If it isn't sweet, it's Sugarfree! - 01/?
Title: If it isn't sweet, it's Sugarfree!
Chapters: 01/?
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: fluff, romance, slight angst
Warning: unbeta'd
Rating: PG-13
Pairings/Characters: Kai x Tao, Kris x Tao
Synopsis: This is the journey of Tao as he gets through life looking for the potential love of his life and Yifan is his bestfriend and unfortunate wingman.
Disclaimer: All the stories here are connected oneshots all based on random songs by an awesome (but now disbanded) Filipino band, SUGARFREE. First chapter based on Kailan Ka Ba? Lyrics are of my own translation.
[01-When are you...?] [02-Prom] [03-Room]
Kailan ka ba…?
When are you…?
Duda ang aking kasama, at sabay kami sa aming pag-iisa
My companion wonders why we’re alone together…
Meron akong matagal nang hinahanap
I’ve been looking for something,
At ang takot ko’y di sya mahagilap
and I’m scared I’ll never find him
Dumaan na ba sya?
Has he passed me by?
Di ko lang napuna?
Had I not noticed him…?
Ilang gabi pang laman ng isip?
How many nights will I think of him?
Ilang araw pang magtatanong?
How many days do I ask?
Kung sino? Nasan? Kailan ka ba darating at ako ay sagipin sa mundong malupit at naiinip?
Who are you? Where? When are you coming to save me from this harsh and unwaiting world?
Sino? Nasan? Kailan ka ba?
Where? When are you…?
The both of them walk through the gates of campus - the cherry blossoms’ petals are freefalling from the trees and the breeze is perfectly brushing against their cheeks.
“It’s finally senior year!” Tao exclaims and Yifan groans next to him, “Huang Zitao, don’t remind me.”
Tao pouts at Yifan with a raised brow, “What’s wrong with senior year? Aren’t you glad that we’re graduating soon?”
Yifan rolls his eyes and keeps on walking, “Yearly I remind you that I would have graduated 3 years ago if you didn’t insist I transfer to Seoul with you.”
“So, 3 years in Seoul and you really hate me for it?” Tao jabs Yifan’s side and the older headlocks the other, “YIFAN WU!!! AGGGHHHH!!!”
“I didn’t say I hate it!” Yifan rubs his knuckles on top of Tao’s head before releasing him.
“Hey ge…” Tao calls out after he catches his breath. Yifan side-eyes him and internally rolls his eyes, it’s coming. He just knows the question is coming any second now. Tao grins at him, “SO! Do you think I’ll find ’The One’, this year…?”
“I don’t know.” Yifan tells him coldly and Tao whines next to him, “GEEEEEHHHH!!!”
“Well, I really don’t. It’s not like the people in this university changes yearly.” Yifan stops walking and eyes him from head to toe, “And it’s not like you improved your looks this year either.”
“YAH!” Tao pushes Yifan to the side, “Just so you know, I look more perfect this year.”
“Which is totally untrue. How can you be more perfect if you’re perfect already?”
“So you agree that I am?!”
“That’s not the point I was trying to say.”
Tao frowns, “You’re such a meanie, gege.”
Yifan laughs and pulls on Tao’s wrist, “Come on, didi. Time for class.”
-----
“It’s been a week! Oh my god, senior year is boring!” Tao rolls on his bed and Yifan shakes his head while reading his Advanced Calculus book, “Ge… We don’t share classes in some subjects, you think you can introduce me to one of your classmates?”
Yifan closes his book for a moment without removing a finger in between the pages, “Me? You’re asking me? Tao, we wouldn’t be friends if you never approached me first.”
Tao sits up and laughs at Yifan, “That’s true. So, nobody has approached you yet?”
Yifan groans and returns to his book, Tao lies back on his bed, “It’s not so suprising. You have the ‘bitchface’ after all. You should get that insured.” Tao laughs and then yelps when one of Yifan’s pillows hits his face. “GE! My moneymaker!”
“I have exams on Friday, will you please shut up?”
Tao groans and jumps off the bed, “Fine. I’m gonna take a walk outside.”
Yifan checks his watch and it says 9:46 PM, “It’s late. Stay here.”
Tao walks to Yifan’s bed and sits next to him, “But you’re mean tonight and you’re bullying me.”
“Lie down and go to sleep. That way you’re here and not disturbing me at the same time, too.”
“Scoot.” Tao tells Yifan and the older just moves to his side by an inch, the younger lies his head on Yifan’s lap, “Hey, gege…”
“Hmn?”
“Why are you still single?” Tao asks as he presses his cheek on Yifan’s thigh, “I mean you’re not bad-looking, except for your perpetual scowl, but you’re fine. You have good taste in clothes, you’re tall and you have a nice body, too.”
“So, you’re checking me out.”
Tao grabs Yifan’s book and hits him lightly with it on the chest, “You’re gross. If I’ve been checking you out, I wouldn’t spend these years looking for a boyfriend and I’ll just settle with you.”
Yifan laughs and takes the book back before pinching Tao’s nose, “SETTLE?! I’m the perfect boyfriend.”
Tao removes Yifan’s hand on his nose and bites it, “Says the guy who’s been single since I’ve met you when you were 14.”
Yifan wipes his saliva-stricken hand on Tao’s shirt and continues, “And you’re still the brat I’ve met 8 years ago. Snot and all.”
“Whatever. I’m your favorite brat.”
“You’re my only brat.” Yifan runs his hand on Tao’s hair and keeps on reading. Moments later he looks down to see Tao already asleep and a small pool of drool is dripping on his bare thigh. Yifan sighs and brushes the back of his hand on Tao’s cheek.
