Their new ages:

27 - Aura (you)

25 - Xiumin

24 - Luhan

23 - Kris

22 - Suho, Lay

21 - Baekhyun, Chen

20 - Chanyeol

19 - D.O, Tao

18 - Kai

17 - Sehun

(I know anyone age 22 and above seems too old but bare with me. I am the author, am I not? :P)

Reminder: No stealing or copying or translating or plagiarizing my fic! I will make your life miserable if you do...

Repost: 7/22/15

Anything in red is in Chinese.

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Their Lives: Twelve Years Later

Bzzzt! Bzzzt!

“Mrmmm...”

Bzzzt! Bzzzt!

Thwack! A hand had whipped out of nowhere to smack to alarm clock’s snooze button with deadly precision. Then the hand, now sluggish, receded, slowly slithering back under the mound of covers where it had come from. As if there had been no wake-up alarm at all, the owner of the hand proceeded to burrow himself even more snugly under his warm shelter of blankets, groaning incoherently before turning to his side.

There was a polite knock on the bedroom door. “Jongin?” inquired a soft voice. Door pried ajar, Suho poked his head into the shared bedroom curiously. His searching gaze landed on the blanketed lump that occupied one of the bunk beds—the top one to his left. Having expected this, Suho sighed before actually stepping into the room. He crossed over to the bunk bed and raised himself onto his tippy-toes so that he could shake the slumbering person. “Kai, wake up. It’s already ten in the morning. You need to eat breakfast before driving to the airport to pick up Yifan-hyung and the others.”

Kai stirred, cracking open his bleary dark mocha eyes, only to squint at the blinding sunlight streaming from the window; someone, most likely Baekhyun, had flipped open the blinds earlier. Kai’s hair was a perfect ruffled mess, evident as he sat up from under his hiding spot. Yawning, he rubbed at his groggy face. “Suho-hyung?” he mumbled in a deep, tired voice.

The elder brother nodded while chuckling in amusement at the always-sleepy teenager. “Yes, Kai. Don’t you remember that you volunteered to pick up Yifan-hyung and the others from the airport? They’re finally coming home today from China.”

“Oh, yeah, I remember,” Kai managed to say through another yawn. After giving the younger boy a pat on the leg, Suho left the room while Kai went to the bathroom to freshen up. He did so in a lethargic manner, not exactly feeling rushed, and then trudged back into the bedroom to switch out of his pajamas, putting on a fitting t-shirt and a pair of comfy jeans. Done, he plodded down the narrow set of wooden stairs, yawning and scratching the back of his head. Upon reaching the foot of the stairs, he froze when a warm, angelic voice greeted him.

“Morning, sleepyhead.”

Kai felt his heart stutter and his skin tingle. Slowly, he raised his drooped head to see you flitting about busily in the cozy kitchen. Your glossy black hair was pinned up into a loose bun with a pen. An apron was donned over your clothes, and a happy smile was adorned on your gentle face. You placed a freshly cooked breakfast plate on to the dining table where Suho was currently seated, sipping his steaming mug of coffee that you had professionally brewed for him.

Was Kai the only one who noticed the stunning presence of a goddess? He swore that he was still dreaming.

“N-noona,” he stammered dumbly, then gulped, feeling embarrassed that he was acting so stupid and slow in front of you. “W-what are you doing here?”

After turning off the stove, you turned around and replied, “What? I can’t visit home? Really, Jongin, are you that sleepy that you forgot I still work at the bakery?”

Suho laughed as Kai shifted uncomfortably. You waved him over. “Well? Come on, silly. Sit down and eat. I cooked everyone breakfast, and you’re the last one.”

Timidly, Kai seated himself next to his older brother and began to eat. At the same time, you diligently started on the dishes, humming as you scrubbed and rinsed the dirty plates and silverware piled in the sink. Kai kept stealing glances at you as he ate quietly. Suho clearly noticed but didn’t dare say anything, only smiling inwardly into his coffee.

