Tao's phone is ringing.    The loud trill rips him out of a warm and restful sleep, the bright sunlight making him squint as he sits up.   Immediate vertigo hits him and he groans softly, reaching blindly for his phone, knocking Kris's reading glasses and book off the nightstand in the process.   Eventually his fingers brush cold glass and the smooth plastic of his case as he pulls it into his hand and slides the bar at the bottom.   "Hello?"   It's quiet for a moment, a soft whining sound in the background like wheels.   'Tao? Did I wake you?'   Sehun sounds tired, his normally bright voice flat and slow.   Tao sits up a bit more, yawning as he shakes his head even though Sehun can't see him,   "It's okay. Where are you?"   Sehun sighs and Tao can imagine how he must be running his hand through his hair like he always did when he was exhausted,   'At the hospital.'   Tao freezes mid-yawn, a shot of ice cold fear making him pause for a moment, the air out of his lungs,   "Sehun.......what happened?"   Sehun pauses for a moment and Tao can hear his voice in the background, soft and affectionate though the words are unclear.   Tao clears his throat, trying to shove down the fear that was rising in his chest,   "Sehun?"   There's a muffled crackling sound and Sehun's voice returns, a yawn interrupting his words,   'Kai got hurt at their practice this morning....'   Tao sighs in relief, feeling his shoulders relax. At least no one was dead.   Not this time anyway.   "What happened?"   Tao can hear Kai's voice in the background, thick and slurred from whatever pain killers they'd given him.   'Sehunnnn-ahh. Get backkk over herree.'   Sehun is laughing softly, sounding amused now,   'Kai wasn't wearing shoes because he's an idiot and when they went to do the chorus, his feet didn't slide like they were supposed to so he tripped and snapped his femur...'   Tao grins to himself at Kai's misfortune, suppressing another yawn,   "Aww, poor Jongin. Tell him I hope he feels better. Are you two coming home soon?"   There's a slight pause, Kai's voice making Tao laugh,   'Sehunnniiieee, I wannnt kisssessss....'   Sehun is laughing again and Tao is sure he must be grinning,    'No, somehow he managed break it mid-thigh so it's going to take longer to set and he'll have to stay here for a few days...'   Tao glances over at the clock and around the room as he realizes his boyfriend is missing,   "Is Kris with you?"   There's a pause and a soft thud, Sehun's voice raised in protest,   'Jongin! Stop it-   Sehun groans softly, sounding more annoyed now,   'Mianhae Tao, Kai has imprisoned me in a hug and is refusing to let me go so now I have to lay here with him. Kris and the others are in the waiting room I think. You should probably call him and let him know that they can go home since I sort of....can't....'   Tao laughs nodding as he gets to his feet and grabs a hoodie from the floor, slipping it over his head,   "I'll let him know. Take good care of Kai, okay?"   Sehun mumbles something that sounds like 'whatever you say.' and Tao can imagine the look on his face, held captive by a doped-up Kai with an iron grip.   'I'll call you tonight and let you know how things are going. I mean, assuming I haven't hung myself by then.'   Tao grins, running a hand through his hair as he balances his phone in the crook of his neck, pulling on his favorite pair of jeans,   "You're a good boyfriend, Sehun...."   There's silence for a moment and Tao wonders if Sehun is even going to reply.   'Yeah, I keep hoping maybe someday he'll repay the favor.'   Sehun and Kai had gotten back together last week and things seemed to be going fairly well although Sehun was more skeptical this time around, not giving Kai what he wanted until he proved he was in this for the long haul.   Either way, it would be interesting to watch.   Tao is about to say something encouraging when the doorbell rings, his dark eyes swiveling in the direction of the hall.   "Hey, Sehun, the doorbell just rang so I gotta go, I'll talk to you later, okay?"   He taps the 'end call' button and hurries down the stairs, the kitchen surprisingly empty.   It must be too early for breakfast.   Tao slides the lock on the door and twists the bolt, letting it swing open.   Well this is a surprise.   Standing on their doorstep is Taeyang, dressed in a burgundy sweater, black jeans, and a white studded choker.   He looks slightly disappointed at Tao's appearance,   'Oh, hi Tao. I'm here to see Suho.'   Tao nearly flinches, shaking his head a few times as he steps out onto the concrete porch, closing the door behind him.   "Taeyang, let me talk to you for a minute, okay? And I want you to listen."   The pink haired boy looks skeptical but doesn't say anything, his mouth set into a flat line as Tao starts talking.   "Look, you seem like a really great guy. You're talented and really nice not to mention totally good looking, but I need you to lay off."   A shadow passes across the older boy's face and for a moment, Tao feels a slight stab of fear. Taeyang could be very intimidating if he wanted to be.   'What do you mean, 'lay off?''   