’My one and only brat…’
-----
“GEGE! GEGE!!!!” Tao runs across Yifan’s classroom despite the number of eyes trained on him, including the professor’s. “Tao, I’m in the middle of my class.”
“GE! THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!” Tao screams and the professor is about to chase him out but the younger is already grabbing Yifan’s bag and his arm out of the door, “I’m sorry, Mr. Park. Please don’t punish Yifan-ge for this, but this is really important and he’s my only family in this lonely country and you know…”
“You may go and abduct Mr. Wu, Huang Zitao.” The professor rubs his forehead and the two Chinese flies out of the door. Yifan’s classmates start laughing with one commenting, “Yifan is so totally whipped by Tao.”
“Minseok, be nice.”
“Luhan, we’ve been in the same class with Yifan for 2 years and Tao always does this.” Minseok laughs, “And Mr. Park is unfortunately always the professor Tao disturbs.”
The professor clears his throat and the class returns to normal.
“Gege! Oh my god! I think I found him!” Tao exclaims when the two of them finally stops running in front of the dance studio. Yifan raises an eyebrow and takes a peek inside the slight opening on the door, “There are dozens of people dancing inside, Tao. I can’t believe you keep dragging me out of Mr. Park’s class every time you think you found him.”
“Gege, I’m pretty sure this time, he is IT.”
“Don’t bet on it.” Yifan takes a peek again, “But whatever, indulge me. Who is it?”
“That guy in front. Tanned skin and blond hair. Can you see the way he dances? Oh my goodness, Yifan-ge! It’s love at first sight!”
“You’re such a girl.” Yifan teases, Tao squeals in utter disgust, “I AM NOT!”
The both of them don’t realize that the music inside the studio has stopped and said tanned boy opens the door of the studio fully, “Hi, do you need anything?”
“Uhmn, NO! Sorry!” Tao immediately responds and drags Yifan out of the building. Tao wails loudly when they make it out of the entrance, “I WAS SO EMBARRASSING!!!”
“Tao, when are you never?”
“Gege… I am gonna die alone and my dick is gonna fall off.”
“You ARE embarrassing. Come on, let’s grab something to eat.” Yifan grabs Tao’s hand and drags him to their favorite café. Tao sits quietly while Yifan goes to the counter to order their usual. The younger Chinese is still sulking when he returns with their food, “Tao, strawberry shortcake. And your favorite iced mocha blended coffee.” Yifan announces and Tao looks up with the brightest smile on his face, “You really know me too well.”
“Unfortunately.”
Tao pouts and Yifan pinches Tao’s cheeks, “Cheer up, peach. You weren’t as embarrassing as you think. If you are, I’d probably be just as embarrassing just to be seen with you.”
“Thar shupos tuh shiir me hap?” Tao asks with the forkful of cake still in his mouth. Yifan snarls and takes the fork out, “Don’t talk when your mouth is full.”
Tao swallows his cake and looks at Yifan, “Did you get a better look at him though? I mean… Do you think he looks nice?”
Yifan shrugs, “It’s a brief moment, but I won’t say he looks bad. Physically, I think he’s okay but he looks shorter than you.”
Tao sighs and keeps on eating, “It’s hard to find someone who can be taller than me, except for you but you’re not on my list of potential boyfriends, so I scratched ‘taller than me’ as part of my ideal type.”
“You have a list? So who are on there? Who’s on top?”
Tao rummages his bag and takes out a small notepad, “Well, there was Park Chanyeol when he attended my class for one semester but he kinda dropped off the face of the planet the following semester. There was Zhang Yixing but he’s dating one on my list too, which is Kim Joonmyeon. Hmn… Then there was Oh Sehun…”
“Luhan’s boyfriend?”
“Yeah. So he’s out, too.” Tao pouts and writes on the page, “And now there’s unnamed, hot dancer.”
“So he’s number one?” Yifan asks and Tao shakes his head, “G-Dragon will always be my number one!”
“Right. Of course, G-Dragon forever.”
“AND EVER!” Tao grins and finishes his cake, “Help me find out more about my unnamed, hot dancer, ok?”
Yifan sighs and takes a sip of his Americano, “When did I ever say no to you?”
-----
“What are you two doing here?” Luhan asks after he finds Tao crouched by the bushes and Yifan leaning against an ol tree, “You do realize that both of you are part of the rare population of tall guys in this campus and you stick out like sore thumbs wherever you go and whatever you do.”
Tao stands and brushes off his knees to face Luhan who immediately backs away a little, “You two has never been in the Entertainment Arts building, so why are you lurking around today?”
“I have found my future love of my life!” Tao announces and Luhan laughs, “Isn’t that spot for Yifan already?”
“Yifan and I are just best friends! Luhan-ge! Sehun majors in Dance, right?”
“First, Poor you, bro. Bestfriendzoned.” He tells Yifan and the taller Chinese gives him the bird, Luhan scoffs and turns to Tao, “And yes, my baby Sehun is a Dance major.”
“Do you think he can help me? I saw my boyfriend…”
“Boyfriend already?” Yifan asks and Tao blows raspberry at him, “YES, GEGE. He’s my boyfriend already and he just isn’t aware yet.” Tao turns his attention back to Luhan, “Can you ask Sehun to know the name of a tanned boy with blond hair? I saw him dancing inside studio 3 two days ago.”
“Well, I can try.”
“PLEASE!” Tao hugs Luhan then checks his watch, “Shoot! I’m late for class!” the youngest Chinese immediately runs away and leaves Yifan behind. Luhan pats Yifan on the shoulder, “You okay?”
