Just One More Step - Kris x Tao - Oneshot
Title: Just One More Step
Chapters: Oneshot
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: fluff, romance
Warning: unbeta'd, broken pairings
Rating: PG
Pairings/Characters: Kris x Tao (side pairings are aplenty)
Synopsis: They weren't first loves. They weren't friends. They are meant to be, and eventually they will be.
Disclaimer: I didnt want to put all the pairings here above, so just check the tag? STORY IS MINE.
2007 - Kyungnam High School; Busan
His name is Wu Yifan, a Canada-born, full-blooded Chinese who transfered into Senior year due to his parents divorce. He towers most of the guys in campus and he's instantly asked to play basketball for the team the moment the team captain's eyes caught him in line in the cafeteria on his first day thus removing him in the 'Foreign Transfer Students to Bully' list. Not that he looks like he can ever be bullied though. It's also the first day of classes that they ever encountered each other.
"What are you doing to my locker?"
"Your locker?" Yifan stops trying to open said object once he asks the boy almost as tall as him with dark eyes and black hair. Kris looks at the row of lockers and counted again, "Oh. Sorry about that." The other boy shrugs and Yifan walks 3 more lockers ahead of the one he's trying to open.
The boy with said dark eyes and black hair is Huang Zitao. Born and raised in China until he's 12 years old. His parents died after a car accident and his aunt (his only legal guardian) is in Korea, so he moved here despite his lack of knowledge of the language. "Who was that?" Sehun, Zitao's boyfriend asks. The taller shrugs, "No idea. Looks like a senior though. Let's go? We'll be late for next class."
-----
It's during the 2nd quarter of the schoolyear when Yifan meets and dates Yixing, a junior his cousin Luhan introduced him to a few weeks into the new school. The spark has always been there and it's only this time that Yifan had the courage to actually date Yixing.
It's the night of the school's festival when Yifan and Zitao share their first kiss.
Figuratively.
"We have the best view of the fireworks up here." Sehun tells Zitao as they make their way up to the rooftop, leaving most of their friends on the ground.
"What makes you think no one has thought of coming up here too?" Zitao asks apprehensively as he holds on to Sehun's hand tighter.
The younger faces him then dangles a set of keys in front of him, "Because it's locked. I had to bribe Taemin to convince his father he needs the keys to the campus."
"Being the school owner's son has its perks."
Sehun tugs on Zitao's hand tighter, "Being said son's bestfriend has better perks."
The younger opens the rooftop's door then checks his watch, "It'll start in a few minutes."
"Shall we eat this first?" Zitao holds up a cotton candy stick, the ball of fluff almost as big as his face. Sehun nods then sits on the ground, his boyfriend settles next to him.
They're eating the sweet ball of cloud when a loud boom thunders the sky then shutters into a million bright pieces across it.
Zitao looks up and smiles, "It's beautiful..."
"Yeah. Told you we'll have the best spot here."
Zitao turns to Sehun when he realizes that the younger boy isn't actually looking at the fireworks but is looking at him. "What is it?"
"Is it okay if I...?"
Zitao cocks an eyebrow, "If you...?"
The fireworks' different colors shine on Zitao's face and adds more beauty on his innocence, Sehun cups the raven-haired boy's jaw with his hands and kisses him chastely on the lips. They part ways awkwardly and immediately, Zitao's eyes still widened from the shock, Sehun just bites his lower lip, "I... I'm sorry, Zitao. I've been wanting to kiss you for a long time."
Zitao smiles, "You taste sweet." The taller pecks Sehun again, "I love sweet things."
***
Yifan and Yixing are browsing by the food stalls when Luhan finds them, "Come on guys, fireworks are about to start!"
"Yeah, we'll go there in a bit." Yifan brushes his cousin away, Luhan runs back to where their group is staying. "Should we go?" Yixing asks but Yifan takes his hand and walks to the opposite direction.
"Where are we going?"
"I found a good spot for the fireworks display."
Yixing smiles and leans closer to Yifan. They walk in comfortable silence until they reach the soccer field. Yifan grabs a picnic blanket from his backpack and spreads it over the grass. "Come on, Yixing. Lie here with me."
A huge smile on the younger Chinese spreads across his face, "Did you plan this?"
"A bit?" Yifan bites his lower lip as Yixing lie next to him, "Any minute now, Yixing."
Yixing intertwines his fingers with Yifan, and leans his head on the taller's shoulder, "This is nice, Yifan."
Yifan doesn't say anything and just sighs inaudibly as he tries to calm his racing heart. Yixing and him rarely had the time to be really alone when they started dating - Luhan and the rest of his team are often with them - and this feels different. A good kind of different.
Yixing suddenly sits up from where he's lying when the first firework explodes and bursts beautifully across the darkened skies. Yifan sits up as well and watches his boyfriend watch the sky flowers in awe.
"Yixing?"
"Hmn?" Yixing turns to him with a soft smile on his face.
"I really like you."
"I really, really like you too."
Yifan gathers all his courage and leans closer, he sighs in relief when Yixing's eyes flutter close as he nears him. He closes the gap between them by their lips, and they share their first kiss under the fireworks-clad skies.
2008 - Summer; Busan
Zitao is sitting on the steps of their front door with Sehun playing with his palm. "Your Math tutor sure is late."
The taller boy pouts and checks his watch, "Well, it's still 15 minutes until 3 so he's not yet late." Sehun frowns, "Hmph. What's his name again?"
"Zhang... Yixing?" Zitao responds as he looks at the memo he saved on his phone. "The admin said he's an incoming senior who's really good with Math. And I talked to him on the phone 3 days ago, he sounded nice."
"Pfft. Nice my ass."
Zitao laughs heartily, "Are you jealous?"
"And if I am?"
Zitao plants a kiss on Sehun's cheek, "That's cute. But totally unnecessary. He's a senior. Ew. Old."
"Glad to know you're a phedo." Zitao playfully hits his boyfriend's chest, "I will break up with you."
"You wouldn't dare." Sehun grins before planting a kiss on Zitao's lips. It would have gone longer only if there isn't someone cutting it off with a slight cough. Sehun pulls back to glare at the said intruder, "YES?"
"Uh, I'm here for Huang... Zitao?"
Sehun glares harder, "AND WHY?"
"Stop that, Sehunah." Zitao stands then bows in front of the guest, "I'm Huang Zitao. You're Zhang Yixing?"
Yixing shakes his head, "Am I late? I got a little lost."
Zitao shakes his head, "Nope. Oh and this is Oh Sehun, he's my..."
"Boyfriend. His boyfriend." Sehun cuts Zitao off as he stands from the steps and pulls his boyfriend closer next to him.
"That."
Yixing laughs softly, "Nice to meet both of you. Am I teaching the two of you?"
Zitao shakes his head again, "Nope. He's just here waiting with me. He's leaving now, right Sehunah?"
Sehun narrows his eyes at Yixing, "I won't be here today but I still got my eyes on you." The younger turns to Zitao and gives him a quick kiss on his cheek, "I'll see you tomorrow."
Zitao waves him goodbye before he leads Yixing inside their house and into his room.
Apparently, aside from being bad with directions, Yixing is really good with Math. They decide to have tutor sessions every MWF from 3pm to 6pm. They start with the basics, though they don't really have much progress because they are both busy knowing each other well. After 3 hours, it's time for Yixing to leave.
"Okay, on Wednesday let's be more serious about your sessions." Yixing smiles as Tao walks him to the front door, the younger nods.
"Oh, ge. Do you need me to walk you to the bus stop?"
Yixing checks his phone then looks at Zitao. "No need."
"Oh, okay. Bye! See you on Wednesday!" Zitao waves goodbye enthusiastically as Yixing walks across the porch. The younger closes the door before seeing someone pick Yixing up.
"You're right on time!" Yixing exclaims happily when Yifan walks up to him. "I'm good with directions, unlike you." The blond ruffles Yixing's hair then takes his hand. "How's your student?"
"He's so adorable."
Yifan grunts and raises an eyebrow, Yixing grins and leans closer to his boyfriend, "In a younger brother kind of way. Besides, he's got a cute boyfriend who obviously hates me already for unknown reasons."
Yifan smiles then stops in front of a quaint home diner, "Wanna have dinner first?"
"Sure."
They walk inside the place and take their seats by the glass wall, "I'm sorry I won't be able to spend most of our time together during the summer." Yixing starts, but the blond just gives his hand a squeeze from across the table, "That's okay. I have to fix my move to Seoul anyway."
"Yeah. About that. Where are you staying again?"
Yifan smiles, "You and your forgetfulness. Yanghwa-dong. I'm gonna major in Business Administration in Konkuk University."
"Yuck. You'll end up wearing pressed suits and ties."
The older laughs from across the table, "But I'm sure you'll swoon."
"Probably." Yixing kids, Yifan rolls his eyes.
"You'll help me move, right?"
"Of course." Yixing smiles then leans over to kiss the tip of Yifan's nose.
Yixing tutors Zitao for a month, with Sehun dropping by sometimes and Yifan always picking him up. It's the last day with Zitao and the both of them are just talking about random stuff while waiting for 6 o' clock to come.
