Chapter Seventeen: Aesthetic Sunday

As Yue felt the weight of Alex's gaze on him, an eerie shiver crept down his spine. Startled, he turned around only to find Alexander standing there, eyes fixated on him. Annoyance flashed across Yue's face, and without second-guessing, he delivered a swift kick to Alex's leg.

"Seriously, Alex? It's beyond creepy to have someone lurking and watching from the shadows," Yue exclaimed, a mixture of frustration and irritation evident in his voice. The piercing gaze of Alex, however, seemed unfazed by the kick, almost as if he found amusement in Yue's reaction.

Alex, rubbing his leg nonchalantly, grinned mischievously. "Well, I couldn't resist. You looked so engrossed in whatever you were doing. What's got you so captivated?"

Yue rolled his eyes, dismissing Alex's playful demeanor. "It's none of your business. Just stop acting like a stalker, okay? People need personal space, you know."

The tension between Alex and Yue lingered. Alex, sensing Yue's irritation, began to apologize, his pouty expression reflecting genuine concern.

"Oh....Yue, I-I'm really sorry if I made you uncomfortable. Uh, Yue..., I didn't mean to bother you or anything. I was just messing around, I didn't mean to invade your space," Alex said, his tone sincere. "hey~ come on.... I don't like it when you're upset with me."

Yue, lying on his bed, faced away from Alex, maintaining a facade of indifference. "It's not about you, Alex. I just need some time alone. We're friends, but that doesn't mean we have to be glued together all the time."

Alex, visibly hurt by Yue's words, sighed. "Okay, if that's what you want. I'll give you space."

He retreated to the other side of Yue's bed, a symbolic gesture reflecting the emotional distance that Yue had requested. However, Alex couldn't resist injecting a bit of humor into the situation.

"Well, you didn't specify how far space," he said, attempting to lighten the mood.

Yue's morning moodiness was a well-known fact to Alex, and despite that, he often found himself on the receiving end of it. This particular morning, after the incident of being kicked, Alex couldn't shake off the guilt that gnawed at him. Determined to make amends, he adopted the persistent and affectionate nature of a golden retriever.

"Yue, come on, don't be mad. I said I'm sorry, didn't I?" Alex pleaded, puppy-dog eyes in full effect as he trailed after Yue, who was attempting to navigate through the morning haze with minimal enthusiasm.

Yue, maintaining his stoic demeanor, shot Alex a sidelong glance but remained silent.

"I mean, I get it, you're not a morning person. But look, I promise I'll try not to bug you too much in the morning from now on. Okay?" Alex continued, his tone a mix of sincerity and playfulness.

The more Alex persisted, the harder it became for Yue to stay annoyed. Despite his best efforts to stay grumpy, the golden retriever's charm slowly chipped away at the black cat's mood. Eventually, with a reluctant sigh, Yue relented, allowing a small smile to escape.

"Fine, fine. Just... stop with the puppy eyes. It's too early for that," Yue conceded, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"This guy," Yue muttered, unable to suppress a small chuckle. In that moment, the awkward tension dissolved, replaced by a silent understanding that transcended words.

Yue's call echoed through the dorm, breaking the morning silence. "Alex, come here," Yue called out, his voice a mixture of exhaustion and resignation.

Alex, ever obedient and ready to appease Yue, responded promptly. "I'm coming," he said as he made his way to where Yue was. As he arrived, he found Yue already seated, shoulders slumped, and a deep sigh escaping his lips.

Without saying a word, Alex understood the unspoken invitation. He sat down beside Yue, who leaned against his shoulder, seeking solace in the silent presence of his friend. The weight of the morning seemed to lift a bit as they shared a moment of quiet companionship.

Alex, ever the chatterbox, decided to break the silence gently. "Rough morning, huh?" he remarked, looking at Yue with a soft smile.

Yue nodded, not bothering to voice his usual retort. Sometimes, the comfort of a friend's company spoke louder than words. Alex, understanding Yue's need for a moment of tranquility, wrapped an arm around him, offering silent support.

As Yue rose from his seated position, he gently patted Alex on the shoulder. "I'll go wash up," he said, his mood seemingly lightening a bit. With a pat that lingered for a moment longer than usual, he left Alex there, still slightly stunned.

Left alone, Alex couldn't help but wear a goofy grin. Yue's small gestures always had a way of affecting him, leaving him in a state of delightful confusion. "What just happened?" he mused to himself, still grinning like a fool.

