Just give me a reason (13/23)
Chapter 13
Once again life proved to him that nothing comes easy. He was able to only touch Tao after three days. He was only able to hold hands for a few minutes after three more days. So, at the seventh day, he felt like he was still at the same starting point. It wasn’t because of Tao. Okay, maybe the boy did look a bit unapproachable because of his height and the dark aura around him, but Kyungsoo knew it was just a façade. For God’s sake, there is no way in hell that this panda loving boy (Jongdae told him about the boy’s obsession to anything panda related and some time ago Kyungsoo also saw a little bit of the collection the said boy possesses - a panda phone strap, a small panda plushie next to his car keys, socks with a printed small panda face and bamboo, and so on) would have even a small bone of evilness inside him. But even with this knowledge it didn’t help Kyungsoo, not at all. Neither did Tao’s work schedule help in the process. He found out that the boy’s job was somehow connected with the gym but he had no idea how. Is Tao a trainer? It seemed plausible (such a well-built yet still slim body, even for a werewolf, was beyond normal) but also unbelievable (who would employ a high schooler for a job with such odd work hours? One day it would be from six o’clock in the morning up till two o’clock at noon, then the next day it would be from ten o’clock in the morning up till six o’clock in the evening straight). But somehow Kyungsoo didn’t have enough courage to ask about it. So, in the end, they only have a few hours to spare each day with Kyungsoo trying to touch Tao who would patiently sit in the salon’s armchair with an outstretched hand.
He was holding the boy’s hand for ten minutes and he already felt his limit coming. His lungs started to squeeze in panic.
“Tao, I’m sorry. I still don’t know how to overcome it. Nothing is working. Kris prohibited me from even thinking about any shock therapy. So right now I’m running out of ideas.” He confessed while pulling away.
“That’s okay. No one told us that it would be easy or quick with me anyway - the Fourth in the pack and without a mate.” Reasoned the boy with a shy, sad smile. He once again felt this tingling emotion through the pack’s bond. Pain.
“But that’s so unfair!” Kyungsoo almost stomped his leg.
“Life is generally unfair.” Said Tao. His smile broadening by a little bit. “But I may have a small idea how to help us.”
“I’m all ears.”
“I will need your trust. We will need it.” Explained the boy.
“Okay? So what’s the idea?”
“That’s part of the trust thing.” Tao said mysteriously. “The preparation will probably take around two hours, so let’s meet at the front doors at three o’clock, okay?”
“Sure. What should I bring?” Inquired Kyungsoo.
“A warm jacket and a pair of gloves. Oh, and wear comfortable shoes.” Tao answered as he got up from the chair and went upstairs.
Kyungsoo was confused but why not. If this something may help him finally get along with Tao, he will do this. Even jumping through fire if he must although he would prefer that things won’t come to that point.
Suddenly Kai came to the house and walked into the salon. He nodded at Kyungsoo, passed by him without a word and went straight to the kitchen. The submissive heard the fridge open then close, and heard Kai’s receding footsteps. This way of treatment from Kai started after the revelation of Kyungsoo’s past and Jongin’s sudden outburst of anger. Ever since that day, the dancer never spoke a word to him. Not that there was a lot of chit-chats between them from the start. However, Kai used tease the submissive about his cooking skills and still being too thin, talked about his dance school and fooled around with Jongdae, but nowadays it all stopped. It was like Kai separated himself from the rest of the pack even if he was still living in the Alpha’s house with all of them.
Kyungsoo knew the reason. Kai told them about it that evening. He was avoiding the submissive for his own good and also to stop getting hurt. Not being able to touch and comfort a pack’s member took a toll on Kai. Especially if the vulnerable packmate was the submissive. Now, when Kyungsoo is currently working on his trauma with Tao, this made Kai the only person who wasn’t able to touch him. And Kai was reminded about it all the time, because the other pack members already made it a habit to randomly pat, rub, hug or kiss (the girls, Lu Han and Yixing) Kyungsoo.
