Tao wakes up in Kris's arms.   It's early, but sun is streaming in the window; throwing fractures of warm golden light across him and Kris. The older boy is still asleep, his head tilted against Tao's collarbone, his arms looped around his waist.    Tao sighs contentedly, curling closer to Kris, running a hand through his golden hair, inhaling the sweet spicy smell of his skin. Kris stirs slightly, turning his head in the direction of Tao's touch, his lips curved into a half smile.    Tao lets his hand run down Kris's jawline, down his neck, across his collarbone. Tao hears him gasp softly, his skin tensing slightly, warm and soft under Tao's fingers. Tao smiles, his voice soft,   "Kris....we have to get up....you know Suho wanted to leave on time-"   Kris cuts him off, pulling his arms back and rolling over so that he's pinning Tao to the bed by his wrists, leaning over him, his eyes sparkling. Tao feels the air leave his lungs, his voice effectively silenced at Kris's hands curled around his wrists, the smile on his lips, the sunlight catching his hair and lighting it up like it was filled with gold.   Beautiful. So beautiful. Kris tilts his head, bending down so that him and Tao and face-to-face, only inches apart, his voice soft,   'Forget about that. Forget about everything. Your time may be their's later, but for now you're mine....'   Tao represses a shiver at Kris's words. His? Was that what Tao was? Did he want to be Kris's? He feels Kris's grip on his wrists; not as if he had much choice in the matter. But two could play at this game. Tao smirks softly, twisting his head until he's even closer to Kris.   He pauses for a moment, letting Kris feel the pressure of his breath as he smiles to himself. He runs the tip of his tongue along Kris's jaw, down the side of his neck, pausing to press a slow kiss to the space just below his ear. Tao feels him tense, his grip relaxing slightly. Tao twists his head, kissing his neck again as a low moan escapes Kris's lips and he releases Tao's wrists, sitting back.   He's frowning slightly and Tao almost laughs at the pouty look on his face. He looks scolded. Kris meets his eyes and makes a face, hitting him up the side of the head gently,   'Fine! You win this time, we'll get up. Why do we have to go anyway?'   Tao laughs softly, shaking his head as he gets to his feet, glancing over at the door where their packed bags are still sitting. In an effort to further strengthen their relationship, Suho had planned a camping trip for all of them for the weekend.    Not as if they needed it. Kai had been fairly quiet the past week though he was more than happy to help out with chores in an effort to improve his standing with the other members. Baekhyun seemed a bit better as well, still wary of Kai and missing Chanyeol, but he seemed stronger everyday and Tao knew he would soon get used to being single.    Not that the same could be said for Chanyeol. The tall silver-haired boy spent every moment Baekhyun wasn't there pouting about their broken relationship but not willing to forgive yet.    Tao could tell it hurt him though, to see Baekhyun sad. Chanyeol had told him that he 'couldn't be the one' that Baekhyun deserved. So maybe their relationship wasn't as perfect as Tao had thought it was, but seeing both of them miserable was just about as awful as it sounded.    Tao draws himself out of his thoughts, smirking at Kris,   "We have to go because Suho wants us to. And besides, I'll be there so I'm surprised you don't want to go..."   Tao thinks for a moment about Kris's attitude as of late. Their relationship had gotten a lot more physical but Kris still took every opportunity to declare his feelings for Tao. It was perfect. He was perfect.    They should just stay like this forever; honestly, there was nothing Tao wanted more. Tao pauses as the closet, tilting his head at Kris who is laying on his back, hand thrown over his face,   "Kris! You can't go back to sleep! We have to go..."   Kris groans, the sound making Tao's heart flutter even though it shouldn't. He sits up slowly, rubbing his head as he glares at Tao,   'You better make this trip worth it...'   Tao winks at him, running a hand through his hair,   "Well I guess you'll just have to wait and see...."   Kris smiles, getting to his feet and closing the space between them, wrapping his arms around Tao's waist and leaning closer, brushing their lips together a few times, teasing him.    