In Between Today and Forever - Kris x Tao - 09/09
Title: In Between Today and Forever
Chapters: 09/09
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: fluff, romance, angst
Warning: unbeta'd
Rating: NC-17 for this chapter
Pairings/Characters: Kris x Tao
Synopsis: Two people in love can't always be together; Promises of forever are easier said than done.
Disclaimer: This is the sequel of Kris and Tao for the completed chaptered TaoRis fic, " So, We're Kind of a Little Clichéd too". Aside from that story i own nobody and anything else.
[01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06] [07] [08]
Tao looks outside the coffee shop he is currently in. He takes a sip of his coffee and sighs as he watches a young couple giggling and looking in love as they walk past him.
"Did you wait long?"
Tao looks up to see Baekhyun sitting across him. He shakes his head and his best friend smiles at him, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He timidly tells him and takes another sip. Baekhyun sighs and reaches a hand to ruffle Tao's hair, "We leave for Australia in 2 hours. Are you excited?! We haven't been on a trip outside the country together in almost 3 years!"
Tao shrugs his shoulders and looks outside to watch the people in the airport scramble about. "... D... Do you think Joonmyun-hyung invited him to the wedding...?"
Baekhyun's face falls and he bites his lower lip, "I don't know. He didn't mention getting invited when he talked to Chanyeol last week."
"Two years..." Tao sighs, "Two years and he never really came back to me."
"Tao... you cheated on him. Of all people, you should know that cheating is the worst you could do to Kris."
"I didn't cheat on him, Baekhyun. I never cheated on him."
Baekhyun takes a deep breath then speaks, "Look at me, Tao."
Tao turns to face his best friend and Baekhyun continues, "You didn't literally cheat on him but you lied to him, Tao. He trusted you and you took Ena into your aparment. You had another man sleep with you other than your ex-fiancé. What did you want Kris to feel during that moment?"
"I wanted him to understand. I wanted him to listen."
"It's all in the past now. 2 years is a long time. You've both moved on."
Tao smiles and turns to look outside again, "Have I...?"
Baekhyun pats Tao's hand and smiles at him, "You are now free to do what you want, you're traveling around the world, why still so sad?"
Tao sighs and bites on his lower lip, "Freedom? Why should I be free when I never felt imprisoned with him...?"
-----
"Man. I thought you're backing out!" Chanyeol greets Tao when he and the rest meets Baekhyun and the young Chinese in the airport. Tao raises an eyebrow at the statement, "Why would I? I'm one of hyung's photographers for his wedding."
"Good. Good." Chanyeol pats Tao's shoulders and then grabs Baekhyun to a corner. Tao ignores them and greets his other friends as well then they leave the airport. He notices that Chanyeol and Baekhyun is not in the van with them and he asks Minseok about it.
"Joonmyun asked him a favor to wait for one of his cousins to arrive. He is just an hour after your flight."
"Oh. But Baekhyun is jetlagged too..."
"Chanyeol is with him. Jetlag be damned." Jongdae pipes in from next to Minseok. Tao chuckles and smiles at the couple, "Can't believe you two are really dating now. W... I rooted for you."
"I am team JongSeok from way back too!" Yixing adds from the seats behind them. Laughter erupts.
-----
Joonmyun is ecstatic to see Tao and hugs him awkwardly due to the height difference but they still make it work. Joonmyun hands him the key to his room, "You're sharing rooms, ok?"
"With whom?"
Joonmyun shrugs, "I don't know yet. Whoever comes without a room. Might be the future missus' relative."
Tao laughs and hugs Joonmyun again, "It's only 3 in the afternoon. Is it okay for me to sleep a little? Jetlag and stuff?"
"Of course. Dinner is at 7 with everyone."
"Got it." Tao smiles and heads to his room. He immediately changes his clothes and lies on the bed. He'll unpack later because for now, he is tired and timezone disoriented.
Tao ignores the noises he can hear inside the room and decides to keep sleeping assuming that his new roommate has arrived. He hears shuffling of feet and the door opening and closing again. Tao assumes again that his roommate has stepped out to leave him alone.
Tao grunts in annoyance a few hours later when he feels someone shaking him awake, "What....?!"
"Dinner in 30 minutes." Baekhyun is smiling at him and Tao sits up. He turns to the other side of the room and finds another suitcase and some clothes splayed on the bed. "Did you have a look at my new roommate? You think I'd have a hook up here in Sydney?"
"Your roommate is pretty hot. I don't know about you hooking up. I mean, you can barely go on a decent date without freaking out because you want to be with Kris instead."
Tao laughs bitterly, "True. Anyway, let me freshen up and I'll see you in 10 minutes."
Baekhyun tells him he'll see him in the dining hall and he should just tell the waiters he is on table 12. The older walks out of the room and Tao goes to the bathroom to freshen up.
He walks along the corridors and he smiles to himself thinking that he is so happy Joonmyun is getting married the day after tomorrow but at the same time still regretful because maybe around this time, he would have been married already, too.
When he arrives in the dining hall, the waiter tells him where his table is. He smiled at his friends already sitting around it and then he stops short when he notices another person talking to Luhan and the rest. His hair is longer, darker. But even with his back turned to him, Tao is certain that he is here.
Tao takes a step back a little too late because Yixing notices him and when everyone turned to look at him, including Kris, he almost cries. "What are you waiting for?! Come on! We're hungry!" Sehun whines as he drags him to their table and forces him to sit across Kris.
Tao smiles at his ex-fiancé and Kris only looks at him briefly before turning his attention back to Yixing and Luhan. Baekhyun leans closer to Tao who is already eating silently and awkwardly. "Tao... are you okay?"
"Y... you all knew he's coming."
"You will bail out if we told you." Baekhyun whispers and Tao nods, "Yeah. I would have."
"It's just a few days." Baekhyun shrugs and Tao bites his lower lip, "A few days? He never said a word to me in two years and we have a 'few days'. Great."