“Why won’t I be? For all we know, Tao will graduate single.” Yifan chuckles and Luhan hits him on the arm, “You indulge Tao too much. I’ve known the both of you since we became classmates and you’re obviously in love with him.”
Yifan shrugs and sighs, “I am. I love that brat, but he’ll never see more than anything but his best friend, partner-in-crime, and the unfortunate wingman.”
“Yet you help him every time he tries to snag his first boyfriend?”
Yifan laughs louder this time, “Tao has never been successful, right? I’m pretty sure this time won’t be any different.”
Luhan crosses his arms over his chest and sighs, “So, do I get Sehun’s help for potential first boyfriend?”
“Go on. Indulge him. I like it when Tao is at his happiest.”
“You masochist.” Luhan comments and he earns a smack on top of his head. Luhan rolls his eyes, “And a sadist, too. Kinky. Poor Tao.”
“Shut up or you’ll call me a murderer, too.”
-----
“Kim Jongin?! His name is Kim Jongin??! Are you sure?” Tao exclaims when Luhan finally tells him the name of his unnamed, hot dancer three days later. Tao squeals in delight outside the library and Yifan groans inwardly, “How sure is Sehun? Is he his classmate??!”
“Well, let’s see.” Luhan takes out his phone and shows a picture of Kim Jongin, “Is he the one? Sehun---“
“OH MY GOD! THIS IS HIM!!! HE IS SO HOT!!! WHY ARENT WE MARRIED YET?!”
Yifan rolls his eyes and gestures Luhan to go on talking even if Tao isn’t paying any attention now, “Well, Sehun said he isn’t really a student here?”
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” Tao wails and Yifan flinches. “There goes my boyfriend.”
“Well, Sehun said that Jongin is their Dance 301 instructor, well, more like substitute instructor. He’s the same age as the three of you but Jongin’s really a good dancer and he only teaches them every Tuesdays. Sehun said that their instructor, Ms. Kim - Jongin’s sister - is busy during those days.”
“Tuesdays. Got it. What time are his classes with Sehun?”
“HUANG ZITAO.” Yifan finally pipes in, “You’re not planning on stalking him, are you?”
“Oh, I am.” Tao states matter-of-factly, “I won’t let him get away this time.”
“Uh, Their classes is at 4.”
“Awesome! Got it!” Tao hugs Luhan before he turns to Yifan, “Ge, if you just keep waiting, nobody’s gonna come. I’m gonna get me a boyfriend this year!”
“It’s not my priority.” Yifan scoffs and Tao pats the older’s cheeks, “MAKE IT. I won’t be responsible if your dick falls off with the lack of usage.”
“GO AWAY.”
Tao laughs and hugs Yifan tight, “Wish me luck, okay? No more waiting and searching for me.” The youngest Chinese bids the two other goodbye before running off and saying that he’s late for class again.
“When will he ever realize that he never needed to wait and search for him when you’re already here?” Luhan asks, Yifan shrugs, “Who knows? Let’s just see how this quest for Kim Jongin turns out.”
-----
“When will he ever notice me?” Tao tosses and turns on his bed much to Yifan’s annoyance, “Ge, I’ve been watching---“
“Stalking.” Yifan corrects him without looking up from his laptop.
“WATCHING. I’ve been watching him for a month! That’s four weeks already! Luhan said we stick out like sore thumbs so why can’t he notice me?”
“How do you watch him?”
“I have skills.”
Yifan turns to the younger with a scandalized look on his face, “Huang Zitao, the hell are you doing?”
“I use my ninja-level tree-climbing skills. No biggie.”
“You climb trees?” Yifan asks and Tao nods with a smile. Yifan facepalms and groans internally, “You’re really something.”
“It’s for love! YIFAN!”
“You give me cancer.”
“Meanie.” Tao stalks to where Yifan is seating on his bed and hugs him from behind, “Yifan… I’m so tired of being alone. I want someone to go out to date with, have late night dinners with… I want someone to kiss, and someone to maybe have sex with.”
Yifan sighs and pulls on Tao’s arms so that the younger can hug him tighter, “Tao, wait a little bit more. He’s just here somewhere. Just wait a bit.”
“But I don’t want to wait anymore…” Tao mumbles and Yifan can feel the back of his shirt getting wet, “Yifan, I’m boyfriend material, right?”
Yifan removes Tao’s arms from him and turns completely to hug him properly, “Stop crying, okay? You’ll be fine. You’re just getting frustrated since you keep making it your priority.”
“I’m 19 years old and I haven’t even had my first kiss!” Tao whines and Yifan laughs, “That’s your problem?”
“Well, aside from that.”
Yifan pushes Tao so that the younger can face him, “I’ll give you your first kiss.”
“Gross. Not with you.”
“Do you have something against my lips?”
Tao shakes his head with a pout, “Aren’t we gonna be awkward?”
“Trust me, we won’t.”
Tao raises an eyebrow with a grin, “You’re not gonna fall in love with me after?”
Yifan snorts and pinches Tao’s cheeks, “I won’t.”
“Well, okay!” Tao smiles and closes his eyes. Yifan runs his thumbs on the other’s cheeks, ’I’ve been in love with you before.’ He sighs and leans closer to kiss Tao lightly on the lips - it’s stiff and unmoving but still they both know that their lips are connected. Yifan pulls away immediately and Tao opens his eyes, “Ge, are first kisses supposed to be boring?”
Yifan flicks Tao’s forehead, “Stupid. First kisses are supposed to be imperfect. Besides, I’m not your boyfriend. You can have your ‘exciting’ kiss with your first boyfriend, then.”
“Okay. You always know when to make me feel better.” Tao hugs Yifan tight for a brief moment before jumping off Yifan’s bed, “I’m going to bed.”
