand has shifted from Wu Fan’s shoulder, going up until it brushes against a cheekbone. He barely has the time to exhale before Wu Fan is closing the distance between them, leaning down to press his lips lightly against Lu Han’s in a chaste kiss, Lu Han tiptoeing slightly to reach better.
Lu Han feels like he’s floating, like Wu Fan is the only thing that’s keeping him rooted on the ground.
They separate slowly, Lu Han leaving a series of kisses along Wu Fan’s cheeks and lips, drinking in Wu Fan’s smile like he’s a man famished.
“So, a-are we together now?” Wu Fan breathes out against Lu Han’s lips, still holding him like he’s most precious.
Lu Han huffs, smirking slyly. “I don’t know, are we together?”
Wu Fan stares for a second before he takes Lu Han’s hand, intertwining their fingers.
“Okay. Lu Han, do you want to be mine?” he takes a deep breath, holding it in. Lu Han’s eyes crinkle, thumb rubbing softly over Wu Fan’s palm.
“I will, but only on one condition,” Lu Han grins at Wu Fan’s raised eyebrow, stealing another kiss on the taller man’s cheek, “If you accept to be mine, too.”
Wu Fan nods excitedly as they smile at each other, still tightly holding hands. Distantly, they heard some noise resembling a heart wrenching sob. Lu Han rolls his eyes and looks up to scream at one of the apartment windows.
“THIS ISN’T A K-DRAMA, ZITAO, CLOSE THE DAMN WINDOW BEFORE YOU SHOWER US WITH YOUR TEARS!”
Wu Fan laughs even harder when someone from above mutters, “I wasn’t crying! It’s the dust from the laundry!”
“Mr. Fan! Mr. Han!”
Lu Han and Wu Fan turn around, Lu Han still holding a napkin from wiping Chanyeol’s peanut butter covered lips.
Kyungsoo is racing towards his teachers, this time holding a whole sketching pad in his tiny fingers, little Sehun trailing after him, holding a finger in his mouth.
It’s another sunny day and they’ve decided that it’s good to take the children out, give them a little fresh air and a ball with which they play football, or more like tossing the ball around and watching it roll. Wu Fan and Lu Han are sitting on one of the benches, Wu Fan holding Lu Han’s hands in his own, placed on his lap.
Lu Han squeals, lifting Kyungsoo on his lap while Wu Fan does the same with Sehun.
“I drew a picture, I drew a picture!”
“Wow, another?” Kyungsoo nods, giggling. “What is this now?”
Kyungsoo opens the sketch pad, showing his pencil drawing. The paper is filled with more bright colors - oranges, blues and reds - shaped in what appears to be figures. There’s a tall, tall person, a head shorter man and two small kids.
“This is us!” Kyungsoo bellows, Sehun tucking his head underneath Wu Fan’s chin and pumping his tiny fist in a gesture of encouragement.
“This is you and Mr. Fan, and this is me and Sehuna!” Kyungsoo explains seriously, like he’s trying to describe the Newton theory, Lu Han nodding along with an expression just as serious.
The picture consists of two very tall people and then two other, significantly smaller. All of them are holding hands, the person with the messy pinkish hair (most likely a personification of Lu Han) extending his hand to impossible measures to match with the height of the boy with rainbow hair.
“It really is pretty, Kyungsoo. You’ve outdone yourself this time.”
Kyungsoo looks proud, like he always does when Lu Han compliments that every drawing is his best drawing ever.
The kids are lowered on the ground in order to collect the class for lunch.
They pass through lunch remotely easy, only Jongin making a bigger mess of himself than usual, reaching all the way to his hair.
“We made it to Friday,” Lu Han states, collapsing on the plush chair with a sigh. Wu Fan’s (oddly enough) texting Minseok on Kakao, but turns his attention to Lu Han the moment the other sits down.
“Did you manage to get Soojung to sleep?” Wu Fan questions as Lu Han tries to drink a whole bottle of apple juice.
“This time, yes. Kids can be so energetic,” Lu Han grimaces and Wu Fan gets up, moving behind him and lightly rubbing Lu Han’s shoulders, listening to the other groan.
“Aren’t I supposed to get massages? Not my ST.”
Lu Han smiles wickedly at Wu Fan’s apparent joke.
“Yes, but I’m older.”
“By months, Lu.”
“Still older!” proclaims Lu Han quickly, grinning.
Wu Fan clicks his tongue, working out the kinks in Lu Han’s tired muscles (you’d be surprised how much energy requires watching over kids). “That wasn’t apparent in the way you screamed my name last ni-“
Lu Han yelps, sending a mocking glare at Wu Fan, who is looking pretty satisfied with himself, one corner of his mouth turned up. “Not the point!”
“Yet you’re not denying it.”
The look on Lu Han’s face is a sight to remember.
“He’s a dedicated worker, proficient in Pedagogy and has an understanding of the students’ needs and knowledge of solving problems, showing perfect coordination while working in groups and listening in the constructive criticism that I gave him. He has my definite recommendation.”
Minseok hums approvingly and jolting something on his notepad, looking impressed.
“Good job, Wu Fan,” he praises, sipping on coffee. “I didn’t expect that you two would get on so well. Especially you. I know you’re not very good at working with other people.”
Wu Fan stirs his own oolong tea, staring bashfully. “Well, Lu Han has a way with people, I guess.”
“He does, doesn’t he?” Minseok asks, a knowing glint in his eyes that Wu Fan refuses to address. He stacks his papers in a neat line. “I’m very gratified with your work so far. Lu Han has some more time here, so I expect you’ll keep up with your good work, yes?”
“Absolutely.”
Minseok grins, drinking the last drags of his coffee before standing up, straightening his pristine suit. “Awesome, now go. I know Lu Han’s waiting for you outside.”
Wu Fan sends a grateful smile and bids his goodbye, before turning around and leaving. On his way out his phone beeps, announcing another message from Minseok. He unlocks his phone and reads the text before laughing, shaking his head slightly.
today 2 of the kids askd me if they can marry each other bc they saw u 2
wedding’s tomorrow, bring cake
Wu Fan turns off his phone and slides it back in his jeans’ pocket, walking down the stairs in front of the school. Lu Han is waiting for him, leaning on the fence. He smiles brightly when he spots Wu Fan, putting his hand on the taller man’s shoulder and presses a kiss on his cheek.
“Come on, let’s go,” he says, taking his hand and leading the way on the street.