"You never told me your boyfriend's name, ge."
Yixing cups his chin on his palm, "Well, he graduated already so I don't think you'll see him this coming schoolyear anyway."
"Ohhhh. Well, don't bother then. I would have stalked your mystery boyfriend if he's still around campus."
Yixing laughs heartily, Zitao excuses himself to use the bathroom. Not more than a minute inside when his tutor knocks on the door, "Zitao, I'm leaving. He's already outside, sorry I couldn't even let you meet on our last day."
'It's okay, hyung!'
"See you in campus!"
'Okay!'
Zitao gets out of the bathroom 2 minutes later then returns to his room, he contacts Yixing immediately after finding his tutor's wallet on the floor.
"Ge, are you still around the area?"
'Yeah, why?'
"You left your wallet! I'm on my way to the bus stop now. Don't leave!"
'Alright!'
Zitao runs out the door but crashes onto someone causing both of them to almost fall on the ground on the steps of the front door.
"Sehunah! Come on, let's hurry."
Sehun gets pulled and dragged away, "To where?"
"Bus stop. Yixing-ge left his wallet."
The couple runs two blocks until they reach the bus stop, Yixing waves at them and Zitao stops in front of him, panting and catching his breath. "Here, ge." Zitao looks up to see the arriving bus, "Looks like we made it in time."
"Yeah. Thanks. And since you're here now, this is Wu Yifan. Mystery boyfriend extraordinairre."
Zitao bows to the tall blond, "Huang Zitao. This is Oh Sehun..."
"Awesome boyfriend at his finest." Sehun proclaims while trying to regulate his breathing. Yifan nods, "Nice meeting you. Thanks for bringing his wallet. Let's go, Yixing."
Zitao and Sehun wave them goodbye when the older couple board the bus.
"Yixing-ge's boyfriend looks so familiar."
"Hmn..." Sehun hums then snaps his fingers, "The guy trying to open your locker on the first day!"
The couple laugh at the memory as they walk their way back to Zitao's home hand in hand.
2008 - Kyungnam High School; Busan
Zitao is startled when Yixing sits across him in the cafeteria for the first time on the second quarter of the school year. It's not like they ignored each other during the start of the year but they aren't exactly friends and Yixing being a senior that doesn't really coincide with Zitao's schedule makes it hard for them to maintain whatever relationship they established in the summer.
"Hi!"
"Hi, ge. You need something?"
Yixing starts picking at his plate while Zitao just settles into finishing his huge cup of soda. For lunch.
"I just noticed that for the past two weeks, your boyfriend..."
Zitao smiles sadly, "Ex."
"Oh."
The young Chinese looks outside then sighs, "Well, it's kind of a mutual decision... But not entirely."
"He's really possessive of you, this is so unlikely. Did you initiate the... Break-up?"
Zitao sighs deeper, "Surprisingly it was him. I didn't even feel it coming. We were even holding hands and we even kissed the day before and then suddenly the next day he comes to my house and tells me that we need to grow apart now. I always wanted Sehun's happiness and if it's being without me, then he can have his freedom. I liked him too much to even confront him about the break-up."
"Well, I dunno what to say but... We're all still young. We'll find the ones meant for us in the future. Who knows? We might have met them already."
Zitao turns to Yixing with a raised brow, "You sound...."
"Well... If it's any consolation, Yifan and I broke up 2 months ago."
The younger's eyes widen in shock, "No way. You really liked each other!"
Yixing smiles genuinely, "Huge distance apart plus lack of time and a little mixture of immaturity. This was really a mutual decision, on both parts. We're hurt but it's what's best for us."
That year ends Yifan's and Zitao's stolen kisses, sloppy make out sessions, awkward road to adolescence and first loves.
2009 - Hongik University; Hongdae Mapo-gu, Seoul
"Come on, Yifan. We're gonna be late!"
Yifan doesn't bother running after his boyfriend who's trying to zip through the sea of people gathered around Hongdae. It's 'Sound Day' and it's really crowded but a boyfriend with almost the same height as his is not a problem at all because he's sure he won't miss that mop of hair in the crowd.
Chanyeol is stomping his foot against the pavement in front of a small bar - slash - livehouse with his arms crossed when Yifan walks up to him. "You really took your sweet time while I practically zoomed my way here!"
Yifan grins, "The world is my runway, and I'm its top model."
"Tell me again why I'm dating you."
"You're in love with me. And I'm hot as lava."
Chanyeol rolls his eyes but smiles lovingly at the guy he's been dating for 4 months now. Sometimes he wonders how lucky he is to be dating a perfect guy such as Wu Yifan. "Let's go inside. Kyungsoo and the others are already here." The younger takes Yifan's hand and drags him inside.
"It's so awesome in here, Yixing-ge!" Zitao awes as he looks around Hongdae, "Now I really hope I get to study here!!!"
"See? I told you it's worth the 3-hour train ride. Besides, you need some time off from cramming once in a while." Yixing ruffles the younger's hair, "How are you by the way? I haven't talked to you in ages!"
"I'm okay." Zitao says grinning, "It feels nice to be single. I get to do things like this!"
"That's good to hear." Yixing walks around the food stalls while Zitao trails next to him, "How about..."
"Sehun? We're okay. I mean, we dated more than a year so the friendship just had to be rebuilt. He's dating that Jongin guy."
Yixing nods, "I see. I see."
Zitao turns to his phone while walking. Yixing is still talking about some stuff but the younger is too busy texting to really pay attention. He returns to reality when his head collides with another and they both gasp in pain.
"Ow! Ow!"
"Sorry! Sorry!"
The two of them nod before they look at each other and Yixing's voice cut through them.
"Yifan? What are you doing here?"
"Just wandering about. Oh, I've mentioned him before to you, this is Chanyeol."
"Hi!" Chanyeol's voice booms and he gives the other two a slight wave, "We aren't wandering, he just escaped the livehouse and I'm trying to bring him back in."
"Well, this is Huang Zitao. Yifan, you've met him before. And I'm Zhang Yixing. We were..."
"High school exes. He talked about you, and he told me you've remained friends." Chanyeol smiles genuinely, Yixing nods. "I'm glad to have finally met you because man, you look so different from what he described you before!"
"Chanyeol! You're embarrassing me!"
Yixing rolls his eyes, "Yifan, we were high school lovers. We've already embarrassed each other enough."
Zitao stifles a laugh next to Yixing. Yifan laughs as well before wrapping an arm around Chanyeol, "Well, we're leaving. See you around."
Yixing sighs when Yifan and Chanyeol walk away, it doesn't escape Zitao's ear, "Are you okay, ge?"
"I know I'm over it but sometimes I wonder, what if we told each other to wait until I'm here in Seoul too?" Yixing walks solemnly, "Would it have been any different?"
Zitao pats the shorter's shoulder, "It would, of course. But as you said to me before...We'll find the ones meant for us in the future. Who knows?"
There's a sudden loud gasp that escapes Yixing and repeated 'sorrys'. Zitao turns to see that a young man with pale skin and a very angelic smile has crashed on Yixing's side and spilled soda on the shorter Chinese's arm.
"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Yixing waves his hand, "It's okay. Don't worry!"
"Let me make it up to you! Let me treat you and your friend to dinner!"
"You don't have to do that, really. I'm okay!"
The guy who's still apologizing shakes his head, "No. That won't do! I'm Kim Joonmyun, please it would make me less guilty knowing I spilled soda on Versace!"
"I'm Zhang Yixing, and wow. You're good with clothes."
Zitao silently watches the scene unfold and sighs next to Yixing, 'We might have met them already.'
The years fly by for Yifan and Zitao. The younger did graduate Graphics Design in Hongdae and Yifan finished his major in Business Administration without a hitch. Friends came and went, new found love that they both hoped would last end in heartbreaks and before they know it college is over and real life begins.
2014 - Samseong-dong, Seoul
"I hate this!" Zitao stomps his feet as he straightens his tie in front of the mirror, "Why do I have to wear this?"
"You're having a job interview, that's why." Yixing scoffs, Joonmyun just flips the channel on the TV. "You should nail this so you can move out of our lovenest!" Yixing adds, Joonmyun bursts out in laughter next to him.
"You break my heart, ge." Zitao juts his lower lip, "But I'm still staying here, whatever happens."
"Then I should kick you out. It's not nice walking out on you here on this very couch when you're making out with some guy you've just met."
Zitao rolls his eyes, "That was one time!"
"Still! Couch we all use!"
Zitao blows raspberry then heads to the door, "Bye guys! Make good use of that couch while I'm gone!"
"Good luck!" Joonmyun calls out after Zitao leaves, Yixing fake sobs beside him, "My baby's all grown up."
Zitao enters the quaint advertising company in Gangnam. He is greeted by a girl with a heartwarming smile in reception, "Hi. I'm Huang Zitao for the 2 o' clock interview."
"Oh, about that. Mr. Wu had to leave for a family emergency but his business partner, Mr. Kim, will see you. Why don't you just wait here for a while?"