Tao stays quiet during the whole dinner fiasco. He silently listens as his other friends gush over Kris' long hair and natural color. Internally, he finds it more attractive compared to when he was still a blond.
"Are you seeing somebody now?" Kyungsoo asks and there's an awkward silence. Kris chuckles and nods, "Yeah. We're dating and stuff. Nothing exclusive. We're still open to seeing someone else..."
"Is he hot?" Jongin asks and Kris shrugs his shoulders, "I never dated someone who isn't hot."
All eyes turn to Tao who is in the middle of eating his ice cream cake, the whipped cream smearing the sides of his mouth, "You dated this kid." Minseok comments and Tao chokes. Kris laughs, "I got engaged with that kid."
Silence.
Tao chuckles nervously, "That's why we aren't married. I am a kid."
"True." Kris leans on his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. Joonmyun laughs awkwardly and clears his throat, "Uhm, why didn't you bring your boyfriend?"
"Kevin is not really my boyfriend. I told you, just dating. Besides he's busy taking over for me. It's the Nationals and you just had to drag me out here."
"Sorry about that, coach."
"Coach?" Tao asks and Kris nods. "I'm the basketball coach for the University of British Columbia."
Tao nods. There's a feeling inside him that hurts. Two years and so much has changed with Kris. He is now a basketball coach, more carefree and most importantly, he has moved on. Tao clenches his fists from under the table and realizes that he's stranded from where he's been left behind. Everyone has moved on - except for him.
He stands up and excuses himself, "I am going back to bed. I came from Thailand before flying here. I'm a bit tired."
Joonmyun checks his watch, "Yeah. Get some rest. Tomorrow's rehearsal dinner is at 8. You're free to roam around Sydney until then."
"Yes, dad!" They all answer in unison before all of them are walking out of the dining hall. The guys walk along the corridor until one by one they are going inside their own rooms until only him and Kris are left. Tao doesn't say anything and waits for Kris to enter one of the rooms at the end of the hallway but he doesn't.
Tao stops in front of his room and Kris does the same, "Do you have the key?" Kris asks from behind him and Tao nods, "Yes. It is my room."
"Good. I forgot mine inside."
Tao's eyes widen and turns to face Kris, "You're my roommate?!"
Kris shrugs his shoulders, "We don't have to talk. Open the door."
Tao nods and opens the door. When they get inside, Kris removes his coat and dress shirt unceremoniously. Tao feels a little uneasy but decides to just remove his clothes with Kris in the room. It's not like they haven't seen each other naked before.
He hears Kris shuffling from behind him and when he turns, Kris is standing inside the bathroom brushing his teeth in only his sweatpants. Kris ignores him and Tao decides to wait until the older guy finishes. He walks past him when Kris steps out and closes the door behind him.
Kris is already covered in blanket when Tao steps out and the younger silently tiptoes towards his bed. He turns his back against Kris and he just stares at the blank wall next to him.
"Nice to see you doing okay."
Tao's eyes widen but he doesn't move. He takes a deep breath and speaks, "Y... you, too. Glad you're happy."
"Yeah. Good night."
"Good night." Tao bites his lower lip and tries not to sob. He missed Kris and this is how they've become. Strangers in one room, with all their memories pushed inside a closet in the past, Tao cant help but regret losing Kris to his immaturity. He closes his eyes and tells himself that it's been two years, and no matter how much he wants to apologize, it wont mean a thing now and it wont change anything, now that Kris is happy and dating.
-----
There's a knock on the door and Tao wakes up from the noise. He sits up and sees a blurry vision of Kris walking to the door, opening it and then returning back to bed.
"Come on! Both of you! We're going for a walk!" Baekhyun gushes and Kris whines. "Kris, darling! Are you gonna spend the whole morning in bed?!" Baekhyun argues and Kris grunts an angry 'yes'.
"Wake up! We heard there's an awesome coffee shop in Hyde park! It's only two blocks from here!" Chanyeol adds and Tao stands from the bed, "Can I at least take a quick shower?"
"Can you drag Kris inside with you? You loved having shower sex!" Baekhyun comments and Kris throws a pillow to the younger's face, "Get out!"
Baekhyun and Chanyeol laugh, "See you both downstairs in 10 minutes!" Chanyeol waves them goodbye but Kris stops him, "Lemme use your fucking shower, then."
"Suit yourself."
Kris walks out of the room with the couple and Tao takes a shower inside his shared room with his ex-fiancé.
Kris is already back inside the room when Tao steps out of the shower and is already packing his phone and wallet inside his pockets. "Hurry. It's already 9 and I'm hungry for breakfast."
"Yes. Just give me a minute." Tao hurries to his side of the room and starts to change his clothes. Kris waits for him on his bed and Tao feels a little too exposed with the other watching him. He tries to ignore it and just puts on anything he can grab even with everything is mismatched. Tao takes his phone and wallet after fixing his hair and tells Kris that they should go.
"Australia is so cold even in June..." Baekhyun comments and cuddles closer to Chanyeol when the 4 of them walk out of the hotel and into the streets. "Where are the others?" Tao asks as he rubs his hands together, he was too uneasy earlier and forgot to wear his gloves.
"I think they all have other plans to date and stuff. Like us!" Chanyeol responds and Kris chuckles, "We're the 3rd wheel, I see. We aren't even dating."
"Oh! Right. Dated. Sorry." Baekhyun smiles and then drags Chanyeol. Tao walks silently after them but Kris stops him, "Wear these." Kris removes his gloves and hands them to Tao, the younger takes it and Kris walks ahead.
They reach Hyde park and Baekhyun runs around the area first then returns to his companions, "Tao, Kris, be a dear and buy 4 cups of coffee from Metro St. James. Chanyeol and I will look for a bench so we can eat our breakfast there!"
"Want some sandwich with coffee?" Tao asks and Chanyeol wraps his arms over Tao and Kris' shoulders, "There's a better pastry shop here. We'll buy our food there. Okay?!"