“Where are we going?”
Lu Han turns around, flashing a brilliant smile that weakens Wu Fan’s knees and makes his heart rate faster.
“You’re going to love it.”
For: ventice
Rating: PG
Length: 8500
Warnings: It's very cheesy?
Author's notes: i fail at life, haha. anyways, i hope my awesome recipient likes it and at least covers a small portion of your expectations. it turned out very cheesy (it was valentine’s day, i have an excuse ok) and i don't like the way i wrote it, but I really love the prompt because krishan with children!! a big thank you to the mods for creating this (and therefore satisfying my endless krishan thirst), as well as Kelsie, who is my dear beta and personal cheerleader. lovely readers, please enjoy~ (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧
Summary: Wu Fan likes kids, but maybe he likes his new student teacher even more.
Wu Fan loves kids. It's not a secret for everyone who witnesses him subtly coo and fawn over the children in parks or always buy something for the baby next door. He grew up without a brother or sister, something that he's always dreamt of having, therefore no one smaller to care of.
That's why he chose to be a kindergarten teacher instead of an astronomer, despite the rather low wage and equally low reputation. There's something in the kids' smile and honesty that gets to him and makes his days brighter, knowing that he sometimes was the reason for their happiness.
"Mr. Fan!" he hears one of the kids yell happily and he turns around from his book, the glaring sun beating on his neck and making him uncomfortable. He kind of regrets his decision of bringing the kids outside before it's time for lunch, and what's even worse is that the only available bench with a full view towards the playgrounds is too far away from the trees.
Kyungsoo is running towards him with the speed and energy only a 5 years old can achieve. Wu Fan bends down and ruffles Kyungsoo's hair fondly. The child in question is small for his age, eyes warm brown and big, curious. He quite likes Kyungsoo, his quiet and shy personality and his natural friendliness.
"What have you got for me, Soo?" Wu Fan questions, picking Kyungsoo from the ground and placing him on his lap, Kyungsoo giggling shyly. In his tiny hands Kyungsoo is clutching at a white A4 paper and he unfolds it, revealing another one of his colorful drawings. And Wu Fan coos, pets Kyungsoo's head in a silent praise.
"This is us!" Kyungsoo exclaims, pointing at the three figures on the drawing. One of them is short, the other has a hair in colors of the rainbow and the last person is very, very tall, the head almost reaching the border of the paper, with thick eyebrows and hands thrice as big as they're supposed to be. Wu Fan guesses that the last person is him and the kid with rainbow hair is Sehun, Kyungsoo's closest friend who says that when he grows up he's going to be as tall as Mr. Fan and will dye his hair in all colors of the spectrum.
"What a lovely drawing you have," comments Wu Fan, observing as Kyungsoo takes his yellow crayon and adds more vibrancy to the drawn Wu Fan. Kyungsoo beams.
He lets Kyungsoo draw on his lap for a while before it's time for lunch.
Lunch is full with children making a mess of themselves with mashed potatoes and Wu Fan running back and forth, hands full of napkins and always alert for accidental food fights.
Nap time is definitely Wu Fan's favorite, because after everyone is asleep Wu Fan gets a nap on his own. His chair is too small for his big body, long legs folded awkwardly. After all the years of struggle he manages to shift here and there and fit comfortably enough to sleep.
It's not one of his peaceful days. Just as Wu Fan's about to doze off he feels a light tap on his shoulder. Until the very end Wu Fan will deny the little jump that he did at that, even more the small noise of protest at the back of his throat. There's a breathy chuckle and Wu Fan turns to his right, finding another colleague leaning on the table with today's art creations.
Joonmyun is smirking greasily and Wu Fan's nose scrunches up. He yawns and stretches, saying irately. "What do you want, Joonmyun?"
"Minseok is looking for you," is Joonmyun's casual reply as he calmly settles on one of the other chairs, fitting way better than Wu Fan does.
Wu Fan's brows furrow in question. It's not every day that the principal calls him in his office. Almost never, actually.
"What for?" he asks, already getting up. Joonmyun shrugs.
"No idea, but you know Minseok. It's probably nothing bad. Go, I'll look after the kids for you."
He takes the short walk through the corridors, pale pastel walls with framed childish drawings hung up, showcasing the prestigious organization status.
Minseok's office is impeccably clean, the atmosphere professional, except for more artistic creations done by children that are scattered around. Minseok himself is dressed with a dark well-fitted suit, and Wu Fan himself feels a bit under dressed in his gray cardigan and skinny jeans. There's something sweet-looking in Minseok's appearance, although his successful leadership of the kindergarten has shown nothing but iron will and hard work.
"Ah, Wu Fan," Minseok waves him over and Wu Fan's pleased to know that this chair at least fits him. The principal is clicking something on his Mac, but as soon as Wu Fan settles in he closes the laptop and turns to him with a smile.
They make a small talk over a cup of tea, Wu Fan dutifully informing him about the class, before Minseok decides to cut the chase, as always.
"I have some news for you," Minseok announces calmly, adding brown sugar to his tea and stirring. Wu Fan hums. "I have assigned you a student teacher and he starts tomorrow."
Wu Fan tries not to choke on his drink, but he feels that it's about to go the wrong way. He's never had a ST before, therefore no idea what he's supposed to do. As if reading his thoughts, Minseok chuckles.
"Don't worry about it," he reassures. "It's pretty easy. Said ST just follows you around and observes what you do and what the job of a kindergarten teacher entails, you give him tips so he can learn and all that good stuff."
The way Minseok describes it sounds like he's musing if it's going to rain or it's going to remain sunny.
Wu Fan doesn't mind having someone around, per se, but he fears that he's going to make a fool of himself. He's self-conscious enough about his work. But Minseok looks calm and composed and Wu Fan's not sure how to take the new addition to their team that he doesn't even know yet.
Minseok takes a file from the high stack on his left and briefly skims through it. "His name is Lu Han, he studies Pedagogy and is a very bright student. You will like him."
The last sentence sounds more like a fact than a prediction and Wu Fan kind of doubts so, but positivity is the key, as he was told once by the lady at a grocery store.
Minseok passes the paper to Wu Fan, who also scans it finding basic information such as name, age, grades and a small questionnaire. He hears Minseok mutter something under his breath.
"Excuse me?"
Minseok smirks knowingly. "Be careful, Wu Fan. He's just your type."
"You don't even my type, Minseok," Wu Fan scoffs humorously, forgoing formalities. The principal chuckles.