“Where is everyone?” Kai finally asked.

“Umma went grocery shopping, and Sehun accompanied her. Baekhyun and Chanyeol are at their college retreat. Aris-noona and I had opened up the bakery, but right now Kyungsoo and the employees are there to handle business,” answered Suho.

“When did noona get here?” Kai prodded, the volume of his voice dropping shyly.

Drying your wet hands off with a rag, you smiled as you sat down at the dining table, across from Kai. “Around eight. I felt inclined to help out at the bakery more since I’m off at the bookstore today.” You chuckled. “Besides, I came here early so I could tidy up the place before the boys come home. It’s been a long while since we’ve last seen them because they keep coming back and forth every few months.”

Suho nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it’s nice to officially have them back home, but Chanyeol keeps complaining about how stuffy the house will be again.”

Taking that dilemma into consideration, you tilted your head thoughtfully. “Perhaps EXO-M will find decent jobs so they’ll be able to move out like me. That, or some of them can move in with me to make more space here.”

Suho seemed caught off guard by your helpful proposal, blinking uncomprehendingly as if the information hadn’t processed through yet, and then he went silent, gaze downcast. He felt a tad bit jealous. Just a tad bit.

On the other hand, Kai almost choked on his food. You had no idea how bad he wished that the offer was for him. Why did he have to be one of the younger brothers? He and Sehun were still attending high school while everyone else was in college or working.

As for you, judging by your age, it was obvious you had graduated from college long ago, but unlike your brothers, you had extended your years enrolled in order to obtain multiple degrees, which were, in total, math, art, music, and astronomy. At twenty-seven years old, you had two average-paying jobs and lived not from your previous home in an apartment. Sometimes your brothers found it strange that you hadn’t nabbed a high-end job to earn more money in order to settle into a better home environment due to your unrivaled intelligence and hardworking nature.

But you hadn’t. Instead, you loyally stayed close to home, remained as a faithful employee at the bakery, worked extra as a part-timer at a bookstore, and even continued to be the caring, loving older sister to the boys. The boys would always be your priority, unfalteringly. It didn’t matter if you had the attractive looks to be a model or the desired traits to be a white-collar employee; you were where you wanted to be, within a reachable distance from the boys.

“Um...want to come with me to the airport?” Kai dared to ask you, awkwardly so as he tied on his shoes and shrugged on a light jacket by the front door.

You smiled gently. “No, it’s fine. You’ll need all the room provided in the SUV, anyways. Just drive safely, okay?”

Kai nodded firmly. “Of course.”

“Bye, Kai,” Suho called from the kitchen.

“Bye!” Kai shouted back before rushing out the door. As he jogged over to the SUV, he saw you leisurely making your way to the bakery out in front. His usual blank expression softened at the sight of you before he quickly ducked into the car.

Time to meet up with his other brothers.

To be one, once again.

...

“Hurry up and grab your stuff,” Yifan ordered exasperatedly, refraining a worn sigh as he and his brothers waited for Tao to retrieve his suitcase.

Tao pouted at him. “Well, sorry if I didn’t see it come around the first time,” he said defensively. This time he was quick to snatch his suitcase when he spotted it. Then he gladly stacked it onto the dolly with his brothers’ that were already retrieved.

“Hey, hey!” Xiumin urged with an insisting grin. “Let’s go get some ice cream before Kai comes!”

Luhan’s doe-like eyes brightened in a delighted manner. “I second that!”

“Guys—” But Yifan was cut off when Xiumin dragged Luhan over to the airport’s nearest ice cream store. Tao stealthily followed after his happy-go-lucky brothers. Yifan scowled at those rebellious little rascals, and Yixing patted his shoulder placatingly.

“They’re just excited to be home, that’s all, Yifan,” Yixing told him in that perpetually soothing voice of his.

Standing on the other side of Yixing was Chen, who yawned collectively. “Where do they store all that energy? Just looking at them makes me feel exhausted.”

