Swimming Closer To You - Kris x Tao - Oneshot (1/2)
Title: Swimming Closer To You
Author: paranoiascreams
Pairing: Kris x Tao
Chapter: Oneshot
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: bad swimming instructions. hahaha.
Summary: Kris learns how to swim to impress the Swim Team's captain only to fall in love with his instructor.
Author's Notes: this is for sendmyluv2korea during the sncj-santa fic exchange. ^_^
Luhan and Yifan are wandering around the campus one morning - they've been in the university for three years and they never joined any kinds of club. Today they decided to just look around the area and watch the other students clamor to gain members or join clubs.
"Who's that?"
Luhan turns to the direction Yifan has painfully directed him to, the older hisses in pain yet again when Yifan's huge hand slaps his shoulder once more and asks the same question.
Luhan pushes the taller before rubbing his shoulder, "That's Yixing. He's the captain of the swim team."
"God damn."
Luhan chuckles without subtlety, "Sucks to be you."
Yifan rolls his eyes, "It's not a crime that I don't know how to swim." He tries to defend himself but Luhan only laughs harder, earning the both of them the unwelcomed attention from the other students loitering around campus - even Yixing's. Yifan turns away slightly so he wouldn't look so embarrassing in front of the cutie who's caught his eyes.
"Why not go and ask him to teach you how to swim? Surely it will bring you two closer." Luhan suggests but Yifan shakes his head, "No! That's embarrassing!"
Luhan nudges Yifan when the older notices Yixing approach them, "Hi! I'm Zhang Yixing, we're trying to gather up new members for the swim team, are you two interested?"
"In you?" Yifan asks, Luhan bursts into a fit of laughter. Yixing chuckles awkwardly and Yifan is quick to save what's left of his pride, "In your team, I mean! Interested in your team."
Yixing nods his head, "Y-yeah? Are you?"
"Oh he's very much interested to join! He's an awesome swimmer! I've wondered why he hasn't join the team yet!" Luhan chirps in and Yifan nearly commits murder. Yixing beams and claps his hands together, "Awesome! I'll see you on Saturday for the tryout...?" The swim team captain furrows his brows and Yifan snaps, "YIFAN! I - I'm Wu Yifan. This is Luhan."
"Alright, see you around!" Yixing waves goodbye before running back to where the rest of his team is. Yifan glares daggers at Luhan who finally releases his pentup laughter.
"Luhan, why??!"
"It's fun to watch you become miserable!"
"I don't remember doing this to you when you were still trying to get Sehun in your pants!!!"
"You should have, then!" Luhan beams evilly and Yifan glares. They're interrupted when Luhan's younger boyfriend approaches them. "Hey."
"Hey, baby! I think Yifan's finally gonna get over his single phase!"
Sehun chuckles at the back of his hand, "Really? Does his dick still works?"
"I will punch you both in your faces! Why are you two my friends?!"
Luhan and Sehun shrugs nonchalantly. The oldest grins and starts, "Yifan's trying out for the swim team on Saturday."
Sehun bursts out in a very ungraceful fit of laughter, "Yifan?! Swimming?! That's funny. He's like 6 feet of pure sinker. He's gonna drown in a 4ft pool."
"Yeah! He's got an instant crush on the team's captain and he's got until Saturday to prove that he can be part of the team." Luhan beams with pride while Yifan dies a little inside. Sehun turns serious and looks at the blond, "I can introduce you to my friend. They own an indoor pool and his parents aren't around much. Maybe he can teach you how to swim."
"What's in it for me? Aside the fact that maybe Yixing can notice me?"
Sehun chuckles nervously, "Uh... Don't be afraid of him?"
"Why? Does he eat babies for kicks?"
Luhan gasps, "Oh! You're talking about him? Are you sure? Yifan might scream his way out of there!"
Yifan smacks the back of Luhan's head, Sehun shrugs his shoulders, "He's nice. Just a little on the dark side. Anyway, I'll text him and tell him we'll drop by later so I can introduce you to him."
"As long as he doesn't sacrifice me to the devil or whatever." Yifan sighs heavily before walking his way while the couple separates from him.
-----
"This place is huuuuuge." Yifan exclaims as he stares at the huge mansion in front of him. Sehun scoffs, "I did say they have an indoor pool, I didn't mean the kiddie pools you blow air into. I mean literally an olympic-sized indoor pool."
"Come on, let's get this over with. You know how he scares me." Luhan whispers next to Sehun as he clings onto the younger's arm. The youngest rings the doorbell and a few minutes later, a middle-aged man greets them.
"Young master Huang is expecting you. Please, proceed to the pool. He awaits for you, Mr. Oh, Mr. Lu, and the one who does not know how to swim." The butler tells them as the three of them walks inside. Luhan guffaws loudly when the butler is out of hearing range, "The one who does not know how to swim. That's funny!"
"Fuck you, Luhan. I swear."
Sehun leads the two older Chinese around the house - he's obviously been around the place more than a few times. Yifan stops his urge to gasp loudly when he sees the pool good enough to be placed inside a gym. The tallest among the three notices someone stand from a chair and approaches them quietly but authoratively. Yifan watches as the tall boy clad in black skinnies and black sweater walks to where the three of them are awkwardly standing. Once the raven-haired boy is in close proximity, Yifan notices the bags under his eyes and that he's just maybe 3-5 inches shorter than him.
"Hello. You must be the one I have to teach?" He starts, Yifan nods. "I'm Huang Zitao. You are?"
"Wu Yifan."
"I see. I'm usually in the house everyday. But don't come in the mornings, I'm homeschooled and I have classes from 8 - 11."
Yifan doesn't see any other emotions on Zitao's face, not even mockery that a 6'2 tall, and 22-year old Physics major does not know how to swim.
"Please, make yourselves at home." Zitao tells the three and he walks to where a fire pit is unlit with a round couch circled around it. The three awkwardly follows him and joins the young Chinese. A few minutes later a different butler from earlier comes in rolling a trolley of food and drinks. "Please, eat. Drink."
Yifan leans closer to Sehun and whispers, "How old is he?"
"19."
"What?!" Yifan exclaims rather loudly and Zitao turns to him, "Is there something wrong?"
The older blond shakes his head and stuffs his face with a sandwich, "By the way, Yifan. Do you want me to teach you with Luhan-ge and Sehun here?"
"It's Yifan-ge."
Zitao smirks, "Really? Age is but a number. For now I am your teacher so, no. You're Yifan."
The other couple laughs and Luhan pats Yifan's back, "Good luck."
Tao checks his watch, "It's only 3 in the afternoon, on a Monday. Do you want to start? I heard from Sehun already. You only have until Saturday to learn. By the looks of it, my work is already cut out for me."
"You don't sacrifice babies, do you?" Yifan asks, Zitao laughs on the back of his hand, "No. I sacrifice bad students to the devil, though."
Luhan and Sehun laughs awkwardly, Yifan sighs, "I don't have any swimming gear."
"Guessed as much." Zitao points his arm to the left, "There's the shower room, there are various sizes for swim trunks you'd want to use. Don't worry, they're all brand new."
"Well, we're going now. Good luck to the both of you." Luhan stands and Sehun follows. Yifan grabs on both their wrists, "Don't leave me."
Luhan shrugs his arm, "Bye!" The oldest grins evilly before dragging Sehun out and leaving Yifan to the mercy of Huang Zitao. The young Chinese looks at Yifan, sighs, and nonchalantly removes his sweater, then his pants, leaving Zitao in his swim trunks that goes above the knee - in which Yifan is thankful for, because he just might have a little problem down there if his instructor decides to teach him in his speedos, with Zitao's toned muscles and abs, yep. Problem.
"I'll wait for you in the water." Zitao tells Yifan before perfectly diving into the pool, it wakes the blond out of his trance and he realizes a little too late that the younger has caught him staring.
Yifan leaves and returns wearing a similar kind of swimming trunks later to find Zitao doing laps across the pool. The blond walks to the edge of the pool, his legs dipped under the water. When Zitao spots him, the younger swims to him and pulls himself out of the water. He takes a towel, dries his hair and sits next to Yifan. "I need to ask you some things before we start."
"Ok. What?"
"Why don't you know how to swim?"
Yifan sighs before responding, "I'm scared of drowning." The blond closes his eyes and waits for mockery but all he hears is soft splashes of water, he opens his eyes and finds Zitao's feet playing with the poolwater.
"It's normal. Most people who doesn't know how to swim are scared of drowning."
"Have you taught anybody to swim before?"
Zitao nods, "I taught my younger cousins how to swim when they visit..." Yifan notices a sense of longing in the younger's voice but the blond decides not to pry. Zitao throws his towel on one of the chairs and jumps back into the water, "How tall are you?"
"6'2?"
"I'm a flat 6. Come on, jump in. It's only 5 ft here."
Yifan slides himself into the pool, tentatively reaching for the tiled floor. He stands in front of the younger, relieved that the water comes up just over his chest.
Zitao points to the far end of the pool, "It's 12ft there, I dive, too." Yifan looks at the diving boards, Zitao continues, "Only when I'm bored, though."
"Do you compete?"
Zitao shakes his head, "I don't. My parents just wanted me to try a lot of sports. I'm not really into it, I'm more into wushu and basketball."
"I play basketball. You should play with me and my friends."
"Huh." Zitao scoffs. "Let's start."
Yifan decides not to ask what the scoff is for and thinks that they both should really start with the lessons if he wants to be able to swim before the tryouts on Saturday. "What do I do first?"
"Well, let's try to hold our breaths underwater first. Do you smoke?"
"I don't."
"Good. At least I'm aware you have healthy lungs. In three, two..." Zitao trails off before submerging himself into the pool, Yifan follows, only to come up for air less than 10 seconds later. Zitao emerges and looks at him, "Are you okay?"
