Title: Heart In Disguise

Pairing: TaoHyun

Genre: romance

Author: xfivetaefung

Summary: Ever since Tao laid his eyes on Baekhyun, he knew he'll be special in his life. And he was right. But there was a problem: he was in love with someone else. Worst of all, with Chanyeol, his best friend. Will he be able to get his heart if someone already owns it?

A/N: please browse the foreword for the table of contents. and sorry if there will be grammar mistakes. I only use english at school -;- I hope there are KrisYeol and TaoHyun shippers out there too ^^

Lying comfortably on a sofa, Tao, whose eyes were glued on the television, ignored his friend Baekhyun's yelling. Or was it screaming? He didn't care, because what's more important for him now was to know if Naruto will beat his opponent. "Wah, I know you can beat him, Naruto!" he exclaimed, even punching in the air. He took pieces of large fries in his mouth all at the same time, and after chewing it, he gulped his soda from the can. He let out a loud burp.

"HUANG ZI TAO!" Baekhyun shouted, blocking his view from the television. Tao tried going to his left, then to his right, then back to his left again just to get a glimpse of what he was watching. But Baekhyun won't move. He felt frustrated so he turned his gaze to him. But maybe it was a wrong decision as he found himself turning away, cheeks blushing from embarrassment.

"Yah! Why is your body exposed? My innocent eyes!" He said, then bit his lips. Baekhyun raised an eyebrow at his weird actions and pointed him.

"That's why I was calling you, but you won't even pay attention to me." He said, crossing his arms together. Tao tried his best not to take a glimpse of him, but it was hard, especially when he smelled Baekhyun's afterbath scent. Baekhyun took a peek of what Tao was watching, and amusement filled his face as he saw what it was. "You were watching Naruto instead of getting me the shirt and the boxers I was asking? Goodness! Good thing I brought a towel," he shook his head as he say those words. "If not, you'll be more scandalous as you are right now." he added, giving him a grin.

Tao stood up, glaring at the grinning Baekhyun, already used to the 'sight'. "Yah! It's your fault that I didn't know what happened next! Urgh!" he frustratingly said as he brushed his hair with his hands. "And who told you to forget to bring your clothes when you know you'll be taking a bath? Pabo hyung!" He stomped his feet on the floor, a habit that he does whenever he's pissed. He marched out of the living room and headed to his room, leaving the amused Baekhyun behind.

"Stupid hyung! Now I will need to find that episode on the internet. Waste of time!" Tao murmured to himself, cursing Baekhyun in his head.

Baekhyun and him met 5 months ago, at Suho's birthday party where he and his other friends Kris, and Chanyeol attended. It was a costume party, where he and his friends decided to be pirates. They were having so much fun, until he saw a guy wearing a prince's costume lurking himself in alcohol. He looked dashing, and Tao won't deny that. He was alone, and he looked sad so he went to him and tried to talk.

"Hey, you're already drunk." Tao said as he grabbed the glass of alcohol on his hand and took it away. The man glared at him and tried to get his drink back. Since he was drunk, it became hard for him to reach it. He heaved a deep sigh, stood up, and started to walk away. But he had not been walking too far when he stumbled upon the floor, making Tao worry. He immediately aided on his side and helped him get up. He didn't know why he was helping this stranger, but he just felt that he needed him. When he saw the sadness in his eyes, he felt like he wanted this stranger to tell him what was bugging him.

"Tao, who's that?" Chanyeol asked, curiosity filled his face. Kris, who was beside him, helped him carry the man who now passed out.

"I-I don't know, I just saw him drinking to death..." he honestly answered. 

"Take him home, he passed out and looks like he'll wake up tomorrow." Kris suggested that made him raise his head in shock. "Huh? Why me?"

"You found him, so he's your responsibility now. Suho won't mind if you go home now since he already knows you hate parties. Hitting two birds in one stone." he answered. Tao thought for a while and realized he was right. The stranger looked like he came there alone, and Suho was nowhere to find to ask him who this man he was carrying was. Tao nodded and the two helped him bring the stanger to his car. As soon as he sped away, he kept on taking side glances to him, admiring the perfect features he has. 

When they reached home, he carefully placed him on the sofa. He took off his shoes and his clothes, leaving him with his undergarments. He took a bucket of water and a towel, carefully wiping his face, arms, and chest. He couldn't help but to stare at his face. He looked so perfect he seemed unreal. 

"How could this man look so perfect?" he asked himself. When he was done cleaning him, he lent his shirt and dressed him up. He had a hard time putting it on as the stranger was really in deep sleep that he wouldn't bulge even when he scream "fire!". He was about to get up and go back to his room when a phone rang. It wasn't his ringtone, so he was sure it was the stranger's. He took the phone from his pocket and saw the name "Appa" on the screen, calling him. "Maybe I should tell him he's drunk..."

