“So you’re telling me that the same ‘brat’ that you’ve been complaining about throughout the whole week may actually be ‘not so bad’?... Tao said flatly as he sipped his hot coco.

“Yeah! Can you believe it? He saved me from the witch! He led her all the way to the kitchen so I could escape his room and out the house. It’s like one minute he’s this killer Bambi and then all of a sudden he’s just a normal gu-”

“What were you doing in his room?” Tao asked, his expression dead serious; his dark eyes locked with mines.

.

“……”

“Sorry what? Couldn’t here you.” He said mockingly as he cupped his ear

My mind flashed back to Kai and his stupid dare.

“Because I had to make the beds.” I answered smugly.

Thank you, Kai for giving me an excuse. I will forever be grateful to you!

“I thought you weren’t allowed inside the house.” Tao leaned back in his chair with arms folded across his chest.

Oh my god you Kai and your ideas!

I decided to go for the truth.

“Well Kai and I sort of kind of made a mess outside and he took me to his house to scold me.”

Okay so maybe a half-truth is good for now.

“So let me get this straight….you and the butler made a mess outside so he took you to the house to scold you?”

Yeah dip that’s what I just said!

“Yes.”

“To his room?”

I need to make new friends.

“Why his room of all places?”

I need to go make new friends right now.

“Why didn’t he take Jongin?”

I wonder where Kai is. He’ll probably punch him if he finds out Tao called him by his first name..

“He could have just screamed at you outside”

I should probably go find Kai…

“Why woul-“

“Tao…Shut. Up!”

“I’m just saying it’s kind of suspicious. Do you think he likes you?” Tao asked tightening his grip on his cup as he waited for my answer.

…..Likes me?

I couldn’t do anything but burst into laughter as I took it all in; My lungs begging me to stop.

“LUHAN L-LIKES ME?!!” I managed to shout in between laughs.

Even the thought of it brought pain to my abdomen which was too much for me to bare.

“Minseok! I’m serio-“ He stood interrupted by another bout of laughter that came over me.

I heard him shout in frustration a couple times but I was long lost in my own little world.

“Why would anyone like me!?” I cupped my knee for support as I continued to mimic a mad man.

I felt my arm being jerked forward and my chest being pounded onto his. That’s when his soft and milky lips came in contact with my own; the warm tingly feeling in my stomach rising to my cheeks as he broke apart to stare longingly at my eyes.

 Cupping the warmth that rose to my face as he whispered:

“Because it’s that easy.”  A voice so velvety and smooth that it sent shivers down my spine.

 

 

…….

He kissed me.

…….

 

 

“Minseok? Ya! you okay!! Look at me!”  Tao slapped my cheeks with a frantic expression.

I looked up into his warm dark eyes and was only reminding me of the way he kissed me; Feeling the warmth rise to my cheeks once again I focused my attention back at the wooden tile floor under my feet.

“Min-“

The smell of freshly baked pastries filled the room making my mouth water as I eyed the direction where it escaped from, freeing myself from Tao’s hold in the process.

“Do you only think about food?” Tao let out a low chuckle; his arms hugging my waist and placing his chin on top of my head lovingly giving it a feathery kiss.

“No! Only when it smells that good! And would you stop doing that!!”

He turned me around so I can face him.

“But I like doing it” His puppy dog eyes making it difficult for me to think straight. Or is it panda eyes?

“Won’t you let me?”

Very difficult.

I was just about to refuse when a full pout devoured his face.

“Fine! Just stop doing your little eye thing!” I swirled both my index fingers in a circle-y motion at his direction.

He stopped the motion of my fingers with his hands and gave me a quick peck on the lips only to be rewarded with a glare.

What is it with me being kissed today! I’m throwing away this cologne the second I get home.

“I’ll make sure to deliver handful of sweets for you and Yoogeun tonight.” He said and laughed at my expression which was jumping for joy.

“You promise!!?” I gripped his hands with a pleading look.

He answered me with a kiss only this time it lasted a little while longer than the last.

I wish everybody would just stop teasing me!

“I’ll be there late though.”

“Doesn’t matter, I’m working at the factory tomorrow anyway.” I took a step back to avoid another one of his ‘attacks’.

“I wish you’d stop working there.”

I looked at him with a puzzling expression as to why.

“You take up almost all my supply of band aids.”

“Ha. Ha. very funny.”

“I’m serious though. It worries me.”

His tone making me wonder whether or not he’s been messing with me this whole time…..

 

---

 

 

The factory was twice as full as it usual was.