"Okay." Tao tells him and then he and Kris yelps when Chanyeol pats both their butts before the tall Korean walks to Baekhyun, "Go now, it's cold. Coffee will be perfect!"
Tao and Kris walks to the coffee shop and they fall in line in silence. Kris orders for them but panics when he realizes that his wallet is not with him, "Fuck. Did I lose my wallet?!"
"I brought mine. Let's pay for these first then we can backtrack our steps." Tao tells him and then feels for his back pocket only to find it empty, too. "Ok. This is weird. My wallet is gone, too."
Kris smiles awkwardly at the barista and is about to tell him that they will have to cancel their order when the said barista smiles at him, "Are you two a couple, too? I saw the both of you outside earlier with another couple and you can pay for your coffee with a kiss!"
Tao and Kris is surprised and Tao blurts out a loud "What?!"
"Babe, come on. We can get it for free."
'Babe.'
Tao almost cries on the spot only he couldn't because Kris leans in closer and kisses Tao, his hands pressing against the younger's hipbones and the younger immediately responds to the kiss by closing his eyes and pulling Kris by the front of his shirt.
"OH!"
The two pulls apart and turns to find Baekhyun and Chanyeol standing by the doorway, "We saw your wallets on the ground and hurried here immediately."
The barista smiles at the four of them, "No worries. We dont need your money, just your kisses! With a kiss like that, we can give out free coffees to everyone inside the shop already!"
Kris laughs and then thanks the barista for the coffee before he and the others walk out of the café. Tao walks silently behind him and he can still feel the intensity of the kiss against his lips and he missed it, so much, yet it doesnt mean anything but payment for their coffee.
The four of them finds a bench, but Tao pulls Baekhyun to the side while the other tall guys sit on it.
"You knew!"
Baekhyun nods with a devilish smile on his face, "I want the two of you to get back together. Is that such a crime?"
"We are never getting back together because I fucked up. It's hard enough that I'm sharing a room with him, please... don't play with my feelings anymore, Baek..." Tao sobs and Baekhyun hugs him, "I never stopped loving him, you know that. I can't do this. I'm sorry. I'll just go back to our room." Tao doesn't even say goodbye to Kris and Chanyeol before stalking back to the hotel.
Inside his room, he cries.
Again.
Like that first year when he realized Kris will never come back and that Kris meant it when he said those words before walking out their apartment door two years ago. He cries again whenever their monthsary passes by or when he comes home to the apartment they used to share after a failed attempt to date again but end up bailing out because he has never moved on from the break up.
And he cries again because Kris is here now but not to get back together with him, but be cold and caring at the same time. He wishes he knew about Kris being here and then maybe he wouldn't have gone and cut short his vacation in Thailand. He'll just see Kris in pictures and maybe regret not coming in the end but at least, he doesn't have to deal with this kind of feelings anymore.
He hears the door unlock and he immediately covers himself with the blanket, he stays still and tries not to let his sobbing be heard by Kris.
"Joonmyun is asking everyone down for lunch later."
Tao doesn't respond but he only hears Kris chuckle, "We lived together, Tao. I know you're awake."
Tao huffs and sits up, "Stop talking to me. Just... Fucking stop." The younger almost screams before covering himself with the blanket again.
Kris doesn't say anything and when Tao hears him leave the room again, he cries.
Tao comes down for lunch an hour later and he finds most of his friends sitting in two different tables. He joins the group without Kris in it.
"I was looking for you this morning." Yixing tells Tao after he sits next to the older boy, "The sunrise is beautiful and I thought you'd like to take pictures."
"I'm still jetlagged."
Jongdae places his chin on his palm and stares at Tao, "Jetlagged? You've been traveling a lot and I thought you'd get used to it."
"You know I don't travel too far from Asia."
"Have you been back to Japan?" Minseok asks. Tao notices that Kris, who's sitting across Minseok from behind, looks up slightly from his plate then turns away from him. Tao shrugs his shoulders and smiles at Minseok, "There isn't any reason to go there."
"Didn't you date Ena?" Kyungsoo asks and Tao shakes his head, "You all still believe that? I never dated him. As in NEVER. Sure, he said he liked me even... even..."
"Even?" Jongin asks and Tao clears his throat, "He did admit he liked me even when I was still engaged but no. I never dated him. I... Well, most of you know I transferred and went to a private college that focuses on Photography and I lost contact with him after the incident... If I'm not mistaken, he's already dating his high school sweetheart again."
There is quick silence within the tables until someone pipes out to rid the awkwardness.
"Yo, Tao. Want me to set you up on a date again?" Sehun chimes in from the other table, "Just don't bail out again like the last 100 times."
"I did not bail out a hundred times!"
Sehun pouts and counts with his fingers, "Okay 5 times with me."
"You bailed out on 3 of my friends. Just saying." Chanyeol pipes in and Tao laughs awkwardly, "I don't know how to date."
"Poor you. You got corrupted by this pedophile." Baekhyun laughs and nudges Kris. Kris just smiles at Baekhyun and ignores Tao completely.
"Guys. The hotel has an indoor pool and it's warm. Let's swim before the rehearsal dinner?" Joonmyun asks and Luhan laughs at him, "You're nervous, aren't you?"
"I am. And you are all such sweethearts and never even hosted a stag party for me."
"If we did, are you okay with a male stripper?" Baekhyun asks and laughter erupts, knowing full well that aside from the groom to be, only Yixing is straight (ever since Minseok dated Jongdae, he's been crossed out of the short list of straight guys in their circle).
After lunch the group disperses to change into their swimming clothes. Tao and Kris naturally ignores each other while alone inside their room and Tao finishes changing fast and leaves Kris inside. He is greeted by Jongdae and Minseok who are both rooming across their bedroom.
"You two, okay?" Minseok asks as he takes a glance at the door behind Tao. The younger shrugs, "Do we have to be? He said we don't need to talk so we aren't talking." Tao starts walking and the couple races after him. They hear the door open and Kris walks out of the room. Jongdae looks at Kris and then jumps on Tao's back, "Piggy back ride!"