"I've been with you to university, I know your type when I see it," he replies, leaning back on the plush chair.
It's early in the morning shuffles towards the classroom, sleep heavy on his eyes and the smell of his Vanilla Latte wafting heavenly to his nose. He cautiously drinks a mouthful and grimaces; not enough whipped cream. It's quiet, only muffled sounds of teachers' chatter and the whirring of the coffee machine at the end of the corridor that spews terrible coffee that's more likely to kill you than wake you up. Fishing out the phone from his pocket, Wu Fan whistles lowly as he checks for e-mails.
"Good morning!" a soft voice chirps from behind him and Wu Fan squeaks, jerking in surprise and spilling sweet coffee over his hand.
The source of the voice turns out to be a young guy, about a head shorter than Wu Fan. The latter stares with a baited breath as the man moves closer, smiling uncertainly.
Wu Fan replies with the same, words coming out shaky. Oh god, oh god, oh god. Because this guy, whoever he is, must have come out from the Galaxy, a God himself. With his cherubic face, gentle and dazzling smile, and doe eyes, Wu Fan thinks he doesn't belong to a place full of whining kids and messy shirts during lunchtime.
Wu Fan doesn't know how much time passes with them looking at each other until the stickiness and faint smell of vanilla on his hand reminds him that, yes, he has made a fool of himself in front of this gorgeous man. Great. Clearing his throat, the taller man shuffles on the spot, uncertain.
"Can I help you with something?"
The cute man makes a thoughtful face and then stares up at him with hope. Wu Fan finds that it's getting a bit hard to swallow.
"Are you, by chance, Wu Fan?"
Wu Fan's eyes are as wide as saucers at the last words and the coffee's now uncomfortable on his hand and it's so early in the morning, goddamn it.
The strawberry blond man is apparently satisfied with the curt nod that he receives, for his smile grows bigger and impossibly more magnificent.
"It's really nice to meet you, Wu Fan. My name is Lu Han."
Oh.
Lu Han actually turns out to be a very cheerful man and the kids immediately love him, surrounding him from the minute he walks in, touching his hair in awe and commenting that he looks like a fairytale princess.
Wu Fan feels a little jealous, because the second he first walked in the classroom, the kids started shrieking and thinking that he is here to punish them and steal their toys. But then Lu Han comes in and he’s like the popular kid in High School that everyone likes and wants to know better. And no, Wu Fan is not jealous, the kids love him now. All it took was a few gummy smiles and a couple of Wu Fan’s masterpieces that he calls drawings for them to warm up to him, and voila.
Nonetheless, the rest of the day is spent with the kids oooh-ing at the new addition to the staff, asking him questions like does he prefer Spiderman or Superman (with which Lu Han answers with Spiderman), showing him their drawing abilities and asking him to play with them. Lu Han looks enthusiastic in every activity, and Wu Fan watches with amusement as Lu Han playfully growls and starts tickling small Jongin, the small child heaving with laughter.
That is until later, when Lu Han helps Wu Fan put the kids in their beds for the afternoon nap, that Lu Han drops in one of the chairs (that actually fit him), blowing air on his bangs. Wu Fan is reading a book, legs crossed and fingers thumbing the next page.
“So,” he hears the smaller man start and he takes it as his cue to start paying full attention. Still, he only lifts his head and casts a look towards Lu Han, who is grinning at him, body fully turned towards Wu Fan’s seat.
“Yes?”
“I just wanted to thank you for letting me work with you. I’ll try my best not to disappoint!” Lu Han says, determined. Wu Fan chuckles softly and suddenly feels a little old. But he isn’t that old, it’s maybe being around small children all the time that makes him feel way more mature than he actually is, when at heart he feels like he’s eight.
“It’s okay,” he replies, closing the book. “I see that you love kids very much.”
Lu Han nods wildly, fluffy hair bobbing with his movement and Wu Fan can’t help but follow the motion.
“I do! Do you like them, too?”
“Well, yes,” Wu Fan replies, looking around pointedly in a duh gesture. It’s not like he would become a kindergarten teacher if he doesn’t like them. Lu Han is silent for a moment, head resting on one of his hands that are propped on the chair. Wu Fan considers breaking the silence, filling it with anything, but Lu Han beats him to it.
“You know,” he begins, staring at Wu Fan with a look that could only be considered as scrutinizing, making Wu Fan swallow with difficulty (once again). These wide eyes should not be making him nervous, Wu Fan has nothing to hide, for God’s sake. “You kind of remind me of my roommate, Zitao.”
“Really? How so?”
“He looks intimidating, just like you. Scary. But he’s actually very soft at the heart. What I’m very curious about is if you’re like him, too.”
Wu Fan exhales, looking in Lu Han’s eyes, which are shining with amusement and something else, something like child-like curiosity.
Grinning, Wu Fan replies. “I guess you’ll have to find out.”
After a week Wu Fan gets used to Lu Han’s presence around, even kind of looks forward to start his day with Lu Han’s newest joke that he read in the newspaper, making the whole teaching staff laugh.
It’s unexplainable, how Lu Han has been here for such a short span of time, but the way he leaves his textbooks next to Wu Fan’s coffee cup before the kids start coming or how they chat between game time and lunch, like they’ve been a team for years. And the worst is that Wu Fan doesn’t know how to feel about that.
He doesn’t have a clue what would be like without Lu Han’s bright laughter among the children or his carefree nature.
Wu Fan tries to keep his mouth firmly closed, pursing his lips and trying not to laugh while sitting still. Next to him is Lu Han, a candy bar tucked between his own lips, staring at Wu Fan with complete focus and drawing intensely on a paper that Kyungsoo has helpfully provided, package complete with a set of crayons.
“What do you think, Kyungsoo?” mumbles Lu Han between the candy, secretly presenting the photo to the smaller boy, who looks between the picture and Wu Fan with the expression of a fine art critic. Wu Fan tries to take a peek, but he is rudely refused to by Lu Han, who shakes his head with a mockery of a frown.
Kyungsoo pouts and points at something on the paper. “This should be bigger!”
“Bigger?” exclaims Lu Han, but fixes the figure nonetheless, and Kyungsoo grins, giving a thumbs up.
With a tadaah! the former turns the paper around and proudly shows it to Wu Fan, who raises his brow.
It’s him, with a mop of bright yellow hair and (again) thick eyebrows, looking angry for no reason. Wu Fan guesses that the picture is accurate, even though his eyebrows are not that big. He prefers the term expressive.
