The Neighbor - Kris x Tao - 03/?
Title: The Neighbor
Chapters: 03/?
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: smut, angst
Warning: unbeta'd
Rating: PG-13
Pairings/Characters: Kris x Tao
Synopsis: Tao is a dedicated employee of an advertising company living a routinary life until his sexy new neighbor moves next door and turns his life upside down.
Disclaimer: Own no one but the story. I would like Yifan to own me.
[01] [02]
Tao continues his routine on Monday - he gets up at 4:30 am, goes jogging, takes a shower at 5:15 am and leaves the apartment by 6:30. Only thing is, this morning he doesnt think he'll be getting a to-go breakfast from the cafe he frequents.
"You're up early." Tao greets Yifan who's waiting outside his doorway, the photographer hands him a brown paper bag, "Bought you breakfast. I was out jogging."
Tao checks the content of the bag and asks, "How sure were you that I'm still inside?"
"Just a hunch. I checked and the lights are still on. I just figured." Yifan tells him and Tao smiles at him, "Thanks."
"Wait here." Yifan tells Tao and the older immediately runs inside his apartment, when he got out, he's holding two styro cups of coffee, "I didnt wanna bring them out, they're gonna get cold."
"You're so nice. Uhm, get back to sleep or something. I need to go and I might be late for work."
"I'll walk you to your car."
"Oh. Okay."
Yifan sticks his hand inside the bag and takes a 6-inch subway, "We're half and half if you don't mind."
Tao chuckles and takes the sandwich out before throwing the empty paper bag in the bin, "No problem."
They walk silently down the building as they munch on their breakfast. They still haven't finished their food yet when they arrive to where Tao's car is, "Finish it in the office." Yifan tells him but Tao checks his watch, "I got time."
They both lean against the car and they continue eating their breakfast, "What's your plan today?" Tao asks and Yifan hums before answering, "I might drive around. Take pictures and stuff. I haven't been really active with my skills lately."
"Nice. Must be fun to have control of your time."
"You could say so. How about you?"
"The usual."
Yifan sighs and looks at Tao sideways, "Are you handing over the project to Jonghyun?"
Tao stops chewing his food and just looks at the photographer, Yifan raises an eyebrow and Tao clears his throat, "Continue being nice and we'll see each other in Jeju."
"So... does that mean I won you over this weekend...?"
Tao smirks and hits Yifan lightly on the shoulder, "I told you to be nice."
Yifan pinches Tao's cheeks but releases him immediately, "I so won you over, sunshine."
Tao laughs and tells Yifan to move away from his car, "I'll see you whenever."
"Dinner later?" Yifan asks as he steps away from the vehicle, Tao smiles, "Yeah. Dinner later."
Tao starts the car and Yifan waves him goodbye before the photographer heads back into his apartment.
"This is a first." Yixing greets him when Tao walks towards his desk. Tao turns to him with a questioning look, the older Chinese checks his watch, "You're fifteen minutes late. Do you know that?"
"Yeah, I know." Tao replies and starts up his computer. Yixing cranes his neck before sitting upright on his chair again, "What? No breakfast?"
"Already ate before coming here."
Yixing scrunches his brows and Tao asks an airy "What?"
"... Did you get a boyfriend over the weekends?!"
"I DID NOT!"
Yixing laughs and points a finger at Tao, "You're blushing!"
"STOP IT!"
"What's going on?" Joonmyun asks when he walks over to Yixing's table and his boyfriend tells him. The secretary turns to Tao and coos, "Really? How long has it been since your last boyfriend?"
"Oh please. I do not have a new boyfriend. And since you're asking, Eden and I broke up forever ago."
"We haven't seen you this happy. Something good happened over the weekends?" Joonmyun asks and Tao turns away from them. The couple decides that Tao wont answer their question anymore and ignores the younger.
"Yeah... something... something nice."
"Did you say something, Tao?" Yixing asks and Tao shakes his head 'no'.
When Tao heads out of the building around 7 that night, he isn't expecting a certain someone waiting for him. "What are you doing here?" Tao asks with a wide smile on his face as he walks towards Yifan.
"I did say dinner later, right?"
"Yeah. At home. With take outs or something." Tao laughs and Yifan shrugs, "We can grab take out or something."
"Well, we're out now. Let's just get out of here." Tao walks on and Yifan follows him, "I brought my car tonight and I think we should..."
"It's a beautiful night. Let's take a walk." Tao cuts Yifan and the older jogs after the other male. They must have taken a few turns and at least half an hour before they reach a food strip of various street food bustling with people having their dinner.
"Is it okay if we eat here?" Tao asks and Yifan nods, "Where should we even start?"
"I dunno. Let's try everything!" Tao gushes and grabs Yifan by the hand as they navigate their way along the various stalls. After an hour and 5 stalls later, the both of them are sitting on a table with mountains of food, "Are we gonna finish this?"
"I'm sure we can!" Yifan grins and starts digging in. Halfway through their dinner, Tao sighs in content, "God. I missed eating here."
"You were here often?"
Tao nods, "Yeah. With Eden."
Yifan raises an eyebrow and Tao smiles, "Ex-boyfriend. Come on, I used to have a boyfriend, too!"
Yifan grunts and stops eating, Tao notices this and asks, "What's wrong?"
"I think I'm full. Mind if I smoke?"
"Nope. Go ahead. I'm still eating!" Tao chuckles and keeps eating the food. Yifan stares at Tao as he smokes his cigarette and he hates this, for some reason, he doesn't want to go back to this place ever again.
They're walking back to where their cars are parked when Tao finally asks, "You've been quiet the rest of the evening. What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong."
"Okay. By the way, thanks for tonight."
Yifan nods and Tao takes that as a 'you're welcome'. They go their separate ways in their cars but wait for each other in the parking lot so they can walk back together in their respective apartments.
"Good night, Yifan." Tao tells the other when he reaches his door. Yifan stares at Tao and walks closer, Tao tilts his head questioningly, "What's up?"
"N... nothing. Good night." Yifan steps back again and rushes inside his room. Tao exhales and feels relieved because he was scared that Yifan might hear his racing heartbeat.
-----
"How are you and Tao doing?" Jongdae asks two days later when he drops by his boss' apartment. Yifan is currently busy updating his portfolio on his website while Jongdae checks the older's schedule.
"We're fine. We grab breakfast together, we eat dinner together. We take nightly walks."
"So you're dating."
Yifan stops whatever he's doing and stares at Jongdae, "We aren't dating. We're friends."
"Pfft. We're friends, too. We're not eating dinner often nor are we having breakfast together everyday."
"This is how our friendship works, okay? We're neighbors and just divided by a wall so it's easier for us."
Jongdae shrugs his shoulders and walks around the room, "You really have no idea how to be someone's friend."
"What do you mean?"
Jongdae faces him and crosses his arms over his chest, "You'll know what I mean if you keep this up."
"What-fucking-ever. We're friends. End of story."
"Just friends?"
"Yeah. Though sometimes I wanna kiss him senseless and maybe fuck him again. He's hot. God damn it."
Jongdae sighs and then throws a pillow towards Yifan's direction, "Keep your fucking dick at bay, asshole!"
Yifan is about to retaliate when there's a knock on his front door. He flips Jongdae the bird before walking to it.
"You're home early." Is what Yifan says when he finds Tao outside. "Yeah. There are days like these. But very rarely does it happen."
"Come in."
Tao takes a deep breath and Yifan chuckles, "I'm not gonna attack you or something. Besides my lovely pest is here."
"Pest?"
And then Jongdae appears from behind Yifan and greets Tao, "Can't help but overhear. You have to be afraid, Tao. My presence never bothered Yifan when he's horny."
