So, We're Kind of a Little Clichéd too. - Kris x Tao - 06/?
Title: So, We're Kind of a Little Clichéd too.
Chapters: 06/?
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: fluff, romance
Warning: unbeta'd
Rating: PG-13
Pairings/Characters: Kris x Tao
Synopsis: They've met. They went out (it's not a date!). They fall in love but it's not as easy as Tao thought. Kris is oblivious about everything, or is he really?
Disclaimer: This is the sidestory of Kris and Tao for the completed chaptered HunHan fic, " Of Movie Clichés". Aside from that story i own nobody and anything else.
[01] [02] [03] [04] [05]
It's been a few days now since Tao and Kris has moved in together, they've maintained the routine and soon, the boxes are getting emptier and emptier.
"I'm so tired." Kris sighs as he slumps on the couch. He's just gone back home after studying alone in a coffee shop along their street. He checks the living room and there's only one box left and he's sure they can finish that tomorrow. Thank goodness it's also the last day of the exam week the next day.
The blond gathers his bag and walks to the bedroom, a post-it is stuck to his eye-level on the door. 'I'm taking a nap. Please wake me up when you come home. I have a major exam I need to stay up for. I'm just resting.' Kris reads then unsticks it from the door. He carefully walks inside and finds Tao's face buried in his pillow and his arm dangling off the bed. Kris smiles to himself because he has recently found out something about his boyfriend - and no matter how exhausted the blond is from self-studying, nothing can energize him more than trying to wake-up an equally tired or perhaps more, Huang Zitao.
The blond places his bag on the desk and sits on the empty space near Tao's waist and gently ruffles his boyfriend's hair, "Babe, wake up. I'm home."
"Hnnngghh..." Tao moans and lazily pushes himself up without opening his eyes. He moves his body unconsciously and splays himself over Kris' lap. The blond smiles at the childlike behavior and runs the back of his hand on Tao's cheek, "Babe, wake up."
Tao groans again and Kris leans down to kiss his boyfriend chastely. The younger pushes Kris' face away from him and turns his face so he's facing the blond's stomach then covers his face with his hand, "5 more minutes..."
"Last exam tomorrow, babe." Kris prods on, Tao kicks his feet and throws a slight tantrum, the older chuckles because it's something Tao unconsciously does and forgets when he's fully awake. "Come on outside. Bought us dinner, then you can start studying." Kris tells Tao again, but the younger just grunts in response. The blond smirks to himself then pulls Tao's body off him by the waist. Tao sits up like a deadweight, his head leaned down, Kris stretches a little before opening up his arms to Tao, "Come on, baby." He coos, Tao yawns and lazily wraps himself around his boyfriend, his head tucked to the crook of the blond's neck. His feet step on Kris' and the blond walks the both of them out of the bedroom. He plops Tao down on the couch and pats the younger's cheek softly until the younger's eyes open to finally fully wake up.
"Hi." Kris greets him, and Tao leans in to kiss him. "What's for dinner?" The younger asks and Kris takes the younger's hand to lead him to the kitchen. Tao helps set up the food and they eat together, "I can finally cook for you tomorrow..." Tao tells Kris and the blond smiles, "Are you an awesome cook?" He teases and Tao smirks. "You'll soon find out."
"We can finally spend some time after tomorrow!" Kris gushes and Tao bites his lower lip, "Something wrong, Tao-er?"
"... Mama and Papa just sent me my online ticket. I'm leaving on Monday."
"Right. China..."
"I got it after I checked my email here at home... I'm..." Tao looks down from his food, "I'm sorry."
"I'm not mad, why are you apologizing?"
"Because..."
"We have the weekend."
Tao nods and finally beams, "Ge, what do you want to eat tomorrow for dinner?"
"Chinese." Kris smirks then mouths, 'you'.
Tao's brows knit together and he squirms, "Ge!!!" Kris laughs, "I'm kidding. But really, home-cooked Chinese food."
"Okay!" Tao claps his hands together and eats his dinner. "Let's shop for groceries tomorrow, alright?"
"Of course."
-----
Kris waits for Tao outside the younger's building the next day. He's finished his exams rather early and from what Tao told him last night, the younger's exams finish shortly after his. It's almost 5 in the afternoon and Joonmyun sent a group message for all of them to have dinner together.
"Ge..." Tao weakly calls out, Kris walks up to his boyfriend and takes the younger's bag, "I'm so sleepy." The blond lets Tao lean on his shoulder as they walk their way out of the campus, "Joonmyun-hyung wants us to have dinner together... And I'm so tired. Can I cook for you tomorrow instead?" The younger murmurs and Kris pulls Tao closer to him, "Of course. You deserve to rest."
They arrive at the restaurant without anybody there yet. The couple takes the booth in one corner that can accomodate at least ten people. Tao leans his head on Kris' shoulder and falls asleep. Kris orders dinner for the both of them and while the blond waits for their food in silence, Kai and Kyungsoo arrives.
"Hyung! You're already here!" Kai greets them rather loudly and Kris shushes them. Kyungsoo nods and slides on the seat across the Chinese couple, Kai sits next to his boyfriend.
"I already ordered something for the both of us, you two should order your dinner too." Kris tells the other two and Kyungsoo orders for him and Kai. Kris is about to wake Tao when Chanyeol's cheery voice booms inside the restaurant, "Finally!!! It's over!"
"What's wrong with him?" Baekhyun asks after he finds Tao's face buried in the crook of Kris' neck.
"He's asleep." Kris smiles, "He hasn't been sleeping properly."
"And how would you know?" Kyungsoo asks while sipping on his milk tea that he bought from the convenience store. .
"Oh. Right. We moved in together last week." Kris finally admits to the group, since they decided to tell when they're settled and technically, they are.
"WHAT?!" Their friends ask in unison, waking up Tao in the process, "Huh? What happened...?" The younger mumbles as he rubs the sleep off his eyes.
"Hey, Tao-er..." Kris greets his boyfriend and fixes the younger's hair. "I just told them we moved in together."
Tao sighs, facepalms, then looks at the wide-eyed people staring back at them, "Come on, guys. It's not a huge deal. I needed a new roommate and so does he. Kris-ge is even staying for his training and Zhou Mi-ge isn't so the rent will be costly. Really, it's not a big deal."
Tao smiles at them hoping that the issue is over but Kai smirks, "You know that it kinda is. I mean, if it's me and Kyungsoo, or these weirdos," Kai gets hit on both shoulders by Chanyeol and Baekhyun, the tanned boy laughs it off, "it wouldn't matter. But, if it's you and Kris-hyung it does!"
"It does?" Kris asks, an eyebrow raised.
Kyungsoo nods, "Does he know?"
"Who knows?" Kris asks again, curiosity killing him because maybe, this time Tao will open up.
"He does. Just, I don't know what to do anymore." Tao responds, he shakes his head then picks on the plate of dinner Kris bought.
"Aren't you gonna tell me anything about this?" Kris asks between mock annoyance and worry, Tao caresses the older's cheek, "At home. Okay? I promise, I'll talk to you about this tonight."
"You mean to tell us you've been dating a month..." Baekhyun starts, "Three weeks. Officially." Tao corrects him and Baekhyun just rolls his eyes, "Alright, 3 weeks, and you haven't told him?"
"I'm here, guys." Kris tells the group, Tao holds his boyfriend's hand from under the table. "I didn't think it's necessary. But, okay. Wow, thanks guys, now after I talk to him about this, we're both gonna be awkward with him."
"Awkward with whom?" Luhan asks as he and Sehun take their seats, Tao shakes his head, "Uh, n-nevermind me, ge."
"We'll be back, okay?" Sehun tells the group as he and Luhan put their bags on their seats then walks to the counter to order their food.
Kris looks at Tao in confusion, he squints his eyes and subtly points at Luhan, "With him?" The older whispers and Tao just smiles timidly. "Why?" Kris asks insistently on hushed tones, Tao glares at his boyfriend. "Right, at home. Yes."
About an hour later, everybody's gathered on their table, some students still wonder how everyone got together as part of this rather peculiar group (for one, they aren't in the same year levels, and most importantly, they have Kris who's just a whole different level of popular compared to the rest of the bunch).
"Hey, Tao?" Yixing calls out, the called boy looks up from his phone, "Yeah?"
"When's your flight back to China? I'm going back too, so I think I'd love to join you."
Tao smiles genuinely, "Awesome! At least my flight won't be boring! I'm leaving in 3 days."
"Perfect!" Yixing and Luhan exclaims at the same time. The group looks at the doe-eyed boy, "...right? Perfect. You're not gonna be alone and Kris won't have to worry about you, right?" Luhan tries to save himself, he grabs onto Sehun's arm and keeps his silence. Tao sinks in his chair and Kris rubs his arm to comfort him.
Kris raises an eyebrow, then turns to Yixing, "I will hunt you down if something happens to Tao-er."
"Calm down, bro. I got him." Yixing smiles and gives Kris a thumb's up, as if it's reassuring enough. Tao holds the blond's hand from under the table and keeps talking with Yixing.
