For the first time in months, Tao wakes up to sunlight.   The golden rays of sunlight are slanting through the blinds creating sparkling stripes of light across Tao's face and hair. He sighs contentedly, rolling over onto his back and leaning his towards the sun, a low whimper escaping his lips as he curls his fingers into his sheets. The warm light is a welcome stranger, the slight pressure of the heat filling Tao with a feeling like falling asleep; slow and warm.   He's enjoying the sun so much that it takes him a moment to notice that he can't hear Kris snoring, the soft sound of his breath now startlingly obvious. Tao sits up slowly, feeling pain shoot down his spine as he remembers how Suho had insisted that they go on a hike yesterday and had made all of them sore. It'd been a few days since Kai and Sehun had moved in and so far, Kai had done nothing except watch Tao from across the room, as if he was waiting for something.   Tao had also noticed him being quite friendly with Kyungsoo, the doe-eyed boy oblivious to Kai's intentions as he spent more and more time with him. He'd realize soon enough. The look on Sehun's face when he saw Kai and Kyungsoo together almost made Tao feel bad for him. Almost. He knew what Kai was like and for some reason he hadn't broken up with him yet. Maybe he just didn't want to hear Kai say that he'd never cared at all, that whether Sehun breaks up with him or not has no meaning. That not even the 'benefits' he'd been enjoying with Sehun were enough for him to care if they stayed together. Tao bites his lip, bringing his knees up to his chest and wrapping his arms around them.   His mind instantly fills with thoughts of Kris as he remembers the dream he'd had the night before. Kris had proposed to him. He remembered the look in his eyes, the way he'd been smiling, the excitement and apprehension in his voice enough to make Tao smile. How could he have had a dream like that? Him and Kris hadn't even been together very long. How could he dream about them being married? But something about the way Kris had asked him had soothed all his fears, made him feel like everything would be alright. He closes his eyes, sighing softly as he twirls a ring around his thumb.   It was wishful thinking. Him and Kris had a long way to go before Tao would even consider thinking about that. He's so deep in thought that he doesn't really Kris has come into their room until he starts talking, his voice bright,   'Good morning Panda. I think everyone else is ready to go except you. I'm taking you somewhere, but it's a surprise so don't ask. Just get dressed and I'll take care of the rest, okay?'   He must have just gotten out of the shower because there's still droplets of water in his golden hair, the skin around his cheeks shining, still damp. He has a towel around his neck and is dressed in a black tee shirt and jeans, the tee shirt sticking to his stomach slightly, framing the muscles Tao knew were there. He's beautiful. Tao tilts his head, his voice soft,   "Kris...."   He pauses for a moment before getting to his feet, sliding off his bed. He hits the floor with a dull thud and closes the space between them, putting a hand to Kris's cheek, looking somewhere between confused and helpless.    "What would I do if I didn't have you to wake up to every morning?"   Kris makes a face, his nose crinkling slightly,   'Tao? Is everything alright? You're acting weird-'   Tao cuts him off with a finger to his lips. Something about this morning, about seeing Kris, something about it felt different than before.    "Kris,"   He pauses slightly, enjoying the way his name sounds,   "Kris, do you trust me?"   Confusion flickers across Kris's beautiful face as he arches an eyebrow at Tao and Tao can feel his heart beat faster under Tao's touch,   'Of course I trust you....'   A half-smile curves Tao's lips as he tilts his head, his voice only a whisper now,   "Close your eyes...."   Kris obeys but Tao can feel his pulse quicken. Tao grins, laughter in his voice,   "Don't be scared. I thought you trusted me..."   Kris laughs softly, his eyes still closed as Tao feels his hands curve against the small of his back, his voice even,   'Mianhae, Panda. Being this close to you-'   Tao feels a blush color his cheeks and cuts Kris off before he can continue,   "Just keep your eyes closed, okay?"   Kris nods slowly, tilting his head into Tao's grip. His skin is warm and soft and Tao smiles to himself, feeling his heart flutter as he closes his eyes, tilting his head farther and moving just a bit closer. He drops his hand, curling it into Kris's hair as he leans just a bit closer until he can feel Kris's breath against his skin.   He'd been waiting for the right moment, for the perfect time. But then it occurred to him, he'd spent all this time trying to decide how he felt about Kris when he'd really been sure the whole time. Tao can feel his heart racing, his pulse fluttering as he parts his lips, his voice so low that it's nearly nonexistent,   "It was always you...."   He pulls closer and feels his lips brush against Kris's, electricity shooting down his spine as he leans closer, pressing his lips to Kris's as he crosses his arms behind his neck. He hears Kris gasp slightly and lean into him, so sure of himself. Whatever Tao imagined their first kiss would be like, this wasn't it.   It's like everything and nothing and Tao's knees feel weak; on fire but like ice at the same time. Kris is gentle but insistent and Tao kisses him harder, running the tip of his tongue along the edge of Kris's lips. Kris tilts his head, deepening the kiss and Tao feels like he's drowning. Everything fades out of focus and he can hear his heart beating in his ears and feels Kris's lips on his.   Tao pulls back slowly, lingering for a moment, his lips barely brushing Kris's as he rests his forehead against the taller boy's, slightly breathless. He lifts his gaze and finds Kris's golden-hazel eyes staring back at him. Tao realizes that Kris is out of breath too as he reaches up, untangling Tao's arms from around his neck and bringing his hands up to Tao's face, an amused smile curving his lips,   'You....now I feel like....my surprise...is just going to be lame....compared to that....'   Tao laughs softly, his voice soft,   "Do you remember Christmas Eve? I wanted to kiss you that day, but I didn't because I was afraid that you'd think I was moving too fast, but Kris, I've never been more sure of anything in my life."   