“It’s very good!” he says, smiling brightly. “Very talented, I say, but still not better than Kyungsoo’s.”
Lu Han pouts and turns to Kyungsoo, who giggles and shrugs, pleased to know that his drawing is the best and gets the recognition even from the teachers.
“Teach me your ways, Mr. Kyungsoo!” dramatically pleads Lu Han, grinning at the laugh Kyungsoo emits. He turns towards Wu Fan and winks, still beaming, although something looks different in his smile. Wu Fan doesn’t want to dwell on exactly what it is, something bordering on dangerous.
With a fresh paper and a task at hand, Wu Fan starts drawing Lu Han under Kyungsoo’s watchful eyes. He starts from the face, forming soft eyes and gentle smile, then continuing with ridiculously small hands as Kyungsoo giggles next to him.
Wu Fan glances up, refocusing on Lu Han, who is standing in a dramatic pose, hand touching his forehead and eyes looking up the sky. When he feels eyes on him, though, he shifts and glimpses back at Wu Fan, trying not to smile and keep up with his theatrical façade. Wu Fan flushes and snaps his eyes back to the picture so fast, if it was physically possible they’d roll back to his head. He doesn’t hear Lu Han’s quiet snort, too busy showing his new chef-d’oeuvre to little Kyungsoo.
Kyungsoo deems it good, close enough to represent Lu Han’s appearance. Wu Fan thinks that it’s more like a caricature of the smaller man’s true attractiveness, and judging by Lu Han’s raised brow when he scans the complete picture, he realizes it, too.
“Okay, well,” Lu Han begins, squinting and obviously biting his tongue in an attempt not to burst into laughter. “That person definitely looks like me.”
Across from him, Wu Fan and Kyungsoo start snickering, the latter hiding his face into Wu Fan’s shoulder.
“Hey, it’s not funny!” Lu Han teases, looking pretty offended. “Why one of my ears is ten times bigger than the other?”
With that, the other two start giggling harder, heaving for breath. Wu Fan can barely open his eyes to see Lu Han’s lovely smile as he watches the two of them laugh.
Wu Fan puts a chair in its place, humming softly. It’s the end of another day and they’ve just sent away the last kid.
Working out the kinks on his neck with one hand, Wu Fan winces and moves on towards Lu Han, who is picking up the pens from the ground. He bends down and starts collecting the plush toys, making Lu Han send him a smile, which he returns. They work quietly until Wu Fan sighs, plopping down on the soft carpet and laying down. Lu Han joins him, so they’re resting next to each other.
No one says anything for a while, Wu Fan absentmindedly hugging a plush toy while looking at Lu Han, who is staring at the ceiling like it holds all the answers, supporting himself on his forearms. He sharply turns around though, catching Wu Fan once again watching like the biggest creep. This time they don’t break eye contact, even as Lu Han shifts so he’s facing Wu Fan, mimicking his position on the floor. He glances at the toy that Wu Fan is protectively clutching close to his chest and smiles, moving his hand to stroke the plush unicorn, but the task is swiftly forgotten as soon the hand changes its route and Lu Han catches Wu Fan’s hand in his, gently stroking the back of it with his thumb. Wu Fan holds his breath, slowly turning his hand and intertwining their fingers.
“Hey,” Lu Han asks, seemingly hesitant. “Do you want to go out with me after we finish our work here? There’s this new Thai restaurant downtown that I want to try.”
Wu Fan considers it for a moment, mostly trying to convince himself that he’s not as eager as he feels, before nodding.
The restaurant is cozy and nice, even though Wu Fan isn’t a people person, not really. Lu Han is grinning at him from his side of the table, quietly murmuring about Pad Thai, and surprisingly, Wu Fan feels comfortable. His skin doesn’t prickle with the need to get away as soon as humanly possible and he doesn’t think if he looks silly trying to read the Menu, eyebrows scrunching together in confusion as Lu Han giggles against him, understanding nothing as well. He’s put in ease and he likes it, wouldn’t mind going out of his comfort zone once in a while, if it means doing it with Lu Han next to him. As cheesy as it sounds, Wu Fan mentally cringes.
Wu Fan picks at his noodles, mentally thanking the chef for the perfect, spicy taste. He takes a sip from his water and looks at Lu Han, who is almost inhaling his food.
“I would’ve asked you for lunch, you know,” Lu Han says, unexpected. “But we pretty much have lunch together every day anyways.”
Wu Fan laughs and suddenly there’s a forkful of something in front of his eyesight, startling him. He glances towards Lu Han, who has scooped up from his food and is apparently trying to feed him. Wu Fan would’ve flat out refused, because, come on, no one can be that cheesy. Unless they’ve come out of an Hollywood rom-com, that is. But then he looks again and Lu Han is looking hopeful and he’s trying to pout and Wu Fan is kind of defenseless against this, so he opens his mouth and lets Lu Han feed him. The food tastes divine on his tongue, but this isn’t what makes something curl up in the bottom of his stomach. No, it’s again this look in Lu Han’s warm eyes that makes Wu Fan feel like there’s something that he can’t understand. It’s puzzling.
“You know that this is a date, right?” Lu Han asks conversationally, eyes not wavering from Wu Fan. His plate is almost empty now, so his full focus is on the other man, who is in the process of trying not to choke on his inhale and failing spectacularly.
Because it suddenly strikes him - he’s attached to Lu Han. Attracted to him. He likes him. It’s not the groundbreaker of the century, but it surprised him how okay he is with this (they held hands earlier today, for god’s sake). That he doesn’t mind if this is a date, or if this date has a continuation, or two and three. It doesn’t make sense to him, how quickly and mindlessly he fell over Lu Han, how from picturing the other simply as a co-worker, Wu Fan began thinking if embracing him would be as calming as seeing his smile, or if Lu Han is a morning person and how his bedroom hair would look.
And maybe it has been there for a while, this crush he has on Lu Han. But it’s Wu Fan, an asteroid would pass his way and he wouldn’t realize it until it has collided with the ground and has shaken up his world. Lu Han is probably that asteroid.
He clears his throat, knowing that he still hasn’t responded to Lu Han.
“Not really,” he answers honestly and laughs, nervously folding and unfolding the napkin. “But it’s okay for me.”
Lu Han leans in, covering one of Wu Fan’s hands with his, halting his movement. He’s smiling, the small candle on the table casting a lovely shadow, highlighting the crinkles around his eyes.