The submissive wanted to get over this shit called trauma already. Since Tao left him alone for two hours preparing whatever the mysterious idea is, Kyungsoo decided to just stay in his room. He laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling above. If Tao will take at least a week, how long it will be for Kai? Another week? Probably not. The Third was more dominant than panda lover boy. So two weeks? Well, he hoped it won’t be a freaking month! Which reminded him that the next full moon will be soon. Maybe that’s why he’s faced with so much troubles with Tao now, and maybe that’s why Kai is moody? Since it makes it harder for them to overcome the pain of rejection?
He got so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t notice someone was knocking at his. He heard it after the second time.
“Come in, come in.” Jongdae walked in.
“Sorry, cutie, but can I cuddle for a while?”
“Sure.” Answered Kyungsoo. He looked at the clock. “I still have an hour, so be my guest.”
“Thanks.” Jongdae laid next to him. He hugged the submissive against his body and pressed his nose to the side of the smaller man’s nose. He inhaled. “You’re the best.” He whispered.
Kyungsoo giggled. “Your own talking teddy bear.”
“My own?” Jongdae teased.
“Yeah, yours and several other big, nasty werewolves. Especially the girls. Amber recently talks only about this cute guy from her music major. She calls him Violin Boy because she apparently still didn’t find out his name. Even Victoria. When some kid in her kindergarten gets hurt, she always acts very mother like. Even with me! And I’m over twenty!”
“Let her mother you. She’s like that to all of us. Even Kris lets her. That’s just her way of showing love to us.” Jongdae reasoned out. “But I can see our cute submissive is quite busy these days.”
“Yep. Being the pack’s teddy bear unexpectedly takes a lot of time. In addition to that, I have my new therapy subject - Tao. Oh, and well I asked Minseok if he heard of any patisserie course. He promised to look around for me.”
“Patisserie course? So you no longer want to make cakes for the pack?”
“No. I want to make them better. For the pack too.” Replied Kyungsoo. “But, okay, enough about me. Why you need my awesome submissive powers?” He joked.
“Do I need a reason to hug our precious cutie?” He was rewarded with Kyungsoo’s pointed look. “Okay, okay. I just had a hard day at work. Stupid freshly made blonde girls who think they are already stars just because they started recording their first album. So annoying. I almost choked them. The full moon is too close for me to do these kind of tasks.” Jongdae sighed and hugged Kyungsoo a little bit harder.
He actually fell asleep. Kyungsoo absentmindedly stroked his dark brown, almost midnight black, hair. He wondered what Tao has prepared for him.
***
Ten minutes before two, he woke Jongdae up. He helped Kyungsoo search for his gloves which he got from Chanyeol and Baekhyun. It had some print that resembled teeth with wings. Or maybe it was some artistic animal with fangs. Baekhyun told him that when they saw the gloves, it was obvious that they needed to buy it for him. It was better not to ask the reason behind some of the motives of this duo. But the gloves were warm and looked good with his winter coat so he was fine with it. He put on his comfortable boots. Yep. He was ready for whatever Tao had prepared.
The said boy was already standing next to the front doors with a big but not huge backpack. Kyungsoo felt empty handed so he offered his help but was politely refused.
“Are you ready?” Tao asked.
“I hope so.” He answered.
“Okay, follow me.”
***
They were walking for over an hour already. At first, when Tao leaded them into the forest surrounding the pack’s house from the sides, Kyungsoo wanted to protest. It’s winter. Unless it’s for the full moon there was nothing for them there. But he stopped himself before the words left his mouth. Maybe Tao had some point? Or reason? Or whatever because till now they’ve done nothing besides walking. Not even initiate in some small talks! Kyungsoo was also already getting out of breath. He wasn’t in a great shape and, as Kai and Jongdae liked to point out in their jokes before the Third completely cut himself from Kyungsoo, he was still quite thin for a werewolf although he did manage to put a lot of weight on since his coming to Kris’ pack.
“We will be at our destination in less than twenty minutes.” Tao said as if he heard Kyungsoo’s thoughts.
