Kris's phone is ringing.   At first, the sound is only an annoyance, the warm vibration against the skin of his hand barely noticeable.   But this is the fourth time it's rang in the past half an hour and Kris can't ignore it anymore.   Even if he doesn't want to, he has to face this.   Kris sits up, running a hand quickly through his dark hair and getting to his feet, tip toeing to the hall so as not to wake Tao who was still curled up in blankets, his soft snores audible even from a distance.   Kris glances down at his phone, the number one that he wish he didn't remember.    He swallows slowly, sliding the bar to answer and lifting his phone to his ear, his voice nearly hesitant,   'Hello?'   There's only silence at first, crinkling static that makes him hope beyond hope that this whole thing is a mistake.   'Good morning Yi Fan. I apologize for waking you so early....'   His father's cold calculated voice is enough to send shivers running up Kris's spine. Yet, he forces confidence into his voice, refusing to submit,   'Like hell you are. Is there something important you have to tell me or am I just wasting my breath like usual?'   The amused chuckle that Kris gets in response is almost worse than the aloof business-like tone.    His father sounds nearly joyful now, his deep voice full of his apparent amusement,   'Oh Yi Fan, is that any way to greet your dear father?'   Kris does his best to swallow the feelings of fear and apprehension that arise at the sound of his father's voice,   'What do you want?'   The laughter ceases as if someone has turned off a switch, the flat tone in his voice even worse than his apparent mirth,   'You know what I want. But since you refuse to comply, I request that you come see me in person so that we can work this out.'   Kris bites his lip, leaning his head back, wanting to be angry but knowing that that would only make this worse.   'Fine. I'll be there at noon.'   He presses to end the call before his father can reply, dropping his phone to the floor with a muted clatter.   Everything seems slightly out of focus as he leans against the wall, the plaster scraping his skin as he slides to the floor, bringing his knees to his chest.   How was he going to explain this to Tao?   He'd promised.   There seems to be a lump forming in Kris's throat, making it harder and harder to swallow.   He was being an idiot. There was no reason to cry, no reason to be upset, nothing had happened yet.   Yet.   Kris was poised to take over his father's law firm at the end of the year, but there was no way his father would allow that with Tao by his side.   His father had wanted him to marry for business, for alliance, and Kris had planned to do that until he met Tao and nothing else had mattered.   He'd loved Tao, loves Tao. After everything they'd been through, he couldn't break his heart.   But he may not have a choice.   Kris gets to his feet, leaving his phone where it had fallen and walking down the hall to the bathroom.    It's silent in the house despite being almost ten.   All of them were exhausted from the previous week, sleeping in wasn't a luxury they could enjoy on a regular basis anymore.   The silence strikes a pang in Kris's heart.   He remembers for a moment what those first few weeks were like.    When every weekend was an organized adventure headed by Suho and his co-pilot, Lay.   Memories of Lay's funeral flashes through Kris's mind, the pain of his loss still sharp even after time had passed.   Kris shakes his head a few times to clear his mind as he pushes open the door to the bathroom, turning to latch it behind him as a soft voice surprises him,   'You're up early....'   Baekhyun is perched on the counter, his ebony colored hair still damp, falling into his eyes past his thin dark eyebrows.   He's dressed only in a long white tee shirt, his smooth pale legs brushing against each other as he swings them off the edge of the counter.   For a moment, Kris can almost see what attracted Tao to Baekhyun.   He was beautiful in a way that no human being should be, his dark eyes big without looking fake, his delicate pink lips turned up at the corners in a half smile.   Kris swallows after a moment, his lips and glancing between Baekhyun and the door,   'I....I didn't know you were in here....I'll come back later....'   No sooner have the words left his mouth then Baekhyun pushes himself off the counter, landing gracefully and walking over to Kris,   'No no it's okay. I was just finished anyway.'   He flashes the older boy a polite smile and moves to walk past him.   But he pauses, resting a hand gently on Kris's broad shoulder, a touch that made shivers run across his skin,   'Kris....can you promise me something?'   Suddenly, Kris feels a bit odd, his heart fluttering in his chest as he struggles to form a coherent sentence without stuttering,   'O-of course I can, B-Baekhyun.....'   Baekhyun seems to smirk softly at the quiver in his voice, dropping his hand and taking a step back so that he can look Kris in the eyes.   