"Can't breathe!"
Zitao smiles at Yifan, it's a small smile and it takes Yifan aback, it's quite an asssuring and sweet smile - a smile Yifan doesn't know the brooding boy possesses. "You'll be fine. I won't let you drown. Shall we go again? Let's go under every 5 seconds, then every 10, until you get used underwater."
"O-okay."
They do the routine of going up and under the water until Yifan gets used to the feeling of being submerged and he can stay under for over a minute. Zitao tells him to stop after they've gone past the 2-minute mark the younger has set for them. "See? The water won't eat you up. Let's see if you can float."
"How?"
"Push your legs up and pull it to your chest. Let your body lean forward into the water and just let go. You'll float."
"Huh?"
Zitao sighs, "Like this." The younger demonstrates what he just said and Yifan watches the ravenhaired boy curl like a fetus underwater. Zitao floats and a part of his bare back emerges, Yifan stares. He's cut from his trance when Zitao straightens up and faces him, "You think you can do that?"
"Hopefully. I think I'm heavy and I'll sink all the way to the bottom."
"Go on."
Yifan does what Zitao told him to do. He feels his body float, and he's glad that at least he does. The blond straightens up after half a minute of being submerged and faces Zitao again. "What else do we do?"
"Let's get you used to floating." Zitao responds and the younger tells him to hold on to the edge of the pool and let his body float flatly over the water. "You're doing good." The raven-haired boy comments, "Can you turn over and float on your back?"
Yifan nods, but before he can float on his back, Zitao stops him, "It will feel weird to have water around your ears but you'll get used to it. Spread your arm like a T to be more stable and balanced."
"I understand." Yifan leans back and lets himself float, he hears his young instructor speak, "Don't panic. Don't flail around and let the water carry you."
Yifan doesn't say anything and he tries to make it seem like he understood, but as soon as he starts sinking (his stomach is being pulled down first) he panics and flails his body until he sinks into the water ungraciously. He stands up immediately and he finds Zitao just smiling at him like an understanding mother, "Try again? Don't panic, I'm here to save you."
"Not sacrifice me to the devil?"
Zitao shakes his head, "Not yet."
"Huh."
"Come on, do it again."
Yifan does it again and ends up with the same results after at least three tries, Zitao chuckles when Yifan pops his head out of the water, "You're laughing at me!"
"I'm not laughing at you. I'm a bit amused. I'm sorry. Do it again, I'll join you."
Zitao leans on his back and lets himself float over the water, "It's actually calming..." The younger mumbles and closes his eyes, Yifan is watching the other intently before doing the same. They stay silent for a bit, Yifan is glad that he's staying afloat now that the other is doing the same. Their arms are both widespread and it brushes against each other, Yifan chuckles as they keep getting pulled closer by the water, "Do you know about sea otters?"
"What about them?" Zitao asks, Yifan grins, "They hold hands when they sleep so that they don't drift away from each other."
"Really? Interesting..." The younger seizes what he's doing and straightens up, "Are you feeling confident now? With your ability to float?"
"Yeah." Yifan tells him before straightening up as well.
"Then that will be all for today." Zitao tells him and the younger gets off the pool. Yifan follows, he dries himself off with a towel the younger hands him. "I'll come back tomorrow. Thank you, Zitao."
"Sure. Not in the mornings." Zitao walks away, "One of my butlers will show you out." And with that the younger disappears and is replaced by the same butler who greeted them when they first came into the house.
-----
"How was his teaching? He's not calling for the devils to help you out yet?" Luhan asks the next day when the three of them are eating their lunch. Yifan furrows his brows, "He doesn't seem like the type. Why do you both say those things about him?"
Sehun sighs, "Well, those were just rumors."
"How did you even know him? He's homeschooled." Yifan asks as he takes a bite off his sandwich. Sehun leans back on his chair, "We were seatmates in middle school. He's an exchange student and he's really... Quiet? I talked to him from time to time and you can say we became friends after that."
"So he did go to a normal school. Why'd he stop?"
"Well, people can be mean. They started bullying him and tried to get money from him ever since they learned how rich Zitao really is. Rumors started that he worships the devil too when some students claimed to have seen him reading a weird book about witchcraft in the library. Zitao, he never said anything to dismiss the gossip and instead owned it. He got more bullied about it, and one day Zitao snapped and did his martial arts thing to the group. 2 of the guys ended up in the hospital with broken bones, the rest bailed but the group were all injured. He was fairly unscathed and the rumor about him and the devil exploded more. His parents paid for all the damage he's caused to the students then pulled him out of the school. He's been homeschooled ever since."
"Yet, you stayed friends?"
Sehun nods, "You can say that. I visit him once a week, he's nice and his chef serves the most awesome food. His parents aren't always around and he's lonely."
"I've met him a few times when Sehun and I started dating." Luhan tells Yifan, "I got scared the first time I met him. He's got a dark aura, doesn't he?"
"Didn't notice." Yifan shrugs. He looks out the window of the cafeteria and he sees Yixing walking along the pavement with another boy, "Who's Yixing with?"
Luhan and Sehun looks to where Yifan is looking, the oldest leans back in his chair after identifying the guy with the swim team's captain, "That's Joonmyun. He's the swim team's co-captain."
"Huh. He's got nothin' on me." Yifan comments, the couple laughs.
"Yeah, except the fact that he can actually swim and is on the team and oh, works closely with Yixing." Luhan teases and he ends up with a carrot stuck to his forehead. Yifan checks his watch and it's around 1 in the afternoon, he doesn't have any classes later so he stands up and takes his bag, "I'm going to my lessons now, and I tell you, when I try out for the swim team, I'm sure I'll get Yixing too."
"Keep hoping!" Luhan yells after him when Yifan leaves the cafeteria.
-----
"The young master will see you in a moment." The butler tells Yifan when he arrives at the Huang mansion, "You can wait in the drawing room." He adds as he leads Yifan inside to a room with a huge couch in the middle and a coffee table to accompany it.
The blond sits still on the couch when the butler leaves. He waits for a few minutes until he hears Zitao's voice echo from the corridor.
'I haven't seen both your shadows in 6 months, what makes it any different this time? It's the same excuses, mama. I am fine, don't worry.'
'You don't have to, mama. I will go to Europe when I feel like it. I am not bored yet.'
'Good bye, mama and give my regards to papa. I'll see you when I do.'
Yifan grabs a magazine to appear busy and not look like he's eavesdropped on a private conversation. Zitao appears on the doorway and greets Yifan, "Have you had lunch? I fell asleep after my lessons."
"Had a snack on my way here."
Zitao nods his head, "I see. But come on, join me for lunch."
Yifan think it's his last day on earth when the maids serve a luxurious plate of steak and fresh vegetables for the both of them. Once the food are laid out, the servants leave them in the huge dining table fit for 12 people at least. Zitao starts eating across him and Yifan digs in, and Sehun is right - the food is awesome.
"D - do you always eat alone?"
"Uh-huh."
"Do you even go out?"
Zitao shakes his head, "Unless I travel. I've traveled a lot and it doesn't surprise me anymore so I stay at home."
"What do you do here?"
"I sacrifice babies to the devil." Zitao smirks, Yifan laughs nervously, "No. Seriously, I just read or sleep. Or wushu. Whatever I feel like doing."
"Aren't you bored? What about your friends?"
"I have Sehun. And Luhan-ge. They visit me once a week."
"You have me too."
"Well, you're only here until Friday, anyway."
"Right."
Zitao shrugs, "I'm used to it. Don't worry."
They eat in silence after that. Yifan is about to stand after he's done eating his steak when the maids arrive to serve them each a slice of blueberry cheesecake. Yifan sees the younger's eyes sparkle in delight and Zitao smiles rather beautifully upon getting the dessert, "Is this from 'Le' Grand Bleu'?'"
"Yes, young master."
"Oh! Is there more?"
"For your own delight, yes."
"Great. Please, serve it later again by the pool."
"Would you like tea or juice later, sir?"
"Just bring both."
"Yes, sir." The maid bows and leaves. Zitao starts eating his cheesecake, Yifan stares in awe.
"Have you been to the cafe?" The blond asks and Zitao shakes his head, "No. I only read the reviews on the internet and I had them deliver their sweets here."
"I see." Yifan takes a bite off his cheesecake. He's been to the cafe once (it's quite expensive) and he thinks what's served inside the shop is still better since it's fresher and the ambiance complements the pastries.
Once they're done with lunch, the both of them walks out to the pool area. The two of them heads to the shower room to change and Zitao unceremoniously removes his clothes next to Yifan and walks around the shelves in only his boxers. The blond had to turn his gaze away from the younger and grabs a swimming trunks before rushing inside one of the stalls.
"I'll wait for you outside." Zitao tells him before Yifan hears the younger's retreating footsteps.
Yifan jumps into the water once he's out of the shower room and walks his way to where Zitao is standing. "So, you think you can swim today?"
"I hope so."
"Remember that your goal is to swim for yourself, not for anybody else."
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"Nevermind. Shall we start?"
Zitao nods. "You remember how to float?" The younger asks and Yifan nods. "Alright. Hold onto the pool's side and practice kicking your legs." The blond does as he's told and Zitao mirrors him, "There are different kinds of kicks," the younger starts, "The flutter kick..." And Zitao demonstrates how it's done, Yifan does the same. "See? Easy." Zitao asks and Yifan nods again, "Well, let's get you used to flutter kicking first."
After a few minutes Zitao tells Yifan to stop. "Turn around, we'll see how you fare if you're on your back."
"Wouldn't it be hard for me to hold on to the edge of the pool that way?" Yifan asks as he straightens up in front of Zitao again.