Yifan watches Tao roll into a blanket burrito on his bed and then turns to his laptop. He touches his lips and smiles to himself, ’First kisses are supposed to be imperfect, huh?’
-----
Tao is sitting on top of a branch of the tree he hangs out on every Tuesdays. He watches through the window as Jongin’s dance class is taking place, taking his long torso in consideration, he cranes his upper body so he can watch his future boyfriend. He’s watching intently when all of a sudden, Jongin looks up and meets his gaze with a smirk. And Tao, as expected, panics and ungracefully falls from the tree, accompanied by a not-so-manly scream.
“Ow! Ow! OWWWWW!!!” Tao groans as he tries to stand but he whimpers in pain again because he thinks he sprained his ankle or something. He’s in a world of pain and he thinks it’s stupid. His bag has fallen a few steps away with him, he tries to crawl towards it but any sort of movement he does only makes him cry. And he really cries in pain, burrowing his face on his palms, and he realizes his right wrist aches, too.
“Are you okay?!” A voice asks and Tao doesn’t bother to look up and screams, “DO I LOOK FUCKING OKAY?!”
“Come on, I’ll take you to the infirmary. I already cancelled my class.”
“Your class…?” Tao’s eyes widen and looks up to see THE Kim Jongin smiling at him with a hand extended to him, “Yeah. I teach those kids. Whatever, not important. Can you stand?”
“I don’t know. I’m in pain…” Tao whimpers and Jongin chuckles, the dancer squats in front of him and takes out a hanky, “Stop crying. People might think I made you cry.”
Tao just stares stupidly at Jongin, because fuck it, they’re too close, and he looks more perfect like this. Yifan is wrong, there is a more perfect and it’s Jongin and he’s wiping his tears away and Tao is right, Jongin is going to be his boyfriend. “Come, I”ll help you up.” Jongin smiles at him again and the blond takes his arm and puts it over his shoulder. Tao internally screams when Jongin’s hand holds him up by his side and maybe the pain fades away for a moment.
NOT.
“OWWW!!!” Tao cries again when he’s finally up and leaning against Jongin, “Bear with it a little, okay?” Jongin tells him and they walk towards his bag. Jongin picks it up and they walk to the infirmary, with Tao crying in pain every few minutes and Jongin patiently adjusts Tao’s position just so he can walk properly until they get him treated.
“T-thank you for bringing me here…” Tao tells Jongin once they made it to the infirmary and Tao’s getting treated for his sprained wrist and ankle. The nurse leaves the clinic for a moment and Jongin sits next to him with a smile, “It’s no problem. I’m Kim Jongin, by the way.”
“T-Tao. I’m Huang Zitao.”
“Nice to finally meet you, Tao.”
Tao turns to Jongin sharply, “Finally??!”
Jongin chuckles and stares at Tao, “Who else climbs trees just to watch me dance?”
“Oh dear god, you saw me. That’s so embarrassing…”
“I think it’s cute. I think you’re cute the first time I saw you.”
“First time?” Tao asks with a raised brow, Jongin nods, “You’re the same guy who was arguing with a giant a month ago or something, right?”
Tao smiles and bites his lower lip, “Yeah…”
“I wanted to look for you but I’m not always here, and then you started climbing trees and I thought it was really cute. I’ll try catching you outside after class but you’re already gone…” Jongin scratches the back of his head in embarrassment, “I guess I’m thankful about the incident today.”
“I guess I am, too.”
The nurse re-enters the clinic and gives Tao a handful of different medicines and some documents for him to present to his professors if in case he can’t go to class immediately. “The both of you can go now. Jongin, right?” The nurse asks and the dancer nods, “Can I ask you to help him walk to his dorm or something? I’d ask him to stay here but the infirmary is closing soon since it’s almost 6 and nobody’s gonna be here to stay with him.”
“I’d be glad to.” Jongin smiles at the nurse and then to Tao, “Bear with the pain a bit more again, alright?”
Tao nods, “I’ll be in your care today.”
Yifan jumps off his bed when the door to his dorm room finally opens, “WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU AND WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!”
“I fell from a tree, I’m so sorry.” Tao looks at Yifan innocently and the older boy marches towards the other but stops halfway when Tao pulls another person inside, “I couldn’t call you because things happened so fast but don’t worry, gege. I was well-taken care of.”
“Hi. I’m Kim Jongin.”
“Wu Yifan.”
Jongin leans closer - too close in Yifan’s opinion - to Tao and whispers something which makes the other chuckle flirtatiously, “I told you. Anyway, thank you for today.”
“Get better, okay?” Jongin reminds Tao and the young Chinese nods, “Of course…”
“Hopefully we can push through this weekend.” Jongin adds and Tao agrees. The dancer turns to Yifan to bid his goodbye then to Tao before completely leaving the dorms. Tao closes the door and squeals like a girl in puberty. “CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT GEGE?! I told you everything will be fine! Jongin and I have a date this Saturday if my stupid ankle and wrist heal by then.”
“A-and if not?”
Tao shrugs, "I don’t know. Jongin and I will figure something out.” Tao smiles at Yifan widely, “Things are falling into place, gege. Now, help me to my bed, I can’t walk properly.” Yifan does as he’s told and he can’t help but disagree with Tao.
Things aren’t falling into place, not when his heart is falling into broken pieces on the floor.
-----------
Author's Notes: I had a lot of fun writing this because Tao is cute. I know that some of you might think it's a little similar to "Of Movie Clichés" but trust me, it's not. <3
This is a nice break from all the angst i am currently writing. That's right, I havent dropped off the face of the earth yet, i'm just a little pre-occupied with other TaoRis fics. ahihihi~
Chapters: 01/?