"I am not your boyfriend!" Tao yells and Minseok laughs, "We don't have much height difference for that."
Tao laughs and runs to the swimming pool. Minseok waits for Kris and the older stops the other, "What's going on between the both of you?"
Kris shrugs, "I dunno. Nothing, I guess."
"I know you're aware that you two rooming is the group's plan."
"I'm sure. I'm not stupid."
"Look. We aren't saying we want you back together, except for Baekhyun, he is so keen on reconciling you two. But, it's been two years. Isn't it time for you to talk?"
Kris smiles at Minseok and claps a hand on the shorter male's shoulder, "Do we have to? We've moved on..."
"Did the both of you really?" Minseok asks and Kris squeezes Minseok's shoulder lightly before walking away.
Minseok and Kris finds the rest of their friends already in the water, some are even being talked to by girls - Chanyeol, Tao, Yixing, and Sehun specifically.
"Aren't you gonna grab your man?" Minseok asks as he approaches Baekhyun who's resting on a chair with a cocktail. Baekhyun laughs and shakes his head, "We get a kick out of this. A lot of girls approach him and flirt with him, but he returns to me and tells me how gross that is."
Kris sits on the other chair and puts sunblock on, Baekhyun turns to him, "How about you? Not feeling even a tiny bit of jealousy?"
"With Chanyeol? Fuck no."
"You know who I'm talking about."
Kris turns to Tao and sees the younger already swimming away from the girls, "No. Should I?"
Tao walks to where they are seated and sits next to Baekhyun, "She just asked me to come to her room tonight. I think she took it as a joke when I told her I'm not interested. What will I do in her room? Braid her hair?!"
"Try looking at her vag. You might get interested. You've only looked at one dick. Like, ever."
Tao gags and Kris smacks the back of Baekhyun's head, "My, my, Kris. Still got that Tao-defensive reflexes."
Minseok laughs from the sidelines and Kris glares at him, "I can't help but agree, Mr. Wu. Sorry."
"Let's go."
Kris jumps into the pool, followed by Minseok. Tao and Baekhyun watches as some of the girls approach Kris and the tall Chinese flirts back with one of the girls, even touching her cheeks or fixing her hair.
"Jealous?" Baekhyun asks Tao and the younger shakes his head, "No. Just as long as she invites him to her room and not she coming into ours..."
"You think Kris can put it up for a vag and not an ass?"
"You have such a dirty mouth." Tao pinches Baekhyun's side before jumping back into the pool. Baekhyun laughs then puts his cocktail down so he can join his friends.
They end their short break around 5 in the afternoon and Tao notices that same girl still flirting with Kris until they leave the pool. The younger scoffs and thinks that if he was still with Kris, someone's gonna be drowned, although she's already bloated and blue in his head. He goes ahead inside their bedroom and heads straight to shower. He's hurt. He knows he is but he doesn't want to cry (he does anyway) for Kris. Again. Over and over. As hopeless as it may be.
He steps out of the shower to find Kris waiting for him to finish and he apologizes if he took so long. The older male just shrugs his shoulders and walks past him to the bathroom. Tao sighs and starts drying himself completely. He puts on his jewelleries - his rings, bracelets and the silver chain he's always wearing underneath his shirt. The silver bands are cold and heavy against his chests but it's the only way they can be together and he isn't really ready to let go if it yet.
He immediately puts on his shirt so he can hide the necklace in case Kris comes out of the shower. He's almost done with himself when Kris steps out of the shower. Tao fixes the last stray hair on his face then tells Kris he's gonna go ahead, Kris only nods.
The dinner is remarkably perfect, the groomsmen are in their proper attires and the bridesmaids are beautiful in their dresses. They are currently eating dinner when Baekhyun leans over and whispers to Tao, "Joonmyun-hyung must have spent a fortune for this wedding..."
"He sent us all here, that says a lot already."
Baekhyun nods and then watches as Kris, Chanyeol, Yixing, Minseok, Sehun, and Jongin start fixing their ties and collars as the assistants told them to. Jongdae, Baekhyun, Luhan, and Kyungsoo snickers as the said males are ushered into the dance floor, "I feel so bad for Joonmyun," Luhan starts, "It's like he ran out of straight friends and his groomsmen are all gay, save from Yixing."
"Minseok and I just started dating so I'm a bit worried." Jongdae sighs and puts his chin on his palm, Tao just sighs, "I'm sure he's alright." He takes out his camera and starts taking snapshots of the rehearsal. The groomsmen are then asked to take the ladies into the dance floor so they can start the rehearsal for the formal dance. Tao notices that one of the bridesmaids didn't let herself be invited and just throws herself at Kris, the younger Chinese realizes she is the same girl by the pool and it irks him more.
Tao tries to ignore it and just takes more pictures of the event. He sighs inwardly as the said bridesmaid keep making the same mistake and flirtatiously giggles at Kris. She leans closer and Tao is certain that she is making sure that Kris can take a glimpse of her cleavage. Which is gross, if Tao is honest. He sighs again and moves along the dance floor, taking pics of each of the pairs, and as much as he wants to skip Kris and this girl in a fake pair of Pradas, he does.
He could have just been subtle and snapped a few pictures, but the girl is already leaning too close for comfort, biting her lower lip as Kris tries to lead her. She also makes sure that she gives him an extra squeeze on the arm everytime the instructor gives a new step - which Tao can only take so much of.
"He is not gonna notice your fake boobs no matter how hard you try." Tao suddenly blurts out and the girl turns to him angrily, "Excuse me?!"
Tao turns to Kris instead, "You said you hate cheaters and you're already cheating on Kevin who's in Canada, you fucking hypocrite." Tao then realizes how accusatory he sounds and how angry he must have been. He backs away and immediately storms out of the dining hall. Jongdae and Luhan tries to stop him but he runs past them immediately.
"Kevin?!" The girl turns to Kris but is cut off when Baekhyun pulls Kris away from the dance floor, "Go after him, you idiot!"
Entry too long. Part two here.