"My flight's on Monday at 2 PM. You should check if there's an available seat so we can go together, ge!" Tao excitedly exclaims, Yixing takes out his phone and browses for flight schedules. After a few minutes he grins, "They have a lot of open seats. What's your seat number? Maybe we can sit together, or maybe we can move your seat to another!"
Tao smiles and browses his phone for information. Kris eats silently next to his boyfriend, Minseok and Jongdae look at the brooding blond.
"Hey, Kris." Minseok calls out to get his attention, the jock looks up, "You okay?"
Kris shakes his head, "This is just new to me." He confesses.
"What's new?" Jongdae asks, the rest of the guys turn all their attention to the conversation, except for Tao and Yixing who are still busy with their plans.
Kris chuckles, "I never had a relationship this quite serious before."
"What do you mean?" Luhan asks, nevermind that this is about Tao, since he's still curious.
"I just..." Kris laughs, Tao rolls his eyes from next to him and moves further a little, he and Yixing are already talking about meeting up even in China.
"I never even thought about living together with my ex. And we were together for 2 years. If you know what I mean..." Kris looks at Tao, "I want him with me all the time, in all my waking days." The younger doesn't meet Kris' gaze but he responds by squeezing the blond's hand tighter under the table as he continues his conversation with Yixing.
"You are brutally cheesy, bro. Ew?" Kai exclaims, Kyungsoo hits him in the arm, "Waaaay to ruin it."
Kris laughs again, "I really, really just want this to last. I want this to be my last."
"We'll help you with that." Sehun tells Kris, Luhan reacts at the statement and it doesn't escape Kris. The younger just shrugs and turns back to the blond and ignores his bestfriend.
"Way to go, Sehun!" Chanyeol who's sitting next to the maknae claps his hand on Sehun's shoulder, "Make sure we win, okay!?"
"Shut it, Chanyeol."
"Chanyeol-hyuuuung!!!" The lanky boy whines, Sehun just rolls his eyes, "You aren't hyung enough for me."
Joonmyun checks his watch, "It's getting late, guys. Let's go home. The beach vacation is still a go, okay? We'll make plans when everybody's back from everywhere."
Most of the group disperses save from Tao, Yixing and Kris. The other two are still talking about their trip to China. It's about half an hour later when they decide to finally call it a night.
"See you on Sunday, ge!" Tao waves Yixing goodbye in front of the restaurant before Kris and him make their way back home.
-----
They arrive in their apartment and Tao stays silent. Kris watches him and the blond sighs, "Tao." The said boy turns his head and meets his gaze with a smile, "Help me with the last box?"
Kris shrugs and pulls the box across the floor. "What is this anyway?"
"It's some of my personal stuff." Tao plops down and opens it, he takes out his organizer, takes out the movie ticket and pins it on the corkboard. Kris smiles when he sees a heart on the edge of the ticket, he doesn't say anything but takes out his own ticket, Tao sees the words written at the back of it, "IT WASN'T A DATE!" He yells then laughs after, "But it really was, wasn't it?"
"It was. I always thought it was." Kris agrees and kisses Tao. The older sticks a small post underneath the tickets and writes, 'Our first ever movie date'. The younger grabs the pen from Kris then adds, '- IT'S NOT A DATE! - Tao'
The younger busies himself with his personal stuff, Kris sticks a larger post-it on top of the frame with the words, 'We can forget the actual dates, but never these.' Tao looks up and smiles at him. Kris rummages through his wallet again and pins a receipt from the milk tea shop they drove about an hour for. He writes on another post-it, 'Tao refused to not share the bill on our 2nd date' The younger stands and adds, 'IT'S NOT A DATE! pt. 2 - Tao'. Kris finds this cute and kisses his boyfriend's cheek. "Hey, babe?"
"Hmn?"
"Do you still have the glove from when I picked you up at the airport?"
Tao nods and takes it out of the box. Kris takes it and pins it on the corkboard. Tao furrows his brows as he waits for Kris to finish writing a caption on a post-it. He smiles after reading what his boyfriend has written under it, 'Thank god the wind stole the other one, I finally got to hold Tao's hand.'
"Your hand was so warm that night." Tao reminds Kris, then he hugs the older, "I never felt better."
The blond hugs him tighter before Tao releases himself and starts pinning polaroid pictures on the corkboard. Kris goes in and out of the room and pins a polaroid Tao hasn't seen yet, "When did you take that picture?!" Kris just smirks and then writes, 'First night in our own apartment! Time to sleep!' Tao playfully hits his boyfriend's chest, "I was a zombie that night."
"You were! But we need to have a picture of that night!" Kris laughs and Tao joins him. After that, they step back a little to look at the corkboard, "We've been together a few weeks and we already have a lot to put here." Tao exclaims and Kris just kisses the younger's cheek before taking the box and carries it inside their bedroom.
"Ge! I'm gonna shower first!"
About an hour later, the both of them had showered and Tao is already packing his clothes for China when Kris speaks again, "Are we gonna talk about this or not? You can't hide this from me forever."
"I'm really not sure if you need to know." Tao sighs then turns to Kris, "it's complicated and a bit stupid at the same time."
Kris pulls his boyfriend close, "Tell me and I'll be the judge."
Tao pouts, "I don't want..." Kris cuts him off with a kiss, Tao giggles, "What are you doing?"
"You're just so cute right now. Fine. Let's talk about it when you return from China. No pressure, Tao-er."
"Whatever." Tao pulls Kris closer for another kiss, "I'll miss you, ge."
"Me too." Kris pinches both of Tao's cheeks, "You tell ALL you need to tell me when you get back, okay?"
"I promise." Tao smiles, "You have to promise me one thing because this, I have to tell you now."
"What is it?" Kris asks as he removes his hands from Tao's cheeks and let it rest on his boyfriend's waist.
"It was.. It's scary and risky being with you, and yet I'm here. Please, don't break my heart when I'm gone. It's only two weeks, so please?"
Kris beams and gives Tao a kiss, "I will never."
The younger smiles and removes himself from Kris to finish packing, Kris lies on the bed and sighs, "Luhan likes me, right?"
Tao gets shocked and shrieks when his thumb's caught into the zipper and makes him bleed. Kris jumps off the bed and immediately brings his boyfriend to the bathroom, "Are you okay?!" The blond panics as he lets Tao wash the cut under the water. Kris takes out the first aid kid from the cabinet and lets Tao sit on the toilet after the bleeding subsided.
"It's just a small cut, ge." Tao tells him but Kris will have none of it. He starts dissinfecting the wound and then bandages it. Once he's done treating the younger, they make their way back to bedroom. "I'm sorry, babe. Okay, I promise, until you get back from China."
Tao nods and kisses Kris' nose, "Let's go to sleep."
-----
Tao's eyes blinks open the next day when he hears what seems to be a pan crashing on the floor outside. He doesn't budge, he turns to his side to look for Kris but the blond isn't there. He smiles to himself but immediately jumps out of bed when he smells something coming from outside the bedroom.
"SOMETHING'S BURNING!!!!"
"Uhhh, breakfast?" Kris stutters then turns off the stove. Tao shakes his head and looks at the mess that is now their kitchen, "You already did this to our kitchen, I haven't even used it yet. The poor stove might think I cook like you."
"Sorry."
Tao smiles then goes inside the bedroom. He returns with the polaroid camera and he grins at his boyfriend, "Put those burned pancakes on the plate and I'll take a picture of this magnificent morning."
Kris pouts sadly and lets his boyfriend take his picture. Tao puts down the film and camera on the counter as Kris places the plate in the sink. The younger puts his arm around Kris' neck and smiles, "I love it that you tried, but, what for?"
"For last night."
Tao chuckes and just hugs him closer, "I said it's okay, didn't I? Let's just eat cereals for breakfast now."
Kris nods and Tao releases him. The younger takes the polaroid and sticks it to the corkboard. He uses the small space from of the white frame and writes, 'Remind self not to ever let Kris in the kitchen anymore'. The blond steps in and takes the pen from Tao, he writes, 'Sorry, baby!' inside a text bubble next to his head.
-----
Tao wakes up again around 3 in the afternoon sore and sticky. He sits up feeling quite exhausted and hungry since Kris decided they skip lunch and just 'play'. The younger watches his boyfriend sleeping naked next to him and smiles to himself after seeing the marks he's left on Kris' neck and chest plus the nail scratches on his arms and back.
"You're mine, too." Tao kisses Kris' bare shoulder before heading into the shower. He doesn't feel as sore as the first time they did it so he doesn't wake up his boyfriend to help him walk. When he returns to the bedroom about half an hour later, Kris is already awake with a towel wrapped around his waist, "Hey." Tao greets him with a kiss, Kris stands after the brief contact, "You okay? You're not sore?"
Tao scrunches his nose, "Tiny bit. But I can manage."
"Let's head out after I'm done, okay?"
They head out of the apartment an hour later. Kris drives to the mall so they can shop for groceries but before that, they eat their lunch first then Kris helps Tao buy gifts for his parents. While Tao is busy browsing for a necklace for his mother Kris finds silver bands in the glass counter. He takes a look at Tao who's still fussing over necklaces and Kris asks the lady if he can see the rings. One of the rings fit him perfectly while the other doesn't move past his finger's joint so he asks for another one size bigger. He tells the girl that he'll take them and pays the rings in cash but asks her to hand it to her later when Tao isn't looking.