"I'll hold you." Zitao tells him, Yifan is then turned around so that his head isn't facing the pool's wall, and then the younger puts one hand on the small of his back, and the other on his chest, pushing him down so he can lie on the water. Yifan doesn't move and the hand on his chest moves on his back as well, "This is just like riding a bike, okay? Kick your feet and we'll see if you can float and move on your own."
"Don't laugh at me when I sink, please?"
"I promise I won't." Zitao smiles, "Not in front of you, at least."
"Alright."
"Don't panic if I let go, alright?"
"I'll try."
"Start paddling. And close your eyes." Zitao tells him, and Yifan does. The younger walks slowly, moving along as the blond moves his feet. Tentatively, Zitao slowly detaches his hands from Yifan's back. He still moves along Yifan, making the blond think that he's still holding him until he stops and watches Yifan float alone across the pool.
"Zitao!" Yifan yells when he finally realizes that nobody is holding him. His panic gets the best of him because he's unsure just how far he has stirred himself across the water and he stops paddling and starts sinking. He must've floated quite far because his feet couldn't reach the floor and Yifan thinks he's being sacrificed for being a bad student - that is until hands grab him under his arms and is lifted up for air, "Kick, Yifan. I'll drag you to a more shallow area."
Yifan paddles his feet while one of his arms is hoisted over Zitao's shoulder and the younger does most of the swimming back to where Yifan can actually touch the floor. It only takes less than a minute until Zitao stops and removes his arm from him, "Are you okay? I told you not to panic."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I'm still not used to being in the water for so long."
"At least you floated and moved. It's a start." Zitao smiles and pats Yifan's cheek, "You look pale, were you scared?"
Yifan hopes he doesn't return his color soon not when his blood is rushing to his face and Zitao is looking at him, "I... I told you I was scared of drowning."
"We should rest so you'd calm down. I can literally hear your heart racing." Zitao tells him before the younger gets out of the pool and puts on a robe. Yifan follows him and dries himself off with his towel before wrapping the material on his waist. The blond wonders himself if his heart racing is caused by his fear or of an entirely different reason that comes in the form of Huang Zitao.
"Just rest up." Zitao tells him as the younger sits on a lounge chair, Yifan sits on another lounge chair next to him.
They stay silent for a moment until Zitao speaks, "You're doing this for someone else, aren't you?"
"Y-you could say that." Yifan awkwardly responds and Zitao lies on the chair and looks ahead, "Do it for yourself. You have to impress yourself first before you impress other people."
"You do things for your parents." Yifan mumbles and Zitao turns and glares at him, "You know nothing about me."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."
"I'm only good with wushu because that's what I love to do, everything else is so-so. Everything else is forced."
"Even swimming?"
"Yes. Even swimming."
Yifan lies on his side and looks at Zitao, "I think you're a decent teacher. It's only been the 2nd day and I floated."
Zitao turns on his side and faces Yifan, "You must be a natural, you're just afraid to try on your own."
Yifan stares at Zitao, and the younger stares back. The blond takes in more of the other's features and Yifan realizes that the younger have feline eyes and a prominent jaw line.
"Why are you staring at me? This isn't the first time you did. Am I weird?"
Yifan clears his throat, "N-no, you're not weird. I'm just thinking how you contrast him so much."
"Him?"
"N-nevermind. I... I think I want to try and swim some more."
"Alright." Zitao slightly smiles and stands up from the chair and removes his robe in front of Yifan before diving into the pool. Yifan runs his hand up and down his face to calm himself before taking off his towel and follows the younger into the water. He can't get used to the fact that Zitao has no inhibitions when it comes to taking off his clothes.
"I don't have a kickboard, so hold my hands." Zitao tells him, "I'll lead you."
Yifan tentatively takes Zitao's outstretched hands, "You can choose to put your head under the water or not, just paddle your feet, I won't let you go beyond 6 ft this time."
"Promise?"
"Yeah. We'll just let you get used to moving in the water, rather than just floating."
"Okay."
Yifan decides not to keep his head underwater because he'll have a view of Zitao's crotch area even through the blur of the water and the burn of the chlorine in his eyes and that isn't good. They go around the pool for a few rounds before Zitao stops and Yifan straightens up, "You think you can try swimming on your own?"
"I can try."
Zitao claps his hands together, "Alright. I'll teach you how to 'crawl'. Let's do a backstroke first. Float flat on your back and do the flutter kick." Yifan does as he's told and Zitao continues, "Keep your fingers together and your hands flat. Now, do the 'crawl' motion by lifting an arm straight, keep it straight as you re-enter your arms through the water." Zitao watches as Yifan alternately moves his arms over his head. After a few strokes, Yifan stops and floats his way back to where Zitao is watching. "How'd I do?"
"Not bad. Now, do the same but faced down."
Yifan nods. He feels a sense of pride knowing he's doing okay and he's actually improving since he's swimming - something he didn't even think he'll do a few days ago.
"You can stop now!" Yifan hears Zitao yell and he looks up to see the younger standing outside the pool, "Swim here! Come on!"
Yifan smiles and swims his way to the edge of the pool before getting himself out of the water. "You're technically a swimmer now, Yifan..." Zitao tells the other after they take a seat on the lounge chairs where a table is set up with sweets. The younger grabs a plate and eats immediately, Yifan takes his own plate that's been waiting for him on the table.
"What time are you coming tomorrow?" The younger asks, Yifan thinks for a bit. "Around 2 maybe. I have classes too."
"I see. I'll see you tomorrow, too."
Yifan smiles because he thinks he hears a bit of delight in the younger's voice knowing he'll come back for him the next day again.
-----
"How's the 2nd day?" Luhan greets Yifan when he catches the blond inside the library. Sehun trails behind his boyfriend. Yifan grins at the couple, "Well, I can swim now. Not in the professional level but at least I don't sink anymore."
"Good for you. Zitao must have sacrificed a dozen chickens for you to learn."
Yifan rolls his eyes, "He told me I was a natural. Just a bit afraid to try." He boasts with pride. The blond leans forward and whispers, "I may have aggravated him a bit, though."
"What did you do?" Sehun perks up, Yifan leans closer, "I said somehing like.. 'You do everything for your parents' and he's like, 'You know nothing about me.' And he was scary."
Sehun shakes his head and clicks his tongue, "H... His parents doted on him too much - being an only child and heir to the Huang empire. Imagine the pressure, Yifan-hyung. And then, there was the incident and his parents were so disappointed, they made him stop practicing his wushu. They even thought he has anger issues."
"He said wushu's what he loved the most. And he said he still does it."
"In secret, maybe. They make him travel from time to time so he won't be bored but he hates it. He doesn't have anger issues, he's calm and he takes everything in a stride... But he's also afraid to let down his parents' expectations of him."
Luhan sighs, "Poor kid. Be nice to him, okay?"
"Hey! I'm nice." Yifan exclaims and there's a collective 'shhhh!' from the other students near their table. "Yo, hyung." Sehun calls and the blond turns to him. "Yixing, 3 o' clock."
Yifan turns to where Sehun is saying and he finds Yixing talking to the librarian. He looks at the swim team captain and he feels... normal? No skipping of heartbeat or butterflies in his tummy, unlike the first time he saw the swim team's captain's face. The blond turns to the couple again, "I'm going to Zitao's."
"It's only 1 pm. Aren't you a bit too eager?" Luhan asks and Yifan shrugs him off, "I have a lot to learn."
Yifan arrives at the Huang mansion half an hour later, the butler tells him that the young master is already at the pool area and the blond tells the middle-aged man he'll go on his own. Yifan finds Zitao reading a book on one of the lounge chairs in his swim trunks.
"You're an hour ahead of schedule..." Zitao greets him, Yifan tells him his classes ended rather early. The blond removes his clothes (since he's wearing his swim trunks already) and Zitao turns away from him. Yifan raises an eyebrow but decides not to pay too much attention about it.
"Come on." Zitao tells him as the younger jumps on his feet and dives perfectly into the water. Yifan follows and walks to where the younger is waiting for him.
"I'll teach you the breast stroke."
"How do you do that?"
"Okay. So when you go underwater, you move your hands as if you're trying to split the water in half so you can propel forward while you paddle your feet."
Yifan furrows his brows, Zitao smiles, "I'll show you." The younger goes under and does as what he just told Yifan. He emerges a few feet away from the blond, "Try it. Come to me." Zitao tells Yifan as he presses his back against the wall of the pool.
"How deep is the water there?"
"About 6 ft. You have to be used to floating by yourself."
Yifan nods and goes underwater. The blond struggles a little with his uncoordinated hands and feet, he emerges immediately and he obviously hasn't moved from his spot. "Make me your finish line. Come on, ge!"
Yifan feels a little spark jolt in his body when Zitao calls him 'ge', he acts as if he doesn't acknowledge it since he saw how the younger suddenly covers his mouth with the sudden endearment.
"I - it's not too hard, Yifan!"
Yifan smiles and tries again, this time more determined to reach the younger waiting a few feet away from him, he pushes himself as he tries his mightiest to move himself forward without panicking, or thinking he's drowning knowing that his goal - Zitao - is just a mere distance from where he started. He feels himself move, even if he feels like he's sinking a little. He finds Zitao's legs through the haze and swims with a bit of difficulty, once he deems himself close, he emerges out of the water.
He's just a bit too close.
Yifan stands in front of Zitao and his face is mere inches away from the younger, since Zitao has no space to move back further, the distance between them can only widen if Yifan moves a step back.
Yifan doesn't.
He stares at Zitao and the younger is silently looking up at him, biting nervously at his bottom lip. The blond's gaze doesn't falter and he inches just a tiny bit closer, Zitao's hand lands on his chest and pushes Yifan a bit, "Y - You're doing g - great..." Zitao stutters then steps to his side and swims away to a more shallow area, "Try again."