Chapters: 09/09
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: fluff, romance, angst
Warning: unbeta'd
Rating: NC-17 for this chapter
Pairings/Characters: Kris x Tao
Synopsis: Two people in love can't always be together; Promises of forever are easier said than done.
Disclaimer: This is the sequel of Kris and Tao for the completed chaptered TaoRis fic, " So, We're Kind of a Little Clichéd too". Aside from that story i own nobody and anything else.
[01] [02] [03] [04] [05] [06] [07] [08]
Tao looks outside the coffee shop he is currently in. He takes a sip of his coffee and sighs as he watches a young couple giggling and looking in love as they walk past him.
"Did you wait long?"
Tao looks up to see Baekhyun sitting across him. He shakes his head and his best friend smiles at him, "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." He timidly tells him and takes another sip. Baekhyun sighs and reaches a hand to ruffle Tao's hair, "We leave for Australia in 2 hours. Are you excited?! We haven't been on a trip outside the country together in almost 3 years!"
Tao shrugs his shoulders and looks outside to watch the people in the airport scramble about. "... D... Do you think Joonmyun-hyung invited him to the wedding...?"
Baekhyun's face falls and he bites his lower lip, "I don't know. He didn't mention getting invited when he talked to Chanyeol last week."
"Two years..." Tao sighs, "Two years and he never really came back to me."
"Tao... you cheated on him. Of all people, you should know that cheating is the worst you could do to Kris."
"I didn't cheat on him, Baekhyun. I never cheated on him."
Baekhyun takes a deep breath then speaks, "Look at me, Tao."
Tao turns to face his best friend and Baekhyun continues, "You didn't literally cheat on him but you lied to him, Tao. He trusted you and you took Ena into your aparment. You had another man sleep with you other than your ex-fiancé. What did you want Kris to feel during that moment?"
"I wanted him to understand. I wanted him to listen."
"It's all in the past now. 2 years is a long time. You've both moved on."
Tao smiles and turns to look outside again, "Have I...?"
Baekhyun pats Tao's hand and smiles at him, "You are now free to do what you want, you're traveling around the world, why still so sad?"
Tao sighs and bites on his lower lip, "Freedom? Why should I be free when I never felt imprisoned with him...?"
-----
"Man. I thought you're backing out!" Chanyeol greets Tao when he and the rest meets Baekhyun and the young Chinese in the airport. Tao raises an eyebrow at the statement, "Why would I? I'm one of hyung's photographers for his wedding."
"Good. Good." Chanyeol pats Tao's shoulders and then grabs Baekhyun to a corner. Tao ignores them and greets his other friends as well then they leave the airport. He notices that Chanyeol and Baekhyun is not in the van with them and he asks Minseok about it.
"Joonmyun asked him a favor to wait for one of his cousins to arrive. He is just an hour after your flight."
"Oh. But Baekhyun is jetlagged too..."
"Chanyeol is with him. Jetlag be damned." Jongdae pipes in from next to Minseok. Tao chuckles and smiles at the couple, "Can't believe you two are really dating now. W... I rooted for you."
"I am team JongSeok from way back too!" Yixing adds from the seats behind them. Laughter erupts.
-----
Joonmyun is ecstatic to see Tao and hugs him awkwardly due to the height difference but they still make it work. Joonmyun hands him the key to his room, "You're sharing rooms, ok?"
"With whom?"
Joonmyun shrugs, "I don't know yet. Whoever comes without a room. Might be the future missus' relative."
Tao laughs and hugs Joonmyun again, "It's only 3 in the afternoon. Is it okay for me to sleep a little? Jetlag and stuff?"
"Of course. Dinner is at 7 with everyone."
"Got it." Tao smiles and heads to his room. He immediately changes his clothes and lies on the bed. He'll unpack later because for now, he is tired and timezone disoriented.
Tao ignores the noises he can hear inside the room and decides to keep sleeping assuming that his new roommate has arrived. He hears shuffling of feet and the door opening and closing again. Tao assumes again that his roommate has stepped out to leave him alone.
Tao grunts in annoyance a few hours later when he feels someone shaking him awake, "What....?!"
"Dinner in 30 minutes." Baekhyun is smiling at him and Tao sits up. He turns to the other side of the room and finds another suitcase and some clothes splayed on the bed. "Did you have a look at my new roommate? You think I'd have a hook up here in Sydney?"
"Your roommate is pretty hot. I don't know about you hooking up. I mean, you can barely go on a decent date without freaking out because you want to be with Kris instead."
Tao laughs bitterly, "True. Anyway, let me freshen up and I'll see you in 10 minutes."
Baekhyun tells him he'll see him in the dining hall and he should just tell the waiters he is on table 12. The older walks out of the room and Tao goes to the bathroom to freshen up.
He walks along the corridors and he smiles to himself thinking that he is so happy Joonmyun is getting married the day after tomorrow but at the same time still regretful because maybe around this time, he would have been married already, too.
When he arrives in the dining hall, the waiter tells him where his table is. He smiled at his friends already sitting around it and then he stops short when he notices another person talking to Luhan and the rest. His hair is longer, darker. But even with his back turned to him, Tao is certain that he is here.
Tao takes a step back a little too late because Yixing notices him and when everyone turned to look at him, including Kris, he almost cries. "What are you waiting for?! Come on! We're hungry!" Sehun whines as he drags him to their table and forces him to sit across Kris.
Tao smiles at his ex-fiancé and Kris only looks at him briefly before turning his attention back to Yixing and Luhan. Baekhyun leans closer to Tao who is already eating silently and awkwardly. "Tao... are you okay?"
"Y... you all knew he's coming."
"You will bail out if we told you." Baekhyun whispers and Tao nods, "Yeah. I would have."
"It's just a few days." Baekhyun shrugs and Tao bites his lower lip, "A few days? He never said a word to me in two years and we have a 'few days'. Great."
Tao stays quiet during the whole dinner fiasco. He silently listens as his other friends gush over Kris' long hair and natural color. Internally, he finds it more attractive compared to when he was still a blond.