After twelve minutes a big lake came to their view. For about next five minutes they walked alongside it. Tao abruptly stopped next to the huge stone. He pulled the backpack from his back.
“We’re here.” He informed.
Kyungsoo looked around. On their right, there was forest already beginning, then on the left he could perfectly see a huge, calm and dark-blue lake with ice floe floating on its surface. It was beautiful. And deathly silent. However, in order to touch the surface of the water, he would need to jump at least two meters down, which won’t ever happen if he still wants to live.
In the meantime, Tao took out a few things from his backpack. First was a big piece of cloth which looked like it was made of aluminum, a few blankets, a thermos, and some chocolate bars. When Kyungsoo looked at him, Tao patted a place not so far from himself.
“It looks like a winter picnic.” Kyungsoo surmised.
“I hope it’s not too inconvenient for you.” Tao said quietly.
“Are you serious? It’s my first picnic ever!” Exclaimed the submissive. “And it’s in winter, which makes it pretty cool and even more special.” He smiled. It made panda boy smile too, but in relief.
“Actually it’s my favorite place. It’s very calming.”
“I can see why. The view of the lake from here is marvelous. And all I can do is imagine how it looks like during the other seasons.”
“It’s also beautiful but with a slightly different beauty.” Tao patted the place next to himself again. Kyungsoo obeyed and sat there. He was covered with two blankets - one on his back and one on his lap. Tao took extra care not to touch Kyungsoo’s skin directly during covering him. “And it’s a great place to talk with no additional ears listening to the conversation.”
“So what do you want to know about me? Any questions?” Asked submissive.
“Kyungsoo, I know you. Through all the years I lived, I’ve learned well how to observe and read people. So, from very beginning, I’ve noticed few things about you already. I’ve got my answers and explanations during the evening when you showed us your…” Tao stopped and thought of the right word.
“Past?” Kyungsoo tried to help.
“Soul, more likely. It wasn’t just a soundless movie of your life. We could all feel your emotions and even a few of your private thoughts.”
“Private thoughts?” Kyungsoo felt his cheeks reddening.
“Not that private.” Tao smiled. “They were all opinions of yourself, some parts of the many conversations you had with your wolf, and even some recipes.”
“Oh. Seriously? Recipes too? God, that’s so embarrassing.”
“You shouldn’t think like that. It’s just a part of who you are. And with your non-existent control over what you projected to us it also reminds me of just how young you are.” Tao explained.
“What do you mean by how young I am? You look like a high schooler yourself!” Exclaimed Kyungsoo. “That reminds me, what do you do for a living? I know it’s connected to the gym with some really odd work hours. You have no problem with teachers?”
Tao just looked at him for a few long seconds and then bursted out laughing. Kyungsoo couldn’t do anything more than stare at him. It was his first time to see Tao laugh so loudly.
“Sorry. You’re still a werewolf toddler. A cute puppy.”
“What?” Kyungsoo really didn’t get it.
“Kid, I was born when Qing dynasty still ruled China.” Said Tao a little bit more seriously.
“WHAT?! But how?”
“I was Changed when I was eighteen. Qianlong became emperor then.” Answered Tao. “For your information, it was in year 1735.”
“But you still look eighteen…” Kyungsoo still couldn’t believe that panda boy was around three hundred years old!
“Because the Change stops your features from aging. So, for example, let’s take you. Since you were changed just recently, you’ll stay like the way you are right now for rest of your life. Of course we still age mentally but nothing visible.” Tao explained.
“Oh Gosh, I’ll be nineteen forever? Well, it’s kinda nice though when you think about it.” Said Kyungsoo. “But wait, you’re the Forth, which means everyone above your rank should only be elders. How ancient is Kris?”
Tao chuckled. “It’s not like that. You won’t become more dominant with age. Joonmyeon and Victoria are younger than me. Actually, I’m even older than Yixing. And you should ask Kris himself. It’s always fun to watch him get frustrated with his age.”
“So how do you work out things with the age difference?”