Tao swallows slowly, speaking slowly, trying to make Taeyang understand,   "Suho is not ready for this. Maybe you don't know because you never met Lay, but he was everything to Suho. You couldn't give Suho the sun because he was convinced he already had it. You're really sweet and I can tell how flattered he is, but he doesn't want what you do...."   He just looks sad now and Tao feels awful for having to be the one to tell him what everyone else already knew.   Taeyang takes a step back, running a hand roughly through his hair, his voice soft and fierce,   'So that's it? I'll never have a chance? Because we haven't known each other long, only a few weeks, but I can tell there's something so special about Suho and I just want to be around him all the time-'   Tao cuts him off, a sad smile curving his lips,   "I know. But if you really care about him, you'll give him space. You'll be patient and you'll wait for him because someday, you two could be really happy. But not today."   Taeyang idles there for a moment, looking just a little bit lost.   After a moment, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small rectangular object, pressing it into Tao's hand,   'Give that to him for me, okay? I was messing around on the piano the other day and I came up with something for him....'   Tao curls his fingers around the flash drive, nodding as the older boy takes a few more steps back, looking disappointed.   "I really am sorry, Taeyang....."   The magenta haired boy avoids his gaze for a moment, looking off across the yard before turning his eyes back to Tao's, deep and shadowed,   'I'll wait for him.....as long as it takes.....'   Tao doesn't answer, watching as the older boy retreats down the sidewalk, disappearing from sight soon enough.   Maybe it wasn't really Tao's place to interfere in Suho's love life, but he knew that Suho wasn't ready for this. And it would be easier if he told Taeyang.   Tao stands there for a moment before heading back inside to the kitchen.   Baekhyun is sitting on the counter reading, grinning as he glances up at Tao,   'Hey....I was wondering were you'd gotten off to....'   Tao smiles and walks over to him, running a hand through his dark hair,   "Did you sleep well?"   Baekhyun nods, swatting away Tao's hand as he glances back down at his book,   'Hold on.....it's getting to a really good part.....'   Tao laughs softly and moves away, beginning to make tea as Xiumin walks in, perching on the counter next to Baekhyun,   'When is someone going to tell Luhan that he can't keep dating that arrogant ?'   Tao shakes his head, still laughing as he rummages in the cabinet for the raspberry tea that Baekhyun liked.   Luhan had recently started dating Taehyung, a prospect that none of them were very excited about.   Taehyung was good looking and rich and popular, but besides being a complete , he was also one of the boys that typically picked on Baekhyun.   So Tao had been more protective than ever, doing anything he could to never leave Luhan's idiot boyfriend alone with his best friend.   Tao wanted to believe that he wouldn't really do anything, but if he didn't have any problems abusing Baekhyun at school, why would this be any different?   Thankfully Luhan didn't bring him around much so they didn't really have to worry, no one liked him anyway.   Well, except for Luhan.   In the eyes of his honey haired boyfriend, Taehyung could do no wrong.   That wasn't exactly a good thing.   Baekhyun doesn't reply to Xiumin at first, looking a bit uncomfortable as he shrugs,   'I don't know....I mean....it's not really our place....'   Xiumin softens slightly, touching Baekhyun's cheek gently,   'Ah....Baek.....you're not afraid of him, are you?'   Baekhyun is quiet and Tao decides to rescue him, rolling his eyes as he leans over, pressing a soft kiss to Baekhyun's cheek,   "Of course he's not. He knows I'll kick Taehyung's if he ever touches him....."   Xiumin laughs softly, leaning back on his elbows,   'Oh Tao the valiant and wonderful, what would we ever do without you?'   Tao shakes his head, sending a half-hearted glare in Xiumin's direction,   "Where's Chen?"   Xiumin yawns, taking a moment to answer,   'Still asleep.....I figured since he's still recovering from that cold, I'd let him rest.....'   Chen had gotten better as he always did, but then he'd gotten sick again. Only a cold this time which mainly left him congested and exhausted.   Xiumin had been taking care of him and Chen was recovering slowly but surely.   Tao is about to offer that he'll take care of Chen today so that Xiumin can rest when he feels someone throw their arms around his neck from behind.   He catches sight of Jiyong's red hair as the older boy sighs softly, pressing his face against Tao's neck,   'Tao......it's only been two weeks......how am I supposed to last for three months?'   Seunghyun had returned to Japan a few weeks ago, much to the chagrin of his younger boyfriend.   Jiyong had been moping around at school so Tao had invited him over for the weekend in an attempt to lift his spirits.   It wasn't working.   He was moping more than ever and seemed to have become more affectionate towards Tao.   Obviously he had some sort of pent up energy since his boyfriend wasn't around.    Tao laughs softly, pulling away from the older boy with slight difficulty,   "Jiyong.....you'll be fine......"   