"Are you seeing somebody now?" Kyungsoo asks and there's an awkward silence. Kris chuckles and nods, "Yeah. We're dating and stuff. Nothing exclusive. We're still open to seeing someone else..."
"Is he hot?" Jongin asks and Kris shrugs his shoulders, "I never dated someone who isn't hot."
All eyes turn to Tao who is in the middle of eating his ice cream cake, the whipped cream smearing the sides of his mouth, "You dated this kid." Minseok comments and Tao chokes. Kris laughs, "I got engaged with that kid."
Silence.
Tao chuckles nervously, "That's why we aren't married. I am a kid."
"True." Kris leans on his chair and crosses his arms over his chest. Joonmyun laughs awkwardly and clears his throat, "Uhm, why didn't you bring your boyfriend?"
"Kevin is not really my boyfriend. I told you, just dating. Besides he's busy taking over for me. It's the Nationals and you just had to drag me out here."
"Sorry about that, coach."
"Coach?" Tao asks and Kris nods. "I'm the basketball coach for the University of British Columbia."
Tao nods. There's a feeling inside him that hurts. Two years and so much has changed with Kris. He is now a basketball coach, more carefree and most importantly, he has moved on. Tao clenches his fists from under the table and realizes that he's stranded from where he's been left behind. Everyone has moved on - except for him.
He stands up and excuses himself, "I am going back to bed. I came from Thailand before flying here. I'm a bit tired."
Joonmyun checks his watch, "Yeah. Get some rest. Tomorrow's rehearsal dinner is at 8. You're free to roam around Sydney until then."
"Yes, dad!" They all answer in unison before all of them are walking out of the dining hall. The guys walk along the corridor until one by one they are going inside their own rooms until only him and Kris are left. Tao doesn't say anything and waits for Kris to enter one of the rooms at the end of the hallway but he doesn't.
Tao stops in front of his room and Kris does the same, "Do you have the key?" Kris asks from behind him and Tao nods, "Yes. It is my room."
"Good. I forgot mine inside."
Tao's eyes widen and turns to face Kris, "You're my roommate?!"
Kris shrugs his shoulders, "We don't have to talk. Open the door."
Tao nods and opens the door. When they get inside, Kris removes his coat and dress shirt unceremoniously. Tao feels a little uneasy but decides to just remove his clothes with Kris in the room. It's not like they haven't seen each other naked before.
He hears Kris shuffling from behind him and when he turns, Kris is standing inside the bathroom brushing his teeth in only his sweatpants. Kris ignores him and Tao decides to wait until the older guy finishes. He walks past him when Kris steps out and closes the door behind him.
Kris is already covered in blanket when Tao steps out and the younger silently tiptoes towards his bed. He turns his back against Kris and he just stares at the blank wall next to him.
"Nice to see you doing okay."
Tao's eyes widen but he doesn't move. He takes a deep breath and speaks, "Y... you, too. Glad you're happy."
"Yeah. Good night."
"Good night." Tao bites his lower lip and tries not to sob. He missed Kris and this is how they've become. Strangers in one room, with all their memories pushed inside a closet in the past, Tao cant help but regret losing Kris to his immaturity. He closes his eyes and tells himself that it's been two years, and no matter how much he wants to apologize, it wont mean a thing now and it wont change anything, now that Kris is happy and dating.
-----
There's a knock on the door and Tao wakes up from the noise. He sits up and sees a blurry vision of Kris walking to the door, opening it and then returning back to bed.
"Come on! Both of you! We're going for a walk!" Baekhyun gushes and Kris whines. "Kris, darling! Are you gonna spend the whole morning in bed?!" Baekhyun argues and Kris grunts an angry 'yes'.
"Wake up! We heard there's an awesome coffee shop in Hyde park! It's only two blocks from here!" Chanyeol adds and Tao stands from the bed, "Can I at least take a quick shower?"
"Can you drag Kris inside with you? You loved having shower sex!" Baekhyun comments and Kris throws a pillow to the younger's face, "Get out!"
Baekhyun and Chanyeol laugh, "See you both downstairs in 10 minutes!" Chanyeol waves them goodbye but Kris stops him, "Lemme use your fucking shower, then."
"Suit yourself."
Kris walks out of the room with the couple and Tao takes a shower inside his shared room with his ex-fiancé.
Kris is already back inside the room when Tao steps out of the shower and is already packing his phone and wallet inside his pockets. "Hurry. It's already 9 and I'm hungry for breakfast."
"Yes. Just give me a minute." Tao hurries to his side of the room and starts to change his clothes. Kris waits for him on his bed and Tao feels a little too exposed with the other watching him. He tries to ignore it and just puts on anything he can grab even with everything is mismatched. Tao takes his phone and wallet after fixing his hair and tells Kris that they should go.
"Australia is so cold even in June..." Baekhyun comments and cuddles closer to Chanyeol when the 4 of them walk out of the hotel and into the streets. "Where are the others?" Tao asks as he rubs his hands together, he was too uneasy earlier and forgot to wear his gloves.
"I think they all have other plans to date and stuff. Like us!" Chanyeol responds and Kris chuckles, "We're the 3rd wheel, I see. We aren't even dating."
"Oh! Right. Dated. Sorry." Baekhyun smiles and then drags Chanyeol. Tao walks silently after them but Kris stops him, "Wear these." Kris removes his gloves and hands them to Tao, the younger takes it and Kris walks ahead.
They reach Hyde park and Baekhyun runs around the area first then returns to his companions, "Tao, Kris, be a dear and buy 4 cups of coffee from Metro St. James. Chanyeol and I will look for a bench so we can eat our breakfast there!"
"Want some sandwich with coffee?" Tao asks and Chanyeol wraps his arms over Tao and Kris' shoulders, "There's a better pastry shop here. We'll buy our food there. Okay?!"
"Okay." Tao tells him and then he and Kris yelps when Chanyeol pats both their butts before the tall Korean walks to Baekhyun, "Go now, it's cold. Coffee will be perfect!"