Something about the head of the company that was coming to inspect. So I guess the witch made all of us work overtime.

I stood there silently as I watched everyone scramble about; large piles of wood being carried away from the supply truck much faster than normal; The exhaustion that linger on the worker’s voice more conspicuous despite their efforts to conceal it.

Yup. This day is going to .

……

“Shovel out the coal out of the furnace for me would you?”

I heard one of the workers say to a man that was far too old and weak to be working here.

“It’s okay I got it!” I assured him.

I picked up the rusty old shovel and made my way to the furnace; the smoke drowning my eyes as I opened the hood. I took a deep breath; rolled up my sleeves and began to shovel out the coal….

The sound of footprints growing louder and louder…before I knew it I was suddenly knocked over causing my feet to come out from under me, my heart rate quickened as I headed to the direction of the open fire, I stuck out my hand to prevent myself from falling face flat into fire.

….

The violent flames screamed as they devoured my hand. I quickly recoiled and winced in pain at my bloody mess letting out pained cries as I collapsed to the floor; groaning and hissing in anguish. Feeling as if a thousand burning needles jabbed in me. Tears blurred my vision and the pain only getting worse by each passing second as I gripped my wrist. The smell of burnt flesh brought a wave of nausea and sweat dripped down the side of my face.

 “I don’t need the likes of someone like you to offer me help.”

A shot of spit landed near my head but missed.

I looked up to see the same old man from earlier, the same one who I was trying to help; the same one who pushed me into the fire walking away with a sickening smirk.

I lay there panting unable to do anything except suffer; My tears staining the cement below me. I didn’t even have the strength to call out.

“Make it stop! Make it stop!” I croaked, my desperate tone making my words almost inaudible, but they still echoed around the eerie, empty room.

“Please….make it stop” I cried out. The last thing I saw was my bloody hand sprawled over the floor and the sight of footprints heading towards as darkness washed over me.

“Help….me….”

 

---

 

“Agh! Stay still for like 2 seconds will you!....There, all done.”

I heard the sound of the voice that was still deeply engraved into my brain. That same sweet tempting voice that belonged only to Luhan.

“You can open your eyes now.”

His doll like features peering over me with a smile was the first thing I saw when I opened them.

“Rise and shiiiinnneeee!!~” he jumped on top of me to sit on my waist making me gasp for air in the process.

“G-get off! You’re heavy!!” I shouted back at him but was instantly shushed by his index finger on my lips

“Shhh!!! She’ll here you!”

I blushed at his actions. Why is he so darn cute!

What the hell am I thinking!!?

I guess he was talking about the witch but I was too distracted by the pain in my hand that was no longer a bloody mess, but was safely wrapped in white bandages complimented with an iv.

He got off me in an instant and cupped my hand with care. As if I was some delicate jewel that needed to be polished.

“It still needs some more care to prevent scaring but this will do for now.” He said as he let go of my hand and placed it slowly onto the mattress.

He reached over a mobile table that held a soft blue bowl with a metal spoon by its side.

“Here… Eat this.”  He said as he positioned the small table at the side of the bed along with a chair for him to sit on in the opposite end.

I peered over the bowl and saw tiny seashells swimming over red water.

He rolled his eyes and assured me it was soup.

“Is it poisoned?”

“Yes. Now shut up and drink it.”

I picked up the spoon hesitantly and singled out a seashell onto it.

“Would you hurry up!”

“Excuse me, I like to take my time eating if you don’t mind.”

I tried my best to hold in my laugh as irritation washed over his face.

I guess I should probably try this thing. Bye bye Yoogeun.

I rose the spoon slowly but was then forcefully shoved into my mouth as my nose was being fastend in his grip.

I swallowed the liquid instantly thankful that I didn’t choke and die.

“What was that for!!! ” I shouted.

“It was getting cold.” He responded innocently as If he never attempted to kill me in the first place.

I simply stared at him sending him a look to say. ‘Did you know that you’re dumb as ?’

“Did you like it?” he asked me a bit too enthusiastically as if he spent all day making it himself.

“I don’t know maybe if someone didn’t shove it down my throat…..”

“I know what else can be shoved down your throat” he said, winking at me seductively (or at least trying to be)

“You have problems.”

“And you need to drink your soup.”

“Lost my appetite”

“Find it.”

“It’s not that easy.”

“It’s okay you got this, I believe in you.”

This kid is impossible I thought and let out a defeated sigh.

“Come on! Try it!” He persisted.

“No. And why do you want me to try it so badly. I’m honestly starting to think it’s poisoned.”

“You’ll be dead already if it was, now drink.”

