Something Kris had never liked about Suho and Sehun, had been their constant nagging about Tao’s taste in lovers.

Which had effectively translated into: I don’t really like Kris all that much and you should dump him.

In his defense, Tao had always defended Kris, laughing off their advice as a joke.

No matter what, the pair had always found a way to twist even Kris’ good intentions into bad ones.

Kris keeps calling you? He’s obsessed and controlling.

Kris indulges you? He just wants your body.

Kris won’t let you go the red light district alone? He doesn’t trust you.

In the end, he had stopped defending himself against the onslaught of comments, instead opting to ignore them. No matter what he said, they would never believe him.

Eventually, Suho had gotten accustomed to Kris, and even accepted him as part of Tao’s life, but it seemed, Sehun was still hell bent on inserting himself in the middle at any chance he got. It wasn’t far-fetched to say Kris wouldn’t be interested in packing up the little brat and shipping him off to Mars the first chance he got.

Even when Sehun had found himself a boyfriend- four years his senior –he still refused to stop offering Tao his ‘advice’. Kris couldn’t see why he just had to offer his opinion. He didn’t into Sehun’s relationship, telling him that he probably called Luhan ‘daddy’ at night, that he was a whipped little boy in a cradle-robbing relationship. (Those were actually all lies, but Kris nearly spouted it all out during one advice session- held while he was present. Such nerve that Brathun had.)

Gritting his teeth in annoyance, he sips his coffee, leaning on the countertop. The clock ticks quietly in the background, indicating each second Tao’s mind was slowly being poisoned.

He trusted Tao wholly, he just didn’t trust them. Luckily, it was only Suho today. After accepting Kris and the fact he wasn’t going anywhere, as hard as Suho tried to discourage the relationship, he immediately switched to mom-mode, swamping Tao with advice.

Kris’ phone rings.

Grabbing the phone, he takes a quick glance at the caller ID- Luhan –before answering it.

“Hello?”

“Hey, um, Kris. I know I don’t usually call you, but, is Sehun at your place? He left his phone and Tao’s not answering.”

“No. Tao went out.”

“Oh, then Sehun must be at the café with them. I’ll call Suho, thanks Kris.”

Hang on. Sehun was there? With Tao and Suho?

Kris slams the mug down, coffee spattering the table, while he half walks half jogs to the room, pulling on a pair of jeans at lightning speed, his heel catching on the end, and yanking it harshly. He pulls on a shirt, rolling up the sleeves and buttoning it, grabbing a jacket, his phone and keys.

Not today.

He wasn’t going to let Sehun get a single word in; and even if he tried, Kris would cram one of the café’s cream cheese donuts right down his throat.

Storming out the door, he jabs the button for the elevator, scowling openly.

The little old lady from down the hall was cooing at her favorite cat, Bob, and normally Kris would greet her, petting the furry creature, but today he was in a hurry.

A ding sounds and he leaps in, impatiently tapping his shoe on the carpeted floor, glaring at his own reflection in the mirrors. The elevator music played on in the background softly, completely oblivious to its stormy inhabitant.

When it finally arrives at the ground floor- four stops later –he practically flies out, through the grand reception area, breezing past the doorman, and jumping into the sleek Audi parked outside.

Flooring the gas, Kris peels out, immediately headed to his boyfriend’s favorite hangout (apparently it was Suho and Sehun’s favorite hangout too now).

-

“Hahaha, tell that to him, Sehun!,” Tao laughs, sipping his caramel latte in the warm atmosphere.

While Kris was busy dodging traffic like a Formula One racer, Suho, Sehun, and Tao were gossiping about none other than the boyfriend himself.

“I think I will,” Sehun grins, “He should know how large the stick up his actually is.”

“Who? Yours?,” Kris cuts in, snaking his arms around Tao’s neck and smirking at Sehun.

“Ugh, speak of the devil and he shall appear; it’s Kris.”

“Hey Kris,” Tao smiles, pulling the elder down and pecking his cheek. “Nice of you to join us.”

Sehun makes a mock retching sound, earning a jab in the ribs from Suho.

“My pleasure, Tao,” Kris pulls out the seat next to Tao and sits down, stretching his long limbs and kicking Sehun in the process.

“OW! What the !”

“Language, Sehun,” Suho cuts in, “I’ll have to wash that potty mouth of yours out with soap. God knows what goes into it.”

“Luhan’s obviously,” Kris dryly comments, earning a look from Suho and a giggle from Tao.