"JONGDAE!"
Tao laughs and shakes his head, "Nevermind that. Here. I bought dinner. I think it's enough for the three of us."
"Let's just eat in the hallway." Yifan suggests and Tao agrees.
"Isn't it lonely with only just the two of you as tenants on this floor?" Jongdae asks while they are eating and Tao shrugs, "It's okay. I used to be alone here."
"Yifan used to live in a swanky condo unit with all the "it" kids in the society."
"Really?" Tao asks and then turns to the photographer, "You haven't told me about that."
"It isn't important. I live here now." Yifan shrugs and Jongdae laughs. Tao cocks his eyebrow and asks, "Is it because of Kyungsoo?"
Jongdae looks at Tao, bewildered, "You know about Kyungsoo?"
Tao nods, "His ex? Yeah. We're friends so... I guess we kind of opened up with each other. He knows about Eden."
"Who's Eden?" Jongdae asks Yifan and the photographer grunts in reply, "His ex."
"Oh you, two. So cute. Who knew you'd end up as friends after... asdfhgkghjl!!!" Jongdae is cut off when Yifan stuffs a huge piece of bread in his assistant's mouth, "Ignore him, Tao."
Tao turns quiet and stands up from the floor, "Yeah... so. Uhmn, I'm gonna turn in."
"Are we taking a walk?"
"Uhh... Let's skip tonight. I wanna get extra rest." Tao smiles and bids both good night before disappearing into his room. Yifan faces a choking Jongdae in rage, "The fuck!? Look! Kim Jongdae, Tao and I are friends now and us having sex is a taboo subject between us even if we've settled that incident already. We do not talk about it, what more, you, of all people, is not allowed to say anything about it, too!"
"Fine. I'm sorry."
"Yeah. You're sorry. Go fucking home!"
Yifan tries his best to get some sleep that night but Tao's sullen face keeps replaying in his head which makes him toss and turn on his bed. He immediately jumps off his bed and gets out of his room.
It takes a few knocks before a half-asleep Tao opens his door, "Yifan? It's late... why are you here?"
"Can't sleep."
"But I was already asleep."
"I... I want to apologize in Jongdae's fucking behalf."
"You're guilty?" Tao asks in his raspy bedroom voice and Yifan nods. Tao shrugs and smiles, "It's alright. Go home and go back to bed."
"Are you sure we're okay?"
Tao nods, "We're okay. Good night."
Yifan smiles and tells Tao good night. Tao closes his door but not a moment too soon, there's a few knocks on his door again, "What's wrong?"
"I got locked out."
Tao chuckles and then laughs out loud, nevermind the sleep escaping his body, this is hilarious. "Aren't you gonna ask me to come in?"
"I can just give you a blanket and a pillow so you can sleep in the hallway."
"Don't be a bad friend."
"Fine. Come in. You can sleep on the couch."
Yifan steps inside Tao's apartment and lies immediately on the couch, "Thank you."
Tao is already getting captured by sleep when his bedroom door opens and he finds a 6-foot giant standing by it, "What's wrong this time?"
"Your couch is too small to accomodate me."
Tao sits up a little annoyed, "You fell asleep there once!"
Yifan stomps his feet, "I'm sleepy! Let me sleep well! You're a bad host!"
"Stop throwing a fucking tantrum you stupid idiot! If you haven't locked yourself out we wont be in this mess and we'd both be asleep!"
"Just move."
"I'm not sleeping on the couch."
Yifan hisses and marches towards the bed. Tao isn't able to protest when the photographer ends up next to him and gets comfortable on his bed. "I didn't invite you to my bed!!!!"
"JUST GO TO SLEEP!"
"OFF!!!!"
"NO!!!!"
"YOU'RE BEING A KID!"
"I'M JUST GOING TO SLEEP!"
"THEN GO TO THE COUCH!"
"SHUT UP OR I'LL KISS YOU!"
Tao stops screaming and turns away from Yifan, "Fuck you. Go to sleep."
"Good night, sunshine."
Tao wakes up the next day a few inches away from Yifan's sleeping face. He can barely make out the photographer's features in the dimlight but Tao takes the chance to stare at him this close.
'If you weren't such an asshole I would have...'
"Didn't your mama tell you it's rude to stare?"
Tao huffs and gives Yifan a hard shove before he jumps off the bed, "You're awake now. Go home."
"Landlord said we should follow office hours for concerns unless an emergency... This isn't an emergency if I managed to get a room, so lemme borrow your bed..." Yifan curls tighter under Tao's blanket and the younger rolls his eyes.
Tao quietly changes his clothes in the dark and just as silently leaves the apartment for his quick morning jog. He arrives back into his place 30 minutes later panting and feeling energized. When he returns to his room, he still finds Yifan asleep with his long hair strewn across his face. Tao sits on the bed and brushes away the stray hair from the older's cheek, Yifan brushes the other's hand unconsciously and Tao chuckles silently, "You only look this innocent when you're asleep, you douchebag." He whispers before standing up again and heading to the shower.
Tao walks out of the shower 15 minutes later draped with a towel low on his waist while another towel dries his hair. He assumes Yifan is still asleep so he keeps the bedroom light off and keeps the door slightly ajar so that the light from the living room makes it to his bedroom.
Tao walks around his bedroom half-naked as he keeps drying his hair and choosing what he'll wear for the day. He lays the clothes down the bed when he jumps and screams when he finds Yifan awake and staring at him.
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING ME?"
"Since you stepped out of the shower? Ugh. Tao. You're a tease."
"I am not." Tao turns around so that his bare back is facing Yifan, "Be a dear and grab our breakfast now."
"And miss the good part? Come on! Take off your towel."
Tao grunts and throws the damp towel he's using to dry his hair at Yifan, "I let you sleep on my bed. Breakfast. I demand it."
"Strip. Now. I demand it." Yifan chuckles, "Come on. Don't be a tease and throw me another towel!"
"I said breakfast!"
Yifan laughs and jumps off the bed, "Yes, ma'am."
"I'm pretty sure you don't have any money on you. I have some bills inside the bedside drawer."
Yifan turns on the lights and Tao screams. He immediately grabs the blanket to cover himself up, "It isn't something I have never seen, sunshine."
"Just take my money and buy our food. Or just forget it and I'll grab a takeout. I might be late for work."
"No need for me to take your wallet. Krystal obviously has a crush on me, I'll just ask her to put in on my tab."
"User. But as long as I don't pay for our breakfast. Now please, leave."
"You're such a ball of sunshine in the morning, Zitao." Yifan smiles and leaves the bedroom. The photographer is grinning ear to ear when he walks out of the apartment and he heads in front of his own apartment door. He reaches the top of the doorframe and takes his extra key to unlock it, he grabs his wallet quickly and buys their breakfast.
Yifan doesn't deny that "I am so disappointed in you, Huang Zitao." when he finds the younger appropriately dressed and waiting for him in the living room. Tao sticks his tongue out at Yifan before he moves a little to the side of the couch to make room for the other male. Yifan places the paper bag and tray of beverages on the coffee table and Tao immediately grabs a sandwich from the bag.
"So? What time are you planning to see Mr. Jung?"
"Office hours is 9am to 6pm. Maybe 5?"
Tao narrows his eyes at Yifan who nonchalantly takes a sip of his hot coffee. "Fine. Just stay here for a while you lazy ass! Just don't drill any holes in my wall again!"
"Can't promise anything, sunshine."
"Okay. I take back my offer, you can get out after we eat."
Yifan laughs and Tao can't help but giggle. Yifan reaches out and lightly pinches Tao's cheek, "Don't kick me out, I promise I'll do good."