“No.”

(it was honestly really delicious, by far the best soup I’ve ever tasted but the only thing I have left is my pride so…)

“Stop being so stubborn and try it!”

Plus it's fun messing with him.

“….hmmm No.”

Yup. Really fun.

He dipped the spoon in the soup and extended it to me. I blew up my face angrily so he wouldn’t shove it in again.

“St-stop that!”

“Stop what?” I asked innocently as I blew out my cheeks even more while widening my eyes.

“That!”

How is not illegal to be that cute!

“Oh you mean this.”  I balled up my small fist and brought it near my eye . “buing buing~” I cooed.

“YA!” he stood up from the chair making the blue bowl tip over; the warm liquid spilling all over the middle area of my pants.

It wasn’t that hot but I hissed anyway.

“It’s okay! Don’t cry, not all was lost. Look there’s still some left.” He assured me as he showed me the half emp-FULL bowl.

I sent him my best death glare which I’ve been practicing in front of the mirror to accomplish.

His eyed the middle part of my jeans that were now sprinkled with tiny seashells.

“…..OHMYGOSH ARE YOU OKAY!!!”He screamed gripping patches of his hair dramatically.

“Yeah, I’m fine it was just a litt-“

“NONONONONONO! I HAVE TO FIX THIS!” He took the nearest pillow from the bed and ripped off the pillowcase scrunching it up like a ball.

“what are you doing I’m fi- AH” he patted the wet part of my jeans roughly sending heat down my spine, contradictorily causing me to shiver.

“Sto-ah!....Nnng.”

I felt my face flush crimson red at my constant moans but he wouldn’t stop rubbing my middle area!

  “Really I’m fine. Quit i-“

“NONO THIS WON’T DO! IT’S BURNING YOU! I have to take it off.”

“Yes! Thank- Wait WHAT!?” before I could stop him his finger were already ing my jeans pulling on it’ hem.

“Stop!!” I shouted trying to pry his hands away from me.

“No this is my fault I have to fix this! Omg I’m so sorry it must be burning you alive!”

He successfully pulled down my pants revealing my Spiderman boxers along with a raging and I knew for sure he was holding back a laugh.

“Look at you holding in the pain. Don’t worry it will all be over soon! Now tell me where it hurts. Quickly!”

 “Nowhere!!!” My face flushed in embarrassment as he eyed my bulge that was standing proudly against Spiderman’s eye.

This kid needs help! I honestly think he needs help.

He pressed down the pillowcase. No longer wrapped up in a ball but only a thin layer wrapped around his hand as he massaged the wet spot.

“Ah!” I moaned feeling his hand fondling my .

“Please Nnng! No more. I beg of you ple-Ahh!”

“OH GOSH! IS IT STILL BURNING YOU I’M SO TERRIBLY SORRY I CAN FIX THIS!” he shouted as he reached for the hem.

Oh nonononono I know where this is going!

I jolted upright making him fall backwards against the small table……the blue bowl spilling all of it’s containment on his pants.

I needed to laugh. But I had to remain strong as I watched him sprawled over the marble tiled floor; his expression shocked beyond belief as he stared at his soiled skinny jeans.

My turn~

I put on my best acting efforts and began. Unhooking the plastic tubes that were wrapped around my arm.

“ ! I’M SO SORRY! Oh please do forgive me young master!”

I made my way to where he still lied; elbows propped up to hold the upper part of his body taking in the last two words I shot at him.

Heh. He probably hates when people call him that.

I kneeled down at his side with my Spiderman boxers accompanied by an uncomfortable huge bulge that I tried my hardest to ignore.

“ARE YOU OKAY! OH NO! EVEN YOUR SHIRT GOT WET! WHAT DO WE DO!?

I’m pretty sure he knew only small sprinkles stained his white shirt but he did nothing but stare at my eyes with slightly parted lips. His expression unreadable.

Oh my gosh I think it’s working!

“Here let me!! I have to hurry!”

Please god! Let him be wearing some sort of underwear! Who knows what goes through this erts mind.

I ed his jeans and pulled down his pants roughly to hide the fact that my good hand was shaking like hell!

His puppy covered boxers were revealed in front of me. Thank you Buddha for giving him underwear! And they’re cute too~

Ok why is he not stopping me? Isn’t he aware of the puppies all over his underwear? There is no way I’m touching his thing!

I sat their frozen unable to decipher my next move when in the corner of my eye a smirk played on his face.

He launched at me and tackled me to the floor still perfectly cautious of my injured hand.