The girl smiles and then Kris walks next to his boyfriend, thank goodness for Tao's attention span when shopping. "Found anything for her yet?"
Tao purses his lips and points 3 designs to Kris, "I am torn among these three."
"Do you have a picture of your mother?"
Tao nods and then browses his phone, "This was taken before I moved here." He tells the blond before handing his phone to him. Kris examines the picture then looks at the necklace, he points to the one with a medium-length silver band with pendant of what looks like leaves curled around a white pearl. "I think that one suits her."
Tao smiles at the girl in front of him and tells her he'll take it. "Oh, Kris, what were you looking out there earlier?"
"New earrings?" He lies and thankfully, the earrings and rings are displayed next to each other. Tao nods then turns his attention back to the girl so he can pay for the necklace. The other girl Kris was talking to earlier subtly walks next to the blond and hands him the small package and receipt before walking off to greet the other customers coming inside the store.
Once Tao is finished shopping for his mama (he already bought a bag for his papa) they head to the supermarket to buy groceries for their dinner and for Kris when he stays alone in the apartment. Tao buys him food that he can keep in the fridge and then microwave when he's hungry and Kris jokes that he can just eat out with their friends too.
"But they won't always be able to join you. And I don't want you to eat alone outside, they might think you're single." Tao tells the older and Kris just chuckles to himself. "So possessive, my Huang Zitao."
Tao grins and hits Kris with a loaf of bread, "Come on, I'm gonna cook you your Chinese food."
"I've already had Chinese for lunch." Kris jokes and Tao hits him with the loaf again, "I won't mind having it again later."
"Kris!!!"
"Gah, you're so cute." Kris hugs Tao tight before releasing him, "Let's go get what you need."
They finish shopping after an hour or so and Tao starts preparing their food the moment they arrive home. Kris wants to help but Tao made it clear that the blond isn't allowed near the kitchen. The blond decides to just watch TV and makes sure that the rings are securely placed in his pockets.
"Smells good already." He comments as he turns his attention away from the TV and to Tao who looks adorable wearing his apron with a saddle in one hand. Kris checks the watch on the wall and it seems that the younger has been cooking for over an hour now. "Come here, ge." The blond walks next to his boyfriend who offers him a taste of the stew he's making, "How is it?"
Kris smiles, "It's perfect." Tao bites his lower lip and tells the blond to set up the table and he'll be serving the food soon. Tao lays out the stew, a few spring rolls, and number of steamed dumplings on the table and the blond just stares at the food on the table, "Woooow. Isn't this too much for just the two of us?"
Tao chuckles, "I'm sorry. I got so excited cooking for you. We can eat the leftovers with Lay-ge tomorrow too. There are still uncooked dumplings and spring rolls in the fridge."
"Yeah. Alright, let's eat?"
Tao nods and sits across Kris. He waits for his boyfriend to have a taste of everything first and his smiles get wider when the blond looks in awe everytime he takes a bite. "Do you like it?"
"I love it." Kris smiles and feeds Tao a dumpling, "How did you learn how to cook like this?"
"I'm an only son, and my mama would always let me help her cook."
"Only son..."
Tao nods but he looks at Kris questioningly, "Is there something wrong about it...?"
"... You're going home in two days, I... I don't want to bring down the mood but... Are you gonna tell them about us?"
Tao purses his lips and just nods as he continues to eat. His mood doesn't change and it puzzles Kris a little. "Tao, aren't they gonna be mad? I mean..." Tao looks up from his food, the blond clears his throat before he continues, "Mom and Dad divorced when I was younger and my mom took care of me alone. When I told her I was seeing another boy when I was 18 she cried and ignored me for days. It took 2 weeks before she started talking to me again and accepted me."
Tao smiles at him genuinely, "It will be fine, don't worry."
"Tao, I don't wanna pressure you. You can..."
"Babe, they already know I'm gay when I was 8 years old."
"What?"
Tao laughs and continues eating, "My parents... I know that they probably had a hard time accepting the fact that their only son is gay but, I already had signs of it when I was young. I cried inside a toy store when mama didn't want to buy a huge Hello Kitty stuffed toy for me."
"Oh..."
"And... Mama taught me how to cook and told me to serve my partner well in the future so that he doesn't leave me for a girl. Papa entered me to wushu classes just in case a jerk breaks my heart."
Kris almost cries out of envy because he's glad his boyfriend had it easy. "But, do they have an idea about us already?"
Tao nods, "I already told them I have a boyfriend. I just haven't told them we've moved together already. I'll tell them more about you when I'm back home."
Kris smiles, "I already told Mom about you, too." The younger looks up to meet Kris' gaze, "What did she say?"
"She wants to meet you someday. She said you sound amazing."
Tao turns red and chuckles, "Okay. I'll make sure to make my parents want to meet you soon, too."
Kris smiles, "Tao, I have something for you." The younger tilts his head and raises a brow, "For me?"
"For us, actually." The blond takes out the box from his pocket and slides it over the table. Tao gasps after opening the box and finds two simple silver bands inside. Kris moves his chair so that he's sitting next to Tao and he takes out the one smaller, "It's a promise ring, okay? I don't know if you've realized it yet, but it's our first month together on Monday."
"Oh my god... It is! I can't believe I forgot about it! And I'm leaving! I'll cancel my flight! I'll -" Kris cuts Tao off with a kiss, "You don't have to cancel, we'll celebrate it now."
The blond slides the ring in Tao's finger and thankfully, it fits perfectly. The younger mirrors him and slips the ring in his finger as well, Kris is then trapped in a bone crushing hug with Tao crying on his shoulder. "How dare you surprise me like this?"
"So that nobody dares think I'm single even if you're far away."
Tao leans up and kisses Kris fully on the mouth. The younger jumps on the blond's lap and Kris stands to carry his boyfriend to the bedroom without cutting the kiss, Tao locks his ankles around Kris' waist to prevent himself from falling as they make their way there. Tao cuts off the kiss and whispers seductively into his boyfriend's ear, "You still have room for dessert, right?'
"Of course..." Kris smirks then captures Tao's lips in another heated kiss.
-----
Kris wakes up late in the morning the next day because of an insistent pounding on their front door. He checks his cellphone and it's around 11 in the morning. He puts on his boxers and lazily gets off the bed. The blond watches his boyfriend still in deep sleep, kisses his shoulder then walks out of the room - not caring that he's still practically naked.
The blond opens the door to find Lay standing there with his bags and just steps inside without being invited in, "I've been outside for almost 10 minutes!"
"Dude, aren't you a tad bit early?" Kris asks, annoyance laid out in his tongue. Lay shrugs and eyes him up and down, "Dude, morning boner. No wonder Tao gets impailed with that metal baseball bat between your legs. You're a fucking tripod."
"Shut up." Kris flips Lay the middle finger and turns away from him, "Make yourself at home, just stay away from the bedroom, okay? We're tired."
Lay smirks, "Obviously."
Kris rolls his eyes and makes his way back to the bedroom, "Tao has left over spring rolls and dumplings in the fridge. Cook some rice if you're hungry. Sorry for being a bad host but we thought you're coming late afternoon."
Lay waves his hand, "Don't mind me. I was just bored at home since my roommate decided to ditch me yesterday to go back to Busan. You go do your morning thingy with Tao."
"We don't have a morning thingy." Kris grumbles, "Aish! I'm going back to bed. Just do whatever you want but don't burn the house down."
"Let me play on your PS3." Lay tells Kris, the blond just waves his hand and enters the bedroom.
"Who was it...?" Tao mumbles, he's still covered under the blankets and Kris just throws himself on top of his boyfriend, "Lay. I'm still sleepy so I just told him to not bother us in the meantime."
"Okay..." Tao nods lazily and returns to sleep, Kris kisses his cheek without removing himself from where he's perched and sleeps as well.
It must be an hour or so later when there's another knock on the door and this time it's Tao who gets waken up first. He pushes Kris off him, puts on his clothes and opens it, "Yes, ge?"
"Dude, how long do you both plan on sleeping in?"
Tao scratches the back of his neck and steps outside the bedroom, "S-sorry ge. I think we fell asleep around 3 am."
"Must be painful." Lay smirks and smacks Tao's behind. The younger yelps and immediately runs to the kitchen. "Don't do that!" Tao yells from where he stands and Lay just laughs.
"Sorry for waking you up but I'm already getting bored alone."
"It's okay. Let me wash up and I'll prepare our lunch."
Lay walks into the kitchen and helps by preparing the rice while Tao preheats the pan to fry the spring rolls after coming out of the bathroom, "Sorry that we only have spring rolls and dumplings. I prepared a lot last night."
Lay smiles and turns to Tao, "It's okay. I haven't tasted it. You're a very cute couple, by the way."
"What?"
"You're practically married. You're like a wife, Tao. You're living together, you prepare his meals. It's cute."
The younger bites his lower lip and shyly nods, "I... I guess?"