"If you say so." Tao smiles and finishes his food. He puts the trash in the kitchen and walks back to find Yifan watching the morning news. Tao walks over to him and bends down to kiss Yifan's cheek - only his lips doesn't touch Yifan's skin, nor did the photographer even noticed his gesture before Tao is straightening up in panic and immediately tells Yifan goodbye that the older doesnt even get the chance to walk him to the parking lot as he's been doing everyday.
"What am i doing?!" Tao asks to no one as he walks along the hallway. "God... He isn't your boyfriend, Tao. You don't want him as your boyfriend... He is a pervert, and he's nice, and too annoying, and perfect and he is so sexy..."
"Who's sexy?"
Tao looks up to see Jongdae in front of him. His eyes widen and he immediately shakes his head, "Y... Yuyan Peng! I recently watched his movie and I just... Nevermind that! You're here early!"
"I left my wallet and only realized it when I got out of the cab. Thank goodness for my neighbor Minseok who helped me pay for the fare when he found me outside the building. Anyway, I've been calling Yifan since last night when I realized I left it here but he wont answer my call."
"He got locked out. You can find him in my apartment. I have to go. Good bye, Jongdae!" Tao waves nervously and runs down the flight of stairs.
Jongdae grins and walks on to Tao's door, "Hey, pervert. Open up."
The door is opened to a shirtless Yifan munching on cookies he found in Tao's refrigerator. "Making yourself at home?" Jongdae asks and pulls Yifan out, "I know you have a spare key and I need to get inside your apartment. I left my wallet and Minseok just dropped me off here before he goes to the office he's interning in."
"You couldn't wait until later?"
"All my cards and cash is in there. I only had to come here early because Minseok drove."
Yifan grits his teeth and flicks Jongdae's forehead before heading inside Tao's apartment again to put his shirt back on and turns off everything that needs to be turned off before locking the younger's apartment.
"You know, you should stop overdoing things." Jongdae tells him after he finds his wallet and sits on Yifan's couch, "You're causing more damage than ever."
"I don't get what you mean."
"I mean, you're too caring, too nice. Man, you're even nicer when you and Kyungsoo started."
"We're doing fine. No need to get your panties in a bunch."
-----
"Here are your tickets." Luhan tells Tao when he arrives at work. Tao looks up and smiles at him, "Thanks."
"IT'S A THURSDAY MIRACLE!!!!" His assistant yells and Yixing stands to clap his hands. Tao chuckles and just takes the tickets, " So... the two of us are arriving earlier than the rest, right?"
"Yup. We'll be there on Monday and Alexandria on Tuesday."
"The photographer?"
Luhan hums and checks his notebook, "Monday. We have the same flights. Jongdae called me saying Kris wants the same flight as ours."
"Oh. Okay." Tao smiles and starts his computer. Luhan stays in front of him and he couldn't help but ask why his assistant is still there.
"You... you're happy."
"I guess. Go back to work."
The day goes an usual with Tao doing last minute calls to Alexandria confirming their last minute instructions to the team. Today is also his parents' death anniversary - something he has always kept a secret to everyone. For the last 10 years ever since their death in a tragic aircraft accident, Tao becomes too drained mentally and emotionally yet he tries not to let it show to his officemates. To say that Tao is exhausted is an understatement and he feels like he is going to collapse when he gets home. Yifan doesn't pick him up that night in which Tao is a little thankful for since he isn't up for dinner. He just wanted to sleep.
He is like a zombie when he walks along the hallways of their floor. Yifan is out smoking and Tao lazily greets him.
"Something wrong, sunshine?"
"Just exhausted. I'm going to bed early."
"Not eating?"
Tao shakes his head as he unlocks his apartment door, "Not tonight, I guess."
Yifan walks over to him and heads inside the apartment together, "Come on, I'll give you a massage. It will help you relax."
"You don't have to." Tao smiles lazily but Yifan is already dragging the younger inside his bedroom, "Lie on your stomach and take off your shirt."
"Okay, but just a massage, alright?"
"No funny business."
"Okay." Tao sighs and takes off his coat. He unbuttons his dress shirt and lies face down on the bed. He groans when Yifan straddles him and starts lathering him with a body lotion he found by the bedside table. "You're heavy..." Tao mumbles and Yifan chuckles, "Sorry about that."
"S'lright..." Tao hums in response and he lies his head comfortably on his pillow as Yifan starts massaging his bare back. "You're really good with this..." Tao lazily compliments Yifan and the other just continues massaging him. Yifan bites his lower lip because from time to time, Tao unconsciously moans and that's bad for Yifan - not when he's positioned where he wants to be and Tao is also where he wants Tao to be in.
"I'm falling asleep... I'm so sorry... You're just so good."
"Y... yeah." Yifan stutters because if anything, he really wishes for Tao to fall asleep now because his thighs are tired from holding himself up so that he wont be sitting on Tao completely, and also for Tao not to feel the raging problem between Yifan's legs.
A few minutes later Yifan finally hears Tao's silent snores and he immediately jumps off the bed and runs inside Tao's bathroom to take care of his problem. Yeah, that's how hard it is and it wont make it to his own apartment.
When he finishes and cleans himself up, he returns to the bedroom and puts a blanket over Tao. He is about to leave when he hears Tao ask, "Won't you sleep over?"
"Here? With you?"
"Yeah..."
"Okay." Yifan moves back to the bed and lies next to Tao. "You sure...? You didn't want me here last night."
Tao turns to Yifan with eyes closed. The younger inches just a centimeter closer and whispers, "Tonight is another night. I don't want to be alone at the moment."
Yifan places a hand on Tao's cheek and runs a thumb against the soft skin, "Something wrong?"
Tao basks on Yifan's warmth and sighs, "My parents died 10 years ago today."
"Oh, sunshine..." Yifan pulls Tao closer and the younger doesn't protest that he's being held against a bare-chested Yifan. They stay silent for a moment before Tao chuckles and Yifan loosens his hold, "I gave you a boner... Were you able to jerk off fine?"
"You knew?! And you're okay with me like this?"
"Yeah. I trust you." Tao lies his head on Yifan's chest. He closes his eyes and hopes his heart isn't racing too fast for Yifan to hear.
'I'm just not sure I trust myself with you, Yifan...'
-----
When Tao wakes up the next morning, he is still caged in Yifan's arms. He can hear the other's steady heartbeat and he can feel Yifan's breath ghosting over his head. Tao thinks this is weird since they aren't in a romantic relationship together but they might even put Yixing and Joonmyun to shame (since he knows Yixing still refuses to spend the night in Joonmyun's apartment despite dating for years). Tao thinks that if Yifan hadn't been such an asshole and slept with him that night, he can consider him a good boyfriend. Tao sighs and traces feather-light touches on Yifan's chest, 'This is bad... I am getting used to this and I dont want this to stop...'
Tao sighs again before prying himself away from Yifan and goes to the kitchen to serve breakfast. He's skipping his morning jog and would rather thank Yifan this way. When he leaves the room, Yifan opens his eyes and traces the place where Tao has touched him moments earlier.
'Huang Zitao... what are you doing to me...?
Yifan waits for at least 10 minutes before jumping off the bed to walk over to the kitchen, "No morning jog, sunshine?"
"Not today. I'm preparing our breakfast. Thank you for last night."
"That's what friends do, right?"
Tao bites his lower lip and nods with a bitter smile, "Yes, of course."
Yifan sits on the dining chair and watches Tao move about in the kitchen with his dress shirt on but with all the buttons open. "You're being comfortable with me, sunshine. I like it."
Tao turns to Yifan and raises an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
Yifan points at Tao's bare chest, "You're okay being naked with me."