"Let me catch my breath." Yifan tells him, Zitao nods. The blond wonders if his shortness of breath is caused by his strained way of trying to swim or if it's because of the way Zitao was looking at him earlier, or the warmth he felt when the younger touched him. The blond looks at where Zitao is waiting and he notices that the younger is standing a few feet from the wall, making sure he can step back should Yifan stop too close again.
"I'm ready." Yifan announces before trying to swim again, this time he tries to be more steady and focused. He smiles underwater because he's still moving forward (at least, he knows that him moving earlier wasn't sheer luck) and he swims his way to Zitao. He emerges out of the water a few seconds later and a foot away from Zitao.
"You're swimming! That's great!"
"You're a good teacher." Yifan smiles, and Zitao is smiling proudly at him. The blond notices the genuine spark of delight in the eyes of the younger, and for the first time, Zitao breaks off the eye contact with him and gets himself out of the pool, "T-try practicing by yourself, I'll watch you."
"Okay." Yifan starts swimming - doing what he's learned from the past days. Zitao tells him what he's doing wrong and tries to improve on his own. Sometimes Zitao would swim aimlessly in the pool as Yifan tries to be better with what he's been taught of so far.
"I'm tired. Aren't you?" Zitao asks, the blond replies with a nod. The younger swims to the edge of the pool and gets out of the water. Yifan follows Zitao as the younger dries himself off, he takes his towel and does the same. "I'm gonna take a shower." The younger tells him before stalking off. Yifan grabs his own towel and follows the younger silently. The blond can already hear the water running in one of the private stallls at the end of the hallway. Yifan takes the one nearest to the entrance and washes himself.
When Yifan gets out of the shower, he finds Zitao on the lounge chair eating his dessert, he walks to where the younger is and sits on an empty chair, "Have you tried their other stuff?"
"I tried everything." Zitao smiles, "Grab a slice, replenish your energy."
"Thanks." Yifan takes a slice of the peach cobbler and eats, Zitao turns to him, "Are you coming tomorrow?"
"Maybe not. I have night classes."
"Ah... Alright..."
Yifan watches as the other downcasts his gaze from him to his plate. "Hey, Zitao."
"Hmn?"
"You have anything to do tonight?"
The younger shakes his head, "I might read or sleep. Dinner, if I feel like it."
"Come on."
"Huh?"
"I'll take you out. Let's grab dinner or something."
"Y-you're taking me out?"
Yifan nods, "It's not healthy, what you're doing. You can't stay cooped in here."
"You're really taking me out?"
"Yes? Is it a problem?"
"N-no! Wait... Let me go change. Wait for me in the drawing room." Zitao quickly leaves the area and Yifan decides to wait for him in the said room. It takes at least 15 minutes before Zitao appears in the same room with him. "Ready?" He asks and Zitao nods.
They make it outside the house and Zitao speaks as they walk near the gate, "Do you want to take one of my cars? I can call my driver."
"You mind taking the bus?"
"N-not really..."
"I'll take you back here. Don't worry."
"Uh... Okay."
Yifan takes courage and ruffles Zitao's hair, "Live a little. You travel the world, why do you seem unsure with Seoul?"
Zitao smiles and Yifan feels the younger faintly lean into the touch, "I never leave the house alone now. It's a task."
"A task?"
"Bodyguards and stuff. I told my butlers not to call them tonight and that I'll be fine with you."
"Oh. I'll try my best to protect you on my own then."
"Okay. Thank you." Zitao smiles and they walk side by side. Yifan notices the uneasiness of the younger as they walk, the older sighs and takes Zitao's hand in his, he feels the younger stiffen at the action, "Relax, would you?"
"... Alright."
They make it to the bus stop and they take the seats on the back of the bus. Zitao releases Yifan's hand and watches the city through the window. "Where are you taking me?"
"I'm kidnapping you for ransom."
Zitao turns to him sharply and Yifan laughs. "I'm kidding. We'll go to my favorite place to eat."
The younger pouts and Yifan thinks it's the cutest thing he's ever seen Zitao did around him. "Don't scare me like that."
"Sorry." Yifan rubs the back of his neck and the younger smiles. "... I would have gone willingly." Zitao mumbles and the blond furrows his brows, "What's that? Did you say something?"
The younger shakes his head and denies saying anything. "Come on. It's our stop." Yifan grabs Zitao's hand again and leads them both out of the bus. "T - this is the university area..." Zitao speaks, and Yifan just pulls him towards the street where a lot of food establishments are lined up.
"It's only a a quarter after 5. Do you want to have dinner now or do you want to take a walk around the area?" Yifan asks and Zitao looks at him, "Uh... Walk me around campus? I... I'm curious."
"Come on, then." Yifan tugs on the younger's hand and they walk through the university gates. Yifan talks about his stay in the campus while Zitao looks around the buildings as he listens. From time to time, the younger will ask some questions and Yifan tells him an answer. Their conversation is cut off when someone calls for the attention of the blond.
"Yifan!"
The two turns around and Yixing is walking towards the both of them. "Yixing?"
"Tryouts on Saturday is from 8 - 11. I totally forgot to tell you about it."
"Right. Thanks."
Yixing smiles and then turns to Zitao, "Are you new here? I haven't seen you before. Want to join the swim team?"
Zitao shakes his head, "I... I'm just with Yifan... ge."
"He doesn't study here, Yixing."
Yixing's eyes widen and he looks at the two before smiling knowingly, "OH! I... Sorry about that. I'll see you on Saturday, then!" He waves goodbye before stalking off to where Joonmyun is waiting for him. Yifan realizes he didn't stutter in front of Yixing, and he didn't feel anything different during the whole conversation, and lastly, he didn't realize that he's still holding Zitao's hand until he's been tugged back to reality by the younger; he holds him tighter and Yifan feels Zitao squeeze his hand faintly, too.
"Hungry now?" Yifan asks and Zitao nods. They walk back out of the campus and goes to the quaint diner Yifan usually frequents with Luhan and Sehun. They sit on a corner booth and Yifan hands Zitao the menu. "These are good? They're really cheap..." The younger asks and Yifan nods, "Try the pasta bolognese and the chocolate - banana smoothie."
"Then I'll have that..."
A waitress comes to them and Yifan tells them their orders. They wait for their dinner in silence as Yifan watches Zitao observe the students walking outside the diner. "It's so different when I was in middle school..."
"Yeah, students are more free to express themselves in college."
"... I feel like an alien. It's like everything is new to me when I'm just here." Zitao comments, Yifan doesn't say anything. Their dinner arrive and Zitao smiles delightfully at the sight of pasta on his plate. The younger takes a forkful of his food and he grins widely at Yifan, "I love it!"
"I told you."
"I should fire my chef and hire their cook!"
"Hey! Don't be selfish! How about us?"
And Zitao laughs - the kind of laughter that holds nothing back and Yifan likes it, he likes it a lot. "Wanna try my sandwich?" Yifan asks and Zitao nods. The blond offers his sandwich and Zitao leans over to take a bite without any inhibitions (especially for someone of Zitao's stature). "OH! I want that, too!" Zitao exclaims after swallowing the sandwich, he's grinning so wide and Yifan thinks it's quite addicting to see the cheerful side of Zitao.
"You're really cu--" Yifan speaks but is cut off when they hear someone call their names.
"Yifan! Zitao?!"
The people in question turn to see Luhan and Sehun walking up to their table. The oldest slides and seats next to Yifan while the maknae sits next to Zitao across his boyfriend. "What are you two doing here?" Luhan asks and Yifan scoffs, "I should ask you the same thing."
"Hello? Students, duh." Luhan rolls his eyes and Sehun snickers.
"... Uh, he took me out for dinner." Zitao chimes in, "I think it's nice."
"I see. How's the lesson going?" Luhan asks and Zitao straightens on his seat, "It's coming along nicely..."
Luhan turns to Yifan, "You think you can get Yixing now?"
"Luhan!" Yifan raises his voice a little too late to stop his friend. Zitao ignores Yifan and looks at the doe-eyed male, "Yixing? The swim team captain?"
"Yeah. He didn't tell you? He's got a massive crush on him that's why he's gonna try joining the team."
"Ahhh. Sehun only told me he wants me to teach Yifan. I... I see. So that's why..." Zitao nods and turns to Yifan, "I... I'm sure you'll make it to the team." Yifan knows that Zitao is faking a smile in front of him and he wonders if he could murder Luhan too because Zitao didn't have to know about Yixing - his crush isn't even that massive.
"Zitao, it's not even a huge crush..." He tells the younger and Zitao just nods as he keeps typing a text on his phone. Sehun and Luhan looks at each other since there's obviously a thick kind of tension hanging in the air at the moment. "Uhh, did I say something wrong?" Luhan asks and Zitao shakes his head quietly. The younger finishes his food and Yifan tries because he just lost his appetite. About 15 minutes later a man in a black suit approaches their table and it startles Yifan, Sehun, and Luhan.
"Young master?"
Zitao turns to his companions, "I'm going ahead. Thanks for dinner."
"You're leaving?" Yifan asks, Zitao is already sliding out of the booth past Sehun, "I haven't even taken you to the cafe..."
"Don't bother. Thank you." Zitao nods and starts to walk, he turns back to Yifan before getting out of the place, "See you on Friday..."
Yifan watches as another man in suit opens the backdoor for Zitao and the two men takes the front seats of the car. Yifan turns angrily at Luhan, "Luhan, seriously?"
"Seriously, what?"
"... If it hasn't occured to you, we were on a date."
Sehun facepalms at the realization and Luhan just gapes at Yifan, "Y-you? With Zitao? How about Yixing!?"
Yifan sighs, "What about Yixing?" The blond stands and walks to the counter to pay. He doesn't even take a 2nd glance at Sehun and Luhan when he leaves the diner.
fic too long. part 2 here.