Tao makes an annoyed sound, grabbing him by the back of the neck, pulling him into a kiss that is not exactly gentle. Kris's lips curve into a smile under Tao's as he tilts his head, deepening the kiss.   Tao feels weak and paralyzed at the same time, an odd effect that Kris's touch seemed to have on him, a shiver running along his skin. Kris feels him tense and slips his hands under the hem of his sweater, running his finger tips along the smooth plane of Tao's back.    Tao melts under his touch, leaning into the taller boy, a gentle sigh escaping his lips. Kris adjusts his stance, pulling Tao even closer until Tao can feel Kris's heartbeat against his chest. Tao's kisses become more insistent, curling a hand around the back of Kris's neck just as a knock sounds at the door.    The harsh sound breaks apart the stillness and Tao pulls back, his lips lingering against Kris's for a moment, an annoyed groan escaping his lips.    'Tao? Kris? We have to go! Hurry up!'   Baekhyun's voice is tinged with excitement and Tao can practically see him in his mind; bouncing around and grinning like an idiot. Tao smiles softly, untangling himself from Kris's arms, his skin feeling cold without Kris's touch. He clears his throat, making his voice bright,   "Mianhae Baekhyun! We just need to get dressed and then we'll be ready..."   He hears Baekhyun sigh softly and walk away as Tao turns his attention back to Kris. Tao's heart stills in his chest, his mouth fallen open. Kris is deliberating in front of the closet, no doubt trying to distinguish how the boy from the city was going to find clothes appropriate for hiking in their closet.   But it's not the deliberating that's making Tao want to blush. Kris is shirtless, his grey tee shirt discarded on the floor. His skin is evenly tan, muscles rippling under his skin as he reaches for a maroon sweater and catches Tao staring, a smirk curving his lips,   'You like what you see, Panda?'   Tao shoves down a blush, rolling his eyes,   "You wish..."   But he did. Kris was unmistakably the most beautiful person Tao had ever known and he knew it. He turns towards Tao, a thin black cord gracing his neck, a small wooden pendant hanging at the end. It was something he had worn since Tao has met him and he'd never asked about it. But somehow, Tao isn't thinking about Kris's necklace.    He's thinking about how good Kris looks in the sunlight, how it would feel to run his fingers over all those muscles- Tao cuts off his own thoughts, his voice slightly flustered,   "Aishh! Put on your sweater before you get cold..."   Kris just laughs, bending to retrieve a pair of old boots from the floor of the closet, shoes he obviously deemed good enough for hiking. He gets to his feet, slinging his duffel bag over one shoulder and picking up Tao's backpack, the same smug smile on his face,   'I'd say the score is tied now...'   Tao shakes his head, scoffing at Kris's words,   "If it was a competition I would have won now get out of here! Suho's going to yell at you if we're late!"   Kris makes a face, his eyebrows drawn together slightly,   'Why me?'   Tao smiles, his eyes amused,   "Because he likes me. He doesn't care about yelling at you...."   Kris pretends to look offended for a moment as he closes the door behind him, sounds of his soft laughter echoing down the hall to Tao.    Tao dresses quickly, wearing his favorite black sweater with too-long arms and rips in the shoulders, showing snatches of Tao's skin. Kris would like that. He pulls on his most comfortable pair of jeans and pale brown combat boots. Not exactly hiking wear, but good enough.   He clasps his choker around his neck as runs his hands through his hair a few times until a few strands fall into his eyes. Perfect. Kris already had a hard time maintaining his pda-less image around the other boys, might as well make this interesting.    Tao turns off the light and double checks the faucets in the bathroom before half-running downstairs, slipping on the bottom step as Kai appears out of nowhere, catching Tao by his forearms, righting him with a small smile.   He looks better than before, the bruises fading and he doesn't look as thin as before. Tao smiles, brushing a finger across Kai's cheek,   "How's that bruise doing, Jongin?"   Kai smiles, a smile that instantly makes Tao feel warm inside,   'Better. You ready to go? Everyone's already outside...'   Tao sighs softly, running a hand through his hair,   "How are they all ready so early? It's not even seven o'clock yet..."   