Zitao looks at her nametag before smiling, "Thank you, Sulli." He takes an empty seat across her table as she calls Mr. Kim's hotline. A few seconds later she puts down the phone and Zitao walks up to her again. "You just go straight and turn left. You won't miss it, his office's door is... Unique."
Zitao heads to the said direction after thanking her. He passes by rows of employees in their casual clothes doing things in their computer that he feels overdressed with his suit and tie. He turns left and she wasn't kidding because out of the 4 doors in this corridor, one stands out. It's painted with various characters and looks like a well painted graffitti. It's beautiful, he thinks. Zitao exhales before knocking on the door. "Come in!"
Zitao enters to find a guy in glasses typing something in his laptop then turns to him, "Please, sit down!"
The Chinese makes his way to the seat, "I'm Huang Zitao, it's an honor to have this interview."
"I'm Kim Kibum. You wouldn't say the same if Kris is interviewing you."
"Uh, why is that?"
"He has a chronic bitchface." Kibum laughs and Zitao smiles awkwardly, "Anyway, let me see your portfolio."
He hands his folder and Kibum checks his work, "These are impressive..."
They talk for at least 10 minutes as Kibum casually asks him questions about his study, and his design's style. Zitao is afraid that he won't be able to get the job until Kibum returns his folder, "Lose the suit and tie when you come in tomorrow, okay?"
"Did I get the job?!" Zitao smiles widely, Kibum winks, the taller stands up and bows repeatedly, "Thank you! Thank you!!!!"
"See you tomorrow, Tao!"
"See you!"
Zitao fumbles on his phone as he dials Yixing's number, "I GOT IT!!! I'm starting tomorrow, ge!!! I feel so old about having a job but I got it!"
Zitao fits in perfectly in the company since everyone's just 2-3 years older than him. It's small and there are just at least 20 of them excluding his 2 bosses but they are already handling famous clients. Minseok, his co-worker and also a graphic designer speaks to him that morning. "Kris is coming in today."
"Kris?" Zitao looks up from his monitor, Minseok nods. "Yeah. One of our bosses."
"Ah! Mr. Wu!"
Minseok snorts then nods, "Mr. Wu. That's funny."
Zitao shakes his head, he's been here in the company for two weeks now and it's his first time meeting Kris. He's too engrossed with the storyboard he's drawing on his computer to even notice the commotion in the corridor until Kibum's voice cuts through the room. "Everyone look! Someone finally loses his pseudo-Canadian look!"
"Damn it, Key! Stop making a fucking big deal out of my hair!"
Zitao looks up to see a much taller man with dark brown hair trying to pry himself away from Kibum's grip. He scrunches his brows, he looks so familiar. So freaking familiar.
"Yifan-ge?!" He blurts out and the commotion between the two bosses stop and almost all employee grunt. Kris raises an eyebrow then smiles widely as he makes his way to Zitao's table, "Zitao, right?" The younger nods, Kris turns to his employees, "Nobody wins."
"Win what?" Zitao inquires, Kris grins, "They've been trying to guess my real name for half a year." The younger gasps, then turns with a bow to his co-workers, "I... I'm so sorry, everyone. I wasn't informed."
"Don't mind them! Come on! Let's grab lunch!" Kris grabs Zitao by the wrist and drags the younger out of the company. "Alright. Cough up your bets!" Jongdae yells from the middle table, "I say two weeks and Kris will be dating him!"
Kibum tsks, "I'm giving a month. After Chanyeol - and that's 2 years ago, he kind of lost his touch with dating."
***
"Wait, ge! I don't have my wallet with me!"
"That's okay! I'll treat you out! I'm just happy to have a familiar face!"
"Oh. Okay." Zitao responds and lets himself get dragged by Kris inside a Japanese restaurant a block away from their office. Once they're seated across each other after the waitress got their orders does the awkwardness of what Kris did suddenly dawns on the both of them.
"Sorry..." Kris scratches the back of his neck, and Zitao smiles, "That's okay, ge. Er, sir?"
"Don't do that. Nobody calls me sir, just Kris. We try to make the atmosphere of the company as light as we can."
Zitao nods with a smile and Kris takes in the younger's features. Has Zitao always been this gorgeous? He never really had the chance to actually look at the younger boy when he first met him seven years ago.
Wow, that's a really long time.
"Ge? You okay?"
Kris shakes his head, "Just thinking how we often run into each other all these years..."
Zitao pops a salmon sashimi in his mouth, "Well, maybe we've finally reached the stop sign."
Kris smiles, "For good measure."
"What's that?"
Kris waves his chopsticks in the air, "Nevermind, nevermind."
On that day Yifan and Zitao must not have noticed it yet but a spark lights up inside of them and it reacts towards each other drawing them closer together.
-----
It's been a month and everyone lost to the bet about Kris and Zitao but the two still spends lunch together and sometimes dinner if the both of them are working late. By this time, the attraction between them has become undeniably obvious that everybody are just teasing them about dating each other.
They both shoot it down, with smiles on their faces nonetheless.
Until that fateful night.
"Yixing-ge!!!" Zitao jumps off his seat and hugs his roommate, "Why are you here?"
"Joonmyun and I are in the area, so we thought we'd stop by."
"Where is he?"
"He's outside. I'm gonna steal you away for dinner!"
Zitao nods, "Alright. I didn't notice how late it is already."
"You're gonna do overtime again? All your officemates are gone already, except for Sulli but she's also about to leave."
They're about to go when Kris emerges from his office, "Hey, Zitao..."
"Yifan?" Yixing calls out, he scrunches his brow, "He's your boss?" Zitao nods, Yixing sighs, "Wow. Would have been nice to know that he's actually Yifan."
Kris stays rooted on his spot, "... Hey, Yixing."
Zitao sighs as the tension builds up among the three of them, he bows in apology, "Must have slipped my mind to tell you, Yixing-ge. You too, Yifan-ge."
"That's okay." Yixing ruffles Zitao's hair, "You've been busy." The shortest among them turns to Kris, "I'm stealing him away for awhile, wanna come?"
"Uhm..." Kris starts, but Yixing cuts him off, "I insist, Yifan."
Kris nods, "Let me meet you outside. I'll just grab my wallet."
Zitao takes his bag and then the roommates head outside and meet with Joonmyun, 2 minutes later, Zitao's phone rings.
"Yifan-ge?"
'You go ahead, I just received an email from an important client and I have to respond to this immediately. You don't have to return to the office, go home after you eat."
"Oh. I see. Thanks and I'll tell him."
'See you tomorrow.'
"Alright. Bye." Zitao ends the call, "Some business stuff came up. He's not joining us for dinner."
Yixing shrugs then takes Joonmyun's hand.
-----
"Yo, did something happen between you and Kris?" Minseok asks 3 days after the encounter. Zitao turns to coworker with a shrug, "What do you mean?"
"Well, he doesn't bother you every 2 hours. He doesn't drag you away for lunch. I'm sure he stays late intentionally when you're still here for overtime."
Zitao returns to his work, "He must be busy."
"Yeah, right. I went to his office this morning and yeah he's busy. Playing Temple Run on his iPad."
Zitao shrugs, "I... I see."
Minseok rests his chin on his palm, "You are obviously attracted to each other, what's stopping you?"
"He's my boss?"
Minseok snorts, "The hell. So? Jinki and Kibum are dating. We don't care. We're paid well and no favoritisms anyway, aside that Jinki gets the first slice of cake everytime Kibum decides to throw random parties."
"I get first everything." Jinki laughs from behind them, still busy doing marketing strategy plans for one of their clients.
"Uh-huh. See? He's still here with us, so no issues here if you're gonna be each others' boyfriends."
"He's my roommate's ex."
Minseok mouths an 'Oh.' The chubby cheeked boy cocks his head to the side, "Recently?"
Zitao shakes his head then counts with his fingers, "6-7 years ago?"
"Wow. That's ancient history!"
Zitao shrugs, "Let's get back to work."
It's around 9 in the evening and Zitao is again doing overtime. Everyone's gone and he's just busy trying to finish the fourth poster study for a new cellphone when he hears a door open and close. Zitao looks up to see Kris approaching him, "Here are the extra keys. Just lock up when you leave." His boss is about to leave when Zitao grabs his arm, "Are you ignoring me?"
"What makes you think that?"
"It's painfully obvious that even the others are asking. Did I upset you?"
"You didn't do anything."
"Then why are you doing this to me?"
Kris removes Zitao's hand from his arm, "... I'm not really sure either. I just know I need to distance myself from you."
Zitao's eyes turn blurry and the younger knows tears are threatening to fall, "... That hurts, Yifan. But let me tell you something..."
"What is it?"
"I like you. I really, really do. And somewhere between lunch and dinner, between the roads from here to there and back, I just know I want to be with you..." Zitao's voice breaks, "So there. You can ignore me completely now. For good measure." Zitao sits on his desk again and ignores Kris when he walks out of the door of the office. When the younger is sure that he's gone, he cries.
-----
"It's the second day you're missing work, are you okay?" Yixing stands by Zitao's doorway, arms crossed.
"I called in sick."
Yixing walks up to his bed and checks his temperature. "You're not sick. Did something happen?"