"How's living with him?"
"It's different when I was living with Jonghyun-hyung. It makes me anticipate him coming home from studying outside. I love it when he babies me whenever he wakes me up from a nap." Tao explains honestly. He starts frying the spring rolls, Lay sits on the dining table and crosses his arms, "What would have happened if you kept rejecting him and Kris did stop wooing you a month ago?"
"I... I guess I'd regret it for the rest of my life? I know that I should be patching things up with Luhan-ge now, but I'm scared. I sometimes feel guilty whenever I'm with Kris and Luhan-ge is with us but I'm happy. I'm really just so happy that sometimes I feel so paranoid that this will all be taken away in the harshest way possible."
"What do you mean? Aren't you secured with your relationship with Kris?"
Tao smiles timidly, "I am. It's just me being a bit immature about it."
The two of them looks at the direction of the bedroom door when Kris emerges out of it, fully dressed now. He rubs his eyes off sleep as he walks to the kitchen and hugs Tao from behind. He kisses the younger's cheek and ignores Lay's presence completely.
"Ugh. I need to find someone too." Lay comments and Kris laughs as he hugs his boyfriend tighter. Tao tells the blond to wash up first and he'll finish preparing lunch for the three of them. Kris lets go of Tao and heads to the bathroom.
"Is he always like this?" Lay asks and Tao nods, "He's extra clingy today since I'm leaving tomorrow."
Lay nods as he watches Tao place the spring rolls in a plate. The younger fries a 2nd batch of spring rolls then takes out the dumpling from the freezer to steam. "You have a ring." Lay comments, Tao smiles widely and nods excitedly, "Yeah! He gave it to me last night. He has one too."
"Married couple." Lay grumbles as he walks back to the living room to play video games again.
-----
It's night and the three of them are watching a movie in the living room, Tao has already taken out extra pillows and blanket for Lay and their guest are already lying on the couch while the couple sits on the floor with Tao sitting in between his boyfriend's legs.
"Can you not leave?" Kris whispers against the younger's ear, Tao lies his head on the blond's shoulder and shakes his head. "I promise I'll come home sooner than 2 weeks."
"I don't want you to leave..." Kris hugs Tao tighter and leans his forehead on his boyfriend's temple, "Stay with me."
A pillow is suddenly thrown their way and when the couple looks up, Lay is glaring at them, "GO TO YOUR ROOM! YOU'RE NOT EVEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THE MOVIE!"
"Right. Sorry." Kris laughs. He stands and pulls Tao with him to the bedroom. They plop down on the bed and the blond just pulls his boyfriend close to him.
"Don't leave, don't leave..."
"I'll convince mama and papa, okay? I'll come home the soonest that I can."
Kris kisses his boyfriend and just hugs him close, "This is just so different when you first left. I don't know why but I just want you to stay."
Tao doesn't respond and just pushes himself closer into Kris' warmth, "Babe... I can't help but think that something might go wrong."
The younger leans up and kisses Kris, "Everything will be fine. Just remember your promise, okay? You're not supposed to break my heart while I'm gone."
"I'll never do that. I'll end up breaking my own too."
-----
Chanyeol and Baekhyun arrives at the couple's apartment around 10AM to send off Tao and Lay to the airport. The five of them leaves early and decides to have lunch near the airport before the two flies to China. They share a fun lunch until they drive to the airport.
Lay and Tao checks in while the other 3 wait for them to finish. "We can always come to your place if you're lonely, hyung." Baekhyun smiles devilishly and Kris shakes his head, "Please don't. You might do something wrong in our place."
"Wrong like what?"
Kris narrows his eyes and crosses his arms, "I don't even want to think about it."
Baekhyun yelps and Chanyeol laughs. The shortest is about to protest when Tao suddenly appears and hugs his boyfriend tight. The couple ignores the two and focuses their attention on Lay.
"Do you really have to go?" Kris asks Tao, the younger just smiles, "We talked about this last night. I told you, if I can convince my parents, I will come back immediately."
"Convince them with all the aegyo that you know and come back tomorrow!" Kris demands and the group just laughs it off, "Oh, ge. I'll miss you too."
"How long are you gonna do your goodbyes?" Baekhyun asks, Chanyeol nudges him, "What? Kris-hyung's been trying to stop Tao from leaving ever since we left their apartment!"
"He's been trying to stop him since last night." Yixing comments, and the Baekhyun rolls his eyes playfully.
Kris groans rather loudly when his boyfriend's flight is called, he pulls the boy into a tight hug, he leans closer into Tao's ears and whispers, "I love you."
It's just 3 words but it's enough to stop Tao's world. It's the first he's heard Kris tell it to him, it's not like they don't know what they both feel about each other but finally hearing it from Kris is just a different kind of happiness. Tao tears up and leans in closer into Kris' ear to whisper, "I love you, too." Kris hugs him tighter that Yixing and Chanyeol had to pry them apart, "We have to board, Tao." Yixing reminds him, the younger nods.
"Bye ge. Please, keep your promise while I'm gone." Tao pulls away and stares at Kris. "I will." Kris kisses him briefly then wipes his boyfriend's cheek, "I'll see you when you get back."
Tao smiles and then waves goodbye to everyone. Kris watches him and Yixing leave.
"Hey, hyung." Chanyeol and Baekhyun calls out to get Kris' attention.
"Hmn?"
"Were you two able to talk?" The shortest among them asks as they walk out of the airport and into the parking lot where Kris' car is parked.
"Nope. He just wasn't ready so I told him he can tell me when he gets back."
Chanyeol raises an eyebrow, "So, you're really not aware of anything?"
"Aware of what? That Luhan-hyung likes me?"
"YOU KNEW?!" The couple screams, Kris immediately gets inside his car to avoid being associated with them.
Baekhyun scrambles in tha passenger seat, Chanyeol curses his long legs when he suddenly is having a hard time getting inside the backseat in curiosity.
Kris starts the car, "I'm not as oblivious as you guys think."
"Then why do you still insist that Tao tells you?" Chanyeol asks, Baekhyun looks at Kris in confusion.
"It's not like I knew it right away. I was kinda getting curious already because Tao-er is so cute and perky when he's with you but curls up when Luhan-hyung is around. He's scared of him and you guys aren't subtle either. I just know that my boyfriend is a selfless guy, and putting the pieces together, I just realized why it was Luhan-hyung he needed the approval to date me the most. And last Friday, there was already a hint that Luhan-hyung's involved so I just want it to come from Tao-er so that I'm a hundred percent sure." Kris explains as he drives away from the airport.
"I see. You do realize you're hurting Luhan-hyung too when you're too affectionate with Tao?" Baekhyun asks as fixes his hair using the side view mirror.
"He's my boyfriend, Baekhyun. You can't blame me for that and for the first time in a long time, I'm... Really in love, like, really in love as if my past relationships were nothing. It's very unlike me to be showy, but this is different. And maybe, at the back of my head, I want hyung to realize that it's Tao-er I want to spend the rest of my life with."
"Wow, you're a pretty loyal guy for a popular and perfect student." Chanyeol comments from the backseat, eating an unfinished bag of potato chips he stole from the couple's apartment.
"You're just stereotyping the jocks Chanyeol. Not all of us are douchebags, but we're the small 5% so I can't defend the rest of the guys."
"But, aren't you awkward with hyung?" Baekhyun asks, Kris shakes his head, "I'm used to people having crushes on me. I'm a jock. I'm part of the student council. I don't wanna sound like a pompous bastard but, you know. And he's Tao's friend, that's what's important."
"You're too nice." Baekhyun tells him and Kris sighs, "We're all friends now, and Tao would want me to be close to everyone he loves. He's happy that we all get along now."
"Don't worry, hyung! We'll make sure you're alright!" Chanyeol holds his thumb up and Kris just laughs it off.
Back inside the airplane, Lay watches silently as Tao looks out the window after it takes off. The older notices that Tao is holding the red dragon plushie he's brought tight. Seconds later the younger is crying and burying his face into the plushie's material. Lay takes out his cellphone and starts recording Tao's misery.
"Stop crying, Zitao." Lay tells Tao and the younger cries harder, "I miss him already..."
"You'll see him in two weeks"
"He just told me he loves me." Zitao hugs the plushie tighter, and his shoulders keep shaking, "and I just told him I love him too... Shouldn't we spend more time together now?"
"Then come back sooner..."
Tao looks up, eyes puffy and red, "STOP RECORDING ME!"
The younger tries to grab Lay's phone, and the other keeps it away from Tao's reach. He stops the recording and puts away his phone. Tao pouts and hugs the plushie tight again, "I want to go back to him right now."
Lay runs his hand through the younger's hair, "It's just two weeks, you'll see him again." Tao looks up to meet the older smiling at him, "Don't worry Tao. You'll be back in Kris' arms in no time. You're just in China for a few days, what could possibly go wrong?"
--------
Author's notes: A quick update written in 2 days because I still have some remaining muse for this fic. I've started the 5th chapter of my other fic but I just can't finish it for some reason. :( I hope this makes up for the lack of muse for “Daily Lives of College Boys”.