Author: paranoiascreams
Genre: fluff, romance, slight angst
Warning: unbeta'd
Rating: PG-13
Pairings/Characters: Kai x Tao, Kris x Tao
Synopsis: This is the journey of Tao as he gets through life looking for the potential love of his life and Yifan is his bestfriend and unfortunate wingman.
Disclaimer: All the stories here are connected oneshots all based on random songs by an awesome (but now disbanded) Filipino band, SUGARFREE. First chapter based on Kailan Ka Ba? Lyrics are of my own translation.
[01-When are you...?] [02-Prom] [03-Room]
Kailan ka ba…?
When are you…?
Duda ang aking kasama, at sabay kami sa aming pag-iisa
My companion wonders why we’re alone together…
Meron akong matagal nang hinahanap
I’ve been looking for something,
At ang takot ko’y di sya mahagilap
and I’m scared I’ll never find him
Dumaan na ba sya?
Has he passed me by?
Di ko lang napuna?
Had I not noticed him…?
Ilang gabi pang laman ng isip?
How many nights will I think of him?
Ilang araw pang magtatanong?
How many days do I ask?
Kung sino? Nasan? Kailan ka ba darating at ako ay sagipin sa mundong malupit at naiinip?
Who are you? Where? When are you coming to save me from this harsh and unwaiting world?
Sino? Nasan? Kailan ka ba?
Where? When are you…?
The both of them walk through the gates of campus - the cherry blossoms’ petals are freefalling from the trees and the breeze is perfectly brushing against their cheeks.
“It’s finally senior year!” Tao exclaims and Yifan groans next to him, “Huang Zitao, don’t remind me.”
Tao pouts at Yifan with a raised brow, “What’s wrong with senior year? Aren’t you glad that we’re graduating soon?”
Yifan rolls his eyes and keeps on walking, “Yearly I remind you that I would have graduated 3 years ago if you didn’t insist I transfer to Seoul with you.”
“So, 3 years in Seoul and you really hate me for it?” Tao jabs Yifan’s side and the older headlocks the other, “YIFAN WU!!! AGGGHHHH!!!”
“I didn’t say I hate it!” Yifan rubs his knuckles on top of Tao’s head before releasing him.
“Hey ge…” Tao calls out after he catches his breath. Yifan side-eyes him and internally rolls his eyes, it’s coming. He just knows the question is coming any second now. Tao grins at him, “SO! Do you think I’ll find ’The One’, this year…?”
“I don’t know.” Yifan tells him coldly and Tao whines next to him, “GEEEEEHHHH!!!”
“Well, I really don’t. It’s not like the people in this university changes yearly.” Yifan stops walking and eyes him from head to toe, “And it’s not like you improved your looks this year either.”
“YAH!” Tao pushes Yifan to the side, “Just so you know, I look more perfect this year.”
“Which is totally untrue. How can you be more perfect if you’re perfect already?”
“So you agree that I am?!”
“That’s not the point I was trying to say.”
Tao frowns, “You’re such a meanie, gege.”
Yifan laughs and pulls on Tao’s wrist, “Come on, didi. Time for class.”
-----
“It’s been a week! Oh my god, senior year is boring!” Tao rolls on his bed and Yifan shakes his head while reading his Advanced Calculus book, “Ge… We don’t share classes in some subjects, you think you can introduce me to one of your classmates?”
Yifan closes his book for a moment without removing a finger in between the pages, “Me? You’re asking me? Tao, we wouldn’t be friends if you never approached me first.”
Tao sits up and laughs at Yifan, “That’s true. So, nobody has approached you yet?”
Yifan groans and returns to his book, Tao lies back on his bed, “It’s not so suprising. You have the ‘bitchface’ after all. You should get that insured.” Tao laughs and then yelps when one of Yifan’s pillows hits his face. “GE! My moneymaker!”
“I have exams on Friday, will you please shut up?”
Tao groans and jumps off the bed, “Fine. I’m gonna take a walk outside.”
Yifan checks his watch and it says 9:46 PM, “It’s late. Stay here.”
Tao walks to Yifan’s bed and sits next to him, “But you’re mean tonight and you’re bullying me.”
“Lie down and go to sleep. That way you’re here and not disturbing me at the same time, too.”
“Scoot.” Tao tells Yifan and the older just moves to his side by an inch, the younger lies his head on Yifan’s lap, “Hey, gege…”
“Hmn?”
“Why are you still single?” Tao asks as he presses his cheek on Yifan’s thigh, “I mean you’re not bad-looking, except for your perpetual scowl, but you’re fine. You have good taste in clothes, you’re tall and you have a nice body, too.”
“So, you’re checking me out.”
Tao grabs Yifan’s book and hits him lightly with it on the chest, “You’re gross. If I’ve been checking you out, I wouldn’t spend these years looking for a boyfriend and I’ll just settle with you.”
Yifan laughs and takes the book back before pinching Tao’s nose, “SETTLE?! I’m the perfect boyfriend.”
Tao removes Yifan’s hand on his nose and bites it, “Says the guy who’s been single since I’ve met you when you were 14.”
Yifan wipes his saliva-stricken hand on Tao’s shirt and continues, “And you’re still the brat I’ve met 8 years ago. Snot and all.”
“Whatever. I’m your favorite brat.”
“You’re my only brat.” Yifan runs his hand on Tao’s hair and keeps on reading. Moments later he looks down to see Tao already asleep and a small pool of drool is dripping on his bare thigh. Yifan sighs and brushes the back of his hand on Tao’s cheek.