Zitao sighs and just buries himself deeper in his pillows, "I'm just stressed with work. I'll go back tomorrow."
Yixing pats his shoulder, "Well, if you say so." He heads to the door but turns to say something to the younger first, "Look, whatever it is, you can tell me, okay? We've been friends for years and I know you. This isn't just about stress. But I'll give you time. Just tell me when you're ready."
"I promise."
"Okay. There's dinner in the fridge. Just heat it up if you're hungry. Joonmyun and I are gonna go to the movies."
Zitao sits up and heads to his PC to write and print out something that isn't part of his plan for this year but it has to be done or else he'll go crazy.
True to his word, Zitao turns up to the office the next day but instead of going to his table, he heads to Kibum's office.
"No. I'm not accepting that. Go take that to Kris." Kibum frowns at the resignation letter Zitao has placed on his table. The younger sighs, "I took it here because I don't wanna see him."
"Yes. I know." Kibum raises an eyebrow, "And I'm not accepting this. Take it to him."
"But, Kibum..."
"No. If both of you have issues, you take it to him. Don't mix me in your mess."
"But I don't even know what prompted him to ignore me!"
"Then you should go and know before you leave. Off. Out of my office." Kibum waves him a hand to tell him that the conversation is over. Zitao walks out of the office with his letter in hand. He breathes in and out before walking inside Kris' office without so much of a knock.
"You could knock."
"I won't take so much of your time. Here." Zitao doesn't bother to sit but just hands his resignation letter to Kris.
"You're leaving the office?"
Zitao nods, "I can't work in an environment like this. I thought I can show you I'm strong enough to handle what I said that night but... I don't want you ignoring me for something so vague."
"Zitao... I can't like you back."
"You can't? But you do?"
"I do. So much but I can't."
Zitao bites back the lump lodged in his throat, "Look, I won't be here tomorrow, will you at least get to the point?"
"I can't be with you because of Yixing, okay?"
Zitao cocks an eyebrow, "Are you still hung up with Yixing-ge? That's it, isn't it?"
"No, of course not! It's just..."
Zitao shakes his head, "No. It's alright, I get it now." The graphic designer bows his head, "Thanks for letting me work here." The younger doesn't wait for Kris to say anything before leaving the office, his coworkers don't say anything when he walks out ignoring everyone. Kibum walks inside Kris' office the moment Zitao is gone. The Korean closes the door calmly before lashing out on Kris, "What are you? 15?!"
Kris looks up to Kibum, "What?!"
"I know your reason. God, so stupid."
"You're listening?!"
"I had to. What, you can't date him because he's bestfriends with your first love? Are you a girl? There's no code like that with us! We're guys!"
"Technically, no."
Kibum flips him with his middle finger, "Did you really become stupid after Chanyeol cheated on you with that Baekhyun guy?"
"I don't know, okay? I just... After Chanyeol, I just want my next relationship to be the last and without a hitch."
Kibum crosses his arms, "Out of your office, get out!"
"What...?"
"You settle with this maturely. Don't just assume that you can't date him because of your ex, talk to Yixing if you have to. Zitao wouldn't be brought back in your life if there isn't a purpose."
-----
Kris gets a punch landed on his jaw when Yixing opens the door to the apartment, "What did you do to him?!"
"Let me explain, okay?" Kris backs away a little when Yixing seems intent on beating him up despite their height's difference.
"Come on, honey. Let him talk." Joonmyun pulls Yixing to his side then opens the door wide for Kris to enter.
"Where is he?"
"In his room. He's crying when he got here and he's apologizing to Yixing over and over about liking you. And that he didn't know you still like Yixing after all these years." Joonmyun explains while still trying to restrain his boyfriend from attacking Kris.
Kris fidgets on the couch, Yixing is still glaring at him when Joonmyun gives his boyfriend's thigh a squeeze, "Please, talk. I'm gonna step out and buy us all dinner. This time you aren't bailing out, right?" Kris shakes his head, "Zitao's asleep, so no screaming. And please, don't kill Kris, honey. Our son would be very devastated."
"I'll try not to." Joonmyun kisses Yixing's cheek before leaving the apartment. "Look, let's not beat around the bush, is Zitao's assumption right?"
Kris shakes his head, "We were young. I was 17 and you were 16. We've moved on, right?"
Yixing nods, "Yes, so what's up with this? Look, ever since he worked for that company he's been happy. I didn't know it's because of you so please do enlighten me why that boy just cried himself to sleep!"
"I just thought it wouldn't be right for me to date him. We were exes..."
Yixing fights the urge to strangle the life out of Kris, "Please, Yifan. Do you think I won't approve? You should have asked me first before breaking his heart. Unless..."
"Unless what?"
Yixing narrows his eyes, "You're being an asshole and you let him assume that you like him too."
"I will punch you. I like him, Yixing. I really do."
"Then go in there and apologize!" Yixing points at Zitao's door, "Don't be a wuss!"
Kris stands, Yixing shakes his head, "I'm so disappointed in you. You wouldn't have broken his heart if you didn't bail dinner that night. I'd introduce you to Joonmyun and I'll actually force you to date Zitao."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one you need to apologize to. Just go in there."
Kris nods and just lets himself inside Zitao's room. He finds the younger sleeping through the moonlight outside, he tiptoes his way to the bed and sits next to him. Kris touches Zitao's cheek and the younger boy stirs in his sleep. The older wipes the trail of dried up tears, Zitao grunts without opening his eyes but swatting away the hand on his face, "Leave me alone, ge..."
"I'm so sorry."
Zitao opens his eyes and sits up to stare at Kris looking at him, "The fuck are you doing here?"
"I talked to Yixing, I just... I'm so sorry. I was stupid and I assumed a lot of things."
Zitao raises an eyebrow, "And?"
"Zitao... I said it before, we run into each other. We can't run away from each other, we're bound to meet in the middle."
A small smile appears on Zitao's lips, "And?"
"If you'd forgive me, I'd love to start all over again. And if you'd also let me, I just don't want to date you. I'd like to be your boyfriend."
"Really?"
"Yes. I really am sorry. I was stupid and I didn't think-"
"Shut up and kiss me."
Kris smiles and pulls Zitao for a kiss, the younger scoots forward to wrap his arms around the older's neck to feel him closer, they stop when the door flings open, "Yo, Yifan. You serious with Zitao?"
Kris presses their foreheads together, he smiles at Zitao then turns to Yixing, "Yeah. Dead serious."
"Good. He said he resigned, take him back?"
Kris grins at Zitao, "I didn't accept the resignation."
Yixing claps his hands, "Oh good."
"What's good?" Joonmyun asks the moment he arrives with their dinner, Yixing grins at his lover, "Technically, Zitao isn't resigned yet so he still has his job."
"Nice." Joonmyun smiles, kisses Yixing then walks to the kitchen to prepare their dinner. "Oh, one more thing, Yifan." Yixing cuts the new lovers again from trying to steal a quick kiss, Kris turns to Yixing, "What is it?"
"Steal him away from here please? Ask him to move in with you as soon as possible."
Zitao wails and buries himself on the crook of Kris' neck, "He's so embarrassing. Please don't mind him."
"I don't mind you moving in with me. If you want, you can come home with me tonight."
Zitao just stares at Kris in awe, "What...?"
"JOONMYUN! HONEY! YOUR SON'S BOYFRIEND JUST ASKED HIM TO MOVE IN WITH HIM!" Yixing yells as he walks to the kitchen.
"THEY GROW UP SO FAST!"
That night marked the start of Yifan and Zitao's own love story, their petty fights, their late night cuddling and their own version of forever.
2017 - Gangnam, Seoul
"Love, I just got an email from Luhan." Kris calls out from their bedroom, Zitao appears by the doorway and leans on its frame with his apron still on, "What did he say?"
"Looks like Kyungnam High is getting demolished soon, they're trying to gather its alumni for a grand reunion of sorts. Wanna go?"
"Sure. It would be fun to see everyone." Zitao walks up to his partner and gives him a kiss, "Reply to him later, dinner's served." Kris smiles, pulls Zitao for another kiss before standing up and walking to the kitchen with his boyfriend.
Zitao takes Kris' hand and pulls him back, "What is it?" the younger doesn't say anything but just tiptoes and kisses Kris again before they sit on the dining table, "I love you, Yifan." Kris smiles, "I love you, too."
***
The couple returns to Busan with Yixing and Joonmyun 4 days later. They head to the soccer field where Luhan said he'll be with some of their friends. They don't miss him, but the guy next to him is oddly familiar that Zitao couldn't believe it.
"Sehun?"
"Zitao! Wow! It's been so long!!!"
Luhan stands up from his seat and circles his arm around Sehun's, "You know him?"
"Yeah... How did you two meet?"
"Well..." Luhan starts, Sehun smiles.
That's another story to tell.
-------------------------------
Author's Notes: WOW!!! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! I didnt even realize i posted this 2 minutes into hearts' day! Anyway, just a bit of TaoRis because I was swamped with HunHan. <3 Anyway, for now, it's an open ending for Sehun and Luhan, still a bit unsure if i'll be doing an arc for their story as well. hahah.