Author: paranoiascreams
Pairing: Kris x Tao
Chapter: Oneshot
Rating: NC-17
Warnings: bad swimming instructions. hahaha.
Summary: Kris learns how to swim to impress the Swim Team's captain only to fall in love with his instructor.
Author's Notes: this is for sendmyluv2korea during the sncj-santa fic exchange. ^_^
Luhan and Yifan are wandering around the campus one morning - they've been in the university for three years and they never joined any kinds of club. Today they decided to just look around the area and watch the other students clamor to gain members or join clubs.
"Who's that?"
Luhan turns to the direction Yifan has painfully directed him to, the older hisses in pain yet again when Yifan's huge hand slaps his shoulder once more and asks the same question.
Luhan pushes the taller before rubbing his shoulder, "That's Yixing. He's the captain of the swim team."
"God damn."
Luhan chuckles without subtlety, "Sucks to be you."
Yifan rolls his eyes, "It's not a crime that I don't know how to swim." He tries to defend himself but Luhan only laughs harder, earning the both of them the unwelcomed attention from the other students loitering around campus - even Yixing's. Yifan turns away slightly so he wouldn't look so embarrassing in front of the cutie who's caught his eyes.
"Why not go and ask him to teach you how to swim? Surely it will bring you two closer." Luhan suggests but Yifan shakes his head, "No! That's embarrassing!"
Luhan nudges Yifan when the older notices Yixing approach them, "Hi! I'm Zhang Yixing, we're trying to gather up new members for the swim team, are you two interested?"
"In you?" Yifan asks, Luhan bursts into a fit of laughter. Yixing chuckles awkwardly and Yifan is quick to save what's left of his pride, "In your team, I mean! Interested in your team."
Yixing nods his head, "Y-yeah? Are you?"
"Oh he's very much interested to join! He's an awesome swimmer! I've wondered why he hasn't join the team yet!" Luhan chirps in and Yifan nearly commits murder. Yixing beams and claps his hands together, "Awesome! I'll see you on Saturday for the tryout...?" The swim team captain furrows his brows and Yifan snaps, "YIFAN! I - I'm Wu Yifan. This is Luhan."
"Alright, see you around!" Yixing waves goodbye before running back to where the rest of his team is. Yifan glares daggers at Luhan who finally releases his pentup laughter.
"Luhan, why??!"
"It's fun to watch you become miserable!"
"I don't remember doing this to you when you were still trying to get Sehun in your pants!!!"
"You should have, then!" Luhan beams evilly and Yifan glares. They're interrupted when Luhan's younger boyfriend approaches them. "Hey."
"Hey, baby! I think Yifan's finally gonna get over his single phase!"
Sehun chuckles at the back of his hand, "Really? Does his dick still works?"
"I will punch you both in your faces! Why are you two my friends?!"
Luhan and Sehun shrugs nonchalantly. The oldest grins and starts, "Yifan's trying out for the swim team on Saturday."
Sehun bursts out in a very ungraceful fit of laughter, "Yifan?! Swimming?! That's funny. He's like 6 feet of pure sinker. He's gonna drown in a 4ft pool."
"Yeah! He's got an instant crush on the team's captain and he's got until Saturday to prove that he can be part of the team." Luhan beams with pride while Yifan dies a little inside. Sehun turns serious and looks at the blond, "I can introduce you to my friend. They own an indoor pool and his parents aren't around much. Maybe he can teach you how to swim."
"What's in it for me? Aside the fact that maybe Yixing can notice me?"
Sehun chuckles nervously, "Uh... Don't be afraid of him?"
"Why? Does he eat babies for kicks?"
Luhan gasps, "Oh! You're talking about him? Are you sure? Yifan might scream his way out of there!"
Yifan smacks the back of Luhan's head, Sehun shrugs his shoulders, "He's nice. Just a little on the dark side. Anyway, I'll text him and tell him we'll drop by later so I can introduce you to him."
"As long as he doesn't sacrifice me to the devil or whatever." Yifan sighs heavily before walking his way while the couple separates from him.
-----
"This place is huuuuuge." Yifan exclaims as he stares at the huge mansion in front of him. Sehun scoffs, "I did say they have an indoor pool, I didn't mean the kiddie pools you blow air into. I mean literally an olympic-sized indoor pool."
"Come on, let's get this over with. You know how he scares me." Luhan whispers next to Sehun as he clings onto the younger's arm. The youngest rings the doorbell and a few minutes later, a middle-aged man greets them.
"Young master Huang is expecting you. Please, proceed to the pool. He awaits for you, Mr. Oh, Mr. Lu, and the one who does not know how to swim." The butler tells them as the three of them walks inside. Luhan guffaws loudly when the butler is out of hearing range, "The one who does not know how to swim. That's funny!"
"Fuck you, Luhan. I swear."
Sehun leads the two older Chinese around the house - he's obviously been around the place more than a few times. Yifan stops his urge to gasp loudly when he sees the pool good enough to be placed inside a gym. The tallest among the three notices someone stand from a chair and approaches them quietly but authoratively. Yifan watches as the tall boy clad in black skinnies and black sweater walks to where the three of them are awkwardly standing. Once the raven-haired boy is in close proximity, Yifan notices the bags under his eyes and that he's just maybe 3-5 inches shorter than him.
"Hello. You must be the one I have to teach?" He starts, Yifan nods. "I'm Huang Zitao. You are?"
"Wu Yifan."
"I see. I'm usually in the house everyday. But don't come in the mornings, I'm homeschooled and I have classes from 8 - 11."
Yifan doesn't see any other emotions on Zitao's face, not even mockery that a 6'2 tall, and 22-year old Physics major does not know how to swim.
"Please, make yourselves at home." Zitao tells the three and he walks to where a fire pit is unlit with a round couch circled around it. The three awkwardly follows him and joins the young Chinese. A few minutes later a different butler from earlier comes in rolling a trolley of food and drinks. "Please, eat. Drink."
Yifan leans closer to Sehun and whispers, "How old is he?"
"19."
"What?!" Yifan exclaims rather loudly and Zitao turns to him, "Is there something wrong?"
The older blond shakes his head and stuffs his face with a sandwich, "By the way, Yifan. Do you want me to teach you with Luhan-ge and Sehun here?"
"It's Yifan-ge."
Zitao smirks, "Really? Age is but a number. For now I am your teacher so, no. You're Yifan."
The other couple laughs and Luhan pats Yifan's back, "Good luck."
Tao checks his watch, "It's only 3 in the afternoon, on a Monday. Do you want to start? I heard from Sehun already. You only have until Saturday to learn. By the looks of it, my work is already cut out for me."
"You don't sacrifice babies, do you?" Yifan asks, Zitao laughs on the back of his hand, "No. I sacrifice bad students to the devil, though."
Luhan and Sehun laughs awkwardly, Yifan sighs, "I don't have any swimming gear."
"Guessed as much." Zitao points his arm to the left, "There's the shower room, there are various sizes for swim trunks you'd want to use. Don't worry, they're all brand new."
"Well, we're going now. Good luck to the both of you." Luhan stands and Sehun follows. Yifan grabs on both their wrists, "Don't leave me."
Luhan shrugs his arm, "Bye!" The oldest grins evilly before dragging Sehun out and leaving Yifan to the mercy of Huang Zitao. The young Chinese looks at Yifan, sighs, and nonchalantly removes his sweater, then his pants, leaving Zitao in his swim trunks that goes above the knee - in which Yifan is thankful for, because he just might have a little problem down there if his instructor decides to teach him in his speedos, with Zitao's toned muscles and abs, yep. Problem.
"I'll wait for you in the water." Zitao tells Yifan before perfectly diving into the pool, it wakes the blond out of his trance and he realizes a little too late that the younger has caught him staring.
Yifan leaves and returns wearing a similar kind of swimming trunks later to find Zitao doing laps across the pool. The blond walks to the edge of the pool, his legs dipped under the water. When Zitao spots him, the younger swims to him and pulls himself out of the water. He takes a towel, dries his hair and sits next to Yifan. "I need to ask you some things before we start."
"Ok. What?"
"Why don't you know how to swim?"
Yifan sighs before responding, "I'm scared of drowning." The blond closes his eyes and waits for mockery but all he hears is soft splashes of water, he opens his eyes and finds Zitao's feet playing with the poolwater.
"It's normal. Most people who doesn't know how to swim are scared of drowning."
"Have you taught anybody to swim before?"
Zitao nods, "I taught my younger cousins how to swim when they visit..." Yifan notices a sense of longing in the younger's voice but the blond decides not to pry. Zitao throws his towel on one of the chairs and jumps back into the water, "How tall are you?"
"6'2?"
"I'm a flat 6. Come on, jump in. It's only 5 ft here."
Yifan slides himself into the pool, tentatively reaching for the tiled floor. He stands in front of the younger, relieved that the water comes up just over his chest.
Zitao points to the far end of the pool, "It's 12ft there, I dive, too." Yifan looks at the diving boards, Zitao continues, "Only when I'm bored, though."
"Do you compete?"
Zitao shakes his head, "I don't. My parents just wanted me to try a lot of sports. I'm not really into it, I'm more into wushu and basketball."
"I play basketball. You should play with me and my friends."
"Huh." Zitao scoffs. "Let's start."
Yifan decides not to ask what the scoff is for and thinks that they both should really start with the lessons if he wants to be able to swim before the tryouts on Saturday. "What do I do first?"
"Well, let's try to hold our breaths underwater first. Do you smoke?"
"I don't."
"Good. At least I'm aware you have healthy lungs. In three, two..." Zitao trails off before submerging himself into the pool, Yifan follows, only to come up for air less than 10 seconds later. Zitao emerges and looks at him, "Are you okay?"
"Can't breathe!"