’My one and only brat…’
-----
“GEGE! GEGE!!!!” Tao runs across Yifan’s classroom despite the number of eyes trained on him, including the professor’s. “Tao, I’m in the middle of my class.”
“GE! THIS IS IMPORTANT!!!” Tao screams and the professor is about to chase him out but the younger is already grabbing Yifan’s bag and his arm out of the door, “I’m sorry, Mr. Park. Please don’t punish Yifan-ge for this, but this is really important and he’s my only family in this lonely country and you know…”
“You may go and abduct Mr. Wu, Huang Zitao.” The professor rubs his forehead and the two Chinese flies out of the door. Yifan’s classmates start laughing with one commenting, “Yifan is so totally whipped by Tao.”
“Minseok, be nice.”
“Luhan, we’ve been in the same class with Yifan for 2 years and Tao always does this.” Minseok laughs, “And Mr. Park is unfortunately always the professor Tao disturbs.”
The professor clears his throat and the class returns to normal.
“Gege! Oh my god! I think I found him!” Tao exclaims when the two of them finally stops running in front of the dance studio. Yifan raises an eyebrow and takes a peek inside the slight opening on the door, “There are dozens of people dancing inside, Tao. I can’t believe you keep dragging me out of Mr. Park’s class every time you think you found him.”
“Gege, I’m pretty sure this time, he is IT.”
“Don’t bet on it.” Yifan takes a peek again, “But whatever, indulge me. Who is it?”
“That guy in front. Tanned skin and blond hair. Can you see the way he dances? Oh my goodness, Yifan-ge! It’s love at first sight!”
“You’re such a girl.” Yifan teases, Tao squeals in utter disgust, “I AM NOT!”
The both of them don’t realize that the music inside the studio has stopped and said tanned boy opens the door of the studio fully, “Hi, do you need anything?”
“Uhmn, NO! Sorry!” Tao immediately responds and drags Yifan out of the building. Tao wails loudly when they make it out of the entrance, “I WAS SO EMBARRASSING!!!”
“Tao, when are you never?”
“Gege… I am gonna die alone and my dick is gonna fall off.”
“You ARE embarrassing. Come on, let’s grab something to eat.” Yifan grabs Tao’s hand and drags him to their favorite café. Tao sits quietly while Yifan goes to the counter to order their usual. The younger Chinese is still sulking when he returns with their food, “Tao, strawberry shortcake. And your favorite iced mocha blended coffee.” Yifan announces and Tao looks up with the brightest smile on his face, “You really know me too well.”
“Unfortunately.”
Tao pouts and Yifan pinches Tao’s cheeks, “Cheer up, peach. You weren’t as embarrassing as you think. If you are, I’d probably be just as embarrassing just to be seen with you.”
“Thar shupos tuh shiir me hap?” Tao asks with the forkful of cake still in his mouth. Yifan snarls and takes the fork out, “Don’t talk when your mouth is full.”
Tao swallows his cake and looks at Yifan, “Did you get a better look at him though? I mean… Do you think he looks nice?”
Yifan shrugs, “It’s a brief moment, but I won’t say he looks bad. Physically, I think he’s okay but he looks shorter than you.”
Tao sighs and keeps on eating, “It’s hard to find someone who can be taller than me, except for you but you’re not on my list of potential boyfriends, so I scratched ‘taller than me’ as part of my ideal type.”
“You have a list? So who are on there? Who’s on top?”
Tao rummages his bag and takes out a small notepad, “Well, there was Park Chanyeol when he attended my class for one semester but he kinda dropped off the face of the planet the following semester. There was Zhang Yixing but he’s dating one on my list too, which is Kim Joonmyeon. Hmn… Then there was Oh Sehun…”
“Luhan’s boyfriend?”
“Yeah. So he’s out, too.” Tao pouts and writes on the page, “And now there’s unnamed, hot dancer.”
“So he’s number one?” Yifan asks and Tao shakes his head, “G-Dragon will always be my number one!”
“Right. Of course, G-Dragon forever.”
“AND EVER!” Tao grins and finishes his cake, “Help me find out more about my unnamed, hot dancer, ok?”
Yifan sighs and takes a sip of his Americano, “When did I ever say no to you?”
-----
“What are you two doing here?” Luhan asks after he finds Tao crouched by the bushes and Yifan leaning against an ol tree, “You do realize that both of you are part of the rare population of tall guys in this campus and you stick out like sore thumbs wherever you go and whatever you do.”
Tao stands and brushes off his knees to face Luhan who immediately backs away a little, “You two has never been in the Entertainment Arts building, so why are you lurking around today?”
“I have found my future love of my life!” Tao announces and Luhan laughs, “Isn’t that spot for Yifan already?”
“Yifan and I are just best friends! Luhan-ge! Sehun majors in Dance, right?”
“First, Poor you, bro. Bestfriendzoned.” He tells Yifan and the taller Chinese gives him the bird, Luhan scoffs and turns to Tao, “And yes, my baby Sehun is a Dance major.”
“Do you think he can help me? I saw my boyfriend…”
“Boyfriend already?” Yifan asks and Tao blows raspberry at him, “YES, GEGE. He’s my boyfriend already and he just isn’t aware yet.” Tao turns his attention back to Luhan, “Can you ask Sehun to know the name of a tanned boy with blond hair? I saw him dancing inside studio 3 two days ago.”
“Well, I can try.”
“PLEASE!” Tao hugs Luhan then checks his watch, “Shoot! I’m late for class!” the youngest Chinese immediately runs away and leaves Yifan behind. Luhan pats Yifan on the shoulder, “You okay?”
“Why won’t I be? For all we know, Tao will graduate single.” Yifan chuckles and Luhan hits him on the arm, “You indulge Tao too much. I’ve known the both of you since we became classmates and you’re obviously in love with him.”