“Oh, we don’t. In a werewolf’s pack, age means nothing. Only how dominant you are matters. It also has nothing to do with mating. For example, one legend says that there is over a few centuries difference between Kris and Yixing. Or Sehun, one of the youngest in the pack, who got mated to Lu Han who is less than a hundred years younger than me. He was born during Taiping’s uprising to China.” Tao explained.
“Is anybody younger than me in our pack?”
“No. So you are our precious maknae and submissive.” Tao smiled.
“What about the girls?”
“None of them is a century old.” Kyungsoo just stared at him. “And most of them is around forty. Fifty maybe.” Answered Tao. “And before you ask - Sehun is thirty something.”
“Oh God. This really makes me the toddler.” Cried Kyungsoo. “That’s why some of you call me ‘pup’ quite often. Especially Kris.” After a few seconds of thinking, he asked, “Wait, you mentioned something about the legend?”
“Yep. There is a quite popular one about an old werewolf and his mate - a doctor.”
“I know this one! Boa told me it!”
“It became well-known because of her. She loved the story so much that she slightly changed it to be more fairytale like.” Tao explained. “It’s actually based on Kris and Yixing’s story.”
“WHAT?!” Kyungsoo exclaimed.
“Yixing told me once that he was Changed by Kris during the first Opium War in China. He’s a doctor and we all know that Kris is quite old. So it was like two plus two, right?”
“That does seem logical.” Kyungsoo nodded. “Ah! You still didn’t tell me what you do for a living. And I want to apologize to you for every time I thought about you as a kid. I had no bad intentions.”
Tao laughed again. He reached to Kyungsoo’s head and patted it. “That’s okay. Actually it’s quite nice. You can think of me however you want.”, he said. “I work as a personal trainer in a gym for rich people. Most of them are quite busy so that’s the reason of my odd working hours.” He suddenly became serious again. “So, Kyungsoo, do you want to hear my story?”
- - - - -
A/N: Chapter 14th will be little bit late (still today or tomorrow), sorry :/
Once again life proved to him that nothing comes easy. He was able to only touch Tao after three days. He was only able to hold hands for a few minutes after three more days. So, at the seventh day, he felt like he was still at the same starting point. It wasn’t because of Tao. Okay, maybe the boy did look a bit unapproachable because of his height and the dark aura around him, but Kyungsoo knew it was just a façade. For God’s sake, there is no way in hell that this panda loving boy (Jongdae told him about the boy’s obsession to anything panda related and some time ago Kyungsoo also saw a little bit of the collection the said boy possesses - a panda phone strap, a small panda plushie next to his car keys, socks with a printed small panda face and bamboo, and so on) would have even a small bone of evilness inside him. But even with this knowledge it didn’t help Kyungsoo, not at all. Neither did Tao’s work schedule help in the process. He found out that the boy’s job was somehow connected with the gym but he had no idea how. Is Tao a trainer? It seemed plausible (such a well-built yet still slim body, even for a werewolf, was beyond normal) but also unbelievable (who would employ a high schooler for a job with such odd work hours? One day it would be from six o’clock in the morning up till two o’clock at noon, then the next day it would be from ten o’clock in the morning up till six o’clock in the evening straight). But somehow Kyungsoo didn’t have enough courage to ask about it. So, in the end, they only have a few hours to spare each day with Kyungsoo trying to touch Tao who would patiently sit in the salon’s armchair with an outstretched hand.
He was holding the boy’s hand for ten minutes and he already felt his limit coming. His lungs started to squeeze in panic.
“Tao, I’m sorry. I still don’t know how to overcome it. Nothing is working. Kris prohibited me from even thinking about any shock therapy. So right now I’m running out of ideas.” He confessed while pulling away.
“That’s okay. No one told us that it would be easy or quick with me anyway - the Fourth in the pack and without a mate.” Reasoned the boy with a shy, sad smile. He once again felt this tingling emotion through the pack’s bond. Pain.
“But that’s so unfair!” Kyungsoo almost stomped his leg.