“Good.”
It’s playtime again, today the weather pleasantly warm and perfect for outdoor activities.
Wu Fan and Lu Han are at the swings, helping to push small Chanyeol and Yixing, the latter’s legs too short to reach the ground to push himself from. There comes Lu Han, who helpfully pushes Yixing back and forth while the kids yell happily.
Wu Fan is observing the others, half heartedly responding when asked another eager question by an excited Chanyeol. Lu Han snorts next to him and he turns around, glaring playfully. It’s the moment where Yixing is called by his best buddy and he abandons his swing, waddling away. Lu Han pouts, looking at the place that was previously occupied.
“Why don’t you hop on?” Wu Fan suggests, already standing behind the empty swing, gesturing towards it.
“What?” Lu Han answers, scandalized. “How will I fit? I’m a grown adult!”
He receives a chortle from Chanyeol, who sneakily pretends to be concentrating on his shoes rather than the conversation. Wu Fan’s eyebrows raise, silently agreeing.
“That’s debatable.”
Lu Han huffs, crossing his arms together, a smile trying to pull on his lips. Wu Fan smirks, again gesturing at the swing with a flourish. Lu Han finally seats himself on it, straightening his legs so they don’t touch the ground below. He looks at Wu Fan in expectation, holding on the bars.
Chanyeol is giggling, looking at them with huge eyes and starts clapping when Wu Fan begins pushing the swing gently, Lu Han shrieking at the enjoyable feeling. He swings for full ten minutes, somehow setting a record around here, no other child enduring more than 5, after which they get bored and move on. Lu Han stomps his foot after he hears that he’s been categorized with the kids, further emphasizing Wu Fan’s point.
After Chanyeol, a nice example of a child that lost interest in the swing, got up and also left to be with the others and play a group game, Wu Fan replaced him on the seat, swinging himself unhurriedly.
“Tomorrow is Saturday, right?” Wu Fan asks Lu Han, who grins and nods.
“After Friday comes Saturday, yes.”
Wu Fan resists the urge to roll his eyes, deciding not to beat around the bush.
“I was thinking if you would want to come with me. On a date.”
Lu Han’s eyes widen, like he can’t believe these words just tumbled out of Wu Fan’s mouth. He recovers quickly, grinning from ear to ear.
“Yeah, I’d love to. Where?”
Wu Fan smiles. “You’ll see.”
“A bookstore?”
Lu Han looks in wonder at the big building, built on a convenient place in the center of the city. Its big windows provide the view of the shelves with books inside, and Lu Han can’t wait to step inside already. Wu Fan hums and nods, hands in his pockets as they cross the street.
“You mentioned how much you like books, so I thought that this would be a nice place to go to.”
Lu Han recalls that he has multiple times mentioned his fondness of books, but he didn’t think that Wu Fan would remember at all. The fact doesn’t make him any less pleased.
Upon entering Lu Han starts strolling between the shelves, fully immersed in finding a great book. Wu Fan chuckles and follows him around, grabbing a random book as he walks.
After Wu Fan had caught up with Lu Han’s fast pace, he puts his hand on the latter’s back and leads him towards one of the other sections, on the opposite side of the store. Lu Han sends him a questioning look, but plays along until they come to stand in front of the .. language isle?
“Now close your eyes and pick a random book, whichever it is,” instructs Wu Fan and Lu Han obeys, doing exactly what Wu Fan had said and outstretching his hand to move it around the shelves. When he finally brushes a book, Lu Han takes it and opens his eyes. “It’s a French dictionary?”
Wu Fan smiles, taking the book and moving closer so both can see the contents.
“Now we’re going to read from it.”
“But I don’t know French! Neither do you,” Lu Han protests, but his eyes are shining with playfulness and Wu Fan knows that he’s definitely in.
“Exactly.”
In the next fifteen minutes they stand in front of the Linguistics isle in the bookstore, reading from a French dictionary and terribly messing up but laughing uncontrollably.
“I sound so fancy,” Lu Han laughs, wiping tears from his eyes as he reads a sentence, stumbling over unknown characters and making it up. Wu Fan isn’t better himself, reading barely half the word before he bursts into giggles, earning a stare or two from other customers. On one particularly long word Lu Han has to hide his face in Wu Fan’s shoulder in order to muffle his loud and booming laugh, Wu Fan’s face going red from suppressing his laughter as he reads and stutters over unknown parts.
“I’m definitely buying this,” Lu Han says after they’ve considerably calmed down, going around other shelves, picking and discussing books. Wu Fan snickers, holding another copy of the dictionary in his other hand.
When they exit the bookstore, it has began raining, small drizzles washing the asphalt and pedestrians running around with umbrellas or hoodies on, seeking shelter. Lu Han frowns; he didn’t predict that, and he didn’t take his umbrella too.
“There’s a café nearby, do you want to go there until the rain stops?” Wu Fan asks next to him, squinting at the scene before his eyes.
“That would be splendid, yes.”
Lu Han barely has time to answer with relief before Wu Fan is taking off his jacket, leaving the other man to stare with surprise as Wu Fan grasps the ends of the clothing and hovers it above their heads. The air suddenly becomes too warm and it spreads all the way to his cheeks as Lu Han stutters, trying to remind Wu Fan that he’s going to get the cold, but the words come difficultly, especially when Wu Fan smells that good, of something really fresh and spicy and when his eyes are deep, rich brown. Thankfully he doesn’t need to speak, Wu Fan beats him to it.
“So we wouldn’t get wet,” he explains and Lu Han wants to point out that somehow they’re going to get wet anyways, but keeps quiet, and suddenly his shoes become the most interesting thing in the world. He still feels too warm for the weather.
They cross the streets pressed together underneath Wu Fan’s jacket that he supports over them, while Lu Han is holding onto Wu Fan’s bicep, so he wouldn’t get off the track and escape from their makeshift and mildly preposterous (and maybe cliché) shelter. The puddles on the street are inescapable and in the end their shoes get wet, but overall they remain dry. During their trek to the café Lu Han’s hand moves from its spot on Wu Fan’s arm to his waist, leaving warmth after its way.
Jongdae’s café is small, but with big windows and covered in warm colors, making it cozy and giving the feeling of being in your home rather than in a city cafeteria.
Lu Han and Wu Fan step inside, the former shaking the excess water from his jacket and Lu Han staring at the clean tables and breathing in the smell of coffee and sweet pastries.