He clicked the "accept" button and was about to say hello when a voice suddenly started talking. "Byun Baekhyun! If you won't accept the  marriage, I will disown you and leave you with nothing. I'll give you 2 days to go home. If you won't, just forget you have a family. Live on your own." Then the call ended, leaving Tao frozen on his place. He looked at the stranger whom he learned the name was "Baekhyun" and carefully placed a blanket on him, not wanting to disturb his sleep. He then sat on the floor.

"Though I don't know the whole story, it must be hard for you to agree on that marriage..." He talked as if he could hear him. The next thing he knew, he already fell asleep, his head on Baekhyun's side...

"Who are you?" was the first thing he heard when he woke up. He let seconds pass for his eyes to adjust on the morning light. He saw Baekhyun strangely looking at him. 

"I'm Huang Zi Tao. Call me Tao," he answered as he offered a handshake. But Baekhyun didn't take it so he shrugged his shoulders and brought his hand down then continued. "I found you on Suho's party last night. You were so drunk that you collapsed. I helped you and here you are."

"I collapsed? Oh, that's why my head spins..." he said, more likely talking to himself. "Hangover? Wait up, I'll cook something so you can drink medicine after." Tao said then headed to the kitchen. He brushed his teeth first and washed his face before he faced cooking. He cooked porridge, and soon after, he was already done. He put them on a tray and brought them to the living room where Baekhyun was sleeping again. He brought the tray down on the table, and it was then that he felt his back aching, probably because of the sleeping position he had last night. He ignored it and gently shook Baekhyun.

"Hey. Hey? Wake up, eat first then take medicine." 

"Hmmm..." he moaned, gently opening his eyes. He slowly got up and sat down, staring at the porridge. "T-thank you, Tao," he gently said, giving out a warm smile.

"No problem! I'm a helpful person so I'll help everyone who are in need!" Tao hyperly answered. That made Baekhyun smile and soon after, he was already telling him about the thing that made him lost control on alcohol last night. Tao intently listened, trying not to throw any questions whenever he say something that makes him confused. "....so yeah, he wants me to marry Eunji to save our business..."

Upon hearing the word 'marry', Tao immediately straightened his back and stared at Baekhyun. "W-wait, I think this is important. I need to tell you something," he said. Baekhyun turned his gaze towards him, quietly asking him what it was. He took a deep breath before he talked. "Your phone rang, I took it from your pocket and when I saw it was your dad calling, I immediately answered it because I thought I should tell him about your condition. But I haven't been saying 'hello' when he started talking..." He paused for a while, then tried to say the exact words that Baekhyun's father told him.

Baekhyun went into deep thoughts after hearing what he said. He decided to stay quiet and not to say anything. He turned his gaze towards the colorful fishes on the aquarium, watching as they swam like they were playing. Minutes passed before Baekhyun started talking.

"I'll let him disown me," he uttered that made Tao's small eyes widen in surprise. He stared at him, not saying anything. "I don't want to get married with the person I don't... like, or love, if love is even possible for someone like me." he said and added a bitter laugh. "Maybe I should find a new place to stay."

"You can stay here. I live alone." Tao found himself saying. Those words just automatically escaped from his mouth without even thinking. He felt like praying that the floor will open and eat him alive when Baekhyun shockingly looked at him, mouth slightly open. Aish... He might think of something...

"You will?" Baekhyun asked. Tao uncertainly nodded and gave him a timid smile. 

And the rest was, what you call, the history.

And I swear when I decided to adopt him, I didn't expect him to be this annoying!

"Yo! What are you thinking, huh?" Baekhyun suddenly appeared out of the blue that made Tao literally jumped off of his bed. He gave him a sharp glare when he heard him chuckling upon seeing his reaction. In response, he made a peace sign and sat beside him. "So, tell me what you were thinking that made your eyebrows almost touching each other?" he teased, even gesturing how his brows looked like with his own fingers. Tao frowned.

"I was thinking why I even offered my house to you. I mean, why did I take you in? If only I knew sooner you are this pestiferous..." 

"Ouch! I'm too handsome to be a pest," Baekhyun said as he touched his chest, acting as if he was really hurt by his words. Then he grinned. "But I know the reason why!" he hyperly said. Tao raised an eyebrow, waiting for his words.

"Because you love me." 

"WHAT?!" Tao stood up from his bed. He knew?! he blushed at the thought of it.

"Kidding," Baekhyun answered as he stood up and immediately ran towards the door before Tao's fist hit him. But before he completely left his room, he poked his head in and called Tao. "Hey, I have something to say. Chanyeol and I will have a date later, specifically at 2. Wish me luck!" Then he heard the door shut.