“Life is generally unfair.” Said Tao. His smile broadening by a little bit. “But I may have a small idea how to help us.”
“I’m all ears.”
“I will need your trust. We will need it.” Explained the boy.
“Okay? So what’s the idea?”
“That’s part of the trust thing.” Tao said mysteriously. “The preparation will probably take around two hours, so let’s meet at the front doors at three o’clock, okay?”
“Sure. What should I bring?” Inquired Kyungsoo.
“A warm jacket and a pair of gloves. Oh, and wear comfortable shoes.” Tao answered as he got up from the chair and went upstairs.
Kyungsoo was confused but why not. If this something may help him finally get along with Tao, he will do this. Even jumping through fire if he must although he would prefer that things won’t come to that point.
Suddenly Kai came to the house and walked into the salon. He nodded at Kyungsoo, passed by him without a word and went straight to the kitchen. The submissive heard the fridge open then close, and heard Kai’s receding footsteps. This way of treatment from Kai started after the revelation of Kyungsoo’s past and Jongin’s sudden outburst of anger. Ever since that day, the dancer never spoke a word to him. Not that there was a lot of chit-chats between them from the start. However, Kai used tease the submissive about his cooking skills and still being too thin, talked about his dance school and fooled around with Jongdae, but nowadays it all stopped. It was like Kai separated himself from the rest of the pack even if he was still living in the Alpha’s house with all of them.
Kyungsoo knew the reason. Kai told them about it that evening. He was avoiding the submissive for his own good and also to stop getting hurt. Not being able to touch and comfort a pack’s member took a toll on Kai. Especially if the vulnerable packmate was the submissive. Now, when Kyungsoo is currently working on his trauma with Tao, this made Kai the only person who wasn’t able to touch him. And Kai was reminded about it all the time, because the other pack members already made it a habit to randomly pat, rub, hug or kiss (the girls, Lu Han and Yixing) Kyungsoo.
The submissive wanted to get over this shit called trauma already. Since Tao left him alone for two hours preparing whatever the mysterious idea is, Kyungsoo decided to just stay in his room. He laid on his bed and stared at the ceiling above. If Tao will take at least a week, how long it will be for Kai? Another week? Probably not. The Third was more dominant than panda lover boy. So two weeks? Well, he hoped it won’t be a freaking month! Which reminded him that the next full moon will be soon. Maybe that’s why he’s faced with so much troubles with Tao now, and maybe that’s why Kai is moody? Since it makes it harder for them to overcome the pain of rejection?
He got so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t notice someone was knocking at his. He heard it after the second time.
“Come in, come in.” Jongdae walked in.
“Sorry, cutie, but can I cuddle for a while?”
“Sure.” Answered Kyungsoo. He looked at the clock. “I still have an hour, so be my guest.”
“Thanks.” Jongdae laid next to him. He hugged the submissive against his body and pressed his nose to the side of the smaller man’s nose. He inhaled. “You’re the best.” He whispered.
Kyungsoo giggled. “Your own talking teddy bear.”
“My own?” Jongdae teased.
“Yeah, yours and several other big, nasty werewolves. Especially the girls. Amber recently talks only about this cute guy from her music major. She calls him Violin Boy because she apparently still didn’t find out his name. Even Victoria. When some kid in her kindergarten gets hurt, she always acts very mother like. Even with me! And I’m over twenty!”
“Let her mother you. She’s like that to all of us. Even Kris lets her. That’s just her way of showing love to us.” Jongdae reasoned out. “But I can see our cute submissive is quite busy these days.”
“Yep. Being the pack’s teddy bear unexpectedly takes a lot of time. In addition to that, I have my new therapy subject - Tao. Oh, and well I asked Minseok if he heard of any patisserie course. He promised to look around for me.”
“Patisserie course? So you no longer want to make cakes for the pack?”
“No. I want to make them better. For the pack too.” Replied Kyungsoo. “But, okay, enough about me. Why you need my awesome submissive powers?” He joked.