“I come here often,” says Wu Fan, leading Lu Han towards the counter, behind which stands a handsome male, smiling brightly upon looking at the newcomers.
“Hi, Wu Fan,” he greets, then takes in the shorter guy next to him who makes goo-goo eyes at the assortment of pastries. “And hello to you too. Wu Fan, dare introduce me?”
Wu Fan smiles shyly, scratching the back of his neck, pointedly not looking at Lu Han, who has shifted his eyes from the pastries to Wu Fan’s face, grinning innocently.
“Um, yeah,” Wu Fan starts, pointing between them. “Lu Han, this is my friend Jongdae, who also owns this place. Jongdae, this is Lu Han, my date.”
Jongdae’s eyes widen momentarily before he smirks in a way that Lu Han can only describe with a smirk that promises evilness, not matching with the first impression that he got.
“Oh, Lu Han,” Jongdae drawls, emphasizing on the name with a hint of recognition, propping his elbows on the counter surface and supporting his head on his hands. “Wu Fan blew my head off talking about you. Lu Han this, Lu Han that, Lu Han’s face looked so cute today, listen to what Lu Han said-“
“Jongdae!” Wu Fan hisses out, coughing with embarrassment and flushing bright red at his friend’s words. “I didn’t do that.”
“Oh, but how much you did that,” Jongdae continues, unfazed by Wu Fan’s silent threat emitting from his eyes and expression while Lu Han giggles next to him. Instead, he leans towards Lu Han, covering one side of his face in mock secrecy as he whispers, “He’s totally smitten, always talking about you and your eyes. But don’t say that I told you that.”
“Jongdae?” Wu Fan grits through clenched teeth, ready to dig a hole to hide in, preferably forever. Maybe hibernate there.
“Yep?” Jongdae smiles innocently.
“Shut up.”
“Yes, sir.” The café owner salutes, all seriousness. “So, what can I get you before Wu Fan bursts here?”
“You have a nice friend,” Lu Han comments, sipping on his Vanilla Cappuccino as they sit on a free table near the window.
Wu Fan hides his face behind big hands, looking burdened and trying not to laugh. Jongdae and nice is not what one would usually use in the same sentence. “Don’t remind me.”
“How do you know him?” Lu Han enquires further, leaning forwards in interests, taking a glance at the person in question who is attending a group of elders with a smile.
“We’re neighbors and Jongdae often comes to steal from my fridge, so between that we got close friends. What about your roommate?”
Lu Han tips his head in understanding before responding. He tells Wu Fan about Zitao, who is apparently still in University and has a wide collection of romance books, shedding a tear or two on the dramatic parts and throwing Nicholas Sparks tomes at Lu Han’s face when Lu Han keeps being a little shit about it.
Lu Han doesn’t stop babbling about how he and their mutual friend, Baekhyun, like to call Zitao for movie nights, playing horror movies and watching Zitao’s girly screams and squeals of This isn’t the Notebook, you guys! Wu Fan doesn’t stop laughing through it all, even after Lu Han changes the subject, telling him from roommate’s hilariously bad decisions in the kitchen (who can mistake scrambled eggs?), to Lu Han’s biggest dreams and the time he wanted to learn how to knit when he was six, just to be able to make scarves and give them to homeless animals so they wouldn’t be cold during the winter (he still hasn’t learnt how to knit).
Wu Fan’s so erupted in Lu Han’s stories, sharing his own in between, that both of them haven’t noticed that the rain has subsided and the gray skies are now brighter, no longer gloomy.
He looks up only when the sun peeking through the clouds lights over Lu Han’s face and Wu Fan stops listening, instead staring and trying to commit to his memory this ethereal image of Lu Han bathed in sunlight, talking animatedly as his eyes sparkle.
“Your coffee looks nice, can I try it?” Lu Han asks, taking the cup and taking a sip before Wu Fan can form an answer, and humming. “It’s good, what is it? Maybe I should take it on the way home.”
On their way out Wu Fan has to wait for Lu Han to take another coffee for his way home (for which Wu Fan pays, ignoring Lu Han’s pout). He waits by the exit and watches as Jongdae gives Lu Han the paper bag with pastries while whispering something, seeming satisfied with Lu Han’s blush and curt nod.
“And take care of my baby Wu Fan!” Jongdae yells all the way through the café as they walk out, smiling sweetly and waving. Lu Han turns around and waves back.
They wait for Lu Han’s bus on the stop, chatting and laughing about pretty much everything. It’s already starting to get dark and the wind picks its pace, making Lu Han visibly shudder. Wu Fan notices and, again, takes off his jacket, draping it over Lu Han’s shoulders despite the other’s protests.
“I’m not a girl, Wu Fan!” says Lu Han, indignant, his eyes wide and scandalized.
“I didn’t say that you are,” Wu Fan simply grins. “But your place is way further than mine and therefore you’re going to need it more.”
Lu Han doesn’t protest, liking the warmth that the jacket provides and tries to hide his wide smile behind the collar.
When the bus comes Lu Han bids his goodbye with a chaste and lingering kiss to Wu Fan’s cheek, waving cutely and promising that he’ll call.
Wu Fan watches the bus until it’s out of his sight, going home and unable to hide his satisfied beam.
(Wu Fan does get sick and Lu Han chides him for it, but brings him homemade soup and looks after him nevertheless, bringing DVDs and falling asleep curled up on the couch, head on Wu Fan’s shoulder and legs on his lap.)
Lu Han doesn’t know why he’s going up the stairs in an odd, dusty apartment complex, Wu Fan walking confidently in front of him, leading the way, but he excitedly follows behind. The building looks old, way in the suburbs, and Lu Han understands why it doesn’t have an elevator.
They reach the tenth floor, go through the ceiling and Lu Han’s mouth drops open when Wu Fan goes on the top of the building, the shopping bag he’s holding shifting on his shoulder. The apartment may be ancient with the old exterior, washed out bricks and creepily flickering lights, but the view on the top is more than worth it, he thinks. The air is pleasant, but the wind is blowing on his (carefully styled) fringe and successfully ruffling. He watches as Wu Fan unpacks, taking out a comforter and spreading it down on the cold concrete.
Lu Han’s smile is blinding, spreading with every passing second as he crouches down to arrange the various snacks and drinks that Wu Fan keeps taking out from his ridiculous granny bag, like taking out rabbit from a magic hat. Finally, they plop on the ground, as Wu Fan opens a bag of Lays.