Before Sehun could retort with another biting comment, plates of cakes are slid onto the table, the sight enticing.

“Uh, did we order this?,” Suho questions, causing Tao to look away guiltily.

“Babycakes over there probably stole Kris’ card,” Sehun mutters.

Tao sits up indignantly, immediately denying all accusations like an attorney in the courtroom (it was borrowed- right Kris?!)

“Thanks, anyway, Tao,” Sehun interrupts him, “I guess Kris isn’t a good-for-nothing after all.”

“If anyone is a good-for-nothing, it’s you, Sehun,” the blonde growls back. “I don’t know how Luhan can stand your pampered which can’t stay in its place.”

“I don’t know how Tao can stand you interrupting our bonding sessions.”

“I did not interrupt anything, except a session of you poisoning my boyfriend’s mind with your bullshi-“

“-OKAY. Sehun, Kris, can you two stop? Kris, can I talk to you for a second?,” Tao cuts in, a worn look on his face.

Sehun leans back, a victorious, -eating, smile on his face.

Tao stands up, pulling Kris by the arm, while the elder glared at Sehun. He pulls him all the way to a secluded corner in the café, where it’s quiet and they’re utterly alone, giving Kris a moment to cool down.

“What was that, Kris? I thought you were more mature than to pick a fight with Sehun. He’s four years your junior.”

Kris just stands meekly, an annoyed expression still gracing his handsome features.

“How can you stand him? How can you stand all the crap he spouts out? Don’t tell me you agree with it.”

“He only acts like that around you. He likes to rile you up, you know it. Why do you have to respond?,” Tao huffs, ”That’s all that I’m asking. Can’t you just drop it?”

“So I’m not allowed to defend myself now? Is that-“

“-I’m not saying that, Kris, you know it.”

The elder rolls his eyes, crossing his arms and leaning back against the wall.

“Tao, you know I don’t like him. Why do you always spend so much time with him? You’ve gone out more than 6 times with those two, and it’s only Wednesday. I hate that he always has to chastise everything I do, whether it’s for your benefit or not. Oh, Kris, you aren’t treating Tao right. Oh, Kris, anyone could do better than you. Oh, Kris, I wonder why Tao doesn’t dump you; and you ask me why I respond to him.”

Tao stretches his fingers nervously, a little wide-eyed at Kris’ outburst.

“And, God, I hate it when he talks to you. I hate it when he tells you, Tao, you can do better than date someone like Kris, because truth is, you probably can.”

Kris sighs, pushing off from the wall, pulling Tao by the wrist.

“Forget it, let’s go back. They’re probably wondering if I kidnapped you by now,” he rolls his eyes.

“Kris, wait,” Tao resists his pull, leaning his weight back to stop the elder. “I-I didn’t know you felt that way.”

“We can talk at home, I’m fine.”

“No,” Tao insists. “Kris, I’m sorry. I had no idea you were so insecure about- well –us,” he gestures at the space between them, an abstract indicator of their relationship, “I mean- we’ve been together for a year, and we’ve been best friends for so much longer, I just assumed, you would trust me to make the correct judgement, you know.”

“And what if the correct judgement was to leave me, Tao? It might still be. It’s all about your perspective, and Sehun- he’s just like an evil witch in a fairytale. Kid’s got no idea how damaging words can be.”

“Don’t you trust me, Kris? No matter what Sehun says, I don’t care. In the end, whatever we have-,” Tao once again gestures between them, “-has nothing to do with Sehun.”

Tao steps up to Kris, running his fingers down the lapels of Kris’ jacket.

“Whatever Sehun likes to say about you, I don’t pay attention, and I don’t care. You aren’t in a relationship with him, you’re in a relationship with me. It doesn’t matter what he thinks. You’re the best for me, and I love you.”

Kris remains silent, breathing evenly.

Tao doesn’t move either, choosing to recollect himself.

Kris pulls Tao in for a bruising kiss.

-

Sitting at the table, Sehun scowls at the pairs’ absence.

“I’m sure those two went off to like rabbits or something. little s. Hey Suho, do you think Tao will mind if I nab a little of his strawberry marshmallow cheesecake?”

“No, Sehun. You have your own cheesecake. Leave them be, you’ve caused them enough trouble.”

Kris snorts from his place standing behind them, Tao wrapped around his arm.

“You certainly have-,” looking at Tao, Kris pecks him on the cheek, “-but I don’t think it matters much anymore.”