Ohhhh. Tao’s in China.
Enjoy. <3
Chapters: 06/?
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: fluff, romance
Warning: unbeta'd
Rating: PG-13
Pairings/Characters: Kris x Tao
Synopsis: They've met. They went out (it's not a date!). They fall in love but it's not as easy as Tao thought. Kris is oblivious about everything, or is he really?
Disclaimer: This is the sidestory of Kris and Tao for the completed chaptered HunHan fic, " Of Movie Clichés". Aside from that story i own nobody and anything else.
[01] [02] [03] [04] [05]
It's been a few days now since Tao and Kris has moved in together, they've maintained the routine and soon, the boxes are getting emptier and emptier.
"I'm so tired." Kris sighs as he slumps on the couch. He's just gone back home after studying alone in a coffee shop along their street. He checks the living room and there's only one box left and he's sure they can finish that tomorrow. Thank goodness it's also the last day of the exam week the next day.
The blond gathers his bag and walks to the bedroom, a post-it is stuck to his eye-level on the door. 'I'm taking a nap. Please wake me up when you come home. I have a major exam I need to stay up for. I'm just resting.' Kris reads then unsticks it from the door. He carefully walks inside and finds Tao's face buried in his pillow and his arm dangling off the bed. Kris smiles to himself because he has recently found out something about his boyfriend - and no matter how exhausted the blond is from self-studying, nothing can energize him more than trying to wake-up an equally tired or perhaps more, Huang Zitao.
The blond places his bag on the desk and sits on the empty space near Tao's waist and gently ruffles his boyfriend's hair, "Babe, wake up. I'm home."
"Hnnngghh..." Tao moans and lazily pushes himself up without opening his eyes. He moves his body unconsciously and splays himself over Kris' lap. The blond smiles at the childlike behavior and runs the back of his hand on Tao's cheek, "Babe, wake up."
Tao groans again and Kris leans down to kiss his boyfriend chastely. The younger pushes Kris' face away from him and turns his face so he's facing the blond's stomach then covers his face with his hand, "5 more minutes..."
"Last exam tomorrow, babe." Kris prods on, Tao kicks his feet and throws a slight tantrum, the older chuckles because it's something Tao unconsciously does and forgets when he's fully awake. "Come on outside. Bought us dinner, then you can start studying." Kris tells Tao again, but the younger just grunts in response. The blond smirks to himself then pulls Tao's body off him by the waist. Tao sits up like a deadweight, his head leaned down, Kris stretches a little before opening up his arms to Tao, "Come on, baby." He coos, Tao yawns and lazily wraps himself around his boyfriend, his head tucked to the crook of the blond's neck. His feet step on Kris' and the blond walks the both of them out of the bedroom. He plops Tao down on the couch and pats the younger's cheek softly until the younger's eyes open to finally fully wake up.
"Hi." Kris greets him, and Tao leans in to kiss him. "What's for dinner?" The younger asks and Kris takes the younger's hand to lead him to the kitchen. Tao helps set up the food and they eat together, "I can finally cook for you tomorrow..." Tao tells Kris and the blond smiles, "Are you an awesome cook?" He teases and Tao smirks. "You'll soon find out."
"We can finally spend some time after tomorrow!" Kris gushes and Tao bites his lower lip, "Something wrong, Tao-er?"
"... Mama and Papa just sent me my online ticket. I'm leaving on Monday."
"Right. China..."
"I got it after I checked my email here at home... I'm..." Tao looks down from his food, "I'm sorry."
"I'm not mad, why are you apologizing?"
"Because..."
"We have the weekend."
Tao nods and finally beams, "Ge, what do you want to eat tomorrow for dinner?"
"Chinese." Kris smirks then mouths, 'you'.
Tao's brows knit together and he squirms, "Ge!!!" Kris laughs, "I'm kidding. But really, home-cooked Chinese food."
"Okay!" Tao claps his hands together and eats his dinner. "Let's shop for groceries tomorrow, alright?"
"Of course."
-----
Kris waits for Tao outside the younger's building the next day. He's finished his exams rather early and from what Tao told him last night, the younger's exams finish shortly after his. It's almost 5 in the afternoon and Joonmyun sent a group message for all of them to have dinner together.
"Ge..." Tao weakly calls out, Kris walks up to his boyfriend and takes the younger's bag, "I'm so sleepy." The blond lets Tao lean on his shoulder as they walk their way out of the campus, "Joonmyun-hyung wants us to have dinner together... And I'm so tired. Can I cook for you tomorrow instead?" The younger murmurs and Kris pulls Tao closer to him, "Of course. You deserve to rest."
They arrive at the restaurant without anybody there yet. The couple takes the booth in one corner that can accomodate at least ten people. Tao leans his head on Kris' shoulder and falls asleep. Kris orders dinner for the both of them and while the blond waits for their food in silence, Kai and Kyungsoo arrives.
"Hyung! You're already here!" Kai greets them rather loudly and Kris shushes them. Kyungsoo nods and slides on the seat across the Chinese couple, Kai sits next to his boyfriend.
"I already ordered something for the both of us, you two should order your dinner too." Kris tells the other two and Kyungsoo orders for him and Kai. Kris is about to wake Tao when Chanyeol's cheery voice booms inside the restaurant, "Finally!!! It's over!"
"What's wrong with him?" Baekhyun asks after he finds Tao's face buried in the crook of Kris' neck.
"He's asleep." Kris smiles, "He hasn't been sleeping properly."
"And how would you know?" Kyungsoo asks while sipping on his milk tea that he bought from the convenience store. .
"Oh. Right. We moved in together last week." Kris finally admits to the group, since they decided to tell when they're settled and technically, they are.
"WHAT?!" Their friends ask in unison, waking up Tao in the process, "Huh? What happened...?" The younger mumbles as he rubs the sleep off his eyes.
"Hey, Tao-er..." Kris greets his boyfriend and fixes the younger's hair. "I just told them we moved in together."
Tao sighs, facepalms, then looks at the wide-eyed people staring back at them, "Come on, guys. It's not a huge deal. I needed a new roommate and so does he. Kris-ge is even staying for his training and Zhou Mi-ge isn't so the rent will be costly. Really, it's not a big deal."
Tao smiles at them hoping that the issue is over but Kai smirks, "You know that it kinda is. I mean, if it's me and Kyungsoo, or these weirdos," Kai gets hit on both shoulders by Chanyeol and Baekhyun, the tanned boy laughs it off, "it wouldn't matter. But, if it's you and Kris-hyung it does!"
"It does?" Kris asks, an eyebrow raised.
Kyungsoo nods, "Does he know?"
"Who knows?" Kris asks again, curiosity killing him because maybe, this time Tao will open up.
"He does. Just, I don't know what to do anymore." Tao responds, he shakes his head then picks on the plate of dinner Kris bought.
"Aren't you gonna tell me anything about this?" Kris asks between mock annoyance and worry, Tao caresses the older's cheek, "At home. Okay? I promise, I'll talk to you about this tonight."
"You mean to tell us you've been dating a month..." Baekhyun starts, "Three weeks. Officially." Tao corrects him and Baekhyun just rolls his eyes, "Alright, 3 weeks, and you haven't told him?"
"I'm here, guys." Kris tells the group, Tao holds his boyfriend's hand from under the table. "I didn't think it's necessary. But, okay. Wow, thanks guys, now after I talk to him about this, we're both gonna be awkward with him."
"Awkward with whom?" Luhan asks as he and Sehun take their seats, Tao shakes his head, "Uh, n-nevermind me, ge."
"We'll be back, okay?" Sehun tells the group as he and Luhan put their bags on their seats then walks to the counter to order their food.
Kris looks at Tao in confusion, he squints his eyes and subtly points at Luhan, "With him?" The older whispers and Tao just smiles timidly. "Why?" Kris asks insistently on hushed tones, Tao glares at his boyfriend. "Right, at home. Yes."
About an hour later, everybody's gathered on their table, some students still wonder how everyone got together as part of this rather peculiar group (for one, they aren't in the same year levels, and most importantly, they have Kris who's just a whole different level of popular compared to the rest of the bunch).
"Hey, Tao?" Yixing calls out, the called boy looks up from his phone, "Yeah?"
"When's your flight back to China? I'm going back too, so I think I'd love to join you."
Tao smiles genuinely, "Awesome! At least my flight won't be boring! I'm leaving in 3 days."
"Perfect!" Yixing and Luhan exclaims at the same time. The group looks at the doe-eyed boy, "...right? Perfect. You're not gonna be alone and Kris won't have to worry about you, right?" Luhan tries to save himself, he grabs onto Sehun's arm and keeps his silence. Tao sinks in his chair and Kris rubs his arm to comfort him.
Kris raises an eyebrow, then turns to Yixing, "I will hunt you down if something happens to Tao-er."
"Calm down, bro. I got him." Yixing smiles and gives Kris a thumb's up, as if it's reassuring enough. Tao holds the blond's hand from under the table and keeps talking with Yixing.