“Is this your plan for today’s date?” Lu Han asks, popping a handful of Skittles in his mouth. Wu Fan nods, chewing on his marshmallow biscuit.
“Yeah, thought that since our last date was something that you like, this time I’d show you something of me.”
Lu Han nods in approval and glances around. “I like that. So your hobby is holding picnics on roofs?” he smirks at Wu Fan’s snort.
“No,” he replies, throwing the empty package back in his old fashioned bag and then pointing at the sky. “It’s up there.”
“What’s the story behind it? You like searching for UFOs?”
They both laugh, Wu Fan throwing him his second sweet biscuit.
“No!”
Lu Han stops laughing, staring at Wu Fan’s breathtaking smile that showcases his gums, giving him a child-like appearance, controversial to his sharp face features. He waits for explanation, eager to learn more and more.
“Actually,” Wu Fan begins, chewing thoughtfully and shifting on the blanket, subconsciously moving closer to Lu Han. “If I wasn’t a kindergarten teacher I would’ve been an astronomer.”
Lu Han gapes in surprise and tries to imagine a smaller version of Wu Fan fiddling with an equally small telescope and looking at the stars at night with determination and passion, just how Wu Fan occasionally does now.
The thought is almost too cute to handle.
“I think that the night is suitable for stargazing,” Wu Fan observes, fishing something out of his pocket and then turning his head to Lu Han, who has hooked up his chin on Wu Fan’s shoulder, peering curiously on the phone the taller man is holding. “Do you want to join me?”
They settle down on the comforter, their eyes adjusting to the limited light as Wu Fan opens an application that replicates a night sky, full with the constellations and cosmic objects. Lu Han watches in awe and wonder, gaze switching back and forth between the sky and the phone, more often than not settling down on Wu Fan’s face, watching Wu Fan talk excitedly about stars and constellations and something that Lu Han drones out half-way, because when talking about his passion Wu Fan’s lips stretch over a wide smile, skin crinkling around the corners of his eyes.
Wu Fan is still unaware of his silent audience, babbling adorably about Perseus, gesturing vivaciously with hands. luhan tries to pay attention, he really does, but it's hard to do so when the only thing he finds more beautiful than these stars above is the light in Wu Fan's eyes.
Finally, Wu Fan notices how quiet Lu Han has gotten and cranes his neck to look at him, meeting Lu Han's eyes.
"Did you hear a word of what I just said?" he teases and pokes Lu Han’s sides. Lu Han shrieks, squirming.
"Not really, no," Lu Han answers honestly, chuckling, and gets up to support himself on his elbows. “I was too busy to stare at you, in fact. And I realized something.”
Wu Fan makes a questioning sound, hand resting on his stomach. He has left the phone on his side, screen still bright.
“What did you realize, then?”
Lu Han shrugs, worming his way closer, close enough to count Wu Fan’s eyelashes. “My first thought of you? That you may look very scary, with your fuzzy caterpillars and angry expression, but you’re secretly very cute? It’s true. Proven and confirmed.”
Wu Fan scoffs, scandalized. His face twists and he looks offended and amused at once as he reaches and settles his hand on Lu Han’s waist, keeping it there.
“Oh, so is this why you agreed to go out with me? For science?”
Lu Han titters and shuffles, slotting his body against Wu Fan’s, resting his head on the other’s chest. Wu Fan’s head automatically moves to Lu Han’s hair, carding his hair gently like he does when his kids are upset, whispering soothing words.
“Well, not only that,” he murmurs, listening to Wu Fan’s soft breathing and enjoying the long fingers playing with his dyed strands.
Under the night sky they talk, about everything and nothing, bantering and finding out more about each other.
Lu Han feels mellower as the time passes, completely relaxing against Wu Fan. Closing his eyes, he’s just about to drift out, when Wu Fan’s deep voice calls him back.
“Maybe we should go home, it’s getting late.”
He sounds like this is the last thing he wants to go, and Lu Han’s legs feel like jelly, but he nods anyway, getting up lazily with Wu Fan in tow. They pack quietly, Lu Han snickering as the taller man pushes all the empty packages and thermos back in the bag.
On their way back Lu Han makes sure to stay close to Wu Fan, the dim lightning creeping him out. Wu Fan is no better though, holding Lu Han’s hand like it’s his lifeline.
It’s too late to take any bus, so Wu Fan’s glad that he took Jongdae’s car, so that he can take Lu Han straight home.
In the car they play Jongdae’s old CD, singing along to even older songs, doing terrible job of the high tones and laughing until Lu Han’s tummy hurts. Lu Han has a lovely voice, Wu Fan notes, gentle and comforting.
Wu Fan insists to send Lu Han to the front door (like the gentleman he is, Lu Han keeping up with his point that he’s definitely not a girl).
“I had a great time tonight. Thank you for showing me the stars,” Lu Han smiles, keeping his hands locked behind his back. He doesn’t remember the last time he’s been so unperturbed, because it’s simply so easy to be around Wu Fan, so natural.
Wu Fan grins back, shifting on his feet. “You’re welcome. I can take you on many more dates like this.”
“I’ll be looking forward to it, but only if you gift me with this antique here,” Lu Han points out the floral granny bag that Wu Fan’s clutching, forcing a laugh out of the other. Wu Fan shakes his head, but passes the bag to Lu Han, observing as Lu Han squints his eyes, slinging the accessory over his shoulder and striking a pose.
“Does this suit me, Wu Fan?”
“A real flower boy,” Wu Fan snorts, holding a palm over his mouth as he giggles.
Lu Han steps forward, embracing Wu Fan and burying his face in the crook between Wu Fan’s shoulder and neck. At first it’s supposed to be short, but then Wu Fan’s arms circle around his waist, bringing him closer and Lu Han inhales the same scent of Wu Fan’s cologne that also lingered on his jacket, and is thankful that Wu Fan is holding him because his head feels dizzy.
He traces patterns over Wu Fan’s shoulder blade, nosing along his neck. In response Wu Fan’s hands tighten around him, warm palms sliding along his sides. Lu Han pulls his head back, looking up close at Wu Fan’s face, noting the dark eyes staring intently right into Lu Han’s and his plump lips trying to work over words never spoken. Without even realizing it, Lu Han’s hand has shifted from Wu Fan’s shoulder, going up until it brushes against a cheekbone. He barely has the time to exhale before Wu Fan is closing the distance between them, leaning down to press his lips lightly against Lu Han’s in a chaste kiss, Lu Han tiptoeing slightly to reach better.