Jiyong doesn't want to let go, making a soft sound of protest as he pulls his body flush against Tao's,   'But that means no for three months....'   Tao rolls his eyes, moving as far away from Jiyong as the confine of his arms allow,   "Somehow I find no pity for you.....now let me go....."   The red haired boy sighs in defeat, his grip going slack as Tao pulls away, his voice a bit gentler now,   "And besides, you know you'll always more than welcome here...."   This makes Jiyong smile, his eyes crinkling as he heads over to the fridge without another word, helping himself to whatever he can find.   Tao glances up as a rather sleepy looking Luhan appears, his honey hair messy, dressed only in his favorite white fluffy robe which hit him just above the knees.   A sight to behold indeed.   It occurs to Tao that he should call Kris, but before he can, Luhan interrupts his train of thought, sounding nearly mischievous,   'Sehun just called me and said Kai broke his leg and that they're both staying at the hospital for a few days...'   Tao leans across the counter towards him, phone in hand, an eyebrow arched at the smaller boy,   "And....? You want something, don't you..."   Luhan sighs softly, avoiding Tao's gaze as he continues, sounding even more confident now,   'It's just, Taehyung is between apartments right now and I was thinking maybe he could stay here since Sehun and Kai are going to be gone-'   A series of sighs and groans meet Tao's ears at Luhan's words, Jiyong glancing up from the rice he's eating,   'No offense Lu darling, but honestly, Taehyung is a complete boy and we all hate him....'   Baekhyun glances up from his book with an amused smile,   'But no offense, right?'   Tao laughs softly, about to tell Luhan it's not a good idea when the pretty boy looks up, his face filled with an anger Tao has never seen,   'Well, no offense to you Jiyong, but I think you're an arrogant prick who doesn't give a about anyone other than himself...'   The red haired boy's eyes widen slightly but he doesn't respond as Luhan turns his fury on the rest of them,   'As for all of you, I never asked you to approve of Taehyung. But I've never judged any of your love lives...'   Tao wonders if he's going to settle down now, but Luhan's not done,   'Just look at Tao and Baekhyun! I think you two are weird, it sort of bothers me, but do I say anything about it?! No!'   Baekhyun is blushing, ignoring the semi-shocked looks of the other boys.   He may be embarrassed, but Tao is done just listening. He stands up straighter, his face darkening as he pokes the middle of Luhan's chest,   "Luhan, that's enough. You can't deny the things that Taehyung has done. Or do you just look the other way while he has his fun beating up kids at school?"   Luhan looks about to hit Tao, the tension so thick that Tao is struggling to breathe, his heart fluttering uselessly in his chest.   'I don't give a what you think, Tao. You don't know anything. And besides, this isn't ing up to you! If Suho says-'   'If Suho says what...?'   The older blonde haired boy suddenly appears, dressed in jeans and a black tee shirt that showed off his muscles.   Well Taeyang would have liked that.   The leader of their household glances around the kitchen in half-confusion, bringing his eyes back to Tao,   'Tao? What's going on?'   Tao backs up from Luhan, wiping his hands on his pants sheepishly,   "I'm sorry, Suho, things got a bit out of hand...."   Suho doesn't say anything as he looks down at Luhan, his voice terse,   'Luhan....tell me what happened....'   The smaller boy clears his throat, looking a bit deflated now,   'Well....since Kai and Sehun are at the hospital and Taehyung doesn't have a place to stay, I was going to ask if maybe he could sleep here for a few nights....'   Suho seems to be considering, his eyes a deeper black than usual as he sighs softly, glancing around at the other boys,   'I know that not all of you like Taehyung.....but Luhan cares about him...and I could never turn away someone in need...'   He glances back at Luhan now, his eyes a bit softer,   'Of course he can stay, Lulu Deer....'   Luhan smiles, dipping his head respectfully,   'Thank you, Suho....'   Suho glances up, a small smile curving his lips,   'And Jiyong-ah....you're welcome to stay as long as you want.....it's been nice having you around....'   Jiyong smiles back at him, dipping his head a few more times than necessary,   'Oh, thank you, Suho. It's been a lot of fun getting to spend time with all of you....'   Suho looks about to walk away when he pauses, a look flashing across his face that Tao doesn't recognize,   'Jiyong....have you seen Taeyang lately..?'   Jiyong shakes his head, talking around his mouthful of rice,   'Not since Friday when I left home....why?'   Suho looks slightly confused, glancing between Jiyong and the clock,   'It's just, he was supposed to be here a while ago....we were going out for coffee today...'   Tao feels an immense stab of guilt, opening his mouth to speak as Suho's phone buzzes in his pocket.   The blonde haired boy reaches for it, pressing the accept button, Tao catching sight of the screen as it flashes by. '대양': Taeyang.   There's already a smile curving Suho's lips as he lifts his phone to his ear, his voice bright,   'Tae....I was wondering where you'd gotten off to.....why are you so lat