Tao laughs and waves his spatula-holding hand, "We're friends now, right? You won't do a thing that would hurt me and this budding friendship we are having."
"Yeah. I guess I wont."
Tao smiles and finishes preparing their food. Once they finish eating, the younger tells the other to leave so that Yifan can catch up on sleep again while Tao prepares for work.
"Let's have dinner later." Yifan tells Tao before leaving the room and Tao agrees with him.
"Hey, Tao."
Tao turns to Yixing who's smiling at him widely, "What is it?"
"I heard Alexandria's getting Kai as their main male model for this campaign and Sunny for the women's line."
"Yes. We haven't disclosed this information to anybody else. Did Joonmyun tell you?"
Yixing laughs and nods, "Does it even still surprise you? Anyway, I heard that Kai is really gorgeous and his skin is golden. Why don't you flirt with him?"
Tao furrows his brows and gapes at Yixing, "What? Where did you get the idea that I am going to flirt with him?"
"I just think it's time for you to date again. And maybe get laid."
"The fuck!? Look, if Kai is as gorgeous as you said he is, what makes you think he isn't boning someone by now? And besides, I... I'm happy."
Yixing grins wide and you can almost see his eyes glint, "So you really are dating someone. Who is it?!"
"I am not dating! I've been telling you millions of times!"
Tao is already gritting his teeth in utter frustration and Yixing is still grinning like an idiot towards him. Jonghyun, an account manager walks over to them and leans over Tao's divider, "You have some major hottie for a boyfriend, Huang."
Tao turns to Jonghyun in panic and glares at the grinning male, "What the fuck are you talking about?"
Jonghyun smiles mischievously and winks at Tao, "I saw major hottie pick you up last Monday and again on Tuesday. You're so secretive."
Yixing stands from his seat and wraps an arm around Jonghyun's shoulders, "Tell me what major hottie looks like?"
"STOPPPPP!!!!!" Tao shrieks and covers Jonghyun's mouth with his hand, "Please, don't! I wont ever stop hearing it from this guy! And for the record, I am not dating that 'major hottie'."
Jonghyun pulls Tao's hand away and grins, "My silence will cost you."
"Fine. Your week's lunch is on me while I'm in Jeju."
Jonghyun turns to Yixing, "My confession will cost you too. You have to beat that."
"I can make the new intern fuck you."
Jonghyun turns red and gapes at Yixing, "That intern? You can make him fuck me and maybe fall in love with me?"
"Sure. Minho's my bestfriend's cousin. Heard he's single and has a thing for guys shorter than him."
Jonghyun shakes his head at Tao, "I'm so sorry, Peach. I need a good fuck."
"You horny dog!!!" Tao screams and returns to his desk defeatedly. Jonghyun whispers to Yixing what major hottie looks like and the Chinese just nods with every information he gets. "He seems familiar... Long hair and tall? Hmn... where have I seen someone like him?"
Tao bangs his fist on his desk and the two in front of him jumps in surprise, "Please talk about this somewhere else. He isn't my boyfriend and if he is, IF HE IS, what is it to all of you?"
"We're happy for you. You were such a mess after Eden." Jonghyun smiles at Tao and the younger's face calms, "What do you mean?"
"We've known each other for a while now and you were always crying after he moved out of your apartment. When was that...?" Yixing scrunches his brows and tries to remember when Tao was such a mess.
"Almost two years now. The 'Eden Incident' is over. I've moved past that a long time ago."
"Yes. And it's now time for you to move on with a new guy. Come on, take the next step with major hottie!" Jonghyun prods on and Tao just waves a hand at him.
'The Eden incident, huh...?' Tao thinks and then erases it completely from his head.
Tao finishes work on time and he's already fixing his things when Luhan comes over to his table, "Hey, Tao-shii, we're having a welcome dinner for our new interns, Minseok, Taemin, and Minho. You should join us!"
"Tonight?"
"Why? Got a date?" Yixing teases and Tao growls at the older, "I do not have a date!"
Tao thinks the world is conspiring against him when his phone rings for all the office to hear and he takes it out of his pocket to see Yifan's name flashing on the screen. He walks a few feet away from his officemates before answering the call.
"Yup?"
"Hey, is it okay to cancel dinner? Chanyeol and Baekhyun is in the area and well, haven't seen my secretary in a while. I need to talk to them about some business matters."
"Sure. I have a dinner invitation tonight too."
"A date?! With whom?!"
"It's not a date, silly. Just a welcoming dinner for our new interns."
"Alright. Anyway, see you for breakfast."
"Okay. Have a great night." Tao ends the call and walks back to where Luhan and the rest are waiting for him, "Where are we eating?"
"Did boyfriend bail out on you already?" Yixing teases and Tao almost punches him if Luhan isn't fast enough to stop him.
Dinner turns to a drinking session, which leads to Tao in a drunken rampage against Minseok. "Should we stop this?" Joonmyun asks as he watches Tao challenge Minseok to another round of booze. Luhan nods and walks over to Tao, "Tao-shii! You're driving home."
"Fuck driving home. I went home crawling for dear life when I was welcomed as an intern!!!"
"Mr. Huang, sir. I have an alcohol tolerance of a bear. I don't get drunk!"
"We'll see about that!" Tao screams and chugs his bottle straight up. The drinking battle goes on and Joonmyun can tell that Tao wont be able to take it any longer if it keeps up. He gets Tao's phone from the table and looks for someone who can pick him up.
Tao groans in pain when he wakes up the next day. He barely remembers anything and he doesn't even remember going home. He looks around the room and no, he isn't home. This isn't his bedroom and when he looks at the weight on his waist, there's an arm wrapped around his bare torso. He dares not to look at the man hugging him from behind because fuck, did he sleep with some stranger last night?!
He sits up slowly as he tries not to look behind him. He takes a good look of the bedroom in the morning light and this place looks like his apartment. Tao stops himself from getting off the bed and turns next to him to find Yifan sleeping beside him, bare-chested.
"YIFAN!!!"
The photographer immediately sits up in shock, "What happened?!"
"Me! Here! Your bedroom! Naked! I should ask you the same thing!"
Yifan groans and lies back down on the bed, "Joonmyun called last night and said you were drunk. I came to pick you up and you threw up on me on the way up here. You also got some puke on your clothes so I had to clean your shirt. And you know I sleep naked so..." Yifan explains in a sleepy slur of words. Tao pokes Yifan's arm to keep the other awake, "We didn't have sex...?"
"You can barely walk, and you stank of alcohol and puke."
"I'm relieved. Thank you. I thought I went home and slept with a total stranger."
Yifan opens one eye and looks at Tao, "Do you go home with strangers before?"
"Once in a while ever since the Eden incident."
"Fucking Eden." Yifan groans and throws an arm over his eyes, "Go back to sleep, you're hung over." Yifan pushes Tao back on the bed, "You can go home later." The photographer mumbles and wraps his arm back on Tao's waist.
"Uhmn... Yifan... I think I wanna go home."
"Stay. This time, stay with me."
Tao sighs and closes his eyes. He can feel Yifan's fingers brushing against his sides and he has to bite back a moan from escaping him. "Yifan, please stop..."
"I'm just trying to get you back to sleep. Kyungsoo falls asleep this way."
"I am not Kyungsoo!" Tao blurts out and immediately covers his mouth with his hand, "Sorry. I... I'm sorry."
Yifan opens his eyes and stares at Tao who's looking away from him. "You're not him. I know that. You're taller, and more toned and you sound like a girl."
"Wow. Thanks."
Yifan smirks and moves his head under Tao's chin, "Go back to sleep, sunshine."
---------------------------------------
Author's Notes: Just a short update. Been swamped with real life woes and whatnots. Next chapter could be the last for The Neighbor series.