Kris laughs, his eyes crinkling,   'Shall we make it official then?'   Kris lets go of him, dropping to one knee and taking one of Tao's hands in his, his eyes shining. Tao feels the breath go out of his lungs as he flashes back to his dream last night. Kris tilts his head, clearing his throat,   'Huang Zitao; will you go out with me? Go on real dates? Hold my hand at school? Kiss me in front of our friends? Will you be my boyfriend, Tao, and let me be yours?'   Tao laughs, feeling something twist in his chest. He remembers for a second the first day he'd met Kris, when he'd heard him playing the piano, how they'd hated each other at first.    "Wu Yi Fan; I want to go everywhere with you and there is no one I'd rather have by my side."   Kris looks confused for a moment, arching an eyebrow at Tao,   'Is that a yes?'   Tao rolls his eyes, hitting Kris up the side of the head with his free hand,   "What do you think?"   Kris makes a face, getting to his feet and laughing softly to himself and he meets Tao's gaze,   'We'll be waiting downstairs, okay? You better hurry...'   He leans closer and presses a slow kiss to Tao's lips. He tastes sweet and as he pulls away, Tao feels a stab of disappointment at his absence. Kris laughs, pinching Tao's cheeks,   'No pouting, Tao. Now hurry, okay?'   He steps away, closing the door behind him and leaving Tao alone. Tao stands there for a moment, feeling slightly weak. Had he really kissed Kris? It felt like a dream. He felt so odd, like he was in pain but happy at the same time. Like his heart was so full that he can't even breathe or he would explode. All he wants it to see Kris smile, to hear his laugh.   Tao realizes his heart is still racing and shakes his head, taking a deep breath to calm himself as he pulls a tan sweater with sleeves longer than his arms from his closet, following it with black jeans. He pauses by the mirror after he finishes lacing up his boots, running a hand through his hair as he heads downstairs. Kris was right, everyone is waiting on him.   Suho is looking up the stairs expectantly, Lay leaning against him, his head on his shoulder. Baekhyun is in the middle of helping Chanyeol clasp his necklace and as he finishes, Tao recognizes the pendant as the one Baekhyun bought him for their two month anniversary. Xiumin looks sleepy, a black beanie on his pink fluffy hair, Chen grinning at him and brushing the hair out of his eyes with an affectionate look, leaning over to whisper something to the petite boy.   Luhan is wearing a glittery gold hat that brings out the sparkle in his eyes; he's 'fixing' Kyungsoo's hair for him, the dark eyed boy smiling softly, looking rather amused at his friend's efforts. Kai has his arm around Sehun's waist, smiling at him as brushes a thumb across his cheekbones. Tao feels nervous for a moment as Kai looks up at him, darkness sliding across his face as he smirks at Tao. Something told Tao that he wasn't done. Whatever he wanted from Tao, he intended to get it and he wouldn't take no for an answer.   Kris is putting on his jacket, the dark leather one that Tao loves as he glances up, grinning at Tao,   'Finally. Now we can get on the road.'   Suho smiles, bending to his backpack as he passes out paper bags to each boy. As Tao receives his he realizes that his name is written on the front: '타오'. The edges of his mouth curve up in a smile as he opens it finding melon, baozi buns, and a thermos of matcha inside. Suho grins at the look on Tao's face,   'Since we have to leave early, I went ahead and made breakfast for everyone...'   Tao laughs softly, his eyes shining as he bows to Suho,   "Ah, kamsamnida Suho-eomma."   Suho laughs, a slight pink blush coloring his cheekbones as he gestures to the door,   'The car is waiting for us, for you.'   Tao arches an eyebrow, looking between Suho and Kris,   "The what now?"   Kris grins at him,   'You heard. The car is waiting for you, for us. Shall we?'   He offers Tao his hand and the dark haired boy smiles, lacing their fingers as a warm shiver runs down his spine and he shoves it down as Kris leads him down the hall, opening the door for both of them. There's still a thick layer of snow in their front yard, at least two feet, but the sun is out today, melting little holes in the formerly flawless snow bank.   Tao glances up, squinting slightly in the sun, not used to it quiet yet. Parked at the curb is a black van with tinted windows, the size of it more like that of a bus. Tao stops walking, forcing Kris to stop,   "Yi Fan-ah! Where are we going?"   Kris grins at him, tilting his head in an adorable way that makes his golden hair fall into his eyes,   'What did you just call me?'   Tao blushes slightly, shaking his head,   "That's not important. Where are we going?"   Kris laughs softly, turning back to face him, drawing closer so that the tips of their noses brush,   'It's a surprise. If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?'   He tilts his head, kissing Tao for just a moment before pulling back, lacing their fingers again and walking the rest of the way to the van. Tao hears voices behind him and realizes the others have followed them as Kris slides the door to the side of the van open, exposing two rows of seats. Kris smiles, gesturing for Tao to go ahead.   The dark haired boy makes a face at him, stepping inside the van and making his way to the farthest row back, sitting down next to the window at the farthest end of the bench seat. After about ten minutes, all of them are finally in the van. Tao shares the back row with Kris, Chanyeol, Baekhyun, and Luhan.   A smug looking Kai is sitting next to Kyungsoo, Sehun on his other side and Xiumin and Chen next to them. Suho decides to drive, with Lay copiloting. Tao glances at the clock as Suho starts the engine, only seven thirty. It was going to be a long day. But more than that, Tao couldn't get Kris off his mind. He thinks about their kiss for a moment, about how Kris had hesitated at first, but kissed him harder.   Tao lets himself think for a second as he props his chin on his hand, looking out the window. Kris was a good kisser; what else might he be good at? Tao nearly blushes at the thought, a smirk curving his lips as he feels Kris slip an arm around his waist, pulling him closer, a perpetual smile on his face,   'It's going to b