Comments are love!
Chapters: Oneshot
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: fluff, romance
Warning: unbeta'd, broken pairings
Rating: PG
Pairings/Characters: Kris x Tao (side pairings are aplenty)
Synopsis: They weren't first loves. They weren't friends. They are meant to be, and eventually they will be.
Disclaimer: I didnt want to put all the pairings here above, so just check the tag? STORY IS MINE.
2007 - Kyungnam High School; Busan
His name is Wu Yifan, a Canada-born, full-blooded Chinese who transfered into Senior year due to his parents divorce. He towers most of the guys in campus and he's instantly asked to play basketball for the team the moment the team captain's eyes caught him in line in the cafeteria on his first day thus removing him in the 'Foreign Transfer Students to Bully' list. Not that he looks like he can ever be bullied though. It's also the first day of classes that they ever encountered each other.
"What are you doing to my locker?"
"Your locker?" Yifan stops trying to open said object once he asks the boy almost as tall as him with dark eyes and black hair. Kris looks at the row of lockers and counted again, "Oh. Sorry about that." The other boy shrugs and Yifan walks 3 more lockers ahead of the one he's trying to open.
The boy with said dark eyes and black hair is Huang Zitao. Born and raised in China until he's 12 years old. His parents died after a car accident and his aunt (his only legal guardian) is in Korea, so he moved here despite his lack of knowledge of the language. "Who was that?" Sehun, Zitao's boyfriend asks. The taller shrugs, "No idea. Looks like a senior though. Let's go? We'll be late for next class."
-----
It's during the 2nd quarter of the schoolyear when Yifan meets and dates Yixing, a junior his cousin Luhan introduced him to a few weeks into the new school. The spark has always been there and it's only this time that Yifan had the courage to actually date Yixing.
It's the night of the school's festival when Yifan and Zitao share their first kiss.
Figuratively.
"We have the best view of the fireworks up here." Sehun tells Zitao as they make their way up to the rooftop, leaving most of their friends on the ground.
"What makes you think no one has thought of coming up here too?" Zitao asks apprehensively as he holds on to Sehun's hand tighter.
The younger faces him then dangles a set of keys in front of him, "Because it's locked. I had to bribe Taemin to convince his father he needs the keys to the campus."
"Being the school owner's son has its perks."
Sehun tugs on Zitao's hand tighter, "Being said son's bestfriend has better perks."
The younger opens the rooftop's door then checks his watch, "It'll start in a few minutes."
"Shall we eat this first?" Zitao holds up a cotton candy stick, the ball of fluff almost as big as his face. Sehun nods then sits on the ground, his boyfriend settles next to him.
They're eating the sweet ball of cloud when a loud boom thunders the sky then shutters into a million bright pieces across it.
Zitao looks up and smiles, "It's beautiful..."
"Yeah. Told you we'll have the best spot here."
Zitao turns to Sehun when he realizes that the younger boy isn't actually looking at the fireworks but is looking at him. "What is it?"
"Is it okay if I...?"
Zitao cocks an eyebrow, "If you...?"
The fireworks' different colors shine on Zitao's face and adds more beauty on his innocence, Sehun cups the raven-haired boy's jaw with his hands and kisses him chastely on the lips. They part ways awkwardly and immediately, Zitao's eyes still widened from the shock, Sehun just bites his lower lip, "I... I'm sorry, Zitao. I've been wanting to kiss you for a long time."
Zitao smiles, "You taste sweet." The taller pecks Sehun again, "I love sweet things."
***
Yifan and Yixing are browsing by the food stalls when Luhan finds them, "Come on guys, fireworks are about to start!"
"Yeah, we'll go there in a bit." Yifan brushes his cousin away, Luhan runs back to where their group is staying. "Should we go?" Yixing asks but Yifan takes his hand and walks to the opposite direction.
"Where are we going?"
"I found a good spot for the fireworks display."
Yixing smiles and leans closer to Yifan. They walk in comfortable silence until they reach the soccer field. Yifan grabs a picnic blanket from his backpack and spreads it over the grass. "Come on, Yixing. Lie here with me."
A huge smile on the younger Chinese spreads across his face, "Did you plan this?"
"A bit?" Yifan bites his lower lip as Yixing lie next to him, "Any minute now, Yixing."
Yixing intertwines his fingers with Yifan, and leans his head on the taller's shoulder, "This is nice, Yifan."
Yifan doesn't say anything and just sighs inaudibly as he tries to calm his racing heart. Yixing and him rarely had the time to be really alone when they started dating - Luhan and the rest of his team are often with them - and this feels different. A good kind of different.
Yixing suddenly sits up from where he's lying when the first firework explodes and bursts beautifully across the darkened skies. Yifan sits up as well and watches his boyfriend watch the sky flowers in awe.
"Yixing?"
"Hmn?" Yixing turns to him with a soft smile on his face.
"I really like you."
"I really, really like you too."
Yifan gathers all his courage and leans closer, he sighs in relief when Yixing's eyes flutter close as he nears him. He closes the gap between them by their lips, and they share their first kiss under the fireworks-clad skies.
2008 - Summer; Busan
Zitao is sitting on the steps of their front door with Sehun playing with his palm. "Your Math tutor sure is late."
The taller boy pouts and checks his watch, "Well, it's still 15 minutes until 3 so he's not yet late." Sehun frowns, "Hmph. What's his name again?"
"Zhang... Yixing?" Zitao responds as he looks at the memo he saved on his phone. "The admin said he's an incoming senior who's really good with Math. And I talked to him on the phone 3 days ago, he sounded nice."
"Pfft. Nice my ass."
Zitao laughs heartily, "Are you jealous?"
"And if I am?"
Zitao plants a kiss on Sehun's cheek, "That's cute. But totally unnecessary. He's a senior. Ew. Old."
"Glad to know you're a phedo." Zitao playfully hits his boyfriend's chest, "I will break up with you."
"You wouldn't dare." Sehun grins before planting a kiss on Zitao's lips. It would have gone longer only if there isn't someone cutting it off with a slight cough. Sehun pulls back to glare at the said intruder, "YES?"
"Uh, I'm here for Huang... Zitao?"
Sehun glares harder, "AND WHY?"
"Stop that, Sehunah." Zitao stands then bows in front of the guest, "I'm Huang Zitao. You're Zhang Yixing?"
Yixing shakes his head, "Am I late? I got a little lost."
Zitao shakes his head, "Nope. Oh and this is Oh Sehun, he's my..."
"Boyfriend. His boyfriend." Sehun cuts Zitao off as he stands from the steps and pulls his boyfriend closer next to him.
"That."
Yixing laughs softly, "Nice to meet both of you. Am I teaching the two of you?"
Zitao shakes his head again, "Nope. He's just here waiting with me. He's leaving now, right Sehunah?"
Sehun narrows his eyes at Yixing, "I won't be here today but I still got my eyes on you." The younger turns to Zitao and gives him a quick kiss on his cheek, "I'll see you tomorrow."
Zitao waves him goodbye before he leads Yixing inside their house and into his room.
Apparently, aside from being bad with directions, Yixing is really good with Math. They decide to have tutor sessions every MWF from 3pm to 6pm. They start with the basics, though they don't really have much progress because they are both busy knowing each other well. After 3 hours, it's time for Yixing to leave.
"Okay, on Wednesday let's be more serious about your sessions." Yixing smiles as Tao walks him to the front door, the younger nods.
"Oh, ge. Do you need me to walk you to the bus stop?"
Yixing checks his phone then looks at Zitao. "No need."
"Oh, okay. Bye! See you on Wednesday!" Zitao waves goodbye enthusiastically as Yixing walks across the porch. The younger closes the door before seeing someone pick Yixing up.
"You're right on time!" Yixing exclaims happily when Yifan walks up to him. "I'm good with directions, unlike you." The blond ruffles Yixing's hair then takes his hand. "How's your student?"
"He's so adorable."
Yifan grunts and raises an eyebrow, Yixing grins and leans closer to his boyfriend, "In a younger brother kind of way. Besides, he's got a cute boyfriend who obviously hates me already for unknown reasons."
Yifan smiles then stops in front of a quaint home diner, "Wanna have dinner first?"
"Sure."
They walk inside the place and take their seats by the glass wall, "I'm sorry I won't be able to spend most of our time together during the summer." Yixing starts, but the blond just gives his hand a squeeze from across the table, "That's okay. I have to fix my move to Seoul anyway."
"Yeah. About that. Where are you staying again?"
Yifan smiles, "You and your forgetfulness. Yanghwa-dong. I'm gonna major in Business Administration in Konkuk University."
"Yuck. You'll end up wearing pressed suits and ties."
The older laughs from across the table, "But I'm sure you'll swoon."
"Probably." Yixing kids, Yifan rolls his eyes.
"You'll help me move, right?"
"Of course." Yixing smiles then leans over to kiss the tip of Yifan's nose.
Yixing tutors Zitao for a month, with Sehun dropping by sometimes and Yifan always picking him up. It's the last day with Zitao and the both of them are just talking about random stuff while waiting for 6 o' clock to come.
"You never told me your boyfriend's name, ge."