Chapters: 03/?
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: smut, angst
Warning: unbeta'd
Rating: PG-13
Pairings/Characters: Kris x Tao
Synopsis: Tao is a dedicated employee of an advertising company living a routinary life until his sexy new neighbor moves next door and turns his life upside down.
Disclaimer: Own no one but the story. I would like Yifan to own me.
[01] [02]
Tao continues his routine on Monday - he gets up at 4:30 am, goes jogging, takes a shower at 5:15 am and leaves the apartment by 6:30. Only thing is, this morning he doesnt think he'll be getting a to-go breakfast from the cafe he frequents.
"You're up early." Tao greets Yifan who's waiting outside his doorway, the photographer hands him a brown paper bag, "Bought you breakfast. I was out jogging."
Tao checks the content of the bag and asks, "How sure were you that I'm still inside?"
"Just a hunch. I checked and the lights are still on. I just figured." Yifan tells him and Tao smiles at him, "Thanks."
"Wait here." Yifan tells Tao and the older immediately runs inside his apartment, when he got out, he's holding two styro cups of coffee, "I didnt wanna bring them out, they're gonna get cold."
"You're so nice. Uhm, get back to sleep or something. I need to go and I might be late for work."
"I'll walk you to your car."
"Oh. Okay."
Yifan sticks his hand inside the bag and takes a 6-inch subway, "We're half and half if you don't mind."
Tao chuckles and takes the sandwich out before throwing the empty paper bag in the bin, "No problem."
They walk silently down the building as they munch on their breakfast. They still haven't finished their food yet when they arrive to where Tao's car is, "Finish it in the office." Yifan tells him but Tao checks his watch, "I got time."
They both lean against the car and they continue eating their breakfast, "What's your plan today?" Tao asks and Yifan hums before answering, "I might drive around. Take pictures and stuff. I haven't been really active with my skills lately."
"Nice. Must be fun to have control of your time."
"You could say so. How about you?"
"The usual."
Yifan sighs and looks at Tao sideways, "Are you handing over the project to Jonghyun?"
Tao stops chewing his food and just looks at the photographer, Yifan raises an eyebrow and Tao clears his throat, "Continue being nice and we'll see each other in Jeju."
"So... does that mean I won you over this weekend...?"
Tao smirks and hits Yifan lightly on the shoulder, "I told you to be nice."
Yifan pinches Tao's cheeks but releases him immediately, "I so won you over, sunshine."
Tao laughs and tells Yifan to move away from his car, "I'll see you whenever."
"Dinner later?" Yifan asks as he steps away from the vehicle, Tao smiles, "Yeah. Dinner later."
Tao starts the car and Yifan waves him goodbye before the photographer heads back into his apartment.
"This is a first." Yixing greets him when Tao walks towards his desk. Tao turns to him with a questioning look, the older Chinese checks his watch, "You're fifteen minutes late. Do you know that?"
"Yeah, I know." Tao replies and starts up his computer. Yixing cranes his neck before sitting upright on his chair again, "What? No breakfast?"
"Already ate before coming here."
Yixing scrunches his brows and Tao asks an airy "What?"
"... Did you get a boyfriend over the weekends?!"
"I DID NOT!"
Yixing laughs and points a finger at Tao, "You're blushing!"
"STOP IT!"
"What's going on?" Joonmyun asks when he walks over to Yixing's table and his boyfriend tells him. The secretary turns to Tao and coos, "Really? How long has it been since your last boyfriend?"
"Oh please. I do not have a new boyfriend. And since you're asking, Eden and I broke up forever ago."
"We haven't seen you this happy. Something good happened over the weekends?" Joonmyun asks and Tao turns away from them. The couple decides that Tao wont answer their question anymore and ignores the younger.
"Yeah... something... something nice."
"Did you say something, Tao?" Yixing asks and Tao shakes his head 'no'.
When Tao heads out of the building around 7 that night, he isn't expecting a certain someone waiting for him. "What are you doing here?" Tao asks with a wide smile on his face as he walks towards Yifan.
"I did say dinner later, right?"
"Yeah. At home. With take outs or something." Tao laughs and Yifan shrugs, "We can grab take out or something."
"Well, we're out now. Let's just get out of here." Tao walks on and Yifan follows him, "I brought my car tonight and I think we should..."
"It's a beautiful night. Let's take a walk." Tao cuts Yifan and the older jogs after the other male. They must have taken a few turns and at least half an hour before they reach a food strip of various street food bustling with people having their dinner.
"Is it okay if we eat here?" Tao asks and Yifan nods, "Where should we even start?"
"I dunno. Let's try everything!" Tao gushes and grabs Yifan by the hand as they navigate their way along the various stalls. After an hour and 5 stalls later, the both of them are sitting on a table with mountains of food, "Are we gonna finish this?"
"I'm sure we can!" Yifan grins and starts digging in. Halfway through their dinner, Tao sighs in content, "God. I missed eating here."
"You were here often?"
Tao nods, "Yeah. With Eden."
Yifan raises an eyebrow and Tao smiles, "Ex-boyfriend. Come on, I used to have a boyfriend, too!"
Yifan grunts and stops eating, Tao notices this and asks, "What's wrong?"
"I think I'm full. Mind if I smoke?"
"Nope. Go ahead. I'm still eating!" Tao chuckles and keeps eating the food. Yifan stares at Tao as he smokes his cigarette and he hates this, for some reason, he doesn't want to go back to this place ever again.
They're walking back to where their cars are parked when Tao finally asks, "You've been quiet the rest of the evening. What's wrong?"
"Nothing is wrong."
"Okay. By the way, thanks for tonight."
Yifan nods and Tao takes that as a 'you're welcome'. They go their separate ways in their cars but wait for each other in the parking lot so they can walk back together in their respective apartments.
"Good night, Yifan." Tao tells the other when he reaches his door. Yifan stares at Tao and walks closer, Tao tilts his head questioningly, "What's up?"
"N... nothing. Good night." Yifan steps back again and rushes inside his room. Tao exhales and feels relieved because he was scared that Yifan might hear his racing heartbeat.
-----
"How are you and Tao doing?" Jongdae asks two days later when he drops by his boss' apartment. Yifan is currently busy updating his portfolio on his website while Jongdae checks the older's schedule.
"We're fine. We grab breakfast together, we eat dinner together. We take nightly walks."
"So you're dating."
Yifan stops whatever he's doing and stares at Jongdae, "We aren't dating. We're friends."
"Pfft. We're friends, too. We're not eating dinner often nor are we having breakfast together everyday."
"This is how our friendship works, okay? We're neighbors and just divided by a wall so it's easier for us."
Jongdae shrugs his shoulders and walks around the room, "You really have no idea how to be someone's friend."
"What do you mean?"
Jongdae faces him and crosses his arms over his chest, "You'll know what I mean if you keep this up."
"What-fucking-ever. We're friends. End of story."
"Just friends?"
"Yeah. Though sometimes I wanna kiss him senseless and maybe fuck him again. He's hot. God damn it."
Jongdae sighs and then throws a pillow towards Yifan's direction, "Keep your fucking dick at bay, asshole!"
Yifan is about to retaliate when there's a knock on his front door. He flips Jongdae the bird before walking to it.
"You're home early." Is what Yifan says when he finds Tao outside. "Yeah. There are days like these. But very rarely does it happen."
"Come in."
Tao takes a deep breath and Yifan chuckles, "I'm not gonna attack you or something. Besides my lovely pest is here."
"Pest?"
And then Jongdae appears from behind Yifan and greets Tao, "Can't help but overhear. You have to be afraid, Tao. My presence never bothered Yifan when he's horny."