Baekhyun's eyes remind Kris of a starless night sky, unremarkable in concept, but once you were looking, it seemed impossible to look away.   Baekhyun clears his throat, the hurt in his voice making Kris feel awkward,   'Whatever you do.....don't break his heart....'   Kris feels a shiver run down his spine at Baekhyun's words, the thought of what he was going to have to do making his heart feel heavy.   Instead of complying, Kris meets Baekhyun's request with one of his own,   'If there is ever a need.....take good care of him for me.....'   Baekhyun nods, a solemn smile twisting his lips.   And suddenly, the fluttering of Kris's heart is replaced by an odd calmness, an overwhelming feeling of trust and respect for Baekhyun.   Him and Baekhyun wanted the same things: the safety and happiness of the boy they both loved.    No matter the cost.   Baekhyun sweeps past Kris without another word, latching the door behind him and leaving Kris alone.   Kris starts to undress, pulling his shirt over his head as a knock at the door brings his mind back to the present,   "Kris-ah? Is that you?"   Tao's sleepy voice nearly makes Kris smile as he unlatches the door and pulls it open.   Tao is standing in the hall, his blonde hair messy from sleep, a black snapback already cocked perfectly atop his head.    Kris feels a warm swell of affection for his boyfriend, pinching his cheeks with a laugh,   'What is it, Panda?'   Tao yawns again, his Chinese accent even more noticeable when he was sleepy,   "Well I couldn't find anyone to shower with me and I just decided to shower alone and then I saw someone was already in here..."   He raises his eyes to Kris's with a lazy smirk, looking more like a mischievous wolf than a fluffy panda.   Kris laughs awkwardly, his golden eyes showing his slight surprise,   'You want me to shower with you?'   Two shrugs, his top lip in a way that made Kris's heart beat faster,   "Why not?"   Kris laughs again, trying to keep a flush from his cheeks although he can already feel heat climbing along his neck and collarbone.   'That's.....Tao.....I....'   Tao nearly smiles, taking a step towards Kris,   "What's the problem? I've seen you before...."   Kris nearly flinches, feeling a dark red flush burn his cheeks in embarrassment.   After all this time, the thought still made him feel a bit nauseous.   Tao laughs, a high pitched sound that Kris usually adored but now found just a tiny bit condescending,   "Yi Fan.....love, you're blushing...."   Kris swats his hands away, blinking a few times before shutting the door behind Tao,   'I only have an hour before I have to go meet my father.....'   Tao smirks, pulling his shirt over his head without hesitation, his hat still balanced perfectly.   "Then let's not waste any time...."   Before Kris can assess what's happening, Tao moves towards him, totally relaxed and graceful, making Kris feel stiff and awkward in comparison with his fair boyfriend.   Tao pulls his head down with a soft chuckle, running his tongue along Kris's bottom lip before fitting their lips together.   This sudden confidence in his usually submissive boyfriend catches Kris off guard, his heart fluttering helplessly as he feels Tao's hands move to the waist of his shorts.   Tao is pressing him up against something cold which Kris realizes is the wall of the shower, using his free hand to turn on the water.   Someone must have showered before them because the water is already warm, running in rivulets down Kris's arms and chest.   Kris realizes that Tao is now wearing nothing save for his hat, his warm tan skin covered in water droplets, his eyes looking even darker in the dim light.   Tao looks so good soaked, water running around the sharp edges of his muscles.   He seems to be panting softly, tilting his head at Kris in a nearly playful way, his voice low and rough,   "You like what you see?"   Kris laughs softly, taking Tao's face in his hands and pulling their lips together, a kiss totally pure and tender,   'You're so beautiful, Tao....'   Tao seems to drop the act slightly, relaxing under Kris's touch, a small smile curving the edges of his lips though his eyes remain closed,   "Shut up and kiss me...."   Kris willingly complies, letting Tao take the lead, trying to savor every moment as it passed, not wanting to forget anything.   He wanted to remember how warm Tao felt, the way the water seemed to make him glow, the soft sound he made when Kris kissed his neck.   Kris eventually stops trying to resist, pushing Tao up against the wall with a surprising gentleness, putting pressure on his shoulders.   Tao relaxes instantly under Kris's touch, a soft moan escaping his lips as he feels Kris pull their bodies flush together.    Kris and Tao's relationship seemed to have maintained if not improved given the recent emotional trauma they'd suffered, so this sort of physical intimacy no longer made Kris feel awkward or self conscious.    