"My flight's on Monday at 2 PM. You should check if there's an available seat so we can go together, ge!" Tao excitedly exclaims, Yixing takes out his phone and browses for flight schedules. After a few minutes he grins, "They have a lot of open seats. What's your seat number? Maybe we can sit together, or maybe we can move your seat to another!"
Tao smiles and browses his phone for information. Kris eats silently next to his boyfriend, Minseok and Jongdae look at the brooding blond.
"Hey, Kris." Minseok calls out to get his attention, the jock looks up, "You okay?"
Kris shakes his head, "This is just new to me." He confesses.
"What's new?" Jongdae asks, the rest of the guys turn all their attention to the conversation, except for Tao and Yixing who are still busy with their plans.
Kris chuckles, "I never had a relationship this quite serious before."
"What do you mean?" Luhan asks, nevermind that this is about Tao, since he's still curious.
"I just..." Kris laughs, Tao rolls his eyes from next to him and moves further a little, he and Yixing are already talking about meeting up even in China.
"I never even thought about living together with my ex. And we were together for 2 years. If you know what I mean..." Kris looks at Tao, "I want him with me all the time, in all my waking days." The younger doesn't meet Kris' gaze but he responds by squeezing the blond's hand tighter under the table as he continues his conversation with Yixing.
"You are brutally cheesy, bro. Ew?" Kai exclaims, Kyungsoo hits him in the arm, "Waaaay to ruin it."
Kris laughs again, "I really, really just want this to last. I want this to be my last."
"We'll help you with that." Sehun tells Kris, Luhan reacts at the statement and it doesn't escape Kris. The younger just shrugs and turns back to the blond and ignores his bestfriend.
"Way to go, Sehun!" Chanyeol who's sitting next to the maknae claps his hand on Sehun's shoulder, "Make sure we win, okay!?"
"Shut it, Chanyeol."
"Chanyeol-hyuuuung!!!" The lanky boy whines, Sehun just rolls his eyes, "You aren't hyung enough for me."
Joonmyun checks his watch, "It's getting late, guys. Let's go home. The beach vacation is still a go, okay? We'll make plans when everybody's back from everywhere."
Most of the group disperses save from Tao, Yixing and Kris. The other two are still talking about their trip to China. It's about half an hour later when they decide to finally call it a night.
"See you on Sunday, ge!" Tao waves Yixing goodbye in front of the restaurant before Kris and him make their way back home.
-----
They arrive in their apartment and Tao stays silent. Kris watches him and the blond sighs, "Tao." The said boy turns his head and meets his gaze with a smile, "Help me with the last box?"
Kris shrugs and pulls the box across the floor. "What is this anyway?"
"It's some of my personal stuff." Tao plops down and opens it, he takes out his organizer, takes out the movie ticket and pins it on the corkboard. Kris smiles when he sees a heart on the edge of the ticket, he doesn't say anything but takes out his own ticket, Tao sees the words written at the back of it, "IT WASN'T A DATE!" He yells then laughs after, "But it really was, wasn't it?"
"It was. I always thought it was." Kris agrees and kisses Tao. The older sticks a small post underneath the tickets and writes, 'Our first ever movie date'. The younger grabs the pen from Kris then adds, '- IT'S NOT A DATE! - Tao'
The younger busies himself with his personal stuff, Kris sticks a larger post-it on top of the frame with the words, 'We can forget the actual dates, but never these.' Tao looks up and smiles at him. Kris rummages through his wallet again and pins a receipt from the milk tea shop they drove about an hour for. He writes on another post-it, 'Tao refused to not share the bill on our 2nd date' The younger stands and adds, 'IT'S NOT A DATE! pt. 2 - Tao'. Kris finds this cute and kisses his boyfriend's cheek. "Hey, babe?"
"Hmn?"
"Do you still have the glove from when I picked you up at the airport?"
Tao nods and takes it out of the box. Kris takes it and pins it on the corkboard. Tao furrows his brows as he waits for Kris to finish writing a caption on a post-it. He smiles after reading what his boyfriend has written under it, 'Thank god the wind stole the other one, I finally got to hold Tao's hand.'
"Your hand was so warm that night." Tao reminds Kris, then he hugs the older, "I never felt better."
The blond hugs him tighter before Tao releases himself and starts pinning polaroid pictures on the corkboard. Kris goes in and out of the room and pins a polaroid Tao hasn't seen yet, "When did you take that picture?!" Kris just smirks and then writes, 'First night in our own apartment! Time to sleep!' Tao playfully hits his boyfriend's chest, "I was a zombie that night."
"You were! But we need to have a picture of that night!" Kris laughs and Tao joins him. After that, they step back a little to look at the corkboard, "We've been together a few weeks and we already have a lot to put here." Tao exclaims and Kris just kisses the younger's cheek before taking the box and carries it inside their bedroom.
"Ge! I'm gonna shower first!"
About an hour later, the both of them had showered and Tao is already packing his clothes for China when Kris speaks again, "Are we gonna talk about this or not? You can't hide this from me forever."
"I'm really not sure if you need to know." Tao sighs then turns to Kris, "it's complicated and a bit stupid at the same time."
Kris pulls his boyfriend close, "Tell me and I'll be the judge."
Tao pouts, "I don't want..." Kris cuts him off with a kiss, Tao giggles, "What are you doing?"
"You're just so cute right now. Fine. Let's talk about it when you return from China. No pressure, Tao-er."
"Whatever." Tao pulls Kris closer for another kiss, "I'll miss you, ge."
"Me too." Kris pinches both of Tao's cheeks, "You tell ALL you need to tell me when you get back, okay?"
"I promise." Tao smiles, "You have to promise me one thing because this, I have to tell you now."
"What is it?" Kris asks as he removes his hands from Tao's cheeks and let it rest on his boyfriend's waist.
"It was.. It's scary and risky being with you, and yet I'm here. Please, don't break my heart when I'm gone. It's only two weeks, so please?"
Kris beams and gives Tao a kiss, "I will never."
The younger smiles and removes himself from Kris to finish packing, Kris lies on the bed and sighs, "Luhan likes me, right?"
Tao gets shocked and shrieks when his thumb's caught into the zipper and makes him bleed. Kris jumps off the bed and immediately brings his boyfriend to the bathroom, "Are you okay?!" The blond panics as he lets Tao wash the cut under the water. Kris takes out the first aid kid from the cabinet and lets Tao sit on the toilet after the bleeding subsided.
"It's just a small cut, ge." Tao tells him but Kris will have none of it. He starts dissinfecting the wound and then bandages it. Once he's done treating the younger, they make their way back to bedroom. "I'm sorry, babe. Okay, I promise, until you get back from China."
Tao nods and kisses Kris' nose, "Let's go to sleep."
-----
Tao's eyes blinks open the next day when he hears what seems to be a pan crashing on the floor outside. He doesn't budge, he turns to his side to look for Kris but the blond isn't there. He smiles to himself but immediately jumps out of bed when he smells something coming from outside the bedroom.
"SOMETHING'S BURNING!!!!"
"Uhhh, breakfast?" Kris stutters then turns off the stove. Tao shakes his head and looks at the mess that is now their kitchen, "You already did this to our kitchen, I haven't even used it yet. The poor stove might think I cook like you."
"Sorry."
Tao smiles then goes inside the bedroom. He returns with the polaroid camera and he grins at his boyfriend, "Put those burned pancakes on the plate and I'll take a picture of this magnificent morning."
Kris pouts sadly and lets his boyfriend take his picture. Tao puts down the film and camera on the counter as Kris places the plate in the sink. The younger puts his arm around Kris' neck and smiles, "I love it that you tried, but, what for?"
"For last night."
Tao chuckes and just hugs him closer, "I said it's okay, didn't I? Let's just eat cereals for breakfast now."
Kris nods and Tao releases him. The younger takes the polaroid and sticks it to the corkboard. He uses the small space from of the white frame and writes, 'Remind self not to ever let Kris in the kitchen anymore'. The blond steps in and takes the pen from Tao, he writes, 'Sorry, baby!' inside a text bubble next to his head.
-----
Tao wakes up again around 3 in the afternoon sore and sticky. He sits up feeling quite exhausted and hungry since Kris decided they skip lunch and just 'play'. The younger watches his boyfriend sleeping naked next to him and smiles to himself after seeing the marks he's left on Kris' neck and chest plus the nail scratches on his arms and back.
"You're mine, too." Tao kisses Kris' bare shoulder before heading into the shower. He doesn't feel as sore as the first time they did it so he doesn't wake up his boyfriend to help him walk. When he returns to the bedroom about half an hour later, Kris is already awake with a towel wrapped around his waist, "Hey." Tao greets him with a kiss, Kris stands after the brief contact, "You okay? You're not sore?"
Tao scrunches his nose, "Tiny bit. But I can manage."
"Let's head out after I'm done, okay?"
They head out of the apartment an hour later. Kris drives to the mall so they can shop for groceries but before that, they eat their lunch first then Kris helps Tao buy gifts for his parents. While Tao is busy browsing for a necklace for his mother Kris finds silver bands in the glass counter. He takes a look at Tao who's still fussing over necklaces and Kris asks the lady if he can see the rings. One of the rings fit him perfectly while the other doesn't move past his finger's joint so he asks for another one size bigger. He tells the girl that he'll take them and pays the rings in cash but asks her to hand it to her later when Tao isn't looking.