Yixing cups his chin on his palm, "Well, he graduated already so I don't think you'll see him this coming schoolyear anyway."
"Ohhhh. Well, don't bother then. I would have stalked your mystery boyfriend if he's still around campus."
Yixing laughs heartily, Zitao excuses himself to use the bathroom. Not more than a minute inside when his tutor knocks on the door, "Zitao, I'm leaving. He's already outside, sorry I couldn't even let you meet on our last day."
'It's okay, hyung!'
"See you in campus!"
'Okay!'
Zitao gets out of the bathroom 2 minutes later then returns to his room, he contacts Yixing immediately after finding his tutor's wallet on the floor.
"Ge, are you still around the area?"
'Yeah, why?'
"You left your wallet! I'm on my way to the bus stop now. Don't leave!"
'Alright!'
Zitao runs out the door but crashes onto someone causing both of them to almost fall on the ground on the steps of the front door.
"Sehunah! Come on, let's hurry."
Sehun gets pulled and dragged away, "To where?"
"Bus stop. Yixing-ge left his wallet."
The couple runs two blocks until they reach the bus stop, Yixing waves at them and Zitao stops in front of him, panting and catching his breath. "Here, ge." Zitao looks up to see the arriving bus, "Looks like we made it in time."
"Yeah. Thanks. And since you're here now, this is Wu Yifan. Mystery boyfriend extraordinairre."
Zitao bows to the tall blond, "Huang Zitao. This is Oh Sehun..."
"Awesome boyfriend at his finest." Sehun proclaims while trying to regulate his breathing. Yifan nods, "Nice meeting you. Thanks for bringing his wallet. Let's go, Yixing."
Zitao and Sehun wave them goodbye when the older couple board the bus.
"Yixing-ge's boyfriend looks so familiar."
"Hmn..." Sehun hums then snaps his fingers, "The guy trying to open your locker on the first day!"
The couple laugh at the memory as they walk their way back to Zitao's home hand in hand.
2008 - Kyungnam High School; Busan
Zitao is startled when Yixing sits across him in the cafeteria for the first time on the second quarter of the school year. It's not like they ignored each other during the start of the year but they aren't exactly friends and Yixing being a senior that doesn't really coincide with Zitao's schedule makes it hard for them to maintain whatever relationship they established in the summer.
"Hi!"
"Hi, ge. You need something?"
Yixing starts picking at his plate while Zitao just settles into finishing his huge cup of soda. For lunch.
"I just noticed that for the past two weeks, your boyfriend..."
Zitao smiles sadly, "Ex."
"Oh."
The young Chinese looks outside then sighs, "Well, it's kind of a mutual decision... But not entirely."
"He's really possessive of you, this is so unlikely. Did you initiate the... Break-up?"
Zitao sighs deeper, "Surprisingly it was him. I didn't even feel it coming. We were even holding hands and we even kissed the day before and then suddenly the next day he comes to my house and tells me that we need to grow apart now. I always wanted Sehun's happiness and if it's being without me, then he can have his freedom. I liked him too much to even confront him about the break-up."
"Well, I dunno what to say but... We're all still young. We'll find the ones meant for us in the future. Who knows? We might have met them already."
Zitao turns to Yixing with a raised brow, "You sound...."
"Well... If it's any consolation, Yifan and I broke up 2 months ago."
The younger's eyes widen in shock, "No way. You really liked each other!"
Yixing smiles genuinely, "Huge distance apart plus lack of time and a little mixture of immaturity. This was really a mutual decision, on both parts. We're hurt but it's what's best for us."
That year ends Yifan's and Zitao's stolen kisses, sloppy make out sessions, awkward road to adolescence and first loves.
2009 - Hongik University; Hongdae Mapo-gu, Seoul
"Come on, Yifan. We're gonna be late!"
Yifan doesn't bother running after his boyfriend who's trying to zip through the sea of people gathered around Hongdae. It's 'Sound Day' and it's really crowded but a boyfriend with almost the same height as his is not a problem at all because he's sure he won't miss that mop of hair in the crowd.
Chanyeol is stomping his foot against the pavement in front of a small bar - slash - livehouse with his arms crossed when Yifan walks up to him. "You really took your sweet time while I practically zoomed my way here!"
Yifan grins, "The world is my runway, and I'm its top model."
"Tell me again why I'm dating you."
"You're in love with me. And I'm hot as lava."
Chanyeol rolls his eyes but smiles lovingly at the guy he's been dating for 4 months now. Sometimes he wonders how lucky he is to be dating a perfect guy such as Wu Yifan. "Let's go inside. Kyungsoo and the others are already here." The younger takes Yifan's hand and drags him inside.
"It's so awesome in here, Yixing-ge!" Zitao awes as he looks around Hongdae, "Now I really hope I get to study here!!!"
"See? I told you it's worth the 3-hour train ride. Besides, you need some time off from cramming once in a while." Yixing ruffles the younger's hair, "How are you by the way? I haven't talked to you in ages!"
"I'm okay." Zitao says grinning, "It feels nice to be single. I get to do things like this!"
"That's good to hear." Yixing walks around the food stalls while Zitao trails next to him, "How about..."
"Sehun? We're okay. I mean, we dated more than a year so the friendship just had to be rebuilt. He's dating that Jongin guy."
Yixing nods, "I see. I see."
Zitao turns to his phone while walking. Yixing is still talking about some stuff but the younger is too busy texting to really pay attention. He returns to reality when his head collides with another and they both gasp in pain.
"Ow! Ow!"
"Sorry! Sorry!"
The two of them nod before they look at each other and Yixing's voice cut through them.
"Yifan? What are you doing here?"
"Just wandering about. Oh, I've mentioned him before to you, this is Chanyeol."
"Hi!" Chanyeol's voice booms and he gives the other two a slight wave, "We aren't wandering, he just escaped the livehouse and I'm trying to bring him back in."
"Well, this is Huang Zitao. Yifan, you've met him before. And I'm Zhang Yixing. We were..."
"High school exes. He talked about you, and he told me you've remained friends." Chanyeol smiles genuinely, Yixing nods. "I'm glad to have finally met you because man, you look so different from what he described you before!"
"Chanyeol! You're embarrassing me!"
Yixing rolls his eyes, "Yifan, we were high school lovers. We've already embarrassed each other enough."
Zitao stifles a laugh next to Yixing. Yifan laughs as well before wrapping an arm around Chanyeol, "Well, we're leaving. See you around."
Yixing sighs when Yifan and Chanyeol walk away, it doesn't escape Zitao's ear, "Are you okay, ge?"
"I know I'm over it but sometimes I wonder, what if we told each other to wait until I'm here in Seoul too?" Yixing walks solemnly, "Would it have been any different?"
Zitao pats the shorter's shoulder, "It would, of course. But as you said to me before...We'll find the ones meant for us in the future. Who knows?"
There's a sudden loud gasp that escapes Yixing and repeated 'sorrys'. Zitao turns to see that a young man with pale skin and a very angelic smile has crashed on Yixing's side and spilled soda on the shorter Chinese's arm.
"I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!"
Yixing waves his hand, "It's okay. Don't worry!"
"Let me make it up to you! Let me treat you and your friend to dinner!"
"You don't have to do that, really. I'm okay!"
The guy who's still apologizing shakes his head, "No. That won't do! I'm Kim Joonmyun, please it would make me less guilty knowing I spilled soda on Versace!"
"I'm Zhang Yixing, and wow. You're good with clothes."
Zitao silently watches the scene unfold and sighs next to Yixing, 'We might have met them already.'
The years fly by for Yifan and Zitao. The younger did graduate Graphics Design in Hongdae and Yifan finished his major in Business Administration without a hitch. Friends came and went, new found love that they both hoped would last end in heartbreaks and before they know it college is over and real life begins.
2014 - Samseong-dong, Seoul
"I hate this!" Zitao stomps his feet as he straightens his tie in front of the mirror, "Why do I have to wear this?"
"You're having a job interview, that's why." Yixing scoffs, Joonmyun just flips the channel on the TV. "You should nail this so you can move out of our lovenest!" Yixing adds, Joonmyun bursts out in laughter next to him.
"You break my heart, ge." Zitao juts his lower lip, "But I'm still staying here, whatever happens."
"Then I should kick you out. It's not nice walking out on you here on this very couch when you're making out with some guy you've just met."
Zitao rolls his eyes, "That was one time!"
"Still! Couch we all use!"
Zitao blows raspberry then heads to the door, "Bye guys! Make good use of that couch while I'm gone!"
"Good luck!" Joonmyun calls out after Zitao leaves, Yixing fake sobs beside him, "My baby's all grown up."
Zitao enters the quaint advertising company in Gangnam. He is greeted by a girl with a heartwarming smile in reception, "Hi. I'm Huang Zitao for the 2 o' clock interview."
"Oh, about that. Mr. Wu had to leave for a family emergency but his business partner, Mr. Kim, will see you. Why don't you just wait here for a while?"
Zitao looks at her nametag before smiling, "Thank you, Sulli." He takes an empty seat across her table as she calls Mr. Kim's hotline. A few seconds later she puts down the phone and Zitao walks up to her again. "You just go straight and turn left. You won't miss it, his office's door is... Unique."