I felt the close contact of our privates through our embarrassing wet boxers and his smirk turned into a grin that flashed all sets of his pearly white teeth.

“Oh no. What is your master going to do? It burns!”

Before I knew it he threw his shirt to the opposite side of the room; His milky abs now fully exposed as he eyed me hungrily.

He leaned in so his lips would me inches away from mines; grinding his with mines in the process.

And right then we both knew that I wouldn’t fight back.

I closed my eyes awaiting his kiss.

“Just kidding.” He whispered playfully in my ear and softly kissed my forehead.”

…... You.

 “Aww come on! You weren’t thinking that I was going to you while you were injured were you? You should give me more credit.”

This jerk!

“Maybe if you would have eaten the soup like I asked you to the-“

“Who said I wanted you to Pabo! I’ll never touch you! Not in a million years! Not in a billion years! Not in a-“

“Trillion years?” He finished off.

“Hmmm, but why do I have the feeling that you’re not going to stick to your word?”

I rolled my eyes and sat up slowly pushing him off me with my injured hand by mistake.

I shut my eyes and hissed at the pain.

When I opened them I saw him kneeling at my side with two pills in one hand and a glass of water in the other.

“How are you feeling?” He asked warmly.

I stood up slowly taking caution not to put pressure on my hand ignoring his question and swallowing down the pills. I took in the scenery as I tried my best to avoid his worried gaze so I wouldn’t get trapped in his spell but was defeated shortly after.

“Fine.” I sighed and shot him a wary smile.

This wasn’t a hospital I was sure of it. But all the familiar equipment was here.

“Wh-Where am I?”

A grin spread over his face as he pinched my cheeks carefully as if trying not to hurt me.

“I guess we were a little busy the last time you were in here.”

“Your room?”

“ding ding ding!”

He’s definitely bi-polar.

“Yeah great. Well it’s getting late so…”

I was heading out the door when he grabbed my good arm to prevent me from going any further and stared at me in disbelief.

“What do you think you’re doing?” He asked.

“Umm…leaving.” As if it wasn’t obvious.

“Umm, no you’re not.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’re staying.”

“What makes you think that I’m sta-“

“Because I said so…..and uuhh well my mom is downstairs and won’t be very thrilled to see you in the house. Plus, you need to finish your soup.”

“Then why did you even bring me here if the witc-your mom is here? And is there even any more soup left!?”

He nodded to answer my question and picked up the blue bowl for me to see. Only about 4 tablespoons of soup were left. Why does he want me to try this soup so badly!?

“Please, I spent all day maki- ah I mean going through the trouble to ask the maids to make it….for you”

I smiled at his slip up and gave in.

I took the bowl from his hands and swallowed it all in one gulp.

He looked at me expectantly waiting for my answer.

“Not bad.”

“Really??!! You really think so?”

No, it was ing delicious!

I couldn’t help but smile at his overly enthusiastic expression. Just like a puppy when you brought it home a bone.

He gave me a quick peck on the cheek making me blush and led me to the bed forcing me to sit.

 “Scoot over.” He chimed as he made fanning motions with his hands.

“Why should I?!” I barked stubbornly

He continued to force himself onto the bed leaving me no choice but to scoot over.

“Lay down.”

I did what I was told, sending him a puzzled expression.

“Goodnight.”

He took my good arm to wrap it around his neck as he nuzzled into my chest.

I watched him as he slowly started to resemble my little brother’s plushie. And I could have sworn the same pinkish glow from before tainted his cheeks.

“But it’s mid-day…”

“The pain killers will soon kick in.” I heard him mumble.

……..

…….

 He was right. I felt my eyelids grow heavy and my limbs starting to become numb.

“Even back then you were always wrapped up in bandages.”

Back then? Does he mean when I bumped into him as he was getting out of the taxi?

I was about to speak but the pain killers must have taken another blow and I closed my eyes.

“Goodnight my precious Baozi” He said softly as he buried his face deeper into my chest.

A spark grew inside me as I heard those last few words that came out of his mouth and suddenly I was eight again.

 

“IF YOU DON’T WANT TO TALK TO ME THEN JUST LEAVE!” I heard the shrieking voice of one of the boys at the camp.

My 8 year old self jumped at the sound and put down the strawberries that I was feasting on.

The sound sounded like it came from the patio up front so that’s where I headed.

At first I was confused at the sight of all the kids forming a circle and making it bigger with each step they took back.

What are they looking at? I thought.

That’s when I saw the small blonde boy in the center who was at the verge of tears. He had a slight accent and he didn’t look Korean.

