“Focus. Focus. Focus,” Tao repeated over and over as he tried to scan the swarm of papers scattered around him. As much as he wanted to study his lines for the showcase tomorrow, he just couldn’t force himself to concentrate. His nerves were driving his body haywire. He constantly had to reposition himself on the couch, crumpling papers each time. His fingers refused to stop thrumming against his knee and his feet wouldn’t keep still, even when he sat on them.

“Give it up, Tao.”

Tao jerked his head to the left where he saw Kris leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, and an amused smirk plastered onto his face.

“Wha… huh?” apparently his thoughts worked about as well as the rest of his spazzing body. Kris chuckled at the boy’s response and made his way across the room.

“Come on, let’s use some of that nervous energy,” he said as he grabbed Tao’s wrist and dragged him from the room. The confused boy didn’t even attempt an escape.

They arrived at an empty practice room a few minutes later. Tao glanced around the room briefly and then looked at his leader.

“You seriously want to practice more? We already had practice this morning… and this afternoon. Are you trying to kill me?”

“Yes,” Kris chuckled. “That’s exactly what I’m trying to do.” He finished his statement by bending his knees and throwing his hands up in front of him. This time it was Tao’s turn to laugh.

“What the heck is that supposed to be?”

“What?” Kris scoffed. “How did you win so many marital arts competitions when you can’t even recognize a classic ready position?” Tao’s eyebrow rose as he took in the leader’s posture.

“Is that what you’re doing?” He asked with a smirk. Kris frowned and straightened up at the remark.

“Is it that bad?”

The martial artist grimaced as he nodded yes.

“Well teach me then!” The older boy exclaimed, obviously peeved. Tao simply tilted his head side to side as he tried to decide whether or not he should return to studying.

“I really can’t…” he trailed off as he looked at the older boy. His eyebrows had drawn together. It was a very subtle movement, but by now, Tao knew what every twitch of his body meant.  Tightened lips with a slightly raised eyebrow meant skepticism. When the corners of his lips were upturned it meant he was amused. Darting eyes meant fear; tilted scowl meant anger and drawn in eyebrows meant sadness. Kris didn’t want Tao to leave, so how could he?
  “Widen your base,” he sighed as he tapped the leader’s feet apart. Tao couldn’t help but take notice of the smile that crept across his typically neutral face. Happiness. Tao moved behind Kris as he laughed to himself. He loved making him happy.

“And bend down,” he added as he pushed the leader’s hips. Kris breathed in sharply at the contact. Tao ignored it as he told him to tighten his arms.

“Huh?” Kris stuttered.

“Your arms… Tighten them.” Tao leaned in close to the older boy and shook his arms, causing the biceps to wobble slightly. He then rolled his eyes as Kris tensed his whole body. ‘Always the overachiever,’ he thought.

“And finally,” Tao slid his hands towards the boy’s elbows. “Raise your arms higher.”

At the movement, Kris jumped forward, face flustered.

“Th-this is boring. I want to learn something more, er, interesting.” He stammered, his words a mess.

“More interesting?” Tao said.  

“Y-yea.” Kris affirmed. “Like a, a flip or something.”

“A flip?” Tao raised his eyebrows in amusement. “You can’t even master a ready position, but you want to learn a flip?”

“Please,” he asked, as his teeth seemed to find their way onto his bottom lip. Tao smiled once again. He really loved it whenever Kris bit his lip. It made him seem vulnerable somehow; an emotion even Tao rarely got to see.

“Fine. I’ll show you the one I do for the showcase, alright?” Tao then stepped back, bent down and jumped. His legs flew through the air and his body twisted. It was over in less than 2 seconds.

“Yah! That never gets old.” Kris marveled, clapping. “Do another one!”

Tao laughed in response. “Why?”
“Because you look great when you flip. Gah, I wish I could do something like that.” The younger boy blushed at the complement and prepared for another flip. This is one he had just recently started working on; Kris would love it.

Tao bent down again, stretching his legs and swinging his arms to warm them. He then stepped back to the corner of the room. After a running start his body took off into the air. But this time he didn’t land cleanly on his feet. Instead he cried out as his body moved in the air and as he crashed to the floor he clutched his waist. Kris’s heart stopped as he saw the pain on Tao’s face.

“ , Tao are you ok?” Tao’s head was spinning as he tried to register the other boy’s words. All he could think about was the pain that currently wracked his body.

“Tao, ing answer me!” Finally he opened his eyes and took in the concerned face before him. Kris held his wrist in a death grip as his eyes scanned his body, as if they could see the injury.