Zitao heads to the said direction after thanking her. He passes by rows of employees in their casual clothes doing things in their computer that he feels overdressed with his suit and tie. He turns left and she wasn't kidding because out of the 4 doors in this corridor, one stands out. It's painted with various characters and looks like a well painted graffitti. It's beautiful, he thinks. Zitao exhales before knocking on the door. "Come in!"
Zitao enters to find a guy in glasses typing something in his laptop then turns to him, "Please, sit down!"
The Chinese makes his way to the seat, "I'm Huang Zitao, it's an honor to have this interview."
"I'm Kim Kibum. You wouldn't say the same if Kris is interviewing you."
"Uh, why is that?"
"He has a chronic bitchface." Kibum laughs and Zitao smiles awkwardly, "Anyway, let me see your portfolio."
He hands his folder and Kibum checks his work, "These are impressive..."
They talk for at least 10 minutes as Kibum casually asks him questions about his study, and his design's style. Zitao is afraid that he won't be able to get the job until Kibum returns his folder, "Lose the suit and tie when you come in tomorrow, okay?"
"Did I get the job?!" Zitao smiles widely, Kibum winks, the taller stands up and bows repeatedly, "Thank you! Thank you!!!!"
"See you tomorrow, Tao!"
"See you!"
Zitao fumbles on his phone as he dials Yixing's number, "I GOT IT!!! I'm starting tomorrow, ge!!! I feel so old about having a job but I got it!"
Zitao fits in perfectly in the company since everyone's just 2-3 years older than him. It's small and there are just at least 20 of them excluding his 2 bosses but they are already handling famous clients. Minseok, his co-worker and also a graphic designer speaks to him that morning. "Kris is coming in today."
"Kris?" Zitao looks up from his monitor, Minseok nods. "Yeah. One of our bosses."
"Ah! Mr. Wu!"
Minseok snorts then nods, "Mr. Wu. That's funny."
Zitao shakes his head, he's been here in the company for two weeks now and it's his first time meeting Kris. He's too engrossed with the storyboard he's drawing on his computer to even notice the commotion in the corridor until Kibum's voice cuts through the room. "Everyone look! Someone finally loses his pseudo-Canadian look!"
"Damn it, Key! Stop making a fucking big deal out of my hair!"
Zitao looks up to see a much taller man with dark brown hair trying to pry himself away from Kibum's grip. He scrunches his brows, he looks so familiar. So freaking familiar.
"Yifan-ge?!" He blurts out and the commotion between the two bosses stop and almost all employee grunt. Kris raises an eyebrow then smiles widely as he makes his way to Zitao's table, "Zitao, right?" The younger nods, Kris turns to his employees, "Nobody wins."
"Win what?" Zitao inquires, Kris grins, "They've been trying to guess my real name for half a year." The younger gasps, then turns with a bow to his co-workers, "I... I'm so sorry, everyone. I wasn't informed."
"Don't mind them! Come on! Let's grab lunch!" Kris grabs Zitao by the wrist and drags the younger out of the company. "Alright. Cough up your bets!" Jongdae yells from the middle table, "I say two weeks and Kris will be dating him!"
Kibum tsks, "I'm giving a month. After Chanyeol - and that's 2 years ago, he kind of lost his touch with dating."
***
"Wait, ge! I don't have my wallet with me!"
"That's okay! I'll treat you out! I'm just happy to have a familiar face!"
"Oh. Okay." Zitao responds and lets himself get dragged by Kris inside a Japanese restaurant a block away from their office. Once they're seated across each other after the waitress got their orders does the awkwardness of what Kris did suddenly dawns on the both of them.
"Sorry..." Kris scratches the back of his neck, and Zitao smiles, "That's okay, ge. Er, sir?"
"Don't do that. Nobody calls me sir, just Kris. We try to make the atmosphere of the company as light as we can."
Zitao nods with a smile and Kris takes in the younger's features. Has Zitao always been this gorgeous? He never really had the chance to actually look at the younger boy when he first met him seven years ago.
Wow, that's a really long time.
"Ge? You okay?"
Kris shakes his head, "Just thinking how we often run into each other all these years..."
Zitao pops a salmon sashimi in his mouth, "Well, maybe we've finally reached the stop sign."
Kris smiles, "For good measure."
"What's that?"
Kris waves his chopsticks in the air, "Nevermind, nevermind."
On that day Yifan and Zitao must not have noticed it yet but a spark lights up inside of them and it reacts towards each other drawing them closer together.
-----
It's been a month and everyone lost to the bet about Kris and Zitao but the two still spends lunch together and sometimes dinner if the both of them are working late. By this time, the attraction between them has become undeniably obvious that everybody are just teasing them about dating each other.
They both shoot it down, with smiles on their faces nonetheless.
Until that fateful night.
"Yixing-ge!!!" Zitao jumps off his seat and hugs his roommate, "Why are you here?"
"Joonmyun and I are in the area, so we thought we'd stop by."
"Where is he?"
"He's outside. I'm gonna steal you away for dinner!"
Zitao nods, "Alright. I didn't notice how late it is already."
"You're gonna do overtime again? All your officemates are gone already, except for Sulli but she's also about to leave."
They're about to go when Kris emerges from his office, "Hey, Zitao..."
"Yifan?" Yixing calls out, he scrunches his brow, "He's your boss?" Zitao nods, Yixing sighs, "Wow. Would have been nice to know that he's actually Yifan."
Kris stays rooted on his spot, "... Hey, Yixing."
Zitao sighs as the tension builds up among the three of them, he bows in apology, "Must have slipped my mind to tell you, Yixing-ge. You too, Yifan-ge."
"That's okay." Yixing ruffles Zitao's hair, "You've been busy." The shortest among them turns to Kris, "I'm stealing him away for awhile, wanna come?"
"Uhm..." Kris starts, but Yixing cuts him off, "I insist, Yifan."
Kris nods, "Let me meet you outside. I'll just grab my wallet."
Zitao takes his bag and then the roommates head outside and meet with Joonmyun, 2 minutes later, Zitao's phone rings.
"Yifan-ge?"
'You go ahead, I just received an email from an important client and I have to respond to this immediately. You don't have to return to the office, go home after you eat."
"Oh. I see. Thanks and I'll tell him."
'See you tomorrow.'
"Alright. Bye." Zitao ends the call, "Some business stuff came up. He's not joining us for dinner."
Yixing shrugs then takes Joonmyun's hand.
-----
"Yo, did something happen between you and Kris?" Minseok asks 3 days after the encounter. Zitao turns to coworker with a shrug, "What do you mean?"
"Well, he doesn't bother you every 2 hours. He doesn't drag you away for lunch. I'm sure he stays late intentionally when you're still here for overtime."
Zitao returns to his work, "He must be busy."
"Yeah, right. I went to his office this morning and yeah he's busy. Playing Temple Run on his iPad."
Zitao shrugs, "I... I see."
Minseok rests his chin on his palm, "You are obviously attracted to each other, what's stopping you?"
"He's my boss?"
Minseok snorts, "The hell. So? Jinki and Kibum are dating. We don't care. We're paid well and no favoritisms anyway, aside that Jinki gets the first slice of cake everytime Kibum decides to throw random parties."
"I get first everything." Jinki laughs from behind them, still busy doing marketing strategy plans for one of their clients.
"Uh-huh. See? He's still here with us, so no issues here if you're gonna be each others' boyfriends."
"He's my roommate's ex."
Minseok mouths an 'Oh.' The chubby cheeked boy cocks his head to the side, "Recently?"
Zitao shakes his head then counts with his fingers, "6-7 years ago?"
"Wow. That's ancient history!"
Zitao shrugs, "Let's get back to work."
It's around 9 in the evening and Zitao is again doing overtime. Everyone's gone and he's just busy trying to finish the fourth poster study for a new cellphone when he hears a door open and close. Zitao looks up to see Kris approaching him, "Here are the extra keys. Just lock up when you leave." His boss is about to leave when Zitao grabs his arm, "Are you ignoring me?"
"What makes you think that?"
"It's painfully obvious that even the others are asking. Did I upset you?"
"You didn't do anything."
"Then why are you doing this to me?"
Kris removes Zitao's hand from his arm, "... I'm not really sure either. I just know I need to distance myself from you."
Zitao's eyes turn blurry and the younger knows tears are threatening to fall, "... That hurts, Yifan. But let me tell you something..."
"What is it?"
"I like you. I really, really do. And somewhere between lunch and dinner, between the roads from here to there and back, I just know I want to be with you..." Zitao's voice breaks, "So there. You can ignore me completely now. For good measure." Zitao sits on his desk again and ignores Kris when he walks out of the door of the office. When the younger is sure that he's gone, he cries.
-----
"It's the second day you're missing work, are you okay?" Yixing stands by Zitao's doorway, arms crossed.
"I called in sick."
Yixing walks up to his bed and checks his temperature. "You're not sick. Did something happen?"
Zitao sighs and just buries himself deeper in his pillows, "I'm just stressed with work. I'll go back tomorrow."