Zitao smiles at Yifan, it's a small smile and it takes Yifan aback, it's quite an asssuring and sweet smile - a smile Yifan doesn't know the brooding boy possesses. "You'll be fine. I won't let you drown. Shall we go again? Let's go under every 5 seconds, then every 10, until you get used underwater."
"O-okay."
They do the routine of going up and under the water until Yifan gets used to the feeling of being submerged and he can stay under for over a minute. Zitao tells him to stop after they've gone past the 2-minute mark the younger has set for them. "See? The water won't eat you up. Let's see if you can float."
"How?"
"Push your legs up and pull it to your chest. Let your body lean forward into the water and just let go. You'll float."
"Huh?"
Zitao sighs, "Like this." The younger demonstrates what he just said and Yifan watches the ravenhaired boy curl like a fetus underwater. Zitao floats and a part of his bare back emerges, Yifan stares. He's cut from his trance when Zitao straightens up and faces him, "You think you can do that?"
"Hopefully. I think I'm heavy and I'll sink all the way to the bottom."
"Go on."
Yifan does what Zitao told him to do. He feels his body float, and he's glad that at least he does. The blond straightens up after half a minute of being submerged and faces Zitao again. "What else do we do?"
"Let's get you used to floating." Zitao responds and the younger tells him to hold on to the edge of the pool and let his body float flatly over the water. "You're doing good." The raven-haired boy comments, "Can you turn over and float on your back?"
Yifan nods, but before he can float on his back, Zitao stops him, "It will feel weird to have water around your ears but you'll get used to it. Spread your arm like a T to be more stable and balanced."
"I understand." Yifan leans back and lets himself float, he hears his young instructor speak, "Don't panic. Don't flail around and let the water carry you."
Yifan doesn't say anything and he tries to make it seem like he understood, but as soon as he starts sinking (his stomach is being pulled down first) he panics and flails his body until he sinks into the water ungraciously. He stands up immediately and he finds Zitao just smiling at him like an understanding mother, "Try again? Don't panic, I'm here to save you."
"Not sacrifice me to the devil?"
Zitao shakes his head, "Not yet."
"Huh."
"Come on, do it again."
Yifan does it again and ends up with the same results after at least three tries, Zitao chuckles when Yifan pops his head out of the water, "You're laughing at me!"
"I'm not laughing at you. I'm a bit amused. I'm sorry. Do it again, I'll join you."
Zitao leans on his back and lets himself float over the water, "It's actually calming..." The younger mumbles and closes his eyes, Yifan is watching the other intently before doing the same. They stay silent for a bit, Yifan is glad that he's staying afloat now that the other is doing the same. Their arms are both widespread and it brushes against each other, Yifan chuckles as they keep getting pulled closer by the water, "Do you know about sea otters?"
"What about them?" Zitao asks, Yifan grins, "They hold hands when they sleep so that they don't drift away from each other."
"Really? Interesting..." The younger seizes what he's doing and straightens up, "Are you feeling confident now? With your ability to float?"
"Yeah." Yifan tells him before straightening up as well.
"Then that will be all for today." Zitao tells him and the younger gets off the pool. Yifan follows, he dries himself off with a towel the younger hands him. "I'll come back tomorrow. Thank you, Zitao."
"Sure. Not in the mornings." Zitao walks away, "One of my butlers will show you out." And with that the younger disappears and is replaced by the same butler who greeted them when they first came into the house.
-----
"How was his teaching? He's not calling for the devils to help you out yet?" Luhan asks the next day when the three of them are eating their lunch. Yifan furrows his brows, "He doesn't seem like the type. Why do you both say those things about him?"
Sehun sighs, "Well, those were just rumors."
"How did you even know him? He's homeschooled." Yifan asks as he takes a bite off his sandwich. Sehun leans back on his chair, "We were seatmates in middle school. He's an exchange student and he's really... Quiet? I talked to him from time to time and you can say we became friends after that."
"So he did go to a normal school. Why'd he stop?"
"Well, people can be mean. They started bullying him and tried to get money from him ever since they learned how rich Zitao really is. Rumors started that he worships the devil too when some students claimed to have seen him reading a weird book about witchcraft in the library. Zitao, he never said anything to dismiss the gossip and instead owned it. He got more bullied about it, and one day Zitao snapped and did his martial arts thing to the group. 2 of the guys ended up in the hospital with broken bones, the rest bailed but the group were all injured. He was fairly unscathed and the rumor about him and the devil exploded more. His parents paid for all the damage he's caused to the students then pulled him out of the school. He's been homeschooled ever since."
"Yet, you stayed friends?"
Sehun nods, "You can say that. I visit him once a week, he's nice and his chef serves the most awesome food. His parents aren't always around and he's lonely."
"I've met him a few times when Sehun and I started dating." Luhan tells Yifan, "I got scared the first time I met him. He's got a dark aura, doesn't he?"
"Didn't notice." Yifan shrugs. He looks out the window of the cafeteria and he sees Yixing walking along the pavement with another boy, "Who's Yixing with?"
Luhan and Sehun looks to where Yifan is looking, the oldest leans back in his chair after identifying the guy with the swim team's captain, "That's Joonmyun. He's the swim team's co-captain."
"Huh. He's got nothin' on me." Yifan comments, the couple laughs.
"Yeah, except the fact that he can actually swim and is on the team and oh, works closely with Yixing." Luhan teases and he ends up with a carrot stuck to his forehead. Yifan checks his watch and it's around 1 in the afternoon, he doesn't have any classes later so he stands up and takes his bag, "I'm going to my lessons now, and I tell you, when I try out for the swim team, I'm sure I'll get Yixing too."
"Keep hoping!" Luhan yells after him when Yifan leaves the cafeteria.
-----
"The young master will see you in a moment." The butler tells Yifan when he arrives at the Huang mansion, "You can wait in the drawing room." He adds as he leads Yifan inside to a room with a huge couch in the middle and a coffee table to accompany it.
The blond sits still on the couch when the butler leaves. He waits for a few minutes until he hears Zitao's voice echo from the corridor.
'I haven't seen both your shadows in 6 months, what makes it any different this time? It's the same excuses, mama. I am fine, don't worry.'
'You don't have to, mama. I will go to Europe when I feel like it. I am not bored yet.'
'Good bye, mama and give my regards to papa. I'll see you when I do.'
Yifan grabs a magazine to appear busy and not look like he's eavesdropped on a private conversation. Zitao appears on the doorway and greets Yifan, "Have you had lunch? I fell asleep after my lessons."
"Had a snack on my way here."
Zitao nods his head, "I see. But come on, join me for lunch."
Yifan think it's his last day on earth when the maids serve a luxurious plate of steak and fresh vegetables for the both of them. Once the food are laid out, the servants leave them in the huge dining table fit for 12 people at least. Zitao starts eating across him and Yifan digs in, and Sehun is right - the food is awesome.
"D - do you always eat alone?"
"Uh-huh."
"Do you even go out?"
Zitao shakes his head, "Unless I travel. I've traveled a lot and it doesn't surprise me anymore so I stay at home."
"What do you do here?"
"I sacrifice babies to the devil." Zitao smirks, Yifan laughs nervously, "No. Seriously, I just read or sleep. Or wushu. Whatever I feel like doing."
"Aren't you bored? What about your friends?"
"I have Sehun. And Luhan-ge. They visit me once a week."
"You have me too."
"Well, you're only here until Friday, anyway."
"Right."
Zitao shrugs, "I'm used to it. Don't worry."
They eat in silence after that. Yifan is about to stand after he's done eating his steak when the maids arrive to serve them each a slice of blueberry cheesecake. Yifan sees the younger's eyes sparkle in delight and Zitao smiles rather beautifully upon getting the dessert, "Is this from 'Le' Grand Bleu'?'"
"Yes, young master."
"Oh! Is there more?"
"For your own delight, yes."
"Great. Please, serve it later again by the pool."
"Would you like tea or juice later, sir?"
"Just bring both."
"Yes, sir." The maid bows and leaves. Zitao starts eating his cheesecake, Yifan stares in awe.
"Have you been to the cafe?" The blond asks and Zitao shakes his head, "No. I only read the reviews on the internet and I had them deliver their sweets here."
"I see." Yifan takes a bite off his cheesecake. He's been to the cafe once (it's quite expensive) and he thinks what's served inside the shop is still better since it's fresher and the ambiance complements the pastries.
Once they're done with lunch, the both of them walks out to the pool area. The two of them heads to the shower room to change and Zitao unceremoniously removes his clothes next to Yifan and walks around the shelves in only his boxers. The blond had to turn his gaze away from the younger and grabs a swimming trunks before rushing inside one of the stalls.
"I'll wait for you outside." Zitao tells him before Yifan hears the younger's retreating footsteps.
Yifan jumps into the water once he's out of the shower room and walks his way to where Zitao is standing. "So, you think you can swim today?"
"I hope so."
"Remember that your goal is to swim for yourself, not for anybody else."
"Oh."
"Oh?"
"Nevermind. Shall we start?"
Zitao nods. "You remember how to float?" The younger asks and Yifan nods. "Alright. Hold onto the pool's side and practice kicking your legs." The blond does as he's told and Zitao mirrors him, "There are different kinds of kicks," the younger starts, "The flutter kick..." And Zitao demonstrates how it's done, Yifan does the same. "See? Easy." Zitao asks and Yifan nods again, "Well, let's get you used to flutter kicking first."
After a few minutes Zitao tells Yifan to stop. "Turn around, we'll see how you fare if you're on your back."
"Wouldn't it be hard for me to hold on to the edge of the pool that way?" Yifan asks as he straightens up in front of Zitao again.