Yifan shrugs and sighs, “I am. I love that brat, but he’ll never see more than anything but his best friend, partner-in-crime, and the unfortunate wingman.”
“Yet you help him every time he tries to snag his first boyfriend?”
Yifan laughs louder this time, “Tao has never been successful, right? I’m pretty sure this time won’t be any different.”
Luhan crosses his arms over his chest and sighs, “So, do I get Sehun’s help for potential first boyfriend?”
“Go on. Indulge him. I like it when Tao is at his happiest.”
“You masochist.” Luhan comments and he earns a smack on top of his head. Luhan rolls his eyes, “And a sadist, too. Kinky. Poor Tao.”
“Shut up or you’ll call me a murderer, too.”
-----
“Kim Jongin?! His name is Kim Jongin??! Are you sure?” Tao exclaims when Luhan finally tells him the name of his unnamed, hot dancer three days later. Tao squeals in delight outside the library and Yifan groans inwardly, “How sure is Sehun? Is he his classmate??!”
“Well, let’s see.” Luhan takes out his phone and shows a picture of Kim Jongin, “Is he the one? Sehun---“
“OH MY GOD! THIS IS HIM!!! HE IS SO HOT!!! WHY ARENT WE MARRIED YET?!”
Yifan rolls his eyes and gestures Luhan to go on talking even if Tao isn’t paying any attention now, “Well, Sehun said he isn’t really a student here?”
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!” Tao wails and Yifan flinches. “There goes my boyfriend.”
“Well, Sehun said that Jongin is their Dance 301 instructor, well, more like substitute instructor. He’s the same age as the three of you but Jongin’s really a good dancer and he only teaches them every Tuesdays. Sehun said that their instructor, Ms. Kim - Jongin’s sister - is busy during those days.”
“Tuesdays. Got it. What time are his classes with Sehun?”
“HUANG ZITAO.” Yifan finally pipes in, “You’re not planning on stalking him, are you?”
“Oh, I am.” Tao states matter-of-factly, “I won’t let him get away this time.”
“Uh, Their classes is at 4.”
“Awesome! Got it!” Tao hugs Luhan before he turns to Yifan, “Ge, if you just keep waiting, nobody’s gonna come. I’m gonna get me a boyfriend this year!”
“It’s not my priority.” Yifan scoffs and Tao pats the older’s cheeks, “MAKE IT. I won’t be responsible if your dick falls off with the lack of usage.”
“GO AWAY.”
Tao laughs and hugs Yifan tight, “Wish me luck, okay? No more waiting and searching for me.” The youngest Chinese bids the two other goodbye before running off and saying that he’s late for class again.
“When will he ever realize that he never needed to wait and search for him when you’re already here?” Luhan asks, Yifan shrugs, “Who knows? Let’s just see how this quest for Kim Jongin turns out.”
-----
“When will he ever notice me?” Tao tosses and turns on his bed much to Yifan’s annoyance, “Ge, I’ve been watching---“
“Stalking.” Yifan corrects him without looking up from his laptop.
“WATCHING. I’ve been watching him for a month! That’s four weeks already! Luhan said we stick out like sore thumbs so why can’t he notice me?”
“How do you watch him?”
“I have skills.”
Yifan turns to the younger with a scandalized look on his face, “Huang Zitao, the hell are you doing?”
“I use my ninja-level tree-climbing skills. No biggie.”
“You climb trees?” Yifan asks and Tao nods with a smile. Yifan facepalms and groans internally, “You’re really something.”
“It’s for love! YIFAN!”
“You give me cancer.”
“Meanie.” Tao stalks to where Yifan is seating on his bed and hugs him from behind, “Yifan… I’m so tired of being alone. I want someone to go out to date with, have late night dinners with… I want someone to kiss, and someone to maybe have sex with.”
Yifan sighs and pulls on Tao’s arms so that the younger can hug him tighter, “Tao, wait a little bit more. He’s just here somewhere. Just wait a bit.”
“But I don’t want to wait anymore…” Tao mumbles and Yifan can feel the back of his shirt getting wet, “Yifan, I’m boyfriend material, right?”
Yifan removes Tao’s arms from him and turns completely to hug him properly, “Stop crying, okay? You’ll be fine. You’re just getting frustrated since you keep making it your priority.”
“I’m 19 years old and I haven’t even had my first kiss!” Tao whines and Yifan laughs, “That’s your problem?”
“Well, aside from that.”
Yifan pushes Tao so that the younger can face him, “I’ll give you your first kiss.”
“Gross. Not with you.”
“Do you have something against my lips?”
Tao shakes his head with a pout, “Aren’t we gonna be awkward?”
“Trust me, we won’t.”
Tao raises an eyebrow with a grin, “You’re not gonna fall in love with me after?”
Yifan snorts and pinches Tao’s cheeks, “I won’t.”
“Well, okay!” Tao smiles and closes his eyes. Yifan runs his thumbs on the other’s cheeks, ’I’ve been in love with you before.’ He sighs and leans closer to kiss Tao lightly on the lips - it’s stiff and unmoving but still they both know that their lips are connected. Yifan pulls away immediately and Tao opens his eyes, “Ge, are first kisses supposed to be boring?”
Yifan flicks Tao’s forehead, “Stupid. First kisses are supposed to be imperfect. Besides, I’m not your boyfriend. You can have your ‘exciting’ kiss with your first boyfriend, then.”
“Okay. You always know when to make me feel better.” Tao hugs Yifan tight for a brief moment before jumping off Yifan’s bed, “I’m going to bed.”