The girl smiles and then Kris walks next to his boyfriend, thank goodness for Tao's attention span when shopping. "Found anything for her yet?"
Tao purses his lips and points 3 designs to Kris, "I am torn among these three."
"Do you have a picture of your mother?"
Tao nods and then browses his phone, "This was taken before I moved here." He tells the blond before handing his phone to him. Kris examines the picture then looks at the necklace, he points to the one with a medium-length silver band with pendant of what looks like leaves curled around a white pearl. "I think that one suits her."
Tao smiles at the girl in front of him and tells her he'll take it. "Oh, Kris, what were you looking out there earlier?"
"New earrings?" He lies and thankfully, the earrings and rings are displayed next to each other. Tao nods then turns his attention back to the girl so he can pay for the necklace. The other girl Kris was talking to earlier subtly walks next to the blond and hands him the small package and receipt before walking off to greet the other customers coming inside the store.
Once Tao is finished shopping for his mama (he already bought a bag for his papa) they head to the supermarket to buy groceries for their dinner and for Kris when he stays alone in the apartment. Tao buys him food that he can keep in the fridge and then microwave when he's hungry and Kris jokes that he can just eat out with their friends too.
"But they won't always be able to join you. And I don't want you to eat alone outside, they might think you're single." Tao tells the older and Kris just chuckles to himself. "So possessive, my Huang Zitao."
Tao grins and hits Kris with a loaf of bread, "Come on, I'm gonna cook you your Chinese food."
"I've already had Chinese for lunch." Kris jokes and Tao hits him with the loaf again, "I won't mind having it again later."
"Kris!!!"
"Gah, you're so cute." Kris hugs Tao tight before releasing him, "Let's go get what you need."
They finish shopping after an hour or so and Tao starts preparing their food the moment they arrive home. Kris wants to help but Tao made it clear that the blond isn't allowed near the kitchen. The blond decides to just watch TV and makes sure that the rings are securely placed in his pockets.
"Smells good already." He comments as he turns his attention away from the TV and to Tao who looks adorable wearing his apron with a saddle in one hand. Kris checks the watch on the wall and it seems that the younger has been cooking for over an hour now. "Come here, ge." The blond walks next to his boyfriend who offers him a taste of the stew he's making, "How is it?"
Kris smiles, "It's perfect." Tao bites his lower lip and tells the blond to set up the table and he'll be serving the food soon. Tao lays out the stew, a few spring rolls, and number of steamed dumplings on the table and the blond just stares at the food on the table, "Woooow. Isn't this too much for just the two of us?"
Tao chuckles, "I'm sorry. I got so excited cooking for you. We can eat the leftovers with Lay-ge tomorrow too. There are still uncooked dumplings and spring rolls in the fridge."
"Yeah. Alright, let's eat?"
Tao nods and sits across Kris. He waits for his boyfriend to have a taste of everything first and his smiles get wider when the blond looks in awe everytime he takes a bite. "Do you like it?"
"I love it." Kris smiles and feeds Tao a dumpling, "How did you learn how to cook like this?"
"I'm an only son, and my mama would always let me help her cook."
"Only son..."
Tao nods but he looks at Kris questioningly, "Is there something wrong about it...?"
"... You're going home in two days, I... I don't want to bring down the mood but... Are you gonna tell them about us?"
Tao purses his lips and just nods as he continues to eat. His mood doesn't change and it puzzles Kris a little. "Tao, aren't they gonna be mad? I mean..." Tao looks up from his food, the blond clears his throat before he continues, "Mom and Dad divorced when I was younger and my mom took care of me alone. When I told her I was seeing another boy when I was 18 she cried and ignored me for days. It took 2 weeks before she started talking to me again and accepted me."
Tao smiles at him genuinely, "It will be fine, don't worry."
"Tao, I don't wanna pressure you. You can..."
"Babe, they already know I'm gay when I was 8 years old."
"What?"
Tao laughs and continues eating, "My parents... I know that they probably had a hard time accepting the fact that their only son is gay but, I already had signs of it when I was young. I cried inside a toy store when mama didn't want to buy a huge Hello Kitty stuffed toy for me."
"Oh..."
"And... Mama taught me how to cook and told me to serve my partner well in the future so that he doesn't leave me for a girl. Papa entered me to wushu classes just in case a jerk breaks my heart."
Kris almost cries out of envy because he's glad his boyfriend had it easy. "But, do they have an idea about us already?"
Tao nods, "I already told them I have a boyfriend. I just haven't told them we've moved together already. I'll tell them more about you when I'm back home."
Kris smiles, "I already told Mom about you, too." The younger looks up to meet Kris' gaze, "What did she say?"
"She wants to meet you someday. She said you sound amazing."
Tao turns red and chuckles, "Okay. I'll make sure to make my parents want to meet you soon, too."
Kris smiles, "Tao, I have something for you." The younger tilts his head and raises a brow, "For me?"
"For us, actually." The blond takes out the box from his pocket and slides it over the table. Tao gasps after opening the box and finds two simple silver bands inside. Kris moves his chair so that he's sitting next to Tao and he takes out the one smaller, "It's a promise ring, okay? I don't know if you've realized it yet, but it's our first month together on Monday."
"Oh my god... It is! I can't believe I forgot about it! And I'm leaving! I'll cancel my flight! I'll -" Kris cuts Tao off with a kiss, "You don't have to cancel, we'll celebrate it now."
The blond slides the ring in Tao's finger and thankfully, it fits perfectly. The younger mirrors him and slips the ring in his finger as well, Kris is then trapped in a bone crushing hug with Tao crying on his shoulder. "How dare you surprise me like this?"
"So that nobody dares think I'm single even if you're far away."
Tao leans up and kisses Kris fully on the mouth. The younger jumps on the blond's lap and Kris stands to carry his boyfriend to the bedroom without cutting the kiss, Tao locks his ankles around Kris' waist to prevent himself from falling as they make their way there. Tao cuts off the kiss and whispers seductively into his boyfriend's ear, "You still have room for dessert, right?'
"Of course..." Kris smirks then captures Tao's lips in another heated kiss.
-----
Kris wakes up late in the morning the next day because of an insistent pounding on their front door. He checks his cellphone and it's around 11 in the morning. He puts on his boxers and lazily gets off the bed. The blond watches his boyfriend still in deep sleep, kisses his shoulder then walks out of the room - not caring that he's still practically naked.
The blond opens the door to find Lay standing there with his bags and just steps inside without being invited in, "I've been outside for almost 10 minutes!"
"Dude, aren't you a tad bit early?" Kris asks, annoyance laid out in his tongue. Lay shrugs and eyes him up and down, "Dude, morning boner. No wonder Tao gets impailed with that metal baseball bat between your legs. You're a fucking tripod."
"Shut up." Kris flips Lay the middle finger and turns away from him, "Make yourself at home, just stay away from the bedroom, okay? We're tired."
Lay smirks, "Obviously."
Kris rolls his eyes and makes his way back to the bedroom, "Tao has left over spring rolls and dumplings in the fridge. Cook some rice if you're hungry. Sorry for being a bad host but we thought you're coming late afternoon."
Lay waves his hand, "Don't mind me. I was just bored at home since my roommate decided to ditch me yesterday to go back to Busan. You go do your morning thingy with Tao."
"We don't have a morning thingy." Kris grumbles, "Aish! I'm going back to bed. Just do whatever you want but don't burn the house down."
"Let me play on your PS3." Lay tells Kris, the blond just waves his hand and enters the bedroom.
"Who was it...?" Tao mumbles, he's still covered under the blankets and Kris just throws himself on top of his boyfriend, "Lay. I'm still sleepy so I just told him to not bother us in the meantime."
"Okay..." Tao nods lazily and returns to sleep, Kris kisses his cheek without removing himself from where he's perched and sleeps as well.
It must be an hour or so later when there's another knock on the door and this time it's Tao who gets waken up first. He pushes Kris off him, puts on his clothes and opens it, "Yes, ge?"
"Dude, how long do you both plan on sleeping in?"
Tao scratches the back of his neck and steps outside the bedroom, "S-sorry ge. I think we fell asleep around 3 am."
"Must be painful." Lay smirks and smacks Tao's behind. The younger yelps and immediately runs to the kitchen. "Don't do that!" Tao yells from where he stands and Lay just laughs.
"Sorry for waking you up but I'm already getting bored alone."
"It's okay. Let me wash up and I'll prepare our lunch."
Lay walks into the kitchen and helps by preparing the rice while Tao preheats the pan to fry the spring rolls after coming out of the bathroom, "Sorry that we only have spring rolls and dumplings. I prepared a lot last night."
Lay smiles and turns to Tao, "It's okay. I haven't tasted it. You're a very cute couple, by the way."
"What?"
"You're practically married. You're like a wife, Tao. You're living together, you prepare his meals. It's cute."
The younger bites his lower lip and shyly nods, "I... I guess?"
"How's living with him?"