"I'll hold you." Zitao tells him, Yifan is then turned around so that his head isn't facing the pool's wall, and then the younger puts one hand on the small of his back, and the other on his chest, pushing him down so he can lie on the water. Yifan doesn't move and the hand on his chest moves on his back as well, "This is just like riding a bike, okay? Kick your feet and we'll see if you can float and move on your own."
"Don't laugh at me when I sink, please?"
"I promise I won't." Zitao smiles, "Not in front of you, at least."
"Alright."
"Don't panic if I let go, alright?"
"I'll try."
"Start paddling. And close your eyes." Zitao tells him, and Yifan does. The younger walks slowly, moving along as the blond moves his feet. Tentatively, Zitao slowly detaches his hands from Yifan's back. He still moves along Yifan, making the blond think that he's still holding him until he stops and watches Yifan float alone across the pool.
"Zitao!" Yifan yells when he finally realizes that nobody is holding him. His panic gets the best of him because he's unsure just how far he has stirred himself across the water and he stops paddling and starts sinking. He must've floated quite far because his feet couldn't reach the floor and Yifan thinks he's being sacrificed for being a bad student - that is until hands grab him under his arms and is lifted up for air, "Kick, Yifan. I'll drag you to a more shallow area."
Yifan paddles his feet while one of his arms is hoisted over Zitao's shoulder and the younger does most of the swimming back to where Yifan can actually touch the floor. It only takes less than a minute until Zitao stops and removes his arm from him, "Are you okay? I told you not to panic."
"I'm sorry, I couldn't help it. I'm still not used to being in the water for so long."
"At least you floated and moved. It's a start." Zitao smiles and pats Yifan's cheek, "You look pale, were you scared?"
Yifan hopes he doesn't return his color soon not when his blood is rushing to his face and Zitao is looking at him, "I... I told you I was scared of drowning."
"We should rest so you'd calm down. I can literally hear your heart racing." Zitao tells him before the younger gets out of the pool and puts on a robe. Yifan follows him and dries himself off with his towel before wrapping the material on his waist. The blond wonders himself if his heart racing is caused by his fear or of an entirely different reason that comes in the form of Huang Zitao.
"Just rest up." Zitao tells him as the younger sits on a lounge chair, Yifan sits on another lounge chair next to him.
They stay silent for a moment until Zitao speaks, "You're doing this for someone else, aren't you?"
"Y-you could say that." Yifan awkwardly responds and Zitao lies on the chair and looks ahead, "Do it for yourself. You have to impress yourself first before you impress other people."
"You do things for your parents." Yifan mumbles and Zitao turns and glares at him, "You know nothing about me."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way."
"I'm only good with wushu because that's what I love to do, everything else is so-so. Everything else is forced."
"Even swimming?"
"Yes. Even swimming."
Yifan lies on his side and looks at Zitao, "I think you're a decent teacher. It's only been the 2nd day and I floated."
Zitao turns on his side and faces Yifan, "You must be a natural, you're just afraid to try on your own."
Yifan stares at Zitao, and the younger stares back. The blond takes in more of the other's features and Yifan realizes that the younger have feline eyes and a prominent jaw line.
"Why are you staring at me? This isn't the first time you did. Am I weird?"
Yifan clears his throat, "N-no, you're not weird. I'm just thinking how you contrast him so much."
"Him?"
"N-nevermind. I... I think I want to try and swim some more."
"Alright." Zitao slightly smiles and stands up from the chair and removes his robe in front of Yifan before diving into the pool. Yifan runs his hand up and down his face to calm himself before taking off his towel and follows the younger into the water. He can't get used to the fact that Zitao has no inhibitions when it comes to taking off his clothes.
"I don't have a kickboard, so hold my hands." Zitao tells him, "I'll lead you."
Yifan tentatively takes Zitao's outstretched hands, "You can choose to put your head under the water or not, just paddle your feet, I won't let you go beyond 6 ft this time."
"Promise?"
"Yeah. We'll just let you get used to moving in the water, rather than just floating."
"Okay."
Yifan decides not to keep his head underwater because he'll have a view of Zitao's crotch area even through the blur of the water and the burn of the chlorine in his eyes and that isn't good. They go around the pool for a few rounds before Zitao stops and Yifan straightens up, "You think you can try swimming on your own?"
"I can try."
Zitao claps his hands together, "Alright. I'll teach you how to 'crawl'. Let's do a backstroke first. Float flat on your back and do the flutter kick." Yifan does as he's told and Zitao continues, "Keep your fingers together and your hands flat. Now, do the 'crawl' motion by lifting an arm straight, keep it straight as you re-enter your arms through the water." Zitao watches as Yifan alternately moves his arms over his head. After a few strokes, Yifan stops and floats his way back to where Zitao is watching. "How'd I do?"
"Not bad. Now, do the same but faced down."
Yifan nods. He feels a sense of pride knowing he's doing okay and he's actually improving since he's swimming - something he didn't even think he'll do a few days ago.
"You can stop now!" Yifan hears Zitao yell and he looks up to see the younger standing outside the pool, "Swim here! Come on!"
Yifan smiles and swims his way to the edge of the pool before getting himself out of the water. "You're technically a swimmer now, Yifan..." Zitao tells the other after they take a seat on the lounge chairs where a table is set up with sweets. The younger grabs a plate and eats immediately, Yifan takes his own plate that's been waiting for him on the table.
"What time are you coming tomorrow?" The younger asks, Yifan thinks for a bit. "Around 2 maybe. I have classes too."
"I see. I'll see you tomorrow, too."
Yifan smiles because he thinks he hears a bit of delight in the younger's voice knowing he'll come back for him the next day again.
-----
"How's the 2nd day?" Luhan greets Yifan when he catches the blond inside the library. Sehun trails behind his boyfriend. Yifan grins at the couple, "Well, I can swim now. Not in the professional level but at least I don't sink anymore."
"Good for you. Zitao must have sacrificed a dozen chickens for you to learn."
Yifan rolls his eyes, "He told me I was a natural. Just a bit afraid to try." He boasts with pride. The blond leans forward and whispers, "I may have aggravated him a bit, though."
"What did you do?" Sehun perks up, Yifan leans closer, "I said somehing like.. 'You do everything for your parents' and he's like, 'You know nothing about me.' And he was scary."
Sehun shakes his head and clicks his tongue, "H... His parents doted on him too much - being an only child and heir to the Huang empire. Imagine the pressure, Yifan-hyung. And then, there was the incident and his parents were so disappointed, they made him stop practicing his wushu. They even thought he has anger issues."
"He said wushu's what he loved the most. And he said he still does it."
"In secret, maybe. They make him travel from time to time so he won't be bored but he hates it. He doesn't have anger issues, he's calm and he takes everything in a stride... But he's also afraid to let down his parents' expectations of him."
Luhan sighs, "Poor kid. Be nice to him, okay?"
"Hey! I'm nice." Yifan exclaims and there's a collective 'shhhh!' from the other students near their table. "Yo, hyung." Sehun calls and the blond turns to him. "Yixing, 3 o' clock."
Yifan turns to where Sehun is saying and he finds Yixing talking to the librarian. He looks at the swim team captain and he feels... normal? No skipping of heartbeat or butterflies in his tummy, unlike the first time he saw the swim team's captain's face. The blond turns to the couple again, "I'm going to Zitao's."
"It's only 1 pm. Aren't you a bit too eager?" Luhan asks and Yifan shrugs him off, "I have a lot to learn."
Yifan arrives at the Huang mansion half an hour later, the butler tells him that the young master is already at the pool area and the blond tells the middle-aged man he'll go on his own. Yifan finds Zitao reading a book on one of the lounge chairs in his swim trunks.
"You're an hour ahead of schedule..." Zitao greets him, Yifan tells him his classes ended rather early. The blond removes his clothes (since he's wearing his swim trunks already) and Zitao turns away from him. Yifan raises an eyebrow but decides not to pay too much attention about it.
"Come on." Zitao tells him as the younger jumps on his feet and dives perfectly into the water. Yifan follows and walks to where the younger is waiting for him.
"I'll teach you the breast stroke."
"How do you do that?"
"Okay. So when you go underwater, you move your hands as if you're trying to split the water in half so you can propel forward while you paddle your feet."
Yifan furrows his brows, Zitao smiles, "I'll show you." The younger goes under and does as what he just told Yifan. He emerges a few feet away from the blond, "Try it. Come to me." Zitao tells Yifan as he presses his back against the wall of the pool.
"How deep is the water there?"
"About 6 ft. You have to be used to floating by yourself."
Yifan nods and goes underwater. The blond struggles a little with his uncoordinated hands and feet, he emerges immediately and he obviously hasn't moved from his spot. "Make me your finish line. Come on, ge!"
Yifan feels a little spark jolt in his body when Zitao calls him 'ge', he acts as if he doesn't acknowledge it since he saw how the younger suddenly covers his mouth with the sudden endearment.
"I - it's not too hard, Yifan!"
Yifan smiles and tries again, this time more determined to reach the younger waiting a few feet away from him, he pushes himself as he tries his mightiest to move himself forward without panicking, or thinking he's drowning knowing that his goal - Zitao - is just a mere distance from where he started. He feels himself move, even if he feels like he's sinking a little. He finds Zitao's legs through the haze and swims with a bit of difficulty, once he deems himself close, he emerges out of the water.
He's just a bit too close.
Yifan stands in front of Zitao and his face is mere inches away from the younger, since Zitao has no space to move back further, the distance between them can only widen if Yifan moves a step back.
Yifan doesn't.
He stares at Zitao and the younger is silently looking up at him, biting nervously at his bottom lip. The blond's gaze doesn't falter and he inches just a tiny bit closer, Zitao's hand lands on his chest and pushes Yifan a bit, "Y - You're doing g - great..." Zitao stutters then steps to his side and swims away to a more shallow area, "Try again."