“Do I need a reason to hug our precious cutie?” He was rewarded with Kyungsoo’s pointed look. “Okay, okay. I just had a hard day at work. Stupid freshly made blonde girls who think they are already stars just because they started recording their first album. So annoying. I almost choked them. The full moon is too close for me to do these kind of tasks.” Jongdae sighed and hugged Kyungsoo a little bit harder.
He actually fell asleep. Kyungsoo absentmindedly stroked his dark brown, almost midnight black, hair. He wondered what Tao has prepared for him.
***
Ten minutes before two, he woke Jongdae up. He helped Kyungsoo search for his gloves which he got from Chanyeol and Baekhyun. It had some print that resembled teeth with wings. Or maybe it was some artistic animal with fangs. Baekhyun told him that when they saw the gloves, it was obvious that they needed to buy it for him. It was better not to ask the reason behind some of the motives of this duo. But the gloves were warm and looked good with his winter coat so he was fine with it. He put on his comfortable boots. Yep. He was ready for whatever Tao had prepared.
The said boy was already standing next to the front doors with a big but not huge backpack. Kyungsoo felt empty handed so he offered his help but was politely refused.
“Are you ready?” Tao asked.
“I hope so.” He answered.
“Okay, follow me.”
***
They were walking for over an hour already. At first, when Tao leaded them into the forest surrounding the pack’s house from the sides, Kyungsoo wanted to protest. It’s winter. Unless it’s for the full moon there was nothing for them there. But he stopped himself before the words left his mouth. Maybe Tao had some point? Or reason? Or whatever because till now they’ve done nothing besides walking. Not even initiate in some small talks! Kyungsoo was also already getting out of breath. He wasn’t in a great shape and, as Kai and Jongdae liked to point out in their jokes before the Third completely cut himself from Kyungsoo, he was still quite thin for a werewolf although he did manage to put a lot of weight on since his coming to Kris’ pack.
“We will be at our destination in less than twenty minutes.” Tao said as if he heard Kyungsoo’s thoughts.
After twelve minutes a big lake came to their view. For about next five minutes they walked alongside it. Tao abruptly stopped next to the huge stone. He pulled the backpack from his back.
“We’re here.” He informed.
Kyungsoo looked around. On their right, there was forest already beginning, then on the left he could perfectly see a huge, calm and dark-blue lake with ice floe floating on its surface. It was beautiful. And deathly silent. However, in order to touch the surface of the water, he would need to jump at least two meters down, which won’t ever happen if he still wants to live.
In the meantime, Tao took out a few things from his backpack. First was a big piece of cloth which looked like it was made of aluminum, a few blankets, a thermos, and some chocolate bars. When Kyungsoo looked at him, Tao patted a place not so far from himself.
“It looks like a winter picnic.” Kyungsoo surmised.
“I hope it’s not too inconvenient for you.” Tao said quietly.
“Are you serious? It’s my first picnic ever!” Exclaimed the submissive. “And it’s in winter, which makes it pretty cool and even more special.” He smiled. It made panda boy smile too, but in relief.
“Actually it’s my favorite place. It’s very calming.”
“I can see why. The view of the lake from here is marvelous. And all I can do is imagine how it looks like during the other seasons.”
“It’s also beautiful but with a slightly different beauty.” Tao patted the place next to himself again. Kyungsoo obeyed and sat there. He was covered with two blankets - one on his back and one on his lap. Tao took extra care not to touch Kyungsoo’s skin directly during covering him. “And it’s a great place to talk with no additional ears listening to the conversation.”
“So what do you want to know about me? Any questions?” Asked submissive.
“Kyungsoo, I know you. Through all the years I lived, I’ve learned well how to observe and read people. So, from very beginning, I’ve noticed few things about you already. I’ve got my answers and explanations during the evening when you showed us your…” Tao stopped and thought of the right word.
“Past?” Kyungsoo tried to help.
“Soul, more likely. It wasn’t just a soundless movie of your life. We could all feel your emotions and even a few of your private thoughts.”