Yixing pats his shoulder, "Well, if you say so." He heads to the door but turns to say something to the younger first, "Look, whatever it is, you can tell me, okay? We've been friends for years and I know you. This isn't just about stress. But I'll give you time. Just tell me when you're ready."
"I promise."
"Okay. There's dinner in the fridge. Just heat it up if you're hungry. Joonmyun and I are gonna go to the movies."
Zitao sits up and heads to his PC to write and print out something that isn't part of his plan for this year but it has to be done or else he'll go crazy.
True to his word, Zitao turns up to the office the next day but instead of going to his table, he heads to Kibum's office.
"No. I'm not accepting that. Go take that to Kris." Kibum frowns at the resignation letter Zitao has placed on his table. The younger sighs, "I took it here because I don't wanna see him."
"Yes. I know." Kibum raises an eyebrow, "And I'm not accepting this. Take it to him."
"But, Kibum..."
"No. If both of you have issues, you take it to him. Don't mix me in your mess."
"But I don't even know what prompted him to ignore me!"
"Then you should go and know before you leave. Off. Out of my office." Kibum waves him a hand to tell him that the conversation is over. Zitao walks out of the office with his letter in hand. He breathes in and out before walking inside Kris' office without so much of a knock.
"You could knock."
"I won't take so much of your time. Here." Zitao doesn't bother to sit but just hands his resignation letter to Kris.
"You're leaving the office?"
Zitao nods, "I can't work in an environment like this. I thought I can show you I'm strong enough to handle what I said that night but... I don't want you ignoring me for something so vague."
"Zitao... I can't like you back."
"You can't? But you do?"
"I do. So much but I can't."
Zitao bites back the lump lodged in his throat, "Look, I won't be here tomorrow, will you at least get to the point?"
"I can't be with you because of Yixing, okay?"
Zitao cocks an eyebrow, "Are you still hung up with Yixing-ge? That's it, isn't it?"
"No, of course not! It's just..."
Zitao shakes his head, "No. It's alright, I get it now." The graphic designer bows his head, "Thanks for letting me work here." The younger doesn't wait for Kris to say anything before leaving the office, his coworkers don't say anything when he walks out ignoring everyone. Kibum walks inside Kris' office the moment Zitao is gone. The Korean closes the door calmly before lashing out on Kris, "What are you? 15?!"
Kris looks up to Kibum, "What?!"
"I know your reason. God, so stupid."
"You're listening?!"
"I had to. What, you can't date him because he's bestfriends with your first love? Are you a girl? There's no code like that with us! We're guys!"
"Technically, no."
Kibum flips him with his middle finger, "Did you really become stupid after Chanyeol cheated on you with that Baekhyun guy?"
"I don't know, okay? I just... After Chanyeol, I just want my next relationship to be the last and without a hitch."
Kibum crosses his arms, "Out of your office, get out!"
"What...?"
"You settle with this maturely. Don't just assume that you can't date him because of your ex, talk to Yixing if you have to. Zitao wouldn't be brought back in your life if there isn't a purpose."
-----
Kris gets a punch landed on his jaw when Yixing opens the door to the apartment, "What did you do to him?!"
"Let me explain, okay?" Kris backs away a little when Yixing seems intent on beating him up despite their height's difference.
"Come on, honey. Let him talk." Joonmyun pulls Yixing to his side then opens the door wide for Kris to enter.
"Where is he?"
"In his room. He's crying when he got here and he's apologizing to Yixing over and over about liking you. And that he didn't know you still like Yixing after all these years." Joonmyun explains while still trying to restrain his boyfriend from attacking Kris.
Kris fidgets on the couch, Yixing is still glaring at him when Joonmyun gives his boyfriend's thigh a squeeze, "Please, talk. I'm gonna step out and buy us all dinner. This time you aren't bailing out, right?" Kris shakes his head, "Zitao's asleep, so no screaming. And please, don't kill Kris, honey. Our son would be very devastated."
"I'll try not to." Joonmyun kisses Yixing's cheek before leaving the apartment. "Look, let's not beat around the bush, is Zitao's assumption right?"
Kris shakes his head, "We were young. I was 17 and you were 16. We've moved on, right?"
Yixing nods, "Yes, so what's up with this? Look, ever since he worked for that company he's been happy. I didn't know it's because of you so please do enlighten me why that boy just cried himself to sleep!"
"I just thought it wouldn't be right for me to date him. We were exes..."
Yixing fights the urge to strangle the life out of Kris, "Please, Yifan. Do you think I won't approve? You should have asked me first before breaking his heart. Unless..."
"Unless what?"
Yixing narrows his eyes, "You're being an asshole and you let him assume that you like him too."
"I will punch you. I like him, Yixing. I really do."
"Then go in there and apologize!" Yixing points at Zitao's door, "Don't be a wuss!"
Kris stands, Yixing shakes his head, "I'm so disappointed in you. You wouldn't have broken his heart if you didn't bail dinner that night. I'd introduce you to Joonmyun and I'll actually force you to date Zitao."
"I'm sorry."
"I'm not the one you need to apologize to. Just go in there."
Kris nods and just lets himself inside Zitao's room. He finds the younger sleeping through the moonlight outside, he tiptoes his way to the bed and sits next to him. Kris touches Zitao's cheek and the younger boy stirs in his sleep. The older wipes the trail of dried up tears, Zitao grunts without opening his eyes but swatting away the hand on his face, "Leave me alone, ge..."
"I'm so sorry."
Zitao opens his eyes and sits up to stare at Kris looking at him, "The fuck are you doing here?"
"I talked to Yixing, I just... I'm so sorry. I was stupid and I assumed a lot of things."
Zitao raises an eyebrow, "And?"
"Zitao... I said it before, we run into each other. We can't run away from each other, we're bound to meet in the middle."
A small smile appears on Zitao's lips, "And?"
"If you'd forgive me, I'd love to start all over again. And if you'd also let me, I just don't want to date you. I'd like to be your boyfriend."
"Really?"
"Yes. I really am sorry. I was stupid and I didn't think-"
"Shut up and kiss me."
Kris smiles and pulls Zitao for a kiss, the younger scoots forward to wrap his arms around the older's neck to feel him closer, they stop when the door flings open, "Yo, Yifan. You serious with Zitao?"
Kris presses their foreheads together, he smiles at Zitao then turns to Yixing, "Yeah. Dead serious."
"Good. He said he resigned, take him back?"
Kris grins at Zitao, "I didn't accept the resignation."
Yixing claps his hands, "Oh good."
"What's good?" Joonmyun asks the moment he arrives with their dinner, Yixing grins at his lover, "Technically, Zitao isn't resigned yet so he still has his job."
"Nice." Joonmyun smiles, kisses Yixing then walks to the kitchen to prepare their dinner. "Oh, one more thing, Yifan." Yixing cuts the new lovers again from trying to steal a quick kiss, Kris turns to Yixing, "What is it?"
"Steal him away from here please? Ask him to move in with you as soon as possible."
Zitao wails and buries himself on the crook of Kris' neck, "He's so embarrassing. Please don't mind him."
"I don't mind you moving in with me. If you want, you can come home with me tonight."
Zitao just stares at Kris in awe, "What...?"
"JOONMYUN! HONEY! YOUR SON'S BOYFRIEND JUST ASKED HIM TO MOVE IN WITH HIM!" Yixing yells as he walks to the kitchen.
"THEY GROW UP SO FAST!"
That night marked the start of Yifan and Zitao's own love story, their petty fights, their late night cuddling and their own version of forever.
2017 - Gangnam, Seoul
"Love, I just got an email from Luhan." Kris calls out from their bedroom, Zitao appears by the doorway and leans on its frame with his apron still on, "What did he say?"
"Looks like Kyungnam High is getting demolished soon, they're trying to gather its alumni for a grand reunion of sorts. Wanna go?"
"Sure. It would be fun to see everyone." Zitao walks up to his partner and gives him a kiss, "Reply to him later, dinner's served." Kris smiles, pulls Zitao for another kiss before standing up and walking to the kitchen with his boyfriend.
Zitao takes Kris' hand and pulls him back, "What is it?" the younger doesn't say anything but just tiptoes and kisses Kris again before they sit on the dining table, "I love you, Yifan." Kris smiles, "I love you, too."
***
The couple returns to Busan with Yixing and Joonmyun 4 days later. They head to the soccer field where Luhan said he'll be with some of their friends. They don't miss him, but the guy next to him is oddly familiar that Zitao couldn't believe it.
"Sehun?"
"Zitao! Wow! It's been so long!!!"
Luhan stands up from his seat and circles his arm around Sehun's, "You know him?"
"Yeah... How did you two meet?"
"Well..." Luhan starts, Sehun smiles.
That's another story to tell.
-------------------------------
Author's Notes: WOW!!! HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY! I didnt even realize i posted this 2 minutes into hearts' day! Anyway, just a bit of TaoRis because I was swamped with HunHan. <3 Anyway, for now, it's an open ending for Sehun and Luhan, still a bit unsure if i'll be doing an arc for their story as well. hahah.
Comments are love!