Kai laughs softly, his eyes crinkling,   'I'm not sure but we better hurry. Suho put Lay in charge of breakfast and lunch so we're all ready to go. Are you?'   Tao nods slowly, a sad smile curving his lips,   "How're you feeling today?"   Kai glances down, offering Tao a small smile,   'Better. It still hurts, but it's better when we're all together...'   Tao smiles, his eyes lighting up as he shoves Kai gently with his shoulder, his voice amused,   "Well let's go then! Wouldn't want to keep them waiting any longer...."   Kai nods and walks down the hall, Tao following after him out into the yard, still snowy but since it was nearly mid-February, not as much. Kai turns to lock the door behind them and Tao glances up as he spots their rental van parked in the driveway.   He walks towards it, stepping inside the open door. The back row is already full, occupied by Luhan, Kyungsoo, Chanyeol, Kris, and Sehun. Kris glances up as he spots Tao, something odd flashing across his face as he bows his head, muttering something that sounded awfully like 'oh god.'    Tao laughs softly as he takes a seat next to Baekhyun, throwing an arm around the sandy-haired boy's shoulders, a smile curving his lips,   "You ready for an adventure, Baekhyun?"   Baekhyun smiles, glancing up as Kai sits on Tao's other side,   'I have a feeling we're never going to forget this trip...'   Suho turns around in the driver's seat, doing a quick head-count. His eyes pause on Xiumin and Chen. Chen has his head on Xiumin's chest, his face slightly pained. Lay glances up from his spot as copilot, his soft voice tinged with worry,   'Xiumim? Is Chen okay?'   Xiumin smiles, his eyes amused,   'He says he's feeling a bit sick. Probably all the staying up late, I told him it wasn't good for him. He'll be fine, don't worry...'   He tightens his grip on the curly haired boy. An odd look overcomes Chen's face as he curls closer to Xiumin, looking almost sad, as if he knew something Xiumin didn't,   'Xiumin....I love you so much....no matter what....'   Xiumin rolls his eyes, his voice soft,   'I love you too. Now rest, okay?'   Chen falls silent as Suho smiles, his voice bright,   'So, it's going to take us a few hours to drive to the trailhead, from there we'll hike about three miles to this meadow where we'll camp. You all think you can handle that?'   A few of the boys smile and laugh, the rest rolling their eyes. Tao grins, his voice amused,   "Just worry about driving, Suho-eomma. We'll worry about the rest. And besides, none of us are going to die so just relax..."   Suho laughs and nods, his eyes crinkling,   'Okay, okay. Most of you are going to fall asleep; I'll have Lay wake you up when we get close.'   The boys murmur their agreement and Tao turns to Baekhyun, a smirk on his face, his voice a low whisper,   "So how has it been having to control your thirst around Chanyeol?"   Baekhyun sighs, his eyebrows drawn together slightly,   'It's awful. It's like everything he does turns me on. I need to get over him, Tao. But how?'   Tao laughs softly, glancing over his shoulder at Chanyeol who had his headphones over his ears, his eyes closed, head tilted back. Tao turns his attention back to Baekhyun, a perpetual smirk on his face,   "I'm not sure if you can. But the best way to start is to see someone else..."   Baekhyun looks shocked, his dark eyes widening,   'You mean as in someone besides Chanyeol? But, I don't want to be with anyone else like I want to be with him...'   Tao arches an eyebrow at him,   "That good?"   Baekhyun blushes, shoving Tao semi-roughly, his voice soft,   'Get your mind out of the gutter. You know what I mean. I loved Chanyeol. He was everything and now that he's gone, it's like I'm not sure where to start...'   Tao smiles softly, his voice a bit more serious now,   "I'm sorry I'm not much help, but Baekhyun, I'm always here if you need me. Seriously, if you need anything from me, I'm here..."   Baekhyun looks up, a smirk curving his lips, an eyebrow arched. Tao laughs softly, pushing him by the shoulder,   "Now who's mind is in the gutter? I think we both just need some fresh air. This trip is going to be a good thing, for both of us. I know it."     The car ride passes more quickly than Tao thought. He sleeps for most of it, Baekhyun curled against his chest, snoring softly.    When Tao awakes, there's only about a half hour left and him and Baekhyun take full advantage of the time to make fun of Chen who is still sick and has his head in Xiumin's lap, the pink-haired boy his curly hair absentmindedly.    