"JONGDAE!"
Tao laughs and shakes his head, "Nevermind that. Here. I bought dinner. I think it's enough for the three of us."
"Let's just eat in the hallway." Yifan suggests and Tao agrees.
"Isn't it lonely with only just the two of you as tenants on this floor?" Jongdae asks while they are eating and Tao shrugs, "It's okay. I used to be alone here."
"Yifan used to live in a swanky condo unit with all the "it" kids in the society."
"Really?" Tao asks and then turns to the photographer, "You haven't told me about that."
"It isn't important. I live here now." Yifan shrugs and Jongdae laughs. Tao cocks his eyebrow and asks, "Is it because of Kyungsoo?"
Jongdae looks at Tao, bewildered, "You know about Kyungsoo?"
Tao nods, "His ex? Yeah. We're friends so... I guess we kind of opened up with each other. He knows about Eden."
"Who's Eden?" Jongdae asks Yifan and the photographer grunts in reply, "His ex."
"Oh you, two. So cute. Who knew you'd end up as friends after... asdfhgkghjl!!!" Jongdae is cut off when Yifan stuffs a huge piece of bread in his assistant's mouth, "Ignore him, Tao."
Tao turns quiet and stands up from the floor, "Yeah... so. Uhmn, I'm gonna turn in."
"Are we taking a walk?"
"Uhh... Let's skip tonight. I wanna get extra rest." Tao smiles and bids both good night before disappearing into his room. Yifan faces a choking Jongdae in rage, "The fuck!? Look! Kim Jongdae, Tao and I are friends now and us having sex is a taboo subject between us even if we've settled that incident already. We do not talk about it, what more, you, of all people, is not allowed to say anything about it, too!"
"Fine. I'm sorry."
"Yeah. You're sorry. Go fucking home!"
Yifan tries his best to get some sleep that night but Tao's sullen face keeps replaying in his head which makes him toss and turn on his bed. He immediately jumps off his bed and gets out of his room.
It takes a few knocks before a half-asleep Tao opens his door, "Yifan? It's late... why are you here?"
"Can't sleep."
"But I was already asleep."
"I... I want to apologize in Jongdae's fucking behalf."
"You're guilty?" Tao asks in his raspy bedroom voice and Yifan nods. Tao shrugs and smiles, "It's alright. Go home and go back to bed."
"Are you sure we're okay?"
Tao nods, "We're okay. Good night."
Yifan smiles and tells Tao good night. Tao closes his door but not a moment too soon, there's a few knocks on his door again, "What's wrong?"
"I got locked out."
Tao chuckles and then laughs out loud, nevermind the sleep escaping his body, this is hilarious. "Aren't you gonna ask me to come in?"
"I can just give you a blanket and a pillow so you can sleep in the hallway."
"Don't be a bad friend."
"Fine. Come in. You can sleep on the couch."
Yifan steps inside Tao's apartment and lies immediately on the couch, "Thank you."
Tao is already getting captured by sleep when his bedroom door opens and he finds a 6-foot giant standing by it, "What's wrong this time?"
"Your couch is too small to accomodate me."
Tao sits up a little annoyed, "You fell asleep there once!"
Yifan stomps his feet, "I'm sleepy! Let me sleep well! You're a bad host!"
"Stop throwing a fucking tantrum you stupid idiot! If you haven't locked yourself out we wont be in this mess and we'd both be asleep!"
"Just move."
"I'm not sleeping on the couch."
Yifan hisses and marches towards the bed. Tao isn't able to protest when the photographer ends up next to him and gets comfortable on his bed. "I didn't invite you to my bed!!!!"
"JUST GO TO SLEEP!"
"OFF!!!!"
"NO!!!!"
"YOU'RE BEING A KID!"
"I'M JUST GOING TO SLEEP!"
"THEN GO TO THE COUCH!"
"SHUT UP OR I'LL KISS YOU!"
Tao stops screaming and turns away from Yifan, "Fuck you. Go to sleep."
"Good night, sunshine."
Tao wakes up the next day a few inches away from Yifan's sleeping face. He can barely make out the photographer's features in the dimlight but Tao takes the chance to stare at him this close.
'If you weren't such an asshole I would have...'
"Didn't your mama tell you it's rude to stare?"
Tao huffs and gives Yifan a hard shove before he jumps off the bed, "You're awake now. Go home."
"Landlord said we should follow office hours for concerns unless an emergency... This isn't an emergency if I managed to get a room, so lemme borrow your bed..." Yifan curls tighter under Tao's blanket and the younger rolls his eyes.
Tao quietly changes his clothes in the dark and just as silently leaves the apartment for his quick morning jog. He arrives back into his place 30 minutes later panting and feeling energized. When he returns to his room, he still finds Yifan asleep with his long hair strewn across his face. Tao sits on the bed and brushes away the stray hair from the older's cheek, Yifan brushes the other's hand unconsciously and Tao chuckles silently, "You only look this innocent when you're asleep, you douchebag." He whispers before standing up again and heading to the shower.
Tao walks out of the shower 15 minutes later draped with a towel low on his waist while another towel dries his hair. He assumes Yifan is still asleep so he keeps the bedroom light off and keeps the door slightly ajar so that the light from the living room makes it to his bedroom.
Tao walks around his bedroom half-naked as he keeps drying his hair and choosing what he'll wear for the day. He lays the clothes down the bed when he jumps and screams when he finds Yifan awake and staring at him.
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WATCHING ME?"
"Since you stepped out of the shower? Ugh. Tao. You're a tease."
"I am not." Tao turns around so that his bare back is facing Yifan, "Be a dear and grab our breakfast now."
"And miss the good part? Come on! Take off your towel."
Tao grunts and throws the damp towel he's using to dry his hair at Yifan, "I let you sleep on my bed. Breakfast. I demand it."
"Strip. Now. I demand it." Yifan chuckles, "Come on. Don't be a tease and throw me another towel!"
"I said breakfast!"
Yifan laughs and jumps off the bed, "Yes, ma'am."
"I'm pretty sure you don't have any money on you. I have some bills inside the bedside drawer."
Yifan turns on the lights and Tao screams. He immediately grabs the blanket to cover himself up, "It isn't something I have never seen, sunshine."
"Just take my money and buy our food. Or just forget it and I'll grab a takeout. I might be late for work."
"No need for me to take your wallet. Krystal obviously has a crush on me, I'll just ask her to put in on my tab."
"User. But as long as I don't pay for our breakfast. Now please, leave."
"You're such a ball of sunshine in the morning, Zitao." Yifan smiles and leaves the bedroom. The photographer is grinning ear to ear when he walks out of the apartment and he heads in front of his own apartment door. He reaches the top of the doorframe and takes his extra key to unlock it, he grabs his wallet quickly and buys their breakfast.
Yifan doesn't deny that "I am so disappointed in you, Huang Zitao." when he finds the younger appropriately dressed and waiting for him in the living room. Tao sticks his tongue out at Yifan before he moves a little to the side of the couch to make room for the other male. Yifan places the paper bag and tray of beverages on the coffee table and Tao immediately grabs a sandwich from the bag.
"So? What time are you planning to see Mr. Jung?"
"Office hours is 9am to 6pm. Maybe 5?"
Tao narrows his eyes at Yifan who nonchalantly takes a sip of his hot coffee. "Fine. Just stay here for a while you lazy ass! Just don't drill any holes in my wall again!"
"Can't promise anything, sunshine."
"Okay. I take back my offer, you can get out after we eat."
Yifan laughs and Tao can't help but giggle. Yifan reaches out and lightly pinches Tao's cheek, "Don't kick me out, I promise I'll do good."