Yifan watches Tao roll into a blanket burrito on his bed and then turns to his laptop. He touches his lips and smiles to himself, ’First kisses are supposed to be imperfect, huh?’
-----
Tao is sitting on top of a branch of the tree he hangs out on every Tuesdays. He watches through the window as Jongin’s dance class is taking place, taking his long torso in consideration, he cranes his upper body so he can watch his future boyfriend. He’s watching intently when all of a sudden, Jongin looks up and meets his gaze with a smirk. And Tao, as expected, panics and ungracefully falls from the tree, accompanied by a not-so-manly scream.
“Ow! Ow! OWWWWW!!!” Tao groans as he tries to stand but he whimpers in pain again because he thinks he sprained his ankle or something. He’s in a world of pain and he thinks it’s stupid. His bag has fallen a few steps away with him, he tries to crawl towards it but any sort of movement he does only makes him cry. And he really cries in pain, burrowing his face on his palms, and he realizes his right wrist aches, too.
“Are you okay?!” A voice asks and Tao doesn’t bother to look up and screams, “DO I LOOK FUCKING OKAY?!”
“Come on, I’ll take you to the infirmary. I already cancelled my class.”
“Your class…?” Tao’s eyes widen and looks up to see THE Kim Jongin smiling at him with a hand extended to him, “Yeah. I teach those kids. Whatever, not important. Can you stand?”
“I don’t know. I’m in pain…” Tao whimpers and Jongin chuckles, the dancer squats in front of him and takes out a hanky, “Stop crying. People might think I made you cry.”
Tao just stares stupidly at Jongin, because fuck it, they’re too close, and he looks more perfect like this. Yifan is wrong, there is a more perfect and it’s Jongin and he’s wiping his tears away and Tao is right, Jongin is going to be his boyfriend. “Come, I”ll help you up.” Jongin smiles at him again and the blond takes his arm and puts it over his shoulder. Tao internally screams when Jongin’s hand holds him up by his side and maybe the pain fades away for a moment.
NOT.
“OWWW!!!” Tao cries again when he’s finally up and leaning against Jongin, “Bear with it a little, okay?” Jongin tells him and they walk towards his bag. Jongin picks it up and they walk to the infirmary, with Tao crying in pain every few minutes and Jongin patiently adjusts Tao’s position just so he can walk properly until they get him treated.
“T-thank you for bringing me here…” Tao tells Jongin once they made it to the infirmary and Tao’s getting treated for his sprained wrist and ankle. The nurse leaves the clinic for a moment and Jongin sits next to him with a smile, “It’s no problem. I’m Kim Jongin, by the way.”
“T-Tao. I’m Huang Zitao.”
“Nice to finally meet you, Tao.”
Tao turns to Jongin sharply, “Finally??!”
Jongin chuckles and stares at Tao, “Who else climbs trees just to watch me dance?”
“Oh dear god, you saw me. That’s so embarrassing…”
“I think it’s cute. I think you’re cute the first time I saw you.”
“First time?” Tao asks with a raised brow, Jongin nods, “You’re the same guy who was arguing with a giant a month ago or something, right?”
Tao smiles and bites his lower lip, “Yeah…”
“I wanted to look for you but I’m not always here, and then you started climbing trees and I thought it was really cute. I’ll try catching you outside after class but you’re already gone…” Jongin scratches the back of his head in embarrassment, “I guess I’m thankful about the incident today.”
“I guess I am, too.”
The nurse re-enters the clinic and gives Tao a handful of different medicines and some documents for him to present to his professors if in case he can’t go to class immediately. “The both of you can go now. Jongin, right?” The nurse asks and the dancer nods, “Can I ask you to help him walk to his dorm or something? I’d ask him to stay here but the infirmary is closing soon since it’s almost 6 and nobody’s gonna be here to stay with him.”
“I’d be glad to.” Jongin smiles at the nurse and then to Tao, “Bear with the pain a bit more again, alright?”
Tao nods, “I’ll be in your care today.”
Yifan jumps off his bed when the door to his dorm room finally opens, “WHERE THE FUCK WERE YOU AND WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?!”
“I fell from a tree, I’m so sorry.” Tao looks at Yifan innocently and the older boy marches towards the other but stops halfway when Tao pulls another person inside, “I couldn’t call you because things happened so fast but don’t worry, gege. I was well-taken care of.”
“Hi. I’m Kim Jongin.”
“Wu Yifan.”
Jongin leans closer - too close in Yifan’s opinion - to Tao and whispers something which makes the other chuckle flirtatiously, “I told you. Anyway, thank you for today.”
“Get better, okay?” Jongin reminds Tao and the young Chinese nods, “Of course…”
“Hopefully we can push through this weekend.” Jongin adds and Tao agrees. The dancer turns to Yifan to bid his goodbye then to Tao before completely leaving the dorms. Tao closes the door and squeals like a girl in puberty. “CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT GEGE?! I told you everything will be fine! Jongin and I have a date this Saturday if my stupid ankle and wrist heal by then.”
“A-and if not?”
Tao shrugs, "I don’t know. Jongin and I will figure something out.” Tao smiles at Yifan widely, “Things are falling into place, gege. Now, help me to my bed, I can’t walk properly.” Yifan does as he’s told and he can’t help but disagree with Tao.
Things aren’t falling into place, not when his heart is falling into broken pieces on the floor.
-----------
Author's Notes: I had a lot of fun writing this because Tao is cute. I know that some of you might think it's a little similar to "Of Movie Clichés" but trust me, it's not. <3
This is a nice break from all the angst i am currently writing. That's right, I havent dropped off the face of the earth yet, i'm just a little pre-occupied with other TaoRis fics. ahihihi~