Tao and Kris walks to the coffee shop and they fall in line in silence. Kris orders for them but panics when he realizes that his wallet is not with him, "Fuck. Did I lose my wallet?!"
"I brought mine. Let's pay for these first then we can backtrack our steps." Tao tells him and then feels for his back pocket only to find it empty, too. "Ok. This is weird. My wallet is gone, too."
Kris smiles awkwardly at the barista and is about to tell him that they will have to cancel their order when the said barista smiles at him, "Are you two a couple, too? I saw the both of you outside earlier with another couple and you can pay for your coffee with a kiss!"
Tao and Kris is surprised and Tao blurts out a loud "What?!"
"Babe, come on. We can get it for free."
'Babe.'
Tao almost cries on the spot only he couldn't because Kris leans in closer and kisses Tao, his hands pressing against the younger's hipbones and the younger immediately responds to the kiss by closing his eyes and pulling Kris by the front of his shirt.
"OH!"
The two pulls apart and turns to find Baekhyun and Chanyeol standing by the doorway, "We saw your wallets on the ground and hurried here immediately."
The barista smiles at the four of them, "No worries. We dont need your money, just your kisses! With a kiss like that, we can give out free coffees to everyone inside the shop already!"
Kris laughs and then thanks the barista for the coffee before he and the others walk out of the café. Tao walks silently behind him and he can still feel the intensity of the kiss against his lips and he missed it, so much, yet it doesnt mean anything but payment for their coffee.
The four of them finds a bench, but Tao pulls Baekhyun to the side while the other tall guys sit on it.
"You knew!"
Baekhyun nods with a devilish smile on his face, "I want the two of you to get back together. Is that such a crime?"
"We are never getting back together because I fucked up. It's hard enough that I'm sharing a room with him, please... don't play with my feelings anymore, Baek..." Tao sobs and Baekhyun hugs him, "I never stopped loving him, you know that. I can't do this. I'm sorry. I'll just go back to our room." Tao doesn't even say goodbye to Kris and Chanyeol before stalking back to the hotel.
Inside his room, he cries.
Again.
Like that first year when he realized Kris will never come back and that Kris meant it when he said those words before walking out their apartment door two years ago. He cries again whenever their monthsary passes by or when he comes home to the apartment they used to share after a failed attempt to date again but end up bailing out because he has never moved on from the break up.
And he cries again because Kris is here now but not to get back together with him, but be cold and caring at the same time. He wishes he knew about Kris being here and then maybe he wouldn't have gone and cut short his vacation in Thailand. He'll just see Kris in pictures and maybe regret not coming in the end but at least, he doesn't have to deal with this kind of feelings anymore.
He hears the door unlock and he immediately covers himself with the blanket, he stays still and tries not to let his sobbing be heard by Kris.
"Joonmyun is asking everyone down for lunch later."
Tao doesn't respond but he only hears Kris chuckle, "We lived together, Tao. I know you're awake."
Tao huffs and sits up, "Stop talking to me. Just... Fucking stop." The younger almost screams before covering himself with the blanket again.
Kris doesn't say anything and when Tao hears him leave the room again, he cries.
Tao comes down for lunch an hour later and he finds most of his friends sitting in two different tables. He joins the group without Kris in it.
"I was looking for you this morning." Yixing tells Tao after he sits next to the older boy, "The sunrise is beautiful and I thought you'd like to take pictures."
"I'm still jetlagged."
Jongdae places his chin on his palm and stares at Tao, "Jetlagged? You've been traveling a lot and I thought you'd get used to it."
"You know I don't travel too far from Asia."
"Have you been back to Japan?" Minseok asks. Tao notices that Kris, who's sitting across Minseok from behind, looks up slightly from his plate then turns away from him. Tao shrugs his shoulders and smiles at Minseok, "There isn't any reason to go there."
"Didn't you date Ena?" Kyungsoo asks and Tao shakes his head, "You all still believe that? I never dated him. As in NEVER. Sure, he said he liked me even... even..."
"Even?" Jongin asks and Tao clears his throat, "He did admit he liked me even when I was still engaged but no. I never dated him. I... Well, most of you know I transferred and went to a private college that focuses on Photography and I lost contact with him after the incident... If I'm not mistaken, he's already dating his high school sweetheart again."
There is quick silence within the tables until someone pipes out to rid the awkwardness.
"Yo, Tao. Want me to set you up on a date again?" Sehun chimes in from the other table, "Just don't bail out again like the last 100 times."
"I did not bail out a hundred times!"
Sehun pouts and counts with his fingers, "Okay 5 times with me."
"You bailed out on 3 of my friends. Just saying." Chanyeol pipes in and Tao laughs awkwardly, "I don't know how to date."
"Poor you. You got corrupted by this pedophile." Baekhyun laughs and nudges Kris. Kris just smiles at Baekhyun and ignores Tao completely.
"Guys. The hotel has an indoor pool and it's warm. Let's swim before the rehearsal dinner?" Joonmyun asks and Luhan laughs at him, "You're nervous, aren't you?"
"I am. And you are all such sweethearts and never even hosted a stag party for me."
"If we did, are you okay with a male stripper?" Baekhyun asks and laughter erupts, knowing full well that aside from the groom to be, only Yixing is straight (ever since Minseok dated Jongdae, he's been crossed out of the short list of straight guys in their circle).
After lunch the group disperses to change into their swimming clothes. Tao and Kris naturally ignores each other while alone inside their room and Tao finishes changing fast and leaves Kris inside. He is greeted by Jongdae and Minseok who are both rooming across their bedroom.
"You two, okay?" Minseok asks as he takes a glance at the door behind Tao. The younger shrugs, "Do we have to be? He said we don't need to talk so we aren't talking." Tao starts walking and the couple races after him. They hear the door open and Kris walks out of the room. Jongdae looks at Kris and then jumps on Tao's back, "Piggy back ride!"