“Private thoughts?” Kyungsoo felt his cheeks reddening.
“Not that private.” Tao smiled. “They were all opinions of yourself, some parts of the many conversations you had with your wolf, and even some recipes.”
“Oh. Seriously? Recipes too? God, that’s so embarrassing.”
“You shouldn’t think like that. It’s just a part of who you are. And with your non-existent control over what you projected to us it also reminds me of just how young you are.” Tao explained.
“What do you mean by how young I am? You look like a high schooler yourself!” Exclaimed Kyungsoo. “That reminds me, what do you do for a living? I know it’s connected to the gym with some really odd work hours. You have no problem with teachers?”
Tao just looked at him for a few long seconds and then bursted out laughing. Kyungsoo couldn’t do anything more than stare at him. It was his first time to see Tao laugh so loudly.
“Sorry. You’re still a werewolf toddler. A cute puppy.”
“What?” Kyungsoo really didn’t get it.
“Kid, I was born when Qing dynasty still ruled China.” Said Tao a little bit more seriously.
“WHAT?! But how?”
“I was Changed when I was eighteen. Qianlong became emperor then.” Answered Tao. “For your information, it was in year 1735.”
“But you still look eighteen…” Kyungsoo still couldn’t believe that panda boy was around three hundred years old!
“Because the Change stops your features from aging. So, for example, let’s take you. Since you were changed just recently, you’ll stay like the way you are right now for rest of your life. Of course we still age mentally but nothing visible.” Tao explained.
“Oh Gosh, I’ll be nineteen forever? Well, it’s kinda nice though when you think about it.” Said Kyungsoo. “But wait, you’re the Forth, which means everyone above your rank should only be elders. How ancient is Kris?”
Tao chuckled. “It’s not like that. You won’t become more dominant with age. Joonmyeon and Victoria are younger than me. Actually, I’m even older than Yixing. And you should ask Kris himself. It’s always fun to watch him get frustrated with his age.”
“So how do you work out things with the age difference?”
“Oh, we don’t. In a werewolf’s pack, age means nothing. Only how dominant you are matters. It also has nothing to do with mating. For example, one legend says that there is over a few centuries difference between Kris and Yixing. Or Sehun, one of the youngest in the pack, who got mated to Lu Han who is less than a hundred years younger than me. He was born during Taiping’s uprising to China.” Tao explained.
“Is anybody younger than me in our pack?”
“No. So you are our precious maknae and submissive.” Tao smiled.
“What about the girls?”
“None of them is a century old.” Kyungsoo just stared at him. “And most of them is around forty. Fifty maybe.” Answered Tao. “And before you ask - Sehun is thirty something.”
“Oh God. This really makes me the toddler.” Cried Kyungsoo. “That’s why some of you call me ‘pup’ quite often. Especially Kris.” After a few seconds of thinking, he asked, “Wait, you mentioned something about the legend?”
“Yep. There is a quite popular one about an old werewolf and his mate - a doctor.”
“I know this one! Boa told me it!”
“It became well-known because of her. She loved the story so much that she slightly changed it to be more fairytale like.” Tao explained. “It’s actually based on Kris and Yixing’s story.”
“WHAT?!” Kyungsoo exclaimed.
“Yixing told me once that he was Changed by Kris during the first Opium War in China. He’s a doctor and we all know that Kris is quite old. So it was like two plus two, right?”
“That does seem logical.” Kyungsoo nodded. “Ah! You still didn’t tell me what you do for a living. And I want to apologize to you for every time I thought about you as a kid. I had no bad intentions.”
Tao laughed again. He reached to Kyungsoo’s head and patted it. “That’s okay. Actually it’s quite nice. You can think of me however you want.”, he said. “I work as a personal trainer in a gym for rich people. Most of them are quite busy so that’s the reason of my odd working hours.” He suddenly became serious again. “So, Kyungsoo, do you want to hear my story?”
- - - - -
A/N: Chapter 14th will be little bit late (still today or tomorrow), sorry :/