"If you say so." Tao smiles and finishes his food. He puts the trash in the kitchen and walks back to find Yifan watching the morning news. Tao walks over to him and bends down to kiss Yifan's cheek - only his lips doesn't touch Yifan's skin, nor did the photographer even noticed his gesture before Tao is straightening up in panic and immediately tells Yifan goodbye that the older doesnt even get the chance to walk him to the parking lot as he's been doing everyday.
"What am i doing?!" Tao asks to no one as he walks along the hallway. "God... He isn't your boyfriend, Tao. You don't want him as your boyfriend... He is a pervert, and he's nice, and too annoying, and perfect and he is so sexy..."
"Who's sexy?"
Tao looks up to see Jongdae in front of him. His eyes widen and he immediately shakes his head, "Y... Yuyan Peng! I recently watched his movie and I just... Nevermind that! You're here early!"
"I left my wallet and only realized it when I got out of the cab. Thank goodness for my neighbor Minseok who helped me pay for the fare when he found me outside the building. Anyway, I've been calling Yifan since last night when I realized I left it here but he wont answer my call."
"He got locked out. You can find him in my apartment. I have to go. Good bye, Jongdae!" Tao waves nervously and runs down the flight of stairs.
Jongdae grins and walks on to Tao's door, "Hey, pervert. Open up."
The door is opened to a shirtless Yifan munching on cookies he found in Tao's refrigerator. "Making yourself at home?" Jongdae asks and pulls Yifan out, "I know you have a spare key and I need to get inside your apartment. I left my wallet and Minseok just dropped me off here before he goes to the office he's interning in."
"You couldn't wait until later?"
"All my cards and cash is in there. I only had to come here early because Minseok drove."
Yifan grits his teeth and flicks Jongdae's forehead before heading inside Tao's apartment again to put his shirt back on and turns off everything that needs to be turned off before locking the younger's apartment.
"You know, you should stop overdoing things." Jongdae tells him after he finds his wallet and sits on Yifan's couch, "You're causing more damage than ever."
"I don't get what you mean."
"I mean, you're too caring, too nice. Man, you're even nicer when you and Kyungsoo started."
"We're doing fine. No need to get your panties in a bunch."
-----
"Here are your tickets." Luhan tells Tao when he arrives at work. Tao looks up and smiles at him, "Thanks."
"IT'S A THURSDAY MIRACLE!!!!" His assistant yells and Yixing stands to clap his hands. Tao chuckles and just takes the tickets, " So... the two of us are arriving earlier than the rest, right?"
"Yup. We'll be there on Monday and Alexandria on Tuesday."
"The photographer?"
Luhan hums and checks his notebook, "Monday. We have the same flights. Jongdae called me saying Kris wants the same flight as ours."
"Oh. Okay." Tao smiles and starts his computer. Luhan stays in front of him and he couldn't help but ask why his assistant is still there.
"You... you're happy."
"I guess. Go back to work."
The day goes an usual with Tao doing last minute calls to Alexandria confirming their last minute instructions to the team. Today is also his parents' death anniversary - something he has always kept a secret to everyone. For the last 10 years ever since their death in a tragic aircraft accident, Tao becomes too drained mentally and emotionally yet he tries not to let it show to his officemates. To say that Tao is exhausted is an understatement and he feels like he is going to collapse when he gets home. Yifan doesn't pick him up that night in which Tao is a little thankful for since he isn't up for dinner. He just wanted to sleep.
He is like a zombie when he walks along the hallways of their floor. Yifan is out smoking and Tao lazily greets him.
"Something wrong, sunshine?"
"Just exhausted. I'm going to bed early."
"Not eating?"
Tao shakes his head as he unlocks his apartment door, "Not tonight, I guess."
Yifan walks over to him and heads inside the apartment together, "Come on, I'll give you a massage. It will help you relax."
"You don't have to." Tao smiles lazily but Yifan is already dragging the younger inside his bedroom, "Lie on your stomach and take off your shirt."
"Okay, but just a massage, alright?"
"No funny business."
"Okay." Tao sighs and takes off his coat. He unbuttons his dress shirt and lies face down on the bed. He groans when Yifan straddles him and starts lathering him with a body lotion he found by the bedside table. "You're heavy..." Tao mumbles and Yifan chuckles, "Sorry about that."
"S'lright..." Tao hums in response and he lies his head comfortably on his pillow as Yifan starts massaging his bare back. "You're really good with this..." Tao lazily compliments Yifan and the other just continues massaging him. Yifan bites his lower lip because from time to time, Tao unconsciously moans and that's bad for Yifan - not when he's positioned where he wants to be and Tao is also where he wants Tao to be in.
"I'm falling asleep... I'm so sorry... You're just so good."
"Y... yeah." Yifan stutters because if anything, he really wishes for Tao to fall asleep now because his thighs are tired from holding himself up so that he wont be sitting on Tao completely, and also for Tao not to feel the raging problem between Yifan's legs.
A few minutes later Yifan finally hears Tao's silent snores and he immediately jumps off the bed and runs inside Tao's bathroom to take care of his problem. Yeah, that's how hard it is and it wont make it to his own apartment.
When he finishes and cleans himself up, he returns to the bedroom and puts a blanket over Tao. He is about to leave when he hears Tao ask, "Won't you sleep over?"
"Here? With you?"
"Yeah..."
"Okay." Yifan moves back to the bed and lies next to Tao. "You sure...? You didn't want me here last night."
Tao turns to Yifan with eyes closed. The younger inches just a centimeter closer and whispers, "Tonight is another night. I don't want to be alone at the moment."
Yifan places a hand on Tao's cheek and runs a thumb against the soft skin, "Something wrong?"
Tao basks on Yifan's warmth and sighs, "My parents died 10 years ago today."
"Oh, sunshine..." Yifan pulls Tao closer and the younger doesn't protest that he's being held against a bare-chested Yifan. They stay silent for a moment before Tao chuckles and Yifan loosens his hold, "I gave you a boner... Were you able to jerk off fine?"
"You knew?! And you're okay with me like this?"
"Yeah. I trust you." Tao lies his head on Yifan's chest. He closes his eyes and hopes his heart isn't racing too fast for Yifan to hear.
'I'm just not sure I trust myself with you, Yifan...'
-----
When Tao wakes up the next morning, he is still caged in Yifan's arms. He can hear the other's steady heartbeat and he can feel Yifan's breath ghosting over his head. Tao thinks this is weird since they aren't in a romantic relationship together but they might even put Yixing and Joonmyun to shame (since he knows Yixing still refuses to spend the night in Joonmyun's apartment despite dating for years). Tao thinks that if Yifan hadn't been such an asshole and slept with him that night, he can consider him a good boyfriend. Tao sighs and traces feather-light touches on Yifan's chest, 'This is bad... I am getting used to this and I dont want this to stop...'
Tao sighs again before prying himself away from Yifan and goes to the kitchen to serve breakfast. He's skipping his morning jog and would rather thank Yifan this way. When he leaves the room, Yifan opens his eyes and traces the place where Tao has touched him moments earlier.
'Huang Zitao... what are you doing to me...?
Yifan waits for at least 10 minutes before jumping off the bed to walk over to the kitchen, "No morning jog, sunshine?"
"Not today. I'm preparing our breakfast. Thank you for last night."
"That's what friends do, right?"
Tao bites his lower lip and nods with a bitter smile, "Yes, of course."
Yifan sits on the dining chair and watches Tao move about in the kitchen with his dress shirt on but with all the buttons open. "You're being comfortable with me, sunshine. I like it."
Tao turns to Yifan and raises an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"
Yifan points at Tao's bare chest, "You're okay being naked with me."