"I am not your boyfriend!" Tao yells and Minseok laughs, "We don't have much height difference for that."
Tao laughs and runs to the swimming pool. Minseok waits for Kris and the older stops the other, "What's going on between the both of you?"
Kris shrugs, "I dunno. Nothing, I guess."
"I know you're aware that you two rooming is the group's plan."
"I'm sure. I'm not stupid."
"Look. We aren't saying we want you back together, except for Baekhyun, he is so keen on reconciling you two. But, it's been two years. Isn't it time for you to talk?"
Kris smiles at Minseok and claps a hand on the shorter male's shoulder, "Do we have to? We've moved on..."
"Did the both of you really?" Minseok asks and Kris squeezes Minseok's shoulder lightly before walking away.
Minseok and Kris finds the rest of their friends already in the water, some are even being talked to by girls - Chanyeol, Tao, Yixing, and Sehun specifically.
"Aren't you gonna grab your man?" Minseok asks as he approaches Baekhyun who's resting on a chair with a cocktail. Baekhyun laughs and shakes his head, "We get a kick out of this. A lot of girls approach him and flirt with him, but he returns to me and tells me how gross that is."
Kris sits on the other chair and puts sunblock on, Baekhyun turns to him, "How about you? Not feeling even a tiny bit of jealousy?"
"With Chanyeol? Fuck no."
"You know who I'm talking about."
Kris turns to Tao and sees the younger already swimming away from the girls, "No. Should I?"
Tao walks to where they are seated and sits next to Baekhyun, "She just asked me to come to her room tonight. I think she took it as a joke when I told her I'm not interested. What will I do in her room? Braid her hair?!"
"Try looking at her vag. You might get interested. You've only looked at one dick. Like, ever."
Tao gags and Kris smacks the back of Baekhyun's head, "My, my, Kris. Still got that Tao-defensive reflexes."
Minseok laughs from the sidelines and Kris glares at him, "I can't help but agree, Mr. Wu. Sorry."
"Let's go."
Kris jumps into the pool, followed by Minseok. Tao and Baekhyun watches as some of the girls approach Kris and the tall Chinese flirts back with one of the girls, even touching her cheeks or fixing her hair.
"Jealous?" Baekhyun asks Tao and the younger shakes his head, "No. Just as long as she invites him to her room and not she coming into ours..."
"You think Kris can put it up for a vag and not an ass?"
"You have such a dirty mouth." Tao pinches Baekhyun's side before jumping back into the pool. Baekhyun laughs then puts his cocktail down so he can join his friends.
They end their short break around 5 in the afternoon and Tao notices that same girl still flirting with Kris until they leave the pool. The younger scoffs and thinks that if he was still with Kris, someone's gonna be drowned, although she's already bloated and blue in his head. He goes ahead inside their bedroom and heads straight to shower. He's hurt. He knows he is but he doesn't want to cry (he does anyway) for Kris. Again. Over and over. As hopeless as it may be.
He steps out of the shower to find Kris waiting for him to finish and he apologizes if he took so long. The older male just shrugs his shoulders and walks past him to the bathroom. Tao sighs and starts drying himself completely. He puts on his jewelleries - his rings, bracelets and the silver chain he's always wearing underneath his shirt. The silver bands are cold and heavy against his chests but it's the only way they can be together and he isn't really ready to let go if it yet.
He immediately puts on his shirt so he can hide the necklace in case Kris comes out of the shower. He's almost done with himself when Kris steps out of the shower. Tao fixes the last stray hair on his face then tells Kris he's gonna go ahead, Kris only nods.
The dinner is remarkably perfect, the groomsmen are in their proper attires and the bridesmaids are beautiful in their dresses. They are currently eating dinner when Baekhyun leans over and whispers to Tao, "Joonmyun-hyung must have spent a fortune for this wedding..."
"He sent us all here, that says a lot already."
Baekhyun nods and then watches as Kris, Chanyeol, Yixing, Minseok, Sehun, and Jongin start fixing their ties and collars as the assistants told them to. Jongdae, Baekhyun, Luhan, and Kyungsoo snickers as the said males are ushered into the dance floor, "I feel so bad for Joonmyun," Luhan starts, "It's like he ran out of straight friends and his groomsmen are all gay, save from Yixing."
"Minseok and I just started dating so I'm a bit worried." Jongdae sighs and puts his chin on his palm, Tao just sighs, "I'm sure he's alright." He takes out his camera and starts taking snapshots of the rehearsal. The groomsmen are then asked to take the ladies into the dance floor so they can start the rehearsal for the formal dance. Tao notices that one of the bridesmaids didn't let herself be invited and just throws herself at Kris, the younger Chinese realizes she is the same girl by the pool and it irks him more.
Tao tries to ignore it and just takes more pictures of the event. He sighs inwardly as the said bridesmaid keep making the same mistake and flirtatiously giggles at Kris. She leans closer and Tao is certain that she is making sure that Kris can take a glimpse of her cleavage. Which is gross, if Tao is honest. He sighs again and moves along the dance floor, taking pics of each of the pairs, and as much as he wants to skip Kris and this girl in a fake pair of Pradas, he does.
He could have just been subtle and snapped a few pictures, but the girl is already leaning too close for comfort, biting her lower lip as Kris tries to lead her. She also makes sure that she gives him an extra squeeze on the arm everytime the instructor gives a new step - which Tao can only take so much of.
"He is not gonna notice your fake boobs no matter how hard you try." Tao suddenly blurts out and the girl turns to him angrily, "Excuse me?!"
Tao turns to Kris instead, "You said you hate cheaters and you're already cheating on Kevin who's in Canada, you fucking hypocrite." Tao then realizes how accusatory he sounds and how angry he must have been. He backs away and immediately storms out of the dining hall. Jongdae and Luhan tries to stop him but he runs past them immediately.
"Kevin?!" The girl turns to Kris but is cut off when Baekhyun pulls Kris away from the dance floor, "Go after him, you idiot!"
Entry too long. Part two here.