Lu Han feels like he’s floating, like Wu Fan is the only thing that’s keeping him rooted on the ground.
They separate slowly, Lu Han leaving a series of kisses along Wu Fan’s cheeks and lips, drinking in Wu Fan’s smile like he’s a man famished.
“So, a-are we together now?” Wu Fan breathes out against Lu Han’s lips, still holding him like he’s most precious.
Lu Han huffs, smirking slyly. “I don’t know, are we together?”
Wu Fan stares for a second before he takes Lu Han’s hand, intertwining their fingers.
“Okay. Lu Han, do you want to be mine?” he takes a deep breath, holding it in. Lu Han’s eyes crinkle, thumb rubbing softly over Wu Fan’s palm.
“I will, but only on one condition,” Lu Han grins at Wu Fan’s raised eyebrow, stealing another kiss on the taller man’s cheek, “If you accept to be mine, too.”
Wu Fan nods excitedly as they smile at each other, still tightly holding hands. Distantly, they heard some noise resembling a heart wrenching sob. Lu Han rolls his eyes and looks up to scream at one of the apartment windows.
“THIS ISN’T A K-DRAMA, ZITAO, CLOSE THE DAMN WINDOW BEFORE YOU SHOWER US WITH YOUR TEARS!”
Wu Fan laughs even harder when someone from above mutters, “I wasn’t crying! It’s the dust from the laundry!”
“Mr. Fan! Mr. Han!”
Lu Han and Wu Fan turn around, Lu Han still holding a napkin from wiping Chanyeol’s peanut butter covered lips.
Kyungsoo is racing towards his teachers, this time holding a whole sketching pad in his tiny fingers, little Sehun trailing after him, holding a finger in his mouth.
It’s another sunny day and they’ve decided that it’s good to take the children out, give them a little fresh air and a ball with which they play football, or more like tossing the ball around and watching it roll. Wu Fan and Lu Han are sitting on one of the benches, Wu Fan holding Lu Han’s hands in his own, placed on his lap.
Lu Han squeals, lifting Kyungsoo on his lap while Wu Fan does the same with Sehun.
“I drew a picture, I drew a picture!”
“Wow, another?” Kyungsoo nods, giggling. “What is this now?”
Kyungsoo opens the sketch pad, showing his pencil drawing. The paper is filled with more bright colors - oranges, blues and reds - shaped in what appears to be figures. There’s a tall, tall person, a head shorter man and two small kids.
“This is us!” Kyungsoo bellows, Sehun tucking his head underneath Wu Fan’s chin and pumping his tiny fist in a gesture of encouragement.
“This is you and Mr. Fan, and this is me and Sehuna!” Kyungsoo explains seriously, like he’s trying to describe the Newton theory, Lu Han nodding along with an expression just as serious.
The picture consists of two very tall people and then two other, significantly smaller. All of them are holding hands, the person with the messy pinkish hair (most likely a personification of Lu Han) extending his hand to impossible measures to match with the height of the boy with rainbow hair.
“It really is pretty, Kyungsoo. You’ve outdone yourself this time.”
Kyungsoo looks proud, like he always does when Lu Han compliments that every drawing is his best drawing ever.
The kids are lowered on the ground in order to collect the class for lunch.
They pass through lunch remotely easy, only Jongin making a bigger mess of himself than usual, reaching all the way to his hair.
“We made it to Friday,” Lu Han states, collapsing on the plush chair with a sigh. Wu Fan’s (oddly enough) texting Minseok on Kakao, but turns his attention to Lu Han the moment the other sits down.
“Did you manage to get Soojung to sleep?” Wu Fan questions as Lu Han tries to drink a whole bottle of apple juice.
“This time, yes. Kids can be so energetic,” Lu Han grimaces and Wu Fan gets up, moving behind him and lightly rubbing Lu Han’s shoulders, listening to the other groan.
“Aren’t I supposed to get massages? Not my ST.”
Lu Han smiles wickedly at Wu Fan’s apparent joke.
“Yes, but I’m older.”
“By months, Lu.”
“Still older!” proclaims Lu Han quickly, grinning.
Wu Fan clicks his tongue, working out the kinks in Lu Han’s tired muscles (you’d be surprised how much energy requires watching over kids). “That wasn’t apparent in the way you screamed my name last ni-“
Lu Han yelps, sending a mocking glare at Wu Fan, who is looking pretty satisfied with himself, one corner of his mouth turned up. “Not the point!”
“Yet you’re not denying it.”
The look on Lu Han’s face is a sight to remember.
“He’s a dedicated worker, proficient in Pedagogy and has an understanding of the students’ needs and knowledge of solving problems, showing perfect coordination while working in groups and listening in the constructive criticism that I gave him. He has my definite recommendation.”
Minseok hums approvingly and jolting something on his notepad, looking impressed.
“Good job, Wu Fan,” he praises, sipping on coffee. “I didn’t expect that you two would get on so well. Especially you. I know you’re not very good at working with other people.”
Wu Fan stirs his own oolong tea, staring bashfully. “Well, Lu Han has a way with people, I guess.”
“He does, doesn’t he?” Minseok asks, a knowing glint in his eyes that Wu Fan refuses to address. He stacks his papers in a neat line. “I’m very gratified with your work so far. Lu Han has some more time here, so I expect you’ll keep up with your good work, yes?”
“Absolutely.”
Minseok grins, drinking the last drags of his coffee before standing up, straightening his pristine suit. “Awesome, now go. I know Lu Han’s waiting for you outside.”
Wu Fan sends a grateful smile and bids his goodbye, before turning around and leaving. On his way out his phone beeps, announcing another message from Minseok. He unlocks his phone and reads the text before laughing, shaking his head slightly.
today 2 of the kids askd me if they can marry each other bc they saw u 2
wedding’s tomorrow, bring cake
Wu Fan turns off his phone and slides it back in his jeans’ pocket, walking down the stairs in front of the school. Lu Han is waiting for him, leaning on the fence. He smiles brightly when he spots Wu Fan, putting his hand on the taller man’s shoulder and presses a kiss on his cheek.
“Come on, let’s go,” he says, taking his hand and leading the way on the street.
“Where are we going?”
Lu Han turns around, flashing a brilliant smile that weakens Wu Fan’s knees and makes his heart rate faster.
“You’re going to love it.”