He couldn't help but grin, amused by the unpredictable nature of Yue's moods. As he watched Yue disappear into the bathroom, he chuckled to himself, appreciating the quirks that made his friend unique.

"Guess I'll never figure him out completely," Alex mused, shaking his head with a playful smile.

Alex approached the kitchen, his stomach growled in anticipation.

"Wow, what's the special occasion?" Alex inquired, eyeing the delicious spread.

Yue, focused on flipping the tamagoyaki, replied, "No occasion, just felt like making something different today."

"But you're dressed differently too. Got a hot date or something?" Alex ask.

Yue paused for a moment, contemplating whether to reveal his plans. "it's Sunday. I'm going to church," he said.

"Church? Really?" Alex looked genuinely surprised. "Mind if I tag along?"

Yue, now turning his attention to the dumplings, raised an eyebrow. "You want to come to church with me?"

"Why not?" Alex shrugged. "Could be interesting."

With a bemused smile, Yue agreed, "Sure, you can come....Just....behave."

As they both stood in the living area of their dorm, ready to venture into the outside world, Alex couldn't help but smirk at Yue's stylish ensemble.

"Someone's dressed to impress for church," Alex teased, twirling a lock of his black hair with a mischievous glint in his green eyes. "You planning to make a heavenly entrance?"

Yue, meticulously dressed in his Sunday best, emerged from his room wearing a pristine white turtleneck, elegantly paired with a caramel knitted sweater. The brown trousers, cinched with a stylish belt, exuded a casual yet sophisticated vibe. White canvas sneakers adorned his feet, completing the ensemble. A subtle hint of luxury came in the form of a Hinge bangle bracelet from Tiffany & Co., a mysterious gift from an unknown admirer.

Meanwhile, Alex made his entrance, donned in a sleek black turtleneck. A matching brunette cardigan draped effortlessly over his shoulders, offering a touch of laid-back charm. His choice of black slim casual pleated pants added a hint of refinement. The ensemble was rounded off with white B-Ball soccer shoes, giving off a sporty flair. On his wrist, a Patek Philippe watch hinted at a taste for timeless elegance.

As the two stood side by side, their fashion choices subtly reflected their distinct personalities – Yue's enigmatic allure and Alex's effortless charm. The dorm seemed to buzz with unspoken questions about their unique styles, prompting Yue to break the silence.

"So, what do you think?" Alex asked, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Fashion critique time?"

Yue chuckled, appreciating the banter. "Well, you look like you're ready for a runway, and here I am, the casual observer.

Alex glance the Hinge Bangle bracelet on Yue's wrist, his compliment was accompanied by a subtle slip of the tongue. "Nice Hinge Bangle bracelet, lucky a handsome fan gave it to you," Alex remarked, his words hanging in the air. He immediately realized his mistake but decided to play it cool and kept it a secret from Yue.

Yue, ever perceptive, caught the slip and raised an eyebrow. "Handsome fan, huh?" he teased, nudging Alex playfully. "Why do I get the feeling you know more than you're letting on?"

Caught off guard, Alex tried to brush it off with a casual laugh. "Oh, you know me, just making assumptions. Fans can be generous."

Yue, however, wasn't one to let things slide. He persisted, "Spill the tea. What do you know?"

Yue, ever perceptive, shot Alex a quizzical look. "Handsome fan? Are you messing with me, Zhao?"

With a theatrical sigh, Alex finally cracked, realizing that Yue's intuition was spot on. "Alright, alright. Maybe I do know something about your handsome fan. But, you know, secrets are meant to be kept, right?"

Under Yue's persistent prodding and playful insistence, Alex found himself unable to resist the truth any longer. With a theatrical sigh, he finally confessed, "Alright, you got me. I was the fan who gave you the bracelet. It was during your world tour in Spain. I thought it would be a cool way to surprise you."

Yue's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and realization dawning upon him. "Wait, so you're telling me you were a fan all along? Why keep it a secret?"

Alex scratched his head, admitting, "Well, I didn't want you to treat me differently because of it. Besides, it was a fan meet – I didn't think you'd remember a single face among the crowd."

Yue, processing this revelation, couldn't help but smirk. "So, my devoted fan turns out to be my roommate. What a twist. Should I be flattered or concerned?"

Alex chuckled nervously. "How about a bit of both?"