Tao laughs and waves his spatula-holding hand, "We're friends now, right? You won't do a thing that would hurt me and this budding friendship we are having."
"Yeah. I guess I wont."
Tao smiles and finishes preparing their food. Once they finish eating, the younger tells the other to leave so that Yifan can catch up on sleep again while Tao prepares for work.
"Let's have dinner later." Yifan tells Tao before leaving the room and Tao agrees with him.
"Hey, Tao."
Tao turns to Yixing who's smiling at him widely, "What is it?"
"I heard Alexandria's getting Kai as their main male model for this campaign and Sunny for the women's line."
"Yes. We haven't disclosed this information to anybody else. Did Joonmyun tell you?"
Yixing laughs and nods, "Does it even still surprise you? Anyway, I heard that Kai is really gorgeous and his skin is golden. Why don't you flirt with him?"
Tao furrows his brows and gapes at Yixing, "What? Where did you get the idea that I am going to flirt with him?"
"I just think it's time for you to date again. And maybe get laid."
"The fuck!? Look, if Kai is as gorgeous as you said he is, what makes you think he isn't boning someone by now? And besides, I... I'm happy."
Yixing grins wide and you can almost see his eyes glint, "So you really are dating someone. Who is it?!"
"I am not dating! I've been telling you millions of times!"
Tao is already gritting his teeth in utter frustration and Yixing is still grinning like an idiot towards him. Jonghyun, an account manager walks over to them and leans over Tao's divider, "You have some major hottie for a boyfriend, Huang."
Tao turns to Jonghyun in panic and glares at the grinning male, "What the fuck are you talking about?"
Jonghyun smiles mischievously and winks at Tao, "I saw major hottie pick you up last Monday and again on Tuesday. You're so secretive."
Yixing stands from his seat and wraps an arm around Jonghyun's shoulders, "Tell me what major hottie looks like?"
"STOPPPPP!!!!!" Tao shrieks and covers Jonghyun's mouth with his hand, "Please, don't! I wont ever stop hearing it from this guy! And for the record, I am not dating that 'major hottie'."
Jonghyun pulls Tao's hand away and grins, "My silence will cost you."
"Fine. Your week's lunch is on me while I'm in Jeju."
Jonghyun turns to Yixing, "My confession will cost you too. You have to beat that."
"I can make the new intern fuck you."
Jonghyun turns red and gapes at Yixing, "That intern? You can make him fuck me and maybe fall in love with me?"
"Sure. Minho's my bestfriend's cousin. Heard he's single and has a thing for guys shorter than him."
Jonghyun shakes his head at Tao, "I'm so sorry, Peach. I need a good fuck."
"You horny dog!!!" Tao screams and returns to his desk defeatedly. Jonghyun whispers to Yixing what major hottie looks like and the Chinese just nods with every information he gets. "He seems familiar... Long hair and tall? Hmn... where have I seen someone like him?"
Tao bangs his fist on his desk and the two in front of him jumps in surprise, "Please talk about this somewhere else. He isn't my boyfriend and if he is, IF HE IS, what is it to all of you?"
"We're happy for you. You were such a mess after Eden." Jonghyun smiles at Tao and the younger's face calms, "What do you mean?"
"We've known each other for a while now and you were always crying after he moved out of your apartment. When was that...?" Yixing scrunches his brows and tries to remember when Tao was such a mess.
"Almost two years now. The 'Eden Incident' is over. I've moved past that a long time ago."
"Yes. And it's now time for you to move on with a new guy. Come on, take the next step with major hottie!" Jonghyun prods on and Tao just waves a hand at him.
'The Eden incident, huh...?' Tao thinks and then erases it completely from his head.
Tao finishes work on time and he's already fixing his things when Luhan comes over to his table, "Hey, Tao-shii, we're having a welcome dinner for our new interns, Minseok, Taemin, and Minho. You should join us!"
"Tonight?"
"Why? Got a date?" Yixing teases and Tao growls at the older, "I do not have a date!"
Tao thinks the world is conspiring against him when his phone rings for all the office to hear and he takes it out of his pocket to see Yifan's name flashing on the screen. He walks a few feet away from his officemates before answering the call.
"Yup?"
"Hey, is it okay to cancel dinner? Chanyeol and Baekhyun is in the area and well, haven't seen my secretary in a while. I need to talk to them about some business matters."
"Sure. I have a dinner invitation tonight too."
"A date?! With whom?!"
"It's not a date, silly. Just a welcoming dinner for our new interns."
"Alright. Anyway, see you for breakfast."
"Okay. Have a great night." Tao ends the call and walks back to where Luhan and the rest are waiting for him, "Where are we eating?"
"Did boyfriend bail out on you already?" Yixing teases and Tao almost punches him if Luhan isn't fast enough to stop him.
Dinner turns to a drinking session, which leads to Tao in a drunken rampage against Minseok. "Should we stop this?" Joonmyun asks as he watches Tao challenge Minseok to another round of booze. Luhan nods and walks over to Tao, "Tao-shii! You're driving home."
"Fuck driving home. I went home crawling for dear life when I was welcomed as an intern!!!"
"Mr. Huang, sir. I have an alcohol tolerance of a bear. I don't get drunk!"
"We'll see about that!" Tao screams and chugs his bottle straight up. The drinking battle goes on and Joonmyun can tell that Tao wont be able to take it any longer if it keeps up. He gets Tao's phone from the table and looks for someone who can pick him up.
Tao groans in pain when he wakes up the next day. He barely remembers anything and he doesn't even remember going home. He looks around the room and no, he isn't home. This isn't his bedroom and when he looks at the weight on his waist, there's an arm wrapped around his bare torso. He dares not to look at the man hugging him from behind because fuck, did he sleep with some stranger last night?!
He sits up slowly as he tries not to look behind him. He takes a good look of the bedroom in the morning light and this place looks like his apartment. Tao stops himself from getting off the bed and turns next to him to find Yifan sleeping beside him, bare-chested.
"YIFAN!!!"
The photographer immediately sits up in shock, "What happened?!"
"Me! Here! Your bedroom! Naked! I should ask you the same thing!"
Yifan groans and lies back down on the bed, "Joonmyun called last night and said you were drunk. I came to pick you up and you threw up on me on the way up here. You also got some puke on your clothes so I had to clean your shirt. And you know I sleep naked so..." Yifan explains in a sleepy slur of words. Tao pokes Yifan's arm to keep the other awake, "We didn't have sex...?"
"You can barely walk, and you stank of alcohol and puke."
"I'm relieved. Thank you. I thought I went home and slept with a total stranger."
Yifan opens one eye and looks at Tao, "Do you go home with strangers before?"
"Once in a while ever since the Eden incident."
"Fucking Eden." Yifan groans and throws an arm over his eyes, "Go back to sleep, you're hung over." Yifan pushes Tao back on the bed, "You can go home later." The photographer mumbles and wraps his arm back on Tao's waist.
"Uhmn... Yifan... I think I wanna go home."
"Stay. This time, stay with me."
Tao sighs and closes his eyes. He can feel Yifan's fingers brushing against his sides and he has to bite back a moan from escaping him. "Yifan, please stop..."
"I'm just trying to get you back to sleep. Kyungsoo falls asleep this way."
"I am not Kyungsoo!" Tao blurts out and immediately covers his mouth with his hand, "Sorry. I... I'm sorry."
Yifan opens his eyes and stares at Tao who's looking away from him. "You're not him. I know that. You're taller, and more toned and you sound like a girl."
"Wow. Thanks."
Yifan smirks and moves his head under Tao's chin, "Go back to sleep, sunshine."
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Author's Notes: Just a short update. Been swamped with real life woes and whatnots. Next chapter could be the last for The Neighbor series.