Tao felt his knees weaken so he lifelessly lied down on his bed, staring at the ceiling without even blinking an eye. Baekhyun and Chanyeol will date? He knew that Baekhyun sees Chanyeol at a different level. It was pretty obvious of the way he looked at him. He never felt insecure with Chanyeol as he know that Chanyeol and Kris have something between the two of them. But now, hearing directly from Baekhyun that they'll have a date... It stings. It stings his heart so much, so much that he just found himself crying. "Such an insensitive man..."

Even if he finds Baekhyun annoying, he couldn't help but to fall for him each and every time. He tried his best not to show any signs of him falling for Baekhyun in the thoughts of not ruining their good friendship. But now... Now that he heard about his date, he became unsure. Unsure of keeping it by himself anymore. Unsure if his decision was right.

He looked at the clock on his table. 

1 pm. 

One hour more before... before... he sighed and saw his phone. He harshly wiped his tears away and grabbed it. A text message was sent to him, it was from Kris.

HEY! DID CHANYEOL HAPPEN TO TELL YOU WHERE HE WILL GO LATER? HE WON'T TELL ME T_T

He smiled a bitter smile. So it's really true... He shook his head and typed his response. Not long after he had sent it, he heard his phone ring.

"Hello?"

"Hey, Tao!" Kris shouted, making him distance his phone away from his ears. He cringed before he put his phone back near his ear again. "Are... Are you serious about that? They will have a date?"

He sensed frighten in his voice, the same feeling he felt when he first heard about it. "Yeah..." he weakly answered.

"What?! But Baekhyun's a playboy! How could Chanyeol agree to date him?" It seemed like Kris was talking to himself more than to him so he didn't answer and remained quiet. "Do you know where they will go?"

He let out a sigh. He suddenly felt irritated without a reason he just wanted to end the call right away. "No. Ask Chanyeol. Hyung, I need to go. Bye," he said then hang up the phone without giving Kris a chance to answer. He sighed as he lie down back on his bed, using his arm as his pillow.

Until when would he wait to let Baekhyun know about his feelings? When Chanyeol and him were already together? No! I know Kris hyung loves Chanyeol, and so does Chanyeol... He harshly pulled some of his hair, not minding the pain it caused. He was so confused. A part of him wanted to give up, to let Baekhyun be happy with the person he likes, or he loves. But at the same time, he wanted to make a plan and sabotage their date.

"I look pathetic now," he uttered and smiled bitterly. "I don't even know what I want." 

Liar, a voice inside him said. You perfectly know what you want, and that is Baekhyun.

Oh, yeah? I want him, but does he want me too? he battled to himself. He shook his head when he realized what he was doing. "Why am I talking to myself?"

He stood up and poked his head out of his door, peeking at the open room of Baekhyun. He saw him excitedly picking clothes that he'll probably wear to impress Chanyeol. He piled up his clothes on his bed, probably choosing what was the best. Tao sadly smiled upon seeing Baekhyun's excitement. It was his first time seeing him like that, excited and hyped up.

All because of Chanyeol...

He couldn't bear seeing him act like that so he quietly closed his door and leaned his back to it, tears falling down again from his eyes.

Tao woke up with a heavy feeling, and his eyes were sore. And he clearly remembered why.

He stood up from his bed and looked at the clock. It was almost 6 pm. He went downstairs only to be greeted by silence. The television wasn't making any noise so Baekhyun was surely not home yet. "I wonder if they had so much fun..." 

He the lights and decided to clean the whole house. He started from the living room, then the kitchen, bathroom, his room, and lastly, Baekhyun's room. 

One thing that always surprises Tao was the fact that Baekhyun is a tidy person. His room was never in a mess, well except for today as it looked like a hurricane just hit his room, probably because of getting too overexcited over his date that he forgot to tidy up his room...

Tao felt a lump formed on his throat as he imagined an image of Baekhyun and Chanyeol dating. Tears slowly started to form in his eyes, but he tried to managed not let them fall. To divert his thoughts, he started cleaning. He picked up the scattered clothes on Baekhyun's bed and neatly put them back on his cabinet. When he was done, he took the vacuum cleaner and started cleaning the carpet. When he was done, he spotted the books on his shelf that were untidily kept. He was arranging them one by one when a crumpled paper fell from the book he was holding. Out of curiosity, he silently read what it says:

I couldn't imagine what my life would be like now if I didn't meet him. I was a man full of bitterness before we met. I was a man who was so mad at the world. But since I saw him, the moment I first saw his smile, I finally knew what will make those bitterness disappear: him. Just him. Just him is enough for me to forget the pain. Seeing his face, hearing his laughter, everything... Everything about him makes me happy. I love him... C.

If not for the droplets of water that damped the paper, Tao wouldn't know he was already crying. He felt all of his energy was drained after reading the message. He knew it was clearly for Chanyeol. The last letter proved it. 

He bumped his head on the wall continuously until he felt numb. He wanted to get numb; he wanted to think that everything was just a dream.

(read the FOREWORD please^^)