Kris wakes up to silence.   He can tell it's early because his alarm hasn't gone off yet and instead of the familiar silver light filtering in through the window, only blackness greets his eyes as he sits up and flicks on the lamp on his desk.   The sudden flood of light in the room seems somehow slower than before, the golden brightness spreading slowly as if it's afraid of the dark. Kris laughs softly to himself a runs a hand through his hair as he glances at the clock. Only quarter 'til five. That was early, especially for him.   He realizes then that Tao's bunk is still empty, still neatly made, his gloves and coat laying across his comforter where he must have left them the night before. Kris gets to his feet and shuffles over to the window, seeing the dark golden beginnings of sun behind the clouds. When would they ever see the sun again? Deep winters weren't uncharacteristic, but sometimes Kris wished for the sun. Maybe in a few weeks.   He can already hear the sounds of voices downstairs; Baekhyun's giggly one and Suho's gently chastising one. Today may have been a Saturday, but all of them were so used to school that they rarely slept in anymore. Kris remembers that most of them have tests in the upcoming week so Suho had decided it would be a good idea if they all spent the day at the library studying.   Not a bad idea actually besides the fact that Tao would be there and Kris was still fumbling with any ideas as to how to apologize to the dark haired boy.   He sighs, dressing quickly in a thick cable-knit grey sweater and faded jeans that are ripped at the knees. He pauses for a moment as he realizes Tao's coat is gone. Perhaps he'd seen Kris's note, but then again, even if he had, he could still be angry and he likely was. Kris takes a moment to run his hands through his hair as he glances in the mirror mounted above the dresser, his gold-hazel eyes looking tired even to him.   He sighs and makes his way downstairs, only realizing then that Luhan is sitting at their kitchen table, a habit he has adopted every weekend since their friendship began. Xiumin is sitting next to Chen, the curly-haired boy's arm around his shoulders; his nose, though taped up, looks straight like it should be. Chanyeol is smiling, a particularly hyper Baekhyun sitting in his lap as he starts giggling at something Luhan said, his eyes lighting up.   Lay looks considerably better than the day before, some color returning to his pale cheeks as he manages a half-smile. Kris can see Suho watching him intently, waiting for any moment his assistance is needed. Tao is sitting at the end of the table, smiling at Baekhyun as he takes another drink of tea. Kris moves into the room and takes a seat to Tao's left.   He watches as the younger boy tenses, the smile sliding off his face as he gets to his feet, brushing the crumbs off his black jacket, a fake smile on his face,   "I think I'm going to get a head start on that studying. Anyone want to join me?"   Suho glances between Tao and Kris for a moment, looking about to say no when Lay smiles at Tao, his dimples showing,   'That sounds like a good idea, Tao. I could use a bit of extra help anyway.'   He pauses for a moment before turning to face Suho, his brows drawn together adorably,   'You'll come too and help me, won't you Suho?'   Suho nods carefully, his voice soft,   'Of course I will.'   Lay grins, his face seeming to light up from the inside,    'You're so good to take care of me....'   He trails off before continuing, his voice bright as he gets to his feet,   'I love you, Suho.'   Suho looks infinitely sad as he looks down for a moment before glancing back up, knowing full well that Lay doesn't mean it 'that way'; that he only loves Suho as a friend, knowing that's the only way he's ever loved him, the only way he's ever going to love him.   'I love you too, Lay.'   Lay smiles and Chanyeol speaks abruptly, his deep voice startling the other boys,   'I could actually use a bit of extra help too. If you don't mind....'   He elbows Chen and the other boy looks up, sounding just a bit embarrassed,   'Me too. I need all the help I can get.'     The boys soon depart, leaving only Kris, Baekhyun, Luhan, and Xiumin at the table. After a few minutes Xiumin and Luhan share a sly look as they turn their attention to Baekhyun, Luhan's voice unabashed,   'So, have you slept with Chanyeol yet?'   Baekhyun chokes, his eyes widening as he coughs, finally managing to swallow his water as he looks up, his face incredulous,   'As if it's any business of yours!'   Luhan continues, his grin even wider now,   'Well have you?'   Baekhyun opens his mouth to reply but seems to think better of it as he turns his eyes to his lap, a light pink blush dusting his cheeks. Both Xiumin and Luhan burst out laughing, their shoulders shaking as they bend over the table. Luhan is nearly breathless, still grinning like an idiot,   'You have! Was it good?'   