"It's different when I was living with Jonghyun-hyung. It makes me anticipate him coming home from studying outside. I love it when he babies me whenever he wakes me up from a nap." Tao explains honestly. He starts frying the spring rolls, Lay sits on the dining table and crosses his arms, "What would have happened if you kept rejecting him and Kris did stop wooing you a month ago?"
"I... I guess I'd regret it for the rest of my life? I know that I should be patching things up with Luhan-ge now, but I'm scared. I sometimes feel guilty whenever I'm with Kris and Luhan-ge is with us but I'm happy. I'm really just so happy that sometimes I feel so paranoid that this will all be taken away in the harshest way possible."
"What do you mean? Aren't you secured with your relationship with Kris?"
Tao smiles timidly, "I am. It's just me being a bit immature about it."
The two of them looks at the direction of the bedroom door when Kris emerges out of it, fully dressed now. He rubs his eyes off sleep as he walks to the kitchen and hugs Tao from behind. He kisses the younger's cheek and ignores Lay's presence completely.
"Ugh. I need to find someone too." Lay comments and Kris laughs as he hugs his boyfriend tighter. Tao tells the blond to wash up first and he'll finish preparing lunch for the three of them. Kris lets go of Tao and heads to the bathroom.
"Is he always like this?" Lay asks and Tao nods, "He's extra clingy today since I'm leaving tomorrow."
Lay nods as he watches Tao place the spring rolls in a plate. The younger fries a 2nd batch of spring rolls then takes out the dumpling from the freezer to steam. "You have a ring." Lay comments, Tao smiles widely and nods excitedly, "Yeah! He gave it to me last night. He has one too."
"Married couple." Lay grumbles as he walks back to the living room to play video games again.
-----
It's night and the three of them are watching a movie in the living room, Tao has already taken out extra pillows and blanket for Lay and their guest are already lying on the couch while the couple sits on the floor with Tao sitting in between his boyfriend's legs.
"Can you not leave?" Kris whispers against the younger's ear, Tao lies his head on the blond's shoulder and shakes his head. "I promise I'll come home sooner than 2 weeks."
"I don't want you to leave..." Kris hugs Tao tighter and leans his forehead on his boyfriend's temple, "Stay with me."
A pillow is suddenly thrown their way and when the couple looks up, Lay is glaring at them, "GO TO YOUR ROOM! YOU'RE NOT EVEN PAYING ATTENTION TO THE MOVIE!"
"Right. Sorry." Kris laughs. He stands and pulls Tao with him to the bedroom. They plop down on the bed and the blond just pulls his boyfriend close to him.
"Don't leave, don't leave..."
"I'll convince mama and papa, okay? I'll come home the soonest that I can."
Kris kisses his boyfriend and just hugs him close, "This is just so different when you first left. I don't know why but I just want you to stay."
Tao doesn't respond and just pushes himself closer into Kris' warmth, "Babe... I can't help but think that something might go wrong."
The younger leans up and kisses Kris, "Everything will be fine. Just remember your promise, okay? You're not supposed to break my heart while I'm gone."
"I'll never do that. I'll end up breaking my own too."
-----
Chanyeol and Baekhyun arrives at the couple's apartment around 10AM to send off Tao and Lay to the airport. The five of them leaves early and decides to have lunch near the airport before the two flies to China. They share a fun lunch until they drive to the airport.
Lay and Tao checks in while the other 3 wait for them to finish. "We can always come to your place if you're lonely, hyung." Baekhyun smiles devilishly and Kris shakes his head, "Please don't. You might do something wrong in our place."
"Wrong like what?"
Kris narrows his eyes and crosses his arms, "I don't even want to think about it."
Baekhyun yelps and Chanyeol laughs. The shortest is about to protest when Tao suddenly appears and hugs his boyfriend tight. The couple ignores the two and focuses their attention on Lay.
"Do you really have to go?" Kris asks Tao, the younger just smiles, "We talked about this last night. I told you, if I can convince my parents, I will come back immediately."
"Convince them with all the aegyo that you know and come back tomorrow!" Kris demands and the group just laughs it off, "Oh, ge. I'll miss you too."
"How long are you gonna do your goodbyes?" Baekhyun asks, Chanyeol nudges him, "What? Kris-hyung's been trying to stop Tao from leaving ever since we left their apartment!"
"He's been trying to stop him since last night." Yixing comments, and the Baekhyun rolls his eyes playfully.
Kris groans rather loudly when his boyfriend's flight is called, he pulls the boy into a tight hug, he leans closer into Tao's ears and whispers, "I love you."
It's just 3 words but it's enough to stop Tao's world. It's the first he's heard Kris tell it to him, it's not like they don't know what they both feel about each other but finally hearing it from Kris is just a different kind of happiness. Tao tears up and leans in closer into Kris' ear to whisper, "I love you, too." Kris hugs him tighter that Yixing and Chanyeol had to pry them apart, "We have to board, Tao." Yixing reminds him, the younger nods.
"Bye ge. Please, keep your promise while I'm gone." Tao pulls away and stares at Kris. "I will." Kris kisses him briefly then wipes his boyfriend's cheek, "I'll see you when you get back."
Tao smiles and then waves goodbye to everyone. Kris watches him and Yixing leave.
"Hey, hyung." Chanyeol and Baekhyun calls out to get Kris' attention.
"Hmn?"
"Were you two able to talk?" The shortest among them asks as they walk out of the airport and into the parking lot where Kris' car is parked.
"Nope. He just wasn't ready so I told him he can tell me when he gets back."
Chanyeol raises an eyebrow, "So, you're really not aware of anything?"
"Aware of what? That Luhan-hyung likes me?"
"YOU KNEW?!" The couple screams, Kris immediately gets inside his car to avoid being associated with them.
Baekhyun scrambles in tha passenger seat, Chanyeol curses his long legs when he suddenly is having a hard time getting inside the backseat in curiosity.
Kris starts the car, "I'm not as oblivious as you guys think."
"Then why do you still insist that Tao tells you?" Chanyeol asks, Baekhyun looks at Kris in confusion.
"It's not like I knew it right away. I was kinda getting curious already because Tao-er is so cute and perky when he's with you but curls up when Luhan-hyung is around. He's scared of him and you guys aren't subtle either. I just know that my boyfriend is a selfless guy, and putting the pieces together, I just realized why it was Luhan-hyung he needed the approval to date me the most. And last Friday, there was already a hint that Luhan-hyung's involved so I just want it to come from Tao-er so that I'm a hundred percent sure." Kris explains as he drives away from the airport.
"I see. You do realize you're hurting Luhan-hyung too when you're too affectionate with Tao?" Baekhyun asks as fixes his hair using the side view mirror.
"He's my boyfriend, Baekhyun. You can't blame me for that and for the first time in a long time, I'm... Really in love, like, really in love as if my past relationships were nothing. It's very unlike me to be showy, but this is different. And maybe, at the back of my head, I want hyung to realize that it's Tao-er I want to spend the rest of my life with."
"Wow, you're a pretty loyal guy for a popular and perfect student." Chanyeol comments from the backseat, eating an unfinished bag of potato chips he stole from the couple's apartment.
"You're just stereotyping the jocks Chanyeol. Not all of us are douchebags, but we're the small 5% so I can't defend the rest of the guys."
"But, aren't you awkward with hyung?" Baekhyun asks, Kris shakes his head, "I'm used to people having crushes on me. I'm a jock. I'm part of the student council. I don't wanna sound like a pompous bastard but, you know. And he's Tao's friend, that's what's important."
"You're too nice." Baekhyun tells him and Kris sighs, "We're all friends now, and Tao would want me to be close to everyone he loves. He's happy that we all get along now."
"Don't worry, hyung! We'll make sure you're alright!" Chanyeol holds his thumb up and Kris just laughs it off.
Back inside the airplane, Lay watches silently as Tao looks out the window after it takes off. The older notices that Tao is holding the red dragon plushie he's brought tight. Seconds later the younger is crying and burying his face into the plushie's material. Lay takes out his cellphone and starts recording Tao's misery.
"Stop crying, Zitao." Lay tells Tao and the younger cries harder, "I miss him already..."
"You'll see him in two weeks"
"He just told me he loves me." Zitao hugs the plushie tighter, and his shoulders keep shaking, "and I just told him I love him too... Shouldn't we spend more time together now?"
"Then come back sooner..."
Tao looks up, eyes puffy and red, "STOP RECORDING ME!"
The younger tries to grab Lay's phone, and the other keeps it away from Tao's reach. He stops the recording and puts away his phone. Tao pouts and hugs the plushie tight again, "I want to go back to him right now."
Lay runs his hand through the younger's hair, "It's just two weeks, you'll see him again." Tao looks up to meet the older smiling at him, "Don't worry Tao. You'll be back in Kris' arms in no time. You're just in China for a few days, what could possibly go wrong?"
--------
Author's notes: A quick update written in 2 days because I still have some remaining muse for this fic. I've started the 5th chapter of my other fic but I just can't finish it for some reason. :( I hope this makes up for the lack of muse for “Daily Lives of College Boys”.
Ohhhh. Tao’s in China.
Enjoy. <3