"Let me catch my breath." Yifan tells him, Zitao nods. The blond wonders if his shortness of breath is caused by his strained way of trying to swim or if it's because of the way Zitao was looking at him earlier, or the warmth he felt when the younger touched him. The blond looks at where Zitao is waiting and he notices that the younger is standing a few feet from the wall, making sure he can step back should Yifan stop too close again.
"I'm ready." Yifan announces before trying to swim again, this time he tries to be more steady and focused. He smiles underwater because he's still moving forward (at least, he knows that him moving earlier wasn't sheer luck) and he swims his way to Zitao. He emerges out of the water a few seconds later and a foot away from Zitao.
"You're swimming! That's great!"
"You're a good teacher." Yifan smiles, and Zitao is smiling proudly at him. The blond notices the genuine spark of delight in the eyes of the younger, and for the first time, Zitao breaks off the eye contact with him and gets himself out of the pool, "T-try practicing by yourself, I'll watch you."
"Okay." Yifan starts swimming - doing what he's learned from the past days. Zitao tells him what he's doing wrong and tries to improve on his own. Sometimes Zitao would swim aimlessly in the pool as Yifan tries to be better with what he's been taught of so far.
"I'm tired. Aren't you?" Zitao asks, the blond replies with a nod. The younger swims to the edge of the pool and gets out of the water. Yifan follows Zitao as the younger dries himself off, he takes his towel and does the same. "I'm gonna take a shower." The younger tells him before stalking off. Yifan grabs his own towel and follows the younger silently. The blond can already hear the water running in one of the private stallls at the end of the hallway. Yifan takes the one nearest to the entrance and washes himself.
When Yifan gets out of the shower, he finds Zitao on the lounge chair eating his dessert, he walks to where the younger is and sits on an empty chair, "Have you tried their other stuff?"
"I tried everything." Zitao smiles, "Grab a slice, replenish your energy."
"Thanks." Yifan takes a slice of the peach cobbler and eats, Zitao turns to him, "Are you coming tomorrow?"
"Maybe not. I have night classes."
"Ah... Alright..."
Yifan watches as the other downcasts his gaze from him to his plate. "Hey, Zitao."
"Hmn?"
"You have anything to do tonight?"
The younger shakes his head, "I might read or sleep. Dinner, if I feel like it."
"Come on."
"Huh?"
"I'll take you out. Let's grab dinner or something."
"Y-you're taking me out?"
Yifan nods, "It's not healthy, what you're doing. You can't stay cooped in here."
"You're really taking me out?"
"Yes? Is it a problem?"
"N-no! Wait... Let me go change. Wait for me in the drawing room." Zitao quickly leaves the area and Yifan decides to wait for him in the said room. It takes at least 15 minutes before Zitao appears in the same room with him. "Ready?" He asks and Zitao nods.
They make it outside the house and Zitao speaks as they walk near the gate, "Do you want to take one of my cars? I can call my driver."
"You mind taking the bus?"
"N-not really..."
"I'll take you back here. Don't worry."
"Uh... Okay."
Yifan takes courage and ruffles Zitao's hair, "Live a little. You travel the world, why do you seem unsure with Seoul?"
Zitao smiles and Yifan feels the younger faintly lean into the touch, "I never leave the house alone now. It's a task."
"A task?"
"Bodyguards and stuff. I told my butlers not to call them tonight and that I'll be fine with you."
"Oh. I'll try my best to protect you on my own then."
"Okay. Thank you." Zitao smiles and they walk side by side. Yifan notices the uneasiness of the younger as they walk, the older sighs and takes Zitao's hand in his, he feels the younger stiffen at the action, "Relax, would you?"
"... Alright."
They make it to the bus stop and they take the seats on the back of the bus. Zitao releases Yifan's hand and watches the city through the window. "Where are you taking me?"
"I'm kidnapping you for ransom."
Zitao turns to him sharply and Yifan laughs. "I'm kidding. We'll go to my favorite place to eat."
The younger pouts and Yifan thinks it's the cutest thing he's ever seen Zitao did around him. "Don't scare me like that."
"Sorry." Yifan rubs the back of his neck and the younger smiles. "... I would have gone willingly." Zitao mumbles and the blond furrows his brows, "What's that? Did you say something?"
The younger shakes his head and denies saying anything. "Come on. It's our stop." Yifan grabs Zitao's hand again and leads them both out of the bus. "T - this is the university area..." Zitao speaks, and Yifan just pulls him towards the street where a lot of food establishments are lined up.
"It's only a a quarter after 5. Do you want to have dinner now or do you want to take a walk around the area?" Yifan asks and Zitao looks at him, "Uh... Walk me around campus? I... I'm curious."
"Come on, then." Yifan tugs on the younger's hand and they walk through the university gates. Yifan talks about his stay in the campus while Zitao looks around the buildings as he listens. From time to time, the younger will ask some questions and Yifan tells him an answer. Their conversation is cut off when someone calls for the attention of the blond.
"Yifan!"
The two turns around and Yixing is walking towards the both of them. "Yixing?"
"Tryouts on Saturday is from 8 - 11. I totally forgot to tell you about it."
"Right. Thanks."
Yixing smiles and then turns to Zitao, "Are you new here? I haven't seen you before. Want to join the swim team?"
Zitao shakes his head, "I... I'm just with Yifan... ge."
"He doesn't study here, Yixing."
Yixing's eyes widen and he looks at the two before smiling knowingly, "OH! I... Sorry about that. I'll see you on Saturday, then!" He waves goodbye before stalking off to where Joonmyun is waiting for him. Yifan realizes he didn't stutter in front of Yixing, and he didn't feel anything different during the whole conversation, and lastly, he didn't realize that he's still holding Zitao's hand until he's been tugged back to reality by the younger; he holds him tighter and Yifan feels Zitao squeeze his hand faintly, too.
"Hungry now?" Yifan asks and Zitao nods. They walk back out of the campus and goes to the quaint diner Yifan usually frequents with Luhan and Sehun. They sit on a corner booth and Yifan hands Zitao the menu. "These are good? They're really cheap..." The younger asks and Yifan nods, "Try the pasta bolognese and the chocolate - banana smoothie."
"Then I'll have that..."
A waitress comes to them and Yifan tells them their orders. They wait for their dinner in silence as Yifan watches Zitao observe the students walking outside the diner. "It's so different when I was in middle school..."
"Yeah, students are more free to express themselves in college."
"... I feel like an alien. It's like everything is new to me when I'm just here." Zitao comments, Yifan doesn't say anything. Their dinner arrive and Zitao smiles delightfully at the sight of pasta on his plate. The younger takes a forkful of his food and he grins widely at Yifan, "I love it!"
"I told you."
"I should fire my chef and hire their cook!"
"Hey! Don't be selfish! How about us?"
And Zitao laughs - the kind of laughter that holds nothing back and Yifan likes it, he likes it a lot. "Wanna try my sandwich?" Yifan asks and Zitao nods. The blond offers his sandwich and Zitao leans over to take a bite without any inhibitions (especially for someone of Zitao's stature). "OH! I want that, too!" Zitao exclaims after swallowing the sandwich, he's grinning so wide and Yifan thinks it's quite addicting to see the cheerful side of Zitao.
"You're really cu--" Yifan speaks but is cut off when they hear someone call their names.
"Yifan! Zitao?!"
The people in question turn to see Luhan and Sehun walking up to their table. The oldest slides and seats next to Yifan while the maknae sits next to Zitao across his boyfriend. "What are you two doing here?" Luhan asks and Yifan scoffs, "I should ask you the same thing."
"Hello? Students, duh." Luhan rolls his eyes and Sehun snickers.
"... Uh, he took me out for dinner." Zitao chimes in, "I think it's nice."
"I see. How's the lesson going?" Luhan asks and Zitao straightens on his seat, "It's coming along nicely..."
Luhan turns to Yifan, "You think you can get Yixing now?"
"Luhan!" Yifan raises his voice a little too late to stop his friend. Zitao ignores Yifan and looks at the doe-eyed male, "Yixing? The swim team captain?"
"Yeah. He didn't tell you? He's got a massive crush on him that's why he's gonna try joining the team."
"Ahhh. Sehun only told me he wants me to teach Yifan. I... I see. So that's why..." Zitao nods and turns to Yifan, "I... I'm sure you'll make it to the team." Yifan knows that Zitao is faking a smile in front of him and he wonders if he could murder Luhan too because Zitao didn't have to know about Yixing - his crush isn't even that massive.
"Zitao, it's not even a huge crush..." He tells the younger and Zitao just nods as he keeps typing a text on his phone. Sehun and Luhan looks at each other since there's obviously a thick kind of tension hanging in the air at the moment. "Uhh, did I say something wrong?" Luhan asks and Zitao shakes his head quietly. The younger finishes his food and Yifan tries because he just lost his appetite. About 15 minutes later a man in a black suit approaches their table and it startles Yifan, Sehun, and Luhan.
"Young master?"
Zitao turns to his companions, "I'm going ahead. Thanks for dinner."
"You're leaving?" Yifan asks, Zitao is already sliding out of the booth past Sehun, "I haven't even taken you to the cafe..."
"Don't bother. Thank you." Zitao nods and starts to walk, he turns back to Yifan before getting out of the place, "See you on Friday..."
Yifan watches as another man in suit opens the backdoor for Zitao and the two men takes the front seats of the car. Yifan turns angrily at Luhan, "Luhan, seriously?"
"Seriously, what?"
"... If it hasn't occured to you, we were on a date."
Sehun facepalms at the realization and Luhan just gapes at Yifan, "Y-you? With Zitao? How about Yixing!?"
Yifan sighs, "What about Yixing?" The blond stands and walks to the counter to pay. He doesn't even take a 2nd glance at Sehun and Luhan when he leaves the diner.
fic too long. part 2 here.