Kris knows he must be imagining it but Tao seems to grow more beautiful with every passing second, his dark eyes fluttering closed as he curls his fingers against Kris's collarbone.   Knowing what the visit to his father would bring, Kris tries to relish every moment, wishing he could remember everything.   The soft feel of Tao's skin, the way he tasted sweet and sharp like cherries, the delicate flutter of his heartbeat under Kris's touch.    Tao is breathing hard, his fingers knotted in Kris's hair so tightly, seeming unable to get close enough to him.    Tao's sense of urgency is almost y, Kris not bothering to contain a smile as he bites the corner of Tao's jaw, knowing how hyper aware his boyfriend was right now.   Tao gasps softly, the beat of his delicate heart increasing so that Kris can feel his pulse in every inch of his skin.   Kris wants to stay here and enjoy this moment, the sharp sound of Tao breathing, the sweetness of his lips, but just as it starts to get more enjoyable, a sudden musical trill breaks through the fog that was forming in Kris's mind.   His phone is ringing.   Tao's eyes snap open, his pupils shrinking in the light, making him look like a cat.   He tilts his head at Kris, sighing softly and pushing him away, his voice resigned,   "Go answer it....."   Kris nods, feeling more than a little guilty as he steps away, wrapping a towel hastily around his waist before picking up his phone,   'Hello?'   There's a pause, a soft feminine voice making Kris's heart falter,   'Mr. Wu? I'm Kim Taeyeon. Your father told me we'd be meeting each other later and I thought I'd call and talk to you for a bit first.....'   Kim Taeyeon. Daughter of a doctor who headed the board of directors at a hospital which was closely associated with Kris's father's law firm.   So this was the girl he was supposed to marry.   Kris swallows slowly, knowing Tao was only a few feet away, his deep voice slightly strained,   'I'm not sure now is a good time, Ms. Kim.....'   There's a slight falter, Taeyeon's voice taking on an almost embarrassed tone,   'Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to catch you at a bad time. I'll let you go then.'   She pauses again, the gentle affection in her voice making Kris feel slightly nauseous,   'I very much look forward to meeting you, Kris...'   Kris hangs up without thinking about it, his heart beating faster than it should be.   He hated the way she said his name.   It wasn't with mild annoyance like Suho or rough and dark like Tao.   It was with hope.    A false hope that Kris had somehow given her without intending to.   Kris sighs softly, glancing up to see Tao, still wet, dressed in Kris's tee shirt which hit him mid-thigh.   Completely beautiful.   Tao yawns, stretching his arms above his head,   "Who was that? They better be really important if they interrupted us...."   Kris laughs softly, brushing hair out of his eyes,   'Wrong number.'   He couldn't tell Tao yet, not when so many things were uncertain.   He was prepared to do anything, beg even, to keep Tao with him and to keep his father out of it.   Tao believes him, a soft smirk curving his lips,   "I suppose we'll have to continue where we left off tonight....."   Kris rolls his eyes, walking up behind Tao and encircling his waist from behind, resting his chin on the shorter boy's shoulder,   'I'm sorry I have to be gone today.....I'd much rather spend the day with you.....'   Tao shrugs, his eyes closed again as he leans his head back,   "Shhhh. Just let me think about what's going to happen when you get home..."   The soft husky sound of his voice makes a shiver run along Kris's skin, heat blossoming in his chest and between his legs.   Kris tightens his grip slightly, twisting his head to press a gentle slow kiss to Tao's neck.   Tao's hands curl into fists at his sides, the tension going out of his shoulders as he relaxes against Kris.   Kris pauses for a moment before kissing him again, running the tip of his tongue along Tao's warm velvety skin.   A soft moan escapes Tao's lips, a sound that nearly made Kris want to smile.   Tao could be so easy sometimes, only taking the tiniest bit of coaxing to get what he wanted.    Kris pulls his lips away and Tao makes an annoyed sound, crossing his arms as Kris laughs,   'Panda, don't pout. I'll give you so many kisses later....'   Kris smirks slightly, lowering his voice to a deep whisper,   'Everywhere.....'   Tao blinks a few times before realizing what Kris means, pulling away and hitting him in the middle of his chest,   "Kris! Stop teasing me..."   He's almost whining, the high pitched tone in his voice making him sound almost like he was begging.   Kris smiles slowly, tilting Tao's chin up with one finger,   'I'm not teasing you, Tao. I feel bad enough for leaving you all day, you'll get a reward later....'   Tao looks down, a slight flush coloring his cheekbones.    Kris smirks, glad he's not the one blushing now, pausing to press his lips against Tao's ear,   'Be a good boy, Tao....'   Kris grabs his phone off the counter and closes the door behind him, smirking to himself as he walks back to their room to get changed.   