Tao turns his gaze back to the windshield as trees fly by on either side of the rode, rolling hills and imposing mountains just visible in the distance. Baekhyun smiles, seeming to sit up a little taller,   'So we've talked about me now, what about you and Kris?'   Kai looks up, an amused smile curving his lips,   'Oh yes Tao, please share...'   Tao laughs softly, looking between Kai and Baekhyun with a slightly surprised expression,   "We're fine, our two month anniversary is in a week, but besides that, not much..."   Baekhyun smirks, his eyes sparkling,   'So you haven't done it yet?'   Tao's mouth falls open, but before he has a chance to respond, Kris leans forward,  smacking Baekhyun on the back of his head, his voice annoyed,   'Ay! Baekhyun! Mind your own business.'   Baekhyun just laughs, bowing his head out of Kris's reach. Kris glances up, meeting Tao's gaze and a slow smirk spreads across his face, arching an eyebrow at Tao,   'Are you sure you'll be able to hike in that?'   He gestures to Tao's outfit with a slow smile. Tao rolls his eyes, turning around to face Kris,   "I wore it for you....."   The look that crosses Kris's face isn't something Tao is familiar with, an odd glowing look. Love? Whatever it is, Kris is looking at Tao differently and the dark haired boy knows that it's not just his clothes, Kris is looking at him. Kris smirks, amusement in his eyes,   'I think I love you....'   Tao rolls his eyes, hitting Kris on the arm and turning back around, his voice unaffected,   "Shut up...."   Tao glances up at the clock, realizing that they're almost there. Lay swivels around in his seat, smiling at Tao,   'Tao! Have you ever hiked before?'   Tao recalls his childhood in the city, growing up rich and unaffected but without a real loving family. Later, he'd stayed in his room mostly, studying so that his grades would be good enough for him to leave China. He had to leave China. No matter what.    Tao pulls himself out of his thoughts, his lips curved up slightly,   "Not really. I grew up in the city and we never got out to the rural areas much...."   Lay smiles softly, his voice somewhat excited,   'You can stick with me then. Don't worry, I'll protect you...'   Tao laughs to himself at the thought of Lay protecting anyone, offering the blonde boy a small smile as Suho's voice reaches his ears,   'Only a few more minutes! All of you better wake up and hand all your phones to Lay-'   There's a collective groan but Suho continues, his voice raised over the din,   'No arguments! We're here to be with each other, not to be on our phones, okay? I'll keep mine in case of emergency, but the rest of you have to give it up-'   Baekhyun laughs, his eyes twinkling,   'I don't think Luhan would mind that-'   Luhan makes an annoyed sound, hitting the back of Baekhyun's neck and passing his phone to Tao.    Soon Lay has hold of all their phones, Chanyeol looking annoyed that he can't listen to music anymore. Tao glances over at Kris who has his head leaned back, his eyes on the ceiling. Tao takes the opportunity to look him up and down, a small smile curving his lips.   Even when they were supposed to be hiking, Kris still managed to look beautiful. Tao's about to say something to him when he feels the van come to a stop and waits as the other boys throw open the doors, clambering outside with laughs and smiles, Tao following after them.    There's mountains all around them, only a small dirt parking lot with no other cars, a small white cross the only marker for the trailhead. The sky is so blue, the trees so green and it hits Tao for the first time how in the middle-of-nowhere they are. There's not another car in sight, no sounds except the gentle breeze and birds calling to each other.   Lay is passing backpacks of supplies to each boy, followed by a bag of breakfast for them to eat while they're walking. Tao glances up as Kris walks over to him, a smirk on his face as he runs a hand along the patches of Tao's skin that are visible, his fingers cold though his touch is gentle,   'Now what were you thinking, Tao-ah? Wearing something like that, you're going to attract the attention of the others.'   Tao smirks back at him, his voice soft,   "I was only trying to attract your attention, and by the look on your face, I know it's working. You look like you want to rip this sweater right off me-"   Kris blushes, a light pink color dust