Shaking his head, Yifan didn’t answer that and said instead, “Let’s just go find a place to sit.” He mindfully checked his watch. “Kai should be here in about another ten minutes.”

Yixing and Chen agreed, so the three of them wandered over to the rows of plastic chairs to sit and wait. While they were waiting, Yixing double-checked his belongings, hoping that he didn’t forget anything, and Chen reclined as if to take a nap. Yifan kept flickering his attention from his phone to his watch, although there wasn’t much of a difference when he inspected the time each instance. Not far from him, he heard some poorly disguised giggling, and, without raising his head, he spied a trio of women his age openly ogling at him and his brothers.

Having females fawn over them was a typical occurrence. It was unsaid that Yifan, Yixing, Chen, and their other brothers were model-worthy. They were easy-to-spot eye candies.

Yifan, since his high school years, had been dubbed as a ‘male god’ because of his towering height, strong stature, perfectly dyed-blond hair, and attractively sharp facial features. The first impression he exuded was one of being a scary, stoic guy, but he was actually a warm-hearted person. Over the years, Yifan had grown as a person, and the Yifan right now was the prime outcome of the boy he had once been.

It wasn’t just him that had grown or changed. Whether in appearance or maturity, his fellow brothers hadn’t fallen behind either.

Yixing, for example, barely resembled his younger self. He was skinnier and healthier than before, his figure now fit and slim. Most of his baby fat had been shed, so his cheekbones, collarbones, and chin were either angular or sunken in, but in a handsome, alluring way. His dimples, however, were as prominent as ever, even when he smiled the very slightest, so no change there. His bronze-colored hair was now artistically styled without much effort given, his trademark long fringe diagonally swept over his forehead.

Then there was Luhan. He had also ditched his natural black hair and had dyed it in many different colors. As of now, it was a honey blond hue with an almost beige undertone. He wasn’t exactly baby-faced anymore, but he still retained his doll-like features, continued to be teasingly referred to as one despite his vehement protests. With his permanent doe eyes, he was additionally teased by his brothers for looking like a deer. But aside from those aspects, he was taller, fitter, and vibrant.

Tao was the one amongst the six of them who had changed the most in both looks and personality. He may have never dyed his hair, allowing it to remain glossy and ink black, but it was cut in a stylish manner, and he would often gel it to spruce it up. He was surprisingly tall now, but not exactly Yifan’s impossible height, and sturdily built with developed muscles. His dark panda eyes were intimidating to most people, but during the times he accentuated them with makeup, it was hard not to stop and stare in admiration. Although still inwardly sweet and sensitive, Tao had his moments where he was cool, like when performing martial arts, and mischievous, like when he persuaded his older brothers to spoil him (but it was unnecessary since Yifan naturally spoiled him). The problem when it concerned spoiling Tao was that he had the finer taste for designer brands and had a greedy soul when it came to shopping, so money dwindled fast around him. Yet, no one could stay mad at him for long because he was truly a sweetheart.

The Chen now was arguably ten times better than the one back in middle school. He used to wear thick, black-rimmed glasses and sported a really short hairstyle, but all of that changed upon entering high school. He had ditched the nerdy glasses to properly show off his perfectly chiseled facial features, had grown out his raven hair to flip it here and there, had succumbed to wear more appealing clothing, and had worked out to gain some muscles, which emphasized his squared off shoulders and broad jaw. As an adult, he wasn’t an overly quiet boy crippling with shyness anymore. The way he talked now was easygoing and unfalteringly.

Xiumin was the least transformed, especially when regarding his love for food and soccer. He retained his lovable chubby cheeks, but his once shaggy hair was now better trimmed and dyed a light copper. Wrought from restlessly playing soccer along with toning his body, he was muscular than his younger brothers, though his cute, elfish features typically misled people. His cheeky, endearing smile also remained the same.

But regardless who it was, they all possessed charm, style, flawlessness, and gravity.