Baekhyun runs a hand through his hair, looking more embarrassed than Kris has ever seen him,   'Let's just say that Chanyeol is very good at what he does...'   Xiumin and Luhan dissolve into giggles, their near constant laughter filling the house. Kris makes a face, his eyebrows drawn together,   'What are you two? A couple of highschool girls? Leave Baekhyun alone.'   Xiumin fixes him with a glare more amused than anything, his voice thick with mock severity,   'Not so fast! I haven't even gotten to ask about you and Tao yet.'   Kris groans and shakes his head at them,    'For the last time, nothing is going on with me and Tao so just drop it and go finish getting ready before we have to leave! Shoo, go!'   He waves his hands at them and both roll their eyes before getting to their feet and walking back upstairs. Baekhyun smiles at Kris, his sandy blonde hair falling into his eyes,   'Thanks for that. So hey, now I owe you one. What do you need? Advice? Inspiration? Money?'   Kris laughs softly at the last offer, going quiet for a moment before looking back up, meeting Baekhyun's shining dark eyes,   'Well, there is one thing....'     Kris can't believe what he's about to do. He's sitting in the library at a table with Baekhyun, Chanyeol, and Luhan. Apparently, the boys weren't the only ones who had thought studying today was a good idea because the library was almost full. Even better. Kris has never done something like this before, not in his life, but Baekhyun had insisted that if Kris wanted to win Tao back, a dramatic gesture was necessary.   Kris knew that too; that if he wanted to get Tao to believe in him again, he had to prove that even if he had been afraid for a second, he wasn't anymore. He feels a familiar twist of nervousness in his stomach and shoves it down, no hesitating, Tao was worth it.   Whether Kris wanted to admit it or not, Tao was quickly becoming one of the most important things in his life. They had spent most days together, pretty much every weekend; whatever it took, Kris would do it. Tao had trusted him once, now Kris was only hoping that he'd give him another chance, that he'd trust him again.   Kris glances at the clock; almost noon. Baekhyun sends him a meaningful look and Kris feels his heart beat faster as he takes a deep breath. He was doing this for Tao, all he had to do was think of that and everything would be fine.   Kris clears his throat and pushes his chair back, moving smoothly and gracefully so that he's standing on top of the table, his shoes squeaking slightly on the laminated wood surface as several heads swivel in his direction. He takes a deep breath and starts talking, hoping it'll get easier as he goes along,   'Um, excuse me everyone! I have something to say....'   He sees Tao glance up, looking bewildered as his dark eyes find Kris's and Kris swallows before continuing, his voice raised so that everyone in the library can hear him,   'My name is Wu Yi Fan, and for the past month, I've been dating Huang Zitao. I'm more than lucky to have shared even a fraction of my life with someone as incredible as Tao is, and I don't care about hiding out relationship anymore.'   He turns his gaze to Tao's, his smile softening,   'Tao. Ever since I met you, I knew you are what I have been missing and with you I'm complete. I don't care if anyone knows how much I care about you, I don't care if everyone knows; all I care about is that you know. We haven't been together very long, but it feels like forever and I know now that you're the one I'm meant to be with. My best friend, my Panda, my Tao, my everything.'   Everyone falls silent and Kris feels a stab of anticipation. Did it not work? He's about to sit back down when he sees Tao get to his feet and walk over to him. Even though he's not smiling, he's glowing and Kris holds back a grin as he climbs onto the table to stand facing Kris. He's quiet for a moment before he smiles, his eyes slightly blurry as he brings his hands up to Kris's face, his voice soft,   "In a million years, I never dreamed I'd be this lucky."   Kris grins and pulls him into a hug, his voice barely a whisper so that only Tao can hear him,   'I know it's going to be hard to make it up to all of you, but I wanted to start with showing you that because of you, I'm not afraid anymore.'   He releases Tao, his gaze darkening as he catches sight of Jinhae's silver-grey hair as the tall boy walks over to them, a smirk on his face, his voice scathing and bored,    'Now isn't this touching. I'm moved, really. Though I have to admit, I expected more of you, Kris. But I guess you are known to associate with certain pink-haired fa-'   Kris narrows his gaze and takes a step forward, jumping off the table and closing the space between him and Jinhae, his voice  a near growl,   'Chanyeol isn't the only one who could beat you up, Jinhae. Try