“I’m fine,” Tao croaked, slowly pushing himself into a seated position.

“No. no. no. Stay down,” Kris rambled.

“I said I’m fine.” The younger boy said firmly, pushing Kris away. “Injuries are part of the job description for martial artists.” He winced as he stood up.

“W-What do you want me to do? I can get you medicine. Ice, maybe?” Kris asked as Tao began to move for the door. Tao grimaced in response. His brain was a fog. His waist was on fire, but he had to move. He had to be ok for the showcase tomorrow. Then he glanced at Kris.

“Can you just take me upstairs?”

“Upstairs? Uh, s-sure.”

It was obvious Kris was confused, but he pulled Tao’s arm around him anyways. He then slowly helped the boy over to the elevator, being careful of his waist.

“Which floor?” He asked, voice neutral.

“Yours…” Tao responded. He saw Kris’s eyes flash towards him, but he ignored it. When they reached Luhan’s, Xiumin’s and Kris’s room, Luhan immediately came over to help.

“What happened?” he asked, concern flashing across his boyish face.

“Nothing big,” Tao answered. Kris’s eyebrows knit together, but he stayed silent. 'Worry,' Tao thought as the boys laid him gently on the bed.

Tao heard Luhan whisper “Is he ok?” as the two boys walked off, but ignored it, choosing instead to lay silently and wait for the boys to return. But when the door opened again it was only Kris. The tall boy walked over, one hand full of ice, the other holding medicine and water. After sitting down, Kris pulled the younger boy’s head into his lap and raised it. He then fed him the medicine and helped him gulp down the water. After that Kris placed the ice gently on Tao’s strained waist.

Tao simply closed his eyes and breathed deeply as he let the medicine erase the pain from his body. As it slowly seeped away bliss emerged in its place. As he continued to lay there, he allowed himself to be taken care of by the older boy. He let Kris fetch him more ice. He let Kris place a moist towel on his head. He let Kris rub his arms and even let Kris run his fingers through his hair because every touch was perfect.

The way Kris’s fingers massaged his scalp sent tingles through his whole body. The way his other hand rested on his shoulder as his thumb drew circles was utterly relaxing. The way Kris was able to be completely silent, yet still convey that he cared; Tao couldn’t help but love it, couldn’t help but need it. That was why it was always Kris that he turned to in times of need.  It was Kris who chased away his ghosts. Kris who protected him. Kris who comforted him when things went wrong. And though he knew he shouldn’t have done this, shouldn’t have asked Kris to take care of him this way, he had, and felt no guilt. He just allowed Kris to continue taking care of him throughout the night as he fell asleep to the heartbeat that was always so steadying. 

Sooo.... Sorry for it taking forever to update. I had to rewrite this chapter like three times because it kept laughing in my face and bragging about how it hard it was to write. I made sure to slap it into submission though, so don't worry... Your update has arrived =D

Purplepluto: Bahahah you crack me up. Thank you so much for saying that you like the characterizations. Since I know this is a rather cliche story I try really hard to at least make it as realistic as possible with good characterizations, so it means a lot that you said that. Kisses forever. Also, i have no doubt the number of insomniacs increased... especially with ukiss, b.a.p, and infinites comebacks happening during finals weeks... le kill me now

Insanelee: hahah good. I feel like that means the fluff is actually being written well... cause giddyness is a good thing right??? lol

jjingbang: DO YOU SEE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO ME!!! You jinxed me into taking a freaking lifetime to update. I'm sure all my subscribers hate me right now... p.s. I still love you like buff men love tight shirts... just saying. (AND HOLY BALLS Afkhas;dgkhas;gh Kris has flown up by bias list like a... like a... thing that shoots up really really fast. His profile is just so freaking perfect and his skin so freaking flawless. I'm all kinds of in love with him right now)

Hojong: I love you... in other words, nope I'm pretty sure that covers it. *Flashes le brilliant smile*

WowF4tastic: *Flips all tables nearbye* Why are you so wonderful and sweet and nice and wonderful and kind and did I mention wonderful? Your complements just made my day. Thank you so much =D

Crimson: Tao is the cutest freaking thing on the planet... and if you disagree he shall kill you.

njam: I know I have said this to you already, but thank you so much for comment. I really like comments and people who try to make me write a better story.

Sadisitic: I like you... on the real, you're amazing and your comments are always so sweet. 

chigire: hahaha yes... if you look at my other stories they are nice and ty, so look forward to the future muahahaha

paper: YAYAYAYAY thank you for liking it. I shall do my best to make it cute-a-licious