Kris dresses in a dove grey suit with a lilac colored shirt, the top few buttons open so that flashes of his warm skin could be seen.   He slicks his hair back and changes all of his earrings to black studs, wanting to seem professional.   He's about to head downstairs when he catches sight of his wooden pendant from Lay hanging one of the dresser's knobs.   Without a second thought, Kris slips it over his head, hoping that Lay's memory would give him luck.   Most of the other boys are already awake, the cheerful warm scene that greats Kris's eyes is almost surprising.   Xiumin is giggling like a teenage girl, his pink hair filled with flour as Luhan brushes some of it away, a wide grin on his pretty face.   Suho and Kyungsoo are both wearing aprons, the sweet smell of French toast filing the small kitchen.   Kai seems to be hovering behind Kyungsoo, making the dark eyed boy blush, Kai laughing softly at his shyness.   Sehun and Baekhyun are both perched on the counter, Sehun with his arm around the older boy, Baekhyun's head resting comfortably on his shoulder.    They look so happy and peaceful that for a moment, Kris almost forgets about everything that's been going on.   Before he can enjoy the scene any longer, the doorbell rings and Kris hurries to answer it.   He opens the door to loud chatter and smiles, the cool wind making Kris want to shiver and he realizes who has shown up to join them.   Jiyong is smiling up at Kris, his blood red hair swept back so that his cheekbones stand out even more, his ears riddled with countless silver and black studs.   Seunghyun stands directly behind him, his deep brown eyes only for his younger boyfriend as he nods to Kris with a bit of a tentative smile.    Seungri is grinning widely, his gangly arm thrown around Seunghyun's shoulder casually. When he catches Kris's eye, he winks.   A smaller boy that Kris doesn't recognize is holding a large wood strip box, the smell of sweet rice cakes wafting across to Kris.   The boy looks quite young, his small lips bright and red, his nose slightly turned down at the end.    He has black almond shaped eyes that are sloped up at the corners, deep onyx colored hair parted in the middle and curved slightly over his forehead.    He's so beautiful that Kris has to take a deep breath as he notices round black earrings adorning each of the boy's earlobes.    The boy is dressed in a black tee shirt and studded leather jacket with black skinny jeans and combat boots that hit him just below the knee with many, and what seemed like mainly unnecessary, buckles and straps.    The boy must feel Kris looking at him because he glances up, his eyes sparkling as he blinks a few times.   Jiyong realizes Kris's confusion and smiles,   'Oh, Yi Fan, this is the newest member of our team. He auditioned last week and the school liked him so much that he automatically got moved to our team even though he's a freshman.'   The red haired boy smirks slightly,   'Wu Yi Fan, meet Jeon Jungkook....'   The boy, Jungkook, grins at Kris, extending the box to him,   'It's nice to finally meet you. Jiyong talks about you so much, I thought you were his boyfriend instead of Seunghyun...'   Jiyong blushes a deep shade of red that makes Kris want to smile, the older boy hitting Jungkook's head,   'Shut up, Jeon....'   Kris laughs softly and takes the box, holding the door open for their guests,   'Come inside. I have to leave soon, but I'll make sure Suho takes good care of you...'   Seungri smirks at Jungkook, elbowing the younger boy as he gestures to the open door,   'Welcome to the club....'   Jungkook seems slightly nervous, but he's ushered inside along with the other boys as Kris closes the door behind them.   He can hear Jiyong's accented voice introducing Jungkook and the cheerful responses of the others.   Kris takes the rice cakes with him and sets them on the kitchen table, glancing up as a wide eyed Bakehyun introduces himself to Jungkook.   Baekhyun seems unable to take his eyes away from the younger boy, his laugh tense and awkward as Jungkook asks if Baekhyun has a girlfriend.    Kris smirks, watching as Baekhyun ruffles Jungkook's hair, making the younger boy blush.   Baekhyun had been moping ever since Chanyeol left, it was nice to see him happy again, even if it was only for a moment.   Tao soon appears, a yawn on his lips as he gives hugs to the new arrivals, shaking hands with Jungkook and offering him a polite smile.   Kris glances at the clock, realizing he'd have to leave in half an hour if he wanted to be on time. Which he did. He didn't want to give his father any more reasons to disagree with him.   Baekhyun is officially fawning over Jungkook, sending the younger boy in the direction of the bathroom before signing in near ecstasy, leaning against the wall with his head tipped back, his voice obnoxiously loud,   'I think I'm in love....'   Xiumin rolls his eyes, flicking puffs of flour in Baekhyun's direction,   'You're such a pedop