As to why they were currently returning home, it’s because the six of them had spent their high school or college years in Beijing. Initially it had only been the eldest of them, meaning Xiumin, Luhan, and Yifan, who got transferred over as exchange students. But when Yixing, Chen, and Tao became older, those three had also decided to follow suit and attend school in China by scholarships. After they had finished college and earned their degrees, Xiumin, Luhan, and Yifan had found jobs in order to pay for an apartment where they could all live together, arranged like that so the younger ones wouldn’t have to dorm at their school’s campus. When the younger three had chosen to attend the rest of college in South Korea, Yifan had proposed that all of them should move back home together, which was instantly agreed upon.

If anyone cared to tell, the six of them were fluent in Chinese and Korean—which explained why they were currently conversing in the former language. Many of them were frequently mistaken as full-blooded Chinese because of their looks, names, and fluency, but that wasn’t the case. All they knew is that they were more Chinese than Korean—or at least that’s what you’d told them.

Anyway, now they were back in Seoul. Hopefully they could find steady jobs and eventually move into their own apartments instead of crowding at home.

Looking quite satisfied, Xiumin, Luhan, and Tao returned a few minutes later with ice cream and milkshakes. They had even bought some for the brothers that had ditched as compensation.

Moments later, Yifan was alerted when his phone vibrated in his pocket. Fishing out the device, a small, approving smile graced his lips as he stared at the screen. Anyone who was gawking at him swooned at such a magnificent sight. A god was smiling. The ‘god’ stood up in a business-like manner, his height towering over anyone around him.

“Kai is outside,” he informed his brothers, who all perked up at the news. “Let’s go home.”

Immediately, they all stood up and nodded. “Home,” they chorused wholeheartedly.

...

“Yo, Kai! It’s been so long since I’ve last seen you, little bother!” Xiumin greeted blithely, converting to Korean when he spoke.

Leaning away from the SUV, Kai grinned crookedly from under his sunglasses. He looked like a model emerging from a magazine page as he sauntered up to his older brothers. Nearby people gawked as the mixture of handsome and pretty males interacted with each other familiarly, exchanging brotherly hugs and fist bumps.

“Welcome back to Seoul,” Kai said warmly with a bob of his head. “It’s good to see you all, hyungs.” He joked, “Got bored of Beijing?”

“More like we were feeling homesick,” Yixing corrected, his humorous laugh modest.

“Let’s just go home already!” whined Tao, impatiently gesturing with his hands.

“Okay, okay,” Kai complied, resisting an eye roll, then lent a hand in storing away the suitcases and packs into the trunk.

“You’re not going to kill us in a car crash, are you?” Xiumin asked skeptically as everyone buckled their seatbelts on. Yifan sat up front while everyone else was in the back, but since it was a moderately big SUV, no one really felt cramped.

Kai scoffed in the rear-view mirror as he started up the vehicle. “I’ll have you know: I’m a very good driver.”

“That’s not what I heard from Suho last year,” muttered Chen.

“Relax, hyungs,” Kai huffed loftily, but his eyes softened, although none of them could see it behind his sunglasses. “Besides, I promised noona I’d drive safely.” He pulled out of the airport while everyone lapsed into a dreamy stupor at the mention of you.

You, their loving older sister.

It wasn’t hard to discern the gentle, entranced expressions glazed across their faces when they thought of you. They hadn’t seen you since they had last visited home during their winter holiday break. It was cruel indeed, considering that EXO-K got to see you every day of their lives while EXO-M had to be patient with phone calls or e-mails.

These young men returning home...missed you badly.

“How is she?” Luhan spoke up softly.

While focused on the road ahead, Kai smiled sincerely as he explained about you. “Noona is doing well. She stopped being a music instructor, though, and is now an employee at a bookstore. She’s also been coming in and out of the bakery these past few weeks.” He raised a brow, debating whether or not to disclose any more information. He was a picky child when it came to...hogging you. “She said...that if any of you don’t want to stay cramped at home, you can move into her apartment until you can support yourself.”

