A/N: ...

Huang Zi Tao has always been a quiet kid. Always speaking in hushed tones and looking down at his feet. Even now that he's famous, he still rarely opens his mouth.

Well it was actually to his advantage that they are a six member sub-group. Kris has always been there to speak in behalf of the team; Lay is there for cunning side comments (a talkative unicorn, he is). Luhan and Xiumin are there to always look cute, with the latter getting extra hyper when food becomes the topic of the day. And Chen...his always smiling Dongjae hyung - or Chene gege as by preference - is as quiet as he is. But unlike him, the older boy is always lost in translation, looking profound most of the time due to his confusion. He couldn't understand most of the jokes in variety shows but he laughs anyway. Because everyone is laughing.

That leaves Tao with nothing. Except to always look so reserved and perform Wushu stunts for the audience. That fact doesn't bother him however. He is actually quite grateful about that.

Truth be told, Tao isn't who people think he is. He may be the most innocent-looking among the younger members (and Sehun would most likely do everything for the heavens to grant him such a face) but nah, he thinks that's just some crap.

Tao isn't innocent. And neither is he naive. He just finds speaking so bothersome that he has to stare at food for the whole duration of the shows so the other members would think he's just innocently hungry. Well, he IS hungry. And he likes cakes. But that's not the point.

The truth about Tao: his cutesy antics are just temporary masks. Temporary masks he puts on for a good show. Temporary masks that could make Duizhang come running to his aid or make Luhan accompany him shopping. If Tao was true to himself, would he win over everyone's - and by everyone, he means everyone - hearts? He bets not.

Anyway, Tao finds it amusing. And so, he doesn't end it just like that.

Not everyone is fooled by this stunt of his however. Especially not Lay.

"You know what Tao? You should stop your pride and insecurities from getting in your head," Lay tells him one day. They are alone in the dorms and in the kitchen, Tao was sitting two seats away from the older member. Both are eating; him, cake and Lay, some Pop Tarts he stole from Kris' room. All other members are still in the practice room so whatever they'd be talking about....nothing would get out.

"Who told you that this is some pride issue? And I definitely am NOT insecure," Tao answers back, stabbing his cake with a fork. Lay has been on his case ever since he so recklessly snapped at the older boy one day. Over a mere joke. He glares at him. He couldn't possibly forget that day. The days his secret was discovered.

Lay, still munching on his Pop Tart, starts putting on his pokerface. Nobody knows what's actually going on in that mind of his when he does that. And though Tao is quite terrified when that happens...

"And stop being such a nosy ."

"I'm not," Lay replies. "I'm just saying I'm concerned." He transfers seats besides the youngest member of the group and puts a hand on the latter's shoulder.

Tao stiffens. He opens his mouth, trying to speak as well as trying to regain his composure. He ends up stuttering however. "I...uh...wh-why are you c-concerned gege?"

Lay holds Tao's chin, slowly turning his head sideways.

"Hey, look at me."

Footsteps grow louder and Tao looks at him, gulping. "Hey, Y-Yi Xing ge. W - what a-are you --"

The door opens.

And Lay places a chaste kiss on his lips. A swift kiss.

"Tao? Yi Xing?" They hear Duizhang's voice from the living room.

Tao quickly averts his head. "I'll let you go, just this time," Lay whispers into his ear and quickly retracts his head just in time Xiumin appears by the doorway.

"Watcha guys doing here?"

The older boy bites into his Pop Tarts. "Just eating." He stands up and quickly glances back at Tao. "Tell me if there's any problem, okay?"

Tao looks up to see Lay smiling at him. A sincere smile. Transparent. No lies. For him.

He nods and looks back down at his cake, trying his best to hide the blush that's starting to creep up his cheeks. He, again, stabs his cake and puts it in his mouth so hastily that Xiumin asks, "are you okay?"

He nods.

Cutely.

For the first time .

A/N: hi guys. back from a very long hiatus. haven't been writing for a very long time so I hope my writing's still great :)