“JUST LEAVE ME ALONE! GO!”

There it was, that same shrieking voice from earlier.

I watched as the kids took another step back and finally broke the circle completely as they went their own separate ways out of sight.

He stood their staring at the now empty patio;

“Don’t go.”

Silent tears streamed down his face that soon turned to painful sobs.  He rubbed his eyes as if to dry away the tears only to find out it wasn’t working.

“Don’t leave me.”

The boy soon gave up and let himself fall to the floor.

I watched silently as he sat there hugging his knees as a last attempt to drown out his cries. I thought of turning the other way But I knew I couldn’t just leave him there.

I took a deep breath and took wary steps until I was about a foot away from him.

I crouched down to his level and reached out my hand to caress his shaky ones.

He jumped at the contact and stared at me with his doe like eyes in surprise.

My heart skipped a beat as I took in his complexion.

Even with eyes still puffy/swollen; nose dripping of snot and cheeks smeared with tears…He was the most beautiful boy I’ve ever laid eyes on.

“Oh sorry I didn’t mean to scare you” I said softly afraid that my voice would upset him even more.

He quickly stood up and shoved me to the dirt as he kept screaming “Go away!”

I knew perfectly well that’s not what he wanted.

I knew perfectly well that’s not what anyone wants.

I stood up not bothering to brush away the dirt off my pants and pulled him into my arms.

“It’s okay. I’m here, I’ll always be here…..so don’t cry.” I did my best to repeat the words my father always told me whenever I was sad.

I felt him struggle under my embrace for a few seconds but soon he let his arms fall to his sides as he continued to cry.

“Shh don’t cry.  it’s okay I’m here.”

We stayed like that for a long time, repeating the same words of my father until his sobs turned to faint sniffles.

I freed him form my embrace to brush away the tears that still lingered on his cheeks.

He looked up at my with his doe-like eyes that still managed to make my heart race.

“Thank you.” he murmured a bit embarrassed.

I smiled softly at him and my eyes suddenly dropped down to his childlike plump lips.

Next thing I knew I found myself cupping the side of his face to plant on him a soft kiss.

“I’m so sorry!” I said as I ran the opposite direction.

I kissed him! I kissed a boy! Mommy is going to kill me when she finds out!

I thought I heard him shouting after me but I didn’t want to look back so I just kept running.

“Wait!!”

This time I was sure I heard it but I was too much of a coward to face him.

I felt the back of my collar forcefully being pulled making me break.

“You…Said you …Wouldn’t… Lea-“

I looked up at the frail boy who was now panting and exhausted from the run.

 “You’re not mad me?”

“OF COURSE I’M MAD AT YOU! YOU LIED TO ME!”

I grinned and without thinking I launched myself at him, arms wide open and wrapped around his neck in a tight embrace.

“I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry! I will never ever ever ever kiss you again! Not in a million years, not in a billion years! Not in a trillion years! Not in a-“

“Okay okay I get it! Let me breath now!”

I freed him from my tight embrace and let out a heartfelt laugh.

He looked a bit thrown off and swiftly looked away.

“What’s your name?” I asked him

“You first.”

“Kim Minseok”

“You don’t look like a Minseok.”

“Oh? What do I look like then?”

He took a step back to study me and a grin spread over his face when he got his answer.

He moved in closer and pressed my cheeks together making me look like a fish.

“Back home we had these little meat buns and they were really good! Cute too!”

I simply stared back at him with my fish face not knowing where he was going with this.

“I look at you, and you remind me of home.” he said sadly letting go of my cheeks.

I hugged him expecting him to start crying again but instead I felt his feeble arms wrap around my neck and a soft whisper at my ear:

“Will you be my Baozi?”

 

 

---

 

 

A/N

I was so close to publishing this before midnight (Florida time) but then the internet went out the second I clicked add chapter!! UGH! Stupid foreign country! But the good news is I’m finally going back to Florida tomorrow!!! (I ordered like 9 albums during my “vacation” so it’s going to be pure heaven when I walk into my room and see all the packages. <3333)

I really hate that I didn't get to publish this on Tuesday....

Anyways I had a loooaad of fun writing this chapter! I hope you like it and can’t wait to read your comments <3

There was some Taomin moments as requested so I hope you like it :D

This is the longest chapter and it took me forever to write! But yay I reached 4k words!

This is my favorite chapter I hope it’ll become yours too ;D.

Annyeong <3

P.s Did you know there is no pink font! I’m pissed! No wonder the server is still being updated they forgot to add the pink font! (I guess they do have pink font but it’s called lavender blush or something)

----