Every pair of eyes lit up like lightbulbs.

“I’d love to!” Tao crowed, now feeling extremely anxious to see you.

“I call it!” chimed Luhan and Xiumin simultaneously, only to begin an elbow war, trying to make the other surrender.

“It’s noona’s choice,” murmured Chen, watching with unamused eyes as his brothers bickered heatedly back and forth. All he wanted was to be by your side again.

Quiet Yixing was troubled by his brothers’ reactions, pursing his lips as he seriously contemplated to himself. Of course it was his ultimate wish to be close to you, meaning he was sorely tempted to take up such a convenient opportunity to live with you, but it seemed intrusive all the while. He was unable to settle on a clear decision, teetering on the line that separated denial and approval.

Kai bit down hard on his thick bottom lip. Darn. He shouldn’t have spouted out anything. Everyone was going to fight over you again.

“Ar—noona hasn’t been asked out again, has she?” Yifan inquired coolly, catching himself almost belatedly from making a mistake. He only ever addressed you as Aris in his head or when the two of you were undeniably alone.

Too bad. Kai did, in fact, notice Yifan’s slip-up, but wisely chose not to comment on it. “You know that’s almost impossible to say no to. She never tells us anymore, but I swear people are taking advantage that she’s working at the bookstore, so they flirt with her there.” His knuckles whitened as he griped the steering wheel tighter in fuming frustration. Oh, no one knew how bad he wanted to beat those annoying, low-life scums into a bloody pulp for thinking that they were worthy enough to receive your affection.

There was no way in hell that you were going to be courted by someone who wasn’t him. You were staying single for the rest of your life if he could not have you. That’s it. That was final. No buts.

...Stupid sibling complex.

“Wait, how do you know, Kai?” Tao asked, cocking a suspicious brow. “You’re not stalking her again, are you?”

Kai unwittingly blushed, caught by the doubtful panda. “N-no, I-I don’t!” he refuted profusely, but it was futile. His flustered response proved him guilty. “I don’t do that anymore! It’s all hyungs and Sehun! They’re to blame!”

Xiumin and Chen snickered, the older one remarking, “You’re so immature, Kai.”

“Shut up before I purposely crash into a lamppost.”

...

Upon returning home, Kai and EXO-M were warmly welcomed back with open arms by their adoptive mother Eunsun.

“Boys!” she exclaimed in delight, her brown eyes bright and voice full of mirth. She ran up to them as they entered the threshold.

“Mama!” EXO-M greeted back happily, letting the woman crush them in tight embraces. Luhan kissed his mother’s cheeks. Tao, overjoyed, hugged Eunsun exuberantly. Xiumin allowed himself to be poked in the cheeks, only to grin in response. Yixing and Chen, the modest ones, blushed at the shower of affection. Yifan bowed his head respectfully before being squeezed around the waist.

“Wow, did you boys grow taller?” Eunsun wondered, eyeballing their heights. She concluded that they all looked healthy and strong.

“Not Chen-hyung and Xiumin-hyung,” snickered Kai, but then quickly ducked to hide from the said people’s glares.

Eunsun clapped her hands. “Okay, then. Boys, go put away your stuff for now. One of you can have Aris-ah’s old room if you would like. By the way, don’t start making a mess, you hear? Aris-ah was kind enough to clean up the house for your homecoming.”

“I’ll take her room,” Yixing spoke up softly in an even tone. Then he added impulsively, “Where is Aris-noona?”

“Working at the bakery,” answered Eunsun, sporting a genuine smile. “She’s taking over Baekhyun-ah’s shift because he’s at a retreat for school.”

Welcome back greetings done, EXO-M quickly hustled upstairs, causing quite a commotion between their chattering and movements. Except for Yixing, the other five re-familiarized themselves with their old bedroom that they’d shared before temporarily moving to China.

