"Keep in touch, alright? Don't forget about us once you're famous!"

"Of course! Just make sure you guys gonna fill up those front rows!"

They had rented out this local pub to say farewell to Yuan before his flight home the next day. The night blasted away with laughter and even some juiced-up shenanigans, but they figured it's better to remember each other's most carefree face anyway.

Despite getting caught up in every other conversation with the crowd, Yuan's eyes still scanned the room, hoping to find the slender silhouette that had been avoiding him all day. Dan was his very first friend when he just arrived here one year ago, and the two of them had been inseparable since. It started simply because they found out both spoke the same mother tongue when Dan helped him through the snowy path leading to his dorm. But it could also be something more than that when he saw spring bloomed early on Dan's face at his Northern-accent joke. From that day on, he was determined to do the world (or just himself, really) a favor and keep that angelic smile always on Dan's soft pouty lips.

Oh, those soft pouty lips. In this one year, there were many times Yuan wanted to kiss them so badly. Like when Dan's pretty eyes lit up as he took the first bite from the lunch box he reluctantly accepted when Yuan said he wanted to say thanks for helping him move in.

("I was just assigned to help you that's all," was Dan's simple reply, but he didn't refuse the next time Yuan invited him over for Chinese hotpot, or the time he "accidentally made too much pasta", or all the times after that, without any reason at all – Yuan's cooking was just that irresistible.)

Or when they were walking to the Zhou's family house nearby the concert venue Dan had agreed to go with him and it was too late for the train back to his dorm. The summer night breeze caressed his hair as the streetlight illuminated the curve at the corner of his mouth.

("Not a fan of metal before, but I had fun with you today," Dan said later that night when they were both in bed, him wearing a pair of Dan's older pajamas and it was still a bit large. Yuan found himself struggling to calm his heart that was beating into overtime, even though the effect of the concert had faded long before.)

There was especially that one occasion when Dan took him to his secret hiding place, admitting that he never really felt like he belonged here, despite the fact he grew up in this country since he was 7. Dan even told him he couldn't fully understand the joke he made the first day they met, but just the sound of it comforted him somehow. He almost leaned in to kiss him, right there, but he settled to just fixing a strand of stray hair on Dan's unruly head instead.

(Yuan also wanted to hold his hand and tell him he would always be there for him, but he couldn't. They both knew his exchange program was already coming to an end.)

And just like that, he never found the courage to face all those butterflies in his stomach, fluttering their wings desperately every time Dan was near. But tonight was different. Tonight, he supposed he could be truthful for once, at least to himself.

"I gotta leave soon so thanks y'all so much for everything. Don't stop for me though, you party animals!" A loud cheer broke out, then he continued. "But before that, if I could just borrow the stage, I want to play one last song for a very special person."

No one made a sound as slow melodic guitar weaved through the dim light, reaching every corner of the small pub. Yuan let go of all his bottled-up feelings with each strum, intending to leave the song on a happy note, but ended up with a hint of regret in the last few strokes he unconsciously drew out. Thankfully, the crowd didn't notice it. Everyone went up to hug and wish him a safe trip home.

It's when he got out of the pub into the chilly air of the empty street that he felt long delicate fingers catching his wrist from behind. Dan's hands were always cold, and he kept forgetting to wear gloves if he's not there to remind him.

"What's the name of that song?"

He couldn't help a smile despite the tightness in his chest as he turned around to find the familiar face, something glistening in those deep dark eyes though it could be just a trick of the moonlight. He had thought it might be easier that way, not seeing Dan before he left. But he also knew Dan had always been his most loyal audience.

"Je te veux," he took one step closer to wrap his arms around Dan's slim waist, face resting on broad shoulder as he greedily breathed in the subtle scent of Dan's favorite cologne. "It's called Je Te Veux."

He could feel Dan returning the hug, but he did not dare to stay any longer, for he's afraid his heart would jump out of his chest and not come back home with him. Lowering his head, he turned and walked away without looking at him one last time.

"Goodbye, Daniel."

-----

note: mình không chú thích đoạn tiếng Pháp vì có chủ ý riêng. cho mình biết nếu mọi người cũng mong một cái kết khác cho Dan và Yuan nhé ❤️