Ah, old memories.

Unlike his brothers who were unpacking, Yifan only dumped his suitcase and travel bag onto his bed before exiting the crowded room. He briefly paused by a mirror hung in the hallway, checking his hair and tidying up his clothes. He looked more than just good.

“Huh? Where are you going, hyung?” Kai asked, puzzled when Yifan swiftly passed by the kitchen where he was.

Yifan gave him a casual yet nonchalant shrug. “Just heading over to the bakery, that’s all.”

Liar, Kai accused, totally suspicious. Well, partly. “Whatever,” he scoffed.

Yifan hurried out of the house and then tried to appear normal as he strutted over to the bakery’s building up ahead.

“Welcome!” Kyungsoo greeted reflexively in his sweet, chiming voice when he heard the unmistakable jingle of the door’s bells. But when he raised his chin to peek past the counter, his cute, large eyes widened in elation upon seeing his tall, handsome half-brother enter the store. “Yifan-hyung! You’re back!”

Yifan smirked teasingly. “Of course. Didn’t you see Kai drive the SUV past here?”

The interior of the bakery was still the same as ever—neat, chic, and cozy. The walls were painted a solid chocolate brown and burgundy, with black borders and tan stencil designs. The glass displays and marble counters were spotless and pristine. On display were countless cakes, breads, and pastries that smelled appetizing and looked scrumptious, made by skillful bakers and decorated by deft hands.

Kyungsoo beamed affably. “So why are you here, hyung?”

Now Yifan faltered visibly in his cool aloofness. He diverted his gaze elsewhere, shifting slightly in hesitation. “Um... Where’s...Aris-noona?”

Kyungsoo raised an intrigued brow, barely half-surprised that you were Yifan’s first priority upon returning home, before smiling understandingly. He inclined his head at the kitchen’s double doors. “In the back, baking. She’ll be very happy to see you.”

As intended, Kyungsoo did an excellent job of making Yifan’s cheeks redden. The owl-eyed male laughed musically in amusement, and Yifan mumbled, “Thanks a lot, Kyungsoo,” in embarrassment. The tall male shuffled past the front counter awkwardly and went through the double doors.

The aroma of the kitchen was savory and pleasant, smelling aplenty of sugar, fruit, and cream. The temperature was cooler where the refrigerators were, in consideration to preserve the cakes’ conditions. Similarly, the temperature was warmer by the ovens where fresh breads and slabs of cake sat cooling off after being taken out. Everything about the kitchen was shining with cleanliness, probably the work of Suho or Kyungsoo.

A large lump lodged in Yifan’s throat when he heard the musical hum of your voice not far from the entryway. Feeling numb and unprepared, he thoughtlessly inched past the tables and shelves, on automatic as he gravitated towards the direction of your voice. He halted when he spotted your back facing him. Head ducked, you were busily bent over a wide table, icing cupcakes and sprinkling them with shredded chocolate shavings. Your glossy midnight hair was clipped away from your pale, heart-shaped face, and you wore the standard white chef coat and apron over your casual attire—jeans and a tee.

Your humming was wordless music, luring him in by its gentle magic. It was soothing and warm, making Yifan’s skin tingle.

The second Yifan had found the courage to step forward, you had turned around and nearly bumped into him. Reflexively quick, you avoided colliding into him and staggered back instead, your eyes widening in startlement as strong hands securely grasped your shoulders, steadying you.

That moment, Yifan clearly saw your face that he’d missed for so many agonizing months.

Realizing who was standing before you and firmly gripping your shoulders, you chimed happily in your velvety voice, “Oh, Yifan! You’re back!”

Then a heartwarming, angelic smile laced your lips, and Yifan felt like his world was complete when you embraced him. He was frozen at first, dumbfounded and slaphappy, but then he eventually melted into your touch, burying his face into your hair and sighing contently.

“I’m home, Aris.”

Welcome back, love.

...